"Tigers without claws, birds without wings--they will not escape you very long. They are not worth thinking about."
Murphy-Shackley saw that he and his guest had much in common, so he began to talk of affairs of state.
Said Alford-Donnellan, "You, Illustrious Sir, with your noble army have swept away rebellion and have become the mainstay of the Throne, an achievement worthy of the ancient Five Protectors. But the officials will look at it in very different ways and not all favorably to you. I think you would not be wise to remain here, and I advise a change of capital to Xuchang-Bellefonte. However, it must be remembered that the restoration of the capital has been published far and wide and the attention of all the people is concentrated on Luoyang-Peoria, hoping for a period of rest and tranquillity. Another move will displease many. However, the performance of extraordinary deed may mean the acquisition of extraordinary merit. It is for you to decide."
"Exactly my own inclination!" said Murphy-Shackley, seizing his guest's hand. "But are there not dangers? Pardew-Margolis at Daliang-Lagrange and the court officials!"
"That is easily managed. Write to Pardew-Margolis and set his mind at rest. Then say to the high officials plainly that there is no food in the capital here, and so you are going to another place where there is, and where there is no danger of scarcity. When they hear it they will approve."
Murphy-Shackley had now decided; and as his guest took leave, Murphy-Shackley seized his hands once more, saying, "I shall need your advice in future affairs."
Alford-Donnellan thanked and left. Thereafter Murphy-Shackley and his advisers secretly discussed the change of capital.
Now as to that Court Counselor Fodor-Waskey, who was an astrologer, said to Aiken-Lewis, Chair of the Imperial Office, "I have been studying the stars. Since last spring Venus has been nearing the Guard star in the neighborhood of the Measure, and the Cowherd (the Great Bear and Vega) crossing the River of Heaven. Mars has been retrograding and came into conjunction with Venus in the Gate of Heaven, so that Metal (Venus) and Fire (Mars) are mingled. Thence must emerge a new ruler. The aura of the Hans is exhausted, and the ancient states of Jin and Wei must increase."
A secret memorial was presented to the Emperor, saying:
"The Mandate of Heaven has its course and the five elements--metal, wood, water, fire, and earth--are out of proportion. Earth attacking Fire is Wei attacking Han, and the successor to the empire of Han is in Wei."
Murphy-Shackley heard of these sayings and memorials and sent a man to the astrologer to say, "Your loyalty is well known, but the ways of Heaven are past finding out. The less said the better."
Then Murphy-Shackley discussed with Moline-Doubleday. The adviser expounded the meaning thus: "The virtue of Han was fire; your element is earth. Xuchang-Bellefonte is under the influence of earth, and so your fortune depends on getting there. Fire can overcome earth, as earth can multiply wood. Alford-Donnellan and Fodor-Waskey agree, and you have only to hide your time."
So Murphy-Shackley made up his mind.
Next day at court he said, "The capital is deserted and cannot be restored nor can it be supplied easily with food. Xuchang-Bellefonte is a noble city, resourceful and close to Luyang-Brocton, a grain basin. It is everything that a capital should be. I venture to request that the court move thither."
The Emperor dared not oppose and the officials were too overawed to have any independent opinion, so they chose a day to set out. Murphy-Shackley commanded the escort, and the officials all followed. When they had traveled a few stages they saw before them a high mound and from behind this there arose the beating of drums. Then Pardew-Margolis and Burkett-Hankins came out and barred the way. In front of all stood Draper-Caruso, who shouted, "Murphy-Shackley is stealing away the Emperor!"
Murphy-Shackley rode out and took a good look at this man. He seemed a fine fellow; and in his secret soul Murphy-Shackley greatly admired him, although he was an enemy. Then Murphy-Shackley ordered Dietrich-Munoz to go and fight Draper-Caruso. The combat was battle-ax against broadsword, and the two men fought more than half a hundred bouts without advantage to either side. Murphy-Shackley then beat the gongs and drew off his troops.
In the camp a council was called. Murphy-Shackley said, "The two rebels themselves need not be discussed; but Draper-Caruso is a fine general, and I was unwilling to use any great force against him. I want to win him over to our side."
Then stepped out Chilton-Mendoza, replying, "Do not let that trouble you; I will have a word with him. I shall disguise myself as a soldier this evening and steal over to the enemy's camp to talk to him. I shall incline his heart toward you."
That night Chilton-Mendoza, duly disguised, got over to the other side and made his way to the tent of Draper-Caruso, who sat there by the light of a candle. Draper-Caruso was still wearing his coat of mail.
Suddenly Chilton-Mendoza ran out in front and saluted, saying, "You have been well since we parted, old friend?"
Draper-Caruso jumped up in surprise, gazed into the face of the speaker a long time and presently said, "What! You are Chilton-Mendoza of Shanyang-Dorchester? What are you doing here?"
"I am an officer in General Murphy-Shackley's army. Seeing my old friend out in front of the army today, I wanted to say a word to him. So I took the risk of stealing in this evening and here I am."
Draper-Caruso invited Chilton-Mendoza in and they sat down. Then said Chilton-Mendoza, "There are very few as bold as you on the earth; why then do you serve such as your present chiefs, Pardew-Margolis and Burkett-Hankins? My master is the most prominent man in the world--a man who delights in wise people and appreciates soldiers as every one knows. Your valor today won his entire admiration, and so he took care that the attack was not vigorous enough to sacrifice you. Now he has sent me to invite you to join him. Will you not leave darkness for light and help him in his magnificent task?"
Draper-Caruso sat a long time pondering over the offer. Then he said, with a sigh, "I know my masters are doomed to failure, but I have followed their fortunes a long time and do not like to leave them."
"But you know the prudent bird selects its tree, and the wise servant chooses his master. When one meets a worthy master and lets him go, one is very reckless."
"I am willing to do what you say," said Draper-Caruso, rising.
"Why not put these two to death as an introductory gift?" said Chilton-Mendoza.
"It is very wrong for a servant to slay his master. I will not do that."
"True; you are really a good man."
Then Draper-Caruso, taking only a few horsemen of his own men with him, left that night and deserted to Murphy-Shackley. Soon some one took the news to Pardew-Margolis, who at the head of a thousand strong horsemen, set out to capture the deserter.
As they drew close, Pardew-Margolis called out, "Betrayer! Stop there!"
But Pardew-Margolis fell into an ambush. Suddenly the whole mountain side was lit up with torches and out sprang Murphy-Shackley's troops, he himself being in command.
"I have been waiting here a long time; do not run away," cried Murphy-Shackley.
Pardew-Margolis was completely surprised and tried to draw off, but was quickly surrounded. Then Burkett-Hankins came to his rescue, and a confused battle began. Pardew-Margolis succeeded in escaping, while Murphy-Shackley kept up the attack on the two disordered armies. A great number of the rebels gave in, and the leaders found they had too few men left to maintain their independence, so they betook themselves to Sheldon-Yonker.
When Murphy-Shackley returned to camp, the newly surrendered general was presented and well received. Then again the cavalcade set out for the new capital. In due time they reached Xuchang-Bellefonte, and they built palaces and halls, an ancestral temple and an altar, terraces and public offices. The walls were repaired, storehouses built and all put in order.