ny urgent
calls for succour which we had sent out sealed up in empty bottles. My
spirits rose a little at the thought, only to sink again at the
reflection which succeeded it. It was in the highest degree improbable,
if perchance one of our messages should fall into the hands of a Chinese
seaman, that he would be able to comprehend and act upon it.

It was a rather perplexing problem for a young fellow like myself to be
confronted with; but the decision at which I ultimately arrived was
that, while recognising the possibility of the junk's crew being
friends, it would be wise to be prepared to meet them as enemies.
Having come to this decision, I went below and called the stewardesses,
who, since the wreck, had assumed charge of the domestic arrangements--
Susie, the second stewardess, proving herself to be a past mistress of
the culinary art.

I allowed the others to sleep on, for there was no reason why I should
prematurely awaken Mrs Vansittart, only perhaps to worry her needlessly
by pouring into her ears the tale of my doubts and fears; but at eight
o'clock she and her daughter came on deck, and caught me watching the
slowly moving junk, with the telescope glued to my eye. They looked,
and an exclamation of delight burst from their lips, to be instantly
followed by a demand from Mrs Vansittart why I had not at once called
her to impart the good news. Of course I had to explain at length to
them the uncertain state of mind under which I was labouring, as already
indicated.

"But you fired the flare, Mr Leigh," exclaimed Anthea, pointing to the
frame on the poop, from which a thin haze of smoke still arose. "Why
did you do that if you felt uncertain as to the character of that junk?"

"No," I said, "your brother did that, on his own responsibility; and he,
if anybody, must bear the blame. I am sorry that he did it, because if
that junk is indeed coming in response to our call for help, we may be
sure that there is somebody aboard her who is navigator enough to find
his way to the reef without the need of a special signal from us.
Whereas if it be, as I am somewhat disposed to fear--"

"There may be a fight before us--I suppose that is what you mean,"
interposed Mrs Vansittart. "Oh, well," she continued, "we have plenty
of weapons and ammunition, and are not afraid of a few Chinamen. I am
sure the dear boy did what he considered the proper thing--"

"Oh, Momma," cut in Anthea, "for goodness gracious sake