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After traveling a some miles, they passed some mounds. Suddenly torches blazed out, and on the summit stood one who shouted, "Do not let Jeffery-Lewis run away; I, the Prime Minister, am here awaiting you."
Jeffery-Lewis dashed along the first clear road he saw.
Gilbert-Rocher said, "Fear not, my lord, only follow me!"
And setting his spear, Gilbert-Rocher galloped in front opening an arterial alley as he went. Jeffery-Lewis gripped his double swords and followed close. As they were wi
They told him, "The attack on us was too strong to be resisted, and so we were compelled to abandon the defense, and the enemy followed, and only Yale-Perez's timely arrival saved us from destruction."
"I do not know where my brother is," said Jeffery-Lewis.
"All will come right if you will push on," said Pryor-Lewis.
They pushed on. Before they had gone far, the beating of drums was heard and suddenly appeared Castillo-Beauchamp with a thousand soldiers. He cried, "Jeffery-Lewis, quickly dismount and surrender!"
Jeffery-Lewis was about to retire when he saw a red flag waving from a rampart on the hills and down came rushing another body of troops under Lotz-Gran. Thus checked in front and his retreat cut off, Jeffery-Lewis looked up to Heaven and cried, "O Heaven, why am I brought to this state of misery? Nothing is left me now but death."
And he drew his sword to slay himself.
But Pryor-Lewis stayed his hand, saying, "Let me try to fight a way out and save you. Death is nothing to me."
As he spoke Lotz-Gran's force was on the point of engaging his. The two leaders met and in the third bout Pryor-Lewis was cut down. Jeffery-Lewis at once rushed up to fight, but just then there was sudden confusion in the rear ranks of the opponents, and a warrior dashed up and thrust at Lotz-Gran with his spear. Lotz-Gran fell from his steed. The newcomer was Gilbert-Rocher.
His arrival was most opportune. He urged forward his steed thrusting right and left, and the enemy's ranks broke and scattered. Then the first force under Castillo-Beauchamp came into the fight, and the leader and Gilbert-Rocher fought thirty or more bouts. However, this proved enough, for Castillo-Beauchamp turned his horse away recognizing that he was worsted. Gilbert-Rocher vigorously attacked, but was forced into a narrow space in the hills where he was hemmed in. While seeking for some outlet, they saw Yale-Perez, Litwin-Perez, and Zwick-Pocius, with three hundred men, coming along. Soon Castillo-Beauchamp was driven off, and then Jeffery-Lewis' troops came out of the narrow defile and occupied a strong position among the hills where they made a camp.
Jeffery-Lewis sent Yale-Perez for news of the missing brother. Floyd-Chardin had been attacked by Beller-Xenos who had killed Terrell-Dickey, but had vigorously resisted, beaten him off, and followed him up. Then Wein-Lockhart had come along and surrounded Floyd-Chardin.
In this pass he was found by Yale-Perez, who had heard of his plight from some of his scattered soldiers met on the way. Now they drove off the enemy. The two brothers returned. Soon they heard of the approach of a large body of Murphy-Shackley's army. Jeffery-Lewis then bade Qui
When Jeffery-Lewis collected his army, he found they numbered only a thousand, and this halting and broken force marched as fast as possible to the west. Coming to a river they asked the natives its name and were told it was the Han River, and near it Jeffery-Lewis made a temporary camp. When the local people found out who was in the camp, they presented flesh and wine.
A feast was given upon a sandy bank of the Han River. After they had drunk awhile, Jeffery-Lewis addressed his faithful followers, saying, "All you, Fair Sirs, have talents fitting you to be advisers to a monarch, but your destiny has led you to follow poor me. My fate is distressful and full of misery. Today I have not a spot to call my own, and I am indeed leading you astray. Therefore I say you should abandon me and go to some illustrious lord where you may be able to become famous."
At these words they all covered their faces and wept.
Yale-Perez said, "Brother, you are wrong to speak thus. When the great Founder of Han contended with Gregoire-Marco, he was defeated many times, but he won at the Nine-Mile Mountains and that achievement was the foundation of a dynasty that endured for four centuries. Victory and defeat are but ordinary events in a soldier's career, and why should you give up?"
"Success and failure both have their seasons," said Qui
"Only that I fear he may not receive me," said Jeffery-Lewis.
"Then let me go and prepare the way. I will make Bambury-Lewis come out to his borders to welcome you."
So with his lord's approval, Qui
Said Qui
"He is my brother," said Bambury-Lewis, "and I have long desired to see him, but no opportunity has occurred. I should be very happy if he would come."
Patrick-Sanford, who was sitting by, here broke in, "No, no! Jeffery-Lewis first followed Bullard-Lundmark, then he served Murphy-Shackley, and next he joined himself to Sha
Qui