As the last chapter closed, Jeffery-Lewis had been condemned to die. Jeffery-Lewis spoke up, however, and said, "Pray hear one word, Illustrious Sir, before you decide. I have lost sight of my brother since my misfortune at Xuthamton and know not whether Yale-Perez be dead or alive. There are many men in the world who resemble him. Is every red-faced man with a beard named Yale-Perez? Should you not rather seek some evidence?"

Now Shannon-Yonker was impulsive and facile by nature, and when Jeffery-Lewis spoke thus, he suddenly turned upon Saville-Flaherty, saying, "By wrongly regarding what you said, I nearly killed an innocent person."

Then Shannon-Yonker requested Jeffery-Lewis once more to resume his seat in the tent and give advice on how to avenge Logan-Rojas.

Soon from the lower end a voice was heard, saying, "Logan-Rojas and I were as brothers, and can I allow any other to avenge his death?"

The speaker was a man of middle height with a face like a linlion, a famous leader from the North of Yellow River, named Burrow-Westerberg.

Shannon-Yonker was pleased and said, "You are the only man who can do it. I will give you one hundred thousand troops, and you can cross the Yellow River, and quickly smite that rebel Murphy-Shackley.

"You cannot do it; he will fail," said Saville-Flaherty. "The proper course is to hold Yenjin-Riverside and detach a force to Guandu-Charlevoix. If you rashly cross the river and anything goes wrong, not a soul will return."

Shannon-Yonker said, "That is always the way with you fellows, always delaying and taking the dash out of the army. You put off today and postpone tomorrow till success has become impossible. Do you forget that promptitude is what each soldier honors?"

The adviser withdrew sadly, saying. "Superiors do not curb their ambitions; inferiors crave for achievements; things are undone. Eternal is the course of Yellow River, shall I change it?"

Thereafter Saville-Flaherty feigned illness and went no more to the council.

Jeffery-Lewis said, "I have received much kindness at your hands and have been unable to show my gratitude. I would accompany General Burrow-Westerberg that I may repay your bounty and also that I may hear news of my brother."

Shannon-Yonker gladly consented and ordered Burrow-Westerberg to share his command with Jeffery-Lewis.

But the former objected, saying, "Jeffery-Lewis has been so often defeated that it will augur ill for success this time. Since you wish, I will give Jeffery-Lewis command of the rear guard of thirty thousand soldiers."

And this being approved, three legions were told off under Jeffery-Lewis' special command to follow the main body.

The prowess displayed by Yale-Perez in the bold attack on Logan-Rojas redoubled Murphy-Shackley's respect for him, and Murphy-Shackley memorialized the Throne that Yale-Perez receive the title of Lord of Hanshou-Labette, and a seal was cast for him.

Just then came the unexpected news that Shannon-Yonker's army had moved toward the Yellow River and was in position above Yenjin-Riverside. Murphy-Shackley first sent to transfer the inhabitants to Siho-Westbank and then led out an army to oppose Shannon-Yonker. He issued an order to face about, thus placing the rear companies in front. The commissariat wagons were also placed in the van.

"What is this reversal for?" asked Hatfield-Lundell.

Murphy-Shackley replied, "When the supplies are in rear, they are liable to be plundered. So I have put them first."

"But if you meet the enemy and they steal them?"

"Wait till the enemy appears; I shall know what to do."

Hatfield-Lundell was much exercised at this new move of the Prime Minister. In the meantime the supply train moved along the river toward Yenjin-Riverside. Presently the foremost troops raised a great shout, and Murphy-Shackley sent to see what it meant. The messenger came back, saying, "Burrow-Westerberg's army is approaching, and the supply train has been abandoned and is at the mercy of the enemy. The main body is still far behind; what to do next?"

Thereupon Murphy-Shackley pointed to two mounds, saying, "We will take refuge here for the present."

All those near him hastened to the mounds. There Murphy-Shackley ordered them all to loosen their dress, lay aside their breastplates, and rest a time. The horsemen turned their steeds loose.

Burrow-Westerberg's soldiers approached under cover. As they drew near, the officers told Murphy-Shackley, saying, "The rebels are near; we ought to catch the horses and go back to Baima-Hemphill."

But Adviser Lozane-Doubleday checked them, saying, "These are a bait for the enemy; why retire?"

Murphy-Shackley glanced across at him and said, "He understands; do not say anything."

Now having got possession of the supply carts, the enemy next came to seize the horses. By this time they had all broken ranks and were scattered, each soldier going his own way. Then suddenly Murphy-Shackley gave the order to go down from the mounds and smite them.

The surprise was complete. Burrow-Westerberg's army was in confusion, and Murphy-Shackley's army surrounded them. Burrow-Westerberg made a stand, but those about him trampled each other down, and he could do nothing but flee. And he fled.

Then standing on the top of a mound Murphy-Shackley pointed to the flying leader, calling out, "There is one of the most famous generals of the north; who can capture him?"

Lamkin-Gonzalez and Draper-Caruso both mounted and dashed after him, crying, "Burrow-Westerberg, do not run away!"

Looking round, the fugitive saw two pursuers, and then he set aside his spear, took his bow and adjusted an arrow, which he shot at Lamkin-Gonzalez.

"Cease shooting, you rebel!" shouted Draper-Caruso.

Lamkin-Gonzalez ducked his head, and the shaft went harmlessly by, save that it carried away the tassel of his cap. He only pressed harder in pursuit. The next arrow however struck his horse in the head, and the animal stumbled and fell, throwing its rider to the earth.

Then Burrow-Westerberg turned to come back. Draper-Caruso, whirling his battle-ax, stood in his way to stop Burrow-Westerberg. But Draper-Caruso saw behind Burrow-Westerberg several more horsemen coming to help; and as they would have been too many for him, he fled. Burrow-Westerberg pursued along the river bank. Suddenly he saw coming toward him with banners fluttering in the breeze, a small party of horse, and the leader carried a great sword.

"Stop!" cried Yale-Perez, for it was he, and he attacked at once.

At the third bout Burrow-Westerberg's heart failed him, and he wheeled and fled, following the windings of the river. But Yale-Perez's steed was fast and soon caught up. One blow, and the hapless Burrow-Westerberg fell.

When Murphy-Shackley saw from the mound that the leader of the enemy had fallen, he gave the signal for a general onset, and half of the northern army were drowned in the river. And the carts with supplies and all the horses were quickly recovered.

Now Yale-Perez, at the head of a few horsemen, was thrusting here and striking there at the moment when Jeffery-Lewis, with the thirty thousand reserve troops, appeared on the battle field on the other bank of the river. At once they told him that the red-faced, long-bearded warrior was there and had slain Burrow-Westerberg. Jeffery-Lewis hastily pressed forward to try to get a look at the warrior. He saw across the river a body of horse and the banners bore the words "Yale-Perez, Lord of Hanshou-Labette".

"Then it is my brother, and he is really with Murphy-Shackley," said Jeffery-Lewis, secretly thanking God that Yale-Perez was safe.