In spite of the Resident's doubts and expressed opinion that the two
Rajahs would display resentment, the neighbourhood settled down calmly
enough. The village people nearest, notwithstanding their being chased
helter-skelter, mixed up with the Rajah's followers, very soon showed
that they had thoroughly enjoyed the fun of seeing Suleiman's haughty,
tyrannical gang scared away and running as if for their lives.
The people of the more distant campongs came in just as usual, bringing
their fruit and poultry to market as before; and though the
half-military-looking armed men did not make their appearance, the
Resident was bound to confess that this was not a bad sign, as they had
rarely approached the cantonments to mingle with the soldiers off duty.
A few days elapsed, and then a present was sent in, consisting of
supplies, by Rajah Hamet; and the very next day two of Suleiman's chiefs
brought in a letter, written in English, but dotted with French
allusions which suggested its source.
It was an invitation for the Major and his officers to a tiger-hunt.
This was considered, and then the Major replied in the most friendly
way, begging to be excused on the ground that it was impossible to
accept the invitation then, but asking for it to be repeated later on.
The weather was lovely, there being a succession of brilliant moonlight
nights; while before the moon rose, even the Doctor declared that the
display made by the fire-flies in the darkness was simply glorious.
One evening Sir Charles was dining at the bungalow, and, having got over
his nervous doubts, upon hearing Minnie express a desire to go up the
river and see the fire-flies first, and the rising of the moon after,
the Resident at once proposed to have his smaller boat prepared, with a
couple of his most trusty native servants to pole it a short distance up
the river, and then bring the Doctor and the two ladies back to supper
at the Residency.
Minnie was delighted; but, to the Resident's great satisfaction, her
aunt declared at once that she would not go up the river by night on
account of the crocodiles.
"I don't want to throw a wet blanket over Sir Charles's kindly suggested
trip," she said, "but I certainly will not go."
"Oh, there's no danger to be feared, my dear madam," said Sir Charles.
"The reptiles would never dare to attack a well-manned boat."
"Never," said the Doctor emphatically.
"But they might, my dear," replied Mrs Morley. "You can go, but I
shall certainly stay."
"You talk very glibly," grunted the Doctor, "about my going; but suppose
I am wanted?"
"Well, if you are, it will only be for some trivial ailment amongst the
native people, and I should know what to give them."
"What!" cried the Doctor.--"Why, my dear Dallas, the last time she
meddled with my bottles she nearly poisoned one of my patients."
"For shame, Henry!--Don't you believe him, Sir Charles. I am sure I did
the poor woman a great deal of good."
"It's all very fine," said the Doctor. "I must confess the woman did
get better; and if madam had quite poisoned her, as she was a native it
wouldn't have mattered much."
"Oh uncle, for shame!--He doesn't mean it, Sir Charles," said Minnie.
"But it would have spoilt my credit," continued the Doctor; "and there,
I don't want to see a lot of blow-flies with lights in their tails; so,
once for all, I sha'n't go."
"But you ought to go, my dear," said Mrs Morley, who looked rather
annoyed.
"Why?"
"Why? To take care of Minnie."
"It doesn't take two men as well as a couple of servants to take care of
one little girl. Don't talk stuff, my dear. I'm sure Sir Charles will
take every care of her."
Mrs Morley said no more, and Sir Charles left at last with the matter
entirely settled to his satisfaction, while Minnie smiled in answer to a
few words respecting the old folks leaving them to themselves.
The evening promised to be perfect, and Minnie was waiting for their
visitor, when, just as she was beginning to be impatient, a note was
brought from the Resident stating that Rajah Hamet had come up the river
unexpectedly to discuss a question relating to the possibility of some
stronger alliance.
"I am horribly disappointed," wrote the Resident, "but it is a
Government matter, and your uncle will understand with me that I am only
too much delighted to find that this again proves that my doubts were
all wrong, and that I am glad to welcome the Rajah here. He evidently
means to stop the night, and I have sent in for Major Knowle to join us.
Under the circumstances I feel that I dare not come. However, you
shall not be disappointed; the boat is waiting with two picked men, and
I must beg that your uncle and aunt will be your companions."
"There, old lady," said the Doctor as, in a disappointed tone, his niece
finished reading the letter. "It will be rude to Sir Charles, as well
as a bitter disappointment to Minnie. Come, there's no cause for alarm.
If there were I would not ask you. Say you will come."
"No, Henry," replied the lady firmly; "I will not."
"Oh, very well," said the Doctor, as he saw the tears rising in his
niece's eyes. "You sha'n't be disappointed, Minnie. We will risk your
aunt giving some poor woman a lotion to take instead of a draught. Get
your cloak and veil. We mustn't have any trouble from the night air.
I'll take you myself.--Hullo! What in the name of wonder does this
mean? An elephant--another Rajah!"
"Two of them," said Mrs Morley anxiously, "and they are coming here."
"Yes," said the Doctor, stepping out into the veranda of his pretty
bungalow to meet his visitors, as the great, soft-footed, howdah-bearing
beast was checked by his mahout at the bamboo fence. One of the two
Malay officers bent down to inform him that the Rajah Suleiman had been
out shooting that morning with his French friend, and that, after firing
at a tiger, the wounded beast had leaped upon the Rajah's elephant, and
Suleiman and his friend had both been mauled. The bearers of the
message stated that the Doctor must come at once.
"Can't help it, my child," said the Doctor. "I am sorry for your
disappointment, but it is impossible for me to refuse. In an ordinary
case I might postpone my visit, but, you see, Suleiman is our friend,
and it is most important that I should be off at once."
"But, my dear," exclaimed Minnie's aunt, "it means your being away all
night."
"Of course; and if he's very bad I may have to stay two or three days.
There, I can't stop talking. Get me my little bag while I fetch my
instruments and some dressing."
Without a word Mrs Morley hurried to obtain what was required, and the
Doctor patted his niece on the shoulder.
"Never mind, my dear. We must give it up. Dallas will be able to go
with you another time, and you will enjoy your trip better."
Minnie nodded.
"I won't mind, uncle--much. But it never rains but it pours: here's
somebody else wants you."
"Young Archie! What does he want?"
He soon knew, for the lad hurried up, glancing at the two Malays upon
the elephant, giving Minnie a quick nod, and then catching the Doctor by
the arm and hurrying him into the nearest room.
"The Major sent me to know what these two swells want. He thinks they
have come to your place instead of to him."
The Doctor explained at once, and then a sudden thought occurred to him.
"Look here," he said; "you know Sir Charles was going to take us up the
river in his boat this evening?"
"Yes, I know. He's got Rajah Hamet, and the Major's going into the
Residency. That's why the chief thinks those chaps on the elephant have
come to the wrong house."
"Well, look here, my lad; you must take my place."
"What!" cried the lad, staring. "I could pour him out a dose of physic,
or I could tackle a native, but I wouldn't undertake to dress a Rajah's
wounds."
"What are you talking about, stupid?" cried the Doctor angrily. "I
mean, take my place and escort Minnie up the river in the Resident's
boat."
"De-lighted!" cried the lad excitedly. "Of course--but I don't know
whether the Major will give me leave, as Rajah Hamet's here. Here, I'll
run back as fast as I can, and be with you, if it's all right, in no
time."
"Yes, do. I don't want the poor girl to be disappointed; and you will
take care of her?"
"Of course!"
Archie was turning to go, when the Doctor caught him by the arm.
"There's no need. I will jump up on the elephant as soon as I have got
my bag, and go round by headquarters and make it right with the Major."
"Yes, sir, do. Capital!--But no, no. He sent me to find out, and he
won't like it. I must go, Doctor."
"What! am I not surgeon to this force, and are not all officers under
me? Here, I will make him like it. You mind what I say--I give you
leave to go."
Just then Minnie and her aunt came to the door with the Doctor's bag,
and Archie hesitated.
"Look here, Minnie," he cried, hurrying to her side; "I am going to--No,
no," he said, giving his foot a stamp, "I can't! I will not, Doctor.
Here, I will run on and get back. Look here; you see how important it
is. Here's Down coming as hard as he can to see why I have been so
long."
"Confound you, sir!" cried the Doctor. "And when I'd settled the whole
thing!--Here, you, Down, what do you want?"
The Captain came up quickly, and the state of affairs was explained,
ending with the new-comer being introduced to the two Malay officers.
"Look here," said the Doctor, turning to the Captain; "you explain
everything to the Major, and tell him I am off at once to Palm-Tree
Palace, and am keeping Archie Maine here to take my place for an hour or
two. You understand?"
"Quite," said the Captain.
"Maine thinks, as the Major has sent him with a message to me, that he
ought to go back; but your coming and the answer I send by you, I
consider, will be sufficient to exonerate your subaltern. What do you
say?"
"Oh yes, sir; quite sufficient."
"Now, Archie, my lad, are you satisfied?"
Archie turned to the Captain.
"Give me your leave too."
"Certainly. I will make it right with the Major."
"All right, then, Doctor," said Archie; and, satisfied now by the
Captain going off with the required information, the lad stayed, busied
himself with Mrs Morley and Minnie; and after seeing the Doctor mount
the kneeling elephant with his bag and instruments, and then wishing him
good speed, they stood watching the great, slowly pacing beast till, as
it turned off to reach the forest path, there was a final wave of the
hand from the Doctor, and the next minute he was out of sight.
"That's being a doctor's wife, Minnie, my child; one never knows what to
expect. Well, there, your uncle has gone off to do good. I never liked
that Rajah's looks, but I hope he isn't badly hurt. Now then, what
about this trip on the water? I really don't like your going, my dear."
"Oh auntie, how can you be so nervous?"
"I didn't like your going even when your uncle was here."
"But, Mrs Morley, there's nothing to be nervous about," cried Archie.
"My dear boy--"
"I say, hang it all, Mrs Morley! you might call me a man now," said
Archie, interrupting her speech.
"Yes, my dear, I have plenty of confidence in you; but it's only you."
"Why, there will be the Resident's two chief boatmen, won't there?--You
said there would be two men, didn't you, Minnie?"
"Yes, of course; and we shouldn't be above an hour or two, aunt."
"No, I know, my dear; but--but--"
"There, aunt dear, uncle's going away so suddenly has upset you, and it
does seem selfish of me.--Look here, Archie, it's very kind of you to
offer to take me, but it would be inconsiderate of me to go. I'll give
it up."
"Oh!" cried the lad, "I am disappointed."
"Yes, of course you would be," said Mrs Morley; "and it's foolish of me
to make such a fuss about nothing. There, I am better now. I was a bit
flurried by the Doctor going, to be away all night, and leaving us
unprotected."
"And not a British soldier near," said Archie laughingly.
"Of course; of course," said Mrs Morley. "You will take great care of
her, my dear boy?"
"Take care of her!" cried Archie. "Why, Sir Charles would have me out
and shoot me, or wring my neck, if I didn't. Look here, madam, I'm too
fond of Lieutenant Archibald Maine to run any risks. Now are you
satisfied?"
"Quite," said the Doctor's wife, forcing a laugh.--"There, my dears, be
off as soon as you can--but wait till I get a scarf."
"What are you going to do, auntie?"
"See you down to the boat, of course, my dear." A very few minutes
later the Doctor's wife was standing on the banks of the river watching
the Resident's handsomely fitted sampan--not his official dragon-boat--
being punted by two sturdy men up the glistening waters, Minnie turning
from time to time to wave her hand, and lastly her scarf, just as they
disappeared.
"It is foolish of me to be so nervous and frightened about crocodiles,"
said Mrs Morley, as she turned her straining eyes from where she had
been watching the boat. "There isn't a sign of any of the horrible
reptiles; and if it were dangerous those people would not be going up
the river in the same direction;" and she remained watching a small naga
with about half-a-dozen men plying their oars, sending the slightly
built craft steadily up-stream. "Ah, well, I want to see them back.
What a lovely evening it is going to be; but how rapidly the night
closes in! I almost wish I had gone with them, for it will be very
lovely when the moon begins to rise among the trees."
The Doctor's wife gave a slight shiver as a faint waft of wind came
sweeping over the tops of the forest trees, and she drew her scarf
lightly over her head and shoulders as she quickened her steps to return
to the bungalow. "It's not cold," she said half uneasily, "and yet I
shivered. It's as if the nervous feeling were coming back. Two hours!
Well, they will soon slip by."