In  neither  of  them  appears  the  degradation  of  their
calling."

"Better  we  waitee,"  interposed  Ling,  "and  see  wheree
they  hencee  go.  Me  you  folloree  when  you  sayee."

"I  will  walk  after  them,"  said  the  gentleman,
"and  do  you  keep  a  short  distance  behind.  Possibly,
there  will  be  peril  in  our  way,  and  you  will  be
needed.  On  no  account  lose  sight  of  me."

The  giant  smiled  out  of  his  small  eyes,  and  a  ripple
of  light  seemed  to  pass  over  his  yellow  skin,  as  he
answered  :

"Life  of  me  from  de  sea  you  savee  and  losee  nealee
your  own— true  me  to  you  as  to  de  ghostee  of  him
who  lifee  me  gavee— true  all  de  timee  'til  in  de  gravee
me  go  too."

While  they  spoke,  two  policeman  appeared  and  pro
duced  a  visible  alarm  in  the  girl  and  in  the  lad.  The
latter,  with  quick  skill,  by  a  dexterous  jerk,  detached
the  rope  from  its  lofty  fastening,  formed  it  into  a
coil,  grasped  it  in  his  right  hand,  and  his  guitar
in  his  left,  and  the  two  together  passed  through  the
opening  and  admiring  crowd.  They  walked  a  few
steps  along  Broadway,  turned  suddenly  down  a  narrow
street,  wound  their  way  through  the  most  obscure
places,  until  they  at  last  entered  a  tall  shabby  brick
house  above  Fulton  Market  and  fronting  Water  Street.
THE   BATTERY.  303

The  gentleman  followed  unobserved,  and  Ling  further
behind.  Now  the  former  stood  in  a  small  alley,  hid
den  by  the  gathering  shadows  of  the  evening,  and  so
situated  that  he  could  see  and  hear  what  transpired
through  the  open  door  opposite.
