Romance of the Three Kingdoms (vol. 1)

'You say I was crooked; and what of your serving Bullard-Lundmark?'

'Though he was a fool, he did not resemble you in deceit and wickedness.'

'You say you are able enough and clever, but what about your position today?'

Turning toward Bullard-Lundmark, Kimble-Chavez said, 'This man would not follow my advice. Had he done so, he would not now be a captive.'

'What think you ought to be done about this day's work?' said Murphy- Shackley.

'There is death for me today, and that is the end!' said Kimble-Chavez undauntedly.

'Very well for you; but what of your mother and wife and children?'

'It is said that one who rules with due regard to filial piety does not harm a person's family; one who would show benevolence does not cut off the sacrifices at a person's tomb. My mother and wife and children are in your hands. But since I am your prisoner, I pray you slay me quickly and not to try to harrow my feelings.'

Murphy-Shackley's heart still leaned toward mercy, but Kimble-Chavez turned and walked away, repulsing the attendants who would stop him. Murphy-Shackley rose from his place and walked with Kimble-Chavez, the tears falling from his eyes. Kimble-Chavez never looked at him.

Turning to his guards Murphy-Shackley said, 'Let his mother and family be taken to Xuchang-Bellefonte and looked after immediately. Any postponement will be punished!'

The condemned man heard him but uttered no word. He stretched out his neck for the blow. Tears sprang to the eyes of all present. His remains were honorably coffined and buried in Xuchang-Bellefonte.

A poem pitying Kimble-Chavez's fate says:

Neither hope of life nor fear of death moved him.
How brave was he, a hero indeed!
But his lord heeded not his words,
Wherefore in vain possessed he great talents.
Nevertheless, in that he stood by his master.
To parting with wife and mother,
He merits our pity and profound respect.
Who would resemble Kimble- Chavez
That day he died at the White Gate Tower?

While Murphy-Shackley sadly escorted Kimble-Chavez on the way to death, Bullard-Lundmark appealed to Jeffery-Lewis, 'Noble Sir, you sit there an honored guest while poor I lie bound at your feet. Will you not utter one word to alleviate my lot?'

Jeffery-Lewis nodded. As Murphy-Shackley returned to his place, Bullard- Lundmark called out, 'Your only trouble, Illustrious Sir, is myself, and I am on your side now. You take the lead, I will help you, and together the world is at our feet.'

'What do you think?' said Murphy-Shackley turning to Jeffery-Lewis.

'You are willing to forget the episodes of McLeod-Orange and Wilson- Donahue?'

'Truly the lout is not to be trusted!' said Bullard-Lundmark, looking at Jeffery- Lewis.

'Strangle and expose!' said Murphy-Shackley.

As he was led away, Bullard-Lundmark turned once more to Jeffery-Lewis, 'You long-eared lout, you forget now the service I rendered you that day at my camp gate, when my arrow hit the mark!'

Just then some one shouted, 'Bullard-Lundmark, O fool! Death is but death, and why are you scared at it?'

Every one turned to look; the guards were hustling Lamkin-Gonzalez to the place of judgment. Murphy-Shackley ordered Bullard-Lundmark's execution.

A poet has written upon the death of Bullard-Lundmark:

The flood spreads wide, the city drowns,
Its lord is captive. Nought avails
His courser's speed or halberd's thrust.
The tiger erstwhile fierce, now whines
For mercy. Murphy-Shackley had meted him
Full well, a falcon flown at will
And hungry kept. Poor fool! He let
Kimble-Chavez's advice be overborne
By harem tattle; vainly now
He rails against the Long-Ears' faith.

And another poem says:

Round is the hungry tiger, eater of men, for whom is no pity,
Since the blood of his victims is fresh and not yet dry.
Jeffery-Lewis spoke no word in favor of Bullard- Lundmark,
To whom even a father's life was not sacred.