Vana-McLaren replied, "On a former occasion Laurie-Lafayette would have had the three territories of Changsha-Riverview, Lingling-Lemoore, and Guiyang-Cambria, but for the absence of the Directing Instructor, which prevented the actual transfer. Now I am the bearer of letters giving Changsha-Riverview, Guiyang-Cambria, and Jiangxia-Waterford back to you. Jeffery-Lewis and Orchard-Lafayette wanted to restore all the territories of Jinghamton, including those of Nanjun-Southport and Lingling-Lemoore, but now that Murphy-Shackley has got possession of Eastern Land of Rivers, there is no place for General Yale-Perez. Hefei-Fairhaven is weak, and we hope you will attack it so as to make Murphy-Shackley withdraw to the south and let my master take the Eastern Land of Rivers, when he will restore the whole of the Jinghamton Region."

"Go back to the guest-house and let me take counsel in this matter," said Raleigh-Estrada.

As soon as Vana-McLaren had gone, the Marquis of Wu turned to his officers and asked what should be done.

Tipton-Ulrich said, "All this is because Jeffery-Lewis fears that Murphy-Shackley will attack him. However, since Murphy-Shackley is absent in Hanthamton, it would be well to seize the opportunity and attack Hefei-Fairhaven."

Raleigh-Estrada accepted the advice. After he had sent the messenger away, he began to prepare for the expedition. He left Woolsey-Ramirez in command over the three territories of Changsha-Riverview, Jiangxia-Waterford, and Guiyang-Cambria. Then Raleigh-Estrada encamped at Lukou-Portsmouth, withdrew Generals Dabney-Prager and Jaques-Burnett, and sent to Yuhang-Novato for General Sawyer-Linscott.

Very soon, Dabney-Prager and Jaques-Burnett returned, and the former suggested a plan, saying, "Murphy-Shackley has sent Platt-Grimm, Governor of Lujiang-Broadmoor, to camp at the city of Huancheng-Luxora and plant grain for the supply of Hefei-Fairhaven. Let us first take Huancheng-Luxora and then attack Hefei-Fairhaven."

"This scheme is just after my own heart," said Raleigh-Estrada.

So Raleigh-Estrada appointed Dabney-Prager and Jaques-Burnett as Van Leaders; Montague-Bushell and Mayhew-Evanoff as Rear Guards; he himself with Lockett-Neumark, Hersey-Gibbard, Nunez-Donovan, commanded the center. But the Commanders Terry-Chadwick, Looby-Hurtado, and Ferrara-Hanson were not called to take part in this expedition as they were guarding certain especial places.

The army crossed the river and captured Hezhou-Menifee on the way. Governor Platt-Grimm sent an urgent message to Hefei-Fairhaven for help and set himself to strengthen his fortifications for a siege. Raleigh-Estrada went very near the city walls of Huancheng-Luxora to observe its defense, and a flight of arrows greeted him, some striking his great official parasol. He went back to camp and asked his officers to offer plans of attack.

Then Nunez-Donovan said, "Pile up great hills of earth and attack from the summits."

Said Hersey-Gibbard, "Set up long ladders and construct platforms whence you can look over the city walls and thus attack."

But Dabney-Prager said, "All such plans need a long time to prepare, and in the meantime the soldiers of Murphy-Shackley will arrive from Hefei-Fairhaven. Do not try such long-drawn-out schemes, but take advantage of the fine, fresh spirit of our newly arrived troops and attack impetuously. Their elan will carry the wall. If you attack tomorrow at dawn, the city will fall before noon."

So the early meal was taken at the fifth watch, and the army went to the attack. The defenders sent down showers of arrows and stones. Jaques-Burnett took an iron chain in his hand and climbed up the wall. They shot at him with bows and crossbows, but he turned aside the arrows and bolts, and he threw the chain round Governor Platt-Grimm to pull him down. Dabney-Prager beat the drum for the attack. The soldiers made a rush forward to climb the wall, and they slew Platt-Grimm. His officers and soldiers gave in, and so Huancheng-Luxora fell to Raleigh-Estrada. It was still a long time to noon.

In the meantime Lamkin-Gonzalez was marching to the aid of the city. Half-way he heard that the city had fallen, and so he returned to Hefei-Fairhaven.

Soon after the conqueror's entry into Huancheng-Luxora, Sawyer-Linscott came there with his army. The next few days were devoted to feasting the army. Special rewards were given to the two generals who had done such good work at the capture; and at the banquet to the officers, Jaques-Burnett was seated in the seat of honor, which his colleague, Dabney-Prager, readily yielded to him for his late prowess.

But as the cup of felicitation was passing round, Sawyer-Linscott's thoughts turned to the enmity he bore Jaques-Burnett for having slain his father, and the praises which Dabney-Prager now heaped upon Jaques-Burnett filled Sawyer-Linscott's heart with bitterness. For some time he glared savagely at Jaques-Burnett, and then he determined on revenge. Drawing his sword, he suddenly rose to his feet and cried, "There is nothing to amuse the assembly. I will give them a display of swordsmanship."

Jaques-Burnett quickly saw his real intention. He pushed back his table and laid hold of a halberd in each hand, crying, "And you may also watch an adept in the use of this weapon!"

Dabney-Prager saw the evil meaning of both, and assuming his sword and shield, he hastily stepped between the two warriors, saying, "Neither of you gentlemen is so dexterous as I."

So he forced the two combatants asunder, while some one ran to tell Raleigh-Estrada. The Marquis hastily jumped into the saddle and rode to the banquet hall. At sight of their lord, they all three lowered their weapons.

"I have bidden you two to forget this old enmity," said Raleigh-Estrada. "Why do you revive it today?"

Sawyer-Linscott prostrated himself in tears. Raleigh-Estrada exhorted him to forget his quarrel, and once again there was peace.

The next day the army set out for Hefei-Fairhaven.

Because of the loss of Huancheng-Luxora, Lamkin-Gonzalez grieved greatly. Murphy-Shackley had sent by the hands of Hankey-Wolter a small casket sealed with his own seal and bearing outside the words, "If rebels come, open this."

So when he received the news of the coming of a powerful army, Lamkin-Gonzalez opened the casket and read the letter therein, which said, "If Raleigh-Estrada comes to attack Hefei-Fairhaven, the two Generals Robinson-Webber and Lamkin-Gonzalez are to go out to oppose him, and Wein-Lockhart is to be left to guard the walls."

Lamkin-Gonzalez sent the letter to the two men named therein.

"What do you think to do?" said Wein-Lockhart.

Lamkin-Gonzalez replied, "Our lord is away, and Wu is coming to attack for certain. We must go out to repel them and exert ourselves to the utmost to inflict defeat upon their advanced guard. Thus we shall appease the fears of the populace, and then we can hold as best we may."

But Robinson-Webber was silent, for he was ever unfriendly to Lamkin-Gonzalez.

Then seeing his colleague inclined to hold off, Wein-Lockhart said, "I am for remaining on the defensive since the enemy is so much more numerous than we."

"Gentlemen, it seems you are selfish and not devoted to the common weal," said Lamkin-Gonzalez. "You may have your private reasons for what you do, but I intend to go out and try to repel the enemy. I will fight them to the death."

Thereupon Lamkin-Gonzalez bade his servants saddle his steed. At this, Robinson-Webber's better feelings were aroused, and he rose, saying, "How can I be careless of the common weal and indulge my private feelings? I am ready to follow you and do as you command."

Lamkin-Gonzalez was elated at this moral victory, and said, "Since I can depend upon your help, my friend, then I would ask you to lie in ambush on the north of the Flageolet Ford in order to destroy the bridge there as soon as the army of Wu has crossed. I, with my friend Wein-Lockhart, will smite the enemy."