Good." "Junks burning very fast, sir; and they're floating across to the other side.

The wind's taking them straight, for the smoke floats that way." "Very likely," said Mr Reardon; and there was a long pause.
"One junk has taken the ground, sir," I said, "and--" "Yes, well, what ?" "Her masts and sails have fallen over the side." "And our boats ?" "Lying-to, sir, doing nothing." But that was as far as I could see, for they were doing a good deal, as we afterwards heard.
"Other junk has floated over, sir, nearly to the same place." "Good; burning still ?" "Oh yes, sir--very fast." He need not have asked; for, as Barkins told me afterwards, they could see the flames from the deck, though our boats were invisible.
"Well, what now ?" cried Mr Reardon, as I saw the captain quietly pacing to and fro on the bridge.
"Other two boats pushed off from the shore, sir." "Ha! that's right.

See anything of the Chinamen ?" "No, sir; the forest goes right away for miles.

There isn't one to be seen." "And the boats ?" "All rowing back, sir, close under the left bank." "Can you see them ?" "Only three of them, sir," I replied.

"Now another is out of sight." "Then, as soon as they are all invisible, you can come down," cried Mr Reardon.
"Yes, sir; all out of sight now." "Then come down." "Thankye for nothing," I muttered; and then aloud, "Yes, sir;" and I closed my glass, and wiped my wet forehead, feeling stiff and sore, as if I had been exerting myself with all my might.
"I suppose I'm very stupid," I said to myself, as I began to descend slowly, "but I did try my best.