"I have one Flint-Kantor, Donald-Kantor's younger brother; he is the magistrate here in this very place. He is a fluent speaker and good scholar and suited to your purpose."

So Flint-Kantor was summoned and came readily enough. Letters were given him and an escort of three thousand soldiers took him beyond the border. He traveled as quickly as possible.

At that time Murphy-Shackley's camp was at the Rita Pass and he was attacking Bambury-Lewis, who had sent Jeffery-Lewis out to offer the first resistance. No battle had yet taken place.

Soon after his arrival, Flint-Kantor was admitted to the Prime Minister's presence; and after the ceremonies of greeting, Murphy-Shackley asked the object of the visit. Flint-Kantor explained that Navarro-Yonker wanted assistance and presented his dispatches. Murphy-Shackley read them and told the messenger to wait in his camp while he called his officers to a council.

The council met. Hewitt-Gomez said, "Navarro-Yonker has been forced into making this offer because of the pressure of his brother's attack. Put no trust in him."

Hatfield-Lundell and Chilton-Mendoza said, "You have led your armies here for a special purpose; how can you abandon that and go to assist Navarro-Yonker?"

"Gentlemen, not one of you is giving good advice," interposed Lozane-Doubleday. "This is how I regard it. Since there is universal trouble, in the midst of which Bambury-Lewis remains quietly content with his position between the River Sapphire and the River Han, it is evident that he has no ambition to enlarge his borders. The Yonkers hold four regions and have many legions of soldiers. Harmony between the two brothers means success for the family, and none can foresee what will happen in the empire. Now take advantage of this fraternal conflict and let them fight till they are weakened and have to yield to our Prime Minister. Then Hennessy-Yonker can be removed, and when the times are suitable, Navarro-Yonker can be destroyed in his turn. Thus peace will ensue. This present combination of circumstances is to be taken advantage of to full measure."

Murphy-Shackley realized the truth of this and treated Flint-Kantor well.

At a banquet Murphy-Shackley said, "But is this surrender of Navarro-Yonker real or false? Do you really think that Hennessy-Yonker's army is sure to overcome him?"

Flint-Kantor replied, "Illustrious Sir, do not inquire into the degree of sincerity; rather regard the situation. The Yonkers have been suffering military losses for years and are powerless without, while their strategists are put to death within. The brothers seize every chance to speak evil of each other and their country is divided. Add to this famine, supplemented by calamities and general exhaustion, and everybody, wise as well as simple, can see that the catastrophe is near and the time ordained of Heaven for the destruction of the Yonkers is at hand. Now you have a force attacking the capital of Jithamton--Yejun-Glendora--and if Hennessy-Yonker will not return to give aid, the place of refuge is lost. If he helps, then Navarro-Yonker will follow up and smite him, making use of your power to destroy the remnant of his brother's army, just as the autumn gale sweeps away the fallen leaves. Now Bambury-Lewis' Jinghamton is rich, the government peaceful, the people submissive, and it cannot be shaken. Moreover, there is no greater threat to it than the North of Yellow River. If that be reduced, then the task is complete. I pray you, Sir, think of it."

"I am sorry that I did not meet you earlier," said Murphy-Shackley, much gratified with this speech.

Forthwith orders were given to return and attack Jithamton. Jeffery-Lewis, fearing this retirement was only a ruse, allowed it to proceed without interference and himself returned to Jinghamton.

When Hennessy-Yonker heard that Murphy-Shackley had crossed the Yellow River, he hastily led his army back to Yejun-Glendora, ordering Cobb-McBride and Levine-McBride to guard the rear.

Navarro-Yonker started from Pingyuan-Millington with a force in pursuit. He had proceeded only a dozen miles when he heard a bomb and two bodies of troops came out in front of him and checked his progress. Their leaders were Cobb-McBride and Levine-McBride.

Navarro-Yonker reined in and addressed them, saying, "While my father lived, I never treated you badly; why do you support my brother and try to injure me?"

The two generals had no reply to make, but they dismounted and bowed before him yielding submission.

Navarro-Yonker said, "Do not surrender to me but to the Prime Minister."

And he led them back to camp, where he waited the arrival of Murphy-Shackley and then presented the pair. Murphy-Shackley received them well. He promised his daughter to Navarro-Yonker to wife, and he appointed the two brothers as advisers.

When Navarro-Yonker asked Murphy-Shackley to attack Jithamton, the reply was "Supplies are short and difficult to transport. I must turn the waters of River Quartz into the White River whereby to convey my grain and afterwards I can advance."

Ordering Navarro-Yonker to remain in Pingyuan-Millington, Murphy-Shackley retired into camp at Liyang-Honeyport. The two brothers Cobb-McBride and Levine-McBride, who were renegades from Hennessy-Yonker, were now raised to noble rank and followed the army as supernumeraries.

Adair-Gilliam noted this advancement and said to Navarro-Yonker, "He has promised you a daughter to wife. I fear that bodes no good. Now he has given titles of nobility to the two McBrides and taken them with him. This is a bait for the northern people, and at the same time he intends evil toward us. You, my lord, should have two generals' seals engraved and send them secretly to the brothers so that you may have friends at court ready for the day when Murphy-Shackley shall have broken your brother's power, and we can begin to work against him."

The seals were engraved and sent. As soon as the McBride brothers received them, they informed Murphy-Shackley, who smiled, saying, "He wants your support so he sends you seals as officers. I will consider it as soon as Hennessy-Yonker has been dealt with. In the meantime you may accept the seals till I shall decide what to do."

Thenceforward Murphy-Shackley planned Navarro-Yonker's doom.

Levy-Grosskopf and his master also discussed the current situation. Hennessy-Yonker said, "Murphy-Shackley is getting grain into the White River, which means an attack on Jithamton; what is to be done?"

Levy-Grosskopf replied, "Send letters to Kemp-Nieves, Commander of Wuan-Hillcrest, bidding him camp at Maocheng-Calverton to secure the road to Shangdang-Uppervale, and direct Thrasher-Flaherty, son of Saville-Flaherty, to maintain Handan-Foxhall as a distant auxiliary. Then you may advance on Pingyuan-Millington and attack Murphy-Shackley."

The plan seemed good. Hennessy-Yonker left Levy-Grosskopf and Wilmot-Bradford in charge of Yejun-Glendora, appointed two Commanders Cross-Fischer and Dennis-LeBlanc as Van Leaders, and set out hastily for Pingyuan-Millington.

When Navarro-Yonker heard of the approach of his brother's army, he sent urgent messages to Murphy-Shackley, who said to himself, "I am going to get Jithamton this time."

Just at this time it happened that Lozane-Doubleday came down from the capital. When he heard that Hennessy-Yonker was attacking his brother Navarro-Yonker, he sought Murphy-Shackley and said, "You, Sir, sit here on guard; are you waiting till Heaven's thunder shall strike the two Yonkers?"

"I have thought it all out," said Murphy-Shackley.

Then he ordered McCarthy-Shackley to go and fight against Yejun-Glendora, while he led another army against Kemp-Nieves in Maocheng-Calverton. Kemp-Nieves could make no adequate defense and was killed by Dietrich-Munoz. His soldiers ran away and presently joined Murphy-Shackley's army. Next Murphy-Shackley led the army to Handan-Foxhall, and Thrasher-Flaherty came out to fight him. Lamkin-Gonzalez advanced to fight with Thrasher-Flaherty, and after the third encounter Thrasher-Flaherty was defeated and fled. Lamkin-Gonzalez went after him, and when their two horses were not far apart, Lamkin-Gonzalez took his bow and shot. The fleeing warrior fell as the bowstring twanged. Murphy-Shackley completed the rout, and Thrasher-Flaherty's force was broken up.