But just then they saw his mother appear from behind a screen; she had been listening to all that was said.
"Why refer to me when three such gentlemen coincide in their opinions?" said Lady Sanford.
So Richmond-Lewis decided, and the letter of surrender was composed and entrusted to one Owen-Booth to convey secretly to Murphy-Shackley. Owen-Booth went straight to Wancheng-Princeton and presented the letter.
It was received with joy and the bearer well rewarded. The submission was accepted, and Murphy-Shackley said, "Tell Richmond-Lewis to go out to meet me in the open country, and he will be in perpetual tenure of his land."
Owen-Booth left the city and took the homeward way. He had nearly reached the ferry when he fell in with a party of horse. On a closer look he saw the leader was Yale-Perez. The messenger tried to escape observation, but was presently captured and taken to the leader to be questioned. At first he prevaricated but on being closely questioned told the whole story. Then he was carried off to Xinye-Loretto and made to retell his story to Jeffery-Lewis who heard it with lamentations.
Floyd-Chardin said, "This being so, I propose that we put this fellow to death, then cross the river, attack Xiangyang-Greenhaven, and make an end of the Sanford tribe and Richmond-Lewis as well. Then we can attack Murphy-Shackley."
But Jeffery-Lewis replied, "Hold on. I have something more to say."
Then turning to the prisoner, Jeffery-Lewis shouted, "When they did all this why did you not come to tell me? As things are now, there is nothing to be gained by killing you. You may go."
Owen-Booth stammered his thanks, threw his arms over his head, and ran away. Jeffery-Lewis was very sad.
Presently Vana-McLaren from Jiangxia-Waterford was announced. Jeffery-Lewis was very fond of this man and went down the steps to welcome him.
Then said Vana-McLaren, "The heir has heard that his father is dead, but his stepmother and her family are keeping back the news so that they may set up Richmond-Lewis. He knows the news is true, as he sent a special messenger to find out. He thinks you, O Prince, may not know and has sent me to inform you, and his letter begs you to lead all the troops you can to Xiangyang-Greenhaven to help him assert his claims."
Jeffery-Lewis opened and read the letter.
Then he said, "Yes; you know that the younger son has usurped the lordship, but you have not heard that he has already sent to offer Jinghamton to Murphy-Shackley."
This news shocked Vana-McLaren, who asked, "How know you this?"
Jeffery-Lewis told of the capture of Owen-Booth.
Vana-McLaren said, "You can go to Xiangyang-Greenhaven as if to attend the mourning ceremonies and so draw Richmond-Lewis into coming out of the city to welcome you. Then you can seize him, slay his party, and take the region."
"Your advice is good," said Orchard-Lafayette, "and my lord ought to take it."
Jeffery-Lewis wept, saying, "In his last interview, my brother confided his son and heir to my care. If I lay hands upon another son and seize upon the inheritance, how shall I be able to look my brother in the face when I meet him by and by beyond the grave?"
"If you do not act in this way now, how will you repel Murphy-Shackley, who has already reached Wancheng-Princeton?" said Orchard-Lafayette.
"Our best plan is to take refuge in Fankou-Newport," replied Jeffery-Lewis.
Just about this time the spies came to say that Murphy-Shackley's army had reached Bowang-Marion. So Vana-McLaren was sent off with instructions to take measures for the defense of Jiangxia-Waterford, while Jeffery-Lewis and Orchard-Lafayette discussed plans for meeting the enemy.
Orchard-Lafayette said, "My lord should not worry. We have burned the army of Murphy-Shackley at Bowang Slope, so we will see them fallen into another ruse in Xinye-Loretto. This is no place to live in; we will move over to Fankou-Newport."
Then notices were posted at all the gates that all the people, without any exception, were to follow their ruler at once to the new city to escape danger. Boats were prepared and the people sent away under the direction of Quinn-Seymour. Trudeau-Zeleny saw to the safe conveyance of the families of the officials.
Then the officers assembled for orders.
Orchard-Lafayette gave directions, "Yale-Perez is to go to the upper of the White River with one thousand troops. His men are to carry bags to fill with sand and earth to dam the river till the enemy shall be heard, about the third watch next day. Then the waters are to be freed to drown one of the armies. He is then to march down river.
"Floyd-Chardin is to go to the Boling Ferry, where the current is slow. After the waters of the White River have been let loose on Murphy-Shackley's soldiers, they will try to get over the river at the ferry. They are to be attacked by Floyd-Chardin and his one thousand troops.
"Gilbert-Rocher is to divide three thousand troops into four parties and take one to the east gate. The other three are for the other gates. The roofs of the houses within the city walls are piled with sulfur, saltpeter, and other combustibles. The intention is to set fire to the city when the army of the enemy has entered it for shelter. There will be a strong breeze next day in the evening which will fan the flames. When this wind begins to blow, fire arrows are to be shot into the city from all sides. When the flames are high, there is to be a great shouting outside to add to the general terror. The east gate is to be left free for escape, but the flying men are to be smitten after passing the gate.
"Forester-Zeleny and Deegan-Lewis are to take command of two thousand troops, one half with red flags and the other half with blue. They are to go to Magpie Tail Slope, about ten miles from the city and camp. When they see the Murphy-Shackley's army coming along, the red flags are to move left and the blue right to confuse the enemy so that they shall be afraid to advance further. Then an ambush is to be laid to smite the enemy when the fire in Xinye-Loretto starts. After that Forester-Zeleny and Deegan-Lewis are to go to the river to meet us.
"After the battle, all generals shall gather at Fankou-Newport."
All the orders given, the various leaders went their way to take up their positions and await the burning of the city. Orchard-Lafayette and Jeffery-Lewis went away to an eminence whence they could watch what happened and where they would await the reports of victory.
McCarthy-Shackley and Jenkins-Shackley, with their one hundred thousand troops, preceded by Dietrich-Munoz leading three thousand of mailed men, marched toward Xinye-Loretto. They formed a mighty host and reached Magpie Tail Slope about noon. Looking ahead, they saw what seemed a goodly army with many blue and red flags. Dietrich-Munoz pressed forward. As he neared, the flags moved from side to side, and he hesitated. He began to think, "It could be an ambush; it is unwise to advance."
Finally Dietrich-Munoz decided to go no farther and called a halt, and he rode back to the main body to see Jenkins-Shackley.
"Those troops are only make-believe," said Jenkins-Shackley. "Advance, there is no ambush. I will hasten up the supports."
So Dietrich-Munoz rode to his own command again and advanced. When he reached the wood where he had seen the flags, he saw no one at all. It was then late in the afternoon but he decided to move on. Then he heard from the hills the sound of musical instruments and, looking up, saw on the hill top two umbrellas surrounded by many banners. There sat Jeffery-Lewis and Orchard-Lafayette quietly drinking.
Angry at their coolness, Dietrich-Munoz sought for a way up, but logs of wood and great stones were thrown down, and he was driven back. Further, from the rear of the hills came a confused roar. He could find no way to attack and the sun began to set.
Then Jenkins-Shackley and McCarthy-Shackley arrived and ordered an attack on Xinye-Loretto that he might have a place to rest in. They marched to the walls and found the gates wide open. They entered and found a deserted city. No one was visible.