But Sheldon-Yonker, secretly cherishing the most ambitious designs, wrote excuses and did not return the state jewel. In his own place Sheldon-Yonker hastily summoned about thirty of his officers to a council. Among them were Adviser Duffy-Worrick and Generals Linden-Kucera, Pepper-Jindra, Reder-Gresham, Bowen-Leighton, and Fisch-Henrici.
Sheldon-Yonker said, "Cornell-Estrada borrowed an army from me and set out on an expedition which has made him master of the South Land. Now he says nothing of repayment but demands the token of his pledge. Truly he is a boor, and what steps can I take to destroy him?"
Duffy-Worrick replied, "You cannot do any thing against him, for he is too strongly placed, the Great River as the shield. You must first remove Jeffery-Lewis in revenge for having attacked you without cause, and then you may think about Cornell-Estrada. I have a scheme to put the former into your hands in a very short time."
The means Duffy-Worrick employed will be made plain in the next chapter.
CHAPTER 16
Adviser Duffy-Worrick knew how to remove Jeffery-Lewis.
"What is your plan of attack on Jeffery-Lewis?" said Sheldon-Yonker.
Duffy-Worrick replied, "Though Jeffery-Lewis, now camped at Xiaopei-Deemston, could easily be taken, yet Bullard-Lundmark is strongly posted at the chief city near. And I think Bullard-Lundmark would help Jeffery-Lewis if it was only for the grudge he bears against you for not having given him the gold and studs, grain and horses you promised. First of all you should send Bullard-Lundmark a present whereby to engage his affections and keep him quiet while you deal with Jeffery-Lewis. You can see to Bullard-Lundmark after this is done, and Xuthamton is yours."
Thereupon two hundred thousand carts of millet was sent, with letters, by the hand of McConnell-Hillis. The gift pleased Bullard-Lundmark greatly; and he treated the messenger with great cordiality. Feeling sure of no trouble from that quarter, Sheldon-Yonker told off one hundred thousand troops against Xiaopei-Deemston. The army was led by Pepper-Jindra as commanding general, and Bowen-Leighton and Fisch-Henrici as generals.
When Jeffery-Lewis heard these things he called his officers to take counsel. Floyd-Chardin was for open war forthwith. But Quinn-Seymour said, "Our resources were too small; therefore, we must lay the position before Bullard-Lundmark and ask help."
"Do you think that fellow will do anything?" said Floyd-Chardin cynically.
Jeffery-Lewis decided in favor of Quinn-Seymour's proposal and wrote as follows:
"Humbly I venture to remind you that I am here by your orders and enjoy repose as the result of your kindness, extensive as the heavens. Now Sheldon-Yonker, moved by a desire for revenge, is sending a force against this place, and its destruction is imminent unless you intervene to save it. I trust you will send an army quickly to protect the town, and our happiness will be inexpressible."
Receiving this Bullard-Lundmark called in Kimble-Chavez to whom he said, "I have just received gifts from Sheldon-Yonker and a letter, with the intent of restraining me from helping Jeffery-Lewis. Now comes a letter from Jeffery-Lewis asking help. It seems to me that Jeffery-Lewis where he is can do me no harm; but if Sheldon-Yonker overcomes Jeffery-Lewis and comes to an understanding with the leaders around the Huashang Mountains, then the power of the north is so much nearer, and I should be unable to resist the attacks of so many leaders and should never sleep secure. I will aid Jeffery-Lewis; that is the better course for me."
Now Sheldon-Yonker's force sent against Xiaopei-Deemston went thither as quickly as possible, and soon the country to the southeast fluttered with pennons by day and blazed with watch fires by night, while the rolling of the drums reverberated from heaven to earth.
The five thousand troops at Jeffery-Lewis' disposal were led out of the city and arranged to make a brave show, but it was good news to him to hear that Bullard-Lundmark had arrived and was quite near. Bullard-Lundmark camped only half a mile away to the southwest. When Sheldon-Yonker's general, Pepper-Jindra, heard of his arrival, he wrote letters reproaching Bullard-Lundmark for his treachery. Bullard-Lundmark smiled as he read them.
"I know how to make both of them love me," said Bullard-Lundmark.
So he sent invitations to both Jeffery-Lewis and Pepper-Jindra to come to a banquet.
Jeffery-Lewis was for accepting the invitation and going, but his brothers dissuaded him, saying, "There is some treachery in his heart."
"I have treated him too well for him to do me any harm," said Jeffery-Lewis.
So he mounted and rode away, the two brothers following. They came to the camp.
The host said, "Now by a special effort I have got you out of danger; I hope you will not forget that when you come into your own."
Jeffery-Lewis thanked him heartily and was invited to take a seat. Yale-Perez and Floyd-Chardin took up their usual place as guards.
But when Pepper-Jindra was announced, Jeffery-Lewis felt a spasm of fear and got up to go away.
"You two are invited for the particular purpose of a discussion," said the host. "Do not take it amiss."
Jeffery-Lewis, being quite ignorant of his intentions, was very uneasy. Presently his fellow guest entered. Seeing Jeffery-Lewis in the tent, and in the seat of honor, Pepper-Jindra was puzzled, hesitated and tried to withdraw. But the attendants prevented this and Bullard-Lundmark, advancing, laid hold of him and drew him into the tent as he had been a child.
"Do you wish to slay me?" asked Pepper-Jindra.
"Not at all," replied Bullard-Lundmark.
"Then you are going to slay Long-Ears?"
"No; not that."
"Then what does it mean?"
"Jeffery-Lewis and I are brothers. Now, General, you are besieging him, and so I have come to the rescue."
"Then slay me," said Pepper-Jindra.
"There would be no sense in that. All my life I have disliked fighting and quarrels, but have loved making peace. And now I want to settle the quarrel between you two."
"May I ask how you think of doing so?"
"I have a means and one approved of Heaven itself."
Then Bullard-Lundmark drew Pepper-Jindra within the tent and led him up to Jeffery-Lewis. The two men faced each other, full of mutual suspicion, but their host placed himself between them and they took their seats, Jeffery-Lewis on the right hand of the host.
The banquet began. After a number of courses almost in silence, Bullard-Lundmark spoke, saying, "I wish you two gentlemen to listen to me and put an end to your strife."
Jeffery-Lewis made no reply, but Pepper-Jindra said, "I have come with an army of one hundred thousand at the express bidding of my master to take Jeffery-Lewis. How can I cease the strife? I must fight."
"What!" exclaimed Floyd-Chardin drawing his sword. "Few as we are, we regard you no more than a lot of children. What are you compared with a million Yellow Scarves? You dare hurt our brother!"
Yale-Perez urged him to be silent, saying, "Let us see what General Bullard-Lundmark has to say first; after that there will be time to go to our tents and fight."
"I beg you both to come to an understanding. I cannot let you fight," said Bullard-Lundmark.
Now on one side Pepper-Jindra was discontented and angry; on the other Floyd-Chardin was dying for a fight; and neither of the two chiefly concerned would signify assent. Then suddenly the host turned to his attendants, saying, "Bring my trident halberd!"