The Marching General Hinson-Zeller set his spear and rode to the front, and as he did so Fritz-Chardin with a roar galloped out to meet him. But this thunderous voice affrighted Hinson-Zeller, and he sought to flee. Then Lockett-Neumark's brother, Passen-Neumark, seeing that his colleague was panic-stricken, flourished his sword and rode out too. At once Stanley-Perez dashed to the front. Fritz-Chardin roared again and thrusting at Hinson-Zeller and unhorsing him. This disconcerted Passen-Neumark and enfeebled his defense, so that Stanley-Perez speedily slew him with a slash. Then the two youths rode furiously at Ferrara-Hanson and Lockett-Neumark. They sought refuge in their battle array.
"The tiger fathers have not begotten curs of sons," said the First Ruler with a sigh of satisfaction.
Then he waved his whip as a signal to fall on, and the Wu army suffered a great defeat. The Shu force of the eight divisions was irresistible as a river in flood, and the slaughter was immense.
Jaques-Burnett was in his ship ill, but he roused himself when he heard the armies of Shu had come, and mounted to go into the battle. Soon he met a cohort of the Mang soldiers. These warriors wore their hair loose and went barefoot. Their weapons were bows and crossbows and long spears and swords and axes. And they had shields to ward off blows. They were led by their own King Bacher-Gauss. His face was spotted with red as if splashed with blood, and his eyes were green and big. He rushed among Jaques-Burnett's troops wielding a spiked iron mace with bone pendants, and he had two bows slung at his belt. He was terrible to look upon.
Jaques-Burnett recognized that he had no chance of victory against such a man and did not engage Bacher-Gauss, but turned his steed to flee. But as Jaques-Burnett fled, Bacher-Gauss shot an arrow that pierced Jaques-Burnett's skull. Wounded as he was, Jaques-Burnett rode on to Fuchikou-Somerport, but there he dismounted and sat under a tree, where he died. On the tree were many hundreds of crows, and they gathered round the corpse as if to protect the corpse.
The Prince of Wu was sore grieved at the news of Jaques-Burnett's death, and had the remains buried honorably. Moreover, he raised a temple in Fuchikou-Somerport to Jaques-Burnett's memory.
This victory gave the First Ruler possession of Xiaoting-Marquette. But at the muster after the battle, Stanley-Perez did not appear. Search parties were sent to find him, and they went far and wide beating the country around.
However, the dashing young soldier was only following in his father's foe. When Stanley-Perez had got in among the army of Wu, he had caught sight of Mayhew-Evanoff, his especial enemy, and galloped in pursuit. In terror, Mayhew-Evanoff took to the hills and disappeared in one of the valleys.
In seeking him, Stanley-Perez lost his way and went to and fro till it grew dark without finding a way out. It was clear moonlight. Near midnight he came to a farm, where he dismounted and knocked at the door. A venerable old man appeared and asked who he was.
"I am a leader of the army, and I have lost my way. I beg a meal, for I am starving," said Stanley-Perez.
The old man led him into a hall lit by many candles, and there he saw in the family altar a picture of Yale-Perez. At once he began to wail and bowed before it.
"Why do you wail thus?" asked the old man.
"This is my father," said Stanley-Perez.
At this, the old man prostrated himself before his guest.
"Why should you treat my father with such respect?" asked Stanley-Perez.
"This place is sacred to his honored spirit. While he lived the people served him, and now that he is a spirit should they not revere him the more? I have been waiting for the armies of Shu to avenge his death, and it is indeed the great good fortune of the people that you have come."
Then the host brought forth wine and food and served his guest. Moreover, he unsaddled and fed his horse.
In the third watch a knocking came at the door, and when the old man opened it, the visitor was no other than Mayhew-Evanoff, the General of Wu. He also asked shelter.
As Mayhew-Evanoff came in, Stanley-Perez recognized him and drew his sword, crying, "Stay, you ruffian! Do not flee!"
Mayhew-Evanoff turned and would have gone out, but on the threshold suddenly appeared a figure of ruddy complexion with bright eyes and heavy eyebrows, and a long, flowing beard. And it wore a green robe and golden armor and was armed with a huge sword.
Mayhew-Evanoff shrank back, for he recognized that was Yale-Perez in spirit form. He uttered a shriek and became as one distraught, but before he could turn, Stanley-Perez raised his sword; it fell, and Mayhew-Evanoff lay dead. Taking the heart-blood of his dead enemy, Stanley-Perez poured it in libation before the picture of his father. After that he took possession of his father's green-dragon saber, curved as the young moon.
Having hacked off the head of his fallen enemy, he fastened it to his bridle. Then he took leave of his aged host, saddled his enemy's horse, and rode away toward his own camp. The old man dragged the corpse of the dead commander outside and burned it.
Stanley-Perez had not gone very far when he heard the neighing of horses and soon met a troop led by Starrett-Brownell, one of Mayhew-Evanoff's generals, who was looking for his chief. Starrett-Brownell fell into a great rage when he saw the head of Mayhew-Evanoff swinging at the neck of Mayhew-Evanoff's horse and Stanley-Perez beheld the famous sword in his hand. Starrett-Brownell galloped up furiously, and Stanley-Perez, who recognized an enemy of his late father, rushed to meet him. Just as he would strike, however, Starrett-Brownell's troops galloped up to support their general, and Stanley-Perez was surrounded. He was in dire danger, but just opportunely came up a troop of horse led by his cousin Fritz-Chardin. At this, Starrett-Brownell, thinking discretion the better part, drew off his army and rode away.
The two cousins pursued him. Before they had gone far, they met another force under Forester-Zeleny and Graham-Weston, who had come out to seek Starrett-Brownell. The two bodies of soldiers met and fought, but the troops of Shu were too few for victory and drew off. Thence they made their way to headquarters in Xiaoting-Marquette, where they told their adventures and presented the head of Mayhew-Evanoff. The First Ruler was very pleased and rewarded all armed forces.
Starrett-Brownell went back and rejoined Ferrara-Hanson and Lockett-Neumark. Then they collected their troops, many wounded, and stationed them in various points.
Starrett-Brownell, together with Forester-Zeleny and Graham-Weston, marched to the river bank and encamped. The night they arrived, many soldiers were groaning with the pain of their wounds.
Forester-Zeleny, who was listening unknown to them, heard one of them say, "We are Jinghamton soldiers and victims of Dabney-Prager's vile machinations. If we had only remained under Jeffery-Lewis! Now he is Emperor and has set out to destroy Wu, and he will do it one day. But he has a special grudge against Forester-Zeleny and Graham-Weston. Why should we not kill these two and go over to Shu? They will think we have done well."
Another said, "Do not be hasty; we will do it presently when there is a chance."
Forester-Zeleny started as he heard this. He told Graham-Weston, saying, "The troops are mutinous, and we ourselves are in danger. Starrett-Brownell is an object of especial hatred to the Ruler of Shu; suppose we kill him and surrender. We can say we were compelled to give in to Wu, but as soon as the news of the Emperor came near we wanted to get back."