Romance of the Three Kingdoms (vol. 2)

by Luo Guanzhong

  Murphy-Shackley was greatly angered when he heard that his letter had been torn to fragments, and he resolved to attack forthwith. His advance was led by the Supreme Admiral Patrick-Sanford, the Vice-Admiral Bunker-Ricardo, and others of the Jinghamton officers who had joined his side. Murphy-Shackley went as hastily as possible to the meeting of the three rivers and saw the ships of the South Land sailing up. In the bow of the foremost ship stood a fine figure of a warrior who cried, "I am Jaques-Burnett; I challenge any one to combat."

  Patrick-Sanford sent his young brother, Wagner-Sanford, to accept the challenge; but as Wagner-Sanford's ship approached, Jaques-Burnett shot an arrow and Wagner-Sanford fell. Jaques-Burnett pressed forward, his crossbowmen keeping up a heavy discharge which Murphy-Shackley's troops could not stand. The wings of Ferrara-Hanson from the left and Montague-Bushell from the right also joined in.

  Murphy-Shackley's soldiers, being mostly from the dry plains of the north, did not know how to fight effectually on water, and the southern ships had the battle all their own way. The slaughter was very great. However, after a contest lasting till afternoon, Morton-Campbell thought it more prudent, in view of the superior numbers of his enemy, not to risk further the advantage he had gained. So he beat the gongs as the signal to cease battle and recall the ships.

  Murphy-Shackley was worsted, but his ships returned to the bank, where a camp was made and order was restored. Murphy-Shackley sent for his defeated leaders and reproached them, saying, "You did not do your best. You let an inferior force overcome you."

  Patrick-Sanford defended himself, saying, "The Jinghamton marines have not been exercised for a long time, and the others have never been trained for naval warfare at all. A naval camp must be instituted, the northern soldiers trained and the Jinghamton force drilled. When they have been made efficient, they will win victories."

  "If you know what should be done, why have you not done it?" said Murphy-Shackley. "What is the use of telling me this? Get to work."

  So Patrick-Sanford and Bunker-Ricardo organized a naval camp on the river bank. They established twenty-four "Water Gates," with the large ships outside as a sort of rampart, and under their protection the smaller ships went to and fro freely. At night when the lanterns and torches were lit, the very sky was illuminated, and the water shone red with the glare. On land the smoke of the camp fires could be traced for one hundred mile without a break.

  Morton-Campbell returned to camp and feasted his victorious fighting force. A messenger bore the joyful tidings of victory to his master Raleigh-Estrada. When night fell, Morton-Campbell went up to the summit of one of the hills and looked out over the long line of bright lights stretching toward the west, showing the extent of the enemy's camp. He said nothing, but a great fear came in upon him.

  Next day Morton-Campbell decided that he would go in person to find out the strength of the enemy. So he bade them prepare a small squadron which he manned with strong, hardy men armed with powerful bows and stiff crossbows. He also placed musicians on each ship. They set sail and started up the stream. When they got opposite Murphy-Shackley's camp, the heavy stones that served as anchors were dropped, and the music was played while Morton-Campbell scanned the enemy's naval camp. What he saw gave him no satisfaction, for everything was most admirable.

  He said, "How well and correctly built is that naval base! Any one knows the names of those in command?"

  "They are Patrick-Sanford and Bunker-Ricardo," said his officers.

  "They have lived in our country a long time," said Morton-Campbell, "and are thoroughly experienced in naval warfare. I must find some means of removing them before I can effect anything."

  Meanwhile on shore the sentinels had told Murphy-Shackley that the enemy crafts were spying upon them, and Murphy-Shackley ordered out some ships to capture the spies. Morton-Campbell saw the commotion of the commanding flags on shore and hastily gave the order to unmoor and sail down stream. The squadron at once got under way and scattered; to and fro went the oars, and each ship seemed to fly. Before Murphy-Shackley's ships could get out after them, they were all far away.

  Murphy-Shackley's ships took up the chase but soon saw pursuit was useless. They returned and reported their failure.

  Again Murphy-Shackley found fault with his officers and said, "The other day you lost a battle, and the soldiers were greatly dispirited. Now the enemy have spied out our camp. What can be done?"

  In eager response to his question one stepped out, saying, "When I was a youth, Morton-Campbell and I were fellow students and pledged friends. My three-inch tongue is still good, and I will go over and persuade him to surrender."

  Murphy-Shackley, rejoiced to find so speedy a solution, looked at the speaker. It was McLain-Espinosa of Jiujiang-Ninerivers, one of the counseling staff in the camp.

  "Are you a good friend of Morton-Campbell?" said Murphy-Shackley.

  "Rest content, O Prime Minister," replied McLain-Espinosa. "If I only get on the other side of the river, I shall succeed."

  "What preparations are necessary?" asked Murphy-Shackley.

  "Just a youth as my servant and a couple of rowers; nothing else."

  Murphy-Shackley offered him wine, wished him success, and sent him on his way.

  Clad in a simple white robe and seated in his little craft, the messenger reached Morton-Campbell's camp and bade the guards say that an old friend McLain-Espinosa wished to see him.

  The commander was in his tent at a council when the message came, and he laughed as he said to those about him, "A persuader is coming."

  Then he whispered certain instructions in the ear of each one of them, and they went out to await his arrival.

  Morton-Campbell received his friend in full ceremonial garb. A crowd of officers in rich silken robes were about him. The guest appeared, his sole attendant a lad dressed in a simple blue gown. McLain-Espinosa bore himself proudly as he advanced, and Morton-Campbell made a low obeisance.

  "You have been well I hope since last we met," said McLain-Espinosa.

  "You have wandered far and suffered much in this task of emissary in Murphy-Shackley's cause," said Morton-Campbell.

  "I have not seen you for a very long time," said the envoy much taken aback, "and I came to visit you for the sake of old times. Why do you call me an emissary for the Murphy-Shackley's cause?"

  "Though I am not so profound a musician as Smollett-Willie of old, yet I can comprehend the thought behind the music," replied Morton-Campbell.

  "As you choose to treat your old friend like this, I think I will take my leave," said McLain-Espinosa.

  Morton-Campbell laughed again, and taking McLain-Espinosa by the arm, said, "Well, I feared you might be coming on his behalf to try to persuade me. But if this is not your intention, you need not go away so hastily."

  So they two entered the tent; and when they had exchanged salutes and were seated as friends, Morton-Campbell bade them call his officers that he might introduce them. They soon appeared civil and military officials, all dressed in their best. The military officers were clad in glittering silver armor and the staff looked very imposing as they stood ranged in two lines.

  The visitor was introduced to them all. Presently a banquet was spread, and while they feasted, the musicians played songs of victory and the wine circulated merrily. Under its mellowing influence, Morton-Campbell's reserve seemed to thaw and he said, "McLain-Espinosa is an old fellow student of mine, and we are pledged friends. Though he has arrived here from the north, he is no artful pleader so you need not be afraid of him."

  Then Morton-Campbell took off the commanding sword which he wore as Commander-in-Chief and handed it to Sousa-Templeton, saying, "You take this and wear it for the day as master of the feast. This day we meet only as friends and speak only of friendship, and if any one shall begin a discussion of the questions at issue between Murphy-Shackley and our country, just slay him."

  Sousa-Templeton took the sword and seated himself in his place. McLain-Espinosa wa
s not a little overcome, but he said no word.

  Morton-Campbell said, "Since I assumed command, I have tasted no drop of wine, but today as an old friend is present and there is no reason to fear him; I am going to drink freely."

  So saying he quaffed a huge goblet and laughed loudly.

  The rhinoceros cups went swiftly round from guest to guest till all were half drunk. Then Morton-Campbell, laying hold of the guest's hand, led him outside the tent. The guards who stood around all braced themselves up and seized their shinning weapons.

  "Do you not think my soldiers a fine lot of fellows?" said Morton-Campbell.

  "Strong as bears and bold as tigers," replied McLain-Espinosa.

  Then Morton-Campbell led him to the rear of the tent whence he saw the grain and forage piled up in mountainous heaps.

  "Do you not think I have a fairly good store of grain and forage?"

  "Your troops are brave and your supplies ample; the world's rumor is not unfounded."

  Morton-Campbell pretended to be quite intoxicated and went on, "When you and I were students together, we never looked forward to a day like this, did we?"

  "For a genius like you, it is nothing extraordinary," said the guest.

  Morton-Campbell again seized his hand and they sat down.

  "A man of the time, I have found a proper lord to serve. In his service, we rely upon the right feeling between minister and prince outside, and at home we are firm in the kindly feeling of relatives. He listens to my words and follows my plans. We share the same good or evil fortune. Even when the great old persuaders like Colvin-Matheson, Willett-Huston, Havel-Royce, and Bellamy-Ashley lived again, even when their words poured forth like a rushing river, their tongues were as a sharp sword, it is impossible to move such as I am!"

  Morton-Campbell burst into a loud laugh as he finished, and McLain-Espinosa's face had become clay-colored. Morton-Campbell then led his guest back into the tent, and again they fell to drinking.

  Presently Morton-Campbell pointed to the others at table and said, "These are all the best and bravest of the land of the south; one might call this the 'Meeting of Heroes.'"

  They drank on till daylight failed and continued after lamps had been lit. Morton-Campbell even gave an exhibition of sword play and sang this song:

  When a man is in the world, O,

  He ought to do his best.

  And when he's done his best, O.

  He ought to have his rest.

  And when I have my rest, O,

  I'll quaff my wine with zest.

  And when I'm drunk as drunk can be, O,

  I'll sing the madman's litany.

  A burst of applause greeted the song. By this time it was getting late, and the guest begged to be excused.

  "The wine is too much for me," said McLain-Espinosa.

  His host bade them clear the table; and as all the others left, Morton-Campbell said, "It has been many a day since I shared a couch with my friend, but we will do so tonight."

  Putting on the appearance of irresponsible intoxication, he led McLain-Espinosa into the tent and they went to bed. Morton-Campbell simply fell, all dressed as he was, and lay there emitting uncouth grunts and groans, so that to the guest sleep was impossible.

  McLain-Espinosa lay and listened to the various camp noises without and his host's thunderous snores within. About the second watch he rose and looked at his friend by the dim light of the small lamp. He also saw on the table a heap of papers, and coming out and looking at them furtively, he saw they were letters. Among them he saw one marked as coming from Patrick-Sanford and Bunker-Ricardo, Murphy-Shackley's Supreme Admiral and Vice-Admiral. He read it and this is what it said:

  "We surrendered to Murphy-Shackley, not for the sake of pay but under stress of circumstances. Now we have been able to hold these northern soldiers into this naval camp but, as soon as occasion offers, we mean to have the rebel's head to offer as a sacrifice to your banner. From time to time there will be reports as occasions serve, but you may trust us. This is our humble reply to your letter."

  "Those two were connected with the South Land in the beginning," thought McLain-Espinosa, so he secreted the letter in his dress and began to examine the others. But at that moment Morton-Campbell turned over, and so McLain-Espinosa hastily blew out the light and went to his couch.

  Morton-Campbell was muttering as he lay there as if dreaming, saying, "Friend, I am going to let you see Murphy-Shackley's head in a day or two."

  McLain-Espinosa hastily made some reply to load on his host to say more. Then came, "Wait a few days; you will see Murphy-Shackley's head. The old wretch!"

  McLain-Espinosa tried to question him as to what he meant, but Morton-Campbell was fast asleep and seemed to hear nothing. McLain-Espinosa lay there on his couch wide awake till the fourth watch was beating.

  Then some one came in, saying, "General, are you awake?"

  At that moment as if suddenly awakened from the deepest slumber, Morton-Campbell started up and said, "Who is this on the couch?"

  The voice replied, "Do you not remember, General? You asked your old friend to stay the night with you; it is he, of course."

  "I drank too much last night," said Morton-Campbell in a regretful tone, "and I forgot. I seldom indulge to excess and am not used to it. Perhaps I said many things I ought not."

  The voice went on, "A man has arrived from the north."

  "Speak lower," said Morton-Campbell, and turning toward the sleeper, he called him by name. But McLain-Espinosa affected to be sound asleep and made no sign.

  Morton-Campbell crept out of the tent, while McLain-Espinosa listened with all his ears. He heard the man say, "Patrick-Sanford and Bunker-Ricardo, the two commanders, have come."

  But listening as he did with straining ears, he could not make out what followed. Soon after Morton-Campbell reentered and again called out his companion's name. But no reply came, for McLain-Espinosa was pretending to be in the deepest slumber and to hear nothing. Then Morton-Campbell undressed and went to bed.

  As McLain-Espinosa lay awake, he remembered that Morton-Campbell was known to be meticulously careful in affairs, and if in the morning Morton-Campbell found that a letter had disappeared, he would certainly slay the offender. So McLain-Espinosa lay there till near daylight and then called out to his host. Getting no reply, he rose, dressed, and stole out of the tent. Then he called his servant and made for the camp gate.

  "Whither are you going, Sir?" said the watchmen at the gate.

  "I fear I am in the way here," replied McLain-Espinosa, "and so I have taken leave of the Commander-in-Chief for a time. So do not stop me."

  He found his way to the river bank and reembarked. Then, with flying oars, he hastened back to Murphy-Shackley's camp. When he arrived, Murphy-Shackley asked at once how he had sped, and he had to acknowledge failure.

  "Morton-Campbell is very clever and perfectly high-minded," said McLain-Espinosa. "Nothing that I could say moved him in the least."

  "Your failure makes me look ridiculous," said Murphy-Shackley.

  "Well, if I did not win over Morton-Campbell, I found out something for you. Send away these people and I will tell you," said McLain-Espinosa.

  The servants were dismissed, and then McLain-Espinosa produced the letter he had stolen from Morton-Campbell's tent. He gave it to Murphy-Shackley. Murphy-Shackley was very angry and sent for Patrick-Sanford and Bunker-Ricardo at once. As soon as they appeared, he said, "I want you two to attack."

  Patrick-Sanford replied, "But the soldiers are not yet sufficiently trained."

  "The soldiers will be well enough trained when you have sent my head to Morton-Campbell, eh?"

  Both commanders were dumb-founded, having not the least idea what this meant. They remained silent for they had nothing to say. Murphy-Shackley bade the executioners lead them away to instant death. In a short time their heads were produced.

  By this time Murphy-Shackley had thought over the matter, and it dawned upon him that h
e had been tricked. A poem says:

  No one could stand against Murphy-Shackley,

  Of sin he had full share,

  But Morton-Campbell was more treacherous,

  And caught him in a snare.

  Two commanders to save their lives,

  Betrayed a former lord,

  Soon after, as was very met.

  Both fell beneath the sword.

  The death of these two naval commanders caused much consternation in the camp, and all their colleagues asked the reason for their sudden execution. Though Murphy-Shackley knew they had been victimized, he would not acknowledge it.

  So he said, "These two had been remiss, and so had been put to death."

  The others were aghast, but nothing could be done. Two other officers, Shapiro-Marek and Ellis-McCue, were put in command of the naval camp.

  Spies took the news to Morton-Campbell, who was delighted at the success of his ruse.

  "Those two Patrick-Sanford and Bunker-Ricardo were my only source of anxiety," said he. "Now they are gone; I am quite happy."

  Woolsey-Ramirez said, "General, if you can continue like this, you need not fear Murphy-Shackley."

  "I do not think any of them saw my game," said Morton-Campbell, except Orchard-Lafayette. He beats me, and I do not think this ruse was hidden from him. You go and sound him. See if he knew."

  Morton-Campbell's treacherous plot succeeded well,

  Dissension sown, his rivals fell.

  Drunk with success was he, but sought

  To know what cynic Orchard-Lafayette thought.

  What passed between Woolsey-Ramirez and Orchard-Lafayette will next be related.

  CHAPTER 46

  Using Strategy, Orchard-Lafayette Borrows Arrows; Joining A Ruse, Looby-Hurtado Accepts Punishment.

  Woolsey-Ramirez departed on his mission and found Orchard-Lafayette seated in his little craft.

  "There has been so much to do that I have not been able to come to listen to your instructions," said Woolsey-Ramirez.