this Malay--serang is the name given
to the chief of the gang--appeared, rubbing his eyes as if just awakened
up from sleep.

He was the very same broad-shouldered, thick-set, tawny-yellow native
with jet black coarse hair, like that out of a horse's tail, and low
Mongolian type of face, whom the boatswain had seen inspecting the casks
on deck. He now cringed and salaamed before the first mate.

"You wantee me, comprador?" said the man, speaking in that species of
Portuguese patois which is so common in the Straits Settlements.

"Yes, Kifong," said the first mate, speaking likewise in broken lingo,
with the idea of making himself better understood. "Captain sahib say
he wantee you berry early morning, four bell, to get up anchor. You go
below now first chop, and turn in; do you hear that!" he shouted out in
very unmistakable English, pointing below to the foc's'le hatch.

"Si, Senor Comprador," salaamed again the Malay; then, giving a shrill
whistle and waving his rattan of office, the gang around the mainmast
roused up, and followed him to their bunks below as obediently as a
flock of sheep, without a word.

"Get the side-lines ready for the accommodation ladder, Martens," said
Mr Scuppers, "and see that the gig-falls are clear to hoist it in; for
we'll trip anchor at daylight if the wind holds, and leave this blessed
Canton River in our wake. Slip down the foc's'le hatch over the yellow
beggars. So there, that's all right, and the cap'en can come as soon as
he pleases!"

Presently the sound of oars was heard approaching the ship; and soon the
captain's gig, pulled by six oars, came alongside quietly. The light
was again shown, the ladder let down and side-ropes manned, and the
well-known face of the skipper appeared above the gangway. "This way,
Mr Meredith," said the latter to a well-wrapped-up gentleman who
accompanied him, besides the second mate, Mr Sprott, who remained
behind to see the gig hoisted in. "This way, Mr Meredith; please tell
the others to follow!"

The captain thereupon led the way into the saloon--Snowball carrying the
lantern to light up--followed by the gentleman whom he had addressed by
name, and ten others in single file bringing up the rear behind him;
then the cuddy doors were slid to and the saloon cut off from the rest
of the ship.

The captain came on deck after a time, and ordered the boatswain to tell
the men to give no hints to the Malays as to the passengers, and then