aptain.

The messenger nodded. "Name allee same Larry Lussell."

"Gracious me!" ejaculated Ben. "Gilbert, what can this mean? I thought
Larry sailed away on that warship."

"So did I. But she may be back in port."

"Sailor man hurt." The Chinaman pointed to his side. "Sick--he shot--say
you clome to-night."

"Sick? shot?" repeated Ben, and a cold chill went down his backbone.
"That is the worst yet. Where is he?"

"Big walk down by the sea. Chung Wow show. But must pay--Chung Wow poor
people."

"Oh, I'll pay you," answered Ben, hurriedly. "Gilbert, do you think I
can get away?"

"Sailor man say bloth clome," put in the messenger.

"Something is wrong, that is certain," came from Gilbert. He eyed the
Chinaman closely. "There is no mistake about this?"

At this Chung Wow shrugged his lean shoulders and looked blank.

"No see mistakee. See sailor mans."

"I guess he is all right," put in Ben. "Something has happened to poor
Larry. I wonder if I can get away at once?"

"Let us see the major about this."

Ben hurried off and caught Major Okopa in his own tent. As the command
was not to move until noon of the next day both readily obtained
permission to absent themselves until that time.

"But be careful," said the major. "This may be some Chinese trick."

"We'll be on our guard," answered Ben.

The Chinese messenger had come in on foot. He said he was hungry and was
given something to eat. Then the three set off, the messenger carrying a
knapsack filled with rations, and each of the young captains carrying
his sword and his pistol. They tried to learn from Chung Wow how far
they would have to travel, but the Chinaman either could not or would
not inform them.

"Perhaps it might have been as well to have taken a detachment of one
company along," suggested Gilbert. "I must say, I don't like the looks
of this." They were now a good mile away from camp, and in a location
that appeared lonely enough.

"Well, we are moving down to the seacoast," returned Ben. He was taking
careful note of the direction they were pursuing.

After that they journeyed along for a good two hours without saying
much. They stepped along briskly, for Ben wanted to learn just what had
happened to his brother. For all he knew to the contrary, Larry might be
mortally wounded.

Presently they came to a spot in the road where there were a number of
dense trees. Chung Wow began to cough loudly.

"What's the matter?" demanded Gilber