s regarding them, and I have no doubt that the sight of
the seven proas unmistakably sweeping down toward us had as much as the
quickly gathering storm to do with the acceleration of their movements;
at any rate, I had never seen men work more smartly; and the nearest
proa was still fully three-quarters of a mile distant when the last man
reached the deck--which he did by way of the main-topmast backstay--and
our task of shortening sail was complete.

I thought it was now time to say a word or two to the hands. I
therefore requested Mr Roberts to call everybody aft; and at the word
they came shambling along the deck, bare-footed, and grouped themselves
on the port side, between the main rigging and the capstan, while the
two mates joined me upon the poop. I waited a moment until they were
silent, and then said--

"My lads, the glances you have been casting at intervals in the
direction of those proas assures me that not only have you all observed
them, but also that, like myself, you have very grave doubts as to the
honesty of their intentions. I may as well say at once that, so far as
I am concerned, doubt has given place to certainty--the certainty that
they mean mischief towards us. I believe that the large proa that
passed us this morning, running out to seaward, and afterwards sweeping
up the straits again, under the land, was simply bound upon a
reconnoitring cruise; and that, on seeing us, her people arrived at the
conclusion that we should prove a very suitable object for attack,
should opportunity present itself; and that the presence of those seven
proas is the result.

"Now, I need not waste time by telling you what sort of character the
Malays bear, because you all know it. They are, almost to a man, born
pirates, and a cruel, bloodthirsty set of rascals are they into the
bargain. We may therefore be certain that if those fellows are once
allowed to gain full possession of our decks, not a soul of us on board
here will be left alive five minutes afterwards. Unfortunately, we
mount no guns, so I fear there is little chance of our being able to
keep them at a distance; but there is an arm-chest below containing a
sufficient supply of cutlasses and revolvers for all hands, and these,
with ammunition, shall be served out to you. I may tell you that Mr
Roberts and I have been concocting a little plan by which we hope to
prevent the rascals from actually boarding us; but, as I have never yet
tried it, I