“In these unknown seas,” said Mark, “you can’t tell what proas are waiting behind the islands, nor how many Malays with creeses.”
“They’re crooked the wrong way,” said Bevis. “The most curious knives I ever saw.”
“Or junks,” went on Mark. “Are these the Chinese Seas?”
“Jingalls,” said Bevis, “they shoot big bullets, almost cannon-balls, as big as walnuts. I wish we had one in the forecastle.”
“We ought to have a cannon.”
“Of course we did.”
“As if we couldn’t manage a cannon!”
“As if!”
“Or a double-barrel gun.”
“Or anything.”