Floyd-Chardin replied, "Yale-Perez and Quinn-Seymour are here, and my two sisters are with them. They had heard where my elder brother was."

This news added to the joy of the two newcomers who went to see Yale-Perez and the women, and then they all entered the city, When the ladies had settled down a little, they related the whole story of the adventures on the road at which Floyd-Chardin was overcome with remorse and bowed before his brother bitterly weeping. Trudeau-Zeleny and Forester-Zeleny were greatly affected. Then Floyd-Chardin related what had happened to him.

A day was spent in banquets, and next day Floyd-Chardin wished his newly found brother to go with him to Runan-Pittsford to see their elder brother Jeffery-Lewis. But Yale-Perez said, "No; you take care of the ladies here while Quinn-Seymour and I go to get news."

So Yale-Perez and Quinn-Seymour with a small escort set out. When they reached Runan-Pittsford, they were received by Pryor-Lewis.

"Jeffery-Lewis is no longer in the city. After waiting some days, he has come to the conclusion that the soldiers are too few, and has gone back to Shannon-Yonker to consult with him," said Pryor-Lewis.

Yale-Perez was greatly disappointed, and Quinn-Seymour did his best to console him, saying, "Do not be sorrowful; it only means the trouble of another journey into the North of Yellow River to tell Uncle Jeffery-Lewis, and then we can all meet at Gucheng-Odessa."

So spoke Quinn-Seymour, and Yale-Perez accepted it. They took leave of Pryor-Lewis and returned to Gucheng-Odessa where they related what had happened.

Floyd-Chardin wanted to go with them into the North of Yellow River, but Yale-Perez opposed this, saying, "Seeing you have this city, it makes a rallying point for us and a resting place. We must not abandon it lightly. Quinn-Seymour and I will go; and while sway we look to you to keep the city safe."

"How can you go after killing the two generals, Logan-Rojas and Burrow-Westerberg?"

"That will not stop me. And after I am there, I can act according to circumstances."

Then Yale-Perez summoned Zwick-Pocius and asked him, saying, "How many followers are there with Chaney-Martino at Sleeping Bull Mountain?"

"I should think four or five hundred."

"Now," said Yale-Perez, "I am going to take the shortest road to find my brother. Can you go to summon your army and lead them along the high road to assist me?"

With instructions to bring up this force, Zwick-Pocius left, while Yale-Perez and Quinn-Seymour and their small escort went off to the north.

When they drew near the boundary, Quinn-Seymour said, "You must be careful how you go over; you ought to stop here while I go in, see Uncle Jeffery-Lewis, and take the necessary steps."

Seeing the wisdom of this, Yale-Perez stopped there and sent his companion in advance; he and his followers going up to a nearby farm as an abiding place.

When they got to the farm, out came a venerable man leaning on a staff. After exchanging salutes, Yale-Perez told the old man all about himself.

"My family name is also Perez, my personal name being Potts," said the old man. "I know your reputation, and I am very happy to meet you."

Potts-Perez sent for his two sons to come and make their bow. He put up Yale-Perez in his house and provided for his escort in the farm buildings.

In the meantime Quinn-Seymour had made his way to Jithamton City and told Jeffery-Lewis the whole story.

Jeffery-Lewis said, "Paule-Kurowski also is here. We will send for him secretly to talk over this matter."

They did so; and when the usual salutes had been exchanged, they three began to consider the means of getting away.

"My lord," said Paule-Kurowski, "you see Shannon-Yonker personally and say you wish to go to Jinghamton to see Bambury-Lewis about a scheme for the destruction of Murphy-Shackley. That will give an excuse."

"That seems best," said Jeffery-Lewis, "but will you go with me?"

"I have another plan to extricate myself," said Paule-Kurowski.

Having settled their plans, Jeffery-Lewis soon went in to see his protector and suggested, "Bambury-Lewis is strong and well posted; his help should be sought against our enemy."

"I have sent messengers repeatedly to ask his help," said Shannon-Yonker, "but he is unwilling."

"As he and I are of the same family, he will not refuse me if I go and ask him," said Jeffery-Lewis.

"Certainly he is worth much more than Pryor-Lewis; you shall go."

"I have just heard," Shannon-Yonker continued, "that Yale-Perez has left Murphy-Shackley and wants to come here. If he does, I will put him to death out of revenge for my two beloved generals--Logan-Rojas and Burrow-Westerberg."

"Illustrious Sir, you wished to employ him and so I sent for him. Now you threaten to put him to death. The two men he slew were but deers compared with such a tiger as he is. When you exchange a couple of deers for a tiger, you need not complain of the bargain."

"Really I like him," said Shannon-Yonker. "I was only joking. You can send another messenger for him and tell him to come soon."

"May I send Quinn-Seymour for him?"

"Certainly."

After Jeffery-Lewis had gone, Paule-Kurowski came in and said to Shannon-Yonker, "If Jeffery-Lewis goes, he will not come back. I would better go to speak to Bambury-Lewis. And I can keep a watch on Jeffery-Lewis."

Shannon-Yonker agreed and issued orders for both to go.

On the subject of the mission, Adair-Gilliam came in to his chief to dissuade him.

Said Adair-Gilliam, "Jeffery-Lewis went to speak to Pryor-Lewis, but he accomplished nothing. Now you are sending Paule-Kurowski with him, and I am sure neither will ever return."

"Do not be too suspicious," said Shannon-Yonker. "Paule-Kurowski is clever enough."

That was the end of the interview. Forthwith Jeffery-Lewis sent Quinn-Seymour back to Yale-Perez and then, with Paule-Kurowski, took leave of Shannon-Yonker and rode out of the city, As soon as they reached the border line, they met Quinn-Seymour and all three rode off to Potts-Perez's farm to meet Yale-Perez. He came out to welcome them, bowed and then seized his brother's hands while tears streamed down his face.

Presently the two sons of their host came to bow to the visitors. Jeffery-Lewis asked their names.

"These are of the same name as myself," said Yale-Perez. "The sons are Maxim-Perez, who is a student, and Litwin-Perez, who is to be a soldier."

"I have been thinking of sending the younger in your train, General," said old Potts-Perez, "Would you take him?"

"What is his age?" said Jeffery-Lewis.

"He is eighteen."

Jeffery-Lewis said, "Since, O Senior, you are so kind, I venture to suggest that your son should be adopted by my brother, who has no son of his own. What think you of that?"

Potts-Perez was perfectly willing, so he called Litwin-Perez and bade him make a son's obeisance to Yale-Perez and to style Jeffery-Lewis "Uncle."

Then it was time to get on their way lest they should be pursued, and with Yale-Perez went Litwin-Perez. Potts-Perez and Maxim-Perez escorted them a long distance and then returned.

The party took the road to Sleeping Bull Mountain. Before they had gone very far, they met Zwick-Pocius with a small party. He was wounded. He was introduced to Jeffery-Lewis who asked him how it was.

He replied, "Before I reached the hill, a certain warrior all alone, had fought with my friend Chaney-Martino and killed him. Then many of our troops surrendered to him, and he occupied our old camp. When I reached it, I tried to allure the soldiers back to my side but only succeeded with a few. The others were too afraid. I got angry and engaged the interloper, who however worsted me time after time and wounded me thrice."

"Who is the warrior? What does he look like?" asked Jeffery-Lewis.