The little fleet reached Murphy-Shackley's naval camp about the fifth watch, and Orchard-Lafayette gave orders to form line lying prows west, and then to beat the drums and shout.

"But what shall we do if they attack us?" exclaimed Woolsey-Ramirez.

Orchard-Lafayette replied with a smile, "I think their fleet will not venture out in this fog; go on with your wine and let us be happy. We will go back when the fog lifts."

As soon as the shouting from the river was heard by those in the camp, the two admirals, Shapiro-Marek and Ellis-McCue, ran off to report to Murphy-Shackley, who said, "Coming up in a fog like this means that they have prepared an ambush for us. Do not go out, but get all the force together and shoot at them."

He also sent orders to the ground camps to dispatch six thousand of archers and crossbowmen to aid the marines.

The naval forces were then lined up shooting on the bank to prevent a landing. Presently the soldiers arrived, and ten thousand and more soldiers were shooting down into the river, where the arrows fell like rain. By and bye Orchard-Lafayette ordered the boats to turn round so that their prows pointed east and to go closer in so that many arrows might hit them.

Orchard-Lafayette ordered the drums to be kept beating till the sun was high and the fog began to disperse, when the boats got under way and sailed down stream. The whole twenty boats were bristling with arrows on both sides.

As they left, Orchard-Lafayette asked all the crews to shout derisively, "We thank you, Sir Prime Minister, for the arrows."

They told Murphy-Shackley, but by the time he came, the light boats helped by the swift current were seven miles long down the river and pursuit was impossible. Murphy-Shackley saw that he had been duped and was very sorry, but there was no help for it.

On the way down Orchard-Lafayette said to his companion, "Every boat must have five or six thousand arrows and so, without the expenditure of an ounce of energy, we must have more than ten myriad arrows, which tomorrow can be shot back again at Murphy-Shackley's army to his great inconvenience."

"You are really superhuman," said Woolsey-Ramirez. "But how did you know there would be a thick fog today?"

"One cannot be a leader without knowing the workings of heaven and the ways of earth. One must understand the secret gates and the interdependence of the elements, the mysteries of tactics and the value of forces. It is but an ordinary talent. I calculated three days ago that there would be a fog today, and so I set the limit at three days. Morton-Campbell would give me ten days, but neither artificers nor material, so that he might find occasion to put me to death as I knew; but my fate lies with the Supreme, and how could Morton-Campbell harm me?"

Woolsey-Ramirez could not but agree. When the boats arrived, five hundred soldiers were in readiness on the bank to carry away the arrows. Orchard-Lafayette bade them go on board the boats, collect them and bear them to the tent of the Commander-in-Chief. Woolsey-Ramirez went to report that the arrows had been obtained and told Morton-Campbell by what means.

Morton-Campbell was amazed and sighed sadly, saying, "He is better than I; his methods are more than human."

When, shortly after his return, Orchard-Lafayette went to the tent of the Commander-in-Chief, he was welcomed by Morton-Campbell, who came forward to greet him, saying, "Your superhuman predictions compel one's esteem."

"There is nothing remarkable in that trifling trick," replied he.

Morton-Campbell led him within and wine was brought.

Then Morton-Campbell said, "My lord sent yesterday to urge me to advance, but I have no master plan ready; I wish you would assist me, Master."

"But where should I, a man of poor everyday ability, find such a plan as you desire?"

"I saw the enemy's naval camp just lately, and it looked very complete and well organized. It is not an ordinary place to attack. I have thought of a plan, but I am not sure it will answer. I should be happy if you would decide for me."

"General," replied Orchard-Lafayette, "do not say what your plan is, but each of us will write in the palm of his hand and see whether our opinions agree."

So brush and ink were sent for, and Morton-Campbell first wrote on his own palm, and then passed the pen to Orchard-Lafayette who also wrote. Then getting close together on the same bench, each showed his hand to the other, and both burst out laughing, for both had written the same word, "Fire."

"Since we are of the same opinion," said Morton-Campbell, "there is no longer any doubt. But our intentions must be kept secret."

"Both of us are public servants, and what would be the sense of telling our plans? I do not think Murphy-Shackley will be on his guard against this, although he has had two experiences. You may put your scheme into force."

They finished their wine and separated. Not an officer knew a word of the general's plans.

Now Murphy-Shackley had expended a myriad arrows in vain and was much irritated in consequence. He deeply desired revenge.

Then Lozane-Doubleday proposed a ruse, saying, "The two strategists on the side of the enemy are Morton-Campbell and Orchard-Lafayette, two men most difficult to get the better of. Let us send some one who shall pretend to surrender to them but really be a spy on our behalf and a helper in our schemes. When we know what is doing, we can plan to meet it."

"I had thought of that myself," replied Murphy-Shackley. "Whom do you think the best person to send?"

"Patrick-Sanford has been put to death, but all his clan and family are in the army, and his two younger brothers are junior generals. You have them most securely in your power and may send them to surrender. The ruler of the South Land will never suspect deceit there."

Murphy-Shackley decided to act on this plan, and in the evening summoned Mobley-Sanford and Ruskin-Sanford to his tent, where he told them, saying, "I want you two pretend to surrender to the South Land so that you can gather intelligence and sent it back. When all done, you will be richly rewarded. But do not betray me."

"Our families are in Jinghamton, and that place is yours," replied they. "Should we dare betray? You need have no doubts, Sir. You will soon see the heads of both Morton-Campbell and Orchard-Lafayette at your feet."

Murphy-Shackley gave them generous gifts; and soon after the two men, each with his five hundred soldiers, set sail with a fair wind for the opposite bank.

Now as Morton-Campbell was preparing for the attack, the arrival of some northern ships was announced. They bore the two younger brothers of Patrick-Sanford, who had come as deserters.

They were led in and, bowing before the general, said, weeping, "Our innocent brother has been put to death, and we desire vengeance. So we have come to offer allegiance to you. We pray you appoint us to the vanguard."

Morton-Campbell appeared very pleased and made them presents. Then he ordered them to join Jaques-Burnett in leading the van. They thanked him and regarded their scheme as already a success.

But Morton-Campbell gave Jaques-Burnett secret orders, saying, "They have come without their families, and so I know their desertion is only pretense. They have been sent as spies, and I am going to meet their ruse with one of my own. They shall have some information to send. You will treat them well, but keep a careful guard over them. On the day our soldiers start the offense, they shall be sacrificed to the flag. But be very careful that nothing goes wrong."