“To tell the truth, it is. But--well, we will drop that now, and hope everything comes out right in the end.” The Bartletts wished Gilbert to wait and have some refreshments; but his time was limited, and he soon took his departure. As he hurried back to camp, he fell into a brown study. “Matters don’t look as bright as they did,” he soliloquized. “Even if Mr. Bartlett gets well physically, his mind may be affected; and in that case his evidence in my favor won’t count. And, if he gets down to Taku and Nuggy Polk finds him, that rascal will probably do all he can to worry the poor man to death.” CHAPTER XXI CHARGING UPON THE NATIVE QUARTER “We are out for a fight to-day, lieutenant, and a hot one, if I know anything about it.” It was Captain Banner who spoke, on the day following Gilbert’s visit to the Bartletts. The young lieutenant had succeeded in getting a guard of one for the tea warehouse, but had been unable to learn anything concerning the boats on the Pei-Ho. Troops were coming in rapidly; and shipping arrangements were, consequently, much confused. “All right. I am ready for the biggest engagement of the campaign,” laughed Gilbert. “An’ dot vos me,” put in Carl Stummer. “I ton’t vont to got rusty on dot bicket line no more.” The whole company were hard at work cleaning up their uniforms and weapons, for the outward movement was to begin promptly at noon. Soldiers were everywhere in evidence. The Russians and Germans were encamped between the Chinese city and the river; while on the opposite side of the native quarter were the French, English, Japanese, and American, in the order named. The opening movement was made by the Russians, and some Germans, who swung to the northward to take the river forts and prevent, if possible, any Celestial troops from coming across the Pei-Ho to re-enforce those in the native city. In the mean time the Japanese commander, General Fukushina, started for the moat before the great south gate of the inner city. All the cannon in that vicinity were to clear the way for the Japanese, who were then to rush in, and blow up the gate with dynamite, so that the allied infantry might enter. The various movements were well planned, but hard to execute; for all the Allies communicated with each other only with the greatest difficulty. The Russians reached the first forts with ease; but then the fire of the other forts was turned upon them, also a fire from across the Pei-Ho, and they lost heavily. Meanwhile the British and Japanese cannon-fire was directed toward the great south gate; and the Japanese rushed forward, followed by the English troops, with the American marines on the extreme left. The Ninth United States Infantry were ordered to get in further down the road, which meant in an open space not far from the mud wall.