“Yes; I can see the matting sails very clearly now,” said Stan after a good look, “but the hulls are quite hidden by the fields.”
“Yes, and will be till they reach the straight reach of the river. But I expect they are all crammed with men. How many junks can you make out?”
“Six,” said Stan.
“Yes, that is what I saw. Now let us have a quiet walk round amongst the men and see if anything is needed to better the defence.”
Stan followed his leader, whose first examination was of the two doorways through which the defenders must pass when they gave up or were driven from their fragile wall.
Everything was as it should be; the doors were wide-open, but ready for closing, and half-a-dozen short, stout pieces of plank were standing in sight, waiting for placing and securing inside the door after it was closed. Even the holes were made ready for the insertion of big screws instead of nails, and all was in charge of two Chinese carpenters, with assistants ready to hold the plank while it was being screwed tightly to the door-posts.
Both doors were in the same state of preparation, and Blunt nodded his satisfaction.
“Capital,” he cried.
“If the men are not scared away by a rush of the enemy,” said Stan thoughtfully.
“That we must chance,” said Blunt. “But I do not think we shall be troubled that way, for the men who are retiring from the wall must keep the enemy in check. I propose being at the farther door: do you feel as if you could stand your ground with some of the men to hold this door till all is safe?”