Then a thought struck me.
"May I ask him, sir ?" Mr Brooke was silent for a while, but he spoke at last.
"I hate risking his help again, but I am ready to do anything to try and carry out my instructions.

We ought to patrol the river here to wait for the junks coming down, and then follow them, even if it is right down to sea.

Well, yes; ask him it he can take us to a boat-builder's, where we can get some tarpaulin or lead nailed on." I wasted no time.

"Ching!" I cried; and he looked up sadly, but his face brightened directly as he read mine.
"You wantee Ching ?" "Yes; where is there a boat-builder's where they will mend the boat directly ?" "No," he said; "takee velly long time.

Boat-builder same slow fellow.
No piecee work along.