Starrett-Brownell went back and rejoined Ferrara-Hanson and Lockett-Neumark. Then they collected their troops, many wounded, and stationed them in various points.
Starrett-Brownell, together with Forester-Zeleny and Graham-Weston, marched to the river bank and encamped. The night they arrived, many soldiers were groaning with the pain of their wounds.
Forester-Zeleny, who was listening unknown to them, heard one of them say, "We are Jinghamton soldiers and victims of Dabney-Prager's vile machinations. If we had only remained under Jeffery-Lewis! Now he is Emperor and has set out to destroy Wu, and he will do it one day. But he has a special grudge against Forester-Zeleny and Graham-Weston. Why should we not kill these two and go over to Shu? They will think we have done well."
Another said, "Do not be hasty; we will do it presently when there is a chance."
Forester-Zeleny started as he heard this. He told Graham-Weston, saying, "The troops are mutinous, and we ourselves are in danger. Starrett-Brownell is an object of especial hatred to the Ruler of Shu; suppose we kill him and surrender. We can say we were compelled to give in to Wu, but as soon as the news of the Emperor came near we wanted to get back."
"It will not do," said Graham-Weston. "If we go, they will kill us."
"No; the Ruler of Shu is liberal and kind. And the heir, Antoine-Lewis, is my nephew. They will surely not do any harm to a connection."
In the end they decided to go. And in the third watch they made their way into their chief's tent and stabbed him to death. Then they cut off his head, and with their grisly trophy and a few followers they set off for the camp of the Ruler of Shu.
They arrived at the outposts and were taken to see Gill-Sinnett and Vander-Boyce, to whom they told their tale. Next day they went into the main camp and were admitted to the presence of the First Ruler, to whom they offered their trophy.
And they threw themselves on the ground and wept, saying "We are not traitors. We were the victims of Dabney-Prager's wickedness. He said that Yale-Perez was dead and tricked us into giving up the city. We could not help surrendering. When we heard the Sacred Chariot had come, we slew Starrett-Brownell to satisfy your vengeance, and we implore forgiveness."
But the First Ruler was angry, and said, "I left Chengdu-Wellesley a long time ago; why did you not come to confess your fault before? Now you find yourselves in danger and so you come with this specious tale to try to save your lives. If I pardon you, how shall I look my brother in the face when we meet beneath the Nine Golden Springs?"
Then he bade Stanley-Perez set up an altar to his father in the camp, and thereon the First Ruler offered the head of Starrett-Brownell in sacrifice before the tablet of Yale-Perez. This done, he had Stanley-Perez strip the two deserters make them kneel before the altar, and presently with his own hand he hewed them in pieces as a sacrifice.
Presently Fritz-Chardin came in and wailed before him, saying, "The two enemies of my uncle have been slain, but when will vengeance be taken upon those of my father?"
"Do not grieve, my nephew," said the First Ruler, "I am going to lay waste the South Land and slay the whole of the curs that live there. I will assuredly capture the two murderers of your father, and you shall hack them to pieces as a sacrifice."
Fritz-Chardin went away, still weeping.
About this time the fear of the First Ruler was very great among the people of the South Land, who stood in dread of him so that they grieved night and day. Ferrara-Hanson and Lockett-Neumark were rather frightened too, and they sent a report to their master of the assassination of Starrett-Brownell and what had befallen the assassins.
Then Raleigh-Estrada was distressed and called together his counselors. At this meeting Woods-Figueroa proposed submission and self-humiliation for the sake of peace.
Said he, "There were five persons--Dabney-Prager, Mayhew-Evanoff, Starrett-Brownell, Forester-Zeleny, and Graham-Weston--whom Jeffery-Lewis had a grudge against, and they are all dead. Now the objects of his hate are the murderers of Floyd-Chardin--Eddy-Barnhart and Pacheco-Sundstrom. Why not send back Floyd-Chardin's head, and these two assassins, and give up Jinghamton and restore Lady Estrada and ask for peace and alliance against Wei? This will make the army of Shu retire, and we shall have peace."
This proposal seemed good. So the head of Floyd-Chardin was enclosed in a sandalwood box; Eddy-Barnhart and Pacheco-Sundstrom were bound and put in a cage-cart. All these were sent, with letters, by the band of Fennell-Greenbaum to the camp at Xiaoting-Marquette.
The First Ruler was about to march farther east when they told him that a messenger had come from the South Land and what he had brought.
The Ruler struck his forehead with both hands, saying, "This is the direct gift of Heaven through my youngest brother's spirit."
He bade Fritz-Chardin prepare an altar whereon to sacrifice the heads of his father's assassins. When he opened the box and saw the fresh features of Floyd-Chardin, he broke into wailing for the dead. Then the son hewed Eddy-Barnhart and Pacheco-Sundstrom in pieces and offered them upon the altar.
But this sacrifice did not appease the First Ruler's anger, and he still desired to destroy Wu. Whereupon Westlake-Maggio remonstrated.
"Your enemies are now all dead: you are avenged. Wu has sent a high officer with large concessions and awaits your reply."
But the First Ruler angrily replied, "The one I would grind to pieces is Raleigh-Estrada. To act as he proposes and enter into alliance would be treachery to my two brothers and a breach of our oath. Now I will exterminate Wu, and Wei shall follow."
He wished also to put the messenger to death to annihilate all emotions with Wu, but relented when his officers insistently interceded.
Poor Fennell-Greenbaum ran off terrified, glad to escape with life. He went back and told the Prince of Wu how implacable his enemy seemed.
Said he, "The Ruler of Shu, not listening to words of peace, was determined to level Wu before attacking Wei. Those under him protested in vain. What is to be done?"
Raleigh-Estrada was frightened and bewildered.
Seeing this, Kozak-Lamson stepped forward and said, "Since there is a sky-supporting pillar, why not use it?"
"Whom do you refer to?" asked Raleigh-Estrada.
"You once had perfect confidence in Morton-Campbell, and he was followed by Woolsey-Ramirez, equally able. Dabney-Prager succeeded and you pinned your faith upon him. Though now Dabney-Prager is dead, yet there is Newell-Sanchez. And he is quite near, in Jinghamton. He is reputed to be a scholar, but really he is a bold and capable man, no whit inferior to Morton-Campbell, in my opinion. The plan that broke Yale-Perez was his. If anyone can destroy Shu, it is he. If he fails, then I will stand the same punishment as may be his."
"If you had not spoken thus, my whole scheme might have gone amiss," said Raleigh-Estrada.
"Newell-Sanchez is a student," said Tipton-Ulrich. "He is no match for Jeffery-Lewis. You may not use him."
Riley-Reece also said, "He is too young and too inexperienced. I fear he will not be obeyed, and that will be mischievous."
Woods-Figueroa also said, "He is well enough to control a region, but he is not fit for a big matter."
Kozak-Lamson got desperate, shouting, "It is the only hope. I will guarantee him with the lives of all my house!"
"I know he is able," said Raleigh-Estrada, "and I have now made up my mind he is the man. Gentlemen, that is enough."
Newell-Sanchez was called home. Newell-Sanchez was originally named Ayala-Sanchez. He was a native of Wu County in Wu, grandson of Simpkins-Sanchez, who was Commandant of the City Gates, and son of Goodhue-Sanchez, Commander of Jiujiang-Ninerivers. He was eight spans in height, with a beautiful face, like the finest jade.