But that did not seem likely to be for some time, and I began to think, as I sat there noticing how the men were gradually closing in upon us, that our position was not very safe, right away from the landing-place, and that we had done wrong in stopping so long where we were. I knew that the Chinese were obsequious and humble enough so long as they were face to face with a stronger power, but if they had the upper hand, cruel and merciless to any one not of their own nation, and that it was wiser to give them a wide berth. Then I began to think that the captain had been too ready to believe in our prestige in giving us leave to go, and that we should have been wiser if we had stayed on board. Finally, I had just come to the conclusion that we ought to stop Ching in his howling or singing, which grew more and more vehement as he saw that his audience was increasing, when Smith jogged my elbow. "I say," he whispered, "let's get away from here." "Why?" I said, to get to know what he thought. "Because I'm afraid those chaps with the swords mean mischief." "I say, lads," said Barkins, leaning towards us, "aren't those chaps crowding us up rather? What do they mean? Here, I'm senior, and the skipper said I was to take care of you youngsters. We'll go back to the wharf at once." "What's the good?" said Smith. "The boat won't be there to fetch us off till sundown." "Never mind, let's get away from here," said Barkins decisively; "we don't want to get in a row with the Chinese, and that's what they want." "But they're quiet enough," I said, growing nervous all the while. "Yes, they're quiet enough now," whispered Barkins; "but you look at that big fellow with the yellow belt, he keeps on making faces at us." "Let him; that will not hurt us." "I know that, little stupid," he cried, "but what follows may. Look at him now." I looked up quickly, and saw the man turn away from looking at us, and say something to his fierce-looking companions, who glanced towards us and laughed. "There," said Barkins, "I'm not going to be laughed at by those jolly old pigtailed heathens. Here, Ching, old chap, we want to go." As he spoke he gave our guide a sharp nudge, which made him turn round and stare. "Ti--ope--I--ow!" "Do you hear? We want to go!" "Ti--ope--I--ow!" howled Ching, beginning again. "Yes, we want to go," I said anxiously. "Ti--ope--I--ow!" he howled again, but as he gave forth his peculiar sounds he suddenly struck--purposely--a false, jarring note, lowered the instrument, seized one of the pegs as if in a passion, and began talking to me in a low, earnest voice, to the accompaniment of the string he tuned. "Ching see now,"--_peng_, _peng_, _peng_--"bad men with swords,"--_pang_, _peng_--"look velly closs,"--_pang_, _pong_--"wantee fightee,"--_pang_, _pang_--"you no wantee fightee,"--_pung_, _pung_. "No," I whispered anxiously; "let's go at once."