hat about the junks?"

"I haven't seen a man stirring oh board either of them, and they are so
quiet that I can't quite make them out."

"Couldn't we steal off after dark, sir, and board one of them? If we
took them quite by surprise we might do it."

"I am going to try, Herrick," he said quietly, "some time after dark.
But that only means taking one, the other would escape in the alarm."

"Or attack us, sir."

"Very possibly; but we should have to chance that." He did not say any
more, but sat there scanning the far-spreading sea, dotted with the
sails of fishing-boats and small junks. But he had given me plenty to
think about, for I was growing learned now in the risks of the warfare
we were carrying on, and I could not help wondering what effect it would
have upon the men's appetites if they were told of the perilous
enterprise in which they would probably be called upon to engage that
night.

My musings were interrupted by a rustling sound behind me, and, turning
sharply, it was to encounter the smooth, smiling countenance of Ching,
who came up looking from one to the other as if asking permission to
join us.

"Well," said Mr Brooke quietly, "is dinner ready?"

Ching shook his head, and then said sharply--

"Been thinking 'bout junks, they stop there long time."

"Yes; what for? Are they waiting for men?"

"P'laps; but Ching think they know 'bout other big junk. Some fliends
tell them in the big city. Say to them, big junk load with silk, tea,
dollar. Go sail soon. You go wait for junk till she come out. Then
you go 'longside, killee evelybody, and take silk, tea, dollar; give me
lit' big bit for tellee."

"Yes, that's very likely to be the reason they are waiting."

"Soon know; see big junk come down liver, and pilates go after long way,
then go killee evelybody. Muchee better go set fire both junk
to-night."

"We shall see," said Mr Brooke quietly.

He rose and walked down to the two sentinels.

"Keep a sharp look-out, my lads, for any junks which come down the
river, as well as for any movements on board those two at anchor. I
shall send and relieve you when two men have had their dinner."

"Thankye, sir," was the reply; and we walked back, followed by Ching.

"That last seems a very likely plan, Herrick," said Mr Brooke. "The
scoundrels play into each other's hands; and I daresay, if the truth was
known, some of these merchants sell cargoes to traders, and then give
notice to t