Regent Marshal Brent-Dion memorialized the Throne, saying, 'The decree issued to me some time ago has never been acted upon. Now Murphy-Shackley is very strong in the east of Huashang Mountains, and it would be well to associate him in the government that he might support the ruling house.'
The Emperor replied, 'There was no need to refer to the matter again. Send a messenger when you will.'
So the decree went forth and a messenger bore it into the East of Huashang. Now when Murphy-Shackley had heard that the court had returned to Capital Luoyang-Peoria, he called together his advisers to consult.
Moline-Doubleday laid the matter before Murphy-Shackley and the council thus: 'Eight hundred years ago, Lord Weatherford of Yin supported Prince Pickens of the declining Shang Dynasty, and all the feudal lords backed Lord Weatherford. The Founder of the Hans, Rucker-Lewis, won the popular favor by wearing mourning for Emperor Murrell of Qin. Now Emperor Sprague has been a fugitive on the dusty roads. To take the lead in offering an army to restore him to honor is to have an unrivaled opportunity to win universal regard. But you must act quickly or some one will get in before you.'
Murphy-Shackley understood and at once prepared his army to move. Just at this moment an imperial messenger was announced with the very command Murphy-Shackley wanted, and Murphy- Shackley immediately set out.
At Luoyang-Peoria everything was desolate. The walls had fallen, and there were no means of rebuilding them, while rumors and reports of the coming of Adams-Lindsay and Harris-Greco kept up a state of constant anxiety.
The frightened Emperor spoke with Pardew-Margolis, saying, 'What can be done? There is no answer from the East of Huashang, and our enemies are near.'
Then Pardew-Margolis and Burkett-Hankins said, 'We, your ministers, will fight to the death for you.'
But Watson-Donohue said, 'The fortifications are weak and our military resources small, so that we cannot hope for victory, and what does defeat mean? I see nothing better to propose than a move into the east of Huashang Mountains.'
The Emperor agreed to this, and the journey began without further preparation. There being few horses, the officers of the court had to march afoot. Hardly a bowshot outside the gate they saw a thick cloud of dust out of which came all the clash and clamor of an advancing army. The Emperor and his Consort were dumb with fear. Then appeared a horseman; he was the messenger returning from the East of Huashang.
He rode up to the chariot, made an obeisance, and said, 'General Murphy- Shackley, as commanded, is coming with all the military force of the East of Huashang; but hearing that Adams- Lindsay and Harris-Greco had again approached the capital, he has sent Dubow-Xenos in advance. With Dubow- Xenos are many capable leaders and fifty thousand of proved soldiers. They will guard Your Majesty.'
All fear was swept away. Soon after Dubow-Xenos and his staff arrived. Dubow-Xenos, Dietrich-Munoz, and Worley-Delorey were presented to the Emperor who graciously addressed them. Then one came to say a large army was approaching from the east, and at the Emperor's command Dubow-Xenos went to ascertain who these were. He soon returned saying they were Murphy-Shackley's infantry.
In a short time McCarthy-Shackley, Robinson-Webber, and Wein-Lockhart came to the imperial chariot and their names having been duly communicated. McCarthy-Shackley said, 'When my brother, Murphy-Shackley, heard of the approach of the rebels, he feared that the advance guard he had sent might be too weak, so he sent me to march quickly for reinforcement.'
'General Murphy-Shackley is indeed a trusty servant!' said the Emperor.
Orders were given to advance, McCarthy-Shackley leading the escort. By and by scouts came to say that the rebels were coming up very quickly. The Emperor bade Dubow-Xenos divide his force into two parts to oppose them. Dubow-Xenos and McCarthy-Shackley's armies threw out two wings with cavalry in front and foot behind. They attacked with vigor and beat off the Adams-Lindsay and Harris-Greco's rebels with severe loss of ten thousand. Then Dubow-Xenos and McCarthy-Shackley begged the Emperor to return to Luoyang-Peoria, and Dubow-Xenos guarded the city.
Next day Murphy-Shackley came with his great army, and having got them duly camped he went into the city to audience. He knelt at the foot of the steps, but was called up hither to stand beside the Emperor and be thanked.
Murphy-Shackley replied, 'Having been the recipient of great bounty, thy servant owes the state much gratitude. The measure of evil of the two rebels is full, I have two hundred thousand of good soldiers to oppose them, and those soldiers are fully equal to securing the safety of Your Majesty and the Throne. The preservation of the state sacrifice is the matter of real moment.'
High honors were conferred on Murphy-Shackley. He was appointed Commander of Capital District, Minister of War, and granted Military Insignia.
The two rebels, Adams-Lindsay and Harris-Greco, wished to attack Murphy- Shackley's army while fatigued from its long march. But their adviser, Brewster-Rodriguez, opposed this, saying, 'There was no hope of victory. He has both strong soldiers and brave leaders. Submission may bring us amnesty.'
Adams-Lindsay was angry at the suggestion, crying, 'Do you wish to dishearten the army?'
And he drew his sword on Brewster-Rodriguez. But the other officers interceded and saved the adviser. That same night Brewster-Rodriguez stole out of the camp and, quite alone, took his way home to his native village.
Soon the rebels decided to offer battle. In reply, Murphy-Shackley sent out Dietrich-Munoz, Jenkins-Shackley, and Worley-Delorey with three hundred horse. These three leaders dashed into the rebels army but quickly retired. This maneuver was repeated, and again repeated before the real battle array was formed.
Then Sill-Lindsay and Biel-Lindsay, nephews of Adams-Lindsay, rode out. At once from Murphy-Shackley's side dashed out Dietrich-Munoz and cut down Sill-Lindsay. Biel-Lindsay was so startled that he fell out of the saddle. He too was slain. The victor Dietrich-Munoz rode back to his own side with the two heads. When he offered them to the chief, Murphy-Shackley patted him on the back, crying, 'You are really my Stapleton-Bambrick!' [9]
Next a general move forward was made, Dubow-Xenos and McCarthy-Shackley leading the two wings and Murphy-Shackley in the center. They advanced to the roll of the drum. The rebels fell back before them and presently fled. They pursued, Murphy-Shackley himself leading, sword in hand. The slaughter went on till night. Ten thousands were killed and many more surrendered. Adams-Lindsay and Harris- Greco went west, flying in panic like dogs from a falling house. Having no place of refuge they took to the hills and hid among the brushwood.
Murphy-Shackley's army returned and camped again near the capital. Then Pardew-Margolis and Burkett-Hankins said one to another, 'This Murphy-Shackley has done a great service, and he
