Muttering rapidly to himself, he sank into a place beside the captain.
"What's that you say?" demanded Captain Sheldon "What are you trying to hatch up now?"
Wang made a vague beckoning gesture in the captain's face. Behind all that floated wildly through his mind, stood the fixed thought that he must not shame "Young Cappen" by openly imparting information.
"Are you sick or crazy?" demanded Captain Sheldon again, bending above the maundering old man.
"Cappen, junk he no good!" whispered Wang feverishly "No can do, Cappen! Must go 'way, chop-chop. Night come soon. Maybe no see"
Captain Sheldon gave a loud laugh. He spoke for all to hear.
"What damned nonsense have you got into your head now?"
"No, sir, Cappen. Look-see!" Wang grasped the other's arm with frantic strength, pulling him down "You no savvy him, Cappen. Killee quick, no good! You no wanchee him. Go Hong Kong side, chop-chop. Night come, maybe can do. Cappen, I savvy plenty what for!"
"Oh, shut up, you raving old idiot!" cried Captain Sheldon, roughly.
At this inopportune moment the mate, ranging alongside in his boat, offered a suggestion. They were closing in with the junk now; a row of yellow faces peered over the side toward them, watching with narrow bright eyes every movement of the approaching boats.