And to us all one thing was evident, that could our lads only get a chance at the pigtailed, ruffianly scum of the east coast, it would go pretty hard with them.
"I'll bet many of 'em wouldn't go pirating again in a hurry," Barkins said; and we agreed.
Then we fell to wondering how many poor creatures had been murdered by them in their bloodthirsty career, and why it was that there should be such indifference to death, and so horrible a love of cruelty and torture, in the Chinese character.

All at once came the shout, and we were gazing at the cause.
For a bright, clear burst of flame suddenly rose from the direction of the ship--not an explosion, but a fierce blaze--and it was evident that the parts around the little fire had grown more and more heated and dry, and that the smouldering had gone on till some part of the cargo beneath, of an inflammable nature, had caught at last, and was burning furiously.
We expected that orders would be given for boats to be lowered, but we had drifted in the current so far away that there was a risky row amongst shoals, so no orders were given, the men gathering on deck to watch the light glow which lit up the cloud of smoke hovering overhead.
We three watched it in silence for some time, with the other officers near, and at last Smith said-- "I don't think I'm a cruel sort of fellow, but I feel as if I should like to kill some one now." He did not say a Chinese pirate, but he meant it; and I must confess to feeling something of the kind, for I thought how satisfactory it would be to aim one of our big guns at a pirate junk taken in some cruel act, and to send a shot between wind and water that would sink her and rid the seas of some of the fiends.
I quite started the next moment, for Barkins said, in a low, thoughtful voice-- "How do you feel about it, Gnat?
Shouldn't you like to kill some of 'em ?" The question was so direct, and appealed to my feelings so strongly, that for some moments I was silent.
"Not he," said Smith; "old Gnat wouldn't stick a pin in a cockroach." "Of course I wouldn't," I said stoutly, "but I'd crush it under my foot if I found one in the cabin." "One for you, Blacksmith," said Barkins.

"Look here, Gnat, you would like to kill some of the piratical beggars, wouldn't you ?" I remained silent again.
"There," said Smith, "I told you so.

If we caught a lot, Gnat would give them a lecture, and tell them they had been very naughty, and that they mustn't do so any more or he would be very angry with them indeed." "Punch his head, Gnat." I made no reply to their flippant remarks, for just then I felt very solemn and thoughtful.

I hope I was not priggish.