telescope
again, Ching?"

"No, no good," said our guide gloomily. "Hi, quick all along here."

He made a dash for the front of a house, which seemed to offer some
little refuge for us in the shape of a low fencing, behind which we
could protect ourselves; for all at once there was a new development of
the attack, the mob having grown during the last few minutes more
daring, and now began to throw mud and stones.

Ching's sudden dash had its effect upon them, for when he ran they set
up a howl of triumph, and as we dashed after our guide they suddenly
altered their tactics, ceased stone-throwing, and, led by the swordsmen,
charged down upon us furiously.

"It's all over," groaned Smith, as we leaped over the low fence and
faced round.

And so it seemed to be, for the next minute we were stopping and dodging
the blows aimed at us. It was all one wild confusion to me, in which I
saw through a mist the gleaming eyes and savage faces of the mob. Then,
above their howlings, and just as I was staggering back from a heavy
blow which I received from a great sword, which was swept round with two
hands and caught me with a loud jar on the side, I heard a familiar
cheer, and saw the man who had struck me go down backwards, driven over
as it were by a broad-bladed spear. As I struggled to my knees, I saw
the savage mob in full flight, chased by a dozen blue-jackets, who
halted and ran back to where we were, in obedience to a shrill whistle.
Then--it was all more misty to me--two strong arms were passed under
mine; I saw Smith treated in the same way; and, pursued by the crowd
howling like demons, we were trotted at the double down the street to
the wharf, which was after all close at hand, and swung down into the
boat.

"Push off!" shouted a familiar voice, and the wharf and the crowd began
to grow distant, but stones flew after us till the officer in command
fired shot after shot from his revolver over the heads of the crowd,
which then took to flight.

"What are we to do with the prisoner, sir--chuck him overboard?"

"Prisoner?" cried the officer in charge of the boat.

"Yes, sir, we got him, sword and all. He's the chap as come aboard
yesterday."

"Yes," I panted as I sat up, breathing painfully, "it's Ching. He's our
friend."

"Yes, flend, evelibody fiend," cried Ching. "Wantee go shore. Fancee
shop."

"Go ashore?" said the officer.

"Yes, walkee shore."

"But if I set you ashore amongst that howling