"Then back, and brain the dogs with them as they mount the walls," said Nicholas, as the enemy was about attempting another escalade; adding, "Haste thee, O Chow, to the Prince Yong-Li, and pray of him to send assistance to his brother, who dares not quit his post with life;" when, as without a word Chow disappeared from the rampart, Nicholas snatched up a matchlock, and so placed himself and men beneath the breastwork that the arrows might pass over their heads, and many were the sealers who reached the uppermost round of the ladder to be dashed headlong among their comrades by the brave youth and his little band; and so they would have held out for some time, but for a shower of bullets from the matchlocks of a body of soldiers who made their appearance upon the walls, headed by the General Kin himself. "Seize the dog!" said the traitor, pointing to Nicholas. "Thou great rogue,"--before, however, Nicholas could say more he was gagged, his arms bound with cords, and taken by the soldiers to his own room, amid the shoutings of the rebels, who now seemed to be entering the city from all sides. But why had they not killed him at once? for what reason had they brought him there? He was not left long in suspense, for no sooner had Kin secured the entrance of his brother rebels into the city than he entered the room, and first examining the cords that bound the boy's arms, to see that there was no possibility of his getting free, he ordered the soldiers from the room, and said, merrily, "The young war tiger is brave, but he is no match for the fire-eater Kin." "Let the dog without a heart unbind the arms of his prisoner, and he shall discover," was the fierce reply. "What shall thy servant discover, O brave youth?" "His villain body hurled out of the window." "Knows not the youth that I can slay him as if he were a venomous rat?" "Do this, and I will thank thee for not letting me outlive such hateful treason, thou villain." "But the youth is young, brave, and should live in honor and high promotion." "He would be more honored in dying for his Emperor." "That Emperor is the chosen of Tien, the great Li-Kong, who would have the young war tiger live to serve him." "These are snake's words, the rogue Li-Kong is as false as his coward slave Kin, who fears to trust himself with an unbound youth." "Thou rat, thou pirate, I will slay thee," said the enraged general, drawing his sword. "Do this, and my vision will be for ever shut out from so much villainy," was the calm reply. "Now let the young war tiger open his ears, and if he is reasonable he shall be free," said the general, getting the better of his rage. "Then unbind his arms, thou dog." "Truly, if thou wilt promise to serve the great Emperor Li-Kong." "Even if so much treason existed in my heart, how could so mean a person serve so great a prince?" "Is he not the son of the great merchant of the south, who rules the four seas?"