He was aroused by a harsh voice, and looking up, saw, just before him, the immense form of a giant Chinaman.
"What are you doing here, countryman," said the giant, opening his huge mouth, and glaring with his ugly eyes upon the startled boy.
"I am thinking of home," replied Ching Chong, sadly, "and fearing I shall never see that dearest spot again."
"Thank God, the bodies of all true Chinamen are carried back to repose in death in the bosom of their mother-land."
"Do you mean to insult me, minion," cried the giant, while his face grew livid with rage, and he would have killed Ching Chong with one blow of his heavy club, but the boy sprang lightly out of his way.
"Foiled again," he muttered, between his teeth. "Come here, boy," he added, "I will not hurt you, silly fool."
"I was only joking, just to see you jump out of the way;" and he gave a loud laugh that made the mountains echo.
The rod in his bosom urging him on, Ching Chong drew cautiously near the giant.
"Sit down, and tell me of your wanderings," said the monster, with a rough voice, into which he tried to throw the semblance of kindness.