“I say, don’t fool,” I cried angrily.
“Gnat!” said Barkins sharply, “you’re a miserably-impudent little scrub of a skeeter, and presume upon your size to say insolent things to your elders.”
“No, I don’t,” I said shortly.
“Yes, you do, sir. You called me a fool just now.”
“I didn’t.”
“If you contradict me, I’ll punch your miserable little head, sir. No, I won’t, I’ll make Blacksmith do it; his fists are a size smaller than mine.”
“Be quiet, Tanner!” cried Smith; “he knows something. Now, then, Gnat: what does Ching say?”
“That we shall never catch the pirates, because they won’t come out when the gunboat is here.”
“Well, there’s something in that. Tell Mr Reardon.”
“Is it worth while? He says we ought to arm a couple of junks, and wait for the pirates to come out and attack us.”