CHAPTER FOURTEEN.
HOW THE MAJOR SHOWED HIMSELF TO BE A MAN O' WAR.
Poor Bruff had to be contented with a pat on the head, and then creep after his master back through the bushes to where the major was doing his best to bring his military knowledge to bear.
"It's a hard job," he said, "but it must be done.

As they come nearer they'll keep on firing at that boat, and in it lie all our hopes.

Mr Gregory, that boat must be got through those bushes and hidden." "All hands," said the mate, in answer; and setting the example, he helped to drag the boat round, so that her bows pointed at the narrow opening in the bushes up to which she was run, and then, with the prau continuing her fire, the gig was with great labour forced through to the open ground beyond, and placed behind some rocks in the river-bed.
The next task was to help Morgan through, and Small and Billy Widgeon went to where he was lying on the sand, with Bruff beside him, sharing the wounded couch.
"No, my lads, I can walk," said the second-mate.

"Sorry I am so helpless." "Not more sorry than we, sir," said Billy Widgeon respectfully.

"I wish we'd brought Jacko with us instead of the dog." "Why ?" asked Morgan, as he walked slowly and painfully toward the opening.
"Might have climbed a tree, sir, and got us a cocoa-nut." "I'll be content with some water, my lad," said Morgan; and then he turned so faint that he gladly took Mark's arm as he came up to help Bruff, who was limping along in a very pitiful way.
"There," said the major, as soon as all were through the gap; "now, I think if we bend down, and lace together some of these boughs across, we shall have a natural palisade which we are going to defend.