acks and jollies; we should give these
warmint a good sharp dressing-down; and they'd know as we wouldn't stand
any of their nonsense, and leave off chucking stones and mud at us.
Now, what had we done that we couldn't be 'lowed to lie alongside o' the
wharf yonder? We didn't say nothing to them. Fact is, sir, they hates
the British, and thinks they're a sooperior kind o' people altogether.
Do you hear, mates?--sooperior kind o' people; and there ain't one as
could use a knife and fork like a Chrishtian."

"And goes birds'-nestin' when they wants soup," said another.

"Well, I don't fall foul o' that, matey," said Jecks; "'cause where
there's nests there's eggs, and a good noo-laid egg ain't bad meat.
It's the nastiness o' their natur' that comes in there, and makes 'em
eat the nest as well. What I do holler at, is their cooking dog."

"And cat," said another.

"And rat," cried the third.

"Yes, all on 'em," said Jecks; "and I don't want to use strong language
afore one's orficer, who's a young gent as is allers thoughtful about
his men, and who's beginning to think now, that with the sun so precious
hot he'll be obliged to order us ashore soon for a drop o' suthin' to
drink."

I laughed, and Tom Jecks chuckled.

"But what I do say about their eatin' and cookin' is this, and I stands
by what I says, it's beastly, that's what it is--it's beastly!"

"Ay, ay," was chorussed, "so it is;" and then there was silence, while
we all sat uneasily in the broiling sun.

"Wish I was a gal," growled one of the men at last.

"Ain't good-looking enough, matey," said Jecks. "Why?"

"'Cause then I s'ould have a sunshade to put up."

"Ay, 'tis warm--brylin', as you may say. Any on you know whether the
Chinese is cannibals? You know, sir?"

"I have heard that they cook very strange things now and then," I said,
laughing.

"Then they is," said Jecks; "and that being so, they'll have a fine
chance to-day. Hadn't you better send word to some on 'em to lay the
cloth, sir?"

"What for?"

"'Cause I'm nearly done, sir; and Billy Wakes looks quite. Billy ought
to eat nice and joocy, messmates."

"And old Tom Jecks tough as leather," cried Wakes.

"That's so, matey," growled Jecks, who began to pass his tongue over his
lips, and to make a smacking sound with his mouth.

"My hye, matey, you do seem hungry," said one of the others. "Look out,
Billy, or he won't leave John Chinaman a taste."

"Get out!" growled Jecks