No good kill." Accordingly the guns were fired far over the heads of the assailants, who at once took to the bushes.

After three hours' rowing they entered the river, and continued their course up it until long into the night, for the rowers were as anxious as was Hassan himself to reach their village.

They were numerous enough to furnish relays at the oars, and the stroke never flagged until, an hour before midnight, fires were seen burning ahead, as they turned a bend of the river.

The Malays raised a yell of triumph, which was answered from the village, and in a few minutes the prahu was brought up to the bank.

A crowd, composed mostly of women and children, received them with shouts of welcome and gladness.