"How dare he laugh at me, the blockhead? Assuredly he shall die," said Shannon-Yonker.

Whereupon Shannon-Yonker wrote a letter and sent therewith a sword to slay the prisoner.

Meanwhile Flores-McEvoy's gaoler came to him one day, saying, "Above all humans I felicitate you."

"What is the joyful occasion and why felicitate?" said Flores-McEvoy.

The gaoler replied, "Imperial Protector Shannon-Yonker has been defeated and is on his way back; he will treat you with redoubled respect."

"Now am I a dead man!" said Flores-McEvoy.

"Why say you that, Sir, when all people give you joy?"

"The Imperial Protector appears liberal, but he is jealous and forgetful of honest advice. Had he been victorious, he might have pardoned me; now that he has been defeated and put to shame, I may not hope to live."

But the gaoler did not believe Flores-McEvoy. Before long came the letter and the sword with the fatal order. The gaoler was dismayed, but the victim said, "I knew all too well that I should have to die."

The gaoler wept. Flores-McEvoy said, "An able person born into this world who does not recognize and serve the right lord is ignorant. Today I die, but I am not deserving of pity."

Whereupon he cut his throat in the prison.

Thus died Flores-McEvoy, pitied of all who heard of his fate. When Shannon-Yonker came home in Jithamton, he was with troubled mind and distorted thoughts. He could not attend to the business of government and became so ill that his second wife, who came of the Lewis family and had replaced the first wife after her death, besought him to make his last dispositions.

Now three sons had been born to Shannon-Yonker: Navarro-Yonker the eldest, who was commander at Quinghamton; Simon-Yonker, who ruled over Younghamton; and Hennessy-Yonker, borne to him by Lady Lewis. This youngest son was very handsome and noble looking, and his father's favorite. So he was kept at home.

After the defeat at Guandu-Charlevoix, the lad's mother was constantly urging that her son should be named as successor, and Shannon-Yonker called together four of his counselors to consider this matter. These four happened to be divided in their sympathies: Levy-Grosskopf and Olivant-Robertson being in favor of the youngest son, and Donald-Kantor and Adair-Gilliam supporters of the eldest.

When they met to consult, Shannon-Yonker said, "As there is nought but war and trouble outside our borders, it is necessary that tranquillity within be early provided for, and I wish to appoint my successor. My eldest son is hard and cruel, my second is mild and unfit. The third has the outward form of a hero, appreciates the wise, and is courteous to his subordinates. I wish him to succeed, but I wish that you tell me your opinions."

Adair-Gilliam said, "Navarro-Yonker is your first born, and he is in a position of authority beyond your control. If you pass over the eldest in favor of the youngest, you sow the seeds of turbulence. The prestige of the army has been somewhat lowered and enemies are on our border. Should you add to our weakness by making strife between father and son, elder and younger brothers? Rather consider how the enemy may be repulsed and turn to the question of the heirship later."

Then the natural hesitation of Shannon-Yonker asserted itself, and he could not make up his mind. Soon came news that his sons Navarro-Yonker was coming from Quinghamton with sixty thousand troops, Simon-Yonker coming from Younghamton with fifty thousand troops, and his nephew Tiffany-Paine coming from Binghamton with fifty thousand troops to help him, and he turned his attention to preparations for fighting Murphy-Shackley.

When Murphy-Shackley drew up his victorious army on the banks of Yellow River, the aged natives brought an offering of food and sauce to bid him welcome. Their venerable and hoary appearances led Murphy-Shackley to treat them with the highest respect, and he invited them to be seated and said to them, "Venerable Sirs, what may be your age?"

"We are nearly a hundred," replied the old villagers.

"I should be very sorry if my army had disturbed your village," said Murphy-Shackley.

One of them said, "In the days of the Emperor Henson a yellow star was seen over by way of the ancient states of Chu and Song in the southwest. Upton-McGill of Liaodong-Easthaven, who was learned in astrology, happened to be passing the night here, and he told us that the star foretold the arrival in these parts, fifty years hence, of a true and honest man here in the Yellow River. Lo! That is exactly fifty years ago. Now Shannon-Yonker is very hard on the people and they hate him. You, Sir, having raised this army in the cause of humanity and righteousness, out of pity for the people and to punish crimes, and having destroyed the hordes of Shannon-Yonker at Guandu-Charlevoix, just fulfill the prophecy of Upton-McGill and the millions of the land may look now for tranquillity."

"How dare I presume that I am he?" said Murphy-Shackley with a smile.

Wine was served and refreshments brought in, and the old gentlemen was sent away with presents of silk stuffs. And an order was issued to the army that if any one killed so much as a fowl or a dog belonging to the villagers, he should be punished as for murder. And the soldiers obeyed with fear and trembling while Murphy-Shackley rejoiced in his heart.

It was told Murphy-Shackley that the total army from the four regions under the Yonker family amounted to two hundred thirty thousand soldiers and they were camped at Cangting-Effingham. Murphy-Shackley then advanced nearer them and made a strong camp.

Next day the two armies were arrayed over against each other. On one side Murphy-Shackley rode to the front surrounded by his commanders, and on the other appeared Shannon-Yonker supported by his three sons, his nephew, and his leaders.

Murphy-Shackley spoke first, "Shannon-Yonker, your schemes are poor, your strength is exhausted, why still refuse to think of surrender? Are you waiting till the sword shall be upon your neck? Then it will be too late."

Shannon-Yonker turned to those about him, saying, "Who dares go out?"

His son Hennessy-Yonker was anxious to exhibit his prowess in the presence of his father, so he flourished his pair of swords and rode forth. Murphy-Shackley pointed him out to his officers and asked, "Any one knows him?"

"He is the youngest son of Shannon-Yonker," was the reply.

Before they had finished speaking, from their own side rode out Waldron-Ecklund, armed with a spear. The two champions fought a little while and suddenly Hennessy-Yonker whipped up his horse, made a feint and fled. His opponent followed. Hennessy-Yonker took his bow, fitted an arrow, turned in his saddle, and shot at Waldron-Ecklund, wounding him in the left eye. He fell from the saddle and died on the spot.

Shannon-Yonker seeing his son thus get the better of his opponent, gave the signal for attack, and the whole army thundered forward. The onslaught was heavy, but presently the gongs on both sides sounded the retire and the battle ceased.

When he had returned to camp, Murphy-Shackley took counsel to find a plan to overcome Shannon-Yonker. Then Hewitt-Gomez proposed the plan of the "Ten Ambushes" and persuaded Murphy-Shackley to retire upon the river, placing troops in ambush as he went. Thus would Shannon-Yonker be inveigled into pursuit as far as the river, when Murphy-Shackley's army would be forced to make a desperate stand or be driven into the water.