The boy suddenly jerked himself together.
"Look here, Smith, you shut up. I'm your rankin' officer and I won't have such language. I'll tell you the joke—when I know whether it is one or not."
Smith made a face at him.
"By the way, smarty," continued the boy, "have you got two Chinks for me? If you have, send 'em along. I'm off to the Dirigo on the launch."
"Yes, I got 'em at the English consul's. Say, what's up? Can't you tell a feller?"
"Mr. Smith, send those two Chinks to the gangway!" thundered the boy.
The midshipman turned and walked hastily around the turret.
"Here you, Yen, come out of there!" he called.
Two Chinamen arose from the deck where they had been sitting crosslegged, leaning against the turret, and shuffled slowly forward.
"Here are your Chinks!" growled Smith, still aggrieved.