Ned judged that no great reliance could be placed upon this army of scarecrows, in the event of an attack of a serious character.
"My men would scarcely show to advantage at home," the governor said, noting the glance of surprise with which the boys had viewed them.

"But in a country like this, with such great heat and no real occasion for more than appearances, it is hopeless to expect them to keep up the smartness which would, at home, be necessary.

The natives are very docile and quiet, and give us no trouble whatever; and were it not for interference from Ternate, where the people are of a much more warlike nature, the guard which I have would be ample for any purposes.

I am expecting a vessel which calls here about once in six months, very shortly, and anticipate that she will bring me some twenty more soldiers, for whom I wrote to the viceroy at Goa when she last called here." "What is your latest news from Ternate ?" Ned asked.
"I have no direct news," he said.

"What we know we gather from the natives, who, by means of canoes and fishing boats, are often in communication with those of the opposite island.