"But the beggars are coming, I'm sure, sir." "Very well," I said gloomily, "let them come. It's all very well for a full-moon-faced Chinaman to go off and take care of himself, but it isn't English, Tom Jecks, and that you know." The poor fellow hoisted himself a little round, so that he could hide his face on his uninjured arm, and as I saw his shoulders heave I felt weaker than ever; but I mastered it this time, and knelt there with a whole flood of recollections of home, school, and my ambitions running through my brain. I thought of my training, of my delight at the news of my being appointed to the _Teaser_, of my excitement over my uniform; and that now it was all over, and that in all probability only the sea-birds would know of what became of me after the Chinamen had done. Then I thought of Ching's cowardice in leaving me alone with the poor wounded fellow like this. "I knew he wasn't a fighting man," I said sadly; "but I couldn't have believed that he was such a cur." At that moment there was a quick scrambling sound, which made me start to my feet, and Tom Jecks started up on his elbow. "Here they come, sir," he gasped. "Now, sir," he whispered wildly, "do, pray, cut and run." "With you," I said resolutely. He made an effort to rise, but fell back with a groan. "Can't do it, sir. Without me. Run!" I put my hands in my pockets without a word, and then started, for a voice said-- "You think Ching lun away allee time?" "Ching!" I cried, grasping his arm. "Yes; no good. Can't findee big hole to hide. Ching tumblee down off rock, and hurt him." "Much?" I said. "Yes, plentee plentee. Time to go now. Pilate all come along this way." He passed his hand involuntarily straight round his neck edgewise, as if thinking about how a knife or sword would soon be applied. "You saw them?" I cried. "Yes," he said sadly. "Allee come along. You lun away now with Ching?" "I can't leave Tom Jecks," I said. "Off with you, and try and save yourself. Never mind us." Ching looked at the injured sailor. "You no get up, lun?" he said. "Can't do it, mate," groaned the poor fellow. "I want Mr Herrick to make a dash for his life." "Yes, velly good. You makee dashee you life, Mr Hellick." "No, I stay here. Run for it, Ching; and if you escape and see the captain or Mr Reardon again, tell him we all did our duty, and how Mr Brooke was drowned." "Yes, Ching tellee Mr Leardon evelyting." "Then lose no time; go." "No; Ching velly tire, velly hot; wantee bleakfast, flesh tea, nicee new blead. Too hot to lun." "But I want you to save yourself," I said excitedly. "Yes; allee save evelybody, alleegether. Ching won't go leave Mr Hellick." "Ching!" I cried. "Hush! No makee low. Lie down likee lit' pigee in sand. Pilate come along."