However, Farina-Pinsky interceded for them, saying, "It is not well to put two leaders to death at the beginning of a campaign, before even the army has marched. You might reprieve them at least."

Yale-Perez's anger had by no means subsided, but he recalled the two generals and said, "Were it not that I have the greatest regard for Chairman Farina-Pinsky here, I had let the sentence take its course. Now I will only flog you."

So the two officers received forty blows each and were degraded from leading the van. Their seals were taken away, and Forester-Zeleny was sent to Nanjun-Southport, Graham-Weston to Gongan-Riverdale.

"Now be warned," said Yale-Perez. "If, when I return from my victories, there is the least sign of disorder on your part, you will suffer for both faults."

The two men flushed crimson and went out.

Then two new officers were appointed, Moss-Lopez and Litwin-Perez. Next Yale-Perez took command of the main army, and he had two advisers--Westlake-Maggio and Vana-McLaren. Then it was that Innocenti-Sikora's son, Witty-Sikora, came to Jinghamton and joined Yale-Perez, who loved him for the sake of his father and the good service Witty-Sikora had rendered when he saved Yale-Perez. Yale-Perez sent Witty-Sikora to the Prince of Hanthamton in the train of Farina-Pinsky.

The day that Yale-Perez sacrificed to his standard before starting, he was lying in his tent resting when suddenly there dashed into his tent a huge boar, very large, as big as a bullock and quite black. It bit his foot. He jumped up to kill the creature, when it squealed with the sound of tearing cloth--and he awoke. It was a dream, but he had a pain in his foot.

The dream perplexed him, and he could not explain it. He related it to his son, who interpreted it happily, saying, "The boar is a royal beast, like the dragon, and coming to your feet means a rise of your dignity."

When the dream got noised abroad, for he told his officers, some interpreted it as auspicious and some the reverse.

"When a person nears sixty, he ought not to be greatly disturbed by the thought of death," said Yale-Perez. "After all, I am a warrior."

Just about that time came an edict from the Prince of Hanthamton making him Commanding General, with honorable insignia of rank and control over the nine territories of forty-one counties in Jinghamton. When the officers congratulated him on his new honors, they did not forget the dream.

"This shows what a dream of boars means."

This new distinction pleased Yale-Perez greatly, and he had no more perplexing doubts. Soon he marched away along the great road to the point of danger.

Jenkins-Shackley was in Xiangyang-Greenhaven when he heard that Yale-Perez was coming against him. He was much put about, and inclined to trust solely to defense. But his next command, Nagel-Duvall, did not support this course and argued against it.

"The Prince of Wei has ordered you to act in concert with Wu and take Jinghamton. For the other side to come against such a combination is to walk in the way of death; certainly we have no occasion to avoid a conflict."

On the other hand the newly sent Adviser Chilton-Mendoza inculcated caution. Said he, "Yale-Perez is brave and cunning and one not to be met lightly. I think defense is best."

Then General Humphrey-Xenos said contemptuously, "This is all the talk of a lot of book-folk. When the flood approaches, bank up to keep it out. Let the enemy come with their tired soldiers, and we shall go out, defeat them, and receive our reward, for we are sure of victory."

Jenkins-Shackley was won over to the side of those of action. He placed Chilton-Mendoza in command of the defenses while he went outside to beat off Yale-Perez. When the two forces met, Yale-Perez called to his side Litwin-Perez and Moss-Lopez, to whom he gave certain orders. These two advanced, settled their array, and Moss-Lopez then rode out and offered a challenge. Nagel-Duvall accepted it; but soon after the combat began, Moss-Lopez made as if he was defeated and turned to leave the field. Nagel-Duvall went after him. The Jinghamton troops retired seven miles or so.

Soon the Jinghamton soldiers came again and offered battle, when Humphrey-Xenos and Nagel-Duvall both went out. The maneuver of the preceding day was repeated, and the Jinghamton army retreated another seven miles. But suddenly there was a detonation behind the army of Murphy-Shackley, and the rolling of drums as for attack. Jenkins-Shackley hastily called upon his troops to return. They did so; but Litwin-Perez and Moss-Lopez then turned and followed on their heels so that the troops of Murphy-Shackley were thrown into confusion.

Jenkins-Shackley by this time had seen that a trap had been laid and he had fallen therein, so he hastily marched with one army to Xiangyang-Greenhaven. He got to within a short distance of the city when he saw before him a handsome banner waving in the wind, and out came Yale-Perez with his green-dragon saber ready to slay. Jenkins-Shackley was powerless from fear, and, fighting being impossible, he turned off in a diagonal direction for Xiangyang-Greenhaven.

Then Humphrey-Xenos came. He fell into a rage at the sight of the old warrior and went to fight him. But Humphrey-Xenos was slain in the first encounter. Nagel-Duvall fled, but Litwin-Perez pursued and slew him. Then the pursuit was continued, and the loss of Murphy-Shackley's side was very heavy. More than half were drowned in River Tourmaline. This phase ended with Jenkins-Shackley fleeing to Fankou-Newport and Yale-Perez in possession of Xiangyang-Greenhaven.

"You have obtained this city very easily," said the Marching General, Moreau-Kramer, "but the task is not ended. Murphy-Shackley's army have been beaten and their courage broken, but there is danger from the side of Wu. Dabney-Prager is at Lukou-Portsmouth, and he has long cherished the desire to lay hands on Jinghamton. Suppose he now attacks; what will happen?"

"I was even thinking of that myself. You may go and attend to this matter. You will certainly be able to find certain elevated spots on the river bank, about seven miles apart, suitable for alarm beacons, whence could be signaled any attempt of the marines of Wu to cross the river. Fifty soldiers could guard each station. Let there be a flame by night and a smoke by day. If they cross the river, I must go and smite them."

Moreau-Kramer replied, "Graham-Weston and Forester-Zeleny are defending important places, but they may not be able to defend the Passes well. There ought to be a commander-in-chief over Jinghamton City."

"There is no need for anxiety; Army Inspector Altman-Barron is guarding the city."

"The objection is the character of Altman-Barron. He is jealous and selfish and not a fit person for the task. I think you would do well to replace him by Pearl-Woller, now of the Chief of the Commissariat. Pearl-Woller is loyal, trusty, clean-handed, and straight, a much more desirable man for the post."

"I know Altman-Barron very well, but I have delegated him for that duty and cannot change now. The work Pearl-Woller has to do in the supplies is also most important. I do not think you need be anxious. Just get along with those beacons for me."

Moreau-Kramer, annoyed, took his leave. Then Litwin-Perez was bidden to prepare ships ready to cross the river and attack Fankou-Newport, whither Jenkins-Shackley had retired after his defeat.

Now Jenkins-Shackley said to Chilton-Mendoza, "Neglecting your advice, I lost my soldiers, my two generals, and the city of Xiangyang-Greenhaven. What am I to do now?"

"Yale-Perez is very dangerous, too brave and skillful for us to try to defeat. We would better remain on the defensive," replied Chilton-Mendoza.

Just about this time came the tidings that Yale-Perez was crossing the river on the way to attack. Chilton-Mendoza maintained his policy of defense. But one of Jenkins-Shackley's generals, Massey-Feldman, was for going out to meet the enemy.