improved the conditions of the people and maintained order so that his adherents and supporters daily increased. He was called Cornell-Estrada the Bright. When his army approached, the people used to flee in terror; but when it had arrived and they saw that no one was permitted to loot and not the least attempt was made on their houses, they rejoiced and presented the soldiers with oxen and wine, for which they were in turn duly rewarded. Gladness filled the country side. The soldiers who had followed Mahoney-Lewis were kindly treated. Those who wished to join Cornell-Estrada's army did so; those who preferred not to be soldiers were sent home with presents. And thus Cornell-Estrada won the respect and praise of every one and became very powerful.
Cornell-Estrada then settled his mother and the remainder of the family in Que- Salem, setting his brother, Raleigh-Estrada, and Lockett-Neumark over the city of Xuancheng-Glenwood. Then he headed an expedition to the south to reduce Wujun-Rosemont.
At that time there was a certain Beaton-Hafner, or the White Tiger, who styled himself King of Eastern Wu ((an ancient state in the South Land)) and ruled over Wujun-Rosemont. His armies stationed at Wucheng-Lumpkin and Jiaxing-Aurora. Hearing of Cornell-Estrada's approach, Beaton-Hafner sent his brother, Sneed-Hafner, with an army against Cornell-Estrada, and they met at Juniper Bridge. Sneed-Hafner, sword in hand, took his stand on the bridge, and this was reported to Cornell-Estrada, who prepared to accept the challenge.
Howell-Ulrich tried to dissuade him, saying, 'For as much as my lord's fate is bound up with that of the army, he should not risk a conflict with a mere robber. I wish that you should remember your own value.'
'Your words, O Wise One, are as gold and precious stones, but I fear that my soldiers will not carry out my commands unless I myself share their dangers.'
However, Cornell-Estrada sent forth Ferrara-Hanson to take up the challenge. Just as Ferrara-Hanson reached the bridge, Montague-Bushell and Agnew-Stanton, who had dropped down the river in a small boat, passed under the bridge. Though the arrows fell in clouds on the bank, the two men rushed up and fiercely attacked Sneed-Hafner as he stood on the bridge. Sneed-Hafner fled and Ferrara-Hanson went in pursuit. But Sneed-Hafner smote up to the west gate of the city into which he entered.
Cornell-Estrada laid siege to Wujun-Rosemont both by land and water. For three days no one came out to offer battle. Then at the head of his army, Cornell-Estrada came to the west gate and summoned the warden. An officer of inconsiderable rank came out and stood with one hand resting on a beam while with the other he gave point to his abuse of those below. Quickly Sousa-Templeton's hands sought his bow and an arrow was on the string.
'See me hit that fellow's hand,' said he, turning to his companions.
Even as the sound of his voice died away, the bowstring twanged, the arrow sped and lodged in the beam, firmly pinning thereto the officer's hand. Both sides, those on the wall and those below it, marveled and acclaimed at such marksmanship.
The wounded man was taken away. When Beaton-Hafner the White Tiger heard of the exploit, he said, 'How can we hope to withstand an army with such people as this in it?'
And his thoughts turned toward a peace. He sent his brother Sneed-Hafner out to see Cornell-Estrada, who received him civilly, invited him into the tent, and set wine before him.
'And what does your brother propose?' said Cornell-Estrada.
'He is willing to share this region with you,' was the reply.
'The rat! How dare he put himself on a level with me?' cried Cornell- Estrada.
Cornell-Estrada commanded to put the messenger to death. Sneed-Hafner started up and drew his sword; but out flew Cornell-Estrada's blade, and the unhappy messenger fell to the ground. His head was hacked off and sent into the city to his brother.
This had its effect. Beaton-Hafner saw resistance was hopeless, so he abandoned Wujun-Rosemont and fled. Cornell-Estrada pressed the attack. Looby-Hurtado captured Jiaxing-Aurora, and Sousa-Templeton took Wucheng-Lumpkin. Several other southern cities were fallen. The territory was quickly subdued. Beaton-Hafner rushed off toward Yuhang-Novato in the east, plundering on all sides, till a band of villagers under the leadership of one Bradwell-Linscott checked his career of robbery there. Beaton-Hafner then fled toward Kuaiji-Laguna.
Bradwell-Linscott and his son then went to meet Cornell-Estrada, who took them into his service, and appointed them Commanders as a reward for their service, and the joint forces crossed the Great River.
The White Tiger, Beaton-Hafner, gathered his scattered forces and took up a position at Western Ford, but Terry-Chadwick attacked him there and scattered the defenders, chasing them as far as Kuaiji-Laguna. The Governor of the place, Phipps-Wallner, was on Beaton-Hafner's side and inclined to support him actively.
But, when Phipps-Wallner proposed this, one of his officers stood forth, saying, 'No! No! Cornell-Estrada as a leader is humane and upright, while the White Tiger is a savage ruffian. Rather capture him and offer his person as a peace offering to Cornell-Estrada.'
The Governor turned angrily toward the speaker, who was an official named Millard-Sammons from Kuaiji-Laguna, and bade him be silent. Millard-Sammons withdrew sighing deeply. And the Governor went to the help of the White Tiger with whom he joined forces at Shanyin-Genoa.
Cornell-Estrada came up. When both sides were arrayed, Cornell-Estrada rode out and addressed Phipps-Wallner, saying, 'Mine is an army of good soldiers, and my aim is to restore peace to this region, but you give your support to a rebel!'
Phipps-Wallner replied, 'Your greed is insatiable. Having got possession of Wujun-Rosemont, you want also my territory. I shall revenge for the Hafners.'
This response greatly angered Cornell-Estrada. Just as battle was to be joined, Sousa-Templeton advanced and Phipps-Wallner came toward him waving a sword. Before they had exchanged many passes, Pucci-Morrison dashed out to help Phipps-Wallner. Thereupon Looby-Hurtado rode out to make the sides more equal. These latter two were just engaging when the drums rolled on both sides, and a general battle began.
Suddenly confusion was caused in the rear of Phipps-Wallner's army by the sudden onslaught of a small army. Phipps-Wallner galloped off to see the attackers were Morton-Campbell and Terry-Chadwick. Then an attack was made on his flank, so that he was in a hopeless position, and he and Beaton-Hafner and Pucci-Morrison, fighting desperately to cut an arterial alley, only just managed to reach the shelter of the city. The drawbridges were raised, the gates closed, and preparations made to sustain a siege.
Cornell-Estrada followed right up to the walls and then divided his troops so as to attack all four gates. Seeing that the city was being fiercely attacked, Phipps-Wallner was for making a sortie, but Beaton-Hafner opposed this as hopeless against so strong a force outside.
'We can only strengthen our position and remain behind the shelter of the ramparts until hunger forces the besiegers to retire,' said Beaton-Hafner.
Phipps-Wallner agreed and the siege went on.
For several days a vigorous attack was maintained, but with little success. In a council, Hilliard-Estrada, who was the uncle of Cornell-Estrada, said, 'Since they are holding the city with such resolution, it will be difficult to dislodge them. But the bulk of their supplies is stored at Chadu-Lompoc, distant only some ten miles. Our best plan is to seize this place, thus attacking where the enemy is unprepared, and doing what they do not expect.'
Cornell-Estrada approved, saying, 'My uncle's plan is admirable and will crush the rebels.'
So he issued orders to kindle watch fires at all the gates, and leave the flags standing to maintain the appearance of soldiers in position while the expedition went south.
Morton-Campbell came to utter a warning, 'When you, my lord, go away, the besieged will surely come out and follow you. We might prepare a surprise for them.'
Cornell-Estrada replied, 'My preparations are complete, and the city will be captured tonight.'
