felt that his only chance would be to steal through the Malays, and then
make a bold dash for the gate, shouting the password as he ran.

He was compelled to crawl as he drew near, for the bullets whistled
through the trees, cutting off leaf and twig, and searching the jungle,
as it were, for the enemy, who seemed all around him; for, go which way
he would, there was always a party close at hand.

At last, though, he crawled behind some trees, with only an open space
between him and the fort. He was waiting his opportunity; and the
moment a sharp, scattered burst of firing was over, he rose and ran for
his life.

CHAPTER FORTY THREE.

TOM LONG HEADS A SALLY-PARTY.

As Adam Gray ran through the darkness, a yell arose from behind him,
telling him that his act had been seen, and, as if to prevent him,
half-a-dozen spears came whizzing through the air, one of them so close
that it grazed his arm; while, to make matters worse, the firing
recommenced from the fort.

By dint of shouting strongly he made himself known, and the firing
ceased, giving him time to run up to the breast-work, and then along it
to the gateway, now doubly shut; but after a little parley he was
admitted, and found himself in the presence of Captain Smithers and
Ensign Long.

"Ah, Gray!" exclaimed the former, "I had given you up. Were those your
shots that gave the alarm?"

Gray said they were, and in a few concise words told what he had seen.

"Yes," said Captain Smithers, "we are in for it; but our friends have a
tougher job than they imagined."

During the next half-hour, while they were keeping the enemy at bay,
they became aware of the fact that an engagement was going on between
the steamer and some enemy unseen by them, though they immediately set
it down as being with boats. The return signal had been seen, and there
was no little comfort in the knowledge that the occupants of the steamer
were at hand to co-operate with and help them, though they little
thought of how soon the vessel would be rendered almost helpless.

With the daylight, which was most gladly welcomed, came the news that
the corvette was ashore; and on Captain Smithers turning round to speak
to Ensign Long, he found that young gentleman slapping his legs, bending
down with laughter, and altogether behaving in an exceedingly indecorous
manner for an officer and a gentleman.

"Why, Long!" exclaimed Captain Smithers, "what does this mean?"

Tom Long flushed u