The captain threw off some of his clothes, stowed his powder-flask and some bullets in the crown of his hat, which he fastened firmly on his head.

He retained a knife--intended in case of necessity--to be carried between his teeth, giving his gun to Saloo.
The Malay, having less undressing to do, had already completed the arrangements.

On the top of his turban, safely secured by a knotting of his long black hair, he had fastened his bamboo quiver of poisoned arrows; while his kris--with which a Malay under no circumstances thinks of parting--lay along his thigh, kept in position by the waist-strap used in suspending his _sarong_.

With his sumpitan and the captain's gun in his left hand, he was ready to take to the water.

Not another moment was lost; the voices of the ourangs seemed to be calling them; and plunging through the shallow, they were soon out in deep water, and striking steadily but rapidly, silently but surely, towards the centre of the lagoon.
Henry and Murtagh remained on the shore looking after them.