. On to Pekin, or, Old glory in China . berts eyeswere open, and addressed the prisoner in Chinese. Not understanding a word, Gilbert made no reply,at which the Boxer — for such the fellow was — gavea growl, and kicked the prostrate officer in the side. Youre a cheerful brute! gasped Gilbert, assoon as he could get back the wind of which he hadbeen deprived. I thought some of our soldierswere unnecessarily cruel; but I reckon you fellowsdeserve all you are getting, and more. The Boxer did not understand, but he guessed thatthe young lieutenant was finding fault; and he kickedGilbert again. The
. On to Pekin, or, Old glory in China . berts eyeswere open, and addressed the prisoner in Chinese. Not understanding a word, Gilbert made no reply,at which the Boxer — for such the fellow was — gavea growl, and kicked the prostrate officer in the side. Youre a cheerful brute! gasped Gilbert, assoon as he could get back the wind of which he hadbeen deprived. I thought some of our soldierswere unnecessarily cruel; but I reckon you fellowsdeserve all you are getting, and more. The Boxer did not understand, but he guessed thatthe young lieutenant was finding fault; and he kickedGilbert again. Then, with another growl, he tookdown the lantern and went out, leaving bis prisonerin darkness. If the young lieutenant had felt downheartedbefore, be was now even more discouraged. He wasalone, and it was doubtful if any but his enemieswere aware of his situation. If the boys knew of this, they would come to therescue, he reasoned. But they dont know, and itslikely they wont find out. For once I have put myhead into the lions The Boxer kicked the prostrate officer in the side. — Page 230. gilbekts narrow escape 231 Gilbert wondered how long lie had been unconscious, but had no means of finding out. Hisweapons were gone, also the money he had had inhis pocket. The latter had been taken by the priestsfollower, not by the Buddhist himself. An hour went by, and the young lieutenant realizedthat he was both hungry and thirsty. Then came anoise which was far from welcome. A number of rats had discovered his presence, andthey came out of a hole in the wall to sniff at hishands and legs. He hissed them off, and theyscampered out of sight. But soon they came back,re-enforced by others; and, when he hissed again, theymerely retreated to the side of the cell, evidentlyrealizing that he could not come after them. At lastone old rat, probably the father of the colony, ad-vanced, and proceeded to sample the flesh of one ofGilberts lower limbs. The yell the young lieutenant gave
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