Notably5 is this the case on the Chinese coast, in whose innumerable creeks6 and bays there is a never-ceasing ebb8 and flow of queer craft, manned by a still queerer assortment9 of Eastern seafarers. And if it were not for that strange Lingua Franca of the Far East, to which our marvellous language lends itself with that ready adaptability10 which makes it one of the most widely-spoken in the world, the difficulties awaiting the white man who is called upon to rule over one of those motley crews would be well-nigh insuperable. As it is, men of our race who spend any length of time “knocking about” in Eastern seas always acquire an amazing mélange of tongues, which they themselves are totally unable to assign to their several sources of origin, even if they ever were to seriously undertake such a task. Needless, perhaps, to say that they have always something more important on hand than that. At least I had when, after a much longer spell ashore12 in Bangkok than I cared for, I one day prevailed upon a sturdy German skipper to ship me as mate of the little barque he commanded. She flew the Siamese flag, and belonged, as far as I was ever able to ascertain13, to a Chinese firm in the humid Siamese capital, a sedate15, taciturn trio of Celestials16, who found it well worth their while to have Europeans in charge of her, even though they had to pay a long price for their services. My predecessor18 had been a “towny” of the skipper’s, a Norddeutscher from Rostock, who, with the second mate, a huge Dane, had been with the skipper in the same vessel19 for over two years. On the last voyage, however, during his watch on deck, while off the Paracels, he had silently disappeared, nor was the faintest inkling of his fate obtainable. When the skipper told me this in guttural German-English, I fancied he looked as if his air of indifference20 was slightly overdone21, but the fancy did not linger—I was too busy surmising22 by what one of the many possible avenues that hapless mate had strolled out of existence. I was glad, if the suggestion of gladness over such a grim business be admissible, to have even this scanty23 information, since any temptation to taking my position at all carelessly was thereby24 effectually removed. Before coming on board I invested a large portion of my advance in two beautiful six-shooters and a good supply of ammunition26, asking no questions of the joss-like Chinaman I bought them from as to how he became possessed27 of two U. S. Navy weapons and cartridges28 to match. I had, besides, a frightfully dangerous looking little kris, only about nine inches long altogether, but inlaid with gold, and tempered so that it would almost stab into iron. I picked it up on the beach at Hai-phong six months before, but had only thought of it as a handsome curio until now.
Thus armed, but with all my weapons well out of sight, I got aboard, determined30 to take no more chances than I could help, and to grow eyes in the back of my head if possible. The old man received me as cordially as he was able—which isn’t saying very much—introduced me to Mr. Boyesen, the second mate, and proposed a glass of schnapps and a cheroot while we talked over business. I was by no means averse31 to this, for I wanted to be on good terms with my skipper, and I also had a strong desire upon me to know more about the kind of trade we were likely to be engaged in, for I didn’t even know what the cargo32 was, or what port she was bound to—the only information the skipper gave me when I shipped being that she was going “up the coast,” and this state of complete ignorance was not at all comfortable. I hate mystery, especially aboard ship—it takes away my appetite; and when a sailor’s off his feed he isn’t much good at his work. But my expectations were cruelly dashed, for, instead of becoming confidential33, Captain Klenck gave me very clearly to understand that no one on board the Phrabayat—“der Frau” he called her—but himself ever knew what was the nature238 of the trade she was engaged in or what port she was bound to. More than that, he told me very plainly that he alone kept the reckoning; the second mate and myself had only to carry out his instructions as to courses, etc., and that so long as we kept her going through our respective watches as he desired, he was prepared to take all the risk. And all the time he was unloading this stupefying intelligence upon me, he kept his beady eyes on mine as if he would read through my skull35 the nature of my thoughts. Had he been able so to do, they would have afforded him little satisfaction, for they were in such a ferment36 that I “wanted out,” as the Scotch37 say, to cool down a bit. I wanted badly to get away from Bangkok, but I would have given all I had to be ashore there again and well clear of the berth38 I had thought myself so lucky to get a day or two ago. But that was out of the question. The old man helped himself to another bosun’s nip of square-face, and, rising as he shipped it, said—
“Ve ked her onder vay mit vonce, Meesder Fawn39, und mindt ju keeb dose verdammt schwein coin shtrong. Dey vants so mooch boot as dey can get, der schelm.”
Glad of any chance of action to divert my mind, I answered cheerily, “Ay, ay, sir!” and, striding out of the cabin, I shouted, “Man the windlass!” forgetting for the moment that I was not on board one of my own country’s ships, free from mysteries of any kind. My mistake was soon rectified41, and for the next hour or so I kept as busy as I knew how, getting the anchor239 and making sail. The black, olive, and yellow sailors worked splendidly, being bossed by a “serang” or “bosun” of herculean build and undiscoverable nationality. I think he must have been a Dyak. Now, it has always been my practice in dealing42 with natives of any tropical country to treat them as men, and not, as too many Europeans do to their loss, behave towards them as if they were unreasoning animals. I have always found a cheery word and a smile go a long way, especially with negroes, wherever they hail from—and, goodness knows, unless you are liverish, it is just as easy to look pleasant as glum44. At any rate, whether that was the cause or not, the work went on greased wheels that forenoon, and I felt that if they were all the colours the human race can show, I couldn’t wish for a smarter or more willing crowd. When she was fairly under way and slipping down to the bar at a good rate, I went aft for instructions, finding the old man looking but sourly as he conned45 her down stream. Before I had time to say anything he opened up with—
“Bei Gott, Meesder Fawn, ju haf to do diffrunt mit dese crout ef ju vaunts to keep my schip coin. I tondt vant ter begin ter find fault, but I ain’t coin to haf no nicker-cottlin abordt de Frau. Ju dake id from me.”
This riled me badly, for I knew no men could have worked smarter or more willingly than ours had, so I replied quietly, “Every man knows his work and does it, Cap’n Klenck. I know mine, and I’ll do it, but I must do it my own way, or not at all. If you’ve got any fault to find, find it, but don’t expect me to spoil a decent crew and chance getting a kris between my brisket bones in the bargain.”
He gave me one look, and his eyes were like those of a dead fish. Then he walked away, leaving me standing46 simmering with rage. But no more was said, and at dinner he seemed as if he had forgotten the circumstance. And I, like a fool, thought he had, for the wish was ever father to the thought with me, especially in a case of this kind, where what little comfort I hoped to enjoy was entirely47 dependent upon the skipper. He, astuteness48 itself, gave no sign of his feelings towards me, being as civil as he was able in all our business relations; but beyond those he erected49 a barrier between us, all the more impassable because indefinite. Thrown thus upon my own resources, I tried to cultivate an acquaintance with Mr. Boyesen; but here again I was baffled, for he was the greatest enigma51 of all. I never knew a man possessing the power of speech who was able to get along with less use of that essentially52 human faculty53. He was more like a machine than a man, seeming to be incapable54 of exhibiting any of the passions or affections of humanity. I have seen him grasp a Siamese sailor by the belt and hurl55 him along the deck as if he were a mere56 bundle of rags; but for any expression of anger in his pale blue eyes or flush upon his broad face, he might as well have been a figure-head. So that after a brief struggle with his immobility I gave up the attempt to make a companion of him, coming to the conclusion that he was in some way mentally deficient57.
Thus I was perforce driven to study my crew more than I perhaps should have done, particularly the neat-handed, velvet-footed Chinese steward58, Ah Toy, who, although at ordinary times quite as expressionless as the majority of his countrymen, generally developed a quaint50 contortion59 of his yellow visage for me, which, if not a smile, was undoubtedly60 meant for one. We were the best of friends; so great, indeed, that whenever I heard the old man beating him—that is, about once a day—I felt the greatest difficulty in restraining myself from interference. I was comforted, however, by noticing that Ah Toy seemed to heed61 these whackings no more than as if he had been made of rubber; he never uttered a cry or did anything but go on with his work as if nothing had happened. I had eight men in my watch: two Chinese, four Siamese, one Tagal, and a Malay; a queer medley62 enough, but all very willing and apparently63 contented64. For some little time I was hard put to it to gain their confidence, their attitude being that of men prepared to meet with ill-treatment and to take the earliest opportunity of resenting it (although they accepted hearty65 blows from the Serang’s colt with the greatest good nature). But gradually this sullen66, watchful67 demeanour wore off, and they became as cheerful a lot of fellows as I could wish, ready to anticipate my wishes if they could, and as anxious to understand me as I certainly was them. This state of things was so far satisfactory that the time, which had at first hung very heavily, now began to pass pleasantly and quickly, although I slept, as the saying is, with one eye open, for fear of some development of hostility68 on the skipper’s part. Because, in spite of my belief that he meant me no ill, having, indeed, no reason to do so as far as I knew, I could not rid myself of an uneasy feeling in my mind that all was not as it should be with him.
We had wonderfully fine weather, it being the N.E. monsoon69, but made very slow progress, the vessel being not only a dull sailer at the best of times, but much hindered by the head wind. This tried my patience on account of my anxiety to get some inkling of our position, which the old man kept as profound a secret as if millions depended upon no one knowing it but himself. And although we sighted land occasionally, I was not sufficiently70 well up in China coast navigation to do more than guess at the position of the ship. At last, when we had been a fortnight out, I was awakened71 suddenly in my watch below one night by the sound of strange voices alongside. I sprang out of my bunk72 in the dark, striking my head against the door, which I always left open, but which was now closed and locked. I felt as I should imagine a rat feels in a trap. But the first thrill of fear soon gave place to indignation at my treatment, and, after striking a light, I set my back against the door and strove with all my might to burst it open. Failing in the attempt, I remembered my little bag of tools, and in a few seconds had a screw-driver at work, which not only released me, but spoiled the lock for any future use. Of course, my revolvers were about me; I always carried them. Still hot with anger, I marched on deck to find the ship hove-to, a couple of junks243 alongside, the hatches off, and a rapid exchange of cargo going on. Silence and haste were evidently the mots d’ordre, but, besides, the workers were the smartest I had ever seen; they handled the stuff, cases, bags, and bales of all sorts and sizes, with a celerity that was almost magical. I stood looking on like a fool for quite two or three minutes, in which every detail of the strange scene became indelibly stamped upon my brain. The brilliant flood of moonlight paling all the adjacent stars, the wide silvern path of the moon on the dark water broken by a glistening73 sand-bank over which the sullen swell74 broke with an occasional hollow moan, every item in the arrangement of the sails, and the gliding75 figures on deck; all helped to make a marvellous picture. The brief spell was broken by a hand upon my shoulder that made me leap three feet forward. It was the skipper, and in that moment I felt how helpless I was if this man desired to do me hurt. We stood facing each other silently for a breath or two, when he said quietly—
“Meesder Fawn, I tondt vant my offcers to keeb only dere own vatch. I nefer make dem vork oferdime. Ven ids your vatch an deg yu vill be gall77 as ushal. Goot nacht,” and he stood aside to let me pass.
“Ey good man, du bist nod vell, or ellas you bin40 hafin a—vat you call im—night-pig, ain’d it?” Then, suddenly changing his tone, he made a step towards me, and said, “Go below mid14 vonce, er I’m tamt ef ju see daylight any more dis foyge!”
To tell the truth, I didn’t quite see my way to defying him. I felt like a beastly cur, and I knew there was some devilish business going on, but the whole thing had come on me so suddenly that I was undecided how to act, and indecision in such a predicament spells defeat. So I just inclined my head and sauntered off to my cabin in a pretty fine state of mind. Needless to say, I got no more sleep. A thousand theories ran riot in my brain as to the nature of the business we were doing, and I worried myself almost into a fever wondering whether Boyesen was in it. By the time eight bells (four a.m.) was struck I was almost crazy, a vile79 taste in my mouth, and my head throbbing80 like a piston81. The quiet appearance of Ah Toy at my door murmuring “eight bell” gave me relief, for I took it as a sign that I might reappear, and I wasted no time getting on deck. I found the watch trimming the yards under the skipper’s direction, but no sign of the second mate. All trace of the junks had vanished. I went for’ard to trim the yards on the fore25 by way of slipping into my groove82, and being in that curious mental state when in the presence of overwhelmingly serious problems the most trivial details demand attention, some small object that I kicked away in the darkness insisted upon being found before I did anything else. It only lay a yard or two in front of me, a key of barbarous make with intricate wards43 on either side. Mechanically I picked it up and dropped it in my pocket, imagining for the moment that it must belong to one of the seamen83, who each had some sort of a box which they kept carefully245 locked. Then I went on with my work, getting everything shipshape and returning to the poop. The skipper greeted me as if nothing had happened, giving me a N.N.E. course if she would lay it, and, bidding me call him at once in the event of any change taking place, went below.
Left alone upon the small poop with the vessel calmly gliding through the placid84 sea, and the steadfast85 stars eyeing me solemnly, I felt soothed86 and uplifted. I reviewed the situation from every possible point of view I could take of it, until, sick and weary of the vain occupation, I unslung a bucket and went to the lee-side with the intention of drawing some water to cool my aching head. As I leaned over the side I saw a sampan hanging alongside, and a figure just in the act of coming aboard. By this time I was almost proof against surprises of any kind, so I quietly waited until the visitor stepped over the rail, and saluted87 me as if boarding a vessel in the dark while she was working her way up the China Sea was the most ordinary occurrence in the world. He was a gigantic Chinaman, standing, I should think, fully29 6ft. 6in. or 6ft. 7in., and built in proportion. In excellent English he informed me that he had business with Captain Klenck, who was expecting him, and without further preliminary walked aft and disappeared down the cabin-companion quietly as if he had been an apparition88. In fact, some such idea flitted across my mind, and I stepped back to the rail and peered down into the darkness alongside to see if the sampan was a reality. It was no longer there. Like one in a dream246 I walked aft to where one of the Siamese stood at the wheel, and after a casual glance into the compass, from sheer force of habit, I asked the man if he had seen the visitor. He answered, “Yes,” in a tone of surprise, as if wondering at the question. Satisfied that at least I was not the victim of some disorder89 of the brain, I went for’ard again, noting with a sense of utmost relief the paling of the eastern horizon foretelling90 the coming of the day.
No one realizes more than a sailor what a blessing91 daylight is. In a gale92 of wind the rising sun seems to lighten anxiety, and the prayer of Ajax trembles more frequently upon the lips of seafarers than any other. I watched the miracle of dawn with fervent93 thanksgiving, feeling that the hateful web of mystery that was hourly increasing in complexity94 around me would be less stifling95 with the sun upon it. And in the homely96 duties of washing decks, “sweating-up,” etc., I almost forgot that I was not in an orderly, commonplace English ship, engaged in honest traffic. The time passed swiftly until eight bells, when a double portion of horror came upon me at the sight of Captain Klenck coming on deck to relieve me. Before I knew what I was saying I had blurted out, “Where’s Mr. Boyesen?” The cold, expressionless eyes of the skipper rested full upon me as he replied slowly—
“Ju tondt seem to learn mooch, Meesder Fawn. I dells ju one dime76 more, undt only one dime, dat ju nodings to do mit der peezness auf dis scheep. Verdammt Englescher schweinhund, de nexd dime ju inderferes247 mit mein affaires will pe der lasd dime ju efer do anythings in dees vorl’. Co pelow!”
Again I had to own myself beaten, and the thought was just maddening. To be trampled97 on like a coolie, abused like a dog. Great heavens! how low had I fallen. I never seemed to be ready or able to keep end up when that man chose to put forth98 his will against mine. But, unknown even to myself, I was being educated up to the work that was before me, and the training was just what was necessary for me. I ate my breakfast alone, Ah Toy waiting on me with almost affectionate care. Several times I caught his eye, and fancied that there was a new light therein. Once I opened my mouth to speak to him, but his finger flew to his lips, and his look turned swiftly towards the skipper’s berth, that closely-shut room of which I had never seen the inside. As soon as my meal was over I retreated to my cabin, closed the door, and busied myself devising some means of fastening it on the inside. For now I felt sure that for some reason or other Boyesen had been made away with, and in all probability my turn was fast approaching. Is it necessary to say that I felt no want of sleep? Perhaps not; at any rate, I spent the greater part of my watch below in such preparations as I could make for self-defence. My two revolvers now seemed precious beyond all computation as I carefully examined them in every detail, and made sure they were ready for immediate99 use.
While thus employed a sudden appalling100 uproar101 on deck sent my blood surging back to my heart, and,248 after about a second’s doubt, I flung wide the door and rushed on deck, flinging off Ah Toy, who caught at me as I passed his pantry door. Springing out of the cabin, I saw the colossal102 Chinaman who had boarded us on the previous night standing calmly looking on, while the crew fought among themselves with a savagery103 awful to witness. I did not see the skipper at first, but, glancing down, I caught sight of his face distorted beyond recognition by the foot of the huge Celestial17, which was planted on his throat. In that moment all my detestation of him vanished. He was a white man at the mercy of Mongols, and drawing my revolvers, I sprang towards his foe104. Click went the trigger, but there was no flash or report. Both were alike useless, and my brain working quietly enough now, I realized that the man I would have saved had rendered my weapons useless while I slept, to his own bitter cost. Flinging them from me, I snatched at a hand-spike that lay at my feet; but before I could grasp it the combatants divided, half a dozen of my watch flung themselves upon me, and in a minute I was overpowered. Of course I was somewhat roughly handled, but there was no anger against me in the faces of my assailants. As for the giant, he might as well have been carved in stone for all the notice he appeared to take of what was going on.
Two Siamese carefully lashed105 me so that I could not move, then carried me, not at all roughly, aft to the cabin door, and sat me on the grating, where they left me and returned to the fight, which seemed to be a life and death struggle between two parties into which249 the crew were divided. I have no taste for horrors, and do not propose serving up a dish of them here, although the temptation to describe the wild beast fury of those yellow and black men is very great. But it must suffice to say that those who were apparently friendly to me were the victors, and having disposed of the dead by summarily flinging them overboard, they busied themselves of their own accord in trimming sail so as to run the vessel in towards the coast.
Meanwhile, the gigantic Chinaman, whose advent106 had so strangely disturbed the business of our skipper, quietly lifted that unhappy German as if he had been a child, and carried him into the cabin. Ah Toy, doubtless ordered by some one in authority, came and set me free, his face fairly beaming upon me as he told me that it was entirely owing to my humane107 treatment of the fellows that my life had been spared. To my eager questionings as to what was going to be done with the skipper and the ship, he returned me but the Shibboleth108 of the East, “No shabee him; no b’long my pidgin.”
I went on with the work of the ship as usual, finding the survivors109 quite as amenable110 to my orders as they had ever been, and contenting myself with keeping her on the course she was then making until some way of taking the initiative should present itself. I had given up studying the various problems that had so recently made me feel as if I had gone suddenly mad, and went about in a dull, animalized state, too bewildered to think, and prepared for any further freak of Fate. While thus moodily111 slouching about, Ah250 Toy came on deck and informed me that the huge Chinaman was anxious to see me in the cabin. Instinctively112 I felt that whatever, whoever he was, I could not afford to offend him, so I went on the instant, finding him sitting in the main cabin contemplating113 the lifeless body of Captain Klenck, which lay on the deck by his side. Although prepared for anything, as I thought, I could not repress a shudder114 of horror at this spectacle, which did not pass unnoticed by the giant. Turning a grave look upon me, he said, in easy, polished diction—
“This piece of carrion115 at my feet had been my paid servant for the last two years. He was necessary to me, but not indispensable, and he fell into the fatal error of supposing that not only could I not do without him, but that, in spite of the enormous salary I paid him, he could rob me with impunity116. I am the senior partner in the Bangkok firm owning this vessel, and also a fleet of piratical junks that range these seas from Singapore to Hong Kong, and prey117 upon other junks mostly, although wherever it is possible they have no scruples118 in attacking European vessels119. It is a lucrative120 business, but a good deal of business acumen121 is needed in order to dispose of the plunder122 realized. In this the late Captain Klenck was a very useful man, and, knowing this, we paid him so well that he might very soon have realized a fortune from his salary alone. Now my men, who, as you have seen, without any assistance from me, have easily disposed of the gang Klenck had engaged to further his ends, tell me that they are very fond of you. They say that251 you have treated them like men, of your own free will, and I am prepared to offer you the command of the Phrabayat at the same salary as Klenck enjoyed. What do you say?”
For a moment I was stunned123 at the story told me, and, besides, very much annoyed because I hadn’t seen it all before. It looked so simple now. But one thing dominated all the rest—who or what was this suave124, English educated Celestial, who trafficked in piracy125 and yet spoke11 as if imbued126 with all the culture of the West? He actually seemed as if he read my thoughts, for with something approaching a smile he said—
“I see you are wondering at my English. I am a graduate of Cambridge University, and was at one time rather lionized in certain fashionable circles in London. But circumstances made it necessary for me to go into this business, which pleases me very well. You have not yet answered my question, though.”
“I am aware that I run considerable risk at present by so doing,” I replied; “but, in spite of that, I must give you an unqualified refusal. I am rather surprised at your offer!”
A look of genuine astonishment127 came over his face as he said, “Why? Surely you are not so well off that you can afford to play fast and loose with such a prospect128 as I hold out to you?”
Then, as if it had suddenly dawned upon him, he shrugged129 his shoulders and murmured, “I suppose you have some more scruples. Well, I do not understand them, but for the sake of my foolish men I suppose I must respect them. There is one other point,252 however, upon which I think you can enlighten me or help me. This carrion here,” and he kicked contemptuously at the skipper’s dead body, “has secreted130 quite a treasure in pearls and gold, and I cannot now compel him to tell me where. Did you enjoy his confidence at all?”
I hastened to assure my questioner that nothing could well be farther from the late skipper’s thoughts than to place any confidence in me; but, as I was speaking, I suddenly remembered the odd-looking key I had picked up, and diving into my pocket I produced it, saying, “This may open some secret locker131 of his. I found it on deck last night, just after the transhipment of cargo in the middle watch.”
His eyes gave one flash of recognition, and he said quietly, “I know that key. Come, let us see what we can find by its aid.”
Then, for the first time, I saw the inside of the skipper’s state-room. No wonder he kept it fast closed. It was honeycombed with lockers132 of every shape and size; but, strangest of all, there were three rings in the deck as if to lift up level-fitting hatches. These took my eye at once, and, upon my pointing them out, the Chinaman stooped and essayed to lift one. He had hardly taken hold of the ring, though, when he saw a keyhole at one edge, and muttering, “I didn’t know of this, though,” he tried my key in it. It fitted, unlocking the hatch at once. But neither he nor I was prepared for what we found. There, in a space not more than four feet square and five feet deep, was a white man, a stranger to me. The giant253 at my side reached down and lifted the prisoner out of his hole as if he had been a child, and, placing him gently on a settee, regarded him with incurious eyes. He was just alive, and moaning softly. I called Ah Toy, who evinced no surprise at seeing the stranger; but, after he had brought some water at my order, and given the sufferer some drink, he told me that this was the missing mate. Ah Toy assisted me to get the unfortunate man into my berth, where I left him to the ministrations of the steward, while I hurried back to the skipper’s state-room. When I reached it the calm searcher had laid bare almost all its secrets.
Boyesen, the second mate, was there, looking like a man just awaking from a furious debauch133, and blinking at the light like a bat. And around him on the deck were heaped treasures beyond all my powers of assessment134. But their glitter had no effect upon me; I suppose I must have been saturated135 with surprises, so that my clogged136 brain would absorb no more. I turned to Boyesen and offered him my hand, which he took, and, by assistance, crawled out of that infernal den34, leaving the Chinaman to sort out his wealth.
I tried hard to get some explanation of the second mate’s strange disappearance137 from him, but, in addition to his habitual138 taciturnity, he was in no condition to talk; so, after a few minutes’ ineffectual effort, I left him and returned on deck. Ah, how delightful139 was the pure air. I drew in great draughts140 of it, as if to dispel141 the foulness142 of that place below; I looked up at the bright sky and down at the glittering sea,254 over which the Phrabayat was bounding at the rate of six or seven knots an hour, and blessed God that I was still alive, and for the moment forgot how great was the danger still remaining.
Far ahead I could see the loom143 of the China coast. By my reckoning she would be in touch with the land before nightfall if the present fresh breeze held—and what then? A sudden resolve came upon me to ask the evident master of my destinies; for, although I felt quite sure that any compunction for whatever sufferings we white men might endure would be impossible to him, there would be a certain amount of satisfaction in knowing his intentions. I turned to go and seek him, but he was standing by my side. Without waiting for me to speak to him, he said gravely—
“In a few hours I hope to reach the creek7 where my agents are waiting to tranship the cargo. What then will happen depends largely upon yourself. Should you persist in refusing to take command of this vessel it may be the easiest plan to cut your throat, as you would be greatly in the way. Of course, your two companions would be disposed of in the same manner. But for the present, if you will have the goodness to call the hands aft, there are some precautions to be taken with reference to the valuables you have seen, which represent the loot that Captain Klenck anticipated making off with presently. That reminds me——” And, disappearing from my side, he slid rather than walked below. I called the hands aft, walking to the break of the poop as I did so. As I stood looking down on to the main deck, my late255 companion appeared with the skipper’s body in his arms, which he cast over the lee-rail as if it had been a bundle of rags.
Then, turning to the waiting crew, he gave a few quiet orders, and at once they began preparing the two boats for lowering. Some of them dived below and brought up armfuls of small boxes, bags, and mats, within which coarse coverings I knew were concealed144 that mass of wealth lately exposed upon the deck of the state-room below.
Quite at a loss what to do, I stood listlessly watching the busy scene, until I suddenly remembered the two white men below, who had been so strangely rescued from an awful death. And as I was clearly not wanted on deck I went into the cabin, finding, with the first thrall145 of satisfaction I had felt for a long time, that they were both rapidly mending. It is hardly necessary to say that I soon found the stranger to be my predecessor, whose mysterious disappearance had worried me not a little. Neither he nor Boyesen were able to talk much, had they been willing; but I learned that they had both incurred146 the wrath147 of the skipper from having obtained too much knowledge of his proceedings148, that they had both been drugged (at least, only in that way could they account for his being able to deal with them as he had done), and they had suffered all the torments149 of the lost until the yellow giant had let in the blessed daylight upon them again. But neither they nor I could understand why the skipper had not killed them offhand150. That was a puzzle never likely to be unravelled151 now.256 Neither of them appeared to take a great deal of interest in the present state of affairs, certainly not enough to assist me in concerting my plans for our safety. I was quite satisfied that we were in no immediate danger, so that I was content, having established a bond of good-fellowship between us, to wait until they were more fit for active service.
We sat quietly smoking and dropping an occasional word, when a sudden hurried pattering of bare feet overhead startled me. I rushed on deck, roused at last into something like vigorous interest, to find that all hands were quitting the ship. We were now some twenty miles (by my estimate) from the land, and what this sudden manœuvre could mean was beyond me until, looking astern, I saw a long smoke-wreath lying like a soft pencil smudge along a low mass of cumulous cloud. Not one of the departing heathen took the slightest notice of me as they shoved off, so I darted152 out, snatched up the glasses, and focused them on the approaching steamer. I could not make her out, but I felt sure it was her advent that had rid us of our parti-coloured masters. Down I went and told the invalids153 what had happened, begging them, if they could, to come on deck and lend a hand to get her hove-to, so that the steamer might the more rapidly overhaul154 us. Boyesen managed to make a start, but the late mate was too feeble. And Ah Toy, to my surprise, also showed up. I had no time to ask him why he had not gone with the rest, but together we hurried on deck, finding that a thick column of smoke was rising from the main hatch—those animals had set257 her on fire! There were, of course, no boats, and unless that vessel astern got in some pretty good speed we stood no bad chance of being roasted alive. However, we rigged up an impromptu155 raft, after letting go all the halyards so that her way might be deadened—we knew better than to waste time trying to put out such a fire as was raging below.
Why enlarge upon the alternations of hope and fear until the Ly-ee-moon, Chinese gunboat, overhauled156 us? She did do so, but not until we were cowering157 on the taffrail watching the hungry flames licking up the mizen-rigging. And when rescued I would not have given a dozen “cash” for our lives, but that the gunboat had an Englishman in command, to whom I was able to tell my story. He put the coping-stone upon my experiences when he told me that he had been watching for the Phrabayat for the past six months, having received much information as to her doings. And he used language that made the air smell brimstone when he realized that, after all, his prize had escaped him. I told him all I could—it was not much—of the disappearance of the crew, but he was indifferent. He “didn’t expect to clap eyes on ’em any more,” he said. Nor did he. Where they landed, or whether they sank, no one but themselves knew. And we three unfortunate wretches158 were landed in Hong Kong three weeks afterwards almost as bare of belongings159 as when we began the world. Ah Toy fell on his feet, for he shipped in the gunboat as the commander’s servant upon my recommendation.
I had all the experience of the China coast I wanted, and shipped before the mast in a “blue-funnelled” boat for home two days after, glad to get away on any terms. The two Danes went their way, and I saw them no more.
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1
prosaic
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| adj.单调的，无趣的 | |
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2
palatial
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| adj.宫殿般的，宏伟的 | |
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3
regularity
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| n.规律性，规则性；匀称，整齐 | |
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4
eddies
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| （水、烟等的）漩涡，涡流( eddy的名词复数 ) | |
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notably
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| adv.值得注意地，显著地，尤其地，特别地 | |
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6
creeks
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| n.小湾( creek的名词复数 )；小港；小河；小溪 | |
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creek
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| n.小溪，小河，小湾 | |
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ebb
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| vi.衰退，减退；n.处于低潮，处于衰退状态 | |
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9
assortment
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| n.分类，各色俱备之物，聚集 | |
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10
adaptability
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| n.适应性 | |
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11
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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12
ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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13
ascertain
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| vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清 | |
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14
mid
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| adj.中央的，中间的 | |
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15
sedate
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| adj.沉着的，镇静的，安静的 | |
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16
celestials
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| n.天的，天空的( celestial的名词复数 ) | |
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17
celestial
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| adj.天体的；天上的 | |
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18
predecessor
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| n.前辈，前任 | |
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19
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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20
indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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21
overdone
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| v.做得过分( overdo的过去分词 )；太夸张；把…煮得太久；（工作等）过度 | |
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22
surmising
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| v.臆测，推断( surmise的现在分词 )；揣测；猜想 | |
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23
scanty
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| adj.缺乏的，仅有的，节省的，狭小的，不够的 | |
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24
thereby
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| adv.因此，从而 | |
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25
fore
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| adv.在前面；adj.先前的；在前部的；n.前部 | |
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26
ammunition
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| n.军火，弹药 | |
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27
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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28
cartridges
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| 子弹( cartridge的名词复数 )； （打印机的）墨盒； 录音带盒； （唱机的）唱头 | |
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29
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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30
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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31
averse
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| adj.厌恶的；反对的，不乐意的 | |
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32
cargo
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| n.(一只船或一架飞机运载的)货物 | |
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33
confidential
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| adj.秘（机）密的，表示信任的，担任机密工作的 | |
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34
den
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| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
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35
skull
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| n.头骨；颅骨 | |
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36
ferment
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| vt.使发酵；n./vt.（使）激动，（使）动乱 | |
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37
scotch
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| n.伤口，刻痕；苏格兰威士忌酒；v.粉碎，消灭，阻止；adj.苏格兰(人)的 | |
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38
berth
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| n.卧铺，停泊地，锚位；v.使停泊 | |
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39
fawn
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| n.未满周岁的小鹿；v.巴结，奉承 | |
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40
bin
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| n.箱柜；vt.放入箱内；[计算机] DOS文件名:二进制目标文件 | |
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41
rectified
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| [医]矫正的，调整的 | |
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42
dealing
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| n.经商方法，待人态度 | |
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43
wards
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| 区( ward的名词复数 )； 病房； 受监护的未成年者； 被人照顾或控制的状态 | |
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44
glum
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| adj.闷闷不乐的，阴郁的 | |
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45
conned
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| adj.被骗了v.指挥操舵( conn的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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46
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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47
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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48
astuteness
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| n.敏锐；精明；机敏 | |
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49
ERECTED
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| adj. 直立的，竖立的，笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立，建立 | |
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50
quaint
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| adj.古雅的，离奇有趣的，奇怪的 | |
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51
enigma
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| n.谜，谜一样的人或事 | |
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52
essentially
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| adv.本质上，实质上，基本上 | |
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53
faculty
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| n.才能；学院，系；(学院或系的)全体教学人员 | |
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54
incapable
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| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
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55
hurl
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| vt.猛投，力掷，声叫骂 | |
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56
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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57
deficient
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| adj.不足的，不充份的，有缺陷的 | |
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58
steward
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| n.乘务员，服务员；看管人；膳食管理员 | |
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59
contortion
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| n.扭弯，扭歪，曲解 | |
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60
undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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61
heed
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| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
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62
medley
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| n.混合 | |
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63
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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64
contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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65
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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66
sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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67
watchful
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| adj.注意的，警惕的 | |
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68
hostility
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| n.敌对，敌意；抵制［pl.］交战，战争 | |
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69
monsoon
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| n.季雨，季风，大雨 | |
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70
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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71
awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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72
bunk
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| n.(车、船等倚壁而设的)铺位；废话 | |
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73
glistening
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| adj.闪耀的，反光的v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的现在分词 ) | |
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74
swell
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| vi.膨胀，肿胀；增长，增强 | |
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75
gliding
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| v. 滑翔 adj. 滑动的 | |
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76
dime
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| n.（指美国、加拿大的钱币）一角 | |
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77
gall
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| v.使烦恼，使焦躁，难堪；n.磨难 | |
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78
blurted
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| v.突然说出，脱口而出( blurt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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79
vile
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| adj.卑鄙的，可耻的，邪恶的；坏透的 | |
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80
throbbing
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| a. 跳动的,悸动的 | |
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81
piston
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| n.活塞 | |
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82
groove
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| n.沟，槽；凹线，（刻出的）线条，习惯 | |
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83
seamen
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| n.海员 | |
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84
placid
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| adj.安静的，平和的 | |
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85
steadfast
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| adj.固定的，不变的，不动摇的；忠实的；坚贞不移的 | |
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86
soothed
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| v.安慰( soothe的过去式和过去分词 )；抚慰；使舒服；减轻痛苦 | |
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87
saluted
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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88
apparition
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| n.幽灵，神奇的现象 | |
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89
disorder
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| n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调 | |
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90
foretelling
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| v.预言，预示( foretell的现在分词 ) | |
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91
blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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92
gale
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| n.大风，强风，一阵闹声（尤指笑声等） | |
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93
fervent
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| adj.热的，热烈的，热情的 | |
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94
complexity
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| n.复杂(性)，复杂的事物 | |
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95
stifling
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| a.令人窒息的 | |
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96
homely
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| adj.家常的，简朴的；不漂亮的 | |
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97
trampled
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| 踩( trample的过去式和过去分词 )； 践踏； 无视； 侵犯 | |
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98
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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99
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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100
appalling
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| adj.骇人听闻的，令人震惊的，可怕的 | |
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101
uproar
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| n.骚动，喧嚣，鼎沸 | |
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102
colossal
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| adj.异常的，庞大的 | |
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103
savagery
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| n.野性 | |
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104
foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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105
lashed
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| adj.具睫毛的v.鞭打( lash的过去式和过去分词 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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106
advent
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| n.(重要事件等的)到来，来临 | |
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107
humane
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| adj.人道的，富有同情心的 | |
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108
shibboleth
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| n.陈规陋习；口令；暗语 | |
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109
survivors
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| 幸存者，残存者，生还者( survivor的名词复数 ) | |
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110
amenable
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| adj.经得起检验的；顺从的；对负有义务的 | |
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111
moodily
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| adv.喜怒无常地；情绪多变地；心情不稳地；易生气地 | |
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112
instinctively
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| adv.本能地 | |
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113
contemplating
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| 深思，细想，仔细考虑( contemplate的现在分词 )； 注视，凝视； 考虑接受（发生某事的可能性）； 深思熟虑，沉思，苦思冥想 | |
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114
shudder
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| v.战粟，震动，剧烈地摇晃；n.战粟，抖动 | |
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115
carrion
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| n.腐肉 | |
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116
impunity
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| n.(惩罚、损失、伤害等的)免除 | |
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117
prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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118
scruples
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| n.良心上的不安( scruple的名词复数 )；顾虑，顾忌v.感到于心不安，有顾忌( scruple的第三人称单数 ) | |
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119
vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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lucrative
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| adj.赚钱的，可获利的 | |
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acumen
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| n.敏锐，聪明 | |
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plunder
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| vt.劫掠财物，掠夺；n.劫掠物，赃物；劫掠 | |
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123
stunned
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| adj. 震惊的，惊讶的 动词stun的过去式和过去分词 | |
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suave
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| adj.温和的；柔和的；文雅的 | |
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125
piracy
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| n.海盗行为，剽窃，著作权侵害 | |
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126
imbued
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| v.使（某人/某事）充满或激起（感情等）( imbue的过去式和过去分词 )；使充满；灌输；激发（强烈感情或品质等） | |
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astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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129
shrugged
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| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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secreted
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| v.（尤指动物或植物器官）分泌( secrete的过去式和过去分词 )；隐匿，隐藏 | |
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131
locker
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| n.更衣箱，储物柜，冷藏室，上锁的人 | |
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132
lockers
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| n.寄物柜( locker的名词复数 ) | |
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133
debauch
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| v.使堕落，放纵 | |
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assessment
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| n.评价；评估；对财产的估价，被估定的金额 | |
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saturated
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| a.饱和的，充满的 | |
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clogged
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| （使）阻碍( clog的过去式和过去分词 )； 淤滞 | |
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disappearance
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| n.消失，消散，失踪 | |
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habitual
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| adj.习惯性的；通常的，惯常的 | |
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delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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140
draughts
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| n. <英>国际跳棋 | |
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141
dispel
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| vt.驱走，驱散，消除 | |
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foulness
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| n. 纠缠, 卑鄙 | |
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143
loom
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| n.织布机，织机；v.隐现，(危险、忧虑等)迫近 | |
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concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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thrall
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| n.奴隶；奴隶制 | |
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incurred
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| [医]招致的，遭受的； incur的过去式 | |
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wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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torments
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| （肉体或精神上的）折磨，痛苦( torment的名词复数 )； 造成痛苦的事物[人] | |
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offhand
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| adj.临时，无准备的；随便，马虎的 | |
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unravelled
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| 解开，拆散，散开( unravel的过去式和过去分词 )； 阐明； 澄清； 弄清楚 | |
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darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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invalids
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| 病人，残疾者( invalid的名词复数 ) | |
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154
overhaul
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| v./n.大修，仔细检查 | |
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impromptu
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| adj.即席的，即兴的；adv.即兴的(地)，无准备的(地) | |
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overhauled
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| v.彻底检查( overhaul的过去式和过去分词 )；大修；赶上；超越 | |
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cowering
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| v.畏缩，抖缩( cower的现在分词 ) | |
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158
wretches
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| n.不幸的人( wretch的名词复数 )；可怜的人；恶棍；坏蛋 | |
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belongings
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| n.私人物品，私人财物 | |
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