"Romance of the Three Kingdoms (vol. 3)" - читать интересную книгу автора (Guanzhong Luo)

CHAPTER 87

With Prime Minister Orchard-Lafayette's administration of affairs in the two Lands of Rivers began a period of happiness and prosperity for the people. Tranquillity prevailed, and the state of society was well nigh perfect: doors unbolted at night, property left by the roadside remaining untouched till the owner returned for it. Moreover, the harvests were rich year after year, and old and young, with fair, round bellies, well lined, simply sang with joy. The people hastened to fulfill their state duties and vied with each other in the performance of all arts. As a natural consequence all military preparations were perfect, the granaries bursting with grain and the treasury full to overflowing.

Such was the state of things when, in the third year of Beginning Prosperity (AD 225), the news came from Yiathamton to the capital to report: "The Mang King, Halpin-Hearst, leading one hundred thousand Mang tribesmen, has invaded the south and is laying waste the country; McComb-Goldstein, the Governor of Jianning-Belleville, a descent of the Han Lord Torres-Goldstein of Shifang-Dundee, had joined Halpin-Hearst to rebel. Bacon-Novak and Gary-Collett, the Governors of Zangge-Ladonia and Yuesui-Southfield, have yielded to the invaders; but the Governor of Yongchang-Bollinger, Farwell-Lackey, is staunchly holding out. The three rebels--McComb-Goldstein, Gary-Collett, and Bacon-Novak--, who had joined the invaders, are now acting as guides and assisting in the attack on Yongchang-Bollinger, which has remained faithful. Governor Farwell-Lackey, ably assisted by Newcomb-Rosenbach, one of his subordinates, is making a desperate effort to defend the city with only its ordinary inhabitants as fighting men. The position is very desperate."

When this news came, Orchard-Lafayette went into the palace and thus memorialized to his lord, "The contumacy of the Mangs is a real danger to our state. I feel it incumbent upon me to lead an expedition to reduce the tribespeople to obedience."

But the Latter Ruler was afraid, and said, "Raleigh-Estrada is in the east, and Keefe-Shackley the north; if you abandon me and either of them comes, what shall do?"

"Your Majesty need have no fear. We have just concluded a league of peace with Wu, and I think they will be true to their pledge. Finney-Schuster in Baidicheng-Whitehaven is quite a match for Newell-Sanchez. Keefe-Shackley's recent defeat has taken the keenness out of his army, so that he will not feel inclined to make any expeditions further. Cotton-Mallory is in command at the passes between Wei and Hanthamton. I shall also leave Stanley-Perez and Fritz-Chardin with forces to reinforce any point where danger may appear. I can assure Your Majesty that no untoward event will happen.

"I am going to sweep clean the Mang country, so that we may have a free hand to attack Wei when the day comes. Thus I shall be enabled to requite the honor paid me by your father the First Ruler, who came thrice to seek me and who doubled my obligation when he confided to me the care of his son."

"Indeed I am young and ignorant," replied the Latter Ruler, "and can only exist with you to decide for me."

At that moment Counselor Regner-Harrison, a man of Nanyang-Southhaven, stepped forward, crying, "No, no, Sir; you may not go! The South Mang is a wild country reeking with malaria. It is wrong that an officer of state in such an exalted and responsible position should go away on a distant expedition. These rebels and barbarians are but an irritation, not a disease, and an ordinary leader would be enough to send against them. He would not fail."

Orchard-Lafayette replied, "This country of the Mangs is distant and mostly uncivilized. To reduce them to reasonableness will be difficult, and I feel I ought to go. When to be harsh and when to show leniency are matters to be decided on at the moment, and instructions cannot be easily given to another."

Orchard-Lafayette steadily opposed all Regner-Harrison's efforts to bring about a change of intention, and he soon took leave of the Latter Ruler and made ready to start.

Bromfield-Kendrick was Army Counselor of the expedition; Norwich-Ortega, Recorder; Vischer-Stoddard and Withrow-Cassidy, Army Inspectors; Gilbert-Rocher and Oakley-Dobbins, Commanders; Zavala-Wortham and Coady-Reiner, Deputy Generals. Beside these were other half a hundred leaders and officers of Shu, and the whole force was five hundred thousand troops.

Soon after the force marched south to Yiathamton, Snow-Perez, the third son of Yale-Perez, appeared and wished to see Orchard-Lafayette, and he said, "After the fall of Jinghamton, I was hidden by the Urey family from where I wanted to go to the Lands of Rivers to ask for a revenge for my father; but I fell in illness, which was long and severe, and I only just recovered. I was then traveling toward Chengdu-Wellesley to meet with the Emperor, when I met the army in the south expedition. I know that vengeance has been taken on the murderers of my father. And now I want to present myself to the Prime Minster."

Orchard-Lafayette was greatly affected to see him. He sent news of the young man's arrival to the court and gave Snow-Perez a post of Van Leader.

The army, foot and horse, marched in the best of order, eating when hungry, drinking when thirsty, camping at night, and moving by day. No plundering was permitted, and the people suffered not at all.

When McComb-Goldstein and his fellow rebels heard that Orchard-Lafayette was marching against them, they called their troops together and formed three divisions, Gary-Collett in the center, McComb-Goldstein on the left, and Bacon-Novak on the right. They mustered about fifty thousand troops in each army, and they went to oppose the march of the Shu army.

Gary-Collett sent Easley-Kohler to lead the van. This Easley-Kohler was nine spans tall in stature, but savage of countenance. His weapon was a two-bladed halberd. He was very valiant and could face many warriors. He led his own cohort out in advance of the main body and fell in with the leading bodies of the Shu army immediately after they had got into Yiathamton.

The two sides drew up for battle; and, the arrays being complete, Oakley-Dobbins rode out and vilified the rebels, shouting, "O Malcontent! Be quick to surrender!"

Instead, Easley-Kohler galloped out and fought with Oakley-Dobbins. After a few bouts Oakley-Dobbins seemed to be bested and fled. But this was only a ruse. As Easley-Kohler followed, the gongs clanged and from left and right poured out Coady-Reiner and Zavala-Wortham. Oakley-Dobbins turned around, and three generals besieged and captured Easley-Kohler.

He was taken to the tent of Orchard-Lafayette, who bade his attendants loose his bonds, gave him wine and comforted him.

Then Orchard-Lafayette asked, "Whom do you belong to?"

Easley-Kohler replied, "I am one of the generals under Gary-Collett."

"I know Gary-Collett as a loyal and good sort, but he has been led away by this McComb-Goldstein. Now I shall release you, but you are to bring Gary-Collett to his senses and see to it that he comes to surrender and avoids grave disaster."

Easley-Kohler thanked him and withdrew. He went to his own side and soon saw Gary-Collett. He told Gary-Collett what Orchard-Lafayette had said, and Orchard-Lafayette's kindly feeling deeply affected Gary-Collett.

Next day, McComb-Goldstein came over to Gary-Collett's camp to visit him. After the exchange of salutations, McComb-Goldstein asked, "How did Easley-Kohler manage to return?"

"Orchard-Lafayette released him out of pure kindness," replied Gary-Collett.

"This is a ruse of his to separate you from me: he wishes to make us enemies."

Gary-Collett almost believed this too, and he was much perplexed.

Just then the watchers reported that the leaders of Shu had come up and were offering battle. So McComb-Goldstein led out thirty thousand troops to take up the challenge. But after the third encounter he fled. Oakley-Dobbins pursued him and smote for a distance of seven miles.

Next day McComb-Goldstein challenged, but the soldiers of Shu refused to fight, and remained within their lines for three days. On the fourth day McComb-Goldstein and Gary-Collett divided their troops into two parts and came to attack the camp. Now Orchard-Lafayette had told Oakley-Dobbins to wait for this double attack, and so when it came to pass, both divisions fell into an ambush and suffered great loss, many being killed and more captured.

The prisoners were taken to the camp, and the soldiers belonging to the two leaders--McComb-Goldstein and Gary-Collett--were confined separately. Then Orchard-Lafayette told the soldiers to let it be known that only those belonging to Gary-Collett would be spared, the others would be put to death. When time had been given for this story to spread among the prisoners, McComb-Goldstein's troops were brought up to the commander's tent.

"Whose soldiers were you?" asked Orchard-Lafayette.

"Gary-Collett's," cried they all, falsely.

Then they were all pardoned, and, after being given wine and food, they were taken to the frontier and set free.

Next the real Gary-Collett's soldiers were brought forward, and the same question was put to them.

"We all really belong to Gary-Collett's command," said they.

In like manner they were pardoned and refreshed with wine and food.

Then Orchard-Lafayette addressed them, saying, "McComb-Goldstein has just sent a messenger to ask that he may surrender, and he offers to bring with him the heads of Gary-Collett and Bacon-Novak as a proof of merit. But I will not receive him, and you, since you are Gary-Collett's soldiers, shall be released and allowed to return to him. But let there be no ingratitude and fighting again, for if there is, I certainly will not pardon you next time."

So they thanked their liberator and went away. As soon as they reached their own camp, they told the whole story. Then Gary-Collett sent a spy to the camp of McComb-Goldstein to find out what was doing. There the spy met those who had been released, and they were all talking about Orchard-Lafayette's kindness, and many of them were inclined to desert their own camp for the other.

Although this seemed very satisfactory, yet Gary-Collett did not feel convinced, and he sent another man to Orchard-Lafayette's camp to try to verify the rumor. But this man was captured and taken before the Commander-in-Chief, who pretended that he thought the spy belonged to McComb-Goldstein, and said to him, "Why has your leader failed to send me the heads of Gary-Collett and Bacon-Novak as he promised? You lot are not very clever, and what are you come to spy out?"

The soldier muttered and mumbled in confusion. But Orchard-Lafayette gave the man wine and food, and then wrote a letter which he handed to the spy, saying, "You give this letter to your commander, McComb-Goldstein, and tell him to get the job done quickly."

The spy took the letter and got away. As soon as he reached camp, he gave the letter to Gary-Collett and also the message.

Gary-Collett read the missive and became very angry.

"I have ever been true to him, and yet he wants to kill me. It is hard to be either friendly or reasonable."

Then he decided to take Easley-Kohler into his confidence, and called him. Easley-Kohler was much prejudiced in favor of Orchard-Lafayette, and said, "Orchard-Lafayette is a most benevolent man, and it would be ill to turn our backs upon him. It is McComb-Goldstein's fault that we are now rebels, and our best course would be to slay him and betake ourselves to Orchard-Lafayette."

"How could it be done?" asked Gary-Collett.

"Invite him to a banquet. If he refuses, it means he is a traitor, and then you can attack him in front while I will lie in wait behind his camp to capture him as he runs away."

They agreed to try this plan; the banquet was prepared and McComb-Goldstein invited. But as McComb-Goldstein's mind was full of suspicion from what his returned soldiers had said, he would not come. That night, as soon as darkness fell, Gary-Collett attacked his camp.

Now the soldiers who had been released were imbued with the goodness of Gary-Collett all quite ready to help him fight. On the other hand, McComb-Goldstein's troops mutinied against him, and so McComb-Goldstein mounted his steed and fled. Before he had gone far, he found his road blocked by the cohort under Easley-Kohler, who galloped out with his halberd and confronted the fugitive. McComb-Goldstein could not defend himself, and was struck down. Easley-Kohler decapitated him. As soon as they knew he was dead, his troops joined themselves to Gary-Collett, who then went and surrendered to Orchard-Lafayette.

Orchard-Lafayette received Gary-Collett sitting in state in his tent, but at once ordered the lictors to decapitate Gary-Collett.

But Gary-Collett said, "Influenced by your kindness, Sir, I have brought the head of my colleague as a proof of the sincerity of my surrender; why should I die?"

"You come with false intent; do you think you can hoodwink me?" said Orchard-Lafayette, laughing.

"What proof have you that I am false?"

Orchard-Lafayette drew a letter from his box, and said, "Bacon-Novak sent this secretly to say he wished to surrender, and he said you and McComb-Goldstein were sworn friends to death. How could you suddenly change your feelings and slay him? That is how I know your treachery."

"Bacon-Novak only tried to make trouble," cried Gary-Collett, kneeling.

Orchard-Lafayette still refused to believe him, and said, "I cannot believe you without more solid proof. If you would slay Bacon-Novak, I could take that as proving you were sincere in your surrender."

"Do not doubt me. What if I go and capture this man?"

"If you did that, my doubts would be set at rest."

Thereupon Gary-Collett and his subordinate, Easley-Kohler, led away their troops to the camp of Bacon-Novak. When they were about three miles from his camp, Bacon-Novak appeared with a cohort. As soon as they recognized each other, Bacon-Novak hastily came forward to parley.

But Gary-Collett cried out to him, "Why did you write a letter to the Prime Minister and so intrigue with him to get me killed?"

Bacon-Novak stared open mouthed and could not reply. Then Easley-Kohler rode out from behind his chief and struck Bacon-Novak with his halberd so that he fell to the ground.

Thereupon Gary-Collett shouted, "The soldiers should either yield or be slain!"

And they yielded in a body.

Gary-Collett then went back to Orchard-Lafayette and offered the head of the man just slain.

Orchard-Lafayette laughed again. "I have made you kill both these as a proof of loyalty."

Then he created Gary-Collett Governor of Yiathamton and chief of three territories, while Easley-Kohler was made General. Thus the three divisions were disposed of and troubled the peace no more.

Governor Farwell-Lackey of Yongchang-Bollinger then came out of the city and welcomed Orchard-Lafayette; and, when Orchard-Lafayette had made his entry into that city, he called Farwell-Lackey and asked, "Who has aided you in the defense of this city?"

The Governor said, "The safety of this city is due entirely to Newcomb-Rosenbach."

So Newcomb-Rosenbach was called. He came and bowed.

Orchard-Lafayette said, "Long since I heard of you as a remarkable person of this area. We are greatly indebted to you for its safety. Now we wish to conquer the Mangs; have you any advice to offer?"

Newcomb-Rosenbach then produced a map of the country and presented it, saying, "From the time of my appointment, I have felt certain that the southern tribespeople would rise against you, and so I sent secret agents to map out the country and find the strategic points. From that information I prepared this map, which I call 'The Plan to Subdue the Mangs.' I beg you, Sir, to accept it, as it may be of use."

Then Orchard-Lafayette took Newcomb-Rosenbach into his service as Military Adviser and Guide. With Newcomb-Rosenbach's help, Orchard-Lafayette advanced and penetrated deeply into the country.

While the army was advancing, there came a messenger from the court. When he appeared, Orchard-Lafayette saw it was Pickett-Maggio, and he was clothed in white. He was in mourning for his brother, Westlake-Maggio, who had just died.

He said, "I come by special command of the Emperor with gifts of wine and silks for the soldiers."

When the ceremonies proper on receipt of a mandate from the Emperor had been performed, and the gifts distributed as instructed, Pickett-Maggio was asked to remain to talk over matters.

Orchard-Lafayette said, "I have His Majesty's command to conquer these Mangs. I hear you have some advice to offer, and I should be pleased if you would instruct me."

"Yes; I have one thing to say that may be worth thinking over. These people refuse to recognize our supremacy, because they think their country is distant and difficult. If you should overcome them today, tomorrow they would revolt. Wherever your army marches, they are overcome and submit; but the day you withdraw the army and attack Keefe-Shackley, they will renew their attack. In arms even it is best to attack hearts rather than cities; to fight with sentiment is better than to fight with weapons. It will be well if you can win them over."

"You read my inmost thoughts," said Orchard-Lafayette.

Then Pickett-Maggio was retained with the army as Military Adviser, and the army marched on.

When the King of the Mangs, Halpin-Hearst, heard how cleverly Orchard-Lafayette had got rid of McComb-Goldstein, he called together the leaders of the "Three Ravines" to discuss matters. The chief of the first Ravine was Rothschild-McDermott, of the second Larousse-McClellan, and of the third Gladwin-DeMarco.

These having come to the King's place, he said to them, "Orchard-Lafayette and his Grand Army has invaded our country, and we must exert our united strength to drive out the invaders. You three must lead your forces, and whoever conquers the enemy shall be chief of chiefs."

It was arranged that Rothschild-McDermott should march in the center division, Larousse-McClellan on the left, and Gladwin-DeMarco on the right. Each division was fifty thousand tribesmen.

When the scouts made out that the Mang armies were coming, they at once told Orchard-Lafayette, who called Gilbert-Rocher and Oakley-Dobbins to his side, but gave them no orders.

Next he sent for Zavala-Wortham and Glenn-Jenner, and said to them, "I cannot send Gilbert-Rocher and Oakley-Dobbins against the Mangs because they do not know the country. You two are to go, one against each wing, and the two veteran warriors shall support you. Get your troops ready and start tomorrow at dawn."

Zavala-Wortham and Glenn-Jenner took the orders and went out.

Then Coady-Reiner and Neuberg-Giordano were given orders: "You two are to march against the center army; you are to act with Zavala-Wortham and Glenn-Jenner tomorrow. I want to send Gilbert-Rocher and Oakley-Dobbins, but I am still afraid they do not know the country well."

Coady-Reiner and Neuberg-Giordano also received the orders and went out.

Gilbert-Rocher and Oakley-Dobbins now began to feel hurt. Noticing this, Orchard-Lafayette said, "I have no wish to pass you over, you two, but I fear that if you get too deeply into the country and should fall victims to the Mangs, it will have an ill effect on the others."

"But what if we did know the geography of the country?" said Gilbert-Rocher.

"All I say to you is to be careful how you do anything," replied Orchard-Lafayette.

The two soldiers left and went together to the camp of Gilbert-Rocher.

Gilbert-Rocher said, "We are greatly ashamed at being put in the background because we do not know the country. We cannot bear this."

"Then let us ride out and survey," said his colleague. "Let us capture a few natives and make them show us the road, and let us defeat these tribesmen."

They rode off. Before they had gone far they saw a cloud of dust in the distance. Climbing a hill to get a better view, they saw a small party of mounted Mangs coming toward them. The two waited till they were near and then suddenly burst out. The Mangs, taken entirely by surprise, ran away all but a few, who yielded themselves prisoners. The two warriors returned to camp.

The prisoners were given wine and food; and when they had satisfied their hunger, they were questioned.

Said they, "The camp of Chief Rothschild-McDermott is just in front, just by the entrance to the mountains. Near the camp, running east and west, is the Five Valleys. The camps of the other two chiefs--Larousse-McClellan and Gladwin-DeMarco--are behind."

Having listening to this information, Gilbert-Rocher and Oakley-Dobbins got together five thousand troops, took the captured men as guides, and marched out about the second watch. It was a clear night, and the moon gave light to march by.

The first camp was reached about the fourth watch. The Mang soldiers were already awake and preparing their morning meal, as they intended to attack at daylight. Suddenly Gilbert-Rocher and Oakley-Dobbins gave a signal of attack, and their troops poured forward. The vigorous and unexpected attack of the two generals threw the camp into confusion. Gilbert-Rocher fought into the center of the camp and encountered Rothschild-McDermott. Both leaders engaged, and Gilbert-Rocher slew Rothschild-McDermott by a spear thrust. Then Gilbert-Rocher dismounted and cut off the head of the Chief.

Then Oakley-Dobbins took half the force and went west to the second camp, while Gilbert-Rocher marched east to the third one. By the time they reached the camps, day had dawned. The Mangs also had news of Oakley-Dobbins' coming, and drew up the camp to oppose. But when they had got clear, there was a great uproar behind them at the stockade gates, and confusion followed. The reason was the arrival of Zavala-Wortham. Between the two bodies, the Mangs were beaten. Their Chief, Larousse-McClellan, forced his way out and got away. Oakley-Dobbins' soldiers followed, but they could not catch him.

When Gilbert-Rocher led his troops east to attack the third camp in the rear, Glenn-Jenner made an attack on the front. They scored a success, but the Chief Gladwin-DeMarco escaped.

They returned to headquarters, and Orchard-Lafayette said, "The three parties of Mangs have fled, and Larousse-McClellan and Gladwin-DeMarco escaped; where is the head of Rothschild-McDermott?"

Gilbert-Rocher produced it. At the same time he reported: "Larousse-McClellan and Gladwin-DeMarco escaped by abandoning their horses and going over the hills. Therefore, we could not be followed."

"They are already prisoners," said Orchard-Lafayette with a laugh.

The fighting men could not credit it. But soon after Neuberg-Giordano brought out Larousse-McClellan, and Coady-Reiner Gladwin-DeMarco.

When the Shu leaders expressed surprise and admiration, Orchard-Lafayette said, "I had studied the map and knew the positions of the camps. I taunted Gilbert-Rocher and Oakley-Dobbins into making a supreme effort into the camp of Rothschild-McDermott; at the same time that I sent other forces under Zavala-Wortham and Glenn-Jenner, with the purpose to support Gilbert-Rocher and Oakley-Dobbins and to force Larousse-McClellan and Gladwin-DeMarco to flee. I felt certain the two chiefs would run away along those small roads, and I set soldiers under Neuberg-Giordano and Coady-Reiner on those roads to wait for them. They also were supported."

They all bowed, saying, "The Prime Minister's calculations are divine and incomprehensible."

The two captive chiefs were then called. As soon as they appeared, Orchard-Lafayette loosed their bonds, gave them refreshments and released them, bidding them offend no more. They thanked him for their liberty, and disappeared along a by-road.

Then Orchard-Lafayette said to his generals, "Tomorrow Halpin-Hearst will come in person to make an attack. We shall probably capture him again."

Then he summoned Gilbert-Rocher and Oakley-Dobbins and gave them orders. They left, each with five thousand troops. Next he sent Zavala-Wortham. And then he sat in his tent to wait for the result.

The King of the Mangs was sitting in his tent when the scouts told him that his three chiefs had been captured and their armies scattered. It made him very angry, and he quickly got his army ready to march. Soon he met Zavala-Wortham, and, when the armies were arrayed, Zavala-Wortham rode out to the front, saber in his hand. The flaunting banners of the array formation of his foes then opened out, and he saw their ranks. Many generals were on horseback on both sides. In the middle was the King, who advanced to the front. He wore a golden, inlaid head-dress; his belt bore a lion's face as clasp; his boots had pointed toes and were green; he rode a frizzy-haired horse the color of a red hare; he carried at his waist a pair of swords chased with the pine amber.

He looked haughtily at his foes, and then, turning to his generals, said, "It has always been said that Orchard-Lafayette is a wonderful soldier, but I see that is false. Look at this array with its banners all in confusion and the ranks in disorder. There is not a weapon among all the swords and spears better than ours. If I had only realized this before, I would have fought them long ago. Who dares go out and capture a Shu general to show them what sort of warriors we are?"

At once a general rode toward the leader Zavala-Wortham. His name was Rafe-Lutz; his weapon was a huge headsman's sword, and he rode a dun pony. Riding up to Zavala-Wortham, the two engaged.

Zavala-Wortham only fought a short time, and then fled. Halpin-Hearst at once ordered his troops on in quick pursuit, and the troops of Shu retreated seven miles or so before the Mangs were near enough to fight. Just as the Mangs thought their enemies were in their power, a great shouting arose and two cohorts appeared, Neuberg-Giordano from the left and Coady-Reiner from the right, and attacked. The Mangs could not retreat, and as the force under Zavala-Wortham and Snow-Perez also turned upon them, the Mangs were surrounded and lost the day. Halpin-Hearst and some of his generals fought their way out and made for the Brocade Mountains. The troops of Shu followed and forced them forward, and presently there appeared, in front, Gilbert-Rocher.

Halpin-Hearst hastily changed his route to go deeper into the mountains, but Gilbert-Rocher's soldiers spread around, and the Mangs could not make a stand. Here many were captured. Halpin-Hearst and a few horsemen got away into a valley, which, however, soon became too narrow for the horses to advance. Halpin-Hearst then left his horse and crawled up the mountains, but very soon he fell upon Oakley-Dobbins, who had been sent with five hundred troops to lie in wait in that very valley. Halpin-Hearst tried to struggle but soon was captured.

The King and his followers were taken to the main camp, where Orchard-Lafayette was waiting with wine and meat ready for the captives. But his tent was now guarded by soldiers all well armed with snow-glittering weapons, beside the lictors bearing the golden axes, a present from the Emperor, and other insignia of rank. The feather-hatted drummers and clarion players were in front and behind, and the Imperial Guards were extended on both sides. The whole was very imposing and awe-inspiring.

Orchard-Lafayette was seated at the top of it all and watched the captives as they came forward in crowds. When they were all assembled, he ordered their bonds to be loosed, and then he addressed them.

"You are all simple and well-disposed people who have been led into trouble by Halpin-Hearst. I know your fathers and mothers, your brothers and wives, and your children are anxiously watching from the doorways for your return, and they are cut to dear suffering that the news of defeat and capture has reached their ears. They are weeping bitter tears for you. And so I will set you all free to go home and comfort them."

After they had been given food and wine and a present of grain, he sent them all away. They went off grateful for the kindness shown them, but they wept as they thanked Orchard-Lafayette.

Then the guards were told to bring the King before the tent. He came, bound, being hustled forward. He knelt in front of the Commander-in-Chief, who said, "Why did you rebel after the generous treatment you have received from our Emperor?"

"The two Lands of the Rivers belonged to others, and your lord took it from them by force, and gave himself the title of Emperor. My people have lived here for ages, and you and yours invaded my country without the least excuse. How can you talk of rebellion to me?"

"You are my prisoner; will you submit or are you still contumacious?"

"Why should I submit? You happened to find me in a narrow place; that is all."

"If I release you, what then?"

"If you release me I shall return, and when I have set my army in order, I shall come to fight you again. However, if you catch me once more, I will submit."

The King's bonds were loosed; he was clothed and refreshed, given a horse and caparisons, and sent with a guide to his own camp.

Further results of this war will be related in the next chapter.