VIII
SINCLAIR'S OPPORTUNITY
Sinclair and McLeod were awaiting their opportunity to say good-night when one of the consul's Chinese servants hastily entered and handed his master a letter:
"One boy b'long Kai Bok-su come Keelung side, one piecee chit new sick-boy-man can catchee."
"All right, boy," replied the consul. "Dr. Sinclair, here's a letter for you from Dr. MacKay."
The doctor cut the letter open and read:
"CHINESE CAMP, LOAN-LOAN, NEAR KEELUNG,
"Aug. 5th, 1884.
"DEAR DR. SINCLAIR:
"As you are aware, a battle is raging. A number of the Chinese have been killed. Many more are wounded. The end is not yet. They have no doctors but native fakirs. They have no medicines, no instruments, no knowledge of surgery. There is dreadful suffering. Will you help? Never a better opportunity to serve humanity and win the Chinese.