"No; what does he say about the pirates?"
"Say two muchee big junk in river going to sail, catchee tea-ship,
lice-ship, silkee-ship."
"Going to sail from here?" I cried.
"Yes."
"But how does he know?"
"Know evelyting. Muchee big man. Wantee catchee more pilate."
"But do you mean your friend knows of these junks sailing?"
"Yes."
"When did you get the letter?"
"Chinese coolie bling lettee in flesh-vegetable boat."
"What, this morning?"
"Yes, bling lettee."
"When are the junks going to sail?"
"No know. Keepee watchee and catchee."
I sat thinking for a few moments, and I made up my mind to go and tell
the first lieutenant, but found the Chinaman looking at me smiling the
while.
"You likee this?" he said, holding out a tiny thin stoppered bottle,
covered with Chinese characters.
"Like it? No. What for?"
"Velly good. Headache: lub lit' dlop here. Toothache: lub lit' dlop
there. Got pain anywhere, lub lit' dlop."