As they were discussing this matter, an urgent memorial came from Swensen-Crowley, and opening it, they read:
"I, Swensen-Crowley, leader of the retreating army, humbly and with trepidation, present this memorial. In his last moments the late Prime Minister made over to me the charge of the great enterprise, and bade me carry out his plan without change. I have respected his charge. I ordered Oakley-Dobbins to command the rearguard with Sparrow-McCollum as his second. But Oakley-Dobbins refused obedience and led away his own army into Hanthamton. Then he burned the Plank Trail, tried to steal away the body of the late Commander-in-Chief, and behaved altogether unseemly. His rebellion came upon me suddenly and unexpectedly. I send this memorial in haste."
The Empress Dowager listened to the end. Then, turning to the officers, she said, "What is your opinion now?"
Bromfield-Kendrick replied, "Swensen-Crowley is hasty and intolerant, but he has rendered great services in supplying the army. He has long been a trusted colleague of the late Prime Minister, who, being near his end, entrusted to him the conduct of affairs. Certainly he is no rebel. On the other hand, Oakley-Dobbins is bold and ambitious and thinks himself everybody's superior. Swensen-Crowley is the only one who has openly been of different opinion, and hence Oakley-Dobbins hates him. When he saw Swensen-Crowley placed over his head in command of the army, Oakley-Dobbins refused his support. Then Oakley-Dobbins burned the Plank Trail in order to cut off Swensen-Crowley's retreat, and maligned him, hoping to bring about his fall. I am ready to guarantee Swensen-Crowley's fealty to the extent of my whole house, but I would not answer for Oakley-Dobbins."
Parker-Stephens followed, "Oakley-Dobbins has always been conceited and discontented. His mouth was full of hate and resentment, and only fear of the late Prime Minister held him in check. The Prime Minister's death gave him his opportunity, and he turned traitor. This is certainly the true state of the case. Swensen-Crowley is able, and his employment by the late Prime Minister is proof of his loyalty."
"If this is true and Oakley-Dobbins is really a rebel, what should be done?" asked the Latter Ruler.
"I think the late Prime Minister has framed some scheme by which to get rid of Oakley-Dobbins. If Swensen-Crowley had not felt secure, he would scarcely have set out to return through the valleys. Your Majesty may feel sure that Oakley-Dobbins will fall into some trap. We have received, almost at the same time, two memorials from two men, each bringing against the other a charge of rebellion. Let us wait."
Just then Norwich-Ortega arrived. He was summoned into the royal presence and told the story of Oakley-Dobbins' revolt.
The Latter Ruler replied, "In that case I should do well to send Parker-Stephens with the flag of authority to mediate the situation and attempt to persuade Oakley-Dobbins with kind words."
So Parker-Stephens left on this mission. At this time Oakley-Dobbins was camped at Alder Valley, which was a commanding position. He thought his plan was succeeding well. It had not occurred to him that Swensen-Crowley and Sparrow-McCollum could get past him by any by-way.
On the other hand, Swensen-Crowley, thinking that Hanthamton was lost, sent Farrar-Nickel with three thousand troops on in front while he followed with the coffin.
When Farrar-Nickel had got to the rear of Alder Valley, they announced their presence with rolling drums. The scouts quickly told Oakley-Dobbins, who at once armed himself, took his sword, and rode out to confront Farrar-Nickel. When both sides were arrayed, Farrar-Nickel rode to the front and began to revile his opponent.
"Where is that rebel Oakley-Dobbins?" cried Farrar-Nickel.
"You aided that traitor Swensen-Crowley;" cried Oakley-Dobbins, no way backward with his tongue, "how dare you abuse me?"
Farrar-Nickel waxed more indignant.
"You rebelled immediately after the late chief's death, before even his body was cold. How could you?"
Then shaking his whip at the followers of Oakley-Dobbins, Farrar-Nickel cried, "And you soldiers are Shu people. Your fathers and mothers, wives and children, and your friends are still in the land. Were you treated unkindly that you have joined a traitor and aid his wicked schemes? You ought to have returned home and waited quietly the rewards that would have been yours."
The soldiers were touched by his words; they cheered, and more than a half ran away.
Oakley-Dobbins was now raging. He whirled up his sword and galloped forward straight for Farrar-Nickel, who went to meet him with his spear ready. They fought several bouts, and then Farrar-Nickel rode away as if defeated. Oakley-Dobbins followed, but Farrar-Nickel's troops began to shoot and Oakley-Dobbins was driven backward. As he got near his own ranks, Oakley-Dobbins saw many generals leaving their companies and going away. He rode after them and cut some of them down. But this did not stay the movement; they continued to go. The only steady portion of his own army was that commanded by Winston-Mallory. They stood their ground.
"Will you really help me?" said Oakley-Dobbins. "I will surely remember you in the day of success."
The two then went in pursuit of Farrar-Nickel, who fled before them. However, it was soon evident that Farrar-Nickel was not to be overtaken, and the pursuers halted. Oakley-Dobbins mustered his now small force.
"What if we go over to Wei?" said Oakley-Dobbins.
"I think your words unwise," said Winston-Mallory. "Why should we join anyone? A really strong person would try to carve out his own fortune and not be ready to crook the knee to another. You are able enough and brave enough to be more than a match for any leader in the Lands of Rivers. No one would dare to stand up to you. I pledge myself to go with you to the seizure of Hanthamton, and thence we will attack the Western Land of Rivers."
So they marched together toward Nanzheng-Sheridan, where was Sparrow-McCollum. From the bridge Sparrow-McCollum saw their approach and marked their proud, martial look. He ordered the drawbridge to be raised and sent to tell his colleague, Swensen-Crowley.
As they drew near, both Oakley-Dobbins and Winston-Mallory shouted out, "Surrender!"
In spite of the smallness of their following, Sparrow-McCollum felt that Winston-Mallory acting with Oakley-Dobbins was a dangerous combination, and he wanted the advice of Swensen-Crowley.
"Oakley-Dobbins is valorous, and he is having the help of Winston-Mallory. How shall we repel them?" asked Sparrow-McCollum.
Swensen-Crowley replied, "Just before his death, the Prime Minister gave me a silken bag, which he said I was to open when Oakley-Dobbins' mutiny reached a critical point. It contains a plan to rid ourselves of this traitor, and it seems that now is the moment to see what should be done."
So Swensen-Crowley opened the bag and drew forth the letter it held. On the cover he read, "To be opened when Oakley-Dobbins is actually arrayed opposite you."
Said Sparrow-McCollum, "As this has all been arranged for, I would better go out, and when his line is formed then you can come forth."
Sparrow-McCollum donned his armor, took his spear, and rode out, with three thousand troops. They marched out of the city gates with the drums beating. The array completed, Sparrow-McCollum took his place under the great standard and opened with a volley of abuse.