re they had
fallen. The example set was quite sufficient for the rapid stamping out
of the fires.

Meanwhile the remains of the magazine were burning furiously, and though
the river was so near, it was no time for any attempt at checking the
fire's progress.

"Let it go, my lads," the Major had said, "and be ready to take cover
again, for we shall have the enemy back directly."

For, instead of taking advantage of the explosion and the temporary
bewilderment that had been caused to the besieged by the shock, the
Malays, utterly demoralised by the terrific roar, had to a man made for
the shelter of the jungle.

The silence that had succeeded the roar was intense. Where, firing
their clumsy old muskets and increasing the noise by their savage yells
of defiance all round the cantonments, the Malays had been tearing about
and rushing from tree to tree, peace now reigned, while the snapping and
crackling of the burning wood, the deep-toned, half-whispered orders of
the officers, and the talking of the men seemed to sound unnaturally
loud.

In a short time now all risk of further spreading of the fire was at an
end, and the question arose, to be discussed by officers and non-coms,
as to whether, as the Malays seemed to have retreated, something should
not be done in the way of extinguishing the flames by bringing
entrenching tools to bear and smothering them out with earth.

"No," said the Major; "it will be useless toil. Let it burn out."

"But the fire's getting brighter, sir," protested Archie.

"Well, sir," said the Major peevishly, "that's plain enough; you needn't
tell us that. What then?"

"We shall be having the enemy back directly, sir, and all of us standing
out against the light as a mark for their spears."

"Tut, tut!" exclaimed the Major. "How absurd! I had not thought of
that. But, all the same, the explosion seems to have completely scared
them away, for I don't hear a sound. Do any of you?"

There was no reply.

"Yes," continued the Major sharply.--"Here, Sergeant; half-a-dozen men,
and spades. Do the best you can to smother the flames.--The rest take
cover, for this can't last. We shall have the enemy back directly."

The Major's _directly_ did not prove to be correct, and while a careful
watch was kept on the surrounding jungle and the little patches of fire
that were flickering here and there amongst the trees, where goodly
pieces of the woodwork had been cast by the explosion, a l