nks they ought to ha' been
keel-hauled, that's what I thinks! Was these the chaps whose heads
you'd saw chopped off at Canton?"

"No, no, man, this here occurred at Hong Kong; couldn't you hear wot I
read, bo?"

"I s'poses it's all true, seein' how't is in print; and if so, mate, why
I s'pose you're right about there bein' pirates hereabouts arter all?"

"Yes, sure, my hearty. Why, look here, Jem, it's solemn truth I'm
tellin' you," and the boatswain looked as grave as a judge when
speaking, as if to substantiate his words--"only t'other day there was a
fine clipper tea-ship, just like ourn, that got becalmed off Hainan
island in the Gulf of Tonquin, when, in less nor half an hour arter the
wind failed, a lot o' junks sculled up to her and opened fire on the
crew with their cussed jinghals and matchlocks; and, if it hadn't a'
been fur a breeze a springin' up as let 'em make sail and get away from
the pirates, why the ship would ha' been captured and sunk after they
had taken everything they cared for out of her; and only last year--just
you hark to this, Jem Backstay--an English brigantine, bound for the
northern ports, was attacked by pirate junks not a hundred miles from
Hong Kong--jist think of the impudent rascals having the cheek to come
so near us!--and the captain and mate were murdered, the rest of the
crew escaping by taking to one of the boats!"

"Well," said Jem to this, "I hopes we won't come nigh any on 'em, if
there be any sich like as pirates about, as I've said afore. I don't
want to lose the number o' my mess yet awhile!"

"Never you fear, Jem," returned the other; "our old man's as 'cute as
they make them, out here; and if there's anything to keep a sharp look-
out for, why he's all there!"

VOLUME ONE, CHAPTER TWO.

DARK SUSPICIONS.

At this moment, the conversation between the two was again interrupted
by Bill the boatswain starting up from the hawser on which he was
sitting alongside of Jem Backstay on the topgallant forecastle.
"Hallo!" he exclaimed, "I wonder what that ugly beggar of a Malay is
prowling about forward for? He's smelling about them water-casks as
came aboard yesterday--he means mischief!"

"Lordsakes, Bill," said Jem, "you've so got them pirates on the brain
that you can think of nuthin else!--Do leave the poor yaller devil
alone, I'm sure he ain't up to no harm!"

"Ain't he?" said Bill scornfully. "You jest look arter your own
bizness. Hallo, you Lascar!" he