I should doubt if there are a hundred
in the town. What there are were, no doubt, captured from trading
vessels the scoundrels have plundered and burned."
A few minutes later the bamboos forming the wall of the six houses
where a bustle had been observed fell outward, the lashings having
been cut by a swarm of Malays, who, as soon as the last fell, ran
back, showing eight brass cannon.
"Beat to quarters, Mr. Ferguson," the Captain Maid quietly, and at
the first tap of the drum the sailors, who had been expecting the
order, ran to their stations. As they gained them the little battery
on shore opened fire. Although the distance was but a hundred yards,
only three of the balls hit the hull, the others passing through
the masts.
"Load with grape," the captain ordered.
"Captain Hugeson," he said to the Marine officer, "will you place
your men on the poop, and tell them to open fire as soon as the
guns send the Malays flying from their battery? I can see that
there are large numbers gathered round it. Mr. Ferguson, will you
see that the guns are all laid on that battery? When they are ready,
fire a broadside that will clear the place out at once."
Two minutes later there was a crash as the whole of the guns on
the starboard side were discharged at the same moment.
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