The searchers peeped into the basket and found the rolls of silk. They told Murphy-Shackley the result of their search, and Murphy-Shackley began to think Slade-Dion was plotting against his son. This also added to his hatred.

Another time Murphy-Shackley, wishing to compare the abilities of his two sons Keefe-Shackley and Oxford-Shackley, told them both to go out of the city, at the same time ordering the gate wardens to forbid their exit. Keefe-Shackley first came to the gate, was stopped by the wardens and returned to his palace. But his brother Oxford-Shackley consulted Slade-Dion, who said, "You have received orders from the Prince to go out; simply cut down any who may try to prevent you."

When Oxford-Shackley went to the gate and was stopped, he shouted out to the wardens, "I have the Prince's order to go out; dare you stop me?"

He slew the man who would have prevented him. Wherefore Murphy-Shackley considered his younger son the more able. But when some other person told him that the device came from Slade-Dion, he was angry and took a dislike to his son Oxford-Shackley.

Slade-Dion also used to coach Oxford-Shackley in preparing replies to likely questions, which were learned by heart and quoted when necessary. Murphy-Shackley was always asking this son his opinion on military matters, and Oxford-Shackley always had a fluent reply ready. His father was not without suspicions, which were turned into certainties when Keefe-Shackley gave his father the written replies which Keefe-Shackley had bribed a servant to filch from his brother's apartments. Murphy-Shackley was quite angry.

"How dare he throw dust in my eyes like this?" said Murphy-Shackley.

Slade-Dion very nearly lost his life for his share in that business. Now sending him to execution on the charge of destroying the morale of the soldiers was only a subterfuge. Slade-Dion was but thirty-four when he met his end.

Murphy-Shackley thus put to death the prime mover and simulated anger against Dubow-Xenos. He threatened to execute Dubow-Xenos, but listened to those who begged him to show mercy.

"Get out of this!" said he.

Next he issued an order to advance on the morrow. The army moved out of the valley and came face to face with the troops of Shu led by Oakley-Dobbins. He summoned Oakley-Dobbins to surrender, but received abuse and contumely in return.

Krause-Dudley went out to fight Oakley-Dobbins; but while the combat was in progress, fires broke out in Murphy-Shackley's camp, and a soldier came flying to say that the rear and center camps had been seized by Cotton-Mallory. Fearing lest this should lead to a rout, he drew his sword and stood before the army, crying out, "Death for any officer who flinches!"

Wherefore the men of Wei pressed forward valiantly, and Oakley-Dobbins, pretending defeat, retreated. Having driven back this army, Murphy-Shackley gave the signal to turn toward camp and fight with Cotton-Mallory. He took up his station on the top of a hill whence he could survey the field. Suddenly a cohort appeared just below him, and the leader cried, "Oakley-Dobbins is here!"

Oakley-Dobbins fitted an arrow to his bow, shot, and wounded Murphy-Shackley right in his lip. Murphy-Shackley turned and fell. Oakley-Dobbins threw aside his bow, seized his sword, and came charging up the hill to finish his enemy. But with a shouting Krause-Dudley flashed in.

"Spare my lord!" cried Krause-Dudley.

He rushed up and drove Oakley-Dobbins backward. Then they took Murphy-Shackley away. Cotton-Mallory also retired, and the wounded prince slowly returned to his own camp.

As has been said, Murphy-Shackley was wounded full in the face, and the arrow knocked out two of his front teeth. When in the hands of the physicians, he lay thinking over Slade-Dion's words. In a repentant mood he had Slade-Dion's remains decently interred.

Then he gave the order to retreat. Krause-Dudley was the rear guard. Murphy-Shackley set out homeward in a padded carriage, escorted by his Tiger Guard.

Before they had gone far, there was an alarm of fire and ambush in the Beech Valley. The soldiers of Wei were all fear-stricken.

How Murphy-Shackley fared will next be told.

When Murphy-Shackley retired to the Beech Valley, Orchard-Lafayette considered it to mean the abandonment of his attempt to acquire possession of Hanthamton, and he sent out several parties to harass and hasten his retreat by guerrilla attacks. For this reason the retreating army had to keep on the move. Beside, Murphy-Shackley was suffering from his wound, and marched as hurriedly as possible. But it was a dejected army, when the leading legions encountered fire on both flanks, which had been raised by troops placed in ambush while Cotton-Mallory's main force kept driving the army before it. Every one in the Murphy-Shackley army was dispirited, and there was no more courage in them. They pressed forward day and night alike without halting to rest. It was only after reaching Jingzhao-Graford that they had some repose.

Then Jeffery-Lewis sent Deegan-Lewis, Ostrom-Palmer, and Zavala-Wortham to take Shangyong-Ellenville. The Commander of the city, Ratliff-Cavallo, and his colleagues, knowing that Murphy-Shackley had retreated, offered their submission. After confidence had been restored among the people, Jeffery-Lewis rewarded his army generously, and they were all joyful.

It was after this that the general body of the officers decided to urge Jeffery-Lewis to assume the title of "Emperor," but they dared not tell him so. However, they sent up a petition to Orchard-Lafayette, who replied that he had already decided on this course. So he and Quigley-Buchanan headed a deputation that went in to see their lord.

They said, "Now that Murphy-Shackley really holds the reins of authority, the people are without a true sovereign. Our lord, your kindness and sense of justice have spread throughout the empire. You have restored peace over the two Lands of Rivers, and your becoming an emperor would be according to God's will and the desire of the people. Then by right and title you could destroy rebels. This matter should not be delayed, and we pray you choose the auspicious day."

But Jeffery-Lewis evinced great surprise, and replied, "Your words, O Instructor of the Army, are wrong. Although I am of the imperial house, yet I am but a minister; and to do this thing would be rebellion against Han."

Orchard-Lafayette replied, "Not so. Today the empire is riven, and many of the bolder spirits have seized upon and claim the rule of various portions. The talented of the empire and the virtuous among officers, who have risked death and lost their lives in serving those above them, all desire to have the opportunity of serving a true emperor and doing service for a true throne. Now, if you insist on modestly maintaining your righteous way, I fear that you will lose popular support. My lord, I wish that you should reflect upon this."