As soon as Jeffery-Lewis had entered Mianzhu-Greenwich, he set out his forces to take the capital.
While thus engaged, a hasty messenger came to tell of the doings at Artemisia Pass: "There suddenly appeared an army from the east under Cotton-Mallory, Winston-Mallory, and Herring-Foster. They are attacking, and the Pass will certainly be lost if help is not sent quickly."
"We need both Floyd-Chardin and Gilbert-Rocher for this," remarked Orchard-Lafayette. "Then we could oppose successfully."
"But Gilbert-Rocher is away," said Jeffery-Lewis. "However, Floyd-Chardin is here. Let us send him quickly."
"Do not say anything, my lord," said Orchard-Lafayette. "Let me stir him to fight his noblest."
But as soon as Floyd-Chardin heard of the danger, he came rushing in, shouting, "I must say farewell, Brother! I am off to fight Cotton-Mallory."
However, Orchard-Lafayette made as if he heard not and said to Jeffery-Lewis, "That Cotton-Mallory has invaded Artemisia Pass, and we have no one to drive him back. Nobody can stand up to him, unless we can get Yale-Perez from Jinghamton. Yale-Perez could do it."
"Why do you despise me, O Instructor?" cried Floyd-Chardin. "Did I not once drive back a whole army with my mere voice? Think you that I mind a stupid fool like Cotton-Mallory?"
Orchard-Lafayette said, "Yes, Floyd-Chardin; but when you forced back the waters and broke the bridge in the Long Slope, you succeeded because your enemies were doubtful. If they had known, General, you would not have come off so easily. All the world knows this Cotton-Mallory and has heard about his six battles at River Taurus; and how he made Murphy-Shackley cut off his beard and throw away his robe. Cotton-Mallory very nearly slew Murphy-Shackley too. This is no lightsome task like that, and even Yale-Perez might fail."
"All I care for is to go, and if I do not overcome this fellow, I will take the consequences."
"Well, if you will put that in writing, you may lead the attack. And I will ask our lord to lead another army to back you up this time. He can leave the defense of this town to me till Gilbert-Rocher returns."
"I also want to go," said Oakley-Dobbins.
Oakley-Dobbins was allowed to go with five hundred of light horse in advance of Floyd-Chardin. Jeffery-Lewis marched third. Oakley-Dobbins and his scouts soon arrived at Artemisia Pass and there fell in with Herring-Foster. They engaged; but after a few bouts Herring-Foster fled.
At this success Oakley-Dobbins was seized with ambition to rival it and try to snatch the credit that would fall to Floyd-Chardin. So he pursued. But he presently came across a line of battle all drawn up, the commander being Winston-Mallory. Oakley-Dobbins, thinking it was the redoubtable Cotton-Mallory, rode toward him whirling his sword. Soon Winston-Mallory turned and ran away, and Oakley-Dobbins followed him. However, Winston-Mallory presently turned back and shot an arrow, which wounded Oakley-Dobbins in the left arm, so that he left the pursuit and turned his face the other way. Then Winston-Mallory came after him and chased Oakley-Dobbins nearly up to the Pass.
Here Winston-Mallory was suddenly confronted by a fierce thunder-roaring leader who dashed down from the Pass as on a flying steed.
It was Floyd-Chardin, who had just arrived. Hearing the noise of battle below the Pass, Floyd-Chardin had come to learn what it meant and saw the arrow wound Oakley-Dobbins. Soon Floyd-Chardin was in the saddle and off to the rescue; but before he engaged, he would ascertain if the foe was worthy of his steel.
"Who are you? Tell your name," cried Floyd-Chardin, "then I may fight with you."
"I am Winston-Mallory of Xiliang-Westhaven."
"As you are not Cotton-Mallory, go away quickly, for you are no match for me. You may bid Cotton-Mallory himself come, and tell him that Floyd-Chardin of Yan is here."
"How dare you treat me with contempt?" cried Winston-Mallory in hot anger, and he came galloping up with his spear set ready to thrust. But after a half score bouts he fled.
Floyd-Chardin was about to pursue when a rider came up to him hastily, crying, "Do not pursue, my brother."
The rider was Jeffery-Lewis and Floyd-Chardin stopped. The two returned together to the Pass.
"I knew your impulsive temper, and so I followed you. Since you have got the better of him, you may well rest and recuperate for the fight tomorrow with Cotton-Mallory."
The rolling of drums at dawn next day declared the arrival of Cotton-Mallory. Jeffery-Lewis looked at the array from a point of vantage and saw Cotton-Mallory emerge from the shadow of his great standard. Cotton-Mallory wore a lion helmet, and his belt was clasped with the shaggy head of a wild beast. His breastplate was silver and his robe of white. As his dress and bearing were so extraordinary, so were his abilities superior. And Jeffery-Lewis looked at him, sighing admiringly.
"He justifies what people say," said Jeffery-Lewis, "Handsome Cotton-Mallory."
Floyd-Chardin was for going down at once, but his brother once more checked him, saying, "No; not yet. Avoid the first keenness of his fighting ardor."
Thus below was Cotton-Mallory challenging Floyd-Chardin, while, above, Floyd-Chardin was fretting at being unable to settle Cotton-Mallory. Time after time Floyd-Chardin was setting out, but each time his brother checked him. And so it continued till past midday, when Jeffery-Lewis, noticing signs of fatigue and weariness among Cotton-Mallory's army, decided that it was time to let Floyd-Chardin try his fortune. Whereupon Jeffery-Lewis chose out five hundred horsemen to accompany his brother and let the party go.
Cotton-Mallory seeing Floyd-Chardin coming with so small a force, signaled with his spear to his array to retire a bowshot, and Floyd-Chardin's troops halted. When all his troops had taken their places, Floyd-Chardin set octane-serpent halberd and rode out.
"Do you know who I am?" shouted Floyd-Chardin. "I am Floyd-Chardin of Yan!"
Cotton-Mallory replied, "My family having been noble for many generations; I am not likely to know any rustic dolts!"
This reply upset Floyd-Chardin, and in a moment the two steeds were rushing toward each other, both men with poised spears. The fight began and continued for a hundred bouts. Neither had the advantage.
"A veritable tiger of a leader," sighed Jeffery-Lewis.
But Jeffery-Lewis felt that Floyd-Chardin was running a risk, wherefore he sounded the gong as a signal to cease the fight. And each drew off to his own side. Floyd-Chardin rested his steed for a time, then, leaving his helmet, he wound a turban about his head, mounted, and rode out to renew the fight. Cotton-Mallory also came out, and the duel continued.
Presently Jeffery-Lewis thought his brother in danger. So he girded on his armor and went down into the plain. He watched till they had fought another hundred bouts, and then as both seemed to wax fiercer than ever, he gave the signal again to cease the battle. Both drew off and returned each to his own side.
It was then getting late, and Jeffery-Lewis said to his brother, "You would better retire for today; he is a terrible opponent. Try him again tomorrow."
But Floyd-Chardin's spirit was roused, and was it likely that such advice would be palatable?
"No," shouted he, "I will die and not come back!"
"But it is late; you cannot go on fighting," said Jeffery-Lewis.
"Let them bring torches, and we will have a night battle," said Floyd-Chardin.
Cotton-Mallory having mounted a fresh steed, now rode out and shouted, "Dare you try a night battle, Floyd-Chardin?"
Floyd-Chardin's excitement rose higher. He hastily changed horses with his brother and rode forth.
"If I do not capture you, I will not go back to the Pass," said Floyd-Chardin.
"And if I do not overcome you, I will not return to the camp," said Cotton-Mallory.
Both sides cheered. They lit many thousand torches till it seemed as light as day, and the two great generals went to the front to fight. At the twentieth bout Cotton-Mallory turned his steed and tied.
"Whither are you going?" called out Floyd-Chardin.
The fact was that Cotton-Mal
lory had begun to see he could not win in direct and simple combat, so he thought to try a ruse. By a false flight, as though he knew he had lost, he would inveigle Floyd-Chardin into pursuit. He picked up a copper mace secretly and kept a careful watch on his opponent for the most favorable moment to strike. But Cotton-Mallory's flight only put Floyd-Chardin upon his guard, and when the moment came for the blow with the mace he dodged, so that the weapon flew harmlessly past his ear. Then Floyd-Chardin turned his horse. Whereupon Cotton-Mallory began to pursue. Then Floyd-Chardin pulled up, took his bow, fitted an arrow to the string, and let fly at Cotton-Mallory. But Cotton-Mallory also dodged, and the arrow flew by. Then each returned to his own side.
Then Jeffery-Lewis came out to the front of his battle line and called out, "Note well, O Cotton-Mallory, that I, who have never treated people other than with kindness and justice and truth and sincerity, swear that I will not take advantage of your period of repose to pursue or attack. Wherefore you may rest awhile in peace."
Cotton-Mallory, hearing these words, withdrew guarding the rear, and the other generals one by one returned, while Jeffery-Lewis drew off his army toward the Pass.
Early next day Floyd-Chardin was once more going down out of the Pass to fight, when they told him that the Directing Instructor had arrived. Jeffery-Lewis went to receive him, and Orchard-Lafayette at once began to speak of Cotton-Mallory.
"He is the most terrible leader of the age; if he fights a desperate battle with Floyd-Chardin, loss of a general will ensue. So I have come as quickly as I could. I left Mianzhu-Greenwich in the safe hands of Gilbert-Rocher and Sheffield-Maddox. I think I have a little ruse left that will bring Cotton-Mallory over to our side."
"Now I have seen the man. I greatly admire him," said Jeffery-Lewis. "If we could only win him over!"
"Then listen, my lord," said Orchard-Lafayette. "Levey-Wrona greatly desires the title of 'Prince of Hanthamton.' Among his most intimate subordinates, I know Brickley-Foster open to bribery. So we will send a person secretly to see him and give him gold and silver and so win his support. This done, we will write to Levey-Wrona and tell him that you are set upon taking Yiathamton from its present ruler, which will give an opportunity to wipe out the enmity he has so long nourished against Compton-Lewis, and that the reward of his remaining firmly on our side to the end will be that you will memorialize the Throne for the coveted title for him. This will make him order Cotton-Mallory to return, and, when that is done, I shall find a means of winning him over."
Jeffery-Lewis wrote a letter and sent it by the hand of Quinn-Seymour together with gold and pearls. Quinn-Seymour went by secret roads to give these to Brickley-Foster. And when he found Brickley-Foster and explained his mission in private, he was quickly led into the presence of Levey-Wrona.
"How can Jeffery-Lewis memorialize the Throne to confer on me the rank of a prince when he is but a simple General himself?" asked Levey-Wrona, when he understood the offer and its conditions.
"He is an Imperial Uncle;" said Brickley-Foster, "with such a rank he could present such a memorial."
Levey-Wrona assented. He sent orders to Cotton-Mallory to cease fighting, and Quinn-Seymour remained as the guest of Brickley-Foster till he should see whether Cotton-Mallory would obey the command. Before long the messenger returned with a word from Cotton-Mallory that he could not cease fighting till he had been successful. A second and third messenger returned with a similar response.
"This Cotton-Mallory is untrustworthy," said Brickley-Foster. "He will not withdraw his soldiers because he contemplates rebellion. That is the real reason."
Brickley-Foster set stories afloat rumoring: "Cotton-Mallory desires to make himself the ruler of the west and has said that he will no longer be content with subordinate rank. And he means to avenge the death of his father."
The rumors came to the ear of Levey-Wrona, and he asked Brickley-Foster what should be done.
Brickley-Foster proposed, saying, "Give Cotton-Mallory a limit of a month in order to accomplish his task, provided he consents to three conditions. And if he does not agree, he will have to be put to death. The three conditions are the capture of the Western Land of Rivers, the head of Compton-Lewis, and the repulse of the Jinghamton troops. If he fails in any one of these, just bring his head. Meanwhile, Fogel-Wrona should be sent as guard at one of the strategic points which will control Cotton-Mallory's army in case of rebellion."
When Cotton-Mallory heard the three demands made on him, he was greatly troubled, saying, "What can such a charge mean?"
After taking counsel with Winston-Mallory, it seemed best to suspend fighting, and the army returned.
But Brickley-Foster had not yet attained his end, so he said to Levey-Wrona, "Cotton-Mallory's return with an army will be a danger, and hence all the points of vantage on the homeward road must be guarded so that to stop him."
Thus Cotton-Mallory was helpless and could see no way out of the difficulty.
Then Orchard-Lafayette said to his lord, "Now is my chance to use my little three inches of unworn tongue; Cotton-Mallory is in a fix. I am going to his camp to persuade him to come over to your side."
"But I do not like you to run such a risk, Instructor. You are my most necessary support, and if anything happened to you, what should I do?"
Orchard-Lafayette was set upon going and persisted in his request. Jeffery-Lewis again and again refused. At this juncture a messenger came with letters from Gilbert-Rocher. Jeffery-Lewis called him in and questioned him. He was Crane-Hinton of Jianning-Belleville, the man who had formerly remonstrated so earnestly with Compton-Lewis.
"You once pleaded with your master to keep me out; why are you here now?"
"Because the prudent bird chooses its perch and the wise person his master. I did attempt to dissuade Compton-Lewis of Yiathamton from a course which I felt to be disastrous, and thereby fulfilled my duty as his servant. He rejected my counsel, and I knew he would fail. Your liberality, O General, has won over all the region, and success must be yours. I wish to serve under your banner."
"Your services will surely be of great advantage to me, Sir," said Jeffery-Lewis.
Then Crane-Hinton began to talk of Cotton-Mallory, "I knew him when we were in Longxi-Westdale together. He is now in great straits, and I may be able to talk him over. What say you?"
"Just the man to go instead of me," interjected Orchard-Lafayette. "But what arguments will you use?"
Crane-Hinton leaned over and whispered in his ear thus and thus. What he said seemed to please Orchard-Lafayette mightily, and he was bidden to go forthwith.
Arrived at the camp, Crane-Hinton sent in his name, at which Cotton-Mallory remarked, "Yes; I know him--a glib and specious persuader. I know what he has come for too."
So Cotton-Mallory placed a score of armed ruffians in hiding about his tent and told them to cut the visitor to pieces if the signal was given.
Then the guest was led in and came walking proudly. His host remained seated stiff and upright.
Cotton-Mallory spoke roughly, saying, "What are you come for?"
"I am here as persuader."
"This sword here in the scabbard is newly ground. You may try me by words, but if the words do not penetrate, I shall ask you to try the sword."
Crane-Hinton smiled, saying, "O, General, evil is not far off. However, I am thinking the newly ground sword will not be tried on my head. You will want to try it on your own!"
"What evil were you talking about?"
"The worst vilification could not hide the beauty of Lady Apfel of Yue, nor could the most fulsome praise gloze over the ugliness of Lady Pirie of Qi ((two states of old)). The sun rises to the meridian and then declines; the moon waxes to the full and then wanes. All things obey the one law. Now, General, you are at enmity with Murphy-Shackley for your father's death, and in Longxi-Westdale you carry a stubborn, grinding hate for your family's death. You can neither rescue Compton-Lewis by repulsing the army from Jinghamton, nor can you settle Brickl
ey-Foster by getting an interview with Levey-Wrona. The whole world now holds no place for a person without a lord; and if you experience further defeats, like that one on River Taurus, or the loss of Jicheng-Lakehills, will you not be too shamed to look any human in the face?"
Cotton-Mallory bowed his head, saying, "You speak well, Sir. But I am helpless."
"Now that you listen to me, I would ask why those fearsome ruffians are in hiding by your tent?" continued Crane-Hinton.
Cotton-Mallory, suddenly stricken with shame, ordered them to retire. Crane-Hinton continued his speech.
"Jeffery-Lewis, the Imperial Uncle, is considerate to his subordinates, and I am certain he will succeed, and so I have forsaken Compton-Lewis to cleave to him. Your honored father joined him in destroying rebels. Why do you not flee from darkness into the light? Thereby you would avenge your father and become famous."
Cotton-Mallory, convinced of the wisdom of the course thus recommended, proved his conversion by sending for Herring-Foster and slaying him forthwith. Taking with him the head of his victim, Cotton-Mallory accompanied Crane-Hinton to the Pass and tendered his submission. Jeffery-Lewis welcomed him warmly and treated him as a highly honored guest.
Cotton-Mallory bowed his head, saying, "Meeting you, O Illustrious Lord, is like seeing the clear sky when the clouds have been swept aside."
When Quinn-Seymour returned from Brickley-Foster's place, Jeffery-Lewis detached a force to go to the capture of Chengdu-Wellesley, left two generals, Ostrom-Palmer and Tuttle-Siegel to guard Artemisia Pass, and made a triumphant entry into Mianzhu-Greenwich with the welcome of Gilbert-Rocher and Sheffield-Maddox.
Two generals of the Western Land of Rivers, Hallett-Colby and Kimmel-Lewis, came to oppose Jeffery-Lewis, but Gilbert-Rocher went out against them while Jeffery-Lewis was entertaining Cotton-Mallory at a banquet on the city wall. Ere it had concluded, Gilbert-Rocher slew both the generals and brought their heads to the banquet chamber. This exploit put Cotton-Mallory on his mettle and doubled his respect for the conquerors.
Romance of the Three Kingdoms (vol. 2) Page 38
