'Jeffery-Lewis was strengthening himself at Runan-Pittsford with the force of Pryor-Lewis and Terrell-Dickey and, when he heard that you was attacking Jithamton, he said he would take the opportunity to march on the capital. Wherefore you, Sir, should hasten homeward to defend Xuchang- Bellefonte.'
This news disconcerted Murphy-Shackley. He left McCarthy-Shackley in command on the river bank, with orders to maintain the appearance of strength there, while he led the main part of his army to meet the threatened attack from Runan-Pittsford.
Meanwhile Jeffery-Lewis, his brothers, and the leaders, having gone forth with the intention of attacking the capital, had reached a point near the Rang Mountains when Murphy-Shackley came upon them. So Jeffery-Lewis camped by the hills and divided his army into three, sending Yale-Perez and Floyd- Chardin with ten thousand troops each to entrench themselves southeast and southwest respectively of the main body, which he and Gilbert-Rocher commanded.
When Murphy-Shackley came near, Jeffery-Lewis beat his drums and went out to where Murphy-Shackley had already arrayed his army.
Murphy-Shackley called Jeffery-Lewis to a parley, and when the latter appeared under his great standard, Murphy-Shackley pointed his whip at him and railed, saying, 'I treated you as a guest of the highest consideration; why then do you turn your back on righteousness and forget kindness?'
Jeffery-Lewis replied, 'Under the name of Prime Minister you are really a rebel. I am a direct descendant of the family, and I have a secret decree from the Throne to take such offenders as you.'
As he said these words, he produced and recited the decree which is known as the 'Girdle Mandate.'
Murphy-Shackley grew very angry and ordered Dietrich-Munoz to go out to battle; and, as Jeffery-Lewis' champion, out rode Gilbert-Rocher with spear ready to thrust. The two warriors exchanged thirty bouts without advantage to either. Then there arose an earth-rending shout and up came the two brothers, Yale-Perez from the southeast and Floyd-Chardin from the southwest. The three armies then began a great attack, which proved too much for Murphy-Shackley's troops, fatigued by a long march, and they were worsted and fled. Jeffery-Lewis having scored this victory returned to camp.
Next day he sent out Gilbert-Rocher again to challenge the enemy, but it was not accepted and Murphy-Shackley's army remained ten days without movement. Then Floyd-Chardin offered a challenge which also was not accepted. And Jeffery-Lewis began to feel anxious.
Then unexpectedly came news that the enemy had stopped a train of supplies brought by Terrell-Dickey, and at once Floyd-Chardin went to the rescue. Worse still was the news that followed, that an army led by Dubow-Xenos had got in behind to attack Runan-Pittsford.
Quite dismayed, Jeffery-Lewis said, 'If this be true, I have enemies in front and rear and have no place to go.'
He then sent Yale-Perez to try to recover the city and thus both his brothers were absent from his side. One day later a horseman rode up to say that Runan-Pittsford had fallen, its defender Pryor- Lewis had fled, and Yale-Perez was surrounded. To make the matters worse, the news came that Floyd-Chardin, who had gone to rescue Terrell-Dickey, was in like case.
Jeffery-Lewis tried to withdraw his troops, fearing all the time an attack from Murphy-Shackley. Suddenly the sentinels came in, saying: 'Dietrich-Munoz is at the camp gate offering a challenge.'
Jeffery-Lewis did not allow his army to go out. They waited till dawn, and then Jeffery-Lewis bade the soldiers get a good meal and be ready to start. When ready the foot went out first, the horsemen next, leaving a few troops in the camp to beat the watches and maintain an appearance of occupation.
After traveling a some miles, they passed some mounds. Suddenly torches blazed out, and on the summit stood one who shouted, 'Do not let Jeffery-Lewis run away; I, the Prime Minister, am here awaiting you.'
Jeffery-Lewis dashed along the first clear road he saw.
Gilbert-Rocher said, 'Fear not, my lord, only follow me!'
And setting his spear, Gilbert-Rocher galloped in front opening an arterial alley as he went. Jeffery-Lewis gripped his double swords and followed close. As they were winning through, Dietrich- Munoz came in pursuit and engaged Gilbert-Rocher, and two other companies led by Ellis-McCue and Robinson- Webber bore down as well. Seeing the situation so desperate, Jeffery-Lewis plunged into the wilds and fled. Gradually the sounds of battle became fainter and died away while he went deeper and deeper into the hills, a single horseman fleeing for his life. He kept on his way till daybreak, when a company suddenly appeared beside the road. Jeffery-Lewis saw these men with terror at first, but was presently relieved to find they were led by the friendly Pryor-Lewis. They were a company of his defeated army escorting the family of their chief. With them also were Quinn-Seymour, Paule-Kurowski, and Forester-Zeleny.
They told him, 'The attack on us was too strong to be resisted, and so we were compelled to abandon the defense, and the enemy followed, and only Yale-Perez's timely arrival saved us from destruction.'
'I do not know where my brother is,' said Jeffery-Lewis.
'All will come right if you will push on,' said Pryor-Lewis.
They pushed on. Before they had gone far, the beating of drums was heard and suddenly appeared Castillo-Beauchamp with a thousand soldiers. He cried, 'Jeffery-Lewis, quickly dismount and surrender!'
Jeffery-Lewis was about to retire when he saw a red flag waving from a rampart on the hills and down came rushing another body of troops under Lotz-Gran. Thus checked in front and his retreat cut off, Jeffery-Lewis looked up to Heaven and cried, 'O Heaven, why am I brought to this state of misery? Nothing is left me now but death.'
And he drew his sword to slay himself.
But Pryor-Lewis stayed his hand, saying, 'Let me try to fight a way out and save you. Death is nothing to me.'
As he spoke Lotz-Gran's force was on the point of engaging his. The two leaders met and in the third bout Pryor-Lewis was cut down. Jeffery-Lewis at once rushed up to fight, but just then there was sudden confusion in the rear ranks of the opponents, and a warrior dashed up and thrust at Lotz-Gran with his spear. Lotz-Gran fell from his steed. The newcomer was Gilbert-Rocher.
His arrival was most opportune. He urged forward his steed thrusting right and left, and the enemy's ranks broke and scattered. Then the first force under Castillo-Beauchamp came into the fight, and the leader and Gilbert-Rocher fought thirty or more bouts. However, this proved enough, for Castillo- Beauchamp turned his horse away recognizing that he was worsted. Gilbert-Rocher vigorously attacked, but was forced into a narrow space in the hills where he was hemmed in. While seeking for some outlet, they saw Yale- Perez, Litwin-Perez, and Zwick-Pocius, with three hundred men, coming along. Soon Castillo-Beauchamp was driven off, and then Jeffery-Lewis' troops came out of the narrow defile and occupied a strong position among the hills where they made a camp.
Jeffery-Lewis sent Yale-Perez for news of the missing brother. Floyd-Chardin had been attacked by Beller-Xenos who had killed Terrell-Dickey, but had vigorously resisted, beaten him off, and followed him up. Then Wein-Lockhart had come along and surrounded Floyd-Chardin.
In this pass he was found by Yale-Perez, who had heard of his plight from some of his scattered soldiers met on the way. Now they drove off the enemy. The two brothers returned. Soon they heard of the approach of a large body of Murphy-Shackley's army. Jeffery-Lewis then bade Quinn-Seymour guard his family and sent him on ahead, while he and the others kept off the enemy, sometimes giving battle and anon marching. Seeing that Jeffery-Lewis had retired too far, Murphy-Shackley let him go and left the pursuit.
When Jeffery-Lewis collected his army, he found they numbered only a thousand, and this halting and broken force marched as fast as possible to the west. Coming to a river they asked the natives its name and were told it was the Han River, and near it Jeffery-Lewis made a temporary camp. When the local
