"Not when on Her Majesty's service, Herrick," he said, with a smile, and we glided rapidly on, till the houses, which had long been growing scattered, finally disappeared, and we were following the windings of the river in company with a few small junks and sampans, which seemed bound for one of the cities higher up the great waterway. "Shoot bird now," said Ching, in answer to an inquiring look from Mr Brooke. "Yes; but do you think the junks are up here?" "Oh yes, velly quite su'e. Plenty eye in boat watchee see what Queen Victolia offlicer going to do uppee river." "What does he mean?" said Mr Brooke, who was puzzled by this last rather enigmatical speech. "Of course we have watchful eyes in our boat, but I don't see anything yet worth watching." "He means that very likely there are friends of the pirates in one of these boats, and that we had better begin shooting, so as to take off attention from our real purpose." "Yes, allee same; p'laps pilate fliend in lit' boat go and tell Queen Victolia foleign devil sailor boy come catchee." "Oh, I see," said Mr Brooke. Then, turning to me, "You do understand a little French, don't you?" "Well, sir, I used to learn some at school," I replied, feeling very doubtful about my proficiency. "I daresay you can understand my Stratford-atte-Bow French," said Mr Brooke, laughing. "I'll try, sir," I said; and he said to me directly in excellent French-- "I feel doubtful about this man. You have seen more of him than I have. Do you think he is honest, or leading us into a trap?" "Honest, sir," I said, "I feel certain." "Well, then, we will trust him fully; but if he betrays us, and I can get a last shot--well, then--" "He'll be sorry for it, sir," I said, for Mr Brooke did not finish his remark. "Exactly; get out your gun and put on your cartridge belt." I followed his example, and Ching smiled. "Velly good thing," he said. "Now pilate fliend, see jolly sailor boy, and say--Come killee duck-bird, goose-bird to make nicee dinner, not come catchee catchee pilate." "You hear what this man says, my lads?" said the young lieutenant, addressing the men. "Ay, ay, sir." "Then you understand now that we have not only come up to shoot?" "Ay, ay, sir." "Keep your rifles and cutlasses quite handy in case they are wanted. No confusion, mind, but at the word be ready." Mr Brooke's words seemed to send a thrill through the men, who pulled on now with a more vigorous stroke, while, with our guns charged, and the butts resting on our knees, we gave place to the coxswain, who took the tiller. "We'll go forward, Herrick," said my companion; and he stepped over the thwarts into the coxswain's place, and I sat by him, watching alternately for birds, junks, and creeks, up which the latter might lie. "Begin shootee soon," said Ching rather anxiously. "Why?" "Velly muchee sail boat behind think why we come."