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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..360b63b --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #67478 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/67478) diff --git a/old/67478-0.txt b/old/67478-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 601f487..0000000 --- a/old/67478-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,7647 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of A United States Midshipman in China, -by Yates Stirling, Jr. - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: A United States Midshipman in China - -Author: Yates Stirling, Jr. - -Illustrator: Ralph L. Boyer - -Release Date: February 22, 2022 [eBook #67478] - -Language: English - -Produced by: D A Alexander, David E. Brown, and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was - produced from images generously made available by Cornell - University Digital Collections) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A UNITED STATES MIDSHIPMAN IN -CHINA *** - - -[Illustration: _IT WAS ROUGHLY SEIZED FROM HIS HAND_] - - - - - A - UNITED STATES - MIDSHIPMAN - IN CHINA - - _by_ - - Lt. Com. Yates Stirling Jr. U.S.N. - - Author of - “A U.S. Midshipman Afloat” - - [Illustration] - - Illustrated _by_ Ralph L. Boyer - - THE PENN PUBLISHING - COMPANY PHILADELPHIA - MCMIX - - - - - COPYRIGHT - 1909 BY - THE PENN - PUBLISHING - COMPANY - - [Illustration] - - - - -Introduction - - -Those who have read “A United States Midshipman Afloat” will recall -that Philip Perry and his friend, Sydney Monroe, recent graduates -of the Naval Academy at Annapolis, had been but a short time in the -regular naval service when the battle-ship “Connecticut,” to which they -had been assigned, was ordered to a South American port. Here they -found a revolution in progress, and it became the duty of the young men -to prevent the delivery of certain machine guns and other war material -which had been shipped from America to the insurgents. In this they -were successful after some stirring adventure on land and sea. - -The present book shows the same young officers on a United States -gunboat in the Yangtse River at a time when the lives of foreigners -in China are in peril. A further account of their experiences in -Eastern waters will be found in “A United States Midshipman in the -Philippines.” In all of these books the endeavor has been to portray -some of the bold enterprises which are all in the day’s work for a -naval officer, and to show how our modern navy accomplishes big things -in a quiet way. - - - - -Contents - - - I. AN INCIDENT OF THE RIVER 9 - - II. AN UNPLEASANT ENCOUNTER 21 - - III. THE PERIL AT THE MISSION GATE 32 - - IV. THE EMBASSY TO THE VICEROY 44 - - V. THE VICEROY’S TREACHERY 59 - - VI. DIPLOMACY FAILS 72 - - VII. DISSENSIONS 86 - - VIII. IGNACIO SHOWS HIS HAND 108 - - IX. HELD AS HOSTAGES 122 - - X. A CHINESE PRISON 139 - - XI. FRIENDS IN NEED 152 - - XII. A DARING PLAN 167 - - XIII. HOPES OF ESCAPE 181 - - XIV. THE ESCAPE 194 - - XV. AN ENEMY SILENCED 208 - - XVI. REËNFORCEMENTS 234 - - XVII. ABOARD THE “PHŒNIX” 245 - - XVIII. THE START FOR KU-LING 259 - - XIX. THE SECRET CHANNEL 274 - - XX. RUNNING THE BATTERIES 288 - - XXI. TO THE RESCUE OF THE MISSION 299 - - XXII. THE LAST CHARGE 314 - - XXIII. THE FORTS SURRENDER 332 - - XXIV. PHIL EXPLAINS 345 - - - - -Illustrations - - - PAGE - - IT WAS ROUGHLY SEIZED FROM HIS HAND _Frontispiece_ - - A PISTOL SHOT RANG OUT 71 - - “WE ARE YOUR FRIENDS” 150 - - HE MEASURED THE STRENGTH OF HIS ANTAGONIST 191 - - “THE MONITORS ARE ACTUALLY HERE!” 256 - - “THERE IS STILL A CHANCE” 283 - - THE AMERICANS WERE STRUCK DUMB 342 - - - - -A United States Midshipman in China - - - - -CHAPTER I - -AN INCIDENT OF THE RIVER - - -The United States gunboat “Phœnix” lay at anchor in the swift current -of the Yangtse River opposite the Chinese city of Ku-Ling. The surface -of the water seemed tranquil, but a closer look over the side of the -ship showed to the observer the strength of the muddy flood that swept -for thousands of miles through the length of the Chinese Empire, from -the far-away snows of the mountains of Tibet onward to the waters of -the Pacific Ocean. - -Two young midshipmen were standing at the gunboat’s rail in eager -conversation. Their eyes were intent upon the scenes on the shore -scarce a hundred yards away. - -“Oh, there’s Langdon!” exclaimed Philip Perry, the taller of the two -lads, as the form of the government pilot, Joseph Langdon, was seen -coming from the ward-room companion ladder. “Langdon, have you ever -seen this much talked about Chang-Li-Hun?” - -“Seen him?” Langdon echoed, approaching the speaker. “I’ve talked with -him many a time, and you can take my word for it, there isn’t a man -in all China whom I wouldn’t sooner have for my enemy. He’s a past -craftsman in oriental subtlety and diplomacy. He rules his own people -with a rod of iron, and if an official displeases him, off goes his -head in the most approved Chinese fashion.” - -Both midshipmen suppressed an unconscious shiver as the American pilot -of the Yangtse River illustrated the death of the disgraced official by -chopping at his own thick neck with a great sun-tanned, muscular hand. - -“Everything looks peaceful enough ashore there now, doesn’t it?” Sydney -Monroe, Phil’s friend and classmate, said in a tone of inquiry. “It -doesn’t seem as if the foreigners were much in fear of the dangers of -Chinese violence. Look!” he exclaimed; “there are European women and -even children walking along the streets.” - -“That’s the danger in China,” Langdon returned in a troubled voice. -“Living in this country is like being on top of a presumably extinct -volcano. No one knows when it will break out. Sometimes it comes -without the usual rumblings.” - -“There must have been some rumblings,” Philip Perry exclaimed, pointing -suggestively at the half score of foreign gunboats representing all the -European navies. - -“Yes,” Langdon answered, “there have been many signs which have greatly -alarmed those who have made a study of the Chinese situation. This -viceroy has within the last few weeks allowed many insults by his -people to foreigners to go unpunished, and will not listen to the -appeals of the foreign consuls. The missionaries all over the provinces -are in fear of some terrible calamity, and it is through their urgent -demands that these war-ships are here.” - -“What do the foreigners fear?” Sydney asked, interestedly. - -“Fear!” Langdon exclaimed. “Why, almost every kind of torture and -death. When once the Chinese are allowed to avenge themselves upon the -foreigner there’s no limit to their cruelty.” - -“Why can’t we appeal to the Chinese government at Peking to protect -foreigners?” Phil asked gravely. “Haven’t we a treaty with China for -protection of United States citizens here?” - -Langdon gave the lad a withering look, as he replied: - -“This viceroy is not letting Peking know what is happening in his -provinces. If he succeeds in making the country over which he rules -dangerous and unprofitable to foreigners without doing more than kill a -few missionaries and ruining foreign trade, Peking will apologize for -the deaths and pay an indemnity to the families of those killed and -then to sustain him in the eyes of his people decorate him with the -Order of the Dragon. But if he goes too far, then Peking, in order to -save herself from an invasion of foreign soldiers, will disgrace the -viceroy in one of the many ways known best to the Chinese.” - -“Here comes the captain now,” Sydney exclaimed as a small white -canopied steam launch shoved off from the jetty and stood toward the -“Phœnix.” - -All three walked toward the gangway to meet Commander Hughes, the -captain of the gunboat, who had been ashore to visit his consul and -gather the latest news of the much feared uprising among the fanatical -natives. - -“Well, Webster,” Commander Hughes exclaimed in hearty tones to the -executive officer, as he put his foot on the quarter-deck, returning in -a precise manner the salutes of the officers standing near. “Keep your -guard for the mission ready to land at a moment’s notice. I saw that -half-breed Emmons, the oracle of the river. He is non-committal, but -I can see he fears trouble. He promised to warn me in plenty of time. -Emmons says that the Tartar general, commanding all the soldiers under -the viceroy, is not in sympathy with this movement, and if he can urge -the viceroy to take steps to suppress it, our presence here may yet be -unnecessary.” - -After the captain had entered his cabin the two midshipmen turned -eagerly upon the pilot. - -“Who is this half-breed Emmons the captain speaks of?” Phil demanded. - -“Do you see all those launches over there?” the pilot inquired, -pointing to the near-by docks where many small vessels were unloading. - -“Well, they belong to Emmons,” he added, “and he’s very rich. His -mother was a native woman and his father an American merchant skipper. -Emmons wears Chinese clothes and to meet him on the street you’d -take him for a native. We’re lucky to have Emmons with us, but if -the viceroy suspects that he is, he’d enjoy nothing better than to -confiscate his property and expel him from the provinces, even if he -doesn’t have him executed.” - -“Where’s this mission?” Sydney asked gazing searchingly out over the -green sloped hills of the country. - -Langdon held a pointing finger steadily out to the right of the walled -Chinese city. - -“About five miles from here,” he said. “It’s built in the middle of an -ancient Chinese graveyard and is a thorn in the side of the Chinese. -It was erected three years ago, and by order of this same viceroy. No -other site could be used. He knew that the Chinese would never rest -until they tore the building down. It took nearly two years to build; -all the work was done by Christian converts. I don’t blame the captain -for feeling uneasy, for in my opinion that mission will be the first -point of attack.” - -Phil and Sydney were soon after below in their rooms finishing their -unpacking; for they had but recently arrived on the station and had -joined the gunboat just previous to her leaving Shanghai on her -four-hundred mile cruise up the great Chinese river. So interested were -they during the day, viewing the shifting scenery, and at night so much -of their time had been occupied in standing watch on the gunboat’s -bridge, that they had quite forgotten their trunks as yet unpacked in -the ward-room passages. - -After dinner that evening, while the midshipmen were enjoying the -bracing fall air on the quarter-deck, Phil was suddenly summoned to -report immediately to the captain. - -Receiving Commander Hughes’ instructions to take the steam launch and -board each of the foreign gunboats, the midshipman left the cabin to -carry out his orders, much elated at the exalted rôle he was playing in -the affairs of nations. About an hour later, having visited each of the -foreign gunboats and given to their commanding officers his captain’s -letters, the launch breasted the swift current of the river on her -return to the ship. The coxswain of the launch was steering his boat -close to the hulls of the junks moored to the jetty, in order to avoid -the strength of the current. The river was silent; no sound could be -heard save the whir of the tiny engine and the rush of the tide against -the sides of the launch. - -As the boat passed within the shadow of a high-sided junk, such as are -used by the wealthy Chinese as house-boats, a piercing cry rang out -over the quiet water from her deck, directly above Phil’s head; then -he heard the sound of a scuffle, followed by the splash of a heavy -body in the dark waters astern of the launch. The lad was on his feet -in an instant; throwing off his coat, he sprang out on the launch’s -rail, ready to go to the assistance of the unfortunate one who had -been swallowed up in the treacherous waters. The coxswain had by -signal stopped the headway of the launch and all eyes were searching -the waters astern: the ripples that closed over the body were visible, -while some yards down stream an object floated, all but submerged, -rapidly borne away by the hurrying flood. - -The lad stood irresolute for the fraction of a second, fear of the -treacherous flood tugging at his heart; then overcoming this momentary -weakness, he turned to the coxswain beside him: - -“Go down to leeward and pick me up,” he ordered, gathering himself -together and springing far out into the dark river. - -As he struck out boldly sinister stories of the enchanted water surged -back to him. He had heard how the suction from the muddy bottom was -known to drag to their death even the strongest swimmers: men who had -missed their footing while stepping into boats alongside their own -ships had disappeared beneath the yellow surface never to rise again. -The Chinese superstition was that a dragon lived in the river and -that all persons who fell into his home were drawn to the bottom and -devoured by the monster. - -Phil struggled manfully against these weird fancies, yet he was -conscious of the force acting to suck his body down while he exerted -all his strength to keep his head above the engulfing waters. The -high-sided junks flashed by him as he swam with the current toward the -victim struggling despairingly in the embrace of the river dragon. In a -few moments his strong strokes had brought him alongside the drowning -man. He grasped the man’s clothing and drew him closer, seeking a -firmer hold. Avoiding the waving arms, Phil’s hand worked its way along -the body until it reached his head, and there his fingers closed about -the long braided cue; twisting this around his hand, the lad swam out -toward the middle of the river. The Chinaman struggled violently, -striving to grasp Phil’s hand. The boy saw with terror that if the -Chinaman succeeded they would both drown. - -“Be still or I’ll let you go!” he commanded, forgetting in his anxiety -that he was talking to a Chinaman, but nevertheless the man quieted -down and Phil’s hopes rose. - -With the stinging water in his eyes, he gazed about him for the launch; -he could scarcely see; the oppressive darkness seemed to be closing in -about him. Then out of the night there loomed the sides of many junks, -massed in tiers, directly in the path of the current carrying him. This -new and terrible danger filled him with despair: even the strongest -swimmer could not expect to survive if he were drawn under that wooden -wall of vessels; if he were not crushed between their huge hulls he -would be forced beneath the surface for so long a time that life would -be extinct before he rose again. His one chance was to breast the -tide, swimming out from shore in the hope that thus he might clear the -outside junk. - -The hulls seemed ever closer and the lad’s efforts weaker. The Chinaman -was a dead weight upon him; if he abandoned the man he could save -himself. Would it not be just? He could not hope to save both himself -and the Chinaman, therefore, was he not obeying the first law of nature -by abandoning the unfortunate man to his fate? But Phil, even with -death staring him in the face, dismissed these unnerving thoughts from -his mind. He would save the man or drown in the attempt! As he swam -manfully ahead, supporting the fully conscious but terrified Chinaman, -and casting anxious glances behind him at the fast approaching menace, -his heart was gladdened at the sight of the launch standing in boldly -between him and the junks, now but a few dozen yards away. Then he saw -the boat turn slowly, painfully, toward him in the grasp of the cruel, -relentless current which seemed to sweep her down under the yawning -whirlpool. He closed his eyes to shut out the sight. If the launch -failed to turn inside the distance she would be swept under the mass of -shipping and be capsized; then the brave men who had fearlessly taken -this risk to save him would all find a watery grave in the river. - -“She can’t make it!” he gasped despairingly. - - - - -CHAPTER II - -AN UNPLEASANT ENCOUNTER - - -Phil had ceased to struggle; his doom was too close upon him to hope -to escape it. His one chance was the launch. A low cry of joy burst -from him as he saw her turn safely under the overhanging bows of the -junks and steam swiftly toward him. Yet he knew that all danger had not -passed; the current was still sweeping him down while the boat must -keep her headway else she would be carried back under the shipping. The -launch loomed above him; he saw her anxious crew gathered in the bow -ready to grasp the struggling men as they were swept by on the crest of -the flood. - -He was conscious of strong arms about him, and the next moment he and -the rescued Chinaman were safely on board the launch, while she was -steaming at full speed for safety away from the treacherous shore. - -After the rescued Chinaman had been resuscitated, and Phil had -recovered from his terrible exertions, he ordered the coxswain to land -at the foreign concession. The Chinaman lay on the deck of the launch, -fully alive but not showing by word or sign his gratitude to the -midshipman who had saved his life at the risk of his own. - -As the boat stopped at the stone steps of the jetty, the Chinaman arose -unsteadily to his feet, grasping the boy’s hand in both of his, then -without a word stepped quickly out of the launch and was lost in the -night. - -Phil was so astonished at the man’s action that it was some moments -before he realized that a ring had been left in his hand. He examined -it eagerly in the dim light of an oil lantern; what was his surprise to -find that it was of massive carved gold, set with a green jade stone. - -As the launch was secured alongside of the “Phœnix’s” gangway, Phil -stepped to the coxswain’s side and took the sailor’s rough hand in his -own, much to the embarrassment of the latter. - -“Blake,” the lad said earnestly, “you saved my life, and you did it as -coolly as if you had been only making a landing alongside the ship.” - -“It was nothing, sir,” the coxswain answered quickly, his face beaming; -“but to think of your jumping into this river to save a Chink,” he -added admiringly. - -“My act was upon impulse,” Phil declared earnestly, “and took no real -nerve, while you deliberately measured your chances and saw that the -odds were dead against you; one slip, one spoke too little helm, one -revolution too few with the engines, and you and your crew would have -been swept underneath that mass of junks, and knowing this you took the -chance and had the nerve and grit to steer your boat cleverly to safety -and me with her. My act is insignificant beside yours.” - -Leaving the coxswain still wondering at his words of praise, Phil -reported his return and went at once to his room for dry clothes. -Although the hour was early, and there were many things over which he -would have liked to talk with Sydney and their new friend Langdon, when -once in dry, warm clothes he found his exertions of the past hour had -sapped his strength, and he was soon fast asleep. Nor did he awake -until the sun was streaming in through his port-hole. - -Turning out promptly, and making a hasty toilet, he was soon in -the mess-room, where he found the full mess at breakfast, and all -discussing the seriousness of the present crisis. - -As he put his hands on the table the brightness of the ring the -Chinaman had given him startled him; the deep green of the stone stood -out clearly against the white tablecloth. Langdon, sitting beside him, -espied it immediately and grasped the boy’s hand, examining the ring -closely. - -“Royal jade!” the pilot exclaimed. “Where did you get it? That’s one of -the finest stones I’ve seen in years.” - -Phil felt abashed, not wishing to relate his experience before the mess. - -“I’ll tell you later,” he whispered, withdrawing his hand before the -attention of the rest of the mess could be attracted. Then turning to -the executive officer, presiding at the head of the mess-table, he -asked anxiously: - -“Is there any news, sir, about sending the guard to the legation? If -it is going I should like to be allowed to go in the detail.” - -Sydney hastened to add his plea to go along also, and Mr. Webster’s -face broadened in an amused smile as he watched the eager faces of the -midshipmen. - -“I can tell you,” he replied heartily, “that you are both in the -detail, so you may rest easy. I for one hope there will be no necessity -for the expedition. China is a dangerous country when once aroused.” -Then, turning to Phil, whose joy showed plainly in his face, while his -pulses beat faster, he added: - -“What’s this we hear about your rescuing a Chinaman from drowning last -night? It’s all about the ship forward, yet aft here we’re the last to -hear of it.” - -Phil colored painfully while he outlined the episode of the river; he -said but little of his part, but praised unstintingly the coolness and -courage of the coxswain of the launch. - -“Coxswain Blake belittles his own part as much as you praise it,” Mr. -Webster remarked kindly, as the officers rose from the breakfast table. - -In Phil’s room after breakfast, Langdon examined the ring closely in -hopes of discovering a clew to the identity of the owner. - -“There’s nothing here to tell,” the pilot announced after careful -scrutiny, handing the ring back to the midshipman; “it’s of great value -among the Chinese; undoubtedly the man was rich and he left with you -the only article of value he was then wearing. The Chinese are a queer -lot; their superstitions will not allow them to save a fellow-being -from drowning, but when they themselves are saved by a foreigner they -will at once put aside the obligation by giving their rescuer a costly -gift. Your Chinaman doubtless considers his debt is paid.” - -After breakfast was over the midshipmen asked and received permission -to visit the foreign concession. - -“You must go in uniform,” Lieutenant Webster replied to their request, -“and the captain’s positive orders are not to enter the Chinese city.” - -The lads quickly agreed to keep to this rule, and a half hour later the -“Phœnix’s” steam launch landed them on the stone jetty abreast the -ship. - -Here they were immediately surrounded by a score of Chinese ricksha -coolies, each one anxious to enlist their patronage in engaging a -jinricksha, which is the customary conveyance of the far Eastern -countries. The lads were soon seated each in one of these miniature -carriages; and the coolies in the shafts darted off at a lively pace -down the smooth macadamized roadbed of the Bund. - -“Where shall we go first?” Sydney questioned, raising his voice so as -to be heard above the rattle of the wheels. - -Phil shook his head in sign of perfect indifference. The sensation -of riding in one of these novel carriages for the first time was -distinctly pleasant. He felt half exhilarated and half ridiculous. -However, before they had traveled a block, he lost his feeling that -every one was looking at him, a grown man riding in a baby carriage, -and began to thoroughly enjoy the situation. The throngs on the streets -interested him, and the color scheme pleased his eye; the gayly dressed -natives sprinkled here and there with the more sombre garb of the -Europeans or Americans. - -“I don’t care,” he answered as Sydney repeated his question. “Let them -take us wherever they will. Later, though, I want to go to the bank and -buy a draft to send home. - -“Here we are,” he added suddenly, making energetic efforts to stop his -own ricksha in its mad career, as he espied the sign on a great stone -building: “Hongkong Bank.” - -The lads alighting, bidding by sign their rickshas to wait, entered the -wide doorway of the bank. - -Here they met scores of Chinamen pouring continually in and out, -depositing or drawing out great sacks of Mexican dollars, the token -currency of China. Behind the counters, although the bank was owned -by an English corporation, Phil saw only Chinese. Millions of dollars -daily passed through their hands. - -Leaving Sydney gazing interestedly at the scenes of activity, Phil -moved over to a desk upon which were paper and ink laid out for the -bank customers. As he drew near, he took casual note of a foreigner -standing with his back toward the door, engaged apparently in writing. -At the man’s feet he saw a neatly folded paper lying. Apparently it -had just been dropped from the foreigner’s pocket. Stooping down, Phil -picked it up, hastily glancing over it to see if it was of sufficient -consequence to ask the stranger if it were his. He had barely time to -note that the writing was in English when it was roughly seized from -his hand, and looking up in surprise, he found himself confronted -by an angry, excited face, whose dark, piercing eyes snapped with -uncontrolled passion. The stranger thrust the letter into his pocket -with one hand, while the other was closely clenched as if he were about -to strike down the innocent offender. - -“What do you mean by trying to read my letter?” the foreigner cried in -a voice full of wrath. - -The blood mounted to Phil’s forehead as he returned unflinchingly -the stranger’s wild look. He was about to answer an apology when the -foreigner’s cutting voice stayed him. - -“Just like you officious Americans,” the stranger exclaimed, surveying -the neat blue uniform of the American midshipman; “always meddling in -some one else’s affairs.” - -“What’s the trouble, Phil?” Sydney asked in alarm, hastening to his -friend’s side, upon seeing the look on Phil’s face and the menacing -attitude of the other. - -By an effort Phil controlled himself. His first thought was then and -there to settle accounts with this infuriated man; but wiser counsel -prevailed. - -“I did not read your letter,” he retorted in a dignified voice. “I -wished only to see if it was of any consequence in order to restore -it to its owner.” Then realizing that his conciliating answer had -not changed the attitude of the stranger, he added in a voice of -self-contained anger: - -“If you got what you deserved, it would be a sound thrashing for your -slanderous tongue.” - -The foreigner, hearing the lad’s just rebuke, and seeing by his -muscular frame that he was capable of carrying his implied threat into -execution, shrugged his shoulders eloquently, pocketed his papers and -walked sullenly toward the door of the bank. - -Phil stood his ground, his eyes defiantly following the stranger until -the swinging doors closed behind him. - -Sydney was told of the cause of the unexpected dispute and was eager to -follow the foreigner and demand an apology, but Phil only laughed. - -“I got in the last word; that’s something,” he said, as he quietly -wrote out his order for the draft. “I wonder who he is. By his accent -I should say he was of a Latin race. He spoke to me in good English, -though.” - -“Do you suppose he is a naval officer from a foreign gunboat?” Sydney -asked by way of an answer. - -“No; he’s probably some beach-comber,” Phil answered testily, taking -his paper to the cashier’s desk. “And as far as I am concerned I don’t -care who he is. He’s not of sufficient importance to give him any more -attention,” he added, shutting his firm jaws with a snap in dismissing -the unpleasant incident. - -“Come on,” he said. “Let’s forget him. There are lots of things here -more amusing.” - - - - -CHAPTER III - -THE PERIL AT THE MISSION GATE - - -Upon their return on board the “Phœnix,” the midshipmen found all was -activity. A message had been received from Emmons which had decided -Commander Hughes to wait no longer before sending the guard to -protect the defenseless mission on the hill some miles from the town. -Persistent rumors were current that the Chinese outlaws would very soon -make an effort to efface this heathen blot of stone from their sacred -soil. - -In the course of a half hour all was in readiness to embark the guard. -Tents, rations, Colt gun and rifles were carried into the waiting -boats, and in a few minutes more the small party of officers and men -found themselves on the stone jetty, immediately in front of the -Chinese city. Under the eyes of a quickly-gathered, curious crowd of -Chinese, the sailors formed and marched along the road skirting the -fortified wall of the city. After some miles had been covered, the -great buildings of the mission came in sight, and soon after they were -admitted within the walled compound by the anxious missionaries, whose -dread of Chinese cruelty had been acquired through long residence among -these fanatical people. Many of their number they had seen sacrificed -by the lawless element of a superstitious and conservative race, whom -they had come thousands of miles to civilize according to their Western -standards. - -The sailor sentinels were quickly stationed at the four corners of the -walled compound, and the peaceful mission was soon transformed into a -warlike fortress. - -“What do you think of all this?” inquired Phil of the pilot after the -lads had finished their duties of preparing for the defense. - -“I think,” answered Langdon, a grim smile on his face, “that these -missionaries are wise to build their houses inside of a stone fort. The -only way to succeed in civilizing the Chinese is to make sure that they -don’t kill you before you’ve had a chance to show them the benefits of -our methods.” - -“But I mean,” urged Phil, “do you believe that there’s going to be -trouble?” - -“I’ve seen a great number of these threatened uprisings,” replied -Langdon thoughtfully, “come to nothing for the want of a leader with -energy enough to keep alive the spark of fanaticism; I hope this one -will follow in their footsteps, for if the Chinese ever awaken to the -knowledge of their power, our small force of ships and men could never -stem the rising flood. - -“Do you see the forts over yonder?” he continued, pointing to the -numerous heavy gun emplacements on the heights below the city; “those -batteries command the anchorage occupied by the allied fleet, and their -garrisons are now wavering between their loyalty to the government -at Peking, and their families and friends taking an active part in -the intrigues against the lives of the foreigners. If those guns were -turned against us, our position here would indeed be a serious one.” - -The two midshipmen, listening to the words of one who had lived ten -years among the Chinese, felt their hearts beat faster: secretly they -were glad that their cruise in the Orient was likely to be fraught -with grave dangers. - -The missionaries and their numerous Chinese converts inside the walled -mission were once more at ease; they believed that all danger was past: -the Chinese had never attacked a mission so strongly defended by the -rifles of the hated but much feared foreign sailors. - -The hot day came to an end, and the night wind from the distant -mountains brought to the anxious ones a desire for sleep which they had -not felt for days. - -Phil and Sydney lay awake long after the mission was wrapt in slumber. -They had talked over the situation very thoroughly, the views of -Langdon having made a deep impression on their minds. There certainly -was a danger! Could the Chinese troops be depended upon to withstand -the bribes of the lawless ones? - -Sydney’s even breathing, at last, showing that he had fallen off -to sleep, cut short further conversation between them; while Phil, -casting an annoyed glance at the unconcerned sleeper on the adjoining -cot, arose and silently left the tent; he was far from asleep and, -being the officer of the guard for the night, determined to make an -inspection of the sentries. - -The night was dark save for the dim light shed by the crescent moon low -in the western sky. Ascending the mission stairs, he stepped out on the -broad top of the high barrier of brick and mortar and walked down the -wall. A sentry was posted at the near corner of the quadrangle. - -“Is everything all right?” he asked quietly. - -“Yes, sir, but I seen a bunch of Chinese up there near the gate a few -minutes before you come,” the sailor made answer. “I hollered at ’em, -and they ain’t stopped runnin’ yet.” - -“What can I do if they don’t run?” he added, questioningly. - -“Nothing; just call the sergeant of the guard,” replied Phil quickly. -“On your life don’t shoot without orders.” - -“If a Chink shoots at me, sir, can’t I fire back?” the sailor asked, -casting an apprehensive glance into the darkness outside of the -compound. - -Lieutenant Wilson had instructed the midshipmen to make certain -that the sentries did not fire first: the viceroy of the province -was believed to be striving to hold the malcontents in check, but an -untimely shot might precipitate hostilities. - -“If you are fired upon,” Phil ordered, “fire your piece and arouse the -garrison, but don’t shoot unnecessarily.” - -“Aye, aye, sir,” the sailor answered, as the midshipman drew away up -the wall to visit the next sentry. - -While Phil was crossing the stone archway over the heavily-barred iron -gate, the main entrance into the mission, he was attracted by a dark -object on the ground below him, close up to the metal doors. - -A closer look filled the boy’s thoughts with an unknown dread. The -object appeared harmless enough, and yet why was it there against the -gate of the mission? Phil saw now that it was a large box, outlined -dimly in the shadow of the archway. - -He peered about him uncertainly. He could see the two lookouts at the -wall’s corners; they were alert and yet in ignorance of the danger at -the mission gate. The midshipman’s thoughts dwelt on the information -given by the sentry with whom he had just spoken: there had been some -Chinamen at the gate but a few moments ago! Was this box harmless or -did its presence there foretell a warlike design against the hundreds -of non-combatants, women and children, now under the protection of the -American sailors? - -His startled gaze traveled over the gloomy expanse of surrounding -country outside of the high wall: the shadowy mounds, graves of -departed Chinese, dotting the grassy slopes about the compound might -be now concealing an armed force of attacking fanatics; beyond the -graves it rested for a moment on the low mud walls of abandoned houses, -believed by their owners to be forever polluted by the close presence -of the despised foreigners. Down on a lower level the high walled -city lay sleeping; the closely packed roofs resembling a continuous -floor, upon which fell the dim light of the waning moon; then again it -descended to the silent waters of the river, the towering pagodas along -its banks standing like guardian sentinels, with the anchored ships a -phantom fleet upon its dark surface. - -A spark-like glint below him caught his eye, and its ominous message -sent the blood from his heart. With every faculty alert Phil threw -himself at full length on the wall and peered anxiously below into the -deeper shadow of the gateway: a sputtering spark but a few feet away -from the box told only too plainly its terrible mission: there was an -explosive against the gates, and the crawling point of fire was the -live end of the slow-match, surely and deliberately burning its way -toward the captive force that would, in a fraction of a minute, hurl -the powerful gates asunder, thus letting in the ambushing Chinese, -doubtless watching and waiting, concealed in the misty shadows. - -The lad’s heart stood still as it flashed upon him what his duty -demanded of him. If he were a second too late he would be blown to -pieces and yet the gates would be shattered and useless to protect the -mission. His mind was made up quickly: he must first warn the garrison -and then quench the fatal spark twenty feet below him. - -“Turn out the guard!” he cried loudly; then as he heard the startled -sentries repeat his words, he dropped silently to the ground on the -outside of the compound and grasped the lighted end of the fuse between -his fingers, but a few inches from its awful goal. - -He heard the startled cries of his companions awakened from their sleep -by the alarming summons; the rattle of rifles and accoutrements as the -sailors hastened to their stations on the wall. The reaction had now -set in; the boy’s limbs seemed about to fail him. Almost unstrung he -clung to the box while he collected his scattered thoughts. If the box -remained there the enemy might yet succeed in exploding its contents -against the gate. - -With his body pressed close to the torpedo, and in its deeper shadow, -his ear detected a sound near him in the grass at the edge of the road. -Suddenly a figure darted forward across the archway and stopped on the -other side of the box, fumbling with its top, as if to relight the -fuse. Phil held his breath as he reached forth his hand and clutched -the wrist of the intruder. Drawing the surprised man, with all his -force, across the box, he threw him to the ground. A cry escaped the -captive as he felt the strong arms of the midshipman enfold him, -smothering him to the earth. - -The two bodies heaved and strained; the efforts of the Chinaman became -visibly weaker, and finally Phil cast the insensible form from him. - -“Who goes there?” in excited tones from above him showed him that aid -was near. A sailor peered over the wall immediately above the lad’s -head, his menacing rifle covering the exhausted boy. - -“It’s Midshipman Perry, the officer of the guard,” he whispered -hoarsely; “heave me a line, quick! Keep the gate closed! The place is -full of Chinese!” - -A rope dangled down from a corner of the archway and Phil, grasping its -end, quickly made it fast around the box, giving the signal to hoist. - -“Be careful, that’s powder,” he cautioned; “send the end back for me. -Hurry,” he added, casting a fearsome look into the shadows behind him. - -With the end of the rope in his hand he stooped down to tie it about -the body of his captive; when, without a moment’s warning, he felt -a stinging blow in the face, that sent him reeling to the wall. He -clutched wildly at the offender, now on his feet and struggling madly -to free himself from the terrifying embrace of the midshipman. The -fully recovered celestial fought with the strength of despair, uttering -piercing shrieks which seemed to be answered from the surrounding -darkness. - -Suddenly Phil was wrenched nearly off his feet, and then fell backward -against the wall, the torn coat of the man in his hands, while the -escaping prisoner melted into the night. - -Hand over hand, up the rope, it was but the work of a second to the top -of the wall, and there he found an anxious group of officers and men -who had watched, with bated breath, the struggle below them. - -Phil explained the circumstances at once to Lieutenant Wilson. - -“I feel sure they’re concealed all about here,” he ended excitedly. “I -heard answers to the man’s cries.” - -Lieutenant Wilson turned to Langdon, who had been an eager listener. - -“Is it an attack, Langdon?” he asked anxiously. - -Langdon shook his head, much mystified, then the garment in Phil’s hand -caught his eye. He took it from the lad in silence and carried it down -from the wall, entering the small gate-house inside the compound. - -“Keep a strict watch, Mr. Monroe,” the lieutenant ordered, motioning -Phil to follow him, and together they entered the room where Langdon -was carefully examining the garment. - -It was a blue tunic, plain save for a white border and a number of -Chinese written characters on its back. It was this lettering that -Langdon was studying. - -“Viceroy Chang-Li-Hun,” he read slowly aloud. Then he glanced up, a -worried expression on his usually calm face. - -“Mr. Wilson,” he said, “it’s serious; we’ve the viceroy’s soldiers -against us.” - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -THE EMBASSY TO THE VICEROY - - -If the man with whom Phil had fought was a soldier of the viceroy, it -was indeed convincing evidence that the outlaws were receiving aid of -the official class. Lieutenant Wilson at once saw the seriousness of -the situation for all foreigners living within the provinces under -the jurisdiction of Viceroy Chang-Li-Hun. The American naval man knew -that his duty required him to place this information in the hands of -his commanding officer on board the “Phœnix” immediately, in order -that all the foreign powers represented might know that the threatened -uprising was no longer one of unorganized, misguided coolies or working -men, but was at the instigation of the powerful mandarins, receiving -their instructions, no doubt, directly from the viceroy himself. Did -he dare take the risk of sending messengers out of the mission at -this time when the enemy were doubtless gathered about the walls of -the compound, perhaps even now making up their minds to attack the -defending garrison? Yet in the morning affairs might have grown even -worse: the morrow’s sun might see the mission besieged, and every -outlet barred. - -“Langdon,” Lieutenant Wilson questioned, after an impressive silence, -while his companions waited, looking to him to give the orders which -each felt the terrible development demanded, “are you sure that you -have read these characters correctly? We must not alarm the foreigners -unnecessarily. Might not this garment have been worn by a discharged -soldier? Are we safe in assuming that the viceroy is back of this -attempt on the gate because one of the culprits wears his uniform?” - -“It is possible, sir,” Langdon answered thoughtfully, “but I believe -improbable. This plan is not one that could be conceived by a stupidly -ignorant coolie mob; you can see for yourself it must have been devised -by those who have some knowledge of the use of explosives; and knowing -as they must that the mission is being guarded by American sailors, it -was intended as an affront to the nation that they represent.” - -“I believe you are right, Langdon,” the lieutenant agreed promptly. -“I shall act upon your judgment; your knowledge of the Chinese should -make your reasoning sound.” Then he turned to the expectant midshipmen: -“Mr. Perry, this news must be taken to Captain Hughes to-night; I -offer you the chance to go; your right to be chosen can’t be disputed: -your discovery of the viceroy’s treachery and your heroic conduct in -frustrating his design has won you the privilege.” - -Phil flushed with pleasure at his senior’s words of praise, while he -stammered out his readiness to undertake the hazardous enterprise. -Asking that Sydney accompany him he received a ready assent. - -“Can you spare me, too, sir?” Langdon asked earnestly. “I know every -foot of the land about here; I’ve shot pheasant all over these hills, -and understanding the language, may be a help to Mr. Perry if he should -be stopped by the natives.” - -“Yes, certainly,” the lieutenant replied quickly, his face showing his -appreciation of the pilot’s offer. “I couldn’t order you, but your -desire to go speaks highly of your courage. It is our duty, as naval -men, to expose ourselves to danger.” - -“It’s bred in me, too, sir,” Langdon answered. “I served with the flag -during my boyhood, and am ever ready to sacrifice all I have for it.” - -“I shall not encumber you with useless messages,” Lieutenant Wilson -said finally to Phil as he turned to leave the gate-house and return to -the wall; “you know the situation and can explain our fears to Captain -Hughes.” - -The midshipmen and the pilot went to prepare themselves for their -journey, while their senior ascended the wall to dispose his small -force in order to guard all approaches and prevent a surprise. There -would be few eyes closed in sleep that night; the gravity of the -situation was fully impressed on even the sailors accustomed as they -were to danger. - -Hastily arming themselves with a pair of revolvers each and with plenty -of ammunition, the three volunteers again ascended the wall. - -The moon had set and the land about the mission was veiled in -darkness. The men moved slowly along the wall of the compound, while -Langdon’s keen eyes peered into the night to discover the best location -to leave the mission. They had traversed nearly half of the wall and -were at the far end of the compound before the pilot seemed satisfied -that the way was clear. He put out his hand and touched Phil on the -shoulder. - -“We’ll leave from here,” he whispered; “the Chinese, if they are about, -are all in the front. See; the land is clearer; there are not so many -graves as in the front to conceal an enemy.” - -Throwing themselves down on top of the wall they grasped its edge, and -lowered themselves silently to the ground. Langdon led the way directly -from the mission, and further into the country. The land here was but -slightly cultivated, the ground firm and for the most part clear, so -our travelers swung along at a lively pace. - -Having covered about a mile, Langdon stopped to allow his companions to -join him. - -“This is the main road leading into the city,” the pilot informed them -as they arrived at the narrow path in which the speaker was standing. -“We’ll follow this right into the foreign concession; it’s late, past -ten o’clock, and there’ll be no natives on the road. It’s our safest -course.” - -Phil nodded in sign of assent, his eyes on the Chinese road. - -“A road, did you say, Langdon?” the boy asked; “it’s more like a -bridle-path.” - -“It’s the only kind of road you’ll find in the Chinese Empire,” the -pilot replied as they moved swiftly over its uneven surface; “the -natives don’t use carriages and coaches for passengers, nor wagons to -carry their freight, but transport their merchandise in wheelbarrows or -on the backs of the small Tartar donkeys. In the north the Manchus have -a rickety cart drawn by man power or by pony and there the highways are -wider, but are even less smooth, for the natives never repair their -roads.” - -They had traveled another mile when Langdon called a halt and -cautioning silence pointed to a grove of trees ahead of them. - -“A village,” he answered the questioning looks of his companions; -“we’ll leave the road and circle it. The wind is from the river, so I -hope the dogs which inhabit these small towns will not smell us. These -Chinese curs have a keen nose for a foreigner and if our enemy is about -they might warn him of our presence.” - -As they skirted the village Sydney glanced with interest down into -the mean and ill-smelling collection of mud-walled hovels, situated -below the level of the surrounding country. He had heard that this -location was chosen to protect its occupants from the blasts of the -winter gales, and in consequence during the wet season the floods -from the heavy and prolonged rains swept down upon them, carrying off -bodily their insecure buildings and frequently drowning many of the -unfortunate inhabitants. - -“Will the Chinese ever learn to build their villages in a common-sense -way?” he asked the pilot. - -“They’ve done the same thing for twenty centuries,” Langdon answered, -following Sydney’s gaze; “what was good enough for their ancestors is -good enough for them, is their motto, and nothing that we can say will -ever move them. After you’ve been here for a few years, Mr. Monroe, -you’ll cease wondering at anything you see the Chinese do.” - -Suddenly the lads felt themselves grasped by the strong hands of -Langdon and drawn down into the thick grass. The silence was broken -by a faint sound of voices that seemed to come from directly below -them. Langdon motioned the boys to remain where they were, and crawled -noiselessly forward to the edge of the embankment surrounding the -village. Phil could now hear a high-pitched nasal voice, raised -excitedly after the Chinese fashion, with many loud and piercing -notes. He could see Langdon ahead of him partly hidden in the grass, -and his curiosity was aroused to know what this midnight meeting might -foretell. Then the voices ceased and the noise of tramping feet came -clearly to his ears. From out of the shadows, but a few yards from -where Langdon was lying, a squad of Chinese soldiers moved off into the -night, over the road they were traveling, toward Ku-Ling. - -After a few minutes had elapsed, the soldiers’ footfalls dying away -in the distance, Langdon rose to his feet and joined the impatient -midshipmen. - -“They were soldiers!” Sydney exclaimed. “We distinctly saw their -uniforms as they entered the road.” - -“What were they saying? Could you hear?” Phil questioned eagerly. - -“One of them was the man you fought with at the gate,” Langdon -answered; “it’s just as I supposed: there was a movement on foot to -attack the mission if that party was successful in destroying the -gateway. The one doing all the loud talking was ‘saving his face,’ as -the Chinese say; he was explaining that a monster, half man and half -bird flew down from the wall and put out the fuse as fast as he could -light it, and that he had mortally wounded the ‘devil,’ but fear having -entered his heart, he had run away as fast as he could, followed by his -companions. He says that the ‘foreign devils’ can change into these -monsters whenever they wish, and that their breath is like fire.” - -Phil gasped in astonishment at the ludicrous account of his battle with -the soldier. - -“But his companions will not believe any such tale as that,” he cried; -“surely they’ll know it is made up out of whole cloth?” - -“On the contrary,” Langdon answered, “they’ll believe it, and -what’s more he believes it himself by this time. Doubtless he was -so frightened that he remembers little that happened, and their -imagination is so vivid that a Chinaman will generally believe his own -words as they fall from his lips.” - -“What would have happened if they had been successful?” Phil -questioned. “That small body of men could not have intended attacking -us.” - -“No, but after the gate had been blown in it would be an easy matter -for a few thousand Chinese to gather. There are tens of thousands of -Chinamen in these small towns within a mile of the mission. All they -need is a match to start them, and that was the intention of these -soldiers.” - -“It looks as if it were serious,” Sydney said in an awed whisper as -they cautiously regained the road. The soldiers were not in sight, so -the Americans proceeded, cautiously watching for the first signs of -their enemy on the highway ahead of them. - -Finally they reached the limits of the foreign concession, and it was -after midnight before they arrived on board the “Phœnix”; but Commander -Hughes was awake and directed that they be shown down to his cabin -immediately. - -The situation was quickly explained to the naval officer by the -messengers. - -The captain sat in silence for some minutes after they had finished, -his face showing strongly the strain he was under: all the Americans -on the river were in mortal danger, and he and his small force were -all that stood between them and a fate far worse than death. Phil and -Langdon anxiously watched the captain’s face as if to read the next -move on the international chess-board, which Commander Hughes, as the -senior among the foreign captains, was called upon to make. - -“Gentlemen, the news you bring me is so terrible in its possibilities,” -the captain finally began, “that I am quite at a loss how to act. Our -force is too small to resist an attack; we must resort to diplomacy -with this rascally viceroy. And yet we don’t know how far-reaching the -movement may be. If we sit idly by the natives will gain confidence, -mistaking forbearance for cowardice, and can readily drive all -foreigners off the river. - -“Mr. Perry,” the captain added, rising and ringing for his orderly, “I -want you to take the steam launch at once and go to each of the foreign -gunboats; request that their commanding officers come on board here to -a meeting in a half-hour’s time. Explain to them the gravity of the -situation.” Then turning to the waiting marine, “My compliments to the -officer on duty, and tell him to have the steamer ready for Mr. Perry -immediately.” - -Phil soon delivered his captain’s messages to the officer of the deck -of each of the foreign gunboats and upon his return was detailed by -Commander Hughes for the duty of secretary to the international council. - -Slightly nervous in the presence of so many seniors, the midshipman -sat near his captain, pencil in hand, ready to take notes of the -proceedings of the council. - -“Commander Ignacio of the ‘Albaque’ is ill,” a young foreign lieutenant -announced as the American captain glanced at him inquiringly, “and -begs you will receive me as his representative.” - -Commander Hughes bowed politely in agreement and then in a few words -described the incident at the mission. - -“Before it is too late,” he added, “I believe that it is our duty to -lay our difficulties before the viceroy, and demand that he take steps -at once to quell this uprising. Meanwhile we should warn all foreigners -living in the foreign concession at Ku-Ling that if our diplomacy -fails they must be ready to take refuge on board the gunboats. We -must deal with the situation fearlessly, for only in that way can we -expect success. Chang-Li-Hun must be made to see the seriousness of his -inactivity.” - -To this clear proposal all agreed and Commander Hughes was chosen by -acclamation to lead the embassy on the morrow to the viceroy’s yamen. -Two other commanders were selected, and then with many expressions for -success the council adjourned. - -“I have my doubts of the utility of a conference with the viceroy,” -Langdon told the lads the next morning at the breakfast table. “He’s a -tricky Chinaman and generally has his own way. - -“Well, we shall soon see,” he ended as an orderly appeared to summon -him and Phil to be ready within fifteen minutes to accompany their -captain on the mission to the high Chinese mandarin. - -A half hour later a bright array of uniformed officers landed on the -jetty; there were three of the gunboat captains and their aides, all in -full dress uniform, which is prescribed for an official visit upon a -viceroy. - -A line of green sedan chairs, the color portraying to the curious -throngs that their occupants were of the first rank in official -parlance, wended its way in single file through the guarded gates into -the stench of the crowded, walled city. Each chair was carried on the -muscular shoulders of four coolies, and at almost a dog’s trot, they -bore their burdens over the narrow, crooked streets. - -Phil gazed excitedly upon the thousands of inquisitive natives, -crowding so near the foreigners that the pungent odor of their bodies -came distinctly to his nostrils; their ignorant faces at such close -range appalled him. The chair coolies cried out hoarsely, jostling the -multitude to prevent being trodden under foot by the persistent rabble. - -The embassy had covered but half the distance to the yamen when it was -wedged tightly against a heaving mass of excited yellow bodies. Phil -saw the faces of the crowd darken with a superstitious loathing; he -seemed to read in their cruel eyes an awakening to the knowledge of -their power, and the helpless plight of the despised “foreign devils”. -The multitude pressed ever closer; reaching out their claw-like talons -to touch the gold-embroidered uniforms of the naval officers. The lad -cast a swift glance at Langdon next him; he felt confident he would -read in his face the extent of the danger threatening them. The pilot -was shouting unintelligible words to his chair coolies; the while his -face was black with passion. - -The coolies refused stolidly to budge, and by sign threatened to -put down the chairs upon the ground; all the while jabbering and -gesticulating wildly to each other and to the mob, which appeared on -the point of engulfing the foreigners in its noisome embrace. - - - - -CHAPTER V - -THE VICEROY’S TREACHERY - - -The gaping crowd pressed ever closer. Phil could feel the fetid breath -of those nearest him; he saw a big Chinaman emerge from the dense -throng and push his way to Langdon’s chair; the lad would have cried -out a warning, but all happened with such lightning-like swiftness that -he had not found his voice before the bold Chinaman had released his -hold upon the pilot’s coat, and had fallen back into the arms of his -countrymen nearest him, a deep red stain upon his closely shaved head, -while Langdon waved menacingly his Colt revolver, the blunt butt of -which had successfully cowed the would-be leader. - -Fortunately for the foreigners, a troop of mounted soldiers arrived -on the scene at this juncture and brutally cleared the way, trampling -under their horses’ feet the nearest of the mob, chained as they were -by the mass of humanity behind them. Presently the chairs were again -in motion; the soldiers now keeping the crowd in check, and in a few -minutes more the embassy arrived in front of the yamen, the official -residence of the viceroy. The heavy, grotesquely painted doors were -quickly opened, and closed sharply in the faces of the unruly crowd. - -The naval men alighted from their chairs, well satisfied to have -escaped so easily from a disagreeable situation; but the pilot was not -so well pleased. - -“We’re in for it, I fear,” he confided to Phil; “that was another -insult. The viceroy knew we were coming and he doubtless planned -that we should be mobbed, holding his soldiers back to give us a few -unpleasant minutes.” - -“What would that Chinaman have done to you?” Phil asked gravely. - -“It was an act of bravado,” Langdon answered smilingly, the picture of -the discomfited man in his mind; “but if he had succeeded in pulling me -from the chair it would have been serious; a leader is all these people -need.” - -“Pretty tight squeak, eh, Langdon?” Commander Hughes asked while they -waited for the summons to approach the audience-chamber. - -“It looked bad for a time, sir,” the pilot replied; “if some one had -thrown a stone, we’d have been mobbed then and there, and the soldiers -would have been powerless to save us. Not in my ten years among these -people have I seen such a menacing mob. We must deal boldly with the -viceroy, sir, or else we’ll not get out of the city alive.” - -“Is it really as bad as that?” the captain asked anxiously. - -“Yes, sir,” Langdon answered earnestly, lowering his voice so as not to -be heard by any save the captain; “they were in an ugly mood, and if I -am not mistaken they were acting under orders from the yamen; otherwise -the rabble wouldn’t have dared molest us. If we don’t keep our feet on -their necks, they’ll make short work of every foreigner in the Yangtse -Valley.” - -After a few minutes more of waiting the inner doors were thrown open -and the naval men were ushered into the second courtyard, and then -through more doors to the council-chamber of the viceroy. Here they -found Chang-Li-Hun and his advisers ready to receive them. - -Commander Hughes advanced toward the viceroy and bowed ceremoniously; -the ancient Chinaman clasped his hands in front of him and murmured a -few monosyllables in his own language, after which all were seated. -Phil found his place between Langdon and a Chinaman, while Commander -Hughes sat at the viceroy’s left, the seat of honor in the dragon -kingdom. - -The silence was undisturbed for several minutes, during which time the -lad gazed covertly about him. He noticed the sphinx-like face of the -high mandarin, whose power was as far-reaching as even the empress -dowager’s, to whom he acknowledged allegiance but gave it grudgingly. -This wizened old man had the power of life and death over nearly twenty -million human beings. If he so willed, he could order any of his -subjects to be brought to the execution grounds and chop their heads -off with as little feeling as one would have in beheading a chicken. -The midshipman’s eyes traveled in turn over each face of the viceroy’s -advisers, men of great promise in the empire; they represented the -enlightened few governing with iron rods a people who are yet stifled -in the superstitions and customs of medieval times. Through the open -door, the lad caught a glimpse of Chinese guards; their blue tunics -similar to the one he had stripped from the back of the Chinaman at the -mission gate. - -Finally the silence was broken by the high-pitched voice of the aged -viceroy in his own staccato language. Phil believed he could read both -anger and contempt in the tones of the mandarin’s voice. - -After he had spoken there was a moment’s silence, then a voice was -raised in perfect English. Phil gasped in surprise as he beheld the -speaker; a Chinaman seated on the right hand of the viceroy. There was -not a trace of the accent which he had believed was habitual with every -Chinaman who learns the English tongue. - -“His Excellency, Chang-Li-Hun, thanks the high naval commanders for -the honor of this visit and desires to hear their requests,” the -interpreting Chinaman announced. - -“Give our compliments to his Excellency,” replied Commander Hughes -without a second’s hesitation, “and say that the time has long passed -for requests. We come now to demand that our countrymen be protected, -in accordance with the sacred word of China given by treaty.” - -The interpreter’s face was a study; the American’s words were evidently -unexpected; he glanced uneasily at the viceroy as if fearing the storm -which he knew would break forth when the sharp words were translated -into his guttural tongue. After a few moments of thought, during -which time the old mandarin blinked his watery eyes expectantly -the interpreter spoke, hesitatingly and as one who is not sure of -his ground; but instead of the burst of rage which Phil felt was -inevitable, the old statesman nodded his head in assent. - -The lad saw Langdon rise to his feet and speak in an undertone to -Commander Hughes; then the Chinese mandarins grasped the arms of their -heavily carved chairs with indignation and horror while the pilot’s -voice in their own tongue rang out loudly, in direct address to the -viceroy. Then he turned to his captain and explained his action. - -“The interpreter did not give the viceroy your words, sir,” he said, -his voice quivering with emotion. “I thought it best that he should -know.” - -The parchment-like features of the aged mandarin were stamped with -hatred as he snapped out his reply to his attentive interpreter. - -“His Excellency is much disappointed at the unfriendly attitude of -the foreigners,” the Chinaman announced after the viceroy had ceased -speaking, “and is grieved to hear their harsh language.” - -Again Langdon’s voice was raised above the silence which followed the -placid words of the interpreter: but this time in English. - -“Those were not the viceroy’s words,” he exclaimed turning toward -Commander Hughes but glowering at the discomfited interpreter; “his -answer was a threat against our lives.” - -Commander Hughes was on his feet instantly, his face pale with anger. - -“Langdon,” he cried, “tell the viceroy that our meeting is ended; that -we came to demand punishment for those of his countrymen who attempted -to injure our mission on the hill back of the city, but as he refuses -to keep to his country’s treaty, we shall be forced to resort to arms -to protect our own people.” - -Langdon promptly translated Commander Hughes’ words to the viceroy, -sitting craftily observing the incensed foreigners. - -Chang-Li-Hun was too clever a diplomat to show his hand was against the -foreigners; he must appear to aid them in their endeavors to protect -their countrymen, and by the art understood best by the Oriental he -would make these naval men “lose face” in the Chinese eyes, and thereby -show his people that the vainglorious boasting foreigners were but -human, and could suffer and die as easily as those of their own race. - -A few guttural words escaped from the lips of the aged mandarin, which -Langdon translated at once, not waiting for the unreliable interpreter. - -“The viceroy begs you will again be seated; he says he knows nothing -of the acts against the mission.” - -“Tell him, then, Langdon,” the American captain ordered, while the -members of the embassy reluctantly took their seats; “and give it -to him as strong as you can,” he continued his wrath but slightly -mollified. - -This was all too pleasant a task for the pilot, whose knowledge of -Chinese officialdom had not left him with much respect for their -roundabout methods. He went straight to the point, addressing the -viceroy directly, while the latter appeared to listen eagerly. - -After the pilot had stopped speaking and had reseated himself at -Commander Hughes’ side, the viceroy drew his interpreter aside, and in -a voice so low pitched that Langdon could not hear a word, conversed -with him earnestly for many minutes; then the interpreter arose and -hurriedly left the council-chamber. - -The embassy sat in silence, wondering what would be the next move of -this adroit diplomat. Phil’s nerves were atingle with expectancy; the -dangers of their position within a hostile city, and in the grasp of -an avowed enemy, gave his young and untamed spirit high hopes for -excitement. How he wished for Sydney that he might share whatever was -in store for the embassy before it again reached the safety of its -steel broadsides! - -The naval men had not long to wait before the inner gates of the yamen -were thrown open and a battalion of soldiers filed into the courtyard, -outside the audience-chamber. Another moment, and the light screens -forming the sides of the council-chamber were removed and the embassy -looked fairly out upon this martial display. - -The soldiers were quickly formed into a hollow square between the -embassy and the outer gates, which then were likewise opened and a -seething mob of excited, riotous Chinamen poured through, filling up -the courtyard beyond. - -“What’s the meaning of this?” the American commander exclaimed in -sudden alarm; but before Langdon could disclaim his knowledge of -what was about to happen, a part of the square opened and a number -of tightly-bound prisoners were dragged to the middle of the -courtyard directly in front of the viceroy. As they approached, Phil -unconsciously turned away his head to shut out the pitiful spectacle; -the prisoners were cruelly shackled together in a manner practiced only -by the Chinese. - -After the lad had gained control of his feelings and once more glanced -toward the prisoners, the viceroy was speaking, while the pilot -listened intently; the mob beyond was silent, gazing with evident -enjoyment at the terror-stricken prisoners before the viceroy. - -“His Excellency says that he has just discovered that these men were -arrested last night by his guards with contraband concealed upon their -persons, and when tortured confessed to having attempted to blow in -the gates of the American mission, and that he will punish them in our -presence as a warning to his people,” Langdon announced loudly, then -lowering his voice, he whispered hurriedly to Commander Hughes: “I -don’t like the looks of it, sir; a moment ago he knew nothing of it, -and now he claims to have the culprits; it seems strange.” - -“Hold!” cried Commander Hughes, starting to his feet; “we must have -proof that these are the right men; we want no useless executions.” For -he knew only too well that this form of punishment was the one dear to -the Chinese heart, and he could read upon the faces of the crowd that -it was waiting joyfully to see these human heads severed from their -bodies and doubtless had been promised this stirring sport. - -Langdon translated his captain’s wish hastily to the viceroy, but the -mandarin turned a deaf ear, raising his thin, veined hand with its -claw-like nails as a sign to proceed with the gruesome work. - -A muscular Chinaman, naked save for a loin cloth, stepped from the -ranks of the soldiers brandishing a sharp curved sword, and moved -quickly to the side of the kneeling prisoners. Commander Hughes and his -colleagues started precipitately toward him as if to prevent him from -carrying out his murderous intentions. - -Phil saw the bright blade circle above the head of a terrified prisoner -and then descend. He closed his eyes in horror to shut out the -appalling sight. - -A report of a pistol shot rang out deafeningly, and he opened his eyes -to a view of Langdon with a smoking revolver in his hand, while the -executioner lay on the sand beside his victim. - -[Illustration: _A PISTOL SHOT RANG OUT_] - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -DIPLOMACY FAILS - - -“I guessed as much!” the pilot cried out, striding forward; the guards -timidly giving way before his menacing revolver. “These men are -Christian converts; it’s but a trick to make us lose face before this -rabble.” - -He reached the side of the prisoners and raised one to his feet. Phil -watched with fascinated gaze as Langdon dragged forward excitedly -the chained and terrified men who had been plucked from death by the -timely and unerring shot of the American; there was something strangely -familiar in the ashen features of one of them. - -“This man is a mess attendant from the ‘Phœnix!’” Langdon exclaimed, -pointing to the nearer of the two prisoners; “the trick was to execute -them before our eyes before we could interfere.” - -Both Commander Hughes and Phil saw at once that the pilot was right; -there was the ward-room servant who had been missing since the day of -the gunboat’s arrival; he was a Chinaman from a distant province and -unable to speak the local dialect, and in consequence had been singled -out as a victim by the scheming officials. - -The midshipman feared that all was lost; he could see no avenue of -escape; the viceroy’s attitude was certainly hostile, and how could -they, a mere handful of officers armed with only their revolvers, hope -to cope with the soldiers of the yamen, to say nothing of the hundreds -of thousands of fanatics inside the walled city? A single wave of that -treacherous hand would condemn them to a fate from which his soul -revolted; he had heard of the terrible deaths meted out to foreigners -by these semi-barbarians. The lad glanced anxiously at his companions; -he saw in their faces that they were determined to sell their lives as -dearly as possible, but the unequal struggle could have but one ending. - -The naval men were standing together near the table; every eye was -upon the aged mandarin, sitting calmly, and to outward appearances, no -more concerned than if he were witnessing a play on the yamen stage; -Langdon remained beside the prisoners, and not far from the soldiers -stolidly waiting orders from their high chief. - -The situation was impressive and one to unnerve the stoutest heart; a -false move, an ill-judged word, and those hundreds of modern rifles -might be turned against the defenseless officers. Phil knew that -nearly two thousand sailors were under arms on board the war-ships, -ready to be landed if the embassy had not returned to the jetty by -eleven o’clock; it was now ten-thirty by the great clock in the -council-chamber; but before the half hour had passed all would be -decided and the landing force would not be necessary. The midshipman -knew that Commander Hughes would not retract a single word uttered in -the conference, and that he would presently give out his ultimatum to -the viceroy, which would either be accepted or else more foreign blood -would be laid at the door of this cruel official, Chang-Li-Hun. - -“Be careful, Langdon,” Commander Hughes said in a low voice, in which -no emotion was evident, although Phil could see the involuntary -twitching of his lips; “don’t throw a match into the magazine. Tell him -quietly that we have seen through his treachery and wish safe conduct -through his city back to our vessels; and insist that these prisoners -accompany us.” - -Phil shook with excitement as the pilot steadied himself to give his -captain’s words to the viceroy; he understood thoroughly that this was -the only course open to the American commander if he wished to save -the hundreds of foreigners in the province from the insults and scorn -of the Chinese expulsionists, even though the result to him and his -colleagues was death. The lad’s mind dwelt for the fraction of a second -upon the terrible revenge that would be visited upon those responsible -for the killing of the members of the embassy; he thought of Canton and -Peking, and how the despised foreign soldiers had, with fire and sword, -brought home to the defilers of the sacred rights of ambassadors the -terrible consequences of their guilt; yet there was scant encouragement -for him in such recollections. - -Langdon had given his captain’s ultimatum in a calm voice from which -all passion had been expunged, and now all waited with breath abated -for the words of the wizened old man, in whose hands the fate of so -many lives rested. - -The viceroy at length stirred uneasily in his chair and turning to one -of his ministers uttered a few low gutturals. The spell was broken; a -harsh command rang out, and instantly the soldiers faced about, forcing -with set bayonets the disappointed populace through the outer gates, -which swung shut with a loud rattle behind them. Then the military, -gathering up the two lifeless bodies, sacrifices to the humor of a -viceroy, melted away in all directions, leaving the embassy once more -alone with the yamen officials. - -The viceroy raised his teacup to his lips, a signal that the visit -was at an end, and then rising slowly, he bowed coldly, and attended -by his ministers withdrew from the room. In a few minutes the chairs -were brought and the embassy were only too glad to be gone from this -nerve-racking and fruitless council. - -Langdon, with his usual energy, saw the liberated prisoners seated in -chairs in the midst of those of the foreigners and near his own, and -then stepped to the captain’s side to report that all was ready to -proceed. - -“I don’t think we shall be molested,” he said hopefully; “it seems -plain that the viceroy will do nothing to stop the uprising, but it -appears he is afraid to openly defy you.” Then he raised his voice -admiringly: “Do you know, captain, that you’re the very first foreigner -to make Chang-Li-Hun lose face, and before a crowd of his own people -whom he had deliberately collected to witness your own discomfiture. -You gave us all a close call in doing it, sir; I could hardly believe -my ears when I heard you tell me to shoot the executioner, but there -wasn’t time to allow you to repeat it.” - -The return to the jetty was well and safely guarded by hundreds of -well-armed soldiers and the crowds were handled so easily that the -foreigners could readily see that the episode of the morning was -prepared for them by the yamen officials. Commander Hughes realized -that the visit to the viceroy had given ample proof that whatever -injury was done to foreigners by the natives of the province could be -charged to the stand taken by the viceroy; and with this official -backing the hostile movement would spread to insurmountable proportions. - -“Why the viceroy permitted us to take those Chinese prisoners I can’t -understand,” the pilot exclaimed to Phil, a half hour having passed -since the return of the embassy. - -Phil was silent, but intensely interested. He had just seen the foreign -captains file into the cabin, unsummoned, eager to hear the result of -the mission to the viceroy. - -“The two prisoners came to me immediately we got back to the ship,” -Langdon continued excitedly, “and told me of an attack to be made -to-night on the Inland Mission. They claim to have secured this -information from the Chinaman who was beheaded before our eyes; he was -a northern Chinaman, but could speak the local dialect. The soldiers, -knowing these men were to die, did not take the trouble to conceal -their plans. It seems that an army of outlaws have taken Lien-Chow for -their headquarters; it is a small town about seven miles from here on -the To-Yan Lake, and they intend to move in a body upon the mission. -These malcontents have been guaranteed aid from the viceroy, and if -the mission is captured, they hope to gather enough reënforcement to -allow them to march against the forts, and the result would be their -capture, for the soldiers there would not fire a shot against their own -countrymen. The guns of the forts will then be turned upon us and our -escape down the river will be cut off, for these vessels cannot face -heavy ordnance.” - -“But why,” exclaimed Phil, after the pilot had finished, “should they -attack a guarded mission when there are so many others scattered over -the country undefended?” - -“It seems to show,” returned Langdon, “that the viceroy is directing -the movement. To attack and massacre the inmates of an unguarded -mission could readily be attributed to an uncontrolled mob and would -be a subject for conference and indemnity; but an attack on a defended -mission, and by soldiers in uniform, will show the Chinese that the war -is between the representatives of the foreign governments and their -own, and being successful will stir the whole population of this part -of China to rise and drive out all foreigners. I believe to-night -will be one of blood for foreigners in China, if those away from the -protection of our river gunboats have not already paid the penalty of -their trusting natures.” - -“We must not delay an instant in taking this information to the -captain,” Phil declared excitedly, the contemplated movement of the -expulsionists with its possible results flashing through his mind. - -The foreign gunboat captains were gathered about the cabin table when -Langdon and Phil were announced by the orderly, and all listened -intently while the pilot gave hurriedly the story brought by the two -Chinese refugees. - -A buzz of eager conversation and questions ensued as Langdon finished. -Each of the captains had his own plans to advance, but Commander -Hughes, as the senior, was the first to be heard. He arose, his face -grave, and at once the room was hushed; all recognized and respected -his understanding and fertility of resource. - -“We must acknowledge a failure in our diplomatic mission to the -viceroy,” he began, weighing each word carefully; “the cable being -in the hands of the Chinese officials, we are for the present cut -off from instructions from our respective governments. We have here -every available vessel on the river, except those necessary for the -protection of the missions farther up the country; the state of the -river at present will not admit of the battle-ships coming to our aid, -and the two monitors of my government are by last accounts as yet in -the Philippines. We must act here and now; there is no time for calm -and deliberate judgment; our decision must be made quickly, and our -act must be as prompt, if we are to be in time to prevent a general -massacre of foreigners.” - -The speaker stopped and glanced earnestly at the faces of his -colleagues; each recognized full well the delicacy of the position. -Would their respective governments sanction their acts, or would they -find themselves disgraced and relieved of their commands, for not -having followed a course of procedure decided upon by their sovereigns -at a great distance from the scene of disturbance and in the light of -events which had not as yet transpired? - -“My government,” Commander Hughes resumed, “is one of the most -conservative of those represented here; it has ever been against -striking the first blow. But there has now come a time when humanity -calls for other and more drastic measures. You have just heard from -the lips of one who knows these people far better than we that these -fanatics aided by the viceroy intend attacking a mission guarded by -American sailors.” - -Commander Hughes as he spoke spread out a chart upon the table before -him, beckoning Langdon at the same time to his side. - -“If we remain anchored here the guns of the forts, if hostile, will -soon drive us from the city,” he began again, his eyes on the chart. -“Before we strike a blow we must first embark all foreigners from the -concession and change our anchorage to one beyond the range of the -forts. With this startling news from the Chinese prisoners, coupled -with the attempt last night to blow up the gates of the mission, the -intention of the Chinese is no longer a matter of conjecture. We have -now to face a condition. This mission, guarded by sailors from my own -ship, is in imminent peril and must be relieved at once. Every moment -is precious. The means only should now be considered by us. I have two -plans in mind: the first one is to move farther up the river to a point -abreast the mission,” placing his finger on the chart; “from the river -it is but three miles to the mission, and we can easily land a force -after dark and march across to its relief.” - -As the captain finished he glanced inquiringly at the pilot. - -“That would be very difficult, sir,” Langdon said quickly, reading -the question in his captain’s eyes. “True, from there the distance -is short, but we shall have to cross a wide and deep irrigation -ditch. This canal is nearly fifty feet in depth and its sides are -perpendicular.” - -“Are there no bridges?” inquired a foreign officer anxiously. - -“There are several bamboo bridges,” Langdon answered, “but they are -narrow and frail. Probably even now they have been destroyed.” - -“Then we must adopt my second plan,” the American commander declared -stoutly. “We have but two thousand men available for landing, which -depletes our ships to an alarming extent, anchored as they are under -the guns of the batteries; if we wait until the mission is attacked -and then land to the rescue, we might find ourselves at a great -disadvantage against the many thousands of well-armed enemies; besides, -in our absence it might prove too great a temptation for the men of -the forts to open fire on our ships, thus cutting us off from our own -vessels. Lien-Chow, where the Chinese fanatics are massing, is from -here seven miles by land and sixteen by water; the rebels will not -leave the cover of their city before dark. - -“My recommendation is therefore to get under way at once from this -anchorage, taking with us all foreigners who wish to leave the foreign -concession, and then steam by the forts and into the To-Yan Lake. -Immediately upon our arrival off Lien-Chow I propose to land and -fearlessly attack the rebels in their headquarters. In routing them we -shall either break the back of the uprising, or else make it incumbent -upon the mandarins, the real offenders, to devise other plans for -encouraging this movement against the lives of the Europeans. - -“Are you with me, gentlemen?” - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -DISSENSIONS - - -Commander Hughes’ plans were agreed upon, though not until after much -opposition by the other members of the council, and word was at once -despatched to the foreign merchants and consuls ashore to close their -stores and houses and seek protection on board the gunboats of their -respective nationalities. - -Inside of three hours all preparations were completed and the -international fleet weighed anchor and, in column, the “Phœnix” -leading, steamed boldly down the river. - -Langdon had gone to the gunboat’s bridge to pilot the fleet through -the narrow and dangerous channel leading into the shallow waters of -the To-Yan Lake, leaving Phil and Sydney at their guns, aft on the -quarter-deck of the vessel; for all the gunboats had cleared for action -to be prepared in case the Chinese should precipitate hostilities. -While the fleet was getting its anchors up from the bottom of the -muddy river, they gazed with rising pulse at the unusual activity -inside the Chinese batteries; they could see groups of blue-clad -soldiers surrounding the big guns in their rocky emplacements. Would -the forts open fire upon the allied fleet as it steamed past? - -The midshipmen knew that if one shot was fired from that impregnable -fortress at the miniature battle-ships the sound would travel around -the world. It would mean war! The forts belonged to the Chinese -government and were manned by her soldiers; no idle excuse would be -accepted by the nations insulted. - -“These ships wouldn’t stand a ghost of a chance against those guns,” -Sydney exclaimed nervously as he joined Phil on his side of the deck. -The sailors stood silently at their batteries, each gun loaded with -high explosive shell and ready to hurl its charge at the enemy at close -range if it should suddenly declare war. - -“It’s pretty short range,” Phil declared, “and our gun pointers could -send every shell through those rock gun ports. A fleet of our gunboats -would drive the Chinese gunners from their guns.” - -“One Chinese shell, though, would sink us,” Sydney returned, intent -upon gaining his point. “However, let them go ahead. Those rascals will -find the ‘Phœnix’ will give them a surprise-party.” - -“The monitors are what we need,” Phil exclaimed, “but they are over a -thousand miles away, broiling in the heat of Manila. With the monitors -here the forts could be silenced and captured by the fleet.” - -The long column of moving gunboats was now stretched along the river -from Ku-Ling to the southward. The leader had now safely passed the -forts and its bow was directed down the river for the entrance of the -To-Yan Lake, a good six miles distant. - -It was with a feeling of relief that the midshipmen saw the last -gunboat in column, following the “Phœnix’s” lead, pass out of range -of the fort’s guns. It showed that China, as a nation, had not as yet -openly challenged the world to battle; but if those in the forts had -known of the avowed intentions of the fleet might they not have acted -differently? - -Under the skilful direction of Langdon, the Yangtse River pilot, the -allied fleet steamed to the southward, leaving on its starboard hand -the high bluff point of land below the city, upon which, fortunately, -the Chinese had not as yet mounted protecting batteries, and then -entered the shallow waters of the forbidden lake. From this point the -channel led away from the course of the river and to the westward -behind the city of Ku-Ling. - -“Do you see Commander Hughes’ plan?” Phil exclaimed excitedly. He -took a piece of paper from his pocket, and drew a hasty map of their -surroundings. “Here’s the river, and here,” he said, “is the lake, -which we are entering. Lien-Chow, you see, is ahead of us,” and he -pointed to a dull color of blue that raised itself slowly from the -muddy waters of the lake. “It’s in the rear of the fort guns, you -notice, and our ships will be safely anchored while we are relieving -those in the mission, which lies over there.” - -“Yes,” answered Sydney; “but if we succeed in repulsing the rebels at -Lien-Chow and rescuing the mission,” he went on doubtfully, “what shall -we do next? We shall be cut off from Ku-Ling. The forts will never let -us pass freely again.” - -Phil put his sketch in his pocket. He wanted to complete it later and -send it home in his next letter. “Well,” he declared, “we can’t worry -over that now. The rescue of those in the mission, you see, is our most -important duty. The future must take care of itself.” - -It was shortly after two o’clock in the afternoon, when the long -line of vessels dropped anchor off the town of Lien-Chow; and almost -immediately the gunboats had lowered their small boats and were -embarking their sailors. Phil found himself in the steam launch with -Commander Hughes and Langdon; the former had been chosen to command the -expedition, and the lad thanked his good fortune for his assignment as -aid. - -The long line of boats, laden with armed bluejackets, rowed swiftly -toward the not distant shore of the bay, while two of the gunboats, -remaining under way when the fleet anchored, took up their stations -where they could shell the enemy if the landing was opposed. - -[Illustration: _PHIL’S COMPLETED MAP_] - -The midshipman stood beside Commander Hughes, whose keen eyes were -directed toward the Chinese town, in which direction the launch was -heading. Phil could not discern even a trace of nervousness in his -captain’s face, yet upon the success of this bold attempt to coerce -the Chinese mandarins his future career in the navy rested. Langdon’s -eyes were searching the approaching shore-line for signs of the enemy. -He hastily took the spyglass from Phil’s hand and leveled it in the -direction of a grove of trees to the right of the middle of the town. - -“It’s a piece of artillery,” the pilot exclaimed, pointing with his -glass toward the grove. - -Commander Hughes leveled his field-glass and gazed for a few seconds in -the direction indicated. - -He had framed an answer, but it remained unspoken. A puff of brown -smoke darted from a bright flash amidst the trees, and the screech of -a shell came loudly to the ears of the advancing foreigners, while a -column of water rose suddenly in the air scarce fifty yards short of -the line of boats. - -The two watchful gunboats, from the flanks, opened fire with their -broadsides, and in a second the grove was blotted from sight by scores -of explosions. - -“That relieves us of the stigma of firing the first shot,” Commander -Hughes exclaimed gladly; “but I had hoped not to have to fire at all. -My prayer was that the rebels would disperse at this show of force.” - -The boats had not covered another hundred yards when the town broke -forth, in its entire length, with a hail of rifle shots; the distance -was too great to see the flashes and hear distinctly the discharges, -but the water in front and around the boats was cut to foam by the -hissing missiles. As the boats drew nearer, the rattle of musketry -came sharply to Phil’s ears, while he heard again the wailing bullets -speeding by him. The attacking sailors were silent, but the flank -gunboats poured a storm of shell into the town. - -Phil glanced admiringly at his captain; the latter was strikingly cool -in face of the stubborn resistance with which he had not reckoned; he -had believed that the rebels were but an unorganized mob and could -easily be intimidated by the allied forces; but instead he now saw that -the enemy was in force and well intrenched, while the screech of shell -and explosion of shrapnel above the sailors’ heads bore witness that -these Chinese outlaws were well supplied with modern ordnance. - -A few boats in the long line wavered and held back, but the majority -kept steadily on, followed in but a few seconds by those less brave. - -“When we ground,” Commander Hughes commanded, “you go to the right, -Perry, and you, Langdon, to the left: tell the officers to advance at -double time straight upon the intrenchments. We dare not stop now; -given the slightest encouragement, the Chinese could repulse us.” - -Phil felt the launch tremble, and then a grating sound told him the -boat had reached as near the shore as its draft would allow. Without -hesitation, he jumped waist-deep into the water and waded to the shore, -a scant hundred yards away. He saw his two companions follow his lead, -then he started away at top speed up the beach amidst a perfect storm -of bullets, giving to the leader of each detachment as he passed the -commands of his captain. - -“Form a skirmish line and advance on the double,” he shouted to boat -after boat as their keels grated on the sandy shore; then reaching the -last boat, he quickly turned and raced back to join his captain. - -Running to seaward of the advancing sailors, he had covered but a -short distance when he found himself among a company of demoralized -foreigners; their swarthy faces were ashen from terror. The midshipman -at once saw the danger in this panic; already had it begun to spread to -left and right; the companies nearest the one in disorder had halted -and the sailors were glancing back uncertainly and with increasing -uneasiness. A general stampede was not far distant. The leader of this -shameless company appeared to be wild-eyed with terror. He seemed -powerless to stop the threatened rush for the boats. The lad stood -transfixed with horror. If the infection spread a panic would be the -natural consequence, bringing certain defeat to the allied arms and -leaving the mission helpless to the mercy of the cruel enemy. Without -a second’s hesitation Phil raced up to the fleeing officer. Whirling -him about to face the enemy, the lad cried out in sudden astonishment -and misgiving, as he came face to face with the man who had so grossly -insulted him in the bank at Ku-Ling. - -Phil was conscious of a look of bitter hatred on the stranger’s swarthy -face, but there was no time to consider aught save the danger of a -panic and the defeat to his captain’s plans. - -“Would you have us all massacred? Don’t you see that these Chinese will -run from you if you will only turn and charge as you were told?” the -lad cried desperately, menacingly emphasizing his words with his loaded -revolver. Then lowering his voice, he added in flinty tones for only -the officer’s ear: “Now run straight as you’re heading; if you turn -back I’ll blow a hole through you!” - -The foreign officer felt the muzzle of Phil’s revolver prodding between -his shoulder-blades, close to his heart, and read the determination in -the American’s voice. - -“Encourage your men to follow us,” the midshipman cried as the officer -moved forward uncertainly. - -“Forward! Charge!” the officer ordered in a voice becoming bolder with -excitement as he saw there was nothing left him but to obey. - -The startled sailors recoiled in surprise, muttering incoherently to -themselves, and then seeing their officer advance on a trot toward -the enemy’s trenches, they turned, at first fearfully, then gaining -courage, impetuously, and charged straight toward the source of the -leaden stream. - -A quarter of an hour later, Phil stood beside Commander Hughes in the -trenches of the enemy, while the victorious sailors were following -doggedly the retreating rebels. Langdon stood close by guarding a -prisoner; within the pilot’s huge fist was clutched the Chinaman’s -snake-like cue, while he eagerly questioned the terrified man in -Chinese. The others waited impatiently to hear what intelligence could -be extracted from the much frightened Oriental. - -“I impressed upon him that if he did not tell me the truth that I would -kill him,” the pilot exclaimed hurriedly; “he sticks to his story that -to-night they are going to attack the big mission on the graveyard -hills.” - -“We’ve but half succeeded,” Commander Hughes exclaimed, the lines in -his face growing deeper from anxiety. “We’ve scattered the outlaws here -with heavy loss,” the dead bodies almost filling the deep trenches -speaking eloquently that fact, “but we must push forward at once to -relieve our mission. I cannot sleep another night until those innocent -non-combatants have been rescued. My men are even secondary,” he added -forcefully; “it is their duty and privilege to die in the cause of -humanity.” - -“We cannot hope to succeed without opposition,” Langdon said; “but -before the news of our fight here arouses the viceroy to action against -us, we should relieve the mission, bringing everybody here where we -can protect them. It is but a two-hour march and is but the natural -sequence to the attack we have made.” - -“Quite so,” Commander Hughes agreed hopefully. “Langdon,” he added in -a sad voice, “you don’t know what it is to rule a dozen different -nationalities. It is a wonder we can accomplish anything.” Then he -turned to Phil, who had listened eagerly, his young face full of -concern. “Recall the sailors,” he ordered. - -After the men had been ordered back from their excited pursuit of the -fleeing Chinese and had fallen into military order in rear of the -captured trenches, the American commander gathered the senior officers -of each nationality about him to urge upon them the necessity of prompt -action to relieve the threatened mission. - -Phil started, the hot blood suffusing his face, as he saw with sinking -heart the rank of the foreigner whom he had humiliated before his own -men. Three heavy gold stripes on the officer’s sleeve told him the rank -was that of commander, equal to that of his own captain. This cowardly -officer was then in command of one of the foreign gunboats, but why -had he not seen him before at the councils of the allies on board the -“Phœnix”? Was this Captain Ignacio of the “Albaque,” who had each time -pleaded sickness and sent a young officer to represent him? - -Further speculation upon this perplexing situation was cut short by -Commander Hughes’ forceful talk to the allies. All listened intently; -the well-modulated, clear voice of the American held his listeners -spellbound with attention, but many of the foreigners showed in their -faces only too plainly that they already feared the displeasure of -their governments for having followed the lead of this strenuous -American commander. Was it not an American mission, guarded by American -sailors? Then why should not the Americans rescue their own people? -The officer who had felt the cold chill of Phil’s revolver was loudest -in his condemnation of further attacks; his arguments were so cleverly -worded that he soon won over to his side the timid ones. The British -captain alone stood by the American in his endeavors to persuade his -brother captains that their one chance of helping the missionaries was -to vigorously pursue the advantage already gained. - -“We’ve not forgotten Tatnall’s ‘Blood is thicker than water,’” the -British commander exclaimed as Commander Hughes wrung his hand warmly, -in eloquent silence. - -“We must abide by the decision of the majority,” Commander Hughes said -sorrowfully. “I dare not think what will happen to those within the -mission if my men cannot withstand the attack.” Then he turned flashing -eyes upon the group of hesitating foreigners. - -“What do you propose?” he questioned, controlling the anger and -humiliation in his voice with some difficulty. - -Phil saw the officer whom he had recently humbled before his men cast -a knowing look at several of his co-conspirators, and then heard him -boldly voice his plan. - -“My compatriots,” he began, “believe that this useless killing of -Chinese is harming our country’s interests. We have decided that we -should send a flag of truce to the viceroy to request him to use his -own soldiers to fight these Chinese rebels.” - -“A flag of truce!” cried Commander Hughes, in eloquent disdain. “How -will the viceroy answer us? Probably by throwing the lifeless carcasses -of our emissaries on the sand for the dogs to feed upon.” - -Commander Ignacio flinched before the menacing disgust in the -American’s face, but he held stolidly to his point, while all of the -allies, with the single exception of Commander Buresford, echoed the -foreigner’s proposal. - -“The Inland Mission containing over a hundred innocent men, women and -children, is still in danger from these rebels,” Commander Hughes -exclaimed anxiously, making a last stand for what he considered was -vital to his cause. “Although we have scattered their forces, they can, -as we know, quickly regather. By concerted action, even without danger -to ourselves and possibly without bloodshed, we can march this force of -two thousand sailors over the seven miles of intervening country. By -daylight we can return here with these refugees and then we shall be in -a far better position to again open negotiations with the viceroy. If -he should refuse to treat with us now--by to-morrow these outlaws will -have recovered from their repulse. I beg that my brother officers will -agree with me on this point,” he ended in entreaty. - -Commander Ignacio craftily refused to allow the point to be discussed; -he feared the persuasive powers of the earnest and loyal American. - -“We have decided that question,” he replied quickly, an ugly leer on -his face. “Now our business is to select those to go to the viceroy.” - -Commander Hughes was about to suggest that this foolhardy foreigner -should be chosen, and was on the point of refusing to risk the lives of -his own officers in such a dangerous undertaking, when to his surprise -the name of Ignacio was voiced by the combined council. - -Phil glanced closely at the foreigner. The lad had heard his captain’s -views of the possible fate of the flag of truce. Would Commander -Ignacio accept the dangerous post? - -It seemed plain from Commander Ignacio’s face that the detail was not -to his liking, but in his successful attempts to overrule the plans of -the American, he had become the avowed leader of those in opposition -to the Anglo-Saxon policy of quick action. Phil was eager to accompany -the flag of truce, but to serve under Ignacio was indeed disquieting. -The midshipman could see that his captain was taken unawares by the -acceptance of Ignacio to lead the dangerous mission. Knowing the -Chinese as he did, he honestly believed they would go to their death. - -The selection of the other members of the embassy was unanimously left -to the decision of their leader, Commander Hughes. - -“As my country is the most interested,” the American declared, “I -shall select my own officers.” Then turning to the midshipmen standing -near, Sydney having left his company of sailors to satisfy his eager -curiosity, “Mr. Perry,” the American commander said in a low voice, -“you have shown yourself worthy of this trust. I shall send you, Mr. -Monroe and Langdon. I hope and pray that no harm will come to you.” - -Phil could scarcely believe his ears. He, a midshipman, selected for -such an important duty! - -Commander Hughes then again addressed the foreign commanders. - -“Gentlemen,” he said in a firm voice, “I do not count on the success of -this flag of truce. If it fails we shall be forced to attack the forts -with our unarmored vessels. However, the decision is final. My orders -are that the embassy be sent without a moment’s delay. We shall remain -here until our friends return.” - -Then, dismissing the allies, he took Langdon’s arm and walked toward -the American sailors. - -“If I only had five hundred American sailors,” he declared hotly, “I -would throw over these half-hearted allies and march to the relief of -the mission. But with this mere handful, failure would be assured.” -Then he beckoned the midshipmen to him. “Langdon, you and these young -men must uphold the dignity of our country. You, Langdon, must speak -directly to the viceroy. Impress upon him that I am in deadly earnest. -If he harms the American mission I shall not rest until his city is -laid in ashes. I shall destroy his arsenals and foundries. The forts -will not be able to resist the attack of the American monitors, which -should soon arrive.” - -“The monitors!” Langdon exclaimed. “Are they coming?” - -“I wish I could believe it,” Commander Hughes replied sorrowfully. “But -we must make the viceroy believe that we are hourly expecting them. He -fears an American monitor, and the thought that they are coming may act -in our favor.” - -Preparations went forward rapidly, and inside of half an hour, -Commander Ignacio led his small party out of the allied camp. - -Carrying a large white flag conspicuously displayed, the four -emissaries, with an escort of eight sailors, four from the “Phœnix” and -four from the foreigner’s own gunboat, gained the road leading toward -the city of Ku-Ling. Unencumbered with all save their firearms, which -were carried for protection against the marauding bands of outlaws, the -seven miles were quickly covered, and in less than two hours the city -gate loomed before them. - -Approaching the city wall, Phil saw that there was great commotion at -the gate; soldiers ran hither and thither, and before the flag of truce -had arrived near the stagnant water of the moat, there was a noisy -clanking of rusty chain, the drawbridge was suddenly raised, and the -ponderous gates tightly shut. - -The midshipmen, in spite of the precariousness of their position, -could scarcely suppress a smile of gratification: this act alone -spoke volumes; what must these Asiatics think of the prowess of the -foreigners if they feared an attack from a dozen men? - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -IGNACIO SHOWS HIS HAND - - -As the drawbridge clanked upward, and the soldiers disappeared hastily -behind the closing gates, Commander Ignacio, glancing nervously at -Langdon, brought his party to a stop. - -“You know the customs of these people; what shall we do?” he exclaimed -anxiously, betraying that with all his vain boasting before his -confrères he depended upon the American pilot to give him courage to -act. - -“They have raised the drawbridge until the viceroy can be notified,” -Langdon answered calmly; “I don’t consider we are in much danger; of -course the Chinese never do what might be expected of them. If they -opened fire now we couldn’t escape,” he added, casting a swift glance -of disdain at the nervous officer and giving the midshipmen a covert -wink; “so we might as well put on a bold front.” Suiting his action -to his words, he threw himself down on the ground, as if he intended -to be comfortable while the viceroy indulged himself in his Oriental -diplomacy of wearing out the patience of those who wished to treat with -him. - -Over an hour passed anxiously for the foreigners; conversation was -fragmentary and pointless. Under the eyes and within close range of a -semi-civilized enemy, who might refuse to recognize a flag of truce, -their position was not calculated to inspire confidence. Then the -drawbridge creaked slowly down, and a gorgeously dressed official -advanced through the opened gate, preceded by a white flag and followed -by an armed guard of soldiers. - -Commander Ignacio and his party rose hastily to meet them. - -After the elaborate Chinese ceremony of greeting had been concluded, -the mandarin turned to Commander Ignacio, and inquired his mission. - -“We have come to see the viceroy,” Ignacio replied in English, for -the Chinaman was no other than the interpreter, whom Phil had seen so -discomfited the day before. - -With a nod of approval, the mandarin beckoned that all should follow, -and led the way across the drawbridge and into the ill-smelling city. - -The emissaries and their guards passed at a rapid pace through the -narrow and dirty streets; the curious inmates of the walled city kept -at a respectful distance, their faces expressing wonder rather than -hatred. - -Phil, noticing the change in their demeanor from the day before, called -it to Langdon’s attention. - -“Yes,” the pilot assured him, “it’s a good sign; the will of the -mandarins is always reflected in the faces of the lower classes. They -hate us just as much as ever, but the brisk work at Lien-Chow has shown -them that we are able to carry out our threats.” - -Upon their arrival at the yamen, the viceroy received the foreigners -at the second door, one door nearer the entrance than where he had -received Commander Hughes. This did not fail to impress the visitors. -After all, was Chang-Li-Hun prepared to make terms? - -The viceroy was accompanied by the same mandarins whom Phil had seen -the day before, and in contrast to their master’s sphinx-like face -their features betrayed the apprehension which they doubtless felt. - -Chang-Li-Hun seated himself at the head of the table, motioning -Commander Ignacio to a chair on his left. - -After all were seated, refreshments were brought, and silence was -preserved until the viceroy signed that the table be cleared; then -turning to Langdon he inquired courteously in Chinese the wishes of the -flag of truce. - -The pilot, after a motion of consent had been received from the leader, -informed the mandarin of Commander Hughes’ terms. Phil watched his -friend’s face closely, glancing occasionally at the dignified old -Chinaman, whom nothing apparently could move. - -“There is a hostile movement against the foreigners in your provinces,” -Langdon commenced in the mandarin’s language, using all the flowery -and diplomatic terms which these astute diplomats clung to so closely. -“This movement can exist only through your tolerance. We do not claim -that your Excellency is giving it active support, but you are taking -no steps to smother it. That being the case, the allied powers have -taken the law in their own hands. Having discovered that an army of -rebels were concentrating at Lien-Chow, only seven miles from your -Excellency’s city, with the avowed intention of attacking the American -mission and massacring the inmates, the allies have but a few hours ago -attacked them in their stronghold and dispersed them with many killed, -while not a foreigner has been hurt. These rebels were permitted -to collect despite the fact that you have seven thousand soldiers -under your orders capable of suppressing these outlaws. Commander -Hughes has directed us to say that if your Excellency will give his -honorable word upon the spirit of his father that no further outrages -will be permitted, and that he will protect with his soldiers the -American mission, and also cause to be issued and posted throughout -the provinces orders to desist from attacks on Christian converts and -their teachers, then the foreign sailors will be at once withdrawn from -China’s soil.” - -Chang-Li-Hun’s face was barren of expression while the pilot was -delivering himself of this long speech. - -“I am not the general of the soldiers,” he craftily replied; “suppose -I, a civilian, should give the soldiers orders to protect foreigners, -how may I be assured that they will obey?” - -Langdon fearlessly gazed at the aged mandarin, whom he knew was trying, -as the Chinese say, “to throw dust in his eyes.” - -“Is not the Tartar general under the orders of the viceroy?” he asked -uncompromisingly. - -“I may give an order,” the viceroy answered evasively, “but I am not a -soldier; then how shall I risk the displeasure of my father’s spirit, -when I would not know if it were being enforced?” - -By the viceroy’s words his treachery was unmasked. Langdon had been -told in the strictest confidence by Emmons that General Hang-Ki -had embraced secretly the Christian belief; not suspecting this, -the viceroy had put his foot into a trap by insinuating that the -general could not be depended upon to carry out orders to protect the -foreigners and the thousands of Christian Chinese, who were alike -called foreigners by the fanatical anti-Christians. - -“Where can the general be found?” Langdon inquired finally. - -“His residence is in the forts,” the viceroy answered. - -“Then our mission is with him,” the pilot declared, rising from his -chair; “your Excellency then will agree to give the order and I shall -endeavor to obtain his promise to conscientiously carry it out. My -captain’s one desire is to spare the misguided people of the city from -the further vengeance of the foreign powers.” - -“What do you mean?” the viceroy asked, for a second dropping his mask -and gazing at the pilot through worried eyes. - -“I mean,” Langdon answered, raising his voice to be heard throughout -the room, “that if the Chinese soldiers and these outlaws, calling -themselves patriots, insist upon massacring the inoffensive foreigners -and their followers, such a fire of shot and shell will be thrown into -this city by the allied fleet that all property will be destroyed.” - -The aged mandarin started perceptibly at hearing these menacing words; -then he seemed to arrive at some conclusion, for his parchment-like -face betrayed a faint smile as he motioned the pilot to be again seated. - -“How will the fleet bombard Ku-Ling?” he inquired; “your ships cannot -again pass the forts if I order them to fire upon you.” - -“Your Excellency,” Langdon answered boldly, “has forgotten that two -American monitors are now on their way to join the allied fleet. With -the addition of these vessels, our ships do not fear the fire of your -forts; besides you will know that if the American commander orders it -our sailors can take the forts with ease by storm. Our captain is in -earnest,” he urged, believing from the viceroy’s attitude that he was -weakening. “If the mission on the hill which is under your protection -is harmed he will at once put into effect his plans to reduce the forts -and destroy your city.” - -“I shall send for the general,” the viceroy finally announced. “He -may be some hours in arriving, and meanwhile you may rest after your -journey.” - -The party arose, following the interpreter, and shortly found -themselves in a plainly-furnished room, where he left them abruptly. - -Langdon immediately explained his conversation with the viceroy, and -expressed himself as certain that the flag of truce would be successful. - -Phil had not as yet been addressed by Commander Ignacio, and naturally -felt disinclined to join in the conversation. He had surprised many -furtive glances from the foreign captain, and was sure they were not -of good omen; however, now he smiled pleasantly at the two midshipmen, -without a trace of the ill nature with which Phil felt he regarded him. - -“This was my idea from the start,” Commander Ignacio exclaimed -boastfully; “that fire-eating captain of yours came near getting us in -a nice muddle, but I believe I shall straighten it all out.” - -Phil’s anger flared into his eyes at hearing this direct slur -upon Commander Hughes’ actions, but his training had taught him -subordination, and he controlled the words of censure that came readily -to his lips. - -Langdon however was not so diplomatic. - -“I beg to differ, Commander Ignacio,” he exclaimed hotly; “Commander -Hughes’ acts have made this truce possible. Until he showed that he was -in earnest by attacking and capturing Lien-Chow the viceroy would not -have received us at all.” The foreigner’s expression changed suddenly, -and as he saw the midshipmen unconsciously nod in approval of the -pilot’s words, a scowl of bitter hatred appeared on his swarthy face. - -“You Americans are an insolent race,” he cried angrily. “What do you -know about such matters?” he continued violently, turning scornfully on -Langdon; “you are merely a hired pilot.” - -Phil’s greatest fear seemed on the point of being realized; this -braggart might spoil all through his self-conceit. Until now all had -gone smoothly; the viceroy had as much as shown that he was ready and -willing to make terms, and now this incompetent coward had shown his -ugly hand. - -“Don’t answer him, Langdon,” Phil whispered, laying a restraining hand -on the pilot’s arm; “nothing that he can say will affect our confidence -in you.” - -The anger died on Langdon’s face as he realized the logic in the lad’s -words, and then the strained situation was relieved by the arrival of -the interpreter. - -“His Excellency, the general, was fortunately in the city,” he -explained, “and was readily found; he now waits in the viceroy’s -audience-chamber.” - -The foreigners were presently again before the high mandarin. - -Phil gazed admiringly at the stranger, whom he knew must be the Tartar -general. The Manchu stood over six feet in height, his skin bronzed by -exposure, in striking contrast to the almost effeminate appearance of -the Chinese mandarins about him. The fierceness of his Tartar ancestors -looked from his dark almond-shaped eyes; he seemed to the lad an -embodiment of those of his race who had many centuries before under the -great Ghenkis Khan overrun the whole of Asia, carrying their victorious -banners even into Europe; here was the soldier leader whose ancestors -had followed no other calling. - -The conference was again opened by the viceroy’s thin voice. - -“Upon investigation I find that the general was not informed of the -presence at Lien-Chow of these outlaws. I myself knew nothing of it. -The mission was safe in my keeping, but when your commander lands an -armed force on the soil of China, he must take the consequences; I dare -not interfere as long as there is a single foreign sailor on our shore. -Before I can treat with you, every armed man must be first withdrawn -and the ships again anchored in the Yangtse River; the To-Yan Lake is -by royal decree forbidden water, and I must demand that the war-ships -leave there immediately.” - -Langdon gazed in surprise at the old diplomat. Could reliance be -placed in his implied willingness to make terms after the sailors were -withdrawn from China’s soil and the ships anchored again in the river? - -“That is quite impossible,” Langdon answered promptly. “Commander -Hughes will not withdraw from China’s soil until he has received your -promise given on the sacred spirit of your father.” - -“When your commander has anchored his fleet at Ku-Ling and then comes -to me apologizing for entering the forbidden lake, then I will give -my decision, but not until then,” the viceroy cried angrily. “I have -washed my hands of your mission; by putting sailors there your captain -has taken it from my protection.” - -Langdon was so intent upon his conversation with the viceroy that he -failed to notice that Commander Ignacio had changed his seat to one -beside the interpreter, and that in low tones the latter had given the -foreigner the details of the conversation upon which so much depended. -The pilot now turned to apprise this officer of the latest demand of -the arch villain, but to his consternation the foreign commander had -risen to his feet, his black eyes snapping with importance, and waved -the American to silence, then turning to the interpreter at his elbow -exclaimed in English: - -“I consider that the viceroy’s demands are just. I was from the first -against this ill-judged action. Tell his Excellency as senior member -of this flag of truce, I shall agree to these terms, and am sure my -colleagues, with the exception of this American, will uphold me.” - -A smile of triumph played about the corners of the viceroy’s cruel -mouth while the interpreter gave him the meaning of Commander Ignacio’s -rash words. - -“So,” he thought, “the foreigners are not of one mind.” The clever -diplomat believed that he had at last found a way to pierce the armor -of the despised foreigner. - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -HELD AS HOSTAGES - - -The Americans were speechless with amazement. Phil was confident that -he read triumph in the spiteful face of the foreign commander. Langdon -gazed with unfeigned disgust at the officer who had brought defeat -to the allies. This wily Chinaman would now refuse to interfere with -the unlawful acts of his subjects; trusting to the dissensions of the -allies to bring their punitive efforts to naught. All realized that -now even their own lives were in peril, and they were powerless to -interfere. Commander Ignacio was the appointed head of the embassy and -his decision was authoritative. - -The Americans quickly learned the ill effects of the traitor’s words, -for the viceroy at once disregarded the pilot’s presence and in the -most insulting tone turned to his interpreter. - -“His Excellency,” that Chinaman said upon the completion of the -viceroy’s ultimatum, “sees that the ranking officer has more -intelligence than his low-caste companions, and that as he has given -his promise that an apology will be made, his Excellency will at once -set him at liberty to return to his people. And his Excellency further -warns his compatriots that if the sailors are not withdrawn within -twenty-four hours to their ships, and if the fleet does not leave the -To-Yan Lake, that the lives of those held as hostages will pay the -penalty.” - -Phil, throwing discretion to the winds, was upon his feet before the -interpreter had finished his threatening sentences. - -“Commander Ignacio,” he exclaimed, beside himself with anger and -mortification, “can you not see what you have done? The viceroy offers -you your freedom; you must at once insist that we are under the sacred -protection of a flag of truce and that he has not the right to detain -us.” - -“Are you then so anxious about your precious skin?” the foreigner -answered, an expression of intense dislike on his swarthy face. - -The viceroy had risen, taking the arm of an assistant. He bowed -formally, and moved away toward his own apartments. - -Langdon heard his parting instructions to his interpreter. - -“Hold these American dogs and send the others back to their own people. -Let their commander tell them that when their sailors have ceased to -pollute Chinese soil then I shall treat with them. And to show my -displeasure at the attack of the foreigners upon our innocent people, I -shall hold these dogs as hostages.” - -Realizing his helplessness, the pilot was silent, and he and the -midshipmen allowed themselves to be led away by the waiting guards. - -Commander Ignacio gave Phil a look of triumph as he passed him, which -glance the lad returned proudly. Doubtless this despicable man believed -he had won a signal victory over the midshipman who had accused him of -cowardice before his own men. - -The Americans were conducted to a room outside of the council-chamber -of the yamen. All were too crestfallen and disappointed with the turn -affairs had taken to care what their fate might be. Through the windows -of the room they saw the traitor and his four sailors pass along the -courtyard on the way back to the camp of the allies, and a few moments -afterward, their own sailors were brought and shoved roughly into the -room where their officers were held captive. - -“If that villain,” Langdon exclaimed angrily, “had only kept quiet, -we should all have been returning by now. He played right into the -viceroy’s hands.” - -“It is all my own doing,” Phil moaned. “Why didn’t I tell our captain -the kind of man he was?” - -“What do you mean?” Sydney and Langdon asked in a breath. - -Phil told of the attack on Lien-Chow and of the cowardly part Commander -Ignacio had played. - -“Well, if that isn’t the queerest!” the pilot exclaimed after the -midshipman had finished; “Commander Hughes in my hearing complimented -him upon the fearless attack of his men; they were the first in the -enemy’s trenches after the Americans and English. And it was you that -put wings to their leader’s feet.” - -The pilot’s laugh sounded so incongruous that the Chinese guards -glanced suspiciously inside, fearing that the handful of foreigners -might be planning some daring escape. - -“I feel that it is my fault,” Phil repeated penitently. “I alone am -responsible for our captivity.” - -“Cheer up, lad!” Langdon exclaimed. “It might be worse. The viceroy -will soon find that Commander Ignacio will not be supported. He will -not dare to hold us long.” - -But the pilot, with his wide knowledge of the Chinese, did not know the -capacity for cruelty of this aged mandarin. - -Even as the pilot spoke, the room filled with soldiers, who disarmed -the Americans, binding their hands behind them and attaching heavy -chains to their ankles. Langdon began to caution the sailors to submit -without resistance, but before he could give the advice a stalwart -sailor had picked up a heavy chair and floored the nearest of the -Chinese soldiers. - -The sailors were quickly taken away, and after their work was -completed the guards withdrew, leaving the midshipmen and the pilot -bound upon the hard floor. The tight cords on their wrists cut cruelly -into the flesh. - -Phil gave himself over to despair; he could see no way out of their -terrible predicament. Langdon, breathing heavily beside him, was -silent, while Sydney was speechless with anger and mortification. - -After several minutes the interpreter entered their prison; his sallow -face betrayed not a spark of sympathy as he told Langdon to be prepared -to receive the sentence of punishment at the hands of the viceroy. - -The pilot growled an answer in Chinese which caused the interpreter’s -face to show a shade of annoyance; then he answered in English, -glancing fiercely at his captives. - -“We respect a flag of truce, but those who land on friendly soil and -attack innocent villagers are not entitled to its protection.” - -Phil would have denied the Chinaman’s assertions, but the next second -he was roughly dragged to his feet, and with his companions, led into -the private apartments of the viceroy. - -There the mandarin was seated comfortably in his chair of state, -enjoying hugely the discomfiture of the foreigners. One by one the -Americans were forced down upon their knees before the viceroy; the -guards zealously pulling the hair of the helpless ones as a caution to -obey quietly. - -While Chang-Li-Hun spoke to Langdon in a low voice, the midshipmen -were held down on their knees, their heads bent forward, and as each -moved to ease his cramped limbs, the cruel hands of the soldiers would -inflict some new and painful torture to keep them motionless. The -strain was well-nigh unbearable; the body bending forward brought a -heavy and increasing strain on the wrist bindings. - -“Your two companions being officers of a foreign navy under arms -on China’s soil, I have the right to hold them for punishment and -execution, if I so desire. You being but a civilian, if you will -apologize publicly I will set you free at once,” the viceroy said in a -conciliatory voice. - -The pilot stoutly refused to accept his clemency. - -“Would your commander really dare attempt to bombard my city?” the -mandarin continued curiously. - -The severe pain at his wrists spurred Langdon on to picture blackly the -doom awaiting the self-satisfied and treacherous official. - -“If you hold these officers captive, the American commander will not -rest until he has set them at liberty. If you harm a hair of their -heads he will raze your city to the ground and every shell will be -directed at this yamen. The inside of the wall will be as desolate as -that of your great city of Nanking after the Taiping rebels had sacked -it.” - -The viceroy turned livid with uncontrolled rage. He spurned the bound -prisoner with his foot, while the soldiers, seeing the anger in their -master’s face, pulled the hair and beard of the helpless man. - -Langdon was now beside himself. By a mighty effort, he bore back upon -the soldiers, his great strength scattering them with ease, and then he -raised his head and gazed full into the face of the viceroy. - -“By holding us as hostages you are but signing your own death-warrant. -Our mission here was for your own good. Your people will suffer, but -the mandarins are those whom Commander Hughes desires to punish. You -know that if your city is destroyed by the foreign fleet you must -either commit suicide or falsify the reports to Peking which in time -will be discovered. If you liberate us at once and give your promise -that foreigners will be protected, even now you can redeem your action.” - -Chang-Li-Hun could hardly believe his ears. He had never been talked to -so plainly in all his life. His mandarins stood near him, the scowls on -their outraged faces betokening evil for the helpless Americans. - -Langdon was, at a motion from the viceroy, quickly restrained, and -struggling violently in the hands of numerous soldiers was borne out -of the council-chamber. The midshipmen’s guards were severe as they -dragged the unresisting lads from the presence of the viceroy. - -“I fear I’ve made a worse muddle of it,” the pilot exclaimed dolefully, -after they were again alone in the room which for the present served -as their prison. Then he recounted to his companions what had passed -between him and the powerful mandarin. - -“We can hope for no immediate relief from our people,” Phil declared -dejectedly. “Even though the allies condemn Ignacio’s actions and are -willing to aid in our release, they cannot storm the city by land from -Lien-Chow. First the fleet must pass through the fire of the forts.” - -“There is one other chance,” Langdon replied hopefully. “The viceroy -is certainly acting without or perhaps even contrary to orders from -Peking. I could tell that by the anger in his face when I accused him -of it. His government is being kept in the dark. It knows nothing -of the conditions within his provinces. If the foreign ambassadors -in Peking have back-bone enough to insist upon knowing the state -of affairs, the throne will ask for reports, and Chang-Li-Hun, as -powerful as he is, must disclose his treachery. If these reports are -not satisfactory to the ambassadors and at the same time if sufficient -fear can be put into the emperor’s heart by intimidating him with the -threat of another sack of the capital by the foreign soldiers, then he -will send one of his trusted Manchu generals with an army at his back, -from a neighboring province. When once these soldiers have arrived in -front of the viceroy’s yamen then Chang-Li-Hun must acknowledge himself -beaten.” - -“Meanwhile what is going to happen to us?” Sydney asked. - -“Come, brace up, Syd,” cried Phil, trying hard to appear cheerful. -“We’ve been in as bad a place before. If our time has come, nothing -that we can say or do will stop it.” - -“It isn’t that I am afraid of what’s going to happen,” Sydney exclaimed -in a hurt voice. “If they’d given us a show it wouldn’t have mattered; -but to violate a truce! That’s what makes me feel like tearing these -shackles off and throttling every Chinaman in sight, and to feel I -can’t makes me wish to use all the bad words that I know.” - -Phil could barely suppress a laugh; Sydney had described his own -feeling more accurately than he could himself. - -“We may just as well keep our tempers,” Phil replied philosophically. -“It only wastes one’s strength to get angry, and we’ll probably need -all the endurance we have before we are again with our own people.” - -“Did the captain send any telegrams to the admiral or Washington about -the state of affairs?” Langdon asked suddenly. - -“Yes, he sent one yesterday and one was given to the Chinese operator -in the concession this morning,” Phil replied. “The last one was a long -one and outlined what he intended doing, with his reasons. They were -all in cipher. I helped him prepare them.” - -“They haven’t gone further than the viceroy’s waste paper basket,” -Langdon returned. “He will guard every outlet for news. Doubtless his -version of the actions of the foreigners will be wired, unless he sees -fit to remain silent.” - -“How can he remain silent?” Sydney inquired. “The gunboats came here -believing that there was going to be trouble. Surely if the foreign -governments do not hear from their representatives they will be -suspicious.” - -“It’s too deep for me this time,” Langdon declared. “The viceroy knows -what he’s doing; that I can assure you. History usually repeats -itself in these Chinese troubles, and he is probably banking on the -timidity of the foreign governments. If the plain unvarnished facts of -the attack on Lien-Chow got to Washington with no word from Commander -Hughes, what would happen? That is what Chang-Li-Hun is counting on.” - -“The president would wire for particulars,” Phil answered. - -“Yes, and he wouldn’t get them,” Langdon returned; “and then what would -happen?” - -“I don’t know, but the viceroy believes he does and he hopes -that Washington will act in such a way as to give the victory to -Chang-Li-Hun.” - -As the pilot’s voice died away, the predicament of himself and -companions came home forcibly to Phil. His arms and legs were swollen, -causing him great pain, and the thought of the further cruelty of those -who held them captives was not pleasant. - -“Is there no way to escape?” the lad asked, glancing about the insecure -looking prison. - -“We might succeed in getting out of the yamen,” Langdon answered -discouragingly, “but we could never expect to get out of the city. -There are but two gates, and both are heavily guarded at all times. -Once we are missed from here the news would travel with the speed of -wireless telegraphy throughout the city. No, we are as secure as if we -were on a desert island.” - -“Can’t we bribe the guards?” Sydney asked, casting a contemptuous -glance at the ragged soldier at the door. - -“What have we to bribe with?” Langdon asked mournfully. “I haven’t a -cent about me.” - -“The green jade ring my grateful Chinaman gave me!” Phil exclaimed. - -The Americans took heart at the thought of this priceless possession. - -“Guard it carefully,” Langdon cautioned; “it may save us.” - -“Does Commander Ignacio really believe,” Sydney asked suddenly, “that -Commander Hughes will apologize to the viceroy?” - -“That traitor Ignacio knows that he will not!” Phil exclaimed angrily -at the thought of his treachery. “There’s more in this than we -understand. It’s a plot to defeat our captain, and he with only his -small force is powerless if the other nations side with this villain. -Our only hope is that the other foreigners will not stand for Ignacio’s -cowardly agreement.” - -“Those in the mission,” Langdon said with alarm in his voice, “are in -a worse plight than ever. Unless Commander Hughes finds himself strong -enough to relieve the mission it will sooner or later be attacked; our -fifty sailors cannot withstand a long siege against the Chinese regular -troops.” - -The more Phil speculated upon the situation the more perplexing it -seemed. Numbers of helpless foreign missionaries were scattered among -the cities of the provinces. Even now many might have been killed by -the lawless element. In the past many missionaries had been killed by -mobs stirred to violence by printed circulars sent out openly by the -mandarins. Would the firm stand of the foreigners deter the mandarins -from giving license to their people to destroy? Phil knew that this was -his captain’s hope. - -Langdon’s voice interrupted the lad’s musings. - -“We shall be separated,” he said dejectedly. “Please don’t be rash. -Remember the cruelty of these people. They might kill in a fit of -anger, even though your death was against their interests. Don’t expect -kind treatment. You will probably be liberated when our captain has -shown the viceroy that he is equal to his threats, but I am not an -officer and I know too much to suit that scheming interpreter.” - -That the pilot despaired of his life was indeed disquieting news to the -midshipmen, but their solicitations were quickly cut short by the sound -of tramping feet in the hallway outside their prison door. - -A number of armed soldiers entered the room and dragged the captives -roughly to their aching feet, hurrying them along the stone pavement up -the courtyard. - -Phil saw ahead of him the unresisting Langdon, brutally kicked and -struck by his captors as he shuffled painfully along, then his own -guards turned down a corridor, dragging him after them. - -Wondering what was about to happen Phil saw a soldier knock loudly upon -a door; a most unearthly yell from within was the only answer, then -the door opened inwards and he found himself shoved into the midst of a -crowd of half-naked Chinamen. His heart sank within him as he realized -that he was to be imprisoned along with the lowest of the criminals of -the viceroy’s provinces. But a moment later he could have cried out -for joy at the sight of Sydney thrown roughly almost into his arms. -At least he would have his friend to share his tortures; that was -something for which to be thankful. - - - - -CHAPTER X - -A CHINESE PRISON - - -The arrival of the Americans in the jail was heralded with delight -by their scantily-clad fellows; they one and all crowded about the -lads examining their uniforms and putting very dirty hands on their -white skins. Many had never seen a foreigner at such close range. -The midshipmen were so tightly bound that they could not escape this -unpleasant, although apparently friendly, treatment. - -Finally Phil could bear it no longer; the sickening odor from their -unwashed bodies became more than his endurance could stand. Managing -to rise to his feet, he painfully crossed the damp floor to a wooden -bench, the only article of furniture in the cell; reaching this he sat -down upon it, gently but forcefully pushing the prisoners seated beside -him until he had the bench entirely to himself. The Chinese stood close -by in silent surprise, showing no anger at this treatment. - -“Come here, Sydney,” he called. “We’ll take the bench and keep these -ruffians away. They’ll smother us with their heathen curiosity.” - -Sydney crawled through the delighted crowd, the prisoners moving aside -readily for him, and as he reached the bench and raised himself off the -reeking floor to a seat beside Phil, the gaping Chinamen chattered like -children, quite absorbed in the infrequent spectacle of foreign devils -in their jail. - -A number of the more bold among the prisoners squatted on the floor -close to the bench, examining the stout boots and leggins of the -midshipmen, but these Phil motioned away, emphasizing his meaning by a -shove from his manacled feet. The Chinamen arose at once, their faces -expressing only astonishment. - -The lads were soon left alone; their fellow prisoners had formed a -circle around them with an intervening space of over a yard, while one -or two of their number assumed the rôle of protectors and faithfully -kept their comrades from infringing upon this forbidden ground. - -“They are more kind than their masters,” Sydney said, after the -midshipmen had gathered their scattered wits. - -“Poor fellows, they seem as happy as if they were only doing penance -for small sins,” Phil replied, gazing compassionately at his motley -companions. “Yet they are all condemned to be executed. Do you see the -large ring each wears about his neck, with a brass tag attached? That’s -the mark of a felon to be beheaded, or worse.” - -“Where do you suppose they’ve taken Langdon?” Sydney asked anxiously. -“It’s certainly terrible to be helpless in the power of these cruel -Chinese. They may even now have beheaded him. The viceroy was angry -enough to revenge himself.” - -“I hope it’s not so bad as that,” Phil answered, trying hard to be -reassuring, not feeling, however, a particle more secure than the -condemned men about him. “Langdon said,” he added grimly, “if our hands -were lifted up high behind our backs and they hurried us out of the -cell, our heads would probably be cut off in the large outer court. -Until they do that, I suppose we may be sure that we are not in any -immediate danger of death.” - -Sydney shuddered at the unpleasant thought. And this was the China that -they had been so eager to visit. - -Toward evening a great tub filled with millet was brought in by the -keepers and this the prisoners devoured ravenously. Luckily for the -lads, they had satisfied their appetite from the viceroy’s table, for -they would have stood but scant chance among that hungry rabble. - -The cell was now entirely dark, save for a swinging light which -streamed through the barred doors. The midshipmen scarcely closed their -eyes during the long hours of the night, and when the first streaks of -day shone into their foul cell, they were sitting open-eyed on their -bench. - -A jailer brought a basin of water to the door of the cell and then -entering, took off their irons and led them out into the courtyard. -The lads’ hopes rose, but they soon saw that it was to be only a -preparation for more imprisonment. A bowl of rice apiece was given -them, which was quickly eaten, and then each received a steaming cup of -tea. This reassuring meal put new life into the lads and they felt more -cheerful than at any time since their imprisonment. - -“What’s he doing?” Sydney cried out in alarm, as the jailer began to -rub his neck with a damp rag, while another rubbed his wrists and -ankles. Phil was afterward given the same treatment, and then the -hateful irons were again put on, but in addition there were put about -their necks the dreaded rings, with the dangling brass tags that -jingled ominously. - -The midshipmen were stunned. Like the others of their cell-mates they -were now wearing the badge of death. They also had been condemned by -the viceroy and would be held in this loathsome prison until their -numbers were called by the “Board of Punishments,” the Chinese high -court of justice. - -Once more in their cell the lads sat dejectedly on their bench. They -had small desire for conversation; each felt his doom pressing upon -him, and strange to say with this weight of trouble their thoughts -turned to Langdon. - -“If we are to be executed,” Phil said sorrowfully, “poor Langdon must -have already met his death.” - -Sydney had not the heart to reply. He nodded his head sorrowfully. Then -a thought struck him, and he raised hopeful eyes to his companion’s -face. - -“He must be near us, Phil,” he exclaimed. “Can’t we find some means of -communicating? If we could only talk their language we might ask our -jailer; he appears friendly and probably knows.” - -Phil was silent for a few moments, then he suddenly began to whistle -loudly the stirring music of their class song. The tune brought tears -to Sydney’s eyes. It took him back to the day the brigade of midshipmen -marched by the reviewing stand for the last time with his class as -seniors. Two hours afterward, with his diploma in his hand, he had -shaken hands as a graduate with the secretary of the navy. What a -terrible contrast! Then a sudden fear took possession of him. Had Phil -lost his mind? Was the knowledge of their terrible end too much for -his nerves and had his strong mind succumbed? While these disquieting -thoughts were coursing through his brain, Phil ceased whistling and -listened eagerly. From a distance a high-pitched treble of a whistle -came indistinctly to their ears amid the noises of their cell. - -The Chinese crowded about Phil in evident delight, while a number of -jailers stood outside the half-closed door peering inside, smiles on -their ignorant faces. - -“They seem to enjoy my music,” Phil said in a perfectly rational voice; -“but thank goodness, Langdon is still alive!” - -“Maybe it was from one of the sailors,” Sydney suggested. - -Phil continued his whistling for many minutes until his listeners had -become thoroughly accustomed, then he put forth his strategy. - -“Langdon knows our signal code,” he said quietly, “and I’m going to try -to whistle him a message, if we can only get these fellows quiet. At -least we’ll find out who it is that is confined near us.” - -Then by single and double whistles, covered up ingeniously with -snatches of tunes, he spelled out: - -“Who are you?” - -The lads waited breathlessly for several minutes, which seemed to them -as many hours. Then the answer came distinctly: - -“Langdon. If the interpreter comes to you show him the ring. It may be -your last chance.” - -Phil acknowledged this, and then to allay the suspicions of the -jailers, he whistled several lively tunes. - -The long day dragged slowly by. In their cramped surroundings they -leaned back against the wall and dozed off, only to be awakened by the -pains in their tightly-bound limbs. The irons galled terribly. - -At last the jailer brought them their evening meal, a bowl of rice -apiece, and before leaving them for the night, examined their shackles. -While examining Sydney’s swollen wrists he “hi-yaw’d” loudly, calling -the midshipmen’s attention to where the tender skin had been chafed -through, the red flesh showing clearly. - -“Of course; what does he expect?” Sydney exclaimed angrily. “These -irons are not lined with velvet!” - -The jailer took Phil by the shoulder and led him to a corner of the -cell, where a Chinaman was lying, his pale face showing that the poor -fellow’s death was but a matter of hours. - -Stooping down, the jailer lifted one of the sick man’s arms. The sight -that met the lad’s gaze was heartrending. The wrist where his iron had -been was a festering sore. The diseased flesh had slowly spread until -his forearm to the elbow was infected and the man was dying of blood -poison. Phil at once understood the terrible danger to his friend. He -had heard of the maggot which is said to infest all Chinese prisons. -The earth beneath his feet at a depth of a few inches was swarming with -these deadly parasites, and their instinct leads them directly to a -fresh wound. Once this insect enters the flesh of a victim, his death -by a fearful, agonizing and lingering illness is assured. - -Pointing to Sydney’s irons Phil demanded by signs that they be -immediately removed, but the jailer shook his head in dissent, his -expressive face portraying a fear for himself if he did, while he -struck his own neck with his hand as if to say, “That’s what would -happen to me if I took his irons off.” - -Phil’s solicitude for his friend was great. How could he hide this -wound from the searching little worm? He thought of his pocket -handkerchief in his blouse pocket; reaching inside his coat with his -manacled hands, he dragged it slowly out, with the intention of using -it as a bandage about Sydney’s wrist, but to his consternation as he -pulled a bright spark of metal flashed before his eyes and the precious -jade ring fell loudly to the floor at the jailer’s feet. - -The Chinaman pounced upon it with avidity, hastily concealing it in his -loose clothes. Phil attempted to hold him, but he roughly pushed him -aside, shutting the barred door in his face with a loud slam. - -Their last hope had flown. The Chinaman would doubtless conceal the -ring and say he knew nothing in case he was questioned. - -The keen disappointment at the loss of the talisman made Phil fear even -more for the terrible predicament of his companion. A few more days in -this noisome hole might mean his death. Ill fed, with no opportunity to -wash away the accumulated dirt from their unclean surroundings, he must -surely fall a victim of the insidious insect. - -Another night passed in torture, relieved only by an occasional -exchange of signals between Phil and Langdon. He had fared no -worse than the midshipmen. Phil told him of the loss of the ring -and afterward there was a long silence, as if the news were too -disappointing to find an answer. - -Finally after several hours, the midshipmen were awakened from their -painful slumber to hear the signal from the pilot. - -“The viceroy has received some word from the allies. He asked me many -questions to-day,” and then abruptly the whistle ceased. - -The lads were eager to hear more, but Langdon was silent, and soon a -jailer entered and threatened by signs to gag the midshipmen if they -continued; so, much against their inclinations, they stopped signaling. - -Early the next morning the lads were awakened from an uneasy sleep by -loud cries in the courtyard outside of their cell door. The jailer -hurried in, unlocking their chains and signed them to follow him. The -midshipmen upon staggering to their feet would have fallen, if it had -not been for the prompt support of their fellow prisoners, who having -risen from their earth beds were gazing curiously through the open door. - -Emerging into the sunlight Phil at first could see nothing, but the -jailer, taking each by a hand, led them staggeringly across the sandy -courtyard. Then suddenly, pushing on their shoulders, the jailer forced -the midshipmen on their knees before two mandarins. - -Phil raised his eyes and saw the kindly face of the Tartar general, -while from the lips of the other, a stranger, came in perfect English -as he raised the almost fainting lads to their feet: - -“Come with us; we are your friends.” - -Jubilantly they followed the Tartar general’s military figure, and soon -found themselves within a large room where a small table was set, and -the tempting odor of food struck pleasantly upon their hungry senses. - -[Illustration: “_WE ARE YOUR FRIENDS_”] - -The lads were told to be seated, the mandarins taking chairs opposite -each. - -Phil was fairly bursting with suppressed excitement. Were they to be -liberated? - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -FRIENDS IN NEED - - -The midshipmen saw that something had occurred to bring about this -change in the behavior of the mandarins, but for their lives they could -not guess its import or the effect it would have upon their condition. -Both lads had come to understand something of Chinese perfidy, and -determined to school themselves to bear any disappointment. - -Very deliberately the two mandarins finished their meal, the -midshipmen, even under their tension of impatience, doing full justice -themselves to the savory dishes, and then the servants removed the -remnants of the repast. Meanwhile all four men sat in silence, the -mandarins in their silken robes in great contrast to the forlorn -appearance of the Americans in their dirt-covered uniforms. - -At length the silence was broken by the unmusical voice of Hang-Ki, the -Tartar general. While he talked, making many gestures with his hands -to illustrate his meaning, the lads racked their brains for a solution -to this unexpected treatment. Finally the general finished, glancing -interestedly at the midshipmen, anticipating no doubt the effect his -words would have on the faces of the youths. - -Phil drummed calmly with his finger nail a signal to Sydney. - -“Show no feeling,” the latter read from the clear clicks upon the -hardwood table, and he nodded guardedly in assent. - -The second Chinaman was now interpreting the general’s words, and the -midshipmen listened eagerly. - -“His Excellency, General Hang-Ki, was given this ring by a soldier who -said it was found by one of the jailers on the person of one of the -American officers. He wishes to know from where it came.” - -To Phil’s delight the Chinaman held up the jade ring, which he had -believed was irrecoverably lost. - -Phil saw no reason for concealment, so he at once told the story of his -rescue of the Chinaman from the river. - -Then it was the midshipmen’s turn to watch the general’s face as Phil’s -words were given him in his own language, but to their disappointment, -his features did not betray the slightest signs of aught save interest. - -Finally the interpreting mandarin turned to the expectant lads, a smile -on his intelligent face. They had been wondering unsuccessfully who -this Chinaman might be, using the English language as readily as his -own. He spoke a few words to the general, and receiving an affirmative -nod, he again addressed the Americans. - -“I see you do not know me. My name is Emmons. So far I have been -powerless to aid you. The viceroy is not my friend, and if it were not -for the confidence shown me by the general, I should before now have -shared the fate which you have so narrowly escaped. Even now all danger -is not over. This ring, you say,” addressing Phil, “was given you by -the man you saved from the river?” - -Phil nodded silently. - -“That part we cannot explain. The ring is a gift from the emperor to -Ta-Ling, the viceroy’s official secretary and interpreter. The stone -is the most priceless jade. Fortunately for you the jailer, fearing to -keep it in his possession during the night, gave it to the captain of -the yamen guard, who brought it at once to the general. If it had gone -to the viceroy, before now you both would have been executed.” - -“What do you mean?” Phil exclaimed. “Did I commit such a serious -offense by saving this man from drowning?” - -Emmons smiled grimly as he answered: - -“By saving Ta-Ling’s life you committed a serious offense against -the foreigners in China. That it was he you saved there can be but -little doubt, and he is the bitterest enemy the foreigners have among -the viceroy’s advisers. He is a graduate of an American college, and -because of his harsh treatment at San Francisco each time he returned -to college from his yearly visits to China, he has sworn to avenge -himself upon all Americans, and of course all foreigners will suffer, -because the Chinese people cannot discriminate between an American and -one of another nationality. Because of my American blood I have gained -his enmity, and while once I enjoyed the viceroy’s confidence, now he -has openly shown me his displeasure. This uprising was started by the -wide circulation of handbills, printed in the yamen and distributed -at Ta-Ling’s direction throughout the provinces, calling upon all -patriotic Chinamen to exterminate the foreigners. General Hang-Ki -is the only friend that the foreigners have; he commanded an army -corps against the allies at Peking in 1900, and knows the terrible -consequences awaiting those who dare resort to such barbarous and -uncivilized methods. Unfortunately Ta-Ling has the entire confidence of -the viceroy, and has poisoned his ear against the wiser counsel of the -general.” - -“Is the mission still unharmed?” Phil interrupted anxiously. - -“Yes,” Emmons answered promptly, “the viceroy has given the general -orders that it be guarded from attack, although Ta-Ling has been making -desperate efforts to gather together the rebels, who were dispersed by -the foreign sailors at Lien-Chow. If he should succeed in having the -general’s soldiers withdrawn from their camp near the mission, he may -yet succeed in his cherished wish.” - -“But Ta-Ling himself has enemies,” Phil exclaimed. “It must have been -these who attempted to drown him in the river.” - -“The one who attempted to drown him in the river is sitting opposite -you in the person of General Hang-Ki,” Emmons answered, smiling at -the lads’ astonished faces. “Knowing that the general would not lend -himself to the intrigues against the lives of foreigners, Ta-Ling -decided to put the general out of the way. The night you saved the -secretary from the river and, as you supposed, received this priceless -royal jade ring as a reward, his Excellency was spending the night with -me on my house-boat. The general, if possible, always sleeps in the -open air, and this aided the would-be murderer in his design. I had -been asleep for some hours when I was aroused by cries, and hurrying -to where I had left the general sleeping, I saw him hurl the body of a -man overboard; but the assassin had nearly accomplished his purpose as -the knife thrust over the general’s heart will show.” Emmons turned his -tongue to the Chinese language, and the general baring his chest, the -lads gazed in horror at the terrible wound. - -“We believed,” continued Emmons, “that the man was only a robber, until -we saw this ring and heard your story, but now there can be no doubt -that the would-be assassin was the viceroy’s interpreter, Ta-Ling -himself.” - -“Is it likely,” Phil asked incredulously, “that if the man was Ta-Ling, -he would give me this ring?” - -“He didn’t give you the ring, you can be sure of that,” Emmons replied -decidedly; “it slipped off his finger when he thanked you. Afterward -when he missed it, he doubtless thought he had lost it in the river.” - -“Do you suppose he has recognized me as the one who pulled him out of -the river?” Phil asked suddenly, grasping at the hope that the Chinaman -might befriend him; but Emmons quickly dashed this hope to the ground. - -“The night was dark, and besides, after his experience in the river, -for he cannot swim, I doubt if he remembers much of what happened. -According to the old law of China he would not dare for his soul’s -peace to take your life if he knew you had saved him, but Ta-Ling is -a progressive Chinaman, and considers his self-preservation in this -world of more importance than the peace of his spirit hereafter. If -this attempt on the life of a trusted general of the emperor were -known, Ta-Ling could not be saved by even the viceroy. The penalty is -death by a terrible torture.” - -“Will the general report this occurrence to the viceroy?” Phil asked -excitedly, his hopes again rising that the interpreter might be -disposed of and Langdon and the rest of the hostages liberated to -return to the safety of their ships. - -“The general believes that the time has not come to expose him,” Emmons -answered, lowering his voice to almost a whisper. “Ta-Ling is now the -master of the viceroy’s yamen and if we failed to break his authority -he would make certain of your destruction, reporting to the viceroy -that you all had committed suicide for shame at your misdeeds.” - -Both midshipmen’s faces broke into smiles in spite of the serious -situation. Emmons, seeing the merriment caused by his words, hastened -to explain. - -“I know that such an idea is entirely foreign to the American mind, -but not so with the Chinese. If a man knows he has committed some deed -which his fellows condemn, he is ashamed, or as we say in China, ‘loses -face,’ and he is very likely to commit suicide to regain his good name. -And again, a Chinaman held prisoner may take his own life for revenge -against his captors.” - -“They needn’t fear that from us,” Phil replied. “We’ll cling to life as -long as we are able.” - -“That’s what the general and I have come to help you in,” Emmons said -in sympathy; “the jailer has already been cautioned to say nothing of -the ring, and the soldier who brought it to the general is no friend of -Ta-Ling; but even with this doubt removed your lives are in danger so -long as you are held by the viceroy. An ultimatum was received from the -American commander last night that the allies have refused to approve -the commander of the flag of truce’s promises and if the hostages are -not liberated before noon to-morrow, the allied fleet would bombard the -city. This has thrown the viceroy into a fever of fear, for he owns -much valuable property in and about the city. He has given the general -orders to open fire on the fleet if it again moves to an anchorage off -the city.” - -“Will he obey the order?” Phil asked eagerly. - -“He must,” Emmons replied. “He dare not refuse a direct order from the -viceroy, but he has demanded this order in writing, so as to protect -himself when the day of reckoning comes. General Hang-Ki has sent a -memorial to the viceroy protesting against this action; he realizes -that these gunboats stand for many great battle-ships that would be -sent against his forts as soon as the spring floods bring rising water -in the Yangtse River.” - -The midshipmen were silent, while Emmons spoke to the general. The -conversation lasted for several minutes, when finally the former again -spoke in his father’s language. - -“The viceroy is ignorant of our presence here and we must soon leave -you. If Ta-Ling should discover that we had talked with you, all hope -for you would be over.” - -The midshipmen were cast down into the depths of despair. Then they -were not to be liberated at all, and would again go back to their -prison and be in the cruel clutches of that fiend Ta-Ling. - -“The general has done his best to arrange an escape,” were the cheering -words from Emmons. “To-night you will be put in a cell away from the -Chinese prisoners. The door of the cell will be unlocked. Here is -a plan of the yamen, and I have marked your route to the gate and -safety. I shall have chairs waiting you at the gate. Success depends -upon yourselves; we dare not help you farther. In this room marked -in pencil you will find mandarin robes, which you must put on. The -guards throughout the yamen will be removed until midnight, so you must -succeed before that time. The room in which you will find disguises is -occupied by the viceroy’s treasurer. He is a close friend of Ta-Ling -and cannot be bought. If you are discovered the general will be -powerless to save you.” - -“And Langdon?” Phil asked earnestly, his heart beating high with hope. -“We cannot go a step without him and our four sailors.” - -“That is more difficult,” Emmons replied with annoyance. “He is being -constantly visited by Ta-Ling. To attempt his escape may defeat all. -The four sailors are in another part of the yamen and except for cruel -treatment are safe for the present. The general is grateful to you for -revealing this plot against his own life, but his real intention is to -give your captain information as to what will happen if he attempts -to run by the forts. There is, however, a channel, known to only the -Chinese, leading behind and close to the long narrow island on the -opposite side of the river. This island is now covered with tall reed -grass which will conceal the hulls of the gunboats from the rays of the -search-lights of the fort. Here is a sketch plan of this channel. If -your commander will start at night and use the channel I suggest, it -may be that he can take his entire fleet past the forts undiscovered. -I dare not take this message myself, for my movements are closely -watched. I fear even now Ta-Ling may have discovered our purpose.” - -“Can we depend upon this information?” Sydney whispered to Phil, as -Emmons and the general rose to their feet. “Might it not be a trick to -blow the gunboats up by mines in this narrow channel?” - -Phil put the question to Emmons, but the latter assured them of the -honesty of the general. - -“The general believes he is serving his country in giving this -information,” he added; “he knows his people will suffer through the -viceroy’s treachery. If the fleet can pass without being discovered, he -cannot be held guilty of disobeying the order of the viceroy. So you -see it is important that this message should reach your captain in time -to prevent him from carrying out his threat of running the batteries.” - -Reluctantly the midshipmen agreed to leave Langdon and the four sailors -behind and make the attempt to escape in order to carry the information -of the secret channel to Commander Hughes. Each felt that in doing so -they might be sacrificing their friend to the revenge of Ta-Ling when -he had discovered the absence of the midshipmen, but the good of the -cause demanded it be so. - -In but a few moments the jailer led the lads back to their distasteful -prison. - -Passing a great tub of clear water, both lads looked longingly at it -and then at their soiled hands. To their delight the Chinaman smiled -and motioned that they might indulge in a bath. - -Delightedly the lads stripped their unclean clothes from their bodies -and bathed in the soothing water. Forgetful of their surroundings, -with the complacent jailer sitting close by an amused spectator, they -talked gayly of their hoped-for deliverance. Then the bright smiles on -their faces were suddenly frozen by the sound of a voice which they had -learned to dread. - -“You seem very cheerful for men who are soon to be executed,” Ta-Ling -said in his perfect English. “What has put my good friends in such -excellent spirits?” - -Both midshipmen were speechless with astonishment. How long had this -eavesdropper been listening? Had he discovered the intrigue of the -Tartar general? These were the questions that passed through their -minds. They waited in cruel suspense for the next words of their enemy -to answer these fateful questions. - -Ta-Ling turned upon the trembling jailer, berating him soundly, -punctuating his words with kicks and blows which the cringing man -received without a sign of resentment. - -“I have told him that if I saw you laughing again,” he cried angrily, -“he would have his head chopped off. Your treatment here has been too -kind.” - -Then as an afterthought the mandarin picked up Phil’s uniform blouse -from the ground at his feet and searched through the pockets carefully. -Phil was terrified; the plan of the yamen was in his trousers pocket on -the ground at the Chinaman’s feet. If he searched through his trousers, -all hope of escape would be ended. - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -A DARING PLAN - - -Ta-Ling threw down the coat impatiently and glanced disdainfully at -the other articles of apparel. He then took up Phil’s muddy trousers -gingerly as if fearful of soiling his esthetic hands. The lad’s heart -was in his throat while he watched the Chinaman guardedly, striving to -appear unconcerned, and cudgeling his brain for something to say in -order to turn the man’s attention from a search of the guilty garment. - -“Why are you so bitter against my people?” Phil asked hoarsely. “Were -you not educated in America?” - -Ta-Ling dropped the tattered garment, glancing up quickly, a scowl on -his yellow face. - -“Why am I bitter against you?” he answered. “I despise everything -American. Was I not put in a pen in San Francisco along with such -cattle as coolies from Japan, Corea and my own country? Your stupid -officials claimed not to be able to distinguish between us. I heard -one say ‘All Chinks look alike to me.’ After the first experience, -when I was washed and my clothes fumigated as if I had been a pauper -immigrant, I got letters from college friends, but armed even with -these I suffered indignities at the hands of these ignorant officials. -When I left America with my graduation diploma in my pocket I took -oath to my father’s spirit that I would consecrate my life to making -foreigners respect the persons of the high class Chinese, and in -starting this crusade I saw it was first necessary to drive all -foreigners out of our sacred country.” - -Both midshipmen were astonished at the earnestness in Ta-Ling’s voice. -If the situation had been reversed, would they have acted differently? -Had not this man ample reason to hate all foreigners? - -“Even if some of our stupidly ignorant and irresponsible officials -could not distinguish between ranks in your society,” Phil urged, “why -should you revenge yourself against us? We are innocent of all blame. -We came into your city under the sacred protection of a flag of truce, -and in committing a crime against us you will only confirm foreigners -in their belief that a Chinaman is not worthy of considerate treatment. -Your cause will not be benefited, and your people will suffer; the -allied fleet will avenge our deaths as was done in Peking.” - -“What do I care how many of these low-caste dogs die?” Ta-Ling retorted -scornfully; “there are over four hundred million of such animals. Your -deaths will force the foreign governments to wage war on China, and -once this war is begun, our people will rise up from one end of the -empire to the other to drive the foreigner from the soil of China.” - -“But the missionaries, who have at heart only the enlightenment of your -people,” Phil urged, catching his clothes stealthily from the ground at -Ta-Ling’s feet. - -“They, of all the foreigners who come to China,” the Chinaman returned -somewhat shamefacedly, “are working unselfishly, but they must suffer -with the others; all foreigners must go for China’s good. - -“I tell you these things,” he ended, turning to leave the midshipmen -with their jailer, “because your death-warrants have already been -signed by the viceroy. At the first hostile shot fired by the allies -your heads will pay the forfeit and we shall attack the mission, -guarded now by your sailors, and kill every foreigner within.” - -As Ta-Ling left them, the jailer seized the lads roughly and dragged -them toward their cell. As the door closed behind them Phil shuddered -at the demoniacal laughs of derision from their fellow prisoners. - -“Our cause has a bitter enemy in Ta-Ling,” Phil whispered, after the -lads had been sitting on their hard wooden bench for several minutes -and the noise from their prison mates had subsided; “but I believe -he’ll fail. When Commander Hughes commences to throw his shells -into the city, he’ll be one of the first, with all his vain show of -patriotism, to cry enough and seek safety.” - -Sydney did not reply; his thoughts were upon the coming night, when the -two midshipmen were to make their dash for freedom. - -After a few minutes he confided his fears to his friend. - -“If Ta-Ling finds that we have talked with the Tartar general we’re as -good as dead men,” he said in an awed whisper. - -This terrible thought sent a shiver through Phil. - -“Did you notice the look on the jailer’s face when Ta-Ling was talking -to him?” he continued in an anxious voice; “it was one of cringing -fear. If Ta-Ling even suspects that we had been out of our cell and -questions that man he will tell all. The jailer probably is keen enough -to know that Hang-Ki and Ta-Ling are enemies, and of the two he fears -the latter most.” - -“Well, the die is cast,” Phil answered, smiling with a great effort; -“there’s no use crying over it. We are either going to escape to-night -or we are going to have our heads chopped off out there in the -courtyard. Nothing that we can do can alter our fate, so we might just -as well look cheerful, even though we don’t feel that way,” and suiting -his actions to his words he began to whistle the class march. - -Sydney sat mournfully listening, while the Chinese criminals crowded -around them, jabbering noisily. - -The hours dragged wearily along. As the light through the barred door -became dimmer, foretelling the end of the tedious day, the midshipmen’s -hopes rose; so far Ta-Ling could not have learned of their visit to his -enemy. - -The midshipmen were taken out into the courtyard as usual for their -evening meal and after the meagre fare had been eaten with great effort -by the anxious and impatient lads, the jailer removed their irons and -washed carefully the aching sore on Sydney’s wrist. - -Phil was delighted to see that the man had recovered from his fear of -a few hours ago, and that he lingered a much longer time than seemed -necessary, for Sydney’s wrist had been securely bound with Phil’s -handkerchief and appeared to be healing, auguring well for the success -of the coming night. - -It was quite dark when the jailer had finished his solicitous -attentions, and replaced the irons on their feet and hands. Motioning -the midshipmen to follow him, he led them along the stone flagging -of the courtyard, cautioning silence by raising his hand and shaking -his head jerkily. Loaded down as they were with heavy chains, to move -quietly was not an easy task, and was one calculated to fatigue the -lads to an alarming extent after their two days of cruel torture in -these steel bonds. - -After traversing nearly half the length of the courtyard, the jailer -suddenly threw open a door, and forcefully pushed them through it into -darkness. The door closed quietly behind his retreating figure. - -Their hearts beating fast, Phil and Sydney strained their ears to catch -the first sound of alarm. Heavy footfalls approaching on the stone -pavement soon told them the reason of the jailer’s haste and his sudden -departure. - -Holding their breath tightly, they heard the newcomer stop hesitatingly -before the door of their cell, then after a second he moved farther -along, and finally the opening and shutting of a door told them he had -entered a room near or even next to the one in which the two midshipmen -had been so suddenly thrust. - -Sounds of a low-pitched voice came distinctly to their ears through -the frail partition; the lads listened eagerly. Then the bold tones of -Langdon’s voice sounded distinctly. - -“For a man who was educated among white men,” he was saying in a -scornful voice, “you seem to have a queer idea of our honesty. If you -liberate all, I’ll take the letter to our captain, but I shall not tell -him I believe the viceroy will play fair, for I don’t believe he will. -I don’t trust him, nor you. Send the letter by one of your own people, -and see what answer he’ll send back. The threat that at the first gun -fired by the allies our heads will be chopped off will not affect his -plans. What are two midshipmen, four sailors, and a pilot to a country -like ours?” - -“Commander Ignacio and two of the allied gunboats have accepted the -viceroy’s word and are back at their old anchorage,” Ta-Ling’s voice -urged. “That shows the viceroy’s good faith.” - -“Don’t talk to me of that traitor,” Langdon exclaimed; “he isn’t white -anyway; his skin is as yellow as yours.” - -“Then you refuse your life?” Ta-Ling’s voice asked. - -“You Chinese are a soft-brained lot,” Langdon said, ignoring the -question; “your intrigue is as plain as children’s play. Men like -Ignacio might be fooled. I don’t know what promises you’ve made to -him. Probably offered to give his countrymen the railroad concession -to Peking, which your viceroy has cheated the Americans out of by -his underhand dealings; but you ought to know after four years at an -American college that we are not that kind. Commander Hughes is in this -river to see that Americans are left unmolested, in accordance with the -treaties made between the two countries.” - -“I suppose you know that when I was in your America I personally -investigated nearly a score of murders of Chinese in what you call the -West. Each case was as brutal and flagrant as any that has occurred in -China,” Ta-Ling’s voice broke in triumphantly. “How then can you boast -of the honesty of your people?--for in not a single instance were the -murderers punished.” - -“That’s because you Chinese are a weak race, and haven’t the back-bone -to stand up for your rights,” Langdon replied, “while we are men enough -to insist on fair treatment for our citizens abroad. That’s where you -are lacking in national character.” - -A rattle of chains and harsh cries of rage and pain followed the -sally of Langdon, causing the listeners to hold themselves rigid with -suppressed excitement. - -“That beast!” Phil whispered. “I wish I had let him drown.” - -“I’ll go to your midshipmen friends,” Ta-Ling said sullenly. “I believe -they are frightened enough to be bought by the price you refuse. -Remember, I’ve given you the last chance you’ll get.” - -Langdon was apparently too angry to speak. The lads could hear -distinctly his heavy breathing, caused by some torture administered by -this cruel Chinaman. - -“You’re trying to hedge, is that it?” the thick voice of the pilot was -heard to say; “or do you count upon catching the gunboats unawares as -they steam by the forts flying flags of truce?” - -The Chinaman administered a vicious kick in answer, and the lads held -their breath in almost a panic as they heard the door of Langdon’s cell -close and Ta-Ling’s footsteps die slowly away down the courtyard. - -“It’s all up with us,” Sydney breathed hopelessly. “He’ll soon find -we are not in our prison, and then----” he ended with a shiver as his -thoughts dwelt upon the terrible death by decapitation. - -A loud clank made the overwrought midshipmen start terrified; then Phil -fairly gasped with surprise and joy; his arm manacles had fallen to the -ground. - -In the darkness he quickly reached out and grasped Sydney’s hand, -fingering nervously the cruel iron bracelets. The metal rings were -clamped but unlocked, and he readily removed the irons from his -companion’s hands. In but a moment more they both stood free of their -retaining bonds. - -“Ta-Ling and the jailer,” Phil whispered as a sound of approaching -footsteps became audible. “If they enter here we must overpower them. -It’s our one chance now.” - -Sydney moved closer to Phil, taking his hand in silence, and pressing -it in sign of his readiness to follow his friend’s lead. - -“They must make no outcry,” Phil continued. “I’ll take the one nearest -me.” - -The Chinamen stopped at the cell door, and the voice of Ta-Ling was -raised angrily, storming in Chinese at the jailer, apparently for -daring to remove the prisoners from their former cell. - -The midshipmen retreated until their backs touched the wall of the -narrow cell, having replaced their hand irons to appear to be still in -chains. - -A dim light shone into their cell as the door swung loudly open, and -the scowling face of Ta-Ling appeared, with the jailer behind him, -timidly holding up an oil lantern. - -“So you didn’t like to be kept with the rest of the cattle?” Ta-Ling’s -cruel voice began. Then he stopped suddenly, and threw up his head with -a wicked laugh. “You’ve heard Langdon’s answer, then?” he continued, -signing to the terrified and trembling jailer to put down the lantern -on the solitary wooden bench. The man entered the cell to obey, leaving -the door open. - -Phil saw the time had come for action. He sought Sydney’s eye, then -stealthily moved his foot, quietly throwing the door off its balance, -allowing it to swing slowly closed. He had purposely moved so that -Ta-Ling in addressing him must turn his back upon Sydney and the -jailer. Burning with excitement he watched Sydney grasp his hand irons -firmly. The great bulk of the jailer loomed almost grotesquely in -the light of the flickering lantern. Fearing that Ta-Ling might be -attracted by the eagerness which he was powerless to hide, Phil lowered -his gaze, but out of the tail of his eye he was conscious that the iron -flashed in the lamplight as the click of the shutting door caused the -interpreter to glance toward it suspiciously. - -Then a rattle of chain and a dull sound behind him made Ta-Ling swing -suddenly around. Phil’s opportunity had arrived. With fingers itching -for this cruel Chinaman’s throat he sprang upon him, smothering the -cry that was ready to give the alarm to the yamen guard, and bore him -heavily to the ground. In the flickering light he saw the man’s face -turn livid, then purple, while his muscles relaxed. Glancing up, he saw -Sydney removing a great bunch of keys from the prostrate body of the -jailer. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - -HOPES OF ESCAPE - - -Ta-Ling had ceased to struggle; his eyes protruded in ghastly fashion, -while through his open mouth his tongue showed blue and swollen. Phil -was terrified at the sight, believing he had killed the Chinaman, but -upon opening his coat he felt his heart beating faintly. - -With a sigh of great relief he rose to his feet and, taking the lantern -in his hand, he scanned his prostrate victim. - -“You must put on his clothes and release Langdon,” Sydney whispered, -holding the keys out toward Phil. - -Without a word, but with fingers trembling with excitement, the lad -stooped down, stripping the robes from the inanimate form; the baggy -trousers, the silken hose and satin shoes and the long flowing robe -with the mandarin square of the scholar embroidered in gold on its -front. - -Discarding his naval uniform he hastily put on his enemy’s garments. -When completely clothed he turned to Sydney, who gasped with -astonishment at the altered appearance of his friend. The hat with its -horsetail plume and pink button concealed his long front hair which in -a Chinaman is always missing, being shaved close to his scalp. - -Sydney immediately followed his comrade’s example and was soon arrayed -in the costume of the Chinese jailer. - -Phil pointed to their discarded irons and in a few moments they had -snapped feet and hand manacles over the helpless limbs of Ta-Ling. Then -they both turned impatiently toward the door. Phil hesitated for an -instant. - -“They may come to before we can make our escape,” he said. “We must gag -them.” - -Stripping their prisoners of their undergarments, these as gags were -tied firmly over their mouths. - -“I hope he doesn’t smother,” Phil whispered in some alarm; “he seems to -be hardly breathing.” - -“We can’t take any chances now,” Sydney returned calmly; “it’s their -life or ours. If we are caught now nothing can save us.” - -To make more sure of their prisoners, the arms of each were bound to -their sides, so that upon regaining consciousness they could not work -their gags off their mouths and give the alarm to the yamen. - -“I hope they’ll be found before they starve to death,” Phil said -anxiously. “I fear the jailer will feel that we are ungrateful for his -aid. I don’t dare liberate him; he may in fear betray us into the hands -of the guard.” - -“They’ll surely be found in the morning,” Sydney assured him. “Our -friends the prisoners will clamor when their breakfast doesn’t appear, -and then a search will be made for him and for us too. If we are not -found before,” he ended grimly. - -“What’s this!” Phil exclaimed, drawing from the inside pocket of his -Chinese coat a number of papers and examining them in the light of the -lantern. “A telegram!” he cried, “and addressed to Commander Hughes!” - -Both lads gazed at the sealed envelope as if they would like to bore -through the outer covering and read the message within. - -“Dare we open it?” Phil asked. “If it is in the ordinary cipher I know -the key word. It may be something important, and as well for us to know -the contents if we lose the telegram. And here is a letter addressed -to the captain,” he continued excitedly. “This is surely the one which -Ta-Ling tempted Langdon to take. But come,” he added hastily, “we must -not allow him to be a minute longer in his chains.” - -Taking the keys from Sydney’s hand, he opened the cell door and led -the way to the door of Langdon’s prison. There was no sound in the -enclosure except an occasional shrill cry from the prisoners at the -far corner. As they waited in the silent courtyard to make sure all -was well before entering, Langdon’s heavy breathing came distinctly to -their ears. - -After a few seconds Phil selected the right key and the next moment the -door swung open, while the lad whispered softly: - -“Langdon!” - -But there was no answer; then the dim light shed its fitful rays about -the dungeon and the lad gave a smothered cry of concern, for the sight -which met his gaze was indeed appalling: Langdon, bound tightly, was -triced up to a beam overhead by his feet and the iron ring about his -neck, and he was by degrees strangling to death. - -The anxious lads quickly cut the ropes and lowered the insensible man -to the floor. Then removing the irons they worked over him anxiously -while the time passed on winged feet. Finally the pilot opened his eyes -and stared at the lads with angry, sullen eyes, making a futile attempt -to speak. - -“You miserable coward,” he finally managed to say in a thick whisper. -“I hope some day you’ll be treated as you’ve treated me.” - -The midshipmen were at first so taken aback that they were silent. Then -the comical part of the tragedy appealed to them and in that instant -Langdon recognized his rescuers. - -“We’ve got him now in almost the same condition that you were in,” Phil -whispered. - -The pilot gazed in wonder at the midshipmen. Raising a trembling hand -he passed it over his eyes uncertainly, as if he would sweep away the -delusion. - -“What does it mean?” he asked weakly. - -“It means that we are for the time free,” Phil answered; “but come, -we must start. If we delay Ta-Ling may be missed and a search for him -would spoil all. Can you walk?” he asked solicitously. - -“In a minute,” the pilot replied. “Help me to my feet. I’d have been -gone in a half hour more,” he added, feeling his sore and swollen -throat. - -The lads helped him to his feet and he stood unsteadily, leaning his -great weight on their shoulders. - -“It was partly our fault,” Sydney said apologetically; “he no doubt -intended coming back and lowering you; but we couldn’t allow him to -leave our cell.” - -After a few minutes more to permit Langdon to regain his strength and -give the blood a chance to circulate into his cramped limbs, Phil made -the motion to follow, and all three noiselessly filed out into the -courtyard and entered the cell where the Chinamen were lying. - -The interpreter’s breathing showed that he would soon regain his -senses. Langdon glared triumphantly down upon the villain who would -gladly kill all the foreigners within the Chinese Empire. - -“He’s not half gagged,” he exclaimed in a hoarse whisper. Then he -untied the gag which the lads had made and jammed the mandarin’s mouth -full of his own clothing, binding it in with a tight bandage. After -rearranging the jailer’s gag, he arose and gloated over the fallen -favorite of the viceroy. - -Phil had torn open the telegram and in the dim light scanned it -anxiously. Then he drew from his pocket a pencil and in silence wrote -the key word above the words of the message. Sydney regarded him in a -fever of excitement. Finally Phil’s pencil was still and he looked up -with a white, anxious face. - -“I’d like to destroy it, but I don’t dare,” he said. Then he read in a -voice trembling with emotion: - -“Department condemns your actions in entering To-Yan Lake and attacking -Chinese soldiers. Proceed immediately back to Ku-Ling and offer ample -apology to viceroy. Consider yourself relieved of your command.” - -If a shell had exploded in their midst the eager listeners could not -have been more surprised. - -“Burn it up,” Langdon exclaimed indignantly. “That’s the way things are -run from a distance of ten thousand miles.” Then his glance encountered -the wide-open eyes of Ta-Ling and he snorted with rage as he roughly -jerked the bound Chinaman to his feet. - -“Did you hear it?” he cried. - -The mandarin’s eyes burned balefully as he nodded his head in assent. -Langdon released the Chinaman, and but for Phil’s steadying hand he -would have fallen to the floor. Then the pilot raised the long braided -cue of the interpreter and with a swift cut of his jack-knife severed -it close up to the Chinaman’s head; the next second, holding it out to -Phil, he cried gleefully: - -“Put this on under your cap; it’s all you need to complete your costume. - -“You won’t be so keen to show yourself in public hereafter,” he -continued spitefully to the mandarin. - -Ta-Ling was beside himself with rage, but he could only grow red and -utter inarticulate sounds, while Langdon sat on the wooden bench -laughing scornfully at the disgraced official. - -“If he doesn’t commit suicide in twenty-four hours, it’s because -he’s chicken-hearted.” Langdon laughed in a low tone, mainly for the -Chinaman’s ear. The pilot knew he held the secret of the cablegram. -Apparently he had guessed at the contents and was going to send it -together with the letter for the American captain. If the viceroy -knew the stand that was being taken by the American government, every -missionary in the valley of the Yangtse would be unsafe. The mandarin -officials in the towns of the provinces were as yet guarding the -foreigners against attack until they could be sure of the outcome at -Ku-Ling. Once the viceroy had humbled the foreign pride then the rabble -would be free to indulge its aroused hatred. - -Phil cut short the pilot’s mirth by taking him by the arm and leading -him silently to the door. Once outside the cell the lad showed him the -sketch plan of the yamen with the path they must take to reach the room -where clothes would be found. - -“If we only knew where the sailors are,” Sydney whispered. - -Phil shook his head. It might only defeat them, and the sailors would -be no better off. - -Langdon for the first time realized that he was not in the plot and -would have asked many questions, but Phil and Sydney grasped him firmly -on each side as if he were their prisoner and marched openly down the -stone pavement of the courtyard. The place indicated on the sketch was -easily found and Phil, leaving his companions, pushed the door quietly -open. The room was lighted by a single swinging lamp, while in one -corner sat a Chinaman reckoning laboriously on his abacus, a counting -device used by the Oriental races; the click of the small wooden balls -as he moved them along their wires sounded distinctly in the quiet of -the room. - -As Phil closed the door softly behind him the Chinaman glanced up -casually, speaking a few words in his guttural tongue. The lad made -no reply, but glanced about hastily to make sure those near could not -discover what was about to happen. His heart was beating fast. He saw -a door beyond the victim which he knew must lead directly into the -viceroy’s own apartments; voices, almost inaudible, came to his ears -from the rooms on the other side of that slender partition. He saw -that he must work quickly and silently. Any moment the door might open -and he would be discovered, for his disguise would be useless under -the direct gaze of a Chinese mandarin. The treasurer had seen him but -indistinctly and had taken for granted that he was Ta-Ling. - -[Illustration: _HE MEASURED THE STRENGTH OF HIS ANTAGONIST_] - -Moving silently to the side of the absorbed Chinaman, Phil stood for -the fraction of a second looking down on his work. His eyes sought out -the curve of the neck in its enveloping robe while he measured the -strength of his antagonist. Raising his hands in readiness, he poised -them aloft ready to grasp the slender neck within his muscular fingers. - -As if by premonition of the danger threatening him, the Chinaman -dropped his hands from the abacus and glanced swiftly up into Phil’s -face. The next second the midshipman’s hands had encircled his neck -and the terrified outcry which the lad saw in his frightened eyes was -stifled. - -“Hurry, Langdon!” Phil whispered over his shoulder, as the pilot -noiselessly entered to dress himself in one of the many robes hanging -about the room. - -While Phil slowly reduced the treasurer to a harmless state, the pilot -made a hasty change, and as the lads had done, rolled his own clothes -in a bundle, concealing them under his flowing robe. - -With articles of clothing the Americans silently bound and gagged the -treasurer and laid his body away, hidden from the view of the casual -observer entering the room; then the three proceeded to carry out the -last and most trying stage of their perilous adventure. - -Phil leading, they arrived in sight of the outer gate. So far no -guards had been met, but now with sinking heart Phil saw a large crowd -gathered on the outside of the open gateway. Soldiers, their muskets -in hand, stood stolidly on guard, while others sat on the ground, -chattering volubly. Was this but the usual crowd always seen at the -gates of a Chinese yamen--the poor awaiting crumbs from the rich man’s -table? Overhead several oil lanterns shed their meagre light upon the -assemblage. The score or more of Chinese would surely penetrate their -disguise! He saw Langdon raise his hand with its flowing sleeve to his -face, and quickly imitated the movement, nudging Sydney to do likewise. - -A hoarse cry rang out from the guard at the gate as they approached, -which sent chills of terror down the lad’s spine. His first inclination -was to turn and flee back into the yamen and he stopped so abruptly -that Sydney trod on his heels. What were the men at the gate calling to -each other? - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - -THE ESCAPE - - -For the moment the midshipmen were sure that they had been discovered. -Then Langdon’s low voice reassured them: - -“Come, it’s all right. They take us for mandarins, and are calling the -guard to ‘attention.’ Keep your sleeves over your faces and don’t look -up as we pass.” - -Again the Americans were in motion toward the lighted gateway. With -hearts beating high, in a terrible suspense, their feet mechanically -carried them slowly toward the spot where they would be under the fire -of a scrutiny of scores of people whose nationality the Americans were -endeavoring to counterfeit. Would not the Chinese see through their -flimsy disguise? As the escaping men passed the first guard, he raised -his rifle smartly to the “present” in salute, but the quick motion -struck terror to Phil’s heart, making him jump aside involuntarily as -if he were dodging an expected blow. Shamefacedly the lad recovered -himself by a great effort. In a moment more the gateway was passed and -the Americans found themselves on the edge of the inquisitive crowd. - -Langdon raised his hand, and immediately three chairs were brought by -coolies from the edge of the narrow street and placed obediently on the -ground before them. Phil longed to be within the shadow of the chair -canopies. How could these Chinamen be so easily deceived! As he fairly -dived into the friendly darkness of the nearest chair he cast a swift, -uneasy glance at the crowd. The reason of their immunity was plain. -The eyes of the crowd were directed upon the ground for fear in the -presence of their all-powerful rulers. - -Langdon gave a brief order in Chinese. With high hopes for success Phil -felt his chair borne upward to the muscular shoulders of the coolie -carriers and then with loud shouts of warning to the crowd to make -way, they started off in a long, swinging walk. Phil drew his curtains -tightly shut and lay back with a great sigh of relief in his cushioned -seat. - -They were out of the yamen at last, but the city gate must yet be -passed. If their absence were discovered while they were yet within the -walled city their recapture was assured. - -Although the coolies traveled at a lively pace, it seemed to the -anxious Americans that they were but crawling through the deserted -streets; the Chinese on account of the lateness of the hour were all -within their hovel-like houses. An occasional soldier, clanking a chain -loudly to frighten away demons, and calling out in his harsh language -that all was well, brought a sudden shock to Phil’s high-strung nerves. - -At last the gate of the city was reached and the chairs stopped. -Through his bamboo screen Phil saw that the guards were hesitating -about opening the gate. Once a gate was closed an order from the -viceroy alone could open it between the setting and rising of the sun. - -An officer came forward, peering inside the protecting hoods. Phil -believed that all was lost as he felt, even in the gloom of his chair, -the scrutinizing gaze upon him. The officer spoke a few words, and the -lad realized by the rising inflection in the man’s voice that he was -asking a question. The midshipman nodded and raising his hand pointed -haughtily to the gate. - -Then to his joy the officer withdrew his head as if satisfied and gave -an order in a loud voice. Immediately the gate swung open and with a -rattle of rusty chain the drawbridge was lowered. - -Quickly the Americans were carried through the gate and across the -moat. They had left the terrors of the walled city and were now upon -the neutral ground of the foreign concession. As they passed over the -wide streets, in great contrast to the ill-kept, narrow ones of the -Chinese city, the pungent odors of the docks struck pleasantly upon -their nostrils. - -Phil’s chair was still in the lead, and the Chinese carriers, as if -acting under instructions, trudged steadily onward to the “Bund,” the -street paralleling the water front. Finally the coolies halted, putting -the chairs down for the occupants to alight. Phil disentangled himself -from the enshrouding curtains and stood on the broad street, joyfully -inhaling the fresh air of the river, while Langdon waved the coolies to -be gone. - -Once alone the Americans were at liberty to talk. Phil told in as few -words as possible of their visit to Emmons and the Tartar general. - -“Where is Emmons?” Langdon exclaimed irritably. “We’re in as much -danger as ever here. The foreigners have all fled. The concession is -deserted, and doubtless the streets are full of robbers who would -very cheerfully pitch us into the river for the sake of a few Mexican -dollars.” - -Phil was about to disclaim any knowledge of the whereabouts of the -half-breed, when Sydney’s exclamation of surprise drew his attention to -three small gunboats anchored in the river but a short distance away, -and the bright lights of a steam launch approaching the jetty from one -of their dark hulls. - -Phil’s heart was filled with joy. Here at last was safety! - -The three men hastened gladly to the landing at which the launch had -arrived, while Phil stepped forward to accost an officer who had -hastily left the launch and was approaching up the ladder from the -landing float below. - -“You are late,” the newcomer said irritably. “I’ve been watching the -landing for over an hour.” - -Phil was about to reply, but something which he could not explain held -his tongue, for he recognized instantly the voice of Ignacio. - -“Where are your chairs?” Commander Ignacio continued; “you can hardly -expect me to walk through the dirty streets of your ill-smelling city, -even for the pleasure of seeing that young braggart tortured in true -Chinese fashion. You see I am not entirely confident of you and your -viceroy, so I have brought along a few companions;” he pointed toward -the float, where eight or ten sailors had disembarked from the launch, -rifles in hand. - -Phil’s tongue clove to the top of his mouth at the suddenness of their -dilemma. What should he do? Ignacio had said too much now to cover his -tracks, and his sailors would undoubtedly obey his orders, even to -killing three innocent Americans in cold blood. - -“Come, what are we waiting for?” the foreigner added, grasping Phil’s -arm, and turning him away from the river. “I don’t want to lose all my -sleep; it’s nearly ten o’clock now.” - -Phil’s companions stood by speechless. Even Langdon with all his sang -froid was at a loss what to do. To reveal their true character to their -enemy would mean that at the least he would take them forcibly back to -the viceroy. Phil at the Naval Academy had been declared a fine mimic -and in the class minstrel shows he had to the delight of the brigade -caricatured and impersonated each of the officers on duty at the -school. Could he impersonate Ta-Ling? Was it possible to imitate his -voice and the peculiar pronunciation of the English words? It was their -only hope. Even if he failed, they could be no worse off. - -By a great effort he stilled the rapid heartbeats and brought his -trembling voice under control. - -“I was detained by his Excellency the viceroy,” he began in a voice -that startled even himself and made Langdon and Sydney fairly jump -with surprise and glance hastily around for the owner of that despised -voice; “but if you are now ready we can start. The chairs are up the -street only a short distance.” - -Commander Ignacio voiced his willingness and the two men in the lead, -followed by Sydney and the pilot, retraced their steps toward the gate -of the walled city. - -“Send your men back to the ship,” Phil, stopping suddenly, said in the -voice of Ta-Ling. “You know me well enough to know that I have no wish -to harm you.” - -Commander Ignacio hesitated. Doubtless he felt safer with a few trusty -sailors between himself and the treacherous Chinese. - -“Did you send my telegrams?” he asked quickly; “and have any come from -Washington for that American pig?” - -“Yours were sent,” Phil answered promptly, “but the American captain -has received none.” - -“Well, it will come, I’m sure, and then after he is disgraced, I -shall be chosen as the leader of the allies,” the foreign captain -said boastfully; “but you must keep your part of the contract and -hold your people in check until I can get the credit of quelling -the disturbance. Say a month before you kill these flat-chested -missionaries.” - -“That was our agreement,” Phil replied; “now show that you have -confidence in me and send your men aboard.” - -Commander Ignacio reluctantly left Phil’s side and walked back to the -landing float to give his orders. - -“Don’t open your mouths!” Phil whispered in a tense voice. “When his -men are once out of sight I’ll lead him to where he thinks the chairs -are waiting. When I raise my hand, jump on him like a ton of brick. The -chairs we got were waiting for Ta-Ling and they may now be waiting for -him near here, so we must be quiet about it. I noticed the coolies were -surprised when Langdon motioned them to go.” - -Phil had barely finished his instructions before Commander Ignacio -rejoined him. - -“I’ve sent them back,” he said in a voice that showed plainly his -dislike at so doing, “and ordered the launch to return and wait for me. -Have you the viceroy’s promise for the railroad concession?” he ended -covetously; “it means fifty thousand[1] Mexican to you when the deed -is signed.” - -“Yes, that’s all fixed,” Phil replied, now laughing inwardly at the -success of his strategy, as he saw the steam launch with the sailors -leave the float and head back to their ship. - -“Remember your promise to make way with those three Americans. Their -government will do nothing except demand satisfaction,” the foreigner -urged earnestly. “That means a little money squeezed from the viceroy’s -hoarded savings and half a dozen cut-throats beheaded in the presence -of the American representatives.” - -“But you only asked that one of them be executed,” Phil returned, -aghast at his joke on such a gruesome topic. - -“Well, I might have said only one,” Ignacio made answer; “he is the -darker of the two midshipmen; the one that dared rebuke me at the -council before the viceroy; but the others know too much to go free.” - -By this time the party had left the docks and were walking slowly up -the street leading to the city gate. The street was in darkness. The -few lanterns had not been lighted since the exodus of the foreigners, -and as they passed the large buildings, it was plainly seen that the -foreign concession had been given over to pillage; the steps and -pavement in front were littered with articles which could not easily be -carried away by the avaricious Chinamen. - -“Have you a revolver?” Phil asked. “I am not armed, and sometimes these -robbers are dangerous if they think they can get money.” - -Phil wanted to know if Ignacio was armed. He feared that in the -struggle which was soon to come a pistol might be accidentally -discharged, which would not only arouse the Chinese guards at the gate -scarcely a few hundred yards away, but might bring a party of sailors -from Commander Ignacio’s ship. - -“Yes, two; one in each pocket,” the foreigner answered, shoving his -hands in the pockets of his naval tunic. “I always carry them, and I -can shoot through my coat from the hip and hit every time.” - -“Good,” Phil thought; “they’ll come in very handy for us before the -night is over.” - -They were nearing a part of the street which to the lad seemed the very -place to carry out his design to render harmless the companion walking -so confidently beside him. - -“Our chairs should be near here,” he said, leading the way down a -narrow alley behind a great white building, the English Bank, which -Phil recognized as the scene of his first encounter with Commander -Ignacio. What spot could be more fitting for this last encounter? -Then he continued: “What makes you think a telegram will come from -Washington disgracing the American captain?” - -“The telegram you sent me this morning was from my friend, the naval -attaché in Washington; he says it is already published in the American -paper,” Commander Ignacio answered. “Everything is printed in the -newspapers in America, you know. They do not understand there the -military value of secrecy, which is the fundamental basis of diplomacy.” - -Phil ground his teeth in rage and mortification. He could have struck -the man down for talking of his country and countrymen so slurringly. -Yet he could only acknowledge that the man was but repeating what had -often been said in Europe. - -“Where are the chairs?” Commander Ignacio asked in some alarm, as they -reached the end of the alley and it was apparent that the square, -court-like space was empty. Phil appeared to search the deeper shadows -with his eyes, at the same time making the guttural call which he had -heard used by Chinamen calling to them a chair and coolies. Ignacio -still had one hand in his pocket and Phil felt sure his nervous finger -was on a trigger. The lad racked his brain to devise some scheme to get -him off his guard. Even now his suspicions might have been aroused. - -Langdon and Sydney were close behind their victim, doubtless watching -eagerly for the sign from Phil. Ignacio stood close to a door, his -right hand, which was no doubt encircling the butt of a revolver, -nearest the knob. - -“Try that door,” Phil said in as careless tones as he could command. -“It’s rather damp outside and they might have gone inside to sleep.” - -It apparently did not occur to the foreigner that the great bulky -chairs would not be taken inside, and if the coolies were there the -chairs would have been plainly in evidence in the court, for he -unguardedly took his right hand from his pocket and raised it to the -doorknob. - -Phil waited not a second, but raised his hand quickly above his head. -He saw the bodies of Sydney and Langdon hurl themselves upon the -unguarded victim. Then the door flew open inward and his heart stopped -beating with terror and dismay, while the silence was broken by the -loud report of a pistol shot, accompanied by the most unearthly yells -he had ever heard. - - - - -CHAPTER XV - -AN ENEMY SILENCED - - -Langdon and Sydney had so forcibly driven their enemy to the ground -that one of the revolvers, which was cocked, had gone off, the noise -of the discharge reverberating through the bare building in a most -startling way. Intent upon their work, the pilot had seized the wrists -of the foreign captain in an iron grip, while Sydney quickly disarmed -him. - -Phil’s heart stopped beating at the sight which presented itself as the -door swung wide open. By the light of three or four dripping candles, -he saw a dozen Chinamen seated about the floor of the room. - -As the lad forced his way boldly into the midst of the startled -Chinamen, holding before him a revolver taken from Sydney’s hand in -passing, the surprised Orientals threw themselves face downward upon -the floor, whining piteously for mercy. - -Leaving the disarmed foreigner to Sydney, Langdon quickly joined -the other midshipman, surrounded as he was by the cringing and -terror-stricken natives. - -“Canton Chinamen,” he whispered; “these must be Emmons’ launch crews; -but what are they doing here?” - -Langdon raised his voice, addressing the terrified men. At the sound of -their own tongue a Chinaman raised himself tremblingly from the floor, -his fear giving place to joy as he recognized the familiar voice of the -pilot, whom he had so frequently seen piloting ships on the great river. - -After a few minutes’ conversation with the native Langdon turned to -Phil, drawing the lad out of ear-shot of their helpless enemy lying -upon the floor with Sydney’s muscular weight upon his chest. - -“It looks bad for us!” he exclaimed. “This man, Nam-Sing, is one of -Emmons’ head men, and these men are his crew. A mob this afternoon -looted the foreign concession and destroyed all of Emmons’ launches, -butchering the Canton Chinese crews in cold blood. The foreign -gunboats, he says, looked on and would not interfere. Emmons, he -thinks, was killed. These men took refuge in the secret vaults of the -bank, known by Nam-Sing because he was for some years employed here. -Believing that all was quiet, they were trying to muster up courage to -escape down the river.” - -Phil could have wept with disappointment. On the threshold of safety, -they found their escape cut off. His mind sought for a way to overcome -the difficulties. Ignacio’s launch was at the landing. Why could they -not overpower the crew and escape in it? But he soon saw that this plan -would be worse than foolhardy. They could not expect to pass the alert -gunboat, and once alongside, the strategy would be discovered. But what -else could be done? A junk was out of the question, for the wind was -contrary, blowing up the river, and before they could hope to pass the -forts, daylight would reveal them and the Chinese guns would soon make -them return and surrender or else they would be sunk. The longer the -Americans remained on shore the smaller were the chances for escape; it -was but a matter of time before their absence from the yamen would be -known. While the lad pondered wildly on a method of escape he saw the -Chinaman Nam-Sing attract Langdon’s attention and then fairly explode -in a volley of excited words. - -“He says that one of the launches is not so badly damaged,” the pilot -whispered to Phil. “It’s a steam launch, but under the stern-boards is -a small gasoline engine, and he thinks the mob did not destroy that, -for it is hidden from view.” - -“Come on!” Phil exclaimed eagerly. Then he cast an uncertain look at -the captive whom Sydney had bound hand and foot, securing a gag in his -mouth and muffling his ears so that he could hear only the loudest -tones. - -“We must leave him behind,” Langdon insisted immediately, interpreting -the glance. “He must take his chances.” - -“I don’t dare leave him there,” Phil exclaimed. “He might be killed by -the Chinese. No, the consequences would be too serious.” - -“Then what are we to do?” the pilot asked impatiently. “He would as -soon stick a knife in you if you were in his power.” - -“I know,” Phil declared stoutly, “but I am going to get him on board -his own ship.” - -“But how on earth can you?” Langdon exclaimed in disgust at Phil’s -leniency. If the pilot could have had his way he would have wrung his -neck then and there, which punishment the foreigner doubtless deserved. - -Phil did not reply immediately. A bold plan had flashed through his -mind, and he was rapidly revolving it in his thoughts to discover if it -was feasible. - -“Tell the Chinese to carry the prisoner,” he said finally, his mind -fully made up to attempt the one scheme which seemed to give the -foreign commander a chance for his life. If he left him in the foreign -concession his life would not be worth a copper cash when the robbers -from the city came back to complete their ghoulish work. - -Langdon trusted Phil’s judgment too thoroughly to demur, so he quietly -gave Nam-Sing his orders, and then the three Americans started, -cautiously leading the way down the alley and out upon the street -running toward the river. - -Reaching the “Bund,” Nam-Sing pointed out the direction of the launch, -which appeared to be their last chance for safety. Passing the waiting -launch of Commander Ignacio, Phil glanced uneasily at the sailors; but -they appeared to give them but passing notice. - -The midshipman saw Nam-Sing step aboard a black launch some hundred -yards down the “Bund” from where their prisoner’s launch was lying. -Phil directed that the bound foreigner be laid on the deck forward, -then he watched impatiently the crew of the launch, under the guidance -of the Chinese leading man, go to work with the usual Oriental -industry. The lad saw at a glance that the engine and boiler were -beyond patching; the machinery was a mass of twisted steel, while the -boiler tubes were bent and wrenched from their sockets. - -Quickly uncoupling the useless engine from the propeller shaft, -Nam-Sing directed the removal of the boards covering from view the -small compact gas engine. With familiarity he tested out the spark -circuit and examined the gear wheels, making sure all was right. After -a delay of not more than ten minutes, although it seemed much more -to the ever-increasing anxiety of the Americans, the Chinaman seized -the crank lever, exerting his power to start the engine. The machine -wheezed and sputtered. Again and again came the wheezing cough and when -Phil was about to give up hope, it coughed volubly, then the smooth -chug of the rapidly rotating engine struck joyfully on his ears. - -Langdon took his place at the wheel, while Phil motioned that all lines -be cast off from the shore, and presently the launch moved slowly away -from the dock out into the swift current of the river. - -“Head her for the starboard gangway of the ‘Albaque,’” Phil ordered in -a calm voice, although his pulses were throbbing wildly. - -Langdon fairly jumped with surprise. - -“Why, man alive! What are you doing?” he exclaimed. - -In the gloom Phil almost smiled as he realized how odd his plan, -without explanation, must seem to his companions. - -He spoke quietly, his manner calm, but decided. - -“We shall find a small boat in the water made fast to the lower -swinging boom forward of the gangway. When we get alongside, I’ll go -on board and give a message from their captain. While I’m on board you -and Sydney move the launch ahead sufficiently to be able to drop the -prisoner over the bow into the boat. Do it carefully and make no noise. -He is securely bound and will lie there until the morning. By that time -we shall, I hope, be safely out of his reach.” - -Langdon and Sydney could hardly control an expression of their -enthusiasm at the conception of such a daring plan. Its very -recklessness with Phil’s knack of mimicry would carry it safely through. - -A gruff hail in a foreign tongue came startlingly from the black hull -of the gunboat, which the launch was slowly approaching. - -Phil waited a second for breath and then in the voice of the Chinese -interpreter called across the water: - -“On the service of the viceroy.” - -As the launch stopped at the gangway of the war-ship Phil boldly -ascended the ladder to the deck. There he found an officer awaiting -him. - -“Commander Ignacio has sent me for a copy of the letter written by him -yesterday to the viceroy. This letter has been lost in transit and he -wishes to give his Excellency the copy.” - -Phil pronounced his words slowly, making his accent even broader than -that used by the real Ta-Ling. - -“Will you wait?” the officer asked politely. “Commander Ignacio keeps -his own papers. I shall endeavor to find it.” - -Phil bowed his willingness, and the foreign officer beckoning the -quartermaster to follow with his lantern, the two disappeared within -the cabin. - -The disguised midshipman saw the launch crawl slowly ahead, and a -moment afterward his straining ear caught the indistinct sound of a -body being lowered into the whale-boat tied at the boom of the gunboat. -Then as the launch drifted almost imperceptibly back to its place at -the ladder, the gleam of the lantern told him that the ship’s officers -were returning. - -“Here is a package of letters marked for the viceroy,” the officer said -as he emerged from the cabin; “but have you no written message from my -captain?” - -Phil feared he had gone too far. He would like to hold the proofs of -Commander Ignacio’s perfidy, but not at the risk of detection. - -“No, your captain gave me no letter,” he answered carelessly; “he -supposed that Ta-Ling, the viceroy’s secretary, was well enough known; -I am Ta-Ling, the viceroy’s secretary; but if you do not wish to -trust me I shall return and get a letter from him. It will, however, -displease both your commander and the viceroy.” - -The officer gave Phil a searching look, but apparently seeing nothing -suspicious in his appearance, handed him the package. - -Phil was about to descend the ladder, when the officer, as if wishing -to make amends for doubting the honesty of the Chinaman, stopped him by -a motion of the hand. - -“There’s a Chinaman on board who came over in a sanpan, shortly after -our captain left the ship. He had escaped from a mob ashore and asked -our protection.” - -Phil held himself well in hand, fearing by undue interest he would -jeopardize his cause. - -“Would you care to see him?” the officer continued. - -The midshipman nodded indifferently. - -“I must hurry,” he said; “my viceroy becomes very impatient if he is -kept waiting.” - -An order was given to a sailor standing near and Phil saw the man go -rapidly forward. The lad’s hopes ran high. Was it Emmons? - -A moment afterward Emmons was brought aft by the sailor messenger. The -lantern was raised above the sailor’s head, shedding its light on the -startled face of the half-breed. Phil regarded him with well-feigned -loathing. - -“This man is an enemy of the viceroy,” Phil declared, in well simulated -anger. “His escape would be a very serious matter. I can take him with -me now if you will agree to trust him in my hands.” - -The officer did not exactly relish the turn of affairs. If he had made -a mistake in delivering his captain’s letters and then the fugitive -into the wrong hands, he knew he would suffer severely. - -“I dare not do that,” he said. “By my government’s regulations asylum -must be given to all asking protection. To-morrow after my captain -returns he will, if he sees fit, deliver him to the viceroy. I shall -lock him up for safety and you can be sure he will not escape.” - -“But I have been searching for this man,” Phil declared, his voice now -really earnest. He must get Emmons from his perilous position. “It is -all-important that he be taken to the viceroy to-night. I can assure -you that if your captain were here he would deliver him up to Ta-Ling.” - -All suspicion had disappeared from the officer’s mind upon hearing -this earnest appeal. After all, he was but a Chinaman, and he knew his -captain was very friendly with the viceroy and his powerful secretary -Ta-Ling. - -“All right,” he said. “I will take your word that in delivering the man -to you I shall be acting as my captain would wish.” - -“He should be bound,” Phil said almost gleefully. “Can you get me a -rope?” - -The officer, leaving Phil’s side, crossed the deck to a chest; opening -it, he searched through its contents. The midshipman, greatly fearing -an outbreak from Emmons, stepped cautiously to his side and whispered -for him to make no outcry. - -“I knew you immediately,” Emmons breathed. - -At the sound of muttering voices, the officer looked up quickly; the -light of the lantern on his face told Phil that his suspicions had -been aroused. Quicker than thought the midshipman drew back his fist, -then he shot it forward, striking with force the startled half-breed -squarely under the chin. Emmons lay where he fell, moaning audibly, -while Phil quietly explained his act to the officer. - -“He had the temerity to revile me,” he said; “but give me the rope. We -should be on our way back to the city.” - -Emmons was quickly bound, hand and foot; then Phil bowed ceremoniously -and, lifting the stunned man on his broad shoulders, walked steadily -down the ladder and into the launch, where he deposited the body with a -great show of force for the benefit of those above. A few seconds later -the launch had left the war-ship and was headed down the river as if -she would again land in her berth at the dock. - -As soon as the gunboat had disappeared in the darkness, Phil and Sydney -cut the ropes binding the prisoner and raised him to a seat on the deck -house. He was but stunned by the blow and presently opened his eyes, -gazing about him in bewilderment. - -“What happened?” Emmons asked, recognizing in the thin light of a -screened lantern Phil’s anxious face bending over him. The lad quickly -explained the reason for his apparently unfriendly act. - -Emmons, with a genuine show of deep gratitude, thanked the midshipman -for his unlooked-for deliverance; then he plied the lads with eager -questions, and Phil gave him the unvarnished history of the night’s -experiences; of the triumph over Ta-Ling, and then the ruse they had -played upon Commander Ignacio and the officer on board the “Albaque.” - -“I have, I think, papers which will reveal all that villain’s secrets,” -he ended, patting the papers in the pocket of his long Chinese robe. -“And the plan of the secret channel--I have that safe here also,” he -added. “We owe a great deal to you.” - -“Yes,” replied Emmons, “but it has cost me all that I have accumulated -in ten years of business. I got warning this afternoon from the Tartar -general that an order had been signed by the viceroy for my execution. -I succeeded in hiding in an abandoned house in the foreign concession -while the soldiers of Ta-Ling searched for me. After dark I tried to -find Nam-Sing and the launch which I was holding in readiness to aid -your escape, but when I reached the docks I found all my launches -deserted, and their machinery wrecked. Knowing that I could not remain -another day ashore without capture, I secured a sanpan and sculled to -the nearest gunboat, believing I was then safe; but it seems that I had -put myself in the hands of an enemy.” - -“The blood of every foreigner killed should be laid to Ignacio’s -account,” Phil declared angrily; “but we have now the means of exposing -his treachery. - -“Tell us about the mission,” he exclaimed anxiously. “Is it yet -unharmed?” - -“It is still under the general’s protection,” Emmons replied, “and he -will not permit an attack. I have expected every day to hear that the -soldiers had been removed. Ta-Ling’s outlaws are encamped within a mile -of the soldiers, apparently waiting an order from their leader.” - -“How many are there of these rebels?” Sydney asked in alarm. - -“I have not seen them, but my men tell me there are thousands,” Emmons -answered. - -“There must be some reason for the delay,” Emmons declared. “Have you -read the viceroy’s letter to your captain?” he asked quickly. “Maybe -there we shall find the cause of it.” - -With trembling fingers Phil drew the letter from his pocket and without -hesitation broke the formidable looking seal of the viceroy. The -writing was in English and the penmanship seemed strangely familiar. - -“It’s the same writing as that in the letter I picked up in the bank!” -he exclaimed in surprise, then in the lantern’s dim light his eager -eyes traveled rapidly over the words before him. - -Sydney and Emmons waited impatiently until Phil began to read excitedly: - -“His Excellency, Chang-Li-Hun, is deeply grieved at the lawless -actions of the foreign gunboats, which have banded together under the -leadership of the American commander to defy the authority of the laws -of China. Commander Ignacio and two of his brother commanders have -accepted his Excellency’s leniency and after voluntarily offering their -apology have anchored at Ku-Ling. To show that China has kept faith, -his Excellency has caused a strong guard of his soldiers to encamp on -the hills near the American mission. - -“If by ten o’clock to-morrow morning the foreign gunboats will steam to -Ku-Ling flying white flags of truce, the viceroy will still give them -clemency. The viceroy has held the hostages to show his displeasure at -the foreigners for entering To-Yan Lake, waters forbidden them by the -government of China. - -“His Excellency will be powerless to protect either the hostages or the -mission if a single hostile shot is fired. Enclosed is a telegram for -the American commander.” - -“If this letter and the telegram had gone to Commander Hughes,” Phil -exclaimed as he folded the letter and returned it in his pocket, -“Ta-Ling and Ignacio would have won. Without the strong personality -of our captain the allies would have weakened and accepted the terms -offered.” - -“Now when Ta-Ling is liberated,” Sydney cried alarmingly, “the soldiers -will be removed and the rebels allowed to attack the mission.” Then -he stopped suddenly, while a lump rose in his throat. “Does Ta-Ling -suspect the secret of the channel is ours?” he asked fearfully. - -Emmons shook his head thoughtfully. - -“The chart was procured by Hang-Ki from the viceroy’s papers through -bribing a lesser official,” he answered. “Ta-Ling may have discovered -its absence and suspected that I would carry it to your captain. That -would explain his sudden desire to have me captured and executed.” - -“To-night is the turning-point in this intrigue,” Phil exclaimed, -while his heart beat faster at the thought. “We must use this channel -to-night, and after we have run the forts and anchored in safety above -Ku-Ling, we must start at once to the rescue of those in the mission. -I hope Lieutenant Wilson can withstand the assault until aid arrives. - -“Our poor sailors in the yamen,” he added sorrowfully, “I fear are no -better than dead men.” - -“You are right,” Emmons declared in no uncertain voice. “To-morrow -Ta-Ling will cause the high reed grass on the island to be set on fire. -It is dry and will burn like tinder. Then the island will offer no -protection, the search-light on the fort will disclose the presence of -the gunboats and the secret channel is well within the range of the -fort guns.” - -While the midshipmen were absorbed in their conversation with the -half-breed, the launch, under the skilful guidance of the pilot, -steamed rapidly down the swift current of the river. The junks moored -at the docks flashed by unheeded. The high frowning cliffs, on top -of which were the gun emplacements, appeared dimly from the darkness -ahead. Then the launch’s bow was turned sharply to port, steering -across the river, to put as great a distance as possible between it -and the menacing batteries. - -The midshipmen and Emmons had now joined Langdon at his post at the -wheel. - -“To-night Hang-Ki has relieved many of the lookouts in the forts,” -Emmons whispered, “and if we can keep close under the shadow of the -island we may pass undiscovered.” - -Phil was in a fever of anxiety. He glanced fearfully at the frowning -forts, looming oppressively close in the darkness to starboard. The -island on the other side of which was the secret channel slowly took -shape, and as the launch approached became ever more distinct. Now -he imagined he could see the tops of the high reeds, tall enough to -conceal the hull of a gunboat, waving menacingly in the fitful breeze, -and in the stillness, broken only by the muffled chug of the gas -engine, he could now hear the dry rustle telling him only too plainly -that this rank vegetation was ripe for Ta-Ling’s torch. - -The night was dark and cloudy, and the deeper gloom of the island -toward which Langdon was steering would make it almost impossible to -locate the small launch. - -Even under the trying circumstances, expecting momentarily to hear the -loud discharge of hostile cannon, Phil’s mind dwelt anxiously on the -possibilities before the coming day. Fully realizing that the lives of -those in the mission depended upon the ability of the allies to pass -the forts before morning, would they find the fleet prepared to start -immediately? Without mishaps two hours must elapse before the launch -could reach Lien-Chow, and then scarcely five hours of the night would -remain. - -With all lights save that at the compass carefully screened, the launch -sped quietly onward. The forts had faded slowly into the darkness as -the island shore had been approached. Langdon spun his wheel from side -to side seeking the deepest channel, while a Chinaman with a long -bamboo pole measured the depth of the water continuously, calling out -in a sing-song whisper his soundings. - -“Go on this side of the island,” Phil ordered, hastily measuring with -his eye the distance by the chart. “Time’s precious. We must run the -risk.” - -“Aye, aye,” the pilot answered quickly, bringing the bow of the launch -smartly about to parallel the island shore. “They can’t hit us anyway,” -he added contemptuously. - -Minute after minute dragged by. The Americans were on the point of -congratulating themselves upon having passed the forts in safety, when -a flash of flame sprang from the darkness of the hill forts and the -screech of a shell sounded menacingly in their ears. - -With the anxiety of one who is being fired upon without the opportunity -to return the fire, those on the launch stuck manfully at their posts. -Sydney’s blood raced rapidly through his veins, and his hopes seemed on -the point of being cast to the very depths of despair. - -Flash followed flash on the fortifications and the reverberations of -the heavy artillery shook the valley. It seemed to the midshipmen -that hundreds of guns must be hurling tons of steel at their small -inoffensive black launch as it bravely steamed down the river. - -With intense excitement and fearful dread as to the outcome, all gazed -fascinated upon the myriads of flashes of flame from the forts. The -moans and screeches of the shells were loud in their ears while the -steel bolts lashed the water to foam about them. - -Suddenly a bright shaft of light bored through the night and then swung -spasmodically over the water. Fearfully the midshipmen watched the -search-light ray in its attempt to concentrate upon the rapidly moving -launch. When once they were held in its beam, they would furnish as -clear a target for their enemy’s guns as if it were day. - -As Phil watched, fascinated, the wavering light, it stopped uncertainly -short of the launch but truly in line, then the light raised suddenly -and the lad was fairly blinded by the bright flash as it clung -tenaciously to the discovered hull. The fort guns now renewed their -vociferous cannonade and the screech of shells was sufficient to -unnerve the stoutest heart. - -“One hit and we’ll be counted out,” Phil exclaimed wildly, clutching -Sydney in his excitement, as he dodged involuntarily the hot breath of -the speeding projectiles. - -“Take that sounding pole!” Langdon shouted hoarsely, as the terrified -Chinaman dropped it on deck and dived for safety below decks. - -Sydney quickly grasped the pole as it clattered from the man’s hand, -and plunged it over the side. It struck bottom, showing the water had -suddenly become dangerously shallow. - -“Keep her off,” he cried loudly, above the roar of the hissing shells. - -Blinded by the bright glare of the search-light, Langdon had nearly -run the launch ashore on the island, but by quick action, he now threw -the bow out into the river. A low grating sound made Phil’s heart stop -beating, but the next second the launch darted clear of the treacherous -shoal. Then to the joy of the anxious men the search-light beam died -suddenly away. - -The fire from the forts immediately slackened, and in a few seconds -had ceased altogether. An occasional boom and the screech of a passing -shell, however, showed the Americans that the enemy was waiting -impatiently to begin its fusillade as soon as the now extinguished -search-light could again pick up the helpless target. - -A startled cry from Emmons drew the Americans’ attention. Looking -anxiously in the direction indicated by the half-breed, Phil saw the -white and colored lights of a steamer standing up the river, in the -middle of the main channel. Those in the forts seemed also to have made -the discovery. The entire crest of the hill forts burst into sudden -flame and the distant screech of shell told the lad that this time the -launch was not the target. - -“What can it be?” he exclaimed in a fever of excitement. “The allies -know better than to carry lights. It must be a stranger.” - -Then as he gazed spellbound upon the spectacle before him, the -search-light of the fort once more cut its narrow path of flame through -the inky blackness. It swept spasmodically over the intruder and -then to the Americans’ delighted eyes was revealed the outline of a -monitor, the light of the search-light beam reflected brightly from her -glistening, pointed hull. - -“The ‘Monterey’!” Phil cried, joyfully hugging Sydney. “And Jack -O’Neil is on board her.” But a second later his joy was changed -to apprehension. Would the monitor appreciate the situation and be -prepared to return this fire? A fear took possession of his thoughts -that the sailors, not knowing of the existence of hostilities, might -have been standing unprotected upon the deck and before they could have -sought the shelter of armor many might have already been killed by the -shells of the enemy. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI - -REËNFORCEMENTS - - -All eyes were now intent on the American war-ship. The guns in the -forts had become silent, as if startled at the sudden appearance of an -enemy worthy of their metal. The monitor, apparently unconscious of the -danger into which it had run, steamed proudly onward. The search-light -of the fort lighted up every detail of the formidable vessel; the -heavy turret guns were lowered, pointing inoffensively away from the -inquisitive search-light. - -“They won’t dare fire again at her!” Sydney exclaimed. “See, she has -shown her colors!” - -As the midshipman spoke a large American flag rose proudly aloft to -the truck of the “Monterey,” where it fluttered defiantly, as if to -say: “Now if you fire, knowing who I am, you declare war on the country -which I represent.” - -Then the Chinese threw down the gauntlet; a flash of flame darted from -the dark fort, licking the heels of a great shell, and a high splash of -foam sprang up in the glare of the search-light not more than a half -hundred yards from the bow of the silent monitor. - -Again, like huge fireflies on a summer night, the hill forts flashed -fire, while still the monitor steamed boldly onward, closer and closer -to the hostile guns. - -“Why doesn’t she return it?” Sydney exclaimed excitedly. “A few shots -from her guns will startle the soldiers in those forts.” - -As the lads watched the one-sided contest, two shafts of light darted -from the monitor; the search-light from the fort from its size and -greater illuminating power concealed the commencement of the war-ship’s -less powerful lights, but upon the forts two round white spots traveled -slowly along, and where they rested the midshipmen could see distinctly -the gun emplacements and the great gun tubes protruding from the -protecting rock and earth. - -In a terrible suspense those on the launch held their breath, while -the heavy turrets, plainly visible in the light from the forts, swung -around slowly; then the gun muzzles were raised and pointed steadily at -the two white spots, the end of the search-light rays. After a terrible -suspense, two great tongues of flame leaped far out over the river and -a dull boom shook the air. - -“Fine shots!” Phil exclaimed joyfully as he saw the earth on two of the -emplacements rise in the air as if a magazine had exploded underneath -it. - -Again the monitor spoke angrily with her great twelve-inch guns, -and again within the illumination the eager watchers saw masses of -earth fly high in the air as the half ton shells exploded on the very -parapets of the Chinese forts. - -“She’s turning!” Sydney exclaimed. - -Sure enough, the “Monterey” was swinging her bow away from the enemy. -Not understanding the meaning of this treatment, the war-ship was -circling to return down the river, out of range of the formidable forts. - -The search-light of the fort held steadily upon the retreating -war-ship, but those of the “Monterey” had been extinguished. The fort -guns, for the time silenced by the straight shooting of their enemy, -now reopened with renewed energy. But the monitor, as if unconscious of -the rain of shell about her, turned in silence, her flag waving proudly -at the mast-head, and started down river. - -“Head over for her!” Phil ordered. - -With relief and satisfaction, the Americans saw that now after the -monitor had turned, the Chinese gunners were shooting wildly. All the -shots were falling aimlessly short of the retreating war-ship. But -still the search-light ray clung tenaciously, as if it feared the -monitor once out of the vision of its bright eye would take wings and -fly away. - -Suddenly from the monitor’s after turret belched forth a single flash. -Those on the launch watched in excited admiration to see the burst of -flame on the ramparts of the fort, but instead, high above the guns, -above even the search-light mounted at the very top of the hill, a jet -of flame, a living ball of fire, cleft the darkness; a second later and -the monitor had faded from sight. - -“Shrapnel,” Phil exclaimed intensely, as the sound of the explosion -reached his ears; “that search-light is out of business for the -present.” Then he realized that the launch and the “Monterey” were -rapidly approaching each other on converging courses. - -“Light the side lights,” he cried to Emmons, at his side, spellbound -and silent. “We can’t take the risk of having her shoot at us. She -might hit us.” - -Emmons obeyed the order by giving a few harsh commands to his reassured -Chinese boatmen and soon the red and green lights were burning on -the launch’s sides. The forts were now silent, their target having -dissolved into the night, but Langdon had taken her bearing and the -launch’s bow was held in the direction which he knew would bring them -close to the monitor. - -After many long minutes of anxious search a dark smudge appeared almost -directly in the path of the launch. Then suddenly a flash sprang from -the dark smudge, and a shell shrieked across the bow of the approaching -boat. - -“Stop her!” Phil cried in alarm, while he ran quickly forward. Standing -at the bow of the launch, he cleared his voice and raised his hands to -his mouth, ready to answer the hail from the war-ship. - -“Boat ahoy!” came distinctly across the water. “Stop where you are, or -we’ll sink you.” - -“Aye, aye, sir,” Phil hailed back. “We’re friends--American naval -officers.” - -“All right, don’t come any closer and we’ll send a boat,” came the -answer in clear, decided tones. - -Those on the launch noted the creak of blocks as a boat shot down from -its davits into the water, and a few minutes afterward they heard the -regular dip of the oars and their rhythmical thud in their sockets. -Then a long, slim whale-boat, propelled by six stalwart sailors, shot -out of the gloom and came quietly alongside the motionless launch. - -An officer scrambled nimbly on board. - -“What’s the meaning of this?” he exclaimed in astonishment. For in the -ray of the solitary lantern held in the hands of a Chinese boatman, he -saw that he was in the presence of Chinamen. He stopped precipitously, -sliding his hand cautiously to his revolver holster while he eyed -suspiciously the men before him. - -Phil was about to answer the officer’s question, never realizing the -cause of the speaker’s abrupt silence, when his eye caught sight of a -familiar face peering in over the launch’s rail. Forgetful of all else, -the lad hastened excitedly forward. Reaching down he grasped the owner -of the face in a strong grip. - -“O’Neil!” he exclaimed delightedly. “Well, if this isn’t luck!” - -While Sydney in his turn shook hands warmly with their old friend the -boatswain’s mate, who had served with them through many a difficult -position during a South American revolution, when they were together -on the battle-ship “Connecticut,” Phil explained the situation to the -mystified officer. - -The lad for the moment had not fully appreciated the dumbfounded -astonishment of the naval man, Lieutenant Washburn of the “Monterey,” -upon finding himself among Chinamen, after he had heard the answer from -the “Monterey’s” hail that American naval officers were on board the -launch. - -“We’ve just escaped from prison,” Phil explained, “and your ship -arrived in time to save us from those guns. Their shots were beginning -to come pretty near, I can tell you.” - -“Escaped from prison,” Lieutenant Washburn exclaimed, still mystified. -“Where then is the ‘Phœnix’? She hasn’t been sunk, I hope,” he added -hastily in sudden alarm. - -Phil quickly set his mind at rest on that point. “She’s at Lien-Chow, -in the To-Yan Lake, and we are on our way there now. - -“Commander Hughes will be mighty relieved to see the ‘Monterey’!” he -exclaimed joyfully. “With her the forts have no perils--she can run by -whenever she wishes.” - -“I am sorry for him,” Lieutenant Washburn answered, his voice betraying -a note of bitterness, “for I am a great admirer of your captain. He’s -the kind of man we need in command of our ships. There’s a rumor afloat -that he’s in disgrace and will be put under arrest. I hope it’s not -true, but the rumor was persistent in the fleet when we left. If it’s -true I suppose our captain has the order.” - -Phil pretended to be greatly surprised and unconsciously raised his -hand to make sure the telegram was safe in his pocket. - -“The ‘Monadnock’ is on her way up the river. She’s slower than we are, -and as our captain is senior he pressed ahead. - -“Nice surprise they gave us,” he added laughingly, pointing to the now -quiet forts. “We thought they were only having target practice and -supposed of course they’d stop to let us pass. But when they opened -on us, although our captain had sounded to ‘general quarters’ as a -precaution, you could have knocked us all down with a feather.” - -“I am happy to say their target practice upon us was not good,” Phil -returned in high humor; “but if you’ll excuse me, I’ll shed these gay -clothes. Mine are pretty seedy after three days in a Chinese prison, -but I’d appear to better advantage when we go aboard the ‘Monterey.’” - -The war-ship, by signal-lights, informed her lieutenant that she -was about to anchor, directing the launch to follow and then come -alongside. - -Before the rattle of chain announced that the anchor was holding the -steel fortress stationary against the swift current, the midshipmen -recited to Lieutenant Washburn the story of their adventures. O’Neil -listened eagerly, grunting with glee when they told of the triumph over -Ta-Ling and Commander Ignacio. - -After a short delay the launch was steered alongside the anchored -war-ship, and the Americans, now in their own clothes, quickly -scrambled over the low side. - -Commander Barnes, the monitor’s captain, ranking junior to Commander -Hughes, immediately summoned the midshipmen and Langdon to his cabin. - -Phil as spokesman gave the surprised captain a detailed account of -the happenings since the attempt to blow in the gates of the American -mission. Commander Barnes’ eyes opened wider and wider in astonishment -as the lad proceeded. - -“It’s all very terrible,” he exclaimed after Phil had finished. “The -admiral knows nothing of this. Why has not Hughes wired the situation?” - -“He has sent telegrams,” Phil declared, “but the viceroy will not -forward them.” - -“That’s strange,” the captain said in a low voice. “The admiral led -me to suppose that I would be in command of the three ships, and that -Hughes would be relieved of his command. Yet I have no orders to that -effect.” - -Phil trembled with joy at overhearing these words, not intended for -his ears. The “Monterey” brought no orders. He held the only order in -his pocket, and the fatal telegram would remain there until Commander -Hughes had won his fight and relieved the situation. - -But time was pressing. The fleet must run the batteries to-night. The -arrival of the monitors would make the passage of the secret channel -even more secure by hotly engaging the forts if necessary. In order to -make success sure the midshipman knew that they should proceed at once -upon the remainder of their journey. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII - -ABOARD THE “PHŒNIX” - - -Commander Barnes consulted his watch and then called for his orderly. -The ring of the bell had scarcely sounded before a marine stood -obediently before him. - -“It’s eleven now,” the captain mused, then, turning to the orderly: - -“My compliments to the executive officer. Tell him to secure and pipe -down. We shall remain here for the present.” - -Forgetting in his anxiety the vast gulf in rank between them, Phil -raised his hand impatiently. - -“Captain!” he exclaimed, intensely in earnest. “We must go to Commander -Hughes immediately. The mission must be relieved to-night. It is -probably now surrounded by the outlaws. To-morrow the difficulties will -increase. The secret channel may be impossible, besides there are four -American sailors in prison in the yamen. By to-morrow they will have -been executed.” - -Over Commander Barnes’ face flitted for a second the suspicion of a -frown, while the orderly waited with indecision in his manner. - -“By the morning we shall have two monitors,” the captain answered; “I -think we can rely on their guns to escort the fleet past the forts -without harm. However, you may go on your launch and give your news to -Commander Hughes. I have orders forbidding me to enter To-Yan Lake. - -“I do not see how the allied fleet can possibly embark its sailors and -be here before daylight,” he added, after a few moments’ thought, “so I -see no reason to keep my officers and men up all night in waiting.” - -“Commander Hughes will be here inside of three hours,” Phil urgently -exclaimed. “I am sure, sir, that he will not lose a moment. He does not -wish to risk fighting the forts. If he can bring Ku-Ling under his guns -without a fight, he will win his point and save the foreigners. - -“If I may suggest, sir,” the midshipman added in a respectful voice, -“it would be best to keep all ready to get under way. It is but ten -miles to the allied fleet. We shall be there in an hour and in two more -the gunboats will be here on their way to enter this secret channel.” - -Commander Barnes smiled indulgently at the lad’s earnestness as he -waved a dismissal to the orderly. - -“Tell the executive officer,” he said, “to be ready to get under way in -three hours and notify the officer of the deck to keep a sharp lookout -for the ‘Monadnock.’ Signal her when sighted to anchor near us. - -“Your captain has a convincing advocate in you, Mr. Perry,” he -continued, after the orderly had departed with his message. “I shall -wait his coming and be ready to join him.” - -Phil was elated with the success of his appeal, and in a short time he -had gathered his party together ready to again embark in Emmons’ launch. - -Before leaving the captain’s cabin the midshipmen had asked that -boatswain’s mate O’Neil be allowed to go, to steer the launch, which -request Commander Barnes readily granted. - -“The telegram is the only order relieving our captain of his command,” -Phil exclaimed to Sydney while the launch sped toward the distant -lights of the allied fleet. “What would happen if I gave him the -cable?” he asked quickly. - -“He would have but to obey it,” Sydney answered. “It’s a direct order -from the navy department. Commander Barnes as senior officer of the -American ships would be bound to send a flag of truce and offer his -apologies for Commander Hughes’ actions.” - -“And that would mean a victory for the viceroy and Ta-Ling!” Phil -exclaimed. “If I lose my commission for it that telegram is going to -remain secret until the allied fleet have exacted an humble apology and -restitution from those guilty of wishing to murder innocent foreigners.” - -In the light of a solitary lantern Phil opened the envelope and glanced -excitedly over their enemy’s correspondence with the viceroy. It was in -English and written in a clear and legible hand. - -Paper after paper was read in silence by the two midshipmen, revealing -the most bare-faced treachery. - -“Do you remember that day at the bank?” Phil exclaimed suddenly after -he had finished reading a letter which he held open before him, his -face in the thin light betraying intense wrath and indignation. “I have -wondered so often over that incident. I have never until now been able -to discover why Ignacio was so angry at me for picking up his letter -from the ground. Do you remember how he snatched it from my hand? I -thought he would strike me. Well, that innocent sheet of paper was a -letter from Ta-Ling. If I could have held it another minute much of our -trouble would never have occurred. This is Ignacio’s answer: - -“‘I will do all in my power to thwart the aim of these Americans. I -despise them as much as you do. I have just drawn on the company which -I represent for the sum you named, and it will be deposited in the bank -at Shanghai. When you have obtained the viceroy’s signature, giving -my company the railroad rights from here to Peking, I shall at once -transfer this sum to your credit. - -“‘Your letter was picked up from the bank floor, where I had carelessly -dropped it, by a young American officer. I do not think he had enough -knowledge or time to divine its meaning.’” - -The two midshipmen looked sheepishly at each other for a second and -then both laughed. - -“We are innocents, aren’t we, Phil?” Sydney laughed. “Now it’s all -clear. Ignacio attempted to throw the allies into a panic at Lien-Chow. -He worked himself into being selected as the senior officer for the -flag of truce, and he concealed his eagerness so cleverly that we -thought he was afraid. Then he played his game beautifully before the -viceroy. But by to-morrow morning Ignacio’s dreams will be smashed. -Ku-Ling will awake to find the fleet at anchor with its guns trained on -the viceroy’s palace.” - -“What’s this new mischief you’re hatching?” inquired Langdon, -approaching the midshipmen, after having conned the launch over the -treacherous shoals at the entrance to the lake. “We’ll be at the fleet -in a short time now,” he added, pointing to the lights fast appearing -ahead. - -Phil arose, throwing a swift glance at the lights of the gunboats, -growing ever brighter as the launch sped swiftly onward. Then he -returned to his seat on the deck house and told the pilot of the -discovery. - -“Why did you never tell me of this meeting with Ignacio in the bank?” -Langdon asked, in a hurt voice. “I might have put two and two together -and saved us a great deal of trouble.” - -“Oh! pipe down, Joe Langdon!” Phil exclaimed, in good humor. “You -wouldn’t have found it out any sooner than we did. It’s all plain -enough now after you know.” - -“I can’t help worrying about our four sailors,” Sydney said sadly, and -immediately the mirth died on Phil’s face. “After Ta-Ling is released, -he will be mad enough to have them summarily executed.” - -His companions made no reply. Each felt that the chances for the four -captive Americans were small. - -While the launch was approaching the line of anchored ships, Phil left -his two companions and stood close beside O’Neil, while the sailor -steered for the lights which had been pointed out to him as being on -board the “Phœnix.” - -The lads were delighted to have this fine American sailor-man again -with them. Phil recounted again all the exciting adventures through -which they had just passed and O’Neil in his turn told of the -monotonous life on board a monitor in Manila Bay. - -“It’s worse than going to sea in a submarine, Mr. Perry,” the sailor -exclaimed. “She’s so low in the water and rolls so quickly that we was -awash all the way up the China coast. We couldn’t use them big guns at -sea; one second they are pointing in the water and the next they are -looking at the moon; but here in the river it’s different. We can cut -our name on those forts if they’ll give us a chance. - -“That captain of yours, Mr. Perry, is a fire-eater. There ain’t nothing -he is afraid of. I am glad,” he added, lowering his voice, although -there was no one but a Chinese crew man within ear-shot, “to hear you -tell me that our skipper ain’t going to lead this expedition. He’s all -right when he gets good and mad, like he did when the fort fired at him -to-night, but he ain’t got the initiative. Now, ‘Bucko’ Hughes, that’s -his name on the foc’s’le, is different; he always likes to hit first.” -Then he continued in a moralizing tone while he spun his wheel to steer -the course to bring the ship’s lights on a proper bearing: - -“The longer I live, Mr. Perry, the more I believe that’s the best -tactics for a fighting man. If you hit first and hit hard enough maybe -the other fellow’ll drop his fists and say he’s had enough.” - -Phil slapped the sailor on the back in sign of agreement with his -views, while O’Neil brought the “Phœnix’s” lights, now close aboard, -broad on his beam in order to round to for a landing at the gangway, -and in answer to a hoarse challenge from the gunboat, he sang out in -his clear voice: - -“Aye! Aye!” - -“We’re still midshipmen,” Phil corrected; “you should have answered -‘No! No!’”[2] - -“That’s all right, sir,” the sailor returned with a grin. “It ain’t who -you are; it’s the news you bring. If I’d said, ‘No! No!’ they might not -have waked ‘Bucko,’ and I know he’d want to see you as soon as you put -foot on board.” - -A few minutes later Phil led the way up the gangway ladder and soon -found himself in the enthusiastic embrace of the officer of the -deck. Although it was after twelve o’clock many of the officers were -awake and a glance about the ship told the midshipman that careful -preparations were being made to protect the vital parts of the gunboat -from the shells of the enemy. - -They were told that Commander Hughes was in the cabin and as yet in -ignorance of the return of the hostages. - -“I sent down word just now by the orderly,” the officer of the deck -said with a smile, “that some commissioned officers were coming -alongside in a launch, so I suppose he’s awake, for it’s not often that -we receive callers this time of night.” - -The three Americans and Emmons went hastily to the captain’s cabin, -where they found the orderly awaiting them, while Commander Hughes was -seated at his desk. Phil was shocked at the change in his captain’s -face. His buoyant expression had been displaced by a haggard look and -as he turned his eyes toward the door, the lad noticed, with a twinge -of pity, that their expression was one of worry, while the dark circles -below them told only too plainly the story of sleepless nights. - -It was not until Phil had advanced almost to his side that Commander -Hughes realized who his visitors were. Then the mask dropped from his -face and he sprang eagerly to his feet with a glad cry. - -“I was just thinking,” he exclaimed joyfully as he embraced one after -another of the men returning to him as if from the grave, “that for a -glimpse of you safe on board here again I’d give ten years of my life.” - -After the first joyful shock of meeting was over Commander Hughes made -the midshipmen and their companions be seated, and each in turn told -the thrilling details of his experiences since leaving Lien-Chow with -the flag of truce. The story of Commander Ignacio’s duplicity, much to -the lads’ surprise, brought forth but little comment. - -“I have suspected him,” their captain answered, almost sadly, “since -his return without you.” - -When the part in their ventures taken by Emmons was told him, Commander -Hughes arose from his chair and, much to the embarrassment of the -half-breed, took his hand in both of his, thanking him eloquently for -his self-sacrificing acts. Then Phil’s heart leaped with delight as his -captain cast from him all signs of sentiment; the old fire had returned -to his eyes. - -The midshipmen were so intent upon their own experiences that the -mention of the arrival of the monitors came only at the end of their -narrative. - -Commander Hughes could hardly believe his ears. - -“The monitors are actually here!” he exclaimed, doubting the welcome -news. It was too good to be true. - -[Illustration: “_THE MONITORS ARE ACTUALLY HERE!_”] - -“The ‘Monterey’ is at anchor at the entrance of the lake,” Phil assured -him. “The ‘Monadnock’ should have arrived by now. Commander Barnes -has kept up steam awaiting your arrival. I told him you would go up the -river to-night,” he added hastily. - -Commander Hughes’ joy showed plainly in his strong face. - -“How glad I should be that I have not yielded to the persistent -counsels of the other captains!” he cried. “No one knows what these -last few days of suspense and uncertainty have been. When Ignacio left -us it required the combined effort of Buresford and myself to prevent -the rest from following like a flock of sheep. I had wrung a reluctant -promise from those remaining to attempt to run the batteries to-morrow -night unless the viceroy agreed to our demands. My letter to him sent -by one of the renegades has not been answered.” - -Phil gasped. The viceroy’s answer was in the pocket of his blouse, but -he must not deliver it. To do so would betray the fact of a telegram. - -“But now,” the captain continued, “we cannot wait for his answer. The -lives of those in the mission depend upon immediate action on our part. -I feel sure that the news of the arrival of the monitors and this -chart of a safe channel will bolster up our allies’ waning courage. - -“I fear for the sailors in the yamen,” he added, a note of grave -anxiety in his voice; “but if a hair of their heads is injured I shall -not rest until those guilty of the outrage are punished. The viceroy -himself shall not escape the penalty of this crime.” - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII - -THE START FOR KU-LING - - -The midshipmen, after leaving the captain’s cabin, hastened to their -rooms to bathe and don fresh clothes. Phil eyed his bunk longingly; he -had not had a comfortable sleep for many nights, but he withstood the -temptation and soon found the duty of helping to prepare the ship for -battle far more interesting. - -Commander Hughes had signaled at once for the gunboat captains, and -each had left the “Phœnix,” enthusiastic at the lucky turn affairs had -taken, and cordially willing to coöperate. - -“I am in doubt,” Commander Hughes confided to Phil on the quarter-deck, -where the lad had been directing the work of the men of his division, -“what to do with our non-combatants. Each gunboat is carrying a dozen -or more of their own nationality, former residents of the foreign -concession at Ku-Ling. These gunboats will offer no protection to the -women and children if we are discovered and fired upon by the forts. -One large shell might even, if it hit in a vital spot, sink this -vessel.” - -“Why not put all on board the monitors?” Phil suggested; “they would be -perfectly safe there behind armor.” - -“A good idea,” the captain replied gladly. “I shall signal at once to -have the refugees ready to disembark. - -“How many can Emmons’ launch carry?” he questioned. - -“It’s a good-sized boat, sir,” Phil replied. “I should say certainly -fifty persons.” - -“That’s very well,” the former said. Then Phil, recognizing a change of -tone in his superior’s voice, drew himself to attention as the captain -added slowly: - -“We shall be ready to get under way at one o’clock at the latest. -You will follow in the launch and when the ‘Phœnix,’ which of course -will lead the column, reaches the monitors, you will begin at once -to transfer all refugees from the gunboats, dividing them equally -between the two monitors. I shall write out immediately orders for the -commanding officers of the ‘Monterey’ and ‘Monadnock,’ which I shall -hand you for delivery before you shove off. They will be unable to -follow us through the secret channel, as their draft is too great, so I -have directed that they remain beyond the range of fire of the forts, -unless by chance we are menaced by the enemy’s guns. - -“I sincerely hope,” he continued in a less official voice, “that -nothing happens to either of the monitors with such precious freight. -Do you know, Mr. Perry,” he added feelingly, “out in these countries -where lives are so cheap, we Americans would sacrifice a whole shipload -of men for the single life of a mother or a child.” - -Phil inclined his head in mute token of agreement to his captain’s -humane sentiment. Then suddenly a thought seemed to strike the latter, -and he drew the lad farther away from the sailors engaged in making -a protecting screen of hammocks about the after-gun positions, for -greater safety against the possibility of infantry fire from the -island, close to which the channel was shown to lead. - -“What is your theory, Mr. Perry,” he asked earnestly, “of the actions -of Commander Ignacio? Is it merely a hostile dislike for me and our -countrymen, or does it come from a deeper and more subtle reason?” - -Phil hesitated; could he give his honest views, or more correctly -speaking, his knowledge of the reasons for Ignacio’s actions, without -endangering the asking of a question from his captain, to answer -which he might have to descend to subterfuge and even deceit? The -fatal telegram lay snugly in his pocket; he could almost imagine -that Commander Hughes’ piercing eyes could read, through the cloth -of his blouse, the words which seemed engraved in bold letters on -the lad’s brain. Phil had purposely cautioned his companions to say -nothing of the captured letters which had passed between Ignacio -and the viceroy’s secretary, for fear that the many allusions to -the hope of accomplishing the disgrace of the American leader might -awaken suspicion. These letters, the boy had decided, could not be of -benefit now to Commander Hughes, but would be of vital importance in -justifying the suppression of the cablegram taken from the person of -Ta-Ling. - -“I think, sir,” Phil answered after several moments of silence, “that -Commander Ignacio’s motive lies much deeper than personal enmity. -There must surely be some important objective toward which he has been -striving. Possibly,” he hinted vaguely in an endeavor to have his -captain broach the real reason, of which the lad knew only too well, -“he believes that he can secure better commercial benefits for his -own countrymen and to the hurt of American interests. They say that -the viceroy has been openly antagonistic for months to all American -investments in his provinces.” - -“How stupid of me!” Commander Hughes exclaimed. “The railroad to Peking -and through the interior provinces! I have been so much engrossed with -my own troubles that I have not given the motive of this hostile action -the attention which it deserves. I heard in Shanghai before we sailed -that the American corporation having the railroad concession rights -was having great trouble in getting permission to break ground, and a -great mass of material is lying idle in steamers awaiting permission of -the viceroy to land. Of course, that must be at the bottom of all this! - -“It is this commercial rivalry which will forever keep the Chinese from -looking upon foreigners as desirable residents of their country,” he -continued thoughtfully. “We are ever at each other’s throats in our -commercial dealings. There are grave consequences to be feared in the -opening of this vast and rich territory, and if we are not strictly -honest in our dealings with each other, the consequences may well -warrant the building of a great navy.” - -Commander Hughes, as he finished speaking, gazed out over the water to -the anchored ships of the allied fleet and then, nodding a dismissal to -the midshipmen, he walked toward the companion ladder leading to his -cabin. - -“The signal is two white lights when ready,” he said to the officer -of the deck. “Notify me when all the ships have shown the signal, and -keep the launch ready for Mr. Perry.” Then to Phil, as he descended the -companionway, “Langdon must of course stay with us. We shall need him -to help us over the shoals at the entrance to the lake.” - -Phil saluted and then glanced at the clock on the cabin bulkhead. He -saw its hands pointed to twenty minutes of one. In but a few hours -all would be decided. Either Commander Hughes would win and his act -of suppressing the cablegram be condoned, or else the gunboats would -be utterly defeated, maybe destroyed by the fire of the forts and his -hated enemy Ignacio raised to power as the leader of the dissenters. -The possibilities were so terrifying that he looked about him for some -object upon which to concentrate his mind. He wished to keep himself -from brooding on the future of the night’s venture. Gazing out into -the darkness, he could see black smoke and sparks belching from the -smoke-stacks of the “Phœnix’s” consorts. The shrill whistles of the -boatswain’s mates and the creaking of tackles came distinctly across -the still water, showing their hurried preparations to be ready. - -He saw that two white lights burned at the yard-arm of his own ship; -she then was ready to lead the fleet on its perilous undertaking; to -run by, well inside of the range of the forts’ guns, with but a screen -of high grass to protect the unarmored ships from the heavy shells of -their enemy. While the lad watched silently, his pulses beating fast, -the signal of readiness flashed out from gunboat after gunboat, until -the entire fleet had mutely informed the “Phœnix” that it was ready and -eager to follow the lead of its intrepid commander. - -A moment later he heard a step at his side, and the captain’s voice -saying: - -“Here are the orders for the monitors. You understand what you are to -do. I shall give you further orders later.” - -Phil took the two envelopes and put them carefully in his pocket; then -seeing his captain’s hand still extended, he grasped it warmly. - -“We little realize how much depends upon our success to-night,” -Commander Hughes said in an earnest voice. Then casting from him -the air of depression, he added lightly, “Our star is still in the -ascendent. We shall not consider failure.” - -Phil gazed almost worshipfully at his captain as the latter left him, -going forward toward the gunboat’s bridge to make the signal which -would launch the fleet upon its perilous mission; then he was conscious -that Sydney stood by him and the officer of the deck appeared anxious -to have the big launch shove off. Together the lads descended the -ladder, followed by Emmons as an interpreter for the Chinese crew men, -for Langdon had been detailed to remain to pilot the fleet. - -Quietly the fleet got under way, forming in column of vessels with the -American gunboat leading. Then as if by signal, commencing with the -leader, each of the gunboats dissolved into the night. To the lads it -appeared as if a cloak had been thrown over each vessel. - -“Their lights are all screened!” Sydney exclaimed. “Look! you can -barely see the vessel following the ‘Phœnix.’” - -Phil allowed his eyes to travel over the scene where a moment before -many lights pierced the darkness; now all that was visible was the -shadowy form of the American vessel scarce a hundred yards away and a -dark smudge of the next following; all others had vanished from view. - -In the long, tedious hour necessary to arrive at the anchored monitors, -the midshipmen stood by O’Neil and Emmons at the launch’s wheel. Their -pulses beat high in semi-dread at what the night would bring forth. -They had seen enough of the marksmanship of the forts to know that -their gunners were not to be despised. The island, behind which the -gunboats were to find refuge in passing the forts, was low, but being -covered with a dense growth of giant reeds, would conceal all but the -lofty spars of the vessels, which for greater security had been lowered -to the decks. - -“Is there any doubt of the existence of this channel?” Sydney -questioned Emmons, a sudden fear of treachery coming into his mind, -for if it were not there the gunboats endeavoring to find its entrance -would ground upon the shifting shoals of the river and when day dawned -be under fire at close range of the enemy’s guns. - -“I have navigated my launches on the river for six years,” Emmons -replied, “and never until the Tartar general gave me this chart did I -suspect that the channel existed. There is a legend among the Chinese -sailors that it was used by war junks a half century ago in escaping -from British men-of-war.” - -After arriving at the anchorage of the monitors, for the “Monadnock” -now lay near her consort, Phil directed the launch be steered alongside -the farthest gunboat. Refugees, men, women and children, carrying in -their hands but the necessary clothes for one night, quickly embarked -and were carried expeditiously to the monitors, where Phil gave -Commander Hughes’ verbal instructions and the written orders. - -This duty completed, the launch once more drew up alongside of the -“Phœnix’s” gangway ladder. - -“Mr. Perry!” called a voice from the bridge, which Phil recognized as -that of his captain. “Remain in the launch and start ahead of us. If -you find less water than our draft, signal us at once.” - -Phil acknowledged the order and gave the word to proceed. He had taken -the precaution to make a rough sketch of the chart; now laying the -sheet of paper on the deck house under the ray of a bull’s-eye lantern -he judged the course to steer. O’Neil swung the launch’s bow in the -compass direction, while the Chinese leadsman stood ready to test the -depth of water with his bamboo pole. - -Silently they sped onward; the low island across the river slowly took -shape and the lad directed the boatswain’s mate to steer for the end of -the black line barely discernible above the water. - -“We are now within the arc of fire of the forts,” Phil whispered to -Sydney; “from here to the island the gunboats will be unprotected if -discovered by the sentries at the guns. However, it’s long range, and -fortunately the night is dark.” - -Silently and regularly the leadsman thrust downward his pole until -twelve feet, three feet greater than the maximum draft of the gunboats, -was buried beneath the surface. - -All on board the launch were silently anxious. The deep channel of -the river had been left behind and, under the train of the fort guns, -they were traveling over water that on the charts issued by the home -government showed barely enough water to float a row-boat, and yet the -leadsman untiringly plunged his bamboo to a distance of twelve feet -without touching the sandy bottom. Hope rose in Phil’s heart. - -“Emmons’ chart is true!” Sydney exclaimed in a low, joyful voice. “See, -we’re nearly abreast of the point. In a few minutes more the island -will be between us and the guns.” - -Phil’s eyes traveled excitedly over the scene; the forts, some -thousands of yards away, were enshrouded in darkness; the island -appeared ever more distinct, the deep shadow of its high vegetation -rising ghastly from the water. - -“Round the point close,” Phil directed O’Neil, “and keep in to the -shore-line.” - -Boldly the launch neared the dark land, now so near at hand that it -seemed possible in the darkness to reach out and touch the long, -overhanging reeds. The dry rustle of the wind among the rank growth -seemed in the silence almost as loud as the footsteps of an army -marching. - -So far all seemed to be progressing happily for the allies. The channel -was an established fact and the midshipmen saw with relief that once -behind the island the gunboats could not be seen by the soldiers in -the forts. The island was narrow, but so long that when the vessels -emerged from its protection above the city of Ku-Ling, they would be in -the dead angle of the heavy batteries and well beyond the range of the -lighter guns. - -The launch chugged steadily onward, the intention being to discover if -possible any shoaling of the water in the channel, but the leadsman’s -bamboo pole betrayed no change. - -“What’s that ahead, sir?” O’Neil exclaimed suddenly; “It’s a launch, -I’m sure.” - -The lads strained their eyes in the direction indicated, but could see -nothing; then a light shot into the air, followed by a shower of sparks -and a bright flame, and again all was darkness. - -“What does it mean?” Phil gasped in sudden alarm. “It’s a launch, -that’s sure. She’s carrying no lights, and the flame from her -smoke-stack shows she has seen us and is making haste to escape.” - -“She’s going faster than we are, too,” O’Neil exclaimed, his keen eyes -detecting what the midshipmen had failed to see. - -“Do you smell smoke?” Sydney questioned anxiously. - -A moment later there was no longer doubt of the presence of smoke; -a light breeze from the direction of the island carried the pungent -odor of burning brush down the wind to the nostrils of the surprised -Americans. - -“There’s a fire on the island!” O’Neil suddenly exclaimed. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX - -THE SECRET CHANNEL - - -After the Americans had departed, leaving Ta-Ling tightly bound and -gagged on the cell floor, the Chinaman remained quietly bemoaning his -cruel destiny. He knew from the silence throughout the yamen that it -would be futile for him to waste his strength in useless struggling at -the bonds that bound him. His Oriental mind counseled self-destruction. -There was no alternative to wipe out the dishonor of being defeated -and humiliated by his despised enemies. The loss of his sacred cue was -a bitter misfortune. How could he appear before his brother mandarins -with this necessary appendage missing? The more he revolved the -situation over in his mind, the calmer he became. His Western teaching, -with its more worldly and less devious ways of thought, came to his -aid, driving away all ideas of self-destruction, and he resolved that -he would fight according to the methods taught by his new learning so -long as life remained him. - -It seemed to the helpless man that many hours must have passed while he -remained motionless on the damp earth. He had during this time thought -over and over again of all that had been said by the Americans. While -he lay to all appearances insensible, he had heard the wording of the -cipher message to the American commander. He had been upon the point of -sending the cablegrams to the American ship, but now they were in the -hands of the midshipmen and he had heard them say that they would not -give them to their captain. So much of the plan of his ally, Commander -Ignacio, was a failure. - -The missing chart which he felt sure had been taken by Emmons caused -him the greatest anxiety. He had intended to block this channel with -sunken stone-laden junks, but with the usual roundabout methods of the -Chinese he had found the mandarin in charge of such work could not load -the junks for some days, so he had passed it by, believing that the -presence of such a channel would remain a secret. Hang-Ki, the Tartar -general, could be the only one of those in the secrets of the yamen -who would dare thwart him. Ta-Ling’s veins swelled with suppressed -anger as he blamed his ill-luck for not having succeeded in his attempt -on the general’s life. This man he felt sure was also in the daring -plot which had liberated the Americans and placed him, second only in -power to the viceroy, in chains, helpless, while his carefully-laid -scheme of forever ridding China of the foreign leeches was falling like -a house of cards about his head. - -While his mind grappled with the intricate intrigues, there came a dull -boom of heavy cannon, shaking violently the yamen. Again and again -the earth was shaken and the deep tones of discharges of great guns -reverberated through the vast building. - -What did it mean? Had the Americans then succeeded in escaping and were -the fort guns firing upon them? How could they escape by water when -every launch had been wrecked by his trusted soldiers? - -The yamen now was no longer silent. Ta-Ling could hear shrill cries and -the hurried march of feet. Men were running wildly here and there, an -unknown fear in their hearts. The Chinaman’s hopes rose; the viceroy -would send for him to know the cause of the firing and he must before -long be discovered. He tugged desperately but fruitlessly at his bonds, -but Langdon had done his work well. - -Exhausted and breathless, he at length resigned himself to fate. Then -he heard his own name cried by the viceroy’s crier, resounding loudly -throughout the yamen. After what seemed an eternity, the door of his -cell was thrown open and several guards entered the dark prison. - -“Here they are,” he heard a soldier exclaim, and then he felt himself -grasped roughly and carried out into the courtyard. - -The next moment a light was thrust in his face and then the guards -recoiled in mortal fear as they beheld the features of the Chinese -tyrant. - -“We beg a million pardons, Excellency,” the leader cried, cringing -before the terrible eye of the viceroy’s secretary, while his -companions prostrated themselves before him. - -Ta-Ling made a sign to remove his gag, his joy at deliverance fighting -with his outraged dignity at being so roughly handled. - -“Take off these irons, you dogs,” he hissed when he could speak; “the -keys are on the floor of the cell.” - -The keys were quickly brought from where Ta-Ling had seen them thrown -by the midshipmen, and soon he was free. - -“Meet me at the yamen gate,” he ordered huskily, kicking a kneeling -figure savagely to punctuate his words; and then he hastened to his -quarters to replace the clothes of which his former captives had -deprived him. - -Upon the threshold of his room he encountered the frail figure of the -aged mandarin, his features stamped with fear. - -“You traitor,” he cried in a weak trembling voice, as he caught sight -of the disheveled Ta-Ling; “so this is the end of your vain boasting. -The foreign dogs are coming to destroy me.” - -The secretary used all of his powers of persuasion to reassure his -master. He told the viceroy hurriedly of the escape of the Americans -and the loss of the chart, but protested that there was no immediate -danger from the guns of the fleet. - -Leading the trembling old man back to his own room, he called loudly -for the treasurer, appreciating that in order to make true his words to -his master not a second must be wasted. - -Receiving no answer to his call, he retraced his steps to his room, and -there he was not surprised to find the bound body of his friend in the -dark corner where Phil had thrown him. - -After setting the man free, he gave him hasty instructions and sent him -to keep the viceroy company, while he feverishly threw on the garments -of a mandarin before joining his awaiting soldiers. Hastily writing an -order he took it to the viceroy for signature, then calling a waiting -messenger he directed it be taken at once to the Tartar general at the -forts. - -Ten minutes later Ta-Ling, preceded by his guards, pressed through -the frightened throngs of Chinese in the narrow street outside of the -yamen. The gun fire had now ceased and the terrified natives were -slowly slinking back to their hovels. - -Passing unhindered through the city gate, the secretary led the way -directly to the jetty. Here he was to have met his ally, Commander -Ignacio, earlier in the evening, but much to his surprise and -satisfaction, as he reached the landing, he saw a steam launch waiting. - -“Can you take me to the ‘Albaque’?” he questioned the coxswain eagerly. - -The sailor glanced up in surprise. Where was his captain? He had seen -him, as he supposed, with this Chinaman. - -“I am waiting for the captain,” he replied, a shade of suspicion in his -voice. “Wasn’t he with you?” - -It was Ta-Ling’s turn to be surprised. - -“With me!” he exclaimed. “I was to have met him hours ago.” - -The coxswain shook his head, mystified. Had he not seen his captain go -away with this man? Then he suddenly thought of the crowd of Chinese -who had boarded a launch below him and had then gone alongside of his -ship. His captain surely could not have been among those men. He gave -it up. It was too deep for his understanding, for that launch had then -gone down the river shortly before the fight between the forts and a -strange war-ship. - -“All right; get in,” he said finally. - -In several minutes Ta-Ling was greeted warmly by the officer of the -deck of the “Albaque.” The latter was glad to see the Chinaman again. -The quartermaster of the gunboat had persisted that the launch of the -Chinaman had not landed, but had gone down the river, and the young -officer had commenced to fear that he had been duped into giving up -both the captain’s correspondence and the Chinese refugee. - -“May I see your captain?” Ta-Ling asked anxiously. “It’s of the utmost -importance.” - -“My captain has not returned!” the officer exclaimed, alarm in his -voice. - -“Where is he? quick, man! Everything depends upon my finding him at -once,” Ta-Ling cried in vexation. - -“He was with you; the launch was waiting for him,” the officer -returned, catching his breath, his heart in his throat. - -“I haven’t seen him since this morning,” the Chinaman declared -impatiently. “Does no one know of his whereabouts?” - -The officer was rooted to the spot from fright. His throat was parched -with fear and his tongue unruly. - -“You were here to-night asking for the papers of the captain,” he -managed to gasp, his worst fears realized. - -“You’re dreaming, man,” Ta-Ling retorted almost angrily. “Come, -explain! What do you mean?” - -The officer related to the anxious Chinaman how some one whom he could -have taken oath was he had come on board from a launch and he had given -him the copies of his captain’s letters to the viceroy, and also a -Chinese refugee who had escaped on board from the shore. - -Ta-Ling groaned in anguish as the full significance of this news dawned -upon him. The Americans evidently had Emmons--and his chart. But had -they escaped? That was surely the cause of the firing. - -“What was the firing?” Ta-Ling asked hurriedly. - -“An American monitor and the forts,” the officer replied in a shaky -voice. - -“What have I done?” he added questioningly, much terrified over the -results of his indiscretion. - -“You’ve given your captain’s letters to his enemy, for one thing,” the -Chinaman answered in his cruel voice, “and besides you have liberated a -man----” - -A shrill cry from the steam launch, which had, while waiting for the -Chinaman, hauled out to the lower boom to lie more securely in the -tideway, cut short Ta-Ling’s words and drew the two men to the rail. - -“There’s a man tied hand and foot in this boat,” called out the -coxswain in alarm. “It’s the captain!” he exclaimed with many -imprecations upon those who had perpetrated the deed. - -“Cut him loose, quick!” the officer cried excitedly. - -Eager hands quickly cut the tight cords, and Commander Ignacio soon -stood on his quarter-deck. - -“An hour ago I would have throttled you if you’d stood here before -me,” were his first words, spoken hoarsely and with difficulty to the -Chinaman, “but I see it all now. We’ve been unmercifully duped.” - -[Illustration: “_THERE IS STILL A CHANCE_”] - -With many bitter recriminations the whole plot and its disastrous -success was discussed. Commander Ignacio could barely control his rage -against the young officer who had innocently betrayed him. - -“Come, we must act at once!” Ta-Ling finally exclaimed. “There is still -a chance.” - -The foreign captain’s face brightened as he questioned eagerly the -excited secretary. - -“The channel will be useless to the fleet if we can burn off the reed -grass,” Ta-Ling explained quickly. “The land itself is low and will -not hide the gunboats from the forts. But we must be quick. That -fire-eating American will start immediately he receives the information -of this channel.” - -“Come to my cabin,” Ignacio ordered in a low voice, glancing -suspiciously at his abashed lieutenant. - -“If I understand you,” he continued as the door closed behind them, -“you ask me to aid you in burning the vegetation on this island.” - -“Certainly!” Ta-Ling cried impatiently. “Isn’t it to your interest that -this American does not succeed?” - -“Softly,” cautioned the foreign captain; “we don’t want our talk to -be common property,” indicating by a motion of his hand the hatchway -leading to the sleeping quarters of his officers; “some one may be -awake down there.” - -Ignacio pondered for a few seconds. To go in his own launch and set -fire to this island would betray his part in the intrigue with the -viceroy. His sailors could not be depended upon to keep such a secret. - -“I see no alternative but to decline,” he continued decidedly. “You -must do this act yourself; my men could not be trusted with such a -secret.” - -“I will furnish the men,” Ta-Ling cried, beside himself with -impatience. “You must furnish me a launch with some one to run it; but -hurry, man,” he urged excitedly. “The grass must be burned off before -the fleet arrives at the island, or else we are defeated.” - -Commander Ignacio immediately awoke to action. The thought of the -lieutenant who had innocently betrayed him came happily to his mind; he -could run the engine and the sailors could remain on board ship. The -secret would be safe with this officer. No one could connect him with -the act of burning the island. - -The lieutenant was called and was eager to regain his captain’s favor. -Ten minutes later the launch from the “Albaque,” manned by the Chinese -soldiers, with Commander Ignacio himself at the helm, had quietly left -the gunboat. - -Reaching the northern point of the island, a landing was made and a -Chinaman landed, armed with instructions from the viceroy’s secretary -to set fire to the grass in as many places as possible and to return in -time to be picked up on the launch’s return. - -The launch then steamed down stream, stopping at several points to land -the soldiers. - -As yet, all was well. The launch had run the complete length of the -long island, landing the incendiary soldiers; the south end of the -island was only a few hundred yards ahead. Ta-Ling directed the foreign -captain to steer once more to the steep shore. There were no more -soldiers remaining; the ten men had all been landed and ten fires were -by now burning fiercely in as many places on the long island. Stepping -ashore, he was soon lost in the high grass towering over twenty -feet above him. Lighting a fire-brand, hastily made of dry reeds, he -carefully applied it, as he walked along, to the dying vegetation. Now -in an hour the island would be a blazing furnace. For the rest of the -night the channels would be lighted as bright as day. Even the monitors -would not dare to attempt to pass the forts until the following night, -and by that time he would have fully revenged himself on the Americans -and escaped to the interior. He smiled cruelly as his thoughts dwelt -upon his cunning ruse upon the viceroy; the mandarin, in his excited -fear, had signed the order to Hang-Ki to withdraw his soldiers from the -mission to protect the forts. Now the bloodthirsty rabble, armed and -organized by him (Ta-Ling), could with impunity hurl themselves upon -the mission. - - - - -CHAPTER XX - -RUNNING THE BATTERIES - - -The midshipmen gazed fearfully toward the island. What could it mean? -Had the grass on the island been fired, and if so, would the fire reach -dangerous proportions before the fleet had safely passed its shelter? -What was the meaning of the launch ahead of their own? - -Suddenly from a point on the far end of the island a single flame of -fire shot in the air; the breeze caught it, helping it forward on its -career of destruction. Quickly at intermediate points fires appeared -to spring to life out of the very ground. Then, as if to complete the -picture of failure in Phil’s mind, a heavy reverberation shook the dry -air and the noise of a screeching shell came to his ears. - -“It’s the end,” gasped Phil as the search-light from the fort appeared -suddenly, as if the monstrous guns had been awakened from a sound -sleep and opened this one bright, piercing eye. - -The midshipmen were spellbound with fear as they saw the beam of light -sweep slowly along the island, penetrating the thick grass. For an -instant, as the bright ray swept by, the launch ahead stood out in bold -outline. - -“Ignacio’s launch!” Sydney exclaimed, aghast. Then the enemy dissolved -into the night. The light moved over their own launch and then step by -step approached the southern end of the island where, the lads knew, -was the column of advancing gunboats. - -An exclamation of relief escaped Phil as he saw the beam of light -stop and then sweep back along the island. As yet, the gunboats were -undiscovered. - -A terrible anxiety filled the lad’s mind. By now Commander Hughes would -know the meaning of the numerous fires. Would he turn back, believing -the attempt to run the forts would be a useless sacrifice? Here was -a situation from which there could be no protection. The channel ran -close to the island; the grass was dry and burned like a prairie fire. -After the great bonfire had once gained its head no living thing could -remain in the channel. In a half hour the fire would have devoured the -protecting screen and the gunboats would be in the direct view of the -fort guns. - -After the first alarm gun the forts had become silent, but the lads -watched the search-light swing back toward the allied fleet. Then -Phil’s heart seemed to stop beating, then beat faster for joy as the -hull of the “Phœnix” appeared, standing out ghastly in the glow of the -conflagration, steaming boldly onward; the white surge under the bow -showed the effort Commander Hughes was making to take his fleet as soon -as possible through the waters of the dangerous channel. Then the lads -saw the terrible light sweep along the length of the following column; -deliberately it moved, revealing one after another of the unprotected -gunboats. - -Then the sound of the fire so close at hand was drowned by a sullen -roar as the guns of the forts hurled their great shells toward the -daring gunboats, hastening forward silently to put the flames of the -burning island between them and this irresistible menace. - -“If they can get behind the fire before it gets too hot they’ll be -safe,” Phil cried clutching Sydney’s arm in his excitement. “They can’t -see through the fire; even the search-light will be useless.” - -“How many guns have you?” O’Neil asked suddenly. The boatswain’s mate -had in silence steered after the launch ahead, urging Emmons time and -again to encourage his men to speed the gasoline engine up to its -limit. “We can’t be no use to them gunboats,” he added in explanation; -“our job is to catch the fellows that set this here island on fire.” - -Phil withdrew his attention with difficulty from the terrible one-sided -battle raging astern of them, to answer the sailor’s question. - -“There are two stacks[3] and a thousand rounds of ammunition. Can we -catch them?” he questioned eagerly. - -“If we can’t, we can stop ’em with twelve rifles,” O’Neil replied -grimly. - -“I don’t dare fire on the launch,” Phil cried. “If we can overhaul -them, that’s another matter.” - -The spectacle now revealed to those on the launch was awe inspiring. -The forts had developed into a blaze of fire, while all about the -advancing gunboats shells struck incessantly. The sides of the small -vessels had burst into flame as they fired their small guns at the -distant enemy. The high vegetation on the island near them burned with -ever-increasing rapidity, the flames mounting high in the air and -lighting the surroundings as bright as dawn. - -The “Phœnix” now had entered the channel, and with her battery silent -cut swiftly through the brightly lighted water. The air was shaken by -the noise of shell and the shock of explosions. - -The flame of fire from the burning island formed a fiery veil, through -which the eye could not penetrate, but by the increased roar of -explosions and discharges, the lads felt confident that the monitors -were now engaging the forts. - -Another and even greater danger suddenly confronted the allies. The -breeze, which had been light, now had increased and was blowing the -suffocating smoke toward the channel. In a short while as the fire -gained headway the channel would be enshrouded in thick smoke through -which it would be well-nigh impossible to see. If by a fatal chance a -gunboat mistook the channel it would remain hard and fast aground and -in the morning would be destroyed by the forts. - -The “Phœnix” was now close aboard, a wave under her forefoot showing -her burst of speed. The air every minute became hotter and more -stifling and those on the launch without protection would soon suffer -from the scorching heat of the flames. - -A line whistled over the launch, while Commander Hughes’ cool voice -directed: - -“Make it fast, and keep under our lee. We’ll protect you from the heat.” - -Quickly the tow-line was secured in the bow of the launch and those -on board the smaller vessel were almost thrown from their feet as the -launch was dragged forward by the tautening of the tow-rope. - -Thicker and thicker, and more stifling, became the smoke. The Americans -wet their handkerchiefs, putting them over their mouths to enable them -to breathe. - -Phil wondered how the following gunboats were faring. The screech -of shell was no longer heard near them, but the reverberations of -discharges still smote upon their ears. - -Then after what seemed hours of anxious waiting they emerged into the -clear night. Filling their lungs with the pure air the lads gazed about -them. The island, a mass of soaring flame, was behind them, and far -away on the port quarter they could see the stirring spectacle of the -monitors hotly engaging the forts. The city of Ku-Ling had been passed; -the lights of the three anchored gunboats were indistinctly visible in -the darkness. - -“Where’s the launch?” Sydney exclaimed, gazing searchingly about him. - -“She’s back to the ‘Albaque’ by this time,” Phil replied -disappointedly. “If we could have only caught them red handed. That -means that Ta-Ling and Ignacio have both been set free, for only they -would set fire to the island.” - -Inside of ten minutes, Captain Hughes’ voice hailed them: - -“Let go the line. We are going to anchor.” - -The line was quickly cast off and a moment later, the lads were on -the deck of the gunboat, warmly congratulating their captain upon his -well-earned success. - -“Signal the monitors to join us and be ready to land their sailors,” -the captain ordered the signal officer, then turning to Langdon, “We -must take the chance from this side. Perhaps we shall find the bridge -intact.” - -The allied gunboats one after another dropped their anchors near the -“Phœnix.” As they passed the American vessel the crews manned the rails -with lusty cheers, which the “Phœnix’s” crew returned with a will. - -“Here they come,” Sydney exclaimed in admiration as the two victorious -and unharmed monitors steamed swiftly toward their flagship and -anchored one on each quarter. - -“This is to be only an American expedition,” Commander Hughes declared -to the eager midshipmen. “Four hundred men all told from the three -ships.” - -Quietly and without confusion the American war-ships lowered their -boats and embarked their sailors. And inside of twenty minutes after -anchoring the strong force had started for the shore to push forward to -the relief of the mission. - -Phil and Sydney remained with Commander Hughes, who had elected to lead -the force in person. - -As the boats grounded upon the sandy shore the sailors noiselessly -fell in ranks under their officers. The American captain, with Langdon -as guide, took the lead, followed closely by the two midshipmen with -O’Neil and a dozen men. The main force came along a hundred yards -behind them. - -As yet all was silent. The forts had ceased their fire, and no sound -came from the direction of the mission. - -The force moved at a lively pace over the rough ground. The sailors -had been cautioned to move noiselessly, and all loose metal had -been carefully muffled; everything depended upon the possibility of -surprise, or else upon gaining admittance to the compound of the -mission before the enemy had gathered to the attack. - -Phil marched by Langdon’s side; his blood warmed for adventure, and he -hoped that this time he would be able to see and enjoy the fighting. -During the few minutes in the attack on Lien-Chow, he had been so much -occupied in forcing Commander Ignacio to charge the enemy that he had -failed to take note of all save the sound of the bullets as they had -whistled past him. He rejoiced in the coolness and tact shown on all -occasions by his friend Langdon; his duty was not to fight, yet he was -ever eager to risk his life wherever Commander Hughes suggested. - -The Americans moved steadily onward, Langdon time and again leaving -the narrow road to circle a small hamlet with its shading willow trees -in an endeavor to avoid the discovering bark of the always-present -Chinese dog. Fortunately the countryside was deserted; there were no -travelers on the road to flee and give warning of the approaching band -of hostiles. - -As the distance to the mission diminished, the sailors grasped their -rifles more firmly, ever expecting to hear the discharges and see the -flashes of the guns of an ambushing enemy. - -While the expedition was ascending a small hill covered with the graves -of centuries of China’s dead, Langdon turned quietly to his captain -and pointed to an indistinct mass coming in sight beyond the ridge -ahead of them. - -“The mission,” he whispered; then he stopped in his tracks, while those -behind pressed forward eagerly to know the cause. The metallic bark of -a Colt gun rang out distantly on the quiet evening air, accompanied by -the duller rattle of musketry. The mission was already being attacked. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI - -TO THE RESCUE OF THE MISSION - - -The ominous sound of strife sent shivers up and down Phil’s spine; the -mission was surrounded by a force far in excess of the handful guarding -the helpless ones inside its wall; but the droning sound of the Colt -gun was reassuring; it showed that Lieutenant Wilson had been on the -alert, and he knew that officer well enough to believe that he would -sacrifice himself and every man with him before the women and children -were allowed to fall into the hands of the cruel Chinese mob. - -These thoughts flashed through Phil’s mind while the sailors quickened -their pace in obedience to Commander Hughes’ orders. - -Reaching the crest of the hill, Phil gazed with his companions through -the darkness down upon the valley between the mission hill and the one -on which they were standing. - -“Don’t deploy yet,” Langdon cautioned in a whisper to the American -commander, who, he observed, was on the point of forming for the -attack; “we must cross the bridge over that irrigation ditch in the -middle of the valley; you can see the shadow of willows along it from -here. Once across that, all will be clear ground between us and the -mission.” - -They pressed forward until the pilot raised his hand warningly and -Commander Hughes signaled a halt. Langdon, motioning Phil to accompany -him, left the column and advanced cautiously along the road toward the -bridge, concealed from their view by a group of willow trees. Reaching -the bridge, the pilot examined carefully the bamboo structure, then he -gingerly placed his heavy foot on the wooden planking, testing it with -his great weight of over two hundred pounds. Motioning Phil to remain -where he was, he then walked cautiously across the bridge to test the -fastenings on the other side of the deep ditch. The midshipmen saw his -huge bulk dissolve in the darkness, but in a few moments he returned -and his discovery was calculated to bring despair to the stoutest -heart. They quickly joined the main body, waiting impatiently to push -forward to the rescue of their comrades. - -“Many of the lashings are cut on the far side, sir,” Langdon exclaimed -in a low, excited voice; “one or two men at a time can probably cross -in safety, but no more. There is no other bridge for five miles, and -that may be in a similar condition.” - -Here indeed was an effective stop to the eager sailors in sight of the -battle between their comrades and the bloodthirsty enemy. The volume of -musketry fire directed upon the mission had increased alarmingly, and -at frequent intervals came the roar of artillery. - -“Breaching the wall or shelling the gate,” Phil whispered in an awed -voice as his eyes caught the flash of a heavy explosion at the base -of the wall. His gaze, accustomed to the darkness, traveled over the -ground across the ditch; it was strewn with high mounds, graves of -forgotten Chinamen, and the lad saw that the natural protection offered -excellent cover for the sailors when once across the shaky bridge -structure; but, and a great fear rose in his mind, it would also aid -the enemy in its endeavor to prevent the rescuers from crossing the -nearly destroyed structure. Were those mounds even now concealing a -large force of Chinese soldiers, who, when the unwary foreigners had -rushed upon the tottering bridge, and many had fallen to the bottom -of the deep culvert fifty feet below, would open fire upon their -demoralized comrades, cut off from further attempts to succor those -inside the mission compound? - -The sailors advanced in silence to the edge of the ditch, and then -Commander Hughes, grasping Langdon’s arm, stepped boldly upon the -treacherous planking, whispering to the midshipman hurriedly: - -“Stay on this side and send the men over two at a time.” - -As soon as the midshipman saw that his captain and the pilot were -safely on the other side, he and Sydney silently selected two sailors -to follow; then in turn two more to cross the intervening space. Slowly -those on the wrong side of the bridge decreased; Phil could see that -Commander Hughes had deployed his men to protect the bridge in case of -a sudden attack, while he and Langdon at the far side of the bridge -were receiving and instructing the men after they had crossed the -swaying structure. Then without warning, a flash of flame shot out into -the night from the direction of the Chinese graves, and the screech of -hostile bullets sounded loudly about the foreigners. Phil, from his -position, saw the figures beyond the bridge seek refuge behind a high -mound, and then the reverberation of the sailors’ rifles told him that -Commander Hughes was returning the fire in the hopes of protecting from -the hot fire of the enemy those still to cross the ditch. - -The bridge was already swept by a hail of lead; a groan from a man at -his side told him that unless they crossed quickly, there would be but -few remaining at all to cross the tottering bamboo. He sent five men at -a time, watching fearfully until he saw them disappear in the gloom; -then six followed; the bridge stood the weight, but swayed and seemed -on the point of falling. There were now but four remaining, Sydney and -two men, one of whom lay sorely wounded on the ground at his feet. - -“Go, Syd!” the lad exclaimed to his brother midshipman. The lad shook -his head, forcing the remaining sailor before him; then by mutual -consent he and Phil lifted tenderly the wounded man. - -Carefully they picked their way across the bullet-swept, swaying -structure. With their burden, they reached the middle in safety; Phil -shuddered as his eyes took one fleeting glance at the fall below him. -Amid the noise of strife, the tearing of the thongs, holding the bridge -on the far side, gave the two officers no warning, and not until the -floor tilted to an unnerving angle did they see that they must hasten -if they would not be precipitated to the bottom of the ditch. The -wounded man was a dead weight on their hands; Phil, when he had felt -the bridge sinking under him, ran his hand nervously over the face of -the wounded sailor; the drooping jaw told him that he had passed beyond -mortal aid. - -“He’s dead; save yourself!” he cried loudly to his companion as he let -fall his burden and sprang forward. - -By almost superhuman effort, side by side, the whistle of the enemy’s -bullets in their ears, they threw themselves at the rising earth as -their platform with increasing speed sank beneath them. - -Clutching at the crumbling earth, digging their fingers deep into the -rank grass, while the bridge behind them fell with a great crash into -the stagnant and noisome water fifty feet below, the two lads drew -themselves up, breathless but safe. - -Phil quickly found Commander Hughes, who had sought cover behind a -mound and was waiting until his men became steadied before giving the -order to advance. - -Langdon threw his great arms about the lads as they reached the -protecting earth mound, while the captain’s voice struck encouragingly -upon their ears. - -“Splendid!” he exclaimed. - -“He was dead, sir,” Phil said sorrowfully. “We couldn’t have saved his -body and ourselves too.” - -Silence lasted for several minutes, each reverencing the visit of death. - -“We must win now!” Commander Hughes exclaimed grimly. “And we must -repair that bridge before we can return. But come; we must leave our -cover and drive these Chinamen from our path.” - -Suiting his action to his words, he blew a shrill blast from his -whistle, the signal on the skirmish line for “attention.” - -“Forward,” he commanded in a voice that sounded loudly above the din of -musketry. - -The sailors sprang forward with enthusiasm; the long wait under the -fire of an unseen enemy had bottled up their energy. Each sailor’s -foremost desire was to come to close quarters with the treacherous -Chinamen. The long, slender line moved upward toward the mission crest; -the men taking cover as they found it, and shooting when their keen -eyes discerned a shadowy form skulking away before their advance into -the darker shadows. - -The sharp rattle of the Colt guns told the advancing men that the -mission was stubbornly resisting. - -Phil moved incessantly along the advancing skirmish line, carrying -orders from his captain to the flank companies; the alarming song of -the bullets ever in his ears. - -“Press forward, keeping the guide on the center!” had been Commander -Hughes’ simple instructions, and faithfully were they being carried out -by the determined men. The mission loomed through the darkness scarce -five hundred yards distant; the tongues of flame from its wall answered -by cries of rage and defiance from the enemy’s position inspired the -rescuing sailors to renewed exertions to reach the protecting compound. -The Chinese who had opened fire upon the Americans during the passage -across the ill-fated bridge had stolen away toward the shadowy flanks; -between the advancing sailors and their objective there were now no -answering shots. Then suddenly the battery which had been hurling shell -at the stone wall of the mission turned its fierce attention upon the -unprotected rescuers. - -“Seek cover!” Commander Hughes ordered; and the men huddled together -in groups, thankful for the homes of the dead, which furnished such -perfect protection from the well-directed fire of grape and canister -from the Chinese artillery, now giving its undivided attention to the -approaching reënforcements. - -Commander Hughes saw that a new danger confronted the success of his -undertaking; those in the mission as yet could not know of the close -proximity of their friends, and might they not in their vigorous -defense turn the muzzles of their Colt guns against them? The thought -was fearful to contemplate. - -“Mr. Perry,” he ordered in a strained voice, “those guns,” pointing -to the hill on the right from which long tongues of flame darted -momentarily, “must be silenced. We dare not advance further under their -murderous fire. Take a hundred men and flank them.” - -Phil gasped at the suddenness of the order, thanking his captain in his -heart for his confidence in his ability to do what seemed to the lad -impossible. - -“Langdon will show you the way,” Commander Hughes ordered quickly; -“don’t expose your men to our own fire. I shall endeavor to get word to -the mission. Mr. Monroe will remain with me.” - -As silently as possible Phil selected those to go with him, among them -being his old friend O’Neil, leading them on a run back toward the -ditch which had been crossed scarcely a quarter of an hour before; -then he gathered the men about him to explain the dangerous work for -which they had been chosen. - -“We shall get on the flank of the artillery, and when the order is -given to advance we must gain a position from which we can charge -directly upon the battery. The lives of all depend upon our success.” - -The men in silence accepted the conditions, and in another minute -Langdon was leading the small band along the deep ditch in the shadow -of the bordering trees. After traversing a few hundred yards the pilot -paused at a road crossing the one they were on. - -“This is the road we took the other night,” Langdon whispered; “we -shall follow it for a short distance and then we shall be on the flank -and a little in rear of the Chinese position.” - -The command moved cautiously forward until the pilot stopped and -the midshipman knew that the position desired had been reached. -Deploying his men quietly, he bade them advance silently toward the -pandemonium of the Chinese attackers ahead of them. While he moved -forward up the gentle rise of the land he could see distinctly the -bright flashes from the enemy’s guns, but his own men were as yet -undiscovered and protected by the intervening crest of the low hill up -which they were doggedly marching. He glanced fearfully to his left -to see how Commander Hughes and his men were faring; that part of the -battle-ground was in darkness; the Chinese seemed now too much absorbed -in their desire to destroy the mission to give thought to the handful -of sailors known to have crossed the bridge before it collapsed into -the ditch below. - -Steadily the flanking party advanced toward the coveted position over -the uneven ground, the men casting apprehensive glances to left and -right, their rifles held ready for instant conflict. - -While Phil’s attention was absorbed by the stirring sight ahead of him, -against which he would in but a few minutes launch his hundred men in -what seemed a forlorn hope, to take and silence the formidable battery -now exerting itself to the utmost to breach the wall of the compound, -a terrifying danger loomed before him. The sailors in the compound -were delivering a murderous fire from their Colt guns, directed at the -troublesome artillery, but many of the bullets were falling alarmingly -close to the flanking force. The midshipman realized that he must go no -farther; with the battery scarce three hundred yards in his front and -his men as yet undiscovered he must call a halt and remain without that -awful zone of fire until their friends on the mission wall had been -apprised of his intentions by Commander Hughes. - -The word was passed quietly by word of mouth along the line, and the -sailors, keyed to the highest pitch of excitement, threw themselves -face downward on the ground, while less than a hundred yards ahead of -them a storm of bullets swept every inch of the soil. - -“It looks black,” Langdon breathed in the grass close to Phil’s ear as -they both were racked by ominous foreboding while watching the sweep -of the devastating stream of bullets; “they haven’t got word to the -mission yet that we are here; if those guns are pointed ten degrees -further this way, it will be all up with us. See,” he added pointing -in the direction of the active artillery, “those guns are behind -intrenchments, for otherwise the Chinese could not have stood such a -murderous fire for a minute. It’s withering,” he gasped with a shudder, -while the singing of bullets redoubled, seeming to be slowly drawing -their deadly zone nearer to encompass the crouching sailors. - -Phil cast his anxious eyes often on the dark slope of the mission hill -where he had left the main force under Commander Hughes, but the night -was too dark for him to discover what was going forward. There was -nothing for him to do save wait with what patience he could muster. To -rush ahead could mean but annihilation at the hands of his own guns. He -must not open fire upon the battery, so close that the smell of burning -powder was rank in his nostrils; to do so might draw the fire of the -Colt guns, for how could the mission know that help was so near at hand? - -After what seemed an eternity to the anxious men, the fire of the Colt -guns suddenly ceased, while from the Chinese position, believing no -doubt that their enemy was weakening, a great volume of musketry fire -added its roar to that of the big guns. Phil felt the moment had come; -the cessation of the rhythmical discharges of the Colt guns must be the -result of communication between Commander Hughes and those defending -the compound. He glanced anxiously through the night toward the hidden -enemy, while he was at that moment framing the words which would send -his hundred men in a mad dash against an intrenched foe, counting their -numbers by the thousands. - - - - -CHAPTER XXII - -THE LAST CHARGE - - -With the order to charge trembling on his lips, Phil hesitated. What -did the silence of the mission tell him? Had Commander Hughes succeeded -in gaining an entrance, and had the mission ceased its fire by his -order to allow the midshipman’s party to flank the battery so intent -upon breaching the wall through which the savage horde would surge into -the enclosure, butchering every Christian found there? - -He turned to O’Neil, lying quietly beside him in the high grass. -Through many adventures the lad had become thoroughly convinced of the -sailor’s good and calm judgment. He turned to him now, a grave fear -in his mind that precious moments were slipping away, yet if he made -a mistake and that withering fire should again be loosened, all would -indeed be lost. - -“Are they waiting to allow us to advance?” he whispered, half rising to -his feet. - -“Wait,” O’Neil cautioned; “if they know we’re here they’ll signal. -See!” he added, his eyes fixed upon the mission. - -Even as he spoke, a bright light flamed suddenly above the wall, its -appearance awakening the enemy to renewed action. - -Each of the hundred sailors turned his eyes expectantly toward the -mission. The light burned brightly and then flickered regularly and -evenly for a few seconds, again burning steadily. - -“You’re right; signal!” Phil exclaimed, straining his eyes to read the -message which he knew would be spelled out by that flashing light. - -Slowly, painfully the bright point of light appeared and disappeared; -all who knew the navy code were reading, with muscles tense and breath -held tight, the encouraging words flashing to them from across the -intervening darkness: - -“We are holding our fire.” - -There was small need to give the order to charge; every sailor in that -impatient line in but a moment knew that those in the mission were -waiting and trusting to them for deliverance from the murderous fire of -the Chinese artillery. - -The lad rose to his feet, grasping his revolver firmly, and as one -man the sailors swept forward. Three hundred yards ahead four pieces -of modern artillery were battering away at the concrete wall of the -mission, while dusky figures, believing their foe had been silenced, -swarmed boldly over the grassy slopes behind and on either side of the -guns. So noiselessly did Phil’s men advance that the enemy were even -now ignorant of the presence of a foe so near at hand. - -“When we charge,” Langdon whispered breathlessly, “order the men to -yell; the Chinese are as much afraid of noise as they are of bullets.” - -Phil had always trained his men in their drills to charge cheering. Now -the time had arrived; in the next hundred yards the men would surely be -exposed to the view and fire of their enemy; concealment then would not -be an advantage; the Chinese should see and hear the danger in order -to have it strike terror to their hearts. - -Raising his whistle to his lips, Phil blew a shrill blast. - -“Open fire!” he shouted at the top of his lungs, “and charge, men, -cheering!” he added, raising his voice in an excited shout as he sprang -forward, leading the way toward the now startled enemy. - -The sailor line, an advancing sheet of flame, charged straight for -the crest of the hill in front. The Chinese, occupied in their -attack on the mission, had never dreamed that the small body of men -believed to have crossed the bridge would dare attack a position as -impregnable as theirs. Then out of the night, without warning, what -seemed to their superstitious minds a thousand yelling demons came as -lightning towards them. If these were the foreigners that had crossed -the bridge a miracle had been wrought and their number increased a -hundredfold; their simple minds were ready to believe that the despised -foreign devils had taken wings and flown across the unbridged ditch. -An unreasonable terror seized the surprised Orientals; some threw -down their guns and deserted precipitously, while others showed their -military training in turning gallantly and firing fiercely at the -rapidly approaching attackers; some even made a vain effort to turn the -artillery in the direction of the unlooked-for attack, but the charging -Americans were amongst them before a single gun could be moved. - -His revolver tightly gripped, Phil fired blindly at the shadowy forms -now but a few yards from him; the bright flashes of his shots revealing -the terror in his victims’ faces as they gave way before him, and -then screaming with pain and an unconquerable fear, melted into the -night. Deafeningly in his ears rang the discharges of both the pilot’s -and O’Neil’s revolvers, unerringly mowing down those who dared stand -in their path, while on either side he saw his men fire volley after -volley into the mass of totally demoralized Asiatics. Without leaders -to stay them, their wild terror had put wings to their feet, and in but -a few minutes the Americans found themselves in undisputed possession -of the fortified position held so recently by their enemy. - -Phil could hardly believe his eyes; he glanced joyfully about him at -the four guns and his exultant men crowding into the enemy’s deserted -trenches. O’Neil’s cool voice soon brought him to a realization of his -duty; his thoughts had been full of his easily-won victory against such -a formidable foe. - -“We must hold this hill,” the sailor exclaimed; “if the Chinese find -out how few men we have they’ll try to retake it.” - -“You’re right, O’Neil,” he answered quickly; “but I must send word to -Commander Hughes. I’ll stay here while you, Langdon, take a dozen men -and give the captain the news; he may have some new move in mind.” - -Langdon readily agreed, and after a hand-clasp with the midshipman, the -pilot led his handful of men back toward the main American force. - -After his friend had gone, Phil, with his boatswain’s mate, looked -carefully over the situation. He saw with joy that the enemy had left a -great store of ammunition for the artillery pieces, and that the guns -were similar to those his men used for drill on board ship. He started -his men to work with a will and in a few minutes they had turned the -guns’ muzzles away from the mission and directed them toward the line -of the enemy’s flight. - -“This is the very thing, sir,” O’Neil cried, showing the midshipman -a shell which he recognized at once as canister; “they can’t do much -against us if we can find plenty of that kind.” - -Phil immediately ordered a search, with the result that nearly half of -all the ammunition boxes were found to contain these deadly cartridges. - -Scarcely had the survey been completed when the Americans found -themselves suddenly subjected to a heavy musketry fire from the -direction taken by the fleeing enemy; the lad could see distinctly -shadowy forms darting here and there from behind the mound-like graves, -and each moment the figures drew closer and seemed bolder; Phil -realized that their enemy had been rallied in its precipitous retreat -by a trusted leader and now the reassured Chinese were advancing -intent upon recapturing the guns which they had abandoned in their -demoralized stampede. A few of his men had already opened fire upon -the misty forms, but the lad saw at once that the battery could not be -saved by the weak fire of less than a hundred rifles. - -“Cease firing!” he shouted above the increasing din of battle. “To the -guns, men; load with canister!” - -Obediently the sailors dropped their rifles and took their stations -at the four guns, the leading men, petty officers, instructing those -under them as coolly as if they were but drilling recruits on board -ship. Phil heard the metallic rasping of the shells as they were loaded -into the breeches of the guns and the silvery ring of the breech plugs -thrown quickly shut. The guns’ crews stood silently ready, waiting for -the word from their young leader. - -Controlling his excitement, the lad delayed the expectant word to open -fire; the Chinese, in their eagerness to discredit the bravery of their -enemy, mistook the silence to mean that the foreigners had retreated -and came boldly on, shouting their fanatical war-songs and exposing -their numbers to the view of the Americans waiting to open upon them -with their own artillery. The sailors trained their artillery pieces in -silence, keeping the muzzles pointed in the direction of the reckless -horde of delirious Chinamen. - -Then swiftly at a word from the midshipman the four guns in unison -roared out a challenge, leaving death and destruction in the path of -the hundreds of bullets fired at once from the bores of the guns. Again -the reverberation shook the hilltop and again the leaden hail poured -into the now disordered ranks of the advancing fanatics. As rapidly as -if the guns’ crews were at target practice, the four guns spoke, each -time cutting deep gaps in the enemy’s line. After a feeble attempt to -rally the disordered legions, the Chinese leaders turned and fled, -followed by the already stampeded soldiers. - -Having assured himself that this time the enemy would not be likely to -return, Phil gave the order to cease firing and then turned his eyes -expectantly toward the mission, realizing that its inmates had seen the -attack and were doubtless anxious of the final outcome. However, in -but a few minutes the signal-light appeared and flashed out a message -which showed the boy that his captain had understood that he had -gallantly repulsed the sudden attack: - -“Am coming to join you.” - -Ten minutes later Commander Hughes, with a hundred more men at his -back, stood beside Phil in the enemy’s trenches; his captain was -unstinting in his praises, while Sydney, who had accompanied him, -hugged his chum delightedly; Langdon stood by an amused and pleased -spectator. - -“You’ve taught the enemy a lesson which they will not soon forget,” the -American captain exclaimed, “and they will not be likely to wish to -try conclusions with us again to-night, but at the same time we cannot -afford to treat the Chinese with too much scorn.” - -Phil quickly explained the find of canister, and the captain, much to -O’Neil’s embarrassment, called him up before the assembled sailors and -complimented him upon his ready resource. - -“It’s men like you, O’Neil,” he said warmly, “that make an expedition -of this kind possible.” - -O’Neil even in the darkness grinned sheepishly, as if he had been -discovered doing something for which he ought to have been ashamed. - -Great was the rejoicing in the mission at the unlooked-for deliverance, -and upon Commander Hughes’ order the relieved non-combatants quietly -packed up their most treasured belongings, ready to be conveyed through -the enemy’s country to the protection of the war-ships. - -It being found impossible to save the captured guns, Phil, with -O’Neil’s aid, deftly dismantled the breech mechanisms and, securing -a heavy axe from the mission, rendered quite useless the delicately -fitting parts, giving the sailors the damaged pieces to carry to the -ditch where they would be thrown into the stagnant water at the bottom. - -The missionaries, with tears in their eyes, bid farewell to their home, -expecting that after the sailors had gone, the Chinese would return -and send up in smoke that spacious monument to their earnest labors in -China. The party was obliged to make a wide detour to reach a bridge -some miles from the one crossed earlier in the night. - -Dawn was breaking when the commander led his victorious men with the -rescued missionaries safely to the bank of the river, where small -boats were waiting to transport them to the protection of the American -war-ships. As the last of the refugees disembarked at the gangway of -the “Phœnix,” the sun peeped out from behind the distant hills. - -Phil and Sydney longed for a few hours’ sleep, but they well knew that -if they succumbed to this desire they might miss altogether what they -felt would be the closing scenes in the drama. - -By signal, Commander Hughes at once ordered that all non-combatants be -sent on board the gunboats, and that the monitors hold themselves in -readiness to get under way within the hour. - -Phil’s hopes ran high as he and Sydney made themselves presentable -after their strenuous night’s experience. - -After a hasty breakfast the lads appeared on deck. There they found -their captain before them, gazing closely through his binoculars at -the distant forts. - -At the gangway three cutters were lying, and the landing force of the -“Phœnix,” rifles in hand, were standing in ranks ready to embark. - -“March the men into the boats, Wilson,” Commander Hughes ordered -suddenly, putting his binoculars in their leather case. Then as he -turned to go below to his cabin, “Mr. Perry, you and Mr. Monroe report -to Mr. Wilson.” - -“Where are we going?” Phil asked excitedly as he saluted the lieutenant. - -“To the ‘Monterey,’” Lieutenant Wilson answered, “but that’s as far as -I know. The captain must expect hot work; each of my men is ordered to -take two hundred rounds of ammunition.” - -“We’re going to storm the walled city,” Sydney exclaimed. “There’s no -sign of submission on either the forts or the viceroy’s yamen. The -captain means to rescue the four sailors and carry out his threats upon -Ku-Ling.” - -Phil’s pulses beat faster at the thought. Now war had been declared, -and his captain believed in striking promptly before his enemy had time -to gather his forces! - -Quickly the sailors were embarked in the waiting boats, and as -Commander Hughes, accompanied by Langdon, took his place in the stern -of the leading cutter, the oars were thrust out through the rowlocks -and the boats pulled with swift strokes alongside the monitor, anchored -only a few hundred yards down the river from the “Phœnix.” - -“Get under way, Barnes,” Commander Hughes ordered as he stepped on -board the “Monterey,” “and signal the ‘Monadnock’ to follow us. Bend on -the signal to her to ‘clear ship for action’; the gunboats will remain -here out of range of the fort guns.” - -The stirring call of the bugles sounded with its nerve-tingling ring -throughout the ship, repeated in a few minutes by the “Monadnock,” and -with a cheer of delight the crews disappeared below decks to their -stations for battle. - -Inside of fifteen minutes all was in readiness, and the heavy anchors -were lifted from the bottom of the river. - -With all the men not at gun stations behind the thick armor of the -small river battle-ships, the “Monterey” gracefully turned around close -to the fleet of anchored gunboats. Phil’s nerves were atingle as he -heard the admiring cheers of the allies float to them across the water. -Then the “Monterey,” her huge turret guns loaded and ready to open the -battle, and followed closely by her consort, steamed swiftly toward the -hostile forts. - -“Break the battle flags,” Commander Hughes ordered in his calm voice, -standing on the bridge beside the captain of the “Monterey,” while -Phil, Sydney and Langdon, in the lee of the conning-tower, gazed, -consumed with excitement, upon the forts, toward which the two big -twelve-inch guns were pointing. Phil saw on the flagstaff at the top -of the emplacement the proud yellow banner of China, with its monster -dragon endeavoring to swallow a red ball, just beyond the reach of its -fiery nostrils. - -“O’Neil is in the turret,” Sydney exclaimed to Phil at his side. “He -will fire one of the guns. I wonder if he can still shoot the way he -did at our record target practice when you had the after turret.” - -“He’s as steady as a rock,” Phil replied enthusiastically. “I’ll wager -that every one of his shots will go true. He was the best gun-pointer -on the ‘Connecticut.’” - -“What’s the range?” Commander Hughes inquired, a shade of excitement -creeping into his voice. - -“Three thousand yards, sir,” the officer at the range-finder called out -hoarsely. - -“Fire one shot at the nearest gun emplacement,” the American commander -ordered the “Monterey’s” captain, “and signal the ‘Monadnock’ to sheer -up abreast us and when the fort replies swing around and open with her -broadside.” - -Phil saw the alert signalmen swiftly signal with their small hand -flags the message to their consort, and then immediately afterward -the “Monadnock,” which had been steaming in the “Monterey’s” wake, -swung her bow in toward the city of Ku-Ling, which the two vessels -were rapidly passing. The high wall was thronged with Chinamen; their -curiosity having overcome their fear of the terrible foreign war-ships. - -The next second a heavy roar filled the air and the forts disappeared -completely from view in the brownish vapor from the turret gun. - -Grasping the rail tightly in his excitement, his heart beating like -a trip-hammer, Phil gazed through the quickly dissolving smoke. The -sonorous screech of the shell in his ears, he strained his eyes to pick -up the huge projectile, travelling nearly a half a mile a second toward -the hostile fort. - -Grasping the binoculars from Langdon’s hand, he raised them swiftly -to his eyes. A black dot appeared, upon which the lad focused his -attention, as if to lose it might mean a miss. He saw the bird-like -bolt rise high above the white stone emplacements, and knew on the -instant, from his long experience watching just such shells at the -peaceful drill of target practice, that the messenger of destruction, -filled with an explosive that would scatter death and consternation in -its path, would go true to its aim. - -“Right on top of the emplacement!” he shouted excitedly a half second -before a liquid fire flashed on the parapet of the forts, while tons of -earth and rock were scattered in every direction. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII - -THE FORTS SURRENDER - - -While Phil had been gazing spellbound at the half ton shell, fired by -O’Neil with such startling effect, Sydney was watching excitedly a -small squad of Chinese soldiers toiling painfully upward from the gun -emplacements. - -When the roar of discharge shook the air he had seen these small black -figures throw themselves behind the jutting rocks, and after the -missile had exploded upon the parapets of the forts, hurling by its -tremendous force a large gun backward from its substantial mountings, -these persistent dots of men again appeared to view, creeping steadily -upward. What did it mean? Were these men deserting their guns? - -Sydney heard his captain give the order to reload, and knew that within -the minute another shell would be speeding toward the enemy. The -foremost Chinaman had now reached the foot of the great flagstaff, and -the next second, to the lad’s delight, he saw the yellow banner flutter -slowly to the ground. - -“They are striking their colors,” he cried excitedly. - -All eyes turned in glad surprise toward the flagstaff to the right of -and above the gun emplacements. - -“A white flag!” Phil gasped, a tinge of disappointment in his voice, as -he saw the banner of submission mount the flagpole quickly. Now all was -over, and he had seen but one shot fired. - -“Cease firing!” Commander Hughes hastily ordered, fearing that the -next shot might, with the white flag displayed on the forts, cause the -Chinese to think that the monitor had intentionally disregarded the -sanctity of the emblem, thus precipitating an engagement with the forts -which the American officer was only too glad to avoid. - -The bugles sounded the retreat from firing, and disappointed faces soon -appeared from the turrets, to gaze out upon the unwelcome white flag -flaunting in the light morning breeze. - -“Follow us,” had been the signal to the “Monadnock,” and the two -victorious vessels, in column, made a graceful turn and then steamed up -stream toward the renegade gunboats anchored off Ku-Ling. - -“What does it mean?” Phil breathed excitedly to Langdon. - -“Something has happened,” Langdon exclaimed, shaking his head in -mystery. - -“The viceroy’s now going to send a flag of truce to us,” Sydney -suggested; “and I hope Ta-Ling comes with it. I’d certainly like to see -Phil hand him back the pigtail he borrowed.” - -Despite the seriousness of the situation all laughed at the thought of -the discomfited Chinaman without his cue. - -The ships were now passing close to the “Albaque”; the sailors of that -gunboat watched the American monitors in sullen silence. The midshipmen -looked in vain for Commander Ignacio; he was not on deck. - -“She’s ready to get under way,” Phil exclaimed, pointing to that -vessel. “See! her anchor gear is rove off and her steam launch has -been hoisted inboard.” Sure signs indeed that the gunboat was ready to -move. - -The “Monterey” slowly steamed by the renegades until the gate of the -city came in view from the river; then a rattle of chain announced that -the war-ship had anchored. - -The “Monadnock” had by order stopped astern and upon signal dropped her -anchor, so that in case of treachery that monitor’s big guns could be -readily trained on the forts. - -“Now, Barnes,” Commander Hughes said with energy, “call away the -landing force and set them ashore.” Then he drew Lieutenant Wilson -aside, talking earnestly with him for some minutes. - -Inside of another ten minutes the midshipmen found themselves on the -jetty of the foreign concession, while in ranks along the water front, -their rifles at the shoulder, stood three hundred stalwart sailors from -the three American ships. - -Phil glanced uneasily toward the high city wall. The gate he could not -see, but he knew it was closed and the drawbridge raised. Probably the -Chinamen he had seen on the wall when the monitors steamed down the -river were now peering out through the hundreds of loopholes, their -rifles ready to defend their city from the foreign invader, for the lad -knew that Lieutenant Wilson’s orders had been to rescue the sailors in -the yamen. - -“How shall we cross the moat?” he faltered to Langdon at his side. - -The question remained unanswered, for the next moment a heavy discharge -rent the still air, followed by an explosion near the city wall. Again -came the shock of firing and Phil saw that the “Monterey’s” big guns -had been fired at the main gateway of the city. - -Shell after shell sped quickly toward the gateway, scarcely five -hundred yards from the monitor’s guns. - -The lads gazed about them in bewilderment. How could this aid them? -Then the firing ceased and a flag waved rapidly from the war-ship. - -“Fours right,” Lieutenant Wilson cried excitedly, hastily leading the -column to the cross street up which the monitor had fired. Arriving -there, Phil gasped with admiration at the havoc wrought by the big -shells. The drawbridge was down across the moat and the great gate of -wood and iron had been literally torn from its huge hinges and thrown -bodily fifty feet within the city. - -In silence the sailors were led across the drawbridge, Phil noticing -the severed chains which had allowed the bridge to fall in place, and -then they were inside the city. - -No signs of life were visible, and the open doors and windows of the -houses showed plainly that the Chinese had departed suddenly, fearing -the shells of the foreigners. - -“To the yamen, Langdon,” Lieutenant Wilson cried eagerly. Then as the -pilot pointed out the direction: “Fix bayonets!” The rasping of the -three hundred bayonets as they were adjusted on the rifles lasted for -half a minute and then Lieutenant Wilson added sharply, “Forward, -double time.” - -At a run the rescuing column swept along the narrow street. - -Phil and Sydney eagerly raced ahead, followed closely by the lieutenant -and Langdon. After but a few minutes the midshipmen reached the gateway -of the yamen. - -An exclamation of grave concern from Sydney caused his companions to -cast anxious glances toward the expansive parade grounds in front of -the yamen gate. The sight that met their eyes was indeed disconcerting. -They had expected no more than feeble resistance, but there before -them, drawn up as if on parade, was a vast army of Chinese soldiers. - -“What’s the meaning of this?” Lieutenant Wilson asked falteringly, -coming to a sudden stop, while his men gazed in wonder at the thousands -of well-armed soldiers, apparently in battle array, awaiting the word -to begin the fight. - -“It means that viceroy Chang-Li-Hun has overshot his bolt,” Langdon -returned joyfully; “these men are of another province. Do you see their -yellow plumes? The viceroy’s soldiers wear red. - -“Sent by Peking,” he added. “It means the viceroy is to be brought to -account by his government.” - -While Langdon was speaking, a horseman rode rapidly toward the -Americans. Langdon walked out quickly to meet him when he drew rein -at the edge of the roadway, and immediately addressed him in his own -language. - -Then, after a few moments’ rapid talk, he turned to the lieutenant, a -broad smile on his face. - -“Just as I supposed. They are here to suppress outlaws. His general -has gone to the forts to confer with Hang-Ki. He says the viceroy has -refused to receive him.” - -“Tell him,” Lieutenant Wilson said hurriedly, “that four of our sailors -are held prisoners in the yamen, and that I am going to enter by force -if they refuse to open the gate.” - -“He says his men will not interfere,” the pilot returned, after a few -hurried words with the Chinese officer. “In fact, I believe they’d -gladly help us. This viceroy is not popular with the Manchus.” - -Without more ado Lieutenant Wilson knocked loudly on the gate with the -butt of his revolver. There followed a whispered consultation from -beyond the gate and then a small slit slid back suddenly, revealing a -pair of almond eyes, peering out suspiciously. - -Before Langdon could speak, the Chinese officer had dismounted from his -Tartar pony, and held the owner of the eyes in earnest conversation. -A moment later the slit was closed sharply, and the officer recoiled -angrily, muttering invectives at the rudeness of his rebuff. - -“He says, break in the gate,” the pilot laughed in amusement. - -Anticipating this move, Sydney had led a party of men to where a -telegraph pole was lying on the ground, ready to replace a pole -apparently condemned. - -“It couldn’t have been handier,” he exclaimed, as the men lifting it -moved it in position to batter in the gateway. - -A few forceful blows, and the American sailors poured through the -shattered gates. - -Another gateway barred further progress, and this was soon sent flying -to pieces and the foreigners found themselves within the main courtyard -of the viceroy’s palace. Never before had foreign sailors entered these -sacred precincts with hostile intent. - -“Mr. Perry, you and Mr. Monroe press ahead,” Lieutenant Wilson ordered. -“You know something of the yamen,” he added, a faint smile on his -earnest face. “Don’t be rash,” he warned. “I’ll be on hand if you need -aid, but it looks as if the yamen were deserted.” - -Quickly selecting a dozen men, among whom was O’Neil, who had pressed -forward to the midshipmen’s side upon entering the building, Phil led -the way toward the viceroy’s private apartments. - -The door through which they had entered the night before was bolted -from within, but by the united weight of Langdon and O’Neil it soon -opened obediently. They found this room empty, but the door to the -viceroy’s bedroom was open slightly. - -“Careful, Mr. Perry,” O’Neil cried, catching the lad’s arm and drawing -him back from the open door. - -The boatswain’s mate was just in the nick of time. A rifle muzzle had -suddenly been thrust through the opening and discharged, filling the -room with the noise of thunder. Phil recoiled in terror, his face -burning painfully from the heat of the discharge, while his ears were -deafened. - -“Do you see, sir?” O’Neil observed huskily, as he wrenched the rifle -from the Chinaman’s hand and clubbed him into insensibility before he -could run. “Always approach an open door with caution and from the -side.” - -Crowding into the viceroy’s bedchamber, the Americans were struck dumb -by the sadness of the spectacle before them. - -There in the great canopied bed lay the form of the aged viceroy; his -eyes were closed, while upon his parchment-like face had spread the -pallor of death. The room was empty save for a single figure standing -beside the bed, a look of mortal fear in his eyes. - -“Dead!” Phil whispered in awe at the sight, while he reverently removed -his cap. The sailors stood in silence, their heads uncovered, thrilled -by the scene. Chang-Li-Hun’s face, even in death, had not lost its -cruel expression. He lay there, silent, unconquered. The will of Peking -held no terrors for him now. - -[Illustration: _THE AMERICANS WERE STRUCK DUMB_] - -Langdon motioned to the Chinaman at the dead man’s bedside that no harm -would come to him, and after gaining courage, but eyeing fearfully -the insensible body of the last remaining guard, he came slowly to the -pilot’s side. - -“He says Ta-Ling has not returned,” Langdon breathed in a subdued voice -after a minute’s talk with the frightened man. “He’s the treasurer you -choked in the next room,” he continued hurriedly to Phil, “and he will -lead us to the cell where the sailors were confined.” - -The lad’s hopes ran high. If Ta-Ling had not returned, it might be -possible that the men were as yet alive. - -As the Americans hastened after the Chinaman, they passed Lieutenant -Wilson and his waiting sailors in the courtyard. - -“The viceroy is dead!” Phil exclaimed hurriedly as he passed him. - -The treasurer led the way past the cell in which the midshipmen had -spent so many horrible hours of torture, but to Phil’s alarm it was now -empty. - -“The prisoners are gone,” the lad faltered, pointing to the deserted -prison. “Ask him the meaning, Langdon.” - -“He says he knows nothing,” the pilot replied after stopping suddenly -and questioning the distracted Chinaman. “He has been with the viceroy -all night. Upon hearing of the arrival of the troops sent by Peking, -the viceroy swallowed poison, a deadly Chinese drug, which he always -carried with him.” - -Moving rapidly onward the Chinaman stopped suddenly in front of a cell -door. - -Phil’s heart was as lead as he pushed the door open. The cell was empty. - -“Ta-Ling did return,” he cried in despair. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV - -PHIL EXPLAINS - - -O’Neil, with his characteristic energy, wasted no time upon the cell, -which he had made up his mind long since would be found empty, but with -three or four sailors at his back had pressed forward to the end of the -narrow corridor. - -He heard Phil’s cry of disappointment as he found himself on the edge -of a smaller courtyard, and was just in time to discover a fleeing band -of Chinamen disappearing through a narrow alley at the far end. - -Calling loudly for the others to follow, the boatswain’s mate ran -hurriedly forward across the stone-paved court. - -Reaching the entrance to the alley, the sharp discharges of rifles from -the other end caused him to stop abruptly, but before he could gain -a place of safety, a stinging pain in his shoulder made him cry out -sharply. - -Then his anger overcame his training in discretion and with his men -beside him, while the heavy footfalls of the midshipmen advancing on a -run across the courtyard told him of the approach of reënforcements, he -boldly raced between the bordering walls of brick and mortar now swept -by the enemy’s bullets. - -As he again emerged into the sunlight, he was barely in time to see the -persistent enemy scattering like a covey of partridges through numerous -passages at the far end of a third courtyard, while from that direction -a hot fire was directed upon him and his handful of men. - -What should he do? He could advance no further in the face of that -rifle fire. Glancing anxiously behind him, he saw the midshipmen and -their men were nowhere in view, and yet they had been only a half -hundred paces behind when he had charged down the alley. The sailors -were returning the furious fire of the Chinese, but O’Neil saw that -the enemy was hidden and the spatter of their bullets against the wall -behind the Americans showed him only too plainly that even the poor -shots of the Chinese might accidentally make a hit. Reluctantly he -ordered a retreat back through the arched passageway. - -As O’Neil and his men again reached the second courtyard, across which -he had chased the fleeing Chinamen, he saw the midshipmen and their -party surrounding several objects upon the ground, which had been -covered over with a large piece of canvas. - -“They are safe,” Sydney’s voice hailed as he caught sight of the -returning sailors. “You ran right over them.” - -The prisoners were quickly freed from their manacles, and, supported by -their comrades, the party hastened to rejoin Lieutenant Wilson. - -The four sailors had had a narrow escape. Ta-Ling, determined upon -revenge, had been upon the point of beheading them when O’Neil and -his men had caused him to desist. Then covering them hurriedly with a -large piece of canvas, he hoped to conceal their presence until the -Americans had given up their search, when he would return and finish -his diabolical work. But the curiosity of an American had defeated his -plan; for raising the corner of the canvas the sailor had seen the -blue-clad legs of a bound and gagged shipmate. - -Arriving in the main courtyard, Phil’s eye caught the bright color -of a Chinese mandarin’s clothes, their wearer standing at Lieutenant -Wilson’s side. - -“Hang-Ki!” he exclaimed joyfully as he recognized the Tartar general’s -erect form. - -The two midshipmen hastened to the Manchu’s side and shook hands with -him warmly. - -Hang-Ki had been patiently waiting for Langdon’s return to interpret -his words to the American lieutenant. Another mandarin stood by -Hang-Ki’s side, his rugged frame indicating clearly that he also was of -Tartar blood, from which race the military leaders of China are taken. - -The midshipmen waited impatiently to hear what Hang-Ki had to tell, -while Lieutenant Wilson congratulated all hands upon the success of the -rescue, and shook hands as all had done with the rescued men. - -“His Excellency says the viceroy killed himself early this morning; -the captain of the yamen guards brought him the news, but it did not -arrive in time to hoist the white flag before the monitor had fired her -shell. He says many men were hurt during the night engagement and asks -how many Americans were killed.” - -“Tell him we’ve lost only one man in all the fighting,” Lieutenant -Wilson replied. - -Hang-Ki, after Langdon had given him Lieutenant Wilson’s words, shook -his head as though mystified. - -The two generals expressed a wish to visit the American commander, and -make China’s peace for the hostile acts of the dead viceroy. - -The sailors were assembled and marched directly to the landing. - -As the river and the anchored ships came into view, Phil grasped -Sydney’s arm excitedly, pointing to a white yacht lying gracefully at -anchor between the monitors and the “Phœnix”; the latter having left -the allies at the upper anchorage and steamed down the river while they -were inside the Chinese city. - -“The ‘Alacrity’!” he exclaimed, “and the admiral’s on board; there’s -his flag at the main,” pointing to a large blue flag, with two white -stars in the field. Then the joy died in his face. The letter of the -viceroy and the telegram, as yet undelivered, came to his mind. - -“Where’s the ‘Albaque’?” Sydney asked suddenly, searching the river for -Ignacio’s ship. - -“There she goes,” Langdon cried, pointing down stream, where a trail of -smoke from a fast disappearing steamer hung low over the muddy water of -the river. - -Upon reaching the “Phœnix,” there was Commander Hughes on deck, -anxiously waiting to hear the results of the expedition. His face was -wreathed in smiles as he heard of their unlooked-for success. Then, -motioning Langdon to follow, he led the two Chinese officers to his -cabin. - -Phil had not dared, with his guilt written plainly on his face, to look -his captain in the eye while that officer showered praises upon the two -midshipmen, and he was much relieved to be able to escape to his own -room, there to map out a course of action. - -“Our best plan, Syd,” Phil declared, “is to take all these papers to -the captain and make a clean breast of it.” - -Sydney agreed wholly with his friend’s plan and all that remained -was to muster up courage to go to the captain. Both midshipmen would -much rather have faced a hundred Chinese rifles than confess to their -captain that a telegram and directed to him from the navy department -had been purposely hidden. - -A rap on the door caused Phil’s pulses to beat quicker and his heart -rise to his mouth. - -“The captain would like to see Mr. Perry and Mr. Monroe,” the orderly -announced, peering in through the curtain at the startled lads. - -“Come on, Phil,” Sydney urged; “we’d better get it over with.” - -In silence they walked into the cabin. Phil’s head swam as his old -friend Admiral Taylor shook his hand and spoke solid words of praise -for his valuable services. - -Hang-Ki had risen to go upon the entrance of the midshipmen, and after -bowing to the admiral and captain he stepped quickly to Phil’s side, -pressing into his hand the jade ring. - -“He says,” Langdon interpreted, “that he has evidence enough without it -if he is lucky enough to capture Ta-Ling.” - -“I am delighted, Hughes,” the admiral said as Commander Hughes returned -with the midshipmen, after having escorted the Chinese soldiers to the -gangway, “at the successful end gained by your clear-headed policy. -Washington, hearing nothing from you and at the same time receiving -news of your doings from a foreign government, was quite justified, in -view of your known impetuosity, in being anxious. It was current in -Shanghai that you had been relieved of your command, yet I received no -word up to the time of sailing, two days ago.” - -Phil saw his opportunity had come to bare his secret, and drawing the -viceroy’s letter, the telegram and the correspondence of Ignacio all -from his pocket, he laid them in silence on the table between the two -officers. - -The lads waited in a fever of dread while the officers glanced in -surprise at the papers before them. Phil saw that the admiral held the -cipher telegram, with the translation underneath the cipher words. - -“What does this mean?” the admiral cried sternly, reading aloud the -translation of the cablegram. - -Phil boldly told where and when he had found the telegram, and his -reasons for not delivering it until now. - -The admiral regarded the lad severely. - -“Knowing this was from the department in Washington, you concealed it,” -he exclaimed. “Explain yourself, sir.” - -Phil swallowed hard and then pointed a trembling finger to the other -papers. - -“After you have read those, sir,” he said huskily, “I shall be ready to -stand guilty or not guilty in your eyes.” - -Both officers eagerly read the letters from Ignacio to the viceroy’s -secretary. - -After the admiral had finished reading, he regarded Phil in silence, -his expression fathomless to the anxious midshipman. Commander Hughes’ -eyes gave him no encouragement; they were directed to his brightly -polished shoes. It was a question between the senior midshipman and his -commander-in-chief. Technically a great breach of naval discipline had -been committed. - -The minutes ticked away slowly by the cabin clock while the lad waited -for the wording of his doom. - -“Mr. Perry,” the admiral at length began in his usual calm voice, “this -is the second time that you have placed me in a most embarrassing -position, but I want to say right here,” and his eyes snapped, “if I -had a son, and he had committed this breach of naval discipline in -order to save the situation, I would be mighty proud of him.” As he -finished he put out his hand to the surprised but happy midshipman, who -grasped it joyfully. - -Phil was so surprised that he could not find voice to utter a single -word. He stared dumbly at the admiral, his tear-dimmed eyes eloquently -speaking the words he could not utter. - -Commander Hughes jumped up and grasped the midshipman by the hand, -showing in his face the keen pleasure the admiral’s decision had given -him. - -“This correspondence I shall keep in my safe,” the admiral said, a -twinkle in his eyes, “in case I have trouble in explaining our young -friend’s crime. It may also serve us in the future with this foreign -Judas Iscariot. - -“And now, young man,” he added, his kind face beaming with good -nature, “I think after a few months I shall have to deprive your -captain of your services. I am going to put in commission a number of -small gunboats for duty against the Philippine insurgents, and I have -decided to give Mr. Perry command of one of them with Mr. Monroe as his -executive officer, and I suppose,” he suggested with a smile, “that you -will want O’Neil as the chief boatswain’s mate.” - -Phil could hardly believe his ears. Instead of censure, here was the -admiral offering him a ship of his own. - -As one in a dream he thanked the admiral and accompanied by Sydney, -withdrew from the cabin. - -By order of Peking Hang-Ki was made viceroy and he at once took steps -to safeguard all foreigners throughout the provinces. - -The allied gunboats within the hour anchored off Ku-Ling, and before -the day was over the foreign concession had taken up the thread of -business where it had been so rudely interrupted. Commander Hughes -detailed a force of mechanics from the American war-ships to repair -the damaged launches of the faithful Emmons, and before a week had -passed the launch trade was flourishing as of old. - -The concession to build the railroad to Peking was made more secure -to the American company, and before the “Phœnix” sailed for Shanghai -the lads saw the material, which had long waited for permission to be -landed, safely stored in go-downs and the work on the road started. - -Ta-Ling made good his escape, and it was believed that he had gone to -the mountains, there to remain in hiding until another opportunity -might present itself to avenge himself on the despised foreigner. - -O’Neil’s wound was found by the doctors to be not dangerous and, with -his arm in a sling for several days, he was gazed at admiringly by his -less fortunate shipmates. - -Langdon received the personal thanks of the admiral, and Commander -Hughes stoutly declares that he is as good a pilot ashore as he is on -the river. - - - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[1] Mexican dollars. - -[2] There is a prescribed rule for hailing a boat at night. A ship, -seeing a boat approaching, hails, “Boat ahoy!” If enlisted men are -in the boat the proper answer is “Hello!” If midshipmen are in the -boat the answer is “No! No!” if commissioned officers, “Aye! Aye!” If -a captain is in the boat the answer is the name of his ship, and an -admiral’s proper answer is “Flag”--meaning that the boat carries an -admiral’s flag. - -[3] Twelve rifles. - - - - -TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES: - - - Italicized text is surrounded by underscores: _italics_. - - Obvious typographical errors have been corrected. - - Inconsistencies in hyphenation have been standardized. - - Archaic or alternate spelling has been retained from the original. - - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A UNITED STATES MIDSHIPMAN IN -CHINA *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online -at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: A United States Midshipman in China</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Yates Stirling, Jr.</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Illustrator: Ralph L. Boyer</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: February 22, 2022 [eBook #67478]</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</p> - <p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left'>Produced by: D A Alexander, David E. Brown, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by Cornell University Digital Collections)</p> -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A UNITED STATES MIDSHIPMAN IN CHINA ***</div> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/cover.jpg" width="40%" alt="" /></div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_0"></span> -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_frontispiece.jpg" alt="" /></div> -<p class="drop-cap"><i>IT WAS ROUGHLY SEIZED<br /> -FROM HIS HAND</i></p> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_title.jpg" alt="" /></div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="titlepage"> - -<h1>A<br /> -UNITED STATES<br /> -MIDSHIPMAN<br /> -IN CHINA</h1> - -<p><i>by</i><br /> - -<span class="large">Lt. Com. Yates Stirling Jr. U.S.N.</span><br /> - -Author of<br /> -“A U.S. Midshipman Afloat”</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_titlelogo.jpg" alt="" /></div> - -<p><span class="large">Illustrated <i>by</i> Ralph L. Boyer</span></p> - -<p><span class="large">THE PENN PUBLISHING<br /> -COMPANY PHILADELPHIA<br /> -MCMIX</span></p> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p class="center"> -COPYRIGHT<br /> -1909 BY<br /> -THE PENN<br /> -PUBLISHING<br /> -COMPANY</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_logo.jpg" alt="" /></div> - - -</div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_3">[3]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">Introduction</h2> -</div> - - -<p><span class="smcap">Those</span> who have read “A United States -Midshipman Afloat” will recall that Philip -Perry and his friend, Sydney Monroe, recent -graduates of the Naval Academy at Annapolis, -had been but a short time in the -regular naval service when the battle-ship -“Connecticut,” to which they had been -assigned, was ordered to a South American -port. Here they found a revolution in -progress, and it became the duty of the -young men to prevent the delivery of certain -machine guns and other war material which -had been shipped from America to the insurgents. -In this they were successful after -some stirring adventure on land and sea.</p> - -<p>The present book shows the same young -officers on a United States gunboat in the -Yangtse River at a time when the lives of -foreigners in China are in peril. A further -account of their experiences in Eastern waters -will be found in “A United States Midshipman<span class="pagenum" id="Page_4">[4]</span> -in the Philippines.” In all of these -books the endeavor has been to portray some -of the bold enterprises which are all in the -day’s work for a naval officer, and to show -how our modern navy accomplishes big things -in a quiet way.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_5">[5]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">Contents</h2> -</div> - - -<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" summary="table"> - - -<tr><td class="tdr">I.</td><td> <span class="smcap">An Incident of the River</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_9"> 9</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">II.</td><td> <span class="smcap">An Unpleasant Encounter</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_21"> 21</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">III.</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Peril at the Mission Gate</span> </td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_32"> 32</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">IV.</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Embassy to the Viceroy</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_44"> 44</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">V.</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Viceroy’s Treachery</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_59"> 59</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">VI.</td><td> <span class="smcap">Diplomacy Fails</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_72"> 72</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">VII.</td><td> <span class="smcap">Dissensions</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_86"> 86</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">VIII.</td><td> <span class="smcap">Ignacio Shows His Hand</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_108"> 108</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">IX.</td><td> <span class="smcap">Held as Hostages</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_122"> 122</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">X.</td><td> <span class="smcap">A Chinese Prison</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_139"> 139</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">XI.</td><td> <span class="smcap">Friends in Need</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_152"> 152</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">XII.</td><td> <span class="smcap">A Daring Plan</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_167"> 167</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">XIII.</td><td> <span class="smcap">Hopes of Escape</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_181"> 181</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">XIV.</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Escape</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_194"> 194</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">XV.</td><td> <span class="smcap">An Enemy Silenced</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_208"> 208</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">XVI.</td><td> <span class="smcap">Reënforcements</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_234"> 234</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">XVII.</td><td> <span class="smcap">Aboard the “Phœnix”</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_245"> 245</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">XVIII.</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Start for Ku-Ling</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_259"> 259</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">XIX.</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Secret Channel</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_274"> 274</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">XX.</td><td> <span class="smcap">Running the Batteries</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_288"> 288</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">XXI.</td><td> <span class="smcap">To the Rescue of the Mission </span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_299"> 299</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">XXII.</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Last Charge</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_314"> 314</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">XXIII.</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Forts Surrender</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_332"> 332</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">XXIV.</td><td> <span class="smcap">Phil Explains</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_345"> 345</a></td></tr> -</table> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_6">[6]</span></p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_7">[7]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">Illustrations</h2> -</div> - -<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" summary="table"> - - -<tr><td class="tdr" colspan="2"><small>PAGE</small></td></tr> - -<tr><td><span class="smcap">It was Roughly Seized From His Hand</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_0"> <i>Frontispiece</i></a></td></tr> - -<tr><td><span class="smcap">A Pistol Shot Rang Out</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_71"> 71</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td>“<span class="smcap">We Are Your Friends</span>”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_150"> 150</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td><span class="smcap">He Measured the Strength of His Antagonist</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_191"> 191</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td>“<span class="smcap">The Monitors are Actually Here!</span>”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_256"> 256</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td>“<span class="smcap">There is Still a Chance</span>”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_283"> 283</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td><span class="smcap">The Americans were Struck Dumb</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_342"> 342</a></td></tr> -</table> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_8">[8]</span></p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_9">[9]</span> - -<p class="ph2">A United States<br /> -Midshipman in China</p> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER I<br /> - - -<small>AN INCIDENT OF THE RIVER</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> United States gunboat “Phœnix” lay -at anchor in the swift current of the Yangtse -River opposite the Chinese city of Ku-Ling. -The surface of the water seemed tranquil, but -a closer look over the side of the ship showed -to the observer the strength of the muddy -flood that swept for thousands of miles -through the length of the Chinese Empire, -from the far-away snows of the mountains of -Tibet onward to the waters of the Pacific -Ocean.</p> - -<p>Two young midshipmen were standing at -the gunboat’s rail in eager conversation. -Their eyes were intent upon the scenes on the -shore scarce a hundred yards away.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_10">[10]</span>“Oh, there’s Langdon!” exclaimed Philip -Perry, the taller of the two lads, as the form -of the government pilot, Joseph Langdon, -was seen coming from the ward-room companion -ladder. “Langdon, have you ever seen -this much talked about Chang-Li-Hun?”</p> - -<p>“Seen him?” Langdon echoed, approaching -the speaker. “I’ve talked with him many a -time, and you can take my word for it, there -isn’t a man in all China whom I wouldn’t -sooner have for my enemy. He’s a past -craftsman in oriental subtlety and diplomacy. -He rules his own people with a rod of iron, -and if an official displeases him, off goes his -head in the most approved Chinese fashion.”</p> - -<p>Both midshipmen suppressed an unconscious -shiver as the American pilot of the -Yangtse River illustrated the death of the -disgraced official by chopping at his own thick -neck with a great sun-tanned, muscular hand.</p> - -<p>“Everything looks peaceful enough ashore -there now, doesn’t it?” Sydney Monroe, -Phil’s friend and classmate, said in a tone of -inquiry. “It doesn’t seem as if the foreigners -were much in fear of the dangers of Chinese -violence. Look!” he exclaimed; “there are<span class="pagenum" id="Page_11">[11]</span> -European women and even children walking -along the streets.”</p> - -<p>“That’s the danger in China,” Langdon returned -in a troubled voice. “Living in this -country is like being on top of a presumably -extinct volcano. No one knows when it will -break out. Sometimes it comes without the -usual rumblings.”</p> - -<p>“There must have been some rumblings,” -Philip Perry exclaimed, pointing suggestively -at the half score of foreign gunboats representing -all the European navies.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” Langdon answered, “there have -been many signs which have greatly alarmed -those who have made a study of the Chinese -situation. This viceroy has within the last -few weeks allowed many insults by his people -to foreigners to go unpunished, and will not -listen to the appeals of the foreign consuls. -The missionaries all over the provinces are in -fear of some terrible calamity, and it is -through their urgent demands that these war-ships -are here.”</p> - -<p>“What do the foreigners fear?” Sydney -asked, interestedly.</p> - -<p>“Fear!” Langdon exclaimed. “Why, almost<span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">[12]</span> -every kind of torture and death. When once -the Chinese are allowed to avenge themselves -upon the foreigner there’s no limit to their -cruelty.”</p> - -<p>“Why can’t we appeal to the Chinese -government at Peking to protect foreigners?” -Phil asked gravely. “Haven’t we a treaty -with China for protection of United States -citizens here?”</p> - -<p>Langdon gave the lad a withering look, as -he replied:</p> - -<p>“This viceroy is not letting Peking know -what is happening in his provinces. If he -succeeds in making the country over which -he rules dangerous and unprofitable to -foreigners without doing more than kill a few -missionaries and ruining foreign trade, -Peking will apologize for the deaths and pay -an indemnity to the families of those killed -and then to sustain him in the eyes of his -people decorate him with the Order of the -Dragon. But if he goes too far, then Peking, -in order to save herself from an invasion of -foreign soldiers, will disgrace the viceroy in -one of the many ways known best to the -Chinese.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">[13]</span>“Here comes the captain now,” Sydney exclaimed -as a small white canopied steam -launch shoved off from the jetty and stood -toward the “Phœnix.”</p> - -<p>All three walked toward the gangway to -meet Commander Hughes, the captain of the -gunboat, who had been ashore to visit his -consul and gather the latest news of the much -feared uprising among the fanatical natives.</p> - -<p>“Well, Webster,” Commander Hughes exclaimed -in hearty tones to the executive -officer, as he put his foot on the quarter-deck, -returning in a precise manner the salutes of -the officers standing near. “Keep your guard -for the mission ready to land at a moment’s -notice. I saw that half-breed Emmons, the -oracle of the river. He is non-committal, but -I can see he fears trouble. He promised to -warn me in plenty of time. Emmons says -that the Tartar general, commanding all the -soldiers under the viceroy, is not in sympathy -with this movement, and if he can urge the -viceroy to take steps to suppress it, our -presence here may yet be unnecessary.”</p> - -<p>After the captain had entered his cabin the -two midshipmen turned eagerly upon the pilot.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">[14]</span>“Who is this half-breed Emmons the -captain speaks of?” Phil demanded.</p> - -<p>“Do you see all those launches over there?” -the pilot inquired, pointing to the near-by -docks where many small vessels were unloading.</p> - -<p>“Well, they belong to Emmons,” he added, -“and he’s very rich. His mother was a -native woman and his father an American -merchant skipper. Emmons wears Chinese -clothes and to meet him on the street you’d -take him for a native. We’re lucky to have -Emmons with us, but if the viceroy suspects -that he is, he’d enjoy nothing better than to -confiscate his property and expel him from -the provinces, even if he doesn’t have him -executed.”</p> - -<p>“Where’s this mission?” Sydney asked gazing -searchingly out over the green sloped -hills of the country.</p> - -<p>Langdon held a pointing finger steadily -out to the right of the walled Chinese city.</p> - -<p>“About five miles from here,” he said. -“It’s built in the middle of an ancient -Chinese graveyard and is a thorn in the -side of the Chinese. It was erected three<span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">[15]</span> -years ago, and by order of this same viceroy. -No other site could be used. He knew that -the Chinese would never rest until they tore -the building down. It took nearly two years -to build; all the work was done by Christian -converts. I don’t blame the captain for -feeling uneasy, for in my opinion that mission -will be the first point of attack.”</p> - -<p>Phil and Sydney were soon after below in -their rooms finishing their unpacking; for -they had but recently arrived on the station -and had joined the gunboat just previous to -her leaving Shanghai on her four-hundred -mile cruise up the great Chinese river. So -interested were they during the day, viewing -the shifting scenery, and at night so much of -their time had been occupied in standing -watch on the gunboat’s bridge, that they had -quite forgotten their trunks as yet unpacked -in the ward-room passages.</p> - -<p>After dinner that evening, while the midshipmen -were enjoying the bracing fall air -on the quarter-deck, Phil was suddenly -summoned to report immediately to the -captain.</p> - -<p>Receiving Commander Hughes’ instructions<span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">[16]</span> -to take the steam launch and board -each of the foreign gunboats, the midshipman -left the cabin to carry out his orders, -much elated at the exalted rôle he was playing -in the affairs of nations. About an hour -later, having visited each of the foreign gunboats -and given to their commanding officers -his captain’s letters, the launch breasted the -swift current of the river on her return to the -ship. The coxswain of the launch was steering -his boat close to the hulls of the junks -moored to the jetty, in order to avoid the -strength of the current. The river was silent; -no sound could be heard save the whir of the -tiny engine and the rush of the tide against -the sides of the launch.</p> - -<p>As the boat passed within the shadow of a -high-sided junk, such as are used by the -wealthy Chinese as house-boats, a piercing -cry rang out over the quiet water from her -deck, directly above Phil’s head; then he -heard the sound of a scuffle, followed by the -splash of a heavy body in the dark waters -astern of the launch. The lad was on his -feet in an instant; throwing off his coat, he -sprang out on the launch’s rail, ready to go<span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">[17]</span> -to the assistance of the unfortunate one who -had been swallowed up in the treacherous -waters. The coxswain had by signal stopped -the headway of the launch and all eyes were -searching the waters astern: the ripples that -closed over the body were visible, while some -yards down stream an object floated, all but -submerged, rapidly borne away by the hurrying -flood.</p> - -<p>The lad stood irresolute for the fraction -of a second, fear of the treacherous flood tugging -at his heart; then overcoming this momentary -weakness, he turned to the coxswain -beside him:</p> - -<p>“Go down to leeward and pick me up,” he -ordered, gathering himself together and -springing far out into the dark river.</p> - -<p>As he struck out boldly sinister stories of -the enchanted water surged back to him. He -had heard how the suction from the muddy -bottom was known to drag to their death even -the strongest swimmers: men who had -missed their footing while stepping into boats -alongside their own ships had disappeared -beneath the yellow surface never to rise again. -The Chinese superstition was that a dragon<span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">[18]</span> -lived in the river and that all persons who -fell into his home were drawn to the bottom -and devoured by the monster.</p> - -<p>Phil struggled manfully against these weird -fancies, yet he was conscious of the force acting -to suck his body down while he exerted -all his strength to keep his head above the -engulfing waters. The high-sided junks -flashed by him as he swam with the current -toward the victim struggling despairingly in -the embrace of the river dragon. In a few -moments his strong strokes had brought him -alongside the drowning man. He grasped -the man’s clothing and drew him closer, seeking -a firmer hold. Avoiding the waving -arms, Phil’s hand worked its way along the -body until it reached his head, and there his -fingers closed about the long braided cue; -twisting this around his hand, the lad swam -out toward the middle of the river. The -Chinaman struggled violently, striving to -grasp Phil’s hand. The boy saw with terror -that if the Chinaman succeeded they would -both drown.</p> - -<p>“Be still or I’ll let you go!” he commanded, -forgetting in his anxiety that he was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_19">[19]</span> -talking to a Chinaman, but nevertheless the -man quieted down and Phil’s hopes rose.</p> - -<p>With the stinging water in his eyes, he -gazed about him for the launch; he could -scarcely see; the oppressive darkness seemed -to be closing in about him. Then out of the -night there loomed the sides of many junks, -massed in tiers, directly in the path of the -current carrying him. This new and terrible -danger filled him with despair: even the -strongest swimmer could not expect to survive -if he were drawn under that wooden -wall of vessels; if he were not crushed between -their huge hulls he would be forced -beneath the surface for so long a time that -life would be extinct before he rose again. -His one chance was to breast the tide, swimming -out from shore in the hope that thus he -might clear the outside junk.</p> - -<p>The hulls seemed ever closer and the lad’s -efforts weaker. The Chinaman was a dead -weight upon him; if he abandoned the -man he could save himself. Would it not be -just? He could not hope to save both himself -and the Chinaman, therefore, was he not -obeying the first law of nature by abandoning<span class="pagenum" id="Page_20">[20]</span> -the unfortunate man to his fate? But Phil, -even with death staring him in the face, dismissed -these unnerving thoughts from his -mind. He would save the man or drown in -the attempt! As he swam manfully ahead, -supporting the fully conscious but terrified -Chinaman, and casting anxious glances behind -him at the fast approaching menace, -his heart was gladdened at the sight of the -launch standing in boldly between him and -the junks, now but a few dozen yards away. -Then he saw the boat turn slowly, painfully, -toward him in the grasp of the cruel, relentless -current which seemed to sweep her down -under the yawning whirlpool. He closed his -eyes to shut out the sight. If the launch -failed to turn inside the distance she would -be swept under the mass of shipping and be -capsized; then the brave men who had fearlessly -taken this risk to save him would all -find a watery grave in the river.</p> - -<p>“She can’t make it!” he gasped despairingly.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">[21]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER II<br /> - - -<small>AN UNPLEASANT ENCOUNTER</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">Phil</span> had ceased to struggle; his doom was -too close upon him to hope to escape it. His -one chance was the launch. A low cry of -joy burst from him as he saw her turn safely -under the overhanging bows of the junks -and steam swiftly toward him. Yet he knew -that all danger had not passed; the current -was still sweeping him down while the boat -must keep her headway else she would be -carried back under the shipping. The launch -loomed above him; he saw her anxious crew -gathered in the bow ready to grasp the struggling -men as they were swept by on the crest -of the flood.</p> - -<p>He was conscious of strong arms about -him, and the next moment he and the rescued -Chinaman were safely on board the launch, -while she was steaming at full speed for safety -away from the treacherous shore.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">[22]</span>After the rescued Chinaman had been -resuscitated, and Phil had recovered from his -terrible exertions, he ordered the coxswain to -land at the foreign concession. The Chinaman -lay on the deck of the launch, fully alive -but not showing by word or sign his gratitude -to the midshipman who had saved his life -at the risk of his own.</p> - -<p>As the boat stopped at the stone steps of -the jetty, the Chinaman arose unsteadily to -his feet, grasping the boy’s hand in both of -his, then without a word stepped quickly out -of the launch and was lost in the night.</p> - -<p>Phil was so astonished at the man’s action -that it was some moments before he realized -that a ring had been left in his hand. He -examined it eagerly in the dim light of an -oil lantern; what was his surprise to find that -it was of massive carved gold, set with a green -jade stone.</p> - -<p>As the launch was secured alongside of the -“Phœnix’s” gangway, Phil stepped to the -coxswain’s side and took the sailor’s rough -hand in his own, much to the embarrassment -of the latter.</p> - -<p>“Blake,” the lad said earnestly, “you saved<span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">[23]</span> -my life, and you did it as coolly as if you had -been only making a landing alongside the -ship.”</p> - -<p>“It was nothing, sir,” the coxswain answered -quickly, his face beaming; “but to -think of your jumping into this river to save -a Chink,” he added admiringly.</p> - -<p>“My act was upon impulse,” Phil declared -earnestly, “and took no real nerve, while you -deliberately measured your chances and saw -that the odds were dead against you; one -slip, one spoke too little helm, one revolution -too few with the engines, and you and your -crew would have been swept underneath that -mass of junks, and knowing this you took the -chance and had the nerve and grit to steer -your boat cleverly to safety and me with her. -My act is insignificant beside yours.”</p> - -<p>Leaving the coxswain still wondering at his -words of praise, Phil reported his return and -went at once to his room for dry clothes. -Although the hour was early, and there were -many things over which he would have liked -to talk with Sydney and their new friend -Langdon, when once in dry, warm clothes he -found his exertions of the past hour had<span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">[24]</span> -sapped his strength, and he was soon fast -asleep. Nor did he awake until the sun was -streaming in through his port-hole.</p> - -<p>Turning out promptly, and making a hasty -toilet, he was soon in the mess-room, where -he found the full mess at breakfast, and all -discussing the seriousness of the present crisis.</p> - -<p>As he put his hands on the table the -brightness of the ring the Chinaman had -given him startled him; the deep green of -the stone stood out clearly against the white -tablecloth. Langdon, sitting beside him, -espied it immediately and grasped the boy’s -hand, examining the ring closely.</p> - -<p>“Royal jade!” the pilot exclaimed. “Where -did you get it? That’s one of the finest stones -I’ve seen in years.”</p> - -<p>Phil felt abashed, not wishing to relate his -experience before the mess.</p> - -<p>“I’ll tell you later,” he whispered, withdrawing -his hand before the attention of the -rest of the mess could be attracted. Then -turning to the executive officer, presiding -at the head of the mess-table, he asked anxiously:</p> - -<p>“Is there any news, sir, about sending the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">[25]</span> -guard to the legation? If it is going I should -like to be allowed to go in the detail.”</p> - -<p>Sydney hastened to add his plea to go -along also, and Mr. Webster’s face broadened -in an amused smile as he watched the eager -faces of the midshipmen.</p> - -<p>“I can tell you,” he replied heartily, “that -you are both in the detail, so you may rest -easy. I for one hope there will be no -necessity for the expedition. China is a -dangerous country when once aroused.” -Then, turning to Phil, whose joy showed -plainly in his face, while his pulses beat -faster, he added:</p> - -<p>“What’s this we hear about your rescuing -a Chinaman from drowning last night? It’s -all about the ship forward, yet aft here we’re -the last to hear of it.”</p> - -<p>Phil colored painfully while he outlined -the episode of the river; he said but little -of his part, but praised unstintingly the coolness -and courage of the coxswain of the launch.</p> - -<p>“Coxswain Blake belittles his own part -as much as you praise it,” Mr. Webster remarked -kindly, as the officers rose from the -breakfast table.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">[26]</span>In Phil’s room after breakfast, Langdon -examined the ring closely in hopes of discovering -a clew to the identity of the -owner.</p> - -<p>“There’s nothing here to tell,” the pilot -announced after careful scrutiny, handing -the ring back to the midshipman; “it’s of -great value among the Chinese; undoubtedly -the man was rich and he left with you the -only article of value he was then wearing. -The Chinese are a queer lot; their superstitions -will not allow them to save a fellow-being -from drowning, but when they themselves -are saved by a foreigner they will at -once put aside the obligation by giving their -rescuer a costly gift. Your Chinaman doubtless -considers his debt is paid.”</p> - -<p>After breakfast was over the midshipmen -asked and received permission to visit the -foreign concession.</p> - -<p>“You must go in uniform,” Lieutenant -Webster replied to their request, “and the -captain’s positive orders are not to enter the -Chinese city.”</p> - -<p>The lads quickly agreed to keep to this -rule, and a half hour later the “Phœnix’s”<span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">[27]</span> -steam launch landed them on the stone jetty -abreast the ship.</p> - -<p>Here they were immediately surrounded -by a score of Chinese ricksha coolies, each one -anxious to enlist their patronage in engaging -a jinricksha, which is the customary conveyance -of the far Eastern countries. The lads -were soon seated each in one of these miniature -carriages; and the coolies in the shafts darted -off at a lively pace down the smooth macadamized -roadbed of the Bund.</p> - -<p>“Where shall we go first?” Sydney questioned, -raising his voice so as to be heard -above the rattle of the wheels.</p> - -<p>Phil shook his head in sign of perfect indifference. -The sensation of riding in one of -these novel carriages for the first time was -distinctly pleasant. He felt half exhilarated -and half ridiculous. However, before they -had traveled a block, he lost his feeling that -every one was looking at him, a grown man -riding in a baby carriage, and began to thoroughly -enjoy the situation. The throngs on -the streets interested him, and the color -scheme pleased his eye; the gayly dressed natives -sprinkled here and there with the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">[28]</span> -more sombre garb of the Europeans or Americans.</p> - -<p>“I don’t care,” he answered as Sydney repeated -his question. “Let them take us -wherever they will. Later, though, I want -to go to the bank and buy a draft to send -home.</p> - -<p>“Here we are,” he added suddenly, making -energetic efforts to stop his own ricksha -in its mad career, as he espied the sign on a -great stone building: “Hongkong Bank.”</p> - -<p>The lads alighting, bidding by sign their -rickshas to wait, entered the wide doorway of -the bank.</p> - -<p>Here they met scores of Chinamen pouring -continually in and out, depositing or drawing -out great sacks of Mexican dollars, the -token currency of China. Behind the counters, -although the bank was owned by an -English corporation, Phil saw only Chinese. -Millions of dollars daily passed through their -hands.</p> - -<p>Leaving Sydney gazing interestedly at the -scenes of activity, Phil moved over to a desk -upon which were paper and ink laid out for -the bank customers. As he drew near, he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_29">[29]</span> -took casual note of a foreigner standing with -his back toward the door, engaged apparently -in writing. At the man’s feet he saw a -neatly folded paper lying. Apparently it had -just been dropped from the foreigner’s pocket. -Stooping down, Phil picked it up, hastily -glancing over it to see if it was of sufficient -consequence to ask the stranger if it were his. -He had barely time to note that the writing -was in English when it was roughly seized -from his hand, and looking up in surprise, he -found himself confronted by an angry, excited -face, whose dark, piercing eyes snapped with -uncontrolled passion. The stranger thrust -the letter into his pocket with one hand, -while the other was closely clenched as if he -were about to strike down the innocent offender.</p> - -<p>“What do you mean by trying to read my -letter?” the foreigner cried in a voice full of -wrath.</p> - -<p>The blood mounted to Phil’s forehead as -he returned unflinchingly the stranger’s wild -look. He was about to answer an apology -when the foreigner’s cutting voice stayed him.</p> - -<p>“Just like you officious Americans,” the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">[30]</span> -stranger exclaimed, surveying the neat blue -uniform of the American midshipman; -“always meddling in some one else’s affairs.”</p> - -<p>“What’s the trouble, Phil?” Sydney asked -in alarm, hastening to his friend’s side, upon -seeing the look on Phil’s face and the menacing -attitude of the other.</p> - -<p>By an effort Phil controlled himself. His -first thought was then and there to settle accounts -with this infuriated man; but wiser -counsel prevailed.</p> - -<p>“I did not read your letter,” he retorted in a -dignified voice. “I wished only to see if it -was of any consequence in order to restore it -to its owner.” Then realizing that his conciliating -answer had not changed the attitude -of the stranger, he added in a voice of self-contained -anger:</p> - -<p>“If you got what you deserved, it would be a -sound thrashing for your slanderous tongue.”</p> - -<p>The foreigner, hearing the lad’s just rebuke, -and seeing by his muscular frame that he was -capable of carrying his implied threat into -execution, shrugged his shoulders eloquently, -pocketed his papers and walked sullenly toward -the door of the bank.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">[31]</span>Phil stood his ground, his eyes defiantly -following the stranger until the swinging -doors closed behind him.</p> - -<p>Sydney was told of the cause of the unexpected -dispute and was eager to follow the -foreigner and demand an apology, but Phil -only laughed.</p> - -<p>“I got in the last word; that’s something,” -he said, as he quietly wrote out his order for -the draft. “I wonder who he is. By his -accent I should say he was of a Latin race. -He spoke to me in good English, though.”</p> - -<p>“Do you suppose he is a naval officer from -a foreign gunboat?” Sydney asked by way -of an answer.</p> - -<p>“No; he’s probably some beach-comber,” -Phil answered testily, taking his paper to the -cashier’s desk. “And as far as I am concerned -I don’t care who he is. He’s not of -sufficient importance to give him any more -attention,” he added, shutting his firm jaws -with a snap in dismissing the unpleasant incident.</p> - -<p>“Come on,” he said. “Let’s forget him. -There are lots of things here more amusing.”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_32">[32]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER III<br /> - - -<small>THE PERIL AT THE MISSION GATE</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">Upon</span> their return on board the “Phœnix,” -the midshipmen found all was activity. A -message had been received from Emmons -which had decided Commander Hughes to -wait no longer before sending the guard to -protect the defenseless mission on the hill -some miles from the town. Persistent rumors -were current that the Chinese outlaws would -very soon make an effort to efface this -heathen blot of stone from their sacred soil.</p> - -<p>In the course of a half hour all was in -readiness to embark the guard. Tents, rations, -Colt gun and rifles were carried into the waiting -boats, and in a few minutes more the -small party of officers and men found themselves -on the stone jetty, immediately in front -of the Chinese city. Under the eyes of a -quickly-gathered, curious crowd of Chinese, -the sailors formed and marched along the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">[33]</span> -road skirting the fortified wall of the city. -After some miles had been covered, the great -buildings of the mission came in sight, and -soon after they were admitted within the -walled compound by the anxious missionaries, -whose dread of Chinese cruelty had been -acquired through long residence among these -fanatical people. Many of their number they -had seen sacrificed by the lawless element of -a superstitious and conservative race, whom -they had come thousands of miles to civilize -according to their Western standards.</p> - -<p>The sailor sentinels were quickly stationed -at the four corners of the walled compound, -and the peaceful mission was soon transformed -into a warlike fortress.</p> - -<p>“What do you think of all this?” inquired -Phil of the pilot after the lads had finished -their duties of preparing for the defense.</p> - -<p>“I think,” answered Langdon, a grim smile -on his face, “that these missionaries are wise -to build their houses inside of a stone fort. -The only way to succeed in civilizing the -Chinese is to make sure that they don’t kill -you before you’ve had a chance to show them -the benefits of our methods.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_34">[34]</span>“But I mean,” urged Phil, “do you believe -that there’s going to be trouble?”</p> - -<p>“I’ve seen a great number of these -threatened uprisings,” replied Langdon -thoughtfully, “come to nothing for the want -of a leader with energy enough to keep alive -the spark of fanaticism; I hope this one will -follow in their footsteps, for if the Chinese -ever awaken to the knowledge of their power, -our small force of ships and men could never -stem the rising flood.</p> - -<p>“Do you see the forts over yonder?” he continued, -pointing to the numerous heavy gun -emplacements on the heights below the city; -“those batteries command the anchorage occupied -by the allied fleet, and their garrisons -are now wavering between their loyalty to the -government at Peking, and their families and -friends taking an active part in the intrigues -against the lives of the foreigners. If those -guns were turned against us, our position here -would indeed be a serious one.”</p> - -<p>The two midshipmen, listening to the -words of one who had lived ten years among -the Chinese, felt their hearts beat faster: -secretly they were glad that their cruise in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_35">[35]</span> -the Orient was likely to be fraught with grave -dangers.</p> - -<p>The missionaries and their numerous -Chinese converts inside the walled mission -were once more at ease; they believed that -all danger was past: the Chinese had never -attacked a mission so strongly defended by the -rifles of the hated but much feared foreign -sailors.</p> - -<p>The hot day came to an end, and the night -wind from the distant mountains brought to -the anxious ones a desire for sleep which they -had not felt for days.</p> - -<p>Phil and Sydney lay awake long after the -mission was wrapt in slumber. They had -talked over the situation very thoroughly, -the views of Langdon having made a deep -impression on their minds. There certainly -was a danger! Could the Chinese troops be -depended upon to withstand the bribes of the -lawless ones?</p> - -<p>Sydney’s even breathing, at last, showing -that he had fallen off to sleep, cut short -further conversation between them; while -Phil, casting an annoyed glance at the unconcerned -sleeper on the adjoining cot, arose and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_36">[36]</span> -silently left the tent; he was far from asleep -and, being the officer of the guard for the -night, determined to make an inspection of the -sentries.</p> - -<p>The night was dark save for the dim light -shed by the crescent moon low in the western -sky. Ascending the mission stairs, he stepped -out on the broad top of the high barrier of -brick and mortar and walked down the wall. -A sentry was posted at the near corner of the -quadrangle.</p> - -<p>“Is everything all right?” he asked quietly.</p> - -<p>“Yes, sir, but I seen a bunch of Chinese up -there near the gate a few minutes before you -come,” the sailor made answer. “I hollered -at ’em, and they ain’t stopped runnin’ yet.”</p> - -<p>“What can I do if they don’t run?” he -added, questioningly.</p> - -<p>“Nothing; just call the sergeant of the -guard,” replied Phil quickly. “On your life -don’t shoot without orders.”</p> - -<p>“If a Chink shoots at me, sir, can’t I fire -back?” the sailor asked, casting an apprehensive -glance into the darkness outside of -the compound.</p> - -<p>Lieutenant Wilson had instructed the midshipmen<span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">[37]</span> -to make certain that the sentries did -not fire first: the viceroy of the province was -believed to be striving to hold the malcontents -in check, but an untimely shot might precipitate -hostilities.</p> - -<p>“If you are fired upon,” Phil ordered, “fire -your piece and arouse the garrison, but don’t -shoot unnecessarily.”</p> - -<p>“Aye, aye, sir,” the sailor answered, as the -midshipman drew away up the wall to visit -the next sentry.</p> - -<p>While Phil was crossing the stone archway -over the heavily-barred iron gate, the main -entrance into the mission, he was attracted by -a dark object on the ground below him, close -up to the metal doors.</p> - -<p>A closer look filled the boy’s thoughts with -an unknown dread. The object appeared -harmless enough, and yet why was it there -against the gate of the mission? Phil saw -now that it was a large box, outlined dimly in -the shadow of the archway.</p> - -<p>He peered about him uncertainly. He -could see the two lookouts at the wall’s corners; -they were alert and yet in ignorance of -the danger at the mission gate. The midshipman’s<span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">[38]</span> -thoughts dwelt on the information -given by the sentry with whom he had just -spoken: there had been some Chinamen at -the gate but a few moments ago! Was this -box harmless or did its presence there foretell -a warlike design against the hundreds of non-combatants, -women and children, now under -the protection of the American sailors?</p> - -<p>His startled gaze traveled over the gloomy -expanse of surrounding country outside of the -high wall: the shadowy mounds, graves of -departed Chinese, dotting the grassy slopes -about the compound might be now concealing -an armed force of attacking fanatics; beyond -the graves it rested for a moment on the low -mud walls of abandoned houses, believed by -their owners to be forever polluted by the close -presence of the despised foreigners. Down on a -lower level the high walled city lay sleeping; -the closely packed roofs resembling a continuous -floor, upon which fell the dim light of the -waning moon; then again it descended to the -silent waters of the river, the towering pagodas -along its banks standing like guardian sentinels, -with the anchored ships a phantom fleet -upon its dark surface.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_39">[39]</span>A spark-like glint below him caught his -eye, and its ominous message sent the blood -from his heart. With every faculty alert Phil -threw himself at full length on the wall and -peered anxiously below into the deeper shadow -of the gateway: a sputtering spark but a few -feet away from the box told only too plainly -its terrible mission: there was an explosive -against the gates, and the crawling point of -fire was the live end of the slow-match, surely -and deliberately burning its way toward the -captive force that would, in a fraction of a -minute, hurl the powerful gates asunder, thus -letting in the ambushing Chinese, doubtless -watching and waiting, concealed in the misty -shadows.</p> - -<p>The lad’s heart stood still as it flashed upon -him what his duty demanded of him. If he -were a second too late he would be blown to -pieces and yet the gates would be shattered -and useless to protect the mission. His mind -was made up quickly: he must first warn the -garrison and then quench the fatal spark -twenty feet below him.</p> - -<p>“Turn out the guard!” he cried loudly; -then as he heard the startled sentries repeat<span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">[40]</span> -his words, he dropped silently to the ground -on the outside of the compound and grasped -the lighted end of the fuse between his fingers, -but a few inches from its awful goal.</p> - -<p>He heard the startled cries of his companions -awakened from their sleep by the alarming -summons; the rattle of rifles and accoutrements -as the sailors hastened to their stations -on the wall. The reaction had now set in; -the boy’s limbs seemed about to fail him. -Almost unstrung he clung to the box while -he collected his scattered thoughts. If the -box remained there the enemy might yet succeed -in exploding its contents against the gate.</p> - -<p>With his body pressed close to the torpedo, -and in its deeper shadow, his ear detected a -sound near him in the grass at the edge of the -road. Suddenly a figure darted forward -across the archway and stopped on the other -side of the box, fumbling with its top, as if to -relight the fuse. Phil held his breath as he -reached forth his hand and clutched the wrist -of the intruder. Drawing the surprised man, -with all his force, across the box, he threw -him to the ground. A cry escaped the -captive as he felt the strong arms of the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">[41]</span> -midshipman enfold him, smothering him to -the earth.</p> - -<p>The two bodies heaved and strained; the -efforts of the Chinaman became visibly weaker, -and finally Phil cast the insensible form from -him.</p> - -<p>“Who goes there?” in excited tones from -above him showed him that aid was near. A -sailor peered over the wall immediately -above the lad’s head, his menacing rifle -covering the exhausted boy.</p> - -<p>“It’s Midshipman Perry, the officer of the -guard,” he whispered hoarsely; “heave me a -line, quick! Keep the gate closed! The -place is full of Chinese!”</p> - -<p>A rope dangled down from a corner of the -archway and Phil, grasping its end, quickly -made it fast around the box, giving the signal -to hoist.</p> - -<p>“Be careful, that’s powder,” he cautioned; -“send the end back for me. Hurry,” he -added, casting a fearsome look into the -shadows behind him.</p> - -<p>With the end of the rope in his hand he -stooped down to tie it about the body of his -captive; when, without a moment’s warning,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">[42]</span> -he felt a stinging blow in the face, that sent -him reeling to the wall. He clutched wildly -at the offender, now on his feet and struggling -madly to free himself from the terrifying embrace -of the midshipman. The fully recovered -celestial fought with the strength -of despair, uttering piercing shrieks which -seemed to be answered from the surrounding -darkness.</p> - -<p>Suddenly Phil was wrenched nearly off his -feet, and then fell backward against the wall, -the torn coat of the man in his hands, -while the escaping prisoner melted into the -night.</p> - -<p>Hand over hand, up the rope, it was but -the work of a second to the top of the wall, -and there he found an anxious group of -officers and men who had watched, with bated -breath, the struggle below them.</p> - -<p>Phil explained the circumstances at once -to Lieutenant Wilson.</p> - -<p>“I feel sure they’re concealed all about -here,” he ended excitedly. “I heard answers -to the man’s cries.”</p> - -<p>Lieutenant Wilson turned to Langdon, who -had been an eager listener.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">[43]</span>“Is it an attack, Langdon?” he asked -anxiously.</p> - -<p>Langdon shook his head, much mystified, -then the garment in Phil’s hand caught his -eye. He took it from the lad in silence and -carried it down from the wall, entering the -small gate-house inside the compound.</p> - -<p>“Keep a strict watch, Mr. Monroe,” the -lieutenant ordered, motioning Phil to follow -him, and together they entered the room -where Langdon was carefully examining the -garment.</p> - -<p>It was a blue tunic, plain save for a white -border and a number of Chinese written characters -on its back. It was this lettering that -Langdon was studying.</p> - -<p>“Viceroy Chang-Li-Hun,” he read slowly -aloud. Then he glanced up, a worried expression -on his usually calm face.</p> - -<p>“Mr. Wilson,” he said, “it’s serious; we’ve -the viceroy’s soldiers against us.”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_44">[44]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER IV<br /> - - -<small>THE EMBASSY TO THE VICEROY</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">If</span> the man with whom Phil had fought -was a soldier of the viceroy, it was indeed -convincing evidence that the outlaws were -receiving aid of the official class. Lieutenant -Wilson at once saw the seriousness of the -situation for all foreigners living within the -provinces under the jurisdiction of Viceroy -Chang-Li-Hun. The American naval man -knew that his duty required him to place this -information in the hands of his commanding -officer on board the “Phœnix” immediately, in -order that all the foreign powers represented -might know that the threatened uprising was -no longer one of unorganized, misguided -coolies or working men, but was at the instigation -of the powerful mandarins, receiving -their instructions, no doubt, directly from the -viceroy himself. Did he dare take the risk -of sending messengers out of the mission at -this time when the enemy were doubtless<span class="pagenum" id="Page_45">[45]</span> -gathered about the walls of the compound, -perhaps even now making up their minds to -attack the defending garrison? Yet in the -morning affairs might have grown even worse: -the morrow’s sun might see the mission besieged, -and every outlet barred.</p> - -<p>“Langdon,” Lieutenant Wilson questioned, -after an impressive silence, while his companions -waited, looking to him to give the -orders which each felt the terrible development -demanded, “are you sure that you -have read these characters correctly? We -must not alarm the foreigners unnecessarily. -Might not this garment have been worn by -a discharged soldier? Are we safe in assuming -that the viceroy is back of this attempt -on the gate because one of the culprits wears -his uniform?”</p> - -<p>“It is possible, sir,” Langdon answered -thoughtfully, “but I believe improbable. -This plan is not one that could be conceived -by a stupidly ignorant coolie mob; you can -see for yourself it must have been devised by -those who have some knowledge of the use -of explosives; and knowing as they must -that the mission is being guarded by American<span class="pagenum" id="Page_46">[46]</span> -sailors, it was intended as an affront to the -nation that they represent.”</p> - -<p>“I believe you are right, Langdon,” the -lieutenant agreed promptly. “I shall act -upon your judgment; your knowledge of the -Chinese should make your reasoning sound.” -Then he turned to the expectant midshipmen: -“Mr. Perry, this news must be taken to -Captain Hughes to-night; I offer you the -chance to go; your right to be chosen can’t -be disputed: your discovery of the viceroy’s -treachery and your heroic conduct in frustrating -his design has won you the privilege.”</p> - -<p>Phil flushed with pleasure at his senior’s -words of praise, while he stammered out his -readiness to undertake the hazardous enterprise. -Asking that Sydney accompany him -he received a ready assent.</p> - -<p>“Can you spare me, too, sir?” Langdon -asked earnestly. “I know every foot of the -land about here; I’ve shot pheasant all over -these hills, and understanding the language, -may be a help to Mr. Perry if he should be -stopped by the natives.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, certainly,” the lieutenant replied -quickly, his face showing his appreciation of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_47">[47]</span> -the pilot’s offer. “I couldn’t order you, but -your desire to go speaks highly of your courage. -It is our duty, as naval men, to expose -ourselves to danger.”</p> - -<p>“It’s bred in me, too, sir,” Langdon -answered. “I served with the flag during my -boyhood, and am ever ready to sacrifice all I -have for it.”</p> - -<p>“I shall not encumber you with useless -messages,” Lieutenant Wilson said finally to -Phil as he turned to leave the gate-house and -return to the wall; “you know the situation -and can explain our fears to Captain Hughes.”</p> - -<p>The midshipmen and the pilot went to prepare -themselves for their journey, while their -senior ascended the wall to dispose his small -force in order to guard all approaches and -prevent a surprise. There would be few eyes -closed in sleep that night; the gravity of the -situation was fully impressed on even the -sailors accustomed as they were to danger.</p> - -<p>Hastily arming themselves with a pair of -revolvers each and with plenty of ammunition, -the three volunteers again ascended the -wall.</p> - -<p>The moon had set and the land about the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_48">[48]</span> -mission was veiled in darkness. The men -moved slowly along the wall of the compound, -while Langdon’s keen eyes peered into the -night to discover the best location to leave -the mission. They had traversed nearly half -of the wall and were at the far end of the -compound before the pilot seemed satisfied -that the way was clear. He put out his hand -and touched Phil on the shoulder.</p> - -<p>“We’ll leave from here,” he whispered; -“the Chinese, if they are about, are all in -the front. See; the land is clearer; there are -not so many graves as in the front to conceal -an enemy.”</p> - -<p>Throwing themselves down on top of the -wall they grasped its edge, and lowered themselves -silently to the ground. Langdon led -the way directly from the mission, and -further into the country. The land here was -but slightly cultivated, the ground firm and -for the most part clear, so our travelers swung -along at a lively pace.</p> - -<p>Having covered about a mile, Langdon -stopped to allow his companions to join -him.</p> - -<p>“This is the main road leading into the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_49">[49]</span> -city,” the pilot informed them as they arrived -at the narrow path in which the speaker was -standing. “We’ll follow this right into the -foreign concession; it’s late, past ten o’clock, -and there’ll be no natives on the road. It’s -our safest course.”</p> - -<p>Phil nodded in sign of assent, his eyes on -the Chinese road.</p> - -<p>“A road, did you say, Langdon?” the boy -asked; “it’s more like a bridle-path.”</p> - -<p>“It’s the only kind of road you’ll find in -the Chinese Empire,” the pilot replied as -they moved swiftly over its uneven surface; -“the natives don’t use carriages and coaches -for passengers, nor wagons to carry their -freight, but transport their merchandise in -wheelbarrows or on the backs of the small -Tartar donkeys. In the north the Manchus -have a rickety cart drawn by man power or -by pony and there the highways are wider, -but are even less smooth, for the natives -never repair their roads.”</p> - -<p>They had traveled another mile when -Langdon called a halt and cautioning silence -pointed to a grove of trees ahead of them.</p> - -<p>“A village,” he answered the questioning<span class="pagenum" id="Page_50">[50]</span> -looks of his companions; “we’ll leave the road -and circle it. The wind is from the river, so -I hope the dogs which inhabit these small -towns will not smell us. These Chinese curs -have a keen nose for a foreigner and if our -enemy is about they might warn him of our -presence.”</p> - -<p>As they skirted the village Sydney glanced -with interest down into the mean and ill-smelling -collection of mud-walled hovels, situated -below the level of the surrounding country. -He had heard that this location was chosen to -protect its occupants from the blasts of the winter -gales, and in consequence during the wet -season the floods from the heavy and prolonged -rains swept down upon them, carrying -off bodily their insecure buildings and frequently -drowning many of the unfortunate inhabitants.</p> - -<p>“Will the Chinese ever learn to build their -villages in a common-sense way?” he asked -the pilot.</p> - -<p>“They’ve done the same thing for twenty -centuries,” Langdon answered, following Sydney’s -gaze; “what was good enough for their -ancestors is good enough for them, is their<span class="pagenum" id="Page_51">[51]</span> -motto, and nothing that we can say will ever -move them. After you’ve been here for a few -years, Mr. Monroe, you’ll cease wondering at -anything you see the Chinese do.”</p> - -<p>Suddenly the lads felt themselves grasped -by the strong hands of Langdon and drawn -down into the thick grass. The silence was -broken by a faint sound of voices that seemed -to come from directly below them. Langdon -motioned the boys to remain where they were, -and crawled noiselessly forward to the edge of the -embankment surrounding the village. Phil -could now hear a high-pitched nasal voice, -raised excitedly after the Chinese fashion, with -many loud and piercing notes. He could see -Langdon ahead of him partly hidden in the -grass, and his curiosity was aroused to know -what this midnight meeting might foretell. -Then the voices ceased and the noise of tramping -feet came clearly to his ears. From out -of the shadows, but a few yards from where -Langdon was lying, a squad of Chinese soldiers -moved off into the night, over the road they -were traveling, toward Ku-Ling.</p> - -<p>After a few minutes had elapsed, the soldiers’ -footfalls dying away in the distance,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_52">[52]</span> -Langdon rose to his feet and joined the impatient -midshipmen.</p> - -<p>“They were soldiers!” Sydney exclaimed. -“We distinctly saw their uniforms as they entered -the road.”</p> - -<p>“What were they saying? Could you -hear?” Phil questioned eagerly.</p> - -<p>“One of them was the man you fought with -at the gate,” Langdon answered; “it’s just as -I supposed: there was a movement on foot to -attack the mission if that party was successful -in destroying the gateway. The one doing all -the loud talking was ‘saving his face,’ as the -Chinese say; he was explaining that a monster, -half man and half bird flew down from -the wall and put out the fuse as fast as he -could light it, and that he had mortally -wounded the ‘devil,’ but fear having entered -his heart, he had run away as fast as he could, -followed by his companions. He says that -the ‘foreign devils’ can change into these -monsters whenever they wish, and that their -breath is like fire.”</p> - -<p>Phil gasped in astonishment at the ludicrous -account of his battle with the soldier.</p> - -<p>“But his companions will not believe any<span class="pagenum" id="Page_53">[53]</span> -such tale as that,” he cried; “surely they’ll -know it is made up out of whole cloth?”</p> - -<p>“On the contrary,” Langdon answered, -“they’ll believe it, and what’s more he believes -it himself by this time. Doubtless he was so -frightened that he remembers little that happened, -and their imagination is so vivid that -a Chinaman will generally believe his own -words as they fall from his lips.”</p> - -<p>“What would have happened if they had -been successful?” Phil questioned. “That -small body of men could not have intended -attacking us.”</p> - -<p>“No, but after the gate had been blown in -it would be an easy matter for a few thousand -Chinese to gather. There are tens of thousands -of Chinamen in these small towns within -a mile of the mission. All they need is a -match to start them, and that was the intention -of these soldiers.”</p> - -<p>“It looks as if it were serious,” Sydney said -in an awed whisper as they cautiously regained -the road. The soldiers were not in sight, so -the Americans proceeded, cautiously watching -for the first signs of their enemy on the highway -ahead of them.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_54">[54]</span>Finally they reached the limits of the foreign -concession, and it was after midnight before -they arrived on board the “Phœnix”; -but Commander Hughes was awake and -directed that they be shown down to his cabin -immediately.</p> - -<p>The situation was quickly explained to the -naval officer by the messengers.</p> - -<p>The captain sat in silence for some minutes -after they had finished, his face showing -strongly the strain he was under: all the -Americans on the river were in mortal danger, -and he and his small force were all that stood -between them and a fate far worse than death. -Phil and Langdon anxiously watched the captain’s -face as if to read the next move on the -international chess-board, which Commander -Hughes, as the senior among the foreign captains, -was called upon to make.</p> - -<p>“Gentlemen, the news you bring me is so -terrible in its possibilities,” the captain finally -began, “that I am quite at a loss how to act. -Our force is too small to resist an attack; we -must resort to diplomacy with this rascally -viceroy. And yet we don’t know how far-reaching -the movement may be. If we sit<span class="pagenum" id="Page_55">[55]</span> -idly by the natives will gain confidence, mistaking -forbearance for cowardice, and can -readily drive all foreigners off the river.</p> - -<p>“Mr. Perry,” the captain added, rising and -ringing for his orderly, “I want you to take -the steam launch at once and go to each of -the foreign gunboats; request that their commanding -officers come on board here to a -meeting in a half-hour’s time. Explain to -them the gravity of the situation.” Then -turning to the waiting marine, “My compliments -to the officer on duty, and tell him to -have the steamer ready for Mr. Perry immediately.”</p> - -<p>Phil soon delivered his captain’s messages to -the officer of the deck of each of the foreign -gunboats and upon his return was detailed by -Commander Hughes for the duty of secretary -to the international council.</p> - -<p>Slightly nervous in the presence of so many -seniors, the midshipman sat near his captain, -pencil in hand, ready to take notes of the proceedings -of the council.</p> - -<p>“Commander Ignacio of the ‘Albaque’ is -ill,” a young foreign lieutenant announced as -the American captain glanced at him inquiringly,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_56">[56]</span> -“and begs you will receive me as his -representative.”</p> - -<p>Commander Hughes bowed politely in -agreement and then in a few words described -the incident at the mission.</p> - -<p>“Before it is too late,” he added, “I believe -that it is our duty to lay our difficulties before -the viceroy, and demand that he take steps at -once to quell this uprising. Meanwhile we -should warn all foreigners living in the foreign -concession at Ku-Ling that if our diplomacy -fails they must be ready to take refuge -on board the gunboats. We must deal with -the situation fearlessly, for only in that way -can we expect success. Chang-Li-Hun must -be made to see the seriousness of his inactivity.”</p> - -<p>To this clear proposal all agreed and Commander -Hughes was chosen by acclamation to -lead the embassy on the morrow to the viceroy’s -yamen. Two other commanders were -selected, and then with many expressions for -success the council adjourned.</p> - -<p>“I have my doubts of the utility of a conference -with the viceroy,” Langdon told the -lads the next morning at the breakfast table.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_57">[57]</span> -“He’s a tricky Chinaman and generally has -his own way.</p> - -<p>“Well, we shall soon see,” he ended as an -orderly appeared to summon him and Phil to -be ready within fifteen minutes to accompany -their captain on the mission to the high -Chinese mandarin.</p> - -<p>A half hour later a bright array of uniformed -officers landed on the jetty; there -were three of the gunboat captains and their -aides, all in full dress uniform, which is prescribed -for an official visit upon a viceroy.</p> - -<p>A line of green sedan chairs, the color -portraying to the curious throngs that their -occupants were of the first rank in official -parlance, wended its way in single file through -the guarded gates into the stench of the -crowded, walled city. Each chair was carried -on the muscular shoulders of four coolies, and -at almost a dog’s trot, they bore their burdens -over the narrow, crooked streets.</p> - -<p>Phil gazed excitedly upon the thousands of -inquisitive natives, crowding so near the foreigners -that the pungent odor of their bodies -came distinctly to his nostrils; their ignorant -faces at such close range appalled him. The<span class="pagenum" id="Page_58">[58]</span> -chair coolies cried out hoarsely, jostling the -multitude to prevent being trodden under foot -by the persistent rabble.</p> - -<p>The embassy had covered but half the distance -to the yamen when it was wedged tightly -against a heaving mass of excited yellow -bodies. Phil saw the faces of the crowd -darken with a superstitious loathing; he -seemed to read in their cruel eyes an awakening -to the knowledge of their power, and the -helpless plight of the despised “foreign devils”. -The multitude pressed ever closer; reaching -out their claw-like talons to touch the gold-embroidered -uniforms of the naval officers. -The lad cast a swift glance at Langdon next -him; he felt confident he would read in his -face the extent of the danger threatening them. -The pilot was shouting unintelligible words -to his chair coolies; the while his face was -black with passion.</p> - -<p>The coolies refused stolidly to budge, and -by sign threatened to put down the chairs -upon the ground; all the while jabbering and -gesticulating wildly to each other and to the -mob, which appeared on the point of engulfing -the foreigners in its noisome embrace.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_59">[59]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER V<br /> - - -<small>THE VICEROY’S TREACHERY</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> gaping crowd pressed ever closer. Phil -could feel the fetid breath of those nearest -him; he saw a big Chinaman emerge from -the dense throng and push his way to Langdon’s -chair; the lad would have cried out a -warning, but all happened with such lightning-like -swiftness that he had not found his voice -before the bold Chinaman had released his -hold upon the pilot’s coat, and had fallen -back into the arms of his countrymen nearest -him, a deep red stain upon his closely shaved -head, while Langdon waved menacingly his -Colt revolver, the blunt butt of which had -successfully cowed the would-be leader.</p> - -<p>Fortunately for the foreigners, a troop of -mounted soldiers arrived on the scene at this -juncture and brutally cleared the way, trampling -under their horses’ feet the nearest of -the mob, chained as they were by the mass<span class="pagenum" id="Page_60">[60]</span> -of humanity behind them. Presently the -chairs were again in motion; the soldiers -now keeping the crowd in check, and in a -few minutes more the embassy arrived in -front of the yamen, the official residence of -the viceroy. The heavy, grotesquely painted -doors were quickly opened, and closed sharply -in the faces of the unruly crowd.</p> - -<p>The naval men alighted from their chairs, -well satisfied to have escaped so easily from a -disagreeable situation; but the pilot was not -so well pleased.</p> - -<p>“We’re in for it, I fear,” he confided to -Phil; “that was another insult. The viceroy -knew we were coming and he doubtless -planned that we should be mobbed, holding -his soldiers back to give us a few unpleasant -minutes.”</p> - -<p>“What would that Chinaman have done -to you?” Phil asked gravely.</p> - -<p>“It was an act of bravado,” Langdon answered -smilingly, the picture of the discomfited -man in his mind; “but if he had succeeded -in pulling me from the chair it would have -been serious; a leader is all these people -need.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_61">[61]</span>“Pretty tight squeak, eh, Langdon?” -Commander Hughes asked while they waited -for the summons to approach the audience-chamber.</p> - -<p>“It looked bad for a time, sir,” the pilot -replied; “if some one had thrown a stone, -we’d have been mobbed then and there, and -the soldiers would have been powerless to -save us. Not in my ten years among these -people have I seen such a menacing mob. -We must deal boldly with the viceroy, sir, -or else we’ll not get out of the city alive.”</p> - -<p>“Is it really as bad as that?” the captain -asked anxiously.</p> - -<p>“Yes, sir,” Langdon answered earnestly, -lowering his voice so as not to be heard by -any save the captain; “they were in an ugly -mood, and if I am not mistaken they were -acting under orders from the yamen; otherwise -the rabble wouldn’t have dared molest -us. If we don’t keep our feet on their necks, -they’ll make short work of every foreigner in -the Yangtse Valley.”</p> - -<p>After a few minutes more of waiting the -inner doors were thrown open and the naval -men were ushered into the second courtyard,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_62">[62]</span> -and then through more doors to the council-chamber -of the viceroy. Here they found -Chang-Li-Hun and his advisers ready to receive -them.</p> - -<p>Commander Hughes advanced toward the -viceroy and bowed ceremoniously; the -ancient Chinaman clasped his hands in front -of him and murmured a few monosyllables in -his own language, after which all were seated. -Phil found his place between Langdon and a -Chinaman, while Commander Hughes sat at -the viceroy’s left, the seat of honor in the -dragon kingdom.</p> - -<p>The silence was undisturbed for several -minutes, during which time the lad gazed -covertly about him. He noticed the sphinx-like -face of the high mandarin, whose power -was as far-reaching as even the empress -dowager’s, to whom he acknowledged allegiance -but gave it grudgingly. This wizened -old man had the power of life and death over -nearly twenty million human beings. If he -so willed, he could order any of his subjects to -be brought to the execution grounds and chop -their heads off with as little feeling as one -would have in beheading a chicken. The<span class="pagenum" id="Page_63">[63]</span> -midshipman’s eyes traveled in turn over each -face of the viceroy’s advisers, men of great -promise in the empire; they represented the -enlightened few governing with iron rods a -people who are yet stifled in the superstitions -and customs of medieval times. Through the -open door, the lad caught a glimpse of Chinese -guards; their blue tunics similar to the one -he had stripped from the back of the Chinaman -at the mission gate.</p> - -<p>Finally the silence was broken by the high-pitched -voice of the aged viceroy in his own -staccato language. Phil believed he could -read both anger and contempt in the tones of -the mandarin’s voice.</p> - -<p>After he had spoken there was a moment’s -silence, then a voice was raised in perfect -English. Phil gasped in surprise as he beheld -the speaker; a Chinaman seated on the -right hand of the viceroy. There was not a -trace of the accent which he had believed was -habitual with every Chinaman who learns the -English tongue.</p> - -<p>“His Excellency, Chang-Li-Hun, thanks -the high naval commanders for the honor -of this visit and desires to hear their requests,”<span class="pagenum" id="Page_64">[64]</span> -the interpreting Chinaman announced.</p> - -<p>“Give our compliments to his Excellency,” -replied Commander Hughes without a second’s -hesitation, “and say that the time has long -passed for requests. We come now to demand -that our countrymen be protected, in accordance -with the sacred word of China given by treaty.”</p> - -<p>The interpreter’s face was a study; the -American’s words were evidently unexpected; -he glanced uneasily at the viceroy as if fearing -the storm which he knew would break -forth when the sharp words were translated -into his guttural tongue. After a few -moments of thought, during which time the -old mandarin blinked his watery eyes expectantly -the interpreter spoke, hesitatingly -and as one who is not sure of his ground; but -instead of the burst of rage which Phil felt -was inevitable, the old statesman nodded his -head in assent.</p> - -<p>The lad saw Langdon rise to his feet and -speak in an undertone to Commander Hughes; -then the Chinese mandarins grasped the arms -of their heavily carved chairs with indignation -and horror while the pilot’s voice in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_65">[65]</span> -their own tongue rang out loudly, in direct -address to the viceroy. Then he turned to -his captain and explained his action.</p> - -<p>“The interpreter did not give the viceroy -your words, sir,” he said, his voice quivering -with emotion. “I thought it best that he -should know.”</p> - -<p>The parchment-like features of the aged -mandarin were stamped with hatred as he -snapped out his reply to his attentive interpreter.</p> - -<p>“His Excellency is much disappointed at -the unfriendly attitude of the foreigners,” the -Chinaman announced after the viceroy had -ceased speaking, “and is grieved to hear their -harsh language.”</p> - -<p>Again Langdon’s voice was raised above -the silence which followed the placid words -of the interpreter: but this time in English.</p> - -<p>“Those were not the viceroy’s words,” -he exclaimed turning toward Commander -Hughes but glowering at the discomfited interpreter; -“his answer was a threat against our -lives.”</p> - -<p>Commander Hughes was on his feet instantly, -his face pale with anger.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_66">[66]</span>“Langdon,” he cried, “tell the viceroy -that our meeting is ended; that we came to -demand punishment for those of his countrymen -who attempted to injure our mission on -the hill back of the city, but as he refuses to -keep to his country’s treaty, we shall be -forced to resort to arms to protect our own -people.”</p> - -<p>Langdon promptly translated Commander -Hughes’ words to the viceroy, sitting craftily -observing the incensed foreigners.</p> - -<p>Chang-Li-Hun was too clever a diplomat to -show his hand was against the foreigners; he -must appear to aid them in their endeavors to -protect their countrymen, and by the art understood -best by the Oriental he would make -these naval men “lose face” in the Chinese -eyes, and thereby show his people that the -vainglorious boasting foreigners were but -human, and could suffer and die as easily as -those of their own race.</p> - -<p>A few guttural words escaped from the lips -of the aged mandarin, which Langdon translated -at once, not waiting for the unreliable -interpreter.</p> - -<p>“The viceroy begs you will again be<span class="pagenum" id="Page_67">[67]</span> -seated; he says he knows nothing of the acts -against the mission.”</p> - -<p>“Tell him, then, Langdon,” the American -captain ordered, while the members of the -embassy reluctantly took their seats; “and -give it to him as strong as you can,” he continued -his wrath but slightly mollified.</p> - -<p>This was all too pleasant a task for the -pilot, whose knowledge of Chinese officialdom -had not left him with much respect for their -roundabout methods. He went straight to -the point, addressing the viceroy directly, -while the latter appeared to listen eagerly.</p> - -<p>After the pilot had stopped speaking and -had reseated himself at Commander Hughes’ -side, the viceroy drew his interpreter aside, -and in a voice so low pitched that Langdon -could not hear a word, conversed with him -earnestly for many minutes; then the interpreter -arose and hurriedly left the council-chamber.</p> - -<p>The embassy sat in silence, wondering what -would be the next move of this adroit diplomat. -Phil’s nerves were atingle with expectancy; -the dangers of their position -within a hostile city, and in the grasp of an<span class="pagenum" id="Page_68">[68]</span> -avowed enemy, gave his young and untamed -spirit high hopes for excitement. How he -wished for Sydney that he might share whatever -was in store for the embassy before it -again reached the safety of its steel broadsides!</p> - -<p>The naval men had not long to wait before -the inner gates of the yamen were thrown -open and a battalion of soldiers filed into the -courtyard, outside the audience-chamber. Another -moment, and the light screens forming -the sides of the council-chamber were removed -and the embassy looked fairly out upon this -martial display.</p> - -<p>The soldiers were quickly formed into a -hollow square between the embassy and the -outer gates, which then were likewise opened -and a seething mob of excited, riotous Chinamen -poured through, filling up the courtyard -beyond.</p> - -<p>“What’s the meaning of this?” the American -commander exclaimed in sudden alarm; -but before Langdon could disclaim his knowledge -of what was about to happen, a part of -the square opened and a number of tightly-bound -prisoners were dragged to the middle<span class="pagenum" id="Page_69">[69]</span> -of the courtyard directly in front of the viceroy. -As they approached, Phil unconsciously -turned away his head to shut out the pitiful -spectacle; the prisoners were cruelly shackled -together in a manner practiced only by the -Chinese.</p> - -<p>After the lad had gained control of his feelings -and once more glanced toward the prisoners, -the viceroy was speaking, while the pilot -listened intently; the mob beyond was silent, -gazing with evident enjoyment at the terror-stricken -prisoners before the viceroy.</p> - -<p>“His Excellency says that he has just discovered -that these men were arrested last -night by his guards with contraband concealed -upon their persons, and when tortured confessed -to having attempted to blow in the -gates of the American mission, and that he -will punish them in our presence as a warning -to his people,” Langdon announced loudly, -then lowering his voice, he whispered hurriedly -to Commander Hughes: “I don’t like -the looks of it, sir; a moment ago he knew -nothing of it, and now he claims to have the -culprits; it seems strange.”</p> - -<p>“Hold!” cried Commander Hughes, starting<span class="pagenum" id="Page_70">[70]</span> -to his feet; “we must have proof that -these are the right men; we want no useless -executions.” For he knew only too well that -this form of punishment was the one dear to -the Chinese heart, and he could read upon the -faces of the crowd that it was waiting joyfully -to see these human heads severed from their -bodies and doubtless had been promised this -stirring sport.</p> - -<p>Langdon translated his captain’s wish hastily -to the viceroy, but the mandarin turned a deaf -ear, raising his thin, veined hand with its -claw-like nails as a sign to proceed with the -gruesome work.</p> - -<p>A muscular Chinaman, naked save for a -loin cloth, stepped from the ranks of the soldiers -brandishing a sharp curved sword, and -moved quickly to the side of the kneeling -prisoners. Commander Hughes and his colleagues -started precipitately toward him as if -to prevent him from carrying out his murderous -intentions.</p> - -<p>Phil saw the bright blade circle above the -head of a terrified prisoner and then descend. -He closed his eyes in horror to shut out the -appalling sight.</p> - - - - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_71">[71]</span>A report of a pistol shot rang out deafeningly, -and he opened his eyes to a view of -Langdon with a smoking revolver in his -hand, while the executioner lay on the sand -beside his victim.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_070.jpg" alt="" /></div> -<p class="drop-cap2"><i>A PISTOL SHOT RANG OUT</i></p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_72">[72]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER VI<br /> - - -<small>DIPLOMACY FAILS</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">“I guessed</span> as much!” the pilot cried out, -striding forward; the guards timidly giving -way before his menacing revolver. “These -men are Christian converts; it’s but a trick to -make us lose face before this rabble.”</p> - -<p>He reached the side of the prisoners and -raised one to his feet. Phil watched with -fascinated gaze as Langdon dragged forward -excitedly the chained and terrified men who -had been plucked from death by the timely -and unerring shot of the American; there -was something strangely familiar in the ashen -features of one of them.</p> - -<p>“This man is a mess attendant from the -‘Phœnix!’” Langdon exclaimed, pointing to -the nearer of the two prisoners; “the trick -was to execute them before our eyes before we -could interfere.”</p> - -<p>Both Commander Hughes and Phil saw at -once that the pilot was right; there was the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_73">[73]</span> -ward-room servant who had been missing since -the day of the gunboat’s arrival; he was a -Chinaman from a distant province and unable -to speak the local dialect, and in consequence -had been singled out as a victim by the scheming -officials.</p> - -<p>The midshipman feared that all was lost; -he could see no avenue of escape; the viceroy’s -attitude was certainly hostile, and how could -they, a mere handful of officers armed with -only their revolvers, hope to cope with the -soldiers of the yamen, to say nothing of the -hundreds of thousands of fanatics inside the -walled city? A single wave of that treacherous -hand would condemn them to a fate -from which his soul revolted; he had heard -of the terrible deaths meted out to foreigners -by these semi-barbarians. The lad glanced -anxiously at his companions; he saw in their -faces that they were determined to sell their -lives as dearly as possible, but the unequal -struggle could have but one ending.</p> - -<p>The naval men were standing together near -the table; every eye was upon the aged -mandarin, sitting calmly, and to outward -appearances, no more concerned than if he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_74">[74]</span> -were witnessing a play on the yamen stage; -Langdon remained beside the prisoners, and -not far from the soldiers stolidly waiting -orders from their high chief.</p> - -<p>The situation was impressive and one to -unnerve the stoutest heart; a false move, an -ill-judged word, and those hundreds of modern -rifles might be turned against the defenseless -officers. Phil knew that nearly two thousand -sailors were under arms on board the war-ships, -ready to be landed if the embassy had -not returned to the jetty by eleven o’clock; -it was now ten-thirty by the great clock in -the council-chamber; but before the half hour -had passed all would be decided and the landing -force would not be necessary. The midshipman -knew that Commander Hughes would -not retract a single word uttered in the conference, -and that he would presently give out -his ultimatum to the viceroy, which would -either be accepted or else more foreign blood -would be laid at the door of this cruel official, -Chang-Li-Hun.</p> - -<p>“Be careful, Langdon,” Commander Hughes -said in a low voice, in which no emotion was -evident, although Phil could see the involuntary<span class="pagenum" id="Page_75">[75]</span> -twitching of his lips; “don’t throw a -match into the magazine. Tell him quietly -that we have seen through his treachery and -wish safe conduct through his city back to -our vessels; and insist that these prisoners -accompany us.”</p> - -<p>Phil shook with excitement as the pilot -steadied himself to give his captain’s words -to the viceroy; he understood thoroughly that -this was the only course open to the American -commander if he wished to save the hundreds -of foreigners in the province from the insults -and scorn of the Chinese expulsionists, even -though the result to him and his colleagues -was death. The lad’s mind dwelt for the -fraction of a second upon the terrible revenge -that would be visited upon those responsible -for the killing of the members of the embassy; -he thought of Canton and Peking, and how -the despised foreign soldiers had, with fire and -sword, brought home to the defilers of the -sacred rights of ambassadors the terrible consequences -of their guilt; yet there was scant -encouragement for him in such recollections.</p> - -<p>Langdon had given his captain’s ultimatum -in a calm voice from which all passion had<span class="pagenum" id="Page_76">[76]</span> -been expunged, and now all waited with breath -abated for the words of the wizened old man, -in whose hands the fate of so many lives -rested.</p> - -<p>The viceroy at length stirred uneasily in his -chair and turning to one of his ministers -uttered a few low gutturals. The spell was -broken; a harsh command rang out, and -instantly the soldiers faced about, forcing -with set bayonets the disappointed populace -through the outer gates, which swung shut -with a loud rattle behind them. Then the -military, gathering up the two lifeless bodies, -sacrifices to the humor of a viceroy, melted -away in all directions, leaving the embassy -once more alone with the yamen officials.</p> - -<p>The viceroy raised his teacup to his lips, a -signal that the visit was at an end, and then -rising slowly, he bowed coldly, and attended -by his ministers withdrew from the room. In -a few minutes the chairs were brought and -the embassy were only too glad to be gone -from this nerve-racking and fruitless council.</p> - -<p>Langdon, with his usual energy, saw the -liberated prisoners seated in chairs in the -midst of those of the foreigners and near his<span class="pagenum" id="Page_77">[77]</span> -own, and then stepped to the captain’s side -to report that all was ready to proceed.</p> - -<p>“I don’t think we shall be molested,” he -said hopefully; “it seems plain that the -viceroy will do nothing to stop the uprising, -but it appears he is afraid to openly defy -you.” Then he raised his voice admiringly: -“Do you know, captain, that you’re the very -first foreigner to make Chang-Li-Hun lose -face, and before a crowd of his own people -whom he had deliberately collected to witness -your own discomfiture. You gave us all a -close call in doing it, sir; I could hardly believe -my ears when I heard you tell me to -shoot the executioner, but there wasn’t time -to allow you to repeat it.”</p> - -<p>The return to the jetty was well and safely -guarded by hundreds of well-armed soldiers -and the crowds were handled so easily that -the foreigners could readily see that the -episode of the morning was prepared for them -by the yamen officials. Commander Hughes -realized that the visit to the viceroy had -given ample proof that whatever injury was -done to foreigners by the natives of the province -could be charged to the stand taken by<span class="pagenum" id="Page_78">[78]</span> -the viceroy; and with this official backing -the hostile movement would spread to insurmountable -proportions.</p> - -<p>“Why the viceroy permitted us to take -those Chinese prisoners I can’t understand,” -the pilot exclaimed to Phil, a half hour having -passed since the return of the embassy.</p> - -<p>Phil was silent, but intensely interested. -He had just seen the foreign captains file into -the cabin, unsummoned, eager to hear the -result of the mission to the viceroy.</p> - -<p>“The two prisoners came to me immediately -we got back to the ship,” Langdon continued -excitedly, “and told me of an attack -to be made to-night on the Inland Mission. -They claim to have secured this information -from the Chinaman who was beheaded before -our eyes; he was a northern Chinaman, -but could speak the local dialect. The -soldiers, knowing these men were to die, did -not take the trouble to conceal their plans. -It seems that an army of outlaws have taken -Lien-Chow for their headquarters; it is a -small town about seven miles from here on -the To-Yan Lake, and they intend to move in -a body upon the mission. These malcontents<span class="pagenum" id="Page_79">[79]</span> -have been guaranteed aid from the viceroy, -and if the mission is captured, they hope to -gather enough reënforcement to allow them -to march against the forts, and the result -would be their capture, for the soldiers there -would not fire a shot against their own -countrymen. The guns of the forts will -then be turned upon us and our escape down -the river will be cut off, for these vessels -cannot face heavy ordnance.”</p> - -<p>“But why,” exclaimed Phil, after the pilot -had finished, “should they attack a guarded -mission when there are so many others scattered -over the country undefended?”</p> - -<p>“It seems to show,” returned Langdon, -“that the viceroy is directing the movement. -To attack and massacre the inmates of an unguarded -mission could readily be attributed -to an uncontrolled mob and would be a subject -for conference and indemnity; but an -attack on a defended mission, and by soldiers -in uniform, will show the Chinese that the -war is between the representatives of the foreign -governments and their own, and being -successful will stir the whole population of -this part of China to rise and drive out all foreigners.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_80">[80]</span> -I believe to-night will be one of -blood for foreigners in China, if those away -from the protection of our river gunboats -have not already paid the penalty of their -trusting natures.”</p> - -<p>“We must not delay an instant in taking -this information to the captain,” Phil declared -excitedly, the contemplated movement of the -expulsionists with its possible results flashing -through his mind.</p> - -<p>The foreign gunboat captains were gathered -about the cabin table when Langdon and Phil -were announced by the orderly, and all listened -intently while the pilot gave hurriedly -the story brought by the two Chinese refugees.</p> - -<p>A buzz of eager conversation and questions -ensued as Langdon finished. Each of the -captains had his own plans to advance, but -Commander Hughes, as the senior, was the -first to be heard. He arose, his face grave, -and at once the room was hushed; all recognized -and respected his understanding and -fertility of resource.</p> - -<p>“We must acknowledge a failure in our -diplomatic mission to the viceroy,” he began, -weighing each word carefully; “the cable<span class="pagenum" id="Page_81">[81]</span> -being in the hands of the Chinese officials, we -are for the present cut off from instructions -from our respective governments. We have -here every available vessel on the river, except -those necessary for the protection of the missions -farther up the country; the state of the -river at present will not admit of the battle-ships -coming to our aid, and the two monitors -of my government are by last accounts as yet -in the Philippines. We must act here and -now; there is no time for calm and deliberate -judgment; our decision must be made -quickly, and our act must be as prompt, if we -are to be in time to prevent a general massacre -of foreigners.”</p> - -<p>The speaker stopped and glanced earnestly -at the faces of his colleagues; each recognized -full well the delicacy of the position. -Would their respective governments sanction -their acts, or would they find themselves disgraced -and relieved of their commands, for -not having followed a course of procedure decided -upon by their sovereigns at a great distance -from the scene of disturbance and in -the light of events which had not as yet transpired?</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_82">[82]</span>“My government,” Commander Hughes -resumed, “is one of the most conservative of -those represented here; it has ever been against -striking the first blow. But there has now -come a time when humanity calls for other -and more drastic measures. You have just -heard from the lips of one who knows these -people far better than we that these fanatics -aided by the viceroy intend attacking a mission -guarded by American sailors.”</p> - -<p>Commander Hughes as he spoke spread -out a chart upon the table before him, -beckoning Langdon at the same time to his -side.</p> - -<p>“If we remain anchored here the guns of -the forts, if hostile, will soon drive us from -the city,” he began again, his eyes on the -chart. “Before we strike a blow we must -first embark all foreigners from the concession -and change our anchorage to one beyond the -range of the forts. With this startling news -from the Chinese prisoners, coupled with the -attempt last night to blow up the gates of the -mission, the intention of the Chinese is no -longer a matter of conjecture. We have now -to face a condition. This mission, guarded<span class="pagenum" id="Page_83">[83]</span> -by sailors from my own ship, is in imminent -peril and must be relieved at once. Every -moment is precious. The means only should -now be considered by us. I have two plans -in mind: the first one is to move farther up -the river to a point abreast the mission,” placing -his finger on the chart; “from the river it -is but three miles to the mission, and we -can easily land a force after dark and march -across to its relief.”</p> - -<p>As the captain finished he glanced inquiringly -at the pilot.</p> - -<p>“That would be very difficult, sir,” Langdon -said quickly, reading the question in his -captain’s eyes. “True, from there the -distance is short, but we shall have to cross -a wide and deep irrigation ditch. This -canal is nearly fifty feet in depth and its sides -are perpendicular.”</p> - -<p>“Are there no bridges?” inquired a foreign -officer anxiously.</p> - -<p>“There are several bamboo bridges,” Langdon -answered, “but they are narrow and frail. -Probably even now they have been destroyed.”</p> - -<p>“Then we must adopt my second plan,”<span class="pagenum" id="Page_84">[84]</span> -the American commander declared stoutly. -“We have but two thousand men available for -landing, which depletes our ships to an -alarming extent, anchored as they are under -the guns of the batteries; if we wait until the -mission is attacked and then land to the -rescue, we might find ourselves at a great disadvantage -against the many thousands of well-armed -enemies; besides, in our absence it -might prove too great a temptation for the -men of the forts to open fire on our ships, -thus cutting us off from our own vessels. -Lien-Chow, where the Chinese fanatics are -massing, is from here seven miles by land and -sixteen by water; the rebels will not leave -the cover of their city before dark.</p> - -<p>“My recommendation is therefore to get -under way at once from this anchorage, taking -with us all foreigners who wish to leave the -foreign concession, and then steam by the -forts and into the To-Yan Lake. Immediately -upon our arrival off Lien-Chow I propose to -land and fearlessly attack the rebels in their -headquarters. In routing them we shall -either break the back of the uprising, or else -make it incumbent upon the mandarins, the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_85">[85]</span> -real offenders, to devise other plans for encouraging -this movement against the lives of -the Europeans.</p> - -<p>“Are you with me, gentlemen?”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_86">[86]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER VII<br /> - - -<small>DISSENSIONS</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">Commander Hughes’</span> plans were agreed -upon, though not until after much opposition -by the other members of the council, and -word was at once despatched to the foreign -merchants and consuls ashore to close their -stores and houses and seek protection on board -the gunboats of their respective nationalities.</p> - -<p>Inside of three hours all preparations were -completed and the international fleet weighed -anchor and, in column, the “Phœnix” leading, -steamed boldly down the river.</p> - -<p>Langdon had gone to the gunboat’s bridge -to pilot the fleet through the narrow and -dangerous channel leading into the shallow -waters of the To-Yan Lake, leaving Phil and -Sydney at their guns, aft on the quarter-deck -of the vessel; for all the gunboats had cleared -for action to be prepared in case the Chinese -should precipitate hostilities. While the fleet<span class="pagenum" id="Page_87">[87]</span> -was getting its anchors up from the bottom of -the muddy river, they gazed with rising pulse -at the unusual activity inside the Chinese -batteries; they could see groups of blue-clad -soldiers surrounding the big guns in their -rocky emplacements. Would the forts open -fire upon the allied fleet as it steamed past?</p> - -<p>The midshipmen knew that if one shot was -fired from that impregnable fortress at the -miniature battle-ships the sound would travel -around the world. It would mean war! -The forts belonged to the Chinese government -and were manned by her soldiers; no idle -excuse would be accepted by the nations insulted.</p> - -<p>“These ships wouldn’t stand a ghost of a -chance against those guns,” Sydney exclaimed -nervously as he joined Phil on his side of the -deck. The sailors stood silently at their batteries, -each gun loaded with high explosive -shell and ready to hurl its charge at the enemy -at close range if it should suddenly declare -war.</p> - -<p>“It’s pretty short range,” Phil declared, -“and our gun pointers could send every shell -through those rock gun ports. A fleet of our<span class="pagenum" id="Page_88">[88]</span> -gunboats would drive the Chinese gunners -from their guns.”</p> - -<p>“One Chinese shell, though, would sink -us,” Sydney returned, intent upon gaining his -point. “However, let them go ahead. Those -rascals will find the ‘Phœnix’ will give them -a surprise-party.”</p> - -<p>“The monitors are what we need,” Phil -exclaimed, “but they are over a thousand -miles away, broiling in the heat of Manila. -With the monitors here the forts could be -silenced and captured by the fleet.”</p> - -<p>The long column of moving gunboats was -now stretched along the river from Ku-Ling -to the southward. The leader had now safely -passed the forts and its bow was directed down -the river for the entrance of the To-Yan Lake, -a good six miles distant.</p> - -<p>It was with a feeling of relief that the midshipmen -saw the last gunboat in column, following -the “Phœnix’s” lead, pass out of -range of the fort’s guns. It showed that -China, as a nation, had not as yet openly -challenged the world to battle; but if those in -the forts had known of the avowed intentions of -the fleet might they not have acted differently?</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_89">[89]</span>Under the skilful direction of Langdon, -the Yangtse River pilot, the allied fleet -steamed to the southward, leaving on its starboard -hand the high bluff point of land below -the city, upon which, fortunately, the Chinese -had not as yet mounted protecting batteries, -and then entered the shallow waters of the -forbidden lake. From this point the channel -led away from the course of the river and to -the westward behind the city of Ku-Ling.</p> - -<p>“Do you see Commander Hughes’ plan?” -Phil exclaimed excitedly. He took a piece of -paper from his pocket, and drew a hasty map -of their surroundings. “Here’s the river, -and here,” he said, “is the lake, which we are -entering. Lien-Chow, you see, is ahead of us,” -and he pointed to a dull color of blue that -raised itself slowly from the muddy waters of -the lake. “It’s in the rear of the fort guns, -you notice, and our ships will be safely -anchored while we are relieving those in the -mission, which lies over there.”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” answered Sydney; “but if we succeed -in repulsing the rebels at Lien-Chow and -rescuing the mission,” he went on doubtfully, -“what shall we do next? We shall be cut off<span class="pagenum" id="Page_90">[90]</span> -from Ku-Ling. The forts will never let us -pass freely again.”</p> - -<p>Phil put his sketch in his pocket. He -wanted to complete it later and send it home -in his next letter. “Well,” he declared, “we -can’t worry over that now. The rescue of -those in the mission, you see, is our most important -duty. The future must take care of -itself.”</p> - -<p>It was shortly after two o’clock in the afternoon, -when the long line of vessels dropped -anchor off the town of Lien-Chow; and almost -immediately the gunboats had lowered their -small boats and were embarking their sailors. -Phil found himself in the steam launch with -Commander Hughes and Langdon; the former -had been chosen to command the expedition, -and the lad thanked his good fortune for his -assignment as aid.</p> - -<p>The long line of boats, laden with armed -bluejackets, rowed swiftly toward the not distant -shore of the bay, while two of the gunboats, -remaining under way when the fleet -anchored, took up their stations where they -could shell the enemy if the landing was opposed.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_91">[91]</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_map.jpg" alt="" /></div> -<p class="center"><i>PHIL’S COMPLETED MAP</i></p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_92">[92]</span>The midshipman stood beside Commander -Hughes, whose keen eyes were directed toward -the Chinese town, in which direction the -launch was heading. Phil could not discern -even a trace of nervousness in his captain’s -face, yet upon the success of this bold attempt -to coerce the Chinese mandarins his future -career in the navy rested. Langdon’s eyes -were searching the approaching shore-line for -signs of the enemy. He hastily took the spyglass -from Phil’s hand and leveled it in the -direction of a grove of trees to the right of the -middle of the town.</p> - -<p>“It’s a piece of artillery,” the pilot exclaimed, -pointing with his glass toward the -grove.</p> - -<p>Commander Hughes leveled his field-glass -and gazed for a few seconds in the direction -indicated.</p> - -<p>He had framed an answer, but it remained -unspoken. A puff of brown smoke darted -from a bright flash amidst the trees, and the -screech of a shell came loudly to the ears of -the advancing foreigners, while a column of -water rose suddenly in the air scarce fifty -yards short of the line of boats.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_93">[93]</span>The two watchful gunboats, from the flanks, -opened fire with their broadsides, and in a -second the grove was blotted from sight by -scores of explosions.</p> - -<p>“That relieves us of the stigma of firing the -first shot,” Commander Hughes exclaimed -gladly; “but I had hoped not to have to fire -at all. My prayer was that the rebels would -disperse at this show of force.”</p> - -<p>The boats had not covered another hundred -yards when the town broke forth, in its entire -length, with a hail of rifle shots; the distance -was too great to see the flashes and hear distinctly -the discharges, but the water in front -and around the boats was cut to foam by the -hissing missiles. As the boats drew nearer, -the rattle of musketry came sharply to Phil’s -ears, while he heard again the wailing bullets -speeding by him. The attacking sailors were -silent, but the flank gunboats poured a storm -of shell into the town.</p> - -<p>Phil glanced admiringly at his captain; the -latter was strikingly cool in face of the -stubborn resistance with which he had not -reckoned; he had believed that the rebels -were but an unorganized mob and could<span class="pagenum" id="Page_94">[94]</span> -easily be intimidated by the allied forces; but -instead he now saw that the enemy was in -force and well intrenched, while the screech -of shell and explosion of shrapnel above the -sailors’ heads bore witness that these Chinese -outlaws were well supplied with modern -ordnance.</p> - -<p>A few boats in the long line wavered and -held back, but the majority kept steadily on, -followed in but a few seconds by those less -brave.</p> - -<p>“When we ground,” Commander Hughes -commanded, “you go to the right, Perry, and -you, Langdon, to the left: tell the officers to -advance at double time straight upon the intrenchments. -We dare not stop now; given -the slightest encouragement, the Chinese -could repulse us.”</p> - -<p>Phil felt the launch tremble, and then a -grating sound told him the boat had reached -as near the shore as its draft would allow. -Without hesitation, he jumped waist-deep -into the water and waded to the shore, a -scant hundred yards away. He saw his two -companions follow his lead, then he started -away at top speed up the beach amidst a perfect<span class="pagenum" id="Page_95">[95]</span> -storm of bullets, giving to the leader of -each detachment as he passed the commands -of his captain.</p> - -<p>“Form a skirmish line and advance on the -double,” he shouted to boat after boat as their -keels grated on the sandy shore; then reaching -the last boat, he quickly turned and -raced back to join his captain.</p> - -<p>Running to seaward of the advancing -sailors, he had covered but a short distance -when he found himself among a company of -demoralized foreigners; their swarthy faces -were ashen from terror. The midshipman at -once saw the danger in this panic; already -had it begun to spread to left and right; the -companies nearest the one in disorder had -halted and the sailors were glancing back uncertainly -and with increasing uneasiness. A -general stampede was not far distant. The -leader of this shameless company appeared to -be wild-eyed with terror. He seemed powerless -to stop the threatened rush for the boats. -The lad stood transfixed with horror. If the -infection spread a panic would be the natural -consequence, bringing certain defeat to the -allied arms and leaving the mission helpless<span class="pagenum" id="Page_96">[96]</span> -to the mercy of the cruel enemy. Without a -second’s hesitation Phil raced up to the fleeing -officer. Whirling him about to face the -enemy, the lad cried out in sudden astonishment -and misgiving, as he came face to face -with the man who had so grossly insulted -him in the bank at Ku-Ling.</p> - -<p>Phil was conscious of a look of bitter -hatred on the stranger’s swarthy face, but -there was no time to consider aught save the -danger of a panic and the defeat to his captain’s -plans.</p> - -<p>“Would you have us all massacred? Don’t -you see that these Chinese will run from you -if you will only turn and charge as you were -told?” the lad cried desperately, menacingly -emphasizing his words with his loaded -revolver. Then lowering his voice, he added -in flinty tones for only the officer’s ear: -“Now run straight as you’re heading; if you -turn back I’ll blow a hole through you!”</p> - -<p>The foreign officer felt the muzzle of Phil’s -revolver prodding between his shoulder-blades, -close to his heart, and read the -determination in the American’s voice.</p> - -<p>“Encourage your men to follow us,” the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_97">[97]</span> -midshipman cried as the officer moved forward -uncertainly.</p> - -<p>“Forward! Charge!” the officer ordered -in a voice becoming bolder with excitement -as he saw there was nothing left him but to -obey.</p> - -<p>The startled sailors recoiled in surprise, muttering -incoherently to themselves, and then -seeing their officer advance on a trot toward -the enemy’s trenches, they turned, at first -fearfully, then gaining courage, impetuously, -and charged straight toward the source of the -leaden stream.</p> - -<p>A quarter of an hour later, Phil stood beside -Commander Hughes in the trenches of -the enemy, while the victorious sailors were -following doggedly the retreating rebels. -Langdon stood close by guarding a prisoner; -within the pilot’s huge fist was clutched the -Chinaman’s snake-like cue, while he eagerly -questioned the terrified man in Chinese. The -others waited impatiently to hear what intelligence -could be extracted from the much -frightened Oriental.</p> - -<p>“I impressed upon him that if he did not -tell me the truth that I would kill him,” the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_98">[98]</span> -pilot exclaimed hurriedly; “he sticks to his -story that to-night they are going to attack -the big mission on the graveyard hills.”</p> - -<p>“We’ve but half succeeded,” Commander -Hughes exclaimed, the lines in his face growing -deeper from anxiety. “We’ve scattered -the outlaws here with heavy loss,” the dead -bodies almost filling the deep trenches speaking -eloquently that fact, “but we must push -forward at once to relieve our mission. I cannot -sleep another night until those innocent -non-combatants have been rescued. My men -are even secondary,” he added forcefully; “it -is their duty and privilege to die in the cause -of humanity.”</p> - -<p>“We cannot hope to succeed without opposition,” -Langdon said; “but before the news -of our fight here arouses the viceroy to action -against us, we should relieve the mission, -bringing everybody here where we can protect -them. It is but a two-hour march and is but -the natural sequence to the attack we have -made.”</p> - -<p>“Quite so,” Commander Hughes agreed -hopefully. “Langdon,” he added in a sad -voice, “you don’t know what it is to rule a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_99">[99]</span> -dozen different nationalities. It is a wonder -we can accomplish anything.” Then he -turned to Phil, who had listened eagerly, his -young face full of concern. “Recall the sailors,” -he ordered.</p> - -<p>After the men had been ordered back from -their excited pursuit of the fleeing Chinese and -had fallen into military order in rear of the -captured trenches, the American commander -gathered the senior officers of each nationality -about him to urge upon them the necessity of -prompt action to relieve the threatened mission.</p> - -<p>Phil started, the hot blood suffusing his -face, as he saw with sinking heart the rank of -the foreigner whom he had humiliated before -his own men. Three heavy gold stripes on -the officer’s sleeve told him the rank was that -of commander, equal to that of his own captain. -This cowardly officer was then in command -of one of the foreign gunboats, but why -had he not seen him before at the councils of -the allies on board the “Phœnix”? Was -this Captain Ignacio of the “Albaque,” who -had each time pleaded sickness and sent a -young officer to represent him?</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_100">[100]</span>Further speculation upon this perplexing -situation was cut short by Commander -Hughes’ forceful talk to the allies. All listened -intently; the well-modulated, clear voice -of the American held his listeners spellbound -with attention, but many of the foreigners -showed in their faces only too plainly that -they already feared the displeasure of their -governments for having followed the lead of -this strenuous American commander. Was it -not an American mission, guarded by American -sailors? Then why should not the -Americans rescue their own people? The -officer who had felt the cold chill of Phil’s -revolver was loudest in his condemnation of -further attacks; his arguments were so cleverly -worded that he soon won over to his side -the timid ones. The British captain alone -stood by the American in his endeavors to -persuade his brother captains that their one -chance of helping the missionaries was to vigorously -pursue the advantage already gained.</p> - -<p>“We’ve not forgotten Tatnall’s ‘Blood is -thicker than water,’” the British commander -exclaimed as Commander Hughes wrung his -hand warmly, in eloquent silence.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_101">[101]</span>“We must abide by the decision of the majority,” -Commander Hughes said sorrowfully. -“I dare not think what will happen to those -within the mission if my men cannot withstand -the attack.” Then he turned flashing -eyes upon the group of hesitating foreigners.</p> - -<p>“What do you propose?” he questioned, -controlling the anger and humiliation in his -voice with some difficulty.</p> - -<p>Phil saw the officer whom he had recently -humbled before his men cast a knowing look -at several of his co-conspirators, and then -heard him boldly voice his plan.</p> - -<p>“My compatriots,” he began, “believe that -this useless killing of Chinese is harming our -country’s interests. We have decided that we -should send a flag of truce to the viceroy to request -him to use his own soldiers to fight -these Chinese rebels.”</p> - -<p>“A flag of truce!” cried Commander -Hughes, in eloquent disdain. “How will the -viceroy answer us? Probably by throwing the -lifeless carcasses of our emissaries on the sand -for the dogs to feed upon.”</p> - -<p>Commander Ignacio flinched before the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_102">[102]</span> -menacing disgust in the American’s face, but -he held stolidly to his point, while all of the -allies, with the single exception of Commander -Buresford, echoed the foreigner’s proposal.</p> - -<p>“The Inland Mission containing over a -hundred innocent men, women and children, -is still in danger from these rebels,” Commander -Hughes exclaimed anxiously, making -a last stand for what he considered was vital to -his cause. “Although we have scattered their -forces, they can, as we know, quickly regather. -By concerted action, even without danger to -ourselves and possibly without bloodshed, we -can march this force of two thousand sailors -over the seven miles of intervening country. -By daylight we can return here with these -refugees and then we shall be in a far better -position to again open negotiations with the -viceroy. If he should refuse to treat with us -now—by to-morrow these outlaws will have -recovered from their repulse. I beg that -my brother officers will agree with me on this -point,” he ended in entreaty.</p> - -<p>Commander Ignacio craftily refused to -allow the point to be discussed; he feared the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_103">[103]</span> -persuasive powers of the earnest and loyal -American.</p> - -<p>“We have decided that question,” he replied -quickly, an ugly leer on his face. “Now -our business is to select those to go to the -viceroy.”</p> - -<p>Commander Hughes was about to suggest -that this foolhardy foreigner should be -chosen, and was on the point of refusing to -risk the lives of his own officers in such a -dangerous undertaking, when to his surprise -the name of Ignacio was voiced by the combined -council.</p> - -<p>Phil glanced closely at the foreigner. The -lad had heard his captain’s views of the possible -fate of the flag of truce. Would Commander -Ignacio accept the dangerous post?</p> - -<p>It seemed plain from Commander Ignacio’s -face that the detail was not to his liking, but -in his successful attempts to overrule the -plans of the American, he had become the -avowed leader of those in opposition to the -Anglo-Saxon policy of quick action. Phil was -eager to accompany the flag of truce, but to -serve under Ignacio was indeed disquieting. -The midshipman could see that his captain<span class="pagenum" id="Page_104">[104]</span> -was taken unawares by the acceptance of -Ignacio to lead the dangerous mission. -Knowing the Chinese as he did, he honestly -believed they would go to their death.</p> - -<p>The selection of the other members of the -embassy was unanimously left to the decision -of their leader, Commander Hughes.</p> - -<p>“As my country is the most interested,” -the American declared, “I shall select my -own officers.” Then turning to the midshipmen -standing near, Sydney having left his -company of sailors to satisfy his eager -curiosity, “Mr. Perry,” the American commander -said in a low voice, “you have shown -yourself worthy of this trust. I shall send -you, Mr. Monroe and Langdon. I hope and -pray that no harm will come to you.”</p> - -<p>Phil could scarcely believe his ears. He, -a midshipman, selected for such an important -duty!</p> - -<p>Commander Hughes then again addressed -the foreign commanders.</p> - -<p>“Gentlemen,” he said in a firm voice, “I -do not count on the success of this flag of -truce. If it fails we shall be forced to attack -the forts with our unarmored vessels. However,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_105">[105]</span> -the decision is final. My orders are -that the embassy be sent without a moment’s -delay. We shall remain here until our -friends return.”</p> - -<p>Then, dismissing the allies, he took Langdon’s -arm and walked toward the American -sailors.</p> - -<p>“If I only had five hundred American -sailors,” he declared hotly, “I would throw -over these half-hearted allies and march to -the relief of the mission. But with this mere -handful, failure would be assured.” Then he -beckoned the midshipmen to him. “Langdon, -you and these young men must uphold the -dignity of our country. You, Langdon, must -speak directly to the viceroy. Impress upon -him that I am in deadly earnest. If he -harms the American mission I shall not rest -until his city is laid in ashes. I shall destroy -his arsenals and foundries. The forts will -not be able to resist the attack of the American -monitors, which should soon arrive.”</p> - -<p>“The monitors!” Langdon exclaimed. -“Are they coming?”</p> - -<p>“I wish I could believe it,” Commander -Hughes replied sorrowfully. “But we must<span class="pagenum" id="Page_106">[106]</span> -make the viceroy believe that we are hourly -expecting them. He fears an American -monitor, and the thought that they are coming -may act in our favor.”</p> - -<p>Preparations went forward rapidly, and inside -of half an hour, Commander Ignacio led -his small party out of the allied camp.</p> - -<p>Carrying a large white flag conspicuously -displayed, the four emissaries, with an escort -of eight sailors, four from the “Phœnix” and -four from the foreigner’s own gunboat, gained -the road leading toward the city of Ku-Ling. -Unencumbered with all save their firearms, -which were carried for protection against the -marauding bands of outlaws, the seven miles -were quickly covered, and in less than two -hours the city gate loomed before them.</p> - -<p>Approaching the city wall, Phil saw that -there was great commotion at the gate; -soldiers ran hither and thither, and before the -flag of truce had arrived near the stagnant -water of the moat, there was a noisy clanking -of rusty chain, the drawbridge was suddenly -raised, and the ponderous gates tightly shut.</p> - -<p>The midshipmen, in spite of the precariousness -of their position, could scarcely suppress<span class="pagenum" id="Page_107">[107]</span> -a smile of gratification: this act alone spoke -volumes; what must these Asiatics think of -the prowess of the foreigners if they feared -an attack from a dozen men?</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_108">[108]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER VIII<br /> - - -<small>IGNACIO SHOWS HIS HAND</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">As</span> the drawbridge clanked upward, and -the soldiers disappeared hastily behind the -closing gates, Commander Ignacio, glancing -nervously at Langdon, brought his party to a -stop.</p> - -<p>“You know the customs of these people; -what shall we do?” he exclaimed anxiously, -betraying that with all his vain boasting before -his confrères he depended upon the -American pilot to give him courage to act.</p> - -<p>“They have raised the drawbridge until -the viceroy can be notified,” Langdon -answered calmly; “I don’t consider we are -in much danger; of course the Chinese never -do what might be expected of them. If they -opened fire now we couldn’t escape,” he -added, casting a swift glance of disdain at the -nervous officer and giving the midshipmen a -covert wink; “so we might as well put on a -bold front.” Suiting his action to his words,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_109">[109]</span> -he threw himself down on the ground, as if -he intended to be comfortable while the -viceroy indulged himself in his Oriental -diplomacy of wearing out the patience of those -who wished to treat with him.</p> - -<p>Over an hour passed anxiously for the -foreigners; conversation was fragmentary and -pointless. Under the eyes and within close -range of a semi-civilized enemy, who might -refuse to recognize a flag of truce, their position -was not calculated to inspire confidence. -Then the drawbridge creaked slowly down, -and a gorgeously dressed official advanced -through the opened gate, preceded by a white -flag and followed by an armed guard of -soldiers.</p> - -<p>Commander Ignacio and his party rose -hastily to meet them.</p> - -<p>After the elaborate Chinese ceremony of -greeting had been concluded, the mandarin -turned to Commander Ignacio, and inquired -his mission.</p> - -<p>“We have come to see the viceroy,” Ignacio -replied in English, for the Chinaman was no -other than the interpreter, whom Phil had -seen so discomfited the day before.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_110">[110]</span>With a nod of approval, the mandarin -beckoned that all should follow, and led the -way across the drawbridge and into the ill-smelling -city.</p> - -<p>The emissaries and their guards passed at a -rapid pace through the narrow and dirty -streets; the curious inmates of the walled -city kept at a respectful distance, their faces -expressing wonder rather than hatred.</p> - -<p>Phil, noticing the change in their demeanor -from the day before, called it to Langdon’s -attention.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” the pilot assured him, “it’s a good -sign; the will of the mandarins is always reflected -in the faces of the lower classes. They -hate us just as much as ever, but the brisk -work at Lien-Chow has shown them that we -are able to carry out our threats.”</p> - -<p>Upon their arrival at the yamen, the -viceroy received the foreigners at the second -door, one door nearer the entrance than -where he had received Commander Hughes. -This did not fail to impress the visitors. -After all, was Chang-Li-Hun prepared to -make terms?</p> - -<p>The viceroy was accompanied by the same<span class="pagenum" id="Page_111">[111]</span> -mandarins whom Phil had seen the day before, -and in contrast to their master’s sphinx-like -face their features betrayed the apprehension -which they doubtless felt.</p> - -<p>Chang-Li-Hun seated himself at the head -of the table, motioning Commander Ignacio -to a chair on his left.</p> - -<p>After all were seated, refreshments were -brought, and silence was preserved until the -viceroy signed that the table be cleared; then -turning to Langdon he inquired courteously -in Chinese the wishes of the flag of truce.</p> - -<p>The pilot, after a motion of consent had -been received from the leader, informed the -mandarin of Commander Hughes’ terms. -Phil watched his friend’s face closely, -glancing occasionally at the dignified old -Chinaman, whom nothing apparently could -move.</p> - -<p>“There is a hostile movement against the -foreigners in your provinces,” Langdon commenced -in the mandarin’s language, using all -the flowery and diplomatic terms which these -astute diplomats clung to so closely. “This -movement can exist only through your tolerance. -We do not claim that your Excellency<span class="pagenum" id="Page_112">[112]</span> -is giving it active support, but you are taking -no steps to smother it. That being the -case, the allied powers have taken the law in -their own hands. Having discovered that an -army of rebels were concentrating at Lien-Chow, -only seven miles from your Excellency’s -city, with the avowed intention of attacking -the American mission and massacring -the inmates, the allies have but a few hours -ago attacked them in their stronghold and -dispersed them with many killed, while not a -foreigner has been hurt. These rebels were -permitted to collect despite the fact that you -have seven thousand soldiers under your -orders capable of suppressing these outlaws. -Commander Hughes has directed us to say -that if your Excellency will give his honorable -word upon the spirit of his father that -no further outrages will be permitted, and -that he will protect with his soldiers the American -mission, and also cause to be issued and -posted throughout the provinces orders to desist -from attacks on Christian converts and their -teachers, then the foreign sailors will be at -once withdrawn from China’s soil.”</p> - -<p>Chang-Li-Hun’s face was barren of expression<span class="pagenum" id="Page_113">[113]</span> -while the pilot was delivering himself of -this long speech.</p> - -<p>“I am not the general of the soldiers,” he -craftily replied; “suppose I, a civilian, should -give the soldiers orders to protect foreigners, -how may I be assured that they will -obey?”</p> - -<p>Langdon fearlessly gazed at the aged -mandarin, whom he knew was trying, as the -Chinese say, “to throw dust in his eyes.”</p> - -<p>“Is not the Tartar general under the orders -of the viceroy?” he asked uncompromisingly.</p> - -<p>“I may give an order,” the viceroy answered -evasively, “but I am not a soldier; -then how shall I risk the displeasure of my -father’s spirit, when I would not know if it -were being enforced?”</p> - -<p>By the viceroy’s words his treachery was -unmasked. Langdon had been told in the -strictest confidence by Emmons that General -Hang-Ki had embraced secretly the Christian -belief; not suspecting this, the viceroy had -put his foot into a trap by insinuating that -the general could not be depended upon to -carry out orders to protect the foreigners and -the thousands of Christian Chinese, who were<span class="pagenum" id="Page_114">[114]</span> -alike called foreigners by the fanatical anti-Christians.</p> - -<p>“Where can the general be found?” -Langdon inquired finally.</p> - -<p>“His residence is in the forts,” the viceroy -answered.</p> - -<p>“Then our mission is with him,” the pilot -declared, rising from his chair; “your Excellency -then will agree to give the order and I -shall endeavor to obtain his promise to conscientiously -carry it out. My captain’s one -desire is to spare the misguided people of the -city from the further vengeance of the foreign -powers.”</p> - -<p>“What do you mean?” the viceroy asked, -for a second dropping his mask and gazing at -the pilot through worried eyes.</p> - -<p>“I mean,” Langdon answered, raising his -voice to be heard throughout the room, “that -if the Chinese soldiers and these outlaws, calling -themselves patriots, insist upon massacring -the inoffensive foreigners and their followers, -such a fire of shot and shell will be -thrown into this city by the allied fleet that -all property will be destroyed.”</p> - -<p>The aged mandarin started perceptibly at<span class="pagenum" id="Page_115">[115]</span> -hearing these menacing words; then he seemed -to arrive at some conclusion, for his parchment-like -face betrayed a faint smile as he motioned -the pilot to be again seated.</p> - -<p>“How will the fleet bombard Ku-Ling?” -he inquired; “your ships cannot again pass -the forts if I order them to fire upon you.”</p> - -<p>“Your Excellency,” Langdon answered -boldly, “has forgotten that two American -monitors are now on their way to join the -allied fleet. With the addition of these vessels, -our ships do not fear the fire of your forts; -besides you will know that if the American -commander orders it our sailors can take the -forts with ease by storm. Our captain is in -earnest,” he urged, believing from the viceroy’s -attitude that he was weakening. “If the -mission on the hill which is under your protection -is harmed he will at once put into -effect his plans to reduce the forts and destroy -your city.”</p> - -<p>“I shall send for the general,” the viceroy -finally announced. “He may be some hours -in arriving, and meanwhile you may rest -after your journey.”</p> - -<p>The party arose, following the interpreter,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_116">[116]</span> -and shortly found themselves in a plainly-furnished -room, where he left them abruptly.</p> - -<p>Langdon immediately explained his conversation -with the viceroy, and expressed -himself as certain that the flag of truce would -be successful.</p> - -<p>Phil had not as yet been addressed by -Commander Ignacio, and naturally felt disinclined -to join in the conversation. He had -surprised many furtive glances from the foreign -captain, and was sure they were not of -good omen; however, now he smiled pleasantly -at the two midshipmen, without a trace -of the ill nature with which Phil felt he regarded -him.</p> - -<p>“This was my idea from the start,” Commander -Ignacio exclaimed boastfully; “that -fire-eating captain of yours came near getting -us in a nice muddle, but I believe I shall -straighten it all out.”</p> - -<p>Phil’s anger flared into his eyes at hearing -this direct slur upon Commander Hughes’ -actions, but his training had taught him subordination, -and he controlled the words of -censure that came readily to his lips.</p> - -<p>Langdon however was not so diplomatic.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_117">[117]</span>“I beg to differ, Commander Ignacio,” he -exclaimed hotly; “Commander Hughes’ acts -have made this truce possible. Until he -showed that he was in earnest by attacking -and capturing Lien-Chow the viceroy would -not have received us at all.” The foreigner’s -expression changed suddenly, and as he saw -the midshipmen unconsciously nod in approval -of the pilot’s words, a scowl of bitter -hatred appeared on his swarthy face.</p> - -<p>“You Americans are an insolent race,” he -cried angrily. “What do you know about such -matters?” he continued violently, turning -scornfully on Langdon; “you are merely a -hired pilot.”</p> - -<p>Phil’s greatest fear seemed on the point of -being realized; this braggart might spoil all -through his self-conceit. Until now all had -gone smoothly; the viceroy had as much as -shown that he was ready and willing to make -terms, and now this incompetent coward had -shown his ugly hand.</p> - -<p>“Don’t answer him, Langdon,” Phil whispered, -laying a restraining hand on the pilot’s -arm; “nothing that he can say will affect our -confidence in you.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_118">[118]</span>The anger died on Langdon’s face as he realized -the logic in the lad’s words, and then -the strained situation was relieved by the -arrival of the interpreter.</p> - -<p>“His Excellency, the general, was fortunately -in the city,” he explained, “and was -readily found; he now waits in the viceroy’s -audience-chamber.”</p> - -<p>The foreigners were presently again before -the high mandarin.</p> - -<p>Phil gazed admiringly at the stranger, -whom he knew must be the Tartar general. -The Manchu stood over six feet in height, his -skin bronzed by exposure, in striking contrast -to the almost effeminate appearance of the -Chinese mandarins about him. The fierceness -of his Tartar ancestors looked from his -dark almond-shaped eyes; he seemed to the -lad an embodiment of those of his race who -had many centuries before under the great -Ghenkis Khan overrun the whole of Asia, -carrying their victorious banners even into -Europe; here was the soldier leader whose ancestors -had followed no other calling.</p> - -<p>The conference was again opened by the -viceroy’s thin voice.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_119">[119]</span>“Upon investigation I find that the general -was not informed of the presence at Lien-Chow -of these outlaws. I myself knew nothing -of it. The mission was safe in my keeping, -but when your commander lands an -armed force on the soil of China, he must -take the consequences; I dare not interfere as -long as there is a single foreign sailor on our -shore. Before I can treat with you, every -armed man must be first withdrawn and the -ships again anchored in the Yangtse River; -the To-Yan Lake is by royal decree forbidden -water, and I must demand that the war-ships -leave there immediately.”</p> - -<p>Langdon gazed in surprise at the old diplomat. -Could reliance be placed in his implied -willingness to make terms after the -sailors were withdrawn from China’s soil and -the ships anchored again in the river?</p> - -<p>“That is quite impossible,” Langdon answered -promptly. “Commander Hughes will -not withdraw from China’s soil until he has -received your promise given on the sacred -spirit of your father.”</p> - -<p>“When your commander has anchored -his fleet at Ku-Ling and then comes to me<span class="pagenum" id="Page_120">[120]</span> -apologizing for entering the forbidden lake, -then I will give my decision, but not until -then,” the viceroy cried angrily. “I have -washed my hands of your mission; by putting -sailors there your captain has taken it -from my protection.”</p> - -<p>Langdon was so intent upon his conversation -with the viceroy that he failed to notice -that Commander Ignacio had changed his seat -to one beside the interpreter, and that in low -tones the latter had given the foreigner the -details of the conversation upon which so -much depended. The pilot now turned to -apprise this officer of the latest demand of the -arch villain, but to his consternation the -foreign commander had risen to his feet, his -black eyes snapping with importance, and -waved the American to silence, then turning -to the interpreter at his elbow exclaimed -in English:</p> - -<p>“I consider that the viceroy’s demands are -just. I was from the first against this ill-judged -action. Tell his Excellency as senior -member of this flag of truce, I shall agree to -these terms, and am sure my colleagues, with the -exception of this American, will uphold me.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_121">[121]</span>A smile of triumph played about the corners -of the viceroy’s cruel mouth while the interpreter -gave him the meaning of Commander -Ignacio’s rash words.</p> - -<p>“So,” he thought, “the foreigners are not -of one mind.” The clever diplomat believed -that he had at last found a way to pierce the -armor of the despised foreigner.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_122">[122]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER IX<br /> - - -<small>HELD AS HOSTAGES</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> Americans were speechless with amazement. -Phil was confident that he read -triumph in the spiteful face of the foreign -commander. Langdon gazed with unfeigned -disgust at the officer who had brought defeat -to the allies. This wily Chinaman would -now refuse to interfere with the unlawful acts -of his subjects; trusting to the dissensions of -the allies to bring their punitive efforts to -naught. All realized that now even their -own lives were in peril, and they were powerless -to interfere. Commander Ignacio was the -appointed head of the embassy and his decision -was authoritative.</p> - -<p>The Americans quickly learned the ill -effects of the traitor’s words, for the viceroy at -once disregarded the pilot’s presence and in -the most insulting tone turned to his interpreter.</p> - -<p>“His Excellency,” that Chinaman said<span class="pagenum" id="Page_123">[123]</span> -upon the completion of the viceroy’s ultimatum, -“sees that the ranking officer has -more intelligence than his low-caste companions, -and that as he has given his promise -that an apology will be made, his Excellency -will at once set him at liberty to return to his -people. And his Excellency further warns -his compatriots that if the sailors are not -withdrawn within twenty-four hours to their -ships, and if the fleet does not leave the To-Yan -Lake, that the lives of those held as -hostages will pay the penalty.”</p> - -<p>Phil, throwing discretion to the winds, was -upon his feet before the interpreter had finished -his threatening sentences.</p> - -<p>“Commander Ignacio,” he exclaimed, beside -himself with anger and mortification, -“can you not see what you have done? -The viceroy offers you your freedom; you -must at once insist that we are under the -sacred protection of a flag of truce and that -he has not the right to detain us.”</p> - -<p>“Are you then so anxious about your -precious skin?” the foreigner answered, an -expression of intense dislike on his swarthy -face.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_124">[124]</span>The viceroy had risen, taking the arm of -an assistant. He bowed formally, and moved -away toward his own apartments.</p> - -<p>Langdon heard his parting instructions to -his interpreter.</p> - -<p>“Hold these American dogs and send the -others back to their own people. Let their -commander tell them that when their sailors -have ceased to pollute Chinese soil then I -shall treat with them. And to show my -displeasure at the attack of the foreigners -upon our innocent people, I shall hold these -dogs as hostages.”</p> - -<p>Realizing his helplessness, the pilot was -silent, and he and the midshipmen allowed -themselves to be led away by the waiting -guards.</p> - -<p>Commander Ignacio gave Phil a look of -triumph as he passed him, which glance the -lad returned proudly. Doubtless this despicable -man believed he had won a signal -victory over the midshipman who had accused -him of cowardice before his own men.</p> - -<p>The Americans were conducted to a room -outside of the council-chamber of the yamen. -All were too crestfallen and disappointed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_125">[125]</span> -with the turn affairs had taken to care what -their fate might be. Through the windows -of the room they saw the traitor and his four -sailors pass along the courtyard on the way -back to the camp of the allies, and a few -moments afterward, their own sailors were -brought and shoved roughly into the room -where their officers were held captive.</p> - -<p>“If that villain,” Langdon exclaimed -angrily, “had only kept quiet, we should all -have been returning by now. He played -right into the viceroy’s hands.”</p> - -<p>“It is all my own doing,” Phil moaned. -“Why didn’t I tell our captain the kind of -man he was?”</p> - -<p>“What do you mean?” Sydney and -Langdon asked in a breath.</p> - -<p>Phil told of the attack on Lien-Chow and -of the cowardly part Commander Ignacio -had played.</p> - -<p>“Well, if that isn’t the queerest!” the pilot -exclaimed after the midshipman had finished; -“Commander Hughes in my hearing complimented -him upon the fearless attack of his -men; they were the first in the enemy’s -trenches after the Americans and English.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_126">[126]</span> -And it was you that put wings to their leader’s -feet.”</p> - -<p>The pilot’s laugh sounded so incongruous -that the Chinese guards glanced suspiciously -inside, fearing that the handful of foreigners -might be planning some daring escape.</p> - -<p>“I feel that it is my fault,” Phil repeated -penitently. “I alone am responsible for our -captivity.”</p> - -<p>“Cheer up, lad!” Langdon exclaimed. -“It might be worse. The viceroy will soon -find that Commander Ignacio will not be -supported. He will not dare to hold us -long.”</p> - -<p>But the pilot, with his wide knowledge of -the Chinese, did not know the capacity for -cruelty of this aged mandarin.</p> - -<p>Even as the pilot spoke, the room filled -with soldiers, who disarmed the Americans, -binding their hands behind them and attaching -heavy chains to their ankles. Langdon -began to caution the sailors to submit without -resistance, but before he could give the advice -a stalwart sailor had picked up a heavy chair -and floored the nearest of the Chinese soldiers.</p> - -<p>The sailors were quickly taken away, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_127">[127]</span> -after their work was completed the guards -withdrew, leaving the midshipmen and the -pilot bound upon the hard floor. The tight -cords on their wrists cut cruelly into the flesh.</p> - -<p>Phil gave himself over to despair; he could -see no way out of their terrible predicament. -Langdon, breathing heavily beside him, was -silent, while Sydney was speechless with -anger and mortification.</p> - -<p>After several minutes the interpreter entered -their prison; his sallow face betrayed not a -spark of sympathy as he told Langdon to be -prepared to receive the sentence of punishment -at the hands of the viceroy.</p> - -<p>The pilot growled an answer in Chinese -which caused the interpreter’s face to show a -shade of annoyance; then he answered in -English, glancing fiercely at his captives.</p> - -<p>“We respect a flag of truce, but those who -land on friendly soil and attack innocent -villagers are not entitled to its protection.”</p> - -<p>Phil would have denied the Chinaman’s assertions, -but the next second he was roughly -dragged to his feet, and with his companions, -led into the private apartments of the viceroy.</p> - -<p>There the mandarin was seated comfortably<span class="pagenum" id="Page_128">[128]</span> -in his chair of state, enjoying hugely the -discomfiture of the foreigners. One by one -the Americans were forced down upon their -knees before the viceroy; the guards zealously -pulling the hair of the helpless ones as a -caution to obey quietly.</p> - -<p>While Chang-Li-Hun spoke to Langdon -in a low voice, the midshipmen were held -down on their knees, their heads bent forward, -and as each moved to ease his cramped limbs, -the cruel hands of the soldiers would inflict -some new and painful torture to keep them -motionless. The strain was well-nigh unbearable; -the body bending forward brought -a heavy and increasing strain on the wrist -bindings.</p> - -<p>“Your two companions being officers of a -foreign navy under arms on China’s soil, -I have the right to hold them for punishment -and execution, if I so desire. You being but a -civilian, if you will apologize publicly I -will set you free at once,” the viceroy said in -a conciliatory voice.</p> - -<p>The pilot stoutly refused to accept his -clemency.</p> - -<p>“Would your commander really dare attempt<span class="pagenum" id="Page_129">[129]</span> -to bombard my city?” the mandarin -continued curiously.</p> - -<p>The severe pain at his wrists spurred -Langdon on to picture blackly the doom -awaiting the self-satisfied and treacherous -official.</p> - -<p>“If you hold these officers captive, the -American commander will not rest until he -has set them at liberty. If you harm a hair -of their heads he will raze your city to the -ground and every shell will be directed at -this yamen. The inside of the wall will be -as desolate as that of your great city of -Nanking after the Taiping rebels had sacked -it.”</p> - -<p>The viceroy turned livid with uncontrolled -rage. He spurned the bound prisoner with -his foot, while the soldiers, seeing the anger -in their master’s face, pulled the hair and -beard of the helpless man.</p> - -<p>Langdon was now beside himself. By -a mighty effort, he bore back upon the -soldiers, his great strength scattering them -with ease, and then he raised his head and -gazed full into the face of the viceroy.</p> - -<p>“By holding us as hostages you are but<span class="pagenum" id="Page_130">[130]</span> -signing your own death-warrant. Our mission -here was for your own good. Your people -will suffer, but the mandarins are those -whom Commander Hughes desires to punish. -You know that if your city is destroyed by -the foreign fleet you must either commit -suicide or falsify the reports to Peking which -in time will be discovered. If you liberate us -at once and give your promise that foreigners -will be protected, even now you can redeem -your action.”</p> - -<p>Chang-Li-Hun could hardly believe his -ears. He had never been talked to so plainly -in all his life. His mandarins stood near him, -the scowls on their outraged faces betokening -evil for the helpless Americans.</p> - -<p>Langdon was, at a motion from the viceroy, -quickly restrained, and struggling violently -in the hands of numerous soldiers was borne -out of the council-chamber. The midshipmen’s -guards were severe as they dragged the -unresisting lads from the presence of the -viceroy.</p> - -<p>“I fear I’ve made a worse muddle of it,” -the pilot exclaimed dolefully, after they were -again alone in the room which for the present<span class="pagenum" id="Page_131">[131]</span> -served as their prison. Then he recounted to -his companions what had passed between him -and the powerful mandarin.</p> - -<p>“We can hope for no immediate relief from -our people,” Phil declared dejectedly. “Even -though the allies condemn Ignacio’s actions -and are willing to aid in our release, they cannot -storm the city by land from Lien-Chow. -First the fleet must pass through the fire of -the forts.”</p> - -<p>“There is one other chance,” Langdon replied -hopefully. “The viceroy is certainly -acting without or perhaps even contrary to -orders from Peking. I could tell that by the -anger in his face when I accused him of it. -His government is being kept in the dark. -It knows nothing of the conditions within his -provinces. If the foreign ambassadors in -Peking have back-bone enough to insist upon -knowing the state of affairs, the throne will -ask for reports, and Chang-Li-Hun, as powerful -as he is, must disclose his treachery. If -these reports are not satisfactory to the ambassadors -and at the same time if sufficient -fear can be put into the emperor’s heart by -intimidating him with the threat of another<span class="pagenum" id="Page_132">[132]</span> -sack of the capital by the foreign soldiers, -then he will send one of his trusted Manchu -generals with an army at his back, from a -neighboring province. When once these soldiers -have arrived in front of the viceroy’s -yamen then Chang-Li-Hun must acknowledge -himself beaten.”</p> - -<p>“Meanwhile what is going to happen to -us?” Sydney asked.</p> - -<p>“Come, brace up, Syd,” cried Phil, trying -hard to appear cheerful. “We’ve been in as -bad a place before. If our time has come, -nothing that we can say or do will stop it.”</p> - -<p>“It isn’t that I am afraid of what’s going -to happen,” Sydney exclaimed in a hurt voice. -“If they’d given us a show it wouldn’t have -mattered; but to violate a truce! That’s what -makes me feel like tearing these shackles off -and throttling every Chinaman in sight, and -to feel I can’t makes me wish to use all the -bad words that I know.”</p> - -<p>Phil could barely suppress a laugh; -Sydney had described his own feeling more -accurately than he could himself.</p> - -<p>“We may just as well keep our tempers,” -Phil replied philosophically. “It only wastes<span class="pagenum" id="Page_133">[133]</span> -one’s strength to get angry, and we’ll probably -need all the endurance we have before we are -again with our own people.”</p> - -<p>“Did the captain send any telegrams to the -admiral or Washington about the state of -affairs?” Langdon asked suddenly.</p> - -<p>“Yes, he sent one yesterday and one was -given to the Chinese operator in the concession -this morning,” Phil replied. “The last -one was a long one and outlined what he intended -doing, with his reasons. They were -all in cipher. I helped him prepare them.”</p> - -<p>“They haven’t gone further than the viceroy’s -waste paper basket,” Langdon returned. -“He will guard every outlet for news. Doubtless -his version of the actions of the foreigners -will be wired, unless he sees fit to remain -silent.”</p> - -<p>“How can he remain silent?” Sydney inquired. -“The gunboats came here believing -that there was going to be trouble. Surely if -the foreign governments do not hear from -their representatives they will be suspicious.”</p> - -<p>“It’s too deep for me this time,” Langdon -declared. “The viceroy knows what he’s doing; -that I can assure you. History usually<span class="pagenum" id="Page_134">[134]</span> -repeats itself in these Chinese troubles, and he -is probably banking on the timidity of the -foreign governments. If the plain unvarnished -facts of the attack on Lien-Chow got to Washington -with no word from Commander -Hughes, what would happen? That is what -Chang-Li-Hun is counting on.”</p> - -<p>“The president would wire for particulars,” -Phil answered.</p> - -<p>“Yes, and he wouldn’t get them,” Langdon -returned; “and then what would happen?”</p> - -<p>“I don’t know, but the viceroy believes he -does and he hopes that Washington will act -in such a way as to give the victory to Chang-Li-Hun.”</p> - -<p>As the pilot’s voice died away, the predicament -of himself and companions came home -forcibly to Phil. His arms and legs were -swollen, causing him great pain, and the -thought of the further cruelty of those who -held them captives was not pleasant.</p> - -<p>“Is there no way to escape?” the lad -asked, glancing about the insecure looking -prison.</p> - -<p>“We might succeed in getting out of the -yamen,” Langdon answered discouragingly,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_135">[135]</span> -“but we could never expect to get out of the -city. There are but two gates, and both are -heavily guarded at all times. Once we are -missed from here the news would travel with -the speed of wireless telegraphy throughout -the city. No, we are as secure as if we were -on a desert island.”</p> - -<p>“Can’t we bribe the guards?” Sydney -asked, casting a contemptuous glance at the -ragged soldier at the door.</p> - -<p>“What have we to bribe with?” Langdon -asked mournfully. “I haven’t a cent about -me.”</p> - -<p>“The green jade ring my grateful Chinaman -gave me!” Phil exclaimed.</p> - -<p>The Americans took heart at the thought -of this priceless possession.</p> - -<p>“Guard it carefully,” Langdon cautioned; -“it may save us.”</p> - -<p>“Does Commander Ignacio really believe,” -Sydney asked suddenly, “that Commander -Hughes will apologize to the viceroy?”</p> - -<p>“That traitor Ignacio knows that he will -not!” Phil exclaimed angrily at the thought -of his treachery. “There’s more in this than -we understand. It’s a plot to defeat our<span class="pagenum" id="Page_136">[136]</span> -captain, and he with only his small force is -powerless if the other nations side with this -villain. Our only hope is that the other -foreigners will not stand for Ignacio’s cowardly -agreement.”</p> - -<p>“Those in the mission,” Langdon said with -alarm in his voice, “are in a worse plight -than ever. Unless Commander Hughes finds -himself strong enough to relieve the mission -it will sooner or later be attacked; our fifty -sailors cannot withstand a long siege against -the Chinese regular troops.”</p> - -<p>The more Phil speculated upon the situation -the more perplexing it seemed. Numbers -of helpless foreign missionaries were scattered -among the cities of the provinces. Even now -many might have been killed by the lawless -element. In the past many missionaries had -been killed by mobs stirred to violence by -printed circulars sent out openly by the -mandarins. Would the firm stand of the -foreigners deter the mandarins from giving -license to their people to destroy? Phil knew -that this was his captain’s hope.</p> - -<p>Langdon’s voice interrupted the lad’s musings.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_137">[137]</span>“We shall be separated,” he said dejectedly. -“Please don’t be rash. Remember the cruelty -of these people. They might kill in a fit of -anger, even though your death was against -their interests. Don’t expect kind treatment. -You will probably be liberated when our -captain has shown the viceroy that he is equal -to his threats, but I am not an officer and I -know too much to suit that scheming interpreter.”</p> - -<p>That the pilot despaired of his life was -indeed disquieting news to the midshipmen, -but their solicitations were quickly cut short -by the sound of tramping feet in the hallway -outside their prison door.</p> - -<p>A number of armed soldiers entered the -room and dragged the captives roughly to -their aching feet, hurrying them along the -stone pavement up the courtyard.</p> - -<p>Phil saw ahead of him the unresisting -Langdon, brutally kicked and struck by his -captors as he shuffled painfully along, then -his own guards turned down a corridor, dragging -him after them.</p> - -<p>Wondering what was about to happen Phil -saw a soldier knock loudly upon a door; a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_138">[138]</span> -most unearthly yell from within was the only -answer, then the door opened inwards and he -found himself shoved into the midst of a -crowd of half-naked Chinamen. His heart -sank within him as he realized that he was -to be imprisoned along with the lowest of -the criminals of the viceroy’s provinces. But -a moment later he could have cried out for -joy at the sight of Sydney thrown roughly -almost into his arms. At least he would have -his friend to share his tortures; that was something -for which to be thankful.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_139">[139]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER X<br /> - - -<small>A CHINESE PRISON</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> arrival of the Americans in the jail -was heralded with delight by their scantily-clad -fellows; they one and all crowded about -the lads examining their uniforms and putting -very dirty hands on their white skins. -Many had never seen a foreigner at such close -range. The midshipmen were so tightly -bound that they could not escape this unpleasant, -although apparently friendly, treatment.</p> - -<p>Finally Phil could bear it no longer; the -sickening odor from their unwashed bodies -became more than his endurance could stand. -Managing to rise to his feet, he painfully -crossed the damp floor to a wooden bench, -the only article of furniture in the cell; -reaching this he sat down upon it, gently -but forcefully pushing the prisoners seated -beside him until he had the bench entirely -to himself. The Chinese stood close by in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_140">[140]</span> -silent surprise, showing no anger at this -treatment.</p> - -<p>“Come here, Sydney,” he called. “We’ll -take the bench and keep these ruffians away. -They’ll smother us with their heathen curiosity.”</p> - -<p>Sydney crawled through the delighted -crowd, the prisoners moving aside readily for -him, and as he reached the bench and raised -himself off the reeking floor to a seat beside -Phil, the gaping Chinamen chattered like -children, quite absorbed in the infrequent -spectacle of foreign devils in their jail.</p> - -<p>A number of the more bold among the -prisoners squatted on the floor close to the -bench, examining the stout boots and leggins -of the midshipmen, but these Phil motioned -away, emphasizing his meaning by a shove -from his manacled feet. The Chinamen arose -at once, their faces expressing only astonishment.</p> - -<p>The lads were soon left alone; their fellow -prisoners had formed a circle around them -with an intervening space of over a yard, -while one or two of their number assumed -the rôle of protectors and faithfully kept their<span class="pagenum" id="Page_141">[141]</span> -comrades from infringing upon this forbidden -ground.</p> - -<p>“They are more kind than their masters,” -Sydney said, after the midshipmen had -gathered their scattered wits.</p> - -<p>“Poor fellows, they seem as happy as if -they were only doing penance for small -sins,” Phil replied, gazing compassionately -at his motley companions. “Yet they are all -condemned to be executed. Do you see the -large ring each wears about his neck, with -a brass tag attached? That’s the mark of a -felon to be beheaded, or worse.”</p> - -<p>“Where do you suppose they’ve taken -Langdon?” Sydney asked anxiously. “It’s -certainly terrible to be helpless in the power -of these cruel Chinese. They may even now -have beheaded him. The viceroy was angry -enough to revenge himself.”</p> - -<p>“I hope it’s not so bad as that,” Phil -answered, trying hard to be reassuring, not -feeling, however, a particle more secure than -the condemned men about him. “Langdon -said,” he added grimly, “if our hands were -lifted up high behind our backs and they -hurried us out of the cell, our heads would<span class="pagenum" id="Page_142">[142]</span> -probably be cut off in the large outer court. -Until they do that, I suppose we may be sure -that we are not in any immediate danger of -death.”</p> - -<p>Sydney shuddered at the unpleasant -thought. And this was the China that they -had been so eager to visit.</p> - -<p>Toward evening a great tub filled with -millet was brought in by the keepers and -this the prisoners devoured ravenously. -Luckily for the lads, they had satisfied their -appetite from the viceroy’s table, for they -would have stood but scant chance among -that hungry rabble.</p> - -<p>The cell was now entirely dark, save for a -swinging light which streamed through the -barred doors. The midshipmen scarcely closed -their eyes during the long hours of the night, -and when the first streaks of day shone into -their foul cell, they were sitting open-eyed on -their bench.</p> - -<p>A jailer brought a basin of water to the -door of the cell and then entering, took off -their irons and led them out into the courtyard. -The lads’ hopes rose, but they soon saw -that it was to be only a preparation for more<span class="pagenum" id="Page_143">[143]</span> -imprisonment. A bowl of rice apiece was -given them, which was quickly eaten, and -then each received a steaming cup of tea. -This reassuring meal put new life into the -lads and they felt more cheerful than at any -time since their imprisonment.</p> - -<p>“What’s he doing?” Sydney cried out in -alarm, as the jailer began to rub his neck -with a damp rag, while another rubbed his -wrists and ankles. Phil was afterward given -the same treatment, and then the hateful irons -were again put on, but in addition there were -put about their necks the dreaded rings, -with the dangling brass tags that jingled ominously.</p> - -<p>The midshipmen were stunned. Like the -others of their cell-mates they were now wearing -the badge of death. They also had been -condemned by the viceroy and would be held -in this loathsome prison until their numbers -were called by the “Board of Punishments,” -the Chinese high court of justice.</p> - -<p>Once more in their cell the lads sat -dejectedly on their bench. They had small -desire for conversation; each felt his doom -pressing upon him, and strange to say with<span class="pagenum" id="Page_144">[144]</span> -this weight of trouble their thoughts turned -to Langdon.</p> - -<p>“If we are to be executed,” Phil said sorrowfully, -“poor Langdon must have already -met his death.”</p> - -<p>Sydney had not the heart to reply. He -nodded his head sorrowfully. Then a thought -struck him, and he raised hopeful eyes to his -companion’s face.</p> - -<p>“He must be near us, Phil,” he exclaimed. -“Can’t we find some means of communicating? -If we could only talk their language we -might ask our jailer; he appears friendly and -probably knows.”</p> - -<p>Phil was silent for a few moments, then he -suddenly began to whistle loudly the stirring -music of their class song. The tune brought -tears to Sydney’s eyes. It took him back to -the day the brigade of midshipmen marched -by the reviewing stand for the last time with -his class as seniors. Two hours afterward, -with his diploma in his hand, he had shaken -hands as a graduate with the secretary of the -navy. What a terrible contrast! Then a sudden -fear took possession of him. Had Phil -lost his mind? Was the knowledge of their<span class="pagenum" id="Page_145">[145]</span> -terrible end too much for his nerves and had -his strong mind succumbed? While these -disquieting thoughts were coursing through -his brain, Phil ceased whistling and listened -eagerly. From a distance a high-pitched -treble of a whistle came indistinctly to their -ears amid the noises of their cell.</p> - -<p>The Chinese crowded about Phil in evident -delight, while a number of jailers stood -outside the half-closed door peering inside, -smiles on their ignorant faces.</p> - -<p>“They seem to enjoy my music,” Phil -said in a perfectly rational voice; “but -thank goodness, Langdon is still alive!”</p> - -<p>“Maybe it was from one of the sailors,” -Sydney suggested.</p> - -<p>Phil continued his whistling for many -minutes until his listeners had become -thoroughly accustomed, then he put forth his -strategy.</p> - -<p>“Langdon knows our signal code,” he said -quietly, “and I’m going to try to whistle -him a message, if we can only get these fellows -quiet. At least we’ll find out who it is -that is confined near us.”</p> - -<p>Then by single and double whistles, covered<span class="pagenum" id="Page_146">[146]</span> -up ingeniously with snatches of tunes, he -spelled out:</p> - -<p>“Who are you?”</p> - -<p>The lads waited breathlessly for several -minutes, which seemed to them as many -hours. Then the answer came distinctly:</p> - -<p>“Langdon. If the interpreter comes to you -show him the ring. It may be your last -chance.”</p> - -<p>Phil acknowledged this, and then to allay -the suspicions of the jailers, he whistled several -lively tunes.</p> - -<p>The long day dragged slowly by. In their -cramped surroundings they leaned back -against the wall and dozed off, only to be -awakened by the pains in their tightly-bound -limbs. The irons galled terribly.</p> - -<p>At last the jailer brought them their evening -meal, a bowl of rice apiece, and before -leaving them for the night, examined their -shackles. While examining Sydney’s swollen -wrists he “hi-yaw’d” loudly, calling the midshipmen’s -attention to where the tender skin -had been chafed through, the red flesh showing -clearly.</p> - -<p>“Of course; what does he expect?” Sydney<span class="pagenum" id="Page_147">[147]</span> -exclaimed angrily. “These irons are not -lined with velvet!”</p> - -<p>The jailer took Phil by the shoulder and -led him to a corner of the cell, where a Chinaman -was lying, his pale face showing that the -poor fellow’s death was but a matter of hours.</p> - -<p>Stooping down, the jailer lifted one of the -sick man’s arms. The sight that met the lad’s -gaze was heartrending. The wrist where his -iron had been was a festering sore. The -diseased flesh had slowly spread until his -forearm to the elbow was infected and the -man was dying of blood poison. Phil at once -understood the terrible danger to his friend. -He had heard of the maggot which is said to -infest all Chinese prisons. The earth beneath -his feet at a depth of a few inches was -swarming with these deadly parasites, and -their instinct leads them directly to a fresh -wound. Once this insect enters the flesh of a -victim, his death by a fearful, agonizing and -lingering illness is assured.</p> - -<p>Pointing to Sydney’s irons Phil demanded -by signs that they be immediately removed, -but the jailer shook his head in dissent, his -expressive face portraying a fear for himself<span class="pagenum" id="Page_148">[148]</span> -if he did, while he struck his own neck with -his hand as if to say, “That’s what would -happen to me if I took his irons off.”</p> - -<p>Phil’s solicitude for his friend was great. -How could he hide this wound from the -searching little worm? He thought of his -pocket handkerchief in his blouse pocket; -reaching inside his coat with his manacled -hands, he dragged it slowly out, with the -intention of using it as a bandage about -Sydney’s wrist, but to his consternation as he -pulled a bright spark of metal flashed before -his eyes and the precious jade ring fell loudly -to the floor at the jailer’s feet.</p> - -<p>The Chinaman pounced upon it with -avidity, hastily concealing it in his loose -clothes. Phil attempted to hold him, but he -roughly pushed him aside, shutting the barred -door in his face with a loud slam.</p> - -<p>Their last hope had flown. The Chinaman -would doubtless conceal the ring and say -he knew nothing in case he was questioned.</p> - -<p>The keen disappointment at the loss of the -talisman made Phil fear even more for the -terrible predicament of his companion. A<span class="pagenum" id="Page_149">[149]</span> -few more days in this noisome hole might -mean his death. Ill fed, with no opportunity -to wash away the accumulated dirt from their -unclean surroundings, he must surely fall a -victim of the insidious insect.</p> - -<p>Another night passed in torture, relieved -only by an occasional exchange of signals -between Phil and Langdon. He had fared -no worse than the midshipmen. Phil told -him of the loss of the ring and afterward -there was a long silence, as if the news were -too disappointing to find an answer.</p> - -<p>Finally after several hours, the midshipmen -were awakened from their painful slumber to -hear the signal from the pilot.</p> - -<p>“The viceroy has received some word from -the allies. He asked me many questions to-day,” -and then abruptly the whistle ceased.</p> - -<p>The lads were eager to hear more, but -Langdon was silent, and soon a jailer -entered and threatened by signs to gag the -midshipmen if they continued; so, much -against their inclinations, they stopped signaling.</p> - -<p>Early the next morning the lads were -awakened from an uneasy sleep by loud cries<span class="pagenum" id="Page_150">[150]</span> -in the courtyard outside of their cell door. -The jailer hurried in, unlocking their chains -and signed them to follow him. The midshipmen -upon staggering to their feet would have -fallen, if it had not been for the prompt support -of their fellow prisoners, who having -risen from their earth beds were gazing -curiously through the open door.</p> - -<p>Emerging into the sunlight Phil at first -could see nothing, but the jailer, taking each -by a hand, led them staggeringly across the -sandy courtyard. Then suddenly, pushing -on their shoulders, the jailer forced the midshipmen -on their knees before two mandarins.</p> - -<p>Phil raised his eyes and saw the kindly -face of the Tartar general, while from the lips -of the other, a stranger, came in perfect -English as he raised the almost fainting lads -to their feet:</p> - -<p>“Come with us; we are your friends.”</p> - -<p>Jubilantly they followed the Tartar general’s -military figure, and soon found themselves -within a large room where a small table was -set, and the tempting odor of food struck -pleasantly upon their hungry senses.</p> - - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_150.jpg" alt="" /></div> -<p class="drop-cap"><i>“WE ARE YOUR FRIENDS”</i></p> - -<p> </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_151">[151]</span>The lads were told to be seated, the mandarins -taking chairs opposite each.</p> - -<p>Phil was fairly bursting with suppressed -excitement. Were they to be liberated?</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_152">[152]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XI<br /> - - -<small>FRIENDS IN NEED</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> midshipmen saw that something had -occurred to bring about this change in the -behavior of the mandarins, but for their lives -they could not guess its import or the effect it -would have upon their condition. Both lads -had come to understand something of Chinese -perfidy, and determined to school themselves -to bear any disappointment.</p> - -<p>Very deliberately the two mandarins finished -their meal, the midshipmen, even under -their tension of impatience, doing full justice -themselves to the savory dishes, and then the -servants removed the remnants of the repast. -Meanwhile all four men sat in silence, the -mandarins in their silken robes in great contrast -to the forlorn appearance of the Americans -in their dirt-covered uniforms.</p> - -<p>At length the silence was broken by the -unmusical voice of Hang-Ki, the Tartar general. -While he talked, making many gestures<span class="pagenum" id="Page_153">[153]</span> -with his hands to illustrate his meaning, -the lads racked their brains for a solution to -this unexpected treatment. Finally the general -finished, glancing interestedly at the -midshipmen, anticipating no doubt the effect -his words would have on the faces of the -youths.</p> - -<p>Phil drummed calmly with his finger nail -a signal to Sydney.</p> - -<p>“Show no feeling,” the latter read from -the clear clicks upon the hardwood table, -and he nodded guardedly in assent.</p> - -<p>The second Chinaman was now interpreting -the general’s words, and the midshipmen -listened eagerly.</p> - -<p>“His Excellency, General Hang-Ki, was -given this ring by a soldier who said it was -found by one of the jailers on the person of -one of the American officers. He wishes to -know from where it came.”</p> - -<p>To Phil’s delight the Chinaman held up -the jade ring, which he had believed was irrecoverably -lost.</p> - -<p>Phil saw no reason for concealment, so he -at once told the story of his rescue of the -Chinaman from the river.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_154">[154]</span>Then it was the midshipmen’s turn to -watch the general’s face as Phil’s words were -given him in his own language, but to their -disappointment, his features did not betray -the slightest signs of aught save interest.</p> - -<p>Finally the interpreting mandarin turned -to the expectant lads, a smile on his intelligent -face. They had been wondering unsuccessfully -who this Chinaman might be, using -the English language as readily as his own. -He spoke a few words to the general, and receiving -an affirmative nod, he again addressed -the Americans.</p> - -<p>“I see you do not know me. My name is -Emmons. So far I have been powerless to -aid you. The viceroy is not my friend, and -if it were not for the confidence shown me by -the general, I should before now have shared -the fate which you have so narrowly escaped. -Even now all danger is not over. This ring, -you say,” addressing Phil, “was given you by -the man you saved from the river?”</p> - -<p>Phil nodded silently.</p> - -<p>“That part we cannot explain. The ring -is a gift from the emperor to Ta-Ling, the -viceroy’s official secretary and interpreter.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_155">[155]</span> -The stone is the most priceless jade. Fortunately -for you the jailer, fearing to keep it in -his possession during the night, gave it to the -captain of the yamen guard, who brought it -at once to the general. If it had gone to the -viceroy, before now you both would have -been executed.”</p> - -<p>“What do you mean?” Phil exclaimed. -“Did I commit such a serious offense by saving -this man from drowning?”</p> - -<p>Emmons smiled grimly as he answered:</p> - -<p>“By saving Ta-Ling’s life you committed a -serious offense against the foreigners in China. -That it was he you saved there can be but -little doubt, and he is the bitterest enemy the -foreigners have among the viceroy’s advisers. -He is a graduate of an American college, and -because of his harsh treatment at San Francisco -each time he returned to college from -his yearly visits to China, he has sworn to -avenge himself upon all Americans, and of -course all foreigners will suffer, because the -Chinese people cannot discriminate between -an American and one of another nationality. -Because of my American blood I have gained -his enmity, and while once I enjoyed the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_156">[156]</span> -viceroy’s confidence, now he has openly shown -me his displeasure. This uprising was started -by the wide circulation of handbills, printed -in the yamen and distributed at Ta-Ling’s -direction throughout the provinces, calling -upon all patriotic Chinamen to exterminate -the foreigners. General Hang-Ki is the only -friend that the foreigners have; he commanded -an army corps against the allies at Peking -in 1900, and knows the terrible consequences -awaiting those who dare resort to such -barbarous and uncivilized methods. Unfortunately -Ta-Ling has the entire confidence of -the viceroy, and has poisoned his ear against -the wiser counsel of the general.”</p> - -<p>“Is the mission still unharmed?” Phil -interrupted anxiously.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” Emmons answered promptly, “the -viceroy has given the general orders that it -be guarded from attack, although Ta-Ling has -been making desperate efforts to gather together -the rebels, who were dispersed by the -foreign sailors at Lien-Chow. If he should -succeed in having the general’s soldiers withdrawn -from their camp near the mission, he -may yet succeed in his cherished wish.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_157">[157]</span>“But Ta-Ling himself has enemies,” Phil -exclaimed. “It must have been these who -attempted to drown him in the river.”</p> - -<p>“The one who attempted to drown him in -the river is sitting opposite you in the person -of General Hang-Ki,” Emmons answered, -smiling at the lads’ astonished faces. “Knowing -that the general would not lend himself -to the intrigues against the lives of foreigners, -Ta-Ling decided to put the general out of the -way. The night you saved the secretary from -the river and, as you supposed, received this -priceless royal jade ring as a reward, his -Excellency was spending the night with me on -my house-boat. The general, if possible, always -sleeps in the open air, and this aided the -would-be murderer in his design. I had been -asleep for some hours when I was aroused by -cries, and hurrying to where I had left the -general sleeping, I saw him hurl the body -of a man overboard; but the assassin had nearly -accomplished his purpose as the knife thrust -over the general’s heart will show.” Emmons -turned his tongue to the Chinese language, and -the general baring his chest, the lads gazed in -horror at the terrible wound.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_158">[158]</span>“We believed,” continued Emmons, “that -the man was only a robber, until we saw this -ring and heard your story, but now there can -be no doubt that the would-be assassin was -the viceroy’s interpreter, Ta-Ling himself.”</p> - -<p>“Is it likely,” Phil asked incredulously, -“that if the man was Ta-Ling, he would give -me this ring?”</p> - -<p>“He didn’t give you the ring, you can be -sure of that,” Emmons replied decidedly; “it -slipped off his finger when he thanked you. -Afterward when he missed it, he doubtless -thought he had lost it in the river.”</p> - -<p>“Do you suppose he has recognized me as -the one who pulled him out of the river?” -Phil asked suddenly, grasping at the hope -that the Chinaman might befriend him; but -Emmons quickly dashed this hope to the -ground.</p> - -<p>“The night was dark, and besides, after his -experience in the river, for he cannot swim, I -doubt if he remembers much of what happened. -According to the old law of China he -would not dare for his soul’s peace to take -your life if he knew you had saved him, but -Ta-Ling is a progressive Chinaman, and considers<span class="pagenum" id="Page_159">[159]</span> -his self-preservation in this world of -more importance than the peace of his spirit -hereafter. If this attempt on the life of a -trusted general of the emperor were known, -Ta-Ling could not be saved by even the -viceroy. The penalty is death by a terrible -torture.”</p> - -<p>“Will the general report this occurrence to -the viceroy?” Phil asked excitedly, his -hopes again rising that the interpreter might -be disposed of and Langdon and the rest of -the hostages liberated to return to the safety -of their ships.</p> - -<p>“The general believes that the time has not -come to expose him,” Emmons answered, -lowering his voice to almost a whisper. “Ta-Ling -is now the master of the viceroy’s yamen -and if we failed to break his authority he -would make certain of your destruction, -reporting to the viceroy that you all had committed -suicide for shame at your misdeeds.”</p> - -<p>Both midshipmen’s faces broke into smiles -in spite of the serious situation. Emmons, -seeing the merriment caused by his words, -hastened to explain.</p> - -<p>“I know that such an idea is entirely<span class="pagenum" id="Page_160">[160]</span> -foreign to the American mind, but not so -with the Chinese. If a man knows he has -committed some deed which his fellows condemn, -he is ashamed, or as we say in China, -‘loses face,’ and he is very likely to commit -suicide to regain his good name. And again, -a Chinaman held prisoner may take his own -life for revenge against his captors.”</p> - -<p>“They needn’t fear that from us,” Phil -replied. “We’ll cling to life as long as we are -able.”</p> - -<p>“That’s what the general and I have come -to help you in,” Emmons said in sympathy; -“the jailer has already been cautioned to say -nothing of the ring, and the soldier who -brought it to the general is no friend of Ta-Ling; -but even with this doubt removed your -lives are in danger so long as you are held by -the viceroy. An ultimatum was received -from the American commander last night -that the allies have refused to approve the -commander of the flag of truce’s promises and -if the hostages are not liberated before noon -to-morrow, the allied fleet would bombard the -city. This has thrown the viceroy into a -fever of fear, for he owns much valuable<span class="pagenum" id="Page_161">[161]</span> -property in and about the city. He has -given the general orders to open fire on the -fleet if it again moves to an anchorage off the -city.”</p> - -<p>“Will he obey the order?” Phil asked -eagerly.</p> - -<p>“He must,” Emmons replied. “He dare -not refuse a direct order from the viceroy, -but he has demanded this order in writing, so -as to protect himself when the day of reckoning -comes. General Hang-Ki has sent a -memorial to the viceroy protesting against -this action; he realizes that these gunboats -stand for many great battle-ships that would -be sent against his forts as soon as the spring -floods bring rising water in the Yangtse -River.”</p> - -<p>The midshipmen were silent, while Emmons -spoke to the general. The conversation -lasted for several minutes, when finally the -former again spoke in his father’s language.</p> - -<p>“The viceroy is ignorant of our presence -here and we must soon leave you. If Ta-Ling -should discover that we had talked with -you, all hope for you would be over.”</p> - -<p>The midshipmen were cast down into the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_162">[162]</span> -depths of despair. Then they were not to be -liberated at all, and would again go back to -their prison and be in the cruel clutches of -that fiend Ta-Ling.</p> - -<p>“The general has done his best to arrange -an escape,” were the cheering words from -Emmons. “To-night you will be put in a -cell away from the Chinese prisoners. The -door of the cell will be unlocked. Here is a -plan of the yamen, and I have marked your -route to the gate and safety. I shall have -chairs waiting you at the gate. Success depends -upon yourselves; we dare not help you -farther. In this room marked in pencil you -will find mandarin robes, which you must -put on. The guards throughout the yamen -will be removed until midnight, so you must -succeed before that time. The room in which -you will find disguises is occupied by the -viceroy’s treasurer. He is a close friend of -Ta-Ling and cannot be bought. If you are -discovered the general will be powerless to -save you.”</p> - -<p>“And Langdon?” Phil asked earnestly, -his heart beating high with hope. “We cannot -go a step without him and our four sailors.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_163">[163]</span>“That is more difficult,” Emmons replied -with annoyance. “He is being constantly -visited by Ta-Ling. To attempt his -escape may defeat all. The four sailors are -in another part of the yamen and except for -cruel treatment are safe for the present. The -general is grateful to you for revealing this -plot against his own life, but his real intention -is to give your captain information as to -what will happen if he attempts to run by the -forts. There is, however, a channel, known to -only the Chinese, leading behind and close to -the long narrow island on the opposite side of -the river. This island is now covered with -tall reed grass which will conceal the hulls of -the gunboats from the rays of the search-lights -of the fort. Here is a sketch plan of -this channel. If your commander will start -at night and use the channel I suggest, it -may be that he can take his entire fleet past -the forts undiscovered. I dare not take this -message myself, for my movements are -closely watched. I fear even now Ta-Ling -may have discovered our purpose.”</p> - -<p>“Can we depend upon this information?” -Sydney whispered to Phil, as Emmons and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_164">[164]</span> -the general rose to their feet. “Might it not -be a trick to blow the gunboats up by mines -in this narrow channel?”</p> - -<p>Phil put the question to Emmons, but the -latter assured them of the honesty of the general.</p> - -<p>“The general believes he is serving his -country in giving this information,” he added; -“he knows his people will suffer through the -viceroy’s treachery. If the fleet can pass -without being discovered, he cannot be held -guilty of disobeying the order of the viceroy. -So you see it is important that this message -should reach your captain in time to prevent -him from carrying out his threat of running -the batteries.”</p> - -<p>Reluctantly the midshipmen agreed to leave -Langdon and the four sailors behind and -make the attempt to escape in order to carry -the information of the secret channel to -Commander Hughes. Each felt that in -doing so they might be sacrificing their -friend to the revenge of Ta-Ling when he -had discovered the absence of the midshipmen, -but the good of the cause demanded it -be so.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_165">[165]</span>In but a few moments the jailer led the -lads back to their distasteful prison.</p> - -<p>Passing a great tub of clear water, both -lads looked longingly at it and then at their -soiled hands. To their delight the Chinaman -smiled and motioned that they might indulge -in a bath.</p> - -<p>Delightedly the lads stripped their unclean -clothes from their bodies and bathed in the -soothing water. Forgetful of their surroundings, -with the complacent jailer sitting close -by an amused spectator, they talked gayly of -their hoped-for deliverance. Then the bright -smiles on their faces were suddenly frozen -by the sound of a voice which they had -learned to dread.</p> - -<p>“You seem very cheerful for men who are -soon to be executed,” Ta-Ling said in his -perfect English. “What has put my good -friends in such excellent spirits?”</p> - -<p>Both midshipmen were speechless with astonishment. -How long had this eavesdropper -been listening? Had he discovered the intrigue -of the Tartar general? These were the -questions that passed through their minds. -They waited in cruel suspense for the next<span class="pagenum" id="Page_166">[166]</span> -words of their enemy to answer these fateful -questions.</p> - -<p>Ta-Ling turned upon the trembling jailer, -berating him soundly, punctuating his words -with kicks and blows which the cringing man -received without a sign of resentment.</p> - -<p>“I have told him that if I saw you laughing -again,” he cried angrily, “he would -have his head chopped off. Your treatment -here has been too kind.”</p> - -<p>Then as an afterthought the mandarin -picked up Phil’s uniform blouse from the -ground at his feet and searched through the -pockets carefully. Phil was terrified; the -plan of the yamen was in his trousers pocket -on the ground at the Chinaman’s feet. If he -searched through his trousers, all hope of -escape would be ended.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_167">[167]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XII<br /> - - -<small>A DARING PLAN</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">Ta-Ling</span> threw down the coat impatiently -and glanced disdainfully at the other articles -of apparel. He then took up Phil’s muddy -trousers gingerly as if fearful of soiling his -esthetic hands. The lad’s heart was in his -throat while he watched the Chinaman guardedly, -striving to appear unconcerned, and -cudgeling his brain for something to say in -order to turn the man’s attention from a search -of the guilty garment.</p> - -<p>“Why are you so bitter against my people?” -Phil asked hoarsely. “Were you not educated -in America?”</p> - -<p>Ta-Ling dropped the tattered garment, -glancing up quickly, a scowl on his yellow -face.</p> - -<p>“Why am I bitter against you?” he answered. -“I despise everything American. -Was I not put in a pen in San Francisco -along with such cattle as coolies from Japan,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_168">[168]</span> -Corea and my own country? Your stupid -officials claimed not to be able to distinguish -between us. I heard one say ‘All Chinks -look alike to me.’ After the first experience, -when I was washed and my clothes fumigated -as if I had been a pauper immigrant, I got -letters from college friends, but armed even -with these I suffered indignities at the hands of -these ignorant officials. When I left America -with my graduation diploma in my pocket I -took oath to my father’s spirit that I would -consecrate my life to making foreigners respect -the persons of the high class Chinese, and in -starting this crusade I saw it was first necessary -to drive all foreigners out of our sacred -country.”</p> - -<p>Both midshipmen were astonished at the -earnestness in Ta-Ling’s voice. If the situation -had been reversed, would they have -acted differently? Had not this man ample -reason to hate all foreigners?</p> - -<p>“Even if some of our stupidly ignorant -and irresponsible officials could not distinguish -between ranks in your society,” Phil -urged, “why should you revenge yourself -against us? We are innocent of all blame.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_169">[169]</span> -We came into your city under the sacred -protection of a flag of truce, and in committing -a crime against us you will only confirm -foreigners in their belief that a Chinaman -is not worthy of considerate treatment. -Your cause will not be benefited, and your -people will suffer; the allied fleet will avenge -our deaths as was done in Peking.”</p> - -<p>“What do I care how many of these low-caste -dogs die?” Ta-Ling retorted scornfully; -“there are over four hundred million of such -animals. Your deaths will force the foreign -governments to wage war on China, and once -this war is begun, our people will rise up -from one end of the empire to the other -to drive the foreigner from the soil of -China.”</p> - -<p>“But the missionaries, who have at heart -only the enlightenment of your people,” -Phil urged, catching his clothes stealthily -from the ground at Ta-Ling’s feet.</p> - -<p>“They, of all the foreigners who come to -China,” the Chinaman returned somewhat -shamefacedly, “are working unselfishly, but -they must suffer with the others; all foreigners -must go for China’s good.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_170">[170]</span>“I tell you these things,” he ended, turning -to leave the midshipmen with their jailer, -“because your death-warrants have already -been signed by the viceroy. At the first hostile -shot fired by the allies your heads will -pay the forfeit and we shall attack the mission, -guarded now by your sailors, and kill -every foreigner within.”</p> - -<p>As Ta-Ling left them, the jailer seized the -lads roughly and dragged them toward their -cell. As the door closed behind them Phil -shuddered at the demoniacal laughs of derision -from their fellow prisoners.</p> - -<p>“Our cause has a bitter enemy in Ta-Ling,” -Phil whispered, after the lads had been sitting -on their hard wooden bench for several -minutes and the noise from their prison -mates had subsided; “but I believe he’ll fail. -When Commander Hughes commences to -throw his shells into the city, he’ll be one of -the first, with all his vain show of patriotism, -to cry enough and seek safety.”</p> - -<p>Sydney did not reply; his thoughts were -upon the coming night, when the two midshipmen -were to make their dash for freedom.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_171">[171]</span>After a few minutes he confided his fears -to his friend.</p> - -<p>“If Ta-Ling finds that we have talked with -the Tartar general we’re as good as dead men,” -he said in an awed whisper.</p> - -<p>This terrible thought sent a shiver through -Phil.</p> - -<p>“Did you notice the look on the jailer’s -face when Ta-Ling was talking to him?” -he continued in an anxious voice; “it was -one of cringing fear. If Ta-Ling even suspects -that we had been out of our cell and -questions that man he will tell all. The jailer -probably is keen enough to know that Hang-Ki -and Ta-Ling are enemies, and of the two -he fears the latter most.”</p> - -<p>“Well, the die is cast,” Phil answered, -smiling with a great effort; “there’s no use -crying over it. We are either going to escape -to-night or we are going to have our heads -chopped off out there in the courtyard. Nothing -that we can do can alter our fate, so we -might just as well look cheerful, even though -we don’t feel that way,” and suiting his actions -to his words he began to whistle the -class march.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_172">[172]</span>Sydney sat mournfully listening, while the -Chinese criminals crowded around them, -jabbering noisily.</p> - -<p>The hours dragged wearily along. As the -light through the barred door became dimmer, -foretelling the end of the tedious day, -the midshipmen’s hopes rose; so far Ta-Ling -could not have learned of their visit to his -enemy.</p> - -<p>The midshipmen were taken out into the -courtyard as usual for their evening meal -and after the meagre fare had been eaten -with great effort by the anxious and impatient -lads, the jailer removed their irons and -washed carefully the aching sore on Sydney’s -wrist.</p> - -<p>Phil was delighted to see that the man had -recovered from his fear of a few hours ago, -and that he lingered a much longer time -than seemed necessary, for Sydney’s wrist had -been securely bound with Phil’s handkerchief -and appeared to be healing, auguring well for -the success of the coming night.</p> - -<p>It was quite dark when the jailer had -finished his solicitous attentions, and replaced -the irons on their feet and hands. Motioning<span class="pagenum" id="Page_173">[173]</span> -the midshipmen to follow him, he led them -along the stone flagging of the courtyard, cautioning -silence by raising his hand and shaking -his head jerkily. Loaded down as they -were with heavy chains, to move quietly was -not an easy task, and was one calculated to -fatigue the lads to an alarming extent after their -two days of cruel torture in these steel bonds.</p> - -<p>After traversing nearly half the length of -the courtyard, the jailer suddenly threw open -a door, and forcefully pushed them through -it into darkness. The door closed quietly behind -his retreating figure.</p> - -<p>Their hearts beating fast, Phil and Sydney -strained their ears to catch the first sound of -alarm. Heavy footfalls approaching on the -stone pavement soon told them the reason of -the jailer’s haste and his sudden departure.</p> - -<p>Holding their breath tightly, they heard -the newcomer stop hesitatingly before the -door of their cell, then after a second he -moved farther along, and finally the opening -and shutting of a door told them he had -entered a room near or even next to the one -in which the two midshipmen had been so -suddenly thrust.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_174">[174]</span>Sounds of a low-pitched voice came distinctly -to their ears through the frail partition; -the lads listened eagerly. Then the bold -tones of Langdon’s voice sounded distinctly.</p> - -<p>“For a man who was educated among -white men,” he was saying in a scornful voice, -“you seem to have a queer idea of our honesty. -If you liberate all, I’ll take the letter to our -captain, but I shall not tell him I believe the -viceroy will play fair, for I don’t believe he -will. I don’t trust him, nor you. Send the -letter by one of your own people, and see -what answer he’ll send back. The threat that -at the first gun fired by the allies our heads -will be chopped off will not affect his plans. -What are two midshipmen, four sailors, and -a pilot to a country like ours?”</p> - -<p>“Commander Ignacio and two of the allied -gunboats have accepted the viceroy’s word -and are back at their old anchorage,” Ta-Ling’s -voice urged. “That shows the viceroy’s -good faith.”</p> - -<p>“Don’t talk to me of that traitor,” Langdon -exclaimed; “he isn’t white anyway; his skin -is as yellow as yours.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_175">[175]</span>“Then you refuse your life?” Ta-Ling’s -voice asked.</p> - -<p>“You Chinese are a soft-brained lot,” -Langdon said, ignoring the question; “your -intrigue is as plain as children’s play. Men -like Ignacio might be fooled. I don’t know -what promises you’ve made to him. Probably -offered to give his countrymen the railroad -concession to Peking, which your viceroy has -cheated the Americans out of by his underhand -dealings; but you ought to know after -four years at an American college that we are -not that kind. Commander Hughes is in -this river to see that Americans are left unmolested, -in accordance with the treaties -made between the two countries.”</p> - -<p>“I suppose you know that when I was in -your America I personally investigated nearly -a score of murders of Chinese in what you -call the West. Each case was as brutal and -flagrant as any that has occurred in China,” -Ta-Ling’s voice broke in triumphantly. -“How then can you boast of the honesty of -your people?—for in not a single instance -were the murderers punished.”</p> - -<p>“That’s because you Chinese are a weak<span class="pagenum" id="Page_176">[176]</span> -race, and haven’t the back-bone to stand up -for your rights,” Langdon replied, “while -we are men enough to insist on fair treatment -for our citizens abroad. That’s where you are -lacking in national character.”</p> - -<p>A rattle of chains and harsh cries of rage -and pain followed the sally of Langdon, -causing the listeners to hold themselves rigid -with suppressed excitement.</p> - -<p>“That beast!” Phil whispered. “I wish -I had let him drown.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll go to your midshipmen friends,” Ta-Ling -said sullenly. “I believe they are -frightened enough to be bought by the price -you refuse. Remember, I’ve given you the last -chance you’ll get.”</p> - -<p>Langdon was apparently too angry to speak. -The lads could hear distinctly his heavy -breathing, caused by some torture administered -by this cruel Chinaman.</p> - -<p>“You’re trying to hedge, is that it?” the -thick voice of the pilot was heard to say; “or -do you count upon catching the gunboats unawares -as they steam by the forts flying flags -of truce?”</p> - -<p>The Chinaman administered a vicious kick<span class="pagenum" id="Page_177">[177]</span> -in answer, and the lads held their breath in -almost a panic as they heard the door of -Langdon’s cell close and Ta-Ling’s footsteps -die slowly away down the courtyard.</p> - -<p>“It’s all up with us,” Sydney breathed -hopelessly. “He’ll soon find we are not in -our prison, and then——” he ended with a -shiver as his thoughts dwelt upon the terrible -death by decapitation.</p> - -<p>A loud clank made the overwrought midshipmen -start terrified; then Phil fairly -gasped with surprise and joy; his arm manacles -had fallen to the ground.</p> - -<p>In the darkness he quickly reached out -and grasped Sydney’s hand, fingering nervously -the cruel iron bracelets. The metal -rings were clamped but unlocked, and he -readily removed the irons from his companion’s -hands. In but a moment more they -both stood free of their retaining bonds.</p> - -<p>“Ta-Ling and the jailer,” Phil whispered -as a sound of approaching footsteps became -audible. “If they enter here we must overpower -them. It’s our one chance now.”</p> - -<p>Sydney moved closer to Phil, taking his -hand in silence, and pressing it in sign<span class="pagenum" id="Page_178">[178]</span> -of his readiness to follow his friend’s -lead.</p> - -<p>“They must make no outcry,” Phil continued. -“I’ll take the one nearest me.”</p> - -<p>The Chinamen stopped at the cell door, -and the voice of Ta-Ling was raised angrily, -storming in Chinese at the jailer, apparently -for daring to remove the prisoners from their -former cell.</p> - -<p>The midshipmen retreated until their backs -touched the wall of the narrow cell, having -replaced their hand irons to appear to be still -in chains.</p> - -<p>A dim light shone into their cell as the -door swung loudly open, and the scowling -face of Ta-Ling appeared, with the jailer behind -him, timidly holding up an oil lantern.</p> - -<p>“So you didn’t like to be kept with the -rest of the cattle?” Ta-Ling’s cruel voice began. -Then he stopped suddenly, and threw -up his head with a wicked laugh. “You’ve -heard Langdon’s answer, then?” he continued, -signing to the terrified and trembling -jailer to put down the lantern on the solitary -wooden bench. The man entered the cell to -obey, leaving the door open.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_179">[179]</span>Phil saw the time had come for action. -He sought Sydney’s eye, then stealthily -moved his foot, quietly throwing the door off -its balance, allowing it to swing slowly closed. -He had purposely moved so that Ta-Ling in -addressing him must turn his back upon -Sydney and the jailer. Burning with excitement -he watched Sydney grasp his hand -irons firmly. The great bulk of the jailer -loomed almost grotesquely in the light of the -flickering lantern. Fearing that Ta-Ling -might be attracted by the eagerness which he -was powerless to hide, Phil lowered his gaze, -but out of the tail of his eye he was conscious -that the iron flashed in the lamplight -as the click of the shutting door -caused the interpreter to glance toward it suspiciously.</p> - -<p>Then a rattle of chain and a dull sound behind -him made Ta-Ling swing suddenly -around. Phil’s opportunity had arrived. -With fingers itching for this cruel Chinaman’s -throat he sprang upon him, smothering -the cry that was ready to give the alarm -to the yamen guard, and bore him heavily to -the ground. In the flickering light he saw<span class="pagenum" id="Page_180">[180]</span> -the man’s face turn livid, then purple, while -his muscles relaxed. Glancing up, he saw -Sydney removing a great bunch of keys from -the prostrate body of the jailer.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_181">[181]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XIII<br /> - - -<small>HOPES OF ESCAPE</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">Ta-Ling</span> had ceased to struggle; his eyes -protruded in ghastly fashion, while through -his open mouth his tongue showed blue and -swollen. Phil was terrified at the sight, believing -he had killed the Chinaman, but upon -opening his coat he felt his heart beating -faintly.</p> - -<p>With a sigh of great relief he rose to his -feet and, taking the lantern in his hand, he -scanned his prostrate victim.</p> - -<p>“You must put on his clothes and release -Langdon,” Sydney whispered, holding the -keys out toward Phil.</p> - -<p>Without a word, but with fingers trembling -with excitement, the lad stooped down, stripping -the robes from the inanimate form; the -baggy trousers, the silken hose and satin -shoes and the long flowing robe with the -mandarin square of the scholar embroidered -in gold on its front.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_182">[182]</span>Discarding his naval uniform he hastily -put on his enemy’s garments. When completely -clothed he turned to Sydney, who -gasped with astonishment at the altered appearance -of his friend. The hat with its horsetail -plume and pink button concealed his -long front hair which in a Chinaman is always -missing, being shaved close to his scalp.</p> - -<p>Sydney immediately followed his comrade’s -example and was soon arrayed in the costume -of the Chinese jailer.</p> - -<p>Phil pointed to their discarded irons and -in a few moments they had snapped feet and -hand manacles over the helpless limbs of Ta-Ling. -Then they both turned impatiently -toward the door. Phil hesitated for an instant.</p> - -<p>“They may come to before we can make -our escape,” he said. “We must gag them.”</p> - -<p>Stripping their prisoners of their undergarments, -these as gags were tied firmly over their -mouths.</p> - -<p>“I hope he doesn’t smother,” Phil whispered -in some alarm; “he seems to be hardly -breathing.”</p> - -<p>“We can’t take any chances now,” Sydney<span class="pagenum" id="Page_183">[183]</span> -returned calmly; “it’s their life or ours. If -we are caught now nothing can save us.”</p> - -<p>To make more sure of their prisoners, the -arms of each were bound to their sides, so -that upon regaining consciousness they could -not work their gags off their mouths and give -the alarm to the yamen.</p> - -<p>“I hope they’ll be found before they starve -to death,” Phil said anxiously. “I fear the -jailer will feel that we are ungrateful for his -aid. I don’t dare liberate him; he may in fear -betray us into the hands of the guard.”</p> - -<p>“They’ll surely be found in the morning,” -Sydney assured him. “Our friends the -prisoners will clamor when their breakfast -doesn’t appear, and then a search will be made -for him and for us too. If we are not found -before,” he ended grimly.</p> - -<p>“What’s this!” Phil exclaimed, drawing -from the inside pocket of his Chinese coat a -number of papers and examining them in the -light of the lantern. “A telegram!” he cried, -“and addressed to Commander Hughes!”</p> - -<p>Both lads gazed at the sealed envelope as if -they would like to bore through the outer -covering and read the message within.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_184">[184]</span>“Dare we open it?” Phil asked. “If it is -in the ordinary cipher I know the key word. -It may be something important, and as -well for us to know the contents if we lose the -telegram. And here is a letter addressed to -the captain,” he continued excitedly. “This -is surely the one which Ta-Ling tempted -Langdon to take. But come,” he added -hastily, “we must not allow him to be a -minute longer in his chains.”</p> - -<p>Taking the keys from Sydney’s hand, he -opened the cell door and led the way to the -door of Langdon’s prison. There was no -sound in the enclosure except an occasional -shrill cry from the prisoners at the far corner. -As they waited in the silent courtyard to -make sure all was well before entering, Langdon’s -heavy breathing came distinctly to their -ears.</p> - -<p>After a few seconds Phil selected the right -key and the next moment the door swung -open, while the lad whispered softly:</p> - -<p>“Langdon!”</p> - -<p>But there was no answer; then the dim -light shed its fitful rays about the dungeon -and the lad gave a smothered cry of concern,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_185">[185]</span> -for the sight which met his gaze was indeed -appalling: Langdon, bound tightly, was triced -up to a beam overhead by his feet and the -iron ring about his neck, and he was by -degrees strangling to death.</p> - -<p>The anxious lads quickly cut the ropes and -lowered the insensible man to the floor. Then -removing the irons they worked over him -anxiously while the time passed on winged -feet. Finally the pilot opened his eyes and -stared at the lads with angry, sullen eyes, -making a futile attempt to speak.</p> - -<p>“You miserable coward,” he finally managed -to say in a thick whisper. “I hope some -day you’ll be treated as you’ve treated me.”</p> - -<p>The midshipmen were at first so taken -aback that they were silent. Then the -comical part of the tragedy appealed to them -and in that instant Langdon recognized his -rescuers.</p> - -<p>“We’ve got him now in almost the same -condition that you were in,” Phil whispered.</p> - -<p>The pilot gazed in wonder at the midshipmen. -Raising a trembling hand he passed it -over his eyes uncertainly, as if he would -sweep away the delusion.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_186">[186]</span>“What does it mean?” he asked weakly.</p> - -<p>“It means that we are for the time free,” -Phil answered; “but come, we must start. If -we delay Ta-Ling may be missed and a search -for him would spoil all. Can you walk?” -he asked solicitously.</p> - -<p>“In a minute,” the pilot replied. “Help -me to my feet. I’d have been gone in a half -hour more,” he added, feeling his sore and -swollen throat.</p> - -<p>The lads helped him to his feet and he -stood unsteadily, leaning his great weight on -their shoulders.</p> - -<p>“It was partly our fault,” Sydney said -apologetically; “he no doubt intended coming -back and lowering you; but we couldn’t -allow him to leave our cell.”</p> - -<p>After a few minutes more to permit Langdon -to regain his strength and give the blood -a chance to circulate into his cramped limbs, -Phil made the motion to follow, and all three -noiselessly filed out into the courtyard and -entered the cell where the Chinamen were -lying.</p> - -<p>The interpreter’s breathing showed that he -would soon regain his senses. Langdon<span class="pagenum" id="Page_187">[187]</span> -glared triumphantly down upon the villain -who would gladly kill all the foreigners -within the Chinese Empire.</p> - -<p>“He’s not half gagged,” he exclaimed in a -hoarse whisper. Then he untied the gag -which the lads had made and jammed the -mandarin’s mouth full of his own clothing, -binding it in with a tight bandage. After -rearranging the jailer’s gag, he arose and -gloated over the fallen favorite of the viceroy.</p> - -<p>Phil had torn open the telegram and in the -dim light scanned it anxiously. Then he -drew from his pocket a pencil and in silence -wrote the key word above the words of the -message. Sydney regarded him in a fever of -excitement. Finally Phil’s pencil was still -and he looked up with a white, anxious face.</p> - -<p>“I’d like to destroy it, but I don’t dare,” -he said. Then he read in a voice trembling -with emotion:</p> - -<p>“Department condemns your actions in -entering To-Yan Lake and attacking Chinese -soldiers. Proceed immediately back to Ku-Ling -and offer ample apology to viceroy. -Consider yourself relieved of your command.”</p> - -<p>If a shell had exploded in their midst the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_188">[188]</span> -eager listeners could not have been more surprised.</p> - -<p>“Burn it up,” Langdon exclaimed indignantly. -“That’s the way things are run -from a distance of ten thousand miles.” -Then his glance encountered the wide-open -eyes of Ta-Ling and he snorted with rage as -he roughly jerked the bound Chinaman to his -feet.</p> - -<p>“Did you hear it?” he cried.</p> - -<p>The mandarin’s eyes burned balefully as -he nodded his head in assent. Langdon released -the Chinaman, and but for Phil’s steadying -hand he would have fallen to the floor. -Then the pilot raised the long braided cue of -the interpreter and with a swift cut of his -jack-knife severed it close up to the Chinaman’s -head; the next second, holding it out to -Phil, he cried gleefully:</p> - -<p>“Put this on under your cap; it’s all you -need to complete your costume.</p> - -<p>“You won’t be so keen to show yourself in -public hereafter,” he continued spitefully to -the mandarin.</p> - -<p>Ta-Ling was beside himself with rage, but -he could only grow red and utter inarticulate<span class="pagenum" id="Page_189">[189]</span> -sounds, while Langdon sat on the wooden -bench laughing scornfully at the disgraced -official.</p> - -<p>“If he doesn’t commit suicide in twenty-four -hours, it’s because he’s chicken-hearted.” -Langdon laughed in a low tone, mainly for -the Chinaman’s ear. The pilot knew he held -the secret of the cablegram. Apparently he -had guessed at the contents and was going to -send it together with the letter for the American -captain. If the viceroy knew the stand -that was being taken by the American government, -every missionary in the valley of the -Yangtse would be unsafe. The mandarin -officials in the towns of the provinces were as -yet guarding the foreigners against attack until -they could be sure of the outcome at Ku-Ling. -Once the viceroy had humbled the foreign -pride then the rabble would be free to -indulge its aroused hatred.</p> - -<p>Phil cut short the pilot’s mirth by taking -him by the arm and leading him silently to -the door. Once outside the cell the lad -showed him the sketch plan of the yamen -with the path they must take to reach the -room where clothes would be found.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_190">[190]</span>“If we only knew where the sailors are,” -Sydney whispered.</p> - -<p>Phil shook his head. It might only defeat -them, and the sailors would be no better off.</p> - -<p>Langdon for the first time realized that he -was not in the plot and would have asked many -questions, but Phil and Sydney grasped him -firmly on each side as if he were their prisoner -and marched openly down the stone -pavement of the courtyard. The place indicated -on the sketch was easily found and Phil, -leaving his companions, pushed the door -quietly open. The room was lighted by a -single swinging lamp, while in one corner sat -a Chinaman reckoning laboriously on his -abacus, a counting device used by the Oriental -races; the click of the small wooden balls -as he moved them along their wires sounded -distinctly in the quiet of the room.</p> - -<p>As Phil closed the door softly behind him -the Chinaman glanced up casually, speaking -a few words in his guttural tongue. The lad -made no reply, but glanced about hastily to -make sure those near could not discover what -was about to happen. His heart was beating -fast. He saw a door beyond the victim which<span class="pagenum" id="Page_191">[191]</span> -he knew must lead directly into the viceroy’s -own apartments; voices, almost inaudible, -came to his ears from the rooms on the other -side of that slender partition. He saw that -he must work quickly and silently. Any -moment the door might open and he would -be discovered, for his disguise would be useless -under the direct gaze of a Chinese mandarin. -The treasurer had seen him but indistinctly -and had taken for granted that he was -Ta-Ling.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_190.jpg" alt="" /></div> -<p class="drop-cap"><i>HE MEASURED THE STRENGTH<br /> -OF HIS ANTAGONIST</i></p> - -<p>Moving silently to the side of the absorbed -Chinaman, Phil stood for the fraction of a -second looking down on his work. His eyes -sought out the curve of the neck in its -enveloping robe while he measured the -strength of his antagonist. Raising his hands -in readiness, he poised them aloft ready to grasp -the slender neck within his muscular fingers.</p> - -<p>As if by premonition of the danger threatening -him, the Chinaman dropped his hands -from the abacus and glanced swiftly up into -Phil’s face. The next second the midshipman’s -hands had encircled his neck and the -terrified outcry which the lad saw in his -frightened eyes was stifled.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_192">[192]</span>“Hurry, Langdon!” Phil whispered over -his shoulder, as the pilot noiselessly entered to -dress himself in one of the many robes hanging -about the room.</p> - -<p>While Phil slowly reduced the treasurer to -a harmless state, the pilot made a hasty -change, and as the lads had done, rolled his -own clothes in a bundle, concealing them under -his flowing robe.</p> - -<p>With articles of clothing the Americans -silently bound and gagged the treasurer and -laid his body away, hidden from the view of -the casual observer entering the room; then -the three proceeded to carry out the last and -most trying stage of their perilous adventure.</p> - -<p>Phil leading, they arrived in sight of the -outer gate. So far no guards had been met, but -now with sinking heart Phil saw a large -crowd gathered on the outside of the open -gateway. Soldiers, their muskets in hand, -stood stolidly on guard, while others sat on -the ground, chattering volubly. Was this -but the usual crowd always seen at the gates -of a Chinese yamen—the poor awaiting -crumbs from the rich man’s table? Overhead -several oil lanterns shed their meagre<span class="pagenum" id="Page_193">[193]</span> -light upon the assemblage. The score or -more of Chinese would surely penetrate their -disguise! He saw Langdon raise his hand -with its flowing sleeve to his face, and quickly -imitated the movement, nudging Sydney to -do likewise.</p> - -<p>A hoarse cry rang out from the guard at -the gate as they approached, which sent chills -of terror down the lad’s spine. His first inclination -was to turn and flee back into the -yamen and he stopped so abruptly that Sydney -trod on his heels. What were the men -at the gate calling to each other?</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_194">[194]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XIV<br /> - - -<small>THE ESCAPE</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">For</span> the moment the midshipmen were sure -that they had been discovered. Then Langdon’s -low voice reassured them:</p> - -<p>“Come, it’s all right. They take us for -mandarins, and are calling the guard to ‘attention.’ -Keep your sleeves over your faces -and don’t look up as we pass.”</p> - -<p>Again the Americans were in motion toward -the lighted gateway. With hearts beating -high, in a terrible suspense, their feet mechanically -carried them slowly toward the -spot where they would be under the fire of a -scrutiny of scores of people whose nationality -the Americans were endeavoring to counterfeit. -Would not the Chinese see through -their flimsy disguise? As the escaping men -passed the first guard, he raised his rifle -smartly to the “present” in salute, but the -quick motion struck terror to Phil’s heart,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_195">[195]</span> -making him jump aside involuntarily as if he -were dodging an expected blow. Shamefacedly -the lad recovered himself by a great -effort. In a moment more the gateway was -passed and the Americans found themselves -on the edge of the inquisitive crowd.</p> - -<p>Langdon raised his hand, and immediately -three chairs were brought by coolies from the -edge of the narrow street and placed obediently -on the ground before them. Phil -longed to be within the shadow of the chair -canopies. How could these Chinamen be so -easily deceived! As he fairly dived into the -friendly darkness of the nearest chair he cast -a swift, uneasy glance at the crowd. The -reason of their immunity was plain. The eyes -of the crowd were directed upon the ground -for fear in the presence of their all-powerful -rulers.</p> - -<p>Langdon gave a brief order in Chinese. -With high hopes for success Phil felt his -chair borne upward to the muscular shoulders -of the coolie carriers and then with loud -shouts of warning to the crowd to make way, -they started off in a long, swinging walk. Phil -drew his curtains tightly shut and lay back<span class="pagenum" id="Page_196">[196]</span> -with a great sigh of relief in his cushioned -seat.</p> - -<p>They were out of the yamen at last, but the -city gate must yet be passed. If their absence -were discovered while they were yet within -the walled city their recapture was assured.</p> - -<p>Although the coolies traveled at a lively -pace, it seemed to the anxious Americans that -they were but crawling through the deserted -streets; the Chinese on account of the lateness -of the hour were all within their hovel-like -houses. An occasional soldier, clanking a -chain loudly to frighten away demons, and -calling out in his harsh language that all was -well, brought a sudden shock to Phil’s high-strung -nerves.</p> - -<p>At last the gate of the city was reached and -the chairs stopped. Through his bamboo -screen Phil saw that the guards were hesitating -about opening the gate. Once a gate -was closed an order from the viceroy alone -could open it between the setting and rising of -the sun.</p> - -<p>An officer came forward, peering inside the -protecting hoods. Phil believed that all was -lost as he felt, even in the gloom of his chair,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_197">[197]</span> -the scrutinizing gaze upon him. The officer -spoke a few words, and the lad realized by -the rising inflection in the man’s voice that -he was asking a question. The midshipman -nodded and raising his hand pointed -haughtily to the gate.</p> - -<p>Then to his joy the officer withdrew his -head as if satisfied and gave an order in a -loud voice. Immediately the gate swung -open and with a rattle of rusty chain the -drawbridge was lowered.</p> - -<p>Quickly the Americans were carried through -the gate and across the moat. They had left the -terrors of the walled city and were now upon -the neutral ground of the foreign concession. -As they passed over the wide streets, in great -contrast to the ill-kept, narrow ones of the -Chinese city, the pungent odors of the docks -struck pleasantly upon their nostrils.</p> - -<p>Phil’s chair was still in the lead, and the -Chinese carriers, as if acting under instructions, -trudged steadily onward to the “Bund,” -the street paralleling the water front. Finally -the coolies halted, putting the chairs down for -the occupants to alight. Phil disentangled -himself from the enshrouding curtains and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_198">[198]</span> -stood on the broad street, joyfully inhaling the -fresh air of the river, while Langdon waved -the coolies to be gone.</p> - -<p>Once alone the Americans were at liberty -to talk. Phil told in as few words as possible -of their visit to Emmons and the Tartar -general.</p> - -<p>“Where is Emmons?” Langdon exclaimed -irritably. “We’re in as much danger as ever -here. The foreigners have all fled. The -concession is deserted, and doubtless the streets -are full of robbers who would very cheerfully -pitch us into the river for the sake of a few -Mexican dollars.”</p> - -<p>Phil was about to disclaim any knowledge -of the whereabouts of the half-breed, when -Sydney’s exclamation of surprise drew his -attention to three small gunboats anchored -in the river but a short distance away, and the -bright lights of a steam launch approaching -the jetty from one of their dark hulls.</p> - -<p>Phil’s heart was filled with joy. Here at -last was safety!</p> - -<p>The three men hastened gladly to the landing -at which the launch had arrived, while -Phil stepped forward to accost an officer who<span class="pagenum" id="Page_199">[199]</span> -had hastily left the launch and was approaching -up the ladder from the landing float -below.</p> - -<p>“You are late,” the newcomer said irritably. -“I’ve been watching the landing for over an -hour.”</p> - -<p>Phil was about to reply, but something -which he could not explain held his tongue, -for he recognized instantly the voice of -Ignacio.</p> - -<p>“Where are your chairs?” Commander Ignacio -continued; “you can hardly expect me to -walk through the dirty streets of your ill-smelling -city, even for the pleasure of seeing that -young braggart tortured in true Chinese fashion. -You see I am not entirely confident of -you and your viceroy, so I have brought along -a few companions;” he pointed toward the float, -where eight or ten sailors had disembarked -from the launch, rifles in hand.</p> - -<p>Phil’s tongue clove to the top of his mouth -at the suddenness of their dilemma. What -should he do? Ignacio had said too much -now to cover his tracks, and his sailors would -undoubtedly obey his orders, even to killing -three innocent Americans in cold blood.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_200">[200]</span>“Come, what are we waiting for?” the -foreigner added, grasping Phil’s arm, and -turning him away from the river. “I don’t -want to lose all my sleep; it’s nearly ten o’clock -now.”</p> - -<p>Phil’s companions stood by speechless. -Even Langdon with all his sang froid was at -a loss what to do. To reveal their true character -to their enemy would mean that at the -least he would take them forcibly back to the -viceroy. Phil at the Naval Academy had -been declared a fine mimic and in the class -minstrel shows he had to the delight of the -brigade caricatured and impersonated each of -the officers on duty at the school. Could he -impersonate Ta-Ling? Was it possible to -imitate his voice and the peculiar pronunciation -of the English words? It was their only -hope. Even if he failed, they could be no -worse off.</p> - -<p>By a great effort he stilled the rapid heartbeats -and brought his trembling voice under -control.</p> - -<p>“I was detained by his Excellency the -viceroy,” he began in a voice that startled -even himself and made Langdon and Sydney<span class="pagenum" id="Page_201">[201]</span> -fairly jump with surprise and glance hastily -around for the owner of that despised voice; -“but if you are now ready we can start. The -chairs are up the street only a short distance.”</p> - -<p>Commander Ignacio voiced his willingness -and the two men in the lead, followed by -Sydney and the pilot, retraced their steps -toward the gate of the walled city.</p> - -<p>“Send your men back to the ship,” Phil, -stopping suddenly, said in the voice of Ta-Ling. -“You know me well enough to know -that I have no wish to harm you.”</p> - -<p>Commander Ignacio hesitated. Doubtless -he felt safer with a few trusty sailors between -himself and the treacherous Chinese.</p> - -<p>“Did you send my telegrams?” he asked -quickly; “and have any come from Washington -for that American pig?”</p> - -<p>“Yours were sent,” Phil answered promptly, -“but the American captain has received -none.”</p> - -<p>“Well, it will come, I’m sure, and then -after he is disgraced, I shall be chosen as the -leader of the allies,” the foreign captain said -boastfully; “but you must keep your part of -the contract and hold your people in check<span class="pagenum" id="Page_202">[202]</span> -until I can get the credit of quelling the disturbance. -Say a month before you kill these -flat-chested missionaries.”</p> - -<p>“That was our agreement,” Phil replied; -“now show that you have confidence in me -and send your men aboard.”</p> - -<p>Commander Ignacio reluctantly left Phil’s -side and walked back to the landing float to -give his orders.</p> - -<p>“Don’t open your mouths!” Phil whispered -in a tense voice. “When his men are -once out of sight I’ll lead him to where he -thinks the chairs are waiting. When I raise -my hand, jump on him like a ton of brick. -The chairs we got were waiting for Ta-Ling and -they may now be waiting for him near here, so -we must be quiet about it. I noticed the coolies -were surprised when Langdon motioned them -to go.”</p> - -<p>Phil had barely finished his instructions -before Commander Ignacio rejoined him.</p> - -<p>“I’ve sent them back,” he said in a voice -that showed plainly his dislike at so doing, -“and ordered the launch to return and wait -for me. Have you the viceroy’s promise for -the railroad concession?” he ended covetously;<span class="pagenum" id="Page_203">[203]</span> -“it means fifty thousand<a id="FNanchor_1" href="#Footnote_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> Mexican to -you when the deed is signed.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, that’s all fixed,” Phil replied, now -laughing inwardly at the success of his strategy, -as he saw the steam launch with the -sailors leave the float and head back to their -ship.</p> - -<p>“Remember your promise to make way -with those three Americans. Their government -will do nothing except demand satisfaction,” -the foreigner urged earnestly. “That -means a little money squeezed from the -viceroy’s hoarded savings and half a dozen cut-throats -beheaded in the presence of the -American representatives.”</p> - -<p>“But you only asked that one of them be -executed,” Phil returned, aghast at his joke -on such a gruesome topic.</p> - -<p>“Well, I might have said only one,” -Ignacio made answer; “he is the darker of -the two midshipmen; the one that dared rebuke -me at the council before the viceroy; -but the others know too much to go free.”</p> - -<p>By this time the party had left the docks -and were walking slowly up the street leading<span class="pagenum" id="Page_204">[204]</span> -to the city gate. The street was in darkness. -The few lanterns had not been lighted -since the exodus of the foreigners, and as -they passed the large buildings, it was -plainly seen that the foreign concession had -been given over to pillage; the steps and -pavement in front were littered with articles -which could not easily be carried away by -the avaricious Chinamen.</p> - -<p>“Have you a revolver?” Phil asked. “I -am not armed, and sometimes these robbers -are dangerous if they think they can get -money.”</p> - -<p>Phil wanted to know if Ignacio was armed. -He feared that in the struggle which was -soon to come a pistol might be accidentally -discharged, which would not only arouse the -Chinese guards at the gate scarcely a few -hundred yards away, but might bring a party -of sailors from Commander Ignacio’s ship.</p> - -<p>“Yes, two; one in each pocket,” the foreigner -answered, shoving his hands in the -pockets of his naval tunic. “I always carry -them, and I can shoot through my coat from -the hip and hit every time.”</p> - -<p>“Good,” Phil thought; “they’ll come in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_205">[205]</span> -very handy for us before the night is -over.”</p> - -<p>They were nearing a part of the street -which to the lad seemed the very place to -carry out his design to render harmless the -companion walking so confidently beside him.</p> - -<p>“Our chairs should be near here,” he said, -leading the way down a narrow alley behind -a great white building, the English Bank, -which Phil recognized as the scene of his first -encounter with Commander Ignacio. What -spot could be more fitting for this last encounter? -Then he continued: “What makes -you think a telegram will come from Washington -disgracing the American captain?”</p> - -<p>“The telegram you sent me this morning -was from my friend, the naval attaché in -Washington; he says it is already published -in the American paper,” Commander Ignacio -answered. “Everything is printed in the -newspapers in America, you know. They do -not understand there the military value of -secrecy, which is the fundamental basis of -diplomacy.”</p> - -<p>Phil ground his teeth in rage and mortification. -He could have struck the man down<span class="pagenum" id="Page_206">[206]</span> -for talking of his country and countrymen -so slurringly. Yet he could only acknowledge -that the man was but repeating what had -often been said in Europe.</p> - -<p>“Where are the chairs?” Commander -Ignacio asked in some alarm, as they reached -the end of the alley and it was apparent that -the square, court-like space was empty. Phil -appeared to search the deeper shadows with -his eyes, at the same time making the guttural -call which he had heard used by Chinamen -calling to them a chair and coolies. Ignacio -still had one hand in his pocket and Phil felt -sure his nervous finger was on a trigger. The -lad racked his brain to devise some scheme to -get him off his guard. Even now his suspicions -might have been aroused.</p> - -<p>Langdon and Sydney were close behind -their victim, doubtless watching eagerly for -the sign from Phil. Ignacio stood close to a -door, his right hand, which was no doubt encircling -the butt of a revolver, nearest the knob.</p> - -<p>“Try that door,” Phil said in as careless -tones as he could command. “It’s rather -damp outside and they might have gone inside -to sleep.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_207">[207]</span>It apparently did not occur to the foreigner -that the great bulky chairs would not be taken -inside, and if the coolies were there the chairs -would have been plainly in evidence in the -court, for he unguardedly took his right hand -from his pocket and raised it to the doorknob.</p> - -<p>Phil waited not a second, but raised his -hand quickly above his head. He saw the -bodies of Sydney and Langdon hurl themselves -upon the unguarded victim. Then the -door flew open inward and his heart stopped -beating with terror and dismay, while the -silence was broken by the loud report of a -pistol shot, accompanied by the most unearthly -yells he had ever heard.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_208">[208]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XV<br /> - - -<small>AN ENEMY SILENCED</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">Langdon</span> and Sydney had so forcibly driven -their enemy to the ground that one of the -revolvers, which was cocked, had gone off, the -noise of the discharge reverberating through -the bare building in a most startling way. -Intent upon their work, the pilot had seized -the wrists of the foreign captain in an iron -grip, while Sydney quickly disarmed him.</p> - -<p>Phil’s heart stopped beating at the sight -which presented itself as the door swung wide -open. By the light of three or four dripping -candles, he saw a dozen Chinamen seated -about the floor of the room.</p> - -<p>As the lad forced his way boldly into the -midst of the startled Chinamen, holding before -him a revolver taken from Sydney’s hand in -passing, the surprised Orientals threw themselves -face downward upon the floor, whining -piteously for mercy.</p> - -<p>Leaving the disarmed foreigner to Sydney,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_209">[209]</span> -Langdon quickly joined the other midshipman, -surrounded as he was by the cringing -and terror-stricken natives.</p> - -<p>“Canton Chinamen,” he whispered; “these -must be Emmons’ launch crews; but what are -they doing here?”</p> - -<p>Langdon raised his voice, addressing the -terrified men. At the sound of their own -tongue a Chinaman raised himself tremblingly -from the floor, his fear giving place to joy as -he recognized the familiar voice of the pilot, -whom he had so frequently seen piloting ships -on the great river.</p> - -<p>After a few minutes’ conversation with the -native Langdon turned to Phil, drawing the -lad out of ear-shot of their helpless enemy lying -upon the floor with Sydney’s muscular weight -upon his chest.</p> - -<p>“It looks bad for us!” he exclaimed. -“This man, Nam-Sing, is one of Emmons’ -head men, and these men are his crew. A -mob this afternoon looted the foreign concession -and destroyed all of Emmons’ launches, -butchering the Canton Chinese crews in cold -blood. The foreign gunboats, he says, looked -on and would not interfere. Emmons, he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_210">[210]</span> -thinks, was killed. These men took refuge -in the secret vaults of the bank, known by -Nam-Sing because he was for some years -employed here. Believing that all was quiet, -they were trying to muster up courage to -escape down the river.”</p> - -<p>Phil could have wept with disappointment. -On the threshold of safety, they found their -escape cut off. His mind sought for a way to -overcome the difficulties. Ignacio’s launch -was at the landing. Why could they not -overpower the crew and escape in it? But he -soon saw that this plan would be worse than -foolhardy. They could not expect to pass -the alert gunboat, and once alongside, the -strategy would be discovered. But what else -could be done? A junk was out of the -question, for the wind was contrary, blowing -up the river, and before they could hope to -pass the forts, daylight would reveal them -and the Chinese guns would soon make them -return and surrender or else they would be -sunk. The longer the Americans remained -on shore the smaller were the chances for -escape; it was but a matter of time before -their absence from the yamen would be<span class="pagenum" id="Page_211">[211]</span> -known. While the lad pondered wildly on a -method of escape he saw the Chinaman Nam-Sing -attract Langdon’s attention and then -fairly explode in a volley of excited words.</p> - -<p>“He says that one of the launches is not so -badly damaged,” the pilot whispered to Phil. -“It’s a steam launch, but under the stern-boards -is a small gasoline engine, and he -thinks the mob did not destroy that, for it is -hidden from view.”</p> - -<p>“Come on!” Phil exclaimed eagerly. -Then he cast an uncertain look at the captive -whom Sydney had bound hand and foot, -securing a gag in his mouth and muffling his -ears so that he could hear only the loudest -tones.</p> - -<p>“We must leave him behind,” Langdon insisted -immediately, interpreting the glance. -“He must take his chances.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t dare leave him there,” Phil exclaimed. -“He might be killed by the -Chinese. No, the consequences would be too -serious.”</p> - -<p>“Then what are we to do?” the pilot asked -impatiently. “He would as soon stick a -knife in you if you were in his power.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_212">[212]</span>“I know,” Phil declared stoutly, “but I -am going to get him on board his own ship.”</p> - -<p>“But how on earth can you?” Langdon -exclaimed in disgust at Phil’s leniency. If -the pilot could have had his way he would -have wrung his neck then and there, which -punishment the foreigner doubtless deserved.</p> - -<p>Phil did not reply immediately. A bold -plan had flashed through his mind, and he -was rapidly revolving it in his thoughts to -discover if it was feasible.</p> - -<p>“Tell the Chinese to carry the prisoner,” -he said finally, his mind fully made up to attempt -the one scheme which seemed to give -the foreign commander a chance for his life. -If he left him in the foreign concession his -life would not be worth a copper cash when -the robbers from the city came back to complete -their ghoulish work.</p> - -<p>Langdon trusted Phil’s judgment too -thoroughly to demur, so he quietly gave -Nam-Sing his orders, and then the three -Americans started, cautiously leading the -way down the alley and out upon the street -running toward the river.</p> - -<p>Reaching the “Bund,” Nam-Sing pointed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_213">[213]</span> -out the direction of the launch, which appeared -to be their last chance for safety. -Passing the waiting launch of Commander -Ignacio, Phil glanced uneasily at the sailors; -but they appeared to give them but passing -notice.</p> - -<p>The midshipman saw Nam-Sing step aboard -a black launch some hundred yards down the -“Bund” from where their prisoner’s launch -was lying. Phil directed that the bound -foreigner be laid on the deck forward, then -he watched impatiently the crew of the -launch, under the guidance of the Chinese -leading man, go to work with the usual -Oriental industry. The lad saw at a glance -that the engine and boiler were beyond patching; -the machinery was a mass of twisted -steel, while the boiler tubes were bent and -wrenched from their sockets.</p> - -<p>Quickly uncoupling the useless engine from -the propeller shaft, Nam-Sing directed the -removal of the boards covering from view the -small compact gas engine. With familiarity -he tested out the spark circuit and examined -the gear wheels, making sure all was right. -After a delay of not more than ten minutes,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_214">[214]</span> -although it seemed much more to the ever-increasing -anxiety of the Americans, the -Chinaman seized the crank lever, exerting his -power to start the engine. The machine -wheezed and sputtered. Again and again -came the wheezing cough and when Phil was -about to give up hope, it coughed volubly, -then the smooth chug of the rapidly rotating -engine struck joyfully on his ears.</p> - -<p>Langdon took his place at the wheel, while -Phil motioned that all lines be cast off from -the shore, and presently the launch moved -slowly away from the dock out into the swift -current of the river.</p> - -<p>“Head her for the starboard gangway of -the ‘Albaque,’” Phil ordered in a calm voice, -although his pulses were throbbing wildly.</p> - -<p>Langdon fairly jumped with surprise.</p> - -<p>“Why, man alive! What are you doing?” -he exclaimed.</p> - -<p>In the gloom Phil almost smiled as he -realized how odd his plan, without explanation, -must seem to his companions.</p> - -<p>He spoke quietly, his manner calm, but -decided.</p> - -<p>“We shall find a small boat in the water<span class="pagenum" id="Page_215">[215]</span> -made fast to the lower swinging boom forward -of the gangway. When we get alongside, -I’ll go on board and give a message from -their captain. While I’m on board you and -Sydney move the launch ahead sufficiently to -be able to drop the prisoner over the bow -into the boat. Do it carefully and make -no noise. He is securely bound and will -lie there until the morning. By that time -we shall, I hope, be safely out of his -reach.”</p> - -<p>Langdon and Sydney could hardly control -an expression of their enthusiasm at the conception -of such a daring plan. Its very -recklessness with Phil’s knack of mimicry -would carry it safely through.</p> - -<p>A gruff hail in a foreign tongue came -startlingly from the black hull of the gunboat, -which the launch was slowly approaching.</p> - -<p>Phil waited a second for breath and then -in the voice of the Chinese interpreter called -across the water:</p> - -<p>“On the service of the viceroy.”</p> - -<p>As the launch stopped at the gangway of -the war-ship Phil boldly ascended the ladder<span class="pagenum" id="Page_216">[216]</span> -to the deck. There he found an officer awaiting -him.</p> - -<p>“Commander Ignacio has sent me for a -copy of the letter written by him yesterday -to the viceroy. This letter has been lost in -transit and he wishes to give his Excellency -the copy.”</p> - -<p>Phil pronounced his words slowly, making -his accent even broader than that used by the -real Ta-Ling.</p> - -<p>“Will you wait?” the officer asked politely. -“Commander Ignacio keeps his own papers. -I shall endeavor to find it.”</p> - -<p>Phil bowed his willingness, and the foreign -officer beckoning the quartermaster to follow -with his lantern, the two disappeared within -the cabin.</p> - -<p>The disguised midshipman saw the launch -crawl slowly ahead, and a moment afterward -his straining ear caught the indistinct sound -of a body being lowered into the whale-boat -tied at the boom of the gunboat. Then as -the launch drifted almost imperceptibly back -to its place at the ladder, the gleam of the -lantern told him that the ship’s officers were -returning.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_217">[217]</span>“Here is a package of letters marked for -the viceroy,” the officer said as he emerged -from the cabin; “but have you no written -message from my captain?”</p> - -<p>Phil feared he had gone too far. He -would like to hold the proofs of Commander -Ignacio’s perfidy, but not at the risk of -detection.</p> - -<p>“No, your captain gave me no letter,” he -answered carelessly; “he supposed that Ta-Ling, -the viceroy’s secretary, was well enough -known; I am Ta-Ling, the viceroy’s secretary; -but if you do not wish to trust me I shall return -and get a letter from him. It will, however, displease -both your commander and the viceroy.”</p> - -<p>The officer gave Phil a searching look, but -apparently seeing nothing suspicious in his -appearance, handed him the package.</p> - -<p>Phil was about to descend the ladder, when -the officer, as if wishing to make amends for -doubting the honesty of the Chinaman, -stopped him by a motion of the hand.</p> - -<p>“There’s a Chinaman on board who came -over in a sanpan, shortly after our captain -left the ship. He had escaped from a mob -ashore and asked our protection.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_218">[218]</span>Phil held himself well in hand, fearing by -undue interest he would jeopardize his cause.</p> - -<p>“Would you care to see him?” the officer -continued.</p> - -<p>The midshipman nodded indifferently.</p> - -<p>“I must hurry,” he said; “my viceroy becomes -very impatient if he is kept waiting.”</p> - -<p>An order was given to a sailor standing -near and Phil saw the man go rapidly forward. -The lad’s hopes ran high. Was it -Emmons?</p> - -<p>A moment afterward Emmons was brought -aft by the sailor messenger. The lantern -was raised above the sailor’s head, shedding its -light on the startled face of the half-breed. -Phil regarded him with well-feigned loathing.</p> - -<p>“This man is an enemy of the viceroy,” -Phil declared, in well simulated anger. “His -escape would be a very serious matter. I can -take him with me now if you will agree to -trust him in my hands.”</p> - -<p>The officer did not exactly relish the turn -of affairs. If he had made a mistake in delivering -his captain’s letters and then the -fugitive into the wrong hands, he knew he -would suffer severely.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_219">[219]</span>“I dare not do that,” he said. “By my -government’s regulations asylum must be -given to all asking protection. To-morrow -after my captain returns he will, if he sees fit, -deliver him to the viceroy. I shall lock him -up for safety and you can be sure he will not -escape.”</p> - -<p>“But I have been searching for this man,” -Phil declared, his voice now really earnest. -He must get Emmons from his perilous -position. “It is all-important that he be -taken to the viceroy to-night. I can assure -you that if your captain were here he would -deliver him up to Ta-Ling.”</p> - -<p>All suspicion had disappeared from the -officer’s mind upon hearing this earnest appeal. -After all, he was but a Chinaman, and he -knew his captain was very friendly with the -viceroy and his powerful secretary Ta-Ling.</p> - -<p>“All right,” he said. “I will take your -word that in delivering the man to you I -shall be acting as my captain would wish.”</p> - -<p>“He should be bound,” Phil said almost -gleefully. “Can you get me a rope?”</p> - -<p>The officer, leaving Phil’s side, crossed the -deck to a chest; opening it, he searched<span class="pagenum" id="Page_220">[220]</span> -through its contents. The midshipman, -greatly fearing an outbreak from Emmons, -stepped cautiously to his side and whispered -for him to make no outcry.</p> - -<p>“I knew you immediately,” Emmons -breathed.</p> - -<p>At the sound of muttering voices, the officer -looked up quickly; the light of the lantern -on his face told Phil that his suspicions had -been aroused. Quicker than thought the -midshipman drew back his fist, then he shot -it forward, striking with force the startled -half-breed squarely under the chin. Emmons -lay where he fell, moaning audibly, while Phil -quietly explained his act to the officer.</p> - -<p>“He had the temerity to revile me,” he -said; “but give me the rope. We should be -on our way back to the city.”</p> - -<p>Emmons was quickly bound, hand and foot; -then Phil bowed ceremoniously and, lifting the -stunned man on his broad shoulders, walked -steadily down the ladder and into the launch, -where he deposited the body with a great show -of force for the benefit of those above. A few -seconds later the launch had left the war-ship -and was headed down the river as if she<span class="pagenum" id="Page_221">[221]</span> -would again land in her berth at the -dock.</p> - -<p>As soon as the gunboat had disappeared in -the darkness, Phil and Sydney cut the ropes -binding the prisoner and raised him to a seat -on the deck house. He was but stunned by -the blow and presently opened his eyes, gazing -about him in bewilderment.</p> - -<p>“What happened?” Emmons asked, recognizing -in the thin light of a screened lantern -Phil’s anxious face bending over him. The lad -quickly explained the reason for his apparently -unfriendly act.</p> - -<p>Emmons, with a genuine show of deep -gratitude, thanked the midshipman for his -unlooked-for deliverance; then he plied the -lads with eager questions, and Phil gave him -the unvarnished history of the night’s experiences; -of the triumph over Ta-Ling, and -then the ruse they had played upon Commander -Ignacio and the officer on board the -“Albaque.”</p> - -<p>“I have, I think, papers which will reveal -all that villain’s secrets,” he ended, patting -the papers in the pocket of his long Chinese -robe. “And the plan of the secret channel—I<span class="pagenum" id="Page_222">[222]</span> -have that safe here also,” he added. “We -owe a great deal to you.”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” replied Emmons, “but it has cost me -all that I have accumulated in ten years of -business. I got warning this afternoon from -the Tartar general that an order had been -signed by the viceroy for my execution. I -succeeded in hiding in an abandoned house in -the foreign concession while the soldiers of -Ta-Ling searched for me. After dark I tried -to find Nam-Sing and the launch which I was -holding in readiness to aid your escape, but -when I reached the docks I found all my -launches deserted, and their machinery -wrecked. Knowing that I could not remain -another day ashore without capture, I secured -a sanpan and sculled to the nearest gunboat, -believing I was then safe; but it seems -that I had put myself in the hands of an -enemy.”</p> - -<p>“The blood of every foreigner killed should -be laid to Ignacio’s account,” Phil declared -angrily; “but we have now the means of exposing -his treachery.</p> - -<p>“Tell us about the mission,” he exclaimed -anxiously. “Is it yet unharmed?”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_223">[223]</span>“It is still under the general’s protection,” -Emmons replied, “and he will not permit an -attack. I have expected every day to hear -that the soldiers had been removed. Ta-Ling’s -outlaws are encamped within a mile of -the soldiers, apparently waiting an order -from their leader.”</p> - -<p>“How many are there of these rebels?” -Sydney asked in alarm.</p> - -<p>“I have not seen them, but my men tell me -there are thousands,” Emmons answered.</p> - -<p>“There must be some reason for the delay,” -Emmons declared. “Have you read the -viceroy’s letter to your captain?” he asked -quickly. “Maybe there we shall find the -cause of it.”</p> - -<p>With trembling fingers Phil drew the letter -from his pocket and without hesitation broke -the formidable looking seal of the viceroy. -The writing was in English and the penmanship -seemed strangely familiar.</p> - -<p>“It’s the same writing as that in the letter -I picked up in the bank!” he exclaimed in -surprise, then in the lantern’s dim light his -eager eyes traveled rapidly over the words before -him.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_224">[224]</span>Sydney and Emmons waited impatiently -until Phil began to read excitedly:</p> - -<p>“His Excellency, Chang-Li-Hun, is deeply -grieved at the lawless actions of the foreign -gunboats, which have banded together under -the leadership of the American commander to -defy the authority of the laws of China. -Commander Ignacio and two of his brother -commanders have accepted his Excellency’s -leniency and after voluntarily offering their -apology have anchored at Ku-Ling. To show -that China has kept faith, his Excellency has -caused a strong guard of his soldiers to encamp -on the hills near the American mission.</p> - -<p>“If by ten o’clock to-morrow morning the -foreign gunboats will steam to Ku-Ling flying -white flags of truce, the viceroy will still give -them clemency. The viceroy has held the -hostages to show his displeasure at the foreigners -for entering To-Yan Lake, waters -forbidden them by the government of China.</p> - -<p>“His Excellency will be powerless to protect -either the hostages or the mission if a -single hostile shot is fired. Enclosed is a -telegram for the American commander.”</p> - -<p>“If this letter and the telegram had gone to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_225">[225]</span> -Commander Hughes,” Phil exclaimed as he -folded the letter and returned it in his pocket, -“Ta-Ling and Ignacio would have won. -Without the strong personality of our captain -the allies would have weakened and accepted -the terms offered.”</p> - -<p>“Now when Ta-Ling is liberated,” Sydney -cried alarmingly, “the soldiers will be removed -and the rebels allowed to attack the -mission.” Then he stopped suddenly, while -a lump rose in his throat. “Does Ta-Ling -suspect the secret of the channel is ours?” -he asked fearfully.</p> - -<p>Emmons shook his head thoughtfully.</p> - -<p>“The chart was procured by Hang-Ki from -the viceroy’s papers through bribing a lesser -official,” he answered. “Ta-Ling may have -discovered its absence and suspected that I -would carry it to your captain. That would -explain his sudden desire to have me captured -and executed.”</p> - -<p>“To-night is the turning-point in this -intrigue,” Phil exclaimed, while his heart -beat faster at the thought. “We must use -this channel to-night, and after we have run -the forts and anchored in safety above Ku-Ling,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_226">[226]</span> -we must start at once to the rescue of -those in the mission. I hope Lieutenant -Wilson can withstand the assault until aid -arrives.</p> - -<p>“Our poor sailors in the yamen,” he added -sorrowfully, “I fear are no better than dead -men.”</p> - -<p>“You are right,” Emmons declared in no -uncertain voice. “To-morrow Ta-Ling will -cause the high reed grass on the island to be -set on fire. It is dry and will burn like -tinder. Then the island will offer no protection, -the search-light on the fort will disclose -the presence of the gunboats and the secret -channel is well within the range of the fort -guns.”</p> - -<p>While the midshipmen were absorbed in -their conversation with the half-breed, the -launch, under the skilful guidance of the -pilot, steamed rapidly down the swift current -of the river. The junks moored at the docks -flashed by unheeded. The high frowning -cliffs, on top of which were the gun emplacements, -appeared dimly from the darkness -ahead. Then the launch’s bow was turned -sharply to port, steering across the river, to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_227">[227]</span> -put as great a distance as possible between it -and the menacing batteries.</p> - -<p>The midshipmen and Emmons had now -joined Langdon at his post at the wheel.</p> - -<p>“To-night Hang-Ki has relieved many of -the lookouts in the forts,” Emmons whispered, -“and if we can keep close under the shadow -of the island we may pass undiscovered.”</p> - -<p>Phil was in a fever of anxiety. He glanced -fearfully at the frowning forts, looming oppressively -close in the darkness to starboard. -The island on the other side of which was the -secret channel slowly took shape, and as the -launch approached became ever more distinct. -Now he imagined he could see the tops of the -high reeds, tall enough to conceal the hull of -a gunboat, waving menacingly in the fitful -breeze, and in the stillness, broken only by -the muffled chug of the gas engine, he could -now hear the dry rustle telling him only too -plainly that this rank vegetation was ripe for -Ta-Ling’s torch.</p> - -<p>The night was dark and cloudy, and the -deeper gloom of the island toward which -Langdon was steering would make it almost -impossible to locate the small launch.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_228">[228]</span>Even under the trying circumstances, expecting -momentarily to hear the loud discharge -of hostile cannon, Phil’s mind dwelt -anxiously on the possibilities before the coming -day. Fully realizing that the lives of -those in the mission depended upon the -ability of the allies to pass the forts before -morning, would they find the fleet prepared -to start immediately? Without mishaps two -hours must elapse before the launch could -reach Lien-Chow, and then scarcely five -hours of the night would remain.</p> - -<p>With all lights save that at the compass -carefully screened, the launch sped quietly -onward. The forts had faded slowly into the -darkness as the island shore had been approached. -Langdon spun his wheel from -side to side seeking the deepest channel, -while a Chinaman with a long bamboo pole -measured the depth of the water continuously, -calling out in a sing-song whisper his soundings.</p> - -<p>“Go on this side of the island,” Phil -ordered, hastily measuring with his eye the -distance by the chart. “Time’s precious. -We must run the risk.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_229">[229]</span>“Aye, aye,” the pilot answered quickly, -bringing the bow of the launch smartly about -to parallel the island shore. “They can’t hit -us anyway,” he added contemptuously.</p> - -<p>Minute after minute dragged by. The -Americans were on the point of congratulating -themselves upon having passed the forts -in safety, when a flash of flame sprang from -the darkness of the hill forts and the screech -of a shell sounded menacingly in their ears.</p> - -<p>With the anxiety of one who is being fired -upon without the opportunity to return the -fire, those on the launch stuck manfully at -their posts. Sydney’s blood raced rapidly -through his veins, and his hopes seemed on -the point of being cast to the very depths of -despair.</p> - -<p>Flash followed flash on the fortifications -and the reverberations of the heavy artillery -shook the valley. It seemed to the midshipmen -that hundreds of guns must be hurling -tons of steel at their small inoffensive black -launch as it bravely steamed down the river.</p> - -<p>With intense excitement and fearful dread -as to the outcome, all gazed fascinated upon -the myriads of flashes of flame from the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_230">[230]</span> -forts. The moans and screeches of the shells -were loud in their ears while the steel bolts -lashed the water to foam about them.</p> - -<p>Suddenly a bright shaft of light bored -through the night and then swung spasmodically -over the water. Fearfully the midshipmen -watched the search-light ray in its attempt -to concentrate upon the rapidly moving -launch. When once they were held in its -beam, they would furnish as clear a target for -their enemy’s guns as if it were day.</p> - -<p>As Phil watched, fascinated, the wavering -light, it stopped uncertainly short of the -launch but truly in line, then the light raised -suddenly and the lad was fairly blinded by -the bright flash as it clung tenaciously to the -discovered hull. The fort guns now renewed -their vociferous cannonade and the screech of -shells was sufficient to unnerve the stoutest -heart.</p> - -<p>“One hit and we’ll be counted out,” Phil -exclaimed wildly, clutching Sydney in his -excitement, as he dodged involuntarily the -hot breath of the speeding projectiles.</p> - -<p>“Take that sounding pole!” Langdon -shouted hoarsely, as the terrified Chinaman<span class="pagenum" id="Page_231">[231]</span> -dropped it on deck and dived for safety below -decks.</p> - -<p>Sydney quickly grasped the pole as it clattered -from the man’s hand, and plunged it -over the side. It struck bottom, showing the -water had suddenly become dangerously shallow.</p> - -<p>“Keep her off,” he cried loudly, above the -roar of the hissing shells.</p> - -<p>Blinded by the bright glare of the search-light, -Langdon had nearly run the launch -ashore on the island, but by quick action, he -now threw the bow out into the river. A -low grating sound made Phil’s heart stop -beating, but the next second the launch -darted clear of the treacherous shoal. Then -to the joy of the anxious men the search-light -beam died suddenly away.</p> - -<p>The fire from the forts immediately slackened, -and in a few seconds had ceased altogether. -An occasional boom and the screech -of a passing shell, however, showed the Americans -that the enemy was waiting impatiently -to begin its fusillade as soon as the now extinguished -search-light could again pick up -the helpless target.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_232">[232]</span>A startled cry from Emmons drew the -Americans’ attention. Looking anxiously in -the direction indicated by the half-breed, -Phil saw the white and colored lights of a -steamer standing up the river, in the middle -of the main channel. Those in the forts -seemed also to have made the discovery. -The entire crest of the hill forts burst into -sudden flame and the distant screech of shell -told the lad that this time the launch was -not the target.</p> - -<p>“What can it be?” he exclaimed in a fever -of excitement. “The allies know better than -to carry lights. It must be a stranger.”</p> - -<p>Then as he gazed spellbound upon the -spectacle before him, the search-light of the -fort once more cut its narrow path of flame -through the inky blackness. It swept -spasmodically over the intruder and then to -the Americans’ delighted eyes was revealed -the outline of a monitor, the light of the -search-light beam reflected brightly from her -glistening, pointed hull.</p> - -<p>“The ‘Monterey’!” Phil cried, joyfully hugging -Sydney. “And Jack O’Neil is on board -her.” But a second later his joy was changed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_233">[233]</span> -to apprehension. Would the monitor appreciate -the situation and be prepared to return -this fire? A fear took possession of his -thoughts that the sailors, not knowing of the -existence of hostilities, might have been -standing unprotected upon the deck and before -they could have sought the shelter of -armor many might have already been killed -by the shells of the enemy.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_234">[234]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XVI<br /> - - -<small>REËNFORCEMENTS</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">All</span> eyes were now intent on the American -war-ship. The guns in the forts had become -silent, as if startled at the sudden appearance -of an enemy worthy of their metal. The -monitor, apparently unconscious of the danger -into which it had run, steamed proudly -onward. The search-light of the fort lighted -up every detail of the formidable vessel; the -heavy turret guns were lowered, pointing inoffensively -away from the inquisitive search-light.</p> - -<p>“They won’t dare fire again at her!” Sydney -exclaimed. “See, she has shown her -colors!”</p> - -<p>As the midshipman spoke a large American -flag rose proudly aloft to the truck of the -“Monterey,” where it fluttered defiantly, as if -to say: “Now if you fire, knowing who I am, -you declare war on the country which I represent.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_235">[235]</span>Then the Chinese threw down the gauntlet; -a flash of flame darted from the dark fort, -licking the heels of a great shell, and a high -splash of foam sprang up in the glare of the -search-light not more than a half hundred -yards from the bow of the silent monitor.</p> - -<p>Again, like huge fireflies on a summer -night, the hill forts flashed fire, while still -the monitor steamed boldly onward, closer -and closer to the hostile guns.</p> - -<p>“Why doesn’t she return it?” Sydney exclaimed -excitedly. “A few shots from her -guns will startle the soldiers in those forts.”</p> - -<p>As the lads watched the one-sided contest, -two shafts of light darted from the monitor; -the search-light from the fort from its size -and greater illuminating power concealed the -commencement of the war-ship’s less powerful -lights, but upon the forts two round white -spots traveled slowly along, and where they -rested the midshipmen could see distinctly -the gun emplacements and the great gun -tubes protruding from the protecting rock -and earth.</p> - -<p>In a terrible suspense those on the launch -held their breath, while the heavy turrets,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_236">[236]</span> -plainly visible in the light from the forts, -swung around slowly; then the gun muzzles -were raised and pointed steadily at the two -white spots, the end of the search-light rays. -After a terrible suspense, two great tongues -of flame leaped far out over the river and a -dull boom shook the air.</p> - -<p>“Fine shots!” Phil exclaimed joyfully as -he saw the earth on two of the emplacements -rise in the air as if a magazine had exploded -underneath it.</p> - -<p>Again the monitor spoke angrily with her -great twelve-inch guns, and again within the -illumination the eager watchers saw masses -of earth fly high in the air as the half ton -shells exploded on the very parapets of the -Chinese forts.</p> - -<p>“She’s turning!” Sydney exclaimed.</p> - -<p>Sure enough, the “Monterey” was swinging -her bow away from the enemy. Not understanding -the meaning of this treatment, the -war-ship was circling to return down the -river, out of range of the formidable forts.</p> - -<p>The search-light of the fort held steadily -upon the retreating war-ship, but those of the -“Monterey” had been extinguished. The<span class="pagenum" id="Page_237">[237]</span> -fort guns, for the time silenced by the straight -shooting of their enemy, now reopened with -renewed energy. But the monitor, as if unconscious -of the rain of shell about her, -turned in silence, her flag waving proudly at -the mast-head, and started down river.</p> - -<p>“Head over for her!” Phil ordered.</p> - -<p>With relief and satisfaction, the Americans -saw that now after the monitor had turned, -the Chinese gunners were shooting wildly. -All the shots were falling aimlessly short of -the retreating war-ship. But still the search-light -ray clung tenaciously, as if it feared the -monitor once out of the vision of its bright -eye would take wings and fly away.</p> - -<p>Suddenly from the monitor’s after turret -belched forth a single flash. Those on the -launch watched in excited admiration to see -the burst of flame on the ramparts of the -fort, but instead, high above the guns, above -even the search-light mounted at the very top -of the hill, a jet of flame, a living ball of fire, -cleft the darkness; a second later and the -monitor had faded from sight.</p> - -<p>“Shrapnel,” Phil exclaimed intensely, as -the sound of the explosion reached his ears;<span class="pagenum" id="Page_238">[238]</span> -“that search-light is out of business for the -present.” Then he realized that the launch -and the “Monterey” were rapidly approaching -each other on converging courses.</p> - -<p>“Light the side lights,” he cried to -Emmons, at his side, spellbound and silent. -“We can’t take the risk of having her shoot -at us. She might hit us.”</p> - -<p>Emmons obeyed the order by giving a few -harsh commands to his reassured Chinese -boatmen and soon the red and green lights -were burning on the launch’s sides. The -forts were now silent, their target having -dissolved into the night, but Langdon had -taken her bearing and the launch’s bow was -held in the direction which he knew would -bring them close to the monitor.</p> - -<p>After many long minutes of anxious search -a dark smudge appeared almost directly in -the path of the launch. Then suddenly a -flash sprang from the dark smudge, and a -shell shrieked across the bow of the approaching -boat.</p> - -<p>“Stop her!” Phil cried in alarm, while he -ran quickly forward. Standing at the bow -of the launch, he cleared his voice and raised<span class="pagenum" id="Page_239">[239]</span> -his hands to his mouth, ready to answer the -hail from the war-ship.</p> - -<p>“Boat ahoy!” came distinctly across the -water. “Stop where you are, or we’ll sink -you.”</p> - -<p>“Aye, aye, sir,” Phil hailed back. “We’re -friends—American naval officers.”</p> - -<p>“All right, don’t come any closer and -we’ll send a boat,” came the answer in clear, -decided tones.</p> - -<p>Those on the launch noted the creak of -blocks as a boat shot down from its davits -into the water, and a few minutes afterward -they heard the regular dip of the oars and -their rhythmical thud in their sockets. -Then a long, slim whale-boat, propelled by -six stalwart sailors, shot out of the gloom -and came quietly alongside the motionless -launch.</p> - -<p>An officer scrambled nimbly on board.</p> - -<p>“What’s the meaning of this?” he exclaimed -in astonishment. For in the ray of the -solitary lantern held in the hands of a -Chinese boatman, he saw that he was in the -presence of Chinamen. He stopped precipitously, -sliding his hand cautiously to his<span class="pagenum" id="Page_240">[240]</span> -revolver holster while he eyed suspiciously -the men before him.</p> - -<p>Phil was about to answer the officer’s -question, never realizing the cause of the -speaker’s abrupt silence, when his eye caught -sight of a familiar face peering in over the -launch’s rail. Forgetful of all else, the lad -hastened excitedly forward. Reaching down -he grasped the owner of the face in a strong -grip.</p> - -<p>“O’Neil!” he exclaimed delightedly. “Well, -if this isn’t luck!”</p> - -<p>While Sydney in his turn shook hands -warmly with their old friend the boatswain’s -mate, who had served with them through many -a difficult position during a South American -revolution, when they were together on the -battle-ship “Connecticut,” Phil explained the -situation to the mystified officer.</p> - -<p>The lad for the moment had not fully appreciated -the dumbfounded astonishment of -the naval man, Lieutenant Washburn of the -“Monterey,” upon finding himself among -Chinamen, after he had heard the answer -from the “Monterey’s” hail that American -naval officers were on board the launch.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_241">[241]</span>“We’ve just escaped from prison,” Phil explained, -“and your ship arrived in time to -save us from those guns. Their shots were -beginning to come pretty near, I can tell you.”</p> - -<p>“Escaped from prison,” Lieutenant Washburn -exclaimed, still mystified. “Where -then is the ‘Phœnix’? She hasn’t been -sunk, I hope,” he added hastily in sudden -alarm.</p> - -<p>Phil quickly set his mind at rest on that -point. “She’s at Lien-Chow, in the To-Yan -Lake, and we are on our way there now.</p> - -<p>“Commander Hughes will be mighty relieved -to see the ‘Monterey’!” he exclaimed -joyfully. “With her the forts have no perils—she -can run by whenever she wishes.”</p> - -<p>“I am sorry for him,” Lieutenant Washburn -answered, his voice betraying a note of -bitterness, “for I am a great admirer of your -captain. He’s the kind of man we need in -command of our ships. There’s a rumor -afloat that he’s in disgrace and will be put -under arrest. I hope it’s not true, but the -rumor was persistent in the fleet when we -left. If it’s true I suppose our captain has -the order.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_242">[242]</span>Phil pretended to be greatly surprised and -unconsciously raised his hand to make sure -the telegram was safe in his pocket.</p> - -<p>“The ‘Monadnock’ is on her way up the -river. She’s slower than we are, and as our -captain is senior he pressed ahead.</p> - -<p>“Nice surprise they gave us,” he added -laughingly, pointing to the now quiet forts. -“We thought they were only having target -practice and supposed of course they’d -stop to let us pass. But when they opened -on us, although our captain had sounded -to ‘general quarters’ as a precaution, you -could have knocked us all down with a -feather.”</p> - -<p>“I am happy to say their target practice -upon us was not good,” Phil returned in high -humor; “but if you’ll excuse me, I’ll shed -these gay clothes. Mine are pretty seedy -after three days in a Chinese prison, but I’d -appear to better advantage when we go aboard -the ‘Monterey.’”</p> - -<p>The war-ship, by signal-lights, informed her -lieutenant that she was about to anchor, -directing the launch to follow and then come -alongside.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_243">[243]</span>Before the rattle of chain announced that -the anchor was holding the steel fortress -stationary against the swift current, the midshipmen -recited to Lieutenant Washburn the -story of their adventures. O’Neil listened -eagerly, grunting with glee when they told of -the triumph over Ta-Ling and Commander -Ignacio.</p> - -<p>After a short delay the launch was steered -alongside the anchored war-ship, and the -Americans, now in their own clothes, quickly -scrambled over the low side.</p> - -<p>Commander Barnes, the monitor’s captain, -ranking junior to Commander Hughes, immediately -summoned the midshipmen and -Langdon to his cabin.</p> - -<p>Phil as spokesman gave the surprised captain -a detailed account of the happenings -since the attempt to blow in the gates of the -American mission. Commander Barnes’ eyes -opened wider and wider in astonishment as -the lad proceeded.</p> - -<p>“It’s all very terrible,” he exclaimed after -Phil had finished. “The admiral knows -nothing of this. Why has not Hughes wired -the situation?”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_244">[244]</span>“He has sent telegrams,” Phil declared, -“but the viceroy will not forward them.”</p> - -<p>“That’s strange,” the captain said in a -low voice. “The admiral led me to suppose -that I would be in command of the three -ships, and that Hughes would be relieved of -his command. Yet I have no orders to that -effect.”</p> - -<p>Phil trembled with joy at overhearing these -words, not intended for his ears. The “Monterey” -brought no orders. He held the only -order in his pocket, and the fatal telegram -would remain there until Commander Hughes -had won his fight and relieved the situation.</p> - -<p>But time was pressing. The fleet must run -the batteries to-night. The arrival of the -monitors would make the passage of the secret -channel even more secure by hotly engaging -the forts if necessary. In order to make success -sure the midshipman knew that they -should proceed at once upon the remainder of -their journey.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_245">[245]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XVII<br /> - - -<small>ABOARD THE “PHŒNIX”</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">Commander Barnes</span> consulted his watch -and then called for his orderly. The ring of -the bell had scarcely sounded before a marine -stood obediently before him.</p> - -<p>“It’s eleven now,” the captain mused, then, -turning to the orderly:</p> - -<p>“My compliments to the executive officer. -Tell him to secure and pipe down. We shall -remain here for the present.”</p> - -<p>Forgetting in his anxiety the vast gulf in -rank between them, Phil raised his hand impatiently.</p> - -<p>“Captain!” he exclaimed, intensely in -earnest. “We must go to Commander -Hughes immediately. The mission must -be relieved to-night. It is probably now surrounded -by the outlaws. To-morrow the difficulties -will increase. The secret channel may -be impossible, besides there are four American<span class="pagenum" id="Page_246">[246]</span> -sailors in prison in the yamen. By to-morrow -they will have been executed.”</p> - -<p>Over Commander Barnes’ face flitted for a -second the suspicion of a frown, while the -orderly waited with indecision in his manner.</p> - -<p>“By the morning we shall have two monitors,” -the captain answered; “I think we can -rely on their guns to escort the fleet past the -forts without harm. However, you may go -on your launch and give your news to Commander -Hughes. I have orders forbidding -me to enter To-Yan Lake.</p> - -<p>“I do not see how the allied fleet can possibly -embark its sailors and be here before -daylight,” he added, after a few moments’ -thought, “so I see no reason to keep my officers -and men up all night in waiting.”</p> - -<p>“Commander Hughes will be here inside -of three hours,” Phil urgently exclaimed. -“I am sure, sir, that he will not lose a moment. -He does not wish to risk fighting the -forts. If he can bring Ku-Ling under his -guns without a fight, he will win his point -and save the foreigners.</p> - -<p>“If I may suggest, sir,” the midshipman -added in a respectful voice, “it would be best<span class="pagenum" id="Page_247">[247]</span> -to keep all ready to get under way. It is but -ten miles to the allied fleet. We shall be -there in an hour and in two more the gunboats -will be here on their way to enter this -secret channel.”</p> - -<p>Commander Barnes smiled indulgently at -the lad’s earnestness as he waved a dismissal -to the orderly.</p> - -<p>“Tell the executive officer,” he said, “to be -ready to get under way in three hours and -notify the officer of the deck to keep a sharp -lookout for the ‘Monadnock.’ Signal her -when sighted to anchor near us.</p> - -<p>“Your captain has a convincing advocate -in you, Mr. Perry,” he continued, after the -orderly had departed with his message. “I -shall wait his coming and be ready to join him.”</p> - -<p>Phil was elated with the success of his appeal, -and in a short time he had gathered his -party together ready to again embark in Emmons’ -launch.</p> - -<p>Before leaving the captain’s cabin the midshipmen -had asked that boatswain’s mate -O’Neil be allowed to go, to steer the launch, -which request Commander Barnes readily -granted.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_248">[248]</span>“The telegram is the only order relieving -our captain of his command,” Phil exclaimed -to Sydney while the launch sped toward the -distant lights of the allied fleet. “What -would happen if I gave him the cable?” he -asked quickly.</p> - -<p>“He would have but to obey it,” Sydney -answered. “It’s a direct order from -the navy department. Commander Barnes -as senior officer of the American ships -would be bound to send a flag of truce and -offer his apologies for Commander Hughes’ -actions.”</p> - -<p>“And that would mean a victory for the -viceroy and Ta-Ling!” Phil exclaimed. “If -I lose my commission for it that telegram is -going to remain secret until the allied fleet -have exacted an humble apology and restitution -from those guilty of wishing to murder -innocent foreigners.”</p> - -<p>In the light of a solitary lantern Phil -opened the envelope and glanced excitedly -over their enemy’s correspondence with the -viceroy. It was in English and written in a -clear and legible hand.</p> - -<p>Paper after paper was read in silence by<span class="pagenum" id="Page_249">[249]</span> -the two midshipmen, revealing the most bare-faced -treachery.</p> - -<p>“Do you remember that day at the bank?” -Phil exclaimed suddenly after he had finished -reading a letter which he held open before -him, his face in the thin light betraying -intense wrath and indignation. “I have -wondered so often over that incident. I have -never until now been able to discover why -Ignacio was so angry at me for picking up -his letter from the ground. Do you remember -how he snatched it from my hand? -I thought he would strike me. Well, that innocent -sheet of paper was a letter from Ta-Ling. -If I could have held it another minute -much of our trouble would never have occurred. -This is Ignacio’s answer:</p> - -<p>“‘I will do all in my power to thwart the -aim of these Americans. I despise them as -much as you do. I have just drawn on the -company which I represent for the sum you -named, and it will be deposited in the bank -at Shanghai. When you have obtained the -viceroy’s signature, giving my company the -railroad rights from here to Peking, I shall -at once transfer this sum to your credit.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_250">[250]</span>“‘Your letter was picked up from the bank -floor, where I had carelessly dropped it, by a -young American officer. I do not think he -had enough knowledge or time to divine its -meaning.’”</p> - -<p>The two midshipmen looked sheepishly at -each other for a second and then both laughed.</p> - -<p>“We are innocents, aren’t we, Phil?” Sydney -laughed. “Now it’s all clear. Ignacio -attempted to throw the allies into a panic at -Lien-Chow. He worked himself into being -selected as the senior officer for the flag of -truce, and he concealed his eagerness so -cleverly that we thought he was afraid. -Then he played his game beautifully before -the viceroy. But by to-morrow morning -Ignacio’s dreams will be smashed. Ku-Ling -will awake to find the fleet at anchor with its -guns trained on the viceroy’s palace.”</p> - -<p>“What’s this new mischief you’re hatching?” -inquired Langdon, approaching the -midshipmen, after having conned the launch -over the treacherous shoals at the entrance to -the lake. “We’ll be at the fleet in a short -time now,” he added, pointing to the lights -fast appearing ahead.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_251">[251]</span>Phil arose, throwing a swift glance at the -lights of the gunboats, growing ever brighter -as the launch sped swiftly onward. Then he -returned to his seat on the deck house and -told the pilot of the discovery.</p> - -<p>“Why did you never tell me of this meeting -with Ignacio in the bank?” Langdon -asked, in a hurt voice. “I might have put -two and two together and saved us a great -deal of trouble.”</p> - -<p>“Oh! pipe down, Joe Langdon!” Phil -exclaimed, in good humor. “You wouldn’t -have found it out any sooner than we did. -It’s all plain enough now after you know.”</p> - -<p>“I can’t help worrying about our four -sailors,” Sydney said sadly, and immediately -the mirth died on Phil’s face. “After Ta-Ling -is released, he will be mad enough to have them -summarily executed.”</p> - -<p>His companions made no reply. Each -felt that the chances for the four captive -Americans were small.</p> - -<p>While the launch was approaching the line -of anchored ships, Phil left his two companions -and stood close beside O’Neil, while the -sailor steered for the lights which had been<span class="pagenum" id="Page_252">[252]</span> -pointed out to him as being on board the -“Phœnix.”</p> - -<p>The lads were delighted to have this fine -American sailor-man again with them. Phil -recounted again all the exciting adventures -through which they had just passed and -O’Neil in his turn told of the monotonous life -on board a monitor in Manila Bay.</p> - -<p>“It’s worse than going to sea in a submarine, -Mr. Perry,” the sailor exclaimed. “She’s so -low in the water and rolls so quickly that we -was awash all the way up the China coast. -We couldn’t use them big guns at sea; one -second they are pointing in the water and the -next they are looking at the moon; but here -in the river it’s different. We can cut our -name on those forts if they’ll give us a chance.</p> - -<p>“That captain of yours, Mr. Perry, is a fire-eater. -There ain’t nothing he is afraid of. -I am glad,” he added, lowering his voice, -although there was no one but a Chinese -crew man within ear-shot, “to hear you tell -me that our skipper ain’t going to lead this -expedition. He’s all right when he gets good -and mad, like he did when the fort fired at -him to-night, but he ain’t got the initiative.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_253">[253]</span> -Now, ‘Bucko’ Hughes, that’s his name on -the foc’s’le, is different; he always likes to -hit first.” Then he continued in a moralizing -tone while he spun his wheel to steer the course -to bring the ship’s lights on a proper bearing:</p> - -<p>“The longer I live, Mr. Perry, the more I -believe that’s the best tactics for a fighting man. -If you hit first and hit hard enough maybe -the other fellow’ll drop his fists and say he’s -had enough.”</p> - -<p>Phil slapped the sailor on the back in sign -of agreement with his views, while O’Neil -brought the “Phœnix’s” lights, now close -aboard, broad on his beam in order to round -to for a landing at the gangway, and in -answer to a hoarse challenge from the gunboat, -he sang out in his clear voice:</p> - -<p>“Aye! Aye!”</p> - -<p>“We’re still midshipmen,” Phil corrected; -“you should have answered ‘No! No!’”<a id="FNanchor_2" href="#Footnote_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_254">[254]</span>“That’s all right, sir,” the sailor returned -with a grin. “It ain’t who you are; it’s the -news you bring. If I’d said, ‘No! No!’ -they might not have waked ‘Bucko,’ and I -know he’d want to see you as soon as you -put foot on board.”</p> - -<p>A few minutes later Phil led the way up -the gangway ladder and soon found himself -in the enthusiastic embrace of the officer of -the deck. Although it was after twelve -o’clock many of the officers were awake and a -glance about the ship told the midshipman -that careful preparations were being made to -protect the vital parts of the gunboat from -the shells of the enemy.</p> - -<p>They were told that Commander Hughes -was in the cabin and as yet in ignorance of -the return of the hostages.</p> - -<p>“I sent down word just now by the -orderly,” the officer of the deck said with a -smile, “that some commissioned officers were -coming alongside in a launch, so I suppose -he’s awake, for it’s not often that we receive -callers this time of night.”</p> - -<p>The three Americans and Emmons went -hastily to the captain’s cabin, where they<span class="pagenum" id="Page_255">[255]</span> -found the orderly awaiting them, while Commander -Hughes was seated at his desk. Phil -was shocked at the change in his captain’s -face. His buoyant expression had been displaced -by a haggard look and as he turned -his eyes toward the door, the lad noticed, with -a twinge of pity, that their expression was -one of worry, while the dark circles below -them told only too plainly the story of sleepless -nights.</p> - -<p>It was not until Phil had advanced almost -to his side that Commander Hughes realized -who his visitors were. Then the mask -dropped from his face and he sprang eagerly -to his feet with a glad cry.</p> - -<p>“I was just thinking,” he exclaimed joyfully -as he embraced one after another of the -men returning to him as if from the grave, -“that for a glimpse of you safe on board here -again I’d give ten years of my life.”</p> - -<p>After the first joyful shock of meeting was -over Commander Hughes made the midshipmen -and their companions be seated, and -each in turn told the thrilling details of his -experiences since leaving Lien-Chow with -the flag of truce. The story of Commander<span class="pagenum" id="Page_256">[256]</span> -Ignacio’s duplicity, much to the lads’ surprise, -brought forth but little comment.</p> - -<p>“I have suspected him,” their captain -answered, almost sadly, “since his return -without you.”</p> - -<p>When the part in their ventures taken by -Emmons was told him, Commander Hughes -arose from his chair and, much to the embarrassment -of the half-breed, took his hand in -both of his, thanking him eloquently for his -self-sacrificing acts. Then Phil’s heart leaped -with delight as his captain cast from him all -signs of sentiment; the old fire had returned -to his eyes.</p> - -<p>The midshipmen were so intent upon their -own experiences that the mention of the arrival -of the monitors came only at the end of -their narrative.</p> - -<p>Commander Hughes could hardly believe -his ears.</p> - -<p>“The monitors are actually here!” he exclaimed, -doubting the welcome news. It was -too good to be true.</p> - - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_256.jpg" alt="" /></div> -<p class="drop-cap"><i>“THE MONITORS ARE ACTUALLY<br /> -HERE!”</i></p> - -<p>“The ‘Monterey’ is at anchor at the -entrance of the lake,” Phil assured him.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_257">[257]</span> -“The ‘Monadnock’ should have arrived by -now. Commander Barnes has kept up steam -awaiting your arrival. I told him you would -go up the river to-night,” he added hastily.</p> - -<p>Commander Hughes’ joy showed plainly in -his strong face.</p> - -<p>“How glad I should be that I have not -yielded to the persistent counsels of the other -captains!” he cried. “No one knows what -these last few days of suspense and uncertainty -have been. When Ignacio left us it -required the combined effort of Buresford and -myself to prevent the rest from following like -a flock of sheep. I had wrung a reluctant -promise from those remaining to attempt to -run the batteries to-morrow night unless the -viceroy agreed to our demands. My letter to -him sent by one of the renegades has not been -answered.”</p> - -<p>Phil gasped. The viceroy’s answer was -in the pocket of his blouse, but he must not -deliver it. To do so would betray the fact of -a telegram.</p> - -<p>“But now,” the captain continued, “we cannot -wait for his answer. The lives of those -in the mission depend upon immediate action -on our part. I feel sure that the news of the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_258">[258]</span> -arrival of the monitors and this chart of a -safe channel will bolster up our allies’ waning -courage.</p> - -<p>“I fear for the sailors in the yamen,” he -added, a note of grave anxiety in his voice; -“but if a hair of their heads is injured I shall -not rest until those guilty of the outrage are -punished. The viceroy himself shall not -escape the penalty of this crime.”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_259">[259]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XVIII<br /> - - -<small>THE START FOR KU-LING</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> midshipmen, after leaving the captain’s -cabin, hastened to their rooms to bathe and -don fresh clothes. Phil eyed his bunk longingly; -he had not had a comfortable sleep for -many nights, but he withstood the temptation -and soon found the duty of helping to -prepare the ship for battle far more interesting.</p> - -<p>Commander Hughes had signaled at once -for the gunboat captains, and each had left -the “Phœnix,” enthusiastic at the lucky turn -affairs had taken, and cordially willing to -coöperate.</p> - -<p>“I am in doubt,” Commander Hughes confided -to Phil on the quarter-deck, where the -lad had been directing the work of the men -of his division, “what to do with our non-combatants. -Each gunboat is carrying a -dozen or more of their own nationality,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_260">[260]</span> -former residents of the foreign concession at -Ku-Ling. These gunboats will offer no protection -to the women and children if we are -discovered and fired upon by the forts. One -large shell might even, if it hit in a vital spot, -sink this vessel.”</p> - -<p>“Why not put all on board the monitors?” -Phil suggested; “they would be perfectly safe -there behind armor.”</p> - -<p>“A good idea,” the captain replied gladly. -“I shall signal at once to have the refugees -ready to disembark.</p> - -<p>“How many can Emmons’ launch carry?” -he questioned.</p> - -<p>“It’s a good-sized boat, sir,” Phil replied. -“I should say certainly fifty persons.”</p> - -<p>“That’s very well,” the former said. Then -Phil, recognizing a change of tone in his -superior’s voice, drew himself to attention as -the captain added slowly:</p> - -<p>“We shall be ready to get under way at -one o’clock at the latest. You will follow in -the launch and when the ‘Phœnix,’ which of -course will lead the column, reaches the monitors, -you will begin at once to transfer all -refugees from the gunboats, dividing them<span class="pagenum" id="Page_261">[261]</span> -equally between the two monitors. I shall -write out immediately orders for the commanding -officers of the ‘Monterey’ and ‘Monadnock,’ -which I shall hand you for delivery -before you shove off. They will be unable to -follow us through the secret channel, as their -draft is too great, so I have directed that they -remain beyond the range of fire of the forts, -unless by chance we are menaced by the -enemy’s guns.</p> - -<p>“I sincerely hope,” he continued in a less -official voice, “that nothing happens to either -of the monitors with such precious freight. -Do you know, Mr. Perry,” he added feelingly, -“out in these countries where lives are so -cheap, we Americans would sacrifice a whole -shipload of men for the single life of a mother -or a child.”</p> - -<p>Phil inclined his head in mute token of -agreement to his captain’s humane sentiment. -Then suddenly a thought seemed to strike -the latter, and he drew the lad farther away -from the sailors engaged in making a protecting -screen of hammocks about the after-gun -positions, for greater safety against the -possibility of infantry fire from the island,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_262">[262]</span> -close to which the channel was shown to -lead.</p> - -<p>“What is your theory, Mr. Perry,” he asked -earnestly, “of the actions of Commander Ignacio? -Is it merely a hostile dislike for me -and our countrymen, or does it come from a -deeper and more subtle reason?”</p> - -<p>Phil hesitated; could he give his honest -views, or more correctly speaking, his knowledge -of the reasons for Ignacio’s actions, without -endangering the asking of a question -from his captain, to answer which he might -have to descend to subterfuge and even deceit? -The fatal telegram lay snugly in his -pocket; he could almost imagine that Commander -Hughes’ piercing eyes could read, -through the cloth of his blouse, the words -which seemed engraved in bold letters on the -lad’s brain. Phil had purposely cautioned -his companions to say nothing of the captured -letters which had passed between Ignacio -and the viceroy’s secretary, for fear that the -many allusions to the hope of accomplishing -the disgrace of the American leader might -awaken suspicion. These letters, the boy had -decided, could not be of benefit now to Commander<span class="pagenum" id="Page_263">[263]</span> -Hughes, but would be of vital importance -in justifying the suppression of the -cablegram taken from the person of Ta-Ling.</p> - -<p>“I think, sir,” Phil answered after several -moments of silence, “that Commander Ignacio’s -motive lies much deeper than personal -enmity. There must surely be some important -objective toward which he has been striving. -Possibly,” he hinted vaguely in an endeavor -to have his captain broach the real reason, of -which the lad knew only too well, “he believes -that he can secure better commercial -benefits for his own countrymen and to the hurt -of American interests. They say that the viceroy -has been openly antagonistic for months -to all American investments in his provinces.”</p> - -<p>“How stupid of me!” Commander Hughes -exclaimed. “The railroad to Peking and -through the interior provinces! I have been -so much engrossed with my own troubles that -I have not given the motive of this hostile -action the attention which it deserves. I -heard in Shanghai before we sailed that the -American corporation having the railroad -concession rights was having great trouble -in getting permission to break ground, and a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_264">[264]</span> -great mass of material is lying idle in steamers -awaiting permission of the viceroy to land. Of -course, that must be at the bottom of all this!</p> - -<p>“It is this commercial rivalry which will -forever keep the Chinese from looking upon -foreigners as desirable residents of their -country,” he continued thoughtfully. “We -are ever at each other’s throats in our commercial -dealings. There are grave consequences -to be feared in the opening of this -vast and rich territory, and if we are not -strictly honest in our dealings with each other, -the consequences may well warrant the building -of a great navy.”</p> - -<p>Commander Hughes, as he finished speaking, -gazed out over the water to the anchored -ships of the allied fleet and then, nodding a -dismissal to the midshipmen, he walked toward -the companion ladder leading to his -cabin.</p> - -<p>“The signal is two white lights when -ready,” he said to the officer of the deck. -“Notify me when all the ships have shown -the signal, and keep the launch ready for -Mr. Perry.” Then to Phil, as he descended the -companionway, “Langdon must of course stay<span class="pagenum" id="Page_265">[265]</span> -with us. We shall need him to help us over -the shoals at the entrance to the lake.”</p> - -<p>Phil saluted and then glanced at the clock -on the cabin bulkhead. He saw its hands -pointed to twenty minutes of one. In but a -few hours all would be decided. Either -Commander Hughes would win and his act -of suppressing the cablegram be condoned, or -else the gunboats would be utterly defeated, -maybe destroyed by the fire of the forts and -his hated enemy Ignacio raised to power as -the leader of the dissenters. The possibilities -were so terrifying that he looked about him -for some object upon which to concentrate his -mind. He wished to keep himself from -brooding on the future of the night’s venture. -Gazing out into the darkness, he could see -black smoke and sparks belching from the -smoke-stacks of the “Phœnix’s” consorts. -The shrill whistles of the boatswain’s mates -and the creaking of tackles came distinctly -across the still water, showing their hurried -preparations to be ready.</p> - -<p>He saw that two white lights burned at the -yard-arm of his own ship; she then was ready -to lead the fleet on its perilous undertaking;<span class="pagenum" id="Page_266">[266]</span> -to run by, well inside of the range of the forts’ -guns, with but a screen of high grass to protect -the unarmored ships from the heavy -shells of their enemy. While the lad watched -silently, his pulses beating fast, the signal of -readiness flashed out from gunboat after gunboat, -until the entire fleet had mutely informed -the “Phœnix” that it was ready and -eager to follow the lead of its intrepid commander.</p> - -<p>A moment later he heard a step at his side, -and the captain’s voice saying:</p> - -<p>“Here are the orders for the monitors. -You understand what you are to do. I shall -give you further orders later.”</p> - -<p>Phil took the two envelopes and put them -carefully in his pocket; then seeing his captain’s -hand still extended, he grasped it -warmly.</p> - -<p>“We little realize how much depends upon -our success to-night,” Commander Hughes -said in an earnest voice. Then casting from -him the air of depression, he added lightly, -“Our star is still in the ascendent. We shall -not consider failure.”</p> - -<p>Phil gazed almost worshipfully at his captain<span class="pagenum" id="Page_267">[267]</span> -as the latter left him, going forward -toward the gunboat’s bridge to make the signal -which would launch the fleet upon its -perilous mission; then he was conscious that -Sydney stood by him and the officer of the -deck appeared anxious to have the big launch -shove off. Together the lads descended the -ladder, followed by Emmons as an interpreter -for the Chinese crew men, for Langdon had -been detailed to remain to pilot the fleet.</p> - -<p>Quietly the fleet got under way, forming in -column of vessels with the American gunboat -leading. Then as if by signal, commencing -with the leader, each of the gunboats dissolved -into the night. To the lads it appeared -as if a cloak had been thrown over each vessel.</p> - -<p>“Their lights are all screened!” Sydney exclaimed. -“Look! you can barely see the vessel -following the ‘Phœnix.’”</p> - -<p>Phil allowed his eyes to travel over the -scene where a moment before many lights -pierced the darkness; now all that was visible -was the shadowy form of the American vessel -scarce a hundred yards away and a dark -smudge of the next following; all others had -vanished from view.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_268">[268]</span>In the long, tedious hour necessary to arrive -at the anchored monitors, the midshipmen -stood by O’Neil and Emmons at the launch’s -wheel. Their pulses beat high in semi-dread -at what the night would bring forth. They -had seen enough of the marksmanship of the -forts to know that their gunners were not to -be despised. The island, behind which the -gunboats were to find refuge in passing the -forts, was low, but being covered with a dense -growth of giant reeds, would conceal all but -the lofty spars of the vessels, which for -greater security had been lowered to the decks.</p> - -<p>“Is there any doubt of the existence of this -channel?” Sydney questioned Emmons, a -sudden fear of treachery coming into his -mind, for if it were not there the gunboats -endeavoring to find its entrance would ground -upon the shifting shoals of the river and -when day dawned be under fire at close -range of the enemy’s guns.</p> - -<p>“I have navigated my launches on the -river for six years,” Emmons replied, “and -never until the Tartar general gave me this -chart did I suspect that the channel existed. -There is a legend among the Chinese sailors<span class="pagenum" id="Page_269">[269]</span> -that it was used by war junks a half century -ago in escaping from British men-of-war.”</p> - -<p>After arriving at the anchorage of the -monitors, for the “Monadnock” now lay -near her consort, Phil directed the launch -be steered alongside the farthest gunboat. -Refugees, men, women and children, carrying -in their hands but the necessary clothes -for one night, quickly embarked and were -carried expeditiously to the monitors, where -Phil gave Commander Hughes’ verbal instructions -and the written orders.</p> - -<p>This duty completed, the launch once more -drew up alongside of the “Phœnix’s” gangway -ladder.</p> - -<p>“Mr. Perry!” called a voice from the -bridge, which Phil recognized as that of his -captain. “Remain in the launch and start -ahead of us. If you find less water than our -draft, signal us at once.”</p> - -<p>Phil acknowledged the order and gave the -word to proceed. He had taken the precaution -to make a rough sketch of the chart; -now laying the sheet of paper on the deck -house under the ray of a bull’s-eye lantern he -judged the course to steer. O’Neil swung the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_270">[270]</span> -launch’s bow in the compass direction, while -the Chinese leadsman stood ready to test the -depth of water with his bamboo pole.</p> - -<p>Silently they sped onward; the low island -across the river slowly took shape and the lad -directed the boatswain’s mate to steer for the -end of the black line barely discernible above -the water.</p> - -<p>“We are now within the arc of fire of the -forts,” Phil whispered to Sydney; “from here -to the island the gunboats will be unprotected -if discovered by the sentries at the guns. -However, it’s long range, and fortunately the -night is dark.”</p> - -<p>Silently and regularly the leadsman thrust -downward his pole until twelve feet, three -feet greater than the maximum draft of the -gunboats, was buried beneath the surface.</p> - -<p>All on board the launch were silently anxious. -The deep channel of the river had been -left behind and, under the train of the fort -guns, they were traveling over water that on -the charts issued by the home government -showed barely enough water to float a row-boat, -and yet the leadsman untiringly -plunged his bamboo to a distance of twelve<span class="pagenum" id="Page_271">[271]</span> -feet without touching the sandy bottom. -Hope rose in Phil’s heart.</p> - -<p>“Emmons’ chart is true!” Sydney exclaimed -in a low, joyful voice. “See, we’re -nearly abreast of the point. In a few minutes -more the island will be between us and the -guns.”</p> - -<p>Phil’s eyes traveled excitedly over the -scene; the forts, some thousands of yards -away, were enshrouded in darkness; the -island appeared ever more distinct, the deep -shadow of its high vegetation rising ghastly -from the water.</p> - -<p>“Round the point close,” Phil directed -O’Neil, “and keep in to the shore-line.”</p> - -<p>Boldly the launch neared the dark land, -now so near at hand that it seemed possible -in the darkness to reach out and touch the -long, overhanging reeds. The dry rustle of -the wind among the rank growth seemed in -the silence almost as loud as the footsteps of -an army marching.</p> - -<p>So far all seemed to be progressing happily -for the allies. The channel was an established -fact and the midshipmen saw with relief that -once behind the island the gunboats could<span class="pagenum" id="Page_272">[272]</span> -not be seen by the soldiers in the forts. The -island was narrow, but so long that when the -vessels emerged from its protection above the -city of Ku-Ling, they would be in the dead -angle of the heavy batteries and well beyond -the range of the lighter guns.</p> - -<p>The launch chugged steadily onward, the -intention being to discover if possible any -shoaling of the water in the channel, but the -leadsman’s bamboo pole betrayed no change.</p> - -<p>“What’s that ahead, sir?” O’Neil exclaimed -suddenly; “It’s a launch, I’m -sure.”</p> - -<p>The lads strained their eyes in the direction -indicated, but could see nothing; then a light -shot into the air, followed by a shower of -sparks and a bright flame, and again all was -darkness.</p> - -<p>“What does it mean?” Phil gasped in sudden -alarm. “It’s a launch, that’s sure. She’s -carrying no lights, and the flame from her -smoke-stack shows she has seen us and is making -haste to escape.”</p> - -<p>“She’s going faster than we are, too,” -O’Neil exclaimed, his keen eyes detecting -what the midshipmen had failed to see.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_273">[273]</span>“Do you smell smoke?” Sydney questioned -anxiously.</p> - -<p>A moment later there was no longer doubt -of the presence of smoke; a light breeze from -the direction of the island carried the pungent -odor of burning brush down the wind to the -nostrils of the surprised Americans.</p> - -<p>“There’s a fire on the island!” O’Neil suddenly -exclaimed.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_274">[274]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XIX<br /> - - -<small>THE SECRET CHANNEL</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">After</span> the Americans had departed, leaving -Ta-Ling tightly bound and gagged on the cell -floor, the Chinaman remained quietly bemoaning -his cruel destiny. He knew from -the silence throughout the yamen that it -would be futile for him to waste his strength -in useless struggling at the bonds that bound -him. His Oriental mind counseled self-destruction. -There was no alternative to wipe -out the dishonor of being defeated and humiliated -by his despised enemies. The loss of his -sacred cue was a bitter misfortune. How -could he appear before his brother mandarins -with this necessary appendage missing? The -more he revolved the situation over in his -mind, the calmer he became. His Western -teaching, with its more worldly and less -devious ways of thought, came to his aid, -driving away all ideas of self-destruction, and -he resolved that he would fight according to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_275">[275]</span> -the methods taught by his new learning so -long as life remained him.</p> - -<p>It seemed to the helpless man that many -hours must have passed while he remained -motionless on the damp earth. He had during -this time thought over and over again of -all that had been said by the Americans. -While he lay to all appearances insensible, he -had heard the wording of the cipher message -to the American commander. He had been -upon the point of sending the cablegrams to -the American ship, but now they were in the -hands of the midshipmen and he had heard -them say that they would not give them to -their captain. So much of the plan of his ally, -Commander Ignacio, was a failure.</p> - -<p>The missing chart which he felt sure had -been taken by Emmons caused him the greatest -anxiety. He had intended to block this -channel with sunken stone-laden junks, but -with the usual roundabout methods of the -Chinese he had found the mandarin in charge -of such work could not load the junks for -some days, so he had passed it by, believing -that the presence of such a channel would remain -a secret. Hang-Ki, the Tartar general,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_276">[276]</span> -could be the only one of those in the secrets -of the yamen who would dare thwart him. -Ta-Ling’s veins swelled with suppressed anger -as he blamed his ill-luck for not having succeeded -in his attempt on the general’s life. -This man he felt sure was also in the daring -plot which had liberated the Americans and -placed him, second only in power to the -viceroy, in chains, helpless, while his carefully-laid -scheme of forever ridding China of the -foreign leeches was falling like a house of -cards about his head.</p> - -<p>While his mind grappled with the intricate -intrigues, there came a dull boom of heavy -cannon, shaking violently the yamen. Again -and again the earth was shaken and the deep -tones of discharges of great guns reverberated -through the vast building.</p> - -<p>What did it mean? Had the Americans -then succeeded in escaping and were the fort -guns firing upon them? How could they escape -by water when every launch had been -wrecked by his trusted soldiers?</p> - -<p>The yamen now was no longer silent. Ta-Ling -could hear shrill cries and the hurried -march of feet. Men were running wildly<span class="pagenum" id="Page_277">[277]</span> -here and there, an unknown fear in their -hearts. The Chinaman’s hopes rose; the -viceroy would send for him to know the -cause of the firing and he must before long -be discovered. He tugged desperately but -fruitlessly at his bonds, but Langdon had -done his work well.</p> - -<p>Exhausted and breathless, he at length -resigned himself to fate. Then he heard his -own name cried by the viceroy’s crier, resounding -loudly throughout the yamen. -After what seemed an eternity, the door of -his cell was thrown open and several guards -entered the dark prison.</p> - -<p>“Here they are,” he heard a soldier exclaim, -and then he felt himself grasped -roughly and carried out into the courtyard.</p> - -<p>The next moment a light was thrust in his -face and then the guards recoiled in mortal -fear as they beheld the features of the Chinese -tyrant.</p> - -<p>“We beg a million pardons, Excellency,” -the leader cried, cringing before the terrible -eye of the viceroy’s secretary, while his companions -prostrated themselves before him.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_278">[278]</span>Ta-Ling made a sign to remove his gag, his -joy at deliverance fighting with his outraged -dignity at being so roughly handled.</p> - -<p>“Take off these irons, you dogs,” he hissed -when he could speak; “the keys are on the -floor of the cell.”</p> - -<p>The keys were quickly brought from where -Ta-Ling had seen them thrown by the midshipmen, -and soon he was free.</p> - -<p>“Meet me at the yamen gate,” he ordered -huskily, kicking a kneeling figure savagely -to punctuate his words; and then he hastened -to his quarters to replace the clothes of which -his former captives had deprived him.</p> - -<p>Upon the threshold of his room he encountered -the frail figure of the aged mandarin, -his features stamped with fear.</p> - -<p>“You traitor,” he cried in a weak trembling -voice, as he caught sight of the disheveled -Ta-Ling; “so this is the end of your -vain boasting. The foreign dogs are coming -to destroy me.”</p> - -<p>The secretary used all of his powers of -persuasion to reassure his master. He told -the viceroy hurriedly of the escape of the -Americans and the loss of the chart, but protested<span class="pagenum" id="Page_279">[279]</span> -that there was no immediate danger -from the guns of the fleet.</p> - -<p>Leading the trembling old man back to his -own room, he called loudly for the treasurer, -appreciating that in order to make true his -words to his master not a second must be -wasted.</p> - -<p>Receiving no answer to his call, he retraced -his steps to his room, and there he was not -surprised to find the bound body of his friend -in the dark corner where Phil had thrown him.</p> - -<p>After setting the man free, he gave him -hasty instructions and sent him to keep the -viceroy company, while he feverishly threw -on the garments of a mandarin before joining -his awaiting soldiers. Hastily writing an -order he took it to the viceroy for signature, -then calling a waiting messenger he directed -it be taken at once to the Tartar general at -the forts.</p> - -<p>Ten minutes later Ta-Ling, preceded by his -guards, pressed through the frightened throngs -of Chinese in the narrow street outside of the -yamen. The gun fire had now ceased and the -terrified natives were slowly slinking back to -their hovels.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_280">[280]</span>Passing unhindered through the city gate, -the secretary led the way directly to the jetty. -Here he was to have met his ally, Commander -Ignacio, earlier in the evening, but much to -his surprise and satisfaction, as he reached -the landing, he saw a steam launch waiting.</p> - -<p>“Can you take me to the ‘Albaque’?” he -questioned the coxswain eagerly.</p> - -<p>The sailor glanced up in surprise. Where -was his captain? He had seen him, as he -supposed, with this Chinaman.</p> - -<p>“I am waiting for the captain,” he replied, -a shade of suspicion in his voice. “Wasn’t -he with you?”</p> - -<p>It was Ta-Ling’s turn to be surprised.</p> - -<p>“With me!” he exclaimed. “I was to have -met him hours ago.”</p> - -<p>The coxswain shook his head, mystified. -Had he not seen his captain go away with this -man? Then he suddenly thought of the -crowd of Chinese who had boarded a launch -below him and had then gone alongside of his -ship. His captain surely could not have been -among those men. He gave it up. It was -too deep for his understanding, for that launch -had then gone down the river shortly before<span class="pagenum" id="Page_281">[281]</span> -the fight between the forts and a strange war-ship.</p> - -<p>“All right; get in,” he said finally.</p> - -<p>In several minutes Ta-Ling was greeted -warmly by the officer of the deck of the -“Albaque.” The latter was glad to see the -Chinaman again. The quartermaster of the -gunboat had persisted that the launch of the -Chinaman had not landed, but had gone -down the river, and the young officer had -commenced to fear that he had been duped -into giving up both the captain’s correspondence -and the Chinese refugee.</p> - -<p>“May I see your captain?” Ta-Ling asked -anxiously. “It’s of the utmost importance.”</p> - -<p>“My captain has not returned!” the officer -exclaimed, alarm in his voice.</p> - -<p>“Where is he? quick, man! Everything -depends upon my finding him at once,” Ta-Ling -cried in vexation.</p> - -<p>“He was with you; the launch was waiting -for him,” the officer returned, catching his -breath, his heart in his throat.</p> - -<p>“I haven’t seen him since this morning,” -the Chinaman declared impatiently. “Does -no one know of his whereabouts?”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_282">[282]</span>The officer was rooted to the spot from -fright. His throat was parched with fear -and his tongue unruly.</p> - -<p>“You were here to-night asking for the -papers of the captain,” he managed to gasp, -his worst fears realized.</p> - -<p>“You’re dreaming, man,” Ta-Ling retorted -almost angrily. “Come, explain! What do -you mean?”</p> - -<p>The officer related to the anxious Chinaman -how some one whom he could have taken -oath was he had come on board from a launch -and he had given him the copies of his -captain’s letters to the viceroy, and also a -Chinese refugee who had escaped on board -from the shore.</p> - -<p>Ta-Ling groaned in anguish as the full -significance of this news dawned upon him. -The Americans evidently had Emmons—and -his chart. But had they escaped? That was -surely the cause of the firing.</p> - -<p>“What was the firing?” Ta-Ling asked -hurriedly.</p> - -<p>“An American monitor and the forts,” the -officer replied in a shaky voice.</p> - -<p>“What have I done?” he added questioningly,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_283">[283]</span> -much terrified over the results of his -indiscretion.</p> - -<p>“You’ve given your captain’s letters to his -enemy, for one thing,” the Chinaman answered -in his cruel voice, “and besides you -have liberated a man——”</p> - -<p>A shrill cry from the steam launch, which -had, while waiting for the Chinaman, hauled -out to the lower boom to lie more securely in -the tideway, cut short Ta-Ling’s words and -drew the two men to the rail.</p> - -<p>“There’s a man tied hand and foot in this -boat,” called out the coxswain in alarm. -“It’s the captain!” he exclaimed with many -imprecations upon those who had perpetrated -the deed.</p> - -<p>“Cut him loose, quick!” the officer cried -excitedly.</p> - -<p>Eager hands quickly cut the tight cords, -and Commander Ignacio soon stood on his -quarter-deck.</p> - -<p>“An hour ago I would have throttled you -if you’d stood here before me,” were his first -words, spoken hoarsely and with difficulty to -the Chinaman, “but I see it all now. We’ve -been unmercifully duped.”</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_284.jpg" alt="" /></div> -<p class="drop-cap"><i>“THERE IS STILL A CHANCE”</i></p> - -<p> </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_284">[284]</span>With many bitter recriminations the whole -plot and its disastrous success was discussed. -Commander Ignacio could barely control his -rage against the young officer who had innocently -betrayed him.</p> - -<p>“Come, we must act at once!” Ta-Ling -finally exclaimed. “There is still a chance.”</p> - -<p>The foreign captain’s face brightened as -he questioned eagerly the excited secretary.</p> - -<p>“The channel will be useless to the fleet if -we can burn off the reed grass,” Ta-Ling -explained quickly. “The land itself is low -and will not hide the gunboats from the forts. -But we must be quick. That fire-eating -American will start immediately he receives -the information of this channel.”</p> - -<p>“Come to my cabin,” Ignacio ordered in -a low voice, glancing suspiciously at his -abashed lieutenant.</p> - -<p>“If I understand you,” he continued as the -door closed behind them, “you ask me to aid -you in burning the vegetation on this island.”</p> - -<p>“Certainly!” Ta-Ling cried impatiently. -“Isn’t it to your interest that this American -does not succeed?”</p> - -<p>“Softly,” cautioned the foreign captain;<span class="pagenum" id="Page_285">[285]</span> -“we don’t want our talk to be common property,” -indicating by a motion of his hand -the hatchway leading to the sleeping quarters -of his officers; “some one may be awake down -there.”</p> - -<p>Ignacio pondered for a few seconds. To go -in his own launch and set fire to this island -would betray his part in the intrigue with -the viceroy. His sailors could not be depended -upon to keep such a secret.</p> - -<p>“I see no alternative but to decline,” he -continued decidedly. “You must do this act -yourself; my men could not be trusted with -such a secret.”</p> - -<p>“I will furnish the men,” Ta-Ling cried, -beside himself with impatience. “You must -furnish me a launch with some one to run it; -but hurry, man,” he urged excitedly. “The -grass must be burned off before the fleet -arrives at the island, or else we are defeated.”</p> - -<p>Commander Ignacio immediately awoke to -action. The thought of the lieutenant who -had innocently betrayed him came happily to -his mind; he could run the engine and the -sailors could remain on board ship. The -secret would be safe with this officer. No<span class="pagenum" id="Page_286">[286]</span> -one could connect him with the act of burning -the island.</p> - -<p>The lieutenant was called and was eager to -regain his captain’s favor. Ten minutes later -the launch from the “Albaque,” manned by -the Chinese soldiers, with Commander Ignacio -himself at the helm, had quietly left the -gunboat.</p> - -<p>Reaching the northern point of the island, -a landing was made and a Chinaman landed, -armed with instructions from the viceroy’s -secretary to set fire to the grass in as many -places as possible and to return in time to be -picked up on the launch’s return.</p> - -<p>The launch then steamed down stream, -stopping at several points to land the soldiers.</p> - -<p>As yet, all was well. The launch had run -the complete length of the long island, landing -the incendiary soldiers; the south end of -the island was only a few hundred yards -ahead. Ta-Ling directed the foreign captain -to steer once more to the steep shore. There -were no more soldiers remaining; the ten men -had all been landed and ten fires were by -now burning fiercely in as many places on -the long island. Stepping ashore, he was soon<span class="pagenum" id="Page_287">[287]</span> -lost in the high grass towering over twenty -feet above him. Lighting a fire-brand, hastily -made of dry reeds, he carefully applied it, as -he walked along, to the dying vegetation. -Now in an hour the island would be a blazing -furnace. For the rest of the night the channels -would be lighted as bright as day. Even -the monitors would not dare to attempt to -pass the forts until the following night, and -by that time he would have fully revenged -himself on the Americans and escaped to the -interior. He smiled cruelly as his thoughts -dwelt upon his cunning ruse upon the viceroy; -the mandarin, in his excited fear, had -signed the order to Hang-Ki to withdraw his -soldiers from the mission to protect the forts. -Now the bloodthirsty rabble, armed and organized -by him (Ta-Ling), could with impunity -hurl themselves upon the mission.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_288">[288]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XX<br /> - - -<small>RUNNING THE BATTERIES</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> midshipmen gazed fearfully toward the -island. What could it mean? Had the grass -on the island been fired, and if so, would the -fire reach dangerous proportions before the -fleet had safely passed its shelter? What was -the meaning of the launch ahead of their -own?</p> - -<p>Suddenly from a point on the far end of -the island a single flame of fire shot in the -air; the breeze caught it, helping it forward -on its career of destruction. Quickly at intermediate -points fires appeared to spring to life -out of the very ground. Then, as if to complete -the picture of failure in Phil’s mind, a -heavy reverberation shook the dry air and -the noise of a screeching shell came to his -ears.</p> - -<p>“It’s the end,” gasped Phil as the search-light -from the fort appeared suddenly, as if<span class="pagenum" id="Page_289">[289]</span> -the monstrous guns had been awakened from -a sound sleep and opened this one bright, -piercing eye.</p> - -<p>The midshipmen were spellbound with fear -as they saw the beam of light sweep slowly -along the island, penetrating the thick grass. -For an instant, as the bright ray swept by, the -launch ahead stood out in bold outline.</p> - -<p>“Ignacio’s launch!” Sydney exclaimed, -aghast. Then the enemy dissolved into the -night. The light moved over their own -launch and then step by step approached -the southern end of the island where, the -lads knew, was the column of advancing -gunboats.</p> - -<p>An exclamation of relief escaped Phil as -he saw the beam of light stop and then sweep -back along the island. As yet, the gunboats -were undiscovered.</p> - -<p>A terrible anxiety filled the lad’s mind. -By now Commander Hughes would know -the meaning of the numerous fires. Would -he turn back, believing the attempt to run -the forts would be a useless sacrifice? Here -was a situation from which there could be no -protection. The channel ran close to the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_290">[290]</span> -island; the grass was dry and burned like a -prairie fire. After the great bonfire had once -gained its head no living thing could remain -in the channel. In a half hour the fire would -have devoured the protecting screen and the -gunboats would be in the direct view of the -fort guns.</p> - -<p>After the first alarm gun the forts had -become silent, but the lads watched the -search-light swing back toward the allied -fleet. Then Phil’s heart seemed to stop -beating, then beat faster for joy as the hull -of the “Phœnix” appeared, standing out -ghastly in the glow of the conflagration, -steaming boldly onward; the white surge -under the bow showed the effort Commander -Hughes was making to take his fleet as soon -as possible through the waters of the dangerous -channel. Then the lads saw the terrible -light sweep along the length of the following -column; deliberately it moved, revealing one -after another of the unprotected gunboats.</p> - -<p>Then the sound of the fire so close at hand -was drowned by a sullen roar as the guns of -the forts hurled their great shells toward the -daring gunboats, hastening forward silently<span class="pagenum" id="Page_291">[291]</span> -to put the flames of the burning island between -them and this irresistible menace.</p> - -<p>“If they can get behind the fire before it -gets too hot they’ll be safe,” Phil cried clutching -Sydney’s arm in his excitement. “They -can’t see through the fire; even the search-light -will be useless.”</p> - -<p>“How many guns have you?” O’Neil asked -suddenly. The boatswain’s mate had in -silence steered after the launch ahead, urging -Emmons time and again to encourage his -men to speed the gasoline engine up to its -limit. “We can’t be no use to them gunboats,” -he added in explanation; “our job is -to catch the fellows that set this here island -on fire.”</p> - -<p>Phil withdrew his attention with difficulty -from the terrible one-sided battle raging -astern of them, to answer the sailor’s question.</p> - -<p>“There are two stacks<a id="FNanchor_3" href="#Footnote_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a> and a thousand -rounds of ammunition. Can we catch -them?” he questioned eagerly.</p> - -<p>“If we can’t, we can stop ’em with twelve -rifles,” O’Neil replied grimly.</p> - -<p>“I don’t dare fire on the launch,” Phil<span class="pagenum" id="Page_292">[292]</span> -cried. “If we can overhaul them, that’s another -matter.”</p> - -<p>The spectacle now revealed to those on the -launch was awe inspiring. The forts had -developed into a blaze of fire, while all about -the advancing gunboats shells struck incessantly. -The sides of the small vessels -had burst into flame as they fired their small -guns at the distant enemy. The high vegetation -on the island near them burned with -ever-increasing rapidity, the flames mounting -high in the air and lighting the surroundings -as bright as dawn.</p> - -<p>The “Phœnix” now had entered the -channel, and with her battery silent cut -swiftly through the brightly lighted water. -The air was shaken by the noise of shell and -the shock of explosions.</p> - -<p>The flame of fire from the burning island -formed a fiery veil, through which the eye -could not penetrate, but by the increased roar -of explosions and discharges, the lads felt -confident that the monitors were now engaging -the forts.</p> - -<p>Another and even greater danger suddenly -confronted the allies. The breeze, which had<span class="pagenum" id="Page_293">[293]</span> -been light, now had increased and was blowing -the suffocating smoke toward the channel. -In a short while as the fire gained headway -the channel would be enshrouded in thick -smoke through which it would be well-nigh -impossible to see. If by a fatal chance a gunboat -mistook the channel it would remain -hard and fast aground and in the morning -would be destroyed by the forts.</p> - -<p>The “Phœnix” was now close aboard, a -wave under her forefoot showing her burst -of speed. The air every minute became -hotter and more stifling and those on the -launch without protection would soon suffer -from the scorching heat of the flames.</p> - -<p>A line whistled over the launch, while -Commander Hughes’ cool voice directed:</p> - -<p>“Make it fast, and keep under our lee. -We’ll protect you from the heat.”</p> - -<p>Quickly the tow-line was secured in the -bow of the launch and those on board the -smaller vessel were almost thrown from their -feet as the launch was dragged forward by the -tautening of the tow-rope.</p> - -<p>Thicker and thicker, and more stifling, became -the smoke. The Americans wet their<span class="pagenum" id="Page_294">[294]</span> -handkerchiefs, putting them over their mouths -to enable them to breathe.</p> - -<p>Phil wondered how the following gunboats -were faring. The screech of shell was no -longer heard near them, but the reverberations -of discharges still smote upon their ears.</p> - -<p>Then after what seemed hours of anxious -waiting they emerged into the clear night. -Filling their lungs with the pure air the lads -gazed about them. The island, a mass of -soaring flame, was behind them, and far away -on the port quarter they could see the stirring -spectacle of the monitors hotly engaging the -forts. The city of Ku-Ling had been passed; -the lights of the three anchored gunboats were -indistinctly visible in the darkness.</p> - -<p>“Where’s the launch?” Sydney exclaimed, -gazing searchingly about him.</p> - -<p>“She’s back to the ‘Albaque’ by this -time,” Phil replied disappointedly. “If we -could have only caught them red handed. -That means that Ta-Ling and Ignacio have -both been set free, for only they would set fire -to the island.”</p> - -<p>Inside of ten minutes, Captain Hughes’ -voice hailed them:</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_295">[295]</span>“Let go the line. We are going to anchor.”</p> - -<p>The line was quickly cast off and a -moment later, the lads were on the deck of -the gunboat, warmly congratulating their -captain upon his well-earned success.</p> - -<p>“Signal the monitors to join us and be -ready to land their sailors,” the captain -ordered the signal officer, then turning to -Langdon, “We must take the chance from this -side. Perhaps we shall find the bridge intact.”</p> - -<p>The allied gunboats one after another -dropped their anchors near the “Phœnix.” -As they passed the American vessel the crews -manned the rails with lusty cheers, which the -“Phœnix’s” crew returned with a will.</p> - -<p>“Here they come,” Sydney exclaimed in -admiration as the two victorious and unharmed -monitors steamed swiftly toward their -flagship and anchored one on each quarter.</p> - -<p>“This is to be only an American expedition,” -Commander Hughes declared to the -eager midshipmen. “Four hundred men all -told from the three ships.”</p> - -<p>Quietly and without confusion the American -war-ships lowered their boats and embarked -their sailors. And inside of twenty<span class="pagenum" id="Page_296">[296]</span> -minutes after anchoring the strong force had -started for the shore to push forward to the -relief of the mission.</p> - -<p>Phil and Sydney remained with Commander -Hughes, who had elected to lead the -force in person.</p> - -<p>As the boats grounded upon the sandy -shore the sailors noiselessly fell in ranks -under their officers. The American captain, -with Langdon as guide, took the lead, followed -closely by the two midshipmen with O’Neil -and a dozen men. The main force came along -a hundred yards behind them.</p> - -<p>As yet all was silent. The forts had ceased -their fire, and no sound came from the -direction of the mission.</p> - -<p>The force moved at a lively pace over the -rough ground. The sailors had been -cautioned to move noiselessly, and all loose -metal had been carefully muffled; everything -depended upon the possibility of surprise, or -else upon gaining admittance to the compound -of the mission before the enemy had -gathered to the attack.</p> - -<p>Phil marched by Langdon’s side; his blood -warmed for adventure, and he hoped that this<span class="pagenum" id="Page_297">[297]</span> -time he would be able to see and enjoy the -fighting. During the few minutes in the attack -on Lien-Chow, he had been so much occupied -in forcing Commander Ignacio to -charge the enemy that he had failed to take -note of all save the sound of the bullets as -they had whistled past him. He rejoiced in -the coolness and tact shown on all occasions -by his friend Langdon; his duty was not to -fight, yet he was ever eager to risk his life -wherever Commander Hughes suggested.</p> - -<p>The Americans moved steadily onward, -Langdon time and again leaving the narrow -road to circle a small hamlet with its shading -willow trees in an endeavor to avoid the discovering -bark of the always-present Chinese -dog. Fortunately the countryside was deserted; -there were no travelers on the road to -flee and give warning of the approaching band -of hostiles.</p> - -<p>As the distance to the mission diminished, -the sailors grasped their rifles more firmly, ever -expecting to hear the discharges and see the -flashes of the guns of an ambushing enemy.</p> - -<p>While the expedition was ascending a small -hill covered with the graves of centuries of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_298">[298]</span> -China’s dead, Langdon turned quietly to his -captain and pointed to an indistinct mass -coming in sight beyond the ridge ahead of -them.</p> - -<p>“The mission,” he whispered; then he -stopped in his tracks, while those behind -pressed forward eagerly to know the cause. -The metallic bark of a Colt gun rang out -distantly on the quiet evening air, accompanied -by the duller rattle of musketry. -The mission was already being attacked.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_299">[299]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXI<br /> - - -<small>TO THE RESCUE OF THE MISSION</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> ominous sound of strife sent shivers up -and down Phil’s spine; the mission was surrounded -by a force far in excess of the handful -guarding the helpless ones inside its wall; but -the droning sound of the Colt gun was reassuring; -it showed that Lieutenant Wilson had -been on the alert, and he knew that officer -well enough to believe that he would sacrifice -himself and every man with him before the -women and children were allowed to fall into -the hands of the cruel Chinese mob.</p> - -<p>These thoughts flashed through Phil’s mind -while the sailors quickened their pace in -obedience to Commander Hughes’ orders.</p> - -<p>Reaching the crest of the hill, Phil gazed -with his companions through the darkness -down upon the valley between the mission -hill and the one on which they were standing.</p> - -<p>“Don’t deploy yet,” Langdon cautioned in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_300">[300]</span> -a whisper to the American commander, who, -he observed, was on the point of forming -for the attack; “we must cross the bridge -over that irrigation ditch in the middle of the -valley; you can see the shadow of willows -along it from here. Once across that, all will -be clear ground between us and the mission.”</p> - -<p>They pressed forward until the pilot raised -his hand warningly and Commander Hughes -signaled a halt. Langdon, motioning Phil to -accompany him, left the column and advanced -cautiously along the road toward the bridge, -concealed from their view by a group of -willow trees. Reaching the bridge, the pilot -examined carefully the bamboo structure, -then he gingerly placed his heavy foot on the -wooden planking, testing it with his great -weight of over two hundred pounds. Motioning -Phil to remain where he was, he then -walked cautiously across the bridge to test the -fastenings on the other side of the deep ditch. -The midshipmen saw his huge bulk dissolve -in the darkness, but in a few moments he -returned and his discovery was calculated to -bring despair to the stoutest heart. They -quickly joined the main body, waiting impatiently<span class="pagenum" id="Page_301">[301]</span> -to push forward to the rescue of -their comrades.</p> - -<p>“Many of the lashings are cut on the far -side, sir,” Langdon exclaimed in a low, excited -voice; “one or two men at a time can probably -cross in safety, but no more. There is no -other bridge for five miles, and that may be -in a similar condition.”</p> - -<p>Here indeed was an effective stop to the -eager sailors in sight of the battle between -their comrades and the bloodthirsty enemy. -The volume of musketry fire directed upon -the mission had increased alarmingly, and at -frequent intervals came the roar of artillery.</p> - -<p>“Breaching the wall or shelling the gate,” -Phil whispered in an awed voice as his eyes -caught the flash of a heavy explosion at the -base of the wall. His gaze, accustomed to -the darkness, traveled over the ground across -the ditch; it was strewn with high mounds, -graves of forgotten Chinamen, and the lad -saw that the natural protection offered excellent -cover for the sailors when once across -the shaky bridge structure; but, and a great -fear rose in his mind, it would also aid the -enemy in its endeavor to prevent the rescuers<span class="pagenum" id="Page_302">[302]</span> -from crossing the nearly destroyed structure. -Were those mounds even now concealing a -large force of Chinese soldiers, who, when the -unwary foreigners had rushed upon the tottering -bridge, and many had fallen to the bottom -of the deep culvert fifty feet below, would open -fire upon their demoralized comrades, cut off -from further attempts to succor those inside -the mission compound?</p> - -<p>The sailors advanced in silence to the edge -of the ditch, and then Commander Hughes, -grasping Langdon’s arm, stepped boldly upon -the treacherous planking, whispering to the -midshipman hurriedly:</p> - -<p>“Stay on this side and send the men over -two at a time.”</p> - -<p>As soon as the midshipman saw that his -captain and the pilot were safely on the other -side, he and Sydney silently selected two -sailors to follow; then in turn two more to -cross the intervening space. Slowly those on -the wrong side of the bridge decreased; Phil -could see that Commander Hughes had deployed -his men to protect the bridge in case -of a sudden attack, while he and Langdon at -the far side of the bridge were receiving and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_303">[303]</span> -instructing the men after they had crossed -the swaying structure. Then without warning, -a flash of flame shot out into the night -from the direction of the Chinese graves, and -the screech of hostile bullets sounded loudly -about the foreigners. Phil, from his position, -saw the figures beyond the bridge seek refuge -behind a high mound, and then the reverberation -of the sailors’ rifles told him that Commander -Hughes was returning the fire in the -hopes of protecting from the hot fire of the -enemy those still to cross the ditch.</p> - -<p>The bridge was already swept by a hail of -lead; a groan from a man at his side told -him that unless they crossed quickly, there -would be but few remaining at all to cross -the tottering bamboo. He sent five men at a -time, watching fearfully until he saw them -disappear in the gloom; then six followed; -the bridge stood the weight, but swayed and -seemed on the point of falling. There were -now but four remaining, Sydney and two -men, one of whom lay sorely wounded on the -ground at his feet.</p> - -<p>“Go, Syd!” the lad exclaimed to his -brother midshipman. The lad shook his<span class="pagenum" id="Page_304">[304]</span> -head, forcing the remaining sailor before -him; then by mutual consent he and Phil -lifted tenderly the wounded man.</p> - -<p>Carefully they picked their way across the -bullet-swept, swaying structure. With their -burden, they reached the middle in safety; -Phil shuddered as his eyes took one fleeting -glance at the fall below him. Amid the noise -of strife, the tearing of the thongs, holding the -bridge on the far side, gave the two officers -no warning, and not until the floor tilted to -an unnerving angle did they see that they -must hasten if they would not be precipitated -to the bottom of the ditch. The wounded -man was a dead weight on their hands; Phil, -when he had felt the bridge sinking under -him, ran his hand nervously over the face -of the wounded sailor; the drooping jaw -told him that he had passed beyond mortal -aid.</p> - -<p>“He’s dead; save yourself!” he cried loudly -to his companion as he let fall his burden and -sprang forward.</p> - -<p>By almost superhuman effort, side by side, -the whistle of the enemy’s bullets in their -ears, they threw themselves at the rising earth<span class="pagenum" id="Page_305">[305]</span> -as their platform with increasing speed sank -beneath them.</p> - -<p>Clutching at the crumbling earth, digging -their fingers deep into the rank grass, while -the bridge behind them fell with a great -crash into the stagnant and noisome water -fifty feet below, the two lads drew themselves -up, breathless but safe.</p> - -<p>Phil quickly found Commander Hughes, -who had sought cover behind a mound -and was waiting until his men became -steadied before giving the order to advance.</p> - -<p>Langdon threw his great arms about the -lads as they reached the protecting earth -mound, while the captain’s voice struck encouragingly -upon their ears.</p> - -<p>“Splendid!” he exclaimed.</p> - -<p>“He was dead, sir,” Phil said sorrowfully. -“We couldn’t have saved his body and ourselves -too.”</p> - -<p>Silence lasted for several minutes, each reverencing -the visit of death.</p> - -<p>“We must win now!” Commander Hughes -exclaimed grimly. “And we must repair that -bridge before we can return. But come; we<span class="pagenum" id="Page_306">[306]</span> -must leave our cover and drive these Chinamen -from our path.”</p> - -<p>Suiting his action to his words, he blew a -shrill blast from his whistle, the signal on -the skirmish line for “attention.”</p> - -<p>“Forward,” he commanded in a voice that -sounded loudly above the din of musketry.</p> - -<p>The sailors sprang forward with enthusiasm; -the long wait under the fire of an unseen -enemy had bottled up their energy. Each -sailor’s foremost desire was to come to close -quarters with the treacherous Chinamen. -The long, slender line moved upward toward -the mission crest; the men taking cover as -they found it, and shooting when their keen -eyes discerned a shadowy form skulking -away before their advance into the darker -shadows.</p> - -<p>The sharp rattle of the Colt guns told the -advancing men that the mission was stubbornly -resisting.</p> - -<p>Phil moved incessantly along the advancing -skirmish line, carrying orders from his -captain to the flank companies; the alarming -song of the bullets ever in his ears.</p> - -<p>“Press forward, keeping the guide on the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_307">[307]</span> -center!” had been Commander Hughes’ -simple instructions, and faithfully were they -being carried out by the determined men. -The mission loomed through the darkness -scarce five hundred yards distant; the tongues -of flame from its wall answered by cries of -rage and defiance from the enemy’s position -inspired the rescuing sailors to renewed exertions -to reach the protecting compound. -The Chinese who had opened fire upon the -Americans during the passage across the ill-fated -bridge had stolen away toward the -shadowy flanks; between the advancing -sailors and their objective there were now no -answering shots. Then suddenly the battery -which had been hurling shell at the stone -wall of the mission turned its fierce attention -upon the unprotected rescuers.</p> - -<p>“Seek cover!” Commander Hughes ordered; -and the men huddled together in -groups, thankful for the homes of the dead, -which furnished such perfect protection from -the well-directed fire of grape and canister -from the Chinese artillery, now giving its -undivided attention to the approaching reënforcements.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_308">[308]</span>Commander Hughes saw that a new danger -confronted the success of his undertaking; -those in the mission as yet could not know -of the close proximity of their friends, and -might they not in their vigorous defense turn -the muzzles of their Colt guns against them? -The thought was fearful to contemplate.</p> - -<p>“Mr. Perry,” he ordered in a strained voice, -“those guns,” pointing to the hill on the -right from which long tongues of flame darted -momentarily, “must be silenced. We dare -not advance further under their murderous -fire. Take a hundred men and flank them.”</p> - -<p>Phil gasped at the suddenness of the order, -thanking his captain in his heart for his confidence -in his ability to do what seemed to -the lad impossible.</p> - -<p>“Langdon will show you the way,” Commander -Hughes ordered quickly; “don’t expose -your men to our own fire. I shall endeavor -to get word to the mission. Mr. Monroe -will remain with me.”</p> - -<p>As silently as possible Phil selected those -to go with him, among them being his old -friend O’Neil, leading them on a run back toward -the ditch which had been crossed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_309">[309]</span> -scarcely a quarter of an hour before; then he -gathered the men about him to explain the -dangerous work for which they had been -chosen.</p> - -<p>“We shall get on the flank of the artillery, -and when the order is given to advance we -must gain a position from which we can -charge directly upon the battery. The lives -of all depend upon our success.”</p> - -<p>The men in silence accepted the conditions, -and in another minute Langdon was leading -the small band along the deep ditch in the -shadow of the bordering trees. After traversing -a few hundred yards the pilot paused -at a road crossing the one they were on.</p> - -<p>“This is the road we took the other night,” -Langdon whispered; “we shall follow it for -a short distance and then we shall be on the -flank and a little in rear of the Chinese -position.”</p> - -<p>The command moved cautiously forward -until the pilot stopped and the midshipman -knew that the position desired had been -reached. Deploying his men quietly, he -bade them advance silently toward the -pandemonium of the Chinese attackers ahead<span class="pagenum" id="Page_310">[310]</span> -of them. While he moved forward up the -gentle rise of the land he could see distinctly -the bright flashes from the enemy’s guns, but -his own men were as yet undiscovered and protected -by the intervening crest of the low hill -up which they were doggedly marching. He -glanced fearfully to his left to see how Commander -Hughes and his men were faring; -that part of the battle-ground was in darkness; -the Chinese seemed now too much -absorbed in their desire to destroy the mission -to give thought to the handful of sailors -known to have crossed the bridge before it -collapsed into the ditch below.</p> - -<p>Steadily the flanking party advanced toward -the coveted position over the uneven -ground, the men casting apprehensive glances -to left and right, their rifles held ready for -instant conflict.</p> - -<p>While Phil’s attention was absorbed by the -stirring sight ahead of him, against which he -would in but a few minutes launch his hundred -men in what seemed a forlorn hope, to -take and silence the formidable battery now -exerting itself to the utmost to breach the -wall of the compound, a terrifying danger<span class="pagenum" id="Page_311">[311]</span> -loomed before him. The sailors in the compound -were delivering a murderous fire from -their Colt guns, directed at the troublesome -artillery, but many of the bullets were falling -alarmingly close to the flanking force. The -midshipman realized that he must go no -farther; with the battery scarce three hundred -yards in his front and his men as yet -undiscovered he must call a halt and remain -without that awful zone of fire until their -friends on the mission wall had been apprised -of his intentions by Commander -Hughes.</p> - -<p>The word was passed quietly by word of -mouth along the line, and the sailors, keyed -to the highest pitch of excitement, threw -themselves face downward on the ground, -while less than a hundred yards ahead of -them a storm of bullets swept every inch of -the soil.</p> - -<p>“It looks black,” Langdon breathed in the -grass close to Phil’s ear as they both were -racked by ominous foreboding while watching -the sweep of the devastating stream of bullets; -“they haven’t got word to the mission yet -that we are here; if those guns are pointed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_312">[312]</span> -ten degrees further this way, it will be all up -with us. See,” he added pointing in the -direction of the active artillery, “those guns -are behind intrenchments, for otherwise the -Chinese could not have stood such a murderous -fire for a minute. It’s withering,” he -gasped with a shudder, while the singing of -bullets redoubled, seeming to be slowly drawing -their deadly zone nearer to encompass the -crouching sailors.</p> - -<p>Phil cast his anxious eyes often on the dark -slope of the mission hill where he had left the -main force under Commander Hughes, but the -night was too dark for him to discover what -was going forward. There was nothing for -him to do save wait with what patience he -could muster. To rush ahead could mean -but annihilation at the hands of his own -guns. He must not open fire upon the -battery, so close that the smell of burning -powder was rank in his nostrils; to do so -might draw the fire of the Colt guns, for how -could the mission know that help was so near -at hand?</p> - -<p>After what seemed an eternity to the anxious -men, the fire of the Colt guns suddenly<span class="pagenum" id="Page_313">[313]</span> -ceased, while from the Chinese position, believing -no doubt that their enemy was weakening, -a great volume of musketry fire added -its roar to that of the big guns. Phil felt -the moment had come; the cessation of the -rhythmical discharges of the Colt guns must -be the result of communication between Commander -Hughes and those defending the compound. -He glanced anxiously through the -night toward the hidden enemy, while he was -at that moment framing the words which -would send his hundred men in a mad dash -against an intrenched foe, counting their -numbers by the thousands.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_314">[314]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXII<br /> - - -<small>THE LAST CHARGE</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">With</span> the order to charge trembling on his -lips, Phil hesitated. What did the silence -of the mission tell him? Had Commander -Hughes succeeded in gaining an entrance, -and had the mission ceased its fire by his -order to allow the midshipman’s party to -flank the battery so intent upon breaching -the wall through which the savage horde -would surge into the enclosure, butchering -every Christian found there?</p> - -<p>He turned to O’Neil, lying quietly beside -him in the high grass. Through many adventures -the lad had become thoroughly convinced -of the sailor’s good and calm judgment. -He turned to him now, a grave fear in his -mind that precious moments were slipping -away, yet if he made a mistake and that -withering fire should again be loosened, all -would indeed be lost.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_315">[315]</span>“Are they waiting to allow us to advance?” -he whispered, half rising to his feet.</p> - -<p>“Wait,” O’Neil cautioned; “if they know -we’re here they’ll signal. See!” he added, -his eyes fixed upon the mission.</p> - -<p>Even as he spoke, a bright light flamed -suddenly above the wall, its appearance -awakening the enemy to renewed action.</p> - -<p>Each of the hundred sailors turned his eyes -expectantly toward the mission. The light -burned brightly and then flickered regularly -and evenly for a few seconds, again burning -steadily.</p> - -<p>“You’re right; signal!” Phil exclaimed, -straining his eyes to read the message which -he knew would be spelled out by that flashing -light.</p> - -<p>Slowly, painfully the bright point of light -appeared and disappeared; all who knew the -navy code were reading, with muscles tense -and breath held tight, the encouraging words -flashing to them from across the intervening -darkness:</p> - -<p>“We are holding our fire.”</p> - -<p>There was small need to give the order to -charge; every sailor in that impatient line in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_316">[316]</span> -but a moment knew that those in the mission -were waiting and trusting to them for -deliverance from the murderous fire of the -Chinese artillery.</p> - -<p>The lad rose to his feet, grasping his revolver -firmly, and as one man the sailors -swept forward. Three hundred yards ahead -four pieces of modern artillery were battering -away at the concrete wall of the mission, -while dusky figures, believing their foe had -been silenced, swarmed boldly over the -grassy slopes behind and on either side -of the guns. So noiselessly did Phil’s men -advance that the enemy were even now -ignorant of the presence of a foe so near at -hand.</p> - -<p>“When we charge,” Langdon whispered -breathlessly, “order the men to yell; the -Chinese are as much afraid of noise as they -are of bullets.”</p> - -<p>Phil had always trained his men in their -drills to charge cheering. Now the time had -arrived; in the next hundred yards the men -would surely be exposed to the view and fire -of their enemy; concealment then would not -be an advantage; the Chinese should see and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_317">[317]</span> -hear the danger in order to have it strike terror -to their hearts.</p> - -<p>Raising his whistle to his lips, Phil blew a -shrill blast.</p> - -<p>“Open fire!” he shouted at the top of his -lungs, “and charge, men, cheering!” he -added, raising his voice in an excited shout -as he sprang forward, leading the way toward -the now startled enemy.</p> - -<p>The sailor line, an advancing sheet of flame, -charged straight for the crest of the hill in -front. The Chinese, occupied in their attack -on the mission, had never dreamed that the -small body of men believed to have crossed -the bridge would dare attack a position as -impregnable as theirs. Then out of the night, -without warning, what seemed to their superstitious -minds a thousand yelling demons -came as lightning towards them. If these -were the foreigners that had crossed the -bridge a miracle had been wrought and their -number increased a hundredfold; their -simple minds were ready to believe that the -despised foreign devils had taken wings and -flown across the unbridged ditch. An unreasonable -terror seized the surprised Orientals;<span class="pagenum" id="Page_318">[318]</span> -some threw down their guns and deserted -precipitously, while others showed their -military training in turning gallantly and -firing fiercely at the rapidly approaching attackers; -some even made a vain effort to turn -the artillery in the direction of the unlooked-for -attack, but the charging Americans were -amongst them before a single gun could be -moved.</p> - -<p>His revolver tightly gripped, Phil fired -blindly at the shadowy forms now but a few -yards from him; the bright flashes of his -shots revealing the terror in his victims’ faces -as they gave way before him, and then -screaming with pain and an unconquerable -fear, melted into the night. Deafeningly in -his ears rang the discharges of both the pilot’s -and O’Neil’s revolvers, unerringly mowing -down those who dared stand in their path, -while on either side he saw his men fire volley -after volley into the mass of totally demoralized -Asiatics. Without leaders to stay them, -their wild terror had put wings to their feet, -and in but a few minutes the Americans found -themselves in undisputed possession of the fortified -position held so recently by their enemy.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_319">[319]</span>Phil could hardly believe his eyes; he -glanced joyfully about him at the four guns -and his exultant men crowding into the -enemy’s deserted trenches. O’Neil’s cool -voice soon brought him to a realization of his -duty; his thoughts had been full of his easily-won -victory against such a formidable foe.</p> - -<p>“We must hold this hill,” the sailor exclaimed; -“if the Chinese find out how few -men we have they’ll try to retake it.”</p> - -<p>“You’re right, O’Neil,” he answered -quickly; “but I must send word to Commander -Hughes. I’ll stay here while you, -Langdon, take a dozen men and give the captain -the news; he may have some new move -in mind.”</p> - -<p>Langdon readily agreed, and after a hand-clasp -with the midshipman, the pilot led his -handful of men back toward the main American -force.</p> - -<p>After his friend had gone, Phil, with his -boatswain’s mate, looked carefully over the -situation. He saw with joy that the enemy -had left a great store of ammunition for the -artillery pieces, and that the guns were -similar to those his men used for drill on<span class="pagenum" id="Page_320">[320]</span> -board ship. He started his men to work with a -will and in a few minutes they had turned -the guns’ muzzles away from the mission and -directed them toward the line of the enemy’s -flight.</p> - -<p>“This is the very thing, sir,” O’Neil cried, -showing the midshipman a shell which he -recognized at once as canister; “they can’t -do much against us if we can find plenty of -that kind.”</p> - -<p>Phil immediately ordered a search, with the -result that nearly half of all the ammunition -boxes were found to contain these deadly -cartridges.</p> - -<p>Scarcely had the survey been completed -when the Americans found themselves suddenly -subjected to a heavy musketry fire -from the direction taken by the fleeing -enemy; the lad could see distinctly shadowy -forms darting here and there from behind the -mound-like graves, and each moment the -figures drew closer and seemed bolder; Phil -realized that their enemy had been rallied in -its precipitous retreat by a trusted leader and -now the reassured Chinese were advancing -intent upon recapturing the guns which they<span class="pagenum" id="Page_321">[321]</span> -had abandoned in their demoralized stampede. -A few of his men had already opened fire -upon the misty forms, but the lad saw at once -that the battery could not be saved by the -weak fire of less than a hundred rifles.</p> - -<p>“Cease firing!” he shouted above the increasing -din of battle. “To the guns, men; -load with canister!”</p> - -<p>Obediently the sailors dropped their rifles -and took their stations at the four guns, the -leading men, petty officers, instructing those -under them as coolly as if they were but -drilling recruits on board ship. Phil heard -the metallic rasping of the shells as they were -loaded into the breeches of the guns and the -silvery ring of the breech plugs thrown -quickly shut. The guns’ crews stood silently -ready, waiting for the word from their young -leader.</p> - -<p>Controlling his excitement, the lad delayed -the expectant word to open fire; the Chinese, -in their eagerness to discredit the bravery of -their enemy, mistook the silence to mean that -the foreigners had retreated and came boldly -on, shouting their fanatical war-songs and exposing -their numbers to the view of the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_322">[322]</span> -Americans waiting to open upon them with -their own artillery. The sailors trained their -artillery pieces in silence, keeping the muzzles -pointed in the direction of the reckless horde -of delirious Chinamen.</p> - -<p>Then swiftly at a word from the midshipman -the four guns in unison roared out a -challenge, leaving death and destruction in -the path of the hundreds of bullets fired at -once from the bores of the guns. Again the -reverberation shook the hilltop and again -the leaden hail poured into the now disordered -ranks of the advancing fanatics. As -rapidly as if the guns’ crews were at target -practice, the four guns spoke, each time cutting -deep gaps in the enemy’s line. After a -feeble attempt to rally the disordered legions, -the Chinese leaders turned and fled, followed -by the already stampeded soldiers.</p> - -<p>Having assured himself that this time the -enemy would not be likely to return, Phil -gave the order to cease firing and then turned -his eyes expectantly toward the mission, realizing -that its inmates had seen the attack -and were doubtless anxious of the final outcome. -However, in but a few minutes the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_323">[323]</span> -signal-light appeared and flashed out a message -which showed the boy that his captain -had understood that he had gallantly repulsed -the sudden attack:</p> - -<p>“Am coming to join you.”</p> - -<p>Ten minutes later Commander Hughes, -with a hundred more men at his back, stood -beside Phil in the enemy’s trenches; his captain -was unstinting in his praises, while Sydney, -who had accompanied him, hugged his -chum delightedly; Langdon stood by an -amused and pleased spectator.</p> - -<p>“You’ve taught the enemy a lesson which -they will not soon forget,” the American -captain exclaimed, “and they will not be -likely to wish to try conclusions with us again -to-night, but at the same time we cannot afford -to treat the Chinese with too much scorn.”</p> - -<p>Phil quickly explained the find of canister, -and the captain, much to O’Neil’s embarrassment, -called him up before the assembled -sailors and complimented him upon his ready -resource.</p> - -<p>“It’s men like you, O’Neil,” he said warmly, -“that make an expedition of this kind possible.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_324">[324]</span>O’Neil even in the darkness grinned sheepishly, -as if he had been discovered doing -something for which he ought to have been -ashamed.</p> - -<p>Great was the rejoicing in the mission at -the unlooked-for deliverance, and upon Commander -Hughes’ order the relieved non-combatants -quietly packed up their most treasured -belongings, ready to be conveyed through -the enemy’s country to the protection of the -war-ships.</p> - -<p>It being found impossible to save the captured -guns, Phil, with O’Neil’s aid, deftly -dismantled the breech mechanisms and, securing -a heavy axe from the mission, rendered -quite useless the delicately fitting -parts, giving the sailors the damaged pieces -to carry to the ditch where they would be -thrown into the stagnant water at the bottom.</p> - -<p>The missionaries, with tears in their eyes, -bid farewell to their home, expecting that -after the sailors had gone, the Chinese -would return and send up in smoke that -spacious monument to their earnest labors in -China. The party was obliged to make a wide<span class="pagenum" id="Page_325">[325]</span> -detour to reach a bridge some miles from the -one crossed earlier in the night.</p> - -<p>Dawn was breaking when the commander -led his victorious men with the rescued -missionaries safely to the bank of the river, -where small boats were waiting to transport -them to the protection of the American -war-ships. As the last of the refugees disembarked -at the gangway of the “Phœnix,” -the sun peeped out from behind the distant -hills.</p> - -<p>Phil and Sydney longed for a few hours’ -sleep, but they well knew that if they succumbed -to this desire they might miss altogether -what they felt would be the closing -scenes in the drama.</p> - -<p>By signal, Commander Hughes at once -ordered that all non-combatants be sent on -board the gunboats, and that the monitors -hold themselves in readiness to get under way -within the hour.</p> - -<p>Phil’s hopes ran high as he and Sydney -made themselves presentable after their strenuous -night’s experience.</p> - -<p>After a hasty breakfast the lads appeared -on deck. There they found their captain before<span class="pagenum" id="Page_326">[326]</span> -them, gazing closely through his binoculars -at the distant forts.</p> - -<p>At the gangway three cutters were lying, -and the landing force of the “Phœnix,” rifles -in hand, were standing in ranks ready to -embark.</p> - -<p>“March the men into the boats, Wilson,” -Commander Hughes ordered suddenly, putting -his binoculars in their leather case. Then -as he turned to go below to his cabin, “Mr. -Perry, you and Mr. Monroe report to Mr. -Wilson.”</p> - -<p>“Where are we going?” Phil asked excitedly -as he saluted the lieutenant.</p> - -<p>“To the ‘Monterey,’” Lieutenant Wilson -answered, “but that’s as far as I know. The -captain must expect hot work; each of my -men is ordered to take two hundred rounds of -ammunition.”</p> - -<p>“We’re going to storm the walled city,” -Sydney exclaimed. “There’s no sign of submission -on either the forts or the viceroy’s -yamen. The captain means to rescue the four -sailors and carry out his threats upon Ku-Ling.”</p> - -<p>Phil’s pulses beat faster at the thought.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_327">[327]</span> -Now war had been declared, and his captain -believed in striking promptly before his enemy -had time to gather his forces!</p> - -<p>Quickly the sailors were embarked in the -waiting boats, and as Commander Hughes, -accompanied by Langdon, took his place in -the stern of the leading cutter, the oars were -thrust out through the rowlocks and the boats -pulled with swift strokes alongside the monitor, -anchored only a few hundred yards down -the river from the “Phœnix.”</p> - -<p>“Get under way, Barnes,” Commander -Hughes ordered as he stepped on board the -“Monterey,” “and signal the ‘Monadnock’ to -follow us. Bend on the signal to her to -‘clear ship for action’; the gunboats will -remain here out of range of the fort guns.”</p> - -<p>The stirring call of the bugles sounded -with its nerve-tingling ring throughout the -ship, repeated in a few minutes by the -“Monadnock,” and with a cheer of delight the -crews disappeared below decks to their stations -for battle.</p> - -<p>Inside of fifteen minutes all was in readiness, -and the heavy anchors were lifted from -the bottom of the river.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_328">[328]</span>With all the men not at gun stations behind -the thick armor of the small river battle-ships, -the “Monterey” gracefully turned -around close to the fleet of anchored gunboats. -Phil’s nerves were atingle as he heard the admiring -cheers of the allies float to them -across the water. Then the “Monterey,” -her huge turret guns loaded and ready to -open the battle, and followed closely by -her consort, steamed swiftly toward the hostile -forts.</p> - -<p>“Break the battle flags,” Commander -Hughes ordered in his calm voice, standing -on the bridge beside the captain of the -“Monterey,” while Phil, Sydney and Langdon, -in the lee of the conning-tower, gazed, -consumed with excitement, upon the forts, -toward which the two big twelve-inch guns -were pointing. Phil saw on the flagstaff -at the top of the emplacement the proud -yellow banner of China, with its monster -dragon endeavoring to swallow a red ball, -just beyond the reach of its fiery nostrils.</p> - -<p>“O’Neil is in the turret,” Sydney exclaimed -to Phil at his side. “He will fire one of the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_329">[329]</span> -guns. I wonder if he can still shoot the way -he did at our record target practice when you -had the after turret.”</p> - -<p>“He’s as steady as a rock,” Phil replied -enthusiastically. “I’ll wager that every one -of his shots will go true. He was the best -gun-pointer on the ‘Connecticut.’”</p> - -<p>“What’s the range?” Commander Hughes -inquired, a shade of excitement creeping into -his voice.</p> - -<p>“Three thousand yards, sir,” the officer at -the range-finder called out hoarsely.</p> - -<p>“Fire one shot at the nearest gun emplacement,” -the American commander ordered the -“Monterey’s” captain, “and signal the ‘Monadnock’ -to sheer up abreast us and when -the fort replies swing around and open with -her broadside.”</p> - -<p>Phil saw the alert signalmen swiftly signal -with their small hand flags the message to -their consort, and then immediately afterward -the “Monadnock,” which had been -steaming in the “Monterey’s” wake, swung -her bow in toward the city of Ku-Ling, which -the two vessels were rapidly passing. The -high wall was thronged with Chinamen;<span class="pagenum" id="Page_330">[330]</span> -their curiosity having overcome their fear of -the terrible foreign war-ships.</p> - -<p>The next second a heavy roar filled the air -and the forts disappeared completely from -view in the brownish vapor from the turret -gun.</p> - -<p>Grasping the rail tightly in his excitement, -his heart beating like a trip-hammer, Phil -gazed through the quickly dissolving smoke. -The sonorous screech of the shell in his ears, -he strained his eyes to pick up the huge -projectile, travelling nearly a half a mile a -second toward the hostile fort.</p> - -<p>Grasping the binoculars from Langdon’s -hand, he raised them swiftly to his eyes. A -black dot appeared, upon which the lad -focused his attention, as if to lose it might -mean a miss. He saw the bird-like bolt rise -high above the white stone emplacements, -and knew on the instant, from his long experience -watching just such shells at the -peaceful drill of target practice, that the messenger -of destruction, filled with an explosive -that would scatter death and consternation in -its path, would go true to its aim.</p> - -<p>“Right on top of the emplacement!” he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_331">[331]</span> -shouted excitedly a half second before a -liquid fire flashed on the parapet of the forts, -while tons of earth and rock were scattered in -every direction.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_332">[332]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXIII<br /> - - -<small>THE FORTS SURRENDER</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">While</span> Phil had been gazing spellbound -at the half ton shell, fired by O’Neil with -such startling effect, Sydney was watching -excitedly a small squad of Chinese soldiers -toiling painfully upward from the gun emplacements.</p> - -<p>When the roar of discharge shook the air -he had seen these small black figures throw -themselves behind the jutting rocks, and -after the missile had exploded upon the -parapets of the forts, hurling by its tremendous -force a large gun backward from its -substantial mountings, these persistent dots of -men again appeared to view, creeping steadily -upward. What did it mean? Were these -men deserting their guns?</p> - -<p>Sydney heard his captain give the order to -reload, and knew that within the minute<span class="pagenum" id="Page_333">[333]</span> -another shell would be speeding toward the -enemy. The foremost Chinaman had now -reached the foot of the great flagstaff, and the -next second, to the lad’s delight, he saw the -yellow banner flutter slowly to the ground.</p> - -<p>“They are striking their colors,” he cried -excitedly.</p> - -<p>All eyes turned in glad surprise toward the -flagstaff to the right of and above the gun -emplacements.</p> - -<p>“A white flag!” Phil gasped, a tinge of disappointment -in his voice, as he saw the banner -of submission mount the flagpole quickly. -Now all was over, and he had seen but one -shot fired.</p> - -<p>“Cease firing!” Commander Hughes -hastily ordered, fearing that the next shot -might, with the white flag displayed on the -forts, cause the Chinese to think that the -monitor had intentionally disregarded the -sanctity of the emblem, thus precipitating an -engagement with the forts which the American -officer was only too glad to avoid.</p> - -<p>The bugles sounded the retreat from firing, -and disappointed faces soon appeared from -the turrets, to gaze out upon the unwelcome<span class="pagenum" id="Page_334">[334]</span> -white flag flaunting in the light morning -breeze.</p> - -<p>“Follow us,” had been the signal to the -“Monadnock,” and the two victorious vessels, -in column, made a graceful turn and then -steamed up stream toward the renegade gunboats -anchored off Ku-Ling.</p> - -<p>“What does it mean?” Phil breathed excitedly -to Langdon.</p> - -<p>“Something has happened,” Langdon exclaimed, -shaking his head in mystery.</p> - -<p>“The viceroy’s now going to send a flag of -truce to us,” Sydney suggested; “and I hope -Ta-Ling comes with it. I’d certainly like to -see Phil hand him back the pigtail he borrowed.”</p> - -<p>Despite the seriousness of the situation all -laughed at the thought of the discomfited -Chinaman without his cue.</p> - -<p>The ships were now passing close to the -“Albaque”; the sailors of that gunboat -watched the American monitors in sullen -silence. The midshipmen looked in vain for -Commander Ignacio; he was not on deck.</p> - -<p>“She’s ready to get under way,” Phil exclaimed, -pointing to that vessel. “See! her<span class="pagenum" id="Page_335">[335]</span> -anchor gear is rove off and her steam launch -has been hoisted inboard.” Sure signs indeed -that the gunboat was ready to move.</p> - -<p>The “Monterey” slowly steamed by the -renegades until the gate of the city came in -view from the river; then a rattle of chain -announced that the war-ship had anchored.</p> - -<p>The “Monadnock” had by order stopped -astern and upon signal dropped her anchor, -so that in case of treachery that monitor’s -big guns could be readily trained on the -forts.</p> - -<p>“Now, Barnes,” Commander Hughes said -with energy, “call away the landing force -and set them ashore.” Then he drew Lieutenant -Wilson aside, talking earnestly with -him for some minutes.</p> - -<p>Inside of another ten minutes the midshipmen -found themselves on the jetty of the -foreign concession, while in ranks along the -water front, their rifles at the shoulder, stood -three hundred stalwart sailors from the three -American ships.</p> - -<p>Phil glanced uneasily toward the high city -wall. The gate he could not see, but he knew -it was closed and the drawbridge raised.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_336">[336]</span> -Probably the Chinamen he had seen on the -wall when the monitors steamed down the -river were now peering out through the hundreds -of loopholes, their rifles ready to defend -their city from the foreign invader, for the -lad knew that Lieutenant Wilson’s orders had -been to rescue the sailors in the yamen.</p> - -<p>“How shall we cross the moat?” he faltered -to Langdon at his side.</p> - -<p>The question remained unanswered, for the -next moment a heavy discharge rent the still -air, followed by an explosion near the city -wall. Again came the shock of firing and -Phil saw that the “Monterey’s” big guns had -been fired at the main gateway of the city.</p> - -<p>Shell after shell sped quickly toward the -gateway, scarcely five hundred yards from the -monitor’s guns.</p> - -<p>The lads gazed about them in bewilderment. -How could this aid them? Then the -firing ceased and a flag waved rapidly from -the war-ship.</p> - -<p>“Fours right,” Lieutenant Wilson cried excitedly, -hastily leading the column to the -cross street up which the monitor had fired. -Arriving there, Phil gasped with admiration<span class="pagenum" id="Page_337">[337]</span> -at the havoc wrought by the big shells. The -drawbridge was down across the moat and the -great gate of wood and iron had been literally -torn from its huge hinges and thrown bodily -fifty feet within the city.</p> - -<p>In silence the sailors were led across the -drawbridge, Phil noticing the severed chains -which had allowed the bridge to fall in place, -and then they were inside the city.</p> - -<p>No signs of life were visible, and the open -doors and windows of the houses showed -plainly that the Chinese had departed suddenly, -fearing the shells of the foreigners.</p> - -<p>“To the yamen, Langdon,” Lieutenant -Wilson cried eagerly. Then as the pilot -pointed out the direction: “Fix bayonets!” -The rasping of the three hundred bayonets as -they were adjusted on the rifles lasted for -half a minute and then Lieutenant Wilson -added sharply, “Forward, double time.”</p> - -<p>At a run the rescuing column swept along -the narrow street.</p> - -<p>Phil and Sydney eagerly raced ahead, followed -closely by the lieutenant and Langdon. -After but a few minutes the midshipmen -reached the gateway of the yamen.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_338">[338]</span>An exclamation of grave concern from -Sydney caused his companions to cast anxious -glances toward the expansive parade -grounds in front of the yamen gate. The -sight that met their eyes was indeed disconcerting. -They had expected no more than -feeble resistance, but there before them, drawn -up as if on parade, was a vast army of Chinese -soldiers.</p> - -<p>“What’s the meaning of this?” Lieutenant -Wilson asked falteringly, coming to a sudden -stop, while his men gazed in wonder at the -thousands of well-armed soldiers, apparently -in battle array, awaiting the word to begin the -fight.</p> - -<p>“It means that viceroy Chang-Li-Hun has -overshot his bolt,” Langdon returned joyfully; -“these men are of another province. Do you -see their yellow plumes? The viceroy’s -soldiers wear red.</p> - -<p>“Sent by Peking,” he added. “It means -the viceroy is to be brought to account by his -government.”</p> - -<p>While Langdon was speaking, a horseman -rode rapidly toward the Americans. Langdon -walked out quickly to meet him when he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_339">[339]</span> -drew rein at the edge of the roadway, -and immediately addressed him in his own -language.</p> - -<p>Then, after a few moments’ rapid talk, he -turned to the lieutenant, a broad smile on his -face.</p> - -<p>“Just as I supposed. They are here to -suppress outlaws. His general has gone to -the forts to confer with Hang-Ki. He says -the viceroy has refused to receive him.”</p> - -<p>“Tell him,” Lieutenant Wilson said hurriedly, -“that four of our sailors are held -prisoners in the yamen, and that I am going -to enter by force if they refuse to open the -gate.”</p> - -<p>“He says his men will not interfere,” the -pilot returned, after a few hurried words with -the Chinese officer. “In fact, I believe -they’d gladly help us. This viceroy is not -popular with the Manchus.”</p> - -<p>Without more ado Lieutenant Wilson -knocked loudly on the gate with the butt of -his revolver. There followed a whispered -consultation from beyond the gate and then a -small slit slid back suddenly, revealing a pair -of almond eyes, peering out suspiciously.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_340">[340]</span>Before Langdon could speak, the Chinese -officer had dismounted from his Tartar pony, -and held the owner of the eyes in earnest -conversation. A moment later the slit was -closed sharply, and the officer recoiled angrily, -muttering invectives at the rudeness of his -rebuff.</p> - -<p>“He says, break in the gate,” the pilot -laughed in amusement.</p> - -<p>Anticipating this move, Sydney had led a -party of men to where a telegraph pole was -lying on the ground, ready to replace a pole -apparently condemned.</p> - -<p>“It couldn’t have been handier,” he exclaimed, -as the men lifting it moved it in -position to batter in the gateway.</p> - -<p>A few forceful blows, and the American -sailors poured through the shattered gates.</p> - -<p>Another gateway barred further progress, -and this was soon sent flying to pieces and -the foreigners found themselves within the -main courtyard of the viceroy’s palace. -Never before had foreign sailors entered these -sacred precincts with hostile intent.</p> - -<p>“Mr. Perry, you and Mr. Monroe press -ahead,” Lieutenant Wilson ordered. “You<span class="pagenum" id="Page_341">[341]</span> -know something of the yamen,” he added, a -faint smile on his earnest face. “Don’t be -rash,” he warned. “I’ll be on hand if you -need aid, but it looks as if the yamen were deserted.”</p> - -<p>Quickly selecting a dozen men, among -whom was O’Neil, who had pressed forward -to the midshipmen’s side upon entering the -building, Phil led the way toward the -viceroy’s private apartments.</p> - -<p>The door through which they had entered -the night before was bolted from within, but -by the united weight of Langdon and O’Neil -it soon opened obediently. They found this -room empty, but the door to the viceroy’s bedroom -was open slightly.</p> - -<p>“Careful, Mr. Perry,” O’Neil cried, catching -the lad’s arm and drawing him back from the -open door.</p> - -<p>The boatswain’s mate was just in the nick -of time. A rifle muzzle had suddenly been -thrust through the opening and discharged, -filling the room with the noise of thunder. -Phil recoiled in terror, his face burning painfully -from the heat of the discharge, while -his ears were deafened.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_342">[342]</span>“Do you see, sir?” O’Neil observed huskily, -as he wrenched the rifle from the Chinaman’s -hand and clubbed him into insensibility before -he could run. “Always approach an -open door with caution and from the side.”</p> - -<p>Crowding into the viceroy’s bedchamber, -the Americans were struck dumb by the sadness -of the spectacle before them.</p> - -<p>There in the great canopied bed lay the -form of the aged viceroy; his eyes were -closed, while upon his parchment-like face -had spread the pallor of death. The room -was empty save for a single figure standing -beside the bed, a look of mortal fear in his -eyes.</p> - -<p>“Dead!” Phil whispered in awe at the -sight, while he reverently removed his cap. -The sailors stood in silence, their heads uncovered, -thrilled by the scene. Chang-Li-Hun’s -face, even in death, had not lost its -cruel expression. He lay there, silent, unconquered. -The will of Peking held no terrors -for him now.</p> - - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_342.jpg" alt="" /></div> -<p class="drop-cap"><i>THE AMERICANS WERE<br /> -STRUCK DUMB</i></p> - -<p>Langdon motioned to the Chinaman at the -dead man’s bedside that no harm would come -to him, and after gaining courage, but eyeing<span class="pagenum" id="Page_343">[343]</span> -fearfully the insensible body of the last remaining -guard, he came slowly to the pilot’s side.</p> - -<p>“He says Ta-Ling has not returned,” -Langdon breathed in a subdued voice after a -minute’s talk with the frightened man. “He’s -the treasurer you choked in the next room,” -he continued hurriedly to Phil, “and he will -lead us to the cell where the sailors were confined.”</p> - -<p>The lad’s hopes ran high. If Ta-Ling had -not returned, it might be possible that the -men were as yet alive.</p> - -<p>As the Americans hastened after the Chinaman, -they passed Lieutenant Wilson and his -waiting sailors in the courtyard.</p> - -<p>“The viceroy is dead!” Phil exclaimed -hurriedly as he passed him.</p> - -<p>The treasurer led the way past the cell in -which the midshipmen had spent so many -horrible hours of torture, but to Phil’s alarm -it was now empty.</p> - -<p>“The prisoners are gone,” the lad faltered, -pointing to the deserted prison. “Ask him -the meaning, Langdon.”</p> - -<p>“He says he knows nothing,” the pilot -replied after stopping suddenly and questioning<span class="pagenum" id="Page_344">[344]</span> -the distracted Chinaman. “He has been -with the viceroy all night. Upon hearing of -the arrival of the troops sent by Peking, the -viceroy swallowed poison, a deadly Chinese -drug, which he always carried with him.”</p> - -<p>Moving rapidly onward the Chinaman -stopped suddenly in front of a cell door.</p> - -<p>Phil’s heart was as lead as he pushed the -door open. The cell was empty.</p> - -<p>“Ta-Ling did return,” he cried in despair.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_345">[345]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XXIV<br /> - - -<small>PHIL EXPLAINS</small></h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">O’Neil</span>, with his characteristic energy, -wasted no time upon the cell, which he had -made up his mind long since would be found -empty, but with three or four sailors at his -back had pressed forward to the end of the -narrow corridor.</p> - -<p>He heard Phil’s cry of disappointment as -he found himself on the edge of a smaller -courtyard, and was just in time to discover -a fleeing band of Chinamen disappearing -through a narrow alley at the far end.</p> - -<p>Calling loudly for the others to follow, the -boatswain’s mate ran hurriedly forward across -the stone-paved court.</p> - -<p>Reaching the entrance to the alley, the -sharp discharges of rifles from the other end -caused him to stop abruptly, but before he -could gain a place of safety, a stinging pain -in his shoulder made him cry out sharply.</p> - -<p>Then his anger overcame his training in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_346">[346]</span> -discretion and with his men beside him, -while the heavy footfalls of the midshipmen -advancing on a run across the courtyard told -him of the approach of reënforcements, he -boldly raced between the bordering walls of -brick and mortar now swept by the enemy’s -bullets.</p> - -<p>As he again emerged into the sunlight, he -was barely in time to see the persistent enemy -scattering like a covey of partridges through -numerous passages at the far end of a third -courtyard, while from that direction a hot -fire was directed upon him and his handful of -men.</p> - -<p>What should he do? He could advance no -further in the face of that rifle fire. Glancing -anxiously behind him, he saw the midshipmen -and their men were nowhere in view, -and yet they had been only a half hundred -paces behind when he had charged down the -alley. The sailors were returning the furious -fire of the Chinese, but O’Neil saw that the -enemy was hidden and the spatter of their -bullets against the wall behind the Americans -showed him only too plainly that even the -poor shots of the Chinese might accidentally<span class="pagenum" id="Page_347">[347]</span> -make a hit. Reluctantly he ordered a retreat -back through the arched passageway.</p> - -<p>As O’Neil and his men again reached the -second courtyard, across which he had chased -the fleeing Chinamen, he saw the midshipmen -and their party surrounding several -objects upon the ground, which had been -covered over with a large piece of canvas.</p> - -<p>“They are safe,” Sydney’s voice hailed as -he caught sight of the returning sailors. -“You ran right over them.”</p> - -<p>The prisoners were quickly freed from their -manacles, and, supported by their comrades, -the party hastened to rejoin Lieutenant Wilson.</p> - -<p>The four sailors had had a narrow escape. -Ta-Ling, determined upon revenge, had been -upon the point of beheading them when -O’Neil and his men had caused him to desist. -Then covering them hurriedly with a large -piece of canvas, he hoped to conceal their -presence until the Americans had given up -their search, when he would return and -finish his diabolical work. But the curiosity -of an American had defeated his plan; for -raising the corner of the canvas the sailor<span class="pagenum" id="Page_348">[348]</span> -had seen the blue-clad legs of a bound and -gagged shipmate.</p> - -<p>Arriving in the main courtyard, Phil’s -eye caught the bright color of a Chinese -mandarin’s clothes, their wearer standing at -Lieutenant Wilson’s side.</p> - -<p>“Hang-Ki!” he exclaimed joyfully as he -recognized the Tartar general’s erect form.</p> - -<p>The two midshipmen hastened to the -Manchu’s side and shook hands with him -warmly.</p> - -<p>Hang-Ki had been patiently waiting for -Langdon’s return to interpret his words to -the American lieutenant. Another mandarin -stood by Hang-Ki’s side, his rugged frame indicating -clearly that he also was of Tartar -blood, from which race the military leaders -of China are taken.</p> - -<p>The midshipmen waited impatiently to -hear what Hang-Ki had to tell, while Lieutenant -Wilson congratulated all hands upon -the success of the rescue, and shook hands as -all had done with the rescued men.</p> - -<p>“His Excellency says the viceroy killed -himself early this morning; the captain of -the yamen guards brought him the news, but<span class="pagenum" id="Page_349">[349]</span> -it did not arrive in time to hoist the white -flag before the monitor had fired her shell. -He says many men were hurt during the -night engagement and asks how many -Americans were killed.”</p> - -<p>“Tell him we’ve lost only one man in all -the fighting,” Lieutenant Wilson replied.</p> - -<p>Hang-Ki, after Langdon had given him -Lieutenant Wilson’s words, shook his head -as though mystified.</p> - -<p>The two generals expressed a wish to visit -the American commander, and make China’s -peace for the hostile acts of the dead viceroy.</p> - -<p>The sailors were assembled and marched -directly to the landing.</p> - -<p>As the river and the anchored ships came -into view, Phil grasped Sydney’s arm excitedly, -pointing to a white yacht lying gracefully -at anchor between the monitors and the -“Phœnix”; the latter having left the allies -at the upper anchorage and steamed down the -river while they were inside the Chinese city.</p> - -<p>“The ‘Alacrity’!” he exclaimed, “and the -admiral’s on board; there’s his flag at the -main,” pointing to a large blue flag, with two -white stars in the field. Then the joy died<span class="pagenum" id="Page_350">[350]</span> -in his face. The letter of the viceroy and the -telegram, as yet undelivered, came to his -mind.</p> - -<p>“Where’s the ‘Albaque’?” Sydney asked -suddenly, searching the river for Ignacio’s -ship.</p> - -<p>“There she goes,” Langdon cried, pointing -down stream, where a trail of smoke from a fast -disappearing steamer hung low over the muddy -water of the river.</p> - -<p>Upon reaching the “Phœnix,” there was -Commander Hughes on deck, anxiously waiting -to hear the results of the expedition. His -face was wreathed in smiles as he heard of -their unlooked-for success. Then, motioning -Langdon to follow, he led the two Chinese -officers to his cabin.</p> - -<p>Phil had not dared, with his guilt written -plainly on his face, to look his captain in the -eye while that officer showered praises upon -the two midshipmen, and he was much relieved -to be able to escape to his own room, -there to map out a course of action.</p> - -<p>“Our best plan, Syd,” Phil declared, “is to -take all these papers to the captain and make -a clean breast of it.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_351">[351]</span>Sydney agreed wholly with his friend’s -plan and all that remained was to muster up -courage to go to the captain. Both midshipmen -would much rather have faced a hundred -Chinese rifles than confess to their captain -that a telegram and directed to him from the -navy department had been purposely hidden.</p> - -<p>A rap on the door caused Phil’s pulses to -beat quicker and his heart rise to his mouth.</p> - -<p>“The captain would like to see Mr. Perry -and Mr. Monroe,” the orderly announced, -peering in through the curtain at the startled -lads.</p> - -<p>“Come on, Phil,” Sydney urged; “we’d -better get it over with.”</p> - -<p>In silence they walked into the cabin. -Phil’s head swam as his old friend Admiral -Taylor shook his hand and spoke solid words -of praise for his valuable services.</p> - -<p>Hang-Ki had risen to go upon the entrance -of the midshipmen, and after bowing to the -admiral and captain he stepped quickly to -Phil’s side, pressing into his hand the jade ring.</p> - -<p>“He says,” Langdon interpreted, “that he -has evidence enough without it if he is lucky -enough to capture Ta-Ling.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_352">[352]</span>“I am delighted, Hughes,” the admiral -said as Commander Hughes returned with -the midshipmen, after having escorted the -Chinese soldiers to the gangway, “at the successful -end gained by your clear-headed -policy. Washington, hearing nothing from -you and at the same time receiving news of -your doings from a foreign government, was -quite justified, in view of your known impetuosity, -in being anxious. It was current -in Shanghai that you had been relieved of -your command, yet I received no word up to -the time of sailing, two days ago.”</p> - -<p>Phil saw his opportunity had come to bare -his secret, and drawing the viceroy’s letter, -the telegram and the correspondence of -Ignacio all from his pocket, he laid them in -silence on the table between the two officers.</p> - -<p>The lads waited in a fever of dread while -the officers glanced in surprise at the papers -before them. Phil saw that the admiral held -the cipher telegram, with the translation underneath -the cipher words.</p> - -<p>“What does this mean?” the admiral cried -sternly, reading aloud the translation of the -cablegram.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_353">[353]</span>Phil boldly told where and when he had -found the telegram, and his reasons for not -delivering it until now.</p> - -<p>The admiral regarded the lad severely.</p> - -<p>“Knowing this was from the department -in Washington, you concealed it,” he exclaimed. -“Explain yourself, sir.”</p> - -<p>Phil swallowed hard and then pointed a -trembling finger to the other papers.</p> - -<p>“After you have read those, sir,” he said -huskily, “I shall be ready to stand guilty or -not guilty in your eyes.”</p> - -<p>Both officers eagerly read the letters from -Ignacio to the viceroy’s secretary.</p> - -<p>After the admiral had finished reading, he -regarded Phil in silence, his expression -fathomless to the anxious midshipman. -Commander Hughes’ eyes gave him no encouragement; -they were directed to his -brightly polished shoes. It was a question -between the senior midshipman and his commander-in-chief. -Technically a great breach -of naval discipline had been committed.</p> - -<p>The minutes ticked away slowly by the -cabin clock while the lad waited for the wording -of his doom.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_354">[354]</span>“Mr. Perry,” the admiral at length began -in his usual calm voice, “this is the second -time that you have placed me in a most embarrassing -position, but I want to say right -here,” and his eyes snapped, “if I had a -son, and he had committed this breach of -naval discipline in order to save the situation, -I would be mighty proud of him.” As he -finished he put out his hand to the surprised -but happy midshipman, who grasped it joyfully.</p> - -<p>Phil was so surprised that he could not -find voice to utter a single word. He stared -dumbly at the admiral, his tear-dimmed eyes -eloquently speaking the words he could not -utter.</p> - -<p>Commander Hughes jumped up and grasped -the midshipman by the hand, showing in his -face the keen pleasure the admiral’s decision -had given him.</p> - -<p>“This correspondence I shall keep in my -safe,” the admiral said, a twinkle in his eyes, -“in case I have trouble in explaining our -young friend’s crime. It may also serve -us in the future with this foreign Judas -Iscariot.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_355">[355]</span>“And now, young man,” he added, his kind -face beaming with good nature, “I think -after a few months I shall have to deprive -your captain of your services. I am going to -put in commission a number of small gunboats -for duty against the Philippine insurgents, -and I have decided to give Mr. -Perry command of one of them with Mr. -Monroe as his executive officer, and I suppose,” -he suggested with a smile, “that you -will want O’Neil as the chief boatswain’s -mate.”</p> - -<p>Phil could hardly believe his ears. Instead -of censure, here was the admiral offering him -a ship of his own.</p> - -<p>As one in a dream he thanked the admiral -and accompanied by Sydney, withdrew from -the cabin.</p> - -<p>By order of Peking Hang-Ki was made -viceroy and he at once took steps to safeguard -all foreigners throughout the provinces.</p> - -<p>The allied gunboats within the hour -anchored off Ku-Ling, and before the day -was over the foreign concession had taken up -the thread of business where it had been so -rudely interrupted. Commander Hughes detailed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_356">[356]</span> -a force of mechanics from the American -war-ships to repair the damaged launches -of the faithful Emmons, and before a week -had passed the launch trade was flourishing -as of old.</p> - -<p>The concession to build the railroad to -Peking was made more secure to the American -company, and before the “Phœnix” sailed -for Shanghai the lads saw the material, which -had long waited for permission to be landed, -safely stored in go-downs and the work on the -road started.</p> - -<p>Ta-Ling made good his escape, and it was -believed that he had gone to the mountains, -there to remain in hiding until another opportunity -might present itself to avenge himself -on the despised foreigner.</p> - -<p>O’Neil’s wound was found by the doctors to -be not dangerous and, with his arm in a sling -for several days, he was gazed at admiringly -by his less fortunate shipmates.</p> - -<p>Langdon received the personal thanks of -the admiral, and Commander Hughes stoutly -declares that he is as good a pilot ashore as -he is on the river.</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p class="ph1">FOOTNOTES:</p> -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_1" href="#FNanchor_1" class="label">[1]</a> Mexican dollars.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_2" href="#FNanchor_2" class="label">[2]</a> There is a prescribed rule for hailing a boat at night. A ship, -seeing a boat approaching, hails, “Boat ahoy!” If enlisted men -are in the boat the proper answer is “Hello!” If midshipmen -are in the boat the answer is “No! No!” if commissioned officers, -“Aye! Aye!” If a captain is in the boat the answer is the -name of his ship, and an admiral’s proper answer is “Flag”—meaning -that the boat carries an admiral’s flag.</p> - -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_3" href="#FNanchor_3" class="label">[3]</a> Twelve rifles.</p> - -</div> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<div class="transnote"> -<p class="ph1">TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES:</p> - - - -<p>Obvious typographical errors have been corrected.</p> - -<p>Inconsistencies in hyphenation have been standardized.</p> - -<p>Archaic or alternate spelling has been retained from the original.</p> -</div></div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A UNITED STATES MIDSHIPMAN IN CHINA ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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