CHAPTER FIVE.
CHING HAS IDEAS.
Week had passed, during which we had cruised here and there, in the hope of falling in with the pirates.

Once in the right waters, it did not much signify which course we took, for we were as likely to come across them sailing north as south.

So our coal was saved, and we kept steadily along under canvas.
But fortune seemed to be still against us, and though we boarded junk after junk, there was not one of which the slightest suspicion could be entertained; and their masters, as soon as they realised what our mission was, were only too eager to afford us every information they could.
Unfortunately, they could give us none of any value.

They could only tell us about divers acts of horrible cruelty committed here and there within the past few months, but could not point out where the pirates were likely to be found.
Ching, in spite of some rough weather, had never been obliged to leave the deck, and had proved to be so valuable an acquisition, that he was informed that he would have a certain rate of pay as interpreter while he stayed on board; and as soon as he was made aware of this, he strutted up to me and told me the news.
"Captain makee interpleter and have lot dollar.

Muchee better keepee fancee shop." This was after, at my suggestion to Mr Reardon, he had been sent out in one of the boats to board a big junk, and from that time it became a matter of course that when a boat was piped away, Ching's pigtail was seen flying out nearly horizontally in his eagerness to be first in the stern-sheets.
But it was always the same.