t is fortunate we have got most of the
things on shore;--but we must lose no time."

As the boat could not carry the whole party, Mr Thudicumb and Tarbox
remained on board, sending Potto Jumbo with Oliver and I on shore, while
Roger Trew was to return with the boat for them. We pulled away as fast
as we could lay our backs to the oars, and as soon as we landed we
hurried up to the house. We were anxious not to alarm the young ladies
and the good Frau, and therefore as we came in sight of it we walked
rather more steadily. Fortunately our uncle and Mr Hooker were within
doors, engaged in their usual work. I hastened up to them and told them
what we had seen.

"I must go down and judge with my own eyes," said my uncle. "Their
fears probably have made our friends imagine that these vessels in sight
have a piratical look. After all, possibly, they are only a fleet of
harmless traders, bound for the south part of Borneo, or perhaps up to
Sumatra, or the Malay Peninsula."

"However, in case of accidents, brother Sedgwick, we may as well get our
valuables into a place of safety," observed Mr Hooker, quietly.

I accompanied my uncle back to the beach, as we agreed we would not tell
the Frau or her charges what we had seen. My uncle had a spy-glass with
him. After examining the vessels, which were still at a considerable
distance, he shut it up with a slam.

"There is no doubt about it," he exclaimed. "Those, if I mistake not,
are Sooloo pirates, and bloodthirsty villains they are. I wish our
friends were on shore; but we must hurry back to the house, and get our
valuables packed up as fast as we can. I do not think they will follow
us far inland; but if they do, we must be prepared for them."

"Had we not better at once hasten to the hill we fixed upon, and begin
to fortify it," I asked. "They are not likely to make their way there
in a hurry, and we shall probably have time to put it into a fair state
of defence."

"The best thing we can do, Walter," he answered. "I only hope the good
Frau will not go into fits with alarm; and as we will take the way by
which we came the other day--along our torrent road--we shall at all
events have a good start of our invaders."

By this time we had reached the house. I found that Oliver had
gradually broken the news to my sister and Grace, as well as to the
Frau, and they were now all prepared for whatever might be arranged.
They were already indeed busily employed in