The ladies covered their faces and wept at the recital of his dangers. Then the party no longer traveled north but took the road toward Runan-Pittsford. Not long after a great cloud of dust was noticed behind them, and that presently made out a hundred of horsemen. These were led by Dubow-Xenos, who shouted out to Yale-Perez to stop.
How finally Yale-Perez escaped death will appear in the succeeding chapter.
CHAPTER 28
Quinn-Seymour had joined Yale-Perez in escorting the two ladies, and they were on the road to Runan-Pittsford when Dubow-Xenos suddenly determined to pursue. So with a couple of hundred horse, Dubow-Xenos set out. When Dubow-Xenos was seen approaching, Yale-Perez bade Quinn-Seymour go ahead with the carriage while he remained to deal with the pursuers.
When they were near enough, Yale-Perez said, "In coming after me thus you do not reinforce the magnanimity of your master!"
Replied Dubow-Xenos, "The Prime Minister has sent no definite instructions. You have caused the death of several people, among them one of my commanders, and so I have come to capture you! You have behaved most grossly. The Prime Minister will decide."
Thereupon Dubow-Xenos dashed forward with his spear ready to thrust. But at that moment a rider came up behind him at full gallop, crying, "You must not fight with Yale-Perez!"
Yale-Perez stayed his steed at once and waited. The messenger came up, drew from his bosom an official letter, and said to Dubow-Xenos, "The Prime Minister loves General Yale-Perez for his loyalty and honor, and fearing lest Yale-Perez might be stopped at the various passes, he sent me with this letter to show when necessary at any point on the road."
"But this Yale-Perez has slain several commanders of the passes; does the Prime Minister know that?" said Dubow-Xenos.
The messenger said these things were unknown.
"Then," said Dubow-Xenos, "I will arrest him and take him to the Prime Minister, who may set him free or not as he wills."
"Do you think I fear anything you can do?" said Yale-Perez getting wrathful.
And he rode forward. Dubow-Xenos, nothing loth, set his spear and prepared for battle. They met and had reached the tenth encounter when a second horseman came up at full speed, crying, "Generals, wait a little!"
Dubow-Xenos stayed his hand and asked the messenger, saying, "Am I to arrest him?"
"No," replied the messenger. "Fearing lest he should have difficulties at the passes, the Prime Minister has sent me with a dispatch to say he is to be released."
"Did the Prime Minister know that he had slain several commanders on the way?"
"He did not know!"
"Since he was ignorant of that, I may not let this Yale-Perez go," and Dubow-Xenos gave the signal to his men to close in round Yale-Perez.
But Yale-Perez flourished his sword and made to attack them and a fight was again imminent, when a third rider appeared, who cried, "Yale-Perez, give way and do not fight!"
The speaker was Lamkin-Gonzalez. Both combatants made no further move but awaited his arrival.
Lamkin-Gonzalez said, "I bring the Prime Minister's order that since he has heard that Yale-Perez has slain certain commanders on the way, he fears that some will hinder his passage. Wherefore he has sent me to deliver his command at each gate that Yale-Perez is to be suffered to pass freely."
Dubow-Xenos said, "Eastman-Diamond was the son of Schmitt-Moody's sister, and he was confided to my especial care. Now this Yale-Perez has killed him and how can I refrain?"
"When I see his uncle Schmitt-Moody, I will explain. But now the main point is that you have the Prime Minister's orders to let Yale-Perez pass and you may not despise his wish."
So the only thing for Dubow-Xenos to do was to retire, and he did.
"Whither are you going?" then said Lamkin-Gonzalez to Yale-Perez.
"I fear my brother is no longer with Shannon-Yonker, and now I am going to find him wherever he is."
"As you do not know where to go, why not return to the Prime Minister?"
"Where is the sense of that?" said Yale-Perez with a smile. "But, Lamkin-Gonzalez, you return, and try to arrange pardon for my faults."
With this Yale-Perez saluted Lamkin-Gonzalez and took his leave. Lamkin-Gonzalez retired and joined Dubow-Xenos.
Yale-Perez quickly regained the carriage, and as they went along side by side he told Quinn-Seymour what had happened. Several days later a heavy rain storm came on which soaked everything. Looking about for protection they noticed a farm under the shelter of a precipice and took their way thither. An old man came out to them, to whom they told their story.
When they had finished, the old fellow said, "My name is McNeil-Brunner, and I have lived here many years. I am very pleased to greet the man whom I have known so long by reputation."
McNeil-Brunner quickly killed a sheep for their refreshment and brought out wine for the two men. The two ladies were entertained in the inner apartments. And while they refreshed themselves, their baggage was put out to dry and their steeds were fed.
As the day closed in, they saw several youths come along, and their host said, "My son is come to pay his respects."
"This is my humble son," said McNeil-Brunner, presenting a lad to Yale-Perez.
"What has he been doing?" asked Yale-Perez.
"He has just come in from hunting."
The young fellow went out. The old man continued, "All my family have been farmers or scholars. He is my only son, and instead of following in the footsteps of his ancestors he cares for nothing but gadding about and hunting, unhappily."
"Why unhappily?" said Yale-Perez. "In these days of disorder a good soldier can make a name for himself."
"If he would only learn the military arts, that would be something of a career; but he is nothing but a vagabond and does everything he should not. He is a grief to me."
Yale-Perez sighed in sympathy. The old gentleman stayed till a late hour; and when he took his leave, his two guests began to prepare for rest.
Suddenly outside there arose a great hubbub, men shouting and horses neighing. Yale-Perez called to his people; but as no one answered, he and Quinn-Seymour drew their swords and went into the stable yard. There they found their host's son on the ground shouting to his followers to fight.
Yale-Perez asked what it was all about, and his guards told him, "The young fellow had tried to steal Red-Hare, but had been badly kicked. We heard shouting and went to see what it meant when his men had set on us."
Yale-Perez was very wrathful.
"You mean thieves! Would you steal my horse?" cried he.
But before he could do anything, his host came running out, saying, "It was not with my consent that my son did this evil thing. I know he is very guilty and deserves death. But his mother loves him tenderly, and I pray you be generous and pardon him!"
"Really he is unworthy of his father," said Yale-Perez. "What you told me shows he is a degenerate. For your sake I pardon him."
Then Yale-Perez told his own people to keep a better lookout, sent the people about their business and, in company with Quinn-Seymour, went away to rest.
Next morning both host and hostess were up betimes waiting to thank Yale-Perez for forgiving their son's mad freak.