It was like the turning of a handle. There was no confusion; the whole machine was ready for action; guns loaded, and marines and sailors armed ready for any contingency that might befall the steamer. Directly after, Ali came hurrying from the cabin, and made his way to where the middy was eagerly looking for his next order. "Give me arms," he said; "I have lost my kris." "And a good thing, too," said Bob sharply; "a murderous skewer! May I give him a sword, sir?" "Yes, and a revolver, if he means to fight on our side," said Lieutenant Johnson sharply; and Bob hurriedly ordered the armourer to take the young Malay and supply what was needed. "They are making no signals at the island, Roberts," continued the lieutenant, "and I don't know what to do. I would man a boat and send on--" "Under me, sir?" said Bob slowly. "Of course, Mr Roberts; but we are so short-handed, I don't know what to do for the best. Ah! here is your friend. Now, sir; tell us in a few words what this all means." Ali rapidly told him of his belief, and the lieutenant frowned. "Certainly there is confirmation of what you say, sir," he said sternly, "but the story sounds wild and strange." He gazed suspiciously at the young chief; but Ali did not blench in the slightest degree. Just then the firing seemed to become furious on the island, and the lieutenant stamped his foot impatiently. "How long is this steam going to be?" he cried. "How I hate being tied by the leg like this, Roberts." "It's horrible, sir!" cried Roberts, who was stamping up and down the deck, when he was not trying to make out what was going on upon the island, by means of a small glass. "Let's do something, sir, or the people there will think we are not going to help them." "What can we do, lieutenant," said the other, "except send a boat?" "Let's fire a big gun, captain," said Bob; "that'll let 'em know we are all alive; and then send the boat. I'll be very careful, sir." The lieutenant hesitated as he watched the island through his glass, and could see the flashes of the pieces as they were fired. In a short time steam would be up, and the vessel could pass right round the island and engage the prahus, if there were any attacking. Besides, he was very loth to reduce his already short ship's company. "If it were not already so confoundedly dark," he exclaimed, "we could see what to do. Ah! at last, there goes the signal." For just then there was a rushing noise, and a rocket went up from the island, far into the blackness of the night, burst, and the bright blue stars fell slowly, lighting up the palms and fruit-trees upon the island. "Ready there with a rocket," exclaimed the lieutenant. "Be smart, Mr Roberts." "Ay, ay, sir," was the reply; and, with a mighty rush, away on high sped the answering signal, to burst and fill the air above them with lambent light. "That is better than your big gun, Roberts," said the lieutenant.