us work, too, for the narrow sea
was foul with reefs; but our information had been that it was in the
neighbourhood of the many islands off Formosa that the piratical junks
had their nest, and the risk had to be run for the sake of the possible
capture to be made.

"Ching says he wants to get back to the fancee shop," sad Smith one
morning. "So do I, for I'm sick of this dreary work. Why, I'd rather
have another of our days ashore."

"Not you," I said. "But I say, look here, I haven't spoke about it
before, but Ching says--hi, Tanner, come here!"

"That he doesn't," cried Smith.

"Hallo! what is it?" said Barkins, whom I had hailed, and he came over
from the port side of the deck.

"I was going to tell Blacksmith what Ching says. You may as well hear
too."

"Don't want to. I know."

"What! has he been saying to you--"

"No, not again."

"What did he say?"

"Ti-ope-I-ow!" cried Barkins, imitating the Chinaman's high falsetto,
and then striking imaginary strings of a guitar-like instrument.
"_Peng_--_peng-peng_."

"I say, don't fool," I cried angrily.

"Gnat!" said Barkins sharply, "you're a miserably-impudent little scrub
of a skeeter, and presume upon your size to say insolent things to your
elders."

"No, I don't," I said shortly.

"Yes, you do, sir. You called me a fool just now."

"I didn't."

"If you contradict me, I'll punch your miserable little head, sir. No,
I won't, I'll make Blacksmith do it; his fists are a size smaller than
mine."

"Be quiet, Tanner!" cried Smith; "he knows something. Now, then, Gnat:
what does Ching say?"

"That we shall never catch the pirates, because they won't come out when
the gunboat is here."

"Well, there's something in that. Tell Mr Reardon."

"Is it worth while? He says we ought to arm a couple of junks, and wait
for the pirates to come out and attack us."

"Ching's Christian name ought to be Solomon," said Smith.

"Thanky wisdom teeth," said Barkins sarcastically. "I say, Gnat, he's
quite right. They'd be fools if they did come out to be sunk. I
daresay they're watching us all the time somewhere or other from one of
the little fishing-boats we see put out."

"Well, young gentlemen," said a sharp voice behind us; "this is contrary
to dishipline. You can find something better to do than gossiping."

"Beg pardon, sir, we are not gossiping," said Barkins. "We were
discussing the point."

"Oh, indeed," said the first lieutenant sarcas