Ten minutes later we were being rowed ashore, to be landed at the wharf where we met with so unpleasant an attack a short time before. But there was no mob of idlers there now, and we stepped ashore, leaving the good-natured-looking crew smiling at us, and giving the shops many a longing look, as they pushed off and began to row back at once.
“Plenty time,” said Ching. “You likee fust go lestaulant—eatee, dlinkee, spend plize-money?”
“Can’t spend what we haven’t yet got, Ching,” said Barkins. “What do you say, lads? I’m hungry again, aren’t you?”
Smith sighed.
“I’m always hungry,” he said.
“Of course you are. I believe he’s hollow all through, Gnat. How do you feel?”
“As if I haven’t had any breakfast,” I said earnestly.
Ching smiled.
“Velly much nicee bleakfast all along o’ Ching.”
He led the way in and out among the narrow streets, apparently again as much at home as in his own city; and it was hard work to keep from stopping to gaze at the hundreds of objects which attracted and set me longing to make purchases to take home for curiosities. But Ching bustled us along.