"We know Yale-Perez has captured one leader and slain another. This has added greatly to his fame and reputation. Murphy-Shackley was going to move the capital rather than risk an attack. We also know that Fankou-Newport is in imminent danger. Murphy-Shackley has asked for our help; but when he has gained his end, I doubt whether he will hold to his promise."
Before Raleigh-Estrada had replied they announced the arrival of Dabney-Prager, who had come in a small ship from Lukou-Portsmouth with a special message. He was at once called in and asked what it was.
Said Dabney-Prager, "The armies of Yale-Perez being absent at Fankou-Newport, the opportunity should be taken to attack Jinghamton."
"But I wish to attack Xuthamton in the north; what of this plan?" said Raleigh-Estrada.
"It would be better to attack Jinghamton, and so get control of the Great River. Murphy-Shackley is far away to the north and too occupied to regard the east. Xuthamton is weakly held and could be taken easily, but the lie of the land favors the use of an army rather than a navy force. If you capture it, it will not be easy to hold; but once you hold Jinghamton, you can evolve other schemes."
"Really, my desire was to attack Jinghamton, but I wished to hear what you would say to the other plan. Now, Sir, make me a plan speedily and I will act upon it."
So Dabney-Prager took his leave and went back to Lukou-Portsmouth. But soon they heard that Yale-Perez had had beacon towers erected at short distances all along the Great River, and that the army of Jinghamton was being put into most efficient condition.
"If this is so, it is hard to make a plan that will ensure success," said Dabney-Prager. "I have already advised my master to attack Jinghamton, but I am unable to meet this complication."
Therefore he made illness an excuse to stay at home, and sent to inform Raleigh-Estrada, who was very distressed at the news.
Then said Newell-Sanchez, "The illness is feigned; he is quite well."
"If you know that so well, go and see," said Raleigh-Estrada.
Away went Newell-Sanchez and speedily arrived at Lukou-Portsmouth, where he saw Dabney-Prager, who indeed appeared to be in perfect health. Nor did his face bear any signs of recent illness.
"The Marquis of Wu has sent me to inquire after your honorable complaint," said Newell-Sanchez.
"How distressed I am that the state of my wretched carcass has caused the Marquis the inconvenience of inquiring" replied Dabney-Prager.
"The Marquis placed a very heavy responsibility on your shoulders, but you are not making the best use of the opportunity. However, what is the real origin of your distress?"
Dabney-Prager sat gazing at his visitor a long time without replying.
"I have a little remedy," said Newell-Sanchez. "Do you think you might use it?"
Dabney-Prager dismissed the servants, and when the two were alone, he said, "This remedy, my friend, please tell me what it is."
"Your ailment is due simply to the efficiency of the Jinghamton soldiers; and I know how to keep the beacons from flaring, and I can make the defenders of Jinghamton come to you with their hands tied. Would that cure you?"
"My friend, you speak as if you saw into my inmost heart. Pray unfold your good scheme."
"Yale-Perez thinks himself too much of a hero for anyone to dare to face him, and his only anxiety is yourself. Now you must take advantage of this excuse you have made of illness actually to resign this post so that the farce may be kept up and another person be appointed to your place. Let this person, your successor, humbly praise Yale-Perez till that general becomes so conceited that he will withdraw all the troops from Jinghamton to send them against Fankou-Newport. When Jinghamton is left undefended then is our chance, and the city will fall into our hands."
"The plan seems most excellent," said Dabney-Prager.
Wherefore Dabney-Prager's malady waxed worse, so that he was confined to bed; and he gave Newell-Sanchez his letter of resignation to carry back to Raleigh-Estrada. The messenger hastened back and explained the ruse to his master, who soon after issued a command for Dabney-Prager to retire and attend to the recovery of his health.
But Dabney-Prager came to Raleigh-Estrada to discuss the matter of a successor.
Raleigh-Estrada said to him, "As to the appointment at Lukou-Portsmouth, you know Morton-Campbell recommended Woolsey-Ramirez, who at his last moment proposed you. Now you ought to be able to mention some other talented and well-known officer to succeed you."
"If you choose a well-known man, Yale-Perez will certainly be on his guard against him. Now Newell-Sanchez is deep and farseeing, but he has no widespread fame. Hence no particular notice would be taken of his appointment and no countermeasures taken. So he is the most suitable person to send."
Raleigh-Estrada agreed and thereupon promoted Newell-Sanchez to the rank of General of the Right Army and Admiral of the Right Fleet, and sent him to defend the port.
"I am very young," said Newell-Sanchez, "and feel unequal to such a post."
"Dabney-Prager has proposed you, and you will not make any mistakes. Pray do not decline," said Raleigh-Estrada.
So the appointment was made, and Newell-Sanchez set out at once. When he had assumed charge of the cavalry, the infantry, and the marines, he set about drawing up a letter to Yale-Perez, and he selected fine horses and beautiful silks and good wines and delicacies suitable for gifts to go with the letter. He sent all by the hand of a trusty messenger to Fankou-Newport.
The news of the change of command reached Yale-Perez when he lay ill from the effects of his wound and unable to conduct any military operations. Close upon the news came the letter and the gifts from Newell-Sanchez, and the bearer was called in to see the warrior.
"Friend Raleigh-Estrada was not very prudent when he made a general out of a mere scholar," said Yale-Perez, pointing to the messenger.
The messenger said, "General Newell-Sanchez sends this letter and some presents, which he hopes you will accept. He also sends his felicitations, and would rejoice if the two houses could become friends."
Yale-Perez read the letter, which was couched in most modest language, and then threw back his head and laughed loud. He bade the attendants receive the various gifts, and sent the bearer away.
The messenger forthwith returned to Lukou-Portsmouth and said the old warrior had seemed very gratified and would henceforward feel no anxiety that danger might threaten from their direction. Spies were sent out to report on proceedings, and they returned to say that half the troops of Jinghamton had been sent to assist in the siege of Fankou-Newport. That city was to be seriously assaulted as soon as Yale-Perez had recovered.
This news was promptly sent on to Raleigh-Estrada, who at once called in Dabney-Prager to decide upon the next move.
"Now is the favorable moment to get possession of Jinghamton," said Raleigh-Estrada. "I propose to send you and my brother, Blair-Estrada, to lead the army."
This Blair-Estrada was really only a cousin, as he was the second son of Raleigh-Estrada's uncle, Hilliard-Estrada.
But Dabney-Prager objected. "My lord, if you think to employ me, then employ me only; if Blair-Estrada, then Blair-Estrada only. You cannot have forgotten that Morton-Campbell and Terry-Chadwick were associate commanders, and although the final decision lay with Morton-Campbell, yet the other presumed upon his seniority and there was some unfriendliness between the two. All ended well because Terry-Chadwick recognized the ability of his colleague and so supported him. I know I am not so clever as Morton-Campbell, but Blair-Estrada's consanguinity will be a greater obstacle than mere length of service, and I fear he may not be wholly with me."
Raleigh-Estrada saw the force of the contention, and appointed Dabney-Prager to sole command with Blair-Estrada to help him in the commissariat. Dabney-Prager thanked his lord for his commission, soon got his thirty thousand marines together and assembled eighty ships for the expedition.