seventy miles by the river from Taku to Tientsin, and only twenty-seven
by the road."

"And how far to Peking by the road?" asked Jack.

"It is seventy-nine Miles from Tientsin to Peking," was the reply, "and
the roads ought to be good."

"That's more than can be said of the natives!" Jack said.

"The allied armies marched over the road to Peking in 1900," Frank
explained, "and I rather think the inhabitants of strip of country have
a wholesome respect for foreigners. With our high-power motorcycles,
ought to make Peking before daylight, if we start right after dark."

"And don't run across any cutthroats on the way," added Jimmie.

"Let's see," grinned Frank, "we were to have a flying squadron of
marines with us? What? I reckon they're flying so high that they are
out of sight!"

"Suppose we see if the horses are in good shape," Ned said, going to an
adjoining apartment.

He made his appearance again in a minute trundling a magnificent
motorcycle. It was been built expressly for army use, with a long,
powerful stroke 10 h. p. motor. It was as indestructible and as auto
machine as could well be designed. With a perfect muffler, automatic
carburetor and lubrication, it was a machine to cover miles silently and
with little danger of delay.