"Well," Sandy continued, "there's a little shack behind us—looks like one of the squatter shacks on the Lake front—an' we can go in an' rest up. Here's where the only friend I have in China lives."
"Go on in, then," Jack replied, his teeth chattering with the cold.
"We ought to keep on," Frank advised. "This is no time to rest and get dry when Ned is in trouble!"
"That's right," from Jack. "Trot ahead, little one!"
"I've got to go in here, anyway, an' get my uniform," the boy explained.
"I'll be more protection to you boys if I have it on."
"Protection to us!" laughed Jack. "You're a joker!"
"Hurry up, then, and get it," Frank urged. "We've got to be getting along toward the telegraph office."
"Ain't you comin' in?" asked Sandy.
"No; we'll want to remain if we go in. Hurry."
"Do you think he's on the level?" asked Jack, as the boy disappeared through the low doorway.