Captain Redwood had fired several rounds of his chain-shot up into it, and brought down many of the grand spinous pericarps; but this cost an expenditure of ammunition; and, circumstanced as they were, they saw it would never do to waste it in such whimsical fashion.

Still, for want of food, the fruit must be obtained some way or other, and the question was how to "pluck" it.
In their dilemma the Malay once more came to their aid.

Fortunately for all, Saloo was a native of Sumatra, and had been brought up among its forests, much resembling those of Borneo.

He was skilled in the wood-craft common to both islands; and, perhaps, of all the crew of the castaway ship, not one could have survived whose services would have been of more value to Captain Redwood and his party than those of the brown-skinned pilot;--especially since it had been their fate to be cast upon the shores of Borneo.

His companions had already experienced the benefit to be derived from his knowledge of the country's productions, and were beginning to consult him in almost every difficulty that occurred.