"Velly bad man live along-along there. Plenty plize-money; plenty tea, lice, silk; plenty evelyting. Come and see." The _Teaser_ was moored, and a couple of boats manned with well-armed crews, Ching looking on the while and cunningly shaking his head. "No wantee big piecee sword gun. Pilate all lun away and hide." "Never mind," said Mr Reardon, who was going in command of the expedition; "we may find somebody there disposed to fight." "Takee all along big empty boat; cally tea, silk, lice, plize-money?" "Better see first," said the captain; "there may not be anything worth carriage. Go with them," he said to Ching. "They may want an interpleter." "Yes, Ching interpleter. Talk velly nice Inglis." "You can come if you like in my boat, Mr Herrick," said the lieutenant; and I jumped at the opportunity, but before I reached the side I turned, and saw Barkins and Smith looking gloomily on. "Well, what are you waiting for?" said Mr Reardon. "Beg pardon, sir," I said; "I was only thinking that Mr Barkins and Mr Smith would be very glad to go ashore." "Of course they would, but I suppose you don't want to give up your place to them?" "No, sir," I said; "but I will." "Oh, very well. Here, Mr Barkins, Mr Smith; do you feel well enough to go in my boat?" "Yes, sir," they cried together eagerly. "Jump in, then." "Thank you, sir," cried Smith, and he mounted into the first boat; but Barkins hesitated a moment. "Thank you, old chap," he whispered, "but I don't like to go." "Off with you," I said, and I hurried him forward. "Shall I give you a leg up?" I added, for he limped a good deal still. "No, no; I don't want to let them see I'm lame. But I say, Gnat, you go." "Be off," I whispered. "Quick!" and I helped him in. "Here, Ching, you had better go in the second boat," said Mr Reardon sharply; and, as the Chinaman rolled out of the first boat, blinking and smiling, orders were given to lower away, and the first boat kissed the water. I was looking down at my two messmates, feeling a little disappointed, but glad that they had a chance at last, when Mr Reardon looked up. "Here, Mr Herrick," he cried. "You had better come on in the other boat, and take charge of the interpreter. Look sharp." I did look sharp, and a few minutes later I was sitting in the stern-sheets, being rowed ashore. "Plenty loom in littlee liver," said Ching, pointing to the creek. "Pilate take allee plize-money in sampan up littlee liver." "Ching thinks the boats could go up the creek, sir, and that the pirates go that way." "Try, then; go first, Mr Grey," cried the first lieutenant; and, ordering his boat's crew to lie on their oars, he waited till we had passed, and then followed. "Ching going showee way," whispered the Chinaman to me. "But how do you know there is a place up there?" I said. "Have you ever been?" Ching shook his head till his black tail quivered, and closed his eyes in a tight smile.