'What is it, Alf? Been buying up old fish?'
'Just eggs,' came the modest answer. 'But they weren't laid yesterday. Tell you, Captain, if you look close, you can pretty near see the feathers shooting out of the shell.'
'You're sort of hard on old Peter, strikes me,' began the other, but McAuliffe choked him off at once,—
'Nothing's bad enough for the cowardly rascal. Shouldn't be surprised if we cut the tent ropes before we're through with him.' He laid the redolent hamper on the ground, that he might rub his hands in delight at the thought.
This public demonstration called forth the astonishment of a passing Chinaman, who stood and gazed blankly at the big man's evolutions.
'Here's more of your pards coming around,' said Captain Robinson. 'They'll be running you into a cool place presently, Alf, if they see you cutting these sort of didoes.'
'Dern his gall!' exclaimed McAuliffe, catching up the hamper and thrusting it against the Celestial's face. 'You git home, Johnny, and wash your clothes.'
With unusual alacrity this command was obeyed.
'Now, Captain, come on back to the hotel and have a feed with me.'
'Can't do it, Alf. Got a whole crowd of things to fix up. Come round later, if you like.'