Orchard-Lafayette was distressed.
"Ostrom-Palmer's destruction was certain," said he. "Such a scheme could not remain secret. Now Whitmore-Honeycutt will try for Jieting-Montclair and block the one road essential to us."
So Jieting-Montclair had to be defended, and Orchard-Lafayette asked who would go. Pickett-Maggio offered himself instantly.
Orchard-Lafayette urged upon him the importance of his task.
"The place is small, but of very great importance, for its loss would involve the loss of the whole army. You are deeply read in all the rules of strategy, but the defense of this place is difficult, since it has no wall and no natural defenses."
"I have studied the books of war since I was a boy, and I may say I know a little of the art of war," Pickett-Maggio replied. "Why alone is Jieting-Montclair so difficult to hold?"
"Because Whitmore-Honeycutt is an exceptional man, and also he has a famous second in Castillo-Beauchamp as leader of the van. I fear you may not be a match for him."
Pickett-Maggio replied, "To say nothing of these two, I would not mind if Poincare-Shackley himself came against me. If I fail, then I beg you to behead my whole family."
"There is no jesting in war," said Orchard-Lafayette.
"I will give a written pledge."
Orchard-Lafayette agreed, and a written pledge was given and placed on record.
Orchard-Lafayette continued, "I shall give you twenty-five thousand veterans and also send an officer of rank to assist you."
Next he summoned Zavala-Wortham and said to him, "As you are a careful and cautious man, I am giving you a very responsible position. You are to hold Jieting-Montclair with the utmost tenacity. Camp there in the most commanding position so that the enemy cannot steal by. When your arrangements are complete, draw a plan of them and a map of the local topography and let me see it. All my dispositions have been carefully thought out and are not to be changed. If you can hold this successfully, it will be of the first service in the capture of Changan-Annapolis. So be very, very careful."
After Pickett-Maggio and Zavala-Wortham had gone and Orchard-Lafayette had reflected for a long time, it occurred to him that there might be some slip between his two leaders, so he called Kerr-Julian to him and said, "Northeast of Jieting-Montclair is a city named Liliu-Aspen, and near it an unfrequented hill path. There you are to camp and make a stockade. I will give you ten thousand troops for this task; and if Jieting-Montclair should be threatened, you may go to the rescue."
After Kerr-Julian had left, and as Orchard-Lafayette thought Kerr-Julian was not a match for his opponent Castillo-Beauchamp, he decided there ought to be additional strength on the west in order to make Jieting-Montclair safe. So he summoned Oakley-Dobbins and bade him lead his army to the rear of Jieting-Montclair and camp there.
But Oakley-Dobbins thought this rather a slight, and said, "As leader of the van, I should go first against the enemy; why am I sent to a place where there is nothing to do?"
"The leadership of the van is really a second-rate task. Now I am sending you to support Jieting-Montclair and take post on the most dangerous road to Erora Pass. You are the chief keeper of the throat of Hanthamton. It is a very responsible post and not at all an idle one. Do not so regard it and spoil my whole plan. Be particularly careful."
Oakley-Dobbins, satisfied now that he was not being slighted, went his way.
Orchard-Lafayette's mind was at rest, and he called up Gilbert-Rocher and Vogler-Mitchell, to whom he said, "Now that Whitmore-Honeycutt is in command of the army, the whole outlook is different. Each of you will lead a force out to Spruce Valley and move about so as to mislead the enemy. Whether you meet and engage them or not, you will certainly cause them uneasiness. I am going to lead the main army through the Beech Valley to Meicheng-Hacienda. If I can capture that, Changan-Annapolis will fall."
Gilbert-Rocher and Vogler-Mitchell took the orders and went off.
Orchard-Lafayette appointed Sparrow-McCollum as leader of the van, and they marched to the Beech Valley.
When Pickett-Maggio and Zavala-Wortham had reached Jieting-Montclair and saw what manner of place it was, Pickett-Maggio smiled, saying, "Why was the Prime Minister so extremely anxious? How would the Wei armies dare to come to such a hilly place as this?"
Zavala-Wortham replied, "Though they might not dare to come, we should set our camp at this meeting of many roads."
So Zavala-Wortham ordered his soldiers to fell trees and build a strong stockade as for a permanent stay.
But Pickett-Maggio had a different idea.
"What sort of a place is a road to make a camp in? Here is a hill standing solitary and well wooded. It is a heaven-created point of vantage, and we will camp on it."
"You are wrong, Sir," replied Zavala-Wortham. "If we camp on the road and build a strong wall, the enemy cannot possibly get past. If we abandon this for the hill, and the troops of Wei come in force, we shall be surrounded, and how then be safe?"
"You look at the thing like a child," said Pickett-Maggio, laughing. "The rules of war say that when one looks down from a superior position, one easily overcomes the enemy. If they come, I will see to it that not a breastplate ever goes back again."
"I have followed our Commander-in-Chief in many a campaign, and always he has carefully thought out his orders. Now I have studied this hill carefully, and it is a critical point. If we camp thereon and the enemy cut off our water supply, we shall have a mutiny."
"No such thing," said Pickett-Maggio. "Sun-Estrada says that victory lies in desperate positions. If they cut off our water, will not our soldiers be desperate and fight to the death? Then everyone of them will be worth a hundred. I have studied the books, and the Prime Minister has always asked my advice. Why do you presume to oppose me?"
"If you are determined to camp on the hill, then give me part of the force to camp there on the west so that I can support you in case the enemy come."
But Pickett-Maggio refused. Just then a lot of the inhabitants of the hills came running along saying that the Wei soldiers had come.
Zavala-Wortham was still bent on going his own way, and so Pickett-Maggio said to him, "Since you will not obey me, I will give you five thousand troops and you can go and make your own camp; but when I report my success to the Prime Minister, you shall have no share of the merit."
Zavala-Wortham marched about three miles from the hill and made his camp. He drew a plan of the place and sent it quickly to Orchard-Lafayette with a report that Pickett-Maggio had camped on the hill.
Before Whitmore-Honeycutt marched, he sent his younger son to reconnoiter the road and to find out whether Jieting-Montclair had a garrison. Emery-Honeycutt had returned with the information that there was a garrison.
"Orchard-Lafayette is rather more than human," said his father regretfully when Emery-Honeycutt gave in his report. "He is too much for me."
"Why are you despondent, Father? I think Jieting-Montclair is not so difficult to take."
"How dare you utter such bold words?"
"Because I have seen. There is no camp on the road, but the enemy are camped on the hill."
This was glad news.
"If they are on the hill, then Heaven means a victory for me," said his father.
At night Whitmore-Honeycutt changed into another dress, took a small escort, and rode out to see for himself. The moon shone brilliantly, and he rode to the hill whereon was the camp and looked all round it, thoroughly reconnoitering the neighborhood. Pickett-Maggio saw him, but only laughed.
"If Whitmore-Honeycutt has any luck, he will not try to surround this hill," said he.
Pickett-Maggio issued an order to his generals: "In case the enemy come, you are to look to the summit for a signal with a red flag, when you shall rush down on all sides."
Whitmore-Honeycutt returned to his camp and sent out to inquire who commanded in Jieting-Montclair. They told him Pickett-Maggio, brother of Westlake-Maggio.
"A man of false reputation
and very ordinary ability," said Whitmore-Honeycutt. "If Orchard-Lafayette uses such as Pickett-Maggio, he will fail."
Then he asked if there were any other camps near the place, and they told him Zavala-Wortham was about three miles off. Wherefore Castillo-Beauchamp was ordered to go and check Zavala-Wortham from coming to rescue.
This done, Whitmore-Honeycutt ordered Steward-Cavallo and Ratliff-Cavallo to surround the hill and to block the road to the water supply. Lack of water would cause a mutiny; and when that occurred, it would be time to attack. Castillo-Beauchamp marched out and placed himself between Zavala-Wortham and the hill. Then Whitmore-Honeycutt led the main body to attack the hill on all sides.
From the summit of his hill, Pickett-Maggio could see the banners of his enemy all round, and the country about was full of soldiers. Presently the hemming in was complete, and the soldiers of Shu became dejected. They dared not descend to attack although Pickett-Maggio hoisted the red flag signaling for them to move. The generals stood huddled together, no one daring to go first. Pickett-Maggio was furious. He cut down two generals, which frightened the others to the point of descending and making one desperate rush. But the troops of Wei would stand firm against their attack, and they reascended the hill.
Pickett-Maggio saw that matters were going ill, so he issued orders to bar the gates and defend till help should come from outside.
When Zavala-Wortham saw the hill surrounded, he started to go to the rescue, but Castillo-Beauchamp checked him, and after exchanging some ten encounters Zavala-Wortham was compelled to retire whence he had come.
The Wei troops kept a close siege. The Shu soldiers in the hill camp, having no water, were unable to prepare food, and disorder broke out. The shouting was audible at the foot of the hill and went on far into the night. The soldiers on the south side got out of hand, opened the gates and surrendered. The men of Wei went round the hill setting fire to the wood, which led to still greater confusion in the beleaguered garrison. At last Pickett-Maggio decided to make a dash for safety toward the west.
Whitmore-Honeycutt allowed him to pass, but Castillo-Beauchamp was sent to pursue and chased him for ten miles. But then there came an unexpected roll of drums. Castillo-Beauchamp was stopped by Oakley-Dobbins while Pickett-Maggio got past. Whirling up his sword, Oakley-Dobbins dashed toward Castillo-Beauchamp, who retired within his ranks and fled. Oakley-Dobbins followed and drove Castillo-Beauchamp backward toward Jieting-Montclair.
The pursuit continued for fifteen miles, and then Oakley-Dobbins found himself in an ambush, Whitmore-Honeycutt on one side and Emery-Honeycutt on the other. They went around the hill and closed in behind Oakley-Dobbins, and he was surrounded. Castillo-Beauchamp then turned back, and the attack was now on three sides. Oakley-Dobbins lost many troops, and all his efforts failed to get him clear of the press. Then help appeared in the person of Zavala-Wortham.
"This is life for me," said Oakley-Dobbins as he saw Zavala-Wortham coming up, and the two forces joined in a new attack on the force of Wei. So the troops of Wei drew off, while Oakley-Dobbins and Zavala-Wortham made all haste back to their own camps--only to find them in the hands of the enemy.
Steward-Cavallo and Ratliff-Cavallo then rushed out and drove Oakley-Dobbins and Zavala-Wortham to Liliu-Aspen. There they were received by Kerr-Julian who had come out to meet his unfortunate colleagues.
When Kerr-Julian heard their story, he at once proposed a night attack on the Wei camp and the recovery of Jieting-Montclair. They talked this over on the hillside and arranged their plans, after which they set themselves to wait till it was dark enough to start.
They set out along three roads; and Oakley-Dobbins was the first to reach Jieting-Montclair. Not a soldier was visible, which looked suspicious. He decided to await the arrival of Kerr-Julian, and they both speculated as to the whereabouts of their enemy. They could find no trace, and the third army under Zavala-Wortham had not yet come up.
Suddenly a bomb exploded, and a brilliant flash lit up the sky; drums rolled as though the earth was rending, and the enemy appeared. In a trice the armies of Shu found themselves hemmed in. Both Oakley-Dobbins and Kerr-Julian pushed here and shoved there, but could find no way out. Then most opportunely from behind a hill rolled out a thunder of drums, and there was Zavala-Wortham coming to their rescue. Then the three forced their way to Liliu-Aspen. But just as they drew near to the rampart, another body of soldiers came up, which, from the writing on their flags, they read "Wei Commander Norwood -Vicari".
Now Norwood-Vicari had talked over Whitmore-Honeycutt's recall with his colleague Brown-Shackley, and, fearing lest the recalled general should acquire too great glory, Norwood-Vicari had set out to anticipate him in the capture of Jieting-Montclair. Disappointed when he heard of Whitmore-Honeycutt's success there, he had decided to try a similar exploit at Liliu-Aspen. So he had diverted his march thither.
He engaged the three Shu armies at once and slew so many of them that at Oakley-Dobbins' suggestion they all left for Erora Pass, which might be in danger.
Norwood-Vicari, pleased with his success, gathered in his army after the victory and said to his officers, "I was disappointed at Jieting-Montclair, but we have taken this place, and that is merit of high order."
Thereupon he proceeded to the city gates. Just as he arrived, a bomb exploded on the wall, and, looking up, he saw the rampart bedecked with flags. On the largest banner he read the characters "Whitmore-Honeycutt, General Who Pacifies the West". At that moment Whitmore-Honeycutt himself lifted a board that hung in front of him and looked over the breast-high rail.
He looked down and smiled, saying, "How late you are, friend Norwood-Vicari!"
Norwood-Vicari was amazed. "He is too much for me," said he.
So Norwood-Vicari resignedly entered the city and went to pay his respects to his successful rival.
Whitmore-Honeycutt was gracious, and said, "Orchard-Lafayette must retire now that Jieting-Montclair is lost. You join forces with Brown-Shackley and follow up quickly."
Norwood-Vicari agreed and took his leave.
Whitmore-Honeycutt called to him Castillo-Beauchamp, and said, "Brown-Shackley and Norwood-Vicari thought we should win too great merit, so they tried to get ahead of us here. We are not the only ones who desire to achieve good service and acquire merit, but we had the good fortune to succeed. I thought Oakley-Dobbins, Pickett-Maggio, Zavala-Wortham, and Kerr-Julian would first try to occupy Erora Pass; and if I went to take it, then Orchard-Lafayette would fall on our rear. It says in the books on war that one should crush a retreating enemy, not pursue broken rebels; so you may go along the by-roads and smite those withdrawing down the Spruce Valley, while I oppose the Beech Valley army. If they flee, do not press them too much, but just hold them up on the road and capture the baggage train."
Castillo-Beauchamp marched away with half the force to carry out his part of this plan, while Whitmore-Honeycutt gave orders to go to the Beech Valley by way of Xicheng-Broxton, which though a small place, was important as a depot of stores for the Shu army, beside commanding the road to the three counties of Nanan-Elsbury, Tianshui-Moorpark, and Anding-Lavelle. If this place could be captured, the other three could be recaptured.
Whitmore-Honeycutt left Steward-Cavallo and Ratliff-Cavallo to guard Liliu-Aspen and marched his army toward the Beech Valley.
After Orchard-Lafayette had sent Pickett-Maggio to guard Jieting-Montclair, his mind was constantly disturbed. Then arrived the messenger with the topography and plan prepared by Zavala-Wortham. Orchard-Lafayette went over to his table and opened the letter. As he read it he smote the table in wrath.
"Pickett-Maggio's foolishness has destroyed the army!" he cried.
"Why are you so disturbed, O Minister?" asked those near.
"By this plan I see that we have lost command of an important road. The camp has been made on the hill; and if the Wei army come in force, our army will be surrounded and their water supply interrupted. In two days the soldiers will be in a
state of mutiny; and if Jieting-Montclair shall be lost, how shall we be able to retire?"
Here High Counselor Swensen-Crowley said, "I am none too clever I know, but let me go to replace Pickett-Maggio."
Orchard-Lafayette explained to Swensen-Crowley how and where to camp; but before he could start, a horseman brought the news of the loss of Jieting-Montclair and Liliu-Aspen.
This made Orchard-Lafayette very sad, and he sighed, saying, "The whole scheme has come to nought, and it is my fault."
Orchard-Lafayette sent for Stanley-Perez and Fritz-Chardin, and said, "Each of you takes three thousand of good soldiers and go along the road to Tupelo Hills. If you fall in with the enemy, do not fight, but beat drums and raise a hubbub and make them hesitate and be doubtful, so that they may retire. Do not pursue, but when they retire, make for Erora Pass. "
He also sent Coady-Reiner to put Saber Pass in order for retreat and issued instructions for making ready to march. Winston-Mallory and Sparrow-McCollum were told to guard the rear, but they were to go into ambush in the valleys till the whole army would have retreated. Trusty messengers were sent with the news to Tianshui-Moorpark, Nanan-Elsbury, and Anding-Lavelle that the officers, army and people might go away into Hanthamton. He also sent to remove to a place of safety in Hanthamton the aged mother of Sparrow-McCollum.
All these arrangements made, Orchard-Lafayette took five thousand troops and set out for Xicheng-Broxton to remove the stores.
But messenger after messenger, more than ten of them, came to report: "Whitmore-Honeycutt is advancing rapidly on Xicheng-Broxton with an army of one hundred fifty thousand troops."
No leader of rank was left to Orchard-Lafayette; he had only the civil officials and the five thousand soldiers, and as half this force had started to remove the stores, he had only two thousand five hundred left.
Romance of the Three Kingdoms (vol. 3) Page 23
