For the first time in twenty-four hours Burroughs felt at ease; Errington was with him, Meichow was already far behind, and there was little more to fear from the enemy. Su Fing’s launch was an old steamer, incapable of effective pursuit. The only vessel of any speed at Meichow was Reinhardt’s motor launch, though even in the water that could not vie with the flying boat. No doubt by this time the door of Errington’s room in the yamen had been opened, and Reinhardt might have convinced the sentinel that a trick had been played upon their captain, and that he, not the insolent stranger, was the true German. But it was unlikely that he would be wholly liberated until the chief’s arrival, and then it would be too late even to attempt pursuit. But all depended on the possibility of keeping the machine in good running order, and Burroughs soon began to be anxious on this score. When flying, it consumed a great deal more petrol than when used as a hydroplane, and the trial trips and the false start had deplenished his supply. "I doubt whether we’ve got enough to carry us to Sui-Fu," he said to Errington at his side. "Chia-ling Fu is still in the hands of the rebels?" "It was yesterday. We shan’t be safe until we reach Sui-Fu." "You had better drop, then, and run in the water. We’ve come too far already for them to overtake us." This seemed good advice, and Burroughs shut off the tractor and let the vessel drop gently into the water. Assisted by the current, and with the engine at little more than half speed, it skimmed along at the rate of at least twenty-five knots. "I think I had better go and have a word with Chung Pi," said Burroughs to Errington. "He’s in a terrible stew by the look of him." "He’s done for with Su Fing, beyond doubt. Go and smooth him down as well as you can, old man." Burroughs left Errington to navigate the boat, and sat down at Chung Pi’s feet, calling Chin Tai to interpret. "Have the evil spirits taken possession of the thing?" asked the unhappy captain. "But no; I see that you are not perturbed in mind, honourable stranger. What is the meaning of this? Did you not see the chief’s launch? Why do you not give him the boat, and the thousand dollars that your august mandarins sent to support him?" "I owe you a humble apology, noble captain," replied Burroughs. "I will confess all to you, and when you have heard me, I hope you will pardon me. The prisoner there is my friend." "But you are a German!" Chung Pi interrupted.