On rising, the Buddhist priest motioned to his helper to take up the axe; and he himself came forward to feel if the edge of the implement was sharp enough for the work at hand. Satisfied on this point, the holy man caught Gilbert around the body, and raised him to his feet. The young lieutenant now felt that he must either do or die, and he resolved to put up the best fight possible. “I’d rather die fighting than be beheaded,” he muttered; and, exerting all his strength, he hit the old Buddhist in the stomach with his elbow, and knocked the priest flat. At once the follower, who had the axe, leaped forward; and for the moment it looked as if Gilbert would be slain where he stood. But, as the blade descended, the young Southerner sprang to one side, and the axe struck the stone flooring. At the same moment came a call from outside. “Help! help!” cried Gilbert, at the top of his voice. “I am in the joss house! Help!” “Sto--stop him!” gasped the old priest, as he sat up, out of wind. “Stop him!” And he continued to call out in Chinese. But now came a crash on one of the windows of the joss house, followed by a rapid succession of blows; and two of the boards were sent flying over one of the idols. Then a soldier appeared in the opening. A gun was levelled, and a report followed. The man with the axe dropped the weapon, and sank down, fatally shot through the chest. “Dan Casey!” burst out Gilbert. “Quick, cover the priest!” “Is it indade you?” came from Dan Casey. “Sure, an’ phwat were the haythins up to now, tell me that?” “They were going to behead me! The priest--quick, Dan!” Gilbert broke off short; for the Buddhist had leaped upon him, and now had him by the throat. The turn of affairs had rendered the holy man frantic; and he was foaming at the mouth, while his eyes shone like twin stars. The lights around the idol lit up the scene well, and Dan Casey did not hesitate over what to do. Again his rifle came up; and, as it spoke out, the old Buddhist tottered back, shot through the hip. Once he got up again, but Gilbert easily leaped from his reach. Then he rolled over to the foot of the idol, and lay still. By this time Casey was coming through the window. Making a leap, he landed on the shoulder of the nearest idol, and from there reached the floor. He was followed by two other soldiers of Gilbert’s company, and all three ran forward to their commander’s assistance. “Oh, how thankful I am that you have come!” murmured Gilbert, when released from his bonds. “A little longer, and it would have been all up with me.” “Sure, an’ we have been huntin’ fer ye fer the best part av six hours,” answered Dan Casey. “How in the worruld did ye git here, I don’t know.” “I received a message, and very foolishly came alone. But how did you happen to come to the joss house?”