Among Malay Pirates

a means of escape should present itself, they would seize the chance, however hopeless it might be, for that at worst they could but be cu

wn, then leap on shore, and dash into the jungle. The night will be as dark as pitch, what with there being no moon and with the mist from the swamps. At any rate, we might get out of sight before the Malays knew what had happened. We could either go straight into the jungle and crawl into the thick bushes, and lie there unti

it is the alli

dangerous business, and the chances are one hundred to one against our succeeding; but there is just a chance, and there is no chance at all if we leave it until tomorrow. Of course,

andage of yours, cut the strip in half, and twist it into a rope; then when those fellows doz

I have only o

ring, one fellow first, and then the other. You could get clos

anything is better than waiting here hour after hour for the

a distance of a couple of paces each side of them. It was about two o'clock in the morning when Dick, who was awake, saw, a

d rose and stretched his arms; put a fresh bit of some herb that he was chewing into his mouth; moved close to the prisoners to see if they were asleep; and then resumed his former position. During the time that he was on his feet, Dick noticed that the phenomenon which had so puzzled h

he little village there were also sounds of conflict. The midshipmen had started to their feet, half bewildered at the sudden

neither could speak; then Dick said, "Chief, we thank you

both warmly, having seen that

ll time; no let Sehi kill friends. Frie

ickly encumbered with dead; for every one

to the village, where a number of Malays were moving about; torches had been brought from the ship, and a score of these soon lit up the scene. Two of the r

ah lying dead upon the ground. Hassan said something to one of

ot think dead. Much afraid of him. When know

ies of splashes in the water told what was going on. The prahu was being cleared of its load of dead bodies; then several men filled buckets with water, and handed them up to the deck. The boys knew that an attempt was being made to wash away the blood. The process was repeated a dozen times. While this was going on, the pool was agitated in every direction.

few signs remained of the terrible conflict of the night. At the chief's order, a large basket of wine, that

when we saw the champagne handed over to the raj

short time the whole of the chief's followers were gathered on deck, and the boys saw that they were no more numerous than the prahu's crew, and that it was only the advantage of surprise that had enabled them to overcome so easily b

hu taken. Must go home. Others angry because Hassan not join. May come and fight Hassan. Ask captain bring sh

ld have written a line to the captain, saying what had taken place, and that they could not rejoin. There was at first some splashing of the oars, for many of Hassan's men had had no prior experience except with sampans and large canoes. However, it was not long before they fell into

id. "We want make fr

o furnish relays at the oars, and the stroke never flagged until, an hour before midnight, fires were seen burning ahead, as they turned a bend of the river. The Malays raised a yell of triumph, which was answered from the village, and in a few minutes the prahu was brought up to the bank. A crowd, composed mostly

ollowers. One carried a great water jar and two calabashes, with some cotton cloths and towels; the other br

ished without damage to the floor, which was of bamboos raised two feet above the ground. When they were dressed they fell to at their breakfast, and then went out of doors. Hassan had evide

rs." The child had picked up, during her month on board the ship, a great

he went on pitifully. "

e obliged to him for having come to our rescue.

ted the sentence.

as under to them. Besides, Sehi Pandash was my enemy. Good thing to help friends and kill enemy at the s

hem the strong palisade which had evidently just been erected, and explained, through the child, that it h

dshipmen ran down to the bank, and saw the ship's two cutters and a gig approaching. The captain himself was in the stern of the latter, and the doctor was sitting beside him. A minute or two later they were shaking hands with the officers, an

ravely. "Hassan very glad to

you have rescued my two officers, and put an end to our troubles by k

s. When they were seated, he made a speech of welcome, saying what gladness it was to him to see there those who had been so kind to him. Had he known when they would arrive, food would have been ready for them; and he assured them that, however long they might stay, they would be most heartily welcome, and tha

am as strong and as well as ever. Had it not been for you, my arm m

ubt that it was fortunate that you were able to receive surgical treatment so soon after t

e breakfasting outside on the stores they had brought up, supplemented by a bountiful supply of fruit, which grew in abundance round the village. It was not long before a meal was served to the officers, fowl having been hastily