Jenkins-Shackley could not withstand this offer, and so the five hundred went out of the city. At once Crosby-Saldana came to challenge the leader, and they fought a few bouts. Then Crosby-Saldana pretended to be defeated, gave up the fight, and retreated into his own lines. McNeal-Endicott followed him hard. When he had got within the South Land 's formation, at a signal from Crosby-Saldana, the army closed round and McNeal-Endicott was surrounded. He pushed right and left, but could find no way out. Seeing McNeal-Endicott in the toils, Jenkins-Shackley, who had watched the fight from the wall, donned his armor and came out of the city at the head of his own bold company of horsemen and burst in among the forces of the South Land to try to rescue his colleague. Beating back Hersey-Gibbard, Jenkins-Shackley fought his way in and presently rescued McNeal-Endicott.

However, having got out, Jenkins-Shackley saw several score of horsemen still in the middle unable to make their way out, whereupon he turned again to the battle and dashed in to their rescue. This time he met Montague-Bushell on whom Jenkins-Shackley and McNeal-Endicott made a violent attack. Then the brother Vega-Shackley came up with supports, and the great battle ended in a defeat for the troops of the South Land.

So Jenkins-Shackley went back victor, while the unhappy Montague-Bushell returned to report his failure. Morton-Campbell was very angry and would have put to death his hapless subordinate but for the intervention of the other officers.

Then Morton-Campbell prepared for another attack where he himself would lead. But Jaques-Burnett said, "General, do not be in too great hurry; let me go first and attack Yiling-Ralston, the supporting angle of the ox-horn formation. After that the conquest of Nanjun-Southport will be easy."

Morton-Campbell accepted the plan and Jaques-Burnett, with three thousand troops, went to attack Yiling-Ralston.

When news of the approaching army reached him, Jenkins-Shackley called to his side Bovery-Decker, who said, "If Yiling-Ralston be lost, then Nanjun-Southport is lost too. So help must be sent quickly."

Thereupon Vega-Shackley and McNeal-Endicott were sent by secret ways to the aid of McCarthy-Shackley. Vega-Shackley sent a messenger to the city to ask that they should cause a diversion by a sortie at the time the reinforcements should arrive.

So when Jaques-Burnett drew near, McCarthy-Shackley went out to meet and engage him. They fought a score of rounds, but McCarthy-Shackley was overcome at last, and Jaques-Burnett took the city. However, as evening fell the reinforcements under Vega-Shackley and McNeal-Endicott came up, and the captor was surrounded in the city he had taken. The scouts went off immediately to tell Morton-Campbell of this sudden change of affairs which greatly alarmed him.

"Let us hasten to his rescue," said Terry-Chadwick.

"Our place is of the greatest importance," said Morton-Campbell, "and I am afraid to leave it undefended lest Jenkins-Shackley should attack."

"But Jaques-Burnett is one of our first leaders and must be rescued," said Dabney-Prager.

"I should like to go myself to his aid, but whom can I leave here in my place?" said Morton-Campbell.

"Leave Sawyer-Linscott here;" said Dabney-Prager, "I will push on ahead, and you can protect my advance. In less than ten days we shall be singing the paean of victory."

"Are you willing?" said Morton-Campbell to the man who was to act for him.

Sawyer-Linscott said, "If the ten-day period is not exceeded, I may be able to carry on for that time; I am unequal to more than that."

Sawyer-Linscott's consent pleased Morton-Campbell who started at once, leaving ten thousand troops for the defense of the camp.

Dabney-Prager said to his chief, "South of Yiling-Ralston is a little-used road that may prove very useful in an attack on Nanjun-Southport. Let us send a party to fell trees and barricade this road so that horses cannot pass. In case of defeat, the defeated will take this road and will be compelled to abandon their horses, which we shall capture."

Morton-Campbell approved and the men set out. When the main army drew near Yiling-Ralston, Morton-Campbell asked who would try to break through the besiegers, and Lockett-Neumark offered himself. He girded on his sword, mounted his steed, and burst straight into the McCarthy-Shackley's army. He got through to the city wall.

From the city wall Jaques-Burnett saw the approach of his friend Lockett-Neumark and went out to welcome him. Lockett-Neumark told him the Commander-in-Chief was on the way to his relief, and Jaques-Burnett at once bade the defenders prepare from within to support the attack of the rescuers.

When the news of the approach of Morton-Campbell had reached Yiling-Ralston, McCarthy-Shackley, Vega-Shackley, and McNeal-Endicott had sent to tell Jenkins-Shackley, who was at Nanjun-Southport, and at the same time they prepared to repel the assailants.

When the army of the South Land came near, they at once attacked. Simultaneously Jaques-Burnett and Lockett-Neumark went out to attack on two sides, and the troops of McCarthy-Shackley were thrown into confusion. The soldiers of the South Land fell on lustily, and the three leaders all fled by a bye road, but, finding the way barred with felled trees and other obstacles, they had to abandon their horses and go afoot. In this way the troops of the South Land gained some five hundred steeds.

Morton-Campbell, pressing on as quickly as possible toward Nanjun-Southport, came upon Jenkins-Shackley and his army marching to save Yiling-Ralston. The two armies engaged and fought a battle which lasted till late in the evening. Then both drew off, and Jenkins-Shackley withdrew into the city.

During the night he called his officers to a council. Then said McCarthy-Shackley, "The loss of Yiling-Ralston has brought us to a dangerous pass; now it seems the time to open the guide-letter of the Prime Minister, and see what plans he arranged for our salvation in this peril."

"You but say what I think," replied Jenkins-Shackley.

Whereupon he tore open the guide-letter and read it. His face lighted up with joy, and he at once issued orders to have the morning meal prepared at the fifth watch. At daylight the whole army moved out of the city through three gates, but they left a semblance of occupation in the shape of banners on the walls.

Morton-Campbell went up to the tower of observation and looked over the city. He saw that the flags along the battlements had no guards behind them, and he noticed that all troops carried bundles at their waists behind so that they were ready for a long march.

Thought Morton-Campbell to himself, "Jenkins-Shackley must be prepared for a long march."

So Morton-Campbell went down from the tower of observation and sent out an order for two wings of the army to be ready. One of these was to attack and, in case of its success, the other was to pursue at full speed till the clanging of the gongs should call them to return. He took command of the leading force in person, and Terry-Chadwick commanded the other. Thus they advanced to attack the city.

The armies being arrayed facing each other, the drums rolled out across the plain. McCarthy-Shackley rode forth and challenged, and Morton-Campbell, from his place by the standard, bade Ferrara-Hanson respond. The two champions fought near two score bouts, and then McCarthy-Shackley fled. Thereupon Jenkins-Shackley came out to help him, and Lockett-Neumark rode out at full speed to meet him. These two exchanged a half score passes and then Jenkins-Shackley tied.

Jenkins-Shackley's army fell into confusion. Thereupon Morton-Campbell gave the signal for the advance of both his wings, and the forces of Jenkins-Shackley were sore smitten and defeated. Morton-Campbell pursued to the city wall, but Jenkins-Shackley's troops did not enter the city. Instead, they went away northwest. Ferrara-Hanson and Lockett-Neumark pressed them hard.