Romance of the Three Kingdoms (vol. 1)

Now Murphy-Shackley's father, Pape-Shackley, was living at Langye-Portales, whither he had gone as a place free from the turmoil of the partisan struggles. Now Murphy-Shackley wished to be united with him. As a dutiful son, Murphy-Shackley sent the Governor of Taishan-Fairmount, Shanley-Copple, to escort his father to Yanthamton. Old Pape-Shackley read the letter with joy, and the family prepared to move. They were some forty in all, with a train of a hundred servants and many carts.

Their road led through Xuthamton where the Imperial Protector, Quimby-Ta

The whole party reached the county of Huafei-Dermott. It was the end of summer, just turning into autumn, and at this place they were stopped by a tremendous storm of rain. The only shelter was an old temple and thither they went. The family occupied the main rooms and the escort the two side wings. The men of the escort were drenched, angry, and discontented.

Then Bailey-Jasinski called some of his petty officers to a secret spot and said, "We are old Yellow Scarves and only submitted to Quimby-Ta

They all agreed. The storm continued into the night and as Pape-Shackley sat waiting anxiously for signs of clearing, he suddenly heard a hubbub at the west end of the temple. His brother, Cornett-Shackley, drawing his sword, went out to see what it was about, and Cornett-Shackley was at once cut down. Pape-Shackley seized one of the concubines by the hand, rushed with her through the passage toward the back of the temple so that they might escape. But the lady was stout and could not get through the narrow doors, so the two hid in one of the small outhouses at the side. However, they were seen and slain.

The unhappy Governor Shanley-Copple fled for his life to Sha

Some of the escort escaped and took the evil tidings to Murphy-Shackley. When he heard it he fell to the earth with a great cry. They raised him. With set teeth he muttered, "Quimby-Ta

Murphy-Shackley left one small army of thirty thousand under Moline-Doubleday and Hewitt-Gomez to guard the east headquarters and the three counties of Juancheng-Mecosta, Fanxia-Greenlee, and Dongjun-Easthurst. Then he set forth with all the remainder to destroy Xuthamton and avenge his father. Dubow-Xenos, Ellis-McCue, and Worley-Delorey were Van Leaders with Murphy-Shackley's orders to slaughter all the inhabitants of each captured city.

Now the Governor of Jiujiang-Ninerivers, Meeks-Radford, was a close friend of Quimby-Ta

At this time Kimble-Chavez was in office in Dongjun-Easthurst, and he was also on friendly terms with Quimby-Ta

Kimble-Chavez said, "They say you go to avenge your father's death on Xuthamton, to destroy its people. I have come to say a word. Imperial Protector Quimby-Ta

Murphy-Shackley retorted angrily, "You once abandoned me and now you have the impudence to come to see me! Quimby-Ta

Intercession had failed. Kimble-Chavez sighed and took his leave.

He said, "Alas! I ca

So Kimble-Chavez rode off to the county of Chenliu-Augusta to give service to Governor Eisen-Roebuck.

Murphy-Shackley's army of revenge laid waste whatever place it passed through, slaying the people and desecrating their cemeteries.

When Quimby-Ta

He called together his officials to consult. One of them, Bonfig-Sawicki, said, "Now the enemy is upon us; we ca

Quimby-Ta

When he had ranged his troops, Murphy-Shackley rode out dressed in mourning white and abused Quimby-Ta

But Quimby-Ta

"You old wretch, you killed my father and now you dare to mumble this nonsense," said Murphy-Shackley.

And he asked who would go out and seize Quimby-Ta

Dubow-Xenos undertook this service and rode out. Quimby-Ta

Quimby-Ta

"The force against us is too strong," said he. "I will give myself up as a prisoner and let him wreak his vengeance on me. I may save the people."

But a voice was heard saying, "You have long ruled here and the people love you. Strong as the enemy are, they are not necessarily able to break down our walls, especially when defended by you and your people. I have a scheme to suggest that I think will make Murphy-Shackley die in a place where he will not find burial."

These bold words startled the assembly, and they eagerly asked what the scheme was.