“Ho hang wong hork ang ang ha?”
“Ning toe ing nipy wong ony ing!” cried Ching.
“Oh ony ha, how how che oh gu,” came from the junk again, and then we were right on ahead.
“Well,” whispered Mr Brooke, “what does he say? Is it one of the pirate vessels?”
“No pilate. Big boat come down hong, sir. Capin fellow want to know if we pilate come chop off head, and say he velly glad we all good man.”
“Are you quite sure?” said Mr Brooke.
I heard Ching give a little laugh.
“If pilate,” he said, “all be full bad men. Lightee lantern; thlow stink-pot; make noise.”
“Yes,” said Mr Brooke; “this cannot be one of them. Here, hail the man again, and ask him where he is going.”
“How pang pong won toe me?” cried Ching, and for answer there came two or three grunts.