the major's great yellow handkerchief, so that it hung
out broadly, and then came down.

Four shots were fired at him as he performed this feat, and on rejoining
the major and Mr Gregory, the former laughingly said that not a shot
had gone within fifty yards of him.

"But I tell you what," he continued, "that's a bad signal--the yellow
flag; they'll think we have got fever."

"So we have, sir," said Morgan grimly--"war fever."

"Look!" cried Mr Gregory; "they see the flag signal, and are answering
it. Do you see?"

It was plain enough; two flags were held out of the cabin-window, and
after being waved withdrawn.

"Yes," said the major, "it's mighty pretty, but there's one drawback--
one don't know what it means."

The firing from the lelah was kept up at intervals, but every shot went
over them, whether fired point-blank or made to ricochet from the sands.
There was tremendous bustle and excitement on board the prau, but no
fresh attempts were made to land, and as the long, hot, weary hours
crept on the question rose as to what would be the enemy's next move.

"They'll wait till dusk and attack us then," said Mr Gregory.

"No," said the major, "I think not. These people never seem to me to be
fond of night work. I think they'll wait till the tide rises and then
go back."

"Without destroying our boat?" said Morgan.

"Yes, my lad. It's bad warfare to leave an enemy behind; but you'll see
that is what they'll do."

The major proved to be right, for after a time the prau began to move
slowly round, and they saw it go back leisurely, the great sweeps
dipping in the calm blue sea and an ever-widening line left behind.

"That's one to us, my lads," said the major, "and next time it's our
play."

The men gave a cheer, and Small rose and came forward.

"Lads says, sir," he began respectfully, "that if it were all the same
to you they'd like me to pipe down to dinner."

"Of course," said Gregory. "Where are the provisions?"

"Well, you see, sir, when we all come running down, the bags o' wittles
was chucked away in the jungo--in the wood, sir."

"Then a couple of men must go after it--those who threw it away."

"Well, sir, seeing as it were me and Billy Widgeon, we'll go arter it,
if you like."

The necessary permission was given, the two men departed, and at the end
of an hour returned to find their companions still watching the praus,
which were both made fast to the ship.

"Thought as the croc