nd
blew.

"I heartily hope we shall soon be ordered away from this most
undelectable coast," observed Jack.

"So do I, in truth," answered Murray. "From what I hear, we shall soon
be sent to Japan, which seems to be in a very unsettled state with the
Mikado, Tycoon, and the Damios at loggerheads. If the latter especially
are not put down, they will get the upper hand of their two spiritual
and temporal sovereigns, and then set to work to murder each other, and
the whole country will be thrown into a state of anarchy."

"I should be glad of something to do, at all events," said Jack. "The
gun-boats have all the work nowadays, and as we have reduced the
Celestials to order there is not much prospect of our big ships being
wanted."

"Had I a reason for proceeding in any definite direction I would sail
to-morrow," observed the commodore; "but there is no object in cruising
up and down the coast, expending coals and wearing out the ship."

"I am sometimes tempted to wish that steam power had never been
introduced on board men-of-war when I think of our early days on the
_Racer_ in the Mediterranean, and the life we led on the coast of Africa
and out here," said Jack. "After all, youngsters have the best of it."

"They certainly have few cares and responsibilities, and enjoy sounder
sleep than those in command can do when at sea," observed Murray.

While they were speaking, Archie Gordon, cap in hand, entered the cabin,
and addressing the commodore said, "A Chinaman has just come on board,
sir, and as far as we can understand, desires to see you to report that
his junk has some time ago been attacked and carried off by pirates."

"I will see him at once; let him come below," answered the commodore.
"Request Mr Chin-ho, the interpreter, to come here."

"He has gone on shore, sir," replied the midshipman. In less than a
minute Gordon returned, ushering in a stout-built Chinaman, dressed, to
English eyes, in a very unnautical costume, but characteristic of that
strange people.

"What have you got to say, my friend?" asked Murray, after the visitor
had made the usual salutation and been requested to sit down, for Murray
properly made it a rule to treat all the Chinese with due courtesy.

The stranger introduced himself as Po-ho, captain of the big junk _Round
Moon_. As the curious jargon in which he made his statement would not
be understood by most readers, we must give it in ordinary English.

"The _Round Mo