aid, "that they could not go straight
down it. They might cut their way through, but it would be a work of
considerable time, for with their masts they would have to clear away
the branches to a considerable height. Down near the water the branches
by which we pushed ourselves along were those of the undergrowth, with
many rattans and other creepers varying from the thickness of one's
thumb to that of one's wrist, and these would take a great deal of
chopping before one of their war boats could be pushed through, but
higher up they would probably have much thicker branches to contend
with. It may be that they can lower their masts; but even if they could
do so, I should think that it would take them over an hour's work, even
with the number of hands they carry, to get a passage through that bit
of thick undergrowth, fifty or sixty yards up the mouth of the creek.
There are two or three other places where some chopping would have to be
done, but that would be comparatively easy work."

The mate and Harry both agreed with the lieutenant.

"Practically, then," the captain said, "the Malays have but one mode of
escape, while we have two of attack. At any rate, if we send up a boat
beforehand, and fasten two or three iron chains from side to side among
the branches, that passage would be securely sealed.

"Thank you, gentlemen; that is all I have to ask at present. It is a
very difficult nut we have to crack, Mr. Ferguson," he went on, when
he and the first lieutenant were alone. "To attack six strongly armed
prahus with the boats of this ship would be a serious enterprise indeed,
and its success would be very doubtful, while the loss would certainly
be very heavy, especially as, if any of the boats were sunk, the crews
would have but little chance in a place swarming with alligators. I
don't think I should be justified in risking such an enterprise."

"There is no doubt, sir, the loss would be very heavy indeed; by all
accounts, these Malays fight like demons on the decks of their own
boats, and, for aught we know, they may, after nightfall, trice up
rattans to prevent boarders getting on board. I have heard that it is
their custom when they expect an attack, and that these are far more
formidable obstacles than our boarding nets. Of course I should be quite
ready to lead an attack should you decide upon making one, but I cannot
conceal from myself that it would be a well nigh desperate undertaking."

"I am glad that yo