'It isn't what I expected to find on one,' Ping Wang answered. 'However, we shall soon know, for here comes the skipper.'
'Well, how are you feeling now?' the skipper inquired boisterously.
'Better,' Charlie answered, wondering what his nationality was, for although he spoke English fluently, he was evidently a foreigner.
'That's good,' the skipper replied, 'but why didn't you tip me the wink that you were coming over to us? I would have had the boat hanging around for you. Do any of the other fellows want to come aboard?'
'No, they have all turned in by now.'
'What a crew they must be. Who is your skipper?'
'Drummond, of the Sparrow-hawk.'
'I know him. He passed a bad five-shilling piece on me the last time he was aboard this craft.'
'Will he come aboard to-morrow do you think?' Ping Wang asked, with difficulty concealing his anxiety.
'Not likely. I told him that if ever he set foot on the Lily, I would go for him. However, we don't want to talk about him. What are you going to drink?'