de to help Bob in, where, as he sank
down panting, he recognised Ali, the young Malay chief.

"No: only half-drowned. But Dick--save Dick."

"I'm all right, Mr Roberts, sir," said the old sailor, hoarsely; "and
the dinghy's made fast astern."

"But are you speared, Dick?" said the middy.

"Not as I knows on, sir. I ain't felt nothing at present, but I don't
say as I ain't got a hole in me somewheres."

"They'll get away," said Ali, just then, as he stood up with a double
gun in his hand. "Only small shot," he said, tapping the stock. "I
have no bullets."

As he spoke he clapped the piece to his shoulder and fired twice
rapidly, as the Malays in the sampan seemed to dive through a screen of
reeds into some creek beyond.

The pattering hail of straggling small shot hastened their movements,
and then Bob proceeded to thank the young chief for saving their lives,
explaining to him, as far as he knew, how it was that they had fallen
into such a plight.

"You must take more care," said Ali, in a low voice. "Our people would
not harm you; we are friends, but plenty hate you much. But you are
safe."

"Yes," said Bob, who, with all the elasticity of youth, was fast
recovering himself, "we are quite safe; and the fish are there too. I
say, though, old chap, I am so much obliged."

"Oh, no," said the young Malay, laughing, as he coloured through his
brown skin; "it is nothing. I saw a wretch trying to do harm, and I
fired at him with small duck shot. You would do the same."

"Yes, and with bigger shot too if I had a chance," said Bob excitedly,
as he proceeded to wring all the water he could out of his clothes, for
now the excitement was over he felt slightly chilly.

Meanwhile the boatmen were rowing steadily up stream, it having been
seen to be useless to attempt pursuit of the Malays in the sampan, and
they were rapidly nearing the steamer.

"'Scuse me, Mr Roberts, sir," said Dick, who was very wet and spongy,
"but your knife's littler than mine, and if you'd pick a few o' these
here small shot outer my arms, I'd feel obliged."

Examination showed that Dick had received quite a dozen shots in his
arms and chest. They had just buried themselves beneath the skin, and
were easily extracted by means of an open knife, after which Dick
declared himself to be much better.

"They've give them Malay chaps a tickling, I know," he cried, laughing.
"I'm such a thick-skinned 'un, I am, that they only just got th