voice, and then those of his men addressing him as rajah.
Directly after he heard a voice on one of the large boats asking for
Rajah Gantang, which was replied to by Dullah.

There was the secret then of this man's presence on the island. It was
Rajah Gantang himself who had come among them, to seek his opportunity
for overthrowing the English, and now his opportunity had come.

Gray ground his teeth with rage at his impotence, and he tried to get
away unperceived, as it became evident that the nearest sentry heard
nothing. Still at any moment there might come the warning shot from his
rifle; for though everything was very plain to him, hidden in the midst
of the Malays, it was quite horrible that not a sound might reach the
most attentive of sentries, especially as every word was spoken in a
whisper.

It seemed impossible to get away without discovery. The slightest
movement would have made his presence known, so closely had the boats
come in.

Still no alarm was raised.

Then Gray began hoping that Captain Smithers or Ensign Long might be
going the rounds, and his dread was lest they should fall into some
trap. It was for him, then, to warn them, but how?

The water was very cold, and seemed to Gray to be the cause of the chill
that struck to his heart as he stood there wondering, and listened to
what was evidently a rapid debarkation.

Suddenly, as in imagination, he saw these merciless men gaining an entry
to the fort and massacring all there, he recalled the fact that he
possessed a pistol. A shot or two from that would give alarm to the
sentries.

And bring certain death upon himself!

Well, he thought, as he paused for a few moments, why not? If he, by
giving up his life could save those at the fort--his officers, comrades,
the ladies, and the rest, ought he to hesitate--would he be doing more
than his duty?

It was a hard struggle. Life was very sweet, and he had but to remain
perfectly still, to escape. Did he move, a dozen spears and krisses
would be at his breast directly.

He smiled as he told himself he was not hesitating, but that all he
wished to do was his duty; and without a moment's hesitation he drew the
little revolver from its pouch, held it out as high as he could, and
drew the trigger.

For answer there came a sharp click, and he knew that the water had
damaged the cartridge.

He tried again, with no other result than the noise of the fall of the
hammer; and then Dullah'