“Yes, sir, if they are there,” said the lieutenant.
“How long do you reckon it will take us to get abreast of the reef where that barque lay?”
“We ought to be there by noon, sir, I should say.”
“That will do. We shall seem to be making for Wanghai.”
I heard no more, but went below, and directly after breakfast reappeared in white flannels and a cricketing cap, a transformation which satisfied the first lieutenant, but displeased Barkins and Smith, who had orders to keep below in uniform.
“I hate so much favouritism,” grumbled Barkins. “Who are you, Gnat? You’re our junior; and here are we kept below, and my lord you parading about the deck, and seeing everything.”
“Why, you’re in the reserve,” I said banteringly, “and will have all the fighting to do.”
“Who wants all the fighting to do?” cried Smith. “I don’t. I suppose if we do take a lot of pirate junks, you’ll be promoted, and we shan’t get a word.”
“Stuff!” I said. “How can I get promoted?”
“But I want to know why you’re to be picked out,” cried Barkins.