During this conversation the strange visitor had been busy with the provisions. He now drew back and regarded his hosts through half-open eyes. The two boys approached the place where he sat.
“Me savvee you, alle same!” the Chinaman said.
As he spoke he drew one yellow finger across a wrist and an ankle, thus indicating that he remembered them as friends because they had released him. Then he arose to his feet and looked about.
“Savvee him,” he exclaimed pointing to the Bertha. “Savvee mate, alle same!”
The Chinaman pointed straight to the east as he spoke.
“Do you mean,” asked Ben, “that you saw a machine like that in that direction? How long ago was it?”
“No can do!” replied the Chinaman shaking his head vigorously.
“I believe he understands well enough,” exclaimed Carl. “I believe he knows what we’re talking about!”
The Chinaman gazed stupidly from one boy to the other and then turned away. The lads gazed after him in amazement.
“Where are you going?” asked Ben, and the Chinaman turned back.