Inglis. No speakee pigeon Englis. All ploper.
Interpleter. You likee go shore for walkee, see something?"

"You beggar, you were listening," cried Barkins. "How long had you been
there?"

"Ching just come ask young genelman likee walkee walkee."

"Yes, allee likee walkee walkee velly much," said Barkins, imitating the
Chinaman's squeak. "Why? Can you give us leave?"

Ching shook his head.

"Go ask offlicer. Go for walkee walkee, take Ching; you likee see
something velly nice ploper?"

"Yes," I cried eagerly. "Can you take us to see a Chinese theatre?"

Ching closed his eyes and nodded.

"You come 'long o' Ching, I showee something velly nice ploper."

"All right," I cried. "Now, Tanner, go and try it on with the doctor."

"No, no. Ask offlicer. Doctor only give flizzick. Velly nastee.
Ugh!"

Ching's round face was a study as he screwed it up to show his disgust
with the doctor's preparations.

Barkins went off and returned directly.

"Well," we cried; "seen Price?" and Ching, who was squatted on the
floor, looked up smiling.

"No."

"Not seen him?"

"No; I ran against Dishy, and thought I'd ask him plump."

"And you did?"

"Yes."

"What did he say?"

"I know," cried Smith; "that we were always going out."

"That's it exactly."

"And he won't let us go?" I said in a disappointed tone.

"Who says so?" cried Barkins, changing his manner. "The old chap was in
splendid fettle, and he smiled,--now, now, don't both of you be so jolly
full of doubts. On my honour as an officer and a gentleman, he smiled
and clapped me on the shoulder."

"Yes, my lad, of course," he said. "We shall be off again soon, and
then it will be all work and no play again, and we mustn't make Jack a
dull boy, must we?"

"He's going off his head," said Smith.

"Let him go, then," I cried, "if it makes him like this."

"Don't chatter so, Gnat," cried Smith. "I say, did he really say we
might go?"

"Yes; and that we ought to start at once before the day grew hotter, and
that we were to take great care of ourselves."

"Hurra!"

"And be sure and wash our faces and our hands before we started," added
Barkins.

"Get out; I can see where it joins," I cried. "But did he say any
more?"

"Only that we were to mind and not get into any trouble with the people,
and that we had better take Ching."

"Yes," said that individual gravely. "Much better take Ching. Velly
useful take care."

"To be sure,"