Dusk fell. There had been time for them to go and return. Bob waited anxiously. Hour after hour passed; the moon rose, and climbed higher and higher into the sky. Where were the men? He was anxious about their fate; but he fretted also because, even if they returned in safety, it was growing too late to do anything that night. He walked up and down like a sentry, stopping at the end of his beat to listen, how often he did not count. At last, when he judged it must be nearing midnight, he heard a soft footfall, and in a moment saw a man’s form approaching. Holding his pistol ready, he waited until the man came within a few yards of him, then called softly, "Who are you?" "My Ah-Sam, allo lightee," came the answer in a whisper. Bob lowered the pistol, and the Chinaman stepped forward panting, and dropped a heavy bundle at his feet. "Where is Sing-Cheng?" "He one piecee li wailo, he hidee. Chang-Wo look-see. ’Ch’hoy! two piecee man’, he say; ’my catchum, killum’; one piecee man no makee muchee bobbely; he come this-side allo lightee; Chang-Wo no can look-see he." "I see, you come one at a time; Sing-Cheng will give you time to get here, then come himself. A good idea of yours, Ah-Sam. Now tell me how you got on." They had reached the village at early morning, said Ah-Sam, and made their purchases with no difficulty. On leaving the place they had thought it advisable to make a slight circuit, and had unluckily, after an hour’s march, come plump upon two of Chang-Wo’s men on horseback. One of the men had instantly recognized Sing-Cheng, and attempted to lay hands on him, while the other made at Ah-Sam with his spear. "And how did you get away?" asked Bob. "Killum, one, two," replied Ah-Sam simply. "The horses?" "He lun wailo chop-chop; my no can catchee." "Towards the fort?" "No, massa; lun far far wailo that-side." He pointed in the opposite direction. Bob gave a sigh of relief. "Did you see any more of the brigands as you came?" he asked. "Look-see one, two, t’lee; he makee my hidee; my come this-side velly slow, galaw!" In a few minutes the chief arrived, bearing his share of the burden. Both he and Ah-Sam were exhausted; in any case it was too late to attempt anything that night; and Bob told the men to eat and rest, for there would be work for them on the morrow.