"Won't the captain believe you, then? What can he think of you?"
"He believes me, certainly."
"Hang me if I understand you!" I exclaimed irritably. "What is the fuss about? What is to be done? Let me know the worst?"
"The fact is as I said: you will be sent ashore. You understand some Chinese?"
"But the dialects differ. Surely your clever captain knows that?"
"Yes; and there lies the point. Four men—our men—are going ashore. They are interpreters of the fleet. The men have an idea that you are mixed up with the Chinese. So the captain thinks it better to send you ashore with the interpreters, who intend to search the places and report upon the country."
"Really, your captain is very kind, but I can't travel in China as a Japanese, or perhaps as an Englishman in your service."
"No," replied my friend calmly. "You must go as a Chinese."
"A Chinese? Play the spy, you mean? Never!"
"Then you may be shot; because the impression amongst the crew, as reported, is hostile to you."