as we are, we
ought to make a formidable defence even against regular troops; what,
then, would be thought of us, if we allowed ourselves to be surprised
by a set of naked savages with their spears and their creeses?

'It is true they have swivels in their boats, but they cannot act
here; I have not observed that they have any matchlocks or muskets;
but if they have, so have we!

'I do not wish to deceive you as to the means of resistance in our
power. When we were first thrown together on shore we were almost
defenceless. Seventy-five ball-cartridges only could be mustered; we
have now sixteen hundred. They cannot, I believe, send up more than
five hundred men, but, with two hundred such as now stand around me, I
do not fear a thousand--nay, fifteen hundred of them! I have the
fullest confidence that we shall beat them. The pikemen standing firm,
we can give them such a volley of musketry as they will be little
prepared for, and when we find they are thrown into confusion, we'll
sally out among them, chase them into the water, and ten to one but we
secure their vessels. Let every man, therefore, be on the alert with
his arms in his hands; and should these barbarians this night attempt
our hill, I trust we shall convince them that they are dealing with
Britons!'

This short but spirited appeal had its full effect upon the hearts to
whom it was addressed. It was answered by three wild hurras, which
were taken up by the piquets and outposts, and resounded through the
woods. The British cheer struck the savages with terror; they no doubt
thought it preceded an attack, and they were observed making signals
with lights to some of their tribe behind the islet.

The night passed undisturbed, and daylight discovered the pirates in
the same position, their force increased by ten proahs, making their
number at least six hundred men. The situation of Captain Maxwell and
his party became hourly more critical; the provisions could not last
long--something must be done--some plan must be decided on. They had
but little choice; they must either make a dash at the pirates, and
seize their boats, with the certainty of being all butchered should
they not succeed,--and the odds were fearfully against them,--or they
must maintain their present position, in the hope that aid might be
sent from Java, in time to save them from a scarcely less horrible
fate--the lingering death of famine.

Under these depressing circumstances, the spiri