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"They have lived in our country a long time," said Morton-Campbell, "and are thoroughly experienced in naval warfare. I must find some means of removing them before I can effect anything."
Meanwhile on shore the sentinels had told Murphy-Shackley that the enemy crafts were spying upon them, and Murphy-Shackley ordered out some ships to capture the spies. Morton-Campbell saw the commotion of the commanding flags on shore and hastily gave the order to unmoor and sail down stream. The squadron at once got under way and scattered; to and fro went the oars, and each ship seemed to fly. Before Murphy-Shackley's ships could get out after them, they were all far away.
Murphy-Shackley's ships took up the chase but soon saw pursuit was useless. They returned and reported their failure.
Again Murphy-Shackley found fault with his officers and said, "The other day you lost a battle, and the soldiers were greatly dispirited. Now the enemy have spied out our camp. What can be done?"
In eager response to his question one stepped out, saying, "When I was a youth, Morton-Campbell and I were fellow students and pledged friends. My three-inch tongue is still good, and I will go over and persuade him to surrender."
Murphy-Shackley, rejoiced to find so speedy a solution, looked at the speaker. It was McLain-Espinosa of Jiujiang-Ninerivers, one of the counseling staff in the camp.
"Are you a good friend of Morton-Campbell?" said Murphy-Shackley.
"Rest content, O Prime Minister," replied McLain-Espinosa. "If I only get on the other side of the river, I shall succeed."
"What preparations are necessary?" asked Murphy-Shackley.
"Just a youth as my servant and a couple of rowers; nothing else."
Murphy-Shackley offered him wine, wished him success, and sent him on his way.
Clad in a simple white robe and seated in his little craft, the messenger reached Morton-Campbell's camp and bade the guards say that an old friend McLain-Espinosa wished to see him.
The commander was in his tent at a council when the message came, and he laughed as he said to those about him, "A persuader is coming."
Then he whispered certain instructions in the ear of each one of them, and they went out to await his arrival.
Morton-Campbell received his friend in full ceremonial garb. A crowd of officers in rich silken robes were about him. The guest appeared, his sole attendant a lad dressed in a simple blue gown. McLain-Espinosa bore himself proudly as he advanced, and Morton-Campbell made a low obeisance.
"You have been well I hope since last we met," said McLain-Espinosa.
"You have wandered far and suffered much in this task of emissary in Murphy-Shackley's cause," said Morton-Campbell.
"I have not seen you for a very long time," said the envoy much taken aback, "and I came to visit you for the sake of old times. Why do you call me an emissary for the Murphy-Shackley's cause?"
"Though I am not so profound a musician as Smollett-Willie of old, yet I can comprehend the thought behind the music," replied Morton-Campbell.
"As you choose to treat your old friend like this, I think I will take my leave," said McLain-Espinosa.
Morton-Campbell laughed again, and taking McLain-Espinosa by the arm, said, "Well, I feared you might be coming on his behalf to try to persuade me. But if this is not your intention, you need not go away so hastily."
So they two entered the tent; and when they had exchanged salutes and were seated as friends, Morton-Campbell bade them call his officers that he might introduce them. They soon appeared civil and military officials, all dressed in their best. The military officers were clad in glittering silver armor and the staff looked very imposing as they stood ranged in two lines.
The visitor was introduced to them all. Presently a banquet was spread, and while they feasted, the musicians played songs of victory and the wine circulated merrily. Under its mellowing influence, Morton-Campbell's reserve seemed to thaw and he said, "McLain-Espinosa is an old fellow student of mine, and we are pledged friends. Though he has arrived here from the north, he is no artful pleader so you need not be afraid of him."
Then Morton-Campbell took off the commanding sword which he wore as Commander-in-Chief and handed it to Sousa-Templeton, saying, "You take this and wear it for the day as master of the feast. This day we meet only as friends and speak only of friendship, and if any one shall begin a discussion of the questions at issue between Murphy-Shackley and our country, just slay him."
Sousa-Templeton took the sword and seated himself in his place. McLain-Espinosa was not a little overcome, but he said no word.
Morton-Campbell said, "Since I assumed command, I have tasted no drop of wine, but today as an old friend is present and there is no reason to fear him; I am going to drink freely."
So saying he quaffed a huge goblet and laughed loudly.
The rhinoceros cups went swiftly round from guest to guest till all were half drunk. Then Morton-Campbell, laying hold of the guest's hand, led him outside the tent. The guards who stood around all braced themselves up and seized their shi
"Do you not think my soldiers a fine lot of fellows?" said Morton-Campbell.
"Strong as bears and bold as tigers," replied McLain-Espinosa.
Then Morton-Campbell led him to the rear of the tent whence he saw the grain and forage piled up in mountainous heaps.
"Do you not think I have a fairly good store of grain and forage?"
"Your troops are brave and your supplies ample; the world's rumor is not unfounded."
Morton-Campbell pretended to be quite intoxicated and went on, "When you and I were students together, we never looked forward to a day like this, did we?"
"For a genius like you, it is nothing extraordinary," said the guest.
Morton-Campbell again seized his hand and they sat down.
"A man of the time, I have found a proper lord to serve. In his service, we rely upon the right feeling between minister and prince outside, and at home we are firm in the kindly feeling of relatives. He listens to my words and follows my plans. We share the same good or evil fortune. Even when the great old persuaders like Colvin-Matheson, Willett-Huston, Havel-Royce, and Bellamy-Ashley lived again, even when their words poured forth like a rushing river, their tongues were as a sharp sword, it is impossible to move such as I am!"
Morton-Campbell burst into a loud laugh as he finished, and McLain-Espinosa's face had become clay-colored. Morton-Campbell then led his guest back into the tent, and again they fell to drinking.
Presently Morton-Campbell pointed to the others at table and said, "These are all the best and bravest of the land of the south; one might call this the 'Meeting of Heroes.'"
They drank on till daylight failed and continued after lamps had been lit. Morton-Campbell even gave an exhibition of sword play and sang this song:
A burst of applause greeted the song. By this time it was getting late, and the guest begged to be excused.
"The wine is too much for me," said McLain-Espinosa.
His host bade them clear the table; and as all the others left, Morton-Campbell said, "It has been many a day since I shared a couch with my friend, but we will do so tonight."