The second officer was this time placed in command of the boats, he himself going in the launch, the third officer took the first cutter, the two midshipmen the second.

No time was lost in making preparations, for it was desirable to capture the prahu before she was aware that the Serpent had left her position in the other river.

For a mile the boats rowed up the creek, which narrowed until they were obliged to go in single file.

It widened suddenly, and as the launch dashed through, a shower of balls tore up the water round her; while at the same moment a great tree fell across the creek, completely barring their retreat, and narrowly shaving the stern of the midshipmen's boat, which was the last in the line.

Fortunately the launch had escaped serious injury, and with a shout of "Treachery," Lieutenant Hopkins drew his pistol to put a ball through the head of their guide, but as he did so, the man sprang overboard and dived towards the shore.
"Row, men; we have all our work cut out for us.