Among Malay Pirates

years of age, said to his chum, Dick Balderson, as they leaned on the rail of her majesty's gunboa

e water; and if it were not that we get up steam every three or four days and run out for twenty-four hours for a breath of fresh air, I believe that we shou

from the sluggish dhows, laden with up country produce, to the long canoes with a score of paddlers and some picturesque ruffian sitting in the stern. It adds

is a pretty little child sitting by him, and what a gorgeous dress she has! There, you see, he can look pleasant enough when he speaks to her. I fancy they must have come from a long way up the river, for they look

vessel, until he had passed beyond her. Then there was a sudden shout and a yell from a dozen throats, as the two canoes came into collision, the one proceeding up the river being struck on the quarter with a force that almost cut her in two, and in an instant her occupants were in the water. As the Malays were to a man almost as much

suspense, a little face suddenly appeared in the swirl of the muddy water some fifteen yards from the vessel's side. It was gone again in an instant, but, as it disappeared, both lads sprang from the side and with a few strokes reached the spot w

was first handed into it, then the midshipmen scrambled in, and, by their directions, two of the sailors, stan

" Dick said. "Now, lads, row on; let'

between several of the Malays; the chief, who was being supported by two of his crew, was shouting furiously; and others of his men, in obedience to his orders, were

have got his child safely

As the latter caught the purport of his words his face changed at once, and, after calling to his men to desist from

o. Old Horsley was wishing this morning that he had somethi

the water and laid him on the bottom of the boat. Blood was flowing freely from an ugly gash in his face, and it was evident

pect he is more injured than we see. The other fell

aid down under an awning over the fore deck o

he child,

haps a knock against the side of the boat, that stunned her; for I have no doubt she could swim, small as she is. This is a much more serious affair; he has

these fellows in the water, and I suppose they must be bro

tern of the gunboat. Even when safely on deck, the two parties were still so infuriated that they had to be separated and placed under guards apart from each other. T

those fellows in the water, Mr. Par

leave them to themselves, they would fight to the death; and, after all, it was no one's fault in particular. Mr. Balderson and I were watching them;

aking about his child, sir; it was a lucky job that y

impse we got of her face; but as we were looki

Mr. Parkhurst, or the sharks w

n the water a couple of minutes, and the Malays were making noise enough to frighten away any number of shark

change at once; the mud will come out easy enough if I

nounced that four of the ribs were broken. He had finished his work just as the lads came up. News had been brought up by th

ng, Soh Hay?" th

rt, and how she came to be saved," the man replied. "Me tell

's arms like an eel and ran to him. The grim features of the Malay lit up with a pleasant smile as he held out his right hand to her. She was a strange little figure, for the doctor had not

aid. "If he keeps quiet, he will get well in short time: if he talk

, whose wet clothes showed that they were the officers who had, as the interpreter

ou, young gentlemen," the man

ank us for," Harry said hastily; "it

but he wishes t

f the injured man; he took each of them by the hand, and

is life is yours whenever it may be of use to you; he may be of service to you, gentleme

le girl out of the water," Harry said, "and that if

d. A couple of hours later she was on deck again in her native garb and ornaments. The interpreter pointed out to her the two midshipmen who had rescued her, and she at once went up to them, and, slipping her hands into theirs, began to prattle freely; they were unable to understand what she said, but they took her round the ship, showing her the guns, and int

s that they were to be landed on opposite sides of the river. The little maid speedily became a general pet on board the Serpent, and was soon the proud possessor of several models of ships, two patchwork quilts, several carved tobacco boxes,

g been speedily and neatly repaired. Little Bahi stood on the top of the accommodation ladder as

ng, Soh Hay?" Dic

let the boat be run down; that she is very a

er salaaming deeply, entered upon a long explanation, which ended in his asking if he might come on board to see his chief. Permission was at once granted by t

r; "the chief is ill and must not be allowed to excite

w, when one of the sailors placed the child on his back, it walked gravely up and down the deck, wagging its tail as if pleased with its novel burden, he was satisfied that no harm could come to her from this formidable looking animal. He had first spoken a few words sharply to the man in answer to his excuses, and,

ence, and through the interpreter constantly demanded

n another ten days, if he remains quiet, he will be able to go, and in a couple of months will be as strong and active as ever, if he will but keep

eing translated to h

am not doctoring him for my own amusement, but for his

or three minutes, and then said quietly, "Tell the doctor I am sorry; h