Then a few of the men advanced, with the evident intention of examining the defences.
They were allowed to approach within ten yards of the ditch, when a shower of arrows flew from the openings in the palisade; and two, only, of the Malays fled back to their companions.

The fall of the others provoked wild yells of anger.

A horn sounded, and the assailants rushed upon them from all sides.

When within a few yards of the ditch they hurled their spears, and shot a cloud of arrows.
A large proportion were stopped by the bamboos, but such as passed through flew harmlessly over the heads of the defenders; who replied with a far more deadly shower of arrows.
Leaping over those who had fallen, the enemy dashed forward.

Those in front endeavoured to check their course, on arriving at the edge of the ditch; but they were forced in by the pressure of those behind, and the long spears of the defenders gleamed out through the openings of the bamboos, inflicting terrible damage.
In vain the assailants endeavoured to climb out of the ditch.