fficer took the
first cutter, the two midshipmen the second. No time was lost in making
preparations, for it was desirable to capture the prahu before she was
aware that the Serpent had left her position in the other river. For
a mile the boats rowed up the creek, which narrowed until they were
obliged to go in single file. It widened suddenly, and as the launch
dashed through, a shower of balls tore up the water round her; while at
the same moment a great tree fell across the creek, completely barring
their retreat, and narrowly shaving the stern of the midshipmen's boat,
which was the last in the line. Fortunately the launch had escaped
serious injury, and with a shout of "Treachery," Lieutenant Hopkins drew
his pistol to put a ball through the head of their guide, but as he did
so, the man sprang overboard and dived towards the shore.

"Row, men; we have all our work cut out for us. There are three prahus
ahead; steer for the center one, coxswain."

With a cheer the men bent to their oars, and dashed at the prahu which,
as was evident by patches of plank freshly fastened to her side, was one
of those that had before escaped them.

"Follow me," the lieutenant shouted to the boat behind; "we must take
them one by one." The three boats dashed at the pirate craft, which was
crowded with men, regardless of the fire from the other two vessels.
The launch steered for her stem, the first cutter for her bow, while
the midshipmen swept round her, and boarded her on the opposite side. A
furious contest took place on her deck, the Malays being so confused
by being assailed at three points simultaneously that the midshipmen's
party were enabled to gain a footing with but very slight resistance.
The shouts of the Malays near them brought many running from the other
points, and the parties there gained a footing with comparatively little
loss. Then a desperate struggle began; but the Malays were unable to
withstand the furious attack of the British, and ere long began to leap
overboard and swim to the other craft, which were both coming to their
aid.

The launch's gun had not been fired, and, calling to Dick, Harry leaped
down into the boat. The two midshipmen trained the gun upon the nearest
prahu, and aiming at the waterline, fired it when the craft was within
twenty feet of them. A moment later its impetus brought it against the
side of the launch, which was crushed like an eggshell between it and
the captured prahu, the two