“No, Ching pay. Velly clebby pay money. Two dollar pay men.”
He went back into the other boat, and, producing some money from up his sleeve, he settled with the men, who nodded, smiled, and, as soon as Ching had returned on board, were about to push off, when Mr Brooke stopped them.
“Tell them we shall return the boat as soon as we have done with it.”
“Yes; no go steal boat. Plenty boat in steamy-ship. Tell them capen give dollar, eh?”
“Yes, tell them that.”
“You likee other boat and men?”
“Well, I don’t know,” said Mr Brooke, hesitating, as if he thought some use might be made of such a fast-sailing craft.
“Ching askee.”
He entered into a short conversation with the boatmen, who smiled at first, then scowled, stamped, and gesticulated.
Ching nodded and turned to us.