From the Chinaman Gilbert learned that Jiru Siko had gone off to make arrangements for leaving Port Arthur, and would not be back much before nightfall. There was nothing to do but to wait, and the young American made himself as comfortable as possible in the meantime.
It was after six o’clock when the Japanese returned, and at once he and his companions held a long conference. Then he came to Gilbert.
“Go now,” said he. “You got pistol?”
“Yes,” was the answer, and the ex-lieutenant produced the weapon, loaded and ready for use. It had been his companion during the campaign in China, and he knew he could depend upon it.
“No shoot quick,” went on Jiru Siko. “Shoot only when can’t help.”
“I understand, and I don’t want to shoot anybody if it can be avoided,” returned Gilbert.
The snow was coming down thickly, and the wind was blowing strongly when Gilbert and eight others of the party left the furniture shop. At the same time another party of seven left the quarters under the storehouse, but they went off in another direction.
The course was through a dirty, narrow street of the Chinese quarter, and then to a row of stables, where stood a number of carts piled high with boxes and intrenching tools.
“Hide in the carts,” explained Jiru Siko. “Carts go out of city to-night, sure. Be careful, no noise.”
He went with the young American, and in a few minutes both were secreted in one of the carts, between two packing cases loaded with ammunition. On top of them were a number of shovels and picks and over the whole a rough tarpaulin, to keep off the snow.