Page:On to Pekin.djvu/353

Rh time in Manila, along on an interesting journey to Nagasaki and Taku; and we have followed the young lieutenant's stirring adventures while the Boxers and Chinese troops were being driven first from Tien-Tsin, then from Peitsang, Ho-Si-Wu, and Tung-Chow, and lastly from Pekin and the Imperial City itself. He had had no easy time of it; and now, when Pekin was in the hands of the Allies, and the diplomats of the various nations were trying to arrange for permanent peace, he was perfectly willing to rest, and to attend to the personal affairs which had cropped up so unexpectedly.

Yet he did not forget that Captain Banner was on a sick-bed; and he went to see his superior officer often, and also the other men of Company A who had dropped out of the ranks for one reason or another. He was glad to find the captain improving, although it was doubtful if the officer would assume his position for a long time to come.

"But never mind," said the captain to Gilbert one day. "I know my company is in good hands. The boys tell me you led them splendidly."

"I only did my duty," answered the young lieutenant. "I came here to fight, not to sit still and