The party who had remained in the fort had made good progress in
strengthening it, and we now felt ourselves prepared for the pirates'
reception.
"We shall have no difficulty in beating them back," I observed to Mr
Thudicumb, "with a fort like this for our protection."
"I hope not, Walter," he answered; "but they are fierce and desperate
fellows, and they may use means for our destruction which we little
expect. Still it is our duty to be prepared and to fight to the last.
We can do no more!"
"But if they conquer us what will Emily and Grace and the poor Frau do?"
"We must leave that in God's hands, Walter," answered the mate. "We
must fight like men, and not yield while life remains. If we are all
killed, he will take care of the helpless ones who are trusting in him."
Tanda at this time had not returned, and we were once more afraid that
he had been caught by the pirates. At length my uncle's anxiety to
ascertain what was going on made him resolve to set out to try and get
sufficiently near them to watch their movements. I begged to accompany
him.
"If you do, you must promise one thing--to keep behind me; and should I
be captured, to make your escape, and carry back news to the camp of
what has occurred," he observed.
I of course willingly gave the promise he desired. While we were
speaking, we saw, rising in the distance, a thin column of smoke. It
rose higher and higher in the sky. All those in the fort gazed
anxiously towards it.
"They have discovered the house, and set it on fire," observed Mr
Hooker. "Oh, what treasures they are destroying--the ignorant savages!
and yet, I am afraid, under similar circumstances our own countrymen
would not behave much better. They are not likely to appreciate such
treasures more than these dark-skinned Asiatics."
"I am not quite so certain that that is the house on fire," observed Mr
Sedgwick, after watching the smoke for some time. "I should not be at
all surprised if it was the brig that is burning. The smoke, in this
clear atmosphere, is seen a long way off; and though my house would burn
rapidly enough, I scarcely think it would send up such dense volumes as
are now ascending to the blue sky. What do you think, Mr Thudicumb?
It appears to me that the smoke is somewhat to the right of the house,
and further off?"
"I have been watching it attentively," said the mate, "and I agree with
you, sir."
"Still, as the wind is off shore, and there will be no surf in our bay,
I am afraid the fellows will very likely land there; and if so, it will
not be long before they discover the house," observed Mr Sedgwick.
"However, come along, Walter, and we will try to ascertain the true
state of the case."
My uncle, charging our friends to be on the alert, set off down the
hill, rifle in hand; and I, bidding farewell to Emily and Grace,
followed him. I soon caught him up, and we made our way along our
torrent road. We calculated that we should have ample time to get into
the neighbourhood of the house and return to the fort before dark. I
could not help recollecting the tiger we had seen on our way up, and the
numerous serpents which I knew were crawling about in all directions.
My uncle, however, seemed utterly indifferent to them. We had got to
the end of our torrent road, and were working our way through the
jungle, when the sound of human voices reached our ears. On this,
instead of going straight forward, my uncle turned to the right towards
the sea. I followed him, literally crawling on hands and feet,
something in the fashion of the monkeys, from bough to bough amid the
thick entanglement of the forest; sometimes close down to the ground,
though not often more than a few feet above it. I could not help having
a fear that in those places there often lurked the fearful python; while
some dark pools over which we crawled might, I thought it more than
possible, harbour a hermit alligator or some other monster.
We had gone some distance, moving as noiselessly as possible, when my
uncle stopped and looked eagerly forward, keeping his body concealed
behind a bough. I imitated his example. Our worst anticipations were
realised. In the distance I could see the brig burning furiously, while
alongside the rocks lay several long prows with swivel guns in their
bows, and their general appearance betokening them to be, what we
supposed, pirates of Sooloo. A number of their crew were on the beach,
while others, in a compact body, were making their way up the road in
the direction of the house. They were fierce-looking fellows, armed
with krisses and swords as well as spears and long bows. They were
shouting to each other, and evidently expected, from the appearance of
the road, that they were approaching some village which they hoped to
sack. We watched them for some time. Fortunately they were making so
much noise that they were not likely to hear us, even should they pass
quite near. My uncle, therefore, turning round, led by the way we had
come. I found that he was approaching as near the house as the thick
brushwood would allow. I shall not easily forget the shout of savage
delight the pirates set up when they came in sight of our peaceful
abode. They instantly rushed forward, sending a shower of arrows before
them, and shrieking at the top of their voices. It was somewhat trying
to my companion's temper to see them rushing up the steps of the house
and along the verandah into the rooms. I was glad we had left Merlin
behind us, for he would probably not have restrained himself, but would
have rushed forward and betrayed our whereabouts. My uncle did not move
from the spot, but continued to peer out from among the bushes. The
pirates who had first reached the house were seen going in and out at
all the doors like a troop of monkeys. They now came to the verandah
and shouted out to the others. They were evidently disappointed at
finding no one within. I could not help feeling pleased, however, that
they were not likely to find anything which they would look upon as
valuable, however much the articles might be prized by the owners. In a
short time those who had been on the beach came up, and now they all
rushed in together, and we could hear them shouting to each other as
they ran about seeking for booty. Their shouts of satisfaction were
soon changed to cries of disappointment and rage, as they found that
everything they prized had been carried off. Some of the provisions,
however, which had been left behind were at length discovered; and
before long they found their way to the menagerie. This seemed to
astonish them not a little. Several of the creatures, however, having
been left without food, were howling piteously. At last I caught sight
of a fellow rubbing away with two pieces of bamboo, and I knew well
enough that he was striking a light. Another brought some dried boughs,
and they soon had a torch twisted up and blazing away. Uttering a shout
of triumph, one of them rushed up the steps of the house with a blazing
torch, and ran round it, setting fire to the light wood-work and thatch.
It rapidly caught, and the flames darting out in all directions, the
whole house was soon furiously blazing away. Some of the men who had
been inside rushed out, reeling as if they were drunk, and I guessed
that they had got hold of some of the arrack which had been kept for
preserving specimens. They now began to dance round the house, shouting
and shrieking as if in delight at the destruction they had wrought.
Some of them, however, were hid from our view by the building, so that
we could not see what they were about. Presently their shrieks and
cries seemed to increase, and we saw those from the other side of the
building scampering away as fast as their legs could carry them,
apparently in a panic. The rest followed. Away they went, each man
tumbling over the other, and caring only for his own safety. I really
think that at that moment, had our whole party been together, we might
have rushed out and cut them to pieces. I heard my uncle utter a low
chuckle of laughter, and presently there issued from behind the building
his huge python, hissing furiously, and making its way at a rapid rate
along the ground, as if in pursuit of the pirates.
"The fellows have set his cage on fire, and the creature has made his
escape from the flames," said my uncle. "He is wisely rushing to the
nearest water to cool himself, and I suspect he thinks less of attacking
them than of soothing his wounds."
The python, however, as he was speaking, began to move slower and
slower. He evidently had considerable difficulty in working his way
over the ground. Presently his head, hitherto erect, sunk down, and he
lay stretched out at his full length apparently dead.
"It will be as well," said my uncle, "to make our way back to the fort,
for these fellows will soon recover from their panic, and will suspect
that the owners of the house are not far off. We cannot remain long
concealed from them, for if they once begin to search about, they will
soon discover the path to our river road."
We accordingly hurried back to the fort. We found that Tanda had
arrived before us. The whole party were in a great state of alarm, for
he had made signs that the pirates had landed, and they also had seen
the smoke from the burning house. They also dreaded from his signs that
we had fallen into their power. I was glad to find that some deep caves
had been dug, in which Emily and her companions could find shelter. The
provisions had also been stored in them. All our arms were loaded. A
number of bamboo stakes had likewise been formed, their points
projecting out between the palisades to prevent the pirates from
climbing over them. Our return quickly restored the spirits of the
party. Emily threw herself into my arms and burst into tears, and Grace
followed her example.
We had now a time of great anxiety. In spite of it, however, I was very
glad when Mr Thudicumb proposed that we should pipe to supper.
"I never knew people fight so well on empty stomachs as on full ones;
and as we may have sharp work before the morning, it will be wise if we
fall to while we can," he remarked.
I found that during our absence Roger Trew had led the way to the well,
and brought up an ample supply of water to last us for some time. Thus
our fort was pretty well stored; and even should the pirates lay siege
to it, we might be able to hold out for some time.
"By-the-by, Mr Walter," observed Roger, "the last time I came up, I saw
that the boughs had given way over the pit we dug; but I was in too
great a hurry to look in. I have a notion, however, that something or
other has been caught, and whether it is that great brute with a horn on
his nose, or some other creature, I cannot say."
As darkness came on, we assembled in the largest cavern which had been
dug, in order that the light might not betray us. Here we found that
without danger--as the flame would be hid, and the smoke would, of
course, not be seen--we might light a fire and boil water, and cook our
food, which was a great luxury. Two of the party kept on watch while
the rest of us assembled to supper. The sentries were accompanied by
Merlin, who was a host in himself, as his quick ear was more likely to
catch the sound of approaching footsteps than any one among us. We
were, however, allowed to enjoy our meal in peace, and we, most of us
tired out, lay down to rest, while our watch was set as usual. Often
during the night I fancied I heard the cries of the Malays rushing up
the hill, and I started up to find that I had been dreaming. Hour after
hour passed by, Mr Thudicumb would not let me go on guard, as he said I
was already tired out. I slept on and on, and at length daylight
streamed in through the entrance of the rustic hut in which I had passed
the night. Emily and Grace were on foot, and soon afterwards Frau
Ursula made her appearance at the entrance of their bower. "No pirate
come," she observed. "I hope they go away, and not find us out." I
heartily hoped so also; but, at the same time, had it not been for the
girls, I own I should rather have liked to have had a brush with the
pirates, so confident did I feel that we could beat them off. Oliver
soon joined us. He looked somewhat pale, I fancied.
"I have not slept at all," he whispered to me. "I have been praying
that we may be protected from those fearful men. It would be so
dreadful to have to fight them. Before they could be driven off, so
many would be killed; and Walter, I confess I cannot bear the thoughts
of destroying our fellow-creatures."
"I do not wish it either," I said; "but if they come, they must take the
consequences."
I was sure that, notwithstanding his feelings, no one would fight more
bravely than Oliver. Those who had been on watch during the night, now
got up, and the whole party assembled in the centre of our fort.
"Gentlemen," said Mr Thudicumb, "on board the _Bussorah Merchant_ we
always used to have morning prayers when the weather permitted, and,
with your leave, we will have them now. We have plenty to pray for, and
much to be thankful for. We should be thankful we have escaped the
dangers from which so many of our fellow-creatures have suffered, and
that we are all alive and well; and we need to pray that a stronger arm
than ours may fight for us, should we be attacked by those fierce and
ignorant savages."
"Very right," said Mr Hooker, "and I am sure all will agree with you."
Mr Sedgwick, however, made no remark. He had never said anything
against religion; but I had observed, since we first found him, that he
did not appear to be in any way under its influence. However, as he did
not object, Mr Thudicumb forthwith produced a Bible which he had found
in the cabin of the brig uninjured. He now read a portion of Scripture,
and then offered up an earnest prayer for our deliverance. I know I for
one felt more cheerful after it, and so I am sure did Emily and Grace,
while a tear stood in Oliver's eye. He had entered more than any of us,
with all his heart, into the simple prayer of the untutored sailor.
Watch was, of course, kept meantime by one of the party, and we then in
good spirits went to breakfast, having lighted our fire as before in the
pit, making as small a one as possible, so as not to allow the smoke to
be seen at a distance.
Once more Tanda went out as a scout to try and ascertain what the
pirates were about. Soon after he had gone, we were aroused by a loud
squeaking which seemed to come from the wood at the bottom of the hill.
It sounded exactly like the cry of a pig. Oliver and I offered to go
down and ascertain what it was. I was starting without any arms, and
had got to the gate, when it occurred to me that I might as well take a
fowling-piece. I ran back for it, and Oliver and I then set forward
down the hill. The squeaking sound increased for a little time, and
then ceased. We had, however, marked the place from whence it had come.
We were making our way through the forest, when Oliver seized my arm.
"Stop, Walter," he exclaimed; "not a step further! See, see!" There,
at the foot of a large tree, with its tail coiled round an upper branch,
its body circling the trunk, was a huge python. Our uncle's pet,
compared to it, was a mere pigmy. It was pressing with its enormous
body a large pig, which, with its huge mouth wide open, it was preparing
to swallow. So eager was it that it did not observe us. We stood
transfixed with a feeling akin to horror, lest any movement might
disturb it. We knew that we should be much safer should it once get the
unfortunate pig within its jaws. Greatly to my relief, it now darted
down upon the pig, taking the head within its mouth, and gradually it
began to suck in the body. We watched it without moving or speaking.
In a short time, more than half the quadruped had disappeared, and I now
knew, from the formation of the animal's teeth, that no power could draw
it out again, and that thus, till it had entirely swallowed it, we were
safe. Now was the time, therefore, to beat our retreat, and we hurried
back to the fort with an account of what we had seen.
"We must prevent the creature from causing further mischief," said Mr
Hooker, seizing an axe. "When it has digested the pig, it may pay us a
visit, and may be a more awkward enemy to deal with than even the
pirates. Now, if we make haste, he is at our mercy."
Potto Jumbo begged that he might accompany us, and Oliver and he and I,
with the two gentlemen, each armed with an axe and a long bamboo spear,
hurried back to where we had seen the python. As we reached it the hind
legs of the pig were just disappearing within its jaws. "Now is the
time for the attack," cried Mr Sedgwick, rushing forward with his axe
and dealing the animal a blow behind the neck. It instantly uncoiled
its powerful tail and attempted to seize its enemy. It seemed as if it
could have crushed him with one blow against the tree, but he gave a
spring and just escaped it. At the same instant Potto Jumbo sprang in
and struck the tail, which instantly flew back and again encircled the
tree. The monster now tried to lift up his head to make a spring
towards us, but the pig prevented it from opening its jaws, though the
force with which it projected its enormous head was sufficient to have
knocked down the strongest man and killed him on the spot. Mr Hooker
was on the watch, and received it on the point of his spear, which
transfixed its throat, and must have gone through the pig's body at the
same time. Still his spine was uninjured, and there was great danger in
getting within the coils of its body. Potto Jumbo, however, kept
watching the tail, which was again unwound from the branch of the tree.
"You cut, cut at the back while I hold," he cried out, seizing the very
end of the tail. He threw himself out so as to stretch out the animal.
Oliver and I, who had been waiting our opportunity, rushed in, and dealt
it several severe blows with our hatchets. Potto pulled away at the
same time. "No fear now," he cried out; "one more cut and he die!"
Once more we rushed in with our hatchets. No sooner did we deal the
blows than the creature lay stretched out apparently quite dead.
"We have settled him," said Mr Sedgwick. "And now let us measure his
length."
He paced along the body, which lay stretched out on the ground, and we
found it to be fully twenty-five feet long.
"An unpleasant creature to encounter in a morning's ramble," observed
Mr Hooker. "But how have you managed to escape these reptiles,
Sedgwick?" he asked.
"Simply, I suppose, because they prefer pork to man," he answered; "and
as we have the same taste, we may as well get piggy out of his maw."
To do so was impossible without cutting off the serpent's head. This we
accomplished with our hatchets. However, the appearance of the pig when
we got it out was far from tempting, and as we had a supply of food in
the fort, we agreed to let it remain where it was. We had been so
interested in this encounter that we had almost forgotten the position
in which we were placed. A shout from Mr Thudicumb, however, quickly
recalled us, and we hurried up to the fort. Tanda had just arrived.
"He is in a state of great agitation, sir," said Mr Thudicumb, as Mr
Sedgwick appeared, "but what he says I cannot make out."
Tanda and his master exchanged a few words.
"Friends," said Mr Sedgwick, "the pirates are approaching. They have
found their way up the river road, and will be here in a short time.
Once more I must urge you to fight to the last. I know them well.
Should we yield, a fearful death or painful captivity would be our lot."
"We are all aware of that, sir," said Mr Thudicumb; "and I can answer
for all hands that none will fail in their duty."
The bank round the more gentle slope of the hill had been raised
sufficiently to protect our bodies, so that by keeping close to it, no
shot--should the enemy have fire-arms--could hit us. All the muskets
were laid carefully loaded against the bank, and the Frau and the girls,
who had been practising loading for some time, took their places in
hollows which had been formed on purpose, where they might load without
risk, as soon as the guns were handed to them. We all now stood at our
posts anxiously watching for the approach of the enemy. At length we
saw some dark-skinned faces appearing amid the brushwood, and directly
afterwards some thirty or more wild-looking savages rushed through it
and began to ascend the hill. They stopped for an instant on seeing the
formidable preparations made for their reception, while, of course, they
could not tell how many people were within the stockades ready to fire
on them. At length one of their chiefs apparently came to the front,
and waving his curved sword, seemed to urge them to follow him. On he
came, a humpbacked savage-looking fellow. Even at that distance I
fancied I could distinguish his hideous features. More than once he
went back, and seemed shouting to his followers to keep up with him; and
with wonderful agility, considering his form, he toiled up the hill.
"Mr Hooker, you are the best shot among us, please to pick off that
fellow," said Mr Thudicumb. "If it were not for him, I do not think
the fellows would have come on."
The hunchback still continued to advance, his long arms and claw-like
fingers assisting him up the steeper places. Again he stopped and
appeared to be swearing at his men for not coming faster. He was now
within range. I could not help looking on one side to watch Mr Hooker
as he stood perfectly calm with his musket covering the pirate chief.
Little did the man think that a musket in the hands of an unerring shot
was pointed at him. The pirates, finding no opposition as yet, now came
on more readily, and soon another body of an equal number appeared
behind them, coming from the woods. I could by this time clearly see
the countenance of the pirate. He was an old man, with two or more ugly
gashes about the face, showing that he had not followed his profession
with impunity. The pirates, uttering fierce cries, were now rushing on.
"I must stop that fellow's career, at all events," said Mr Hooker,
levelling his piece. He fired. The old pirate stood up for an instant
on a rock which he had just reached, waving his sword above his head,
and then fell backwards over the men who were coming up behind him. The
Frau instantly seized the gun, and began reloading it. The pirates, who
had been quickly advancing, now appeared to waver.
"If we had a dozen more fellows with us, we would quickly sally out and
put them to flight!" exclaimed Mr Thudicumb.
"But as we are only nine in all, not counting de ladies and Merlin, and
dem fellows fight like wild beasts, we hab hard job to drive dem back,"
said Potto Jumbo. "Still we fight while we got drop blood in de veins.
Merlin fight wid teeth dough; you see dat! Hurrah, boys!" and Potto
took aim at another Malay leader who now occupied the position of the
first.
Merlin was fully as eager for the fight as any one, and rushed backwards
and forwards, poking his snout between the palisades wherever there was
an opening, and barking furiously.
"I wish we had another python to let loose on them, uncle," I said to
Mr Sedgwick, near whom I was standing. "It might have a useful
effect."
"Ah, yes; we should not have killed the other fellow, Walter," he
observed. "But, to be sure, it would have been a difficult matter to
capture him, and still more so to make him take the right course when we
let him loose again."
The pirates, fortunately, had but very few fire-arms among them, and
they evidently depended on a hand to hand combat to overcome us. The
larger body had now gained a more exposed part of the hill, and began to
ascend quicker than before. We therefore, taking good aim, had to fire
as rapidly as possible. No time for speaking now. Thanks to the skill
with which the Frau and the young ladies loaded the muskets, we were
able to keep up a constant fusillade, which must have made it appear
that we had far more men within the fort than was really the case. To
keep up the deception, we ran from side to side, thus extending the
length of our line, now firing out through one opening, now through
another.
"Do not throw a shot away," Mr Thudicumb continued saying. "Fix on
your man before you fire."
I had never seen a shot fired in anger; but I own my blood quickly got
up, and I no longer felt the slightest compunction in killing our
enemies. Even Oliver, so gentle and tender-hearted, played his part
well, and I believe every shot he fired took effect. In my eagerness I
missed once or twice; but seeing the importance of following the mate's
advice, I endeavoured to restrain my excitement and take steady aim
before I pulled the trigger. Still our ferocious enemies so far
outnumbered us, that if they once got up to the palisades, even though
many might be killed, a superior force would be able to climb up and
overpower us. They were within a dozen yards when, greatly to my
dismay, I saw another strong body emerging from the wood, and with loud
shouts rushing up the hill to join their companions. I began for the
first time to think that all would be lost. My heart sank as I
contemplated the dreadful fate of the two poor girls. What would become
of them and the good Frau when we were all killed? for killed I fully
believed we all should be. Still, as yet, none of us were hurt,
although their arrows flew thickly over our heads, and they had begun to
throw their darts at us. Four or five, armed with muskets, now
advanced, and also began firing away--their shot pinging against the
palisades. We had far more to dread from them than from the arrows, I
fancied. As they got nearer, however, several arrows came through the
openings, and I heard a bullet whistle close to my ear. It was the
first time I had heard such a sound, but I knew it well, and could not
avoid bobbing my head, though the shot had passed me. Mr Thudicumb and
Dick Tarbox, however, never flinched the whole time. Uttering loud
shouts and shrieks, the fresh body of men now joined their companions,
while the first continued to shower arrows and darts and to send their
bullets among us. I saw Oliver suddenly fall. An arrow had struck him
on the shoulder.
"It is nothing," he called out; "it is nothing," and endeavoured to draw
the weapon from his wound.
Frau Ursula saw what had occurred, as she was at that moment handing up
a musket, and springing up, carried him down into their cave. The
dreadful thought came across me that the arrows were poisoned. I could
not, however, leave my post to inquire. His fate might be that of any
one of us the next instant. I could only wish that all were as prepared
to meet death as I knew he was. Directly afterwards I saw my uncle
stagger. A bullet had struck him; but recovering himself, he cried,
"Never mind, lads! A mere graze;" and instantly again fired. The
muskets came from below loaded, less quickly than before. I guessed the
reason--that the Frau or the girls were attending to poor Oliver. Again
a flight of arrows came flying over and through the palisades, some
sticking in them, when I felt one pass through my cap, and, as I
thought, wound my head. I could not help having the fearful dread that
the poison would quickly enter my veins, and expected every instant to
drop. Still there was but little time for thought, and I resolved to
fight away with my companions to the last. A few minutes more of life
were of but little value, and I now fully expected that, in spite of the
determined way in which we were defending our fort, it would be stormed
at last. Directly afterwards the Malays, showering their missiles upon
us, with loud shouts and shrieks rushed on. Some caught hold of the
palisades, and attempted to pull them down; others began to climb over
them. Some forced their hands through the openings to seize the bamboo
spears as we thrust them out at our enemies. I caught sight of a number
of pirates making their way to one side where the fort was undefended.
Nothing now, it seemed to me, could prevent them from getting in; but
when I shouted out, Potto Jumbo joined me, and we rushed to the spot.
Just then a loud shouting was heard coming up from the bottom of the
hill. I could distinguish through the opening, for the space was clear
where we then were, several pirates turning their heads. The shouting
increased. Some ran down the hill, the others turned and followed, and
those who had been climbing up the palisades dropped to the ground, and
then, as if seized by a sudden panic, rushed down the hill
helter-skelter, eager to avoid the shot which we sent after them. We
could scarcely believe what had occurred.
"Heaven be praised!" said Mr Thudicumb. "We are saved, and I do not
think they will come back again."