s eighteen Malays were brought to the side, and the two
canoes, which were floating level with the water, were towed up and
fastened by a rope to the stern of the gunboat. Even when safely on
deck, the two parties were still so infuriated that they had to be
separated and placed under guards apart from each other. Three or four
had been killed by the stabs of the deadly krises, and their bodies
could be seen floating astern. Several of those rescued had wounds more
or less severe.

"We should not have much chance with those fellows in the water, Mr.
Parkhurst," an old sailor said to Harry.

"No, indeed, Davis; they could swim round and round us, and our
cutlasses would be very little good against those ugly looking krises.
If we were to leave them to themselves, they would fight to the death;
and, after all, it was no one's fault in particular. Mr. Balderson and
I were watching them; one was crossing the ship's bow just as the other
came out from her side, and they were into each other before either had
time to hold their boat up."

"That chap the doctor is bandaging up was in a nice taking about his
child, sir; it was a lucky job that you and Mr. Balderson happened to
catch sight of her."

"Yes, poor little thing! It was only just a glimpse we got of her face;
but as we were looking for her, and ready to dive, it was enough."

"Lucky we are inside the bar, Mr. Parkhurst, or the sharks would have
had half the fellows."

"I did not think of it at the time, Davis, and it would not have made
any difference if I had; we were only in the water a couple of minutes,
and the Malays were making noise enough to frighten away any number of
sharks. You will have the job of washing out our trousers again--we had
only put them on clean half an hour before."

"That aint no matter, sir, especially if you go down and change at once;
the mud will come out easy enough if I leave them in a bucket of fresh
water for half an hour."

The two midshipmen joined the group of officers who were standing near
the doctor; the latter had, on closer examination, announced that four
of the ribs were broken. He had finished his work just as the lads came
up. News had been brought up by the steward that the little girl had
opened her eyes; while he was speaking, the Malay conversed rapidly with
the interpreter.

"What is he saying, Soh Hay?" the captain asked.

"He is asking why his daughter is not here, and if she is hurt, and how
she came