des, another time the axes; and little by little they
formed such a defence, that tipped as it was by our fellows' bayonets,
the Malays dare not try to force.

"We soon found, though," he continued, "that they were furious with
disappointment, for spears began to fly till our lads searched the
nearest cover with some bullets, when the enemy retired a little
farther, and then the boys got in the spears and made an abattis with
them.

"In spite of the danger and the sudden surprise, our fellows enjoyed it,
for they had the pleasure of driving the scoundrels out of their own
camp, and they had to put up with the shelter of the trees all night.
They made four savage attacks upon us, though, and the first time, from
too much ground having been covered by the breast-work, the enemy nearly
carried all before them, and it came to bayonetting and the spears
getting home; but our brave lads drove them back, and then a few volleys
sent them in to cover.

"The next time they attacked, the major and a dozen of the soldiers were
ready to help a little. They were too ill to do much, but they held
their pieces and made a show of bayonets, and the major managed to take
the command.

"The next time we all of us managed to make a show of fighting; while a
couple of hours after, when the enemy made their last and most savage
attack, they got such a warm reception that they let us have the rest of
the night in peace."

"And this morning, then, you began to retreat!"

"Yes," the major said, "there was nothing else for it."

"But why not have retreated by the way we came?" said the doctor.

"Because, my dear fellow, the whole country's up, and this was the only
way open. If we had gone by the track our fellows would have been
speared one by one, for the jungle is too dense to skirmish through.
But here's Linton; he will tell you better than I can."

As the retreat continued, the rear-guard being always closely engaged
with the Malays, who pressed upon them incessantly, Mr Linton came up,
begrimed with powder, and shook hands.

"This is a horrible affair, doctor!" he said sadly.

"Don't say horrible," said the other, cheerfully. "We shall fight our
way through to the river."

"I hope so," said Mr Linton. "But we have scarcely any provisions.
Not more, certainly, than a day or two's rations. That is bad enough;
but you do not understand my anxiety. We have let ourselves be drawn
into a trap, and the whole country rises agai