n one side then on the other to some striking-looking
shop or building, though he never paused for a moment, but kept on at a
good rate without showing a sign of hurry or excitement.

"How are we to get on board when we get to the river?" I said, as we
went on. "There'll be no boat till sundown."

"Ching get one piecee boat low all aboard ship."

"Can't you keep us in your place till our boat comes?"

The man shook his head. "Mandalin boy come burn um down, makee all lun
out. So velly hot. No stay. Get boat, low away."

"How far is it, do you think?" asked Smith.

"I don't know," said Barkins. "We seemed to be walking for hours in the
hot sun coming up. How far is it, Ching?"

"Velly long way. No look at garden now."

He pointed to one of the handsome gateways about which a party of armed
retainers were hanging, and, whispering to us not to take any notice, he
walked us steadily along.

But we were not to get by the place without notice, for the loungers saw
us coming, and strode out in a swaggering way--three big sturdy fellows
in blue and scarlet, and pretty well blocked the way as they stood
scowling at us.

"Look out," whispered Barkins, "ready with your toasting-forks, and then
if it comes to it we must run."

"You'll stick by us, Gnat," whispered Smith in a hasty whisper.

"I'll try," I said.

"Keep velly close," whispered Ching. "No takee notice. No talkee
closs. Ching speakee."

He said something in Chinese to the men, and led us in single file
between the two most fierce-looking, our prompt action taking them
somewhat by surprise, and, as we gave them no excuse for taking offence,
they only turned to gaze after us.

There were plenty of people in the street ready to stand and look at us,
and we met with no interruption from them, but I could not help seeing
the anxiety in Ching's face, and how from time to time he wiped his
streaming brow. But as soon as he saw either of us looking at him he
smiled as if there was nothing the matter whatever.

"No velly long now," he said. "Lot bad men to-day. You come walkee
walkee 'gain?"

"It's not very tempting, Ching," I said. "Why can't they leave us
alone?"

He tightened his lips and shook his head. Then, looking sharply before
him, he hurried us along a little more.

"Wish got ten--twenty--piecee soldier man 'longside," he whispered to
me, and the next minute he grasped my arm with a spasmodic snatch.

"What's the matter?" I s