But, not wholly satisfied, he told two of his men to go nearer the shore, keep their eyes on the boat and report to him anything that looked wrong.
Captain Endicott, from his position, was unable to catch the full significance of the first action of the natives in charge of the outgoing boat, for, instead of taking on board more help, the whole unarmed party stepped ashore and twice as many fully armed warriors took their places.

They carefully concealed their weapons and the Americans on the vessel made the same mistake as their captain in believing they were merely the additions necessary to help work the craft through the surf.
They tied fast to the gangway and most of them climbed over the side with their daggers hidden in their clothing.

The mate would have stopped them, but they pretended not to understand his words and acted as if interested in the appearance of the guns and rigging.

Their conduct was so natural that the mate and his men gave their whole attention to taking the pepper on board and stowing it away.

The mate was absorbed in his work, when suddenly several Malays sprang with lightning-like quickness at him and buried their daggers in his back.