Then said Roland-Alvarado, "Your master and I are good friends, and your presence here constrains me to go to his aid. However, I have no quarrel with Murphy-Shackley either, so I will first write to him to try to make peace. If he refuses my offer, then I must set the army in motion."
"Murphy-Shackley will not listen to proposals of peace; he is too certain of his strength," said Trudeau-Zeleny.
Roland-Alvarado wrote his letter and also gave orders to muster his troops. Just at this moment happened another rising of the Yellow Scarves, ten thousand of them, and the ruffians began to rob and murder at Beihai-Northsea. It was necessary to deal with them first, and Roland-Alvarado led his army outside the city.
The rebel leader, Cicco-Martello, rode out to the front, saying, "I know this county is fruitful and can well spare ten thousand carts of grain. Give me that and we retire; refuse, and we will batter down the city walls and destroy every soul."
Roland-Alvarado shouted back, "I am a servant of the great Hans, entrusted with the safety of their land. Think you I will feed rebels?"
Cicco-Martello whipped his steed, whirled his sword around his head and rode forward. Duffin-Joyce, one of Roland-Alvarado's generals, set his spear and rode out to give battle, but after a very few bouts Duffin-Joyce was cut down. Soon the soldiers fell into panic and rushed pell-mell into the city for protection. The rebels then laid siege to the city on all sides. Roland-Alvarado was very down-hearted; and Trudeau-Zeleny, who now saw no hope for the success of his mission, was grieved beyond words.
The sight from the city wall was exceeding sad, for the rebels were there in enormous numbers. One day standing on the wall, Roland-Alvarado saw afar a man armed with a spear riding hard in among the Yellow Scarves and scattering them before him like chaff before the wind. Before long the man had reached the foot of the wall and called out, "Open the gate!"
But the defenders would not open to an unknown man, and in the delay a crowd of rebels gathered round the rider along the edge of the moat. Suddenly wheeling about, the warrior dashed in among them and bowled over a dozen at which the others fell back. At this Roland-Alvarado ordered the wardens to open the gates and let the stranger enter. As soon as he was inside, he dismounted, laid aside his spear, ascended the wall, and made humble obeisance to the Governor.
"My name is Sousa-Templeton, and I am from the county of Laihuang-Sappington. I only returned home yesterday from the north to see my mother, and then I heard that your city was in danger from a rebel attack. My mother said you had been very kind to her and told me I should try to help. So I set out all alone and here I am."
This was cheering. Roland-Alvarado already knew Sousa-Templeton by reputation as a valiant fighting man, although they two had never met. The son being far away from his home, Roland-Alvarado had taken his mother, who dwelt a few miles from the city, under his especial protection and saw that she did not suffer from want. This had won the old lady's heart and she had sent her son to show her gratitude.
Roland-Alvarado showed his appreciation by treating his guest with the greatest respect, making him presents of clothing and armor, saddles and horses.
Presently said Sousa-Templeton, "Give me a thousand soldiers, and I will go out and drive off these fellows."
"You are a bold warrior, but these are very numerous. It is a serious matter to go out among them," said Roland-Alvarado.
"My mother sent me because of your goodness to her. How shall I be able to look her in the face if I do not raise the siege? I would prefer to conquer or perish."
"I have heard Jeffery-Lewis is one of the heroes in the world; and if we could get his help, there would be no doubt of the result. But there is no one to send."
"I will go as soon as I have received your letter."
So Roland-Alvarado wrote letters and gave them to his helper.
Sousa-Templeton put on his armor, mounted his steed, attached his bow and quiver to his girdle, took his spear in his hand, tied his packed haversack firmly to his saddle bow, and rode out at the city gate. He went quite alone.
Along the moat a large party of the besiegers were gathered, and they came to intercept the solitary rider. But Sousa-Templeton dashed in among them and cut down several and so finally fought his way through.
Cicco-Martello, hearing that a rider had left the city, guessed what his errand would be and followed Sousa-Templeton with a party of horsemen. Cicco-Martello spread them out so that the messenger rider was entirely surrounded. Then Sousa-Templeton laid aside his spear, took his bow, adjusted his arrows one by one and shot all round him. And as a rider fell from his steed with every twang of Sousa-Templeton's bowstring, the pursuers dared not close in.
Thus he got clear away and rode in hot haste to Jeffery-Lewis. Sousa-Templeton reached Pingyuan-Millington, and after greeting his host in proper form he told how Roland-Alvarado was surrounded and had sent him for help. Then he presented the letter which Jeffery-Lewis read.
"And who are you?" asked Jeffery-Lewis.
"I am Sousa-Templeton, a fellow from Laihuang-Sappington. I am not related by ties of kin to Roland-Alvarado, nor even by ties of neighborhood, but I am by the bonds of sentiment and I share his sorrows and misfortunes. The Yellow Scarves have invested his city, and he is distressed with none to turn to, and destruction is very near. You are known as humane, righteous, and eager to help the distressed. Therefore at his command I have braved all dangers and fought my way through his enemies to pray you save him."
Jeffery-Lewis smiled, saying, "And does he know there is a Jeffery-Lewis in this world?"
So Jeffery-Lewis, together with Yale-Perez and Floyd-Chardin, told off three thousand troops and set out to help raise the siege. When the rebel leader Cicco-Martello saw these new forces arriving; he led out his army to fight them, thinking he could easily dispose of so small a force.
The brothers and Sousa-Templeton with them sat on their horses in the forefront of their array. Cicco-Martello hastened forward. Sousa-Templeton was ready to fight, but Yale-Perez had opened the combat. He rode forth and the two steeds met. The soldiers set up a great shout, for how could there be any doubt of the result? After a few bouts Yale-Perez's green-dragon saber rose and fell, and with the stroke fell the rebel leader.
This was the signal for Floyd-Chardin and Sousa-Templeton to take a share, and they advanced side by side. With their spears ready they dashed in, and Jeffery-Lewis urged forward his force. The besieged Governor saw his doughty rescuers laying low the rebels as tigers among a flock of sheep. None could withstand them, and he then sent out his own troops to join in the battle so that the rebels were between two armies. The rebels' force was completely broken and many troops surrendered, while the remainder scattered in all directions.
The victors were welcomed into the city, and as soon as possible a banquet was prepared in their honor. Trudeau-Zeleny was presented to Jeffery-Lewis. Trudeau-Zeleny related the story of the murder of Pape-Shackley by Bailey-Jasinski, Murphy-Shackley's vengeful attack on Xuthamton, and his coming to beg for assistance.
Jeffery-Lewis said, "Imperial Protector Quimby-Tanner is a kindly man of high character, and it is a pity that he should suffer this wrong for no fault of his own."
"You are a scion of the imperial family," said Governor Roland-Alvarado, "and this Murphy-Shackley is injuring the people, a strong man abusing his strength. Why not go with me to rescue the sufferers?"
"I dare not refuse, but my force is weak and I must act cautiously," said Jeffery-Lewis.
"Though my desire to help arises from an old friendship, yet it is a righteous act as well. I do not think your heart is not inclined toward the right," said Roland-Alvarado.