“Dan Casey!” burst out Gilbert. “Quick, cover the priest!”
“Is it indade you?” came from Dan Casey. “Sure, an’ phwat were the haythins up to now, tell me that?”
“They were going to behead me! The priest—quick, Dan!”
Gilbert broke off short; for the Buddhist had leaped upon him, and now had him by the throat. The turn of affairs had rendered the holy man frantic; and he was foaming at the mouth, while his eyes shone like twin stars.
The lights around the idol lit up the scene well, and Dan Casey did not hesitate over what to do. Again his rifle came up; and, as it spoke out, the old Buddhist tottered back, shot through the hip. Once he got up again, but Gilbert easily leaped from his reach. Then he rolled over to the foot of the idol, and lay still.
By this time Casey was coming through the window. Making a leap, he landed on the shoulder of the nearest idol, and from there reached the floor. He was followed by two other soldiers of Gilbert’s company, and all three ran forward to their commander’s assistance.
“Oh, how thankful I am that you have come!” murmured Gilbert, when released from his bonds. “A little longer, and it would have been all up with me.”
“Sure, an’ we have been huntin’ fer ye fer the best part av six hours,” answered Dan Casey. “How in the worruld did ye git here, I don’t know.”
“I received a message, and very foolishly came alone. But how did you happen to come to the joss house?”
“I met an English marine, who said he had seen an American lieutenant go into the back dure wid one av thim haythins; an’ I put it down for you. Are any more of the Chinks around?”