NAMPANG ISLAND. 33

“ No further discussion with the consignees ?”

“No, sir. After hearing what you had to say, it did
not seem as if there was any good reason why I should
figure on the chances of bringing the brig into port.”

“Well, boy, I have half a mind to let you try the
scheme. The Progressive Age belongs to the same par-
ties who own the Sportsman, and, as a matter of fact, it
is, in a certain sense, my duty to protect their property
under such circumstances as now exist. Suppose I was
willing you should make the attempt, how would you
set about it?”

“Go down to Nampang Island the best way I could, in
a sampan, if nothing else offers, for, according to my idea,
it is of the greatest importance to reach there at the
earliest possible moment. Then I would engage such
men as could be found on the island and around the
coast, and work her up here.”

“You do not understand the Chinese language. How
do you propose to handle a Chinese crew?”

“Tf I couldn't find some one to act as interpreter, I'd
be willing to guarantee I could make them understand
what I meant before we got under way. If she’s light,
so much the more reason for running up under easy sail,
and I reckon I could do a little more than an able sea-
man’s work myself, if the reward at the end of it was a
possible captaincy.”

“And you expect to jump directly from the forecastle
into the cabin, eh?”

“It has been done before, sir. There seems to me no