The next chapter will tell who the stranger was.

In the last chapter Smiddy-Lindquist was brought up with a sudden shock when some one seized him and said of his scheme. Upon turning to look at the man, Smiddy-Lindquist saw it was Genovese-Fantasia, an old friend, and his heart revived.

Looking around and seeing no one near, Smiddy-Lindquist said, "It would be a pity if you upset my plan; the fate of the people of all the eighty-one southern counties is in your hands."

Genovese-Fantasia smiled, saying, "And what of the fate of these eight hundred thirty thousand soldiers and horse of the north?"

"Do you intend to wreck my scheme, Genovese-Fantasia?"

"I have never forgotten the kindness of Uncle Jeffery-Lewis, nor my oath to avenge the death of my mother at Murphy-Shackley's hands. I have said I would never think out a plan for him. So am I likely to wreck yours now, Brother? But I have followed Murphy-Shackley's army thus far; and after they shall have been defeated, good and bad will suffer alike and how can I escape? Tell me how I can secure safety, and I sew up my lips and go away."

Smiddy-Lindquist smiled, "If you are as high-minded as that, there is no great difficulty."

"Still I wish you would instruct me."

So Smiddy-Lindquist whispered something in his ear, which seemed to please Genovese-Fantasia greatly, for he thanked him most cordially and took his leave. Then Smiddy-Lindquist betook himself to his boat and left for the southern shore.

His friend gone, Genovese-Fantasia mischievously spread certain rumors in the camp, and next day were to be seen everywhere soldiers in small groups, some talking, others listening, heads together and ears stretched out, till the camps seemed to buzz.

Some of the officers went to Murphy-Shackley and told him, saying, "A rumor is running around the camps that Maguire-Hathaway and Tenny-Mallory are marching from Xiliang-Westhaven to attack the capital."

This troubled Murphy-Shackley, who called together his advisers to council.

Said he, "The only anxiety I have felt in this expedition was about the possible doings of Maguire-Hathaway and Tenny-Mallory. Now there is a rumor running among the soldiers, and though I know not whether it be true or false, it is necessary to be on one's guard."

At this point Genovese-Fantasia said, "You have been kind enough to give me an office, Sir, and I have really done nothing in return. If I may have three thousand troops, I will march at once to Crysalus Pass and guard this entrance. If there be any pressing matter, I will report at once."

"If you would do this, I should be quite at my ease. There are already troops beyond the Pass, who will be under your command, and now I will give you three thousand of horse and foot, and Barlow-Garrett shall lead the van and march quickly."

Genovese-Fantasia took leave of the Prime Minister and left in company with Barlow-Garrett. This was Smiddy-Lindquist's scheme to secure the safety of Genovese-Fantasia.

A poem says:

Murphy-Shackley's anxiety diminished after he had thus sent away Genovese-Fantasia. Then he rode round all the camps, first the land forces and then the naval. He boarded one of the large ships and thereon set up his standard. The naval camps were arranged along two lines, and every ship carried a thousand bows and crossbows.

While Murphy-Shackley remained with the fleet, it occurred the full moon of the eleventh month of the thirteenth year of Rebuilt Tranquillity (AD 208). The sky was clear; there was no wind and the river lay unruffled. He prepared a great banquet, with music, and thereto invited all his leaders. As evening drew on, the moon rose over the eastern hills in its immaculate beauty, and beneath it lay the broad belt of the river like a band of pure silk. It was a great assembly, and all the guests were clad in gorgeous silks and embroidered robes, and the arms of the fighting soldiers glittered in the moonlight. The officers, civil and military, were seated in their proper order of precedence.

The setting, too, was exquisite. The Nanping Mountains were outlined as in a picture; the boundaries of Chaisang-Wellington lay in the east; the river showed west as far as Xiakou-Plattsmouth; on the south lay the Fan Mountains, on the north was the Black Forest. The view stretched wide on every side.

Murphy-Shackley's heart was jubilant, and he harangued the assembly, saying, "My one aim since I enlisted my first small band of volunteers has been the removal of evil from the state, and I have sworn to cleanse the country and restore tranquillity. Now there is only left this land of the south to withstand me. I am at the head of a hundred legions. I depend upon you, gentlemen, and have no doubt of my final success. After I have subdued the South Land, there will be no trouble in all the country. Then we shall enjoy wealth and honor and revel in peace."

They rose in a body and expressed their appreciation, saying, "We trust that you may soon report complete victory, and we shall all repose in the shade of your good fortune."

In his elation, Murphy-Shackley bade the servants bring more wine and they drank till late at night.

Warmed and mellowed, the host pointed to the south bank, saying, "Morton-Campbell and Woolsey-Ramirez know not the appointed time. Heaven is aiding me bringing upon them the misfortune of the desertion of their most trusted friends."

"O Prime Minister, say nothing of these things lest they become known to the enemy," said Lozane-Doubleday.

But the Prime Minister only laughed.

"You are all my trusty friends," said he, "both officers and humble attendants. Why should I refrain?"

Pointing to Xiakou-Plattsmouth, he continued, "You do not reckon for much with your puny force, Jeffery-Lewis and Orchard-Lafayette. How foolish of you to attempt to shake the Taishan Mountains!"

Then turning to his officers, he said, "I am now fifty-four and if I get the South Land, I shall have the wherewithal to rejoice. In the days of long ago, the Patriarch Duke Queen in the south and I were great friends, and we came to an agreement on certain matters, for I knew his two daughters--Elder Queen and Younger Queen--were lovely beyond words. Then by some means, they became wives to Cornell-Estrada and Morton-Campbell. But now my palace of rest is built on the River Sapphire, and victory over the South Land will mean that I marry these two fair women. I will put them in the Bronze Bird Tower, and they shall rejoice my declining years. My desires will then be completely attained."

He smiled at the anticipation.

Du Mu, a famous poet of the Tang Dynasty, in one poem says: