To the surprise and gratification of the English party, the
jungle-station remained unmolested for the next two days, giving them
ample time to make such little additions to the defences as the officers
thought needful. The coming of the steamer gave the occupants of the
fort command of the water and a way of retreat in case of extremities;
moreover, they had the chance of sharing the ship's provisions. So that
with the knowledge of their power of resistance a feeling of confidence
began to exist, especially as it was evident that the Malays had been
taught the danger of molesting the little party.
The enemy came and went from the island in large numbers, but kept
entirely aloof, making no attempt to communicate; while their strange
silence excited suspicion in Captain Smithers' mind that some plot was
hatching.
The lieutenant joined him in thinking that there was cause for
suspicion, and more stringent watch was kept.
Old Dick regretted keenly that for reasons of economy the furnace fires
could not be kept up, for he argued still that plenty of hot water was
all that was needed to keep them safe. He had, however, to be content
with the ordinary precautions, promising himself the extraordinary as
soon as the fires were lit.
The ladies had full occupation in tending the wounded, an occupation
which saved them from much thinking; for there were no tidings of the
party, and now that so long a time had elapsed it became evident that
their worst fears would be realised.
In fact the officers began to debate whether the hour had not arrived
when they ought to retreat; but the idea was set aside, and once more
they determined to hold the station till help should come, since for the
steamer to go in search of help was to condemn the little garrison of
the fort to destruction.
And now as the hours slowly crept by, with the heat and inaction growing
more and more difficult to bear, every thought was directed to the envoy
they had sent out, and they waited anxiously for Ali's return, or for
some messenger with tidings at his hands.
Though the Malays refrained from attack so long as the occupants of the
station kept within their lines, any attempt at quitting the fort at
once drew fire. Consequently the supplies within had to suffice, and
middy and ensign thought gloomily of the past, when sampans brought
daily an abundance of delicious fruit, when flowers were abundant, and
fish in plenty was supplied.
Now it was bread or biscuit, and preserved meat either salt or tinned,
and preserved vegetables, and so much soup that Bob Roberts said a man
might just as well be living in a workhouse.
That evening he made up his mind to try for some fish, and aided and
abetted by Dick, a line was rigged up, and payed out over the steamer's
stern, the stream carrying down the baited hook, but only into a place
where there was no likelihood of a fish being caught. So another line
was attached, and another, and another--long sea-lines each of them,
till Bob Roberts sat fishing with the end of a line in his hand and his
bait about a quarter of a mile down the stream.
To his great delight he found the plan to answer, for before long he
felt a tug, and drew in a good-sized fish. This done, he rebaited, and
tried again, sometimes catching, sometimes losing, a couple dropping off
the hook just as they were raised up level with the deck.
It was about an hour before sunset that Bob Roberts set Dick to work
winding up the lines on the reels to dry, and then, having placed the
brilliantly scaled fish in the basket, he obtained leave from the
lieutenant, who looked longingly at the catch, and involuntarily made
the noise with his lips customary with some people at the sight of
anything nice.
"What are you going to do with those, Roberts?" he said.
"Take them to the ladies, sir."
"Ah! yes: of course, the ladies first. We ought to study the ladies.
But do you know, Roberts, I'm not a ladies' man, and I feel an intense
desire to have one of those fish--broiled."
"Yes, sir, of course; but I'll come back and catch some more."
"Yes, do," said Lieutenant Johnson, gazing longingly at the fish.
"There," he cried hastily; "for goodness' sake be off with them,
Roberts, or I shall impound the lot and hand them over to the cook. You
ought not to put such temptations in a weak man's way."
"All right, sir," said Bob, and he hurried over the side and made for
the barracks, where, to his great delight, he met Rachel Linton, looking
very pale and ill, coming away from the temporary hospital with her
cousin.
"I've brought you some fish, Miss Linton," he said. "I thought they
would be welcome just now, as there are no fresh provisions."
"Doubly welcome, Mr Roberts," cried Miss Linton, with her face lighting
up. "Oh! Mary, I am glad. Mr Roberts, I can never thank you enough."
Bob felt rather disgusted that the idol he had worshipped should be so
fond of the good things of this life.
"I have been longing for fresh fish, and fruit, and flowers, so, Mr
Roberts," she continued. "You cannot get me any fruit or flowers, I
suppose?"
"I could go and try for some," said Bob, rather glumly, "but you mustn't
be surprised if I don't come back."
"Oh, no, no; you must not run any risks," cried Rachel Linton. "That
would be madness, but I'd give anything for some fruit now."
"She'd better think about her father," thought Bob, "instead of eating
and drinking."
"Those poor wounded fellows do suffer so for want of change; but this
fish will be delicious. Poor Parker will eat some, I know. If you can
get any fruit for my hospital people, pray do so, Mr Roberts."
"That I will, Miss Linton," he cried joyously.
"And you'll catch me some more fish for the poor fellows?"
"Are you going to give all these to the wounded men, Miss Linton?" he
said.
"Yes; of course," she replied.
"Why she's an angel," thought Bob to himself, "and I was giving her the
credit of being a regular pig."
"Messenger? For me?" exclaimed Captain Smithers, rising up as a soldier
advanced.
"Yes sir; it's a Malay, and he says he has been sent by the young chief,
Ali."