The operation began just as the Malays made one of their retreats,
and by the time they returned, the guns were placed in their new
position, their muzzles peeping out from among the sandbags, while
the embrasures on the water face had been closed by bags taken from
the upper line. The effect of the fire at such close quarters was
to drive the Malays flying into the forest. Shortly afterwards the
sound of chopping was heard.
"The beggars are trying to cut a path through the jungle to our
rear, Dick," Harry Parkhurst said.
"Obstinate brutes! But I don't think much of that, Harry: they
will get on well enough until they arrive within twenty or thirty
yards of us, when we can pepper them so hotly that they will soon
get sick of it."
At this moment there was the report of a heavy gun, and a shell
crashed through the forest fifty yards in the rear of the fort.
Loud yells of rage and alarm rose from the Malays, while a hearty
cheer broke from the defenders of the fort. Closely following, came
the sound of another gun, and then a rain of grape, some of which
whistled over the fort.
"Keep yourselves well down behind the sandbags, men," Lieutenant
Ferguson shouted; "the captain knows that we have shelter, and will
sweep the Malays out of the forest round us.
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