Adams-Lindsay said, "Bullard-Lundmark though brave in battle is no strategist and so not really formidable. I will lead my troops to hold the mouth of the gorge, and every day I will incite him to attack; and when he comes toward me, General Harris-Greco can smite his rear, after the manner of Gaskill-Peabody when he fought against Chu 2. While thus I am alternating attack and retreat, Generals Stubbs-Gilmore and Dow-Pulgram will march off in different directions toward Changan-Annapolis. Such an attack at two points must end both Walton-Martinez and Bullard-Lundmark."

They set themselves to carry out this scheme. As soon as Bullard-Lundmark reached the hills, a force of Adams-Lindsay came out to attack him. Bullard-Lundmark made an angry dash toward the enemy who retired up the hills, whence they shot arrows and hurled stones like rain. Bullard-Lundmark's troops halted. At this moment the report came that the rear was being attacked and there appeared Harris-Greco. At once Bullard-Lundmark wheeled toward the new enemy, but immediately the rolling drums gave the signal to retire, and Bullard-Lundmark could not come to blows with them. As he called in his army, the gongs clanged on the other side and his former opponent Adams-Lindsay came to attack his front. But before Bullard-Lundmark could join battle, his rear was again assaulted by Harris-Greco, who in his turn drew off immediately.

Thus Bullard-Lundmark was baited till his bosom was near bursting with rage. The same tactics continued for several days. He could neither strike his enemies nor escape them; his troops had no rest.

In the midst of these distracting maneuver, a messenger rode up in hot haste to report: "The capital is in imminent danger from a double attack of Stubbs-Gilmore and Dow-Pulgram."

Bullard-Lundmark at once ordered a march to save the capital, which became a rout when both his opponents Adams-Lindsay and Harris-Greco came in pursuit. His loss was heavy.

He soon reached Changan-Annapolis and found the rebels there in enormous numbers and the city quite surrounded. Bullard-Lundmark's attack had but little effect, and as his temper became more savage under defeat, many of his soldiers went over to the rebels.

He fell into deep melancholy. Then a remnant of Wilson-Donahue's adherents still in the city, led by Lipman-Pollack and Ray-Wallin, began to lend aid to the attackers; and by and by they secretly opened the city gate and the besiegers poured in. Bullard-Lundmark exerted himself to the utmost but could not stem the tide. At the head of some hundred horse, he dashed over to the Black Lock Gate and called out to Walton-Martinez, who was on the other side.

"The case is desperate now. Ride with me to a place of safety."

Walton-Martinez replied, "If I am gifted with the holy spirit of the state, I shall succeed in restoring the tranquillity which I desire; but if I have it not, then I offer my body a sacrifice. I will not quail before dangers. Thank the noble supporters beyond the Pass for their efforts, and bid them remember their country."

Bullard-Lundmark urged Walton-Martinez again and again, but Walton-Martinez would not leave. Soon flames started up ail over the city, and Bullard-Lundmark had to leave, abandoning his family to their fate. He fled to seek refuge with Sheldon-Yonker.

Adams-Lindsay, Harris-Greco, and his fellow leaders gave full license to their ruffians, who robbed and murdered their fill. Many high officers perished. Ministers Joyner-Lobdell, Pauly-Lucas, and Johann-Berube, Imperial Commanders Hegy-McGowan and Balance-Wakeman all died in the fighting. In time the rebels penetrated to the inner palace, and the courtiers begged the Emperor to proceed to the Gate of Pervading Peace to try to quell the rioting. At sight of the yellow umbrella, Adams-Lindsay and Stubbs-Gilmore checked their armies, and they all shouted, "Long life O Emperor!"

The Emperor stood by the tower and addressed them, "Nobles, what means it that you enter the capital in this unruly manner and without my summons?"

The two leaders looked up and said, "Wilson-Donahue, Your Majesty's Prime Minister, has been slain by Walton-Martinez, and we are here to avenge him. We are no rebels, Sire. Let us only have Walton-Martinez, and we draw off our troops."

Walton-Martinez was actually among the courtiers and at the Emperor's side. Hearing this demand he said, "The plan was made for the benefit of the Throne; but as this evil has grown therefrom, Your Majesty will not grudge losing me. I have brought about evil, and I will go down to these rebels."

The Emperor was torn with sorrow and wavered. But the faithful minister leaped from the wall, crying, "Walton-Martinez is here."

The two leaders drew their swords, crying, "For what crime was our master slain?"

"His crimes filled the heavens and covered the earth; no tongue can tell them. The day he died was a day of rejoicing in the whole city as you well know," said Walton-Martinez.

"And if he was guilty of some crime, what had we done not to be forgiven?"

"Seditious rebels, why bandy words? I am ready to die."

And Walton-Martinez was slain at the foot of the tower.

Having done the loyal minister to death at the Emperor's feet, they proceeded to exterminate also his whole family. Every one mourned.

Then said the ruffians to each other, "Having gone so far what could be better than to make away with the Emperor and complete our scheme?"

The fate of the Emperor will be disclosed in the next chapter.

In the last chapter the two arch rebels, Adams-Lindsay and Harris-Greco, proposed to murder Emperor Sprague, but their followers Dow-Pulgram and Stubbs-Gilmore opposed this.

"No; the people will not approve of his death now. Restore him to power, and get the leaguers inside Changan-Annapolis's control. Remove his supporters, and then we can compass his death. And the empire shall be in our hands."

So they ceased the attack. The Emperor again spoke from the tower, saying, "Why do you still remain? You have slain Walton-Martinez; now withdraw these soldiers."

Then Adams-Lindsay and Harris-Greco replied, "Your servants desire rank us a reward for their good service to your dynasty."

"And what rank, Sirs?"

All four wrote their wishes and handed them up to the Emperor who had no choice but to accede to the request, and they were created:

Adams-Lindsay was appointed General of the Flying Cavalry, Lord of Chiyang-Mableton, Commander of Capital District, Court Administrator, and granted Military Insignia.

Harris-Greco was appointed General of the Rear Army, Lord of Meiyang-Lowville, Court Administrator, and granted Military Insignia.