each, they could still hear the sound
of oars, which was borne for a considerable distance over the calm
water. The men stood with their muskets in their hands ready for the
attack. Even the wounded men begged to be propped up against the bank
that they might get a shot at the enemy.

Poor little Harry had dropped off into a deep slumber, and knew nothing
of the preparations taking place. Needham volunteered to go down and
watch behind a rock close down to the water, so as to give the earliest
notice of the approach of the pirate-boats, should they come on shore at
that point.

They had not long to wait. Louder and more distinct grew the splash of
the oars.

Presently Needham came running up to the fort. "There are pretty nearly
a dozen boats in," he exclaimed; "you'll see them in a moment coming out
of the fog. They can't very well miss finding us."

"Very well," said Jack, coolly. "They'll be sorry that they did find
us, that's all."

As Needham had said, in another minute the long black hulls of the
pirate's boats appeared through the fog, and being run up on the beach,
the crew leaped out of them. The swarthy savages, with sharp creeses by
their sides and long jingalls in their hands, looked about on every
side, and seemed surprised at not finding an enemy. They examined the
boats, and then looked about again. So well was the fort constructed
among the rocks, that in the fog they did not discover it. They began
to scatter about; they were evidently persuaded that the English had
made their escape across the island. At length three or four Malays
wandered close up to the fort. They stood for a moment as if
transfixed, and then, as it beamed on their comprehension what it really
was, they beat a retreat, shouting to their companions.

The seamen were for firing at the intruders, but Jack ordered them not
to throw a shot away, or to fire till they were attacked. They had not
long to wait. The whole band of Malays quickly collected, and, with
glittering creeses in their hands, rushed on to the attack.

"Now, boys, give it them," cried Jack, and Terence repeated the order
almost in the same breath, for he knew that it was coming. Half the
seamen only fired, and then began again to load. The other half waited
till the first were ready, and the Malays had got close up to the bank.
The latter, fancying probably that only a few had firearms, came on
courageously.

"Fire, boys," cried Jack, quietly.