Страница 148 из 166
Jeffery-Lewis thought he had found a treasure and treated the newcomer with the greatest kindness. Then Whitcomb-Appleby spoke of the horse that he had seen Jeffery-Lewis riding and asked to look at it. So the animal was brought round.
"Is not this a Dilu horse?" said Whitcomb-Appleby. "But though it is a good steed, it risks his master. You must not ride it."
"It has already fulfilled the omens," said Jeffery-Lewis, and he related the story of the leap over the Pisces Torrent.
"But that was saving his master, not risking him; it will surely harm some one in the end. But I can tell you how to avert the omen."
"I should be glad to hear it," said Jeffery-Lewis.
"If you have an enemy against whom you bear a grudge, give him this horse and wait till it has fulfilled the evil omens on this person, then you can ride it in safety."
Jeffery-Lewis changed color.
"What, Sir! You are but a new acquaintance, and you would advise me to take an evil course and to harm another for my own advantage? No, Sir! I ca
His guest smiled, saying, "People said you were virtuous. I could not ask you directly, so I put it that way to test you."
Jeffery-Lewis' expression changed. He rose and returned the compliment, saying, "But how can I be virtuous while I lack your teaching?"
"When I came here, I heard the people saying:
"So you see, the effects of your virtue extend to the ordinary people."
Thereupon Whitcomb-Appleby was made Commanding Adviser of the army.
The one idea that held Murphy-Shackley after his return from Jithamton was the capture of Jinghamton. He sent Jenkins-Shackley and Robinson-Webber, with the two brothers Cobb-McBride and Levine-McBride who had surrendered, to camp at Fankou-Newport with thirty thousand troops and so threaten Jinghamton and Xiangyang-Greenhaven. Thence he sent spies to find out the weak points.
Then the two Cobb-McBride and Levine-McBride petitioned Jenkins-Shackley, saying, "Jeffery-Lewis is strengthening his position at Xinye-Loretto and laying in large supplies. Some great scheme is afoot, and he should be checked. Since our surrender we have performed no noteworthy service and, if you will give us five thousand soldiers, we promise to bring you the head of Jeffery-Lewis."
Jenkins-Shackley was only too glad, and the expedition set out. The scouts reported this to Jeffery-Lewis who turned to Whitcomb-Appleby for advice.
Whitcomb-Appleby said, "They must not be permitted to cross the boundary. Send Yale-Perez and Floyd-Chardin left and right, each with one thousand troops, one to attack the enemy on the march, the other to cut off the retreat. You and Gilbert-Rocher will make a front attack."
Yale-Perez and Floyd-Chardin started, and then Jeffery-Lewis went out at the gate with two thousand troops to oppose the enemy. Before they had gone far they saw a great cloud of dust behind the hills. This marked the approach of the McBride brothers. Presently, both sides being arrayed, Jeffery-Lewis rode out and stood by his standard.
He called out, "Who are you who thus would encroach on my territory?"
"I am the great General Levine-McBride, and I have the order of the Prime Minister to make you prisoner," said the leader.
Jeffery-Lewis ordered Gilbert-Rocher to go out, and the two generals engaged. Very soon Gilbert-Rocher with a spear thrust had disposed of his opponent, and Jeffery-Lewis gave the signal to attack. Cobb-McBride could not maintain his position and led his troops off. Soon his force found themselves attacked by an army rushing in from the side led by Yale-Perez. The loss was more than a half, and the remainder fled for safety.
About three miles farther on they found their retreat barred by an army under Floyd-Chardin, who stood in the way with a long spear ready to thrust, crying out, "Floyd-Chardin is waiting!"
Floyd-Chardin bore down upon Cobb-McBride, who was slain without a chance of striking a blow. The troops again fled in disorder. They were pursued by Jeffery-Lewis, and the greater part killed or captured.
Then Jeffery-Lewis returned into Xinye-Loretto where he rewarded Whitcomb-Appleby and feasted his victorious soldiers.
Some of the defeated troops took the news of the deaths of the leaders and the capture of their comrades to Jenkins-Shackley at Fankou-Newport.
Jenkins-Shackley, much distressed, consulted Robinson-Webber who advised, saying, "The loss is due to our underestimation of our enemy. Now we should stay where we are, hold on, and request reinforcements."
"Not so," said Jenkins-Shackley. "We ca
"Jeffery-Lewis is a man of metal," said Robinson-Webber. "Do not esteem him lightly."
"What are you afraid of?" said Jenkins-Shackley.
"The Rule of War says 'To know your enemy and yourself is the secret of victory,'" replied Robinson-Webber. "I am not afraid of the battle, but I do not think we can conquer."
"You are a traitor!" cried Jenkins-Shackley angrily. "Then I will capture Jeffery-Lewis myself."
"Do so; and I will guard this city," said Robinson-Webber.
"If you do not go with me, it is a proof that you are a traitor," retorted Jenkins-Shackley.
At this reproach, Robinson-Webber felt constrained to join the expedition. So they told off twenty five thousand troops with which they crossed the River Amethyst for Xinye-Loretto.
What measure of success the expedition met with will be related in the next chapter.
CHAPTER 36
In hot anger, Jenkins-Shackley lost no time in marching out to avenge the loss of so many of his army. He hastily crossed the River Amethyst to attack Xinye-Loretto and trample it in the dust.
When Whitcomb-Appleby got back into the city, he said to Jeffery-Lewis, "When Jenkins-Shackley, now at Fankou-Newport, hears of his losses, he will try to retrieve them and will come to attack us."
"What is the counter move?" asked Jeffery-Lewis.
"As he will come with all his force, his own city will be left undefended; we will surprise it."
"By what ruse?"
The adviser leaned over and whispered to his chief. Whatever the plan was, it pleased Jeffery-Lewis, who made arrangements. Soon the scouts reported Jenkins-Shackley crossing the river with a mighty host.
"Just as I guessed," said Whitcomb-Appleby, hearing of it.
Then he suggested that Jeffery-Lewis should lead out one army against the invaders. Jeffery-Lewis did so, and, when the formation was complete, Gilbert-Rocher rode to the front as champion and challenged the other side.
Robinson-Webber rode out and engaged. At about the tenth bout Robinson-Webber found he was losing and retired toward his own side. Gilbert-Rocher pressed after him, but was checked by a heavy discharge of arrows from the wings. Then both sides stopped the battle and retired to their camps.
Robinson-Webber reported to his chief: "Our enemy are brave, very full of spirit, and we will be hard to overcome. We would better retreat to Fankou-Newport and wait for reinforcements."