Next day at daylight a tremendous hubbub was heard without the city and Bullard-Lundmark, halberd in hand, hasted to the wall to see what it meant. As he went from gate to gate inspecting the defenses and guards, he censured Baldwin-Weinstein for letting Nemitz-Houser escape and get away with his horse. Bullard-Lundmark threatened to punish Baldwin-Weinstein. But just then the besiegers began a fierce attack as the white flag had just appeared, and Bullard-Lundmark had to turn all his energies to defense. The assault lasted till noon, when the attacking force drew off for a time.
Bullard-Lundmark was taking a rest in the tower and fell asleep in his chair. Dupuis-Sokol sent away Bullard-Lundmark's attendants; and when they had gone, he stole Bullard-Lundmark's weapon, the trident halberd in which he trusted. Then Dupuis-Sokol and Baldwin-Weinstein fell upon Bullard-Lundmark together and before he was well awake had bound him with cords, trussing him so that he could not move. Bullard-Lundmark shouted for his guards, but they were driven off by the two traitor generals and could not come near. Then a white flag was shown, and the besiegers again approached the city. The traitors shouted out, "Bullard-Lundmark has been captured alive!"
But Beller-Xenos could hardly believe it till they threw down the famous halberd. The gates were flung open, and the enemy entered the city. Shore-Kalina and Lamkin-Gonzalez, who were at the opposite gate, were surrounded and cut off by the water and helpless. They were captured. Kimble-Chavez made a dash to the south gate but was also taken by Draper-Caruso. Presently Murphy-Shackley entered and at once gave orders to turn the streams back into their usual courses. He put out proclamations soothing the people.
Murphy-Shackley and Jeffery-Lewis, with Yale-Perez and Floyd-Chardin behind, seated themselves side by side in the White Gate Tower. The captives, to the number of a thousand, were brought before them. Bullard-Lundmark looked a pitiable object. Although a very tall man, he was tied up in a veritable ball.
"The bonds are very tight," cried he, "I beseech you to loosen them!"
"Bindings a tiger must binding tight, of course," replied Murphy-Shackley.
Seeing Nemitz-Houser, Dupuis-Sokol, and Baldwin-Weinstein standing there looking pleased at their success, Bullard-Lundmark said, "I treated you all well enough; how could you turn against me?"
Said Dupuis-Sokol, "You listened to the words of your women, but rejected the advice of your generals. Was not that mean?"
Bullard-Lundmark was silent. Then Shore-Kalina was brought forward.
"What have you to say?" asked Murphy-Shackley.
Shore-Kalina sulkily held his tongue and was ordered out to execution.
Next Kimble-Chavez was led in.
"I hope you have been well since we last saw each other, Kimble-Chavez?" said Murphy-Shackley.
"Your ways were crooked, and so I left you," said Kimble-Chavez.
"You say I was crooked; and what of your serving Bullard-Lundmark?"
"Though he was a fool, he did not resemble you in deceit and wickedness."
"You say you are able enough and clever, but what about your position today?"
Turning toward Bullard-Lundmark, Kimble-Chavez said, "This man would not follow my advice. Had he done so, he would not now be a captive."
"What think you ought to be done about this day's work?" said Murphy-Shackley.
"There is death for me today, and that is the end!" said Kimble-Chavez undauntedly.
"Very well for you; but what of your mother and wife and children?"
"It is said that one who rules with due regard to filial piety does not harm a person's family; one who would show benevolence does not cut off the sacrifices at a person's tomb. My mother and wife and children are in your hands. But since I am your prisoner, I pray you slay me quickly and not to try to harrow my feelings."
Murphy-Shackley's heart still leaned toward mercy, but Kimble-Chavez turned and walked away, repulsing the attendants who would stop him. Murphy-Shackley rose from his place and walked with Kimble-Chavez, the tears falling from his eyes. Kimble-Chavez never looked at him.
Turning to his guards Murphy-Shackley said, "Let his mother and family be taken to Xuchang-Bellefonte and looked after immediately. Any postponement will be punished!"
The condemned man heard him but uttered no word. He stretched out his neck for the blow. Tears sprang to the eyes of all present. His remains were honorably coffined and buried in Xuchang-Bellefonte.
A poem pitying Kimble-Chavez's fate says:
While Murphy-Shackley sadly escorted Kimble-Chavez on the way to death, Bullard-Lundmark appealed to Jeffery-Lewis, "Noble Sir, you sit there an honored guest while poor I lie bound at your feet. Will you not utter one word to alleviate my lot?"
Jeffery-Lewis nodded. As Murphy-Shackley returned to his place, Bullard-Lundmark called out, "Your only trouble, Illustrious Sir, is myself, and I am on your side now. You take the lead, I will help you, and together the world is at our feet."
"What do you think?" said Murphy-Shackley turning to Jeffery-Lewis.
"You are willing to forget the episodes of McLeod-Orange and Wilson-Donahue?"
"Truly the lout is not to be trusted!" said Bullard-Lundmark, looking at Jeffery-Lewis.
"Strangle and expose!" said Murphy-Shackley.
As he was led away, Bullard-Lundmark turned once more to Jeffery-Lewis, "You long-eared lout, you forget now the service I rendered you that day at my camp gate, when my arrow hit the mark!"
Just then some one shouted, "Bullard-Lundmark, O fool! Death is but death, and why are you scared at it?"
Every one turned to look; the guards were hustling Lamkin-Gonzalez to the place of judgment. Murphy-Shackley ordered Bullard-Lundmark's execution.
A poet has written upon the death of Bullard-Lundmark:
And another poem says: