beaten, horns sounded, and the Malays by the river bank speedily
retired behind the huts.

"You had better get the magazine opened, Mr. Ferguson, and everything
in readiness, but we won't beat to quarters till they begin."

The tumult on shore increased, and soon a few shots were fired from
behind houses and walls, the balls whistling overhead.

"There won't be much of that," the captain said, as he walked up
and down the quarterdeck with the first lieutenant; "we have seen
very few guns among them. I should doubt if there are a hundred
in the town. What there are were, no doubt, captured from trading
vessels the scoundrels have plundered and burned."

A few minutes later the bamboos forming the wall of the six houses
where a bustle had been observed fell outward, the lashings having
been cut by a swarm of Malays, who, as soon as the last fell, ran
back, showing eight brass cannon.

"Beat to quarters, Mr. Ferguson," the Captain Maid quietly, and at
the first tap of the drum the sailors, who had been expecting the
order, ran to their stations. As they gained them the little battery
on shore opened fire. Although the distance was but a hundred yards,
only three of the balls hit the hull, the others passing through
the masts.

"Load with grape," the captain ordered.

"Captain Hugeson," he said to the Marine officer, "will you place