The Parang river looked like a belt of damasked silver studded with
diamonds the next morning, while the waving feathery palms were of the
brightest green. Mingled with these, on the shore farthest from the
town, were the dadap trees, whose ripe scarlet blossoms stood out in
rich relief as they gave colour to a landscape already dotted with the
blooms of the chumpaka, both yellow and white, shedding a sweet scent
that Doctor Bolter said was like Cape jasmin, but which Bob Roberts
declared to resemble tea made with lavender water.
The "Startler," with her deck as white as hands could make it, lay
looking smart and bright in her moorings below the island, her yards
perfectly square, her sides glistening with fresh paint, her brass
rails, bell, and guns flashing back the sun's rays, and the awnings
spread over the deck almost as white as snow.
Here and there the Jacks, in their duck frocks and straws, were paddling
about barefooted in the sunshine, giving the last touches to the rails
and glass of the skylights.
On the island the resident's house and the barrack fort looked more like
some ornamented set of buildings for summer pleasure, than a couple of
places designed as a stronghold and retreat in case of danger. For the
ditch and the earthwork were now carpetted with verdant growth, while
the abattis, having been made of green wood, was putting forth fresh
shoots.
Both the resident and Major Sandars had been desirous of retaining all
the shade possible, for the protection of the men; therefore, save where
they were likely to afford harbour to the enemy, trees and bushes had
been spared. The men too, having plenty of time at disposal, had been
encouraged to take to gardening, and with Doctor Bolter for head
instructor, the place had been made to present the appearance of a
nursery ground, where one bed rivalled another in the perfection of its
growing vegetables. Neat, well-kept walks led up to the fort and the
resident's house, which daily grew brighter and more picturesque, with
its ornamented reed-woven walls, and carefully thatched roof of attap.
The broad verandah, with its punkahs, was made gay with beautiful
creepers, climbing the pillars of palm and bamboo, and festooning the
edges, some of these being jasmines of great size and beauty; while
rough rotan baskets hung at intervals, full of moss and dead wood, on
which flourished the wonderful orchids and pitcher-plants that were the
delight of the ladies of the residency.
By the help of Doctor Bolter and Adam Gray, a large cask had been cut in
half, and decorated on the outsides and edges with rough bark, in whose
interstices were planted orchids, and the pretty maiden-hair fern; while
upon these being both mounted upon a short rough stump, they formed a
couple of rustic vases of huge size, standing just inside the broad
verandah, on either side of the entrance door, and looked, when filled
with water, and supplied with aquatic plants, no slight additions to the
beauty of the place.
Upon one of his excursions with net and can, Doctor Bolter had succeeded
in capturing several of the beautiful little chaetadons, or
shooting-fish; tiny little broad fellows, beautifully banded, whose
peculiarity was the adroitness with which they would lie in wait for any
unfortunate fly that settled on the edge of an aquatic leaf, and then
fire--or rather, water--off at it a tiny globule, with such unerring
aim, that the insect was generally brought down into the water and
swallowed. Three or four would sometimes sail round one after the other
shooting at a fly in turn till it was knocked off, when a rush took
place for the dainty prize.
But the river and the little jungle streams abounded with miniature fish
of great beauty, their peculiarity being the way in which they were
coloured, some being of a most gorgeous scarlet, with broad bands of
vivid blue across their sides.
All on board the "Startler" was the perfection of neatness, and from a
friendly rivalry the residency and fort were as smart and neat; perhaps
never did they look to greater perfection than on the day after the
adventure of Bob Roberts and Tom Long.
The morning drill was over, and the sun was growing intensely hot, when
there was heard the sound of a gong in the distance, and one of the
sentries announced the coming of a boat.
As it drew near it was seen to be one belonging to the sultan, with a
couple of his principal officers therein.
They landed, each in his gay silken sarong, in whose folds the handle of
the kris was carefully wrapped, to indicate that they were bound on a
friendly mission, and leaving their men at the bamboo landing-stage
fitted up by the sailors, they made their way to the residency.
No sooner had the news been given to Mr Linton of the approach of the
sultan's boat than a signal was hoisted, whose effect was that the
captain's gig was lowered down, and he arrived at the stage directly
after, joining Major Sandars who had been fetched by an orderly, both
officers being in full uniform.
"I say, Tom," said Bob Roberts to his companion, who had come across to
the ship a short time before, "if I were you I'd go back and fig myself.
I shall put on my best duds, for you see if we ar'n't sent for to meet
those two coffee-coloured swells."
Tom Long, who was rather low-spirited about the matter, took the middy's
advice, and went back to the island, where the visitors had already been
ushered into the resident's reception room, the captain and major
dropping in directly after as if by accident.
It was the most friendly of visits. The two officers were the
tumongong, or chief magistrate, and the muntri, or chief adviser, of the
sultan; and nothing could have been more amiable than their demeanour as
they conversed with Mr Linton, who from time to time interpreted to the
two British officers.
Was there anything the sultan could do in the way of providing better
supplies of rice, fruit, and meat? A great fish expedition was about to
be set afoot, and more would be brought down the river and kept in
floating tanks. If the resident would only speak, everything possible
should be done.
Nothing was required, so thanks were returned; when the tumongong smiled
most agreeably, and said that he must now come to the chief object of
his visit. The fact was, the sultan had decided to have a great
tiger-hunt. Much mischief had of late been done by tigers. Several
poor fellows, especially Chinamen, had been carried off from the
rice-fields, and the sultan had decided to get together all his
elephants, with a large number of beaters, and have a great hunt. Would
the British officers bring their rifles and help? Elephants should be
placed at their disposal, the largest the country produced, and every
thing done to make the hunt a success.
"Then it's a mare's nest after all, Sandars," said Captain Horton.
"They're not going to take any notice of those boys' tricks. What do
you say; shall we go?"
"I should enjoy it immensely," said the major. "I long for a shot at a
tiger."
"Wait a little, gentlemen," said the resident, smiling; "the interview
is not at an end. What shall I reply about the hunting-party?"
"Oh, we shall be delighted to go. You'll go too?" said Captain Horton,
answering for both.
"If matters are pleasantly settled," said Mr Linton. Then turning to
the two Malay officers, whose dark restless eyes had been scanning the
faces in turn, he said that they would be most happy to accept the
sultan's invitation.
The officers were delighted, and declared that the sultan's joy would
know no bounds.
They had previously declined all refreshments, but now that their
business was at an end they accepted cigars, and laughed and chatted,
evidently enjoying the visit immensely, and accepting a proposal to walk
round the grounds, with alacrity.
As they went into the verandah, the resident found a couple of the
sultan's men waiting, with a present of the choicest fruit the country
produced; huge durians, and fine mangosteens, with the most select kinds
of plantain, known for the delicacy of their flavour.
The visitors took an almost childish delight in the fish in the two
fonts, and smiled with pleasure at the sight of the large selection of
flowers; but a keen observer would have noticed that as they walked
round the fort and earth-works, the muntri eagerly scanned every
preparation for defence, though apparently more attracted by the
uniforms of the sentries than anything else.
As they were crossing the little parade ground, with its well-trampled
soil, on their way back to their boat, Tom Long was encountered, on his
way to the mess-room.
He started, on coming upon the little party so suddenly, but saluted and
went on.
Oddly enough that brought to the muntri's memory a little affair that
had happened on the previous day. Two young officers of the ship had
been ashore shooting birds, and they found a party of the country people
behaving rather ill to a couple of slave girls, and naturally enough,
like all young men would, they took the girls under their protection,
and brought them to the residency. Was it not so?
"Yes," the resident replied; "and they are now with the ladies."
That was so good and kind, and so like the English, who were a great and
generous nation. The sultan had been terribly annoyed at his people
behaving so ill to the poor girls, the muntri continued, and they had
been punished, which was quite right--was it not?
The resident perfectly agreed with the muntri, who smiled content, while
the tumongong looked hurt and sad.
He was so glad that Rajah Linton was satisfied at what the sultan had
done, and the sultan would be greatly happy at his acts meeting such
approval from the chief of the great queen. So that was settled. He
thanked the resident more than he could tell, and he would give him no
more trouble about the two poor girls, but take them back in the boat.
This was very cleverly done, but the sultan's officers had to deal with
an equally clever man, one who was well versed in oriental wiles and
diplomacy. Mr Linton was in no wise taken aback, since he had been
waiting for this, and therefore was quite prepared to reply firmly that
such a proceeding was impossible. The two girls had been brought
beneath the British flag, and hence were slaves no longer. He could not
therefore give them up.
Of course the resident meant that he could not send them back then, the
muntri observed, smiling. Perhaps the poor girls were ill with their
fright, and the rajah resident would send them back when they were
better.
The resident assured his visitors that such a course was impossible, for
according to the British laws the girls were now free, and could not be
forced to go back.
The two officers did not press the matter, but began to ask questions
about a breech-loading cannon, and were greatly surprised at the ease
with which it was charged.
They had by this time finished their cigars, and being near the
landing-stage, they took a most effusive leave of the three officers,
entered their boat, and were rowed away.
"Well, then," said Captain Horton, as soon as he heard the parts of the
conversation that he had not understood, "that game's over, and they are
beaten at diplomacy?"
"Yes," said Major Sandars. "I envy you your command of countenance, and
knowledge of the language, Linton."
"Game? over?" said Mr Linton, smiling sadly. "No, my dear sirs, that
is only the first move our adversaries have made--king's pawn two
squares forward; to which I have replied with queen's pawn one square
forward."
"And that's a bad move, isn't it, Horton?" exclaimed Major Sandars.
"So the chess books make one think," said the captain.
"It all depends upon your adversary and your game," said the resident,
smiling. "Gentlemen, I hope I have done right."
"And what are you going to do now?" said Captain Horton.
"Wait to see our adversary's next move. Meanwhile, gentlemen, extra
caution will do no harm, for we have touched the Malays in one of their
most sensitive places."
"We? You mean those young scamps of boys," said Captain Horton.
"Oh, it's _we_ all the same," said Major Sandars. "Well, what's to be
done?"
"I should, without seeming to do anything, put on a few extra sentries,
Major Sandars," said the resident; "and, Captain Horton, I should be
ready for action at a moment's notice, and be cautious about who came on
board, and what prahus anchored near."
"Quite right--quite right, Linton," said Captain Horton. "You had no
business to be a civilian. You ought to have been in the service."
The resident smiled, and they separated, as Mr Linton said, to wait for
the enemy's next move.