Then Davidson (he had naturally the chart of his voyages in his head) remarked that on his way back he might look in at a certain settlement up a mere creek, where a poor sort of white man lived in a native village.

Davidson pointed out to his Chinaman that the fellow was certain to have some rattans to ship.
"'Probably enough to fill her forward,' said Davidson.

'And that'll be better than bringing her back with empty holds.

A day more or less doesn't matter.' "This was sound talk, and the Chinaman owner could not but agree.

But if it hadn't been sound it would have been just the same.