Then there was a few minutes’ pause, which the defending party did not understand.
“I see,” said Mr Gregory, at last; “they’re getting the lelah in a better place, so as to have another shot at us before the men charge.”
The first-mate was right, for all at once there was a loud roar, and a charge of stones, it seemed, came hurtling over their heads, and flew up, to break down twigs and huge leaves from the trees, while, as the smoke rose, the Malays leaped overboard on either side, yelling excitedly, splashing in the water, and then began to wade ashore.
“Eighty yards is a long shot,” said the major just then, “but I may as well give them a taste of our quality.”
“No; wait a few moments,” said Gregory, for the men were collecting in a cluster, and directly after began to rush up the sands toward the opening, yelling furiously and shaking their spears, ready to hurl. “Now,” said the mate.
By this time the Malays were little over fifty yards away, and taking careful aim low down the major drew both triggers so quickly, one after the other, that the report was almost simultaneous.
The smoke as it cleared away unveiled a strange scene of men running here and there evidently in pain, others were spluttering about and leaping in the water, others were returning hurriedly toward the prau, while about a dozen still came on yelling with rage and brandishing their spears.
“Now,” said the major, “fire steadily—gunners only. Pistols quiet.”
Two shots followed, then two more, and the effect was an instantaneous retreat. One man dropped, but he sprang to his feet again and followed his companions, the whole party regaining the prau and climbing aboard, while the firing was resumed from the lelah.
“Now I call that pleasant practice, gentlemen,” said the major. “Plenty of wounded, and no one killed. It has done some good work besides, for it has let the captain know we are all right, and ready to help. By Saint George—and it’s being a bad Irishman to take such an oath—see that!”