There were no nurses to be had in that desolate corner of the earth.
One day, a dreadful looking man appeared at the door, a person such as one never sees except on the outskirts of civilization, and I wondered what business brought him.

He wore a long, black, greasy frock coat, a tall hat, and had the face of a sneak.

He wanted the Chinaman's poll-tax, he said.
"But," I suggested, "I never heard of collecting taxes in a Government post; soldiers and officers do not pay taxes." "That may be," he replied, "but your Chinaman is not a soldier, and I am going to have his tax before I leave this house." "So, ho," I thought; "a threat!" and the soldier's blood rose in me.
I was alone; Jack was miles away up North.

Hoo Chack appeared in the hall; he had evidently heard the man's last remark.

"Now," I said, "this Chinaman is in my employ, and he shall not pay any tax, until I find out if he be exempt or not." The evil-looking man approached the Chinaman.