“He is ruler of fifty million souls, or more.” The mate had found his voice. He was speaking a thought quickly, with a very little heat, as if eager to convince the great man of America of the standing and worth of this great man of China. “He has his own army and his own mint. He controls railroads, arsenals, mills and mines. Incidentally, he is president of this line.”
“The Chinese Navigation Company? Really! You are acquainted with him yourself?”
“No. But he is a commanding figure hereabouts. And of course, I—at present I'm an employee of the Merchants' Line.”
“Oh, yes! Yes, of course! You seem to speak Chinese.”
“Yes”—the mate's voice was dry now—“I speak Chinese.”
A shuffling sound reached their ears. Both turned. The viceroy had come out of the cabin and was advancing toward them, followed by all his mandarins. Before them he paused, and again exchanged with the mate the charming Eastern greeting. In Chinese he said—and the language that needs only a resonant, cultured voire to exhibit its really great dignity and beauty, rolled like music from his tongue: “It will give me great pleasure, sir, if you will be my guest to-morrow at twelve.”
The mate replied, with a grave smile and a bow: “It is a privilege. I am your servant.”
They bowed again, with hands to breast. And all the mandarins bowed. Then they moved away in stately silence to their quarters aft.
Kane spoke now: “How very curious! Very curious!”
Doane said nothing to this.