officer, coldly; and
then, as he walked away, he muttered, "Yes, she believes that of the
meanest soldier, and thinks as much of him as of me."

He walked across the open space to the lines where the men were placed,
the intention being to hold them for the time, and if hard pressed, to
retire within the barracks and there make their stand.

As he went to the nearest point a bullet whizzed by him, sufficiently
near to show him that the Malays had not only good weapons among them,
but men who could shoot straight; and he frowned as he felt that their
chance would be but small if under some clever leader the Malays should
make a bold effort to take the place.

On reaching the earth-works that surrounded the enclosure, every man was
in his place, silent and watchful. The order had been given that no one
was to fire except to check an advance, for though ammunition was
abundant, Captain Smithers felt that it was impossible to tell how long
they might be besieged, so he determined to economise as much as
possible. Consequently, firing from the fort was only at intervals, and
as the Malays relied principally upon their spears, the ball was not
kept up with anything like vigour; but, all the same, certain movements
on the part of the enemy warned the temporary commandant to be careful,
as it would be craft, more than open assault, with which he would have
to deal.

After completing his round and saying a few words to the men, he stood
thinking on the side nearest the river, from which he was only separated
by a space of about forty yards, and he could not help thinking how
their position would be strengthened if the steamer could be got off and
moored here, a trench being opened from stem and stern to connect it
with the fort. This would be giving the latter a most powerful river
front. Dullah's hut, which stood there, could easily be razed, and he
knew that the water was deeper there than at any part of the river--
quite sufficient to float the steamer.

It seemed a risky thing to do--to send again; but he felt that he ought
to apprise Lieutenant Johnson of his ideas, and to request him to use
every effort to get the steamer off.

"As if he would not do that for his own sake," he muttered directly
after; and then he began to consider whom he should send.

Adam Gray immediately suggested himself to his mind, and his brow
knitted as he felt that it was like trying to get rid of a man he
disliked.

"He is the most