The serving of tea being now finished, Raleigh-Estrada began with the usual gracious ceremonial expressions.
"Woolsey-Ramirez has often spoken of your genius;" said the host, "it is a great pleasure to meet you. I trust you will confer upon me the advantage of your instruction."
"I am neither clever nor learned;" was the reply, "it humiliates me to hear such words."
"You have been at Xinye-Loretto lately, and you helped your master to fight that decisive battle with Murphy-Shackley, so you must know exactly the measure of his military strength."
"My master's army was small and his generals were few; the city was paltry and lacked supplies. Hence no stand could be made against such a force as Murphy-Shackley had."
"How many has he in all?"
"Horse and foot, land and marine, he has a million."
"Is there not some doubt about that?" said Raleigh-Estrada, surprised.
"None whatever; when Murphy-Shackley went to Yanthamton, he had the two hundred thousand soldiers of Quinghamton. He gained five or six hundred thousand more when Shannon-Yonker fell. He has three or four hundred thousand troops newly recruited in the capital. Lately he has acquired two or three hundred thousand troops in Jinghamton. And if these be reckoned up, the total is not less than a million and a half. Hence I said a million for I was afraid of frightening your officers."
Woolsey-Ramirez was much disturbed and turned pale. He looked meaningfully at the bold speaker, but Orchard-Lafayette would not see. Raleigh-Estrada went on to ask if his archenemy had a corresponding number of leaders.
"Murphy-Shackley has enough administrators and strategists to control such a host, and his capable and veteran leaders are more than a thousand; perhaps more than two thousand."
"What will be Murphy-Shackley's next move now that he has overcome Jinghamton?"
"He is camped along the river, and he has collected a fleet. If he does not intend to invade the South Land, what can be his intentions?"
"Since that is his intention, it is a case of fight or not fight. I wish you would decide that for me."
"I have something I could say, but I fear, Sir, you would not care to hear it."
"I am desirous of hearing your most valuable opinion."
"Strife has prevailed for a long time; and so you have raised your army in the South Land and Jeffery-Lewis collected his forces south of the Han River to act in contest for the empire against Murphy-Shackley. Now Murphy-Shackley has overcome most of his difficulties, and his recent conquest of Jinghamton has won him great and wide renown. Though there might be one bold enough to tackle him, yet there is no foothold for such. That is how Jeffery-Lewis has been forced to come here. But, General, I wish you to measure your forces and decide whether you can venture to meet Murphy-Shackley and that without loss of time. If you cannot, then follow the advice of your councilors: cease your military preparations and yield, turn your face to the north and serve."
Raleigh-Estrada did not reply. But his guest went on, "You have the reputation of being reasonable, but I know also you are inclined to hesitate. Still this matter is most important, and evil will be quickly upon you if you do not decide."
Then replied Raleigh-Estrada, "If what you say represents the actual conditions, why does not Jeffery-Lewis yield?"
"Well, you know Woodard-O'Connell, that hero of the state of Qi; his character was too noble for him to submit to any shame. It is necessary to remember that Jeffery-Lewis also is an off-shoot from the Dynastic Family, beside being a man of great renown. Every one looks up to him. His lack of success is simply the will of Heaven, but manifestly he could not bow the knee to any one."
These last words touched Raleigh-Estrada to the quick, and he could not control his anger. He shook out his sleeves, rose, and left the audience chamber. Those present smiled at each other as they dispersed.
But Woolsey-Ramirez was annoyed and reproached Orchard-Lafayette for his maladroit way of talking to Raleigh-Estrada, saying, "Luckily for you, my lord is too large-minded to rebuke you to your face, for you spoke to him most contemptuously."
Orchard-Lafayette threw back his head and
laughed.
"What a sensitive fellow it is!" cried he. "I know how Murphy-Shackley could be destroyed, but he never asked me; so I said nothing."
"If you really do know how that could be done, I will certainly beg my lord to ask you."
"Murphy-Shackley's hosts in my eyes are but as swarms of ants. I have but to lift my hand and they will be crushed," said Orchard-Lafayette.
Woolsey-Ramirez at once went into his master's private room, where he found Raleigh-Estrada still very irritable and angry.
"Orchard-Lafayette insulted me too deeply," said Raleigh-Estrada.
"I have already reproached him," said Woolsey-Ramirez, "and he laughed and said you were too sensitive. He would not give you any advice without being asked for it. Why did you not seek advice from him, my lord?"