but they did not know
what British seamen were made of; and in spite of the fierce and
terrific looks of the enemy, Jack and his little band stood fast,
prepared to receive the onslaught. Poor Harry Bevan had sunk to the
ground, not through fear, but weakness; and Jack had placed himself over
his body, determined to defend him as long as he himself had life or
strength. He felt and looked not a little like a lion prepared to do
battle for her young. Jack had now grown into a very strong fine young
man. He was not very tall, but he had broad shoulders and an expansive
chest; and now, as he stood cutlass in hand, with a profusion of light
hair streaming back from his honest sunburnt countenance, he was the
picture of a true British sailor, and might well have been likened to
the noblest type of the king of beasts. Adair was not a whit behind him
in courage, though his physical powers were not so great. What hope was
there though for them and their gallant men? At that moment there
appeared but very little. Both of them knew that braver savages than
the Malays were not to be found. Jack, as he stood there, with his
muscular arm bared and his sharp weapon in his hand, did not put his
trust in either. He knew and felt that the arm of One alone who is
mighty to save could preserve him and his companions; and with deep
earnestness and perfect faith he lifted up his heart to heaven, and
prayed that assistance might be sent them. The British seamen returned
the shrieks of the Malays with shouts of defiance, and kept up a rapid
fire as they came on. Now their weapons cross. There is the loud
sounding clash of steel, the sharp crack of muskets and pistols, the
shouts and shrieks of the combatants. There is the thick smoke from the
firearms mixed with the mist, rapid flashes of flame, and all the other
sounds and appearances of a desperate struggle. Still, though the
pirates hemmed them closely round, the seamen stood as before, boldly at
bay, and no impression was made on their front.

"Jack," cried Adair, in the middle of the fight, "I don't think Polly
came here for nothing. Hold on for a short time, and we shall be
relieved, depend on it. She and the monkey have been talking away
together, and Master Queerface looks as if he knew all was right."

I rather suspect that Adair was allowing his imagination to run away
with him, or that he spoke thus to keep up the spirits of his men.
Still the appearance of Polly