Dr.Horsley said if it had been half an inch more to the left, it would probably have killed him.

Lieutenant Somers of the marines is more badly hurt, a spear having gone through the thigh.

It cut an artery.

Luckily the doctor was close to him at the moment, and clapped on a tourniquet, and then cut down to the artery and tied it.

As he says, 'A delay of two minutes, and it would have been all up with the young fellow.' Are the boats safe, sir ?" "Yes, the boat keepers pushed off a little way when the firing began in the forest, and when they heard the shouts of a large party of the enemy coming along the path, they went out almost into the middle of the creek; and it was well they did, for many of the Malays came down through the path you cut, and would have riddled them with their spears had they been within reach.