d kindled on
the forecastle, shone out over the sea there, besides illuminating the
island beach--where a number of black figures could be seen moving about
opening some casks, which, Ching Wang explained to me, he had assisted
in getting up from the forehold, so as to distract their attention from
us for awhile; for, knowing that these casks contained salt pork, and
being acquainted with the predilections of his countrymen for this
dainty, he was certain they would have an orgy before proceeding to
further hostilities.

This impression of the Chinaman proved to be quite correct; for not only
did the pirates rout out the salt pork, but they immediately proceeded
to cook it in Ching Wang's coppers, which were full of boiling water
which he had got ready in the first instance for the purpose of throwing
over the gentlemen as they boarded the ship. He had, however,
subsequently changed his mind on this point, thinking that by adopting
the guileless subtlety of his race and pretending to side with our
enemies he might in the end be of more effectual service to us.

Of course the Chinaman did not mention to his new allies the original
use for which the coppers were intended, as such candour on his part
might have led to his getting into "hot water" and so spoilt his little
plot, the complete success of which was further assured by his
purloining Tim Rooney's private bottle of rum from his cabin in the
deck-house, and bestowing it with his benediction on the stalwart
Portuguese captain of the pirates. This gentleman, being partial to the
liquor, enjoyed himself to such an extent over the unexpected treasure-
trove, keeping it selfishly for his own gratification, that he was more
than "half-seas-over" ere his rascally fellow cut-throats had begun
their pork feast; so, he was equally disinclined with them for further
active operations against the ship, the captain and crew of which he
regarded for the moment in a most benevolent spirit on account of their
having saved him the trouble of making them captive, probably at the
expense of several lives on his side, by locking themselves in the cabin
below of their own accord!

I got out all this by degrees from Ching Wang, as, paddling in the most
noiseless fashion across the lagoon where it was darkest, and carefully
avoiding the other junks anchored out in the middle, he directed the
course of the sampan towards the opening in the reef. This became all
the more distinct as w