d the lieutenant was almost at his
wits' end, for his spirit forbade his giving up, and all the time, no
matter how bravely his men tried, they could not get on board the prahu.

Just then it was observed by the men who held on by the sweeps, that a
brass lelah was being thrust through a hole, and brought to bear upon
them, when the result would have been death to several, and the sinking
of the boat, if it was fired. The danger was, however, averted by old
Dick, who seized a boat-hook, and hitching it on the prahu's side, gave
so sturdy a haul that he drew the boat some six feet along, and closer
alongside.

He was just in time, for as the boat grated against the prahu there was
a sharp ringing report, and the water was thrown up close astern.

A sharp volley from the boat replied to this, probably with as good
results; and then thrusting with spear and bayonet went on in the
darkness.

"Confound it all, my lads! we must get aboard her somehow," cried the
lieutenant, stamping his foot with rage, as he stood up in the boat.
"Here, make ready some of you, and follow me. Dick Dunnage, you keep
her fast with the boat-hook."

As he spoke the lieutenant parried a thrust with his sword, and replied
to it with a shot from his revolver, letting both weapons then hang from
his wrists by sword-knot and lanyard as, seizing one of the sweeps, he
began to clamber up, followed by a dozen of the men. There was a
confused roar of shouts, yells, and cheers mingled, as those left in the
boat ceased firing, so as not to injure the boarding party, who made a
desperate effort now to climb over the bamboo screen, little thinking
that the missing midshipman had boldly climbed up, a little ahead of
where they were, mounted to the great bamboo spar that held up the
screen, and then with a miserably ineffective weapon, to wit, his
pocket-knife, set to work as he sat astride it, and sawn away at the
rattans that held it up.

It was a brave act, but an unlucky one. He had nearly succeeded in
getting through, and he would have shouted out a warning, but that would
have brought upon him the spears of the Malays; so he cut away, and had
been so successful that, as the boarding party made their desperate
dash, down came the great bamboo with a rush. The screen went outwards,
over the sailors, who fell back beneath it into the boat, while Bob
Roberts felt himself describing a half circle in the air, before
plunging out of semi-darkness into