'I do not want such a terrible experience as that, Readyman,' Jack replied. 'Are those typhoons frequent?'
'Well, sonny,' the old sailor returned, 'so far as my experience went they seem to come along several times a year. To be sure, all are not of the same violence. I think the worst are met during July or August; but we may not fall in with them at all. Anyhow, lad, you can never tell when they will come.'
'But the barometer would show that,' Jack said.
'Possibly; but they drive down without much warning.'
A few days later an amusing incident occurred. Early one morning the 'Alert' fell in with another barque, named the 'Speedwell,' bound for Hong Kong with rice, and presently overhauled her.
During an exchange of signals Mr. Statten noticed a large number of pigeons flying about the stranger, and as Captain Thorne had also purchased a few pairs of similar birds when at Singapore, he directed Jack Clewlin to let them out for a fly, without the least suspicion that such action would entail any unpleasant dispute between himself and his brother skipper.
The birds promptly rose on the wing in splendid manner, and on perceiving their friends to leeward went down there. The laughing stranger expressed his entire satisfaction and full determination to enjoy a first-class pigeon-pie for dinner that day.
'With pleasure,' Captain Thorne replied; 'we shall settle the account at Hong Kong.'
'Join me at one, sharp,' the other returned; 'regret not being able to supply a boat.'
'Pray don't mention it,' was the polite rejoinder; 'I expect to be in port about that time. We will tell them you're coming. I am afraid we have lost the birds, Statten,' he added.