ew
guns among them. I should doubt if there are a hundred in the town. What
there are were, no doubt, captured from trading vessels the scoundrels
have plundered and burned."

A few minutes later the bamboos forming the wall of the six houses where
a bustle had been observed fell outward, the lashings having been cut
by a swarm of Malays, who, as soon as the last fell, ran back, showing
eight brass cannon.

"Beat to quarters, Mr. Ferguson," the Captain Maid quietly, and at the
first tap of the drum the sailors, who had been expecting the order,
ran to their stations. As they gained them the little battery on shore
opened fire. Although the distance was but a hundred yards, only three
of the balls hit the hull, the others passing through the masts.

"Load with grape," the captain ordered.

"Captain Hugeson," he said to the Marine officer, "will you place your
men on the poop, and tell them to open fire as soon as the guns send the
Malays flying from their battery? I can see that there are large numbers
gathered round it. Mr. Ferguson, will you see that the guns are all laid
on that battery? When they are ready, fire a broadside that will clear
the place out at once."

Two minutes later there was a crash as the whole of the guns on the
starboard side were discharged at the same moment. The effect was
tremendous, and the storm of grape swept away the whole of the buildings
beneath which the guns were standing. Three of these were dismounted,
and not one of the men who had been crowded round them remained on his
feet. Numbers were seen running away in all directions, and a volley
from the marines brought several of these down.

"There is an end to the attack," the captain said quietly. "Order the
men to load with shell, and to direct their aim in the first place at
the rajah's palace; there is no occasion for rapid firing."

Gun after gun sent its messenger into the palace, and in three or four
minutes flames were seen rising from it. The order was then given to
fire with grape at all the houses facing the water. In the meantime the
men were called from their guns on the port side, and the boats lowered.
The marines and all the sailors, save those serving the starboard guns,
took their places in them, the first lieutenant taking the command, and
on the word being given they dashed with a cheer towards the shore, and,
leaping out, formed up, and led by their officers ran forward, not a
shot being fired by the Malays