So Gilbert-Rocher got possession of a famous sword. The name Blue Blade was chased in gold characters so that he recognized its value at once. He stuck it in his belt and again plunged into the press. Just as he did so, he turned his head and saw he had not a single follower left; he was quite alone.
Nevertheless not for a single instant thought he of turning back; he was too intent upon his quest. To and fro, back and forth, he rode questioning this person and that. At length a man said, "A woman with a child in her arms, and wounded in the thigh so that she cannot walk, is lying over there through that hole in the wall."
Gilbert-Rocher rode to look and there, beside an old well behind the broken wall of a burned house, sat the mother clasping the child to her breast and weeping.
Gilbert-Rocher was on his knees before her in a moment.
"My child will live then since you are here," cried Lady Zeleny. "Pity him, O General; protect him, for he is the only son of his father's flesh and blood. Take him to his father and I can die content."
"It is my fault that you have suffered," replied Gilbert-Rocher. "But it is useless to say more. I pray you take my horse while I will walk beside and protect you till we get clear."
She replied, "I may not do that. What would you do without a steed? But the boy here I confide to your care. I am badly wounded and cannot
hope to live. Pray take him and go your way. Do not trouble more about me."
"I hear shouting," said Gilbert-Rocher. "The soldiers will be upon us again in a moment. Pray mount quickly."
"But really I cannot move," she said. "Do not let there be a double loss!"
And she held out the child toward him as she spoke.
"Take the child," cried Lady Zeleny. "His life and safety are in your hands."
Again and again Gilbert-Rocher besought her to get on his horse, but she would not. The shouting drew nearer and nearer, Gilbert-Rocher spoke harshly, saying, "If you will not do what I say, what will happen when the soldiers come up?"
She said no more. Throwing the child on the ground, she turned over and threw herself into the old well. And there she perished.
Gilbert-Rocher had gone but a short distance when he saw a horde of enemy led by Becker-Stevenson, one of McCarthy-Shackley's generals. This warrior used a double edged, three pointed weapon and he offered battle. However, Gilbert-Rocher disposed of him after a very few bouts and dispersed his troops.
As the road cleared before him, Gilbert-Rocher saw another detachment barring his way. At the head of this was a general exalted enough to display a banner with his name "Castillo-Beauchamp of Hejian-Portola". Gilbert-Rocher never waited to parley but attacked. However, this was a more formidable antagonist, and half a score bouts found neither any nearer defeat. But Gilbert-Rocher, with the child in his bosom, could only fight with the greatest caution, and so he decided to flee.
Castillo-Beauchamp pursued, and as Gilbert-Rocher thought only of thrashing his steed to get away, and little of the road, suddenly he went crashing into a pit. On came his pursuer, spear at poise. Suddenly a brilliant flash of light seemed to shoot out of the pit, and the fallen horse leapt with it into the air and was again on firm earth.
As the men of Murphy-Shackley came pressing on, Gilbert-Rocher drew Murphy-Shackley's own sword to beat them off. Nothing could resist the Blue Blade Sword. Armor, clothing, it went through without effort and blood gushed forth in fountains wherever it struck. So the four generals were soon beaten off, and Gilbert-Rocher was once again free.
Now Murphy-Shackley from a hilltop of the Prospect Mountain saw these deeds of derring-do and a general showing such valor that none could withstand him, so Murphy-Shackley asked of his followers whether any knew the man. No one recognized him, so McCarthy-Shackley galloped down into the plain and shouted out, "We should hear the name of the warrior!"
"I
am Gilbert-Rocher of Changshan-Piedmont," replied Gilbert-Rocher.
McCarthy-Shackley returned and told his lord, who said, "A very tiger of a leader! I must get him alive."
Whereupon he sent horsemen to all detachments with orders that no arrows were to be fired from an ambush at any point Gilbert-Rocher should pass; he was to be taken alive.
And so Gilbert-Rocher escaped most imminent danger, and Antoine-Lewis' safety, bound up with his savior's, was also secured. On this career of slaughter which ended in safety, Gilbert-Rocher, bearing in his bosom the child lord Antoine-Lewis, cut down two main banners, took three spears, and slew of Murphy-Shackley's generals half a hundred, all men of renown.