Langdon however was not so diplomatic.
“I beg to differ, Commander Ignacio,” he exclaimed hotly; “Commander Hughes’ acts have made this truce possible. Until he showed that he was in earnest by attacking and capturing Lien-Chow the viceroy would not have received us at all.” The foreigner’s expression changed suddenly, and as he saw the midshipmen unconsciously nod in approval of the pilot’s words, a scowl of bitter hatred appeared on his swarthy face.
“You Americans are an insolent race,” he cried angrily. “What do you know about such matters?” he continued violently, turning scornfully on Langdon; “you are merely a hired pilot.”
Phil’s greatest fear seemed on the point of being realized; this braggart might spoil all through his self-conceit. Until now all had gone smoothly; the viceroy had as much as shown that he was ready and willing to make terms, and now this incompetent coward had shown his ugly hand.
“Don’t answer him, Langdon,” Phil whispered, laying a restraining hand on the pilot’s arm; “nothing that he can say will affect our confidence in you.”
The anger died on Langdon’s face as he realized the logic in the lad’s words, and then the strained situation was relieved by the arrival of the interpreter.
“His Excellency, the general, was fortunately in the city,” he explained, “and was readily found; he now waits in the viceroy’s audience-chamber.”
The foreigners were presently again before the high mandarin.
Phil gazed admiringly at the stranger, whom he knew must be the Tartar general. The Manchu stood over six feet in height, his skin bronzed by exposure, in striking contrast to the almost effeminate appearance of the Chinese mandarins about him. The fierceness of his Tartar ancestors looked from his dark almond-shaped eyes; he seemed to the lad an embodiment of those of his race who had many centuries before under the great Ghenkis Khan overrun the whole of Asia, carrying their victorious banners even into Europe; here was the soldier leader whose ancestors had followed no other calling.
The conference was again opened by the viceroy’s thin voice.