Tom and Billy were not sorry to turn in, while
a Chinese waiter undertook to get their jackets and trousers cleaned and
polished up by the next morning.

Tom had been sleeping for several hours, when Gerald, followed by Roy,
who had a different room, rushed in, exclaiming, "Rouse up, old fellows;
something serious is going on. There's been tremendously heavy firing
for the last ten minutes in the direction of the Chinese town, and there
can be no doubt but that the Tae-pings are attacking the place. We are
starting off to see the fun."

"Fun, do you call it!" said Archie, who had been awakened by Gerald's
first exclamation. "It will be no fun if the rebels take Shanghai, and
there is but a small garrison for its defence. As likely as not the
Chinese will run away, or more probably fraternise with the Tae-pings."

"The marines and that Indian regiment are sufficient to drive back the
enemy, and we shall have our own blue-jackets on shore, depend upon it,
when Captain Rogers hears what is going forward," said Roy.

"Come, Tom, are you going with us? I suppose nothing will induce Billy
to turn out, if he can help it."

"But my clothes, my clothes! that Chinese waiter Fau-ti has got them. I
have nothing to put on."

"I will unearth him, and make him bring them to you," said Desmond; "and
Billy's also, for he won't like to be left behind."

While Desmond went off to find the waiter, Billy, who was sitting up in
bed, rubbing his eyes, asked what the row was about. On being told, he
answered--

"Let them fight it out by themselves; I don't see why we should
interfere," and lying down, he was about again to compose himself to
sleep, when Roy and Archie, seizing the clothes, effectually roused him
up. The firing was now heard closer than before, apparently extending
over a considerable space. Billy, as much as he was disinclined to
leave his bed, did not like to be left behind, and forgetting that his
clothes had been taken away, began hunting for them.

"If you cannot find them, you must come as you are. Wrap yourself up in
a sheet; you will help to scare the enemy, at all events," said Roy.

Desmond at last returned, followed by the waiter bringing the
midshipmen's uniforms. Although they were not long dressing, some time
had been spent, but it was not yet daylight. There was a general
commotion going forward in the house, the other inmates calling to each
other, and inquiring what was happening.

Wh