There was plenty to do to make the little fort secure, and well the men
worked. Double their number would not have been too strong a garrison,
for the Malays mustered thickly now on all sides, save that nearest the
ship, whose heavy guns had taught them the risk of making any display of
their presence.
Captain Smithers would have gladly joined forces with Lieutenant
Johnson, but he was not surprised at his reply, and he could only
condole with him in respect to the accident that had occurred to the
steamer, one which would partly place it _hors de combat_ until some
flood should cause a rise in the water of the river.
The men vied with each other in executing the orders that were given,
and in a short time the mess-room and quarters were so strengthened that
once within, the men felt that the only enemy they had to fear was fire,
and that they hoped to avoid by means of their rifles, and, if needs be,
their bayonets.
It was a terrible time for the women, many of whom had husbands with the
expedition; but knowing as they did that the major's lady was in the
same position as themselves, they tried hard to follow her calm and
patient example.
It was only an outward calm though, for poor Mrs Major Sandars was
suffering keenly, though she tried hard and successfully to speak words
of comfort to Rachel Linton and her cousin, both of whom went about with
her, talking to the soldiers' wives, and trying to amuse the children,
who at times grew impatient at being forced to keep inside the walls of
the barracks, the outer enclosure having been long declared unsafe.
Captain Smithers had sought the ladies, and spoken a few words of
encouragement to them, gazing very hard at Miss Linton as he said,--
"You may rely upon us, Miss Linton. I would lay down my life sooner
than harm should befall you."
"I am quite satisfied of that, Captain Smithers," said the lady,
quietly. "I believe that of the meanest man here. In the meantime, I
presume that you would like us all to keep within the walls."
"Yes, if you please, Miss Linton," said the young officer, coldly; and
then, as he walked away, he muttered, "Yes, she believes that of the
meanest soldier, and thinks as much of him as of me."
He walked across the open space to the lines where the men were placed,
the intention being to hold them for the time, and if hard pressed, to
retire within the barracks and there make their stand.
As he went to the nearest point a bullet whizzed by him, sufficiently
near to show him that the Malays had not only good weapons among them,
but men who could shoot straight; and he frowned as he felt that their
chance would be but small if under some clever leader the Malays should
make a bold effort to take the place.
On reaching the earth-works that surrounded the enclosure, every man was
in his place, silent and watchful. The order had been given that no one
was to fire except to check an advance, for though ammunition was
abundant, Captain Smithers felt that it was impossible to tell how long
they might be besieged, so he determined to economise as much as
possible. Consequently, firing from the fort was only at intervals, and
as the Malays relied principally upon their spears, the ball was not
kept up with anything like vigour; but, all the same, certain movements
on the part of the enemy warned the temporary commandant to be careful,
as it would be craft, more than open assault, with which he would have
to deal.
After completing his round and saying a few words to the men, he stood
thinking on the side nearest the river, from which he was only separated
by a space of about forty yards, and he could not help thinking how
their position would be strengthened if the steamer could be got off and
moored here, a trench being opened from stem and stern to connect it
with the fort. This would be giving the latter a most powerful river
front. Dullah's hut, which stood there, could easily be razed, and he
knew that the water was deeper there than at any part of the river--
quite sufficient to float the steamer.
It seemed a risky thing to do--to send again; but he felt that he ought
to apprise Lieutenant Johnson of his ideas, and to request him to use
every effort to get the steamer off.
"As if he would not do that for his own sake," he muttered directly
after; and then he began to consider whom he should send.
Adam Gray immediately suggested himself to his mind, and his brow
knitted as he felt that it was like trying to get rid of a man he
disliked.
"He is the most trustworthy, and the best suited for the task," he said
directly; and as the words left his lips he raised his eyes, and saw the
object of his thoughts come with a dozen more men to relieve the party
nearer him.
"Fall out, Gray," he said sharply; and Gray looked at him curiously as
he stepped back out of the ranks.
"I want a message conveyed on board the steamer, Gray," said Captain
Smithers. "She lies about fifty yards off the other side of the island,
aground on the mud. Do you think you can reach her?"
"I shall do my best, sir," said Gray, quietly. "If I do not succeed,
you will know it is because I am down."
"But you must not go down, Gray," said Captain Smithers, hastily. "You
cannot be spared. This is a most important duty, and that is why I send
you."
The private's eyes were fixed on those of his captain most searchingly,
and the latter lowered his own before those of his inferior.
"I shall give you no written message, for fear that you may be taken,
Gray," said Captain Smithers, hastily. "Take this verbal message,
`Captain Smithers begs, for the sake of all, that Lieutenant Johnson
will strive to get the steamer off, and bring her round here, to moor
her close up to the bank, alongside of Dullah's hut.' Do you
understand?"
"Yes, sir," said Gray, and he repeated the words.
"That will do. Now go."
"At once, sir?"
"At once."
Gray saluted, and with his teeth pressing his lip started off upon
another risky mission.
He met Ensign Long as he went back to the quarters, and on being
questioned, he questioned in return, and obtained a few particulars,
enough to make him determine to make his way up towards the head of the
island, and there swim off, to try and get himself swept down to the
steamer, hoping to be seen and get on board without mishap, and in this
spirit, arming himself once more as on his former expedition, he set
off.