Here and there branches joined it, but the
boats were evidently following the main channel. After another half
hour's rowing the first lieutenant suddenly gave the order "Easy
all," and the men, looking over their shoulders, saw a village
a quarter of a mile ahead, with the two junks they had chased the
night before lying in front of it. Almost at the same moment a
sudden uproar was heard--drums were beaten and gongs sounded.
"They are on the lookout for us," the first lieutenant said. "Mr.
Mason, do you keep with me and attack the junk highest up the
river; Mr. Bellew and Mr. Fothergill, do you take the one lower
down. Row on, men." The oars all touched the water together and
the four boats leaped forward. In a minute a scattering fire of
gingals and matchlocks was opened from the junks and the bullets
pattered on the water round the boats. Percy was kneeling up in
the bow now. As they passed a branch channel three or four hundred
yards from the village, he started and leaped to his feet.
"There are four or five junks in that passage, Fothergill; they
are poling out."
The first lieutenant heard the words.
"Row on, men; let us finish with these craft ahead before the others
get out. This must be that piratical village we have heard about,
Mr.
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