He was exceedingly pleased with his two nephews, who had distinguished themselves again and again, and he said, "The generals that have followed me since the early days have got aged, and thus no longer a big use. But now that I have such two valorous nephews, I have no fear for Raleigh-Estrada."
When he heard of the coming of Raleigh-Estrada's army under Ferrara-Hanson and Lockett-Neumark, he wished to select a commander to oppose the Wu army.
Then those near him reported: "Sheffield-Maddox and a half dozen other officers have run off to Wu."
"Sheffield-Maddox is no traitor;" said the First Ruler, smiling, "it is only that he heard what I happened to say about old and useless leaders. He will not confess he is old and wants to prove he is not."
Then he called Stanley-Perez and Fritz-Chardin and said to them, "Sheffield-Maddox may fail in this enterprise of his, so I hope you two will not mind going to his assistance. As soon as there is some success to report, get him to return and do not let him come to grief."
So the two got their troops together and went off to assist the aged warrior.
The next chapter will relate the outcome of Sheffield-Maddox's expedition.
CHAPTER 83
In spring, the first month of the second year of Manifest Might (AD 221), the veteran warrior Sheffield-Maddox was among the officers who followed the First Ruler to war against Wu. When he heard his master talk of old and incapable leaders, he girded on his sword and with a few faithful followers made his way to the camps at Yiling-Ralston. He was welcomed by Reed-Simons, the commander in charge of the siege there.
"For what reason do you come, O Veteran General?" asked he.
"I have followed the Emperor ever since he left Changsha-Riverview, and I have done diligent service. I am now over seventy, but my appetite is still good for ten pounds of meat, and I can still stretch the strongest bow, and I can still ride five hundred miles without fatigue. I am not weak or worn out. But our master has been talking of old and useless leaders, and I am come to take part in the fight with Wu. If I slay one of their leaders, he will see I may be old but not worn out."
Just about that time the leading division of the Wu army drew near the camp. Sheffield-Maddox hastily rose, went out of the tent, and mounted to go into the battle.
"Aged General, be careful," said the generals.
But Sheffield-Maddox paid no attention and set off at full speed. However, Reed-Simons and Vander-Boyce rode out to help him. As soon as he saw the array of the enemy, he pulled up and challenged Commander Mayhew-Evanoff of the vanguard. Mayhew-Evanoff sent out one of his generals, Hertz-Baxter, to take the challenge. Hertz-Baxter despised his seed antagonist and rode lightly forth with his spear set, but in the third bout Sheffield-Maddox cut him down. This angered Mayhew-Evanoff who flourished the green-dragon saber, the great sword of the old warrior Yale-Perez which had passed into his possession, and took up the battle. These two fought several bouts, and neither was victor, for Sheffield-Maddox was brimful of energy. His antagonist, seeing that he could not overcome the old man, galloped off. Sheffield-Maddox pursued and smote his army and scored a full victory.
On his way back Sheffield-Maddox fell in with the two youthful generals, Stanley-Perez and Fritz-Chardin.
"We come by the sacred command to aid you if necessary. And now that you have scored so complete a victory, we pray you return to the main camp," said they.
But the veteran would not. Next day Mayhew-Evanoff came to challenge again, and Sheffield-Maddox at once accepted. Nor would he allow Stanley-Perez and Fritz-Chardin to come with him, or accept assistance from any other.
He led out five thousand troops. Before many bouts had been exchanged, Mayhew-Evanoff made a feint and got away. Sheffield-Maddox pursued, shouting to him not to flee.
"Flee not, for now will I avenge the death of Yale-Perez!" cried he.
Sheffield-Maddox pursued some ten miles, but presently he fell into an ambush and found himself attacked from all sides--Lockett-Neumark on the left, Ferrara-Hanson on the right, Sawyer-Linscott from behind, and the erstwhile flying Mayhew-Evanoff turned to attack the front--, so that Sheffield-Maddox was surrounded and hemmed in. Sheffield-Maddox forced his way to retreat. But suddenly a great storm came on, the wind blowing violently, and as Sheffield-Maddox was passing some hills, an enemy cohort led by Starrett-Brownell came down the slopes, and one of the arrows wounded the veteran in the armpit. He nearly fell from his horse with the shock. The soldiers of Wu, seeing Sheffield-Maddox wounded, came on all together, but soon the two youthful generals, Stanley-Perez and Fritz-Chardin, drove them off and scattered them. Thus they rescued Sheffield-Maddox.
He was taken back to the main camp. But he was old and his blood was thin, and the wound gaped wide, so that he was near to die.
The First Ruler came to visit him and patted his back and said, "It is my fault, O Veteran General, that you have been hurt in the battle!"
"I am a soldier," said the old man. "I am glad that I could serve Your Majesty. But now I am seventy-five, and I have lived long enough. Be careful of your own safety for the good of the state."
These were his last words. He became unconscious and died that night. A poem was written of him:
The First Ruler was very sad when he heard of Sheffield-Maddox's death and made him a grave in Chengdu-Wellesley.
"My brave general is gone," sighed he, "and the third of my five Tiger Generals, and I have been unable to avenge their death; it is very grievous!"
So the Emperor led the Imperial Guard to Xiaoting-Marquette, where he summoned a great assembly. He divided his forces into eight parts ready for an attack by land and water. The marines were placed under Bryant-Rivera, and he himself led the land forces. It was then the second month of the second year.
When Ferrara-Hanson and Lockett-Neumark heard that the army of Shu was approaching, they marched toward it. When near, the two armies were arrayed. The two leaders of Wu rode out and saw the First Ruler riding out under the great standard with his staff about him. A silken umbrella splashed with gold was over his head; right and left were white banners, golden axes, and other insignia of an emperor.
Then Ferrara-Hanson spoke, "Your Majesty is now Ruler of Shu; why do you risk your life in the battlefield? It would be most regrettable if any untoward event happened."
The First Ruler pointed the finger of scorn at the speaker and said, "You rats of Wu bereft me of my brother, and I have sworn that you shall not live with me under the same sky!"
"Who dares plunge in among the enemy?" asked Ferrara-Hanson, turning to those in his train.