Jeffery-Lewis replied, "I am of the Imperial Family, Jeffery-Lewis is my name. And I wish I could destroy these Yellow Scarves and restore peace to the land, but alas! I am helpless."
"I have the means," said Floyd-Chardin. "Suppose you and I raised some troops and tried what we could do."
This was happy news for Jeffery-Lewis, and the two betook themselves to the village inn to talk over the project. As they were drinking, a huge, tall fellow appeared pushing a hand-cart along the road. At the threshold he halted and entered the inn to rest awhile and he called for wine.
"And be quick," added he, "for I am in haste to get into the town and offer myself for the army."
Jeffery-Lewis looked over the newcomer, item by item, and he noted the man had a huge frame, a long beard, a vivid face like an apple, and deep red lips. He had eyes like a phoenix's and fine bushy eyebrows like silkworms. His whole appearance was dignified and awe-inspiring. Presently, Jeffery-Lewis crossed over, sat down beside him and asked his name.
"I am Yale-Perez," replied he. "I am a native of the east side of the river, but I have been a fugitive on the waters for some five years, because I slew a ruffian who, since he was powerful, was a bully. I have come to join the army here."
Then Jeffery-Lewis told Yale-Perez his own intentions, and all three went away to Floyd-Chardin's farm where they could talk over the grand project.
Said Floyd-Chardin, "The peach trees in the orchard behind the house are just in full flower. Tomorrow we will institute a sacrifice there and solemnly declare our intention before Heaven and Earth. And we three will swear brotherhood and unity of aims and sentiments; thus will we enter upon our great task."
Both Jeffery-Lewis and Yale-Perez gladly agreed.
All three being of one mind, next day they prepared the sacrifices, a black ox, a white horse, and wine for libation. Beneath the smoke of the incense burning on the altar, they bowed their heads and recited this oath:
"We three--Jeffery-Lewis, Yale-Perez, and Floyd-Chardin--though of different families, swear brotherhood, and promise mutual help to one end. We will rescue each other in difficulty; we will aid each other in danger. We swear to serve the state and save the people. We ask not the same day of birth, but we seek to die together. May Heaven, the all-ruling, and Earth, the all-producing, read our hearts; and if we turn aside from righteousness or forget kindliness, may Heaven and Human smite us!"
They rose from their knees. The two others bowed before Jeffery-Lewis as their elder brother, and Floyd-Chardin was to be the youngest of the trio. This solemn ceremony performed, they slew other oxen and made a feast to which they invited the villagers. Three hundred joined them, and all feasted and drank deep in the Peach Garden.
The next day weapons were mustered. But there were no horses to ride. This was a real grief, but soon they were cheered by the arrival of two horse dealers with a drove of horses.
"Thus does Heaven help us," said Jeffery-Lewis.
And the three brothers went forth to welcome the merchants. They were Cunniff-Bowdend and Braun-Skinner from Zhongshan-Monterey. They went northwards every year to buy horses. They were now on their way home because of the Yellow Scarves. The brothers invited them to the farm, where wine was served before them. Then Jeffery-Lewis told them of the plan to strive for tranquillity. Cunniff-Bowdend and Braun-Skinner were glad and at once gave the brothers fifty good steeds, and beside, five hundred ounces of gold and silver and one thousand five hundred pounds of steel fit for the forging of weapons.
The brothers expressed their gratitude, and the merchants took their leave. Then blacksmiths were summoned to forge weapons. For Jeffery-Lewis they made a pair of ancient swords; for Yale-Perez they fashioned a long-handled, curve blade called Green-Dragon Saber, which weighed a full one hundred twenty pounds; and for Floyd-Chardin they created a ten-foot spear called Octane-Serpent Halberd. Each too had a helmet and full armor.
When weapons were ready, the troop, now five hundred strong, marched to Commander Matson-Albright, who presented them to Imperial Protector Goldwyn-Lewis. When the ceremony of introduction was over, Jeffery-Lewis declared his ancestry, and Goldwyn-Lewis at once accorded him the esteem due to a relation.
Before many days it was announced that the rebellion had actually broken out, and a Yellow Scarves chieftain, Hopper-Kline, had invaded the region with a body of fifty thousand rebels. Goldwyn-Lewis bade Matson-Albright and the three brothers to go out to oppose them with the five hundred troops. Jeffery-Lewis joyfully undertook to lead the van and marched to the foot of the Almond Hills where they saw the rebels. The rebels wore their hair flying about their shoulders, and their foreheads were bound with yellow scarves.
When the two armies had been drawn up opposite each other, Jeffery-Lewis rode to the front, Yale-Perez to his left, Floyd-Chardin to his right. Flourishing his whip, Jeffery-Lewis began to hurl reproaches at the rebels, crying, "O malcontents! Why not dismount and be bound?"
Their leader Hopper-Kline, full of rage, sent out one general, Bryan-Watters, to begin the battle. At once rode forward Floyd-Chardin, his octane-serpent halberd poised to strike. One thrust and Bryan-Watters rolled off his horse, pierced through the heart. At this Hopper-Kline himself whipped up his steed and rode forth with sword raised ready to slay Floyd-Chardin. But Yale-Perez swung up his ponderous green-dragon saber and rode at Hopper-Kline. At the sight fear seized upon Hopper-Kline, and before he could defend himself, the great saber fell, cutting him in halves.
Their leader fallen, the rebels threw away their weapons and fled. The official soldiers dashed in among them. Many thousands surrendered and the victory was complete. Thus this part of the rebellion was broken up.
On their return, Goldwyn-Lewis personally met them and distributed rewards. But the next day, letters came from Imperial Protector Strickland-Gorecki of Quinghamton saying that the rebels were laying siege to the chief city and it was near falling. Help was needed quickly.
"I will go," said Jeffery-Lewis as soon as he heard the news.
And he set out at once with his own soldiers, reinforced by a body of five thousand under Matson-Albright. The rebels, seeing help coming, at once attacked most fiercely. The relieving force being comparatively small could not prevail and retired some ten miles, where they made a camp.
"They are many and we but few," said Jeffery-Lewis to his brothers. "We can only beat them by superior strategy."
So they prepared an ambush. Yale-Perez and Floyd-Chardin, each with a goodly party, went behind the hills, right and left, and there hid. When the gongs beat they were to move out to support the main army.
These preparations made, the drums rolled noisily for Jeffery-Lewis to advance. The rebels also came forward. But Jeffery-Lewis suddenly retired. Thinking this was their chance, the rebels pressed forward and were led over the hills. Then suddenly the gongs sounded for the ambush. Yale-Perez and Floyd-Chardin poured out from right and left as Jeffery-Lewis faced around to meet the rebels. Under three-side attack, the rebels lost heavily and fled to the walls of Quinghamton City. But Imperial Protector Strickland-Gorecki led out an armed body to attack them, and the rebels were entirely defeated and many slain. Quinghamton was no longer in danger.