Dave Darrin on the Asiatic Station

by H. Irving Hancock

  CHAPTER V--SIN FOO HAS HIS DOUBTS

  It was a gray stone wall, some twelve feet high, that surrounded thecompound of the yamen. Sentries in the uniform of Chinese soldiery werepacing the top of this formidable rampart.

  Over the walls could be seen the strange, gracefully arched red andyellow roofs of the several large and the few small buildings of theyamen.

  Under the gray walls, on the outside, crouched a few mangy-lookingbeggars. Men and women of this type always loiter outside of everyyamen, trusting to the occasional generosity of the high official whoresides within, for in China every mandarin, governor and other highofficial must always be a good deal of an alms-giver.

  Not even the sight of the heavily armed little American column stirredthese beggars beyond the most ordinary exhibition of curiosity.

  "Put the column to the right oblique, and go over to that gate,"directed Dave, pointing with his drawn sword.

  A moment later the command, "Halt!" rang out. From the ramparts abovethree Chinese soldiers gazed down stolidly.

  Striding forward to the gong that hung before the gate, Ensign Darrinstruck it loudly three times.

  A minute passed without answer. Dave sounded thrice again. Anotherminute passed.

  "Confound those fellows inside," muttered Dave to his chum. "I'veheard, before this, that the Chinese official tries to show hiscontempt for western barbarians by making them await his pleasure."

  Glancing down his line, Darrin noted a sailor who was well known forhis physical powers.

  "Henshaw!" summoned Dave crisply.

  Leaving the ranks, Seaman Henshaw stepped briskly forward, salutingrespectfully.

  "Henshaw, do you think you could play a loud tune on this gong?"

  "Aye, aye, sir."

  "How long do you think you could keep that tune going?"

  "An hour, anyway, sir."

  "Can you play that gong like a bass-drum?"

  "Like a whole drum-corps, sir," answered Seaman Henshaw, with just thesuspicion of a grin.

  "Then fall to, Henshaw."

  Picking up the fancifully carved stick, Seaman Henshaw faced thethree-foot gong.

  Bang! crash! zim! zoum! smash! It was a lusty tattoo that SeamanHenshaw beat upon that resounding metal. _The noise could have beenheard a mile away._ Dave afterwards learned that every sound wasdistinctly heard on board the gunboat.

  It Could Have Been Heard a Mile Away.]

  Bim! bam! whang! After a full minute of it Seaman Henshaw looked as ifhe were still enjoying his task. Several of the men in the waitingcolumn had grounded their rifle butts that they might hold at least onehand to an ear to shut out the din.

  On the wall overhead the Chinese sentries moved uneasily away fromclose quarters.

  Crash! zam! bing! That gong rang forth as, it is safe to say, it hadnot done before in centuries, for Henshaw was a young giant and proudof his muscle and endurance.

  Zim! zim! zam! The racket was more than ears could endure for a longstretch.

  At about the end of the third minute the double gates were thrownsuddenly open. In the open gateway stood at least a score of armedsoldiers, at their head a young Chinaman, tall, well-dressed and ofrather commanding appearance.

  Instantly Ensign Darrin pressed Henshaw's unemployed arm. With a finalcrash the pounding of the gong died out.

  "His excellency, the governor, demands to know why this din is beingmade at this gate," declared the tall young Chinaman, in a haughtyvoice, but in excellent English.

  "It is my way of announcing my call," Dave replied.

  "Who are you?"

  "Ensign Darrin, United States Navy, very much at your service, sir,"Dave replied. "And now, sir, I have the honor to request that you,also, announce your name and position here."

  "Since I serve his excellency, the governor, that is enough for you toknow," replied the Chinaman. "However, I will state that my name is SinFoo. I am under secretary to his excellency, and, as such, I have cometo bring word to you that it is his excellency's pleasure that youdepart from this neighborhood and return to your vessel."

  "I am very sorry, Mr. Sin Foo," Dave responded, "but it is impossiblefor me to make my call on a proxy. I must see his excellency inperson."

  "I am very sorry," replied the secretary, speaking in a tone of coldcontempt, "but his excellency cannot see you so early in the day.Later--"

  "Attention," called Ensign Dave, in a low voice. "Column, forwardmarch!"

  Instantly the naval line moved forward. Shocked and indignant, thesecretary spoke in Chinese to some of the soldiers. The big gate beganto move as though it would shut.

  "At the double quick! Charge!" shouted Dave Darrin, leaping forward,brandishing his sword.

  In a twinkling the first dozen seamen, headed by two officers, hadrushed into the compound.

  At one side stood two Chinese soldiers, working a cumbersome wheel,attached to a windlass and rope that moved the double gate. Henshawleaped at this pair, knocking both down.

  "I must warn you, Ensign Darrin," shouted Sin Foo, his face purple withrage, "that this conduct of yours is contrary to the usages of respectthat must be observed between the representatives of two greatcountries. Your conduct, sir, is an outrage!"

  "And the governor's conduct also is an outrage," Darrin retortedsternly, "in allowing mobs to burn the mission buildings and all buttake the lives of the American missionaries and their families."

  "All the mission Americans are safe at this yamen," retorted Sin Foo."There is no need to fear for your fellow Americans. They are safe andunder the immediate protection of his excellency, the governor."

  "That is what I have come to see about," Dave declared. "Mr. Sin Foo, Ihave no wish to be lacking in courtesy, and I shall display as much asI can, under the circumstances. But my men are now inside the compound,and here they will remain until my orders are changed by my commandingofficer."

  Though the Chinese soldiers had withdrawn to varying distances beforethe harmless bayonet rush, Sin Foo remained and faced Ensign Darrinwith every sign of indignant disapproval in his almond-shaped eyes.

  The impressed Chinese porters had been driven into the compound, wherethey dropped their burdens. Dan quietly paid them off with silvercoins. The instant they found themselves permitted to leave, thesesullen coolies fairly flew out through the still open gate.

  "Sir," began Sin Foo again, speaking with great haughtiness, "if thesesupplies are intended for the American missionaries, I will undertaketo receive them on behalf of your countrymen, but I must once more, andfor the last time, insist that you withdraw your men from thiscompound. If you do not instantly withdraw, it will provoke gravetrouble between your country and mine."

  "Mr. Sin Foo," Dave replied, speaking pleasantly, and smiling, "I wishto treat you, and all other Chinese officials with every mark ofcourtesy. I must make it plain, however, that I shall not leave thisyamen until I have been so ordered by my commanding officer. Moreover,I am under strict orders to see the American mission party at once, andI must very respectfully insist upon no more delay. I demand, sir, tosee Bishop Whitlock first of all."

  "Ensign Darrin, your language is insolent!" cried Sin Foo angrily.

  "My talk will quickly change to acts, if my requests are not at oncegranted," replied Dave, firmly.

  "'Acts'? What do you mean by that word?" demanded Sin Foo.

  "I mean that if Bishop Whitlock and his friends are not at onceproduced, I shall be under the necessity of searching the yamen forthem," Ensign Darrin rejoined.

  "Search the yamen?" gasped Sin Foo incredulously. "Would you dareprofane the sovereignty of China?"

  "I'll do it in just five minutes, if my request is not heeded,"retorted Ensign Dave drawing out his watch.

  By this time at least one hundred and fifty armed Chinese soldiers hadappeared, on the ramparts, in the compound, in the doorways and windowsof the buildings. Darrin's force was much inferior numerically. Suddentreachery on the part of the Chinese might cut the American naval f
orcein two, but Danny Grin was keeping alert watch on all Chinese in sight.

  "You are making a grave mis--" began Sin Foo loftily.

  "And you have already lost forty-five seconds of that five minutes,"Ensign Dave suggested, still standing, watch in hand. "If you use upthe time in conversation, Mr. Sin Foo, I shall not grant a grace ofeven five seconds."

  "Your insolence, sir, overwhelms me," replied the under secretary."Shudderingly, I shall take it into the presence of his excellency."

  "And impress upon his excellency, if you please, that I am not going tolose time," answered Dave, again glancing at his watch.

  Turning on his heel, Sin Foo disappeared through a near-by door of oneof the buildings.

  Several minutes slipped by. Dave glanced frequently at the hands of hiswatch.

  "The time is nearly up, Dan," he announced, at last. "You remain incommand of the marines and guard our ammunition and other stores. Atthe second of five minutes I shall form the sailormen and march throughthis yamen until I find the missionary party."

  Danny Grin nodded gravely.

  "Seamen fall in!" called Ensign Darrin, replacing his watch in hispocket. "Forward, guard left, mar--"

  "Stop!" cried a ringing voice. Out of the doorway through which he hadvanished appeared Sin Foo, running and waving his arms.

  "The governor's answer?" Dave curtly demanded, turning upon his heel.

  "I will take you to the missionary party," conceded Sin Foo.

  "Very well; step with me, then, and lead the way."

  "But you must not take an armed party with you," protested Sin Foo,looking very much aghast.

  "My men go with me," Dave replied firmly. "Sir, we cannot have any morenonsense. I am convinced that my countrymen must be prisoners, elsethey would have come out to greet me before this. Lead the way and Iwill march my men behind you."

  Looking as though he would very much like to say a good deal, Sin Fooled the way around the buildings to the left, thence to the farthestbuilding of all at the rear of the compound. Scattered around theoutside of this building were nearly a score of Chinese soldierscarrying their rifles at shoulder arms.

  "You have kept the Americans as prisoners, just as I suspected,"charged Ensign Darrin, turning accusingly upon the under secretary.

  "And you forget, Ensign Darrin," retorted Sin Foo, "that his excellencythe governor commands here."

  "We'll let it go at that," answered the young ensign, "provided yourgovernor doesn't attempt to put any crimps in the safety or liberty ofmy countrymen. Right now, be good enough to order your soldiers away sothat there may be no clash between them and my men."

  Through the windows of the one-story building Dave Darrin could seeseveral faces of men and women looking eagerly out.

  Sullenly, Sin Foo spoke to the Chinese soldiers, who, saluting,withdrew to a distance, though they did not leave the scene. Then adoor was flung open, and American citizens began to pour out.

  Darting through the foremost of the throng was one handsome youngAmerican woman, who, holding her arms outstretched, while eager tearsof gladness glistened in her eyes, cried:

  "Dave!"

  It was Belle Darrin, once Belle Meade, Dave's schoolgirl sweetheartthen, and now his wife.

  "You, Belle?" he exclaimed, almost incredulously, as he embraced her."I thought you were in Manila, awaiting word when and where to joinme."

  "I couldn't wait any longer to join you, so I came up in the laststeamer from Manila, and transferred to a river boat at the foot of theriver. Aren't you glad to see me?"

  "Glad, indeed!" Dave embraced her again. But he was on duty, and mosturgent duty at that. Even further conversation with his beloved wifemust wait until he had rightful leisure.

  Then his eye fell upon another in the little throng.

  "You here, Mr. Pembroke?" Ensign Darrin inquired.

  "Yes," confessed the Englishman. "I'm a bit of a rover, you know. Neverknow where I shall be next."

  "And Mr. Pembroke has been extremely kind in helping me on thejourney," Belle added brightly. "Mr. Pembroke told me that he had metyou in Manila."

  Though Dave bowed courteously he couldn't help feeling dislike of thissmooth-talking Pembroke. The latter was an Englishman; then, unless hewas serving his country in this part of the world, why wasn't thefellow at home, doing his bit of military service for Britain? He wasyoung enough, and able-bodied, and England was calling all her youngermen to the colors. To Darrin's mind it was a sheer confession ofdisgrace for Pembroke to admit that he was merely touring the world ata time when England was demanding service on the battle field fromevery young Briton who was not otherwise engaged in serving hiscountry.

  "When you have time, Mr. Darrin, I'll claim just a word of greeting,"said a soft voice, and a gloved hand was held out to Dave.

  "So you came through also, Miss Chapin?" Dave inquired, as he took LucyChapin's hand.

  "I'm glad to see you, but sorry you're here," rejoined Dave.

  "Why sorry to see me here?" inquired Miss Chapin. "Aren't we now underthe protection of the American Navy?"

  "Every sailorman on the 'Castoga' will die willingly in defense of thisparty," Darrin told her, "but the trouble may easily assume suchproportions that our little force will prove wholly inadequate."

  Then, glancing swiftly over the missionary party, the young navalofficer added:

  "Will some one kindly introduce me to Bishop Whitlock?"

  As Dave had expected, it was one of the three white-haired men of theparty who now pressed forward. Mrs. Darrin introduced her husband tothe bishop.

  "You reached us not a bit too early," the bishop assured Dave.

  "You were practically prisoners in the yamen, sir?" Dave asked.

  "Almost, I fear, though we refused to give up our arms. Even now sevenof our men are inside keeping guard over our weapons."

  "How many rifles do you have?" Dave asked.

  "Thirty-two," answered the bishop promptly. "The American residents ofthe city flocked to our defense."

  "From what I saw from the ship's deck," rejoined Darrin, "all I can sayis that you presented a magnificent front with only thirty-two rifles.As I have but fifty-two naval rifles with me, that makes up a totalforce of only eighty-four rifles."

  "Can't we get through to the water-front?" inquired Belle. "For you aregoing to take us to the 'Castoga,' are you not?"

  "If we can safely get there," Dave replied. "And now I must dropeverything else until I have communicated with the gunboat. Bishop, didyou lose any of your party?"

  "None of the white members," replied the missionary. "Our sixteenChinese converts at the mission insisted on taking care of themselves.Whether any of them has been killed, I do not know."

  "I must get a signalman up on the walls," Dave continued. "Bishop, willyou kindly see, sir, that your party follows my men? I am going to theother side of the compound."

  As soon as Belle Darrin caught sight of her old school friend, DannyGrin, she hurried forward to greet him.

  Out of the main building of the yamen came Sin Foo, with sullen,offended face and stately tread.

  "Sir," called Dave, "I must put a signalman up on the ramparts."

  "Since you take everything into your own hands," replied the secretarycoldly, "you do not need his excellency's permission. Yet I am chargedto say that all you do here is against the protest of his excellency,and complaint will be made to your government."

  "I am sorry, sir, to seem to show discourtesy," Ensign Dave replied,"but all that I do here is under general instructions from the highestrepresentative of my government in these waters."

  With that Dave called a signalman to him, gave him a message, anddirected six other sailors to climb, with the signalman, the insidesteps that led to the rampart.

  No sooner had the signalman, in the lead, gained the rampart, than afive-inch gun on the "Castoga" boomed out.

  "Ensign Darrin, sir," bawled down the signalman lustily, "I think youwill be glad to be up here, to see what is g
oing on."

  Dropping Belle's hand, which he had just taken, Ensign Dave darted upthe steps, uttering, on reaching the top of the stone wall, anexclamation of dismay.

  "Ensign Dalzell!" he shouted, beckoning the summons to his brotherofficer.