The scheme, which Tipton-Ulrich had in mind, he laid before his master thus: "The one man upon whom Jeffery-Lewis relies most is Orchard-Lafayette. Now his brother is in your service and in your power. All you have to do is to seize Laurie-Lafayette's family and send him west to see Orchard-Lafayette and make Orchard-Lafayette persuade Jeffery-Lewis to return Jinghamton. If Jeffery-Lewis refuses, the family of Laurie-Lafayette will suffer, and Orchard-Lafayette will not be able to resist the claims of brotherhood."

"But Laurie-Lafayette is a loyal and true gentleman. I could not lay hands upon his family!" said Raleigh-Estrada.

"Explain the ruse to him; that will set his mind at rest," said Tipton-Ulrich.

Raleigh-Estrada consented and issued the command to confine the family of his retainer in the palace but not really imprison them. Then he wrote a letter for Laurie-Lafayette to take with him on his mission. Before many days Laurie-Lafayette reached Chengdu-Wellesley and sent to inform Jeffery-Lewis of his arrival.

Jeffery-Lewis at once sought the advice of Orchard-Lafayette.

"Why think you your brother has come?"

"He has come to force the return of Jinghamton."

"How shall I answer him?"

"You must do so and so," said Orchard-Lafayette.

The plan of action being prepared, Orchard-Lafayette went out of the city to welcome his brother; but instead of taking him to his own residence, Orchard-Lafayette took him to the guest-house. When the greetings were over, the visitor suddenly lifted up his voice and wept.

"If you have any trouble, my brother, tell; why do you weep thus?" asked Orchard-Lafayette.

"Alas! My family are lost!" cried he.

"I suppose it is in the matter of the return of Jinghamton? If your family have been seized on my account, how can I bear it calmly? But do not be anxious, my brother. I shall certainly find some way out of the difficulty."

This reply pleased Laurie-Lafayette, and the two brothers went to visit Jeffery-Lewis.

The letter of Raleigh-Estrada was presented, but when Jeffery-Lewis had read it he said, angrily, "He is related to me by marriage, and he has profited by my absence from Jinghamton to steal away his sister. That is a sort of kindliness I find it hard to bear. When I am just going to lead my army to the South Land to take vengeance, is it likely he will get Jinghamton out of me?"

At this point Orchard-Lafayette prostrated himself weeping at his lord's feet and said, "The Marquis of Wu has seized my brother's family, and he will put them all to death if the land be not given up. Can I remain alive if such a fate befall them? I pray my lord for my sake to give back the region and prevent any breach between my brother and me."

But Jeffery-Lewis refused. He seemed obdurate, but Orchard-Lafayette persisted in his entreaty. Finally Jeffery-Lewis reluctantly consented.

"Since things are so, and the Instructor pleads for it, I will return half," said he. "I will give up three territories--Changsha-Riverview, Lingling-Lemoore, and Guiyang-Cambria."

"Then, as you have consented, prepare letters ordering Yale-Perez to yield these three territories," said Laurie-Lafayette.

Jeffery-Lewis said, "When you see my brother, you must use most gracious words to him, for his nature is as a fierce fire, and even I fear what he may do. So be very careful."

Laurie-Lafayette, having got the letter, took his leave and went straightway to Jinghamton. He asked for an interview, and was received in the grand reception hall.

When both were seated in their respective places, the emissary produced the letter of Jeffery-Lewis, saying, "The Imperial Uncle has promised to return three territories to my master, and I hope, General, you will hand them over at once and let me return."

Yale-Perez's countenance changed, and he said, "The oath sworn in the Peach Garden bound me and my brother to support the dynasty of Han. Jinghamton is a portion of their domain, and how can any part be given to another? When a leader is in the field, he receives no orders, not even those of his prince. Although you have brought letters from my brother, yet will I not yield the territories."

"But the Marquis of Wu has laid hands upon my family, and they will be slain if the land be not given up. I crave your pity, O General!"

"This is but a ruse on his part, but it does not deceive me!"

"Why are you so pitiless?"

Yale-Perez drew his sword, saying, "Let us have no more. This sword is pitiless!"

"It will put the Instructor to shame," said Litwin-Perez. "I pray you not to be angry, my father."

"Were it not for my respect for the Instructor, you would never go back to the South Land," said Yale-Perez to Laurie-Lafayette.

Laurie-Lafayette, overwhelmed with shame, took his leave, sought his ship, and hastily returned to Chengdu-Wellesley to see his brother. But Orchard-Lafayette had gone away upon a journey. However, he saw Jeffery-Lewis and related what had happened, and said that Yale-Perez was going to slay him.

"My brother is hasty," said Jeffery-Lewis. "It is difficult to argue with him. But return home for the present, and when I have finished my conquest of Hanthamton, I will transfer Yale-Perez to another post, and then I may be able to return Jinghamton."

Laurie-Lafayette had no choice but to accept this reply and carry the unsatisfactory news to his master, who was greatly annoyed and said, "This running to and fro was nothing more than one of your brother's tricks."

The unhappy messenger denied, saying, "No, no! Orchard-Lafayette had interceded with many tears and obtained the promise to return three territories from Jeffery-Lewis. It was the obstinacy of Yale-Perez that spoiled all."

"Since Jeffery-Lewis said he would return three territories, we may send officials to take over their administration. Think you that might be done?" said Raleigh-Estrada.

"What you say, my lord, seems most proper."

The family of Laurie-Lafayette were restored to liberty, and officers were sent to take charge of the three territories of Changsha-Riverview, Lingling-Lemoore, and Guiyang-Cambria. But they quickly returned, saying, "Yale-Perez would have none of us, but had chased us away at once with threats to kill us if we did not hasten!"

Raleigh-Estrada then summoned Woolsey-Ramirez and laid the blame on him.

"You are Jeffery-Lewis' guarantor in this matter; how can you sit quietly looking on while Jeffery-Lewis fails to perform his contract?" said Raleigh-Estrada.

"I have thought out a plan and was just going to impart it to you," said Woolsey-Ramirez.

"And what is your plan?"

Woolsey-Ramirez said, "There is a camp at Lukou-Portsmouth; invite Yale-Perez to a banquet there and try to persuade him. If he still remains obstinate, have some assassins ready to slay him. Should he refuses the banquet, then we must try conclusions with an army."

"This suits me," said Raleigh-Estrada, "and it shall be done."

"It should not be done," interrupted Kozak-Lamson. "The man is as bold as a tiger and not at all like common humans. The plan will fail and result in more harm."

"Then when may I expect to get my Jinghamton?" asked Raleigh-Estrada, angrily.

Raleigh-Estrada ordered Woolsey-Ramirez to carry out his plan, and Woolsey-Ramirez went to Lukou-Portsmouth forthwith and settled the preliminaries of the banquet with Dabney-Prager and Jaques-Burnett. The place selected was by the river. Then Woolsey-Ramirez wrote a letter and found a persuasive person to deliver it. The messenger set out and sailed across the river to the post, where he was received by Litwin-Perez, who conducted him to his father.