There was no answer.
“All right then,” smiled Ensign Darrin, “I shall have to talk to you by sign language. Make way, please!”
Drawing his sword, he signed to the Chinese to make way for his command to pass. Still no response.
Ensign Dan, marching his men on, came up to Dave’s side.
“Column halt!” Ensign Darrin called promptly. “Order arms. Draw bayonets. Fix bayonets!”
With a rattling of steel, accompanied by many grins, sailors and marines alike obeyed.
“Once more, I call upon you to make way!” called Dave, striding forward and endeavoring to wave the crowd aside by gestures with his sword. Still nobody moved.
“Ensign Dalzell,” rapped out the sharp order, “form two platoons extending across the street in close order. Give promptly the order to charge.”
As he gave this command Darrin stepped back, placing himself at the extreme right of the first short platoon.
“Charge bayonets!” ordered Dan.