loser at dark, so as not to lose sight
of us, and sheering off in the morning till hull down nearly on the
horizon.

We had got almost accustomed to the craft by this time and used to cut
jokes about it; for, as we were continually passing other vessels bound
through the straits, it was obvious that even had the intentions of the
proa been hostile it would not have dared to attack us at sea with such
a lot of company about.

However, on our getting abreast of Saddle Island, to the north-west of
the Natuna group, behold the proa was joined by a companion, two of them
now being in our wake when morning dawned and we were better able to see
around us. We noticed, too, that this second craft was built more in
junk fashion with large lateen sails, and it seemed to be of about five
hundred piculs burthen, Mr Mackay said, the size of those craft that
are usually employed in the opium trade.

Matters began to look serious, it really appearing as if the beggars
were going to follow us all the way up the China Sea until they had an
opportunity of attacking us when there was no chance of any other vessel
being near!

"Let us stand towards them, Mackay and see what they're made of--eh?"
said Captain Gillespie, after squinting away at the two craft behind us.
"I'm hanged if I like being dodged in this way."

"With all my heart, sir," replied the other. "But, I'm afraid, as
they're well up in the wind's eye they can easily keep out of our reach
if they don't want us to approach too near them."

"We'll try it at any rate," grunted out "Old Jock," sniffing and
snorting, as he always did when vexed or put out. "Stand by to 'bout
ship!"

The watch at once ran to their respective stations, Tom Jerrold and I
with a couple of others attending to the cross-jack yard.

"All ready forrud?"

"Aye, aye, sorr," shouted back Tim Rooney from the forecastle, "all
ready forrud."

"Helms a-lee!"

The head sheets were let go as the captain roared out this order, the
jib flattening as the vessel went into stays.

"Raise tacks and sheets!" cried Captain Gillespie, when the foretack and
main-sheets were cast off just as his next command came--"Main-sail
haul!"

Then the weather main-brace was hauled taut and the heavy yard swung
round, the Silver Queen coming up to the wind with a sort of shiver, as
if she did not like turning back and retracing her course.

However, so "Old Jock" willed it, and she must!

"Brace round your head ya