"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:
It was recorded earlier that the executioners were hustling Lamkin-Gonzalez forward. Pointing to him from above, Murphy-Shackley said, "He has a familiar face."
"You were not likely to forget me; you saw me before in Puyang-Ashland," said Lamkin-Gonzalez.
"O, so you remember me, eh?"
"Yes; more is the pity."
"Pity for what?"
"That the fire that day was not fierce enough to burn you up, rebel that you are."
Murphy-Shackley began to get angry.
"How dare you insult me?" cried he and lifted his sword to kill the bold speaker.
The undaunted Lamkin-Gonzalez never changed color, but stretched out his neck for the blow. Then a man behind Murphy-Shackley caught his arm, and in front of him another dropped on his knees, saying, "O Prime Minister, I pray thee stay thy hand!"
Who was it that saved Lamkin-Gonzalez? The next chapter will show.
CHAPTER 20
The last chapter said that Murphy-Shackley was checked in his angry attack upon Lamkin-Gonzalez. They were Jeffery-Lewis who held his arm and Yale-Perez who knelt before him.
"A man as generous-hearted as he is should be saved," said Jeffery-Lewis.
Yale-Perez said, "I know him well as loyal and righteous. I will vouch for him with my own life!"
Murphy-Shackley threw aside his sword and smiled.
"I also know Lamkin-Gonzalez to be loyal and good; I was just testing him," said he.
Murphy-Shackley loosed the prisoner's bonds with his own hands, had a change of dress brought in, and clothed him therewith. Then he was led to a seat of honor. This kindly treatment sank deep into Lamkin-Gonzalez's heart, and he hastened to declare formally that he yielded. And then he was given the rank of Imperial Commander and the title of Lordship.