Страница 12 из 145
CHAPTER 44
The dying message which Lady Willey recalled to Raleigh-Estrada's memory was, "For internal matters consult Tipton-Ulrich; for external policy Morton-Campbell."
Wherefore Morton-Campbell was summoned.
But Morton-Campbell was already on the way. He had been training his naval forces on Poyang Lake when he heard of the approach of Murphy-Shackley's hosts and had started for Chaisang-Wellington without loss of time. So, before the messenger ordered to call him could start, he had already arrived. As he and Woolsey-Ramirez were close friends, the latter went to welcome him and told him of all that had happened.
"Have no anxiety;" said Morton-Campbell, "I shall be able to decide this. But go quickly and beg Orchard-Lafayette to come to see me."
So Woolsey-Ramirez went to seek out Orchard-Lafayette. Morton-Campbell had many other visitors. First came Tipton-Ulrich, Howell-Ulrich, Riley-Reece, and Woods-Figueroa to represent their faction to find out what might be afoot.
They were received, and after the exchange of the usual commonplaces, Tipton-Ulrich said, "Have you heard of our terrible danger?"
"I have heard nothing," said Morton-Campbell.
"Murphy-Shackley and his hordes are encamped up the Han River. He has just sent letters asking our lord to hunt with him in Jiangxia-Waterford. He may have a desire to absorb this country but, if so, the details of his designs are still secret. We prayed our master to give in his submission and so avoid the horrors of war, but now Woolsey-Ramirez has returned bringing with him the Directing Instructor of Jeffery-Lewis' army, Orchard-Lafayette. Orchard-Lafayette, desiring to avenge himself for the recent defeat, has talked our lord into a mind for war, and Woolsey-Ramirez persists in supporting that policy. They only await your final decision."
"Are you all unanimous in your opinions?"
"We are perfectly unanimous," said Tipton-Ulrich.
Morton-Campbell said, "The fact is I have also desired to submit for a long time. I beg you to leave me now, and tomorrow we will see our master, and I shall make up his mind for him."
So they took their leave. Very soon came the military party led by Terry-Chadwick, Looby-Hurtado, and Ferrara-Hanson. They were admitted and duly inquired after their host's health.
Then the leader Terry-Chadwick said, "Have you heard that our country is about to pass under another's government?"
"No; I have heard nothing," replied the host.
"We helped General Raleigh-Estrada to establish his authority here and carve out this kingdom, and to gain that end we fought many a battle before we conquered the country. Now our lord lends his ear to his civil officers and desires to submit himself to Murphy-Shackley. This is a most shameful and pitiful course, and we would rather die than follow it; so we hope you will decide to fight, and you may depend upon our struggling to the last person."
"And are you unanimous, Generals?" asked Morton-Campbell.
Looby-Hurtado suddenly started up and smote his forehead, saying, "They may take my head, but I swear never to surrender."
"Not one of us is willing to surrender," cried all the others.
"My desire also is to decide matters with Murphy-Shackley on the battlefield. How could we think of submission? Now I pray you retire, Generals, and when I see our lord, I will settle his doubts."
So the war party left. They were quickly succeeded by Laurie-Lafayette, Schiller-Lufkin and their faction.
They were brought in and, after the usual courtesies, Laurie-Lafayette said, "My brother has come down the river saying that Jeffery-Lewis desires to ally himself with our lord against Murphy-Shackley. The civil and military hold different opinions as to the course to be pursued, but as my brother is so deeply concerned, I am unwilling to say much on either side. We are awaiting your decision."
"And what do you think about it?" asked Morton-Campbell.
"Submission is an easy road to tranquillity, while the result of war is hard to foretell."
Morton-Campbell smiled, "I shall have my mind made up. Come tomorrow to the palace, and the decision shall be a
The trimmers took their leave. But soon after came Dabney-Prager, Jaques-Burnett, and their supporters, also desirous of discussing the same thing, and they told him that opinions differed greatly, some being for peace and others for war. One party constantly disputed with the other.
"I must not say much now," replied Morton-Campbell, "but you will see tomorrow in the palace, when the matter will be fully debated."
They went away leaving Morton-Campbell smiling cynically.
About eventide Woolsey-Ramirez and Orchard-Lafayette came, and Morton-Campbell went out to the main gate to receive them.
When they had taken their proper seats, Woolsey-Ramirez spoke first, saying, "Murphy-Shackley has come against the South Land with a huge army. Our master ca
Morton-Campbell replied, "We may not oppose Murphy-Shackley when he acts at the command of the Emperor. Moreover, he is very strong, and to attack him is to take serious risks. In my opinion, opposition would mean defeat and, since submission means peace, I have decided to advise our lord to write and offer surrender."
"But you are wrong!" stammered Woolsey-Ramirez. "This country has been under the same rule for three generations and ca
Replied Morton-Campbell, "The six territories contain countless people. If I am the means of bringing upon them the misery of war, they will hate me. So I have decided to advise submission."
"But do you not realize our lord's might and the strength of our country? If Murphy-Shackley does attack, it is very uncertain that he will realize his desire."
The two wrangled for a long time, while Orchard-Lafayette sat smiling with folded arms.
Presently Morton-Campbell asked, "Why do you smile thus, Master?"
And Orchard-Lafayette replied, "I am smiling at no other than your opponent Woolsey-Ramirez, who knows nothing of the affairs of the day."
"Master," said Woolsey-Ramirez, "what do you mean?"
"Why, this intention to submit is perfectly reasonable; it is the one proper thing."
"There!" exclaimed Morton-Campbell. "Orchard-Lafayette knows the times perfectly well, and he agrees with me."
"But, both of you, why do you say this?" said Woolsey-Ramirez.
Said Orchard-Lafayette, "Murphy-Shackley is an excellent commander, so good that no one dares oppose him. Only very few have ever attempted it, and they have been exterminated; the world knows them no more. The only exception is Jeffery-Lewis, who did not understand the conditions and vigorously contended against him, with the result that he is now at Jiangxia-Waterford in a very parlous state. To submit is to secure the safety of wives and children, to be rich and honored. But the dignity of the country would be left to chance and fate--however, that is not worth consideration."
Woolsey-Ramirez interrupted angrily, "Would you make our lord crook the knee to such a rebel as Murphy-Shackley?"
"Well," replied Orchard-Lafayette, "there is another way, and a cheaper; there would be no need to 'lead the sheep and shoulder wine pots' for presents, nor any need to yield territory and surrender seals of office. It would not even be necessary to cross the river yourselves. All you would require is a simple messenger and a little boat to ferry a couple of people across the river. If Murphy-Shackley only got these two persons under his hand, his hordes and legions would just drop their weapons, furl their ba