"But you are ever so much better?" "Yes, quite well. Not velly wet now. Captain velly closs Ching tumb' overboard?" "No, he hasn't said anything." "Ching velly glad. You go tell captain something?" "What about?" I said. "Ching get lettee flom fliend." "That's right," I said. "How is he?" "Velly glad you catchee pilate." "Oh, he is, is he?" "Yes, velly muchee glad, and send lettee." "Yes, you said so." "Allee 'bout pilates." He took a piece of paper from somewhere and handed it to me. "You no lead lettee?" I shook my head as I glanced at the queer Chinese characters. "No; what does he say about the pirates?" "Say two muchee big junk in river going to sail, catchee tea-ship, lice-ship, silkee-ship." "Going to sail from here?" I cried. "Yes." "But how does he know?" "Know evelyting. Muchee big man. Wantee catchee more pilate." "But do you mean your friend knows of these junks sailing?" "Yes." "When did you get the letter?" "Chinese coolie bling lettee in flesh-vegetable boat." "What, this morning?" "Yes, bling lettee." "When are the junks going to sail?" "No know. Keepee watchee and catchee." I sat thinking for a few moments, and I made up my mind to go and tell the first lieutenant, but found the Chinaman looking at me smiling the while. "You likee this?" he said, holding out a tiny thin stoppered bottle, covered with Chinese characters. "Like it? No. What for?" "Velly good. Headache: lub lit' dlop here. Toothache: lub lit' dlop there. Got pain anywhere, lub lit' dlop." I took out the stopper and smelt it. "Smell velly good; all nicee." "Why, it smells of peppermint drops," I said carelessly. "Yes, smell beautiful, all peppimint. Velly gleat stlong. Muchee lit' dlop, so." He took the bottle, drew out the stopper, and covered the neck with one finger, turned the vial upside down, and then rubbed the tiny drop of moisture upon his temples, replaced the stopper, and gave it back to me. "Thank you, Ching," I said, placing it in my pocket, but without valuing the gift in the slightest degree. "I'm going now to tell the first lieutenant what you say." "Yes, tell Mr Leardon watchee watchee, killee allee pilate." "Yes," I said; and I hurried away, muttering, "Watchee watchee, killee. What stuff they do talk! Any one would think they were all big babies, who had been taught to speak English by a nurse." As I reached the deck I saw Barkins and Smith standing by the first lieutenant, and he was nodding his head. "Why, they've been telling him about me," I thought as I went aft. "No; they wouldn't be such sneaks." But all doubt was at an end directly, for they came down to meet me, and Smith cried-- "Mr Reardon wants to speak to you directly, Herrick;" while, as I looked up and caught Barkins' eye, he coloured a little, and hurriedly avoided my gaze. "Thank you, tale-bearer," I said to Smith. "Don't you be insolent, sir, unless you wish me to give you a severe thrashing."