"Diss young man, he iss very lucky," he said. "Mejuffvrouw, shall I make you happy, yes? Den, dere iss a missionary at de post. Now, if you eggscuse me, I must look after dese t'ings."
He turned and walked stiffly away toward his men, who were rounding up sullen captives. But Jim Barnes looked-down into the shining eyes of the girl.
"Ellen! Remember that bungalow on the hill above Sausalito that I told you about? Do you really want it—and a husband who's a sailor and hasn't a lot o' money? Or would you sooner go back to China?"
A smile lightened in her face.
"I'm tired of China, Jim," she said.
Delightedly, Barnes caught her to him again and stooped to her lips. Then, with a happy laugh, he straightened up.
"Missionary at the post, eh? Hurray! Let's go!"
"Aye, aye, sir," she said obediently. "Go it is, sir—steady as she is!"
THE END