"When I turn up my toes," said Bannerman snappishly, "I don't mind what happens to me; they can chuck me overboard if they like."
"Well, old fellow," answered Hunter, "when my turn comes, I should like to know that my own men looked after me."
"Very good, gentlemen," concluded Helston. "The Strong Arm will follow the squadron, the remainder of which will leave at daybreak."
Before Hunter went back to the Strong Arm he drew Captain Helston aside and put in a good word for Pattison of the ill-fated "No. 1", but the latter shook his head: "Plucky, of course, he was, but a man in command of a destroyer wants more than pluck—brains and common sense."
"Those two midshipmen, sir, Glover and Foote, behaved with great coolness for youngsters under fire for the first time, and Harrington, who I hear is doing well in hospital, did magnificently.
"Could you manage to send Foote to 'No. 3', sir? The two boys are great chums and he deserves another chance."
"All right, Hunter, I will not forget him; good-night."
Shaking hands with Helston the little council of war broke up, the Commanders going back to their ships, leaving him and Dr. Fox alone. Ping Sang was by this time sound asleep, unable to withstand the influence of his good dinner, so they left him where he sat, and the two old friends had a last pipe together before turning in. Going through the fore-cabin again before saying "good-night" they woke Ping Sang, who was still asleep with his head on the table.
He sat up with a start, and with a yell of triumph banged at the table till the tumblers rattled.
"Ho Ming's butler, the butler himself, I'll have his liver torn out if ever I can get him across to the mainland!"