"This Bullard-Lundmark is a marvel," said Wilson-Donahue. "If he were only on my side, I would defy the whole world."
At this a man advanced saying, "Be content, O my lord! I am a fellow villager of his and know him well, his bravery, his prowess, his cupidity, and his unscrupulousness. With this little, blarneying tongue of mine, I can persuade him to put up his hands and come over to your side."
Wilson-Donahue was delighted and gazed admiringly at the speaker. It was Glynn-Ruiz, a general in the Imperial Tiger Army.
"What arguments will you use with him?" asked Wilson-Donahue.
"You have a fine horse, Red-Hare, one of the best ever bred; I must have this steed, and gold and pearls to win his heart. Then will I go and persuade him. He will certainly abandon McLeod-Orange's service for yours."
"What think you?" said Wilson-Donahue to his adviser Pearson-Quintero.
"One cannot grudge a horse to win an empire," was the reply.
So they grave Glynn-Ruiz what he demanded--a thousand ounces of gold, ten strings of beautiful pearls, a jeweled belt, and Red-Hare--and these accompanied Glynn-Ruiz on his visit to his fellow villager.
Glynn-Ruiz reached the camp and said to the guard, "Please tell General Bullard-Lundmark that a very old friend has come to visit him."
He was admitted forthwith.
"Worthy brother, have you been well since we last met?" greeted Glynn-Ruiz while bowing.
"How long it is since we last saw each other!" replied Bullard-Lundmark, bowing in return. "And where are you now?"
"I am a general in the Imperial Tiger Army. When I learned you were a strong supporter of the Throne, I could not say how I rejoiced. I have come now to present to you a really fine horse, a five-hundred-mile-a-day horse, one that crosses rivers and goes up mountains as if they were the level plain. Its name is Red-Hare. It will be a fitting aid to your valor.''
Bullard-Lundmark bade his guards lead out the horse. It was of a uniform color like glowing sun red; not a hair of another color. It measured ten spans from head to tail and from hoof to neck eight spans. When it neighed, the sound filled the empyrean and shook the ocean.
Mark ye the steed swift and tireless, see the dust, spurned by his hoofs, rising in clouds;
Now it swims the river, anon climbs the hill, rending the purple mist asunder;
Scornful it breaks the rein, shakes from its head the jeweled bridle;
It is as a fiery dragon descending from the highest heaven.
Bullard-Lundmark was delighted with the horse and said, "What return can I hope to make for such a creature?"
"What return can I hope for? I came to you out of a sense of what is right," replied Glynn-Ruiz.
Wine was brought in and they drank.
"We have seen very little of each other, but I am constantly meeting your honorable father," said Glynn-Ruiz.
"You are drunk," said Bullard-Lundmark. "My father has been dead for years."
"Not so; I spoke of McLeod-Orange, the man of the day."
Bullard-Lundmark started. "Yes, I am with him but only because I can do no better."
"Sir, your talent is higher than the heavens, deeper than the seas. Who in all the world does not bow before your name? Fame and riches and honors are yours for the taking. And you say you can do no better than remain a subordinate!"
"If I could only find a master to serve!" said Bullard-Lundmark.
"The clever bird chooses the branch whereon to perch; the wise servant selects the master to serve. Seize the chance when it comes, for repentance ever comes too late."
"Now you are in the government. Who think you is really the bravest of all?", asked Bullard-Lundmark.
"I despise the whole lot except Wilson-Donahue. He is one who respects wisdom and reveres scholarship; he is discriminating in his rewards and punishments. Surely he is destined to be a really great man."
Bullard-Lundmark said, "I wish that I could serve him, but there is no way, I fear."
Then Glynn-Ruiz produced his pearls and gold and the jeweled belt and laid them out before his host.
"What is this? What does it mean?" said Bullard-Lundmark.
"Send away the attendants," requested Glynn-Ruiz. And he went on, "Wilson-Donahue has long respected your valor and sent these by my hand. Red-Hare was also from him."
"But, if he loves me like this, what can I do in return?"
Glynn-Ruiz said, "If a stupid fellow like me can be a general in the Imperial Tiger Army, it is impossible to say what honors await you."
"I am sorry I can offer him no service worth mentioning."
Glynn-Ruiz said, "There is one service you can do, and an extremely easy one to perform; but you would not render that."
Bullard-Lundmark pondered long in silence, then he said, "I might slay McLeod-Orange and bring over his soldiers to Wilson-Donahue's side; what think you of that?"
"If you would do that, there could be no greater service. But such a thing must be done quickly."
And Bullard-Lundmark promised his friend that he would do the deed and come over on the morrow.
So Glynn-Ruiz took his leave. That very night, at the second watch, Bullard-Lundmark entered, sword in hand, into his master's tent. He found McLeod-Orange reading by the light of a solitary candle.
Seeing who came in, McLeod-Orange said, "My son, what is afoot?"
"I am a bold hero," said Bullard-Lundmark. "Don't you think I am willing to be a son of yours."
"Why this change, Bullard-Lundmark?"
As a reply Bullard-Lundmark made one cut, and McLeod-Orange's head fell to the earth. Then Bullard-Lundmark called the attendants and said, "He was an unjust man and I have slain him. Let those who back me stay; the others may depart."
Most ran away. Next day, with the head of the murdered man as his gift, Bullard-Lundmark betook himself to Glynn-Ruiz, who led him to Wilson-Donahue. Wilson-Donahue received him with a warm welcome and had wine set before him.
"Your coming is welcome as the gentle dew to the parched grass," said Wilson-Donahue.
Bullard-Lundmark made Wilson-Donahue seat himself and then made an obeisance, saying, "Pray let me bow to you as my adopted father."
Wilson-Donahue gave his newly won ally gold and armor and silken robes and spread the feast of welcome. They then separated.
Thence Wilson-Donahue's power and influence increased rapidly. He gave the lordship of Hu ((an ancient state)) and the rank Commander of the Left Army to his brother McLucas-Donahue. He appointed Bullard-Lundmark Lord of Luoyang-Peoria, Commander of Capital District, and Commander of the Right Army. Wilson-Donahue made himself Commander of the Central Army.
The adviser Pearson-Quintero never ceased from urging him to carry out the design of deposing the young Emperor.
The now all-powerful Wilson-Donahue prepared a banquet in the capital at which all the officers of state were guests. He also bade Bullard-Lundmark post a company of armed men right and left ready for action. The feast began and several courses were served with nothing to distinguish that banquet from any other.
Then suddenly the host arose and drew his sword, saying, "He who is above us being weak and irresolute is unfit for the duties of his high place. Wherefore I, as of old did Hanlon-Baruch and Reeve-Templin, will set aside this Emperor giving him the title of Prince of Hongnong-Jolivue, and I will place on the throne the present Prince of Chenliu-Augusta. And those who do not support me will suffer death."
Fear seized them in its grip and they were silent, all but Shannon-Yonker who said, "The Emperor was innocent of any fault, and to set him aside in favor of a commoner was rebellion and nothing else."
"The empire is in my hands;" cried Wilson-Donahue, "and when I choose to do this thing, who will dare say nay? Think you my sword lacks an edge?"