IX.--Chow outwits a great Mandarin, and sets out to rescue his Master 76 X.--Escape of Nicholas from Prison 81 XI.--Pursued by the Yah-yu.--The Boat Wreck 87 XII.--Nicholas again taken Prisoner 94 XIII.--Pagodas, their Antiquity and Uses 103 XIV.--A dangerous Descent 109 XV.--Nicholas discovers a Conspiracy, and makes an unpleasant Entry into Pekin 114 XVI.--The Boys again in Trouble 126 XVII.--Nicholas resolves upon a dangerous Adventure 136 XVIII.--The Imperial Gardens 145 XIX.--The Princess of the Mings, and the Lady Candida 150 XX.--Danger of the Princess.--Her Rescue by Nicholas 154 XXI.--Assembly of the great Princes of the Empire 163 XXII.--The Boy Prince and the Rival Generals 170 XXIII.--Audience with the Son of Heaven.--Nicholas accuses a great Prince of Treason 178 XXIV.--Nicholas unveils a Rebel Chief 189 XXV.--Nicholas and the Prince have an Adventure, and save the Life of Chow 197 XXVI.--Nicholas receives an important Command 210 XXVII.--The Rebels attack Pekin.--Treachery of a General, and the Fight 214 XXVIII.--Attack on the palace.--Suicide of the Emperor, the Princess wounded 221 XXIX.--The Secret Cavern.--The Princess saved by the Boys 230 XXX.--A large Stock of Ladies, two taels per sack 237 XXXI.--Chow makes a Discovery, and Nicholas a Surprise 242 XXXII.--Nicholas punishes an ungrateful Innkeeper, and escapes from his treachery 250 XXXIII.--An Overland Journey.--Attacked by Wolves, and stopped by a Serpent 259 XXXIV.--Saved by a Musk Deer.--Stories of wonderful Mountains 264 XXXV.--Treachery of the Guide.--The Princess seized by Robbers 271 XXXVI.--Once more Prisoners, but with Friends.--The Guide's Mistake 279