CHAPTER XIX
An Attack upon the Stockades
"Back again! We scarcely expected you, and a load of anxiety is liftedfrom my mind," cried the captain of the _Dido_ in hearty tones as Tylerswarmed to the deck of the war vessel, and, leaving Li Sung in the prahumade fast to the gangway below, went striding to the poop. "Come, tellme the news, for I am eager to hear it. Here we are, you see, at therendezvous appointed, and I may say that all are eager to be moving. Letus get down into the cabin and have a chat."
Seizing the Chinaman, who had boarded the vessel, by the hand, CaptainKeppel wrung it with enthusiasm, and then, ere he led the way to hiscabin beneath the poop, took a step backwards, the better to be ableto survey the gallant young fellow who had so willingly undertakento ascend the Sarebus and gain tidings of the enemy. As for the crewof the _Dido_, they were not slow to guess what was happening, and,remembering the fact that two Chinamen had so recently taken possessionof a prahu, much to their mystification, and that the young fellow whohad so recently joined them had been absent ever since, they recognizedthat this Chinaman who had just come aboard in his tattered andtravel-stained garments must be the same. For some moments they waitedwatching the interview upon the poop. Then, as their commander was seento grasp the stranger by the hand, their excitement was roused to thehighest.
"Took 'im by the 'and!" shouted one lusty tar, lifting an enormous palmto shade his eyes from the sun. "Then if that don't prove that thatfeller ain't a Chinee after all, well--bust me!"
He paused for a moment to find an expression adequate for the occasion,and then, changing his plug to the other cheek, looked round at hiscomrades.
"It's the young orfficer what come aboard a few days gone back," hewhispered hoarsely. "Him what arrived at Sarawak with the fleet ofprahus and a crew of darkies. Strike me! but what's he been up to thistime?"
"Been sailing up the river Sarebus," shouted John Marshall, theboatswain of the old schooner, who had taken up his quarters on the_Dido_ for the time being, instantly recognizing Tyler as he stood thereon the upper deck. "He's been risking his life again. He's been afterthem 'ere pirates and the Dutch bloke as I told yer about. Here, let'sgive him a rouser. One, two, now all together!"
Thanks to the fact that John Marshall had a busy and a ready tongue,the crew of the _Dido_, and indeed the greater part of the inhabitantsof Sarawak, had long ere this gained news of all the adventures whichhad befallen Tyler on his way to join his ship, and now that somethingmore had happened, and they gathered the fact that this lad--for hewas little more than that--had dared to ascend the river and spy uponthe pirates themselves, their enthusiasm knew no bounds, and, leapingforward at John's shout, they rent the air with their cheers, repeatingthem till Captain Keppel advanced to the rail and lifted his hand to askfor their silence.
"Nicely done, my lads!" he said, in tones of satisfaction. "He willappreciate your cheers far more perhaps than the poor thanks which I cangive him. Let me tell you that this officer is a gallant one indeed, andthat although he is still practically a new-comer and a stranger to mostof you, yet that he has already earned distinction. For the splendidmanner in which he brought through the tribe of Dyaks he will deservecommendation at the hands of his seniors, but now he has added somethingmore, and I shall strongly recommend him for reward. There, my lads,I'm even more pleased than are you, and to celebrate the occasion, andbecause we have some fun ahead, I'll give orders for a round of grog tobe served. Then you can drink success to our friend and to the comingexpedition."
Turning away from the men as they sent up another cheer, the commanderinspected Tyler closely, and then spoke again.
"You have had a rough time, that I can perceive at a glance," he saidwith a start. "You are wounded, and there is a hunted look on your face.Come below. A good meal and a glass of wine will do you no harm, andthen you can let me have your information."
Taking his junior by the arm he led him to the companion, and usheredhim into the cabin. Then he called for food and drink, and would nothear a word from Tyler till the latter had had his wants satisfied. Thenthe ship's surgeon was called in, and speedily dressed the wound.
"A clean cut, which would have done better had it been dressed at once,"he said, as he looked at the arm critically. "But that, of course, isnot always possible. Yes, there has been severe hemorrhage, and by theappearance of your cheeks you are still somewhat weak from loss ofblood. But that is a matter which can soon be set right. Shall I placeMr. Richardson on the sick-list, sir."
For answer Captain Keppel smiled at our hero, and then turned to hisinterrogator.
"Ask the lad himself," he said with a laugh. "He does not look to melike the fellow who would willingly miss the fun which we have beforeus."
"Well, what do you say? Shall it be the sick-list and a bunk in thesick-bay, or a hammock and a good sleep in your own quarters?" demandedthe doctor.
"The last, please," answered Tyler without hesitation. "As to the wound,it is really nothing, I assure you. The kriss went through the arm, andalmost dropped out by its own weight. It does not hurt at all, and allthat I have suffered has been from loss of blood. To that I owe thefact that I am alive at this moment. But I am dog-tired and want asleep."
"Then you shall have it, my lad," cried the commander. "But first I mustget your news, for time is precious and we have much to do. Come, outwith it, and then off to your hammock."
Thus bidden, Tyler rapidly outlined the preparations which he had seenin progress at Rembas, and told Captain Keppel that, having now seenthat stronghold in addition to Paddi, he was sure that the former wouldoffer a fiercer resistance. Then, urged by those who were listening,he narrated how he and the Chinaman had held the rock, and had finallytaken flight; how he had been hauled into the enemy's boat; and how,while making his escape from the stronghold of Rembas, a strange figurehad dogged his footsteps, and had almost joined in combat with him.
"I call it a wonderful piece of luck," exclaimed Lieutenant Horton, whohad also joined the party in time to hear the tale. "Anyone else wouldprobably have fired point-blank, and only discovered that the opponentwas a friend in reality when it was too late. How fortunate that youcaught sight of the tin about the neck of this Li Sung!"
For some little time those who had listened to the tidings which Tylerhad brought discussed the matter, commenting on the news and upon thesteps which he had taken to make good his escape. Indeed, so interesteddid they become that their attention was withdrawn from our hero, andwhen at last they turned to question him further, they discovered thathe was fast asleep, his head reclining upon his hands on the cabintable, while his breathing was long and deep, showing how much he was inneed of rest.
"Done to a turn," said Captain Keppel in a whisper. "The lad has workedlike a Trojan, and has been at it almost since the time when he leftSarawak. We know at any rate that he has not had a wink of sleep for twonights, while he has been fighting most of the time. Catch hold of hislegs, Doctor, while I take his head and shoulders. We'll pop him intohis bunk without disturbing him."
In a trice they had Tyler between them, and in less than a minute he wasbetween the blankets, snoring heavily and utterly unconscious of hissurroundings. When his eyes opened again, and he looked about him inbewilderment, it was to discover that sunlight was streaming down intohis quarters, and that his comrades were hastily donning their clothes.
"Halloo! Still day?" he asked, peering at the others and rubbing hiseyes. "What a sleep I've had!"
"Should say so, old chap," was the laughing answer. "At any rate you'velain there like a log since you arrived here, and that was somewherebefore noon yesterday."
"Yesterday? Impossible!"
"Not a bit of it. You've slept for twenty hours on end, and if you'renot precious slippy you'll be too late to hear all about the expedition.All hands are to muster at once while the skipper reads out the orders."
Tyler was out of his bunk like a shot, and rapidly scrambled into a suitof clothes, tearing the old ones off in
a moment. Then he hastily washedhis face and hands, and darted up on deck in the wake of his comrades.Above, all were assembled, and listened eagerly as the captain read theorders for the day. Then each man went to the magazine, there to beserved with arms, which all at once set to work to clean and put in thebest of order. That some big movement was afoot anyone could see, forthere was an air of half-suppressed excitement about the tars, and theydiscussed in eager terms the chances of a hand-to-hand conflict with theenemy.
Early on the following morning all was in readiness, and no sooner hadbreakfast been finished and swept away than the shrill notes of a piperang out, while the bugle of the marines awoke the echoes. Then a boatcame pulling alongside, bearing the Rajah of Sarawak.
"We propose to leave Rembas till the last," said Captain Keppel, asTyler stood before him and the rajah, having been called on to the poopto speak with them. "We shall leave the _Dido_ here and pull up in openboats, taking that tope over there with us. She is well supplied withfood and with ammunition, and must be well guarded. And now for theforce. Lieutenant Wilmot Horton will be in command, for it is one ofthe perquisites of his rank to lead an expedition of this nature. But Ipropose to go also, in my gig, and with me will be the rajah. You willaccompany us, Mr. Richardson, and, since you have now been face to facewith these pirates on two occasions, we shall expect you to take goodcare of us.
"And now for the actual men to be taken," he went on, turning away fromTyler with a smile as the latter flushed red at his remarks. "The forceof officers and men, sailors and marines, will be approximately eightyin number. We shall take the pinnace, two cutters, my gig, and the_Jolly Bachelor_, which the rajah has kindly placed at my disposal. Sheis native built, and admirably suited to our needs, for she will takethirty men with ease, besides a six-pounder. The pinnace will be armedwith a twelve. The tope will accompany the expedition with food andammunition, and strung on to our forces we shall have nearly a thousandnatives, Borneans, Malays, and Dyaks, but mostly the latter, and agoodly few the same who accompanied Mr. Richardson from along the coast.They may not be of much use in the attack, but I promise you that theywill be to the fore if flight is attempted by the enemy, for they do notlove them, and have suffered much at their hands."
"They have indeed," burst in the Rajah. "For a century and more theirchildren and wives have been enslaved, and the men killed, while theirfruit-trees and their plantations have been cut down and ruined. But youwill have to keep a close hand upon these natives, Keppel, for they donot know what discipline means."
"I mean to," was the emphatic answer, "and for that purpose I amplacing one of my officers over them, with strict injunctions to watchthem. And now, if you are ready, Rajah, we will set out."
The ruler of Sarawak having assented, the bugles and whistles once moreset the echoes ringing, and very soon the boats of the expedition hadbeen marshalled. Drawing a rifle from the magazine, Tyler dropped intothe gig and awaited the coming of his commander. Half an hour laterall were in readiness, and having turned the bows of the boats in thatdirection they were pulled into the river Sarebus. In spite of thefact that a deluge of rain poured down upon their heads not one of theattacking-party seemed to mind, or to have his high spirits damped. Forthe weather was warm, and each one wore a kajan, a mat through whichthe head was thrust, which effectually protected them from the wet.Then, again, who could say what would happen? Perhaps heavy and fiercefighting was in store for the force, for these pirates of the river hadhad their quarters there, father and son, for more than a generation,and would not be likely to yield them without a struggle. Then, again,they would be ashore, behind stockades, and would have the advantage ofknowing every inch of the river, while the attackers would have to comeup in the open, exposed to every gun and rifle. But if the enemy countedupon the fact that the British tars would be dismayed at the thought,they were doomed to disappointment, for all that the latter did was tojoke and laugh, with an occasional grumble at the long pull which mustintervene between themselves and the enemy.
"Well, there's one thing about the business that I like," cried one ofthem as he pulled at his oar. "A long pull's a long pull, and yer can'talter it nohow, but yer can have it made easy like if the flood's withyer. That's what we've got, and yer can feel the rush at every stroke.With a stream like this well be there against to-morrow night."
"And then the guns'll be popping," burst in another.
"Bet yer a quid o' 'bacca I'm in their show afore you, Billie."
"Done with yer," was the answer, growled in the huskiest of voices."It's a fair bet, and our mates'll see who's the winner."
Laughing and chatting as they rowed, the hours swiftly passed away,Tyler having much to occupy his attention. Indeed, every bend of theriver brought some recollection to his mind. It was there that they hadhidden their prahu, that low sandy bank was the spot where they hadlanded in search of inhabitants, while, higher up, the land became evenmore familiar.
"That is the rock which Li Sung and I defended," he ventured to remark,when at last the expedition was close to the branch of the river uponwhich Rembas was situated, "and by turning to the left now we should beunder their guns before we could believe it."
"Then we will keep straight on," was the reply. "But that was a capitalsite for defence, Mr. Richardson. For two alone it was just the isolatedposition which would offer a chance of success, and you were fortunateto have it so close at hand when you were capsized. But that reminds meof the bore. We will look out for a spot in which to pass the night."
When darkness fell the boats of the expedition lay snugly under thebanks, while the men lay in them, smoking and waiting for the meal. Thenfires were lighted and kettles set to boil, while certain of the menwere told off to act as sentries. And thus, pulling cautiously by day,and tying up to the banks at night, the winding course of the river wasslowly followed and Paddi approached. At length the latter was close athand, and one fine morning, after the bore had gone sweeping past onits course, with its usual accompaniment of brushwood and drift fromthe banks of the stream, the expedition loaded weapons, and, pullingup their moorings, took the flood which went racing on to Paddi. Hadthey wished to go slow to their destination it would have been almostimpossible, so strong and rapid was the stream in these upper reaches.But the pace suited the spirit of every man, and particularly of thosewho occupied the gig. At the helm, sitting in his shirt sleeves, was theRajah of Sarawak, as calm as if before his own home at Sarawak, whileclose at hand were Captain Keppel and Tyler. Forward of them were thecrew, a set of lusty fellows, whose hands itched to toss their oarsaside and snatch at the cutlass which each carried in his belt. Hark! Amurmur in front, a bend in the river, and nothing but trees and jungleto be seen. Was it the enemy? The commander turned his face towards hiscompanion questioningly, and in reply Tyler nodded.
"We are close on them," he said in calm tones. "I remember that thereis a hill on the left, some little distance from the main stockade, andthat it has a fort on top. That is where the noise comes from."
"And here we are in sight," exclaimed the Rajah. "Now we can prepare fora peppering with slugs. But we are a bad mark to aim at, for the streamis sweeping us on at a pace. Keep a sharp look-out, for it is about herethat we shall run upon a boom, and it would be bad for us if we becameentangled. They will have the range to a nicety, you may be sure, andthey would blow us out of the water."
The warning was given in the calmest of tones, for the Rajah was noalarmist, but a man of great courage and a tried soldier. Gripping hishelm he steered the gig up the very centre of the stream, and as hereached the bend ahead shot her over to the farther side.
"There may be skulkers lying on the edge of the bank," he remarked, "andthey would have us within easy range. Ah, listen to that!"
So swift was the current that the banks seemed to leap past them,and long before those aboard had time to consider what was about tohappen, or realize the fact that they were practically alone, a wideinterval separating them from the other boats and th
e main part of theexpedition, the gig had swung round the bend and was in full sight ofthe enemy. A thousand of them, or thereabouts, lined the hill, and setup a yell of defiance which caused even the boldest of the attackersto change colour. Rushing hither and thither, and filling the air withtheir cries, the pirates watched the gig advance, while some of theircomrades, as if to add to the note of defiance already sent up, danced amad war-fling on the roof of the fort erected on the summit of the hill.
"Number one," said the captain coolly, emptying one of the barrels ofhis gun at the multitude. "But those are not the fellows we have to dealwith just now. We are for the main stockade."
"And there it is, sir," shouted Tyler, as he came into view of thebamboo palisading which surrounded Paddi. "There is the main fort, sir,and in front of it is the boom. It is a different one from that whichwas here some days ago, and I think that it has been constructed morestrongly."
"It is composed of trees driven into the bed of the river," said therajah, taking a hurried look. "Others are laid across the top and lashedthere with rattans. We must cut them adrift."
"Wait, there is an opening," called out Captain Keppel, standing upin the gig and pointing ahead. "Yes, I am sure of it, but it is verynarrow. Send her at it, Rajah. Put her nose full tilt at the opening andsqueeze her through."
In their excitement not one of the crew of the gig recollected the factthat they were still practically alone, and that to pierce the boomand enter on the farther side would expose them to the attack of everyone of the enemy. Swept on by the river, which matched well with theireagerness, they turned the head of the gig for the narrow opening in theboom, and went at it with a will. Bump! It was hardly wide enough, andthe timbers grated against the trees. But nothing could stop her, andin an instant she was through the narrow neck and shooting on towardsthe stockade beyond, and the shelving hill, on the foot of which JohnMarshall and his party of natives had remained while Tyler entered insearch of the prisoners.
"'Bout ship!" called out the captain. "Nicely does it, my lads. Now,keep her there while I give 'em a barrel or two. Mr. Richardson, you hadbetter join me."
Obeying the order without hesitation, the gig was turned swiftly, and bymeans of the paddles was prevented from drifting down upon the stockade,where she and her crew would undoubtedly have fallen victims to thepirates, for they would have been overwhelmed. Then, with a steadinesswhich did them credit, the commander, Tyler, and the coxswain raisedtheir weapons to their shoulders and opened a fusillade.
Crash! Bang! A roar and a couple of thunderous reports; then a spurt offlame and smoke from the embrasures along the face of the fort.
"Aimed for the boom, and easily missed us," said the Rajah with a smile,as the discharge swept over the gig and churned the water about the boominto foam. "But a few of the bullets are dropping about us, so we'llmove aside. Steady there, starboard! Strongly does it with the port.There she is, and soon our comrades will be here."
By now a warm musketry fire had commenced upon the gig, and the bulletswere splashing on every side. But not a man flinched from his task.Indeed the tars who manned the oars scorned even to turn their heads,for they were steady old salts, and had been in many a scuffle. Instead,they kept their eyes on their companions, and watched as the remainingboats came down upon the boom. Swept by the current the pinnace struckit broadside on, and was held there for a moment, receiving severalbullets amongst her crew, three of whom were wounded. But others sooncame to her assistance, and with the help of the natives the rattanswere cut through and the boom dragged aside. Then the twelve-pounderanswered the boom of the brass cannon set up in the stockade, and aburst of grape went shrieking and hurtling through the town of Paddi.
Meanwhile the gig had slowly and insensibly approached the bank belowthe stockade, and, thinking to take her easily, the pirates dashed downto the water's edge, where they rushed to and fro, almost deliriouswith excitement, while they discharged their guns at the crew. Suddenlya figure pushed to their front, and Tyler, who had kept a watchful eyeupon them, instantly recognized the Dutchman. So short was the distancewhich separated them that each recognized the other, and at once aweapon flew to the Dutchman's shoulder and he fired, the bullet strikingthe gunwale of the boat close beside Tyler. A moment later CaptainKeppel pressed his trigger, a Malay beside the Dutchman falling fulllength to the ground.
"A bad shot!" he cried in disgust. "Give me your rifle, and I will seewhether I cannot bag the fellow for you, for I recognize him as thenotorious Hans Schlott."
Reaching for Tyler's weapon, he swung it to his shoulder and would havefired had not the Dutchman leapt aside and darted amongst his men.Indeed the knowledge that Tyler was there amongst the attackers seemedsuddenly to have caused him to lose his nerve, for as they stared,hoping to catch a good view of him, they saw his figure pushing throughthe throng of frantic natives, and presently he was at the entrance tothe stockade.
"Halt!" shouted Tyler, standing in his excitement and at once becomingthe target for a hundred rifles. "Hans Schlott, I call upon you to stopand hand yourself over to justice! Move a step forward and I will shootyou like a dog!"
As he spoke he stretched out his hand and took his rifle from CaptainKeppel. Then, raising it to his shoulder, he covered the Dutchman andwaited for his answer. Had he been an older man, and one more full ofwariness, no doubt he would have fired then and there and ended thematter. But Tyler hesitated, and the moment gave Hans Schlott hisliberty. At the sound of Tyler's voice he stopped abruptly and swunground, displaying features which were livid with terror. His lips movedas if he were repeating the order and the warning. Then, as the thoughtof flight occurred to him, he suddenly threw himself upon the ground,and, diving forward, was behind the bamboo barricade before the shotcould reach him. Then, with terror written upon his face and the fearof death in his heart, he leapt to his feet and went scampering awaythrough the town and out into the jungle. As for Tyler, seeing that hehad missed his mark, he rapidly reloaded, determined to capture his manwhen the stockade was taken.
"Ah! here are some of the boats, so we will pull for the bank," shoutedCaptain Keppel a moment later. "Give way, my lads, and do not let it besaid that we were the last to set foot in the enemy's fort."
With a cheer the crew of the gig bent to their oars, and, helped by thetide, soon brought the boat up to the bank. A second earlier one of thecutters had reached the same part, and instantly her commander, a Mr.D'Aeth, led a charge up the slope against the bamboo stockade. Leapinginto the water, Tyler was only a few paces behind him, and, accompaniedby a collection of sailors and marines, dashed at the stockade. Behindthem, racing for the same goal as soon as their boats deposited themupon the bank, came more of the men of the _Dido_, and amongst themDyaks and natives of Borneo. Here and there shots rang out in the air,and shrill cries resounded. Then a sheet of flame suddenly licked roundthe central hut, and almost before it could have been thought possiblePaddi was burning to the ground, while the host of warriors who hadmanned the stockade, and who in their time had wrought such misery, werefleeing for their lives, with a score and more of hungry Dyaks at theirheels, who longed for this opportunity of revenge, and for the headswhich victory might bring.
"And now for the other fellows, and then we will follow up the river,"said Captain Keppel. "You will naturally want to go in pursuit, Mr.Richardson, and therefore you will at once report to Mr. Horton. Ask himto take you in his own boat, and tell him, with my compliments, thathe is to do all that is possible to capture the rogue who led thesepirates. Now, to the gig, my lads, and let us clear the neighbourhood!"
Filled with exultation at the success which had attended their efforts,and at the thought that they had suffered little loss, the sailors andmarines soon sent the remainder of the enemy flying, and then preparedto follow them with a readiness which showed that their hearts werein the matter. Dividing into two parties, one at once set to work todismantle the forts and toss the guns into the river, while the otherboarded the pinnace, and with th
e Rajah for company, and LieutenantHorton in command, ascended the tributary which entered the riverSarebus on the right of the spit of land upon which Paddi had beenbuilt. A short pull, however, disclosed the fact that it was too shallowfor navigation, even with boats drawing so little water. The expeditionreturned, therefore, and, having rested and eaten, pulled for thetributary on the left, the very one along which Tyler and his nativeshad approached the piratical stronghold.
"They will wait for us higher up, and will make a stand there," saidthe Rajah. "If we can come up with them during the day we shall be ableto scatter them, for they are thoroughly upset at our success, and onlywant a little more to persuade them that they are beaten. Then they willcome in and ask for terms. But you will have to be careful, Mr. Horton,for the river is very narrow, and you may be certain that hundredsof eyes are watching us from the jungle. We must never give them anopportunity of rushing us."
Carefully keeping his pinnace in the centre of the stream, thelieutenant placed himself between the Rajah and Tyler, for he knew thatboth had had experience of the pirates, and was anxious to be in reachof advice. Then, with the tars pulling with all their might, and themarines with loaded weapons in readiness for instant action, he steeredhis craft so as to avoid all obstacles. Presently there was the soundof gongs from the jungle, and ere long hundreds of the enemy were to beseen.
"They are in force," said the Rajah, "that is evident, and I fancy thatwe shall have some difficulty in ferreting them out. Listen to thefellows! Why, they make even more noise than before."
That the natives were aroused was very evident, for as the pinnace camewithin sight of the thick jungle which they had selected for defence,the crash of gongs and war-drums became deafening, while shrill cries ofanger and defiance filled the air.
"Just let them see that we can make a noise too," sang out thelieutenant cheerily. "Steady there, my lads! Hang on your oars while weget the gun ranged! You can fire when you are ready, gunner."
"Ay, ay, sir. Grape, or shall I give the varmint a ball?"
"The first, please, and send it well amongst them."
"You can trust me for that, sir. I've waited for this here day for ayear back, and bust me--"
The remainder of his conversation became inaudible as he turned tothe twelve-pounder and began to adjust the sights; but that he was inearnest was clear, for he paid particular attention to the levelling ofthe weapon, taking so much time that those who were looking on couldalmost have struck him, so greatly was their patience tried. But now allwas in readiness, and with a glance at his commander the gunner of thepinnace sent the contents of his weapon splattering into the forest.At once a deafening babel of shouts and shrieks arose, while a hail ofslugs, leaden pellets, and pieces of iron and stone came swishing in thedirection of the pinnace.
"Marines to watch and pick off their men. Pull, my lads, and let us givethem the cold steel," sang out the lieutenant, standing in his place towatch the enemy. "Now, all together, send her ahead."
There was no confusion on the pinnace, thanks to the fact that all hadbeen previously arranged, and to the discipline which existed. In amoment the bows were pointing for the bank, and hardly had the keelgrated, and the twelve-pounder again spoken out, than more than half ofthose aboard sprang ashore. Seizing cutlasses, they waited only to allowtheir officers to take post in advance, when they went pell-mell for theenemy.
"Keep together, lads, and be sure that you do not separate from yourcomrades," shouted the lieutenant, for the jungle was extremely dense,and to have rushed into its midst without any caution would certainlyhave led to death. But the men who composed the expedition were hardenedto warfare and were perfectly steady. By no means lacking the necessarydash, they, for all that, held themselves together, and, without losingtheir heads in the excitement of the moment, obeyed their officers tothe full. Bearing to the left, where a number of the enemy were located,the gallant little band threw itself upon them, cutlasses and revolversmeeting kriss and knife, while overhead flew spears thrown by the Dyaks.
"Charge!" shrieked Lieutenant Horton as they came to close quarters."Beat them back and then prepare to retreat."
Without glancing back at his men, for he knew well enough that he wouldnot be allowed to attack alone, he rushed at the nearest pirate, and,fending a swishing blow aimed at him with a kriss, cut the man downwith his sword. The Rajah was beside him, and he too was confronted bya formidable pirate. But there was no standing against him, for thisRajah was the Englishman whose name was known and feared far and wide,and who had shown that he was as good in the fight as he was in orderingthe affairs of the people of Sarawak. An arm shot from his shoulder,and the fist lit full upon the face of the nearest pirate, while a shotfrom his revolver sent a second sprawling to the ground. A third at oncetook to his heels, an example which his comrades instantly followed.As for Tyler, a busy three minutes was before him. Running beside theRajah and the lieutenant, he had at once become engaged with the enemy,and had shot down a man with his weapon. Then in the background heonce again caught sight of the familiar, bulky figure of the Dutchman,and, instantly forgetting the caution which had been given, he rushedforward, hoping to capture him.
"The murderer!" he shouted at the top of his voice. "After him!"
Forgetful of the danger he would incur, and of the fact that he wasdisobeying an order, he plunged forward and snatched at the collar ofHanns Schlott, while he held a revolver to his ear. A second later hewas hurled aside by a Dyak who happened to be close beside his rascallyleader, and hardly had he reached the earth than his opponent wasstanding over him, about to bury a murderous-looking kriss in his body.
"Fire!" shouted a voice some few yards away, and instantly, as if theorder had been meant for him, Tyler pressed a trigger and brought hisopponent stumbling upon his face.
"And now for Hanns Schlott," he called out, springing to his feet andlooking about him. "Where is he? Surely he has not escaped."
"He has, sure enough," was the reply, in the well-known voice of JohnMarshall. "This kind of thing is too much for a chap like him. But we'dbetter be going, sir, for our chaps are retiring, and we ought never tohave come so far."
That the advice was good was certain, and turning at once the two ranback to the main party, a shower of spears and a few bullets followingthem. Then the order was given to make for the pinnace, and very shortlyall were aboard, staring into the jungle, while the twelve-pounder brokethe silence with its boom.
"Looks as though we were surrounded," said the Rajah, turning his head."Shots are coming from the jungle on either side, and from ahead also.Then I can see numbers of the enemy behind."
"Then we had better see how we are to get out of the muddle," repliedthe lieutenant coolly. "Ah, there's the spot, for us! Over with thetiller there, and head her for that little bay."
He pointed to a portion of the bank where there was a bend, and wherein the course of many years the earth had been washed away till quitea little bay had been formed, with a perpendicular bank. And into thisthe pinnace and the few native boats which also formed part of theexpedition were rowed.
"Marines to remain in the pinnace and keep up a musketry fire," criedthe lieutenant in the calmest tones. "Men of the _Dido_ to climb thebank and take up position there."
In a moment the tars were over the side, wading through the shallowwater, and ere long had scrambled to the level of the jungle.
"A few minutes with their cutlasses would be a good thing, I think," theRajah ventured to suggest. "I know these pirates well, and if you leavethem cover through which to crawl they will be a constant danger andannoyance."
"Quite so, and many thanks, Rajah! I had not thought of that. Now,lads," continued the lieutenant, "all lie down and get your musketsready. Mr. Richardson, take a party of twelve forward, and cut down thereeds and grass within thirty yards."
It seemed quite natural to Tyler to touch his cap and answer "Ay,ay, sir," and then, picking his men haphazard, he went to carry outthe order. When that w
as done, the marines and sailors lay down flatupon the ground, firing now and again, but only when a figure showeditself. And round about them every tree hid an enemy, while the junglewas alive with the voices of the pirates, and the incessant jangle ofgongs and the beat of war-drums. Spears flashed in the sunlight, castby hands which could not be seen, while a shower of darts and arrowshissed through the air and struck the ground within a few inches of thedefenders. And, drowning every other sound, the twelve-pounder every nowand again spoke out, as it sent a charge of grape amidst the pirates.
When darkness came it found Tyler and his friends in sorry plight,surrounded by enemies, and deafened by the clamour which came from everyquarter of the jungle.
With the Dyaks of Borneo: A Tale of the Head Hunters Page 21
