Among Malay Pirates

eft the captain's cabin. "We now know what we all along suspected-the rajah is a rascal, and

get up that creek, though she can place herself at the entrance and prevent their getting away; but there st

e captain's cabin. The first lieutenant was there. They were each asked their opinion as

the captain said: "and indeed, e

h, with many rattans and other creepers varying from the thickness of one's thumb to that of one's wrist, and these would take a great deal of chopping before one of their war boats could be pushed through, but higher up they would probably have much thicker branches to contend with. It may be that they can lower their masts; but even if the

y both agreed wit

have two of attack. At any rate, if we send up a boat beforehand, and fasten two or three

ack six strongly armed prahus with the boats of this ship would be a serious enterprise indeed, and its success would be very doubtful, while the loss would certainly be very heavy, esp

htfall, trice up rattans to prevent boarders getting on board. I have heard that it is their custom when they expect an attack, and that these are far more formidable obstacles than our

rry a couple of heavy guns through the forest to the edge of the pool. It would be a serious undertaking, and we should have to send

e managed. I suppose before we attempt it, you will t

cover the landing, and knock the place about his ears; but to penetrate the jungle would be vastly more difficult an affair. If, as is probable, he has succeeded in inducing some of his neighbors to join him, they may have already sent strong contingents, and the forest may be full of them. In that case it would be qu

to the junction of the two streams, and up again to the entrance to the creek on that side. Then we will at once land a very strong party, land also two twenty-four pounders, and drag them to the pool. We might hope to do so without any opposition, for the Malays would no doubt be gathered at the edge of the forest near the to

most difficult part of the operation is dragging the guns. Th

down the trees, and to saw them down would be an interminabl

s of almost any length here, and if we were to lash an eighteen pounder between two of them, I should s

gun; but now I think of it, I fancy that it will be still easier to lay the guns down on a sledge shaped piece o

ith the carriages will be greatest, but they might be t

village the Malay spoke of as close to the mouth of the creek, and the pool, and if we send the boats up as soon as we arrive at the creek, to row with muffl

rk we will muffle the oars, and row up the other branch, find the mouth of the creek and row up it, first find how far it is to the pool, then drop down a quarter of a mile and land, strike into the jungle, and look for the path. I should, of cours

ry to use the greatest caution, and to avoid all risks as much as possible, though I fancy that my gig would run away from any of the ordinary native craft; but, of course, the great point is to avoid being noticed, for

ther Mr. Parkhurst or Mr. Balderson; if the worst came to the worst and one of the men were hit, he could man hi

d; "they are both strong, active lads, an

ough, when an extra supply of ammunition and a brace of pistols were served out to each, they thought that something unusual was in the wind, and there was a grin on the men's faces when a hamper of provisions was placed in the bow

alderson; it is not likely that they will

n altogether useless weapon if it came to fighting. He was the more convinced that something mo

said. "Where do you think

p the creek again, Dick.

creek, it is sure to be him, as one of us who went up there before would certainly be in command. It is rum they're ta

e fastest boat on board. She is not a dockyard boat, but, as you know, is one the captain had spec

t, there was a general look of surprise among the sailors leaning on the rail to see her put off, for it was a very u

e other. "Drop quietly down the river. There is my fishing rod by your side, Mr. Balderson; you may as well beg

under the seat, and Mr. Ferguson and Dick began to fish, one on each side of the boat, while the men lay on their oars, and a look of satisfaction came over their faces as the lieutenant told them that they could smoke. Hitherto, Dick had been i

ow them overboard again, Mr. Balderson; we don't want any extra weight in the boat, and t

utenant Hopkins explored the other day, to have another look at the prahus;

explore the creek, bu

ut I am afraid that we shan't fi

hance of that; still we may obtain

l was got up, and the boat continued its way down the river,

her branch comes in on the right, so we will keep on the left bank. I don't think there is much fear of our missing the junction of the stream, bu

the boat. Dick kept his eyes fixed on the opp

the trees has suddenly stopped, and I th

farther down before we cross; it is unlikely in the extreme that a

width showed them that they had assuredly passed the junction

d the sooner you get to the other end, the better. We may have a long night's work b

est splash of their oars might attract attention, and that they were to row easier for the present. In a quarter of an hour the wall of forest ceased, and a hundred yards farther they saw houses. Two or three dim lights were visible, and the sound of voices could be heard. The boat's head was now turned out somewhat farther int

the house, sir

, the line of forest could again be seen, and the boat was rowed into the bank, and two

n give way

le more than fifty yards across, and, accustomed as their eyes were to darkness, they presently saw that it widened out suddenly. The word was passed down for the men to paddle easily, and in two minutes the pool opened bef

ordered now; "back her ve

bank. They had passed a sharp bend nearly half a mile back, and the lieutenant

he brought the boat alongside, at a point which was free from bu