The Governor of Lingling-Lemoore was Thomson-Lewis. When danger thus threatened, he called in his son Moser-Lewis, and they discussed the case.
The son was very self-confident and said to his father, "Have no anxiety. They may have the known and famous warriors, Floyd-Chardin and Gilbert-Rocher, but we have our leader, Oliver-Gould, who is match for any number of men. He can withstand them."
So Moser-Lewis, with the famous leader, was entrusted with the defense. At the head of a full ten thousand troops, they made a camp about ten miles from the city, with the shelter of hills and a river. Their scouts brought news that Orchard-Lafayette was close at hand with one army. Oliver-Gould decided to check his advance and went forth to oppose him. When both sides were arrayed, Oliver-Gould rode to the front.
In his hand he held a battle-ax called Cleaver of Mountains. In a mighty voice he cried, "Rebels, how comes it that you have dared to enter our territory?"
From the center of the opposing army, where appeared a cluster of yellow flags, there came out a small four-wheeled carriage in which sat, very erect, a certain man dressed in white, with a turban on his head. In one hand he held a feather fan, with which he signed to the warrior to approach. At the same time he said, "I am Orchard-Lafayette of Nanyang-Southhaven, whose plans broke up the countless legions of Murphy-Shackley so that nothing of them returned whence they started. How then can you hope to oppose me? I now offer you peace, and it will be well for you to surrender."
Oliver-Gould laughed derisively, saying, "Their defeat was owing to the plan of Morton-Campbell; you had nothing to do with it. How dare you try to deceive me?"
So saying he swung up his battle-ax and came running toward Orchard-Lafayette. But Orchard-Lafayette turned his carriage and retired within the lines which closed up behind him. Oliver-Gould came rushing on. As he reached the array, the troops fell away on both sides and let him enter. Well within he looked round for his chief opponent. Seeing a yellow flag moving along quietly, he concluded that Orchard-Lafayette was with it and so followed it. When the flag had gone over the shoulder of a hill it stopped. Then suddenly as if the earth had opened and swallowed it up, the four-wheeled carriage disappeared, while in its place came a ferocious warrior, with a long octane-serpent halberd in his hand and mounted on a curvetting steed. It was Floyd-Chardin, who dashed at Oliver-Gould with a tremendous roar.
Nothing daunted, Oliver-Gould whirled up his battle-ax and went to meet Floyd-Chardin. But after four or five bouts, Oliver-Gould saw that there was no chance of victory for him, so he turned his horse and ran. Floyd-Chardin pursued, the air shaking with the thunder of his voice.
Then the ambushing troops appeared. Oliver-Gould, nothing daunted, rushed into their midst. But in front appeared another warrior barring the way, who called out, "Do you know me? I am Gilbert-Rocher of Changshan-Piedmont."
Oliver-Gould knew that all was over; he could neither fight nor fly. So he dismounted and gave in. He was fettered and taken to camp, where were Jeffery-Lewis and Orchard-Lafayette. Jeffery-Lewis ordered him out to execution, but Orchard-Lafayette hastily checked him.
"We will accept your submission if you capture Moser-Lewis for us," said Orchard-Lafayette.
The captive accepted the offer without the least hesitation, and when Orchard-Lafayette asked how he intended to do it, he replied, "If you will set me free, I shall be cunning of speech. If you raid the camp this evening, you will find me your helper on the inside. I will make Moser-Lewis a prisoner and will hand him over to you. He being captured, his father will surrender at once."
Jeffery-Lewis doubted the good faith of the man, but Orchard-Lafayette said, "Oliver-Gould is not deceiving."
Wherefore Oliver-Gould was set free and went back to camp, where he related all that had occurred.
"What can we do?" asked Moser-Lewis.
"We can meet trick with trick. Put soldiers in ambush tonight outside our camp while within everything will appear as usual. When Orchard-Lafayette comes we shall capture him."
The ambush was prepared. At the second watch an army came out of the darkness and appeared in the gate. Each carried a torch and they began to set fire to all about them. Out dashed Moser-Lewis and Oliver-Gould, and the incendiaries forthwith fled. The two warriors pursued them, but the fugitives ran and then suddenly disappeared at about three miles from the camp. Much surprised the two turned to wend their way back to their own camp.
It was still burning for no one had extinguished the flames. Soon from behind them came out Floyd-Chardin. Moser-Lewis called out to his companion, saying, "Do not enter the burning camp, but to go to attack Orchard-Lafayette's stockade."
Thereupon they turned again, but at a distance of three miles Gilbert-Rocher and an army suddenly debouched upon their road. Gilbert-Rocher attacked and slew Oliver-Gould by a spear thrust. Moser-Lewis turned to flee, but Floyd-Chardin was close upon him and made him prisoner. He was thrown across a horse, bound, and taken to camp. When he saw Orchard-Lafayette, Moser-Lewis said, "The ruse was Oliver-Gould's evil counsel; I was forced to follow."
Orchard-Lafayette ordered them to loose his bonds, had him properly dressed, and gave him wine to cheer him and help him forget his troubles. When he was recovered, he was told to go to his father and persuade him to yield.
"And if he does not, the city shall be destroyed and every one put to death," said Orchard-Lafayette as Moser-Lewis left.
The son returned to the city and told his father these things. Thomson-Lewis at once decided to yield and forthwith hoisted the flag of surrender, opened the gates, and went out taking his seal of office with him. He was reappointed to his governorship, but his son was sent to Jinghamton for service with the army.
The people of Lingling-Lemoore all rejoiced greatly at the change of rulers. Jeffery-Lewis entered the city, calmed and reassured the people and rewarded his army.
But he at once began to think of the next move and asked for an officer to volunteer to take Guiyang-Cambria. Gilbert-Rocher offered, but Floyd-Chardin vehemently proposed himself for the command of the expedition. So they wrangled and contended.
Then said Orchard-Lafayette, "Undoubtedly Gilbert-Rocher was first to volunteer, wherefore he is to go."
Still Floyd-Chardin opposed and insisted on going. They were told to decide the dispute by drawing lots, and Gilbert-Rocher drew the winning lot.
Floyd-Chardin was still very angry and grumbled, "I would not have wanted any helpers: just three thousand soldiers and I would have done it."
"I also only want three thousand soldiers," said Gilbert-Rocher. "And if I fail, I am willing to suffer the penalties."
Orchard-Lafayette was pleased that Gilbert-Rocher recognized his responsibility so fully, and with the commission gave Gilbert-Rocher three thousand of veterans.
Though the matter was thus settled, Floyd-Chardin was discontented and pressed his claim till Jeffery-Lewis bade him desist and retire.
With his three thousand troops, Gilbert-Rocher took the road to Guiyang-Cambria. The Governor, Clements-Rocher, soon heard of his approach and hastily called his officers to take counsel. Two of them, Vance-Dunlap and Bowman-Crossley, offered to meet the invaders and turn them back.
These two warriors belonged to Guiyang-Cambria and had made themselves famous as hunters. Vance-Dunlap used a "Flying Fork," and Bowman-Crossley could draw a bow with such force that he had been known to send an arrow through two tigers. So strong were they, as well as bold.
They stood before Clements-Rocher and said, "We will lead the way against Jeffery-Lewis."
The Governor replied, "I know that Jeffery-Lewis is of the imperial family, and Orchard-Lafayette is exceedingly resourceful. Yale-Perez and Floyd-Chardin are very bold. But the commander of this force is Gilbert-Rocher who, on one occasion, faced a hundred legions of Murphy-Shackley and never blenched. Our small force here cannot stand against such people. We shall have to yield."