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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 42886 ***
+
+                            The Blue Dragon
+
+                  A TALE OF RECENT ADVENTURE IN CHINA
+
+                            BY Kirk Munroe
+
+    AUTHOR OF THE "MATES SERIES" THE "PACIFIC COAST SERIES" "FORWARD
+    MARCH" ETC.
+
+
+    ILLUSTRATED
+
+    [Illustration]
+
+    NEW YORK AND LONDON
+    HARPER & BROTHERS PUBLISHERS
+    1905
+
+    Copyright, 1904, by Harper & Brothers.
+
+    _All rights reserved._
+
+    Published October, 1904.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: "A HORSEMAN FLED BEFORE THEM"]
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+CHAPTER PAGE
+
+I. A STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND 1
+
+II. AMERICA'S UNFRIENDLY WELCOME 10
+
+III. ROB TO THE RESCUE 18
+
+IV. A TRIUMPH FOR JO'S ENEMIES 26
+
+V. THREATENED VIOLENCE 35
+
+VI. THE SHERIFF TAKES PROMPT MEASURES 44
+
+VII. THE SENTENCE OF THE COURT 52
+
+VIII. JO'S ENEMIES PREPARE A TRAP 61
+
+IX. JO FINDS THAT HE IS SOME ONE ELSE 70
+
+X. WHAT HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO CHINA 79
+
+XI. ACCEPT A KINDNESS AND PASS IT ALONG 88
+
+XII. FROM THE GOLDEN GATE TO THE PEARL RIVER 97
+
+XIII. IN THE WORLD'S MOST MARVELLOUS CITY 106
+
+XIV. A TURN OF FORTUNE'S TIDE 116
+
+XV. IN THE HEART OF UNKNOWN CHINA 125
+
+XVI. "FISTS OF RIGHTEOUS HARMONY" 134
+
+XVII. LEAPING INTO UNKNOWN BLACKNESS 143
+
+XVIII. A SUPPER OF SACRED EELS 151
+
+XIX. AN EXHIBITION OF THE RAIN-GOD'S ANGER 160
+
+XX. ROB MAKES A STARTLING DISCOVERY 169
+
+XXI. THE REFUGEES OF CHENG-TING-FU 178
+
+XXII. A CHARGE AND A RACE FOR LIFE 187
+
+XXIII. STEALING A LOCOMOTIVE 196
+
+XXIV. THE TIMELY EXPLOSION OF A BOILER 204
+
+XXV. IN CHINA'S CAPITAL CITY 213
+
+XXVI. WAR CLOUDS 222
+
+XXVII. CHINA DEFIES THE WORLD 231
+
+XXVIII. FIGHTING SIXTY FEET ABOVE GROUND 241
+
+XXIX. JO HEAPS COALS OF FIRE 250
+
+XXX. THE CAPTURE OF PEKIN 260
+
+
+
+
+ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+
+"A HORSEMAN FLED BEFORE THEM" _Frontispiece_
+
+MAP SHOWING ROUTE FOLLOWED BY AUTHOR _Facing p._ 1
+
+"AS POOR JO LOST HIS FOOTING AND FELL, ROB DASHED INTO THE MÊLÉE" 20
+
+"HIS MADLY YELLING PURSUERS WERE NOW CLOSE UPON HIM" 140
+
+"THE FUGITIVES MADE A CAUTIOUS ENTRY INTO THE SACRED PRECINCTS" 152
+
+"HE WAS ABLE TO GAZE CALMLY AT HER WHEN THEY ONCE MORE WERE ESCORTED
+PAST THE CATHEDRAL" 184
+
+"SO THEY DROVE ON, MILE AFTER MILE" 204
+
+"THE SAVAGES FLED IN DISMAY BEFORE THAT CHARGE OF YELLING AMERICANS" 248
+
+
+
+
+TO MY READERS
+
+
+The Blue Dragon, chosen as a title for this story, is the national
+emblem of China, adopted as such by a desire to flatter and propitiate
+that spirit of evil considered to be the most powerful. As the dragon
+is believed to be big enough and strong enough to overcome and devour
+all the other wicked genii who continually vex Chinese life, the wise
+men of the "Black-haired People" thought it best to have him on their
+side, and consequently accorded him the highest honor in their power
+to bestow. As we of America chose the eagle, strongest of visible air
+spirits, for our national emblem, so the Chinese chose the most powerful
+of invisible spirits in whose existence they believe as firmly as we do
+in the existence of things that we can see, hear, or feel.
+
+In the story thus entitled, I have endeavored to give an idea of what
+China has been, is, and may become through education and development,
+how she is regarded, and how her people are being treated by other
+nations, and what causes she has for resentment against those who are
+taking advantage of her feebleness to despoil her.
+
+While travelling in China, and trying to gain the Chinese point of
+view, I met so many charming people, so many men of intelligence and
+liberal education, honorable, broad-minded, and devoted to the uplifting
+of their unhappy country, that I became exceedingly interested in their
+cause, and anxious to aid it. With this object in view I am striving,
+through the medium of a story, to present it to those young Americans
+who, in the near future, will be called upon to decide the ultimate fate
+of the great Middle Kingdom. With them, more than with any other people,
+even including the Chinese themselves, will rest the decision, whether
+China shall remain a nation, open to the unobstructed commerce of the
+world, or become a series of petty colonial possessions devoted only
+to the interests of their several ruling powers. That my young readers
+may be guided to a wise and just solution of this great problem, is the
+sincere hope of their friend,
+
+
+KIRK MUNROE.
+
+BISCAYNE BAY, FLORIDA,
+
+_January, 1904_.
+
+[Illustration: MAP SHOWING ROUTE FOLLOWED BY AUTHOR]
+
+
+
+
+THE BLUE DRAGON
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+A STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND
+
+
+"Chinee! Chinee! Chink! Chink! Chink!"
+
+These epithets, and many others equally contemptuous, such as "Rat
+Eater!" and "Piggy Tail!" were gleefully shouted by a mob of young
+ragamuffins who crowded about a single youthful figure, early one summer
+morning, on the elm-shaded main street of Hatton. The lad thus hustled
+and insulted was a good-looking chap according to the standard of his
+own people; though his long-lashed, wide-set eyes were narrower than
+those of his tormentors, his clear complexion held a tint of yellow, the
+front half of his head was shaved, and the remaining luxuriant growth
+of jet-black hair, such as all Chinese have, and of which they are so
+proud that they call themselves "the black-haired people," hung in a
+thick, glossy braid down his back. He wore a blue gown that fastened
+closely about his neck and fell in severely simple lines, without belt
+or ornamentation, almost to his feet. Below it could be seen a pair of
+black silk trousers, tightly fastened over a narrow section of white
+stockings, that in turn were lost to view in black cloth shoes having
+embroidered tops and felt soles. He had worn a round, visorless cap of
+black silk, surmounted by a crimson knot, but this had been knocked
+off, and now was being ruthlessly kicked and trampled underfoot by the
+hoodlums who, having discovered a victim that could be abused with
+impunity, were making the most of the welcome chance. Nor were they
+without encouragement in their cruel sport; for a group of men and young
+women, on their way to the great factory that was at once the mainstay
+of Hatton's prosperity and an ever-threatening menace, had paused to
+enjoy the sight of a crowd of American boys tormenting a helpless
+foreigner, and greeted the sorry spectacle with shouts of laughter.
+
+"That's right, kiddies!" cried one of the men. "Down with the
+yellowbelly, and teach him that this country ain't no place fer him nor
+his kind."
+
+"Dirty, rat-eating scab!" growled another.
+
+"Somehow, it don't seem right, though," said one of the young women,
+with a tone of pity in her voice, as the badgered lad was suddenly
+jerked backward and nearly thrown to the ground by a violent pull at his
+queue. "He does look so like a girl, with his blue dress, his little
+hands, and his braided hair."
+
+"Oh, hush up, Mag! You're too soft for anything!" exclaimed another.
+"He ain't nothing but just a low-lived heathen Chinee, like them as
+runs the laundry over to Adams. They'd take the bread out of honest
+working-people's mouths quick as wink, if they was give half a chance."
+
+Just then the factory bell rang with insistent clamor, and the jeering
+group of workers moved on. At a meeting held a few evenings before
+they had loudly cheered and unanimously passed a resolution to the
+effect that the government ought immediately to deport to their own
+country, at their own expense, all Chinese found within its territory.
+One of the speakers had declared that, if the government was slow in
+doing this thing, it was the duty of every American citizen to take
+the matter into his own hands, drive out the Chinese wherever found,
+destroy their places of business, and hunt them to the death if they
+offered resistance. Of course, the children of those men, having heard
+this resolution discussed, and its accompanying speeches repeated with
+applauding comments, deemed it their privilege to attack, and, if
+possible, drive from their virtuous village every representative of
+the hated race they might encounter; and, unfortunately for him, poor,
+innocent, helpless Chinese Jo was the first to fall into their joyful
+clutches.
+
+This was the first experience of his first day in Hatton, which he had
+reached after dark the evening before. He had come to America, from
+his far-away native land, in company with a dozen others of his young
+countrymen. These others had been sent over by the Chinese government
+to be educated and taught the ways of Western civilization; and Jo's
+father, Li Ching Cheng, a progressive mandarin, who realized the value
+of such an education, had seized the opportunity to add his one dear son
+to the party, that he might gain the priceless advantage of some years
+of study in the same land.
+
+Now it happened that in Mandarin Li's district labored an American
+medical missionary, Mason Hinckley by name, who also had an only son.
+When this boy was four years old, his parents, desirous that he should
+have an American training from the outset, had taken him to the United
+States and placed him in charge of his uncle and aunt, the Rev. William
+and Mrs. Hinckley, of Hatton, a manufacturing village of the lovely
+Connecticut valley. Then, with aching hearts, they had returned to
+their lonely post of duty in China, and only twice during the following
+fourteen years were they able to visit their boy.
+
+When Mandarin Li announced that he, too, proposed to send a son to
+America, and asked if the Hinckleys could not arrange to have him
+received into the same family with their Rob, they gladly consented
+to do what they could. Their hope for their own boy was that he would
+eventually return to China, and they realized the value to him of a
+present companionship with a young Chinese of education and refinement.
+So a letter was sent to Hatton, and finally everything was arranged for
+the comfort and happiness of Mandarin Li's son. Thus he was sent forth
+on his long journey, half-way around the world, filled with a joyous
+enthusiasm over his prospects.
+
+He and his young friends travelled in charge of a home-returning
+American, who had promised to see them safely to their several
+destinations in New England. By his advice they adopted English names
+for use in the country to which they were bound, and our lad chose
+that of Joseph. As his father's surname was Li, which, in Chinese, is
+pronounced "Lee," he thus became known to his future teachers and more
+precise acquaintances as Joseph Lee; but all his American boy friends
+called him "Chinese Jo," or "China Jo," or "Chinee Jo," according to
+their several degrees of intelligence, and it is thus that we shall
+know him as we accompany him through the various adventures which it is
+proposed to record in the following pages.
+
+They began, as already has been seen, with his very first morning in the
+new home that he had reached the evening before, tired from his long
+journey, bewildered by the multitude of strange sights and experiences
+that had crowded thickly about him from the moment of landing at San
+Francisco, and terrified at the great loneliness that had come to him
+with the departure of his comrades, who had been left, by twos, at other
+places before Hatton was reached. At the last of these points, only a
+few miles away, the gentleman who had escorted them from China had been
+obliged to send him on alone, after notifying the Hinckleys by telegraph
+of his coming.
+
+Rob met him at the Hatton station, looked after his luggage of queer
+camphor-wood boxes, and took him to the pleasant parsonage that was to
+be his home in the strange land. Although Jo talked only broken English,
+while Rob had very nearly forgotten the Chinese of his childhood,
+they managed to converse after a fashion, and took to each other from
+the very first. Rob, eighteen years old, brown, broad-shouldered, and
+sturdy, offered a striking contrast in appearance to the slender lad
+who walked, with noiseless, felt-shod feet, beside him, and Jo at once
+conceived a liking for the young American, who greeted him so cordially,
+took charge of him and his affairs with such an air of authority, and
+even could speak a few words of intelligible Chinese.
+
+Rob also was pleased with the foreign lad, whose appearance recalled a
+happy childhood spent in company with many such blue-clad figures on the
+other side of the world. At the same time he was glad that Jo had not
+reached his destination a few hours earlier; for he realized that the
+strangeness of his companion's costume and his general make-up would
+have attracted much unpleasant attention from the village boys had they
+been revealed by daylight. He determined to urge upon his uncle the
+advisability of confining Jo to the house on the following day, or until
+he could be provided with an outfit of American clothing, and persuaded
+to wear his hair in accordance with American ideas.
+
+A warm welcome and a good supper awaited the young traveller at the
+parsonage; and under their cheering influence his homesickness was,
+for the time being, forgotten. His boxes were promptly delivered at
+the house, and from them he took the most marvellous array of gifts
+for various members of the Hinckley family that ever had been seen
+in Hatton. To Mrs. Hinckley he presented several superb pieces of
+embroidered silks from Canton, a centre-piece for a table of pale-blue
+grass linen, drawn work from Swatow, a cloisonné teapot from Pekin,
+and half a dozen tiny teacups of exquisite Foo-Chow porcelain. For Mr.
+Hinckley he had wonderful ivory carvings in the shape of chessmen, and
+a wadded silk dressing-gown; while to Rob, in addition to several jars
+of Chinese confections, including sugared ginger-root, bamboo-tips,
+water-melon rind, edible sea-weeds, and palm-leaf buds, he gave a
+complete suit of Chinese clothing, such as is worn by the sons of
+wealthy mandarins, and selected from his own wardrobe. It was in
+striking contrast to the simple scholar's gown of light-blue cotton
+cloth that he had adopted as an inconspicuous travelling costume; for
+its dark-blue skirt was heavily embroidered with gold thread; it had a
+jacket of light-blue silk, with wide, flowing sleeves, a wine-colored,
+sleeveless over-jacket of the same rich material, black silk trousers,
+with plum-colored over-trousers, a light-blue silk cap, with a crystal
+button on top, silken socks, and gold-embroidered felt shoes.
+
+Rob gasped with amazement when the various parts of this superb
+costume were unfolded before him, and was inclined to regard it with
+contemptuous amusement.
+
+"All these silk petticoats and things for a boy!" he sniffed. "Catch me
+ever wearing such a lot of girl's stuff! And, I say, Uncle Will, that
+reminds me--don't you think we'd better get him into American clothes,
+and have his pig-tail cut off, before he is turned loose on the street.
+He'll jump into no end of trouble if he shows outside in anything like
+these, or even as he is now. It looks funny even to me, and I'll bet he
+couldn't walk down Main Street without being mobbed."
+
+"I myself think that the sooner he conforms to the dress and customs of
+the country in which he is to reside for some time to come, the better
+it will be for him," replied Mr. Hinckley. "But, Rob, I don't like the
+way you seem inclined to treat his gift, and I am very glad he could not
+wholly understand what you just said about it. A gift of any nature,
+offered as a token of friendliness and good-will, should be accepted
+in the same spirit, even though it may not be just what you would have
+chosen. I do not know of anything that hurts one's feelings more keenly
+than to have a friendly overture contemptuously rejected."
+
+"Of course, I wouldn't hurt his feelings for anything, Uncle Will,"
+replied Rob, with a contrite flush mounting to his forehead. "I already
+like him too much for that, and I wouldn't have said what I did about
+his present if I had thought. I do thank you ever so much," he added,
+turning to Jo, "for all this silk stuff. I'm awfully glad to have it,
+and I'll put it away to wear at my first fancy-dress ball, if I ever go
+to one. Anyway, whenever I look at it, I'll be reminded that Chinese Jo
+is my friend, and that I am his."
+
+Although Jo did not understand all the words thus spoken, he was so
+fully satisfied with their tone and the smile that accompanied them
+that, a little while later, when he went to bed, he was happy in the
+consciousness of having gained a friend of his own age in this strange
+land of strangers.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+AMERICA'S UNFRIENDLY WELCOME
+
+
+In spite of Jo's weariness of the night before, and the sound sleep
+that followed, he was out of bed by sunrise and gazing curiously from
+his chamber window. The air was sweet and cool, the arching elms stood
+motionless, as though not yet awake, and between them he caught a
+silvery gleam of the Connecticut. Beyond it rose soft, swelling hills,
+and he imagined their green slopes to be thickly strewn with graves,
+as always is the case in China; on them, too, he could see occasional
+groves of trees, each of which he supposed must shelter a white-walled
+temple or sacred shrine, this being the prime object of groves in his
+native land.
+
+He wondered at not seeing any tall-sailed junks or guard-boats on the
+river, and at the utter absence of the useless but picturesque pagoda
+towers that add so much to the beauty of every Chinese landscape.
+Then, remembering that America is a very new country in comparison
+with his own, he concluded that its people had not yet found time to
+build pagodas, or, perhaps, were too poor. Of course, he could trace no
+resemblance between the broad, well-shaded avenue below him, with its
+rows of neat, white houses, and the narrow, crowded, shadeless streets
+to which he was accustomed. At the same time, the green country on
+which he gazed looked so very like a bit of Chinese river valley that
+he longed to explore it, with a hope of finding thatched farm-houses,
+curve-roofed temples, or other homelike features that should recall his
+own beloved valley of the Si-Kiang. He listened with pleasure to the
+singing of birds, which were infinitely more numerous than in China, and
+to the tinkle of cow-bells, a sound he never before had heard. He wished
+he might go down to the street and begin at once his study of the many
+strange things it was certain to contain, and he wondered how soon a
+servant would appear in his room with the bowl of tea that would be the
+signal for rising.
+
+While he thus was cogitating, he heard a door below him open and close,
+and then he saw his newly made friend, Rob Hinckley, go whistling down
+the street, swinging in one hand a bright tin milk-can. If he only had
+known that Rob was up and going out, he might have gone, too. Perhaps
+even now he might overtake him and have a walk in his company. He was
+dressed, and the only thing about him not thoroughly presentable was his
+queue, which, not yet cared for that morning, looked rough and unkempt.
+At home some one always had combed and braided it for him, first his
+mother, and afterwards a servant. Since coming away, one of his Chinese
+companions and he had braided each other's queues every morning. Now
+Jo wondered who was to perform this service, but supposed that sooner
+or later some servant would come to his assistance. He wished the lazy
+fellow had appeared, and that this most important feature of his toilet
+had been attended to, for in China no gentleman will present himself on
+the street or in company unless his queue is carefully braided smooth
+and glossy. Exposed to public view in any other condition, it is a sign
+that its owner is in such deep affliction that he takes no interest even
+in the most important affairs of life.
+
+Having been carefully instructed in this branch of Chinese etiquette,
+Jo was puzzled as to what he should do. He longed to join Rob on his
+walk, but hesitated to offend his friend by appearing before him with a
+disordered queue. He could not put it in order himself, and no one was
+at hand to assist him. Of course, he might conceal the fact that it was
+frowzy by coiling it about his head and hiding it beneath his cap; but
+even this plan had its drawback, for in the Flowery Kingdom it is an
+almost unpardonable offence for any man to appear in the presence of his
+superiors with queue coiled about his head or in any other way hidden.
+Still, the only superiors recognized at present by Jo were the senior
+Hinckleys, and by going down-stairs very quietly he might slip out of
+the house without attracting their notice, and so avoid giving offence.
+
+Thus thinking, the lad hastily coiled his cherished but at that moment
+rather disreputable-looking queue closely about his head, pulled his
+cap over it, and, softly opening his room door, stole forth with the
+noiseless tread of a sneak-thief. He got safely as far as the front
+door, but there he made so much noise fumbling with the unfamiliar latch
+as to attract the attention of Mr. Hinckley, who was dressing, and he
+called down, "Who's there?"
+
+Not understanding the question, and as dismayed at the prospect of
+being discovered with his queue disrespectfully coiled as an American
+boy would be if caught stealing jam, Jo made no reply, but redoubled
+his efforts at the door. Suddenly, as he was pulling it with all his
+strength, the latch turned and the door flew open, sending him to the
+floor with a crash. Mrs. Hinckley screamed, and her husband, shouting
+"Stop thief!" started down-stairs. He failed, however, to reach the
+bottom in time to discover the author of the disturbance, for Jo,
+thoroughly, frightened by the untoward result of his efforts to enact
+the part of a Chinese gentleman, had hastily scrambled to his feet and
+fled through the now wide-open door. Although the minister did not
+see him, Mrs. Hinckley, peeping between the half-closed slats of the
+window-blinds, did, and exclaimed:
+
+"My good gracious, William! If it isn't that China boy!"
+
+"Nonsense," replied Mr. Hinckley, as, realizing the futility of a chase
+under existing conditions, he hastened back to the room.
+
+"I tell you it is, for I just saw him with my own eyes, blue dress and
+all, go flying down the street as though the constable was after him.
+I've no doubt he ought to be, too, for the boy's run away--that's what
+he's done--and probably taken every mite of silver in the house with
+him."
+
+"Nonsense!" again ejaculated Mr. Hinckley, as he slipped on a pair of
+trousers.
+
+"You may say 'nonsense' as much as you like," retorted his wife, "but
+you'll think something else when you find out that every word I'm
+speaking is solemn truth. I always did mistrust the Chinese, and so
+would you if you'd heard all the stories I have about their dreadful
+wickedness down at the society."
+
+"Didn't know any of them belonged to the society," interposed Mr.
+Hinckley, unable even at this critical moment to resist a sly joke at
+his wife's expense.
+
+"You know what I mean, William Hinckley, just as well as I do," was the
+reply; "and I do think this is a pretty time to be poking fun at your
+poor wife, when a pig-tailed 'yellow peril,' as he is truly called, is
+running off with every mite of her own mother's family silver. It's no
+wonder we are trying to exclude them, and I only wish we'd succeeded
+before this one ever came to Hatton. They do say down at the society
+that the Chinese are about to overrun the world; and, from what I've
+just seen, I've no doubt it's true."
+
+"Of course, it must be so if _they_ say so, my dear," answered
+the minister, as he fastened his shirt-collar; "but I'll try some
+overrunning myself after this first 'yellow peril' who has ever tried
+to overrun Hatton. As he is too conspicuous an object to run far without
+attracting attention, I expect to catch up with him very shortly, and
+to return with him inside of half an hour. Then I hope breakfast will
+be ready, for both of us are certain to be extremely hungry after our
+exercise."
+
+"Perhaps it will, if he's left a bit of food in the house to cook or
+a thing to cook with, which I doubt," retorted Mrs. Hinckley, as her
+husband, now wholly dressed, again started towards the street. In the
+mean time, Chinese Jo, quite unaware of the turmoil he had left behind
+him, and only anxious to overtake Rob, whom he just could see far down
+the street, had, as Mrs. Hinckley declared, set forth on a run in that
+direction. Also, as Mr. Hinckley had predicted, he was too strangely
+conspicuous to run far without attracting attention. At first the few
+people on the street at this early hour only stared at him, but after a
+little they began to call and point at him, and boys began to pursue him
+with joyous shouts of anticipated fun.
+
+All at once Jo discovered that Rob no longer was in sight, and also that
+a number of small boys, all yelling at the top of their voices, were
+running on both sides of him. Fearing lest he might pass the place where
+he had last seen his friend, and puzzled to account for his present
+escort, the Chinese lad stopped and looked about him. He had reached the
+village common, on which half a dozen disreputable young ragamuffins
+were playing an early game of toss-penny. These, discerning in his
+presence a more exciting interest, promptly abandoned their game and ran
+whooping towards him.
+
+Now, for the first time, Jo began to feel nervous and wish that he had
+not ventured out among these barbarians unprotected. All the terrible
+stories he had heard concerning the cruel treatment of his countrymen
+by Americans surged into his memory and filled him with dismay. Never
+before had he believed them, but now it seemed probable that some of
+them might be true.
+
+No Chinese is a fighter, either by nature or education, and Jo was not
+an exception to this rule. Thus he would have fled from his present
+unhappy position had flight been possible, but it was not. He was
+completely encircled by his merciless tormentors, who, as they realized
+his utter helplessness, became more and more bold in their attacks. At
+first they only hooted, jeered, and called him names. Then they began
+to hustle and push him. At length one of them snatched off his cap and
+flung it to the ground, where it was trampled underfoot and kicked from
+one to another. With the loss of his cap Jo's queue was uncoiled from
+about his head and dropped down his back. In this position it was caught
+and jerked by one and another of the yelling mob until its wretched
+owner was half crazed by pain and fright. Thus he was shoved and pulled,
+spun giddily round and round, pelted with mud, and repeatedly struck
+with sticks or clinched fists. His blue gown was torn in many places,
+and his face was bleeding. Finally he slipped, failed in a convulsive
+effort to save himself, and fell, carrying to earth with him one of the
+young miscreants at whom he had clutched as he went down.
+
+Jo's fall was greeted by yells of delight from the imps who had caused
+it, but directly their jubilations were exchanged for howls of dismay
+and pain. At the critical moment an avenger had appeared among them, and
+he was dealing furious blows at their unguarded bodies with a terrible,
+flashing weapon, that scattered them as chaff is scattered by a fierce
+wind.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+ROB TO THE RESCUE
+
+
+Rob Hinckley had gone out early on that eventful morning for the family
+milk that he fetched every day from a small farm at the lower end of
+the village. His mind was full of the strange, new companion who had
+come into his life the evening before; and, as he went whistling down
+the street, he was planning how he should introduce him to the boys of
+Hatton. He also wondered on what terms they would receive the young
+foreigner, who was in every way so different from any other they ever
+had met.
+
+"Of course, they'll treat him all right, though," reflected Rob. "They
+may think him funny and laugh at him a little, to begin with; but when I
+tell 'em who he is in his own country, they'll be proud enough to have
+him in the school. I'll have to keep him out of sight of the muckers,
+though, at any rate till he gets some civilized clothes and learns how
+to wear 'em."
+
+Here Rob stared with a decidedly unfriendly scowl at the group of young
+gamblers on the village common, across which he was walking. "Wouldn't
+it just be pie for them to get hold of him, blue dress, pig-tail, and
+all?" he reflected; "and wouldn't he think he'd run up against a war
+party of American Indians, ready to scalp him? They won't have a chance
+at him, though, not if I know it."
+
+Here Rob straightened himself, clinched his unoccupied hand, and held
+his head higher than ever, for there is nothing that so increases one's
+sense of importance as to have a weaker person dependent upon him.
+
+There was much bitterness of feeling existing between two classes of
+Hatton boys, one of which was more or less connected with the factory,
+while the other attended the academy for which the village was famous.
+The latter called their enemies "muckers," and these retorted with the
+term "saphead." Members of these opposed factions always exchanged
+sneers and taunts upon meeting, and sometimes these led to blows that
+resulted in fierce conflicts. None of these fights had taken place on
+the common, however, for the village constable had declared it to be
+neutral ground, and threatened with dire punishment any boy who should
+break the public peace within its limits. As the constable generally was
+somewhere in the vicinity of the common, ready to enforce his ruling, it
+had been obeyed thus far, and both the boyish factions had used the open
+space as a playground in apparent harmony. So Rob Hinckley only scowled
+at the muckers, who occupied one corner of the common as he crossed it
+that morning, while they, in turn, pretended ignorance of his presence.
+
+On his return, however, affairs had assumed a very different aspect,
+and as Rob drew near the common he pricked up his ears at the sounds
+that came to him from that ordinarily peaceful enclosure. "What could
+they mean? Were the muckers fighting among themselves?" Rob believed
+they were, and chuckled at thought of what Constable Jones would do when
+he discovered them. This belief was strengthened as he came within sight
+of the fracas, for at first he could only see a lot of yelling muckers,
+apparently engaged in a furious struggle. Then he uttered an exclamation
+of dismay, and the hot blood flew to his face. In the very centre of the
+surging crowd he saw a slender, blue-clad figure, taller than any of
+those swarming about it, and realized that the very thing he most had
+dreaded in connection with his newly made friend from China had come to
+pass. Chinese Jo, whom he had thought to be peacefully and safely asleep
+in the parsonage, evidently had left it unnoticed, and at once had
+fallen into the hands of the most merciless of American savages.
+
+With a hoarse yell of rage, and careless of what might happen to
+himself, Rob sprang forward, swinging the milk-can above his head as he
+ran. So busy were the tormentors of the Chinese lad with their sport
+that the coming of a would-be rescuer was unnoticed until he was close
+upon them. As poor Jo lost his footing and fell, Rob dashed into the
+mêlée, dealing telling blows with his milk-can, and scattering the horde
+of young toughs as though he had been a charge of cavalry. The stopper
+flew out of the can, and its contents were flung to right and left,
+impartially drenching friend and foe. Thus, for a minute, the tide of
+battle flowed with the righteously wrathful Rob and against the cowardly
+and unrighteous muckers. Then one of the latter, who had not yet been
+reached by the deadly milk-can, and so could view the proceedings more
+calmly than could his companions, shouted:
+
+[Illustration: "AS POOR JO LOST HIS FOOTING AND FELL, ROB DASHED INTO
+THE MÊLÉE"]
+
+"There ain't but one saphead, fellers! Go for him! Kill him! He ain't no
+good!"
+
+The cry was heard and obeyed. In spite of the demoralizing effects
+of the milk-can, the muckers rallied, and in another moment affairs
+would have gone very badly with both our lads. But providentially
+sent peace-makers were at hand, and, ere the enemy could rally to an
+attack, they were put to ignominious flight by overwhelming forces that
+simultaneously appeared upon the field of battle from two sides. Parson
+Hinckley and Constable Jones had arrived in the nick of time.
+
+"What is the meaning of this disgraceful exhibition, Robert?" demanded
+the former, sternly, as the flight of the enemy revealed his nephew,
+flushed, breathless, hatless, swinging a badly battered tin can in one
+hand, and with milk streaming from every part of his figure.
+
+"Yes," chimed in Constable Jones, wrathfully, "what does it mean? You
+can't say that you didn't know my orders again' scrimmaging on the
+common; and yet here you be, caught red-handed in the very act."
+
+"I'd call it 'white-handed,'" replied Rob, with a grin, at the same time
+holding out a grimy, milk-dripping paw.
+
+"I don't want no sass, young feller, but a plain statement of facts,"
+retorted the constable, sharply.
+
+"Well," replied Rob, "all I know is this: That gang of muckers were
+killing my friend, just because he happens to be a Chinese, and I got
+here just in time to save him."
+
+"Chinee, is he?" queried the constable, gazing curiously at the lad whom
+Mr. Hinckley was assisting to his feet. "Looks like he'd been doing some
+killing on his own hook," he added, quickly, as he caught sight of the
+small mucker who had become involved in Jo's fall, and who still lay
+motionless on the ground. He had been knocked breathless, but, as the
+constable knelt beside him and lifted his head, the boy gasped. Then he
+opened his eyes.
+
+"I'm kilt, and de Chink done it," he murmured, indistinctly.
+
+"It looks like rather a serious case, parson," said the constable,
+solemnly; "more especial as there's a heathen Chinee mixed into it. I
+believe it's my duty to arrest all parties concerned, and hold 'em for
+examination by Square Burtis."
+
+"You needn't arrest these two," replied Mr. Hinckley, indicating Jo and
+his nephew, "for I am just as anxious for an investigation into this
+affair as you can be. It is my belief that a most wanton outrage has
+been perpetrated, for which the guilty parties should be punished, and
+I give you my word that both these lads shall appear with me before
+Justice Burtis whenever summoned to do so."
+
+By this time curious spectators were beginning to gather. The dispersed
+muckers, reinforced by others of their kind, were shouting taunts and
+derisive epithets from a safe distance, and, rather than invite further
+trouble, the constable hastily agreed to the minister's proposition. So
+he departed in one direction, taking with him the small tough, and thus
+diverting to himself the unpleasant attention of that element among the
+rapidly increasing spectators.
+
+A number of those who remained walked towards the parsonage with Mr.
+Hinckley and his companions, plying them with questions and gazing
+curiously at the tattered young Chinese, who, frightened and unhappy,
+walked silently between his friends. Realizing that this was neither the
+time nor place for explanations, Rob's uncle did not demand any, but,
+cautioning the boys not to talk, replied to all questions that the whole
+affair would shortly be investigated in court.
+
+When they reached the parsonage, and Mrs. Hinckley, in the back of the
+house, heard their voices, she called out:
+
+"Is that you, Rob? I'm glad, for I want some milk, right away."
+
+"Here it is, Aunt Alice," answered the boy, presenting himself with his
+battered tin can, a little ruefully, but at the same time with a twinkle
+in his eyes, at the kitchen door.
+
+"Good gracious, Rob! What has happened?" cried the astonished woman.
+
+"Only a little scrap, Aunt Alice, that I couldn't help getting into on
+Jo's account."
+
+"Was that China boy mixed up in it? But, of course, he was. I've felt it
+from the first that he'd make trouble."
+
+"But it wasn't his fault, Aunt Alice; I'm sure of that," asserted Rob,
+earnestly. "He was being shamefully abused by the muckers, who came
+mighty near killing him."
+
+The next half-hour, with breakfast entirely forgotten, was devoted to
+explanations, and, by the end of that time, the whole affair was pretty
+thoroughly understood. Jo's sufferings at the hands of his tormentors
+had the one good effect of transforming Mrs. Hinckley's mistrust of him
+into a warm sympathy that afterwards developed into a real liking for
+the gentle fellow.
+
+A little later, while they were at breakfast, came the expected summons
+for Mr. Hinckley, his nephew Robert Hinckley, and a Chinese lad known
+to be an inmate of the parsonage, to appear at ten o'clock that very
+morning in Justice Burtis's court-room for examination in connection
+with the recent fracas on Hatton common.
+
+While Mr. Hinckley went to see the justice and prefer charges against
+several of the young muckers, whose names had been given him by Rob, for
+assaulting his ward, Joseph Lee, the two lads changed their clothing
+and prepared to make a respectable appearance in court. While they
+were thus engaged, Rob, to the delight of both of them, found his early
+knowledge of Chinese returning to him so rapidly that he was able to
+understand much of what Jo said.
+
+Acting on Mr. Hinckley's advice, the latter arrayed himself in his
+very richest robes, and Mrs. Hinckley's sympathy so far overcame her
+prejudice that, when she discovered him making a sorry attempt to do up
+his queue, she offered to braid it for him.
+
+"To think that I ever should do such a thing!" she exclaimed. "But, Rob,
+what do you suppose he wants all this white stuff worked into it for?"
+she added. "I'm sure his pig-tail is long enough without it."
+
+The white stuff thus referred to was some strands of silk braid and a
+silken tassel, and, after asking Jo concerning it, Rob explained to his
+aunt that, as white is the Chinese color for mourning, their young guest
+wore it in memory of his mother, who had died less than a year before.
+
+"Poor fellow!" said Mrs. Hinckley. "But what a very curious custom!"
+
+At length both lads were pronounced presentable, each according to the
+fashion of his own country, and, Mr. Hinckley having returned, the whole
+family set forth towards the little building in which Justice of the
+Peace Burtis held court.
+
+"It is not of my first day the manner I had expected to spend it," Jo
+confided to Rob, as they walked down the street.
+
+"I should say not!" replied the latter.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+A TRIUMPH FOR JO'S ENEMIES
+
+
+The little court-room was already crowded when our party reached it,
+and Jo's appearance created a sensation. The muckers and their friends,
+many of whom were on hand, scowled at him, and made sneering remarks
+concerning his country, his costume, and especially about his queue,
+which seemed, more than anything else, to excite their animosity. On
+the other hand, the better class of spectators were impressed by the
+intelligence shown in the lad's face, his air of high breeding, and by
+the richness of his dress, which was much handsomer than anything of the
+kind ever before seen in Hatton.
+
+Mr. Hinckley was the first witness examined, and he told of the Chinese
+lad's coming to America, and why he had done so. Then Jo himself was
+called to the stand, and, with Rob acting as interpreter, he gave
+his account of the recent fracas, a simple statement that drew forth
+indignant murmurs from the better class of spectators. After that the
+witness-stand was occupied by several of the young toughs who had
+participated in the affair. Their accounts of what had happened were
+confused and contradictory, but in general were to the effect that they
+were only looking at the stranger who had so unexpectedly appeared,
+running down the village street, and laughing a little at his pig-tail;
+that he had flown into a violent rage, and had flung one of their number
+to the ground, where he endeavored to choke him to death. They further
+testified that while they were trying to save their comrade's life by
+dragging the enraged heathen off from him, they suddenly were set upon
+by Rob Hinckley, who severely beat and seriously wounded several of them
+with a milk-can before they could escape from his furious and unprovoked
+attack. In support of this testimony, the boy who had been involved in
+Jo's fall was produced and allowed to tell his story, as were several
+who bore marks of Rob's effective weapon. A statement from the constable
+was then heard, and it served so to strengthen the testimony just taken
+that, when Mr. Jones finished his story and an adjournment until two
+o'clock was ordered, the case of our friends looked very black. Nor did
+it brighten during the afternoon session, for Rob could not swear that
+he had seen any specific act of violence committed by any one of those
+who had surrounded the young Chinese on the common. Mr. Hinckley also
+failed to help the case, for he was forced to admit that when he reached
+the scene of trouble the alleged assailants of the Chinese lad were in
+full flight before his nephew, and that, while they were rallying to
+an attack, he did not see them commit any overt act. He also was made
+to describe the relative positions of Jo and the boy who had shared
+his fall, and, as his testimony on this point agreed with all that had
+preceded, excepting that of Jo himself, it served still further to
+strengthen the cause of the muckers.
+
+After this the only effort made to help what evidently was a weak case
+was Mrs. Hinckley's description of Jo's appearance when he reached home,
+together with her production of the tattered blue gown he had worn. Her
+story seemed to produce a good effect upon the justice, until, taking
+the garment into his own hands for examination, he said:
+
+"Madam, this coat, or dress, or whatever it may be called, seems to
+be badly stained and still is damp. Can you tell me by what fluid it
+has been saturated? Is it, by any chance, blood from the veins of this
+Joseph Lee, and caused to flow by the ill treatment he is alleged to
+have suffered?"
+
+"No," replied Mrs. Hinckley, shortly; "it's milk."
+
+This answer was greeted by a roar of laughter from the crowded
+court-room, and, when quiet had with some difficulty been restored, the
+justice announced his decision:
+
+"The examination of witnesses in this case," he said, "will proceed no
+further, as the testimony already submitted is more than sufficient to
+warrant me in committing the principals for trial at the next session
+of the county court. Moreover, as the case has assumed an aspect so
+much more serious than I had anticipated, I am obliged to bind over
+Robert Hinckley and Joseph Lee in the sum of five hundred dollars each
+for appearance before said court. I shall require these bonds in each
+case to be signed by two responsible tax-payers of this district. If
+such signatures cannot be procured, Robert Hinckley and Joseph Lee will
+be confined in the county jail until the time for their trial shall
+arrive. Also, pending the execution of said bonds, they are remanded to
+the custody of the Hatton village constable, who is hereby charged with
+their safe-keeping."
+
+"Whew!" ejaculated Rob under his breath. "Prisoners! Jail! In custody!
+That sounds worse than any scrape I ever got into before; and what a
+lovely beginning for Jo's experience of free America!"
+
+The decision was hailed with jubilation by the muckers and their
+friends, who, as they streamed into the open air, gave vent to their
+feelings through derisive yells and taunting remarks concerning
+"pig-tails" and "sapheads."
+
+Jo, who until now had watched the proceedings with grave curiosity,
+though with but slight understanding of what was taking place, was
+made to realize by these sounds of rejoicing from the other side that
+something had gone wrong, and he glanced inquiringly towards his friend.
+
+"Yes," said Rob, speaking in fragmentary but intelligible Chinese, "the
+case has gone against us so far, and you and I must go to prison unless
+some one will put up the money to keep us out."
+
+"My father is a mandarin, and can furnish enough money to buy my freedom
+from any foreign prison," exclaimed Jo, with flushing cheeks.
+
+"Yes, of course," replied Rob; "but in this case it happens that only
+American money will be accepted."
+
+"Then let me go to prison," said Jo, proudly, "for my father does not
+choose that I should incur obligations."
+
+So determined was the Chinese lad upon this course that even when Mr.
+Hinckley had arranged the bond business with some of his friends, and
+the boys were free to depart, it was with the greatest difficulty that
+he could be persuaded to leave the court-room. Only after Rob had
+repeatedly assured him that Mr. Hinckley was acting as agent for his
+father, who, in the end, would be called upon to meet all expenses
+connected with the trial, did the proud young chap consent to accompany
+his friends to their home.
+
+Although the case thus far seemed to have gone against our lads, it
+had the good result of arousing much interest in Jo and creating many
+friends for him among the best people of Hatton. Thus many times the
+amount of the bonds demanded by Justice Burtis had promptly been
+forth-coming the moment his decision was rendered. That evening the
+parsonage was crowded with those who wished to tender sympathy and
+friendship to the young stranger who had received so cruel a reception
+in the land that had promised so much, and to whose honor he had so
+trustingly confided.
+
+The young Chinese was made to feel almost happy, and much of his
+homesickness vanished as Rob translated the friendly sentiments of his
+visitors, and he realized that, in spite of his recent experience,
+America did contain people of kindly disposition, who held honor
+and fair dealing in esteem. Thus the darkness that had so heavily
+overshadowed this first day in his new home was decidedly lightened
+before its end; and he went to bed that night possessing a wealth of new
+experience in which evil and good were very nearly balanced.
+
+The following day was largely devoted to procuring for Jo a complete
+outfit of American clothes, and in teaching him to wear them. For a time
+these rendered him very miserable. Never had his legs seemed so long or
+so conspicuous as they now appeared, divested of skirts and encased in
+trousers. Never before had he worn garments fitting him so closely that
+he doubted if they would allow him to eat enough to satisfy his hunger,
+and he was surprised to find that he still could draw a full breath. He
+was amazed at the number of pockets they contained, since never, until
+now, had he possessed even one, and he wondered what he should find to
+put in them. He approved of a hat that shaded his eyes, but felt most
+noisy and uncomfortable in the harsh leather shoes that replaced his own
+of cloth.
+
+But all these troubles were insignificant when compared with the great
+grief that came to him that same day. It was nothing more nor less
+than the loss of his cherished queue, which both Mr. Hinckley and Rob
+advised, and almost insisted, should be cut off.
+
+"It is the distinguishing mark of my nationality," he pleaded, "and
+without it people might take me for a Japanese, or even for a Korean.
+Also, it is a symbol of loyalty to my emperor, for in China every man
+without a queue is regarded as a rebel, and is liable to lose his head.
+Without it I should feel ashamed to look my friends in the face. No, I
+cannot give it up!"
+
+When all this was interpreted to Mr. Hinckley, he replied:
+
+"Tell him that, while I realize the force of what he says, I still must
+urge him to make the sacrifice. After all, the wearing of the queue is
+comparatively recent in China. Jo's ancestors of less than three hundred
+years ago did not wear them; nor did they shave their heads, that custom
+being forced upon them by their Manchu, or Tartar, conquerors, early
+in the seventeenth century. The latter wore the queue, or horse-tail,
+depending from their heads, and long coat-sleeves, shaped at the end
+like horses' hoofs, to show that they were horsemen; and when they
+conquered China they compelled their new subjects to adopt both these
+features. Now, as Jo says, to discard the queue in China is a sign of
+rebellion against the government; but it cannot be so considered when a
+Chinese is in a foreign land, and subject to great inconvenience, not
+to say danger, if he does not conform to the customs of the country in
+which he resides. Here, for instance, if Jo persists in wearing his
+queue with an American costume, it will render him very conspicuous and
+liable to constant ridicule, if not insult and abuse, from ignorant
+or vicious members of the community, while without it he rarely will
+attract unusual attention. When he is ready to return to his own land,
+he again can allow it to grow, and can supplement it with a false braid
+until it shall have attained a suitable length. Many Americans residing
+in China have adopted the native costume, including the queue, in order
+to render themselves inconspicuous; and why should not the process be
+reversed by Chinese residing in this country?"
+
+These arguments finally so prevailed that poor Jo, with a heavy heart
+and tear-filled eyes, allowed the shears to despoil him of what he
+considered his chief and most becoming adornment. As the heavy braid of
+glossy hair was severed he exclaimed:
+
+"Now even my own father would not know me, and my wife would no longer
+render me obedience!"
+
+"Your wife!" cried Rob. "What _do_ you mean? You can't have a wife! Why,
+you aren't any older than I am."
+
+"Certainly, I have a wife," replied Jo, composedly. "We were selected
+for each other when I was ten years of age; and, as my father wanted a
+person to look after his house, we were married the day before I left
+home."
+
+"But she must be a little girl," objected Rob.
+
+"Oh no. She is older than I, and quite grown up."
+
+"Is she pretty?" persisted the other, curiously, "and are you very fond
+of her?"
+
+"No, I am not fond of her at all; for, you see, I don't know her; and
+I don't think she even is good-looking. Of course I can't tell, though,
+for I have seen her only once, and then her face was so hidden by the
+wedding-paint that I have no idea how she would look without it."
+
+"Well!" exclaimed Rob; "you Chinese certainly are funny!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+THREATENED VIOLENCE
+
+
+The next two months passed quickly, and were full of interesting
+happenings for our lads. Although the academy was closed, and many of
+its students were away for the summer, there were a number of Rob's
+friends left in Hatton, and these promptly taking Jo's side as against
+the muckers, became his friends as well. In fact, it is doubtful if
+anything could have advanced him so speedily in the estimation of the
+better class of Hatton boys than his ill treatment at the hands of their
+avowed enemies. It alone was sufficient to induce them to make much of
+him from the outset; but in a very short time they learned to like him
+for his own good qualities.
+
+He always was a gentleman, polite, courteously attentive when spoken
+to, and invariably good-natured. Then, too, his taper fingers were
+marvellously deft in making things out of paper, wood, or clay, such as
+dragons looking fierce enough to eat one, puzzles at once simple and
+baffling, flutelike whistles, and other instruments for the production
+of sounds more or less musical. He also constructed innumerable kites of
+grotesque animal forms, and he always was willing to show his boyish
+friends just how these wonders were produced.
+
+They, in turn, taught him the things known almost instinctively by
+every American boy, and especially by those who live in the country,
+but of which our Chinese lad had no knowledge--such as swimming,
+boxing, rowing, how to camp out like Indians, and, above all, how to
+play the distinctively American game of baseball. To these fascinating
+novelties Jo took as readily as a young duck takes to water; for, with
+his hair cut short, instead of hanging in a braid down his back, and
+with a radical change of apparel, his whole character seemed to have
+undergone a transformation, and he now entered as heartily into the
+rough-and-tumble sports of his new associates as though to the manner
+born. To be sure, he was ridiculously awkward at first, and made such
+funny breaks as to excite the uproarious mirth of the other fellows; but
+he didn't seem to mind this a bit, and always joined heartily in a laugh
+at his own expense.
+
+The thing they teased him most about was his wife, for the fact of his
+being married had seemed too good a joke for Rob to keep to himself.
+Even this, however, did not appear to annoy the young husband, for a
+Chinese marriage is so entirely different from one in America that there
+is no trace of sentiment connected with it. The most important feature
+of Chinese life is the worship of one's ancestors, and this worship may
+only properly be performed by the head of a family. Thus, to provide for
+the suitable worship of their own spirits, in case of untimely death,
+parents are anxious to have their sons married as early in life as is
+possible. Such marriages are purely business transactions, arranged by
+the elders, and with which the young people have nothing to do except to
+be on hand at the appointed time. Even this is not essential in the case
+of the bridegroom, so long as the bride is delivered, as per agreement,
+at his father's house. He may be on a journey, or undergoing a scholar's
+examination, or engaged in some other important business that may not
+be interrupted for so trifling an incident as his wedding, which,
+therefore, is allowed to proceed without him. As he never is permitted
+to see his future wife or to learn anything concerning her during their
+betrothal, he cannot be expected to take a great personal interest in
+her, or she in him. Thus it happened that Jo was quite as willing to
+accept, good-naturedly, teasing remarks concerning his marriage as he
+was those called forth by any other customs of his people that struck
+his new companions as ridiculous.
+
+He had one possession that excited their sincere admiration, not to say
+their envy, and this was a wonderful memory. Having been trained from
+earliest childhood to commit to memory columns and pages of Chinese
+characters, and not only pages but entire volumes of the Chinese
+classics, our young scholar now took up the acquisition of English as a
+mere pastime. The alphabet was conquered in a single day; several pages
+of short words, together with their meanings, in another; and by the
+end of a week he was reading easy sentences. Rob was his first teacher,
+and, of course, his knowledge of Chinese was of the greatest assistance
+to Jo in gaining the meanings of the English words that he so readily
+learned to recognize by sight and sound.
+
+Thus it happened that when the time arrived for his trial in the county
+court he was able to give his own version of the fracas on Hatton common
+in intelligible English without the aid of an interpreter.
+
+In spite of the fact that Mr. Hinckley had employed able counsel to
+defend the boys, the case was decided against them, and they were
+sentenced to pay heavy fines in addition to the costs of the trial.
+
+"It is an outrageous and unjust decision," said Mr. Hinckley to his
+lawyer, "and I will never submit to it so long as there is a higher
+court to which the case may be taken. I desire, therefore, that you move
+for an appeal, and continue to give it your most earnest attention."
+
+"Very well, sir," was the reply; "of course, I will do so; but I must
+warn you that there is little hope of such a suit as yours being won in
+any American court. It is prejudiced from the outset by the existing
+strong feeling against the Chinese. For them it is almost impossible to
+obtain justice, even with the bulk of evidence in their favor, which, in
+the present instance, even you must admit is not the case."
+
+In spite of what the lawyer said, Mr. Hinckley was determined to carry
+the contest to a higher court, and, the motion for an appeal being
+granted, the case of State _vs._ Joseph Lee _et al._ was carried to a
+superior court, in which the earliest date set for a hearing was four
+months from that time.
+
+In the mean time the muckers of Hatton and their friends were wildly
+jubilant over the victory already gained. During the evening of the
+day on which the decision of the county court had been rendered, they
+gathered about a great bonfire at the lower end of the village, where
+they listened to incendiary speeches against the Chinese and all who
+befriended them. These were received with yells of applause and ominous
+threats of violence.
+
+While this was going on at one end of the village, a number of Mr.
+Hinckley's friends were discussing the situation in the parsonage at
+the other. All at once Rob, who had been doing some scouting on his own
+responsibility, broke into the room where these gentlemen were sitting.
+
+"They're coming, Uncle Will!" he cried, breathlessly, "and they swear
+they'll run Jo out of the village. They are talking about tar and
+feathers, too."
+
+Mr. Hinckley sprang to his feet. "My friends," he said, "if you will
+stand by me in this emergency I think the evil may be averted; but
+if you cannot see your way to so doing, I must hasten to remove the
+innocent lad committed to my charge beyond the reach of danger. What do
+you say? Speak quick, for there is not a moment to lose."
+
+"We will stand by you," replied one and another, "and there are plenty
+more who will do so, too. Our village must not be disgraced by scenes of
+lawless violence."
+
+"Then," said Mr. Hinckley, "hasten and gather the neighbors. Let each
+man be back here within five minutes, bringing another with him. I will
+try to find Constable Jones, and urge him--"
+
+"Here I be, parson," interrupted a voice from the doorway, "and I've
+telegraphed the sheriff that there's a show for trouble. He's answered
+that he'll be here inside of an hour, and for us to try and keep 'em
+entertained till he comes."
+
+"Good!" exclaimed Mr. Hinckley. "I rather think we can."
+
+Five minutes later, when a noisy throng of men and boys came surging up
+the street, the lower part of the parsonage, opposite which they halted,
+was so brilliantly lighted that they could see a numerous company of
+gentlemen assembled inside. They barely had time to realize that the
+house thus was occupied, when, suddenly, every light was extinguished
+and it stood in silent darkness. For a moment the new-comers, just now
+so valiantly loud-mouthed, waited in silence to see what would happen
+next. Then they began to murmur, and the murmurs grew into shouts of:
+
+"Fetch out your Chinee!"
+
+"We'll teach him English!"
+
+"Down with the rat-eaters!" and a confusion of other cries, at once
+derisive and threatening.
+
+As the mob, inflamed by these utterances, and urged on by its
+self-constituted leaders, crowded about the entrance to the front yard,
+it was met by Constable Jones, who leaned negligently against one of the
+gate-posts.
+
+"Hello!" he exclaimed. "What do you fellows want here?"
+
+"We want to see Parson Hinckley," answered a spokesman.
+
+"Well, you'll have to call again to-morrow, or some other day, for he's
+busy just now and can't see you."
+
+"Oh, he carn't, carn't he? I rather guess he'll see us before we git
+ready to leave. Come on, fellers!"
+
+"Stand back!" shouted the constable as the crowd surged towards the
+gate. "I have instructions from the owner of these premises not to admit
+any one to them this night. As this is private property, and I'm bound
+to protect the owner in his rights, the first man attempting to enter
+will be arrested for trespass."
+
+This announcement was greeted with howls of derision, and it seemed
+as though Constable Jones was about to have on his hands the job of
+arresting the entire mob, when another halt was called by the voice of
+Mr. Hinckley, who came from the house to the front gate as though to
+investigate the trouble.
+
+"What is going on here, Constable Jones? Who are these people, and what
+do they want?" he asked, loud enough for all to hear.
+
+"Want to see you, parson; so they say."
+
+"Well, my friends, what is it? I am too busy for an extended
+conversation; but if you can tell me in a few words what you desire, I
+am ready to listen."
+
+"Yes, we can," answered one of the leaders, gruffly. "We want the
+murdering, heathen Chinee that you're a-keeping in your house agin the
+law. We're agoin' to have him, too, an' run him out er town."
+
+"Against the law!" repeated Mr. Hinckley. "What do you mean? I am not
+harboring any person against the law, that I know of."
+
+"Yes, you be, fer the law says all Chinesesers must be excluded, and
+we're going to enforce it, by excluding the one you've brought to Hatton
+in spite of the law."
+
+For ten minutes Mr. Hinckley held the crowd at bay by his arguments,
+and his exhortations not to disgrace themselves, their State, and their
+country, by committing an act of lawless violence; but finally they
+would listen to him no longer, and again a rush was made for the gate.
+
+This time it was checked by a new voice, the stern tones of which were
+well known to all of them, for it belonged to the owner of the great
+shops in which so many of them earned their daily bread. "Hold on, men!"
+he cried, "and listen to me. I don't think I need tell you who I am,
+or that I will do as I say, for you all know me, and you know that I
+never yet broke a promise. For many years you and I have lived in this
+village of Hatton. In all that time we have carried on business together
+in orderly fashion, to my satisfaction, and, I hope, to yours. We have
+had differences, but always have managed to settle them without calling
+in outside aid. Now, however, you are threatening me, as well as this
+entire community, with something to which I cannot and will not submit.
+You are threatening this village with mob rule, a condition under which
+no community can exist and no business can be conducted. Therefore I
+give you my solemn word that if a single act of lawless violence against
+life or property is committed this night by a man or woman, boy or
+girl employed in the Hatton shops, those same shops shall be closed
+to-morrow, never to be reopened."
+
+"That's all bluff!" cried a voice from the crowd, as the speaker uttered
+this threat.
+
+"What do we care fer him or fer his talk?" demanded one who had
+constituted himself a leader. "There's a-plenty of us here as don't work
+in his shops to see this business through; so come on, lads, and don't
+fool away any more time talking. Hurray for American rights, and down
+with all Chinese scabs!"
+
+At this the mob uttered a howl and leaped forward, not only putting to
+flight the little group holding the parsonage gate, but tearing down the
+fence and swarming up to the very door of the house.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+THE SHERIFF TAKES PROMPT MEASURES
+
+
+Sheriff Hardy, of Hat County, was a fearlessly resolute man, possessed
+of great bodily strength and of a coolness in times of excitement that
+admirably fitted him for his difficult position, and he had constant
+need to exercise all these qualities, for his was a manufacturing
+county, having a large population of recently Americanized foreigners,
+who held in scant respect laws not enforced by a military power always
+in evidence.
+
+On the evening of the trouble in Hatton, Constable Jones's message
+found the sheriff quietly smoking a cigar on the porch of his house at
+the county seat, some miles from the place where his presence was so
+urgently required. Two minutes later he was on horseback and galloping
+towards the scene of disturbance. Reaching the Hatton parsonage within
+half an hour, he entered it by a back door, and at once swore in as
+special deputies the gentlemen whom he found there assembled, and
+undecided, not having authority, as to how they should act in the
+present emergency. Then Sheriff Hardy stepped to the front porch, took a
+survey of the situation, and for a minute listened to the significant
+interchange of remarks between the owner of the shops and the leaders of
+the mob.
+
+He was there when the crowd tore down the fence and made their rush
+towards the house. Until this moment they had not suspected his
+presence, but now, at the sound of his sharp "Halt!" their advance was
+checked as effectually as though it had encountered a twenty-foot stone
+wall.
+
+"Stand where you are!" he commanded. "Any man who advances so much as a
+single step farther will be arrested. I am not going to ask what you are
+doing here, nor the meaning of this cowardly demonstration against the
+peace. I already have heard enough to fully understand the situation.
+You are proposing to injure and otherwise abuse a person who is legally
+an inmate of this house."
+
+"He's a heathen Chinee," muttered some one in the crowd.
+
+"I don't care if he's a blue monkey," replied the sheriff, sharply,
+"so long as he is here with the sanction of the law, he is entitled to
+legal protection, and he is going to have it, too, just so long as I am
+sheriff of Hat County. Some of you Dagoes seem to think there isn't any
+law in this country, but I'll teach you that there is plenty of law,
+with ample provision for enforcing it. Now I've wasted all the time I
+mean to on you, and school is dismissed; so, 'bout face, and clear out
+of here. You want to be spry, too, for in just one minute I am going to
+march down that street with a posse of armed deputies, sworn to obey
+orders, and ordered to arrest any anarchist who attempts to obstruct
+their passage. I may add that they can shoot, too; and, if necessary,
+will shoot. That's all."
+
+As the mob, breaking into angry murmurs, still hesitated to move,
+Sheriff Hardy called out, so that all might hear:
+
+"Posse, attention! Fall in! Come on!"
+
+Then, as the tramp of many feet sounded on the porch, he leaped from
+it, and his impatient followers sprang after him. The next minute they
+were charging down the main street behind a panic-stricken mob in full
+flight, and Hatton's short-lived reign of terror was ended.
+
+After this, Mr. Hinckley, acting upon the sheriff's advice, which
+coincided with his own inclination, did not seek to secure Jo's safety
+by sending him away from Hatton, but kept him there in attendance at the
+academy, where the other fellows, under Rob's leadership, acted as a
+body-guard for his protection.
+
+"It is too bad that I make so much bobble," said the Chinese lad to his
+friend one day. "Mebbe better if I go my own country."
+
+"Oh, rot!" replied Rob, who at times found difficulty in expressing his
+feelings other than by the use of slang. "It would just be pie for the
+muckers to have you cut away, and they would claim game on the strength
+of it. As for you making trouble, I call it fun, and so do the other
+fellows. Why, I've never known so much life in the academy as has been
+put into it by your coming. Same time, you can't say you aren't getting
+good by being here, for I never heard of anybody learning as fast as
+you do. I'm not the only one that's on to it, either; for I heard old
+Puff--excuse me, I mean Professor Puffer--say the same thing only
+yesterday. Besides, you couldn't go away till after our trial, anyhow,
+for we are under bonds to appear, and it would simply mean ruin to Uncle
+Will if you didn't show up."
+
+"That tlial," answered Jo, who had not yet fully conquered the
+difficulty encountered by all Chinese who come into contact with the
+letter _r_, "makes for me much bitterness and plenty 'fraid. In my
+country we say, 'Better it is to die than go in law-suit.'"
+
+"Oh, pshaw!" answered Rob. "It isn't that way in America. Everybody here
+seems to get mixed up in some sort of a law-suit sooner or later, and
+not worry much about it, either. As for ours, it'll come out all right;
+you see if it don't. I'm not fretting."
+
+When, in the early winter, the eventful day set for the trial of the now
+famous case of State _vs._ Joseph Lee _et al._ arrived, it seemed as
+though half Hatton was determined to be on hand. Court was held in the
+city of S----, distant only an hour's ride by train, so that the Hatton
+spectators were able to go and return the same day.
+
+Owing to the dragging length of the preceding case on the calendar,
+that of our lads was not called on the first day of their appearance,
+and they were forced to spend the night in a hotel, guarded by a
+deputy. In this same hotel stayed the father of the young tough who
+had incidentally been thrown to the ground with Jo during the long-ago
+fracas that began all this trouble. When our lads, accompanied by their
+guard, went down to supper, this man, together with another, sat where
+he could see them, and, pointing to Jo, he said, viciously, but in a low
+tone:
+
+"That's him, and we'll make it worth your while to fix him."
+
+"That well-dressed young fellow?" questioned the other, in a tone of
+surprise. "He don't look any more like a Chinee than he does like a
+Dago, and if you hadn't told me, I wouldn't have suspected it."
+
+"No, they've trimmed him up to look almost civilized; but I wisht you'd
+seen him when the fuss took place. He sure was a savage-appearing
+heathen then."
+
+"Um," said the other, meditatively; "changed his description, have they?
+Well, if you can make it worth while, I'll see what can be done."
+
+To the dismay of our lads and their friends, the trial, which occupied
+the whole of the following day, was, in spite of the efforts of their
+lawyer, but a repetition of the first one. Much additional testimony was
+presented by the State, but nothing new had been forth-coming in their
+behalf. So late in the day was the case closed that the judge withheld
+his decision until the next morning; but no one had a doubt as to its
+nature, and the muckers of Hatton held another jubilation that night
+with bonfires and much noise.
+
+Full accounts of the trial appeared in the morning papers, and our
+friends read these with heavy hearts.
+
+"Looks as though we stood a good chance of going to prison," remarked
+Rob, gloomily. "It'll either be that or a whopping big fine that, I'm
+afraid, Uncle Will can't raise. Maybe it'll be both."
+
+"If my father were only here," said Jo, "he would make things all right
+quick enough, by giving that mandarin judge much money."
+
+"Oh, would he?" replied Rob. "That's all you know about American judges.
+Such a scheme might work in China, but if your father should try it on
+here he would be pretty apt to land himself in prison, alongside of
+his son, and that son's 'accomplice,' as the papers now call me. We
+Americans are a pretty tough lot, I'll admit, and our laws don't seem to
+have much to do with justice, but I don't believe we've yet come to the
+point of bribing our judges--that is, not to any great extent."
+
+"But, Rob, my friend, it is for you that my heart is aching. For me
+it makes no difference. When I am again free I will go back to my own
+country as a hero, whose bad treatment here will only make my people
+hate foreigners more than ever. But for you it will mean shame and much
+sorrow, all caused by me."
+
+"Now, don't you fret a little bit about that, old man," replied Rob,
+stoutly. "There is no danger of me being disgraced by going to prison in
+a good cause, in the eyes of any one whose opinion is worth anything.
+I tell you, honestly, that, so long as you are in this scrape, I'm glad
+to be in it with you; for it will show that if Americans are sometimes
+unjust, it is not only to foreigners, but to their own people as well."
+
+So greatly was interest in the case stimulated by the published reports
+that, on the second day of the trial, the court-room was crowded with
+spectators. Most of these were hostile in sentiment to our lads and
+were anxious to hear sentence pronounced, not only upon the Chinese,
+who had dared assault an American, but upon the white lad who had
+proved a traitor to his own people by assisting in the outrage. Another
+attraction in the court-room that morning was a Chinese gentleman,
+richly clad in his national costume, who entered with the judge, and
+was accorded the honor of a seat on the bench. He was secretary to
+the Chinese legation at Washington, hurriedly sent on by his chief to
+inquire into this case and do everything possible for the relief of
+his young countryman. Even after entering the court-room he continued
+to speak to the judge; but the face of the latter remained sternly
+impassive, as though, having made up his mind, nothing could change it.
+
+When our lads were led to their seats they could nowhere see the lawyer
+who was defending them, and they wondered at his absence; but he
+appeared and took his place with other members of the bar just as court
+was opening. He had no opportunity for communicating with them at that
+moment, but he beamed upon them with a smiling countenance, for which
+they could not account.
+
+"Looks like a man grinning at his own funeral," whispered Rob to his
+friend, who wondered how such a thing might be possible.
+
+In another moment, however, his attention was drawn from this puzzle by
+the opening of court, and by seeing their counsel rise to his feet.
+
+"Your honor," said this gentleman, addressing the judge, "I beg leave to
+petition that the case of State _vs._ Joseph Lee _et al._, concluded in
+this court yesterday, be reopened for the admission of new and important
+testimony in behalf of the defence. Only this morning has a witness been
+discovered whose story will, I believe, completely reverse all previous
+impressions gained during this momentous trial. In view of that fact
+we earnestly pray that you will permit us to place this person on the
+stand."
+
+After listening to a demur from the district attorney, the court granted
+this petition and reopened the case, whereupon the counsel for the
+defence summoned to the witness-stand Miss Annabel Lorimer.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+THE SENTENCE OF THE COURT
+
+
+As the court-crier, amid a breathless hush of expectation, loudly called
+the name "Annabel Lorimer," a young girl, flushed with embarrassment,
+but with brave, gray eyes, rose from a seat in the front row of
+spectators and was escorted to the witness-stand by a gentleman,
+who evidently was her father, and who remained near her during the
+examination that followed. After she had sworn to tell the truth, the
+whole truth, and nothing but the truth, had given her name, her place of
+residence as that very city, and had blushingly admitted that, although
+fifteen years of age, she was unmarried, she was asked to tell what she
+knew of the case now on trial.
+
+"We were going to Canada for the summer," she began, "so as to learn how
+to travel and get ready for the great journey around the world that papa
+and I are going to take this winter. So I went to Hatton to say good-bye
+to my aunt Marjorie, who lives in a big, white house, just across from
+the common. I could only stay one night, and had to leave on the very
+earliest morning train. So I was up pretty early, and was dressing to
+go down-stairs, when such shouting and laughing came from the street
+that I looked out of the window. There were a lot of boys, all running,
+and one of them was a Chinese. I never saw one before, but I knew he was
+Chinese by his pig-tail and by his funny shoes, that were just like the
+pictures."
+
+"Can you tell how he was dressed?" asked Jo's lawyer.
+
+"Yes, he had on a long, blue frock, without any waist-band."
+
+"Like this?" suggested the lawyer, at the same time holding up the very
+gown Jo had worn on that eventful morning.
+
+"Yes, just the same; only at first it wasn't torn."
+
+"Thank you. Now you may proceed with your story."
+
+"Well, while I was looking I saw that the other boys were teasing the
+Chinese boy, which seemed to me dreadfully mean, when he was all alone
+in a strange place, especially when he stood still and began to look
+frightened. Then some more big boys, who had been playing on the common,
+came running over, and they all crowded around the Chinese boy and began
+to abuse him."
+
+"What do you mean by abusing him? What did they do?"
+
+"Why, they hit him, and pushed him from one side to the other, and
+pulled at his pig-tail, and ran round and round with it so as to make
+him turn and get dizzy, and knocked off his cap, and did everything
+horrid they could think of."
+
+"What kind of boys were they?"
+
+"Just the very kind that tie fire-crackers to poor dogs' tails, and kill
+pussy-cats with stones, and--swear."
+
+This last word the witness uttered with some hesitation and in a low
+tone.
+
+"Would you know any of those boys again if you should see them?"
+
+"Yes, I'd know the two I see sitting over there," replied Annabel, at
+the same time pointing to a group of the Hatton muckers who had been
+retained in court as witnesses.
+
+"How can you identify them?"
+
+"Because the little one has such very red hair, and so many freckles,
+and the other is so big and ugly looking; besides, he is the one who
+knocked the Chinese boy down."
+
+"How did he do that?"
+
+"He butted him in the back with his head, while the little, speckled one
+was pulling at his pig-tail in front, and they all went down together."
+
+"Now tell me, Miss Lorimer, what the Chinese boy did all this time? Was
+he very fierce, and did he strike at his assailants as if he were trying
+to kill them?"
+
+"Oh no, indeed! I'm sure he didn't, because I hoped all the time he
+would. He only seemed horribly frightened, and kept trying to get away;
+only they wouldn't let him."
+
+"Did you see any of the other boys throw anything at him?"
+
+"Yes, mud--lots of it--and stones; and they tore his clothes until he
+was a sight."
+
+"Please tell the court what happened after the Chinese boy had been
+knocked down."
+
+"I object to that expression," interposed the district attorney, who was
+conducting the case for the State; "the witness has expressly stated
+that the fall in question was caused by a push and not by a blow. She
+also has testified that three individuals went to the ground at the same
+time, and we already know from recorded testimony in this case, that the
+greatest sufferer from the effects of this fall was not the Chinaman,
+but the very smallest and weakest of those whom my learned friend is
+pleased to stigmatize as 'assailants,' although it has been repeatedly
+and conclusively proved during this trial that they were the assailed.
+Therefore I object to the expression 'knocked down.'"
+
+"Objection admitted," growled the judge.
+
+"Very well," said Jo's lawyer, "since the expression 'knocked down' is
+objectionable, it is withdrawn; and you may tell us, Miss Lorimer, what
+happened after my young client was hurled to the ground."
+
+"Your honor, I object," broke in the district attorney.
+
+"Objection overruled," said the judge, sharply, "and I insist that the
+testimony of this young lady must not be interrupted by squabbles over
+technicalities."
+
+"After my young client was _hurled to the ground_," continued Jo's
+lawyer, triumphantly, "with the biggest and ugliest-looking of his
+assailants on top of him, tell us, Miss Lorimer, what happened next?"
+
+"The big boy scrambled to his feet, and just then Rob Hinckley came
+along with a milk-can and drove them all away, and the milk flew all
+over everybody. Then Mr. Hinckley and Constable Jones came; but after
+that I didn't see any more, because the breakfast-bell rang, and I was
+so late that I had to get dressed as quick as I could."
+
+"That is all, your honor, and the other side is welcome to our witness,"
+said Jo's lawyer.
+
+"Why did you not come forward sooner to testify in this case, Miss
+Lorimer, since you seem so greatly interested in it?" queried the
+district attorney.
+
+"Because I didn't know anything about it until this morning. Then papa
+read about it in the paper, and said he had no doubt that if the truth
+were known it would turn out that the Chinese boy had been wantonly
+abused by a lot of cowardly young ruffians, just because he was weak
+and helpless, which was getting more and more to be the American way
+of doing things. I didn't like to hear him say that, and told him I
+believed I had seen that very trouble the morning I was in Hatton; only
+I had forgotten all about it, because so many other things began to
+happen that same day, and have been happening ever since. I said, if
+those were the same boys, they were not real, true Americans at all, but
+just a lot of mean imitations, and if the law people only knew what I
+did, they would punish them instead of Rob Hinckley, and the Chinese
+boy who had been abused. He asked what I meant, and I told him all I
+could remember. Then he telephoned to that gentleman (pointing to Jo's
+lawyer), who came to the house and asked me questions. Then we drove
+here in a carriage, because it was late. So if you punish anybody, I
+hope it will be those wicked imitation American boys; because one time
+that big, ugly looking one set his dog on my tortoise-shell kitty when
+we were visiting Aunt Marjorie, and threw stones at her when she ran up
+a tree, and would have killed her if Rob Hinckley hadn't made him stop."
+
+"So you already were prejudiced against the boy, whom you describe as
+'ugly looking,' before you saw him in collision with this Chinaman."
+
+"I don't know what you mean," replied Annabel; "but, of course, I hated
+him, and knew just what he would do when he found a China-boy, or any
+one else he could abuse without a chance of getting hurt himself. He did
+it, too, and now I hope he'll be shut up in prison forever and ever."
+
+"Your honor," said the district attorney, with a well-satisfied smile;
+"I think the animus of this witness is sufficiently shown by that
+statement, which I shall allow to go on record without comment. I
+shall also pass, without attempt at refutation, her silly naming of
+those naturalized citizens, who, with their brawn and muscle, their
+unremitting industry and their sturdy independence, constitute the
+strongest bulwark of our glorious republic, for she is but a child,
+speaking from the ignorance of childhood. Thus we are well content to
+rest our case upon the evidence, with a certain confidence that the
+court, in its wisdom, will give us a verdict in accordance with the
+facts."
+
+With this the attorney sat down. The girl witness, wondering whether she
+had most helped or harmed the cause she had espoused, was allowed to
+take her seat, and Jo's lawyer rose to address the court.
+
+"Your honor," he said, "I need not suggest to one so well versed
+in proverbial philosophy, that truth, sometimes unpalatable, but
+always bluntly outspoken, is a universally admitted characteristic of
+childhood. Into the dark mazes of numberless famous law cases, as in the
+one we now are concluding, has the revealing light of truth been thrown
+by the untutored testimony of children. I could not wish a stronger
+witness to the justice of our cause than the fearless little lady who
+has just now given her evidence in our behalf. Upon it, therefore, we
+confidently rest our cause, with a well-grounded conviction that it is
+sufficient to assure a verdict in our favor."
+
+As the lawyer sat down, our lads realized that the critical moment
+in which their fate was to be decided had arrived; and they awaited
+the words of the judge with mingled hope and anxiety. For a moment an
+impressive silence reigned in the court-room, and all eyes were turned
+upon the judge as he glanced over his pencilled notes. Finally he looked
+up, removed his spectacles, and, fixing a kindly gaze upon the two
+young men, said:
+
+"It is hardly necessary to state that the unimpeachable testimony of
+the last witness in the case of State _vs._ Joseph Lee _et al._ has
+completely altered the point of view from which it must be regarded,
+and causes the decision of the court to be quite different from what
+it would have been yesterday. I now find the defendant, Joseph Lee,
+to have been a victim instead of an aggressor, and to have suffered
+shameful persecution at the hands of a mob of young ruffians, who have
+been happily termed 'imitation Americans.' This term is most soothing
+to the pride of all real Americans, who are unwilling to believe that
+any of the true stock would dishonor the name by assaulting the helpless
+and innocent. This being the situation, the decision of the court in
+the case of Joseph Lee is that he be honorably acquitted of the charges
+brought against him."
+
+This decision was received with looks of scowling consternation by the
+muckers present, and with murmurs of applause from the better class of
+spectators. This quickly was silenced by the court officers, and the
+judge continued:
+
+"The case of Robert Hinckley, however, proves more serious, since it
+is evident that he did make an assault with a weapon, and without the
+excuse of self-defence, upon the bodies of certain persons named in
+the indictment, who are entitled to legal redress for the same. Of
+this offence the court, therefore, finds Robert Hinckley guilty and
+sentences him"--at this point poor Rob turned very pale, while his
+heart sank like lead--"to pay a fine," continued the judge, "of one cent
+to each and every one of the aggrieved parties whose names appear in the
+indictment. At the same time the court wishes to express its thanks to
+Mr. Robert Hinckley for the fine manner in which, forgetful of his own
+danger, he hastened to defend a helpless foreigner from persecution by a
+set of unmitigated young scoundrels. Officer, call the next case on the
+calendar."
+
+"Oh!" gasped Rob, as the friends of our lads gathered about them with
+congratulations at this happy ending of their troubles; "does he really
+mean it?"
+
+"Yes," replied the lawyer who had defended them, "he really means it,
+and if you haven't two cents in your pocket, I'll pay the fine myself."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+JO'S ENEMIES PREPARE A TRAP
+
+
+After the happy conclusion of the law-suit that had for so long
+disturbed their peace of mind, our lads left the court-room in company
+with a group of congratulatory friends. As they went out, Rob exclaimed,
+triumphantly, "I told you not to fret, Jo, and that everything would
+turn out all right."
+
+"Yes, but it is through the goodness of Miss Lolimer."
+
+"Who?" inquired Rob, with a puzzled expression. "Oh, you mean Annabel!
+Yes, isn't she fine? I say, Annabel, I don't know how we ever can thank
+you enough for getting us out of that scrape. It was one of the most
+plucky things I ever knew a girl to do."
+
+"It wasn't half so plucky as the way you saved my 'turtle kitty' that
+time; besides, I was so sorry for your friend, though I didn't know he
+was your friend then."
+
+"That's so. I forgot. Let me introduce him. Annabel--I mean Miss
+Lorimer--this is my friend, Joseph Lee, from China, only all the fellows
+call him Chinese Jo."
+
+"I'm ever so glad to know you, Mr. Lee," said the girl, at the same
+time making a prim little bow that was half curtsey. "I never met a
+Chinese boy before, and I think they are awfully interesting. I mean,"
+she added, quickly, and with a deep blush, "that we are going to China
+sometime, papa and I, and we want so much to know about the queer people
+out there. Not, of course, that you seem queer, because you are dressed
+in civilized--Oh, dear, what a stupid I am! But won't both of you come
+to our house for luncheon? Papa said I might ask you, and he is going to
+invite Mr. Hinckley and that Chinese gentleman who sat with the judge.
+Wasn't he perfectly splendid? Of course, I mean the judge, though the
+other is lovely, too, in his beautiful clothes."
+
+"My dear," interrupted Mr. Lorimer, "this is Mr. Secretary of Legation
+Wang, who, together with Mr. Hinckley and, I trust, these young
+gentlemen, will lunch with us."
+
+Mr. Wang, who, being a graduate of Yale, was quite accustomed to
+American ways, gravely shook hands with Annabel, as he also did with
+Rob; but his exchange of greetings with his own young countryman was
+quite different. Instead of shaking each other's hand and saying "How
+do you do, Mr. Wang? Happy to meet you, Mr. Lee," as is the American
+custom, they bowed profoundly to each other several times, all the while
+clasping and shaking their own hands and uttering flowery compliments in
+Chinese.
+
+"How funny to shake one's own hand!" laughed Annabel, as she watched
+with delight this novel interchange of courtesies.
+
+"It does not seem funny in our country, Miss Lorimer," said Mr. Wang,
+who had overheard the remark. "There all gentlemen, and ladies as well,
+wear their finger-nails so long that there would be danger of cutting,
+or at least scratching, each other's hands if they should exchange the
+courteous salute in the American way. So we shake our own hands, to
+avoid injuring those of our friends."
+
+"But why do you wear your finger-nails so long?" asked Annabel. "I
+should think it would be very uncomfortable, and that they would get
+broken."
+
+"It is an uncomfortable fashion, and a very silly one," replied Mr.
+Wang. "The long nails are so apt to get broken, as you suggest, that
+they often are protected by silver sheaths. The reason they are allowed
+to grow long is to show that their wearers are not obliged to labor with
+their hands. Chinese ladies for the same reason, or rather to show that
+they are not obliged to walk, but can afford to be carried about by
+servants, compress their feet until they are hopelessly and very nearly
+helplessly crippled for life."
+
+"How dreadful!" exclaimed Annabel.
+
+"Yes. Is it not? But is it any more dreadful than certain things done
+at fashion's decree in your own country? For instance, in Washington
+I often see ladies dancing, or shivering through long dinners, in
+low-necked and sleeveless gowns, which at the same time are so tightly
+compressed at the waist as to cause present torture and future misery.
+I see fashionable men dressed in exact imitation of their own servants,
+and only to be distinguished from them by a round bit of glass worn with
+much effort, and with absurd distortions of the face, in front of the
+right eye--not at all to aid the sight, mind you, but simply because
+it is fashionable. Yes, both our nations are guilty of following many
+absurd fashions, and each laughs at the other on account of them; but
+to my mind the most foolish habit of all is for us to call each other
+'barbarians' because our fashions in silliness happen to differ."
+
+In all this Annabel was so interested that the lunch-time conversation
+was wholly turned upon Chinese topics, with the result that Mr. Wang
+proved himself not only to be highly educated, widely travelled, and
+liberal-minded, but one of the most entertaining conversationalists
+any of them ever had met. So impressed were his hearers by what this
+versatile Chinese gentleman told them, that when the luncheon was ended
+Annabel regarded herself as one of the most fortunate girls in the world
+because of her prospect of going to China; Mr. Lorimer was thinking of
+the same country as probably the most interesting place they should
+visit during their travels; Mr. Hinckley found his views on the Chinese
+question greatly changed; Rob longed to get back to the land of his
+birth, and Jo was decidedly homesick.
+
+For these reasons the Lorimers were pleased to learn that Mr. Wang
+proposed to remain in their city a day or two longer, while Mr.
+Hinckley was anxious to reach home and his own library, where he might
+quietly review his newly received impressions. Rob was equally desirous
+of returning to Hatton and the lessons that must be learned before he
+could hope to revisit China, while Jo was made happy by an invitation
+from Mr. Wang to remain with him during his stay in S---- and greet
+the other young Chinese then being educated in that vicinity, whom the
+secretary had invited to dine with him that very night.
+
+Mr. Hinckley was more than willing that Jo should accept the invitation,
+and remain away from Hatton for a few days on account of the bitterness
+of feeling against him that the decision of the court was certain
+to have strengthened. So Jo remained behind when the Hinckleys took
+their departure, and that evening, passed in company with Mr. Wang
+and a dozen companions of his own nationality, was the very happiest
+he ever had known. They dined in a room by themselves, were served by
+Chinese waiters procured from a near-by laundry, ate their rice with
+chop-sticks, drank amber-colored tea without sugar or cream, and did
+not speak one word of anything but Chinese during the entire evening.
+The one drawback to their complete happiness was that during the dinner
+Mr. Wang received a telegram concerning some business that demanded
+his presence in Boston the following morning. He therefore was obliged
+to leave S---- on a late train that same night, much to his own regret
+as well as that of his guests. His final instructions to Jo were to
+entertain his young friends at breakfast the following morning before
+seeing them off on the train for their respective places of study, and
+then to remain in S---- until his return, which probably would be within
+two days.
+
+This programme was faithfully carried out by our lad to the point of
+escorting his friends to the railway-station and seeing them off. One
+reason for his peculiar enjoyment of their company was that owing to
+Rob's constant companionship his own advance in learning English, as
+well as in acquiring general knowledge, had been so much more rapid than
+theirs that his young companions acknowledged his superiority in these
+respects with openly expressed wonder and admiration. Then, too, his
+experience in American law courts, that had resulted so triumphantly,
+caused him to rank among them as a sort of a hero, to be regarded with
+great respect.
+
+All this was so flattering and so pleasant to Jo that after their
+departure, when for the first time he found himself without companions
+in a city of strangers, his extreme loneliness caused him to seek
+out the Chinese laundry near the hotel. There he would find other
+fellow-countrymen, who, if not of his own rank, at least could talk
+to him in his native tongue; also he fancied that by them the recent
+flattery which so had pleased him would be continued. Nor was he
+mistaken, for when he reached the laundry its inmates received him with
+profound kotows, indicating deep respect, and quickly provided him with
+tea and sweetmeats.
+
+As Jo had been curious concerning the lives and occupations in America
+of these people, who, though belonging to the coolie or lowest class of
+Chinese, still were his countrymen, he spent more than an hour in the
+laundry, asking questions and acquiring much information, such as no
+foreigner could have gained in a lifetime. So interested did he become,
+that, in order to realize more fully the nature of the work they were
+doing, he took from one of them the flat-iron he was using and for a few
+minutes operated it himself.
+
+The young student was so intent upon this novel form of investigation
+as not to realize that he was performing actual laundry-work directly
+before an open window, through which he was plainly visible to
+outsiders. Nor did he notice that a man, lounging on the opposite side
+of the street, was keeping keen watch of his performance. Even if Jo
+had noticed this man he would have paid no attention to him; nor would
+he have known that all his movements of that day had been closely
+followed by that same individual. But this was the case, and when Jo
+appeared at the open window of the Chinese laundry, evidently engaged in
+ironing a garment, the man smiled grimly. At the same time he produced a
+pocket-camera having a telescopic lens, which for a moment was levelled
+directly at the unsuspecting lad.
+
+"I reckon that'll settle his business," muttered the man to himself.
+"Who would have thought of his playing into our hands by doing such a
+fool thing?"
+
+A little later Jo, while sitting in the reading-room of his hotel, was
+handed a telegram, the very first he ever had received. After carefully
+reading the superscription, to make sure that it really was addressed
+to him, he tore open the brown envelope, nervously unfolded the yellow
+enclosure, and read as follows:
+
+     "BREVOORT HOUSE, NEW YORK CITY.
+
+     "Have important need of you here. Take first train. Wire time
+     of your arrival. I will meet you at station.
+
+     "(Signed) WANG CHIH TUNG, Secretary, etc."
+
+"Is there any answer, sir?" asked the boy who had delivered this
+despatch and who stood waiting while Jo read it. "Here are blanks if you
+want them."
+
+"Yes," replied our lad, speaking slowly, but thinking at top speed. "I
+want to send two of these same things. Can you take them and see that
+they go light away quick?"
+
+"Yes, sir," replied the boy. "That is my business."
+
+"Can you tell me how soon I can get a train for New York?"
+
+"In ten minutes, if you hurry," answered the boy promptly.
+
+"When will it get me to New York?"
+
+"Ten thirty to-night."
+
+"You are sure?"
+
+"Sure, sir, as if I was a railroad time-table."
+
+Relieved at so easily having obtained the information he wanted, and
+excited at thus being summoned by so high a dignitary as Mr. Wang, Jo
+wrote two despatches on blanks provided by the waiting boy, and gave
+them to him for delivery at the nearest telegraph-office. One was to Mr.
+Wang, announcing the proposed hour of his reaching New York, and the
+other, telling of his intended trip to that city, was addressed to Mr.
+Hinckley. For each of these he paid the boy twenty-five cents, and then,
+having no time to lose, he hurried to the railway-station. There he had
+barely secured a ticket for New York when an express-train thundered up
+to the platform. Two minutes later it was rolling swiftly away, carrying
+as passengers Chinese Jo and the man who had followed his movements so
+closely all that day.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+JO FINDS THAT HE IS SOME ONE ELSE
+
+
+When, late at night, Chinese Jo reached New York and alighted from
+his train in the Grand Central Station he was bewildered and almost
+frightened by his surroundings. He found himself in a vast edifice
+occupied by many long trains of cars, some standing still, either
+receiving or discharging passengers, and others in motion, drawn or
+pushed by hoarsely puffing locomotives. Between every two trains was a
+narrow platform extending the whole length of the great station, and
+most of these were crowded with outgoing or incoming passengers, all
+in a hurry, and each too intent upon his own affairs to pay attention
+to those of his neighbors. Among them moved red-capped porters and
+blue-clad railway officials, too mindful of their own importance to
+condescend to answer the low-voiced questions of an insignificant
+"Chinaman."
+
+As Jo drifted with the tide of one of these human streams, his eyes
+searched anxiously every face within his range of vision with the hope
+of discovering Mr. Wang. But no such good-fortune was in store for him,
+and finally he reached the street without having found his friend. He
+had asked several of the uniformed officials if they had seen a Chinese
+gentleman anywhere about the station, but some of them had only laughed
+without answering, while others had paid no attention to him. Outside
+the station, however, and standing irresolute on the sidewalk, Jo was
+beset by plenty of persons anxious to serve him. Drivers of carriages,
+cabs, and baggage wagons shouted at him and solicited his patronage.
+Agents of express companies wanted to take charge of his luggage,
+ragged street urchins struggled for possession of his hand-bag, while
+hotel-runners besieged him with cards of their respective houses.
+
+"But I only want to go to the Blevoort Hotel," he finally managed to
+explain, "and not anywhere else."
+
+"Take you to the Brevoort for five dollars," shouted a hack-driver,
+waving a whip in the lad's face and at the same time reaching for his
+hand-bag.
+
+"I am going to the Brevoort House, and will show you the way if you
+like," said some one close behind Jo, as he was attempting to explain
+that he had not five dollars to expend on carriage-hire.
+
+Turning, our lad saw a man, evidently, from the bag that he carried,
+a traveller like himself, and, greatly relieved to find some one
+willing to aid him in this time of trouble, he gratefully accepted the
+stranger's offer of guidance.
+
+"All right, then, come along," said the man. "No, we don't want no hack.
+Street-cars are good enough for us."
+
+With this he waved aside the clamorous throng of drivers, and led
+the way to a car bound down-town. As they rode, the stranger, while
+admitting that he was not a resident of New York, so impressed our lad
+with his knowledge of the great city, and of the manifold pitfalls that
+it held for the unwary, that he inwardly congratulated himself upon
+having met so willing a guide, who at the same time was so competent to
+direct his steps.
+
+The car took them within one block of their destination, and when Jo
+read the name "Brevoort" over the doorway of the hotel he believed his
+troubles to be ended, for surely here he would find his friend, or at
+least learn of his whereabouts.
+
+"Is there a gentleman by the name of Wang stopping here?" he inquired of
+a sprucely attired clerk at the desk.
+
+"Not if we know it," was the reply, accompanied by a supercilious stare.
+
+"But I received a telegram only a few hours ago telling me to meet him
+here."
+
+"Can't help that. If he is here it's without my knowledge, and you'll
+have to find him as best you can."
+
+"Then I will take a room for the night and wait till he comes," said
+poor Jo, desperately. "This is the only address he gave, and so he is
+sure to look here for me sooner or later."
+
+"Haven't a vacant room in the house," answered the clerk, shortly; "and
+if you think this hotel is a Chinese joint you're mightily mistaken."
+
+"Let's get out of here," said Jo's friendly guide. "That's outrageous;
+and if this place isn't good enough for you it isn't good enough for me
+either."
+
+Here, unobserved by our lad, the speaker winked at the clerk, who winked
+back understandingly. "Come with me," added the man. "I'll show you a
+decent place, where we can spend the night, and to-morrow I'll help you
+hunt your friend."
+
+As Jo knew not what else to do, he for a second time gratefully
+accepted the offer of this stranger, and followed him out through the
+inhospitable doorway he had so hopefully entered a few minutes before.
+Again boarding a street-car, they were carried far down-town, and
+finally reached a small hotel, in which they secured a room containing
+two beds.
+
+There they spent the remainder of the night and had breakfast the next
+morning. By this time Jo had determined to make one more effort to find
+Mr. Wang at the Brevoort House, and, if it failed, to return at once to
+Hatton. He still had money with him to pay his fare, but not enough to
+keep him much longer at a New York hotel. During breakfast, which he and
+his newly formed acquaintance ate together, he confided this plan to the
+latter, who gave it his hearty approval.
+
+"Best thing you can do," he said. "New York is no place for a stranger,
+more especial a foreigner who is not used to American ways. There's
+only one thing, though. While we're down-town we might as well visit
+the office of the police commissioners, and find out what they know
+about your friend. They keep track of all foreigners arriving in the
+city, and are sure to have full information concerning any one so
+distinguished as your Mr. Wang. It's only about a couple of blocks away,
+and you can leave your bag here to pick up as you come back."
+
+Jo agreed to this proposal; and, filled with a new hope, willingly
+accompanied his friendly guide. They walked much farther than two
+blocks, but our lad was so fascinated by the novel sights about him
+that he took no note of the distance traversed. Finally they entered
+a massive stone building, in which an elevator speedily lifted them
+several stories above the street level. Jo caught a glimpse of the
+word "Commissioner," printed in letters of gold over a doorway, as he
+was ushered into an anteroom, the entrance to which was guarded by an
+officer. His acquaintance seemed to know this man, for he nodded to him
+as they passed in. Then he said to Jo:
+
+"You sit here and wait a few minutes, while I go and see if the
+commissioner can give us a hearing."
+
+With this he turned away and disappeared through a second doorway at the
+other end of the room.
+
+So Jo waited and waited with the unquestioning patience of his race
+until more than an hour had passed, while many persons went in and out
+without paying him the slightest attention. At length he began to grow
+uneasy; and, walking over to the officer who guarded the door, he asked:
+
+"Is the commissioner very busy this morning?"
+
+"Rather," was the laconic answer.
+
+"Then, perhaps, I had better not wait any longer."
+
+"Oh, I guess you had," was the reply, accompanied by a curious scrutiny
+of the young Chinese.
+
+"But it may be that he won't have time to attend to my affair."
+
+"He'll attend to you fast enough when the time comes. Never you fear."
+
+Reassured, but at the same time somewhat perplexed by these answers, Jo
+returned to his seat and waited another hour. Then, determined to remain
+no longer, he walked to the door with the intention of going back to the
+hotel and carrying out his original plan.
+
+"What do you want now?" inquired the officer on guard.
+
+"I am not going to wait any longer," replied Jo.
+
+"Oh, you're not going to wait any longer, aren't you? Reckon we'll see
+about that, too. Just you stroll back to where the deputy marshal left
+you, and stay there till you're ordered to move, or I'll make things
+lively for you. Do you hear me, Chink? Well, then, get a move on."
+
+Bewildered and frightened by the officer's fierce aspect, Jo did as he
+was bidden, and again resumed his seat. He had hardly taken it, when the
+door through which his acquaintance had disappeared was flung open and
+another officer called out, "Joseph Lee!" a summons that our lad obeyed
+with alacrity.
+
+He was ushered into a comfortably furnished room, containing a number
+of men, and was conducted to the presence of one who sat behind a desk.
+Near at hand stood his acquaintance of the night before.
+
+"Is this your man, deputy?" asked the person behind the desk.
+
+"Yes, sir; he is," replied Jo's acquaintance, who was a deputy United
+States marshal, engaged in searching out illegal Chinese residents of
+the Eastern District.
+
+"What is your name?" asked the man behind the desk, now turning to Jo.
+
+"Joseph Lee," was the reply.
+
+"Native of China?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"How long have you been in this country?"
+
+"About eight months."
+
+"Where?"
+
+"Hatton."
+
+"What have you been doing there?"
+
+"Studying."
+
+"Never lived in S----?"
+
+"No, sir; but--"
+
+"Never mind your buts. Haven't you been employed in Charley Wing's
+laundry in S----?"
+
+"Certainly not. I am a student, and--"
+
+"This isn't your picture, then?" said the United States commissioner, at
+the same time holding out an enlarged photograph of a scene in a Chinese
+laundry.
+
+Jo took it, and to his amazement recognized himself, prominently in the
+foreground, and engaged in ironing as though that were his trade.
+
+"Yes, sir," he answered. "This seems to be a picture of me; but--"
+
+"That will do," interrupted the commissioner sharply. "Now let me see
+your certificate."
+
+Jo had a certificate of identity, to which was attached a photograph of
+himself as he had looked when about to leave Hong-Kong. This certificate
+had been furnished by an American consul-general in China; and, as he
+had been warned always to keep it about his person, he now was able
+promptly to produce it.
+
+"Um, um," muttered the commissioner, as he glanced over the paper. Then
+aloud he added: "This appears to be a certificate of identity issued
+to one Li Tsin Su, student, unable to speak English, and so forth.
+You speak English fluently, declare your name to be Joseph Lee, and
+admit the correctness of this picture of yourself at work in a Chinese
+laundry, a photograph, by-the-way, that does not in the least resemble
+the one attached to this certificate. Thus, your case seems to prove
+itself beyond need of further investigation, for you don't appear to be
+anywhere near as sharp in matters of deception as most of your tricky
+countrymen. I rather think you won't find America a congenial sphere for
+your future studies. Marshal, remove the prisoner, and retain him in
+custody until such time as the next personally conducted excursion is
+ready to start."
+
+"This is an outrage!" protested poor Jo, struggling furiously in the
+viselike grip of the man who had taken him in charge, "and I shall
+appeal--"
+
+"Shut up!" growled the officer, "and come along quiet, or you'll only
+make a bad matter worse."
+
+With this he hustled his indignant but helpless prisoner from the room
+at so breathless a pace that he could utter no further word of protest.
+
+A half-hour later saw our unfortunate lad stripped of everything found
+in his pockets and lodged in one of the city prisons, in company with
+several of his countrymen, all of the coolie class, who were awaiting
+orders from Washington for their deportation to China in accordance with
+the provisions of the Chinese Exclusion Act of the United States.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+WHAT HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO CHINA
+
+
+Of course, the telegram purporting to come from the Chinese secretary
+of legation, by which Jo had been lured to New York, was a forgery; nor
+had either of those intrusted by him to the bogus messenger-boy, who
+delivered it, ever been forwarded to its address. Thus, Jo's Hatton
+friends had no idea that he had left S----, but supposed him to be there
+in company with Mr. Wang. They were well satisfied that this should be
+so for a time, and Rob was especially glad; for whenever he met any of
+the muckers they were sure to call out:
+
+"Say, saphead, where's yer Chinee? Don't yer dare let him out, for fear
+he'll get hurted? Yer scared to be seen on the street with him, that's
+what's the matter! Yer needn't be, though, fer we wouldn't tech him with
+a ten-foot pole, specially if yer'd muzzle him and lead him by a chain,
+same as they do all the other big monkeys. Bet yer don't know where he
+is! Bet he's got woozy and runned away! He'd better stay away, too, or
+we'll fix him good!"
+
+So, for about a week, Rob was not sorry to have his friend in a place
+that promised a greater safety than Hatton. At the end of that time,
+however, the Hinckley family began to wonder why they did not hear from
+their young guest, and Rob wrote him a letter, that he sent to the hotel
+in S----. It was promptly returned, with a note from the proprietor
+stating that the Chinese lad only had stayed in his house one day, and
+then had disappeared, but that a telegram for him lay unclaimed in the
+office.
+
+Mr. Hinckley at once sent for this telegram, which proved to be from
+Mr. Wang, dated at Boston, stating that he should be unable to revisit
+S----, and advising Jo's immediate return to Hatton. It was a week old.
+Upon this Mr. Hinckley telegraphed to Washington, only to receive word
+that Mr. Wang was travelling in the South and would not be back for
+a month. Inquiries for the missing lad were now set on foot in every
+direction, but no clew to his whereabouts could be found; nor was it for
+long months after his disappearance that its mystery was cleared away.
+
+In the mean time, much as our Hatton friends were troubled by their
+young guest's unexplained vanishing, their attention was largely
+diverted from it by news from China that Dr. Hinckley was seriously ill.
+The first intimation of this came in a letter that told of his failing
+health and of his plan to seek its restoration through a visit to
+America.
+
+"Won't it be fine!" exclaimed Rob, "to have them here? Father'll be sure
+to get well as soon as he sights the Connecticut Valley. Its air always
+has made a new man of him."
+
+For a whole day he revelled in these happy anticipations. Then came the
+fateful cablegram that in a moment swept away his light-heartedness and
+changed the whole current of his life. It was from his mother, and was
+in the private code that his parents had prepared when they left him
+in Hatton. In all the years since then he had been obliged to refer to
+this code but twice; for people living on small salaries cannot often
+afford to send messages costing several dollars per word, with both
+address and signature to be paid for at full rates. The present message
+that had been flashed from far-away China, across Asia, under the Indian
+Ocean, the Red Sea, and the Mediterranean, across Europe and under the
+Atlantic, read as follows:
+
+     "Syntax, Boston.--Fable, garnet, hazel."
+
+The word "Syntax" had, from the first, been registered in the Western
+Union office at Boston, to save the expense of cabling the name of the
+State in which Hatton was located, and it meant, "Rev. William Hinckley,
+Hatton," to which address the despatch had been forwarded at an extra
+charge of twenty-five cents.
+
+"Bring the code-book, quick, Rob!" exclaimed Mr. Hinckley, as this
+message dropped like a bombshell into the quiet circle gathered in
+the pleasant parsonage parlor that evening. Rob had been studying his
+lessons for the next day, his uncle was reading, and Mrs. Hinckley
+happened to be writing a letter to China.
+
+In a few seconds the boy had dashed up-stairs and was back with the
+alphabetically arranged code-book.
+
+"Fable?" said his uncle, and Rob, turning to the F's, ran his finger
+hastily down the long column.
+
+"Oh!" he gasped, "Fable means, 'Mason too ill to travel.'"
+
+"Garnet?" continued Mr. Hinckley, huskily.
+
+"Garnet means, 'Wants to see Rob before he dies.' Do you believe it can
+be as bad as that, Uncle Will?" and a choking sob rose in the boy's
+throat.
+
+"First find the meaning of 'Hazel,' and then we will talk about it,"
+replied Mr. Hinckley.
+
+"Hazel," replied Rob, in another moment, "means, 'Send Rob to us at
+once.'"
+
+"Oh, Rob! my dear, dear boy!" cried Mrs. Hinckley. "It is terrible for
+you, and it is going to be dreadfully hard to give you up, for you have
+become as our own son."
+
+"But we must give him up, and that at once," said her husband,
+sorrowfully, "since the meaning of this despatch cannot for a moment be
+misunderstood. Mason's illness must have taken such a sudden turn for
+the worse that his life is endangered. They evidently hope, though, to
+prolong it for some weeks, at least, or Fanny would not send for Rob.
+She knows that he cannot, under the most favorable conditions, reach her
+in less than a month."
+
+"But in case of the worst, she would want Rob with her," suggested Mrs.
+Hinckley.
+
+"In that case she would come to him, for, with Mason dead, there would
+be nothing to keep her in China."
+
+"That's so," said Rob, hopefully. "I hadn't thought of that. When do you
+think I can start, Uncle Will? I suppose we'll have to telegraph all
+the different companies to find out which of them sends out the first
+steamer."
+
+"That would be expensive and take time," replied Mr. Hinckley. "I
+believe we can do better. The Post-Office Department keeps track of the
+sailing dates of all steamers that carry mails, in order that letters
+may be despatched as often and as quickly as possible. So, though our
+post-office must be closed by this hour, I will go over to Postmaster
+Garrett's house, and see if he hasn't a printed slip giving the sailing
+dates of Pacific steamers for the next few weeks. While I am gone, you
+and your aunt can be getting your things together ready for packing."
+
+With this Mr. Hinckley was about to leave the house, when his wife said:
+
+"Why, William, those post-office notices are always published in the
+Boston papers, and there is yesterday's lying on the table."
+
+"So it is!" exclaimed Mr. Hinckley, picking up the paper as he spoke.
+"How stupid I am! Yes, here is the very thing we want: 'China and
+Japan, _via_ Tacoma, mails close 5 P.M. on the 6th, steamship
+_Oriental._.' That is to-morrow, and it means that mails will be taken
+on the evening express which reaches Albany about midnight. There it
+meets and makes part of the New York night express for Chicago. From
+Chicago they will go to St. Paul, and then, by way of the Northern
+Pacific Coast, Limited, to Tacoma, reaching there on the 10th, which
+undoubtedly is the _Oriental's_ sailing date. At any rate, Rob, so long
+as you go with the mail you are bound to be travelling the quickest
+possible way. To catch the Boston express, you must go to Albany by the
+noon train to-morrow. I shall go with you that far, and we will make all
+your ticket arrangements there."
+
+Thus, within fifteen minutes from the time that fateful cablegram found
+Rob Hinckley quietly studying lessons for the morrow, and expecting to
+do little else for many months more, school had become a thing of the
+seemingly remote past, and he was a traveller bound on a journey that
+would take him half-way around the world. Moreover, the earlier details
+of this journey were already planned, and he was to set forth within a
+few hours. It is no wonder that he got but little sleep that night, nor
+that he was up at daylight packing his trunk and sorting out certain
+cherished possessions that he meant to distribute as keepsakes among his
+boy friends.
+
+He went to school at the usual hour, but only to announce his departure
+to the masters, say good-bye, and collect his books. The head-master
+requested him to wait a few minutes and accompany him to the great hall
+where the entire school assembled for morning prayer. There, to Rob's
+embarrassment, he was conducted to a seat of honor on the platform,
+from which the master gave notice of his coming departure, stated its
+sad cause, said some very flattering things about Rob himself, and
+then asked the school to join him in an earnest prayer for their young
+friend's safety during the tremendous journey he was about to undertake,
+and that at its end he not only might find his dear father alive, but
+restored to health.
+
+At the conclusion of this prayer tears stood in Rob's eyes and in those
+of many of his young friends as well. He wanted, before leaving, to say
+good-bye to the whole body of his school-mates, as he did not expect to
+see any of them again; but he did not exactly know how to do so, and was
+immensely relieved when the head-master further said:
+
+"Robert is to leave Hatton by the noon train to-day, and in order that
+his friends here gathered may have the opportunity, which I am sure they
+desire, of bidding him farewell and seeing him off, all classes will be
+dismissed at eleven clock."
+
+As a result of this thoughtful provision, for nearly an hour preceding
+the departure of the Albany train the little Hatton railway-station
+presented one of the liveliest scenes in its history, and Rob was
+greatly affected by the innumerable evidences of esteem showered upon
+him by his school-mates. When the train finally pulled out, with our
+lad waving his hat from the rear platform of its last car, it was to an
+accompaniment of a hurricane of cheers and farewell shouts.
+
+"Who is the most popular fellow in Hatton?" cried the leader of the
+academy rooters.
+
+"R-O-B, Rob! H-I-N-C-K-L-E-Y, Hinckley! ROB
+HINCKLEY! Hi-ho! Hi-ho! GOOD-BYE!" was the answer shouted
+forth in tremendous chorus by every boy and girl present; and this was
+our young traveller's final farewell from the place that seemed his home
+more than any other in all the world.
+
+For three days after leaving Albany, Rob journeyed swiftly and without
+untoward incident past Buffalo and Chicago, up into the great Northwest,
+through St. Paul, amid the vast wheat-fields of Minnesota and the Red
+River valley, over the limitless prairies of North Dakota, through the
+"Bad Lands" bordering the Little Missouri, and into the incredibly rich
+copper regions of Montana. Then came the dreadful day on which he lost
+his train, and with it all hope of catching the only advertised steamer
+to leave the "coast" for a week. It happened at Helena, where the train
+was to remain for fifteen minutes; and Rob, tired with being so long
+shut up in a car, decided to take a brisk walk into the town. He wanted
+to see something of the place, and needed the exercise.
+
+So he set forth, walked as far as he dared, allowed too narrow a margin
+of time for his return, missed his way, and finally regained the
+station only to see his train pulling out from its farther end. For
+a second he could not believe his eyes. Then he ran madly after the
+disappearing cars, screaming for them to stop. Even in the blindness of
+his excitement a moment of this effort convinced him of its folly, and
+he halted on the edge of the platform, while two great, scalding tears,
+that he had no heart to repress, coursed slowly down his cheeks.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+ACCEPT A KINDNESS AND PASS IT ALONG
+
+
+"Is it as bad as all that, my boy?" asked a kindly voice at Rob's elbow;
+and the lad, turning quickly, looked into the sympathetic face of a
+United States army officer, whose khaki uniform was faced with red.
+
+Captain John Astley, commanding Battery Z of Field Artillery, returning
+from leave in the East, had been placed in temporary charge of a body of
+recruits ordered to Vancouver Barracks, near Portland, Oregon, which was
+his station. He had stopped at Helena _en route_, to pick up a few
+more newly enlisted men, and, being at the railway-station that morning,
+was attracted by Rob's running and shouting after his rapidly vanishing
+train. Captain Astley was tender-hearted, as are all brave men; and,
+noting our young traveller's genuine distress, he impulsively stepped
+forward to inquire into its cause. As he saw tears on the lad's cheeks,
+he knew it must be serious, for Rob did not look like a fellow from
+whose eyes tears could easily be extracted.
+
+"Yes, sir," replied poor Rob, who, longing for sympathy in this moment
+of distress, was moved by the kindly face of the stranger to unburden
+his heart of its load of trouble. "It is about as bad as it can be, for
+my father is dying in China, and my only chance of seeing him alive lay
+in catching the _Oriental_, which sails from Tacoma to-morrow evening.
+Now I have lost her, and there won't be another steamer of that line for
+nearly a month. Besides, my baggage is on the train just gone; and my
+pocket-book, with my tickets and all my money, has gone with it, locked
+up in my suit-case."
+
+"That does seem a rather serious situation," said Captain Astley,
+gravely, "but perhaps it won't prove irremediable, after all. I've
+noticed that things looking the darkest at first view often brighten
+upon closer inspection. Suppose we sit down for a minute and see what
+light can be thrown into this darkness."
+
+When Rob had accepted this friendly invitation, and the two had seated
+themselves on a near-by baggage-truck, the elder man continued: "To
+begin with, let us know each other. I am John Astley, Captain of
+Artillery, U.S.A., and stationed at Vancouver Barracks, to which place
+I must proceed by to-morrow morning's train. I wanted to go on to-day,
+but, unexpectedly, was detained at the last moment, and came to the
+station to hold over my luggage. I must confess that I was much annoyed
+at this detention, but if it affords me an opportunity of helping you
+out of your trouble I shall not regret it."
+
+"Thank you, sir," replied the lad. "My name is Rob Hinckley. I am the
+son of a medical missionary, stationed at Wu Hsing, on the Si Kiang, in
+China, where I was born; but I have lived for the past fourteen years,
+and gone to school, in New England. I have passed my preliminaries for
+Yale, and should have entered next fall if the news of my father's
+serious illness, and his great desire to see me before he died, had not
+altered all my plans. Now, by my own carelessness in walking too far,
+while the train waited here, I not only have lost it, but probably have
+lost my only chance of ever seeing him again."
+
+"Isn't there a steamer of some other line--the _Empress_ from
+Vancouver, the _Yusen Kaisha_ from Seattle, or the Pacific Mail from
+San Francisco--that you can take within a few days?" suggested Captain
+Astley.
+
+"There is one from San Francisco in about a week, but, you see, my
+fare is paid through to Nagasaki by the Tacoma line, and I'm afraid
+I haven't money enough to buy another ticket. Besides, I should have
+fare from Tacoma to San Francisco to pay, and hotel bills. Then, too,
+my pocket-book, with money, tickets, and everything, has gone off on
+that train. I thought I'd be extra careful, and so locked it up in my
+suit-case before starting out to walk."
+
+"I hope you still have the key," said Captain Astley, seriously, but
+with a twinkle in his gray eyes.
+
+"Yes, sir; I've got that. I don't see, though, how it is going to do
+me much good, seeing that I haven't money enough to take me even to
+Tacoma. There's another thing I've just thought of. My trunk is checked
+through to Nagasaki by the _Oriental_; and as my suit-case has the same
+name on it, probably some one will be kind enough to put it on board the
+steamer. So there isn't much chance that I shall ever see it again."
+
+"Oh, I guess there is, provided the telegraph still is in order, and I
+know it was working a few minutes ago."
+
+"I haven't even money enough to pay for a telegram," objected Rob.
+
+"So it is doubly fortunate that I happen to have a few pennies left over
+from my last month's pay," laughed the captain.
+
+"But I am a stranger to you, sir, and you don't know that I am honest
+enough to repay you, even if I ever get my money back," objected Rob,
+flushing with the embarrassment that money troubles always cause those
+not used to them.
+
+"Haven't you just told me all about yourself?" suggested the captain,
+gravely; "and can't I read 'honesty' written on every feature of your
+face? Besides, one must always be willing to risk somethink in an
+investment from which he hopes to gain rich returns in the form of
+self-satisfaction. So it's all right, every way you look at it, and I
+think we'll buy the use of a west-bound wire for the next half-hour or
+so."
+
+Thus saying, Captain Astley led the way to the telegraph-office, into
+which Rob doubtfully followed him. There the former first persuaded the
+station-agent to wire the conductor of the train that had brought our
+young traveller thus far, an inquiry concerning him and his ticket. Then
+he wired the Pullman conductor to look after Rob's suit-case and deliver
+it to the station-agent at Tacoma, to be kept by him until called for by
+Captain Astley.
+
+"I put it that way," explained the latter, "because the Tacoma agent
+knows me, while he doesn't know Robert Hinckley; and, as we are going on
+together to-morrow, it won't make any difference which of us receives
+the bag."
+
+A third despatch was sent to the Tacoma agent of the steamship company,
+notifying him that unforeseen circumstances prevented Mr. Robert
+Hinckley from sailing on the _Oriental_, requesting him to hold over a
+trunk marked Hinckley and bearing Nagasaki check 907, and asking him to
+meet the following day's Coast Limited at the Tacoma station, with money
+to refund the price of the forfeited ticket.
+
+"I don't know whether or not he will do that," said Captain Astley;
+"but perhaps he will, seeing that he is pretty well acquainted with me.
+At any rate, it is worth trying for. You may send the replies to these
+messages up to the X Hotel," he added, turning to the operator.
+
+"But I am not staying at the X Hotel," objected Rob, remembering how
+very elegant and expensive that establishment had looked when he passed
+it a half-hour before. "I can't afford it."
+
+"Not as my guest?" asked the army man.
+
+"I don't see how you can think of doing so much for me," blurted out
+Rob. "I never heard of any one being so kind to a perfect stranger."
+
+"My dear lad, I once was a boy myself, and continually getting into
+scrapes, from which kind people, as often as not entire strangers,
+helped me out. So you see I now am only repaying a small portion of
+the debt I owe to those who were good to me. Besides, I am fond of
+boys, especially of boys who behave themselves as gentlemen, and am
+delighted at the prospect of having one as a travelling companion,
+even for a short time. So don't you fret any more over the incurring
+of obligations; also, never hesitate to accept whatever good thing is
+offered you in this life, for the bad you'll have to accept, whether or
+no."
+
+"All right, sir," replied Rob, smiling happily, as he now could well
+afford to do. "I will gratefully accept all the kindness you offer, and
+pass it along to some other fellow, whenever I find one in a trouble out
+of which I can help him."
+
+"Good!" laughed the captain. "And now that we understand each other,
+let's go up to the hotel for breakfast."
+
+Owing to the efforts of this Heaven-sent friend, Rob's troubles, that
+had seemed so overwhelming, melted away like frost before the warm
+breath of a cloudless sun. While they were at breakfast, a message was
+received from the train conductor that Robert Hinckley, accidentally
+left behind at Helena, had paid full first-class fare through to Tacoma,
+and on the strength of this the Helena agent provided our lad with a
+ticket to that point. The Pullman man wired from Spokane that Rob's
+baggage was in his keeping, and would be handed over at Tacoma according
+to instructions. They did not hear from the steamship agent; but on
+the following day, when our travellers reached Tacoma, after crossing
+the coast range by aid of the superb Stampede Tunnel, and having been
+whirled down the western slope, through the magnificent fir forests of
+Washington, they found that gentleman awaiting them at the station.
+Here, also, they found Rob's trunk and his suit-case.
+
+The steamship agent explained that, while he could exchange an unused
+ticket for one good by the next ship of the same line, he was not
+allowed to refund money already paid for passage. "However," he added,
+turning to Rob with a smile at the latter's clouding face, "owing to
+the fact that I was notified in time, I was able to sell your room to
+a gentleman who, finding all first-class accommodation engaged, had
+taken second-class passage rather than wait for another steamer. He, of
+course, was glad to pay the difference in price, and so I am able to
+refund half the cost of your ticket, if you feel that you cannot wait
+for our next ship."
+
+Rob hesitated, while he made a rapid mental calculation.
+
+"Take it," advised Captain Astley, "and come with me to Vancouver
+Barracks. There, at least, we can save you a hotel bill while you are
+waiting for another steamer."
+
+So our lad accepted the money, surrendered his steamship-ticket,
+purchased another to Portland, Oregon, rechecked his trunk to the same
+point, and a few minutes later found himself, still in company with
+his army friend, speeding to the southward on the same train that had
+brought them to the coast.
+
+His first act, after they were again under way, was to refund the money
+expended in his behalf for telegrams and hotel expenses in Helena. Much
+to his relief, Captain Astley accepted this without demur, it being one
+of that officer's pet theories that no gentleman will place another
+under a pecuniary obligation against his wish, even to the extent of a
+five-cent car-fare.
+
+In the mean time the latter had learned all that was worth knowing of
+Rob's history, of course including his recent experiences in connection
+with Chinese Jo. When he discovered that his young companion could talk
+Chinese, he said:
+
+"I wish we were to be together long enough for you to teach me, as I
+believe the time is not far distant when a knowledge of that language
+will prove a most valuable addition to an army officer's mental
+equipment."
+
+Finally they reached Portland, where, before the train had stopped, an
+orderly was in the car saluting and handing his captain an official
+envelope.
+
+"By Jove!" exclaimed the latter, as he tore it open and glanced rapidly
+over its contents; "here's a hot shot from a masked battery, and
+perhaps it may mean that you and I can--But never mind now. We'll talk
+it over in quarters this evening. Orderly, get these traps out; look
+after Mr. Hinckley's trunk, and see that it is sent over to the barracks
+with the rest of the luggage. You wait in the ambulance, Hinckley, while
+I get the men started, and I'll rejoin you within a few minutes. Great
+Scott! but this, surely, is great news!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+FROM THE GOLDEN GATE TO THE PEARL RIVER
+
+
+"I wonder what that despatch can be about," thought Rob, as he sat
+in the comfortable ambulance which, drawn by two big army mules and
+with its curtains rolled up, was used as a carriage by the officers of
+the post. "He was as excited as though war had been declared against
+somebody or other; but I haven't heard that we are likely to go to war
+with any one. Perhaps it's Indians, though, and, if so, there's sure to
+be something about it in the paper."
+
+Thus thinking, Rob beckoned to a passing newsboy and bought a copy of
+the _Oregonian_. Diligently as he searched its columns, he could not
+find a word about Indians. Nor were there any war rumors, and he was
+more than ever puzzled, until his eye lighted on the heading:
+
+"Battery Z ordered to the Philippines."
+
+Yes, that was it, and Rob began to feel very lonely as he read the
+brief announcement to the effect that Battery Z was to leave Vancouver
+Barracks at once for San Francisco, where the transport _Logan_ was
+already waiting to take it on board.
+
+"That knocks my chance of spending a week, or even part of one, at
+the barracks," he said to himself, "and I did want to so much. I don't
+suppose I ought to go over, even for a night, because Captain Astley
+will be too busy to bother with me. It looks as if he had already
+forgotten me, for I must have waited here an hour, and I shouldn't blame
+him if he had."
+
+Just here Rob's sombre reflections were interrupted by the cheery voice
+of Captain Astley, who sprang into the ambulance from the opposite side
+and ordered that it move on.
+
+"Hello, Hinckley!" he cried. "I beg your pardon for leaving you so long,
+but I have been rushed breathless by most unexpected orders that have
+completely upset all previously arranged plans."
+
+"Then you really are going to Manila?" asked Rob.
+
+"How did you know? Oh! it's already in the paper, is it? Yes, and we've
+got to move out of here in a hurry--to-morrow, if we can, or the next
+day at the latest. So I've been arranging about trains and a lot of
+things that had to be looked after on this side of the river. But,
+before I forget to mention it, how would you like to go along with us?"
+
+"I!" cried Rob, too surprised to answer the question.
+
+"Yes, you. I wired to the Presidio for permission to take with me Robert
+Hinckley, our Chinese instructor, and it is granted, provided he pays
+his own mess bills. They will come to something less than two dollars
+per day during the voyage from San Francisco to Manila. From there it
+is only a couple of days' run over to Hong-Kong; and by going with us
+you can beat that Tacoma ship by at least a week. Besides, you won't
+have any fare to pay between here and San Francisco. What do you think?
+Is it a go, and may we count on you as a fellow-passenger aboard the
+good old _Logan_?"
+
+"I should say you could!" cried Rob, even more excited than the captain
+himself. "I never heard of such a piece of undeserved good-luck. Of
+course, I'll go with you, and feel everlastingly obliged to you for the
+chance, besides. Only, I don't know how I ever can repay such kindness."
+
+"Nonsense!" exclaimed the other. "I thought we finally had settled that
+question away back in Montana. But here we are, and for the next few
+days you'll have enough to do to knock all thoughts of gratitude out of
+your head, for I am going to appoint you my A. D. C. Perhaps you don't
+know what that is, so I'll tell you. An A. D. C. is a chap who, in
+active service like the present, has to work twenty-five hours out of
+the twenty-four, and gets no thanks for anything he does. Do you want
+the job?"
+
+"Yes," replied Rob, happily, "and I'd take it if it were twice as hard."
+
+So our lad joined the army, and for the next two days, from early
+morning until late at night, he was about as busy as a boy well could
+be--helping the captain pack, writing his letters, running hither and
+thither with orders, and doing whatever was given him to do, with a
+cheerful promptness that won for him the good-will of all hands.
+
+At the end of that time he found himself in company with a number of
+officers occupying the rear car of a long troop-train on which was
+loaded Battery Z--men, horses, guns, and all--headed southward, up the
+broad Willamette Valley, and starting on their thirty-six-hour run
+towards the city of the Golden Gate. On the following day they skirted
+for hours the base of grand old Shasta, one of the mightiest and most
+beautiful of American mountains. Then they ran down the exquisite valley
+of the Sacramento, which they first saw as a brook and at last crossed
+as a mighty river pouring a turbid flood into San Pablo Bay. A little
+later came San Francisco, with the bustle and anxious excitement of
+debarking, marching through the city, and re-embarking, this time on the
+great, white transport that was to bear them away in the track of the
+setting sun, across seven thousand miles of Pacific waters.
+
+In all this time Rob, while fully intending to write to Hatton
+concerning his adventures and change of plans, had not found a minute
+when it seemed possible to do so. Not until the _Logan_, with her
+crowded passenger-list, including civil officials, military officers,
+troops, government school-teachers and other employés, and her vast
+miscellaneous cargo of live-stock, guns, ammunition, machinery, and
+stores of every description, had got so far out to sea that the
+Farallones were only a blur on the horizon behind her did it occur
+to him that he had neglected his last opportunity for sending back a
+message until he should reach the distant Hawaiian Islands. Then he sat
+down and wrote a long letter that he was able to mail eight days later
+at Honolulu, but which did not reach Hatton until a full month from the
+date of his departure. In the mean time Mr. Hinckley had cabled to China
+that Rob would sail by the _Oriental_ from Tacoma on a certain date,
+and when finally he learned of his nephew's changed plans, it did not
+seem worth while to cable again, as the lad was already due to arrive at
+Hong-Kong, and so could tell his own story.
+
+Rob enjoyed every minute of his twenty-four hours' stay in beautiful
+Honolulu. He was enchanted by its wealth of strange flowers, its
+tropical foliage, and by the many new fruits that he now tasted for the
+first time. He drove out to the Pali, the frightful mountain precipice,
+five miles back from the city, over which, in the old savage days,
+King Kamehameha I. drove to their deaths an army of his enemies. He
+experimented with surf-riding on a slender board at Waikiki beach,
+ate poi, which he didn't like, and enjoyed poha jam. He wanted to
+climb Diamond Head and to visit the great sugar plantations of Ewa
+and Waialua; also he would dearly have loved to sail to the island of
+Hawaii, one hundred and fifty miles away, and gaze upon the mighty
+volcanoes of Kilauea and Mauna Loa; but there was not time, and all
+these had to be left for another visit.
+
+The next chance for going ashore came two weeks later, when the _Logan_
+stopped for a few hours at the lonely but lovely island of Guam,
+destined a few years later to become a most important way-station of the
+American Pacific cable. After Guam came five days more of uneventful
+sailing, and then Manila Bay, with Corregidor Island standing sentry at
+its entrance.
+
+"I wonder what Corregidor means?" asked Rob of Captain Astley, as they
+stood together gazing at this outpost, from which the first warning gun
+had been fired when Dewey's fleet slipped through the gray of dawn into
+Manila Bay.
+
+"Some one told me," replied the army man, "that in olden times every
+Spanish city was governed by a regidor, assisted by councilmen, one from
+each division, or ward, called corregidors. So if we were to Americanize
+the name we would call it 'Alderman Island.'"
+
+"Or 'City Father Island,'" laughed Rob.
+
+It was intensely interesting to sail up that broad, mountain-bordered
+expanse of water, and recall the stirring events of May-day, 1898, when
+Dewey and his men did the same thing, only with the terrible difference
+that at any moment they were liable to run into a deadly nest of
+torpedoes. As they approached the head of the bay they saw Cavité on
+the right; then the shipping anchored in the roadstead; and then Manila
+itself lying on both sides of the sluggish Pasig, the old walled city on
+the right and the more modern town on the left as they faced them.
+
+At Manila, Rob sorrowfully parted with the comrade whom he first had met
+in far-away Montana, and who ever since had been at once dear friend,
+guide, instructor, and pupil; for a steamer, on which he promptly
+engaged passage, left for Hong-Kong the day after the _Logan's_ arrival.
+
+During the month they had spent together Captain Astley had so
+assiduously devoted himself to the study of Chinese that now he
+possessed a fair working knowledge of the Southern or Canton dialect,
+while every man in the battery, thanks to Rob, could express himself
+with a certain fluency in pidgin (business) English. All of them were on
+hand to see their young instructor off, and as the launch that was to
+carry him to his new steamer backed out from the crowded landing, their
+farewell cheers reminded him of Hatton, and he felt quite as lonely as
+he had on that first day of his eventful journey. Now, too, that he no
+longer had friends and regular duties to divert his mind, and with China
+only two days' sail away, all his anxiety concerning his parents came
+back with redoubled force. Would he find himself fatherless?--or would
+the dear face still be there with its smiling welcome? So impatient was
+he that the two days between Manila and Hong-Kong seemed as long as
+any previous two weeks of his journey, and he found himself straining
+his eyes for a glimpse of the China coast hours before there was any
+possibility of sighting it.
+
+Finally, a number of high, rock-bound islands came into view. Then
+the ship, passing through a narrow entrance between two of them,
+threaded a tortuous, strongly fortified channel that opened into the
+broad, splendid harbor of Hong-Kong. On the right was the recently
+acquired British territory and new settlement of Kowloon, with wharves,
+dry-docks, godowns, and barracks. On the left rose Hong-Kong island,
+with the fine city of Victoria nestled at the base of a peak eighteen
+hundred feet high and climbing its wooded slopes. The moment the ship
+dropped anchor amid a fleet of great merchant steamers and men-of-war
+flying the flags of all the maritime nations of the world, Rob signalled
+one of the innumerable sampans, "manned" by Chinese women, that swarmed
+alongside. He already had learned that a Pearl River steamer would
+leave for Canton within an hour, and so anxious was he to reach his
+destination, which still lay some two hundred miles beyond that city,
+that he was determined to go on by the very first conveyance. For this
+reason he had his trunk and himself taken by the sampan directly from
+one steamer to the other, and in a short time, without having gone
+ashore at Hong-Kong, he found himself again under way, on board the
+side-wheeled, American-modelled steamer _Fatshan_, bound for Canton,
+eighty miles distant.
+
+As Rob sat on deck watching with fascinated interest the queer-looking
+junks with lofty poops, low prows, and sails of matting, the sampans,
+Chinese guard-boats, and numberless other quaint craft slipping to and
+fro over those placid inland waters, with sails outlined against the
+dark background of the Tai-Mo-Shan Mountains, a stranger sitting near
+him remarked:
+
+"Beautiful, isn't it?"
+
+"Yes," replied Rob, promptly. "I don't believe there can be a more
+fascinating river-scene in all the world."
+
+From this the two easily drifted into conversation; and at length the
+stranger, who proved to be a business-man from Amoy, said:
+
+"New to this part of the world, aren't you?"
+
+"Yes," replied Rob; "it all is new to me now, though I was born here;
+but my parents took me away nearly fourteen years ago."
+
+"Indeed! May I ask where you were born?"
+
+"Wu Hsing, up on the Si Kiang."
+
+"You don't mean the place where the missionaries were killed the other
+day?"
+
+"Missionaries killed!" repeated Rob, mechanically, and with blanching
+cheeks. "How were they killed? How many? What were their names?"
+
+"Killed by a mob of natives, as usual; but the city tao-tai and fifteen
+of the ringleaders were executed yesterday in Canton, so everything is
+quiet up there now. Their names? Why, I don't seem to remember; but all
+who were at the station were killed. Nobody escaped. Of course, none of
+your friends were there, though, seeing that you moved away so long ago."
+
+"My father and mother were there," groaned poor Rob. And for him the
+light of life seemed to go out with the setting sun that just then sank
+from sight in the blood-red waters of the Dragon's Mouth.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+IN THE WORLD'S MOST MARVELLOUS CITY
+
+
+Stunned by the terrible news he had just heard, Rob sat silent, trying
+to think of all that it meant to him, while his new acquaintance,
+shocked at the unexpected result of his chance remark, tried in vain
+to console him. It might not be so bad as reported, he said, for such
+things always were exaggerated. Probably, Rob would find that his
+parents had escaped and were safe in Canton. Perhaps the massacre had
+extended only to native Christians, as often was the case; or, it was
+more than likely that the Hinckleys had been warned of the outbreak in
+time to leave Wu Hsing before it took place.
+
+"They couldn't leave," answered Rob, "for my father was too ill to
+travel." Then, wishing to be alone with his great sorrow, the lad
+abruptly rose and went to his state-room, which he did not again leave
+that night.
+
+As it was not advisable for the steamer to reach Canton before sunrise,
+she stopped about ten o'clock and remained at anchor until daybreak,
+when she again was got under way. An hour later Rob was wakened from a
+troubled dream of fighting, killing, and burning by such a confusion
+of yells, splashings, and other strange sounds that he rushed out on
+deck with the idea that his dream had become a reality. Once in the open
+he gazed upon a scene unique and unparalleled. The steamer was slowly
+making her way against the swift current of a turbid river, along the
+water-front of the most marvellous city in all the world. She was moving
+amid a vast collection of floating craft, from fine, English-built
+Chinese war-ships and foreign gun-boats down through junks of all sizes,
+stern-wheel "kick-boats" propelled by man-power, gorgeous mandarin-boats
+gay with fluttering flags, house-boats, flower-boats--which are floating
+palaces in which men of wealth give expensive dinners--silk-boats,
+rice-boats, and produce-barges from up-river; fishing-boats, duck-boats,
+long, slender--paddling-canoes known as snake-boats, besides thousands
+of sampans and slipper-boats, that ply for hire in any capacity, and on
+which half a million of people are born, live, and die, in many cases
+without ever setting foot on land.
+
+So poor are these sampan dwellers, and so greatly is the supply of
+their labor in excess of the demand for it, that they struggle with
+one another for the chance of making even a single "cash," which is
+valued at one-tenth of a penny. In the present instance scores of
+sampans, propelled by sweeps or sculling-oars, were racing towards
+the _Fatshan_, their occupants screaming, gesticulating, firing off
+crackers, and beating gongs to attract the attention of her passengers.
+All these craft looked exactly alike, and were about twenty-five feet
+long by eight feet wide. Each had a small, open deck forward, on
+which a man, standing and facing the bow, rowed with a pair of sweeps.
+There was an arch-roofed house amidships, and aft of it a covered deck
+occupied by a woman, who worked a long sculling-oar, by means of which
+she both steered and propelled the light craft. Not one of these boats
+was painted, but all were colored alike with pungent smelling Ning-Po
+varnish.
+
+From every sampan peered round-faced, solemn-eyed children, boys and
+girls, all wearing pig-tails and dressed alike, and looking alike,
+except that the smaller boys generally had bladders, squares of cork, or
+billets of a light wood fastened to their shoulders to keep them afloat
+in case they fell overboard. The girls were held to be of so much less
+value that for them life-preservers were not thought of. Whenever these
+children were more than four or five years old they helped, or attempted
+to help, their parents with the oars, while those of younger age took
+care of the babies.
+
+In the rush towards the steamer of these queer-looking and queerly
+manned craft they were in constant collision, smashing recklessly
+together, apparently striving to overturn one another, or to push their
+rivals out of the way. If one succeeded in making fast, others would
+hold on to her until the single grass-plaited rope would break, and all
+would be swept astern in the swift current, their crews screaming and
+shaking fists at one another as they went.
+
+It was bedlam and babel, sea-fights and water-sports, commercial rivalry
+and insanity, all mixed into one grand helter-skelter of confusion; and
+yet, so far as the interested spectators could note, no one was drowned,
+nor even hurt, though, apparently, no one would have cared a snap if
+every one else had come to serious grief.
+
+The Chinese passengers from the lower deck of the _Fatshan_ swarmed into
+such sampans as succeeded in making fast, their queer-looking luggage,
+done up in matting, was pitched after them, and away they went as
+though each second was too precious to be wasted. Such of the foreign
+passengers as were tourists or globe-trotters, visiting Canton out of
+curiosity, were engaging guides to show them the sights of the wonderful
+city, and arranging for sedan-chairs, in which they were to be borne on
+the shoulders of coolies through its endless miles of swarming streets.
+
+There are no wheeled vehicles in these granite-paved thoroughfares,
+and no beasts of burden, for the broadest and most important street
+of Canton is but eight feet wide, while in most of them a tall man
+standing in the middle may touch the houses on either side with his
+extended finger-tips. From these threadlike passages, packed with
+blue-clad, yellow-visaged humanity, and reeking with filth, open the
+narrow portals of shops whose contents would dazzle an Aladdin. Each
+dim doorway is barred against the entrance by a tiny altar, from which
+ascends, never-endingly, the incense of smouldering joss-sticks; but
+once the uninviting entrance has been passed, the visitor finds himself
+in another world.
+
+The interior is scrupulously clean, and its perfumed atmosphere is
+that of quiet elegance. He is met by smiling attendants clad in silken
+garments and shod with noiseless felt, who bow profoundly before him,
+at the same time cordially shaking their own hands in token of welcome.
+They invite him to be seated in wonderfully carved chairs, lined with
+silken cushions, and darkly lustrous with the polish of ages. Tiny
+tables of marvellous inlay are set before him, and from them he is
+invited to drink of amber-colored tea served in egg-shell porcelain.
+Afterwards the hidden wealth of the establishment is brought forth,
+piece by piece, for his inspection, and it is intimated that these
+things are for sale, though he never is urged to purchase.
+
+Or he is conducted from room to room, lighted from interior courts
+and filled with the most exquisite specimens of human handiwork known
+to the world. Here are silk embroideries of a beauty, delicacy, and
+texture not found elsewhere, exquisitely carved ivories, startling
+designs, boldly executed in lacquer, gold, and silver, jade, crystal,
+and precious stones. Here are feather-work and brass-work, priceless
+porcelains and cloisonné, softest crêpes and gossamer linens, black
+wood furniture graved with the painstaking skill that workmen of the
+Western world bestow only upon precious metals. All these things, and
+an infinity of others equally desirable, are passed in slow succession
+by the deft-handed attendants before the fascinated gaze of the foreign
+visitor, until he longs for the wealth of a Croesus, and is only
+withheld from purchasing to the full extent of his means by memory of
+the grim customs officials who so surely await his homecoming.
+
+From these places where things are sold the sightseer in Canton is
+borne away to places where things are made, or to temples, pagodas, and
+execution grounds. Perhaps he is permitted to enter the yamen of some
+wealthy mandarin, and, merely by passing through an enclosing wall of
+buildings, finds himself transferred in a minute from the filth and
+squalor of the narrow street, with its swarms of jargon-yelling coolies
+and leprous beggars, dimly filtered light and overpowering smells, into
+a place of sunlight and clean air, a fairy-land of trees and flowers, of
+singing birds, shaded walks, and plashing waters, of quiet and coolness,
+strangely attractive architecture--a place of gratified senses and
+restful luxury.
+
+But none of these things was for Rob Hinckley--at least, not on this
+occasion, for instead of being a sensation-seeking tourist he merely was
+a sorrow-stricken lad, friendless in a great, pitiless city, well-nigh
+penniless, and desperately uncertain which way to move. He turned sick
+with apprehension as he gazed from one side of the steamer to the bund,
+or landing-place, where gangs of half-naked coolies grunted and sweated
+under their burdens of freight, or from the other to the yelling sampan
+crews ready to fight for a cent's worth of patronage. To him they
+resembled the myriad occupants of a gigantic ant-hill, and appeared
+equally lacking in human sympathies.
+
+Rob was faint from the exhaustion of his almost sleepless and supperless
+night, and at length realizing his most pressing need, he sought
+breakfast in the saloon. From this he returned to the deck a half-hour
+later, refreshed and strengthened, but still as uncertain as ever
+regarding his next move. Then all at once his uncertainty vanished, for
+the very first object that caught his eye as he stepped outside was that
+which is most dear and most beautiful to all Americans, especially when
+seen in a foreign land--the flag of the stars and stripes. It was at
+some distance up the river, blowing out strong and free, high above the
+only clump of trees in view, and besides it no other flag was visible.
+
+In Canton, while most of the greater nations own their legation
+buildings, the United States is satisfied to lodge its representative in
+rented quarters. To offset this humiliation, so far as lay in his power,
+the American consul-general had raised a noble flag-staff, so much
+taller than those of his neighbors that the starry banner flown from its
+top was the most conspicuous flag in all Canton. Now it waved a friendly
+greeting to poor Rob, filling him with renewed hope, and bidding him
+come to it for aid in this time of trouble.
+
+Nor did our lad hesitate to accept its invitation; but, noting the
+general direction to be taken, he ran down the gang-plank and plunged
+boldly into the seething mass of blue-clad humanity thronging the
+narrow thoroughfares of China's greatest city. A little later, guided
+by occasional glimpses of the flag as he went, he had gained a bridge
+spanning a canal that separates the city proper from the Shameen, a
+beautiful, tree-shaded island on which stand the foreign legations,
+dwellings, and business houses of Canton.
+
+At the city end of this bridge was a barrier having two wrought-iron
+gates, one large and one very small. As the latter stood hospitably
+open, Rob was about to pass through it when the Chinese gatekeeper
+hurriedly flung open the other, at the same time respectfully informing
+him that it was reserved for Europeans (all white foreigners in China
+are known as Europeans), while the little gate was for the passage of
+such natives as are allowed on the Shameen.
+
+The incident was trifling, but it wonderfully restored the
+self-confidence of our young American, and as he walked proudly through
+the big gate, which was closed with a slam behind him, he felt quite
+ready to face and defy the whole Chinese nation. Turning up a shaded and
+well-kept walk lined with substantial houses, each standing in its own
+grounds, he again sought for a glimpse of the flag, but in vain, for the
+foliage above which it waved was so thick as to hide it from below. In
+this dilemma Rob approached a gentleman who stood at a front gate, in
+company with a group of Chinese, with a view of inquiring his direction
+to the American consulate. As he drew near he overheard the gentleman,
+who looked like an American, say loudly, slowly, and very distinctly:
+
+"I've told you over and over that I don't understand one word you say,
+and unless you can speak English there is no use of your trying to talk
+business with me. You wanchee catch one talkee man--sabe?"
+
+"Perhaps I can help you, sir," said Rob, stepping up at that minute. "I
+understand and speak some Chinese."
+
+"If you only can and will, I shall be ever so much obliged," replied the
+American, "for I am quite sure these fellows have something important to
+communicate. But I am a new-comer here, without a word of the lingo, and
+our interpreter has not yet put in an appearance this morning."
+
+So Rob talked and interpreted with the result that a few minutes later
+the situation in question was fully understood by both parties, and the
+Chinese departed quite satisfied.
+
+"If I only could talk it as you do!" said the gentleman, enviously.
+"Won't you step inside for a cup of tea?"
+
+"No, I thank you," replied Rob. "I only stopped to inquire my way to the
+American consulate. I want to see the consul-general on most important
+business."
+
+"Then I am very sorry to say that he has gone to Hong-Kong, and will not
+return for a week."
+
+"Oh!" cried Rob; "what shall I do? Perhaps you can tell me something
+about a reported massacre of missionaries at Wu Hsing. Did it really
+occur?"
+
+"I believe it did, though that was before I came out; but I hope you
+hadn't any friends there."
+
+"My father and mother were there."
+
+"You poor fellow! That, indeed, is a bitter blow. May I ask your name?"
+
+"It is Hinckley."
+
+"Not a son of Dr. Mason Hinckley?" inquired the other, eagerly.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Then you needn't worry any more, for Dr. Hinckley and his wife left for
+America just before the outbreak, and are a long way towards the land of
+safety by this time."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+A TURN OF FORTUNE'S TIDE
+
+
+For a moment Rob's heart beat quick with joy and his face became
+radiant; then it clouded again as he said, quietly:
+
+"I think you must be mistaken, sir; for I received a cablegram in
+America that my father was too ill to travel, and longed to see me
+before he died. That is the reason I am now here."
+
+"No," asserted the stranger, whose name, as Rob afterwards learned, was
+Bishop, "I am confident there can be no mistake, for I saw Dr. and Mrs.
+Mason Hinckley in Hong-Kong. I was newly arrived, and had gone with an
+acquaintance to arrange for a lot of stuff to be taken aboard the Canton
+boat. While we were there, another boat of the same line came in from
+the upper Si Kiang. She had but two European passengers, a lady, and her
+husband who was so weak from illness that we assisted him to a carriage.
+My friend knew them slightly, and after they were gone he told me that
+they were a missionary doctor and his wife from Wu Hsing, that their
+name was Hinckley, that the doctor had been critically ill, but had most
+unexpectedly rallied, so that he was able to travel, and that they were
+to leave for the States on the _China_, which sailed that evening. All
+this was distinctly impressed on my mind by the news of the Wu Hsing
+outbreak, which came a week later, and I was glad to remember that two
+at least of the possible victims had escaped in time."
+
+Rob listened breathlessly to these details, and, when Mr. Bishop
+finished speaking, he exclaimed: "They are alive, then, and safe! If
+I only had known, and stayed quietly where I was! Do you remember the
+date, sir, on which you saw them in Hong-Kong?"
+
+"Yes, it was the 10th of last month."
+
+"The very day on which I was to have sailed from Tacoma, and they must
+have sent another cable after I left Hatton. It's all right, though, and
+I am too glad to care about anything else."
+
+"It is too bad that you have missed each other, and still are on
+opposite sides of the world; but I suppose you will follow them by the
+next homeward-bound steamer, and so rejoin them inside of another six
+weeks. I envy you, and only wish I had a prospect of again seeing the
+States within the same number of months."
+
+"I expect your chance is several times better than mine," laughed Rob,
+who for the moment was too light-hearted to give a serious thought to
+his own awkward predicament. "I would go quick enough if I could, but I
+haven't the money even to pay my fare to Hong-Kong. So it looks as if
+I'd have to stay here until I can earn the price of a ticket back to
+where I have just come from. Do you happen to know of any one who could
+give me a job?"
+
+"I can't say at this moment," replied Mr. Bishop, regarding the lad
+keenly as he spoke; "but I may think of some one. Where are you staying?"
+
+"Nowhere. I only came on this morning's boat, and my baggage still is on
+board."
+
+"Then suppose you get it up here and stay with me for a day or two while
+you look around. I've a big house, with plenty of room, and shall be
+glad of your company. Besides, I expect you can help me a good deal with
+my Chinese studies."
+
+"All right, sir," assented Rob, promptly accepting this proposition,
+"and I'll be back inside of an hour."
+
+With this our lad hurried away, saying to himself as he went: "I believe
+I must be one of the luckiest fellows in the world, and only a little
+while ago I thought I was one of the most miserable. My biggest bit of
+luck, though, was having Jo come to live at Hatton and teach me Chinese,
+for that seems about the most valuable accomplishment a fellow can have
+out here. I do wonder what became of him."
+
+Rob crossed the canal bridge, went out through the big gate, that
+promptly was opened at his approach, and turned down Heavenly Clouds
+Street with the assured air of one who had resided in Canton all his
+life. Then he received a shock, and at the same time proved himself
+to be one of the very newest of new arrivals in that crafty city of
+poverty-sharpened wits. On a bit of straw matting, spread above the
+granite flagging of the narrow roadway, lay a child three or four years
+old, apparently in the very grasp of death. Its eyes were closed, its
+pale features were distorted as though by a spasm; it was gasping for
+breath, and its hands were tightly clinched, while its poor little body
+was only partially hidden beneath a bit of ragged, blue cloth. Beside
+the dying child knelt a mother, bending over it and rocking her body
+to and fro in an agony of grief, while tears streamed from her eyes.
+She, too, was clad in rags, and evidently was in the last extremity of
+poverty, since she had not even a kennel in which to conceal her dying
+child from the curious gaze of the swarming street. No one stopped to
+speak with her or to offer her the slightest aid in this time of her
+sore distress; and as Rob, with swelling heart, gazed on this pitiful
+picture, he said to himself that all Chinese were brutes and unworthy
+the name of human beings.
+
+"Can't something be done for them?" he asked of a passer-by, and
+speaking in Chinese; but the man only laughed and hurried on without
+answering. Then Rob spoke to the woman herself, but her grief was too
+great to permit her to take heed, and she only stroked the face of her
+dying child with gestures of despair. At this, feeling powerless to aid
+her by any other means, Rob drew a silver dollar from his pocket and
+gently laid it on the mat beside the little sufferer. Then he hurried
+away.
+
+While he was within sight the woman did not alter her position nor
+offer to pick up his gift. Only when he had disappeared, and the
+stealthy hand of a street urchin was about to close over the coveted
+coin, did she snatch it from the mat, spring to her feet, deal the
+would-be thief a stinging box on the ear, pick up her opium-drugged
+child, and serenely walk away, well satisfied with the success of her
+carefully planned tableau. When Rob returned that way he wondered what
+had become of the dying child who had so excited his sympathies, and it
+was only on the following day, when he again saw them at the same place,
+going through the same performance, that he realized how he had been
+duped.
+
+On that first morning he transferred his belongings from the steamer
+to the house of his newly made friend, who told him that, as there was
+nothing in particular for him to do just then, he was free to go where
+he pleased. So he strolled to the riverfront of the Shameen, where
+from one of the tree-shaded benches, placed at intervals along its
+length, he watched the wonderful life of the river, with its swarming
+junks and sampans. After a while, attracted by a huge white-and-yellow
+nondescript-appearing craft, moored in the stream at some distance above
+where he sat, he walked in that direction for a closer view. He had
+proceeded but a few steps when he was more than ever puzzled to note
+that above the object of his curiosity floated an American flag, while
+he also could see the grim muzzles of enormous guns protruding from
+various parts of its superstructure. It evidently was a ship of some
+kind, and also a man-of-war; but to Rob's eyes it was of even stranger
+appearance than the closely packed acres of Chinese craft surrounding
+it. He finally decided that it must be a wreck, resting on the bottom
+of the river, since its deck appeared to be but a few inches above the
+turbid waters, and he wondered why its crew, sauntering back and forth
+beneath the awnings, did not exhibit more concern.
+
+While Rob thus was puzzling, a young man, wearing the uniform of an
+American naval officer, walked briskly up to where he was standing, and
+signalled a sampan.
+
+"Can you tell me, sir," asked our lad, addressing this officer, "what
+American ship that is out there, and how she got wrecked?"
+
+"Wrecked!" repeated the other. "What do you mean by wrecked? She looks
+all right to me. Is anything the matter with the old packet?"
+
+"Of course, I don't know much about wrecks," replied Rob, a little
+nettled by the officer's tone, "but if a ship sunk to the bottom of a
+Chinese river, nearly ten thousand miles from home, isn't wrecked, then
+the word must mean something different from what I think it does."
+
+"But she isn't sunk. She's floating all right, and showing fully as much
+freeboard as she did when we brought her across the Pacific, nearly two
+years ago. Monitors always look that way, you know."
+
+"Monitor! Is she a monitor?" cried Rob, who never before had seen one of
+this peculiarly American type of war-ship.
+
+"To be sure. She is the United States monitor _Monterey_, one of the
+finest of her class, and, with the exception of her sister-ship, the
+_Monadnock_, now at Shanghai, the most powerful fighting-machine now
+afloat in Asiatic waters. Wouldn't you like to go aboard and take a look
+at her?"
+
+Of course, Rob gladly accepted this invitation, and, entering the sampan
+with Lieutenant Hibbard, was sculled out to the floating fortress, which
+always lies off Canton, providing a safe-refuge for foreigners against a
+storm of wrath such as sometimes sweeps over that turbulent city. She is
+at the same time a most effective peace-keeper, since the Chinese know
+as well as any one that her powerful guns could within a few hours lay
+their metropolis in ruins.
+
+The _Monterey_ is famous as having been the first ship of her class to
+cross the Pacific to Manila, where she added such strength to Dewey's
+handful of war-ships as to render his position there impregnable.
+
+On gaining her side Rob found the rail to be quite two feet above
+water, instead of only a few inches, as he had supposed. He also found
+her to be of great breadth of beam, with wide sweeps of unencumbered
+deck, both forward and aft. Safely below the water-line he found roomy,
+well-ventilated quarters for officers and crew, as well as ample engine,
+coal, and ammunition spaces. He marvelled at her huge guns, polished
+until they shone, mounted fore and aft in steel turrets of a strength
+and construction to defy the most powerful of modern missiles. At the
+same time, these could be revolved at will, by a mechanism so delicate
+as to be controlled by a finger. Rob took tiffin with the officers of
+the ward-room mess, whom he entertained with news from the States and
+from Manila, and when, late in the afternoon, he again was set on shore,
+he felt that his first day in Canton, in spite of its clouded beginning,
+had been one of the very happiest and most interesting of his life.
+
+That evening Mr. Bishop, whom our lad regarded at once as friend and
+employer, found leisure for a long conversation with him, during which
+he said:
+
+"As you probably know, one of the most valuable railway concessions in
+China, that for a line from this city to Hankow, on the Yang-tse-kiang,
+nearly a thousand miles due north from here, has been granted to an
+American syndicate. Another concession, for a line from Hankow to Pekin,
+was granted a year earlier to the Belgians. These two railways, meeting
+at the metropolis of Central China, will form a grand trunk-line,
+extending nearly two thousand miles north and south through the
+very heart of the empire. The Belgians already are at work on the
+construction of their line, while the Americans have made their surveys
+and are ready to begin construction. I am an American engineer, employed
+by the syndicate, and, as a preliminary step to my further work, I am
+about to undertake a journey of investigation from here to Hankow,
+and, possibly, on to Pekin. My plans for this journey are so nearly
+completed that I could start to-morrow; but I have not as yet secured a
+satisfactory interpreter. Will you accept the position? The trip will
+be long, and to a certain extent dangerous, but the pay will, I think,
+be sufficient to carry you from Shanghai to America after our journey
+is completed. What do you say? Are you ready to plunge into the heart
+of China, and bury yourself from the world for the next two or three
+months, or do you prefer to remain here and look for some easier job?"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+IN THE HEART OF UNKNOWN CHINA
+
+
+That Rob accepted Mr. Bishop's proposition goes without saying, for he
+was an American boy, and, as such, was filled to the brim with a genuine
+love of the adventure and excitement attending explorations in strange
+countries. Thus, two days after the offer was made, he found himself
+a very important member of an expedition setting forth from the great
+southern city of Canton and bound for the far north. Two months later,
+a junk, flying the American flag and having on board our travellers,
+drifted with the tawny flood of the mighty Yang-tse-kiang (Son of the
+Sea River) along the crowded water-front of Hankow, a city of such
+commercial energy that it is known as the Chicago of China.
+
+During the weeks that had elapsed since they left the last traces of
+Western civilization at Canton, they had seen no white man nor heard
+a word of English, except such as they spoke to each other. They had
+travelled by sampan up the North River and the Wu Shin, across the
+province of Kwang-tung, to the head of navigation at Ping-Shih. Here
+they had engaged coolies to transport their luggage, camp outfit, and
+provisions over the "carry," thirty miles long, across the Nan-Ling
+Mountains, to Chen-Chow, a quaint, old, walled town, marking the
+head of navigation on the Yu-tan River, a branch of the Sian Kiang,
+which in turn flows northward into the Yang-tse. There they had once
+more chartered a junk; and, always accompanied by a couple of slim,
+light-draught Chinese guard-boats, had sailed, poled, or drifted across
+the great inland province of Hu-nan, which is half again as large as the
+State of New York.
+
+Although always using their boat as headquarters and for the
+transportation of supplies, the two Americans had travelled most of the
+way by land, on foot, on pony-back, or in sedan-chairs borne by coolies.
+They had slept in temples, examination-halls, tea hongs (warehouses), in
+official yamens, and occasionally, but never when they could help it,
+in crowded, vermin-infested taverns, always surrounded by throngs of
+excited spectators, who poked holes through the paper windows or widened
+cracks in the floors of overhead rooms to gratify their curiosity by
+peering at the ridiculous-looking barbarians.
+
+While crossing the Nan-Ling Mountains they had traversed a portion
+of one of China's great national highways, constructed thousands of
+years ago, and apparently never since repaired. Originally fifteen
+feet of its width was paved with large, flat stones, four feet square,
+and from one foot to eighteen inches thick. Many of these stones had
+disappeared, no one could tell how, nor where to, leaving gaping and
+bottomless mud-holes to entrap the unwary. The remaining blocks were
+deeply hollowed by the bare feet of millions of burden-bearing coolies
+and scored with wheelbarrow grooves. This great highway was formerly
+lined along its hundreds of miles of length with temples, tea-houses,
+rest-houses, and shops; but such of these as have not disappeared are
+now in ruins, and serve only as haunts for highwaymen, lepers, and
+beggars.
+
+In the remote past the several states or provinces of China were
+independent kingdoms, waging war upon one another; and even to this day
+the inhabitants of each province regard the people of those adjoining
+as "foreigners." So they fortified themselves against one another,
+and our explorers were so fortunate as to come across one of these
+fortifications. It was a high and very thick wall of masonry, having
+battlements and massive gateway, surmounted by a watch-tower, built on
+a boundary-line across the highway, where the latter occupied a narrow
+valley. The hills on either hand were low enough to be easy of ascent,
+but the impregnable wall reached only from side to side of the valley.
+
+"What's the matter with walking around an end of it?" asked Rob, staring
+at this triumph of defensive architecture.
+
+"Nothing at all, that I can see," replied the engineer. "Only, I
+suppose, no Chinese ever would think of doing so."
+
+Again the road led over a high, arched bridge that once had crossed
+a stream; but the stream had altered its course and gone elsewhere,
+perhaps hundreds of years ago, since no trace even of its bed now
+remained. But because the road went over the bridge the cargo coolies,
+grunting beneath their burdens, continued to toil up the steep ascent
+and down the other side, without ever a thought of making a new path
+around it.
+
+"I won't climb over it, at any rate," declared Rob. So he and the
+engineer walked around; their own coolies followed them like a flock of
+sheep, and those on the bridge stared in amazement at the barbarians who
+thus dared depart from established custom.
+
+Although other American engineers had preceded our travellers through
+this country, the foreigner was still such a novelty that they were
+viewed by thousands of people who never before had seen one, and who
+crowded about them in embarrassing throngs. At the same time they never
+were ill-treated nor even molested; for the Chinese, unless roused to
+a blind fury by wrongs, real or fancied, are the most peaceable and
+courteous of people. To be sure, our friends nearly always were spoken
+of and addressed as "fan kwei" (foreign devils); but this was because
+the natives never had heard foreigners called anything else.
+
+To Mr. Bishop's surprise he discovered, or rather Rob discovered for
+him, that many of the Hu-nan people, instead of being opposed to the
+construction of a railway through their country, were desirous for its
+coming. Not on account of the facilities it would offer for travel and
+the transportation of their products, but because it was rumored far
+and wide that it would pay liberally for such graves as must be removed
+from its right-of-way. Formerly, and even now in certain districts,
+the grave problem was, and is, one of the most serious encountered by
+the projectors of Chinese railways. Finally it was made a commercial
+proposition, and the railway companies agreed to pay for such graves as
+came within their lines at a rate of eight taels (about eleven dollars)
+apiece. Now, such of the Chinese as understand this arrangement are more
+than willing thus to turn their ancestors to profitable account.
+
+As the dead are not collected in regularly established burying-grounds,
+but are scattered about in fields, gardens, or wherever it is most
+convenient to place them, and as the entire country is thickly sown
+with these precious relics, no line can be so run as to avoid them.
+Consequently they must be bought up and removed. For some time Rob
+could not account for the great anxiety shown by the natives to learn
+the exact location of the line. Finally, however, he discovered that
+those persons having graves known to be on the line could raise money on
+them in advance, while such as had none proposed to borrow or purchase
+a few ancestors at places so remote as to be beyond a possibility of
+disturbance and rebury them in more profitable locations.
+
+In the cities of Siang-tan and Chang-sha, both on waters navigable
+by large Yang-tse junks, our travellers found shops equipped with
+foreign goods, and notably with American flour, prints, and canned
+foods, though they did not meet an American nor a European in either
+place. This discovery was of particular interest to Mr. Bishop, as the
+appearance in those remote localities, and under existing conditions, of
+these goods promised a vast extension of similar trade upon completion
+of the railway he was about to build.
+
+Thus the entire trip had proved intensely interesting, and its results
+were so highly satisfactory that, as it drew to a close with their near
+approach to Hankow, our explorers already were preparing for another
+journey from that point to Pekin.
+
+Much as they had enjoyed the one just ending, they were not sorry to
+see European buildings in the mission compounds and along the bund at
+Hankow, and it was good to hear their own speech once more. It also was
+good to sit down to an American table, eat home-cooked food, and, above
+all, to sleep between sheets in American beds. But with all these things
+to be enjoyed came two disappointments. Rob's lay in the entire absence
+of the letters that he had hoped to find awaiting him at this point.
+From Canton he had written both to his uncle and his parents at Hatton,
+requesting answers to be sent to Hankow, but the eagerly expected
+letters had not appeared. A number awaited Mr. Bishop, and in them lay
+his disappointment, for certain of them contained news that rendered it
+necessary for him to return at once to Canton. Thus he must give up the
+proposed overland journey to Pekin.
+
+"It is too bad!" he exclaimed. "There is so much I want to find out
+about that northern line, its construction, the nature of the country
+it traverses, the feeling of the people regarding it, and a dozen other
+things. Now I must indefinitely postpone the trip, and so remain in
+ignorance of many things most important for me to know."
+
+"I wish I could go for you," suggested Rob.
+
+"That is an idea worth considering!" exclaimed the engineer. "And I
+don't see why you shouldn't collect the very information I want. You are
+pretty well broken into the work by this time. But would you dare travel
+another thousand miles through China, alone, and in view of the rumors
+of trouble that we have been hearing lately?"
+
+"Of course I would," replied Rob, scornfully. "I can't see but what it
+is just as safe to travel here as in any other country, especially when
+one knows the ways of the people and their language as well as I do."
+
+The conversation on this subject was long and earnest, but at its
+conclusion it had been decided that Rob Hinckley, provided with ample
+funds, should travel as special commissioner of the American railway
+syndicate from Hankow to Pekin. From the latter city he would return by
+rail and sea to Hong-Kong, where Mr. Bishop would meet him and receive
+his report.
+
+"By that time," said the latter, "your pay surely will amount to enough
+to carry you to America, with a substantial surplus besides."
+
+The only condition made by our lad was that, upon his arrival in
+Shanghai, Mr. Bishop should cable to the States for information
+concerning Rob's parents, and should transmit the same to Pekin, there
+to await the latter's arrival.
+
+A couple of days later the companions who had travelled so far and
+endured so much together separated, the engineer to proceed by steamer
+down the Yang-tse-kiang to Shanghai, and thence by ship to Hong-Kong,
+and Rob, so confident in his own resources as not to dream of dangers
+that he could not overcome, taking train for the north over the short
+section of Belgian railway already constructed. It carried him to the
+border of the province of Ho-nan. Across this province and to the
+Hoang-ho, or Yellow River, he made his way successfully, though not
+without encountering many difficulties during the following month. Then
+his real troubles began, for no sooner had he crossed the great river,
+which, on account of its frequent devastating floods, is called "China's
+Sorrow," than he found himself on the edge of a fierce "storm of wrath"
+that threatened to sweep over the entire empire.
+
+An almost unprecedented drought had prevailed over the whole of the vast
+plain of northern China for nearly three years. For two years there had
+been no crops, and now the same dreadful condition was promised for
+the third. Everywhere were starving, desperate people, who, in their
+ignorance, attributed their woes to the evil influence of foreigners,
+and especially to the missionaries, who sought to overthrow the gods of
+the country.
+
+The priests taught that the angry gods thus were punishing the unbelief
+of the people, and that prosperity never would return to their land
+until every foreigner was driven from it. Thus it happened that the
+inhabitants of three provinces were rising against missionaries and
+railway-builders, robbing and killing all who did not fly in time,
+burning and destroying their property, as well as that of all native
+converts to the new religion. At the same time they were making
+pilgrimages to the shrines of their own gods, and imploring them to once
+more send the life-giving rains.
+
+Rob heard rumors of these things, but, believing them to be exaggerated,
+refused to turn back. So he pushed doggedly ahead, ever nearing the
+storm-centre. Finally, late one day, as he approached a walled town in
+which he expected to obtain lodging for the night, he suddenly found
+himself beset by a mob of frantic rain-dancers, who rushed upon him from
+a sacred grove by the road-side. The slender escort of soldiers that had
+thus far accompanied our lad instantly took to their heels, leaving him
+alone to face the hundreds of yelling demons, who firmly believed that,
+if they could take his life, the act would be pleasing to their insulted
+gods.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+"FISTS OF RIGHTEOUS HARMONY"
+
+
+The people of China have suffered much at the hands of foreigners,
+and, in their ignorance of everything beyond their own line of vision,
+imagine many grievances that really do not exist. Once China was the
+foremost nation of the earth in arts, literature, commerce, and all that
+goes to the making of what we call civilization. She invented, used, and
+forgot a thousand things that the Western world is only now discovering.
+She was sufficient unto herself, and desired only to be let alone.
+
+But the Western nations would not let her alone. They insisted upon
+forcing their unwelcome trade into the country; and, moreover, upon
+conducting it themselves, according to their own ideas. When she
+resisted their demands they took possession of her seaports, destroyed
+her forts and war-ships, placed their own steamers, protected by
+gun-boats, on her rivers, monopolized her coasting trade, and even
+appropriated as their own, large slices of her territory.
+
+Thus, while England holds the island of Hong-Kong, together with
+two hundred square miles of the opposite mainland, Shanghai, and
+Wei-hai-Wei, besides controlling the trade of the great Yang-tse
+Valley, Russia, on the north, has seized Manchuria, Germany occupies
+the province of Shan-tung, Portugal has for three hundred years been
+established at Macao, and France, the chief aggressor, already in
+possession of Anam and Tonquin, is making insidious but certain progress
+northward through Yunan, with covetous eyes cast in the direction of
+Canton, where she already has gained a foothold. Japan owns the great
+Chinese island of Formosa, and only awaits a favorable opportunity for
+seizing the opposite mainland province of Fu-Kien, while even Italy has
+laid claim to a Chinese port and "sphere of influence."
+
+All these foreign nations, together with Americans and Belgians, are
+building, or are proposing to build, railways in China, and all of them,
+with the further additions of Canada and Sweden, are overrunning the
+bewildered country with missionaries of clashing denominations, each
+one of which teaches that it only is right, while all the others are
+wrong. Some of these foreign teachers even go so far as to interfere
+with local governments, taking upon themselves the office of magistrate,
+administering the laws according to their own interpretation, and always
+in favor of their own converts, and at the same time demanding to be
+accorded all outward forms of respect due only to mandarins.
+
+On the other hand, the great mass of Chinese, groping in the darkness
+of the Middle Ages, burdened by densest ignorance, steeped in
+superstition, robbed by their rulers to the extreme of poverty, and
+forced to unceasing toil from long before daylight until long after dark
+every day of the week throughout every year of their joyless lives, are
+taught by their priests, and by others of their own race to whom they
+look for guidance, that all their sorrows, including floods, famines,
+and plagues, are caused by the foreigners who are spreading over their
+country with the ultimate intention of seizing it and subjecting its
+people to their own barbarous customs. They are told that these same
+foreigners sweep the rain-clouds from one portion of the sky to cause
+droughts, and gather them at another to produce devastating floods, and
+that they poison wells to bring on plagues. They are made to believe
+that the "foreign devils" collect Chinese children in asylums, homes,
+and hospitals for the sole purpose of extracting their eyes, to be
+used in enchantments; that every railway-sleeper, and the foundations
+of every Christian edifice, are laid upon living human bodies; and a
+thousand other tales, equally monstrous but equally terrifying.
+
+To remedy these evils the people are invited to form themselves into
+associations, and thus gain strength for the destruction of the hated
+foreign devils, or at least to drive them back into the sea, whence
+they came. For the benefit of those who can read, pamphlets setting
+forth these views are written, printed by the million, and distributed
+throughout the land; while the minds of the more ignorant are inflamed
+by pictured posters illustrating the horrors perpetrated by foreigners,
+and posted broadcast in every direction.
+
+To these invitations a Chinese readily responds; for there is nothing in
+which he more greatly delights than to belong to an association of any
+kind or for any purpose. Thus societies for the exclusion of foreigners
+have sprung up like mushrooms, especially in those coast provinces
+where foreign influences are most noticeable; and strongest of them
+all is the great I-Ho-Chuan, or "Fists of Righteous Harmony" Society,
+sometimes called "The Great Sword Society," but known to the world at
+large as "Boxers," a name first used by the missionary correspondent of
+a foreign journal. The motto of this society, as borne on its banners,
+is, "Protect the empire! Exterminate foreigners!"
+
+During the initiation of its members they fall into trances, and believe
+that, while in this state, the spirits of departed heroes enter their
+bodies. After that they are pronounced invulnerable to sword or bullet,
+and are declared to be possessed of magic charms that no enemy may
+withstand.
+
+In 1898 the Boxer movement was checked by the sudden declaration of
+China's young emperor, Kuang Hsu, in favor of sweeping reforms based
+upon Western ideas. These he proceeded to carry out with unsuspected
+energy, deposing corrupt officials in all parts of the empire, and
+replacing them with others who had been educated abroad. He issued
+edicts intended to revolutionize the army, the navy, the time-honored
+but senseless methods of literary examination, and the manner of
+collecting taxes, which, if obeyed, would place his people upon the
+upward path of progress so recently and so successfully trodden by
+Japan. There is no doubt that the Emperor was sincere in his avowed
+determination to lift his distressed country from the depths to which
+it was sunk; and had he remained in power the awful Boxer uprising of
+two years later never would have taken place. But his enemies were
+too strong; and, after a few months of praiseworthy effort, the young
+reformer was overthrown by a powerful palace clique, headed by his great
+aunt, the Empress Dowager, and composed of the high officials whom he
+had removed from office. They forced him to sign a decree announcing his
+own abdication of the throne, and again the Empress Dowager, China's
+worst enemy, assumed the reins of power.
+
+At once all reform decrees were repealed, the old order of things was
+restored, and hatred of foreigners was preached more loudly and more
+bitterly than ever. A new life was infused into the Boxer movement,
+which from that moment spread like wildfire over the northern provinces,
+until in the summer of 1900 it reached its height. During that dreadful
+summer mission stations everywhere were looted and destroyed, while
+their unfortunate occupants were driven out to be killed or cast into
+loathsome prisons, from which death was their only release. Christian
+converts were massacred by scores and hundreds, railroad property was
+destroyed, and railroad employés suffered the fate of missionaries. A
+rumor to the effect that all foreigners, including members of legations,
+had been driven from Pekin, was generally believed; as was another,
+stating that every foreign resident of Tien-Tsin had been killed. Above
+all, it was understood that the Empress Dowager was in full sympathy
+with the movement to rid her kingdom of foreigners, and would render
+every assistance in her power to those engaged in the effort.
+
+Such was the condition of affairs in north China when, in the early
+summer of 1900, the young American, Rob Hinckley, on a peaceful mission
+to Pekin, suddenly found himself deserted and alone in the presence of
+a mob of crazed fanatics, intent upon taking his life. Our lad did not
+know why they wished to kill him; for, since leaving the Yang-tse River,
+he had found an ever-increasing difficulty in comprehending the dialect
+spoken by the common people, until at length it had become wholly
+incomprehensible. Thus he knew almost nothing of the Boxer movement, nor
+of the awful state of affairs existing in the country between him and
+Pekin.
+
+He, however, instantly recognized the danger of his present position,
+and, clapping spurs to the jaded pony he was riding, he dashed away in
+the direction of the nearest city gate, with the mob in full cry at
+his heels. The distance was short, and Rob was within fifty feet of
+the outer gate, with a good lead of his pursuers, when all at once it
+occurred to him that he was about to jump from the frying-pan into the
+fire, since once within the city walls his enemies could close all exits
+and hunt him down at their leisure. With this he pulled his pony so
+sharply to one side that the animal, already exhausted to the point of
+dropping, stumbled and fell, flinging Rob to earth over his head. As the
+lad scrambled to his feet he was amazed to hear in English a shout of--
+
+"Keep on to the gate! It's your only chance!"
+
+Although he could see no one in that direction, the voice seemed to come
+from the gateway itself; and, as his madly yelling pursuers were now
+close upon him, Rob accepted the advice so strangely given and darted
+forward on his original course.
+
+[Illustration: "HIS MADLY YELLING PURSUERS WERE NOW CLOSE UPON HIM"]
+
+A few minutes earlier a young Chinese, clad in the uniform of an officer
+of imperial troops, stood at a narrow loop-hole in the watch-tower above
+the city gate, gazing listlessly outward over a vast expanse of flat,
+parched, uninteresting country. He had carelessly noted the approach
+from afar of Rob's little party, whom he supposed to be ordinary native
+travellers, and had only been aroused from his apathy by the yells of
+the rain-dancers, as they raised the cry of, "Death to the foreign
+devil!"
+
+"They must be mistaken," thought the officer, "for there can't be any
+foreigners left in this part of the country." He watched Rob's flight
+with ever-growing interest, and was about to descend from the tower so
+as to meet him at the gate when the young American attempted to change
+his pony's course. Then the watcher uttered the surprising call
+that again altered Rob's determination, and in another moment he was
+springing down the flight of stone steps leading to the outer gateway.
+As he reached it, Rob had just entered, and was starting across the
+barbican towards the inner gate.
+
+"Stop!" shouted the young Chinese. "Come here quick and help me!"
+
+Rob hesitated only the fraction of a second and then did as he was
+bidden. The Chinese was straining at one of the two massive, iron-bound
+doors of the gateway, and in another moment Rob was adding every ounce
+of his own strength to the effort. It yielded slowly, and its hinges
+creaked rustily as it swung heavily into place.
+
+"Now the other, quick!" exclaimed the stranger, and with an effort that
+nearly started blood from their swelling veins the two young fellows
+closed the great valve in the very faces of the frantic outside mob that
+flung themselves bodily against it mad with baffled rage. They could not
+open it, for a stout iron bolt had dropped into place as the gate was
+closed, and nothing short of a cannonade could now force an entrance.
+
+"Follow me!" said the Chinese, huskily, and panting from his recent
+exertion, at the same time turning up the narrow stairway leading to the
+watch-tower, and Rob obeyed.
+
+The latter was full of perplexity at finding in this out-of-the-way
+place a Chinese who not only spoke English, but apparently was willing
+to endanger himself to rescue a foreigner from a mob. So quick had been
+all their movements since he darted through the gateway that he had not
+yet obtained a view of his rescuer's face, and, of course, had not been
+able to question him.
+
+In the tower, at the top of the stairway, he found his strange companion
+taking a quick view of the raging mob below. As he stepped to his
+side, the young Chinese turned and stared him full in the eyes. For a
+moment they regarded each other in amazed silence. Then a simultaneous
+exclamation burst from their lips:
+
+"Rob Hinckley!"
+
+"Chinese Jo!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+LEAPING INTO UNKNOWN BLACKNESS
+
+
+To the friends who had been so mysteriously separated many months
+earlier, and on the other side of the world, their reunion at this place
+and under such conditions was bewildering and incredible. They could
+scarcely believe the evidence of their own eyes. The last time Rob had
+seen Jo the latter had been shorn of his queue, while now his hair again
+hung in a long, glossy braid. For a moment they stood clasping each
+other's hand, after the fashion of the West, and staring without speech.
+There was so much to be said that they could say nothing. Then they were
+aroused to a sense of imminent danger by the sounds of ascending voices
+and hurrying footsteps on the stone stairway. Evidently the present was
+no time for explanations.
+
+"Quick, Rob! Go up there and hide," whispered Jo, pointing, as he spoke,
+to a rude ladder leading into the darkness of an upper loft. "Stay there
+till I come or I cannot save you."
+
+Even as he spoke, Jo turned to the stairway as though about to descend,
+while Rob sprang to the ladder.
+
+A Chinese soldier was so close at hand that he would have gained the
+room and caught sight of the fugitive had not the young officer arrested
+his progress with the stern inquiry:
+
+"What is going on below? Are you all mad or drunk with the juice of
+poppies? Cannot I meditate in peace without being disturbed by the
+howlings of you swine? How dare you come up here without orders? Answer
+me, dog, and son of generations of dogs, before I cause you to be beaten
+with a hundred blows!"
+
+The terrified soldier, who held a petty office, corresponding to that of
+corporal of the guard, recoiled from the presence of his angry superior,
+who, if he had chosen, could have him beaten even to death, and,
+kotowing until his forehead touched the stones, answered:
+
+"Know, your honorable excellency, that the outer gate has been closed
+without knowledge of any in the guard-house, and beyond it many persons,
+mad with anger, are clamorous for admittance. It is a mystery; and
+before opening the gate I came up here for a look at the outsiders, to
+make certain that they are not enemies."
+
+"Closed, pig? How can it be that the gate is closed without orders from
+me, the keeper of the gate? This thing must be examined into," cried
+the young officer, with every appearance of extreme anger. "Let it be
+opened without delay. But first come with me and look at these outside
+howlers. It may be, even as your stupidity suggests, that they are men
+from Chang-Chow, who have ever been unfriendly to this city because of
+its greater prosperity."
+
+This was said to give the soldier an opportunity for seeing that no
+other person was in the room, which fact he would report to his comrades.
+
+As they examined the furious crowd besieging the gate, Jo exclaimed,
+even more angrily than before:
+
+"Those be no Chang-Chow men, but our friends and own people. They are
+the dancers, who, together with the good priests, pray constantly for
+rain, and who went out to the shrine of the holy rain-god but an hour
+ago. Ah, but you shall smartly suffer for closing a gate of their
+own city against them. Hasten and open it again if you would have
+the setting sun behold your worthless head still upon your wretched
+shoulders."
+
+Thus saying, the young officer spurned the trembling soldier with his
+foot and followed him down the stairway. In another moment the great
+gate was opened to the torrent of frantic humanity that rushed in
+demanding to know what had become of the foreign devil whom they had
+seen enter only a few minutes before, and where the soldiers had hidden
+him. Also why they had closed the gate in the very faces of his pursuers.
+
+"Give him up to us," shrieked the priests, "that we may kill him, for
+doubtless it is he who keeps away the blessed rain."
+
+The denials of the guard that they even had seen any foreigner, or that
+they had closed the gate, were so little heeded by the clamorous throng,
+that it might have gone hard with them had not Jo secured a hearing by
+firing a shot from his revolver, a weapon that he alone of all those
+present possessed.
+
+"The guard has not seen the foreign devil or surely they would have
+arrested him," he cried, in the awed silence that followed his shot.
+"Nor did they close the gate, for they would not dare without my orders,
+and I gave none. Nor could one man, not even a foreign devil, close the
+gate unaided, since it often has been tried and they have proved too
+heavy. Only by magic could he have done this thing, and by magic must
+he have blinded the eyes of the soldiers so that they did not see him
+pass them into the city. But your priests have magic as well as the
+foreigners, and by means of it he may be discovered. Let us then again
+close the gate that he may not escape, and search for him in every
+quarter of the city. When he is found let his head promptly be cut
+off, before he has time again to use his magic. Thus shall the city be
+purified and the wrath of the rain-god be appeased. Protect the empire!
+Exterminate foreigners!"
+
+With this rallying-cry of the Great Swords, Jo led the way across the
+enclosed space separating the inner from the outer gate, past the
+guard-house, where his soldiers spent their waking hours in gambling
+with long, slim Chinese cards and piles of beans, and on into the
+narrow streets of the city. There he was so active in the search that
+was maintained, until stopped by darkness, that he gained a notable
+reputation as a hater of foreigners. Thus by his prompt action were
+Rob's enemies so completely thrown off his track that not once was his
+real hiding-place approached or even suspected.
+
+In the mean time he, intensely wearied by hours of confinement in that
+hot, dusty loft, grew vastly impatient of inaction. He was hungry and
+parched with thirst; no sound penetrated his prison, nor any ray of
+light. He had no idea of the passage of time, and imagined it to be much
+later in the night than it really was, when he was startled by a sharp
+"Hist!" that seemed to come from the top of the ladder.
+
+Too wary to answer it, he only listened, with senses all alert, for
+something further. Then came a whispered "Rob," and he knew that his
+only friend in that part of the world was at hand.
+
+"Crawl here on your hands and knees," whispered Jo. "Don't let your
+boots touch the floor, for the guards below are wide awake and listening
+to every sound. That's right. Now put on these felt boots. Leave your
+own behind, and follow me without a word."
+
+Rob obeyed these instructions in all but one thing. His boots were of
+heavy English leather, lacing high on his ankles, and had been procured
+in Hankow. They were very comfortable as well as durable, and he could
+not bear the thought of exchanging them for cloth shoes with felt soles,
+especially in view of the amount of walking ahead of him if he made
+good his escape. So, though he put on the pair provided by Jo, he tied
+the others about his neck, and, thus equipped, noiselessly followed
+his friend down the ladder to the room below. From this room a narrow
+doorway opened on the broad parapet of the city wall. Towards this door
+they were making their cautious way, when suddenly the hastily tied
+strings of Rob's heavy boots gave way, and they fell to the stone floor
+with a clatter that awoke the echoes.
+
+Our lad uttered an exclamation of dismay as he groped about the floor
+to recover his lost treasures; but it was drowned in a tumult of shouts
+from below. At the same time a scuffling of feet on the stairway proved
+that the alarmed guard were on their way to investigate.
+
+Jo, knowing nothing of the boots, could not imagine what had happened,
+and called from the doorway that he already had reached:
+
+"Never mind anything! Come on, quick, for your life!"
+
+But Rob, having found one boot, was determined to have the other, for
+which he still was feeling over a wide area of floor space. At length
+his fingers touched it; but as he triumphantly rose to his feet a dark,
+heavily breathing form, brandishing some sort of a weapon, confronted
+him. The next instant he had sent the overzealous guard reeling backward
+with a swinging blow from the heavy boot just recovered, that took him
+full in the face. With a yell of combined pain and fright, the soldier
+pitched down the narrow stairway, carrying with him the comrades who
+were close at his heels. Before the confused heap could disentangle
+itself, our lads had fled through the doorway and were speeding like
+shadows along the top of the lofty wall.
+
+As they ran they heard behind them a shrill screaming and a furious
+beating of gongs. Then from the tall drum-tower in the centre of the
+city came a deep, booming sound that could be heard for miles. The great
+drum that is only sounded in times of public peril was arousing the
+citizens and sending them swarming from their houses. Torches appeared
+not only in the streets but on the wall behind our flying lads. Then, to
+Rob's dismay, others began to gleam in front of them. To be sure, these
+still were a long distance away, but they gave certain evidence that
+flight in that direction must come to a speedy end.
+
+"What is the use of running any farther?" asked Rob. "We'll only fall in
+with that torch-light procession all the sooner. Seems to me we might as
+well stop where we are and see about getting down off this perch."
+
+"There's only one place to get down," answered Jo, "and it still is
+ahead of us. Run faster! We've got to reach it first."
+
+So the fugitives put on an added burst of speed, though to Rob it seemed
+that they were only rushing directly into the arms of the advancing
+torch-bearers.
+
+Suddenly Jo exclaimed, breathlessly, "Here's the place!" and then, to
+Rob's dismay, he took a flying leap off the parapet into the gulf of
+impenetrable blackness lying on the outer side of the wall.
+
+For a moment the young American turned sick with the thought that,
+despairing of ultimate escape, his comrade had chosen death by suicide,
+and now lay lifeless at the foot of the lofty battlement.
+
+Then came the familiar voice rising from some unknown depth, and calling
+on him to follow.
+
+"Jump, Rob!" it cried; "you'll land all right, the same as I have."
+
+Even with this assurance our lad hesitated to leap into the darkness.
+He knew that the wall was at least fifty feet high. There was at its
+bottom no moat filled with water, into which one might launch himself
+with safety. "Nor is there any pile of feather-beds, that I know of," he
+thought, grimly.
+
+From both sides lines of torches were steadily advancing, while up from
+the city rose a tumult of angry voices. Only in the outside blackness
+that already had engulfed his friend was there the slightest promise of
+escape.
+
+"I suppose there's nothing else to be done," he muttered, setting his
+teeth and bracing himself for the effort. "So, here goes!"
+
+With this he sprang out into space and instantly vanished.
+
+When, a minute later, the advancing lines of torch-bearers came together
+at that very point, they were bewildered and frightened by the absolute
+disappearance of those whom they had thought to be so surely within
+their grasp.
+
+Certainly the magic of the foreign devils was stronger than their
+priests had led them to believe.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+A SUPPER OF SACRED EELS
+
+
+The great plain of northern China is composed of alluvial matter
+extending to an unknown depth, reddish-yellow in color, and possessed
+of wonderful fertility. When wet it packs closely; and later, under the
+influence of a hot sun, it bakes like clay. During seasons of drought it
+pulverizes to an almost impalpable dust that is blown by fierce winds
+into ridges and heaps like snow-drifts. These are piled high against
+obstructing walls, so that sometimes buildings standing in exposed
+situations are completely buried beneath them. Such a drift of fine sand
+had formed in an angle of the city wall, along which our lads fled; and
+Chinese Jo, knowing of it, had selected this as a point for escape.
+
+Thus, when Rob, with many misgivings, leaped into unknown blackness, he
+had not dropped more than twenty feet when he struck a steep slope of
+soft material down which he slid with great velocity amid a smother of
+choking dust. The next thing he knew, Jo was pulling him to his feet,
+and bidding him make haste to get away before their mode of escape
+should be discovered by the torch-bearers, who now swarmed on the wall
+above them. So the lads ran, with Jo acting as guide, across cropless
+fields, climbing over useless dikes, and stumbling through dry ditches,
+until a black mass, dimly outlined against the sky, rose before them. As
+they drew near, this resolved itself into a clump of trees, which, from
+experience already gained in China, Rob knew must be a sacred grove.
+It was, in fact, the very grove from which the frantic rain-dancers
+had streamed in pursuit of him a few hours earlier. Now it was silent
+and deserted, even the ancient temple of the rain-god, standing in its
+centre, being empty of priests or worshippers.
+
+Finding the door of this temple open, and hearing no sound within, the
+fugitives made a cautious entry into the sacred precincts. Here their
+attention was attracted by a faint glow coming from a heap of embers on
+an altar that stood before a gigantic image of the rain-god himself.
+
+[Illustration: "THE FUGITIVES MADE A CAUTIOUS ENTRY INTO THE SACRED
+PRECINCTS"]
+
+While endeavoring to get a closer view of the idol, Rob stumbled and
+pitched forward, thrusting his outstretched hands into an invisible but
+shallow tank of water. He uttered a yell of affright as he withdrew them
+and sprang back. "It's a nest of snakes!" he cried--"slimy, wriggling
+snakes!"
+
+"Hush!" admonished Jo, listening intently; but there was no sound, save
+of a slight splashing in the as yet unseen water.
+
+"If there were any priests here your racket certainly would have roused
+them," he said. "But, as nobody seems to be stirring, I expect we've got
+the place to ourselves. Close the door while I make a light, so that
+we can see where we are."
+
+From the floor the speaker gathered a few bits of unburned joss-paper
+that he laid on the faintly glowing altar embers and blew into a blaze.
+Though this lasted but a moment, it served to show some half-burned
+candles standing behind the altar, one of which Jo lighted from the
+expiring flame.
+
+By this faint light the lads discovered a number of crude figures of men
+and beasts ranged on either side of the rain-god, while a pool of water
+glittered at their feet. In it squirmed a score or more of eels, emblems
+of the god, among which Rob had thrust his arms.
+
+"There are your snakes," laughed the young Chinese, "and with them
+plenty of water to drink, if you are thirsty."
+
+"Goodness knows! I'm thirsty enough, and stuffed full of dust besides,
+but I wouldn't drink that water, with those things in it, not if I was
+dying of thirst."
+
+"I would, then," replied Jo, who was too thoroughly Chinese to be
+fastidious; and, to prove his words, he scooped a handful of the water
+to his lips.
+
+"It isn't very good water," he acknowledged; "but perhaps we can find
+some that is better where this came from."
+
+A short search revealed a well just back of the temple, and from it,
+by means of a section of hollow bamboo attached to a long cord, they
+drew a plentiful supply of water that was much purer than that in the
+tank, and was not visibly contaminated by eels, snakes, or any other
+unpleasant creatures.
+
+"My! what a blessed thing water is!" exclaimed Rob, after a long pull
+at the bamboo bucket. "I don't wonder that the people of a burned-up
+country like this pray to a rain-god. Now, if only we had something to
+eat we'd be well fixed to move on."
+
+"That's easy," replied Jo, reaching into the tank and drawing forth a
+large, squirming eel as he spoke.
+
+"Eat a snake!" cried Rob, in a disgusted tone. "Not much! I won't!"
+
+Jo smiled as he cut off the eel's head and proceeded to skin its still
+wriggling body, which he divided into short sections. Wrapping each of
+these in green bamboo leaves that he procured from a clump of the giant
+grass growing beside the well, he buried them in the hot sand of the
+altar, and raked over them a lot of glowing coals.
+
+While he did this, Rob, with the aid of a lighted candle was examining
+the strange figures that occupied the interior of the temple. All at
+once, from somewhere behind the great idol, he called out, "Look here,
+Jo! He's hollow!"
+
+Going to see what was meant, the young Chinese found his friend holding
+the candle above his head and pointing to a small door, standing
+slightly ajar, in the back of the image. It was so perfectly fitted
+that, had it been closed, no trace of an opening could have been
+discovered.
+
+Climbing to the place, they easily opened the door, and through the
+aperture thus disclosed crawled into the very body of the rain-god.
+They found themselves in a space large enough for them to stand up or to
+lie in at full length, but filled with a confused litter of garments,
+masks, banners, and other paraphernalia of the priestly trade.
+
+"It's the biggest kind of a find," said Jo, evidently much excited
+over this discovery, "and it gives me an idea; but I must eat before
+explaining, so let us go to tiffin."
+
+The cooked eel, which Rob still insisted was nothing more nor less than
+a snake, looked and smelled so good that the latter's desperate hunger
+finally persuaded him to taste a morsel. Then he took another, and a
+few minutes later, gazing thoughtfully at a small heap of well-cleaned
+bones, he asked Jo if he didn't think they might cook a few more eels
+while they were about it. An hour later he declared that he had eaten
+one of the best meals of his life, and was altogether too well content
+with their present situation to think of travelling any farther that
+night.
+
+Jo readily agreed that they should spend a few hours where they were,
+as he wanted time to think out a plan of escape, and believed that for
+the present this temple was as safe a place as they were likely to find.
+So, while they removed all traces of their presence, Rob arranged the
+priestly vestments they had found inside the rain-god into a sort of
+a bed, and a little later, lying on this, each of the lads gave the
+other an account of his adventures since they had parted in far-away
+America. Rob's story we know, as we do that of Jo up to the time of
+his commitment to prison in New York, charged with being a Chinese
+laundry-worker who had illegally entered the United States.
+
+"I was kept there two weeks," he now said, "and treated worse than a dog
+all the time. They would not allow me to write or telegraph to you or
+any of my friends, and finally carried me off at night in a prison-van,
+together with a dozen coolies gathered from different parts of the
+country, who hated me because I had cut off my queue. After that we
+travelled handcuffed together, two and two, in a crowded immigrant-car,
+to San Francisco, where we were locked up in a filthy shed until a
+steamer was ready to sail. On our journey to that point we got very
+little to eat, but what we had was fairly good. The food given us in the
+shed was bad, but what we got on the steamer, where we were put in the
+hold, without being allowed to go on deck during the whole voyage, was
+simply rotten.
+
+"The ship was under contract to deliver us at Shanghai; but when she
+anchored off Woo-Sung and they began to transfer us into a launch that
+would take us to the city, fourteen miles farther up the river, we were
+in such a horrible condition that the other passengers objected to
+having us on board. So we were set ashore at Woo-Sung and told we might
+walk the rest of the way.
+
+"I was so sick and weak that, after we had walked a few miles, I gave
+out and laid down by the road-side. There, I suppose, I should have
+frozen to death, for it was bitter cold, winter weather, if a farmer
+had not found me and taken me to his house. My father afterwards made
+him a rich man for it. He fed, clothed, and kept me until I could get
+word to some friends in Shanghai, after which, of course, I was all
+right.
+
+"Finding that my father had been transferred to Pao-Ting-Fu--between
+here and Pekin, you know--I went there; and when he heard how I had
+been treated, he was so angry that he swore he'd do everything in his
+power to drive foreigners out of China. He did drive a good many from
+his own district, especially railroad people; but when the Great Swords
+began killing them, he drew the line and said that that was going too
+far. One day a Boxer army came along with a lot of missionaries, whom
+they proposed to burn to death in the city temple. My father told them
+they must give up their prisoners to him, and when they refused he
+ordered out his own soldiers, killed a lot of the Boxers, rescued the
+missionaries, and sent them under guard to the coast. For that he was
+recalled to Pekin, and Mandarin Ting Yuan was put in his place. Last
+week that man turned over fifteen missionary people, some of them women
+and little children, to be tortured and put to death by the Boxers of
+Pao-Ting-Fu."
+
+"But what were you doing all this time?" asked Rob, his face paling at
+thought of these horrors.
+
+"I had obtained a commission as captain of imperial troops, and was sent
+down here, where I have been ever since."
+
+"You haven't seen any missionaries killed, have you?" demanded Rob,
+anxiously.
+
+"No, and I don't think I should have, without trying to save them, in
+spite of the way I was treated in America. But I received orders from
+Pekin only yesterday not to oppose the Boxers in anyway, no matter what
+they did. I was up in that watch-tower wondering what I ought to do
+if any missionaries should come this way, when I saw the rain-dancers
+chasing you. Of course, I didn't recognize you; but the moment I
+discovered you were a foreigner I knew that I couldn't stand by and see
+you killed without making an effort to prevent it."
+
+"Didn't you know who I was until we stood together on the watch-tower?"
+asked Rob, curiously.
+
+"No. I had not time for a good look at you until that moment. Even then
+I couldn't at first believe it really was you; it seemed so utterly
+impossible that you could be in China."
+
+"What do you propose to do now?"
+
+"Stay with you until I get you to a place of safety."
+
+"But you will lose your position in the army if you leave your post."
+
+"Yes."
+
+"And perhaps be shot as a deserter."
+
+"Quite so."
+
+"Aren't you almost certain to be killed if you are found in company with
+a foreigner whom you are aiding to escape?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"And you are willing to risk your life, besides throwing away your
+career, for the sake of one of the very people who treated you so
+shamefully when you were in America?"
+
+"It is a saying of the ancients," replied Jo, "that friendship shines
+among the brightest jewels in the ring of life; also, that life without
+friendship is as a barren fruit tree, and that for a true friendship
+life itself is not too high a price to pay. Therefore, may I not risk,
+and gladly, a life of little value, to save that of one who, though he
+is of a people who ill-treated me, is also the best friend I have in all
+the world? Did he not, even when we were strangers, fight to save me
+from abuse? and can I do less for him now that we are friends? So it is
+foolish for you to ask questions, since it is assured that until I can
+leave you in a place of safety your enemies are my enemies, your friends
+are my friends, and wherever you go there go I also."
+
+"Then," said Rob, who was greatly affected by these words, "let us stay
+right where we are until morning, for I want to think over all you have
+told me."
+
+After this the lads did not talk any more, but a few minutes later were
+sound asleep inside the very rain-god to which one of them would have
+been sacrificed had he been caught in that vicinity a few hours earlier.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+AN EXHIBITION OF THE RAIN-GOD'S ANGER
+
+
+Mongolians, including Chinese, Japanese, and Koreans, can get along
+with less sleep than any other of the world's people; and Jo, in spite
+of having travelled and learned to speak English, still was a true
+Mongolian. Therefore, he awoke quite refreshed after two hours of sleep,
+and, moving with the utmost caution, so as not to arouse Rob, he left
+their strange hiding-place, carefully closing and fastening its door
+behind him. Then he swiftly made his way back to the city, where he
+skirted its wall to the farther side, and forced an entrance through
+a now dry culvert or water-gate. After showing himself at the several
+guard-houses, that, if necessary, he afterwards might be able to prove
+his presence in the city that night, he went to his own quarters, where
+he made preparations for a journey. He ordered a horse to be brought,
+saddled, and ready for travel, and sent for his lieutenant, a man who,
+though older than he, was possessed of so little influence as still to
+be under the orders of his junior.
+
+To this officer Jo turned over command of the guard, telling him that he
+considered the escape of the foreign devil, who had eluded them by the
+exercise of magic arts, to be an event of such grave importance that he
+was about to report it in person at Pao-Ting-Fu, and possibly to Pekin
+itself. The young captain named these places in order to throw possible
+pursuit off the scent, for he had decided to carry Rob in exactly the
+opposite direction, or back over the way he had come, to Hankow. Having
+thus arranged affairs to his satisfaction, he set forth at sunrise,
+riding by way of the very gate through which Rob had made so hasty an
+entrance the day before.
+
+Jo was ready to leave the city a full hour earlier than this, and wanted
+to do so; but even greater authority than his would be insufficient to
+open the gates of any Chinese city before sunrise, and so he was forced
+to await that hour.
+
+Once in the open he rode with all speed, hoping to reach the temple of
+the rain-god before any worshippers should appear, and while Rob still
+slept. In this, however, he was disappointed, for, though he reached the
+temple in advance of the priests who served it, and who, having joined
+in the pursuit of the foreigner, had been forced to spend the night
+in the city, he was dismayed to find a certain number of worshippers
+kotowing and burning incense before the great image. These were wretched
+farmers from the near-by country, who, having no work to do in their
+burned-up fields, and with death from starvation staring them in the
+face, had come in desperation to the only source they knew of from which
+aid might be asked.
+
+Another company of these people, who reached the place at the same time
+with Jo, were provided with fire-crackers, with which they proposed to
+arouse the god's attention if he should happen to be asleep. A bunch was
+exploded as soon as they entered the temple, and to their awed delight
+the efficacy of this proceeding was immediately apparent, for the image
+of the rain-god trembled, and a muffled sound came from its interior.
+Evidently the god, who alone was all-powerful in this emergency, had
+been asleep, but now was awaking to the gravity of the situation. With
+heads in the dust, the worshippers humbly bowed before his image and
+implored his aid. Loudest of them all was the young officer who had
+forced a way to the very front of the assemblage.
+
+His prayer was in Chinese, of the mandarin dialect, which no one
+present, except he, understood. Strange as it was to the ears of his
+fellow-worshippers, it also contained words of another tongue still
+stranger, that their ignorance did not permit them to recognize. Thus Jo
+was able to call out, under guise of a prayer, and undetected:
+
+"It's all right, Rob. I am here, and we are safe so long as you keep
+quiet."
+
+At this point some one at the back of the temple uttered a loud cry, at
+which all the bowed heads were raised. Jo looked up with the others,
+and, to his dismay, saw the great right arm of the god slowly lifting as
+though to impose silence upon those who persisted in annoying him with
+their unwelcome clamor. At this phenomenon the superstitious spectators
+gazed in breathless suspense, and when the arm suddenly dropped back
+into its former position they sprang to their feet.
+
+They were not so much frightened as they were awed; for in China it has
+often happened that the gods have seemed to enter certain of their own
+earthly images, and by well-understood movements or sounds have caused
+these to express their will to the people. It was reported that the very
+image of the rain-god now under observation had been thus favored, and
+upon previous occasions of grave importance had made motions of the arms
+or head that only the priests could interpret. So the people now waited
+in terrified but eager expectation.
+
+Nor were they disappointed; for no sooner had the arm dropped than the
+head of the image, which was big enough to hold a man, was seen to be
+in motion. It certainly was bending forward and assuming an attitude
+benign, but so terrifying that the awe-stricken spectators instinctively
+pressed backward. As they gazed with dilated eyes and quaking souls the
+great head was bowed farther and farther forward, until suddenly, with a
+convulsive movement, it was seen to part from its supporting shoulders
+and leap into the air.
+
+The crash with which that vast mass of painted and gilded clay struck
+the stone pavement, where it was shattered into a thousand fragments,
+was echoed by shrieks of terror as the dismayed beholders of this dire
+calamity plunged in headlong flight from the temple. Never before
+in all the annals of priesthood had been recorded a manifestation
+of godly anger so frightful and so unmistakable. From this time on,
+that particular temple of the rain-god was a place accursed and to be
+shunned; for if after this warning any person should enter it, he would
+be crushed to death beneath the body of the idol, which surely would
+fall on him.
+
+So the people fled, spreading far and wide the dreadful news, and only
+one among them dared return to the temple and brave the rain-god's
+anger. This one, of course, was Jo, who, startled and alarmed by what
+had taken place, had fled with the others. But he had paused while still
+within the shelter of the grove, and, flinging himself to the ground for
+concealment, had allowed the others to pass on without him. When all had
+disappeared he arose and returned to the temple. As he re-entered its
+dust-clouded doorway he was confronted by a spectacle at once so amazing
+and so absurd that for an instant he gazed at it bewildered. Then he
+burst into almost uncontrollable laughter.
+
+The image of the rain-god already had acquired a new head, dishevelled
+and dust-covered, to be sure, but one endowed with speech as well as
+with motion, and which, when Jo first saw it, was violently coughing.
+
+"I say, Jo Lee," called out a husky voice from this new feature of the
+giant image, "I think it was a mean trick to go off and leave me shut
+up in that beastly place. I mighty near smothered in there, and I don't
+suppose I ever would have got out if an earthquake or something hadn't
+happened. It almost shook down the whole house, and it knocked the roof
+off as it was, nearly burying me in falling plaster besides."
+
+"It isn't a house," explained Jo, laughing hysterically in spite of
+his habitual Chinese self-control. "It's the image of a god. Don't you
+remember crawling into it last night? I don't know how its head happened
+to tumble off, but I expect you did it yourself. And now you have
+managed to give it a new one, a hundred times more useful but not half
+so good looking. I never in all my life saw anything so funny, and if
+you only could see yourself, you'd laugh, too."
+
+"Maybe I would," replied Rob, with a tone of injured dignity; "but if
+you were as battered and choked as I am, you wouldn't laugh--I know
+that much. Of course, I remember now all about this thing being a god,
+only I was so confused when I woke up that I forgot all about where I
+was. I only knew that there had been an explosion of some kind, and
+that I should smother if I didn't get out. I could see a little light
+up above and tried to climb to it by some ropes that I found dangling.
+Two of them gave way slowly, while a third was so rotten that it gave
+way mighty sudden. Then came the earthquake and an avalanche of mud that
+nearly buried me; but I managed somehow to climb on top of it, and here
+I am. Now I want to get down and out, for I don't like the place."
+
+"All right. Drop down inside, and I will open the door."
+
+Accepting this advice, Rob withdrew the head that had looked so absurdly
+small on top of that great image, and in another minute slid out of the
+open doorway far below, in company with a quantity of débris.
+
+"Whew!" he gasped. "That was a sure enough dust-bath. Now let us get
+outside and into an atmosphere that isn't quite so thick with mud."
+
+"Wouldn't you rather remain in here and live than go out and meet a
+certain death?" asked Jo, quietly.
+
+"Of course; but, even so, we can't always stay shut up in this old
+rat-trap."
+
+"No, but it will be safer to leave at night, and also we have much to do
+before we shall be ready."
+
+"Have we?" asked Rob. "What, for instance?"
+
+"It is my plan that you should travel as a priest under a vow of
+silence, until we reach Hankow, while I go as your servant. If it is
+agreed, then must your head be shaved in priestly fashion, your skin
+must be stained a darker color, and we must obtain garments suitable."
+
+"That's all right, so far as the priest business is concerned, if you
+think I can act the character; but you are way off when you talk about
+going to Hankow, for I am not bound in that direction. You see, I have
+just come from there and am on my way to Pekin."
+
+"But the road to Pekin is filled with danger."
+
+"So is the road to Hankow. I ought to know, for I have come over it,
+and I am certain, from the posters I saw displayed in every town, that
+Ho-nan is a Boxer province by this time. Besides, Hankow is twice as far
+away as Pekin."
+
+"It is reported that all foreigners in Pekin have been killed."
+
+"Including members of the legations?"
+
+"So it is said."
+
+"Well, then, the report can't be true. In the first place, the foreign
+ministers would have called in troops of their own countries for
+protection upon the first intimation of danger. In the second place,
+to kill a foreign minister is to declare war against that minister's
+country; and I don't believe that even the Chinese government is so
+foolish as to declare war against the whole world. At the same time, if
+there is to be any fighting I want to be where I can see it, or at least
+know about it, which is another reason for going to Pekin. Besides, I
+must go there, for it is in Pekin that I am to get news of my mother and
+father. Only think, I don't even know for certain if they are alive. If
+you didn't know that about your family, wouldn't you want to go where
+you could find out?"
+
+Jo admitted that he would.
+
+"By-the-way," continued Rob, "speaking of families, I thought you had a
+wife. Where is she? Are you going to take her with us to Pekin? Wasn't
+she awfully glad to see you when you got back from America?"
+
+For the second time that day the young Chinese laughed. "Yes," he
+replied, "I have a wife. I think she is in Canton, for that is where my
+father left her when he came north. No, I am not going to take her to
+Pekin. No, she was not glad to see me when I came back from America, for
+she has not yet seen me."
+
+"If I had only known your wife was in Canton, and where to find her, I
+should have called," said Rob, soberly.
+
+The idea thus presented was so absurd that Jo laughed again as at a good
+joke, for in China no man ever calls on the wife of another.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+ROB MAKES A STARTLING DISCOVERY
+
+
+Finding Rob determined to go to Pekin, Jo yielded, though with many
+misgivings, and at once began preparations for their dangerous journey.
+Thanks to the general terror inspired by the fall of the rain-god's
+head, the lads were secure from interruption so long as they remained
+in the temple. Having thought over his plan the evening before, Jo had
+brought with him from the city a number of things necessary to carrying
+it out. Among them were shears and a razor, with which he removed
+every trace of hair from Rob's head, after the fashion of the lamas or
+priests of Buddha. Then his whole body, from the crown of his head to
+the soles of his feet, was tinted yellow with a dye that would have to
+wear off, since it never could be washed away. He was further disguised
+in priestly robes of yellow, and, worst of all, was finally obliged to
+give up his cherished boots in favor of sandals, which of all forms of
+foot-wear he most despised. For head-covering he was given a priest's
+huge straw hat, as large as a small umbrella.
+
+As neither of the lads was sufficiently expert in "making up" features
+to change Rob's wide-open eyes into oblique slits, he submitted to
+the wearing of big, round, shell-rimmed, smoked-glass spectacles,
+found among the temple properties. Another thing there obtained was an
+inscribed iron tablet that had hung upon the breast of the rain-god,
+and to carry this to Pekin was to be the ostensible reason for their
+journey in that direction. Also the silence with which Rob was to
+conceal his ignorance of the northern dialect was to be explained as
+being imposed by a vow not to speak a word, even in prayer, until he
+had safely deposited that holy tablet in the great Pekin temple of the
+rain-god. The only bit of property formerly belonging to him that he was
+allowed to retain was his revolver, which, together with a belt full of
+cartridges, was concealed beneath his robe.
+
+As their changed plan was to carry them in the very direction Jo had
+announced his intention of taking before leaving the city, he decided
+to maintain his character as an officer of imperial troops, escorting
+the priest, rather than to assume that of a servant, as he at first
+had proposed. Thus he would be able to ride horseback, carry weapons
+in plain sight, and disburse money for many comforts that a priest's
+servant could not obtain.
+
+With these preparations completed, our lads waited impatiently for
+darkness, and no sooner had it descended than they set forth, exercising
+great caution in leaving the temple grove, but after that travelling as
+briskly as Jo could walk. The latter insisted that Rob, being unused to
+sandals, should ride his pony, while he proceeded on foot until they
+could beg, borrow, steal, or buy another.
+
+They had gone but a few li, or Chinese miles, each of which equals
+about one-third of an English mile, when they heard the steady beat of
+a horse's hoofs, accompanied by a grinding noise as of machinery. After
+listening until he located the sound as coming from a field at one side
+of the road, Jo crept softly in that direction. He quickly discovered
+a horse, attached to a long, wooden beam, travelling in a monotonous
+circle, and thus lifting an endless chain of earthen jars full of water
+from a deep well. Each, as it came to the surface, emptied itself into
+an irrigating ditch, and then went down to be refilled. All this was
+simple enough, and did not particularly interest Jo, for he had seen
+hundreds of just such irrigating plants in operation all over the great
+plain. Heretofore, however, a prominent feature of the outfit had been
+the man or boy who, armed with a bamboo whip, had kept the horse awake
+and at work; but here no human figure was to be distinguished. At the
+same time, there was a sound of blows, delivered at regular intervals,
+each of which inspired the horse to fresh exertion. Finally, becoming
+convinced that, in spite of the blows, there was no person in the
+vicinity, Jo went closer to determine their origin. At the machine he
+found working a scheme so practical, simple, and ingenious as to arouse
+his admiration--a section of stiff but springy bamboo, and a stout
+cord fixed on the beam to which the horse was attached. That was all.
+Three revolutions of the beam wound up the cord and sprung back the
+bamboo. At the beginning of the fourth revolution the cord suddenly was
+slackened, and the liberated bamboo struck the horse a blow across the
+hind quarters. Nor did these blows always descend at the same point of
+the circle or at regular intervals, since their frequency depended upon
+the speed of the horse, who, being blindfolded, was thus made to believe
+that he was at the mercy of some constantly alert though invisible
+person.
+
+So impressed was Jo with the ingenuity of this contrivance that he went
+back to persuade Rob to come and see it. The latter did so, though
+somewhat unwillingly, not caring to waste time over Chinese inventions
+just then; but when he had approached close enough to the horse to
+discern its markings, he exclaimed: "Hello! That's my pony! The very one
+I was riding yesterday when the rain-dancers got after me. And here he
+is, being made to work all night by an infernal machine. I never heard
+of anything so disgusting. Here! whoa, you beast! You have done the
+tread-mill act long enough, and now we'll put you to a better service."
+
+Thus it happened that the very ingenuity of this inventor of perpetual
+motion, by which he gained a few hours of sleep, also caused him a heavy
+loss; for, had he been on hand, Jo would have bought the horse from him
+at his own price, while Rob would not have appeared on the scene at all.
+
+As no saddle could be found near the tread-mill, Jo was forced to ride
+bareback until they reached a town where one could be purchased. At
+this same town they slept a few hours, during which their horses also
+rested and were liberally fed on beans and chopped bamboo grass. Our
+young travellers were again on the road by sunrise, and after this they
+pushed ahead with all speed for the greater part of a week, riding early
+and late, but taking long rests in the middle of each day.
+
+Although as a priest and an officer of imperial troops they were
+suffered to pass, without delay, many points at which any other class
+of travellers would have been detained for rigorous examination,
+they met with ever-increasing evidences of trouble as they advanced
+northward. Everywhere they came across dead bodies, ruined buildings,
+and occasionally whole villages swept by fire. Everywhere people gazed
+on them with suspicion or fled at their coming. They heard of the great
+Boxer army gathering near Pekin, and encountered numerous small bodies
+of armed men hastening to swell its ranks. Also they came into constant
+contact with prowling bands of starving peasantry. Several times, in
+order to escape from the latter, our lads joined themselves to one or
+another of the Boxer companies, and remained with it until the immediate
+danger was passed. Then, on the plea of urgent haste, they would push
+ahead.
+
+Finally, when thus travelling with a company who would have hacked them
+to bits had they discovered their identity, they crossed the Hu-Tho-ho
+(the river that goes where it pleases) and approached the walled city
+of Cheng-Ting-Fu. In this city stands a Roman Catholic cathedral, built
+of stone, and having a massive square tower that looms like a great
+fortress above the low roofs of the surrounding temples and native
+dwellings.
+
+In this stronghold were many foreign refugees, priests, nuns, and
+Belgian engineers who had been engaged on the railway running south from
+Pekin; also several American missionaries who, wounded and plundered of
+everything, had gained this asylum barely in time to save their lives.
+
+For more than a month the great gate of Cheng-Ting-Fu had been kept
+closed to all companies of friends and foes alike, only a little
+wicket being occasionally opened for the passage in or out of one or
+two persons at a time. In addition to this precaution, which was taken
+by the Chinese authorities of the city, the foreign refugees inside
+the cathedral were compelled to remain hidden behind its stout doors
+for fear lest their appearance on the streets should excite the local
+population to acts of violence. On the sandy plain beyond the city
+wall was a large and ever-changing encampment of Boxers thirsting for
+foreign blood, undisciplined soldiers, highwaymen, and outlaws of every
+description.
+
+Upon reaching Cheng-Ting-Fu our lads, wearied by a day of continuous
+riding, felt that they could go no farther that night. In fact, there
+was no place for them to go to nearer than the city of Pao-Ting-Fu,
+a long day's journey away, so bare had this section of country been
+swept of inhabitants. At the same time, they regarded with dismay the
+prospect of spending a night amid the horrors and dangers of the lawless
+outside camp, where robbery and murder were committed unchecked and
+unpunished at all hours of day and night.
+
+"We must try to get inside the wall," said Jo, in a low tone, "for if we
+stay out here it is pretty certain that neither of us will live to see
+another sunrise."
+
+With this they turned their jaded ponies towards the city gate and rode
+to it, followed at a short distance by a small crowd of pig-tailed
+cut-throats, who only awaited a favorable opportunity for making a rush
+upon them. So desperately hungry were these wretches that they joyfully
+would have killed even a priest and an imperial officer for sake of the
+meagre food-supply represented by the animals they rode.
+
+At the gate Jo's demand for admittance was at first received with stout
+refusal by a guard who gazed carelessly at the travellers from behind
+a small, heavily barred opening. Fortunately, Jo still had money with
+him, and a handful of silver, temptingly displayed, finally unclosed
+the coveted entrance. As the wicket opened, the starving rabble, seeing
+their prey about to escape them, made their threatened rush; but Jo,
+leaping to the ground and calling on Rob to get the horses through the
+gate, held them at bay with his revolver. Only one minute was necessary,
+for the ponies, as though aware of their danger, scrambled through the
+narrow wicket like cats. Rob followed close at their heels; Jo, firing
+one shot over the heads of the crowd for effect, sprang after him, and
+the gate was slammed shut, not again to be opened that night.
+
+Even now the officer of the guard, who had yielded to a silver
+influence, dared not give the strangers the freedom of the city; but,
+under threat of again being thrust outside, compelled their promise to
+spend the night in a temple to which he would conduct them, without
+attempting to leave it before morning. Also, they must not hold
+communication with a soul outside the temple walls, and they must depart
+from the city at sunrise.
+
+When Jo had given this promise in words, and Rob had assented to it by
+nodding his priestly head, they were conducted to the temple selected as
+their lodging under an escort of soldiers detailed to act as their guard
+during the night. On their way the travellers, thus cautiously welcomed,
+gazed curiously about them at the sights of the beleaguered city, and
+especially at the grim walls of the great cathedral uplifted above its
+houses. Especially was Rob affected by this ecclesiastical fortress,
+which at that very moment was giving safe shelter to persons of his own
+race.
+
+As they passed it he stared hard at a row of narrow windows, with the
+hope of seeing an American face, but none presented itself until the
+last window was reached. In it was dimly outlined the form of a woman
+who turned upon the passers-by a face expressive of hopeless weariness.
+She gave them one listless glance and then stepped from sight, but that
+fleeting view caused Rob Hinckley to utter a choking exclamation and to
+reel in his saddle until only a supreme effort saved him from falling.
+He had seen his mother.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+THE REFUGEES OF CHENG-TING-FU
+
+
+The malady with which Dr. Mason Hinckley had lain critically ill at
+Wu-Hsing was of so strange a nature that, directly after the cablegram
+calling Rob to his supposed death-bed was sent, it took a surprising
+turn for the better. As he longed for a change of air and scene, and
+felt that with them a full recovery of health might be effected, he
+decided to resign his position at Wu-Hsing and, with his wife, travel
+as far as Nagasaki. There they would meet the steamer on which, as they
+had been notified by cable from America, Rob was coming to them, and the
+reunited family would spend together a delightful holiday on the lovely
+Japanese coast.
+
+So they set forth full of hopeful anticipations, and travelled down
+the Si-Kiang to Hong-Kong, where they were so fortunate as to find the
+_China_ on the point of sailing for San Francisco by way of Nagasaki.
+At Hong-Kong they told an acquaintance who assisted the invalid to a
+carriage that they were going to Japan to meet an American steamer; but
+in the confusion of the moment he understood them to say that they were
+going to America, and so reported to Mr. Bishop, who, in turn, repeated
+the story to Rob a few weeks later.
+
+In the mean time, the doctor and his wife journeyed to Nagasaki, the
+former so gaining strength with every mile of the voyage that upon
+reaching Japan he deemed himself to be practically a well man. Thus they
+were prepared to give Rob a most joyful surprise; but when, only three
+days after their own arrival, the _Occidental_ steamed into Nagasaki
+harbor, they were met by the bitter disappointment of finding that their
+boy was not on board. From the purser, as well as from the gentleman
+who had taken Rob's cabin, they learned that somehow he had missed
+connection and had been left behind. After that the anxious parents
+waited in Nagasaki a month, boarding every incoming ship from the
+States, but without finding their boy or hearing a word from him. They
+had written to Hatton immediately upon their arrival, and finally from
+there came the cable message, "Rob, transport, Manila."
+
+What could it mean? Why had their boy gone to Manila? Where would he go
+from there? Where was he now? How in the world did he happen to be on
+board a transport? Had he enlisted in the army? These and a thousand
+other equally puzzling questions presented themselves, but no one of
+them was accompanied by an answer. They had received news of the murder
+of missionaries at Wu-Hsing. Could Rob have reached there in time to
+become involved in the trouble? If so, was he alive or dead? They no
+longer could remain in Japan, but must return to China where news might
+more readily be obtained. So they sailed for Shanghai, from which place
+they sent letters of inquiry to Manila, Wu-Hsing, Hong-Kong, and Canton.
+
+Then ensued another month of anxious waiting, during which Dr. Hinckley,
+now restored to perfect health, received from Pekin a fine offer to
+become missionary medical director for the province of Shan-Si. It was
+an offer that he gladly would have accepted but for his uncertainty
+concerning Rob.
+
+At length came a letter from Canton informing the anxious parents that
+their boy had been there a month earlier, but almost immediately had
+joined an expedition that was to traverse the interior from that point
+to Pekin in the interests of an American railway syndicate.
+
+Again did the puzzled parents ask each other questions concerning the
+erratic movements of their son that neither could answer. Finally, Dr.
+Hinckley said:
+
+"It is useless to worry ourselves any more about the boy, since it is
+evident that he has passed entirely beyond our reach. He is in God's
+hands, and that there is some good reason for the apparent strangeness
+of his actions will sooner or later be made plain. Let us be thankful
+that he is alive and in the same country as ourselves. Also, we now can
+accept that offer from Pekin, where, as it seems, we are most likely to
+meet him."
+
+So the bewildered but still hopeful parents took steamer from Shanghai
+to Tien-Tsin and rail from there to China's capital, at that time a
+wonderland of mystery to the greater part of the outside world. From
+Pekin they travelled south to Cheng-Ting-Fu, which then was the extreme
+terminus of railway construction, and here Dr. Hinckley left his wife,
+while he should go on by horseback to Tai-Yuan, the capital of Shan-Si,
+and prepare their new home.
+
+Then, almost without warning, came the terrible Boxer uprising, sweeping
+over the northern provinces with the fatal speed of a storm-driven
+prairie-fire. From every direction were heard reports of murder and
+outrage--some of them simple relations of actual happenings, others
+gross exaggerations based upon fact, and still others pure inventions,
+but all equally terrifying to the handful of foreigners within the walls
+of Cheng-Ting-Fu. A little later refugees, bearing evidence of the
+terrible sufferings through which they had passed, began to straggle
+in. Some told of the beheadings and burnings to death in Pao-Ting-Fu
+on the north, and others of the frightful tragedies enacted in Shan-Si
+on the west, by orders of the infamous governor, Yu-Hsien, credited
+with being the originator of the Great Sword Society, and who was the
+most vindictive hater of foreigners in all China. The Shan-Si refugees
+reported that one day in Tai-Yuan this monster personally superintended
+the beheading of forty-five foreigners, men, women, and little children,
+besides a much larger number of native Christians; and on hearing this,
+Mrs. Hinckley lost all hope of ever again seeing the husband who had
+gone to prepare a home for her in that very city. Also, she mourned for
+her boy, who, if he had carried out his reported intention of traversing
+the interior provinces to Pekin, must have been overtaken by this same
+all-devouring storm of wrath.
+
+Although the southern end of the railway as far as Pao-Ting-Fu was
+kept open by the Chinese for the transportation of their own troops,
+it was reported that everything north of that point, including the
+telegraph-line, had been destroyed. Thus Cheng-Ting-Fu, with closed gate
+and surrounded by enemies, was cut off from all news of the outside
+world. Only rumors drifted in, and these were of such a nature that the
+handful of refugees facing an almost certain death in the cathedral
+believed themselves to be the only foreigners left alive in northern
+China.
+
+Such was the state of affairs on that evening of early summer when Mrs.
+Hinckley, hopelessly weary of life, happened to glance from one of the
+cathedral windows just as a yellow-robed priest was passing along the
+narrow street. She turned quickly away, for, of all Chinese, the priests
+had been most active in persecuting foreigners, and she never saw one
+without thinking that he might be the murderer of either her husband or
+son.
+
+An hour later the "boy" who brought in her light supper of tea and toast
+laid something else on the tray beside it, and disappeared without
+having spoken. For a minute Mrs. Hinckley did not notice the strange
+object, but finally it caught her eye, and she picked it up. It was a
+narrow strip about six inches long, cut from the dried leaf of a talipot
+palm, the material used instead of writing-paper in certain Buddhist
+temples. Characters traced on the smooth surface with a sharp stylus,
+afterwards are rubbed with lampblack, which brings them out in bold
+relief. In the present case, to Mrs. Hinckley's amazement, she found the
+strip of palm-leaf to be a letter written in English, and beginning, "My
+own dear mother!"
+
+The poor woman uttered a stifled cry, and a blur so dimmed her eyes that
+for a moment she could read no more. Then it passed, and she eagerly
+scanned the following message, written on both sides of the slip:
+
+"I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw you at the cathedral window.
+How did you get here? Where is father? I am the priest who rode past
+on horseback with a guard of soldiers. Am safe and on way to Pekin.
+They will not let me come to you, nor even leave this temple where I
+am spending the night under guard. I must go on at sunrise, when they
+will put us out of the city. Jo is with me. Perhaps I shall again pass
+window, so please stand in same place on chance. I will come back to you
+from Pekin quick as possible. Don't worry a single little bit about me,
+for I am all right. Your own loving Rob.
+
+"Send an answer by the one who gives you this."
+
+Over and over did the happy mother read this message from the boy whom
+she had been mourning as dead, until she knew every word of it by heart.
+
+Then, on a leaf torn from her journal, she wrote with lead-pencil an
+outpouring of love, joy, and anxiety such as only a mother situated as
+she was could write. She begged Rob to be careful, for her sake, and
+warned him of the danger of going to Pekin, though she added that if
+his father still were alive that city would be the most likely place in
+which to obtain news of him. She said she should remain near the window
+all night for fear of missing her boy when he again passed. Then the
+servant came for the untouched tea-tray, looked at her inquiringly, and
+she only had time to sign: "Ever your own devoted mother," fold the
+note, and slip it into his hand ere he again left the room.
+
+The shock of seeing his mother in that dreadful place, when he had
+supposed her to be safe in America, was so great that Rob had been on
+the point of proclaiming his amazement aloud, when Jo, always keenly
+on the watch for some such slip on the part of the pretended priest,
+checked him.
+
+"It is but a little more to go," he said in Chinese, so that all who
+heard might understand him, "and then the holy one shall find a place of
+rest. He is very weary," added Jo to the officer of the guard, "and his
+vow of silence sits heavy upon him."
+
+"Yet he does not look so old," replied the officer.
+
+"It is true that he is well preserved, and may give us the joy of his
+presence for some years to come; but mere looks cannot restore to age
+the lost strength of youth. I pray you, therefore, find for him a
+place of quietness, where he may have a season of rest undisturbed."
+
+Thus it came about that a small building of the temple to which our lads
+were conducted was set apart for them, and orders were given that no
+other person should enter it that night.
+
+When they were alone, and Rob had explained to Jo the cause of his
+excitement, he added: "And now I must go to her for a long talk."
+
+It took Jo some time to persuade his friend of the impossibility of what
+he proposed, and that to attempt it would only endanger all their lives,
+including that of his mother.
+
+"Then," said Rob, finally convinced, "I must write, and you must somehow
+manage to get the letter to her."
+
+The letter was prepared with the only materials that the temple
+afforded, and by the liberal use of money Jo got it sent to its
+destination and had the answer brought back. After that, much as Rob
+hated to leave his mother behind, he had the sense to realize that she
+probably was safer in the cathedral of Cheng-Ting-Fu just then than
+she would be anywhere else in north China. Also, what she had written
+concerning the possibility of gaining news of his father in Pekin made
+him more than ever desirous of reaching that city.
+
+[Illustration: "HE WAS ABLE TO GAZE CALMLY AT HER WHEN THEY ONCE MORE
+WERE ESCORTED PAST THE CATHEDRAL"]
+
+Jo warned him against the danger of allowing any sign of recognition
+to escape him in case he again saw his mother; so he was able to gaze
+calmly at her the next morning when they once more were escorted past
+the cathedral, and she stood at the same window watching eagerly for him
+to pass. She, too, realized the danger to him of any show of interest on
+the part of a foreigner; and no one could have guessed from their faces,
+as they exchanged farewell glances, that thus a mother and son, with
+a full knowledge of the perils besetting both, were parting, perhaps
+forever.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+A CHARGE AND A RACE FOR LIFE
+
+
+There is but one gateway to the walled city of Cheng-Ting-Fu, and this
+opens on the west. Consequently, it was on this side that most of the
+Boxer rabble, who longed for an opportunity to loot the valuable mission
+property within its walls, were gathered. Their object was to starve the
+stubborn city into submission, and they watched always for the opening
+of its gate in token of surrender. If our lads had been willing to leave
+their ponies in the city, they could have been let down from the wall on
+an opposite side and made good their escape on foot. This, however, they
+would not do, for without horses the long journey still before them,
+through a region swarming with footpads, was practically impossible. So
+they issued from the wicket, which instantly was closed behind them,
+sprang into their saddles, and turned northward, hoping to ride for some
+distance unnoticed in the shadow of the lofty wall.
+
+But this hope was doomed to a quick disappointment, for almost instantly
+they were discovered, and a crowd of men were seen running so as to head
+them off.
+
+"We've got to ride through them," said Rob, "and shoot down any one who
+tries to stop us. I will go first, and do you follow close. Don't fire
+a shot until my pistol is empty; then I'll drop behind and reload while
+you clear the way. It's our only show for life, Jo. Come on!"
+
+With this Rob wheeled his pony and dashed at full speed straight at
+the swarming encampment, with Jo close at his heels. It was a glorious
+charge, that of two against a thousand, but it could not have lasted a
+minute had the latter been anything save a wretched rabble, unprovided
+with fire-arms and without leaders. As it was, they were scattered like
+chaff by the madly racing ponies, the few who attempted interference
+were shot down, and three minutes later our lads, still yelling with
+excitement, drove through the last of their enemies and found themselves
+safe on the open plain.
+
+"After that experience I would undertake to ride through the whole
+Chinese army with twenty American cow-boys," boasted Rob, as he reined
+his panting steed down to a walk.
+
+"Of course, it might be done," answered Jo, quietly, "only it would be
+well to consider that an army is made up of soldiers provided with guns,
+and that even a Chinese bullet sometimes finds its mark."
+
+"I beg your pardon, old fellow! It was a mean thing to say," cried Rob,
+contritely. "I ought to be ashamed of myself, especially when I remember
+how splendidly one Chinese, by the name of Jo Lee, rode through that
+howling mob only a few minutes ago. But Americans can't help bragging,
+you know, and I surely am an American."
+
+"If they do brag," replied Jo, "it is because they have so much to brag
+of, while my poor country has so little."
+
+"Your country has a history older than that of any other nation on
+earth," said Rob, consolingly; "and you invented more than half the
+things that go to making the civilization of the world, such as the
+compass, and printing, and gunpowder, and ever so many more; for
+I remember our history teacher telling us about them. He said the
+civilization that started in China thousands of years ago had been
+spreading westward from this country ever since: first over Asia, then
+over Europe, and finally over America. 'At length,' he said, 'the great
+wave of enlightenment has swept across the Pacific, and again is making
+itself felt on the coasts of Asia. Japan already is uplifted by the
+flood, and China, now at the lowest ebb of her fortunes, will soon feel
+the life-giving influence of the rising tide.'
+
+"I remember it particularly," continued Rob, "because, of course, I
+always was interested in everything about China; but I never realized
+just what he meant until I came back and saw what a splendid country
+this has been and what a splendid country it could be again. Why, Mr.
+Bishop said that China's wealth of coal and iron alone is sufficient to
+make her one of the greatest nations of the world."
+
+"I expect your teacher was right when he said that China was at the
+lowest point of her fortunes," remarked Jo. "I don't see how she could
+very well sink any lower, and she will stay down just so long as the
+Empress Dowager lives and rules the country. She hates foreigners, and
+is bitterly opposed to progress, reformers, and changes of any kind. It
+is certain that she is encouraging and helping on this Boxer uprising,
+for if she wanted to she could have it put down and stamped out within
+a week. I told you of my orders not to interfere with them, no matter
+what they did, and while we were charging through that encampment just
+now I caught sight of a Boxer banner on which was written: 'By Official
+Decree: Exterminate Foreigners.' They never would dare display such a
+flag if they didn't really have official backing, and in China to-day
+the only 'official' whose word is law is the Empress Dowager."
+
+"I don't see how you found time to read what was on a flag," said Rob,
+"or even to notice it. I didn't see a thing except the crowd, that
+looked like so many wolves snarling at us, and especially those who
+tried to stop us. If it hadn't been for our pistols they would have got
+us sure. I only hope we didn't kill any of them."
+
+"Why?" asked Jo. "They were trying to kill us, and if we don't look
+out," he added, sharply, "they will do it yet."
+
+Thus saying, he pointed over his shoulder to a rapidly advancing cloud
+of dust, moving from the direction of the Boxer encampment they had so
+recently charged. The dust-cloud hung above a road that ran parallel
+to the direction they were taking. In fact, it was the road over which
+they now would be riding had the bare fields that they had chosen
+instead been covered with their usual crops. That they could not see the
+horsemen raising the dust was because the highway along which the latter
+were moving was a "low-way," worn by generations of travel, scoured by
+floods in winter and swept by the strong winds of summer until it was
+many feet below the level of the adjoining land.
+
+Jo was convinced that the dust-cloud was raised by horsemen, because
+of its volume and its rapid advance. That they were enemies was almost
+certain, since they came from the direction of the angry encampment; and
+he believed them to be endeavoring to cut off Rob and himself, because
+otherwise they, too, would be riding across the open fields instead of
+ploughing through the smothering dust of the gully-like road.
+
+Our lads had allowed their ponies to walk for the last mile or so, but
+now they urged them forward at a brisk "lope," for they were determined
+that no man nor body of men from that encampment should get in advance
+of them if they could help it. Every few seconds one or the other of
+them glanced over his shoulder at the dust-cloud, to see if they were
+gaining on it, and finally Rob uttered a shout of: "Here they come,
+helter-skelter, and enough of them to eat us alive if they catch us! Now
+we've got to make time. Great Scott! They've got guns, too!"
+
+The horsemen, having discovered that their object was suspected and that
+their prey was likely to escape, had left the sunken road and now were
+streaming across the fields in open and hot pursuit. Also, just as Rob
+glanced back, one of them fired a shot, though where the bullet went to,
+no one knows. Certainly, it did no harm to our friends, but the shot
+itself filled them with dismay, as it showed their present pursuers to
+be better armed than any of the vagrant bands they yet had encountered.
+
+"I believe they are imperial cavalry!" exclaimed Jo. "Yes, I am sure
+of it," he added, a moment later, as he detected a triangular, yellow
+pennon fluttering from a lance borne by one of the pursuing horsemen.
+"They must have been sent out from the city and must have some reason
+for suspecting us. I wonder if it has become known that we communicated
+with your mother? That would be a sufficient cause for beheading us both
+if we are caught, so we must not be."
+
+"I won't be!" declared Rob, clinching his teeth and urging his pony to
+greater effort. "I'll die first!"
+
+On they swept, mile after mile, over the parched land and under a
+blazing sun. How they longed for rest and water and shade and coolness;
+but none of those things were for them so long as that deadly pursuit
+was kept up. It did not seem to gain on them, but neither did it lose
+ground. To be sure, some of the cavalry-men straggled, so that they came
+on in a long, irregular line, but a group of half a dozen leaders kept
+well together.
+
+A river came into view, and Rob wondered what would happen when they
+reached it. He began to think he didn't much care so long as he could
+get a drink of its water. All at once he almost jumped from his saddle,
+for from beyond the river came a sound both startling and familiar,
+such as he had not heard since leaving America. At Cheng-Ting-Fu he had
+seen the torn-up track of the recently constructed railway, but he had
+forgotten it, as he also had the fact that a portion of it, somewhere
+to the northward, still was in working order. Thus, for a moment, he
+could hardly believe to be real the sound that came echoing across the
+Hsuho. It was the sharp whistle of a locomotive calling for brakes, and
+as our lads plunged down the steep river-bank they saw a train of open
+"gondolas" slowly backing towards the stream on the opposite side. They
+also saw a crowd of people evidently awaiting its coming.
+
+For half a mile they forced their nearly spent ponies across the sand
+and gravel of the dry river-bottom. Then appeared a channel so shallow
+as easily to be forded. Directly from this rose the steep farther bank,
+and in an effort to climb it Rob's exhausted steed fell and rolled to
+the bottom, while Jo's pony refused even to attempt the ascent.
+
+Rob disentangled himself from the struggling beast, and gained his
+feet, bruised but sound in limb. As he stood up a yell of triumph
+came from across the narrow water, and a quick glance showed that the
+pursuing Chinese cavalry-men were close at hand. At this same moment Jo
+sprang from his exhausted pony.
+
+"We must run," he cried, "and mix with the people on the bank. Perhaps
+we can hide in one of the cars."
+
+So the lads, one still in the yellow robes of a priest, and the other in
+the dark-blue blouse with red facings, full trousers, and short boots of
+imperial troops, dashed up the bank together and ran towards a throng
+of soldiers now crowding aboard the cars, as though they, too, sought
+passage on the train.
+
+As they began to push their way into the crowd, one of the soldiers,
+staring hard at Rob, uttered an ejaculation that caused Jo to turn and
+look at his friend with sudden dismay. In the haste of leaving their
+ponies and running for the train he had not noticed that Rob had lost
+both his priestly head-covering and the great, shell-rimmed spectacles
+that had proved so complete a disguise. Now, without them, though he
+still was tinted yellow and robed as a priest, there was no mistaking
+him for anything but a foreigner, and "fan kwei" (foreign devil) was
+what the soldier had just called him.
+
+Others, attracted by the man's exclamation, were turning to look, and
+at the same moment came a loud shouting from the rear. Those who had
+chased our lads so persistently all that morning were close at hand.
+
+For an instant Jo's heart sank like lead and he believed they were lost.
+Then like a flash came a thought of one thing that they still might do.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+STEALING A LOCOMOTIVE
+
+
+Jo's plan was communicated to Rob in a few breathless words as the
+lads dashed up the track towards the head of the train. The crowd of
+soldiers, not yet understanding that they were fugitives, and awed by
+the sight of Jo's uniform, parted before them, only stupidly wondering
+at their haste. Rob's mind instantly seized the possibilities of Jo's
+suggestion, and as they ran he gasped:
+
+"You get aboard, Jo, while I cut it loose. Persuade the driver to start
+her. Never mind me. I'll climb aboard somehow."
+
+Even as he spoke, Rob turned in between the locomotive and the foremost
+car, which already was filled with Chinese craning their necks over
+the side to see what was going on. Fortunately, there were no patent
+couplers to be dealt with, and no pneumatic tubes, for on this primitive
+train brakes were applied by hand, while the connections were simple
+link-and-pin affairs that any one could understand. Rob pulled the pin
+and scrambled across the bumpers to the opposite side of the train.
+As he did so his flowing priestly robe caught and was torn from his
+shoulders, leaving him fully revealed in unmistakable European costume.
+
+Instantly there arose a yell of "Fan kwei!" from the soldiers in the car
+above him, but a sudden shot from his pistol cut it short and sent those
+who were uttering it tumbling over backward in pell-mell consternation.
+
+The locomotive already was moving as Rob ran forward and sprang into the
+cab, where he was just in time to break up a most startling tableau.
+The Chinese engine-driver, with hand on the open throttle, was cowering
+beneath the threatening muzzle of Jo's cocked revolver. The latter's
+back was turned, and behind him, with an uplifted bar of iron, crept the
+overlooked fireman. In another instant the blow would have fallen, and
+the whole course of Chinese history might have been changed; but, as it
+was about to descend, Rob caught the unsuspecting man by his convenient
+pig-tail and jerked him violently backward, while the murderous bar
+clattered to the iron floor of the cab. The next moment Rob had bundled
+the fireman overboard, and the locomotive sprang forward as though
+relieved of a clogging weight.
+
+A tremendous clamor of yells and shooting rose from behind, while half
+a dozen bullets splintered the wood-work and shivered the glass of the
+cab; but no one was hurt, and no one minded the fusillade except the
+poor engine-driver, who was scared almost white. Rob sprang on top of
+the coal in the tender and waved his pistol defiantly above his head;
+at the same time shouting derisive farewells to the baffled soldiers,
+many of whom were hopelessly running after the vanishing locomotive.
+He remained there until these dwindled to the size of distracted ants
+wandering aimlessly about a ruined hill, and then he returned to the
+cab, where Jo still remained on guard.
+
+"I say, old man," cried the young American, speaking loudly to make
+himself heard above the roar and rattle of the on-rushing engine, "this
+beats anything I've struck in China yet. Isn't it the greatest bit of
+luck in the world? and isn't it fun running off with a locomotive? I
+never before stole anything worth speaking of, and I'm glad my first
+burglary is something worth while. I don't suppose it comes under the
+head of burglary, though. Perhaps we'd be called sneak thieves, only I
+hardly like the sound of that, either. How would highwaymen do, or stage
+robbers, or land pirates. That's it, Jo; we are land pirates who have
+just captured a ship and made her crew walk the plank, and now--"
+
+"I'm hungry," interrupted the young Chinese, who, never having read any
+pirate stories, didn't know what his companion was talking about, "and
+thirsty," he added, looking longingly at the faucet of the tender's
+water-tank.
+
+"So am I," shouted back Rob. "Make your slave there slow down a bit, for
+we're in no hurry anyhow, and I'll get you a drink."
+
+As the speed with which they had started began to slacken, Rob suddenly
+added:
+
+"Great Scott! There's another thing I hadn't thought of. Stop her,
+quick, Jo! We've got to cut that telegraph-wire, or they'll run us off
+the track at the first station. What a chucklehead I am!"
+
+Before the locomotive had come to a stand-still the active young fellow
+was off and was swarming up a short, iron telegraph-pole near the
+track. Thus it was owing to his prompt action that a hurry message at
+that moment clicking into the Ting-Chow station, a few miles ahead, was
+interrupted after the words, "Look out for engine; open--" Probably
+the sender at Hsu River would have added, "derailing switch," and then
+proceeded to give enlightening particulars of what had happened, if he
+had been allowed the opportunity; but he was not, and the Ting-Chow
+operator was left to think what he pleased. The latter, however, had
+been warned that for some unknown reason an engine might be expected
+from the south, so he side-tracked and held a train of empty cars that
+was just about to proceed in that direction. Thus he left an open track
+for our friends, and saved them an awkward if not disastrous meeting.
+
+Without knowing whether he had cut the wire in time to prevent mischief
+or not, Rob returned to the locomotive, got a big, satisfying drink of
+water from the tank, chucked a lot of coal into the furnace, assumed
+a new disguise in shape of the cap, jumper, and overalls of the
+engine-driver, which he calmly appropriated to his own use; and as the
+great, swaying machine again sped forward over the shining rails he
+reopened conversation with his comrade.
+
+"How far is the line open?" he asked.
+
+"To Pao-Ting-Fu, at any rate," replied Jo, "and perhaps some distance
+beyond."
+
+"That's the worst place between here and Pekin, isn't it?"
+
+"Yes; the Boxers are in complete control of the city, and more
+foreigners have been killed there than at any other point in this
+province."
+
+"Then it won't be good for our health to stop there too long."
+
+"I should think not!"
+
+"How far is it from Pao-Ting-Fu to Pekin?"
+
+"About three hundred li."
+
+"That's about a hundred miles--three or four days if we have to walk it,
+two days if we can steal a couple of ponies, and less than half a day if
+we only could carry this old rattle-trap the whole distance," mused Rob.
+Then, again speaking to Jo, he said:
+
+"Ask your friend what's wrong with the road beyond Pao-Ting-Fu?"
+
+Jo did as requested, and after a short conversation with the frightened
+engine-driver reported that two bridges had been destroyed, one at Ting
+Shing, about half-way between Pao-Ting-Fu and Pekin, and the other at Lu
+Kow, only a few miles from the capital.
+
+"The first would be enough to stop us," said Rob, gloomily. "What other
+damage has been done?"
+
+"He says not much, only a rail torn up here and there."
+
+"Well," said Rob, "we might as well play this game for all it is worth;
+so, suppose we make the operator at the next station telegraph for a
+car with a dozen or so of rails on it, and a gang of track-layers, to
+be ready for us at Pao-Ting-Fu. Sign the message with the biggest name
+you can think of in this part of the country; say it is a matter of life
+or death to the Emperor himself for this engine to get as near Pekin
+as possible in the shortest possible time. It will be an awful bluff,
+of course, but bluffs sometimes work when you least expect them to. At
+any rate, we won't lose anything by trying. Hello! There's a station
+now, and a train headed this way on the siding. Lucky for us that it
+waited here, for there's apt to be trouble when two trains meet on a
+single track. I hope it doesn't mean, though, that they have heard of
+our coming. You run in and do your best with the telegraph man, while I
+stay here and keep this chap from getting busy. Better tell the agent,
+or whatever you call him, to rush that train out in a hurry, so its
+hands won't come rubbering round us for news. See if you can't pick
+up something to eat, too, for I am starving. We'll run up and take in
+water from that tank while you are gone. I'll make our friend here sabe
+somehow what I want him to do."
+
+Rob's bluff worked to perfection. The waiting train pulled out the
+moment they had passed the siding switch, and went on its southward way
+without carrying a suspicion of anything having gone wrong. Rob got
+his tank full of water without trouble, and had hardly done so when
+Jo reappeared, hurrying towards the locomotive. He was followed by a
+boy bearing a basket full of cooked rice and Chinese cakes. The young
+officer had ordered the few employés of the station about with such a
+lordly air that they had obeyed him without question.
+
+"Did they know we were coming?" asked Rob, as the engine again gathered
+headway.
+
+"Yes," replied Jo. "They had received part of a message, telling them to
+look out for us. Then it was cut off, and they were a good deal troubled
+at not hearing a word from the south since."
+
+"Good!" cried Rob. "We cut the wire just in time then."
+
+"Yes. I told them I saw somebody destroying the line, and said I thought
+he was a Boxer."
+
+"So I am," laughed Rob, munching a Chinese sweetcake as he spoke. "But
+how about the message to Pao-Ting?"
+
+"Oh, he sent it off all right. That is, I suppose he did. Anyhow, he
+seemed a good deal impressed by the name I signed to it."
+
+"What name was it?"
+
+"Yu-Hsien."
+
+"What! The governor of Shan-Si! The big man of all the Boxers! You
+didn't have the cheek!"
+
+"I did, though," declared Jo, stoutly; "and if it don't get us what we
+want at Pao-Ting, there isn't another name in all China that would."
+
+They were barely out of sight of the station before they came to a
+bridge across a small river. Here, as the telegraph-line was strung on
+it within easy reach, the locomotive was brought to a stand-still, while
+Rob again tried his hand at wire-cutting. Jo leaned from the cab to
+watch him, thus relaxing for a minute his close watch of their useful
+prisoner.
+
+As Rob came back, calling out: "Let her go again, I'm aboard," Jo turned
+to give the necessary order, only to discover to his consternation that
+the engine-driver was nowhere in sight. In vain did they search through
+the cab and its tender, in the water-tanks, and even under the coal. In
+vain did they look up and down the track, at the bridge on both sides,
+even staring down into the water twenty feet below them. The man had
+disappeared, so far as they could discover, as absolutely as though the
+ground had opened and swallowed him.
+
+"Well," remarked Rob, in a melancholy tone, "that beats anything I ever
+experienced. We certainly have got the old wagon to ourselves now, and
+the question is, what shall we do with it?"
+
+"I say run it," replied Jo. "I've watched him until I know how to start
+and stop, and how to go slow or fast. I'll do that part if you will keep
+up the fire, and I don't believe there is anything else to be looked out
+for."
+
+"All right," agreed Rob, "go ahead. I don't like it, and I expect we
+shall come to grief; but I can stand it if you can."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+THE TIMELY EXPLOSION OF A BOILER
+
+
+Greatly depressed by the unexplained disappearance of their Chinese
+engine-driver, our lads, ignorant of everything connected with
+machinery, set themselves the hazardous task of running a locomotive.
+They got it started without difficulty, and ten minutes later were
+running at tremendous speed over the level line that extended without
+grade or curve as far as they could see. While Rob shovelled coal until
+his back ached and his face was as black as that of a negro, Jo occupied
+the engine-driver's seat and anxiously stared ahead. Neither of them
+spoke, for the strain on their nerves was too great, since each knew
+that at any moment they were likely to be blown up, flung from the
+track, or sent plunging through some weakened bridge. They were facing
+death in a dozen forms, but stuck to their posts without flinching, for
+they knew that a like fate, absolutely certain, awaited the unprotected
+foreigner who should be caught attempting to cross those plains on foot.
+
+So they drove on, mile after mile, dashing past the station of Sing Yang
+without a pause or even a slow-down, and shortly before sunset came
+within sight of the gray walls of Pao-Ting-Fu.
+
+[Illustration: "SO THEY DROVE ON, MILE AFTER MILE"]
+
+"Shut her off, Jo. We've done the act so far all right," said Rob,
+speaking jerkily and with ill-repressed excitement. "Now comes the real
+danger. What a crowd there is about the station. There's an engine,
+though, with a single car attached. See! Waiting up by the tank. Perhaps
+our bluff has worked! Steady! Here they come!"
+
+The stolen locomotive had come to a stop at the lower end of the station
+platform, panting as though exhausted by its long run, and a group of
+Chinese officials were hurrying to meet it.
+
+"Where is his excellency, Yu-Hsien?" asked one of these, peering with an
+expectant air into the cab.
+
+"He is following on a special train," replied Jo, promptly; "but I
+am his representative, sent ahead to prepare the way for him. Is the
+track-repairing car ready, as the governor requested? If not he will
+cause the officials of Pao-Ting to suffer the same 'bitterness' that has
+gained him fame among the foreigners of Shan-Si."
+
+"It has been prepared according to the most noble governor's desire,"
+replied the official, hesitatingly, "but--"
+
+"Let us, then, go to it," interrupted Jo, stepping from the locomotive
+as he spoke and starting up the platform.
+
+Rob followed him closely. As he left the cab he caught a glimpse of
+a begrimed, dishevelled, and nearly naked man crawling from beneath
+the tender. In an instant it flashed across him that this was their
+lost engine-driver. Looking back a moment later he saw the same figure
+following them.
+
+They in the mean time were being conducted towards the agent's quarters
+in the station-house, where refreshments had been prepared for Governor
+Yu-Hsien.
+
+"If he were but here," remarked the official spokesman, deprecatingly,
+"of course, everything would be at his disposal; but we have been so
+expressly ordered not to allow the passage north of any save troops or
+mandarins of the highest rank, that we are at a loss how to act."
+
+"Am I not a representative of one of the greatest mandarins of the
+empire?" demanded Jo, fiercely, "and am I not come to prepare the way
+for him? Has it not already been told to your dull ears that upon his
+reaching the imperial city within two days depends the very life of the
+Son of Heaven?" At this august name every one present, excepting Rob,
+and including the speaker himself, made a deep reverence.
+
+"The Emperor is no longer in danger, since the ocean-devil army has
+been driven back, and now is being cut to pieces by his own invincible
+troops," boasted the official.
+
+"What do you mean?" asked Jo. "No such news has come to the ears of his
+excellency the governor."
+
+"It is nevertheless true that from the ships gathered off Taku bar
+thousands of ocean men were landed to go to Pekin. They travelled by
+the road of iron-fire, restoring the track, even as you now propose to
+do. Slower and slower they moved, being beset on all sides by sons of
+the Great Sword. Beyond An-Ting they could not go, for there they were
+met by imperial cavalry from the South Hunting Park, and turned back in
+disorderly flight. Hundreds were killed, and hundreds more are being cut
+down at this moment. All their guns and banners are captured, and it is
+certain that not one of them will escape alive. The ocean devils still
+on their ships have threatened to fire on the Taku forts, but they dare
+not do it. General Nieh has made answer that, with the firing of the
+first shot, every foreign devil in Tien-Tsin and Pekin will be put to
+death; for so commands an edict from the imperial city."
+
+"What has all this to do with us?" inquired Jo, pretending not to be at
+all affected by this startling news. "The governor of Shan-Si must pass
+in spite of everything. Let him be delayed by so much as the fraction
+of an hour, and those whom he will hold responsible may well tremble in
+their shoes."
+
+"Is not the man with the black face, standing by your side at this
+moment, a foreign devil?" suddenly demanded the official, ignoring Jo's
+threat and pointing an accusing, clawlike finger at Rob.
+
+"No," answered Jo, stoutly. "He is a native of the Middle Kingdom; but
+he comes from the far south, where he was born. Also, he is wise in
+the science of iron-fire, and has been sent on in advance of the great
+governor to make safe his way. If you should harm so much as a hair of
+his head, the vengeance of Yu-Hsien would be swift and terrible as that
+of Heaven itself."
+
+"_He is yang-kwei!_" (foreign devil, northern dialect) cried a voice
+from the back of the room, and Rob, turning quickly, caught a glimpse
+of the begrimed engine-driver whom he had seen crawl out from under the
+tender and who afterwards had followed them.
+
+At the same instant he, together with every one in the room, was hurled
+violently to the floor, the walls of the building were blown in as
+though they were of card-board, and the city of Pao-Ting-Fu was shaken
+by an explosion so terrific that its inhabitants ran shrieking from
+their houses into the streets.
+
+Some of the occupants of the station-agent's room fled from it unharmed,
+while others, and among them our lads, more or less bruised by falling
+bricks or tiles, crawled out from the débris and made exit more slowly.
+Only one remained behind, crushed to death beneath a heavy roof-timber,
+and he was the engine-driver, killed, in the very act of denouncing Rob,
+by the blowing up of his own locomotive. It had been left with a roaring
+fire behind its closed furnace door and very little water in its boiler.
+
+"Are you hurt, Rob?"
+
+"Nothing to speak of. Are you?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Then what do you say? Shall we take advantage of the confusion to light
+out? Things seemed to be getting pretty hot for us when that blessed
+old engine interrupted the proceedings."
+
+"What do you mean? Run away? No, indeed!" replied Jo, earnestly. "Things
+are just as we want them now. Don't you remember that I was telling them
+what Yu-Hsien would do if they interfered with his plans? He is the head
+Boxer, you know, and just now the I-Ho-Chuan are credited with being
+masters of magic. Wait till I speak to these big men."
+
+The official, or, as Jo called him, "the big man," who had been foremost
+in examining our lads, was excitedly chattering with one of his fellows
+when Jo and Rob stepped up to him.
+
+"You are alive and not harmed?" he gasped at sight of them.
+
+"Of course we are not harmed," replied Jo. "Did I not tell you that we
+are the servants of Yu-Hsien? and do you think he would harm his own?"
+
+"Is this terrible thing the work of the great Boxer?"
+
+"Certainly it is. I warned you how it would be. He has killed one who
+defied him, that you may have evidence of his strength; and if you still
+go against his wishes your own sons will shortly erect a new ancestral
+tablet."
+
+"It is true, most honorable one," admitted the frightened official,
+humbly; "and we are not so dense but that we can learn the lesson thus
+plainly stated. Tell us, then, how we can serve you, and thus appease
+the wrath of the mighty Boxer, that he may not visit further destruction
+upon us."
+
+"Give us the slight thing for which we asked: a few rails, a few
+track-layers, and a fresh engine, that we may go about our work and
+prepare the way for our master," replied Jo, boldly, "then shall all go
+well with you and with this city of Pao-Ting, which otherwise might be
+bereft of its walls by the next exhibition of Yu-Hsien's wrath."
+
+So superstitious are the Chinese, so dreaded were the mysterious
+incantations of the I-Ho-Chuan, and so unnerved were the officials of
+Pao-Ting-Fu by the explosion of a few minutes before, that they yielded
+to Jo's demands.
+
+A locomotive attached to a car holding rails and a gang of coolies
+had been made ready in anticipation of Yu-Hsien's coming. This train,
+standing by the water-tank, at a distance from the scene of explosion,
+had remained uninjured, and now was placed at the disposal of our lads.
+They were told that for fifty li the track still was in good condition;
+after that they could readily repair it with the means at their
+disposal, until they came to the great bridge at Cho Chou, which had
+been hopelessly destroyed.
+
+So our young adventurers left the officials of Pao-Ting-Fu, promising
+them that Yu-Hsien should be informed of their efforts in his behalf,
+and were thankfully seen to disappear in the gathering twilight.
+
+"Well!" exclaimed Rob, who had not spoken during all these negotiations,
+heaving a great sigh of relief as they pulled out from the deadly
+neighborhood. "Our bluff worked, after all. But, take it all around, it
+was about as close a call as I ever want to experience."
+
+"Yes," replied Jo. "I never expected to be saved from sudden death by
+the blowing-up of a boiler."
+
+That night they remained on board their new locomotive at the little
+town of An-Su-Hsien, where Jo procured for each of them the red hats,
+sashes, and shoes worn by Boxers. At daylight they again were under way,
+and, though they were obliged to stop a dozen times to replace missing
+rails, they had reached Cho Chou, only forty miles from Pekin, before
+dark. Here they were able to hire horses that by late afternoon of the
+following day had carried them within sight of the far-extended walls of
+the great Chinese capital. Beyond the wall rolled dense clouds of smoke,
+as though the whole city were on fire, while distinct above all other
+sounds rose the sharp rattle of musketry, mingled with the deeper roar
+of heavier guns.
+
+At these evidences of strife our lads drew rein and looked inquiringly
+at each other. After all, was the city of Pekin a good place for a young
+American and a Chinese who had befriended him to enter at that moment?
+
+"Yes," said Rob, at length, "I think we will keep on, only we will give
+up our horses here. I don't see that we will be any worse off, in any
+event, inside the city than where we are. There is fighting going on,
+to be sure, but it must be between our friends and our enemies. If the
+former are getting the worst of it, then they need our help; while if
+the fight is going the other way, we have nothing to fear."
+
+"I wonder," remarked Jo, bitterly, as they moved slowly forward on foot,
+"which side will prove friendly to me, or will all prove enemies of the
+Chinese who has befriended a foreigner?"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+
+IN CHINA'S CAPITAL CITY
+
+
+China's capital, the great northern city of Pekin, is situated on a
+plain one hundred and twenty miles from the sea, and near the eastern
+base of a low mountain-range known as the Western Hills. It is divided
+into two nearly equal parts, the northern being the Manchu, or Tartar
+City, while the other is called the southern, or Chinese City. The
+northern city is surrounded by a vast brick wall ten miles in length,
+fifty feet thick at the base, sixty feet high, and forty feet wide on
+top, pierced by nine massive gateways, two on the north side, two on the
+east, two on the west, and three on the south. These last open into the
+southern city, which is of about the same size as the other, and also
+is surrounded by a lofty wall having seven gates. In the southern city,
+standing in the middle of a forty-acre park, is the great Temple of
+Heaven, in which the Emperor alone may worship.
+
+In the centre of the northern, or Tartar City, and occupying one-eighth
+of the enclosed space, is located the Forbidden City, surrounded by a
+fifty-foot wall of red brick coped with tiles of imperial yellow. This
+wall has but four gates, and within it are the yamens, or palaces of
+high-rank mandarins, besides parks and pleasure-grounds. Inside of the
+Forbidden City is yet another, known as the Imperial City, strongly
+fortified, and containing the palaces, pleasure-grounds, lakes, and
+lotus ponds of the imperial family.
+
+While Canton, in the far south, has been called the most wonderful city
+of the world, Pekin is almost as remarkable, although in an entirely
+different way. Canton streets are noted for their extreme narrowness,
+and those of Pekin for their width, some of the latter being one hundred
+feet wide. In Canton there are no wheeled vehicles and no beasts of
+burden, while Pekin streets swarm with blue-covered, two-wheeled
+carts, very heavy, and drawn by large, fine-looking mules, two-coolie
+jinrikishas, bullock-carts, wheelbarrows loaded with passengers or
+freight, pushed by one coolie and pulled by another, long caravans
+of shaggy, two-humped camels, besides innumerable riding ponies and
+donkeys. Also, in Pekin, may occasionally be seen the smart European
+brougham, drawn by a high-stepping American horse, of some wealthy
+mandarin, though most of those who can afford to ride prefer to do so
+in sedan-chairs. Of these chairs, those used by members of the imperial
+family are roofed and curtained in yellow, those of the higher-class
+mandarins are red, those of the next lower grade are blue, and so the
+descent is continued through green to black, while mourning chairs of
+every class invariably are white.
+
+In Canton a large proportion of the houses have two stories, while in
+all directions tower lofty, six-to-nine-storied pawn-shops, looking
+like flat-topped grain elevators; but in Pekin all dwellings and shops,
+even including the imperial palaces, have but a single story. The only
+buildings in all the city that exceed this height are the pagoda-like
+Temple of Heaven, the great drum-tower, the great bell-tower, the
+fortified gate-towers surmounting the city walls, and certain foreign
+establishments belonging to missions, legations, or business firms that
+have been erected since 1900.
+
+Pekin is well provided with wide breathing spaces in the shape of temple
+and palace grounds, and shade trees are fairly abundant throughout
+the city. Most of its broad avenues are unpaved, and it is visited by
+suffocating dust-storms at certain seasons of the year, while at others
+it wades through fathomless mud.
+
+In 1897 the capital was connected with Tien-Tsin, eighty miles away,
+and with the sea by rail, but the track was compelled to end two miles
+outside the southern wall. In 1900 came the great Boxer uprising, the
+siege of the foreign legations in Pekin, and the capture, occupation,
+and terrible punishment of the city by the troops of nine foreign
+powers. These retained possession for a year, during which time they
+carried the railroad into the very heart of the city, largely increased
+the area of legation "concessions," established a clean-swept neutral
+zone three hundred feet wide around the legation territory, paved
+Legation Street, built commodious barracks for the foreign troops
+that were to remain as permanent legation guards, and erected handsome
+legation buildings; while the United States and Germany took possession
+of and will permanently control a quarter of a mile of the city wall
+adjoining their legations. After a year of foreign control Pekin was
+restored to its Chinese rulers, and the self-exiled imperial court
+returned to their capital city. During 1903 a number of large foreign
+buildings, including a European hotel, banks, hospitals, chapels,
+schools, etc., were erected, and many more were projected for this year
+(1904). Electric lighting on an extensive scale, as well as electric
+trams, are already planned for. The Pe-Han (Pekin-Hankow) Railway, over
+a portion of which our lads travelled, and which was wholly destroyed by
+Boxers immediately afterwards, has been restored and the track extended
+southward to the Yellow River. Beyond this construction is being so
+rapidly pushed from both ends that the completion of the whole line is
+promised by 1906.
+
+Thus China's capital, rudely roused by foreign guns from the sleep of
+ages, is now awake and in a fair way speedily to take a prominent place
+among the progressive cities of the world.
+
+None of these things were thought of, however, on that June day of
+1900 when Rob Hinckley, accompanied by his stanch friend, Chinese Jo,
+hesitatingly approached the great city; for at that moment it was
+shadowed by the darkness of despair. The tidal wave of Boxer uprising
+had reached and overwhelmed it. The I-Ho-Chuan were in complete
+possession, and Pekin, with its teeming population, its accumulated
+wealth of years, and, above all, with its hundreds of hated foreigners,
+diplomats, missionaries, business men, and legation guards, lay at
+their mercy. They had nothing to fear from imperial troops, for these,
+always in sympathy with their movement, already had begun to co-operate
+with them in their killing of Christian converts, their burnings and
+their lootings. Bolder and bolder they became, wilder and wilder grew
+their excesses, until shortly before the arrival of Rob and Jo they had
+started fierce conflagrations in all parts of the city, had destroyed
+two Roman Catholic cathedrals, and were regularly besieging a third
+with cannonade and rifle-fire. In this great fortress, and within its
+spacious, wall-enclosed grounds, ninety foreigners, forty-three of whom
+were French and Italian marines, and more than three thousand native
+converts had taken refuge. For sixty days this isolated stronghold
+of Christianity was shelled and bombarded with cannon-ball and
+rifle-bullet; but it held out to the end, and stands to-day a monument
+to the heroic endurance of its defenders. The attack on it had been
+begun three days before the arrival of our lads, and the sounds of heavy
+firing that had so aroused their anxiety was the cannonade directed
+against its walls.
+
+With many misgivings they skirted the southern city, which seemed a
+seething caldron of riot and flame, and sought an entrance to the
+Tartar City through one of its western gates. Here, to Jo's great
+satisfaction, he found, in the officer of the guard who examined them,
+an acquaintance not only willing to admit them, but of whom he could
+ask questions. Believing Jo to feel even more bitterly than himself
+concerning foreigners, this officer did not hesitate to give him the
+very latest news. He confirmed the report heard at Pao-Ting-Fu of the
+defeat and driving back towards Tien-Tsin of the combined American and
+British relief expedition, under Admiral Seymour, told of the siege of
+the northern cathedral, and, most startling of all, informed Jo of the
+imperial edict, issued that very day, ordering the destruction of every
+foreigner within the walls of Pekin.
+
+"Already," he said, "have the invincible troops of Jung Lu entered
+the city, and with them are the Kwang-su tigers, under the terrible
+Tung-Fu-Hsang, who thirsts for foreign blood as does a babe for its
+mother's milk. To-day they are placing guns to command the legations,
+and to-morrow at four o'clock, if the ocean devils have not left the
+city, they will be attacked and killed like rats in their holes."
+
+It was fortunate that Rob failed to comprehend what the officer said,
+for he could not have listened unmoved as did Jo. That the latter did so
+was because he was not quite certain that he did not approve of the plan
+for driving all foreigners from China. Foreigners expelled Chinese from
+their countries, so why should not his people in turn expel foreigners
+from China? Still, he did not express any views on the subject at that
+time, but changed the topic of conversation by asking the officer if he
+could tell him where his father might be found.
+
+For a moment the latter hesitated, and his face assumed a peculiar
+expression. Then he said: "Did you not know that his excellency Li
+Ching Cheng had been given a position on the Board of Punishment? It is
+doubtless at the yamen of that illustrious body that you will find him."
+
+Thanking the officer for his courtesy, Jo and his companion took their
+departure, and, making their way through alleys and the quieter streets
+as remote as possible from conflagrations and all scenes of disturbance,
+they finally reached the yamen of the Board of Punishment, which
+corresponds to what in an American city would be a combined court-house
+and jail.
+
+A main entrance through the street wall led to a court, reached by the
+descent of several steps. This court was surrounded by low buildings,
+occupied as offices of the board, and in its centre was a pond of water.
+As no person of whom they could ask questions was to be seen here,
+our lads passed on to a second or inner court that opened from the
+first. It also contained a stone-bordered reservoir of water, and was
+surrounded by fantastically ornamented buildings. In one feature that
+was immediately noticeable, these low buildings differed from any other
+that Rob ever had seen in China. They were provided with cellar-like
+basements, divided into small compartments, from each of which a
+little, grated window opened into a tiny outside well-hole.
+
+About one of these well-holes stood a group of half a dozen Chinese
+officials, towards whom Jo made his way, intending to ask them where
+his father might be found. As he drew near and was about to speak, he
+glanced downward to see what so had attracted their curiosity that no
+one of them had turned at his approach. What he saw was a human face,
+tortured and livid, pressed against the grating, and straining upward in
+mute agony. The man was supporting himself by hands clinched about two
+bars of the grating, and evidently was standing on tiptoe.
+
+Rob, looking over Jo's shoulder, also saw the awful face, and for an
+instant wondered at the black line that seemed to cut it at the uplifted
+chin. Then it flashed across him that this was a line of black water,
+slowly but surely rising, and that in another moment the man would be
+drowned. And no one dared try to save him, even were it possible to do
+so, for he was a condemned prisoner suffering one of the innumerable,
+ingeniously awful forms of Chinese capital punishment.
+
+"What was his crime?" asked one of the fascinated spectators of another.
+
+"He was that member of the Tsung Li Yamen who, before circulating the
+palace edict, '_Feng yang jen pi sha_'" (whenever meeting foreigners,
+kill them), "dared alter '_pi_'" (kill) "into '_pao_'" (protect).
+
+"It is enough, and his punishment is righteous," declared the other.
+
+Rob did not quite understand this, but Jo did, and, seizing his
+comrade's arm with so fierce a grip that the latter winced, he dragged
+him from the awful scene. As they gained the street he whispered, in
+choking voice:
+
+"From this moment I am with you and with the foreign people, until the
+Empress is overthrown. Let us get to your legation."
+
+"Was it any one you knew?" asked Rob, not yet comprehending.
+
+"He was my father."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI
+
+WAR CLOUDS
+
+
+China, in her ignorant self-confidence, and goaded to desperation by
+foreign aggressions, was defying the world. Not only was she killing
+missionaries, together with their converts, wherever found, and putting
+to shameful death such of her own people, from highest mandarin to
+lowest coolie, as dared lift a hand to save them or speak a word in
+their behalf, but by imperial order Chinese troops were preparing to
+attack foreign ministers in their own legations. Thus China deliberately
+was about to commit the gravest of international crimes. For some
+time the foreign ministers, foreseeing the dangers of the apparently
+uncontrollable Boxer uprising, had been calling upon their respective
+governments for protection. In response an ever-increasing fleet of
+war-ships was gathered off the mouth of the Pei-ho, which was as near
+as they could approach to Pekin. From those ships which first arrived
+a mixed force of marines, four hundred in all, and representing eight
+nations, was sent to the capital to act as legation guards, and the
+train that brought them was the last to reach Pekin for many weeks.
+
+These marines arrived on the first day of June, and forty-five of them
+immediately were detailed to protect the great northern cathedral, while
+twenty more were sent to the compound of the American Methodist Mission.
+A week later the Empress Dowager returned to Pekin from her summer
+palace in the Western Hills. From that moment the situation grew so
+rapidly worse that the ministers again telegraphed the foreign fleet to
+send at once a strong force for their further protection.
+
+In response to this urgent request Captain McCalla, the senior American
+naval officer with the fleet, declared that he should start for Pekin
+the next day. The British admiral, Seymour, promptly proposed to join
+him, and other commanding officers entered so heartily into the project
+that on the following morning, when the expedition started by rail from
+Tongku, the nearest landing-point, it comprised 2066 troops. Of these
+112 were Americans, 915 British, 450 Germans, 312 Russians, 158 French,
+54 Japanese, 40 Italians, and 25 Austrians.
+
+This force, made up of sailors and marines, well provided with light
+artillery and rapid-fire guns, set forth in high spirits, expecting to
+reach Pekin that very night, or, at any rate, within twenty-four hours.
+Nine days later saw them still twenty miles from their destination,
+short of ammunition and food, encumbered with two hundred wounded men,
+cut off from their base of supplies by the destruction of the railway
+behind them, as well as in front, unable to communicate either with
+Pekin or the outside world on account of the telegraph-line having
+absolutely disappeared, while couriers with despatches were caught and
+killed as fast as sent out.
+
+From the beginning they had been harassed by hordes of Boxers, and now
+they were confronted by five thousand imperial troops, including a
+strong body of cavalry, armed with modern rifles and well supplied with
+artillery. Under the circumstances a farther advance was impossible,
+and a retreat was ordered. At the end of another week the unfortunate
+expedition reached Tien-Tsin exhausted, demoralized, and sadly depleted
+in numbers, but having learned the bitter lesson that no small force
+of foreigners, no matter how brave and well-armed, could traverse the
+interior of China against the wishes of the Chinese.
+
+During the absence of this expedition the fleet of war-ships lying off
+the Taku bar, at the mouth of the Pei-ho, had been strengthened by
+numerous additions. The Taku forts had been captured after six hours of
+fighting, and an army of ten thousand troops had advanced to the relief
+of the foreign portion of Tien-Tsin, which was being besieged by Boxers
+from the walled city of Tien-Tsin proper. Now the allied foreign troops
+turned their attention to this stronghold and set about its capture; but
+it held out for three weeks, and did not fall into their hands until the
+14th of July.
+
+But let us return to the middle of June and the city of Pekin, where a
+handful of foreigners, cut off from all communication with the outside
+world, were anxiously but confidently awaiting the coming of the
+McCalla-Seymour relief expedition. All sorts of rumors were afloat
+concerning its progress and position, and one of these so persistently
+asserted that it would reach the city by the very evening on which Rob
+and Jo entered Pekin that many persons ascended the city wall near
+the American legation, and remained there for hours, straining their
+eyes for a sight of the expected troops. But they did not come; and
+as the sun, transformed to a blood-red ball by the smoke from many
+conflagrations, disappeared in the lowering west, the disappointed ones
+returned to their homes doubly weighted with anxiety.
+
+After dinner that evening two guests sat with the United States minister
+and his wife, earnestly discussing the situation. They were an American
+tourist and his daughter, who, not realizing the danger of their
+position, had lingered one day too long in Pekin, and then, owing to
+the sudden destruction of the railway, found it impossible to leave.
+The subject of their present conversation was a note from the Tsung Li
+Yamen (Chinese State Department) received by the minister a few hours
+earlier. It declared the situation in Pekin to have reached such a stage
+that the authorities could not undertake to protect the ministers longer
+than twenty-four hours from the date of the note, which also urged their
+departure, under Chinese escort, for Tien-Tsin.
+
+"Are you going to accept that proposition?" asked the tourist.
+
+"Frankly, I don't know," replied the minister. "Certainly we cannot
+leave within the time limit specified. It won't do for us to abandon the
+missionaries, and they declare they will not desert their converts, whom
+we, of course, could not take with us."
+
+"What means of transportation should we have if you did decide to leave,
+now that the railway is no longer in operation?"
+
+"We have demanded carts, boats, provisions, and that a member of the
+Tsung Li Yamen high in authority shall accompany us. This, of course,
+is playing for delay, that we may have more time in which to hear from
+Seymour's expedition. It is now four days since the last word came from
+it, and we must know its position before starting. No, I don't believe
+we will leave within twenty-four hours, though some of my colleagues
+think differently and already are packing their effects."
+
+"My daughter and I will not try to carry out anything but our hand-bags,
+which can be made ready at a moment's notice," said the tourist.
+
+"You are wise. I shall attempt to carry very little myself, and my
+baggage will consist largely of state papers, which already are packed
+for transportation."
+
+"Then you are pretty certain that we will go sooner or later?"
+
+"Yes, sooner or later, for the city is growing untenable. The hour of
+our departure probably will be decided by the morning advices from the
+Tsung Li Yamen. If no word should come from them, Von Ketteler, who
+does not agree that it is necessary for us to leave Pekin, declares he
+will go to them and demand satisfactory guarantees for our safety."
+
+"It will be a bold thing to do."
+
+"Yes, it will, especially as Von Ketteler recently incurred the
+additional ill-will of all Boxers by personally beating with his stick
+one of them whom he caught parading Legation Street in the full regalia
+of his infamous society. He is a brave man, but, unfortunately, he
+regards the Chinese with a contempt that will, I fear, lead him into
+difficulties."
+
+At this moment a servant announced Lieutenant Hibbard.
+
+"Excuse me, sir, for disturbing you," said this individual, after he
+had saluted those present, "but it seemed best to report a rather
+peculiar case. Two young Chinese, wearing the Boxer uniform, have just
+been arrested, and are now held by the guard at the gate. They demand
+an interview with the American minister, and, curiously enough, both of
+them speak English remarkably well--at least, so the corporal of the
+guard says, for I have not yet seen them myself."
+
+"Are they armed?" asked the minister.
+
+"Yes, sir. That is, they were armed with revolvers, but, of course,
+those were taken from them."
+
+"Very well, let these English-speaking Boxers be brought in, under
+guard, and we will hear what they have to say for themselves--unless
+this young lady objects to their presence," he added.
+
+"Oh no, sir; of course I don't!" exclaimed the girl, who hitherto had
+listened in silence, but with intense interest, to the conversation
+between her father and the minister. "I want ever so much to see a Boxer
+whom I can be certain really is one."
+
+In another minute the prisoners, guarded by two heavily armed marines,
+were ushered into the room. "Pretty tough-looking characters, aren't
+they?" asked the lieutenant of the girl, by whose side he had taken a
+position as though to protect her in case of trouble.
+
+"Yes," she replied, hesitatingly. "But do you know," she added, in a low
+tone, "the face of one of them seems very familiar. I mean the one with
+the queue."
+
+"Oh, all Chinamen look alike," replied the officer, carelessly. "I've
+seen a hundred that you'd think were twin brothers of the other one, the
+tougher of the two. I expect he has murdered more converts than he could
+count."
+
+Just here the minister, who had stepped for a moment into his office,
+returned, and at once proceeded to question the prisoners.
+
+"I am told that you speak English; who are you, and why do you come
+here?" he asked.
+
+"Are you the American minister?" cautiously inquired the one whom the
+lieutenant had indicated as being the tougher-looking of the two.
+
+"I am."
+
+"Well, then, we've come to tell you that the American and British
+relief expedition you are expecting has been attacked by more than five
+thousand imperial troops. It has been badly cut up, and now is in full
+retreat towards Tien-Tsin."
+
+"Impossible!" gasped the minister.
+
+"It is true, sir; and if you leave this city to-morrow in the hope of
+reaching Tien-Tsin you will be killed as soon as you pass the city
+gates. An edict was issued from the palace to-day for the extermination
+of all foreigners in Pekin, and an attack on the legations will be begun
+at four o'clock to-morrow afternoon."
+
+"Who are you?" demanded the startled minister, "and what proof can you
+give that your astounding statements are true?"
+
+"I am an American, of course," replied Rob, in a tone expressive of
+surprise that any one should question his nationality, "and my friend
+here is a son of Mandarin Li Ching Cheng, recently a member of the
+Tsung Li Yamen. He was put to death a few hours since for having tried
+to protect foreigners instead of killing them. My friend and I got
+acquainted in the States, where he was being educated, and--"
+
+"His name is Joseph Lee!" cried the American girl, no longer able to
+restrain herself, and springing to her feet in her excitement. "I knew I
+had seen him before!"
+
+"But who are you, sir? What is your own name?" interrupted the minister,
+sternly.
+
+"Hinckley," replied Rob, but not withdrawing his eyes from the flushed
+face of the girl; and, speaking to her, he added: "I knew you and your
+father as soon as I saw you, Miss Lorimer, but I thought that perhaps
+you wouldn't care to recognize us in this costume."
+
+"As if any one could!" cried Annabel Lorimer. "I am sure you wouldn't
+recognize yourself if you could see how horrible you look. Even now I
+only recognize your voice. Should you have known him, papa?"
+
+"No," replied Mr. Lorimer, staring hard at Rob; "and I am not certain
+that I do even now."
+
+"Is your first name Robert?" asked the lieutenant of marines; "and were
+you ever on board the United States monitor _Monterey_?"
+
+"Yes, my name is Robert Hinckley. I was aboard the _Monterey_ about four
+months ago, and you are Ensign Hibbard," was the reply.
+
+"He's all right, sir!" exclaimed the lieutenant, turning to the
+minister. "I know him well, and can swear that somewhere about him he's
+got a skin as white as mine."
+
+"Well," said the minister, his stern face breaking into a smile, "I'll
+take your word for it, Mr. Hibbard, but even you must acknowledge that
+its whiteness is pretty effectually concealed at present. Mr. Hinckley,
+I am much pleased to meet you, especially as you must be a son of Dr.
+Mason Hinckley, whom I long have counted as among my friends. But the
+news you bring is of such momentous character that I must ask for
+further details, even before extending to you the hospitalities of
+the legation. Will you and your friend sit down and kindly tell us
+everything that you know concerning the situation?"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII
+
+CHINA DEFIES THE WORLD
+
+
+The startling news conveyed to the American legation by our lads was
+transmitted to all the other ministers that same night, and it at once
+put an end to the preparations for departure. It was further discussed
+at a meeting held the next morning, when it was determined that their
+only chance for safety lay in remaining where they were and defending
+themselves to the best of their ability. It had been hoped that some
+members of the Tsung Li Yamen would attend this meeting, but none
+appeared. The German minister, Baron von Ketteler, thereupon reaffirmed
+his intention of going to the yamen and demanding a conference.
+Moreover, to show his contempt for the Chinese, he declared that he
+would go unarmed and unescorted, save by his official interpreter, Mr.
+Cordes.
+
+No entreaties served to deter the brave but obstinate man from his
+mad enterprise. Entering his sedan-chair, which he had furnished
+with cigars and reading-matter to aid him in passing the time if he
+should be compelled to wait at the yamen, he set forth, followed by
+his interpreter in another chair, and preceded by a Chinese outrider
+attached to the legation.
+
+Just before their departure the American minister had requested Rob
+Hinckley, who, still disguised as a Chinese, might traverse the streets
+without detection as a foreigner, to proceed to the Methodist Mission,
+nearly a mile away, and warn its inmates to make ready for a speedy
+retreat to the legation grounds. Jo also was asked to go out and make
+special note of what the people of the city were saying.
+
+So the two lads set forth, going by way of Instruct the People Street,
+called by foreigners Legation Street, past the Hôtel de Pékin, in which
+the Lorimers were staying, and where Rob wished he might make a call.
+From there they held their way eastward to Ha-ta (Great) Street, which
+they found thronged with citizens and soldiery. They walked slowly up
+this broad avenue, paying close attention to scraps of conversation,
+until they came to Filial Piety Alley, into which they should have
+turned to gain the mission compound by the shortest route.
+
+Instead of so doing, they hesitated, attracted by a decided and excited
+movement towards the north of the swarming populace. Involuntarily, they
+joined it, and continued to make their way slowly up Ha-ta Street, until
+they had nearly reached the Pai-lou, or wooden arch, that spanned the
+middle of the roadway, just below Tsung Pu Alley. At this point they saw
+two sedan-chairs, preceded by an outrider in the livery of the German
+Legation, come from the Street of Permanent Peace into Ha-ta Street,
+and turn north ahead of them. As they halted in their walk and stood
+watching this little procession, Jo was saying:
+
+"In case of serious trouble, Rob, I believe I could do more good outside
+in the city than if I were to stay shut up in a legation. There, also,
+I should always be an object of more or less suspicion, on account of
+being a Chinese. Of course, I sha'n't leave you unless it seems best to
+do so; but if we are separated, don't forget the old academy call."
+
+"Do you mean the 'Hi-ho' call?"
+
+"Yes; and isn't it queer that it should be the same as the first two
+names of the I-Ho-Chuan?"
+
+At that instant the sharp report of a rifle rang out a short distance
+up the street. For a moment it was followed by a deathlike hush. Then
+pandemonium broke loose. Other shots were fired in quick succession, and
+the street populace, transformed into a howling mob, swarmed towards the
+scene of tragedy, yelling like demons: "Kill the foreign devils! Kill!
+Kill! Kill!"
+
+A horseman fled before them. Two sedan-chairs were dropped by their
+terrified bearers, who also took to their heels. From one of the chairs
+a man leaped and ran for his life, but from the other came neither sound
+nor motion. In it sat Baron von Ketteler, the Kaiser's representative
+in China, shot to death by a Chinese officer of imperial troops. To-day
+a magnificent memorial arch of marble spans the busy roadway above the
+spot where he was killed.
+
+"Come!" gasped Rob, as he realized the awful nature of the tragedy.
+"That shot is China's declaration of war against the world. We must warn
+the mission!"
+
+With this our lads darted into the near-by Tsung Pu Alley. At first
+their progress was impeded by people running in the opposite direction;
+but in a couple of minutes these had been left behind, and they were
+free to hasten on at full speed. All at once a foreigner, hatless,
+haggard, and bleeding, dropped from a low compound wall into the alley
+close beside them. Behind him sounded the fierce cries of a pursuing mob.
+
+"It is the interpreter!" exclaimed Jo. "Go with him and get him to the
+mission! Take the first right and second left. I will lead those who are
+after him another way. Quick! Good-bye!"
+
+Rob instantly comprehended, and started after the fugitive, who now was
+staggering from weakness caused by loss of blood. At sight of the lad's
+Boxer uniform the man tried to beat him off, but on hearing the words
+in English--"It is all right! I am American"--he submitted to Rob's
+guidance.
+
+As they hurried around the first right-hand turn they came face to face
+with a Boxer armed with a spear. Without giving him time to recognize
+them, our young American sprang upon him, knocked him down, took away
+his weapon, and left him in a state of dazed uncertainty as to what had
+happened.
+
+After running a little farther the fugitives paused to listen, but could
+hear no sounds of pursuit. Jo had succeeded in diverting it to another
+direction. Then they proceeded more slowly, the wounded man leaning
+heavily on Rob's shoulder. Curious faces peered at them from dark
+portals as they passed, and more than one whom they met turned to give
+them a wondering look; but Rob's uniform and spear protected them from
+interference, and finally they reached a side gateway of the mission
+compound. Here the wounded man fell in a faint, but the American marine
+on guard sprang to his aid, and, recognizing in Rob's voice that of a
+fellow-countryman, assisted him to carry the German inside.
+
+"Call your officer, quick as you can," ordered our lad, as he knelt
+beside the wounded man and dashed water in his face. "It is a matter of
+life or death for us all."
+
+In another minute Captain Hall came running to the post, and in a few
+words Rob explained who he was and what had happened, at the same time
+exhibiting a proof of identity given him by the American minister.
+
+"He sent word," continued Rob, "for all foreign inmates of this compound
+to pack up immediately and be prepared to retreat to the legation at a
+moment's notice. Now I will leave this wounded man in your care, for I
+must hurry back and let him know what has happened. Can you let me have
+one of your men to identify me at the Italian barricade across Legation
+Street? If I go alone I am afraid they won't let me pass, for they were
+ugly and threatened us when we came out."
+
+"Certainly. Turner, go with Mr. Hinckley, and see him safely past the
+barricade."
+
+"This is a rum go," said the marine, as they left the gate and
+hurried towards Ha-ta Street. "I've done a lot of funny things in the
+Philippines, and seen a lot more in China, but I'm blessed if ever I
+expected to safe-conduct a bloody Boxer through the streets of Pekin."
+
+"Perhaps he is safe-conducting you," replied Rob, indicating, as he
+spoke, a group of Chinese soldiers wearing red Boxer hats, who were
+regarding the marine with very ugly looks.
+
+"I don't know but what you are right," admitted Turner. "They do look
+wolfy, and I almost wish I had another pukka Johnny along to come back
+with me."
+
+"I'll come back with you if you will go all the way to the legation with
+me."
+
+"Done! The cap'n didn't say how far I was to escort you. He only said,
+'past the barricade,' and maybe there's more than one by this time. But
+what's the matter with riding? We'd get there twice as quick. Hi, there,
+'rikisha coolie. You wanchee catchee one piecee dollar? You makee go
+ossoty Melican consoo house. Savvy?"
+
+"All litee sojo man, can do," was the reply; and a big, double
+jinrikisha, drawn by two coolies and pushed by two more, rolled up to
+where the Americans were standing. Even on the eve of open hostilities
+the thrifty Chinese of Pekin were perfectly willing to make an honest
+dollar by serving their enemies.
+
+Jumping in, they set off at a great pace, the 'rikisha men yelling
+at the top of their voices for pedestrians to clear the way, and not
+hesitating to knock right and left those who failed to heed their
+warnings.
+
+Acting on Turner's advice, Rob took off his red hat, and, sitting as
+low as possible, was partially screened from observation by the marine,
+who held himself very straight and sat well forward. The guard at the
+Italian barricade made a motion as though to halt them, but Turner,
+yelling to his coolies to keep on or he would jab them with his bayonet,
+called out:
+
+"It's all right, Dagoes! Official business! Can't stop! So long! See you
+later!"
+
+Then they bowled up Legation Street at a rattling pace, clattered over
+the imperial canal bridge, and in another minute were at the American
+Legation. Five minutes later the electrifying news of Baron von
+Ketteler's assassination had been told.
+
+"That settles it!" cried the minister, who was a veteran soldier of
+the great American civil war. "Now we know exactly where we stand.
+The Chinese have declared for war, and they shall have war to their
+hearts' content. As for us who are in Pekin, we will stay right here
+and fight for our lives. If we are wiped out, the Chinese nation will
+cease to exist shortly afterwards. Even if we survive to be rescued,
+the punishment visited upon it for this day's crime will be one of the
+bitterest in history. But now we haven't a moment to lose. Are you
+willing to return to the mission with an order for its inmates to set
+out for this place within half an hour?"
+
+"Of course I am, sir," replied Rob.
+
+"Then go, and come back with them. I will at once notify the German
+Legation of this terrible happening, and advise that they send a squad
+of marines to bring back their wounded interpreter. God bless you, lad!
+I am glad to have you with us in this time of our trouble."
+
+"And I, sir, am mighty glad to be here."
+
+In less than an hour after Rob's report to the minister a long
+procession of refugees issued from the mouth of Filial Piety Alley, and
+turned into Ha-ta Street, where it was watched by crowding thousands of
+impassive Chinese. First came twenty American marines, hardy-looking
+fellows, bronzed by long service in the Philippines, under command of
+Captain Hall. These were followed by the American women and children of
+the mission and one hundred and twenty-six Chinese girl pupils of the
+mission school. Then came Chinese Christian women with their children,
+followed by a large body of Chinese men and boy converts. After them
+marched a stern-looking group of German marines, bearing and guarding
+a stretcher, on which lay the wounded legation interpreter whom Rob
+had been so instrumental in saving. The rear was brought up by a body
+of resolute-appearing missionaries armed with rifles and revolvers.
+With these marched Rob Hinckley, no longer disguised as a Boxer, but
+clad in the costume of his own people, and bearing himself with the
+self-confidence of one who had undergone a long experience in affairs
+like the present. The Chinese converts numbered over one thousand, and
+every member of the long procession was laden with food, clothing,
+household effects, or whatever portable things they had considered of
+greatest value.
+
+At the Italian barricade on Legation Street it was met by the remaining
+marines of the American guard and escorted to the legation. Although
+the streets were crowded with Chinese soldiers, Boxers, and citizens,
+no attempt was made to interfere in any way with the flight of these
+refugees, and that afternoon they were quartered within the spacious
+walls of the British Legation compound, where all foreigners, except
+those already sustaining attack in the Roman Catholic cathedral, were
+gathered for protection.
+
+Here was a scene to beggar description. Streams of carts, and swarms
+of coolies laden with provisions, baggage, and household effects, were
+pouring in from every direction. The numerous low, one-story buildings
+of the legation were being assigned to different nationalities, or
+set apart for specific purposes. Men, women, and children, diplomats,
+soldiers, missionaries, railway engineers, bank clerks, customs
+employés, servants, and coolies, speaking every language under the sun,
+dogs and ponies, rapid-fire guns, jinrikishas, carts, and wheelbarrows,
+furniture, bedding, provisions, cases of wine, barrels of beer, and
+a thousand other things, all were mixed in apparently inextricable
+confusion.
+
+At precisely four o'clock General Tung-Fu-Hsang's soldiers from Kwang-su
+opened fire with a sharp volley of musketry from the city streets, and
+the siege of the Pekin legations was begun.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII
+
+FIGHTING SIXTY FEET ABOVE GROUND
+
+
+Although the heavily walled compound of the British Legation, which
+during the siege sheltered four hundred foreigners and as many more
+Chinese Christians, or nearly one thousand persons in all, was the
+stronghold of the defence, the lines occupied and held embraced a wide
+outside area, both to the eastward and on the south. Beyond the imperial
+canal, just east of the legation, stood an extensive collection of
+buildings enclosed by a wall, forming the yamen, or palace, of Prince
+Su. On the first day of the siege this was seized and occupied as
+quarters for the hundreds of school-girls and native Christians whom the
+missionaries had refused to abandon. It was defended by the Japanese,
+assisted by the Italian and Austrian marines, and though it was subject
+to many fierce attacks and an almost continuous bombardment that set its
+buildings on fire a dozen times, it never was given up.
+
+Besides this outpost, the American, Russian, German, Japanese, and
+French legations also were held, as was the Hôtel de Pékin of M. Charnot
+and his brave American wife. It was strongly fortified with sand-bags,
+and sent out to its guests, who had taken refuge in the British
+Legation, three meals a day with unbroken regularity during the siege.
+A large portion of Legation Street also was included within the foreign
+lines. On it stood a grain-shop, in which were found eight thousand
+bushels of wheat and several tons of rice, together with eleven one-mule
+mills, ready for grinding. As there were in all some three thousand
+persons to be fed, this food supply proved invaluable.
+
+At first an Austrian captain, named Thomann, by virtue of seniority,
+assumed command of the defending force; but on the second day of the
+siege, he having proved himself incapable, the supreme command was, by
+unanimous consent, given to Sir Claude Macdonald, the British minister.
+Captain Thomann was killed a few weeks later during an attack on the Su
+Yamen, and now one of the streets of Pekin bears his name.
+
+Under Sir Claude's intelligent supervision all the details of housing
+and feeding three thousand people, of preparing and placing fifty
+thousand sand-bags, of hospital and sanitary arrangements, and a
+thousand other things, were quickly systematized and placed in the hands
+of carefully selected committees. The work of fortifying the legations
+was given over to a young American missionary engineer, while the actual
+duty of defence was distributed according to nationality.
+
+The British Legation compound, including the northwest angle of the
+whole line, was left to the resident inmates--ministers, attachés,
+missionaries, etc. The Su Yamen and northeast angle were intrusted to
+the Japanese, aided by Italians and Austrians. At the southeast angle
+were French and Germans, the latter occupying a section of the great
+city wall, from which, however, they ultimately were driven. On the
+southwest were the Americans and Russians, in their own legations, with
+the former holding their own section of city wall. This position, in
+spite of continuous shelling and repeated assaults, was held by American
+marines to the end; and, commanding, as it did, the entire legation
+area, it proved the key to the situation.
+
+On the 1st of July, or after ten days of siege, during which time the
+Chinese fire of rifle-bullets, solid shot, and shell had been maintained
+almost without intermission from one quarter or another, thirty-five of
+the defenders had been killed and nearly twice that number were in the
+hospital. The Germans had been driven from their section of the wall,
+the French Legation had been destroyed, and several sorties, made for
+the purpose of capturing or at least silencing certain particularly
+annoying Chinese guns, had proved unsuccessful. In all this time no news
+had been received, nor had it proved possible to send any out; and it
+was not probable that the desperate plight of the Pekin legations was
+even known to the outside world.
+
+The bright spots in this gloom were that there still was plenty to
+eat and to drink within the lines, the defences were constantly being
+strengthened by additional sand-bags, which the ladies and Chinese
+women were turning out by the thousand, the plucky Japanese still held
+the Su Yamen, and American marines still maintained their position on
+the wall. Also, very early in the siege the latter, dragging their
+Colt's automatic gun up to their elevated post, had made a raid along
+the top of the wall for a quarter of a mile, driving the Kwang-su troops
+in wild confusion before them, and mowing them down by hundreds.
+
+Now, however, the Chinese, profiting by this sad experience, had
+advanced a series of brick and sandbag approaches, against which the
+Colt proved ineffective. At the end of the last one the Chinese had
+erected a small tower, only a few feet from the American barricade, and
+commanding it. From this, while protected against a return fire, they
+hurled down huge bricks upon the defenders, who were unable to reply.
+At the same time the American position, isolated since the Germans on
+the east had been driven from their wall, was exposed to a galling fire
+from both directions. The situation thus had become critical in the
+extreme; for, if the Chinese could succeed in forcing this position, the
+legations would lie at their mercy.
+
+The top of the wall at this point was reached from the inside by two
+ramps, or sloping walks, that led upward like the two legs of a letter
+A. One of these was controlled by the Americans, whose barricades were
+at its upper end, while the other was in possession of the Chinese.
+
+From the outset Rob Hinckley had cast his lot with the American
+marines, largely on account of his liking for Turner, the sharp-shooter,
+whose acquaintance he had made on that first memorable day of the siege.
+On the morning of July 3d these two had come down from the danger post
+for a much-needed rest after a forty-eight-hour tour of duty on the
+wall. At sunset they were to return to the almost untenable barricades.
+In the mean time, they slept like logs until late in the afternoon, when
+they were awakened to partake of a meal of cold boiled mule "beef,"
+rice, hard bread, and tea.
+
+"Look here, young man," said Turner, pausing for a moment in his hearty
+eating, "I don't see why you should go up on that old rockery again
+to-night. You ain't 'listed, and don't have to."
+
+"I have to just as much now as I did at first," replied Rob, quietly,
+"and you didn't say anything against it then."
+
+"Things have changed. We seemed to have some show then, with the Germans
+to look out for one side; but we haven't any now, and I don't see how we
+can hold the place through another night. You've noticed that the Chinks
+always get busier at night than in the daytime, and now they are right
+on top of us."
+
+"The only wonder to me is that they haven't cleaned us out long since,"
+said Rob. "They certainly have fired shots enough to destroy an army,
+let alone a couple of dozen men, which is as many as we ever have had up
+there at one time."
+
+"It is a funny business," admitted Turner, "and I have puzzled over
+it a good deal myself. Do you know what I think? I believe that heavy
+firing from the Ha-ta tower is all a bluff and is mostly done with blank
+cartridges. If it isn't, we ought, by rights, to have been swept off
+the wall like puff-balls in a gale, long ago. There's another thing. It
+looks to me as if about nine out of every ten of the Chinks' rifle-shots
+must be fired straight up in the air, same as we kids used to do on
+Fourth of July. At night, when they fire most, I believe they all shoot
+into the air, 'cause you never hear of anybody getting hit at night, and
+they sure shoot to beat the band. Looks like they were only trying to
+scare us or kill us by keeping us from sleeping--I don't know which."
+
+"Speaking of the Fourth of July," said Rob, "do you remember that
+to-morrow is the Fourth?"
+
+"Sure, and I'm wondering if I'll live to see it. Somehow I don't feel as
+if I would."
+
+"Oh, pshaw! Don't talk that way!" exclaimed the young volunteer. "You'll
+live to see it, and plenty more like it, only a heap happier. I felt
+blue myself this morning, but now, after a day's sleep and a good
+stuffing of mule, I feel all right."
+
+At this point the conversation was interrupted by the entrance of
+Lieutenant Hibbard, who said:
+
+"Well, boys, we are in for it! Word has gone out that we've got to
+capture those barricades to-night and sweep the wall clean as far as the
+Chien Men gate. There's a squad of Tommies going up to help us, and if
+we don't do the trick this time I am afraid it will be all up with the
+whole shooting-match. Of course, Hinckley, you don't have to go unless
+you choose."
+
+"Of course I do have to go, Mr. Hibbard!" cried Rob, hotly. "I should be
+too ashamed ever to call myself an American again if I didn't; and if we
+don't carry those barricades I hope I'll never come down again alive.
+What time do we start?"
+
+"Orders are to assemble on the wall as soon as it gets dark enough to go
+up the ramp unnoticed."
+
+"All right, sir, we'll be there," said Turner, "and I _know_ I'll never
+come down again alive if we don't get the Chinks on a run. We have got
+it to do, that's all."
+
+An hour later, in the dusk of evening, a little group of twenty
+Americans and as many British marines, all of them picked men, crouched
+on the lofty wall listening to the earnest but low-voiced words of
+Captain John Meyers, U.S.M.C., the gallant officer who was to lead the
+charge that would mean life or death to every foreigner then in the city
+of Pekin. He did not speak more than a minute, but what he said filled
+every man who heard him with the spirit of a hero. When he had finished
+he leaped the barricade and started down the wall, with every man of his
+little party striving to gain his side.
+
+The Chinese tower, from which they had been so harassed, went down like
+a card-house before their on-rush. A scattering volley of rifle-shots
+came from the barricade, but the Chinese were too completely taken
+by surprise to make a stand; even the Kwang-su savages, who never
+before had known defeat, fled in dismay before that charge of yelling
+Americans, whose rifles seemed to pour forth a continuous and
+inexhaustible stream of deadly fire. The Chinese fired a few shots,
+hurled a few spears, and then ran for their lives, darting from one
+barricade to another, but never allowed to pause, until such of them
+as were left alive gained the safe shelter of the Chien Men tower, a
+quarter of a mile away.
+
+[Illustration: "THE SAVAGES FLED IN DISMAY BEFORE THAT CHARGE OF YELLING
+AMERICANS"]
+
+As the jubilant Americans streamed back towards their own barricades,
+where ten of their number had been left on guard, Rob Hinckley, proudly
+bearing a Chinese banner that he had captured, gave utterance to his
+joyful excitement in the old academy yell with which Hatton boys
+announced their victorious return from hard-fought ball-games. "Hi-ho!
+Hi-ho! Hat-ton Hi-ho!" he shouted, and to his amazement the same call
+came back like an echo from far beneath him in the underlying southern
+city. "I wonder if it can be Jo!" he thought, and shouted again; but
+this time there was no reply.
+
+There were no dead Chinese, nor any wounded, for a detachment of Russian
+marines, who had charged up the Chinese ramp after the Americans and
+British had swept by its upper end, had followed them, pitching every
+dead or wounded Chinese whom they discovered over the parapet and down
+into the southern city. When these Russians met the returning victors
+they reported that they had found two dead Americans and carried them
+back to the barricades.
+
+This news suddenly quieted Rob Hinckley's jubilant shoutings, for
+instantly he recalled Turner's foreboding, and realized that he had
+not seen nor heard him since that first mad scramble over their own
+barricade. Now he shouted: "Turner! O Turner!" but there was no answer,
+and when they reached the American post his worst fears were confirmed.
+Turner and another marine, named Thomas, had been shot and instantly
+killed in the brief space between the two barricades. Here, too, had
+Captain Meyers received a spear wound that he disregarded until the
+affair was ended. Then it sent him to the hospital, where he remained
+for weeks. One of the British marines was found to be slightly wounded,
+as was one of the Russians; but these were the only casualties that the
+legation defenders were compelled to pay for the most important victory
+of the entire siege. By it they had gained a clear quarter of a mile of
+wall that they never afterwards gave up, and which remains to this day
+American Legation territory.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX
+
+JO HEAPS COALS OF FIRE
+
+
+Turner, crack shot of the American marines and one of the best men in
+the corps, was buried. Rob laid a wreath of flowers, twined by Annabel
+Lorimer, on his coffin, and then went back to the wall, where he was on
+guard duty at the eastern barricade. A drizzle of rain had fallen since
+early morning. The Fourth of July of 1900, as celebrated by Americans in
+Pekin, had not been a particularly happy or enjoyable day.
+
+When Rob relieved the man who had taken poor Turner's place on guard,
+the latter said:
+
+"There's some chap down below there in the southern city who has
+bothered me a good deal. He keeps calling out, 'I-ho!' or something of
+that kind, every few minutes, and has been at it for more than an hour;
+but I can't get a sight of him or even locate him."
+
+"Like this?" asked Rob, at the same time leaning over the parapet and
+uttering clear and loud the Hatton Academy call.
+
+"Yes, that's exactly it," answered the marine. "How did you know? There
+he goes now--"
+
+The answer had been prompt, but still no one likely to have given it
+could be discovered. While they watched and speculated a Chinese arrow
+came flying up from some unseen bow, and fell on the wall just within
+the barricades.
+
+"It was only a trick to get a pot shot at us!" exclaimed the marine,
+disgustedly; but Rob picked up the arrow, wrapped around which he found
+a sheet of thin paper. It was, as he had hoped, a note from Jo, that
+read as follows:
+
+     "DEAR ROB,--Don't worry. Everything will come out
+     right side. You have plenty friend in Pekin, among them Prince
+     Ching, who tells that the spirits of air are protect you, and
+     orders them fired at. I have fire-gun at Ha-ta tower, but only
+     blank cartridge. Make plenty noise, and all body is please. Many
+     big gun cannot be use, for fear shoot over and kill Chinese on
+     other side. Now say can starve you out. If you want send letter
+     Tien-Tsin, drop it over wall same place to-morrow, sun dark, and I
+     take it."
+
+From the foregoing it will be seen that Jo's ability to write English
+was not equal to his conversational fluency in that same tongue; but his
+letter was readily understood, and gave great satisfaction to the few
+persons in authority among the defenders, who shortly afterwards were
+made acquainted with its contents.
+
+Repeated efforts had been made to get news of their situation to the
+outside world, but thus far all the messengers had been captured or
+turned back. Now, with renewed hope a despatch, descriptive of the
+situation in Pekin, and imploring speedy relief, was prepared and given
+to Rob Hinckley for transmission.
+
+At sunset he again stood at the appointed place on the parapet, and with
+the first gathering of dusk a low but distinct call of "Hi-ho!" came up
+to him from the dark shadows at the foot of the lofty wall. His tiny
+message, folded in oiled silk and weighted with a bit of brick, already
+was attached to a thread, by which it was promptly lowered. Then came a
+slight jerk on the thread, and he pulled up the broken end to satisfy
+himself that the little packet really had been taken.
+
+After this incident the siege dragged wearily on, with frequent
+skirmishes and constant firing on both sides, but with no decisive
+advantage to either. The death-list received almost daily additions,
+and the hospitals became filled to overflowing. To the heats of the
+summer season were added flooding rains that necessitated a constant
+repairing of washed-down defences. Thus weary days lengthened into
+tedious weeks, and the weeks formed themselves into an unbroken month
+of siege, before anything hopeful happened. Then came a white flag from
+the Tsung Li Yamen, with a note signed "Prince Ching and others," asking
+for a cessation of firing that negotiations for the departure of the
+foreigners might be renewed.
+
+This proposition being accepted, active hostilities on both sides were
+suspended for a period of three weeks. During this interval the inmates
+of the legations were as closely confined to their lines as ever, and
+hardly a day passed without more or less rifle-firing.
+
+In all this time there was no word from Jo, nor any proof that the
+precious message intrusted to him ever had been delivered. There were
+rumors, filtering through Chinese sources, that Tien-Tsin had been
+captured, and that a great foreign army was marching towards Pekin; but
+these rumors could not be verified, and as firing on the legations,
+especially at night, was again begun, the situation appeared more
+hopeless than ever.
+
+Shortly before daylight, on the 10th of August, a furious fire was
+directed against the legations, beginning at the southwest, or Russian
+corner, and rapidly extending around the entire circle. While it was in
+progress, Rob Hinckley, who again was stationed on the wall, thought he
+heard the signal cry of Hatton Academy coming from the direction of the
+Ha-ta watch-tower. The noise of the cannonade and the rattle of musketry
+were so tremendous that he could not be sure, but he ventured an
+answering cry, and then breathlessly listened. Yes, there it was again,
+not loud, but distinct, and apparently close at hand. Rifle-bullets from
+the Ha-ta tower were sweeping the wall and thudding against the tough
+bricks of the shelter behind which crouched the Americans.
+
+"Don't shoot, men! I am going out!" cried our lad. As he spoke he leaped
+the low barricade and ran to the outer parapet, from which the call had
+seemed to come.
+
+"Jo!" he shouted. "Jo! where are you?"
+
+"Here I am, Rob," came in feeble tone, and in another moment the young
+American had found his friend crawling weakly in the partial shelter of
+the parapet, but at the very end of his strength.
+
+Somehow Rob got him behind the barricade, where he lay panting.
+
+"What is it, old man?" cried his friend, bending anxiously over the
+exhausted and pitiably emaciated figure. "Are you sick, or wounded, or
+what? Did you get through to Tien-Tsin? Are troops on the way?"
+
+Jo's eyes were closed, and he barely breathed; but his lips moved, and
+Rob caught the whispered words:
+
+"Army most here. Look, leg bandage, Rob, dear friend--"
+
+That was all, and Chinese Jo never spoke again. The last great,
+self-imposed duty of his life had splendidly been performed, but at what
+expense of suffering never can be known, for in the turmoil of the days
+immediately following his heroic death he was forgotten. Afterwards
+General Gasalee, commanding the relieving army, could only say that he
+had given several despatches to as many messengers, with the hope that
+at least one of them might be got through. The one borne by Jo was found
+hidden in a blood-stained cloth bound around one of his legs. It was a
+brief note from the commanding general, stating that an allied force
+of twenty thousand men, British, American, Japanese, and Russian, were
+fighting their way towards Pekin, and making such steady progress that
+they expected to be at Tung Chou, only twelve miles away, on the 12th,
+and to reach the capital by the 13th or 14th.
+
+This, the first reliable news received from the relieving army, was
+hailed with extravagant joy by the long-imprisoned inmates of the
+British Legation, and for hours the bulletin-board on which it was
+posted was surrounded by a dense throng of all nationalities, many of
+whom could not read English, while some could not read at all, but all
+anxious to see the blessed words that promised them speedy safety.
+
+The story of Chinese Jo's bravery was told from mouth to mouth until all
+knew it; and when, that evening, his poor, emaciated body, covered with
+mute evidences of his sufferings in the form of livid scars and unhealed
+wounds, was laid to rest in the legation grounds, his funeral was the
+most largely attended of any during the siege. Although it was not a
+military funeral, the guns of his own countrymen, firing upon those he
+had given his life to save, thundered a requiem alike for him and for
+the dying era of Chinese national life that was about to close.
+
+Again Rob Hinckley and Annabel Lorimer stood together at an open grave,
+and as they turned away at the conclusion of the simple but solemnly
+impressive ceremony of committal, the latter said, with tear-choked
+voice:
+
+"I think he was the bravest boy I ever knew."
+
+"He certainly was," replied Rob, "and also he was the best friend I ever
+had."
+
+When Sir Claude Macdonald first read the welcome despatch from General
+Gasalee, and at the same time heard that its bearer was dead, he
+exclaimed: "What a pity he could not have lived to take back a plan of
+the city walls, showing the best place of entrance!"
+
+A little later this regret became generally expressed, but it did not
+reach Rob Hinckley's ears until the day after Jo's funeral. Immediately
+upon hearing it, he went to the American minister and offered his
+own services as a messenger to convey any desired information to the
+approaching army.
+
+At first the minister refused his consent. "The southern city, as
+well as the country between here and Tung Chou, is crowded with the
+enemy," he said, "and for a foreigner, or even for a native messenger,
+to attempt a passage through them would be to court an almost certain
+death."
+
+"My friend gave his life for us," replied Rob, simply, "and he was
+a Chinese who had been badly treated by Americans. What he did any
+American ought to be willing to do. Besides, I believe I can get
+through. He taught me how to travel in China as a Chinese, and now, if
+ever, is my chance to profit by his lessons. Please let me go, sir.
+If I am killed, it will only be one life lost; if I get through, the
+information I can give about the water-gate may save thousands of lives."
+
+That night a Chinese beggar, apparently old and on the verge of
+starvation, clad in the filthiest of rags, and with a scanty, unkempt
+queue coiled in slovenly manner about his half-shaven head, hobbled, by
+aid of a stick, towards the low water-gate, under the Tartar City wall,
+that carried off the surplus water of the imperial canal. This gate
+nominally was closed by iron bars, and in times of flood was impassable;
+but now there was little water flowing through it, and it was only
+choked with black mud. Above it was that section of the city wall held
+by American marines.
+
+Fumbling in the darkness of this almost-forgotten water-gate, the beggar
+found a bar so rusted and worn by age that he could force a way through.
+When he emerged on the other side of the wall he was covered with black,
+vile-smelling mud. It rendered him so disgusting an object that even a
+Chinese could not tolerate his presence, and, whenever he approached one
+with a whining plea for alms, he was driven away with blows and curses.
+Thus he wandered on from group to group, through many streets, until he
+came to a gate in the eastern wall of the southern city that was guarded
+by a troop of Chinese cavalry. These amused themselves by teasing him,
+until, at length, one of them, tired of the sport, said:
+
+"Oh! Put him outside, and let the old bag of bones go to the foreign
+devils. They will stuff him full of bullets and make him fat."
+
+So the gate was opened a little way, and the beggar was thrust through
+it at the points of a dozen spears, some of which pricked him cruelly.
+Thus driven from the city, he continued his way, walking more strongly
+now than he had before, over the great stone road leading to Tung Chou.
+
+With sunrise there was borne to his ears the startling sounds of heavy
+firing in the east, the boom of field-artillery, the rat-tat-tat of
+machine-guns, and the sharp, volleying crash of musketry. Then came the
+roar of a heavy explosion, and he felt the earth tremble as though from
+a distant earthquake. Fugitive Chinese soldiers, many of them wounded,
+began to appear and hurry past him. A little later, as they threatened
+to throng the highway, he withdrew to a cluster of ruined mud-huts
+marking the site of an abandoned village. Here, desperately weary, he
+flung himself on the ground, and almost instantly fell asleep. An hour
+or two afterwards he awoke and cautiously peered from his shelter. The
+highway was deserted, and, regaining it, he again pressed on towards
+Tung Chou.
+
+At length, the city wall was so close at hand that he could hear
+bugle-calls sounding beyond it. As he eagerly listened to the familiar
+notes, a rifle-shot came, without warning, from a ruined village similar
+to that in which he had rested. The beggar was spun half-way round, and
+felt a stinging sensation in his right shoulder. A moment later half
+a dozen Japanese soldiers, forming a scouting party, sprang from the
+ruins and ran towards him, laughing at the sorry figure he cut. One of
+them drew a pistol and was about to put him out of the misery indicated
+by his appearance, when, to their amazement, he shouted to them in a
+language that they knew to be English:
+
+"I am American! Take me to General Chaffee!"
+
+After a parley he managed to make them understand, and shortly
+afterwards he stood in the presence of the stern-featured, keen-eyed
+American commander.
+
+"Well, sir! Who are you? What do you want?" demanded the general.
+
+"I have just come from Pekin with this plan of the walls, sent by the
+American minister, and my name is Robert Hinckley," was the reply.
+
+The words were hardly uttered when an officer, who had been writing
+in another part of the room, sprang to his feet and confronted the
+disguised lad with incredulous eyes.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX
+
+THE CAPTURE OF PEKIN
+
+
+Captain John Astley, of Z Battery, Light Artillery, U.S.A., had thought
+often of the lad who had crossed the Pacific with him, and when he
+received the order to proceed with his battery to China he wondered
+if, by any chance, he should again meet his young friend. In the rush
+of events that followed Rob was quite forgotten, until a strange
+coincidence brought his name so prominently to the front that it was
+mentioned almost daily. Captain Astley even hoped to find the lad in
+Pekin, and had anticipated the joyful recognition that would accompany
+their meeting. Now, therefore, as he sat writing in General Chaffee's
+temporary headquarters, near the Tung Chou gateway, blown up by the
+Japanese that very morning, the name uttered by the Chinese beggar under
+examination instantly attracted his attention.
+
+"I beg your pardon, general," he said, "but this person has just
+mentioned a name well known to me. Have I your permission to question
+him?"
+
+"Yes; question all you please," replied General Chaffee, who already was
+absorbed in the plan of Pekin walls and the accompanying description of
+their weak points that had so opportunely come to him.
+
+"Can you possibly be the Rob Hinckley who crossed the Pacific to Manila
+in the transport _Logan_ last March?" asked the artillery officer,
+eagerly, of the wretched-looking figure that, trembling with weakness,
+stood before him.
+
+"I am, sir; and you are Captain John Astley, of Battery Z," was the
+reply.
+
+"Good Heavens, Rob! It seems impossible; and it is absolutely incredible
+that any human being could be so completely disguised and so utterly
+changed. How in the name of--? But I won't ask a question, though I am
+nearly choked by a thousand that are clamorous for utterance. There is a
+dear friend of yours somewhere outside, and I must bring him in, so that
+all of us may hear your story together. General--"
+
+Here the speaker said a few words to the commander in so low a tone that
+Rob could not catch them, and hastily left the room.
+
+In less than a minute he returned, accompanied by an excited but
+puzzled-looking gentleman, clad in semi-military uniform, who, hastily
+saluting the general, turned immediately to where Rob still was standing.
+
+"Here he is, my boy!" cried Captain Astley, exultingly. "Your own daddy!
+We found him in Shanghai fretting his life out over his lost family, and
+brought him along as battery surgeon. But, hello! What's the matter? Why
+don't you rush into each other's arms? Do you need an introduction?"
+
+Father and son were staring curiously at each other.
+
+"Is it possible that you are my own little Rob?" gasped the former.
+
+"Are you really my father?" interrogated Rob, gazing doubtfully at the
+white-headed man who now was said to be the same young, dark-haired
+parent that had bidden him farewell in America years before.
+
+"If you are Rob," continued Dr. Hinckley, huskily, "tell me what has
+become of my wife--your mother. Is she alive or dead?"
+
+"She is alive and safe in Cheng-Ting-Fu."
+
+"Thank God! Thank God!" cried the overjoyed man, with tears rolling down
+his cheeks. "But, Rob--Good Heavens!"
+
+With this he sprang forward and caught the lad, who was tottering
+and evidently about to fall. Loss of blood from his wound, strain,
+excitement, and exhaustion--all had done their work--and everything swam
+before his failing sight as his surgeon-father gently laid him down.
+
+The next day, when the relieving army, which had fought its way mile by
+mile from the distant sea, made its final dash for Pekin, Rob Hinckley
+followed it in an ambulance, tossing and muttering incoherently in the
+unconsciousness of a high fever.
+
+Within the city the excitement on that memorable 13th of August was
+intense. Foreign guns thundered against its massive walls and stout
+gates from noon until dark, while from the lofty battlements swarms of
+Chinese sharp-shooters replied with so furious a rifle-fire that none
+dared cross the death-swept zone.
+
+Inside the walls the bombardment of the legation defences was continuous
+all that day and all through the night that followed. Nor were the
+besieged foreigners silent; but through the long hours the baying of
+their Nordenfeldt gun, the vicious barking of their Colt's automatic,
+the growl of "Old Betsy," the Chinese six-pounder that they had
+found and converted to their own use, and the sharp yelping of their
+rifle-fire were heard unceasingly.
+
+During the morning of the 14th the bombardment of the city was
+continued, the Japanese being held at bay outside a stoutly defended
+eastern gate, which they only succeeded in blowing up and carrying
+after dark that night. At the same time the Russians were caught in
+a death-trap at the next gateway on the south, where they easily had
+forced the outer gate, but could make no impression upon the inner. Here
+their chief of staff was killed, and many of their men, before they
+extricated themselves and retired to a safe distance.
+
+After that the Americans tried the same entrance, stormed it, scaled the
+lofty wall, charged down the inner ramp, gained possession, opened the
+gate, and found themselves inside the southern city. From this point
+they fought their way through a net-work of alleys and streets, swarming
+with Chinese riflemen, to the water-gate beneath the Tartar wall,
+concerning which Rob Hinckley had furnished them with information.
+
+In the mean time the British column, assigned to a gate still farther
+south, had the marvellous good-fortune to find it undefended. So they
+simply marched in, traversed the southern city, taking possession of the
+Temple of Heaven _en route_, made their way to Rob's water-gate, waded
+through its mud, and, to their own amazement as well as that of every
+one else, found themselves not only in the heart of Pekin almost without
+having fired a shot, but within the lines of legation defence as well.
+
+The first officer of the relieving army to pass through the water-gate
+was Major Scott, of the 1st Sikhs, and with him were four of his men.
+Then came General Gasalee and his staff, followed by the Sikh regiment,
+the 1st Bengal Lancers, a detachment of Welsh fusileers, a field
+battery, the Hong-Kong regiment, and a detachment of Royal marines.
+
+A few minutes later came the Americans, cheering their flag and their
+weary comrades, who for two months had held the wall. They also came
+through the famous water-gate that Chinese blindness had failed to
+obstruct. General Chaffee led the way, and he was followed by five
+hundred marines, the 14th and 9th regiments of infantry, two Hotchkiss
+guns, and Battery Z.
+
+The siege of the legations was ended, the relieving army was in
+possession of Pekin, the Empress Dowager, together with the Emperor
+and the whole imperial court had fled, and the ill-advised, savagely
+brutal, but long-continued effort to drive foreigners from Chinese
+soil had come to an ignominious ending. Had China been united, the
+struggle might have been prolonged for years, though it never could
+have succeeded; but China was "a house divided against itself." Out of
+the eighteen provinces only three took part in the movement, the others
+being either opposed to it or indifferent as to its outcome.
+
+The Empress Dowager, who hated the very idea of reforms based upon
+foreign models, was opposed by the Emperor, who desired them. The
+prime-minister, Prince Tuan, bitterly anti-foreign, found his schemes
+opposed by Prince Ching and the ever-politic Li Hung Chang. The
+bloody Kwang-su general, Tung-Fu-Hsang, who thirsted for the blood of
+foreigners, was thwarted in his plans for their destruction by the more
+wary General Jung Lu, who ordered his troops not to kill any more than
+they could help.
+
+So Pekin fell, almost without a struggle, and for a year afterwards the
+city was misruled and looted by foreign soldiers, who destroyed many of
+its most beautiful structures and carried away its most precious works
+of art. From it also they ravaged the surrounding country, sending out
+punishment expeditions to kill, burn, and destroy in every direction.
+
+In the mean time the American troops had been followed into the city by
+a train of the biggest army wagons ever seen in China, each drawn by
+six huge mules, and by a number of four-mule ambulances, one of which
+brought Rob Hinckley. From it he was transferred to a hospital, where
+he lay for weeks with no knowledge of his surroundings or of what was
+happening about him. Then one day he opened his eyes and looked into the
+face of his mother.
+
+Of course he knew that this was a dream, for all things were but dreams
+with him now, so he wearily closed his unreliable eyes and went to
+sleep. The next time he opened them he again saw his mother's face,
+bending lovingly, but oh! so anxiously, over him. This time the dream
+lasted until she gently kissed his forehead, and he heard her say:
+"Please, dear God, don't take him from us!" Then he knew that he was
+awake and must make haste to get up, because it troubled his mother to
+have him lie there. Besides, it was very silly not to be able to raise
+his hands. A little later it occurred to him to wonder if he were in
+Cheng-Ting-Fu, or, if not, how it happened that his mother had come away
+from so safe a place into one so full of danger as Pekin.
+
+By-and-by they told him all about the expedition that, accompanied by
+his father, had been sent down the road from Pekin, how terribly it had
+punished Pao-Ting-Fu for its murder of missionaries, and how it had gone
+on to Cheng-Ting-Fu to find all the foreigners who had taken refuge
+behind its brave walls safe and unharmed. He learned of his parents'
+joyful reunion, and how they had hastened back to Pekin and his bedside.
+Gradually, too, he was told the thrilling story of his father's escape
+from the dreadful city of Tai-Yuan, of his perilous wanderings through
+Shan-Si and Ho-nan, until finally he found himself on a branch of the
+Han River, down which he floated for many nights in a skiff to Hankow.
+From there he was taken on a United States gun-boat to Shanghai, where
+he met Mr. Bishop, the engineer, and learned that his boy had plunged
+into the very heart of the storm of wrath then centring about Pekin.
+
+During his days of convalescence, while Rob was learning of all these
+things, he saw much of the Lorimers, who had refused to leave Pekin
+until assured that the lad, to whom they felt they were so largely
+indebted for their own safety, was himself out of danger.
+
+Then the two families left the city in which they had suffered and
+endured so much, and travelled together over the reconstructed railway
+to Tien-Tsin, where they took steamer for Shanghai. There Rob found
+his trunk, together with the money due him for services rendered, that
+had been forwarded from Canton by Mr. Bishop. He also found several
+letters from the engineer, who had learned so highly to appreciate the
+lad's pluck, manliness, and ready resource during the long journey they
+had taken together that he now offered him a permanent and well-paid
+position on the proposed American railway.
+
+About this same time Mr. Lorimer, who was president of a great American
+life insurance company, offered Dr. Hinckley the post of chief medical
+examiner in China for his company, which was about to extend its
+operations into that country.
+
+It is almost needless to say that both these offers were promptly
+accepted, and before the Lorimers took steamer for America and the last
+stage of their eventful journey around the world, Dr. and Mrs. Hinckley
+were already settled in the Shanghai house that was to be their future
+home.
+
+Rob left them there when he went to Canton to assume his new duties; but
+he rejoins them in July of each year, when father, mother, and son go
+together to Japan for a happy month among its life-giving mountains.
+
+The strong friendship cemented between Annabel and Rob during those
+terrible Pekin days has since been maintained by means of frequent
+letters, and both await with eager anticipations the autumn of 1904,
+when the Hinckleys are to revisit their own country and join the
+Lorimers on a trip to the World's Fair at St. Louis.
+
+In talking it all over, Mrs. Hinckley often exclaims: "How wonderful are
+the ways of Providence!" and whenever Rob hears her speak thus, he adds:
+
+"Yes, mother, and how splendidly were the designs of Providence carried
+out by Chinese Jo!"
+
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Blue Dragon, by Kirk Munroe
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 42886 ***