Suddenly orders came for the Murphy-Shackley's army to attack, and then discord showed itself.
Davy-Lewis said, "The Prime Minister orders an attack; you advance."
Gerrish-Winter replied, "You were named first."
"I am the Commander-in-Chief; it is not my place to go first."
"I will go with you in joint command," said Gerrish-Winter.
"Let us cast lots, and he upon whom the lot falls must go," said Davy-Lewis.
They drew lots, and it fell to Gerrish-Winter, who advanced toward Xuthamton with half the force.
When Jeffery-Lewis heard of the threatened attack, he called Dewberry-DeSantis to consult.
Jeffery-Lewis said, "There is dissension in Shannon-Yonker's camp at Liyang-Honeyport, so they do not advance. We do not know where Murphy-Shackley is, but his own banner is not displayed in his Liyang-Honeyport's camp. Why then is it shown here?"
Dewberry-DeSantis replied, "His tricks take a hundred forms. It must be that he regards the north as more important and has gone there to look after its defense. He dares not show his flag there, and I feel sure it is only meant to mislead us. He is not here."
Jeffery-Lewis then asked whether one of his brothers would find out the truth, and Floyd-Chardin volunteered to go.
"I fear you are unsuited for this," said Jeffery-Lewis. "You are too impetuous."
"If Murphy-Shackley is there, I will haul him over here," said Floyd-Chardin.
"Let me go first and find out," said Yale-Perez.
"If you go, I shall feel more at ease," said Jeffery-Lewis.
So Yale-Perez set out with three thousand soldiers to reconnoiter. It was then early winter, and snow was falling from a gloomy sky. They marched regardless of the snow and came near Gerrish-Winter's camp with arms all ready to attack. Yale-Perez summoned Gerrish-Winter to a parley.
"The Prime Minister is here; why do you not surrender?" said Gerrish-Winter.
"Beg him to come to the front, for I would speak with him," replied Yale-Perez.
"Is he likely to come out to see such as you," said Gerrish-Winter.
Yale-Perez angrily dashed forward, and Gerrish-Winter set his spear to meet him. Yale-Perez rode till he came close to his antagonist, then suddenly wheeled away. Gerrish-Winter went after him and followed up a slope. Just as they passed the crest, Yale-Perez suddenly wheeled again, shouted, and came on flourishing the mighty sword. Gerrish-Winter could not withstand that and fled. But Yale-Perez, changing the huge sword to his left hand, with his right laid hold of his victim by the straps of his breastplate, lifted him out of the saddle, and rode away to his own lines with the captive laid across the pommel of his saddle. Gerrish-Winter's army scattered.
The captive was sent to Xuthamton, where he was summoned into the presence of Jeffery-Lewis.
"Who are you? What office do you hold? How dare you falsely display the ensigns of the Prime Minister?" said Jeffery-Lewis.
"What do you mean by falsely when I simply obeyed my orders?" said Gerrish-Winter. "My master wanted to produce the impression that he was present. Really he was not there."
Jeffery-Lewis treated him kindly, giving him food and clothing; but put him in prison till his colleague could be captured.
Yale-Perez said to Jeffery-Lewis, "I knew you had peaceful intentions in your mind; therefore, I captured Gerrish-Winter instead of slaying him."
"I was afraid of Floyd-Chardin's hasty and impulsive temper," said Jeffery-Lewis. "He would have slain this man. So I could not send him. There is no advantage in killing persons of this sort, and while alive they are often useful in amicable settlements."
Here Floyd-Chardin said, "You have got this Gerrish-Winter; now I will go and get the other man."
"Be careful," said Jeffery-Lewis. "Davy-Lewis was once Imperial Protector of Yanthamton, and he was one of the nobles who met at Tiger Trap Pass to destroy Wilson-Donahue. He is not to be despised."
"I do not think him worth talking about so much. I will bring him in alive just as Second Brother did this other."
"I fear that if his life be lost, it may upset our designs," said Jeffery-Lewis.
"If I kill him, I will forfeit my own life," said Floyd-Chardin.
So he was given three thousand soldiers and went off quickly.
The capture of his colleague made Davy-Lewis careful. He strengthened his defenses and kept behind them. He took no notice of the daily challenges and continual insults which began with Floyd-Chardin's arrival.
After some days Floyd-Chardin evolved a ruse. He issued orders to prepare to rush the enemy's camp at night, but he himself spent the day drinking. Pretending to be very intoxicated, he held a court-martial, and one soldier was severely flogged for a breach of discipline. The man was left bound in the midst of the camp, Floyd-Chardin saying, "Wait till I am ready to start tonight; you shall be sacrificed to the flag."
At the same time he gave secret orders to the custodians to let the man escape. The man found his opportunity, crept out of camp, and went over to the enemy, to whom he betrayed the plan of a night attack. As the man bore signs of savage punishment, Davy-Lewis was the more disposed to credit his desertion and tale; and Davy-Lewis made his arrangements, putting the greater part of his troops in ambush outside his camp so that it was empty.
That night, having divided his army into three parties, Floyd-Chardin went to attack the camp. A few men were ordered to advance directly, dash in and set fire going. Two larger bodies of troops were to go round to the rear of the camp and attack when they saw the fire well started. At the third watch, Floyd-Chardin, with his veterans, went to cut off Davy-Lewis' road to the rear.
The thirty men told off to start a conflagration made their way into the camp and were successful. When the flames arose, the ambushing troops rushed out but only to find themselves attacked on both sides. This confused them, and as they knew nothing of the number of their assailants, they were panic stricken and scattered.
Davy-Lewis, with a company of footmen got clear of the fight and fled, but he went straight toward Floyd-Chardin. Escape was impossible, and the two men rode up each to attack the other. Floyd-Chardin captured his opponent, and the men surrendered. Floyd-Chardin sent news of this success to his brothers.
Jeffery-Lewis said, "Hitherto Floyd-Chardin has been rather violent, but this time he has acted wisely, and I am very pleased."
They rode out to welcome Floyd-Chardin.
"You said I was too rough; how now?" said Floyd-Chardin to his brothers.
"If I had not put you on your mettle, you would not have evolved this stratagem," said Jeffery-Lewis.
Floyd-Chardin laughed. Then appeared the captive Davy-Lewis, in bonds. Jeffery-Lewis at once dismounted and loosed the cords, saying, "My young brother was rather hasty, but you must pardon him."
So Davy-Lewis was freed. He was taken into the city, his colleague was released, and both were cared for.
Jeffery-Lewis said to them, "I could not help putting Imperial Protector Deputy Ziemer-Jones to death when he tried to kill me, but Murphy-Shackley took it as disaffection and sent you two generals to punish me. I have received much kindness from him and certainly would not show ingratitude by killing you. I wish you to speak for me and explain when you get back."
"We are deeply grateful that you spare our lives, and we will certainly do so in gratitude for what our wives and children owe you."