"Oughtn't they to be armed ?" "All right, my lad; plenty of tackle in the boat under the thwarts." "But my gun--I mean Mr Reardon's ?" "In the stern-sheets, with plenty of cartridges.

Where's Ching ?" "I don't--down below, I suppose." "Fetch him up; we're off at once." There was no need, for the interpreter appeared smiling and happy, looking as if he had not passed through such a terrible ordeal a short time before.
The captain and Mr Reardon came up then.
"Ready, Mr Brooke ?" "Yes, sir." "Order the crew into the boat, Mr Reardon." As the men sprang in, the captain came close to us.
"You'll keep up the appearance of a sporting expedition, Mr Brooke," he said in a low voice.

"I expect you'll find the junks in the river off some village.

The rest I must leave to you." "Take them, sir, if I feel pretty certain ?" Captain Thwaites knit his brows, and stood as if thinking for a few moments.
"No," he said at last; "but that I leave all to your discretion.

Don't risk your men, if they are strong.