Page:Ballinger Price--Fortune of the Indies.djvu/243

 First there was the broad, yellow reach of the Sien Kang to tack across, then the great jam of water-traffic to penetrate. By dint of much manœuvering they wormed the boat at last to a landing-place below the wall, adding their shouts to the strident yells of the other boatmen in what seemed to be the current fashion.

"You stand by the boat," Mark ordered. "I'm going ashore to find out something."

"You'll never remember the way back," Alan protested.

"Oh yes I will. I've booked three or four landmarks already. If we both go, we'll probably lose the boat, and besides, we don't want to lug the box all over town."

With which he departed, pushing his way through a crowd of beggars and loafers gathered at the waU. When he had disappeared, Alan dropped his chin upon his hand and stared gloomily toward the city. At least, he and Mark had kept together thus far in their adventures. He felt singularly alone now. He scowled at Ping-Pong, who gazed unwinkingly back at him.

It was extremely hot. The bustle and din of the water-front was penetrating—likewise