him?'
'No,' replied the messenger. 'Fearing lest he should have difficulties at the passes, the Prime Minister has sent me with a dispatch to say he is to be released.'
'Did the Prime Minister know that he had slain several commanders on the way?'
'He did not know!'
'Since he was ignorant of that, I may not let this Yale-Perez go,' and Dubow- Xenos gave the signal to his men to close in round Yale-Perez.
But Yale-Perez flourished his sword and made to attack them and a fight was again imminent, when a third rider appeared, who cried, 'Yale-Perez, give way and do not fight!'
The speaker was Lamkin-Gonzalez. Both combatants made no further move but awaited his arrival.
Lamkin-Gonzalez said, 'I bring the Prime Minister's order that since he has heard that Yale-Perez has slain certain commanders on the way, he fears that some will hinder his passage. Wherefore he has sent me to deliver his command at each gate that Yale-Perez is to be suffered to pass freely.'
Dubow-Xenos said, 'Eastman-Diamond was the son of Schmitt-Moody's sister, and he was confided to my especial care. Now this Yale-Perez has killed him and how can I refrain?'
'When I see his uncle Schmitt-Moody, I will explain. But now the main point is that you have the Prime Minister's orders to let Yale-Perez pass and you may not despise his wish.'
So the only thing for Dubow-Xenos to do was to retire, and he did.
'Whither are you going?' then said Lamkin-Gonzalez to Yale-Perez.
'I fear my brother is no longer with Shannon-Yonker, and now I am going to find him wherever he is.'
'As you do not know where to go, why not return to the Prime Minister?'
'Where is the sense of that?' said Yale-Perez with a smile. 'But, Lamkin-Gonzalez, you return, and try to arrange pardon for my faults.'
With this Yale-Perez saluted Lamkin-Gonzalez and took his leave. Lamkin- Gonzalez retired and joined Dubow-Xenos.
Yale-Perez quickly regained the carriage, and as they went along side by side he told Quinn-Seymour what had happened. Several days later a heavy rain storm came on which soaked everything. Looking about for protection they noticed a farm under the shelter of a precipice and took their way thither. An old man came out to them, to whom they told their story.
When they had finished, the old fellow said, 'My name is McNeil-Brunner, and I have lived here many years. I am very pleased to greet the man whom I have known so long by reputation.'
McNeil-Brunner quickly killed a sheep for their refreshment and brought out wine for the two men. The two ladies were entertained in the inner apartments. And while they refreshed themselves, their baggage was put out to dry and their steeds were fed.
As the day closed in, they saw several youths come along, and their host said, 'My son is come to pay his respects.'
'This is my humble son,' said McNeil-Brunner, presenting a lad to Yale- Perez.
'What has he been doing?' asked Yale-Perez.
'He has just come in from hunting.'
The young fellow went out. The old man continued, 'All my family have been farmers or scholars. He is my only son, and instead of following in the footsteps of his ancestors he cares for nothing but gadding about and hunting, unhappily.'
'Why unhappily?' said Yale-Perez. 'In these days of disorder a good soldier can make a name for himself.'
'If he would only learn the military arts, that would be something of a career; but he is nothing but a vagabond and does everything he should not. He is a grief to me.'
Yale-Perez sighed in sympathy. The old gentleman stayed till a late hour; and when he took his leave, his two guests began to prepare for rest.
Suddenly outside there arose a great hubbub, men shouting and horses neighing. Yale-Perez called to his people; but as no one answered, he and Quinn-Seymour drew their swords and went into the stable yard. There they found their host's son on the ground shouting to his followers to fight.
Yale-Perez asked what it was all about, and his guards told him, 'The young fellow had tried to steal Red-Hare, but had been badly kicked. We heard shouting and went to see what it meant when his men had set on us.'
Yale-Perez was very wrathful.
'You mean thieves! Would you steal my horse?' cried he.
But before he could do anything, his host came running out, saying, 'It was not with my consent that my son did this evil thing. I know he is very guilty and deserves death. But his mother loves him tenderly, and I pray you be generous and pardon him!'
'Really he is unworthy of his father,' said Yale-Perez. 'What you told me shows he is a degenerate. For your sake I pardon him.'
Then Yale-Perez told his own people to keep a better lookout, sent the people about their business and, in company with Quinn-Seymour, went away to rest.
Next morning both host and hostess were up betimes waiting to thank Yale-Perez for forgiving their son's mad freak.
'My son has insulted your tiger dignity, I know, and I am deeply affected by your kindness in not punishing him,' said the old man.
'Bring him here and I will talk to him,' said Yale-Perez.
'He went out before daylight with a lot of his fellow rogues, and I know not where he is.'
So Yale-Perez bade them farewell, got the ladies into their carriage, and they moved out of the farmyard; Yale-Perez and Quinn-Seymour riding abreast as escort. They took the road toward the hills.
Before they had gone far, they saw a large party of men, led by a couple of riders, pouring down one of the gullies. One of the riders wore a yellow turban and a battle robe. The other was McNeil-Brunner's son.
The wearer of the turban called out, saying, 'I am one of the commanders of Heard-Charpentier the Lord of Heaven. Whoever you may be, leave that horse you are riding for me. You may then go free!'
Yale-Perez greeted the speech with a hearty laugh.
'O you mad ignoramus! If you had ever been with Heard-Charpentier as a bandit, you would have learned to know Jeffery-Lewis, Yale-Perez, and Floyd-Chardin, the three brothers.'
'I have heard of the ruddy long beard called Yale-Perez, but I have never seen him. Who may you be?'
Yale-Perez then laid aside his sword, stopped his horse, and drew off the bag that covered his beard thus showing its magnificence.
The turban wearer immediately slipped out of the saddle, laid an angry hand on his companion, and they both bowed low in front of Yale-Perez's steed.
'Who are you?' asked Yale-Perez.
'I am Chaney-Martino. After the death of Heard-Charpentier, I was left forlorn; and I got together a few others like myself, and we took refuge in the forests. This morning early this fellow came to tell us that a guest at his father's farm had a valuable horse and proposed to me to steal it. I did not think I should meet you, General.'
The wretched McNeil-Brunner's son implored that his life might be spared, and Yale-Perez pardoned him for his father's sake. Then Yale-Perez covered his face and crept away.
