Page:On to Pekin.djvu/86

66 The taking of the Taku forts aroused the Chinese as never before; and a retreat was ordered to the Chinese quarter of Tien-Tsin, and from this territory began an active bombardment of the foreign quarter of the city. The fighting was now on in earnest, and where it would end no man or nation could tell.

From Nagasaki the transport was to proceed to Taku, but further than that no one on board knew; for the future movements of the troops would depend entirely upon circumstances.

"We are out for some hot fighting, I am certain of that," said Major Morris to Gilbert, as the pair sat on the deck late on the afternoon of the second day out from Manila. It was cloudy, and there was a breeze blowing, which made it quite comfortable, considering they were in the tropics.

"I believe you, major; and I've been wondering if it wouldn't be a good plan to put the boys through some drilling. They have been going it rather as they pleased up at Tarlac."

"The colonel says he will begin drilling to-morrow. He wishes the boys to get their sea legs first."

"I've been wondering how the Chinese are armed.