"I don't think there's much doubt about that, sir," he said. Just then, as the last man was treated by the sergeant, the doctor came on deck with his a.s.sistants, both in white ap.r.o.ns and sleeves--well, I'm a little incorrect there--in ap.r.o.ns and sleeves that had been white.

"I've no business here," said the doctor hurriedly; "but these men cannot be left. Keep an eye on them, my men, and don't let them do me any mischief. I can't be spared just now."

The next moment he was down on his knees by the side of one of the prisoners, who, in his eyes for a few minutes, was neither enemy nor piratical Chinaman, but a patient to whom he devoted himself to the full extent of his skill, performing what was needful, and leaving his a.s.sistant to finish the bandaging while he went on to the next.

In another ten minutes he had finished, and rose from his knees.

"There, Mr Herrick," he said; "do you call that horrible? because I call it grand. If those three ill-looking scoundrels had been left another hour they would have died. Now, with their hardy const.i.tutions, they will rapidly get well, perhaps escape and begin pirating again.

Possibly, when we give them up--oh my knees! how hard that deck is!--the authorities will--"

"Chop off all head. Velly bad men--velly bad men indeed."

The doctor laughed, and hurried away while the last prisoner was carried down below.

"There," said the boatswain, when all was over, "that job's done, Mr Herrick. Nice fellows your countrymen, Ching."

"Not allee nice fellow," replied Ching seriously. "Pilate velly bad man. No use. Why captain save him up?"

"Ah, that's a question you had better ask him. But I say, Ching, those fellows came up here with cargo, didn't they?"

"Calgo?" said Ching.

"Yes; plunder out of the ships they took."

"Yes," said Ching.

"Then where is it? There was none on board the junks."

"Ching know," said the interpreter, laying his finger to the side of his nose. "You likee Ching show?"

"Yes, of course. Prize-money, and you'd share."

"Ching likee plize-money. You bling ship along, and Ching show."

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE.

IN THE CREEK.

Ching's announcement cleared up what had been somewhat of a mystery. It had appeared strange to everybody that the junks had been up this river apparently for no purpose, and more strange that they should have been light, and not laden with the plunder of the vessels they had taken.

And now, as without any need for taking soundings the _Teaser_ slowly steamed back, Ching pointed out a kind of landing-place in a little creek hidden amongst dense growth, so that it had been pa.s.sed unnoticed on our way up.

The country here on both sides of the river was wild, and no trace of a dwelling could be seen; but about half a mile from the sh.o.r.e there was a low ridge, round one end of which the creek wound, and toward this ridge Ching pointed, s.c.r.e.w.i.n.g his eyes up into narrow slits, and wrinkling up his face in all directions.

"Velly bad man live along-along there. Plenty plize-money; plenty tea, lice, silk; plenty evelyting. Come and see."

The _Teaser_ was moored, and a couple of boats manned with well-armed crews, Ching looking on the while and cunningly shaking his head.

"No wantee big piecee sword gun. Pilate all lun away and hide."

"Never mind," said Mr Reardon, who was going in command of the expedition; "we may find somebody there disposed to fight."

"Takee all along big empty boat; cally tea, silk, lice, plize-money?"

"Better see first," said the captain; "there may not be anything worth carriage. Go with them," he said to Ching. "They may want an interpleter."

"Yes, Ching interpleter. Talk velly nice Inglis."

"You can come if you like in my boat, Mr Herrick," said the lieutenant; and I jumped at the opportunity, but before I reached the side I turned, and saw Barkins and Smith looking gloomily on.

"Well, what are you waiting for?" said Mr Reardon.

"Beg pardon, sir," I said; "I was only thinking that Mr Barkins and Mr Smith would be very glad to go ash.o.r.e."

"Of course they would, but I suppose you don't want to give up your place to them?"

"No, sir," I said; "but I will."

"Oh, very well. Here, Mr Barkins, Mr Smith; do you feel well enough to go in my boat?"

"Yes, sir," they cried together eagerly.

"Jump in, then."

"Thank you, sir," cried Smith, and he mounted into the first boat; but Barkins hesitated a moment.

"Thank you, old chap," he whispered, "but I don't like to go."

"Off with you," I said, and I hurried him forward. "Shall I give you a leg up?" I added, for he limped a good deal still.

"No, no; I don't want to let them see I'm lame. But I say, Gnat, you go."

"Be off," I whispered. "Quick!" and I helped him in.

"Here, Ching, you had better go in the second boat," said Mr Reardon sharply; and, as the Chinaman rolled out of the first boat, blinking and smiling, orders were given to lower away, and the first boat kissed the water.

I was looking down at my two messmates, feeling a little disappointed, but glad that they had a chance at last, when Mr Reardon looked up.

"Here, Mr Herrick," he cried. "You had better come on in the other boat, and take charge of the interpreter. Look sharp."

I did look sharp, and a few minutes later I was sitting in the stern-sheets, being rowed ash.o.r.e.

"Plenty loom in littlee liver," said Ching, pointing to the creek.

"Pilate take allee plize-money in sampan up littlee liver."

"Ching thinks the boats could go up the creek, sir, and that the pirates go that way."