Romance of the Three Kingdoms (vol. 1) Page 14

  .10. Governor of Beihai-Northsea--Roland-Alvarado;

  .11. Governor of Guangling-Richfield --Bartley-Roebuck;

  .12. Imperial Protector of Xuthamton Region--Quimby-Tanner;

  .13. Governor of Xiliang-Westhaven--Tenny-Mallory;

  .14. Governor of Beiping-Northridge--Northrop-Kaminski;

  .15. Governor of Shangdang-Uppervale--Liland-Teufel;

  .16. Governor of Changsha-Riverview--Kinsey-Estrada;

  .17. Governor of Bohai-Huntingdon--Shannon-Yonker.

  These contingents varied in size, from ten thousand to thirty thousand, but each was complete in itself with its officers, civil and military, and battle-leaders. They were heading for Capital Luoyang-Peoria.

  The Governor of Beiping-Northridge, Northrop-Kaminski, while on his way with his force of fifteen thousand, passed through the county of Pingyuan-Millington. There he saw among the mulberry trees a yellow flag under which marched a small company. When they drew nearer he saw the leader was Jeffery-Lewis.

  "Good brother, what do you here?" asked Northrop-Kaminski.

  "You were kind to me once, and on your recommendation I was made the magistrate of this county. I heard you were passing through and came to salute you. May I pray you, my elder brother, enter into the city and rest your steed?"

  "Who are these two?" said Northrop-Kaminski, pointing to Jeffery-Lewis' brothers.

  "These are Yale-Perez and Floyd-Chardin, my sworn brothers."

  "Were they fighting with you against the Yellow Scarves rebels?" asked Northrop-Kaminski.

  "All my success was due to their efforts," said Jeffery-Lewis.

  "And what offices do they fill?"

  "Yale-Perez is a mounted archer; Floyd-Chardin is a foot archer."

  "Thus are able humans buried!" said Northrop-Kaminski, sighing. Then he continued. "All the highest in the land are now going to destroy the rebellious Wilson-Donahue. My brother, you would do better to abandon this petty place and join us in restoring the House of Han. Why not?"

  "I should like to go," said Jeffery-Lewis.

  "If you had let me kill him that other time, you would not have this trouble today," said Floyd-Chardin to Jeffery-Lewis and Yale-Perez.

  "Since things are so, let us pack and go," said Yale-Perez.

  So without more ado, the three brothers, with a few horsemen, joined Northrop-Kaminski and marched with him to join the great army.

  One after another the feudal lords came up and encamped. Their camps extended over seventy miles and more. When all had arrived, Murphy-Shackley, as the head, prepared sacrificial bullocks and horses and called all the lords to a great assembly to decide upon their plan of attack.

  Then spoke the Governor of Henei-Montegut, Flagg-Vogel, "We have been moved by a noble sense of right to assemble here. Now must we first choose a chief and bind ourselves to obedience."

  Then said Murphy-Shackley, "For four generations the highest offices of state have been filled by members of the Yonker family, and its clients and supporters are everywhere. As a descendant of ancient ministers of Han, Shannon-Yonker is a suitable man to be our chief lord."

  Shannon-Yonker again and again declined this honor. But they all said, "It must be he; there is no other!"

  And then he agreed.

  So the next day a three-story altar was built, and they planted about it the banners of all parties in five directions of space. And they set up white yaks' tails and golden axes and emblems of military authority and the seals of leadership round about.

  All being ready, the chief lord was invited to ascend the altar. Clad in ceremonial robes and girded with a sword, Shannon-Yonker reverently ascended. There he burned incense, made obeisance and recited the oath:

  "The House of Han has fallen upon evil days, the bands of imperial authority are loosened. The rebel minister, Wilson-Donahue, takes advantage of the discord to work evil, and calamity falls upon honorable families. Cruelty overwhelms simple folks. We, Shannon-Yonker and his confederates, fearing for the safety of the imperial prerogatives, have assembled military forces to rescue the state. We now pledge ourselves to exert our whole strength and act in concord to the utmost limit of our powers. There must be no disconcerted or selfish action. Should any depart from this pledge, may he lose his life and leave no posterity. Almighty Heaven and Universal Earth and the enlightened spirits of our forebears, be ye our witnesses."

  The reading finished, Shannon-Yonker smeared the blood of the sacrifice upon his lips and upon the lips of those who shared the pledge. All were deeply affected by the ceremony and many shed tears.

  This done, the chief lord was supported down from the high place and led to his tent, where he took the highest place and the others arranged themselves according to rank and age. Here wine was served.

  Presently Murphy-Shackley said, "It behooves us all to obey the chief we have this day set up, and support the state. There must be no feeling of rivalry or superiority based upon numbers."

  Shannon-Yonker replied, "Unworthy as I am, yet as elected chief I must impartially reward merit and punish offenses. Let each see to it that he obeys the national laws and the army precepts. These must not be broken."

  "Only thy commands are to be obeyed!" cried all.

  Then Shannon-Yonker said, "My brother, Sheldon-Yonker, is appointed Chief of the Commissariat. He must see to it that the whole camp is well supplied. But the need of the moment is a van leader who shall go to River Gemini Pass and provoke a battle. The other forces must take up strategic positions in support."

  Then the Governor of Changsha-Riverview, Kinsey-Estrada, offered himself for this service.

  "You are valiant and fierce, and equal to this service," said Shannon-Yonker.

  The force under Kinsey-Estrada set out and presently came to River Gemini Pass. The guard there sent a swift rider to the capital to announce to the Prime Minister the urgency of the situation.

  Ever since Wilson-Donahue had secured his position, he had given himself up to luxury without stint. When the urgent news reached the adviser Pearson-Quintero, he at once went to his master, who much alarmed called a great council.

  Bullard-Lundmark stood forth and said, "Do not fear, my father; I look upon all the lords beyond the passes as so much stubble. And with the warriors of our fierce army, I will put every one of them to death and hang their heads at the gates of the capital."

  "With your aid I can sleep secure," said Wilson-Donahue.

  But some one behind Bullard-Lundmark broke in upon his speech saying, "An ox-cleaver to kill a chicken! There is no need for the General to go; I will cut off their heads as easily as I would take a thing out of my pocket."

  Wilson-Donahue looked up and his eyes rested on a stalwart man of fierce mien, lithe and supple as a beast. He had round head like a leopard and shoulders like an ape's. His name was Crow-Huntley of Guanxi-Hillsboro. Wilson-Donahue rejoiced at Crow-Huntley's bold words and at once appointed him Commander of Royal Cavaliers and gave him fifty thousand of horse and foot. Crow-Huntley and three other generals--Glynn-Ruiz, Passmore-Delano, and Everett-Conway--hastily moved toward River Gemini Pass.

  Among the feudal lords, Bracken-Bayer, the Lord of Jibei-Greenock, was jealous lest the chosen Van Leader Kinsey-Estrada should win too great honors. Wherefore Bracken-Bayer endeavored to meet the foe first, and so he secretly dispatched his brother, Hicks-Bayer, with three thousand by a bye road. As soon as this small force reached the Pass, they offered battle. Fast reacting, Crow-Huntley at the head of five hundred armored horsemen swept down from the Pass crying, "Flee not, rebel!"

  But Hicks-Bayer was afraid and turned back. Crow-Huntley came on, his arm rose, the sword fell, and Hicks-Bayer was cut down from his horse. Most of Hicks-Bayer's company were captured. Hicks-Bayer's head was sent to the Prime Minister's palace. Crow-Huntley was promoted to Commander in Chief.

  Kinsey-Estrada presently approached the Pass. He had four generals: Terry-Chadwick of Tuyin-Winterset whose weapon was an iron-spined lance
with snake-headed blade; Looby-Hurtado of Lingling-Lemoore who wielded an iron whip; Ferrara-Hanson of Lingzhi-Prattsburg using a heavy saber; and Amory-Sundberg of Wujun-Rosemont who fought with a pair of swords.

  Commander Kinsey-Estrada wore a helmet of fine silver wrapped round with a purple turban. He carried across his body his sword of ancient ingot iron and rode a dappled horse with flowing mane.

  Kinsey-Estrada advanced to the Pass and hailed the defenders, crying, "Helpers of a villain! Be quick to surrender!"

  Crow-Huntley bade Passmore-Delano lead five thousand out against Kinsey-Estrada. Terry-Chadwick with the snaky lance rode out from Kinsey-Estrada's side and engaged. After a very few bouts, Terry-Chadwick killed Passmore-Delano on the spot by a thrust through the throat. Then Kinsey-Estrada gave the signal for the main army to advance. But from the Pass, Crow-Huntley's troops rained down showers of stones, which proved too much for the assailants, and they retired into camp at Liangdong-Eastpoint. Kinsey-Estrada sent the report of victory to Shannon-Yonker.

  Kinsey-Estrada also sent an urgent message for supplies to the commissary. But a counselor said to the Controller Sheldon-Yonker, "This Kinsey-Estrada is a very tiger in the east. Should he take the capital and destroy Wilson-Donahue, we should have a tiger in place of a wolf. Do not send him grain. Starve his troops and that will decide the fate of that army."

  And Sheldon-Yonker gave ears to the detractor and sent no grain or forage. Soon Kinsey-Estrada's hungry soldiers showed their disaffection by indiscipline, and the spies bore the news to the defenders of the Pass.

  Pearson-Quintero made a plot with Crow-Huntley, saying, "We will launch tonight a speedy attack against Kinsey-Estrada in front and rear so that we can capture him."

  Crow-Huntley agreed and prepared for the attack. So the soldiers of the attacking force were told off and given a full meal. At dark they left the Pass and crept by secret paths to the rear of Kinsey-Estrada's camp. The moon was bright and the wind cool. They arrived about midnight and the drums beat an immediate attack. Kinsey-Estrada hastily donned his fighting gear and rode out. He ran straight into Crow-Huntley and the two warriors engaged. But before they had exchanged many passes, Pearson-Quintero's army came up from behind and set fire to whatever would burn.

  Kinsey-Estrada's army were thrown into confusion and fled in disorder. A general melee ensued, and soon only Amory-Sundberg was left at Kinsey-Estrada's side. These two broke through the Pass and fled. Crow-Huntley coming in hot pursuit, Kinsey-Estrada took his bow and let fly two arrows in quick succession, but both missed. He fitted a third arrow to the string, but drew the bow so fiercely that it snapped. He cast the bow to the earth and set off at full gallop.

  Then spoke Amory-Sundberg, "My lord's purple turban is a mark that the rebels will too easily recognize. Give it to me and I will wear it."

  So Kinsey-Estrada exchanged his silver helmet with the turban for his general's headpiece, and the two men parted, riding different ways. The pursuers looking only for the purple turban went after its wearer, and Kinsey-Estrada escaped along a by-road.

  Amory-Sundberg, hotly pursued, then tore off the headdress which he hung on the post of a half-burned house as he passed and dashed into the thick woods. Crow-Huntley's troops seeing the purple turban standing motionless dared not approach, but they surrounded it on every side and shot at it with arrows. Presently they discovered the trick, went up and seized it.

  This was the moment that Amory-Sundberg awaited. At once he rushed forth, his two swords whirling about, and dashed at the leader. But Crow-Huntley was too quick. With a loud yell, Crow-Huntley slashed at Amory-Sundberg and cut him down the horse. Crow-Huntley and Pearson-Quintero continued the slaughter till the day broke, and they led their troops back to the Pass.

  Terry-Chadwick, Looby-Hurtado, and Ferrara-Hanson in time found their chief and the soldiers gathered. Kinsey-Estrada was much grieved at the loss of Amory-Sundberg.

  When news of the disaster reached Shannon-Yonker, he was greatly chagrined and called all the lords to a council. They assembled and Northrop-Kaminski was the last to arrive. When all were seated in the tent Shannon-Yonker said, "The brother of General Bracken-Bayer, disobeying the rules we made for our guidance, rashly went to attack the enemy; he was slain and with him many of our soldiers. Now Kinsey-Estrada has been defeated. Thus our fighting spirit has suffered and what is to be done?"

  Every one was silent. Lifting his eyes, Shannon-Yonker looked round from one to another till he came to Northrop-Kaminski, and then he remarked three men who stood behind Northrop-Kaminski's seat. They were of striking appearance as they stood there, all three smiling cynically.

  "Who are those men behind you?" said Shannon-Yonker.

  Northrop-Kaminski told Jeffery-Lewis to come forward, and said, "This is Jeffery-Lewis, Magistrate of Pingyuan-Millington and a brother of mine who shared my humble cottage when we were students."

  "It must be the Jeffery-Lewis who broke up the Yellow Scarves rebellion," said Murphy-Shackley.

  "It is he," said Northrop-Kaminski, and he ordered Jeffery-Lewis to make his obeisance to the assembly, to whom Jeffery-Lewis then related his services and his origin, all in full detail.

  "Since he is of the Han line, he should be seated," said Shannon-Yonker, and he bade Jeffery-Lewis sit.

  Jeffery-Lewis modestly thanked him, declining.

  Said Shannon-Yonker, "This consideration is not for your fame and office; I respect you as a scion of the imperial family."

  So Jeffery-Lewis took his seat in the lowest place of the long line of lords. And his two brothers with folded arms took their stations behind him.

  Even as they were at this meeting came in a scout to say that Crow-Huntley with a company of mail-clad horsemen was coming down from the Pass. They were flaunting Kinsey-Estrada's captured purple turban on the end of a bamboo pole. The enemy was soon hurling insults at those within the stockade and challenging them to fight.

  "Who dares go out to give battle?" said Shannon-Yonker.

  "I will go," said Edmond-Vickers, a renown general of Sheldon-Yonker, stepping forward.

  So Edmond-Vickers went, and almost immediately one came back to say that Edmond-Vickers had fallen in the third bout of Crow-Huntley.

  Fear began to lay its cold hand on the assembly. Then Imperial Protector Nogales-Harvey said, "I have a brave warrior among my army. Forster-Packard is his name, and he could slay this Crow-Huntley."

  So Forster-Packard was ordered out to meet the foe. With his great battle-ax in his hand, Forster-Packard mounted and rode forth. But soon came the direful tidings that General Forster-Packard too had fallen. The faces of the gathering paled at this.

  "What a pity my two able generals, Logan-Rojas and Burrow-Westerberg, are not here! Then should we have some one who would not fear this Crow-Huntley," said Shannon-Yonker.

  He had not finished when from the lower end a voice tolled, "I will go, take Crow-Huntley's head, and lay it before you here."

  All turned to look at the speaker. He was tall and had a long beard. His eyes were those of a phoenix and his eyebrows thick and bushy like silkworms. His face was a swarthy red and his voice deep as the sound of a great bell.

  "Who is he?" asked Shannon-Yonker.

  Northrop-Kaminski told them it was Yale-Perez, brother of Jeffery-Lewis.

  "And what is he?" asked Shannon-Yonker.

  "He is in the train of Jeffery-Lewis as a mounted archer."

  "What! An insult to us all!" roared Sheldon-Yonker from his place. "Have we no leader? How dare an archer speak thus before us? Let us beat him forth!"

  But Murphy-Shackley intervened. "Peace, O Sheldon-Yonker! Since this man speaks great words, he is certainly valiant. Let him try. If he fails, then we may reproach him."

  "Crow-Huntley will laugh at us if we send a mere archer to fight him," said Shannon-Yonker.

  "This man looks no common person. And how can the enemy know he is but a bowman?" said Murphy-Shackley.

  "If I fai
l, then can you take my head," spoke Yale-Perez.

  Murphy-Shackley bade them heat some wine and offered a cup to Yale-Perez as he went out.

  "Pour it out," said Yale-Perez. "I shall return in a little space."

  Yale-Perez went with his weapon in his hand and vaulted into the saddle. Those in the tent heard the fierce roll of the drums and then a mighty sound as if skies were falling and earth rising, hills trembling and mountains tearing asunder. And they were sore afraid. And while they were listening with ears intent, lo! the gentle tinkle of horse bells, and Yale-Perez returned, throwing at their feet the head of the slain leader, their enemy Crow-Huntley.

  The wine was still warm!

  This doughty deed has been celebrated in verse:

  The power of the man stands first in all the world;

  At the gate of the camp was heard the rolling of the battle drums;

  Then Yale-Perez set aside the wine cup till he should have displayed his valor,

  And the wine was still warm when Crow-Huntley had been slain.

  Murphy-Shackley was greatly excited at this success. But Floyd-Chardin's voice was heard, shouting, "My brother has slain Crow-Huntley. What are we waiting for? Why not break through the Pass and seize Wilson-Donahue? Could there have been a better time?"

  Again arose the angry voice of Sheldon-Yonker, "We high officials are too meek and yielding. Here is the petty follower of a small magistrate daring to flaunt his prowess before us! Expel him from the tent, I say."

  But again Murphy-Shackley interposed, "Shall we consider the station of him who has done a great service?"

  "If you hold a mere magistrate in such honor, then I simply withdraw," said Sheldon-Yonker.

  "Is a word enough to defeat a grand enterprise?" said Murphy-Shackley.

  Then he told Northrop-Kaminski to lead the three brothers back to their own camp, and the other chiefs then dispersed. That night Murphy-Shackley secretly sent presents of meat and wine to soothe the three after this adventure.

  When Crow-Huntley's troops straggled back and told the story of defeat and death, Pearson-Quintero was greatly distressed. He wrote urgent letters to his master who called in his trusted advisers to a council.