being so brilliant as to be quite dazzling after the Cimmerian
darkness to which our eyes had become accustomed. But, despite the
dazzling brilliancy of the sudden illumination, the retina of my eyes
caught and retained the vision of three large proas broad on our
_starboard quarter_, about two miles distant, situated precisely as
Roberts had described them; and that this vision was no illusion of my
senses was instantly demonstrated by the mate, who interrupted himself
to quickly exclaim--

"There they are again, sir."

"Yes, I saw them," said I. "And there are four more about three miles
up the straits, on our port beam. That makes seven craft in our
neighbourhood that were certainly not there when the darkness closed
down upon us. Now, in order to get where they are they must have been
using their sweeps; which, I must confess, has, to my mind, rather a bad
look; as, from what I have heard of the Malays, they are not so fond of
hard work as to resort to it for mere pastime. However, we shall soon
know what they are after; if they are looking for us, that last flash
has most probably enabled them to discover our whereabouts; and if they
mean mischief they will all be heading for us when next we see them.
Meanwhile, Mr Roberts, it is evident that we are about to be treated to
a heavy thunderstorm; and as it may bring a violent wind-squall with it,
we will make provision for the possibility by stowing all our light
canvas. Ah!"--as another and still brighter flash burst forth, followed
this time by the low muttering of distant thunder--"there they come; the
rascals are certainly after us! Call all hands at once, if you please,
Mr Roberts; there will be time to shorten sail, and to prepare a
reception for the Malays before they can get alongside."

"All hands shorten sail!" shouted the mate, scrambling off the poop, and
groping his way forward. "Clew up and furl the royals and to'ga'nts'ls;
and see that you stow them in such a way that they won't blow adrift if
a squall happens to strike us. Let go the main-royal and to'gallant and
the mizzen-topmast staysail halliards, and man the downhauls; then you
can stow the sails, as you work your way down. Is that you, Mr Forbes?
Just see that the main and fore tops'l-halliards are all clear for
letting run, will ye? And when your lads come on deck we will haul down
and stow the flying-jib and get in the gaff-tops'l and mizzen. That's
your sort, my bullies; now, awa