But there, sure enough, were the tops of the junk's masts dead astern, for the course of the river proved to be just there almost exactly like that piece of twisted flat wire which ladies fasten on the backs of their dresses, and call an eye; the great stream forming first a small circle, and then going right away to form the large loop of the eye, while the junks were lying at the far side of the loop, so that to reach them where they lay, right across an open plain about two miles in width, we had to sail for some distance right away, apparently leaving them right behind.
A little use of the telescope soon showed that we were going quite right, though, and we went steadily on with the boats ahead sounding, and the men waiting to be called to quarters.
"I don't believe it's going to be a fight, Gnat!" cried Smith.
"Why not ?" "Can't smell anything like prize-money in it.

They're only a couple of big trading junks." "Then why did they run away from us as they did ?" "Same reason as the one did last time.

Thought we meant mischief.

How stupid it is taking all this trouble to crawl up a muddy river." "What's he talking about ?" said Barkins, stepping over to our side for a moment before every one would have to be in his place, and unable to stir.
"Says they're trading junks." "Then it's all up.

He knows.