Taking two of Captain McCalla’s marines and his own men with him, Gilbert set off for the house of Chow Fun, followed by several private people who had been lodging at the mission. Everybody was armed, and all made the visit on foot.
At the Chinaman’s home all was dark, and the iron gate was found barred and locked.
“We’ll scale that wall,” said Gilbert, and detailed one of the marines to keep watch on the outside, along with the two citizens who happened to be armed with guns.
At that moment a dog inside of the Chinese compound, as an enclosure there is sometimes called, began to bark. Undaunted by this, however, Gilbert scrambled over the wall; and with him went Dan Casey and the others. The house lay just beyond, and it was found that the dog was tied up beside the front door. The building was of stone, and presented the appearance of a miniature fortress; for the Chinese rarely have windows on the street side of a home.
“Go around to the back, Dan,” ordered Gilbert. And, subduing the dog, he rapped loudly on the door with his sword.
For fully a minute there was no sound from within. Then came light footsteps, first to the front door and then to the back. A low murmur of voices followed.
“Open that door, I tell you,” went on Gilbert, rapping again. “If you won’t, we’ll batter it down.”
“What you Amelicans wantee?” came a voice from the top of the door; and Gilbert saw that a small wicket had been opened.
“We want to see Chow Fun.”
“Chow Fun no here. Chow Fun go to Taku.”