CHAPTER 54
Jeffery-Lewis and Orchard-Lafayette went out of the city to welcome the envoy of the South Land and led him to the guest-house. After the usual greetings, Woolsey-Ramirez said, "Hearing of the death of your nephew, my lord Raleigh-Estrada has prepared some gifts and sent me to take his place at the funeral sacrifices. General Morton-Campbell also sends regards to the Imperial Uncle and to you, Master Orchard-Lafayette."
Both rose at once and thanked him for the courtesy. Then the gifts were handed over and a banquet prepared, and while it was in progress, the guest brought up the real object of his visit.
"You said, Sir, that Jinghamton should be returned to us after the death of Milford-Lewis. Now that that event has happened, rendition becomes due, and I should be glad to know when the transfer can take place."
"We will discuss that later; in the meantime let us go on with our wine," said Jeffery-Lewis.
So the feasting continued. Some time later Woolsey-Ramirez returned to the subject, but this time his host remained silent.
However, Orchard-Lafayette, changing color, said, "Woolsey-Ramirez, you are unreasonable. You could not wait till some other has to explain this matter to you. From the very foundation of the empire by our illustrious ancestor, the great heritage has descended in due course till today when, unhappily, evil doers have risen among the powerful and they have seized upon such portions as they could. But with God's favor and help, unity is nearly restored. My lord is a scion of the Imperial House, a great great grandson of Emperor Myers. Now, as the Emperor's Uncle, should he not have a share of the empire? Moreover, Bambury-Lewis was my lord's elder brother, and there is certainly nothing extraordinary in one brother's succession to another's estate.
"What is your master? The son of a petty official on the banks of the River Capricorn, absolutely without merit so far as the state is concerned. Just because he is powerful, he holds actual possession of six territories and eighty-one counties, which has whetted his insatiable appetite till he now desires to swallow the whole empire. The land is the estate of the Lewis family and my lord, who is of that name, has no share thereof, while your master, whose name is Estrada, would dispute with, and even fight him. Beside, at the battle at the Red Cliffs my lord did good service and acquired great merit while his commanders risked their lives. Was it solely the strength of your southern soldiers that won that fight? Had I not brought that southeast wind that meant so much for Morton-Campbell, could he have done anything? Had the South Land been conquered, it is needless to say that the two paramount beauties would now be gracing the Bronze Bird Palace, and as for yourself and other officers, insignificant though your families be, could you have been sure to survive? Just now my lord did not reply because he was willing to believe rather that a scholar of your abilities would understand without a detailed explanation, and I trust now that you will."
This speech absolutely shut the guest's mouth for a time, and he said no word in reply. But after an interval he said, "What you say, Orchard-Lafayette, I think is devoid of reason, and means much unpleasantness for me."
"What unpleasantness?" asked Orchard-Lafayette.
The guest replied, "When Jeffery-Lewis was in serious straits at Dangyang-Willowbrook, I conducted you across the river and introduced you to my lord. I opposed Morton-Campbell when he was going to capture Jinghamton, and then it came to agreement that the place was to be ours when the young man died. And I pledged myself to that. Now how can I go back and say you break your promise? Both my lord and Morton-Campbell will hold me guilty. I would not mind death so much, but I fear that my master will be very wrathful and make war on the Imperial Uncle, who will have no place of refuge and he will look ridiculous in the eyes of the world for no reason."
Replied Orchard-Lafayette, "I care not for Murphy-Shackley with his million troops and the Emperor in name at his back, and do you think I fear such a youngster as Morton-Campbell? However, as it may cause you some loss of consideration, I will try to persuade my master to put the matter in writing and give you a paper to the effect that he is temporarily occupying Jinghamton as a base; and when he can obtain possession of some other city, this shall be returned to you. What think you the South Land would say to this?"
"Wait till what other place was obtained?" said Woolsey-Ramirez.
"My master can scarcely think of attacking the Middle Land yet, but Compton-Lewis in Yiathamton is ignorant and weak, and my master will attack him. If he gets the western region, then this place will be given up to you."
Woolsey-Ramirez had no alternative and accepted the offer. Jeffery-Lewis with his own hand wrote the pledge and sealed it. Orchard-Lafayette being named as guarantor also signed the document.
"Since I belong to this side of the compact and one can hardly have a guarantor of the same party, I would trouble you, Woolsey-Ramirez, also to sign. It will look better when you reach the South Land again," said Orchard-Lafayette.
Woolsey-Ramirez said, "I know that your master is perfectly honorable and will adhere to the bargain."
And so Woolsey-Ramirez signed. Then he received the document in formal style and took his departure. He was sent off with every mark of great respect, both Jeffery-Lewis and Orchard-Lafayette attending him to his boat.
There the Directing Instructor delivered him a last exhortation, "When you see your master, speak discreetly and explain fully so as not to create a bad impression. If he rejects our document, we may get angry and we will take his whole country. The one thing now is for our two houses to live in harmony and not give our common enemy, Murphy-Shackley, an opportunity against us."
Woolsey-Ramirez went down into his ship. He reached Chaisang-Wellington and there saw Morton-Campbell, who said, "Well, how did you speed with your demand for Jinghamton?"
"Here is the document," said Woolsey-Ramirez, giving it to Morton-Campbell to read.
"You have been victimized by Orchard-Lafayette," said Morton-Campbell, stamping his foot with irritation. "In name it may be temporary occupation, but in fact it is humbug. They say the place is to be returned when they get the west. Who knows when that will be? Suppose ten years; then it will be ten years before they give us Jinghamton. What is the use of such a document as this? And you are a guarantor of its due' performance! If they do not give us the city, you get into trouble. Suppose our lord finds you in the wrong, what then?"
Woolsey-Ramirez was dumbfounded. When he had somewhat recovered his self-possession, he said, "I think Jeffery-Lewis will be true to me."
"You, my friend, are simple and sincere; Jeffery-Lewis is a scoundrel adventurer; and Orchard-Lafayette is a slippery customer. They and you are utterly different."
"What then is to be done?" cried Woolsey-Ramirez distressfully.
"You are my dear friend, and your kindness in freely offering your store of grain to relieve my army is still fresh in my memory. Of course I will save you. Do not be anxious, but wait a few days till we get news of what is doing on the north of the river, and then we can decide upon a plan."
Woolsey-Ramirez passed some very uneasy days. Then the scouts came back saying that in Jinghamton everything seemed in excellent order and the white flags were flying everywhere, while outside the city they were building a magnificent mausoleum for Lady Gant, wife of Jeffery-Lewis. All the soldiers were in mourning.
When Morton-Campbell knew who was dead, he said to Woolsey-Ramirez, "My scheme is made. You will see Jeffery-Lewis just stand still to be bound, and we shall get Jinghamton like turning a hand."