heads; they had high cheek bones, flat noses, syrah-stained lips, and bloodshot
eyes. In their movements they were as lithe and supple as a tiger, and
commanded our admiration while they made us shudder. We knew that they
neither give nor take quarter, and for years had terrorized the entire Bornean
coast.
We were ready to fire, but a gesture from the captain restrained us; our
ammunition was low, and he wished to save it until we actually needed it. By
our united efforts we pried off two of the volcanic rocks, which, with a great
leap, disappeared into the darkness below, oftentimes appearing for an instant
before rushing to the sea. Every time an Illanum fell we gave a hearty American
cheer, which was answered by savage yells. Still they fought on and up, making
little headway. We were gradually relaxing our efforts, thinking that they were
sick of the affair, when the report of a musket from the opposite side of the
island called our attention to the bo’s’n, who had been detailed to guard the other
defile.
The bo’s’n and one native soldier were fighting hand to hand with a dozen
pirates who were forcing their way up the edge of the cliff. Half of the men
dashed to their relief just in time to see the soldier go over the precipice locked
in the arms of a giant Illanum. One volley from our muskets settled the hopes of
the invaders.
Our little party was divided, and we were outnumbered ten to one. One of the
sailors in dislodging a boulder lost his footing and went crashing down with it
amid the derisive yells of the pirates. Suddenly the conflict ceased and the
pirates withdrew. In a short time we could see them building a number of small
fires along the beach, and the aroma of rice curry came up to us with the breeze.
The captain, I could see, was anxious, although my boyish feelings did not go
beyond a sense of intoxicating excitement. I heard him say that nothing but a
storm or a ship could save us in case we were besieged; that it was better to have
the fight out at once and die with our arms in our hands than to starve to death.
Giving each a small portion of ship biscuit and a taste of water, he enjoined on
each a careful watchfulness and a provident use of our small stock of provisions.
I took mine in my hand and walked out on the edge of the cliff somewhat
sobered. Directly below me were the pirates, and at my feet I noticed a fragment