No Dyak would reach her whilst he lived.

If he fell, there was another use for one of those cartridges.
The sailor had cleared the main floor of the rock and was placing his four rifles and other implements within easy reach when a hiss came from beneath.
"Mir Jan!" exclaimed Iris.
"What now ?" demanded Jenks over the side.
"Sahib, they come!" "I am prepared.

Let that snake get back to his hole in the rock, lest a mongoose seize him by the head." Mir Jan, engaged in a scouting expedition on his own account, understood that the officer-sahib's orders must be obeyed.

He vanished.
Soon they heard a great crackling among the bushes on the right, but Jenks knew even before he looked that the Dyaks had correctly estimated the extent of his fire zone and would keep out of it.
The first physical intimation of the enemy's design they received was a pungent but pleasant smell of burning pine, borne to them by the northerly breeze and filling the air with its aroma.

The Dyaks kindled a huge fire.