up their men for that
purpose. The powder train was at rest outside of the village and the men
were scattered here, there, and everywhere.

Evening found the command to which Ben and Gilbert belonged ten miles on
their way through the mountains. Only the officer in charge of the
powder train knew the destination of the precious stores. The train
consisted of eighteen carts, each pulled by four horses.

Although none in Major Okopa's command knew it, the train was followed
by a Chinaman named Kee Lung, who lived in Wikelipe, the place where
Gilbert had seen Ivan Snokoff. Kee Lung was well known to Ivan Snokoff
and had been asked by the rascally Russian to keep his eyes on Gilbert
and on Ben and to report their movements. He had watched Gilbert's
meeting with Ben and Larry and heard something of what was said and had
thus managed to make out that two of the party were brothers.

As the powder train approached Wikelipe, Kee Lung went ahead to find
Ivan Snokoff. This was not difficult, as he knew exactly where the
latter was hiding. A conference lasting an hour ensued.

"Do as you have promised and you shall have fifty _yen_," said Ivan
Snokoff.

"You will not fail to pay?" queried Kee Lung.

"By the heads of my ancestors I promise it," was the rascally Russian's
answer.

"'Tis enough. I shall do as I have promised," returned the Chinaman. And
he bowed himself from Ivan Snokoff's presence. Left to himself, the
rascally Russian rubbed his hands gleefully.

"Ha, I trust he is successful!" he muttered to himself. "Once Pennington
and Russell are in the power of us Russians I shall show them what it
means to insult and degrade a Snokoff!"

CHAPTER XXIII

THE ATTACK IN THE DARK

Two days later Gilbert and Ben were seated in their tent talking about
the meeting with Larry when one of the guards came in and saluted.

"A messenger to see Captain Russell and Captain Pennington," said the
guard.

"Show him in," returned Ben, briefly, thinking it was a simple message
about camp duties. He was rather surprised when a Chinaman entered,
bowing low as he did so.

"Dis Clabtain Lussell?" asked the newcomer.

"That is my name."

"Dis Clabtain Plennington?"

"Yes," answered Gilbert.

"Sailor man send Chung Wow," went on the Chinaman. "Sailor man want see
bloth." He pointed to the two young captains. "Sailor man say he blother
you." And now he pointed at Ben alone.

"Said he was my brother?" cried the young c