Well, we had better run into one of these little creeks, and land," he continued, as he turned to inspect the low, swampy shore.

"Plenty of hiding-places there, where we can lie and watch the junks, and wait for the _Teaser_ to show." "Velly good place," said Ching, pointing to where there was a patch of low, scrubby woodland, on either side of which stretched out what seemed to be rice fields, extending to the hills which backed the plain.
"Plenty wood makee fire--loast goose." I saw a knowing look run round from man to man.
"But the pirates would see our fire," I said.
"Yes, see fi'; tink allee fish man catch cookee fish." "Yes, you're right, Ching.

It will help to disarm any doubts.

They will never think the _Teaser's_ men are ashore lighting a fire;" and, altering our course a little, he ran the boat in shore and up a creek, where we landed, made fast the boat under some low scrubby trees, and in a very short time after a couple of men were placed where they could watch the junks and give notice of any movement.

The others quickly collected a quantity of drift-wood, and made a good fire, Ching tucking up his sleeves and superintending, while Mr Brooke and I went out on the other side of the little wood, and satisfied ourselves that there was no sign of human habitation on this side of the river, the city lying far away on the other.
When we came back, Ching was up to the elbows in shore mud, and we found by him a couple of our geese and a couple of ducks turned into dirt-puddings.