During the next half-hour, while they were keeping the enemy at bay, they became aware of the fact that an engagement was going on between the steamer and some enemy unseen by them, though they immediately set it down as being with boats. The return signal had been seen, and there was no little comfort in the knowledge that the occupants of the steamer were at hand to co-operate with and help them, though they little thought of how soon the vessel would be rendered almost helpless. With the daylight, which was most gladly welcomed, came the news that the corvette was ashore; and on Captain Smithers turning round to speak to Ensign Long, he found that young gentleman slapping his legs, bending down with laughter, and altogether behaving in an exceedingly indecorous manner for an officer and a gentleman. "Why, Long!" exclaimed Captain Smithers, "what does this mean?" Tom Long flushed up as red as a turkey-cock, and looked at his superior officer in the most shame-faced way. "I--I--I--" he began. "Why, I believe you were delighted to hear that the steamer was aground." "Well, no, sir; not that the steamer is aground," said Tom. "I--I--was not sorry, though, that Roberts had made a mess of it. He is so bounceable, sir." "I'm ashamed of you, Long!" said Captain Smithers severely. "This is no time for silly, boyish spite. Take ten men, and make your way down to within hailing distance of the vessel, and ask what they mean to do-- hold the corvette, or come and take their chance with us? At once, sir, and act like a man." Tom Long saluted, and getting Sergeant Lund and nine men, made his way out of the little sally-port, and led them along at the double, beneath the shelter of the fire from the fort, till they were opposite the dense grove of trees which lay between them and the steamer. It was an awkward and a dangerous task, for not only was the piece of forest growth swarming with enemies, but from time to time a shot or two from the marines on board the vessel came whistling through the trees. But Tom Long was smarting from his rebuke. He wanted to act like a man, and at heart he knew he had been behaving like a boy of a very petty disposition, so, with Captain Smithers' words yet ringing in his ears, he formed up his men, gave the word, and in skirmishing order they dashed through the trees, sending the Malays, after they had thrown a few spears, helter-skelter to right and left, save a few who were driven out in sight of the men on board the steamer, when a few shots sent them off into cover. "Phew!" ejaculated Sergeant Lund, taking off his cap to wipe his wet forehead, and gazing admiringly at the ensign. "That's warm work, sir." And then he glanced at the men, who were delighted with what they called the ensign's pluck. "Warm? yes, sergeant. Quick! some of you fire at those niggers; they are coming back."