When Gilbert returned to camp, he found an earnest consultation going on among the officers. A guard was needed at a certain point along the river, where a pontoon bridge was to be put down; and it was finally decided that the guard should consist of a company of Americans and a company of British infantry. Captain Banner’s command was called out; and by nightfall Gilbert found himself stationed along the Pei-Ho once more, near a row of deserted huts of bamboo and mud. There was a small road running down to the stream at this point; and the Americans guarded one side of the highway, while the English detachment guarded the other.
It was felt that the utmost caution must be exercised, especially during the night; and, after going the rounds himself, Captain Banner, on turning in, requested Gilbert to keep his eye on the corporal of the guard and the pickets.
“There is a rumor out that several Chinese spies are around,” said the commander of Company A. “If it is true, we don’t want any of them slipping through our lines.”
“I’ll caution the boys myself,” said Gilbert.
It must be confessed that, though tired, the young lieutenant did not feel in the humor for sleeping. His mind was filled with what Amos Bartlett had told him, and he could not help but wonder if the tea-merchant would recover.
“If he doesn’t recover, his evidence against Ramsey Polk will be lost,” thought Gilbert, dismally. “I believe I ought to take what he has to say down in writing, get him to sign it, and then have it witnessed.” The more he thought of this, the more necessary did it seem to become; and, at last, he resolved to have the evidence put on paper at the first opportunity.
The night was dark, and it looked as if it might rain at any moment. A hot air was blowing from up the river, carrying with it a smell that was far from pleasant. The picket line stretched a distance of two hundred yards; and at one point there was a truck garden, now deserted, containing potatoes, onions, and a few vegetables peculiar to this district of China.
As Gilbert went the rounds, he came upon Carl Stummer, who was stationed where there was an inlet surrounded by a fringe of tall reeds. He found the German soldier peering intently into the reeds.
“See anything unusual?” he asked in a low voice.
