Part 11 (1/2)

”We had better go,” Will went on. ”We can see whether they mean to fight, or not.”

The boys were naked to the waist--for the thorns of the forest had long since torn in pieces the s.h.i.+rts which they had on, when they landed from the wreck--and their skins were bronzed to a deep copper color Still, they differed in hue from the natives of the island; and the men on board the brig regarded them with some surprise, as they approached it.

”Throw us a rope!” Will shouted as they neared her.

There was a cry of surprise from the crew, at being addressed in English; but a rope was thrown, and the boys soon sprang on board.

They saw, at once, that the s.h.i.+p was an English one.

”Hallo! Where do you spring from?” asked the captain.

”We were s.h.i.+pwrecked here, ten months ago,” Will said, ”and have been living with the natives.”

”At any other time, I should have been glad to see you,” the captain said; ”but just at present, if you will take my advice, you will get into your canoe and row on sh.o.r.e again.

”As you see,” and he pointed to the prahus, ”we are chased and, although I mean to fight to the last--for there is no mercy to be expected from these bloodthirsty scoundrels--I fear the chances are small.”

Will looked round and saw that the six cannons which the brig carried--for vessels trading in the Eastern Archipelago are always armed--had already been loosened ready for action; and that a group of men were at work mounting a long gun, which had just been raised from the hold. Knowing the number of men that the prahus carried, Will felt that the chance of a successful resistance was slight.

There were about eighteen men on deck--a number larger than the brig would carry in other seas, but necessary in so dangerous a trading ground as this. The prahus, however, would each carry from eighty to one hundred men; and these, attacking at once from opposite sides, would be likely to bear down all opposition.

Suddenly an idea occurred to him.

”Look, sir, there is a pa.s.sage through the reef, there; with plenty of water and width enough for your s.h.i.+p. I can take her through.

There is no other pa.s.sage, for some distance. If you take her inside, and lay her across the channel, the prahus can only attack on one side; and you can place all your guns and strength there.”

The captain at once saw the advantage of this scheme.

”Capital!” he exclaimed. ”Take the helm at once, my lad.

”Ease off the sheets, men.”

They were now nearly opposite the entrance, and the light wind was blowing towards the sh.o.r.e. The captain ordered all hands to reduce sail, only keeping on enough to give the vessel steerage way. Two boats were lowered, and an anchor and cable pa.s.sed into each and, as the brig pa.s.sed through the opening, the rest of the sail was lowered.

The boats rowed to the reef, one on either side. The anchors were firmly fixed into the rock and, one being taken from the head and the other from the stern, the crews set to work at the capstan, and speedily had the vessel safely moored, broadside on, across the entrance to the reef.

The Malay boats were now about a mile astern. They had ceased rowing, when they saw the vessel headed for the land, supposing that the captain was about to run on sh.o.r.e. When, to their astonishment, they saw her pa.s.s the reef with safety, they again set to at their work.

The guns were now all brought over to the side facing the entrance, and were loaded to the muzzle with bullets. A number of shots, belonging to the long gun, were placed by the bulwarks; in readiness to hurl down into the prahus, should they get alongside.

The sailors--though determined to fight till the last--had, when the boys came on board, been making their preparations with the silence of despair. They were now in high spirits, for they felt that they could beat off any attempt of the enemy to attack them.

When the Malays were abreast of the s.h.i.+p, they ceased rowing and drew close together, and evidently held a consultation.

The brig at once opened fire with her long gun, and the first shot hulled one of the prahus, close to the water's edge.

”That's right, Tom,” the captain said, ”stick to the same craft. If you can sink her, there is one the less.”

Several more shots were fired, with such effect that the Malays were observed jumping overboard in great numbers, and swimming towards the other boats--their own being in a sinking condition.

The other four prahus at once turned their heads towards sh.o.r.e, and rowed with full speed towards the s.h.i.+p.