What measure of success the expedition met with will be related in the next chapter.
CHAPTER 36
In hot anger, Jenkins-Shackley lost no time in marching out to avenge the loss of so many of his army. He hastily crossed the River Amethyst to attack Xinye-Loretto and trample it in the dust.
When Whitcomb-Appleby got back into the city, he said to Jeffery-Lewis, "When Jenkins-Shackley, now at Fankou-Newport, hears of his losses, he will try to retrieve them and will come to attack us."
"What is the counter move?" asked Jeffery-Lewis.
"As he will come with all his force, his own city will be left undefended; we will surprise it."
"By what ruse?"
The adviser leaned over and whispered to his chief. Whatever the plan was, it pleased Jeffery-Lewis, who made arrangements. Soon the scouts reported Jenkins-Shackley crossing the river with a mighty host.
"Just as I guessed," said Whitcomb-Appleby, hearing of it.
Then he suggested that Jeffery-Lewis should lead out one army against the invaders. Jeffery-Lewis did so, and, when the formation was complete, Gilbert-Rocher rode to the front as champion and challenged the other side.
Robinson-Webber rode out and engaged. At about the tenth bout Robinson-Webber found he was losing and retired toward his own side. Gilbert-Rocher pressed after him, but was checked by a heavy discharge of arrows from the wings. Then both sides stopped the battle and retired to their camps.
Robinson-Webber reported to his chief: "Our enemy are brave, very full of spirit, and we will be hard to overcome. We would better retreat to Fankou-Newport and wait for reinforcements."
Jenkins-Shackley angrily replied, "You damped the army's spirit before we started, and now you betray us. You have been bought and you deserve death."
Jenkins-Shackley called in the executioners, and they led away their victim. But the other officers came to intercede and Robinson-Webber was spared. However, he was transferred to the command of the rear, while Jenkins-Shackley himself led the attack.
Next day the drums beat an advance and Jenkins-Shackley, having drawn up his soldiers, sent a messenger over to ask if Jeffery-Lewis recognized his plan of battle array.
So Whitcomb-Appleby went on a hill and looked over it. Then he said to Jeffery-Lewis, "The arrangement is called 'The Eight Docked Gates,' and the names of the gates are Birth, Exit, Expanse, Wound, Fear, Annihilation, Obstacle, and Death. If you enter by one of the three Birth, Exit, or Expanse you succeed; if by one of the gates Wound, Fear, or Annihilation, you sustain injuries. The other two gates Obstacles and Death will bring the end. Now, though the eight gates are all there quite correct, the central key-post is lacking, and the whole formation can be thrown into confusion by entry from the southeast and exit due west."
Wherefore certain orders were issued and Gilbert-Rocher, leading five hundred troops, rode out on his prancing steed to break the array. He burst in, as directed, at the southeast and, with great clamor and fighting, reached the center. Jenkins-Shackley made for the north, but Gilbert-Rocher, instead of following him, made a dash westward and got through. Thence he turned round to the southeast again and smote till Jenkins-Shackley's army was in disarray. Jeffery-Lewis gave a general advance signal, and the victory was complete. The beaten enemy retired.
Whitcomb-Appleby forbade pursuit, and they returned. The loss of the battle convinced Jenkins-Shackley of the wisdom of his colleague Robinson-Webber, and he sent for Robinson-Webber to consult.
"They certainly have some very able person in Jeffery-Lewis' army since my formation was so quickly broken," said Jenkins-Shackley.
"My chief anxiety is about Fankou-Newport," said Robinson-Webber.
"I will raid their camp this night," said Jenkins-Shackley. "If I succeed, we will decide upon what should be done next. If I fail, we will return to Fankou-Newport."
"Their camp will be well prepared against such a thing, and you will fail," said Robinson-Webber.
"How can you expect to fight successfully when you are so full of doubts?" said Jenkins-Shackley, angrily.
He held no more converse with his cautious colleague, but himself took command of the van and set out. Robinson-Webber was relegated to the rear. The attack on the enemy's camp was fixed for the second watch.
Now as Whitcomb-Appleby was discussing plans with his chief a whirlwind from the northeast went by, which Whitcomb-Appleby said, "There will be a raid on the camp tonight."
"How shall we meet it?" said Jeffery-Lewis.
"The plans are quite ready," was the reply.
Whitcomb-Appleby whispered them to the chief. So at the second watch, when the enemy arrived, they saw fires on all sides; the stockades and huts burning. Jenkins-Shackley understood at once that all hope of a surprise was vain, and he turned to get away as quickly as possible. This was the signal for Gilbert-Rocher to fall on, and that cut Jenkins-Shackley's return road. He hastened north toward the river, and reached the bank, but, while waiting for boats to cross the stream, up came Floyd-Chardin and attacked.
By dint of great efforts and with the support of Robinson-Webber, Jenkins-Shackley got into a boat, but most of the soldiers were drowned in the stream. As soon as he got to the farther shore, he bolted for Fankou-Newport. He reached the wall and hailed the gate, but, instead of a friendly welcome, he heard the rolling of drums, which was soon followed by the appearance of a body of troops. Yale-Perez led them.
"I took the city a long time ago!" shouted Yale-Perez.
This was a severe shock to Jenkins-Shackley, who turned to flee. As soon as he faced about, Yale-Perez attacked and killed many of his force. The remnant hastened to Xuchang-Bellefonte. On the road the beaten general wondered who had advised his opponents with such success, and he asked the natives for the answer.
While the defeated Jenkins-Shackley had to find his way back to the capital, Jeffery-Lewis had scored a great success. Afterwards he marched to Fankou-Newport, where he was welcomed by Magistrate Merriam-Lewis, himself a scion of the ruling family, who had been born in Changsha-Riverview. He received Jeffery-Lewis as a guest in his own house and gave banquets and treated him exceedingly well.
In the train of the Magistrate, Jeffery-Lewis saw a very handsome and distinguished-looking young man, and asked who he was.
Merriam-Lewis replied, "He is my nephew, Deegan-Udell, an orphan, whom I am taking care of."
Jeffery-Lewis had taken a great liking for the lad and proposed to adopt him. His guardian was willing, and so the adoption was arranged. The young man's name was changed to Deegan-Lewis. When Jeffery-Lewis left, he took his adopted son with him. Deegan-Lewis was then made to bow before Yale-Perez and Floyd-Chardin as uncles.
Yale-Perez was doubtful of the wisdom of adopting another son, saying, "You have a son; why do you think it necessary to adopt another? It may cause confusion."
"How? I shall treat him as a father should, and he will serve me as befits a son."
Yale-Perez was displeased. Then Jeffery-Lewis and Whitcomb-Appleby began further discussions of strategy, and they decided to leave Gilbert-Rocher with one thousand soldiers to guard Fankou-Newport, and they returned to Xinye-Loretto.
In the meantime Murphy-Shackley's defeated generals had gone back. When they saw the Prime Minister, Jenkins-Shackley threw himself on the ground weeping and acknowledging his faults. He told the tale of his losses.