Chapter 4 Summary

Flashy skulks about London for ten days watching for "pluggers," and obtains through Uncle Bindley an official assignment in Singapore. Aboard the luxury brig, Sulu Queen, Haslam is a perfect host but Flashy is troubled that none of the crew is white. Haslam explains that ten guns are needed protection out where the British and Dutch navies are sparse. The voyage down the African coast is the pleasantest of Flashy's life. As they enter the Indian Ocean, Haslam changes, donning native clothes and sporting a beard. Off Madagascar, Haslam explains the savage land where he trades a bit. The queen is monstrous, torturing people for pleasure. Anyone cast ashore is used sexually and then horribly killed. When Haslam goes ashore at Tamitave, Flashy studies the village, fort, and stockade through a spy glass.

They sail off in the morning, pressing on to Singapore...