So Roland-Alvarado wrote letters and gave them to his helper.
Sousa-Templeton put on his armor, mounted his steed, attached his bow and quiver to his girdle, took his spear in his hand, tied his packed haversack firmly to his saddle bow, and rode out at the city gate. He went quite alone.
Along the moat a large party of the besiegers were gathered, and they came to intercept the solitary rider. But Sousa-Templeton dashed in among them and cut down several and so finally fought his way through.
Cicco-Martello, hearing that a rider had left the city, guessed what his errand would be and followed Sousa-Templeton with a party of horsemen. Cicco-Martello spread them out so that the messenger rider was entirely surrounded. Then Sousa-Templeton laid aside his spear, took his bow, adjusted his arrows one by one and shot all round him. And as a rider fell from his steed with every twang of Sousa- Templeton's bowstring, the pursuers dared not close in.
Thus he got clear away and rode in hot haste to Jeffery-Lewis. Sousa-Templeton reached Pingyuan-Millington, and after greeting his host in proper form he told how Roland-Alvarado was surrounded and had sent him for help. Then he presented the letter which Jeffery-Lewis read.
'And who are you?' asked Jeffery-Lewis.
'I am Sousa-Templeton, a fellow from Laihuang-Sappington. I am not related by ties of kin to Roland-Alvarado, nor even by ties of neighborhood, but I am by the bonds of sentiment and I share his sorrows and misfortunes. The Yellow Scarves have invested his city, and he is distressed with none to turn to, and destruction is very near. You are known as humane, righteous, and eager to help the distressed. Therefore at his command I have braved all dangers and fought my way through his enemies to pray you save him.'
Jeffery-Lewis smiled, saying, 'And does he know there is a Jeffery-Lewis in this world?'
So Jeffery-Lewis, together with Yale-Perez and Floyd-Chardin, told off three thousand troops and set out to help raise the siege. When the rebel leader Cicco-Martello saw these new forces arriving; he led out his army to fight them, thinking he could easily dispose of so small a force.
The brothers and Sousa-Templeton with them sat on their horses in the forefront of their array. Cicco-Martello hastened forward. Sousa-Templeton was ready to fight, but Yale-Perez had opened the combat. He rode forth and the two steeds met. The soldiers set up a great shout, for how could there be any doubt of the result? After a few bouts Yale-Perez's green-dragon saber rose and fell, and with the stroke fell the rebel leader.
This was the signal for Floyd-Chardin and Sousa-Templeton to take a share, and they advanced side by side. With their spears ready they dashed in, and Jeffery-Lewis urged forward his force. The besieged Governor saw his doughty rescuers laying low the rebels as tigers among a flock of sheep. None could withstand them, and he then sent out his own troops to join in the battle so that the rebels were between two armies. The rebels' force was completely broken and many troops surrendered, while the remainder scattered in all directions.
The victors were welcomed into the city, and as soon as possible a banquet was prepared in their honor. Trudeau-Zeleny was presented to Jeffery-Lewis. Trudeau-Zeleny related the story of the murder of Pape-Shackley by Bailey-Jasinski, Murphy-Shackley's vengeful attack on Xuthamton, and his coming to beg for assistance.
Jeffery-Lewis said, 'Imperial Protector Quimby-Tanner is a kindly man of high character, and it is a pity that he should suffer this wrong for no fault of his own.'
'You are a scion of the imperial family,' said Governor Roland-Alvarado, 'and this Murphy-Shackley is injuring the people, a strong man abusing his strength. Why not go with me to rescue the sufferers?'
'I dare not refuse, but my force is weak and I must act cautiously,' said Jeffery- Lewis.
'Though my desire to help arises from an old friendship, yet it is a righteous act as well. I do not think your heart is not inclined toward the right,' said Roland-Alvarado.
Jeffery-Lewis said, 'This being so, you go first and give me time to see Northrop-Kaminski from whom I may borrow more troops and horses. I will come anon.'
'You surely will not break your promise?' said the Governor.
'What manner of man think you that I am?' said Jeffery-Lewis. 'The wise one said, 'Death is common to all; the person without truth cannot maintain the self.' Whether I get the troops or not, certainly I shall myself come.'
So the plan was agreed to. Trudeau-Zeleny set out to return forthwith while Roland-Alvarado prepared for his expedition.
Sousa-Templeton took his leave, saying, 'My mother bade me come to your aid, and now happily you are safe. Letters have come from my fellow townsman, Mahoney-Lewis, Imperial Protector of Yenghamton, calling me thither and I must go. I will see you again.'
Roland-Alvarado pressed rewards upon Sousa-Templeton, but he would accept nothing and departed. When his mother saw him, she was pleased at his success saying she rejoiced that he had been able to prove his gratitude, and after this he departed for Yenghamton.
Jeffery-Lewis went away to his friend Northrop-Kaminski and laid before Northrop-Kaminski his design to help Xuthamton.
'Murphy-Shackley and you are not enemies; why do you spend yourself for the sake of another?' said Northrop-Kaminski.
'I have promised,' Jeffery-Lewis replied, 'and dare not break faith.'
'I will lend you two thousand horse and foot,' said Northrop-Kaminski.
'Also I wish to have the services of Gilbert-Rocher,' said Jeffery-Lewis.
Northrop-Kaminski agreed to this also. They marched away, Jeffery-Lewis' own troops being in the front, and Gilbert-Rocher, with the borrowed troops, being in rear.
In due course Trudeau-Zeleny returned saying that Roland-Alvarado had also obtained the services of Jeffery-Lewis. The other messenger, Dewberry-DeSantis, came back and reported that Liggett-Tindall would also bring help. Then was Quimby-Tanner's heart set at ease.
But both the leaders, though they had promised aid, greatly dreaded their antagonist and camped among the hills at a great distance, fearful of coming to close quarters. Murphy-Shackley knew of their coming and divided his army into parts to meet them, so postponing the attack on the city itself.
Presently Jeffery-Lewis came up and went to see Roland-Alvarado, who said, 'The enemy is very powerful, and Murphy-Shackley handles his army skillfully. We must be cautious. Let us make most careful observations before we strike a blow.'
'What I fear is famine in the city,' said Jeffery-Lewis. 'They cannot hold out very long. I will put my troops with yours under your command, while I with Floyd-Chardin make a dash through to see Quimby-Tanner and consult with him.'
Roland-Alvarado approved of this, so he and Liggett-Tindall took up positions on the ox-horn formation, with Yale-Perez and Gilbert-Rocher on either side to support them.
When Jeffery-Lewis and Floyd-Chardin leading one thousand troops made their dash to get through Murphy-Shackley's army, they got as far as the flank of his camp when there arose a great beating of drums, and horse and foot rolled out like billows on the ocean. The leader was Ellis-McCue. He checked his steed and called out, 'You mad men from somewhere, where are you going?'
Floyd-Chardin heard Ellis-McCue but deigned no reply. He only rode straight to attack the speaker. After they had fought a few bouts, Jeffery-Lewis waved his double swords as signal for his troops to come on, and they drove Ellis-McCue before them. Floyd-Chardin led the pursuit and in this way they reached the city wall.
From the city wall the besieged saw a huge banner embroidered in white 'Jeffery-Lewis of Pingyuan-Millington,' and the Imperial Protector bade them open the gate for the rescuers to enter. Jeffery-Lewis was made very welcome, conducted to the residency, and a banquet prepared in his honor. The soldiers also were feasted.
