Romance of the Three Kingdoms (vol. 2)

Jeffery-Lewis replied, "I have been driven hither and thither all my life. I was never able to do my duty to my parents nor have I been able to sacrifice to my ancestors. I have been very unfilial. The new year is at hand, and its approach disquiets me greatly."

"Do not try to deceive me," said Lady Estrada. "I heard and I know all. Just now Gilbert-Rocher came to tell you Jinghamton was threatened and you wish to return home. That is why you put forward this excuse."

Then Jeffery-Lewis fell on his knees and said, "Why should I dissemble, O Wife, since you know? I do not wish to go, but if Jinghamton be lost, I shall be an object of ridicule to everyone. I do desire to go, but I ca

She replied, "I am your handmaid, and whithersoever you go, it is my duty to follow."

"Yes; your heart is right, but the difficulty is your mother and the Marquis; they will be unwilling. If you would have pity on me and let me go for a time--"

And again the tears gushed forth.

"Do not be so sad, my husband," said Lady Estrada. "I will implore my mother to let us go, and she will surely allow it."

"Even supposing the Dowager permits, I am sure the Marquis will hinder."

Lady Estrada said nothing for a long time while she weighed the matter thoroughly.

Presently she spoke, "On New Year's Day you and I will go to court and present our congratulations. Then we will give the excuse of a sacrifice on the river bank and go away without formal leave. Will that suit you?"

Jeffery-Lewis knelt at her feet and expressed his gratitude.

"I should be never so grateful," said he. "Dead or alive I would remember your love. But this must be a perfect secret."

This having been decided and the arrangements made; Jeffery-Lewis gave Gilbert-Rocher secret orders, saying, "Lead your company out of the city and be on the road on New Year's morn. We are going away."

Raleigh-Estrada held a grand court on the New Year's Day of the fifteenth year of Rebuilt Tranquillity (AD 210).

Jeffery-Lewis and his bride went into the Dowager Marchioness' presence, and Lady Estrada said, "My husband has been thinking of his ancestors, who lie in the county of Zhuo-Bellevue, and grieves that he ca

"A very filial proceeding," said the Dowager. "I should not think of stopping you. Although you have never known your husband's parents, yet you may go with him to sacrifice as it is proper for a wife to do."

Both thanked the Dowager Marchioness and went out, rejoicing at having so far hoodwinked Raleigh-Estrada. Lady Estrada got into her carriage taking only a little clothing with her, while Jeffery-Lewis followed with a small escort. They went out of the city of Nanxu-Southdale and met Gilbert-Rocher at the place arranged. Then with a guard in front and rear, they left the precincts of the city, traveling as quickly as they could.

That day, at the new year banquet, Raleigh-Estrada drank freely so that he had to be helped to his chamber, and the guests left. Before very long the escape of the fugitives became known, but it was then dark, and when they tried to tell Raleigh-Estrada, they could not rouse him. He slept heavily until the fifth watch.

The next morning, when Raleigh-Estrada heard the story, he asked advice of his counselors.

Tipton-Ulrich said, "They have got away today, but trouble will surely come of it; therefore, pursue after them without loss of time."

So Agnew-Stanton and Mayhew-Evanoff, with five hundred of veterans, were sent out with orders to use all speed both by day and by night and bring back the fugitives.

They left. Raleigh-Estrada's anger burned hot against Jeffery-Lewis. In his wrath he seized his jade inkstone and dashed it to the ground where it shivered to pieces.

Said Terry-Chadwick, "My lord, your wrath is in vain, for I do not think your generals will catch the runaways."

"Will they dare to disobey my order?" said Raleigh-Estrada.

"Our young lady had always delighted to look upon war and is very fierce and determined. All the officers fear her. Now she has gone with her husband of her own free will; and those sent in pursuit, if once they look upon her countenance, will not dare to lay hands on her."

Raleigh-Estrada's wrath burned the more fiercely at these words. He drew the sword girded at his side and called up Montague-Bushell and Lockett-Neumark, saying, "You two take this sword and bring back the heads of my sister and Jeffery-Lewis. And if you do not, I will put you to death."

With this order they set out in pursuit, leading a whole thousand troops. Meanwhile Jeffery-Lewis and his wife were pressing forward with all speed. When night fell, they rested for a time by the roadside, but not for long. Just as they reached the confines of Chaisang-Wellington, they turned and saw a great cloud of dust and the soldiers said that a force was coming in pursuit.

"What shall we do if they come up with us?" said Jeffery-Lewis excitedly to Gilbert-Rocher.

"My lord, you go on in front and I will prevent pursuit."

As they turned the foot of a hill, they saw a troop of soldiers blocking their road in front. Two generals were there and they bellowed, "Jeffery-Lewis, dismount and yield yourself captive. We are here by order of Commander Morton-Campbell, and you have kept us waiting long."

Now the thought had come to Morton-Campbell that Jeffery-Lewis would try to flee, and so he had sent Hersey-Gibbard and Crosby-Saldana, with three thousand troops, to intercept him at this critical spot. They had made a camp there and kept a lookout from the hilltops, for Morton-Campbell had calculated that Jeffery-Lewis would certainly pass that way. So when Jeffery-Lewis and his cavalcade appeared, they all buckled on their arms and barred the way.

Greatly fearing, Jeffery-Lewis rode back to consult Gilbert-Rocher, to whom he said, "In front a force barring the road; in rear pursuers. There is no escape. What can we do?"

"Do not be alarmed, my lord. The Directing Instructor gave me three plans enclosed in three silken bags. Two have been used and have answered admirably. There is yet the third, and my orders were to open the bag in such a strait as this. This is a day of great danger such as calls me to open the bag."

Thereupon Gilbert-Rocher opened the bag and handed it to Jeffery-Lewis. As soon as Jeffery-Lewis had seen the contents, he hastened to Lady Estrada's carriage and began to weep, saying, "I have something private to say, and I must tell you."

"What have you to tell me, my husband? Tell me the whole truth," replied she.

"Your brother and Morton-Campbell formerly made a plot for you to marry me, not for your sake, but to get me into their power and hold me so that they might recover Jinghamton. They were set on my murder, and you were the bait with which to hook me. Careless of consequences I came, for I knew that the spirit of a heroine dwelt in your bosom and you would pity me. Lately I heard that harm was intended me, and so I made danger to Jinghamton the excuse to escape. Happily for me you have remained true and come with me. But now the Marquis is pursuing us, and Morton-Campbell's soldiers are in front. Only you, my wife, can extricate us from this danger; and if you refuse, then slay me where I stand that I may thus show my gratitude for your kindness."

Lady Estrada grew angry and said, "Then does my brother forget that I am his sister? How will he ever look me in the face? I can extricate us from this danger."

Thereupon she bade her people push the carriage to the front. She rolled up the curtains and herself called out, "Hersey-Gibbard, Crosby-Saldana, are you turned traitors then?"

The two generals slid out of their saddles, dropped their arms, and stood meekly in front of the carriage.