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 shore than there have been before. I think things
will come to a crisis before many hours have passed. 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 establishing a battery there."

Presently two Malays, whom they recognized as belonging to the
rajah's council, advanced to the edge of the shore, 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 ship."

"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 ship 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