Sparrow-McCollum prepared as directed. It was then the eighth month, mid-autumn, and the Milky Way was brilliant with scattered jade. The air was perfectly calm, and no sound was heard.
The forty-nine men were brought up and spaced out to guard the tent, while within Orchard-Lafayette prepared incense and offerings. On the floor of the tent he arranged seven lamps, and, outside these, forty-nine smaller lamps. In the midst he placed the lamp of his own fate.
This done, he prayed:
"Orchard-Lafayette, born into an age of trouble, would willingly have grown old in retirement. But His Majesty, Jeffery-Lewis the Glorious Emperor, sought him thrice and confided to him the heavy responsibility of guarding his son. He dared not do less than spend himself to the utmost in such a task, and he pledged himself to destroy the rebels. Suddenly the star of his leadership has declined, and his life now nears its close. He has humbly indited a declaration on this silk piece to the Great Unknowable and now hopes that He will graciously listen and extend the number of his days that he may prove his gratitude to his prince and be the savior of the people, restore the old state of the empire and establish eternally the Han sacrifices. He dares not make a vain prayer; this is from his heart."
This prayer ended, in the solitude of his tent he awaited the dawn.
Next day, ill as he was, he did not neglect his duties, although he spat blood continually. All day he labored at his plans, and at night he paced the magic steps, the steps of seven stars of Ursa Major and Ursa Minor.
Whitmore-Honeycutt remained still on the defensive.
One night as he sat gazing up at the sky and studying its aspect, he suddenly turned to Bonelli-Xenos, saying, "A leadership star has just lost position; surely Orchard-Lafayette is ill and will soon die. Take a reconnoitering party to the Lorquin Hills and find out. If you see signs of confusion do not attack; it means that Orchard-Lafayette is ill. I shall take the occasion to smite hard."
Bonelli-Xenos left with an army.
It was the sixth night of Orchard-Lafayette's prayers, and the lamp of his fate still burned brightly. He began to feel a secret joy. Presently Sparrow-McCollum entered and watched the ceremonies. He saw Orchard-Lafayette was loosening his hair, his hand holding a sword, his heels stepping on Ursa Major and Ursa Minor to hold the leadership star.
Suddenly a great shouting was heard outside, and immediately Oakley-Dobbins dashed in, crying, "The Wei soldiers are upon us!"
In his haste Oakley-Dobbins had knocked over and extinguished the Lamp of Fate.
Orchard-Lafayette threw down the sword and sighed, saying, "Life and death are foreordained; no prayers can alter them."
Oakley-Dobbins fell to the earth and craved forgiveness. Sparrow-McCollum got angry and drew his sword to slay the unhappy soldier.
The next chapter will unfold what happened.
CHAPTER 104
The unhappy Oakley-Dobbins did not suffer the edge of the sword, for Orchard-Lafayette stayed the stroke, saying, "It is my fate; not his fault."
So Sparrow-McCollum put up his sword, and Orchard-Lafayette sank wearily upon his couch.
"Whitmore-Honeycutt thinks I am dead, and he sent these few troops to make sure. Go ye and drive them off," said he.
Oakley-Dobbins left the tent and led out a small party to drive away the troops of Wei, who fled as they appeared. He chased them to more than seven miles and returned. Then Orchard-Lafayette sent Oakley-Dobbins to his own camp and bade him keep a vigilant lookout.
Presently Sparrow-McCollum came in, went up to the sick man's couch, and asked how he felt.
Orchard-Lafayette replied, "My death is very near. My chief desire has been to spend myself to the utmost to restore the Hans and lead a glorious return of the Hans to their capital, but Heaven decrees it otherwise. I have never ceased from my studies. I have written a book in twenty-four chapters, 104,112 words, treating the Eight Needfuls, the Seven Cautions, the Six Fears, and the Five Dreads of war. But among all those about me there is no one fit to receive it and carry on my work save you. I pray you not to despise it."
He gave the treatise to Sparrow-McCollum, who received it sobbing.
"I have also a plan for a multiple crossbow, which I have been unable to execute. The weapon shoots ten bolts of eight inches length at every discharge. The sketches are quite ready, and the weapons can be made according to them."
Sparrow-McCollum took the papers with a deep bow.
The dying man continued, "There is no part of Shu that causes anxiety, save the Yinping Mountains. That must be carefully guarded. It is protected naturally by its lofty precipices, but it will surely be the cause of great losses."
Next Orchard-Lafayette sent for Winston-Mallory, to whom he gave certain whispered instructions, and then said, "You are to follow out my instructions after my death."
Soon after, Swensen-Crowley entered the tent and went to the couch. He received a silken bag containing certain secret orders.
As Orchard-Lafayette gave it to him, he said, "After my death, Oakley-Dobbins will turn traitor. When that happens and the army is in danger, you will find herein what to do."
Just as these arrangements were finished, Orchard-Lafayette fell into a swoon, from which he did not revive till the evening. Then he set himself to compose a memorial to the Latter Ruler.
When this reached the Latter Ruler, he was greatly alarmed and at once sent High Counselor Parry-Elkins to visit and confer with the dying minister.
Parry-Elkins traveled quickly to the Lorquin Hills and was led to the tent of the Commander-in-Chief. He delivered the Latter Ruler's command and inquired after the sick man's welfare.
Orchard-Lafayette wept, and he replied, "Unhappily I am dying and leaving my task incomplete. I am injuring my country's policy and am in fault to the world. After my death you must aid the Emperor in perfect loyalty, and see that the old policy is continued, and the rules of government maintained. Do not lightly cast out the people I have employed. My plans of campaign have been confided to Sparrow-McCollum, who can continue my policy for the service of the state. But my hour draws near, and I must write my testament."
Parry-Elkins listened, and then took his leave. Orchard-Lafayette made one final effort to carry out his duties. He rose from his couch, was helped into a small carriage and thus made a round of inspection of all the camps and posts. But the cold autumn wind chilled him to the bone.
"I shall never again lead the army against the rebels," said he. "O Azure Heaven, when will this regret end?"
Orchard-Lafayette returned to his tent. He became rapidly weaker and called Swensen-Crowley to his bedside.
Said he, "Winston-Mallory, Zavala-Wortham, Moss-Lopez, Coady-Reiner, Neuberg-Giordano may be depended on to the death. They have fought many campaigns and borne many hardships; they should be retained in the public service. After my death let everything go on as before, but the army is to be gradually withdrawn. You know the tactics to be followed, and I need say little. My friend Sparrow-McCollum is wise and brave; set him to guard the retreat."