Never mind; if we had they would have been able to see in." Mark about this time walked to where Mr Gregory was leaning against the bulkhead with the muzzle of his gun bearing upon the spot a man must reach to cut the painter.
"Want any more cartridges, Mr Gregory ?" said Mark.
For answer the mate bent down, glanced along the barrel of his gun and fired.
Mark darted forward and caught sight of a hideously-distorted face and a pair of raised hands before they disappeared beneath the surface, and just at that moment he darted back, barely in time to avoid a spear which stuck quivering in the woodwork round the window.
"Not a very safe place.

Squire Mark," said the mate, reloading without taking his eyes from the boat, and firing again as a dark head literally flashed into sight, one of the Malays having dived and so arranged his plunge that he should form a curve in the water and rise close to the boat's stern.
"I wish they would get tired of this," said Gregory, again reloading, and speaking through his teeth.

"If they put no value on human life I do." The ill success of the venture to cut the boat adrift seemed to have maddened the Malays, for after a burst of angry talking there was a loud yell, a pattering of naked feet on the deck, and the next minute a furious attack was being made upon the cabin entrance, blows were delivered with axes, and it soon became evident that a way would be made through.
"Ah! what are you going to do ?" roared the major, as he saw a man about to fire.

"Don't waste your shot, man.

Stand back till you can see the whites of your enemy's eyes, and then let him have it." There was a thrill running through the men, and click, click, of lock after lock.
"That's it," said the major, "cool as cucumbers.