I mean, as we have very good information about three or four piratical junks being in the straits between here and Amoy, we must come down heavily upon them, and administer the punishment there." Mr Reardon nodded, and rubbed his hands.
"This scrape of yours, though, will be a most severe lesson to me," continued the captain.

"It was very weak and easy of me to give you all leave for a run ashore.

I ought to have referred you to Mr Reardon.
But you may take it for granted that I shall not err again in this way.
You can return on deck." "Oh, what a jolly shame!" grumbled Barkins.

"And there was old Reardon chuckling over it, and looking as pleased as Punch.

Who'd be a middy?
It's like being in a floating prison." But it was a very pleasant floating prison all the same, I could not help thinking, as we gradually got farther out from the land, over which the sun was sinking fast, and lighting up the mountain-tops with gold, while the valleys rapidly grew dark.