"I've a good mind to log you a week's pay for disobeying orders," he said.
The threat did not seem to impress the engineer, who suddenly leant over the side of his bunk and stared fixedly at the floor.
"I'll hae to get a rat-trap," he murmured.
CHAPTER XVI
CALAMITY KEEPS HIS WORD
The next day a number of sampans and canoes loaded with fruit, vegetables, and flowers, came alongside the Hawk. Mr. Dykes had been in error when he stated his belief that the Germans had cleared all the natives out. As it was discovered afterwards, the people had fled to the interior on hearing the guns and had only come back that afternoon.
Smith, walking along the deck, caught sight of Dora Fletcher leaning over the taffrail, just below which was a sampan loaded with wonderful tropical flowers. Its owner had been endeavouring to sell these, but without much success, because none of the crew wanted flowers, being chiefly concerned with the eatables.
"How much?" asked the girl of the native in the sampan.
The man did not understand English, but he comprehended the girl's gestures, and made some unintelligible reply.