was very extraordinary, and could only be
accounted for by supposing that the frigate was not far off; or that she
had accompanied Mr Cherry, and that his boat was in the neighbourhood.
The idea might have encouraged the seamen to still further resistance,
but the Malays pressed them hard; and, overwhelmed with numbers, it
appeared as if their fate was sealed. Even Jack began to fear that this
was the case. He saw that the fire of his men began to slacken, and the
dreadful report ran round among them that their ammunition was almost
expended.

"What is to be done, Rogers?" said Adair in Jack's ear.

"Trust to Heaven, Terence," answered Jack, warding off a blow which a
Malay who had leaped forward made at his head. The next moment the
savage rolled over, a lifeless corpse, down the embankment. For another
minute the desperate struggle continued with unabated fury. Then a
sound was heard which made the hearts of the British seamen leap within
their bosoms--it was the loud report of a heavy gun which echoed among
the rocks. The seamen answered it with a hearty cheer, for no guns but
those of their own ship could give forth that sound. Another and
another followed. At the same time the breeze which the frigate had
brought up blew away the mist; and just above the rocks her topsails
could be seen as she stood after the Malay prahus. The pirates saw her
too. If they would save their vessels and their lives, they knew that
there was not a moment to be lost. At a sign from their chiefs, as if a
blast of wind had suddenly struck them, before the English knew what
they were about, they rushed away like a heap of chaff before the gale.
Jack and Terence, knowing their cunning nature, and fancying that they
might rally again, hesitated to follow, and kept back their men.

"They are off," at length cried Terence. "Hurrah, my lads. Let's after
them!"

Jack did not spring forward at once. He had not forgotten for a moment
his young charge. He knew that, driven to desperation, the Malays were
very likely to run amuck, and, if they found him, to kill him. He felt
sure that he would only be safe if he had him with him. Stooping down,
therefore, he seized the little fellow in his arms, and, holding him as
much as possible behind his back, he sprang on, and overtaking his
companions, made chase after the retreating Malays. The other wounded
men, in the excitement of the fight, had forgotten their hurts, and were
pursu