The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-04-03

way through the creek by which they
had assembled.
1T is a most important point, the
captain said. "and. indeed, everything
might depend upon it,
L am sure Mr.. Morrison said,
that they could not go straight down
it. They might cut their way through,
but il would be a work of considerable
time, for with their masts they would
have TO clear away the branches TO a
considerable height. Down near the
water the branches by which we pushed
ourselves along were those of the I'M
dergrowth, with many rattanS and
other creepers varying from the thick
ness of ones thumb TO that of ones
wrist, and these would take a great
deal of chopping before one of their
war boats could be pushed through,
but higher UP they would probably have
much thicker branches TO contend with.
1t may be that they can lower their
masts, but even if they could do so, 1
should think that it would take them
ever an hours work, even with the
number of hands they carry, TO get a
Passage through that bit of thick I'M
dergrowth, 80 or so yards up the mouth
Of the creek. There are two or three
other places, where some chopping
would have to be done, but that would
be comparatively easy work
The mate and Harry both agreed
With the lieutenant.
Practically, then" the captain said,
the Malays have but one mode of
escape, while we have two of attack.
At-any rate, if we send up a boat be-
fOrehand, and fasten tow or three iron
chains from side TO side among the
branches, that passage would be Sc
curely sealed.
Thank you, gentlemen, that is all I
have to ask at present. 1t is a very
difficult nut we have TO crack, Mr.. Fer
guson." the captain said, when he and
the first lieutenant were alone. ITO at
tack six strongly armed prahus with
the boats of this ship would be a SER
Ious enterprise, indeed, and its success
would be very doubtful, While the loss
would certainly be very heavy, espec-
tally as, if any of the boats were sunk,
the crews would have but little chance
in a place swalming with alligatOrs. 1
don't think shall be justified in risk
ing such an enterprise"
'.There is no doubt. sir, the loss
would be very heavy indeed; by all ac-
counts, these Maiays fight like demons
on the decks of their own boats, and,
FOR aught we know, they may, after
nightfall, trice up rattans to prevent
boarders getting on board. have heard
that II is their custom when they ex-
pect an attack, and that these are far
more formidable obstacles than our
boarding nets. OF course l should be
quite ready to lead an attack should
you decide upon making one. but 1 can
not conceal from myself that it would
be a weIl-nigh desperate undertake
ing"
- am glad that you are of that opin-
fon," the captain said. There seems
to me but one course, and that a diff
ficult one, namely, to carry a couple
Of heavy guns through the forest to
the edge OF the pool. 1t would be a
serious undertaking, and we should |
have to send a strong force to defend /
them. but if we could succeed in plant !
ing them in position, we should soon |
drive the Malays out of the pool"
That would be a capital plan, cap !
tain, il il could be managed. ] suppose |
before we attempted it you would take /
possession of this place and capture |
the rajah?"
THAT of course. don't suppose we |
shall capture him. 1 have no doubt /
that we are closely watched night and
day, and that the instant the boats
are lowered and the men get on board,
the rajah will prepare for flight, though
he might possibly make some resist
ance. However, that would be but
trifiing; our guns would cover the land