have met with the best of treatment, and at the end of a few days they
might return, to find the station abandoned by those left in charge."

"I only hope they may," said the lieutenant. "For my part, I feel
certain that the whole of the people hereabouts are under the influence
of the rajah, sultan included. But I will not oppose you, Captain
Smithers, until matters come to such an extremity that it seems to me
that we are uselessly risking life, then I must insist on an evacuation
of the fort."

"I will not oppose you then," said Captain Smithers; "but you see that
now it is as if I asked you to resign your ship."

Lieutenant Johnson nodded; and it having been resolved to hold out to
the last, hoping the while that the expedition might return, the next
proceeding seemed to be that of sending out a trustworthy spy or two,
into the country and amongst the people.

Both Bob Roberts and Tom Long were present at what the latter had
importantly called the council of war, but nothing definite was decided
upon; and, soon after, the two friends were sitting beneath the shade of
one of the trees, the Malays having withdrawn to a distance, and
hostilities being for the present suspended.

"I think," said Tom Long, importantly, "that the ladies are quite right
in declining to leave the fort. They are much safer there."

Bob Roberts laughed, gazed in his companion's face, and laughed again
heartily; to the very great disgust of Tom Long.

"Yes," he said, gruffly, "I dare say it is very funny, and anybody can
laugh like a buffoon about such an arrangement; but how are they going
to be safe on board a vessel whose officers cannot keep her from running
aground."

"Well that's a facer, certainly," said Bob, rather warmly; "but if you
come to that, where would you have been if we hadn't come to your help--
burnt out by this time, with your precious fort."

"Bob Roberts," said Tom Long, solemnly, "or rather I suppose I ought to
say _Mr_ Roberts--you are about the most quarrelsome fellow I ever
met."

"You couldn't meet yourself," said Bob, "or you would run against one
ten times as quarrelsome."

"If you want to fall out," said the ensign, "you might do it in a
gentlemanly way."

"If you want me to punch your head, Tom Long, just say so," cried Bob,
hotly.

"I repeat my words," said Tom Long, with hauteur. "If you wish to
quarrel, sir, you might do it in a gentlemanly manner."

"Gentlemanly be hanged!" cried Bob.