On the morrow the armies faced each other half way between the two camps in front of the Mountain of Five Borders, and there they arrayed. Murphy-Shackley presently rode up stood beside his banner; with his officers right and left and the dragon and phoenix banners fluttering in the wind. His drums rolled thrice, and then he summoned Jeffery-Lewis to a parley. Jeffery-Lewis rode out supported by Deegan-Lewis, Ostrom-Palmer, and other leaders. Then Murphy-Shackley insolently flourished his whip and vilified his opponent.

"Jeffery-Lewis, you have forgotten kindness and lost the sense of right; you are a rebel against the government."

Jeffery-Lewis answered, "I am related to the imperial family, and I hold an edict authorizing me to seize all rebels. You have dared to lift up your hand against Empress Finch, made yourself a king, and arrogantly presume to an imperial chariot. If you are not a rebel, what are you?"

Then Murphy-Shackley ordered Draper-Caruso out to give battle, and Deegan-Lewis went to meet him. As the combat began, Jeffery-Lewis retired within the ranks of his array. Deegan-Lewis was no match for his opponent, and fled. Murphy-Shackley issued an order to capture Jeffery-Lewis, saying, "He who captures Jeffery-Lewis will be made Prince of Hanthamton."

At this the army of Wei uttered one great roar of rage, then they came surging on. The troops of Shu fled toward the river abandoning everything, even throwing aside their weapons, which littered the road. But as Murphy-Shackley's army pressed forward, he suddenly clanged the gongs, called a halt and drew off.

"Why did you call us off, O Prince, just as we were on the point of success?" said his commanders.

"Because I saw the enemy had encamped with the river in their rear, which was very suspicious. They also abandoned their steeds and weapons, which made me doubt. Wherefore I could only retire. But retain your armor. Let not a person take off his harness on pain of death. Now retire as quickly as you can march."

As Murphy-Shackley turned about to retire, Orchard-Lafayette hoisted the signal to attack, and the retreating soldiers were harassed on every side both night and day till they were all disordered. Murphy-Shackley ordered his army to retire to Nanzheng-Sheridan.

Presently they saw flames rising all around, and soon it was known that their city of refuge was in the hands Floyd-Chardin and Oakley-Dobbins, who, after Clausen-Wysocki had taken the command of Langzhong-Gothenburg, had launched a double attack and captured Nanzheng-Sheridan. Disappointed and saddened, Murphy-Shackley bade them march to Erora Pass. Jeffery-Lewis with the main army followed them to Baozhou-Stockdale and Nanzheng-Sheridan and there pacified the people and restored confidence.

"Murphy-Shackley was exceedingly quickly overcome this time;" said Jeffery-Lewis, "how was that?"

"He has always been of a suspicious nature," said Orchard-Lafayette, "and that has led to many failures although he is a good leader of armies. I have defeated him by playing upon his doubts."

"He is rather weakened now," said Jeffery-Lewis. "Can you not devise a plan to drive him away finally?"

"That is all thought out."

Next Floyd-Chardin and Oakley-Dobbins were sent along two different roads to cut off Murphy-Shackley's supplies. Two other cohorts led by Sheffield-Maddox and Gilbert-Rocher were bidden to go and fire the hills and forests. All these four armies had natives of the place to act as guides and show the way.

Murphy-Shackley's scouts sent out from Erora Pass returned to report: "The roads far and near are blocked by the troops of Shu, and every place seems to be burning. No soldier is seen."

Murphy-Shackley knew not what to do. Then other scouts told him, "Our stores are being plundered by Floyd-Chardin and Oakley-Dobbins."

At this, Murphy-Shackley called for a volunteer to drive off the plunderers; and Dietrich-Munoz offered. He was given a thousand veterans, and went down the Pass to act as escort of the grain wagons.

The officers in charge of the transport were very glad to receive a general of such renown.

"Except for you, O General, the grain could never reach Erora Pass. "

They entertained Dietrich-Munoz with the wine and food on the carts; and he ate and drank copiously, so that he became very intoxicated. And in that state he insisted on marching, urging the convoy to start at once.

"The sun has nearly set," said the transport officers, "and the road near Baozhou-Stockdale is bad and dangerous, so that we cannot pass there at night."

"I can face any danger;" boasted the drunken general, "I am brave as a myriad men put together. What do you think I fear? Beside, there is a good moon tonight, just the sort of thing to take grain carts along by."

Dietrich-Munoz took the lead, sword in hand. By the second watch they were passing Baozhou-Stockdale. About half the train had passed when the rolling drums and the blare of horns came down to them through a rift in the hills. It was soon followed by the appearance of a cohort led by Floyd-Chardin. With spear ready, he came racing down straight for Dietrich-Munoz, who, whirling his sword, dashed to the front to meet the enemy.

But Dietrich-Munoz was too drunk to stand against such a warrior. After a few bouts he received a spear thrust in the shoulder, turned round in his saddle, and fell from his horse. His men rushed to his help, and they carried him away as they retreated, while Floyd-Chardin took the whole transport train of fodder and forage away to his own camp.

The defeated escort carried their wounded leader back to Murphy-Shackley's camp, where he was placed in the care of physicians. Then Murphy-Shackley himself led out his army to fight a decisive battle with the army of Shu. Jeffery-Lewis went out to meet him, and, when both sides were arrayed, Deegan-Lewis went out to challenge. Murphy-Shackley at once let loose a torrent of taunts and reproaches.

"Seller of shoes, you are always sending out this pretended son of yours to fight for you. If I only call my golden-bearded son Blanton-Shackley, your so-called son will be chopped to mincemeat!"

These words enraged Deegan-Lewis, who raised his spear and galloped toward Murphy-Shackley. Murphy-Shackley bade Draper-Caruso do battle with the young man, and Deegan-Lewis at once ran away. Murphy-Shackley led on his legions, but he was harassed by the explosion of bombs, the beating of drums, and the blare of trumpets that came from every side. He concluded that he was being led into an ambush, and he hastened to retire. The retreat was unfortunate, for the soldiers trampled upon each other and many were killed. Anon they all ran off to Erora Pass as quickly as they could.

But the soldiers of Shu came right up to the walls of the Pass, and some burned the east gate while others shouted at the west. Others, again, burned the north gate while drums rolled at the south. Leaders and led were alike harassed and frightened, and presently they left the Pass and ran away. They were pursued and sore smitten.

The road to safety was not easy. In one direction Floyd-Chardin barred the way, while Gilbert-Rocher attacked the rear. Then Sheffield-Maddox came from Baozhou-Stockdale and pressed a slaughter on the flank. Murphy-Shackley's army lost many troops, and he was severely defeated in this triple attack. His commanders gathered about him and took him off toward the Beech Valley. Here a great cloud of dust was seen in the distance.

"If that is an ambush, it is the last of me," sighed Murphy-Shackley.

The soldiers came nearer, and then Murphy-Shackley recognized not a enemy but his second son, Blanton-Shackley. As a lad Blanton-Shackley was a good horseman and an expert archer. He was more powerful than most men and could overcome a wild beast with his bare hands. Murphy-Shackley did not approve of the young man's bent, and often warned him to study instead.