But for a time Hang Gow could only babble in his own tongue, and no one could understand him. Tinny knew a few words of Chinese, but not enough for any practical purpose.
However, the dazed feeling caused by the blow gradually wore off, and after the cook had been given some hot coffee he sat up. Seeing the friendly faces about him he began to talk in a queer mixture of English and Chinese.
This was almost as unintelligible as his own language, and it was not until Tinny had taken a hand, speaking firmly to the cook, that he blurted out something that gave them a real idea of what had taken place.
“Them take Mista Bill,” announced Hang Gow. “Them take him off in wagon—thlee bad mans! Them come in Hang Gow’s klitchen—me think wantee some glub. I say ‘no can do!’ Them say bad talk—hit Hang Gow. Me fight ’um, but too much. Them take Bill ’way!”
“You mean to say three men came here, knocked you on the head, and ran away with Bill in a wagon?” asked Tinny. “Chop-chop now, Hang Gow! Number one talk, you know—savvy?”
“Me savvy all lite! Them take Bill. Bill much fight, but ’um take him ’way!”
There was silence for a moment. Then Jerry exclaimed:
“It’s that Noddy Nixon crowd, I’m sure!”
“Looks so,” admitted Ned.
“Do you mean to say that rascal and his cronies are as desperate as all this?” asked Tinny.