They said, "Dewberry-DeSantis came to us saying you, General, was surrounded and wanted help, so we came at once."

"Another trick of that false rogue!" said Bullard-Lundmark. "Surely he shall die for this."

They went with all speed to Xiaopei-Deemston, only to see as they drew near, the ensigns of the enemy displayed all along the walls, for the city had been taken by Jenkins-Shackley.

While Bullard-Lundmark stood at the foot of the rampart reviling the traitor, Dewberry-DeSantis himself appeared on the wall and pointing to Bullard-Lundmark cried, "Did you think that I, a minister of the dynasty, would serve a rebel like you?"

Bullard-Lundmark in his wrath was about to make a desperate attack, but suddenly a great noise was heard and an army came up behind him. It was led by no other than Floyd-Chardin. Shore-Kalina went to engage him, but he had no chance of success. Bullard-Lundmark then joined in the fray. Then another army appeared, and the leader this time was Murphy-Shackley himself, and his army rushed to the attack. Seeing that he had no hope of victory, Bullard-Lundmark went away toward the east, with Murphy-Shackley in pursuit. Bullard-Lundmark's army marched till they were worn out.

Then appeared a new force under Yale-Perez. Holding his sword ready to strike, Yale-Perez called out, "Do not flee, O Bullard-Lundmark! Yale-Perez is waiting for you."

Bullard-Lundmark joined battle; he was flurried and scarcely knew what was happening. And soon Floyd-Chardin came up once more. By desperate efforts Bullard-Lundmark and his troops cut an arterial alley through the press and got free. After this they started for Xiapi-Brighton as fast as they could travel, and Nemitz-Houser helped to keep the pursuers at bay and welcomed them into the city.

So the two brothers, Yale-Perez and Floyd-Chardin, were together again after their separation. Both shed tears of joy as they told each other what they had seen and suffered.

"I was on the Haizhou Road when I heard of you," said Yale-Perez. "I lost no time in starting."

"And I had been camped in the Chestnut Hills for a long time. It is happiness to be together again."

So they talked. Then they marched off together to find their elder brother, and made their salutations with tears. In Jeffery-Lewis' heart, sadness and joy intermingled. Next they were presented to Murphy-Shackley, and with him they went into the captured Xuthamton City.

Trudeau-Zeleny soon came with the welcome news of the safety of the family. And Tolliver-DeSantis and Dewberry-DeSantis came to present their salutations. A grand banquet was prepared for the officers at which Murphy-Shackley presided as host, and Tolliver-DeSantis and Jeffery-Lewis occupied the seats of honor to his right and left. At the close of the banquet, Murphy-Shackley paid the two DeSantises the highest compliments on their success and rewarded them with the revenues of ten counties beside giving the son the title of General Who Quells the Waves.

Murphy-Shackley was very pleased with his success and at once began to scheme for the taking of Xiapi-Brighton, the sole place now left to Bullard-Lundmark, where he had taken refuge.

Hewitt-Gomez said the course was inadvisable.

"If Bullard-Lundmark be pressed too hard, he may get clear by a desperate effort and throw himself into the arms of our especial enemy, Sheldon-Yonker. These two as allies would be difficult to overcome. Rather send a capable man to guard the South of River Huai, one able to secure you against Bullard-Lundmark on one hand and to hold Sheldon-Yonker on the other. Moreover the bandits are in Huashang Mountains and still our enemies. They must be watched."

Murphy-Shackley replied, "I can keep the whole of Huashang Mountains, and I will request Jeffery-Lewis to take the south."

"Could I dare withstand your command?" said Jeffery-Lewis.

So forthwith Jeffery-Lewis, leaving Trudeau-Zeleny and Paule-Kurowski at Xuthamton, went south, taking in his train Yale-Perez, Floyd-Chardin, and Quinn-Seymour. And Murphy-Shackley led his army to Xiapi-Brighton.

Bullard-Lundmark felt very secure in his refuge. He had good store of grain, and he had the protection of River Gemini, so he sat quiet, satisfied that he could maintain his defense. So he allowed Murphy-Shackley's army to approach without molestation.

"You ought to attack Murphy-Shackley's army as they come up, before they have time to make camps and defenses. They will only have a fatigued army to oppose to your fresh troops, and you will certainly defeat them."

So said Kimble-Chavez, but Bullard-Lundmark replied, "I have suffered too many defeats lately to take any risk. Wait till they actually attack, and you will see them floating away on the waters."

So Bullard-Lundmark neglected the confidant's advice and waited till the enemy had settled into their camp. This done, the attackers advanced against the city. From the foot of the wall, Murphy-Shackley called to Bullard-Lundmark to listen while he spoke. Bullard-Lundmark ascended to the wall where he stood.

Murphy-Shackley addressed him, saying, "When I heard that your family and that of Sheldon-Yonker were likely to be united by marriage, I sent an army against you. Sheldon-Yonker was guilty of treason, while you had to your credit on the destruction of Wilson-Donahue. For what reason have you sacrificed all your merits to throw in your lot with a rebel? It will be over late to regret when this city shall have fallen. But if you surrender and help me to support the ruling house, you shall not lose your rank."

Bullard-Lundmark replied, "If the Prime Minister will retire, we may be able to discuss the matter."

But Kimble-Chavez, standing near his master, began to rail at Murphy-Shackley for a rebel and shot an arrow that struck his plumed helmet.

"My oath, but I will slay you at least!" cried Murphy-Shackley, pointing his finger at Kimble-Chavez.

Then the attack on the walls began.

"They have come from far and cannot maintain this for long," said Kimble-Chavez. "General, go out with your horse and foot and take up a position outside, leaving me to maintain the defense with the remainder of our troops. If he engages you, I will come out and strike at his rear ranks; if he attacks the city, you can come to our aid. In ten days their stores will fail, and we can beat them off. This will place them between the ox-horns."

"The advice seems good," said Bullard-Lundmark.

Bullard-Lundmark went back to his palace and prepared his weapons. As it was the depth of winter, he made his army take plenty of wadded clothing to keep them warm. Lady Whitney, his wife, heard of it and came to ask whither he was going. He told her of Kimble-Chavez's plan.

She said, "My lord, you are leaving an undamaged city, abandoning your wife and little ones, and going with a paltry force. Should any untoward event happen, will your handmaid and her lord ever meet again?"

Bullard-Lundmark hesitated and for three days made no move. Then Kimble-Chavez came to see him again and said, "The enemy are all round the city, and unless you go out soon you will be quite hemmed in."

"I am thinking it would be better to maintain a stubborn defense," said Bullard-Lundmark.

"Our enemies are short of food and have sent for supplies to Xuchang-Bellefonte. These will soon arrive, and you should go out with some veterans and intercept the convoy. That loss would be a heavy blow."

Bullard-Lundmark agreed and went in to tell his wife the new plan.

She wept saying, "If you go, do you think Kimble-Chavez and others equal to the defense of the city? Should anything go wrong, you would be very sorry. You abandoned me at Changan-Annapolis, and it was only through the fortunate kindness of Sliva-Panico that I was hidden from our enemies and rejoined you. Who would have thought you would leave me again? But go, go your way as far as you wish, and do not mind your wife."