aid.

He did not speak, but looked sharply to right and left for a means of
escape. For, in spite of the cleverness of our guide, the mandarin's
men had been as cunning. They had either divined or been told that we
had made for the other street, and had contrived to reach the connecting
lane along which we should have to pass. Here they had planted
themselves, and just as we were breathing more freely, in the belief
that before long we should reach the shore of the great river, we caught
sight of them in company with about a dozen more.

We were all on the point of halting, as we saw them about fifty yards in
front, but Ching spoke out sharply--

"No stoppee," he said firmly. "Lun away, all come catchee and choppee
off head. Go 'long stlaight and flighten 'em. Englis' sailor foleign
debil, 'flaid o' nobody."

"There's something in that," said Barkins. "Right. Show a bold front,
lads. Let's go straight by them, and if they attack, then out with your
swords and let's make a fight for it."

I heard Smith say, "All right," and my heart was beating very fast as I
said the same.

Frightened? Of course I was. I don't believe the boy ever lived who
would not feel frightened at having to face death. For it was death we
had to face then, and in the ugliest shape. But Smith's words sent a
thrill through us.

"I say, lads," he said, "we've got to fight this time. If we begged for
our lives they'd only serve us worse; so let 'em have it, and recollect
that, if they kill us, the old _Teasers'll_ come and burn their town
about their ears."

"'Fraid, Ching?" I whispered; for he and I were in front.

"No 'flaid now," he whispered back. "Plenty flighten by and by."

He smiled as he spoke, and led us straight on to where the four
mandarin's men and the rough-looking fellows with them blocked the road,
and if for a moment we had shown any hesitation, I believe they would
have rushed at us like wolves. But Ching kept his head up as if proud
of acting as guide to three British officers, and when we got close up
he nodded smilingly at the men in the mandarin's colours, and then, as
if astounded at the little crowd standing fast, he burst out into a
furious passion, shouting at them in a wild gabble of words, with the
effect of making them give way at once, so that we passed through.

Then I heard him draw a panting breath, and saw that he was ghastly.

"Walkee walkee," he whispered. "Not velly fast. 'Top I say