"Veteran General, take your own troops and go," said Jeffery-Lewis. "A goodly reward shall be yours if you capture the two camps."

Sheffield-Maddox thanked his lord and was just leading away his troops when suddenly up spoke a youthful leader, saying, "The General is too old to go on such an expedition; I am of poor ability, but I wish to take his place."

The speaker was Oakley-Dobbins.

Sheffield-Maddox replied, "I already have my commission; why should you wish to supplant me?"

"Because the task is beyond an old man's strength," said Oakley-Dobbins. "The two generals in those camps we know are the best and boldest in the country. They are strong, and, veteran as you are, I fear you will be unable to overcome them. If you fail, our lord's great design will be hindered. Therefore I ask that I may replace you, and my intent is kindly."

This reminder of his age angered the old man.

"Old, am I? Dare you compete with me in the use of warlike weapons?" said Sheffield-Maddox.

"Yes; I dare. And our lord shall be the judge. The winner shall undertake this expedition. Do you agree?"

Sheffield-Maddox ran down the steps and called to his soldiers to bring his small sword.

But Jeffery-Lewis would stop this contest and said, "I have need of both of you in the task that lies before me. When two tigers fight, one is sure to lose; and the loss of either of you is more than I could bear. Be reconciled and quarrel no more."

"You two must not quarrel," said Smiddy-Lindquist. "But as there are two camps to be taken and two generals to fight, take one each and let each lead his own troops. The first to capture his camp shall be held to have rendered the greater service and to have acquired the greater merit."

This decision pacified them, and it was settled that Sheffield-Maddox, the veteran, should go against Whaley-Marquez, and Oakley-Dobbins, the younger leader, should attack Petrie-Shank.

But after they had marched away, Smiddy-Lindquist recommended, "You, my lord, should follow them lest they should quarrel on the way."

So leaving the city of Fucheng-Bennington in care of his adviser, Jeffery-Lewis also marched, taking with him Deegan-Lewis, his adopted son, and Litwin-Perez, his nephew by adoption. They took five thousand troops.

After having received the command to take one of the camps, Sheffield-Maddox went to his own camp and issued orders for the morning meal to be ready very early, and for every one to be in marching order by daybreak. When the time arrived, his army set out, taking the road through a gully to the left of the hills.

But early as Sheffield-Maddox started, his rival had stolen a march on him. Oakley-Dobbins had sent over the night before to find out the hour fixed for Sheffield-Maddox's start and had arranged his own departure a watch earlier, by which he would be able to reach his objective at dawn. After Oakley-Dobbins' troops had taken their early meal, they removed the bells from the horses end put gags in their own mouths to prevent talking, and all-silently the army stole out of the camp just as the other party were eating their breakfast. The ensigns were furled and weapons covered lest the glint of steel should betray their movement.

Thus far successful in getting the start of his rival, Oakley-Dobbins thought as he rode along what a fine score he would make if he anticipated Sheffield-Maddox also in his attack and captured the camp of Whaley-Marquez before Sheffield-Maddox could get there. Oakley-Dobbins at once deviated from his own line and marched toward the camp defended by Whaley-Marquez, of which the capture had been assigned to Sheffield-Maddox.

Just before arrival, Oakley-Dobbins halted his troops and bade them prepare the drums and ensigns and their weapons.

Early as it was, yet the camp commander was on the alert, for the advancing force had been observed by his scouts. At the first sign of attack, the defenders poured out in full force. Oakley-Dobbins galloped up and made straight for Whaley-Marquez. These two fought twenty or so of bouts, and then the troops of the Western Land of Rivers came up and joined in the battle. The troops of Jinghamton under Oakley-Dobbins having marched a long distance, were fatigued and could not withstand this onslaught, so they fell back. Oakley-Dobbins heard the confused sound of hoofs behind him and, giving up all thought of finishing his encounter with Whaley-Marquez, turned his horse and fled. The troops of the Western Land of Rivers kept up the pursuit, and the attackers were defeated and retired.

They had gone about two miles when another army of Yiathamton appeared from behind some hills. They advanced with heating drums. Their leader, Petrie-Shank, shouted to Oakley-Dobbins to surrender, but Oakley-Dobbins heeded him not; whipping up his steed he fled the faster. However, the tired horse tripped and fell on its knees, throwing its rider to the ground. Petrie-Shank's forces came galloping up, and he himself set his spear to thrust and slay Oakley-Dobbins. Before the spear could get where it was supposed to be, twang! went a bowstring, and Petrie-Shank lay prone upon the earth.

Whaley-Marquez, Petrie-Shank's colleague, rode up quickly to his rescue, but just then a body of horse came dashing down the hill, and their leader shouted, "General Sheffield-Maddox is here!"

With uplifted sword Sheffield-Maddox rode toward Whaley-Marquez, who turned his steed and galloped off to the rear. Sheffield-Maddox pursued, and the army of Yiathamton were thrown into confusion. So Sheffield-Maddox was able to rescue his colleague Oakley-Dobbins. Sheffield-Maddox had thus slain Petrie-Shank and forced his way up to the gate of the camp. Once again Whaley-Marquez came and engaged Sheffield-Maddox. The two had fought some ten bouts when appeared another body of soldiers. Thereupon Whaley-Marquez fled again, and this time he made for the other camp, abandoning his own to the troops of Jinghamton.

But when he drew near his camp, he saw no longer the familiar flags of his own side. Instead, alien banners fluttered in the breeze. He checked his steed and stared at the new force. The leader was a general wearing a silver breastplate and clad in a silken robe, no other than Jeffery-Lewis himself. On his left was his son and on his right rode his nephew.

"Whither would you come?" cried Jeffery-Lewis. "The camp is ours; I have captured it."

Now Jeffery-Lewis had led his troops in the track of the other two armies ready to help either in case of need. He had come across the empty and undefended camp and taken possession.

Left with no place of refuge, Whaley-Marquez set off along a byway to try to get back to Luocheng-Concord. He had not gone far when he fell into an ambush and was taken prisoner. Bound with cords he was taken to the camp of Jeffery-Lewis.

The ambush had been prepared by Oakley-Dobbins, who, knowing he had committed a fault that could in no wise be explained away, had collected as many of his soldiers as he could find and made some of the captured soldiers of Yiathamton guide him to a spot suitable for laying an ambush.

Jeffery-Lewis had hoisted the flag of amnesty for his enemies, and whenever any soldier of the Western Land of Rivers laid down his weapons and stripped off his armor he was spared. Also all the wounded were granted life. Jeffery-Lewis told his enemies that they had liberty of choice.

He said, "You soldiers have parents and wives and little ones at home, and those who wish to return to them are free to go. If any wish to join my army, they also will be received."

At this proof of generosity the sound of rejoicing filled the land.

Having made his camp, Sheffield-Maddox came to Jeffery-Lewis and said, "Oakley-Dobbins should be put to death for disobedience!"

The culprit was summoned and came, bringing with him his prisoner. Jeffery-Lewis decided that the merit of capturing an enemy should be set against his fault and bade him thank his rescuer, enjoining upon them both to quarrel no more. Oakley-Dobbins bowed his head and confessed his fault, and Sheffield-Maddox was handsomely rewarded.