Billy Widgeon's ear was cut through, and he had a slight prick in his right arm, while one of the other men had a spear stab in the left leg.
The withdrawal of the Malays from the attack enabled the injured to go into hospital as the major termed it, and each wound was carefully bandaged by the major's wife or by Mrs Strong.
"They're about beaten, I should say," said the major, cheerily.

"By the way, Strong, a little bleeding is very refreshing.

I feel like a new man." "So do I," said the captain grimly.
"Here, quick, look out!" cried Mark at that instant, for, wincing from seeing the dressing of his father's wound, he had unscrewed one of the little side-lights and was looking over the calm sunlit sea, when he caught sight of a prau gliding along from the _Petrel's_ bows, and it was evident that she was coming to attack simultaneously from the stern.
"Hah! that's it, is it!" said the major.

"Hitting back and front too! Confound that fellow! how badly he steers the boat!" As he said these words he clapped his gun to his shoulder and fired.
The steersman fell, but it had no permanent effect, save to draw a little shower of spears at the window opening, one of which passed through and stuck quivering in the bulkhead.

Then another man took the steerer's place, and the prau glided by evidently to take her station astern.
"We shall lose the boat, major," said the captain bitterly.
"Shall we!" replied the major.