Another volley came from the sands.  A bullet ploughed through his hair, and sent his sou’wester flying.  Again the besiegers swarmed to the attack.  One way or the other, they must succeed.  A man and a woman—­even such a man and such a woman—­could not keep at bay an infuriated horde of fifty savages fighting at close quarters and under these grievous conditions.

Jenks knew what would happen.  He would be shot in the head or breast whilst repelling the scaling party.  And Iris!  Dear heart!  She was thinking of him.

“Keep back!  They can never gain the ledge!” she shrieked.

And then, above the din of the fusillade, the yells of the assailants and the bawling of the wounded, there came through the air a screaming, tearing, ripping sound which drowned all others.  It traveled with incredible speed, and before the sailor could believe his ears—­for he well knew what it meant—­a shrapnel shell burst in front of the ledge and drenched the valley with flying lead.

Jenks was just able to drag Iris flat against the rock ere the time fuse operated and the bullets flew.  He could form no theory, hazard no conjecture.  All he knew was that a 12-pounder shell had flown towards them through space, scattering red ruin among the amazed scoundrels beneath.  Instantly he rose again, lest perchance any of the Dyaks should have gained a foothold on the ledge.

The ladders were empty.  He could hear a good deal of groaning, the footsteps of running men, and some distant shouting.

“Sahib!” yelled Mir Jan, drawn from his retreat by the commotion without.

“Yes,” shouted Jenks.

The native, in a voice cracked with excitement, told him something.  The sailor asked a few rapid questions to make quite sure that Mir Jan was not mistaken.

Then he threw his arms round Iris, drew her close and whispered—­

“My darling, we are saved!  A warship has anchored just beyond the south reef, and two boats filled with armed sailors are now pulling ashore.”

And she answered proudly—­

“The Dyaks could never have conquered us, Robert.  We were manifestly under God’s protection.  Oh, my love, my love, I am so happy and thankful!”

CHAPTER XV

THE DIFFICULTY OF PLEASING EVERYBODY

The drifting smoke was still so dense that not even the floor of the valley could be discerned.  Jenks dared not leave Iris at such a moment.  He feared to bring her down the ladder lest another shell might be fired.  But something must be done to end their suspense.

He called to Mir Jan—­

“Take off your turban and hold it above your head, if you think they can see you from the warship.”

“It is all right, sahib,” came the cheering answer.  “One boat is close inshore.  I think, from the uniforms, they are English sahibs, such as I have seen at Garden Reach.  The Dyaks have all gone.”