at bar in the creek, otherwise we might have
taken the ship right into the pool, and fought it out with them there.
Still, it may be that this will be the best in the end, for we could
hardly have counted upon sinking the whole of them, and once past
us they would have been off like the wind; and though we might have
followed some of them, the others would have made off, some one way
and some another, whereas, by laying the vessel across the mouth of the
creek, we have a good chance of catching them all as they come down.
There is no doubt a lot more fellows have arrived to help the rajah; we
can see that there are a great many more about on the shore than there
have been before. I think things will come to a crisis before many hours
have passed. We have made out that men keep coming and going behind that
row of six huts facing the river, and I should not be surprised if they
are not hard at work establishing a battery there."

Presently two Malays, whom they recognized as belonging to the rajah's
council, advanced to the edge of the shore, which was but some fifty
yards away. One of them held a pole to which a white cloth was attached.

"I have a message from the rajah," he shouted out. The captain sent for
the interpreter, and went to the side of the quarterdeck.

"The rajah says that he does not want to have any more to say to you.
You want to take his country; he will not let you have it, and if you do
not go away in an hour, he will sink your ship."

"Tell him," the captain said, "that it will be the worse for him if he
tries it. I came up here at his invitation, and shall stay just as long
as I please."

The two Malays retired, walking in a quiet and dignified way.

The news soon ran through the ship of the defiance that had been given,
and excited the liveliest satisfaction. The men were shaking hands,
cutting capers, and indulging in much joking and laughter. Half an hour
later there was a sudden uproar in the town, drums were beaten, horns
sounded, and the Malays by the river bank speedily retired behind the
huts.

"You had better get the magazine opened, Mr. Ferguson, and everything in
readiness, but we won't beat to quarters till they begin."

The tumult on shore increased, and soon a few shots were fired from
behind houses and walls, the balls whistling overhead.

"There won't be much of that," the captain said, as he walked up and
down the quarterdeck with the first lieutenant; "we have seen very f