"Rolled the piece of nut in it and put it in his mouth." "Yes," said the mate; "all the Malays do this betel-chewing." "What for?" "It is a habit like our sailors chewing tobacco. The Malays think it is good for them, and keeps off all choleraic attacks." "Does it?" asked Jack. "Ah, that I can't say. You must take the doctor's opinion." But Jack was too much interested in watching the prahu, which, in spite of only having matting sails, sped along over the calm water at a rapid rate, and he went on questioning his companion. "They seem fierce-looking fellows, and as if they could do a deal of mischief. Are they such terribly bloodthirsty people?" "Certainly not," said the mate. "I have always found the better-class Malays simple, gentlemanly, and courteous if they are properly treated; but if injured, I believe they can be treacherous and relentless." "But I remember once reading how bloodthirsty the Malay pirates are." "I don't think the English, Spanish, or French pirates were much better," said the mate, laughing. "Pirates are generally the scum of the ports they sail from; reckless, murderous ruffians. But I should say that of all pirates out in the East, the gentle, placid, mild-looking Chinaman makes the worst; for he thinks nothing of human life, his own or any one else's." "But there are no pirates now, of course," said Jack quietly. The mate turned and looked him in the eyes. "Do you want me to tell you some murderous narrative?" "Oh no; I don't care for such things. I know, of course, that there used to be plenty." "So there are now," said the mate. "They have hard work to carry on their piracies; but every now and then we have a bad case. They mostly come from the Chinese coast; but they are made up of ruffians of all kinds." Jack was silent for a few moments. "I heard Captain Bradleigh say that the men were all trained to use the small-arms," he said at last quietly. "Would they fight if we were attacked?" The mate hummed over a bit of a once popular song, beginning, "We don't want to fight, but by Jingo if we do." "That pretty well expresses the nature of English sailors, sir," he said quietly. "They don't want to fight, and never would if they were left alone. But if they do fight--well, Mr Jack, if they do they hit very hard." Jack laughed merrily, to the great satisfaction of two gentlemen across the deck, who turned their heads so as not to seem as if they noticed anything. "I dare say," continued the mate, "you remember how it was at school; you never wanted to fight, but when you had to I suppose you hit hard?" Jack was silent again, and at last said quietly-- "I never did have a fight at school."