'Win' allee same blow him San Francisco,' the man replied. 'Him no good. Wanchee too muchee chow-chow. Savvee?'
Captain Thorne laughed very heartily. 'They can't have enjoyed that old boar,' he said. 'Give them some bread, steward.'
The fellows went off smiling more serenely than ever, and the remainder of their companions soon trotted in for further supplies.
'See here, Sennit,' the old man observed, 'when on my tramp we saw several apparently cultivated patches of ground. There may be things there worth having, as the owners did not turn up. These Chinamen cause me much anxiety. I must land them in California.'
'I'll take a couple of hands and try to cross the island,' the mate replied. 'There's no time to lose.'
Three of the hands, with Readyman and Jack Clewlin, immediately volunteered for service. Each of them was supplied with a rifle and ammunition and rations sufficient for three days. Headed by the mate, all set off on the expedition, and good progress was made.
They followed the old track, and soon perceived that some easier route than that precipitous descent into the opposite valley must be found, as otherwise they would lose much valuable time in getting the crops up the rocks and into camp.
'We must separate and find another path,' the mate said. 'Should any of you discover one, fire your rifle.'
'Ay, ay, sir.'
Jack and Readyman went off together. They had some difficulty in forcing a passage through the thick undergrowth, and the quarter-master presently declared that no road in that direction would be found. 'I thought the pigs might have given us a clue, lad,' he said; 'but they have never strolled up here.'