It was getting dark. Blakeney peered into the gloom of the jungle and patted the hilt of his sword nervously. Howard the Marine came up behind him and whispered, "We're in position, sir. Orders?"

Blakeney jumped, surprised, and murmured, "Flank the lead group on the starbo-er, I mean, the right. Don't shoot until you're told to by myself or the Doctor. Stay as quiet as you can."

Howard saluted hastily and tip-toed back into the darkness. They were on the edge of the cannibal camp, so silence was essential. The tribe's cook fires (on which was cooking some meat that Blakeney desperately hoped was not human) were burning low, and they had no guards posted. It seemed easy enough.

Blakeney looked over his command, which consisted of Stephen, Killick, and ten other members of the crew, and signaled for them to advance. Crouched low, they silently moved forward stealthily. Blakeney could hear the soft footfalls of the other groups, one of which was the Marines, and the other was the rest of the crew.

They poured through the village, searching for any sign of their captain or Mr. Pullings. Stephen nearly leapt out of his skin when someone loudly whispered his name. "Doctor Maturin, sir! Over here!"

The young midshipman, Mr. Parker, and four other crewmen, cowered in a small, makeshift cage between two huts. Stephen broke off from the rest of the group and knelt by the cage. He pulled out a small dirk and began sawing feverishly at the tough vine that held the door shut while Mr. Parker (very quietly) wept with relief, sobbing out his story.

"Oh, thank you for coming, sir, they were going to eat us if Mr. Mowett escaped, and then there was some talk of the captain being here, and Joe here-" he motioned to a man who was assisting Stephen in loosening the vine"-tried to get out an' got beaten for it, and-"

Stephen shushed him and growled under his breath, "Yes, that's all very well, Mr. Parker, but where's Mr. Mowett and the captain? Is Mr. Pullings here too?"

Mr. Parker said, "Mr. Mowett is on the other side of camp, I think, and I only heard a rumor that the captain...." His voice broke off and he paled, staring at something behind Stephen, who spun around-and grunted with pain as a spear took him through the shoulder.

Karrak, the fearsome leader of the cannibals, stood there. He was painted for war, with red stripes running down his torso. He held a bundle of small spears and was aiming another at Stephen, who rolled away and, figuring the game was up, roared, "Marines, fire!"

Howard heard the cry and twisted around from where he had been searching. He quickly spotted Karrak standing over Stephen and shot hastily, nicking Karrak's arm. The cannibal howled, alerting his tribe, who crawled out of their huts wielding spears, bow and arrows, and, most alarmingly, swords and muskets, which, judging by the fact that bullets were flying accurately at the Marines, they knew how to use.

Blakeney, seeing this, swore angrily and called, "Fire at will, men!" The Surprise's crew shot enthusiastically at the cannibals, who charged regardless of this. Everyone drew their blades and engaged in combat with the tribe of cannibals. Blakeney stood over Stephen, who was bleeding profusely from the spear wound in his shoulder, and fought off all comers, a red glint in his eye.

One very stupid cannibal came up grinning. He knew a bit of English and said, "Soon you lose other arm too!"

Blakeney killed him with a savage thrust of his sword, roaring, "You think so, eh? Try me, then!"

Stephen watched the young man above him defend himself and his comrade. He realized with annoyance that he was about to become unconscious from blood loss, but his last thought before darkness took him was, "That boy is officer material, I'd say...."

hmm, they're all stupid, aren't they?