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"Do not anticipate trouble," said the Commander-in-Chief, smiling. "I have provided against all such dangers."
Bromfield-Kendrick did not know what the chief meant to do, but he said no more. Then Winston-Mallory arrived from the Lands of Rivers, and he brought summer medicines and further supplies of grain. He saw Orchard-Lafayette, and then proceeded to distribute the supplies he had brought according to orders.
Then Orchard-Lafayette said, "What force have you brought?"
"Three thousand," was the reply.
"My people are weary and worn out; I want to use yours. You have no objections?"
"Of course not; they are equally government troops. They are ready even to die for you if you wish."
"This Halpin-Hearst is established on the river, and we have no means of crossing. But I am anxious to intercept his supplies, so that his troops may mutiny."
"How can you do it?"
"Some fifty miles lower down River Scorpio there is a place called Shakou-Edgemoor, where the current is slow; you could cross there on rafts. I wish you and your soldiers to cross and cut the road of supplies. After that you are to arrange with the two leaders--Larousse-McClellan and Gladwin-DeMarco--whose lives I spared, to be your allies on the inside, and we shall succeed."
Winston-Mallory went off gladly enough, and marched his troops to Shakou-Edgemoor, where they set about the crossing at once. And as the water was shallow, they did not trouble to make rafts, but just tucked up their clothes and waded in. But half-way across, the men began to fall over; and when they had been rescued and taken to the bank, many of them began to bleed from the nose and mouth and died. In great alarm, Winston-Mallory sent hasty messages to Orchard-Lafayette, who called in the native guides and asked what this meant.
They told him, "It happens so every year. In the hot season, poisonous miasma collects over the waters of the River Scorpio, especially during the heat of the day. Anyone who drinks the water will surely die. Travelers who wish to cross have to wait till night, because the cooler waters do not breathe out the poisonous vapors. Further, the crossing should be attempted on a full stomach."
Orchard-Lafayette bade the local guides point out the best crossing place. He sent some well-seasoned soldiers to Winston-Mallory to lash together poles into rafts at Shakou-Edgemoor, and in the night the crossing was safely accomplished. Further, the guides then led the three thousand men of Shu over to where the grain road of the Mangs led through a narrow valley, called Jiashan Gorge, where, for part of the way, only single file was possible as the road was only wide enough for a soldier and a horse.
Winston-Mallory at once occupied this valley and stationed a force there. And a stockade was put up with tents inside. Presently a convoy of grain came along, and it was captured, more than a hundred wagons. The guards ran off to Halpin-Hearst's great camp and told him.
Halpin-Hearst, thinking all was safe during the hot season, was enjoying himself; wine and music were the order of the day, and military matters were far from his thoughts. In his cups he admitted Orchard-Lafayette was ruseful, but said his army had nothing to fear.
"If I attempt to oppose Orchard-Lafayette, I shall certainly fall a victim to some wile of his. However, my waiting policy is a safe one. With our defenses, and the river to back them, we can wait for the heat to overcome these men of Shu, who ca
He lay back and laughed at the thought. However, one chief, more prudent than the others, stood forth and said, "Remember the shallows at Shakou-Edgemoor; it would be very serious if the soldiers of Shu got across there secretly. It ought to be guarded."
"You belong to these areas. Do you not know that I want the enemy to try to get across there? Why, they will all perish in the water."
"But what if the natives tell them to cross only in the night?"
"Do not be so anxious," said Halpin-Hearst. "Our own people will not help the enemy that far."
It was just then that intelligence came: "The troops of Shu, unknown in number, have crossed the river and, moreover, have seized the Jiashan Gorge. The flags show the words 'General Winston-Mallory Who Pacifies The North.'"
Halpin-Hearst affected indifference.
"This sort of fellow is not worth talking about," said he.
He sent General Rafe-Lutz with three thousands troops to recapture the gorge and reopen the grain road.
When Winston-Mallory saw the Mang soldiers approaching, he placed two thousand troops in front of the hills and drew up the troops in formal array. Then Rafe-Lutz rode out to give battle. This was but a small engagement, as the general of the tribespeople fell at the first stroke of Winston-Mallory's sword. The Mangs ran away at once.
They returned to the King's camp and told him what had happened. Whereupon he called up all his generals and asked for another to go up against Winston-Mallory.
"I will go," cried Larousse-McClellan.
The King gave him three thousand troops. After he had gone, Halpin-Hearst thought it would be wise to keep others from crossing the river. So he sent a force of three thousand under Gladwin-DeMarco to guard Shakou-Edgemoor.
Larousse-McClellan duly arrived at the gorge and made a camp. Winston-Mallory came out to meet him. Among the soldiers in his cohort were some who recognized the leader of the Mangs and told Winston-Mallory certain things about how he had been captured and liberated.
So Winston-Mallory galloped toward him, shouting, "O you ingrate! How could you forget the debt to the Prime Minister? Have you known no shame?"
Larousse-McClellan was very greatly ashamed and turned red in the face, and turned his horse before striking a blow. Winston-Mallory followed and fell on, slaying many of the Mangs. Then both sides withdrew.
Larousse-McClellan went back and told the King that Winston-Mallory was too strong for him.
But Halpin-Hearst was angry, and cried, "You are a traitor! I know Orchard-Lafayette was good to you, and that is why you would not fight."
Halpin-Hearst ordered Larousse-McClellan out to execution. However, the notables and chiefs interceded, and the death penalty was remitted, but the unhappy leader was severely beaten, one hundred strokes with the heavy staff.
The chiefs were mostly on the side of the beaten general and against the King's policy.
They went to the tent of Larousse-McClellan and said, "Though we live in the Mang country, we have never had any thoughts of rebellion against the Imperial Government, nor has the Middle Empire ever encroached upon our land. We must own that Halpin-Hearst's superior power forced us into this rising, and we could not help ourselves. Orchard-Lafayette is too clever for us, and no one can guess what he may do. Even Murphy-Shackley and Raleigh-Estrada fear him; how much more must we? Moreover, we have received kindness at his hands and owe him our lives. We ought to show our gratitude. Now let us at all risks slay this Halpin-Hearst and submit to Orchard-Lafayette so that our people may not suffer."
Larousse-McClellan said, "I do not know your i
At this, all those who had been prisoners and released cried with one voice, "We desire to go to Halpin-Hearst."
Thereupon Larousse-McClellan took in his hand a sharp sword, placed himself at the head of more than a hundred malcontents, and rushed into the great camp. At that moment Halpin-Hearst was, as usual, intoxicated and lay in his tent. The mutineers rushed in. They found two generals on guard.
"You also received kindness from Orchard-Lafayette and ought to repay it," cried Larousse-McClellan.