Blue Jackets Part 62

"Do you mean that I oughtn't to go and see the poor fellow now he's below ill?"

"Something of the sort: you're not a doctor. Of course he ought to visit the men."

"So ought an officer when his men are in trouble."

"Yes; but not to make friends of them. It won't do, Gnat, and we've made up our minds not to stand it. That will do now. You have heard what I had to say, and I hope you will profit by it."

I burst out into a roar of laughter, for Barkins' a.s.sumption of dignity was comic.

"What do you mean by that, sir?" he cried in an offended tone.

"Second-hand captain's rowing!" I cried. "Why, I heard him say those very words to you."

"Hi! stop!" cried Smith, as Barkins turned red with annoyance. "Where are you going, sir?"

"Down below to see Ching," I replied coolly; and I descended the companion-ladder to where the man lay.

He was looking very yellow and gloomy, but as soon as he caught sight of me his face lit up.

"You come along see Ching?" he said in his high voice; and upon my nodding--"Velly glad. Doctor say stop along, velly much, not gettee up to-day."

"But you are ever so much better?"

"Yes, quite well. Not velly wet now. Captain velly closs Ching tumb'

overboard?"

"No, he hasn't said anything."

"Ching velly glad. You go tell captain something?"

"What about?" I said.

"Ching get lettee flom fliend."

"That's right," I said. "How is he?"

"Velly glad you catchee pilate."

"Oh, he is, is he?"

"Yes, velly muchee glad, and send lettee."

"Yes, you said so."

"Allee 'bout pilates."

He took a piece of paper from somewhere and handed it to me.

"You no lead lettee?"

I shook my head as I glanced at the queer Chinese characters.

"No; what does he say about the pirates?"

"Say two muchee big junk in river going to sail, catchee tea-ship, lice-ship, silkee-ship."

"Going to sail from here?" I cried.

"Yes."

"But how does he know?"

"Know evelyting. Muchee big man. Wantee catchee more pilate."

"But do you mean your friend knows of these junks sailing?"

"Yes."

"When did you get the letter?"

"Chinese coolie bling lettee in flesh-vegetable boat."

"What, this morning?"

"Yes, bling lettee."

"When are the junks going to sail?"

"No know. Keepee watchee and catchee."

I sat thinking for a few moments, and I made up my mind to go and tell the first lieutenant, but found the Chinaman looking at me smiling the while.

"You likee this?" he said, holding out a tiny thin stoppered bottle, covered with Chinese characters.

"Like it? No. What for?"

"Velly good. Headache: lub lit' dlop here. Toothache: lub lit' dlop there. Got pain anywhere, lub lit' dlop."

I took out the stopper and smelt it.

"Smell velly good; all nicee."

"Why, it smells of peppermint drops," I said carelessly.

"Yes, smell beautiful, all peppimint. Velly gleat stlong. Muchee lit'

dlop, so."

He took the bottle, drew out the stopper, and covered the neck with one finger, turned the vial upside down, and then rubbed the tiny drop of moisture upon his temples, replaced the stopper, and gave it back to me.