"
"That would be a capital plan, Captain, if it could be managed.
I suppose before we attempt it, you will take possession of this
place, and capture the rajah?"
"That of course. I don't suppose we shall capture him. I have no
doubt that we are closely watched night and day, and that the instant
the boats are lowered, and the men get on board, the rajah would
prepare for flight, though he might possibly make some resistance.
However, that would be but trifling; our guns would cover the
landing, and knock the place about his ears; but to penetrate the
jungle would be vastly more difficult an affair. If, as is probable,
he has succeeded in inducing some of his neighbors to join him,
they may have already sent strong contingents, and the forest may
be full of them. In that case it would be quite beyond our power to
rout them out, and I certainly should not be justified in attempting
it. The destruction of his town and the burning of his palace would.
be a serious blow to him, but the destruction of his piratical
fleet would be a very much heavier one. If we can achieve that, we
shall have done good service.
"The first thing to do is to find out whether there is a path either
from this river, or the other branch, to the pool. If so, at dark,
after destroying the town, we will recall all the men on shore,
buoy the anchor and drop it noiselessly, and drift down the river
till we are far enough away to use the engines, then steam down to
the junction of the two streams, and up again to the entrance to
the creek on that side.
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