The factory, built of stone, and all the other houses, were on fire, and the island was lighted up for miles.  The smoke had cleared away, and the defences of the fort were now plainly visible in the broad glare of the flames.  “If we had scaling-ladders,” cried Philip, “the fort would be ours; there is not a soul on the ramparts.”  “True, true,” replied Krantz, “but even as it is, the factory walls will prove an advantageous post for us after the fire is extinguished; if we occupy it we can prevent them showing themselves while the ladders are constructing.  To-morrow night we may have them ready, and having first smoked the fort with a few more fagots, we may afterwards mount the walls, and carry the place.”

“That will do,” replied Philip as he walked away.  He then joined the native chiefs, who were collected together outside of the entrenchment, and communicated to them his plans.  When he had made known his views, and the chiefs had assented to them, Schriften, who had come with the expedition unknown to Philip, made his appearance.

“That won’t do; you’ll never take that fort, Philip Vanderdecken.  He! he!” cried Schriften.

Hardly had he said the words, when a tremendous explosion took place, and the air was filled with large stones, which flew and fell in every direction, killing and maiming hundreds.  It was the factory which had blown up, for in its vaults there was a large quantity of gunpowder, to which the fire had communicated.

“So ends that scheme, Mynheer Vanderdecken.  He! he!” screamed Schriften; “you’ll never take that fort.”

The loss of life and the confusion caused by this unexpected result, occasioned a panic, and all the Ternate people fled down to the beach where their peroquas were lying.

It was in vain that Philip and their chiefs attempted to rally them.  Unaccustomed to the terrible effects of gunpowder in any large quantities, they believed that something supernatural had occurred, and many of them jumped into the peroquas and made sail, while the remainder were confused, trembling, and panting, all huddled together, on the beach.

“You’ll never take that fort, Mynheer Vanderdecken,” screamed the well-known voice.

Philip raised his sword to cleave the little man in two, but he let it fall again.  “I fear he tells an unwelcome truth,” thought Philip; “but why should I take his life for that?”

Some few of the Ternate chiefs still kept up their courage, but the major part were as much alarmed as their people.  After some consultation, it was agreed that the army should remain where it was till the next morning, when they should finally decide what to do.