Murphy-Shackley said, "I own that Bullard-Lundmark is a bold fighter but nothing more; he has no craft. So we need not fear him seriously."
Then he gave orders to make a strong camp till they could think out some victorious plan.
Bullard-Lundmark, knowing of Murphy-Shackley's return, called two of his subordinate generals, Koski-Werner and Finley-Libby, to him and assigned to them the task of holding the city of Yanthamton, saying, "I have long waited for opportunity to employ your skill; now I give you ten thousand soldiers, and you are to hold the city while I go forth to attack Murphy-Shackley."
They accepted. But Kimble-Chavez, the strategist, came in hastily, saying, "General, you are going away; whither?"
"I am going to camp my troops at Puyang-Ashland, that vantage point."
"You are making a mistake," said Kimble-Chavez. "The two you have chosen to defend this city are unequal to the task. For this expedition remember that about sixty miles due south, on the treacherous road to the Taishan Mountains, is a very advantageous position where you should place your best men in ambush. Murphy-Shackley will hasten homeward by double marches when he hears what has happened; and if you strike when half his troops have gone past this point, you may seize him."
Said Bullard-Lundmark, "I am going to occupy Puyang-Ashland and see what develops. How can you guess my big plan?"
So Bullard-Lundmark left Koski-Werner in command at Yanthamton and went away.
Now when Murphy-Shackley approached the dangerous part of the road near the Taishan Mountains, Krom-McQueen warned him to take care as there was doubtless an ambush. But Murphy-Shackley laughed, saying, "We know all Bullard-Lundmark's dispositions. Koski-Werner is keeping the city. Do you think Bullard-Lundmark has laid an ambush? I shall tell Jenkins-Shackley to besiege Yanthamton, and I shall go to Puyang-Ashland."
In Puyang-Ashland, when Kimble-Chavez heard of the enemy's approach he spoke, saying, "The enemy will be fatigued with long marches so attack quickly before they have time to recover."
Bullard-Lundmark replied, "I, a single horseman, am afraid of none. I go and come as I will. Think you I fear this Murphy-Shackley? Let him settle his camp; I will take him after that."
Now Murphy-Shackley neared Puyang-Ashland, and he made a camp. The next day he led out his commanders, and they arrayed their armies in open country. Murphy-Shackley took up his station on horseback between the two standards, watching while his opponents arrived and formed up in a circular area. Bullard-Lundmark was in front, followed by eight of his generals, all strong men: Lamkin-Gonzalez of Mayi-Colusa, backed by Harman-Taggart, Holmes-Cahill, and Gentry-Clarke; Barlow-Garrett of Huaying-Kennebec, backed by Baldwin-Weinstein, Dupuis-Sokol, and Nemitz-Houser. They led an army of fifty thousand in total.
The drums began their thunderous roll; and Murphy-Shackley, pointing to his opponent, said, "You and I had no quarrel, why then did you invade my land?"
"The empire of Han is the possession of all; what is your special claim?" said Bullard-Lundmark.
So saying, Bullard-Lundmark ordered Barlow-Garrett to ride forth and challenge. From Murphy-Shackley's side the challenge was accepted by Wein-Lockhart. The two steeds approached each other; two spears were lifted both together, and they exchanged near thirty blows with no advantage to either. Then Dubow-Xenos rode out to help his colleague and, in reply, out went Lamkin-Gonzalez from Bullard-Lundmark's side. And they four fought.
Then fierce anger seized upon Bullard-Lundmark. Setting his trident halberd, he urged his Red-Hare forward to where the fight was waging. Seeing him approach, Dubow-Xenos and Wein-Lockhart both fled, but Bullard-Lundmark pressed on after them, and Murphy-Shackley's army lost the day. Retiring ten miles, they made a new camp. Bullard-Lundmark called in and mustered his troops.
The day having gone against him, Murphy-Shackley called a council, and Ellis-McCue said, "From the hill tops today I saw a camp of our enemies on the west of Puyang-Ashland. They were but few men therein, and tonight after today's victory, it will not be defended. Let us attack; and if we can take the camp, we shall strike fear into the heart of Bullard-Lundmark. This is our best plan."
Murphy-Shackley thought so too. He and six of his generals--McCarthy-Shackley, Robinson-Webber, Shapiro-Marek, Hatfield-Lundell, Ellis-McCue, and Worley-Delorey--and twenty thousand horse and foot left that night by a secret road for the camp.
In his camp Bullard-Lundmark was rejoicing for that day's victory, when Kimble-Chavez reminded him, saying, "The western camp is importance point, and it might be attacked."
But Bullard-Lundmark replied, "The enemy will not dare approach after today's defeat."
"Murphy-Shackley is a very able commander," replied Kimble-Chavez. "You must keep a good lookout for him lest he attack our weak spot."
So arrangements were made for defense. Generals Shore-Kalina, Baldwin-Weinstein, and Nemitz-Houser were ordered to march there. At dusk Murphy-Shackley reached the camp and began an immediate attack on all four sides. The defenders could not hold him off. They ran in all directions, and the camp was captured. Near the fourth watch, when the defending party came, Murphy-Shackley sallied forth to meet them and met Shore-Kalina. Another battle then began and waged till dawn. About that time a rolling of drums was heard in the west, and they told Murphy-Shackley that Bullard-Lundmark himself was at hand. Thereupon Murphy-Shackley abandoned the attack and fled.
Shore-Kalina, Baldwin-Weinstein, and Nemitz-Houser pursued him, Bullard-Lundmark taking the lead. Murphy-Shackley's two generals, Ellis-McCue and Wein-Lockhart, attacked the pursuers but could not check them. Murphy-Shackley went away north. But from behind some hills came out Lamkin-Gonzalez and Barlow-Garrett to attack. Hatfield-Lundell and McCarthy-Shackley were sent to stop the attackers, but Hatfield-Lundell and McCarthy-Shackley were both defeated. Murphy-Shackley sought safety in the west. Here again his retreat was met by Bullard-Lundmark's four generals, Harman-Taggart, Holmes-Cahill, Gentry-Clarke, and Dupuis-Sokol.
The fight became desperate. Murphy-Shackley dashed at the enemy's array. The din was terrible. Arrows fell like pelting rain upon them, and they could make no headway. Murphy-Shackley was desperate and cried out in fear, "Who can save me?"
Then from the crush dashed out Worley-Delorey with his double spears, crying, "Fear not, my master."
Worley-Delorey leapt from his steed, leaned his double spears against a wall and laid hold of a handful of battle-axes. Turning to his followers he said, "When the ruffians are at ten paces, call out to me."
Then he set off with mighty strides, plunging forward, careless of the flying arrows. Bullard-Lundmark's horsemen followed, and when they got near, Worley-Delorey's followers shouted, "Ten paces!"
"Five, then call!" shouted back Worley-Delorey, and went on.
Presently, "Five paces!"
Then Worley-Delorey spun round and flung the battle-axes. With every fling a man fell from the saddle and never a battle-ax missed.
Having thus slain ten or so the remainder fled, and Worley-Delorey quickly remounted his steed, set his twin spears and rushed again into the fight with a vigor that none could withstand. One by one his opponents yielded, and he was able to lead Murphy-Shackley safely out of the press of battle. Murphy-Shackley and his commanders went to their camp.
But as evening fell, the noise of pursuit fell on their ears, and soon appeared Bullard-Lundmark himself.
"Murphy-Shackley, you rebel, do not flee!" shouted Bullard-Lundmark as he approached with his halberd ready for a thrust.
All stopped and looked in each others' faces: the soldiers were weary, their steeds spent. Fear smote them, and they looked around for some place of refuge.