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128 "They are Sikhs from India, and belong to the British contingent. How strong and sturdy they look!"

"There go a lot of camels," went on Gilbert. "I suppose the East Indians use those instead of horses."

"Yes; and the Russians use them, too," answered the major. "Yonder, back of the dock, is a long string of oxen with carts. I guess anything goes here, in the way of transportation. The main thing is to get there, and as soon as possible."

The transport was heading slowly for land, and, as the ship drew closer, those on board could make out the outer forts of Taku,—those forts which had been captured at the beginning of the trouble with China. Gilbert had expected to see modern enclosures of heavy stone. He was much disappointed to behold nothing but long, low-lying banks of earth, with here and there an opening, the banks lying on either side of the sluggish Pei-Ho, which looked as muddy and uninviting as any stream he had ever seen. On all the sun blazed down with the fury of a fiery furnace.

Suddenly Gilbert felt his arm grasped by Captain Banner. "No picnic this, lieutenant," came in a low