Mr Brooke gave an impatient stamp on the frail bamboo half-deck, but said no more for a few moments.
“We must wait if we are too soon, for it would be madness to go without food and water.”
He was silent for a time, during which the men watched the distant junks, and as they stood out more and more boldly in the morning light, we compared notes, and made comments upon them, all growing more and more satisfied that these were the two of which we were in search.
“Yes, they must be,” said Mr Brooke at last, after listening for some time to the men’s conversation. “The very fact of their sailing in company is suggestive. Seems odd, though, doesn’t it, Herrick?” he half whispered.
“What? their getting by us, sir, in the dark?”
“No; I mean, after making up my mind that this fellow Ching was a traitor, and that I would have no more to do with him, to find myself forced at every turn to rest upon him for help. Lesson for you, lad.”
“In what way, sir?”
“Not to have too much faith in yourself. I am beginning to hope that I have been deceived about him, but we shall soon have proof.”
“I feel sure you are misjudging him, sir,” I said eagerly.
“Yes, with a boy’s readiness to trust.”