The ship's fire had by this time ceased, and the sailors, as they
looked out of the portholes, cheered as the boats came up. Their
appearance was far less orderly than it had been when they put off
from the ship, every man having carted off some sort of loot--
sarongs, spears, krises, and other articles, some obtained from
the huts, others thrown away by the Malays in their flight. There
were, too, some articles of European manufacture, which had been
carried off from the palace before the flames had obtained entire
possession. These were in themselves strong proofs that the rajah's
prahus had been engaged in piratical attacks upon European craft,
for they consisted of bales of silk, chronometers, watches, double
barreled guns, mirrors, and other articles which had evidently
formed a portion of a ship's fittings.

"Any casualties, Mr. Ferguson?" the captain asked, as the lieutenant
stepped on board.

"Half a dozen spear wounds, sir, but only one of a serious nature;
our fire was too hot for them to face."

"What do you suppose their loss has been?"

"As far as I can judge, sir, some eighty or ninety were killed by
our fire, and at least as many must have fallen in the battery; the
place was choked up with dead. I have brought the eight guns off;
they are only four pounders."

"They may be useful for the boats. I see the men have brought off
a good deal of rubbish. You had better give orders that whatever
there is is to be fairly divided among all hands. Any articles