"That will do," said the lieutenant.

"Yes," said Captain Smithers, "take him aside, give him some food, and
guard him well."

It fell to the lot of Adam Gray to take charge of the Malay who ate
voraciously of what was placed before him, and then smiling his
satisfaction he prepared himself a piece of betel-nut, and lying down in
the shade went off fast asleep, evidently wearied out.

Meanwhile a short consultation was held, during which it was settled
that at any risk the steamer must go to the assistance of the
beleaguered party, Captain Smithers being on the alert to retire into
the barracks when it became necessary.

This place he would have to hold with stubborn determination, knowing
that the steamer could not be long away, and that Lieutenant Johnson was
going with the knowledge that those he left behind were in need of help.

The fires were lit on the instant, and every effort made to get the
steam up, but all was done as quietly as possible, so as not to take the
attention of the Malays, and about ten o'clock all was ready for the
start, when Adam Gray went and roused up the Malay.

The man rose, shook himself, and then accompanied his guide without a
word, climbing the side of the steamer, where everything was ready; the
cables were cast loose, and at half-steam the great vessel moved softly
up the river by the light of the stars, which just made their way
visible.

As far as they could see, the alarm of the departure had not been
spread; and the steamer glided away so softly, and with so little noise,
that there was the chance of her escaping the notice of the Malays, who
might not find out their departure until morning.

This would delay any attack that might be made for many hours; but all
the same, Captain Smithers felt it better to at once evacuate the outer
works, and two hours after the steamer had glided away, almost invisible
to those who saw her go, the outer works were lying unguarded, and the
whole of the force safely barricaded in the stronghold, with every
sentry on the alert.

Everything had been done in the quietest manner. There was neither
noise nor loud order; the men caught the lightest whisper; and there was
something weird and strange-looking in the silent figures moving here
and there; but nothing like so weird of aspect as about a couple of
dozen dark shadows that were creeping over the ground taking advantage
of every bush or inequality of the ground to cover their moveme