I nodded, and found that there was no need, for the captain was carefully observing the junk from where he was hidden by a pile of casks, and Mr Reardon was with him. "Here, Mr Herrick," he cried, "your eyes are young. Have a look at that junk. Take your uniform cap off, my lad, and, as soon as you have done, take off your jacket and put on a coloured suit." I had a good look through the glass at the junk, and made my report. "I think it's only a big trader, sir," I said. "Looks like the boats we saw at Amoy, and as if she were going up to Wanghai." "Yes, that's it, I think," said Captain Thwaites to Mr Reardon. Then he sharply turned to me and gave me a dry look. "Well, Mr Herrick, you see I have taken your advice, and put my ship in this disgraceful state." "Yes, sir," I said eagerly; "and I hope it will prove successful." "So do I," he said drily. "That will do, Herrick. Now, Mr Reardon, I think we will keep on just as we are, just about four knots an hour. It gives the idea of our being in trouble; and if we keep on close outside the islands, it may draw the scoundrels--that is, if they are there." "Yes, sir, if they are there," said the lieutenant. "How long do you reckon it will take us to get abreast of the reef where that barque lay?" "We ought to be there by noon, sir, I should say." "That will do. We shall seem to be making for Wanghai." I heard no more, but went below, and directly after breakfast reappeared in white flannels and a cricketing cap, a transformation which satisfied the first lieutenant, but displeased Barkins and Smith, who had orders to keep below in uniform. "I hate so much favouritism," grumbled Barkins. "Who are you, Gnat? You're our junior; and here are we kept below, and my lord you parading about the deck, and seeing everything." "Why, you're in the reserve," I said banteringly, "and will have all the fighting to do." "Who wants all the fighting to do?" cried Smith. "I don't. I suppose if we do take a lot of pirate junks, you'll be promoted, and we shan't get a word." "Stuff!" I said. "How can I get promoted?" "But I want to know why you're to be picked out," cried Barkins. "Go and ask the skipper," I said. "Now, look here both of you; if you're not civil, I won't come and report everything. If you are, I'll come down as often as I can to tell you all that is going on." "Oh then, I suppose we must be civil, Smithy," said Barkins sourly, "but we'll serve the beggar out afterwards." I went up on deck again to find that our speed had been slightly increased, but we drew no nearer to the junk, which sailed on exactly in the same course as we were taking, and that seemed strange; but beyond watching her through the telescopes, and seeing that she had only about a dozen men on board--all blue-frocked Chinamen--no further notice was taken of her.