'I had a strong suspicion that both came into this country in the same gun-running. The venerable desperado we visited in Hankow, Mirlees, was the man from whom I purchased this boat. That was in Canton two years ago. He had in hand at the time as pretty a little armed rising as you could wish to see. Unfortunately the plot was discovered at the last moment, and my friend was obliged to leave in such haste that he could not even get to his own private launch. So he did the next best thing--sold her to me. He was much surprised to see me this morning, but even more so when I told him I had discovered the hidden gun. At first he wished to buy the launch back. I said that I could not spare it. He pressed his point. I hinted with all possible delicacy that if he were so importunate the imperial authorities might get to hear of his whereabouts. At last he made the best of it, sold me two belts of ammunition at an exorbitant price, and I took it across the stream and installed it in our bows. I think you will admit that measure of precaution was well justified by the event.' 'And may be again,' said Poyning. 'Is there any ammunition left?' 'One belt, but I do not anticipate needing it. Something seems to tell me that we have seen the last of our enemies for a season. There will at least be no survivors from this affair to report where we are. Those junks are very heavy, and they sink quickly when they are wounded below the waterline. I cut a plank out of that one. I can forgive most things, but not treachery.' 'It was a pretty cute idea,' I said, 'the junk in distress.' 'Brilliant,' he agreed, heartily. 'They must have guessed we should be upstream from Hankow before long. No doubt they had been hanging about here at anchor, and started their dummy fire as soon as they heard our engine. Without a fast boat of their own--their launch, I fancy, is still far down the river--it was about the best ruse they could have chosen for coming to grips with us on the water. With ordinary luck they must have succeeded.'