This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
320
ON TO PEKIN

resign from the company." And this he did; and other men, who were strictly honest, came to the head of the concern.

"We owe you a great deal, Lieutenant Pennington," said Amos Bartlett one day, when Gilbert was calling at the home in Tien-Tsin. "You are a smart young man."

"And a good soldier, too," put in Mrs. Bartlett.

"Yes, and the best of it is that he is one of our American soldiers," put in Jennie. "I believe all our American soldiers are brave."

At this Gilbert felt compelled to smile. "If they are not, they ought to be," he answered. "It's an honor to fight for Uncle Sam."

"It's a pity Mr. Polk didn't become a soldier," observed Mrs. Bartlett.

"He has already told me that he is going to join the army just as soon as he is well enough," answered Gilbert.

"I am glad to hear it," came from Amos Bartlett. "It will probably be the making of him."


Here let us draw to a close this tale of adventures in China. We have been with Gilbert during an ex-