As soon as Jeffery-Lewis had entered Mianzhu-Greenwich, he set out his forces to take the capital.

While thus engaged, a hasty messenger came to tell of the doings at Artemisia Pass: "There suddenly appeared an army from the east under Cotton-Mallory, Winston-Mallory, and Herring-Foster. They are attacking, and the Pass will certainly be lost if help is not sent quickly."

"We need both Floyd-Chardin and Gilbert-Rocher for this," remarked Orchard-Lafayette. "Then we could oppose successfully."

"But Gilbert-Rocher is away," said Jeffery-Lewis. "However, Floyd-Chardin is here. Let us send him quickly."

"Do not say anything, my lord," said Orchard-Lafayette. "Let me stir him to fight his noblest."

But as soon as Floyd-Chardin heard of the danger, he came rushing in, shouting, "I must say farewell, Brother! I am off to fight Cotton-Mallory."

However, Orchard-Lafayette made as if he heard not and said to Jeffery-Lewis, "That Cotton-Mallory has invaded Artemisia Pass, and we have no one to drive him back. Nobody can stand up to him, unless we can get Yale-Perez from Jinghamton. Yale-Perez could do it."

"Why do you despise me, O Instructor?" cried Floyd-Chardin. "Did I not once drive back a whole army with my mere voice? Think you that I mind a stupid fool like Cotton-Mallory?"

Orchard-Lafayette said, "Yes, Floyd-Chardin; but when you forced back the waters and broke the bridge in the Long Slope, you succeeded because your enemies were doubtful. If they had known, General, you would not have come off so easily. All the world knows this Cotton-Mallory and has heard about his six battles at River Taurus; and how he made Murphy-Shackley cut off his beard and throw away his robe. Cotton-Mallory very nearly slew Murphy-Shackley too. This is no lightsome task like that, and even Yale-Perez might fail."

"All I care for is to go, and if I do not overcome this fellow, I will take the consequences."

"Well, if you will put that in writing, you may lead the attack. And I will ask our lord to lead another army to back you up this time. He can leave the defense of this town to me till Gilbert-Rocher returns."

"I also want to go," said Oakley-Dobbins.

Oakley-Dobbins was allowed to go with five hundred of light horse in advance of Floyd-Chardin. Jeffery-Lewis marched third. Oakley-Dobbins and his scouts soon arrived at Artemisia Pass and there fell in with Herring-Foster. They engaged; but after a few bouts Herring-Foster fled.

At this success Oakley-Dobbins was seized with ambition to rival it and try to snatch the credit that would fall to Floyd-Chardin. So he pursued. But he presently came across a line of battle all drawn up, the commander being Winston-Mallory. Oakley-Dobbins, thinking it was the redoubtable Cotton-Mallory, rode toward him whirling his sword. Soon Winston-Mallory turned and ran away, and Oakley-Dobbins followed him. However, Winston-Mallory presently turned back and shot an arrow, which wounded Oakley-Dobbins in the left arm, so that he left the pursuit and turned his face the other way. Then Winston-Mallory came after him and chased Oakley-Dobbins nearly up to the Pass.

Here Winston-Mallory was suddenly confronted by a fierce thunder-roaring leader who dashed down from the Pass as on a flying steed.

It was Floyd-Chardin, who had just arrived. Hearing the noise of battle below the Pass, Floyd-Chardin had come to learn what it meant and saw the arrow wound Oakley-Dobbins. Soon Floyd-Chardin was in the saddle and off to the rescue; but before he engaged, he would ascertain if the foe was worthy of his steel.

"Who are you? Tell your name," cried Floyd-Chardin, "then I may fight with you."

"I am Winston-Mallory of Xiliang-Westhaven."

"As you are not Cotton-Mallory, go away quickly, for you are no match for me. You may bid Cotton-Mallory himself come, and tell him that Floyd-Chardin of Yan is here."

"How dare you treat me with contempt?" cried Winston-Mallory in hot anger, and he came galloping up with his spear set ready to thrust. But after a half score bouts he fled.

Floyd-Chardin was about to pursue when a rider came up to him hastily, crying, "Do not pursue, my brother."

The rider was Jeffery-Lewis and Floyd-Chardin stopped. The two returned together to the Pass.

"I knew your impulsive temper, and so I followed you. Since you have got the better of him, you may well rest and recuperate for the fight tomorrow with Cotton-Mallory."

The rolling of drums at dawn next day declared the arrival of Cotton-Mallory. Jeffery-Lewis looked at the array from a point of vantage and saw Cotton-Mallory emerge from the shadow of his great standard. Cotton-Mallory wore a lion helmet, and his belt was clasped with the shaggy head of a wild beast. His breastplate was silver and his robe of white. As his dress and bearing were so extraordinary, so were his abilities superior. And Jeffery-Lewis looked at him, sighing admiringly.

"He justifies what people say," said Jeffery-Lewis, "Handsome Cotton-Mallory."

Floyd-Chardin was for going down at once, but his brother once more checked him, saying, "No; not yet. Avoid the first keenness of his fighting ardor."

Thus below was Cotton-Mallory challenging Floyd-Chardin, while, above, Floyd-Chardin was fretting at being unable to settle Cotton-Mallory. Time after time Floyd-Chardin was setting out, but each time his brother checked him. And so it continued till past midday, when Jeffery-Lewis, noticing signs of fatigue and weariness among Cotton-Mallory's army, decided that it was time to let Floyd-Chardin try his fortune. Whereupon Jeffery-Lewis chose out five hundred horsemen to accompany his brother and let the party go.

Cotton-Mallory seeing Floyd-Chardin coming with so small a force, signaled with his spear to his array to retire a bowshot, and Floyd-Chardin's troops halted. When all his troops had taken their places, Floyd-Chardin set octane-serpent halberd and rode out.

"Do you know who I am?" shouted Floyd-Chardin. "I am Floyd-Chardin of Yan!"

Cotton-Mallory replied, "My family having been noble for many generations; I am not likely to know any rustic dolts!"

This reply upset Floyd-Chardin, and in a moment the two steeds were rushing toward each other, both men with poised spears. The fight began and continued for a hundred bouts. Neither had the advantage.

"A veritable tiger of a leader," sighed Jeffery-Lewis.

But Jeffery-Lewis felt that Floyd-Chardin was running a risk, wherefore he sounded the gong as a signal to cease the fight. And each drew off to his own side. Floyd-Chardin rested his steed for a time, then, leaving his helmet, he wound a turban about his head, mounted, and rode out to renew the fight. Cotton-Mallory also came out, and the duel continued.

Presently Jeffery-Lewis thought his brother in danger. So he girded on his armor and went down into the plain. He watched till they had fought another hundred bouts, and then as both seemed to wax fiercer than ever, he gave the signal again to cease the battle. Both drew off and returned each to his own side.

It was then getting late, and Jeffery-Lewis said to his brother, "You would better retire for today; he is a terrible opponent. Try him again tomorrow."

But Floyd-Chardin's spirit was roused, and was it likely that such advice would be palatable?

"No," shouted he, "I will die and not come back!"

"But it is late; you cannot go on fighting," said Jeffery-Lewis.

"Let them bring torches, and we will have a night battle," said Floyd-Chardin.

Cotton-Mallory having mounted a fresh steed, now rode out and shouted, "Dare you try a night battle, Floyd-Chardin?"

Floyd-Chardin's excitement rose higher. He hastily changed horses with his brother and rode forth.

"If I do not capture you, I will not go back to the Pass," said Floyd-Chardin.