There are a good many of our poor fellows just at the present moment who do not see anything funny in the affair at all.
Here we are; clamber up." The crew soon set to work under Fothergill's orders.

The sails were cut off the masts and thrown down into the hold; bamboos, of which there were an abundance down there, were heaped over them, a barrel of oil was poured over the mass, and the fire then applied.
"That will do, lads.

Now take to your boats and let's make a bonfire of the other junk." In ten minutes both vessels were a sheet of flame, and the boat was lying a short distance from them waiting for further operations.

The inhabitants of the village, furious at the failure of the plan which had been laid for the destruction of the "white devils," kept up a constant fusillade, which, however, did no harm, for the gig was completely sheltered by the burning junks close to her from their missiles.
"There go the others!" Percy exclaimed after a minute or two, as three columns of smoke arose simultaneously from the other junks, and the sailors were seen dropping into their boats alongside.
The killed and wounded were placed in the other gig with four sailors in charge.

They were directed to keep under shelter of the junks until rejoined by the pinnace and Fothergill's gig, after these had done their work on shore.
When all was ready the first lieutenant raised his hand as a signal, and the two boats dashed between the burning junks and rowed for the shore.
Such of the natives as had their weapons charged fired a hasty volley, and then, as the sailors leapt from their boats, took to their heels.
"Mr.Fothergill, take your party into the village and set fire to the houses; shoot down every man you see.