p as red as a turkey-cock, and looked at his superior
officer in the most shame-faced way.

"I--I--I--" he began.

"Why, I believe you were delighted to hear that the steamer was
aground."

"Well, no, sir; not that the steamer is aground," said Tom. "I--I--was
not sorry, though, that Roberts had made a mess of it. He is so
bounceable, sir."

"I'm ashamed of you, Long!" said Captain Smithers severely. "This is no
time for silly, boyish spite. Take ten men, and make your way down to
within hailing distance of the vessel, and ask what they mean to do--
hold the corvette, or come and take their chance with us? At once, sir,
and act like a man."

Tom Long saluted, and getting Sergeant Lund and nine men, made his way
out of the little sally-port, and led them along at the double, beneath
the shelter of the fire from the fort, till they were opposite the dense
grove of trees which lay between them and the steamer.

It was an awkward and a dangerous task, for not only was the piece of
forest growth swarming with enemies, but from time to time a shot or two
from the marines on board the vessel came whistling through the trees.

But Tom Long was smarting from his rebuke. He wanted to act like a man,
and at heart he knew he had been behaving like a boy of a very petty
disposition, so, with Captain Smithers' words yet ringing in his ears,
he formed up his men, gave the word, and in skirmishing order they
dashed through the trees, sending the Malays, after they had thrown a
few spears, helter-skelter to right and left, save a few who were driven
out in sight of the men on board the steamer, when a few shots sent them
off into cover.

"Phew!" ejaculated Sergeant Lund, taking off his cap to wipe his wet
forehead, and gazing admiringly at the ensign. "That's warm work, sir."
And then he glanced at the men, who were delighted with what they
called the ensign's pluck.

"Warm? yes, sergeant. Quick! some of you fire at those niggers; they
are coming back."

A little volley at half-a-dozen Malays, who were showing menacingly on
their left, sent them to the right-about, and then the men cheered,
their cheer being answered from the steamer, which was only about thirty
or forty yards from the shore.

"Ensign Long, ahoy!" cried Bob Roberts, leaping on to the bulwarks.
"What cheer?"

"If you mean how are we getting on, and are we all safe, why don't you
say so?" cried the ensign sharply.

"All right, sir. I'll write yo