Part 7 (1/2)
”Somewhere about here, lad?”
”Yes, sir, I think that this is just the place. I noticed that tall tree rising above the general line just opposite where we were anch.o.r.ed.”
”Then lower the grapnel; in oars.”
Another bottle was produced from the hamper; the lieutenant filled a wine gla.s.s full and drank it off, and then pa.s.sed the gla.s.s over to d.i.c.k.
”What is it, sir?”
”It is some grog, with a large dose of quinine. The doctor begged me to give it an hour or two before daylight. Now, lads, you are each to take a gla.s.s of this; it will protect you against the effect of the mist on the river. You can show the lantern now; it is just as well that they should see it if they are on the lookout.”
Every man took his gla.s.s of the mixture.
”Now wrap yourselves in your blankets, lads, and lie down for a couple of hours' sleep.”
After a minute or two's scuffling while each found a plank to suit him, all was quiet in the boat. d.i.c.k, who felt far too excited over the events of the night to be sleepy, had volunteered to keep watch, and, lighting another pipe at the lantern, smoked till it was broad daylight.
Then he roused the crew, and in less than two hours afterwards they rowed alongside the Serpent. The captain was greatly pleased with Mr.
Ferguson's report.
”It is unlucky about that bar in the creek, otherwise we might have taken the s.h.i.+p right into the pool, and fought it out with them there.
Still, it may be that this will be the best in the end, for we could hardly have counted upon sinking the whole of them, and once past us they would have been off like the wind; and though we might have followed some of them, the others would have made off, some one way and some another, whereas, by laying the vessel across the mouth of the creek, we have a good chance of catching them all as they come down.
There is no doubt a lot more fellows have arrived to help the rajah; we can see that there are a great many more about on the sh.o.r.e than there have been before. I think things will come to a crisis before many hours have pa.s.sed. We have made out that men keep coming and going behind that row of six huts facing the river, and I should not be surprised if they are not hard at work establis.h.i.+ng a battery there.”
Presently two Malays, whom they recognized as belonging to the rajah's council, advanced to the edge of the sh.o.r.e, which was but some fifty yards away. One of them held a pole to which a white cloth was attached.
”I have a message from the rajah,” he shouted out. The captain sent for the interpreter, and went to the side of the quarterdeck.
”The rajah says that he does not want to have any more to say to you.
You want to take his country; he will not let you have it, and if you do not go away in an hour, he will sink your s.h.i.+p.”
”Tell him,” the captain said, ”that it will be the worse for him if he tries it. I came up here at his invitation, and shall stay just as long as I please.”
The two Malays retired, walking in a quiet and dignified way.
The news soon ran through the s.h.i.+p of the defiance that had been given, and excited the liveliest satisfaction. The men were shaking hands, cutting capers, and indulging in much joking and laughter. Half an hour later there was a sudden uproar in the town, drums were beaten, horns sounded, and the Malays by the river bank speedily retired behind the huts.
”You had better get the magazine opened, Mr. Ferguson, and everything in readiness, but we won't beat to quarters till they begin.”
The tumult on sh.o.r.e increased, and soon a few shots were fired from behind houses and walls, the b.a.l.l.s whistling overhead.
”There won't be much of that,” the captain said, as he walked up and down the quarterdeck with the first lieutenant; ”we have seen very few guns among them. I should doubt if there are a hundred in the town. What there are were, no doubt, captured from trading vessels the scoundrels have plundered and burned.”
A few minutes later the bamboos forming the wall of the six houses where a bustle had been observed fell outward, the las.h.i.+ngs having been cut by a swarm of Malays, who, as soon as the last fell, ran back, showing eight bra.s.s cannon.
”Beat to quarters, Mr. Ferguson,” the Captain Maid quietly, and at the first tap of the drum the sailors, who had been expecting the order, ran to their stations. As they gained them the little battery on sh.o.r.e opened fire. Although the distance was but a hundred yards, only three of the b.a.l.l.s. .h.i.t the hull, the others pa.s.sing through the masts.
”Load with grape,” the captain ordered.