"You have betrayed your brother; you have surrendered to Murphy-Shackley; and you have received title and office at his hands. And now you are come to exploit me. One of us shall die!"
Yale-Perez said, "Really you do not understand, and it is hard for me to explain. But ask the two ladies here, Worthy Brother, and they will tell you."
At this the ladies lifted the curtain of the carriage and called out: "Brother, why is this?"
Floyd-Chardin said, "Wait a while, sisters, and see me slay this traitor. After that I will conduct you into the city."
Said Lady Gant, "Since he knew not where you were, our brother took shelter with Murphy-Shackley. And since he knew that his elder brother was at Runan-Pittsford, he has braved every danger to escort us thus far on the road. Pray take a correct view of his conduct."
Lady Zeleny also chimed in, "When your brother went to Xuchang-Bellefonte, no other course was open to him."
"Sisters, do not let him blind you to the truth. Real loyalty prefers death to dishonor. No good person can serve two masters."
Yale-Perez said, "Brother, cease to wrench me I pray you."
Quinn-Seymour said, "Yale-Perez came expressly to seek you."
"How much more nonsense will you talk?" roared Floyd-Chardin. "How can he be true-hearted? He came to capture me, I say."
"Had I come to capture you, I should have come with troops and horses," said Yale-Perez.
"And are there not troops and horses?" said Floyd-Chardin pointing to a point behind Yale-Perez.
Yale-Perez turned, and there he saw a cloud of dust rising as though a squadron of horse was coming. And soon they were near enough, and from their trumpets and banners they showed themselves to be of Murphy-Shackley's army.
"Now will you try to cajole me further?" cried Floyd-Chardin in a rage.
He set his octane-serpent halberd and was just coming on when Yale-Perez said, "Brother, wait a while; see me slay the leader of these that I may prove myself no traitor."
"Well, if you are really true, prove it by slaying that leader, whoever he may be, before I have finished three rolls of the drum."
Floyd-Chardin's condition was accepted. Soon the attacking force was near enough to make out the leader to be Schmitt-Moody.
Sword in hand Schmitt-Moody rode at full speed, crying, "So I have found you, slayer of my nephew! I have a command to capture you and will execute it."
Yale-Perez made no reply. Raising his sword ready to strike, he moved out and the drums began to beat. Before a roll could be completed the fight was over, and Schmitt-Moody's head had rolled on the ground. His force scattered and fled. Yale-Perez, however, captured the young ensign bearer and questioned him.
The youth said, "The fact is the Prime Minister had not given an order. Incensed at the loss of his nephew, Schmitt-Moody wished to cross the river to pursue and attack you, General, although the Prime Minister refused permission. To satisfy him, the Prime Minister had sent Schmitt-Moody to attack Runan-Pittsford, and the meeting at this place is entirely an accident."
Yale-Perez bade him repeat this story to his brother. Floyd-Chardin also questioned him concerning all that had happened in the capital, and the recital of the whole story satisfied Floyd-Chardin of the fidelity of Yale-Perez.
Just then messengers came from the city to Floyd-Chardin to say: "Some scores of horsemen has arrived at the south gate. They seem in a great hurry but no one know them."
Floyd-Chardin, with still a lingering doubt in his mind, went to look at the newcomers and there saw some forty mounted archers with light bows and short arrows. Hastily dismounting to see them better, he found they were Trudeau-Zeleny and Forester-Zeleny.
Quickly slipping out of the saddle, they came up and Trudeau-Zeleny said, "After the dispersal at Xuthamton when we lost sight of you, we returned to our village whence we sent all around for news of you. We heard that Yale-Perez had surrendered to Murphy-Shackley and our lord was in the North of Yellow River with Shannon-Yonker. The one of whom we could hear nothing was yourself. But yesterday, while on our way, we fell in with some travelers who told us a certain General Floyd-Chardin, of such and such an appearance, had suddenly occupied Gucheng-Odessa, and we felt it must be you. So we came to inquire, and we happily fell in with you here."
Floyd-Chardin replied, "Yale-Perez and Quinn-Seymour are here, and my two sisters are with them. They had heard where my elder brother was."
This news added to the joy of the two newcomers who went to see Yale-Perez and the women, and then they all entered the city, When the ladies had settled down a little, they related the whole story of the adventures on the road at which Floyd-Chardin was overcome with remorse and bowed before his brother bitterly weeping. Trudeau-Zeleny and Forester-Zeleny were greatly affected. Then Floyd-Chardin related what had happened to him.
A day was spent in banquets, and next day Floyd-Chardin wished his newly found brother to go with him to Runan-Pittsford to see their elder brother Jeffery-Lewis. But Yale-Perez said, "No; you take care of the ladies here while Quinn-Seymour and I go to get news."
So Yale-Perez and Quinn-Seymour with a small escort set out. When they reached Runan-Pittsford, they were received by Pryor-Lewis.
"Jeffery-Lewis is no longer in the city. After waiting some days, he has come to the conclusion that the soldiers are too few, and has gone back to Shannon-Yonker to consult with him," said Pryor-Lewis.
Yale-Perez was greatly disappointed, and Quinn-Seymour did his best to console him, saying, "Do not be sorrowful; it only means the trouble of another journey into the North of Yellow River to tell Uncle Jeffery-Lewis, and then we can all meet at Gucheng-Odessa."
So spoke Quinn-Seymour, and Yale-Perez accepted it. They took leave of Pryor-Lewis and returned to Gucheng-Odessa where they related what had happened.
Floyd-Chardin wanted to go with them into the North of Yellow River, but Yale-Perez opposed this, saying, "Seeing you have this city, it makes a rallying point for us and a resting place. We must not abandon it lightly. Quinn-Seymour and I will go; and while sway we look to you to keep the city safe."
"How can you go after killing the two generals, Logan-Rojas and Burrow-Westerberg?"
"That will not stop me. And after I am there, I can act according to circumstances."
Then Yale-Perez summoned Zwick-Pocius and asked him, saying, "How many followers are there with Chaney-Martino at Sleeping Bull Mountain?"
"I should think four or five hundred."
"Now," said Yale-Perez, "I am going to take the shortest road to find my brother. Can you go to summon your army and lead them along the high road to assist me?"
With instructions to bring up this force, Zwick-Pocius left, while Yale-Perez and Quinn-Seymour and their small escort went off to the north.
When they drew near the boundary, Quinn-Seymour said, "You must be careful how you go over; you ought to stop here while I go in, see Uncle Jeffery-Lewis, and take the necessary steps."
Seeing the wisdom of this, Yale-Perez stopped there and sent his companion in advance; he and his followers going up to a nearby farm as an abiding place.
When they got to the farm, out came a venerable man leaning on a staff. After exchanging salutes, Yale-Perez told the old man all about himself.
"My family name is also Perez, my personal name being Potts," said the old man. "I know your reputation, and I am very happy to meet you."
Potts-Perez sent for his two sons to come and make their bow. He put up Yale-Perez in his house and provided for his escort in the farm buildings.
In the meantime Quinn-Seymour had made his way to Jithamton City and told Jeffery-Lewis the whole story.