, as they were evidently now at the highest
pitch of excitement.

Not many yards behind now, and gradually lessening the distance. All
was ready on board, and I saw Mr Brooke looking stern, and the men as
they grasped their oars grinning at one another, and then looking aft at
the enemy.

And as we raced, the water foaming behind, the bamboo mast creaking and
bending, the mat-sail cracking and making curious noises as the wind
hissed through the thick stuff, the trough we ploughed through the water
seemed deeper, and my temples throbbed and my heart beat, while from
time to time the water lipped over the bows, but not enough to warrant
any change of course. And nearer and nearer the enemy came, their boat
literally skimming over the water, six feet to our five, and I felt that
the time had arrived.

One more quick glance over my shoulder at the eager faces of the
Chinamen as they uttered a loud shout, another at the men ready for
action; another over my left shoulder to see that the enemy was close
upon us, and then I uttered a strange cry, and, bearing hard upon the
tiller, threw the boat right up into the wind, the sail easing as we
formed a curve in the water, our speed checked, and then we lay nose to
wind, with the boat seeming to quiver and pant after her heavy run.

"Are you mad?" roared Mr Brooke, rushing at me, thrusting me aside so
that I went down upon my back, and he was about to seize the tiller,
when I shouted out, half-choking with laughter, panting too with
triumphant delight--

"Don't, don't, don't! Can't you see--it is Ching!"

CHAPTER THIRTY SIX.

REST AND REFRESHMENT.

Ching it was, and the men sent up a cheer as out pursuers grappled the
side of our boat, held on, and our messenger came on board smiling.

"Velly muchee big job you catchee," he said. "Why, what fo' you lun
along so fast?"

"Why, Ching," cried Mr Brooke, "what does this mean?"

"No get away. Muchee velly bad man. No get to boat. Allee fightee.
Get 'nother boat, and come along."

"You couldn't get on board us again?"

"No; too many velly bad men. Plenty blead; plenty fish; plenty meat.
Velly nice. All in boat. Velly long time catchee."

Our men laid down the oars with a great deal of care and precision, as
if it was important that they should not be a quarter of an inch wrong,
and our coxswain doubled himself up to indulge in a good long
comfortable chuckle, while I could not help whispering to the young