Carl, with an air of great importance, proceeded to take the cords off Ping's hands. The moment the ropes were all removed Ping leaped at Carl over the side of the cart, grabbed him savagely, and they both went down and rolled over and over in the road. The mixture of pidgin English and Dutch dialect that accompanied the scrimmage was appalling.
Quickly as they could, Matt and McGlory separated the boys and held them apart.
"I told you somet'ing," yelled Carl, "und dot iss der shinks is der vorst peoples vat I know."
"Dutchy boy no good!" piped Ping. "No lettee China boy savee face. Woosh!"
"Here, now," spoke up Matt sternly. "Tell us all about this, Ping. Did you follow the Hindoo, as I told you?"
"Allee same," answered the Chinese boy.
"Why did you leave the trail? Did you lose it?"
"My velly bad China boy," insisted Ping, with the usual wail.
"You didn't lose the trail?"