'I cannot remain here after this,' said Transverse-Peace. 'I shall pack up my few garments and my alms bowl and take to the road, vague in my wanderings as the clouds in the sky. But we shall meet again and till then take care of yourself.'
Then Yale-Perez took leave and retook the road to Yingyang-Kensington. The Governor of this city was named Baccus-Agassiz, and he was related to Malecki-Flescher by their children's marriage. Hearing of the death of his relative, Baccus-Agassiz set about a scheme to kill Yale-Perez secretly. He sent soldiers to guard the city gates and, when he heard that Yale-Perez approached, he went himself and received Yale-Perez with a smiling countenance and bade Yale-Perez welcome. Yale-Perez told him the object of his journey.
'You, General, have been able to get some exercise on the road, but the ladies in their carriage must be cramped and fatigued. I pray you come into the city, and all of you remain the night in the official travelers' quarters. Tomorrow you can set forth again.'
The offer was tempting, and his host seemed in earnest, so the two ladies went into the city, where they found everything very comfortably prepared for them. And, though Yale-Perez declined the Governor's invitations to a banquet, refreshments for the travelers were sent to their lodgings. Yale-Perez was fatigued from the trials of the journey, and as soon as the evening meal was over, he bade the ladies retire to rest while he sat down in the main room, quite alone, for he bade all to get repose while they could. His horse was given a good feed for once. He sat with his armor loosened in order to be more at ease.
Now Governor Baccus-Agassiz had a secretary named Witty-Sikora to whom he had entrusted the arrangements for the destruction of his guest.
Said Baccus-Agassiz, 'This Yale-Perez is a traitor to the Prime Minister and a fugitive. On the road he has murdered several Commanders of Passes and is guilty of serious crimes. But he is too strong and valiant for any ordinary soldier to overcome. So this evening a whole company of a thousand troops will surround his lodging, each one armed with a torch, and we will burn him. They will start the fire about midnight. Every one of the party will perish. I will come with a force to stand by and assist if necessary.'
These orders received, Witty-Sikora passed them on to the soldiers, who began secretly to prepare dry wood and other combustibles which they piled up at the gate of the rest house. Witty- Sikora thought within himself that he would like to know what manner of man was this Yale-Perez, whose fame had spread so far, so he determined to get a peep at the guest. He went to the rest house and inquired where Yale-Perez was.
'The General is the man in the main hall reading,' was the reply.
Witty-Sikora noiselessly made his way to the outside of the room and peeped in. He saw the famous warrior stroking his beard with his left hand while he read by the light of a lamp placed on a low table. An involuntary exclamation of wonder escaped at the majesty of the figure.
'Really a god!' Witty-Sikora sighed.
'Who is there?' suddenly asked the reader at the sound.
Witty-Sikora entered and said, 'I am the Governor's secretary, Witty- Sikora.'
'Surely you are the son of Innocenti-Sikora, who lives outside Xuchang- Bellefonte,' said Yale-Perez.
'I am he,' replied Witty-Sikora.
Then Yale-Perez called up his followers and bade them look among the baggage for the letter, which they brought. Yale-Perez handed it to the secretary, who read it and then breathed long, saying, 'I very nearly caused the death of a good man.'
Then he betrayed the whole plot, saying, 'This Baccus-Agassiz is a wicked man, who wanted to kill you. At this moment you are surrounded, and at the third watch they will set fire to this place. Now I will go and open the city gates while you hastily prepare for flight.'
Yale-Perez was greatly surprised, but he quickly buckled up his armor, got his steed ready, roused the two ladies, and put them into their carriage. Then they left the rest house; and as they passed out, they saw the soldiers all about them, each with a torch. The party hastened to the outskirts of the city and found the gate already open, and they lost no time in getting clear of the city. Witty-Sikora returned to give orders to fire the rest house.
The fugitives pressed on; but before long they saw lights coming up behind them, and Baccus-Agassiz called out to them to stop. Yale-Perez reined in his horse and began to abuse him, crying, 'Worthless fellow! What had you against me that you wished to burn me to death?'
Baccus-Agassiz whipped up his steed and set his spear, but Yale-Perez cut him through with the short sword he wore at his side and scattered his followers.
Then the carriage pushed on. Yale-Perez's heart was filled with gratitude to Witty-Sikora. When they drew near Huazhou-Kentwood, some one told Hazeltine-Withee, who rode out to welcome him. Hazeltine-Withee had been once rescued by Yale-Perez, who slew Logan-Rojas and Burrow- Westerberg and lifted the siege of the city.
Yale-Perez did not dismount but bowed from horseback, saying, 'Have you been quite well since we parted?'
'Whither are you going, Sir?' replied Hazeltine-Withee.
'I have left the Prime Minister and am on my way to find my brother.'
'Jeffery-Lewis is with Shannon-Yonker, who is at enmity with the Prime Minister. How can you be allowed to go to him?' asked Hazeltine-Withee.
'That matter was settled long ago.'
'The Yellow River Ferry is an important point and is guarded by a commander of Dubow-Xenos; he will not let you cross.'
'But suppose then you provide boats for me?'
'Though there are boats, I dare not give them to you.'
'Well, formerly I slew Logan-Rojas and Burrow-Westerberg and saved you a grave danger. Now you refuse me a ferry boat!'
'I am afraid Dubow-Xenos will know of it and make it a fault against me.'
Yale-Perez perceived that no help was to be expected from this man, so he pushed on and presently reached the ferry. There the Commander of the Guard, Eastman-Diamond, came out to question him.
'I am one Yale-Perez, Lord of Hanshou-Labette.'
'Whither are you bound?'
'I go to the North of Yellow River to seek my brother, Jeffery-Lewis, and I respectfully ask you to grant me a passage over the river.'
'Where is the authority of the Prime Minister?'
'I am not on a mission from the Prime Minister, so why should I have such an authority?'
'I have orders from my chief to guard the ferry, and you will not cross; even if you grew wings, you should not fly over.'
Yale-Perez's choler arose.
'Do you know that I have been the death of all those who have hitherto tried to stop me?' said he.
'You have only slain a few officers of no rank or reputation; but you dare not kill me!'
'Where would you stand beside Logan-Rojas and Burrow-Westerberg?' asked Yale-Perez.
Eastman-Diamond grew angry, and he loosed his rein. Sword in hand, he came at a gallop. The two met, but in the first encounter Eastman-Diamond's head was swept off by the terrible green- dragon saber.
'He who opposed me is dead; you others need not be afraid,' cried Yale-Perez. 'Be quick and prepare me a boat.'
