t down."

"Yes," said Smith; "and it is such a foot."

"But it's such a pity," grumbled Barkins; "for Tsin-Tsin is after all
rather a jolly place. Mr Brooke says the ball at the consul's last
night was glorious, no end of Chinese swells there, and the music and
dancing was fine."

"Don't be so jolly envious, Tanner," sneered Smith. "You couldn't have
danced if you had gone."

"Dance better than you could," cried Barkins hotly.

"No, you couldn't. Fancy asking a young lady to waltz, and then going
dot-and-go-one round the room with your game leg."

"You've a deal to talk about, Smithy; why, if you asked a lady to dance
you couldn't lift your right arm to put round her waist."

"Couldn't I?" cried Smith. "Look here."

He swung his arm round me, took three steps, and dropped on to the
locker, turning quite white with pain.

"Told you so," cried Barkins, springing up. "Waltz? I should just
think!--oh, murder!"

He sat down suddenly to hold his leg tightly with both hands, giving
Smith a dismal look.

"Oh dear!" he groaned; "what a long time it does take a wound to get
well in this plaguey country. I know that knife was poisoned."

"Nonsense!" I cried, unable to restrain my mirth. "Why, you are both
getting on famously."

"But Dishy might have let us go to the ball last night."

"Play fair," I said; "we've been out to seven entertainments."

"Well, what of that? They've been to a dozen. It's all old Dishy's way
of showing his authority. I'm sure we all work hard when we're on duty,
and run risks enough."

"Go on, you old grumbler. Aren't we to go up the river shooting on
Thursday with Mr Brooke and the doctor?"

"Yes, that's right enough; but we shall be off again soon on another
cruise, and get no more fun for long enough."

"I say, let's ask for a run ashore to-day."

"And get chivvied by the pigtails, same as we did down at that other
place."

"Oh, but perhaps they'll be more civil here," I said.

Smith burst out laughing.

"Why, didn't they pelt you, and shy mud at the skipper?"

"Oh, if you're afraid, you can stop," I said. "Tanner and I can go."

"Afraid!" cried Smith, doubling his fist and holding it within an inch
of my nose. "Say afraid again, you miserable insect, and I'll flatten
you."

"Couldn't with that hand," I said, and I caught his wrist.

"Oh, don't! Murder!" he roared. "I say, you shouldn't. It's like
touching one's arm with red-hot iron."

"Then be civ