The midshipman feared that all was lost; he could see no avenue of escape; the viceroy’s attitude was certainly hostile, and how could they, a mere handful of officers armed with only their revolvers, hope to cope with the soldiers of the yamen, to say nothing of the hundreds of thousands of fanatics inside the walled city? A single wave of that treacherous hand would condemn them to a fate from which his soul revolted; he had heard of the terrible deaths meted out to foreigners by these semi-barbarians. The lad glanced anxiously at his companions; he saw in their faces that they were determined to sell their lives as dearly as possible, but the unequal struggle could have but one ending. The naval men were standing together near the table; every eye was upon the aged mandarin, sitting calmly, and to outward appearances, no more concerned than if he were witnessing a play on the yamen stage; Langdon remained beside the prisoners, and not far from the soldiers stolidly waiting orders from their high chief. The situation was impressive and one to unnerve the stoutest heart; a false move, an ill-judged word, and those hundreds of modern rifles might be turned against the defenseless officers. Phil knew that nearly two thousand sailors were under arms on board the war-ships, ready to be landed if the embassy had not returned to the jetty by eleven o’clock; it was now ten-thirty by the great clock in the council-chamber; but before the half hour had passed all would be decided and the landing force would not be necessary. The midshipman knew that Commander Hughes would not retract a single word uttered in the conference, and that he would presently give out his ultimatum to the viceroy, which would either be accepted or else more foreign blood would be laid at the door of this cruel official, Chang-Li-Hun. “Be careful, Langdon,” Commander Hughes said in a low voice, in which no emotion was evident, although Phil could see the involuntary twitching of his lips; “don’t throw a match into the magazine. Tell him quietly that we have seen through his treachery and wish safe conduct through his city back to our vessels; and insist that these prisoners accompany us.”