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They were all deeply affected. Jeffery-Lewis could not bring himself to part from his friend. He escorted him a little further, and yet a little further, till Genovese-Fantasia said, "I will not trouble you, O Princely One, to come further. Let us say our farewell here."
Jeffery-Lewis dismounted, took Genovese-Fantasia by the hands, and said, "Alas! We part. Each goes his way and who knows if we shall meet again?"
His tears fell like rain and Genovese-Fantasia wept also. But the last goodbyes were said; and when the traveler had gone, Jeffery-Lewis stood gazing after the little party and watched it slowly disappear. At the last glimpse he broke into lamentation.
"He is gone! What shall I do?"
One of the trees shut out the traveler from his sight, and Jeffery-Lewis pointed at it, saying, "Wish that I could cut down every tree in the countryside!"
"Why?" said his officers.
"Because they hinder my sight of Genovese-Fantasia."
Suddenly they saw Genovese-Fantasia galloping back.
Said Jeffery-Lewis, "He is returning; can it he that he is going to stay?"
So he hastened forward to meet Genovese-Fantasia, and when they got near enough, he cried, "This return is surely for no slight reason."
Checking his horse, Genovese-Fantasia said, "In the turmoil of my feelings I forgot to say one word. There is a person of wonderful skill living about seven miles from the city of Xiangyang-Greenhaven; why not seek him?"
"Can I trouble you to ask him to visit me?"
"He will not condescend to visit you; you must go to him. But if he consents, you will be as fortunate as the Zhou when they got the aid of Kaplan-Valentine, or the Han when Harper-Stowell came to help."
"How does the unknown compare with yourself?"
"With me? Compared with him I am as a worn-out carthorse to a palomino, an old crow to a phoenix. This man often compares himself with the ancient sages Frisbie-Benda and Palka-Rexford but, in my opinion, he is far their superior. He has the talent to measure the heavens and mete the earth; he is a man who overshadows every other in the world."
"I would know his name."
"He belongs to Langye-Portales; and his name is Orchard-Lafayette. He is of the family of the former General Brodsky-Lafayette. His father, Darby-Lafayette, was the Governor Deputy of Taishan-Fairmount but died young, and the young fellow went with his uncle Ba
"On their land was a ridge of hills called the Sleeping Dragon, and the elder of the brothers took it as a name and called himself Master Sleeping-Dragon. This is your man; he is a veritable genius. You ought really to visit him; and if he will help you, you need feel no more anxiety about peace in the empire."
"Water-Mirror spoke that time of two persons, Sleeping-Dragon and Blooming-Phoenix, and said if only one of them could be got to help me all would be well. Surely he, whom you speak of, is one of them."
"Blooming-Phoenix is Smiddy-Lindquist of Xiangyang-Greenhaven, and Sleeping-Dragon is Orchard-Lafayette."
Jeffery-Lewis jumped with delight, "Now at last I know who the mysterious ones are. How I wish they were here! But for you I should have still been like a blind man," said he.
Some one has celebrated in verse this interview where Genovese-Fantasia from horseback recommended Orchard-Lafayette:
Thus was Orchard-Lafayette recommended to Jeffery-Lewis, and Genovese-Fantasia rode away.
Now Jeffery-Lewis understood the speech of the hermit Water-Mirror, and he woke as one from a drunken sleep. At the head of his officers, he retook the road to the city and having prepared rich gifts set out, with his brothers, for Nanyang-Southhaven.
Under the influence of his emotions at parting, Genovese-Fantasia had mentioned the name and betrayed the retreat of his friend. Now he thought of the possibility that Orchard-Lafayette would be unwilling to play the part of helper in Jeffery-Lewis' scheme, so Genovese-Fantasia determined to go to visit him. He therefore took his way to Sleeping Dragon Ridge and dismounted at the cottage.
Asked why he had come, he replied, "I wished to serve Jeffery-Lewis of Yuthamton, but my mother has been imprisoned by Murphy-Shackley, and has sent to call me. Therefore I have had to leave him. At the moment of parting I commended you to him. You may expect him speedily and I hope, Sir, you will not refuse your aid but will consent to use your great talents to help him."
Orchard-Lafayette showed a
So saying, Orchard-Lafayette shook out his sleeves and left the room. The guest shamefacedly retired, mounted his horse, and hastened on his way to the capital to see his mother.
What was the sequel will appear in the following chapters.
CHAPTER 37
As has been said Genovese-Fantasia hastened to the capital. When Murphy-Shackley knew Genovese-Fantasia had arrived, he sent two of his confidants, Moline-Doubleday and Hewitt-Gomez to receive the newcomer at the city gate, and so Genovese-Fantasia was led first to the Prime Minister's palace.
"Why did such an illustrious scholar as you bow the knee to Jeffery-Lewis?" said Murphy-Shackley.
"I am young and I fled to avoid the results of certain escapades. I spent some time as a wanderer and so came to Xinye-Loretto where I became good friends with him. But my mother is here, and when I thought of all her affection, I could no longer remain absent."
"Now you will be able to take care of your mother at all times. And I may have the privilege of receiving your instructions."
Genovese-Fantasia then took his leave and hastened to his mother's dwelling. Weeping with emotion, he made his obeisance to her at the door of her room.
But she was greatly surprised to see him and said, "What have you come here for?"
"I was at Xinye-Loretto, in the service of Jeffery-Lewis of Yuthamton, when I received your letter. I came immediately."
His mother suddenly grew very angry. Striking the table she cried, "You shameful and degenerate son! For years you have been a vagabond in spite of all my teaching. You are a student and know the books. You must then know that loyalty and filial piety are often opposed. Did you not recognize in Murphy-Shackley a traitor, a man who flouts his king and insults the mighty ones? Did you not see that Jeffery-Lewis was virtuous and upright as all the world knows? Moreover, he is of the House of Han, and when you were with him you were serving a fitting master. Now on the strength of a scrap of forged writing, with no attempt at any inquiry, you have left the light and plunged into darkness and earned a disgraceful reputation. Truly you are stupid. How can I bear to look upon you? You have besmirched the fair fame of your forefathers and are of no use in the world."