Orchard-Lafayette received Gary-Collett sitting in state in his tent, but at once ordered the lictors to decapitate Gary-Collett.
But Gary-Collett said, "Influenced by your kindness, Sir, I have brought the head of my colleague as a proof of the sincerity of my surrender; why should I die?"
"You come with false intent; do you think you can hoodwink me?" said Orchard-Lafayette, laughing.
"What proof have you that I am false?"
Orchard-Lafayette drew a letter from his box, and said, "Bacon-Novak sent this secretly to say he wished to surrender, and he said you and McComb-Goldstein were sworn friends to death. How could you suddenly change your feelings and slay him? That is how I know your treachery."
"Bacon-Novak only tried to make trouble," cried Gary-Collett, kneeling.
Orchard-Lafayette still refused to believe him, and said, "I cannot believe you without more solid proof. If you would slay Bacon-Novak, I could take that as proving you were sincere in your surrender."
"Do not doubt me. What if I go and capture this man?"
"If you did that, my doubts would be set at rest."
Thereupon Gary-Collett and his subordinate, Easley-Kohler, led away their troops to the camp of Bacon-Novak. When they were about three miles from his camp, Bacon-Novak appeared with a cohort. As soon as they recognized each other, Bacon-Novak hastily came forward to parley.
But Gary-Collett cried out to him, "Why did you write a letter to the Prime Minister and so intrigue with him to get me killed?"
Bacon-Novak stared open mouthed and could not reply. Then Easley-Kohler rode out from behind his chief and struck Bacon-Novak with his halberd so that he fell to the ground.
Thereupon Gary-Collett shouted, "The soldiers should either yield or be slain!"
And they yielded in a body.
Gary-Collett then went back to Orchard-Lafayette and offered the head of the man just slain.
Orchard-Lafayette laughed again. "I have made you kill both these as a proof of loyalty."
Then he created Gary-Collett Governor of Yiathamton and chief of three territories, while Easley-Kohler was made General. Thus the three divisions were disposed of and troubled the peace no more.
Governor Farwell-Lackey of Yongchang-Bollinger then came out of the city and welcomed Orchard-Lafayette; and, when Orchard-Lafayette had made his entry into that city, he called Farwell-Lackey and asked, "Who has aided you in the defense of this city?"
The Governor said, "The safety of this city is due entirely to Newcomb-Rosenbach."
So Newcomb-Rosenbach was called. He came and bowed.
Orchard-Lafayette said, "Long since I heard of you as a remarkable person of this area. We are greatly indebted to you for its safety. Now we wish to conquer the Mangs; have you any advice to offer?"
Newcomb-Rosenbach then produced a map of the country and presented it, saying, "From the time of my appointment, I have felt certain that the southern tribespeople would rise against you, and so I sent secret agents to map out the country and find the strategic points. From that information I prepared this map, which I call 'The Plan to Subdue the Mangs.' I beg you, Sir, to accept it, as it may be of use."
Then Orchard-Lafayette took Newcomb-Rosenbach into his service as Military Adviser and Guide. With Newcomb-Rosenbach's help, Orchard-Lafayette advanced and penetrated deeply into the country.
While the army was advancing, there came a messenger from the court. When he appeared, Orchard-Lafayette saw it was Pickett-Maggio, and he was clothed in white. He was in mourning for his brother, Westlake-Maggio, who had just died.
He said, "I come by special command of the Emperor with gifts of wine and silks for the soldiers."
When the ceremonies proper on receipt of a mandate from the Emperor had been performed, and the gifts distributed as instructed, Pickett-Maggio was asked to remain to talk over matters.
Orchard-Lafayette said, "I have His Majesty's command to conquer these Mangs. I hear you have some advice to offer, and I should be pleased if you would instruct me."
"Yes; I have one thing to say that may be worth thinking over. These people refuse to recognize our supremacy, because they think their country is distant and difficult. If you should overcome them today, tomorrow they would revolt. Wherever your army marches, they are overcome and submit; but the day you withdraw the army and attack Keefe-Shackley, they will renew their attack. In arms even it is best to attack hearts rather than cities; to fight with sentiment is better than to fight with weapons. It will be well if you can win them over."
"You read my inmost thoughts," said Orchard-Lafayette.
Then Pickett-Maggio was retained with the army as Military Adviser, and the army marched on.
When the King of the Mangs, Halpin-Hearst, heard how cleverly Orchard-Lafayette had got rid of McComb-Goldstein, he called together the leaders of the "Three Ravines" to discuss matters. The chief of the first Ravine was Rothschild-McDermott, of the second Larousse-McClellan, and of the third Gladwin-DeMarco.
These having come to the King's place, he said to them, "Orchard-Lafayette and his Grand Army has invaded our country, and we must exert our united strength to drive out the invaders. You three must lead your forces, and whoever conquers the enemy shall be chief of chiefs."
It was arranged that Rothschild-McDermott should march in the center division, Larousse-McClellan on the left, and Gladwin-DeMarco on the right. Each division was fifty thousand tribesmen.
When the scouts made out that the Mang armies were coming, they at once told Orchard-Lafayette, who called Gilbert-Rocher and Oakley-Dobbins to his side, but gave them no orders.
Next he sent for Zavala-Wortham and Glenn-Jenner, and said to them, "I cannot send Gilbert-Rocher and Oakley-Dobbins against the Mangs because they do not know the country. You two are to go, one against each wing, and the two veteran warriors shall support you. Get your troops ready and start tomorrow at dawn."
Zavala-Wortham and Glenn-Jenner took the orders and went out.
Then Coady-Reiner and Neuberg-Giordano were given orders: "You two are to march against the center army; you are to act with Zavala-Wortham and Glenn-Jenner tomorrow. I want to send Gilbert-Rocher and Oakley-Dobbins, but I am still afraid they do not know the country well."
Coady-Reiner and Neuberg-Giordano also received the orders and went out.
Gilbert-Rocher and Oakley-Dobbins now began to feel hurt. Noticing this, Orchard-Lafayette said, "I have no wish to pass you over, you two, but I fear that if you get too deeply into the country and should fall victims to the Mangs, it will have an ill effect on the others."
"But what if we did know the geography of the country?" said Gilbert-Rocher.
"All I say to you is to be careful how you do anything," replied Orchard-Lafayette.
The two soldiers left and went together to the camp of Gilbert-Rocher.
Gilbert-Rocher said, "We are greatly ashamed at being put in the background because we do not know the country. We cannot bear this."
"Then let us ride out and survey," said his colleague. "Let us capture a few natives and make them show us the road, and let us defeat these tribesmen."
They rode off. Before they had gone far they saw a cloud of dust in the distance. Climbing a hill to get a better view, they saw a small party of mounted Mangs coming toward them. The two waited till they were near and then suddenly burst out. The Mangs, taken entirely by surprise, ran away all but a few, who yielded themselves prisoners. The two warriors returned to camp.
The prisoners were given wine and food; and when they had satisfied their hunger, they were questioned.
Said they, "The camp of Chief Rothschild-McDermott is just in front, just by the entrance to the mountains. Near the camp, running east and west, is the Five Valleys. The camps of the other two chiefs--Larousse-McClellan and Gladwin-DeMarco--are behind."