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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Middy and Ensign, by G. Manville Fenn
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Middy and Ensign
+
+Author: G. Manville Fenn
+
+Illustrator: G.D. Rowlandson
+
+Release Date: May 8, 2007 [EBook #21355]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MIDDY AND ENSIGN ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England
+
+
+
+
+Middy and Ensign, by George Manville Fenn.
+
+________________________________________________________________________
+
+This was the first Manville Fenn book I ever encountered, and I loved it
+at first sight.  So much so that I had put nearly fifty of his books on
+the website within a couple of years, although, writing in 2005, two
+years ago I had never heard of Manville Fenn.
+
+HMS Startler is on patrol up the Parang River in the Malay peninsula.
+On board are the midshipman, Bob Roberts, and the ensign, Tom Long.
+Their friendly bickering goes on throughout the book.  Various tropical
+indispositions trouble them, and also of course the insect life in the
+air and saurian life in the river is of no help.  It is hard to know
+which of the natives are on their side, and which not, and there is a
+great deal of two-facedness.  We are introduced to various fruits.  A
+soldier on their own side is prone to fall asleep when on sentry duty,
+and the little fort they build to give the womenfolk a little more room
+than aboard ship, is very nearly captured and destroyed.
+
+There are various trips for fishing and shooting purposes, and we learn
+a great deal about the natural history of the area while these
+expeditions are in progress.
+
+One of the reasons why some of the natives do not like the British
+Protectorate is that normally any traffic passing up and down the river
+does so only on payment of a toll to the local chieftains, who in turn
+are at loggerheads with each other in dispute of the right to exact
+tolls.
+
+It's a very exciting book, and you'll probably learn a lot by reading
+it.
+
+________________________________________________________________________
+
+MIDDY AND ENSIGN, BY GEORGE MANVILLE FENN.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER ONE.
+
+ON BOARD THE "STARTLER".
+
+The close of a hot day on board Her Majesty's ship "Startler," whose
+engines kept up a regular pulsation as the screw-propeller churned the
+water astern into golden and orange foam.  The dappled sky and the
+rippled sea were a blaze of colour; crimson, scarlet, burnished copper,
+orange chrome, dead, and flashing gold,--all were there, on cloud edge
+and wave slope, mingled with purples, and greens, and blues, as the sun
+slowly descended to his rest.
+
+There had been a general disposition all day long to lie under awnings,
+and pant "like tired dogs," so Bob Roberts the midshipman said; but now
+officers and men, in the lightest of garments, were eagerly looking for
+the cool evening breeze, and leaning over the bulwarks, gazing at the
+wondrous sunset sky and gorgeous sea.
+
+The deck of the clean, smart-looking vessel had a very picturesque
+aspect, dotted as it was with groups of officers and men; for in
+addition to the crew, the "Startler" carried four companies of Her
+Majesty's somethingth foot, the escort of the British Resident and his
+suite, bound for Campong Allee, the chief town of Rajah Hamet, on the
+Parang River, west coast of the Malay peninsula.
+
+The Resident was to be the help and adviser of the Mohammedan potentate,
+who had sought the protection of the British Government; and to fix him
+in his position, and save him from the assaults of the various inimical
+petty rajahs around, the corvette was to lie for some months in the
+river, and the residency was to be turned into a fort, garrisoned by the
+troops under Major Sandars.
+
+Bob Roberts, a fair, good-looking, curly-headed lad of sixteen, was
+standing with his back leaned against the bulwarks, his cap thrust back,
+and his hands deep in his pockets, staring defiantly across the deck at
+a lad of about a year or so older, who, as he stood very stiff and
+upright by the cabin ladder, returned the stare with interest.
+
+The latter had just buckled on his sword, and, in spite of the heat,
+buttoned up his undress coatee to the chin, ready for the short spell of
+drill which he knew would take place before the officers dined; and
+after giving the finishing-touch to his gloves, he rather ostentatiously
+raised his sword, then hanging to the full length of its slings, and
+hooked it on to his belt.
+
+"What a jolly shame it is that we should only carry a beggarly little
+dirk," said Bob Roberts to himself, as he tried to look sneeringly at
+the young ensign before him; for the latter came across the deck with
+rather a swaggering stride, and stood before the midshipman.
+
+"Well, young Jack tar," he said, with a touch of contempt in his tone.
+
+"Well, young Pipeclay," retorted the middy.  "I say, how tightly you've
+laced your stays to-day.  Mind where you go, or you'll get some pitch on
+your lovely uniform.  My word, how handsome you look!"
+
+"I tell you what it is, Master Bob, or Robert Roberts," said the young
+ensign, flushing, "if I did not feel that I was stooping by so doing, I
+should tell you that you were an impudent puppy of a boy, and give you a
+good caning."
+
+"No, no! please pray don't do that, Mr Ensign Long, or Tom Long, or
+Long Tom, or whatever you call yourself," retorted the middy, assuming
+an aspect of mock terror.  "You frighten me into fits almost; and if you
+did try to cane me you'd split that coatee of yours all up the back, or
+break your staylace, or do yourself some mischief, and--"
+
+Just then there was the sound of a bugle, followed by the tramp of feet;
+and the young officer, scowling fiercely, turned half-right, and as he
+did so let his sword down, so that the end of the scabbard might clatter
+against the white deck, as he marched off to where the men were
+assembling, while the middy burst into a hearty laugh.
+
+"You two gents is allus a quarrelling," growled a wonderfully
+copper-faced old sailor, giving his lower jaw a twist.  "You puts me in
+mind of the gamecocks as the Malay niggers we're going amongst keeps, to
+strut up and shake out their hackles afore they has a set-to."
+
+"Well, he is so cocky, Dick," said the middy, "and struts about, and--"
+
+"That's what I say, sir," said the old sailor, leaning his arms on the
+bulwark, "just like a gamecock."
+
+"And assumes such an air of superiority," continued the middy.
+
+"Just like you do, sir, to'rds us common sailors," said the man,
+chuckling.
+
+"Don't you tell lies, Dick," said the lad sharply.  "I always treat the
+sailors as an officer and a gentleman should."
+
+"So you do, sir, so you do! and it was only my gammon.  But you do wish
+you was a swaddy now, and wore a red coat instead of a blue."
+
+"No I don't, Dick," said the lad colouring; "but I do think we naval
+officers ought to wear swords, the same as those boy-soldiers."
+
+"So you ought, sir;" said the sailor, winking to himself; "but never you
+mind about that, sir.  If so be as it comes to a brush with the niggers,
+I'll grind you up a cutlash, with a hedge so sharp as you might shave
+yourself with it.  Perhaps you'd like me to do it now, sir, if your
+razor is feeling a bit dull?"
+
+"Now, look here, old Dick Dunnage," said the middy; "that's cheek; and I
+won't have cheek from you, so I tell you."
+
+"Cheek, sir," said the old sailor, with assumed innocence.  "I didn't
+mean to shave only your cheek, sir, but your chin as well."
+
+"Now that'll do, Dick.  I'm not ashamed of having no beard, and I'm not
+ashamed of being a boy, so now then."
+
+"Course you ain't, sir.  There, I didn't mean nothing disrespectful.  It
+was only my fun.  This here 'bacca as you give me, sir, baint the best I
+ever had.  Lor! how hot them poor fellows do look, buttoned and belted
+up as they is," he continued, as the soldiers fell into line.  "It's a
+deal better to be a sailor, Master Bob."
+
+"Ever so much, Dick," said the middy.  "How long is it since you were
+out here, Dick?"
+
+"How long, sir?" and the sailor thoughtfully, as he sprinkled the sea
+with a little tobacco juice; "six year."
+
+"And have you been more than once, Dick?"
+
+"Four times altogether, sir.  Let's see: I was at Singapore, and at
+Penang, and Malacky, and up the country at a place they called Bang, or
+Clang, or something or another."
+
+"And what sort of a country is it, Dick?" said the boy eagerly.
+
+"Wonderful country; all palm-trees and jungles, and full of rivers and
+creeks, where the long row-boats, as they call prahus, runs up."
+
+"Those are the pirates' boats, Dick?"
+
+"That's right, sir; and precious awkward things they are to catch, Lord
+love you!  I've been after 'em in cutter and pinnace, firing our bow gun
+among them, and the men pulling like mad to get up alongside; but they
+generally dodged in and out of some of these mangrove creeks till they
+give us the slip, and we had to pull back."
+
+"Shouldn't I like to be in chase of one of the scoundrelly prahus!"
+cried the lad, with his eyes flashing.
+
+"That you would, sir, I'll lay," said the old sailor; "and wouldn't you
+lay into 'em with that very sharp-edged cutlash I touches up for you!"
+
+"Now look here, Dick, you're chaffing," said the lad; "now just drop
+it."
+
+"All right, sir," said the man, with a laugh twinkling at the corner of
+his lips.
+
+"It is a very fine country though, isn't it, Dick?"
+
+"Wonderful, sir.  There's gold, and tin, and copper, and precious
+stones."
+
+"Did you ever find any, Dick?"
+
+"Well no, sir; but I've known them as has found gold in the rivers.  The
+Chinees gets most on it."
+
+"There now you're chaffing again, Dick," cried the lad.  "Chinese
+indeed!  Why we're not going to China."
+
+"'Course we aint, sir, but the Chinees swarm in the place we're going
+to.  I ant chaffing now; this here's all true--as true as that the chaps
+all wears a dagger sort of a thing with a crooked handle, and calls it a
+crease."
+
+"Yes, I know they all wear the kris," said the lad.
+
+"Yes, sir, and a plaid kilt, just like a Scotchman."
+
+"What?"
+
+"A plaid kilt, like a Scotchman, sir, and they calls it a say rong; and
+the big swell princes has it made of silk, and the common folks of
+cotton."
+
+"Is this gammon, Dick?"
+
+"Not a bit on it, sir.  They wears that crease stuck in it; and they
+carries spears--limbings they calls 'em--and they can throw 'em a
+wonderful way."
+
+"They poison the kris, don't they, Dick?"
+
+"No, sir, I don't think they do," said the sailor.  "I asked one man out
+there if they didn't; and he pulls his'n out of its sheath, and it was
+all dingy like, and as sharp as a razor, and he says in his barbarous
+lingo, as a man put into English for me, as his knife would kill a man
+without poison."
+
+"What sort of wild beasts are there, Dick?"
+
+"Tigers, sir."
+
+"Honour bright, Dick?"
+
+"Honour bright, sir; lots on 'em.  They feeds 'em on Chinees."
+
+"Feed them on Chinese, Dick?"
+
+"Well sir, the tigers help theirselves to the coolies when they're at
+work."
+
+"Anything else, Dick?"
+
+"Lor, bless you! yes, sir; there's elephants."
+
+"Are you sure?"
+
+"Sure, sir.  I've seen 'em, heaps o' times; and rhinosseress, and
+hippypotimies, and foreign birds, and snakes."
+
+"Are there snakes, Dick?"
+
+"Are there snakes!  He says, are there snakes?" said Dick,
+apostrophising the sea.  "Why the last time as ever I was there, they
+caught a boa-constrictor as was--"
+
+"Don't make him too long, Dick," said the boy laughing.
+
+"I won't make him too long," said the sailor solemnly.  "Let's see, sir;
+this here ship's 'bout hundred and fifty foot long."
+
+"Yes, Dick, but the boa-constrictor was longer than that," said the lad,
+laughing.
+
+"I won't go to deceive you, Mister Roberts," said Dick, "no more than I
+did when I was learning you how to knot and splice.  That there
+boa-constrictor was quite a hundred foot long."
+
+"Get out!"
+
+"Well, say fifty, sir."
+
+"No, nor yet fifty, Dick."
+
+"Well, sir, not to zaggerate about such things, if that there sarpent as
+I see with my own eyes--"
+
+"Why you couldn't see it with anybody else's, Dick."
+
+"No, sir, but I might have seen it wi' a spy glass.  This there sarpent
+as I see it lying down stretched out straight was a good twenty-five
+foot."
+
+"Perhaps that may have been, Dick," said Bob Roberts, thoughtfully.
+
+"Yes, sir, it were all that; and when it was alive it must have been
+fifty foot at least."
+
+"Why, Dick?"
+
+"Cause they stretches out so, sir, just like worms in the garden at home
+do."
+
+"Gammon, Dick.  Serpents don't stretch."
+
+"Don't stretch, sir!  Just you wait till you get a thirty-footer twissen
+and twining round you, and see if they don't stretch."
+
+"All right, Dick; and when he does, you come and pinch his tail, and
+make him open his mouth; and when he does that you pop in a bit of your
+nasty tobacco, and he'll leave off, and go like a shot."
+
+The old sailor chuckled, and said something about Mister Bob Roberts
+being a nice boy, while the party in question walked aft to see the
+company of soldiers on deck put through half-an-hour's drill, making a
+point of staring hard and derisively at the young ensign, who saw the
+lad's looks, grew angry, from growing angry became confused, and
+incurred the captain's anger by giving the wrong order to the men, some
+of whom went right, knowing what he ought to have said, while others
+went wrong, and got the company hopelessly confused.
+
+The result was that Ensign Long, of her Majesty's somethingth foot, was
+severely snubbed, just as Mr Linton the resident, and his daughter
+Rachel Linton, were looking on.
+
+"I wouldn't have cared if they had not been there," said Ensign Long to
+himself; "but if I don't serve that little wretch of a middy out for
+this, my name is not Long."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWO.
+
+INTRODUCES MORE FRIENDS; WITH A FEW WORDS ON THE RIVER PARANG.
+
+The men were dismissed, and gladly got rid of coatee, rifle, and belt,
+to have a lounge in the cool of the evening; the dinner was ready in the
+captain's cabin, where lights already appeared; and, soon after, the
+tropic night came on, as if with a bound.  The sky was of a purple
+black, studded with its myriads of stars, which were reflected with
+dazzling lustre from the smooth surface of the sea.  But not only were
+the bright star shapes there to give splendour to the wave, for as far
+down as eye could reach through the clear water it was peopled with tiny
+phosphorescent atoms, moving slowly here and there, and lighting up the
+depths of the sea with a wonderful effulgence that was glorious to
+behold.
+
+Under the vessel's prow the divided waters flowed to right and left like
+liquid gold, while, where the propeller revolved beneath the stern, the
+sea was one lambent blaze of fire ever flashing right away, covered with
+starry spots that glistened, and rose, and fell, on the heaving wave.
+
+As the evening crept on, the various lights of the ship shone out clear
+and bright, notably that from the binnacle, which was like a halo round
+the face of the sailor at the wheel.  There was a faint glow from the
+skylights too, and a lantern was hung here and there about the
+quarter-deck, where soon after the officers assembled to chat and smoke,
+while their men in turn enjoyed their ease.
+
+The ship rushed swiftly on its way, having passed Penang the previous
+day; and it was expected that on the next they would be at the mouth of
+the river, a native city upon which was to be the home of all for many
+months, perhaps for years.
+
+The officers were discussing the character of the rajah, some being of
+opinion that he was a bloodthirsty tyrant and upholder of slavery, whom
+the British Government were making a great mistake in protecting, while
+others declared that according to their experience the Malays were not
+the cruel treacherous race they had been considered, but that they were
+noble, proud, and thorough gentlemen by nature, and that if they were
+properly treated the life of an Englishman amongst them was perfectly
+safe.
+
+"Well, gentlemen," said a little fat man, who seemed to do nothing but
+perspire and mop his forehead, "they say the proof of the pudding is in
+the eating.  I know one thing, however, Parang is a glorious country for
+botanical specimens."
+
+"Just the thing for you, doctor," said Mr Linton, the resident.
+
+"But it won't be just the thing for you, gentlemen," said the little
+man, "for as sure as my name's Bolter, if you don't strictly follow out
+my orders some of you will be losing the number of your mess."
+
+"Come, that sounds well," said a quiet-looking man in white jacket and
+trousers; "we are going to Parang to help to put down slavery, and we
+are to be put into a state of slavery by the doctor here."
+
+"He'll deal gently with you sometimes," said the grey-haired major in
+command of the troops.  "Never turn a deaf ear to his discourses on
+plants, then you will be indulged."
+
+"What a nice revenge I could have on you, major!" said the doctor,
+laughing, and rubbing his hands.  "Ha, ha, ha! and I could double your
+dose."
+
+"Yes," laughed the major; "and after all it is the doctor who really
+commands these expeditions."
+
+"Ah, well," said the little gentleman, "I'll do the best I can for all
+of you.  But don't be rash, my dear boys.  You must avoid night dews,
+and too much fruit, and over-exertion."
+
+"There, there, doctor," said the major, laughing; "you needn't trouble
+yourself about the last.  I'll undertake to say that none of my fellows
+will over-exert themselves."
+
+"Unless, sir, they are called upon to fight," said a rather important
+voice.
+
+"Oh, I beg your pardon, I'm sure, Mr Long," said the major seriously.
+"Of course we shall not study trouble then."
+
+The officers smiled, and looked from one to the other, greatly to Mr
+Tom Long's annoyance.  In fact he felt so much aggrieved at the way in
+which his remark had been received, that he proceeded to light a very
+large cigar before rising to seek another part of the deck.
+
+"If you smoke that big strong cigar you'll be ill, Mr Long," said the
+doctor quietly.
+
+"I'd cut it in half, Long," said Captain Smithers, "and give the other
+half to young Roberts."
+
+"I know what I can smoke, sir," replied the youth haughtily.  "Perhaps
+you will take one."
+
+"I!  No, thanks.  They are too strong for me."  And with what was meant
+for a very haughty, injured look, Ensign Long strode slowly away.
+
+"Thank you, doctor," said Major Sandars.  "It's just as well to snub
+that young gentleman sometimes.  He's a fine young fellow, and will make
+a splendid officer; but really there are times when I get wondering
+whether we have changed places, and he is in command."
+
+"Oh, all boys go through that stage," said the resident quietly.  "He
+has just arrived at the hair-brushing, make-yourself-look-nice age, and
+feels at least eight-and-twenty."
+
+"When he is only eighteen," said Captain Smithers.
+
+"He is only seventeen, I believe," said the major, "and the youngest
+ensign in the service.  By the way, Linton, I believe Long has formed a
+desperate attachment for your daughter."
+
+"Yes, I had noticed it," said the resident drily; "and as Ensign Long is
+seventeen, and my daughter twenty-three, it will be a most suitable
+match.  But he has a rival, I see."
+
+Captain Smithers started slightly as the major exclaimed,--
+
+"Who may that be?"
+
+"Our dashing young friend, Mr Bob Roberts."
+
+There was a bit of a scuffle here as the whole party burst into a roar
+of laughter.
+
+"Oh, I beg your pardon, Roberts," said the resident.  "I did not know
+you were there."
+
+Bob Roberts felt red hot with shame and annoyance, as he made a rush and
+retreated from the group, by whom his presence had been unperceived.
+
+"I hope, Linton," said Captain Horton, in command of the "Startler,"
+"that my youngster there has not been behaving impertinently to Miss
+Linton."
+
+"Not at all," said the resident quietly; "both Mr Long and Mr Roberts
+have been full of respectful admiration for the young lady, who has
+sufficient common sense to behave to the silly young gentlemen as they
+deserve.  It is all connected with the hair-brushing stage, and will, I
+have no doubt, help to make them both grow into fine manly young fellows
+by-and-by."
+
+"Why, I can see through the mill-stone now," said the doctor, laughing.
+
+"What mill-stone, doctor?"
+
+"Why, I have been puzzling myself as to why it was those two boys were
+always squabbling together.  I see now; they're as jealous as can be.  I
+say, Mr Linton, you ought not to bring such a bone of contention on
+board as that daughter of yours, and her cousin."
+
+"Seriously, my dear doctor," said the resident, "I do sometimes feel
+that I am to blame for bringing those two motherless girls out into the
+jungle; but Rachel declared that she would not be separated from me; and
+Miss Sinclair, my sister's child, seems more like one of my own, and
+shared her cousin's feelings."
+
+"They are two ladies, Linton," said the major, "for whom we feel the
+deepest respect; and, speaking selfishly, I am only too glad that my
+wife has a couple of such charming companions."
+
+"Yes," said Captain Horton; "and if I had known what I know now, I
+should have let Mrs Horton have her wish, and accompany me."
+
+"Well, gentlemen," said the resident, rather sadly, "I don't know, but I
+have a sort of presentiment that it would have been better if we had
+been without ladies, or soldiers' wives, if you come to that; for I
+cannot conceal from myself that we are bound upon a very risky
+expedition, one out of which I hope we shall all come safely."
+
+"Oh, we shall be safe enough," said the major.
+
+"Do you think there is really any danger, Mr Linton?" said Captain
+Smithers, rather hoarsely.
+
+"Why, you are not afraid, are you, Smithers?  Come, you must not show
+the white feather!"
+
+"I am not afraid for myself, Major Sandars," said the young captain,
+quietly; "and I hope I shall never show the white feather; but when
+there are women and children in an expedition--"
+
+"Oh, come, come," said the resident, gaily; "I am afraid I have been
+croaking.  There may be danger; but when we are surrounded by such brave
+men as the officers and crew of the `Startler,' and her Majesty's
+somethingth foot, I see, after all, nothing whatever to fear."
+
+"Fear? no!" said Captain Horton.  "Why, we could blow the whole place to
+Cape Horn with my guns; and the Malays would never face Sandars' boys,
+with their bayonets."
+
+"Did you notice that sentry, Smithers?" asked the little doctor, in a
+low voice, of his companion, as the conversation now became less
+general.
+
+"Sentry? which one?"
+
+"This one," said the doctor.  "Don't speak aloud, or he'll hear you."
+
+"Private Gray?  No, I did not notice anything.  What do you mean?"
+
+"The light of that lantern shines full on his face, and he made a
+movement that drew my attention, when we were talking of there being
+danger."
+
+"Indeed?" said the captain.
+
+"Yes; he was evidently listening to the conversation, and I saw him
+start so that he nearly dropped his piece; his face was quite convulsed,
+and he turned of a sickly pallor.  The light was so strong upon him that
+I could see his lips whiten."
+
+"Or was it fancy, doctor?"
+
+"Fancy?  No, my lad, that was no fancy; and I hope we have not many more
+like him in the regiment."
+
+"Well, for my part," said Captain Smithers, quietly, "I have often
+wished that my company was composed of Adam Grays."
+
+"Adam, eh?  To be sure; I remember the fellow now.  Well, he's a poor
+descendant of the first Adam, for if that fellow is not an arrant coward
+my name isn't Bolter."
+
+"Really, doctor, I think you do the man an injustice.  He is a very
+superior, well educated fellow; and it has often puzzled me how he
+became a private soldier."
+
+"Scamp!" said the doctor, shortly.  "Some runaway or another.  The ranks
+of the army are made a receptacle for blackguards!"
+
+"Hang it, doctor!" cried the young captain, warmly, "I cannot sit here
+and listen to such heresy.  I confess that we do get some scoundrels
+into the army; but as a rule our privates are a thoroughly trustworthy
+set of fellows, ready to go through fire and water for their officers;
+and I only wish the country would make better provision for them when
+their best days are past."
+
+"Ah, that's right enough," said the doctor; "they are all what you say,
+and they do deserve better treatment of their country.  I mean, ha, ha,
+ha! to make teetotallers of them this trip.  I'm not going to have the
+men poisoned with that red hot country arrack, I can tell them."
+
+"It is terrible stuff, I believe."
+
+"Terrible?  It's liquid poison, sir! and I don't know that I sha'n't try
+and set up a private brewery of my own, so as to supply the poor fellows
+with a decent glass of beer."
+
+"Poor fellows! eh, doctor?  Why, you said just now they were a set of
+scoundrels."
+
+"Well, well, well; I didn't mean all.  But look at that fellow Sim--
+there's a pretty rascal for you!  He's always on the sick-list, and it's
+nearly always sham."
+
+"I'm afraid he is a bit of a black sheep," said Captain Smithers.
+
+"Inky black, Smithers, inky black.  I shall poison that fellow some day.
+But I say, my dear boy, the brewery."
+
+"What about it?"
+
+"What about it?  Why, it would be splendid.  I mean to say it is a grand
+idea.  I'll get the major to let me do it."
+
+"My dear doctor," said Captain Smithers, laughing, "I'm afraid if you
+did brew some beer, and supply it to the men, fancy would go such a long
+way that they would find medicinal qualities in it, and refuse to drink
+a drop."
+
+"Then they would be a set of confoundedly ungrateful scoundrels," said
+the doctor, angrily, "for I should only use malt and hops."
+
+"And never serve it as you did the coffee that day, doctor?"
+
+"Well, well, I suppose I must take the credit of that.  I did doctor it
+a little; but it was only with an astringent corrective, to keep the
+poor boys from suffering from too much fruit."
+
+"Poor boys! eh, doctor?  Come, come, you don't think my brave lads are a
+set of scoundrels then?"
+
+"I said before, not all--not all," replied the doctor.
+
+"Ah, doctor," said Captain Smithers, "like a good many more of us, you
+say more than you mean sometimes, and I know you have the welfare of the
+men at heart."
+
+"Not I, my lad, not I.  It's all pure selfishness; I don't care a pin
+about the rascals.  All I want is to keep them quite well, so that they
+may not have to come bothering me, when I want my time to go botanising;
+that's all."
+
+"And so we have fewer men on the sick-list than any regiment out here?"
+
+"Tut! tut!  Nonsense!"
+
+Just then the ladies came up from the principal cabin, and began to walk
+slowly up and down the quarter-deck, evidently enjoying the delicious
+coolness of the night air, and the beauty of the sea and sky.
+
+Captain Smithers sat watching them intently for a time, and then, as he
+happened to turn his head, he caught sight of the sentry, Adam Gray, and
+it struck him that he, too, was attentively watching the group of
+ladies.  So convinced did the young officer become of this, that he
+could not refrain from watching him.
+
+Once or twice he thought it was only fancy, but at last he felt sure;
+and a strange angry sensation sprang up in his breast as he saw the
+sentry's countenance change when the ladies passed him.
+
+"An insolent scoundrel!" he muttered.  "How dare he?"
+
+Then, as the ladies took their seats at some distance, he began thinking
+over what the doctor had said, and wondering whether this man, in whom
+he had heretofore taken a great deal of interest, was such a coward; and
+in spite of his angry feelings, he could only come to the conclusion
+that the doctor was wrong.
+
+But at the same time what he had heard and seen that evening had not
+been without its effect, and he found himself irritable and vexed
+against this man, while his previous good feelings seemed to be
+completely swept away.
+
+At last he rose impatiently, and strolled towards where the ladies were
+sitting, and joined in the conversation that was going on round a bucket
+of water that the doctor had just had dipped from over the side, and
+which he had displayed, full of brilliantly shining points of light,
+some of which emitted flashes as he stirred the water with his hands, or
+dipped glasses full of it, to hold up for the fair passengers to see.
+
+"All peculiar forms of jelly-fish," he said aloud, as if he were
+delivering a lecture, "and all possessing the power of emitting that
+beautiful phosphorescent light.  There you see, ladies, if I had a spoon
+I could skim it off the top of this bucket of water, just like so much
+golden cream, and pour it into a glass.  Very wonderful, is it not?"
+
+"Look, look, doctor!" said one of the ladies, pointing to the sea, where
+a series of vivid flashes rapidly followed one another.
+
+"Yes, my dear, I see," he replied; "that was some fish darting through
+the water, and disturbing the medusae.  If you watch you can see the
+same thing going on all round."
+
+So glorious was the aspect of the sea that the conversation gradually
+ceased, and all on the quarter-deck watched the ever-widening lines of
+golden water that parted at the stem of the corvette and gradually died
+away, or were mingled with the glistening foam churned up by the
+propeller.
+
+For the sea seemed to be one blaze of soft lambent light, that flashed
+angrily wherever it was disturbed by the steamer, or the startled fish,
+that dashed away on every side as they swiftly ran on towards the land
+of swamp and jungle, of nipah and betel palm, where the rivers were
+bordered by mangroves, the home of the crocodile; a land where the
+night's conversation had roused up thoughts of its being perhaps the
+burial-place of many a one of the brave hearts throbbing within the
+timbers of that stout ship--hearts that were to play active parts in the
+adventurous scenes to come.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THREE.
+
+DOCTOR BOLTER CURES ONE PATIENT, AND IS LEFT WITH ANOTHER.
+
+"Is that Parang, that dim light out yonder, captain?" said the major,
+pointing to what looked like a cloud touching the water.
+
+"Oh, no," was the reply.  "That is part of Sumatra.  Our destination
+lies off the other bow, due east from where we are lying now."
+
+It was a glorious morning, and the sun at that early hour had not yet
+attained to its greater power.  The ladies were on deck, enjoying the
+morning air; the soldiers were having morning parade, and looked clean
+and smart in their white clothes and puggarees.  The sailors were giving
+the last touches to brass rails and cabin windows, and were coiling
+ropes into neat rings; and altogether the deck of the "Startler," with
+its burnished guns, presented a bright and animated spectacle, every one
+seeming to have some business on hand.
+
+There was a little bit bustle about the steerage ladder, where four
+sailors were hauling a sick man up on deck; and as soon as they had him
+lying in the sunshine upon a mattress, the doctor bustled up--Bob
+Roberts, seeing Ensign Long at hand, going up and looking on, after the
+two youths had exchanged a short distant nod.
+
+"Well, Sim," said the doctor, briskly, "how are you this morning?"
+
+"Very--very bad, sir," replied the invalid, a big bony-faced man, who
+looked very yellow.
+
+"Put out your tongue," said the doctor.
+
+Private Sim put out such an enormously long tongue that Bob Roberts gave
+his trousers a hitch, and made believe to haul it forth by the yard,
+very much to the ensign's disgust.
+
+"That'll do," said the doctor, feeling the patient's pulse, and then
+dropping the hand, "Now what am I to prescribe for you, Sim, eh?  You
+feel a terrible sense of sinking, don't you?"
+
+"Yes, sir; terrible."
+
+"As if you needed strengthening food?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"And some kind of stimulating drink--say wine?"
+
+"Yes, sir," said the patient, rolling his eyes.  "I feel as if a little
+wine would do me good."
+
+"Has the buzzing sensation left your head?"
+
+"Very nearly, sir."
+
+"And you don't feel so much pressure on your chest?"
+
+"Well, sir, not just now."
+
+"Less pain too, under your left shoulder?"
+
+The major walked up just now.
+
+"Yes, sir; it's not quite so painful."
+
+"But you slept well?"
+
+"Pretty well, sir, for me; I should think I had quite an hour's sleep
+last night."
+
+"A whole hour, eh?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Well, doctor," said the major, "what do you think of your patient?  I
+hope you are better, Sim?"
+
+"Thanky kindly, sir," said Private Sim, screwing up a terrible face.
+
+"I was thinking which I ought to prescribe," said the doctor, very
+seriously.  "Sim's is a peculiar case.  There's pressure on the brain,
+and also congestion of the vascular system of the spinal column."
+
+"Indeed!" said the major.
+
+"Yes, sir," replied the doctor, pursing up his lips, "and I'm hesitating
+between two courses."
+
+"Try 'em both, doctor," said Bob Roberts, laughing with his eyes.
+
+"Right, youngster," said the doctor, clapping him on the shoulder, "I
+will.  We'll have the moist application first, and the warm dry
+application after."
+
+Private Sim screwed up his face a little tighter.
+
+"If I might make so bold, sir," he said in a whining voice, "I think
+what you've given me's done me ever so much good, and all I want now is
+rest."
+
+"Rest, my man!" said the doctor.  "Nonsense man!  You want the most
+brisk and active treatment.  Yours is a sluggish system, but we'll soon
+put you right.  Here, my lads," he continued to the sailors, "bring a
+stout rope, and lash it round his chest.  We'll give him four dips
+overboard for the head pressure, and then four dozen on the back to
+increase the circulation."
+
+"Oh, doctor!" groaned the man, looking round for sympathy; but only to
+see everyone within hearing on the grin.
+
+"Don't you be afraid, Sim; I'll soon put you right," said the doctor
+kindly.  "I'll make a man of you."
+
+"I don't think I could bear it, doctor.  I mean I do really feel better,
+sir."
+
+"Let's see if you can stand, Sim," said the doctor.
+
+The man rose groaning, and held on by one of the sailors, who, at a word
+from the doctor, slipped away, and left the invalid standing.
+
+"You are better, decidedly, Sim.  You couldn't have done that two days
+ago."
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"There, now walk across the deck."
+
+"If I'm able to walk, sir, shall I have to be dipped?"
+
+"Walk away, and go below to your mess, you idle, shamming scoundrel,"
+cried the doctor.
+
+Private Sim opened his lips to speak, but the look he received was too
+much for him, and he slowly walked off, trying hard to appear ill-used,
+till he reached the companion ladder, down which he shuffled to the
+intense delight of the men.
+
+There was no land in sight, but the sea was glorious in the brilliant
+sunshine--so clear and blue that the darting fish could be seen far
+below; and before long, Bob Roberts had borrowed a fishing-line from
+Dick, the old sailor, baited the hooks, and was trailing it behind the
+vessel, in the hope of catching enough fish for a dinner for his mess.
+
+At first his sport was not very good; but after a time he captured a
+large glistening fish, evidently, from its silvery skin, belonging to
+the mackerel family; and this so excited Ensign Long, who had been
+looking on rather contemptuously, that he borrowed a line of the
+boatswain, and was also soon at work fishing.
+
+The lads had such good sport that the officers looked on quite amused,
+and the ladies under the awning asked from time to time to be shown the
+glistening captives that had been taken.
+
+Soon after the doctor joined the party, to discourse learnedly about the
+various fishes, which he classified as he pointed out their
+peculiarities, assuring his fair hearers that far more beautiful
+specimens might yet be taken.
+
+Rachel Linton, a fair, very intelligent looking girl, was much
+interested in the doctor's descriptions, as was also her cousin, Mary
+Sinclair, a dark, handsome, but delicate, brunette, of nineteen, full of
+questions, which the doctor took great delight in answering.
+
+Bob Roberts and the young ensign vied one with the other in hurrying up
+with their fish, as they were successful, Ensign Long looking hopelessly
+disgusted as he saw the middy catch and carry three fish in succession
+beneath the awning, while he could not get a bite.
+
+Soon, however, his turn came, and with a look of triumph he bore a long
+silvery fish with bars of azure blue across its scaly armour, to where
+the ladies were seated, Bob Roberts biting his lips as he heard the
+exclamations of pleasure uttered by each of the cousins in turn.
+
+"Never mind," he muttered, "I shall have a startler directly, see if I
+don't," and he fished away, changing his bait, or replacing it as it was
+lost in consequence of the rapid motion of the steamer through the
+water; but all in vain; not a single fish came to his side, while on the
+other side Ensign Long was having tremendous luck.
+
+Wearied out with trying, the lad sat at last holding his line in one
+hand, but paying no heed to it, for his eyes were directed beneath the
+awning, where all looked dim as compared with the sun-glare outside; and
+here from time to time he saw Long enter with some new prize, which the
+doctor took, and held up to the ladies, the more brilliantly coloured
+being consigned to one or the other of a couple of buckets of water,
+which one of the soldiers in undress uniform, whom the middy recognised
+as the sentry of the previous night, kept replenishing with fresh water
+dipped from the sea.
+
+"He isn't a bad-looking chap," said the young midshipman, as he sat on
+the bulwarks in a very insecure position.  "I wish I was filling the
+buckets and holding up the fish for the ladies to see."
+
+He glanced once at his trailing line, and saw the bait flash in the
+water, then he glanced back at the party beneath the awning.
+
+"How black Captain Smithers looks," he said.  "That soldier must have
+splashed him, or something, for he looks as if he was going to have him
+tried by court-martial.  Here I think I shall drop it.  Hang it all! if
+that fellow Long hasn't caught another.  What did she say?" he cried,
+drawing in his breath with a hiss.  "`You are ever so much more
+fortunate than Mr Roberts.'  Oh, I'd give something to have her say
+that to me, and--murder!  I've got him this time--"
+
+He made a convulsive grasp at a rope, and just saved himself from
+falling overboard, for a vigorous snatch made by a large fish at his
+bait had been quite sufficient to disturb his equilibrium, his activity
+alone saving him from a terrible ducking, if not from being drowned.
+
+He recovered himself though, and thought no more of his escape in the
+excitement of finding that he had hooked a heavyish fish, and which took
+a good deal of playing; for just as it seemed exhausted, there was a
+fierce, furious snatch at the line, and the captive appeared to have
+grown heavier.
+
+"He's almost too heavy to lift out, Dick," he cried to the old sailor
+who came up.
+
+"Ease him then, sir, and take it easy," said Dick; "tire him quite out,
+and then haul in quickly."
+
+Bob Roberts obeyed, and to his intense delight, gradually hauled his
+fish to the surface, where he could not make out what it was by its
+shape, only that it was a blaze of blue, and gold, and silver, flashing
+in the sun.
+
+"Hi, doctor!  I've got such a beauty!" he shouted, dragging at the stout
+line, till with a rush he hoisted his fish on to the deck.
+
+"Well, that's a rum 'un, sir," cried the sailor.  "Why it's a young sea
+sarpent."
+
+"What have you got?" said the doctor eagerly, as the lad hurried
+excitedly beneath the awning with his prize.
+
+"I don't know, doctor," said the lad.  "But look, Miss Linton--Miss
+Sinclair, isn't it curious?"
+
+The lad's cheeks flushed, and his eyes sparkled with delight, as he held
+up by the line what seemed to be a good-sized fish, of five or six
+pounds' weight, with a very long brilliantly-coloured eel twined tightly
+round and round it, in a perfect spiral, several feet in length.
+
+"Why, you've caught a fish, boy," said the doctor, examining the prize
+through his glasses, "and it has been seized and constricted by a sea
+snake.  Dear me! bliss my soul! that's very curious.  Look here, Captain
+Smithers, and ladies.  Gray, a fresh bucket of water.  Most singular
+thing!"
+
+"I thought he got precious heavy all at once, doctor," said the lad,
+looking from one to the other.  "That chap darted at him then."
+
+"Ye-es, I suppose so," said the doctor.  "Lovely colouring, to be sure!
+See how tightly it has constricted the fish, ladies.  Just like a piece
+of woodbine round a stick, only the coils are more close."
+
+"It is very beautiful," said Miss Linton, approaching more closely, so
+that she could feast her eyes on the vivid colouring of the water-snake,
+which was about five feet in length, but whose coils seemed to grow more
+close as the fish ceased to flap as it was held up by the middy.
+
+"I'm glad you like it, Miss Linton," he said, darting a triumphant
+glance at where Ensign Long was now fishing in vain.  "He didn't catch
+two at once," the boy muttered to himself.
+
+"I wouldn't go too close, Miss Linton," said the doctor, "for some of
+these sea snakes are reputed to be poisonous.  Lovely thing, isn't it,
+Smithers?"
+
+"Very," said the young captain drily; "but pray take care, Miss Linton."
+
+"I am not afraid," said the lady, looking up at him with a quiet air of
+confidence, just as Private Gray bore in a fresh bucket of limpid sea
+water, and set it down at her feet.
+
+"Now then," said the doctor; "hold still, Roberts."
+
+"All right, sir; but it's jolly heavy," said the boy.
+
+"Then give the line a shake, and the snake will fall into the bucket.
+Or stop; I will."
+
+But he was too late, for the lad had already given the line a quick
+shake, with the result that the snake uncoiled like lightning, and
+darted at the nearest object, that object being Miss Linton's arm, round
+which it coiled with the rapidity of the thong of a whip round a stick.
+
+The resident's daughter was brave and strong minded, but as she felt the
+contact of the creature's cold scales upon her bare arm she could not
+forbear from shrieking aloud; but even as she uttered the cry, the young
+soldier, Gray, had caught the snake round the neck, causing it to loosen
+its hold, but only to coil round his own bare arm, round which it
+twisted, and twice seized the wrist with its little mouth.
+
+"The snake has bitten me," said the young man, hoarsely, as he dashed
+its head rapidly against one of the chairs, and then cast it, broken but
+writhing, upon the white deck.
+
+All this took but a few moments, and then Private Gray stood, gazing
+with a strange wild longing look at Miss Linton, as the doctor
+exclaimed,--
+
+"Quick, Roberts, to my cabin; the ammonia.  Ladies, go away, please,
+quickly."
+
+He caught the young soldier, and forced him back in one of the chairs as
+he spoke, for already a ghastly pallor was overspreading his
+countenance.
+
+"Is it--is it poisonous, doctor?" whispered Miss Linton, as she darted a
+horrified look at Gray.
+
+"Deadly! my dear young lady," he replied hastily.  "The poor fellow has
+saved your life.  And only last night," he thought, "I said he was a
+coward."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FOUR.
+
+DOCTOR BOLTER RUBS HIS HANDS, AND CAPTAIN SMITHERS LOOKS GREEN.
+
+As soon as Bob Roberts returned with the ammonia, and realised what was
+wrong, he pulled out his pocket-knife, placed his foot on the reptile's
+neck, as it still writhed feebly, and cut off its head.
+
+He had hardly completed his task though, before he was summoned by the
+doctor to assist him.  Here, however, he was forestalled by Miss Linton,
+who, ignoring the request to go, had in the most business-like way
+helped to lower the fainting man upon the deck, and supported his head
+while the stimulant was administered.
+
+"Pray go away, Miss Linton," exclaimed Doctor Bolter then; "this is only
+a task for a trained nurse."
+
+"I am a trained nurse," said Rachel Linton, quietly; and drawing a
+cushion from a chair, she placed it on the deck, lowered the injured
+man's head upon it, and then, seeing the doctor's intention, held the
+patient's arm while he freely used a lancet about the tiny marks made by
+the serpent's teeth, and rubbed in the ammonia.
+
+Captain Smithers meanwhile had not spoken, but stood watching Miss
+Linton, with a strange look upon his countenance, shuddering, though,
+once or twice, as he saw the ghastly face of the injured man, and his
+fixed half-closed eyes.
+
+"What can I do next, doctor?" said Miss Linton, in a quiet, eager voice.
+
+"Nothing at present, my dear young lady," he said, looking at her
+admiringly.  "Why, what a brave-hearted girl you are!"
+
+"Brave?" she said.  "What, to do this for one who saved me perhaps from
+death?  But tell me, doctor, will he live?"
+
+"I don't know; I hope so; it is impossible to say.  It is such a rare
+thing for a man to be bitten by one of these creatures.  I never had
+such a case before, and I ought to have known better; but I did not know
+it was a dangerous species of snake."
+
+He held the soldier's pulse as he spoke, and then frowned, and mixing
+more ammonia and water, raised the poor fellow's head, and poured the
+liquid between his half-clenched teeth.
+
+"Try and swallow it, Gray, my good fellow."
+
+The young man opened his eyes as if awakened from sleep, stared about
+till they rested on Miss Linton, when they closed again, and he drank
+the stimulant with difficulty.
+
+"Stand back, please.  Captain Smithers, keep every one away, and let us
+have all the air we can."
+
+Thus appealed to, the young officer motioned back those who pressed
+forward, the news of the accident having spread through the ship, and
+all who dared ascending to the quarter-deck.
+
+"How provoking!" exclaimed Major Sandars.  "One of my best men too,
+doctor.  Really, Bolter, I must put a stop to your natural history
+researches."
+
+"Confound it all, major!" cried the little doctor, angrily; "it was an
+accident.  That young dog caught the snake, and--no--no! it's all right,
+Roberts.  It was my fault; I ought to have foreseen what would happen."
+
+Ensign Long had begun to congratulate himself on the fact that Bob
+Roberts was about to have a good wigging, but found out that he was
+wrong, and felt annoyed to see how important a part the lad played in
+the proceedings to fight back the effects of the deadly poison.
+
+"Take my coat off, Roberts," said the doctor.  "Gently, boy, gently.
+That's right.  Now the ammonia; good.  Raise his head a little.  Poor
+fellow, we mustn't let him slip through our fingers.  That's it, Miss
+Linton.  Miss Sinclair, will you get a big fan, and give him all the air
+you can?"
+
+He was obeyed to the letter; while Captain Horton and the resident stood
+near, ready to help in any way they could, for the news had caused the
+deepest concern through out the ship.
+
+"Yah!" cried Private Sim, with an ugly snarl; "there's yer nasty
+favouritism.  See how they're all a-cuddling and messing that there Gray
+up, orficers and women and all.  Might ha' died afore they'd ha' done
+anything for me."
+
+"Why, you caulking, miching lubber," growled old Dick, "you had ten
+times as much trouble 'stowed on you as you deserved.  Tell you what, my
+lads," he continued, addressing a crowd of soldiers and sailors who had
+been discussing the event forward, "it's this here sorter thing as makes
+me saddersfied to be a common sailor.  Yer orficers may row and bully
+yer sometimes for not being smart enough; but I never knowed a orficer
+yet as wasn't ready to run the same risks as the men; and when you're
+down, Lor' bless my 'art, nothin's too good for you.  'Member the
+skipper coming and bringing us horindges, Joe Tomson, when we had the
+feckshus fever?"
+
+"Ay, ay, mate," growled a big sun-tanned sailor.
+
+"Right you are, mate," said a big sergeant.  "It's just so with us.
+I've knowed our officers run out under fire to bring in wounded men, and
+get shot down theirselves.  You remember Captain Smithers doing that,
+out in China, Billy Mustard?"
+
+"That I do," said a fair red-faced private, with a merry look in his
+eyes.  "He brought me in on his back.  I'm waiting to see him down some
+day, and carry him in."
+
+"To be sure," growled old Dick.  "Orficers is orficers, and there 'aint
+one aboard this ship as wouldn't jump overboard to save any man, even if
+it was such a grumbling warmint as old Sim here."
+
+Private Sim snarled, and showed a set of yellow teeth, as he held out
+the palm of his left hand to give it a severe punch with his right fist;
+after which ebullition he seemed to feel much better, and went and
+leaned over the side.
+
+"I hope Private Gray will get better," said Billy Mustard, who was a
+great favourite with the men from the fact that he was famous as a
+fiddler, and could rattle off anything from "Money Musk" up to "The
+Triumph;" and as to hornpipes, the somethingth said there wasn't a man
+in the service who could touch him.  Billy Mustard had won the hearts of
+the sailors, too, during the voyage, from the way in which he sang "The
+Death of Nelson," with many another naval ditty, to which the whole
+forecastle could rattle out a hearty chorus.  "I hope Private Gray will
+get better," said Billy.
+
+"Ah, we all hope that," said Sergeant Lund.  "Not that Adam Gray's a
+friend of mine.  He's too much of a gentleman; and when he's going
+through his drill, it always seems as if one was putting a young officer
+through his facings.  Not that I wish him any harm; but if he's a
+gentleman he ought to have got his commission, and kept out of the
+ranks."
+
+"Well, sergeant," said Billy Mustard, "I don't see that it matters much
+what a man is, so long as he's ready for dooty, and I will say as Gray
+never sticks himself up, but does his dooty like a man."
+
+"Yah! he'll turn out no good," snarled Private Sim, looking round.
+
+"Well, for my part," said old Dick, "if I was to go in for being cunnle
+of a regiment, I should like that there regiment to be all private
+Simses, and then I'd have all the officers doctors."
+
+"And a big hospital for barracks," said the sergeant, laughing.  "And
+rations of physic served out every day," cried Billy Mustard.
+
+There was a hearty laugh at this; but it was checked directly, as the
+men recalled that one of their number was lying in grievous peril; while
+Private Sim glanced round, uttered a snarl like that of a hyena, then
+turned back and gave his left hand another punch.
+
+"Laugh at me, will yer?" he growled, "when I'm so jolly ill.  Just let
+me get hold o' that there fiddle o' yours, Master Billy Mustard, and
+I'll smash it, see if I don't."
+
+He seemed to feel better after this threat, and stood leaning over the
+bulwarks, and spitting down into the sea, while one of the sailors went
+aft to learn some tidings concerning Adam Gray.
+
+Meanwhile, the centre of an anxious knot of observers, the young soldier
+lay breathing very feebly in spite of the stimulants frequently
+administered; and Bob Roberts, as he knelt close by on the deck, watched
+with a strange feeling of heart-sickness coming over him.  He could not
+conceal from himself the fact that he had been the cause of all the
+suffering; and full of self-reproach, he knelt there, considering
+whether he should ever forget that scene, with the pale face of the fine
+young fellow lying before him.
+
+Gray seemed to be in no great pain, but to be suffering more from a
+strange delirium caused by the working of the tiny drops of poison
+injected in his veins.  He muttered a few words occasionally, and
+started convulsively from time to time; but when spoken to, he calmed
+down, and lay, apparently, waiting for his end.
+
+"Don't know; can't say," was all that could be got from the doctor, as
+the hours crept on--hours when the heat of the sun was terrible; but no
+one left the injured man's side.
+
+The specimens in the buckets were forgotten, and died; the cause of the
+misfortune grew dry and shrivelled, where it had twined and wriggled
+itself, half a dozen yards away, the dangerous head being thrown
+overboard by Bob Roberts, and swallowed by a fish before it had
+descended many feet.
+
+Both the resident and the captain had tried to persuade the ladies to
+leave the sick man's side; but they had declined to go, and Doctor
+Bolter had nodded approval.
+
+"Thank you, my dears, thank you," he said.  "It's very kind of you; and
+I'm glad enough, I can tell you, to find that you've both got something
+in you besides fine young ladyism."
+
+"I wish we could do more," said Rachel Linton, quietly.
+
+"So do I, my dear," said the little doctor; "and I wish I could do more,
+but I have done all I can.  Nature must do the rest."
+
+The long, hot day passed on, and evening was approaching before the
+doctor took anything more than a glass of wine and water and a biscuit;
+and at last, when every one had judged by poor Gray's aspect that all
+now was over, and Major Sandars came up and thanked him for his patient
+endeavours to save the poor fellow's life, the doctor felt his patient's
+pulse once more, raised the closed eyelids and gazed at the pupils, and
+then rose up, dropped into a cane lounging chair, and began softly
+rubbing his knees.
+
+"Now, ladies," he said firmly, "go below and dine.  I order it.
+Sandars--Horton--if you have any good feeling left in you, you'll send
+relays of Jacks and privates to rub my poor knees.  I say," he said,
+looking round with a smile, "that was a close shave, wasn't it?"
+
+"Close shave?" said the major, as the ladies drew back, apparently hurt
+at the doctor's levity; and poor Bob Roberts, kneeling at the injured
+man's feet, lowered his head so that those near should not see the
+unmanly tears gathering in his eyes, though he was somewhat comforted on
+seeing that Ensign Long was almost as much moved.
+
+"Yes," said the doctor; "you might have got all the nobs of the
+profession, and I don't believe they could have done better."
+
+"No," said Captain Horton rather coldly.  "You have worked hard, Doctor
+Bolter."
+
+"Hard?  I should think I have.  I tell you what it is, sir, you would
+not have felt more pleased than I do if you had been made an admiral."
+
+"But the man is dying fast, Bolter," said Major Sandars.
+
+"Dying, sir? why he has been dying fast all day."
+
+"Then is not this rather unseemly before ladies?" said Captain Horton.
+
+"Unseemly?  Before ladies?" said the doctor in a puzzled way.  "Why,
+can't you see for yourselves?  Ha, ha, ha!" he said, laughing softly.
+"Don't you see the remedies have beaten the poison.  There's a
+delightful sleep he has dropped into."
+
+"Sleep?" exclaimed Miss Linton.
+
+"To be sure, my dear.  Look what a lovely perspiration is coming out on
+his forehead.  There, come away, and let him sleep.  He'll be nearly
+well by to-morrow morning."
+
+Bob Roberts leaped up from the deck, as if sent by a sling, made a dash
+at Ensign Long, swung him round, indulged in a kind of war dance
+indicative of triumph; then looked extremely ashamed of himself, and
+dashed off into the gun-room to spread the news that the doctor had
+saved Gray's life.
+
+"That's not a bad sort of boy," said the doctor, looking after Bob; and
+then, as Ensign Long raised his chin in the air, and looked very
+dignified, "tell you what Sandars, if I were you I'd get Captain Horton
+to make a swop.  Let's give him Tom Long in exchange for the middy.
+What do you say?"
+
+Tom Long marched off, looking very much disgusted; and Sergeant Lund
+having been summoned to bring a file to watch by the sick man, the much
+relieved party went down to dinner.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FIVE.
+
+UP THE PARANG RIVER.
+
+That evening the anchor was dropped off the mouth of the Parang river;
+and as the night closed in all eyes were directed to the thickly-wooded
+country on each side of the stream, whose banks were hidden by the dense
+growth of mangrove trees, which, now that the tide was up, seemed to be
+growing right out of the water, which those on board could see through
+their glasses to be smoothly flowing amidst the stems.
+
+Further inland tall columnar nipah palms could be seen fringing the
+tidal way, and apparently growing amidst the mangroves, with the water
+washing their roots.
+
+Dense green vegetation, and a broad flowing muddy river--that was all
+that greeted the eyes of the eager lookers-on, till darkness set in.
+Not a trace of town or village, not even a fisherman's hut or a boat.
+All was vegetation and the flowing river.
+
+Once Bob Roberts thought he saw a boat coming down the stream, and in
+the distance it very strangely resembled some little craft with upright
+mast and dark sail; but as it came nearer it proved to be a patch of
+root-matted vegetable soil, washed from the bank, and having in the
+centre a small nipah palm, which slowly passed from might, to be cast
+ashore upon some mud bank, and again take root.
+
+But as the darkness fell, the distant glitter as of tiny sparks amidst
+the trees took the attention of all.  They were too distant to see the
+phenomenon to perfection; but the faint sparkle was very beautiful as
+the myriads of fire-flies, by which it was caused, flitted and changed
+from place to place, which was now dark, now scintillating in a most
+peculiar manner.
+
+The captain had decided not to attempt the passage of the river till
+morning, all on board being very ignorant of its entrance, though,
+judging from the configuration of the coast, the most they had to dread
+was being grounded for a time on some bank of mud or sand.  This part of
+the coast was so sheltered that there was no surf; and when the anchor
+was let go, the corvette swung round easily, to lie almost without
+motion on the calm still waters of the river's mouth.
+
+But though no sign of human habitation had been visible, as the night
+wore on those on board became fully aware of the fact that the jungle
+had plenty of denizens, for from time to time strange roarings were
+heard, and then splashings in the water, as of wild creatures bathing.
+Once or twice too, as Bob Roberts and Ensign Long, companions for the
+time being, if not friends, leaned over the bulwarks, they fancied they
+could hear some great beast swimming towards them.
+
+"What can it be?" said Bob in an awe-stricken whisper, as the strange
+snorting and splashing grew nearer.
+
+"'Nosserus," said Dick the sailor, who generally contrived to be pretty
+close to the youths, and depended upon them largely for his supplies of
+tobacco.  "It's one on 'em having a wallow, like a big pig, somewhere in
+the shallows."
+
+"That's a tiger, isn't it!" said Tom Long, as a hoarse roar came over
+the smooth surface of the water.
+
+"Shouldn't wonder, young gentlemen, if it were; but I'll say good night,
+for 'taint my watch, and I think a turn in won't be bad preparation for
+a hard day to-morrow."
+
+Everyone expected a busy day upon the morrow; but it was long before the
+two youths could tear themselves away from the side of the vessel, for
+there was something so mysterious and weird in the look of the black
+water, in which the stars just glimmered; while right before them all
+looked dark and strange, save where there was the distant twinkling of
+the fire-flies, ever changing in position.
+
+"Hark!" whispered Long; "there's a splash again.  That can't be close to
+the shore."
+
+"No, that's not a hundred yards from the ship.  I say, Long," whispered
+Bob with a shudder, "I shouldn't much like to swim ashore.  I'll be
+bound to say that was a crocodile."
+
+"I shouldn't wonder," was the reply; and they still stood trying to make
+out the cause of the strange splashing noises, till, utterly tired out,
+they sought their cots, and were soon fast asleep.
+
+The getting up of the anchor roused the two lads soon after daybreak, by
+which time steam was up; and with the faint morning mists slowly rising
+like silver gauze above the dense belts of trees, the steamer began
+slowly to move ahead.
+
+The tide was flowing, and the mangroves were deep in the water, though
+not so deep but that their curious network of roots could be seen, like
+a rugged scaffold planted in the mud to support each stem; while as they
+slowly went on, the dense beds of vegetation, in place of being a mile
+off on either side, grew to be a half a mile, and soon after but a
+hundred yards, as the steamer seemed to be going straight into a broad
+bank ahead.
+
+As they approached, though, a broad opening became visible, where the
+course of the stream swung round to the right; and after passing a
+point, the river rapidly contracted to about a hundred yards in width,
+and soon after was narrower, but still a smoothly flowing stream by the
+eternal mangroves.  At last some signs of life began to appear, in the
+shape of an occasional crocodile, which glided off a muddy bank amidst
+the mangrove roots, into the water.  Here and there, too, the long snout
+of one of these hideous reptiles could be seen, prone on the surface of
+the water, just above which appeared the eyes, with their prominences,
+as the reptile turned its head slowly from side to side, in search of
+some floating object that might prove to be good for food.
+
+The sight of these beasts was too much for the officers, who were soon
+armed with rifles, making shots at the muddy-hued creatures, apparently
+with no other effect than for the long horny head to slowly sink beneath
+the water.
+
+Captain Smithers proved himself to be the best shot, for after splashing
+the water with a bullet close to the head of one of the saurians, his
+attention was drawn to another, between the steamer and the shore,
+apparently quite unconscious that the vessel could injure it in the
+least.
+
+Judging from the size of the head, this was apparently the largest
+crocodile that had been seen; and taking long and careful aim, Captain
+Smithers at last fired, when the monster lashed the water furiously for
+a few moments with its tail.
+
+"He's hit, and badly," said Doctor Bolter.  "It's a big one, too.  What
+a splendid specimen it would make!"
+
+As he spoke, his words as to the size of the creature were verified, for
+the crocodile suddenly shot itself half out of the water, showing its
+head, shoulders, and a good deal of its horny back, before turning over
+and diving down, displaying its hind legs and tail before it
+disappeared.
+
+"That was eighteen feet long if it was an inch," said the doctor,
+excitedly; "but he has gone to the bottom."
+
+"Yes," said Captain Smithers, quietly reloading, "we shall not see it
+again.  How is your patient, Bolter?"
+
+"Oh, pretty well all right again, thanks.  It was a lucky escape for the
+poor fellow."
+
+"Very!" said Captain Smithers, thoughtfully.  "What bird is that,
+doctor?"
+
+"A white eagle," was the reply, as the doctor followed with his glasses
+the flight of a magnificent bird that rose from a stunted tree, flew
+across the river, and away over the mangroves on the other side.
+
+Soon after, as the steamer still made its way onward in mid-stream, the
+river being very deep, as shown by the man busy in the chains with the
+lead, a flame of blue suddenly seemed to dart from a mangrove root, and
+then another and another, as some of the gorgeously-coloured kingfishers
+of the peninsula shot off along the surface up the stream.
+
+On still, and on, with every one on board eagerly on the look-out for
+novelties, but all growing somewhat tired of the unbroken succession of
+dull green mangroves.  At last, however, after many hours of slow and
+cautious progress, the mangroves gave place to tall and beautiful palms,
+showing evidently that the steamer was now beyond the reach of the tide;
+and this was farther proved by the fact that the stream was now dead
+against them, running pretty swiftly, but, in place of being muddy,
+delightfully clear.
+
+Faces that had looked long and solemn as the supposition had grown
+stronger that the country was nothing better than a mangrove swamp,
+became more cheery of aspect, especially when, through an opening in the
+dense clumps of palms with their feathery tops, the blue line of a
+distant range of hills could be seen.
+
+Then came, as they rounded a point, the first trace of human habitation,
+in the shape of a Malay village, which in the distance bore a marvellous
+resemblance, in its steep gabled roofs thatched with palm-leaves, to
+some collection of cottages in far-distant England.  But soon it was
+seen that every cottage was raised upon posts, that the walls were of
+woven reed or split bamboo, and that the trees that shaded them were
+cocoa-nut and areca palms.
+
+Onward still, but more slowly and cautiously, lest the steamer should
+take the ground.  Now and then scattered patches of cultivation were
+seen, in the shape of paddy fields; clusters of fruit-trees stood here
+and there; native boats were drawn right up on the mud, or secured to
+posts; and now and then buffaloes could be seen, standing knee-deep in
+the water, with dark-skinned children running to and fro, terribly
+excited at the sight of the strange ship.
+
+Onward still, hour after hour, past village after village, wonderfully
+same in appearance, and the river still kept broad and deep enough for
+the navigation of the steamer, till night came on, and she was anchored
+in mid-stream, with the wild jungle coming close down to the water's
+edge on either side.
+
+At early morn the journey was continued till a broad reach of the river
+was ascended, at the far end of which was a good-sized island, in which
+was a palm-thatched building of some consequence, while, only separated
+from it by a narrow arm of the river, stood the largest collection of
+houses they had seen, with what was evidently a mosque by the river
+side.  There was an abundance of boats too, and what strongly resembled
+a stockade; but what most took up the attention of all on board were a
+couple of long, low, well-made vessels, each displaying a curious
+figure-head bearing a faint resemblance to some fabulous monster; and in
+these armed boats both the soldiers and sailors of the little expedition
+were quite right in believing that they saw nothing more nor less than
+the much-talked-of vessels of the kris-bearing pirates of Malaya, the
+well-known, much-dreaded prahus.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SIX.
+
+HOW TOM LONG TRIED THE DURIAN.
+
+A little bustle on deck, the rattling of chains, the splash of an
+anchor, and Her Majesty's ship "Startler"--well manned, and armed with
+guns that could send shot and shell crashing through the town on the
+river's right bank--swinging to her moorings; for she had reached her
+destination--the campong, or village, of Sultan Hamet, the native Malay
+potentate, who was under British protection, and who sought our aid to
+rule his land beneficially, after our manners and customs, and who now
+professed the most ardent friendship for those who were ready to do
+their duty; though the trust they felt in the Malays was not untempered
+by suspicion--in some cases, perhaps, with fear.
+
+It was a very busy time for all, and after the "Startler" had been made
+what Dick the sailor called snug--that is to say, firmly anchored head
+to stream, for they were now far above the reach of the tide--a strong
+party of the blue-jackets were landed upon the pleasantly umbrageous
+island, along with the soldiers; for this island was to be the site of
+the residency, and it proved to have four good-sized buildings amidst
+the trees, which had been roughly prepared by Sultan Hamet's orders.
+
+Doctor Bolter was almost the first man to land, and for a long time he
+was fussily perspiring about, as he abused the sanitary arrangements of
+the place to every man he met, pausing last of all to stand mopping his
+face in front of Bob Roberts and Tom Long.
+
+"Pretty sort of a wilderness to bring us to, young gentlemen!" he
+exclaimed.  "I don't know what to start at next.  The place will be a
+very hot-bed of fever, and we shall all be swept away."
+
+"What do you say to this for a neat spot, doctor?" said Bob Roberts.
+
+"Neat spot? what for?"
+
+"Burying ground."
+
+"Burying ground?  What do you mean, sir?"
+
+"To bury us all decently, doctor," said Bob, grinning.  "And I say,
+doctor, who's to bury the last man?"
+
+"If you were under my charge, Master Bob Roberts," said the doctor,
+panting with the heat, "I should reduce that vital force of yours a
+little, sir."
+
+"Thanky, doctor.  But I say, doctor, which is to be the resident's
+house?"
+
+"That, sir; and those three buildings are to be turned into barracks,
+and fort, and officers' quarters; and how I am to get them all into a
+sanitary state, I don't know."
+
+But the doctor did manage it somehow in the following days, when, in
+spite of the heat, every one worked with a will; the resident's house
+was improved, and boats were constantly going to and from the
+"Startler," whose hold was something like a conjuring trick, as it
+constantly turned out household necessaries and furniture.  Handy
+workmen amidst the soldiers and Jacks were busy, fitting, hammering, and
+nailing; so that in a very short time the resident's house began to grow
+ship-shape.
+
+At the same time the officers' quarters were being prepared, and the
+barracks as well; while plans were made to strengthen the fort, dig
+ditch, form glacis, and generally make the place tenable against a
+possible enemy.
+
+Plenty of Malays were enlisted to help; but beyond bringing wood, and
+acting as carriers, they did not prove to be very valuable workers.  But
+all the same, the preparations went on, various chiefs coming across in
+their boats from time to time, watching with no little wonder the
+changes that were being effected, talking together a good deal about the
+stands of arms in the little barracks, and the nine-pounder field-pieces
+that were brought ashore from the "Startler's" hold.
+
+The inexhaustible bottle was nothing to that ship, for no sooner did the
+adjutant make out a list of requisitions, and send in, than the hold
+began to disgorge, and boat-loads of stores came ashore; till, in a
+marvellously short time, the white tents, saving one or two large ones,
+disappeared from where they had been first set up amongst the trees, and
+with a celerity that perfectly astounded the Malay visitors, the island
+assumed an aspect that seemed to say the English visitors meant to stay.
+
+Meanwhile, the country people grew less shy, and boats came with fruit
+and rice for sale, one of the first being visited by Bob Roberts--Tom
+Long, who had evidently meant to be there before him, coming directly
+after.
+
+The ladies had landed and taken possession of their new abode, where
+several of the soldiers were busy forming a garden; and it had struck
+both the admirers of Miss Linton that an offering or two of fruit and
+flowers would be very acceptable, after the long confinement on ship
+board.
+
+The sampan, or native boat, that the two lads had come to visit, was
+fastened to a rough bamboo landing-stage, that had been one of the first
+things fitted up at the island; and, to their great delight, they could
+see that the boat was stored with various vegetable productions, some of
+which were sufficiently attractive to make the lads' mouths water, to
+the forgetting of the main object of their visit.
+
+"Hallo, soldier!" said Bob Roberts, as he saw Tom Long come up, looking
+very aggressive.
+
+"Hallo, sailor boy!" said Tom Long, superciliously; and then they stood
+looking at each other, quite unconsciously like a couple of Malay game
+cocks in bamboo cages, on the afterpart of the sampan.  These two
+pugnacious birds were evincing a strong desire for a regular duel; but
+as the bamboo bars of their cages prevented a near approach, they stood
+there ruffling their plumes, and staring hard in each other's faces.
+
+"Seems a strange thing that a man can't come down to buy a little fruit
+and some flowers, without your watching him," said Bob, at last.
+
+"I wasn't watching you, boy," said Tom Long, superciliously.  "There,
+spend your penny, my man, and go about your business."
+
+"Look here, my stuck-up red herring," cried Bob, setting his teeth hard,
+"Captain Horton said that the naval officers were to set an example of
+gentlemanly behaviour before the natives, or I'll be blowed, Mr Tom
+Long, if I wouldn't punch your head."
+
+"Blowed--punch head," sneered Tom Long; "that's gentlemanly, certainly."
+
+"Look here," said Bob, who was stung to the quick by the truth of this
+remark; "do you want to fight, Mr Tom Long?"
+
+"Mr T.  Long presents his compliments to the middy boy of the
+`Startler,' and begs to inform him that when her Majesty's officers
+fight, it is with some one worthy of their steel."
+
+"Ha, ha!  Haw, haw!  Ho, ho, ho!" laughed Bob, cutting a caper
+expressive of his great amusement.  "Her Majesty's officers--some one
+worthy of their steel.  Ha, ha, ha, ha!  I say, Tom Long, how happy and
+contented her Majesty must feel, knowing as she does that the gallant
+officer, Ensign Long, is always ready to draw his sword in her defence.
+Here, you stop!  I got here first."
+
+"Sahib wants my beautiful fruit," said one of the dark-faced men in the
+sampan, towards which Tom Long had stepped.
+
+"Hallo!" said Bob, going up.  "You are not a Malay?"
+
+"No, sahib: I Kling, from Madras.  Sell fruit--flowers.  This Malaya
+man."
+
+He pointed to a flat-nosed, high-cheek-boned man with him, who was
+dressed in the inevitable plaid sarong of bright colours, and wore a
+natty little plaited-grass cap upon his head.
+
+Bob turned, and saw that this man carried a kris stuck in the folds of
+his sarong, which had slipped from the hilt, and he was now busy with a
+little brass box and a leaf.  This leaf of one of the pepper plants he
+was smearing with a little creamy-looking mixed lime from the brass box,
+on which he placed a fragment of betel-nut, rolled it in the leaf,
+thrust it into his mouth, which it seemed to distort, and then began to
+expectorate a nasty red juice, with which he stained the pure water.
+
+"Hope you feel better now," said Bob, who, in his interest in the
+Malay's proceedings, had forgotten all about the squabble with Tom Long.
+"Ugh! the dirty brute!  Chewing tobacco's bad enough; but as for that--
+I'd just like to get the armourer's tongs and fetch that out of your
+mouth, and then swab it clean."
+
+"No speak English; Malaya man," said the Kling laughing.  "Chew betel,
+very good, sahib.  Like try?"
+
+"Try!  No," said Bob, with a gesture of disgust.  "Here, I say; we'll
+buy some fruit directly: let's have a look at your kris."
+
+The Kling, who seemed to have quite adopted the customs of the people
+amongst whom he was, hesitated for a moment, looking suspiciously at the
+two lads, and then took the weapon he wore from his waist, and held it
+out.
+
+Bob took it, and Tom Long closed up, being as much interested as the
+midshipman.
+
+"I say, Tom Long," the latter said, with a laugh, "which of us two will
+get the first taste of that brown insect's sting?"
+
+"You, Bob," said Tom Long, coolly.  "It would let out a little of your
+confounded impudence."
+
+"Thanky," said Bob, as he proceeded to examine the weapon with the
+greatest interest, from its wooden sheath, with a clumsy widened portion
+by the hilt, to the hilt itself, which, to European eyes, strongly
+resembled the awkwardly formed hook of an umbrella or walking-stick, and
+seemed a clumsy handle by which to wield the kris.
+
+"Pull it out," said Tom Long, eagerly; and Bob drew it, to show a dull
+ragged-looking two-edged blade, and of a wavy form.  It was about
+fifteen inches long, and beginning about three inches wide, rapidly
+narrowed down to less than one inch, and finished in a sharp point.
+
+"It's a miserable-looking little tool," said Bob.
+
+"Good as a middy's dirk," said Tom Long, laughing.
+
+"I don't know so much about that," said Bob, making a stab at nothing
+with the kris.  "I say, old chap, this is poisoned, isn't it?"
+
+"No, sahib," said the Kling, displaying his white teeth.
+
+"But the Malay krises are poisoned," said Bob.  "Is his?"
+
+He nodded in the direction of the Malay, who was trying to understand
+what was said.
+
+"No, sahib, no poison.  What for poison kris?"
+
+"Make it kill people, of course," said Bob, returning the rusty looking
+weapon to its scabbard.
+
+"Kris kill people all same, no poison," said the Kling, taking back his
+dagger.  "'Tick kris through man, no want no poison, sahib."
+
+"He's about right there, middy," said Tom Long.  "Here, let's look at
+some fruit."
+
+This brought Bob Roberts back to the object of his mission; and
+realising at once that Tom Long's object was a present, he, by what he
+considered to be a lucky inspiration, turned his attention to the
+flowers that were in the boat.
+
+For the Malays are a flower-loving people, and there is nothing the dark
+beauties of this race like better than decking their jetty-black hair
+with white and yellow sweet-scented blossoms.
+
+Bob was not long in securing a large bunch of arums, all soft and white,
+with the great yellow seed vessel within.  To this he added a great
+bunch of delicately tinted lotus, and then sat down on the edge of the
+boat to see what Long would purchase.
+
+Tom Long was hard to please; now he would decide on a bunch of delicious
+golden plantains, and then set them aside in favour of some custard
+apples.  Then he wondered whether the ladies would not prefer some
+mangoes; but recollecting that they had had plenty of mangoes, and the
+delicious mangosteen in India, he decided upon some limes and a couple
+of cocoanuts, when the Kling exclaimed, "Why not sahib buy durian?"
+
+"What the dickens is durian?" said Tom.
+
+"Durian best nice fruit that grow, sahib."
+
+"Oh, is it?" said Tom.  "Then let's have a look."
+
+The Kling said something to the Malay, who stooped down, and solemnly
+produced what looked like a great spiney nut, about as large as a boy's
+head.
+
+"That durian, sahib," said the Kling, smiling.
+
+"Oh, that's durian, is it?" said Tom, taking the great fruit in his
+hands, and turning it over and over.
+
+"Nice-looking offering for a lady," said Bob Roberts, laughing.  Tom
+Long looked up sharply, and was about to speak; but he said nothing,
+only kept turning the great fruit over and over.
+
+"Taste nice, most nice all fruit, sahib," said the Kling.
+
+"Here, let's try one," said Bob, laying down his flowers; and the Kling
+signed to his companion to give him another, which the Malay did with
+solemn importance, not a smile appearing on his face, nor a look
+suggestive of his being anxious to sell the fruit in the boat.
+
+The Kling took the great wooden fruit, laid it on the thwart of the
+boat, and reaching a heavy knife from the side, he inserted it at the
+head of a faint line, one of five to be seen running down the wooden
+shell of the fruit, and following this mark, he was able to open the
+curious production, and divide it into portions like an orange.  In each
+of these quarters, or fifths, were two or three great seeds, as large as
+chestnuts, and these were set in a quantity of thick buttery cream or
+custard.
+
+"Well, all I can say is that it's precious rum-looking stuff," said Bob.
+"Which do you eat, the kernels, or this custardy stuff?"
+
+"No eat seeds, sahib; eat other part," said the Kling.
+
+"Come along, soldier," said Bob; "I'll eat one bit, if you will?"
+
+Tom Long looked too much disgusted to speak, but in a half-offended
+manner he picked up another quarter of the durian, and examined it
+attentively.
+
+"Phew!" ejaculated Bob, looking round.  "What a horrible smell.  There
+must be something floating down the river."
+
+They both glanced at the flowing silvery waters of the river, but
+nothing was in sight.
+
+"It's getting worse," said Tom Long.  "Why, it's perfectly dreadful!"
+
+"It's this precious fruit," exclaimed Bob suddenly; and raising his
+portion to his nose, "Murder!" he cried; "how horrid!" and he pitched
+his piece overboard.
+
+"Why, it's a bad one," said Tom Long, sharply: and he followed the
+middy's suit.
+
+The Kling raised his hands in dismay; but leaning over the side, he
+secured the two pieces of durian before they were out of reach, and
+turned to his customers.
+
+"Good durian--buteful durian," he exclaimed.  "Alway smell so fashion."
+
+"What!" cried Bob, "do you mean to tell me that stuff's fit to eat?"
+
+The Kling took up the fruit; and smelt it with his eyes half-closed, and
+then drawing in a long breath, he sighed gently, as if with regret that
+he might not indulge in such delicacies.
+
+"Bess durian," he said, in an exaggerated ecstatic manner.  "Quite bess
+ripe."
+
+Bob stooped down and retook a portion of the strange fruit, smelt it
+cautiously, and then, taking out a knife, prepared to taste it.
+
+"You are never going to eat any of that disgusting thing, are you,
+sailor?" cried Tom Long.
+
+"I'm going to try it, soldier," said Bob coolly.  "Come and have a
+taste, lad."
+
+In the most matter-of-fact way, though quite out of bravado on account
+of Tom Long's disgusted looks, Bob took a long sniff at the durian.
+
+"Well, it is a little high," he said, quietly.  "Not unlike bad
+brick-kiln burning, with a dash of turpentine."
+
+"Carrion, you mean," said Tom Long.
+
+"No, not carrion," said Bob, picking out a good-sized fragment of the
+fruit upon his knife; "it's what the captain calls _sui generis_."
+
+"All burra sahib like durian," said the Kling, showing his white teeth.
+
+"Then the burra sahibs have got precious bad taste," said Tom Long, just
+as Bob put the first piece of the fruit into his mouth, rolled his eyes,
+and looked as if he were about to eject it into the stream, but did not;
+gave it a twist round, tasted it; looked less serious; began to
+masticate; and swallowing the piece, proceeded to take a little more.
+
+"There, it won't do, Bob Roberts," said Tom Long; "say it's horrible,
+like a man.  You can't deceive me.  What does it taste like?"
+
+"Don't know yet," said Bob trying the second piece.
+
+"What a jackass you are to torture yourself like that, to try and take
+me in, middy!"
+
+Bob helped himself to a little more.
+
+"Well, what does it taste like?"
+
+"Custard," said Bob, working away hard, and speaking between every dig
+of his knife; "candles, cream cheese, onion sauce, tipsy cake, bad
+butter, almonds, sherry and bitters, banana, old shoes, turpentine,
+honey, peach and beeswax.  Here, I say; give us a bit more, old cock."
+
+Tom Long was astounded, for after finishing the first piece of the
+evil-smelling dainty, Bob had begun the second, and was toiling at it
+with a patient industry that showed thorough appreciation of the most
+peculiar fruit in the world.
+
+"Tipsy cake, bad butter, old shoes, peach and beeswax," and the other
+incongruities, rang in Long's ear; and to prove that he was not
+deceiving him, there was Bob eating away as if his soul were in the
+endeavour to prove how much he could dispose of at one go.
+
+It was too much for Tom Long; his curiosity was roused to the highest
+point, and as the Kling was smilingly watching Bob, Tom signed to the
+Malay to give him a piece.
+
+The solemn-looking Asiatic picked up another fruit, and while Tom looked
+impatiently on, it was opened, and a piece handed to him, which he took,
+and with Bob's example before his eyes took a greedy bite--uttered a cry
+of disgust--and flung the piece in hand at the giver.
+
+The Malayan character has been aptly described as volcanic.  The pent-up
+fire of his nature slumbers long sometimes, beneath his calm,
+imperturbable, dignified exterior; but the fire lies smouldering within,
+and upon occasions it bursts out, carrying destruction before it.
+
+In this case Tom Long's folly--worse, his insult to the master of the
+sampan--roused the fiery Malay on the instant to fury, as he realised
+the fact that the youth he looked upon as an infidel and an intruder had
+dared to offer to him, a son of the faithful, such an offence; then with
+a cry of rage, he sprang at the ensign, bore him backwards to the bottom
+of the boat; and as the midshipman started up, it was to see the Malay's
+deadly, flame-shaped kris waving in the air.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SEVEN.
+
+HOW DICK RELATED THE VISIT.
+
+With a cry of horror Bob Roberts leaped forward, and caught the Malay's
+wrist in time to avert the blow, the Kling starting forward the next
+instant, and helping to hold the infuriate Asiatic; while Tom Long
+struggled up and leaped ashore, where a knot of soldiers and sailors
+were gathering.
+
+"Don't say anything, Tom," cried Bob.  "Here you--tell him he did not
+mean to offend him," he continued to the Kling, who repeated the words;
+and the Malay, who had been ready to turn on the midshipman, seemed to
+calm down and sheathed his kris; while the Kling spoke to him again with
+the result that the offended man sat himself down in the boat, gazing
+vindictively at the young ensign ashore.
+
+"Here, no more durian to-day, thank you," said Bob, handing the Kling a
+dollar.  "And look here, you sir; don't let that fellow get whipping out
+his kris on any of our men, or he'll be hung to the yard-arm as sure as
+he's alive."
+
+"He much angry, sahib," said the Kling, whose swarthy visage had turned
+of a dirty clay colour.  "Soldier sahib hurt him much."
+
+"Yes, but if we hadn't stopped him he'd have hurt my friend much more."
+
+As he spoke Bob nodded shortly to the Kling, and leaped ashore.  "Sahib
+not take his flowers," said the latter, and dipping them in the river,
+and giving them a shake, he left the boat and handed the beautiful
+blossoms to the young sailor, who directly after joined Tom Long, who
+looked, in spite of his sunburnt visage, rather "white about the gills,"
+to use Bob's expression.
+
+"That fellow ought to be shot.  I shall report this case," cried the
+ensign angrily.
+
+"I don't think I should," said Bob quietly.  "You see you did upset the
+poor fellow, and they are an awfully touchy lot."
+
+"It was all your fault for playing me that confounded trick," cried Tom
+Long, passionately.
+
+"Trick?  I played no trick," said Bob, indignant to a degree at the
+accusation.
+
+"You did," cried Tom Long, "humbugging me into eating that filthy
+fruit."
+
+"Why, it was delicious," cried Bob.  "I should have gone on and finished
+mine if you hadn't made that upset."
+
+"I don't care; it was a nasty practical joke," cried Tom Long, "and--I
+beg your pardon, Roberts," he said, suddenly changing his tone, and
+holding out his hand.  "I believe you saved my life."
+
+"Oh, nonsense!" said Bob.  "He only meant to prick you with his kris."
+
+"Heaven defend me from all such pricks!" said Tom Long, devoutly, as he
+held the middy's hand in his.  "I say, Bob Roberts, I wish you and I
+could agree better."
+
+"So do I," said Bob, giving the hand he held a hearty shake; "But we
+never shall.  I always feel as if I wanted to quarrel with you, as soon
+as we meet."
+
+"So do I," said Tom Long.  "You are such an aggravating little beggar."
+
+"It is my nature to," said Bob, laughing.  "But you won't say anything
+about this affair, shall you?  It will be a lesson how to deal with the
+natives."
+
+"If you think I had better not, I won't," said Tom Long, thoughtfully.
+Then, with a shudder, "I say, I felt just as if I was going to have that
+horrid kris in me.  I shall never forget this, Bob Roberts."
+
+"Oh, stuff and nonsense!  Here, I say, have one of these bunches of
+flowers, old fellow."
+
+"No, no; I don't want them," said the ensign, colouring up.
+
+"Yes, yes; take one.  Quick, here are the ladies.  I'm going to give my
+lotuses to Miss Sinclair," he said quietly.  And as Tom Long's fingers
+closed upon the arums, the ladies, who were walking with the resident
+came close up.
+
+"Ah, Mr Long," said the latter, "what a lovely bunch of arums!"
+
+"Yes sir," said Tom, looking very red in the face; "they're for the mess
+table."
+
+"Your lotuses are lovely, Mr Midshipman Roberts," said Miss Linton,
+smilingly greeting the frank-faced lad.
+
+"Aren't they, Miss Linton?" said Bob.  "I'm just going to send them
+aboard to the first luff; he's rather poorly."
+
+They parted; and it was quite true, for after looking rather
+shame-facedly the one at the other, the ensign bore off his arums to the
+mess-room, and the lotuses were sent on board the "Startler" by the very
+next boat.
+
+There was nothing more said respecting the adventure with the Malay
+boatman; but the two youths, who were a good deal puzzled in their own
+minds, as to whether they were friends or enemies, exchanged glances a
+day or two later, when stringent orders were issued respecting the
+behaviour of the Englishmen to the natives.  The men of both services
+were warned to be very careful, especially as it was the custom for the
+Malays to carry the deadly kris.  The character of the people too was
+enlarged upon, their pride and self-esteem; and strict orders were
+given, to be followed by severe punishment if disobeyed, that the people
+and their belongings were to be treated with the greatest respect.
+
+Every one was as busy as could be, for there was an immense amount of
+labour necessary to get the place into a state satisfactory to the
+various officers.  Great preparations were being made too for the first
+meeting with Sultan Hamet, though it was a matter of doubt whether he
+would come to the residency in state, or expect the English to call upon
+him in his palm-thatched palace.
+
+"He's a rum sort of a chap," Dick the sailor said, freely giving his
+opinion.  "Sultan, indeed!  What call have they to say he's a sultan?
+Why, Sergeant Lund, Billy Mustard, and that sick chap Sim, who went
+ashore with despatches, come back last night, and they say it's no more
+a palace as he lives in than a pig-sty.  It's for all the world like a
+big bamboo barn, thatched with leaves."
+
+"What's that?" said Bob Roberts, coming up, with the young ensign, to
+where two or three of the sailors were, under the trees, talking to a
+group of soldiers.
+
+"I was a telling of 'em about what Sergeant Lund told me, sir," said
+Dick, pulling his forelock, "that this here sultan as we've come here to
+protect lives in a place as is just like a big bamboo barn standing on
+stilts.  And Lor' ha' mercy, they say it was a sight: with leaves, and
+cabbage stumps, and potato parings chucked about under the place!"
+
+"Now come, Dick," cried the middy; "no yarns, please."
+
+"Well sir, of course I don't mean real English cabbage stumps and potato
+parings, same as we has at home, but what answers for 'em here, and
+coky-nut huxes and shells, and banana rinds, and a nasty bad smelling
+kind o' fruit as they calls doorings."
+
+Bob gave the ensign a comical look.
+
+"Why Billy Mustard says--and this here's a fack--as the smell o' them
+doorings."
+
+"Durians, Dick."
+
+"All right, sir," said the old sailor; "that don't make 'em smell a bit
+better--the smell o' them things knocked him slap off his feet."
+
+The men laughed, and old Dick went on--
+
+"Everything about the place was as ontidy as a bilge hole; and when our
+ambassadors--"
+
+"Our what?" said Bob.
+
+"Well, them as carried the despatches, sir--got close up, they was told
+to wait because the sultan was asleep.  When seeing as a reg'lar party
+of the Malays, every man with his bit of a toasting fork by his side,
+come round to stare at 'em, Sergeant Lund he says to himself, `Lor'!
+what a pity it is as I haven't got Private Tomkins, or Private Binns, or
+two or three more nice smart, handsome chaps o' that kind with me,
+instead of such a scuffy couple o' fellows as Sim and Mustard.'"
+
+Here, of course, there was a roar of laughter, for Privates Tomkins and
+Binns were amongst the listeners.
+
+"Come away," said Tom Long, frowning.  "I don't like mixing with our
+men."
+
+"No, no: stop," cried Bob.  "They won't think any the less of us; we're
+off duty now."
+
+Tom Long wanted to hear what was said, so he remained.
+
+"And one of our nice hansum young orficers," continued Dick, in the most
+solemn way, "and a middy and some smart Jacks."
+
+"And Dick Dunnage," said one of the soldiers.
+
+"Well, he did mention me, but I was too modest to say so."
+
+Here there was another laugh.
+
+"`How so be,'" continued Dick, "he sez; `must make the best o' what
+material we got,' so he pulls his men together, squares their yards, and
+coils down all their ropes tidy, tightens the breechings o' their guns,
+and lets the poor benighted savages of niggers have their fill o'
+staring at real British sodgers.  Then they turned civil, and brought
+'em out drinks, and fruit, and pipes; and they was very comfortable,
+till some one come out and said as the sultan was awake, and wanted his
+cocks, so the chap as went as interpreter told them; and then there was
+a bustle, and some three or four chaps went and fetched some
+fighting-cocks, and took 'em inside the barn--I mean the palace; and our
+fellows was kept waiting till the sergeant hears a reg'lar
+cock-a-doodle-doo, just for all the world as if he was at home, and he
+know'd by that as one of the birds had won.  Just about a minute after
+some one come and beckoned him, and he goes up the steps into the
+palace, as had bamboo floors, and carpets lying about; and there was the
+sultan up at one end, sitting on carpet, and all his wives and people
+about him."
+
+"How many wives had he got, Dick?" said the midshipman.
+
+"About a dozen, sir.  But I'll just tell you how many he'd have had if
+my missus had been one on 'em."
+
+"How many, Dick?"
+
+"Just one, sir; she'd clear out all the others in a brace o' shakes.
+She wouldn't stand none o' that nonsense.  Why, bless yer 'art, there
+was one had got a golden pestle and mortar--"
+
+"Gently, Dick! gently!" said the midshipman.
+
+"It's a fack, sir, and as sure as I stand here; and she was a bruising
+up betel-nuts for him to chew, and another was mixing up lime, and
+another spreading leaves, whilst--there, I dursn't hardly tell you this
+here, because you won't believe it."
+
+"Let it off gently, Dick," said the middy, "and we'll try and bear it."
+
+"Well, sir, hang me if one of his wives--the oldest and ugliest of 'em--
+wasn't sitting there holden a golden spittoon ready for him to use
+whenever he wanted."
+
+There was another roar of laughter, and Dick exclaimed,--
+
+"There, you ask Sergeant Lund if every word a'most I've said ain't quite
+true,"--which, with the exception of Dick's embellishment about the
+handsome sailors and soldiers, proved to be the case.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER EIGHT.
+
+TOM LONG'S WOUND.
+
+Doctor Bolter had been very proud of the cure he had effected in the
+case of Adam Gray, whom, from that day forward, he looked upon in quite
+a different light, obtaining his services as often as possible in
+carrying out what he called his measures for preserving the camp in
+health, and he was constantly sending Gray on missions to the major.
+But the doctor and his plans were set aside one morning, when there was
+an order for a general parade; and it was evident that there was
+something important on the way, for a good deal of bustle was visible on
+the deck of the steamer.
+
+The news soon leaked out that the resident and officers were to make a
+state visit, full of ceremony, to the sultan; and in consequence there
+was a general turn out, in full review order, with the band.  The
+sailors landed, and were drawn up on the shore, looking smart in their
+white, easy-fitting dress; and the steamer's cutters were soon after
+busy, landing the greater portion of the troops with their officers, in
+full uniform; while quite a crowd of Malays assembled on the beach,
+staring, some in wonderment, some manifestly in dislike, at the
+strangers.
+
+The grand muster took place beneath the shade of some large trees, as
+far as was possible, for the heat was intense.  Every one was in his
+best; and Ensign Long marched by Bob Roberts with a very bright sword
+beneath his arm, and putting on a pair of white kid gloves.
+
+The middy tried to take matters coolly; but the thoroughly consequential
+air of his companion roused his ire, and he longed to do something to
+upset him.
+
+That was, however, impossible, for the arrangements were complete; and
+the march inland, about a couple of miles, commenced with the Malays now
+drawing off into the woods, till--what looked rather ominous--the little
+force was left entirely alone.
+
+The officers commented upon the fact, and felt a little suspicious, but
+their doubts were set aside by the appearance of a little party, of
+evidently some importance, for two, who seemed to be chiefs, were
+mounted upon small elephants, and these, by the voice of one of the
+party--a handsome, dark youth, in brilliant silk sarong and baju--
+announced themselves as coming from the sultan to act as guides.
+
+This changed the state of affairs, and the idea that there might be
+treachery afoot was completely dismissed from the minds of all, save
+when, now and then, the gleam of a spear head was seen amidst the trees
+in the jungle; and Major Sandars pointed out how easily they might be
+led into an ambush.
+
+Captain Horton was by his side, and that officer agreed that it would be
+easy; but, at the same time, gave it as his opinion that the best policy
+they could affect was an appearance of full confidence in the Malay
+potentate, while they kept strictly on their guard.
+
+Farther back in the line of troops Private Gray was marching along,
+feeling anything but easy in his mind; for as he glanced now and then to
+his left, he kept making out the gleam of steel, or the white garments
+of some Malay amidst the trees; and at last, just as Captain Smithers
+was abreast, he pointed out to him the fact.
+
+The captain felt disposed to resent it as a breach of discipline; but
+the young man's manner was so earnest, that he nodded, and watchfully
+turned his head in the same direction.
+
+"What do you think then, Gray?" said the captain.  "They are only people
+taking an interest in what is, to them, a great sight."
+
+"I'm suspicious, sir, by nature," said Gray, "and I can't help feeling
+that we are living on the edge of a volcano."
+
+"Do you always make use of such fine language, Gray?" said Captain
+Smithers with a sneer.
+
+"I beg your pardon, sir," was the reply; "I was trying to speak
+respectfully to my officer," replied Gray.
+
+Captain Smithers frowned, and felt annoyed with himself for his
+meanness.
+
+"Yes, yes, of course, Gray," he said, hastily; "but there is nothing to
+fear."
+
+"Nothing to fear!" thought Private Gray; "and we are trusting ourselves
+entirely to these people, who are known to be treacherous; and the
+ladies and the women of the regiment are all on that island, protected
+by only a weak force!"
+
+Strangely enough, Captain Smithers had very similar thoughts to these as
+they rambled on, in tolerable coolness now, for they were beneath the
+trees.
+
+They both thought afterwards that their fears were needless; and
+following the guides, they soon after were formed up in front of the
+sultan's house and those of his principal men, all of which, though
+certainly somewhat better than the sergeant's account to Dick Dunnage,
+would have led any one to expect, were of an extremely simple and lowly
+character.
+
+Here the officers waited for their audience of the great man, Mr Linton
+being particularly anxious to make arrangements for carrying out the
+political business, upon which he was engaged; but after waiting half an
+hour, one of the principal chiefs came out to announce that the sultan
+was too unwell to receive them.
+
+The English officers flushed up, and looked upon the message as an
+insult, and for the moment there seemed a disposition to resent it; but
+the wise counsels of Mr Linton prevailed, and the order was given to
+march back.
+
+Just then the young chief who had acted as interpreter before, and who
+spoke very good English, approached the place where Bob Roberts and the
+ensign were standing.
+
+"I am very sorry," he said; "I meant to ask you to refreshments.  Will
+you take cigars?"
+
+They had only time to thank the young chief for his courtesy and take
+their places, as the march back was commenced--this time without guides,
+for none came forward, which was looked upon as so ominous a sign that
+extra care was taken, the men marching with loaded arms.
+
+The precautions were not unnecessary; for they had hardly effected half
+their march, when there was the loud beating of a gong heard upon their
+right, followed by the same deafening din on the left.
+
+The men were steadied in the ranks, and every one was on the alert; but
+still there came nothing more to cause alarm till they had arrived
+within half a mile of their landing-place, when, as they were passing
+through a more open portion of the track, there was a shout, and a
+shower of limbings came whizzing past them.  Again a shout, this time on
+their left, and another shower of the keenly-pointed spears whizzed by.
+
+There was a short, sharp command or two as the soldiers faced outwards,
+and every other man fired, sending a ringing volley crashing through the
+forest.
+
+There was another din, made by the beating of gongs, and a few more
+spears were thrown, one of which struck Ensign Long; and these were
+replied to by another sharp volley, which crashed through the trees,
+making the twigs and leaves rattle as they pattered down.  Then there
+was a dead silence, as the troops waited for fresh orders.
+
+Bob Roberts, who was close by the ensign, turned pale as ashes as he saw
+the ensign stagger back, to stand literally pinned to a tree, in which
+the blade of the limbing had buried itself.  All feeling of jealousy had
+passed away, and, catching Long by the hand, he gazed earnestly in his
+face.
+
+"Are you much hurt, old fellow?" he cried hoarsely, as he realised the
+fact that the keen spear had passed diagonally through the youth's
+breast before it buried itself in the soft endogenous tree.
+
+"I don't know yet," said Tom Long quietly; "but the brutes have ruined
+my best tunic."
+
+"Hang your tunic!" cried Bob, excitedly.  "Here, fetch the doctor.  No;
+help here to get Mr Long to the residency.  Bring up a dhooly."
+
+"I suppose I shall feel it when they draw out the spear," said Tom Long
+calmly.
+
+"Do you feel faint?" cried the middy.  "Here, who has a little rack?"
+
+"Here's some water, sir, in my canteen," said Sergeant Lund.  "Forward!"
+rang out from behind just then; and then the voice of Captain Smithers
+made itself heard,--
+
+"Who's that down?"
+
+"Ensign Long, sir," some one said.
+
+"Poor lad! poor lad!" cried the captain.  "Ah, Long, my dear boy, how is
+it with you?  Good heavens!  Quick, my lads; bring up a dhooly."
+
+"Hadn't we better get the spear out, sir?" said Bob Roberts, anxiously.
+
+"Yes, out of the tree, of course," said the captain; "but mind--steady!
+Here, let me.  I won't hurt you more than I can help," he continued, as
+he drew the spear out of the palm, and then hesitated as to how they
+were to manage to carry the injured man, with the lengthy shaft passing
+through his chest.
+
+Tom Long solved the question himself by taking hold of the spear handle
+with both hands and giving it a tug, while every one present gazed at
+him with horror, expecting to see the terrible stains that must follow.
+
+Bob Roberts dragged out his handkerchief and rapidly doubled it, ready
+to form a pad to staunch the bleeding--rushing forward to clap it to the
+wound, as the ensign tore the spear from his breast.
+
+"Open his tunic first," cried Captain Smithers; and he bore Tom Long
+back on to the ground, tearing open his scarlet uniform, while the
+injured object of his attentions began to work his left arm about.
+
+"I say, gently," he said.  "I don't think I'm much hurt."
+
+"You don't feel it yet," cried Bob Roberts.
+
+"Look out there!" cried a voice in authority somewhere behind; and then
+a couple of men ran up with a light hospital litter for wounded or sick
+men.
+
+"It went--it went--" said Tom Long, slowly.
+
+"Why, confound you, Long," said Captain Smithers; "you've not been
+scratched."
+
+"No; I do not think I am," said the ensign, getting up, feeling himself
+carefully about the chest.  "It went through my tunic and under my left
+arm."
+
+"Why, you've got about six inches of padding in your coat," said Bob
+Roberts, whose hands were busy about the young man's breast.
+
+"Yes," said Tom Long; "more or less."
+
+"Forward!" shouted Captain Smithers; and the march was resumed, with Tom
+Long looking very woeful about the two holes that had been made in his
+scarlet tunic, and gradually growing terribly annoyed, as he saw Bob
+Roberts pretending to stifle his laughter; while the men, in spite of
+the danger on either side, tittered and grinned as they kept catching
+sight of the young officer's scarlet cloth wounds.
+
+Major Sandars was equally anxious with the resident to get back to the
+island, for a feeling of dread had risen up that the residency might
+have been attacked during their absence.  In fact, it seemed now that
+they had been out-generalled; and if their fort, and provisions, and
+stores should be in the hands of the Malays, their position would be
+perilous in the extreme.
+
+As Bob Roberts went on, he found the men eagerly discussing the matter,
+not from a feeling of fear, but of love of excitement; and, among
+others, Private Sim was saying in a low voice, that if he had only been
+well and strong, nothing would have pleased him better than fighting his
+way back through the jungle, "anywheres--to the world's end if they
+liked."
+
+Meanwhile, though it was evident that there was a large body of Malays
+on their right, the answer they had got to their first attack had kept
+them off, and the long line of troops and blue-jackets went on
+unmolested by their enemies.  Every precaution was taken; and in some of
+the denser portions of the jungle they regularly felt their way with
+advance guards and flankers, who, poor fellows, had a most tough job to
+force their way through the tangled creepers and undergrowth.
+
+At length, however, the river was reached, and it was evident, to the
+great delight and relief of all, that the island was safe, and the
+steamer lay in its old position, unmolested by prahu or attack from the
+shore.
+
+Every man breathed more freely on seeing this; and the boats coming off,
+the whole party were rapidly transferred to steamer and to isle, where a
+council was called, and the situation discussed.
+
+It was a peculiar position for the little force which had been sent up
+the country to help and protect Sultan Hamet, who, in return,--had
+refused to see Her Majesty's representative, and allowed them to be
+attacked by his people on their way back.
+
+The question to decide was, whether, after such an insult as they had
+received, the little force ought not to at once retire from their
+position, though the bolder spirits were in favour of holding it at all
+costs, and trying to read the sultan such a lesson as should scare his
+people from venturing to molest the English any more.
+
+The council was interrupted by an embassy of a couple of chiefs from the
+sultan himself, who solved the difficulty by announcing that the attack
+was not made by their ruler's people, but by a certain rajah, whose
+campong, or village, was a few miles up the river.  This chief was a
+respecter of no one, but levied black mail of all who passed down the
+stream.  Every boat laden with slabs of tin or bags of rice had to pay
+toll for permission to pass on in peace; and if resistance was offered,
+he had guns mounted upon his stockade, and a couple of well-armed
+prahus, whose crews liked nothing better than confiscating any boat
+whose owner endeavoured to resist the rajah's demands.
+
+Any doubts as to the truth of this story were set aside by the sultan's
+earnest request that the English officers should at once proceed up the
+river and severely punish this rajah, who was a thorn in Hamet's side.
+
+With the promise that the matter should have proper consideration, the
+two chiefs took their departure; and the rest of the evening was spent
+in examining different Malays from the village, all of whom told the
+same story, that it was Rajah Gantang who had made the attack, and that
+he was a perfect scourge to the people round.
+
+The next day further investigations were made; and had any doubt
+remained, it was chased away by the appearance of two long war prahus,
+pulled by a large number of rowers, and crammed with Malays.
+
+These vessels were allowed to float gently down with the stream, stern
+foremost, when, as much out of bravado as anything, several shots were
+fired from the small brass swivel guns on board, the little balls
+rattling through the steep roof of the men's quarters; while before a
+gun could be brought to bear, the oars rapidly plashed the water, and
+the two prahus were swept back round a wooded point up stream, well out
+of sight.
+
+This was sufficient for the officers in command, who issued such orders
+as placed all the men in a state of the most intense excitement, for it
+was evident that there was to be an expedition up the river to punish
+the audacious chief, who was probably in profound ignorance of the
+strength of the power he had braved.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER NINE.
+
+A NIGHT ATTACK, AND A MISFORTUNE.
+
+It seems a curious thing to a man of peace that a man of war should be
+in a state of high delight at the prospect of an engagement wherein he
+may lose his life; but the fact is, that when two or three hundred men
+are bound to attack some enemy, each single individual knows full well
+that somebody will be wounded, perhaps killed, but believes that it will
+not be himself.
+
+So it was then that on board the "Startler" there was no little
+excitement.  The grindstone was in full use to sharpen cutlasses, and in
+addition there was a great demand made on the armourer for files to give
+to the lethal weapons a keener edge, one which was tried over and over
+again, as various messmates consulted together as to the probability of
+taking off a Malay's head at a blow.
+
+"What you've got to do, my lads," said old Dick, "is to keep 'em off.
+You as has rifles and bagnets always show 'em the pynte; and you as
+fights with your cutlashes, keep 'em well away off your sword arm; then
+you'll be all right."
+
+Capital advice if it could be acted upon, and a way of avoiding all kris
+wounds, but useless against the Malays' other dangerous weapon, the
+limbing or lance.
+
+All the preparations were made over-night, so that long before daybreak
+the expedition could be well on the way, the object being to surprise
+the stockade and its defenders, and burn the bamboo fortification and
+the prahus.
+
+The force was to consist of fifty soldiers, twenty-five marines, and
+fifty blue-jackets, who were to embark in the steamer's boats, two of
+which were provided with small breech-loading pieces running on slides,
+and under the charge of the sailors.
+
+Water, provisions, plenty of spare ammunition, all were handed down, and
+two hours after midnight, the boats that were to convey the soldiers
+ranged up alongside the landing-place, and in due time the embarkation
+took place, the soldiers being under the command of Captain Smithers,
+the sailors under that of the first lieutenant of the "Startler."
+
+A guide had been found in the person of a native fisherman, who, upon
+coming to the island the day before, had been detained, so that he
+should not communicate with the shore, and so give warning of the
+expedition.  Not that there was any fear, for the Malay was in a high
+state of delight at the idea of the rajah meeting his match.
+
+From this man they learned that for many years past Rajah Gangtang had
+been a perfect scourge to the river.  He was famous for his piracies and
+his daring.  Sultan Hamet dreaded him; and it was only to strengthen his
+position against the warlike rajah, who was too strong for him, that
+Hamet had entered into his alliance with the British, and invited the
+presence of a resident and the troops.
+
+This was satisfactory, for the idea of the sultan proving treacherous
+was a suggestion of a complicated knot that it would take no end of
+policy to undo.  Whereas, if it was all true about Rajah Gantang, his
+defeat and the breaking up of his power would be hailed with delight,
+and work greatly towards the pacification of a country terribly broken
+up by petty quarrels, strengthen Hamet's position, and give inimical
+chiefs a lesson on the power of the British forces that they were not
+likely to forget.
+
+It was soon after two o'clock that the soldiers were mustered down to
+the boats, and silently took their places, just as through the mist, and
+with muffled oars, three more boats came slowly abreast of them, and
+after a brief colloquy moved off, with instructions that there should be
+no talking on board.
+
+Fortunately for the expedition, though it was misty it was not so dark
+but that the leaders could follow the little light sampan of the Malay
+fisherman, who, apparently without any difficulty, sent his frail boat
+onward against the stream.
+
+It was a weird procession through the mist, which gave the boats a
+fantastic, unreal appearance, while the shores looked, where the fog
+broke or floated up, strange, dark, and full of mystery.  Every now and
+then there was a low echoing splash in the water, which told of some
+great reptile disturbed from its resting-place upon a muddy bank.  Then
+those in the boats heard strange cries coming from a distance in the
+jungle, to be answered by other calls, some farther distant, some near
+at hand, telling that the various nocturnal creatures were busy securing
+food before the sun should drive them to their hiding-places in the
+darkest recesses of the forest.
+
+"What's that?" whispered Bob Roberts to old Dick, who was beside him in
+the foremost boat.
+
+"Sounds like something swimming, sir.  There, you can hear it blowing."
+
+"Do you think one of the boats has upset," whispered Bob, excitedly, as
+he leaned over the gunwale and tried to pierce the mist.
+
+"'Taint likely, sir.  Wouldn't they shout if they was turned up!
+Leastwise our chaps would; there's no counting for what soldiers might
+do, though.  I shouldn't say as they'd let their selves drown without a
+squeak.  That there's a tiger swimming 'crost the river, that's what
+that is."
+
+"Get out," exclaimed the middy; "just as if a great cat would take to
+the water.  Hist!  I say, Doctor Bolter!"
+
+"Yes," was whispered back from the next boat.
+
+"Would tigers swim?"
+
+"Yes.  There's one trying to cross the river now."
+
+"What did I tell you, Mr Roberts?" growled old Dick, softly.
+
+"Here, give me your rifle, marine;" said Bob, excitedly.  "I should like
+a shot at a tiger."
+
+"Silence in that boat!" said Captain Smithers sharply; and the oars went
+on dipping softly, while Bob Roberts sat and listened till the panting
+noise of the swimming creature died away.
+
+"I wonder whether Ensign Long's in the expedition?" said Bob, after a
+pause.
+
+"Yes, sir; please I see him," said one of the sailors.  "He got into one
+of the boats, wrapped up in a big grey great-coat."
+
+"I hope he won't get wounded this time," said Bob.  And the men all
+laughed; for Ensign Long's wound was a subject that afforded them no
+little amusement.
+
+Then the procession went on, the boats gliding along in wonderful
+silence.  Sometimes a glimpse of the dark foliage told them that they
+were a little too near either bank, but on the whole the Malay led them
+a very correct course along the centre of the stream, which wound here
+and there, sometimes contracting its banks, sometimes widening out, but
+always running swift, deep, and strongly, downward towards the sea.
+
+The mist grew thicker, and hung so low down upon the water that at last
+the boats had to proceed very slowly, a rope being paid out from one to
+the other, so that there should be no mistake, otherwise it was quite
+within the range of possibility that one or the other would go astray,
+and be wanting at some critical time.  A similar plan was carried out
+with the sampan, during the latter part of the journey, for it was often
+invisible; and so at last they felt their way onward in silence, till
+the Malay allowed his sampan to drift alongside the bows of the leading
+boat, and whispered to the interpreter his conviction that they were
+close up to the stockade.
+
+"Might be anywhere," muttered the midshipman.
+
+"Yes, sir, it's a thick 'un," growled old Dick; "and if I was in command
+o' this here expedition, I should give orders for all the Jacks to out
+cutlashes and cut the fog in pieces, while the sogers and marines forked
+it over with their bay'nets."
+
+"Silence, there!" came from one of the officers, just as a faint breeze
+began to spring up, as if to solve the difficulty; breaking the fog into
+patches, and then forcing a way right through, so that it was swept to
+right and left of the river, passing under the trees.
+
+The change was almost magical, for at the end of ten minutes the river
+was quite clear, and by the glittering starlight they could see the
+stockade on their right, while moored in front of it were two large
+prahus.
+
+The boats closed in for the officer in command to give his final orders
+for the attack, and every man's heart beat fast with excitement, as he
+clutched his weapons.
+
+They had no knowledge of the enemy's strength; but trusting to a night
+surprise, they felt satisfied of being able to put him to flight; so two
+boats were sent to board the prahus, while the three others made for the
+stockade, one to attack in front, while the others landed on either
+side, to take it in the rear, expecting an easy task, for there was not
+a sign of life as far as they could see.
+
+But if the leaders of the expedition counted upon trapping the Malays
+asleep, they were mistaken.  There is too much of his native tiger in
+the Malays' nature for such a march to be stolen upon them; and, just as
+the boats separated, and began rapidly to advance, the silence was
+broken by the deafening clangour of a gong, lights appeared suddenly in
+the stockade and in both the prahus, and to the astonishment of the
+attacking force, there was the flashing of muskets, the louder roar of
+the lelahs or small brass guns, and the surface of the river was
+splashed up in all directions by the bullets.
+
+Fortunately the aim was bad, and the boats had separated, so that no one
+was injured, as, with a loud cheer, the sailors made their oars bend,
+the waters lapped and splashed beneath the bows of the boats, and
+soldier and marine waited eagerly for the command to fire.
+
+But this was not given; for Captain Smithers felt that if the task was
+to be done, it must be achieved at the point of the bayonet; so, bidding
+his men be steady, he waited till the boat he was in crashed amongst the
+thick reeds and grass growing along the water's edge; and then leaping
+out, lead his little company through the dense undergrowth, round to
+where he expected to find the entrance to the stockade, from which a
+lively fire was now being kept up, while a deep-toned roar told that the
+large gun in the boat attacking the face of the stockade, had begun to
+speak.
+
+The party Ensign Long was with, under one of the lieutenants, had to
+make for the other side of the stockade, while the boat in which was Bob
+Roberts, being manned entirely by sailors and marines, had to attack the
+largest prahu.
+
+The men were sanguine and full of spirit, their only regret being that
+they had so far to go before they could reach the sides of the long
+prahu, which they found now on the move, her anchor having been slipped,
+so that she was slowly floating down the stream, as she kept up a lively
+fire against the boat.
+
+It seemed long, but not a minute could have elapsed before the boat was
+alongside, the bowman driving a Malay head over heels with the
+boat-hook, and then making fast, while the sailors let their
+well-secured oars swing, seized their rifles, and began to spring up the
+sides.
+
+"Up with you, my lads," roared Bob Roberts, who was armed with a cutlass
+far too large for him to handle in comfort.  But it was easy enough to
+say, "Up with you!" while it was excessively difficult to obey.  Man
+after man tried to climb the side of the prahu, but only to slip back
+into the boat; while those who had better success found it impossible to
+surmount the stout bamboo basket-work or matting, with which the sides
+were protected from assault.
+
+Through this, spear after spear was thrust; and after several
+ineffectual attempts to reach the deck, the sailors and marines began to
+retaliate by thrusting bayonet and cutlass through in return.  A few
+shots were fired, but there was nothing to aim at; though the Malays
+were not of that opinion, for they kept loading and firing the two
+lelahs on board, making a great deal of noise, but necessarily doing no
+mischief.
+
+"Back into the boat, my lads," cried the lieutenant in command, as they
+floated down with the prahu, which evidently swarmed with men; "we'll
+try round the other side."
+
+"Let me board them first, Mr Johnson," cried Bob excitedly.
+
+"No, no, my lad," was the reply.  "What the men cannot do, you cannot."
+
+In the excitement of the men firing and making a fresh effort, as the
+boat was worked round the stem of the prahu, the lieutenant lost sight
+of Bob Roberts, who, after feeling terribly alarmed for the first few
+inmates, had become accustomed to the firing and shouting, and then
+grown so excited and angry that he felt as if he could not stay in his
+place.  Getting hold of a rifle, laid down by one of the men who tried
+to board the prahu, he had given vent to some of his excitement by
+loading and firing as fast as he could, sending bullet after bullet
+whistling through the tough screen, but doing no mischief to a soul; and
+still the prahu floated steadily down the stream, getting farther and
+farther away from where the firing was on the increase; the boats' guns
+sending an echoing report to roll along the surface of the water, and
+giving ample notice to those at the residency, that the business was
+going on.
+
+As the boat Bob Roberts was in reached the other side of the prahu, the
+Malays, uttering loud yells, rushed over, and once more there was a
+desultory attack kept up and repelled; for do all they could, not a
+sailor was able to surmount the tall screen.
+
+Several wounds had been received from the limbings, and the men believed
+that they had pretty well retaliated with the bayonet, but they could
+see nothing; and checked as they had been, again and again, they were
+growing disheartened, and thinking what else they could do, when a loud
+yelling from the prahu, and the reports of several muskets, told of
+something fresh.
+
+"Where's Mr Roberts?" said the lieutenant, suddenly.
+
+"Here he is, sir," replied old Dick; and in the same breath, "No he
+ain't, sir.  He was here just now."
+
+"Look out, my lads!  Seize those sweeps," said the lieutenant, as
+several long oars were now thrust out beneath the bamboo screen, and the
+Malays stabbed at the boat with them, trying to drive a hole through her
+bottom.
+
+Several of the sailors seized the long oars on the instant, and hung on,
+while some of their messmates tried to fire through the holes, with the
+result that long spears were now thrust through, and desperate stabs
+made at the attacking party.
+
+It was a wretched desultory fight, and the lieutenant was almost at his
+wits' end, for his spirit forbade his giving up, and all the time, no
+matter how bravely his men tried, they could not get on board the prahu.
+
+Just then it was observed by the men who held on by the sweeps, that a
+brass lelah was being thrust through a hole, and brought to bear upon
+them, when the result would have been death to several, and the sinking
+of the boat, if it was fired.  The danger was, however, averted by old
+Dick, who seized a boat-hook, and hitching it on the prahu's side, gave
+so sturdy a haul that he drew the boat some six feet along, and closer
+alongside.
+
+He was just in time, for as the boat grated against the prahu there was
+a sharp ringing report, and the water was thrown up close astern.
+
+A sharp volley from the boat replied to this, probably with as good
+results; and then thrusting with spear and bayonet went on in the
+darkness.
+
+"Confound it all, my lads! we must get aboard her somehow," cried the
+lieutenant, stamping his foot with rage, as he stood up in the boat.
+"Here, make ready some of you, and follow me.  Dick Dunnage, you keep
+her fast with the boat-hook."
+
+As he spoke the lieutenant parried a thrust with his sword, and replied
+to it with a shot from his revolver, letting both weapons then hang from
+his wrists by sword-knot and lanyard as, seizing one of the sweeps, he
+began to clamber up, followed by a dozen of the men.  There was a
+confused roar of shouts, yells, and cheers mingled, as those left in the
+boat ceased firing, so as not to injure the boarding party, who made a
+desperate effort now to climb over the bamboo screen, little thinking
+that the missing midshipman had boldly climbed up, a little ahead of
+where they were, mounted to the great bamboo spar that held up the
+screen, and then with a miserably ineffective weapon, to wit, his
+pocket-knife, set to work as he sat astride it, and sawn away at the
+rattans that held it up.
+
+It was a brave act, but an unlucky one.  He had nearly succeeded in
+getting through, and he would have shouted out a warning, but that would
+have brought upon him the spears of the Malays; so he cut away, and had
+been so successful that, as the boarding party made their desperate
+dash, down came the great bamboo with a rush.  The screen went outwards,
+over the sailors, who fell back beneath it into the boat, while Bob
+Roberts felt himself describing a half circle in the air, before
+plunging out of semi-darkness into that which was total, as he went
+down, yards away from the boat, into the cold black water, one thought
+alone filling his mind, and that thought was--crocodiles.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TEN.
+
+HOW BOB ROBERTS WAS NOT DROWNED.
+
+For a few minutes it was a question of whether the boat would be swamped
+or no, as she lay beneath the great bamboo screen, which completely
+paralysed the efforts of the crew.  The prahu was still floating with
+the stream, and the boat being dragged along in her wake, while, awaking
+now to a sense of their assailants' position, the Malays hurriedly
+thrust out sweeps, and others fired, and hurled their spears, a couple
+of dozen of which stuck in the bamboo mat.  Dick in the stern, and a
+couple of the men in the bows, however, began a steady fire at the
+prahu, loading as rapidly as they could, while the men amidships cast
+off the awkward canopy, and, half stunned, but panting with rage and
+excitement, the lieutenant once more gave his orders.
+
+"Oars, lads!" he cried, "and give way.  We shall have 'em yet."
+
+"Boat ahoy!" came from out the darkness.
+
+"Why, that's young Roberts, sir," cried Dick.  "Ahoy-oy-oy."
+
+"Help here!" came from the stern again.
+
+"We shall lose the prahu," cried the lieutenant.
+
+"But we must have Mr Roberts, sir," cried old Dick, excitedly.  "Give
+the word, sir--starn all--and we'll overtake her arterwards."
+
+"Starn all, my lads, and do your best."
+
+"Ahoy!" came once more, faintly, out of the darkness.
+
+"We're going away from him," cried the lieutenant.  "Pull round, my
+lads," he cried, seizing the tiller.  "Now then, steady.  Be smart there
+with a boat-hook.  Roberts, ahoy!"
+
+"Help, help," came again, from somewhere astern now, for the poor fellow
+was growing weak.
+
+For as he had plunged down, with the thought of the great reptiles
+uppermost in his mind, Bob Roberts had felt a chill of horror run
+through him that seemed for the moment to rob him of all power; but as
+he rose to the surface again, and felt that he could breathe, he struck
+out manfully in the direction of the firing; but in his confusion, after
+swimming for a minute, he found from the noise behind that he was making
+for the stockade, and he turned hastily to swim after the boat.
+
+It was no light task, dressed as he was.  He had a sword in his belt,
+and on the other side a revolver, and his first thought was to rid
+himself of them; but a strange feeling of dislike to parting with his
+weapons made him put off the act of throwing them away until he should
+feel that he was sinking; so, guided by the flashes of the pieces that
+were being fired, he swam lustily in the direction in which he felt the
+boat must be.
+
+He called for help several times, but his voice was not heard by those
+to whom he appealed; and as he felt himself being left behind, a cold
+chill of horror once more seized upon him, making his limbs seem heavy
+as lead, and paralysing his efforts in a way that was terribly
+suggestive of death.
+
+Thoughts of the great slimy monsters being at hand to seize upon him,
+sent his blood rushing to his face in a way that made him giddy, and for
+a few moments he felt half mad with fear; but calling upon his manhood,
+he mastered the nervous trepidation.
+
+"'Taint English--'taint game," he cried aloud, with the water at his
+lip; and checking the frantic desire to beat the surface with his hands
+in the natural last effort of a drowning creature, he swam steadily on,
+hailing the boat at intervals, but more and more feebly, as his despair
+increased; for he felt that he was only a lad, and that his life was a
+mere nothing compared to a successful capture of the prahu.
+
+"They have gone after her," he groaned, as he uttered a despairing hail.
+And then the bright light of hope seemed to cross the darkness, for he
+heard a shout in reply, and then other answering hails to his cry for
+help, and he knew now that it was only a question of holding out till
+the boat could reach his side.
+
+Shouts came again and again out of the darkness, and he answered--each
+time more feebly, for his strength was ebbing fast.  He could see the
+stars flashing in the water, and he fancied he could hear the splash of
+oars, and the sounds of voices; then, too, he heard the crackle of
+distant musketry, and the roar of one of the boat-guns.  Then, as if he
+were in a dream, he could hear some one close at hand hailing him--but
+he could not answer now, only swim feebly on, with his clothes, and the
+weapons, and cartridges in his pouch, dragging him down.
+
+Then the stars above, and the stars on the water, seemed to be blotted
+out, and he was in utter darkness--strangling, but swimming still,
+beneath the stream.  Then he seemed to see the stars again in a dim way,
+and he heard a shout; but he could not reply, for all was dark once
+more; and lastly, in a dim misty state he felt a spasm, and a sensation
+of being dragged beneath the water, and he thought that one of the
+reptiles of the river had seized him; and then he knew that he was lying
+in the bottom of the boat, and someone was pouring brandy between his
+lips.
+
+"I just ketched the glint of his white face under the water," said a
+voice which seemed to be Dick's, "and ketched hold of his jacket.  It
+was a near touch, and no mistake."
+
+"Give way, my lads, give way!" was the next thing Bob Roberts heard; and
+as if in a dream he made out that they were rowing fast in chase of the
+prahu, which, with all her sweeps out on either side, was going rapidly
+through the water, her object being to get down to the tidal way at the
+lower part of the river, where there were mangrove-fringed creeks and
+inlets by the hundred, offering her a secure hiding-place from her
+indefatigable assailant.
+
+"We shan't never ketch her, sir," growled Dick.
+
+"No," replied the lieutenant, sharply, "but we'll hang on to her to the
+last.  How far are we now from the steamer?"
+
+"Not two miles, I should think, sir."
+
+"Make ready then, marines," he cried, "and fire after her; hit her, if
+you can.  Two fire at a time--mind, slowly and steadily.  They will hear
+it on board, and be on the look-out, and if they don't sink her as she
+goes by them, why, it's a wonder."
+
+Almost directly after there was the report of a couple of rifles, and
+then two more at half-minute intervals, while right on ahead, in the
+darkness, they could hear the heavy beat of the prahu's sweeps, and knew
+that she was going more rapidly than they.
+
+"How are you now, Roberts?" said the lieutenant, kindly.
+
+"Coming round, Mr Johnson," said Bob.  "Thank-ye for picking me up."
+
+"Keep your thanks for to-morrow, Roberts," said the lieutenant,
+bitterly.  "How vexatious to make such a mess of the affair?"
+
+"There's another one a-coming, sir," said Dick, softly.  "You can hear
+the oars beating right behind us, sir."
+
+The lieutenant listened.
+
+"There must be a great curve in the river here," he said, "one that we
+did not notice in the fog."
+
+"Then it's a precious big curve, sir, that's all I can say," exclaimed
+old Dick; "for if that ain't t'other prahu coming down, with all sweeps
+out, I'm a Dutchman."
+
+"They never can have failed the same as we have," exclaimed the
+lieutenant, listening.  "No--yes--no.  You are right, Dick, my man.
+Cease firing there.  Make ready, my lads, and we'll plump every shot we
+have into this one as she comes abreast, and then lay the boat
+alongside, and board her in the confusion.  Be ready, my lads, and then,
+you know, down with your rifles.  Cutlasses must do it afterwards."
+
+A few minutes of intense excitement followed, during which time every
+man sat with his finger on the trigger, listening to the regular beat of
+the prahu's long oars as she came sweeping down at a rapid rate,
+evidently bent upon making her escape, like her consort, out to sea.
+
+"If we only had a bow gun," muttered the lieutenant.  "No you be still,
+Roberts," he continued; "you are weak and done up."
+
+"I think I could manage a rifle now, Mr Johnson," said the lad, with
+his teeth chattering from cold.
+
+"I don't," was the abrupt reply.  "Now, my lads, not a sound; we have a
+disgrace to wipe out, and this prahu must be ours."
+
+By this time the long swift boat was rapidly approaching, quite
+invisible to the little party of English, but audible enough; and they
+waited eagerly till it seemed as if she was bearing down upon them,
+when, with a short, sharp warning first to be ready, the lieutenant gave
+the word _Fire_! when about fifteen rifles went off almost like one,
+their flashes lighting up the darkness for an instant, and displaying
+close upon them the long dark prahu, with a long bank of oars, coming
+down fast.
+
+"Oars!  Give way!" shouted the lieutenant; and almost as he spoke, the
+prahu changed her course so rapidly that there was but little rowing
+needed, for instead of avoiding them, the vessel came right at the
+English boat, trying to run her down, being so nearly successful that
+she ripped her down to the water's edge just by the bows.  There was a
+crash of breaking oars; but the Malay boat dashed rapidly away, leaving
+the English helpless and sinking on the river.
+
+"Catch this boat cloak," cried the lieutenant who was ready enough in
+the emergency.  "Stuff it in, and one of you sit back against it."
+
+"It'll take two on us, sir," cried the man, who rapidly obeyed orders,
+and to some extent checked the rush of water.
+
+"Two of you begin baling," cried the lieutenant next; and then, as he
+saw that all their efforts would only just keep them afloat, "There, my
+lads," he said, "we've done our best.  One more volley and then I think
+we had better run her ashore."
+
+Another volley was fired, to give warning to the steamer that there was
+something extraordinary on the way, and then the boat's head was turned
+to the shore; but as they found that by constant baling they could just
+keep afloat, the lieutenant altered their direction, and they rowed on,
+with the gunwale nearly level with the water's edge, and proceeding very
+slowly, but ever carried by the stream nearer to the steamer and the
+isle.
+
+"A nice night's work, Roberts," said the lieutenant dolefully, as they
+sat deep in the water that washed from side to side; "lost both prahus,
+and got the boat crippled."
+
+"But we haven't lost any men, sir," said Bob, by way of comforting him.
+
+"No; but several of the poor lads are wounded.  There's only one thing
+that would give me any comfort for my ill-luck, Roberts, and that is to
+hear--"
+
+"There's the `Startler' a-talking to one, sir," cried Dick, forgetting
+discipline in his excitement, as the boom of a big gun not very far-off
+met their ears.  "There she goes again, sir," he continued, as there was
+another shot, and another, and another, all showing that the captain had
+heard the firing and been prepared.
+
+A couple more shots were heard, and then all was silent till the boat
+slowly drifted by the lights of the island, answering the sentries'
+challenges, and then sighting the lights and open portholes of the
+steamer, to whose side they managed to struggle, answering the
+challenges as they approached.
+
+In spite of all their efforts, it was doubtful whether the boat could
+have floated another minute, but on reaching the side the falls were
+hooked on, and she was slowly run up to the davits, with the water
+rushing out, the lieutenant then reporting his ill-success to the
+captain.
+
+"Not one man killed, though," he said.
+
+"How many wounded?"
+
+"Six, sir, but only slightly."
+
+"Mr Johnson, I hope the other boats have done better," said the
+captain.  "I'm afraid you will not get any promotion on the strength of
+this job."
+
+"No, sir," said the lieutenant dolefully.  "But did you sink either of
+the prahus?"
+
+"Sink them, no," said the captain, testily.  "I don't believe they were
+either of them touched; they went by us like the wind.  There, go below
+all of you, and get into dry clothes."  The captain went forward to see
+that the look-out was doing its best; while the prahus were safely
+making their way to a mud creek, where the chiefs who commanded them
+felt that they could laugh at any force the English might send to redeem
+the failure of the past night; and to work such mischief in the future
+as was little imagined at the time.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER ELEVEN.
+
+HOW BOB ROBERTS HAD A LESSON ON COMMON SENSE.
+
+The sun rose over the dense forest, turning the river mists into gauzy
+veils, that floated rapidly away, leaving the rapid stream sparkling in
+the soft morning breeze.  The brightly-coloured parroquets flew
+shrieking from bank to bank; and in the thick jungle, across from the
+end of the island, the noisy chattering of a party of monkeys could be
+heard.
+
+But bright as was the scene in all the gorgeous tints of tropic scenery,
+no one on the isle or in the steamer had a thought for anything but the
+expedition.  At the residency, Rachel Linton and her cousin had watched
+the starting of the boats in the dim starlight, and they had sat ever
+since at their window, listening for tidings.  The noise of the distant
+firing had reached them, making their breath come short as they started
+at each volley.  Even by the very faintly-heard pattering of the small
+arms, broken occasionally by the loud report of boat-gun or lelah, they
+knew that quite a sharp fight must be raging.
+
+Twice over they were visited by the major's wife, for the major could
+not rest, but kept going to the steamer to consult with Captain Horton,
+as to whether they had done everything possible to ensure success.
+
+Mrs Major Sandars found the two ladies pale and anxious to a degree;
+and though she refrained from saying so, she shook her head, telling
+herself that this excess of anxiety was due to something more than the
+absence of a father and uncle, especially as the resident was not a
+fighting man.
+
+She sat with them for long at a time, trying to comfort them, as she saw
+their agitation, and then grew as anxious herself, especially when the
+tide of the little war swept their way, and she heard the volleys bred
+from the boat, as the two prahus came down the stream.
+
+At last, just as a couple of Malay fishermen had been engaged to help
+pilot the steamer up the river, where Captain Horton had determined to
+go in quest of the missing expedition, the sentry at the point of the
+island challenged, and the ship's boats were seen coming round a point,
+the sun gleaming brightly on the barrels of the rifles, while the white
+jackets and frocks of the soldiers and sailors gave life to a scene that
+was one series of gloriously tinted greens.
+
+Glasses were brought to bear, and it was evident that it was no dejected
+beaten party returning, for no sooner did they see that they were
+observed than the men began cheering, their shouts bringing the Malays
+flocking down to the river side, where several chiefs were seen
+embarking in a naga, or dragon-boat, eager, though looking very stolid,
+to hear the news.
+
+It was on the whole good, for on the party landing it was to announce
+that they had, after a sharp fight, captured the stockade, driving the
+Malays, who were headed by the Rajah Gantang himself, to take refuge in
+another stockade, in a ravine some three miles inland, and then the
+river fort was set on fire.
+
+The officer who had attacked the second prahu had met with similar
+ill-success to Lieutenant Johnson, and upon relating the incidents of
+the fight, found but little sympathy from the late occupants of the
+other boat, who were rather rejoiced to find they had not been excelled.
+
+The escape of the second prahu was followed by a short council; and
+several Malays being found ready enough to act as guides to the
+stockade, to which the rajah and his men had fled, it was decided to
+follow him up, and read him a second severe lesson.
+
+It was a risky proceeding, for the guides might prove treacherous and
+lead them into an ambush; but after giving them notice that they would
+receive no mercy if they proved false, a small portion of the little
+force was left in charge of the boats, and, lightly equipped, the men
+went off in search of the second stronghold.
+
+It proved to be an arduous task, for the way was through one of the
+jungle-paths, with walls of dense vegetation right and left, of the most
+impenetrable nature.  Every here and there, too, the enemy had cut down
+a tree, so that it fell with the branches towards the pursuers, who were
+compelled to force a way through the dense mass that choked the narrow
+path.
+
+But these impediments were laughed at by the Jacks, who hacked and
+hewed, and soon made a passage, through which, in the darkness of the
+forest, the little force crept on till they halted, panting, for the
+Malay guides to go on first, and act the part of scouts.
+
+"Perhaps to give warning of our coming," said Captain Smithers.
+
+"No," said Tom Long, "I don't think that.  I should say that they have
+had spies out all along the path, and that they know our position to an
+inch."
+
+"You are right, Long," said Captain Smithers, as, one after the other,
+several reports rang out.  "They are firing on our friendly Malays."
+
+So it proved, for the men came running back to say that they had been
+fired upon as soon as they neared the stockade; and now, as there was no
+chance of a surprise, the men were divided, and, each party under its
+leader, started off to try and flank the place.
+
+This was something new to the Malays, who looked upon it as unfair
+fighting, and the result was, that after five minutes' sharp,
+hand-to-hand engagement, the rajah and his men once more took to the
+woods, and the second stockade was burned.
+
+This was so satisfactory a termination, that it seemed to make up for
+the loss of the two prahus.  These, however, Captain Horton said the
+ship's boats would soon hunt out; and the Malay chiefs went back to the
+sultan, to announce to him the defeat of his old enemy; while at the
+island every one was occupied about the hospital and the wounded men,
+who, poor fellows, were carefully lifted ashore, the doctor saying that
+the sailors would be far better on the island, in a tent beneath the
+shady trees, than on shipboard.
+
+"Ten wounded, major," he said sharply, "and not a man dangerously.  I'll
+soon set them right.  Steady there, my boys; lift them carefully."
+
+A goodly group had assembled by the landing-place when the men were
+brought ashore, the ladies being ready with fruit and cool drink for the
+poor fellows; and Bob Roberts, who had come to the landing-place with
+Captain Horton in the gig, felt quite envious.
+
+An hour or two's sleep had set him right, and he felt none the worse for
+his adventure; but there was Tom Long being lifted carefully ashore by
+two of the sailors, and Rachel Linton and Mary Sinclair eagerly waiting
+on the youth, for he had received a real wound this time, and looked
+most interestingly pale.
+
+"Just like my luck," grumbled Bob.  "He gets comfortably wounded, and
+they will be taking him fruit and flowers every day.  I shouldn't wonder
+if they had him carried up to the residency, so that he would be handy,
+and--hang me if it ain't too bad.  Oh! 'pon my word, I can't stand this;
+they are having him carried up to the house.  Just my luck.  I get a
+contemptible ducking, and no one wants to wait upon me."
+
+Bob ground his teeth and looked on, while Tom Long was sympathised with
+and talked to on his way up to the residency, where, after swallowing
+his wrath, as the middy expressed it, he got leave to go up and see his
+friend.
+
+"My friend!" he said, half aloud, as he walked on through the brilliant
+sunshine.  "Lor', how I do hate that fellow!  I wish I had had the kris.
+I'd have given the Malay such a oner as he wouldn't have forgotten in a
+hurry.  Poor old Tommy, though I I hope he isn't hurt much.  How do you
+do, Miss Linton?" he said stiffly, as he encountered Rachel Linton in
+the verandah.
+
+"Quite well, I thank you, Mr Roberts," said Rachel, imitating his
+pompous stiffness, and curtseying profoundly; "how do you do?"
+
+"Oh!  I say; don't, Miss Linton.  What a jolly shame it is," he cried,
+throwing off all form.  "You always laugh and poke fun at me."
+
+"Not I, Mr Roberts," she replied.  "When you are stiff and formal, I
+shape my conduct to suit yours; when you come as the nice, frank, manly
+boy that we are always so glad to see, I am sure I never laugh at you
+then."
+
+"Boy?  Yes, of course, you always treat me like a boy," said Bob,
+dolefully.  "Is a fellow never going to be a man?"
+
+"Far too soon, I should think," said Miss Linton, holding out her hand.
+
+"Oh!  I'm only a boy," said Bob, stuffing his hands in his pockets, and
+looking so sadly injured, and in so comical a way, that Miss Linton
+could hardly refrain from laughing.
+
+"Such a boy as I'm sure we are all very proud of," said Miss Linton.
+"We have heard from my father and Lieutenant Johnson how bravely you
+behaved last night."
+
+"Gammon!" said Bob, blushing scarlet.  "I only behaved like a boy.  How
+is the wounded man you have had brought up here--Mr Ensign Long?"
+
+"Poor boy!" said Rachel Linton quietly; "he has a nasty wound."
+
+"Say that again, Miss Linton," cried Bob excitedly; "it does me good."
+
+"He has a nasty wound.  Are you so pleased, then, that your friend is
+badly hurt?" said Miss Linton gravely.
+
+"No, no; of course not.  I mean the other," cried Bob.
+
+"Why, what did I say?"
+
+"You said `Poor boy!'" exclaimed the middy.
+
+"Of course I did," said Miss Linton, raising her eyebrows.
+
+"Say it again, please," said Bob.
+
+"Poor boy!  I am very sorry for him."
+
+"That does me a deal of good," cried Bob excitedly.  "You know I can't
+stand it, Miss Linton, for you to think of him as a man and of me as
+only a boy."
+
+"Why, you silly, foolish boy!" she said, laying her hand upon his
+shoulder, and gazing full in his face, "of course I think of you both as
+what you are--a pair of very brave lads, who will some day grow to be
+officers of whom England will be very proud."
+
+"If--if I'm not a man now," said Bob, in a low, husky voice, "I shall
+never grow to be one."
+
+"Not grow to be a man?  Why, what do you mean?" said Miss Linton.
+
+"I don't know," faltered Bob, "only that it's precious miserable, and--
+and I wish one of the jolly old Malays would stick his old kris right
+through my heart, for there don't seem anything worth living for when
+one can't have what one wants."
+
+Rachel Linton gazed at him half sad and half amused.
+
+"Do you wish me to think of you, Robert Roberts, with respect and
+esteem?"
+
+"I'd give all the world to be one of your dogs, Miss Linton, or your
+bird."
+
+"Do you mean to be a goose?" said Miss Linton, laughing.  "There, I did
+not mean to hurt your feelings," she added frankly; "but come, now, give
+up all this silly nonsense, and try to remember that you are after all
+but a boy, whom I want to look upon as a very dear friend."
+
+"Do you really?" said Bob.
+
+"I do, really," said Miss Linton, holding out her hand; "a friend whom I
+can believe in and trust, out in this dangerous place, and one who will
+not make my life wretched by being silly, romantic, and sentimental."
+
+Bob gripped the hand extended to him, and held it for a few moments.
+
+"There," he said firmly, as he seemed to shake himself together, "I see
+it now.  It's all right, Miss Linton; and it's better to be a brick of a
+boy than a weak, puling noodle of a man, isn't it?"
+
+"Indeed it is," cried Miss Linton, laughing merrily.
+
+"There, I'm your man--I mean I'm your boy," cried Bob; "and I'll let you
+see that I'm a very different fellow to what you think.  Now I want to
+go and see poor old Tom Long.  I am sorry he's hurt."
+
+"You are now more like the Bob Roberts, midshipman," said Miss Linton,
+"whom I saw first some months ago, than I have seen for a long time."
+
+"All right," said Bob; "now let's go and see the other poor boy."
+
+"Come along, then," she said, smiling; "but I'm afraid that Tom Long
+will not be so easy to convince that he has not yet arrived at years of
+discretion."
+
+As she spoke Miss Linton softly opened the door unseen, and let Bob
+Roberts enter a cool and airy well-shaded room, closing the door upon
+him, and herself gliding away.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWELVE.
+
+A DISCUSSION UPON WOUNDS.
+
+"Avast there! what cheer, my hearty?  Heave ahead, my military swab.
+How goes it!" cried Bob, as Tom raised himself a little on his couch,
+evidently very glad to see his old companion.
+
+"Oh, not quite killed," he said.  "Gently; don't shake a fellow to
+pieces."
+
+"Where's the wound?" cried Bob.  "Ain't going to send in the number of
+your mess, are you?"
+
+"No, I'm not," cried Tom Long, flushing up; "and if I ever do come
+across the chief fellow who gave me such a nasty dig, he'll remember it
+to the end of his days."
+
+"What was it--a spear or a kris?" said Bob.
+
+"Kris, right through my left shoulder.  Doctor Bolter says if it had
+been four inches lower it would have been fatal."
+
+"Bother!" cried Bob.  "If it had been four inches higher it would have
+missed you altogether."
+
+"Yes, of course," said Tom; "but it's precious unpleasant to have a
+fellow stick his skewer right through you."
+
+"Well, I don't know," said Bob, who had made up his mind that the proper
+thing was to try and cheer the ensign, and not to let him think he was
+very bad.  "I think I'd just as soon have it right through as only
+half-way."
+
+"Oh, it's nothing to laugh at, I can tell you," said Tom Long, "I don't
+see why you mightn't just as well have had it as me.  You always get off
+all right."
+
+"I didn't last night, or rather this morning," said Bob.  "I was right
+into the prahu we tried to take--first man, sir--I mean boy, sir; and I
+was sawing away at a mat with my knife, when all came down by the run,
+and I was pitched into the river."
+
+"And picked out," said the ensign impatiently.
+
+"Yes, but not before I'd been swimming for a quarter of an hour--good
+measure.  Oh, I say, Tom, didn't I think of the crocodiles!"
+
+"You're such a cheeky little beggar, I wonder they didn't get you," said
+Tom, who looked feverish and excited.  "I say, Bob Roberts, you know
+what that chap, that Kling fellow, said to us about the krises."
+
+"Yes, of course.  What then?"
+
+"Do you think they are poisoned?"
+
+"No, not a bit.  Do you?"
+
+"Yes," said the young ensign; "and I am sure this one was, for I can
+feel the wound throbbing and stabbing, and a curious sensation running
+to my finger ends."
+
+"Well, so one did when one had a bad cut," said Bob sharply.  "Bah!
+poisoned! it's all rubbish.  Why, if you had been poisoned you'd have
+been sleepy and stupid."
+
+"I feel so now."
+
+"What--stupid?" said Bob, grinning.  "Well that's natural: you always
+were?"
+
+"I can't get up and cane you, Bob Roberts," said the ensign, slowly.
+
+"Of course you can't, old man.  But there, don't you worry; that kris
+wasn't poisoned, or you'd feel very different to what you do now."
+
+"Think so?"
+
+"Sure of it."
+
+"How do you know?" said Tom Long, peevishly.  "You were never wounded by
+a poisoned weapon."
+
+"No, but I've seen somebody else, and watched him."
+
+"What was he wounded with?"
+
+"Serpent's tooth," said Bob; "Private Gray."
+
+"Why, that's a different thing altogether," said Long.
+
+"No it isn't, Mr Clevershakes.  The snake's poison goes into the blood,
+don't it, same as that of a kris, and the symptoms would be just the
+same."
+
+Tom Long seemed to think there was something in this, and he lay
+thinking for a minute.
+
+"How did Gray look?" he said.  "I don't remember."
+
+"Just the same as you don't look," said Bob, sharply; "so don't be a
+stupid and frighten yourself worse.  Malay krises are not poisoned, and
+it's all a cock-and-bull story."
+
+"What is?" said Doctor Bolter, entering the room.
+
+"About krises being poisoned, doctor."
+
+Doctor Bolter felt his patient's pulse.
+
+"Have you been putting him up to thinking his wound was poisoned?" he
+said, angrily.
+
+"No, doctor," said Tom Long, quietly; "it was my idea, and I feel sure
+it is."
+
+"Tom Long," said Doctor Bolter, "you're only a boy, and if you weren't
+so ill, I'd box your ears.  You've been frightening yourself into a
+belief that you are poisoned, and here's your pulse up, the dickens
+knows how high.  Now look here, sir, what's the use of your placing
+yourself in the hands of a surgeon, and then pretending to know better
+yourself?"
+
+"I don't pretend, doctor."
+
+"Yes, you do, sir.  You set up a theory of your own that your blood is
+poisoned, in opposition to mine that it is not."
+
+"But are you sure it is not, doctor?"
+
+"Am I sure?  Why, by this time if that kris had been poisoned you would
+have had lock-jaw."
+
+"And Locke on the Understanding," put in Bob.
+
+"Yes," laughed the doctor; "and been locked up altogether.  There,
+there, my dear boy, keep yourself quiet, and trust me to bring you
+round.  You, Bob Roberts, don't let him talk, and don't talk much
+yourself.  You'd better go to sleep, Long."
+
+"Wound pains me too much, doctor.  It throbs so.  Isn't that a sign of
+poison?"
+
+"I'll go and mix you up a dose of poison that shall send you to sleep
+for twelve hours, my fine fellow, if you don't stop all that nonsense.
+Your wound is not poisoned, neither is that of any other man who came
+back from the expedition; and if it's any satisfaction to you to know
+it, you've got the ugliest dig of any man--I mean boy--amongst the
+wounded."
+
+The doctor arranged the matting-screen so as to admit more air, and
+bustled towards the door--but stopped short on hearing a buzzing sound
+at the open window, went back on tiptoe, and cleverly captured a large
+insect.
+
+"A splendid longicorn," he said, fishing a pill-box from his pocket, and
+carefully imprisoning his captive.  "Ah, my dear boys, what a pity it is
+that you do not take to collecting while you are young!  What much
+better men you would make!"
+
+"There," said Bob, as soon as they were alone, "how do you feel about
+your poison now?"
+
+"He says it is not, just to cheer me up," said Tom Long, dolefully.  "I
+say, Bob Roberts, if I die--"
+
+"If you what?" cried Bob, in a tone of disgust.
+
+"I say, if I die."
+
+"Oh, ah, of course.  Now then, let's have it.  Do you want me to write a
+verse for your tombstone?"
+
+"They'd pitch me overboard," said Long, dolefully.
+
+"Not they," said Bob.  "This promising young officer, who had taken it
+into his head that he had been wounded by a poisoned kris, was buried
+under a palm tree, to the great relief of all who knew him, for they
+found him the most conceited--"
+
+"Bob Roberts!"
+
+"Consequential--"
+
+"I tell you what it is--"
+
+"Cocky--"
+
+"I never heard--"
+
+"Unpleasant fellow that ever wore Her Majesty's uniform."
+
+"Just wait till I get well, Master Bob Roberts," said Tom Long,
+excitedly, "and if I don't make you pay for all this, my name's not what
+it is."
+
+"Thought you had made up your mind to die," said Bob, laughing.  "There,
+it won't do, young man; so now go to sleep.  I've got another half-hour,
+and I'll sit here and keep the flies from visiting your noble corpus too
+roughly; and when you wake up, if you find I am not here it is because I
+am gone.  D'ye hear?"
+
+"Yes," said Tom Long, drowsily; and in five minutes he was fast asleep,
+seeing which Bob sat till the last minute, and then went out on tiptoe
+to run and learn whether the boat was waiting by the landing-stage.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTEEN.
+
+AN UNPLEASANT INTERRUPTION.
+
+The feeling of satisfaction was very general at the lesson given the
+rajah; and though his two prahus had escaped, his power had received a
+most severe blow.
+
+Sultan Hamet was sincere enough in his demonstrations of pleasure,
+sending presents five or six times a day to the resident, the various
+officers, and, above all, fruit for the wounded men.
+
+The presents were but of little value, but they showed the Malay's
+gratitude, and the officers were very pleased with what they looked upon
+as curiosities.  Even Bob Roberts and Tom Long were not forgotten, each
+receiving an ivory-mounted kris, the young chief Ali being the bearer.
+
+The resident, however, felt that the sultan was not meeting him in quite
+a proper spirit, and he was rather suspicious, till a fresh embassy of
+the principal chiefs arrived, and brought a formal invitation for the
+resident and the officers to visit him upon a fixed day.
+
+As before, an imposing force was got ready, and once more the march to
+what Bob had nick-named Palm Tree Palace, took place, the middy coming
+afterwards to Tom Long's room, and telling him how the affair had gone
+off.
+
+"It was no end of a game," he said to the young ensign, who was rapidly
+gaining strength, the fancy that his wound was poisoned having passed
+away.  "We started just as we did last time, and marched through the
+jungle till we came to the sultan's barns, where the men were drawn up,
+and no end of the niggers came to wait on them, bringing them a kind of
+drink made of rice, and plenty of fruit and things, while we officers
+had to go into the sultan's dining-room--a place hung round with cotton
+print--and there we all sat down, cross-legged, like a lot of jolly
+tailors, with the sultan up at the top, the major on one side, and our
+skipper on the other."
+
+"But they didn't sit down cross-legged?" said Tom Long.
+
+"Didn't they, my boy?  But they just did; and it was a game to see our
+skipper letting himself down gently for fear of cracking his best white
+uniform sit-in-ems.  Your major split some stitches somewhere, for I
+heard them go.  Then there was the doctor; you should have seen him!  He
+came to an anchor right enough, but when he tried to square his yards--I
+mean his legs--he nearly went over backwards, and looked savage enough
+to eat me, because I laughed."
+
+"Poor old doctor!" said Tom Long, smiling.
+
+"Oh, we were all in difficulties, being cast upon our beam-ends as it
+were; but we got settled down in our berths at last, and then the dinner
+began."
+
+"Was it good?" said Tom Long, whose appetite was growing as he began to
+get better.
+
+"Jolly!" said Bob, "capital!  I say, though, how hot this place is."
+
+"Yes," said the ensign, "the lamp makes it hot; but the window is wide
+open."
+
+Bob glanced out into the darkness, to see the dark gleaming leaves, and
+the bright fire-flies dancing in the air, while right before them lay
+the smooth river, reflecting the brilliant stars.
+
+"There was no cloth; but it was no end of fun.  Mr Sultan is going in
+for English manners and customs, and he mixes them up with his own most
+gloriously.  By way of ornaments there was a common black japanned
+cruet-stand, with some trumpery bottles.  There was one of those brown
+earthenware teapots, and an old willow-pattern soup tureen, without
+cover or stand, but full of flowers.  Besides which, there were knives
+and forks, and spoons, regular cheap Sheffield kitchen ones, and as
+rusty as an old ring-bolt."
+
+"Indeed!" said Tom Long.
+
+"I looked at our officers, and they had hard work to keep solemn; and I
+half expected to see a pound of sausages, and some potatoes in their
+skins, for the banquet.  But wait a bit; those were the English things
+brought out in compliment to us.  Mr Sultan had plenty of things of his
+own, some of silver, some of gold.  He had some beautiful china too; and
+the feed itself--tlat!" said Bob, smacking his lips.  "I wish you had
+been there."
+
+"I wish I had," sighed Tom Long.  "Getting well's worse than being
+wounded."
+
+"Never mind; you'll soon be all right," continued Bob.  "Well, we had
+some good fish, nicely cooked, and some stunning curry; the best I ever
+ate; and we had sambals, as they call 'em, with it."
+
+"What the dickens are sambals?" said Tom Long.
+
+"Well, it's either pickles or curry, whichever you like to call it,"
+continued Bob.  "These sambals are so many little saucers on a silver
+tray, and they are to eat with your curry.  One had smashed up cocoa-nut
+in milk; another chillies; another dried shrimps, chutney, green ginger,
+no end of things of that kind--and jolly good they were!  Then we had
+rice in all sorts of shapes, and some toddy and rice wine, and some
+sweets of sago, and cocoa-nut and sugar."
+
+"But you didn't eat all those things?" said Tom Long, peevishly.
+
+"Didn't I, my boy? but I just did.  I thought once that the sultan might
+be going to poison us all; and, as they say there's safety in a big
+dose, and death in a small, I went in for a regular big go.  But I say,
+the fruits! they were tip-top: mangosteens and guavas, and mangoes, and
+cocoa-nuts, and durians, and some of the best bananas I ever ate in my
+life."
+
+"You didn't try one of those filthy durians again?"
+
+"Bless 'em, that I did; and I mean to try 'em again and again, as long
+as a heart beats in the bosom of yours very faithfully, Bob Roberts.
+They're glorious!"
+
+"Bah!"
+
+"That's right," said Bob.  "You say `Bah!' and I'll eat the durians.
+But I didn't tell you about the drinks.  We had coffee, and pipes, and
+cigars, and said pretty things to each other; and then the sultan told
+Mr Linton he was going to bring out some choice English nectar in our
+honour."
+
+"And did he?"
+
+"He just did, my boy.  A nigger came round with a little silver tray,
+covered with tiny gold cups in which was something thick and red."
+
+"Liqueur, I suppose," said Tom Long, uneasily.
+
+"Wait a wee, dear boy," said Bob.  "Here's the pyson at last, I says to
+myself; and when my turn came, I did as the others did, bowed to the
+sultan, feeling just like a tombola, and nearly going over; then I
+drank--and what do you think it was?"
+
+"I don't know; go on."
+
+"Raspberry vinegar, and--ah!"
+
+Tom Long started back, looking deadly white in the feeble light of the
+lamp; for, as Bob ejaculated loudly, a Malay spear whizzed past his ear,
+and stuck in the wooden partition behind him, having evidently been
+thrown through the window by some lurking foe.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FOURTEEN.
+
+HOW BOB ROBERTS MADE A FIRM FRIEND.
+
+Bob Roberts seized his sword and dashed to the window, leaping boldly
+out, and shouting for help; and as he did so he heard the bushes rapidly
+parted, the crackling of twigs on ahead, and then, as he neared the
+river in pursuit of the assailant, there was a loud splash, followed by
+the challenge of a sentry and the report of his piece.
+
+A brisk time of excitement followed, during which a thorough search was
+made, but no one was found; and it was evident that the spear had been
+thrown by an enemy who had come alone; but the incident was sufficient
+to create a general feeling of uneasiness at the residency.  The
+sentries were doubled, and orders were given that the place should be
+carefully patrolled; for though the English were upon an island, the
+Malays were such expert swimmers that they could start up stream and let
+themselves float down to the head of the island and land.
+
+It was some few days before Bob Roberts was able to pay another visit to
+the residency, for he had been out twice with the steamer's boats, in
+search of the two escaped Malay prahus, each time on insufficient
+information; and after a weary pull through a winding mangrove creek,
+had come back without seeing them.
+
+Meantime the relations with the Malays were daily growing in
+friendliness.  A brisk trade with the shore was carried on, and sampans
+from far up the river came laden with fruit, fish, and rice; some
+brought poultry, and green sugar-cane for eating; others cocoa-nuts, and
+quaint articles for barter.  But somehow there was an uneasy feeling on
+the island, that though the sultan and his people were friendly, some of
+the rajahs detested the English, as being likely to put a stop to their
+piratical practices, the destruction of Rajah Gantang's stockade, while
+it gave plenty of satisfaction in some parts, being looked upon with
+disfavour in others.
+
+"Pretty well all right again, old man?" said Bob, sauntering in one day,
+to find the ensign reading.
+
+"Yes, I'm stronger by a good deal than I was," said Tom Long, holding
+out his hand.
+
+"No more limbings pitched in at the window, eh?"
+
+"No," said Tom Long with a slight shudder; "I hope that sort of thing is
+not going to happen again."
+
+"To which I say ditto," said Bob.  "But I say, I know who pitched that
+spear at you."
+
+"You do?"
+
+"Yes, it was that Malay chap you offended with the durian."
+
+"Then he must be taken and punished."
+
+"First catch your brown hare, master officer of infantry," said Bob,
+smiling.  "He won't set foot here again, depend upon it, unless he
+slinks in at night.  By George, what a malicious lot they must be, to
+act like that!"
+
+"Yes, it's not pleasant," said Tom Long, with an involuntary shudder,
+as, in imagination, he saw the dark face of his enemy always on the
+watch for an opportunity to assassinate him.
+
+"I never finished my account of the trip to the sultan's," said Bob, at
+last.
+
+"Was there anything more to tell?"
+
+"Yes, one thing," replied Bob; "the best of the whole lot."
+
+"What was it?"
+
+"Don't get riled if I tell you."
+
+"Pooh! how can it rile me?"
+
+"Oh, I don't know; only it may.  It was a proposal made by the sultan to
+Mr Linton."
+
+"Proposal!  What proposal?"
+
+"Well, I'll tell you; only don't go into fits.  It was after we'd been
+sitting smoking for a bit, and just before we were coming away.  Master
+Sultan had shown us all his best things--his gold and silver, and his
+slaves, and the dingy beauties with great earrings, and bangles on their
+arms and legs, who have the honour of being his wives; and at last he
+said something to Mr Linton, who understands his lingo as well as you
+and I do French."
+
+"Well, but what did he propose?" said Long, eagerly.
+
+"I got to know afterwards from Captain Smithers," continued Bob, "that
+he said he had been thinking very seriously about his position in
+connexion with the English, and that he saw how a strong alliance would
+be best for all; that it would settle him in his government, and make it
+a very excellent match for the English, who would be able to get tin and
+rice from the sultan's people, and gold."
+
+"You're as prosy as an old woman," said Tom Long, impatiently.
+
+"Yes, it's an accomplishment of mine," said Bob coolly.  "Well, as I was
+telling you, he said the proper thing was a very strong alliance; and
+the resident said we had already made one.  He said he wanted a stronger
+one; and he thought the best thing would be for him to marry Miss Linton
+and her cousin, and then it would be all right."
+
+"Why, confound his insolence!" said Tom Long, starting up.
+
+"No, no, you must say something else," cried Bob.  "I said that as soon
+as I heard it."
+
+"Did not Mr Linton knock him down?" cried Tom Long.
+
+"No, he did not.  He heard him out, and said it must be a matter of
+consideration; and then we came away."
+
+"But it's monstrous!" cried Tom Long.
+
+"Of course it is," said Bob, coolly; "but don't you see it was of no use
+to break with the fellow at once.  It was a case of diplomacy.  We don't
+want to quarrel with Master Sultan Hamet: we want to keep friends."
+
+"But it was such an insult to the ladies!"
+
+"He looked as if he thought he was doing them an honour, Master Long, so
+it wouldn't have done to fall out with him.  There, don't look so
+fierce, we've got a difficult game to play here, and our great point is
+not to quarrel with the Malays, unless we want spears thrown in at every
+dark window while we stay."
+
+Tom Long sat biting his nails, for Bob had touched him in a very tender
+part, and he knew it.  In fact, the middy rather enjoyed his companion's
+vexation, for he had begun, since his memorable conversation with Miss
+Linton, to look upon his feelings towards her with a more matter-of-fact
+eye.
+
+"I shall have to get about at once," said Tom Long, speaking as if his
+weight in the scale would completely make Sultan Hamet kick the beam;
+but upon seeing the mirthful look in Bob Roberts' eye, he changed the
+subject, and began talking about how he longed to be out and about
+again.
+
+"I thought we should get no end of fishing and shooting out here," he
+said, "and we've had none as yet."
+
+"Get well, then, and we'll have a try for some," Rob suggested.  "There
+must be plenty;" and with the understanding that the ensign was to
+declare himself fit to be off the doctor's hands as soon as possible,
+Bob Roberts returned to the steamer, and then finding it terribly close,
+he did what he had acquired a habit of doing when the weather was very
+hot, found a snug shady place on deck, and went off to sleep.
+
+That was very easy in those latitudes.  Whether the sun shone or whether
+it was gloomy, black, and precursive of a thunder-storm, an European had
+only to sit down in a rocking chair, or swing in a hammock, and he went
+off into a delicious slumber almost on the instant.
+
+So far so good; the difficulty was to keep asleep; and so Bob Roberts
+found.
+
+He had settled himself in a low basket-work chair, beneath a stout piece
+of awning which shed a mellow twilight upon the deck, and loosening his
+collar, he had dropped off at once; but hardly was he asleep before
+"burr-urr-urr boom-oom-oom, boozz-oozz-oozz" came a great fly, banging
+itself against the awning, sailing round and round, now up, now down, as
+if Bob's head were the centre of its attraction, and he could not get
+farther away.  Now it seemed to have made up its mind to beat itself to
+pieces against the canvas, and now to try how near it could go to the
+midshipman's nose without touching, and keeping up all the time such an
+aggravating, irritating buzz that it woke Bob directly.
+
+There was plenty of room for the ridiculous insect to have flown right
+out from beneath the awning and over the flashing river to the jungle;
+but no, that did not seem to suit its ideas, and it kept on with its
+monotonous buzz, round and round, and round and round.
+
+Half awake, half asleep, Bob fidgeted a little, changed his position,
+and with his eyes shut hit out sharply at his tormentor, but of course
+without effect.
+
+He turned over, turned back; laid his head on one side; then on the
+other; and at last, as the miserable buzzing noise continued, he jumped
+up in a rage, picked up a book for a weapon, and followed the fly about,
+trying to get a fair blow--but all in vain.  He hit at it flying,
+settled on the canvas roof; on the arms of chairs, and on the deck, and
+twice upon a rope--but all in vain: the wretched insect kept up its
+irritating buzz, till, hot, panting, his brows throbbing with the
+exertion, Bob made a furious dash at it, and with one tremendous blow
+crushed it flat.
+
+The middy drew a long breath, wiped the perspiration from his forehead,
+and, panting and weary, threw himself back in the chair, and closed his
+eyes.
+
+He was a clever sleeper, Bob Roberts.  Like the Irishman who went to
+sleep for two or three days, when Bob went to sleep, he "paid attintion
+to it."  In a few seconds then he was fast, and--truth must be told--
+with his mouth open, and a very unpleasant noise arising therefrom.
+
+Vain hope of rest.  Even as he threw himself back, a little many-legged
+creature, about two inches long, was industriously making its way over
+the deck towards where one of the middy's limbs lay outstretched, and in
+a few seconds it had mounted his shoe, examined it with a pair of long
+thin antenna, and then given the leather a pinch with a pair of hooked
+claws at its tail.
+
+Apparently dissatisfied, the long thin yellow insect ran on to the
+sleeper's sock, carefully examined its texture, tasted it with its tail,
+and still not satisfied, proceeded to walk up one of the very wide open
+duck trouser legs, that must have been to it like the entrance to some
+grand tunnel, temptingly inviting investigation.
+
+The insect disappeared; Bob snored, and there was the loud buzzing
+murmur of men's voices, talking drowsily together, when, as if suddenly
+electrified, Bob leaped up with a sharp cry, slapped his leg vigorously,
+and stood shaking his trousers till the long thin insect tumbled on to
+the white deck, and was duly crushed.
+
+"Scissors! how it stings!" cried Bob, rubbing the place.  "O Lor'! what
+a place this is to be sure.  Who the dickens can get a nod?"
+
+Bob Roberts was determined upon having one evidently, for having given
+the obnoxious remains another stamp, he took a look round, to see if any
+other pest, winged or legged, had been brought from the shore, and
+seeing nothing, he again settled himself down, gave a turn or two and a
+twist to get himself comfortable, ending by sitting with his legs
+stretched straight out, his head thrown back, and his nose pointed
+straight up at the awning.
+
+This time Bob went off fast asleep; his cap fell on to the deck, but it
+did not disturb him; and he was evidently making up for lost time, when
+a very industrious spider, who had made his home in the awning, came
+boldly out of a fold by a seam of the canvas, and with busy legs
+proceeded to examine the state and tension of some threads, which it had
+previously stretched as the basis of a web upon a geometrical plan,
+expressly to catch mosquitoes.
+
+Apparently satisfied, the spider set to work busily, its dark, heavy
+body showing plainly against the yellowish canvas; and in a very short
+time a main rope was attached to the roof, and the architect of fly-nets
+began slowly to descend, in search of a point to which the other end of
+the said main-stay could be attacked.
+
+Now fate had so arranged it, that the point exactly beneath the spider
+as it slowly descended was the tip of Bob Roberts' nose, and to this
+point in the course of a minute the insect nearly arrived.
+
+It may be thought that its next act would be to alight and fix its rope;
+but this was not so easy, for the soft zephyr-like breaths the middy
+exhaled drove the swinging architect to and fro.  Now it came near, now
+it was driven away; but at last it got near enough to grasp at the
+sleeper's most prominent feature, just brushing it with its legs, and
+setting up an irritating tickling that made Bob snort and scratch his
+face.
+
+The spider swung to and fro for some seconds, and then there was another
+terrible tickle, to which Bob responded by fiercely rubbing the
+offending organ.
+
+The spider was driven to a distance by this; but it was back again
+directly, with its legs stretched out, tickling as before.
+
+Bob was not asleep, and he was not awake, and he could neither sink into
+oblivion, nor thoroughly rouse himself.  All he could do was to bestow
+an irritable scratch at his nose, and the spider came back again.
+
+At last, spider or no spider, he dropped into a strange dreamy state, in
+which he believed that Tom Long came and loomed over him on purpose to
+bend down and tickle him, out of spite and jealousy, with the long thin
+feather from a paroquet's tail.
+
+"Don't!  Bother!" said Bob, in his sleep; but the tickling went on, and
+he felt ready to leap up and strike his tormentor; but he seemed to be
+held down by some strange power which kept him from moving, and the
+tickling still went on.
+
+Then he could hear voices talking, and people seemed to be about,
+laughing at and enjoying the trick that was being played upon him; and
+then he started into wakefulness, for a voice exclaimed,--
+
+"Come, Mr Roberts, are you going to wake up?"
+
+It was Lieutenant Johnson who spoke; and on the middy jumping up, he
+found standing by him, with the lieutenant, the dark-faced youth who had
+met them and acted as guide on the occasion when they made their first
+visit to the sultan's home.
+
+He was dressed similarly to the way in which he made his first
+appearance before the English party; that is to say, he wore the silken
+jacket and sarong of the Malay chiefs, with a natty little embroidered
+cap, set jauntily upon his head like that of a cavalry soldier; but in
+addition he wore the trousers, white shirt-front, and patent leather
+boots of an Englishman, and the middy saw that he had a gold albert
+chain and straw-coloured kid gloves.
+
+"This gentleman is the son of the Tumongong of Parang, Mr Roberts,"
+said the lieutenant, "and he has come on board to see the ship.  Take
+him round and show him everything, especially the armoury, and let him
+understand the power of the guns.  Captain Horton wishes it."
+
+The lieutenant looked meaningly at the middy, who saluted, and then
+nodded his head in a way that showed he comprehended his task.
+
+"The skipper wants these people to know that it is of no good to try and
+tackle us," thought Bob.  "Yes, sir," he said aloud, "I'll take him
+round;" and then the lieutenant, who had been interrupted in a nap,
+saluted the young chief; who salaamed to him gravely, and the two young
+men were left alone, gazing straight at one another, each apparently
+trying to read the other's thoughts.
+
+"This is a jolly nice sort of a game," said Bob to himself!  "How am I
+to make him understand?  What a jolly fool old Johnson is.  Now, my
+sun-brown-o cockywax, comment vous portez-vous? as we say in French.  Me
+no understandy curse Malay's lingo not at all-oh.  Bismillah! wallah!
+Come oh! and have a bottle oh! of Bass's ale oh!"
+
+"With much pleasure," said the young Malay, laughing.  "I am thirsty."
+
+Bob Roberts turned as red as a turkey-cock with vexation.
+
+"What!  Can you understand English?" he stammered.
+
+"Rather!" was the reply.  "I couldn't make out all you said--not quite,"
+he added, laughing meaningly.
+
+"Oh!  I say, I am sorry," said Bob frankly.  "I didn't know you could
+understand a word."
+
+"It's all right," said the young Malay, showing his white teeth, and
+speaking fair idiomatic English, though with a peculiar accent.  "I've
+been a great deal at Penang and Singapore.  I like English ways."
+
+"I say, you know," cried Bob, holding out his hand, "it was only my fun.
+I wouldn't have chaffed you like that for a moment if I had thought you
+could understand."
+
+"No, I suppose not," said the young Malay.  "Never mind, I wanted to see
+you.  That's why I came.  Where's the young soldier?"
+
+"What Tom--I mean Ensign Long?"
+
+"Yes, En-sign Long."
+
+"Knocked up.  Ill with his wound.  He got hurt up the river."
+
+"I did not know it was he," said the young Malay.  "Poor fellow!"
+
+"He was in an awful state," said Bob.  "Got a kris through his shoulder,
+and thought it was poisoned."
+
+"What, the kris?  Oh, no.  That is nonsense.  Our people don't poison
+their krises and limbings.  The Sakais poison their arrows."
+
+"The whiches?" said Bob.
+
+"The Sakais--the wild people of the hills and jungle.  Naked--wear no
+clothes."
+
+"Yes," said Bob drily.  "I knew naked meant wearing no clothes.  So you
+Malay folks are not savages, but have got savages somewhere near."
+
+"Savages? wild people," said the young man, with a little flush
+appearing through his tawny skin.  "The Malay chiefs are gentlemen.  We
+only are simple in our ways and living."
+
+"Oh! that's it, is it?" said Bob.  "Well, come and have this drop of
+Bass.  I can't stand fizz."
+
+"Fizz?" said the visitor; "what is fizz?"
+
+"Champagne."
+
+"Oh, yes!  I know; frothing, bubbling wine, with a pop cork."
+
+"Yes, that's it," said Bob, grinning, "with a pop cork;" and leading the
+way below, he got a bottle of Bass and a couple of glasses, which they
+sat down and discussed.
+
+"Have a cigar?" said the young Malay, producing a handsome French-made
+case.
+
+"Thanky," said Bob.  "What are these?  Manillas?"
+
+"No; from Deli, in Sumatra," said his visitor.  And then they lit-up by
+the open window of the gun-room, and sat and smoked for a few minutes in
+silence, each watching the other.
+
+"I say," said Bob at last, "this is jolly rum, you know.  Why you are
+quite an Englishman, young fellow."
+
+"I like English ways," said the young chief, flushing; "some of them.
+If I were sultan, I'd take to all the best English customs, and make
+them take the place of all our bad ones.  Then we should be great."
+
+"Yes," said Bob; "I suppose so."
+
+"Ah," said the young man, sadly, "you laugh.  But I could improve our
+people."
+
+"Yes, of course," said Bob, hastily.  "Now come and see round the ship."
+
+"No, no, let us sit and talk," said the young Malay.  "I have seen
+plenty of ships.  I know all about them."
+
+"Just as you like," said Bob.  "Then let's go and sit on deck, under the
+awning.  It's awfully hot here."
+
+"You think it hot?"
+
+"Yes; don't you?" said Bob.
+
+"No, not at all," said the young Malay, smiling; and rising he followed
+the middy on deck.
+
+"That's better," said Bob; "sit down in that cane chair.  I say, what's
+your name?"
+
+"Ah; what is yours?"
+
+"Robert Roberts; commonly known to my intimates as Bob."
+
+"Intimates? what are intimates?"
+
+"Best friends," said Bob.
+
+"Yes, I understand.  May I be an intimate?"
+
+"To be sure you may," said Bob, holding out his hand, which the other
+eagerly grasped.  "But no larks, you know."
+
+"Larks! what is larks?" said Ali, eagerly.
+
+"I mean, no sticking that kris of yours into a fellow on the sly."
+
+"Nonsense!  What bosh!" cried the young Malay.
+
+"Bosh, eh?" said Bob, laughing.  "I say, Master Ali, you are civilised,
+and no mistake.  It is only our very educated people who say _Bosh_!"
+
+"You took the word from us," said the young Malay.  "Bosh is good
+eastern language, and means _nothing_."
+
+"I've heard it was Turkish," said Bob, drily.
+
+"Well, Turkish; the language of Roum.  We look upon the Sultan of Roum
+and Stamboul as our greatest chief."
+
+"Oh, I say," cried Bob; "I can't stand this, you know.  I thought you
+were a young Malay chief, and you are talking like a professor.  Look
+here, Ali, is there any good fishing here?"
+
+"Yes, oh yes.  I'll take you in my boat, and my men shall catch plenty."
+
+"No, no," said Bob.  "You take me in the boat, and I'll catch the fish.
+But is there any shooting?"
+
+"Shooting!" said the young Malay, laughing; "everything; bird that
+flies, bird that swims, tigers, buffalo, deer."
+
+"Where?" cried Bob, excitedly.
+
+"In the great forest--the jungle.  Will you come?"
+
+"Will I come?" cried Bob.  "Won't I!  I say," he went on, excitedly,
+"you can't shoot, can you?"
+
+"I practise sometimes," said the young Malay, quietly.
+
+"What with?  A blow-pipe?"
+
+"Yes, I can use the sumpitan," said the young Malay, nodding; "but I use
+a revolver or a rifle."
+
+"I believe I'm half asleep," muttered Bob.  "Haven't got a gun, have
+you?"
+
+"Yes; an English gentleman changed with me.  I gave him ivory and gold,
+and he gave me his double gun."
+
+"Not a breechloader?" said Bob.
+
+"Yes, a breechloader--a Purdey he called it, and a bag of cartridges."
+
+"Oh, I say," cried Bob; "this is rich, you know.  I am sorry I was such
+an idiot with you at first.  But do you mean it?  If I get a day ashore,
+will you take me where there's some good shooting?"
+
+"Oh, yes, plenty;" was the reply.
+
+Bob Roberts was thoughtful for a few moments.
+
+"I say," he said at last, "I wish Tom Long were here."
+
+"En-sign Long?" said Ali.
+
+"Yes.  He's a very cocky fellow, you know; but he's a good one at
+bottom."
+
+"Should I like him?"
+
+"Yes, when you got to know him; but he only shows some fellows his
+clothes."
+
+"I don't want to see his clothes," said Ali, smiling.
+
+"I mean, some people never get to know what's inside him," said Bob.
+
+"What is `inside him'?" said Ali, whom these mysteries of the English
+tongue somewhat puzzled.  "Do you mean what he has had to eat?"
+
+"No, no;" said Bob, laughing.  "I mean his heart."
+
+"Show people his heart?" said Ali, thoughtfully.  "Oh yes, I see; I
+understand.  You mean he is cold outside, and proud, and does not show
+people what he really thinks--like a Malay?"
+
+"Yes, that's what I mean," said Bob, smiling.  "But that's like a Malay,
+is it?  They say one thing, and mean another, do they?"
+
+"Yes," said Ali, gravely--"to their enemies--to the people who try to
+cheat, and deceive them.  To their real friends they are very true, and
+full of faith.  But it is time now that I should go."
+
+"I say, though, stop a minute," said Bob sharply.  "Are your people
+really good friends to us?"
+
+"Yes," said the visitor, "I hope so.  I believe so.  They are strange at
+first, and do not like English ways, like I.  Afterwards they will do
+the same as I do.  Good-bye."
+
+"But about our shooting?" said Bob.  "May I bring Tom Long?"
+
+"I should like to know En-sign Long.  He is very brave, is he not?"
+
+"Pretty bobbish, I believe," said the middy.
+
+"Is he bobbish, too, like you.  Are you not Bob Bobbish?"
+
+"No, no, I'm Bob Roberts," said the middy, laughing.  "I mean, Tom Long
+is as brave as most fellows."
+
+There was a short consultation then as to time and place of meeting;
+after which the young Malay passed over the side into his boat, rowed by
+four followers, and was quickly pulled ashore.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FIFTEEN.
+
+HOW THE SULTAN WAS PUT OFF WITH WORDS.
+
+There was a good deal of communication now between the sultan and the
+resident, and rumours began flying about that the former proposed paying
+a visit to the residency; but the days glided by, and it did not take
+place.  The men who had been wounded were rapidly recovering; and after
+several attempts to find the missing prahus, it was announced one
+evening, in a quiet way, that there was to be another expedition down
+the river, for information had been brought in by a Malay boatman, who
+had been employed to act as a scout, that the two vessels were lying-up
+in a creek on the left bank of the river.  It would therefore be quite
+easy for the steamer to float down stream off where they lay, and either
+send in boats to the attack or to shatter them by sweeping the mangroves
+with the steamer's great guns, for the prahus lay behind a thick grove
+of these trees some twenty or thirty yards across, quite sufficient for
+a screen, but worse than useless as a protection if the heavy guns were
+once brought to bear.
+
+Messages had come again and again from the sultan, urging that the power
+of the rajah should be thoroughly crushed; in fact, his requests almost
+took the tone of a command.
+
+There was a disposition to resent this, but it was felt better to
+temporise, and word was sent to the sultan by a trusty messenger that
+something would be done.
+
+The result of this was another visit from the leading chiefs, who rather
+startled the resident by the message they brought, which was to the
+effect that their master thought it would be better that his marriage to
+the two Englishwomen should take place at once; and what did Mr Linton
+think of the next day?
+
+Mr Linton thought, but he did not tell the sultan's ambassadors so,
+that he would consult Major Sandars and Captain Horton; and this he did
+while the messengers waited.
+
+Major Sandars blew his nose very loudly, and said he should like to kick
+the villain.
+
+Captain Horton said that nothing would give him greater pleasure than to
+have this Mr Hamet tied up and to give him six dozen.
+
+"This is all very well, gentlemen," said Mr Linton, smiling; "but it
+does not help me out of my difficulty.  What am I to say so as not to
+offend this man?"
+
+"Oh, you must offend him," said the major.  "I can see nothing for it,
+but to send him word that the English ladies are greatly honoured by the
+sultan's proposal, but that they cannot accept it."
+
+Captain Horton nodded approval, and the resident agreed that they could
+do nothing better; so the message was delivered to the sultan's
+ambassadors, who looked exceedingly depressed upon hearing it, and as if
+they would have gladly exchanged places with somebody else.
+
+"Those fellows expect to get into trouble," said the major, as he
+noticed the change.
+
+He was quite right, for the two chiefs took their departure, looking as
+if they expected to be introduced by their wrathful ruler to the
+execution kris as soon as they returned.
+
+The troops had been expecting orders for a trip down the river in search
+of the two prahus, but the command came upon them, as such matters
+usually do, just when it was least expected.  One company, under Captain
+Smithers, was ordered to embark, but to Tom Long's great disgust, he
+found he was not included.
+
+He hurried to the doctor's quarters, and found that gentleman busy with
+a case of instruments, open before him.
+
+"Look here, Long," he said; "did you ever see such a wretched country as
+this?  Everything rusts; look at my instruments."
+
+"Yes, sir, it is terrible; such fine steel too."
+
+"Fine steel?  There isn't a better case in the army.  I could do
+anything with these tools."
+
+Tom Long shuddered as he glanced at the long, fearfully keen knives, and
+the saw--so horribly suggestive of taking off arms and legs.
+
+Doctor Bolter saw it, and smiled to himself.
+
+"Come to say good-bye, Long?" he said, as he stuffed some lint into a
+pouch, with some bandages.  "I'm not a lighting man, and don't mean to
+be killed."
+
+"No, sir.  I came to ask you to let me go--to give me a certificate,
+saying I am quite well enough."
+
+"But you are not, my dear boy.  You are too weak."
+
+"Weak, sir?  No, I feel as strong as a lion.  Let me go, doctor."
+
+"What nonsense, my dear lad!  I'm not the commandant.  Ask the major."
+
+"No, sir," said Tom Long.  "You are not the commandant by name, but from
+the major downwards you do just as you like with us.  Hang me if I'd
+have drunk such filthy stuff as you gave me, by the major's orders.  I'd
+sooner have lost my commission."
+
+"Ha, ha, ha!--Ha, ha, ha!" laughed the doctor.  "That's very good, Long,
+very good indeed.  I suppose I do get the better of all of you in turn.
+Ha, ha, ha!  But look here, my dear boy, I don't think you are well
+enough yet."
+
+"Do let me go, doctor," pleaded Tom.  "There, I don't want to _fight_,
+but let me go with you and help you.  This dreadful do-nothing sort of
+life seems to make me worse."
+
+"Idleness is bad for any man," said the doctor.
+
+Tom Long felt flattered at being called a man, but still looked
+pleadingly at the doctor.
+
+"I could take care of your instruments, sir, and hand you what you
+wanted if there were any of our fellows hurt."
+
+"Humph! yes, you could do that," said the doctor.  "But look here," he
+said, gazing searchingly into the youth's face; "did you take your
+medicine to-day?"
+
+"Yes, sir, three times," cried Tom, eagerly; for, after neglecting it
+for two days previously, he had taken it that day by way of a salve to
+his conscience.
+
+"Then you shall go," said the doctor.  "Be quick.  Get your great-coat--
+and mind, you are to be my assistant."
+
+Tom Long ran back to his quarters, and doctor's assistant or no, he
+buckled on his sword, and stuck his revolver in its case, before putting
+on his grey great-coat; meeting the detachment on its way down to the
+boat.
+
+"Hallo, Long, what are you doing here?" said Captain Smithers.  "You are
+not detailed for duty."
+
+"No," said the doctor, sharply, "he is coming on hospital service."
+
+There was no time for argument, so they marched on down to the
+"Startler's" boats, which were waiting, and at once put off silently,
+the swift stream bearing them quickly to the steamer's side, as she lay
+there with her steam up, but not a light visible to tell those upon the
+shore of the projected expedition.  There was the low dull hiss and
+snort of the escaping steam; and one versed in such matters would have
+noticed that the steamer had let go her moorings at the stem, and swung
+round in the stream, holding on hard by the stern, ready to slip the
+cable and start.
+
+But Captain Horton felt pretty secure of getting away unobserved; and
+trusting to the keen eyes of a couple of Malay boatmen, he calculated
+upon getting the steamer just abreast of the mangrove creek where the
+prahus lay, and then dealing with them and their crews as he pleased.
+
+The distance down was about ten miles; and the stream was so swift, that
+in a couple of hours the steamer would have run down without the aid of
+her screw; but it was proposed to steam for about two-thirds of the
+distance, and then drift in silence, with a turn of the screw now and
+then to keep her head right.
+
+The river was so deep, and clear of obstruction, that there was nothing
+to fear in their journey down, while fortunately the night, though not
+illuminated by the moon, was tolerably light.
+
+The arrangements were soon made, and directly the boats were hoisted up
+the cable was slipped from the great buoy, and the steamer drifted down
+stream, the steam power being kept in abeyance until they were some
+distance below the campong.
+
+In his character of doctor's assistant, Tom Long did not mix with the
+officers in command of the little detachment, and was standing aloof
+leaning over the bulwarks, and gazing at the fire-flies on the shore,
+when he heard a familiar voice close by.
+
+"Think those Malay chaps will be able to see the creek on a night like
+this, Dick?"
+
+"See it, Master Roberts, sir?  Why, I could see it myself if I tried,
+and knowed where to look for it.  Bless yer 'art, they Malay chaps have
+got eyes like cats, and can see in the dark."
+
+"Oh yes, I dare say," said Bob.  "Well, all I can say is, I hope we
+shall knock the prahus into splinters.  I do owe those fellows a grudge
+for being chucked overboard as I was.  It makes me feel wet now to think
+of it."
+
+"Yes, that 'ere war a rum 'un, Master Roberts, sir," said Dick,
+solemnly.  "Now, look here, sir, you being a boy like, and not wanted,
+if I was you, I'd just go down below, get on my perch, and tuck myself
+up and go to roost where I should be quite safe."
+
+"Thank you, Dick," said Bob, quietly; "I'm going to stop on deck, and
+then go with the party ashore.  We'll leave the old men and old women on
+board to take charge of the ship till we come back."
+
+"That's as good as saying I'm a reg'lar old woman, Master Roberts, sir,"
+said Dick, grinning.
+
+Bob did not condescend to reply, but walked aft a little way, to where
+he could see a dark figure half-leaning, half-sitting in the darkness
+upon a gun, and looking over the bulwarks.
+
+"Here, you sir," he said sharply, "come away from that gun.  Why are you
+not with the detachment forward there?"
+
+"Oh, you be hanged!" said a familiar voice.
+
+"What?  Tom Long?"
+
+"That's my name, Mr Roberts," said the dark figure.
+
+"Why, I thought you were in hospital yet."
+
+"I'm on hospital service," replied Tom.  "I got the doctor to bring me."
+
+"I say--I am glad," said Bob.  "Eh?"
+
+He stopped short, for Tom Long had pinched his arm.
+
+"Isn't that a long low vessel moored there under the bank?" said Tom.
+
+Bob looked long and attentively.
+
+"I think so--two of them," he said.  "I'll tell the officer of the
+watch."
+
+He turned aft and pointed out the dimly seen objects.
+
+"Yes, I think they are prahus moored to the trees," he said, examining
+them through the glass.
+
+The officer reported what he had seen to the captain, who also inspected
+them through a night-glass.
+
+"Yes, coasting boats, I think.  We'll overhaul them as we come back, we
+must not stop now."
+
+The vessel was now steaming steadily down stream, not quickly, for there
+were too many turns, but sufficiently fast to bring them rapidly near
+their goal.
+
+"Let's see; I want to have a talk to you, Tom Long, about a trip
+ashore--shooting," said Bob.
+
+"Silence there, young gentleman," said the officer of the watch sternly,
+and then Bob was called suddenly away, so that he had no opportunity for
+a quiet chat with the young ensign.
+
+Meanwhile the heavy throb throb of the steamer was the only noise heard
+save some weird cry of animal or bird in the dense jungle on either
+side.  But every now and then as the waves and wash of the steamer
+rolled ashore, churning up the mud, they startled the dull, heavy
+alligators into activity, sending them scurrying off the muddy banks
+into deep water, to await the passing of the, to them, large water
+monster, whose great bulk dwarfed them into insignificance the most
+extreme.
+
+Lower and lower down stream went the steamer with the dense black line
+of jungle on either side, till at the suggestion of the Malay pilots the
+steam was turned off, a couple of boats lowered, and the position of the
+vessel being reversed, she was allowed to float down head to stream, for
+quite another half-hour, when the word having been given, a small anchor
+that had been hanging down in the water was let go, without so much as a
+plash, the stout hemp cable ran quietly out, and the vessel was checked
+just off the narrow mouth of a creek, which seemed to run up amidst the
+palms and undergrowth, for there were no mangroves till the tidal waters
+were reached.
+
+There was a little rapid passing to and fro here, and a couple of boats
+were silently lowered down, to go a quarter of a mile below to watch the
+other entrance to the creek, for the Malays were too fox-like not to
+have a hole for exit as well as one for entry.  But everything was done
+in the most noiseless manner, so that when three more boats full of
+soldiers, marines, and sailors rowed off for the creek, no one would
+have imagined that they had slipped off on a deadly errand, or that the
+steamer was cleared for action, the guns shotted and every man ready to
+let loose a deadly hail that should cut down the jungle like a scythe
+amidst the corn.
+
+But the British officers had yet to learn that the Malays were more than
+their equals in cunning.  No sooner had the steamer passed on into the
+bank of mist and darkness that overhung the river, than there was a
+rustle, a splash, the rattling noise of large oars being thrust out, and
+in a couple of minutes the two long snaky prahus they had passed crammed
+with fighting men were gliding up stream towards the residency, where
+certainly there were sentries on guard, but no dread of an enemy at
+hand.
+
+The boats then had pushed off from the steamer, which lay ready to help
+them, and rowing out of the swift waters of the river they began to
+ascend the dark and muddy creek, when Bob Roberts, who was with the
+lieutenant and part of the soldiers in the same boat suddenly
+whispered--
+
+"Hark! wasn't that distant firing?"
+
+They listened, but could hear nothing, and the lieutenant was about to
+order the men to pull more sharply, when Bob touched his arm again.
+
+"I'm sure that's firing, sir," he said.
+
+"Nonsense, Roberts! absurd!  Sit still and be silent.  What firing could
+it be?  We are ten miles from the residency."
+
+"I can't help it, sir, if we are twenty," said Bob, sharply.  "I'm sure
+it was firing, and there it goes again."
+
+"Silence, sir," said the lieutenant, angrily.  "Give way, my lads, give
+way."
+
+The ship's boats glided on over the smooth water, the men rowing with
+muffled oars; and so steadily that the blades seemed to be dipping in
+without making a splash.
+
+The creek grew narrower, so that they had to keep right in the middle to
+avoid letting the oar blades brush the reeds, and so they rowed on, but
+without seeing anything resembling a prahu.
+
+As to their direction, that they could not tell, but the shape of the
+creek they believed to be that of a bow--at least so the Malays had
+described it; and as the two ends of the bow must rest upon the river,
+they were sure, unless they struck up some narrow tortuous way, to come
+out at the other mouth and join the boats.
+
+They went on very cautiously, with the midshipman anxious to talk to Tom
+Long, who sat beside him, but forbidden now to utter so much as a
+whisper.  The oars dipped and rose, dipped and rose, without a sound,
+and sometimes a reed or water plant rustled slightly as it brushed the
+sides of the boats.
+
+That in which the lieutenant was in command led the weird procession,
+Captain Smithers being in the next, while the third, nearly full of
+marines, every man with his loaded rifle between his knees, was close
+behind.
+
+Still there was no sign of the prahus, and to the lieutenant's great
+annoyance, he found that in the darkness they must have turned up the
+sluggish stream that flowed into the creek, and missed the continuation,
+which was probably masked with reeds.
+
+He felt ready to stamp with vexation, but controlling himself he passed
+the word, and the boats backed down the stream, that in which the
+officer in command was seated, naturally being the last of the three.
+
+"Wouldn't it have been better to have brought the Malays, sir?" said
+Bob.
+
+"Yes, of course; but the cowards were afraid to come, my good lad," said
+the lieutenant.
+
+"There, sir," whispered Bob again, "isn't that firing?"
+
+"If you say another word to me about your confounded firing," said the
+lieutenant sharply, "I'll have you gagged, sir."
+
+"I don't want to talk about it, sir," grumbled Bob, "but I'm sure
+there's something wrong up yonder."
+
+"And I'm sure there's something wrong here, Mr Roberts," said the
+lieutenant, "and that's enough for me to attend to."
+
+They went back in silence for some time, and then Tom Long, whose eyes
+were unusually good, pointed to a part of the reed-bed on the right.
+
+"Is not that the continuation of the creek, sir?"
+
+"Yes, to be sure, so it is," said the lieutenant.  "We can see it coming
+this way.  It's masked by those trees the other way.  Steady, my lads;
+steady.  Let us go first."
+
+The creek was wider here, so the boats turned, and retook their former
+positions; but still there was no sign of the prahus.
+
+"Those scoundrels must have led us wrong," muttered the lieutenant;
+"there's nothing here.  Why, yonder's the open river, isn't it; or is it
+a wider space?  Yes, thank goodness; there are the prahus after all."
+
+He waited till the other boats closed up, and then whispered his final
+orders, appointing two boats to attack one of the prahus while he made
+for the other alone.
+
+"Now then," he whispered, "are you all ready?  A bold dash, my lads, and
+they are ours."
+
+"Please, sir," said old Dick.
+
+"What is it?" cried the lieutenant, angrily.
+
+"Them's our own two boats.  I'd swear to 'em."
+
+"And I'm sure that's _firing_," cried Bob, aloud.
+
+"Yes," said Tom Long, speaking excitedly; "those were the two prahus we
+passed on the way down."
+
+"And they are attacking the residency," cried Bob.
+
+Even as he spoke there was a shot fired from the steamer to recall the
+boats, and the men bent to their stout ashen oars with all their might,
+the lieutenant as he leaped on board being met by Captain Horton with--
+
+"These Malay tigers are a little too cunning for us, Johnson.  Those
+were the prahus we passed on the way down."
+
+"Yes, sir, another slip; but we may have them yet."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SIXTEEN.
+
+HOW PRIVATE SIM TOOK A NAP, AND FOUND IT UNPLEASANT.
+
+A general feeling of uneasiness had been excited as soon as it was known
+that the "Startler" had left her moorings to go in search of the two
+escaped prahus.  Mr Linton did not feel happy in his own mind, though
+he did not communicate his fears to a soul.
+
+Still he might have spoken openly, for it would not have caused greater
+terrors in the breasts of his daughter and niece, who were for some
+reason or another too full of vague fears to retire to rest.  It did not
+occur to them to associate their sensations with the departure of the
+steamer.  In fact if they had so done, they would not have harboured the
+thought for a moment, knowing as they did how well-protected they were
+by the sturdy little garrison of troops, only about a third of which had
+gone upon the expedition.
+
+Both Tom Long and Bob Roberts might have been conceited enough to think
+that the uneasiness of the ladies was entirely upon their account, and
+they would have been terribly upset to know that not a single thought
+concerning them had crossed the minds of either since the departure.
+
+It was, in fact, a vague feeling of general uneasiness, such as might
+have been suffered at any time by those who were comparatively alone in
+the midst of a notoriously hostile, and even treacherous people, some of
+whom were friendly to the English, though the majority bore them the
+most intense hate.
+
+Even the Major was out of spirits, and told Mrs Major that he would
+after all a great deal rather be at home, than out in such a
+treacherous, krising, throat-cutting place as Parang.
+
+"And a very nice thing to say too," said Mrs Major Sandars, "just too
+as we are going to bed.  I shall now lie awake all night thinking, and
+keep seeing brown men climbing in through the blinds, and be uneasy as
+can be."
+
+"Don't talk nonsense," said the Major, gruffly.  "But really, I've a
+good mind to have the sentries increased in number."
+
+"I really would, if I were you," said Mrs Major.
+
+"No; second thoughts are best.  There is no occasion to harass the men
+with extra duty; and, besides, I'm nearly undressed."
+
+So the Major and Mrs Major went to bed, as did the majority of those at
+the station, excepting, of course, the officer and the guard.
+
+There was one man though who shared the feeling of uneasiness.  Earlier
+in the night he had been disappointed at not being called upon to form
+one of the little company for the expedition, for he was raging with
+desire to in some way distinguish himself.  He was a mere private
+soldier, but he told himself that the way to honour was open; and though
+a long and wearisome one for a private, still he might win his way to
+promotion--corporal, sergeant--some day, perhaps, ensign; and so on,
+till he became, maybe, adjutant of his regiment.
+
+He could not sleep that evening, and crushing down the feelings that
+oppressed him, he told himself it was the heat, and dressing lightly, he
+went out into the comparative coolness of the night.
+
+He had not gone far before he was reminded that there was watchfulness
+around; for he was challenged by first one and then another sentry, who,
+however, in turn, let him pass, on finding who it was.  And so he
+wandered restlessly here and there amidst the trees, longing to go in
+one direction, but fighting hard against the desire; as he told himself
+with a bitter smile that some of the old poison of the water-snake must
+still be in his blood, and be the cause of all this restlessness and
+pain.
+
+He had wandered here and there for some time, seating himself amidst the
+trees, and then going down to the landing-place to gaze at the calm
+swift river that eddied and gurgled amidst the water-washed boats and
+masses of rush at the edge of the island, wondering the while whether
+possibly at some time or another the effect of the constant washing of
+the water might not be to completely sweep away the island.  "Not in our
+time of possession," he said to himself; and turning slowly away he
+stood hesitating for a while, and then, in spite of his self-restraint
+he took the path leading to Mr Linton's house, to convince himself, so
+he mentally said, that the place was quite safe.
+
+The "place" in his brain really meant one solitary being in that house,
+for if he felt assured that Rachel Linton was sleeping peacefully, and
+with no overhanging danger, he said that he should be satisfied.
+
+He went on then cautiously, getting nearer and nearer to the house, and
+feeling surprised that he was not challenged by a sentry, till he was
+quite close up, and then his heart began to beat fast, for he fancied he
+heard whispering voices, and at last, after intense listening, he was
+quite sure.
+
+Here then was the danger; not such danger as he had fancifully
+imagined--the swimming of tigers from the mainland, or some noxious
+reptile; it was from man that the peril was to come.
+
+He stole on again, making not a sound.  And now he recalled how some
+Malay had swum to the island and hurled a spear in through one of the
+residency windows.
+
+"Good heavens!" he muttered; "and I am quite unarmed."  As this thought
+occurred to him, he could hear the whispering continued; and mingled
+with it there seemed to come a sound of hard breathing, like a sleeper
+close at hand.
+
+It was so--the sentry asleep; and following the sound two or three
+yards, Adam Gray bent over a prostrate form, and caught up the rifle
+with fixed bayonet, seeing at the same moment that it was Private Sim.
+
+He was about to kick the fellow, but he thought that by so doing he
+should be spreading the alarm, perhaps prematurely; so he walked
+cautiously forward towards where the whispering seemed to be.
+
+It was so dark amidst the trees that he could hardly make out his
+position; but directly after it seemed to him that the sounds came from
+an upper window; and as the thought struck him he stepped upon a piece
+of dry cane, which snapped beneath his feet.
+
+To bring his rifle to the present was the work of an instant; and as he
+did so a quick voice exclaimed,--"Who is there?  Is that the sentry?"
+
+"Yes, ma'am," he replied; feeling the blood tingle in his face, as he
+recognised the voice.
+
+"We thought we heard the hard breathing of some beast, or some one
+asleep," said Rachel Linton, with her voice shaking a little as she
+spoke, "and we were afraid."
+
+"There was--there is some one asleep here, ma'am;" said Gray, trying to
+speak calmly and quietly; "but I am on duty now."
+
+"It is Private Gray, Rachel, whom you attended to," said another voice.
+"Let us go in now, we shall be quite safe."
+
+"Yes," said Rachel, in a low voice, meant only for herself; but heard
+plainly in the utter silence of that night, "we shall be quite safe
+now."
+
+"Good-night, sentry," said Mary Sinclair.
+
+"Good-night, ma'am," replied Gray; and he stood and heard the shutter
+blind closed, with a bitter feeling of annoyance at his heart.
+
+"My name seems to have driven her away," he muttered.  "At any rate,
+though, I am of some use," he said soon after; "she feels safe when I am
+by."
+
+All was perfectly still now, except the heavy breathing of Private Sim;
+and Gray stood thinking what he should do.
+
+Should he wake up Sim?
+
+No; if he did, he would have to leave him on duty, when he would go to
+sleep again, and something horrible might happen.
+
+What was to happen? he asked himself.
+
+That, he could not say; but on one thing he determined at once, and that
+was, to take Private Sim's place and to keep guard.
+
+But then Sim's lapse of duty would be found out, and he would be
+severely punished.
+
+Richly he deserved it; but perhaps a severe taking to task might suffice
+to awaken him to a sense of his duty; and therefore Gray felt that he
+would be lenient, and not betray him, though it was horrible to think
+that the lives of all on the island might be betrayed to death by the
+neglect of such a fellow as this.
+
+Private Gray was a man of quick decision, and his mind was made up at
+once.  He would keep on duty till it was time for the guard to be
+changed, and then he would wake up Sim, and see that a responsible man
+took his place.
+
+"The lazy, untrustworthy scoundrel!" he muttered, as he shouldered the
+rifle and walked up and down for a few minutes along the sentry's post.
+But matters were not to be ordered as he intended, for he had not been
+on duty very long before he heard a sound from the river that made him
+start and listen attentively.
+
+"Nothing!" he said to himself after a few seconds' attention; and he
+once more resumed his slow march up and down, the motion seeming to calm
+him, for when standing still his thoughts tortured him.
+
+"There it is again," he said to himself suddenly.  "It is a boat of some
+kind."
+
+Plainly enough now he had heard the peculiar creak given by an oar
+rubbing against wood, and this was repeated again and again.
+
+He strained his eyes in the direction from which it came, but could see
+nothing for the trees.  Feeling, though, that he ought to act, he went
+to where Private Sim still lay sleeping heavily and gave him a lusty
+kick, with the effect of making him start to his feet.
+
+"I only--oh, it's you Private Gray," he said, huskily.  "I thought it
+was the sergeant."
+
+"You untrustworthy villain!" whispered Gray.  "Silence, this moment.
+Take your rifle, and keep watch till I return."
+
+"Who are you talking to like that?" said Sim, in a bullying tone.
+
+"You, sir," replied Gray, in a low, authoritative manner, which made the
+man shrink.  "Do you wish me to report that I found you sleeping at your
+post?  Silence! no words.  There is a large boat of some kind
+approaching; be on the look-out and challenge, and fire if necessary."
+
+Private Sim did not answer, but stood on the alert, while Gray ran back
+in the direction of the fort.
+
+Before he was half-way there, though, he heard the challenge of a sentry
+on his right, followed by a faint cry and a heavy fall.
+
+The challenge was repeated by another sentry farther away, and this time
+there was the report of a sentry's rifle; and directly after came from
+behind him, where he had left Private Sim, the report of another piece.
+
+He knew it must be Sim, and as danger was there, his first impulse was
+to run back to the help of the ladies and the resident.  His second
+thought told him that he was unarmed, and such an act would be madness.
+It must take some time for an enemy to break into the place, and before
+then the soldiers would have turned out.
+
+In fact the bugle rang out as he hurried on through the darkness, being
+compelled to turn back twice; for he heard the trampling of feet and
+rustling of the leaves as people forced their way through, and he was
+obliged to make somewhat of a detour.
+
+Even then somebody struck at him, a blow which he returned with his
+fist, sending his assailant staggering back amidst the bushes, while he
+ran on, to hear a limbing whistle by his ear.
+
+Shot after shot had meanwhile been fired, fully giving the alarm, and by
+the time Gray reached the fort, after an extremely perilous run--for the
+way seemed to swarm with enemies; and even now he did not know whether
+he was wounded or no, for he had felt two heavy blows in the chest and
+back--he found the men falling in, and catching his rifle and belts from
+the stand he joined them.
+
+Major Sandars was with them, in nothing but his shirt and trousers and
+bare feet, but he had not forgotten his sword, and in a few short words
+he made his arrangements for the defence of the fort, while, to Gray's
+great delight, he detailed a party of a dozen men, under a lieutenant,
+to go down to the residency.
+
+"You must act according to circumstances, Mr Ellis," he said quietly.
+"It is impossible to tell who or how many our assailants are; but the
+darkness that favours them will also favour you.  Your orders are to get
+somehow to the residency, and hold it or bring its occupants away,
+according to circumstances."
+
+The lieutenant saluted, and the dozen men, among whom was Gray, were
+marched to the gate.
+
+There was not one among them who had done more than slip on his
+trousers, so that they were in light fighting trim; and as soon as they
+were outside the gate, the lieutenant gave the word, "Quick march--
+double!" and away they went in single file along the narrow path.
+
+Before they could reach the residency their pulses began to throb, for
+there were the sharp, quick reports of a revolver, fired six times in
+succession.  Then a rifle spoke, and another followed by a desultory
+firing as if in reply.
+
+Then from behind came the loud, heavy report of a brass lelah, fired
+evidently from some boat on the river; then another, and another, with
+more desultory firing.
+
+"Come along my lads; our fellows will talk to them directly."  There was
+a crashing volley just then.
+
+"I told you so.  That's English, my lads.  Steady, steady; don't get out
+of breath.  As we get out of the wood here, form up directly in the
+open, and wait till we can see by the firing where the enemy is.  Then
+we'll give him a volley, and charge at once right for the verandah,
+where we'll take our places, and act as is afterwards necessary."
+
+The men followed their leader's commands to the letter, formed up in a
+little line outside the path, and stood there waiting in the darkness,
+watching the flashing of a revolver fired from one of the residency
+windows, and the quick streaks of light from a party of the enemy,
+whoever that enemy might be, just in front.
+
+"Ready!" cried the lieutenant; and as he gave his command there was the
+quick rattle of the pieces, then a ringing little volley, the cry
+_Forward_! and on the party dashed with a hearty hurrah, which had the
+effect of stopping the fire from the residency, Mr Linton and his
+servant, who had been defending the place, recognising the voices of
+friends.
+
+The little line, with fixed bayonets, dashed over and swept down a
+cluster of Malays who tried to meet their attack with spears before
+taking to flight, and the next moment, it seemed to Gray, he was
+standing with his comrades in the verandah, reloading.
+
+"Any one down?" cried the lieutenant, sharply.
+
+"No, sir; no, sir," was repeated on all sides.
+
+"All right then, my boys; make cover of anything--posts, flower vases,
+anything you can; and we must hold on.  Fire where you have a chance;
+but don't waste a shot."
+
+The opening of a door changed the plans, for Mr Linton's voice was
+heard saying,--"Come in quickly; and we can fire from the windows."
+This little evolution was soon performed, but under fire, for the Malays
+sent a desultory series of shots, in company with flying spears, though
+without any effect, while, as soon as the rest of the upper windows were
+thrown open, the men knelt down behind what was an excellent
+breast-work, and maintained a steady fire wherever they saw a flash.
+
+Meanwhile there was some sharp volley firing from the direction of the
+fort, in reply to that of the enemy's brass lelahs.  This was soon after
+followed by the heavy roar of a larger gun on board one of the prahus,
+to which the occupants of the little fort could not reply, on account of
+the darkness, and the fact that one of the attacking prahus was between
+them and the campong, while the other was so sheltered by trees that it
+would have been folly to have fired.
+
+The attack was weak in the extreme--the Malays running forward, firing a
+shot or two, and then retreating to cover; and this was kept up for a
+considerable time, the enemy evidently thinking that, as the defenders
+were weak through the departure of the steamer, they would soon give in.
+
+It was evident that they were staggered by the defence, for they had no
+doubt hoped to surprise both fort and residency.  In token of this, the
+attacking party retreated two or three times over, as if to ask for
+advice or fresh orders from their boats--orders that were pretty
+decisive, for they came on each time more keenly than before, the last
+time with bundles of inflammable wood and reeds, with which they boldly
+advanced to the verandah of the residency, throwing them down and then
+rapidly retreating.
+
+Lieutenant Ellis no sooner became aware of this, though, than he got his
+men out from a side window, formed up, waited their time till the Malays
+came on, shouting, with a burning torch of inflammable resin, and then
+gave them a volley, followed by a charge.
+
+The enemy gave way at once, but only for a few moments; then their
+numbers seemed to become augmented, and with a tremendous rush they bore
+back the little party of soldiers step by step.  Numbers fell, but they
+paid no heed to this; and the lieutenant began to wish earnestly that
+they were safe back within the walls of the residency, when there was a
+roar like thunder, then the beating of gongs on both sides of the
+island.  Then another roar, and another, and the Englishmen began to
+cheer and pursue, for the Malays were rushing in the direction of the
+gongs.
+
+But it was no time for pursuing this crowd of Malays into narrow paths
+through dark woods.  They had maintained their defence till the steamer
+had returned, and now she was firing regularly, gun after gun, in the
+direction of the prahus, but doing no harm, the darkness giving them no
+opportunity for taking aim.
+
+The firing of the steamer's big Armstrongs had, however, the effect of
+causing a _sauve qui peut_ style of retreat amidst the Malays; and at
+the end of ten minutes the sweeps of the prahus were in full work, and
+the whole party rapidly making their way up the river once more to some
+fresh hiding-place, from which they could issue to deal ruin and
+destruction wherever they pleased.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.
+
+HOW DICK BUYS A RAJAH, AND HIS FIRST LUFF OBJECTS.
+
+The rapid rate at which the two prahus went away from the island after
+the attacking party had scrambled in, was sufficient to show those on
+board the "Startler" how impossible it would be to overtake them by
+means of boats.  The only way would be to surprise their crews, or to
+sink them with the guns of the steamer next time they tried to pass down
+the river.
+
+Congratulations in plenty were exchanged as soon as the communications
+were effected, though a good deal of annoyance was felt at being again
+out-manoeuvred by the Malay cunning.
+
+One thing was very evident, and that was that there would be no safety
+for the residency while so daring a chieftain as Rajah Gantang was at
+liberty, with his two cleverly managed prahus.
+
+No further alarms took place during the night, and in the morning the
+amount of damage done was found to be nothing more than a little
+carpentering and painting would restore.  The real damage done was to
+the British prestige, which, in spite of the brave defence, had received
+a blow in the eyes of the Malays.
+
+Judging the matter fairly next morning, Mr Linton and the officers came
+to the conclusion, after a careful inspection, that though it would have
+been necessary for the occupants of the residency to have fled to the
+little fort, half-a-dozen such desultory attacks would have done the
+latter no real harm.
+
+"No," said Major Sandars, aloud; "for my part, if provisioned, I should
+see no difficulty in holding our place against half-a-dozen rajahs.
+There is only one way in which we could be hit."
+
+"And that is?" said Captain Horton.
+
+"By a surprise such as they treated us to last night.  There is no other
+way in which they could harm us."
+
+Adam Gray heard his words, and in silence made an addition to them.
+
+"They could harm us by treachery, or by the neglect of our sentries."
+
+The dark scene of the previous night flashed across his mind as he
+thought this, and he recalled Private Sim's recumbent form amidst the
+grass, wondering the while whether he ought not to relate what had taken
+place, and so obtain for the fellow the punishment he deserved.
+
+Finally, he made up his mind to let matters take their course, after
+giving Sim to understand that he should report him if such a thing came
+under his notice again.
+
+The sultan sent word that he was most grieved to hear of this new
+attack, and begged the resident to spare no pains to root the rajah and
+his followers off the face of the earth.  He assured Mr Linton, by his
+messengers, that he felt the insult as bitterly as if it had been
+offered to himself; while even now, surrounded as he was by faithful
+followers, he never dared sleep twice in the same place in his house,
+for fear that an envoy of the rajah should pass a kris up between the
+bamboos that formed the flooring, and assassinate him.
+
+The message sent back was, that no effort should be spared to rid the
+river, of so dangerous a neighbour; but opportunity failed to offer for
+carrying out the promise.
+
+Anywhere within a mile or two of the sultan's campong the people were
+ready enough to give information to the English, when a boat was sent to
+cruise about and endeavour to find where the rajah had hidden; but
+beyond that distance they were met with stern looks of distrust, and it
+was evident to the officers in charge that the rajah was perfectly safe,
+his influence being too great amongst the people for any one to act as
+informer.
+
+This added a good deal to the feeling of insecurity felt at the
+residency; and to counteract this the ship's carpenters were set to work
+to contrive stout shutters with loopholes for barricading, and also make
+the doors more secure.
+
+The fort with its little barrack was already pretty safe, and of course
+so long as the steamer lay there, any attacking prahus could be
+literally blown out of the river; but there was always the risk of the
+steamer being called away, and in view of this Mr Linton increased the
+arms and ammunition at his house, and also asked for an extra sentry.
+
+In a few days the night attack had lost the greater part of its terrors,
+for the steamer was not likely to be moved at present, and boats were
+almost constantly out patrolling the river in search of the enemy.
+
+Every sampan or prahu that came down the stream was stopped, boarded,
+and searched, at first greatly to the annoyance of their occupants.
+Several times over efforts were made to slip by, but the report of a
+heavy gun fired across their bows brought the Malays to their senses,
+and they humbly submitted to the overhauling.
+
+These boats were for the most part laden with rice, fruit, or slabs of
+tin, and of these every rajah up the river made a practice of taking
+toll for payment of his permission to pass down the stream.
+
+The occupants of a prahu then might already have paid tax two or three
+times, and the appearance of this new power in the river was resented
+strongly; but when it was found that no tin was taken from them, and
+that when rice, or fruit, or poultry was taken, the full market value
+was paid in dollars, a strong friendly feeling sprang up mingled with
+respect.
+
+The news soon spread, and from that time whenever a trading boat came
+down from the upper country, the sight of an English boat was sufficient
+to make the Malays lie on their oars or pole, and await the coming of
+the English officer to board.
+
+There came quite a calm over the little settlement about this time.  The
+rajah was not heard of, and information, true or false, was brought in
+that the prahus were high up the stream, where they had been rowed
+during a flood, and taken up a tributary of the main river, where, on
+the cessation of the flood, they remained grounded and out of reach.
+
+The sultan seemed to have forgotten his disappointment about the ladies,
+and the soldiers and sailors were enjoying a time of indolent ease,
+their greatest excitement being a little drill.  Provisions were
+plentiful, fruit abundant, with as much native tobacco as the men liked
+to buy, at a most moderate price, and in spite of the steamy heat the
+people were perfectly happy.
+
+Ali, the young chief, had been again to see Bob Roberts on board; but as
+yet the visit had not been returned, the attack upon the residency
+having put a stop to all leave for the time being; but as the officers
+were getting less strict, the middy was looking forward to the day when
+he could go ashore.  In the meanwhile he indulged himself with a little
+fishing from out the chains.
+
+Doctor Bolter was about the happiest man at the island, for now that he
+had got his sanitary matters put right, and his wounded men well, he had
+ample time for following his favourite pursuit of natural history.
+
+The sailors were in a high state of delight over what they called the
+"Bolter's weakness," and out of gratitude to him for many a little bit
+of doctoring, they took him everything they could get hold of that flew,
+crept, crawled, ran, or swam, bothering him almost to death.  For Jack
+could not see the necessity for refraining from presenting the doctor
+with a fire-fly, because Tom had taken him a dozen the day before, and
+Bill two dozen the day before that.
+
+"Wasn't his flies as good as Bill's, or Tom's?  Well, then, mind yer own
+business, and let him mind his."
+
+Dick came back from the shore beaming one day, with a large black monkey
+under his arm, held by a stout piece of chain, and a dog collar round
+its loins.
+
+"Hallo, Dick," said one of his messmates, Bill Black, as soon as he
+climbed on board.  "Where did you find your little brother?"
+
+"'Tain't no brother o' mine," said Dick seriously; "he's a Black, and
+his name's Joseph, ain't it Joey?"
+
+The monkey wrinkled its forehead, and its restless eyes ran over one
+after the other of the group as the sailors gathered round, who now
+began laughing.
+
+"Well, he's a handsome chap at all events," said Bill, putting out his
+hand to pat the monkey on the head.
+
+"Don't touch him, lad," growled Dick, by way of caution; "he bites."
+
+"Get out," said Bill.  "Now then, old man, how are you?"
+
+"Chick--chack--squitter--witter--chack," cried the monkey, snapping at
+the sailor's hand and giving it a sharp nip.
+
+"There, I told you so," said Dick.
+
+"Hallo, what have you got there, Dick?" said Bob Roberts, coming up,
+attracted by the laughing.
+
+"Native gentleman, sir, I bought for four dollars," said Dick,
+seriously.  "He's a rar-jah I think, only he hadn't time to get his
+toggery and his kris afore he come aboard."
+
+"Didn't know the native gentlemen had tails," said Bob, smiling.
+"Hallo, old chap, how are you?  Have a bite?"
+
+He held out half a biscuit that he happened to have in his jacket
+pocket, and the monkey looked at him curiously, as it held out one long
+thin black hand, flinchingly, as if expecting to be teased.
+
+Twice it essayed to get the biscuit, but always flinched, till Bob took
+a step more in advance, when the animal snatched the coveted morsel and
+began to eat it ravenously.
+
+"Why, it's half-starved, Dick," said the middy.
+
+"Yes, sir, he tried to get a piece of Bill Black's finger, but Bill cut
+up rough, and wouldn't let him have it."
+
+Here there was a fresh burst of laughter, in which Bill, whose finger
+was, after all, only pinched, heartily joined.
+
+"What are you going to do with him, Dick?" said Bob Roberts.
+
+"Well, sir," said Dick, with a dry wrinkle or two extra on his mahogany
+physiognomy, "I was going to ask the skipper if he'd like to have the
+gent for a new middy, seeing as you, sir, have got to be quite a grown
+man now."
+
+"Don't you be cheeky, Dick," said Bob, indignantly.
+
+"No, sir, I won't," said the old sailor humbly; "but on second thoughts,
+which is allers the best, Mr Roberts, sir, I thought as the skipper
+wouldn't have a uniform as would fit him, so I said as I'd take him on
+to the island, where they'd soon make a sojer of him."
+
+"Now look here, Dick," said Bob, "I take no end of impudence from you,
+but let there be some end to it.  Now then, have you done joking?"
+
+"Yes, sir, but he would look well in a red jacket, wouldn't he?"
+
+"What are you going to do with the monkey?" said Bob, peremptorily.
+
+"Well, sir," said Dick, seeing that he had gone far enough, "I was up in
+the campong there, and I bought him of one of the niggers as used him to
+pick cokey-nuts."
+
+"Oh, yes, of course," said Bob, derisively.
+
+"He will," said Dick; "and I bought him because, I says to myself, I
+says: Here's just the sorter thing our doctor would be glad to have, and
+he'd pin a long name to him directly, and say as he's a Blackskinnius
+Monkinius, or something of the kind."
+
+"And are you going to take it to the doctor?" said Bob.
+
+"Yes, sir, now, directly I've showed you how he can pick cokey-nuts.
+Bill Black, mate, just step down and bring that ball o' stout
+fishing-line out o' the locker, will you?"
+
+The sailor addressed went down, and returned directly after to Dick, who
+undid the chain, and tied one end of the stout fishing cord to the
+monkey's strap.
+
+The little animal had been munching away at the biscuit in a quaint
+semi-human fashion; but as soon as Dick had fastened one end of the cord
+to the belt, it seemed to know what was wanted, for it squatted upon the
+deck, looking intelligently up in the sailor's face.
+
+"There, ain't he an old un?" said Dick.  "Now then, Yusuf, be kraja."
+
+As the monkey heard the last two words, it sprang up the rigging to one
+of the great blocks, which in his mind represented the cocoa-nuts it was
+to bring down, and seizing one it tried hard to twist it off, chattering
+angrily, till Dick gave the cord a jerk, when the animal bounded to
+another block, and tried hard to fetch it off, going so far as to gnaw
+at the rope that held it, till Dick gave the cord another jerk, when it
+came down.
+
+"Well done, old man," said Dick, patting the animal, which kept close to
+his leg, as if feeling that it must find protection of him, when Dick
+took it under his arm.
+
+"Are you going now, Dick?" said Bob, eagerly.
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Wait a moment, and let me see if I can get leave.  Why, look here; the
+doctor's coming aboard."
+
+True enough, Doctor Bolter was seen in a sampan rowed by one of the
+Malays, and a minute or two later he was on deck.
+
+"Monkey, eh?" he said sharply, as he saw the animal.  "_Semnopithecus
+Maurus_, I should say.  What are you going to do with it?"
+
+"Dick was going to give it to you, sir," said Bob, smiling.
+
+"Give it--to me?" cried the doctor.  "Thanks; no, my man, I must draw
+the line somewhere.  Keep it on board.  Climb the rigging, and that sort
+of thing.  Here, you Roberts, tell the captain I'm here."
+
+Bob went off, and then brought a message to the doctor, who went into
+the cabin.  On returning to where Dick was standing, that worthy was
+scratching in a melancholy way at his head.
+
+"I'm 'bout done over this here monkey, sir," he said.  "I can't go and
+get the chap to take him back."
+
+"Keep him, and make a pet of him, Dick," said the middy, holding out a
+lump of sugar to the subject of their conversation.
+
+"No, sir, that wouldn't do.  The skipper wouldn't stand it; and besides,
+if the monkey was mine the chaps would lead him such a life, teaching
+him to smoke tobacco and drink grog.  Will you have him, sir?"
+
+"No, Dick," was the reply.  "I've no money to spend on monkeys."
+
+"I didn't mean that, sir," said Dick.  "I meant it for a present for the
+doctor.  Will you have him as a present, and take care of him?"
+
+"Of course I will, Dick, but I don't like taking it."
+
+"Why, bless your 'art, Mr Roberts, sir, you'd be doing me a kindness by
+taking of it.  You take it, and you can larn him all sorts of tricks.
+Why, look at the pretty crittur, how he takes to you!"
+
+"Pretty crittur, indeed!" cried Bob.  "You mean how he takes to the
+sugar.  Here, come along, old man.  Come, rouse up."
+
+To Bob's surprise the monkey got up, and came close to him, while upon
+Dick making a motion as if to refasten the chain, the animal snarled and
+snapped at him.
+
+"There now, look at that," cried Dick.  "You see you'll have to take it,
+Master Roberts, sir."
+
+"I'll take him for a day or two," said Bob; "but I expect the skipper
+won't let me keep it."
+
+"Lor' bless you, sir, he'll let you keep it, see if he don't," said the
+old sailor, and his words proved true.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.
+
+HOW BOB ROBERTS WENT A-FISHING.
+
+Bob Roberts liked having the monkey, but there was a sore side to the
+matter; it was unpleasant to hear that the first lieutenant had said
+that one monkey was enough in the ship, and they did not want two.
+
+"It's as good as telling me to my face that I'm a monkey," said Bob to
+himself.  "Now look here, I shall just go and ask him to lend me the
+dinghy to sit in and fish, and old Dick to manage it; and if he says no,
+I shall just tell him that his remark about the monkey was precious
+ungentlemanly."
+
+So Bob went up to the first lieutenant and preferred his request, fully
+anticipating a refusal, but to his surprise the officer in question was
+all that was urbane and pleasant.
+
+"Fishing from the dinghy, eh, Roberts?" he said, smiling.
+
+"Yes, sir, I thought I might catch a basket if I fished from the dinghy.
+I lose so many hauling them up the side into the chains."
+
+"To be sure--yes--of course," said the lieutenant.  "On one condition,
+Roberts, you can have it."
+
+"What's that, sir?"
+
+"Two conditions, I should say," replied the lieutenant.  "The boat is to
+be properly cleaned afterwards, and we are to have a dish of fresh fish
+for the gun-room dinner."
+
+"Certainly, sir," said Bob, laughing, "if I catch them."
+
+"You must catch them," said the lieutenant.  "Ah, I remember the days
+when I used to be fond of going up the Thames fishing, and--there, be
+off with you as soon as you like."
+
+The first lieutenant smiled as he felt that he had been about to prose
+over his old days; and Bob having obtained leave for Dick to be his
+companion, and to manage the boat if he should elect to go up or down
+the river, instead of lying astern hitched on to a ring-bolt, was soon
+over the side, with plenty of hooks and lines and bait.
+
+"This here's a rum sorter game, Mr Roberts, sir," said old Dick, as
+soon as he had fastened the boat's painter to a ring in the stem part of
+the great steamer.  "I'm afraid I shan't be strong enough for the job."
+
+Dick glanced at the great muscles in his sun-browned arms with a smile
+of pride, and then stared at the middy, who turned upon him sharply.
+
+"Now look here, old Dicky," he said, "you've come here to manage the
+dinghy for me, and not to preach and drive away all the fishes.  So just
+light your pipe and sit still and hold your tongue, and if I find you
+are not strong enough to do that, I'll hail the steamer, and ask them to
+send me down another hand."
+
+Old Dick chuckled and grinned, and without more ado took out and filled
+a short black pipe, which he lit with a burning glass, and then sat
+contentedly sucking at it, while Bob, who had provided himself with a
+bamboo about ten feet long--a natural fishing-rod in one piece--fitted
+on a thin line, baited his hook, and began to fish in the deep stream.
+
+The sun poured down his rays like a shower of burning silver, and in
+spite of the puggaree with which he had provided himself, Bob found the
+heat almost too much for him, and looked enviously at old Dick, who lay
+back in the bows of the little cockle-shell of a boat, with his knees
+in, his chin pointing upwards, and his arms resting on the sides,
+literally basking in the hot glow.
+
+The line kept floating down with the stream, and Bob kept pulling it up
+and dropping it in again close to the boat, but there was no sharp tug
+at the bait; and after half an hour of this work a peculiar drowsy
+feeling began to come over the middy, the bright flashing river ran on,
+and the palms and attap-thatched houses on the shore began to run on
+too, and all looked misty and strange, till the rod was about to fall
+from his hand, his nodding head to rest itself upon his chest, and the
+first lieutenant's basket of fish to vanish into the realm of
+imagination--when there was a tremendous tug, and Bob started into
+wakefulness, with his bamboo bending nearly double, and some large fish
+making the line hiss through the water as it darted here and there.
+
+The contest was short and furious.  Any doubts in the middy's mind as to
+the existence of fish in the river were gone, for he had hooked a
+monster.  Now it was rushing up towards the surface, now diving down so
+deeply that the top of Bob's bamboo dipped in the water, and then it was
+sailing up and down stream, anywhere in fact, but never giving the
+excited lad a chance of seeing what it was like.
+
+"Had I better go in arter him, sir?" said Dick, grinning.
+
+"I don't know, Dick.  I think--oh, I say, look at that!"
+
+_That_ was Bob's line hanging limply from his straight bamboo, for there
+was a furious rush, a dull twang, and the fish had gone.
+
+"He was a big 'un, sir," said Dick, refilling his pipe.  "Never mind.
+Try another, sir; better luck next time."
+
+Bob sighed as he fitted on a fresh lead and hook, and was soon fishing
+once more, thoroughly awake now; and to his great delight he felt a
+sharp tug at his line, and striking, found that he had hooked a fish of
+a manageable size, which he soon hauled into the boat, and recognised as
+the _ikan sambilang_, a fish frequently sold to them by the Malays, and
+esteemed quite a delicacy.
+
+"It's a rum-looking one," said Dick, examining the captive as Bob put on
+a fresh bait.  "It's just like one of the eel pouts as we boys used to
+ketch down in the drains in Yorkshire."
+
+"In the drains, Dick?"
+
+"Oh, I don't mean your drains.  I mean land drains as take the water off
+a country.  We used to catch lots on 'em, thick, short, fat fellows, but
+they hadn't got a lot of long beards like these here.  What, another
+already!"
+
+"Yes, and a big one too," said Bob, excitedly, as he lugged out, after a
+sharp tussle, a handsome fish, with glistening scales, and a sharp back
+fin, bearing some resemblance to a perch.
+
+"That's the way, sir," said Dick, smoking contentedly in the bows.  "I
+like fishing arter all."
+
+Bob smiled, and went on catching the little barbed fish, rapidly, and
+every now and then a good-sized fellow of a different kind.  Two or
+three of the men came and leaned over the side to watch them for a few
+minutes, but the heat seemed too much for their interest to be kept up,
+and they soon disappeared.
+
+There was a little audience on the further bank, though, which watched
+Bob's fishing without ceasing, though unseen by the young fisherman.
+This audience consisted of three half-nude Malays, lying in a sampan
+hidden amidst the reeds of the river's side, and these men seemed
+greatly interested in all that was going on, till, as the evening drew
+near, Bob, who had captured at least sixty fish of various sizes, sat at
+last completely overcome by the heat, and following Dick's example, for
+that worthy had gone off fast asleep, and Bob's bamboo dipped in the
+water, the line unbaited, and offering no temptations to the hungry
+perch.  That was the time for which the Malays in the sampan had been
+waiting, and one of them glided over the side like a short thick snake,
+reached the shore, and then making his way up stream for some little
+distance, he softly plunged in, with nothing but a kris in his lingouti,
+or string round the waist used by the natives to support their loin
+cloths, and after swimming boldly out for some distance, turned over,
+and floated with just his nose above the water.
+
+The stream did all he required, for the Malay had calculated his
+distance to a nicety, so that he was borne unseen right to the steamer's
+bows, and then floated along her side, and round the stem, where a few
+strokes brought him into the eddy.
+
+Dick and the fisherman slept on soundly, so that they did not see a
+brown hand holding a keen kris raised from the water to divide the
+boat's painter, neither did they see that the same hand held on by the
+cut rope, and that the dinghy was floating, with its strange companion,
+swiftly down the stream.
+
+At the end of five minutes it had been swept round a bend, and was out
+of sight of the steamer.
+
+So likewise was the sampan from which the Malay had come, while one of
+its occupants steered it into the dinghy's course, and the other
+crouched in the forward part with a keen-headed limbing or spear.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER NINETEEN.
+
+HOW BOB AND OLD DICK FINISHED THEIR DAY.
+
+The very motion of the boat lulled its occupants into a deeper sleep as
+they glided on and on down the swift deep river, with the tall waving
+palms and the dark undergrowth ever slipping by the travellers, who had
+embarked now upon a journey whose end was death.
+
+The sampan floated quietly on in attendance, and the Malay, whose hand
+was twisted in the boat's painter, kept beneath the bows of the little
+boat with merely his face above water, the dinghy now floating down
+stern foremost, and, having been guided into the swiftest part of the
+stream, always faster and faster towards its journey's end.
+
+Utterly unconscious of danger, and dreaming comfortably of being in a
+land of unlimited do-nothingism, Dick's head lay across the gunwale of
+the boat in terrible proximity to the Malay's kris; while Bob, with his
+chin on his chest, was far away in his old home, in a punt of which he
+had lost the pole, and it was being whirled along faster and faster
+through the shallows towards the mill down at the bend of the river.
+
+He was very comfortable, and in spite of an uneasy position his sleep
+was very sweet, unconscious as he was of anything having the semblance
+of danger.
+
+And now the dinghy was a good half mile below where the steamer was
+moored.  They had passed the last house standing on its stout bamboo
+props, some distance above, and the river had curved twice in its bed,
+so that they had long been concealed from any one upon the deck, and
+still the Malays hesitated, or rather waited the time to make their
+spring.  They had no special enmity against the occupants of the dinghy
+in particular, but they were three of the most daring followers of Rajah
+Gantang, who had assumed the part of fishermen in a sampan, with a rough
+cast net, so as to hang about the neighbourhood of the "Startler," and
+pick up information for their chief, who, so far from being, with his
+two prahus, _hors de combat_, was merely lying-up in a creek hidden by
+bamboos and palms, awaiting his time to take deadly vengeance upon the
+destroyers of his stockade and miners of his income from the passing
+boats.
+
+The opportunity of cutting off a couple of the hated infidels who had
+forced themselves into the peaceful country, where their rajah, like
+many another, had been free to carry on a happy lawless existence,
+cutting throats, selling slaves, committing acts of piracy, and
+indulging in every vile and sensuous custom, was one not to be lost.
+Rajah Gantang wanted no peace, or order, or prosperity in the land where
+he could seize on the wretched people, and make them pay him in gold,
+tin, rice, poultry, fruit, or any precious commodity, for the right to
+pass down the river, which he, and a few more of his stamp, looked upon
+as theirs by right; so that his three followers were certain to receive
+praise and reward for the proof they might be able to show of the death
+of a couple of the giaours.
+
+For the Malays are good Mohammedans, and look upon the slaying of a
+Christian as a most meritorious act, but at the same time they were too
+cautious to endanger their plot or their own lives by undue haste.
+
+Hence it came about that the dinghy was allowed to drift down, a good
+three quarters of a mile, before the Malays made any attempt, when, as
+the sampan closed up, and the man in her bows raised his limbing to
+throw, the savage in the water reached up one hand to Dick's shoulder,
+and struck at him with the other.
+
+The blow from the kris and the hurling of the spear took place at one
+and the same moment, but the touch of the Malay's hand upon his shoulder
+made Dick leap up with such a sudden start, that the aim was baffled,
+and the boat rocked so violently that the spear whizzed by Bob Roberts'
+head, and plunged into the water.
+
+In a moment more Dick had seized the little scull that lay in the
+dinghy, and struck the Malay in the river so severe a blow on the head
+that the man went under, to rise again a few yards away, and then paddle
+feebly towards the sampan, whose occupants, spear in hand, now made a
+desperate attack upon those they meant to make their prey.
+
+Bob Roberts never quite knew how it all took place, but he had a lively
+recollection of old Dick standing up in the boat, sweeping the little
+oar round his head, and striking fiercely at the men who thrust at him
+with their spears.
+
+It was a most unequal encounter, for while the Malays were upon
+comparatively substantial ground, the dinghy rocked to and fro, and it
+only needed the hand of the half-drowned Malay to catch at the side, in
+a frantic effort to save his life, to send it right over, and Bob and
+the English sailor into the stream.
+
+Bob felt that his minutes were numbered, for as he struck out for the
+shore the Malays in the sampan uttered a savage yell, and came in
+pursuit.
+
+Dick swam to his side on the instant, and the dinghy went floating away
+with the half-drowned Malay, while now the sampan was close after them,
+and as one of their enemies rowed, the other stood in the bows ready to
+thrust at them with his spear.
+
+"Swim away, my lad," cried old Dick, hoarsely, "and get ashore, I'm only
+an old 'un, and I'll get a grip of his spiker if I can."
+
+"No, no, Dick, keep with me," panted Bob, who saw in Dick's words a
+determination on the brave old fellow's part to sacrifice his life that
+he might live.
+
+"No, my lad, it's no use.  Swim on," cried Dick, "they're here.  Tell
+the skipper I did my dooty like a man."
+
+As he bravely shouted these words in his excitement, he turned to face
+his enemies, the Malay with the limbing thrusting savagely at him.
+
+But Dick was quick enough to strike the limbing aside, and grasp it with
+both hands, when a struggle for its possession took place.
+
+It was a futile effort, though, upon Dick's part, for the other Malay
+dropped his oar, and picking up another spear, came to his comrade's
+help.
+
+Bob was paralysed, and the desire was upon him to shut his eyes, and
+escape seeing the death of the brave old sailor, who was giving his life
+to save his young officer; but in place of closing his eyes, the middy
+felt that he was forced to hold them open, and fixed them upon the
+terrible scene; and his lips parted to utter a cry of warning, when,
+just as the third Malay was about to deliver his thrust, to avert which
+Dick was powerless, there was a sharp whizzing noise through the air,
+accompanied by a loud report, and then another whizzing, and a second
+report.
+
+Bob turned his head to see the smoke rising from above a good-sized
+naga, or dragon-boat, coming up the stream, and at the sight thereof the
+Malays seized their oars, gave the sampan a sharp impulse which brought
+them within reach of their comrade, and after helping him on board, they
+rowed off with all their might, with the dragon-boat coming up fast.
+
+But the naga had to stop and pick up the middy and Dick who had swum, as
+soon as they were free from enemies, towards the dinghy, which they
+reached as the dragon-boat came up.
+
+"Are you hurt?" said a voice in English, and a delicate hand was
+stretched down from the naga's side to help Bob in, where, as he sank
+down panting, he recognised Ali, the young Malay chief.
+
+"No: only half-drowned.  But Dick--save Dick."
+
+"I'm all right, Mr Roberts, sir," said the old sailor, hoarsely; "and
+the dinghy's made fast astern."
+
+"But are you speared, Dick?" said the middy.
+
+"Not as I knows on, sir.  I ain't felt nothing at present, but I don't
+say as I ain't got a hole in me somewheres."
+
+"They'll get away," said Ali, just then, as he stood up with a double
+gun in his hand.  "Only small shot," he said, tapping the stock.  "I
+have no bullets."
+
+As he spoke he clapped the piece to his shoulder and fired twice
+rapidly, as the Malays in the sampan seemed to dive through a screen of
+reeds into some creek beyond.
+
+The pattering hail of straggling small shot hastened their movements,
+and then Bob proceeded to thank the young chief for saving their lives,
+explaining to him, as far as he knew, how it was that they had fallen
+into such a plight.
+
+"You must take more care," said Ali, in a low voice.  "Our people would
+not harm you; we are friends, but plenty hate you much.  But you are
+safe."
+
+"Yes," said Bob, who, with all the elasticity of youth, was fast
+recovering himself, "we are quite safe; and the fish are there too.  I
+say, though, old chap, I am so much obliged."
+
+"Oh, no," said the young Malay, laughing, as he coloured through his
+brown skin; "it is nothing.  I saw a wretch trying to do harm, and I
+fired at him with small duck shot.  You would do the same."
+
+"Yes, and with bigger shot too if I had a chance," said Bob excitedly,
+as he proceeded to wring all the water he could out of his clothes, for
+now the excitement was over he felt slightly chilly.
+
+Meanwhile the boatmen were rowing steadily up stream, it having been
+seen to be useless to attempt pursuit of the Malays in the sampan, and
+they were rapidly nearing the steamer.
+
+"'Scuse me, Mr Roberts, sir," said Dick, who was very wet and spongy,
+"but your knife's littler than mine, and if you'd pick a few o' these
+here small shot outer my arms, I'd feel obliged."
+
+Examination showed that Dick had received quite a dozen shots in his
+arms and chest.  They had just buried themselves beneath the skin, and
+were easily extracted by means of an open knife, after which Dick
+declared himself to be much better.
+
+"They've give them Malay chaps a tickling, I know," he cried, laughing.
+"I'm such a thick-skinned 'un, I am, that they only just got through.
+I'll bet an even penny they've gone a good inch into them niggers."
+
+The boat now reached the steamer, where, after a warm and hearty
+parting, Bob stepped into the dinghy with Dick, and the remains of the
+painter were made fast to the cut fragment hanging from the ring.
+
+"Now, if you'll take my advice, Mr Roberts," said the old sailor,
+"you'll step up and get to your berth, and change your togs, while I get
+out the fish and wash the dinghy.  Being wet won't hurt me.  What's more
+is, as I shouldn't say nought about the scrimmage; specially as we're
+not hurt, or you won't get leave again."
+
+"But you are hurt, Dick."
+
+"Bah!  Don't call that hurt, dear lad.  I'm as right as nine-pence.  You
+go on, and think about what I've said."
+
+"I will, Dick," said Bob; "but take care of the fish."
+
+"Ay, ay, sir."
+
+"But I say, Dick."
+
+"Ay, ay, sir."
+
+"How did the dinghy get loose?  You must have gone to sleep."
+
+Dick rubbed his ear.  "Well, sir, suttunly I think I must have shut one
+eye; but how the dinghy got loose is more than I can say, unless them
+spiteful niggers cut us adrift.  But you get aboard.  We ain't been
+missed."
+
+But Dick was wrong: they had been missed, and the sentry had reported
+the coming of the naga-boat; so that as soon as Bob had changed his wet
+clothes for dry, he had to go to the captain's cabin and relate the
+whole affair.  Those on board merely supposing that they had gone down
+the river to fish, it was a remark made aloud by the young chief Ali
+that had started a train of ideas in the first lieutenant's head that
+something was wrong.
+
+"Ah," said Captain Horton, "that was well done of the young chief.  But
+it seems to me that we've a lot of ugly scoundrels about to deal with,
+and we must take care, gentlemen, we must take care."
+
+"Yes, Captain Horton," said the first lieutenant, "and we will.  But are
+there no fish there for us, Roberts, eh?" he continued.
+
+"Yes, sir, there are," said Bob.  "I've caught you a capital dish.  And
+very nearly got turned into ground bait for my pains," he said to
+himself, as he went out to find Dick.  "I say, Dick," he said, as he met
+him with the basket of fish, "did you think about crocodiles when you
+were in the water?"
+
+"No, sir, never once; there was too much to think about beside."
+
+"So there was, Dick," said Bob.  "There's sixpence: go and ask them to
+give you a glass of grog to keep out the cold, but first change your
+things.  I'll take the fish."
+
+"Right, sir," said Dick: but he finished the dinghy first, said that
+there'd be a row about the cut painter, and then had his glass of grog
+before he changed his things.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY.
+
+A RUN AFTER A RAJAH.
+
+Fresh news reached the residency the next day from the sultan, who sent
+word that he had had a very threatening letter from Rajah Gantang,
+declaring that if he did not break at once with the English, ruin,
+destruction, and death would be his fate before many months had passed.
+
+This threatening language had completely upset the sultan, so the chief
+who bore the message said, and he begged that his friends and allies,
+the English, would not let him suffer for his fidelity to them; and when
+asked what he wished done, the chief replied that while Rajah Gantang
+lived there would be no peace, for the rajah's emissaries were in every
+part of the country, ready to carry news, to rise on their lord's
+behalf, even to assassinate, should their orders be to that extent.
+
+The result of all this was a promise that the rajah should be found, if
+possible, though how it was to be done the resident could not say.
+
+Just in the nick of time a good-sized prahu came down the river, and on
+anchoring by the steamer her captain went on board, with a pitiful tale
+of how he had been treated higher up the river.
+
+Believing the rajah's power to be broken, he had been on his way down,
+laden with a good cargo of tin, when he was summoned by a prahu to stop.
+This he refused to do, not knowing who summoned him, when he was
+attacked by a party from the prahu, two of those on board were killed,
+and he himself severely wounded.
+
+In proof of his assertions he displayed a spear wound in his arm and the
+stab of a kris in his shoulder.
+
+Doctor Bolter was sent for, and the master of the prahu had his wounds
+dressed, after which he implored the help of Captain Horton to recover
+the slabs of tin that had been taken from his boat, almost ruining him,
+so severe was the loss.
+
+The news that one of the prahus was about, up the river, set the ship's
+company on the _qui vive_ once more.  The master of the prahu, having
+been robbed of his cargo, had no farther aim, and was glad enough to
+offer his services as guide.  When asked as to the depth of the river,
+he declared that the steamer could ascend for another twenty miles, so
+it was decided to make a fresh expedition against this disturber of the
+country; but the whole of the plans were kept a profound secret, lest
+the time and arrangements of the party should again be conveyed to the
+rajah by some one or other of his spies.
+
+Preparations were quietly made, then, and fifty men from the island
+taken on board the steamer, a few at a time, so as not to attract
+notice; and when at last the expeditionary party started, the occupants
+of the residency were dining with Major and Mrs Sandars at the
+officers' quarters, where they quietly stayed.
+
+Steam had been got up before dark, and every preparation made, for this
+time the "Startler" was to go up stream: and at last, when night rapidly
+succeeded day, as it does in the tropics, the steamer lay waiting for
+the rising of the moon, and then her screw slowly revolved, and she
+began to feel her way gently against the swift stream--the people of the
+campong only seeing her at nightfall moored as usual, and not awaking to
+the fact that she had gone until the morning, of course far too late to
+give any warning to the rajah if they were so disposed.
+
+Patiently and almost silently the great steamer forced its way on for
+quite a mile, when, there being no fear now of being heard, the
+propeller revolved more rapidly, and the waves made by the vessel ran
+washing the roots of the trees on either side.
+
+The moon was just at its full, and seemed, as it rose, to silver the
+tops of the trees, while it left the river in utter darkness, though it
+marked out its course through the dense jungle where it seemed to have
+to cut its way, the great trees growing to the water's edge, and
+overhanging the stream.
+
+A rapid rate was impossible, on account of the way in which the river
+wound about; but it kept so wide and deep that there was but little
+difficulty in its navigation, especially as not a single craft of any
+kind was encountered.
+
+The master of the prahu pointed out a couple of campongs as they passed
+them, on the banks; but they might have been villages of the dead, so
+silent and unoccupied did they seem, as the steamer slowly glided by.
+
+The moon rose higher and higher, till the river was like a broad path of
+silver, and along this they continued their course with a man constantly
+sounding from the chains, but always to show an average depth of about
+four fathoms, with a thick, soft, muddy bottom, upon which the steamer
+could have met with no harm had she taken the ground.
+
+Silence had been ordered, but as the Jacks and soldiers sat beneath the
+shelter of the bulwarks, or leaned over and watched the smooth, silvery
+river, they conversed in low whispers about the expedition, and wondered
+what luck was to attend them now.
+
+The plan was evident to all, it was intended to spare the men all the
+risk they could, by getting the steamer within range of the prahus, and
+sinking them with her big guns.  If this could not be done, through the
+shallowing of the river, of course the boats would have to continue the
+journey up stream; but even then it was Captain Horton's intention to
+make use of the boat-guns as much as possible, and save the men from the
+disadvantages of boarding vessels that were so carefully protected.
+
+Higher up the river still, and past the stockade, whose remains showed
+plainly in the soft moonlight.  Ever and again strange noises could be
+heard from the jungle on either side, as the various denizens of the
+thick tangle of vegetation were alarmed by the throb and rush of the
+steamer, with its strange wave that rushed up to the bank, and startled
+many a nocturnal creature from its lurking-place, where it lay watching
+in search of prey.
+
+To Bob Roberts' great delight, he found that Tom Long was one of the
+party, for, being declared well enough by the doctor, he had put in a
+sort of claim, as having been of the last force, to a right to belong to
+this.
+
+This was conceded to him by Major Sandars, and he was burning to
+distinguish himself, if he could obtain a chance.
+
+Very formidable he seemed, with his sword ground to the keenest possible
+edge, and a revolver in his belt; though in appearance Bob Roberts was
+scarcely less offensive in the way of weapons, as he took pains to show
+his friend.
+
+It must have been close upon midnight, when the man in the chains, who
+had continued to take soundings, announced by degrees the shallowing of
+the river.
+
+For quite twenty miles it had kept to its muddy bottom and uniform
+depth, but during the past half-hour the mud had given place to
+clean-washed gravel, the depth grew less, and at last the anchor was let
+go, for it was not considered safe to proceed farther.  But it was not
+until there was less than a foot of water beneath the vessel that the
+order was given; while even then there was so much way upon the steamer
+that she touched upon the gravel lightly before she gradually settled
+back and swung to her cable.
+
+Quickly and silently four boats were lowered, each containing twenty
+men, and at the word of command the party, under the joint command of
+Lieutenant Johnson and Captain Smithers, pushed off, with the good
+wishes of all left on board.
+
+The master of the prahu was in the foremost boat, and according to his
+account, they were still about a couple of miles below where the attack
+took place, he having been mistaken about the steamer's draught of
+water.  His opinion was that both the prahus would be found lying in the
+Qualla, or mouth of a river higher up, and towards this point the boats
+steadily ascended without any undue bustle, for the object of the
+officers in charge was to get the men up to the point, fresh and ready
+for the task in hand.
+
+Each boat carried a gun running on slides, and upon the proper service
+of these guns, depended a good deal of the success of the expedition.
+
+They had been rowing steadily on for above half an hour, when suddenly
+from their left a bright line of light cut the black darkness of the
+forest, and was followed by a sharp report.
+
+For a moment the course of the boats was checked, and one was directed
+to pull in and see who the enemy might be, but directly after there was
+another report a couple of hundred yards higher up, and then another,
+and another.
+
+"Catch a weasel asleep," said Lieutenant Johnson, grimly; "that signal
+will run right up to the prahus.  We've got to deal with some one who
+has his wits about him."
+
+So indeed it proved; for a quarter of an hour later, as they still
+pushed steadily on in line, there came a warning from the first boat in
+the shape of a dull heavy report, and the other boats sheered out of the
+right line, ready to deliver their own fire.
+
+For plainly enough, though wearing a grey shadowy appearance, a couple
+of prahus could be seen coming swiftly down the stream, the long rows of
+oars on either side beating the water with a wonderfully regular stroke,
+and sending them along at quite a startling rate.
+
+Shot after shot was fired, but with what effect the occupants of the
+boats could not tell, for no heed was paid to the firing, save that the
+prahus seemed to increase their speed, and were steered so as to run
+down the enemy that tried to check their way.
+
+It was a matter of little more than a minute from the first sighting of
+the vessels, each of which was five or six times the size of the largest
+boats, and their disappearance round the point below, with the water
+foaming behind them, and the English boats in full pursuit.  Several
+shots had been fired, for each boat found its opportunity at last, and
+the firing was kept up till the enemy had gone.
+
+The attempt to overtake them was, however, felt to be hopeless, for the
+prahus went at least two yards to the boats' one; all the officers could
+hope was, that one of the shots had done irreparable mischief, or that,
+warned by the firing, the steamer would sink them as they passed.
+
+More they could not have done; for to have remained still was to have
+been sunk, the prahus dashing down at a fearful rate, and evidently
+seeking a collision; so, angry and disappointed, the pursuit was kept
+up, every ear being attent for the first shot sent at the enemy's boats
+by the steamer; but they waited in vain, for when at last they came
+within challenging distance, it was to find that no prahus had been
+seen.
+
+"Was a strict watch kept, sir?" asked Lieutenant Johnson, sharply.
+
+"Yes, of course," said Captain Horton.  "I have been on deck with my
+night-glass ever since you started, and as soon as we heard your guns
+the men stood ready, lanyard in hand, to fire at any vessel that tried
+to pass."
+
+"Then they must have gone off through some side stream, and come out
+into the river lower down."
+
+Captain Horton stamped his foot with rage, but nothing could be done
+until morning; for if the steamer had set off at once, it might have
+been only to pass the prahus in the darkness of some creek.
+
+Morning then was impatiently awaited, and at the first streak of
+daylight a couple of boats at once set off, to find a side branch of the
+river about a mile above the steamer, and that it came out in the main
+stream once more, half a mile lower down.
+
+They rowed through it to find the current swift and deep, though the
+place resembled a narrow canal.  It was a short cut off through a bend
+of the river, and at last, vexed and discomfited, the steamer went
+rapidly back, to learn that the prahus had passed the island at
+daybreak, and had fired a few defiant shots from their lelahs as they
+rapidly went by.
+
+"Never mind, Tom Long," said Bob, as the former shivered in his
+great-coat, for the early morning was damp and cold, "only take time,
+and we shall put salt on their tails yet."
+
+"No, sir," said old Dick, shaking his head seriously, "it strikes me as
+you never won't catch them as manages them two swift boats.  They're too
+clever for us, they are.  But only think of two big bits of Her
+Majesty's army and navy like us being set at nought by this here savage
+prince."
+
+"Wait a bit, Dick, and you'll see," said Bob.  "It strikes me that I'm
+the man for settling Mr Rajah Gantang; and if it does come to me to do
+so, why let him look out."
+
+"Ay, ay, sir; and his men too.  I owe 'em one for that boat affair.  The
+cowards! when a fellow was asleep!"
+
+"Ah," said Tom Long, discontentedly, "it's all very well to talk, but I
+want my breakfast;" and he made haste off to his quarters as soon as the
+steamer's boats had set the military part of the expeditionary party
+ashore.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY ONE.
+
+HOW ABDULLAH SHOWED THE SMOOTH SIDE OF HIS WAYS.
+
+It was decided after this to wait patiently for an opportunity to
+capture Rajah Gantang, or to destroy his prahus; and meanwhile life at
+the residency went on very pleasantly.  The men at the fort had settled
+down into an easy-going existence, and under the doctor's guidance a
+careful examination was made of the little island, to clear it of
+everything in the shape of noxious reptile and insect, as far as was
+possible.
+
+The example of the Malays was followed by the construction of a large
+bathing-place for the men, which being carefully stockaded round with
+stout bamboos, allowed the free flow of the river-water, without the
+addition of any four-footed creatures, in the shape of crocodiles, which
+were far too common to be pleasant, especially where lower down the
+river the salt water mingled with the fresh.  In fact, it was dangerous
+there for a hand to be dragged in the water beside a boat, the hideous
+creatures being ready to make a dash at it, darting through the stream,
+as they did with great velocity, by a stroke of their powerful tails.
+
+The great desire on the part of the men was to go ashore, but, in the
+majority of cases, this was sternly refused.  Here and there, though, an
+officer had a shooting-trip, but it was thought better to wait until the
+confidence of the natives had been more thoroughly won, and the
+disaffected party of Rajah Gantang dismissed.
+
+The sultan seemed to have quite forgotten his rejection by the ladies,
+and was most liberal in his presentations of fruit and fresh provisions.
+Every morning a boat came off with a load, the fore part being
+generally crammed with freshly-cut flowers; and later on in the day the
+resident's boat would be sent ashore to return the compliment.  Tom Long
+generally had the honour of being the escort, and marching a fatigue
+party up to the sultan's residence, with something likely to gratify his
+highness.
+
+There used to be hearty laughter amongst the officers at the quaintness
+of the presents, and sometimes Tom Long would have been glad to evade
+his duty had he dared; for, he confided to Bob Roberts--
+
+"It is so confoundedly ridiculous, you know.  I don't mind taking him up
+a little case of a dozen champagne pints, but what do you think I had to
+take yesterday?"
+
+"I don't know," said Bob, laughing; "a pound of candles, perhaps."
+
+"No, not yesterday," cried Tom Long; "but I did have to take him a
+packet of composite candles, one day.  Only fancy, you know, an officer
+in Her Majesty's service marching with a fatigue party, up to a
+palm-thatched barn, to take a coffee-coloured savage a packet of candles
+for a present!"
+
+"Mustn't look a gift horse in the mouth," said Bob, philosophically.
+"Present's a present, whether it's a pound of candles or a gold chain."
+
+"Bah!  It's disgusting," said Tom Long.  "It's enough to make a man want
+to part with his commission."
+
+"What'll you take for it, Tom Long?  I think I should like a change.  Or
+come, I'll swap with you.  I'll turn ensign, and you take a go at the
+sea?"
+
+"Don't be absurd."
+
+"Certainly not; but come, you didn't tell me what you took up
+yesterday."
+
+"No," exclaimed Tom Long, flushing with annoyance; "but I will tell you,
+for it's a scandal and a disgrace to the service, and Mr Linton ought
+to be informed against.  I actually, sir, had to march those men all
+along through that jungle with a box."
+
+"Box of what?" said Bob; "dominoes?"
+
+"No, sir," cried Tom Long.  "A box containing two bottles of pickles."
+
+"Ha, ha, ha, ha!" roared Bob.  "What were they?  Walnuts, or onions?"
+
+"Neither," said Tom, with great dignity; "one was piccalilli, and the
+other mixed."
+
+"Well, I dare say he was very glad of them," said Bob.  "I consider a
+good bottle of pickles, out in this benighted place, one of the greatest
+luxuries one could have."
+
+"Yes," said Tom Long, who had on a supercilious fit that day, "I suppose
+it would satisfy you."
+
+"All right, my noble friend," thought Bob to himself; "I'll take you
+down for that some day."
+
+They strolled out and about the fort together for a time, and then out
+to the upper end of the island; for though longing to go to the lower
+portion where the residency stood, both of them carefully avoided that
+part.  But it so happened that soon after, when they directed their
+steps towards the landing-place, they found that the ladies were there,
+in company with the major's wife, talking to a couple of Malays in a
+sampan laden with fruit and flowers.
+
+The ladies were making liberal purchases of the delicious fruit and
+sweet-scented flowers, when, to the astonishment of Bob Roberts, he saw
+that one of the Malays, was the man who had made so fierce an attack
+upon Tom Long over the durian affair.
+
+Seeing this they both stepped forward, when the Malay recognised him,
+said a few hasty words to his companion, and they both leaped ashore,
+the man of the kris salaaming profoundly, and remaining half prostrate
+before the young ensign.
+
+"Dullah asks pardon of his excellency," said the other man in good
+English.  "He thought him an enemy who had insulted him, and he drew his
+kris.  He asks now that his excellency will forgive him."
+
+"Yes, yes," said the offending Malay, without raising his head or his
+pleading hands; and then he repeated what seemed to be the whole of his
+stock of English, "Yes, yes."
+
+"Dullah asks your excellencies to forgive him, and to let him bring
+fruit and flowers, and to make offerings to the English princes he has
+offended."
+
+"Oh, I say, Tom Long," said Bob; "that's a little too strong, isn't it?
+English princes!"
+
+"What are we to do about the fellow?" said Tom Long; "tell the sentry to
+turn him off?"
+
+"No; what's the good?" said Bob.  "Here, leave it to me.  I'll settle
+him."
+
+He glanced merrily at Rachel Linton as he spoke, seeming quite at ease
+in her society now; while Tom Long appeared to be buttoned up in his
+stiffest uniform, though he was in undress white.
+
+"Go on, then," said Tom Long in a whisper, "but don't say anything
+stupid; the ladies can hear every word."
+
+"All right," said Bob.  "Look here, old cockolorum," he continued to the
+Malay who interpreted, "what has become of that Kling who was here
+before?"
+
+"Gone Mirzapore, most excellent prince," said the man.
+
+"Come, that'll do," said Bob impatiently; "drop all that eastern sugar
+wordings, my fine fellow, and look here!"
+
+The Malay salaamed again.
+
+"My friend here isn't an English prince.  We are English officers.  And
+my friend here says you may tell Mr Abdullah there that he does not
+bear any malice against him for the attack.  If he asks pardon, that is
+enough."
+
+This being interpreted to Abdullah, who remained humbly bent, he started
+up, and catching Tom Long's hands, kissed them both, and afterwards
+Bob's, very much to that young gentleman's disgust, though Tom received
+the salute with a good deal of dignity, posing himself to look to the
+best advantage in the presence of the ladies.
+
+"There, that'll do now," said Bob.  "It's all right, only tell Mr
+Abdullah not to be so handy with his kris again, and that I--Mr
+Roberts, of Her Majesty's ship `Startler'--think he ought to present us
+with some durians."
+
+This was duly interpreted to the Malay, who drew back, gazing keenly
+from the ensign to the middy, and back again, his dark eyes seeming to
+flash, as he said something in his native tongue to the interpreter.
+
+"Dullah say you throw durian again in his face, and it make him mad."
+
+"No, no, old fellow, nothing of the kind," said Bob, laying his hand on
+Abdullah's shoulder.  "That's all past."
+
+The Malay judged his meaning from his looks, and not from his words.
+Then smiling, he leaped back into the boat, and returned laden with the
+finest fruit he had, which he offered to the young officers with no
+little grace and dignity, smiling pleasantly the while, but manifesting
+nothing little or servile.
+
+The ladies looked on so wonderingly, that Bob had to leave the durians
+and explain, returning directly after, though, to the Malays, and
+obtaining a splendid bunch of the sweet flowers of the waringhan tree,
+which he carried back to the ladies, who smiled, thanked him, and took
+their departure.
+
+"I never saw such a fellow as you are, Roberts," said the ensign,
+sulkily, as Bob returned; "you always seem to know what to say or do
+when ladies are present.  I don't!"
+
+"Native modesty, ability, and natural gifts, my dear fellow," said Bob;
+"and I'm precious glad they are gone, for I want to have a go at those
+durians."
+
+Abdullah had already opened one, which he presented to Bob, who took it
+and made a terrible onslaught; and then, with a doubting look in his
+dark eyes, the Malay opened a second durian, hesitated, and then,
+evidently mastering his pride, offered it to Tom Long.
+
+The latter drew back, shaking his head, and the Malay looked hurt and
+annoyed.
+
+"Tell him I don't like durians, Bob Roberts," said Tom, nervously, "or
+we shall have another row."
+
+"Here, hi! old cockolorum!" cried Bob, with his mouth full, as he turned
+to the Malay, "tell Mr Abdullah there, that his durians are 'licious--
+luscious--'licious, but Mr Long likes mangosteens better."
+
+This was interpreted, and Abdullah's doubting look changed as he hurried
+back to the boat, and returned with a basket full of delicious fruit,
+which he offered Tom Long with a bow; and then, finding they were
+accepted, he stood smiling with his head bent, while Bob went on
+devouring durian at a terrible rate.
+
+"I say, Tom Long," said Bob, making a very unpleasant noise with his
+mouth.
+
+"What is it?" said the ensign, who was deep in the mysterious flavour of
+the delicious mangosteen.
+
+"I never believed in old Darwin, and his development, and evolution, and
+that sort of thing, till now."
+
+"Why now?" said Tom Long.
+
+"Because I feel such a pig," said Bob, attacking another durian.  "Look
+here, old man, if you'll put me up in a durian tree, I don't want
+anything else, thankey; you may have all the honour and glory.  Oh!  I
+say, this one's lovely! it's just like nectar made with custard, with an
+old shoe put in for flavour, and all stirred up with a paint brush.  How
+are you getting on?"
+
+"Bravely," said Tom Long.
+
+The two young officers went on eating till they caught sight of the
+doctor in the distance--a sight so suggestive of making themselves ill,
+that they gave up with a sigh or two, and went away, Tom Long offering
+to pay liberally for the fruit, notwithstanding a hint from his
+companion that he should be content to accept it as a present.
+
+Both the Malays drew back very proudly, but Bob Roberts healed the
+breach in etiquette by quietly taking out his case, and offering a cigar
+to each of the Malays in turn.
+
+These were taken with a smile, and accompanied by a thoroughly friendly
+look at parting.
+
+"They're rum fellows, those Malays," said Bob, "and want a lot of
+managing.  They are gentlemen at heart, and savages at body.  That's my
+opinion of them."
+
+"And my opinion is," said Tom Long, "that they are a precious unpleasant
+treacherous set of people, that it is downright cruelty to expect a
+gentleman to live amongst."
+
+Up to this point no Malay, not even a servant, had been admitted to live
+upon the island, though the want of natives for assistance and to supply
+food had been keenly felt.
+
+During the last few days, however, the resident had begun to relax this
+stringent rule, and a fisherman had been permitted to set up his hut,
+and keep his boats, at the upper end of the island, with the consequence
+that in place of a very intermittent supply, there was plenty of fish at
+the mess table.
+
+Now as soon as the young officers had gone, Abdullah and his Malay
+companion sought audience, basket in hand, of the resident, who, after
+talking to them for a time, walked down to the landing-place, saw their
+ample supply of fruit and flowers, and ended by granting them a site by
+the water's edge, where they might set up their hut, and secure their
+boat, the understanding upon which the grant was made, being that an
+ample supply was to be kept up for the use of the officers and men.
+
+"Capital fellow, Linton," said the doctor.  "Nothing like fruit in
+moderation to keep men in health.  But isn't it risky to have these
+fellows on the isle?"
+
+"I have thought of that," said Mr Linton; "but by being too exclusive
+we shall defeat our own ends.  We must receive the principal part of the
+Malays in a friendly way, and it is only by a more open policy that this
+can be done.  If we admit any wolves amongst the sheep they must meet
+with the wolves' fate.  So far I think I have done well."
+
+"Well, yes, perhaps you are right," said the doctor.  But both gentlemen
+would have altered their opinions exceedingly if they had seen a long
+low boat, painted of a dark grey, and manned by six men, float gently
+down stream that night, and, unseen by the sentries, stop beside the
+sampan of Abdullah and his Malay companion.
+
+Here there was a short consultation, Abdullah crawling over the gunwale
+into the long low boat, where he lay down, side by side with the man who
+steered.
+
+Their conversation was long, and the others in the boat lay down while
+it was going on, so that had the boat been seen by an unusually watchful
+sentry it would have appeared to be empty, and moored to a bamboo stake
+thrust into the mud.
+
+But the dark silent boat was not seen by the nearest sentry, either when
+it floated down, or when it was cautiously turned and paddled up stream
+once more, till, out of hearing, the oars went down with a noisy splash,
+and the long narrow vessel literally dashed through the river.
+
+The reason it was not seen was simple enough.
+
+Private Sim was on duty that night, and he had been once more fast
+asleep.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY TWO.
+
+THE CREW OF THE CAPTAIN'S GIG.
+
+There was a good deal of the schoolboy left in the young representatives
+of Her Majesty's two services; not that this is strange, for a good deal
+of his schoolboyhood clings to a man even in middle life.  Bob Roberts
+had a tiff with Long, made vow after vow that he would never speak to
+the ensign again; declaring him to be a consequential cocky scarlet
+pouter pigeon, with as much strut in him as a bantam.
+
+On the other hand, Tom Long declared the middy to be a most offensive
+little rascal, with impertinence enough in him for a dozen men.  He was
+determined to cut him dead--that he was, and he would have no more to do
+with him.
+
+Result the very next day:
+
+Bob Roberts hurried down into the captain's gig, sitting there very
+eager and excited; for they were going to the island, and he had a plan
+in his head.
+
+The captain came to the side and down the ladder, the gig was pushed
+off, the crew's oars fell into the bright river with one splash, and as
+they did so Bob Roberts forgot all the respect due to his commander, by
+suddenly catching him by the arm.
+
+"Look, look, sir.  See that?"
+
+"No, Mr Roberts," said the captain rather sternly, "but I felt it."
+
+"I beg your pardon, sir," said Bob, saluting.  "It was a great
+crocodile, and the splash of the men's oars frightened it."
+
+"Oh, indeed," said the captain dryly; and he took out a despatch and
+began to read.
+
+Dick, who was coxswain of the gig, screwed up his mahogany visage, and
+Bob pretended to look terribly alarmed, and so the boat was rowed over
+the sparkling waters to the bamboo landing-stage, when the captain got
+out, and Bob was left in charge of the boat.
+
+Bob jumped up as soon as the captain had entered the residency, and
+began to fidget about.
+
+"I wish I knew how long the skipper would be, Dick," he said.  "I want
+to go ashore.  No, I don't," he said, correcting himself.  "I got in a
+row once for that.  But look here, Dick, suppose you go and find Mr
+Long."
+
+"All right, sir," said Dick, with alacrity.  "I'll go."
+
+"Oh no, you don't," cried Bob, recollecting himself again; "that fly
+won't take the same cock salmon twice, Master Dick."
+
+"I don't understand you, sir," growled Dick, rubbing his ear.
+
+"Oh no, I suppose not," said Bob.  "You didn't go ashore for me once
+with a message, and then get up to the canteen and forgot to come back
+again, did you?"
+
+"Lor', now you mention it, sir, so I did," said Dick.  "It was that day
+as I met Sergeant Lund, and he says, `Why, Dick, old man,' he says, `you
+look as dry and thirsty,' he says, `as a fish.  Come and have some lime
+juice and water,' and I did, and talking together about the `Startler'
+and her guns, and earth-works, made me quite forget how the time went
+by.  But lor', Mr Roberts, sir, what a memory you have to be sure."
+
+"Yes," said Bob, sticking his cap on one side, and cocking his eye
+knowingly at the old salt; "a fellow just needs to have a good memory.
+I say, Dick, that lime juice and water was precious strong that day,
+wasn't it?"
+
+"No, sir, not a bit," said the old sailor, stolidly.  "But now I come to
+recollect, the sun did make me awful giddy."
+
+"All right, Dick," said the midshipman; "run the boat a little more
+under the shade of those trees, and we'll keep you out of the sun
+to-day."
+
+Old Dick growled, and picked up the boat-hook to draw the gig further
+along, to where there was a dense cool shade.  Then as he laid the
+boat-hook down, and retook his place, he began to chuckle.
+
+"You're a sharp 'un, Mr Roberts, that you are," he said, laughing.
+"Well, I'll own it; that was a bit of a slip that day.  Send one o' the
+tothers ashore then, with your message."
+
+"No, I'll be blessed if I do," said Bob.  "I'll never give way an inch
+again about a boat's crew; I haven't forgotten that little game at Aden,
+where I sent one chap ashore to get me some cold water to drink, and he
+didn't come back; and another volunteered to go and fetch him, and I let
+him go, and he didn't come back; and then I had to send another, and
+another--eight of 'em, every one vowing he'd bring the rest back; and at
+last I sat alone in that boat without a crew, and the first lieutenant
+came, and a nice wigging I had.  No, Master Dick, I've been at sea too
+long now to be tricked by those games, and I mean to have the strictest
+discipline whenever I'm in command."
+
+The men in the forepart of the boat overheard all this, and began to
+look very gloomy.
+
+"Couldn't you let one on us go and get a bucket o' water, sir? it's
+precious hot," said the man who pulled bow oar, and he touched his
+forelock.
+
+"No, Mr Joe Cripps, I couldn't," said Bob, sharply; "but I tell you
+what you all may do; put your heads over the side, and drink as much of
+this clear river-water as you like.  We're not at sea, man."
+
+"More we aren't, sir," said the man, glancing round at his companions,
+who laughed.
+
+"Look here," said Bob, "Dick will keep an eye on the shore, and I'll
+tell the sentry there to pass the word.  You may all smoke if you like,
+only look smart, and put away your pipes if the captain's coming."
+
+"Thanky, sir," chorussed the men, and pipes were quickly produced by all
+save Dick, who helped himself to a fresh quid.
+
+"I say, sentry," cried Bob, "pass the word on there--I want to see Mr
+Long."
+
+"Yes, sir," was the reply, and the white-coated sentry walked to the end
+of his beat, and made a sign to the next sentry, who came to the end of
+his beat, heard what was wanted, and passed the message on, so that at
+the end of a few minutes Ensign Long came slowly down to the
+landing-place, with an umbrella held up to keep off the sun, and found
+the boat's crew smoking, and Bob Roberts, with his cap tilted over his
+eyes, sitting in the bottom of the gig, with his legs over the side, so
+exactly arranged that the water rippled round the soles of his shoes,
+and pleasantly cooled his feet.
+
+"Did you wish to speak to me, Mr Roberts?" said Long, stiffly.
+
+"Hallo, Tom, old man!  Here, jump in!  I've got some news for you."
+
+Ensign Long looked very stand-offish; but the eager face of Bob, the
+only one about his own age of whom he could make a companion, was too
+much for him; and as Bob got up and made a place for him, Mr Ensign
+Long unbent a little, and really, as well as metaphorically, undid a
+button or two, and got into the captain's gig.
+
+"I say, look here, Tom, old man, what's the use of us two always falling
+out, when we could be so jolly together?" said Bob.
+
+"I don't quite understand you," said Tom Long, stiffly.  "I am not of a
+quarrelsome disposition, as any of my brother officers will tell you."
+
+"Then it must be me then who is such a quarrelsome beast, and there's my
+hand, and we won't fall out any more."
+
+Ensign Long undid a few more buttons, for it was very hot, and
+condescended to shake hands.
+
+"I'm sure it's not my wish to be bad friends," said Ensign Long.  "I
+think the members of the two services ought to be like brothers."
+
+"So do I," said Bob.  "I say, sentry, keep a sharp look-out for the
+captain, and I'll stand a glass for you at the canteen next time I come
+ashore."
+
+"Yes, sir," said the sentry.  "But p'raps, sir, I mayn't see you next
+time you come ashore."
+
+"There's an artful one for you, Tom," cried Bob, getting his hot wet
+hand into his pocket with no little difficulty, and throwing the man a
+fourpenny piece.  "Now, look here, Tom," he continued, as the man
+cleverly caught the tiny piece and thrust it in his pocket, Ensign Long
+carefully closing his ear and looking in the other direction the while,
+"you and I might have no end of games if we could only keep friends."
+
+"Well, let's keep friends, then," said Tom Long.
+
+"Agreed," said Bob, "and the first one of us who turns disagreeable, the
+other is to punch his head."
+
+"No, I can't agree to that," said Tom, thoughtfully, "because we could
+not settle who was in the wrong."
+
+"Then we'd punch one another's heads," said Bob; "but never mind about
+that.  Look here."
+
+Ensign Long undid a few more buttons, of which he had a great many down
+the front of his mess waistcoat, just like a row of gold-coated pills,
+and then he proceeded to _look there_, that is to say mentally, at what
+his companion had to say.
+
+"Do you know that young Malay chap, who came on board yesterday with his
+father, the Bang-the-gong, or Tumongong, or whatever he calls himself?"
+
+"Yes, I saw him; he came afterwards to the fort, and was shown round."
+
+"Didn't you speak to him?"
+
+"Not I.  Don't care much for these niggers."
+
+"Oh! but he's no end of a good chap," said Bob.  "He can't help being
+brown.  I took him down to the gun-room, and we smoked and talked; he
+can speak English like fun."
+
+"Indeed!"
+
+"Yes, indeed; and I tell you what it is, he's worth knowing.  He's quite
+a prince, and as jolly as can be.  He says there's out-and-out shooting
+in the jungle, and if we'll go ashore and have a turn with him, he'll
+take us where we can have a regular good day."
+
+"What does the young savage shoot with," said Long, disdainfully, "a bow
+and arrow?"
+
+"Bow and arrow be hanged!  Why, don't I tell you he is quite a prince?
+and he's regularly English in his ways.  Some one made him a present of
+a Purdey breechloader, and he uses Eley cartridges.  What do you think
+of that?"
+
+"Very disgusting that men should take to such adjuncts to civilisation
+before they leave off wearing those savage plaid petticoats."
+
+"I believe they are a tribe of Scotsmen, who came out here in the year
+one and turned brown," said Bob, laughing.  "Those sarongs are just like
+kilts."
+
+"Yes," said Tom Long, "and the krises are just the same as dirks."
+
+"Well, bother all that!" cried Bob.  "I told him we'd both come
+to-morrow, and bring guns, and he's going to get some prog, and
+half-a-dozen beaters; and we'll have a jolly day."
+
+"But," said Tom Long, dropping his official ways, and speaking
+excitedly, "he didn't ask me!"
+
+"He said he'd be delighted to know you.  He likes Englishmen."
+
+"But we can't get leave."
+
+"Can't we?" cried Bob.  "I can.  If the skipper says no, I think I can
+work him round; and I'm sure you can manage it.  Look here, you ask
+Doctor Bolter to manage it for you, and say we'll bring him all the
+specimens we can shoot."
+
+"By Jove, Bob, what a jolly idea!" cried Tom Long--an officer no longer,
+but a regular boy again.  "We'll get leave to-night, and start early."
+
+"That we will."
+
+"But are you sure that young Tumongong would be glad to see me too?"
+
+"Ali Latee, his name is, and I've got to call him Al already, and he
+called me Bob.  Glad? of course he will.  I said you'd come too; and I
+told such a whopper, Tom."
+
+"What did you say?"
+
+"I told him you were my dearest friend."
+
+"Well, so I am, Bob; only you will get so restive."
+
+"Yes, I always was a restive little beggar," said Bob.  "To-morrow
+morning then, and--"
+
+"Captain coming, sir."
+
+"Landing-place at daybreak, Tom.  Cut," whispered Bob; and the young
+ensign rose and leaped ashore, buttoning up his little golden-pill
+buttons, as Captain Horton came down the path, and answered his salute
+with a friendly nod.
+
+The next minute the water was flashing like fiery silver from the blades
+of the oars, and the gig returned to the steamer's side, where Bob began
+to prepare for the next day's trip, taking it for granted that he could
+get leave.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY THREE.
+
+HOW BOB ROBERTS AND TOM LONG ASKED FOR LEAVE.
+
+Very great things come from very small germs, and for a long time
+afterwards Captain Horton bitterly regretted that he had been in so easy
+and amiable a frame of mind that he had accorded Bob Roberts the holiday
+he desired.
+
+He had dined well, and was in that happy state of content that comes
+upon a man who is not old, and whose digestion is good.
+
+It was a glorious night, and the captain was seated on deck at a little
+table bearing a shaded lamp and his cup of coffee, when Bob respectfully
+approached, cap in hand.
+
+"If you please, sir--"
+
+"Who's that?  Oh!  Roberts.  Here; go down to the cabin, Roberts, and
+fetch my cap.  I don't want to catch cold."
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Hi! stop, my boy!  Here; lend me your cap till you come back."
+
+It was a very undignified proceeding, but Captain Horton had a horror of
+colds in the head, and would far rather have been undignified than catch
+one.  So he took the little, natty gold-laced cap held out to him, and
+stuck it upon his pate.
+
+"Bless my soul!" he exclaimed.  "What a stupid little head you've got,
+Roberts."
+
+"Yes, sir," said the lad sharply, "very; but it will grow, sir."
+
+"Then I hope it won't grow more stupid, boy.  There, be quick!"
+
+Bob ran down to the captain's cabin, and obtained the required piece of
+headgear, with which he returned to the quarter-deck, where the captain
+was sipping his coffee, apparently oblivious of the fact that he had
+sent for his cap.
+
+"Your cap, sir."
+
+"Oh, ah! to be sure! yes, of course.  Thank you, Roberts.  Exchange is
+no robbery, as we used to say at Harrow.  You needn't wait."
+
+"Thank you, sir; no, sir, but--"
+
+"Now what is it, Roberts?  You know I don't like to be troubled after
+dinner."
+
+"Yes, sir; but I beg your pardon, sir.  Might I have leave to go ashore
+to-morrow?"
+
+"Yes--no.  What, in the name of goodness, do you mean, Mr Roberts, by
+coming and asking me?  Go to the first lieutenant."
+
+"Please, sir, I'm very sorry to trouble you, but he's dining at the
+residency."
+
+"Then why didn't you wait till he came back?"
+
+"Because, sir, please sir, Mr Wilson's always cross when he has been
+out to dine.  He's not like you, sir."
+
+The captain started up in his chair, and gazed full in the lad's face.
+
+"You're a nice boy, Roberts," he said; "but don't you try any of that
+impudent flattery on with me again."
+
+"No, sir.  I beg pardon, sir, but may I go?"
+
+"Wait till the first lieutenant comes back, sir, and ask him."
+
+"But please, sir, it's important."
+
+"What is?"
+
+"That I should have leave to-morrow, sir."
+
+"Where are you going, then?"
+
+"Please, sir, I _was_ going shooting."
+
+"Oh!" said his captain, laughing; "then that's what you call important,
+eh?  Well, I don't know what to say.  Have there been any complaints
+against you lately?"
+
+"Two or three, sir," said Bob; "but I have been trying very hard, sir,"
+he added earnestly, "to do my duty."
+
+"Humph!" said the captain.  "Well, I was a youngster myself once.  I
+suppose you'd be very much disappointed if I said _no_?"
+
+"Yes, sir; very much."
+
+"Humph!  Who's going with you?"
+
+"Ensign Long, sir, if he can get leave."
+
+"Well, Roberts, you can go; but be careful with your guns.  And look
+here, don't do anything to annoy the Malays.  Don't go near their
+religious places, or get trespassing."
+
+"No, sir, I'll be very careful."
+
+"Any one else going?"
+
+"Ali Latee, sir, the Tumongong's son."
+
+"Very well.  Be off!"
+
+"Yes, sir, thank you, sir," cried Bob joyously, and he hurried away.
+
+Ensign Long felt perfectly sure that if he went direct to the major, and
+asked for leave to go ashore shooting, it would be refused.  He would
+have gone and asked Captain Smithers to intercede for him, but the
+captain was always short, and ready to be annoyed at nearly everything
+said; so he concluded that Bob Roberts' idea was the best, and he went
+straight to Doctor Bolter, who was in his room, in his shirt and
+trousers, both his sleeves rolled up, busily pinning out some gorgeous
+butterflies that he had secured.
+
+"Ah, Long!" he said, as the youth entered; "how are you? just hand me
+that sheet of cork."
+
+"Quite well, sir, thank you."
+
+"Oh! are you?  I'll look at your tongue directly.  Hand me one of those
+long thin pins."
+
+The pin was handed.
+
+"Now put a finger on that piece of card.  Gently, my dear boy, gently;
+the down upon these things is so exquisitely fine, that the least touch
+spoils them.  Look at that Atlas moth by your elbow.  Isn't it lovely?"
+
+"Magnificent, sir," said Long, taking up a shallow tray, and really
+admiring the monstrous moth pinned out therein.
+
+"Ah, my lad!  I wish I could see you turning a little attention to
+natural history, now we are in this perfect paradise for a collector.
+How much better for you than lounging about all day under the trees.
+Now then, put out your tongue."
+
+"But I'm quite well, Doctor Bolter."
+
+"Put--out--your--tongue--sir.  Confound it all, sir, I've no time to
+waste!"
+
+As he spoke he took up the lamp, and held it close to Tom Long's face,
+so that the light might fall upon the protruded organ.
+
+"Hah!" ejaculated Doctor Bolter, resuming his seat.
+
+"But I really am quite well, sir," remonstrated Tom Long.
+
+"Don't tell me, sir, that you are quite well.  Do you think I don't know
+when a man's well, and when he is not?  You are just a little wee bit
+feverish."
+
+He felt the youth's pulse, and nodded his head sagely.
+
+"Too much idleness and good living is what is the matter with you, sir.
+Why don't you collect?"
+
+"How can I, sir," said Tom, "when I'm shut up in this island?"
+
+"Go ashore.  Here, I'll give you some collecting boxes, and lend you a
+vasculum and a net.  Go and get me some butterflies."
+
+"Well, sir, if it's all the same to you," said Tom, taking advantage of
+the wind blowing in the right direction, "shooting's more in my way.
+Suppose I shot you some birds?"
+
+"Better still," said the doctor, enthusiastically.  "Nothing I should
+like better.  I want a few trogons, and the blue-billed gaper.  Then you
+might get me the green chatterer, and any new birds you could see."
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"And look here, Long; the woods here are the chosen resort of the great
+argus pheasant.  I don't suppose you would be able to come across one,
+but if you do--"
+
+"Down him," said Tom Long.
+
+"Exactly," said the doctor.  "There, my lad, I won't give you any
+medicine, but prescribe a little short exercise."
+
+"Thank you, sir," said Tom, trying hard to restrain his eagerness.
+"Might I have a run to-morrow?  I have felt very languid to-day."
+
+"To be sure.  I'll see the major, and get leave of absence for you.  Be
+careful, though.  Don't overheat yourself; and mind and not get into any
+scrape with the Malays."
+
+"I'll mind, sir," said Tom.
+
+"That's right.  Be very careful not to spoil the plumage of the birds.
+You can make a Malay boy carry them tied by the beaks to a stick.  Stop
+a minute; as you are here, you may as well cut up these cards for me in
+thin strips.  I'll go and ask the major the while."
+
+Tom set to work at the cards with a pair of scissors, and the doctor
+donned his undress coat, went out and returned with the requisite
+permission.
+
+"By the way, look here, Long; if you'll promise to be very careful, I'll
+lend you my double gun."
+
+"I'll take the greatest care of it, sir," was the reply.
+
+"Good!  There it is; so now be off; and to-morrow night I shall expect a
+nice lot of specimens to skin."
+
+So Tom Long went off with the gun, and the doctor helped to turn the
+residency into an abode where danger usurped the place of safety, and
+peace was to be succeeded by the horrors of war.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR.
+
+A JAUNT IN THE JUNGLE, WITH AN AWKWARD END.
+
+Tom Long rather overslept himself, but it was pretty early when he
+started from his quarters, to encounter Captain Smithers soon after,
+looking anxious and annoyed.  He nodded shortly, and the young ensign
+went on through what was quite a wilderness of beauty, to meet, next,
+Rachel Linton and Mary Sinclair, who had been flower-gathering, and who
+stopped for a few minutes' conversation with him, the former nearly
+spoiling the expedition, by turning the foolish youth's thoughts in
+quite a contrary direction from collecting or shooting.
+
+But Rachel Linton quietly wished him success, and Tom went off telling
+himself that it would look foolish if he did not go.
+
+He had not far to go to the landing-place now; but in the little space
+close by the resident's garden he encountered Private Gray, who saluted
+him, and sent Tom on thinking that he wished he was as old, and
+good-looking, and as manly, as the young soldier he had just passed.
+And then he felt very miserable and dejected, and wished he was anything
+but what he was, until he saw Bob Roberts, sitting in the "Startler's"
+dinghy by the landing-place, and forgot all about everything but the
+shooting excursion.
+
+"Come along!  You are a chap," shouted Bob.  "I've been waiting over
+half an hour."
+
+"Met the ladies," said Tom, "and was obliged to speak."
+
+"Oh, you met the ladies, did you?" said Bob, looking at him
+suspiciously.  "Well, never mind; jump aboard.  Got plenty of
+cartridges?"
+
+"Yes, heaps; and some food too."
+
+"So have I," cried Bob.  "Now, then, pull away, Dick.  Set us ashore
+under those trees.  Hooray, Tom; look!  There's young Bang-gong there,
+waiting with a couple of niggers."
+
+Dick pulled steadily at the sculls, and the little dinghy breasted the
+water like a duck, soon crossing the intervening space, when the two
+lads landed with their ammunition and stores, shook hands with the
+handsome dark young chief who confronted them, and at once started off
+for the jungle, while Dick stood refilling his right cheek with tobacco,
+before rowing the dinghy back to the steamer.
+
+"Ah!" he said, as he once more took the sculls, "they never asked me to
+go, too.  Now you see if by the time they get back to-night they hain't
+been in about as pretty a bit o' mischief, as was ever hatched."
+
+Old Dick had no intention of setting himself up as a prophet of evil,
+for his remark was made more out of spite than anything else, it having
+struck the old fellow that a good idle ashore would be very pleasant,
+especially with plenty to eat and drink, and a fair supply of tobacco.
+
+"It wouldn't be very hard work to carry all the game they shoot," he
+said, chuckling; "and one might get a good nap under a shady tree."
+
+But Dick's hopes were blighted, and instead of shade under trees, he had
+to row back to where the "Startler" was blistering in the hot sunshine,
+and take his part in the regular duties of the day.
+
+Meanwhile the two lads with their companion were striding along beneath
+the shade of the trees, with the naval and military services of her most
+gracious Majesty completely forgotten, and their elastic young minds
+bent entirely upon the expedition.  They looked flushed and eager, and
+the Tumongong's son, Ali, was just as full of excitement.
+
+The latter was about the age of the young English officers, and their
+coming was to him delightful.  For his father was wise enough to foresee
+the course of events--how the old barbarism of the Malay was dying out,
+to give place to the busy civilisation taught by the white men from the
+west; and he felt sure that the most civilised and advanced of the young
+chieftains would occupy the best positions in the future.  Hence then he
+had sent his son for long spells at a time to Singapore and Penang, to
+mingle with the English, and pick up such education as he could obtain.
+
+Ali, being a clever boy, had exceeded his father's expectations, having
+arrived at the age of eighteen, with a good knowledge of English, in
+which tongue he could write and converse; and in addition he had imbibed
+a sufficiency of our manners and customs to make him pass muster very
+well amongst a party of gentlemen.
+
+Bob Roberts and he were sworn friends directly, for there was something
+in their dispositions which made them assimilate, Ali being full of life
+and fun, which, since his return to Parang, he had been obliged to
+suppress, and take up the stiff stately formality of the Malays about
+him, of whom many of the chiefs looked unfavourably at the youth who had
+so quickly taken up and made friends with the people they looked upon as
+so many usurpers.
+
+No sooner were the three lads out of sight of the attap-thatched roofs
+and the island, the fort and steamer, than all formality was thrown to
+the winds, and they tramped on chattering away like children.  Tom,
+however, walked on rather stiffly for a few minutes, but the sight of a
+good broad rivulet was too much for him; drill, discipline, the strict
+deportment of an officer and a gentleman, whose scarlet and undress
+uniforms had cost a great deal of money, and in which, to tell the
+truth, he had been very fond of attiring himself when alone with his
+looking-glass, all were forgotten, and the bottled-up schoolboy vitality
+that was in his breast, seethed up like so much old-fashioned ginger
+beer.
+
+"Follow my leader!" he cried, handing his gun to one of the Malays,
+whose eyes rolled with pleasure as he saw sentimental Tom Long take a
+sharp run, leap well from the near bank, and land on the other side of
+the stream, but he had to catch at some bamboos to save himself from
+falling back into the water.
+
+"With a cheerly hi ho," shouted Bob Roberts, dropping his gun on a bush.
+"Look out, soldier."
+
+The words were on his lips as he ran, and in his leap alighted on the
+other side, in so bad a place that he had to catch at Tom, to save
+himself from falling, and for a few seconds there was a sharp scuffle
+amongst the bamboos before they were safe.
+
+"Look out, Ali," shouted Bob, on seeing their companion coming; "it's
+bad landing."
+
+But Ali was already in full career; as light and active of foot as a
+deer, he made a quick rush and a leap, and landed in safety quite a yard
+beyond the young officers.
+
+"Well done!  Hooray!" cried Bob, who had not the slightest objection to
+seeing himself surpassed; while the two Malays in charge of the guns and
+impediments on the other side stared at each other in astonishment, and
+in a whisper asked if the young chief had gone out of his mind.
+
+"Now then, Sambo-Jumbo," cried Bob, "over with those guns.  Come along,
+they are not loaded."
+
+The two Malays stared, and Ali said a few words to them in their native
+tongue, when they immediately gathered up the guns, and, being
+bare-legged, waded across the stream, which was about four yards wide.
+
+The last man came over with a rush as he neared the bank, for suddenly
+from a reed-bed above them there was a wallow and a flounder, with a
+tremendous disturbance in the water, as something shot down towards the
+main stream.
+
+"A crocodile," said Ali, as the young Englishmen directed at him a
+wondering gaze.
+
+"Crocodile!" cried Bob, snatching his gun from the attendant, and
+hastily thrusting in cartridges, after which he ran along the stream
+till checked by the tangled growth.
+
+"No good," said Ali, laughing at his eagerness.  "Gone."
+
+The reptile was gone, sure enough, and it was doubtful which was the
+more frightened, it or the Malays; so they went on along a narrow
+jungle-path, that was walled up on either side by dense vegetation,
+which seemed to have been kept hacked back by the heavy knives of the
+working Malays.  To have gone off to right or left would have been
+impossible, so tangled and matted with canes and creepers was the
+undergrowth, Bob waking up to the fact that here was the natural home of
+the cane so familiar to schoolboys; the unfamiliar part being, that,
+keeping to nearly the same diameter, these canes ran one, two, and even
+three hundred feet in length, creeping, climbing, undulating, now
+running up the side of some pillar-like tree to a convenient branch,
+over which it passed to hang down again in a loop till it reached some
+other tree, in and out of whose branches it would wind.
+
+As they went on farther they were in a soft green twilight with at rare
+intervals the sharp bright rays of the sun, like golden arrows, darting
+through the dense shade, and a patch of luxuriantly growing
+pitcher-plants or orchids, more beautiful than any that had previously
+met their eyes.
+
+"Mind the elephant-holes!" cried Ali, who was behind.
+
+"All right," said Tom Long, who was leading the way.  "Oh, my gracious!"
+
+There was a loud _splash_ and a wallowing noise, followed by a loud suck
+as of some one pulling a leg out of thick mud; and this proved to be the
+case, for on Bob running forward, and turning a corner of the winding
+path, there was Tom, just extricating himself from an elephant-hole.
+
+For they were in a land where wheeled carriages were almost unknown, all
+portage being done either by boats on the many streams, or on the backs
+of elephants and buffaloes, by the former of whom the few jungle-paths
+were terribly cut up, partly by the creatures' weight, but more
+particularly from the fact that, no matter how many passed along a
+track, or how wet and swampy it might be, the sagacious creatures
+believed in the way being safe where any of their kind had been before,
+and invariably placed their great round feet in the same holes; the
+effect being that these elephant-holes were often three or four feet
+deep, and half full of mud and water.
+
+The two Malays were called into requisition, and by means of green
+leaves removed a good deal of the mud, but the mishap did not add much
+to the lad's comfort.  However, he took it in very good part, and they
+went on for some distance, to where a side track, that was apparently
+but little used, turned off to the left, and the Malays, drawing their
+heavy knives, went first to clear away some of the twining creepers that
+hung from side to side.
+
+So beautiful was the jungle that for a time the two English lads forgot
+all about their guns, as they stopped hard by some watercourse to admire
+the graceful lace-fronded fern, or the wonderful displays of moss
+hanging from the more ancient trees.
+
+But at last the weight of their guns reminded them that they had come to
+shoot, and they drew Ali's attention to the fact.
+
+"Wait a little," he said, smiling.  "We shall soon be in a clearer part.
+You can't shoot here."
+
+As he said--so it proved, for after another half-hour's walking, during
+which they had become bathed in perspiration from the moist heat, there
+was less tangled growth, and the magnificent trees grew more distant one
+from the other.  They were of kinds quite unknown to the little party,
+who, though seeking birds, could not help admiring the vast monarchs of
+the primeval forest.
+
+"This looks more hopeful," cried Bob, who so far had only heard the
+occasional note of a bird which was invisible.  Now he saw one or two
+flit across the sunny glade in advance.
+
+"Yes, there are birds here; but take care, there are serpents too."
+
+Tom Long winced a little at this last announcement, for he had a honour
+of the twining creatures; and as his memory ran back to the narrow
+escape of Adam Gray, from the sea snake, he asked with some little
+trepidation,--
+
+"Poisonous?"
+
+"Oh, yes, some of them!  But you need not be alarmed, they hurry off as
+soon as they hear our steps."
+
+"But," said Tom, to Bob's very great delight, for he could see his
+companion's alarm, "how about the boa-constrictors?"
+
+"Pythons, your people call them," said Ali.  "Yes, there are plenty of
+them in the wet places."
+
+"Dangerous?"
+
+"No," said Ali, "I never knew them to be--only to the little pigs."
+
+"But ain't they very large?"
+
+"Oh, yes," was the reply, "big as my leg, and so long."
+
+He made a mark on the soft earth with one foot, and then took seven
+paces, where he made a fresh mark, indicating a length of about eighteen
+feet.
+
+"But they attack men sometimes, don't they?" said Tom, importantly.
+
+"No, I never knew of such a thing," said Ali.  "They steal the chickens,
+and swallow them whole."
+
+Tom felt somewhat reassured, but all the same he walked delicately over
+the thick herbage and amongst the scrub, not knowing but that he might
+plant his foot at any time upon some writhing creature, whose venomous
+fangs would be inserted in his leg before he could leap aside; but no
+such accident befell him, neither had one of the party had a single
+shot, when Bob declared that he was too hungry to go farther, and going
+on alone to where a huge prostrate tree stretched its great trunk for
+many yards, he was about to sit down, when he stopped short, held out
+one hand to indicate silence, and beckoned with the other.
+
+Ali ran softly up, and on seeing at what his friend pointed, he
+signalled to one of the Malays to come.
+
+The man came up without a sound, caught sight of Bob's discovery--a
+black snake about five feet long, and going gently up, he, to the lad's
+horror, suddenly seized it by the tail, and with a rapid snatch drew the
+reptile through the left hand up to the neck, which the Malay grasped
+tightly, while the reptile writhed, hissed, and angrily twined itself
+round the man's bare brown arm.
+
+"It isn't poisonous, then?" said Tom Long, coolly.
+
+"Yes," replied Ali; "it is a cobra, one of our most dangerous snakes."
+
+The Malay held it close for the lads to examine, which, after learning
+its deadly character, they were not particularly eager to do; but the
+native laughed, and seemed to think very little of the danger, ending by
+placing the reptile's neck upon the fallen tree, and decapitating it
+with one clean cut of the knife.
+
+A halt was made here, and a hearty lunch was disposed of; after which,
+feeling rested and comparatively cool, they started once more, and
+before long the first shot was had at a blue-billed gaper, a lovely
+bird, with azure and golden bill, and jetty-black, white, and crimson
+plumage.
+
+"One for the doctor!" exclaimed Tom Long; and the beautiful bird was
+safely stowed away.
+
+Ali next brought down a paroquet, with long delicate tail, and delicious
+sunset hues blushing upon its plumage of pearly grey green.
+
+Bob followed, with a shot at a green chatterer, a lovely little bird,
+all rich green and black, with a handsome crest.
+
+Next followed sundry misses, and then with varying fortune they secured
+a dozen really beautifully-plumaged birds for the doctor.
+
+"And now," exclaimed Bob, "I think we ought to get something for the
+pot."
+
+"For the pot?" said Ali, looking puzzled, for anything verging on
+sporting slang was to him as so much Greek.
+
+"I mean for cooking and eating."
+
+Ali laughed, and said something to his followers, who led the way on to
+a more densely wooded part nearer the river, whose proximity was
+indicated by the change in the character of the vegetation.
+
+"Stop a minute, though," exclaimed Tom Long.  "I can't stand this any
+more.  Here's something been biting me ever so!"
+
+He made a halt, and began to examine his ankles and legs.
+
+"Why, look here?" he cried; "I'm bleeding like fun!"
+
+Like fun or no, he was certainly bleeding freely, and the cause was not
+far to seek.  In fact, as he turned up the legs of his trousers four
+bloated little leeches, satiated with their horrid repast, dropped off
+his skin, and he caught a couple more feasting upon him right royally.
+
+"You should have tied your trousers round your ankles, and put on your
+boots outside them," said Ali; "but it won't hurt you."
+
+"Won't hurt!" exclaimed Tom Long, indignantly; "but it does hurt.  Why,
+I'm bleeding horribly."
+
+At a stream close by, however, his wounds were bathed, the bleeding
+checked, and then a few shots were had at the jungle-fowl, two brace of
+which, a little bigger than ordinary bantams, were secured before the
+little party halted in a clearing, close to the river.
+
+Here were half-a-dozen native houses, one and all built upon bamboo
+piles, so as to raise the dwellers well above the damp ground, the
+possibility of flood, and out of the reach of any wild creatures that
+might be wandering by night.
+
+There was something exceedingly homelike in the appearance of the
+places, each with its scrap of garden and fruit-trees; while the
+occupant of the principal hut insisted upon the whole party coming to
+partake of rest and refreshment before continuing their way.
+
+"Oh! we don't want to go in," said Tom Long, peevishly.
+
+"Well, no, I don't want to go in," said Bob, "but the old fellow will be
+offended if we do not; and we want to make friends, not enemies."
+
+Ali nodded, and they sat down in the bamboo-floored hut, through whose
+open door they saw their host busy sending a Malay boy up one of his
+cocoa-nut trees, the boy rapidly ascending the lofty palm by means of
+nicks already cut in the tree for the purpose.
+
+Three great nuts, in their husk-like envelopes, fell directly with a
+thud, and these the friendly Malay opened and placed before his
+visitors.
+
+"This is very different to the cocoa-nut we boys used to buy at school,"
+said Bob, as he revelled in the delicious sub-acid cream of the nut, and
+then partook of rice, with a kind of sugary confection which was very
+popular amongst the people.
+
+Homely as the outside of the huts had appeared, both the lads could not
+help noticing how similar the habits of these simple Malays in this
+out-of-the-way part of the world were to those of people at home.
+
+For instance, beneath the eaves hung a couple of cages, neatly made of
+bamboo, in one of which was a pair of the little lovebird paroquets side
+by side upon a perch; and in the other a minah, a starling-like bird,
+that kept leaping from perch to perch, and repeating with a very clear
+enunciation several Malay words.
+
+Thoroughly rested at last, the little party set off again--their host
+refusing all compensation, and once more they plunged into the thickest
+of the jungle, though very little success attended their guns.
+
+This was hardly noticed, though, for there was always something fresh to
+see--huge butterflies of wondrous colours flitting through the more open
+glades, strange vegetable forms, beautifully graceful bamboos,
+clustering in the moister parts, where some stream ran unseen amidst the
+dense undergrowth, while at last they reached a river of such surpassing
+beauty, with its overhanging ferns, in the deep ravine in which it ran,
+that both the strangers paused to admire, while the Malays looked on
+with good-humoured wonder at their enthusiasm.
+
+But very little of the sluggish stream was seen for the dense emerald
+growth, and the water itself was more like a chain of pools, which
+seemed to be likely haunts of fish; and forgetting heat and weariness,
+both the young Englishmen began to divide the reeds and long grass and
+ferns with the barrels of their guns, so as to peer down into the water.
+
+Ali, evidently to please them, displayed quite as much interest as they;
+while the two Malays squatted down, and taking out sirih leaves, spread
+upon them a little lime paste from a box, rolled in them a scrap of
+betel-nut, and began to indulge in a quiet chew.
+
+The lads were only a few yards apart, and Bob Roberts cautiously
+approached a deep still pool, when he heard upon his right a splash and
+a rush, accompanied by a wild cry for aid.
+
+For the moment he was paralysed by the strange horror of the cry; but,
+recovering himself, he rushed through the long reeds and ferns, to look
+upon a sight which, for the time, almost robbed him of the power to act.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE.
+
+HOW BOB AND TOM BAGGED STRANGE GAME.
+
+The young midshipman saw at a glance what had happened, and the sight of
+the deadly struggle going on roused him from the stupor that had
+assailed him.
+
+It was evident that Ali had been holding by one hand to the branch of a
+tree, and was leaning over just such a pool as that which had caught the
+attention of Bob, when a crocodile, taking advantage of his unguarded
+approach, had seized him by the leg just above the knee.
+
+Ali had at once dropped his gun, seized the branch with the other hand,
+and clung for life as he uttered the cry for help, while the reptile
+tugged viciously, and shook him violently, to make him loose his hold.
+
+Had the creature succeeded, the young Malay chief's fate had been
+sealed, for in another moment he would have been drawn down into the
+deep pool, with a few bubbles ascending through the agitated water to
+show where he lay.
+
+The time seemed long to the brave young fellow as he held on for dear
+life; and it seemed long to Bob Roberts before he could act; but it was
+but a matter of moments before he had reached Ali's side, with his gun
+cocked; and placing the piece close to the reptile's eye as it glared
+savagely at him, and seemed about to leave one victim to seize another,
+he fired both barrels in rapid succession.
+
+There was a tremendous splash as the smoke hung before him for a few
+moments, then as it rose the young middy saw nothing but the troubled
+water before him, and Ali lying panting, and with his eyes starting,
+close by his side.
+
+By this time Tom Long and the two Malays had come up, eager with
+questions, to which Ali answered faintly, and gladly partook of a little
+spirits from the young ensign's flask.
+
+"I ought to have known better," he said, "but I did not think of the
+danger.  It will be a warning for you both.  These rivers swarm with the
+brutes."
+
+"But your leg?" cried Bob, kneeling down.
+
+"A little torn; that's all," said the young Malay, stoically.  "My
+sarong and the trousers have saved it, I think."
+
+All the same, though, it was bleeding freely, and with a rough kind of
+surgery Bob's handkerchief was used to bind it up.
+
+"I'm not much hurt," said Ali then; and to prove his words he rose,
+limped a step or two forward, and picked up his gun, while Bob proceeded
+to slip a couple more cartridges in his own, gazing once more eagerly
+into the pool, but seeing nothing but a little blood-stained water.
+
+He turned sharply round, for something touched him, and there stood Ali,
+looking at him in a peculiar manner, and holding out one hand, which Bob
+took, thinking the other felt faint.
+
+"I can't talk now," said Ali, hoarsely; "but you saved my life.  I shall
+never forget it."
+
+"Oh, nonsense, old fellow," cried Bob.  "But, I say; what a brute!  He
+must have been twenty feet long."
+
+"Oh, no," said Ali, smiling faintly, "not ten.  The small ones are the
+most vicious and dangerous.  Let us go."
+
+"But can you walk?" said Bob.  "Have a cigar."
+
+"Yes; I will smoke," said the young Malay, as he walked bravely on,
+though evidently in pain; and lighting a cigar, he talked in the most
+unconcerned way about the creature's sudden attack.
+
+"Such things are very common," he said.  "Down by the big river they
+seize the women who go for water, and carry off the girls who bathe.
+There are monsters, ten, twenty, and twenty-five feet long; but we are
+so used to them that it does not occur to us to take care."
+
+They were now walking over the ground they had that morning traversed,
+Ali seeming so much at ease, and smiling so nonchalantly, that his
+companions ceased to trouble him with advice and proposals that he
+should be carried.
+
+At last they came to a spot where a fresh track turned off, and Ali
+paused.
+
+"You will not think me rude," he said, speaking with all the ease of a
+polished gentleman, "if I leave you here?  Ismael will take you the
+nearest way down to the island.  Yusuf will go with me.  My leg is bad."
+
+"Then let us carry you," cried Bob.  "Here, we'll soon cut down some
+bamboos and make a frame."
+
+"No, no, it is not so bad as that," cried the young man, firmly; "and I
+would rather walk.  This is a nearer way, and you will do as I ask,
+please."
+
+The two youths hesitated, but Ali was so firm, and his utterances so
+decided, that although unwillingly, they felt constrained to obey his
+wishes.
+
+"No, no," exclaimed Bob, "let me go with you, old fellow.  Let us both
+come."
+
+"Do you wish to serve me more than you have already done?" said Ali,
+quietly.
+
+"Yes, I do, 'pon my word," replied Bob.
+
+"Then please say `good-bye.'  I am very nearly at home."
+
+There was nothing more to be said, so the young Englishmen shook hands
+and parted from their companion, after he had promised to send word by
+Yusuf the next day how he was.
+
+"I don't half feel satisfied," said Bob, trudging along behind the Malay
+who was their guide.  "I think we ought to have gone with him, Tom."
+
+"I feel so too," was the reply, "but what could we do?  Perhaps he was
+not so very much hurt after all."
+
+They were tired now, and the heat of the afternoon seemed greater than
+ever, so that they longed to get out of the stifling forest to the open
+banks of the river.  But they were as yet far away, and their guide made
+a cut along the side of a patch of marshy ground, looking back from time
+to time to see if they followed.
+
+"Snipe, by all that's wonderful!" cried Bob, firing two barrels almost
+as he spoke, and bringing down four birds out of a flock that bore some
+resemblance to, but were double the size of, snipes.
+
+Tom raised his piece for a shot, but he was too late; and Yusuf smiled
+and showed his teeth as he ran and picked up the birds, tied their legs
+together with some grass, and added them to the jungle-fowl he was
+carrying.
+
+"Well, they won't be able to laugh at us," said Bob.  "We shan't go back
+empty.  Hallo! what the dickens now?"
+
+For a couple of scantily clad Malay girls, their sarongs torn and ragged
+with forcing their way through the bushes, came panting up, uttering
+loud cries, and, flinging themselves down at the astonished youths'
+feet, clung to their legs, while Yusuf began to abuse them angrily, and
+kicking one, was about to thrust away the other with his foot.
+
+"You leave them alone, will you?" said Bob, giving him a rap on the head
+with his gun-barrel.  "I wish to goodness I knew what was the Malay for
+_cowardly beast_, and you should have it, young fellow."
+
+The Malay's hand flew to his kris as he threw down the birds, and it
+flashed in the sunshine directly.
+
+"Ah! would you bite?" cried Bob, presenting his gun at the other's
+breast, when the man shrank away, with his eyes half-closed, and a
+peculiarly tigerish aspect about him as he drew his lips from his white
+teeth, but kept at a respectful distance, knowing as he did how ably the
+young sailor could use his gun.
+
+Just then the girls renewed their cries and lamentations, clinging
+wildly to the youths as if for protection, as half-a-dozen Malays, armed
+with krises and the long limbings, or spears, that they can use with
+such deadly force, came running up, and made as if to seize upon the two
+girls.
+
+"Keep off, will you!  Confound your impudence, what do you mean?" roared
+Bob, slewing round his gun to face the newcomers.  "I say, Tom, what
+fools we do seem not to be able to speak this stupid lingo!  What are
+they jabbering about?"
+
+"Hang me, if I know," said Tom, whose face was flushed with heat and
+excitement.  "All I can make out is that they want these two Malay
+ladies who have come to us to protect them."
+
+"Then, as my old nurse used to say, `want will be their master,'" said
+Bob, angrily; "for they're not going to have them."
+
+The leader of the Malay party volubly said something to the two English,
+and then said some angry words to the two girls, who clung more tightly
+to their protectors, as he caught each by her shoulder.
+
+Bob brought the barrel of his gun down heavily on the Malay's head, in
+the same fashion as he had served Yusuf, who was now missing, having
+suddenly glided away.
+
+The Malay leaped back, tore out his kris, and made at his assailant; but
+the presented barrels of the two guns kept him back, as they did his
+companions, who had presented their limbings as their leader drew his
+kris, while now the girls leaped bravely up, and interposed their bodies
+between the two youths and the threatened danger.
+
+"That's very prettily done, my dears," said Bob; "but you are both of
+you horribly in the way if we should shoot, and it isn't the fashion in
+England.  Place aux Messieurs in a case like this.  There, you stand
+behind me."
+
+He gently placed the girl behind him, keeping his gun the while pointed
+at the Malays, and Tom Long followed his example.
+
+"Shall we shoot, Bob Roberts?" said the ensign, hoarsely.
+
+"No," said Bob, whose voice sounded just as hoarse.  "Not unless they
+try to do us mischief.  This is the time for a strategical retreat, as
+they are three to one, and we may at any time be cut off.  I say, Tom, I
+feel in such a horrible state of squirm; don't you?"
+
+"Never was so frightened in my life," replied Tom, "but pray don't show
+it."
+
+"Show it?" replied Bob sharply; "hang 'em, no; they should cut me to
+pieces first.  But I say, old fellow, I never thought I was such a
+coward before."
+
+"More did I," replied Tom.  "Suppose they understand what we're saying!"
+
+"Not they; no more than we can them.  I say, I have it!  These are two
+slaves trying to escape, and these chaps want to get them back."
+
+"Then we'll take them right away to the fort," cried Tom.  "Look out!"
+he added, as, after speaking to his followers, the chief Malay made
+another angry advance with the men.
+
+"Now look here, Mr Cafe-au-lait," said Bob, raising his gun this time
+to his shoulder, as he spoke aloud, "if you don't sheer off, I'll let
+fly at you a regular broadside.  Be ready, Tom."
+
+"Ready!" was the sharp reply, "when you say Fire."
+
+"Right," replied Bob.  "Now then, old check-petticoat, are you going to
+call off your men?"
+
+For answer the Malay pointed to the two trembling girls, and signed to
+his men to advance with their spears.
+
+"I'm horribly alarmed, Tom!" cried Bob, "but retreating now is showing
+the white feather, and we shall be whopped.  Now then, don't fire, but
+let's make a dash at them."
+
+The Malays were only about three yards off, having before retreated five
+or six, but now they had diminished the distance, when the two lads,
+with their pieces at their shoulders, stepped boldly forward, with the
+result that the Malays broke and fled, their leader first; and out of
+bravado Tom Long fired a shot over their heads to quicken their steps,
+while Bob burst into a hearty fit of laughter.
+
+"Look here!" he said.  "Here's a game!  Only look, sojer!"
+
+"What is it!" cried Tom, drawing out the empty cartridge case and
+putting in a new one.  "Why, you don't mean to say--"
+
+"But I just do mean to say it!" cried Bob, stamping about and laughing
+as he opened the breech of his gun, and drew out two empty cases, to
+replace with full.
+
+"Not loaded!"
+
+"No," cried Bob, "That moment, you know, I shot at the snipes, and
+hadn't time to load again.  Did you ever see such a game, keeping those
+chaps off with an empty gun?  Oh, I say, don't!"
+
+This last was in consequence of the energetic action taken by the two
+poor girls, who, seeing themselves now safe, began to demonstrate their
+gratitude by hysterical cries and sobs, seizing and kissing the lads'
+hands, and finally placing their arms round them and kissing their
+cheeks.
+
+"Oh, this is awful!" cried Tom Long, who was blushing like a girl.
+
+"I shall be compelled to tell my mamma!" said Bob.  "There, there, it's
+all right.  Come, give me your hand, Semiramis, or Cleopatra, or
+whatever your name is, and let us make haste down to the river before it
+is too late."
+
+The girl seemed to understand him, and ceased sobbing as she prepared to
+continue the flight, the other clinging to Tom Long's left hand.
+
+"I say, though, let's have the birds," said Bob, stooping to pick them
+up; but the girl snatched them from him, to carry them herself.
+
+"Yes, Tom, old fellow; no doubt about it, they're slaves.  Come along,
+or we shall be cut off.  It's not polite to let the ladies carry the
+baggage, but as we are the escort we must be prepared to fight."
+
+"I say!" cried Tom Long, "do you know the way?"
+
+"Not I," said Bob; "don't you?"
+
+"Not the ghost of an idea!" cried Tom.
+
+The girls were watching them, and evidently in a state of great
+excitement were trying to comprehend their words; but as soon as they
+saw their indecision, and their bold start off in the direction they
+imagined to be correct, then the slave girls understood their dilemma
+and stopped them, gesticulating and shaking their heads as they pointed
+in a quite fresh direction.
+
+"They know where the ship lies, see if they don't," said Bob.  "Let's
+trust them."
+
+"But suppose they lead us wrong?" replied Tom.
+
+"Not they," cried Bob.  "They'll lead us right away.  Come along, my
+fair specimens of chocolate a vanille; and the sooner we are safe under
+the British flag, the better I shall like it."
+
+The girls started off at a sharp walk, and then made signs that they
+should run.
+
+"All right," said Bob, nodding his head.  "Double there, in the infantry
+brigade!  Naval brigade to the front!  Forward!"
+
+He broke into a trot, and the little party ran sharply on, to the great
+delight of the two escaped slaves, who, as Bob had prophesied, led them
+straight away to the side of the river, which they reached without
+encountering a soul.
+
+"I'm about knocked up," said Bob, panting.  "It's disgusting to find
+these girls can beat us hollow at running."
+
+"The doctor's specimens are all shaken up into a regular mash!" said Tom
+Long, peeping into the vasculum hung by a strap from his shoulder.
+
+"Never mind," replied Bob.  "Here's the boat coming.  I shall come with
+you straight; or no: let's take them on board the `Startler'?"
+
+"No, no!" said Tom, "they must come to the fort."
+
+"No, no, to the `Startler,' I tell you."
+
+"No, no, to the fort."
+
+"Then we'll split the difference, and take them to the residency," said
+Bob; and as the boat touched the shore they stood back for the girls to
+leap in, and then crouch down with their arms around each other's neck,
+sobbing with joy as they felt that now they were safe.
+
+There was no little excitement as the two girls were landed, and Mr
+Linton seemed puzzled as to what he should do; but the poor creatures
+were safe now under the protection of the British flag; and Bob Roberts
+and Tom Long proceeded to the doctor's quarters for a thorough wash and
+change, having fully verified old Dick's prophecy that they would be in
+mischief before the day was out.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY SIX.
+
+HOW THE TWO COMPANIONS WERE KNOCKED OFF THEIR PERCH.
+
+If they had not been English, the probabilities are that Bob Roberts and
+Tom Long would have hugged each other.  As it was they seemed to think
+it quite the correct thing to shake hands over and over again, and then
+walk up and down under the palm-trees of the enclosure, flushed,
+excited, and as full of swagger as they could possibly be.
+
+"Blest if they don't look like a couple o' young game cocks who have
+just killed their birds," said old Dick to Billy Mustard.  "My word,
+they are cocky!  But where are you going, old man?"
+
+"To fetch my instrument," said Billy.
+
+"What, yer fiddle?  What do you want that 'ere for?"
+
+"The young gents wants it," said Billy.
+
+So with a nod he went into his quarters, to return with his beloved
+violin in its green baize bag, which he bore to where Bob and Tom were
+now seated at one of the tables beneath a shady tree.
+
+On the strength of their adventure they were indulging themselves with
+bitter beer, into which they dropped lumps of ice, and as soon as Billy
+Mustard came, the violin was brought out, tuned, and the harmonious
+sound produced had the effect of soon gathering together an audience in
+the soft mellow hour before sunset.
+
+Several officers seated themselves at the table, and followed the
+youngsters' example; soldiers and sailors gathered at a little distance
+beneath the trees; and unseen by the party below, Rachel Linton and Mary
+Sinclair appeared at a mat-shaded window.
+
+"Tom Long's going to sing `The Englishman,'" shouted Bob Roberts
+suddenly, and there was a loud tapping upon the rough deal table.
+
+"No, no, I really can't, 'pon honour," said the ensign, looking very
+much more flushed than before.
+
+"Yes, yes, he is," said Bob, addressing those around.  "He is--in honour
+of the occasion; and gentlemen, let's sing out the chorus so loudly that
+those niggers in the campong can hear our sentiments, and shiver in
+their shoes, where they've got any."
+
+"Hear! hear!" said a young lieutenant.
+
+"But really, you know, I hav'n't a voice," exclaimed the ensign in
+expostulation.
+
+"Gammon!" cried Bob.  "He can sing like a bird, gentlemen.  Silence,
+please, for our national song, `The Englishman'!"
+
+"I can't sing it--indeed I can't," cried the ensign.
+
+"Oh, yes, you can; go on," said the young lieutenant who had previously
+spoken.
+
+"To be sure he will," cried Bob Roberts.  "Heave ahead, Tom, and I'll
+help whenever I can.  It's your duty to sing it, for the niggers to hear
+our sentiments with regard to slavery!"
+
+"Hear, hear!" cried several of the officers, laughing; and the men gave
+a cheer.
+
+"Slavery and the British flag!" cried Bob Roberts, who was getting
+excited.  "No man, or woman either, who has once sought protection
+beneath the folds of the glorious red white and blue, can ever return to
+slavery!"
+
+"Hear, hear, hear!" shouted the officers again, and the men threw up
+their caps, cried "Hoorar!" and the sentry on the roof presented arms.
+
+"Now then, play up, Private Mustard--`The Englishman,'" cried Bob
+Roberts.  "Get ready, Tom, and run it out with all your might!"
+
+"Must I?" said the ensign, nervously.
+
+"To be sure you must.  Wait a minute, though, and let him play the
+introduction."
+
+Billy Mustard gave the bow a preliminary scrape, and the audience grew
+larger.
+
+"What key shall I play it in, sir?" said Billy.
+
+"Any key you like," cried Bob, excitedly.  "Play it in a whole bunch of
+keys, my lad, only go ahead, or we shall forget all the words."
+
+Off went the fiddle with a flourish over the first strain of the
+well-known song, and then, after a couple of efforts to sing, Tom Long
+broke down, and Bob Roberts took up the strain, singing it in a cheery
+rollicking boyish way, growing more confident every moment, and proving
+that he had a musical tenor voice.  Then as he reached the end of the
+first verse, he waved his puggaree on high, jumped upon the table to the
+upsetting of a couple of glasses, and led the chorus, which was lustily
+trolled out by all present.
+
+On went Bob Roberts, declaring how the flag waved on every sea, and
+should never float over a slave, throwing so much enthusiasm into the
+song that to a man all rose, and literally roared the chorus, ending
+with three cheers, and one cheer more for the poor girls; and as Bob
+Roberts stood upon the table flushed and hot, he felt quite a hero, and
+ready to go on that very night and rescue half-a-dozen more poor slave
+girls from tyranny, if they would only appeal to him for help.
+
+"Three cheers for Mr Roberts," shouted Dick, the sailor, as Billy
+Mustard was confiding to a friend that "a fiddle soon got outer toon in
+that climate."
+
+"Yes, and three cheers for Mr Long," shouted Bob.  "Come up here, Tom,
+old man; you did more than I did."
+
+Tom Long was prevailed upon to mount the table, where he bowed again and
+again as the men cheered; when, as a lull came in the cheering, Billy
+Mustard, whose fiddle had been musically whispering to itself in answer
+to the well-drawn bow, suddenly made himself heard in the strain of
+"Rule Britannia," which was sung in chorus with vigour, especially when
+the singers declared that Britons never, _never_, NEVER should be
+slaves; which rang out far over the attap roofs of the drowsy campong.
+
+So satisfied were the singers that they followed up with the National
+Anthem, which was just concluded when the resident sent one of his
+servants to express a hope that the noise was nearly at an end.
+
+"Well, I think we have been going it," said Bob Roberts, jumping down.
+"Come along, Tom.  I've got two splendid cigars--real Manillas."
+
+Tom Long, to whom this public recognition had been extremely painful,
+was only too glad to join his companion on a form beneath a tree, where
+the two genuine Manillas were lit, and for a quarter of an hour the
+youths smoked on complacently, when just as the exultation of the public
+singing was giving way to a peculiar sensation of depression and
+sickness, and each longed to throw away half his cigar, but did not
+dare, Adam Gray came up to where they were seated, gradually growing
+pale and wan.
+
+"Ah, Gray," said the ensign, "what is it?"
+
+"The major, sir, requests that you will favour him with your company
+directly."
+
+"My company?" cried the ensign; "what's the matter?"
+
+"Don't know, sir; but I think it's something about those slave girls.
+And Captain Horton requested me to tell you to come too, sir," he
+continued, turning to Bob Roberts.
+
+"We're going to get promotion, I know, Tom," said the middy.
+
+"No, no," said the ensign, dolefully, "it's a good wigging."
+
+Bob Roberts, although feeling far from exalted now, did not in anywise
+believe in the possibility of receiving what his companion euphoniously
+termed a "wigging," and with a good deal of his customary independent,
+and rather impudent, swagger he followed the orderly to a cool lamp-lit
+room, where sat in solemn conclave, the resident, Major Sandars, and
+Captain Horton.
+
+"That will do, Gray," said Major Sandars, as the youths entered, and
+saluted the three officers seated like judges at a table, "but be within
+hearing."
+
+"Might ask us to sit down," thought Bob, as he saw from the aspect of
+the three gentlemen that something serious was afloat.
+
+But the new arrivals were not asked to sit down, and they stood before
+the table feeling very guilty, and like a couple of prisoners; though of
+what they had been guilty, and why they were brought there, they could
+not imagine.
+
+"It's only their serious way," thought Bob; "they are going to
+compliment us."
+
+He stared at the shaded lamp, round which four or five moths and a big
+beetle were wildly circling in a frantic desire to commit suicide, but
+kept from a fiery end by gauze wire over the chimney.
+
+"What fools moths and beetles are!" thought Bob, and then his attention
+was taken up by the officers.
+
+"Will you speak, Major Sandars?" said the resident.
+
+"No, I think it should come from you, Mr Linton.  What do you say,
+Captain Horton?"
+
+"I quite agree with you, Major Sandars," said the captain stiffly.
+
+"What the dickens have we been doing?" thought Bob; and then he stared
+hard at the resident, and wished heartily that Rachel Linton's father
+had not been chosen to give him what he felt sure was a setting down for
+some reason or another.
+
+"As you will, gentlemen," said the resident firmly, and he then placed
+his elbows on the table and joined his fingers, while the light from the
+lamp shone full upon his forehead.
+
+"Mr Ensign Long--Mr Midshipman Roberts," he began.  "He might have
+placed me first," thought Bob.  "I wish someone would catch those
+wretched moths."
+
+"You have been out on an expedition to-day?"
+
+He waited for an answer, and as Tom Long had been placed first, Bob
+waited, too; but as his companion did not speak, Bob exclaimed quickly--
+
+"Yes, sir, snipe shooting;" and as the resident bowed his head, Bob
+added, "two brace."
+
+"Confound you--you young dogs!" cried Captain Horton, "and you brought a
+brace of something else.  I beg your pardon, Mr Linton; go on."
+
+Mr Linton bowed, while Bob uttered a barely audible whistle, and
+glanced at his companion.
+
+"Then it's about those two girls," he thought.
+
+"It seems, young gentlemen," continued the resident, "that while you
+were out, you met two young Malay girls?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Who had run away from their master?"
+
+"From their owner, as he seemed to consider himself, sir," said Bob,
+who, to use his own words, felt as if all the fat was in the fire now,
+and blazed up accordingly.  "You see, sir," he said quickly, "we were
+watching for something that we saw in the reeds, close to the boggy
+ground, you know, and Tom here thought it was pig, but I thought it
+might be a deer.  So we stood quite still till we heard sounds in the
+distance, when out jumped two dark creatures, and I was going to fire,
+when we saw that they were girls."
+
+"And they ran up to us," said Tom Long.
+
+"Like winking," said Bob, "and threw themselves on their knees, and
+clung to our legs, and wouldn't let go.  Then up came half-a-dozen of
+the niggers--"
+
+"I think, Mr Roberts, we will call people by their right names," said
+the resident, quietly; "suppose we say Malays."
+
+"Yes, sir, Malays; and laid hold of the girls to drag them away.  They
+screamed out, and that roused us, and we sent the nig--Malays staggering
+back.  For you see, sir, as Englishmen--"
+
+"English what--Mr Roberts?" said Captain Horton.
+
+"Men, sir.  I'm a midshipman, sir," said Bob, sharply; and the captain
+grunted out something that sounded like "impudent young puppy!" but he
+did not look angry.
+
+"Go on, Mr Roberts," said the resident.
+
+"Well, sir, being English--boys--big boys, who felt like men just
+then--" said Bob, rather sarcastically.
+
+"That's not bad, Mr Roberts," said Major Sandars, with a glance at the
+naval captain.
+
+"Well, sir, as the poor girls had regularly appealed to us to protect
+them, and the nig--Malays, sir, whipped out their krises, we presented
+arms, and would have given them a peppering of snipe shot, if they
+hadn't sheered off when we brought the two poor weeping slave girls
+under the protection of the British flag, and set them free.  Didn't we,
+Tom?"
+
+"Yes," said Tom Long, looking nervously at the resident, and wondering
+what Rachel Linton thought about their feat.
+
+There was a dead silence for a few moments, during which Bob Roberts
+wiped his streaming forehead, for he felt uncomfortably hot.  Then the
+resident began--
+
+"I think I am speaking the sentiments of my friends here, young
+gentlemen, when I say that you both behaved just as two brave British
+lads would be expected to behave under the circumstances."
+
+"Yes," said Major Sandars, "Ensign Long, I felt sure, would not be
+wanting, if called upon."
+
+Tom Long's face grew the colour of his best uniform.
+
+"Very plucky act," said Captain Horton; and he nodded in so friendly a
+way at the middy, that Bob felt quite beaming.
+
+"But," continued the resident, speaking very slowly, and as if weighing
+every word he said, "what is very beautiful in sentiment, and very brave
+and manly if judged according to our own best feelings, young gentlemen,
+becomes very awkward sometimes if viewed through the spectacles of
+diplomacy."
+
+"I--I don't understand you, sir," faltered Bob.
+
+"Let me be explicit then, young gentlemen.  You both were, it seems,
+granted leave of absence to-day, for indulging in a little innocent
+sport, but by your brave, though very indiscreet conduct, you have, I
+fear, completely overset the friendly relations that we have been trying
+so hard to establish with these extremely sensitive people."
+
+"But, sir," began Bob, "the poor girls--"
+
+"Yes, I know all that," said the resident quietly; "but slavery is a
+domestic institution among these people, and to-morrow I feel sure that
+I shall have a visit from some of the sultan's chief men, demanding that
+these poor girls be given up."
+
+"But they can't be now, sir," said Tom Long.
+
+"No, Mr Long, we cannot return the poor girls to a state of slavery;
+but do you not see into what an awkward position your act has brought
+us?"
+
+"I'm very sorry, sir."
+
+"Yes, but sorrow will not mend it.  We have been, and are, living on the
+edge of a volcano here, young gentlemen, and the slightest thing may
+cause an eruption.  This act of yours, I greatly fear, will bring the
+flames about our heads."
+
+Bob Roberts turned pale, as he thought of the ladies.
+
+"But they'd never dare, sir," he began.
+
+"Dare?  I believe the Malays are quite daring enough to attack us,
+should they feel disposed.  But there, we need not discuss that matter.
+You young gentlemen have, however, been very jubilant over your rescue
+of these poor girls, and you have been summoned here to warn you, while
+your respective officers take into consideration what punishment is
+awarded to you, that your noisy demonstrations are very much out of
+place."
+
+"Punishment, sir!" said Bob, who looked aghast.
+
+"Yes," said the resident sharply, "punishment.  You do not seem to
+realise, young gentleman, that your act to-day has fired a train.
+Besides which, it is a question of such import that I must make it the
+basis of a special despatch to the colonial secretary at Whitehall."
+
+Bob Roberts turned round and stared at Tom Long, but the latter was
+staring at Major Sandars.
+
+"I don't think I need say any more, young gentlemen," said the resident
+quietly, "and I fervently hope that I may be able to peaceably settle
+this matter; but it is quite on the cards that it may be the cause of a
+deadly strife.  And I sincerely trust that whatever may be the upshot of
+this affair, it may be a warning to you, as young English officers, to
+think a little more, and consider, before you take any serious step in
+your careers; for sometimes a very slight error may result in the loss
+of life.  In this case, yours has not been a slight error, but a grave
+one."
+
+"Though we all own as quite true," said Captain Horton, "that we don't
+see how you could have acted differently; eh, Sandars?"
+
+"Yes, yes, of course.  But, hang it all, Long, how could you go and get
+into such a confounded pickle?  It's too bad, sir, 'pon my soul, sir; it
+is too bad--much too bad."
+
+"Are we to be under arrest, sir?" said Bob Roberts, rather blankly.
+
+"Not if you'll both promise to keep within bounds," said Captain Horton.
+"No nonsense."
+
+"No, sir," said Bob glumly.
+
+"Of course not, sir," said Tom.
+
+"That will do then, young gentlemen," said the resident gravely; and the
+two youths went blankly off to their several quarters.
+
+"Poor boys!  I'm sorry for them," said the resident sadly.
+
+"Yes, it's a confounded nuisance, Linton," said Major Sandars, "but you
+must diplomatise, and set all right somehow or another."
+
+"That's a fine boy, that Roberts," said Captain Horton.  "I'll try my
+best, gentlemen," said the resident, "for all our sakes; but we have a
+curious people to deal with, and I fear that this may turn out a very
+serious affair."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN.
+
+HOW DIPLOMACY WORKED IN A MALAY STATE.
+
+The Parang river looked like a belt of damasked silver studded with
+diamonds the next morning, while the waving feathery palms were of the
+brightest green.  Mingled with these, on the shore farthest from the
+town, were the dadap trees, whose ripe scarlet blossoms stood out in
+rich relief as they gave colour to a landscape already dotted with the
+blooms of the chumpaka, both yellow and white, shedding a sweet scent
+that Doctor Bolter said was like Cape jasmin, but which Bob Roberts
+declared to resemble tea made with lavender water.
+
+The "Startler," with her deck as white as hands could make it, lay
+looking smart and bright in her moorings below the island, her yards
+perfectly square, her sides glistening with fresh paint, her brass
+rails, bell, and guns flashing back the sun's rays, and the awnings
+spread over the deck almost as white as snow.
+
+Here and there the Jacks, in their duck frocks and straws, were paddling
+about barefooted in the sunshine, giving the last touches to the rails
+and glass of the skylights.
+
+On the island the resident's house and the barrack fort looked more like
+some ornamented set of buildings for summer pleasure, than a couple of
+places designed as a stronghold and retreat in case of danger.  For the
+ditch and the earthwork were now carpetted with verdant growth, while
+the abattis, having been made of green wood, was putting forth fresh
+shoots.
+
+Both the resident and Major Sandars had been desirous of retaining all
+the shade possible, for the protection of the men; therefore, save where
+they were likely to afford harbour to the enemy, trees and bushes had
+been spared.  The men too, having plenty of time at disposal, had been
+encouraged to take to gardening, and with Doctor Bolter for head
+instructor, the place had been made to present the appearance of a
+nursery ground, where one bed rivalled another in the perfection of its
+growing vegetables.  Neat, well-kept walks led up to the fort and the
+resident's house, which daily grew brighter and more picturesque, with
+its ornamented reed-woven walls, and carefully thatched roof of attap.
+The broad verandah, with its punkahs, was made gay with beautiful
+creepers, climbing the pillars of palm and bamboo, and festooning the
+edges, some of these being jasmines of great size and beauty; while
+rough rotan baskets hung at intervals, full of moss and dead wood, on
+which flourished the wonderful orchids and pitcher-plants that were the
+delight of the ladies of the residency.
+
+By the help of Doctor Bolter and Adam Gray, a large cask had been cut in
+half, and decorated on the outsides and edges with rough bark, in whose
+interstices were planted orchids, and the pretty maiden-hair fern; while
+upon these being both mounted upon a short rough stump, they formed a
+couple of rustic vases of huge size, standing just inside the broad
+verandah, on either side of the entrance door, and looked, when filled
+with water, and supplied with aquatic plants, no slight additions to the
+beauty of the place.
+
+Upon one of his excursions with net and can, Doctor Bolter had succeeded
+in capturing several of the beautiful little chaetadons, or
+shooting-fish; tiny little broad fellows, beautifully banded, whose
+peculiarity was the adroitness with which they would lie in wait for any
+unfortunate fly that settled on the edge of an aquatic leaf, and then
+fire--or rather, water--off at it a tiny globule, with such unerring
+aim, that the insect was generally brought down into the water and
+swallowed.  Three or four would sometimes sail round one after the other
+shooting at a fly in turn till it was knocked off, when a rush took
+place for the dainty prize.
+
+But the river and the little jungle streams abounded with miniature fish
+of great beauty, their peculiarity being the way in which they were
+coloured, some being of a most gorgeous scarlet, with broad bands of
+vivid blue across their sides.
+
+All on board the "Startler" was the perfection of neatness, and from a
+friendly rivalry the residency and fort were as smart and neat; perhaps
+never did they look to greater perfection than on the day after the
+adventure of Bob Roberts and Tom Long.
+
+The morning drill was over, and the sun was growing intensely hot, when
+there was heard the sound of a gong in the distance, and one of the
+sentries announced the coming of a boat.
+
+As it drew near it was seen to be one belonging to the sultan, with a
+couple of his principal officers therein.
+
+They landed, each in his gay silken sarong, in whose folds the handle of
+the kris was carefully wrapped, to indicate that they were bound on a
+friendly mission, and leaving their men at the bamboo landing-stage
+fitted up by the sailors, they made their way to the residency.
+
+No sooner had the news been given to Mr Linton of the approach of the
+sultan's boat than a signal was hoisted, whose effect was that the
+captain's gig was lowered down, and he arrived at the stage directly
+after, joining Major Sandars who had been fetched by an orderly, both
+officers being in full uniform.
+
+"I say, Tom," said Bob Roberts to his companion, who had come across to
+the ship a short time before, "if I were you I'd go back and fig myself.
+I shall put on my best duds, for you see if we ar'n't sent for to meet
+those two coffee-coloured swells."
+
+Tom Long, who was rather low-spirited about the matter, took the middy's
+advice, and went back to the island, where the visitors had already been
+ushered into the resident's reception room, the captain and major
+dropping in directly after as if by accident.
+
+It was the most friendly of visits.  The two officers were the
+tumongong, or chief magistrate, and the muntri, or chief adviser, of the
+sultan; and nothing could have been more amiable than their demeanour as
+they conversed with Mr Linton, who from time to time interpreted to the
+two British officers.
+
+Was there anything the sultan could do in the way of providing better
+supplies of rice, fruit, and meat?  A great fish expedition was about to
+be set afoot, and more would be brought down the river and kept in
+floating tanks.  If the resident would only speak, everything possible
+should be done.
+
+Nothing was required, so thanks were returned; when the tumongong smiled
+most agreeably, and said that he must now come to the chief object of
+his visit.  The fact was, the sultan had decided to have a great
+tiger-hunt.  Much mischief had of late been done by tigers.  Several
+poor fellows, especially Chinamen, had been carried off from the
+rice-fields, and the sultan had decided to get together all his
+elephants, with a large number of beaters, and have a great hunt.  Would
+the British officers bring their rifles and help?  Elephants should be
+placed at their disposal, the largest the country produced, and every
+thing done to make the hunt a success.
+
+"Then it's a mare's nest after all, Sandars," said Captain Horton.
+"They're not going to take any notice of those boys' tricks.  What do
+you say; shall we go?"
+
+"I should enjoy it immensely," said the major.  "I long for a shot at a
+tiger."
+
+"Wait a little, gentlemen," said the resident, smiling; "the interview
+is not at an end.  What shall I reply about the hunting-party?"
+
+"Oh, we shall be delighted to go.  You'll go too?" said Captain Horton,
+answering for both.
+
+"If matters are pleasantly settled," said Mr Linton.  Then turning to
+the two Malay officers, whose dark restless eyes had been scanning the
+faces in turn, he said that they would be most happy to accept the
+sultan's invitation.
+
+The officers were delighted, and declared that the sultan's joy would
+know no bounds.
+
+They had previously declined all refreshments, but now that their
+business was at an end they accepted cigars, and laughed and chatted,
+evidently enjoying the visit immensely, and accepting a proposal to walk
+round the grounds, with alacrity.
+
+As they went into the verandah, the resident found a couple of the
+sultan's men waiting, with a present of the choicest fruit the country
+produced; huge durians, and fine mangosteens, with the most select kinds
+of plantain, known for the delicacy of their flavour.
+
+The visitors took an almost childish delight in the fish in the two
+fonts, and smiled with pleasure at the sight of the large selection of
+flowers; but a keen observer would have noticed that as they walked
+round the fort and earth-works, the muntri eagerly scanned every
+preparation for defence, though apparently more attracted by the
+uniforms of the sentries than anything else.
+
+As they were crossing the little parade ground, with its well-trampled
+soil, on their way back to their boat, Tom Long was encountered, on his
+way to the mess-room.
+
+He started, on coming upon the little party so suddenly, but saluted and
+went on.
+
+Oddly enough that brought to the muntri's memory a little affair that
+had happened on the previous day.  Two young officers of the ship had
+been ashore shooting birds, and they found a party of the country people
+behaving rather ill to a couple of slave girls, and naturally enough,
+like all young men would, they took the girls under their protection,
+and brought them to the residency.  Was it not so?
+
+"Yes," the resident replied; "and they are now with the ladies."
+
+That was so good and kind, and so like the English, who were a great and
+generous nation.  The sultan had been terribly annoyed at his people
+behaving so ill to the poor girls, the muntri continued, and they had
+been punished, which was quite right--was it not?
+
+The resident perfectly agreed with the muntri, who smiled content, while
+the tumongong looked hurt and sad.
+
+He was so glad that Rajah Linton was satisfied at what the sultan had
+done, and the sultan would be greatly happy at his acts meeting such
+approval from the chief of the great queen.  So that was settled.  He
+thanked the resident more than he could tell, and he would give him no
+more trouble about the two poor girls, but take them back in the boat.
+
+This was very cleverly done, but the sultan's officers had to deal with
+an equally clever man, one who was well versed in oriental wiles and
+diplomacy.  Mr Linton was in no wise taken aback, since he had been
+waiting for this, and therefore was quite prepared to reply firmly that
+such a proceeding was impossible.  The two girls had been brought
+beneath the British flag, and hence were slaves no longer.  He could not
+therefore give them up.
+
+Of course the resident meant that he could not send them back then, the
+muntri observed, smiling.  Perhaps the poor girls were ill with their
+fright, and the rajah resident would send them back when they were
+better.
+
+The resident assured his visitors that such a course was impossible, for
+according to the British laws the girls were now free, and could not be
+forced to go back.
+
+The two officers did not press the matter, but began to ask questions
+about a breech-loading cannon, and were greatly surprised at the ease
+with which it was charged.
+
+They had by this time finished their cigars, and being near the
+landing-stage, they took a most effusive leave of the three officers,
+entered their boat, and were rowed away.
+
+"Well, then," said Captain Horton, as soon as he heard the parts of the
+conversation that he had not understood, "that game's over, and they are
+beaten at diplomacy?"
+
+"Yes," said Major Sandars.  "I envy you your command of countenance, and
+knowledge of the language, Linton."
+
+"Game? over?" said Mr Linton, smiling sadly.  "No, my dear sirs, that
+is only the first move our adversaries have made--king's pawn two
+squares forward; to which I have replied with queen's pawn one square
+forward."
+
+"And that's a bad move, isn't it, Horton?" exclaimed Major Sandars.
+
+"So the chess books make one think," said the captain.
+
+"It all depends upon your adversary and your game," said the resident,
+smiling.  "Gentlemen, I hope I have done right."
+
+"And what are you going to do now?" said Captain Horton.
+
+"Wait to see our adversary's next move.  Meanwhile, gentlemen, extra
+caution will do no harm, for we have touched the Malays in one of their
+most sensitive places."
+
+"We?  You mean those young scamps of boys," said Captain Horton.
+
+"Oh, it's _we_ all the same," said Major Sandars.  "Well, what's to be
+done?"
+
+"I should, without seeming to do anything, put on a few extra sentries,
+Major Sandars," said the resident; "and, Captain Horton, I should be
+ready for action at a moment's notice, and be cautious about who came on
+board, and what prahus anchored near."
+
+"Quite right--quite right, Linton," said Captain Horton.  "You had no
+business to be a civilian.  You ought to have been in the service."
+
+The resident smiled, and they separated, as Mr Linton said, to wait for
+the enemy's next move.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT.
+
+HOW SULTAN HAMET VISITED HIS FRIENDS.
+
+The enemy, as the resident termed the sultan's party, made no move for a
+couple of days, during which all went on as usual.  There was the usual
+morning parade in the fort, and the soldiers gardened, idled, smoked,
+and told one another it was "jolly hot"--a fact that needed no telling.
+On board the "Startler" the men were beat to quarters, and went through
+their drill in the cool of the morning, before hammock rails, the
+sentries' rifles, and the breeches of the glistening guns grew too hot
+to be touched with impunity.  So hot was it, that, like the burnt child
+who fears the fire, Bob Roberts was exceedingly cautious about placing
+his hands in any spot where they were likely to be defiled by the pitch
+that cannot be touched without those consequences; for from between
+seams, and the strands of well-laid cables, it oozed, and even bubbled
+out, beneath the ardent wooing of the tropic sun.
+
+It was a listless life, but a pleasant one, for such strict discipline
+was observed, and stringent rules laid down by the medical officer of
+the corvette and the detachment, that the men kept in excellent health.
+They had plenty of amusements; fruit was abundant, and they had taken
+quite a taste for the coarse country tobacco, which many of the soldiers
+smoked after the Malay fashion, rolled up a la cigarette in the roko, or
+outer sheath of the palm leaf or the plantain.  Some, too, adopted the
+Malay's plan of rapidly cutting a pipe from a short joint of bamboo,
+which, with a hole bored in the side for the insertion of a thin reed or
+quill, formed a pipe much affected by the Jacks when they took their
+tobacco in smoke, instead of by the unpleasantly moist masticating
+process.
+
+At the residency all went on as usual; sometimes the ladies received,
+and there was the sound of music and singing in the pleasantly lit-up
+verandah; sometimes Captain Horton sent his gig, and the agreeable
+little reunions were held on board the "Startler," in an improvised
+tent, draped with the ship's colours, while the lights were reflected on
+the smooth surface of the hurrying stream, and the Malays on shore
+watched the figures that passed to and fro till the party was over.
+
+Captain Horton and Major Sandars both thought the rajah's party had
+forgotten the affair; but the resident held to his opinion, which was
+strengthened by the imploring manner in which the two girls, who had
+attached themselves as attendants on Rachel Linton and her cousin,
+begged him not to let them be fetched away.
+
+"Suppose I did let them have you back," said the resident to them one
+day in their native tongue, "what would happen?"
+
+One of the girls, a tall, dark, graceful creature, but with the
+protruding lips, high cheekbones, and flat distended nose of the Malay,
+rose with contracted eyebrows, took her companion, forced her upon her
+knees, and then drawing an imaginary kris, she placed the point on the
+girl's shoulder, and struck the hilt with her right hand as if driving
+it perpendicularly down into her heart.
+
+"They would kill us--so!" she exclaimed, "and throw our bodies in the
+water to the crocodiles!"
+
+The other girl shuddered, and raised her frightened eyes to the faces of
+the ladies as if imploring them to intercede--and not in vain.
+
+"But they will not trouble about you now;" said the resident,
+tentatively.
+
+"Yes, yes," they both exclaimed, "they will send a naga and many men,
+but you will not let us go?"
+
+"No," said the resident, quietly.  "_We_ shall not give you up," and he
+went away thoughtfully to his room, to continue writing the despatch he
+had commenced some days before.
+
+That same evening the two principal officers came to have a chat, and
+over their cigars Major Sandars introduced the subject of the doubled
+sentries.
+
+"There is no longer any need for this," he said.  "Let's see, Linton, it
+is now a week since those two fellows came.  Don't you think, Horton, it
+is an unnecessary precaution?"
+
+"Well, to be frank," said Captain Horton, "I do; and I shall be glad to
+give up our strict discipline on board."
+
+"What do you think, Captain Smithers?" said the resident to that
+officer, who was present.
+
+"I cannot help agreeing with the major," he replied.  "I see no reason
+for these extra precautions."
+
+"Then I am in the minority," said the resident, smiling.
+
+"Look out there, gentlemen," he said, pointing through the open window.
+"What do you see?"
+
+"You tell him, Smithers," said the major, "I'm too hot and tired to do
+more than breathe."
+
+"I can see the bright river with the lights of the steamer glistening on
+its surface; the fire-flies are darting amongst the trees; the stars
+look soft and mellow; altogether it is a delightful picture, that
+reminds one of being in some delicious summer retreat on the banks of
+dear old Father Thames."
+
+"Captain Smithers," said the resident, gravely, "it is indeed a
+beautiful picture; the river flows peacefully on with the lights
+reflected from its bosom; but you know as well as I, that if a man
+attempted to breast those treacherous waters, he would, before he had
+swum many yards, have been drawn down by one of the hideous reptiles
+that swarm in the Parang.  That river is to my mind a type of the Malay
+feeling towards us--the intruders upon his soil.  So little am I
+satisfied with what seems to me to be a deceitful calm, that I have
+serious thoughts of asking you to increase the sentries."
+
+"Nonsense, my dear Linton," said Captain Horton; "we shall hear no more
+of the affair."
+
+"We shall hear more," said the resident.  "Wait and see."
+
+The resident was right; for the next day the sultan's principal naga, or
+dragon-boat, with its uncouth figure-head, was seen coming swiftly down
+the stream, propelled by about thirty rowers, all clad in rich yellow
+jackets--the royal colour--and nattily-made scarlet caps.  Their lower
+limbs were bare, save where covered by their scarlet and yellow sarongs.
+The men rowed well together; and as the word was passed by the sentries
+the officer on duty could plainly make out beneath the matting awning,
+reaching nearly from end to end of the boat, the figures of the sultan
+and several of his officers.
+
+The sultan was easily distinguishable; for while his chief officers
+strictly adhered to their native costume, he wore a gorgeous
+semi-military uniform, that had specially been built--so Bob Roberts
+termed it--for him in England.  It was one mass of rich embroidery,
+crossed by a jewelled belt, bearing a sabre set with precious stones,
+and upon his head he wore a little Astrakhan fur _kepi_, surmounted by
+an egret's plume, like a feathery fountain from a diamond jet.
+
+Orders were given for the guard to turn out, and the resident and Major
+Sandars hurriedly prepared to meet their distinguished guest, who,
+however, did not stop at the island, but went straight on to the
+corvette, where he was received by a guard of marines, the captain
+awaiting his visitor upon the quarter-deck.
+
+The visit was but short, for at the end of a few minutes Captain Horton
+accompanied the sultan on board the naga, and the long low vessel was
+swiftly turned, and rowed with no little skill to the island
+landing-place, where a sufficiently imposing military force, under
+Captain Smithers, was ready to receive him, the sultan walking up to the
+residency verandah, between a double line of infantry with bayonets
+fixed.
+
+The eastern potentate's opal eyeballs rolled from side to side as,
+looking rather awkward in his ill-fitting European dress, he tried hard
+to emulate the dignity of his bronze followers in baju and sarong, each
+man with the handle of his kris carefully covered by a silken fold.
+
+On landing here, the sultan was followed by his kris and sword-bearers,
+each having his appointed station behind the monarch, holding the
+weapons by the sheath, with the hilt against the right shoulder, so that
+a very respectable procession, full of colour and glow, was formed from
+the landing-place to the residency.
+
+The most incongruous part of the following was the appearance of the
+officer who bore an umbrella to keep the rays of the sun from his
+liege's head; but as in place of one of the gorgeous, gold-fringed,
+scarlet-clothed sunshades generally used for that purpose, this was an
+unmistakeable London-made chaise gingham, with a decidedly Gampish look,
+it robbed its master of some of his dignity, though he was so busily
+employed in trying to carry his richly-jewelled sabre with the ease of
+the English officers, and at the same time to show the splendid weapon
+to the best advantage, that he saw not the want of dignity in his
+umbrella, and walked awkwardly to where Mr Linton received him in
+company with Major Sandars, and such officers as could hurry on the
+uniforms they so scrupulously avoided in that torrid clime.
+
+Tom Long, who paid more attention to the embellishment of his person
+than any man in the detachment, was one of the officers present, and
+although nervous about the Sultan's visit, and feeling certain that it
+had to do with the rescue of the slave girls, he could not help a smile
+at the umbrella, and a congratulatory sensation that Bob Roberts was not
+present, for he would have been sure to laugh, when an extension of the
+risible muscles might have been taken as an insult not to be endured.
+
+The august visitors were received in the wide verandah on account of
+their number, where the sultan took the seat placed for him; five of his
+principal men, including the former ambassadors, stood behind him; the
+rest, sword and umbrella-bearers, carriers of the potentate's golden
+betel-box and spittoon, squatted down on their heels, and were as
+motionless as so many images of bronze.
+
+The various British officers remained with the resident, standing, out
+of respect to the sultan, whose heavy dark features seemed to express
+satisfaction; and he at once proceeded in a rather forced, excited
+manner to inform the resident that he had only been having a
+water-excursion, and had thought how much he should like to see his good
+friends at the residency.
+
+The resident was delighted, of course, at this mark of condescension,
+and hastened to assure the sultan of the fact.
+
+The latter then proceeded to announce that his grand tiger-hunt would
+take place in a fortnight's time, and begged that all the officers would
+accept his invitation.
+
+As spokesman and interpreter, the resident assured his august visitor
+that as many as possible would be there; when in addition the sultan
+asked that a great many soldiers might be sent as well, to help keep the
+tigers from breaking back when the hunt was on.
+
+To this, Mr Linton, by Major Sandars' permission, readily assented; and
+then, knowing of old his visitor's taste in such matters, some champagne
+was produced.  At the sight of the gold-foiled bottles the rajah's eyes
+glistened, and he readily partook of a tumbler twice filled for him;
+after which he walked into the house with the resident, as an excuse for
+not being present when his followers partook of some of the wine.
+
+At length, after a walk round the fort, which was willingly accorded to
+him, that he might see that the residency and its protectors were well
+on the _qui vive_, the sultan took his departure, begging earnestly that
+all who could would come to the hunting expedition.  Then the soldiers
+presented arms, and the little procession, gay of aspect, proceeded down
+to the bamboo landing-stage, where the visitor embarked with his
+following, and seated himself beneath the reed awning of his boat.  Word
+was given, and the yellow and scarlet rowers bent to their oars, sending
+the long light naga vigorously up stream, one blaze of brilliant colour
+in the morning sun, till it disappeared round a verdant point about
+half-a-mile ahead.
+
+"Well, Linton," said Major Sandars, "what do you say to it now?"
+
+"Ah, to be sure," said Captain Horton.  "Isn't the storm blown over?"
+
+"Really, gentlemen, it looks like it," said the resident, "and I must
+confess that I am heartily glad to find that I have been wrong."
+
+"Wrong? yes," said the Major.  "Those fellows are no more fools than we
+are, and knowing what they do of the strength of our guns, and the
+discipline of our men, they would as soon think of measuring force with
+us, as of flying.  Smithers, march the men back into quarters out of
+this raging sunshine, and to-night only put on the usual guard.  What
+shall you do, Horton?"
+
+"Only have the customary watch," was the reply.
+
+Tom Long conveyed to Bob Roberts an account of what had taken place, and
+the reduction of the guard at night; to which that sage young midshipman
+replied, that the British Lion was only going to withdraw his claws
+within their sheaths, but the claws were there still; and that it would
+be exceedingly uncomfortable for any Malay gentleman on shore if the
+said BL was to put his claws out once more.
+
+"But I say, Tom," he exclaimed, "get the major to let you go to the
+tiger-hunt."
+
+"Do you think you can get leave?" said the ensign.
+
+"I mean to try it on, my boy.  The cap is sure to be huffy, on account
+of our last affair; but nothing venture, nothing gain, and I mean to go,
+somehow or another, so tigers beware.  What are you laughing at?"
+
+"The idea of you shooting a tiger," said Tom Long.  "That's all."
+
+"I daresay I could if I tried," said Bob shortly.
+
+"I daresay you could," said Long, "but we'll see.  We have to get leave
+first."
+
+"That's soon got," said Bob Roberts.  "Depend upon it, I shall be
+there."
+
+"And I, too," said Tom Long; and the young fellows parted, each of them
+in secret vowing that he would have the skin of the tiger he meant to
+shoot, carefully dressed, lined with blue satin and scarlet cloth, and
+present it to Rachel Linton as a tribute of respect.
+
+But the tiger had first of all to be shot.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY NINE.
+
+HOW ALI FELL INTO A TRAP.
+
+They were very delightful days at the residency for the English party.
+The heat was certainly great, but the arrangements made as soon as they
+were settled down, warded that off to a great extent.  The men enjoyed
+the life most thoroughly, especially as for sanitary reasons Doctor
+Bolter forbade that either the soldiers or the Jacks should be exposed
+to too much exertion.
+
+The days were days of unclouded sunshine as a rule, and when this rule
+was broken, the change was to a heavy thunder-storm, with a refreshing
+rain, and then the skies were once more blue.
+
+Fruit and flowers, and various other supplies, were brought now in
+abundance, especially since Dullah had been allowed to set up a trading
+station at the island.  He monopolised the whole business, the various
+boats that came rowing straight to him; but he did it all in so pleasant
+a manner, that no one could complain.  To the English people he was
+suavity itself.  His courtesy--his gentlemanly bearing was the talk of
+the whole place; and regularly every morning one of his Malay slaves or
+bond-servants used to carry up and lay in the residency verandah a large
+bunch of deliciously fresh orchids, or pitcher-plants, or a great branch
+of some sweet-scented flowering shrub, for which he always received the
+ladies' thanks in a calm, courteous way that quite won their confidence.
+
+Dullah's reed hut, with its bamboo-supported verandah, became quite a
+favourite resort, and he very soon provided it with a frontage each way.
+In the one verandah he arranged to supply the resident, the ladies, and
+officers; and in the other the soldiers and sailors, and received his
+supplies from the boats.
+
+Sometimes the ladies walked down to buy fruit, sometimes it was the
+officers; but the two best customers were Tom Long and Bob Roberts, the
+former spending a great deal in flowers, to send to the residency--a
+very bad investment by the way--for the rapid rate at which they faded
+was astounding.  Once his duty--as he called it--done, in sending a
+bunch of flowers, Tom Long used to indulge himself with fruit.
+
+Bob Roberts had given up sending flowers, so he had more money to spend
+upon his noble self in fruit, and he spent it where he was pretty well
+sure to encounter Tom Long, whenever he could get leave to run across to
+the island.
+
+Bob's way of addressing Dullah was neither refined nor polite, for it
+was always, "Hallo, old cock," and at first Dullah looked very serious;
+but as soon as his aide and companion interpreted to him the words, he
+smiled and seemed perfectly satisfied, always greeting the young
+midshipman with a display of his white teeth, for he considered his
+comparison to a fighting-cock, of which birds the Malays are
+passionately fond, quite a compliment.
+
+The result was that for a small sum Bob was always sure of a choice
+durian, which he feasted upon with great gusto, while Tom Long came and
+treated himself to mangosteens.
+
+Dullah always behaved to the young ensign with the greatest politeness,
+that young gentleman returning it with a sort of courteous condescension
+which said plainly enough that Dullah was to consider himself a being of
+an inferior race.
+
+But Dullah accepted it all in the calmest manner, smilingly removing the
+malodorous durians which Bob maliciously contrived to place near the
+seat Tom Long always occupied, and waiting upon the ensign as if he were
+a grandee of the first water.
+
+And here, as a matter of course, the subject of the approaching
+tiger-hunt was discussed, Dullah, by means of his companion, becoming
+quite animated about the matter, and enlarging as to the number and
+beauty of the tigers that would be shot.
+
+Both Tom Long and the middy were having a fruit feast one day, when Ali,
+who had been off to the steamer, and then came on to the island, made
+his appearance in search of his two friends, Dullah quietly disappearing
+into the back of his hut, to attend to some of the sailors who had come
+in, while his companion waited upon the young officers.
+
+Of course the tiger-hunt was the principal subject of discussion, and
+Ali promised to arrange to have one of the largest of the sultan's
+elephants fitted with a roomy howdah, so that they three could be
+together.
+
+"I can manage that," he said, "through my father, and we'll have a grand
+day."
+
+"But shall we get any tigers?" asked Bob.
+
+"No fear of that," was the reply.  "I'll contrive that we shall be in
+the best part of the hunt."
+
+"That will be close to the sultan, of course?"
+
+Ali's dark eyes were raised inquiringly to the speaker's face, but
+seeing that this was not meant sarcastically, he said drily,--"No; I
+shall arrange to be as far away from the sultan's elephant as I can."
+
+Bob looked at him keenly.
+
+"What, isn't he fond of tigers?" he said sharply.
+
+"My father is the sultan's officer, and greatly in his confidence," said
+the young man quietly.  "I don't think the sultan is very fond of
+hunting, though."
+
+Just at this moment, unseen, of course, by the three young men, Dullah
+was whispering to a rough-looking, half-naked Malay, into whose hands he
+placed a little roll of paper, which the man secured in the fold of his
+sarong, dropped into a sampan, and then hastily paddled to the mainland,
+where he plunged into the wood and disappeared.
+
+Meanwhile the three friends sat chatting, and Ali expressed his sorrow
+about the adventure the two young Englishmen had had with the slave
+girls.
+
+"Where are they now?" he quietly asked.
+
+"Oh, Miss Linton and her cousin have quite adopted them," said Bob.
+"But surely you don't think we did wrong."
+
+"Speaking as the son of the Tumongong, I say yes," replied Ali; "but as
+one who has imbibed English notions and ideas, I am bound to say that
+what you did only makes me feel more thoroughly how it is time we had a
+complete revolution in Parang."
+
+"I say," said Bob, "you'll get stuck-up for high treason, young fellow,
+if you talk about revolution."
+
+"No fear," said Ali, laughing quietly.  "My ideas are pretty well-known;
+but I am too insignificant a fellow for what I say to be noticed.  Now
+if it was my father--"
+
+"Yes--if it was your father," said Bob, "I suppose they would kris him?"
+
+Ali nodded, and after a quiet cigar under the trees, during which he
+complained more than once of the wrench the seizure by the crocodile had
+given to his muscles, he bade them good-bye, promising to have
+everything ready for the tiger-hunt, and, leaping into his boat, was
+rowed away.
+
+Ali had about a mile to walk along one of the jungle-paths to reach his
+father's house, and he was going along very thoughtfully under the
+trees, quite alone--for he had left his men behind, to look after and
+secure the boat.  It was comparatively cool in the shade, and he began
+thinking about the two young men he had left, and contrasting their
+civilised life with his.  The savagery and barbarism by which he was
+surrounded disgusted him; and knowing well as he did, how the sultan and
+the various rajahs of the little states lived by oppressing and grinding
+down the wretched people around, he longed for the time when a complete
+change should come about, bringing with it just laws, and a salutary
+rule for his country.  His own life troubled him in no small degree, for
+he saw nothing in the future but the career of a Malay chief, a ruler
+over slaves, living a life of voluptuous idleness, and such an existence
+he looked upon with horror.
+
+Could he not enter the British service in some way? he asked himself,
+and rise to a life of usefulness, in which he might do some good for the
+helpless, ground-down people amongst whom he was born?
+
+Such a life, he told himself, would be worth living, and--What was that?
+
+His hand involuntarily flew to his kris, as he heard a rustle amidst the
+tangled cane just ahead, and he advanced cautiously lest it should be
+some beast of prey, or one of the great serpents that had their
+existence amidst the dense undergrowth.
+
+There it was again; a quick sharp rustle amidst the trees, as of
+something hastily escaping, and his hand fell to his side, and he
+watched eagerly in advance, not hearing a cat-like step behind him, as a
+swarthy Malay came in his tracks, sprang upon the young man's back, and
+pinioned his arms in an instant.
+
+Ali uttered a hoarse cry, and strove to draw his kris, but the effort
+was vain.  Three more Malays darted from their hiding-places, and in a
+few minutes he was securely bound, with a portion of his sarong thrust
+into his mouth to keep him from crying for help; another Malay, who had
+been pulling a long rattan on ahead to imitate the sound of an escaping
+animal, coming from his hiding-place and smiling at the success of the
+ruse.
+
+"What does it mean?"  Ali asked himself; but he was puzzled and
+confused, and his captors gave him no opportunity for further thought,
+but hurried him right away into the depths of the jungle through a long
+narrow winding track that was little used.
+
+"Why, this leads to the sultan's old house, where the inchees were
+killed!" thought Ali.  "Surely they are not going to kill me?"
+
+A shudder ran through him, and a strange sense of horror seemed to
+freeze his limbs as he was half thrust half earned along through the
+jungle, his captors having at times to use their heavy parangs to cut
+back the canes and various creepers that had made a tangle across the
+unfrequented track.
+
+It was as the young chief had surmised.  They were taking him to the
+deserted house that had been formerly occupied by former inchees or
+princesses of the Malay people, who, for some political reason, had been
+cruelly assassinated by order of the present sultan, they having been
+krissed, and their bodies thrown into the river.
+
+Was this to be his fate? he asked himself; and if it was, in what way
+had he offended?
+
+The answer came to him at once.  It was evident that the intercourse he
+had held with the English was not liked, and now in his own mind he
+began to have misgivings about the resident and his party.  Sultan Hamet
+was, he knew, both cruel and treacherous.  Was the position of the
+English people safe?
+
+Yes, he felt they were safe.  He was the offender; and once more a
+shudder of fear ran through him at the thought of his young life being
+crushed out so soon; just, too, when he was so full of hopeful prospects
+and aspirations.
+
+His manhood asserted itself, though, directly.  He was the son of a
+chief, he told himself; and these treacherous wretches who had seized
+him should see that he was no coward.
+
+Then he began to think of his father, and wondered whether it would be
+possible to communicate with him before he was killed.
+
+Then he felt a little more hopeful, for perhaps, after all, the
+instructions to his captors might not be to slay him.  If it was, and he
+could only get his hands free, their task should not be so easy as they
+thought for.
+
+For two long hours was he forced through the tangled jungle, and every
+minute he became more convinced that his captors were bound for the
+place, of whose existence he knew, having once come upon it during a
+shooting expedition, and, in spite of his followers' horror, persisted
+in examining the ruins nearly choked even then with the rapid jungle
+growth.
+
+At last they reached the place, and the young man's searching eye at
+once saw that some attempts had been made at cutting down the tangled
+trees.
+
+But very little time was afforded him to gratify his curiosity.  He was
+rudely thrust forward, and then half dragged, half carried up the rough
+steps, some of which were broken away, and then pushed into the great
+centre room of what had been a large Malay house.
+
+It was very dark, for the holes in the roof had become choked with
+creepers, which had formed a new thatch in place of the old attap top.
+The bamboos that formed the floor were slippery here and there with damp
+moss and fungus, and in several places they were rotted away; but there
+was plenty to afford a fair space of flooring, and in a momentary glance
+Ali saw that the inner or women's room of the house was dry, and not so
+much ruined as the place where he stood.
+
+"Did they kris the poor prisoners here?" he asked himself; and then his
+thoughts flew to the bright river upon which his boat had so often
+skimmed; to the clean, trim corvette, with its bright paint, smart
+sailors, and Bob Roberts, the merry, cheery young English lad.  Then he
+thought of the residency, with the sweet graceful ladies, the pleasant
+officers, always so frank and hospitable; of Tom Long, whom he liked in
+spite of the ensign's pride and stand-offishness; and lastly he asked
+himself what they would think of him for not keeping faith with them
+about the hunt, and whether they would ever know that he had been
+treacherously krissed in that out-of-the-way place.
+
+A grim smile crossed his lip as he wished that he might be thrown
+afterwards in the river, and his body float down to be seen by the
+English people, so that they might know why he had stopped away.
+
+And then a thrill ran through him, for a couple of his captors seized
+him, and in the dim green light of the place, with a few thin pencils of
+sunshine striking straight through like silver threads from roof to
+floor, he saw a third man draw his deadly kris.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTY.
+
+HOW PRIVATE GRAY PROVED SUSPICIOUS.
+
+Adam Gray left the men in the mess-room that night, chatting about the
+coming tiger-hunt, and wondering who would be selected to accompany the
+expedition.  He could not help thinking, as he shouldered his rifle, and
+was marched off by a sergeant with half-a-dozen more, to relieve guard,
+that he should like to be one of the party himself.  In happy bygone
+days he had been fond of sport, and in a trip to North America were
+well-remembered perils and pleasant adventures.  And now this talk of
+the tiger-hunt had roused in him a strong interest, and set him
+recalling days, when he was very different to what he was now.
+
+"It's no good to sigh," he said to himself, and the measured tramp,
+tramp of the marching men sounded solemn and strange in the darkness,
+rousing him once more to a sense of his position.
+
+"If I'm to go, I go," he said bitterly.  "That will be as my superiors
+please; and if I do go, it will not be as a hunter."
+
+In spite of himself; however, as soon as guard had been relieved, and he
+was left in charge of a post not far from Dullah's hut, his thoughts
+went back to his early career, and he grew at times quite excited as he
+compared it with the life he was living now.
+
+Then his thoughts wandered to the residency, and from thence back to the
+day when he was bitten by the sea snake, and lay there upon the deck
+tended by Miss Linton.
+
+These thoughts agitated him, so that he set off pacing briskly up and
+down for a couple of hours, and then, his brain calmed by the exercise,
+he stood still under the shadow of a great palm, with whose trunk, as he
+stood back close to it, his form so assimilated in the darkness that, at
+a couple of yards distance, he was invisible.
+
+His post was close to the river, so close that he walked upon the very
+edge of the bank, which was in places undermined by the swift current.
+This post had been cleared from the thick jungle.  It was but a narrow
+piece, some two yards wide, and forty long, and this it was his duty to
+pace during his long watch, to guard that side of the island from a
+landing foe.
+
+Midnight had passed, and all was very still.  There was a splash from
+time to time in the stream, telling of the movement of some reptile or
+great fish, and now and then, from the far-distant parts of the jungle
+across the water, he could hear the cry of some wild beast.  Now and
+then he watched the fire-flies scintillating amidst the leaves, and
+thought of how different life was out in this far-off tropic land to
+that in dear old England.
+
+He had been thinking quite an hour without stirring; but though his
+memory strayed here and there, his eyes were watchful, and he scanned
+from time to time the broad smooth surface of the stream in search of
+passing boats.
+
+At last he fancied he detected something dark moving along, but it went
+by so smoothly that it might have been the trunk of some tree, or even
+the back of a great crocodile, for there was no splash of oars.
+
+He had almost forgotten the incident, when he started slightly and
+listened, thinking he could hear a whispering, and this was repeated.
+
+He listened intently, but though he felt sure that he could hear voices,
+still that need not mean danger, for sound passes so easily across the
+water, that the noise might have come from down lower in the island, or
+even from the shore across the river.
+
+The whispering ceased, and then he listened in vain for a time, and at
+last he was just thinking of pacing up and down once more, when
+certainly there was a faint splash, and on looking in the direction he
+could see on the dark water what seemed like a dim shadow gliding along.
+
+It might have been a boat or the shadow of a boat, he could not be sure.
+In fact, there were moments when he doubted whether it was not some
+ocular illusion, brought about by too intently gazing through the gloom.
+
+And there he stood, hesitating as to whether he should fire and give the
+alarm.
+
+But the next moment he reasonably enough asked himself why he should do
+so, for there was nothing alarming in the fact of a tiny sampan gliding
+over the river.  It might be only a fisherman on his way to some
+favourite spot, or perhaps one of the Malays bound up the river, or
+possibly after all a mere deception.
+
+There seemed to be nothing to merit the alarm being raised, and he stood
+watching once more the spot where the boat had disappeared.  Still he
+did not resume his march up and down, but recalled the night of the
+attack, and began to consider how easy it would be for a crafty enemy to
+land and take them by surprise some gloomy night.  Dark-skinned, and
+lithe of action as cats, they could easily surprise and kris the
+sentries.  In his own case, for instance, what would be easier than for
+an enemy to lurk on the edge of the thick jungly patch, by which the
+path ran, and there stab him as he passed?
+
+"It would be very easy," he thought.  "Yes; and if I stand here much
+longer, I shall begin to think that I am doing so because I dare not
+walk beside that dark piece of wood.  Still I dare do it, and I will."
+
+As if out of bravado, he immediately began to pace his allotted post
+once more, and he had hardly gone half-way when a sharp sound upon his
+left made him bring his piece down to the present, and wait with bayonet
+fixed what he looked upon as a certain attack.
+
+Again he hesitated about firing and giving the alarm, for fear of
+incurring ridicule and perhaps reprimand.  He knew in his heart that he
+was nervous and excitable, being troubled lest any ill should befall the
+occupants of the residency, and being in such an excited state made him
+ready to imagine everything he saw, to mean danger.
+
+So he stood there, ready to repel any attack made upon him, and as he
+remained upon his guard the rustling noise increased, and he momentarily
+expected to see the leaves parted and some dark figure rush out; but
+still he was kept in suspense, for nothing appeared.
+
+At last he came to the conclusion that it was some restless bird or
+animal disturbed by his presence, and told himself that the noise made
+was magnified by his own fancies; and, rather glad that he had not given
+the alarm, he continued to march up and down, passing to and fro in
+close proximity to a dark Malay, whose hand clasped a wavy, dull-bladed
+kris, that the holder seemed waiting to thrust into his chest the moment
+an opportunity occurred, or so soon as the sentry should have given the
+alarm.
+
+At last the weary watch came to an end, for the tramp of the relief was
+heard, and Sergeant Lund marched up his little party of men, heard
+Gray's report of the rustling noise, and the dark shadow on the river;
+said "Humph!" in a gruff way; a fresh man was placed on sentry, and Adam
+Gray was marched back with the other tired men who were picked up on the
+round into the little fort.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTY ONE.
+
+HOW SOME COULD GO AND SOME MUST STAY.
+
+The day of the tiger-hunt was at last close at hand.  A vast deal of
+communication and counter communication had taken place with the sultan,
+whose people were making great preparations for the event.
+
+The sultan was constantly sending messengers, and asking that stores
+might be given him with plenty of ammunition.  Not, though, in any mean
+begging spirit, for whenever a couple of his chiefs came with some
+request, they were accompanied by a train of followers bearing
+presents--food, supplies of the finest rice, sugar-cane, and fruit;
+buffaloes and poultry; slabs of tin, little bags of gold dust, specimens
+of the native work; an abundance, in short, of useful and valuable
+things, all of which were accepted; though there was a grim feeling in
+the mind of Mr Linton that pretty well everything had been taken by
+force, from some of the sultan's miserable subjects.
+
+Still the policy was, to be on the best of terms with the sultan, and to
+hope to introduce reforms in his rule by degrees.  The resident took the
+old school copy-book moral into consideration, that example was better
+than precept, and knowing full well that any sweeping code of rules and
+regulations would produce distaste, certain hatred, and perhaps a rising
+against the English rule, he determined to introduce little improvements
+by degrees, each to be, he hoped, tiny seeds from which would grow grand
+and substantial trees.
+
+The tiger-hunt was being prepared for evidently with childlike delight,
+and instead of its being a few hours' expedition, it proved that it was
+to be an affair of a week.  Tents were to be taken, huts to be formed,
+and quite a large district swept of the dangerous beasts.  For as the
+sultan informed the English officers, the tigers had been unmolested for
+quite two years, and saving one or two taken in pitfalls, they had
+escaped almost scot free.  The consequence of this was, that several
+poor Malays had been carried off from their rice-fields, and at least a
+dozen unfortunate Chinamen from the neighbourhood of some tin mines a
+few miles away.
+
+"I never meant to enter into such an extensive affair, gentlemen," said
+the resident to Major Sandars and Captain Horton after dinner one day,
+when they had all been entertained at the mess-room.  "I almost think we
+ought to draw back before it is too late."
+
+"Well, I don't know," said Major Sandars.  "It will please the sultan if
+we take a lot of men, and this is rather a stagnating life.  I frankly
+tell you I should be very glad of the outing, and I am sure it would do
+good to the men."
+
+"I quite agree with you, Sandars," said Captain Horton; and Bob Roberts
+and Tom Long, who were opposite one another at the bottom of the table,
+exchanged glances.  "I want a change, and I should be glad to give my
+lads a turn up the country.  Drill's all very well, but it gets
+wearisome.  What do you say, Smithers?"
+
+"I must confess to being eager to go," was the reply.  "It seems to me
+the only gentleman who does not care for the trip is Mr Linton."
+
+"My dear fellow, you never made a greater mistake in your life," said
+Mr Linton, laughing.  "Nothing would please me better than to be off
+for a couple of months, with a brace of good rifles, and an elephant,
+with plenty of beaters.  I could even manage to exist for three months
+without reading a report, or writing a despatch."
+
+Here there was a hearty laugh, and Mr Linton went on,--"There is one
+voice silent--the most important one, it seems to me.  Come, doctor,
+what do you say? may we all go up the country and live in tents?"
+
+"Hah!" said Doctor Bolter, "now you have me on the hip.  I want to go
+myself; horribly."
+
+"Ha, ha, ha, ha!" laughed every one in chorus.
+
+"I want to see those black monkeys like our friend Mr Bob Roberts has
+for a pet.  I say I want to see them in their native state.  I want to
+get a specimen of the pink rhinoceros, and some of the _Longicorns_.
+_Nymphalis Calydonia_ is to be found here, and I must shoot a few
+specimens of _Cymbirhynchus Macrorhynchus_, besides supplying my _hortus
+siccus_ with a complete series of _Nepenthes_."
+
+"For goodness' sake, doctor, don't go on like that," cried Captain
+Horton.  "If you want to be cheerful to that extent, give us a
+recitation in pure Malay."
+
+"Ah, you may all laugh," said the doctor; "but I'm not ashamed of being
+a modest naturalist."
+
+"Modest!" said Major Sandars.  "Do you call that modest, to talk big
+like that?  But come, tell us, may we go safely?"
+
+"That's what I can't quite settle," said the doctor.  "I don't know what
+to say to you.  A week's hunting picnic would be very nice."
+
+"Splendid," said everybody.
+
+"And you'd have a good supply of tents?  I can't have my men sleeping in
+the open air."
+
+"Abundance of everything," said Major Sandars.  "Regular commissariat
+stores--mess tent, and the rest of it."
+
+"Stop a minute," said the doctor, "not so fast.  You see, what I'm
+afraid of is fever."
+
+"We all are," said Captain Horton.  "Never mind, take a barrel and keep
+a strong solution of quinine always on tap for us.  Now then, may we go?
+You see if it was on duty we shouldn't study a moment, but as it's a
+case of pleasuring--"
+
+"And keeping up good relations with the sultan," said the resident.
+
+"And freeing the country from a pest," said Captain Horton.
+
+"Tigers are pests enough," said the doctor, "but intermittent or jungle
+fever is to my mind the pest of the country."
+
+"Yes, of course, doctor," said the resident; "but what do you think, may
+we go?"
+
+The doctor sat tapping the table with a dessert knife.
+
+"Will you all promise me faithfully not to drink a drop of water that
+has not been filtered?" he said.
+
+"_Yes_, yes, yes," came from all down the table.
+
+"I'll promise, doctor, not to drink any water at all," said Bob Roberts
+in a low voice, that was heard, though, by the doctor.
+
+"It strikes me, young gentleman, that you won't get anything stronger,"
+he said.  "Well, gentlemen, if you'll all promise to abide by my rules,
+I'll say _yes; you may go_."
+
+A long quiet conversation was afterwards held, and finally it was
+decided that quite half the men should go, and on the eve of the
+expedition the final preparations had been made, tents and stores had
+been sent ashore ready for a start at daybreak.
+
+The river had been scoured by the corvette's boats, and no trace of
+Rajah Gantang's prahus found; in fact, nothing had been heard of him or
+them for many days; and all being esteemed satisfactory and safe on that
+score, what remained to do was to settle who should stay and protect the
+residency and the corvette, and who should go.
+
+As far as the men were concerned, this was soon settled; for the order
+was given to fall in, and they were soon ranged in line, every man
+anxious in the extreme as to his fate.  The next order was for the even
+numbered to take two paces back, and the next for the rear-rank men to
+fall out; they were the lucky ones, and in a high state of delight.
+
+With the officers it was more difficult.  However, that was soon
+settled.  Captain Horton said that he should go; and gave the corvette
+in charge of Lieutenant Johnson.  Major Sandars followed his example by
+appointing Captain Smithers to the task of taking command of the fort;
+and to his great disgust Tom Long found that he was not to be of the
+select.
+
+The resident had not intended to go, but so pressing a request that he
+would come had arrived from the sultan, that he felt bound to make one
+of the party.  On the eve of the start the principal talk was of the
+qualities and powers of the various rifles and shot guns that had been
+brought out to be cleaned and oiled.
+
+Tom Long was solacing himself out in the open air with a strong rank
+cigar that had been given him by a brother officer, and very poorly it
+made him feel.  But he put that all down to the major's account for
+depriving him of his treat.
+
+"I'll be even with him, though," he said, breaking out into the habit of
+talking aloud.  "I won't forget it."
+
+The night was very dark and starless, and he stood leaning up against a
+tree, when he heard the splash of oars from the landing-place, a short
+sharp order, and then the rattling of a ring-bolt.
+
+"Some one from the steamer, I suppose," he growled.  "Gun borrowing,
+I'll be bound.  They don't have mine, whoever wants it."
+
+"Here you, sir," said a familiar voice, as a figure came up through the
+darkness.  "Where's Major Sandars--at the officers' quarters or the
+residency?  Do you hear?  Why don't you speak?"
+
+"That path leads to the officers' quarters, Mr Robert Roberts, and the
+other leads, as you well know, to the residency.  Now go and find out
+for yourself, and don't air your salt-junk bluster on shore."
+
+"Salt-junk bluster be bothered," said Bob sharply.  "How the dickens was
+I to know it was you standing stuck-up against that tree like two tent
+poles in a roll of canvass?  Here, I've come from the skipper to see if
+the major's got any spare leggings, for fear of the noble captain
+getting any thorns in his legs."
+
+"Hang the captain!" growled Tom.
+
+"Hang the major, then!" said Bob sharply.
+
+"You may hang them both, if you like," said Tom.
+
+"I should like to kris them all over, till they looked like skewered
+chickens ready for the spit," said Bob.  "I say, ain't it an awful
+shame?"
+
+"Shame, yes," said Tom Long, slightly mollified by his companion's
+sympathy.  "I don't see why one of us two should be left out of the
+party.  It isn't much pleasure we get."
+
+"No," said Bob sharply; "but I think if one of us was to go it ought to
+have been this young person."
+
+"Well, but you are going, aren't you?" said Tom Long.
+
+"Not I," said Bob.  "I'm second officer on board HMS `Startler' till
+they come back, that's all."
+
+"But, my dear Bob, I thought you were going.  Old Dick, who was ashore
+an hour ago, told me you were."
+
+"Then old Dick told you a cram," said Bob.  "He said you were going,
+though."
+
+"I'll kick old Dick first time I see him," cried Tom Long.  "I'm not
+going.  Smithers and I are to be in charge of the fort."
+
+"You are not going?" cried Bob incredulously.
+
+"No!"
+
+"Oh, I am glad."
+
+"Thanky," said Tom.
+
+"No, I don't mean that," said Bob.  "I mean I'm glad I'm not going, now
+you are not."
+
+"I say, Bob, do you mean that?" said Tom Long excitedly, and dropping
+all his stiffness.
+
+"Of course I do," said Bob.  "What's the fun of going without a friend?"
+
+"Bob, you're a regular little brick," said Tom Long.  "Shake hands.
+'Pon my word I shall end by liking you."
+
+Bob shook hands, and laughed.
+
+"Oh, I say, though," he exclaimed.  "Poor old Ali!  Won't he be cut up,
+just?"
+
+"Yes, he won't like it," said Tom Long thoughtfully.  "And he was to
+have a big elephant all ready for us."
+
+"Yes," said Bob.  "But I say, I wonder we haven't heard from him since
+that day he was here."
+
+"Yes, he might have sent a message of some kind."
+
+"He's been up the country with a butterfly net to catch an elephant for
+us," said Bob, laughing.
+
+"And now he'll have it all to himself," said Tom.
+
+"I'll bet half a rupee that he don't," said Bob.
+
+"Oh, yes, he will," said Tom.  "I rather like him, though.  He isn't a
+bad sort of nigger."
+
+"Don't call the fellows _niggers_," said Bob impatiently; "they don't
+like it."
+
+"Then they mustn't call us _giaours_ and _dogs_," said Tom impatiently.
+
+"Look here," cried Bob, "I must go on after these leggings for the
+skipper; but, I say, Tom, as I said before, I'll bet half a rupee that
+Ali don't go to the hunt when he finds we are to stay."
+
+"Stuff!"
+
+"Well, it may be stuff; but you see if he don't stop behind, and, as
+soon as they are all off, come across here."
+
+"I wish he would," said Tom.  "It'll be dull enough."
+
+"If he does, we'll have a good turn at the fish," said Bob.  "Good
+night, if I don't see you again."
+
+"I say," said Bob, turning round and speaking out of the darkness.
+
+"Well?"
+
+"I don't wish 'em any harm; but I hope they won't see a blessed tiger
+all the time they're away."
+
+"So do I," said Tom.  "Good night!"
+
+"Good night!"  And Bob found the major; borrowed the pair of canvas
+leggings, with which he returned to the boat, and was rowed back to the
+corvette, where he had the pleasure of going over the captain's shooting
+gear, and helping him to fill his cartridge cases, and the like.
+
+"You'll have to go on a trip yourself Roberts, by-and-by," said the
+captain.
+
+"Thank-ye, sir," said Bob.  "When, sir, please?"
+
+"When the soreness about rescuing those slave girls has worn off, Master
+Bob Roberts," said the captain, smiling.  "I can't afford to have one of
+my most promising young officers krissed."
+
+"All soft soap and flam," said Bob to himself, as he went out on deck.
+"Promising officer, indeed.  Well, he's a promising officer, and I'll
+keep him to his promise, too; and old Ali, and Tom, and I will have
+another day to ourselves."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTY TWO.
+
+HOW MR. LINTON BELIEVED IN A PRECIPICE.
+
+It was a grand sight, and a stranger to the scene might have imagined
+that a little army was about to set off, for the conquest of some petty
+king, instead of to attack the striped tiger in his stronghold.
+
+The two parties from the steamer and the island were ashore before
+daybreak, to find an imposing gathering of the sultan's people coming
+down to meet them.  There were over thirty elephants, large and small,
+with their attendants, and the beasts were furnished with showy cloths
+under their rattan basket howdahs.
+
+The sultan was there in English dress; and his chiefs made a gaudy
+muster, wearing showy silken sarongs and bajus, as if it were to be a
+review day instead of a hunting trip, while the following, to the extent
+of several hundreds, were all armed with spear and kris.  Here and there
+a showily clad Malay was seen to be armed with a gun or rifle, but for
+the most part their means of offence were confined to the native
+weapons.
+
+The meeting was most cordial; but the sultan and his followers seemed
+somewhat taken aback to see the various officers in rough sporting
+costume, and the soldiers and sailors in anything but stiff, ordinary
+trim.
+
+One thing, however, had been rigidly adhered to.  Every man was
+well-armed, and carried a good supply of ball cartridge.
+
+The sun was shining brightly, when at last the hunting-party was duly
+marshalled, and moved off right through the jungle by a well-beaten
+path, one which took them straight away from the river; and very
+effective the procession looked, with the great lumbering elephants
+moving so silently along, the gaily-dressed Malays forming bright
+patches of colour amidst the clean white duck frocks and trousers of the
+sailors, and the dull grey of the soldiers' linen tunics.  There was, of
+course, fraternisation, and a disposition on the part of the Malays to
+freely mix with the Englishmen then; but the order had been that a
+certain amount of formation was to be maintained, so that, if necessary,
+the men might be ready to gather at any time round their officers.  Not
+that any difficulty was apprehended, but it was felt to be better to
+keep up discipline, even when only engaged upon a shooting-trip, though
+every act that might be interpreted by the Malays into a want of
+confidence, was carefully avoided.
+
+The morning was sufficiently young as yet to enable a good march to be
+made without difficulty; but as the sun began to make his power felt
+wherever there was an opening amidst the trees, a halt was called in a
+beautiful park-like patch of ground, with huge spreading trees
+sufficient to shelter double their number.  Here a capital lunch was
+served by the sultan's cooks, one that no doubt an English _chef_ would
+have looked upon with contempt, but which, after a long morning tramp
+through the steaming heat of the jungle, was delightful.
+
+Every one was in excellent spirits, the sultan having set aside a great
+deal of his formality, and smiling apparently with pleasure as he gazed
+around at the gratified countenances of his guests.
+
+Then followed a siesta while the sun was at its greatest height, Doctor
+Bolter impressing upon all the officers that a quiet rest during the
+heat of the day was the one thing needful to make them bear the exertion
+of the journey; and then, as soon as he saw every one following his
+advice, he arranged his puggaree around his pith helmet, put some
+cartridges in his pocket, and went off into the jungle to shoot
+specimens, with no little success.
+
+Ten miles were got over that evening, and then camp was pitched on the
+edge of an opening, close by a curious rounded mountain, which towered
+up in front of the setting sun, looking massive and grand, with its
+smooth outline thrown up, as it were, against the saffron sky.
+
+The scene was lovely in the extreme, and every touch given by the
+hunting-party seemed to add thereto, for white tents sprang up like
+magic against the dark green foliage; fires began to twinkle here and
+there; the large mess tent, that had been carried by one of the
+elephants, was well lit with lamps; and a white cloth spread with ample
+provisions and no few luxuries, ornamented by the freshly-cut flowers
+which grew in profusion, as if waiting to be cut by the servants, added
+no little to the brightness of the interior.
+
+Outside all was apparently picturesque confusion, though in reality
+everything was in due order, from the men's tents to the ranging of the
+elephants, who, relieved of their loads, were quietly lifting up great
+bunches of grass and tucking them into their capacious jaws.  Over all
+rose a loud hum of many voices, and soon to this was added the click of
+knives and forks from the English mess and the rattle of plates.
+Amongst the Malays great leaves did duty for the latter, and all was
+quieter.
+
+Later on, watch was set, the sultan and his officers smiling gravely at
+the precautions taken by the English, assuming though that it was
+against the wild beasts of the jungle, and hastening to assure all
+concerned that they need have no fear, for no tiger would approach so
+busy a camp, especially as there were fires burning, which would be kept
+up all night.
+
+"Let them think it's the tigers, and that we are afraid of them, if they
+like," said the doctor; "but I wouldn't slacken discipline in the
+slightest degree.  Keep everything going just as if we were going
+through an enemy's country."
+
+"I support that motion," said the resident quietly.
+
+"But why?" said Captain Horton.  "Surely we may relax a little now."
+
+"No, Doctor Bolter is right," said the major, nodding.  "It's a
+nuisance, Horton, of course, but you would not let your ship go without
+a good watch being set?"
+
+"Well--no," said the captain thoughtfully, "I suppose not.  We should
+keep that up even if we were in dock.  Thank goodness, though!  I have
+not any watch to keep to-night, for I'm tired as a dog."
+
+"It has been a tiring day," said Major Sandars.  "I wonder how Smithers
+is getting on.  I hope he's taking care of the ladies."
+
+"Yes," said Mr Linton gravely, "I hope he is taking care of the
+ladies."
+
+"They're in good hands," said Captain Horton.  "Johnson is a sternish
+fellow, and," he added laughing, "if any dangerous parties go near the
+island, Mr Midshipman Roberts will blow them right out of the water."
+
+"Yes," said Major Sandars, indulging in a low chuckle, "he and Mr
+Ensign Long between them would be a match for all the rajahs on the
+river."
+
+Mr Linton was the only one who did not smile, for just then, like a
+foreboding cloud, the dark thought came across his mind that it would be
+very, very terrible if advantage were taken by the Malays, of the
+absence of so large a portion of the force; and try how he would to
+sleep that night, the thought kept intruding, that after all they were
+doing wrong in trusting themselves with the Malay sultan, who might,
+under his assumption of hospitality, be hatching some nefarious scheme
+against them all.
+
+Through the thin canvas walls of the tent he could hear the low
+breathing of some of his friends, the snort of some elephant, and close
+by him there was the monotonous hum of the mosquitoes, trying hard to
+find a way through the fine gauze of the net; now and then came too an
+impatient muttering of a sleeper, or the distant cry of some creature in
+the jungle.
+
+The only solacing thing he heard in the heat of those weary sleepless
+hours was the steady beat of some sentry's pace, and the click of his
+arms as he changed his piece from shoulder to shoulder.
+
+He was the only unquiet one, for the others fell asleep almost on the
+instant, and several of them gave loud signs of their peaceful
+occupation.
+
+At last Mr Linton could bear it no longer, and rising, he went softly
+to the tent door and peeped out, to pause there, wondering at the beauty
+of the scene, as the moon was just peering down over the jungle trees,
+and filling the camp with silvery light and black shadows.  What was
+that glint of some arm?
+
+He smiled at his uneasiness directly after, for there was the sharp
+steady beat of feet, a sergeant's guard came out of the black shadow,
+and he saw them relieve sentry, the glint he had seen being the
+moonbeams playing upon the soldier's piece.
+
+He went back and lay down once more, feeling relieved, and falling off
+into a restful sleep, little thinking how that deadly peril was indeed
+hovering round the island he had left, and that he and his companions
+were going to march on and on, not to encounter tigers alone, but men
+even more cruel in their nature, and quite as free from remorse when
+dealing with those whom they looked upon as dogs.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTY THREE.
+
+PRIVATE GRAY HAS HIS ORDERS.
+
+The men on the corvette, with those who rowed back the empty boats, gave
+a loud cheer, which was answered from the island, as the hunting-party
+moved off in procession.
+
+"Give them another, my lads," cried Bob Roberts excitedly; and the
+sailors, with whom he was a special favourite, responded heartily.
+
+"Just another, my lads, to show them we are not a bit envious," cried
+Bob; and then another prolonged "Hurrah!" went up in the morning skies,
+the middy shouting with the best of them; and it was amusing to see
+Bob's calm, consequential ways as he stood there, completely ignoring
+Lieutenant Johnson, and taking upon himself the full command of the
+ship.
+
+He glanced up aloft, and his look threatened an order to man the yards,
+when the lieutenant interfered.
+
+"I think that will do, Mr Roberts," he said quietly, and Bob was taken
+rather aback.
+
+"Yes, of course, sir," he said, "but the men are already loaded with a
+cheer, hadn't they better let it off?"
+
+Lieutenant Johnson gazed full in the lad's face, half sternly, half
+amused at his quaint idea, and then nodded.  Then there was another
+stentorian cheer, and what seemed like its echo from the island, when
+Bob smiled his satisfaction, strutting about the quarter-deck as he
+exclaimed,--"We can beat the soldiers hollow at cheering, sir, can't
+we?"
+
+"Yes, Mr Roberts," said the lieutenant quietly; and then to the warrant
+officer near him, "Pipe down to breakfast, Mr Law; the men must want
+it."
+
+"I know one man who wants his," said Bob, half aloud; and then he stared
+wistfully after the tail of the departing expedition, as the sun glinted
+on the spears, and a very dismal sensation of disappointment came over
+him.
+
+"You'll make a good officer some day, Roberts," said the lieutenant, and
+Bob started, for he did not know he was so near.
+
+"Thank you, sir--for the compliment," said Bob.
+
+"But at present, my lad, you do imitate the bantam cock to such an
+extent that it irritates grown men."
+
+"Do I, sir?" said Bob.
+
+"You do indeed, my lad," said the lieutenant kindly.
+
+"But I don't want to, sir, for nothing worries me more than to see
+Ensign Long coming all that strut and show off."
+
+"Well, we won't quarrel about it, Roberts," said Lieutenant Johnson
+kindly.  "You'll grow out of it in time.  As it is, I'm captain for a
+few days, and you are my first lieutenant.  So first lieutenant," he
+continued, clapping the lad on the shoulder, "come down and breakfast
+with me in the cabin, and we'll talk matters over."
+
+Bob flushed with pleasure, and if the lieutenant had asked him to jump
+overboard just then, or stand on his head on the main truck, Bob would
+have tried to oblige him.
+
+As it was, however, he followed his officer into the cabin, and made a
+hearty breakfast.
+
+"I tell you what," said the lieutenant, who was a very quiet stern young
+officer--and he stopped short.
+
+"Yes, captain," said Bob.
+
+Lieutenant Johnson smiled.
+
+"I tell you what," he said again, "nothing would give me greater
+pleasure than for Mr Rajah Gantang to bring down his prahus some time
+to-day, Lieutenant Roberts.  I could blow that fellow out of the water
+with the greatest pleasure in life."
+
+"Captain Johnson," said Bob, solemnly, "I could blow him in again with
+greater pleasure, for I haven't forgotten my swim for life."
+
+"You feel quite a spite against him then, Roberts?"
+
+"Spite's nothing to it," said Bob.  "Didn't he and his people force me,
+a harmless, unoffending young fellow--"
+
+"As ever contrived to board a prahu," said the lieutenant.
+
+"Ah, well, that wasn't my doing," said Bob.  "I was ordered to do my
+duty, and tried to do it.  That was no reason why those chicory-brown
+rascals should cause me to be pitched into the river to the tender
+mercies of the crocodiles, who, I believe, shed tears because they
+couldn't catch me."
+
+"Well, Roberts," said the lieutenant, "you need not make yourself
+uncomfortable, nor set up the bantam cock hackles round your neck, and
+you need not go to the grindstone to sharpen your spurs, for we shall
+not have the luck to see anything of the rajah, who by this time knows
+that it is his best policy to keep out of the way.  Will you take any
+more breakfast?"
+
+"No, thank you, sir," said Bob, rising, for this was a hint to go about
+his business; and he went on deck.
+
+"Mornin', sir," said old Dick, pulling at his forelock, and giving one
+leg a kick out behind.
+
+"Morning, Dick.  Don't you wish you were along with the hunting-party?"
+
+Old Dick walked to the side, sprinkled the water with a little tobacco
+juice, and came back.
+
+"That's the same colour as them Malay chaps, sir," he said, "nasty dirty
+beggars."
+
+"Dirty, Dick?  Why they are always bathing and swimming."
+
+"Yes," said Dick in a tone of disgust, "but they never use no soap."
+
+"Well, what of that?" said Bob.  "You don't suppose that makes any
+difference?"
+
+"Makes no difference?" said the old sailor; "why it makes all the
+difference, sir.  When I was a young 'un, my old mother used to lather
+the yaller soap over my young head till it looked like a yeast tub in a
+baker's cellar.  Lor' a mussy! the way she used to shove the soap in my
+eyes and ears and work her fingers round in 'em, was a startler.  She'd
+wash, and scrub, and rasp away, and then swab me dry with a rough
+towel--and it was a rough 'un, mind yer--till I shone again.  Why, I was
+as white as a lily where I wasn't pink; and a young lady as come to stay
+at the squire's, down in our parts, blessed if she didn't put me in a
+picter she was painting, and call me a village beauty.  It's the soap as
+does it, and a rale love of cleanliness.  Bah, look at 'em!  They're
+just about the colour o' gingerbread; while look at me!"
+
+Bob looked at the old fellow searchingly, to see if he was joking, and
+then finding that he was perfectly sincere, the middy burst into a
+hearty roar of laughter.
+
+For long years of exposure to sun and storm had burned and stained Dick
+into a mahogany brown, warmed up with red of the richest crimson.  In
+fact, a Malay had rather the advantage of him in point of colour.
+
+"Ah, you may laugh," he growled.  "I dessay, sir, you thinks it's werry
+funny; but if you was to go and well soap a young Malay he'd come
+precious different, I can tell you."
+
+"But somebody did try to wash a blackamoor white," said Bob.  "Tom Hood
+says so, in one of his books."
+
+"Well, and did they get him white, sir?" asked Dick.
+
+"No, I think not," said Bob.  "I almost forget, but I think they gave
+him such a bad cold that he died."
+
+"That Tom Hood--was he any relation o' Admiral Hood, sir?"
+
+"No, I think not, Dick."
+
+"Then he wasn't much account being a landsman, I s'pose, and he didn't
+understand what he was about.  He didn't use plenty o' soap."
+
+"Oh yes, he did, Dick; because I remember he says, a lady gave some:--
+
+  "Mrs Hope,
+  A bar of soap."
+
+"Then they didn't lather it well," said Dick decisively.  "And it shows
+how ignorant they was when they let's the poor chap ketch cold arter it,
+and die.  Why, bless your 'art, Mr Roberts, sir, if my old mother had
+had the job, he'd have had no cold.  He'd have come out red hot, all of
+a glow, like as I used, and as white as a lily, or she'd have had all
+his skin off him."
+
+"And so you really believe you could wash these Malay chaps white?"
+
+"I do, sir.  I'd holystone 'em till they was."
+
+"It would be a long job, Dick," said Bob laughing.  "But I say, don't
+you wish you had gone with the hunting-party?"
+
+"Yah!" said Dick, assuming a look of great disgust and contempt,
+although he had been growling and acting, as his mates said, like a bear
+with a sore head, because he could not go.  "Not I, sir, not I.  Why,
+what have they gone to do?  Shoot a big cat all brown stripes.  I don't
+want to spend my time ketching cats.  What's the good on 'em when
+they've got 'em?  Only to take their skins.  Now there is some sense in
+a bit of fishing."
+
+"Especially when your crew in the boat goes to sleep, and let's you be
+surprised by the Malays."
+
+"Ah, but don't you see, sir," said Dick, with his eyes twinkling,
+"that's a kind o' moral lesson for a young officer?  Here was the case
+you see: the skipper goes to sleep, and don't look after his crew, who,
+nat'rally enough, thinks what the skipper does must be right, and they
+does the same."
+
+"Oh! all right, master Dick," said the middy.  "I'll take the lesson to
+heart.  Don't you ever let me catch you asleep, that's all."
+
+"No, sir," said the old sailor, grinning, "I won't.  I've got too much
+of the weasel in me.  But as I was saying, sir, there's some sense in a
+bit o' fishing, and I thought if so be you liked I'd get the lines
+ready."
+
+"No, Dick, no," said Bob, firmly, as he recalled Lieutenant Johnson's
+words over the breakfast-table.  "I've no time for fishing to-day.  And
+besides, I'm in charge of the ship."
+
+"Oh! indeed, sir," said Dick.  "I beg pardon, sir."
+
+"Look here, Dick," said Bob sharply, "don't you sneer at your officer
+because he makes free with you sometimes."
+
+The middy turned and walked off, leaving Dick cutting himself a fresh
+plug of tobacco.
+
+"He'll make a smart 'un by-and-by, that he will," muttered the old
+fellow, nodding his head admiringly; "and I'm sorry I said what I did to
+the high-sperretted little chap, for he's made of the real stuff, after
+all."
+
+On the island, Tom Long was feeling quite as important as the middy.  A
+keen sense of disappointment was troubling him, but he would not show
+it.  He had several times over been looking at his gun, and thinking
+that it would carry a bullet as well as a rifle, and wishing that he
+could have game to try it.  But soon afterwards he encountered pleasant
+Mrs Major Sandars.
+
+"Ah!  Mr Long," she cried, "I've just been seeing Miss Linton and Miss
+Sinclair.  Now you know you have these deserted ladies and the whole of
+the women under your charge, and I hope you'll protect us."
+
+"I shall do my utmost, madam," said Tom Long importantly.  "You ladies
+needn't be under the smallest apprehension, for you will be as safe as
+if the major and Mr Linton were here."
+
+"I shall tell Miss Linton so," said Mrs Major, smiling; and she nodded
+and went away, leaving the young ensign uncomfortable, as he felt a kind
+of suspicion that he had been speaking very consequentially, and making
+himself absurd.
+
+"I wish I was either a man or a boy," he said to himself pettishly.  "I
+feel just like a man, and yet people will treat me as if I were a boy.
+That Mrs Major was only talking to me patronisingly, and half-laughing
+at me.  I can see it now.  Oh! here's Smithers."
+
+Captain Smithers came up, looking rather careworn and sad, and nodded in
+a friendly way at his junior.
+
+"Well, Long," he said, "so we are commanders-in-chief just now.  At
+least, I am.  You'll have to be my colonel, major, and adjutant, all in
+one."
+
+"I shall do my best to help you, Captain Smithers," said Tom Long
+stiffly.
+
+"I know you will, my lad," was the reply; "but it will be no child's
+play, for we must be extra strict and watchful."
+
+"Do you think there is anything to fear, Captain Smithers," said the
+ensign eagerly.
+
+"To fear?  No, Mr Long," said the captain.  "We are English officers,
+and, as such, never mention such a thing; but there is a good deal to be
+anxious about--I mean the safety of all here."
+
+"But you have no suspicion, sir--of danger?"
+
+"Not the slightest.  Still we will be as careful as if I felt sure that
+an enemy was close at hand."
+
+There was something about that _we_ that was very pleasant to the young
+ensign; and his heart warmed like a flower in sunshine.
+
+"Of course, sir," he said eagerly.  "I'll do the best I can."
+
+"Thank you, Long, I am sure you will," said Captain Smithers.  "By the
+way, you know, of course, that the ladies are coming to stay with Mrs
+Major, so that there will not be much cause for anxiety about the
+residency.  Suppose we now take a quiet look round together; there is
+really no necessity, but we will go as a matter of duty."
+
+Tom Long's self-esteem was flattered, the more especially as he could
+see that Captain Smithers was perfectly sincere, and looked to him, in
+all confidence, for aid in a time when a great responsibility was thrown
+upon his shoulders.
+
+"If I don't let him see that I can act like a man, my name's not Long,"
+he muttered to himself, as they walked on together.
+
+"There's only--"
+
+Captain Smithers, who was speaking, stopped short, and the ensign
+stared.
+
+"I do not want to offend you, Long," he said, "but all I say to you is
+in strict confidence now, and you must be careful what you repeat."
+
+"You may trust me, Captain Smithers," said the ensign quietly.
+
+"Yes, I am sure I may," was the reply.  "Look here, then.  I was going
+to say that the only weak point in our arrangements here seems to be
+that!"
+
+He nodded his head in the direction in which they were going, and the
+ensign stared.
+
+"I mean about allowing that Malay, Abdullah, to set up his tent among
+us.  He has such freedom of communicating with the banks of the river on
+both sides.  He is a man, too, whom I rather distrust."
+
+"Indeed?" said Long.
+
+"Yes, I don't know why.  But unless for some good and sufficient reason
+it would, I think, be bad policy to attempt to oust him."
+
+"Yes," calmly said Long.  "He is a violent fellow, too;" and he related
+the incident about their first meeting.
+
+"If the major had known of this," said Captain Smithers, "he would never
+have allowed the man to settle here.  You did wrong in not speaking of
+it, Long."
+
+"He was so apologetic and gentlemanly afterwards," said the ensign,
+"that I did not care to speak about it, and upset the fellow's plans."
+
+"Well, it is too late to talk about it now," replied Captain Smithers;
+"but I shall have his actions quietly watched.  Let me see, who will be
+the man?"
+
+"There's Private Gray yonder," suggested the ensign.
+
+"I hate Private Gray!" exclaimed Captain Smithers, with a sudden burst
+of rage, of which he seemed to be ashamed the next moment, for he said
+hastily,--"It is a foolish antipathy, for Gray is a good, staunch man;"
+and making an effort to master himself, he made a sign to Gray to come
+to them.
+
+"You are right, Long; Gray is the man.  He is to be trusted."
+
+The private came up, and stiffly saluted his officers, standing at
+attention.
+
+"Gray," said Captain Smithers, "I want you to undertake a little task
+for me."
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"You will be off regular duty; another man will take your place.  I want
+you, in a quiet, unostentatious manner, to keep an eye on Abdullah the
+fruit-seller.  Don't let him suspect that you are watching him, for
+really there may be no cause; but he is the only native here who has
+free access to the island, and during the major's absence I wish to be
+especially strict."
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"You understand me?  I trust entirely to your good sense and
+discrimination.  You will do what you have to do in a quiet way, and
+report everything--even to the least suspicious proceeding--to me."
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"You shall be furnished with a permit, to pass you anywhere, and at all
+times."
+
+"Thank you, sir."
+
+"I'd go in undress uniform, and apparently without arms, but have a
+bayonet and a revolver under your jacket."
+
+"Do you think there is danger, sir?" exclaimed the private hastily,
+forgetting himself for the moment.
+
+"Private Gray, you have your orders."
+
+Gray drew himself up stiffly and saluted.
+
+"Begin at once, sir?"
+
+"At once," said Captain Smithers.  "I trust to your silence.  No one but
+Mr Long knows of your mission."
+
+Gray saluted again and went off, while the two officers continued their
+walk towards Dullah's hut.
+
+The Malay came out as they approached, and with a deprecating gesture
+invited them to take a seat beneath his verandah, and partake of fruit.
+
+This, however, they declined to do, contenting themselves with returning
+his salute, and passing on.
+
+There were two sampans moored close to Dullah's hut, each holding four
+Malays, but the boats themselves were filled with produce piled high,
+and the owners were evidently waiting to have dealings with their
+superior, the man who had been appointed to supply the English garrison
+of the island and the ship.
+
+There was nothing suspicious to be seen here, neither did anything
+attract their attention as they continued their walk right round the
+island, everything being as calm and still as the sleepy shore which lay
+baking beneath the ardent rays of the sun, while the various houses
+looked comparatively cool beneath the shade of the palms and durian
+trees, with here and there a great ragged-leaved banana showing a huge
+bunch of its strange fruit.
+
+Tired and hot, they were glad to return to their quarters, where
+Sergeant Lund was writing out a report, and occasionally frowning at
+Private Sim, who was lying under a tree fast asleep.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR.
+
+A HOT NIGHT ON BOARD THE "STARTLER."
+
+The young officers were pretty busy over their duties throughout the
+day, Bob Roberts to his great delight being left in sole charge of the
+steamer, while Lieutenant Johnson went to have a short consultation with
+Captain Smithers; and two hours later, when Captain Smithers accompanied
+the naval officer back, Ensign Long was in full command at the island.
+
+The hot and sleep-inviting day had rolled slowly by; never had the river
+looked brighter and clearer, or more keenly reflected the rays of the
+sun.  Far down in its pure depths the middy had watched the darting
+about of the fish, which seemed to seek the shadow beneath the steamer's
+hull for their playground.
+
+This was noticed at stolen moments, for Bob was generally too full of
+his duties to think of the fish, or to do more than cast a longing
+glance at the dark shadows beneath the trees.  For on board the heat was
+terrible, the pitch was oozing out of the seams, and blistering the
+paint; every piece of tarry cordage was soft and pliant, and very beads
+stood out upon the strands; while beneath the awnings there was a stuffy
+suffocating heat that was next to unbearable.
+
+On the island the heat was less hard to be borne, the thick grove of
+palms and other trees whose roots were always moist, throwing out a
+grateful shade.  Still the heat was severely felt, and the general
+impression was that the hunting-party had by far the worst of it.
+
+The day glided by, and the sultry tropic night set in, with the great
+mellow stars glistening overhead reflected in the clear stream, and
+seeming to be repeated in the low undergrowth that fringed the shore.
+The watches were set, every precaution taken against surprise, and
+though no danger need be apprehended, Captain Smithers had the little
+fort quite ready to resist attack.
+
+It was the same on board the steamer, the watch being visited at
+frequent intervals by the lieutenant and his subordinate, to the great
+surprise of the men, who wondered what made the "luff" so fidgety.
+
+That night passed off without anything to disturb them; and the next day
+all was so dull and uniform that Bob Roberts, as he could not go ashore,
+was fain to amuse himself with his monkey, which he fed till it could
+eat no more, and then teased till it got into a passion, snapped at him,
+and took refuge in the rigging till its master's back was turned, when,
+to the great delight of the men, it leaped down on the middy's shoulder,
+and there seized the back of his jacket-collar and shook it vigorously,
+till, seeing its opportunity, it once more leaped up into the rigging,
+chattering fiercely, and showing its teeth as Bob threatened it and
+called it names.
+
+Evening came on again, not too hot, but quite bad enough to make the
+middy glad to walk the deck in the loosest jacket he possessed.  The
+watch had been set, the lights hung up, and all was very still; for,
+having had but little sleep the night before, Bob was too tired to talk,
+and now sat in the coolest place he could find, hitting out occasionally
+at a mosquito, and alternating that exercise with petting the monkey,
+which had made its submission by creeping down from the rigging at
+dinner-time, and approaching its master in a depressed mournful way, as
+if declaring its sorrow for its late sin, and readiness to do anything,
+if its master would forgive it.  In fact, when the middy rose as if to
+beat it, the animal lay down on the deck, grovelling and whining
+piteously, as it watched his actions with one eye, that said as plainly
+as could be, "You don't mean it.  I'm such a little thing that you would
+not hurt me."
+
+Bob did not hurt it, but gave it one of Dullah's mangosteens instead,
+and peace was made.
+
+Lieutenant Johnson joined the middy soon after he had given up seeking a
+nap on account of the heat, and came and leaned over the bulwark by his
+side, talking to him in a low voice, both feeling depressed and subdued.
+
+"I wonder how our party is getting on?" said the lieutenant at last.
+"They'll have a storm to-night, and soaked tents."
+
+"Yes; there's a flash," exclaimed Bob, as the distant forest seemed to
+be lit-up to its very depths by a quivering blaze of sheet lightning.
+
+This was repeated, and with increased vividness, the pale blue light
+playing about in the horizon, and displaying the shapes of the great
+heavy clouds that overhung the mountains in the east.
+
+"It's very beautiful to watch," said the lieutenant; "but suppose we
+take a walk forward."
+
+They strolled along the deck, and on going right to the bows found the
+watch every man in his place; and returning aft spoke to the marine, who
+stood like a statue leaning upon his piece.
+
+They sat down again, feeling no inclination to seek the cabin; and this
+feeling seemed to be shared by the men, who were sitting about, talking
+in low whispers, and watching the distant lashing lightning, whose
+lambent sheets seemed now to be playing incessantly.
+
+"Is there anything the matter with you, sir?" said Bob at last.
+
+"No, Roberts, only that I feel so restless and unsettled that I should
+like to jump overboard for a cool swim."
+
+"That's just what I feel, sir," said Bob, "with a dash of monkey in it."
+
+"A dash of monkey!"
+
+"Yes, sir; as if I must run and jump about, or climb, or do something.
+It's the fidgets with this heat.  Let's walk forward again, if you don't
+mind.  I think it's cooler there."
+
+"Cooler, Roberts?  It seems to me as if the deck is thoroughly hot, and
+as if one's clothes were baking.  I quite envy the lads, with their bare
+feet and open necks."
+
+They strolled forward again, with the monkey softly following them; and
+when they stood leaning over the bulwarks, listening to the ripple of
+the water under the vessel's stem, the animal perched itself on one of
+the stays just above their heads.
+
+They could almost have fancied they were at sea, gazing down at the
+phosphorescent water, so beautiful was the reflection of the stars in
+the smooth, dark current, as it glided swiftly along, rippling a little
+about the large buoy to which they were moored, and breaking the stars
+up, as it were, into a thousand tiny points, that divided into a double
+current and swept by the steamer's bows.
+
+"What a night for a couple of prahus to come down and board us, sir!"
+said Bob.
+
+"Rather unlucky for them, if they did," said the lieutenant quietly.
+"One good shot at them, or one of our biggest shells dropped into their
+hold, would crash through, and send them to the bottom.  There's no such
+luck, Roberts."
+
+"I suppose not, sir," said Bob; but, all the same, he could not help
+feeling that this was a kind of luck which he could very well dispense
+with, on a dark night.  He did not venture to say so, though.
+
+"How quiet they seem on the island!" said the lieutenant at last.
+"Heigh-ho! ha hum!  I wish we were there, Roberts, along with the
+ladies; a cup of tea and a little pleasant chat would be very
+agreeable."
+
+"And some music," said Bob.
+
+"And some music," said the lieutenant.  "What's the matter with your
+monkey?"
+
+"What's the matter, Charcoal?" said Bob; for the little animal had
+suddenly grown excited, chattering, and changing its place, coming down
+the stay, and then leaping on to the bulwark.
+
+"He sees something in the water," said the lieutenant.
+
+"Crocodile," said Bob; "they like monkey.  Look out, Charcoal, or you'll
+be overboard."
+
+This was on dimly seeing the monkey run along the bulwark, chattering
+excitedly.
+
+"Help!" came in a hoarse tone from somewhere ahead.
+
+"There's a man overboard," cried the lieutenant.  "Pass the word there.
+Lower down the gig."
+
+There was the sharp pipe of a whistle, and a scuffling of feet, for the
+hail had electrified the men; but meanwhile the cry was repeated.
+
+"It's some one from the island swimming down to us," said the
+lieutenant.  "Hold on, my lad," he cried, as the cry was repeated nearer
+and nearer, and then just ahead.
+
+"Quick, sir," cried Bob, "he's holding on by the hawser, whoever he is;"
+and fully satisfied in his own mind that one of the soldiers had been
+bathing, and had been swept down by the current, he called out to the
+swimmer to hold on, but only to hear once more the one hoarse cry,
+"Help!" and with it a gurgling noise where the bright stars were broken
+up into a forked stream of tiny points.
+
+So eager was he to cry out to the drowning man that help was coming,
+that he missed the chance of going himself, but leaned over the bows as
+the captain's gig, manned with a ready little crew, kissed the water,
+was unhooked, and ran swiftly along the side; then the oars splashed,
+and the little, light boat was rapidly rowed to where the great hawser
+was made fast.
+
+It was so dark that Bob could only dimly make out the round buoy,
+towards which the gig passed over the water like a shadow.
+
+"Can you see him?" cried the lieutenant, who was once more by Bob
+Roberts' side.
+
+"No, sir; there's no one here," said the bow-man.
+
+"Help! help!" came in a hoarse whisper just then, exactly below where
+the two officers leaned over; and they saw that a dark face, that had
+risen to the surface, was being swept quickly along by the steamer's
+side.
+
+"Quick, my lads, here he is!  Stern all!" cried the lieutenant; and the
+light gig was backed rapidly in quest of the drowning man; while Bob ran
+aft as hard as he could go, and climbed out into the mizzen chains, to
+stare down into the swift current, holding on by one hand.
+
+But he could see nothing, and he was beginning, with throbbing heart, to
+believe that he was too late--that the wretched man had been swept away
+before he climbed over, when he caught sight of something just below the
+surface.
+
+"Here, boat, quick!" he cried; and the bow-man struck his hook into the
+side, and sent the gig flying through the water.
+
+"Where, sir? where?" cried he in the hoarse voice of Dick.
+
+"There, just below there; I saw him."
+
+For answer Dick leaned over the gig's bows, and thrust down his
+boat-hook.
+
+"Give way, my lads," he cried, and again and again he thrust down his
+hook.  Then a strange, choking feeling of horror seemed to seize upon
+the middy, and he felt dizzy as he gazed after the boat in the midst of
+that weird darkness, which made the event ten times more terrible than
+if it had been by day.
+
+Just as his heart sank with dread, and he in fancy saw the dead body
+seized by one or other of the terrible reptiles that swarmed in the
+river, wondering the while which of the poor men it was, and why they
+had heard no alarm at the island, Dick's hoarse voice was heard some
+distance astern, exclaiming in triumph--
+
+"I've got him, my lads!  Give way!"
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE.
+
+HOW ALI MADE HIS PLANS.
+
+There is a strange kind of stoicism about a Mohammedan that seems to
+give him an abundance of calmness when he comes face to face with death.
+He is a fatalist, and quietly says to himself what is to be will be,
+and he resigns himself to his fate.
+
+The young chief Ali was imbued with all the doctrines of his people; but
+at the same time he had mixed so with the English that he had learned to
+look upon life as of too much value to be given up without a desperate
+struggle.  One of his compatriots would have made a fight for his life,
+and when he had seen all go against him he would have given up without a
+murmur and looked his slayers indifferently in the face.  Ali, however,
+did not intend to give up without another effort, and though he seemed
+indifferent, a terrible struggle was going on within his breast.
+Thoughts of his father, of his new friends, of the bright sunshine of
+youth, and the future that had been so full of hope, and in which he had
+meant to do so much to improve his country--all rose before his
+wandering eyes, and he had meant to seize the first opportunity to
+escape.
+
+The approach of the kris-armed Malay, though, had been so sudden that
+all his calculations had been upset, and he had had no time to design a
+means of escape.  He was tightly bound, held by two others, and this man
+was evidently under orders from the sultan to slay him.
+
+It was useless to struggle, he knew--just as vain to waste his strength,
+and rob himself of his calmness; so that he felt bound to call up all
+his fortitude, and with it the fatalistic theories of his race, so that
+he might die as behoved the son of a great chief.
+
+He drew himself up then, and stood gazing at the man with the kris as
+calm and motionless as if he had been made of bronze, and awaited the
+deadly stroke.
+
+This, however, did not come; for in place of delivering a deadly thrust,
+the Malay roughly seized him by the shoulder, and began to saw away
+through the prisoner's bonds.
+
+He was so firmly secured that this process took some time, during which
+Ali, by the strange revulsion that came upon him, felt as if he must
+fall prone upon his face from sheer giddiness; but by an effort he stood
+firm till his limbs were set free.
+
+His wrists were painfully marked, and his arms felt numb and helpless,
+but his first thought, as soon as the ligatures that had held him were
+off, was how to escape.
+
+His captors read this and smiled, each man drawing his kris and showing
+it menacingly, while their leader told him that he was a prisoner until
+the sultan's wishes were known.
+
+"Are you not going to kill me?" said Ali passionately.
+
+"Not yet," was the reply, "unless you try to escape, when we are to kill
+you like a dog, and throw you into the river."
+
+"But why?" asked Ali; "what have I done?"
+
+"I know nothing," was the surly reply.
+
+"Does my father know of this?" cried Ali.
+
+"I know nothing," said the Malay.
+
+"But you will tell me what your instructions are, and where you are
+going to place me."
+
+"I know nothing.  I tell nothing," said the Malay.  "Be silent.  That is
+your prison.  If you try to escape, you die."
+
+Ali burned to ask more questions, but he felt that it would be useless,
+and that he, a chief's son, was only losing dignity by talking to the
+man, whom he recognised now as being the sultan's most unscrupulous
+follower, the scoundrel who did any piece of dirty work or atrocity.
+This was the man who, at his master's wish, dragged away any poor girl
+from her home to be the sultan's slave; who seized without scruple on
+gold, tin, rice, or any other produce of the country, in his master's
+name, and for his use.  His hands had been often enough stained with
+blood, and while wondering at his life being spared so far, Ali had no
+hesitation in believing that any attempt at escape would be ruthlessly
+punished by a stab with the kris.
+
+Obeying his captors, then, Ali went into the inner room of the ruined
+house, and seated himself wearily upon the floor, thinking the while of
+the hunting expedition, and of the light in which his conduct would be
+viewed by his friends.
+
+Then he wondered whether his father would send in search of him; but his
+heart sank as he felt that, in all probability, the Tumongong would be
+carefully watched by the sultan's orders, and that any movement upon his
+son's behalf would result in his own death.
+
+Then he began to feel that, if he was to escape, it must be through his
+own efforts; for he had so little faith in Hamet's nature, that he knew
+that his existence trembled upon a hair.
+
+He was in an inner room of the house, little better in fact than a
+bamboo cage.  The place was old, but he could see that here and there
+his prison had been mended with new green bamboos, especially about the
+flooring, through which he could see down to the earth, some twelve feet
+below, the sunlight shining up between the short bamboos, just as a few
+gleams of sunshine came through the attap roof.
+
+There had been a window, but this had been filled in with stout bamboo
+cross-pieces, through and between which were woven long lengths of
+rattan; but the weak places had been made strong, and from old
+experience he knew that, unless armed with a heavy knife, it would be
+impossible to force a way through the tough wall of bamboo and woven
+cane.
+
+The place was very gloomy, from the closing of the window; and as he
+glanced round he could see that his guards had been joined by
+half-a-dozen more, and that they were making themselves comfortable in
+the outer place, but in such a position that they could command a full
+view of his room.
+
+Judging from appearances, they were preparing for a lengthened stay, for
+some of them were arranging cooking utensils; others placing pieces of
+dammar, a sort of fossil gum, of a pale blue tint, and very inflammable,
+ready for lighting up the part of the house where they were assembled.
+
+After a time one of the number made ready the meal, for which his
+companions seemed to be impatiently waiting; and first of all a portion,
+consisting of broiled fish, some fruit, and sago, was brought to the
+prisoner, who, before partaking thereof, was rigorously searched, to see
+if he still bore any arms about his person.  Satisfied upon this point,
+the Malays left him with his food, and proceeded to feast themselves,
+after which some began smoking, and some betel-chewing.
+
+It was evident to Ali that he was to be kept a close prisoner; and as he
+lay there upon the bamboo floor, with his untouched food before him, he
+began to think out his position, and to calculate as to the possibility
+of escape.
+
+How was it to be done?
+
+His guards were so watchful that his slightest movements drew two or
+three pairs of eyes upon him, and he knew of old how quick they were of
+hearing.  He felt assured that they would take it in turns to sleep, and
+hence he would have no opportunity of eluding their vigilance.  Still he
+was hopeful, for there is an elasticity in the mind of youth which some
+things dash, when the spirit of middle or old age would be broken.
+
+If he stayed where he was, sooner or later he felt sure that Hamet would
+be weary of the trouble he caused, and give orders for his death.  So
+escape he must.  But why should Hamet give orders for his death?  Why
+should he wish him to be kept a close prisoner?
+
+It was a puzzle that he could not solve; but at last, as he lay there
+thinking, the light broke more and more into the darkness of his mind.
+
+It would be, he was sure, something to do with his intimacy with the
+English; and if so, Hamet's friendship was false.
+
+Ali had suspected him for some time; and as he lay thinking, it seemed
+to him that he was correct in surmising that though Hamet was sincere
+enough, perhaps, when he made his first arrangements for the reception
+of a resident, the act had given such annoyance to several of the
+neighbouring Malay princes, notably to Rajah Gantang, that in his fear
+for his personal safety the sultan had repented of the arrangement, or
+had been coerced by those who might, he knew, in spite of the English
+being at hand, secretly have him assassinated.
+
+This being the case, then, what should he do?
+
+It was still a hard problem to solve, but as he went on thinking, Ali's
+brow grew damp, for he started upon a strange current of reasoning.
+
+Sultan Hamet knew little of the English power.  Certainly, they had good
+fighting men and guns; but they were small in number, and he might
+easily overcome them, and the people at Singapore or Penang would not
+dare to send more.  If they did, the new contingent could be served the
+same as the old.
+
+Ali's blood turned cold.  Certain little things, which had only slightly
+roused his curiosity, now assumed an ominous significance; and as he
+thought, he started hastily into a sitting position.
+
+This movement caused his guards to turn upon him; and seeing that he had
+excited their curiosity, he bent down over the supply of food placed for
+him, and began to eat as calmly as if nothing whatever troubled his
+spirit.  But all the same, he was wet with perspiration, and his heart
+beat painfully; for the light had come, and he saw plainly enough that
+something was wrong.
+
+This was why he was a prisoner.  Hamet knew of his intimacy with the
+young Englishmen, and feared that he would learn his plans and
+communicate them at the residency, perhaps to their defeat.
+
+There was danger, then, threatening those whom he had made his friends.
+Hamet had yielded to the taunts of Rajah Gantang and others, and also
+given up to his own desire for revenge.
+
+The resident had offered him a deadly insult in refusing to listen to
+the matrimonial proposal, and also in refusing to give up the slaves who
+had taken refuge with him.
+
+Here was plenty of cause for hatred--a hatred that had been concealed
+under a mask of smiles; and now it was evident that Hamet meant to
+strike a blow at the English, destroying them, gaining possession of
+their arms and stores, and--the thought made him shudder as he pretended
+to be eating--get the two tenderly-nurtured ladies into his power.
+
+How and when would this be done?  Ali asked himself, and again came a
+flash of light, and he saw it all plainly enough.  A trap had been laid
+for the English, and they were walking into it--that hunting-party!
+
+It was all plain enough; the English force would be divided.  A part
+would be marched to some suitable part of the jungle, miles away, and
+beyond the reach of their friends, where even the sounds of firing could
+not be heard, and then they would be set upon, and butchered in cold
+blood, most likely during their sleep.
+
+This was the tiger-hunt, then, with the unfortunate English party being
+led directly into the tiger's lair!
+
+It was terrible!  The young man's face became convulsed with horror as
+he thought of the massacre that must ensue, and then of the surprise of
+those on the island and on the ship.  Treachery, he knew, would be
+brought to bear in both cases, and here was he, knowing all, and yet
+unable to stir.
+
+At all hazards, even that of death, he must make the venture, and warn
+those in peril; but where must he go first?
+
+A moment decided that.
+
+To the steamer and the island, and afterwards to the hunting-party;
+which would be easy enough to follow by their track, if they had gone.
+
+In the eager impulse of the determination, he sprang to his feet to go,
+but as he did so three Malays sprang to their feet, and each man drew
+his kris.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTY SIX.
+
+AT THE PRISON IN THE WOODS.
+
+The menacing act on the part of his captors brought Ali back to a sense
+of his position, and he stood there, gazing from one to the other,
+thinking what he should do.
+
+Unarmed as he was, any attempt at violence was utter madness, and that
+he knew; so after a few moments' thought he made a sign for the chief
+man of the party to advance, which he did cautiously, and with his
+weapon held ready to strike.
+
+Seeing his suspicion, Ali smiled, and threw himself on the floor, where,
+resting on one elbow, he began to appeal to the man to let him go, but
+only to find his words listened to in solemn silence.
+
+The young chief then began to offer him bribes, one after the other,
+making the man's eyes glisten when he promised him his double gun; but
+directly after the man made a negative sign, merely told him to finish
+his meal, and returned to the outer room.
+
+What was he to do?  The more he thought of the suspicions that had
+entered his mind, the more certain did he become that he was right; and
+his sufferings became terrible, as in imagination he saw a treacherous
+attack made upon those he esteemed as friends, and the whole party put
+to death.
+
+Could he not escape?  It would not take him so very long to make his way
+to the river, where, if he could not seize upon a boat, he might swim
+down to the island, risking the crocodiles; though, somewhat unnerved by
+his late adventure, he felt a shudder run through him at the
+recollection of the grip of the loathsome beast.
+
+Yes, he must get away, he said.  He must elude the vigilance of the
+people who watched him, and by some means escape.  Once in the
+jungle-path, with anything like a start, he did not feel much fear.
+
+The hunt was to be on the next day but one, and that would give him
+ample time to devise some plan.  He would require all his strength, so
+he must eat; and though the act went against him, he set to and ate of
+the food provided, then leaned back and half-closed his eyes, knowing
+full well that his every act was still watched by those who had made him
+a prisoner.
+
+What should he do?
+
+Bribery with the chief of the party was evidently useless, for though he
+had promised any price the man liked to name, he would not listen;
+though that was no cause for surprise, since if the man helped the young
+chief to escape, his own life would be forfeit, unless he could escape
+from the country.
+
+But there were his followers, he might be able to win one of them to his
+side, could he get at him, and that could only be achieved by throwing
+the leader to some extent off his guard.
+
+Even if he could enlist the sympathy of one of the others, Ali felt in
+no wise sure of success.  Better, he thought, to trust to himself, and
+try to escape.
+
+His anxiety grew momentarily greater, even though he knew the
+hunting-party would not set off until another day had elapsed, while,
+try hard as he would, he could devise no scheme that seemed likely to
+succeed.
+
+Through his half-closed eyes he scanned every part of the closely-woven
+walls, to see if he could make out a weak place in his prison, but not
+one appeared; then turning, as if restlessly, he gazed up at the
+palm-thatched roof to see if there was any opening there; but even if
+there had been, he saw the hopelessness of trying, and at last he lay
+still with a dull feeling of despair creeping over him.
+
+Night fell at last, and he saw his captors light a couple of
+dammar-torches, with whose light they were able to see distinctly his
+every act; and then he noticed that three of the men took up the task of
+watching him, while the others slept.
+
+The hours rolled on, and, perfectly sleepless himself, Ali lay upon a
+couple of mats that had been brought him, listening to the heavy
+breathing of the men in the next room, and to the weird noises in the
+jungle, where the animals that had lain hidden all day were now prowling
+about, close to the ruined buildings, as if attracted by the presence of
+human beings in their midst.
+
+Never had night seemed so long, or day so slow in coming; but at last as
+Ali lay watching he suddenly became aware that the dammar-torches, lit
+by each watching party in turn, were beginning to pale, and that it was
+once more day.
+
+That day passed away in the most weary and monotonous manner.  Sleepless
+as had been the young chief's night, he still felt no desire to close
+his eyes, but lay watching and thinking.  Still no hopeful idea entered
+his head.  The men were watched, he found, by their leader, who seemed
+to sleep so lightly that he was upon his feet the moment any of his
+followers moved.
+
+Ali tried him again twice in the course of that day, but found him
+incorruptible; do what he would, the highest promises having no more
+effect than the lowest.
+
+"No," he said once, grimly; "if I let you escape, all you gave me would
+not save my life."
+
+"Who would dare to hurt you?" exclaimed Ali.
+
+The man smiled sourly, and made no reply, but walked away.
+
+That day glided by, and still no chance of escape.  Food was brought,
+and Ali ate mechanically, feeling that he might need his strength when
+he did make the effort to get away; but still there seemed no chance.
+Walls, floor, roof, all were slight, and yet too strong for him to make
+any impression upon them, unless he could have had a few minutes to
+himself; then he would not have despaired of getting through.  Sometimes
+he resolved to make a bold dash, run by his guards, and, leaping down by
+the entrance, trust to his swiftness to escape; but a few minutes'
+consideration taught him that such a plan must result in failure.  His
+only hope was to elude the men.
+
+Why did not his father try and save him? he asked himself; and then he
+sank back despairing again, wondering what he should do.
+
+Then he tried his guard again upon another tack--would he, if he would
+not let him escape, bear a message to the residency island?
+
+The man replied by a stern negative; and, as night came on, Ali
+determined to escape at all hazards.
+
+The next morning the party would be starting for the hunt--a hunt from
+which, he felt sure, they would never return.  Then it was certain that
+a treacherous attack would be made upon the ship and the island, and yet
+here he lay supine, knowing all this, and yet unable to act.
+
+Night fell, and with the intention of making a bold rush through the
+outer room when half the watchers were asleep, Ali lay, watching hour
+after hour for an opportunity.
+
+Time went on, and it seemed as if the leader would never lie down; he
+always seemed to have something more to say to his followers.  But at
+last he threw himself on the floor, and seemed to sleep.
+
+The time had come.
+
+Three men sat there watching him, their swarthy faces glistening in the
+light of the torches.  All was dark without, and the low growling noise
+of beasts was once more heard in close proximity to the place.  Still
+they would not keep him back.  He could risk an encounter with one of
+them, even death, sooner than this fearful torture.
+
+At last he turned softly, and drew up one leg, watching his guards the
+while.
+
+They did not hear him, and he drew up the other leg.
+
+Still no notice was taken; and softly rising to his hands and knees, Ali
+remained motionless, nerving himself for the supreme effort.
+
+The men were talking in a low voice, the sleepers breathed hard, and now
+was the moment.  Rising then to his feet, he was about to make a rush
+across the room; he had even stooped to give impetus to his spring, when
+the chief of his guards leaped up, kris in hand, the others following
+the example, and Ali shrank back disheartened, and fully awake now to
+the fact that some one had been watching him all the time.
+
+To struggle with them would only have been to throw away his life; so,
+with his heart full of despair, Ali allowed himself to be pressed back
+to his old position, where he lay down, his captor telling him savagely
+that the orders were to kill him if he attempted to escape.
+
+"And we shall," said the Malay, "sooner than lose you."
+
+His words were uttered in a tone of voice, that told his hearer of the
+sincerity of that which was spoken.  Ali knew the character of the
+Malays too well to entertain any doubt.  There would not be the
+slightest compunction in the matter; and knowing this, he lay there
+watching the men, as they slowly settled down once more around the
+blazing dammar-torch they had replenished.
+
+One coolly replaced his kris, and proceeded to get ready his betel for a
+fresh chew, calmly taking a sirih leaf, spreading upon it a little
+creamy lime from a tiny box, and rolling in it a scrap of nut, his
+red-stained teeth looking ogre-like in the torch-light.
+
+Another set-to and prepared to smoke, making himself a pipe in a very
+few minutes out of a piece of green bamboo, cutting it off close to the
+joint, and then a little above it for a bowl, in one side of which he
+made a hole, and thrust in a little reed for a stem.  In this sylvan
+pipe he placed some broken leaf of the coarse Malay tobacco, and began
+to smoke contentedly; while the third watcher helped himself to a piece
+of sugar-cane, and began peeling off the harsh, siliceous envelope, and
+then eating the sweet soft interior.
+
+The leader had at once lain down, and seemed to have gone off to sleep;
+but of that Ali could not be sure.
+
+He had failed; but Ali was not yet disheartened, and he lay there,
+thinking that he would risk life over and over again to warn his
+friends; but still he had to consider that if he lost his life he would
+not be serving them in the slightest degree, even if they should see his
+disfigured body float down.
+
+What could he do?
+
+If he had only possessed a little _toobah_, that creeping plant whose
+roots the Malays used for drugging the fish, some of that, he thought,
+infused in the food of his guards, would send them into a state of
+stupefaction, and give him time to escape.
+
+He smiled directly after as he thought of this, and lay back wearily,
+thinking of what folly it was to form such bubble-like ideas; for of
+course it would have been impossible, even had he possessed the drug, to
+get it mingled with his captors' food.
+
+No, he felt he must wait now, and trust to their dropping off to sleep,
+when he might still manage to crawl to the doorway, leap down, and dash
+into the jungle.
+
+As he lay thinking, the hard breathing of a couple of the Malays could
+be plainly heard, and his hopes rose, for the others must grow weary,
+sooner or later, and fall asleep.  The noises in the jungle increased;
+and as he lay with his cheek against the bamboo flooring, the sounds
+came up very plainly between the interstices.  Now it was the heavy
+crashing of the reeds, the rustling of some animal going through the
+dense undergrowth, and then, unmistakeably, the low, snarling roar of a
+tiger.  Now it was distant--now close at hand, and he knew that one of
+the great, cat-like creatures was answering another.  How close it
+seemed!  He could almost fancy that the tiger was beneath the house,
+hiding in the reedy grass that had sprung up amidst the ruins.
+
+Two of the Malays moved about uneasily, and they lit a fresh torch, an
+act that set Ali thinking of cases he had known, in which tigers had
+sprung up eight or ten feet to the platform of a house, and seized and
+borne off its occupants one after the other.
+
+If only one of the monsters would perform such a good office for him
+now, he would be able to escape in the midst of the confusion, perhaps
+into the jaws of another.
+
+Well, if he did; what then? he asked himself.  Better trust to chance in
+the jungle, than be left to the tender mercies of these men.
+
+The roars came louder and nearer, close up at last, and the Malays
+seized their limbings, and stood with the keen points advanced towards
+the entrance; but their leader sulkily rose, took one of the
+dammar-torches, made it blaze a little, and going boldly towards the
+door, waited till a snarling roar came close at hand, when he hurled it
+with all his might in the tiger's direction.
+
+There was a savage, deep-mouthed, hollow yell, and the crash of brittle
+reeds, telling that the tiger had rushed away, alarmed at the fire; when
+the man came slowly back, said something to his companions, who resumed
+their seats, while he seemed to lie down and go off to sleep.
+
+Seemed, Ali felt; for after his late experience, he was sure that if any
+attempt were made to cross the room this watchful Malay would
+immediately rise to his feet and confront him.
+
+Ali was intensely agitated.  The expedition was to start the next
+morning, and if he did not warn them, they would be marching, he was
+sure, right into the jaws of death.  Still the night was young as yet,
+and some opportunity might occur.
+
+The light from the torches flickered and danced in the night air, and
+cast strange shadows about the place.  From where he lay he could see
+the forms of his guards, huge and distorted, against the woven reed and
+bamboo walls, their every movement being magnified and strange.  In his
+own part, from time to time he could see the bright green growth that
+had forced itself through the palm-thatch, and trace every bamboo
+rafter, save where, in places, all was in profound darkness.
+
+How dreamy and strange it all seemed!  There was the distant roaring of
+the tigers, growing more and more faint; the soft sighing of the night
+wind, and the rustle of the dry grass as some creature, on its nocturnal
+hunt for food, brushed through.  Time was going by fast, but still the
+night was not nearly past, and the opportunity might come.
+
+Surely, he thought, the leader was asleep now; he had moved uneasily two
+or three times, and was now lying motionless upon his back.  One of the
+other men, too--the watchers--had let his chin sink upon his breast, and
+the other two looked heavy and dull.
+
+His heart rose high with hope, for surely the chance of escape was going
+to be his.
+
+The torches were growing dim, and if not soon replenished with fresh
+dammar, they would both be out; but no one stirred to touch them.
+
+Ali waited, with every nerve drawn tight to its utmost strain, and he
+was ready for the rush, but he hung back, for fear too great
+precipitancy should spoil his chance; and he watched and watched, lying
+there till, to his great joy, one of the torches went completely out,
+and the other was failing.
+
+Would either of the Malays move?
+
+No, they were asleep; and the second torch gave out but a dim glimmer,
+as Ali rose, softly as a cat, and going on all fours, began to make what
+he felt was his final trial to get free.
+
+He crept on nearer and nearer, but no one stirred.  On he went, till he
+was close to his guards--so near that he could have stretched out a hand
+and touched them--but still no one moved.  Their leader seemed now to be
+the most soundly asleep of the party, and so intensely excited did the
+fugitive become that it was all he could do to master himself and keep
+from rising up and rushing to the open door, through which the cool
+night wind now began to fan his cheeks.
+
+He kept down the exciting feelings, though, by a mighty effort, and
+crawled softly on, as the second dammar-torch burned out, and all was
+darkness.
+
+He passed the last man, and was now out well in the middle of the great
+room, with the open doorway before him, dimly seen like a square patch
+of star-lit sky.  The hard breathing of the sleepers came regularly, and
+there was the low sighing of the wind without, then the softened,
+distant roar of a tiger, heard again and again, and repeated far more
+distantly.  Then all was very still: the only noise being the faint
+rustle of his sarong, as he crept on nearer and nearer to the opening,
+from whence he meant to lower himself silently and make straight for the
+river, and try to find a boat.
+
+It was hard work to keep crawling along there, inch by inch, lest the
+bamboos should creak.  They bent and yielded to his weight over and over
+again, and twice over they gave so loud a noise that Ali paused,
+listening for the movement of his guards, meaning then to spring up and
+flee.  Still no one moved, and in spite of his intense desire to make a
+bold rush, he crept on, knowing how great would be his advantage if he
+could get off without waking his guards, and free from the pursuit of a
+party following upon his track like a pack of hungry hounds.
+
+Not two yards from the door now, and it seemed as if he would never
+reach it.  His breath came thick and fast, and his heart throbbed so
+that he felt the bamboos over which he crawled vibrate, but still no one
+moved.
+
+Another yard gained, and still all was darkness and silence, while the
+strain upon his nerves seemed greater than they could bear.
+
+The last yard, and he grasped the bamboos to lower himself softly down,
+when there was a rush, a cry, a hurriedly-spoken order, and the Malays,
+who seemed to have divined that he was there, dashed across the floor in
+pursuit.
+
+Ali told himself that he must not be taken, and dropping to the earth,
+he dashed across the reed and grass-grown space, and made for the
+jungle-path, meaning to follow it for a certain distance, and then
+strike off at the first opening across to the river.
+
+To have attempted the jungle at once would have been utter madness, for
+he could not have forced his way a dozen yards through the tangled
+growth.  All he could do was to trust to swiftness of foot and follow
+the track, and that was horribly overgrown.  Thorns caught and tore his
+baju and sarong, rattan canes tripped him up, or were so woven across
+his path that he had to leap over them, when the upper boughs beat and
+lashed his face; but still he tore on, with his pursuers close behind.
+He could hear their shouts, and almost distinguish their breathing, as
+they panted on close behind him.
+
+It was terrible work, and he felt himself at this disadvantage, that he
+was clearing the way down the little-used jungle-path for his pursuers,
+while every now and then he stepped into an elephant-hole, and nearly
+fell heavily.  The tracks left by the huge beasts were in places very
+deep, but somehow Ali seemed to save himself just as he was on the point
+of falling.
+
+On still through the intense darkness, and his pursuers close behind.
+The nearest, he seemed to feel, was the leader of the party; and as he
+listened to his heavy breathing, and fancied that the man was gaining
+upon him, the keen kris he held in his hand nearly grazed his shoulder.
+
+A dozen times over, with the desperation of some hunted beast, Ali would
+have turned at bay and faced this man, but he knew that it meant death
+or capture, for the others were close behind, while he was quite
+unarmed.
+
+And what did death or capture mean?  The destruction or those whom he
+was trying to save.
+
+Feeling this, he toiled on, with heart throbbing, his breath coming
+thickly, and his limbs growing more heavy moment by moment.  At first he
+had bounded along like a frightened deer, but the terrible nature of the
+jungle through which he was struggling soon began to tell upon him, and
+the bounding pace settled down into a weary trot.
+
+There was this, however, in his favour; the ground was very bad for his
+pursuers, and though eager to overtake him, they were not moved by the
+same intense desire as himself.
+
+On still, and he was once more nearly down.  Something lashed his face,
+then he tripped again once more, and the jungle, as he staggered up,
+seemed to grow more intensely dark.  That vindictive enemy was close
+behind, and he had struck at him twice with his keen weapon.  Then, as
+he panted on, he came upon first one and then another animal, which
+bounded away into close growth, while the poor hunted wretch could
+hardly drag one leg before the other.
+
+Still he struggled on through the darkness, till feeling his pursuer
+close at hand, he roused all his remaining strength and leaped forward,
+caught his foot in a mass of interwoven creeping plants, and fell.  He
+made one effort to rise, but his strength was gone, and he had only time
+to throw himself over and get his hands at liberty, as his pursuer threw
+himself down upon him, clutched him by the throat, and, raising his
+kris, was about to plunge it into the prostrate young man's breast.
+
+But Ali was too quick.  In spite of his weakness and the suffocating
+sensation caused by his position, he made a snatch at the descending
+arm, caught it, and stopped the blow, and then they both lay there
+panting and exhausted, chaser and chased, unable to do more than gaze
+into each other's eyes, as the jungle now began to grow lighter, and Ali
+could see the gleam of the deadly kris just above his head.
+
+They were terrible moments; the oppression was so great that he could
+hardly breathe, and at the same time he felt himself growing weaker and
+weaker.  There was the baleful glare of his enemy's eyes, and the gleam
+of the kris growing each moment nearer, and he powerless to arrest it.
+Only a few moments, and in spite of his brave resistance all would be
+over, and those he sought to save would be lost.
+
+The thought of the friends at the residency nerved him to the final
+effort, and with a wild cry he drew himself up, and tried to throw his
+enemy from his chest--his enemy, whose eyes and weapon glared down at
+him so, and summoning all his strength, he felt that he had succeeded.
+
+Panting heavily, Ali started up, but the gleam was about him still, for
+the bright rays of the morning sun were shining down through the attap
+roof, and with a moan of misery he sank back once more on finding that
+he had been overcome by weariness, and that this last painful episode
+was only a dream.
+
+And his friends that he meant to save--what of them?  Ali lay back and
+closed his eyes, for his misery seemed greater than he could bear.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN.
+
+HOW ALI MADE A DASH FOR LIBERTY.
+
+As Ali lay back there with closed eyes, it seemed impossible that he
+could have slept and dreamed all this, but it was plain enough now.  He
+had but to unclose his eyes and see the Malays in the outer room, and
+listen to the twittering of the small birds, the screams of the parrots,
+and the cry uttered from time to time by some monkey.
+
+Where was his manhood? he asked himself--where his keen desire to escape
+and help his friends?  He felt half-maddened to think that he should
+have slept and neglected them, not sparing himself for a moment, and
+never once palliating what he called his crime by trying to recall the
+fact that he had not slept the previous night, and that he had been
+completely exhausted.
+
+There was the fact staring him in the face; he had been lying there
+thinking of escaping, and listening to the cries of the prowling tigers,
+and--"Stop," he asked himself, "where did the reality end and dreaming
+begin?  Did he see the Malay get up and hurl a torch out of the open
+door, and then come back and lie down?"
+
+Yes, he felt sure that was true, but where that which he was watching
+shaded off into dreamland, he could not tell.
+
+It was weak, perhaps, but the scalding tears rose and filled his eyes,
+and when he passionately dashed them away and sat up, he felt ready to
+make a fierce rush through his guard, and either escape or die.
+
+He was on the point of risking all in some such mad attempt when two of
+the men came in, proceeded to make a careful inspection of the place
+where he was, and then sat down just in the opening, getting up soon
+afterwards, though, to make way for another, who brought in some food on
+fresh plantain leaves, rice freshly boiled with fowl, and curry made
+with freshly-grated cocoa-nut and peppers.  There was an abundance of
+fruit, too, but Ali looked at it all with a feeling of disgust.  He had
+no desire to eat.
+
+The men left the food on its fresh green leaves before him, and went out
+to their own meal, while the prisoner sat thinking that the expedition
+had by this time started, for he had slept long in spite of his
+troublous dream.  Then his thoughts turned to the steamer and Bob
+Roberts, whose frank, happy face was always before him, and then somehow
+he thought of the steamer and its powerful engine, and how it was kept
+going with fuel and water; and that set him thinking of himself.  How
+was he to help his friends if he let himself get weak for want of food.
+
+The result was, that he ate a few grains of rice, when the want of
+appetite disappeared, and he went on and made a very hearty meal.  He
+felt annoyed, though, directly after, to find his captors smile as they
+came to remove the fragments of his feast.
+
+Then began once more the terrible hours of anxiety, during which he
+paced up and down his prison like some wild beast, his guards squatting
+outside, and watching him in the most imperturbable manner, as they
+chewed their betel, or varied it by smoking.
+
+So long as he seemed disposed to make no effort to escape they were
+civil enough, one offering him, betel, another Java tobacco, an object
+much-prized by the Malays, but he did not take them, only fixed his eyes
+jealously upon their weapons, and longed to snatch them away, and in
+some desperate action to calm the suffering he endured.
+
+Every now and then he listened, fancying he could hear the distant sound
+of firing, and he shuddered as he fancied that the massacre had already
+begun.  But he was soon compelled to own that it was all fancy, and
+wearied out, he laid himself down again to try and scheme a way of
+escape.
+
+The day slowly advanced, and the heat became intense, in spite of the
+shadow in which he lay.  A few light gleams came in through thin places
+in the roof, but they only seemed to make the room darker, for a couple
+of the Malays had been busy stopping up a small hole or two near the
+closed window.  Now and then some busy fly or crawling beetle took his
+attention, or a nimble lizard in chase of an insect, and he thought of
+the native proverb, as he saw how patiently the lizard crept along after
+its intended victim, and waited its time until with unerring certainty
+it could make its stroke.
+
+He told himself that he must take a lesson from the quiet little
+reptile, and await his time.
+
+And so the day wore on, every hour convincing him more and more of the
+impossibility of escape, unless some change should take place in the
+arrangements.
+
+One gleam of hope came to him, and that was afforded by the restlessness
+of his guard.  They seemed to be expecting some one, and watch was
+evidently kept for his arrival, but as the evening drew near there was
+no change, and the hope that the expected messenger might have been
+about to order them to convey him elsewhere--to a place perhaps
+affording a better chance of escape, died away.
+
+True, the hope had been mingled with a sense of dread, for he felt that
+if a messenger had come he might have been bearer of an order to put him
+to death.  But no one arrived, the sun was sinking fast, and his agony
+on the increase, for night was close at hand, with no prospect of his
+being able to convey the ill news he had to his friends.
+
+The heat had been terrible to him in his excited state, and the evening
+breeze that now came whispering through the leaves seemed but little
+better.  The men in the next room had twice over brought him food and
+water, and they were now busily preparing their dammar-torches, a couple
+of which were soon burning brightly, sending a warm glow like a golden
+band right across the prisoner's room, leaving both sides in the shade.
+
+Worn-out with weariness of mind and body, Ali lay there at last, telling
+himself that he ought to follow the example of his compatriots, and
+calmly accept the inevitable.
+
+But that he could not do, for he lay there fuming with impatience, and
+watching the outer room for a chance of escape.  That did not come, for
+the party were more watchful than ever; and at last he sank back,
+feeling that all was over, and praying that warning might be given to
+those in danger, in some other way.
+
+For the sake of coolness he was lying away from his mat, on the bamboo
+floor, between the rough pieces of which the night air came up, mingled
+with the sweet odours of the forest; and as he lay there, with his head
+throbbing from the mental excitement, while his guards were talking
+together in a low voice, Ali began to wonder whether he should hear the
+tiger prowling about the place that night.  Then he began to think of
+the midshipman and the ensign, and he tried to comfort himself with the
+idea that the English were very brave, and might read Sultan Hamet a
+severe lesson instead of being beaten.
+
+These thoughts were just crossing his mind, when he started, for it
+seemed to him that there was something rising close at hand, and then a
+faint touch.
+
+This was evidently heard only by himself, for no one in the outer place
+had moved.
+
+Ali felt a strange shudder pass through him, for the noise was just that
+which a large serpent would make as it forced its way between some old
+pieces of woodwork, and this was just the place for some monster to make
+its haunt.  It had evidently been temporarily driven away, but had now
+in the silence of the evening returned to its home in the deserted
+house.
+
+Ali was as brave as most young fellows of his age, but at the same time
+he shrank from contact with such a loathsome beast, and lay motionless,
+wondering whether it would pass him by, and then half-resolving to call
+the men to come with lights.
+
+He was on the point of shouting to them, but he hesitated as his alarm
+might be foolish, and the noise be caused by some inoffensive creature.
+
+He lay there listening, and as he did so he suddenly felt paralysed, for
+something touched his hand.  The contact had such an effect upon him
+that he could not move.
+
+It was a serpent, he was sure, for it felt cold and damp, and--there it
+was again, evidently coming up between the bamboos of the floor, and
+seeking about, and--Why, it was a hand, and it grasped his wrist!  Ali
+wanted to call aloud, but he felt as if suffering from nightmare; to
+leap up, but he felt helpless, and lay bathed in perspiration.  He knew
+what it was now; some miscreant beneath the house, seeking out where he
+lay.
+
+He knew of plenty of cases where men had been assassinated by an enemy
+finding out where they slept in a room, and then quietly going beneath
+in the night, and thrusting his kris between the bamboos.
+
+This, then, was the way in which he was to be slain--as if it had been
+done by some stranger.  One of his guards then must be beneath the
+house, though he had not heard one go out.
+
+And yet, knowing all this, he could not stir, but lay as if stunned,
+till the blood that had been frozen seemed suddenly to start in rapid
+action, and his veins began to throb, for instead of the blade of a kris
+being thrust remorselessly into his side, the handle was softly pushed
+through against his hand.
+
+This was a friend then below him, and had he had any doubt before, the
+soft pressure of a hand upon his told him that he was right, for there
+was a ring upon one finger that touched his, whose form he recognised.
+It was his father's ring, and he had come at the risk of losing his own
+life to save his son's.
+
+For a few moments hand pressed hand.  Then Ali's was drawn softly down
+between the bamboos, and two hands placed it under one of the long,
+split canes upon which he was lying, held it there, and then pressed it
+upwards.
+
+Ali was puzzled.  He dare not speak, neither did the Tumongong below
+venture so much as to whisper, but kept on forcing his son's hand
+upwards.
+
+There was a faint creak, and then the light came into Ali's puzzled
+brain.  It was plain enough now; this bamboo had been loosened at one
+end, for it gave way; and the young man's heart throbbed painfully, as
+he felt that the way of escape was open.  He had but to wait his time,
+and then softly raise this one broad, split cane, to make space enough
+to let himself slide through into the open space beneath the
+post-supported house.  Then the jungle was before him, and it was his
+own fault if he did not escape in the darkness.
+
+He left off clasping the broad, split bamboo, and stretched out his hand
+once more to clasp that of his father, in expression of his
+thankfulness; but though he reached out in all directions, striving to
+grasp the loving hand that had brought help, there was nothing near, and
+Ali felt as if in a dream, till his other hand touched the kris that was
+now beneath his chest.
+
+It was his right arm that was forced down between the bamboos, and he
+was consequently lying over upon his chest, when, to his horror, he
+heard a noise, and saw the principal of his guards seize a torch and
+enter the room, kris in hand.
+
+For a moment Ali felt that he must spring up, kris in hand, and fight
+for his life.  Fortunately he lay still and feigned sleep, his heart
+beating heavily, as he hoped to conceal the loosened bamboo with his
+body, as well as the kris.
+
+The Malay looked curiously round the room, and held his dammar-torch on
+high, as he peered here and there.  Not that he had heard a sound, but
+he was evidently suspicious, or else extra careful.
+
+Ali lay motionless and breathing heavily, but with a choking sensation
+in his breast, as he felt that now, just when escape was open to him, he
+had been discovered.  He was in such a state of excitement that he was
+ready to spring up and attack his guard, should he make any sign of
+having found out what had taken place; but though the man held the torch
+here and there, and walked round the room before coming back and bending
+down over Ali, as if to see whether he was asleep, he saw nothing.
+
+Then a fresh dread assailed the prisoner.  Why was this man bending over
+him, and did he mean evil against him?
+
+Ali would have given anything to have been able to turn round and face
+his enemy, but to have made the slightest movement would have been to
+show that he had a kris beneath him, and his arm right through between
+the bamboos, so the young man lay perfectly still, mastered his emotion
+as best he could, and waited for what seemed an unreasonable space of
+time, till the Malay slowly moved off into the outer room, and sticking
+his torch in the floor, seated himself with his companions, and began to
+smoke.
+
+Panting with excitement, Ali lay there in the darkness, and for some
+time not daring to move; but at last, watching the effect upon his
+guards the while, he made an uneasy movement and muttered a few
+unintelligible words.
+
+The men looked up for a moment, but afterwards paid no heed; and finding
+this so, Ali secured the kris in the folds of his sarong, after softly
+withdrawing his arm from between the bamboos of the floor.
+
+To his great delight, he found them very loose; and after waiting a
+reasonable time, and until his guards seemed to be settled, he softly
+raised the one that was loose, and rolled it, as it were, over on to the
+side, leaving a narrow opening through the floor.
+
+Just as he did so, a low, snarling growl close at hand announced the
+return of the tiger.
+
+This was terrible; for if he descended now, he was going from one danger
+to another, and his position was pitiable.  At any moment the Malays
+might come in and see that the bamboo had been moved; and now all he had
+to do was to squeeze down through the opening, and glide away into the
+darkness.
+
+There was the snarling growl again.  The tiger evidently scented prey,
+and it came closer and closer.  In fact, Ali felt that it was quite
+possible that the beast might spring up at the opening to seize him.
+
+What could he do but wait?
+
+His patience was rewarded; for as the great cat came prowling nearer,
+one of the Malays, who was uneasy at its presence, seized a torch, as
+had been done the past night; the others standing ready with their
+spears, advanced, and waiting until the animal seemed ready to make a
+spring at the door, he hurled the blazing piece of dammar, overturning
+the second torch in the act, one of his companions trampling it out, to
+save the floor from being set alight.
+
+There was a snarling yell, once more followed by a loud shout from the
+Malays, when the tiger was heard to bound heavily away through the
+jungle, its yell being answered by another tiger some distance away.
+
+Now was Ali's time.  The Malays were talking, and trying to relight the
+torch, the place being in total darkness; and without a moment's
+hesitation the prisoner softly let himself down through the long narrow
+slit, lower and lower, till he reached his waist, where the kris stopped
+his further descent.
+
+This was horrible, as he was as it were caught in the narrow hole, and
+he could not get the kris out from the folds of his silken sarong.
+
+The Malays, though, were busy over their light; and freeing the weapon
+at last, he let himself glide down lower and lower, but not without
+noise, for there was hardly room for him to pass, and he began to
+tremble, lest his head should refuse to go through.
+
+At any moment his guards might come in and find him in this helpless
+state, for he dared not hurry, but had to literally force his way down
+till he had only his head and shoulders above, his eyes glaring wildly
+in the direction of the outer room, where the Malays were talking.
+
+By sheer force of muscle he sustained himself, as he hung at length with
+his head only in the room, and to his horror he found that it would not
+pass through; for he was opposite two of the knots of the bamboo, and
+strive how he would, he could not manage to get himself a little way
+along, to where the wood curved in.
+
+Just then a light flashed upon his face, and he saw that his guards had
+succeeded in re-illumining their room; while to his horror, he now found
+that they were coming in to him.
+
+With a tremendous effort, and feeling now that it was no time to study
+about noise, Ali forced himself a little way along, but in doing so
+slipped, and hung by his head, fixed between the bamboos, as the leader
+of his captors entered, uttered a shout, and made a bound forward to
+seize him.
+
+That did it!
+
+Had he come forward carefully, he could have seized his helpless
+prisoner; but this leap on the elastic, hollow canes bent one down, and
+set Ali free, his guard uttering a shout of rage as his captive
+literally slipped through his fingers, Ali's head disappearing from the
+light of the torch, and revealing the long narrow slit, looking dark and
+strange, in the floor.
+
+"Quick, the door!" shouted the Malay, as he tried to force himself down
+through the slit--but had to struggle back, giving Ali moments to
+recover himself from the painful shock he had sustained; and when the
+man had reached the door, torch in hand, and leaped down to where his
+men were hurrying here and there, it was for the light to gleam for a
+moment on Ali's bright, silken baju, as he plunged into the jungle,
+forty yards away.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT.
+
+A SWIM IN THE NIGHT.
+
+As has been said, Ali suffered quite a shock from the jerk he received
+in escaping from his prison, and had his captors rushed down directly,
+his attempt would have resulted in failure; but the effort made by the
+Malay to follow him afforded the prisoner time to recover a little, to
+struggle up from where he had fallen, and to stagger off in a strange
+confused state, feeling all the while as if his head had been wrenched
+off.
+
+Each moment, however, gave him force; he heard the shouts of the men as
+they leaped down from the platform; and as the light of the torch
+flashed upon his path, he seemed to regain his strength, and ran on with
+his guards in full pursuit.
+
+The young man set his teeth hard, and grasped the weapon supplied to him
+by his father's hand.  He was far from being bloodthirsty; contact with
+the English had softened and changed his nature, but in those fierce
+moments the feeling was upon him strong that he could slay or be slain
+sooner than give up his liberty once more.
+
+He recalled his dream of the early morning as he dashed on, and wondered
+whether the leader was the first man in the pursuit, and whether they
+two would engage in deadly strife.
+
+He glanced back, but he could not tell; and hurrying on, he kept
+recalling the difficulties he had encountered in his dream--
+elephant-holes--woven undergrowth--trailing canes--the hundred obstacles
+of a jungle, and wondered that he kept so well in the darkness to the
+path, and was able to progress at so swift a pace.
+
+Not that it was swift, for he had to proceed very cautiously, but it was
+fast enough to enable him to keep well ahead of his pursuers, who had to
+make sure that they did not pass him on the way.
+
+But this easy going was not to last, for he found the jungle track grew
+worse, and to his horror he found that his pursuers were gaining upon
+him rapidly.  The light the first man carried enabled them to see a few
+yards in advance and make sure their steps, while he had what seemed
+like a black wall rising in front of him, into which he had to plunge as
+it were, and often and often found that he was straying from the track.
+
+At last he strayed so far from it that his pursuers came up rapidly,
+their light showing him the path he had lost.  He was about to make a
+rush for it, when the thought struck him that they might pass him
+unseen, and, crouching down, to his great delight he found that they did
+pass on--the whole party--leaving him to deliberate on what course he
+should pursue.
+
+The simplest plan seemed to be to turn back, but that would be taking
+him away from the river, which he felt would be his saving to reach, and
+to gain that he must pursue the track his guards were upon.
+
+After all, if he kept at a distance this was the safest plan.  His
+enemies carried a light, and he would therefore be able to see them when
+they returned, if return they did; and to his great delight he
+remembered now that some distance ahead there was a track which led
+right away from the present one towards the river, making a shorter cut.
+
+He did not stop to think, but at once followed the course taken by his
+guards, hastening his steps till he was pretty close behind--so close
+that he could hear their voices, and see the flaring of the torch
+through the undergrowth.
+
+This went on for nearly an hour, when the Malays awakened fully to the
+fact that their prisoner had not gone in that direction, and they
+returned upon their track so suddenly that Ali had barely time to force
+his way in amongst the canes and crouch down, silent and breathless,
+before they were back, and were passing the place where the young man
+was hidden, when the bearer of the torch saw the broken canes and
+leaves, and drew attention thereto.
+
+"Tiger!" said the man nearest to him, and he pointed to some footprints
+which were sufficiently recent to satisfy the other, and to Ali's great
+relief they passed on.
+
+For a few moments he had felt that he was once more a prisoner, and now
+he breathed freely again, and waiting till the last rustle of the canes
+and undergrowth had died away with the faint gleam of the torch, he
+crept painfully out from amidst the thorny undergrowth, and continued
+his retreat.
+
+He paused from time to time to listen, but all was silent now, and
+almost feeling his way through the dark forest, he pressed on, gladdened
+now and then by a glimpse of the starry sky, he continued his course,
+till he reached the edge of the river, rolling swift and dark through
+the midst of the dense forest.
+
+All had heard the strange sounds on either side of the dark track he had
+come along, more than once shuddering slightly as he heard the cry of a
+tiger or the curious _coo-ai_ of the argus pheasant, but nothing sounded
+so pleasant to him during his exciting retreat as the strange, low,
+untiring rush of the great river.
+
+There was no noisy babbling, but a soft, low, hissing rush, as the swift
+stream hurried amidst the stones and water-washed roots of the trees
+upon the banks.
+
+He had hoped to find a boat somewhere about the end of the track, where
+there was a wretched campong; but there did not seem to be a single
+sampan, and he tramped wearily down the bank, till he came near the
+houses opposite the island.
+
+He dared go no further along the bank, lest he should be seized; and he
+stood in the shade of a tree at last, thinking of what he should do.
+
+But one course was open to him, and that was to swim out into the swift
+stream, and make for the head of the island, where, to his great
+delight, all seemed perfectly still, and free from alarm.  How long it
+would keep so, he could not say.
+
+There was no other way for him, and being a swift swimmer he hesitated
+no longer, but throwing off his baju and sarong, he walked out as far as
+he could and swam boldly towards the head of the island, where he meant
+to land.
+
+To his horror he found a couple of boats in the way, both of them well
+filled with men, and it was only by letting himself float down with the
+stream that he was able to pass them unnoticed.  This, however,
+completely carried him out of his reckoning, for on striving once more
+to reach the head of the island, he was too low down, and was swept
+right away.  He tried for the landing-place, but he could not near it,
+and in spite of his desperate efforts he was drawn on lower and lower by
+the heavy stream, so that he could not even grasp at the drooping trees
+at the lower end of the island, but found himself carried right away
+towards the lights of the corvette, where she lay a quarter of a mile
+lower down.
+
+Knowing that he could not catch at anything on the smooth sides of the
+steamer, he made another frantic effort to reach the side of the island,
+but it was labour in vain, and at last, weak, exhausted, and with the
+water rising higher and higher about his lips, he felt that he was being
+carried right away, and that, unless help came, he would be drowned.
+
+He grew excited and struggled harder, but only to weaken himself.  He
+was confused by the darkness, and found that he had miscalculated his
+powers.  The strain upon him during the past two days, and the efforts
+he had made that night, had been greater than he was aware of; and now,
+in spite of the sterling stuff of which he was made, the chill, dread
+thought came upon him that he was about to die.
+
+The lights of the steamer seemed very near, and yet far-distant, for a
+blinding mist was before his eyes; and though he swam bravely, over and
+over again the swift current seemed to suck him down.  He essayed to cry
+for help, but the water choked him; and at last he felt that all was
+over, that he should in another minute be swept past the steamer, when,
+trying to turn over and float, he went under, rose to the surface once
+more, struck against something and clutched at it, to find it slimy and
+hard to hold; but it enabled him to hold his head above water a few
+moments, while he cried for help--lost his hold, and was swept away once
+more, when all seemed dreamy and strange.  The water thundered in his
+ears, his limbs were helpless, and it was as if he were being wafted
+into a strange and troublous sleep, when he knew no more, for all seemed
+blank.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTY NINE.
+
+HOW ALI BROUGHT NEWS, AND WAS NOT BELIEVED.
+
+There was plenty of excitement on board the steamer, as the falls were
+hooked on and the light gig was run up to the davits, the boat then
+being swung on board; and as lights were brought, the body of the man
+they had tried to save was laid upon the deck.
+
+"Why, it's a nigger!" exclaimed Bob Roberts; and then, with a cry of
+horror, "Oh, Mr Johnson, it's old Ali!  Here, quick! help, brandy!  Oh,
+he's dead! he's dead!"
+
+"No, he aren't, sir," said Dick gruffly; "leastwise, I don't think so."
+
+"Carry him into the cabin," said Lieutenant Johnson sharply; and this
+being done, the poor fellow was stripped, briskly rubbed, and the
+customary plans adopted to restore respiration, Bob Roberts eagerly
+taking his turn, till, to his delight, as he watched Ali's arms being
+worked up and down, so as to empty and fill his chest, there was a faint
+flutter, a sigh, and the doubts as to the young Malay's life being
+spared were at an end.
+
+"Hooray!" cried Bob, who was only in his shirt and trousers, his collar
+open, and his sleeves rolled right up to his shoulders.  "Hooray!" he
+cried; and forgetting all his dignity as second officer in command of
+Her Majesty's ship, he indulged in a kind of triumphal dance, which
+ended with a flop, caused by his bringing one foot down flat on the
+cabin floor.
+
+"I think that will do, Mr Roberts," said the lieutenant quietly; and
+Bob coloured up and looked confused.
+
+"I felt so delighted, sir, to see the poor old chap better," he
+stammered.
+
+"So I see," said the lieutenant.  "There, put on your jacket, and give
+the men a glass of grog apiece for what they have done towards saving
+our friend here.  Dick, there, has pretty well rubbed his skin off."
+
+"Well, sir," said Dick in an ill-used tone, "I rubbed as hard as ever I
+could."
+
+"That you did, Dick," said the middy.
+
+"And he is coming to, sir," continued Dick.
+
+"Yes," said the lieutenant, "a good sleep will set him right, I think.
+It is a pity the doctor has gone on the expedition; but we must do the
+best we can."
+
+"Expedition!" said Bob sharply, "of course; but I thought Ali here had
+gone.  He was going.  Oh, I know; he has stopped behind because Tom Long
+and I were not going."
+
+"Very likely," said the lieutenant drily; "but had you not better see
+about the men's refreshment?"
+
+"Oh! yes, sir; of course," said Bob, hurrying on his light jacket; and
+Dick and a couple of men, who had been helping, followed him out of the
+cabin, smiling and wiping their lips in anticipation of the promised
+drink.
+
+They had hardly left the cabin when Ali opened his eyes, and lay gazing
+up at the ceiling, then, in a curious, puzzled way, at the light, his
+mind struggling to recover itself and master his confusion.
+
+A sigh and a few muttered words took the lieutenant to his side; and on
+seeing him Ali started, and said something to him in the Malay tongue.
+
+"Are you better?" said the lieutenant kindly.
+
+"Better?" he said, "better?  Where am I? what place is this?"
+
+"You are on board the steamer.  We found you drowning in the river."
+
+Ali clasped his forehead with his hands for a few moments, and then all
+seemed to come back like a flood.
+
+"Yes," he said hoarsely, "I know now.  I was swimming to the island."
+
+"I see; and you were swept away," said the lieutenant kindly.  "I think
+you had better lie down, and have a good sleep," he continued, as the
+young man struggled up.
+
+"No, no!" cried Ali excitedly.  "I recollect all now.  Quick! call your
+men; there is great danger!"
+
+"Come, come," said the lieutenant gently, "calm yourself.  Try and
+sleep."
+
+He laid his hand firmly on the young man's arm, but Ali caught his
+wrist.
+
+"What, do you think," he cried, "that I am speaking no sense?"
+
+"Well," said the lieutenant, smiling, "I think you are excited and ill."
+
+"No, no," cried Ali.  "Give me clothes; I will fight for you.  There is
+danger!"
+
+"Nonsense!" said the lieutenant.  "There, lie down; and Roberts, your
+friend, you know, shall come and sit with you."
+
+"Oh, listen to me!" cried Ali piteously.  "I am not as you think.  I
+swam off to warn you.  Hamet has got half your men away by treachery.  I
+am sure they are going to attack you.  Quick! get ready; there is great,
+great danger!  Give me clothes, and I'll fight for you!"
+
+As he spoke excitedly, Bob Roberts entered the cabin, and stood
+listening.
+
+"Come and speak to him, Roberts," said the lieutenant quietly.  "Poor
+fellow! he is overdone, and it has flown to his head."
+
+"Ah!  You here?" cried Ali joyfully.  "He will not believe me, Bob.
+Listen; there is going to be an attack made upon you--at the island, and
+here.  They have got your men and officers away to lead them into a
+trap.  I escaped to tell you."
+
+"Oh! come, old chap, don't talk like that," cried Bob, taking his hand.
+"Don't talk such wild nonsense and bosh.  Lie down and have a good
+sleep.  I say, Mr Johnson, I wish old Bolter was here."
+
+"You do not believe me!" cried Ali passionately.  "What am I, that you
+treat me so?  Is it that I always lie?"
+
+"Lie?  No, old boy," said Bob kindly; "but it isn't you talking.  Your
+head's all in a muddle."
+
+"Head? muddle?  Not I!" cried Ali excitedly.  "There!  Hark!  I told you
+so!"
+
+As he spoke there was the sharp crack of a rifle, then another, and
+another, and a rattling scattered volley.
+
+"Something wrong at the island, sir," reported one of the watch.
+
+"By Jove! he's right!" cried the lieutenant, rushing out of the cabin.
+"Quick, Roberts!"
+
+"Yes--clothes--my kris!" cried Ali joyfully.  "I'll fight with you."
+
+For answer Bob ran to his own berth, hastily threw the young Malay one
+of his spare suits; and then, quickly buckling on his sword, ran on
+deck, where the lieutenant was striding up and down, giving his orders.
+
+"That's right, Roberts," he cried.  "They're hard at work at the
+island."
+
+The next moment Bob was running here and there, seeing that his
+superior's orders were executed.  The drums had already beat to
+quarters, and with the wondrous business-like rapidity with which
+matters are done on board a man-of-war every man was at his place, the
+ports flew open, the magazine was unfastened, and while the moorings
+were cast off astern, and those ahead ready to be dropped at a moment's
+notice, the furnaces were roaring furiously, and every effort being made
+by the firemen to get up steam.
+
+It was like the turning of a handle.  There was no confusion; the whole
+machine was ready for action; guns loaded, and marines and sailors armed
+ready for any contingency that might befall the steamer.
+
+Directly after, Ali came hurrying from the cabin, and made his way to
+where the middy was eagerly looking for his next order.
+
+"Give me arms," he said; "I have lost my kris."
+
+"And a good thing, too," said Bob sharply; "a murderous skewer!  May I
+give him a sword, sir?"
+
+"Yes, and a revolver, if he means to fight on our side," said Lieutenant
+Johnson sharply; and Bob hurriedly ordered the armourer to take the
+young Malay and supply what was needed.  "They are making no signals at
+the island, Roberts," continued the lieutenant, "and I don't know what
+to do.  I would man a boat and send on--"
+
+"Under me, sir?" said Bob slowly.
+
+"Of course, Mr Roberts; but we are so short-handed, I don't know what
+to do for the best.  Ah! here is your friend.  Now, sir; tell us in a
+few words what this all means."
+
+Ali rapidly told him of his belief, and the lieutenant frowned.
+
+"Certainly there is confirmation of what you say, sir," he said sternly,
+"but the story sounds wild and strange."
+
+He gazed suspiciously at the young chief; but Ali did not blench in the
+slightest degree.
+
+Just then the firing seemed to become furious on the island, and the
+lieutenant stamped his foot impatiently.
+
+"How long is this steam going to be?" he cried.  "How I hate being tied
+by the leg like this, Roberts."
+
+"It's horrible, sir!" cried Roberts, who was stamping up and down the
+deck, when he was not trying to make out what was going on upon the
+island, by means of a small glass.  "Let's do something, sir, or the
+people there will think we are not going to help them."
+
+"What can we do, lieutenant," said the other, "except send a boat?"
+
+"Let's fire a big gun, captain," said Bob; "that'll let 'em know we are
+all alive; and then send the boat.  I'll be very careful, sir."
+
+The lieutenant hesitated as he watched the island through his glass, and
+could see the flashes of the pieces as they were fired.  In a short time
+steam would be up, and the vessel could pass right round the island and
+engage the prahus, if there were any attacking.  Besides, he was very
+loth to reduce his already short ship's company.
+
+"If it were not already so confoundedly dark," he exclaimed, "we could
+see what to do.  Ah! at last, there goes the signal."
+
+For just then there was a rushing noise, and a rocket went up from the
+island, far into the blackness of the night, burst, and the bright blue
+stars fell slowly, lighting up the palms and fruit-trees upon the
+island.
+
+"Ready there with a rocket," exclaimed the lieutenant.  "Be smart, Mr
+Roberts."
+
+"Ay, ay, sir," was the reply; and, with a mighty rush, away on high sped
+the answering signal, to burst and fill the air above them with lambent
+light.
+
+"That is better than your big gun, Roberts," said the lieutenant.
+
+"No, sir, I don't think it is," said Bob, "for it won't frighten the
+niggers, and my gun would."
+
+The night seemed to have come on darker than ever, and the rocket stars
+shone with wonderful brilliancy as they descended lower, and lower, and
+lower, some even to reach the water before they went out, and just as
+the last was floating down, Ali, who was close to the two officers,
+suddenly started, grasped Bob's arm, and exclaimed sharply,--
+
+"Prahus!"
+
+He was pointing with one hand down the stream, but on the middy gazing
+in the required direction it was too dark to see anything.
+
+"I can see none," he said.  "Where?"
+
+"Two prahus coming up rapidly," said Ali; "be ready to fire."
+
+"Not so fast, young sir," said the lieutenant.  "Will that steam never
+be up?  Roberts," he cried, "touch the trigger of that life-buoy."
+
+The middy obeyed, and a life-buoy dropped over the side with a splash, a
+port-fire at the same moment bursting out into a brilliant blue glare,
+which, as the buoy floated down rapidly with the stream, lit-up the
+trees on either shore, made the water flash, but above all showed out
+plainly to all on board a couple of large prahus coming rapidly up the
+stream, the many sweeps out on either side making the water foam and
+flash in the blue light shed by the buoy.
+
+"There!" said Ali excitedly, "they are Rajah Gantang's prahus.  Fire at
+them."
+
+"Not so fast, sir," said the lieutenant.  "I must first be sure that
+they are enemies."
+
+He was soon assured of that fact, for as the steamer was lit-up by the
+port-fire as well as the prahus, _bang, bang, bang, bang_, one after the
+other, came the reports of the brass guns the two long boats had on
+board, and a hail of small iron balls came whistling through the
+rigging.
+
+"There's no doubt about it now," said the lieutenant grimly; and giving
+the orders as the prahus rapidly advanced, evidently with the intention
+of boarding, the two big guns on the port-side thundered out a reply,
+splashing the water all over one prahu, and going through the matting
+boarding-screen of the other; but otherwise doing no harm.
+
+The prahus replied, and for a few minutes there was a sharp duel kept
+up, at the end of which time the oars were seen being swiftly plied, and
+the two boats went on up stream at a rapid rate, the steamer firing at
+them as long as they were visible by the lights they had on board.
+
+"Was anything ever so vexatious?" cried the lieutenant.  "Here we lie
+like a log upon the water.  Will that steam never be up?"
+
+Just then the welcome news was given, and the order was passed down to
+the engine-room; the screw began to revolve, and the men cheered as the
+vessel's head was freed from the buoy, to which she had been moored, and
+they began to steam rapidly in the wake of the two prahus, whose lights
+had evidently passed to the left of the island.
+
+Meanwhile a sharp engagement had evidently been going on in the
+neighbourhood of the little fort.  Once or twice the nine-pounder they
+had there spoke out, but the principal part of the firing was that of
+rifles.  Lights were seen from the deck, here and there amidst the
+trees, and were moving upon the shore, where the people were evidently
+in a state of alarm.  Still the occupants of the island seemed to be
+making a good fight, and the lieutenant felt that he could not be doing
+them better service than by disposing of the two prahus, and to this end
+the steamer went on, its commander having a sharp look-out kept, and a
+man busy with the lead in the forepart of the vessel.
+
+At the end of a few minutes the lights on the prahus were seen; the
+order, "Full speed ahead!" given, for they were now in the middle of the
+open reach of the river, and Lieutenant Johnson hoped to sink one or the
+other of his adversaries by using a little energy.
+
+The shadowy shapes of the two boats were made out at the end of a
+minute, and a couple of guns were brought to bear upon them, the firing
+being replied to for a time, the flashes from the guns serving to light
+up the darkness of the night for a moment, while the roar of the big
+guns went rolling along the surface of the water, and was echoed from
+the trees upon the bank.
+
+"Keep that lead going more quickly," shouted the lieutenant, as the last
+of the prahus, apparently unharmed, passed round the head of the island,
+placing the wooded land between her and the steamer, which followed
+rapidly in their wake.
+
+The lieutenant's orders were obeyed, and the sounding shouted by the man
+who handled the lead line.
+
+The river was very deep, but as no good chart existed, and it was dark,
+extra caution was being used, and all was going on well.  In another
+minute she would have rounded the bend of the island and been in full
+chase of the fleet enemy, when just as the man had shouted out the
+depth, there was a sudden shock, which threw several men off their legs,
+and to the dismay of all, the steamer was tightly fixed upon a mudbank,
+every effort to release her only seeming to make her settle more firmly
+down.  And this at a moment when her presence might serve to change the
+fortunes of the attack being made upon the residency.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FORTY.
+
+HOW PRIVATE GRAY WENT A-FISHING.
+
+Private Gray had hard work to seem composed as he went away to execute
+his orders.  The remarks of Captain Smithers had come like an
+endorsement of his own suspicions, and in imagination he saw the island
+given over to violence and rapine, as a large force of savage Malays,
+who resented the coming of the English, took advantage of the present
+state of weakness and carried all before them.
+
+He felt as if a strange pallor was taking the place of the ruddy,
+sunburnt hue of his face, and he turned sick as he thought of Miss
+Linton and her cousin; of the major's wife, and those of several of the
+soldiers.
+
+It would be horrible, he thought; but the next moment his strength of
+nerve returned, and feeling that the safety of all might depend upon the
+energy he displayed in his mission, he hurried on towards the fort.
+
+As he went along under the shade of the trees, he recalled that which he
+had seen when on duty a night or two back, and wondered whether there
+was any cause for suspicion in the boat that he believed he had seen
+gliding over the dark river in so shadowy a way.  Then he remembered the
+sounds he had heard; and lastly, he recalled various little things in
+Abdullah's behaviour, that, trifles in themselves, now seemed to be
+strangely significant.
+
+By this time he reached the fort, on entering which he found Sergeant
+Lund perspiring profusely, as with big clumsy unsuited hands he fingered
+a pen, and wrote laboriously his report, while Private Sim, who had not
+declared himself ill for a week, lay back under a tree fast asleep.
+
+He was a very unlovely man was Private Sim, especially when asleep, for
+at this time he opened his mouth very wide, and around it the busy flies
+were flitting, evidently taking it for the flower of some new kind of
+orchis or carnivorous plant, and they buzzed about and around it as if
+enjoying the fun of going as near as they could without quite getting
+into danger.  That it was a fly-trap one big sage-looking insect seemed
+certain, for he settled on the tip of Private Sim's nose, and seemed to
+be engaged in making sudden flights and buzzings at young unwary flies
+as they came near and into danger, driving them away from the yawning
+cavern just below.
+
+Gray smiled to himself as these ideas flashed across his brain, and then
+he walked up to the sergeant.
+
+"Which--which--that--which--or which--but which--in which--for which--to
+which--phew! this is hot work.  I wonder which would be best.  Ah!
+Gray, sit down here a minute, my lad, and tell me what to say.  I've
+been hours over this report."
+
+"I am off on special business directly, sergeant," said Gray; "but let
+me see."
+
+He read over the sergeant's report, and then dictated half-a-dozen
+lines, which that officer wrote down as quickly as he could.  "I shall
+copy it out afterwards," he said, "neat and clean.  Go on, my lad, go
+on."
+
+Gray dictated a few more lines, which ended the report in a short,
+concise manner, and Sergeant Lund's face, which had been all in
+corrugations, smoothed itself into a satisfied smile.
+
+"That's beautiful," he said, looking up at the private admiringly.  "I
+shall copy that all out in a neat hand, and the thing's done.  I say,
+Gray, how do you do it?  Here, what takes me hours, only takes you
+minutes; and while it's hard labour to me to get it into shape, you run
+it off like string from a ball.  Thanky, my lad, thanky.  Now what can I
+do for you?"
+
+"I want a bayonet and a revolver, with ammunition, directly," said Gray.
+
+"What for?"
+
+"Captain's orders, and private," said Gray, showing Captain Smithers'
+card, with a few lines pencilled thereon.
+
+"Right," said the sergeant bluffly.  "I'm not an inquisitive man.  Come
+along, Gray."
+
+He led the way into the part of the fort used as an armoury, and
+furnished the required weapons, which Gray proceeded to button up under
+his jacket.
+
+"Oh! that's the game is it, my lad?" he said.  "Then look here; don't
+take those clumsy tools; any one can see that you've got weapons hidden
+there.  I'll lend you this little revolver; it's handier, and will do
+quite as much mischief.  You can have this dirk, too, with the belt."
+
+He brought out a handsome little revolver, about half the weight and
+size of the heavy military "Colt" previously supplied; and also a
+well-made, long, thin dirk, with a thin belt.
+
+"There, my lad!" he said, buckling on the belt under Gray's jacket, and
+then thrusting the revolver into a little leather pouch.  "There, you
+are now fitted up sensibly, and no one would be the wiser.  Stop a
+moment, you must fill your pocket with cartridges.  Let me have those
+things back safe, and I hope you won't have to use them; but being
+ready, my lad, is half the battle.  You know I'm never ill."
+
+"No, sergeant; you have excellent health."
+
+"Right, my lad, I do; and I'll tell you why: I bought the biggest box of
+pills I could get before I left London.  Four-and-six I gave for it, and
+I have never taken one.  Diseases come, and they know as well as can be
+that I've got that box of big pills--reg'lar boluses--in my kit; and
+they say to themselves, `This man's ready for action, with his magazine
+well stored!' and they go somewhere else."
+
+"I see, sergeant," said Gray, smiling.  "Good-bye!"
+
+"Good-bye, my lad, good-bye.  Here, nobody's looking.  Sim's asleep.
+Shake hands, my lad, shake hands.  You see, as your superior officer
+that's a bit of stooping on my part; but, between man and man, I,
+Sergeant Lund, look up to you, Private Gray, and always feel as if we
+ought to change places."
+
+"Good-bye, sergeant," said Gray, shaking hands warmly with the sergeant,
+"and I echo your wish that I may not have to use the weapons; keep a
+sharp look-out."
+
+"You leave that to me, private," said the bluff sergeant, and he nodded
+his head as Gray went off upon his mission.
+
+It was rather an awkward one, for he wished to watch Abdullah without
+exciting his attention.  Gray thought, however, that he might prove a
+match for the Malay, and as he wandered slowly along he began to
+consider what he should do?
+
+The first idea that suggested itself was that he should go to Dullah and
+sit there and eat fruit; but he discarded the idea directly as too
+palpable a way of watching.  He felt that the Malay would suspect him
+directly, as he was not a man who was in the habit of visiting the hut.
+
+No; he must have some better plan than that, but no idea struck him for
+a few minutes, till happening to glance at the flowing river, the notion
+came, and going straight back he was soon after seen sauntering down to
+the river, armed with a long bamboo, a fishing-line, and some bait, with
+which he proceeded to fish as soon as he reached the river, but having
+no sport he began to grow impatient, fishing here and there, but always
+getting nearer to Dullah's hut, where he remained seated on the bank,
+fishing very perseveringly to all appearance, and occasionally landing a
+little barbel-like fellow, known by the natives as _Ikan Sambilang_, or
+fish of nine, from the number of little barbs beneath its mouth.
+
+Gray fished on, never once turning his head to see what was going on at
+the hut, but making the keenest use of his ears.  He made out, while
+landing a fish or re-baiting his hook, that there were a couple of
+sampans lying there, in which were some Malays who appeared to be
+basking in the sunshine; and, soon after, his quick ears told him
+plainly enough that some one, whom he believed to be Dullah, was
+approaching.
+
+As the Malay came nearer, it was to find Gray's rod lying in the water,
+and the soldier, apparently overcome by the heat, sitting in a heap,
+with his chin down upon his chest, regardless of the fact that a little
+fish was upon its hook, tugging away to get free.
+
+Dullah seemed about to speak to the intruder; but seeing this, he
+refrained, contenting himself with examining Gray closely, and then
+going slowly back.
+
+"That will not do to report," thought Gray.  "He saw me fishing, and he
+came to see what I had caught, and then went away.  I must have
+something better than that."
+
+However he had obtained a position whence, unsuspected, he could sit and
+watch what went on at the hut; for after satisfying himself as he had,
+it was not likely that the Malay would trouble himself any more about
+the presence of the private so near his place.
+
+So Gray sat there, apparently fast asleep, all through the afternoon.
+
+The night closed in as the sun went down rapidly, as is the case near
+the equator, and still Gray felt that he had nothing to report.  Two men
+rose up once in the sampan nearest to Dullah's hut, but they appeared to
+lie down again amongst their fruit baskets; and Dullah himself, the last
+time Gray saw him, was seated, peacefully smoking, by his verandah.
+
+As it became dark, Gray ran over in his mind the positions of the
+various sentries, and thought of how soon he could get help, should he
+need it; and then, after a little thought, he came to the conclusion
+that he ought to make his way to the fort, and tell Captain Smithers of
+his want of success.
+
+Just then the glimmering of the stars in the water put an idea in his
+head.  He paused for a moment, as the proceeding was so risky; but on
+consideration he felt that, if he carried out his plan, he would know
+for certain whether mischief was brewing.  So, giving up his intention
+of going back to the fort at present, he proceeded to put his plan into
+execution.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FORTY ONE.
+
+THE VALUE OF PRIVATE SIM.
+
+Where Adam Gray had been seated fishing, the bank was about three feet
+above the surface of the water, and this clayey bank was either
+perpendicular, or so hollowed out beneath by the action of the river,
+that if any one had the courage to lower himself into the water, here
+about four feet deep, and to cling to the tangled vegetation, and wade
+along close to the overhanging bank, he could pass right up to Dullah's
+hut unperceived.
+
+There was danger, of course; for the stream ran swiftly, and the
+venturesome wader might be swept away.  A crocodile, too, might be
+lurking beneath the bank; but the business was so important that Gray
+resolutely set his face against the idea of danger, telling himself that
+it was his duty; and leaving his rod upon the bank, he quietly lowered
+himself into the river, the cold water sending a sharp shock through him
+as he stood, breast high, holding on by some tangled roots, while the
+water pressed against him, with no little force, as it ran.
+
+He paused there for a few minutes listening, half fancying that he had
+heard a noise, and that the slight splash he made might have been noted
+by Dullah or the men on the sampans; and as he listened, sure enough
+there was a dull noise, as of a blow, followed by a little rustling, and
+then, just above his head, he could hear somebody breathing hard, as if
+after some exertion.
+
+Gray did not stir; and fortunately he was quite concealed by the
+overhanging bank, as a Malay, down upon his hands and knees, leaned over
+the edge and looked up and down the river.
+
+For the moment Gray felt that he must be seen, and his hand stole
+involuntarily towards his breast in search of a weapon; but he was in
+utter darkness beneath the bank, and the man's eyes were more directed
+outward.
+
+The result was that the Malay, who, kris in hand, had crept cautiously
+from Dullah's hut right up through the undergrowth and long grass, to
+where he believed the Englishman to be fishing, drew cautiously back,
+and crept once more away.
+
+Gray remained motionless for a few moments, and then, convinced that
+this meant ill to him, he began to wade cautiously along towards where
+the sampans lay in the stream, some thirty yards away.
+
+He moved very slowly, so as to make no plash in the water, which
+sometimes, as the river shallowed, came only to his waist, while at
+other times it nearly reached his chin; and had he not clung tightly to
+the water-washed roots and depending bushes, he must have been swept
+away.
+
+Gray had gone about half the distance; and as he neared the sampans,
+whose forms he vainly tried to make out in the darkness, to his horror,
+he found that something was moving towards him in the water.
+
+Quick as lightning he drew the long keen dirk from his belt, and stood
+ready to thrust, for it was either a crocodile or some large animal, he
+felt sure; but directly after he stood holding on by his left hand, to a
+bunch of tangled root hanging from the bank, and felt his heart seem to
+stand still, for, to his surprise, he plainly made out that it was a
+man, wading in the opposite direction, and evidently for a similar
+purpose to his own.
+
+It was, in fact, one of the Malays from the nearest sampan, who, while a
+companion had undertaken to stalk the Englishman from the shore, as he
+sat there asleep, had set off from the boat, meaning to get there at the
+same time as his friend, but had miscalculated the period it would take.
+
+He was now coming along cautiously, and had nearly reached Gray in the
+darkness before he became aware of his presence.
+
+As soon, though, as he made out that it was the Englishman who was
+before him, he made a lunge forward, striking at Gray with his kris; but
+the latter avoided the blow and prepared to close with his antagonist,
+feeling as he took a step back, that the result would probably be death
+for both, for they must be swept away by the swift stream.
+
+Just then the Malay seemed to leap at him, but at the same moment he
+uttered a smothered cry, which was silenced directly by the rushing
+water, and Gray found that he was alone.
+
+He needed no telling that one of the loathsome reptiles of the river had
+been close at hand, and had seized his enemy; his wonder was that he
+himself had not been the victim.
+
+It was enough to paralyse the bravest heart, and for a few minutes Gray
+clung to the roots of the tree beside him, feeling sick and giddy, and
+as if some reptile was only waiting for his next movement to drag him
+down.
+
+It was fortunate for him that he did not stir, for the Malay's cry had
+alarmed his companions, who could be heard talking quickly and in
+whispers, close at hand.
+
+At first it seemed to Gray that they were coming to the help of their
+unfortunate companion, but this did not prove to be the case.  They knew
+what had happened, from old experience, and accepted the accident as one
+of the misfortunes to which they were heirs, troubling themselves no
+more about the matter.
+
+Recovering himself somewhat, but feeling all the time that any moment he
+might be seized, Gray crept once more slowly along, till he stood with
+the water nearly to his shoulders, beneath the overhanging bank, by
+Dullah's hut, and between it and the two sampans.
+
+The place was admirably suited for concealment, for now little more than
+his head was above water, and that he had contrived should lie behind a
+screen of drooping verdure, which made his chilly hiding-place so dark
+that he could not have been seen twelve inches away.
+
+Having escaped from the reptiles so far, he felt more hopeful; and as he
+stood there, behind his screen, he began to try and make his position
+valuable.
+
+He had not long to wait for this.  In less than a minute, a voice, that
+he took for Abdullah's, was whispering to some one on the river, and a
+sampan came so close in to the bank that had he stretched out his hand
+he could have touched the side.
+
+It was a grief to him that he was not thoroughly conversant with the
+Malay tongue, but he had picked up a good deal, and had mastered a
+sufficiency to catch the import of the words he heard.
+
+The principal was an order that the _orang_ should come ashore, the
+order being given by Dullah.
+
+What was the _orang_?
+
+He puzzled for a few moments, as the sampan pushed off.  _Orang-outang_!
+Was this after all a trading visit, and they were going to bring some
+great monkey ashore.
+
+_Orang-outang_--man of the woods, of course.  _Orang_ meant man or men,
+and the men were to land.  There was danger then, and men were to land.
+That was enough, and now he would go and give warning; but he could not
+move without being heard, and he had to remain listening, as there was
+the faint beat of oars, and then, though he could hardly see them, two
+long row-boats of great size seemed to come up out of the darkness, and
+he felt more than saw that they were full of men.
+
+What was the sentry about?  There was one so near that he ought to have
+seen or heard their coming, and Gray listened eagerly for the report of
+his piece giving the alarm.
+
+But no report came, for the sentry had not heard.  He had not been
+krissed, but as far as giving alarm was concerned he might have been
+dead; for the sentry close at hand was Private Sim, and he was fast
+asleep.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FORTY TWO.
+
+WHY DULLAH CAME TO THE ISLE.
+
+Every moment that passed was more convincing to Adam Gray that Dullah
+was a traitor, and at the head of affairs for making a descent upon the
+island.  In place of two long row-boats, each carrying some fifty or
+sixty men, it was evident now that there were four, and they were being
+cautiously forced up to the landing-place, where, under the orders of
+Dullah, several men ashore were ready to make them fast.
+
+Directly after, coming like a revelation, Gray learned what a snake they
+had had concealed in the grass at the jungle-station; for as he
+listened, intently watching the while for an opportunity to escape, he
+heard Dullah's voice, and then those of his men addressing him as rajah.
+Directly after he heard a voice on one of the large boats asking for
+Rajah Gantang, which was replied to by Dullah.
+
+There was the secret then of this man's presence on the island.  It was
+Rajah Gantang himself who had come among them, to seek his opportunity
+for overthrowing the English, and now his opportunity had come.
+
+Gray ground his teeth with rage at his impotence, and he tried to get
+away unperceived, as it became evident that the nearest sentry heard
+nothing.  Still at any moment there might come the warning shot from his
+rifle; for though everything was very plain to him, hidden in the midst
+of the Malays, it was quite horrible that not a sound might reach the
+most attentive of sentries, especially as every word was spoken in a
+whisper.
+
+It seemed impossible to get away without discovery.  The slightest
+movement would have made his presence known, so closely had the boats
+come in.
+
+Still no alarm was raised.
+
+Then Gray began hoping that Captain Smithers or Ensign Long might be
+going the rounds, and his dread was lest they should fall into some
+trap.  It was for him, then, to warn them, but how?
+
+The water was very cold, and seemed to Gray to be the cause of the chill
+that struck to his heart as he stood there wondering, and listened to
+what was evidently a rapid debarkation.
+
+Suddenly, as in imagination, he saw these merciless men gaining an entry
+to the fort and massacring all there, he recalled the fact that he
+possessed a pistol.  A shot or two from that would give alarm to the
+sentries.
+
+And bring certain death upon himself!
+
+Well, he thought, as he paused for a few moments, why not?  If he, by
+giving up his life could save those at the fort--his officers, comrades,
+the ladies, and the rest, ought he to hesitate--would he be doing more
+than his duty?
+
+It was a hard struggle.  Life was very sweet, and he had but to remain
+perfectly still, to escape.  Did he move, a dozen spears and krisses
+would be at his breast directly.
+
+He smiled as he told himself he was not hesitating, but that all he
+wished to do was his duty; and without a moment's hesitation he drew the
+little revolver from its pouch, held it out as high as he could, and
+drew the trigger.
+
+For answer there came a sharp click, and he knew that the water had
+damaged the cartridge.
+
+He tried again, with no other result than the noise of the fall of the
+hammer; and then Dullah's, or Rajah Gantang's, voice was heard in a
+reproving tone as he bade his men be silent.
+
+Gray tried again, but for the third time the cartridges, soaked as they
+were by being under water so long, refused to go off.  But at his fifth
+and sixth pulls there were a couple of lines of light, and Gray felt
+astonished as he heard how loud were the reports the little weapon made.
+
+For with a couple of bright flashes that seemed to the astonished Malays
+to come out of the surface of the river, there were as many echoing
+reports, and as they rang out they were answered by sentry after sentry
+about the island, the last shot being fired by Private Sim, close at
+hand, after which he ran for his life.
+
+There was a sharp keen order at this, and the boats' heads were forced
+up to the bank, one of their prows crushing right in upon Gray even to
+touching him, but saving his life for the moment, as it concealed his
+position from the enemies, who were vainly trying to make out in the
+darkness who had given the alarm.
+
+Gray had not a moment to lose; already spears were being thrust beneath
+the bank to right and left of him.  His only chance was to dive right
+beneath the keel of the nearest boat and swim down the river for his
+life.
+
+He did not pause to think of the risk--the alarm had been given, and he
+had the satisfaction of knowing that every one would be on the alert--as
+he dived down, passed beneath the keel of the first boat, and then
+beneath the next, keeping under water all he could till he was fifty
+yards or so from the nearest prahu, when he struck out for the shore.
+
+The current ran very strong where he now was, and soon took him beyond
+reach of pursuit; but it had its disadvantages, for as he swam he felt
+that if he did not use every effort he would be swept right down the
+river.  And now, too, came the dread of the crocodiles, and he swam on,
+expecting each moment to feel the teeth of one of the monsters, and to
+be snatched down into the depths of the river to a horrible death.
+
+Meanwhile, shots were being fired on the island; he heard drum and bugle
+calling to the muster, and relieved of the fear that Captain Smithers
+would be surprised, he fought on manfully with the swift stream.
+
+His efforts seemed in vain, for though he had contrived to get pretty
+close to the shore, the current ran so strong that he saw himself swept
+by the dark line of trees and into the stream below.
+
+His only hope now seemed to be to make for the steamer, whose lights he
+could see below him; but involuntarily almost he turned and made a fresh
+effort to reach the island, when, to his great delight, he found himself
+in a strong eddy, and after five minutes' swimming he was able to catch
+at the overhanging branches of a tree and draw himself up close to the
+muddy bank, where he remained, panting for a few minutes, longing to
+draw himself out on to dry land, but too weak and exhausted, half
+paralysed too, as he thought of how the great reptiles had their haunts
+in the hollows beneath the river's banks.
+
+At last, though, his heart beat less painfully, and he gently reached up
+one hand above the other, made a strong effort, and then lay panting
+beneath the trees, with the water running from him in a stream.
+
+Safe from the water and the creatures that haunted the river, he had yet
+to thread his way through the ranks of human tigers who were now
+swarming about the island, as he could tell by the flashes and reports
+of the rifles that were being fired on either side.
+
+He lay there for quite ten minutes, thinking of what would be his best
+plan to pursue, for he had a double peril to encounter--namely, the
+spears of the Malays, and the bullets of his comrades, who would be
+certain to fire at any one they saw approaching.  Still nothing
+presented itself to his mind, and he at last began to move cautiously
+forward towards the little fort.
+
+As he went on through the dense growth with which this part of the
+island was covered, he became aware that the Malays were making quite a
+furious attack upon the place, while it was just as evident that they
+were encountering a serious resistance.  To his great delight now the
+field-piece began to speak, and he had seen the rocket go up, as a
+signal to the ship, the bright stars lighting up the patch of jungle
+where he lay to such an extent that he shrank close down beneath some
+shrubs, lest he should form a mark for the spear of some Malay.
+
+Going so slowly and cautiously, it took him some time to get near the
+lines, and then he had to pause, for the flashes and reports of the
+rifles showed him where his enemies were lying, and twice over he nearly
+walked into the midst of a little group hiding amidst the trees.
+
+He had taken the precaution of reloading the little revolver, though all
+the time feeling greatly in doubt as to whether the cartridges were not
+spoiled; and consequently he relied most of all upon his dirk, though he
+felt that his only chance would be to steal through the Malays, and then
+make a bold dash for the gate, shouting the password as he ran.
+
+He was compelled to crawl as he drew near, for the bullets whistled
+through the trees, cutting off leaf and twig, and searching the jungle,
+as it were, for the enemy, who seemed all around him; for, go which way
+he would, there was always a party close at hand.
+
+At last, though, he crawled behind some trees, with only an open space
+between him and the fort.  He was waiting his opportunity; and the
+moment a sharp, scattered burst of firing was over, he rose and ran for
+his life.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FORTY THREE.
+
+TOM LONG HEADS A SALLY-PARTY.
+
+As Adam Gray ran through the darkness, a yell arose from behind him,
+telling him that his act had been seen, and, as if to prevent him,
+half-a-dozen spears came whizzing through the air, one of them so close
+that it grazed his arm; while, to make matters worse, the firing
+recommenced from the fort.
+
+By dint of shouting strongly he made himself known, and the firing
+ceased, giving him time to run up to the breast-work, and then along it
+to the gateway, now doubly shut; but after a little parley he was
+admitted, and found himself in the presence of Captain Smithers and
+Ensign Long.
+
+"Ah, Gray!" exclaimed the former, "I had given you up.  Were those your
+shots that gave the alarm?"
+
+Gray said they were, and in a few concise words told what he had seen.
+
+"Yes," said Captain Smithers, "we are in for it; but our friends have a
+tougher job than they imagined."
+
+During the next half-hour, while they were keeping the enemy at bay,
+they became aware of the fact that an engagement was going on between
+the steamer and some enemy unseen by them, though they immediately set
+it down as being with boats.  The return signal had been seen, and there
+was no little comfort in the knowledge that the occupants of the steamer
+were at hand to co-operate with and help them, though they little
+thought of how soon the vessel would be rendered almost helpless.
+
+With the daylight, which was most gladly welcomed, came the news that
+the corvette was ashore; and on Captain Smithers turning round to speak
+to Ensign Long, he found that young gentleman slapping his legs, bending
+down with laughter, and altogether behaving in an exceedingly indecorous
+manner for an officer and a gentleman.
+
+"Why, Long!" exclaimed Captain Smithers, "what does this mean?"
+
+Tom Long flushed up as red as a turkey-cock, and looked at his superior
+officer in the most shame-faced way.
+
+"I--I--I--" he began.
+
+"Why, I believe you were delighted to hear that the steamer was
+aground."
+
+"Well, no, sir; not that the steamer is aground," said Tom.  "I--I--was
+not sorry, though, that Roberts had made a mess of it.  He is so
+bounceable, sir."
+
+"I'm ashamed of you, Long!" said Captain Smithers severely.  "This is no
+time for silly, boyish spite.  Take ten men, and make your way down to
+within hailing distance of the vessel, and ask what they mean to do--
+hold the corvette, or come and take their chance with us?  At once, sir,
+and act like a man."
+
+Tom Long saluted, and getting Sergeant Lund and nine men, made his way
+out of the little sally-port, and led them along at the double, beneath
+the shelter of the fire from the fort, till they were opposite the dense
+grove of trees which lay between them and the steamer.
+
+It was an awkward and a dangerous task, for not only was the piece of
+forest growth swarming with enemies, but from time to time a shot or two
+from the marines on board the vessel came whistling through the trees.
+
+But Tom Long was smarting from his rebuke.  He wanted to act like a man,
+and at heart he knew he had been behaving like a boy of a very petty
+disposition, so, with Captain Smithers' words yet ringing in his ears,
+he formed up his men, gave the word, and in skirmishing order they
+dashed through the trees, sending the Malays, after they had thrown a
+few spears, helter-skelter to right and left, save a few who were driven
+out in sight of the men on board the steamer, when a few shots sent them
+off into cover.
+
+"Phew!" ejaculated Sergeant Lund, taking off his cap to wipe his wet
+forehead, and gazing admiringly at the ensign.  "That's warm work, sir."
+And then he glanced at the men, who were delighted with what they
+called the ensign's pluck.
+
+"Warm? yes, sergeant.  Quick! some of you fire at those niggers; they
+are coming back."
+
+A little volley at half-a-dozen Malays, who were showing menacingly on
+their left, sent them to the right-about, and then the men cheered,
+their cheer being answered from the steamer, which was only about thirty
+or forty yards from the shore.
+
+"Ensign Long, ahoy!" cried Bob Roberts, leaping on to the bulwarks.
+"What cheer?"
+
+"If you mean how are we getting on, and are we all safe, why don't you
+say so?" cried the ensign sharply.
+
+"All right, sir.  I'll write you a memorandum and a report," said Bob
+Roberts.  "Now then, how are you?"
+
+"Captain Smithers wants to know whether you are coming ashore or going
+to stay on board."
+
+"Stay on board, Mr Long," said the lieutenant, who had come up.  "Are
+you all well?"
+
+"Yes, sir, all well."
+
+"None wounded?"
+
+"No, sir, not one as yet."
+
+"Tell Captain Smithers that my duty is to stay here with the steamer;
+but if he is hard pressed I will either send him a party of sailors and
+marines, or else we will cover his retreat with his gun, if he will come
+and take refuge on board."
+
+"Captain Smithers cannot leave his entrenched position, sir," said Tom
+Long stiffly; "but we can find room for you and your crew, if they like
+to come."
+
+Tom Long said this so importantly that Bob Roberts began to laugh; and
+no doubt some sharp bandying about of words would have followed, had not
+Lieutenant Johnson said rather sternly,--
+
+"Tell Captain Smithers, Mr Long, that a rocket sent up by night, or
+three calls of the bugle given sharply without any perceptible interval,
+will bring help from us; but ask him if any steps can be taken to help
+the expedition."
+
+"Captain Smithers is of opinion, sir, that the expeditionary party is
+strong enough to take care of itself, and that it is our duty to--Oh!"
+
+Tom Long blushed for it afterwards; but a well-thrown spear came so
+close to his ear that he could not avoid an involuntary cry.  The next
+minute his little party were under cover of some trees, and slowly
+driving back a body of Malays, who, however, would have out-flanked
+them, but for a brisk fire kept up on them from the steamer, when they
+disappeared once more into the jungle, with which this part of the
+island was overgrown.  When after a few more words with the occupants of
+the steamer, during which Lieutenant Johnson impressed upon the ensign
+that the best thing to be done was to act entirely on the defensive, the
+little sally-party started to return, the lieutenant promising to do all
+he could to cover their retreat.
+
+The distance was not great, but full of peril; for the minute the Malays
+comprehended that Tom Long's party were going back, they began to swarm
+out of their lurking-places, and it now became evident that hundreds of
+fighting men must have landed on the island.
+
+"Well, sir," said Sergeant Lund, wiping his face, as, after getting
+about half-way back, the little party found themselves hedged up in a
+little gully by Malay spears, whose holders kept themselves hidden
+behind the trees,--"well, sir, this is hot, and no mistake."
+
+"Yes," said Tom Long, excitedly; "but be careful, my lads, don't waste a
+shot; you must be getting short."
+
+"They've only about six rounds each, sir, now," said the sergeant; "but
+they've got the bayonets."
+
+"Yes," said Tom, as he stood sword in one hand, revolver in the other;
+"but we mustn't let them get at us with their spears.  I can't leave a
+man behind, sergeant."
+
+"Then we'd better stop as we are for a few minutes, and get breath, sir,
+and then see which is the best way to go."
+
+The sergeant hurried to a couple of the men who were exposing themselves
+a little too freely, and then returned to Tom Long, who was standing in
+the middle of two sides of a triangle composed of four men a side, and
+another forming the apex.
+
+"I'd make a dash for it, sergeant," said the ensign, "only I should be
+sure to lose some of the boys; while if we stop here we shall get
+speared.  It's a puzzle, isn't it?  I say, I don't feel half so--so--"
+
+"Scared, sir?"
+
+"Well, yes; I didn't like to say frightened, sergeant," replied Tom,
+smiling, "because it sounds so queer."
+
+"Ah, sir, you might say anything now before the lads, they wouldn't
+mind; and after the plucky way you led us on, they'd follow you
+anywhere.  But hadn't we better let the enemy have a few shot, sir?
+They're closing in fast."
+
+Tom Long was about to give the order for which his men were anxiously
+waiting, when he became aware of something going on in a clump of palms
+about forty yards away.
+
+"What are they doing there, sergeant?" he said.  "Look!"
+
+"Getting ready for a rush, sir.  Hadn't we better form square?"
+
+"No; only close up a little," said Tom, sharply, as he set his teeth;
+for he knew that they were on the brink of a hand-to-hand encounter.
+
+For though pretty well screened by the trees, it was evident that a
+large party of the Malays were getting ready for a rush, when _bang--
+crash_, there was the report of a gun from the steamer, followed almost
+instantly by the bursting of a shell in the very thick of the trees
+where the Malays had gathered, with the result that there was quite an
+opening rent in that part of the jungle, and the threatening party was
+scattered like chaff.
+
+"That's what I calls the prettiest shot I ever see," said one of the
+men.
+
+"Forward!" shouted Tom Long, and taking advantage of the momentary
+panic, he hurried his little party on at the double, with the result
+that by the time the Malays again menaced an attack, the sally-party
+were under cover of the guns at the fort, and a few minutes later,
+amidst the cheers of those they had left behind, Tom Long led his little
+party within the gates, not a man amongst them having received a
+scratch.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FORTY FOUR.
+
+HOW CAPTAIN SMITHERS MADE PLANS.
+
+There was plenty to do to make the little fort secure, and well the men
+worked.  Double their number would not have been too strong a garrison,
+for the Malays mustered thickly now on all sides, save that nearest the
+ship, whose heavy guns had taught them the risk of making any display of
+their presence.
+
+Captain Smithers would have gladly joined forces with Lieutenant
+Johnson, but he was not surprised at his reply, and he could only
+condole with him in respect to the accident that had occurred to the
+steamer, one which would partly place it _hors de combat_ until some
+flood should cause a rise in the water of the river.
+
+The men vied with each other in executing the orders that were given,
+and in a short time the mess-room and quarters were so strengthened that
+once within, the men felt that the only enemy they had to fear was fire,
+and that they hoped to avoid by means of their rifles, and, if needs be,
+their bayonets.
+
+It was a terrible time for the women, many of whom had husbands with the
+expedition; but knowing as they did that the major's lady was in the
+same position as themselves, they tried hard to follow her calm and
+patient example.
+
+It was only an outward calm though, for poor Mrs Major Sandars was
+suffering keenly, though she tried hard and successfully to speak words
+of comfort to Rachel Linton and her cousin, both of whom went about with
+her, talking to the soldiers' wives, and trying to amuse the children,
+who at times grew impatient at being forced to keep inside the walls of
+the barracks, the outer enclosure having been long declared unsafe.
+
+Captain Smithers had sought the ladies, and spoken a few words of
+encouragement to them, gazing very hard at Miss Linton as he said,--
+
+"You may rely upon us, Miss Linton.  I would lay down my life sooner
+than harm should befall you."
+
+"I am quite satisfied of that, Captain Smithers," said the lady,
+quietly.  "I believe that of the meanest man here.  In the meantime, I
+presume that you would like us all to keep within the walls."
+
+"Yes, if you please, Miss Linton," said the young officer, coldly; and
+then, as he walked away, he muttered, "Yes, she believes that of the
+meanest soldier, and thinks as much of him as of me."
+
+He walked across the open space to the lines where the men were placed,
+the intention being to hold them for the time, and if hard pressed, to
+retire within the barracks and there make their stand.
+
+As he went to the nearest point a bullet whizzed by him, sufficiently
+near to show him that the Malays had not only good weapons among them,
+but men who could shoot straight; and he frowned as he felt that their
+chance would be but small if under some clever leader the Malays should
+make a bold effort to take the place.
+
+On reaching the earth-works that surrounded the enclosure, every man was
+in his place, silent and watchful.  The order had been given that no one
+was to fire except to check an advance, for though ammunition was
+abundant, Captain Smithers felt that it was impossible to tell how long
+they might be besieged, so he determined to economise as much as
+possible.  Consequently, firing from the fort was only at intervals, and
+as the Malays relied principally upon their spears, the ball was not
+kept up with anything like vigour; but, all the same, certain movements
+on the part of the enemy warned the temporary commandant to be careful,
+as it would be craft, more than open assault, with which he would have
+to deal.
+
+After completing his round and saying a few words to the men, he stood
+thinking on the side nearest the river, from which he was only separated
+by a space of about forty yards, and he could not help thinking how
+their position would be strengthened if the steamer could be got off and
+moored here, a trench being opened from stem and stern to connect it
+with the fort.  This would be giving the latter a most powerful river
+front.  Dullah's hut, which stood there, could easily be razed, and he
+knew that the water was deeper there than at any part of the river--
+quite sufficient to float the steamer.
+
+It seemed a risky thing to do--to send again; but he felt that he ought
+to apprise Lieutenant Johnson of his ideas, and to request him to use
+every effort to get the steamer off.
+
+"As if he would not do that for his own sake," he muttered directly
+after; and then he began to consider whom he should send.
+
+Adam Gray immediately suggested himself to his mind, and his brow
+knitted as he felt that it was like trying to get rid of a man he
+disliked.
+
+"He is the most trustworthy, and the best suited for the task," he said
+directly; and as the words left his lips he raised his eyes, and saw the
+object of his thoughts come with a dozen more men to relieve the party
+nearer him.
+
+"Fall out, Gray," he said sharply; and Gray looked at him curiously as
+he stepped back out of the ranks.
+
+"I want a message conveyed on board the steamer, Gray," said Captain
+Smithers.  "She lies about fifty yards off the other side of the island,
+aground on the mud.  Do you think you can reach her?"
+
+"I shall do my best, sir," said Gray, quietly.  "If I do not succeed,
+you will know it is because I am down."
+
+"But you must not go down, Gray," said Captain Smithers, hastily.  "You
+cannot be spared.  This is a most important duty, and that is why I send
+you."
+
+The private's eyes were fixed on those of his captain most searchingly,
+and the latter lowered his own before those of his inferior.
+
+"I shall give you no written message, for fear that you may be taken,
+Gray," said Captain Smithers, hastily.  "Take this verbal message,
+`Captain Smithers begs, for the sake of all, that Lieutenant Johnson
+will strive to get the steamer off, and bring her round here, to moor
+her close up to the bank, alongside of Dullah's hut.'  Do you
+understand?"
+
+"Yes, sir," said Gray, and he repeated the words.
+
+"That will do.  Now go."
+
+"At once, sir?"
+
+"At once."
+
+Gray saluted, and with his teeth pressing his lip started off upon
+another risky mission.
+
+He met Ensign Long as he went back to the quarters, and on being
+questioned, he questioned in return, and obtained a few particulars,
+enough to make him determine to make his way up towards the head of the
+island, and there swim off, to try and get himself swept down to the
+steamer, hoping to be seen and get on board without mishap, and in this
+spirit, arming himself once more as on his former expedition, he set
+off.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FORTY FIVE.
+
+THROUGH FIRE AND WATER.
+
+Private Gray was conscious that the ladies saw him start, and their eyes
+bade him succeed, or else it was his fancy.  At all events the knowledge
+that he had their sympathy encouraged him, at a time when his heart was
+sore with the knowledge that Captain Smithers was selecting him for
+every dangerous service, as if to get rid of him.
+
+Sergeant Lund nodded sagely, on receiving the application for the
+revolver.
+
+"All right, my lad," he said quietly.  "I suppose I mustn't grumble at
+you for making it so rusty last time."
+
+"No, sergeant; nor yet if I make it worse this time."
+
+"Another risky journey then, eh?  No, don't tell me, my lad.  Go and do
+your duty; I'm not going to pump you."
+
+"I know that, sergeant, but it is no breach of confidence to ask your
+advice."
+
+"'Course not, my lad.  There you are; fix 'em in tight.  Now then, what
+is it?  I'm good at some things, so long as you don't ask me to put 'em
+down in writing."
+
+"If you wished to get to the steamer, sergeant, how would you proceed?"
+
+"Oh, that's it, is it?" said the sergeant.  "Well then, you've got a
+risky job, my lad.  But you'll do it.  Well, if it was me I should wait
+till night, if I could."
+
+"And if you could not?"
+
+"I should go just t'other way, to throw the Malay chaps off their scent.
+Then work round to the head of the island, slip into the water, and
+swim down."
+
+"Exactly, sergeant," said Gray; and he turned off to go.
+
+"He's as clever a young chap as ever I run against," said the sergeant,
+who, like a good many more people, fervently admired those who thought
+the same as he.  "But what puzzles me more and more every day is how
+such a chap as him should come to be a common soldier.  He's a
+gentleman, every inch of him.  Why, didn't they get him to talk to the
+French officers when we landed at Ceylon, and the French frigate was
+there? and my word, how he did jabber away!  He might have been a real
+mounseer.  Well, 'taint no business of mine; so long as he gets his
+accoutrements clean, and a good coating of pipeclay on his belts, that's
+enough for me.  I only wish there was more Grays and not so many Sims in
+the company."
+
+Meanwhile Adam Gray was on his way to the far side of the fort, very
+quiet and thoughtful as he made his plans, the first part of which was
+to go quietly to the edge of the earthwork, wait for his opportunity,
+and drop into the dry ditch, from which he hoped to crawl unperceived to
+the cover of the trees, about a hundred yards away.  The rest, he felt,
+must be left to chance.
+
+As he reached the side he met Ensign Long, who came up to him, and to
+his great surprise shook hands.
+
+"Captain Smithers has told me of your mission, Gray," he said; "I wish
+you every success."
+
+"But you don't think, sir, that I shall succeed, and this is a friendly
+good-bye," said Gray, smiling.
+
+"Well I--that is--I--'pon my word, Gray, you just hit what I was
+thinking about.  You see I had such a narrow escape of it myself, that I
+couldn't help thinking of something of the kind."
+
+"You tried it openly, sir; I'm going to try and steal a march upon the
+Malays."
+
+"What, are you going over here?" said the ensign.
+
+"Yes, sir, and there's a good opening now," said Gray, after a sharp
+look round.  "Good-bye, sir; wish me luck."
+
+As he spoke he glided as it were over the edge of the earthwork, and let
+himself roll into the ditch, whence he made his way to the edge on the
+other side, Ensign Long bidding the two nearest men cover the messenger
+with their rifles as long as he was in sight.
+
+That was not for long, Gray crawling rapidly over the ground; and as
+those who watched scanned every shrub and tree for an enemy, they saw
+him reach the edge of the jungle and disappear.
+
+It was into no haven of safety though that Gray had passed, for he had
+not gone twenty yards into the shadowy gloom, which was comparatively
+cool after the scorching sunshine in the opening that had been cleared
+of trees, before he heard voices on his left, and he had barely time to
+crouch down among the long grass before half-a-dozen Malays came along,
+one of whom saw the pressed down undergrowth and began to examine it
+curiously.
+
+Another moment and he would have seen Gray, whose hand was thrust into
+his breast, but a word from one of his companions took off his
+attention, and he disappeared with them amongst the trees.
+
+Gray drew a long breath as he once more started off, creeping on all
+fours, and at times crawling, so as to make sure of being unseen.
+
+His journey of about half a mile, measured by his twisting and turning,
+was one series of hairbreadth escapes.  A dozen times over he had to
+turn and come back over almost precisely the same ground to avoid a
+party of Malays, who seemed ready to spring out of the earth on all
+sides of him, but still, thanks to the thick growth, he was unseen.
+Such a journey on their first landing would have been impossible, but as
+the men were hardly ever allowed to go on the mainland, they had, by way
+of compensation, pretty free access to the jungle portion of the little
+island, and in consequence they had trampled down the dense vegetation,
+and forced paths here and there through the cane brakes when snake
+hunting.
+
+At last, dripping with perspiration, Gray reached the head of the
+island, and lay half exhausted in a dense clump of canes, listening to
+the washing of the river as its waters divided, a dozen or so of paces
+from where he lay.
+
+He could not see the river on account of the thick growth, but it
+sounded very cool and pleasant; and now, having won his way thus far, he
+longed for the plunge and swim down to the steamer.
+
+He reckoned that a minute's law would place him beyond the reach of
+spears, however ably thrown; and as to the enemy's rifles or muskets, he
+did not think they would be able to hit him as he swam with the rapid
+stream.  Still he did not move, for he was so heated by his exertions
+that he dreaded risking cramp or shock from the sudden immersion.
+
+Everything was so still in the hot afternoon sunshine, that the whirring
+noise of the insects seemed quite loud.  Beautiful blue-billed gapers,
+all claret and black and white, flitted about, catching glossy
+metallic-looking beetles; little green chatterers, with their crested
+heads, flew from spray to spray; and tiny sun-birds, in their gorgeous
+mail of gold and bronze and purple, flew from flower to flower in search
+of honey.  Now and then a scaly glistening lizard rustled by him, and
+twice over a snake crawled right across his body and away into the
+grass.  Then a flock of the little lovebird paroquets came and settled
+in a tree hard by, piping, whistling, and chattering as they climbed and
+swung head downwards, or flew here and there; while upon some bushes
+close at hand sat a pair of the lovely rose-breasted trogons, with their
+grey reticulated wings and beautiful cinnamon backs.
+
+It was a glorious scene for a lover of nature, so delicate were the many
+tints of green, so pure the sky above; while to add to the beauty of the
+place a flock of rose-tinted doves settled in the palms, and cooed as
+mellowly as if this were in some park in the young soldier's far-off
+home.
+
+So lovely was everything around that Gray closed his eyes, and was ready
+to ask himself whether the idea of danger was not all a dream, and that
+it was but fancy, to suppose that bloodthirsty men were swarming in the
+island, ready to slaughter the inhabitants to a man.
+
+The sharp crack of a rifle, and then of half a dozen more, dissipated
+the dream, and with a sigh as he thought of the danger of those at the
+station, Gray unclosed his eyes, rose to his hands and knees from where
+he had been lying, and began to force his way softly amidst the canes.
+
+It was no easy task till he came to a track, evidently that made by a
+crocodile in coming and going from the river.  He paused for a moment,
+shuddering as he thought of his danger; then drawing the dirk, ready for
+a blow at the monster's eyes, should he encounter one, he crawled on,
+reached the water's edge in safety, parting the canes to peer up and
+down the river in search of danger, and seeing none.
+
+From where he crouched the steamer was not visible, but he knew that a
+little bold swimming would soon show her lying below; and, all the while
+feeling very much like as if he were a frog about to plunge into a
+stream haunted by pike, he lowered himself towards the water, gazed for
+a moment into its depths, and then plunged in.
+
+Down he went into the clear, cool stream, striking out so as to get well
+away from the bank as he did so, and then rising to the surface, to see,
+to his horror, that a good-sized boat, that had lain hidden amidst the
+reeds, was being pushed out, and with seven or eight occupants was
+coming in pursuit.
+
+What was he to do? seek the shore again and take refuge in the jungle?
+
+That seemed impossible; for he had plunged in so close to the boat, that
+he would have been speared long before he could reach the place he had
+left, even if he had been able to swim against the stream.
+
+Then, to his horror, he saw that the banks were perpendicular or else
+overhanging, and any attempt at climbing them from the water must have
+failed; for, as far as he could see, where he was being swept down not a
+tree laved an overhanging branch in the swift stream.  There was only
+one course open to him, and that was to trust to the river, and swim for
+his life.
+
+He had been taking this as his only chance as the above thoughts flashed
+through his brain; and now came in the value of his old school-day
+experience, when he had been one of the bravest swimmers of his age.  In
+fact, as he swam on, recollections of the old alder and willow ait in
+the clear river came back, and he smiled as he turned upon his side and
+forced his way through the sparkling waters.
+
+The position as he made the side-stroke was convenient, though not
+inspiriting; for as his cheek lay on the stream he could keep one eye
+upon his pursuers, who were now coming rapidly on.  Fortunately for
+Gray, in their hurry and excitement the Malays had lost ground, so that
+the young soldier had a fair start before they bent regularly to their
+paddles.  He could see, though, that a couple of men were standing
+upright in the boat, each with a foot upon the gunwale, and a spear
+poised in one hand, ready for hurling at the fugitive when within
+throwing distance.
+
+Gray swam swiftly, but he saw that it was hopeless, and that he must
+soon be overtaken and perish.  Still he did not despair, for his career
+had before now seemed as near its end.  _Nil desperandum_ was the motto
+of his life, and like some hunted hare he kept his eye upon his
+pursuers, meaning to try and dive the moment he saw an effort made to
+hurl a spear.
+
+He might perhaps escape by diving.  At all events, it was his only
+chance, and he swam on, with the boat now rapidly getting near.
+
+Perhaps, he thought, they might not throw, but wait to thrust at him.
+If so, that would give him longer time; but no, there was no chance of
+that, for now he saw one of the Malays poise his spear, and draw himself
+back, to throw it with all his force.
+
+Gray saw no more, but with a shuddering sensation, as he seemed to feel
+the deadly weapon pierce him between the shoulders, he made a tremendous
+effort, and dived down, swimming beneath the surface with all his might,
+till compelled to rise for breath.
+
+As his head appeared above water a spear grazed his shoulder, and
+another passed just over his ear when he dived again, still pursuing the
+same tactics, and swimming beneath the surface.
+
+Again he rose, and another spear splashed the water in his face, while
+the shaft of the next struck him a sharp rap, as the blade narrowly
+shaved his ear.
+
+Down once more; but now he was weaker.  The intense excitement and the
+need of breath exhausted him, and though he strove hard to keep down,
+his efforts began to prove vain.  He had seen, the last time, that the
+boat was closer to him, and he felt sure that now on rising he should be
+within reach of one or other of the spearmen.
+
+Still he made another effort to keep below, for though he was
+suffocating, and began to feel confused, weak, and helpless, these
+moments were moments of life, whereas the instant he reached the surface
+he knew that all was over.
+
+In his confused, sense-benumbed state, he felt that after all he had
+done his duty, and he recalled the calm, trusting look directed at him
+by Miss Linton as he passed her that morning.  Then the water above him
+grew lighter, and he rose to the surface, striking out but feebly now,
+as he saw the boat close at hand, heard a shout from the Malays, and saw
+one of the men in the bow lean over to thrust his spear into the
+helpless swimmer, now almost at his feet.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FORTY SIX.
+
+SHOWS HOW BOB ROBERTS GAVE A HINT, AND THE MALAYS GOT INTO HOT WATER.
+
+Hunter and hunted had been alike too much occupied to note what had been
+going on elsewhere.  Gray's anxious gaze when he rose to the surface had
+been directed backward at his pursuers, and for the time being the
+steamer and her occupants were forgotten.  On the other hand, the
+Malays, keen on the scent of blood, intently watched the place where
+their quarry dived, and calculated where he would rise.
+
+So it was then that just as one of the men in the prow of the boat was
+about to savagely stab the nerveless swimmer, whose glazing eye met his
+with more of defiance than menace therein, there was a rattling volley
+from half-a-dozen rifles, the two spearmen fell over the side, to be
+swept away by the stream, and their companions, on starting up and
+seeing one of the steamer's cutters coming rapidly on, to a man leaped
+overboard and swam for their lives, some making for the island, some for
+the opposite shore.
+
+Adam Gray was so exhausted and surprised that it was some time before he
+realised that the danger was past, but that, unless he made a fresh
+effort, a new peril would await him, and he would lose his life by
+drowning.
+
+Just then, though, the Malay boat was swept close to him, and he threw
+one arm over the side, holding on till he was dragged into the cutter,
+which was then rowed rapidly back to the steamer.
+
+"That was a narrow squeak for you, Mr Soldier," said Bob Roberts.  "My
+marines only spoke up just in time."
+
+"I cannot find words to thank you now, sir," panted Gray, who was pale
+with exhaustion.
+
+"All right!" said Bob; "and don't find any words to thank me by-and-by.
+I'm glad we were in time.  You'd have done as much for any of us, my
+man."
+
+"Of course, sir; of course," said Gray, huskily.
+
+"Yes, of course you would; but how came you in the river?"
+
+"I was swimming off with a message to Lieutenant Johnson, sir," replied
+Gray.
+
+"Then if I were you I wouldn't go such a long way round next time," said
+Bob.  "Steady there, marines.  Let them see you cover them, and they'll
+rush off behind the trees."
+
+This was in regard to some Malays who were showing themselves menacingly
+on the edge of the river; but the moment they saw that the marines'
+rifles were directed at them they ran to cover, and the cutter was soon
+alongside of the steamer, the falls were hooked on, and the boat swung
+by the davits, her mission being at an end.
+
+Two anchors had been carried some distance out, steam got up, and with
+the screw going at high pressure and men at work at the capstan, every
+effort was being made to get the vessel out of her unpleasant position,
+but in vain.
+
+Lieutenant Johnson heard the message brought by Gray, and then pointed
+to what was being done.
+
+"I am making every effort," he said rather angrily.  "Does Captain
+Smithers think I want to stay in this disgraceful position?  You can
+tell him, though, that if I can get free I shall divide my time between
+chasing these rascally prahus and lying where he suggests."
+
+The efforts went on, the men hauling and straining on the anchors, and
+the steam going furiously, but all in vain; the vessel would not move.
+
+Then another plan was tried; all the ship's company were sent to one
+side of the bulwarks, and then run across to the other, to give a
+swaying motion to the vessel, so as to loosen the keel in the deep mud;
+but though the careening was effected, the steamer could not be moved,
+either ahead or astern.
+
+Then the last plan was tried again, with the addition of the guns being
+run all over to the port-side, but still there was no change; and
+Lieutenant Johnson's brow knit with annoyance as he more fully realised
+the fact that they would be lying in that helpless position when the
+captain returned.
+
+"The disgrace is enough to kill me, Roberts," he exclaimed.
+
+"Let's set every sail, sir," said the middy; "there's a nice breeze
+coming down the river now, and that may send her over nearly upon her
+beam-ends."
+
+"Yes!" exclaimed the lieutenant eagerly; and the order being given, the
+men ran up aloft, and sail after sail was lowered, Ali standing with
+folded arms watching the proceedings, and then turning to lean upon the
+bulwark and gaze down the river.
+
+Just then Adam Gray saluted the lieutenant.
+
+"Will you be good enough to have me set ashore now, sir?"
+
+"Set you ashore, my man?" replied Lieutenant Johnson, "Why, you had
+better wait till night."
+
+"I ought to get back with your message, sir."
+
+"Wait a little while, and perhaps I can run you round to the other side
+of the island."
+
+Gray, now that he had somewhat recovered, was eager to get back, but he
+could not quit the ship without the lieutenant's consent, and hence he
+waited patiently for the required permission, watching the steamer's
+sails drop down one by one, and fill and flap as the breeze rose and
+fell.
+
+Now and then a dusky face could be seen amidst the palm-trees watching
+their proceedings, but it disappeared directly, and the clothing of the
+vessel with canvas went on without interruption, till pretty well every
+stitch was set save a studding-sail or two.  Then a puff of hot air
+came, and the steamer bent well over, the sails being so trimmed that
+the vessel's course would have been astern had she shown any disposition
+to move; but though the steam was on full, and the men brought the
+capstan to bear on the cables, she did not budge an inch.
+
+"Here, my lads, back with these guns," said the lieutenant; and for the
+next half-hour the men were busy replacing the heavy guns, when Ali, who
+since his escape had been remaining in sanctuary upon the steamer,
+suddenly gave the alarm.
+
+"A prahu coming down," he exclaimed, running to the lieutenant and
+catching his arm, pointing out as he did so something moving round a
+reach of the river, and seen now and then where the growth was thin.
+
+"Two prahus coming up stream," reported one of the look-out men.
+
+"Look! look!" cried Ali, pointing up the river.  "There is another--two
+more.  They are coming to take the steamer," he cried.
+
+"And we aground!" exclaimed the lieutenant, stamping his foot with rage
+as he gave the necessary orders.  The drum beat to quarters directly;
+the magazine was opened; and the men ran eagerly to their posts; while
+Ali went quietly into the cabin, and returned with a sword, revolver,
+and a spotting rifle, lent him by the lieutenant for shooting
+crocodiles.
+
+"Are you going to fight?" exclaimed Bob Roberts, who looked flushed and
+excited.
+
+"Yes," said Ali, "with this;" and he tapped the rifle.
+
+"But against your own people?"
+
+"Rajah Gantang's pirates are not my own people," said Ali,
+contemptuously.  "Besides, the English are my friends, and if we could I
+would have gone to help those ashore."
+
+"All right," said Bob, "then we will fight together.  I say, it's going
+to be a hot affair, isn't it?"
+
+"They think to take the steamer easily," said Ali, "as she is ashore,
+but you will not let them?"
+
+"Let them!" said Lieutenant Johnson, "no, Mr Ali, we will not.  We
+shall fight to the last, and the last will be that I'll blow the vessel
+up.  I can't sink her, for she is aground."
+
+Ali nodded his approval: he seemed in no wise moved at the prospect of
+the steamer being destroyed.  And now he stood watching the coming of
+the great prahus, with their regular sweeps, twenty to thirty on each
+side, and alternated this with watching the loading of the guns and
+disposal of the men.
+
+Just then an idea seemed to have struck Bob Roberts, who ran across the
+deck to where old Dick was standing ready by a gun.
+
+"Here, Dick, I want you.  Wilson, come and take his place."
+
+"Ay, ay, sir!" cried the man; but old Dick growled.
+
+"Don't take me away, Mr Roberts, sir," he said, querulously.  "I was
+longing for a shot at them dirty pirates, and now I'm losing my chance."
+
+"Look here, Dick," cried Bob, and he raised himself on tiptoe and
+whispered something to him, old Dick's soured face undergoing a complete
+change to one full of mirth.  The wrinkles became puckers, and his eyes
+nearly closed, while his mouth seemed drawn out at the corners till
+nearly double its usual length.
+
+"It will be just right, Dick," said the middy.
+
+"To a T, Mr Roberts, sir.  Well, you are a clever one, you are!  Who'd
+ha' thought of that?"
+
+"You be ready, Dick; I depend upon you, mind," cried the middy; and he
+ran back to his post.
+
+The prahus were coming steadily on, up and down stream, and it could be
+seen from the steamer's deck that they were full of men, and bristling
+with spears, while any doubt as to the unfriendliness of their
+intentions was soon dispelled by the noise of beating gongs on board
+each vessel, the object being apparently to encourage each other and to
+excite alarm in the breasts of their foes, a result which in this case
+the noise decidedly failed in obtaining.
+
+The men kept glancing anxiously at their commander, who seemed to be
+letting the prahus approach very closely, which appeared to be a bad
+policy, seeing that the Malays were about ten to one, and their object
+would doubtless be to board the steamer and engage in a hand-to-hand
+fight; but Lieutenant Johnson had made his plans, and was abiding his
+time.  He himself carefully pointed the guns, depressing them somewhat,
+so that the shot should strike low; and then leaving the task in the
+hands of the captain of each piece, he waited the result.
+
+The prahus were now within a couple of hundred yards of the steamer, and
+had begun firing iron shot from their little brass lelahs, when the
+first gun spoke out.  There was a round puff of smoke and a deafening
+roar, and the shot struck the nearest right in the stem, tearing a great
+hole in her bows, and passing through her with such deadly effect that
+the prahu immediately began to sink, and her crew leaped overboard in
+confusion and began to swim ashore.
+
+Grape-shot from the smaller guns or musketry from the marines would have
+destroyed numbers of the Malays struggling in the water, but looking
+upon them as out of the fight, Lieutenant Johnson left them to struggle,
+some to one bank, some to the other, and gave his orders merely to the
+men at the great guns.
+
+It was one from the port-side that had wrought this mischief.  Now one
+from the starboard spoke out.  There was once more the great white ball
+of smoke, the deafening roar, and the shot struck the water about twenty
+yards from the nearest prahu, ricochetted, and passed clean through her,
+going down the river afterwards in a series of richochets.
+
+This shot caused no little confusion on board, and several of the sweeps
+fell uselessly in the water; but the prahu still came on, with the
+occupants yelling and beating their gongs.
+
+Another shot struck the water, and though well aimed for the next prahu,
+it rose and went over her, merely making a great gap in the
+matting-screen from behind which the Malays were keeping up a brisk but
+ineffectual fire.
+
+Another shot at one of the prahus coming down stream; and this went
+clean over, and crashed through the palm-trees a quarter of a mile away.
+But the next shot produced a hearty cheer from the sailors, for it
+struck the slight vessel right on the water-line, made a tremendous gap,
+and must have caused terrible slaughter, for the Malays were thrown into
+confusion, the sweeps clashed one with the other, and all governance
+seemed gone, the prahu turning broadside on, and then floating slowly
+with the stream for a few yards before settling down and sinking,
+leaving her masts and the top of the mat screens visible, for the water
+was shallow where she sank.
+
+The two prahus coming down stream were thus effectually disposed of; but
+the two coming up were now close at hand, and before another gun could
+be brought to bear their bows struck the sides of the steamer,
+grappling-irons were thrown over the bulwarks and into the chains, and
+yelling savagely their crews of fierce fighting men came swarming upon
+the deck.
+
+It was sharp work leaving the guns and preparing for the boarders; but
+the sailors and marines were ready, and received the fierce, yelling
+crowd of Malays with a sharp fire and the point of the bayonet, while
+these latter attacked fiercely with kris and spear.  Their charge was
+most daring, and they came on in such numbers, and fought with so great
+a display of courage, that the little party of Englishmen, in spite of
+their heroic defence, were driven back step by step, till Lieutenant
+Johnson began to bitterly regret that he had not signalled for help from
+the fort.
+
+His heart sank within him as, in spite of his bravery and the example he
+set his men he saw them giving way on all sides.
+
+Bob Roberts, young as he was, fought bravely and well, while Ali did
+good service with his rifle.  But all seemed in vain; the Malays were
+gradually getting possession of the deck, and the question was arising
+in the lieutenant's mind whether it would not be wiser to take refuge in
+the cabin, and fire from thence as they could.
+
+Men fell rapidly on either side, but while the Malays had three or four
+to leap into the places of those who went down, every wounded Englishman
+weakened the force terribly by his loss.
+
+Still there was no sign of flinching, the men giving way solely from
+being forced back by the numbers that pressed upon them.
+
+Three times over by a determined rally did the lieutenant strive to
+force the enemy back, but in vain; and the last time he nearly lost his
+life, for the Malays made at him at once, and in his efforts to avoid
+them he slipped and fell.
+
+With a yell of triumph a couple of the enemy dashed at him spear in
+hand, when there was a sharp double report from a rifle, and one leaped
+in the air to fall flat on the deck beside his intended victim, the
+other staggered back and retreated to the rear.
+
+Those shots were fired by the young chief Ali, who coolly reloaded his
+piece, and stood watching Bob Roberts, whose excitement was intense.
+
+He had forgotten Dick and his instructions to the old sailor in the
+fierce passions of the fray, and poor old Dick had gone down almost at
+the first rush, to crawl afterwards under the bulwarks, where he bound
+up his head, and lay watching the fight as he strove more than once to
+join in.
+
+But each time old Dick essayed to rise, a terrible sickness came over
+him, and he sank back trying to recall some order he had received from
+the midshipman, but unable to make out what it was.
+
+He fainted away twice in his efforts to get up, and then lay back, sick
+at heart, and with just enough consciousness left to know that the fight
+was going against the English, and that he had it in his power to change
+the fortunes of the day.
+
+"What was it Mr Roberts told him to do?  What was it Mr Roberts told
+him to do?"
+
+That was the question he wanted solved, but the sense had all seemed to
+escape out of the cut in his head, so he told himself, and the more he
+tried to recall what it was, the more did he grow confused, and at last
+he lay there helpless, listening to the yelling of the Malays, and the
+cheers and shouts of the comrades he could not help.
+
+He could see clearly enough all that was going on, and feel bitterly
+every phase of ill fortune in the fight, while he regretted the
+powerless state in which he lay as he saw some companion worsted by the
+enemy.
+
+"If I could only think what it was Mr Roberts told me to do, I might do
+it now," he muttered, "and that would help the poor lads."
+
+His head was growing clearer, though, and he became more and more
+excited as he saw sailors, marines, and officers driven back, step by
+step, along the deck, with the prospect before them of being slain to a
+man, and the steamer taken.
+
+That idea was horrible to Dick, and he thought of the captain, officers,
+and men away in the jungle, and what would be their feelings when they
+returned.
+
+"If I could only help!" thought Dick.  "Bravo, lad!  Why he fights like
+a man," he muttered; "and there's that Mr Ali using his gun
+wonderfully, and him only a nigger; while I lie here with my orders on
+me, and do nothing to help my mates.  Oh, if I only had strength," he
+groaned.
+
+Still the fight went on, and to his horror Lieutenant Johnson saw that
+another prahu and a naga or dragon-boat were coming up to the attack,
+while in place of being able to repel them with a few shots from his
+guns, he and his men were hemmed-in by quite a mob of yelling Malays,
+every one of whom was thirsting for the Englishmen's blood.
+
+All at once, in the thick of the fight, and just as he was panting, and
+too helpless to deliver another stroke, Bob Roberts recalled for a
+moment the orders he had given old Dick.  But he felt that it was too
+late now, and stung by the disgrace of their position, he tried to
+reload his revolver, wondering whether Lieutenant Johnson would execute
+his threat of blowing up the ship.
+
+Had the lieutenant been ever so disposed, though, he could not have
+accomplished his design, for a living wall of Malays was between him and
+the way down to the magazine, and he was weak and spent with his
+efforts, to such an extent that he could hardly raise his sword.
+
+"It is all over," he thought to himself, "but we'll die fighting like
+Englishmen.  Oh, my poor lads," he groaned, "my poor lads!"  And he
+wondered whether he could have done anything else to lead them to
+victory, instead of this bitter defeat.
+
+It did indeed seem to be all over, for the fresh boats had reached the
+steamer, and their men were swarming over the side, when suddenly the
+remembrance of his orders flashed across old Dick's clouded brain,
+bringing with it renewed strength, for the faintness seemed to be driven
+away.
+
+Abdullah, or rather Rajah Gantang, saw the fresh forces arriving, and he
+shouted to them to come on, stepping back half-a-dozen yards, and then
+leaping on to one of the wired skylights, kris in hand.
+
+Close beside him he saw a rough old wounded sailor screwing on something
+bright that looked like a copper pipe, and then seize hold of an iron
+spanner; and out of sheer thirst for blood the rajah, after waving to
+the new comers to come on, made a leap down at the old sailor, who faced
+him with what seemed to the rajah like a copper gun, presented, and
+fired--
+
+No, that's wrong, he watered; for Bob Roberts' commands were at last
+executed, and a shower of scalding water from the boilers was sent by
+means of the hose and branch full in the rajah's face, driving him away
+yelling with agony, as Dick made a dash along the deck, the hose
+trailing after him, took the Malays in flank just as they were making
+their final dash at the hemmed-in defenders of the vessel, and the
+fortunes of the day were changed.
+
+_Whizz, squish_, out flew the steaming water in a scalding shower, and
+in an instant the fierce crowd of Malays were turned into a set of
+agonised, dancing, maniacs, a dozen of them turning furiously on Dick,
+and rushing at him, kris and spear in hand; but with a grim smile on his
+rough visage, old Dick gave the copper branch a waving motion, and the
+scalding shower stopped the fiercest of them, drove them back, and as
+they fled the fresh party summoned by the rajah came running along the
+deck.
+
+Dick did not flinch, but mentally praying that the supply might hold
+out, delivered the stream full in their faces as they came yelling up,
+and after a brave effort to withstand it for a few moments, sending them
+back, crushed and beaten, stamping, shrieking, leaping overboard, making
+frantic efforts to escape the pain, while Dick steadily followed them
+up, playing the boiling water amongst them, and literally cleaning the
+decks, amidst the cheering of the men.
+
+"Quick there," cried Lieutenant Johnson, "A man there at the wheel--two!
+quick! two!  She's afloat.  Down there in the engine-room," he shouted,
+as he mounted the bridge, for a breeze had sprung up, and the mud that
+clung round the steamer's keel having been loosened by the firing, the
+motion of the vessel, and the pressure on the sails, the corvette had,
+unperceived, been afloat some minutes, and slowly floating down stream.
+
+In another few seconds she was under full command; and as the men flew
+to the guns, the lieutenant took deadly revenge upon his fierce enemies
+by manoeuvring the steamer so that, in spite of the efforts of her crew
+with their sweeps; he literally sent her over the biggest of the three
+prahus, the stem of the steamer cutting it in two as if it had been made
+of paper, and then sinking the naga by a well-directed shot, the crews
+of both swimming easily towards the shore.
+
+By this time the other two prahus were in full retreat up stream,
+evidently from a belief that the steamer would not follow; but in spite
+of his mishap in running aground, Lieutenant Johnson could not resist
+the temptation to administer the sternest punishment he could contrive;
+and with full steam on, he gave chase, firing at the two prahus as he
+went.
+
+At the end of ten minutes one had been struck several times, and her
+captain ran her close in shore, he and his crew deserting her; while
+after avoiding only by a miracle at least a dozen shots, the last prahu
+suddenly turned in by a branch of the river and seemed to go right
+amongst the palm-trees, when, after a parting shot or two, the steamer
+proving quite unsuited for chase in such narrow, shallow waters, the
+lieutenant gave it up, his crew being too weak to continue the chase
+with the boats.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FORTY SEVEN.
+
+HOW BOB ROBERTS BURNED THE PRAHU.
+
+The victory was dearly bought; for now that the breathless excitement
+was over, and there was time to make an examination, it was found that
+fully half the crew had injuries, more or less serious, the men, though,
+bearing their sufferings with the greatest fortitude as their two
+officers, for want of a doctor, bound up the wounds.
+
+It almost seemed as if those who had most exposed themselves had come
+off best; for neither Lieutenant Johnson, Bob Roberts, Ali, nor Adam
+Gray, who had been brave even to recklessness, had received a scratch.
+
+"I have only one regret about you, Gray," said Lieutenant Johnson,
+shaking his hand warmly.
+
+"May I ask what that is, sir?" replied Gray.
+
+"Yes, that you are not a sailor; that is all," said the lieutenant,
+smiling.  "I shall not forget this affair.  I believe you twice over
+saved my life."
+
+"And you, too, friend Ali," continued the lieutenant, laying his hand
+upon the young chief's shoulder.  "I have often called the Malays a set
+of treacherous wretches, but I find that there are Malays and Malays.
+Sir, I hope some day that you may rise to power, as in you England will
+always have a trusty ally."
+
+Ali bowed gravely, and his eyes betokened the pleasure he felt as he
+thought of the possibility of his raising the people of this land to
+something better than the slothful, betel-chewing, piratical race they
+were.
+
+The steamer was now rapidly making her way back, the men furling the
+sails, and the screw as it revolved sending a wave washing in amidst the
+roots of the trees on either side of the river; while, now that the
+present danger was over, the lieutenant went round to visit his
+patients, leaving Bob Roberts in command, and a man with the lead in the
+chains.
+
+"I think the central channel is safe enough, Roberts," said the
+lieutenant; "but keep him heaving the lead."
+
+"Trust me, sir," said Bob rather importantly.
+
+"Yes, I'll trust you, Roberts," said the lieutenant.  "I'll be frank
+with you, my lad, and tell you something that will please you, I know."
+
+"What is it, sir?" said Bob eagerly.
+
+"I don't think I shall ever look upon you again as a boy?"
+
+Bob coloured with pleasure as soon as he was left alone; but his common
+sense prevailed the next moment.
+
+"That's very kind of him," he thought, "but it's all gammon; I am only a
+boy yet.  And there--hang it all! since Miss Linton spoke to me as she
+did, hang me if I care if I am!"
+
+Fortunately for the party on board the steamer, the Malays had carried
+off their wounded as they fell, so that there was no trouble with either
+them or prisoners, who would have been highly inconvenient at such a
+time, especially as there was no knowing how soon there might be another
+attack.  For though beaten as to their prahus, the Malays almost to a
+man succeeded in reaching the shore, to join those besieging the fort,
+and at any time a new attack might be made.
+
+As they came abreast of the prahu that was run ashore and forsaken,
+Lieutenant Johnson determined to run no risk of its being floated once
+more, and used, after patching, to annoy; for giving the order to
+reverse the engine, the steamer was kept abreast, while Bob Roberts and
+a party of marines and Jacks went ashore and made preparations to burn
+her.
+
+Ali stepped into the boat with his friend, and advised caution; for he
+warned Bob that, although severely punished, the rajah was in no wise
+beaten, and that, as likely as not, a force of men were lying hidden
+amongst the reeds to protect the injured prahu.
+
+"All right!" said Bob, "I'll be careful."  And to show how careful he
+intended to be, he let the cutter run up amidst the reeds, and jumped
+out with a dozen men, provided with some fiery spirit, and some spun
+yarn and matches.
+
+"I think you ought to search the reeds first with a few shots from your
+marines' rifles," said Ali, who was gazing around very distrustfully;
+and no wonder, for there was every likelihood of some of the Malays
+being in ambush.
+
+"No need," said Bob, laughing.  "We've given them such a lesson as they
+won't forget for some time, my lad.  Come along."
+
+Ali leaped ashore, and they tried to get on board the prahu, which
+seemed close in to the bank; but finding this was not the case, they
+returned to the boat, and pushed off through the rustling reeds to row
+round to the other side, and there board her by means of a rope.
+
+It was well for the little party that they returned as they did, for in
+twenty places dark figures were stealing through the thick, long reeds
+quite unseen, but all converging upon the spot where the cutter ran to
+the shore.
+
+The return to the boat upset the plans of the ambush, but the Malays who
+formed the party were not beaten; and finding their first plan hopeless,
+they immediately adopted another, and began creeping through the reeds,
+hardly making them rustle as they made now for the prahu.
+
+"Heave up a rope, one of you," said Bob, "unless anybody can climb up."
+
+This was as the bowman held the cutter close up against the prahu's side
+with his boat-hook.
+
+"If one on 'em keeps the cutter alongside, sir, I can get up, and then
+make fast a rope," said the bowman.
+
+"All right! up with you," said Bob; and as another man held on by one of
+the big oars that hung in its place, the boatman hooked on his boat-hook
+in one of the rattan-twisted ropes, and cleverly climbed up, catching
+the rope that was thrown up and making it fast, when half a dozen of the
+sailors, with Bob Roberts and Ali, were soon on the short, bamboo deck.
+
+"It seems almost a pity to burn her," said Bob, who was greatly taken by
+the workmanship of the craft.
+
+"No, no!" said Ali angrily, as his eyes wandered suspiciously about
+amidst the reeds; "burn her, burn her! the decks have been stained with
+blood, and many a poor, innocent creature has suffered outrage at the
+owner's hands.  Rajah Gantang was a cruel, bloodthirsty pirate.  Let the
+river be purified from his boats!"
+
+"But," said Bob, laughing, "we might give it a good washing down, and
+fumigate it below decks, and afterwards give it a coat of paint.  It
+would be purified enough then, and it might be useful."
+
+"I do not understand you," said Ali seriously; "but let your men be
+quick; I fear danger."
+
+"What a suspicious chap you are, to be sure, Ali," replied Bob.  "I'll
+be bound to say, if the truth was known, there isn't a nigger within a
+mile of us.  Here, look alive, my lads; it seems a pity to burn such a
+boat; but orders are orders, and we shall have a gun fired directly, by
+way of recall.  There, that will do; lay the oakum there, and pour the
+spirits over it.  She'll burn like a firework."
+
+The men obeyed in a quiet leisurely manner, quite satisfied of there
+being no danger if their officer saw none; so the oakum and yarn they
+had brought were heaped up on the bamboo deck, and another lot thrust
+into a kind of cabin, plenty of the spirit poured on each, and nothing
+was needed but the application of a match or two for the work of
+destruction to begin.
+
+Still Bob seemed loth to fire so well-built a vessel, and he stood
+pointing out good points in the make of the long light boat, counting
+the number of sweeps she had carried, examining the shot holes and the
+like--partly in a bravado spirit, for Ali was all anxiety to get on
+board the steamer again, scenting danger as he did on every breath of
+wind, while Bob wanted to show him how matter-of-fact and cool a British
+officer could be.
+
+"Look!" said Ali suddenly, and he laid his hand upon Bob's shoulder.
+
+"Which way?" said Bob quietly.  "I can see nothing."
+
+"You will not see," said Ali in a low passionate voice.  "You are so
+brave, but you are so foolish too.  Why risk life when there is danger."
+
+"I don't," said Bob coolly.
+
+"You do; there is great danger now," said Ali.  "Gantang's men are
+creeping through the reeds to spear us."
+
+"Jump down in the cutter then," said Bob, "and you will be all right."
+
+Ali drew himself up angrily.
+
+"A Malay chief never knows fear," he said, as he leaned his hands upon
+the muzzle of the rifle he still carried, and stood there, proud and
+defiant, like a bronze statue, he was so motionless and calm.
+
+"I didn't mean to offend you, Ali, old fellow," cried Bob.  And as the
+young Malay saw the open, frank, laughing face before him, and the
+extended hand, he seized it in his.
+
+"I am not offended," said Ali, "but I'm afraid for you and your men."
+
+"What of?" said Bob.
+
+"That!" said Ali, as a spear whizzed through the reeds and stuck in the
+bamboo deck.
+
+"Yes, it was close," said Bob coolly.  "Who has the matches?"
+
+"Here you are, sir," said one of the men.
+
+"All right," said Bob, taking the box.  "Down into the boat, all of you.
+Go on too, Ali."
+
+"No, I stay with you," said the young chief, just as another spear stuck
+quivering in the deck.
+
+"Ah!  I left it a bit too long," said Bob, striking a match as he dived
+into the cabin, and the next moment a volume of smoke rolled up.
+
+He then lit another match, and held it to the soaked oakum on the deck,
+spear after spear being thrown, several of which he escaped as by a
+miracle.  Another moment or two, and the thick smoke formed a veil
+between the two young men and their enemies, who threw spear after
+spear, but without effect.
+
+"Won't they be fine and mad?" cried Bob.  "Here, give me your rifle,
+Ali, old fellow, and I'll have a couple of shots at them.  No, I won't,"
+he said, handing the rifle back; "I can't shoot in cold blood.  Come
+along, or we shall be roasted ready for our friends there, if they are
+disposed to be cannibals.  My word, how she burns!"
+
+His last words were not uncalled for, as the light wood of which the
+Malay vessel was composed began to blaze furiously; so fast indeed, that
+the middy and his friend were driven into making rather an undignified
+retreat before the great leaping tongues of flame and the rolling
+volumes of smoke that in a few minutes ran from end to end of the
+vessel.
+
+"Push off, my lads," cried Bob, as he took his place in the
+stern-sheets, coughing and sneezing from the effects of the pungent
+smoke.  "Give way!" he cried; "there's a signal flying for our return."
+
+Just then a shot came from the steamer as well, and with the Malays
+beginning to fire at them from among the reeds, the cutter was rowed
+rapidly back to the steamer's side, the prahu meanwhile blazing
+furiously, and promising soon to burn down to the water's edge.
+
+"Come, Mr Roberts," cried the lieutenant impatiently; "you have been a
+long time."
+
+"Yes, sir," said Bob, smiling at Ali, "there was a good deal of
+spear-throwing towards the last, and we had to dodge them."
+
+"The enemy is not easily frightened," said the lieutenant, as the
+propeller once more rapidly revolved; "but we must get back, for I fancy
+I can hear firing below, and I am afraid they are attacking the fort now
+for a change."
+
+"What shall you do, sir?" said Bob eagerly.
+
+"It is not the custom, Mr Roberts, for the officer in command to
+explain his plans to his subordinates; but if you must know, I shall run
+the steamer as close up to the fort as I can, and there keep her, if the
+Malays do not prove too strong for us."
+
+Then walking to and fro for a few minutes, he ended by going up to where
+old Dick, with a bandage round his head, was calmly masticating a lump
+of tobacco.
+
+"I have never thanked you for your capital idea," said the lieutenant.
+"That hot water saved us in a terrible pinch."
+
+"Yes, sir," said Dick, grinning, "it saved us; but it warn't my idee at
+all.  `There's lots of boiling water, Dick,' says Mr Roberts, yonder;
+`screw on the hose, and tell the engineer what you want.  Then when
+all's ready, and it seems a good time, lay hold of the branch, and play
+up among the niggers,' sir; and I did as soon as I could, but my head
+were in that muzzy state that--"
+
+"There is firing going on," said the lieutenant.  "Mr Roberts, clear
+again for action."
+
+"Action, eh?" said old Dick.  "Then I can't do better than say another
+word to the engineer, for of all the ways to clear the decks this hot
+water system's about the best."  So saying, Dick went to screw the hose
+on the valve once more, muttering and talking to himself the while, and
+ever and again slapping one of his legs and bursting into a series of
+chuckles.
+
+"Lor' a mussy me," he said; "and how I argyed with Mr Roberts there
+about the niggers not being clean.  Why that's what put it into his
+precious head.  I wonder what they looks like to-day, after their
+washing."
+
+"Took the skin off, I should say, Dick," said Bob Roberts, who had heard
+the old man's words.
+
+"And sarve 'em right, sir," said the old sailor.  "What did they mean to
+do to us but take us right out of our skins, and end us right off at
+once?  And them as plays at bowls must expect rubbers."
+
+So saying, Dick, who had finished his speech without an audience, seemed
+quite forgetful of his wound, and went down to the engine-room, where
+the engineer and firemen saluted him with a broad grin; to which Dick
+responded with one a little broader, as he stood mopping the
+perspiration from his face.
+
+"Why, Dick, old man," said the engineer, "after this I think we can show
+them gunners a trick or two.  It would have puzzled them to clear the
+decks like that.  However came you to think of it?"
+
+"Think of it?" said Dick.  "I shouldn't never have thought of such a
+game; it was young Mr Roberts, you know.  But did you see 'em run?"
+
+"Run!" said the engineer.  "Running was nothing to it; you cleared the
+deck like a shot."
+
+"Shot!" said Dick scornfully; "I should like to see the shot or shell
+that would do it half as well.  Why, look here, my lads, your shot and
+your shell kills and murders people, knocks off their legs and wings,
+and precious often their heads.  A shot goes bang in amongst a lot o'
+folk, and there's an end of it.  But here I was with the copper branch
+in my fisties, and I just sprinkled 'em here and there like a shower
+and--"
+
+"Give it 'em hot," interposed one of the firemen leaning on his shovel.
+
+"Ay, I just did," said Dick; "not as it was much hotter than it is down
+here, my lads, but hot I did give it 'em, and there wasn't one who would
+face it.  And that brings me down to why I come here."
+
+"Oh, we know why you come here, Dicky," said another of the firemen, who
+had just been stoking a furnace, and whose face shone with perspiration.
+"You said to yourself, you did, there's them poor chaps down there in
+the engine-room getting half-roasted, and with their throats as dry as
+brown paper; now, being a good-hearted sort of fellow as I am, I'll just
+go down below and say to 'em, a nice cooling drink o' lime juice and
+water with a dash o' rum in it, is what you all wants in a big tin can.
+Shall I get it for you?  That's what you come down here to say."
+
+"Blest if ever I see such a clever chap as you are, Sam Walsh," cried
+Dick, slapping his leg and laughing.  "You can read a fellow just as if
+he was made up o' large print and big leaves.  You've really hit it, but
+you see a drink like that wants mixing; and don't you see, though you
+may drink it cold it wants hot water to mix it? and that's what I did
+come about--more hot water."
+
+"To mix up for us, Dick?" said the engineer, laughing.
+
+"No," said Dick, "I didn't say that, my lad," and a bigger grin came
+over his face; "what I want is the hot water to mix the grog for the
+niggers, as it seems they liked the last dose so much, that I'm to get
+ready some more."
+
+"There's plenty--hot enough for anything, Dick," said the engineer, "and
+I'll keep up the supply."
+
+"Silence below there!" cried a voice; and the engineer gave his
+subordinates a nod.
+
+"You'd better get on deck, Dick, old man," he said quietly; and then in
+response to a signal from above, he seized and altered a couple of
+handles, listened for a fresh order, and slackened the speed of the
+engine; while Dick went back on deck, satisfied that there was an
+abundant supply of hot water ready for the next action, and seeing that
+the island was once more in sight.
+
+A party of Malays were at the head, but they disappeared amidst the
+trees as the steamer came steadily down stream, while now as they drew
+nearer the sounds of smart firing could be heard, telling that an
+engagement was in progress.  Smoke, too, was rising slowly above the
+feathery palm-trees, but not in such dense volumes as that which could
+still be seen spreading out like a cloud above the jungle, where the
+prahu was burning.
+
+A sharp series of orders followed, and every man stood at his post; for
+boats could be seen going to and from the island, and it was plain
+enough to the meanest comprehension on deck that if they meant to aid
+the occupants of the fort they had come none too soon.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FORTY EIGHT.
+
+PLEASANT DAYS AT THE FORT.
+
+Matters seemed to grow worse from the moment that Adam Gray started off
+on his mission to the steamer, and Captain Smithers' brows seemed to
+have settled into a constant frown, for it was no light matter to be in
+command of the little fort, right away from aid, and only with a limited
+supply of provisions.  They might be made to last weeks or months; but
+the end must come, and he saw no chance of help from outside, unless the
+steamer went off to the nearest station in search thereof.
+
+Then there was the constant worry upon his brain about the expedition
+and its fate, for there could be no doubt about Ali's news; the force
+had been divided by cunning, and, with such treacherous enemies, he felt
+but little hope of seeing any of the party again.
+
+Fortunately for him and the sharers of his imprisonment--for it was
+little else--their minds were too much occupied by the defence of the
+place to give them time to sit and brood over their troubles.  There was
+always something to do, some weak part to strengthen; and Captain
+Smithers longed for the help of the lieutenant with the steamer to guard
+outside of the fort.
+
+There was this to consider too--if Lieutenant Johnson could get the
+"Startler" off the mud, and round to the other side by Dullah's hut and
+the landing-place, if they were very hard pressed the fort could be
+abandoned, and, with the women, they could take refuge on board.  Or
+better still--though he felt reluctant to make such an arrangement--the
+women could be got on board, and then the fort could be defended to the
+last extremity.
+
+In the course of those next hours while awaiting Gray's return, the
+Malays made two or three sharp attacks, all of which were repelled; and
+then, unable to assist, they waited, and listened to the engagement
+going on upon the other side of the patch of jungle that clothed a part
+of the island.  The heavy reports of the steamer's guns made the frames
+of the lightly-built dwellings rattle, and the smoke could be seen
+rising above the trees; but how the tide of war set it was impossible to
+tell, and Captain Smithers, as he walked up and down, felt as if he
+would have given anything for a trusty native spy who would have sought
+out news of what was going on.
+
+Failing this, and not daring to send out a second party, although Tom
+Long volunteered to go, there was nothing for it but to wait, especially
+as their besiegers had evidently been greatly augmented in numbers, and
+one of the soldiers had but to show himself for a moment, to bring upon
+himself a shower of bullets.
+
+The suspense grew maddening, as the noise of the engagement between the
+prahus and the "Startler" increased.  The yells of the Malays could be
+plainly heard; then the reports of the heavy guns ceased; there was a
+little rifle firing, the occasional crack of a revolver; and lastly came
+the faintly-heard noise of men contending in deadly strife.
+
+This lasted for a while, and the occupants of the fort mentally pictured
+the scene going on, but they could not comprehend the strange shrieking
+they heard as of men in terrible pain.
+
+Captain Smithers' heart sank, and he glanced at Tom Long, in whose
+countenance he read a confirmation of his fears; and on looking farther
+he saw Mrs Major Sandars, with Rachel Linton and her cousin, watching
+him attentively.
+
+They read his face too as he turned away, and their dread also seemed
+confirmed.
+
+That ominous silence of the steamer's guns pointed to the fact that she
+had been boarded by the Malays in too strong parties to be successfully
+resisted, and a deep gloom sank upon all within the fort.
+
+There was not a man present who would not willingly have gone to the
+help of those on board the steamer; but not only were they hemmed-in,
+but had they made a successful sally they had no means of reaching her.
+
+Nothing could be done, then, but wait, in the hope that some on board
+would escape and join them; and to this end a constant watch for
+fugitives was kept up, a dozen men standing ready at the gate to rush
+out and bring any stragglers in.
+
+Just when they had descended to the greatest depths of misery, and Tom
+Long was debating with himself as to whether he ought not to go to Miss
+Linton and try to comfort her, telling her that so long as his arm could
+wield a sword she might reckon herself to be perfectly safe, there was a
+peculiar crashing sound, with a fresh burst of yells and cries.
+
+The ladies shuddered, and longed to go in and be alone, but their
+excitement was such that they felt obliged to stay out there in the
+opening, risking many bullets, so as to be face to face with the worst.
+
+Something terrible had happened they all knew, and at last the suspense
+was so great that in the presence of the ladies Captain Smithers
+exclaimed,--"Long, you will have to take a dozen men and learn the
+worst!"
+
+Tom Long glanced at Miss Linton, and for answer tightened his sword
+belt, and then examined the chambers of his revolver.
+
+"I'm ready, sir," he said, and he set his teeth, for he felt that he
+should not come back alive.  Still he was a soldier, and he accepted his
+duty without flinching, though it did need an effort to be calm.
+
+Just then, as he was about to ask what men he should choose, all ears
+being attentive to catch the faintest sound from beyond the
+trees--_Boom--crash_! went a big gun report and the blow it struck,
+coming almost simultaneously; and as in his excitement Tom Long sent his
+cap high in air, there was another echoing report, with a familiar
+beating and panting sound.
+
+"The steamer's off!"  Tom Long cried.  "Hurrah!"
+
+Discipline was forgotten for the moment, and every man shouted with
+delight, his cheery "Hurrah!" the cheers being renewed directly after by
+the following reports of the steamer's guns; and they knew by the beat
+of the engines that she was going up stream, firing as she went,
+evidently in pursuit of a prahu.
+
+They had plenty of evidence directly after that the Malays had been
+beaten, for hurrying parties kept coming from the far side of the island
+where the engagement had taken place, and as Captain Smithers scanned
+these with his glass, he could see that their slight garments were
+soaking wet, baju and sarong clinging to their limbs, and showing that
+they had had to swim ashore.
+
+This was all proof of their having had a thorough beating; and now, with
+the steamer no longer aground, but ready to come to their help, the
+spirits of all rose at as rapid a rate as they had gone down.
+
+But it was to be no time of rest for them.  Captain Smithers, to meet
+the difficulty of there being no water to be obtained, save by going
+under fire to the spring, or making a dash for the river, had been
+giving orders for the sinking of a well in a corner of the fort, when
+word was passed from sentry to sentry of the advance of the enemy.  Then
+shots were fired, at first scattered, then rapidly; and it was at once
+evident, that in revenge for their defeat afloat, the crews of some of
+the prahus had joined those on the island in a general attack.
+
+The earth-works were well-made, but they required more men to
+successfully defend them, and after keeping the enemy at bay by a
+well-directed fire for some time, Captain Smithers, seeing signs of an
+approaching rush, and knowing well that this must result in severe loss
+upon his own side, quietly began to draw his little force away from the
+earth-works, till he had half in the barracks at the loopholes, from
+which they began a steady fire over the heads of those at the earthen
+wall, who, in their turn retired half at a time, the first half joining
+those who had gone before.
+
+Then as the Malays began to realise that the force at the earthen wall
+was very weak, and showed signs of coming on to carry it by storm, the
+defenders delivered a sharp volley and dropped out of sight, stooping
+down and running across to the barracks' white walls.  On seeing that
+they had given way, the Malays set up a loud cry of triumph, and dashed
+forward, spear in hand, to occupy the deserted earth-works.  They were
+met by a sharp fire from the barracks, which staggered them for the
+moment, but they rushed on, and sheltered themselves in the ditch,
+throwing a few spears at the hindmost of the retreating party; but
+without effect, for the little garrison was soon shut in and able for
+the time to defy their assailants.
+
+It was evident, however, that they were not to be left in peace, for the
+Malays now swarmed around them, and dozens might have been shot down;
+but Captain Smithers gave orders that the fire should be reserved till
+they attacked.
+
+Just as they had finished the barricading of the entrance, a cloud of
+smoke was seen rising from the side of the residency, and this was
+followed by flames, leaving no doubt that the pleasant little house had
+been fired by the Malays; and Captain Smithers frowned as he determined
+to administer severe punishment to the enemy, if for this act alone.
+
+Every opportunity was given him for the administration of the
+chastisement, the Malays exposing themselves freely, running out of
+shelter to fire, and then retreating again.  Sometimes a fierce
+demonstration was made by spear-armed men, who came boldly up as if to
+attack, but soon fell back unmolested, for Captain Smithers felt that no
+end was to be obtained by simply shooting down a few of the enemy, and
+his orders were to reserve fire till a fiercer attack was made.
+
+This was not long in coming, and it was made quite unexpectedly, just
+as, wearied out by his efforts, Captain Smithers had left Tom Long in
+command, and, yielding to the prayers of the major's wife, had gone in
+to the mess-room to partake of some refreshment that had been prepared.
+
+He had hardly eaten a mouthful--after visiting first the wounded men, to
+find them being tended by Rachel Linton and her cousin--before the
+rattle of musketry and the yelling of the Malays told him that something
+serious had occurred.
+
+Catching up his sword, he rushed to where he had left Tom Long, and in a
+few words he learned that from two points the Malays had suddenly
+commenced their attack, which was now being carried on in so fierce a
+manner that unless they received a sufficiently severe check to quell
+their courage, they would force the defences, and overpower the little
+garrison by sheer weight of numbers.
+
+Fortunate it was that the defences had been so well strengthened, the
+men firing from behind barricades roughly constructed of tables, the
+mess forms, and bedding; but in spite of the heavy fire kept up and the
+number that fell, the Malays dashed up, striving to clamber over, and
+thrusting their spears through the openings in a way that kept the men
+back, and nearly crushed the fire that had sputtered from the various
+loopholes that had been left.
+
+Affairs were growing very serious, for Captain Smithers, who had been
+going from place to place, advising, cheering, and helping the men,
+suddenly had his attention drawn to the fact that a large party of
+Malays were bringing bundles of wood, branches of trees, and handfuls of
+resin, which they were piling up against the barricaded door.
+
+This he well knew meant fire, and the question arose how it was to be
+stopped.
+
+"They must never be allowed to light it, my lads, as our lives and those
+of the ladies would not be worth five minutes' purchase.  Cease firing
+on this side, and reserve your cartridges for any who come to fire the
+pile."
+
+The men responded with a grim smile, and stood waiting for the party
+whose duty it would be to try and burn them out; and in this time of
+mortal peril, when danger of so great a kind stared them in the face,
+the men stood patiently awaiting their fate, seeming the while to repose
+the greatest confidence in their captain, and standing ready to obey his
+orders to the last.
+
+It was a splendid example of what discipline and confidence could
+effect.  The men felt that if their lives were to be saved, it would be
+through carefully carrying out the wishes of their officers, and hence
+no murmur was heard, each man's face wearing a grim look of
+determination, that seemed to be intensified as Sergeant Lund came round
+laden with cartridges, a packet of which he handed to each in turn.
+
+"Some sergeants," he said, as he finished his task and stood rifle in
+hand by the group whose duty it was to shoot down the bearers of the
+dammar-torches that they felt sure would be used, "some sergeants would,
+I dare say, be shaking hands with all their mates at a time like this,
+and looking at things as all over; but I don't, my lads, for I've a sort
+of faith in our luck turning up shiny side outwards; so cheer up, all of
+you."
+
+"All right, sergeant," was the reply.
+
+"I wouldn't trust too much to luck though, my lads," he continued, "but
+I'd squint straight along the barrel of my rifle when I fired.  You may
+be very sorry for the Malay chap you shoot at, but I'd shoot him first
+and be very sorry afterwards."
+
+"Right, sergeant," said Private Sim, who had been fighting very manfully
+all day; "they needn't come and be a-trying to burn us out unless they
+like, need they?"
+
+"No, Sim," replied the sergeant; "but they will, and it strikes me that
+they'll be come before long, too.  Isn't that smoke in amongst those
+bushes there?"
+
+"Smoke it is," said one of the men, excitedly.
+
+"Don't jump about like that, my lad, but keep cool, or you'll be wasting
+your cartridges," said the sergeant.  "Where's the captain?  He was here
+just now."
+
+"Gone round the other side," said Sim.  "Here they come, sure enough.
+Look; there's a dozen men with torches."
+
+"All right, my lads," said the sergeant.  "I don't see that it matters
+about the captain not being here; you know your duty."
+
+"Yes, sergeant, to shoot down those men."
+
+"No, no, my lads; what you've got to do is to put those torches out, and
+the way to do it is with the bayonet.  Stand ready there to slip over
+the breast-work, all of you, then a sharp run, and meet them as they
+come, and then back again under cover."
+
+As he spoke the smoke of the dammar-torches could be seen, and some ten
+or twelve Malays came running across from the earth-works to set fire to
+the pile.
+
+There was not a man behind the breast-work whose breath did not come
+thick and fast at the sight of the lights; for brave as they were, they
+knew that once the building they defended caught fire, the dry,
+sun-baked wood must flare away like so much paper; and there were women
+shut in there with them, whom it was their duty to defend.
+
+It was no wonder then that the men tightly grasped their bayonet-armed
+rifles, and stood waiting for the command, that did not come.  For just
+as it was upon the sergeant's lips a panting noise was heard, and as
+every eye was directed up the river, the masts of the steamer were seen
+coming along above the trees, and for the present the little garrison
+felt that they were saved.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FORTY NINE.
+
+HOW ALI WENT TO SPY OUT THE LAND.
+
+A tremor of excitement seemed to run through the attacking party; men
+hurried here and there; the bearers of the dammar-torches paused
+irresolute, and it was evident to the besieged that contrary orders were
+being given.
+
+It was also evident to them that the danger signal they were flying was
+plainly understood upon the steamer, for the noise of the engine had not
+been heard a minute before there was the heavy report of one of the
+guns, and almost simultaneously the crash of a shell, which burst over
+the heads of the thronging Malays, about fifty yards in front of the
+fort.
+
+No one seemed to be injured, but this dire instrument of warfare caused
+a complete scare amidst the attacking party: men running in all
+directions, and then seeming to go over the same ground once again, as a
+second shell burst with its harsh tearing metallic-sounding crack.
+
+Again came the report of a gun, and the shell burst where the Malays
+were thickest, sending them scurrying like wild rabbits to the nearest
+cover, while the steamer now glided slowly down, closer and closer in
+shore, till at last she covered the river-face of the fort like an
+outwork, and a cheer rose from the little garrison, and was answered
+from the "Startler" as the forces, so to speak, combined, ready to act
+together for their mutual defence.
+
+As the steamer was rapidly moored in her new position, men being sent
+ashore with cables from head and stern to make fast to the great trees a
+few yards from the bank, a rush at them was made by the Malays, but a
+few well-directed shots from the marines' rifles were sufficient to keep
+them at bay till the task was done; and the little garrison now joined
+hands with the steamer's crew in clearing the space between them.
+
+The first step taken by Captain Smithers was to regain possession of the
+outworks--the portion he had given up from being so short of defenders.
+
+This was accomplished without bloodshed; for upon the Malays gathering
+in force to withstand his efforts, they were scattered by a shell from
+the steamer, which cleared the way at once.  This being done, and a
+meeting effected full of hearty congratulations, both soldiers and
+sailors set to work, armed with spades, to throw up a trench from the
+outworks of the fort to the river, the ditch being so arranged that it
+took in for safety the trees to which the steamer was moored, and this
+latter now became as it were the river-face of the fort.
+
+Night had fallen long before the work was left, and this rendered it
+necessary for a retreat to fort and steamer, for the hours intervening
+till daybreak, when, no interruption having occurred, the digging was
+resumed, every man toiling with his rifle at his side till the task was
+done.
+
+The next question was whether it would not be safer for all to take
+possession of the steamer, even though the extra defences had been made.
+
+Lieutenant Johnson argued that this would be the better plan, as then
+they could at any time effect a retreat down the river, and make for
+Singapore or Penang.
+
+But Captain Smithers refused to listen to this proposal.
+
+"No," he said, "it was quite open to the ladies to take up their abode
+on board, and probably they would be more secure there than on shore;
+but so far," he said, "all was surmise about the expeditionary party.
+For all they knew, Captain Horton, Major Sandars, and their men, might
+have met with the best of treatment, and at the end of a few days they
+might return, to find the station abandoned by those left in charge."
+
+"I only hope they may," said the lieutenant.  "For my part, I feel
+certain that the whole of the people hereabouts are under the influence
+of the rajah, sultan included.  But I will not oppose you, Captain
+Smithers, until matters come to such an extremity that it seems to me
+that we are uselessly risking life, then I must insist on an evacuation
+of the fort."
+
+"I will not oppose you then," said Captain Smithers; "but you see that
+now it is as if I asked you to resign your ship."
+
+Lieutenant Johnson nodded; and it having been resolved to hold out to
+the last, hoping the while that the expedition might return, the next
+proceeding seemed to be that of sending out a trustworthy spy or two,
+into the country and amongst the people.
+
+Both Bob Roberts and Tom Long were present at what the latter had
+importantly called the council of war, but nothing definite was decided
+upon; and, soon after, the two friends were sitting beneath the shade of
+one of the trees, the Malays having withdrawn to a distance, and
+hostilities being for the present suspended.
+
+"I think," said Tom Long, importantly, "that the ladies are quite right
+in declining to leave the fort.  They are much safer there."
+
+Bob Roberts laughed, gazed in his companion's face, and laughed again
+heartily; to the very great disgust of Tom Long.
+
+"Yes," he said, gruffly, "I dare say it is very funny, and anybody can
+laugh like a buffoon about such an arrangement; but how are they going
+to be safe on board a vessel whose officers cannot keep her from running
+aground."
+
+"Well that's a facer, certainly," said Bob, rather warmly; "but if you
+come to that, where would you have been if we hadn't come to your help--
+burnt out by this time, with your precious fort."
+
+"Bob Roberts," said Tom Long, solemnly, "or rather I suppose I ought to
+say _Mr_ Roberts--you are about the most quarrelsome fellow I ever
+met."
+
+"You couldn't meet yourself," said Bob, "or you would run against one
+ten times as quarrelsome."
+
+"If you want to fall out," said the ensign, "you might do it in a
+gentlemanly way."
+
+"If you want me to punch your head, Tom Long, just say so," cried Bob,
+hotly.
+
+"I repeat my words," said Tom Long, with hauteur.  "If you wish to
+quarrel, sir, you might do it in a gentlemanly manner."
+
+"Gentlemanly be hanged!" cried Bob.  "There's nothing gentlemanly in
+quarrelling or fighting."
+
+"And refer the matter to friends," continued the young military officer.
+
+Bob's face was red as that of a turkey-cock the moment before, but at
+these words the anger seemed to pass away like a cloud from before the
+sun, and he burst into a hearty fit of laughter.
+
+"Oh!" he said, "that's what you mean is it?  Swords, or pistols, and
+seconds, early in the morning, with a doctor on the ground.  Oh, I say,
+Tom Long, this is too delicious."
+
+"Sir!" exclaimed Tom Long.
+
+"I say it's too delicious.  Duelling be hanged; it's fools' work; and
+I'm not quite fool enough to let a friend make a hole, or try to make a
+hole, in my precious carcase."
+
+"Sir, none but a coward would speak as you are speaking," cried Tom
+Long, indignantly.
+
+"Oh, wouldn't he?" said Bob.  "Well, then, I suppose I'm a coward, for
+hang me if we don't get running risks enough from these coffee-coloured
+fellows, without trying it on among ourselves."
+
+"I thought you more of a gentleman," said Tom Long, contemptuously.
+
+"Oh, you did, did you?" said Bob; "and I'm a coward, am I?  Well, look
+here, my lad, it's too hot now, but if you like to come on board
+to-night, or to-morrow morning, and take off your jacket like a man,
+I'll have it out with you in the gun-room, and old Dick to see fair, and
+you can bring Private Gray or Sergeant Lund."
+
+"What do you mean?" said Tom Long, haughtily; "swords or pistols, sir?"
+
+"Do I mean swords or pistols, sir?" said Bob, imitating the other's
+pompous way; "no, sir, I don't mean either.  I reserve those lethal
+weapons, sir, for Her Majesty's enemies, sir, as an officer and a
+gentleman should; and when I fall out with a friend, I punch his head
+with my fist--like a man."
+
+"Like a man!" said Tom Long, in tones of disgust; "like a schoolboy or a
+blackguard."
+
+"No, sir," said Bob, still mimicking his companion; "the schoolboy or
+man who uses his fists is to my mind not half such a blackguard as the
+_gentleman_ who tries to kill a fellow in cold blood, and calls it on
+account of his honour."
+
+"The old contemptible argument," said Tom Long, sneering.  "No one but a
+coward would take refuge behind such excuses."
+
+"Then I'm a coward!" said Bob, cocking his heels up on a chair, and
+sticking his hands in his pockets.  "All right: I'm a coward; and as we
+used to say at school, `give me the coward's blow,' and if you do, Tom
+Long, you see if I don't punch your head."
+
+Tom Long rose, and came at him menacingly, and Bob laughed in his face.
+"I say, Long, old man," he said, "what a jolly pair of fools we are to
+quarrel about nothing at all."
+
+"I never want to quarrel," said Tom Long, stiffly, for the other's mirth
+took him aback, "but when a fellow behaves like a coward--"
+
+"In the face of the enemy," interposed Bob, "kick him out of the
+service, military or naval, eh?  Look here, Tommy."
+
+"For goodness' sake, sir, don't call me by that objectionably childish
+name," cried the ensign.  "How should you like to be called Bobby?"
+
+"Not much, old boy," said the middy; "but I don't much care.  Never
+mind, shake hands.  No, don't.  Let's do it mentally.  Here's old Ali
+coming, looking as black as a civilian's hat.  Hallo, Ali, old chap,
+ain't you precious proud of your dear fellow-countrymen?"
+
+"Poor fellows; poor fellows!" said Ali, sadly, as he looked from one to
+the other.
+
+"Poor fellows!" said Long.
+
+"They're a jolly set of sharks, with stings in their tails, that's what
+they are," said Bob.
+
+"The poor fellows have been crushed down by cruel governments, and made
+the slaves of piratical rajahs and cowardly sultans," cried Ali,
+indignantly.  "They are a brave set of fellows, and they are only
+fighting against you because they are set on by their leaders."
+
+"Then all I can say is," said Bob, "that I should like to have a pop at
+their leaders.  But cheer up, old chap, you needn't look so
+down-hearted."
+
+"Not look down-hearted," cried Ali, passionately, "how can I look
+otherwise?  Where is my father?  Where are our friends?  What is my
+position here?  Do you think it gives me pleasure to see the poor brave
+men who are fighting against you shot down by your guns?  It makes me
+wretched."
+
+"Well, never mind," cried Bob, kindly, as he rose and clapped the young
+chief on the shoulder.  "It will all come right in the end."
+
+"I hope so," said Ali; "but tell me, what have you decided to do?"
+
+"Well, that's announcing the secrets of the council of war," said Bob.
+"Shall I tell him, Long?"
+
+"Oh, yes, we can trust him," replied the ensign.  "We are going to stay
+and fight it out."
+
+"Of course, of course," said Ali, nodding.  "You could not give up.  You
+must not give up."
+
+"But we want to get some news of the expedition party, by sending a
+trustworthy spy," said Bob.  "Can you get us a man whom you can trust?"
+
+Ali stood thinking for a few moments, and then shook his head sadly.
+
+"They would all say the risk is too great.  They would lose their lives
+if discovered."
+
+"Then what is to be done?" cried Bob.
+
+Ali stood thinking for a few moments in silence, and then he looked
+frankly from one to the other.
+
+"I will go myself," he said.
+
+The two young men stared at him.
+
+"You?" they exclaimed in one breath.  "Why, just now you said the risk
+was too great."
+
+"That the men would lose their lives!" cried Bob Roberts.
+
+"If they were discovered!" exclaimed Tom Long.
+
+"Yes," said Ali, quietly, and he smiled back in their astonished faces.
+
+"And yet you would run that risk?" said Bob Roberts.
+
+"Yes: why not?"
+
+"But for us?"
+
+"Is one's life to be devoted to oneself?" said Ali calmly.  "I am not as
+you are.  You are Christians.  I am a follower of the prophet.  We call
+you dogs and giaours.  You look upon us with contempt.  But men are but
+men, the whole world over, and it seems to me that one's life cannot be
+better spent than in trying to do good to one's friends."
+
+"But," said Tom Long, "you would be fighting against your friends, the
+Malays."
+
+"No," said Ali, mournfully.  "I should be fighting for them in doing
+anything that would free them from the rule of idle sensualists and
+pirates."
+
+"I tell you what," cried Bob Roberts, enthusiastically, "we'll whop old
+Hamet and Rajah Gantang out of their skins, and you shall be sultan
+instead, or your father first and you afterwards."
+
+Ali's eyes flashed as he turned them upon the speaker.
+
+"You could be chief banjo, you know," said Bob.
+
+"Chief--banjo?" said Ali, wonderingly.
+
+"No, no; I mean gong--Tumongong," cried Bob.
+
+"Oh, yes," said Ali, smiling.  "But no, no: that is a dream.  Let us be
+serious.  One of your people could not go, it would be impossible; but I
+am a Malay, and if I dress myself as a common man--a slave--I could
+follow where the hunting-party went, and find out all you want to know."
+
+"No, no," cried Bob, earnestly, "I should not like that."
+
+"Like what, Mr Roberts?" said a voice that made them start; and turning
+sharply, they saw Captain Smithers standing by them, with Lieutenant
+Johnson.
+
+"Mr Ali here wants to dress up as a common Malay, sir, and go as a spy
+to get news of the hunting-party."
+
+"It would be excellent," cried the lieutenant.  "Mr Ali, you would
+confer a lasting favour upon us."
+
+"But have you thought of the risk?" said Captain Smithers.
+
+"I have thought of everything," said the young man, quietly.
+
+They all sat down together under the shade of the great tree where they
+were, and the matter was talked over, it being decided that from time to
+time Ali was to send messengers with news of his progress, if he could
+find any trustworthy enough; and all being arranged, he left them, to
+make preparations for his departure, shaking hands warmly with all, and
+then going towards the barracks, but only to return directly.
+
+"As you may suppose," he said, "my success depends upon my not being
+apparently known to you; so if a strange Malay is seen leaving your
+lines, don't let him be fired at."
+
+"Of course not: I see," exclaimed Captain Smithers.  "But shall we see
+you again?"
+
+"Not to speak to," replied Ali, smiling; and as soon as he had gone,
+Captain Smithers walked across the ground to give orders about a strange
+Malay being allowed to leave.
+
+Lieutenant Johnson returned on board the steamer with Bob Roberts; and
+Tom Long, after seating himself comfortably in one chair with his legs
+in another, went off fast asleep.
+
+Half an hour after, when all was very still in the burning heat of the
+sun, when not a breath of air rippled the river or rustled through the
+trees; when Englishman and Malay were resting, and the very sentries had
+hard work to keep from going to sleep at their posts, there was a soft
+rustling noise in the tree beneath which Tom Long was sleeping; and
+after this had been repeated several times a lithe Malay softly
+descended till he was within six or eight feet of the ground, when he
+slipped and fell, but regained his feet instantly, as Tom Long started
+into wakefulness and clapped his hand to his sword, upon seeing the
+strange Malay just before him.
+
+The Malay, however, raised one hand deprecatingly, and smiled a very
+significant smile as he turned to go.
+
+"Here, stop! surrender!  Why--Oh!  I say, Ali; that's capital," he said,
+as the Malay still smiled at him.  "You quite took me in."
+
+The Malay smiled and nodded, and walked straight off to where a sentry
+was watching them both; and the man, seeing the Malay come straight from
+his officer, made way, saluted, and the dark figure passed from the
+fortified lines and walked away towards where the enemy lay amongst the
+trees.
+
+"That's a brave thing to do," muttered Tom Long, and resuming his seat
+he took another sleep, and was awakened the next time by Captain
+Smithers laying his hand upon his shoulder.
+
+"Ali has gone," he said.
+
+"Yes, I know," said Tom Long.  "He quite took me in.  It was a splendid
+disguise."
+
+"Capital!" said Captain Smithers.  "The very sentries were puzzled."
+
+"Yes, of course they would be," replied Tom Long; and the captain walked
+away.
+
+"The sentries must have been puzzled before he came to me," said Tom
+Long to himself.  "That man yonder, though, seemed to take it as a
+matter of course.  I shall be very glad, though, when all this hiding
+and dodging is over, and the hunting-party are back, for I am not going
+to believe that they are in danger after all."
+
+And yet Tom Long did believe it, and was as uneasy as the rest; but it
+was his way of trying to put a good face upon matters.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FIFTY.
+
+HOW BOB FISHED FOR MISS LINTON.
+
+To the surprise and gratification of the English party, the
+jungle-station remained unmolested for the next two days, giving them
+ample time to make such little additions to the defences as the officers
+thought needful.  The coming of the steamer gave the occupants of the
+fort command of the water and a way of retreat in case of extremities;
+moreover, they had the chance of sharing the ship's provisions.  So that
+with the knowledge of their power of resistance a feeling of confidence
+began to exist, especially as it was evident that the Malays had been
+taught the danger of molesting the little party.
+
+The enemy came and went from the island in large numbers, but kept
+entirely aloof, making no attempt to communicate; while their strange
+silence excited suspicion in Captain Smithers' mind that some plot was
+hatching.
+
+The lieutenant joined him in thinking that there was cause for
+suspicion, and more stringent watch was kept.
+
+Old Dick regretted keenly that for reasons of economy the furnace fires
+could not be kept up, for he argued still that plenty of hot water was
+all that was needed to keep them safe.  He had, however, to be content
+with the ordinary precautions, promising himself the extraordinary as
+soon as the fires were lit.
+
+The ladies had full occupation in tending the wounded, an occupation
+which saved them from much thinking; for there were no tidings of the
+party, and now that so long a time had elapsed it became evident that
+their worst fears would be realised.
+
+In fact the officers began to debate whether the hour had not arrived
+when they ought to retreat; but the idea was set aside, and once more
+they determined to hold the station till help should come, since for the
+steamer to go in search of help was to condemn the little garrison of
+the fort to destruction.
+
+And now as the hours slowly crept by, with the heat and inaction growing
+more and more difficult to bear, every thought was directed to the envoy
+they had sent out, and they waited anxiously for Ali's return, or for
+some messenger with tidings at his hands.
+
+Though the Malays refrained from attack so long as the occupants of the
+station kept within their lines, any attempt at quitting the fort at
+once drew fire.  Consequently the supplies within had to suffice, and
+middy and ensign thought gloomily of the past, when sampans brought
+daily an abundance of delicious fruit, when flowers were abundant, and
+fish in plenty was supplied.
+
+Now it was bread or biscuit, and preserved meat either salt or tinned,
+and preserved vegetables, and so much soup that Bob Roberts said a man
+might just as well be living in a workhouse.
+
+That evening he made up his mind to try for some fish, and aided and
+abetted by Dick, a line was rigged up, and payed out over the steamer's
+stern, the stream carrying down the baited hook, but only into a place
+where there was no likelihood of a fish being caught.  So another line
+was attached, and another, and another--long sea-lines each of them,
+till Bob Roberts sat fishing with the end of a line in his hand and his
+bait about a quarter of a mile down the stream.
+
+To his great delight he found the plan to answer, for before long he
+felt a tug, and drew in a good-sized fish.  This done, he rebaited, and
+tried again, sometimes catching, sometimes losing, a couple dropping off
+the hook just as they were raised up level with the deck.
+
+It was about an hour before sunset that Bob Roberts set Dick to work
+winding up the lines on the reels to dry, and then, having placed the
+brilliantly scaled fish in the basket, he obtained leave from the
+lieutenant, who looked longingly at the catch, and involuntarily made
+the noise with his lips customary with some people at the sight of
+anything nice.
+
+"What are you going to do with those, Roberts?" he said.
+
+"Take them to the ladies, sir."
+
+"Ah! yes: of course, the ladies first.  We ought to study the ladies.
+But do you know, Roberts, I'm not a ladies' man, and I feel an intense
+desire to have one of those fish--broiled."
+
+"Yes, sir, of course; but I'll come back and catch some more."
+
+"Yes, do," said Lieutenant Johnson, gazing longingly at the fish.
+"There," he cried hastily; "for goodness' sake be off with them,
+Roberts, or I shall impound the lot and hand them over to the cook.  You
+ought not to put such temptations in a weak man's way."
+
+"All right, sir," said Bob, and he hurried over the side and made for
+the barracks, where, to his great delight, he met Rachel Linton, looking
+very pale and ill, coming away from the temporary hospital with her
+cousin.
+
+"I've brought you some fish, Miss Linton," he said.  "I thought they
+would be welcome just now, as there are no fresh provisions."
+
+"Doubly welcome, Mr Roberts," cried Miss Linton, with her face lighting
+up.  "Oh!  Mary, I am glad.  Mr Roberts, I can never thank you enough."
+
+Bob felt rather disgusted that the idol he had worshipped should be so
+fond of the good things of this life.
+
+"I have been longing for fresh fish, and fruit, and flowers, so, Mr
+Roberts," she continued.  "You cannot get me any fruit or flowers, I
+suppose?"
+
+"I could go and try for some," said Bob, rather glumly, "but you mustn't
+be surprised if I don't come back."
+
+"Oh, no, no; you must not run any risks," cried Rachel Linton.  "That
+would be madness, but I'd give anything for some fruit now."
+
+"She'd better think about her father," thought Bob, "instead of eating
+and drinking."
+
+"Those poor wounded fellows do suffer so for want of change; but this
+fish will be delicious.  Poor Parker will eat some, I know.  If you can
+get any fruit for my hospital people, pray do so, Mr Roberts."
+
+"That I will, Miss Linton," he cried joyously.
+
+"And you'll catch me some more fish for the poor fellows?"
+
+"Are you going to give all these to the wounded men, Miss Linton?" he
+said.
+
+"Yes; of course," she replied.
+
+"Why she's an angel," thought Bob to himself, "and I was giving her the
+credit of being a regular pig."
+
+"Messenger?  For me?" exclaimed Captain Smithers, rising up as a soldier
+advanced.
+
+"Yes sir; it's a Malay, and he says he has been sent by the young chief,
+Ali."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FIFTY ONE.
+
+DEALINGS WITH THE DEEP.
+
+There was no little excitement at this announcement, and Captain
+Smithers sent at once for Lieutenant Johnson from the steamer, while a
+file of soldiers went for the messenger who had asked for admission.
+
+The ladies were too much interested to think of leaving, so Mary
+Sinclair ran to fetch Mrs Major Sandars, and returned with her to see
+that a rough-looking Malay had been brought up to the group she had
+left.
+
+Captain Smithers waited a few moments, to allow of the coming of the
+lieutenant; and meanwhile they all gazed at the Malay, a wild,
+half-naked fellow, whose scraps of clothing were torn by contact with
+thorns, and being soaked with water clung to his copper-coloured skin.
+
+He was scratched and bleeding, and gazed sharply round from one to the
+other in a strange wild-eyed way, as if feeling that he was not safe.
+
+Just then the lieutenant came hurrying up, and the Malay, evidently
+supposing him to be the officer he sought, began to unfasten a knot in
+his sarong, from which he took a short piece of bamboo about the size of
+a man's finger.  One end of this was plugged with a piece of pith, and
+this he drew out, and then from inside, neatly rolled up and quite dry,
+a little piece of paper.
+
+"You Cap-tain Smit-ter?" said the Malay.
+
+"No, my man, that is the captain," said the lieutenant, pointing.
+"Cap-tain Smit-ter.  Ali Rajah send," said the man, holding out the
+paper.
+
+"Did Ali send us this?" said the captain, eagerly.
+
+"Cap-tain Smit-ter, Ali Rajah send," said the man again.
+
+"Where did you leave him?" said the captain.
+
+"Cap-tain Smit-ter, Ali Rajah send," repeated the man, parrot fashion,
+showing plainly enough that he had been trained to use these words and
+no more.
+
+Captain Smithers unrolled the scrap of native paper to find written
+thereon,--
+
+"Found the party.  Fighting for life in a stockade.  Send help in
+steamer up right river.--Ali."
+
+"Have you come straight from him?" exclaimed the captain, eagerly.
+
+"Cap-tain Smit-ter, Ali Rajah send," said the man again.
+
+"Where is Wilson?" cried the captain, "or Gray?  Ah, you are here, Gray.
+You have made some progress with the Malay tongue.  See what this man
+knows."
+
+Private Gray came forward, and by degrees, and with no little
+difficulty, learned from the Malay that the English party were in an old
+stockade upon a branch of the river, forty miles away, defending
+themselves against a strong body of the sultan's forces.
+
+"Ask if they are well," said the captain.
+
+"He says there are many ill, and many wounded, and that they have buried
+many under the palm-trees," said Gray, in a low sad voice, "and that
+when the young chief, Ali, came upon them, they were at the last
+extremity from weakness and hunger."
+
+Rachel Linton uttered a low wail, but on Mrs Major Sandars passing an
+arm round her, she made an effort and mastered her emotion, fixing her
+eyes on Adam Gray as, in a low, deep voice he continued the narrative
+after, at Captain Smithers' wish, again questioning the Malay.
+
+"He says that after giving him the message to bear, the young chief,
+Ali, left him, saying that he was about to try and join the party in the
+old stockade, and fight with them to the end!"
+
+There was a mournful silence at this, and for a few moments no one
+spoke.  Then Captain Smithers leaned towards Lieutenant Johnson.
+
+"Have you any questions to put?" he said.
+
+"Yes," replied the lieutenant, and he turned round to their interpreter.
+
+"Tell me, Gray, what is your opinion of the messenger?"
+
+"At first, sir, I thought him genuine; but since then, there is
+something in his manner that makes me doubt the truth of his tale."
+
+"And yet it seems feasible?"
+
+"Yes, sir, it does; and I confess I have little cause for doubting him;
+but still I do."
+
+Lieutenant Johnson turned to Captain Smithers, and they went aside for a
+few minutes talking earnestly together, while all present watched
+eagerly for the next scene in the drama they were passing through.
+
+"Gray," said Captain Smithers then, sharply, "ask the messenger if he
+knows where the old stockade is."
+
+"He says _yes_, sir, perfectly well."
+
+"Ask him if he will guide the steamer there."
+
+"Yes!" was the reply, "if the English officers would protect him from
+his people, and not let him be seen."
+
+"Tell him," said Captain Smithers, "that if he is faithful he will be
+handsomely paid; if he is treacherous, he will be hung to the yard-arm
+of the steamer, and his body thrown to the crocodiles."
+
+Gray interpreted this to the Malay, who smiled, uncovered the hilt of
+his kris, drew it, took it by the blade, and knelt down before the
+officers, placing the point upright on the left shoulder close to his
+neck, then reaching out with his right hand, he motioned to Captain
+Smithers to strike the weapon down into his breast.
+
+"He says his life is yours, sir, and bids you kill him if he does not
+lead you to the stockade."
+
+"One more question," said Lieutenant Johnson.  "Ask him if there is
+water enough up the right river?"
+
+Gray questioned the Malay, who nodded eagerly and then shook his head.
+
+"He says there is plenty of water, for the river is narrow and very
+deep, all but in one place, about a mile from the stockade, and of that
+he is not sure, he will not pledge himself to its being sufficiently
+deep; but all Rajah Gantang's prahus have gone up and down in safety."
+
+"That will do," said the lieutenant.
+
+"Yes," said Captain Smithers, "take him aside, give him some food, and
+guard him well."
+
+It fell to the lot of Adam Gray to take charge of the Malay who ate
+voraciously of what was placed before him, and then smiling his
+satisfaction he prepared himself a piece of betel-nut, and lying down in
+the shade went off fast asleep, evidently wearied out.
+
+Meanwhile a short consultation was held, during which it was settled
+that at any risk the steamer must go to the assistance of the
+beleaguered party, Captain Smithers being on the alert to retire into
+the barracks when it became necessary.
+
+This place he would have to hold with stubborn determination, knowing
+that the steamer could not be long away, and that Lieutenant Johnson was
+going with the knowledge that those he left behind were in need of help.
+
+The fires were lit on the instant, and every effort made to get the
+steam up, but all was done as quietly as possible, so as not to take the
+attention of the Malays, and about ten o'clock all was ready for the
+start, when Adam Gray went and roused up the Malay.
+
+The man rose, shook himself, and then accompanied his guide without a
+word, climbing the side of the steamer, where everything was ready; the
+cables were cast loose, and at half-steam the great vessel moved softly
+up the river by the light of the stars, which just made their way
+visible.
+
+As far as they could see, the alarm of the departure had not been
+spread; and the steamer glided away so softly, and with so little noise,
+that there was the chance of her escaping the notice of the Malays, who
+might not find out their departure until morning.
+
+This would delay any attack that might be made for many hours; but all
+the same, Captain Smithers felt it better to at once evacuate the outer
+works, and two hours after the steamer had glided away, almost invisible
+to those who saw her go, the outer works were lying unguarded, and the
+whole of the force safely barricaded in the stronghold, with every
+sentry on the alert.
+
+Everything had been done in the quietest manner.  There was neither
+noise nor loud order; the men caught the lightest whisper; and there was
+something weird and strange-looking in the silent figures moving here
+and there; but nothing like so weird of aspect as about a couple of
+dozen dark shadows that were creeping over the ground taking advantage
+of every bush or inequality of the ground to cover their movements till
+they reached the deserted earth-works, and crouched there exultingly.
+
+An hour later the sky was overclouded; and in the darkness the Malays
+came crowding up by hundreds, evidently ready for an assault, while most
+ominous of all was the fact that numbers of them bore bundles of light
+wood, and some lumps of dammar ready to continue the task they had had
+to give up, consequent upon the steamer's return.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FIFTY TWO.
+
+HOW THE STEAMER WENT UP THE RIGHT ARM OF THE RIVER.
+
+A night journey on a river, when the stars give but little light, and
+the banks are dense jungle overhanging the water's edge, is one of no
+little difficulty.  Certainly the crew of the steamer had upon their
+side the fact, that the stream, though swift, was deep, and its bottom
+mud.  There were no rocks and cataracts to encounter in its lower
+course; and even if they did run aground, there was but little risk to
+the vessel.  But all the same the most constant watchfulness was needed,
+and Lieutenant Johnson himself joined the look-out at the bows,
+communicating by a chain of his men with the engine-room and man at the
+wheel.
+
+For some distance after leaving the island they proceeded very slowly,
+little more than mastering the stream; but as soon as they felt that
+they were beyond hearing the speed was increased, and for some miles--
+through which the course of the river was well-known--the "Startler"
+proceeded at a pretty good rate, so that by morning half the journey was
+accomplished, and they were abreast of the stockade they had attacked
+and destroyed.
+
+About a couple of miles past this the course of the right river opened
+out, one that a navigator strange to the river would have hesitated to
+take, for it was narrow at the mouth, overgrown with trees, and seemed
+to form a chain of lakes, that were one blaze of colour with the blossom
+of the lotus.
+
+On the other hand, what seemed the regular course of the river ran broad
+and clear, and apparently without obstruction of any kind.
+
+The Malay, who was leaning over the bulwark with his mouth distended
+with betel, pointed one brown arm towards the narrow branch, and the
+steamer's engines were slackened and nearly stopped while a boat was
+lowered, and the crew rowed some little distance along the winding,
+sluggish stream, sounding every few yards, to find the river extremely
+deep with muddy bottom; and as it seemed to wind right on precisely the
+same in character, they returned and reported the result to the
+lieutenant, who at once gave orders, and the steamer entered the narrow,
+winding way.
+
+To all appearance they might have been the first visitors to those
+regions, so haunted was the strangely beautiful scene by wild creatures.
+Birds in abundance fled at their approach.  Now it was a white eagle,
+then a vividly plumaged kingfisher, or a kind of black, racket-tailed
+daw with glossy plumage.  Parrots of a diminutive size and dazzling
+green plumage flitted before them; and from time to time the lotus
+leaves were agitated by a shoal of fish, that alarmed by the wash of the
+steamer rushed away.
+
+Every now and then, too, Bob Roberts, who was feasting on what passed
+like a glorious panorama before him, had his adventure with Ali in the
+shooting-trip brought vividly to mind, for some huge reptile or another
+shuffled into the slow stream, while others lay sluggishly basking, and
+ill-disposed to move.
+
+Their progress was slow, for the screw-propeller was more than once
+fouled by the thick weed, through which they ploughed their way.  So
+dense was it that at times it gathered in large cables, stretching from
+bank to bank, and literally barring further progress, till the steamer
+was backed and driven at full speed against the obstruction, which
+divided and swept off in hillocks to starboard and to port.
+
+Then a more open stretch of water would be gained, widening quite into a
+lake, and framed in glorious tropical verdure; large pools would be
+quite free from vegetable growth, and so clear that the bright scales of
+the fish could be seen flashing far below.  Then the river seemed to
+wind its way through dense growths of lily and other water plants,
+amidst which water-fowl in endless numbers disported themselves, but
+fled away at the sight of the steamer, panting onward through this
+wilderness of beauty.
+
+For in spite of the anxiety felt by all, and their eagerness to reach
+the spot where their friends were in peril, it was impossible to help
+gazing with wonder and admiration at the loveliness of all around.
+Where the stream narrowed, the great trees growing to the water's edge
+formed huge walls of verdure, in parts a hundred--two hundred feet high;
+and over and amidst these wreathed and twined the beautiful creepers,
+filling up every gap with leaves of the most delicious, tender green.
+Then a tree would be passed one mass of white and tinted blossoms,
+another of scarlet, and again another of rich crimson, while in every
+damp, sun-flecked opening wondrous orchids could be seen carpeting the
+earth with their strange forms and glowing colours.  Pitcher-plants too,
+some of huge size, dotted the ground every here and there where the
+steamer passed close to the shore--so close at times that the ends of
+the yards brushed the trees; and yet the vessel took no harm, for the
+deep water ran in places to the banks, and though often half covered
+with weedy growth, the river was canal-like in its deeper parts, where
+the sluggish stream steadily flowed along to join its more rapid brother
+miles below.
+
+For some time now Lieutenant Johnson had been bitterly regretting that
+he had not insisted upon bringing Private Gray, so as to have an
+interpreter, for his own knowledge of the Malay tongue was almost _nil_.
+And yet he was obliged to own that it would have been unjust to rob
+them at the station of part of their strength, when at any moment they
+might want it all.
+
+Bob Roberts was the better Malay scholar of the two, but his vocabulary
+only extended to asking for a durian, Good morning!  How are you? and
+the favourite Malay proverbial saying,--"_Apa boleh booat_"--It was to
+be, or It couldn't be helped.
+
+They had been progressing now for hours, and the heat was insufferable--
+a heavy, moist heat, in that narrow way, shut in between two walls of
+verdure, and yet there seemed to be no signs of their journey being
+nearly ended.  Under the circumstances Bob Roberts was set to try and
+get some information out of their guide, whom he tried with "Good
+morning," in the Malay tongue; and then, after a civil answer to his
+remark, plunged at once into plain English with,--
+
+"How much farther is it?"
+
+The Malay looked hard in his eyes, and Bob repeated the question.
+
+The Malay seemed to divine what he meant, for he raised one bare brown
+arm and pointed forward along the course of the river.
+
+It was a mute but conclusive reply, telling the middy plainly enough
+that they had farther to go, and once more the attention of all was
+taken up by the navigation of the narrow winding channel.
+
+Still there was no fault to be found with Ali's message, for the water
+was deep, and though the steamer seemed at times to be running right
+into the bank, there was always room to turn what looked to be an ugly
+curve, and onward they went through the dense jungle.
+
+On either side the primeval forest seemed to stretch away, and where
+there were changes of a more park-like character, so rare was the sight
+of a human being there that the shy pea-fowl, all metallic plumage and
+glorious eyes, could be seen gazing at the steamer before taking flight.
+There were deer too seen occasionally, and had this been a
+pleasure-trip the sportsman would have had ample use for rifle or gun.
+
+But this was no pleasure-trip, for the deck was cleared for action, and
+the men were at their quarters, ready to send shot or shell hurtling
+through the jungle whenever there should be a reason for such a step.
+
+Another hour, and another, and still the Malay guide pointed before him,
+gesticulating a little sometimes, as if bidding them hasten onwards.
+
+The speed was increased at such times, though it was risky, for the
+narrowness of the course, and the size of the steamer, rendered the
+greatest care necessary to avoid running her bows in among the trees.
+
+Lieutenant Johnson stamped impatiently at last as the sun was descending
+behind the trees, and still the Malay pointed onwards.
+
+"It is enough to make one think it a wild goose chase!" he exclaimed.
+"We have made a grievous mistake in not having an interpreter.  Roberts,
+you ought to be able to speak the Malay tongue."
+
+"Yes, sir," said Bob, "I ought!"  And then to himself, "So ought you!"
+
+Another hour and they were passing through a denser part than ever; so
+close were they that the large drooping boughs of some of the trees
+cracked and rustled and snapped as they passed by, to get to what seemed
+to be quite a lagoon shining clear and silvery, as seen by those on
+board the steamer through quite a tunnel of overhanging branches.
+
+"We ought to be able to hear firing by this time if it is going on at
+the stockade," said the lieutenant.  "What a place to bring Her
+Majesty's ship into!  If I did not know that those poor fellows were
+anxiously expecting help, not a fathom further would I take the steamer
+than into yon open water to-night!  Here! fetch that Malay fellow here,
+and let's see if we cannot get something out of him!"
+
+Bob Roberts went forward to where the Malay stood, leaning over the
+bulwarks gazing at the trees on either side--at least he went to where
+the Malay did stand gazing at the trees, but now to Bob's astonishment
+the man was not there!
+
+"Where's the Malay guide?" he said sharply to Dick, who was nearest to
+him.
+
+"Well, sir, if you call that there chap a guide," said Dick, "I've
+done."
+
+"I say where's the Malay guide?" said Bob, angrily.
+
+"Haven't seen him, sir," said Dick, touching his cap.
+
+"But he was standing here not ten minutes ago, just before we brushed
+against those trees!" exclaimed the young officer.
+
+"Well yes, sir, I remember as he was," said old Dick, and several of the
+sailors were ready to affirm that they saw him not five minutes before.
+
+A look round the deck showed that he was not there, and Bob stood
+looking puzzled; for the man had evidently looked upon himself almost as
+a prisoner, and not free to go about; he had consequently stood leaning
+against the port bulwark all the time, except when he had squatted on
+the deck to partake of the food supplied to him.
+
+"Couldn't have been knocked overboard by the boughs, could he, sir?"
+said Dick.
+
+"Impossible!" exclaimed the middy; and he hurried off to report the fact
+that the Malay was missing.
+
+"Are you sure?" exclaimed the lieutenant sharply.
+
+"Certain, sir!  He's nowhere on deck!"
+
+"I thought as much!" cried the lieutenant angrily.  "Good heavens,
+Roberts! that we could have been such idiots!  Gray was right!"
+
+"I do not understand you, sir."
+
+"Understand?  It's plain enough!  That man, Private Gray, said he
+suspected the fellow, and yet we allowed him to gull us with his
+plausible story.  Here, look sharp there!" he cried, as the steamer
+stood out now free of the tunnel-like canal, through which she had
+passed, and was now approaching the centre of a tolerably broad lagoon.
+
+The lieutenant gave his command in short, sharp, decisive tones, and a
+minute later a little anchor fell with a splash into the water, and the
+steamer swung in the just perceptible stream.
+
+"I dare not attempt the journey back to-night, Roberts," he said.  "We
+should be aground in the thick darkness before we had gone a mile."
+
+"But won't you go forward, sir?  We must be near the stockade!"
+exclaimed Bob.
+
+"If we go on till the river becomes a ditch, we shall find no stockade
+here, Roberts!" cried the lieutenant.  "Why should there be one?  There
+is neither campong nor sampan upon the river, and it is evident that
+there is no trade.  No, Roberts, we have been tricked--cheated, and we
+must get back at full speed as soon as day begins to break.  I have been
+uncomfortable for hours now, as I felt that our poor friends could never
+have come through such a forest as this.  It is only passable for
+beasts!"
+
+"But the Malay and his message?"
+
+"The Malay is as great a cheat as the old fruit-seller; and that message
+was never written by young Ali, unless he, too, is an enemy!"
+
+"My life upon it, he is not," cried Bob.
+
+"Then either he has been killed, or our plans were overheard, or
+betrayed, or something or another!  That fellow--I see it all now it is
+too late--has quietly led us up here, awaiting his chance, and it came
+when those big boughs swept the side.  He swung himself into one of the
+trees, and is by this time on his way back to his friends."
+
+"But the jungle is not passable!" said Bob.
+
+"Then he will make a bamboo raft and get down the river.  Oh, that we
+could be such fools!"
+
+Bob Roberts stood in the gathering darkness staring at his superior
+officer, and trying hard to believe that the Malay might have been swept
+over by accident; but by degrees he felt his mind veering round to the
+lieutenant's ideas.
+
+The next minute orders were being given respecting the watch on deck,
+every light was extinguished, and extra care taken lest they should have
+been led into a trap and attempts be made to board the steamer during
+the night.  But as the hours glided on, all they heard was the distant
+roar of some beast of prey, or an occasional splash in the water--sounds
+that had a strange attraction for Bob Roberts, as, with no thought of
+going to his cot, he leaned against the bulwark watching the fire-flies
+amid the trees, and mournfully wondered how they were getting on at the
+station, and what had become of Ali, shuddering again and again as the
+lieutenant's ominous words recurred to his mind.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FIFTY THREE.
+
+PRIVATE SIM IS VERY WIDE AWAKE.
+
+Lieutenant Johnson had said that in all probability Ali had been killed,
+this being of course his surmise, for he had no real reason for such an
+assertion.  He was quite right, though, about having been tricked, for
+one of Rajah Gantang's cleverest spies after hearing from his
+hiding-place the plans that had been made, assumed the part of Ali in
+disguise, and passed unchallenged by the sentries to go straight to the
+rajah and plan with him a way to divide the forces by sending the
+steamer upon a false scent.
+
+This had been done, with the success that has been seen.  But though the
+little garrison was awakened to a sense of its danger, very soon after
+the steamer had taken its departure, it did not realise the fact that
+they had all been deceived.
+
+All the requisite precautions had been taken, and saving the guard, the
+little garrison had lain down to sleep, according to Captain Smithers'
+instructions, for he had addressed them before they were dismissed.
+
+"There may be no danger," he had said, "but we must be on the alert, so
+let every man lie down in his clothes, with his arms close at hand.
+Sergeant Lund, see that the men's pouches are supplied with cartridges.
+To-morrow, my lads, I hope to see the steamer back, with our rescued
+friends!"
+
+The men gave a cheer and departed.  The guard was relieved, and Captain
+Smithers stood talking to Tom Long.
+
+"My dear lad," said the former, "there is not the slightest need for any
+such proceeding.  Go and lie down.  I shall visit the sentries for the
+first half of the night, and I will call you about three."
+
+"I don't feel much disposed for sleep," said Tom Long, who looked
+uneasy.
+
+"You are not well.  The heat has overdone you a little.  You go and have
+a good sleep," said the captain.  "To-morrow I hope we shall have the
+doctor back among us to set us right."
+
+"I hope so, too," said Tom Long, gloomily; and going to his quarters he
+lay down, with his sword and revolver beside him, ready for use.
+
+Adam Gray was off duty, and he, too, had gone to lie down.  But he could
+not sleep, neither did he wish to do anything else but lie there and
+think about Rachel Linton, and how pale and unhappy she appeared.  He
+longed to speak words of comfort to her, and to say others as well; but
+he dared not, for his position forbade it.  Still he could not help
+feeling that she did not look unkindly upon him, nor seem to consider
+him to be one of the ordinary soldiers.
+
+He sighed as he thought of other days, and then lay listening to the
+humming noise made by the mosquitoes--wondered whether Rachel Linton was
+asleep or awake--whether, if she was awake, she was thinking of him.
+
+Then he drove away the thoughts with an angry exclamation, and
+determined to think about her no more.  But as he turned his face to the
+open window, and listened to the faint hum of the night insects, Rachel
+Linton's face came back, and he was thinking of her again, and this time
+in connection with Captain Smithers.
+
+He knew the captain loved her, and instinctively hated him--Private
+Gray.  He felt, too, that by some means or another the captain knew of,
+and hated him for, his presumptuous love; the more so that Rachel Linton
+did not seem to care in the slightest degree for the captain's advances,
+but rather avoided him.
+
+Private Gray turned again and again, but he could not lie there any
+longer for the uneasy feeling that tormented him.
+
+The men in the long room slept easily enough, but he could not, and he
+told himself that he might just as well get up and go and watch with one
+of the sentries, for then he would be doing something towards protecting
+the station.
+
+He rose then softly, and fastening on his belt with the bayonet
+attached, he went cautiously out into the night air, to see that though
+the stars twinkled brightly, the night was very dark.  All was perfectly
+still, and as he went cautiously round, every man seemed to be on the
+watch, when suddenly a thought struck him which sent a cold shiver
+through his breast.
+
+He was standing just beneath the window of the officers' quarters, where
+he knew that Rachel Linton and her cousin would be sleeping, and the
+sentry nearest, the man who should be on the keenest watch, was, if he
+was not mistaken, Private Sim.
+
+He could not make out for certain from where he stood, but he felt
+almost certain that this was the case, and that Sim was occupying the
+most important outpost of the little fort.
+
+With his heart beating wildly he crept back to the place where the men
+lay asleep, and going on tiptoe from one to the other, he satisfied
+himself by the dim light of the lamp swinging from the roof that Private
+Sim was not there.
+
+"It was utter madness," he muttered to himself.  "Lund should have
+known," and in his excitement he recalled to mind the night when he had
+found him asleep.
+
+He remembered, too, what a fearful night that was, and he felt that this
+might prove to be just as dangerous, as he hurried back, catching up his
+rifle and pouch as he went, and then going quietly along to where
+Private Sim was stationed.
+
+It was undoubtedly the weakest spot about the fort, and in place of one
+untrustworthy man, two of the most trusty should have been stationed
+there.  By some error of judgment, however, this was not done, and
+Private Sim held the lives of all in the little fort within his hand.
+
+Gray thought that after all he might be misjudging him, and therefore he
+went on cautiously, listening as he stopped from time to time, and
+expecting to be challenged; but there was no sound to be heard, and as
+Gray went closer it seemed to him as if no sentry had been placed there.
+But as he went nearer there was no error of judgment upon his part.  It
+was as he suspected.  Private Sim was seated on the ground, his rifle
+across his lap, fast asleep, and quite oblivious of the fact that his
+messmate stood close beside him, panting with rage and disgust.
+
+"You scoundrel!" he cried in a low, passionate voice.  "Do you not know
+that the punishment may be death for sleeping at a time like this?"
+
+As he spoke he struck the sleeper heavily upon the head with the butt of
+his rifle, and Sim started up and grappled with him, just as a dozen
+Malays sprang out of the darkness, and made at the defence between them.
+
+The struggle between the two was but brief, for Gray threw Sim off, and
+brought his bayonet to bear against the Malays, forgetting in his
+excitement to load and fire, so that it was Sim's rifle that gave the
+alarm.
+
+For the next few minutes the two men fought side by side, their bayonets
+keeping the Malays back every time they strove to enter the place, and
+driving them off successfully till help came, and two or three volleys
+did the rest.
+
+"How was this?  How did it happen that you did not see the enemy
+approaching sooner, Private Sim?" said Captain Smithers, sternly.
+
+Sim trembled for his life, knowing as he did that over matters of
+discipline the captain was a stern man, and that he must expect no mercy
+for his fault if Gray spoke out, and told all he knew; so he exclaimed
+hastily, and with a malicious look at Gray,--
+
+"How could I, sir, when there are traitors in the camp?"
+
+"Traitors!  What do you mean?"
+
+"I mean a traitor, sir!  Private Gray there came up behind me, leaped
+upon me, and held his hand over my mouth to keep me still, while he
+whistled to the Malays to come in by the opening, there."
+
+"You lying--"
+
+"Silence, Private Gray!" cried Captain Smithers, and all that was evil
+in his nature came to the surface, as he felt that here was an
+opportunity for disgracing, if not putting his rival to death; and a
+strange feeling of savage joy animated him for the moment.  "Silence,
+Private Gray!" he cried.  "Speak out, Private Sim.  Do you mean to
+assert that this man served you as you say?"
+
+"Look at me, sir!" cried Sim, showing his disordered uniform.  "That was
+done in the struggle; and I did not fire as soon as I could have
+wished."
+
+"Show me your rifle, Sim," said the captain.
+
+Sim held out his piece, while, choking with rage and astonishment, Gray
+stood speechless in their midst.
+
+The piece was examined, and it had just been discharged.
+
+"Show me your piece, Gray," said Captain Smithers.
+
+Gray held it out, and it was quite clean.  It was not loaded, and it had
+not lately been discharged.
+
+"I tried as hard as I could, captain!" whined Sim; "but he came upon me
+so sudden like, that I was mastered at once."
+
+"What were you doing there, Gray?  You were not on duty.  Your place was
+in bed."
+
+"I could not sleep, sir," said Gray.  "I doubted this man, and I came to
+see."
+
+"Why, you jumped right on me, sudden like, out of the darkness!" said
+Sim.
+
+"Silence, Sim!" said the Captain.  "Gray, this charge must be
+investigated.  You are under arrest.  Sergeant, put this man in irons!"
+
+"But, Captain--"
+
+"Silence, sir!  You can make your defence when you are tried by
+court-martial."
+
+"I hope, captain," whined Sim, "that it won't be my doing as he's
+punished.  I'd a deal rather help a fellow than get him into trouble."
+
+"You are on duty, sir!  Attend to your post!" cried Captain Smithers.
+
+He turned angrily then on Private Gray, who was so cruelly mortified,
+especially as, glancing upward, he saw the window was open, and Rachel
+Linton and her cousin there, that he could not or would not speak a word
+in his defence.  He gave Sim a look that made that scoundrel shiver, and
+then said to himself:
+
+"She will not believe that I am a traitor!"
+
+He glanced involuntarily upwards as this thought occurred to him, and
+the captain ground his teeth with rage as he saw the glance; but feeling
+as he did that he had his rival beneath his heel, a glow of triumph ran
+through him.
+
+The next moment, though, all that was gentlemanly and true came to the
+surface, and he felt that Private Gray was not the man who could be
+guilty of such a crime.  Sim must be the offending party, and Gray be
+too proud to speak.  He could not iron him, or doubt his honour; he was
+too true a man; and as Sergeant Lund unwillingly came forward with a
+file of men, the captain motioned him back.
+
+"This is no time for making prisoners," he said.  "Sergeant, change the
+sentry here.  Place two men on guard.  Private Sim, go to the
+guard-room: I may want to question you.  Private Gray, this is an awful
+charge against you, and if you are guilty you will be shot."
+
+There was a faint sound as of some one's breath catching at the window
+above, but it was heard by Captain Smithers and Private Gray alone as
+they stood face to face.
+
+"I know it, captain!" said Gray, quietly.
+
+"We are in face of the enemy," continued Captain Smithers.  "Take your
+rifle again, and help to defend the place.  You had better die by the
+spear of a Malay.  Go to the guard-room now; and mind, if any words pass
+between you and Private Sim--"
+
+"Quick, sir, the alarm!" cried Gray, pointing out beneath the stars.
+"The enemy!"
+
+"Fire, sentry!" cried Captain Smithers; and the report of a rifle rang
+out on the still night air, for the Malays were advancing in force.
+
+Fresh shots were fired on all sides as the men turned out, and were at
+their various places in a very few moments, the wisdom of the captain's
+commands being manifest; and as he saw Private Gray go down on one knee
+and begin firing, with careful aim, at the advancing enemy,--"He's no
+traitor," he muttered; "and I never doubted him at heart."
+
+He had no time for further thought, for the attack had become general,
+and the Malays seemed furious, striving hard to gain an entry, but
+always encountering one or two bayonets at every point, till, after half
+an hour's fierce struggle, they drew back, leaving a number of dead and
+wounded around the place.
+
+The defenders of the little fort drew breath at this, and as the firing
+ceased, the major's wife, with Rachel Linton and her cousin, came round,
+first with refreshments for the exhausted men, and, as soon as they were
+distributed, began to bandage those who were wounded.
+
+It was while they were busy over this task, that in the darkness Rachel
+Linton came upon a man leaning against the breast-work, gazing
+attentively out at the position of the enemy.
+
+"Are you wounded?" she asked; and at her words Private Gray started
+round and faced her.
+
+"Only slightly," he said, "in body--but deeply in spirit."
+
+"Let me bind your wound," said Rachel Linton, hoarsely, and her voice
+trembled as she spoke.
+
+"Which?" he said bitterly, as they stood alone.
+
+"Let me bind your arm," she said quietly now, as she drew a long breath.
+
+"It is but a scratch," he said carelessly, "a spear thrust."
+
+Without another word Rachel Linton slit open the sleeve of the jacket he
+wore, and deftly bandaged the double wound, for the thrust had gone
+right through Gray's arm.  Then rising, she stood before him for a
+moment or two.
+
+"You asked which wound would I bind up, Adam Gray," she said sadly.  "I
+have bound up one.  If my words will help to bind up the other, let me
+tell you that I do not believe the foul charge made against you."
+
+The rifle fell against Gray's wounded arm as he caught the speaker's
+hand in his, and raised it to his lips.
+
+"You have done more," he said; "you have healed it."
+
+For the next few moments he stood there as if holding the hand in his,
+though Rachel Linton had hurried away.  Then he started, for he became
+aware that Tom Long had seen what had taken place, and was now standing
+leaning on his sword.  But he did not speak, he only turned away,
+leaving Gray watching, and thinking hopefully now of the charge he had
+to meet.
+
+"Smithers is a gentleman," he said to himself; "they cannot shoot me for
+what I have not done."
+
+Then he began to wonder how the steamer had sped, and how soon they
+would bring back their friends.  This was the more important, as he felt
+sure that a few such determined efforts on the Malay's part, and the
+little garrison must succumb.
+
+"He is a brave young fellow, that Ali," he thought, "and has managed
+well."
+
+Then he stood gazing out over the dark ground in front, where here and
+there he could make out the dimly seen form of some unfortunate
+combatant, who had not been carried off by his friends.
+
+It was darker now than ever, and he was silently watching for danger,
+when a faint rustling noise caught his ear, and he brought his piece
+down to the present, for undoubtedly one of the bodies lying on the dark
+earth was in motion, and crawling slowly towards where he stood.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FIFTY FOUR.
+
+THE END OF ALI'S MISSION.
+
+Adam Gray's finger was on the trigger of his piece, but he did not fire,
+though he carefully covered the figure before him, and watched
+attentively to make sure that it was no hallucination.
+
+He had marked that figure before; one that lay face downwards,
+apparently just as the man had fallen from a shot.  And now the dimly
+seen arms had changed positions--there was no doubt of that--and the
+figure was crawling forward.
+
+What did it mean?  Either it was a poor wounded wretch, striving hard to
+get relief and help, or else it was a trick on the part of a treacherous
+Malay, who was trying to put in force a North American Indian's tactics,
+and creeping forward to stab a sentry.
+
+"And so gain an entrance into the fort," thought Adam Gray.  "Well, my
+poor wretch, you will not do it, unless both my rifle ball and bayonet
+should miss."
+
+Just then the figure stopped, and lay quite motionless; and again Gray
+hesitated, feeling sure that he must have been deceived, as he gazed now
+at the figure where it lay, some twenty yards away.
+
+There it was, perfectly motionless, and in that darkness Gray felt that
+he really could not be sure about it.  After all, the figure might be
+lying where it had first lain.  It was impossible to say.
+
+His doubts were dispelled the next moment, for the figure was once more
+in motion, and stopped short as the lock of the sentry's rifle clicked.
+
+"Don't shoot!" said a voice in English; "I am a friend."
+
+"If you move again, I fire!" said Gray in a low, stern voice.  "Who are
+you?"
+
+"Is that Private Gray?" said the voice.
+
+"Mr Ali, is that you?" cried Gray, leaning towards him.
+
+"Yes, it is I," said the figure, crawling rapidly towards him.
+
+"What are you doing with the enemy?"
+
+"Trying to make my way to you.  They will not see now.  Give me your
+hand, and I will climb up."
+
+Gray leaned out over the breast-work, gave his hand to the young man,
+and, with a little exercise of his muscular strength, half-drew,
+half-aided him to climb into the stronghold--just as Captain Smithers
+and Tom Long leaped upon them, seizing each his man, and holding his
+sword to his throat.
+
+"You doubly-dyed scoundrel!" cried Captain Smithers.  "Caught him in the
+act!  Call the guard there!"
+
+"Don't you know me, Long?" said a voice that made Tom lower his sword
+point.
+
+"Ali!" cried Captain Smithers; "you here?"
+
+"Yes, I am back," said the young man sadly.
+
+"Gray, my good fellow," cried Captain Smithers, "fate seems to have
+ordained that I should doubt you."
+
+"Fate is sometimes very cruel to us all, sir," said Gray, coldly, as the
+captain set him free, and turned to Ali.
+
+"You found them, then?"
+
+"No," said Ali, sadly.
+
+"But the stockade?"
+
+"What stockade?"
+
+"Where you found them.  The steamer went off early in the night."
+
+"The steamer went off?  Where?"
+
+"Don't waste time, man, in puzzles," cried the captain, excitedly, as he
+felt that something was wrong.  "You sent a messenger?"
+
+"I sent no messenger," said Ali, excitedly.
+
+"Yes, yes; the man with the writing in a bamboo?"
+
+"I sent no man," said Ali, sadly.  "You have been cheated--over-reached
+by your enemies."
+
+"But did you not find them?"
+
+"No, I was hemmed-in at every turn; and at last, in despair I have
+crawled back here, hardly saving my life, your sentries are so keen."
+
+"This is dreadful," said Captain Smithers.  "How we have been deluded!"
+
+He took a few steps to and fro, and then paused before Ali, gazing at
+him searchingly.
+
+"Sir," he said, "we are each of different nations, and your people are
+at war with mine.  Why should I trust you? why should I believe in your
+words?  How do I know that I am not talking to one who believes it to be
+a virtue to slay people of my creed?"
+
+Ali looked at him wonderingly for a few moments before he spoke,
+slowly,--
+
+"Because you know that I am honest," he said; "and if I am not, you have
+your resource there.  Kill me."
+
+Captain Smithers resumed his agitated walk to and fro.
+
+"This is dreadful!" he said, excitedly.  "Those poor fellows have been
+inveigled away like the hunting-party, and perhaps by this time there is
+a second massacre."
+
+"I think you exaggerate," said Ali, quietly.  "The hunting-party have
+been led away by a ruse, and the steamer sent upon an errand by a clever
+trick.  But Captain Horton and Major Sandars are not men to give up the
+lives of their following without a bitter struggle.  And as for
+Lieutenant Johnson--"
+
+"And Mr Roberts," interposed Tom Long.
+
+"Yes, with Mr Roberts," said Ali, "he is too strong in guns and men to
+be easily overcome, unless by--"
+
+"Treachery?  Yes," said the captain.  "And that is what I dread."
+
+"To such an extent," said Ali, with a quiet smile, "that you doubt your
+friends."
+
+"For the moment only," said Captain Smithers, holding out his hand,
+which the other frankly grasped.  "You must remember--my position, sir."
+
+"I do," said Ali.  "Now give me a rifle and revolver; we may be attacked
+at any moment."
+
+"We?" said Tom Long holding out his hand.
+
+"Yes," said Ali, smiling; "and if we get safely through this trouble you
+will have to try and make me more of an Englishman than I am."
+
+Even while he was speaking the Malays renewed their attack with the
+greatest pertinacity, it being evident that their object was to capture
+the fort before the steamer could render help.  They seemed to be roused
+to a pitch of mad fury by the resistance they encountered and their
+losses, attacking with such determination that it needed no words on
+Captain Smithers' part to warn his little garrison that they must fight
+to the death.
+
+With a civilised enemy it would have been quite reasonable to have
+surrendered long ago, but with such a foe as Rajah Gantang, a pirate of
+the worst Malay type, such an act as surrender would have meant giving
+all up to a horrible death.
+
+Never was daylight more welcome than when it appeared to the defenders
+of that little stronghold, who, gaunt, haggard, and faint with exertion,
+saw the sky suddenly turn to orange and gold; and then the sun rose over
+the widespread jungle, sending the wreathing night-mists floating amidst
+the feathery palms, and seeming to dissolve into thin air.
+
+The first order given by Captain Smithers was to have a signal of
+distress run up to the top of the flagstaff; the next to try and
+strengthen the defences, which were sorely dilapidated.  Some of the
+barricading planks and forms were torn down, others riddled with
+bullets.
+
+Through the rough straw mattresses spears were sticking in a dozen
+directions, and what had looked hopeless again and again during the
+night seemed doubly so by day.
+
+But Captain Smithers was not made of the stuff to give up.  He had those
+under his charge whom he was ready to render his life to save; and the
+spirit that animated his breast seemed to infuse itself in the spirits
+of the others.  He was half mad with jealousy; and angered almost beyond
+bearing at the thought that Rachel Linton should favour, as he was sure
+now that she did, a private soldier in preference to him.  But he cast
+away all narrow selfishness, for he was obliged to confess that Gray was
+no common man, but evidently a gentleman by education if not by birth.
+
+Casting aside, then, all unworthy thoughts, he roused Tom Long from a
+short sleep that he had made him take.  He said a few encouraging words
+to the men, and then went to join the ladies, who had anticipated his
+wishes, and were ready with plenty of refreshments for the jaded
+defenders of the fort.
+
+It is wonderful what efficacy there is in a cup of hot coffee and a big
+biscuit.  Men who, ten minutes before, had stood rifle in hand, dejected
+and utterly worn-out, lost their haggard looks and seemed to pull
+themselves together after partaking of the cup of comfort that the
+ladies brought round.
+
+Rifles were wiped out, belts tightened; and with brightening eyes the
+men seemed ready to give a good account of the enemy when they closed in
+for their next attack.
+
+"I have bad news for you, Captain Smithers," said Rachel Linton to him,
+quietly, as she took the cup she had given him from his hands.
+
+"I don't think you can give me worse news than I already know," he said,
+sadly.
+
+"Yes, but I can," she said, with her brows knitting with pain for his
+suffering.  "The heat of the day will soon be upon us, and we have no
+more water."
+
+These words roused the captain to a less selfish view of things, and he
+stood for a moment or two thinking.  It was indeed a tantalising
+position, for, glittering and sparkling in the sun, there before them
+flowed the bright river, no drop of whose waters could be reached on
+account of the thronging enemy.
+
+"I will see to it at once," he said, quietly; and as Miss Linton left
+him, Tom Long came up.
+
+"We must have a well dug at once," he said.  "Take charge here, Long,
+while I pick out a place."
+
+Ensign Long assumed the command, but now without any of his old
+consequential airs.  Adversity was taming him down, and to his surprise
+he found himself talking in a very different tone to his men, who
+yielded a readier obedience than of old.
+
+Captain Smithers was not long in selecting a place for the well, and in
+a very few minutes a squad of men were at work, some digging, others
+bearing off the earth in baskets to pile up in front of weak places and
+add to their strength.
+
+It was a hard call upon the men, that digging; but even while they
+worked the demand for water arose, and they slaved at their task,
+knowing the tortures that waited them should they not succeed.
+
+Every man worked in turn, except those badly wounded, though even some
+of those carried away the baskets of earth.
+
+Among others, Private Gray was ready to aid in this way, after vainly
+trying to handle a spade, a task rendered impossible by his wound.  He
+was hard at work over his work, carrying basketful after basketful with
+one hand, when Captain Smithers came up, saw how he was striving, and
+stood looking on for a few moments.
+
+"We shall have to put off your court-martial yet, Gray," he said grimly.
+"Give me that basket.  Sit down awhile."
+
+Gray was ready to resist, but his officer's words were law, and sitting
+down to rest, and wipe the streaming perspiration from his face, he
+watched his captain slave away at the toil with the others, for in those
+perilous times show and uniforms were forgotten.
+
+It proved to be a harder task than had been anticipated.  Captain
+Smithers had expected to find the subsoil of the island all soft
+alluvial earth, in which, from the neighbourhood of the river, there
+would be an abundance of water.  It had never occurred to him that if
+the island had been of soft earth it would long before have been washed
+away.  It was found to be rock at a short distance down, composed of a
+soft limestone, through which they had to chip their well.
+
+A dozen times over alarms of attack--some real, some false--were given,
+when spade, pick, and basket had to be laid on one side, and rifles
+seized.  The attack repelled, the fight for water was renewed; and to
+the intense delight of all, about ten feet down the pure life-giving
+element came gushing in a clear current from the rock.
+
+Meanwhile Ali's eyes, which were more experienced in the ways of the
+enemy than those of his companions, read plainly enough that far from
+being damped by their ill-success they were preparing for a more general
+assault, and he confided his opinions to Tom Long.
+
+"I can't see any difference," said Tom Long, after a careful inspection
+through his glass.  "They looked just like that every time they came on,
+and--ah! there are some more of them, though."
+
+"More," echoed Ali.  "They are doubled in number.  Look, too, at the way
+in which they are making bundles of reeds and canes."
+
+"Well, let them," said Tom Long; "our rifle bullets will go through
+those fast enough.  If I were Smithers, I'd give them a good searching
+fire now, and let them know that our rifles make fine practice at a
+thousand yards' distance.  Those fellows are not six hundred."
+
+"Better wait till every shot is more likely to tell," replied Ali.  "The
+bullets would of course go through those bundles of cane; but do you not
+see what they mean?"
+
+"No," said Tom Long, quietly, "unless they mean to burn us out."
+
+"That is what they do mean," replied Ali.  "And look!  Quick! give the
+alarm!  They are coming on at once!"
+
+"Let them," said Tom Long, phlegmatically.  "They won't alarm us.  Nice
+people your fellow-countrymen, Ali!"
+
+"Fellow-countrymen!" said the young Malay, scornfully.  "My
+fellow-countrymen are gentlemen!  These are the scourings of the
+country, with half the scoundrels from Borneo, Java, and Sumatra--men
+who have lived all their lives upon piracy and murder."
+
+"Well, whatever they are," said Tom Long, coolly, "they are coming on,
+so I may as well let the lads know.  All right, though; every one is on
+the alert, and I daresay we can give a good account of them before they
+get back.  Are you sure that these are all a bad lot?"
+
+"Sure?" cried Ali.  "They are the scum of the east."
+
+"Then we'll skim them a little more," said Tom Long.  "Hi! sergeant, let
+me have a rifle and some cartridges; I think I should like to pot a few
+cut-throat pirates myself."
+
+Sergeant Lund handed him the required rifle, Captain Smithers coming up
+at the moment, and as he swept the surroundings of the little fort with
+his glass his countenance changed a little, for grave as had been their
+position before, he felt now that unless help quickly came it was
+absolutely hopeless.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FIFTY FIVE.
+
+HOW THE HUNTING-PARTY FARED.
+
+There was a thick mist hanging over the forest when the bugle rang out
+the _reveille_, and, some eagerly, some thinking rest the better thing,
+all the hunting-party began to gather outside their tents, where the
+best apologies for tubs and baths were provided for the officers.
+
+No sooner, however, did the Malays see this than they laughingly led the
+way to a little river, evidently a tributary of the Parang, and setting
+the example plunged into its deep, clear, cool waters, showing
+themselves to be adepts at swimming, and laughing to scorn, the idea of
+there being any crocodiles there.
+
+The water was deliciously cool, and one and all the officers gladly
+availed themselves of the jungle bath, emerging fresh, and their nerves
+toned up ready for any work that was to fall to their lot that day.
+
+By the time they returned to the camp an _al fresco_ breakfast was
+ready, half English, half Malay.  There were tea and coffee, potted
+meats and sardines, and side by side with them, delicious Malay curries,
+made with fresh cocoa-nut, sambals of the most piquant nature, and fresh
+fish and blachang--that favourite preparation of putrid shrimps.  Fruits
+were in abundance--plantains of various kinds, mangosteens, lychees, and
+durians smelling strong enough to drive away a dozen Tom Longs, had they
+been there.  In short, the sultan had given orders that his cooks should
+do their best; similar instructions had been given by Captain Horton and
+Major Sandars; and the result was a breakfast fit for a prince--who
+could put up with a picnic and a camp-stool, beneath an umbrageous tree.
+
+"Whatever you gentlemen do," said Doctor Bolter, "pray restrain your
+appetites.  You see," he said, taking his seat cross-legged, like the
+Malays, in front of a dish of blachang, and its neighbour a delicious
+chicken curry, "you will to-day be exposed a good deal to the heat of
+the sun; you will exert yourselves, no doubt; and therefore it is
+advisable that you should be very moderate in what you eat and drink.
+Thanks, yes, major, I will take a glass of claret before my coffee.
+What a thing it is that we can get no milk."
+
+So saying, the doctor set to work, "feeding ferociously," so Captain
+Horton said, with a laugh, and partaking of everything that took his
+fancy, finishing off with a cigarette.
+
+The sultan smiled his satisfaction as he sat at the head of the table,
+eating little himself, but giving instructions from time to time to his
+slaves that they should hand fruit and other delicacies to the guests
+that were near him.
+
+The various officers followed the doctor's example, telling one another
+that they could not be far wrong if they imitated their medical guide.
+The only one who did not seem to enjoy his meal was Mr Linton, who felt
+worried, he hardly knew why, about their position.
+
+Now that he was away from the residency, an undefined sense of trouble
+had come upon him, and he could not help feeling how helpless they must
+be if the Malays turned against them.  Certainly they were all
+well-armed, and could make a brave fight, perhaps win their way back;
+but if they did, he felt sure that something would have gone wrong at
+the island.
+
+The preparations for the fresh start chased away his forebodings, and
+the packing having been rapidly performed, soldier, sailor, and Malay
+were soon in motion, the long train winding its way through the dense
+jungle, with the rattan panniers and howdahs of the elephants brushing
+the lush verdure on either side.
+
+The morning was deliciously cool, and as they went on and on through the
+forest shades, where at every turn something bright and beautiful met
+their gaze, the whole party were in the highest spirits; and the
+discipline only being kept tight, as to the order in which they marched,
+the men laughed and talked, sang and smoked, and seemed to be thoroughly
+enjoying themselves.
+
+And certainly it would have moved the spirit of the most cankered
+denizen of a city to see the beauty of the parasites that clustered and
+hung from tree to tree.  The orchids were of the most brilliant colours;
+and now and then they passed a lake or pool in the depths of the jungle
+which would be covered in places with the flower of the lotus, while in
+every sunny opening the great clusters of nepenthes--the pitcher plant--
+brightened the scene.
+
+These latter delighted the Jacks amazingly, and not being allowed to
+break their ranks, they sent the Malays near them to pick anything that
+took their fancy.  These "monkey cups," as they called them, were
+constantly picked ostensibly for the purpose of supplying the sailors
+with a drink, for each contained more or less water; but it was never
+drunk, for in each there were generally the remains of some unfortunate
+flies, who had gone down into the treacherous vegetable cavern, and
+being unable to clamber out had miserably perished.
+
+During the heat of the day there was a halt once more, the Malays
+staring at the sailors and soldiers sitting about under the trees for a
+quiet smoke and watching the elephants, which, being relieved of their
+pads and howdahs, walked straight into a great pool near to which they
+were halted, and then cooled themselves by drawing their trunks full of
+water and squirting it all over their sides.
+
+"I'm blest," said one of the Jacks, "if they ain't the rummest beggars I
+ever see.  Just look at that one, Bill.  Lor' if he ain't just like a
+bit o' annymated hingy rubber."
+
+"Ah?" said his mate, "you might fit a pair o' blacksmith's bellows on to
+the muzzle o' that trunk of his, and then blow him out into a balloon."
+
+"When are we going to begin to hunt tigers?" said another.  "Oh, we
+ain't going to hunt them at all, only keep 'em from coming by us, and
+driving 'em up to where the orficers are."
+
+"I say," said another sailor, "this here's all very well, but suppose
+some time or another, when these Malay chaps have got us out into the
+middle of these woods, they turn upon us, and whip out their krises--
+what then?"
+
+"What then?" said a soldier, who heard him; "why then we should have to
+go through the bayonet exercise in real earnest; but it won't come to
+that."
+
+Two more days were spent in the journey, and then, upon his guests
+beginning to manifest some impatience, the sultan announced that they
+were now on the borders of the tiger country; and that afternoon there
+were preparations for a beat when a couple of tigers were seen, but they
+managed to escape.
+
+The sultan smilingly told his guests that at the end of another march
+the game would be more plentiful; and once more there was a steady tramp
+along one of the narrow jungle-paths, into a country wilder than ever--
+for they were away from the rivers now, and no traces of cultivation had
+been seen.
+
+There was no dissatisfaction, though, for if the officers shot no tigers
+they found plenty of jungle-fowl and snipe, upon which they tried their
+powers with the gun, and made goodly bags of delicious little birds to
+add to the daily bill of fare.
+
+Another day, and still another, in which the expedition penetrated
+farther and farther into the forest wild.  The officers were delighted,
+and Doctor Bolter in raptures.  He had obtained specimens of the atlas
+moth, a large flap-winged insect, as large across as a moderate dish; he
+had shot sun-birds, azure kingfishers, gapers, chatterers, parroquets;
+and his last achievement had been to kill a boa-constrictor twenty-four
+feet long.
+
+It was no dangerous monster, but a great sluggish brute, that had hissed
+at him viciously and then tried to escape.  But the doctor had for
+attendant a very plucky little Malay, appointed by the sultan, and this
+man was delighted with his task, following the doctor anywhere.  Upon
+this occasion he had come upon the serpent lying coiled up, evidently
+sleeping off a repast of a heavy kind.
+
+The boy shouted to the doctor, who was trying to stalk a lizard in an
+open place; and this roused the serpent, which began to uncoil, one fold
+gliding over the other, while its head was raised and its curious eyes
+sparkled in the sun.
+
+The boy waited his opportunity, and then darting in cleverly avoided the
+reptile's teeth, and caught it by the tail, dragging the creature out
+nearly straight as he called to his master to fire.
+
+The serpent was apparently puzzled by this proceeding, and threw itself
+round a tree, hissing furiously as it menaced its assailant.  Then
+sending a wave along the free part of its body to the tail, the Malay
+was driven flying on to his back amidst the canes.
+
+The retreat of the reptile was cut off, though, for this interruption
+gave the doctor time to come up with his little double fowling-piece,
+from which a quick shot sent the menacing, quivering head down upon the
+earth; and then going up, a second shot placed the writhing monster
+_hors de combat_.
+
+There was no little mirth in the camp as, faint and perspiring
+profusely, the doctor and his Malay boy came in, slowly dragging the
+long quivering body of the serpent, which the former at once set to work
+to skin before it should become offensive.  Then the skin was laid raw
+side upwards, and dressed over with arsenical soap, a dose of which the
+Malay boy nearly succeeded in swallowing, being attracted by its
+pleasant aromatic odour.
+
+"Laugh away," said the doctor, "but I mean to have that skin set up and
+sent to the British Museum, presented by Doctor Bolter," he said
+importantly.
+
+"Well," said Captain Horton, "for my part I would rather encounter a
+fierce Malay than one of these writhing creatures.  Take care of
+yourself, doctor, or you'll be constricted."
+
+"Yes," said Major Sandars, entering into the joke, "I'll give orders
+that every swollen serpent is to be bayonetted and opened if the doctor
+is missing."
+
+"Laugh away," said the doctor; "I don't mind."
+
+"That's right," said Captain Horton; "but for goodness' sake, man, wash
+your hands well before you come to dinner."
+
+"All right," said the doctor; and that evening, after dinner, he took
+the Malay boy into his confidence.
+
+"Look here," he said, "I want to shoot an Argus pheasant.  There must be
+some about here."
+
+"Argus pheasant?" said the Malay boy, staring, and then shaking his
+head.
+
+"Yes, I heard one last night."
+
+Still the boy shook his head.  He had never heard of such a bird.
+
+"Oh, yes, you know what I mean," said the doctor; "they keep in the
+shelter of the jungle, and are very rarely shot; but I must have one."
+
+The boy shook his head.
+
+"Don't I tell you I heard one last night, after we had camped down?  It
+calls out _Coo-ai_."
+
+"No, no! no, no!" cried the boy; "_Coo-ow, Coo-ow_."
+
+"Yes, that's it," cried the doctor.  "You know the bird."
+
+"Yes, know the big spot bird; all eyes," said the boy.  "Sees all over
+himself; like a peacock.  Hunter no shoot him, see too much far."
+
+"But I must shoot one," said the doctor.
+
+"Yes, you shoot one," said the boy.  "I take you to-night."  The doctor
+rubbed his hands and was delighted; and after the dinner, when the
+officers and chiefs were sitting smoking and sipping their coffee by the
+light of the stars, he rose and took his gun, for the Malay boy was
+waiting.
+
+"Off again, doctor?" cried the major.
+
+"Yes," said the little man, importantly.  "I am going, sir, to add to my
+collection a specimen of the celebrated Argus pheasant--_Phasianus
+Giganteus_."
+
+"No, no, doctor; no Latin names after dinner," cried several voices.
+
+"As you please, gentlemen," he said.
+
+"The sultan says, shall he send a score of his men to protect you?"
+cried Captain Horton.
+
+"For goodness' sake no!" cried the doctor in dismay.  "My dear sir, this
+bird is only to be shot by approaching it most cautiously at night, or
+by laying patiently near its haunts."
+
+"Laying what, doctor--eggs?" said a young officer.
+
+"No, sir; a stick about the back of impertinent puppies," cried the
+doctor, angrily.  "I said lying--lying in wait near the bird's haunts."
+
+"Oh, I beg your pardon," said the young officer; and the doctor went off
+in dudgeon.
+
+"I say, Thompson," said the major, "don't you be poorly, whatever you
+do, until the doctor has got over it, or he'll give you such a dose."
+
+"I'll take care, sir," said the young man; and they went on chatting
+about other things.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FIFTY SIX.
+
+DOCTOR BOLTER'S BIRD.
+
+Meanwhile the doctor followed his Malay boy--as he was called, though he
+was really a man--through a narrow path right away from the camp and
+into the jungle.
+
+The doctor was ruffled exceedingly at his slip of grammar, and looked
+very much annoyed; but the thought of being able to secure a specimen of
+the much-prized Argus pheasant chased away the other trouble, and he
+walked on closely behind his guide.
+
+"How far have we to go, my lad?" he said.
+
+"Walk two hours," said the Malay, "then sit down and listen.  No speak a
+word till _Coo-ow_ come.  Then make gun speak and kill him!"
+
+"To be sure!" said the doctor, nodding his head; and then almost in
+silence he followed his guide, often feeling disposed to try and shoot
+one or other of the nocturnal birds that flitted silently by, or one of
+the great fruit bats that, longer in their spread of wings than rooks,
+flew in flocks on their way to devastate some orchard far away.
+
+Quite two hours had elapsed, during which the Malay, apparently quite at
+home, led his scientific companion right away through the gloom of the
+wilderness.
+
+At last he enjoined silence, saying that they were now approaching the
+haunts of the wondrous bird; and consequently the doctor crept on behind
+him without so much as crushing a twig.
+
+They had reached an opening in the forest, by the side of what was
+evidently a mountain of considerable height, and the doctor smiled as he
+recalled the fact that the Argus pheasant was reputed to haunt such
+places; when to his intense delight there soddenly rang out from the
+distance on the silent night air a peculiar cry that resembled the name
+given to the bird--_Coo-ow_.  For the moment it seemed to the doctor as
+if some Australian savage was uttering his well-known _Coo-ay_, or as if
+this was the Malays' form of the cry.  But he knew well enough what it
+was, and following his guide with the greatest caution, they crept on
+towards the place from which the sound had seemed to come.
+
+It was weird work in that wild solitude far on towards midnight, but the
+doctor was too keen a naturalist to think of anything but the specimen
+of which he was in search.  He knew that the native hunters, out night
+after night, could not shoot more than one of these birds in a year, and
+it would be quite a triumph if he could add such a magnificent thing to
+his collection.
+
+_Coo-ow_--rang out the strange cry, and it seemed quite near.  Then
+again _Coo-ow_, and this time it appeared to be a long way off.
+
+This was tantalising, but he concluded directly after, that the second
+cry might be that of another bird answering the first.
+
+They were now in amongst a number of low bushes, which gave them cover,
+while it made the surrounding country less black than when they were in
+the jungle-path.  There they could only grope their way with
+outstretched hands; here they could have gone on at a respectable foot
+pace without danger of running against some impediment in the path.
+
+The doctor cocked both barrels of his gun, after opening the breech and
+making sure that the cartridges were in their place, and, in momentary
+expectation of setting a shot, he kept close behind the Malay.
+
+_Coo-ow_! came the cry again, this time a little to the left; and the
+Malay stretched out a hand behind him to grasp that of the doctor as he
+went cautiously on.
+
+_Coo-ow_! again, but a little farther off, and with his nerves throbbing
+with excitement, the doctor kept up the chase, now seeming close to the
+bird, then being left behind, but never once getting within shot.
+
+It was very provoking, but the guide was in earnest, and the doctor
+would have gone through ten times the trouble to achieve his end.
+
+And so they stole on through the thick brushwood, with the bird
+repeating its cry so near from time to time as to make them feel that
+they must get a shot directly; but still the hope was deferred.
+
+A lighter patch in front showed that the forest was a little more open,
+and the Malay loosed the doctor's hand for a moment to clamber over a
+block of stone--when there was a rushing noise, what seemed to be a
+heavy blow, a hoarse cry, and then silence, broken directly after by a
+low deep growling, just in front of where Doctor Bolter stood--petrified
+and unable to move.
+
+He was too much taken aback by the suddenness of the incident to
+comprehend for a time what had taken place; but directly after, with his
+hands wet with excitement, and his heart seeming to stand still, he
+realised that some great animal had been stalking them, as they had been
+stalking the Argus pheasant, and, waiting for its opportunity, had
+sprung upon and seized the Malay.
+
+There was the low snarling growl not two yards from where he stood, just
+the noise upon a larger scale that a cat would make when crouching down
+over the rat that it had seized; and the doctor felt that there could be
+only one creature in the jungle that would seize its prey in such a
+manner--the tiger.
+
+In spite of his bravery and the strength of nerve that had often made
+him face death without a tremor, Dr Bolter felt a cold shiver pass
+through him as he realised how near he was to a terrible end.  The tiger
+might have seized him instead of the Malay--in fact, might spring upon
+him at any moment; and as he felt this, he brought the barrels of his
+gun to bear on the dark spot where the tiger lay crouching upon its
+victim, and with his fingers on both triggers stood ready to fire at the
+first movement of the beast.
+
+That first movement, he knew, might be to spring upon him and strike him
+down; and nature bade him flee at once for his life--bade him drop his
+gun, run to the first tree, and climb into its branches--escape as a
+timid beast, a monkey, might have done.
+
+Education, on the contrary, bade him stay--told him that it would be the
+act of a coward and a cur to run off and leave the poor fellow lying
+there to his fate, the horrible fate of being torn and half devoured by
+the tiger--bade him be a man, and do something, even at the risk of his
+own life, to save the Malay who had been stricken down in his service;
+and as these thoughts came to Doctor Bolter his eyes dilated in the
+darkness, and he strove to make out the positions in which tiger and man
+were lying.
+
+It was some time before he could make this out, and then it seemed to
+him that the tiger had struck the Malay down upon his face, and was
+lying upon him, with his teeth fixed in his shoulder.
+
+Just then the unfortunate man uttered a loud cry, when the tiger gave an
+angry snarl, and Doctor Bolter was able to assure himself of their
+relative positions.  In fact there was the side of the tiger's head not
+six feet from him, and, dare he fire, it was almost impossible to miss.
+
+But the gun was loaded with small shot, and even at so close a range he
+might injure the unfortunate Malay, if he were not beyond the point when
+a fresh blow would do him harm.
+
+Doctor Bolter stood unable to move.  He did not feel very much alarmed
+now, the danger was too near, but he could not for the moment act.
+
+At last, though, his nerves seemed to become more set, and setting his
+teeth he held his piece ready, and with one motion advanced his left
+foot and went down on his right knee, at the same time raising his gun
+to his shoulder.
+
+It was done in a moment--the tiger raising its head from the victim with
+a savage roar; when with the mouth of the piece not eighteen inches from
+the creature's head, Doctor Bolter drew the triggers, almost together.
+
+There was a brilliant flash in the darkness, which showed him the
+glistening teeth of the savage beast and its glaring eyes--a double
+report--and with a furious roar the monster sprang forward, crashing
+into some bushes, and then all was still.
+
+Quick as lightning the doctor threw open the breech of his piece, and
+inserted this time a couple of ball-cartridges, closed the gun, and
+stood ready for the monster's attack, knowing though that it must be
+sorely wounded, for he had aimed straight at its eye, and the small shot
+would, at that distance, have the effect of a bullet.
+
+A minute--two minutes, that seemed like hours, did the doctor stand
+there, expecting to hear some movement on the tiger's part, either for
+attack or retreat; but it did not stir, and he dared not fire again at
+random.
+
+Just then there was a low groan, and a faint movement at his feet.
+
+The doctor's piece swung round involuntarily, but directly after, he
+recalled that it must be the Malay, and with dry throat and lips he
+spoke to him.
+
+"Are you much hurt?"
+
+There was a few moments' pause, and then the Malay spoke.
+
+"My shoulder is gnawed; I can't use my arm."
+
+"Can you crawl behind me?" said the doctor, hoarsely.
+
+For reply the Malay rose to his feet, and staggering slightly, he made
+his way behind where the doctor stood.
+
+"I dare not move," said Doctor Bolter.  "The beast may spring upon us
+again."
+
+"No," said the Malay, whose voice sounded stronger; "he is dead.  Have
+you a light?"
+
+The doctor held his gun with one hand and pulled out his match-box with
+the other, when, in spite of his wounds, the Malay knelt down, drew a
+piece of dammar from the fold of his sarong, stuck it in a cleft stick,
+and then striking a match he fired the dry grass and lit the dammar,
+which made an excellent torch.
+
+With this advanced he took a couple of strides forward, and holding the
+light down, there lay the tiger on its side, the white under fur showing
+plainly, the doctor seeing that the creature's neck and legs were
+stretched out, and that it was indeed dead.
+
+"Thank heaven!" he muttered, fervently: and standing his gun against a
+tree he set to work piling up dead wood and dry canes to make a fire,
+when by its light and that of the dammar-torch the doctor proceeded to
+roughly dress the Malay's wounds.
+
+The tiger had seized him by the muscles of his left shoulder and clawed
+the upper part of his arm--terrible wounds enough, but not likely to
+prove fatal; and when the doctor had done all he could to make the poor
+fellow comfortable, the Malay lay down, gazing up at him as he trickled
+a little brandy from his flask between the poor fellow's lips.
+
+"You are good," he said at last.  "You saved my life.  Now I shall save
+yours."
+
+"Save mine?" said the doctor.  "Well, I hope we shall have no more
+tigers to face."
+
+"No," said the man, "not from tigers, but from men.  You did not eat
+blachang to-night?"
+
+"No," said the doctor.  "Why?"
+
+"Sultan Hamet had _toobah_ put in it to-night: same as to make fish
+sleep."
+
+"What?  I don't understand you!" cried the doctor excitedly.
+
+"Sultan Hamet means to have all the English krissed to-night while they
+sleep," said the Malay; "but you have saved my life: shall save yours."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FIFTY SEVEN.
+
+HOW DOCTOR BOLTER GOT IN A MESS.
+
+Doctor Bolter felt as if the place was swimming round him, and the
+fire-light seemed to dance as he heard these words.  Then, as he
+recovered himself somewhat, he gazed full in the Malay's eyes, to see
+that the man was looking up at him in the calmest and most unruffled
+way.
+
+"Are you mad?" exclaimed the doctor.
+
+"No," said the Malay.  "I say what is right.  Sultan Hamet joins with
+Rajah Gantang to kill off all the English--the sultan here; the rajah
+there, with his prahus."
+
+"It is impossible!" cried the doctor.  "You are deceiving me."
+
+"No, no, I tell the truth," said the man; "but you shall not be hurt.
+Let them kris me first.  You shall live."
+
+"Let us get back," cried the doctor, seizing his gun; and the tiger with
+the beautiful skin, which he had meant to have for a specimen, was
+forgotten.
+
+"No, no," said the man, "you must stay in the jungle.  The tigers are
+better than Hamet."
+
+"Can you walk?" said the doctor, quietly.
+
+The man got up for answer.
+
+"Can you find your way back?" said the doctor.
+
+"Yes," said the other, with a scornful look.  "I could find the way with
+my eyes blinded."
+
+"Then start at once.  Here, take some more of this."
+
+He gave the injured man another draught from his flask, for the poor
+fellow seemed terribly faint.
+
+The few drops of brandy gave him new life, and he displayed it by
+throwing himself on his knees before Doctor Bolter, and clasping one of
+his legs with his uninjured arm.
+
+"Don't go back, master," he cried piteously.  "You have been so good to
+me that I could not bear to see you krissed.  Stay away, and I will keep
+you safely.  My life is yours, for you saved it; and I am your slave."
+
+"My good fellow," said the doctor, sadly, as he laid his hand upon the
+Malay's shoulder, "you do not understand Englishmen."
+
+"Yes, yes, I do," cried the Malay.  "I like--I love Englishmen, I was
+servant to the young chief Ali before the sultan had him krissed."
+
+"Young Ali krissed?" cried the doctor.
+
+"Yes, he was too much friends with the Englishmen, and made the sultan
+jealous."
+
+"And the wretch had that brave, noble young fellow killed?"
+
+"Yes," said the Malay, sadly.  "His father, the Tumongong, prayed upon
+his knees that the brave boy's life might be spared, and offered to send
+him out of the country.  But the sultan laughed, and said that the young
+chief would come back again with a swarm of English soldiers, and seize
+the jewels, and put him to death, and make himself sultan.  Then the
+Tumongong swore an oath that Ali should never come back, and went down
+on his face before Sultan Hamet; but the sultan drew his kris and
+pricked him with it in the shoulder, and told him that he should die if
+he named his son again."
+
+"The villain!  That brave, noble young fellow, too!" said the doctor,
+excitedly.
+
+"Yes; he was so brave and handsome," cried the Malay.  "I loved him, but
+I was obliged to hide it all, for if I had spoken one word they would
+have krissed me, and thrown me into the river.  So I had to be silent;
+but when they wanted some one to go with you I offered, and they said
+`Yes' because I could speak English, and the sultan gave me my orders."
+
+"And what were they?" said the doctor, sharply.
+
+"To wait till to-night, and then lead you out of the jungle if you did
+not want to go, and stab you with my kris."
+
+"And you did not do it?"
+
+The Malay smiled, and drew his kris in its sheath from out of the folds
+of his sarong, handing it to the doctor.
+
+"I am not a murderer," he said.
+
+"But suppose the sultan had asked you why you did not kill me," said the
+doctor, "what then?"
+
+"I should have told him a lie.  He is a liar, and full of deceit.  We do
+not think it wrong to deal with such a man in the coins he gives.  I
+should have said you kept me back with your gun."
+
+"Take your kris, my lad," said the doctor, quietly.  "I trust you.  Now
+lead me back to the camp."
+
+"No, no," cried the Malay.  "I dare not.  I cannot take you back to
+death."
+
+"I--must--go," said the doctor, sternly; and the Malay made a
+deprecating gesture, indicative of his obedience.
+
+"My people may have proved too strong for Sultan Hamet and his
+treacherous gang."
+
+"Yes--yes--they may," cried the Malay, eagerly.
+
+"They may have given him such a lesson as he will never forget."
+
+"I hope they will make him forget for ever," said the Malay in a sombre
+tone.  "He is not fit to live.  My kris is thirsty to drink his blood."
+
+"Forward, then!" cried the doctor, "and tell me when you feel sick.
+Find water if you can, first thing.  Does your wound pain you?"
+
+"It feels as if the tiger kept biting me," was the reply; "but I do not
+mind.  Shall we go back?"
+
+"Yes; and at once," cried the doctor, and, following his companion, they
+rapidly retraced their steps through the dark jungle, the guide, as if
+by instinct, making his way onward without a moment's hesitation,
+seeming to take short cuts whenever the forest was sufficiently open to
+let them pass.
+
+As he stumbled on over the creeper-covered ground, the doctor had many a
+narrow escape from falling, and he could not help envying the ease with
+which his guide passed the various obstacles around them.  The chief
+thought that occupied the doctor's mind, though, was that which related
+to the drugging of the party's food that evening.
+
+The Malay had mentioned what drug was to be used, namely _toobah_, a
+vegetable production--in fact the root of a plant which the doctor knew
+that the Malays used to throw in the pools of the rivers and streams,
+with the effect that the fish were helplessly intoxicated, and swam or
+floated on the surface of the water.  This plant he had several times
+tried to obtain and examine, while he made experiments upon its power;
+but so far he had been unsuccessful.  Would it have the same effect upon
+the human organisation that it had upon a fish?  That was the question
+he had to solve in his mind; but no matter how he turned the subject
+over, he could extract not the smallest grain of comfort.
+
+The only hope he could derive from his thoughts was that the English
+discipline, with its regular setting of sentries and watchfulness, might
+be sufficient to defeat the enemy's machinations, and a sufficiency of
+the officers and men be unaffected by the poison to make a brave stand
+until the rest had recovered.
+
+That might happen; and slightly roused in spirit by this hope, he kept
+steadily on.  One thing was fixed in his own mind, and that was that it
+was his duty to get back to his party, either to fight with them, to
+help the wounded, or to share their fate.
+
+"Not that I want to die," muttered the doctor.  "There's that collection
+of butterflies unpinned; no one but me could set up all those birds, or
+understand the numbering; and then there's that boa-constrictor wants
+dressing over; and worse than all, I've killed my first tiger, and have
+not saved its skin."
+
+"Humph!" he exclaimed directly after, "it seems as if I am to have a
+hard job to save my own skin."
+
+Just then the Malay reeled, and caught at a tree they were passing, when
+the doctor had only just time to catch him and save him from a heavy
+fall.
+
+Laying his gun aside, he eased the poor fellow down upon the tangled
+grass, trickling a few more drops from his flask between his lips, and
+then giving the flask a bit of a shake to hear how much there was left.
+
+"Better now," said the Malay, trying to rise.  "The trees run round."
+
+"Yes, of course they do to you," said the doctor.  "Lie still for a
+while, my good fellow.  Is there any water near here?"
+
+"Little way on," said the Malay, pointing.  "Listen!"
+
+The doctor bent his head, and plainly enough heard a low gurgling noise.
+Following the direction in which the sound seemed to be, he came upon a
+little stream, and filled, by holding on with one hand to a little palm,
+and hanging down as low as he could, the tin canteen slung from his
+shoulder.  From this he drank first with avidity, then, refilling it, he
+prepared to start back.
+
+"And I always preach to the fellows about not drinking unfiltered
+water," he muttered.  "I wonder how many wild water beasts I've
+swallowed down.  Well, it can't be helped; and it was very refreshing.
+Let me see!  Bah!  How can I when it's as dark as pitch!  Which way did
+I come?"
+
+He stood thinking for a few moments, and then started off, cautiously
+trying to retrace his steps; but before he had gone twenty yards he felt
+sure that he was wrong, and turning back tried another way.  Here again
+at the end of a minute he felt that he was not going right, and with an
+ejaculation of impatience, he made his way back to where the stream
+rippled and gurgled along amidst the reeds, canes, and beneath the
+overhanging branches.
+
+It was not the spot where he had filled the canteen, but he knew that he
+must be near it; and he started again, but only to have to get back once
+more to the stream, where there was a rush, a scuffling noise and a loud
+splashing, that made him start back with a shudder running up his spine,
+for he knew by the sound that it must be a crocodile.
+
+Worst of all he was unarmed, having left his gun beside the fainting
+Malay.
+
+All he could do was to back as quietly as he could into the jungle, with
+canes and interlacing growths hindering him at every step; thorns tore
+and clung to his clothes, and he felt that if any creature gave chase to
+him it must overtake him directly.  His only chance of safety then was
+in inaction; and fretting with annoyance he crouched there, listening to
+the shudder-engendering crawling noise made by evidently several
+loathsome reptiles about the bank of the stream.
+
+After a while this ceased, and he made another attempt to get back to
+the Malay, going on and on through the darkness, and from time to time
+shouting to him.  He knew that he must be crossing and recrossing his
+track, and blamed himself angrily for not being more careful.  His
+shouts produced no response, and the matches he lit failed to give him
+the aid he had hoped; and at last, utterly exhausted, he sank down
+amidst the dense undergrowth to wait for daylight, with the result that
+nature would bear no more, and in spite of the help he knew his
+companion needed, the danger of his companions, and the perils by which
+he was surrounded from wild beasts, his head sank lower and lower upon
+his breast, and he slept.
+
+Not willingly, for he kept starting back into wakefulness, and walked to
+and fro; but all in vain, sleep gradually mastered him; and he sank
+lower and lower, falling into a deep slumber, and, as he afterwards
+said, when talking about the adventure, "If I had been in front of a
+cannon, and knew that it was to be fired, I could only have said--Just
+wait till I am fast asleep, and then do what you please."
+
+The sun was up when he started into full wakefulness, and his clothes
+were drenched with dew.
+
+"If I don't have a taste of jungle fever after this, it's strange to
+me," he said, hastily swallowing a little white powder from a tiny
+bottle.  "A stitch in time saves nine, and blessed is the salt quinine."
+
+"Humph! that's rhyme," he grunted.  "Only to think that I should go to
+sleep.  Ahoy-oy!" he shouted.
+
+There was no reply, and his heart smote him as he felt that he had
+neglected the poor Malay.  Then he felt that he was lost in the jungle;
+but that did not trouble him much, for he was sure that if he followed
+the little stream he should find that it entered a larger, and that the
+larger would run into one larger still, probably into the Parang, whose
+course he could follow down.  But that would be only as a last resource.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FIFTY EIGHT.
+
+THE DOSE OF TOOBAH.
+
+Doctor Bolter's was a painful position, and he could not help feeling
+how utterly weak man is in the midst of nature's solitudes.  He could
+have stood meditating for long enough, but he had to find his companion;
+and after shouting for some time and getting no answer, he listened for
+the rippling noise of the stream, and heard it sounding very faintly
+far-off on his right.
+
+Making for it as a starting-place, he found the tracks he had made, the
+grass being trampled down in all directions.  What was more, he found
+his trail crossed over and over again, and even followed by that of
+crocodiles, whose toes were marked in the mud wherever it was laid bare.
+
+Twice over he startled one of the reptiles, which fled before him with a
+rush into the stream, which was little better than an overgrown ditch,
+and the doctor hastily backed away.
+
+He soon found that all endeavours to hit upon his way back by the trail
+were useless, and once more he began to shout.
+
+To his great delight his cry was answered, and on making for the sound
+he heard directly after, the rustling of bushes being thrust aside, and
+soon after stood face to face with the Malay.
+
+"I have been sleeping," said the latter, smiling.  "My arm is better
+now."
+
+"If our English fellows could stand injuries like these!" muttered the
+doctor, who looked with astonishment at the light way in which the Malay
+treated the terrible injury he had received.
+
+"Do you feel as if you could lead the way back?" he said, after halting
+and rebinding the Malay's wound.
+
+"Oh, yes," the Malay said cheerfully; and he at once set off.
+
+"But my gun?" cried the doctor.  "I have left it behind."
+
+The man led him back to the place with the greatest ease, and after
+wiping the wet and rust from lock and barrel, they set off through the
+dripping undergrowth, and had been walking about half an hour, the
+doctor's excitement growing each minute as they drew nearer the camp,
+when his guide suddenly stopped and laid his hand upon the other's arm.
+
+"Listen!" he said; and as he spoke there was the distant sound of a
+shot, then another, and other.
+
+"Thank heaven!" cried the doctor, "they are making a fight for it.  Get
+on quickly."
+
+They went on along an old overgrown track, with the sound of the firing
+growing each minute nearer; and the doctor's heart beat joyfully as he
+made out that a pretty brisk engagement was going on.
+
+Soon, however, the firing began to drop off, to be renewed from time to
+time in a straggling manner; and to his great joy the doctor found that
+those who fired were coming along the track he was upon.
+
+"Yes," said the Malay, who seemed to read his countenance; "but they may
+be enemies."
+
+Yielding to the latter's solicitations, they hid themselves amidst the
+dense undergrowth a few yards from the track, and waited patiently.
+
+It was not for long.  Soon after they had taken their stand they could
+hear voices; and directly after, the doctor hurried out as he saw an
+advance guard of the men of his regiment under a lieutenant.
+
+The men gave a hearty _Hurrah_! as they saw him, and the lieutenant
+caught him by the hand.
+
+"Glad to see you, doctor; we thought you killed."
+
+"Yes; and I did you," cried the doctor.  "How are you all?"
+
+"They'll tell you behind," said the lieutenant.  "Forward, my lads."
+
+The guard moved on, and the doctor came upon the little force, firing
+going on again in the rear.
+
+He met Major Sandars directly, and their greeting was warm in the
+extreme.
+
+"The scoundrels tried to poison us," said the major.
+
+"Yes, yes, I know," cried the doctor; "but is any one hurt?"
+
+"A few scratches there in the dhoolies," said the major.
+
+"No one killed?"
+
+"Not a soul, thank heaven," cried the major.  "But we shall have our
+work cut out.  Ah, here's Horton.  All right in the rear?"
+
+"Yes," was the reply; "we are keeping them back.  Ah, doctor, I am glad
+to see you again.  You know what's happened?"
+
+"Partly," said the doctor; "but tell me."
+
+They were moving forward as he spoke, and he learned now that the little
+force was working to hit the river higher up in its course, and from
+thence try to communicate with the island and the steamer.
+
+"You had not been gone above a couple of hours before, as we were
+sitting smoking and chatting, and thinking of turning in, first one and
+then another began to complain of pain and drowsiness.
+
+"The major there was the first to take alarm, thinking it was cholera;
+but it was Mr Linton who saved us.  He no sooner realised what was the
+matter than he slipped out of the tent, and without waiting for orders
+made his way to the sergeant's guard, and got the fellow on duty to
+collect all the men he could to come up to the tent.  How many do you
+think he got?"
+
+"Twenty--thirty--how should I know?" said the doctor impatiently.  "Go
+on."
+
+"Four," said the captain.  "All the others were down and half delirious.
+Fortunately my Jacks had escaped, and thirty of them seized their
+rifles, and followed Mr Linton at the double to the hut.
+
+"They were just in time.  That scoundrel Hamet had given an order and
+withdrawn from the tent; at one end of which about a hundred of his
+cut-throats had gathered, kris in hand, and were only waiting for us to
+get a little more helpless before coming upon us to put us out of our
+misery.
+
+"Bless your heart, doctor! it would have done you good to see the Jacks
+clear that tent at the point of the bayonet!  And then, while half of
+them kept the enemy at bay, the other half brought in the sick men, and
+laid 'em side by side till they were all under canvas.
+
+"It was horrible, I can tell you," continued the captain.  "We were all
+in great pain, but the dull sleepy sensation was the worst, and it
+seemed no use to fight against it.  We all, to a man, thought that we
+were dying, and so did the sailors, who had not touched the horrible
+stuff.  And yet we could hear every word as plainly as if our power of
+hearing had been increased, though we could not speak.
+
+"`Give them water,' I heard the sergeant say.
+
+"`No, no,' said my boatswain; `you get the rum keg in, my lad, and give
+'em a strong dose apiece o' that.'
+
+"The Jacks fetched it in under fire, and they gave us a tremendous dose
+apiece, and I believe it saved our lives!"
+
+"I'm sure it did," said the doctor.  "It set up a rapid action of the
+heart, and that carried off the poison."
+
+"I dare say it did," said the captain, "but it gave me a beautiful
+headache.  However, the sergeant and the boatswain lost no time, but
+took matters in their own hands, cut the ropes, and let the tent go by
+the board, for fear the enemy should set it on fire, and then made the
+best breast-work they could all round us, a little party charging out
+every now and then and bringing in boxes, cases, tubs, everything they
+could lay hold of, to strengthen our position.  One time they fetched in
+half-a-dozen spades, another time the axes; and little by little they
+formed such a defence, that tipped as it was by our fellows' bayonets,
+the Malays dare not try to force.
+
+"We soon found, though," he continued, "that they were furious with
+disappointment, for spears began to fly till our lads searched the
+nearest cover with some bullets, when the enemy retired a little
+farther, and then the boys got in the spears and made an abattis with
+them.
+
+"In spite of the danger and the sudden surprise, our fellows enjoyed it,
+for they had the pleasure of driving the scoundrels out of their own
+camp, and they had to put up with the shelter of the trees all night.
+They made four savage attacks upon us, though, and the first time, from
+too much ground having been covered by the breast-work, the enemy nearly
+carried all before them, and it came to bayonetting and the spears
+getting home; but our brave lads drove them back, and then a few volleys
+sent them in to cover.
+
+"The next time they attacked, the major and a dozen of the soldiers were
+ready to help a little.  They were too ill to do much, but they held
+their pieces and made a show of bayonets, and the major managed to take
+the command.
+
+"The next time we all of us managed to make a show of fighting; while a
+couple of hours after, when the enemy made their last and most savage
+attack, they got such a warm reception that they let us have the rest of
+the night in peace."
+
+"And this morning, then, you began to retreat!"
+
+"Yes," the major said, "there was nothing else for it."
+
+"But why not have retreated by the way we came?" said the doctor.
+
+"Because, my dear fellow, the whole country's up, and this was the only
+way open.  If we had gone by the track our fellows would have been
+speared one by one, for the jungle is too dense to skirmish through.
+But here's Linton; he will tell you better than I can."
+
+As the retreat continued, the rear-guard being always closely engaged
+with the Malays, who pressed upon them incessantly, Mr Linton came up,
+begrimed with powder, and shook hands.
+
+"This is a horrible affair, doctor!" he said sadly.
+
+"Don't say horrible," said the other, cheerfully.  "We shall fight our
+way through to the river."
+
+"I hope so," said Mr Linton.  "But we have scarcely any provisions.
+Not more, certainly, than a day or two's rations.  That is bad enough;
+but you do not understand my anxiety.  We have let ourselves be drawn
+into a trap, and the whole country rises against us."
+
+"Let it rise," said the doctor, sturdily; "we'll knock it down again."
+
+"But the residency, man--the steamer!"
+
+"Phew!" whistled the doctor.  "I had forgotten them."
+
+"I had not," said Mr Linton, sadly, "and I fear the worst."
+
+"Keep up your spirits, man.  There are those on the island, and aboard
+that steamer, who will keep every Malay in the country at bay."
+
+"If they are not overcome by treachery, as we nearly were."
+
+"We must hope then," said the doctor; "hope that those in charge will be
+more on the alert.  I say, though, Linton, did you give these people
+credit for such a trick?"
+
+"Yes; for I have had more experience of them than you; and I blame
+myself most bitterly for not being more cautious."
+
+"Regrets are vain," said the doctor.  "Let's do all we can to make up
+for our lapse--if lapse it has been."
+
+"We will," said the resident.  "Would to heaven, though, that I could
+feel more at ease about those we have left behind.  If we only had a
+guide on whom we could depend, matters would not be so bad."
+
+"I have one for you," said the doctor, joyfully.
+
+"Who?  Where is he?" exclaimed Mr Linton.
+
+"Here, close at hand," he said.
+
+And hurrying on to where he had left the Malay guide in charge of a
+couple of soldiers, he found that he had arrived only just in time; for
+feeling was very strong just then against every one wearing a dark skin,
+and the men were looking askance at one whom they believed likely to
+betray them at any moment.
+
+"A Malay!" said Mr Linton, doubtfully.
+
+"Yes, and a trusty one," said the doctor, decisively.  "I will answer
+for his fidelity."
+
+"That is rather bold, doctor," said the major, who just then came up;
+"but these are times when we must not be too particular.  Can he
+understand us?"
+
+"I was the young chief Ali's servant, and I speak English," said the
+Malay, quietly.
+
+"That is no recommendation," said Captain Horton, sharply.  "That young
+chief deserted us, like the rest."
+
+"No," said the doctor; "he was assassinated for taking our part; and
+this man nearly shared his fate."
+
+This decided matters in favour of the Malay being retained as guide; but
+there was still a difficulty, and that was, would the poor fellow,
+injured as he was, be able to undertake the duty?
+
+He said he could, however; and as soon as he understood what was wanted,
+he went to the front, and the retreat was continued.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FIFTY NINE.
+
+LIKE BROTHERS IN DISTRESS.
+
+It was a strange country to struggle through, for roads hardly had any
+existence.  The rivers were the highways, and upon the banks the
+villages or campongs of the Malays were invariably placed.  There were a
+few narrow tracks, such as the one the retreating party hurried along,
+but all else was dense jungle, the untrodden home of wild beasts.  So
+dense was it that there was fortunately nothing to fear from attack on
+either side.  It must come from the front, or else from the rear.
+Neither friend nor foe could penetrate many yards through the wall of
+verdure that shut them in to right and left.  To have tried to flank
+them without literally breaking a way through the canes and interlacing
+plants was impossible.
+
+On being asked how long it would take to march to the river and strike
+it high up, the Malay replied, three days of hard walking; and the
+hearts of his hearers sank as they thought of their position, with
+scarcely any provender, no covering against the night dews or heavy
+rains, and only the earth for their resting-place, while a virulent
+enemy was always on their track, striving hard to cut off all they
+could.
+
+There was no other course open, however, but to face it, for it would
+have been madness to have tried to fight their way through the hostile
+country; and every one bent manfully to the task.
+
+As they struggled on through the steamy bush the rear-guard was changed
+again and again, a fresh party of defenders taking up the task of
+keeping the pursuers at bay, and to each man in turn was the warning
+given that no shot must be fired unless it could be made to tell;
+consequently the fire was less fierce, but, as the Malays found to their
+cost, more fatal.
+
+The end of the third day was approaching, and the progress of the party
+had grown slower and slower, for their guide's strength had failed.  The
+poor fellow had fought on bravely in spite of his wounds, insisting that
+he was well enough to walk, when all the time he was suffering intense
+agony; and this was not to be without its result.
+
+During the day the Malays had attacked far more fiercely than usual, and
+though always repulsed, it had not been without loss.  Several men had
+fallen, while others were wounded, increasing terribly the difficulties
+of the case, for the injured men had to be carried by those who found
+that their task of fighting their way through the jungle in the midst of
+the dense heat was already as much as they could bear.
+
+Still no one murmured.  The pleasure-trip had turned out to be one of
+terrible misery, but each man, soldier or sailor, had a cheery word for
+his neighbour; and whenever an unfortunate received a spear or bullet
+wound, the doctor was on the spot directly, tending him; while a couple
+of his comrades deftly cut a few canes and bound them together, making a
+light litter, upon which the wounded man was placed, and carried on the
+shoulders of four men.
+
+The wounded made a terrible demand upon the sound; and now, to add to
+their trouble, men began to fall out of the ranks stricken down by
+disease.
+
+It was no more than the doctor anticipated; but it was terrible work.
+
+Captain Horton was one of the first--after fighting bravely in the
+rear--to go to the doctor and complain of his head.
+
+"I can't get on, doctor," he said.  "The giddiness is dreadful, and the
+pain worse.  Give me something to ease it all."
+
+The doctor said he would, and prescribed what he could from the little
+case he had with him, but he knew what was coming.  Captain Horton had
+taken the jungle fever, and in an hour he was strapped down upon a
+litter, raving with delirium.
+
+Then another, and another, went down, the officers falling one after
+another, till Major Sandars was left alone with the doctor, who had to
+divide his time between attending to his many patients and handling a
+rifle to help in their defence.
+
+The consequence was that on the third night, instead of being near the
+river, they were halted in the dense jungle, with their outposts on the
+alert, and the rest throwing themselves beside the sick and wounded, too
+much exhausted even to care for food.
+
+Major Sandars and the doctor stood talking together beneath the shade of
+a silk-cotton tree, whose leaves seemed to keep off a portion of the
+heavy falling dew, and the former was waiting for an answer from his
+companion, who, however, did not speak.
+
+"Come, say something, doctor," exclaimed the major; "what do you think
+of affairs?"
+
+"What can I say?" replied the doctor, sadly; "we can go no farther."
+
+"But we must," exclaimed the major, impatiently.  "The river must be
+reached, and a message sent down to the steamer."
+
+"There is only one way," replied Doctor Bolter.
+
+"How is that?"
+
+"Leave the sick and wounded behind, and push on.  The poor fellows can
+carry them no farther."
+
+"Then we'll stop where we are," said the major, sharply, "for I won't
+leave a man behind."
+
+"Of course you will not.  I knew you would say so.  Then all I can
+recommend is that we stay as we are for a few days, and try and
+recruit."
+
+"With bad water, and hardly any provisions," said the major.  "Ah,
+Bolter, this is a terribly bad business."
+
+"Yes," said the doctor, holding out his hand, which was eagerly grasped,
+"it is a terrible business.  But you know what the foreigners say of us,
+Sandars?"
+
+"No: what do you mean?"
+
+"That the English never know when they are beaten.  We don't know when
+we are beaten, and our lads are like us.  God bless them, poor fellows,
+for they are as patient as can be!"
+
+"What do you advise, then?" said the major.  "It is your duty to
+advise."
+
+"I did advise," said the doctor, laughing.  "I proposed lopping off the
+bad limb of our little party, so as to leave the rest free to hobble
+on."
+
+"And suppose I had consented to it," said the major; "made the sick and
+wounded as comfortable as we could, and pushed on with the rest, what
+would you do?"
+
+"Do?" said Doctor Bolter; "I don't understand you."
+
+"I mean, of course you would have to come with us; for the Malays would
+butcher the poor fellows as soon as they came up."
+
+"Come with you, major?  Are you mad?  Why, who would tend the poor boys,
+and see to their bandages?  No, my dear Sandars.  Your place is with the
+sound, mine is with the unsound.  Go on with your lot--poor fellows--and
+see if you can reach the river.  You might perhaps send help in time to
+save us.  If you didn't, why, I should have made them comfortable to the
+end, and done my duty."
+
+"My dear doctor," said Major Sandars, holding out his hand.
+
+"My dear major," said the doctor.  "Good-bye, then; and God bless you!"
+
+"What!" cried the major.  "And did you think I was going?"
+
+"Of course!"
+
+"More shame for you, then, for thinking me such a cur.  Leave you and
+these poor fellows here in the midst of the jungle, to be murdered by
+those cowardly pirates?  Not I.  Why, the men would mutiny if I proposed
+such a thing.  No; we'll wait a few hours, and then get on a few miles
+and rest again, the best way we can."
+
+"But you will only get the poor fellows killed if you stay," said the
+doctor.
+
+"Well, hadn't we all better be killed like men doing our duty, than go
+off and live like cowards and curs?"
+
+"Of course you had," said the doctor, speaking huskily.  "But I felt
+that it was my duty to leave you free."
+
+"Doctor," said the major, laying his hand upon the other's shoulder,
+"there's nothing like trouble for making a man know what a deal of good
+there is in human nature.  You're a good fellow, doctor.  Hang it, man,
+you've made me feel as soft as a girl!"
+
+He turned away his face, that staunch, brave soldier, for a few moments,
+and then the weakness was past, and he turned sharply round to the
+doctor.
+
+"Now," he said, "you shall see what stuff our soldiers and sailors are
+made of.  Come here."
+
+He led the doctor back to the rear, where the guard, sun-blackened,
+haggard fellows, with their clothes hanging in rags from the thorns,
+were on the watch, and this being out of earshot of the sick and
+wounded, who were all ranged side by side beneath a couple of shady
+spreading trees, he gave the order for the men to fall in, when, with
+the precision that they would have shown upon a parade ground, the
+soldiers fell in, making one line; the sailors another in the rear.
+
+"Face inwards!" cried the major, and he turned first to the sailors.
+"My lads," he said, "your officers being all down, the duty of
+commanding you has fallen upon me, and I thank you for the ready way in
+which you have obeyed my orders.  You have been as willing and as trusty
+as my own boys here, and that is saying a great deal."
+
+There was a little shuffling of feet at this, and the men looked
+uncomfortable.
+
+"I am sorry to say," continued the major, "that matters have come to
+such a grievous pass with us, that I have to make a statement, to which
+I want to hear your reply.  I have no occasion to speak to you, for I
+know that you will to a man obey my orders to the last; but I want to
+hear what you will say."
+
+There was a pause here, and then the major went on,--
+
+"Matters have come to this, my lads, that I see you can stagger on no
+longer with the loads you have to bear.  In fact, two more poor fellows
+are down, and it will take every fighting man to carry the others.  So I
+have been talking the matter over with the doctor, and it has come to
+this, that our only chance is to leave the sick and wounded, and push
+on, make for the river, in the hope of getting help, and coming back to
+save them.  What do you say?"
+
+"Lord love you, sir," cried one of the sailors, "why, afore to-night
+them niggers would have sarved every one of our poor mates like the
+doctor, there, sarves the black beadles and butterflies--stuck a pin or
+a kris through 'em."
+
+It was a grim subject to jest upon, and it was a serious thing; but
+there was a roar of laughter from the men, and the doctor chuckled till
+he had to hold his sides, and then wipe his eyes.
+
+"I hope not so bad as that," said the major, when he had called
+_Attention_!  "It is, however, I fear our only hope.  Will some man
+among you speak?"
+
+There was a shuffling and a whispering at this, and every man nudged his
+neighbour to begin, but no one spoke till the sergeant felt that it was
+his duty, and going along the front of both ranks he had a few words
+with the soldiers and the jacks.  After this he retook his place and
+saluted.
+
+"Men seem to be all of one opinion, sir," he said gruffly.
+
+"And what is that opinion?" inquired the major.
+
+"They say, sir, as I say, that they wouldn't like their mates to desert
+them in a time of trouble like this."
+
+"That's right, sergeant," shouted a sailor.
+
+"Yes, that's a true word," shouted another.
+
+"Attention, there!" cried the major, sharply.  "Go on, sergeant."
+
+"And if so be as our officer don't order us different, we'll all stick
+to one another, sick and sound, to the end."
+
+"Hear, hear; hurray!" cried the men, as with one voice.
+
+"Do I understand, my lads, that you will stand by the sick and wounded
+to the last?"
+
+"Yes, sir, all on us!" shouted the men in chorus.
+
+"Yes, sir," cried the joking sailor, "and we'll all carry one another
+till there's only one left as can carry; and he'll have a jolly hard
+time of it, that's all."
+
+The stern discipline was for a moment forgotten, and a hearty roar of
+laughter followed this sally.
+
+"Attention!" cried the major after a few moments, and he spoke as if he
+was deeply moved.  "It is only what I expected from my brave lads; and I
+may tell you now that this is what Doctor Bolter and I had determined to
+do--stand together to the last."
+
+"Only we won't have any last, my lads," cried the doctor.
+
+"I hope not," said the major.  "We'll go on more slowly and take longer
+rests, for I must have no more of you men down with sickness.  Let us
+hope that we may win our way safely to the ship and the island yet.  I
+would send out a little party to try and fetch help, but I fear they are
+beset at the residency already, and I do not think a detachment could
+succeed.  I propose then that we all hold together and do our best."
+
+"That we will, sir," cried the men, and a voice proposed three cheers
+for the major.
+
+These were hardly given before he held up his hand, and in a few words
+thanked them, while the doctor was called away.
+
+"And now, my lads, we will go forward once more, and do the best we can.
+If we can only get a mile a day it is something, and every man will
+lend a hand.  We will march at once.  Yes, doctor?  More bad news?"
+
+"Yes," said Doctor Bolter, bluntly; "our guide has broken down."
+
+"Broken down?"
+
+"Yes, he is quite delirious."
+
+"And," muttered the major, "we are worse than helpless without a guide."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SIXTY.
+
+SIGNALS OF DISTRESS.
+
+The night passed on board the steamer without any alarm, and at daybreak
+steam was up, and with the men at their quarters and every gun loaded,
+they set off on their return journey.
+
+As the lieutenant said, it was no use to murmur about their misfortune;
+all they could do was to try and make the best of matters by getting
+back as soon as possible.
+
+He could gladly have gone on at full speed, but caution forbad it.
+There were mudbanks and turns innumerable; and even going slowly, the
+length of the vessel was so great that again and again they were nearly
+aground upon some shoal, or brushed the overhanging trees with their
+bows.
+
+Of one thing the lieutenant felt certain--that they had not been led
+into this narrow river without some plans being made for keeping them
+there.  Therefore every man was on the alert for an ambush, or something
+that should stop their further progress towards the mouth of the
+sluggish stream.
+
+It was terribly slow work, and Lieutenant Johnson stamped with
+impatience as he saw how poorly they progressed, speaking snappishly to
+Bob Roberts when the latter ventured upon some observation.
+
+This went on three or four times, when, feeling hurt by a sharp remark
+on the lieutenant's part, Bob exclaimed,--
+
+"You needn't be so hard upon me, captain; it was not my fault."
+
+Lieutenant Johnson turned upon him angrily, and was about to say
+something severe, but Bob's injured look disarmed him, and he held out
+his hand.
+
+"I'm hipped, Roberts," he said, and hardly know what I say.  "Steady,
+there; steady!"
+
+This to the man at the wheel as they were rounding a point; but the
+order had a contrary effect to what was intended; it flurried and
+unsteadied the sailor, who took a pull too much at the spokes, and
+before anything could be done to check the steamer's speed, her sharp
+bows had cut deeply into the muddy bank of the river, and she was
+aground.
+
+"Was anything ever so unlucky?" cried the lieutenant; and then he gave
+order after order.  Guns were swung round so as to sweep the bows should
+the Malays try to board them from the shore; the engines were reversed;
+the men tramped from side to side of the deck; everything possible was
+done: but the steamer remained fixed in the mud without a possibility
+apparently of getting her off.
+
+The jungle was of the densest all around, and the men approached the
+bows with caution, for the head of the steamer was right in amidst dense
+foliage, and it was quite probable that any number of the enemy might be
+concealed and ready to hurl spears at the slightest chance.
+
+Neither seeing nor hearing signs of the enemy, the lieutenant at last
+ordered Roberts to try and land and see if the Malays were near.  "It's
+a risky job, Roberts," he said kindly, "but you must take it.  I cannot
+leave the steamer."
+
+"Oh, I'll take it," said Bob, coolly, and examining his revolver, he
+drew his sword, and telling the men to follow, ran forward, scrambled
+over the bows, and leaped ashore, the men imitating his example, for the
+bank was only some six or eight feet below the bulwarks.
+
+But though they were landed, there was little more to be done, unless
+they had been provided with billhooks to clear the way.  The undergrowth
+was nearly as dense as a hedge, and after trying in half-a-dozen
+different ways, and only penetrating some twenty or thirty yards, they
+were obliged to give up, drenched with perspiration, their flesh full of
+thorns.
+
+"I've got something biting my legs horribly," cried Bob, turning up his
+trousers, and then giving a shudder of disgust, for half-a-dozen leeches
+were busy at work making a meal upon him, and several of the sailors
+were in the same predicament.
+
+"There, my lads, we may as well get on board," said Bob, grimly, "I
+don't like shedding my blood in the service of my country after this
+fashion.  We can do nothing here, and it would puzzle a cat--let alone a
+Malay--to get through."
+
+So they returned on board, satisfied that there was no fear of an attack
+from that quarter, and the rest of the day was devoted to trying to get
+the steamer out of her unpleasant predicament.
+
+Night fell with the men utterly wearied out, and, in despair, Lieutenant
+Johnson was taking himself to task for his bad management, as he termed
+it, when Bob Roberts suddenly seized him by the arm.
+
+"What is it, Roberts?"
+
+"A shot off yonder in the jungle," he exclaimed.
+
+"I did not hear it," was the reply; and they stood listening; but there
+was nothing but the hum of insects and the distant splash of some
+reptile in the muddy river.
+
+"If we could have only heard some news of those poor fellows, I would
+not have cared," said the lieutenant after a pause.  "Perhaps at this
+time they are anxiously hoping that help may come, and wondering why we
+have not sent in search of them; while we, with men and guns, are lying
+here helpless as a log.  Oh, Roberts, it's enough to make a man jump
+overboard and--"
+
+"There it is again," cried Bob.
+
+"What?"
+
+"A shot!" he cried excitedly.  "I'm sure I heard a rifle-shot."
+
+"Any of you men hear a shot?" said the lieutenant to the watch.
+
+"No, sir; no, sir."
+
+"I heard nothing, Roberts," said the lieutenant.  "You are excited with
+exertion.  Go below and have a glass of sherry, my lad, and put in a
+dose of quinine.  I can't afford to have you down with fever."
+
+"No, thanky," said Bob; "I could manage the glass of wine, but I'm not
+going to spoil it with the quinine, I'm--There now, what's that?  If
+that isn't a rifle-shot I'm no man."
+
+"Then it isn't a rifle-shot," said the lieutenant, grimly.  "I heard
+nothing."
+
+"Beg pardon, sir, I think it was a shot."
+
+"There's another!" cried Bob, excitedly.  "It's our fellows somewhere."
+
+There were a couple of distant shots, faintly heard now by all.
+
+"You're right, Roberts," said the lieutenant, hastily; "but it is not
+obliged to be our fellows."
+
+"They couldn't have followed up from the island, sir," cried Bob; "so it
+must be."
+
+"Unless it is a party of Malays shooting."
+
+"Then they are shooting our men," cried Bob.  "They wouldn't be hunting
+when it's getting dark."
+
+"There's another shot," said the lieutenant, now growing as excited as
+his companion.  "What shall we do?"
+
+"Fire a big gun," said Bob.
+
+"That would be letting our enemies know where we are," said the
+lieutenant.
+
+"Well," said Bob, sturdily, "let 'em know.  It will show 'em that we are
+not afraid of them."
+
+"You are right, Roberts," said lieutenant Johnson, quickly.  "Unshot the
+bow gun there."
+
+The gun was opened; the shot cartridge drawn out, a blank one
+substituted; and directly after, the black darkness that had seemed to
+settle down over them was cut by a vivid flash, and the utter silence
+that was brooding over the river was broken by the deep-mouthed roar of
+the great breech-loading cannon.
+
+The report seemed to roll off into the distance and echo amongst the
+mountains; and then, as it died away, they all listened with strained
+senses for some reply.
+
+It came, just as they expected--three rifle-shots in succession.  Then a
+pause, and three more rifle-shots.
+
+There was a pause then, and the silence seemed awful, for the report of
+the great gun had driven every living thing near at hand to its lair.
+
+"Three marines," said the lieutenant, sharply, "fire as I give the
+order.  One--two--three!"
+
+The three shots rang out at stated intervals, and the men reloaded and
+fired as before.
+
+Then they waited again, and the signal was answered in a peculiar way
+that left no doubt whatever in the minds of those on board, and a murmur
+of satisfaction ran through the little crew.
+
+And now, for the first time, Lieutenant Johnson began to wonder whether
+he had doubted the Malay guide without cause.  He might have been swept
+overboard after all, and the hunting-party be really hemmed-in at some
+stockade.
+
+A few moments' consideration, however, showed that this could not be the
+case, for they had journeyed back many miles before the steamer ran
+aground; and though the river winded a great deal, it was impossible
+that the stockade could have been higher up.  The firing certainly came
+from quite another direction, away from the river; and shots that were
+evidently not signals were now heard again--one or two, then three or
+four together, as if men were skirmishing, and then came several
+volleys.
+
+There was a fight going on, that was evident; and as the two officers
+realised this, they felt half-maddened at their helplessness.
+
+They wanted to go to the aid of those who were fighting, but it would
+have been utter madness to have attempted to land with a detachment in
+the dark and try to hack a way through the jungle.  They might have
+fired signals and had them responded to, but it would have been a
+helpless, bewildering piece of folly; and with pulses beating rapidly
+with excitement, and every nerve on the stretch, they felt themselves
+bound to a state of inaction, still they felt that they could fire
+signals to guide those who might, perhaps, get nearer, or, if shut in
+some place, fight the better for knowing that help was so near.
+
+They did all they could, sending up a rocket from time to time, and
+twice, at intervals of about an hour, firing a big gun, each signal
+eliciting a reply from the distance; and then, at intervals of ten
+minutes, a rifle was fired, while, when six, seven, and eight bells were
+sounded, the same number of rifle-shots were heard.
+
+It was a night of general watching on board the steamer, no man seeking
+shelter, though about seven bells the rain began to pour down with all
+the violence of a storm in the tropics, accompanied by thunder and
+lightning of the heaviest and most vivid description.
+
+For about four hours this kept on, guns being fired in the intervals,
+when the thunder ceased for a few moments; but no answering shots had
+been heard for some time.
+
+One thing was very evident--the party engaged were entrenched somewhere,
+and defending themselves, for their answering shots had been no nearer;
+in fact, all felt that travelling through the dense jungle was
+impossible until daylight set in.
+
+The night was about half gone when the storm ceased as suddenly as it
+had come on; the clouds were dispersed, and the moon shone out clearly,
+showing them that the sluggish river was sluggish no longer, but running
+fast, and threatening to fill up to the top of its high banks, the water
+coming down evidently from the mountains.
+
+This revived the hopes of all on board, and not without reason, for the
+steamer was gradually shifting her position; and hardly had a boat been
+lowered, and a hawser made fast to one of the big trees ashore, before
+she lifted more and more; and in a few moments more, to the delight of
+all, they felt the branches sweeping the rigging, and the steamer moving
+free and clear.
+
+The men, forgetting discipline, and the need perhaps for silence, gave
+an involuntary cheer; which ceased on the instant as, from somewhere
+lower down the stream, there came a faint, "Ship ahoy!"
+
+"Ahoy!" was answered.
+
+And after a brief colloquy a boat was lowered down, with half-a-dozen
+marines as well as the crew, Bob Roberts taking command, and cautiously
+steering her towards where the man who hailed seemed to be.
+
+The boat was allowed to descend the stream stern foremost, the men
+dipping their oars occasionally to keep her head right, and to prevent
+her being swept down too swiftly.
+
+The next minute, at the word, they gave away, and the cutter was run in
+beneath the branches to where one of the crew stood in the moonlight,
+with a soldier by his side.
+
+"Why, it's Parker!" cried Bob, catching the man's hand.
+
+"Parker it is, Mr Roberts, sir," said the man faintly.  "I thought we
+should never have done it, what with the storm and the thick cane.
+We've about cut our way here."
+
+"And the captain and Major Sandars?" cried Bob.
+
+"'Bout a mile away, sir, through the jungle, wanting help badly."
+
+"Can we get there to-night?" cried Bob.  "But jump in my lads, and we'll
+hear what the lieutenant says.  Come: why don't you jump in?"
+
+"I'm bet out, sir, and my mate too," said the sailor.  "We're a bit
+wounded, sir.  We volunteered to come for help when we first heerd the
+dear old `Startler' speak out, but it's been a long job.  Will you help
+us aboard, mates?"
+
+Half-a-dozen willing hands soon had the two poor, drenched, wounded, and
+exhausted men on board the cutter, and five minutes after they were on
+the deck being questioned by the lieutenant.
+
+"I told the captain, sir, as I'd ask you to fire two guns if we got here
+safe.  He's down with fever, sir, and it would cheer him up if he heard
+the old gal say--begging your pardon--as she was close at hand."
+
+The word was given, and a couple of heavy roars from the "old gal," as
+the sailor affectionately called his ship, bore the news to the captain;
+and then, in answer to the lieutenant, both of the messengers declared
+that it would be impossible to get to the helpless party that night.
+
+"I wouldn't say so, sir, if I didn't feel," said Parker, "that the lads
+would only go losing theirselves in the wet jungle, and do no good.  If
+you'd start at daybreak, sir, and take plenty of rum and biscuits, as
+well as powder and shot, you might get them aboard."
+
+Then by slow degrees those on board learned from the worn-out messengers
+the whole of their experience, and how that since Major Sandars had
+appealed to the men, and they had sworn to stick together to the last,
+they had only made journeys of about a mile in length through the dense
+jungle.  The guide was still delirious, and half the men down with
+sickness or wounds.  Food they had had of the most meagre description,
+and that principally the birds they had shot.  Their ammunition was fast
+failing, and the time seemed to have come that evening to lie down and
+die, so weak were they, and so pertinacious were the attacks of the
+enemy--when a thrill of joy ran through every breast as they heard the
+signal shots, and knew that there was help at hand.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SIXTY ONE.
+
+HOW BOB ROBERTS TURNED THE TABLES.
+
+Never was daylight looked for with greater anxiety than that night on
+board the steamer.
+
+With the first flush she was allowed to float lower down, till abreast
+of the spot where the two men were taken on board, and then every
+available hand was landed, under Bob Roberts' command, to try, by firing
+signals and listening for the reply, to reach the place where the
+worn-out party were making their last stand.
+
+The two poor fellows who had come on board were in too pitiable a plight
+to move, and, even if they had gone, they could not have guided the
+relief party, who, only twenty strong, leaped ashore, eager to reach
+their friends, and inflict some punishment on the Malays, while the
+others retreated towards the ship.
+
+Every man was laden heavily with food and ammunition, Lieutenant
+Johnson's difficulty being to keep the brave fellows from taking too
+much, and hindering their fighting powers, as, with a hearty cheer, they
+plunged in amidst the interlacing canes.
+
+The task was hard, but less so than they expected--resolving itself as
+it did into hacking the canes and forcing their way through; for before
+they had gone far they could hear firing before them, and it was kept up
+so vigorously that there was no occasion to fire a single signal.
+
+Hour after hour did they toil on, till the firing suddenly ceased, and
+they were for a moment at fault; but Bob Roberts and Old Dick, who were
+leading, suddenly heard voices close at hand, where the forest growth
+was thinner; and hacking and chopping away, they had nearly reached the
+spot when the firing suddenly began again furiously for a few moments,
+and then once more stopped.
+
+The next minute the way was clear, and Bob Roberts, with his twenty
+blue-jackets and marines, went in at the double to an opening in the
+jungle where the remains of the hunting-party were making a desperate
+stand against a strong body of Malay; who, spear against bayonet, were
+pressing them home.
+
+The middy took it all in at a glance, and saw that in another minute the
+weak helpless wielders of rifle and bayonet would be borne down, and
+they, and the sick and wounded lying in the long grass, massacred to a
+man.
+
+Major Sandars said afterwards that the oldest colonel in the service
+could not have done better; for, with his sun-browned face lighting up
+with excitement, and waving his sword, Bob Roberts shouted his orders to
+the men, sprang forward, giving point at a great bronze-skinned Malay
+who had borne the major down and was about to spear him, while with a
+hearty British cheer the marines and blue-jackets dashed up, poured in a
+staggering volley amongst the thronging enemy, and followed it up with a
+bayonet charge along the beaten-down jungle alley, till, dropping spear
+and kris, the Malays fled for their lives.
+
+Others were hurrying up to be present at the massacre; for the news had
+spread that the English had fired their last cartridge and were weak
+with starvation; but as they met their flying comrades the panic spread.
+The reinforcements were magnified a hundred times; and it wanted but
+Bob Roberts' quick sharp halt, form in line two deep, and the firing in
+of a couple of volleys, to send all to the right-about, a few of the
+hindmost getting a prick of the bayonet before they got away.
+
+Pursuit would have been in vain, so Bob left a picket of five men under
+Old Dick to keep the narrow path, bidding them fell a tree or two so
+that their branches might lie towards and hinder an attack from the
+enemy, before hurrying back with fourteen men to the little jungle camp.
+
+He tried hard, but he could not keep back his tears as the gaunt
+bleeding remains of a fine body of men gathered round him to grasp his
+hands and bless him; while, when one strange-looking little naked object
+came up and seized him by the shoulders, he felt almost ready to laugh.
+
+It was hard to believe it was Dr Bolter standing there, in a pair of
+ragged trousers reduced in length to knee breeches, and nothing else.
+
+"Bob, my dear boy," he said, "I can't tell you how glad I am; but give
+me some rum, biscuits, anything you have, for my poor lads are perishing
+for want of food."
+
+The men's wallets were being emptied, and food and ammunition were
+rapidly distributed, for not a scrap of provision nor a single cartridge
+was left with the major's party.
+
+"Why, you are laughing at me, you dog," cried the doctor, as he came
+back for more provisions; "but just you have forty patients, Bob
+Roberts, many of them wounded, and not a bandage to use, Bob, my lad!
+My handkerchiefs, neck and pocket, went first; then my Norfolk jacket,
+and then my shirt.  Poor lads! poor brave lads!" he said piteously; "I'd
+have taken off my skin if it would have done them good."
+
+"Ah, doctor," said Bob, in a voice full of remorse, "I'm only a boy yet,
+and a very thoughtless one.  Pray forgive me.  I meant no harm."
+
+"God bless you, my lad; I know that," cried the doctor, warmly.  "You've
+saved us all.  Boy, indeed?  Well, so you are, Bob; but as long as
+England has plenty of such boys as you, we need not trouble ourselves
+about the men--they'll all come in time."
+
+It was a pitiful task, but every one worked with a will; and now that
+they were refreshed with food, reanimated by the presence of twenty
+fresh men, supplied with ammunition, and, above all, supported by the
+knowledge that not a mile away, through the newly-cut path, there lay a
+haven of rest in the shape of the steamer--men who had been fit to lie
+down and die, stood up, flushed, excited, and ready to help bear the
+sick and wounded towards the river; while, to make matters better, the
+Malays had had such a thrashing in this last engagement that they made
+no fresh attack.  The consequence was that half-a-dozen weak men under
+Major Sandars made a show in the rear, and all the strong devoted
+themselves to helping to carry the invalids to the steamer.
+
+More help was afforded too from the steamer itself, as soon as
+Lieutenant Johnson found that there was no fear of attack, and in the
+end all were got safely on board; and long before night Dr Bolter,
+clothed and comfortable, had all his sick men in berths and hammocks,
+well tended, already looking better, and he himself walking up and down
+the deck chuckling and rubbing his hands.
+
+The losses had been severe, but far less than might have been expected,
+owing to the devotion of the men, who had struggled on till they could
+get no farther, and would have perished one and all but for the timely
+succour brought by the middy, and indirectly by the emissary of Rajah
+Gantang, who little thought when he took the steamer, by his clever
+ruse, up the solitary river, that he was leading them where it would be
+the salvation of the hunting-party, who were doomed to death.
+
+Not a moment had been lost, and as soon as all were on board, the
+steamer recommenced her downward course towards the residency, where all
+felt that help must be urgently needed, by the little party who had its
+defence.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SIXTY TWO.
+
+CAPTAIN SMITHERS PROVES A TRUE OFFICER, AND PRIVATE GRAY A GENTLEMAN.
+
+In truth help was urgently needed at the little fort; but had its
+defenders been compelled to wait for that which the steamer would
+afford, every one would have been either butchered or taken off into a
+terrible captivity.
+
+Captain Smithers, when he looked round, had seen the enemy coming on in
+such strength; and with a demonstration so full of clever plan, backed
+up by determination, that he could not help feeling that the critical
+moment had come, and that they must either surrender or meet death like
+men.
+
+If he surrendered, the probabilities were that they would all be
+massacred, save the women; and as he thought of them he raised his eyes,
+and found those of Private Gray fixed upon him, as if reading his very
+soul.
+
+"You know what I was thinking, Gray," he said, resentfully.
+
+"Yes, sir," said Gray, sharply; "you were debating within yourself
+whether you should strike the Union Jack in token of surrender."
+
+"I was," said Captain Smithers, angry with himself at being as it were
+obliged to speak as he did, to this simple private of his regiment.
+"And you advise it?"
+
+"Advise it, sir?  For heaven's sake--for the sake of the ladies whom we
+have to defend, let us fight till the last gasp, and then send a few
+shots into the magazine.  Better death than the mercy of a set of
+cut-throat pirates."
+
+Captain Smithers was silent for a few moments, and then he said
+quietly,--
+
+"I should not have surrendered, Gray.  You are quite right."  He
+hesitated for a moment or two, and then said hoarsely,--
+
+"Gray, we hate each other."
+
+"This is no time for hatred, sir," said Gray, sternly.
+
+"No," said Captain Smithers, "it is not.  In half an hour we shall be,
+in all human probability, dead men.  Rank will be no more.  Gray, I
+never in my heart doubted your honesty.  You are a brave man.  Now for
+duty."
+
+"Yes, sir," said Gray, in a deeply moved voice--"for duty."
+
+_Crash_!
+
+There was a sharp ragged volley from the enemy at that moment as a body
+of them advanced, and a shriek of agony from close by, followed by a
+fall.
+
+"Some poor fellow down," said the Captain, hoarsely.  "Who is it,
+Sergeant Lund?" he said, taking a dozen strides in the direction of the
+cry.
+
+"Private Sim, sir.  Shot through the heart--dead!"
+
+The captain turned away, and the next minute the fight on all sides was
+general, the enemy winning their way nearer and nearer, and a couple of
+prahus sending a shower of ragged bullets from their brass lelahs over
+the attacking party's heads.
+
+"Stand firm, my lads; stand firm.  Your bayonets, boys!" cried Captain
+Smithers, as with a desperate rush the Malays dashed forward now to
+carry the place by assault, and in sufficient numbers to sweep all
+before them--when _boom! boom! boom! boom_! came the reports of heavy
+guns, and the fire from the prahus ceased.
+
+"Hurrah! my lads; steady!" cried Tom Long, waving his sword.  "The
+steamer! the steamer!"
+
+"No," cried Captain Smithers, "it is from below.  It is a heavily-armed
+prahu."
+
+"No," cried Tom Long; "a steamer! a steamer!"
+
+He was right, for a little gunboat was rapidly ascending the river, and
+one of the prahus began to settle down in front of the fort, while the
+other used her sweeps to get away.
+
+Another minute, and just when they had won an entrance, beating back the
+defenders of the barricaded gateways, a panic seized upon the Malays,
+for shell after shell was dropping and bursting in their midst; and
+before Captain Smithers and his brave little party could realise the
+fact, the enemy was in full retreat.
+
+A quarter of an hour later, and the gunboat was moored abreast of the
+fort, and congratulations were being exchanged.
+
+He had said nothing, not daring to hope for success; but Ali had, as
+soon as he could, sent a fisherman in his boat to try and convey word of
+the danger to the Dindings.  The message had been faithfully borne, and
+the little gunboat sent to help to keep the enemy at bay, till the
+steamer could come from Penang with a detachment of infantry on board.
+
+The heavy guns were too much for the Malays; and just as it had been
+decided that the gunboat should ascend the river in quest of the
+"Startler," the latter came slowly down the river with her rescued
+freight.
+
+In a couple more days the Penang steamer had arrived with a battalion of
+foot, under Colonel Hanson; and the next thing heard was that the Sultan
+Hamet, with Rajah Gantang, had fled up the country, the minor chiefs
+sending in their submission to the British and suing for peace.
+
+Doctor Bolter became almost the greatest man at the station after this,
+and he went about laughing as he kept--to use his own words--"setting
+men up," speaking of them as if they were natural history specimens.
+First he had to be thanked by Rachel Linton for saving her father's
+life; then he found Captain Horton blessing him for his recovery; and
+one way and another he had a very proud time of it, though, to his great
+regret, he had no chance of pursuing his favourite hobby.
+
+The Malay who acted as his guide was recovering fast from the tiger's
+clawing, and had attached himself to the doctor as servant when matters
+settled down; and it was affecting to see the poor fellow's delight upon
+encountering Ali alive and well.
+
+Matters were soon arranged, and a busy party were at work rebuilding the
+residency, a number of Chinese joiners being enlisted for the task.
+
+Meanwhile the fort and barracks had to be the general dwelling; and Bob
+Roberts and Tom Long were looked upon as heroes.
+
+It so happened, that one day Colonel Hanson entered the mess-room, where
+Captain Horton, Major Sandars, Captain Smithers, and the other officers,
+were grouped about.  Mr Linton and the ladies were present; and on one
+side stood a group of soldiers, foremost among whom were Sergeant Lund
+and Private Gray.
+
+Major Sandars advanced to meet the governor's messenger, and he was
+about to make some remark, when Colonel Hanson turned round, caught
+sight of Private Gray, and started with astonishment.
+
+The next moment he had gone forward to where Gray stood, looking very
+stern and troubled, and caught him by the hands, dragging him forward,
+and evidently forgetting all the stiff etiquette of the army.
+
+"Why, my dear old Frank," he cried, shaking his hands, and seeming as if
+he could hug him, "this is a surprise! this is a meeting!  Why, where
+have you been?  Soldiering too, and wearing the scarlet!  My dear old
+Frank," he cried again, with his voice shaking with emotion, "I feel as
+weak as a child; upon my word I do."
+
+"Colonel Hanson," said Gray, quietly, but evidently very much moved, as
+he saw that they were the centre of every gaze, "this is indeed a
+strange meeting.  I little thought it was you.  But you forget; we
+belong to different circles now."
+
+"Forget?  Different circles?  Do we indeed?" cried Colonel Hanson, whose
+face was flushed with excitement.  "I forget nothing.  Come here," he
+cried, and dragging Gray's arm through his, he faced round to where the
+astonished officers and the resident were standing.
+
+"Major Sandars, Mr Linton, gentlemen, this is my very dear old friend,
+Francis Murray.  We were schoolfellows together at Eton, and--and--and--
+I can't tell you now all the good brave things he has done for me.  For
+years he has been missing; that wretched Overend and Gurney smash broke
+him, and he disappeared.  And, Frank, you foolish fellow, I have been
+searching for you high and low to tell you that that cantankerous old
+lady, your aunt, was dead, and had changed her mind at the last moment,
+quarrelled with that lot who had got hold of her, sent for her
+solicitor, and left Greylands and every farthing she had to you.  Thank
+goodness I have found you at last.  Now sign your application to buy out
+at once.  I will forward it home, and take upon myself to consider it
+accepted, pending the official discharge."
+
+While this was going on, Captain Smithers, whose heart felt like lead,
+had gazed from one to the other.  Now his eyes were fixed with bitter
+jealousy upon Private Gray, and now upon Rachel Linton, though she saw
+him not, but, pale and flushed by turns, she was gazing at Gray.
+
+He was a true gentleman at heart, and in spite of his misery and
+disappointment, that which he had just heard gave him some satisfaction.
+It had been one of his bitterest griefs--one with a poisoned sting--
+that feeling which always haunted him, that Rachel Linton should prefer
+a private soldier to him, an officer and a gentleman.  For that she did
+love Gray he had long felt certain.  Gray, or Murray, then, was a
+gentleman, who, like many other gentlemen, had enlisted, and served as a
+very brave soldier.  Yes, he was, Captain Smithers owned to himself, a
+very brave soldier, though he had felt that he hated him; while now--
+now--
+
+"I'll fight it down," said Captain Smithers to himself.
+
+"Heaven helping me, I'll be a gentleman as well as an officer.  He has
+won, and I have lost.  I ought to like him for her sake, and I will."
+
+It was a brave effort, and it required all his strength--but he did it.
+He looked first at Rachel Linton, and then at the sweet sympathising
+face of her cousin, and went up close to them.
+
+"Rachel," he said, holding out his hand and speaking in a low voice only
+heard by her and Miss Sinclair, "I give up.  Let me be a dear friend, if
+I can be nothing more."
+
+Miss Linton held out her hand frankly and cordially, and he held it a
+moment in his.  Then dropping it, he walked straight across to where
+Colonel Hanson was standing with Murray in the midst of a group, and
+holding out his hand, he said,--
+
+"Mr Murray, I am your debtor for my life.  Henceforth let us, too, be
+very dear friends."
+
+The two young men clasped hands in a firm strong grip, each reading the
+other's thoughts, and they instinctively knew that henceforth all enmity
+between them was at end.  It was all Frank Murray could do to stand
+firm, for he knew how great an effort this must have cost his rival, and
+he mentally vowed to repay him all.
+
+"Well," said Major Sandars, laughing, "this is a surprise indeed.
+Gentlemen all, Private Gray was so good and true a man in the private's
+mess, that I for one am quite sure he will be a welcome addition to
+ours."
+
+"Mr Murray will grant that I have always looked upon him with respect,"
+said Mr Linton, cordially.  "I owe him too deep a debt," he said,
+holding out his hand, "not to feel intensely gratified at this change in
+his position."
+
+The other officers warmly shook hands, Tom Long amongst the number;
+while, when it came to Bob Roberts' turn, he said with his eyes
+sparkling,--
+
+"I say, Mr Murray, I am glad, 'pon my word."  Bob Roberts and Tom Long
+strolled out together on to the parade ground, crossing it to get under
+the trees where a group of soldiers and Jacks were standing.
+
+"I say, Tom Long, this is a rum game, isn't it?" said Bob.
+
+"I call it beastly," said Tom.  "Well, there's one consolation, young
+fellow, your nose is out of joint in a certain quarter."
+
+"No," said Bob, "it's yours.  I've long enough given up my pretentions.
+Miss Linton and I are the best of friends; but I'm sorry for you."
+
+"Bother!" said Tom Long.  "I wish I hadn't been such a fool.  Why,
+whatever are they talking about?"
+
+"I always knew he was a gentleman," said Sergeant Lund, authoritatively.
+"The way he could write out a despatch was something wonderful, that it
+was.  Ha!  I'm sorry he's gone!"
+
+"Tell you what," said old Dick, "its about my turn now.  What would some
+of you say if I was to turn out to be a mysterious orphan, and be a
+skipper or an admiral?"
+
+"That's quite right, my lads," said Bob Roberts, sharply.  "Old Dick is
+a mysterious orphan, and if you open his shirt you'll find he's marked
+with a blue mermaid."
+
+"That's a true word," said old Dick, grinning.  "But, Master Roberts,
+sir, don't you think you might pass your word for us to say a half
+dollar down there at the canteen?  What's just took place has been hard
+on our emotions, sir, and the consequence is as we are all werry dry."
+
+"I think you're more likely to turn out a fish, Dick--a shark, than
+anything else," said Bob.  "But I don't mind.  Will you be half, Tom?"
+
+Tom Long nodded; and the men went off laughing to the canteen, to drink
+the health of Frank Murray, late Private Gray, and ended by saying,
+through their mouthpiece, Dick, that,--
+
+"This here is a werry strange world."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SIXTY THREE.
+
+THE LAST OF IT.
+
+There is not much more to say about the various people who formed the
+little world at the jungle-station.
+
+Despatches were sent home, in which Major Sandars and Captain Horton
+dwelt most strongly upon the bravery of the young officers serving
+respectively beneath them.  Captain Horton said so much respecting Bob
+Roberts, that poor Bob said he felt as red as a tomato; while Tom Long,
+instead of becoming what old Dick called more "stuck-upper" on reading
+of his bravery, seemed humbled and more frank and natural.  Certainly he
+became better liked; and at a dinner that was given after the country
+had settled, and Colonel Hanson and his force were about to return, that
+officer in a speech said that from what he had heard, Mr Midshipman
+Roberts and Mr Ensign Long would become ornaments of the services, to
+which they belonged.
+
+And so they did, and the truest of friends, when they did not quarrel,
+though really their squabbles only cemented their friendship the
+stronger.
+
+They both visited Mr and Mrs Frank Murray at their pretty bungalow at
+Parang, where Rachel was settled down so long as her father retained his
+post at the residency; but their most enjoyable visits were, as years
+went by, to their friend the sultan, who was fast improving the country,
+and encouraging his people to become more commercial, in place of the
+arrant pirates they had been.  For in a very short time in the
+settlement of the country under British protection, the rank of sultan
+had been offered to the Tumongong, who refused it in favour of his son
+Ali, and this was ratified by the Governor of the Straits--Sultan Hamet
+dying a victim to excess, and the piratical Rajah Gantang of his wounds.
+
+Which was, so said old Dick in confidence to the two young officers, "a
+blessing to everybody consarned, for that there Rajah Gantang was about
+the wussest nigger as ever suffered from the want of soap."
+
+The last the writer heard of Dick was, that he was the oldest boatswain
+in the service, and that he was on board that rapid gunboat the
+"Peregrine," commanded by Lieutenant Robert Roberts, RN.
+
+It need only be added that Captain Smithers got over his disappointment,
+and two years later married Mary Sinclair, who makes him an excellent
+wife.  So that none of those concerned had cause to regret the trip up
+the Malay river in HMS "Startler."
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Middy and Ensign, by G. Manville Fenn
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