“Not unless you do something to merit it,” was Darrin’s response. “I have other uses in view for you.”
Securing the services of the same missionary, Dave directed him to ask the governor if he would trust Sin Foo and “Burnt-face” to go out into the city and carry to the people his excellency’s will that no attack be made upon the Americans when they started for the river front.
The governor replied that his two secretaries were the very ones to carry his orders to his people.
“So that fellow is a secretary to the governor, also?” asked Darrin, pointing to “Burnt-face.”
“He is the governor’s secretary,” replied the missionary. “Sin Foo is the under secretary, who, that he might deal with Englishmen and Americans, was educated in England.”
“Warn the governor that if his secretaries play him false, and we are attacked, then his excellency will surely lose his life,” Dave requested.
“His excellency is satisfied that his secretaries will serve him faithfully, and keep his life secure,” the missionary declared.
The governor himself spoke to “Burnt-face” and Sin Foo, after which both bowed low.
“Now, you two may turn yourselves out into the street,” Dave announced. “We will let you pass through the gates. See to it that you circulate well, and that you impress upon the people their governor’s wishes. Otherwise, his excellency will sail sky-high on a keg of powder—you may be sure of that!”
To Ensign Dave’s intense amazement, both “Burnt-face” and Sin Foo bowed very low before him. Next, they threw themselves upon their knees before the governor, who addressed them briefly, but earnestly.