Still, he was not satisfied that the old fellow was telling the exact truth regarding his sentiments.  It was the revolutionists he had to battle with, and not the federalists.  This retired laundryman might know that!

“Anyway,” the boy thought, “the fellow seems desirous of keeping me here as long as possible.  This, of course, may be because of a desire for the companionship of one of the race he has lived with so long, but I do not think so.”

Pretending to be deeply interested in what the Chinaman was saying, he excused himself for a moment and beckoned to Jimmie.

“Lead your motorcycle noiselessly up that rise of ground,” he directed, “and when you get there keep your eyes wide open.”

“What for?” demanded the boy.

“For whatever comes in sight,” replied Ned.  “Keep the line of vision from this house to whatever may be beyond unimpaired if it is possible to do so.  If you observe anything unusual, report to me.”

“All righto!” cried the boy.

Ned saw Jimmie making a noiseless progress up the little hill and turned back to the man at the gate.  Instantly the latter offered refreshments, for the entire party, and seemed disappointed when the offer was declined.

“You’re going to Peking on business?” the Chinaman finally asked.

“Yes,” was the short answer.

“Why do you ride in the night?”

“Because we must get there in the morning.”

“But there is another day.”

“Always there is another day in the Far East,” Ned smiled, “but we of the West count only on what we can do before that other day arrives.”

The two talked on for half an hour, while the marines muttered complaints and Frank and Jack rolled themselves in blankets and tried to pay a visit to Dreamland.  The previous night had been a hard one, and they felt the need of more rest than they had been able to get during the afternoon.

After a time Ned became anxious.  He had sent Jimmie on ahead with the notion that something was going to happen there within a short time.  But all was still about the house and the small fields which surrounded it.  Jimmie did not return.

“I wonder if the little scamp is in trouble again?” thought Ned.

This seemed to be the natural solution of the puzzle of his long absence, and Ned was about to send Frank on after him when the little fellow came up to him.

“The Captain wants you to get a move on,” the boy said.

Ned saw that Jimmie had something to say to him which was not for the ears of the Chinaman, and walked away, followed by the urgent voice of the former laundryman, who besought him to return and partake of refreshments.

“In honor of old New York!” he added.

“Gee!” Jimmie muttered, as the boys stood alone together.  “I was thinkin’ I’d struck the fourth of July.”

“Where?”

“Up on the hill.”