d so arranged his
plunge that he should form a curve in the water and rise close to the
boat's stern.

"I wish they would get tired of this," said Gregory, again reloading,
and speaking through his teeth. "If they put no value on human life I
do."

The ill success of the venture to cut the boat adrift seemed to have
maddened the Malays, for after a burst of angry talking there was a loud
yell, a pattering of naked feet on the deck, and the next minute a
furious attack was being made upon the cabin entrance, blows were
delivered with axes, and it soon became evident that a way would be made
through.

"Ah! what are you going to do?" roared the major, as he saw a man about
to fire. "Don't waste your shot, man. Stand back till you can see the
whites of your enemy's eyes, and then let him have it."

There was a thrill running through the men, and click, click, of lock
after lock.

"That's it," said the major, "cool as cucumbers. Bravo, lads! What
soldiers I could make of all of you! Now, look here, I'll give the
order to fire, but what you have to do is this: wait till these black
murdering scoundrels make a hole in the defence, and then you fill it up
with the mouth of your pieces, and look sharp, before they thrust
through a spear."

The men uttered a low growl, and the captain now stood by the major,
while Morgan after a smile at Mark seated himself upon the cabin table
to watch for an attack from the sky-light, toward which he held a loaded
revolver.

A sharp report from Mr Gregory's gun was followed by another yell,
telling painfully enough that the Malays had been deceived in imagining
that the whole of the little force would be defending the door, and that
now was the time to cut the boat adrift.

The yell from the water was followed by a fierce one on deck, and the
chopping and splintering of wood. The door was stoutly built, but those
behind were very slight, and it was not long before the panels began to
show gaps of splinters and jagged holes through which spears were thrust
so suddenly that the men fell back, and the blows were redoubled.

"Ah! they are nasty weapons, my lads," said the major coolly. "Serve
them this way."

As he spoke he watched his opportunity, waiting till a spear was darted
in for some distance, when, catching it in his left hand, he pressed it
aside, readied forward, and discharged his revolver right through the
hole by which the spear had come.

The proof of the effi