"On the contrary, she belongs to the captain of yonder Chinese junk."
"Not much! Now keep off! I have warned you for the last time. If you don't—"
Watt Brown got no further. While he had been speaking Captain Kenny had drawn his pistol, and now, taking sudden aim, he let drive, the bullet clipping the second mate's forelock.
"The rascal!" I burst out, and was on the point of firing when the howitzer roared out, sending a shot cutting over the small boat's bow. A splinter planted itself in Ah Sid's shoulder and we were glad to see that unworthy Celestial squirm with pain.
The discharge of the ship's cannon alarmed the Chinamen more than all threats would have done, and catching up their oars, they turned the battered small boat about and made for the junk.
"That scared them," cried Dan.
"Can't Oi have a shot at 'em?" queried Mat Gory disappointedly.
"You may get more shots than you want before we have done with 'em," smiled Watt Brown grimly.
"You think they will come back?" said Dan.
"Most certainly Captain Kenny will be back. He's not the fellow to give up so readily."
We watched the small boat until it was out of
