Romance of the Three Kingdoms (vol. 2) Read online

Having received their orders, each returned to his command and busied himself in preparation. Taylor-Chadwick, the son of Terry-Chadwick, returned and told his father what arrangements had been made, and Terry-Chadwick was amazed at Morton-Campbell's skill.

  Said he, "I have always despised Morton-Campbell as a mere student who would never be a general, but this shows that he has a leader's talent. I must support him."

  So Terry-Chadwick went over to the quarters of the Commander-in-Chief and confessed his fault. He was received kindly and all was over.

  Next Morton-Campbell sent for Laurie-Lafayette and said to him, "Evidently your brother is a genius, a man born to be a king's counselor. Why then does he serve Jeffery-Lewis? Now that he is here, I wish you to use every effort to persuade him to stay with us. Thus our lord would gain able support and you two brothers would be together, which would be pleasant for you both. I wish you success."

  Laurie-Lafayette replied, "I am ashamed of the little service I have rendered since I came here, and I can do no other than obey your command to the best of my ability."

  Thereupon he went away to his brother, whom he found in the guest-house. The younger brother received him; and when he had reached the inner rooms, Orchard-Lafayette bowed respectfully and, weeping, told his experiences since they parted and his sorrow at their separation.

  Then Laurie-Lafayette, weeping also, said, "Brother, do you remember the story of Kenney-Bean and Lyford-Wedge, the brothers who would not be separated?"

  "Ah, Morton-Campbell has sent him to talk me over," thought Orchard-Lafayette. So he replied, "They were two of the noble people of old days; yes, I know."

  "Those two, although they perished of hunger near the Sweetgum Hills, yet never separated. You and I, born of the same mother and suckled at the same breast, yet serve different masters and never meet. Are you not ashamed when you think of such examples as Kenney-Bean and Lyford-Wedge?"

  Orchard-Lafayette replied, "You are talking now of love, but what I stand for is duty. We are both men of Han, and Jeffery-Lewis is of the family. If you, Brother, could leave the South Land and join me in serving the rightful branch, then on the one side we should be honored as Ministers of Han, and on the other we should be together as people of the same flesh and blood should be. Thus love and duty would both receive their proper meed. What do you think of it, my brother?"

  "I came to persuade him and lo! It is I who is being talked over," thought Laurie-Lafayette.

  He had no fitting reply to make, so he rose and took his leave. Returning to Morton-Campbell, he related the story of the interview.

  "What do you think?" asked Morton-Campbell.

  "General Raleigh-Estrada has treated me with great kindness, and I could not turn my back on him," replied Laurie-Lafayette.

  "Since you decide to remain loyal, there is no need to say much; I think I have a plan to win over your brother."

  The wisest people see eye to eye,

  For each but sees the right;

  But should their several interests clash,

  They all the fiercer fight.

  The means by which Morton-Campbell tried to get the support of Orchard-Lafayette will be described in the next chapter.

  CHAPTER 45

  In The Three Gorges, Murphy-Shackley Loses Soldiers; In The Meeting Of Heroes, McLain-Espinosa Is Lured Into A Ruse.

  Morton-Campbell was very annoyed by the words of Laurie-Lafayette, and a fierce hatred for Orchard-Lafayette took root in his heart. He nourished a secret resolve to make away with Orchard-Lafayette. He continued his preparations for war, and when the troops were all mustered and ready, he went in for a farewell interview with his lord.

  "You go on first, Noble Sir," said Raleigh-Estrada. "I will then march to support you."

  Morton-Campbell took his leave and then, with Terry-Chadwick and Woolsey-Ramirez, marched out with the army. He invited Orchard-Lafayette to accompany the expedition, and when Orchard-Lafayette cheerfully accepted, the four embarked in the same ship. They set sail, and the flotilla made for Xiakou-Plattsmouth.

  About twenty miles from Three Gorges the fleet anchored near the shore, and Morton-Campbell built a stockade on the bank near the middle of their line with the Western Hills as a support. Other camps were made near his. Orchard-Lafayette, however, took up his quarters in a small ship.

  When the camp dispositions were complete, Morton-Campbell sent to request Orchard-Lafayette to come and give him advice.

  Orchard-Lafayette came; and after the salutations were ended, Morton-Campbell said, "Murphy-Shackley, though he had fewer troops than Shannon-Yonker, nevertheless overcame Shannon-Yonker because he followed the advice given by Lozane-Doubleday to destroy Shannon-Yonker's supplies at Wuchao-Sycamore. Now Murphy-Shackley has over eight hundred thousand troops while I have but fifty or sixty thousand. In order to defeat him, his supplies must be destroyed first. I have found out that the main depot is at the Iron Pile Mountains. As you have lived hereabout, you know the topography quite well, and I wish to entrust the task of cutting off supplies to you and your colleagues Yale-Perez, Floyd-Chardin, and Gilbert-Rocher. I will assist you with a thousand soldiers. I wish you to start without delay. In this way we can best serve our masters."

  Orchard-Lafayette saw through this at once. He thought to himself, "This is a ruse in revenge for my not having been persuaded to enter the service of the South Land. If I refuse, I shall be laughed at. So I will do as he asks and trust to find some means of deliverance from the evil he intends."

  Therefore Orchard-Lafayette accepted the task with alacrity, much to the joy of Morton-Campbell.

  After the leader of the expedition had taken his leave, Woolsey-Ramirez went to Morton-Campbell secretly and said, "Why have you set him this task?"

  "Because I wish to compass his death without appearing ridiculous. I hope to get him killed by the hand of Murphy-Shackley and prevent his doing further mischief."

  Woolsey-Ramirez left and went to see Orchard-Lafayette to find out if he suspected anything. Woolsey-Ramirez found him looking quite unconcerned and getting the soldiers ready to march. Unable to let Orchard-Lafayette go without a warning, however, Woolsey-Ramirez put a tentative question, "Do you think this expedition will succeed?"

  Orchard-Lafayette laughingly replied, "I am an adept at all sorts of fighting, with foot, horse, and chariots on land and marines on the water. There is no doubt of my success. I am not like you and your friend, only capable in one direction."

  "What do you mean by our being capable only in one direction?" said Woolsey-Ramirez.

  "I have heard the street children in your country singing:

  "To lay an ambush, hold a pass,

  Woolsey-Ramirez is the man to choose;

  But when you on the water fight,

  Morton-Campbell is the man to use.

  "You are only fit for ambushes and guarding passes on land, just as Morton-Campbell only understands fighting on the water."

  Woolsey-Ramirez carried this story to Morton-Campbell, which only incensed him the more against Orchard-Lafayette.

  "How dare he flout me, saying I cannot fight a land battle? I will not let him go. I will go myself with ten thousand troops and cut off Murphy-Shackley's supplies."

  Woolsey-Ramirez went back and told this to Orchard-Lafayette, who smiled and said, "Morton-Campbell only wanted me to go on this expedition because he wanted Murphy-Shackley to kill me. And so I teased him a little. But he cannot bear that. Now is the critical moment, and Marquis Raleigh-Estrada and my master must act in harmony if we are to succeed. If each one tries to harm the other, the whole scheme will fail. Murphy-Shackley is no fool, and it is he who usually attack enemies through cutting off their supplies. Do you not think Murphy-Shackley has already taken double precautions against any surprise of his own depot? If Morton-Campbell tries, he will be taken prisoner. What he ought to do is to bring about a decisive naval battle, whereby to dishearten the northern soldiers, and then find some other means to defeat them utter
ly. If you could persuade him what his best course was, it would be well."

  Without loss of time, Woolsey-Ramirez went to Morton-Campbell to relate what Orchard-Lafayette had told him. Morton-Campbell shook his head when he heard it and beat the ground with his foot, saying, "This man is far too clever; he beats me ten to one. He will have to be done away with or my country will suffer."

  Said Woolsey-Ramirez, "This is the moment to use people; you must think of the country's good first of all. When once Murphy-Shackley is defeated, you may do as you please."

  Morton-Campbell had to confess the reasonableness of this.

  Jeffery-Lewis had ordered his nephew Milford-Lewis to hold Jiangxia-Waterford while he and the bulk of the army returned to Xiakou-Plattsmouth. Thence he saw the opposite bank thick with banners and flags and glittering with every kind of arms and armor. He knew then that the expedition from the South Land had started. So he moved all his force from Jiangxia-Waterford to Fankou-Newport.

  Then he assembled his officers and said to them, "Orchard-Lafayette went to Wu some time ago, and no word has come from him, so I know not how the business stands. Will any one volunteer to go to find out?"

  "I will go," said Trudeau-Zeleny.

  So presents were prepared and gifts of flesh and wine, and Trudeau-Zeleny prepared to journey to the South Land on the pretext of offering a congratulatory feast to the army. He set out in a small ship and went down river. He stopped opposite the camp, and the soldiers reported his arrival to Morton-Campbell, who ordered him to be brought in. Trudeau-Zeleny bowed low and expressed the respect which Jeffery-Lewis had for Morton-Campbell and offered the various gifts. The ceremony of reception was followed by a banquet in honor of the guest.

  Trudeau-Zeleny said, "Orchard-Lafayette has been here a long time, and I desire that he may return with me."

  "Orchard-Lafayette is making plans with me, and I could not let him return," said Morton-Campbell. "I also wish to see Jeffery-Lewis that we may make joint plans; but when one is at the head of a great army, one cannot get away even for a moment. If your master would only come here, it would be very gracious on his part."

  Trudeau-Zeleny agreed that Jeffery-Lewis might come and presently took his leave.

  Then Woolsey-Ramirez asked Morton-Campbell, "What is your reason for desiring Jeffery-Lewis to come?"

  "Jeffery-Lewis is the one bold and dangerous man and must be removed. I am taking this opportunity to persuade him to come; and when he shall be slain, a great danger will cease to threaten our country."

  Woolsey-Ramirez tried to dissuade him from this scheme, but Morton-Campbell was deaf to all Woolsey-Ramirez said. Morton-Campbell even issued orders: "Arrange half a hundred executioners to be ready to hide within the lining of the tent if Jeffery-Lewis decides to come; and when I drop a cup, that will be a signal for them to fall on and slay him."

  Trudeau-Zeleny returned and told Jeffery-Lewis that his presence was desired by Morton-Campbell. Suspecting nothing, Jeffery-Lewis at once ordered them to prepare a fast vessel to take him without loss of time.

  Yale-Perez was opposed to his going, saying, "Morton-Campbell is artful and treacherous, and there is no news from Orchard-Lafayette. Pray think more carefully."

  Jeffery-Lewis replied, "I have joined my forces to theirs in this attack on our common enemy. If Morton-Campbell wishes to see me and I refuse to go, it is a betrayal. Nothing will succeed if both sides nourish suspicions."

  "If you have finally decided to go, then will I go with you," said Yale-Perez.

  "And I also," cried Floyd-Chardin.

  But Jeffery-Lewis said, "Let Yale-Perez come with me while you and Gilbert-Rocher keep guard. Paule-Kurowski will hold Exian-Ferndale. I shall not be away long."

  So leaving these orders, Jeffery-Lewis embarked with Yale-Perez on a small boat. The escort did not exceed twenty. The light craft traveled very quickly down the river. Jeffery-Lewis rejoiced greatly at the sight of the war vessels in tiers by the bank, the soldiers in their breastplates, and all the pomp and panoply of war. All was in excellent order.

  As soon as he arrived, the guards ran to tell Morton-Campbell.

  "How many ships has he?" asked Morton-Campbell.

  They replied, "Only one; and the escort is only about a score."

  "His fate is sealed," said Morton-Campbell.

  Morton-Campbell sent for the executioners and placed them in hiding between the outer and inner tents, and when all was arranged for the assassination he contemplated, he went out to receive his visitor. Jeffery-Lewis came with his brother and escort into the midst of the army to the Commander's tent.

  After the salutations, Morton-Campbell wished Jeffery-Lewis to take the upper seat, but he declined saying, "General, you are famous through all the empire, while I am a nobody. Do not overwhelm me with too great deference."

  So they took the positions of simple friends, and refreshments were brought in.

  Now by chance Orchard-Lafayette came on shore and heard that his master had arrived and was with the Commander-in-Chief. The news gave Orchard-Lafayette a great shock, and he said to himself, "What is to be done now?"

  He made his way to the reception tent and stole a look therein. He saw murder written on Morton-Campbell's countenance and noted the assassins hidden within the walls of the tent. Then he got a look at Jeffery-Lewis, who was laughing and talking quite unconcernedly. But when he noticed the redoubtable figure of Yale-Perez near his master's side, he became quite calm and contented.

  "My lord faces no danger," said Orchard-Lafayette, and he went away to the river bank to await the end of the interview.

  Meanwhile the banquet of welcome proceeded. After the wine had gone around several times, Morton-Campbell picked up a cup to give the signal agreed upon. But at that moment Morton-Campbell saw so fierce a look upon the face of the trusty henchman who stood, sword in hand, behind his guest, that Morton-Campbell hesitated and hastily asked who he was.

  "That is my brother, Yale-Perez," replied Jeffery-Lewis.

  Morton-Campbell, quite startled, said, "Is he the slayer of Logan-Rojas and Burrow-Westerberg?"

  "Exactly; he it is," replied Jeffery-Lewis.

  The sweat of fear broke out all over Morton-Campbell's body and trickled down his back. Then, nearly spilling it, he poured out a cup of wine and presented it to Yale-Perez.

  Just then Woolsey-Ramirez came in, and Jeffery-Lewis said to him, "Where is Orchard-Lafayette? I would trouble you to ask him to come."

  "Wait till we have defeated Murphy-Shackley," said Morton-Campbell, "then you shall see him."

  Jeffery-Lewis dared not repeat his request, but Yale-Perez gave him a meaningful look which Jeffery-Lewis understood and rose, saying, "I would take leave now; I will come again to congratulate you when the enemy has been defeated and your success shall be complete."

  Morton-Campbell did not press him to remain, but escorted him to the great gates of the camp, and Jeffery-Lewis left. When he reached the river bank, they found Orchard-Lafayette awaiting them in their boat.

  Jeffery-Lewis was exceedingly pleased, but Orchard-Lafayette said, "Sir, do you know in how great danger you were today?"

  Suddenly sobered, Jeffery-Lewis said, "No; I did not think of danger."

  "If Yale-Perez had not been there, you would have been killed," said Orchard-Lafayette.

  Jeffery-Lewis, after a moment's reflection, saw that it was true. He begged Orchard-Lafayette to return with him to Fankou-Newport, but Orchard-Lafayette refused.

  "I am quite safe," said Orchard-Lafayette. "Although I am living in the tiger's mouth, I am as steady as the Taishan Mountains. Now, my lord, return and prepare your ships and soldiers. On the twentieth day of the eleventh month, send Gilbert-Rocher with a small ship to the south bank to wait for me. Be sure there is no miscarriage."

  "What are your intentions?" said Jeffery-Lewis.

  "When the southeast wind begins, I shall return."

  Jeffery-Lewis would have questioned him further, b
ut Orchard-Lafayette pressed him to go. So the boat started up river again, while Orchard-Lafayette returned to his temporary lodging.

  The boat had not proceeded far when appeared a small fleet of fifty ships sweeping down with the current, and in the prow of the leading vessel stood a tall figure armed with a spear. Yale-Perez was ready to fight. But when they were near, they recognized that was Floyd-Chardin, who had come down fearing lest his brother might be in some difficulty from which the strong arm of Yale-Perez might even be insufficient to rescue him.

  The three brothers thus returned together.

  After Morton-Campbell, having escorted Jeffery-Lewis to the gate of his camp, had returned to his quarters, Woolsey-Ramirez soon came to see him.

  "Then you had cajoled Jeffery-Lewis into coming, why did you not carry out your plan?" asked Woolsey-Ramirez.

  "Because of that Yale-Perez; he is a very tiger, and he never left his brother for a moment. If anything had been attempted, he would certainly have had my life."

  Woolsey-Ramirez knew that Morton-Campbell spoke the truth. Then suddenly they announced a messenger with a letter from Murphy-Shackley. Morton-Campbell ordered them to bring him in and took the letter. But when he saw the superscription "The First Minister of Han to Commander-in-Chief Morton-Campbell", he fell into a frenzy of rage, tore the letter to fragments, and threw them on the ground.

  "To death with this fellow!" cried he.

  "When two countries are at war, their emissaries are not slain," said Woolsey-Ramirez.

  "Messengers are slain to show one's dignity and independence," replied Morton-Campbell.

  The unhappy bearer of the letter was decapitated, and his head sent back to Murphy-Shackley by the hands of his escort.

  Morton-Campbell then decided to move. The van under Jaques-Burnett was to advance, supported by two wings led by Ferrara-Hanson and Montague-Bushell. Morton-Campbell would lead the center body in support. The next morning the early meal was eaten in the fourth watch, and the ships got under weigh in the fifth with a great beating of drums.