"My blood was up. I felt as I feel sometimes now, that I didn't care
for anything or any one or what might happen to me. I rushed at the
nearest Chinaman like a maniac--I believe he thought I was one. My
first blow knocked him silly. Then, right and left I hit out. I was in
perfect condition at that time. Down went the Chinamen one after
another, as my blows caught them on the chin--I used to be famous for
that chin-blow, I `specialised' in it, so to speak. I detest boasting.
I tell this only to you, because I think it may amuse you and explain my
windfall. In less than two minutes I had stretched five of the Chinamen
senseless with that chin-blow, and the remaining three or four, seized
with panic, fled."
"What then?" I asked.
"At once I led the man who had called for help out into the street. I
saw he was pretty badly hurt, so with the help of my friend, who had now
joined me again, I got him out of China Town, expecting to be set upon
at any moment by friends of those Chinamen, thirsting for revenge.
Though he had called `_Au secours_!' he was not French, it seemed. He
was British Portuguese, though he lived in Mexico, he told me later. We
got him to the hospital. `I must have your name--I must have your
name,' he exclaimed quite excitedly, as I was leaving, I remember. `You
have rendered me a service I shall never forget--never. You must come
and see me to-morrow.' I told him I could not do that, as I was leaving
early next morning for Raymund, on my way to the Yosemite Valley. But I
said I hoped we might meet again some day, and, as he insisted upon my
doing so, I gave him a card with my address--my London club address. It
was at the club that I found, yesterday morning, the communication from
his lawyers."
"And by Gad!" I exclaimed enthusiastically, "you deserve this `bit of
luck,' as you call it, Frank. I think you acted splendidly!"
"Oh, for Heaven's sake don't become emotional, old chap," he said
hurriedly. "If you knew how I hate gush, you wouldn't."
"It isn't gush," I answered. "What wouldn't I have given to see you
buckling up those Chinamen one after another. Splendid!"