In their present mood, nothing could please them more than the thought of an attack upon their assailants.
All remained quiet, on both sides, until darkness fell; then the crash of falling huts showed that the enemy intended to use fire, and were about to begin the work of making faggots.
"They will attack an hour before daybreak," the rajah said; "or may, perhaps, wait till the sun is up for, in the daylight, those who carried the torches would not be so conspicuous, but would advance in the midst of their whole force." "At what time are they likely to sleep ?" "Many will sleep early," he said, "in readiness for the fight.
Others will sit up and talk, all night; but those who intend to sleep will probably do so, in a couple of hours." "Do you think that they are likely to place guards ?" "No; they will not dream that we should have the boldness to attack them." "Let us give them three hours," Harry said, "the sea wind will be blowing strongly, then." The greater portion of the men who were to remain behind were to be stationed on the side on which the sortie was to be made, so as to cover the retreat of the others, by showers of arrows.

The rajah's principal officer was placed in command here.

His orders were that, if the enemy came on too strongly, he was to issue out with a hundred men, and aid the party to beat back their assailants.
However, Harry did not think it likely that this would be the case.
The Malays would be scattered all over the town--some, perhaps, even beyond the outer palisades--and before they could assemble in force, the party ought to be safe within the palisade again.
Just before ten, the two hundred men who were to make the attack sallied out.

They were led by the rajah, while Harry was to lead the firing party.

He chose this part, because he would not be able to crawl across the open space as noiselessly as the Malays could do.
During the day, a number of hides had been hung on the palisades, so that the enemy should not notice that a gathering of men, with torches, was assembled there; and in order that the light might not be conspicuous at this spot, fires had been lighted at other points, in order to give the impression that the defenders were holding themselves in readiness to repel another attack.