"But the captain can settle that. What's the use of his being captain if he can't quench this falsehood—if he wishes?"
"His wishes are not concerned, his ship is; and his orders are to land you with the explorers from the fleet. No one will harm you in our service, because you shall have a permit. When you meet the army you will be safe."
"But why not put me aboard a British vessel? There are several in these seas. That is the most sensible plan. Ask the captain that?"
"I am afraid his mind is made up on the subject. If you had not been suspected of Chinese inclinations, you might have got sent away easily. You rather favoured the Chinese, you remember?"
I then recalled some expressions I had used after my release on board the Naniwa respecting the conduct of the Japanese ships in respect of the steamer Kowshing. These remarks must have been heard and commented upon. I felt annoyed, and said—
"Then I quite believe there are Japanese spies on board. When am I to clear out?"
"When opportunity occurs," the young man replied, rather coldly. "You need not think you are under arrest meanwhile."
"Thank you," I said; "I will try to deserve the clemency."
Then he left me to my reflections, and I remained staring at the sea, and thinking of the future, until the hour and the change of the watch warned me to seek my hammock.
We had sighted nothing during the night, and in the morning the smoke of the retreating warships was all we discerned. Whether the Japanese squadron had had enough fighting I cannot say. At anyrate, the admiral did not hasten the pursuit, he returned in the direction of Talien Bay.