Page:On to Pekin.djvu/264

236 He was followed by two other soldiers of Gilbert's company, and all three ran forward to their commander's assistance.

"Oh, how thankful I am that you have come!" murmured Gilbert, when released from his bonds. "A little longer, and it would have been all up with me."

"Sure, an' we have been huntin' fer ye fer the best part av six hours," answered Dan Casey. "How in the worruld did ye git here, I don't know."

"I received a message, and very foolishly came alone. But how did you happen to come to the joss house?"

"I met an English marine, who said he had seen an American lieutenant go into the back dure wid one av thim haythins; an' I put it down for you. Are any more of the Chinks around?"

"No. There were three, but I put one of them out of the fight some time ago. How long is it since I left our headquarters? I have lost track of time."

"Ye left at noon yesterday. It's now tin o'clock in the marnin'."

"Then I was overcome all night by a tumble I took through a trap-door. Casey, I owe you a good