The ladders were empty. He could hear a good deal of groaning, the footsteps of running men, and some distant shouting.
"Sahib!" yelled Mir Jan, drawn from his retreat by the commotion without.
"Yes," shouted Jenks.
The native, in a voice cracked with excitement, told him something. The sailor asked a few rapid questions to make quite sure that Mir Jan was not mistaken.
Then he threw his arms round Iris, drew her close and whispered—
"My darling, we are saved! A warship has anchored just beyond the south reef, and two boats filled with armed sailors are now pulling ashore."
And she answered proudly—
"The Dyaks could never have conquered us, Robert. We were manifestly under God's protection. Oh, my love, my love, I am so happy and thankful!"
Footnote 5: [(return)]
Equivalent to "Hello, there!"
Footnote 6: [(return)]
Corporal.