“Commander Ignacio and two of the allied gunboats have accepted the viceroy’s word and are back at their old anchorage,” Ta-Ling’s voice urged. “That shows the viceroy’s good faith.”
“Don’t talk to me of that traitor,” Langdon exclaimed; “he isn’t white anyway; his skin is as yellow as yours.”
“Then you refuse your life?” Ta-Ling’s voice asked.
“You Chinese are a soft-brained lot,” Langdon said, ignoring the question; “your intrigue is as plain as children’s play. Men like Ignacio might be fooled. I don’t know what promises you’ve made to him. Probably offered to give his countrymen the railroad concession to Peking, which your viceroy has cheated the Americans out of by his underhand dealings; but you ought to know after four years at an American college that we are not that kind. Commander Hughes is in this river to see that Americans are left unmolested, in accordance with the treaties made between the two countries.”
“I suppose you know that when I was in your America I personally investigated nearly a score of murders of Chinese in what you call the West. Each case was as brutal and flagrant as any that has occurred in China,” Ta-Ling’s voice broke in triumphantly. “How then can you boast of the honesty of your people?—for in not a single instance were the murderers punished.”
“That’s because you Chinese are a weak race, and haven’t the back-bone to stand up for your rights,” Langdon replied, “while we are men enough to insist on fair treatment for our citizens abroad. That’s where you are lacking in national character.”
A rattle of chains and harsh cries of rage and pain followed the sally of Langdon, causing the listeners to hold themselves rigid with suppressed excitement.
“That beast!” Phil whispered. “I wish I had let him drown.”
“I’ll go to your midshipmen friends,” Ta-Ling said sullenly. “I believe they are frightened enough to be bought by the price you refuse. Remember, I’ve given you the last chance you’ll get.”
Langdon was apparently too angry to speak. The lads could hear distinctly his heavy breathing, caused by some torture administered by this cruel Chinaman.