e interned! What a thunderbolt! All at once Bernhard's
flushed countenance became livid, his eyes glared savagely, and there
suddenly spread a choking, suffocating expression on his large handsome
face. The noise and clamour of hoarse angry voices became almost
stupefying, but in the end the Teutons were compelled to accept the
inevitable, and gradually streamed ashore, carrying their hand baggage,
parcels of delicatessen, and other comforts intended for the voyage.
The heavy baggage was hastily landed, for the _Blankshire_ had steam up
and was bound to catch the tide.

A more than half-empty ship, she now slipped from her berth and turned
her bows towards home. As she glided slowly by the wharf, Shafto and
Sophy waved vigorous farewells to their numerous friends, Burmese and
European. There was Roscoe, there were the Salters and Rosetta. Apart
from all, a solitary little figure stood prominent on a heap of rice
bags. It was Ma Chit, waving a pink silk handkerchief. For once she
was not smiling, her piquant face was grave, and the eyes fixed upon
Shafto conveyed an eloquent and heartbroken farewell; presently she
cowered down and hid her face.

"That was a wonderfully smart _coup_!" said a ship's officer to Mrs.
Gregory and Sophy. "Those German fellows that were trampling all over
the ship as if she was their own property were neatly caught. They
will be shipped off to India out of harm's way, and within a week or
two, I fancy, will find themselves at Ahmednuggur."

The interned passengers had left ample space and a grateful sense of
relief and freedom. As the _Blankshire_ throbbed down past "the
Hastings" Shafto and Sophy stood side by side, taking their last look
at the Great Pagoda, which gave an impression of being swathed in a
mantle of dazzling gold, and dominated all its surroundings.

"It seems only the other day we were coming up the river in this very
old boat," he said; "a year and ten months ago, and how much has
happened in that time! Well, we have had strange experiences, seen many
places, and made many friends. Here is one of them now," indicating
Mrs. Gregory; "I expect she feels a bit down, after parting with old
George, although he does follow in three months; so do you try to cheer
her, while I go below and hurry up the tea."

CHAPTER XXXVII

THE TUG OF WAR

One evening, after they had been several days at sea, as Sophy and
Shafto were gazing down at the steerage passengers,