nary to his
appearance before a court martial at Tien-tsin on the charge of
stranding his ship.

Wong-lih and the captain having boarded the _San-chau_, steam was rung
for, and presently the two ships proceeded on their respective voyages,
dipping their flags to each other as they parted company.

"It was most fortunate that we saw those rockets last night," observed
Wong-lih, when he and Frobisher were again standing together on the
_San-chau's_ bridge. "Had we not happened to be on the spot at the
moment, the Navy would have lost the _Chih' Yuen_, without a doubt. As
it is, I fear she is rather badly damaged, and it will probably mean a
few months in dock for her before she is fit for service again--which is
all the more deplorable, because we may need her at any moment. At a
crisis like this every vessel counts, especially in such a small navy as
we possess. I am afraid you will not be joining your ship just yet, Mr
Frobisher; but I have not the least doubt that, when we reach Tien-tsin,
some congenial service will be found for you which will keep you
occupied until the _Chih' Yuen_ is repaired. There is plenty of work,
and very few officers to do it; so you need have no apprehension
whatever on the score of non-employment."

"I thank your Highness," answered Frobisher. "I am rejoiced to hear you
say that, for I confess I felt very sore when I saw my ship, or what was
intended to be my ship, cast away on the Miao-tao reef."

Twenty-four hours later the _San-chau_ steamed past the Taku forts,
flying the admiral's flag to announce that Wong-lih was on board, and
received and answered a salute from the batteries; and shortly afterward
the anchor was dropped in the middle of the river, opposite the handsome
city of Tien-tsin, upon which Frobisher now looked for the first time.

CHAPTER TEN.

THE PIRATES' LAIR.

It was about midday when the _San-chau_ anchored off the port of
Tien-tsin; and Wong-lih suggested to his young protege that they should
lunch aboard before going ashore to the Navy Buildings, which were at
that time situated in the "Street of many Sorrows"--an ill-omened name,
indeed, as after-events were to prove.

They were nearing the completion of the meal when there came a knock
upon the cabin door, and the sentry announced that a messenger had
arrived with a letter for "his Highness, the most honourable Admiral
Prince Wong-lih". The admiral opened and read it, wrote a brief reply,
and t