The bamboos had been removed, ten minutes before the party issued out.
So noiseless was their tread that Harry, though close to the entrance, could not hear it; and when he looked out, as soon as the last man had passed, he could neither see nor hear anything.

The men had all thrown themselves on the ground, as soon as they had passed out, and were crawling forward without a sound being audible.
Harry and Abdool had both armed themselves with a kris and spear.
Behind them were the torch bearers, arranged four abreast.
It seemed an age before the sound of a horn rose in the air.
Instantly they dashed through the opening, followed by the men and, at full speed, crossed the cleared ground.

Already the sound of shouts, violent yells, and the clashing of blades showed that the rajah's men were at work.
Scattering as they reached the houses, the torch bearers ran from hut to hut; pausing for a few seconds, at each, till the flame had gained a fair hold.

In less than a minute, sixty or seventy houses were in flames.

Harry had the man with the horn with him and, as soon as he saw that the work was fairly done, he ordered the signal to be blown.