"Yes, my dear sir, I am thinking about those poor women in the cabin.

Ah, would you!" He drew trigger again, and another man who had been about to fire the lelah sprang up and dropped the match.
There was a yell, and a fresh man picked up the piece of burning match from the deck, shouted, and giving the fire a wave in the air, he was in the act of bringing it down upon the touch-hole, when the major, who had not stirred to reload, drew trigger once again, the rifle cracked, and the Malay dropped upon his face.
There was a fierce yell at this, and in the midst of tremendous confusion on board, the prau continued her course, the sweeps being worked rapidly by the crew, who were evidently in frantic haste to get out of the deadly line of fire.
"Ah!" said the major, coolly reloading, "now I could pick off the steersman, or that chap with the red handkerchief; but it would do no real good.

We've scared them off, and that's good work." "Splendid, major.

Why, that rifle is a little treasure." "Well, yes," said the major, patting it; "but it was meant for tiger and leopard, Gregory, not to kill men." "You may make yourself easy," said the first-mate quietly; "these are savage beasts more than men.

It is life for life." "Ah! that's comforting, Gregory, and I take it as kindly of you, for I'm not fond of this sort of work, though I say I am.