"Yes," assented the doctor. "The modern idea is right that punishment should be reformatory instead of vindictive. But it will be a good while before China sees things from that standpoint."
"It is possible of course that the culprit here does not suffer so cruelly as a white man would under similar conditions. The nervous system of a Chinaman is very coarse and undeveloped. He bears with stolidity torture that would wring shrieks of agony from one more highly strung."
"Perhaps so," said Bert, "but I don't know. We say that sometimes about fish. They're coldblooded, and so it doesn't hurt them to be caught. I've often thought, though, that it would be interesting if we could hear from the fish on that point."
"No doubt," returned the doctor. "It's always easy to be philosophical when somebody else is concerned. But we'll have to go now," looking at his watch, "if we expect to get to the boat in time."
"Well, fellows," said Bert that night as, safe on board of the _Fearless_, they prepared to tumble in, "it certainly is interesting to go about this land of the 'Yellow Dragon,' but it's a cruel old beast. I'd hate to feel its teeth and claws."
"Not very pretty to look at, is he?" asked Ralph, indicating by a nod the huge Chinaman who had slipped noiselessly past them on his way to the galley.
"He isn't exactly a beauty," assented Tom, looking after the retreating figure, "but then what Chinaman is? Besides he didn't sign as an Adonis, but as an assistant cook. What do you expect to get for your twelve dollars a month and found?"
"Well, I'd hate to meet him up an alley on a dark night, especially if he had a knife," persisted Ralph. "If ever villainy looked out from a fellow's face it does from his."
"Don't wake him up, he is dreaming," laughed Bert.
"I do not like thee, Doctor Fell, The reason why I cannot tell; But this one thing I know full well, I do not like thee, Doctor Fell,"
"Come out of your trance, Ralph, and look at these two junks just coming out from that point of land over there," rallied Tom. "Those fellows handle them smartly, don't they?"
It was a glorious evening off the China coast. The _Fearless_ had hoisted anchor and turned her prow toward home. Every revolution of the screws was bringing them nearer to the land of the Stars and Stripes. The sea was like quicksilver, there was a following wind, the powerful engines were moving like clockwork, and everything indicated a fast and prosperous voyage.