certainty be discovered
by the victors, who now had possession of the fort, as they and Tom knew
by seeing the British flag run up to the summit of the flag-staff on the
fort. He was somewhat anxious to see what effect this would produce on
the Malay girl and the rest of the party. Would any one venture to tell
her that her husband was killed, or should he break the intelligence to
her? She soon, however, apparently guessed from the exclamations of the
pirates that the fort was captured, and might have suspected hat was her
husband's fate. If such was the case, it did not appear to have any
great effect upon her. She sat on the fallen trunk of a tree below the
rock, maintaining the same composure as at first.

Tom now began to fear that the English would blow up the fort and embark
without coming to look for him. "Sooner than they should do that I must
try and make a run for it," he said to himself. "These fellows look so
cowed that they will not dare to stop me. I must, however, first thank
this young lady for having saved my life, and as she can have no object
in keeping me a prisoner, I will tell her boldly what I intend doing,
and ask her assistance."

Having formed this resolution, he descended the rock and approached the
Malay girl.

"Things appear to have gone against my friends," she observed. "It was
their misfortune, and cannot be helped."

"_Yes_, the English have possession of the fort, and have captured all
the junks, so that I would advise your friends here to yield themselves
prisoners, as the best way of saving their lives. I will intercede for
them."

"A very good idea," remarked the girl. "If you will go at once I will
accompany you."

"I shall be very glad of your society," answered Tom; "but what will
these fellows do? They may try to stop us."

"I will order them to remain here until the English come and make them
prisoners. Indeed, they cannot get away without being discovered, even
if they wish it."

Tom, who was highly delighted at thus easily obtaining his liberty,
agreed to the proposal. "Poor thing, she will be dreadfully cut up when
she hears of her husband's death!" he thought.

As it might be dangerous to remain longer, lest the pirates should
change their minds, Tom proposed to set off at once, and the Malay girl
agreeing, they started together for the fort, none of the pirates
attempting to stop them.

"I wonder whether I ought to tell her about her husband's d