I'm afraid some of these mandarins are mixed up with the piratical expeditions, and share in the plunder, and I am certain that every movement we make is watched.

There, off with you; don't let Mr Herrick get hurt.

I trust you to do your best." We sprang into the boat, which was lowered down; the falls were unhooked; and as Tom Jecks, who was coxswain, gave us a shove off, the tide, which was running up, bore us right aft; then the oars dropped with a splash, the rudder lines were seized, and away we went up-stream on as glorious a day as ever made a dirty Chinese city look lovely.
I looked back, and there were Barkins and Smith leaning over the side watching us, but I hardly noticed them, for something else caught my eye.
"Why, they're getting up steam, Mr Brooke!" I said.
"Yes, my lad, they're getting up steam, and I hope your information may mean some good active service for us.

Here, Ching," he whispered, "you have not told the men anything about our business ?" Ching shut his eyes and shook his head solemnly.
"Velly muchee keepee mouf shut," he said, with the addition now of a few nods of the head.

"Nobody but Ching an' officer know.".