Three-quarters of an hour after the first sound of firing was heard by Charlie and his friends, a loud, unmistakably British cheer rang through the air.
'They've entered the town,' Fred exclaimed, and cheered wildly. Every Englishman, and Ping Wang also, joined in the cheer. Then they fell into silence, listening to the distant sounds. The Boxers were yelling furiously, hoping to terrify the Englishmen who had entered the town.
'They're marching straight through the town,' one of the missionaries declared anxiously. 'Perhaps they don't know that we are here.'
'They are certain to be aware of that,' Barton answered. 'No doubt they are going to secure the other gate.'
'My cally message to Number One soldier man,' Number One suggested. 'Say Clistian missionalies big piecee hungy.'
'But the Boxers might kill you,' Barton hinted.
'Boxer man nebber killee me. My plenty clebber. Boxer man nebber catchee me.'
'All right then; you may go.'
Number One grinned with delight, and, when the bamboo ladder had been lowered over the wall, went off at a run.
Charlie, Fred, and their friends found the time pass very slowly. They could hear that the English were fighting their way steadily through the town, and every minute their anxiety to see their gallant countrymen increased. Presently a loud British cheer told them that the other gate had been captured. The firing now became less frequent, and in about ten minutes it ceased entirely.