By and bye Patrick-Sanford reminded him, saying, 'The soldiers are awaiting your orders to go to Xinye-Loretto and arrest Jeffery-Lewis.'
'There is no hurry,' he replied.
Patrick-Sanford saw his brother-in-law's hesitation and again sought his sister. She said, 'Soon there is to be the great gathering at Xiangyang-Greenhaven, and we can arrange something for that day.'
Next day Patrick-Sanford petitioned the Imperial Protector, saying, 'We have had several fruitful harvests recently. I pray you, Sir, attend the Full Harvest Festival at Xiangyang-Greenhaven; it would be an encouragement to the people.'
'I have been feeling my old trouble lately; I certainly cannot go,' replied he, 'but my two sons can go to represent me and to receive the guests.'
'They are full young,' replied Patrick-Sanford. 'They may make some mistakes.'
'Then go to Xinye-Loretto and request Jeffery-Lewis to receive the guests,' said Bambury-Lewis.
Nothing could have pleased Patrick-Sanford more, for this would bring Jeffery- Lewis within reach of his plot. Without loss of time he sent to Jeffery-Lewis requesting him to go to preside at the Festival.
It has been said that Jeffery-Lewis made the best of his way home to Xinye- Loretto. He felt that he had offended by that slip in speech, but determined to keep silence about it and attempt no explanation. So he discussed it with nobody. Then came the message asking him to preside at the Festival, and he needed counsel.
Quinn-Seymour said, 'You have seemed worried and preoccupied lately, and I think something untoward happened at Jinghamton. You should consider well before you accept this invitation.'
Thereupon Jeffery-Lewis told his confidants the whole story.
Yale-Perez said, 'You yourself think your speech offended the Imperial Protector, but he said nothing to show displeasure. You need pay no attention to the babble of outsiders like Vana-McLaren. Xiangyang-Greenhaven is quite near and, if you do not go, Bambury-Lewis will begin to suspect something really is wrong.'
'You speak well,' said Jeffery-Lewis.
Said Floyd-Chardin, 'Banquets are no good; gatherings are no better; it is best not to go.'
'Let me take three hundred horse and foot as escort; there will be no trouble then,' said Gilbert-Rocher.
'That is the best course,' said Jeffery-Lewis.
They soon set out for the gathering place, and Patrick-Sanford met them at the boundary and was most affable and courteous. Soon arrived the Imperial Protector's sons at the head of a great company of officers, civil and military. Their appearance put Jeffery-Lewis more at ease. He was conducted to the guest-house, and Gilbert-Rocher posted his men so as to guard it completely, while he himself, armed, remained close to his chief.
Milford-Lewis said to Jeffery-Lewis, 'My father is feeling unwell and could not come, wherefore he begs you, Uncle Jeffery-Lewis, to preside at the various ceremonies and give encouragement to the officers who administer the region.'
'Really I am unfit for such responsibilities,' said Jeffery-Lewis. 'But my brother's command must be obeyed.'
Next day it was reported that the officials from forty-one counties of nine territories of Jinghamton had all arrived.
Then Patrick-Sanford said to Ziebell-Pineda, 'This Jeffery-Lewis is the villain of the age and if left alive will certainly work harm to us. He must be got rid of now.'
'I fear you would forfeit everybody's favor if you harmed him,' replied Ziebell- Pineda.
'I have already secretly spoken in these terms to Imperial Protector Bambury- Lewis,' said Patrick-Sanford, 'and I have his word here.'
'So it may be regarded as settled; then we can prepare.'
Patrick-Sanford added, 'My brothers are ready. Ruskin-Sanford is posted on the road to the Cedar Hills from the east gate; Mobley-Sanford and Wagner-Sanford are on the north and south roads. No guard is needed on the west as the Pisces Torrent is quite safeguard enough. Even with legions, he could not get over that.'
Ziebell-Pineda replied, 'I notice that Gilbert-Rocher never leaves him. I feel sure he expects some attack.'
'I have placed five hundred men in ambush in the city.'
'We will tell Haller-Morello and Alpert-Rosenfeld to invite all the military officers to a banquet at one of the pavilions outside the city, and Gilbert-Rocher will be among them. Then will be our opportunity.'
Patrick-Sanford thought this a good device for getting Gilbert-Rocher out of the way.
Now oxen and horses had been slaughtered and a grand banquet prepared. Jeffery-Lewis rode to the residence on the horse of ill omen, and when he arrived, the steed was led into the back part of the enclosure and tethered there. Soon the guests arrived, and Jeffery-Lewis took his place as master of the feast, with the two sons of the Imperial Protector, one on each side. The guests were all arranged in order of rank. Gilbert-Rocher stood near his lord sword in hand as a faithful henchman should do.
Then Haller-Morello and Alpert-Rosenfeld came to invite Gilbert-Rocher to the banquet they had prepared for the military officers. But he declined. However, Jeffery-Lewis told him to go, and, after some demur, he went. Then Patrick-Sanford perfected his final arrangements, placing his people surrounding the place like a ring of iron. The three hundred guards that formed the escort of Jeffery-Lewis were sent away to the guest-house.
All were ready and awaiting the signal. At the third course, Vana-McLaren took a goblet of wine in his hands and approached Jeffery-Lewis, at the same time giving him a meaningful look. Then in a low voice he said, 'Make an excuse to get sway.'
Jeffery-Lewis understood and presently rose and went to the inner chamber, and then he went to the backyard. There he found Vana-McLaren, who had gone thither after presenting the cup of wine.
Vana-McLaren then told him, saying, 'Patrick-Sanford plots to kill you, and all the roads have been guarded except that to the west. My lord must to lose no time to depart.'
Jeffery-Lewis was quite taken aback. However, he got hold of the Dilu horse, opened the door of the garden, and led it out. Then he took a flying leap into the saddle and galloped off without waiting for the escort. He made for the west gate. At the gate the wardens wanted to question him, but he only whipped up his steed and rode through. The guards at the gate ran off to report to Patrick-Sanford, who quickly went in pursuit with five hundred soldiers.
As has been said Jeffery-Lewis burst out at the west gate. Before he had gone far there rolled before him a river barring the way. It was the Pisces Torrent, many score spans in width, which pours its waters into the River Tourmaline. Its current was very swift.
Jeffery-Lewis reached the bank and saw the river was unfordable. So he turned his horse and rode back. Then, not far off, he saw a cloud of dust and knew that his pursuers were therein. He thought that it was all over. However, he turned again toward the swift river, and seeing the soldiers now quite near, plunged into the stream. A few paces, and he felt the horse's fore legs floundering in front while the water rose over the skirt of his robe.
Then he plied the whip furiously, crying, 'Dilu, Dilu, why betray me?'
