“But I feel sure he is honest, sir.”
“Well, we shall soon see.”
I looked at him for an explanation, and he smiled.
“I am going to give him some money, and send him ashore to buy provisions. If he is dishonest he will not come back.”
“But he will come back,” I said confidently.
“We shall see, my lad,” he replied; and once more he was silent, after handing the tiller to me, and looking back longingly at the two junks, which were apparently making no way, for the wind was blowing dead now into the mouth of the river.
Early as it was, there were people stirring as we approached the landing-place Ching had pointed out, and he nodded with satisfaction.
“Allee light,” he said, smiling. “Get plenty blead, meat. You fillee big tub with water;” and he pointed to a large rough vessel, and another which was a great earthenware jar.
“But where are we to get the water?” I said.
“Out o’ liver. Plenty water in liver.”