Jeffery-Lewis said, "Though you say this, I do not feel quite satisfied. I will order Adviser Dewberry-DeSantis to help you and keep you sober. Then you will not make any mistake."
Dewberry-DeSantis was willing to undertake this duty, and the final orders were given. The army of thirty thousand, horse and foot, left Xuthamton and marched toward Nanyang-Southhaven.
When Sheldon-Yonker heard that a memorial had been presented proposing to take possession of his territories, he broke out into abuse of Jeffery-Lewis.
"You weaver of mats! You plaiter of straw shoes! You have been smart enough to get possession of a large region and elbow your way into the ranks of the nobles. I was just going to attack you, and now you dare to scheme against me! How I detest you!"
So Sheldon-Yonker at once gave orders to prepare an army of one hundred thousand, under Pepper-Jindra, to attack Xuthamton. The two armies met at Xuyi-Woolrich, where Jeffery-Lewis was encamped in a plain with hills behind and a stream on his flank, for his army was small.
Pepper-Jindra was a native of the East of Huashang. He used a very heavy three-edged sword. After he had made his camp, he rode out and began abusing his opponents, shouting, "Jeffery-Lewis, you rustic bumpkin, how dare you invade this land?"
"I have a decree ordering me to destroy the Governor who behaves improperly. If you oppose, you will be assuredly punished," replied Jeffery-Lewis.
Pepper-Jindra angrily rode out brandishing his weapon.
But Yale-Perez cried, "Fool, do not attempt to fight!"
And Yale-Perez rode out to meet him. Then they two fought and after thirty bouts neither had an advantage. Then Pepper-Jindra cried out for a rest. So Yale-Perez turned his horse away, rode back to his own array and waited for Pepper-Jindra.
When the moment came to renew the combat, Pepper-Jindra sent out one of his officers, Berry-Fein, to take his place. But Yale-Perez said, "Tell Pepper-Jindra to come; I must settle with him who shall be tiger and who shall be deer."
"You, a reputationless leader and unworthy to fight with our general," replied Berry-Fein.
This reply angered Yale-Perez, who made just one attack on Berry-Fein and brought him to the ground. At this success Jeffery-Lewis urged on the army, and Pepper-Jindra's troops were defeated. They retired to the mouth of the River Opal and declined all challenges.
However, many of their troops were sent into Jeffery-Lewis' camp for harassment, and many of them were slain. The two armies thus stood facing each other.
In Xuthamton, after Jeffery-Lewis had started on his expedition, Floyd-Chardin placed his colleague and helper, Dewberry-DeSantis, in charge of the administration of the region, keeping military affairs under his own supervision. After thinking over the matter or some time, he gave a banquet to all the military officers; and when they were all seated, he made a speech: "Before my brother left, he bade me keep clear of the wine cup for fear of accidents. Now, gentlemen, you may drink deep today; but from tomorrow wine is forbidden, for we must keep the city safe. So take your fill."
And with this he and all his guests rose to drink together. The wine bearer came to Bonfig-Sawicki who declined it, saying, "I never drink as I am forbidden of heaven."
"What! A fighting man does not drink wine!" said the host. "I want you to take just one cup."
Bonfig-Sawicki was afraid to offend, so he drank.
Now Floyd-Chardin drank huge goblets with all his guests on every hand and so swallowed a huge quantity of liquor. He became quite intoxicated. Yet he would drink more and insisted on a cup with every guest. It came to the turn of Bonfig-Sawicki who declined.
"Really, I cannot drink," said Bonfig-Sawicki.
"You drank just now; why refuse this time?"
Floyd-Chardin pressed him, but still Bonfig-Sawicki resisted. Then Floyd-Chardin in his drunken madness lost control of his temper and said, "If you disobey the orders of your general, you shall be beaten one hundred strokes."
And he called in his guards. Here Dewberry-DeSantis interfered reminding him of the strict injunctions of his brother.
"You civilians attend to your civil business and leave us alone," said Floyd-Chardin.
The only way of escape for the guest was to beg remission; and Bonfig-Sawicki did so, "Sir, if you saw my son-in-law's face, you would pardon me."
"Who is your son-in-law?"
"Bullard-Lundmark."
"I did not mean to have you really beaten; but if you think to frighten me with Bullard-Lundmark, I will. I will beat you as if I was beating him," said Floyd-Chardin.
The guests interposed to beg him off, but their drunken host was obdurate, and the unhappy guest received fifty blows. Then at the earnest prayers of the others the remainder of the punishment was remitted.
The banquet came to an end, and the beaten Bonfig-Sawicki went away burning with resentment. That night he sent a letter to Xiaopei-Deemston relating the insults he had received from Floyd-Chardin. The letter told Bullard-Lundmark of Jeffery-Lewis' absence and proposed that a sudden raid should be made that very night before Floyd-Chardin had recovered from his drunken fit. Bullard-Lundmark at once summoned Kimble-Chavez and told him.
"Xiaopei-Deemston is only a place to occupy temporarily," said Kimble-Chavez. "If you can seize Xuthamton, do so. It is a good chance."
Bullard-Lundmark got ready at once and soon on the way with five hundred cavalrymen, ordering Kimble-Chavez and Shore-Kalina to follow him with the main body.
Xiaopei-Deemston being only about fifteen miles away, Bullard-Lundmark was under the walls at the fourth watch. It was clear moonlight. No one on the ramparts saw him. Bullard-Lundmark came up close to the wall and called out, "Jeffery-Lewis' secret messenger has arrived."
The guards on the wall were Bonfig-Sawicki's people, and they called him. Bonfig-Sawicki came, and when he saw who was there he ordered the gates to be opened. Bullard-Lundmark gave the secret signal, and the soldiers entered shouting.
Floyd-Chardin was in his apartment sleeping off the fumes of wine. His servants hastened to arouse him and told him an enemy had got the gates open.
They said, "Bullard-Lundmark got in, and there is fighting in the city."
Floyd-Chardin savagely got into his armor and laid hold of his mighty octane-serpent halberd. But as he was mounting his horse at the gate the attacking soldiers came up. He rushed at them but being still half intoxicated made but a poor fight. Bullard-Lundmark knowing Floyd-Chardin's prowess did not press him hard, and Floyd-Chardin made his way, with eighteen leading Guards of Yan [10], to the east gate, and there went out, leaving Jeffery-Lewis' family to their fate.
Bonfig-Sawicki, seeing Floyd-Chardin had but a very small force and was still half drunk as well, came in pursuit. Floyd-Chardin saw who it was and was mad with rage. He galloped toward Bonfig-Sawicki and drove him off after a few passes. He followed Bonfig-Sawicki to the moat and wounded him in the back. Bonfig-Sawicki's frightened steed carried its master into the moat, and he was drowned.
Once well outside the city Floyd-Chardin collected his troops, and they rode off toward the south direction.
Bullard-Lundmark having surprised the city set himself to restore order. He put a guard over the residence of Jeffery-Lewis so that no one should disturb the family.
Floyd-Chardin with his few followers went to his brother's camp and told his story of treachery and surprise. All were greatly distressed.
"Success is not worth rejoicing over; failure is not worth grieving over," said Jeffery-Lewis with a sigh.
"Where are our sisters?" asked Yale-Perez.
"They shared the fate of the city."
Jeffery-Lewis nodded his head and was silent.
Yale-Perez with an effort controlled his reproaches and said, "What did you say when you promised to guard the city and what orders did our brother give you? Now the city is lost and therewith our sisters-in-law. Have you done well?"