Trapped by Malays, A Tale of Bayonet and Kris, by George Manville Fenn. 

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This is good lively yarn by the master of suspense. There is continuousaction throughout the book, and you are kept on your toes wondering howwe are going to get through the latest apparent disaster. Sometimesjust a little reminiscent of The Middy and the Ensign, set in a similarlocation, with similar personnel, but different enough to escape toomuch criticism. Makes a good audiobook. 

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TRAPPED BY MALAYS, A TALE OF BAYONET AND KRIS, BY GEORGE MANVILLE FENN. 

CHAPTER ONE. 

"TWO BAD BOYS"--SERGEANT RIPSY. 

"Oh, bother!" The utterer of these two impatient words threw down asheet of notepaper from which he had been reading, carefully smoothedout the folds to make it flat, and then, balancing it upon one finger ashe sat back in a cane chair with his heels upon the table, gave thepaper a flip with his nail and sent it skimming out of the window of hismilitary quarters at Campong Dang, the station on the Ruah River, far upthe west coast of the Malay Peninsula. 

"What does the old chap want now? Another wigging, I suppose. Whathave I been doing to make him write a note like that?--Note?" hecontinued, after a pause. "I ought to have said despatch. Hang hisformality! Here, what did he say? How did he begin?" And he reachedout his hand towards the table as if for the note. "There's a fool!Now, why did I send it skimming out of the window like that? It's toohot to get up and go out to the front to find it, and it's no use toshout, `_Qui-hi_, ' for everybody will be asleep. Now, what did he say?My memory feels all soaked. Now, what was it? Major John Knowlerequests the presence of Mr Archibald Maine--Mr Archibald Maine--Archibald! What were the old people dreaming about? I don't know. Italways sets me thinking of old Morley--bald, with the top of his head asshiny as a billiard-ball. Good old chap, though, even if he does bullyone--requests the presence of Mr Archibald Maine at his quarters at--atseven o'clock this evening punctually. No. What's o'clock? I think itwas six. Couldn't be seven, because that's dinner-time, and he wouldn'task me then. It must be six. Here, I must get that note again, but Ifeel so pumped out and languid that I am blessed if I am going to get upand go hunting for that piece of paper. Phee-ew! It's hotter thanever. I should just like to go down to the river-side, take off all myclothes under the trees, and sit there right up to my chin, with thebeautiful, clear, cool water gurgling round my neck. Lovely! Yes--tillthere came floating along a couple of those knobs that look like bigmarbles--only all the time they are what old Morley calls ocularprominences over the beastly leering eyes of one of those crocodiles onthe lookout for grub. Ugh! The beasts! Now, what could crocodiles bemade for?--Oh, here's somebody coming. "

For all at once, faintly heard, the fag-end of the "British Grenadiers, "whistled very much out of tune, came floating in at the window. 

"Peter Pegg, by all that's lucky!"

The footsteps of some one evidently heavily laden came nearer andnearer, till, just as they were about to pass the young officer'squarters, the occupier screwed-up his lips and gave vent to a low, clearnote and its apparent echo, which sounded like the cry of somenight-bird. 

The next moment there was the sound as of a couple of iron buckets beingset down upon the ground, followed by the _clang, clang_ of the handles;a dark shadow crossed the window, and a voice exclaimed:

"You call, sir?"

"That you, Pete?"

"Yes, sir. "

"What are you doing?"

"Fatigue-work, sir. Got to take these 'ere buckets round to cook'squarters. "

"Can you see a letter lying out there anywhere?"

"For the mail, sir?"

"Mail! No, stupid! A piece of notepaper. "

"With writing on it, sir?"

"Of course. "

"No, sir. --Oh yes, here it is, stuck in the flowers. "

"Well, bring it to me. "

"Can't, sir, without treading on the beds. "

"Then bring it round to the door. "

There was a few moments' intense silence, during which, in the tropicheat, it seemed as if Nature was plunged in her deepest sleep. Thencame a renewal of the footsteps, a sharp tap upon the door, a loud "Comein!" and a very closely cropped and shaven, sun-browned face appeared, its owner clad in clean, white military flannel, drawing himself upstiffly as he held out the missive he was bearing. 

"Letter, sir. "

"Well, bring it here. My arms are not telescopes. "

"_Pouf_! No, sir. Here you are, sir. " And as the letter was taken thebearer's droll-looking, good-humoured face gradually expanded into abroad grin, and then seemed to shut up sharply as the young officerraised his eyes. 

"Here, Pete, what were you grinning at? At me?"

"No, sir. That I warn't, sir. I never grin at you. I only do that atthe Sergeant when he aren't looking. "

"You were certainly grinning, Pete. "

"No, sir; only felt comfy-like. "

"Oh, that's right, " said the young officer; and then to himself, "It isseven o'clock, and it is to get up his appetite, I suppose. Sharpen iton me. --Well, Pete, what have you been up to now?"

"I d'know, sir. "

"Nonsense! You must know. "

"S'elp me, sir, I don't. The patient one has got his knife into me asusual. I expected it was to be pack-drill, but I come off with a twobucket job--water for the cook. "

"Now, look here, Pete; tell the truth for once in a way. The Sergeantwouldn't have come down upon you for nothing. "

"What, sir! Oh, I say, Mr Archie, you can go it! Old tipsy Job notcome down upon a fellow for nothing! Why, I have heerd him go on at youabout your drill--"

"That will do, Pegg. Don't you forget yourself sir. "

"Beg pardon, sir. I won't, sir; but there have been times when--"

"That will do. "

"Yes, sir; of course, sir--when I have thought to myself if I had been aofficer and a gentleman like you--"

"I said that would do, Pegg. "

"Yes, sir; I heerd you, sir--I'd have punched his fat head, sir. "

"Look here, Peter Pegg; I see you have been having your hair cut again. "

"Yes, sir. It's so mortal hot, sir. I told Bob Ennery, sir, to cut itto the bone;" and the young fellow smiled very broadly as he passed bothhands over the close crop, with an action that suggested the rubbing onof soap. 

"Then look here; next time you have it done I should advise you to havea bit taken off the tip of your tongue. It's too long, Pete; and if Iwere as strict an officer as the Major says I ought to be, I shouldreport you for want of respect. "

"Not you, sir!"

"What!"

"Because you knows, sir, as I feels more respect for you than I do forthe whole regiment put together. I talks a bit, and I never come anighyou, sir, without feeling slack. "

"Feeling slack?"

"Yes, sir. Unbuttoned-like, and as if I was smiling all over. "

"What! at your officer?"

"No, sir; not at you, sir. I can't tell you why; only I don't feelsoldier-like--drilled up and stiff as if I had been starched by one ofmy comrades' wives. "

"Well, you are a rum fellow, Pete. "

"Yes, sir, " said the man sadly. "That's what our chaps say; and PatientJob says I am a disgrace to the regiment, that I know nothing, and thatI shall never make a soldier. But I don't care. Still, I do know onething: I like you, sir; and if it hadn't been for seeing you alwaysgetting into trouble--"

"Peter Pegg!"

"Yes, sir. But I can't stop saying it, sir. If it hadn't been for you, and seeing you always getting into trouble too--"

"Pegg!"

"Yes, sir--I should have pegged out. "

"What! deserted?"

"Yes, sir. Sounds bad, don't it?"

"Disgraceful!"

"Yes, Mr Maine, sir; but ain't it disgraceful for a sergeant to beallowed to hit a poor fellow a whack with that cane of his just becausehe's a bit out in his drill?"

"Drop it, Pete. "

"And 'im obliged to stand up stiff, and dursen't say a word?"

"Didn't you hear me say, `Drop it'?"

"Yes, sir--and one's blood b'iling all the while!"

"Look here; you have been having it again, then, Pete?"

"Again, sir! Why, I am always a-having of it. "

"What was it, now?"

"I telled you, sir: nothing. "

"That was a lie, Pete. Now, wasn't it?"

"Not a lie, sir. Only a little cracker. "

"Well, out with it. "

"Not enough pipeclay, sir. "

"Oh, I see. "

"Jigger the pipeclay! It's a regular cuss. Ah, it's you laughing now, sir. Can I do anything else for you, sir?"

"N-n-no. "

"'Cause the cook will be howling after me directly, and I don't want tobe out with him. "

"No, I suppose not; but what about that bait for fishing?"

"Oh, that's all right, sir. I will be ready. But don't you think, sir, if we was to go higher up the river we could find a better place? Itdon't seem much good only ketching them there little hikong-sammylangs. "

"Eikon Sambilang, Pete. Don't you know what that means?"

"That's what the niggers call them, sir. I suppose it's because it'stheir name. "

"Five-barbelled fish, Pete, eh?"

"Just like them, sir. Then why don't they call them barbel, sir, likewe do? I have seen lots of them ketched up Teddington way by thegentlemen in punts--whackers, too--not poor little tiddlers like these'ere. We ought to go right up the river in a sampan, with plenty ofbait, and try in a bit of sharp stream close to one of them deep holes. "

"No good, Pete. We shouldn't do any good. Those beauties of crocodilesclear out the holes. "

"What! whacking the water, sir, with their tails? I've heerd them lotsof times. Rum place this 'ere, sir, ain't it?"

"Yes, Pete; rather a change from England. But it is very beautiful, andI like it. "

"Well, yes, sir; that's right enough. So do I like it. I often thinkit would be just lovely if old Ripsy would get down with the fever. Myword! what would he be like when Dr Morley had done with him, and hebegan to crawl about and use his cane to help him hobble, instead ofbeing so jolly handy with it in his fashion?"

"Peter Pegg, that's a nasty, revengeful way of talking. "

"Is it, sir?" said the young private, giving himself a twist, as if inrecollection of a tap with the cane. 

"Yes. You don't mean to tell me that you wish Sergeant Ripsy wouldcatch this nasty jungle fever?"

"No, sir, I don't want to tell you; but I do. "

"I don't believe you, Pete. The Sergeant's a fine soldier and a braveman, and I honestly believe that he thinks he is doing his duty. "

"Oh, he's brave enough, I dare say. So are you, sir. "

"Bosh!"

"So am I, sir. "

"Double bosh! Turkish for nothing, Pete. "

"Is it, sir? I don't care. I know when the row comes off with thatthere Rajah Solomon--and there's a pretty bit of cheek, sir: him, areg'lar heathen, going and getting himself called by a Christian name!I should like to give him Solomon--you'll fight with the best of them, sir. I often think about it. You'll fight with the best of them, sir. And 'tain't brag, Mr Archie Maine, sir--you let me see one of thembeggars coming at you with his pisoned kris or his chuck-spear, do youmean to tell me I wouldn't let him have the bayonet? And bad soldier orno, I _can_ do the bayonet practice with the best of them. Old Tipsydid own to that. "

"Look here, Pete; you are what the Yankees call blowing now. Let's waittill the time comes, and then we shall see what we shall see. And lookhere; don't you let me hear you call Sergeant Ripsy Tipsy again. One ofthese days, mark my words, he will find out that you have nicknamed himwith a _T_ instead of an _R_, and he will never forgive you. "

"Tckkk!"

"What are you laughing at, sir?"

"Oh, don't say sir, Mr Archie! There's no one near. Of course I don'tmind when anybody's by, but I couldn't help laughing. Old Patient Jobfound it out long ago. "

"He did?"

"Yes, sir. "

"And yet you wonder that he has got what you call his knife into you!"

"Oh, I don't think that's why, sir. "

"Well, I do. "

"No, sir; it's his aggravating way of wanting to see a company of humanmen going across the parade like a great big caterpillar or a big bit ofa machine raking up the sand. "

"Never mind. Old Ripsy is a fine soldier, and I advise you not to lethim hear you. "

"Pst!"

"What is it?"

"Mr Maine, sir, " whispered the lad; and the subaltern's heels droppedat once from the table upon which they had been resting, for plainlyheard through the window, in a loud, forced cough, full of importance, came the utterance, "Errrrum! Errum!" and Private Peter Pegg's lowerjaw dropped, and his eyes, as he fixed them upon the subaltern's face, opened in so ghastly a stare of dread that, in spite of his annoyance, Ensign Maine's hands were clapped to his mouth to check a guffaw. Butas the regular stamp more than stride of a heavy man reached his ears, the young officer's countenance assumed a look of annoyance, and hewhispered in a boyish, nervous way:

"Slip off, Pete; and don't let him see you leaving my room. "

"I can't, sir, " whispered the lad, with a look full of agony. 

"What!"

"He telled me if ever he catched me loafing about your quarters he'd--"

"Don't talk. Cut!"

"I can't, sir. "

"You can. "

"But--"

"Don't talk. Off at once. "

"But I tell you, sir--"

"I don't want to be told. He mustn't see you going away from here. "

"But he's stopped, sir. Can't you hear?"

"No--yes. Why has he stopped?"

"Because he can see my two blessed buckets standing there. "

"Oh, Peter Pegg! Tut, tut, tut, tut, tut!" And as the young subalterngave utterance to these homely sounds, he was recalling certainsarcastic remarks of the stern master of drill respecting officers andgentlemen demeaning themselves by associating with the men. 

CHAPTER TWO. 

A ROWING. 

"A Guilty conscience needs no accuser, " said Archie Maine to himself. "There's a splendid proverb. It can't mean a wigging this time. But ifthat pompous old pump, that buckled-up basha, lets the Major know thathe caught poor old Pegg in my room to-day, I'm sure to get a lectureabout making too free with the men instead of going about amongst themperched up upon metaphorical stilts. Well, whatever he wants to see meabout, it can't be for a wigging, or else he wouldn't have summoned mejust close upon soup-and-'tater call. "

The smart-looking young subaltern drew himself up, looking his militarybest, as he made for the Major's quarters, before which, in lightundress uniform, a private was marching up and down, crossing thedoorway and the windows of the mess-room, through which the lamps of thedinner-table shone, as they were being lit by the servants. Theregimental glass and plate were beginning to glitter on the table, whilea soft, warm breeze was rustling the tropical leaves and beginning tocool the atmosphere, as it swept from the surrounding jungle through thewidely opened casements. 

"Yes! Come in!" came in a loud, bluff, rather rich voice; and the nextminute Archie was face to face with the fine-looking, white-haired, florid Major in command of the infantry detachment stationed at CampongDang in support of Her Majesty's Resident, Sir Charles Dallas, whoseduty it was to instruct the Malay Rajah of Pahpah how to rule histurbulent bearers of spear and kris and wearers of sarong and baju, inaccordance with modern civilisation, and without putting a period totheir lives for every offence by means of the sudden insertion of anugly-looking, wavy weapon before throwing them to the ugliest reptilesthat ever haunted a muddy stream. 

"Ah! Hum! Yes. "

There was a pause in the strange salute, and, "'Tis a row, then, " saidArchie to himself. "You received my despatch, Mr Maine?"

"Yes, sir. "

"And of course, sir, you are perfectly aware of my reasons for summoningyou?"

"No, sir, " replied Archie. 

"What! Now, that's what I intensely dislike, Mr Maine. If there isanything that annoys, irritates, or makes me dissatisfied with the men--the gentlemen under my command, it is evasion, shuffling, shirking, orprevarication. "

At the beginning of this speech the young officer felt nervous andtroubled with a feeling of anxiety, but his commanding officer's toneand words sent the blood flushing up into his face, and he repliedwarmly:

"I beg your pardon, sir, but I am neither shuffling nor prevaricatingwhen I tell you that I do not know why you have sent for me. " Then tohimself, --

"He could not have known about the Sergeant, for that was after he hadsent his note. "

He had time to say this to himself, for the Major was staring at him inamazement. 

"What! What! What!" he exclaimed. "How--how dah you, sir? I'd haveyou to know that when I address my subordinates--ahem!--arrrum!--I--thatis--hum--dear me, how confoundedly you have grown like your father, Archibald! Just his manner. I--that is--well, look here, sir; I havebeen very much put out about you. I promised my old comrade that Iwould do the best that I could in the way of helping you on and makingyou a useful officer and a thorough gentleman, and you know, betweenmen, Archibald Maine, it has not been quite the thing. This is not thefirst time I have had to speak to you and complain of your conduct. "

"No, sir, " said the lad in rather a sulky tone; "and when I was in faultI never shuffled or prevaricated. "

"Never, Archie, my lad, " said the Major energetically. "It was bad formof me, but I was angry with your father's son. My words wereill-chosen, and there--there--I apologise. "

"Oh no, sir!" cried the lad, warming up and speaking excitedly; "thereis no need for that. I suppose I have been in the wrong, but I did notreally know what I had been doing when you sent your letter. "

"Of course you did not, my boy; but--er--I was not thinking of that. Itwas about your conduct generally, and I had made up my mind to have youhere and give you what you would call a wigging, Archie--eh?--wigging, sir! Dreadfully boyish expression!--and then, on second thoughts, Isaid to myself, `Much better to have the lad in quietly, break the iceand that sort of thing, tell him what I wanted to talk about, and thenmake him sit by me at the mess, and put it to him quietly over a glassof wine. ' Understand, my lad?"

Archie's lips parted to speak, but the recollection of many oldkindnesses began to crowd up so that he could not trust his voice, andhe only nodded. 

"That's right. You see, my lad, your father and I were boys together--not perfect either. We used to quarrel frightfully. Well, sir, something inside me began to remind me of old times, and make apologiesfor you, and I was going to talk to you about being an officer and agentleman--and dignity of manner, and impressing yourself upon yourmen--just point out that an officer can be kind to his lads and slackenthe discipline a little sensibly without losing tone or touch, but theremust be a proper feeling between officer and man. An officer need notbe a bully and a tyrant, but he must be firm. His men must respect him, and see that the man who leads them knows his duty and is brave almostto a fault; and knowing this, every man who is worth his salt willfollow him even to the death if duty calls. It is a grand position, Archie, my lad--that of being a leader of men--and it is shared with theGeneral by the youngest subaltern who wears the Queen's scarlet. Seewhat I mean?"

"Yes, sir, " said the lad in a deep, low voice. 

"Well, sir, " almost shouted the Major, "that's what I was going to sayto you, sir, over a glass of wine to-night, and put it to you that itwas quite time that you, a young man grown, should put away boyishthings and come to an end of tricks and pranks and youthful follies, andtake upon you and show that you are worthy of the great birthright--manhood, when--confound it all! I was nearly breaking out swearing!--incomes to me that--hang him!--that overbearing bully--Yah! Tut, tut, tut, tut, tut!--it put me out dreadfully, and I am speaking in haste, for Ripsy is a fine, trustworthy man--my best non-com--to complain to meabout you making a chum, a regular companion, of that confounded, low-bred cockney rascal, Pegg. Hang him! I'll have his peg sharpenedand make him spin in a more upright manner before I have done with him!Ripsy told me that the fellow was on fatigue-work--takes advantage ofthe freedom of his position to sneak off to your quarters to hatch someprank or mischief or another; and I had to listen to his complaint and--confound him!--to answer his question, `Is it right for a subaltern toencourage a low-bred rascal like that to come to his quarters?' What doyou say?"

"It was my fault, sir, entirely. "

"Yes; and that's your fault too, Archibald Maine. You take a fancy toand make a companion of a private who bears the worst character in thisdetachment. You see even now, sir, you have made so much of a companionof him that you are ready to take the blame for his fault. "

"In this case rightly, sir, " said Archie, speaking with firmness. "Ihad jerked your note out of the window, and as the poor fellow passed--"

"Poor fellow!" cried the Major irritably. "There, again!"

"I told him to pick it up and bring it in, " continued Archie firmly; andthe Major grunted, for he was evidently cooling down. 

"There! Humph! Dinner, " grunted the Major again. "Now, quick! Whathave you got to say?"

Archie was silent for a few moments, for the simple reason that he couldnot speak, only stand trying to gaze steadily in the eyes of the fineold officer, who was watching him intently with a look that forced himto speak at last; but even then his voice shook a little, in spite ofhis efforts to make it firm and loud. Then the word that had struggledfor utterance came, and it was in Latin:

"Peccavi. "

It was only that word, but it was enough to make the old Major leanforward, clap one hand on the lad's shoulder, and half-whisper:

"Spoken like your father's son!" and then, as the door behind himopened, he half-shouted, "Coming!" Then to his companion, "Now, mylad--dinner!"

CHAPTER THREE. 

A MALAY FRIEND. 

Archie Maine's sensations as he marched beside his chief into themess-room were such that he would far rather have escaped to his ownquarters; but he began to pull himself together as he caught sight of afriend, and the next minute he was being in turn introduced by thequiet, gentlemanly Resident to the Rajah Suleiman, a heavy-looking, typical Malay with peculiar, hard, dark eyes and thick, smiling lips, who greeted him in fair English and murmured something about "visit" andthe "elephants and tigers. " And then, as the Eastern chief, who did notlook at home in the English evening-dress he had adopted, turned away tosmile upon another of the officers, Archie joined hands at once with aslight, youthful-looking visitor also in evening-dress, who as theyouths chatted together showed his mastery of the English languagesufficiently to address the subaltern as "old chap, " following it upwith:

"When are you going to get your boss to give you a day or two's leave?"

"Oh, I don't know, " replied Archie. "Not for some time; I'm indisgrace. "

"Disgrace! What do you mean?" was the inquiry. 

"Oh, not sticking enough to my duties. "

"Duties?"

"Yes; drill and practice. "

"Oh, nonsense! You don't want to be always drilling and drilling anddrilling. Your men could kill us all off without any more of that. Ishall ask the Major to let you come and stay with me a month. "

"No, no, no, " said Archie, though his eyes were flashing with eagerness. 

"And I say yes, yes, yes. I haven't got such a troop of elephants asRajah Suleiman, but I have got two beauties who would face any tiger inthe jungle, and my people could show you more stripes than his could. But perhaps I am so simple at home that you would rather go and staywith His Highness. "

"Look here, Hamet, " whispered Archie quickly; "you said that to me lasttime, just as if I had slighted you. "

"Beg pardon, old chap. I didn't mean it; but your people--I don't knowhow it is--don't seem to take to me. I always feel as if they didn'ttrust me, and I don't think that I shall care about coming here anymore. "

"What!" cried Archie excitedly, as he found that he had to take his seatat the table beside the young Rajah, whose face was beginning to assumea lowering aspect, as he saw that the Major's original intentions hadbeen hurriedly set aside and the chair on the latter's right wasoccupied by the Rajah Suleiman, that on his left by a keen, sharp-looking gentleman who might have been met in one of the Parisian_cafes_, so thoroughly out of place did he seem in a military mess-roomrather roughly erected in a station on the banks of a Malay jungleriver. 

"What!" said Archie again, in a low tone; and he noted how his companionwas furtively watching the attention paid to his brother Rajah. 

"I'll tell you presently, " said the young Malay. "But who is thatgentleman?"

"That? Oh, he's a traveller. He's a French count. "

"French count?" said his companion. "A great friend of Suleiman's, isn't he?"

"Not that I know of. "

"Yes, he is. So one of my people says. "

"Oh?" said Archie. 

"Yes; Suleiman met him when he went to Paris. "

"You seem to know all about it, " said Archie laughingly. 

"Oh no; I _want_ to know everything, but there is so much--so much tolearn. I wish I had gone to Paris too. "

"What! so as to get to know the French count?"

"Pish!--No, thank you; I don't take wine, " he added quickly, as one ofthe officers' servants was filling glasses. 

"Won't you have a glass of hock?"

"No, " was the quiet reply. "And I don't want to know the French count. I don't like him. "

"Why?"

"Because he is Suleiman's friend. "

"That's saying you don't like Suleiman. "

"No. But I don't like him, and he hates me. "

"Why?"

"Because he likes my country. "

"And I suppose you like his?"

"I? No. I have got plenty of land that my father left me. He sentme--you know; I told you--to England. "

"Yes, I know; to be educated and made an English gentleman. "

"Yes, " said the young man, with a sigh; and his handsome half-Spanishcountenance clouded over. "And I did work so hard to make myself likeyou young Englishmen; but I had not the chance. "

"But you did splendidly. I heard of how high a position you took. "

The young Rajah smiled sadly and shook his head. 

"You say that as a sort of compliment, " he said. 

"That I don't. I never pay compliments, for I know you don't like them. If you did, you and I shouldn't be such friends. "

The young Rajah turned and gazed fixedly in the speaker's eyes for a fewmoments, and then turned hastily to help himself from the dish handed tohim. 

"No, we shouldn't, " he said in a low voice as soon as the dish wasremoved; and he began to trifle with the food. "Yes, " he continued, "those were jolly days at the big school; and it seemed so strange tocome back here from studies and cricket and football. " He laughedsoftly as he turned merrily to look at his companion again. "I say, howI used to get knocked about! The chaps used to say that it got mymonkey up, but I suppose it did me good. "

"No doubt, " said Archie merrily. "You got over wanting to kris thefellows, didn't you?"

"Of course; and it made me so English that I don't want to kris the poorfellows now that I have come back and am Maharajah here in my father'sstead. But it was all no good, " he added, with a sigh. 

"What?" exclaimed Archie wonderingly. 

"No good, " repeated the young man. "He sent for me to come home, but itwas only to say good-bye and tell me that I was to love the English andbe their friend so as to make them my friends. `They are a greatpeople, Hamet, ' he said--`a great people. We are only little chiefs, but they can rule the world. ' I want to be their friend, but somehowthey don't like me but make much of Suleiman. "

"Oh, wait a bit, " said Archie. "I think you are wrong. We English aresuch blunt people. Why, our Major--he was my father's schoolfellow--he's a splendid old chap. "

"Yes; but he doesn't trust me, " said the young Malay. 

"Oh, you wait. "

"I like your doctor. "

"Well, you must like Sir Charles Dallas. "

"What! Suleiman's Resident? I don't know him. Your English Queen--Imean Her Majesty--"

"Yes, I know, " said Archie, laughing. 

"She has not sent a Resident to live in my country. "

"No. Do you know why?"

"Yes, " said the young man coldly. "She does not trust me. "

"Ha, ha, ha!"

"Why do you laugh?"

"At you. "

"But why?"

"Because she does trust you--or, rather, our Government does. "

The young man turned sharply to gaze with a searching glance in thespeaker's eyes. 

"What do you mean?" he said. 

"Go on with your dinner, old chap, and I'll tell you by-and-by. Here'sDown wants to have a word with you. --Don't you, Down?"

"Ah yes, Captain Down, " said the young Rajah, bowing towards him. "Iseem to know you. Maine says you are such a splendid shot. Are you?"

"Oh, I can pull a trigger, and I can hit something sometimes, " said theyoung officer. 

"Sometimes!" put in Archie. "Why, he never misses. You ought to knowmore of him, Rajah. He's like that old country gentleman's two sons wholoved hunting and shooting. He's a regular Nimrod and Ramrod rolledinto one. Understand?"

"Yes; I read that in the old joke-book. Then your friend will come andhave some shooting. Will you not?"

"Rather!" said the Captain; and the general conversation went on tillthe old English custom was in the ascendant and the Major gave HerMajesty's health and the band played "God save the Queen;" andafterwards the Major proposed the health of their guest, His HighnessSultan Suleiman, who afterwards rose and bowed two or three times, saida few words very clumsily, and then turned towards the _distingue_-looking guest on the Major's left, and sat down; whereupon the Frenchguest said a few words to the Major, who rose and announced that theCount de Lasselle would respond for the Sultan Suleiman. 

There was the customary applause as the Count arose; and in very goodEnglish, which he only had to supplement now and then with a strong dashof French, he returned thanks for their illustrious guest, who, he couldassure the English officers, had but one aim in life, and that was to bethe friend and ally of the great British Queen. His speech was long andvery flowery, and he did not forget to say that there was no othercountry in the world suited to be the Sultan's ally but beautifulFrance, his own country, he was proud to say, and he was sure that shetoo would always be the great friend of the Sultan; at which some one atthe table uttered in a low voice that was almost like a cough theejaculation, "Hum!"

Archie turned sharply, and exchanged glances with Captain Down. 

"What did the Doctor mean by that?" said the latter. 

"Don't know, " said Archie. "Shall I go and ask him?"

"By-and-by. Look at your friend. "

"Why? What do you mean?"

"He looks as if he felt that he was being left out in the cold. "

Archie glanced at the young Rajah, who was sitting back picking hiscigarette to pieces; and then his attention was taken up by seeing thebig, bluff Sergeant of the regiment making his way behind the chairs towhere the Doctor was seated. 

"It's all right, Maine, " said the Captain; "you needn't go. The Major'ssent Patient Job, as the lads call him, to ask old Bolus what he meansby insulting the French guest. "

"Get out! Somebody taken ill. I hope it's none of the ladies. "

The Doctor nodded, and left his chair, to follow the Sergeant, just asthe Major rose again to propose the health of the regiment's other guestthat evening, Maharajah Hamet, another of the chiefs, who had declaredhimself the friend of their Queen and country. 

The toast was quietly received, and quietly replied to in a fewwell-spoken words by the young Prince, not without eliciting someremarks at his mastery of English; and soon after the party broke up insmoke, the officers strolling down to the banks of the river, where thelanding-place was gay with Chinese lanterns hung here and there andornamenting the two nagas of the Rajahs lying some distance apart andfilled by the well-armed followers of the chiefs, one of whom washeartily cheered by those assembled as he slowly walked in company withhis French companion to take his seat, before, in response to three orfour sonorous notes from a gong, the yellow-uniformed rowers dippedtheir oars lightly, to keep the dragon-boat in mid-stream so that itmight be borne swiftly onward. 

The young Rajah Hamet remained some few minutes longer, after taking hisleave of the Major and officers, and then, accompanied by Captain Downand Archie, he walked slowly along to where a guard of the Englishinfantry was drawn up, the chief's men being waiting in their places, ready to push off. 

"Don't take this as a compliment, " said the young Malay. "It is allsincere, and I can make you very welcome in good old English fashion aslong as you like to stay--you, Captain Down, and you, Maine. You makethe Captain come too. I promise you plenty of sport. My shikaris knowtheir business. Once more, good-night. "

He stepped back, the long, live-looking boat glided off, and the rowers'oars dipped with the vim and accuracy of an eight-oared racer on theThames. But she made head slowly against the swift stream, while, asthe young men watched her, their eyes rested upon the fire-fliesglittering amongst the overhanging trees upon the banks, and all at oncethere was a loud splash just ahead of where the naga was gliding. 

"What's that--some one overboard?" said the Captain. 

"No, sir, " said a deep British voice from just behind where the youngofficers stood; "only one of them great, scaly varmints getting out ofthe way. "

"Oh, it's you, Sergeant, " said Archie quickly; and then, on the impulseof the moment, the lad laid his hand on the big non-com's arm and saidhurriedly, "I've had it out with the Major, Ripsy, and it's all rightnow. But it was all my fault. Don't be too hard on poor Pegg. "

The Sergeant's reply was checked by a question from the Captain:

"Whom was the Doctor fetched to see? Any one ill?"

The Sergeant chuckled. 

"No, sir. It was them rival niggers beginning to cut one another'sthroats; but I stopped it with my lads, and then fetched the Doctor. Itgave him three or four little jobs. Some on them mean a row. "

CHAPTER FOUR. 

THE DOCTOR'S PATIENTS. 

The looking-glass in Archie Maine's quarters often told him that he wasrather a good-looking young fellow; that is to say, he gave promise ofgrowing into a well-featured, manly youth without any foppish, effeminate, so-called handsomeness. But nature had been very kind tohim, and, honestly, he scarcely knew anything about his own appearance;for when he looked in his glass for reasons connected with cleanliness--putting his hair straight, smoothing over his curliness, and playing atshaving away, or, rather, scraping off, some very smooth down--he had ahabit of contracting his nerves and muscles so that a pretty gooddisplay of wrinkles came into view all over his forehead and at thecorners of his lips and eyes, presenting to him quite adifferent-looking sort of fellow from the one known to his friends. 

The morning after the mess dinner, he had given a parting glance in hislittle mirror, looking very much screwed-up, for his mind was busy withrather troublous thoughts, among which were the events of the past day, especially those connected with his interview with the Major. 

Then he had hurried off to take advantage of what little time he hadbefore going on duty, and made for the Doctor's bungalow. It was notmuch of a place; but the glorious tropic foliage, the distant view ofthe river, and, above all, the flowers of the most brilliant coloursthat were always rushing into bloom or tumbling off to deck the groundmade it a brilliant spot in the station, and as he neared it his facesmoothed, his sun-browned forehead lost its wrinkles, and, just as heexpected, he caught sight of the two reasons for the bungalow looking sobright and gay. 

One reason was the Doctor's wife busy in the garden with a basket and apair of scissors, snipping off bunch and cluster ready for filling vaseand basin in the shaded rooms; the other was standing upon a chairhelping climber to twine and tendril to catch hold of trellis and wirewhich made the front of the cottage-like structure one blaze of colour. 

"Morning, ladies, " cried the lad. 

"Morning, Archie, " cried the Doctor's wife, a pleasant, middle-aged, pink, sunshiny-looking lady, whose smooth skin seemed to possess thepower of reflecting all sun-rays that played upon it so that they neverfixed there a spot of tan. "Come to help garden?"

"Yes; all right. What shall I do?" cried the lad. 

"Make Minnie jump down off that chair, and tuck up the wild tendrils ofthat climber. "

"No, no, auntie; I don't want him, " cried the owner of the busy hands, as she reached up higher to hook on one tendril, and failed; for thelong strand laden with blossom missed the wire that ought to have heldit, fell backwards, and, as if directed by invisible fairy hands, formeditself into a wreath over her hair, startling her so that she would havelost her footing upon the chair had she not made a quick leap to thefloor of the veranda, bringing down another trailing strand. 

"Ha, ha! Serve you right, Miss Independence!" cried Archie, running toher help. 

"No, no, don't. I can do it myself, " cried the girl. "Mind; thatflower's so tender, and I know you will break it. "

"Suppose I do, " said Archie. "No, you don't; I'll take it off and twineit up myself, even if my fingers are so clumsy. I say, Minnie, it'slucky for you that it isn't that climbing rose, or there would be somescratches. "

He sprang upon the chair, busied himself for a few minutes, and thenleaped down again, to stand with brow wrinkled, gazing up at his work. 

"There, " he said; "won't that do?"

"Yes, " said the girl, with a slight pout of two rather pretty lips. "Itwill do; but it isn't high enough. "

"Oh, come, it's higher than you could have reached. --Don't say theDoctor's out, Mrs Morley?"

"No; but he's got somebody with him;" and the speaker glanced at herniece, who turned away and looked conscious. "I am not surprised, "continued the Doctor's wife, and she looked fixedly now at her visitor. 

"What at?" replied the lad wonderingly. 

"How innocent!--What do you say, Minnie? Look at him!"

The girl turned sharply, fixed her eyes upon the young officer's face, and laughed merrily. 

"What are you laughing at?" he cried, hurriedly taking out ahandkerchief. "Have I made my face dirty?"

"No, sir. --We were quite right, auntie. I can't think how young men canbe so stupid. "

"'Tis their nature to, " said Archie, laughing, as he replaced hishandkerchief. "But what have I been doing stupid now, Minnie?"

"Sitting in a hot room and drinking what doesn't agree with you, sir. "

"I couldn't help the room being hot, " replied the lad, ratherindignantly. 

"No, sir; but you could have helped giving yourself a headache andcoming here this morning to ask uncle for a cooling draught. "

"Oh, that's it, is it, Miss Clever? Well, you are all wrong. "

"I am glad to hear it, Archie, " said Mrs Morley. "I thought you hadcome to see the Doctor. "

"That's right, " said the lad, screwing up his face again and noddingrather defiantly, boy and girl fashion, at the young lady gardener. "Somebody ill?"

"No, my dear boy. It's only Sir Charles Dallas;" and as she spoke sheglanced at her niece again, who had suddenly become busy over a freshloose strand. "He's come to ask about the men who were wounded in thatwretched quarrel last night. "

"Why, that's what I came for. --Do you hear, Minnie?"

Just then a door somewhere in the interior was opened, and men's voicesreached their ears, one being the Doctor's. 

"No, nothing to worry about, sir; do them good. "

"Ah, you keep to your old belief in the lancet, then, Doctor, " came inthe Resident's pleasant, firm tones. 

"In a case like this, certainly, sir. All the better for losing alittle of their hot, fiery blood. Set of quarrelsome, jealous fools. Here _we_ are, thousands of miles from home and Ould Ireland, amongstthese tribes, all of them spoiling for a fight. "

"Yes, Doctor, " said the Resident, slowly approaching as he crossed theroom; "but I hope to get them tamed down in time. "

"Ha, ha!" laughed the Doctor, as the two gentlemen came in sight. --"Hearhim, Minnie! What's the quotation--`Hope springs eternal in the humanbreast?'"

"I forget uncle. "

"More shame for you. --Hope away, Dallas; but you will never tame thefighting spirit out of a Malay. --Morning, Archie, my lad. What do yousay?"

"I say that Rajah Hamet is tame enough, only one ought not to talk abouthim as if he were a wild beast. --Good-morning, Sir Charles?"

"Morning, my lad, " replied the Resident, with a peculiar smile. "Haveyou got a head on this morning?"

"No, sir, I haven't got a head on this morning, " cried the boy angrily, and with his sun-browned cheeks flushing up. 

"I beg your pardon, sir. I thought you had come to see the Doctor. "

"So I have, " said Archie, drawing himself up and glancing across atMinnie, and then giving himself an angry jerk as he saw that she waslaughing. 

"Do you want to see me, Maine?" said the Doctor. 

"Yes, sir, if you are at liberty. "

"Yes; all right, my lad. --Don't trouble yourself, Dallas. That will beall right. --Into my room, Maine;" and he led the way into a pleasant, comfortably furnished room looking out upon the clearing at the back, aroom evidently the Doctor's surgery more than consulting-room, but whoseformality was softened down by the cut-flowers which indicated the busyinterference of the ladies of the house. "Sit down, my lad, " continuedthe Doctor, as he took a bamboo chair opposite that to which he hadmotioned his visitor; and gazing searchingly at him, he reached out hishand: "Head queer?"

"No, no, sir, " cried the subaltern, with his brow wrinkling up again. "I only wanted to know about last night and the men wounded. "

"Oh! That's what Sir Charles came about. Well, it's nothing much, myboy. It's rather a large pull on my roll of sticking-plaster and a fewbandages--rival clans or houses--do you bite your thumb at me, sir?--eh--Montagus and Capulets. Consequence of men carrying lethal weapons--only krises instead of rapiers. Bad thing to let men carry arms. "

"What about soldiers, then, sir?" said Archie merrily. "Bayonets, side-arms?"

"Ah, but there we have a discipline, my dear boy. But, all the same, ithas fallen to my lot to treat a bayonet-dig or two when our fellows havegot at the rack. Well, I am glad you are all right. I thought youlooked a little fishy about the gills. "

"Not I, sir. I managed a splendid breakfast this morning. "

"Yes, boy; you are good that way. I often envy you, for what with myhealth and every one's health to think about, doctoring one man forfever, putting all you fellows straight, and patching up squabblingsavages, my appetite often feels as if it wants a fillip. A doctor's isan anxious life, my boy--more especially out here in a country likethis, amongst a very uncertain people, when a man feels that he has astake in the country. "

"But you have no stake in the country, sir?"

"What, sir! I? Haven't I my wife and my sister's child?"

"Oh, I thought you meant something commercial, sir. "

"What! I? Pooh, boy! I was alluding to the uncertainty of ourposition here. "

"Oh! Oh, I see, sir. That's all right enough. Here's Sir Charles witha strong detachment of British infantry under his command, and thenative chiefs are bound to respect him. "

"Tremendous!" said the Doctor, with a snort. "A couple of hundred men!"

"Three, sir. "

"Three indeed! What about the men on the sick-list, and thenon-combatants that have to be counted in every squad? Why, if thatfellow Suleiman turned nasty, where should we be, out here in the depthsof this jungle?"

"Oh, there's no occasion to fear anything of that sort, sir. "

"What! Not for a boy like you, Archie Maine, with a suit or two ofclothes, a razor, and hair-brush. You put on your cap, and you coverall your responsibilities. What about the women, high and low, that wehave to look after?"

"Oh, they'd be all right, sir. "

"Would they?"

"I say, Doctor, don't talk like that. You don't think that we haveanything to fear?"

"I don't know. --Well, fear? No, I suppose I mustn't mention such athing as fear; but we are hundreds of miles away from Singapore andhelp. "

"Oh no, sir. There's the river. It wouldn't take long for the gunboatto bring up reinforcements and supplies; and then, even if Mr SultanSuleiman turned against us--which isn't likely--"

"I don't know, " growled the Doctor. 

"Well, sir, I think I do, " said Archie, rather importantly. "Why, if hedid, there's our friend the Rajah Hamet. He would be on our side. "

"Ah, that I don't know, " said the Doctor again; and he tapped the tablewith his nails. "This is all in confidence, boy. I don't think SirCharles has much faith in that young gentleman. But still, that's theway that our Government worked things in India. "

"I don't quite understand you. "

"Read up your history, then, my boy. Our position in India has beenmade by the jealousies of the different princes and our political folksworking them one against another. But there, you didn't come here tochatter politics. What is it? You have got something more to say tome, haven't you?"

"Well--er--yes, sir, " hesitated the lad. 

"Out with it, boy. Never play with your medical man. Nohalf-confidences. I can pretty well read you, Archie, so out with itfrankly. "

"Well, sir, I did half make up my mind to speak to you, and came thismorning on purpose; and then as soon as I saw you I felt that it wasfoolish--a sort of fancy of mine. "

"Well, go on; let me judge. You have got something the matter withyou?"

"That's what I don't quite know, sir, " said the young man, who was nowscarlet. 

"Well, don't shilly-shally. Let me judge. Is it some bodily ailment?"

"No, sir. "

"Glad of it. What is it, then? It can't be money. "

"Oh no, sir. "

"Of course not. No temptations here to spend. Then you have got intosome big scrape?"

"I am always getting into scrapes, sir. "

"Yes; and the Major had you up to give you a wigging, as you call it, only yesterday. "

"How did you know that, sir?" cried the lad excitedly. 

"The Doctor knows pretty well everything about people, and what hedoesn't know for himself his women find out for him. Now then, what isit?"

"I am afraid you will laugh at me, sir. "

"I promise you I shall not. "

"Thank you, sir; that's encouraging. "

"To the point, boy--to the point. "

Archie Maine drew a deep breath as if to pull himself together, and thenas he met the Doctor's searching eyes they seemed to draw out of himthat which he wished to say. 

"I am afraid, Doctor, " he said excitedly, "that I have got somethingwrong with my head. "

"Why? Pain you? Feeling of confusion?"

The lad shook the part of his person mentioned. 

"Dizziness?"

"Oh no, sir; nothing of that sort. "

"Well, go on. A doctor isn't a magician. Have you got a bad tooth?You must tell him which one to attack with his key preliminary to thescraunch. "

"Oh, you are laughing at me, Doctor. "

"Only smiling, my dear boy. "

"I don't see anything to laugh at, sir, because it is a serious thing tome. "

"Good lad. I smiled because I felt happy over you since it didn't seemto be anything serious. "

"But it _is_ serious, sir. "

"Let's hear. You say you have got something wrong with your head?"

"Well, I suppose it is my head, sir. But you know I am always gettinginto some trouble or another. "

"Exactly. You are notorious for your boyish pranks. "

"Yes, sir; and I want to get the better of it. It's as the Major said:the troubles I get into are boys' troubles, and not suitable to a youngman. "

"The Major's wise, Archie. Then why don't you put off all your boyishmischief and remember that you are now pretty well a man grown, and, asone of our lads would say in his cockney lingo, `act as sich?'"

"Because I can't, Doctor, " said the lad earnestly. "I want to act as aman. I'm six feet two, and I shave regularly. "

"Humph!" grunted the Doctor, who had to make an effort to keep hiscountenance. 

"And whenever I get into trouble I make a vow that I'll never do such achildish, schoolboyish thing again; but it's no use, for before manydays have passed, something tempts me, and I find myself doing morefoolish things than ever. Can it be that there is some screw loose inmy head?"

The Doctor sat looking earnestly in the lad's agitated countenance, forhis brow was one tangle of deeply marked wrinkles. 

"I think sometimes I must be going mad, or at all events growing into anidiot, and you can't think how wretched and despairing it makes me. Doyou think medicine--tonic or anything of that sort--would do me good?"

The Doctor gazed at the lad fixedly till he could bear it no longer, andhe was about to speak again, when the adviser uttered a loud expirationof the breath, jumping up at the same time and clapping his handsheavily on his visitor's shoulders. 

"No, my lad, I don't, " he cried boisterously. "You are sound as a bell, strong as a young horse. Why, you ought to be proud of yourself insteadof fidgeting with a lot of morbid fancies. You have been for years andyears a boy, fresh--larky, as you would say--full of mischief, as I wasmyself--"

"You, Doctor! Impossible!"

"What! Ha, ha! Why, Archie Maine, I have watched you pretty thoroughlysince we have been friends, noted your pranks, and seen the trouble youhave got into with the Major. Oh yes; I believe I was much worse thanyou. And you are now changing into the man, when most fellows of yourage begin thinking more of others than of themselves; though they arepretty good at that latter, and particularly fond of arranging theirplumage so as to excite admiration. But you held on to your merry, mischievous boyhood, so take my advice and don't worry yourself anymore. I hope you have got many, many years to come, and you will findyourself serious enough then. So you thought yours might be a case formedical advice? Not it!"

"But!"--ejaculated Archie. 

"But me no buts, as the man said in the book. You will be cured fastenough in the first real trouble that comes upon us and makes itsgenuine appeal to your manhood. "

"But I get plenty of trouble now, Doctor, " protested the lad. 

"Bah! A bit of a rowing--a snub from the Major! Trifles, boy. Thoseare not real troubles. I mean times when you find out that you reallyare a man, that others' lives are perhaps depending upon you as asoldier for preservation. My dear boy, all you have got to do is not totry to be a man. Nature will do that. Your full manhood will comequite soon enough. Only try to drop a little of the boy, for you are abit too young. Well, what are you staring at?"

Archie's face was more wrinkled than ever. 

"Ah, I see, " continued the Doctor. "You are doubting whether you shallbelieve me. Here's a pretty fellow! Comes to a medical man for advice, and begins to doubt him as soon as the advice is given. --Here, Maria--Minnie!"

"No, for goodness' sake, Doctor! And Sir Charles is there!"

"No, he isn't. I heard him start ten minutes ago. "

"But you are not going to tell them what I said?"

"Do I ever tell my patients' secrets to anybody? Now, look here, Archie; you want to jump right into your manhood at once?"

"Of course I do, sir. "

"Well, my lad, I'm afraid you won't have long to wait, for if I'm notvery much mistaken your cure is coming. "

"What! mischief with the Malays, sir?"

"This is in confidence, my lad--yes. But look here, " continued theDoctor, lowering his voice, for at that moment voices were heardapparently approaching the Doctor's room. "Tut, tut!" he muttered. "They have no business to be coming here now. I suppose they don'tclass you as a patient. Humph! All right. They are not coming here. Look here, Archie, " he continued, as he threw himself back in his chair;"mine may only be suspicions, but situated as we are here amongst thesepeople, who, in spite of their half-civilisation, have a good deal ofthe savage at heart and the natural strong dislike for those who holdthem in subjection, it is good policy to be a little too wise and notcareless and indifferent over matters that give one food for thought. "

"But, Doctor, "--said the young man earnestly, and with a touch ofexcitement in his tones. 

"There, there, there, don't fly out. I was only going to say that Ican't help feeling doubtful at times about our position here. "

"But you don't think that the Malays--"

"Yes, I do--I think that they are very untrustworthy. They dislike usfor religious reasons as well as for taking possession of their country, and, in short, there are times when I can't help feeling that we areliving on the slopes of a moral volcano which might burst forth at anymoment. "

"But, Doctor, they seem so friendly. "

"Yes, my lad; as you say, they seem so friendly. "

"Why, lots of the people quite worship you. See how they come foradvice. "

"Oh yes, " said the Doctor dryly, "I get plenty of native patients; butthat doesn't make their own doctors any fonder of me. Still, I dare sayI can get on very well, and, as I have suggested, I may be toosuspicious. Nothing may happen for years--perhaps never. But you are asoldier. "

"Well, yes, sir, " said the lad, laughing. "Old Ripsy's trying to makeme one. "

"And you _are_ a soldier, my lad; and though you mayn't have to fight, you will quite agree with me that it is wise to keep your powder dry. "

"Of course, sir. "

"There's no harm in that, eh?"

"Of course not, sir. "

"Well, men are men, and women are women. "

"Yes, sir, " said the lad, smiling. 

"And we don't want to frighten them by letting them see that we arealways going to the magazine. See what I mean?"

"Yes, sir. You mean, not let them know that you have any doubts aboutour position here. "

"Good. I went a roundabout way to put it before you, but you have hitthe right nail clean on the head at once. We want to make their livesas sunshiny as we can, and not try to point out clouds where as likelyas not there are none. "

"Of course not, sir. "

"Right, Archie. A quiet, thoughtful man would, of course, be carefulnot to discuss matters before our womenkind that might have an alarmingtendency. "

"And you think I, a boy, might, sir?" said Archie, frowning heavily. 

"Yes, " said the Doctor; "but not after such a broad hint as I am givingyou now, my lad;" and he leaned forward and patted his visitor upon theknee. 

The change in Archie Maine's countenance was instantaneous. Thewrinkles of doubt were smoothed out from his forehead, and he stood up, gazing as it were straight past the Doctor into the future, his lipscompressed and a general tensity of expression seeming to pervade everyfeature. Then he started violently, for the Doctor exclaimed:

"Well done! The cure has begun. "

"What do you mean, Doctor?"

"Only this, my lad: that very likely there may be several relapses, butyou are growing up fast. There, our consultation is over, and I supposeyou have no more to say to me?"

"Yes, one thing, Doctor, " said the young man in a low tone, for theladies' voices were heard once more. 

"Well, what is it?"

"Only this, sir--private and confidential. "

"Of course. What do you mean?"

"You will not tell Mrs Morley what I have said?"

"Is it likely, my lad?" cried the Doctor merrily, as he clapped hisvisitor on the shoulder. "There, be off. You are keeping a patientwaiting. "

The Doctor threw open the door and led the way out into the veranda, where Mrs Morley and Minnie were standing beside a black-haired, black-eyed, young native woman, who was squatted down in the shade, andwho now started up hurriedly from where she had evidently been holdingup a solemn-looking little child of about two years old for the ladies'inspection. 

The woman's dark eyes flashed, and she made a movement as if to coverher face, but snatched away her hand directly and stood up proudly for amoment, before bowing low and not ungracefully to the Doctor as he gaveher a quick nod. 

"Here is Dula, " said Mrs Morley. "She has brought up her sick child. "

"Yes, I see, " said the Doctor, rather gruffly, as he frowned at theswarthy little patient. "But I wish Dula could talk English or I couldtalk her tongue a little better. "

The woman smiled intelligently as she rearranged the bright-colouredplaid sarong around the child and said in a pleasant voice:

"Ba-be bet-ter. "

The Doctor took a step forward, and the child shrank from him as he laidhis hand upon its head and gazed fixedly in its eyes. 

"Now, little one, " he said, "we did teach you to put out your tonguelast time. "

"Tongue--tongue, " said the woman quickly; and she held the child towardsthe Doctor, while Archie and Minnie exchanged glances, and then burstout laughing; for, in obedience to a shake given by its mother, the tinygirl uttered a low whimper, screwed-up her face as if about to cry, andthen thrust out a little red tongue, drew it back instanter, and buriedher face in her mother's breast. 

"All right, " said the Doctor to the woman. "It is getting well fast. "

"Well--fast!" cried the woman, catching up his words quickly; and then, with the tears welling over from her great dark eyes, she bent down, caught at the Doctor's hand, and held it quickly to her lips. 

"Oh, oh, that's all right, " said the Doctor hastily, as he drew back hishand and patted the woman's shoulder. 

"Look, uncle, what Dula has brought us!" cried Minnie; and she took fromthe veranda table a great bunch of the beautiful white creeper which thenative women were fond of wearing in their black hair. 

"Aha!" said the Doctor. "Thank you. --My fee, Archie. "

"Not all, " said Mrs Morley. "She has brought you one of those horribledurians;" and as the Doctor's wife spoke Minnie caught up a little, bamboo-woven native basket, in which, carefully arranged among freshlygathered fern, was one of the peculiar-looking native fruits, theproduce of one of the great trees so carefully planted and cared for innearly every native village. "Don't! Don't touch the horrid thing, mydear, " whispered Mrs Morley. 

"What!" cried the Doctor; and he took the great, hard-shelled fruit fromthe basket and turned it over in his hands. "Capital!" he cried. "Abeauty!"

"Ugh!" ejaculated Mrs Morley; and Minnie screwed-up her face into apretty grimace, as she once more exchanged glances with Archie. 

"Doc-tor like?" questioned the woman, with an anxious look. 

"Yes, " he replied, smiling. "I like them very much. "

"Like--very--much, " said the woman. "Dula glad. " And then, soothingher child tenderly, she whispered a few words to it in her nativelanguage. 

"Oh, come, " said the Doctor, "I do understand that. Your mother's quiteright: I sha'n't eat you. "

The woman smiled again as she hugged her child closer and kissed itlovingly, while the Doctor nodded to Minnie. 

"Quite comic, isn't it, my dear? What foolish things mothers are, aren't they? Just as fond of their bairns as Englishwomen, eh?"

"Why, of course, uncle. Such a pretty little thing, too! Look at itseyes!" and, to the mother's great delight, the girl crossed to her, tookthe child in her arms, and kissed it, while the little thing smiled, raised one hand, and softly stroked the girl's white face. 

"There, Archie, " she cried; "it is pretty, isn't it?"

"A beauty!" said the young man, laughing. 

"Come and kiss it, sir, " said the girl imperiously. 

"All right;" and without more ado the lad took hold of the child, heldit up, and kissed it twice. 

"Oh, take care!" cried Minnie. "How clumsy you are!"

"Well, it doesn't seem to think so, " cried the lad, as he handed thelittle one back to its mother, who said a few words in her own tongue tothe Doctor, and then turned to the two ladies, and after bowing to themwith native grace, bent low to Archie, gave him a grateful look, andwalked slowly away. 

"Oh, you young humbug!" growled the Doctor. 

"Why?" said Archie warmly. 

"Just to show off before my wife and Minnie. I believe you weregrowling all the time and calling it a dirty little nigger. "

"That I wasn't! I don't mind babies when they are as big as that. "

"No--don't _mind_, " said the Doctor sarcastically. 

"And I didn't call it a little nigger. I was wishing there was somesugar near. --Oh, I say, doesn't your durian smell?"

"Horrid!" exclaimed Minnie. 

"All right, my dear, " said the Doctor. "I can bear it. But you willcome down some day, my lady. "

"Never, uncle!"

"We shall see, " said the Doctor. "My word, what a beauty!--Here, Archie, drop in this evening and help me to have it for dessert. "

"I'm sure Archie won't touch the nasty thing, uncle. "

"Oh, won't I?" cried the lad. "Only too glad of the chance. "

Minnie made a grimace and turned away, but turned back directly onhearing Archie's next words:

"I say, Doctor, that woman shows how the people here like you. "

"Well, yes, " said the gentleman addressed, "I suppose they do feel alittle obliged; but I don't think they care much. "

"Oh, uncle, " cried Minnie, "I am sure they do. See how pleased thatboatman was--that man who came up to you out of the sampan, and whobrought us that fish afterwards. Why, I believe that he would have doneanything for you. "

"I believed once that he was going to do something for me, my dear. "

"Now, don't talk nonsense, my dear, " said Mrs Morley. "I told you notto talk about that. "

"You did, Mary. But it was an awkward position; wasn't it, Minnie?"

"I agree with aunt, uncle, that a lot of it was invention. "

"Oh, it wasn't invention, Archie. It was an awful position for a poorsurgeon. "

"I haven't heard anything about this, " said Archie. 

"Well, it was like this, my boy. He was about one of the biggest andfiercest fellows that I have seen here. There was only one good thingabout him: he could speak bad English. He came up here one day andtried to make me understand that he was in terrible pain. But that wasplain enough, for as soon as he was in my room he began stamping about, pointing to his mouth. "

"What! had he got the toothache?" said Archie. 

"Yes--one of those awfully bad ones; and twice over he clapped his handto his waist and uncovered the handle of his kris as if he meant to useit. It quite startled me. "

"Now, Henry, pray do not exaggerate so. I do wish you wouldn't be sofond of ornamenting your anecdotes. "

"Well, really, my dear, if I didn't touch up a story a little bit, youngMaine here wouldn't be able to grasp it. "

"Was he in such pain, then, sir, " said Archie, "that he wanted you tothink he would kill himself?"

"Yes, my lad; and being such a fierce-looking fellow, he made me feelquite nervous, for twice over he looked as if he was going to use a krison me, and I began to look round my bottles for something to use inself-defence. "

"Chloroform, I suppose, " said Mrs Morley sarcastically. 

"No, my dear; something much stronger than that. "

"That's a new improvement, Henry, " said Mrs Morley. 

"There, she won't let me tell you, Archie. You ask me, and I will tellyou the story some day when we are alone. "

"Oh no, Doctor; you have raised my curiosity, and I want to hear itnow. "

"Oh, pray go on, " said Mrs Morley. 

"Well, don't interrupt me, then. "

Minnie and Archie exchanged laughing glances, and the Doctor went on:

"Well, I got him down in a chair, and as he lay back he opened his mouthand displayed a tremendous set of the biggest and whitest teeth I eversaw. "

"Ahem!" coughed Minnie, with a merry look at Archie. 

"Fine, healthy-looking man he was, but he had the regular savage Malaylook in his eyes; but I gained courage directly I saw what was thematter. There was one great double tooth which was evidently the causeof all the trouble, and I knew at once that he would have no peace tillit was drawn. There was a position for a medical man! And I could nothelp feeling that I was quite at his mercy. I went to a drawer and tookout an instrument, and as I approached him he glared at me more savagelythan ever, and laid his right hand once more upon the ugly, pistol-likehilt of his kris. Now, sir, what would you have done under thecircumstances?"

"Bolted, " said Archie laconically. 

"I don't believe you, " said Minnie. 

"What! and left two defenceless women at his mercy, sir? That won't do;will it, Mary, my dear?"

"Well, then, " said Archie, "I should have called in old Sergeant Ripsyand a couple more men to hold him. Or why didn't you give him a dose ofsomething to send him to sleep? But I know. You got tight hold of thetooth and tugged it out. "

"How are you going to get tight hold of a savage's tooth when you cansee him ready to pull out his kris, and your hands are trembling likebanana-leaves in a storm?"

"Well, I should have asked him to give me the kris to put away in caseof accidents, " said Archie merrily. 

"Ask a Malay to give you his head to put away in case of accidents!"cried the Doctor sarcastically. "No, sir; I took my courage in bothhands and approached him. "

"Why, you were holding the instrument in one hand, sir, " said Archiemerrily; and Minnie laughed. 

"Ah, you are getting too sharp, sir, " cried the Doctor. "But I can tellyou it was nervous work, and for a few minutes I felt sure that if Ioperated on him he would operate on me; and if I had thought of it atthe time, I think I should have called in my wife to stand sentry with arevolver. "

"Oh dear me!" sighed Mrs Morley, as she drew some work out of herhandbag. 

"Well, " continued the Doctor, "I got a good hold of the tooth at last, gave a wrench--"

"And out came the tooth, " said Archie quickly. 

"No, it didn't, sir; and as I stood over the man, looking down into hisfierce eyes, he snatched his hand from his waist, and I turned cold, forI felt it was all over, when in an instant up came the other hand, andboth of them closed over my wrist, giving me such a wrench that it quitestartled me; and it was then that the tooth came out. "

"And the toothache was cured, sir?" cried Archie. 

"Minnie, my dear, " said Mrs Morley quietly, "do you notice anydifference in that story since your uncle told it last?"

"Yes, aunt; it is much more flowery than it used to be. "

"Flowery!" growled the Doctor. "Why, Archie, my lad, that story is astrue as true. Indeed, I should have been able to show you the greattooth as a proof, only the man took it away. He was one of my firstpatients when I came here; and I never had any fee. "

"For shame, Henry! The man is always bringing you fruit or fish. I amsure that he would do anything for you. "

"Well, yes, " said the Doctor, "he has been grateful in his way; but Inever feel sure that those fellows will not make use of their krises. "

CHAPTER FIVE. 

THE OFFICERS' WASHING. 

"Oh, here you are, Mrs Smithers. Aunt was saying just now that shewondered you had not been up. I told her perhaps it was on account ofthe hot weather, for it has been terribly trying. "

"Oh, bless your heart, Miss Minnie!" said the tall, sturdy, buxom-looking woman who had just set down a big basket in the veranda, "the weather doesn't make no difference to me. Whether it's hot orwhether it's cold, I have got to get my bit of washing done; though I ama bit tried when it comes to that mounsoon, or mounseer, or whateverthey call it, when it's such strange, hard work to get the things dry. But even then it ain't fair to complain, for the soft water's lovely, and plenty of it. But I am late again this week, and it has been veryhard work to get the officers washed. 'Tain't half-an-hour since I tookyoung Mr Maine's home to his quarters. I hope your aunt ain't crosswith me. "

"Oh no, she's not angry. She knew there must be some good reason. Wewere half-afraid you were ill. "

"Not me, Miss Minnie! I've never no time to be ill; and if I had been, no matter how bad I was I should have been up here to the Doctor for oneof his exhibitions, as he calls them. I've brought his white suit, miss, and it looks lovely. Shall I show it you?"

"I know how it will be, Mrs Smithers, " said Minnie, smiling. "I amglad there has been nothing wrong. "

"Oh, don't you be glad, miss. It's sorry I am. "

"Why, what's the trouble?"

"Trouble, miss? Oh, my master again. He will never be happy till he ishaving the Rogues' March played over him, and the buttons that I keepsewed on tighter than those of any man in his company cut off hisbeautiful uniform, and him drummed out as a disgrace to the regiment. "

"Dear, dear!" said Minnie. "I am very sorry, Mrs Smithers. "

"Yes; I knowed you would be, my dear, if you will forgive me for callingyou so. You see, I have known you so long as such a dear, sweet younglady, with no more pride in you than there is in one of our Jenny-wrensat home. "

"But what is the matter, Mrs Smithers?" said Minnie hastily, in aneffort to change the flow of the bronzed, burly woman's words intoanother direction. 

"You needn't ask, my dear. The old thing. "

"What! surely not drinking again? I thought he had taken the pledge, and that Sergeant Ripsy had promised you that he would keep a sharp eyeover your husband. "

"Oh yes, miss, that's all right; and he daren't go to the canteen, forthey wouldn't admit him. But what's the use of that when he can manageto get some of that nasty rack, as they call it, from the first Malayfellow he meets? I'd like to rack 'em!"

"It's such a pity, " said Minnie. "Such a good soldier as he is, too. I've heard Mr Maine say that there isn't a smarter-looking man in hiscompany; and my uncle praises him too. "

"Praises him, my dear!" said the woman, looking at the speakerround-eyed. "Praises him! A-mussy me, what for?"

"He says he's such a fine-looking man. "

"Fine-looking? Oh yes, he's fine-looking enough, " said the womanscornfully. 

"And that he is so strong and manly and hearty, and that he never wantsto come on the sick-list. "

"Sick-list! No, my dear, he dursen't. He knows only too well that yourdear uncle would know at once what was the matter with him. "

"But he's such a smart-looking fellow--so clean, Mr Maine says, that heis quite a pattern to the others when he comes on parade. "

"Oh yes, that's all right, my dear; but who makes him smart? Who cleanshis buttons and buckles, and pipeclays him, but his poor wife? Why, many's the time I have had to flannel his face and hands before he wenton parade. "

"Well, well, " said Minnie compassionately, "let's hope he will improve. "

"Improve, my dear? I've give up hopes. He says that the climate don'tagree with him, but when we was at Colchester he used to say he wasobliged to take a little to keep off the colic, for the wind off theeast coast was so keen; and the same when we were in Canada. That waswhen we were first married, and I was allowed to come on the strength ofthe regiment, many long years ago, my dear; and I have done theofficers' washing ever since, or I don't know what we should have done. Then when we came out to Injy and it was so hot, he used to say if hedidn't have a little something he should be a dead man, because it wasso horrid dry; and now we are stationed here he sticks out that he onlytakes a little to keep off the jungle fever. Any one would think he wasfighting against being invalided home, but he don't deceive theSergeant, and he tells me that Joe will go too far one of these days;and he will break my heart if he does, and I'm always in a skeer as Ithink and think and wonder how far he will have to go before being senthome. I don't know what's to become of me if I am sent there. Home, sweet home, they calls it, Miss Minnie. I suppose you would like togo?"

"Well, for some things, yes, Mrs Smithers; but I am very happy here. "

"Of course you are, my dear. You are so young and pretty and good. "

"Oh, nonsense, Mrs Smithers! I am very happy here because I think auntlikes me being companion to her, and dear uncle wouldn't like me to goaway. "

"Of course he wouldn't, my dear, bless him! for he's a good, true man, though he does talk a bit hard sometimes, and every one likes him. Seehow good he is to all these Malay folk, who have no call upon him atall. Oh dear! it will be a hard time for every one when you do go away. I know I shall about cry my eyes out. "

"But I am not going away, Mrs Smithers, " said Minnie laughingly. 

"Not going away, my dear? No, not this week, nor next week, nor nextyear perhaps. But you needn't tell me; it would be against Nature foryou to stop here always. Such a young lady as you can't be allowed todo as she likes. All the same, though, my dear, I should be glad to seeyou go home. "

"You would, Mrs Smithers?"

"Yes, my dear, for I don't think it's nice for English womenkind to beout here amongst these betel-chewing, half-black people, going about intheir cotton and silk plaid sarongs, as they call them, and every manwith one of those nasty ugly krises stuck in his waist. Krises Isuppose they call them because they keep them rolled-up in the creasesof their Scotch kilt things. I often lie in bed of a night feelingthankful that I have got a good, big, strong husband to take care of me, bad as he is. For my Joe can fight. Yes, I often feel that wewomenkind aren't safe here. "

"Oh, for shame, Mrs Smithers! Who could feel afraid with about threehundred brave British soldiers to take care of them?"

"I could, miss, and do often. It's all very well to talk, and I knowthat if these heathens rose up against us our British Grenadiers wouldclose up and close up till the last man dropped. But what's the good ofthat when we should be left with no one to take care of us? Oh, mydear! my dear!" said the woman, with a look of horror crossing the bigbrown face. 

"Mrs Smithers, you must have been upset this week, to talk like that. "

"I--I 'ave, my dear; and it's a shame of me to stand here putting suchmiserable ideas into your head; but I had a very hard day yesterday, formy Joe had been extra trying, and I couldn't get a wink of sleep, forafter being so angry with him that I could have hit him, I lay cryingand thinking what a wicked woman I was for half-wishing that he wasdead; for he is my husband, my dear, after all, and--Morning, ma'am--Imean, good-afternoon, " cried the woman respectfully. "I am so sorry tobe late this week, and I hope the Doctor's quite well. "

CHAPTER SIX. 

ARCHIE OPENS HIS EARS. 

The mess dinner was over, and the officers were sitting back by one ofthe open windows, dreamily gazing out at the dark jungle and breathingin with a calm feeling of satisfaction the soft, comparatively cool airthat floated up on the surface of the swift river. 

It was very still, not a word having been spoken for some time; not asound came from the native campong, while it was hard to believe thatwithin touch of the mess-room there were the quarters of nearly threehundred men. But once in a while something like a whisper came from thejungle, suggesting the passing through its dense tangle of someprey-seeking, cat-like creature. But no one spoke; though, in ahalf-drowsy way, those seated by the window and a couple of dark figuresoutside in the veranda were straining their ears and trying to make outwhat caused the distant sounds. Then some one spoke:

"Asleep, Archie?"

"No. I was trying to make out what was that faint cry. Do you know, Down?"

"Didn't hear any faint cry. "

"Listen, then. "

"Can't. Deal too drowsy. --Lots of fire-flies out to-night. "

"Yes; aren't they lovely?--all along the river-bank. They put me inmind of the tiny sparks at the back of a wood fire. "

"A wood fire? What do you mean--a forest on fire?"

"No, no; at home, when you are burning logs of wood and the littlesparks keep running here and there all over the back of the stove, justlike fireworks at a distance. "

"Ah, yes, they do look something like that, just as if the leaves of theoverhanging bushes all burst out into light. "

"Yes, " said Archie; "and when the soft breeze blows over them it seemsto sweep them all out. "

"Good job, too, " said Captain Down. "We get heat enough in the sunshinewithout having the bushes and the water made hot by fire-flies. "

"It's wonderful, " said Archie. 

"Wonderfully hot. "

"No, no; I mean so strange that all those beetles, or whatever they are, should carry a light in their tails that they can show or put out justwhen they like, and that though it's so brilliant it is quite cool. "

"Rather awkward for them if it was hot, in a climate like this. Theylook very pretty, though. "

"Lovely!" said the subaltern enthusiastically. "I don't know when Ihave seen them so bright. You can trace out the whole course of theriver as far as we can see; and there above, the sky looks like purplevelvet sewn all over with stars, just as if they were the reflections ofthe fire-flies. "

"Bosh!" said Captain Down, striking a match to light a cigar. 

"Why bosh?"

"Fancy--poetry. I think I shall have a nap. It's too hot to smoke. "

"Don't. "

"What! not smoke?"

"No; don't go to sleep. You will get fever. "

"Who says so?"

"The Doctor. "

"Oh, bother!"

"Now then, what do you say to going as far as his bungalow and tellingthe ladies that the river has never looked more beautiful?"

_Plosh_!

"Beautiful river!" said the Captain mockingly. "Like to take them on itperhaps in a boat?"

"Well, it would be very nice, with a couple of good men to pole italong. "

"Of course; and every moment expecting to see the horrible snout of oneof those brutal beasts shoved over the side to hook one out. "

"Nonsense!" said Archie impatiently. 

"Nonsense? Why, they often upset a boat when they are hungry, and layhold of a nice, juicy native, to take him down and stuff him in somehole in the bank to get tender for the next feed. "

"Oh, they would never attack a boat when men are splashing about withpoles. "

"Well, you don't catch me taking ladies out on a dark night, unless it'sin a big dragon-boat with plenty of men on board; and then I should liketo have a gun. "

"They are horrible beasts, " said Archie, "and I wonder that the Malayfellows don't try to exterminate them. "

"Ah! Go in pluckily and make a decent use of those crooked krises oftheirs. There would be some sense in having them poisoned then. "

"Old Morley says he has never seen a kris-wound turn bad, and he hasdoctored scores. Says it's all fudge about their being poisoned. "

"Well, he ought to know, " said the Captain; "but there's no go in theseMalay fellows. I don't believe they would stir even if they saw one oftheir women snatched off the bank where she had gone to fetch water. "

The officer had been giving his opinions in a low, subdued voice, andArchie Maine was about to break out in defence of the people amongstwhom they were stationed; but he closed his half-parted lips, for thesilence within the mess-room was broken by the voice of the Resident, who suddenly broke out with:

"To go on with what I was saying at dinner--"

"Eh?" said the Major drowsily; and the two young men in the verandaturned slightly, to see, by the light of a faintly burning lamp, the oldofficer alter his position and re-spread a large bandana silkhandkerchief over his head as if to screen it from the night air. "Whatwere you saying at dinner?"

"About its seeming such an anomalous position. "

"What's an anomalous position?" said the Major more drowsily. 

"Why, for me to be supposed to be here, for diplomatic reasons, toadvise Rajah Suleiman as to his governing his people, and to have youand your strong detachment stationed at the campong. "

"Anomalous!" said the Major, with a chuckle. "I call it wise. See whatemphasis a body of fighting-men can give to your advice. "

"Oh, but that's dealing with the natives by force. "

"Very good force too, old fellow; for I don't believe that thick-lipped, sensual--looking fellow would take much notice of what you say if weweren't here. "

"Yes; but I want to deal with them by moral suasion. "

"Rifles are much better. There's no occasion to use them; it's theirbeing at hand if they are wanted that will do the trick. "

"I don't think it's necessary, " said Sir Charles firmly. "I am gettingon very well with the Rajah, and he listens to everything I advise withthe greatest attention. "

"Glad to hear it, " said the Major, with a grunt; "but it seems to methat he pays a deal more attention to that French chap than he does toyou. "

"Think so?" said Sir Charles sharply. 

There was silence for a few minutes. 

"Let's get up and stroll round the lines, " whispered Archie. 

"Sha'n't. 'Tisn't time for visiting posts. "

"But they'll wake to the fact that we are listeners. "

"Let 'em. They ought to know we are here. "

"But they are talking business, " whispered Archie. 

"Well, it's our business as much as theirs. Are you afraid thatlisteners will hear no good of themselves, and the Major will bring insomething about your last prank?"

"No;" and the lad twitched himself a little round in his cane chair, which uttered a loud squeak; and the Resident went on:

"Yes, that fellow is rather a nuisance. His bright, chatty way anddeference please the Rajah; and I suppose you are right, for he's alwaysproposing something that amuses the stolid Malay, while my prosing aboutbusiness matters must bore him. "

"I believe he's an adventurer, " said the Major. "Don't like him. "

"Well, he doesn't like you, Major; so that balances the account. "

"I don't know. What's he here for?"

"Oh, he's a bit of a naturalist and a bit of a sportsman. Glad of aride through the jungle on an elephant. Glad of his board and lodging. Bit of a student he thinks himself in his dilettante, Parisian way. Oh, there's no harm in him. "

"So much the better, " said the Major. "But what about that otherfellow--what's his name?--Hamet?"

"Ah-h!" ejaculated the Resident, expiring his breath rather sharply, almost in a hiss. "I am rather doubtful about that fellow. I'm afraidhe's an intriguer. "

"Why, there's nothing to intrigue about in this jungle. "

"Don't you make any mistake, Major. There's as much intriguing going onin this half-savage country as there is in Europe. That fellow Hamet, on the strength of his European education, is very anxious to be friendswith me, and his civility covers a good deal. "

"Good deal of what?" said the Major. 

"Politics. "

"Politics! Rubbish!"

"Oh no, my dear sir; not rubbish. This long, narrow Malay Peninsula iscut up into countries each ruled over by a petty Rajah, and thesehalf-savage potentates are all as jealous of one another as can be. Each Rajah is spoiling for a fight so as to get possession of hisneighbour's territory, and if we were not here one or the other of themwould swallow up Suleiman's patch, and he, knowing this, submits aspleasantly as he can to the rule and protection of England, which keepsthem safe. "

"Do you think, then, that this young fellow Hamet has any of thesegrasping ideas?"

"Think? I am sure of it. He wants to be very friendly with me; andwhat for?"

"Well, I suppose, " said the Major, "he thinks you would be a very goodfriend, and lend him a company or two of men to help him against one ofhis grasping neighbours. What do you say?"

"Between ourselves, " said Sir Charles, lowering his voice, "I think hegoes further than that. He has his eye on Suleiman's rich territory, and would like me to help him to sit in Master Suleiman's place. "

"Ho, ho!" said the Major. "And what do you say to that?"

"Nothing, " said the Resident shortly. 

"Here, let's go, " whispered Archie; and he started up from his chair, whose bamboo legs scraped loudly over the veranda floor. 

"Who's that out there?" said the Major sharply. 

"Down, sir, and Maine. "

"Oh, " said the Major; and then, "Is it any cooler out there?"

"No, sir, " said Archie sharply. "I thought it was getting rather warm. "

"Is any one else out there?" said the Resident, leaving his chair andstepping through the Malay French window out into the sheltered spot. 

"No, sir, " said Archie. 

"None of the servants within hearing?"

"No, sir. "

"Are you sure?"

"Quite, sir, " said Archie, as he laid his hand upon one of thecreeper-covered supporters of the roof. 

"That's better, " said Sir Charles; and, followed by the Major, he beganto stroll along past the mess-room windows towards where a sentry was onduty, watchful and silent, while Archie and Captain Down turned inanother direction. 

"You needn't be so precious thin-skinned about hearing what Sir Charlessaid to the old man. I don't see why it should not be confidence forus, and--Well, what's the matter? Giddy?"

Archie responded by gripping his companion tightly by the wrist, and thetwo young men stood listening to a faint rustling away to their left, till every sound they could hear came from behind them, where theircommander and the Resident were still talking at the end of the verandain a low tone. 

"Hear that?" said Archie. 

"Yes. Cat or some prowling thing smelling after the remains of thedinner. "

"If it had been anything of that kind we shouldn't have heard its velvetpaws. "

"Perhaps not. What do you think it was, then? Not a tiger?"

"No; I thought it must be one of the Malay fellows--a listener. "

"Not it. What would be the good of his listening to a language hecouldn't understand?"

"I don't know, " said Archie. "Some of these Malays are very deep. Hadn't we better say something to the Major?"

"Rubbish! No! Why, if it had been some one lurking about, the sentrywould have seen him. "

"Yes, " said Archie thoughtfully. 

CHAPTER SEVEN. 

JOE AND THE CROCS. 

About an hour after the last conversation Sergeant Ripsy was giving afew final words of command to the little squad of men whom, to use hisown words, he was about to plant, as if they were so many vegetables, atdifferent points about the cantonments, in accordance with the strictmilitary rule kept up, just as though they were in an enemy's countryand it was a time of war. 

Arms were shouldered, and there was a halt made here, and a halt madethere; and this was repeated until a sentry had been stationed at sixdifferent points, where the guard could have full command of so manymuddy elephant-paths leading away into the black jungle, as well as oftwo well-beaten tracks which commanded the river. 

It was at the latter of these that the Sergeant, whose task was endeduntil the hour came for rounds, paused to say a few words to the sentry, a well-built fellow who looked as upright as the rifle he carried; andbefore speaking Sergeant Ripsy glanced through the clear, transparentdarkness of the night to right and left, up and down what seemed to be abrilliant river of black ink, which rippled as it ran swiftly, andsparkled as if sprinkled with diamonds, from the reflections of thestars; for, strangely enough, the fire-flies, which had been so frequentamongst the overhanging vegetation, had now ceased to scintillate. 

"Here, you, Corporal Dart, hold up that lantern. A little higher. Nowleft; now right. That will do. "

The non-com, who knew his Sergeant's motive, had opened the door of theswinging lantern, and flashed it to and fro so that its light fellathwart the stolid countenance of the sentry, who stood up--as rigid asif he had been an effigy cast in bronze. 

"You have been drinking again, sir. "

"Not a drop, Sergeant, " said the man gruffly. 

"What's that?" came fiercely. 

"Not a drop, Sergeant; nor yesterday nayther. "

"Smell him, Corporal. "

_Sniff, sniff_, from the Corporal, accompanied by a mild chuckle fromthe remains of the strong squad. 

"Silence in the ranks!" roared the Sergeant. --"Well, Corporal Dart?Report. "

"Onions, Sergeant; not drink. "

"Faugh! Lucky for you, Private Smithers, for there's going to be nomercy next time you are caught. "

"Well, but, Sergeant, this is now, and it aren't next time. "

"Silence! A man who is going on duty must keep his tongue still. Nowthen, you know the word and what's your duty. Sentry-go until you arerelieved. Strict watch up and down the river, for no boat is to land. If the enemy come, take him prisoner; but you are not to fire withoutcause. "

"Without what, Sergeant?"

"Cause, idiot. Don't you know your own language?"

_Plosh_!

"Oh, there's one of them big scrawlers. Keep your eyes open, and don'tgo to sleep. "

"All right, Sergeant. "

"Don't be so handy with that tongue of yours, sir. Listen, and don'ttalk. Do you know what will happen if you do go to sleep?"

Private Smithers thought of the many scoldings--tongue-thrashings hewould have called them--which he had had from his wife, and in answer tothe Sergeant's question he drew himself up more stiffly and sighed. 

"I said, sir, do you know what would happen if you went to sleep?"

Private Smithers sighed again, deeply, and thought more. 

"Do you hear what I said, sir?" roared the Sergeant. 

"Yes, Sergeant; but you said I wasn't to speak. "

"On duty, sir. "

"Am on duty, " growled the private. 

"Well, I said speak, but I meant chatter, " cried the Sergeant. "You mayspeak now, and answer my question. I said do you know what would happenif you went to sleep?"

"Yes, Sergeant. "

"Well, what?"

"Snore, " growled the man. 

"Yah! You are turning into a fool. Don't you think you would fall downif you went to sleep?"

"No, Sergeant. When I go off on duty I always stand stiff as a ramrod. "

"Oh! Then you confess, sir, you do go to sleep on sentry?"

"Think I did once, Sergeant, but I warn't sure. "

"Well, now then, look here. You are the most troublesome man in yourcompany, and you are not worth your salt, but your commanding officerdoesn't want to put the War Office to the expense of sending you home;and I don't want to have to put a fatigue party to the trouble ofdigging a hole for you in this nasty, swampy jungle earth, with moreexpense caused by the waste of ammunition in firing three volleys overyour grave. "

"No, Sergeant; that would be 'ard. "

"Bah! Of course not, " growled the Sergeant. "I made a mistake. Youwouldn't be there to bury, because as sure as you stand there, and go tosleep, one of them twelve-foot long lizardly crocs as you have seenhundreds of times lying on the top will be watching you, with his eyesjust out of the water, and as soon as ever you are fast he will crawlout and have you by the leg and into the river before you know where youare. So if that happens, be careful and leave your rifle ashore. "

"Yes, Sergeant, I'll mind, " said the man coolly. 

"Silence in the ranks!" cried the Sergeant again, for there was thebeginning of a chuckle. --"Now then, " he continued, "that's all. Don'tforget the word--Aldershot; and--oh, keep a very sharp lookout forboats, for that's the only way an enemy can approach the campong--Eh, what?" said the Sergeant, in response to a growl. 

"What shall I do, Sergeant, if one of them big evats comes at me? Am Ito fire?"

"Fire? No! What for? Want to alarm the camp?"

"No, Sergeant. I don't mind tackling a real enemy, but if it was one ofthem scaly varmints he would alarm me. "

"Never mind; you are not to fire. "

"Well, what am I to do, then, sir?"

"Fix bayonets and let him have it. Tenderest place is underneath. "

"Well, but, Sergeant, how am I to get at him underneath?"

"Silence, sir! You, a British soldier who has had the bayonet exercisedrilled into him solid for years, ask your officer how you are to useyour weapon if it comes to an engagement! You will be wanting to knowhow to pull your trigger next. --Right about face! March! Left incline. Forward!"

_Tramp, tramp, tramp_, growing fainter and fainter till it died out; andthen Private Smithers said, "Hah!" making a great deal of it, and thensighed and smacked his lips as if thirsty, for the water was ripplingpleasantly in his ears. Then, grounding arms, he began to feel in hispocket, and dragged out a soda-water-bottle, which felt soft, for it hadbeen carefully stitched up in very thick flannel to guard it from theconsequences of casual blows. On his twisting the cork, the neckemitted a peculiar squeak, followed by a gurgling sound, which lastedtill the bottle was half-empty, by which time the thirsty private hadbecome fully conscious of its contents. 

"Yah!" he ejaculated as he snatched the bottle from his lips. "Coldtea! Weak--no milk, of course; but you might have put in a bit ofsugar. " Then replacing the cork, he gave the yielding stopper sovicious a twist that the neck emitted a screech which sounded strangelyloud in the black silence of the night, and was followed by a heavysplash and the sound of wallowing about a dozen yards away. Then, apparently from just below the bank of the river a little higher up, there was a horrible barking sound such as might have been uttered by aboar-hound with a bad sore throat, and then _whop_, as of a tremendousblow being struck on the surface of the water, followed by the hissing_plash_, as of a small shower of rain. 

"Murder!" muttered Private Smithers in a hoarse whisper, as he finishedcorking the bottle by giving the neck a slap, stuffed it quickly intothe pocket of his tunic, and then brought his piece up to the ready andbegan to back slowly from where he had been stationed. 

"This is nice!" he growled, as he released his right hand to draw theback across his reeking brow. "Glad the missus ain't here. He warn'tgammoning me, then. My, how thirsty I do feel! It's the perspiration, I suppose. Here, how plaguy dark it is! Course I've seen these 'erethings before, but it never seemed so bad as this. --Not fire? Won't I?Why, if I made out one of them things coming on up the bank, it 'ud beenough to make a decent piece go off of itself. Anyhow, it's fixedbay'nets, my lad; but I wonder whether the tool would go in. Phew!What does that mean? This is a blessed unked place, and it's gettingdarker and darker. It aren't fair to a British soldier to put him on ajob like this. "

As the man spoke he looked sharply to right and left and out into theriver, fixing his bayonet the while. 

"Do you hear that, you beggars? You come on, and you will get thebullet, and a dig as well. A-mussy me, I do wish it was relieve guard!And I have got to stop here facing this till daybreak almost. It'senough to make a fellow feel ill. I wonder what the missus would say ifshe knew. Hates--bless her!--hates me to touch the least taste of rum, but if she'd have knowed what I'd got to go through to-night shewouldn't have left out the sugar, and she would have put in a doublelashing of something strong to keep the heart in her old man, as shecalls me--when she's in a good temper, " he added after a pause, duringwhich he stood breathing hard and trying to make out whence came eachsplash or lash of a reptile's tail. 

"Talk about facing the enemy, " he muttered; "I don't wish old Tipsy anyharm, but I should like him to have this job. It 'ud take some of thestarch out of him, I know. Well, what's to be done? There ain't somuch as a tree to get behind. The Red Book says you ain't to exposeyourself unnecessarily to the enemy; but what's a fellow to do? if I gopadding up and down there, it's like saying to them, `Here I am; comeon. ' And they can see one so--them right down in the water and me highup on the bank. Let's see; what did the missus say? Out of two evilschoose the least. Well, I know what it is for desarting your post, andthat must be leaster than having one of them beggars getting hold of afellow by the leg and pulling him under water. So hook it, I say; and Imight manage to sneak back before rounds. "

Private Smithers stood thinking and watching, hearing many a startlingsound of the reptiles with which the river swarmed, evidently fishingafter their fashion; and over and over again he took aim and nearlyfired at some imaginary monster that appeared to be crawling out of thewater to mount the bank. But after straining his eyes till they seemedto ache, he always ended by lowering his piece again and forcing himselfto walk up and down his measured beat. 

"I never knowed a hotter night than this, " he muttered, as he took offhis cap and wiped his dripping forehead; "and I do call it hard. Ican't sneak off, because as soon as I was out of the way, as sure as Iam alive somebody would be making extra rounds, so as to drop upon afellow and ketch him when he ain't there. I can feel it in me to-nightas old Tipsy would know it and drop upon me as soon as I had gone; and'tain't being a soldier neither, " the poor fellow half-whimpered. "Isuppose it's cowardly; but who can help it, hearing them ugly, slimythings chopping the water and gnashing their teeth at you? I want toknow what such things as them was made for. Talk about Malays andpisoned krises! Why, I would rather meet hundreds of them. You couldbay'net a few of them, for they are soft, plump sort of chaps; but these'ere things is as hard as lobsters or crabs, and would turn the point ofa regulation bay'net as if it was made of a bit of iron hoop. I sha'n'tnever forget that, Mr Sergeant Tipsy, " he continued, addressing thejungle behind him as he looked in the direction of the cantonments. "The underneath's the tenderest part, is it? Just you come and try it, old 'un. Savage old tyrant--that's what you are. Only just wish I wasSergeant Smithers and you was Private Ripsy. I'd make you Private Tipsywith sheer fright, that I would, and so I tell you. No, I wouldn't, " hegrumbled, as he cooled down a little. "I wouldn't be such a brute, forthe sake of your poor missus. Ugh!" he growled, as he seemed to turnsavage; and he went through the business of shouldering arms, with agood deal of unnecessary energy, slapping his piece loudly, and thenstamping his feet as he marched up and down the marked-out portion ofthe bank, a little inward from the landing-place. 

"I don't care, " he muttered recklessly. "I can't see you, but I canhear you, you beauties! Come on if you like. My monkey's up now. Fire! I just will! It will only be once, though, and then s'elp me, I'll let whichever of you it is have it with a straight-down dig rightbetween the shoulders--one as will pin you into the soft earth. I'll dofor one of you at any rate, and then let them come and relieve guard. Relieve guard, indeed, when there won't be no guard to relieve! And oldTipsy won't have any more trouble with poor old Joe Smithers. Nay, mylad, put it down decent, as perhaps it's for the last time. PrivateJoseph Smithers, 3874, and good-bye, mates and comrades, and bless thelot of you! Poor old missus! She'll miss me, though, when she wantsthe water fetched, but it will only be larky Peter Pegg doing it twiceas often; and she will be independent-like, for she always washes hisshirt for him every week--a cheeky beggar! But somehow I always likedPeter, in spite of his larks as Mr Maine put him up to--chaffing andteasing a fellow. But he never meant no harm. You see, it seemed tomake us good mates running in company like, for when the Sergeant wasn'tdropping on to him he was letting me have it, to keep his tongue sharp. Yes, Peter Pegg will miss me, for they won't find Joe Smithers when theycome; and if I desart my post, how can I help it if I am pulled under?But I won't desart it till I am. There, " he cried, stopping suddenly inhis angry soliloquy; and pulling up short, he stood ready, lookinginward, forgetting the splashings of the reptiles, which were repeatedfrom time to time. "What did I say? 'Tarn't rounds yet, and I shouldhave been ketched, for here's some one coming. Out of regular time, too. One of the officers, for that spot of light's a cigar. Well, gladto see him. Company's good, even if you're going to be pulled under bya croc. Wonder who it is. "

CHAPTER EIGHT. 

A STRANGE PRISONER. 

Private Smithers had not long to wait, for as the glow of the burningcigar came nearer he challenged, the customary interchange took place, and then Archie Maine took up the conversation with--

"Who's that? You, Smithers?"

"Yes, sir. "

"I say, you have got a lonely watch here to-night. Heard anycrocodiles?"

"Heerd any crocodiles, sir? Just you listen!"

"My!" exclaimed Archie. --"I say, Down, why, it can't be those reptiles, is it? What a row!"

"There's no mistake about it, " said the Captain. "Why, they must behaving a party. " For the wallowing and splashing grew louder than ever. 

"Here, I know what it is, " cried Archie merrily. "They can smellPrivate Smithers here. He's such a big, well-fed chap that they havegathered together for a feast. "

"Yes, sir; that's it, " said the man. 

"But they haven't been going on like this before, have they?"

"Just as bad, sir, all the time; and every now and then one of thembarks at me just like a wolf. "

"Just like a wolf?" said the Captain. "What do you know about wolves?You never kept a wolf. "

"No, sir. They are not the sort of things I should like to make a petdog on; but I've heerd them lots of times in Canady heigh-ho where theychase the buffalo. "

"Ah, to be sure. You have been in the regiment longer than I have. Well, these brutes are going it! Why, Maine, we ought to have broughtour guns and had some shooting. "

"Too dark to see them. "

"Why, what a noise! And they have been going on like this all the timeyou have been on duty?"

"Yes, sir; it's been precious cheerful. "

"But what have you done?"

"Oh, just kep' on the move, sir, so as to baffle them a bit when theyseemed disposed to come ashore and join one. "

"But surely you haven't seen any of them come ashore?"

"Well, sir, to be downright honest, it's been too dark to see 'em; butI've seemed to feel one of 'em crawling ashore now and then; and then Ialways went right to the end of the beat, so as to get as far off as Icould. "

"I say, Down, this is horrible!" said Archie. 

"Thank you, sir, " said the man. "It ain't been nice. "

"Nice--no!" said the Captain. "It seems like planting a sentry to actas a bait to draw the brutes ashore. "

"I don't think, however, that they would attack a man who was on thealert, " said Archie. 

"I shouldn't like to risk it, " said the Captain, "however much I were onthe alert. "

"But the Doctor says from long experience he never knew them attack anyone moving about. Of course he says he wouldn't answer for the life ofa man who was lying asleep close to the river's edge, and we know thatthey will pull in a woman bathing, or who has waded in to draw water. "

"Yes, " said the Captain, "I can answer for that. Why, they will seizean ox that has walked in to drink. But this is not right. The Majorwould be angry if he knew of a single sentry being stationed so close tothe water as this on a dark night. --Look here, Smithers; move in yondera bit--up to that hut we just passed. You can well command thelanding-place from there, I think?"

"Yes, sir; thank you, sir. No boat could land there without my hearingand seeing it. "

"Well, then, move up there; and when Sergeant Ripsy comes to relieveguard, tell him I changed your position, and that a sentry must not beposted here again on a dark night. "

"Thank you, sir, " said the private. "It has been awful, sir. "

"Awful--yes, my lad. Well, we are three of us now, but I don't feel atall eager to stay. However, you will be quite safe there--eh, Maine?"

"Oh yes. The heavy, lumbering brutes are not likely to travel upthere. --Seen or heard anything else, Smithers?"

"No, sir. I shouldn't think anybody else would want to come. "

The officers stood talking to the man a few minutes, and then turned offto return to their quarters, while Private Smithers hugged himself withsatisfaction as he picked up the still burning half-cigar the officerhad thrown away, carefully put it out, and deposited it in hiscartridge-box. 

"You will do to cut up fine for finishing in a pipe to-morrow, myjockey, " he said. 

He stood listening till the faint sounds of his visitors' voices hadcompletely died away, and then he settled himself by the hut. 

"This is jolly, " he muttered. "One's safe enough here. That's acapital lookout, for one quite looks down on the water. Yes; no boatcould come up here without my hearing it, and I should see any onepaddling along. Well, I will say this: our officers are gentlemen, andnever want you to do anything that they wouldn't do theirselves. Gladthe Captain was there too, for I don't suppose Mr Archie Maine wouldhave ventured to change my place. But I do know what he would havedone. I'd bet anybody sixpence, if there was anybody here to bet withand I'd got one, that he'd have stopped to keep me company and--I'mblessed! What's that?"

The man was standing beneath the spreading eaves of the palm-tree andbamboo hut, quite sheltered by the darkness, and he turned his head onone side to listen, for quite plainly from somewhere up the river, andapparently right under the bank on the other side, he heard the sound ofpaddles, as if a big boat were approaching. 

"Why, I shouldn't wonder, " he thought to himself, "if that boat has beenhanging about there waiting till there was no one on the shore. Blessedif I don't think they heard us talking and fancy our officers have tookthe sentry away. Well, I shall jolly soon know. How rum! It must be abig boat; and it's scared the crocs away, for I can't hear them a bitnow. All right; I'm ready for you, whoever you are. Not fire, eh? ButI'll tell 'em I will if they don't give up. I wonder who it is. Onlyfishermen perhaps; but it will give one something to do. "

He drew himself a little closer beneath the projecting attap roof, whichextended three or four feet over the sides of the hut, and then feltstartled, for suddenly there fell upon his ears, evidently coming fromsomewhere inland, a rustling sound of footsteps, accompanied by the hardbreathing of some one suffering from over-exertion. 

"Boat coming ashore! Some one coming down to the landing-place! Whatdoes this 'ere mean?" muttered the sentry. "Well, it's only one;" andhe peered carefully from his shelter, trying to make out the approachingfigure. 

But it was too dark, and he waited a full minute before stepping outboldly; and his rifle gave a loud _click, click_, as he cried:

"Halt! Who goes there?"

His answer was a sharp half-cry, half-gasp of astonishment, and the loudbreathing became quite a pant, like that of an excited dog. 

"Here--yes--it--is--all right, " came in rather a high-pitched voice, theaccents being those of one not fully accustomed to the English language. 

"Well, what's the word?" cried Smithers, who, with his piece presented, found himself close up now to a slight man of middle height, wearing asun-hat, dressed in knickerbockers, and apparently having afishing-creel slung from one shoulder, something like a tin case fromthe other. 

"The--the--word?" he answered. 

"Yes. What's the word?"

"Oh yes; it is all right, " faltered the new-comer, with a half-laugh. "I was just going down to my boat. What a dark night!"

"Oh yes, it's dark enough, " growled Smithers; "but what's the word?"

"The word? Oh yes. Good-night--good-night. "

"Halt, I tell you!" cried the sentry in a deep tone. "That's not thepassword. "

"Oh no; but that does not matter, my good friend. I tell you I am goingdown to the pier to my boat, which is waiting for me. "

"Rum time to be going to meet a boat, " growled Smithers; "and there's noboat waiting there. Can't you hear? They are paddling away down-streamas hard as eater they can. "

The stranger uttered a sharp ejaculation of impatience. 

"Oh, this is foolish--absurd!" he exclaimed; and his hands began to busythemselves about his waist. 

Private Smithers might have been the worst man in his company, butsomehow drill had made him a keen soldier and a good sentry. 

"Hands up, " he cried sharply, "or I fire!"

"Oh!" cried his visitor sharply, "don't be so foolish. Did you think Iwas going to do something?"

"Yes, with a revolver, whoever you are. I nearly drew trigger, and younot two yards away. "

"Oh!" said the stranger, with a gasp. "It is foolish nonsense, and youhave frightened away my rowing-men. Don't you know me?"

"No. "

"I am a stranger. I come out in the forest to-night to collect thebeautiful moths--butterflies, you call them. I have some in this case. "

"It's all dark, " said Smithers sourly. "Gammon! No one can see tocatch butterflies at night. "

"Ha-ha! You are a wise man. You English are so sharp. Look; I willshow you. "

"You had better mind what you are doing, sir, or my rifle may go off. "

"What do you think of me, my friend? See here. There are many great, beautiful butterfly moths here in this grand forest. "

"Yes; and if you come when the sun shines, with a net, you can catchlots. "

"Yes; and I come at night. I put sugar on the trees. The foolish mothsfly round to eat; and then I open this little lanterrne, which is notburning now, and then I see to catch the beautiful moths. " AsSmithers's visitor spoke, he tapped the dimly seen tin case slung underhis right arm. "If I had time I should show you, sir. But my boat iswaiting. I go down to the pier place and hold up my hand. My men seeme, and come and take me off. "

"And all in the dark, mister, " said the sentry in his gruffest tones. "But you are not going down to the pier place to hold up your hand, andyour boatmen are not coming to take you off. "

"I do not see what you mean, sir. I say they do come to take me off. "

"Oh, do you?" growled Smithers. "And I say they don't come to take youoff, because my orders are to let no boat come in; and what's more, youare my prisoner. "

"Your prisonare, sir!" cried the visitor. "You make joke. "

"Oh no, that's no joke, mister, " said Smithers. "That's only obeyingorders. "

"But, sir, I insist. I desire to go much. "

"Can't help it, sir. "

"Then what go you to do? You dare to say you shoot at me?"

"No, sir; not unless you try to run away. My orders would be to stopyou, and I should fire at your legs; and it might hurt you very much. But whether it did or whether it didn't hurt, you wouldn't run any moreto-night. "

"Sir, " said the visitor pompously, "you talk like madness. If you donot let me go down to my boat I shall report you to your officer. "

"Yes, sir; that's what I mean you to do. "

"What do you mean?"

"He will be here by-and-by to relieve guard, and then you can say whatyou like, and he will take you to our Major. "

"What! Faith of a gentleman, this man is too much mad! But there, Iforget myself. You like a glass of rack-ponch?"

"Yes, sir, I like it. "

"Then I have none here; but I have in my pocket a Chinese dollar. It isworth shillings. You get many glasses of rack-ponch. You take it?" andas he spoke he thrust his hand into his pocket and drew out in thedarkness a broad piece. 

"It won't do, " said Smithers. "You will be only getting me into moretrouble, mister. "

"You will not take it?"

"Not me. "

"Then I shall keep it and spend it myself. " With a good deal ofgesticulation the speaker thrust the coin back into his pocket, and gaveit a heavy slap. "Now, you say to me that my boat is gone, and you saythat my men could not see me if I hold up my hand?"

"That's right, sir. "

"Very well. You are very clever, but I know also two or three things. I shall go down to the pier, and call out to my men, `Ahoy!' and then gointo the water and swim till they pick me up and put me in a dry placein the boat. Now, what do you say to that?"

"Only this, mister. What do you think your men, if they come, will pickup?"

"Me--myself, sir, with my butterfly moths and my little lanterrne. "

"Ho!" said Smithers dryly. "And what about the crocs?"

"I do not understand. "

"I see you don't, " said the sentry. "What about the great crocodilesthat have been waiting about there all night?"

"The crocodile!" said the visitor; and it was not light enough to see, but the stranger's jaw dropped, and he remained silent till Smithersspoke again. 

"Understand that, mister?"

"Yes; you say that to frighten me. You talk one minute about using your_fusil_ to shoot me, and I am not afraid. Then you say you throw me tothe crocodile, and still I am not afraid. "

"Then look ye here, " said Smithers, "you just give me that little pistolthing you were going to pull out. "

"What! Sir, I re-fuse. "

Smithers stuck the mouth of his rifle against the stranger'sbreast-bone, and pressed upon it heavily. 

"Sit down, " he said. 

"I will not sit down! I re-fuse. "

"Mind, " said Smithers. "I don't want this rifle to go off. "

"You dare--you dare not shoot, " cried the visitor; but as he spoke hebegan to subside slowly, as if still mentally resisting, till the sentryraised his foot quickly, gave a sharp thrust, and his prisoner went downsuddenly upon his back, with the sentry's right foot upon his chest. 

"Now then, no nonsense. Hand up that pistol. "

The prisoner's hand went rapidly to his waist as if with the intent ofsnatching out and making use of his revolver, but quick as a flash thesentry's rifle was pressed down harder now, close up to the man'sthroat. 

"That's right, " said Smithers. "Now drop it. "

There was a few moments' hesitation, and then the revolver fell softlyupon the earth just beyond the shelter of the attap mat. 

The next moment Smithers had raised his foot and kicked the pistolaside, but with an unexpected result, for one chamber exploded with aloud bang. 

"I've done it now, " said Smithers to himself. "As for you, you liestill;" and he held his piece pointing still towards his prisoner whilehe cleverly retrieved the revolver. "Look here, " he said, "I had ordersnot to fire, only if it was wanted particular. Well, I haven't fired, but they will hear that shot and be coming down before you know whereyou are. "

"What!" cried the prisoner, starting up in a sitting position. 

"Look ye here, " cried Smithers; "do you want me to have an accident?"

"No, no; I want you to let me give you many dollars. You must let me gobefore your officers come. "

"Nothing of the kind, sir. You must talk to them when they come. Youare my prisoner, so just lie still. "

As the sentry was speaking the notes of a bugle were ringing out uponthe silent night. Hurrying feet could be heard, and it was evident thatthe night alarm had set the occupants of the cantonments buzzing outlike the bees of a hive. 

"They don't know which sentry it was, " thought Smithers, and he wasraising his piece to fire and bring the relief to his side, when itstruck him that he should be leaving himself defenceless if his prisonershould make a dash to escape. 

"Second thoughts is best, says the missus, " he muttered, and taking therevolver from his pocket, he fired it in the air, and after a shortinterval fired again. 

"That's done it, " he said to himself. --"Hullo! what's the matter withyou?" For his prisoner was rocking himself to and fro as if in pain, and grinding his teeth. 

Directly after there was the light of a lantern showing through thetrees, shouts were heard and answered by the sentry, and a strong partyof the men, led by Captain Down and Archie, surrounded them. 

"What's wrong, Smithers?" cried the Captain eagerly. 

"Took a prisoner, sir. "

"Corporal, a light here, " cried Archie; and the man doubled up to throwthe rays of the lantern upon the prisoner's face as he now rose to hisfeet. 

"The Count!" cried Archie. 

"Yes, sir. Your stupid sentry, he make a John Bull blunder--a mistake. "

"A mistake?" said the Captain. "Why, how come you here?"

"Only I have my lanterrne and collecting-box, and come down the river tocatch specimens of the beautiful moth for the naturalists at home inFrance. I land from my boat, and the boat come to take me away; butyour sentry man re-fuse to let me go. "

"Collecting--lantern!" said the Captain. 

"Yes, sir. Look. I fear my beautiful specimens are spoiled in thepannier here. He use me very bad. "

"You mean that you were collecting moths?" said Archie dubiously, as herecalled the rustling sounds he had heard below the veranda that night. 

"Yes, sir, " said Smithers gruffly. "I suppose it's right, what he says, about collecting. Here's one of his tools;" and he handed thebeautifully finished little revolver to the young officer. 

"Humph!" grunted the Captain. --"Well, sir, I'm sorry if our sentrybehaved roughly to you, but he was only obeying orders, and you ought toknow that you had no business here. "

"All a mistake, Captain. You will please make signals for my boat tocome. "

"All in good time, sir, " said the Captain, in response to a nudge givenby his subaltern; "but you must come up first and make your explanationto the Major. "

"What! It is not necessary, sir. "

"You think so, sir?" said Captain Down. "I and my brother officer thinkit is. "

Directly after the relief party and their prisoner were on their way toheadquarters. 

CHAPTER NINE. 

THE MAJOR ON HEDGING. 

"Look here, Dallas, " said the Major; "I think your diplomacy and arguingand writing despatches is a great nuisance. "

"You will think better of it some day, sir, " said the Resident. 

"Never!" said the Major warmly; and his ruddy, sun-browned face grewredder, while his stiff, silvery-grey moustache and short-cut hairseemed to bristle. "Of course I know you must have troubles, sir, withother nations, and people like these Malays, who are subservient to us;but when they come, let's fight and bring them to their senses. --What doyou say to that, Archie Maine?"

"Spoken like a soldier, sir, " cried Archie quickly. 

"Good!" cried the Major. "Your writing despatches and minutes andred-tape and all the rest of it to a fellow like that Rajah Suleiman isall waste of energy. Here you are supposed to be guiding him. "

"I hope and believe I am guiding him, sir, " said the Resident coldly. 

"Bah! He and his people are growing more impudent every day. It'sbound to end in a blow-up. These imitation Scotch niggers in theirplaid sarongs, as they call them, will be getting up a big quarrel withmy men with their bounce and contempt for my well-drilled, smartdetachment. Here's every common, twopenny-halfpenny Malay looking downupon my fellows, while there isn't one among my lads who isn't a betterman than their Rajah. There will be a row some day; won't there, Archie?"

"I expect so, sir, " replied the lad, who was listening to theconversation, and felt rather amused. 

"I sincerely hope, Major, that you give strict injunctions to yourofficers and men about doing everything to avoid coming into collisionwith the natives and their traditions. "

"You leave me alone for that, sir. I think I know what to do with mylads. You would like me to confine them to barracks, I suppose?"

"Well, I should be very strict with them, sir. "

The Major grunted. 

"I know, " he said. "Some of you diplomatic people think Britishsoldiers ought to be kept shut up in cages until they are wanted tofight. Don't you criticise me, sir. I have had a good many years withmy lads, and they are pretty well in hand. If you come to criticising, you will set me doing the same with your methods. I shouldn't have letthat French chap--Count, as he calls himself--go off so easy as you didthe other day. "

"What could I do, sir? He is a friend of Rajah Suleiman, and his guest. I communicated with the Rajah, and he answered for him at once, complained of his arrest, and demanded that he should be allowed toreturn to the Palace at once. "

"Palace!" growled the Major. "Why, my lads could knock up a betterpalace in no time with some bamboo poles and attap mats. "

"The natives are accustomed to simplicity in the building of theirhomes, " said the Resident coldly. 

"Oh yes, I know, " growled the Major; "but I want to know what thatfellow was sneaking about our cantonments for in the dead of the night. "

"My dear sir, " said the Resident, "his explanations were quitesatisfactory. He is here studying the natives preparatory to writing abook about the manners and customs of these people, and he is collectingvarious objects of natural history, as he showed us. "

"Yes; half-a-dozen moths with all the colour rubbed off their wings. Doyou mean to tell me that that chap is catching those insects fornothing?"

"I am not ashamed to say that when I was young I used to collectbutterflies, and if I am not very much mistaken, our friend Maine herehas done the same thing. "

"Oh yes, lots of times, " said Archie. 

"Of course, " said the Major; "every boy does, some time or other. I didmyself. But I am as sure as sure that Monsieur the Count is playing adouble game, and I have been thinking a deal, Archie Maine, about youand Down hearing that rustling as if somebody had been listening outsidethe veranda to what we were saying. "

"But I couldn't be sure, sir, that it was the Count. "

"Count be hanged! It makes me feel savage. Say Frenchman, boy. No, you couldn't be sure, of course; but it couldn't have been one of thenatives. They daren't have done it, with the sentry close at hand; andit looks very strange that he should be caught later on in the nightgoing down to the landing-place, with a boat waiting for him. Oncemore, sir, what do you say to that?"

"That I felt bound to be satisfied with the gentleman's explanation, sir. "

"Gentleman!" said the Major sourly. "I believe he's a mischievoushanger-on, and I should like to see him sent right away. There, I'vedone. As you, in your diplomatic fashion, would say, the debate isclosed. "

"Yes, " said the Resident, smiling, as he uttered a sigh of relief. "Why, Major, it has made you quite cross. "

"Not a bit, not a bit; only a little warm. But while we are talking, Ido think a little more might be done in support of your position as HerMajesty's representative. And mind this, Dallas; I am not saying itunkindly, but really on account of the way in which your friend theRajah swells himself out and behaves to me and my officers. "

"Well, I must confess that his assumption of _hauteur_ and the disdainwhich he has exhibited towards you on more than one occasion has annoyedme very much; but I set it down to his ignorance of England and ourpower. "

"Yes, " said the Major; "and I have seen him treat you in a way that hasmade me ready to kick the scoundrel out of the place, when he has beenhere. "

"Well, " said the Resident, "you must make allowances for the naturalpride and conceit of these men. We know that they are half-savages, while they, as armed fighting-men accustomed to their petty wars amongstthemselves, most likely look down upon us as half-barbarian people, whomthey hope some day to subject in turn. "

"Yes, that's it, " said the Major. "But what I say is, we must teachthem better. "

"Well, that's what I am trying to do, " said Sir Charles. "But I amtrying the _suaviter in modo_, while you want to practise--"

"Yes, I know, " said the Major; "the good old way: the _forti_--what'sits name?--What is it, Archie?"

"I forget, sir. _Fortiter_ something. "

"Can't you combine the two?" said the Major. "Let them see something ofour strength, Dallas. They certainly are getting more impudent andindependent. Now, there's the question of our rations and supplies. The simple country-people are all right, and are glad to bring in all wewant, and quite content with what we pay. But this Suleiman's peopleinterfere with them and frighten them; and it's a bad sign, Dallas. What do you say to my arresting one of the most interfering of theRajah's men and letting my fellow's give him a good flogging?"

"For goodness' sake don't dream of such a thing!"

"Then matters will go from bad to worse. You are too easy. "

"And you are too hard, Major. "

"All right; you are one side and I am the other. --Here, Maine, you are avery stupid boy sometimes. "

"Yes, sir, " said Archie dryly. 

"What's that? Now, that's a sneer, sir; but let it pass. I was goingto say, sir, you have got your head screwed on right, and sharp boys cansee what's best sometimes. Now, speak out. I don't know why thisdiscussion has been going on before you, but you have been taking it allin ever since we have been talking. Now then, speak out. Who's right--Sir Charles or I?"

"Oh, nonsense!" said Sir Charles. "I protest! You are his commandingofficer, and he is bound to vote for you. "

"He'd better not, " cried the Major, with his grey moustache seeming tobristle. "If he doesn't speak out honestly what he feels I will neverforgive him. --Now, Archie, who's right--your father's old schoolfellowor the Resident?"

"Both, sir, " said the lad sharply. 

"What!" roared the Major. "You are hedging, sir, and I didn't expect itfrom you. I wanted you to say exactly what you felt. "

"Well, I am going to, sir; only you cut me off so short. I think youare both right, and both wrong. "

"Well, don't you call that hedging, sir?" cried the Major, lookinghotter than ever. 

"No, sir. I think Sir Charles gives way too much to these people, theseproud followers of the Rajah; but I think it would be disastrous andunfair if you tried force. "

"Humph!" grunted the Major; and the Resident frowned. 

"Well, sir, " said the Major, "have you any more to say?"

"Yes, " replied Archie thoughtfully. "I have mixed a good deal with theRajah's people, and they are all very civil to me, but I never feel asif they are safe, and I often think that they are waiting for a chanceto use the krises they keep so carefully covered over. "

"There, Sir Charles!" said the Major, smoothing down his bristlingmoustache. "It's coming. "

Archie did not seem to hear the remark, and he went on thoughtfully:

"I think as Major Knowle does, sir, that, out of sheer ignorance, theydon't believe how powerful we are. You see, they are all armed; everyman has a kris; and they are going about with those nasty razor-bladedspears that they can throw so accurately. Most of them carry the pointin a sheath, but it is a sheath that they slip off in a moment, and thenit is a most horrible, deadly weapon. "

"Quite true, " said Sir Charles thoughtfully. 

"And then it seems to me, sir, that they feel a sort of contempt for ourmen, who are armed when they are on duty, but as a rule go about withoutso much as a bayonet; and even if they did carry that by way ofside-arms, it's only a poor, blunt sort of thing that in their eyes doesnot compare with the kris. "

"Don't you disparage army weapons, sir, that are sanctioned by the WarOffice and the wisdom of the great Department, " growled the Major. 

"No, sir, I don't wish to. But I was thinking that we ought to dosomething to teach these ignorant people how ready and well provided weare in case of any trouble. "

"Of course, " said the Major; "we must do something. "

"Better wait patiently, " interposed Sir Charles, "until we have realcause for using our weapons; and then I am quite for punishing themseverely. "

"Stitch in time saves nine, " said the Major emphatically. "Why not nipthe thing in the bud?"

"Why not?" continued Archie, who, now he was started, gained confidenceevery minute and did not seem disposed to stop. 

"Why not what?" said the Major. 

"Have a grand parade, sir. There's the Queen's Birthday next week. "

"Yes, " said Sir Charles. 

"Eh?" grunted the Major. "Grand parade? You mean make a bit of a show?Full review order, and the band?"

"I'd finish off with that, sir, " said Archie; "but I'd have every manout, and get up a thoroughly good sham-fight, burn plenty of powder, make everything as real as could be, and after plenty of firing andevolution, form in line and deliver a regular good charge. "

"Yes, " said the Major, "there's something in that. But what's the goodof doing it with only the people of the campong to look on?"

"Oh, I wouldn't do it shabbily, sir. I think, in honour of HerMajesty's birthday, Sir Charles ought to give a big banquet here, andinvite both Rajah Suleiman and Rajah Hamet to come in force with theirfollowers, and after the sham-fight have it all arranged that theirpeople shall be well feasted. "

"But the expense--the expense, sir!" cried Sir Charles. 

"You go on, Archie Maine, " said the Major. "Capital! Hang theexpense!"

"But all these things have to be considered, sir, " said the diplomatrather coldly. 

"Yes, sir; and I am considering them, " said the Major. "I think theplan's excellent. It will be killing two birds with one stone. I'llmake it so real that we shall overawe the people, and please them andmake them more friendly, at one stroke. Why, it will be worth inprestige twenty times as much as the money it will cost. "

"Then you think we ought to do it, Major?"

"Think we ought to do it, Dallas?" said the Major in astonished tones. "Why, of course. Don't you?"

"I think it's worth consideration, certainly, but I am not for coming toa rash decision. "

"Rash!" said the Major hotly. "I don't call that rash. What is thererash in it?"

"Several things occur to my mind, " said the Resident. 

"Never mind the several; let's have one, " said the Major, with thefacial muscles making his moustache twitch sharply. 

"Well, sir, we are few in number. Would it be wise to invite these twoEastern princes to come here in force and well-armed, so that they couldcombine and try to sweep us out of existence?"

"What! when our men are hot with excitement and ready to smell mischiefin a good sham-fight? I should just like to see them try--eh, Maine?"

"Yes, sir, " said Archie, with his eyes twinkling. "I think they wouldmake a mistake. "

"Yes, " said the Major, leaning forward to give the boy a slap on theknee that made him wince. "And what about your despised Britishbayonets then--eh, sir? Eh?"

"Ah!" said the Resident thoughtfully. 

"Oh, nonsense, nonsense, Sir Charles!" cried the Major. "Come, I thinkthis is a grand proposal, and I can only see one failing in it. "

"What's that, sir?"

"That I didn't think of it myself. Why, my dear sir, it's splendid; andI tell you what, we have got a pretty good supply in store. Our fellowsshall give them a grand _salvo_ of rockets at night from boats in theriver, by way of a finish off, the band playing `God save the Queen' thewhile, with plenty of big drum. "

"And you might make the campong people illuminate all their boats on theriver, " said Archie. 

"Capital! Of course!" cried the Major. 

"Humph! Yes, " said Sir Charles. "And I might send in my invitationdespatch a request to the two Rajahs to arrange that their nagas shallbe well hung with lanterns. "

"Hear that, Archie?" said the Major, chuckling. "He's coming round. "

"Well, yes, on further thought, " said the Resident, "if such a _fete_were made of the matter it would be a great attraction, and must impressnot only the followers of the two Rajahs, but the inhabitants of everycampong within reach. But I am afraid--"

"I'm not, " said the Major. 

"I was going to say, of the expense. "

"Oh, hang the expense! as I said before, " cried the Major. "Let's do itwell, and think about the cost later on. I say that these people, bloodthirsty as they are, quarrelsome, and generally spoiling for afight, are such children at heart that they would be delighted, andbelieve more than ever in the followers of her they call the Great WhiteQueen. Now, Sir Charles, are you with me?"

"Yes, Major, " said the Resident, "I must confess that I am. "

"Settled, " said the Major, drawing himself up. "The Queen's Birthday, then. We haven't much time to spare. --What's that?" he continued, asSir Charles left the Major's quarters, where the above discussion hadtaken place. "What's that you say--it might be dangerous to bring thefollowers of those two fellows together, seeing what enemies they are?I never thought of that, Maine. "

"You see, they began using their krises, sir, that night of the messdinner. "

"Humph! Yes. Then they were hanging about with nothing to do but growlat each other. Oh, I don't think we need study that, my lad. You see, their attention will be taken up--plenty to see, plenty to eat anddrink--and we shall have all our lads under arms and prepared for anylittle _emeute_. Oh no, my lad, we won't seek clouds where there arenone. All the same, we'll be prepared. "

CHAPTER TEN. 

PETER TURNS MAHOUT. 

It was the morning appointed for the review, the preparations havingbeen all made on the previous day; and the _reveille_ rang out, makingArchie Maine turn over upon his charpoy bed with an angry grunt, forinstead of unbuttoning his eyelids he squeezed them up extra tight. 

"Mr Archie, sir, don't you hear the call?"

"Hear it? Yes. What does it mean?"

"Look sharp, sir. I'm putting your things straight. Tumble up andtumble in. "

"Be quiet, you noisy rascal! What does it all mean? I say, we are inthe middle of the night!"

"Not it, sir. Do look sharp, sir. "

"But what for?"

"It's because of the review, I suppose, sir. The lads are all tumblingup as if there was some alarm. I ain't half dressed. "

"Alarm! Nonsense! Sha'n't get up till the regular time. "

"Hi! Hullo, Maine!" and Captain Down's voice was heard outside. "Areyou nearly ready? Company's all turned out. "

"Ready--no! What's the matter?"

"Don't quite know, but I think we are being attacked. The watch havecome in with news that a strong party of the Malays are approaching bythe forest path, out beyond the campong. "

"What stuff!" cried Archie, beginning to dress sleepily. "It's thecountry-people coming in to see the show. --Here, you, Peter Pegg, whydon't you get a light? Who's to see to dress?"

"Slip into your things, man, " cried the Captain irritably. "Nononsense. Recollect where we are. "

"Oh, all right, " grumbled Archie. "I know it's only a false alarm. "

"False alarm or no, the Major was half dressed before I came on here. "

"Oh, all right, " grumbled Archie again; "I'll manage. --Pete, " hewhispered, "try to get me a cup of coffee. "

"Who's that?" cried the Captain. 

"Sergeant, sir--Ripsy, " came in that non-com's deep, important voice. 

"Well, what's up?"

"Well, sir, they may be coming to see the review, but it don't look likeit. There's a strong body of well-armed natives just the other side ofthe campong, and they may be friends or they may be enemies, but we havegot to be ready for them, anyhow. You see, sir, it don't look right, because if they had been friends they would have been coming down theriver in their boats. These 'ere must have been marching all night; andthey have got elephants with them. "

Whatever the body of Malays was, short as was the notice given, theyfound that the English cantonments were well guarded, and those whoapproached beyond the native village, where the main body had halted, were stopped before they could get any farther. 

It was quite dark, and the whole appearance of the body of men suggesteda night attack; but before long native messengers came into camp with amessage from the chief officers of Rajah Suleiman to say that they hadhad a long night march so as to reach Campong Dang before sunrise, onaccount of the heat, and asking that they might be furnished withrefreshments for His Highness, and be given permission for the elephantsto be brought into camp by their mahouts, to be placed in the shade ofthe trees by the parade-ground while the grass-cutters went out fortheir food. 

Messages then began to pass to and fro, and invitations were sent to theRajah and his officers to join the officers' mess at breakfast and rest, as it would be hours before the military evolutions would begin. 

The excitement and bustle quickly calmed down; pickets were stationed, with orders that none of the Malays were to come into camp; and themess-men were almost ready to announce breakfast, when the Doctor camebustling on to the scene, and one of the first people he stumbledagainst was Archie. 

"Oh, here you are, " he cried, hastily fastening one or two buttons ofhis white flannels. "Just the fellow I wanted to see. "

"Morning, Doctor. How are you?" replied the lad. 

"Bad. Up nearly all night with a couple of sick people, and I was atlast just sinking into a pleasant doze when those wretched bugles beganto ring out. All your doing. "

"My doing, sir?"

"Yes--upsetting our regular routine. It will be just as I expected whenthe Major arranged for tins absurdity. As if Her Majesty couldn't havea birthday without everybody going mad with a desire to get sunstroke. "

"Have some breakfast, sir, " said Archie quietly. "You will feel betterthen. "

"Better, sir? Bah! Nothing the matter with me now. Eh, what? Is thecoffee ready? Can't be. These princes and potentates haven't all comein yet, and I suppose we shall have to wait for them. "

"No, you won't, sir. Captain Down and some more of us who will have tobe on duty have got a snug corner to ourselves, and we are going to havea snatch meal before going out. "

"Oh, " said the Doctor in a more mollified tone. "Then there is somebodyhere blessed with brains! Who was it--Down?"

"No, sir; if I must confess, " cried Archie, "it was I. "

"Oh, " said the Doctor. "Then you must have been thinking of number one, sir. "

"No, Doctor. My fellow, Peter Pegg, got me a cup of coffee an hourago. "

Matters soon settled quietly down, and the swarthy-looking RajahSuleiman, in gorgeous array and attended by quite a staff of hisnotables--Maharajah Lela, Tumongong, Muntri, Lakasamana, and the rest ofthem--was haughtily partaking of an excellent breakfast, with a stringof followers behind the chairs of him and his suite--pipe-bearers, betel-box carriers, and other attendants; while a picked guard of hisfinest men in a uniform of yellow satin, all armed with the lim-bing orthrowing-spear and kris, were drawn up in the veranda, carefullywatching over their lord in the mess-room, and as carefully watched overthemselves by a guard of quiet-looking linesmen with fixed bayonets. 

It fell to Archie's lot to be near the clump of trees beneath which thehalf-dozen splendid elephants that brought in the Rajah were being fedand groomed. 

They had come in covered with mud from their journey along the narrowforest path formed of a line of deep mud-holes made by the elephantsthemselves, every one of the huge animals invariably planting his feetin the track of the one which had preceded him. Their trappings duringthe journey had been carefully rolled-up, and now hung with the howdahsfrom horizontal branches of the sheltering trees. 

As soon as it was light the great beasts had been marched down by theirattendants to the landing-place for a swim, and brought out again backto the shelter to be carefully groomed, and now stood partakingcontentedly of their morning meal, prior to being decked with their gayhowdah-cloths and other trappings. 

One of the first men that Archie encountered was Peter Pegg, who wasstanding watching the mahouts, who in turn were overlooking theattendants whose duty it was to groom the Rajah's stud. 

"How is it you are not on duty?" he said. 

"Am, sir, " said the lad. "The Sergeant put me here to keep a heye onthese helephant chaps and see as they don't get quarrelling with t'otherRajah's men. "

"Why, they have not come yet, have they--Rajah Hamet, I mean, and hispeople?"

"Oh yes, sir; and they are out yonder--helephants and all. Joe Smithersis doing the same job with them. "

"Did you see the Rajah?"

"No, sir, " replied the lad; "only 'eerd he was there. I am to berelieved to go to breakfast in a hour's time. "

Archie nodded and went on. The hour passed, and Peter, who had nofurther orders, forgot all about breakfast in the deep interest he tookin the proceedings of those who had the elephants in charge; while as hewaited for the bugle-call which would summon him to the ranks, he stoodwatching the finishing touches being given to the elephants, nowbrowsing on the plenteous supply of fresh green leafage thrown beforethem by the grass-cutters, and began to make friends with the mahouts. 

He tried one after the other, but on each occasion only to meet with asurly scowl. 

He was going to cross to the man in charge of the finest of theelephants--a little, sturdy fellow, who only looked on while theattendants were busy over the showy trappings, the edgings of whichglistened with a big bullion fringe, and who himself was showily dressedin the Royal yellow, which suggested that this must be the Rajah's ownmount. Pete took a step towards him, but shrank back as if it were notlikely that this chief among the others would receive his advances anybetter, when a voice behind him made him turn his head sharply, to findthat Joe Smithers, now for the present off duty, had likewise beenattracted by the elephants, and had strolled up for a look. 

"Why didn't you come for your breakfast, comrade?" he said. 

"Oh--wanted to see these 'ere;" and then, as an idea struck the lad onnoticing the canvas haversack slung from Smithers's shoulder, he saidquickly, "What you got in your satchel, comrade?"

"Only bread-cake. "

"Give us a bit. "

"Take the lot, " said Smithers. "I don't want it. Only in the way. Adrink of water will do for me. "

Pegg gave him a peculiar look as he hurriedly transferred two greatportions of the regimental bread to his own haversack. 

"Thank you, comrade. I say--got any 'bacco?"

"Yes; but I want that. "

"Never mind. Give it to me, Joe. I'll pay you with twice as muchto-morrow. "

Without hesitation Mrs Private Smithers's husband handed over a roll ofabout two ounces of tobacco. 

"Thank you, " said Pegg. "Now you shall see what you shall see. "

Peter shouldered his rifle, marched straight up to the gaudily attiredmahout, looked him up and down admiringly, pointed at his handsometurban, smiling the while as if with satisfaction, and then tapped thegilded handle of the ankus the man carried, drawing back and looking athim again. 

"Well, you do look splendid, " he said. 

The swarthy little fellow seemed puzzled for the moment, but PeterPegg's look of admiration was unmistakable, especially when he walkedquickly round the mahout so as to see what he was like on the otherside, before saying:

"Have a bit of 'bacco, comrade?"

Not a word was intelligible to the little, bandy-legged fellow, whosesupports had become curved from much riding on an elephant's neck; butthere was no mistaking the private's action as he took out the roll oftobacco, opened one end so as to expose the finely shredded aromaticherb, held it to his nose, and then passed it on to the mahout, whosebig, dull, brown eyes began to glisten, and he hesitated as if in doubt, till the private pressed it into his hands and made a sign as if offilling a pipe and puffing out the smoke. The little fellow nodded hissatisfaction, while Peter Pegg smiled in a friendly way and pointed tothe huge elephant, which had ceased munching the turned-over bundle ofgreen food at his feet, and now stood swinging his head to and fro andfrom side to side. 

"My word, " said Peter, "he is a beauty!" And then, looking about himfirst at one and then at another until he had bestowed a glance upon theother five great beasts, he turned once more to what proved to be theRajah's special mount, and then spoke again to the little mahout. 

"He is a beauty, " he said; and once more his looks conveyed to thedriver the admiration he felt. "May I feed him?" he added, taking out apiece of the white bread he had obtained, and making a sign as ifholding it out to the elephant. 

The mahout looked doubtful, but the elephant himself answered PeterPegg's question by slowly raising his trunk, reaching out and closing itround the new white bread, prior to curving it under and transferring itto his mouth. 

The mahout nodded and smiled at his new friend, and the elephant showedhis satisfaction by extending his trunk for more. 

"You are a splendid old chap, " said Pegg, breaking another piece ofbread inside his haversack and offering it to the monstrous beast, nowslowly flapping his great ears. 

This was taken, and bit by bit Peter doled out another portion of thewhite cake, venturing at the same time to stroke the animal's trunk. 

"I'll risk it, " he said. "If he tries to knock me over I can easilyjump away. "

But the elephant made no sign of resentment, only transferring the pieceof bread and extending his trunk for more. 

"Here you are, " said Peter; "only you can't have any more goes. WishI'd got a dozen quarterns, though. I want to mount you, old chap, andhang me if I know how to set about it. However, here goes; only I mustlook sharp. "

The next minute as the elephant's trunk was extended to him he gave itanother scrap of the bread, and followed this up with a few friendlytouches, which the monster seemed to accept in a friendly way, beforetransferring the bread; the mahout looking on smilingly the while. 

The trunk was raised slowly again, and the mahout uttered a few words, with the result that the private had to make a strong effort over selfto keep from starting away from an expected blow; but in obedience tothe driver's words the great beast slowly passed his trunk over theyoung soldier's shoulders and breast, and then, grunting, swung up theend as if asking for more of the bread. 

"Only two bits more, " said Peter; and he turned to the mahout and madesigns to him that he should mount to the elephant's neck. 

The young soldier hardly expected it, but his meaning was so wellconveyed that the mahout uttered a command, when the elephant passed histrunk round the driver, swung him up, and dropped him easily into hisseat, raising his ears the while, and then lowering them over therider's knees. 

"Bravo! Splendid!" cried Pegg, clapping his hands; and the next minute, after another word or two which the elephant evidently understood andobeyed, the little mahout dropped lightly down and stood smiling at hisadmiring audience. 

It was not Peter Pegg's words, but the meaning must have been conveyedby his eyes to the mahout, for Peter said excitedly:

"There, I'd give a suvron, if I'd got one, to be able to say to ourchaps that I'd had a ride on a helephant like that;" and then, to hissurprise, the mahout looked at him, smiling, uttered a few words to him, and held out his hand. 

"Eh? What?" cried Peter. "Let you hold my rifle? Well, I oughtn't to;but there aren't no officers near. There, I'll trust you, and I wish Icould tell you what I want. "

To his surprise and delight, as the mahout took hold of the rifle andexamined it curiously, uttering another order to his great charge, PeterPegg felt the great coiling trunk wrap round his waist, swing him up inthe air, and drop him astride of the huge beast's neck. "Oh, but, Isay, this 'ere won't do, " cried Peter; "I am wrong ways on:" andscrambling up from sitting facing the howdah, he gradually reseatedhimself correctly, nestling his legs beneath the great half-raised ears. "My word! ain't it nice and warm?" cried the young soldier excitedly. "Shouldn't I like to ride round the camp now!--I say, Joe, ain't thisprime?"

His comrade, who had been looking on admiringly, uttered a grunt, whichwas followed by an order from the mahout, resulting in the elephantreaching up his trunk, which coiled round the young soldier's waist, twitched him out of his seat, and dropped him at the driver's feet. 

"Here, just a minute, " panted the young soldier, thrusting his hand intohis haversack and withdrawing the last bit of bread. "Here you are, oldchap;" and he transferred the piece to the raised trunk, which he pattedagain and again before it was withdrawn. --"Thankye, comrade. You willfind that prime 'bacco, and here's wishing I may see you again. "

"Now, Pete, " growled Smithers, for the first notes of the bugle-callrang out. 

"All right. Give us my rifle, comrade. I'm off. " Catching the riflefrom the mahout's hand, he followed Smithers at the double; but hecontrived to give one glance back at the magnificent beast upon which hehad been mounted, with a strange feeling of longing for his lost seat. 

CHAPTER ELEVEN. 

FULL REVIEW ORDER. 

"Ah, there you are, Knowle!" cried the Resident, bustling up to theMajor, who was marching slowly towards the parade-ground in fulluniform, carrying his sword under the left arm. 

"Yes, here I am. Look all right?"

"Oh yes, yes, " said the Resident impatiently. 

"Don't show any spots, do I?"

"Spots?"

"Yes; this confounded, hot, damp climate--specks of mildew on my bestuniform. I say: you look capital, Dallas, " continued the Major, runninghis eye over the Resident's official dress. "That's the best of youyoung fellows; you only want a wash and a brush up, and you are allright. Get to my age, sir, and--"

"Oh, don't talk like that, Major. I was not thinking about uniforms. "

"Eh, weren't you? I was. I don't mean about myself, but look at mylads. Aren't they splendid, in spite of all the knocking about andwear? But what's the matter? Not well?"

"No, sir; I am not well. "

"Poor old chap! There's plenty of time; toddle up to the bungalow. OldMorley will give you a pick-me-up, and set you right in no time. "

"I have been there, sir. "

"Oh, that's right, " said the Major, with a chuckle. 

"For I am very anxious about the ladies there, and the other women wehave in our charge, and I feel more than ever that we have been guiltyof a great error of judgment. "

"Eh? What about?"

"What about, sir? Look around you. "

"Eh? Well, we have plenty of company, but I don't see any error ofjudgment. "

"Why, my dear Knowle! Company! Look at the crowd. "

"Well, we shall keep them back so as to allow plenty of room for theevolutions. "

"Yes; but, let alone the country-people, every man with his kris, thereare the military followers of those two Rajahs in full array. "

"Military! Phit! My dear Dallas!"

"Ah, you laugh, sir. Why, roughly speaking, each of those two chiefshas got a following of about five hundred men--say a thousand. "

"Yes, I dare say, " said the Major; "but they are not all together. "

"No, they are divided so that we have a strong force on either side. You despise them; but have you thought of the consequences that mightfollow our being enclosed by two such bodies of men?"

"Oh yes, " said the Major coolly. "Might. But, my dear boy, have youthought of the consequences that might follow if I told my lads to closeup and face outwards, and began to deal with our visitors? Look atthem, " he continued, as he pointed towards the perfectly drilleddetachment drawn up in the centre of the parade-ground waiting for theorder to commence the evolutions connected with the military display. 

"Oh yes, they are everything that could be expected from a handful ofBritish infantry. "

"Handful, sir! Why, I've got three hundred men on the ground. Everyfellow's under arms, and we are going to show these niggers what wecould do if ever we were called upon. Error of judgment, sir! Thewhole thing's a grand idea; and after it's over, these Malays will goaway with a ten times higher idea of England's strength than they hadbefore. "

"I don't know, " said the Resident. "Look at those fierce-lookingfellows there gathered round the elephants and their gaudily dressedchiefs. Look at that haughty fellow Suleiman, with his chiefs andspearmen clustering round him looking as if they were awaiting theirprince's order to charge down upon us and sweep us all out of thedistrict. "

"Oh yes, I see, " said the Major, chuckling. 

"And here on the other side, right away to the river, there is thisdoubtful fellow Hamet with his lot of elephants and men, a strongerparty than Suleiman's. "

"I see. I hope there won't be any row. "

"Oh, don't suggest such a thing!"

"Why not? They are in touch with the others. "

"Yes; and at a word could combine. "

"Ah, I am not afraid of that, " said the Major. "I was thinking abouttheir jealousy, and the possibility of a row between them. "

"I don't believe in the jealousy. I believe it is all assumed, " saidthe Resident, "and that they are ready on the slightest excuse to joinforces against us. "

"I don't, " said the Major gruffly. "I am afraid they may draw knivesagainst each other; but if they do I will give them such a lesson aswill prove a startler. But, I say, have you noticed that chap Hamet?"

"Oh yes, I saw him. He did not march with his men, mounted on one ofhis elephants, but came up in his dragon-boat. "

"Yes. Quite a fine show, with the amber-satin rowers, and the gongsbeating. But you can't grumble about his appearance and theatricalrobes. It's quite a compliment to Old England to see a native princecome simply in ordinary morning-dress. Hanged if he hadn't got lavenderkid gloves!"

"Oh, don't talk about trifles, Major; but for Heaven's sake be on yourguard!"

"Oh yes--guard mounted, " said the Major. "Why, Dallas, my dear boy, Idon't believe you told Morley to give you a pick-me-up. You have beenfussing about down there at the bungalow, and fidgeting about what mighthappen to a certain young lady if the Malays turned nasty and roseagainst us. "

"Major! No. "

"Don't be cross, dear boy. I was in love too once upon a time, andfidgeted as much as you do about what might happen if--if--There, I onlysay _if_. Now, it's all right, my dear fellow, and it's time for theshow to begin. The crowd must be getting tired of waiting; and I onlysee one error of judgment of which we have been guilty. "

"Ah! And what's that?"

"Ought to have begun an hour sooner, for, my word, the sun is hot! Oh, by the way, I have not seen you since, but we were talking over what todo with our visitors and the crowd generally after the review. Therewill be the feeding, of course; but we wanted something to fill up timetill dark and the fireworks begin. "

"I have heard nothing about further plans. "

"Well, the lads will keep an open course, and there will be some racesand wrestling, and Sergeant Ripsy is going to show some encounters withthe bayonet and a little sword-play. "

"Well, as you like. I can think of nothing else but getting the affairover and the people dismissed. "

"There, don't you be uneasy. There's a guard mounted to watch over ourwomen folk, so come on. "

The Major went on towards the centre of the parade-ground, while theResident hurried away, looking hot and anxious, to where seats had beenarranged beneath an open tent erected on one side of the parade-ground, partly sheltered by a cluster of palms. 

At last, with colours flying and the loud martial strains of the band, doubled by a strange echo thrown back by the dense jungle, the solidlittle force of infantry, in brilliant scarlet and with the sun flashingfrom their bayonets, was put in motion; while a strange murmur ofsatisfaction arose from the crowd of gaily attired campong dwellers, which was caught up by the followers of the two Rajahs with prolongedcries that bore some slight resemblance to the tiger-like _ragh, ragh_of an American crowd. 

And then, as the band marched by, Rajah Suleiman's group collected infront of the great clump of trees left standing when a portion of thejungle had been cleared, and the huge elephants, now gorgeous withtrappings, and each bearing its showy howdah, in which were seated theRajah himself and his principal chiefs, responded to a final blast ofthe highly polished brass instruments and the thunderous roll of thedrums by a simultaneous uneasy trumpeting of their own, with which weremingled the cries of the mahouts, who had to ply their sharp-pointedgoads to keep their charges in subjection. 

Fortunately for the occupants of the howdahs, this was a final chordfrom the band, for the huge beasts were thoroughly startled, and thelookers-on noted that similar uneasiness was being displayed by the ninegreat elephants that appertained to Rajah Hamet's force, these inparticular showing a disposition to turn tail and make for one of thejungle paths. 

The silence that followed the band's final chord seemed, as OliverWendell Holmes says in one of his little poems, to have come like apoultice to heal the wounds of sound, and the great beasts settled down. 

Then there was a bugle-call, and the evolutions began in regular reviewstyle, with plenty of fancy additions, such as had been planned toimpress the great gathering of the Malay people. The troops marched andcounter-marched, advanced in echelon, retired from the left, retiredfrom the right, formed column and line, advanced in column of companies, turned half right and half left, formed three-quarter column; there wasextended order and distended order, for Major Knowle's force was verysmall, but he made the most of it. Sergeant Ripsy, with a face quite asscarlet as his uniform, buzzed about like a vicious hornet, and, perspiring at every pore, yelled at the guides and markers, letting flysnapping shots of words that were certainly not included in the code ofmilitary instructions. But the men, as soon as they warmed up--whichwas in a very short time--went into the spirit of the thing; and when atlast the officers had got through the regular evolutions, that seemed toconsist in weaving and twisting the men under their command into aseries of intricate knots, for the sole purpose of untying them again, and Archie Maine had been saved from disgracefully clubbing his men byissuing an order which the said men wilfully disobeyed so as to coverthe lad's mistake, there was a general forming up again for a rest andcool down, while the band struck up, and, helped by the echo, filled theparade with sweet sounds, to the great delight of the gathered crowd. 

There was a burst of cheering here, of a rather barbaric nature, forfrom Rajah Suleiman's gathering there came one solitary boom from aparticularly musical gong. This rang out like a signal, and wasfollowed by a score more from as many of the sonorous instruments, supplemented by an excited yelling from the spear-armed men. 

This ended as quickly as it had begun, and, treated as a challenge, wasrepeated from the centre of Rajah Hamet's party, who followed with ayell that might have been taken as a defiant answer to hereditaryenemies. 

Matters seemed to be growing exciting, and Major Knowle, who was quietand watchful as well as hot, despatched messages to the commanders ofcompanies to be on their guard. 

But now, as the last gong ceased to send its quivering jar through theheated air, to be reflected back from the jungle, a burst of Malaycheering arose from the excited crowd of spectators; the elephantsjoined in, trumpeting loudly; and then, as the strange roar died awayinto silence, the band-master took advantage of the opportunity, raisedhis instrument, made a sign, the big drum boomed its best in answer tosix of the drummer's heaviest blows, and to the stirring strains of thefavourite old march, "The British Grenadiers, " the band moved off totake up a fresh position. 

As soon as this was occupied the second part of the evolutionscommenced. The little force was divided, and took up positions forattack and defence; men were thrown out, skirmishing began, and theMalay crowd cheered as the men in scarlet ran and took cover; and thefield was soon after covered with advancing and retiring men, who ran, lay down, fired from one knee, fired from their chests, ran and tookcover again; and the musketry began to roll in sputtering repetitions, till the retiring force seemed to take courage, gathered together, repelled their adversaries with half-a-dozen vigorous volleys, andadvanced in turn, gradually driving their supposed enemies back, till, when the smoke was rising in a faint, misty cloud to float softly awayover the river, the final stages of the sham-fight were nearly at anend, and for a concluding curtain to the mimic warfare the two littleforces advanced as if to meet in contention in the middle of the field. But at a certain stage a bugle rang out, and with wonderful precisionthe men fell into column and marched away to the far end of thedrill-ground, where they halted, turned, and then, in obedience to theMajor's command, began to advance in line towards where, on their left, were the two bodies of armed men comprising the followers of the twoRajahs, above whom towered the two knots of elephants, while on theirright were the gathered crowds from the nearest campongs, excitedlywatching for what was to come next. 

What was to come next and was now in progress was Britain's thin redline, and that line was on that occasion very thin, very, very red, andextremely long, purposely extended so as to make the most of the tinyforce. 

The crowds cheered in their fashion as the train moved on, and, excitedby the yelling, the elephants began to trumpet as the troops were nownearly half across the parade-ground. Then the bugle rang out "Halt!"and the orders followed quickly: "Fire!" and with wonderful precisionthere was the long line of puffs of smoke as the volley roared and halfobscured the advancing force in the thin veil of smoke. 

There was a fresh burst of cheers from the crowds, who now saw that thelittle line of scarlet-coated men was marching out of the filmy, greycloud and lessening the distance between them. 

The next bugle-call was rather unsettling, and the next still more so, for it meant "Double;" while the last of all was more disturbing thananything that had taken place that day, for it was followed by apeculiar flickering of light as the brilliant sun played upon theglistening bayonets brought down sparkling in front of the line of men. The bugles now rang out "Charge!" followed by the good old British cheergiven by wildly excited men with all the power left in them, and theybore the bristling bayonets on, racing down upon the spectators infront, as if the mimic advance were real. 

The trumpeting that greeted the charge was not defiant, for theelephants turned simultaneously as upon a pivot and set the example ofmaking for the nearest points of the jungle; and to the charging men itseemed as if they formed part of some immensely extended humanhay-making machine, whose glittering spikes were about to sweep off aliving crowd which, excited and yelling wildly, had turned and fled forsafety. 

The gaily coloured men of the two Rajahs, perhaps feeling in doubt as totheir duty to fetch back the elephants--perhaps not: they may have beeninfluenced otherwise--had dashed off after the huge quadrupeds at once, but the crowd of ordinary spectators were in nowise behind. Shrieking, yelling, and angry with each other as they dashed away, they made forshelter at full speed, and when the charge was at an end and the buglesrang out, the evolution had been so well driven home that a completetransformation had been effected. 

Where the great gathering had spread from side to side of the parade, there was the long, halting line of panting and powder-blackened men, who, in spite of their breathlessness, had followed up their Britishcheer with a tremendous petillating roar of laughter, which ran alongthe line from end to end and back again--a roar of laughter so loud thathardly a man knew that the band was now playing in full force "God savethe Queen, " with an additional obbligato from the drums--that one knownas the "big" threatening collapse from the vigorous action of thestick-wielder's sturdy arms. 

It was only a few of the men who were cognisant of the fact that theMajor was lying down exhausted, and wiping his eyes. 

"Who's that?" he panted. "Who's that--you, Maine?"

"Yes, sir. "

"Oh dear! Oh dear! I can't stop it! It's quite hysterical. Give me awater-bottle;" and then, after an application to the unstoppered mouth, "Oh dear! How they did run! I hope poor Dallas has seen it all. Iwish he had been here. Hah! I'm better now. Why, Maine, we've sweptthem clean away. Are they collecting farther on?"

"No, sir; I can't see a single soul. "

"Who's that?" said the Major again. 

"Me, sir. "

"I didn't know you, my man. What is it, Sergeant?"

"Well, sir, I was only going to say, as I was so near, what about themthere squibs and crackers as was to be let off to-night?"

"Oh, the rockets and fireworks, " said the Major. "They haven't gone offin the heat, have they? No accident?"

"No, sir; but there won't be nobody left to see them pop. "

CHAPTER TWELVE. 

SEE THE CONQUERING HEROES. 

The line closed up, and marched "easy" back towards the upper end of theparade-ground, with not a single stranger to represent the spectators, and, half ironically, they were received by the band with "See, theConquering Hero Comes. " The review and sham-fight were over, and as theofficers and weary men were dismissed, and the officers gathered wherethe ladies and others of the station were assembled, one of the firstupon whom they set eyes was the young Rajah Hamet, who had just joinedthe Resident. 

"Well, Dallas, " said the Major, who was mopping his forehead, "what didyou think of our charge?--Ah, Rajah Hamet, " he continued, as he caughtsight of the young man, who approached to hold out his hand, "what did_you_ think of our sham-fight? Did you see it all?"

"Magnificent, sir; every bit. "

"Where were you?"

"Down yonder, sir, in front of my elephants and men. "

"Then you didn't run?"

"No, sir; I have been to Aldershot and seen a review before. "

"I am afraid we scared your men, " said Archie, to whom the young Rajahturned a few minutes later. 

"Well, wasn't it quite enough to scare them?" replied the Prince. "Itseems to me that a body of men, to whatever nation they belonged, wouldrequire a good deal of hardening before they would stand firm andreceive a bayonet charge. "

"Yes, " replied Archie. "As far as I know, there are not many who can. It was rather comic, though, to see your men run. "

"Well, " replied the young Prince, "I don't think my men ran any fasterthan Suleiman's. "

"Not a bit, " cried Archie hastily. "I say, I didn't mean to insultyou. "

"Oh, I am not insulted, " said the young man quietly. "I should have runtoo if I had not known that your men would pull up at the last moment. Well, good-bye. "

"You are not going?" cried Archie. "You will stop and be our guestto-night? You were invited, of course. There are all the sports tocome, and the illuminations and fireworks. "

"Oh no, I must go, " said the young Rajah. "I have got to rally my men, and see them safely back. "

"Well, but some of your officers will do that, and bring them back. "

"I doubt it, " said Hamet, smiling. "If I know my people, they will notstop till they get home. "

"Oh, surely not! They will all come here again and see the rest of our_file_--and Rajah Suleiman's too. "

Hamet shook his head. 

"Some of your people from the campongs, who know you--they may comeback, but none of the others. "

"Well, you stop at any rate. "

"No, " said the young Rajah. "If my people have forsaken me, I must notforsake them. Here, you promised, you know, to come and spend a fewdays with me, and have some tiger-shooting. When is it to be?"

"When my major gives me leave. Stop! Stop now, and ask him. He or SirCharles Dallas will put you up for the night. "

"No, Maine; they don't believe in me enough. Somehow they have no faithin me at all, and because I'm Suleiman's enemy--or rather, he is mine, for I have no feeling for or against the fellow--they think that I amopposed to the English, with whom I want to be friends and to get theirhelp to civilise my people. No, I must be off to my boat at once, andtry to get in touch with my people as soon as possible. They will keepto the lower elephant-patch, as near to the river as they can. There, try and get leave, old chap. I want you to come. I say, you don't mindmy calling you `old chap'?"

"Like it, " said Archie, holding out his hand. "I am disappointed, however, for I should have liked you to stay. But hadn't you better tryto bring some of your men back?"

"No. They wouldn't come now, for fear of being laughed at for beingsuch cowards. "

"Well, if you must go, you must; but, as I said, I should have liked youto stay. It would have looked so friendly to my people. "

"I hope they will believe in me some day without that, " said the youngMalay. "But tell me, if you had been in my place, and seen your peoplescared away by the English soldiers, would you have stayed?"

"No; I'll be hanged if I should, " said Archie with energy. "I shouldhave felt too mad. "

"Thank you, " said Hamet. "That sounds frank. "

"It is frank, " said Archie. "But I say, now, tell me: has it made youfeel mad against us?"

"No-o; only sorry for my people. I want to train them up to know youbetter, and to be ready to fight with you. "

"Fight with us?"

"Yes; not against you--fight side by side with you, so that you may helpme to civilise my folks more, and join us to put down the Malay chiefslike Suleiman. "

"You don't like Suleiman, then?"

"Like him!" said the young man scornfully. "I like no man who cannotstretch out his hand to me and take mine in an honest grasp that I cantrust. "

"Of course, " cried Archie. "But then our Resident believes inSuleiman. "

"Yes, and distrusts me, " said the young man rather bitterly. "Well, they think they are right; but we shall see. I say, though, I didn'tsee that French gentleman with Suleiman's people. I expected he wouldbe mounted upon one of the elephants. "

"No, " said Archie; "he has not been here for the last few days. "

"Forbidden to come?" said the young man. 

"No-o, " said Archie; "he wouldn't be. He is Rajah Suleiman's friend. "

"Yes, " said Hamet quietly. "That is why I thought he would be here. Doyou like him?"

"Not a bit, " said Archie. "Why?"

"Oh, I suppose it was because I dislike him myself. That is all. Good-bye. As we Malays say, _apa boleh booat_. "

"What is to be will be, " said Archie. "Good-bye. "

The parade-ground remained deserted for quite an hour, and then some ofthe campong people had regained sufficient courage to begin dribblingback, to be followed by a few of the inhabitants of the neighbouringvillages. But not one of the Malays who followed their Rajahs madetheir appearance. Consequently there was no attempt made to carry outthe sports; but on being consulted, the Major gave orders that theillumination of the boats should be encouraged, and the display ofrockets and coloured lights should follow; and as this news graduallyspread, some of the nearest village people and fisher-folk joined in, todisplay their lanterns upon their boats, and a pretty fair gathering ofthe campong people were present as soon as it was dark, it taking verylittle in so effective a position to light up the river and jungle banksin a most attractive way. 

The Doctor and his wife and niece, in addition to several of the ladiesof the station, dined at the mess that night, so that they mightafterwards stroll down to the banks of the river and watch the rocketsburst and sprinkle the jungle with their stars; and just as theenjoyment was at its height, and the simple Malay folk kept on burstingout with their ejaculations indicative of delight, the Major went upbehind the Resident, who had been chatting with the Doctor and hisladies. 

"Well, Dallas, " he said, "you don't feel nervous now, do you?"

"Hush!" was the reply, as the gentleman addressed looked sharply round. "More so than ever. I hope you have got sentries out to command theriver approaches to the station?"

"Of course I have. But why?"

"Because see what an opportunity is offered for those two chiefs to takerevenge upon us for what they must consider an insult to their dignity. "

"My dear sir, you are giving reins to your imagination. They are wellon the way now to their homes. "

"Perhaps so, " said the Resident in a low, nervous tone; "but supposethey have made a halt and are only waiting till their scouts haveannounced to them that we are quite unprepared?"

"You are assuming, my dear Dallas, that those two princes are workinghand and glove. "

"Well, you are quite of my way of thinking over that. "

"Humph! No, " said the Major. "I am beginning to think that ourlavender-gloved young friend means well by us. "

"Lavender-gloved young friend!" said the Resident. "Who knows but thosesoft kid gloves may not be worn to cover the tiger's claws?"

"Ah! who knows, my dear Dallas? But it is enough for us to know that ifwe can produce such an effect with blank cartridge and a sham charge, wehave it in our power to protect the station and defend the honour ofthose we love, by using ball-cartridge and sending our bayonets home. "

CHAPTER THIRTEEN. 

THE DOCTOR'S CALL. 

In spite of the Resident's doubts and expressed opinion that the twoRajahs would display resentment, the neighbourhood settled down calmlyenough. The village people nearest, notwithstanding their being chasedhelter-skelter, mixed up with the Rajah's followers, very soon showedthat 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, bringingtheir fruit and poultry to market as before; and though thehalf-military-looking armed men did not make their appearance, theResident was bound to confess that this was not a bad sign, as they hadrarely approached the cantonments to mingle with the soldiers off duty. 

A few days elapsed, and then a present was sent in, consisting ofsupplies, by Rajah Hamet; and the very next day two of Suleiman's chiefsbrought in a letter, written in English, but dotted with Frenchallusions 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 friendlyway, begging to be excused on the ground that it was impossible toaccept the invitation then, but asking for it to be repeated later on. 

The weather was lovely, there being a succession of brilliant moonlightnights; while before the moon rose, even the Doctor declared that thedisplay made by the fire-flies in the darkness was simply glorious. 

One evening Sir Charles was dining at the bungalow, and, having got overhis nervous doubts, upon hearing Minnie express a desire to go up theriver 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 acouple of his most trusty native servants to pole it a short distance upthe river, and then bring the Doctor and the two ladies back to supperat the Residency. 

Minnie was delighted; but, to the Resident's great satisfaction, heraunt declared at once that she would not go up the river by night onaccount of the crocodiles. 

"I don't want to throw a wet blanket over Sir Charles's kindly suggestedtrip, " 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 Ishall certainly stay. "

"You talk very glibly, " grunted the Doctor, "about my going; but supposeI am wanted?"

"Well, if you are, it will only be for some trivial ailment amongst thenative people, and I should know what to give them. "

"What!" cried the Doctor. --"Why, my dear Dallas, the last time shemeddled with my bottles she nearly poisoned one of my patients. "

"For shame, Henry!--Don't you believe him, Sir Charles. I am sure I didthe poor woman a great deal of good. "

"It's all very fine, " said the Doctor. "I must confess the woman didget better; and if madam had quite poisoned her, as she was a native itwouldn'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 ratherannoyed. 

"Why?"

"Why? To take care of Minnie. "

"It doesn't take two men as well as a couple of servants to take care ofone little girl. Don't talk stuff, my dear. I'm sure Sir Charles willtake every care of her. "

Mrs Morley said no more, and Sir Charles left at last with the matterentirely settled to his satisfaction, while Minnie smiled in answer to afew words respecting the old folks leaving them to themselves. 

The evening promised to be perfect, and Minnie was waiting for theirvisitor, when, just as she was beginning to be impatient, a note wasbrought from the Resident stating that Rajah Hamet had come up the riverunexpectedly to discuss a question relating to the possibility of somestronger alliance. 

"I am horribly disappointed, " wrote the Resident, "but it is aGovernment matter, and your uncle will understand with me that I am onlytoo much delighted to find that this again proves that my doubts wereall wrong, and that I am glad to welcome the Rajah here. He evidentlymeans 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, youshall not be disappointed; the boat is waiting with two picked men, andI must beg that your uncle and aunt will be your companions. "

"There, old lady, " said the Doctor as, in a disappointed tone, his niecefinished reading the letter. "It will be rude to Sir Charles, as wellas 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 hisniece's eyes. "You sha'n't be disappointed, Minnie. We will risk youraunt giving some poor woman a lotion to take instead of a draught. Getyour 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 thismean? 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 prettybungalow to meet his visitors, as the great, soft-footed, howdah-bearingbeast was checked by his mahout at the bamboo fence. One of the twoMalay officers bent down to inform him that the Rajah Suleiman had beenout shooting that morning with his French friend, and that, after firingat a tiger, the wounded beast had leaped upon the Rajah's elephant, andSuleiman and his friend had both been mauled. The bearers of themessage stated that the Doctor must come at once. 

"Can't help it, my child, " said the Doctor. "I am sorry for yourdisappointment, but it is impossible for me to refuse. In an ordinarycase 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 allnight. "

"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 myinstruments and some dressing. "

Without a word Mrs Morley hurried to obtain what was required, and theDoctor patted his niece on the shoulder. 

"Never mind, my dear. We must give it up. Dallas will be able to gowith 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'ssomebody else wants you. "

"Young Archie! What does he want?"

He soon knew, for the lad hurried up, glancing at the two Malays uponthe elephant, giving Minnie a quick nod, and then catching the Doctor bythe arm and hurrying him into the nearest room. 

"The Major sent me to know what these two swells want. He thinks theyhave 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 theriver in his boat this evening?"

"Yes, I know. He's got Rajah Hamet, and the Major's going into theResidency. That's why the chief thinks those chaps on the elephant havecome 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'swounds. "

"What are you talking about, stupid?" cried the Doctor angrily. "Imean, take my place and escort Minnie up the river in the Resident'sboat. "

"De-lighted!" cried the lad excitedly. "Of course--but I don't knowwhether the Major will give me leave, as Rajah Hamet's here. Here, I'llrun back as fast as I can, and be with you, if it's all right, in notime. "

"Yes, do. I don't want the poor girl to be disappointed; and you willtake 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 gotmy 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 hewon't like it. I must go, Doctor. "

"What! am I not surgeon to this force, and are not all officers underme? Here, I will make him like it. You mind what I say--I give youleave 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 itis. Here's Down coming as hard as he can to see why I have been solong. "

"Confound you, sir!" cried the Doctor. "And when I'd settled the wholething!--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 explaineverything to the Major, and tell him I am off at once to Palm-TreePalace, and am keeping Archie Maine here to take my place for an hour ortwo. You understand?"

"Quite, " said the Captain. 

"Maine thinks, as the Major has sent him with a message to me, that heought to go back; but your coming and the answer I send by you, Iconsider, will be sufficient to exonerate your subaltern. What do yousay?"

"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 theCaptain going off with the required information, the lad stayed, busiedhimself with Mrs Morley and Minnie; and after seeing the Doctor mountthe kneeling elephant with his bag and instruments, and then wishing himgood speed, they stood watching the great, slowly pacing beast till, asit turned off to reach the forest path, there was a final wave of thehand 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 toexpect. Well, there, your uncle has gone off to do good. I never likedthat Rajah's looks, but I hope he isn't badly hurt. Now then, whatabout 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, " saidArchie, 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?--Yousaid 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 itdoes seem selfish of me. --Look here, Archie, it's very kind of you tooffer to take me, but it would be inconsiderate of me to go. I'll giveit up. "

"Oh!" cried the lad, "I am disappointed. "

"Yes, of course you would be, " said Mrs Morley; "and it's foolish of meto make such a fuss about nothing. There, I am better now. I was a bitflurried by the Doctor going, to be away all night, and leaving usunprotected. "

"And not a British soldier near, " said Archie laughingly. 

"Of course; of course, " said Mrs Morley. "You will take great care ofher, my dear boy?"

"Take care of her!" cried Archie. "Why, Sir Charles would have me outand shoot me, or wring my neck, if I didn't. Look here, madam, I'm toofond of Lieutenant Archibald Maine to run any risks. Now are yousatisfied?"

"Quite, " said the Doctor's wife, forcing a laugh. --"There, my dears, beoff 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 minuteslater the Doctor's wife was standing on the banks of the river watchingthe Resident's handsomely fitted sampan--not his official dragon-boat--being punted by two sturdy men up the glistening waters, Minnie turningfrom time to time to wave her hand, and lastly her scarf, just as theydisappeared. 

"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 hadbeen watching the boat. "There isn't a sign of any of the horriblereptiles; and if it were dangerous those people would not be going upthe river in the same direction;" and she remained watching a small nagawith about half-a-dozen men plying their oars, sending the slightlybuilt 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 nightcloses in! I almost wish I had gone with them, for it will be verylovely when the moon begins to rise among the trees. "

The Doctor's wife gave a slight shiver as a faint waft of wind camesweeping over the tops of the forest trees, and she drew her scarflightly over her head and shoulders as she quickened her steps to returnto the bungalow. "It's not cold, " she said half uneasily, "and yet Ishivered. It's as if the nervous feeling were coming back. Two hours!Well, they will soon slip by. "

CHAPTER FOURTEEN. 

A GREAT HORROR. 

Those two hours did soon slip away, and after assuring herself by theclock that the time had really fled, Mrs Morley went and stood in theveranda, gazing out in the full expectation of seeing those for whom shewaited coming up from the direction of the river. 

The night was glorious. The nearly full moon was silvering the tops ofthe trees and casting deep, black shadows on the ground. Here and therein the patches of thick shrubbery that had been planted to take off theharsh formality surrounding the parade, there were faint, twinklingsparks that gave a suggestion of how beautiful the river-sides must bewhere the lights of the curious insects flashed and died out and lit upagain in full force; and for some minutes Mrs Morley stood breathing inthe sweet, moist perfume of the many night blooms which floated on theair. 

"It is very, very beautiful, " she sighed, "but not like home. One triesto get used to it, and does for a time; but there is always that strangefeeling of insecurity which will suggest what might happen--we so few, the people here so many, and always looking upon us as infidel intruderswho have forced themselves up here to make a home in their very midst. I am too impatient, " she added, with a sigh, as she turned to walk toand fro in the veranda. 

"I am too impatient, " she repeated. "On such a beautiful night theywould easily be tempted to go a little farther up the river than theyintended, and they would tell the men to let the boat float gently backwith the stream. They have tired the men, perhaps, and have told themto leave the boat to itself. Yes, a lovely night. "

She went in, with a sigh, to speak to her two native servants and tellthem that they need not stay up; but she found her care unnecessary, forthey were already asleep. Then, obeying her next impulse, she wokethem, telling one to wait and the other to walk with her as far as theriver-side. 

Here she stood with the woman, watching and trying to pierce the soft, grey mist that hung above the water, before looking round for some one--boatman, or any other native whom she could question. But there was nota soul within sight, and as proof of the lateness of the hour, not alight was to be seen. 

"Ah!" she cried, with a start, for the woman behind her had suddenlycaught her by the wrist with one hand, while she stood with the otheroutstretched, pointing up the stream. "What is it?" she said. "Can yousee the boat?"

"No. Listen. "

"Ah! You hear them coming?"

The woman shook her head violently. 

"Croc, " she whispered; and her word was followed by a light, wallowingsplash. 

"Ugh!" ejaculated the Doctor's wife, with a shudder. "Come back. Theymay have returned by the other path and called at the officers'quarters. They are waiting for us by now perhaps, " she added toherself. 

Leading the way back to the bungalow, she hurried in, with strainingears, with the hope that the pair would come out to meet her slowlydying away. 

"They must have come back directly we went out, learned that we had gonedown to the river, and followed us. "

Stepping in quickly to the servants' part of the bungalow, she found theother servant fast asleep, ready to stare at her vacantly andwonderingly as she was shaken into wakefulness. The woman had to bespoken to by her fellow-servant before anything could be got from her;and then it was only to learn that the expected ones had not returned. 

"Something must have happened, " said the Doctor's wife, fighting hardnow to keep back the horrible forebodings that were troubling her. "Oh!this is not being a woman, " she said. "Come back with me to the river. "

The woman hesitated, but Mrs Morley caught her hand, and they hurriedback to the river-side, where, before many minutes of excited watchinghad passed, at least a dozen horribly suggestive splashes had been heardfar out upon the flowing stream. 

"Come back, " she whispered to her companion. "I cannot bear it. What!"she ejaculated, as the woman crept more closely to her and whisperedsomething in her ear. "Those horrid creatures drag people into theriver sometimes? Yes, yes; I know--I know. Come back. Perhaps theyhave come, " she continued, trying to speak firmly; and once more shehurried to the bungalow, to find the other servant again fast asleep. 

The clock showed that it only wanted a few minutes to midnight, andsetting her teeth hard in her determination, the trembling woman gaveherself till twelve before starting for the officers' quarters and theResidency to give the alarm. 

As she reached the gate she became aware of lights in the distance, evidently going in the direction of the river lower down. Voices, too, floated on the night air, and her spirits rose, for she was conscious ofa merry laugh. It could not mean trouble, and she stopped short, watching the lights that seemed now to have stopped by the river's bank, trying to fit them in somehow with a solution of her trouble. Still allwas mental darkness, when she was conscious of a shout or two which madeher start, but only to realise directly afterwards as she heard replies, followed by the splash of oars, that some one must be departing in aboat. 

Then came the murmur of talking as the little party appeared to be notcoming towards her but striking off diagonally in the direction of theofficers' quarters and the Residency. 

A loud cry escaped her. It was answered, and the next minute hurryingfeet were approaching her, and a voice exclaimed:

"Anything the matter?"

"Yes, yes!" panted the agitated woman. 

"Who is it? Mrs Morley?"

"Yes. Help, Captain Down--I--I--" and, trembling and half-breathless, she clung to the speaker as he caught her hands in his. 

"The Resident's boat?" she panted. 

"No, no--Rajah Hamet's. We have been to see him off. "

"Oh, you don't understand! The Resident's boat--Mr Maine--"

"Ah! What of him?"

"Went up the river with my niece. "

"Yes, yes--what of them?"

"Not come back!"

"Oh! Well, well, don't be alarmed. --Why, you are trembling like aleaf. "

"Yes. I can't help it. It is foolish perhaps. I am terribly alarmed. "

"Oh, come, come! I will walk back with you to the bungalow. --You go on, Durham; and you might tell the Resident that I am seeing Mrs Morleyhome. "

"Yes; all right!" came out of the darkness. "Shall I say that theboat's not come back?"

"Oh yes. You might mention it. "

"Yes--yes, pray tell him, " added Mrs Morley, as the young officeraddressed was continuing his route. 

"Let's see, " said the Captain; "the Doctor's gone off to see to theRajah, hasn't he?"

"Yes. "

"Ah, I see; and you are nervous from being left alone. "

"No, no, Captain Down. I am afraid that something has happened to theboat. "

"Yes, of course; ladies always are, " said the Captain cheerily, "whenthey are sitting up waiting. Now, now, be cool. There are scores ofthings that might have happened in a little expedition like this. Firstof all, they may have stopped to watch the fire-flies. "

"Oh yes, but not so late. "

"Well, no; but they may have gone much farther than they intended. Itis very tempting on a night like this. "

"But I begged Archie Maine to be back in good time. "

"Archie Maine is only a boy, and thoughtless; and I dare say Miss Heathwould be delighted with the trip; and then there would be night-bloomingflowers to look at, the noises of the jungle to listen to, and thesplashing of the croc--"

"Oh, for pity's sake, don't, Captain Down!"

"Oh, well, I won't. Now then, my dear lady, let's get back to thebungalow, and you give me one of Morley's best cigars--not those out ofthe old cedar box, please; one of those will do very well for ArchieMaine when he comes--and I will sit down in the veranda and chat withyou till the truants return; and then you can scold your niece, aftergiving Archie the bad cigar. That will be punishment enough for him, for he will be vain enough to try to smoke it, though a thin cigarettemakes him poorly, poor fellow! Now then, how do you feel now?"

"Oh, better, " said Mrs Morley. "And you don't think anything couldhave happened, Captain Down?"

"Nothing worse than that they have gone too far and are keeping you up. "

"But you don't think that the boat has been upset?"

"Certainly not. Why should I?"

"Boats are such dangerous things. "

"Yes, " said the Captain quietly--"in the hands of those who don't knowhow to use them. But Maine and your niece are not punting, and theyhave two of Dallas's best men. "

"Yes, " said Mrs Morley, with a sigh of relief, as they reached the gateand made their way into the veranda. 

"Thank you, " said the Captain, as Mrs Morley took a cigar-box from ashelf and then lit a cedar-wood match at the table lamp. "I wonder howthe Doctor's going on, " he continued, as he lit his cigar. 

"Ah, I wonder too, " said Mrs Morley. 

"Hope the poor beggar isn't much hurt. But Mr Stripes' claws arerather ugly things. Ah, well, lucky for him that he's got a DoctorMorley to call into the wilderness. Hullo! Footsteps! What did I tellyou? Here they come! In a hurry, too. "

But the distant sound of steps was not duplicated. They were those ofone only, coming at a rapid rate; and directly after the Resident dashedopen the garden gate. 

"What's this I hear?" he cried excitedly. "The boat not back?"

He listened for a few moments to Mrs Morley's once more excited words;but he half-interrupted her before she had done, by exclaiming:

"Here they come! I have told the Major, and he is turning out the men. For Heaven's sake, Mrs Morley, try and be calm. "

"I am trying, Sir Charles. But my husband absent! How can I look himin the face when he comes back?"

"Oh, hush, hush!" whispered the Resident, pressing her hand so hard thatshe could hardly bear it. 

"You are taking the very blackest view of the matter. It may be atrifle--one of the poles broken, or they may have ventured too far. "

"Don't talk, pray, " said Mrs Morley. "Never mind me. Do something!Act!"

"I am acting, and for the best, " whispered Sir Charles. "I would givemy life to save Minnie if she is in danger, but I feel it my duty to tryto comfort you. "

The next minute he was busy with the officers and the men, hurryingalong the river-bank and sending off boats up the stream, in one ofwhich--his own, manned by a dozen men--he was standing with Captain Downand the Major, watching the sides of the river, sometimes plunged inblack darkness, at others glistening in the light of the moon, which hadnow risen far above the trees. But they had not been gone abovehalf-an-hour before news came, to run through the ranks of the searchersleft behind, some of whom, on the possibility that those sought mighthave had an accident with the boat and been compelled to land and fighttheir way through the jungle, had penetrated some distance along thepath nearest to the river-side, and been recalled by one of theofficers' whistles. 

On hurrying back they had encountered the Sergeant going the rounds, whohad to announce that the sentry stationed at the hut above the chieflanding-place was missing, and no answer could be obtained to the callsthat should have reached his ears had he been anywhere near. 

It was a night of excitement, misery, and despair, and the short dawn, when it broke, brought not hope but horror and dismay, for all at once, when the morning mist was lying heavily upon the lower reach of theriver, the sound of oars was heard approaching the campong, and as itneared the lower landing-place, to which several of the party hurried, it seemed quite a long space of time before the heads of the rowersbegan to come gradually out of the grey fog; and soon after it was madeout to be Rajah Hamet's naga, or dragon-boat, towing behind it a secondboat that had been overturned. 

The news was passed inward, and this brought the Major to thelanding-place, where the Rajah was waiting. 

"Ah!" cried the old officer, "you have brought news?"

The young Rajah bent his head. 

"Yes, " he said hoarsely. "Is this your boat?"

"Yes, yes--the Resident's--Sir Charles's. Been overturned?"

"We found it amongst the trees far down the river. One of my men caughtsight of this hanging in a bush;" and he held up a large, thin, gauzy-looking white scarf, torn almost in two. 

"Ah!" gasped the Major, as he caught at the flimsy wrapper, nowpartially dry. "And--and--you were going to say something else, sir?"

"Yes, " said the young Rajah, with something like a groan. "But tell me, do you know whose was this?"

He brought forward from behind him an officer's forage-cap, about whicha torn puggaree clung like a wisp. 

"Great heavens!" panted the Major. "Oh, my poor, dear boy!--Where didyou find this, sir?"

"Part of the boat's bows were crushed in as if by a blow. This cap washeld down by one of the splinters. "

Just then voices came floating down the river, indicating that some ofthe party were returning from their search to the upper landing-place;and soon after the Resident's naga had reached the stage, and theprincipal occupants sprang out to hear about the missing sentry, and togive no news. The last discovery was whispered to them in broken tones, and as what seemed to be the terrible fate of the small boat's occupantswas told by the Major to Sir Charles, he literally reeled away fromwhere he had been standing, and staggered onwards with extended hands, as if making for the bungalow. But before he had gone many steps hestopped short, to whisper hoarsely, "Who is that?"

"I, Sir Charles, " said Captain Down. 

"Thank you. Take my hand, please. I am giddy, and half-blind. Something seems to have gone wrong. I cannot think. Please help me, and lead me home. --No; stop, " he added. "That poor woman! Some onemust tell her. She must know; and I can't--I can't be the bearer. Oh, it is too horrible! My fault, too. --Ah! Who is that? You, Down? Ithought you had gone. Don't let me fall. This giddiness again. Yes, Iremember now. The Doctor! He was called away to go to the Rajah'shelp. Has he returned? Has he--"

His lips parted to say more, but his words were inaudible, and at asignal from the Captain four of the men hurried up, to lace their handsinto a bearing, and, keeping step, they bore the insensible man to theResidency. 

It was late in the burning afternoon, after the overturned andmuch-damaged boat had been lying to dry in the hot sun for hours, andthe terrible mishap had been canvassed in every detail, when a sentrypassed the word that an elephant was approaching with strangers. 

The strangers proved to be the Doctor, one of Suleiman's officials, andthe mahout; while as soon as the news reached headquarters, Major Knowlehurried out, bareheaded, to meet his friend, and stood in the shade ofone of the great palm-trees, signalling to the mahout to stop. 

"Morning!" shouted the Doctor cheerily as he drew near. "Patient's allright, Knowle, and the Frenchman only frightened into a fit. Phew! Itis hot, eh? What are you holding up your hand for? Nothing wrong?"

The Major was holding on by the ordinary trappings of the howdah, andreaching up as he raised himself on tiptoe, he almost whispered histerrible news, while the florid, erst happy-looking Doctor lookedblankly down. 

CHAPTER FIFTEEN. 

PETER'S SENTRY-GO. 

Tramp, tramp, tramp, tramp, up and down on the regular beat, sometimesin the full silvery moonlight, sometimes in the shade cast by the hut;one minute only the footsteps to break the silence, or the wallowingplash of one of the great reptiles that haunted the river-deeps. 

"That's cheerful!" muttered the sentry. "Ain't so bad, though, as oldJoe made it out when he was doing his sentry-go below there, close tothe water. My word, how clear it is to-night! I should just like tohave a regular old-fashioned sentry-box down there, close to thelanding-place, with a good, strong door to it as one could fasten tight, and loopholes in the sides, and plenty of cartridges ready for a night'sshooting. I'd let some of 'em have it! Wouldn't it make 'em savage, though! They'd come out and turn the box over if it was not well peggeddown. Wouldn't do much good, though, if I hit every time, for lots moreof the ugly beggars would come. Mister Archie says they lay eggs. Pretty chickens they must be when they are hatched. Hullo! what boat'sthat?"

For the plashing of poles reached his ears, and the dark form of agood-sized sampan came round a curve, with its attap awning glisteningsoftly like dead silver in the moonlight. 

The sentry waited in the shade of the hut till the boat came nearer, andthen challenged, when a familiar voice responded:

"That you, Peter Pegg?"

"Mister Archie, sir! Yes, sir. "

"It's all right. We are going up the river a little way in themoonlight. Beautiful night!"

"Yes, sir; lovely, sir. I'd be on the lookout, sir, though. "

"What for?"

"Them alligator things, sir. I have heard a good many of them knockingabout there. "

"Oh, they won't come near us with the men splashing as they pole usalong. "

The boat passed on, and as the sentry had a glimpse of a white face andthe folds of a veil he stood musing and watching till the boat hadpassed and disappeared. 

"No, " he thought, "I don't suppose the brutes will go near them. Theysoon scuttle off when they hear a splash. Nice to be him, enj'yinghisself with his lady. Wonder who it is. Miss Doctor, perhaps. Nicegirl. But he's only a boy. Wish I was a officer. I used to think itwould be all the same for us when I 'listed. My word, how the Sergeantdid lay on the butter and jam! And talked about the scarlet, and beinglike a gentleman out here abroad with the niggers to wait on us--andthen it comes to this! Sentry-go for hours in a lonely place like thishere, with crocklygaters hanging about to see if you go to sleep to givethem a chance to make a grab. Yes, they make a fellow feel sleepy!Just likely, ain't it?"

Peter Pegg's thoughts seemed to animate him, and for a turn or two hechanged his pace from a slow march to double. 

"Steady, my lad!" he muttered. "There ain't no hurry;" and he droppedback into the regular pace, and began thinking about the boat and itsoccupants. 

"Nice young lady she is; and I suppose that there Sir Charles is goingto make a match with her, for she and Mister Archie always seem justlike brother and sister. I suppose he ain't been well. Been preciousquiet lately. Can't have offended him, for he was as jolly as could belast time I saw him. He's getting more solid-like and growed up. Butmy word, what fun we have had together sometimes! And what a row therewould have been if we had been found out! It wouldn't have done. Butit has cheered me up many a time when I have had the miserables and feltas if I'd like to cut sojering and make for home. It was nice to have ayoung officer somewheres about your own age ready for a lark. Poor oldMother Smithers, and that brown juice--what do they call it--cutch andgambia?--as dyes things brown. The officers' clean shirts as was washedin that water--haw, haw, haw!--What's that?"

The listener brought his piece to the ready, and the _click, click_ ofthe lock followed instantly upon a shrill cry which seemed to thrill thesentry along every nerve. 

"Is it the crocs?" he thought; and then close upon the distant sound ofblows and a splash or two came in Archie's well-known but now excitedtones:

"Sentry Pegg! Help!"

The young private obeyed his first instinct, and that was, instead offiring, to give the alarm, to run down as fast as he could to thewater's edge and plunge in amongst the scattered, overhanging trees, making as well as he could judge for the direction from which the crieshad arisen. 

"Here! Coming! Coming!" he panted, as he rushed in where the treeswere thickest, to become, directly after, conscious of a figure startingup from behind a bush that he had just passed, and from which, glittering and flashing, came the sparkle of quite a little cloud offire-flies. 

The lad swung himself round as he scented danger, and struck back withthe butt of his rifle; but it was only to miss his assailant and exposehis head to a blow from the other side--so heavy a stroke from aformidable, club-like weapon that he dropped, with a faint groan, whilefrom the direction of the boat right out towards the middle of the riverthere was a resumption of the plashing of poles. 

CHAPTER SIXTEEN. 

A STRANGE FEVER. 

It was to Archie Maine like a bad attack of the fever from which he hadsuffered when he first went up-country in the gunboat from Singapore. There was that horrible beating and throbbing in his head, onlyintensely more confusing than it had been then; and sometimes, when hecould think and everything did not seem mentally upside-down, he wasbeing puzzled by two questions. One was, "Is it jungle fever?" theother, "Is it the throbbing and beating of the gunboat engines?" Andthis latter he favoured the more because he felt convinced that theheat, the burning, scorching heat, in his head must be because they hadput him in a berth close by the furnace fires. 

Throb, throb--burn, burn--and then all nothingness for long enough. Hecould not move; he could not speak; he could not think; only hour afterhour in the midst of the throbbing pain he felt dried up, choking withthirst, and always fighting hard to get back the power to think. 

What did it all mean? Where was he? There was the throbbing as of theengines, and the heat, but somehow he felt that he could not be on thegunboat. For once in a way there was a roar as of wild beasts; then itwas not the roar of wild beasts, for it seemed to be the blast of abugle, out of tune, harsh, and blown by some horrible giant, so big, sovast, so confusing that, as he was trying to think what it could be andwhy, everything was all confusion again. If he could only think! If hecould only make it out, why it was, and what it was! And he was in ahurry to do this. It seemed as if he was struggling with all his mightto be able to think, before everything was shut down again. 

He did not know what was going to be shut down, or what there was to beshut down. He did not understand; but he could feel the awful heat, theheavy, burning, throbbing pain, and with it--there was nothing. Andwhat was nothing? Nothing but darkness and the great question: why?--which grew and grew and grew till it became bigger and bigger andresolved itself into something going round and round; and that somethingseemed to be why he could not think. 

How long this went on Archie did not know; but after a time in thedarkness there seemed to come a faint dawning like a feeble ray oflight, which suggested that he must be at home in England on afrightfully hot day, lying down on one of the benches in the Lion Houseat the Zoo. For there was that tremendous giant's roar or trumpetingsound, and this must, he knew, be one of the savage beasts, and hadsomething to do with his having suddenly dropped to sleep and beingwakened by the bellowing sound. 

Then more darkness--silence--the ever-increasing confusion and whir, andnothingness, till some time or other there was a fresh coming of thedawn, in the midst of which he felt something that seemed wonderfullycool and moist laid upon his head, and a voice that seemed to come frommiles away whispered:

"Poor old chap!"

Then all was dark again, and he seemed to be dreaming of the fever andthe doctor that was talking to him and telling him that there were sixof the men just as bad as he was, and that he was to take _that_. Hecould think now, for he distinctly heard him say:

"Tip it up. It will do you good. "

And somehow the engines seemed to have been stopped, and he felt as ifhe was being lifted on to some one's arm away from the tremendous heatof the engine fires, and he knew it was the Doctor--good old Morley!--who was holding a very hard wooden cup to his lips for him to drink themedicine. No, it was not nasty; it was beautifully cool and good. Hefelt that the Doctor had put in so much water that he could not tastethe physic; and he drank on and on, every drop seeming to make it easierat last to think. And then the cup was being taken from his lips, andhe tried to raise his hand to catch it and hold it so that he mightdrink more; but his arm fell as if nerveless, and he uttered a deepgroan. 

"Oh, come!" rose to his ears now, as if from a long way off. "That'ssomething! Ain't going to die this time. "

"Not going to die this time, " some one whispered, as if it were breathedwith a hot breath upon his lips; and then he lay thinking in a veryfeeble way, and feeling the while so tired, as a great longing came overhim to go to sleep. It seemed like hours before that longing wasfulfilled; and then he woke up not knowing why or wherefore, or graspinganything but that it was dark, black dark; and then he felt, with astrange sense of agony, that all his trouble was returning, for thetrumpeting roar thundered through his brain, and he lay perfectly stillas the deep sound ceased, ending with a peculiar kind of snort and asqueal, feeling that there was no pain, and beginning to wonder why. 

Time passed again--how long a time it was beyond him to grasp--but therewas that peculiar trumpeting roar once more, and somehow it did nottrouble him so much. The fancy that he was in the Lion House had fadedaway, and he became conscious of the Doctor passing his arm under hisneck and raising him, while the wooden cup was being held to his lips--cool, sweet, delicious--it was one great joy to feel the soft draughtrunning over his parched tongue and down his throat. 

Then he started, and he felt some of the contents of the cup trickledown his chin, for there was a shrill trumpeting noise again as thedesire to exert himself came, and he exclaimed:

"What's that?"

It was only in a whisper, but the Doctor--no, it was not the Doctor; itwas some one whose voice he knew--said excitedly:

"Helephants. " And then, "I say, Mister Archie, sir, you're a-cominground!"

That was too much for him. He wanted to ask what it meant--why it wasPeter Pegg who had been holding up his head, and not the Doctor--but hecould not form the words for the deep, heavy sleepiness which came overhim; and then all was darkness once more, mental and real. 

Long enough after, Archie Maine found himself thinking again, andwondering where he was and why it was so dark; but he could make outnothing, till he gradually began to feel about him, slowly, cautiously, as if in dread of something about to happen, for the sensation washorrible of being nowhere and in danger of falling should he move. Thenthere was a sudden feeling of consciousness, for he touched a hot hand, and a familiar voice said:

"'Wake, sir? Like a drink?"

"Yes. That you, Pete?"

"Me it is, sir. Lie still, and I will give you a cocoa-nut-shellful ofwater, and--and--Oh my! Oh my! Oh Lor'! I can't help it!"

And Archie lay thinking clearly enough now, and wondering why it wasthat the big fellow who had spoken crouched close by him quivering, andthe hand that had grasped his roughly was shaking violently, as he laythere blubbering and sobbing with all his might. 

"What's the matter?" whispered Archie, in the midst of his wonder. 

"Oh, it's only me, sir, " cried the lad in a choking voice. "I couldn'thelp it. It would ha' been just the same if I'd been on parade. Itwould come. It's been ready to bust out all this time. I thought youwas going to die, sir--I thought you was going to die!"

"Die, Pete! No! What for?"

"Don't you know, sir?"

"No-o, " said Archie wonderingly. 

"Here, stop a minute; let me give you some water. "

And in the darkness Archie lay listening to the pleasant, musical, trickling sound of falling water; while directly after, as he felt theprivate's hand passed under his neck, he made an effort to rise, andfell a-wondering again, for he could not stir. 

But the next minute there was a fancied feeling of returning strength ashe swallowed the cool draught with avidity, drinking till the desirecame upon him to sink back with a deep sigh of content, and he felt hiscompanion's arm withdrawn. 

"Go to sleep after that, can't you?" whispered the private. 

"No; I want to know what it all means. "

"Hadn't you better go to sleep, sir?"

"No!" cried Archie, in a voice so full of the agony of desire that Peterspoke out excitedly:

"Well, we are prisoners, sir. "

"Prisoners! How? Why?"

"I d'know, sir. "

"You don't know!" panted Archie feebly. "Oh, you are trying to keep itback!"

"That I ain't, sir. I'll tell you what I do know. Somebody's took usprisoners--some of them Malay chaps. I think it must be that RajahHamet's men, as they says are our enemies. "

"No, no; he's our friend. "

"Then it must be t'other one, sir. You remember when you come by in theboat that moonlight night?"

"Boat! What moonlight night?"

"Oh, Lor' ha' mussy!" muttered Peter. "He can't be fit to talk. "

"What's that you are saying to yourself? Why don't you speak?"

"Don't you remember hailing me, sir, when I was on sentry-go?"

"No. "

"Nor me telling you to mind the crocs didn't try to come aboard yourboat?"

"No. What are you talking about?"

"Oh, my word!" sighed Peter. "Here's a pretty go! Talk about a poorfellow being off his chump!" Then aloud, as he felt the lad's handfeebly feeling for his, "It was like this 'ere, sir. You must have gotinto some row with a boatful of the niggers, and they knocked you overthe head. "

"Knocked me over the head?" said Archie dreamily. "No, I don'tremember. Here, give me some more water. "

Peter Pegg hurriedly filled the cup--half a cocoa-nut shell--and Archiedrank a mouthful and pushed it away. 

"Let me lie down again, " he said. --"Now go on. Knocked me over thehead?" he said very slowly and thoughtfully, as if weighing his words. "Did you know that?"

"Yes, sir. "

"You said you were on sentry?"

"That's right, sir. "

"Then why didn't you come and help me?"

"I was coming, sir, bull roosh, when just as I was running along theriver-bank, wondering how I was to swim out to you among themcrocodiles, some one popped out from the bushes and fetched me down withan awful crack on the pan. "

"Struck you down?"

"Yes, sir. Hit me crool. There's a lump on the top now as big as yourfist. Regularly knocked me silly. Just as they must have served you--knocked every bit of sense out of me. There warn't much in, as oldTipsy says, but I didn't know no more till I found myself here, feelingsick as a dog, and not able to move, for I was lying awkward-like on myback, with some of them thin rotan canes tied round my arms and legs sotight that it was only at times I knowed I had any arms and legs atall. "

"Poor fellow!" said Archie pityingly. 

"Yes, I just have been a poor fellow, sir--poor creature, as they calledthem up in my part of the country. Why, I have been quite mazed-like. That topper I got seemed to do for me altogether; and when I come-to, here I was lying in this place, not knowing where I was, and, like you, sir, I couldn't make out what it meant. "

"And in the darkness, too, " said Archie, "just like this?"

"Like which, sir? Why, it ain't dark now!"

"Black darkness, " said Archie. 

The young private whistled softly and said nothing, but shook his headand thought. 

"But you know what place it is, don't you, Pete?"

"Well, I suppose it's part of one of the Rajah's roosts; but, as I tellyou, my head's felt so muddled, and just as if some of the works hadbeen knocked loose, that even now I don't seem to be able to tellt'other from which. Well, I am getting it clearer now, and of course itmust be at Mr Prince Suleiman's. Why, to be sure it must; and if mywheels inside had been going as they should, I should have thought itout at once. It must be at the Rajah's place, because of the helephantsas you 'eerd now and then. They must have a sort of stable close byhere. And then--why, of course--I'm just as 'fused-like as you are, sir--that French count chap came in to see us the other day, and talkedto me. "

"He came here?" said Archie in his slow, dreamy way. 

"Yes, sir; that he did. "

"But I want to know, " said Archie, "why we were attacked like this and Iwas so hurt. There seems to have been no cause or reason for it. "

"Well, I d'know, sir. I can't think much more than you can. Maybe weshall see it clearly as we gets better; but it looks to me as if it'shis doing, out of spite, like, for our interfering with him when he camethat night and Joe Smithers arrested him and gave the alarm. "

"Perhaps so, " said Archie. "My head's going wrong again. I can'tthink. "

"Then you take my advice, sir: don't you try. Try and eat a bit, forit's five days since you have had a bite, counting the night we wastook. "

"Five days!" said Archie. 

"That's right, sir. Think you could eat one of these fruits--I don'tknow what you call them--melons like?"

"No, " said Archie, with a shudder. 

"Well, I don't wonder, sir. I couldn't at first. They brought in a lotof bananas with the water, but I couldn't touch 'em at first. When thatFrenchman came, though, and saw that I hadn't eaten anything, he turnedrusty, and said I was trying to starve myself to death, and that itwouldn't do, because I must remember that I was a horstrich now, and Iwasn't to play no tricks like that. "

"Said you were an ostrich?"

"Yes, sir; that's right. I don't know why, and I thought perhaps Ihadn't heard him rightly, being so muddled-like. But I'm sure nowthat's what he said. Perhaps he said it because he thought I was along-legged one and meant to run away; and I should have been aboutdoing so before now if there hadn't been reasons. "

"What reasons, Pete?"

"Why, you, sir. You don't suppose I was going to cut and leave my matein such a hole as this?"

"Ostrich?" said Archie dreamily. "What could he mean by that? Oh--prisoners! He called you a hostage, and we are to be kept as hostagesfor some reason connected with something that's going on. "

"Ah! that's right, sir. "

As the young private sat on the palm-leaf-covered floor of the woodenbuilding, gazing at his companion in misfortune, and thinking of howchanged he looked, Archie slowly closed his eyes and appeared to beasleep, though he was now trying to make up for lost time, and thinkingdeeply. 

"Wonder what's the matter with his eyes, " mused the young private. "Hecan't see, or else he wouldn't keep on talking about its being dark. "

Suddenly Archie unclosed his eyes and said:

"Are your legs and wrists better now?"

"It's my head that was the worst, sir, " was the reply. 

"But you said that your legs and wrists were so cruelly tied up that thecanes cut into your flesh. "

"Oh yes, sir; that was at first. But when that Frenchie came in he toldthe Malay chaps to untie 'em, so that I could wait upon you--andprecious glad I was. "

"But how did you manage to see to give me the water?"

"I couldn't in the night, sir; but I can now. --It's no use to tell thepoor chap that it's quite light, for he's all puzzled-like yet, " thoughtthe private. Then aloud, "I'd just go to sleep a bit now, sir, if I wasyou. "

"What for?"

"Rest your head, sir. You will feel a deal better when you wake again, and perhaps see a bit clearer. "

"Perhaps you are right, Pete, " said Archie, with a sigh; "but I ambetter now. Most of the pain seems to be gone. "

"Good luck to you, sir! I wish mine had, for there are times when Iseem as if I could not think straight. "

Archie made no reply, and as the young private watched him he saw thatthe poor fellow's eyes were once more closed; and the lad half lay onthe crisp leaves, which rustled loudly at every movement, and mused ontheir position. 

"One would expect, " he said to himself, "that at any minute a company ofour swaddies would be here to fetch us out of this. At the same time, one ought to be ready to help one's self. Can't do anything, of course, with Mister Archie like this; but I have got my ideas about doingsomething some night if I can get a chance. --Oh, there you are, mybeauties! I keep on hearing you, and you set me thinking. Wonderwhether I could do it if I tried. I must wait till he comes round a bitmore, and then I mean to try. Wonder whether they set sentries over us. Most likely; but if they do they will have to be dodged. "

There was a rumbling noise, which came from one of the elephants stablednear, and Peter Pegg shook his head slowly as if he were imitating thecustomary habit of a tethered elephant, and in imagination the privateseemed to see one of the leg-chained beasts softly bowing its head upand down, and slowly from side to side, swinging it as if it were onsprings. 

"If I asked that chap who brings the water to let me see the helephantshe would see through me, so I won't do it--make him 'spicious; and hewouldn't understand me if I did. His is an awful foolish lingo. Mightperhaps get outside the door or window some night and have a look forthem in the dark. Ah, there's no knowing what I might do when he getsbetter. "

Private Pegg started violently, for all at once Archie started upexcitedly, and sat with widely opened eyes, gazing wildly straightbefore him, his hands extended, and trembling violently; while, as hisfellow-prisoner leaned forward and caught him by the arm to try andsoothe him, believing him to be in pain, he snatched his hand away, andin a piteous cry uttered the one word:

"Minnie!"

Peter Pegg waited for a few moments, half-stunned by this new form oftrouble, and offered the first palliative that occurred to him. 

"Have some more water, Mister Archie, " he said huskily. 

"No, no! Don't you see? Why didn't you tell me before?"

"Tell you what before, sir?"

"About Miss Heath. "

"About Miss Doctor, sir? It was her, then, as was with you in theboat?"

"Yes, yes! Why didn't you remind me?"

"Never thought about it, sir. I never--my word!--I--"

"Yes, yes; I see it all now! It has all come back. That blindness andmisery has cleared off like a veil. Man, man! when those wretchesattacked me she was with me in the boat; and we stop here, helpless andprisoners, while she--Oh for health and strength! Pegg, there's not amoment to be lost! We must escape somehow, and get back to camp. Herpoor aunt! What must she think!"

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN. 

DR. PEGG MUSES. 

"Poor chap!" said Pegg, with a long-drawn sigh, as, utterly exhausted, Archie sank back upon his rough resting-place amongst the palm-leaves, and fell off at once into a deep, swoon-like sleep. "Oh! if he onlywon't wake again for hours and hours, for all this worrying and talkingmust be dreadful for him. Poor girl! She must be here somewhere, aprisoner too. If I could only find out!"

He had been bending over Archie, and was drawing away as softly as couldbe for fear the rustling of the leaf-bed might wake his companion again, to recommence talking in an excited way about Minnie Heath and her fate, when he heard the sound of voices, the door of the palm and bamboobuilding was unbarred and thrown open, and a fierce, swarthy-looking, scowling Malay, with the hilt of his kris uncovered, strode swaggeringlyin, accompanied by six spear-armed natives of about his own stamp, theirleader looking sharply at the two prisoners, and then about the place. 

"Here, I say, don't kick up such a jolly row, " said the private in ahoarse whisper. "Can't you see that the poor fellow has just droppedoff to sleep?"

The big Malay turned upon him fiercely, and as he took a couple of stepsnearer, the crisp, dry leaves rustled more than ever. 

"Will you be quiet?" whispered the private, springing up, and with onestride planting himself threateningly before the offender, who took astep back and flashed his naked kris from its sheath, while hisfollowers lowered their spears for his protection. 

"There, put that cook's skewer away, " growled the lad, as he pointed atthe kris. "Can't you be quiet? Can't you see that I have got nothingto fight with? Seven on you to one wounded man! Nice, plucky lot, aren't you? Why, I'm about the youngest chap in my company, but give memy empty rifle and bay'net and fair-play, and I would take the lot onyou. "

Then, placing his open hands on either side of his lips as if he wereabout to hail somebody at a distance, he whispered hoarsely:

"Look at him. Very bad. Thought he was going to die. Can't youunderstand?"

Lowering his hands, he first pointed to the insensible officer, andthen, treating the bared weapons which menaced him with as much contemptas if they were not there, he stepped on tiptoe close to his youngcompanion, and stood pointing down at his terribly swollen forehead, which was not only cut but discoloured. 

He stood waiting, but neither of the Malays moved, only looked at theirleader as if for orders, and then gazed at one another, till he uttereda low grunt, in response to which the men raised the points of theirspears and planted the butts on the ground. 

Peter Pegg gave vent to a low, sneering laugh as he gazed half-jauntilyat the big Malay. 

"It didn't skeer me a bit, " he said, "queer as I feel; but, betweenmen--you see how bad my poor officer is--I only want you to keep thosejockeys of yours quiet. Well, aren't you going to say anything when aEnglish gentleman addresses you?"

The Malay gazed at him as if wondering at the lad's impudence, and then, scowling fiercely, he said, in a hoarse, guttural way, and trying todisplay his scorn for the sun-burnt, thin-featured lad, "Ingles--Ingles!"

"That's right, comrade--I mean, enemy. Well, ain't you going to say anymore?"

The man made no sign, and Peter Pegg continued:

"Can't you understand plain English? Well, then, take this--_apa bolehbooat_. "

"_Apa boleh booat_, " said the Malay, with his face relaxing a little;and he nodded his head slowly, before turning to one of his followersand pointing to the big water-jar standing near the door, which the manimmediately took up and bore out as if to fill, while his leader pointedagain to a neatly woven bamboo basket in which lay three or four bananasand a half-eaten cake of bread. 

This too was borne out, the contents sent flying amongst the trees closeby, and the basket brought back, like the big jar, replenished. 

"_Apa boleh booat_, " growled the big Malay, and he bowed his head slowlyat the young soldier. 

"All right; I quite agree with you, " said Peter; "and now good-morning, or good-day, and don't come and bother me any more, my Royal Highness, or whatever you are, for I want to think. "

The Malay leader scowled at him again, and then followed his men out ofthe door, which was closed loudly, and as heavy bars seemed to be fittedinto sockets, Peter Pegg limped up, as if partly lamed, put his lipsclose to a crack, and whispered:

"Thank you. Much obliged. A little louder next time, please, for myofficer's asleep. "

Then he stood peering through the crack till the footsteps died away. 

"Can't see much, " he said; "but I wonder what _apa boleh booat_ means. I meant it for something nasty, but the ugly beggar took it quitepleasant. It's what those sampan chaps say when they come back withoutcatching any fish. To be sure, and I heard another chap say it when theDoctor had done strapping up his cut that time when there was a fightbetween the two Rajahs' men. I've picked up a lot more, too, of theirlingo, but it's all mixed up together somewheres, and my head's about asmuddled as poor Mister Archie's. Poor old chap! I got it too, but I'da deal rather I'd had his topper and he'd had mine, and that's honest;for though he's a gentleman and I have only been a rough recruity, he'salways been a good chap to me, and I never liked him so much as I do nowwhen he's in such trouble. I wonder where poor Miss Minnie is. "

_Phoonk_! came from somewhere outside, and there was a rattling as of aniron chain. 

"Oh, there you are, are you?" said Peter. "The Doctor said in thatlecture he gave us chaps that helephants is the most intelligent beaststhere is--more so than dogs--that they get to understand all sorts ofwords that are spoken to them. That there _phoonk_, or whatever it was, sounded just like an answer to something I had said; but, of course, itcouldn't be. These 'ere are Malay helephants, and 'tisn't likely theycould understand English. I wish, though, this was the one that I gotto be so chummy with on the sham-fight day. I'd give him half these'ere bananas and some of the cake, for I don't feel ready to eat much, and I don't believe that when the governor wakes up he will takeanything but some more water. Well, anyhow, he's better than he hasbeen since we've been here. How long is it?"

The lad raised his hand wearily to his aching brow, and held it therefor some minutes, before shaking his head sadly. 

"I d'know, " he said. "It's all getting mixed up again. Oh, my poornut! How it do ache! I know what would do it good--lie down and try togo to sleep. But I can't; for so sure as I did, Mister Archie wouldwake up and want some water, and begin to talk about Miss Minnie. Ohdear! It's far worse than mutiny--to go to sleep when you are onsentry; and it would be ten times worse to begin to snooze now, withthat poor, half-cranky chap in such a state. So I'll have one or two ofthem finger-stall fruit things and a good drink of water, and then leanback against the side and see how many Malay words I can remember; andif that don't keep a poor fellow awake, nothing will. "

He stepped softly amongst the rustling leaves and bent down over Archie, to find that he was breathing freely, and evidently plunged in the deepsleep of exhaustion. 

"That's better, " he muttered; "but I should like to dip his handkerchyin that fresh, cold water and lay it on his head. "

His hand was reached out to where he could just catch a glimpse of thescrap of linen in the lad's breast pocket; but he snatched his extendedfingers back, and stepped away to where the basket and jar had beenplaced. 

"Do more harm than good, " he muttered. "When I was in orspittle, Iremember old Morley said that sleep was the something that did somethingto set wounded fellows up again, and if I got sopping his head, poorchap! it would wake him up as sure as eggs is eggs. " Then he went downon his knees, picked up the cocoa-nut cup, filled it to the brim, andvery slowly trickled the contents down his throat. "Hah!" he sighed. "Lovely!" as he held up the empty cup. "That's just the sort of stuffas would do old Joe Smithers a world of good. --Thankye; yes, I will takeanother, as you are so pressing;" and with a contented grin upon hisdirty face, grimed with perspiration and the dried stains from a cut, herefilled the shell cup, drank the contents, replaced the little vesselbalanced upside-down upon the edge of the rough earthen jar, and thenswung himself round into a sitting position, wincing and half-groaningwith pain as he did so, leant his aching head against the thicklyplaited palm wall, and reached out for the basket, from which he pickedone of the largest golden plantains. 

"There's plenty, " he said softly, "and three of them just about ought toset me up. "

Then methodically breaking off the end of the one he had chosen, hebegan to strip off the thick skin, letting each portion hang over hishand, as the creamy, white, vegetable-like fruit became bared half-waydown; and then, with a sigh, he took a bite. 

"That second cup of Adam's ale was better than the first, " he saidappreciatively, "and this 'ere's the best banana I ever nibbled. Weused to say at home that they was like tallow candle and sleepy pear, but this one--my word, it's heavenly!"

He took another bite, munching it slowly, with his head sinking downgently as if to meet his hand, which came up with some effort, ready forthe next bite; and then, with his lower jaw impeded by resting upon hischest, it ceased to move, the hand that held the banana sank into hislap, the half-peeled fruit escaped from his fingers, and not one of themany Malay words that he was about to remember obtained utterance, forafter the watching and disturbed sleep of nights, Nature would do nomore, and Peter Pegg was sleeping more deeply than he had ever slept inhis life before. 

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN. 

PETER'S FRIEND. 

Phoonk! Then a peculiar squeal and grunting sound, and then once again, _Phoonk_!

Peter Pegg started up into a sitting position, vacant of face andstaring at the straightly streaked rays of sunshine that made their waythrough the plaited and latticed sides of the stable-like building inwhich he had dropped to sleep. 

"What's all that row?" he muttered. "Where am I?"

He rubbed his eyes; and then, as the grunting, snorting noise continued, "What does it all mean?" he went on. "Why, I've been asleep, and wasdreaming something about old Bobby Hood's pigs at home, grunting. Am Idreaming now? Them ain't pigs. Here, I know--helephants!"

He turned his face to the side of the place against which he had beenleaning, drew himself up, and applied his eyes to one of the cracks, just as a voice seemed to be calling out in the Malay tongue at three ofthe great cumbrous-looking beasts which were about a couple of yardsaway from the building. 

"Driving of them, and they won't go, " thought the watcher; and thespeaker, a stunted-looking Malay with a short, iron-spiked implement, somewhat like the iron of a boat-hook, in his hand, came into sightbetween the huge pachyderms and the door, shouting and growling at hischarge as he waved the hook and progged the nearest beast as if tryingto drive them away. 

"What a fool I was not to have learned this precious lingo! They wantto come in, and he's telling them to get on. Well, there ain't no roomfor them here. --Ah, he don't like that!" For the dumpy Malay made usemore freely of the goad he carried, and the nearest beast gave vent toan angry half-squeal, half-grunt, as, shrinking from the prod deliveredat its flank, it made a rush at two companions, driving its great headfirst at one and then at the other, and with a good deal of grumbling, squealing, and waving of trunks, they shuffled out of sight. 

"Why, I must have been asleep, " cried Pegg, as he made for anotheropening where the sun streamed in; "but my head--oh, my head, how itaches! I can't seem to understand what it means. It's all of a--" Heturned slowly round, staring vacantly, till his eyes fell upon thebasket and jar almost at his feet. "'Nanas--water! Why, "--he turnedhis eyes in another direction, and then, with a faint cry of dismay, heshuffled across the place, making the dry leaves with which the floorwas covered rustle loudly, as he sank upon his knees beside Archie. "I've got it now, " he said to himself. "I remember; but my head's asthick as wool. He went to sleep, and I sat down to watch till he woke. Nice watch I've kept! Well, it's a good job those great brutes comealong and woke me up. This must have been their old stable, and if Idon't look out, one of these times they will be shoving that door downand walking in a-top of us. Poor old chap! He's sound enough now. Mustn't touch him. It would be a pity to wake him. I couldn't havebeen asleep many minutes. "

Peter drew away silently and stood for a few moments watching the brightrays of sunshine that streamed in through the side of the building; andunconsciously he raised one hand and made a peculiar motion with it asif he were following the streaks of light from right to left with hisindex-finger. 

"Seems rum, " he muttered; "but it's my head being so thick, I suppose. Oh, there's that banana I began to eat;" and he stooped down, picked itup from where it lay amongst the leaves, and then dipped the cocoa-nutcup into the water, and took a deep draught of the refreshing beverage. 

"Ah!" he sighed, as he set down the shell. "Seems to wash the cobwebsout of one's head. Wonder where those helephants were being driven. "

As he muttered he stepped to the door and applied his eye to _one_ ofthe cracks through which the sun was streaming, and then drew back, forthe glare affected his eye. 

"Shines hot, " he muttered; "and it wasn't coming in like that when Ilooked through just now, before beginning to eat that banana. Well, " heejaculated, "it's a rum 'un! I've got it now! Why, I must have beenasleep hours and hours and hours. It ain't this evening. When I lookedit was all turning red because the sun was going down. It's to-morrowmorning, and I've been asleep all night. I'm a nice sort of a chap, Iam, to go on duty and leave my officer in the lurch like that! Well, hemust have been asleep too. There's no gammon about it, for it isto-morrow morning, and he could not have woke up, because I should haveheared him; so that's all right. Poor chap! And it must have done himgood. But now I can think again, and my head don't ache so much. Ifeel better, and there's been no old Job Tipsy to drop upon me. --I wishthere was, and a lot of our fellows with him, " said the poor fellowdismally. 

He crossed softly to where Archie lay breathing calmly, and then, as iffeeling satisfied, he went back to the great earthen jar, refreshedhimself with another draught of water, and seated himself by the basket, from which he took one of the bananas and began to eat. 

"I'm quite peckish, " he said to himself, "and, my word, they are good!I don't know how long it is since I felt like this. It must be a goodsign. Well, there's plenty of them, " he continued, and he took another, and another. "Not half bad, " he went on, "as there's no commissariatcoffee. Must leave plenty for Mr Archie, though. But 'nanas don'tseem the sort of tack for a poor chap with his complaint. Wishing ain'tno good, or I'd do it with both hands, and wish old Jollop was here tolook at his tongue and to strap up that head of his. It ought to haveall the hair cut off, but one can't do that with a blunt knife. Hullo!what's that?" he muttered, after satisfying himself with the fruit fromthe basket. "I believe it's one of those two-tailed pigs grunting andchuntering. "

He went to the opening through which he had peered before, and lookedout. 

"Can't see anything, " he muttered, "but it sounds like one of themcoming back. Yes, I can! It is--just coming through the trees. Why, he's all wet, and dripping with mud and water. That's it. They havebeen driven down by their keeper to the river. Yes, there must be ariver; and I say, lad, there's something to recollect. This 'ere placeis somewhere up the river, or down it. Yes, down it, because up theriver the water's clear, and down it, it gets muddy. Oh, I don't know. I dare say there's muddy places up the banks. There, stop thatchuntering row. Just like a drove of pigs. He's coming back to hisstable somewhere. Why, he's coming straight here, just as if he meantto knock the door down and get in. Well, if he did he wouldn't hurt us. He's only a tame one. That little chap made three of them shuffle off. But what a chance to cut if he opens the door! Oh dear!" he added, with a sigh. "Talk about cutting, with the young governor like he is!And even if he could walk, we don't know the way. Wonder where we are. It must be the Rajah's place somewhere right up in the jungle where hekeeps his helephants, and that there Frenchman put him up to keeping hishostriches, as he called them, up here too. "

Peter Pegg's mutterings and musing were brought to a sudden end by theelephant, which seemed to be quite alone, coming close up to thedoorway, grunting and chuntering, as the young private called it, justas if the animal were talking to itself, mingling its remarks with a lowsqueal which might have meant either anger or satisfaction. 

"I believe, " thought Peter, "it's one of them that came to thesham-fight, and I could almost fancy it's the chap I had a ride on. Butthey are all alike, only one's bigger than another, and t'other's moresmall. If he had got his toggery on with gold fringes and the bigbamboo clothes-basket full of cushions on his back, I should know himdirectly. But he's what they call disguised in mud. --Here, I say, don't! What you doing on?"

It was plain enough, for the great elephant had seized hold of a portionof the woven, basket-like wall, which began to crack and give way as apiece was torn out. 

"I say, don't--don't be a fool! You'll wake the poor governor, "whispered Peter, who began to tremble now with alarm. --"Oh, don't I wishI could remember what the mahout said to him!--Here, I say, don't!--Ibelieve he's gone mad, and if he gets at us--Here, I say, what shall Ido?" And he backed away from where the light was beginning to show morebrightly through the woven wall, and took up his position as if toprotect his wounded officer. "If I had only got my rifle and bayonet, Icould keep him off, perhaps, with a good dig. Here, they have left memy knife, though, " he said joyously, as he drew it out and opened theblade. 

The possession of even this contemptible weapon seemed to give the poorfellow some confidence, and he took three or four steps towards the holethe huge beast was making, just as there was torn away another piece ofthe elastic palm or bamboo of which the wall between the uprights wasformed. 

And then the light opening was suddenly darkened. 

"Blest if it ain't just like a great horse-leech such as we used to findin the water-crease beds, only about ten million times as big;" and thelad stood helplessly staring as he saw the monster's trunk thrust rightin through the wall and beginning to wave up and down and from side toside, wondrously elastic, the nostrils at the end in this semi-darknesslooking like a pair of little wet eyes, between which the prehensilepart moved up and down like a tiny pug-nose. 

_Sniff, snuff, snort_, and then a little squeal as, after waving hereand there for a few moments, the curious member was stretched outstraight in the direction of the lad, emitted a deep, damp sigh, andthen began to wave up and down and to and fro again, before curling up, to some extent uncoiling, and shooting out straight and stiff again inthe same direction. 

"Oh Lor'!" groaned Peter, "it's just like one of them there bigboa-constructors, and he's coming for me. He means me. There's asniff! And this knife not a bit of good. If I cut it off it would onlymake him more wild. Look at it, with its two little eyes seeming tostare at me. Boa-constructor! It's more like an injy-rubber pipe gonemad. "

There was another faint squeal, and the great trunk slowly changed itsposition, and stretched itself out in the direction of the bamboobasket. 

"Here, I say, " thought Peter, "does he mean them?"

The lad hesitated for a minute or two while the elephant continued itslow, almost purring, muttering sound, as the trunk turned once more inhis direction, and then became stiffly pointed out again towards thebasket, while the wall about the height of the elephant's head gaveforth a loud crack. 

"He's a-leaning ag'in it, and it's coming through!" gasped Peter. "Here, there's nothing for it. --All right, mate; wait a minute: youshall have the whole blessed lot. Murder! Don't!" roared the poorfellow; for as he made a dash to reach the basket, as quick as lightningthe trunk was curled round his neck, and held him fast as he droppedupon his knees. 

"It's all over, Mister Archie, sir, " he groaned. "And you lying thereasleep and taking not no notice! Wouldn't have catched me 'listing ifI'd ha' known it meant coming to this!--Oh, I say, do leave go!"

As if his captor thoroughly grasped the meaning of his piteous appeal, the trunk began slowly to loosen its hold; and then, as the poor fellowprepared himself for a dash to get beyond its reach, he found it beginto smooth him over and stroke him gently down from shoulder to arm, playing about as if caressing him, after the fashion in which he hadseen the animals treat their mahout when about to be fed. 

"Oh dear!" groaned Peter; "I thought it was all over with me. Does hemean he wants one of them bananas?"

The lad's hand trembled as he reached out, picked up one of thebananas--the largest he could see--and held it in the direction of theend of the trunk. 

There was a loud sniff; the trunk curled round the fruit, curved under, and was drawn back through the hole. The sun shone brightly in, andPeter felt conscious that the banana was disappearing into the greatbrute's wet mouth. Then in the most deliberate manner the end of thetrunk reappeared, gliding towards him like some serpent. The light waspretty well shut out, and as the wall creaked again, Peter somehowomitted to dash right off as far away as he could go, and found himselfpicking up another banana, which was deliberately taken, disappearedslowly to make way for the light to pass in, and then the process wasrepeated once more. 

"Here, who's afraid?" said the lad, mastering the oppression and pantingfrom which he suffered, as he picked up a fourth banana. "He meansfriends, and I'm blessed if I don't believe it's the same one as Itackled at the sham-fight, I wish I knew. --Want another, mate?" hecontinued, as the trunk-end curled towards him again; and as it slowlytook the banana from his hand, he passed his fingers beyond the graspedfruit, and gave the quivering member a quick stroke or two. 

To his surprise, the trunk remained motionless, and a faint snortingsound or grunt came from beyond the wall. 

"All right. Paid for!" said Peter as he withdrew his hand, and thetrunk disappeared. "I do believe it's the same one, " repeated the lad, "and I shall be all right as long as these 'ere 'nanas last; but whenthey are done, suppose he comes through to see why the rations havestopped. Well, I must make them last as long as I can; and he's verycool over it, and not in a hurry. Wonder whether it is that one I knew, and he smelt me and come to see. Yah! Stuff! He smelt the fruit. Oh!here he is again. "

The next time the trunk reappeared Peter Pegg was ready with one of theoat-cakes broken in half. This was taken just as readily, and was beingdrawn through the hole when its awkward semicircular shape caused it tobe caught against the sides, and it dropped inside instead ofdisappearing like the fruit. The trunk was withdrawn unsupplied, andPeter was in the act of stooping to pick up the piece of cake, when thelight was obscured again, making the lad glance upwards and catch sightof the serpent-like, coiling member descending slowly upon him. 

"Here, no larks!" cried the lad, dropping upon his knees and preparingto crawl out of reach; but the thought of what he had suffered beforeunnerved him for the moment, and he could not stir. 

He uttered a faint cry as he felt the touch of the elastic organ; but itonly began to stroke him caressingly, and recovering himself, he drew adeep breath, held out the piece of cake, which was smelt directly, taken, and this time disappeared in safety. 

It was all done very slowly, and poor Peter thought to himself, "Isuppose he's enjoying of it all--but think of me!" He grew moreconfident, however, and went on and on, presenting the generous supplyof bananas till only four were left, and these and the other cake hethrust farther away, and stripping off his flannel jacket, he coveredthe remainder in the bottom of the basket. 

This he had just done when the trunk reappeared as usual, and summoningup his courage to meet the disappointment and perhaps anger of hisvisitor, Peter cried aloud:

"There! All over, comrade! No more to-day. Off you go!"

Just as if the huge beast understood him from the tone of his voice, itraised its trunk and passed it about his shoulders and breast; and thenthe poor fellow uttered a faint groan of despair. 

"What a fool I was!" he thought, for he felt the trunk curl round hisneck and tighten gently; and his heart began to fail, when it wasuncurled, and stretched out again; the wall overhead creaked loudly, andthe end of the trunk was dipped in the big earthen jar. 

There was a sucking noise, the trunk disappeared slowly, and Peter drewthe jar so that it stood just below the opening the elephant had made. As this was done there came the loud squirting sound of the water beingsent down the huge beast's throat. 

Then the trunk descended, to be recharged and disappear again, andPeter, as the trunk was withdrawn, seized the supply-vessel and drew itright away. 

"Don't believe there's half a pint left, " he grumbled. "What aboutMister Archie?--There, no more!" he cried aloud, as the trunk was thrustback, passed over his shoulders again, and finally withdrawn, Peter halfclimbing up to peer through the hole and see his visitor go slowlymuttering away. 

"And him grumbling, too, " said the lad--"ungrateful beast! He did giveme a fright. But, my eye, what a game! Look at him!" he continued, asthe hind-quarters of the monster concealed the rest of its form. "Justlike an awful great pair of trousers walking by theirselves!"

CHAPTER NINETEEN. 

PRISONERS. 

"There's a pretty go!" he cried, as he lifted the now light basket andput it down again, and peered once more into the earthen jar. "Supposethey meant the rations and water to last for two or three days! Therewas a good supply, and that great beast has wolfed and drunk all. Well, it has made him friends, anyhow. He will be coming again. Yes; but whowants a friend like that to keep coming again?"

The lad glanced in the direction of his fellow-prisoner, to find that hewas still sleeping; and his next proceeding was to go gingerly about, disturbing the dry leaves as little as possible, and making a morethorough examination of the place. 

"Must have been a helephant stable once upon a time, " he concluded atlast, "for here's the great post that one of the big pigs was chained toby the leg so that he could not get at the walls. Walls! They arenothing better than so many fences. Talk about shutting up a helephant!Why, I could pull them down myself if I wanted to get away--leastways Icould climb up the side and make a hole through the roof. Can't callone's self a prisoner. Yes, I can, because I am regularly chained bythe leg; for who's going to leave his comrade? Poor old chap!"

At that moment there was a deep sigh, followed by a loud rustlingamongst the leaves, as Archie made an effort to change his position, slightly raising his head, but letting it fall back with a low groan, while the young private stepped softly to his side, knelt down, and bentover him. 

"Hurt you much, Mister Archie, sir?" the lad whispered quietly, and onehand played over the injured head, hesitated, and was then withdrawn. "Hurt you, Mister Archie, sir?" he said again, a little louder, forthere was only a weary sigh. "Wish he'd speak, " said the lad tohimself, "for he ought to have something, if it's only a drop morewater. What a fool I was to let that great indiarubber thing suck itall up! Why, I couldn't even use some of it now to bathe his poorhead. "

The poor fellow seemed to Pegg to be sleeping as heavily as ever, andafter he had looked at him carefully for a few minutes, there was adeep, buzzing hum as of some insect, and a great fly flashed across thegolden rays which streamed in through the thatch, and hovered around fora few moments as if about to settle upon the sleeping lad's head. 

"Would you?" ejaculated Peter Pegg, striking out so fiercely and exactlythat he struck the insect with a sharp pat and drove it against thewoven wall, with which it was heard to come in contact, to falldirectly, buzzing and rustling among the dried leaves. "That's settledyou, " said Peter. "I know your little game--lay eggs and make a poorfellow's wound go bad. Not this time!"

"Cowards!" came excitedly from Archie, and he once more tried to raisehis head, but only for it to sink back wearily. "Burning--alwaysburning! Oh, how hot--how hot!"

"Like some water, Mister Archie, sir?"

"Water! Who said water?"

"Me, sir. There is a little. Let me give you a taste. "

There was no reply, so Peter quickly tilled the cocoa-nut shell, bore itto his companion's side, and knelt down. 

"Now then, sir, you let me hyste you up a little. Don't you try--I cando it, and hold the nut to your lips. You will have nothing to do butdrink. "

At the first touch Archie started violently. 

"Who's that?" he cried. 

"Only me, sir. Steady, or you will upset the whole blessed apple-cart, and make yourself wet. "

"Only me--only me, " said Archie, and directly after the poor fellow sankback again with a weary sigh. 

"Look at that, now!" said Peter. "Oh! his head must be awfully badinside as well as out. Why, if he isn't asleep again!"

It was growing dusk, when, feeling faint, hot, and exhausted, Peter Peggstood over the basket, looked into it longingly, and then glanced at hiswounded companion. 

"He's sure not to want anything to eat, " he said to himself. "A drop ofwater's about all he will touch when he comes to; and it's lucky I heldthat cocoa-nut shell tight, or it would all have gone. " He turned tothe jar, into which he had poured back the contents of the nearly fullshell. "Oh dear! To think I let that great, gorging fire-hose of ahanimal suck up nearly all that beautiful water, when this place hasbeen like an oven and made me as thirsty as if I had been living oncommissariat bacon. Can't help it. He's sure to want a drink when hewakes up. I must leave that. "

As he spoke he turned the jar sideways, and the ruddy light whichfiltered in through the cracks showed him the cool, clear fluid in thedark bottom of the vessel. He dipped in the shell, and found he couldfill it easily. 

"More than I thought, " he said joyfully. "Why, I might havehalf-a-shellful, and then there would be quite a shell and a half leftfor the young governor. Can't help it; I must, " he cried impatiently. "My throat's as dry as a sawpit. "

Dipping the shell as he still held the jar sideways he brought it upagain more than half-full. 

"Too much, " he said softly. "Fair-play's a jewel;" and carefully andslowly he let a portion of the precious water trickle back into thebottom of the jar. 

"That's about half, " he said, with a judicial look. "Now then, sip it, mate, and make it go as far as you can. "

Raising the cup to his lips, he slowly imbibed the tepid liquid till thevery last drop had been drained out of the shell. Then replacing itwhere it had been before, he uttered a deep sigh. 

"I never used to think water was so beautiful, " he said softly. "Iforget what them people asked for when they had three wishes, but I knowwhat I should wish for now. It would be for that there jar brim-full ofcold water, and me to have a throat as long as a boa-constructor, sothat I could feel it all go gently down. "

His eyes fell upon the basket again, and the slight draught of waterhaving turned his faintness into a strong desire for food, he couldhardly restrain himself from taking one of the remaining bananas. Infact, after resisting the temptation for some minutes, he darted hishand down, caught up one of the soft, gold-tinted fruits, raised ittowards his mouth, and dashed it down again. 

"Hanged if I do!" he cried angrily; and thrusting his hands deep intohis pockets, he had another look at Archie, and then raised himself upso as to peer through the opening the elephant had made, and try to getsome better idea of his position. 

"Trees, trees, trees, " he said; "trees everywhere; but there's a pathoff to the left, and one goes off to the right, and there's another goesstraight away. Let's see: off to the right must be down to the river, because that's where the helephants went; and those other paths must goto where somebody lives; but there's no sign of a house--nothing buttrees. Not a sound! Oh, what a lonely place it is! And here's all thelong, dark night coming. The sun's going down fast. I sha'n't sleep awink to-night after snoozing as I did. And here I'm going to liethinking about that upset with poor Mister Archie's boat, and--yes, Ishall be thinking more about what's become of Miss Minnie. Here, I say, what a row there's going to be when the Major and Sir Charles know of itall! And me shut up here instead of being with the lads when thegovernor lets them slip at these Malay jockeys, for I am a bigger foolthan I thought for if one of these Rajahs isn't at the bottom of thisjob. I don't know but what it might be that there smooth young 'un whodosses hisself up to look like an English gent. If it ain't him, it'sthat queer-eyed, big, fat fellow; only I suppose it can't be him, because old Tipsy Job says he's friends. How comes it, then, " hecontinued, speaking with energy, "that the Frenchman has had to do withour being prisoners? Here, I can't think. It's making my head ache andthings get mixed again. What's that?" he half-whispered excitedly. "It's somebody coming;" and pressing his face closer to the opening, hestrained his eyes round so as to gaze to the left, and then droppedlightly down before throwing himself upon the dried palm-leaves close towhere Archie lay, and listening to the coming steps. "That chap canspeak English 'most as well as I can, " he thought to himself, "and I amgoing to ask him plump and plain what's become of Miss Minnie. "

A gruff voice uttered what was evidently a command to halt, the woodenbars were lowered and the door thrown open to admit the deep sunsetglow, and the stern-looking Malay with his following marched in, theirsteps rustling amidst the leaves that covered the floor; and the leaderbent down curiously over Archie, scowling at him fiercely, beforeturning his lurid eyes searchingly upon the young private, who now layback with his lids half-lowered, apparently gazing down into his chest. 

The Malay rose again, then turned and gave an order to his followers, two of whom stepped outside, one of them first standing up the spear hecarried in the dark corner behind the door, while their chief growledout something as he pointed at the freshly torn opening in the side. One of the men grunted--it sounded like a grunt to Peter Pegg--andraising his spear, he passed it through the opening, rattled it to andfro, and then stepped outside to pick up two or three torn-out pieces ofpalm-fibre, brought them in, showed them to his chief, and uttered ahalf-laugh. 

Just then the two men who had passed outside returned, one bearing afresh jar brim-full of water, the other a basket of fruit and another ofthe big, roughly made cakes, which were set down. 

Then the leader stepped forward, stooped down suddenly over Pegg, hisright hand resting upon the fold of the sarong which covered the hilt ofhis kris, and with his left thumb he roughly raised the young private'seyelids one after the other. 

Peter Pegg did not so much as wince. 

"Let him think I'm asleep if he likes--an ugly Eastern beast!"

The Malay turned now to Archie to look fixedly at the poor fellow'shead, before touching the injured scalp with one brown finger, with theeffect of eliciting a deep-drawn sigh of pain. 

Then the man rose, and apparently satisfied with the helplessness of theprisoners, he uttered a low, abrupt order, and his little trainshouldered their spears and marched out, one of them carrying the emptybasket, his companion shouldering the heavy earthen jar. 

Peter Pegg lay back motionless, to listen to the barring of the door, half-wondering the while at the great change that the closing door madeupon the interior: one moment the last rays of the setting sun wereflooding the great stable with a deep, blood-red glow; the next theplace seemed by comparison quite dark. 

The lad listened till the last retiring steps had died away, and then hesat up suddenly, with the recollection of a little knife and fork givento him years before by his grandmother, and chuckling softly to himself, he half-whispered:

"A present for a good boy!--Of course, " he said, after a pause to makesure that no one was going to return; "I am not going to bounce, but Iwas a very good boy for not pitching into that 'nana. Oh my! Ain't itsplendid!" he continued, turning over on hands and knees and scramblinglike a quadruped to where the jar and basket had been placed. "There'sgoing to be such a supper! But don't I wish I was going to havecompany! Oh, you beauty!" he cried hoarsely, as he hugged the great jarto his chest, bent down till he could press his lips to the thick edge, and then tilting it slightly, drank and drank and drank. 

At last he lowered the jar till it stood firmly in its place, raisedhimself upon his knees, and uttered a long, deep sigh. 

"Oh, ain't it splendid!" he said. "They have got water here! Talkabout a horse drinking--well, I suppose any one would say I drank like ahass or a pig. No, I didn't, because I've only been drinking thehelephant's share if he comes again--not yours, Mister Archie. I dowish you were awake. --Here, I say, let's have some of that bread, " hesaid, half-aloud now; and breaking the cake in four, he placed himselfin a comfortable position and took a bite. 

"That ain't quite comfortable, though, " he muttered, and raking a lot ofthe leaves into the corner of the place, he seated himself so that hecould rest his back in the angle. 

"Not quite right, " he muttered. "These 'ere big feathers have got a lotof quill in them. Let's have some more. "

He stretched out his left hand in the darkness to draw an armful more ofthe dried palm-leaves beneath him, when his hand came in contact withsomething which rasped against the matted wall and fell heavily in thedirection of where his fellow-prisoner lay. 

"What's that?" said the lad sharply, as, sweeping his hand round overthe leaves, his fingers closed almost spasmodically upon what felt likea bamboo cane. 

The next moment Pete was upon his feet, staring in the direction of thedimly seen door. 

"My!" he whispered hoarsely; and using the cane like a walking-stick, hestepped on tiptoe right to the door, and then whispered softly beneathhis breath:

"Hi! Hi! Hi! I say, old 'un, you've forgot your spear. --Think ofthat, now, " he continued, half-aloud. "Why, of course; he stood it upthere before he went out to fetch that precious jar. Forgot it! Isay--talk about discipline in the Rajah's army, and a chap forgettinghis piece! Fancy old Tipsy, and it was me and my rifle! Plenty ofwater, plenty of bread and fruit, and a present of one of them spears, as will be handier than a fixed bay'net. Why isn't Mister Archie awaketo enjoy all this? Now then, if that chap will only come to-morrownight, and forget another of these sharp-pointed toothpicks for MisterArchie, I shall be very much obliged. But here am I playing the foollike this, and at any moment he may be coming back to fetch this oneaway. Well, if he expects he's going to get it, poor chap, I'm sorryfor him;" and obeying his first impulse, he carried the keen-pointedweapon across the floor, lowered the head, and felt gently to find whereit was bare; and the next moment his lingers were playing about overwhat was evidently a short piece of bamboo of about the samecircumference as the shaft, and which fitted tightly over the keen bladelike a sheath. 

Then going down upon one knee, he thrust the spear carefully in beneaththe bed of leaves at the foot of the wall, behind where Archie lay. Notsatisfied at once, he withdrew and thrust in the weapon again, feelingif it was well covered; and then going to the far end, and scraping upand bringing a double armful of the dried leaves, he carefully coveredhis treasure more deeply. 

"Ah!" he ejaculated, panting a little with his exertion, "I don't thinkit's likely. --What say, sir?" he added, addressing an imaginary Malayfighting-man. "Have I seen your spear? No, sir. Haven't set eyes uponit, honour bright. --`Always tell the truth, Pete, ' granny used to say. Well, ain't that the truth? Why, I don't believe a cat could have seenit; and if I hadn't knocked it down I shouldn't have known it was there. Now, between ourselves, I do think I deserve something to eat afterthat, " muttered the poor fellow. "Here, where did I put that therepiece of cake? It must be lost amongst those leaves. Dropped it when Iwas feeling for the spear. What! plenty more in the basket? No, Iwon't. Wilful waste makes woeful want. Why, here it is in my trouserspocket all the time! So, now then, let's have another try; and I willtreat myself to a banana afterwards. No, I won't; I'll have two. " Andhurrying to the basket, he helped himself to the fruit, and then madehimself comfortable in the corner where he had knocked over the spear, and began to eat with a splendid appetite. 

"Oh, don't I wish you was here to help me, Mister Archie, sir!" he said, half-aloud and rather piteously. "Poor, dear chap! I'd feed you if Idared wake you up; but I'm sure it's right to let you sleep. But won'tyou be glad when you know about that spear? If we could only getanother, and a couple of them krises, we should be regular set up if itcome to a scrimmage, as it shall, as sure as my name's Peter. We aregoing to escape--somehow; and if anybody stops us it's a fight. Wesha'n't be able to throw the spears like these Malay beggars do, but meand Mister Archie can do bay'net practice with them in a way that willopen some of their eyes. Oh, how good!" half-whispered the lad, as hefinished his frugal supper of bread and banana. "Don't it seem to putlife in a fellow! Now, what am I going to do? Sit and think of how toescape? No hurry, lad. I want Mister Archie's orders, and I'll do thework. Seems to me that the first thing will be for me to get out ofhere somehow in the dark to go and reconnoitre, and then steal--no, it'scapture, being enemies--another spear and two krises. How? Knock downan enemy somewhere and take what he's got. I'm game. And then--"

That was as far as Peter Pegg got, for he could not partake of so heartya meal, after refreshing himself in a way that thoroughly quenched histhirst, without obeying Nature afterwards; and this he did, lying prone, fully stretched out, and not in the painful, cramping position of theprevious night. 

CHAPTER TWENTY. 

ARCHIE THINKS. 

"Hoomph! Phoonk!"

"What say?" cried Peter, springing up in a sitting position, to find itwas daylight once more. "Oh, it's you, is it?" he cried, for there wasa crackling by the door, and the great, tapering, serpent-like trunk ofan elephant was waving to and fro and reaching towards the water-jar. 

"Yahhh! Burrrr!" came from outside, and there were steps as if somebodywere rushing towards the door to chase the intruder away. 

The utterer of the yell seemed to have been successful, for the trunkwas drawn back quickly, the elephant trumpeted, there were the footstepsof a man, and the shuffling sound of the gait of the great beast, as, springing up, Peter Pegg ran to the door and climbed up to place his eyewhere the trunk had been, so that he could see what was taking place. 

"My! Look at that!" cried Peter cheerily. "That ain't the way to drivea helephant away. You are going all wrong, comrade. " For, instead ofsuffering himself to be driven, the elephant opened his mouth, curved uphis trunk into something the shape of the letter S, and displaying twofinely produced, sharply pointed tusks, he was starting in full chase ofthe stumpy underling who had been driving him down to the river, butonly to turn back and make a call on his new friend for refreshment. 

"What a lark!" said Peter, as the elephant disappeared after his quarry. "It makes me feel as if I should like to keep helephants, if I get tobe Field-Marshal and they make me Governor-General of Injy and Malay;for they are such rum beggars. They look just as if when they died theywould do to cut up for injy-rubber. And they seem so friendly, too, with any one they like. Sort of things as you can't drive, but have tolead. I should like a good helephant for a pet, but I suppose he wouldbe expensive to keep; and I don't suppose that there grubby-lookinglittle chap feels very comfortable with that one chivying him. Here, Inever thought of that, " continued Peter, as he dropped down amongst thepalm-leaves. "My lord was reaching out that big leech of his after ourrations. Lucky he couldn't get at them. I ought to have remembered toput them away;" and, to guard against any mishap, Peter Pegg hastened toplace jar and basket in the right-hand corner of the building, wherethey would be handy for replenishing, and out of reach and out of sightof his huge visitor. This done, the young private crossed over to wherehe had thrust and covered over the spear, and, to his intensesatisfaction, he found that unless a searcher well turned over the driedleaves, it would be impossible to find the concealed weapon. 

"Is that you, Pete?" said a faint voice; and Archie's fellow-prisonerliterally rushed to the speaker's side. 

"Me it is, sir. England for ever, and hooray! Oh, do say you arebetter, sir!" cried the lad, ending in a half-squeak as if there weretears in his throat or he was trying to imitate an elephant. 

"Better? Yes, I think I'm better, Pete, " said the poor fellow feebly. "But my head aches dreadfully, and--and--I'm so weak. "

"Ah, I've got to bathe that head, sir. "

"Yes, I think that would do it good. Yes, I am better, Pete, for I canthink. We are prisoners, aren't we?"

"Yes, sir, at present, " said Pete confidently. "Just till we areexchanged, or escape. "

"Ah!" ejaculated Archie. "I said I could think now, and I wasforgetting. Look here, have you found Miss Minnie?"

"Now, now, now, sir, " cried the young private in a tone full ofremonstrance; "you have been very ill, and off your head. It's veryhorrid, I know, but you have got to get better, and not make yourselfworse with thinking about that. "

"Yes, yes, I know, " said Archie excitedly. "But you don't tell me. Have you found out where she is?"

"No, sir; not yet. I couldn't leave you. "

"Not leave me, man? You must get out of this place as soon as you can, and either find her or make your way to headquarters, and let the Doctorand Major Knowle--oh, and Sir Charles too--know what has happened. "

"Mister Archie, sir, " said the lad, laying a cool hand on his youngofficer's burning brow, "don't, sir--please, don't! They must know allyou want to say long enough ago, and before now they have got all ourbrave lads out searching the country; and you may lie still, sir, andthink to yourself that nobody will rest until Miss Minnie is found. "

There was silence for a few minutes, during which Peter Pegg half laybeside his wounded officer, listening to words uttered in command thatsounded familiar. They were evidently orders addressed to the elephant, which was shuffling by the great stable, making a whining sound as ifprotesting against being driven. 

Then all was still again, till Archie said quietly:

"Yes, Pete, you are quite right, and I pray Heaven that she may be quitesafe by now. But tell me, do you think I--I mean we--did all we could?"

"Mister Archie, sir, once more, don't, please! I am only a poor, ignorant chap, but I do know this, through having been in horspittle, that you have got to keep quiet and not worry yourself if you are goingto get well. First thing, sir, is that you have got to get strongenough so that we can escape. "

"Yes, yes, Pete; that's right! Escape!" cried Archie excitedly. 

"Take it coolly, sir, " remonstrated the lad. 

"Well, I will be cool, Pete. "

"That's right, sir. We've got to escape, and I have begun preparationsalready. "

"Yes, that's right. What have you done?"

"Got a spear to begin with, sir. "

"Ah, well, that's something. "

"Yes, sir--something for you to handle like a bay'net if they won't letus go quietly. "

"Right--right!"

"And the next thing, sir, is for you to get strong to handle it. "

"Ah, and I am so weak!"

"Of course you are, sir, when you have had nothing but a drop of waterfor days. "

"For days!"

"Yes, sir; and now your breakfast's waiting. It's only bread and fruitand water, but it's wonderful stuff to put strength in a man, and youhave got to begin getting it into you at once. "

"No, no; not yet, " pleaded Archie. "Let me lie and think a bit first. "

"Not a minute, sir, " cried the poor fellow's nurse. "You feel as if youcouldn't touch anything, of course, but your horspittle orderly says itis only making a beginning; and here you are--cocoa-nutful clear, freshwater, so tip it down at once. "

Archie protested feebly, and then obeyed; and after taking a sip or twofrom the thick-lipped vessel, he ended by finishing the cooling draughtwith something like avidity. 

Shortly after Peter Pegg was watching his patient crumbling some of thebread-cake and dipping pieces in a fresh supply of water and beginningto eat. 

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE. 

PLANS. 

"Now, Mister Archie, sir, you was precious cross with me for botheringyou into eating that little bit; but ain'tcher ever so much better now?"

"Oh yes, Pete. That horrible feeling of faintness is going off; but myhead--"

"Oh, you let your head alone, sir. That'll come right if only you keepon eating directly you begin to feel faint, if it is ever so little abit. "

"You must make me, then, Pete. Never mind my turning disagreeable. It's because I am not myself. "

"All right, sir. Now you just tell me what we are to do. "

"Find means for us to escape. "

"That's what I want, sir, so as just to have the way ready. But it's nouse to get out and me to have to carry you on my back. "

Archie sighed, for he was forced to accept the truth of his companion'swords. He lay thinking then of his interview with the Doctor, and hesaid to himself:

"I wanted something to take the boyishness out of me, and this has comeand swept it away at one stroke and for ever. --Look here, " he saidaloud; "look round and see whether it is possible for you to get out--Imean, just think the matter over so that you may be able to contrive toget outside after dark and examine our surroundings a bit. "

"That's all settled, sir. There's no breaking through the door, but Ihave been thinking that I might climb up inside here, sir, get as far asthem bamboo rafters, and squeeze a way out on to the roof through thempalm-leaf mats. Pst!"

"What is it?"

Peter Pegg held up one finger, and then pointed sharply towards thedoor. 

"Some one there? I don't hear anything. "

"No, sir. That topper you got seems to have made you a bit deaf, " saidthe lad, as he crouched close up to his companion's head. "I don'tsuppose if we spoke loud that any one would understand us; but there'ssome one outside there, and after a bit I am going to look if he ain'tgone. "

The lad waited for a while, and then rose and began to pace slowly upand down the front of his prison, and ended by climbing quickly up bythe door and peering out through the hole the elephant had made. 

He only gave a glance, before descending quickly, to continue hismarching up and down for a time, when he ended by throwing himselfbeside his companion and settling down as if for a nap. The ladpreserved silence, lying with his eyes closed, while Archie watched himanxiously. 

"Did you see anything?" whispered the young subaltern at last. 

"Yes; a chap there in a yellow-and-red sarong, and as I was looking out, the ugly, black-looking beggar was squinting in. I wasn't sure atfirst, but it's like this 'ere: when they thought we was too bad theydidn't trouble about us, but somebody must have been watching, and seenyou beginning to pick a bit, and that's made them think that it's timeto look after us, so they have planted a chap outside as a sentry. "

"How horrible!" whispered Archie. 

"Well, it's bad, sir; but it's good too. He's got a big spear and oneof them crooked daggers stuck in his rolled-up sarong; and them's justwhat I want. "

"Yes; but you can't get them, Pete. "

"I dunno so much about that, sir. If I get out I might be able to dropdown upon him from the roof and help myself to his tools before he knewwhere he was. "

"What! murder the sentry?"

"Not me, sir. It's only war now. 'Sides, I won't hurt him if he willgive in quietly. It strikes me that if I could manage to drop down uponhim sudden he would be so scared that he would be ready to cut. Butdon't you bother about that, sir. You leave that to me. You have gotnothing to do now but eat and drink and sleep till you are fit to takecommand. "

As the day wore on the heat of the place grew half-suffocating. Theyhad both been too ill to notice this at first, but now it grew to beinsufferable. 

"I wonder how the sentry stands it, " thought the young private; andtaking advantage of the Malay being very quiet--for not so much as astep had been heard for quite an hour--Peter made a sign to hiscompanion not to take any notice, and then crossed to the other side ofhis prison, and after walking to and fro slowly and quietly a few times, he raised one foot to a bamboo cross-piece, sprang up, caught at asecond bar, and held on just long enough to get one glance through thehole, before dropping lightly down again. 

"Look at that, now, " he muttered, for he had had time to see that thesentry was squatting down upon his heels, his chin buried in his breast, and evidently fast asleep. "What a chance if I was outside!" thoughtPeter; and he climbed quickly and silently up now to have a good look attheir guard, just in time to see him start up erect and catch hold ofthe spear he had leaned against the tree that shaded him. 

At the same moment Peter Pegg grasped the fact that the Malay had notbeen disturbed by _his_ movements, for he was gazing right away down theforest path facing the big door. 

"It must be somebody coming, " thought Peter. "He sleeps like a weasel, with one eye open. "

He had proof the next minute that he was right. The steps becameaudible, and a couple more spear-armed men approached; there was a shortwhispered conversation, and one of them took the sentry's place. 

"Changing guard, " muttered Peter, "That's imitation of what they haveseen us do. Wonder whether they are going to carry that on all night. "

In due time there was another visit from the party which had brought thefruit and water, the surly-looking leader having the door unbarred, togive a look round, and then, on their being satisfied that the prisonershad an ample supply of provisions, the door was closed again, to PeterPegg's great relief, for he placed his lips close to Archie's ear andwhispered:

"Oh, I have been squirming! I was afraid they would begin to hunt forthe spear they left behind. "

"Spear left behind?" said Archie. 

"Yes; didn't I tell you? They forgot one last night, and it's tucked inbehind you, under the leaves. --Now then, " thought the lad, "what's itgoing to be--sentry by day only, or one all night?"

The latter proved to be the case, for after the two prisoners hadpartaken of an evening meal--Archie making no opposition now--Peter Peggpeered out from time to time, to see that the sentry had drawn nearer tothe door; and there he was, plain enough, till it grew too dark todistinguish anything a few yards away, when at last the silence becameso profound that the lad began to hope that the watch was given up. Hewhispered his belief to his fellow-prisoner, and said that he was goingto see whether it would be possible to creep out by way of the roof, when his hopes were dashed by a cough; but on peering out he could seenothing, and, full of disappointment, he walked slowly to where Archielay, and whispered to him again. 

"I can't see anything, " he said, "but I have watched him so often that Icould make it all out. He's been taking a bit of one of them betel-nutsout of a bag, and then taking a sirih-leaf from a sort of book, andlaying it on his hand before he opened his little brass box full of thatwet lime. Then he smeared some of the lime over the leaf, laid the bitof nut on it, rolled the leaf up into a quid, and tucked it in hischeek, just like a Jack-tar. Nasty brute! Making his teeth black andthe corners of his mouth all red. 'Tain't as if it was a bit of decent'bacco! Well, perhaps when he has had a good chew he will go to sleep. "

"It will be impossible for you to try to get out to-night, Pete. "

"Impossible, sir? I'll just show you! I'm not going to be kept shut uphere like a tame hanimile in a cage, I can tell him. "

"But supposing you do try to break through the thatch, he is certain tohear you. "

"Suppose he does, sir! How will he know but what I'm one of them bigmonkeys as they send up trees to pick the cocoa-nuts, or one of the wildcat sort of things as the jungle's full of? You let me alone, sir. Imean to make a beginning. Sha'n't do much till you get stronger, sir. Then we shall get out together, and make straight for the camp. "

"But how about finding our way?"

"Well, sir, between ourselves, I have got two plans. One is, to getdown to the river and find a boat. You see, once aboard that, all wehave to do is to let it float down till we come to Campong Dang. "

"Yes; that sounds simple and easy. But you said that you had got twoplans. "

"Yes, sir. That's the wet way; t'other's dry. You haven't seen becauseyou have been too bad, but they keeps helephants here, and I know one ofthem. "

"You know one of them?"

"Yes, sir; he's been to see me twiced. "

"Are you dreaming, Pete?"

"Yes, sir--with my eyes open. I have thought it all out. I want to gethim here some night, and then break a way out and get you on him--Iknows how to ride like a mahout--and I'll make him take us toheadquarters. What do you say to that?"

"Say to that, Pete!"

"Ah! don't you get talking like an unbelieving heathen, sir. You don'tknow what a lot of sense there is in one of these 'ere helephants. OnceI get you on board--I don't suppose there would be a howdah, but youcould hold on to his ropes--I've got a spear to guide him, though hewouldn't want no steering once I got him into one of those paths. Theyall lead to one or other of the campongs, and if we don't get into theright one at first we will try again. "

Archie sighed. 

"Ah, you think I can't do it, sir; and you are low-sperrited because youain't strong enough. "

"It all sounds so wild, Pete, " said Archie faintly. 

"Course it do, sir. Helephants ain't horses. "

"Thank you, " said Archie, with a faint scintillation of his old ideas offun. 

"They are wild beasts, and big 'uns, too, at that. "

"Yes, yes; but this all sounds nonsensical. "

"Course it do, sir. That's the best of it. You can't grarsp it becauseyou have been lying there onsensible and don't know what's happened. Ididn't believe it myself at first; but you remember about the review andthe big Rajah's helephants?"

"Yes, of course. "

"Well, when I was off duty for a bit I goes and makes friends with oneof the swell mahouts--him as drove the Rajah's own helephant. Themahout let me feed him, and the big beast was quite chummy with me--tookme up in his trunk, and set me up astride on him. "

"Well, suppose he did, " said Archie peevishly; "what's that got to dowith our position here? Where is your chummy friend?"

"That's what I want to tell you, sir. He found me out here, and hecomes and shoves his trunk through that hole as you can't see nowbecause it's dark. `How are you, old man?' he says. `Who'd havethought of seeing you here? Tuck one or two of them bananas in the endof my trunk and see me eat them, and I will show you;' and I did. Thenhe says, `Give us a drink of water;' and so I did, and he played it intohimself just as if he was a portable fire-engine. What do you think ofthat?"

"I think, " said Archie faintly, "that if I was like I was in the olddays, Peter, I'd punch your great, stupid head. What do you mean? Doyou think I'm as weak as a child, and that you must try and please me bytelling me all that flam?"

"Haw, haw!" laughed Peter Pegg softly. "I knowed you'd say that. Butit's all as true as true. I don't mean to say that he talked to me likethat in plain English, but he chuntered and grunted and squealed, andate nearly all the bananas and bread, and drank up the water before hewent away, and come again for more. "

"Oh, I could believe that. But what makes you think it's the sameelephant as the one you saw before?"

"Oh, I did doubt it at first, sir; but I am sure now. "

"Why?"

"Because of his size. He's the biggest one that came to the camp; andhe knowed me again by the smell. "

"Bah! He smelt the fruit. "

"But the smell of the fruit wouldn't make him stroke me down all overand talk to me in his way. You wait a bit till he comes next time. Hewill soon show you how friendly he is to me. Why, it was onlyyesterday, I think--though the time goes so rum here, where one sleepsso much--he come to see me, and one of the Malay chaps as was taking himto the water tried to drive him away, and, my word, you should have seenhim chivy the chap off and call him a hinterfering blackguard, inhelephant! He's my friend, sure enough, sir; and it will take a bit oftime to settle matters, but I think I can make him understand what he'sgot to do, and start off some night and carry us to Campong Dang. "

"Ah, if you only could, Pete!" said Archie faintly; "but it all soundsto me like a dream, and--"

There was a deep breath, and silence. 

"And what, sir? What were you going to say?--Why, I'm blessed if heain't asleep!" muttered Peter. "Well, so much the better. Now I'mgoing to see if I can't get out; and if that beggar hears me I must tryand gammon him. Wonder whether I can come that _chicker, chicker, chick, chack, chack, chack_, like one of them big monkeys. I did manageto imitate it pretty fairly time back when I teased that one as CaptainDown used to make a pet of. Well, why shouldn't I now?"

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO. 

PETER PEGG SAYS "YUSS. "

"Yuss, " said Peter Pegg, as he sat in the profound darkness, for it wassome hours before the moon would rise, and he was solacing himself witha piece of the bread-crust, which was terribly dry and exceedinglyhard--"yuss, this is precious nice tackle for a fellow's teeth. Wantsnibbling like a rat. Yuss, what I have telled the young governor sounds'most as easy as cutting butter, only not quite. I can get thehelephant up to the door here, and I don't see much hardship in mountinghim and riding off; only how am I to manage to get him here at the righttime? Ah, well, I'm getting on. The governor's better, and I have gota spear, and, so to speak, I have got a helephant, and a fine one, too. So I am not going to give up because some of the job is hard. This 'erebit of bread is as hard as wood, but I am getting through with it, andthat's what I mean to do about our escape. Where you can't take a fairbite at anything, why, you must nibble; and I must go on nibbling now tofind some way of getting out of this here ramshackle place. If I canjust contrive a hole so that I can climb on the roof whenever I like, and be able to cover it up again so that these beauties don't know, Idon't feel a bit doubtful of being able to slide down to the eaves, andthen hold tight and get my toes in here and my toes in there, andclimbing back'ard till one gets to the ground. As to getting backagain--oh, any one could do that. He will do it as well as I can assoon as he is better. Now then, ready? Yuss. Then here's to begin. "

He rose softly, stepped quietly over the leaves, and deftly climbed upthe door again, where he applied his eye to the ragged lookout. 

"My, it is dark!" he said to himself. "There must be a regular riverfog floating over the place. I can't see a star. "

He stopped peering out and listening, but everything was so black thathe could not even distinguish the tree opposite to him beneath which thesentry had taken his post. 

"So still, " muttered the lad, "that I don't believe he can be there. Ifhe was, everything is so quiet that--Whoo--hoop! What's that? Likesomebody learning to play the key bugle without any wind. Here, I know:it's one of them long-legged, long-necked birds with a big beak, thatstands a little way out in the river and picks up the frogs. Yes, that's it. Now it's all right, so here goes. "

He crossed to the other side of the building so as to be farthest fromthe tree where he had last seen the sentry, and, as quietly as he could, he began to climb the back wall of the great stable; and, as he hadanticipated, this did not prove difficult, the crossbars and uprights, interlaced with cane and palm-strip, furnishing plenty of foot and handhold, so that, without making much rustling, he drew himself up and uptill his head came in contact with one of the sloping bamboo rafters, towhich battens of the same cane were lashed with thin rotan; and, as heexpected, upon these battens lay a dense thatch of so-called attap--thatis to say, large mats of palm-leaves were laid one over the other till athick cover, which would throw off the most intense of the tropic rains, roofed the building in. 

Standing with his toes well wedged into the side, the would-be fugitiveraised one arm and began feeling about in the mats above him, andchuckled. 

"Why, it's just nonsense, " he said. "Talk about escaping. Why, one hasgot nothing to do but shove these up a little way and creep through. Then the attap will all fall back again, and no one will see as theplace has been disturbed. Then there is the getting down again. Well, that's just as easy as it is to get up. Oh, don't I wish Mister Archiewas all right! These 'ere Malays must be fools to think of shutting upa couple of English young fellows in a place like this. Well, it'sawful hot here. The mats are quite warm still with the sunshine. Iwill just let in some air. "

He began thrusting the attap thatch a little upward, and there was aloud scuffling and beating of wings. 

"Birds, " he muttered; "and a good roost, too. Wonder what they are. "

Then there was a puff of cool, moist, night air seeming to be suckedinto the building as he made an opening. 

"Ah, that's just prime, " he sighed; and he raised himself a little more, and then, as he thrust out one hand to get a fresh hold of the bamboobatten, he stopped short, silent and motionless, and with coldperspiration breaking out all over his face, for his hand had closedupon one of the battens, which felt cold and scaly; and but for the factthat his left arm was hooked over one of the sloping supports of theridge-pole, he would have dropped heavily back on to the floor of theelephant-stable. 

As it was, his legs felt as if they were hanging paralysed downward, andhe was conscious of the fact that the batten that he had last graspedwas slowly gliding through his right hand and getting thinner andthinner, till it passed rustling away right in amongst the palm-leafthatching. 

"Oh dear!" sighed Peter Pegg, "could that have been fancy? It felt justlike a big snake. Phew! How hot it is! And yet I feel quite cold. Isit fancy? I know snakes do climb trees, but what could a snake be doingup here in the thatch? Oh, murder! It's all right enough. I know!Didn't the Doctor tell Mister Archie that they crawled up the walls andhad their regular runs so that they could catch the rats and birds?"

He made a movement, as he began to master the strange feeling of dread, to replace his feet in the rough trellis into which his toes had beenthrust, and then woke to the fact that his legs were not swingingdownwards, for the half-paralysing sensation had been caused by sheerdread. 

"Think of that, now!" he said. "I thought they would give way. Here, let's get down out of this. Shouldn't be at all surprised if there'ssnakes swarming all over the place. That one didn't bite me, did it?Don't know that I should mind a honest bite, but some of these thingsare poison. Here, I have had enough of this;" and he felt about with astrange feeling of creepiness for the batten that he had not touched. This he grasped shrinkingly. 

"Oh, this ain't a snake, " he said. "Bamboo; and a thick 'un, too, forhere's a knot. Here, don't be such a coward, Peter. Go on, comrade. That there snake's gone, and it was more afraid of you than you were ofit. "

Gaining fresh courage, he had very little difficulty in creeping outfrom beneath the great mat and drawing himself upwards till he lay outin the darkness upon the roof, panting heavily as he breathed in thesoft, cool, night air. 

"Now, can I find this hole again?" he said to himself. "Oh yes, allright. And what's this?" For his hand encountered a good-sized stonesecured in its place by a thin rotan bound over it, and passed throughthe thatch and under one of the battens. "That's all right, " he said tohimself, as he began to crawl up the slope towards the ridge; and indoing so he found that flat, rough, slaty pieces of stone followed atintervals to weight the roof, and formed supports for his feet, so thathe was able to creep with the greatest ease right up to the ridge. 

"Be quite jolly, " he said, "if it wasn't for the feeling that I may becrawling over millions of snakes. However, I am in for it now, and Imust chance it. Now about getting down. "

He lay upon the back slope of the building, resting with one arm overthe ridge, listening intently, knowing that he must be gazing in thedirection of the sentry; but the silence was as intense as the darkness, and he still hesitated as to whether he should lower himself down againin the direction from which he had come. 

Feeling, however, that if he descended from there it would be into thejungle, which he knew from experience was one tangled and matted mass, impervious to human beings, he decided to go on, and proceeding verycautiously, he began to lower himself down towards the eaves by the helpof the many stones which offered support to hand or foot. 

"Why, it's just like going downstairs, " thought the lad; and then, as ifto prove it was not so easy, one of the stones, upon which he wasbearing with his foot, slipped from its rotan tie and began to rustleloudly down before him. 

Then there was a sharp hiss, which made the lad cling tightly and beginto feel a return of the paralysing shudder which had unnerved him a fewminutes before. The hiss was repeated, and followed by a sound like aquick reiteration of the word _Yah_; and then Peter Pegg's heart beganto palpitate heavily as he realised that it was a human utterance comingfrom the direction of the sentry's tree, and followed by a quickmovement as of some one advancing towards the stable door. 

"You brute! How you frightened me!" said the lad to himself, as, obeying his next impulse, he tore a stone that was held in its place bythe thin cane, raised it above his head, and hurled it with all hismight in the direction of the sentry. 

"There's a fool!" he muttered to himself as he lay full length, listening to a gabbling, threatening utterance from below, which wasslurred with hisses and dotted with angry ejaculations. "He'sa-swearing at me in his ugly lingo, " thought Peter. "Can't see him, sohe can't see me, and of course he can't tell who it is up here. Here, Iknow, " he continued, as there was a series of hisses such as would beuttered by one who was trying to drive some obnoxious creature away. 

"Hississh!" cried the sentry again. 

"Blest if he don't think I'm a big monkey up here, " thought Peter. "Monkeys throw sticks and stones. What a lark! Wish Mister Archie washere with me. I'll let him have another;" and feeling for the nextstone, he threw it from him sharply. "Frighten the beggar away, " hemuttered. 

But it had the contrary effect of arousing a fresh burst of hisses, stamps, and subdued yells. 

"Oh, get out with you, you idgit!" said the young private, in a whisper, to himself. "Wish I could recollect how that big ape Captain Down usedto keep chained up went on when he teased it. Chance it, " he muttered;and raising both hands to his mouth so as to speak between them, he sentforth his imitation of an angry monkey, spattering through the nightair, his utterance being produced with wonderful rapidity:

_Chick, chick, chick, chick, chick, chick, chuk, chick! Chick, chuk, chack_!

_Errrrrr_! growled the Malay. 

_Chick, chack, chuk, chack, chick, chack, chuk, check, check, chuk_!snarled the imitation monkey. 

What evidently meant in the Malay tongue, "Be off, you ugly beast!" camefrom below, followed by a pant as of somebody exerting himself; andsimultaneously Peter Pegg felt a tug at one leg of his trousers, and aslight scratch which made him dart his left hand down and feel thebamboo staff of a spear which had passed right through his garment andhad pinned his leg down to the thatch, in which the spear was deeplyburied. 

"You cowardly beast!" panted Peter softly. "This is getting a fellow'smonkey up in reality;" and without pausing to reflect upon what might bethe consequences, he began to reach for and tear out every stone hecould find, to hurl them with all his might in the direction from whichthe hissing and growling came. 

The first must have gone pretty close to the angry sentry, the secondstartled him, and the third produced a yell as it struck him full in theback, for he had already begun his retreat; and after sending two orthree more with all the vigour produced by anger, Peter Pegg lay back onthe roof, listening to the distant pattering of feet, and laughing withsuppressed mirth till the tears ran down his cheeks. 

"Took me for one of them big monkeys, " he panted at last; and, in closerimitation than ever, he sent forth a final _Chick, check, chuk, chick, chick, chack, chack, chack_, after his retreating enemy. 

"Don't be a fool, comrade, " he said at last. "He can't hear you. Poorold Job Tipsy! He always said me and the governor were just like acouple of schoolboys with our games and larks, and I suppose he wasright. Poor old Bully Bounce! But I do wish he was here now to help ustwo out of this hole, and a dozen of our chaps at his back, for it'srather a different sort of game to what it used to be when we got foundout. Here's poor Mister Archie lying down below badly hurt, and mestretched on the top of this attap roof, pinned out like a jolly oldcock butterfly meant for a specimen. Think of it, " he muttered, as hesat up and began feeling down his leg. "Shied a spear at me. It hurts, too. Good job it didn't hit me in the middle. It's a bit wet, but itcan't be bad. Scratted a bit, and then it went through the leg of mytrousers. Well, I call that a narrow escape. "

As he muttered to himself he began tugging at the spear-shaft, onlyabout two feet of which stood out above the cloth; and from his crampedposition the young private found that, tug as he would, the weapon wastoo deeply buried in the thick thatch for him to draw it out. 

"Well, this 'ere's a nice game, " said the lad softly. "Won't come out, won't you? All right! More ways of killing a cat than hanging it. Goin, then;" and reaching upward with both hands, he began to press uponthe butt of the spear, and drove it a little farther in. "If you can'tpull a spear or a harrer out, the best thing to do is to shove itthrough. That's what I'm a-doing; only, as you may say, I'm walking offit. " As he spoke he raised his leg up, holding on to the attap roof thewhile, gave two or three sharp kicks, and threw his leg off thespear-shaft and let it fall free upon the slope, where he lay now uponhis back shaking with laughter. 

"Oh dear! Oh dear!" he said. "What a game! Pinned down like aspecimen! I can't stop it. Just like it's often been when we have beenon the march, feeling half-starved and empty, and I have made the ladsturn savage, and bang me on the back, and call me all the fools theycould lay their tongues to, as they kept telling me to leave off, when Icouldn't. Pinned down like a cockchafer! 'Tention! Oh, I say, " hegasped out excitedly, "I never thought of that! Here was I wonderinghow I was to get hold of another spear, and it's come flying at me. Where are you?"

He felt about till his hand came in contact with about two feet of thehaft standing out of the thatch, and he began tugging at it to draw itforth. "Won't come, won't you? All right, then, go;" and catching holdof the bamboo staff with his left hand, he doubled his fist and turnedhis right into a mallet, thumping the butt, which readily yielded andwent farther and farther through, till he struck the bamboo and mattogether, when a final blow sent the weapon right through, and it wasgone. 

"My!" he muttered at last. "Suppose Mister Archie was just underneath, listening! Not he, poor chap! He'll be fast asleep, " thought Peter. "Well, there's no considering what I ought to do next. I have just gotto get back and pick up that there spear. Mr Sentry will never thinkit's gone through, and if to-morrow he comes to look for it, he willthink that there monkey has carried it away sticking in his back. Phew!My leg smarts; and that ain't the worst of it. I have got to get up tothe ridge here, and down the other side to where I crept out; and that'swhere there's snakes. "

It took a little resolution when the lad had reached the loose portionof the mat, and he hesitated and kicked about a bit, to scare any enemyaway, before raising the mat, passing his legs through, and loweringhimself partly down. 

A few minutes later he was holding on with one arm, having wedged histoes into the side of the stable wall, while he carefully drew back thethatch into its place. 

Directly after, he stood listening amongst the rustling palm-leaves, then crept to Archie's side, to hear him breathing heavily, fast asleep;and then, after refreshing himself with a draught of water, he began tosearch for the fallen spear. This he passed several times before hefound it sticking upright in the floor, gave it a hug of delight, andwas about to carry it to thrust it in beside its fellow, when he paused. 

"That means if they find one they will find t'other, " he said tohimself, "so that won't do. "

This thought resulted in his finding another hiding-place for his newlyacquired treasure. 

"We are getting on, " he said in a satisfied way--"only got to smug acouple of krises, and there we are. I say, my leg smarts, and I shouldlike to have a look at it; but I won't light a match, because it wouldbe risky in amongst these leaves--and I ain't got one. Well, that willdo for to-night, so good-night. I am beginning to think I am tired. "

Before five minutes had elapsed Peter Pegg proved the truth of hisassertion by the utterance of a very regular snore, which kept time withhis breath till broad daylight, when he started up. 

"_Reveille_, comrade!" he cried aloud; and then, "Blest if it ain't thathelephant again!"

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE. 

MORE ABOUT A FRIEND. 

"All right, old man, " cried Peter Pegg, as he sprang up and crossed tothe door, where his visitor was chuntering, as the lad called it, andmaking a succession of peculiar snorts as he waved his trunk up anddown. "What's the matter? Want some breakfast?" And after a moment'shesitation he stretched out his hand and began to stroke the great, prehensile organ that was now passed over his shoulders and down hissides. "You won't hurt me, will you, old chap? That'll do. Steady, and I will get you some breakfast. "

The quiet, soothing tone of the lad's voice seemed to convey hismeaning, for the elephant curved the end of his trunk right upwards andbegan to trumpet. 

"Hear that, Mister Archie?" cried Peter, as he made for where thefruit-basket stood. 

"Yes, " replied the subaltern, raising himself slowly and painfully. "Isanything the matter?"

"No, sir; only my friend come to see us. "

"Your friend?" said Archie wonderingly. 

"Yes, sir; the helephant. Can't you see him?"

"No, " said Archie. "Oh yes, I can see its trunk. "

"That's right, sir; come for some breakfast;" and the young privatestrode back, breaking up the cake and placing a goodly piece withinreach of the extended trunk, for it to be taken and disappear throughthe opening, when the trunk quickly returned ready for more. 

The business was repeated again and again, and the pieces of bread werefollowed by bananas and a fair-sized vegetable which might have beeneither pumpkin or melon. 

The trunk curled round it directly, but this proved too great indiameter to pass altogether through the hole, dropping from the trunkand being dashed at by its donor. 

"Well caught!" cried Peter. "You must wait a minute, old chap, " hecontinued, pulling out his knife, with which he divided the smallpumpkin in four, each portion being quietly taken and drawn through, todisappear in the monster's cavernous interior, to be followed by severalmore bananas, Peter dealing out his gifts deliberately so as to makemore of what in its entirety was a mere snack for the visitor. 

"There, " he cried at last; "that's all you'll get, so you had bettertoddle. "

_Hoomph_! grunted the elephant. 

"What do you mean by that?"

_Phoonk_! came in a hollow-sounding grunt. 

"Oh, why didn't you speak plain? Want water, do you? Can't spare any. My young governor wants a good wash. Go on down to the river. There'splenty there. Good old chap, " he continued, softly stroking the trunk;and after a low, muttering sound the elephant submitted to the caresses, and then began to respond. 

"Take care, Pete!" said Archie in a low whisper. 

"All right, sir. He knows me. "

"But he may turn spiteful. A blow from an elephant's trunk would dashyou across the place. "

"Oh, he isn't going to dash me--are you, old man?"

"Take care!" whispered Archie hoarsely, for the great serpentine trunkglided completely round Peter and drew him close up to the hole, raisinghim from the ground, so that he hung three or four feet above the driedleaves. 

"Ah-h!" sighed Archie, with an ejaculation of relief, as the elephantlowered the lad again and withdrew his trunk through the hole, and thetwo young men heard the soft movements of his huge, yielding feet as heslowly shuffled off, making a deep, low, muttering sound. 

"There, Mister Archie, what do you think of that?"

"Think!" said the lad excitedly. "I was afraid the brute would crushyou to death. "

"Not he, sir. Didn't you see what friends we were?"

"Oh yes; but they are dangerous friends. "

"He isn't going to be dangerous to us, sir. I am glad you woke up. Iwanted you to see him; and now you know how easy it will be for us toescape. Once I get you on his back, he will take us to camp as easy asyou please. "

"Yes, once we are on his back, " sighed Archie. "But how's that to bemanaged?"

"Oh, you want your breakfast, sir. You've got the dismal empties bad. Now, what do you say--a cup of water and a bit of bread to soak in it, or shall I give you a wash first?"

"A wash! Oh Pete, if you could only bathe that place on my head first, I feel as if it would be so refreshing. "

"All right, sir. Plenty of water. That's why I wouldn't give any tothe helephant. You've got a handkerchy, and I shall have to trouble youfor that there tie as well; that silky thing will do to bathe the placenicely, and the handkerchy to dry you with. --No, it won't. I neverthought of that. "

"Oh yes, take them, " said Archie eagerly. "The tie will soon dryagain. "

"Yes, I know that, sir; but your puggaree would have been better, onlyyou lost that along with your cap. "

"Never mind. Make haste; the place is so hot and stiff. "

"Yes, sir, I know; but the wash must come last. "

"Why?" cried Archie irritably. 

"Because this 'ere ain't a bath-room, sir, and there ain't nowashhand-stand. You see, I have only got that there big jar of water, and a cocoa-nut shell to drink out of. You must have breakfast first, and here goes. "

Archie remained silent while, taking the cup, the lad fetched the greatjar, which was half-full of water. 

"There you are, sir, " cried Peter, as he filled the cup. "What do yousay? Think you could sit up now, or shall I help you?"

In response, wincing a little from pain and feebleness, Archie sat up, took the cup, and drained it with thirsty haste. 

"That's good, " cried Peter, taking and refilling it. "It does me goodto see you, sir. Oh, you are coming on fine. Slep' all night, didn'tyou?" he continued, as he steadied the cup. 

"I suppose so, Pete, " said Archie, with a sigh. "I don't remember anything. "

"That's a good sign, sir. Now then, have another, or will you try alittle soaked bread first?"

"No, " said Archie decisively. "You drink that. "

"No, no, sir; after you have done. "

"'Tention! Drink first, " said Archie, speaking more firmly. 

"Oh, if you give commands, sir, " said Peter, "I must do it;" and hedrained the little vessel, with almost as much avidity as his patient, "Fine tap, ain't it, sir?" he continued, as he drew breath. 

"Yes. Now give me another cup and a piece of bread, so that I can breakit and soak it. "

"Hooray! You are getting hungry, sir;" and the lad broke off some ofthe bread from the big cake that was left, handed a piece to hissubaltern, and watched him with intense satisfaction as with tremblingfingers he held a wedge in the cup, keeping it there till it wasthoroughly soaked. 

"Now then, you do the same, " said Archie. 

"Oh, I can wait, sir. I ain't in no hurry. "

"Obey your orders, sir, " cried Archie sternly. 

"Right, sir, " was the prompt reply; and the private followed hisofficer's example, this being repeated in each case, with results doublysatisfactory to Peter Pegg. "They make capital bread here, sir, don'tthey?" he said, smiling, as he partook heartily of his share of thefood. 

"Yes, " replied Archie quietly. "I seem to be able to taste it betterthis morning. "

"That's good, sir. Ready for a piece more?"

"Yes; about half as much as you gave me. "

The repast went on till Archie refused another portion. 

"Give me some more water. I think I can manage, " he said. "Now, " hecontinued, after drinking, "take as much water as you like. "

"Sure you won't have some more, sir?"

"Quite. "

"'Cause there won't be another chance till the niggers come with thenext lot. --Oh yes, I didn't think of that, " cried Peter; and afterdrinking a couple more cupfuls, he placed the brimmed shell upright inone corner of the stable, before proceeding carefully to bathe hiscompanion's face and hands, and ended by applying a succession ofdrenched pads to the painful, stiffened wound. 

"How does that feel, sir?" he asked after a time. 

"Oh Pete, I can't tell you! It's something heavenly. Go on, please. The necktie keeps getting so hot. Ah yes, better and better, " hesighed. "There, that'll do, " he said at last. "You must be tired now. "

"Not me, sir, " replied the lad. "It's easy enough. I could go on for aweek--only I am glad you cried halt. "

"Yes; I thought you must be weary, " said Archie. 

"No, sir, 'tain't that, I tell you. There!" and he withdrew the silknecktie, dripping, from the bottom of the jar. "That's sucked up thevery last drop, sir. Hold still, sir, and let me lay this just on thetop, and as soon as you begins to feel it too warm I will take it awayand hang it up to dry. I won't dab the place with the handkerchy, because it will feel cooler if you let it dry by itself. "

"Why, Pete, you are as good as a nurse. "

"Oh, I don't know, sir. Tidy, like--tidy. You see, I have had two goesover the chaps in horspittle, and one can't help picking up a bit. "

"No nurse could have done better, " said Archie in a tone full of relief. 

"Well, sir, 'tain't much to talk about. You see, I ain't got no propertackle--not so much as a sponge. Now, if Dr Morley was here he'd puton some lint and a bandage. "

"Yes, I suppose so. Is the wound very big?"

"Quite big enough, sir. Might be bigger. Worst of it is, it's so muchbruisy-like. But you are getting better, sir, splendid. "

"Ah, and I have been so selfish, thinking only of myself. You must belonging for a wash, and there isn't a drop of water left. "

"Oh, I don't mind, sir. I shall crumble up some of them leaves and havea dry wipe, for I suppose my skin don't look very cheerful. "

Archie held up his hand. 

"What's that, sir? Somebody coming?"

Archie bowed his head, and Peter Pegg went on tiptoe to his observatory, and drew himself up, holding back as much as possible, to see a Malay, whom he recognised as the previous night's sentry, standing back at somelittle distance, shading his eyes with his hands as he looked upward, and then changing his position time after time as he seemed to besweeping the roof with his eyes, before hurrying away. 

"Why, I'd 'most forgotten that, " said Peter to himself. "He was lookingup there to see if he could find where that there spear's sticking inthe roof, and, " he added, with a chuckle, "it ain't sticking there abit. I suppose he's afraid of being hauled over the coals by hissergeant for losing his weapon. Sarve him right! The beast! Why, hemight have sent it right through me. "

This thought seemed to suggest what he had gone through over-night, forafter taking a final glance in the direction of the retiring sentry, hedropped softly down to where the broad patch of light lay upon theleaves, drew up the leg of his trouser, and examined anunpleasant-looking wound. 

"Might have been worse, " he thought. "Only wants leaving alone. Just awash and a dab of old Jollop's sticking-plaister; and it won't getneither, for it will heal up by itself and be something to show, " hechuckled--"PP's first wound in the Malay Expedition!"

Getting up actively enough, for he fancied he heard a sound, he climbedto the hole once more, and found he was right, for the Malay sentry wasreturning, shouldering a fresh spear. 

"Now, where did he get that?" thought the lad. "It's wonderful to mehow quiet everything is here. There must be houses, or huts, orsomething, and a fairish lot of men; and, of course, there'shelephant-sheds. Only where are they? Jungle, jungle, jungle, withoutso much as a squint of anything else. Wonder what Mister Archie thinksabout it. "

The lad dropped down again, after noticing that the sentry was nowleaning on his spear, scanning the roof once more; but as Peter stoodlistening and laughing to himself, he muttered:

"He must have thought it was a big monkey!" and he mentally picturedwhat had passed in the night, when a smart tap caught his ear whichsounded as if the shaft of the spear had been brought down with a rapupon the ground. This was followed by a step or two. 

"Coming here, " thought the lad, and he stepped quickly over the leaves, to throw himself down close to Archie as if he were asleep, but keepingone half-closed eye fully observant of all that passed. 

The sunlight was streaming in through the sides of the building inseveral places, and the watcher was conscious of the movements of theman by his shadow crossing first one and then another of these openings, one of which he directly after darkened. 

"Don't you stir, Mister Archie, " he whispered. "Sentry's squintingthrough one of the holes. "

There was no reply, and Peter watched till the light struck in againthrough the darkened hole. This was followed by footsteps. 

"You see him, didn't you, sir?" said Peter, turning in hisfellow-prisoner's direction. --"Look at that, now! I was shamming sleep, but, my word! he's off again, sound as a church; and that means he'sgetting well. I feel better too after that bread and water. Now then, some of that fruit. "

He went gently to the basket, which held a still ample supply. 

"Might have given old Two-tails some more, " he muttered. "This won'tdo. We shall eat some, but there will be a lot to spare, and if theycome and find the basket like this they will grow stingy; and I can useany amount for our friend. "

Taking up the basket, he carried it to one corner, raised a few leaves, and placed part of the bananas in the clearing, before lightly coveringthem up, taking the basket back to Archie's side, and placing several ofthe yellow fruits close to his hand. 

"I might go to sleep, " he thought, "and they will be ready for him. "

Then settling himself down near the empty water-jar, which he carefullywiped out and turned upside-down to dry, he began to munch his own shareof the fruit, making up his mind the while to think out thoroughly agood plan for their escape. 

"One helephant, " he said softly, "two spears, one officer, and oneprivate who knows how to use the spears. Wanted: two krises and how toget away. Well, there's nothing like thinking, so here goes. "

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR. 

"R-A-A-A-AH!"

Three weeks had passed away. Morning had come at last, and Archie Mainewas beginning to breathe more freely, after passing a very bad night. For, as if it had scented an easy prey close at hand, a deep-voicedtiger had startled him from his watch about an hour before midnight by adeep-toned roar which had made the young subaltern stand half-paralysedfor a few minutes, feeling as he did that there was nothing but thepartly woven, fence-like wall of the big stable between him and the mostsavage beast that ranges the Eastern jungles. 

The lad was stout-hearted enough, but he could not help feeling thatthough the building was strong of its kind, it would prove but a fraildefence against the mighty arms and tremendous claws of a furiouslyhungry tiger; and after the first shock he crept cautiously to thehiding-place of one of the spears and drew it out, to plant the buttagainst one retired foot and hold it with the keen blade aboutbreast-high in the direction of the bamboo uprights and palm lath slatsthat were woven in and out in duplicate. 

That deep-toned roar was followed by a silence that was awe-inspiring inits way, and as Archie listened it seemed to him that he could hear thesnuffling breathing of the savage animal that must have scented himduring its rounds. 

That silence lasted about a quarter of an hour before it afforded someamount of encouragement to the listener. The loneliness was awful, forhe was sure that he and his fellow-prisoner were correct in coming tothe conclusion that very soon after sunset the sentry had crept silentlyaway, this terrible roar suggesting itself as an explanation of thereason for the elephant-stable with its prisoners being left without awatcher during the night. 

Several times over, since he had been sufficiently recovered to sitwakefully chatting with Peter Pegg as to the best way of making theirescape, he had heard snarling cries, shrieks that were thrilling enoughin themselves, and which the two lads had set down to be the utterancesof some ape that had been scented out and pounced upon by one of thecat-like creatures during its nocturnal search for prey. They had heardtoo, and rightly judged what were the authors of, other night cries, some of which, coming from a large kind of stork or crane that lurkedupon the banks of the neighbouring river, were horrible and weird intheir intensity. But though the jungle was supposed to contain plentyof tigers, it was only once that the prisoners had heard what they knewfor certain to be the huge cat's roar. 

Archie felt that he would not have cared upon the present occasion ifPeter Pegg had been by his side, and in imagination, as he stood withthe lowered spear, he saw himself taking turns with the young private instabbing at the savage beast as it was snarling, tearing, and trying toforce its way through the tangled side of the big stable. But to dothis alone, it seemed to him, would only result in irritating the beastand make it more furious at his efforts to drive the sharp blade into avital part. 

"We might have settled it between us, " he thought; and then, in themidst of the weird darkness, he shivered, for a fresh horrible thoughtassailed him, which made the palms of his hands grow damp and themoisture gather upon his brow. 

What did it mean--this savage monster making its way close up to hisprison that night of all those that had passed? Could it be that it hadtracked stealthily, after the habit of its kind, and pounced upon poorPeter Pegg, dragged him down, and hidden his body somewhere in the densethicket, and now, guided by its keen scent, followed the flair to wherehe stood with the cold perspiration now beginning to trickle from histemples and the sides of his face?

There was not another sound, and after a sturdy battle with hisfeelings, Archie began to force himself into the belief that it was hisweakness that made him imagine that such a catastrophe had occurred. But all thought of sleep had passed away for that night. He felt itwould be impossible, and he stood with every sense strained, listeningfor some movement; but it was quite an hour later, and after he hadbegun to feel overcome by weariness from standing so long in oneposition, that he took a deep breath and began to walk lightly up anddown the building, fully expecting that the rustle of the palm-leaveswould excite the tiger into some fresh demonstration of its proximity. 

But the beast made no sign, and beginning to indulge in the hope thatafter its roar it had crept stealthily and silently away upon itscushioned, velvet paws, he made his way to the stone jar, felt for thecocoa-nut, took a draught, and began to think of what had passed duringthese many weary days and nights of his struggle back towards recovery. 

There was not much to dwell upon, for it had been terribly monotonous, that time, and sadly punctuated with either mental or physical pain. The mental was all embraced in the one painful thought of Minnie Heathand what had been her fate; the physical was mingled with the paincaused during the healing up of the horrible contused wound above histemples; while when he had not been suffering from this he was burdenedby a series of wearing headaches, which would wake him from a refreshingsleep somewhere about the middle of the night, and not die out againtill just before it was light. 

Then day after day there had been the trumpeting sounds of the elephantsshuffling by the prison on their way to water, the regular visits of oneof their number, Peter's friend, to thrust in his trunk for a freshsupply of bread and fruit. 

The dwarfish little Malay whose task it seemed to be to drive the greatbeasts to their morning bath, from which they returned muddied anddripping, had twice over, to the recovering lad's knowledge, shouted atand tried to drive Peter's friend from the stable door, but on thesecond occasion he had been so nearly caught by the huge beast that hewas satisfied to leave him to his own devices, and Rajah, as Peter hadchristened him, came and went as he pleased. 

Then, after the heat of the day had passed, the head keeper, as Petercalled him, came with his followers to bring a fresh supply of theirmonotonous food and water; and it was he who, at irregular times, wouldcome to change the sentry, peering through one of the holes to make surethat his prisoners were safe, and then going away as silently as he hadcome. 

All this was discussed, as Archie grew stronger, again and again by thetwo prisoners, and they came to the conclusion that they must be deeplyburied in an out-of-the-way part of the jungle from which it would beimpossible for them to escape, and that that was the reason for solittle attention being paid to their security. 

"That's it, Pete, " Archie had declared. "They know we can't get away, or else there would be more regularity about our guard, and whoever ison sentry would not disappear as soon as it is dark. "

Peter's answer repeated itself with additional force on this particularnight of Archie's watch, for the lad had said, "They know 'tain't safe, sir. It's my belief that if the sentry kept guard there one night, hewould never do it again. "

"Poor Peter!" thought Archie as, refreshed by his draught of water, hebegan slowly to pace the rustling floor again. "In such a silent nightas this, " he mused, "one's thoughts ought to flow easily enough, and Iwas hopeful that when he came back I should have hit out some betterplan for our escape; but ever since that horrible night all power ofthinking seems to have gone. Sometimes I do get fancying that the poweris coming back, but it is only for me to seem weaker again, and--Oh, Iwish I had not let him go! I am too cowardly now to be left alone, and--"

_R-a-a-a-ah_!

Archie started into his old position, for once more, apparently fromclose at hand, came the deep-toned, savage, snarling roar of some hugetiger that had approached the big stable without a sound, and inimagination Archie could see its fiery, glaring eyes distended with agaze that seemed to pierce the woven wall, as, with the soft white furof its under parts brushing the earth, it gathered itself up ready todash like some living catapult clean through the frail partition to hisvery feet. 

"To impale itself, if I am lucky, " thought Archie. And then the silencecontinued for what seemed to be an hour, before, in the hope that themonster had once more stolen away as silently as it had come, the youngman once again ventured to recommence the duties of his lonely, rustlingbeat. And now again he was attacked by his former horrible dread. Theimaginary picture was in all its force. Poor Peter must have beenfollowed by the tiger and dragged down helplessly to a horrible death;and, yes--for it was all too clear--this was indeed the reason why theywere not guarded at night. 

There was the temptation for them, had they known, to attempt to makewhat would seem to be an easy escape; but for what? One sudden blowfrom a tremendous paw--and death. 

The thought was sufficient to prostrate a man in the full vigour of hishealth and strength, and hence it was more than enough to cause a weaklad, slowly recovering from the fever and suffering from the shock ofconcussion and wound, to lean heavily upon the staff of the spear heheld and feel at times that he should sink down in a heavy swoon. 

It was a terrible night--one which seemed as if it would never end; buthe fought bravely on, proving in himself that hope springs eternal inthe human breast, and driving back what he called to himself his cowardthoughts, till at last, after twice more being startled by the coming ofthe tiger, he did sink down heavily amongst the rustling leaves, andburied his face in his hands, that had quitted their hold of the spear, to receive the quivering face that now lay motionless upon them. 

But it was no new coming of the enemy that had banished sleep and setevery nerve pulsating before it seemed to lie weak and slack. It wasone strange, twanging cry that he recognised at once as the call of theargus pheasant, far away in the jungle, and it meant so much--the fadingaway of the black darkness, and the glowing golden red of the rising sunto tell him ere long that it was morning and that the disturber of hiswould-be restful watch must have slunk away; and Archie Maine crouchedthere with his face still buried in his hands, quite sensible, for hislips were quivering and his breath coming and going more strongly, andcausing a slight rustling of the dry leaves beneath. And then there wasa whisper of thankfulness, as the lad now slowly rose from his kneeswith a weary sigh. 

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE. 

"LIKE AN OLD TOM-CAT. "

There was nothing but the suggestion of the faint light of dawn stealingthrough the Rajah's hole, as Peter called it; but Archie knew wellenough the way to the cocoa-nut and the stone jar for a refreshingdraught, after which he pulled himself together, and began to wonder atthe different phases of the night. 

"I don't think I should have been such a coward before that dreadfulnight, " he said to himself. "What horrors one can imagine at a timelike this!"

For there seemed to be a something in the coming of day that broughtwith it the flagging hope that had passed away, and minute by minutethere was something to take his attention. 

He felt that there was no occasion to carry the spear any more, and hecrept to its hiding-place and thrust it in where it would be safe, before crossing to the door and making use of Peter's steps as he drewhimself up to peer out and breathe in the cool, soft, refreshing air. 

And now the varying notes of birds came more often--cries of stork andcrane, the whistle of the smaller parrots, the harsh shrieks of those oflarger growth; and then he seemed to hear nothing, for all his feelingswere concentrated in thoughts of his fellow-prisoner, in repetitions ofhow they had canvassed one particular thing, how he had objected, andhow Peter Pegg had fought for and won in his determination that he wouldcreep out from the roof, lower himself down, and make an expedition thatshould put away doubts and prove to them what their position really was, how near they were to their guards, and where the stables of the severalelephants that passed their prison lay. 

"You see, Mister Archie, sir, " Peter had insisted, "we must dosomething. You are getting well on your legs now, and if we don't makea heffort we may be kept here for months. You are my officer, and Itake my orders from you, but I do beg and pray, sir, as you will let mehave a try. I can get out easy enough, and I can get in again. An houror two would do it. "

And Archie had at last given way, to find that the hour or two had notdone it, for the night had passed; it would soon be broad day, with theelephants being driven to water and a sentry resuming his post; and achill was beginning to paralyse him, while hope grew more and more dullfor the searcher for the way to freedom. 

There was a faint tint of red now right away over the top of the distanttrees, and what seemed to be a mountain appeared above the jungle; butit brought no return of the hope, to Archie, as it grew redder andredder, it looked blood-like--a forecast, as it were, of the horror anddespair that were soon to come upon him in the shape of a dreadfultruth. For Peter had not come back; and even if he were to come now, itwould only be to be seen and made a closer prisoner; the secret of hisway out would be known, and they would be more carefully imprisoned. Hemust be seen now, for there was the distant trumpeting of the advancingelephants, and it was quite light enough for the sentry to make his wayalong the forest path to take his place beneath the tree, and perhapscome to peer in first to see if his prisoners were safe. 

Archie thought that perhaps the elephants might come by first, and thencontradicted himself as he felt convinced that it would be the sentry;and as he peered forth from the hole, with the cold chill of despairincreasing, there, far down the path, came the squat figure, with thelight playing upon the end of his spear. 

"It's all over, " thought the prisoner; and then he almost fell from thehole, and turned to stare wildly up at the mats which sloped down to theeaves of the building, and saw a leg thrust through hastily, thenanother, and the next moment Peter Pegg's toes were kicking at the wallas he struggled, hanging by one hand, to rearrange the attap mat of theroof, and then, panting and breathless, he lowered himself down anddropped at Archie's feet. 

"Oh, I say!" he groaned. "That was close! Sentry's coming down thepath. "

"Yes, I saw him. Did he see you?"

"No. I was creeping along like an old tom-cat to get round to the back, and, my word, ain't I scratched! Talk about thorns!"

"Oh Pete, how you frightened me!" said Archie faintly. 

"Frightened you, sir? Well, didn't he frighten me?"

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX. 

MUST CHANCE IT. 

The sound of a step outside made Peter Pegg throw himself quickly downin a pile of the crushed leaves, burying his face in his hands, whileArchie began to walk slowly up and down, conscious the while, throughthe shutting out of the morning light, that their guard had come up tothe side of their prison and looked in, before going back to thesheltering tree, where he squatted down, to watch carelessly the comingof the elephants, one of which made for the hole, and was in the act ofthrusting its trunk through, when it was charged by its big companion, the Rajah, who uttered a fierce squeal and drove the intruder away, before inserting his own trunk as usual, making no scruple about takinghis customary refreshment from Archie's hand, having during the past fewdays grown accustomed to the subaltern's presence, and ending by givingthe lad a few of the friendly touches that he was in the habit ofbestowing upon Peter Pegg. 

As soon as the elephant had gone, and after giving a glance at theirguard, Archie, who was burning to listen to what his fellow-prisoner hadto say, lay down beside him, under the impression that weariness hadkept him from rising to attend to the elephant's visit. 

He found him so soundly asleep that he did not even respond to a sharpshake of the arm which Archie gave him on receiving no reply to hiswhispers; and then he had to contain himself till evening, when theirusual visitors came; and it was not till long after, when they were oncemore alone, that the young private suddenly started up. 

"Have I been asleep?" he said half-wonderingly. 

"Asleep! Yes; and I want to know what you have found out. "

"Let's have a drink and something to eat first. I feel half-starved. "

"Yes, of course--of course. Go on. "

"Now, " said Peter, after a ravenous attack upon the bread and fruit. "Oh, here, this is good! Only I think it's time we got some meat. I'dgive anything for a bit of commissariat bacon. You want to hear what Idid, sir. Well, it was next to nothing but crawl like a slug in and outamongst trees, scratting one's self with that long, twining, climbingpalm, and not once daring to stand up and walk. "

"Well, but what did you find out?"

"Nothing at all, sir, except that there's a bit of a lodge here whichseems as if it might belong to the Rajah, and be where he lived andslept. "

"And was he there?"

"Oh no, sir; there's nobody there, only about a dozen Malay chaps, besides them as come to see us; and then there's a very bighelephant-shelter, like this, only quite new and good, at the end ofthat there left path; and right away beyond that, in a sort of clearingwhere the jungle has been cut down--if I didn't tell you before--there'ssome big trees and a sort of scaffold of bamboos that looks like ashelter such as any one would climb up to shoot tigers, and under itsome bones, just as if a buffalo had been tied up for a bait. "

"Yes, I see, " said Archie. "Well, go on. "

"What about?"

"About what you found next. "

"I didn't find nothing next, only paths--helephant-paths that go rightaway somewhere. "

"Yes. Go on. "

"Well, I did go on as far as I dared, sir; but it was all dark, and Icouldn't do anything so long as the Malay chaps were talking, and whenthey were quiet I was afraid to stir for fear of waking them up. "

"But didn't you find out where the paths led to?"

"No, sir. I did try. "

"Well, but didn't you strike out into the jungle?"

Peter chuckled. 

"Strike out, sir! Why, you're shut in everywhere, and it's like tryingto break through a sort of natural cane basket. "

"Then you really have done nothing?"

"No, sir; only found that this seems to be the place in the forest wheresomebody comes to shoot tigers. And talk about them chickens--that'swhy I did not go so far as I might. Every now and then I could hear oneof them calling to its mate; and the first time it scared me so that Iswarmed up a tree into the shelter or scaffold sort of place, where youcould sit down. "

"Well, what then?" said Archie impatiently. 

"Well, sir, I sat down. "

"Naturally, " said Archie. 

"And then, when I thought it safe, and I was going to climb down in thedark to have another look, _mi-a-o-u_! There was that there great pussyagain--and he was a whopper!"

"But you couldn't see him?"

"No, sir; it was too dark. I knew he was a whopper, though, by the sizeof his squeak. But I am pretty sure that he could see me, for he seemedto come and sit upright in the middle of the clearing, and began topurr. Blessed if he didn't sound just like a threshing-machine out inthe fields at home after harvest-time. "

Archie was silent for a few moments, and Peter Pegg went on quietly andthoughtfully:

"Yes, sir; it sounded just like that. "

"Then you stopped up in that shelter for long enough?"

"I just did, sir--for hours. "

"Did you go to sleep?"

"Did I go to sleep, sir? No! Never felt so full of wide-awake in mylife. Why, if you had heard that there thing roar--"

"I did hear it roar, " said Archie quietly; "and it kept me awake allnight. "

"Hark at that now, sir, " said Peter. "My word, Mister Archie, sir!wouldn't one of them be a fine thing to train young recruities with, andteach them how to keep awake on sentry?"

"But you said something to me, Peter, about having to make our escape bydaylight. Why?"

"Why, sir? Because as soon as you try and travel out in that therejungle, it's so dark that you can't tell which way to steer. "

"But we should have to trust to the elephant--if we could get him. "

"Oh, that wouldn't do, sir. We should have trouble enough with it allclear daylight. I've thought it all over till my head won't think, andit's all as clear as crystial. We must wait for morning, when thehelephant comes for his titbits before one of these chaps mounts guard, and then slip out and chance it. I believe in chance, sir--chance andcheek. You can often do things by risking it when you makes all sortsof plans and fails. "

"Well, Peter, " said Archie wearily, "I can propose nothing better. "

"I wish you could, sir. "

"So do I, " said Archie. "Well, we must try; and if they catch us, why, they can but bring us back. I don't think they dare use their spears, for fear of what might follow when our people come to rescue us. "

"Oh, they won't dare to savage us, sir. I believe these are RajahSuleiman's men, and he wants to keep friendly with the Major. "

"There I think you are wrong, Pete. If he wanted to keep friendly, hewould not have set his men to attack our boat. "

"I don't know, sir, " said Peter solemnly, "for there's a deal of cunningand dodgery amongst these krisy chaps, and you never knows what gamesthey may be at; and as to waiting for our Bri'ish Grenadiers to march upand find us, I'm thinking that we may wait till all's blue. My oldwoman used to say--my granny, you know, as brought me up--`Peter, ' sheused to say, `I am going to give you a moral lesson, boy: don't you waitfor people to help you, my lad; you help yourself. '"

"That was very good advice, Pete, " said Archie, smiling, and uttering adeep yawn. 

"Yes, sir; and that's what I used to do. "

"Help yourself?"

"I didn't mean that, sir. I used to hear it so often that I used to doas you did just now. "

"What do you mean?"

"Yawn at it, sir. "

"Oh!" said Archie. "Well, but, Pete, that tiger you talked about keptme awake all night. "

"So he did me, sir. "

"Yes, " said Archie, laughing; "but you've slept all day since. "

"Right, sir. That's one to you, Mister Archie. Well, sir, that's ourgame, just as I say. We'll lay up a good stock of rations--I mean savethe fresh and keep on eating the stale, and be all ready for the rightmorning, and when it comes, nip outside, mount the helephant, and awaywe will go--I mean, that is, if you think that you can creep up same asI do, and lower yourself down from the roof. "

"I think I could now, Pete. "

The lad grunted. 

"What do you mean by that?"

"It means I don't, sir. I know you'd _try_, but _try_ ain't enough. You must _do_. Still, it don't mean that we are going to startto-morrow morning; and a good job, too, because there's grub, and oursleep-chests is pretty well empty. We must both be as fit as fiddles, sir, and then we can play a tune that will make the niggers stare. "

"Yes, " said Archie, after lying in silence for a few minutes, with thedarkness rapidly approaching. "We will worry our brains no more. Thisplan is simple. We will be prepared, and then good luck go with us. Wewill make our start. "

"Bray-vo!" cried Peter. "That's talking like our own old Mister Archie. I say, sir, you are picking up!"

"Am I, Pete?" said the lad sadly. "Feel my arm. "

Pete ran his hand down his companion's limb from shoulder to wrist. 

"Well, sir, that's all right. "

"All right! Why, I feel like a skeleton. "

"Well, but the bones is all right, sir. You went for ever so longwithout eating anything at all but water, and there ain't no chew inthat; and when you did begin to peck, what's it been? Soaked bread, and'nanas and pumpkins. You couldn't expect to get fat on them. Just waittill we get back to camp, and you are put on British beef and chicken, and them pheasants as you officers shoot. My, " said the lad, with asmack of his lips, "couldn't I tackle one now--stuffed with bread-crumbsand roasted! I should be sorry for the poor dog as had to live on thebones. A bit of fish, too, fried, sir--even if it was only them ikonSammy Langs. Here, stow it! I only wanted you not to fidget aboutbeing a bit fine. You get your pluck, Mister Archie; and you are doingthat fast. Never mind about the fat and lean so long as you feel thatyou can hit out with your fist or tackle a kris chap with one of ourspears. Doing a thing, sir, is saying you will do it and then doing itin real earnest. I say, how soon it has got dark! Now, what do you sayto a bit of supper, and then finishing up our sleep?"

"Agreed, Pete. But what about keeping watch for the tiger if it comes?"

"Ah, I didn't think about that, sir; but we've got to chance getting theelephant here and riding away before the sentry comes. "

"Yes; we've settled that we must chance that. "

"Yes, sir; and we must chance the tiger if he comes, which maybe hewon't, for we haven't heard much of them chaps before. "

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN. 

IN THE ELEPHANT-HOLES. 

"Did you hear anything in the night, Pete?" said Archie the nextmorning. 

"There he is, bless him!" whispered Peter, from where he was peeringthrough the lookout-hole. 

"What do you mean?"

"That Malay chap, sir--the big one with the squint. I should like todrop upon him and smug that kris of his. Just think of it! As soon aswe made up our minds to toddle the first time we can get the helephanthere before they mount sentry, here he comes, just as if orders had beengiven for that to be done regular. "

Peter dropped down from his lookout-hole, and began to pick out theworst of the fruit for the elephant when he came. 

"Seems hard on a friend, Mister Archie, but I don't suppose the Rajahminds them being a bit over ripe. "

"Not he, " replied Archie; "but I meant, did you hear anything in thenight?"

"Oh, you mean the tiger, sir? Yes, I heerd him three or four times, butI was too comfortable to sit up and bother about him. Did you hearhim?"

"I suppose I did, but it all seems as if it was part of a dream. "

"That's all right, then, sir. I say! Hear 'em? Here's the helephantscoming. You get up and look. "

Archie mounted to the hole, and saw, following steadily one after theother, four of the great beasts, with the little, squat driver seated onthe neck of the last; and after they had passed, loafing carelesslyalong as if he were too important and disdained to be driven, came theRajah, muttering as if to himself, and walking straight up to the bigstable door before going on to take his bath. 

Archie dropped down, after seeing that the sentry was quietly rolling upa fresh betel-quid, and Peter stood aside for his companion to take hisplace by the basket. 

"Never mind me, sir. Let him stroke you over as much as he likes; andyou mustn't mind if he smells you too much with the wet end of histrunk. I want you to be as good friends as me and him is. "

The result was that Archie fed the great beast, and was caressed, thesensation being upon the lad, as he listened to the flapping of theelephant's ears, that the beast's two little, pig-like eyes werepiercing some crack in the door and watching him intently. 

Then, as if quite satisfied with his share in the provender, which hemust have taken as a dainty addition to the vast quantities of junglegrass and leafage which formed his real support, the elephant swung off, bowing his huge head and muttering softly, to overtake his companions, while Peter gave his officer a very knowing look. 

"There, sir, " he said, "that's just what we want, only no sentry. Youwill have to creep out with the prog and the spears, and the krises whenthey comes, which we shall have all ready, while I'm feeding him, andthen go on yourself giving him some bread which we will save up for him. I shall join you, and tell him to kneel down; up we gets. You willcrawl on and hold on by the ropes while I settle down with my legs underhis ears. It will be just as easy as A, B, C. "

"_IF_, " said Archie, in capital letters. 

But the days passed wearily on; provisions were stored up, and there hadbeen no chance of securing a kris, let alone two, and Peter declaredthat it was all out of aggravation that some sentry or another alwaystook up his daily task before the elephants came. 

"They are making a regular custom of it, sir, " he said. "Cuss them!"

"What's that, Pete?"

"I only said _custom_, sir. I warn't swearing. I won't say what Imight have said if you hadn't been here. "

That very afternoon, as if fate had become weary of fighting againstthem, Peter, who had been watching the sentry's weapons with covetouseyes till it was beginning to grow dusk, suddenly uttered anejaculation. 

"What is it, Pete?"

"Look here, sir. Be smart, before it gets dark. I have been watchingthis 'ere chap for a hour. He has been nodding off to sleep all thetime, and now he's off sound. "

"What of that?"

"Kris, sir, " said the lad; and crossing the floor of the great building, he climbed cleverly up to the thatch and passed out, and Archie heard afaint rustling, and then sat listening in the dark till, after whatseemed to be an impossibly short space of time, the rustling beganagain, and a few minutes afterwards Peter, panting heavily, dropped downon his knees by the subaltern's side. 

"Well, was it still too light for you to venture?" asked Archie. 

"Poof!" ejaculated the lad. "Ketch hold 'ere, sir;" and he thrust thepistol-butt-like handle of a kris into his companion's hand. "Sound asa top, sir. Ain't that prime! Don't I wish he had had a mate, so thatI could have got two!"

"But he will miss it as soon as he wakes, " exclaimed Archie. 

"Not 'im, sir; and if he does, he'll think that one of his mates hasbeen larking. Wait a bit, and I shall get another chance, for we oughtto have two. "

But Fate was going to smile again, for the very next morning, in a wildstate of excitement, the lad gripped his young officer's hand tightlybetween his own. 

"No larks, sir, " he half-sobbed. "Don't gammon me. If you don't feelstrong enough, say so, and we'll wait. "

"What do you mean? What's the matter?" whispered back Archie. 

"Look there, sir! The helephants are coming, and there ain't nosentry. "

"Oh!" ejaculated Archie, wild now with excitement, "I'm strong enoughfor anything. "

"Then take it coolly, sir, just as if we weren't going to make a bolt. That chap must have been a bit sick last night, or been taking bhang orsomething, and he's overslept himself this morning. Now then! Spears--kris--victuals. Ready for action. Let's get part of the prog on to thethatch. You hand it up to me, and then mount yourself. --Oh dear, wesha'n't have half enough time!"

"But suppose the sentry comes?"

"Lie down on the thatch. You will be out of sight. "

The low muttering of the elephants was heard as Peter scrambled up tohis hole in the roof. Archie handed up the spears, which the lad took, and used one to help him in drawing up the basket of provisions, leavingArchie to follow with a couple of cakes thrust into his breast; and bythe time the young subaltern was climbing along the thatch preparatoryto lowering himself down, five of the elephants had shuffled by, withthe squat little driver mounted on the last, and disappeared round acurve of the narrow elephant-path. 

As usual, their great fellow, Rajah, as Peter called him, was comingmuttering up, apparently only seeing the ground just where he was aboutto plant his feet, so that he started and prepared to swerve as hesuddenly caught sight of the private standing waiting for him, thisbeing something entirely fresh. 

But Peter did not lose his presence of mind; he called him by name andheld out a piece of the cake, when the great animal uttered a loudgrunt, stopped short, and extended his trunk, not to grasp the temptingoffering, but to bring to bear his wonderful sense of smell before hewas satisfied. 

Then he passed his trunk over the lad's chest, muttering pleasantly thewhile, and taking the piece of cake, transferred it to his cavernousmouth. 

"Now, Mister Archie, sir, bring what you can, and never mind the rest. We haven't a moment to spare. Come gently, whatever you do. "

Archie was slowly descending the slope of the great thatched roof, whichseemed to be a perfectly easy task, but so novel to one who had not hadPeter's experience that when he had nearly reached the eaves and wasplanting his feet carefully, in preparation for lowering himself downthe eight or nine feet of perpendicular wall, whose trellis-work wouldafford him support, the tied-in piece of flat stone upon which he hadplanted his foot suddenly gave way, and slipped from the thin cane. Afaint cry escaped from the young officer's lips as he grasped at thebrittle attap mat, which gave way at once. He slipped over the raggedmat which formed the eaves, and the next moment, _crack, crack, crack_, he was hanging feet downwards, and then fell heavily in a cloud of dustbump upon the trampled earth, in company with a snake about six feetlong, which began to glide rapidly away. 

"You've done it, sir!" panted Peter; and then loudly, "It's all right, old man, " he continued, as he held out the rest of the piece of cake. "That's only his way of coming down. Whatcher frightened about? Oh, Isee; it's that snake;" and catching up one of the spears which he hadleaned up against the big door, he used it pitchfork fashion to thewrithing reptile, and sent it flying upward on to the roof, for it tobegin scuffling away amidst the leafy thatch. 

_Phoonk_! said the elephant; and he slowly turned himself as if upon apivot, and extended his trunk to the coveted cake. 

"Don't say you are hurt, sir!" whispered Peter. "You can go on, can'tyou? Oh, do say you can!"

"Yes, yes, " panted Archie confusedly; "I think I am all right. "

"Then here goes for it, sir. I don't feel a bit sure, but I am going totry as soon as I have fed him a bit more. Don't you bother about theprog. I am going to make him carry it as inside passengers. It willplease him, and if he will carry us we will eat leaves or grass. --Comeon, old man. Here you are! Ripe 'nanas, and one of them pumpkinthings. What! rather have the pumpkin first?" he continued, as thegreat trunk curved slowly towards the golden-hued, melon-like fruit. "Can't swallow that all at once, can you? And I don't want to stop andcut it. What! you can? Oh, all right, then. I forgot you'd gotgrinders as big as meat-tins. --Good-bye, pumpkin. --Now, Mister Archie, Iam not sure, but I think I can say what the mahout does when he wantshim to kneel down. Then don't you stop a moment, but climb up and gethold of them ropes that he has got round him, pull yourself up, and holdon. Ready?"

"Yes, " said Archie dreamily; but he was shaken up and confused by hisfall. 

"Now, Rajah, kneel down!" cried Peter, in the nearest approach he couldrecall to the Malay mahout's command; and, to his great delight, thehuge beast swayed from side to side and sank upon the earth, at the sametime curving his trunk towards Peter as he raised his head. 

"There you are, " cried Peter, as he passed a couple of the bananas heheld ready, and the moment these had been grasped and the trunk loweredagain, "Now then, up with you!" cried the lad; and planting a foot uponone of the corrugations of the wrinkling trunk, Archie began to scrambleup, passing over the animal's forehead, up between the extended ears andover the rugosities between head and neck. 

He nearly slipped as he reached for one of the ropes that girdled theanimal's loins, but recovered himself, and, to Peter's satisfaction, seated himself, holding on tightly by the howdah-stays. 

"Here you are!" cried Peter again, and this time he handed a great lumpof cake, which the elephant took contentedly. --"Now, Mister Archie, sir, " he cried, as he seized the two spears and handed them up, "takehold; I'll carry one by-and-by. --Now, old chap, " he continued, "it's myturn now. Up with you!" And once more his memory served him in givingsome rendering of the mahout's command, for in his slow, lumberingfashion the monster began to sway. 

"Hold tight, sir, whatever you do, " cried Peter. 

"Yes. Are you going to walk?"

"Not me, sir; but I do wish that we hadn't got to leave that basketbehind. "

By this time the towering beast was once more upon its feet, and Peterwas puzzling his head for an order he had forgotten; but just as somemisty notion of the Malay words was hovering in his brain the greattrunk encircled his waist, he was lifted from the ground, and the nextminute he was gliding safely into the mahout's place, his widelyoutstretched legs settling themselves behind the monster's ears. 

"Now, Mister Archie, give us one of them spears. Got it! Now then--talk about a mahout!--_Geet! geet_! Netherway!" he cried, using thewords familiar to him from the days when he used to watch the cartersand their teams. "What are you up to now?--Look at that, now, MisterArchie!" For, to the lad's great delight, the elephant had swunghimself round a little, the effect being to Archie that of a heavilyladen boat in a rough sea, and reaching out with his trunk towards thebasket with the rest of the fruit, he had picked it up, and then beganto march solemnly and sedately in the direction taken by the otherelephants every morning since they had passed the great shed. 

"Can you hold on, Mister Archie?" said Peter. 

"Yes; pretty well. Are you all right?"

"Oh, I'm all right, sir; but 'ware trees as soon as we get into thatpath in front. Mind as the branches don't wipe you off. "

"I'll try. "

"I say, sir, don't the Rajah know how to take care of hisself!" criedPeter, carrying his spear diagonally, and looking as if he was preparedto use it if any one should present himself to stop their way. "Nowwhat do you think of our plan, sir?"

"Oh, it's splendid, " replied the young officer. "But never mind me. Don't talk much, for I hurt my head a little when I fell. "

"Don't think about it, sir. It will soon pass off, " cried Peter withoutturning his head, and then muttering, "Think of me talking to the poorfellow like that!--Now then, go ahead, Rajah! Best leg foremost, oldman. Headquarters, please; and I hope you know the way, for I'm blestif I do. All I know is that I don't want to see that little chap againfor him to go and fetch some of them guards. "

The elephant slowly shuffled along for the next ten minutes or so, before the first difficulty that presented itself to the amateur mahoutappeared in front; for after they had pursued the regular elephant-pathbeyond the clearing for some little time, there in front was a dividingof the road, and upon reaching this the elephant stopped as if in doubt, and began slowly swinging his head, ending by planting the basket hecarried upon the earth and helping himself to another of the coarsemelons. 

"Which way?" growled Peter, as he looked down each path in turn, the onebeing fairly trampled, but green with the shoots of the cane; the othershowing the regular holes, and being wet and muddy in the extreme. 

"All right, " thought the lad. "That must be the way down to the riverwhere t'others have gone for their bath. Right!" he cried, as theelephant raised the basket again and inclined his head slowly as if tofollow the muddy path, from some distance down which came the gruntingof the other elephants, when, in his excitement, Peter uttered a savage"Yah-h!"

This did as well as the purest Malay order meaning to the left, for theelephant turned his head in the other direction at once, and thenplanting his great feet carefully in the fairly dry holes, he began tofollow the greener path. 

_Squash_--_suck_--_squash_--_suck_, on and on through the forest shades, and as the boughs of the jungle trees hung over here and there lower andlower in the great tunnel of greenery, so cramped in size that thereseemed to be only just room for the elephant to pass along, Peter kepton looking back nervously, half-expecting to see his companion sweptaway from his precarious perch. 

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT. 

PHOONK!

"I'm getting better fast, Pete, " cried Archie Maine, his voice soundingclearly above the _suck, suck_ of the elephant's feet in the deep oldtracks, and the _whisk, whisk_ of the green cane-sprouts that shot outon either side from the wall of verdure. 

"That's right, sir. You do comfort me. I've been thinking that itwasn't fair of me to be riding comfortable here while you've got nothingbut a bit of rope to hold on by except your balance. But, I say, itain't all best down here, for, my eye, ain't it 'ot!--quite steamy. "

"Yes; this tunnel is steamy and hot, " replied Archie. 

"Oh, I don't mean the tunnel, sir. I mean Rajah's neck and these twogreat fly-flaps of his keeping all the wind out. I tried lifting up oneof them, but I suppose it tiddled him--fancied he had got a big flyabout him, I suppose. I say, Mister Archie, ain't it prime! He don'tseem to be going fast, but, my word, with these long legs of his how hedoes get over the ground! But, I say, look ye here; wouldn't this be ajolly place if we was out for a holiday, instead of being like onfurlough without leave?"

"It's beautiful, " said Archie; for after they had travelled for sometime in deep shadow, completely covered in, the jungle suddenly openedout, and their way was now between two perpendicular walls of densegreen verdure. Just in front a couple of brilliantly green-and-gold, long-tailed paroquets suddenly flashed into sight as if about to alight, but, startled by the elephant, they flew off with sharp screams. 

And now time after time large, wide-winged, diurnal moths and glisteningbutterflies flew up from where they had settled on the dew-drenchedherbage and fluttered before them. Not far onward a flock of finchesflew from the tops of the green banks, twittering loudly as theydisplayed the brilliance of the blue and yellow and green of theirplumage and its varying shades. But this was only for a time. Thejungle growth rose higher on either side till it shut out the sunshine, and once more the elephant-path wore the aspect of a deep, shadowytunnel, while the air grew more moist and steamy, seeming stagnant to adegree. 

"All right, sir?" cried Peter, straining to look round. 

"Yes, yes, Pete. My fall shook me a bit, and seemed to bring back theold aching in my head. But don't mind me. I feel quite happy now thatwe are getting farther and farther from our prison. We are free, and ifI could only feel that we were going in the right direction I should notcare. "

"Oh, don't care, sir; don't care a bit. It's chance it--chance it. OldRajah's taking us somewhere, and why shouldn't it be to headquarters?"

"It's not likely, Pete. "

"Very well, sir. Then I will have another go. What do you say to itsbeing to the Rajah's palace? I don't know where it is--only that it issomewhere in the jungle, not very far from the river. You've never beenthere, have you?"

"No, Pete, I haven't. But, as you say, it is not far from the river. "

"Well, sir, we can't be far from the river. It must be somewhere off toour right flank, and old Rajah here must know his way, or else hewouldn't be going so steadily on; and the beauty of these places is thatwhen once you are on the right road you can't miss your way, becausethere ain't no turning. "

"But we passed one turning to the right. "

"Yes, sir. That's where the helephants went down to drink, and you seeif we don't come to another farther on. But this is splendidtravelling. How he does get over the ground! And if it warn't for thecommissariat department one could go on day after day, just making ahalt now and then for this chap to take in half a load of growing hayand suck in a tubful of water, and then go on again. "

"Hush! Don't talk so, Pete. "

"Why not, sir? I am doing it to keep up your sperrits. "

"But I want to listen. "

"Hear anything, sir?"

"I am not sure. But I keep expecting to hear some of the Malays inpursuit. "

"Not likely, sir. If they are they must be coming on one of the otherhelephants, and I don't believe any of them can walk as fast as this onedoes, so they are not likely to overtake us. We are safe enough so longas we can get old Rajah here to keep on. The only thing that fidgets meis the eating and drinking. "

"I should be glad to have some water, " said Archie, "but I can wait tillwe come close to the river. "

"That's right, sir; but what about something to eat? Old Rajah seems tohave thought that all that was in the basket was meant for him, and he'stucked it inside and chucked the basket away. So don't be hungry, sir. "

"I have two of the cakes, Pete, inside my jacket. "

"What! Oh, who's going to mind? That's splendid noos, sir. --Go ahead, old chap. What are you flapping your ears about for? Think you canhear water?"

"There, Pete, " said Archie eagerly, "I am nearly sure now I heard afaint cry far behind. "

"Oh, some bird, sir. Don't you get fancying that. We are miles andmiles away from where we started, and as most likely we are pretty closeto the river, it's one of those long-legged heron things, and if youhear anything else it's like enough to be one of them big frogs ortoads. If it was to-night instead of being this afternoon, I should sayit was one of the crocs. But I should know him pretty well by heart. "

The great elephant went patiently trudging on, mile after mile, with theheat so intense that Archie Maine had to fight hard to keep off agrowing drowsiness, and he now welcomed the fact that the portion of thejungle through which they were being carried kept on sending downtrailing strands of the rotan cane and other creepers which threatenedto lasso him and drag him from his seat. 

But no further cry or note of bird came to suggest danger from the rear, and as the drowsiness at length passed away, the question began toarise: what was to happen when darkness came on?--for the afternoon waswell spent. 

It was after a long silence that Archie broached this question. 

"What are we going to do when it's dark, sir?" said Peter. "Well, I'vebeen a-thinking of that--not like you have. "

"How do you know what I've been thinking?" asked Archie sharply. 

"Well, I ain't sure, of course, sir, but I should think you arewondering what we should do if we come across a tiger. It strikes methat we needn't mind that--at least, not in front, for Mr Stripeswouldn't face these 'ere two great tusks. One of them would go throughhim like a shot. What I'm thinking of is the making of a halt, firstclearing we come to. But if we do, who's going to tie up Rajah so thathe sha'n't go back? He might take it into his head to stop by theriver-side for some water, but it strikes me, sir, that as soon as wegot off he'd go back to the old stable to see if he couldn't findsomething to eat and drink. "

"Hush, Pete!" cried Archie excitedly. 

"What for, sir? Afraid he will understand what we are saying?"

"Hush, I say!"

"All right, sir, " said Peter, speaking in a whisper. "But he does keepcocking up his ears and listening. "

"Yes, " said Archie; "I was in doubt before, but I am sure now. It'ssome one keeps on hailing us from behind. Drive him on faster, for I amsure we are pursued. "

"What! make him gallop, sir? Why, it would chuck you off directly. "

"No; I think I could keep on. We must try and leave whoever it isbehind. I couldn't bear for us to be taken again. "

"We ain't a-going to be, sir, so long as we have these 'ere toothpicksto fight with. "

"That's a last resource. Try to hurry the beast. "

"He won't hurry, sir. 'Tisn't as if I'd got one of them anchors, asthey call them; and even if I had, poor old chap! I shouldn't have theheart to stick it into him as the mahouts do. "

"It wouldn't hurt him more than spurring does a horse, with such a thickskin. "

"But I ain't got one of them boat-hooky tools. Look here, sir; hand methat there kris. Ain't poisoned, is it?"

"The Doctor says they are not. "

"Let's have it, then, sir. --Why, what game do you call this?"

For at that moment, before any experiment could be tried with the goad, a faint, unmistakable hail was heard from far behind, running as it werealong deep, verdant tunnels, and Rajah, after flapping his ears heavily, uttered a low, deep sigh, stopped short, and began to tear down greenbranches from overhead and convey them to his mouth. 

"Oh, this won't do!" cried Peter angrily. --"Get on, sir--get on!"

The elephant uttered what sounded to be a sigh and raised one huge legas if about to step out, but only planted it down again in the same deephole, went through the same evolution with another leg, subsided again, and went on crunching the abundant succulent herbage. 

"It's no good, Pete, " said Archie bitterly. "They are in full chase. The elephant recognises the cry, and you will never get him to stir. "

"An obstinate beggar!" grumbled Peter. "Makes me feel as if I couldstick that there spike right into him, though he is fanning my poor, hotlegs with these flappers of his. Well, Mister Archie, I suppose it's nouse to fight against him. He has got the pull of us, and there's onlyone thing for us to do now. "

"What's that, Pete?"

"Act like Bri'ish soldiers, sir, " said the lad through his set teeth. "Hold the fort, and fight. "

At that moment the cry was more audible, and the elephant gave his earsa quicker flap and said, _Phoonk_!

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE. 

PETER'S RAJAH. 

"Ain't it been a mistake, sir?" said Peter Pegg. "We ought to haverisked it both of us together, stirred him up with the spears or thepoint of that kris, and made him go on. "

"No mistake, Pete. He would have turned savage, and dragged you off aseasily as he lifted you up, then knocked you down with his trunk andperhaps trampled you into the mud. "

"Perhaps you are right, sir; and it wouldn't have been very pleasant. But hark! There's a helephant coming, and you can hear the _suck, suck, suck_ of his feet in the mud plainer and plainer. I wish whoever theyare upon it would holloa again. I want to know how many thathelephant's got on board. "

"I think only one, " said Archie. 

"Oh, well, we are not going to give up to one, sir. I was afraid--Imean, 'spected--there'd be a howdah full, all with their spears andkrises, and a mahout as well. Have you got any orders to give me, sir, about dismounting?"

"No; we must do the best we can from where we sit. What could we do ifwe got down into this narrow path full of mud-holes?"

"Nothing at all, sir, " replied Peter. "I think just the same as you do. The helephant's getting very close now, so keep telling me what you seefrom up there, for I can see next to nothing where I'm sitting. Now, sir, " whispered the lad, "can't you see him yet?"

"No; the path bends round. "

"But you must see directly, sir. --Here, you keep quiet, Rajah, and leavethem boughs alone. "

"I can see now, Pete, " said Archie eagerly. "It's the smallestelephant, with a tiger pad on its back. "

"Yes, sir; but who's on it?"

"Only one man--the mahout, in a turban. "

"Oh, him! That little, squatty driver! I can finish him off with oneon the nose. "

"No; I think--yes, it is the mahout who rode into camp at the review. "

"What! him, sir? That's Rajah's own mahout--I mean, Rajah's hishelephant. That's why he stopped. _Phee--ew_!" whistled the lad. "Why, he's a friend of mine. I say, sir, we are not so bad off as Ithought. "

"You've met him before, then, Pete?"

"Course I did, sir--day of the sham-fight. But I didn't know he was upyonder. He must have been there all the time, though he didn't show up. That little, squatty chap used to do all the work of taking thehelephants to water, while he stopped back, too big to do any of thatdirty work, and ready to ride when he was wanted. "

It seemed plain enough now that when the big elephant was missing, hismahout had come in search of the huge brute himself, and directly afterthe small elephant he was now riding bore him close up, butting its headagainst Rajah's hind-quarters and uttering a squealing, muttering sound, while, without turning his head, Rajah seemed to answer, and went onbreaking off succulent boughs of leafage, to go on munching as if quitecontent. 

But, heard directly above the gruntings and mutterings of the twoelephants, the fierce-looking little mahout raised himself as high as hecould in his seat and burst into a furious tirade in his own tongue, nota word of which could be grasped by his hearers, but its general tenorseemed to be a series of angry questions as to how dare these twoEnglish infidels take away his elephant, and bidding them get downdirectly. 

"Can you understand all that, Mister Archie?" said Peter as the manpaused to take breath. 

"No, " was the reply. "Can you?"

"No, sir; but it's all plain enough. Now, will you drop upon him?"

"I think you had better. "

"So do I, " said Peter, changing his position so that he could stand upon Rajah's neck, steadying himself by one of the pendent boughs, andresting the butt of one of the spears upon the animal's neck. 

He had just finished this when the mahout, who had evidently preparedhimself for his journey by donning his turban and his showy yellow bajuand sarong, recommenced his torrent of abuse. 

"Yah!" roared Peter as loudly as he could. "Hold your row, you ugly, snub-nosed, thick-lipped, little cock-bantam of a man!"

The mahout stopped short and sat staring in wonder, with his mouth wideopen and the corners of his lips ruddy with the juice of the betel-nuthe had been chewing. 

"How dah you?" roared Peter, in the loudest and best imitation he couldproduce of the Major in one of his angry fits. "How dah you? I say. How dah you? You flat-nosed little run-amucker! Speak like that to aBritish officer!" And he emphasised his last words by raising the spearand bringing the butt down again heavily on Rajah's neck, his energeticaction making the great elephant stir uneasily, so that the speaker wasnearly dislodged. "Quiet, will you?" roared Peter, making a fresh grabat the branch he held. "Want to have me overboard?"

The elephant grunted. 

"Yah-h-h-h-h!" roared Peter, raising the spear he held; and poising itafter the fashion he had learned from the Malays, he seemed about tohurl it at the little mahout, whose head and shoulders he could seeplainly now just beyond Rajah's shabby little tail. "You dare to sayanother word, and I will pin you where you sit, like the miserablelittle beetle you are! Now then. --Here, steady, Rajah!--Hold tight, Mister Archie! I am coming to you; but just you make a show of thatother spear. You needn't get up, but make believe to be about to chuckit at him if he isn't pretty careful. "

Archie held on more tightly to the rope girths by which he had kept hisposition so long, while Peter rather unsteadily joined him, bringinghimself so much nearer to the mahout that he could have pretty welltouched him had he extended his spear. 

"I say, Mister Archie, " he said, "if old Rajah takes it into his head tomove on now, I shall pitch right on to old Chocolate there. --Yah-h!" heroared again. 

The mahout, who had apparently begun to recover from his astonishment, had changed his ankus from one hand to the other, and was in the act ofdrawing his kris, when Peter yelled at him again and made so fierce athrust with his spear that all the little fellow's pugnacity died out, or, as it were, passed away in a shriek of fear. 

"Ah, that's better, " cried Peter. "Now then, you have got to do what Itell you. "

The mahout's eyes rolled as he thrust back his kris into its sheath, theman's face turning from a rich, pale-brown hue to a dirty, pallid mudcolour. 

"Here, give us that kris, Mister Archie, " continued Peter in ablustering tone. 

"You are not going to use it, Pete?" half-whispered the subaltern. 

"You will see, sir, " cried the lad fiercely; and then he almost roared, "He'd better not give me any of his nonsense!" And taking the kris inhis hand, he held the blade threateningly towards the mahout andbeckoned to him to come. 

His gestures were so plain, and the manifestations with the little, wave-bladed dagger so easily comprehensible, that the poor, shivering, little wretch dragged himself out of his seat and knelt upon the head ofthe smaller elephant and bowed down with his hands extended as if askingfor mercy. 

"Ah, you know you deserve it!" roared Peter. "Now then, give me thatweapon--quick!"

The man raised his head a little and looked up at the lad, who wasmaking a horrible grimace and rolling his eyes; and then seeming tofully grasp his meaning, he quickly drew kris and sheath from the foldsof his sarong, and held them out to Peter, who snatched them away andhanded them to Archie. 

"Now then, " shouted Peter, "don't you pretend you can't understand plainEnglish, because if you do I'll--" He raised the spear on high and madeas if to deliver a thrust, with the effect that the mahout uttered ashriek of fear and banged his forehead heavily down between his hands. "Now get up, " roared Peter; and the man raised his head and displayed aface and lips quivering with fear, shrinking sharply as the lad reachedout and laid the blade of the spear upon the thinly covered shoulder. "Now, you understand: if you try to play any games you will get this. D'ye 'ear?"

The poor fellow uttered a few words in his own tongue, and raised hishands together towards Peter as if begging for mercy. 

What followed took some considerable time and proved a difficult task, for the mahout was almost beside himself with fear; but as soon as hegrasped Peter's meaning he set to work excitedly, and with thecleverness born of experience he loosened the ropes of the tiger padupon the lesser elephant, unlaced them, and with Peter's assistancedragged it on to the back of the larger beast, Archie having changed hisplace to Rajah's neck, where he sat facing the workers with a spear ineach hand. 

"Don't look so good-tempered, sir, " Peter stopped for a few moments tosay. "Squeege your eyes up, sir, and show your teeth, as if you meantto eat the little beggar. "

"Oh, nonsense!" replied Archie. "You have regularly mastered him now. The poor little wretch is half-dead with fright. "

"Yuss!" growled Peter, turning to give a savage look at his pantinglittle companion. "He knows what Great Britons are, sir; and it's luckyfor him he does. --Now then, " he roared, "let's get this job done. "

The mahout winced, and after a time the task of securing the big, comfortable pad was finished, and, in obedience to Peter, Archie tookhis seat upon it, while the mahout made a gesture as if asking whetherhe should go back now to his old seat on the lesser elephant, which allthe time was following Rajah's example and making a hearty meal of thesucculent leaves. 

"What does he mean by that, Mister Archie?" whispered Peter. "No, no, don't tell me! I see;" and turning to the mahout, he roared out "No!"and pointed forward towards Rajah's neck. "That's your place, " heshouted; and the little fellow, grasping Peter's meaning, crept pastArchie and took his seat, settling himself, with a sigh, with his legsbeneath the great beast's ears. 

The big elephant, though apparently intent upon demolishing as manyleaves as he could contain, proved himself to have been busy with hislittle, pig-like eyes the while, for as the mahout took his seat hebegan muttering and chuntering again, and dropping a bunch of the greenfood, he turned up his trunk and began to pass it over the body of hisrider. 

The look of fear had died out of the mahout's countenance as he turnedhis face to the two Englishmen, and he nodded and smiled ratherpitifully, as he seemed to be feeling now that his life was going to bespared. 

"All right!" shouted Peter; and the mahout winced again as he drew hisankus from where he had tucked it in the folds of his sarong, as if tosignify that he was ready to perform any duties his masters wished. 

"That's done it, Mister Archie, " said Peter. "One can't understandeverybody's lingo, but good, loud English goes a long way if you putplenty of powder behind it. You see now. --Forward!" roared Peter, andthe mahout, who had been nervously watching his every movement, turnedand spoke to Rajah, when the monster moved on at once into the deep, rich glow that was now penetrating the tunnel-like road, while thelesser elephant stayed for a few minutes to collect a good-sized bundleof twigs, and then moved after its fellow as contentedly as ifeverything were right. 

"Then you are going to make him take us right back to camp, Pete?" saidArchie. 

"Yes, sir; that's the marching orders, if we can do it; but it won't bevery long before it's dark. "

"Yes; it will soon be sundown. How long do you think the elephant willgo on?"

"I d'know, sir. It's chance it--chance it, just as it's been ever sincewe started this morning. I say, though, this 'ere's more comfortablethan riding barebacked, holding on to a rope, sir, eh?"

"Pete, my lad, " said Archie, with a sigh, "it's wonderful! How did youmanage it all?"

"Oh, sir, " said the lad modestly, "it's only having a bit of a try. Onenever knows what one can do till you sets to work, and when you putsyour back to it and goes in for chance it as well, it mostly turns outpretty tidy. "

"Yes, Pete; but what worries me now is what we are going to do when theelephant stops to rest or sleep. "

"Don't you worry your head about that, Mister Archie. I know you areweak and pulled down, but just you pay a bit more heed to what I say. It's what you ought to do now, and what we must do--chance it, sir, chance it, same as I'm doing about something else. "

"What else?" said Archie wearily, as he let his aching body sway withthe movement of the great steed. 

"About whether this is the right way or the wrong, sir. I don't know;you don't know. But perhaps old Rajah does, so what we have got to do, as I said before, is to keep our eyes on that little bantam of a Malay, and chance it, sir--chance it. "

CHAPTER THIRTY. 

A JUNGLE NIGHT. 

It was just as the shades of night were coming on that the greatelephant stepped out of the tunnel into comparative light. The wall ofverdure opened out on either side, and a natural clearing lay before thetravellers, while, still bearing what looked like the pale stain ofsunshine, there flowing from right to left was the river. 

There was a regular track marked out by the various animals thatfrequented it; and the mud-holes formed by the elephants grew deeper andmore given to spurt out water as the great animals passed on till theedge of the river was reached, when they plunged in on to what nowseemed to be firm, gravelly soil, with the clear stream pressing againsttheir sides, till the smaller elephant was pretty well breast-deep. 

Here Rajah stood, setting the example and drinking deeply, while thosehe bore began to suffer the pangs of Tantalus as they saw the clearstream gliding by. 

"I can't stand this much longer, sir, " said Peter. "Think there's anycrocs up here?"

"It is impossible to say, Pete. "

"Yes, sir; but I am ready to risk it. But what I want to know first is:are we going back, or is this 'ere a sort of ford, and the path goes onthe other side?"

He had hardly spoken before Rajah uttered a snort and went splashing ontowards the opposite shore, with the water growing shallower andshallower till the two beasts were walking on firm, gravelly ground, thewater flying up at every step, and they soon stood out on dry ground, with the dimly seen track going on before them. 

Here, at a word from the mahout, both animals stopped short, and Rajahkneeled, when the mahout descended nimbly and began trotting back to thewater's edge. 

"Not going to cut and run, is he, sir?" began Pete. "No; it's allright. I can't quite see, but ain't that a cocoa-nut he's stooping todip?--Yes; that's right. Good old chap! He's bringing us a drink. "

This proved to be the case, and the little fellow brought the refilledhalf-cocoa-nut-shell he had taken from somewhere in his baju, and it washanded up to the two lads four times, before the little fellow went backto the river, filled it for himself, and finally returned to his placeand climbed up once more. 

Directly after, the elephant rose and continued along the track towhere, in the darkness, it was evident the marshy land began, and beyondit seemed the jungle once again. 

Peter was ready enough to begin his favourite advice soon after, and bidhis companion chance it, as on this side of the river the open land grewmore moist, and in the darkness the elephant's huge feet sank in deeperand deeper, till at every step they plunged in quite four feet, and itneeded a sturdy effort to withdraw them. Then all at once the Rajahuttered a grunt, half-turned as if to retrace his steps, and then stoodfast, while his companion, making use of the prints he had left, half-turned likewise as if to meet him; and then both stood fast, pressing their heads together with a grunt. 

"What does this mean?" said Archie with a look of wonder. 

"I d'know, sir. Looks to me as if they are going to sleep. "

It was soon proved that the lad was right, for the animals, afteruttering a low sigh or two, remained perfectly still, with the mahoutdimly seen in his place and his head lowered down upon his chest. 

"Well, sir, " said Pete, "this is all plain enough, and it looks as if wemay as well go to sleep too. "

"Sleep!" said Archie. "With the risk of falling off this pad?"

"Oh, we sha'n't do that, sir. We must take it in turns. "

"Will they stand like this till morning?" said Archie. 

"Suppose so, sir. They can't fall over sideways, because their legs arestuck fast in these holes. Here, you have first go, sir, and I'll keepwatch. Think this is a tigery sort of place?"

"They are fond of the river-side, Pete, " said Archie sadly; "but I wasthinking about crocodiles. "

"Haven't heard anything of them, sir; but, anyhow, we are safe up here, and we have got to chance it. "

"Oh, " exclaimed Archie impatiently, "how sick I am of hearing you saythat!"

"Yes, sir; you're a bit sleepy now. Just you slip one arm under thispad rope, and lie right over on your side, and you will go off. You maytrust me, sir. I won't go to sleep. "

Utterly wearied out, the subaltern began to make some opposition, but heobeyed his companion's order, and five minutes after Nature had assertedherself and he was fast asleep. 

How that night passed he could never afterwards recall, but he had somedreamy notion that he woke up and took Peter's duties of watchman, telling him to slip his arm under the pad rope and lie over upon hisside so as to get his turn of rest. But it all proved to be imaginary, for the poor fellow, weak and still suffering from the effects of hiswound, did not start up until the great elephant had begun to drag hislegs out of the deep holes, when he trudged on towards where the trackran once more between two walls of densely matted palm growth; and hestared in wonder at his companion, hardly able to collect his thoughtsso as to put the question that was troubling him and say:

"Have I been asleep all night, Pete?"

"Yes, sir; like a top. Feel better now?"

"No!" cried the lad passionately, for the confusion was passing off. "Itrusted you. "

"Yes, sir. All right. I have been listening to one of them great catssinging and purring right back on the other side of the river, and Inever slept a wink. "

"Oh!" ejaculated Archie; but Peter chose to misunderstand him. 

"Oh it is, sir, " he cried ecstatically. "Take another look before weare shut in amongst the trees. It's lovely! It's the beautifullestmorning I ever did see. "

CHAPTER THIRTY ONE. 

AN AWAKENING. 

"You can't be sure, Pete. These elephant-paths through the jungle areall alike. There's the same half-dark, dense heat, the tangled walls oneither side, the overhanging trees and loops of prickly rotan suspendedoverhead ready to catch you. How can you be sure that this is one thatyou have been along before?"

"I d'know, sir. What you say is very right, but I seem to feel thatI've been along here before, and old Rajah must have been, or hewouldn't go swinging along as if he felt that he'd got nearly to the endof his journey. Shall I try and ask Mr Bantam there?"

"Oh no, " said Archie wearily. "It's so hard trying to make himunderstand, and I always feel in doubt when you have tried. "

"Well, sir, we shall soon know whether it is, for I don't believe we aremore than two or three miles from headquarters. "

"I'd give anything for you to be right, Pete, for I am nearly done up. "

"I know you are, sir, and I might say, so am I; for long enough it hasseemed as if the hinge of my back was giving way, and when the helephantgives one of his worst rolls it just seems as if he'd jerk my head off. But cheer up, sir! I think it's all right, and we have done splendidly. We might have had to pull up and fight all the Malay chaps from upthere by the Rajah's hunting-box. Of course we should have made a goodstand of it, but how are you going to dodge spears in a narrow placelike this? There, cheer up, sir! When you look happy over it I feel asif I am ready for anything; but when you go down in the dumps I haven'ta bit of pluck left in me. "

"It will be dark soon, Pete. If we have to spend another night out inthe jungle I must lie down under some tree. "

"Mustn't sir. Cold, rheumatiz', and fever. You will have to stick toyour warm bed up here. But talk about a warm bed--you should have triedsitting like a mahout. "

"It will be dark in an hour, Pete, " said Archie, who seemed to pay noheed to his companion's brisk chatter. 

"Not it, sir. Two hours--full, though I ain't got no watch. Not asthat much matters. Old Tipsy has got a big, old silver one, but he saysyou never can depend upon it in this damp place. We have got plenty oftime to get there yet, and see how old Rajah is swinging along! I amsure he knows his way. "

"Don't--don't--pray don't keep chattering so! It makes me feel worsethan ever. "

"You think so, sir, " said Peter stubbornly, "but it don't; it rouses youup, sir, even if it only makes you turn waxy and pitch into me. "

"Yes, yes, I know, Pete. It's because I'm so ill. It's like having atouch of fever again. Then you must think what a beast and a brute I amto you--a regular burden. I could feel it in my heart to slip downunder the first big tree and go to sleep, even if I were not to wakeagain. "

"Hah!" said Pete dryly. "That sounds bad, if it was real, sir; but it'sonly what you fancy. How's your head now?"

"That old pain seems back again worse than ever. "

"Wish we'd stopped an hour ago when we crossed back over the riveragain, and had 'nother good drink. That must have been about oneo'clock, I should say. I don't know, though--I've about lost count. Ain't it rum, sir, how rivers wind about, and how the elephants' pathsgo straight across them?"

Archie looked at him piteously; his eyes seemed to say, "Pray, praydon't keep talking!"

The look silenced his companion, and for half-an-hour at least not aword was spoken. 

_Plosh, plosh, suck, suck_ of the elephants' feet went on in the samemonotonous way. A gleam of sunshine now and then lightened the gloom ofthe tunnel-like path, but besides the dreary sound the silence wasawful. By this time Archie seemed to be quite exhausted, and as Petepassed an arm round him and lowered him back on to the pad beforeslipping a hand into his waistband to ensure his not slipping off, thepoor fellow's eyes were half-closed, while those of his companion werefixed with the lids wide apart, and with a fierce, staring look gazedforward over the mahout's head in the wild hope of seeing something thathe could recognise, something that would prove that they really were onthe path that led to headquarters. 

"I'm about beat out, " said poor Peter to himself. "A chap wants to bemade of iron to keep this up much longer, and I ain't iron, only fleshand blood and bones, and them not best quality--upper crust. Oh! if Icould only--" He stopped short with his lips apart, face down, and oneear turned in the direction in which the mahout was staring. 

"Oh!" he panted once again, "is it, or am I getting delirious? Ah!there it goes again--or am I wrong? What's a bugle going for at thistime in the afternoon? I'm a-dreaming of it. No, I ain't! Hooray!--Look up, Mister Archie, sir! It's all right. Cheer up, sir!"

"What! What! Who spoke?" said the exhausted lad, making an effort, catching at Peter, and dragging himself up and sitting clinging tightlyto his companion's arm. 

"Close in, sir. We shall be at the campong in five minutes, and in lessthan another on the parade-ground. Hooroar, sir! There's no place likehome, even if it's out in a savage jungle. --Here, what are you pantingat, sir, like that? Don't do it! You ain't been running. "

"You're saying this to keep me up, Peter. "

"I ain't, sir; I ain't. Look! Look! You can see for yourself now. There, them's the big trees where all the helephants sheltered at thereview, and--brave old Rajah! He's making for it straight. There's apeep of the river too, and you can see the hut above the landing-placewhere I kept guard that night and listened to the crocs. Now then, whatdo you say to that? Am I right?"

Archie made no reply that was audible, but his lips parted as hemuttered two words in fervent thanks; and the next minute Rajah hadincreased the rate at which he made his strides upon hard ground, andthe open space before them was becoming dotted with moving men in theirfamiliar white jackets, in consequence of an order that had been passedafter a glass had been directed at the advancing elephant; while, as thegreat beast, as if quite accustomed to the place, strode in beneath thesheltering trees and stopped short, to stand with slowly swinging headon the very spot where Peter had first made his acquaintance, a burst ofcheers rang out from officers and comrades, who came up at the double towelcome back those who had been given up for lost. 

One of the first to reach the elephant's side was the Doctor. 

"Archie, my lad!" he cried. "Minnie! My poor girl! Speak, lad--speak!"

Archie's lips parted, and his old look of despair deepened as he triedto answer; but no word passed his parched lips, cracking now with feverand exhaustion. He only looked wildly in the Doctor's imploring eyesand shook his head. 

The Doctor uttered a groan, and then, as the elephant knelt in responseto the mahout's order, the Doctor's despair died away to make room forduty. 

"Now, my lads, " he cried, "half-a-dozen of you help them down and carrythem carefully into hospital. --Cheer up, boys! I'll soon put youright. --Ah, Sir Charles! You here? I can't go. --Hold up, man!--Go upto my place and speak to my wife. But after this--be a man, sir!--there's hope for us still. "

CHAPTER THIRTY TWO. 

IN THE DOCTOR'S HANDS. 

"Lie still. What have you got to fidget about? I have done all I can, and made a decent job of your head. It looks quite respectable now, after what I have done with the scissors. That hair ought to have beencut close off first thing, so as to afford a place for decent bandages, and I feel quite astounded to see how kindly Nature has treated you. Itmust have been an awful blow, my boy, and if you hadn't been of thestupid, thick-headed breed, you would have suffered from a comminutedfracture of the skull. Can't you lie still?"

"No, Doctor. I want to get up. "

"And make yourself worse?"

"No; but after what you have done, I feel so much better and morecomfortable that I want to be up and doing. "

"Nonsense! You have been doing ten times too much, and I tell youseriously, sir, that another day or two of what you have gone through inmaking your escape, and you must have been dangerously ill with fever. "

"But I feel so much better, Doctor. "

"Of course you do. I was just able to catch you in the nick of time, and now I have done my part, and you must leave the rest to Nature. "

"But I want to go out with one of the detachments. "

"What for? To break down directly, and interfere with the good four orhalf-a-dozen of the lads would be doing, from their time being taken upin carrying you on a bamboo litter?"

"Oh Doctor, I shouldn't break down. "

"Oh, wouldn't you? Nice piece of impudence! Here am I, who havedevoted half my life to the tinkering up of damaged soldiers, and knowto a tittle how much a man can bear, all wrong, of course! And you, ayoung jackanapes of a subaltern, a mere boy, tell me to my face that youknow better than I do!"

"No, no, Doctor; I beg your pardon!" said Archie. "I don't mean that. It is only because I want to be out with the fellows, trying to run thatbrutal scoundrel down. "

"Yes, yes, my boy, I know. But wait. Everything possible is beingdone, and any hour the news may come in that my poor child has beenfound and some one has been shot down. Archie, my boy, nothing wouldafford me greater delight than to see that lurid-looking heathen broughtin half-dead, and handed over to my tender mercies. "

Archie burst out into a mocking laugh. 

"What do you mean by that, sir?" said Dr Morley. 

"I was thinking, Doctor, you would set to at once attending to hiswounds, and making him well as soon as you possibly could. "

"What! A treacherous, cunning savage! I'd--Well, I suppose you areright, boy. Habit's habit. But the British lawyers would tackle himafterwards, and he would get his deserts. They'd put a stop to himbeing Rajah of Dang any more. There, I've no time to stop gossipingwith you. "

"But when may I get up, Doctor? It seems so absurd for me to be lyinghere. "

"That's what you think. Well, there, I won't be hard on you. If youkeep quiet now, and are as much better to-morrow as I found you to-day, and you will promise to be very careful, I'll let you get up. Now Imust go and see to that other ruffian. "

"Peter Pegg? But you are not keeping him in bed?"

"Oh no. He didn't get it so badly as you. "

"I say, Doctor, he's been hospital orderly before: send him to attend onme. "

The Doctor frowned, and hesitated. 

"Oh, very well. He might do that. He was as mad as you are two daysago, and wanted to go off with his company. "

"Send him in at once, Doctor. "

"For you two to talk too much? There, I'll see. "

A couple of hours later Peter Pegg entered Archie's quarters, lookingvery hollow-cheeked and sallow, and displaying a head that had beenoperated upon by the regimental barber till there was nothing more leftto cut off, and stood holding the door a little way open, and showinghis teeth in a happy grin. 

"Ah, Pete! I wanted you, " cried Archie. 

"Did you, sir? Here I am, then. Doctor says I am to do anything youwant, only you are not to talk. "

"All right, Pete. Then tell me, what's being done?"

"Three detachments is out, sir--one under Captain Down, one under MrDurham, another under old Tipsy. "

"Yes? Go on. "

"They're a-scouring the country, sir; and I hope they'll make a cleanjob of it. "

"Yes, yes; but tell me everything. "

"Ain't much to tell, sir; only one party's gone up the river in SirCharles's boat, and he's with them. "

"Yes?"

"And another party's gone down the river to search Mr Rajah Hamet'splace. "

"But I heard that he came up here and brought in my boat, and spread thenews of our being killed. "

"Yes, sir; and the Major, when we came back, said he'd been gammoninghim, and that he must have been in the business. "

"No, no, " said Archie thoughtfully; "I'm sure the Major's wrong. Well, go on. Which way has Captain Down gone?"

"He has gone along the road to the Rajah's palace, to take him prisonerand make him give an account of himself. "

"Right away in the jungle, along that elephant-track? They have takentents, of course. "

"I d'know, sir; but they've took possession of Mr Suleiman's twohelephants. "

"Ah, capital!" said Archie. "This is fresh news. "

"Yes, sir; and I suppose Mr Suleiman will never get them again. Theyought to be prize money. We took them, sir. My word, I should justlike to have the old Rajah!"

"Of course, " said Archie contemptuously. "Nice thing for a privatesoldier! A white elephant, Pete. "

"Why, he's a blacky-grey 'un, sir. Wish I could be his mahout. "

"Stuff! Where's Mr Durham gone?"

"Don't know, sir. Private instructions. Through the jungle somewhere, I expect, so as to take Mr Suleiman in the rear. But I say, sir, youdon't mean to be kept in horspittle, do you?"

"No, Pete; I'm to be up to-morrow. "

"Hooray, sir! I'm all right too--ready for anything. Try and put in aword for me. "

"Of course, Pete. "

"Thank you, sir. You and me has had so much to do with this businessthat they ought to let us go on in front over everything. "

"We can't help it, Pete. Soldiers must obey orders. Still, there's onething: they can stick our bodies into hospital, but they can't stick ourhearts. They go where we like. Now, is there anything more you cantell me about what's going on?"

"Can't recollect anything, sir. But I shall pick up everything I can;you may depend upon that. I suppose you know, sir, that the Major'schucking out the orders right and left, and it's all just as if we weresurrounded by the enemy. "

"No, chuckle-head! How could I know all that? You mean, I suppose, that the garrison is in a regular state of siege?"

"Yes, sir, that's it; only I couldn't put it like that. Don't be waxywith a poor private as old Tipsy says is the most wooden-headed chap inthe company. "

"Now go on telling me. "

"Sentries are doubled, sir, and the chaps says it's precious hard now weare so short of men. "

"Then they should draw in the lines, " said Archie eagerly. 

"Yes, sir; that's what they have done. "

"Oh, of all the thick-headed--Here, I won't get cross, Pete. But you domake me wild. Why didn't you tell me all this?"

"Too stupid, I suppose, sir. But don't give me up. I will try betternext time. Want to ask me anything now, sir?"

"No. Be off. "

"You don't mean you are sacking me, do you, sir?" half-whimpered Peter. 

"No-o-o-o! Be off. Go amongst the men and pick up every bit of newsyou can, and don't shrink--"

"Not me, sir. "

"And what you can't get from the men, ask any officer you meet. "

"I say, Mister Archie, sir!"

"Say you are asking it for me. "

"That's better, sir. Then I'm off. "

It was quite dark when Peter entered the room again, hurried to Archie'sbedside, and then stopped short. 

"Fast asleep, " he said to himself. "Ought I to wake him? Oughtn't I towake him? Chance it. --Mister Archie, sir! Asleep, sir?"

"What? Yes--no! Oh, it's you, Pete!"

"Jump up, sir. You won't hurt, " said the lad breathlessly. "It's abeautiful, hot night. I've picked something up, and I've run up to tellyou. Come to the window, sir, and look out. "

Archie sprang out and followed Peter to the open window, from which theyhad a full view of the landing-place, where lights were moving and theirbearers could be seen hurrying to and fro. 

"What boat's that?"

"Resident's, sir. I have come up to tell you. "

"Yes--be smart! Tell me what?"

"Sir Charles and his party have come back, sir. "

"From the up-river expedition?"

"Yes, sir. I got hold of one of the chaps who went with him. "

"Well, go on; I'm burning to hear. What have they found out?"

"He says, sir, that the Major did not want Sir Charles to go, and theyhad words together. He heard Sir Charles say the attack was made on theboat up the river, as well you and me know, sir. "

"Yes, Pete, " said Archie, who was listening and watching the movementsof the boat at the same time. 

"And that he felt sure Miss Heath must have been carried rightup-stream, and that they should find her in one of the campongs, or keptshut up in some place belonging to the Rajah. "

"Well, go on. "

"And then the Major said, sir, to Sir Charles that they weren't quitesure that the Rajah had done this, and that he should be obliged if SirCharles would stay, and let one of the officers go instead. Then SirCharles says that he's morally sure that it was the Rajah's doing, andthat he feels he must go. And then they went, and they've been right upthe river as far as they could get the big boat; and they landed overand over again and searched the campongs and examined the people, whoall said they did not know anything about it, and looked stupid, asthese Malay chaps can look when they don't want to tell tales; and atlast Sir Charles had to give up, after he had been down with somethinglike sunstroke. "

"Yes--go on quickly, " said Archie. 

"And he went onsensible like, and there was nothing else they could dobut bring him back. "

"And they brought him back ill?"

"Yes, sir; and those chaps you can see there with the lanterns arecoming back from carrying him up to the Residency. "

"Poor chap! Poor fellow!" said Archie. "Well, go on. "

"That's all, sir. Don't you see they're tying the boat up for thenight? I thought you would be satisfied if I picked up something. "

"Too much this time, Pete, " said Archie sadly. 

"Too much, sir?"

"Yes. It's all bad. "

"But you said I was to bring everything, sir. "

"Yes, yes; that's quite right. But it is so disheartening. They musthave taken her up somewhere; for aught we know, poor girl! she may be aprisoner somewhere in one of the places near that elephant-shed. "

"Near what elephant-shed, sir?" said Peter rather vacantly. 

"Why, where we were prisoners. "

"Oh no, sir. Didn't I get out that night and go and look everywhere?"

"No. There might have been scores of other buildings up there. Youcouldn't have seen much. "

"No, sir, I didn't. It was so dark, and there was that tiger. "

"Here, I've got leave to be up to-morrow, and I must see what I can do. "

"Don't think you could have done any more than I did, sir, that night. "

"I know that, Pete; but I want to be trying now all the same. Here, Iknow; I'll get the Major's permission to go up and join Sergeant Ripsyand make a better search up there. "

"Spite of the tigers, sir?"

"In spite of ten tigers, Pete, for I shall have men with me, andrifles. "

"Think old Tipsy will like it, sir?"

"I think Sergeant Ripsy is a stern old British soldier who would do hisduty, Pete. "

"Well, yes, sir. He's a hard nut, but he's all that you say. I'drather be under anybody else, but you talk about ten tigers: I'd gounder ten Sergeant Tipsys if it was to bring Miss Minnie back. "

"I know you would, Pete. And poor Sir Charles was knocked over by thefever?"

"Sunstroke, sir. "

"Well, sunstroke. He's _hors de combat_, and we want to take hisplace. "

The next day Archie signalised his permission to be about by asking foran interview with his commanding officer, who congratulated him warmly, and then replied to his request with an imperative:

"No! Quite out of the question, sir. I have weakened my force too muchas it is, and I cannot spare another man. "

"Horribly disappointing, " said Archie to himself as he came away--"buthe did call me _man_!"

CHAPTER THIRTY THREE. 

A DESPATCH. 

Archie Maine had been round visiting posts in the faint hope of pickingup some fresh news from the men, after the hurried mess dinner, glad toget out into the comparatively cool, soft night air; for the Major hadsat in his place, hardly speaking a word to any one present, and for themost part with lowered brows, deep in thought. 

The night was as beautiful as ever; the brilliant stars that spangledthe sky looked twice as large as those at home, and the reflections, blurred by the motion of the river, seemed larger still. The fire-fliessparkled in every bush, and the distant cries of the jungle floatedsoftly on the night air. But everything seemed to bring up thoughts oftrouble and misfortune. The native messengers sent in from thesearch-parties brought no good tidings, and to the lad, still sufferingto some extent from his injury, everything seemed to suggest despair. 

"I can't help it, " he said to himself. "I'm sure I'm strong enough. I'll go round by the Doctor's and beg and pray him to tell the Majorthat I might very well go to the front, if it's only to join old Ripsy. I might be of some help to him. Yes, Pete ought to go with me. We knowmore about the part there by the elephant-stables, and with him and hismen we could follow up some of the paths where poor Pete dared not go. "

On the impulse of the moment he turned back and made for the mess-room, to try there first, though half in doubt as to whether he might findthat his chief had gone back to his own quarters, where he was now proneto shut himself in. 

The lad had been sauntering very slowly and doubtfully before. Now hequickened his pace as he thought over his adventures when a prisoner inthe elephant-stable; and as he recalled watching the going to and fro ofthe elephants, he felt more than ever that he ought to be there helpingthe surly old Sergeant. 

"Not gone, " he said, as he came into sight of the open window of themess-room, where the shaded lamp was casting down its light upon thestern-looking, grey head of the old officer, who had a paper lyingbefore him, which he was scanning, while just at the other side of thetable the lad could see the swarthy countenance of a native, whom herecognised at once as one of the followers of the regiment. 

Archie's heart began to beat fast, for he grasped the fact at once. This was evidently the bearer of a despatch from one of the detachments, for a private was standing in the shade resting his piece on the floor, after bringing in the man handed over to him by a sentry. 

As Archie passed into the veranda the Major heard his step and lookedup. 

"Who's that?" he said. 

"Maine, sir. "

"Oh, just right. Come here. You may as well know. This is a roughscribble from Sergeant Ripsy. "

"Good news, sir?" burst out Archie sharply. 

"Not likely, my lad--no. He writes of his safe arrival at what he callsthe elephant-pens, and as a matter of course too late. The place isquite deserted--not a man there--and the elephants have all been drivenoff. But he adds that he is following up the trail as well as he can, and that it is very hard to trace, because the great animals always stepinto the old tracks, and you can't tell which are the new; but that hemeans to follow them until he comes up to where they have been driven. There, I have no more to say. "

Archie, seeing that his presence was not needed, stepped out into thedarkness again, walking some minutes without any definite aim, till, finding himself near the Doctor's bungalow, he thought he would call inthere and give him the news, such as it was. 

But as he neared the gateway and saw through one of the open windows abent figure just shown up by the lighted lamp, his heart failed him, forthoughts full of memories of the past came to him with a rush; and hestepped on, when, just as he was at the end of the creeper-burdenedbamboo fence, a gruff voice exclaimed:

"Who's that? You, Maine?"

"Yes, sir. "

"What is it? Want me?"

"No, sir. I was only just going by. "

"Humph! That's a sign you're better. Why didn't you call in?"

"I hadn't the heart, sir. I could see Mrs Morley sitting there withher head resting in her hand, and it set me thinking, sir. "

"Good lad! Yes, of course. But she'd have taken it kindly, my lad, ifyou had dropped in to see her now that she is in such trouble. "

"But I was afraid she would think I had brought some news, sir, and thenshe would have been disappointed. "

"No, boy. She and I are both getting hardened to trouble now. We havepretty well given up hoping for anything good. There, come in, my lad. "

He laid his hand on Archie's shoulder, and they walked into the housetogether, Mrs Morley startling the visitor as he noted how thin andold-looking she had grown. 

"Ah, Archie, " she said, as he saw by the lamp that the tears had startedinto her eyes, "I am so glad to see you--so much better, too. But--"

She turned quickly away, tearing her handkerchief from her pocket, andthe next minute she would have thrown herself sobbing in a chair but forthe entrance of one of the native maids, who in her broken Englishannounced that there were two people wanting to see the Doctor. 

"Not the proper time for them to come, " said that gentleman. "Who arethey? People who have been here before?"

"Yes, sahib, " said the girl. "It is Dula, with her husband. "

"Child bad again!" muttered the Doctor. "Where are they? In my room?"

"Yes, sahib. "

"Don't go away, Archie. Stop and talk to the wife till I come back. "

The Doctor passed out of the room, and Mrs Morley turned to Archie, tosay imploringly:

"Have you brought any news?"

He shook his head. 

"Nothing--nothing?" she cried, in a tone of voice which made the ladfeel almost ready to reproach himself for being alive and well when hiscompanion whom he had taken light-hearted and merry from that very room, so short a time before, was--where?

"Here, Maria--Archie!" came in a sharp tone of voice which made themboth start. "Here--quick!"

There was only a little lamp, which gave forth a faint light, upon thetable of the Doctor's surgery and consulting-room, but it threw up thefigure of a slight, graceful-looking native woman and a tall, fierceMalay; and, jumping at conclusions, Archie judged by the man's bandagedhead that he had been wounded, and that his companion had brought him tothe Doctor for help. 

The Doctor sprang from his seat as his wife entered, drew his chair onone side, and thrust her in. 

"Now, be calm, my dear. Be a woman! You know these people?"

"Yes, yes!" exclaimed Mrs Morley in agitated tones, as the womanstepped forward, to go down on one knee and kiss her hand, while the manmuttered something and then drew himself up rigidly. 

"And you think we can trust--depend upon what they say?" continued theDoctor, with his voice quivering. 

"Yes. Speak! Tell me, what is it?" cried Mrs Morley excitedly. 

"Well, be calm, then. Be quite calm and firm, as I am. Minnie is aliveand safe. "

"Ah!" ejaculated Mrs Morley, as she sank back and buried her face inher hands; while the woman now fell upon her knees, catching up MrsMorley's dress and holding it to her lips as if to choke back her sobs. 

"And I told you to be firm, " said the Doctor pettishly. "This man hasescaped from up-country somewhere--I don't know the confounded place'sname. He was overtaken and wounded by some of Rajah Suleiman's people, so that he shouldn't tell tales, I suppose. But he says he can show uswhere the young English lady has been kept a prisoner, and that she isquite safe. --Isn't that so?" he added, turning to the man. 

The Malay stared, muttered something, and then turned to lookappealingly at his wife. 

"Oh, of course! You didn't tell me; it was she. Let's see. You arethe man that came to me months ago for--" The Doctor finished inpantomime by making believe to take hold of his own jaw, apply a key, and wrench out a tooth. 

The man smiled and nodded, and the Doctor added a few words in the Malaytongue; while the woman now sprang up and began to talk volubly in herown language, uttering short, sharp sentences, which the Doctorpunctuated with nods and:

"Yes--yes--I see--I see--exactly. But, hang it all, my good woman!" heexclaimed in English, "don't talk so fast. I only know a smattering ofyour tongue. --She puzzles me, my dear. It's all tongue. --Who theBritish Dickens wants to know that your little one is quite well againand strong, at a time like this?"

He spoke again in Malay, and the woman nodded and began to gesticulateagain, in company with a fresh flow of words. 

"Yes, yes, yes, " said the Doctor; "I am very glad, of course. --Now, mydear, this is not like you, " he continued. "Remember you are a doctor'swife. --Did you ever see such a woman, Archie?"

"Never, Doctor, " replied the lad, coming forward out of the darkness totake Mrs Morley's hand and kiss it. 

"There, I am quite firm now, Henry, " said Mrs Morley; and drawing thenative woman towards her, she kissed Dula on both cheeks. 

"Now let's have a few quiet words together, " said the Doctor. --"No, no, Archie; what are you going to do?"

"I thought I ought to go and tell the Major, sir, at once. "

"Not yet. Wait a bit, my lad. We must have a consultation here. Ifeel as you do, my dear boy; I want to rush back with these people atonce. But this is a ticklish affair, and we must do nothing rashly. You see, we have learned this. It's been a bad case, and we must run norisks. We have learned this--for certain now. It was Suleiman's menwho carried Minnie off and nearly killed you, and, with all the nativecunning, he sent his people here to fetch me to doctor him for hisso-called tiger scratch. By Abernethy! if I'd known, I'd have poisonedit so that it wouldn't have got well for a year. --No, I wouldn't, " hegrunted. "I am getting a tongue as bad as that woman's. But steady, steady! We know for certain that he carried her off; and this man, being a fisherman, has been living at a spot up the river where our poordarling has been taken and kept hidden. And just think of it, Archie:how clever a blackguard needs to be when he's going to do anythingwrong! Talk about Fate! See how busy the old girl has been here! Theblackguard, with all his crafty cunning, hides her somewhere close tothe place where two of my best patients live, and they have had an eyeupon her ever since, and just when we were in our most despairing timecome and tell us of her fate. "

"Yes, sir; and now--"

"Stop a minute, my boy. I just wanted to say to you, I am ready to drawthe teeth of all the Malays in the district without fee, and I amprepared to say that some of them are as grateful as we can beourselves. "

"Yes, " cried Archie; "but business is business. "

"Thank you, boy; thank you for pulling me up. I can't help it just now. Poor Minnie is to me just as dear as if she were my own child, and I amquite overturned--hysterical as a woman, more shame for me! Here, itwas only the other day you came whining to me about being all wrongbecause you are such a boy. You said you thought you were not as youshould be--that you wanted to be a man. Didn't I tell you, sir, towait--that all you wanted was a little real trouble, and that it wouldcome fast enough and make a man of you? Well, do you feel like a mannow?"

"No, sir, not quite; but I feel man enough to start to-night as one of astrong party to go and rescue Minnie Heath, even if we die in doing thegood work. "

"Well said, my lad; and I'll go with you, and you sha'n't die, any ofyou, if I know anything of wounds. There, I'm pulled up now, and readyfor anything. --Maria, my dear, see to these people--rest andrefreshment, anything they want--while I'm gone; and you can set thegirl to work talking to this Dula here. Make her your interpreter. --Asfor you--here, I know what you'll like. "

The Doctor took a cigar-box from the shelf, snatched out three or four, pressed them into the fisherman's hand, and then almost dragged him outinto the veranda, where he thrust him into a cane chair and gave him alight. "One moment, Archie;" and he spoke to the man, who was smilingup at him. "That's right, Archie; they came in a boat. Come along upto the Residency. --No; I'll go there. You run on to the Major and askfor orders. He'll find us a little detachment to take with us in theResident's boat. This means good business, my lad, for we have foundout the real seat of the disease. "

CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR. 

THE MAGAZINE. 

"You don't say so, my lad! A Malay and his wife who have been patientsof the Doctor bringing in such news as that! Why, it's grand! Poor, dear girl! Tut, tut, tut, tut, tut, tut, what she must have suffered!Well, Mr Rajah Suleiman will have to pay for it. Morley says hebelieves in these people. Not some trap, is it?"

"He feels sure not, sir. The people are grateful to him for all he hasdone for them. Oh, I am certain it is genuine, sir. "

"Don't be too sure, my lad. These people can't help looking upon us astheir enemies, and they are as treacherous as they are high. Look atthis Suleiman. I have been trusting him. I looked upon him as asensual brute, but it was so much to his advantage to be friendly. Thefool! He's given his country away. He will be either shot or madeprisoner, and then another Rajah who is friendly to us will reign in hisstead. "

"Rajah Hamet, sir?"

"No, " said the Major shortly. "And look here, young fellow, don't youmention him to me again. He's your friend, and you have a strong biastowards him. "

"I can't help believing in him, sir. "

"Then you must, sir, as a British officer, working for your country'sgood. I presume you don't know that I have it on trustworthy authoritythat Rajah Hamet has been for some little time past strengthening hisposition and gathering his men, like the savage he is, to go out on thewar-path? And all the time he has been educated in England! A youngfool! Well, this news is splendid, but it comes at a horrible time. Here is Suleiman hanging about, dodging our men; Hamet in allprobability waiting for us to be in a dilemma, and then he will comedown; and my little force here depleted till we are as weak as weak. Iought to say I can't spare a man. I feel it's my duty to refuse to sendan expedition to save that poor girl. It means sending up a couple ofboats with not less than twenty men, for Suleiman is sure to have acertain number of the brutes in charge of the place. But of course itmust be done, and they must start at once. Where's the Doctor?"

"Gone on to the Residency, sir. "

"Yes. And I want Sir Charles. Send a man to ask him to step here. --No;go yourself--save time. "

Archie was making for the door, when steps and voices were heard, andthe Resident hurried in, closely followed by Dr Morley. 

"You have heard this news, Knowle?"

"Yes; everything. "

"And you will send a party of men at once?" said the Resident in ahalf-suffocated voice. 

"Directly we can man the boats. "

"Ah!" exclaimed the Resident, sinking into a chair, with his hand to hisbreast. 

"But you are not fit to go with them. "

The Resident smiled faintly and made a gesticulation. 

"It's no use to waste words, Knowle, " said the Doctor. "I know betterthan you what he can stand, and I have told him it is madness to thinkof it. "

"Yes; and I am going to be mad, " said the Resident bitterly. "If youhave not given your instructions already, sir, pray do so at once. Atall costs I must go. "

The Major shrugged his shoulders. 

"I want two boats, " he said. "I am going to take yours, of course. Butone of my difficulties is, who is to take charge of the expedition?"

Archie started, and his lips parted to speak. 

"I shall take charge of it, " said the Resident. 

"Very well. --You are not fit to go, Maine?" said the Major. 

"Oh yes, sir, " cried Archie eagerly. 

"No, sir, " cried the Major; and the subaltern's brow puckered up in hisdisappointment. "And I can't spare you, " continued the Major. "Butunder the circumstances I must, for I can spare no one else. Of coursethere will be a sergeant and a corporal--and a nice state we shall beleft in here!--You, Dallas, take my advice. If you really mean to go, leave all the preparations to the Doctor. But really I think you hadbetter let him go in your place. "

"Yes, " said the Doctor; "and it is my duty to my child. "

Sir Charles made an angry movement, and the Major was about to issue hisorders, when he sprang from his seat, for a rifle-shot rang out on thestill night. 

"What does that mean?" exclaimed Sir Charles. 

There was another shot, followed by another and another. 

"Attack, and in force;" cried the Major, crossing to the side of theroom, to catch up hurriedly his sword and belt; and he was busy bucklingthe latter as the bugle rang out the assembly. 

By the time he was out in the front the sentries were being driven in, and announced that the Malays were advancing in force; and almostimmediately two of the men hurried out of the darkness supporting one oftheir comrades, who was bleeding profusely from a spear-wound, theweapon thrown by one of the attacking Malays being carried by afellow-soldier. 

The men turned out without the slightest confusion, and fell into theirplaces under the direction of the officers remaining for the defence ofthe cantonments, and so well had the arrangements been previouslyplanned out that the rush of the advancing enemy from three sides of thecantonments was temporarily checked by the steady fire of the defenders;but not before two more of the sentries had been carried into themess-room, where the Major, hurrying in to see what was being done, found the Doctor in his shirt-sleeves busily attending to the men'swounds. 

"Oh, there you are, Major!" he said, speaking with a strip of bandage inhis mouth. "This looks like my taking command of the expedition, doesn't it?"

"Yes. Impossible, " said the Major. "The brutes are coming on innumbers, and much as I regret what you must feel, I am only too thankfulthat your party has not started. But there, you see I can do nothinguntil we have driven these scoundrels back, and then--we shall see. "

"Yes, I know, " grumbled the Doctor. --"You can take hold of one end ofthat bandage yourself, my lad. That's right. Nasty cut; but you arenot going to lose the number of your mess this time. "

"Oh no, sir!" said the wounded man excitedly. "Tight as you can, please, sir. I think I can go back to the firing-line, and--ah!"

"I don't, " said the Doctor grimly. "Poor lad--talk about Britishpluck!"

"Not a bad wound, is it?"

"Quite bad enough, " said the Doctor. "An inch lower, sir--"

"Yes, I know, " said the Major, as the firing increased. "Why, they'vegot muskets! There, Doctor, I felt that I must speak to you, and I amafraid you are going to have your hands pretty full. "

"But you should keep your men more under cover, sir, " said the Doctorpettishly. "Look! They are bringing in two more. "

"Under cover!" said the Major angrily. "Every fence, wall, andbreast-work is occupied, and the men are holding the Residency accordingto orders. These poor fellows were speared at their posts. "

The Major hurried out, to busy himself with seeing that the variousoccupants of the place were provided with shelter in the officers'quarters and the other buildings of the cantonments, the upper windowsof which were occupied by the little force, with instructions to retireto the Residency, which was so situated that it would lend itself wellto being treated as a sort of citadel in case they should prove to behard pressed. 

Fortunately for the defenders, as the night advanced the smoke from thefiring hung low, prevented as it was from rising by a gathering rivermist; and as not a light was shown in either of the buildings, thefiring of the Malays from the sheltering trees and cultivated gardens ofthe station had little effect, while of the many spears that were thrownafter the first attack was made, hardly one found a victim. 

The men, in obedience to orders, were now firing only from time to timeat the sheltering Malays, who kept on creeping up to hurl a spear in ata dimly seen open window, more than one not being sharp enough injumping back, for his activity was checked by a bullet which sent himtottering for a few yards before falling heavily with a groan. 

This had the effect of bringing the flash and heavy, dull report of theold, cast-off military muskets which the Malays were using; and as theseweapons flashed, the defenders of the various buildings seized theopportunity to return the fire, guessing at the enemy's position by thelight. 

Just about this time, when a loud yelling from the direction of theriver suggested that a fresh party of the enemy were landing from boats, a dimly seen officer hurried through the darkness to one of the upperrooms. 

"Who's in here?" he cried angrily. 

"Me, sir--Smithers, sir. "

"You are wasting your cartridges. "

"Am I, sir?"

"Yes. Wait till we get some daylight, unless you can make sure of yourman. "

"All right, Mr Maine, sir. It is you, isn't it? I was getting a bitexcited-like. One moment, sir: have you seen my missus?"

"Your wife? No. Why?"

"She telled me she was coming up to help the Doctor. "

"Oh, nonsense! She ought to be with the women. I will tell her if Isee her. --There, look, " whispered Archie--"to your left! There arehalf-a-dozen fellows at least creeping through that patch of fog. "

"They look big 'uns, too, sir, " whispered the man excitedly, as theindistinct figures were magnified by the mist. "Would it be waste ofcartridges, sir, to get two in a line and let go?"

"No. Fire!"

_Crock_ went the rifle, and the figures that had loomed up seemed tomelt away. But as soon as the rifle had flashed there was the _fad, fad, fad_ of hurried steps, something whizzed in at the window, and witha dull thud a spear stuck in the floor of the room. 

_Crack, crack_ came from Archie's revolver as he fired it twice in thedirection of the spear-thrower, an answering yell suggesting that one ofthe shots had had effect. 

"There, keep a sharp lookout, and only fire when you are sure, " saidArchie as he made for the door, striking against the bamboo shaft of thespear. "This didn't graze you, did it, Smithers?"

"No, sir. I was afraid you had got a touch by your whipping out yourpistol so quickly. But please, sir, don't tell my missus to go intoshelter. She likes a job like this, and she's very useful with a basinand sponge. "

"All right; all right, " replied Archie; and hurrying away, he took themess-room on his way to the post he was about to visit, and stepped towhere a faint light rose from behind a Japanese screen which shut offone corner of the big room. 

There he came upon the Doctor busy over one poor wounded fellow whosehead was resting upon the arm of a kneeling woman, who held a sponge inthe hand at liberty, while a great brass lotah of water was at her side. 

"Very useful with basin and sponge, " said Archie to himself, as hesmiled grimly. --"Can I do anything for you, Doctor?" he said. 

"Not unless you have come to help, my lad. "

"No, sir; I can't do that. "

"Well, you can stop some of these scoundrels throwing these abominablespears. "

"Not till daylight, I'm afraid, sir; and I fear that this light will beseen outside. "

"Can't help it, " said the Doctor. "I can't play Blind-Man's Buff andstitch up wounds without a lamp. I want more help. "

"Shall I ask Mrs Morley to come, sir?"

"My wife? No. She is busy with the women and children, and running offnow and then to give the poor fellows a drink of water. Here, I know:set some one to find that ragamuffin Pegg. He'd be worth anything to menow, for he's handy over this sort of thing. "

"Yes, Doctor; but he's one of our best shots with a rifle, and theCaptain has posted him where he covers the river path. "

"Oh, well, then, you can't spare him, of course. But look here, Archie;the wounded are being brought in too fast. Tell the Major that I saythat he must blaze away a little to hold the enemy back. "

"Do you want him to cut me down, sir? He's in a furious temper. "

"Enough to make him. So am I. I nearly stuck a lancet into Sir CharlesDallas a few minutes ago for coming and worrying me about thepossibility of a party of men stealing off to one of the boats with him. The madman! All men are mad when they're in love. Never you catchthat complaint. "

"No, sir, " said Archie. 

"Well, I'm keeping you, my lad; but I'm glad of a minute's cessationfrom this work. There! I think he will do now, duchess. --What do yousay?"

"Poor fellow! You have done it all beautiful, sir, " said Mrs Smithers, smiling, as she passed a cool, wet sponge across the wounded man'sbrows. 

"There, off with you, Archie, my lad. Keep out of danger. "

"Of course, sir, " was the reply. 

"I mean it, for you have had more than your share of my attentionlately. But I say, my lad; feel very boyish now?"

"If you tease me again about that, Doctor, " said Archie, "I'll neverconsult you again. "

"Till next time, " said the Doctor, with a chuckle. --"Great heavens!what's that?"

_That_ was a tremendous puff of wind that knocked the Japanese screenover against the wall, and sent Archie staggering so that he nearly fellover one of the wounded men. Then almost instantaneously came aterrific roar as if a sudden burst of a tropical storm had followed theflash of light which blazed through the lightly built place, the wallsof which had rocked, and seemed to be tottering to their fall. 

"Anybody hurt?" panted the Doctor, his first thought being that he mustrender aid. 

"I--I don't know, sir, " stammered Archie. 

"Glad of it, " said the Doctor. "The worst storm I ever saw. "

"Storm, sir?" said Archie. "It's the magazine gone!"

CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE. 

THE FLIGHT OF A LIM-BING. 

It was no rash assertion. The small erection that it had been theMajor's pride to erect by means of the men a short distance back andjust inside the jungle, and to which he had brought to bear all theingenuity he possessed, so as to ensure safety--sinking it deep in theearth, protecting it by a _chevaux de frise_, and then thickly plantingthe outside with a dense belt of the closest and most rapid-growing ofthe jungle shrubs--had been levelled with the earth, and its frameworkwas now blazing furiously. 

The first few moments after the explosion, it had seemed to the besiegedthat defence now would be madness, and that nothing was left for thembut to throw themselves on the mercy of the Malays. But that naturaldesire of the Briton to make the best of things exemplified in the Latinproverb _Nil desperandum_ soon began to assert itself. A sergeantsuddenly shouted, "Look out there, my lads! Want to see the place burntdown?" And first one and then another made a rush towards the differentbuildings to pick or knock off fragments of burning wood and brightembers, cast by the tremendous force and scattered by the powder, thatwere beginning to threaten destruction on the roofs where they hadfallen. The example set was quite sufficient for the rapid stamping outof the fires. 

Meanwhile the remains of the magazine were burning furiously, and thoughthe river was so near, it was no time for any attempt at checking thefire's progress. 

"Let it go, my lads, " the Major had said, "and be ready to take coveragain, for we shall have the enemy back directly. "

For, instead of taking advantage of the explosion and the temporarybewilderment that had been caused to the besieged by the shock, theMalays, utterly demoralised by the terrific roar, had to a man made forthe shelter of the jungle. 

The silence that had succeeded the roar was intense. Where, firingtheir clumsy old muskets and increasing the noise by their savage yellsof defiance all round the cantonments, the Malays had been tearing aboutand rushing from tree to tree, peace now reigned, while the snapping andcrackling of the burning wood, the deep-toned, half-whispered orders ofthe officers, and the talking of the men seemed to sound unnaturallyloud. 

In a short time now all risk of further spreading of the fire was at anend, and the question arose, to be discussed by officers and non-coms, as to whether, as the Malays seemed to have retreated, something shouldnot be done in the way of extinguishing the flames by bringingentrenching tools to bear and smothering them out with earth. 

"No, " said the Major; "it will be useless toil. Let it burn out. "

"But the fire's getting brighter, sir, " protested Archie. 

"Well, sir, " said the Major peevishly, "that's plain enough; you needn'ttell us that. What then?"

"We shall be having the enemy back directly, sir, and all of us standingout against the light as a mark for their spears. "

"Tut, tut!" exclaimed the Major. "How absurd! I had not thought ofthat. But, all the same, the explosion seems to have completely scaredthem away, for I don't hear a sound. Do any of you?"

There was no reply. 

"Yes, " continued the Major sharply. --"Here, Sergeant; half-a-dozen men, and spades. Do the best you can to smother the flames. --The rest takecover, for this can't last. We shall have the enemy back directly. "

The Major's _directly_ did not prove to be correct, and while a carefulwatch was kept on the surrounding jungle and the little patches of firethat were flickering here and there amongst the trees, where goodlypieces of the woodwork had been cast by the explosion, a little meetingwas held to discuss their position and the consequences of thecatastrophe. 

"You had all your ammunition stored there, had you not?" said theDoctor. 

"All but what was in the men's pouches, " replied the Major. 

"Then what do you mean to do?"

"Fix bayonets, " said the Major quietly. 

"And not surrender?" said the Resident. 

"Not while we have any fight left in us, Sir Charles. We have our womento protect; and besides, there are the three detachments out in thejungle. I begin to think that this explosion will prove to be ablessing in disguise, and act as a rallying-call to bring the men backand take the enemy, if they come on again, in the rear. "

"Yes, to be sure, " said the Resident, who stood half-turned from hiscompanions in distress, and was gazing hard in the direction of theriver. 

"Well, Sir Charles, I presume you agree with me that we must stand toour guns--or, I should say, hold to our bayonets--till the very last?Help may come at any hour now. "

"Yes, certainly, sir, " replied the Resident; "but I am afraid--"

"I wouldn't say so, sir, " said the Major, with a bitter laugh. 

"You know what I mean, " said Sir Charles sternly. "I fully expect thatwe shall have another body of Malays, to join in the attack, from downthe river--I mean, the Rajah Hamet's men. "

"Well, " said the Major, "our little citadel will hold us all, and whenthe last cartridges are fired we can make such a breast-work of bayonetsas I don't think, in spite of their spears, these Malay scoundrels willpass. "

"We shall do our best, I am sure, " said the Resident quietly. "But whatdo you make of this explosion?"

"Ruin, " said the Major bitterly. 

"No, no; I mean, what could have caused it? You have all your rules--nofire is ever allowed to approach. "

"Ah yes, to be sure, " said the Major sharply, "what could have causedit?" and he looked round from one to the other. "I have been so wrappedup in the consequences that it has never occurred to me to think of thecause. We could have no enemy within the camp. "

"Look here, " said Archie to the Doctor; "one of these fellows is comingto say that the more they throw on earth the more the wood blazes up. --What is it?" he continued, to the shovel-bearing private, who now joinedthem, his streaming and blackened face showing plainly in the brightlight. 

"We've just come upon a wounded man, sir. "

"Why didn't you bring him in?" said Archie sharply. 

"I don't mean only wounded, sir. He's all black and burnt. Seems as ifthe blow-up had sent him ever so far away, and he's lying yonder amongstthe stripped trees. "

"Eh? What's that?" said the Major excitedly. "Not one of my lads?"

"No, sir. As far as I can make out by what's left of his clothes, he'sone of the enemy. "

"One of the enemy!" cried the Major. "Why, we are coming to the truth, then. No one of the enemy could have been there--unless--"

"Look here, " said the Doctor in his busy way, "you said wounded man, mylad?"

"Yes, sir; he's alive, for he moved when we touched him, and groaned. But he's got it badly. "

"Well, " said the Doctor sharply, "a wounded man, whether he's one ofourselves or an enemy, is all one to me;" and he walked with the rest, after a glance or two in the direction of the silent forest, from whichthe attack had come, towards the still blazing fire, where a littlegroup of the spade party was standing round a dark object lying at somedistance on the other side of the ruins of the magazine. 

The party drew back a little to make way for their officers, and Archieshuddered as he caught sight of the horribly blackened object beforethem. 

"A litter here, " said the Doctor shortly. "I will have him up intohospital, but I'm afraid it's a hopeless case. "

As the Doctor rose from one knee, something bright caught Archie's eyeand somehow brought to mind the gold bracelet he had seen the FrenchCount wear. Then thought after thought flashed through his mind, as heheard a deep, muttering groan, and the man who had brought the tidingswhispered to his young officer:

"That's the same as he did before, sir--just cried `Lo-lo-lo!' orsomething like that. "

"Why, Doctor, " said Archie excitedly, "did you hear the rest--`_Del'eau_'? He was asking for water. "

"Yes--for the love of Heaven! what does this mean? He can't be aMalay. "

"No, " said Archie excitedly. "It's impossible to recognise him forcertain now, but I feel sure it's the Rajah's French friend. "

"What!" said the Major excitedly. "What could he have been doing here?"

"What could he have been doing here, sir, that night when Captain Downand I were startled by hearing some one outside the veranda--some onewho must have been listening to you and Sir Charles when you weretalking together?"

"Here, I don't understand, " said the Major petulantly. "What could theRajah's friend have been doing here listening to our talk?"

"Playing the spy, sir, in his master's interest. "

"Pooh!" said the Major angrily. "This is no French friend of theRajah's. He's a Malay. That's a piece of a silk sarong clinging to hiswaist, with a kris stuck in it. "

"Yes, sir, " said Archie; "but those are European trousers he's wearingunderneath, and--yes!" cried the lad, as he bent nearer and shrinkinglytouched the blackened wrist, just as a fresh flight of flame rose fromthe ruined magazine--"I am certain that's the gold bracelet the Rajah'sfriend used to wear. It's got a French motto on it, which you could seeif you took it to the light. But I know it by the shape, and I thoughtthat it was a silly bit of effeminate foppishness on the part of a man. "

"Yes, " said Sir Charles; "I remember thinking so too. Why, thescoundrel must have been in the pay of the Rajah, and played the spyhere to pretty good purpose. I don't think you need search for thecause of the magazine being exploded. "

Further conversation was ended by the report of a musket, which servedas the signal for several more, all fired from beyond the parade-ground, and doing no harm, though the _whiz_ and _phit_ of the bullets passedclose by, and could be heard striking against the nearest buildings. 

"Cover, " said the Major sharply. "Never mind the fire now. It will dothem as much harm as it does us, for we shall be able to see its glintreflected in their eyes at the edge of the jungle. Quick, every one--cover!"

"Wait a minute, four of you, " said the Doctor. "I want my patientcarried in. "

"Your what!" said the Major fiercely. "The renegade who has dealt usthis cowardly blow?"

"I never ask questions about a man's character, " said the Doctorgruffly. "If he wants a surgeon's help, that's character enough for me. If I save his life, and you like to prove all this is true, andcourt-martial him and shoot him afterwards, as a spy, that's not mybusiness, and I shall not interfere. --But look sharp, my lads. Thesebig musket-balls are coming unpleasantly near, and they make very badwounds. I can't afford to get one in me, for I am afraid you will wantyour surgeon for some time to come. "

It was a horrible task, but the four men who raised the injured man tobear him in could not forbear a chuckle at the Doctor's remark. 

But the order to take cover was none too soon, for the musket-bulletswere flying faster, fortunately without aim; and as shelter was reachedit became evident that the scare caused by the explosion had died out, for by the light of the burning ruins the flash of a spear-head could beseen every now and then at the jungle-edge, and as the enemy once moregathered as if for a rush, their threatening yells grew plain. 

"Well, young Maine, " said the Major slowly, as he passed his hand overhis grizzled moustache just as Archie was going round from post to post, "this seems rather hard for you. "

"For me, sir?" said the lad, gazing at his commanding officerwonderingly. 

"Yes, because you are such a young fellow. There, go on. Don't let themen waste a cartridge, for they must be made to last until one or theother of our detachments comes in--I hope well supplied, for if they'vebeen using what they have, they will be in just as bad state as we are. "

"Oh, they'll be coming in soon, sir, " said Archie cheerily. 

"I don't know. I hope so, my lad, for everybody's sake; but it's toughwork getting through the jungle--and there, look at that! These fellowshave plenty of pluck, or they wouldn't expose themselves as they do. Iexpect to find that we have very little more ball-cartridge. Well, itwill be bayonet against spear, and if it were only equal sides I shouldback our lads. As it is, Maine, we must hope, and pray for our lads tocome in with a run. Have you any idea what time it is, my lad?"

"No, sir. But it can't be near morning yet. "

"I suppose not. There, let's go and see how the Doctor's getting onwith his new patient. You are right, my lad; I am sure now. You youngfellows jump at a thing directly. We old fellows want a good deal ofthought over anything before we will accept it as a fact. "

"Are you looking for anything, sir?" asked Archie, as the Major walkedclose to the window and stood looking out. 

"Yes, my lad; I was looking for morning, and I can't see it yet. --Why, what--" The Major went heavily against the side of the window, as aresult of a violent thrust from Archie, who swung out his sword andstruck up the shaft of a spear with one cut, sending the spear to stickinto the upper framework of the window, his next stroke being deliveredwith the pommel of his sword crash into the temple of a Malay who hadcrept up in the darkness and made two thrusts at the gallant oldsoldier, who said dryly, as one of his men made a thrust with hisbayonet and rendered the treacherous enemy _hors de combat_. 

"That was very soldierly and smart, Maine. They're as treacherous asthe great striped cats of their jungle. Well, I suppose I ought tothank you for saving my life, but we soldiers don't talk about this sortof thing. "

CHAPTER THIRTY SIX. 

A STRANGE CONFESSION. 

The Doctor was busy with his patients in the heat of the day, looseningone poor fellow's bandage, and tightening another that an irritablesufferer had worked loose; while Mrs Smithers was thoroughly provingher ability at using basin and sponge over the brows of some poor, fevered fellow whose pillow-less head rolled slowly from side to side. Archie was taking the mess-room on his way to visit the chamber wherePeter Pegg was stationed, and from whose window an occasional shot rangout from time to time, with the result of the gaudily robed Malay in asmart, cavalry-like cap, who had drawn the shot, being seen no more. 

"How am I, Mister Archie, sir? Oh, it's rather hot here, sir, " saidMrs Smithers; and then, in response to a second: `Yes, old lady, or, Ishould say, Madame la Duchesse'--"Now, please, sir, don't you getcalling me names too. I don't mind from the Doctor, but it teases whenit comes from a young gent like you. No, sir, I ain't cross, only a bitworried by the flies. They are terrible, and it's all due to its beingso hot. "

"Yes, Mrs Smithers, " said Archie meaningly. "It is hot, and nomistake. But how beautiful and tidy you have got everything!"

"Well, it is a bit better, sir. I have been collecting all the mats Icould find for the poor boys. Do you hear any news, sir, ofreinforcements coming up?"

"Not yet, old lady. "

"I do wish they'd come, sir; and oh, Mr Archie, can't I do anything foryou?"

"Me? No! I am not wounded. "

"No, sir; but, oh dear, what a state you are in! Some clean thingswould be a blessing to you. "

"Oh, wait a bit. One's got something else to think about now. Where'sthe Doctor?"

"He was here just this minute, sir; and he's sure not to be long, for Inever see such a man for watching everybody who's in hospital. There, Ithought so! Here he is, with the mess water-can and a clean glass. Hemight have asked me to fetch some water if he wanted it. But he alwayswill interfere with what's in my department. "

"Hullo, Maine, my lad, you here! You are just in time. I've beenfetching a can of this clear, sparkling water for my poor fellows. Looksharp, for I can see several eyes looking at it hungrily--I meanthirstily, " he added quickly. 

He filled the glass after the fashion of Dickens's butler, trying tofroth it up with a heading of sparkling beads. 

"May I drink this, Doctor?" said Archie. 

"Drink it? Of course! You are one of my patients still. "

"Thanks. But ladies first. --Here, Mrs Smithers; you look tired andhot. I will have the next glass. "

"No, sir, please, " said the woman firmly. "You want it worse than Ido. "

"Don't waste time, " said the Doctor sternly. "Drink the water, my lad. "

The deliciously cool draught trickled down Archie's throat till thebottom of the glass became top. 

"De-licious, " he said. 

The Doctor took the glass, filled it, emptied it, smacked his lips, andthen refilled and handed it to Mrs Smithers. 

"Your turn, nurse, " he said. "Then take the can and go all round, andfinish off by taking a glass up to the Frenchman. "

"Ah, I was looking round, sir, for him, " said Archie. 

"Yes, I am getting too full here, my lad. I have had him carried up tothat room where Pegg's on duty. "

"Oh, I'm going there, sir, and I shall see him. "

"One moment, Duchess; half a glass, please. I feel like a volcaniccinder. --As you say, my lad--de-licious, " he continued, as he handedback the glass. "I am proud of that water, and so you ought to be. "

"I am, Doctor. "

"That's all due to me, sir. When we first came--you know the Major'sway--`Nonsense, ' he said. `There will be three hundred idle men herewith nothing to do, and they can fetch as much water as we want for theday's supply from the river. ' And I said, `No. In a hot country likethis I want my men to have good, pure, sparkling well water, and not tobe forced to drink croc and campong drainage soup. I want a thoroughlygood well dug by an engineering company. ' I got it, too, just when hewas red-hot over his idea for a magazine. And now, sir, there's mywell, always full of that delicious spring water that will do the menmore good than any medicine I can exhibit; and where's his magazine?You tell me that. "

"If he were here, Doctor, he'd tell you that he'd rather have themagazine intact than the well. "

"Never mind. I've got the water. "

"Yes, Doctor. But how's Mrs Morley?"

"Ah, poor dear soul!" replied the Doctor, and his eyes looked moist. "Worked to death, thank goodness!"

"Thank goodness?" said Archie wonderingly. 

"Yes, my lad. It keeps her from thinking and fretting about Minnie. I'll tell her you asked after her, my boy. It will please her, for shedoesn't know what a reckless young scamp you are, and she always talksof you as if you were her own boy. Going?"

"Yes, Doctor. "

"All right and square, my boy? No shot or spear holes in you?"

"No, sir; I'm as sound as sound. "

"That's right. If you do get into any trouble, you know where I am; andthough I don't want you, you will be welcome to our mess--and a nicemess we are in, eh, Archie?--Come, look sharp, you British soldiers, andclear away all this scum. "

"Only too glad, sir, " said Archie, and he hurried away to have a fewwords with the sentry who commanded the landing-place, and who was sointent at the window, watching the edge of the jungle, that he did nothear his visitor till he spoke. 

"Got company, Mister Archie, sir? Yes; that French chap. Doctor saidif he was not brought up here where he'd be quiet he would go off suddenlike. Not very cheerful company, for he's awful bad, and when he doestalk it's all in his _parly-voo, kesky say, pally wag bang_ lingo thatdon't mean nothing as I can make out. "

"Ah, poor fellow! I suppose he's very bad. "

"Oh, that's right, sir! Poor fellow, and we are all very sorry for himand much obliged because he was kind enough to come and blow all ourcartridges to Jericho, or elsewhere, as they say on the soldiers'letters. You stop here a little while, sir, and you will hear him beginto jabber. Talk about that mahout's _pa-ta-ta-ma-ta-ja-ja-ja_--thischap goes twice as fast. "

"Well, Pete, I can't stop talking to you. I only wanted to take you inmy round. Are you all right?"

"Right as a trivet, sir; only I am getting awful short of ammunition. Idon't want to keep on potting these 'ere fellows, but somehow I took torifle-shooting. There's some fun in hitting a mark at a distance, andthat's the only thing I ever got a kind word for from old Tipsy. Hesaid I could shoot. "

"Yes, you are a very good marksman, Pete; and that's why you arestationed here. "

"Yes, I suppose so, sir. But 'tain't my fault that I'm a good marksman, as you call it. It come quite easy like. I suppose it's good for us, but it's very bad for these 'ere Malay chaps, and it does make me feel abit squirmy when one of them gives me a chance, and then it's _oracle, phit_, and down he goes, and me loading again. I don't want to shootthem. But then if I don't keep on knocking them over they'll knock usover, and I've got such a kind of liking for PP that I'd sooner shootone of them than that they should shoot me. Still, there is something abit queer about it. "

"You are doing your duty, Pete, fighting for your country. "

"I say, sir, that ain't quite right, is it? Seems to me that I'mfighting for these 'ere people's country. "

"We needn't go into that, Pete. You are doing your duty--fighting foryour comrades in defence of this station and the women and children. "

"There he goes again, sir. Just you listen. It makes me wish I couldunderstand what he's saying. "

Archie turned sharply, for from the part of the room where the Frenchmanwas lying upon one of the mats Mrs Smithers had placed for him, withanother rolled-up to form his pillow, came the quick, excited utteranceof the terribly injured man. 

He was delirious, and evidently in his wanderings was going oversomething that had impressed him strongly, and almost at his firstutterances in his own tongue he attracted the subaltern to his side. 

Archie was no good French scholar, but that tongue had formed part ofhis studies at a public school, and he had been somewhat of a favouritewith the French master, who had encouraged his pupils in acquiringFrench conversation by making them his companions in his country walks. 

The sufferer's first utterance was an expression of anger at somebodywhom he was addressing, calling him an _imbecile_; and then Archiepretty clearly gathered his meaning. He was telling the man to becareful, and to give him something so that he could do it himself. 

"No, " he said, "you don't understand. I wish I could tell you in yourown tongue. There, your hands are trembling; you are afraid. You hatethese people, but not with the great hate I feel towards them, who amtheir natural enemy. There, give me the two bags. Yes, it is badpowder; not such as, if I had known, I might have brought from my owncountry. What is it? You hear some one coming? Lie down. No one cansee us here, shut in behind these trees. You are afraid they willshoot? Bah! Let them! They could not aim at us in this darkness. Bebrave, as I am. Recollect what I told you before we started to creephere: if we fire, it will destroy all their ammunition. They will bedefenceless, and it will be easy for your prince to slay and capture allthese wretched British usurpers of your prince's country. And I shallbe the Rajah's great friend and counsellor, and make him great, so thathe will become a glorious prince and reign over a happy, contentedpeople. There, you are not afraid now. Your hand trembles, though. Well, help me to pour out what is in this bag in a heap over that pileof boxes. Do not tremble so. Nothing can hurt us now. That is good. Now stand there, behind those bushes, and tell me if you hear any of theenemy coming. That is good, and there is the good work done. Quick!Now the other bag. My faith, how you tremble! Now my hand--hold ittight and lead me through the darkness back to the way we came--insilence, so that the enemy shall not hear. No, no--too fast! Do younot understand? You must lead me so that I can pour the powder from thebag as I walk backwards and lay the train. "

The Frenchman ceased his utterance, and though Archie missed some of hiswords, the scene that must have taken place in the darkness of thejungle surrounding the magazine seemed to start out vividly and pictureitself before the listener's eyes. Then the sufferer began to speakagain, in a low, quick, excited way. 

"Ah! Idiot! Clumsy! I could have done better without you. Do you notunderstand? You have trampled over the careful train I have laid, and Imust scatter more, or the plan will fail. Stay here till I come back toyou. --Curses! He has gone. What matter? I can finish now. That iswell. There is plenty, and it cannot fail. Now the matches. --Stop. Isthe way clear? I shall have time--and--yes, I can find my way as I didbefore. I was mad to bring that shivering idiot. He has been in my wayall through. But no; he did carry the bag, and the task that bringsruin and destruction upon these English is nearly done. Now--thematches. Ah! Confusion! The box must have been wet. Now another;then quick! The moment the fire begins to run. Confusion! Is it thatthe matches are wet? No. I am all in water, and the touch from myfingers prevents the match from striking. Now--ah, that is better. Buthark! Could the sentry have seen that? No. I am trembling like thatcoward Malay. Courage, my friend. It is such a little thing to do. But I must hasten, before the powder spoils upon the damp ground, whereeverything drips with the heavy dew. Courage, my friend--courage! Itis such a little thing, and for the glory of my beautiful France, andfor my great revenge against these English and their officers, while myprince will rule in peace, and--yes, my faith! I shall rule him now. Crack! That match burns, and--_hiss_--the train begins to run, and somust I. Ah! My faith! I am going wrong. These trees catch my feetwith their frightful tangle, and the light dazzles my eyes. My faith!My faith! I am lost!"

So vivid seemed the picture that the listener's brow grew moist, and heturned shuddering away, to see that Peter was watching him curiously;and both lads started now as a wild cry of horror and despair arose fromthe rough pallet on which the sufferer lay struggling feebly. 

"I'd say as you would, Mister Archie, sir: `Poor beggar!' for he must befeeling very bad with his burns; but he don't deserve it. It was hisown doing. Could you make out what he was talking about?"

"A great deal of it, Pete. "

"What was he saying of, sir?"

"Poor wretch! He's quite off his head. He seemed to be talking abouthow he tried to blow up the magazine. "

"Said he was sorry for it, perhaps, sir?"

"No, Pete; I didn't catch that. "

"Ah, well, he would be, sir, because he didn't get away fast enough. Achap who would do a thing like that wouldn't feel sorry for it if hehadn't got caught. --I say, _pst_! Look here, Mister Archie. "

"What is it?"

"I was only just in time to catch sight of them. Think of it! I onlyturned my head to talk to you, but two of them took advantage and creptright close up behind that bush. Can you see 'em?"

"No. "

"Well, I can, sir, or think I can, because I saw them for a moment asthey dashed in. You stand back from the window, sir. There's onlyshelter for one, and that's me. "

"Are you going to fire?"

"Don't quite know, sir. Depends on them. They must have seen you whenyou stood looking out before that Frenchman began to talk. I could senda shot right through the bush, and it might hit one of them; but then itmightn't, and I should have wasted a cartridge. I think I'll wait tillthey come out to shoot or chuck a spear, and then I can be sure. Whatdo you say?"

"That will be quite right, Pete; and I will go on now. Why, JoeSmithers ought to be able to spot any one hiding behind that bush. I'llgo round by where he's posted and see. "

"Ought to be able to see for hisself, " grumbled Peter; and as Archieturned to reach the door, unaware of the fact that he was exposinghimself a little, Peter raised his rifle to his shoulder and fired asnap shot, just as simultaneously Archie started at the brushing by hischeek of a spear which came through the window with a low trajectory andstuck with a soft _thud_ into something at the far end of the room. 

"Missed him!" said Peter in an angry, impatient way. "No, I ain't. Itwas only chance it, though. Ah! Would you?" For another spear flashedthrough the window, making one of the young men duck down, while theother started aside. 

Then their eyes met in a curious look of horror, and for a few minutesneither spoke. 

"Think of that, now, Mister Archie!" said Peter, as his tremblingfingers were playing about the breech of his rifle. 

"Horrible!" said Archie, as he recalled the confession to which he hadlistened. 

"Yes, sir; 'orrid, ain't it? And that was a chance shot, too, though hemeant it for you. I say, sir, he won't blow up no more magazines;" andPeter made a great smudge across his moist forehead with hispowder-blackened hand. For the second spear had found its billet in thechest of the Frenchman, whose sufferings were at an end. 

CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN. 

THE DOCTOR'S CARTRIDGES. 

The position of the beleaguered occupants of the Residency grew worseand worse. There had been three different brief despatches from thedetachments, but the information conveyed was very small. In each casethe commander announced that he was in full pursuit of the Rajah, whohad thrown off the mask and taken to the jungle; and after reading thedespatches over to the Resident the Major had uttered a grunt and said:

"One would think there were three Rajahs instead of one. "

He had sent replies by native runners, urging upon his subordinates thenecessity for an immediate return, so as to strengthen the position ofthe Residency, and stating that, from news that had come in, it wasevident that Rajah Hamet had also thrown off the mask and was waiting, undoubtedly to make an attack in conjunction with Rajah Suleiman. 

"We shall be hard pressed, " he said emphatically, "and I must call uponyou to rally at once. Sir Charles is sending a despatch to Singapore, telling of the uneasy state of the native princes, and the sore straitsin which we find ourselves; but it will be some time before a messengercan reach the Governor, and Suleiman's men are pressing me hard. As youwell know, it must be many days before a gunboat can reach us here. "

No reply reached headquarters, for, however wanting in generalshipSuleiman might have been, he took care that no messengers should passhis people in either direction, and, in fact, the Major's appeal to hisofficers never reached their hands, and the cunning Malays kept up theappearance of being in full retreat, leading the detachments farther andfarther into the intricate mazes of the jungle. 

Meanwhile it was not only the ammunition that was running out but theprovisions. But there was an ample supply in the various stores of thesettlement, and these under ordinary circumstances would have beenlargely supplemented at the little market held by the people of theneighbouring campongs. But after the attack by Suleiman's men not asingle native made his appearance, and, as was afterwards proved, noMalay, save at the risk of losing his life, dared to approach themilitary quarters. 

"It seems so hard, " said the Resident, "that after Dr Morley and I hadgone over the matter as we did respecting provisioning the place, weshould not have made other arrangements for warehousing our permanentsupplies. I felt that, with a strong military force for the protectionof the storehouses, nothing more could be done. "

"No; nobody blames you, Sir Charles, for no foresight could have seenthat the place would be denuded of troops, and that the enemy wouldclose us in so completely that no man could approach a ware or storehouse without risking having a spear in his back. "

"Ah, " said the Doctor, "it's lucky for us all that I beat you, Major, and got my well dug. "

"Yes, Morley, " said the Major sharply; "and no one's more glad than Iam. But you needn't tell us all about it quite so often. "

The Doctor chuckled, for in spite of the terrible demands that were madeupon him he was generally in pretty good spirits. 

"Well, I won't say any more about it, but you military men, who get allthe honour and glory, might let your poor doctor have a little bit ofpraise. "

"Well, what's to be done? We must have a couple or more sacks of thatIndian meal from the store to-day. We cannot sit here and starve. Andat the same time more of the necessaries of life, or what we have intime come to consider necessaries, must be obtained for the women andchildren. "

"Yes, " said the Doctor. "My hands are full with dealing with thewounded. I can't have the poor, starving women coming into hospital tobe treated for exhaustion, and the children upon my hands dying likeflies. "

"No, " said the Major; "we must call for volunteers, Sir Charles, to cutour way through the enemy to the store. "

"No, no, " said the Doctor; "I forbid that. "

"Why?" said the Major angrily. 

"Because it means half-a-dozen or a dozen more wounded men to crowd myhospital. "

"Hah!" ejaculated the Major. "And I can't spare one. "

"Then look here, " said the Doctor; "call for your volunteers--or for onevolunteer at a time. You see, with their cunning and subtlety they knowbeforehand that we must be ready to do anything to get at the stores, and consequently they keep the strictest watch, with spearmen ready tolet fly at any poor wretch who approaches either of the buildings. "

"Yes, yes, we know that, Doctor, " said the Resident peevishly. 

"Then why don't you meet cunning with cunning?" replied the Doctor. "Surely the Major can pick up some clever, sharp fellow who will crawlin the darkness past the enemy's pickets and bring back something, ifit's only one sack of meal. "

"That would be better than nothing, Doctor. --We'll try; eh, Major?"

"Of course; of course. "

The little council of war was being held in the hottest part of the day, when the attacking enemy seemed to have drawn off for a while amongstthe trees, and most of the beleaguered were grouped around in the shadowof veranda and tree to listen to the discussion. 

"Well, " said the Resident, "I can't ask either of my native servants whohave been true to us to risk his life for us. We should never see themagain, for the enemy would be sure to make an extra effort to spearthem. "

"Quite out of the question, Sir Charles, " said the Doctor. --"Now, Major, we must look to you again. --What's that, Mrs Smithers?"

"I was only going to say, sir, that my Joe is a big, strong fellow, andhe'll volunteer to try and get a sack of flour to-night. "

"Eh? What's that?" cried the private. 

"You heard what was said, Joe. What do you mean by shaking your headlike that?"

"Oh, I'm not the right man, " he said. "I can carry my rifle, but I'm anout-and-out bad one at carrying sacks. "

"Nonsense, Joe, " said his wife. "You can do anything that a Britishsoldier can. "

"Nay, missus, " said Smithers; "'tain't in my way at all. If it was myofficers wanted a stone jar of rack or a dozen of bottled ale, I mightmanage 'em, but I'm nowhere with sacks. "

"Never mind, then, " said Mrs Smithers tartly; "I'll go myself. "

"Nay, you won't, " said Joe, shaking his head more hard than ever. --"I'llgo, gen'lemen. She wants to be a widow, but I look to you, Doctor, notto let her be if I come to quarters with a sack of meal pinned on to myback with a spear. "

That night Joe Smithers managed to crawl right round the outskirts ofthe settlement, got into the store from the other side, and returned bythe same circuitous way with a sack of meal and such instructions to hismessmates that two more men started at once and foraged with a likesuccess. But that was only a temporary alleviation of the troubles ofthe beleaguered, and twice over, when off duty, Archie summoned Peter toaccompany him to the lower part of the river, where they succeeded, atgreat risk, in wading off to a boat, fishing for three parts of thenight, and returning after very fair success. 

Then came a day when the enemy had been more energetic than ever, andthree more of the Major's little force were carried into hospitalsuffering badly from spear-wounds, and this just at a time when, in awhisper, the announcement had gone round that there were very fewcartridges left. 

The Doctor had just finished tending his men with the help of MrsMorley, for Joe Smithers's wife had broken down from being brought faceto face with her well-scolded husband, who was carried in by twocomrades and laid at her feet. 

"Oh Joe, " she cried, "how could you?"

"I didn't, missus. It was one of them ugly, flat-nosed chaps, whomanaged to put a spear into me; but I give him the bayonet in return. But ain't you going to tie me up?"

"Oh, yes, yes, Joe dear!" she cried, hurrying to fetch her lotah andsponge; while the Doctor came up from the other side, frowning severely, and then making a dash to catch the unhappy woman and save her fromfalling, for poor Mrs Smithers, the strong and never-tiring, hadfainted dead away for the first time in her life. The consequence wasthat the Doctor's wife stood by his side till the last dressing had beenapplied, and then sat in the veranda to discuss with him a glass of hisfavourite water and talk in a whisper about the perils of theirposition. 

"Yes, " said the Doctor; "it's a very bad lookout, my dear. I have seensome bad times, but this is the worst of all, and you have no businesshere. "

"Why not, dear?" she said softly. 

"Because our poor fellows are doing the best they can to protect us, butat any moment one of these savage beasts might make a dash and send hislim-bing flying and hit you. "

"Isn't it just as risky for you, dear?" said Mrs Morley quietly. 

"Oh, but I am a doctor, and doctors don't count. "

"Nor doctors' wives, " said Mrs Morley quietly. "I shall stay. Now, tell me, isn't it very strange that neither of the detachments have madetheir way back?"

"No, my dear. They are right out in the jungle, and that explainseverything. Perhaps they are being lured farther and farther on by theRajah; or perhaps, " he added to himself, "the poor fellows have beensurrounded and speared. --Oh, " he added aloud, "we may hear a bugle atany moment, and see the lads come in with a dash. Don't you bother yourhead about military matters, but help me to bring the wounded round. "

"I will, dear, " said the poor woman quietly; "but tell me this--"

"Is it military?" said the Doctor. 

"No, no, no, no. I was only going to say, have any of the men seenanything of that big fellow, Dula's husband?"

"No, " said the Doctor. "He and his wife disappeared during the attack, didn't they?"

"Yes, " said Mrs Morley. "I'm afraid they lost their lives. "

"Humph! Maybe, " said the Doctor. "It is quite enough for them to beseen here with us to bring upon them the enemy's spears. But don't, please, my dear--don't! I've never said a word, but you know that Ihave felt it as cruelly as you, and I would have done anything to havegone up the river with those two people to try to bring back our poorchild. "

"Yes, yes, I know; and I have tried, dear, to keep my sorrow tomyself. --Hush, hush! Here's Archie Maine. Not a word before him. "

Mrs Morley held out her hand to the young man as he came up, and theDoctor nodded shortly as he saw the lad's contracted, anxious face. 

"Anything fresh, boy?" said the Doctor. 

"No; only the old bad news: we are coming down to the last cartridge forthe rifles, and we officers have only too few for our revolvers. "

"Well, " said the Doctor, "you know what the Major said. There are thebayonets. "

"Last cartridges, " said Mrs Morley thoughtfully. 

"Yes, my dear. It's no use to hide anything from you. The poorfellows' pouches are pretty well empty. "

"Oh, by the way, " said Archie quickly, "those three poor fellows whowere just brought in--what about their pouches?"

"Oh, the bearers pretty well fought for them, " said the Doctor bitterly, "and divided the spoil. Two men got one apiece, the other a couple. "

"But, Henry dear, " said the Doctor's wife, laying her hand upon his arm, "what about your double rifle at home?"

"Double gun, my dear, and one barrel rifled. I haven't done muchsporting with that lately. I was to have a tiger-shoot. But what doyou mean? Do you want me to begin potting at the enemy?"

"No, dear; I was thinking about the cartridges. "

"Yes, Doctor, " cried Archie excitedly. "You must have a lot ofcartridges. "

"I had four boxes, my lad--two of shot, large and small, and two ofball-cartridges for the tigers. But I haven't the least idea where theyare. "

"But I know, dear--on the store-room floor. I put them there to bedry. "

"Good girl! But they're no use for our men's rifles. "

"The powder would be, Doctor, " said Archie; "and you might let us havethe rifle for one of the men. "

"Yes, of course, " said the Doctor bitterly. "But how are you going toget them here?"

"Yes, " said Archie thoughtfully; "how are we going to get them here?"

"Why, my lad, " said the Doctor, "to reach the bungalow you would have togo through a little forest of spears, and if our lads managed to cut youout it would be only another patient for me to heal--if I could, " headded softly--"and the one we could least spare. "

"Poor boy!" said Mrs Morley as Archie went slowly away. "I wish Ihadn't mentioned the cartridges. Surely he won't dream of trying to getthem?"

"Oh no; it's an impossibility. He would never be so mad. "

"I don't know, " said Mrs Morley. "After what has been done by the menin volunteering to fetch in food, he will be offering to make some suchdreadful venture. "

"Then he sha'n't, " said the Doctor fiercely, "for I will make it my dutyto put the Major on his guard. "

CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT. 

AFTER LAST POST. 

Meanwhile Archie, faint with heat and weariness, had made his way slowlyto Peter, who was at his old post, doing double and quadruple duty asthe sentry who commanded the approach to the landing-place; and asArchie entered the room he looked up eagerly. 

"I was thinking about you, Mister Archie, sir. "

"And I was thinking about you, Pete. "

"Thank you, sir. Have a drink, sir, " he continued eagerly, pointing toa brass lotah and a cocoa-nut shell. "It's nice and fresh, sir. MotherSmithers only brought it up about two hours ago, because she said thiswas the hottest place in the station; and it's splendid stuff, sir. It's kept me awake many's the time, when I've felt as I must snooze. "

Archie took the cup mechanically, filled it, and handed it to his man. 

"After you, sir, please. "

Archie raised the cup and drank. 

"Don't it put you in mind, sir, of the stone jar and thehelephant-shed?"

"Yes, Pete. Ah, it's rather warm, but very refreshing;" and he refilledthe cup and held it to the man. 

"No news, I suppose, sir?"

"Yes, Pete. More bad, of course; three more men down. "

"Three, sir! Well, I suppose we have all got to get a taste of themspears, just have our dose, and--good luck to him!--the Doctor will setus up again. "

Archie was silent for a few moments. 

"One of the men is poor Joe Smithers, " he said at last. 

"Joe Smithers!" cried Peter, letting his rifle fall into the hollow ofhis arm. "Joe Smithers!"

"I didn't know you cared for him so much, Pete, " said Archie, as he sawthe big tears gathering in the lad's eyes. 

"Oh, I liked him as a comrade, sir. He's a good chap, and fought aswell as the best of them. But it makes me feel ready to snivel, sir, about old Mother Clean-shirts. Why, it will about break her heart. Why, she was here a couple of hours ago to bring me that drinking-water, and looked as chirpy as ever. --Poor old girl!" continued Peter, asArchie told him what had passed. "It's a bad, bad job, sir; but wesoldiers has to chance it, for where there's a lot of bad there's alwaysa lot of good. And look at that now! Who's Joe Smithers as he shouldhave such a stroke of luck and have a nurse like that?"

There was silence for a few minutes, and the two lads sat gazing out ofthe window. 

"Extra quiet this afternoon, ain't they, sir?" said Peter. "Think itmeans that they are making up some fresh dodge to wake us up?"

"I don't know, Pete, " said Archie sadly. "You ought to be able to bringthat fellow down, " he added, pointing. 

"Yes, I could cripple him, easy, sir, though it is rather a long shot. "

"Then why don't you fire?"

"Only got two cartridges left, sir, " replied the lad, looking at thespeaker wistfully. 

"Cartridges!" said Archie, starting. "That's what I came to talk to youabout. "

"Go it, then, sir, please, for there's nothing I should like better tohear. --Hooray!" ejaculated Peter softly, as Archie related what hadoccurred. "Talk about corn in Egypt, sir! Well, we must have them. "

"The Major won't let us go, Pete. "

"No, sir, I suppose not. Says it's too risky. "

The lad was silent for a few minutes, and then went on:

"Yes, 'tis a bit risky, sir, for the niggers are as thick as thieves alldown that way; but you and me always did like a lark with a bit of spicein it--when we was boys; and that ain't much more than a month or twoago, sir. I should just like to get them cartridges; shouldn't you?"

"Yes, Pete, dearly; and it might be the saving of a good many lives. "

"To be sure it would, sir. "

"But it would be like acting in defiance of orders if we were to attemptsuch a thing. "

"Well, if you look at it like that, sir, I suppose it would. And theMajor would never forgive us--if we didn't get them. "

"No, " said Archie, "But if we _did_. "

"Yes, Pete, if we did he'd shut his eyes to our breach of orders. "

"Well, sir, we always did like a bit of spice, as I said just now--justa bit of risk over a lark; and this is only like a serious lark to do alot of good as well as giving us a bit of fun. I'm game, sir, if youare. "

Archie was silent for a few moments, and then he said slowly:

"It's for the benefit of all, Pete. With a couple of hundredcartridges, even if half of them are small shot--"

"We could kick up such a row, sir, as would make the niggers think wehad no end of supplies. Let's get them, sir. "

"How, Pete?"

"Oh, that means you are on, sir. How? Well, that wants aconsidering-cap and a little bit of thinkum-thinkum. How? Don't quitesee it yet, sir; but if you sets your mind on a thing, and comes to me--it always did end in our seeing how to do it, and that's how it's goingto be now. " Peter began to whistle softly and then sing in a whisperabout--

 "Some talks of Alex-ander, And some of Hercules, Of Hector and Lysander, And such brave chaps as these. 

"Here, I have got it, sir. "

"Yes--how?" cried Archie. 

"A boat, sir. "

"Bother! I have been thinking of boats and sampans and nagas andgunboats, and all the rest of them. How are we to do it with a boat?"

"Don't be waxy with me, Mister Archie, sir. You are in such a hurrywith a chap. I said boat. "

"I know you did, " said Archie gruffly. 

"And then you chopped me off short, sir, when I was going to say--andchance it. "

"That's what you are always saying. "

"That's true, sir; but you can't say but what it sometimes turns uptrumps. "

"Well, go on. What boat?"

"Any boat, sir. Anybody's boat. Why not smuggle the one we had when wewent fishing?"

"We can't do that again. There's a fresh rumour that Rajah Hamet isbringing his men up there; and we may have an attack from the lowerriver at any time. "

"Oh, that settles it, then, " said Peter. "We must have them cartridgesbefore those fresh reinforcements come. All right, then, sir. We mustcreep round right away outside the camp, and get to the water-side halfa mile beyond the spot where I was on duty and hailed you that night. There's sure to be boats up there. "

"Very likely. What then? But if there are they will be anchored rightout in the river. How are we to get one?"

"Swim, " said Peter laconically. 

"And the crocs?"

"Chance it, " said Peter. 

"Ugh!" ejaculated Archie. 

"'Tain't tempting, sir, but I'm game. Look here, Mister Archie, "continued the lad; "they say British soldiers are odd fish--and so theyare--but bad as we want cartridges, ain't four hundred of them, all new, and waiting to be used, at a time when every lad's pouch is empty, a bigenough bait to make any British soldier bite? Come on, sir; chance it!"

"I will, Pete; and if one of those hideous reptiles takes me down--well, I shall have died for my country. "

"I won't, sir, " said Peter fiercely, "but I'll die for him. I mean, Iwill disagree with him this 'ere way. Of course I should leave my rifleat home, but I should go that journey with a naked bayonet in my belt, and it will go rather hard before he settles me if I don't find time toput it into his fatigue-jacket here and there. "

"Yes, Pete; and, as you say, we will chance it. But when we have gotthe boat, what then?"

"Lie quietly in the bottom, sir, and let it float down till we are offthe foot of the Doctor's garden, and then one of us will hold it readyand drop down the anchor-stone or the grapnel, and there we are. "

"But suppose some of the Malays are already in the house. "

"No, we won't, sir. We are not going to suppose anything of the kind. We are going to chance it, sir. "

"That's right, Pete. When shall we start?"

"What do you say, sir?"

"I say to-night, directly after Last Post. "

"Last Post it is, sir. "

Peter had not lost the memory of differences of position, but he wasthinking of two men binding themselves upon a perilous compact thatmight mean death to both, as he slowly stole forward a very dirty hand. 

The young officer to whom it was extended on his part did not see in hiscompanion a private, but the brave, tried comrade, as he caught Peter'spowder-grimed hand in a warm grasp. 

And Archie's hand was just as grubby. 

CHAPTER THIRTY NINE. 

A DARK EXPLOIT. 

"It seems so stupid, Pete, going all this way round in the blackdarkness to get at the bungalow, when ten minutes at the outside wouldhave taken us there. "

"That's right, Mister Archie. What was it--five hundred yards?"

"Somewhere about; but if we had tried to walk there, how far should wehave got before we had spears through us?"

"About five-and-twenty, sir, or thirty; and then we shouldn't have gotthe cartridges. But, I say, this is about the darkest dark night I everremember. Glad I ain't on sentry-go. Can you make out where we are?"

"Yes. Can't you?"

"No, sir; we come such a long way round. But as far as I can make out, we are somewhere at the back of them big trees where they fed thehelephants on Sham-Fight Day. "

"Yes, I think that's right, " whispered Archie, as they knelt togetherwhispering. "But let's get on; we must hit the river somewhere. "

"Hope so, sir. It will be softer than hitting your head against trees. I did get a poke just now when I went down, and it has made my nosebleed wonderful. "

"How tiresome! Let's get to the river, and the cold water will soonstop it. "

"All right, sir. "

They had been creeping along for the most part on all fours for the pasthour since starting, so as to avoid friends and enemies, for they hadbeen expecting at any moment to hear a challenge from one of their ownoutposts or receive a thrust from a Malay spear. But so far success hadattended them, and Peter had just caught hold of his officer's arm towhisper that he could smell the river, but he said instead:

"'Ware hawk, Mister Archie!"

And the next moment there was a rush of feet, a rough-and-tumblescuffle, the sound of blows, and Archie was down on his knees, pantingand trying hard to get his breath silently so that he should not beheard. 

"It's all over, " he thought, "unless I can do it myself. Poor old Pete!I wonder where he is. "

He crouched a little lower as he heard the rustling of bushes a shortdistance away, and he did not stir till the sounds died out, when, guessing more than knowing where the river was, he made a slightmovement, and felt himself seized by the throat. 

"You stir, and--"

"That you, Pete?"

"Mister Archie! My! You have done me good! Let's lie down, put ourheads together, and whisper. There were three of them, I think, and onemay have stopped back. "

"It was our fellows, wasn't it?"

"Yes, sir; and I know who one of them was. Didn't you get a crack onthe back?"

"Yes. Drove me forward on my face. I think it was done with arifle-butt. "

"That was it, sir. You know who it was--Scotch Mac. He always says`Hech' when he hits out. "

"Yes, of course. "

"Well, wait a bit, sir. Some day I'll pay him back. I'll make him say`Hech' out louder. Hurt you much, sir?"

"Only made my arm feel a bit numb. Stop a minute and listen. What'sthat?"

"A splash!"

"Some one rowing?"

"Croc, perhaps, sir, with his tail. "

"Then we are close to the river. "

"Splendid, Mister Archie! Then it's going to be easy, after all. "

At the end of a few cautiously taken paces the two lads found theirprogress arrested by bushes, and they stopped short, trying hard topierce the gloom; but it seemed darker than ever. 

"Can you tell where we are, Pete?" whispered Archie, with his lips closeto his companion's ear. 

"No, sir; but take care, or we shall step right off the bank into thewater somewhere. Think I might strike a match, sir, and chuck it beforeus?"

"No. If you do we shall be having a spear this time instead of arifle-butt. "

"Right, sir; but I don't see how we are going to find a boat unless wewade in and chance it. "

"Let's get on, and creep through the bushes. It may seem a littlelighter close to the water's edge. "

Hand-in-hand they pressed on, the bushes brushing their faces butyielding easily for a few minutes, and then, as if moved by one impulse, they checked an ejaculation and stood staring straight before them, forall at once a bush they had reached sent forth a little scintillation oflight, and as Peter struck out with one hand, he started a fresh sparkleof tiny little lights, as a flight of fire-flies flashed out for amoment, and left the surroundings blacker than ever. 

"That's done it, sir, " whispered Peter. "I saw two quite plain. "

"I saw quite fifty, Pete, " whispered back Archie. 

"Boats, sir! Stuff--fire-flies!"

"Do you mean to say that you saw boats?"

"That's right, sir. Just a glimpse--tied up, not half-a-dozen yards outin the river. Come on, sir; I'll lead; only keep hold of hands and beready to step down into the water. These bushes hang quite over, youknow how. Ready, sir?"

"Yes. "

"Then come on. "

Two or three cautious steps were taken, which disturbed the occupants ofone of the clumps of low growth, which sparkled vividly as the nocturnalinsects were disturbed, and then the two adventurers were standingbreathing hard, hip-deep in the cool water which was flowing by them. 

"Hear anything, Pete?"

"Only the ripple-pipple of the water, sir. You see the boats thistime?"

"Yes, for a moment, quite plainly, away to your left. "

"We can reach them easy, sir; but it will get deeper. You must be readyto swim. Say the word, sir, and I will lead. "

"No, no; I'll go first. "

"That's wasting time, sir. "

"Right. Go on. "

The words had hardly passed the subaltern's lips when he felt a suddensnatch and a wallow in the water as if Peter had stepped out of hisdepth; but the lad recovered himself directly and stood firm, panting. 

"All right, sir, " he whispered. "Bay'nets!"

In his excitement Archie had forgotten the crocodiles, and he now torethe sharp, triangular blade from his belt, his imagination turning theripple and plap of water against the nearest boat into the movement ofan advancing reptile. 

But all the time, short as it was, Peter, with extended arm, was movingsideways in the direction where the boats had been seen, with thebayonet-holding hand stretched out in the direction of his goal, theother clutching Archie's left with a force that seemed crushing to theowner's fingers. 

Step after step was taken sideways, with the water each minute growingdeeper, and as they passed quite clear of the bushes they had left, thewater pressed more and more strongly against their breasts, so that theycould hardly keep their feet; while as the darkness above the flowingstream seemed to be growing more transparent, Archie turned his head togaze back in the direction of the overhanging bushes, in the fullexpectation of feeling a thrust from a spear, when he felt anothersudden snatch and tightened his grasp of his comrade's hand, for Peterhad reached deeper water and was borne off his feet, dragging Archiesideways. 

Then there came a sharp sound as of metal against wood, a splashing orwallowing that suggested the rush of one of the loathsome reptiles, andPeter gasped out in a gurgling way, as if he had been under water:

"All right, sir. I've got hold. Let yourself float down, and make asnatch at the side. "

How it was done Peter did not know, and did not want to. It was enoughfor him in the darkness that he could feel that his companion had holdof the side of the boat, which had careened over so that the surface ofthe rippling river was within a few inches of the edge; and there theyclung, listening with straining ears, trying to make out whether theyhad been heard. 

"It's all right, sir, " said Peter softly, as they now rested with theirarms over touching the bottom of the boat. 

"I don't know, " said Archie. "I think the stern's covered in. Isanybody on board?"

"Like enough, sir; but chance it;" and raising himself with a suddenmovement which made a loud wallowing and sent a shudder of horrorthrough his companion, Peter drew himself over the rough gunwale, rolledinto the bottom of the boat, in company with a gush of water, and then, bayonet in hand, crept over the thwarts and under the attap-coveredstern. 

"All right, sir, " whispered the lad; and he crept to the far side of theboat, trimming it so that it made Archie's task of joining him easier toachieve. "Ready, sir?"

"Yes. What about the moorings?"

"I was going to cut the rope, sir, " whispered Peter, "but I won't. Perhaps it's a grapnel, and we shall want it again. "

Creeping right to the bows, he began to haul on a roughly made fibreline, which came in readily as the water rippled more loudly against thestem, and the line became more and more perpendicular, till somethingstruck against the frail woodwork of the bows, and, panting with hisexertion, Peter drew a little, clumsily made anchor into the big sampan. 

"That's done it, " he whispered. "Hear anything, sir?"

"No; but we are floating down. "

"Lovely, sir. Now then, we shall have to look out, for we mustn't passthe Doctor's garden. "

_Crack_--_creak_--_scrape_!

The two lads dropped at full length into the water that was washingabout the bottom of the boat, and lay motionless till they had scrapedpast a boat that seemed similar to the one they had boarded. But it wasevidently unoccupied, and they raised themselves up into a sittingposition again, and strained their eyes to gaze in the direction of theshore they had left, where all was perfectly still. Then Archie felthis companion's hand touch his arm. 

"Talk about a lark, Mister Archie!" whispered Peter. 

"A lark?"

"Yes, sir. I forgot all about the crocs. They must have been asleep. "

_Plash_--_wallow_! came from just ahead, as there was a slight jar as ifsomething had been encountered, and a tiny shower of water flew overthem. 

"Doesn't seem like it, Pete, " said Archie softly. 

"No, sir; and the brute needn't have done that. I was quite wet enoughbefore. I suppose you are a bit damp?"

"Don't, Pete--don't!" whispered Archie. "This is no time for trying tobe funny. "

"All right, sir. I thought it was, for I'm in precious low spirits. Think we can manage to stop opposite the Doctor's garden?"

"We must, Pete; but I can make out nothing. I suppose we are a long wayabove the landing-place. "

"Oh yes, sir; and perhaps it's all for the best as we can't see, for ifwe could, whoever's ashore would see us; and that would mean spears, fornone of our chaps would be about here. "

"Look here, Pete, we must both watch; but you get right in the bows withthe grapnel in your hand, ready to drop it over silently when I say_Now_!"

"Right, sir; but we must have ever so far to go yet, eh?"

"I am not sure, Pete. "

"No, sir; but you will have to chance it. "

Archie uttered an angry ejaculation, and then clutched sharply at theside of the boat, which shivered from end to end and nearly capsized asit glided up the slanting rope of a larger vessel with which it had comeviolently in contact. But it righted itself quickly, and scraped alongthe side, with the lads crouching lower as they listened to the angry, muttering of voices and the scuffling of people moving. But the nextminute the river had borne them clear, and the muttering died away. 

"That must have been a naga, Pete, from the size of it, and having menon board. "

"Suppose so, sir. I thought it meant a swim for us. But, I say, itmust have spoilt somebody's beauty snooze. But look there, sir! Thatmust mean gardens. "

"What, Pete?"

"Can't you see them glow-worm things sparkling?"

"Yes. "

"Well, sir, ain't you going to say _Now_?"

"No, Pete. We cannot have passed the big landing-place yet. If wehave, only just. Yes, that must be it, and this must be the spot. Oh!if we could only see a spark of light from the Residency we should knowwhere we are. "

"Yes, sir; but it's no use to look out for lights. Still, we must begetting somewhere near, sir, and I'm ready when you are. I must leaveit to you, for you know more about boating on the river than I do. Itonly seems to me that it can't be long before we shall be opposite theDoctor's beautiful garden and the little steps at the bottom, where youused to land. "

"Yes, Pete, I must guess, for I can see nothing. "

"Nor me neither, sir; but don't be huffy because I say what I am goingto say. "

"No. Speak out. "

"Then just wait, sir, till you think we are as near as we shall get, andthen chance it. "

Archie made no reply as he reached over the side, and, unconscious ofthe fact that the stream had turned the boat completely round so thatshe was dropping down now bow foremost instead of stern, he suddenlyuttered the word "Now!" and his command was followed by a faint splashand the rattle of the rope passing over the bows, till there was acheck, and then they were conscious that the sampan was swinging roundagain, and Archie uttered a low, groan-like sigh. 

"What's the matter, sir? Didn't I do it right?"

"Right, my lad? Yes, you were right enough, but I was all wrong. Theboat has been gliding along stem first, and I have been confused andlooking at the farther shore, seeing nothing but the faint twinkle ofthe fire-flies. "

"Yes, sir; that's right enough. "

"No, no; it's wrong enough, my lad. I'm quite lost. I don't know wherewe are. You will have to haul up the grapnel again. "

"But what for, sir? She's swung round now right enough, head tostream--and look--look!" he whispered. "I can see trees quite plain. We must be close inshore. "

"Close inshore; Pete!"

"Yes, sir. Can't that be the Doctor's garden?"

"Hist!" whispered Archie; and there was a sound as if his companion hadgiven his mouth a pat, for from pretty close at hand there was the lowbabble of voices. 

"Hear that, sir?" whispered Peter again. "Our chaps?"

"No--Malays. "

CHAPTER FORTY. 

"WHAT ABOUT VICTUALS?"

For a few minutes it seemed as if the success that had attended them wasto be completely dashed, though it had become evident that, by awonderful stroke of good fortune, they had dropped the grapnel of theboat so that they were swinging nearly opposite to the part of theriver-bank which had been their goal. For then Fate, which had beenfilling their breasts with hope, seemed to have withdrawn from thembehind a darker cloud than ever. 

The voices were so near that they dared not whisper or stir, only waitin the full expectation of being seen and welcomed with a shower ofspears; but by degrees the talking ceased, and the silence was soprofound that it became evident that the enemy, whatever had been theirobject in coming there, had silently crept away. 

"Do you really think they have gone, sir?" whispered Peter. 

"I feel sure of it, " was the reply. 

"Then don't you think we could get out the poles and work the boatcloser in?"

"I'm afraid to try, Pete. The stream seems running so strong that wemight be swept away. "

"Oh, I don't know, sir, close inshore like this. I think we mightmanage it. Hadn't we better try?"

"Well, yes, " replied Archie, after a little hesitation. "We must usethe poles when we go away, unless we try going down-stream. "

"Oh, that wouldn't do, sir. It would be running right into RajahHamet's nest, even if we didn't meet Suleiman's men; and if we didn't doneither we should have to carry the boxes through them who aresurrounding the Residency. "

"We must get them somehow, " cried Archie impatiently. 

"Yes, sir. But we ain't getting them like this. "

For answer Archie seized one of the poles that lay along under thethwarts of the sampan, passed it over the side, and, to his greatdelight, found that close in to the bank the eddy was so strong thatthere would be no difficulty in working against the current. Thisdiscovery made, the grapnel was pulled up and the sampan thrust in closeunder the bank at the bottom of the Doctor's garden. 

"Nothing like trying, sir, " said Peter; and landing, he carried thegrapnel in to the full extent of the rope and pressed its flukes downinto the earth. 

This was not done without noise, and the two lads stood listening for afew minutes before proceeding farther. Once satisfied that there wereno fresh occupants in the bungalow, Archie led the way in, and the restof their task proved delightfully easy. 

He knew enough of the interior of the Doctor's home to make for thestore-room at once. Everything was open, just as it had been left inhaste, and in spite of the darkness they easily found the little, squareboxes of cartridges lying exactly as Mrs Morley had described; and eachsecuring two, they were about to hurry down to the boat, when Archieremembered the gun, which, he knew, was hanging over a cabinet in theDoctor's study. 

Placing his two boxes on the floor, he made for the Doctor's room, tookthe gun from the hooks where it hung, and hurrying back to the roomwhere he had left the boxes, he found himself alone, for Peter hadhastened off with his portion of the load. 

There was nothing for it but to wait; but at last his ears weregladdened by the sound of his companion's hurried footsteps, andtogether the remainder of the objects of their search were borne down tothe boat, which was cast loose, the poles were seized, and they began tostem the current. 

The work proved easier than they had anticipated so long as they keptclose inshore; but this, they felt, was incurring the greatest peril, for an occasional voice warned them of the presence of enemies close athand; and after one narrow escape, consequent upon their being hailed bysome one in the Malay tongue, they pushed off in despair, to make forthe farther bank of the river. 

This portion of their journey was not achieved without losing ground, for out beyond the middle there were times when, in spite of the lengthof the long bamboo poles, they could not touch bottom. But once moreclose inshore, they began to make better progress, and as they pausedfor a few minutes' rest in the thick darkness in a place closelyoverhung by trees, the question arose as to how long it would be beforedaybreak, for both felt that the night must be pretty well spent. 

"What do you say, Pete?" said Archie. 

"Don't want to say nothing, sir, " was the reply. 

"Why?"

"Don't want to put you out of heart. "

Archie was silent for a few moments. 

"You mean that it must be nearly morning now. Speak out. "

"Something of the kind, sir; and I was thinking that it seems too bad tohave to make a mess of it at the end. "

"Ah! You think that though we may get across and land with our load onour side of the river, we should have daylight upon us before we couldget anything like back to the Residency?"

"Wish I was as clever as you are, Mister Archie, " said Peter in a low, grumbling tone, as he thrust with all his might at the end of his pole. 

"What do you mean?"

"You saying just exactly what I was thinking about, sir. How you cometo see it all I don't know. "

"Oh, never mind that, Pete. It's very horrible, and when we are missingin the morning there will be no end of an upset, and they will thinkthat we have deserted. "

"Haw, haw!" grunted Peter, with another thrust of his pole whichhindered the straight course of the sampan. "Them thinking you haddeserted, sir? Likely! You ain't me. "

"Well, Pete, let's get as high as we can past the place where we got theboat, and then the moment we think that daylight's coming let's getacross, tie the boat up somewhere under the trees, and lie in hidingtill night. "

"Won't do, " said Peter shortly. "Boat belongs to somebody as ain't ourfriends, and when they find it gone they will come hunting along thewater-side till they find it, and like as not tell the enemy where weare. "

"You are right, Pete. Then we will find a snug place, and lie inwaiting till it's dark again; and we shall know by then pretty wellwhere we are, and take our measures for a fresh start. "

"That's right, sir. Glad I was able to do some good--and, I say, it'sgetting close to morning. "

"How do you know?"

"By them things as we have heard howling out in the jungle over and overagain. "

"I've heard nothing, " said Archie. 

"I have, sir; and they're getting quiet now. I heard a tiger once, andcrocs over and over again, but I wouldn't say anything. "

"I had too much else to think of, Pete, " said Archie, as he toiled hardat his pole, causing an eddy more than once, as if some river-dwellerhad been disturbed. 

It was not long after when the notes of the birds began to proclaim thecoming day, and the surroundings began to appear so plainly that at thefirst favourable opportunity the boat was run in beneath the shelter ofthe overhanging trees and made fast; while, as the day broadened andthey peered out across the river, Archie found they were so high up thatno object on the farther bank was familiar; and he said so. 

"Well, sir, I must leave that to you, " said Peter. "I ain't done muchboating, and have never been so high as this before. Well, from whatyou say, I suppose we shall be safe till night, and then we are going toget across and land them cartridges somehow or another where they arewanted. We've got a lot of hours to wait, though, first. "

"Yes, " said Archie, with a weary sigh. 

"Well, then, sir, what about victuals?"

CHAPTER FORTY ONE. 

"IF THE POWDER AIN'T DAMP. "

Morning came with a rush, the rays of the sun seeming to do battle withthe mist that floated over the surface of the river. The golden arrowsof light cut and broke up the one dense, grey, heavy cloud into portionswhich floated slowly along, separating more and more, the dull greygrowing rapidly silvery, then golden, and the gold becoming suffusedwith soft light. So beautiful was the scene that, while Archie gazedthoughtfully at its beauty, even commonplace, powder-besmirched Petersat with his lips apart, staring hard, and then, forgetting himself andtheir risky position, with its need for concealment, he clapped hishands softly. 

"Just look at it, Mister Archie!" he said. "Blest if the place don'tlook just like the inside of one of them big hyster-shells that they getthe pearls out of!"

"Hush!" said Archie softly. 

"Mum!" said Peter. "I forgot; but don't it look as if the river wasboiling hot and the steam rising, and the fire that hots it was shiningup through the cloud? I say, nobody could hear me say that, " hewhispered. 

"I hope not; but for aught we know boats may be floating down, hidden bythat mist. "

"Mist--of course, sir! But it do look like steam, and it makes me thinkof rations and hot coffee. I say, if one feels like this just atdaybreak, how's it going to be by night? Here goes to tighten my belt. "

Peter suited the action to his words, and moved the tongue of his buckleup two holes. 

After this the lad sat peering through a dense, green curtain of thebeautiful tropic leafage, till by degrees all the mist had floated awaywith the stream, leaving the water glittering and sparkling in thebright sunshine, and giving the watchers a clear view of the flowingriver and the jungle that bowed its pendent branches so that they kissedthe water, while farther on tall, rigid palms shot up and displayedtheir feathery tufts of great leaves, to sway gently in the hotsunshine. 

"Let's see, Mister Archie; don't seem to be many paths where helephantsand things come down to drink. I don't believe if we were landed therewe could get through those woods. I wonder what makes them call themjungles. I suppose it means because the trees are all junged uptogether so that you can't get through. If they called it tanglethere'd be some sense in it. But that ain't the worst. "

"What is, then, Pete?" replied Archie, speaking so that his companion inmisfortune should not think him surly and distant. 

"Why, we have got to carry them four little chesties and the gun rightthrough it in the dark. Well, we've got 'em, sir, and that's what wecome for. "

"Yes, Pete; and it will be a relief to get them to the Residency. "

"Yes, sir; and we have got to do it; and that means we shall, somehow. "

The lad ceased speaking, and bent down to shift the four square, solid-looking boxes a little, and as he did so he uttered a low grunt. 

"I say, sir, it's been so dark that we couldn't tell what we were doing, but lookye here. These 'ere two bottom ones are standing right in thewater. It's to be hoped they are tin-lined, or else what about thecartridges? What do you say to laying them two bamboo poles rightacross the boat for the day, and standing the boxes on them?"

"Good idea, Pete!" And the two lads busied themselves in placing theboxes so that the moisture would drip away, with the possibility oftheir getting dry in the sunshine, which was already beginning to filltheir shelter with semi-horizontal rays. 

"Here, I say, sir, if we had known what a ramshackle old wreck this 'eresampan is we should have stepped along pretty gingerly while we werepoling--at least I should, for it looks to me as if you could shove yourfoot through anywhere. Look at the sides! Why, they are half-rotten!"

"Yes, Pete; it's a wonder that the boat did not go to pieces when we ranup against that other one in the night. "

"That it is, sir. Why, if I'd known I believe I should have liked totravel outside, hanging on, with my legs in the water. "

"As a bait to tempt crocodiles, Pete?"

"Oh, I say, don't, sir! You give one the shivers. "

As the lad spoke he peered over the side of the boat and half drew hisbayonet from his belt. 

"Might be one of those beauties under the bottom now, sir, " he saidhalf-apologetically. "Nice morning, though, ain't it? Talking abouthanging one's legs over the side, we might lay them up a bit to dry;"and he set the example of stretching his own out on the seat-likethwart, and sitting silently for a while gazing through one of theopenings across the river. 

Then, as if being silent wearied him, his tongue began to go again. 

"Suppose you can't make out exactly where we are, sir, can you?"

"No, Pete; the river winds about so. "

"Of course, sir. Well, no wonder--it ain't got anything else to do. Got your watch, sir?"

"Yes;" and Archie drew it out from his pocket. 

"What time is it, sir?"

"One, " said Archie dryly. 

"Can't be, sir. Why, that means afternoon, and the sun's only just up. "

"It means that it was one o'clock when we waded into the river, and thewater got in, Pete. "

"Stopped! I'm blest! If you had thought of it, sir, you'd better haveleft it at home. `Home, home, sweet home!'" hummed the lad. "But thisain't home, and I'm precious hungry; but I'd a deal rather be here, after all, than in the old whitewashed barracks where we were stationedlast, with nothing but drill, drill, drill, till one felt as if they haddrilled a hole right through you. Feel anything of your head now, sir?"

"Yes, Pete; but not much. "

"That's the same with my hurt, sir; but one can't expect what we got toget well directly. Wish we'd got something to do, if it was only toclean one's buckles and lay on a bit of pipeclay. Is my face dirty, sir?"

"Horribly, Pete. Is mine?"

Pete showed his teeth in a broad grin. 

"Well, it would be all the better for a wash, sir, before you went in tomess. We might have a bit of a sluice. But I suppose it would be riskyto try and get closer in to the bank?"

"You couldn't, Pete. It would be impossible to force the sampan throughthis tangle. Why do you want to move? We are in a capital place. "

"I was thinking of getting some soft mud out of the bank to use insteadof soap. It's wonderful cleansing, sir. I know what I should like todo. "

"Not talk, Pete, for you are doing that now?"

"Yes, sir, I know, " said the poor fellow sadly. "I feel as though if Ididn't go on saying things and thinking of doing something, I should gohalf-dotty. "

"Nonsense, Pete! See how beautiful it is all round. "

"Yes, sir, lovely! But who's going to enjoy it when your inside keepson saying, `Soup and 'tater--soup and 'tater--soup and 'tater, ' andthere ain't none? Plenty of croc soup, of course. But, I say, MisterArchie, sir, think it would be safe to bathe?"

"No; but I think you must be _half-dotty_, as you call it, to proposesuch a thing. "

"Right, sir. Of course! It does look very pretty about here, but onecan't help feeling that one of them pretty, smiling creatures may belying in there, just where the leaves touch the water, and watching usall the time. Here, I should like to murder some of them. What do yousay to fixing bayonets on the end of them bamboo poles, and thenpitching leaves or bits of dead wood into the water as a bait for themreptiles, and having a bit of sport to pass away the time?"

"I don't feel much disposed for sport, Pete. "

"Course you don't, sir; but, you see, we've got hours and hours to sithere till it's dark. One feels as if one must do something. Here, Iknow! Capital! I've got no tackle but green leaves. I'll clean thatgun. "

"No cleaning-rod, Pete. "

"Must be, sir. "

"Of course; but it will be hanging up somewhere in the Doctor'sbungalow. "

"Might cut a young, thin bamboo, sir, " said Pete, looking sharply round, and feeling in his pocket for his knife. 

"I can see no bamboos, " said Archie--"nothing but crooked boughs. "

"Well, anyhow, sir, we might rub the specks of rust off with leaves. Would you like to have first turn?"

"No, Pete. I feel as if I could do nothing but sit still and rest andthink. "

"What about, sir?"

"What they are saying about us at the Residency. I suppose they willgive us the credit of not deserting. "

"Course they will, sir. They will be saying that we are lying spearedsomewhere not far from headquarters. My word, sir, won't Mrs Morleytake on about losing you, sir! And, oh dear! nobody won't miss me--except old Tipsy. Haw, haw, haw! He'd like to have me to bully-ragwhen he gets back to headquarters again. "

"Will nobody else miss you, Pete?"

"No, sir--I d'know, though. Yes--old Mother Smithers, next time she hasa chance to have a turn at the wash-tub. It will be, `Now, Pete, freshwater, please. ' Wish she'd got some of what's in this precious boat!Talk about a leaky sieve! Why, it's coming in everywhere. We shallhave to begin baling soon, Mister Archie. To be sure; that will be nextjob after I've rubbed up the gun, and--This 'ere ain't a fruit-tree, isit, sir?"

"Absurd!"

"Suppose it is, sir. I was thinking of cocoa-nuts and getting one downto bale with. I shall have to use my cap. It's wonderful how it'sstuck on. I ketched it slipping off twice, though, when we werecreeping through the wood. "

Peter reached for the gun, and began to rub the barrels with such leavesas he could pick; but after trying to polish for some time, he shook hishead in despair. 

"Only making it worse, sir. --I say, Mister Archie, you are not going tosleep, are you?"

Archie, who was resting one hand on the side of the boat and bendingdown sideways, rose quickly. 

"Hist!" he whispered. "Listen. "

Peter sat motionless for some little time, and then, looking full in hiscompanion's eyes, shook his head slowly. Then a look of intelligencecame into his face, and he nodded two or three times quickly, leanedforward, and placing his lips close to his companion's ear, hewhispered:

"Poles! Boat coming up-stream. "

The two lads sat thinking of their own slow advance as they had puntedupwards in the darkness, and fully understood the effort that was beingmade to force the advancing boat against the running water. 

Then the same thought must have animated both, for after peering throughthe leaves by which they were surrounded, each lay back upon the thwarthe occupied and cautiously began drawing one of the thick boughs thattouched the water closer in so as to increase the shelter; but no soonerhad Archie begun to disturb the water at the side of the boat than therewas a violent disturbance, and something dashed out into the open river. 

"Croc, " whispered Peter, "or some large fish. Wish I had him on mybayonet, sir. I could eat him raw. "

"Hist!" whispered Archie, for the sound of splashing poles was givingplace to the regular beat of oars; and crouching low, wondering whethertheir shelter would be pierced by the keen eyes of the enemy, they laywaiting, listening to the steady plash and the muttering of voices, which grew louder, and, looking bright in painted gold, with the rowers'silken bajus gleaming gold and yellow in the sunshine, a largedragon-boat glided by, so close to the lads' hiding-place that therowers' blades on their side nearly swept against the leaves, and theycould see the gleam of the eyes and glint of spears, for the boat wascrowded with armed men, and beneath the palm shelter in the stern theycould note the gaily plaided silken sarongs of the principal leaders ofthe party of Malays. 

Feeling that they must be seen, the lads hardly dared to breathe tillthe gilded stern of the naga had passed; and even then it seemed as ifthe steersman was looking back straight through the hanging leaves sothat he must detect the boat. 

At last both were breathing freely, for the plash of oars was growingmore distant, and Peter, who had found it horribly painful to remainsilent so long, hazarded a few words. 

"Felt as if my heart was in my mouth, sir. But do you know what I wasthinking all the time?"

"That they must see us, Pete?"

"Of course, sir; but something else. "

"Speak lower, man!"

"All right, sir; they can't hear. But can't you guess?"

Archie shook his head. 

"Well, I'll tell you, sir. Here's a double gun; there's four boxes ofcartridges. Why haven't you got it loaded and ready to blow a couple ofthe enemy overboard, and then _click, click_, shove in two morecartridges, as I should hand to you, ready for two more shots? Thatwould be enough to send them to the right-about, for they wouldn't knowbut what there might be half a company of us hiding here. "

"How are we to get at the cartridges, Pete?" said Archie, brighteningup, for his companion's words sent a thrill of hope through his breast, and their position seemed not half so defenceless as before. 

"I've got my knife, sir. "

"What! to cut through the lid?"

"No, sir. It's screwed down. I think I could turn the screws with thebig blade. "

Taking one of the boxes on his knee, he brought the blade to bear, butdared not put forth all his force, and for some time he could not geteven one of the fastenings to move, for the water had made the woodswell. 

"It's no use, Pete. "

"Oh, ain't it, sir? They are in precious tight, but we have got lots oftime; and look--the top of this box is steaming, and it's drying fast. I shall do it if I don't break my knife. "

_Click_!

"There, now, if half-an-inch of the blade ain't gone! And I thought itwas a bit of the best stuff in our company. Well, there's a bit left towork with, and I must try and cut through. "

"No, no!" cried Archie eagerly. "Try if the broken blade will not gointo the ends of the screws. "

"What! and use it as a screw-driver, sir?" cried Peter joyously. "Why, it will be quite easy now. Call mine a head! Why, it's as thick as abowl. Here, take it coolly, sir! Here's one coming out as easy aseasy. --There's one! Don't shout `Hooray!' sir, for sound runs alongover the water like a skate on ice. Why, my knife is like a real tool. Couldn't have broke off better, sir, and in half-an-hour we shall be allright if--"

"If what, Pete?"

"The powder ain't damp. "

CHAPTER FORTY TWO. 

"DON'T YOU KNOW ME?"

To the great satisfaction of both, the upper layers of the cartridgesproved to be quite dry, and, at Peter's suggestion, they made sure ofhaving a couple of dozen handy by bestowing them in various pockets. 

"All right for present use, sir, " said Peter; and placing in a fewleaves to refill the box, he lightly screwed down the lid again. 

"It's a pity to do that, " said Archie. 

"Think so, sir? We have got to get those boxes down to the Residency, and it might happen that we should be obliged to hide them somewhere. Anyhow, what we've got out will be handy. Now then, I want it to getdark. What do you say to one of us taking an hour's snooze?"

"By all means, Pete. It will help us to get through the long watchingbefore night. There, I could not sleep now. You lie down while I keepwatch. "

"Oh no, sir; you first. "

"Don't argue, Pete. I say, lie down, " said Archie sternly. 

"Right, sir. But you will play fair? Rouse me up in an hour, and letme relieve guard. "

"I will, Pete. We both want rest, and we shall do our work the betterafterwards. "

Peter promptly prepared the only dry place he could find, which was inthe stern of the boat, by dragging down a portion of the bamboo andpalm-leaf awning and laying the pieces across so as to form a littleplatform, where he stretched himself out, and before a minute hadelapsed he was breathing so heavily that his companion began to peer upand down the river and think of the possibility of the sleeper beingheard. But nothing was in sight downward, and he now found that bychanging the position of the boat a little he could command a long reachupward--quite a mile. 

The guessed-at hour grew into what must have been two, and amidst theannoyance of flies, and troubled by the intense heat, Archie satwatching and thinking, and wondering whether it would be possible assoon as it was dark to thread their way among the bushes of the oppositeshore and carry their burden to the help of their friends. 

"It's all what Pete calls chancing it, " he said to himself; "but we maysucceed--and we will. "

At last, just as he was thinking that it might be wise to awaken Petefor an exchange of places, he suddenly caught sight of a large boat inthe extreme distance, gliding round a slight curve, and after watchingit increase in size as it came rapidly down, he laid a hand on Peter'sarm, and the lad started up, fully awake. 

"Relieve guard, sir? Right! Give us the gun, " said the lad quietly;and then, following Archie's pointing finger, he realised the new peril, and withdrawing his hand, he drew out his bayonet and replaced it readyfor instant use. 

A glance showed the pair that they could do nothing more to add to theirconcealment, and with the boat rapidly nearing, they sat and watched, Archie with the cocked piece lying across his knees ready for theirdefence in case of need. 

During the first part of the time their impression had been that it wasthe dragon-boat they had seen going up, but as it drew nearer they madeout that it was manned by Malays, evidently of the poorer classes, butwell-armed and in all probability followers of some minor chief. 

To the lads' great satisfaction, it seemed that they were hugging thefarther shore, and they passed by travelling slowly, without evenlooking in their direction, and glided out of sight. 

"Lucky for some of them, Mister Archie, " said Peter, as he stretched outhis hand for the gun and crept forward. "There you are, sir. I feellike a new man. Have a good sleep, sir. It helps the time alongbeautifully. How did you guess an hour, sir?"

"Never mind about the time, Pete. You guess another as nearly as youcan; but wake me, of course, if there is any danger. "

"You trust me, sir, " was the reply; and Archie lay down, feeling thatthe position would be restful, but certain that he should not be able tosleep. 

Five minutes had not elapsed, however, before he was sleeping heavily, but ready to awaken at a touch and sit up, to stare about him wildly. 

"Why, Pete, " he said angrily, "I have had more than an hour. "

"Well, just a little, sir. Feel all the better for it, don't you?"

"Why, you scoundrel, " cried Archie as he readied for the gun, "it'sclose upon evening--close upon night! How dare you disobey my orders?Why didn't you wake me up?"

"Hadn't the heart, sir, " said the lad quietly. 

"But I said--"

"Yes, I know you did; and I was going to wake you up half-a-dozen times, but I knowed how weak you were, and that you would want every bit ofstrength for what we have got to do to-night; and I didn't want you tobreak down. "

"Am I your officer, sir, or am I not?" said Archie fiercely. 

"Yes, sir, of course; and I know I ought to obey the word of command. But you don't want me to do impossibilities, now, do you, sir?"

"What do you mean?"

"Why, sir, you don't want me to carry you and the cartridge-boxes too?"

"No; I should carry my share, of course. "

"Yes, sir; but I should be having Paddy's load. You would be carryingthe boxes, but I should be carrying you and the boxes too. "

"Pete--" began Archie fiercely; but he was checked by the lad's action, for with one hand he pointed up the long reach, and with the other heplaced the gun across the subaltern's knees. 

"A boat!" said Archie. 

"Two on 'em, sir;" and they sat gazing up through the gathering gloom oftheir shelter at what the last faint rays of the setting sun showed tobe a large sampan coming down the river, urged by a couple of Malays whowere steadily using their poles, while some distance behind a boat aboutdouble the size was following them, propelled by oars. 

"It will be all right, sir, " said Peter. "By the time they come by hereit will be getting dark. Look at that farther one. The attaps lookedred just now, but they are turning brown already. "

"Yes; and look there. Why, Pete--am I right? It seemed as if one ofthe Malays in the front of the far boat stood up and threw a spear. "

"Right you are, sir, and no mistake. There goes another. Can you seehow many there are in the first boat?"

"Three, I think; and one's a woman. "

"I thought two of them, " said Peter; "and there's eight or ten or adozen in the other. Well, sir, the far-off one must be enemies, and thelittle boat must be friends. I know which side we ought to take, and wecan now. "

"What do you mean? Fire?"

"That's right, sir. "

"But we shall show where we are. "

"Of course; but we can't help that, sir, " cried Peter excitedly. "Herethey come. They'll overtake the little 'un directly. You've got bulletcartridges, sir, for I tried one. But I don't know whether this doublegun will carry so far; so you had better wait. "

"One barrel's rifled, Pete, and it will, " said Archie, drawing himselfinto a kneeling position and resting the barrels upon a horizontalbough. 

"Look sharp, sir! Oh, murder--there goes another spear! I couldn'thardly see, but it must have gone close to that woman who is handlingthe bamboo. Oh, do fire, sir!"

There was the sharp report of one barrel, and then, as the smoke rose, Archie fired again, and opened the breech and rapidly inserted thecartridges that Peter handed to him; while, as if startled by thereports, the rowers in the far boat laid on their oars, and those asternstarted up, and the lads could dimly see their spears bristling in thegathering gloom. 

"Give them another, sir--only one--and reload. You missed first time. You must bring down a couple now. "

Archie fired again, and this time one of the Malays seemed to spring outof the boat and drift behind. 

"That's good, sir. Here's your cartridge. Now then! Give them twonow. They are coming straight for us where the smoke shows. Quick, sir!"

_Bang, bang_ went the double gun, the reports almost simultaneous, forin his excitement Archie had no thought of reserving one shot; and as hehastily reloaded he could see in the rapidly dimming light that therowers were changing the course of their naga, as if to get out of theline of fire, and were beginning to make for the opposite shore; whilethe big Malay in the small sampan had ceased his efforts to pole hisboat more swiftly along, and was using the bamboo to steer the littlevessel, which, gathering force from the man's efforts combined with theswift stream, plunged right in through the hanging boughs behind whichthe two lads crouched. There was a heavy crash, mingled with thebreaking of twigs, and the two lads were driven headlong into the bottomof their boat. 

Archie struggled up at once, holding his double gun on high to keep itout of the water, with which he was drenched; and the first thing hecould make out through the wide opening torn in their shelter was thenaga and its occupants gliding rapidly by, the rowers pulling as if fordear life, and the spearmen crouching down in the bottom, half-hidden bythe awning. Then they were gone. 

Meanwhile Peter was struggling to free himself from the encumbrance ofthe big Malay, who had been shot from his own vessel right upon him; andthe next thing that met Archie's eyes, as he gazed through thecrushed-down leafage driven before the lesser boat, was Peter'sbayonet-armed hand with the weapon raised dagger-wise, and beyond theMalay, who was holding out his hands, the native boat with the Malaywoman, pole in hand, panting hard as if from exertion. Then his eyecaught the figure of the other woman, kneeling in the stern. 

"Pete, look out! Quick! We must climb into this boat. She's cut usdown. Quick--before it's too dark to see!"

"Here, I don't understand, sir. This fellow knocked me down, and--"

"Understand! Can't you see we are sinking? It's deep water here. "

Before he could finish he dimly made out that the big Malay hadstruggled clear and seemed to be much higher as he dragged at Peter, hoisted him right up, and jerked him behind; while at the same time thepanting woman was holding out the pole she used, at which Archiegrasped, just in time, as he felt the water was gradually bearing himaway. 

The next minute he was being dragged over the side of the sampan by thetwo Malays, and as they lowered him so that he lay upon his back, Peter's head suddenly appeared between the two strangers, with the eagerquestion:

"Have you stuck to your gun, sir?"

"Yes; all right, Pete. What a horrible accident! Where's our boat?"

"Rotten old cocoa-nut shell, " cried Peter savagely. "There's the laston her just going down;" and he pointed to a spot a few yards away, where, dividing the pendent branches of their shelter, was the attaproof of their sampan. "And do you know what that means, sir?"

"Utter wreck, Pete, " said Archie, breathing hard from excitement. 

"Yes, sir; and my four boxes of cartridges with all them blue pills goneto the bottom to feed the crocs. "

"But what about the other boat?"

"Why, we are in it, sir. Can't you see?" said Peter sourly. 

"No, no--I mean the enemy's. "

"Oh! Out of sight, sir. Gone down the river just as if you werepeppering them still. "

"Eh? What?" cried Archie, as he became aware of the fact that some oneelse had spoken, and that a bough of one of the trees that overshadowedthem was being pressed aside; and, half-stunned in his astonishment, theyoung officer grasped the words that seemed to be coming in theconfusion of some strange dream:

"Archie! Don't you know me? I'm Minnie Heath. "

CHAPTER FORTY THREE. 

THE ENEMY'S WORK. 

Archie Maine and Minnie Heath sat in the darkness, hand clasped in hand, the poor girl sobbing bitterly, nearly overcome with emotion, after, ina low, excited voice, asking questions about her aunt and uncle and SirCharles. After learning that all were alive and safe, she burst out inso wildly hysterical a fit that there was a low, deep growl from thedarkness at the far end of the boat. 

"Silence, Pete!" whispered Archie sternly. 

"'Twarn't me, sir. It's this 'ere Malay chap. I think he means thatyou oughtn't to make so much noise at that end. I wanted to saysomething of the kind, but I didn't want to be rude to the young lady. "

Minnie was silent directly; and close to the spot where Peter had beenspeaking a curious rustling noise arose, which Archie could notunderstand, till almost at once the edge of the moon appeared above thenight mist and lit up the interior of the shelter, and then it was plainthat the big Malay fisherman was busy at work cutting down branches andlaying them across the boat, in which a pile of leafage was beginning toappear. 

"What does he mean by this?" whispered Archie. "I suppose he means thebranches to disguise the boat. "

"I don't know, " said Minnie. "I suppose so. I don't think we need ask. He and Dula have saved me, and have been most kind. "

"But can you talk now?"

"Yes, yes; I will not break down again if I can help it. "

"I'll wait, " said Archie. 

"No, no; go on talking, pray, " half-sobbed the girl. "It keeps me fromthinking. What were you going to say?"

"I was going to ask you how you knew that we were in hiding here. "

"Knew! Oh no! It was like this. Dula and Pahan were bringing me downin their boat, believing that they could reach the bungalow in thedarkness and hide me there. Of course you did not see in the dusk thatI am wearing Dula's baju and sarong. "

"No; it was all too dark and confused. But I did think you were anative woman. "

"That is good, " said Minnie. "Dula brought me down to the creek wherethe boat was lying, and Pahan meant to pretend after dark, if we met anyof the Malays, that he was taking in fruit for the Rajah's men. But wewere seen too soon. One of the Rajah's boats came in sight, and thechief with it called to us to stop. Then Dula said I must lie under theattap mats, as they were going to pretend that they did not hear thecall. They began poling the boat along as hard as ever they could, hoping, as the stream was with us, that we could escape; but--" The poorgirl broke down with a sob. 

"Don't talk about it, Minnie--dear sister, " said Archie quickly. "Sitquiet and try to believe that you are safe. Pete and I will die soonerthan harm shall befall you now. "

"Yes, yes, I know, " said the poor girl, stifling her rising sobs; "but Imust talk. Don't stop me. It helps me to grow calm again after thehorrible excitement of that race for life. Oh, " she shuddered, "it wasterrible! For they kept gaining upon us, till they got near enough tobegin throwing spears, two of which passed through the attaps; and Icrouched down, praying that the darkness that was so near would comedown and hide me so that Pahan could run the boat in somewhere amongstthe bushes. At last, when it seemed all over, and I was feeling that Imust bid good-bye to life and jump into the river before I saw thesedear people speared to death, my poor heart gave one great throb inanswer to the sound of your rifle, while Dula uttered a cry of joy, knowing the shots at the Malays could only come from friends, and helpedher husband to force the sampan right in amongst the trees where we sawthe smoke rising; and then--Oh Archie! oh Archie!" She broke down, andas she clung to her old companion, the lad made what sounded like adreary attempt at a mocking laugh, as he exclaimed:

"Upon my word, Minnie, it was too bad! Here were we trying to save you, and you dashed in, sank our boat, sent all my cartridges to the bottom, and nearly drowned us into the bargain. "

"Don't--don't try to make a laughing matter of it, Archie! I can't bearit now. "

"Of course you can't. Forgive me for being such a fool. I say, yourwhat's his name--Pahan--he's getting quite a stack of green stuffaboard, and--Hang it all! Look at the moon!"

"Yes; I am looking, " sighed Minnie. "I've watched it many a time sinceI have been in hiding, and I never thought to look upon it peacefullyagain. Oh Archie! go on talking to me. Tell me more about Sir Charles, and what you have all been going through at the station. "

"Can't. It would take a month. "

"Oh! do tell me something. "

"Breaking our hearts about you, then--everybody in the place. Even poorold Mother Smithers sat down and cried like a child; didn't she, Pete?"

"Gugg!" said the lad, out of the darkness. "Can you get at your knife, Mr Archie? Mine's turned into a screw-driver, and I want to help thisnig--Malay gentleman to cut sticks. "

"Here you are, Pete, " said Archie, after a hard struggle to get his handinto the pocket of his overall, and a harder struggle still to get itback with the knife. 

"Thankye--gugg--sir! Blest if I don't believe I'm going to have acold!" And the cutting and rustling of thick, leafy branches went on. 

"Now, Minnie, tell me, what do they mean to do?"

"Yes, " said the girl quickly. "Dula told me--she can say a few words inEnglish, and I know a few Malay sentences as well, so that we managed tounderstand one another--she said her husband thought he could get theboat down to the foot of our garden in the darkness, and then we couldall carry baskets of fruit, and so pass through the Malays to a spotwhere we could make a dash for the Residency, where we should be safe, if some of the soldiers didn't shoot us down. "

"Ah, " said Archie slowly, "you needn't be afraid of that, Minnie. "

"What's the matter?" cried the girl sharply. 

"Oh, nothing. I am only very wet. "

"You are trying to hide something, Archie, " said Minnie earnestly. "Youcalled me sister a few minutes ago. "

"Well, " he said sharply, "that's what you are to me. "

"Then is it brotherly to keep something back?"

"Oh, all right, then, " said the lad. "It was only because I didn't wantto give you more troubles to think about. "

"What is it, then? I know: Sir Charles is wounded, or perhaps--"

"No, no. He's been knocked about, like the rest of us. I was keepingit back that our men haven't got a cartridge among them left to fire. Pegg and I were at the bungalow last night to smuggle out your uncle'sdouble gun and the cartridges, and we had got in here to wait till nightcame again before we landed and tried to make our way back to theResidency. "

"Say, Mister Archie, sir, " grumbled Peter, as Minnie sat pressing herold companion's hand in token of her gratitude for what he had said. 

"What is it, Pete?"

"I can't understand what this chap says, but he made me shut up yourknife, and has put away his own, so I think he means we have got as muchgreen stuff as we can carry. "

"Yes, that's it, Pete. Well, what?"

"Only this, sir. You see the moon there?"

"Of course I do. "

"Well, is it a heclipse or an echo, or anything of that kind, overyonder?"

"Where? What do you mean?"

"This 'ere way, sir. You are looking t'other. "

"Nonsense!"

"You are looking the wrong way, sir. Hold them branches back. Yes;it's getting wuss, sir. Blest if they ain't burning the Residencydown!"

CHAPTER FORTY FOUR. 

THE FISHERMAN'S PLAN. 

Peter's conclusion was only a guess, but it soon became evident that afire was raging somewhere in the direction of the station. But this didnot seem to trouble the two Malays, who shifted the position of the boatby pushing it clear of the trees, to one of which they secured thesampan so that it swung in the stream, while they rearranged thegreenery that had been collected, and worked hard in the brightmoonlight so as to give it some semblance of a market-boat carrying downsupplies from higher up the river. 

This done to the satisfaction of the owner, whom Peter had been workinghard to help, the lad uttered an apologetic cough. 

"Look here, Pete, " said Archie impatiently; "if you are going to saythat we had better remain in hiding on account of the moonlight and theglare of that fire, you had better be silent, for we must trust to thesepeople to do what they think best. "

"I warn't a-going to say nothing of the sort, Mister Archie, sir, "protested the lad. 

"Then what were you going to say? I know that that cough or grunt ofyours means that you are going to object to something. "

"No, sir; it's not a object to anything unless you say I can't have it. I was only going to ask if Miss Minnie didn't say something about havingfruit aboard this 'ere craft. "

"Yes, yes!" cried Minnie excitedly. 

"Well, miss, " said Peter, with a sigh of relief, "if you won't think itrude of me, I should just like to say that Mister Archie here ain't hada mossel of nothing to eat since the day before yesterday, and PP ain'tmuch better. "

"Oh Dula!" exclaimed Minnie; and she uttered a few words in the Malaytongue that sent the woman rustling past the cut boughs beneath theattap awning, to return directly and gladden the eyes of Peter with abasket containing a heap of bananas and a couple of native-made cakes. 

"Ah!" sighed Peter. "Don't they look lovely in the moonlight! Tlat!"he added, with a hearty smack of his lips. --"No, thank you, sir. Nowater, please, " he continued, after a busy interval. "I never feel surewhat you might be swallowing when you have a dip out of the river. It'sall very well when the sun shines hot, but when it's the moon it don'tmake you thirsty--least it don't me. "

It must have been a couple of hours later, during which the occupants ofthe boat had been watching the rising and falling of the fire as theyswung slowly to and fro at the end of the rope, when Minnie, who hadbeen speaking in a whisper to the boatman and his wife, turned to hercompanions and said:

"Pahan thinks that we may risk floating down the river now. Theexcitement of the fire will be pretty well over when we get abreast ofthe bungalow, and we have a long journey yet; and then if he makes theboat fast, as he says he can, at the foot of the garden, he thinks noone will notice it. But we shall have to lie hidden, and, if necessary, covered up with the boughs. "

The covering over with boughs fell to the share of the two lads, theshelter of the attap mats and her Malay dress seeming likely to besufficient for Minnie's protection if they neared any Malay boat, thatmost dreaded being the naga whose occupants had been put to flight--though even if that were encountered, the sampan was now so transformedthat it was not likely to be recognised; and once more the little partywere in motion, floating down towards the station, the Malay poling theboat and keeping as near as possible to the farther shore. 

CHAPTER FORTY FIVE. 

"CLOSE UP!"

"Don't you think we might make a bigger peep-hole, Mister Archie?"whispered Peter. 

"No, " was the abrupt reply. 

"All right, sir; you know best; only it is precious smothery. I'm ashot as hot. "

"Can't help it, Pete. We must bear it, and above all now that we aregetting so near. "

"Yes, we are near; aren't we, sir?"

"Very near, Pete. "

"Can you make out anything more about what is burning?"

"Yes--the Residency. "

"That's bad, sir. Thought we was to retreat to there when things gottoo hot at the orspittle. "

Archie had been raising the boughs that concealed them as they drewnearer the upper landing-place, dropping very slowly along, theirprogress being checked by the manipulation of the boat's grapnel underPahan's clever management, for he controlled the rate at which they werecarried downward on the swift stream by using the rough little anchor asa drag. 

As far as could be made out in the moonlight, the river was quite clearof boats, and, to their surprise, they glided on into utter silence, while not a moving figure could be made out. 

Archie had, in a whisper, given such information to his companion as hecould, and attributing the position to their still being at aconsiderable distance from the scene of the conflict, he had crusheddown in his own breast the feeling of dread that the worst had occurred. He had just come to this conclusion when Peter made a horriblesuggestion. 

"Mister Archie, " he whispered, "ain't it all very quiet?"

"Yes. Perhaps the enemy is waiting for broad daylight, to make anotherattack. "

"More fools they, sir, when they might catch our poor chaps quite doneup in the darkness and without a shot to fire. But you don't think, sir, as we are too late, and the niggers have made a rush, carried allbefore them, and ended up by finishing our lads off?"

"No, I don't, " said Archie shortly; "and now don't talk. What's the useof making the worst of things?"

"Quite right, sir. There, I've done; but I'd give anything to get towork again. Just tell me this, sir: how much farther have we got togo?"

"A very little way, " whispered Archie, as he raised his head a littleand peered through the boughs, to see that the fire was burning low andthat they were now gliding into comparative darkness, evidently causedby the river mist keeping down the smoke, which hung low and partiallyobscured the light of the moon. 

And now the big Malay was evidently busily using his pole, and thrustinghard to force the boat into the position he had marked. Then, as far asthe listeners could make out, he had hauled up the little grapnel sothat it hung over the side, worked hurriedly with his pole again, andthen laid it leaning against a pile of boughs so that the two lads couldhear the water dripping where they lay. 

Then the grapnel was lowered again, and the boat swung round; and asArchie raised his head once more, it was to find that they were close upto their old position whence they had made their successful capture ofthe cartridges. And now it seemed as if they had suddenly glided fromsilence into the noise and turmoil of the fight, for from the shore camethe shouts and yells of the Malays, who were evidently engaged in asavage attack upon the defenders of some portion of the station, andArchie, in his excitement, uttered a low:

"Thank Heaven!"

"What did you say that for, sir?" whispered Peter excitedly. 

"That horrible silence, Pete, made me afraid that you were right. "

"Ah, yes, sir; and that all our poor lads were wiped out. It's allright, sir, only that we ain't got no cartridges. But what are yougoing to do, sir? We can't go on lying here. "

"No, Pete, of course not, " whispered Archie, though there was no need, for the noise and tumult would have drowned his words even had they beenspoken aloud. 

He raised the boughs, but nothing was to be seen, for the bungalow washidden by the smoke and mist now being borne by the faint breeze of thecoming daylight in their direction. But he could make out enough todetermine that an attack must have just commenced upon the mess-room andits surroundings, while, in spite of the stillness in that direction, the lad could gather that the defenders must be still holding their own. 

A sudden sharp rustling and movement of the boat made Archie turnsharply. 

"Don't say nothing, sir, " panted his companion, whose voice sounded asif he had been running hard. "I couldn't bear it no longer, sir. I wasbeing smothered. Can't you hear, sir? They ain't cheering, but ourchaps is at work with the bay'net. "

"Yes, yes, I hear, " said Archie hoarsely. 

"Well, sir, we are close inshore, and with a sharp run we could get inand help. "

"But it would be madness, Pete, to try and land with Miss Minnie now. "

"Who wants to land with Miss Minnie, sir?" cried the lad fiercely. "She's safe here. You tell her to lie low, and say that what's his nameis to pull up his anchor and run her a bit lower down, or across theriver out of danger till all's safe again. "

"Impossible, Pete. We are almost unarmed, and it would be likeforsaking the poor girl at a time like this. "

"What you talking about, sir? Here's two of us, and there's our poorchaps dropping before these niggers' spears. Come on, sir! I mustspeak, for I feel it's our duty to be there. "

"Yes, Pete, " replied the subaltern in a voice that he hardly knew as hisown; and rising clear of the bushes, he made his way to where he coulddimly make out the figure of Minnie kneeling beneath the attap roof. 

"Minnie, " he whispered, "our men are fighting to defend the station, andour place is there. Tell the Malay to get the boat across to a spotwhere you will be safe. Don't ask me to stay. I can't. " Turning fromthe girl as she made a snatch at his hand, "Now, Pete, " he said, andgrasping the gun, he sprang over the side into the shallow water, andthen, as he dragged himself out by the help of the nearest bush, a quickpanting from the gloom around told him that Peter was by his side. Thenold discipline asserted itself. "Forward! Double!" he cried; andfalling into step, the two lads ran almost blindly in the direction ofthe shouting and yells, which acted as their guides to the quarter wherethe conflict was going on. 

Those next minutes were to the lads like a brief period of blindconfusion, and at one time they were hurrying between trees where thesmoke was thickest, rising from places where firing was going on and themist hung low but seemed to be lightened here and there by theflickering of fire, whose pungent odour of burning wood assailed theirnostrils. Then Archie was conscious of finding himself rushing througha crowd, at whom he struck right and left with the barrels of his gun, and of hearing a piercing yell somewhere to his right, followed by agrim, stem voice growling:

"You've got it, then!"

And at last, with a bound, the two lads stumbled, nearly fell, and thenleaped together over a rough breast-work, and fell heavily amongst thedimly seen defenders who were left. 

"Friends--friends!" yelled Peter, and then, "Mister Archie, sir, whereare you? Ah! That's done it!" For no reply came in answer from hispanting companion, who was being partly held up by one of those whom hehad joined, and who gasped out a cheer. 

"That's right! Hooray it is!" cried Peter. "Here, give us a rifle. I've got a bayonet. " And Archie heard the _click, click_ of the keenweapon being fixed. 

This brought back his failing powers, and the next minute, findinghimself in the little line of defenders who were dimly seen in the smokethat was floating from the levelled Residency, he raised the gun hestill clung to, tired twice into the bearers of so many bristlingspears, and began to load again, asking himself the question, "Are thecartridges wet?"

The little, hurriedly thrust-in rolls answered for themselves with twomore sharp reports, and these four shots resulted in checking theenemy's advance and in raising a wildly exultant, though feeble, cheerfrom the defenders along the little line; for, trifling as was theaddition to the failing force, the shots seemed to give as muchencouragement to the enfeebled men as dismay to their enemy. 

"Fire, sir--fire, Mister Archie! Don't stop to aim, sir!" panted Peter. "I've got a lot more ready. Fire till the barrels are too hot tohold!" And, trembling with excitement the while, Archie fired as fastas he could drag the cartridges from the pockets where they lay. 

And as he fired again and again the Malay attacking party hung back, dropped a little more to the rear, and began turning their spears intomissiles, which began to whistle past the defenders, who were findingtheir voices more and more, and cheered hoarsely. 

"Here y'are, sir! Old England for ever!" cried Peter. "I've got abouta couple of dozen handy. Ketch hold. "

"Who's that firing?" came in a familiar voice from Archie's right. "You, Maine! Great heavens! I thought--Here, distribute some of yourcartridges to the men. "

"No use, sir. This is a shot-gun, " panted Archie hoarsely; and he firedagain twice, snatched at a fresh supply from Peter, and was in the actof closing the breech again, when the Major exclaimed:

"Stand fast, my lads! It has given you a rest. Bayonets!"

There was another cheer at this, and the men stood fast as ever--adwindling party, hard beset, of the defenders of the mess-room veranda, their breast-work for the most part consisting of the bodies of theslain. 

"Steady, my lads! Close up!" cried the Major. --"That you, Sir Charles?Good! I didn't know you could use a bayonet like that. "

There was a tremendous yell from the front now, and it became plain thatthe enemy had recovered from the check given by the recrudescence of thelong-stopped firing, little though it was, and were now coming forwardin greater force. 

"Close up, my lads!" he said again. "God save the Queen!"

The cheer that burst forth was only faint, but it was true as theBritish steel with which the men stood ready to deliver their finalthrusts. 

"The last two, Mister Archie!" panted Peter in a low tone. "Let 'emhave 'em, sir, and then be ready. I've got another rifle and bay'net. Fire, and chuck the Doctor's gun at them and hooroar! We will diegame!"

"Close up!" roared the Major desperately, as he stood sword in hand, ready to give point. "Stand fast, and let the black-hearted cowardsspit themselves upon your bayonets. --What's that?" he cried. 

"A fresh body of 'em, sir, coming round to right and left. "

"That you with your bad news, Sergeant?" cried the Majorhalf-laughingly. "Good-bye, my lad! Good man! Brave soldier! Butwe've done our best, and they'll say it was bravely done at home. --Formsquare! Rally!" he roared, as he now raised his sword on high. --"Welldone, subaltern--and you too, boy, " he added, as right and left, withlowered rifles, Archie and Peter helped to close him in. 

Yell, yell, yell, came in a savage roar, as, like a dark wave flashedwith scarlet and amber yellow, two lines of spear--armed Malays inadmirable military order charged round the two angles of the mess-roomright and left; and as the tiny square stood firm, it was to see thenew-comers dash wildly past and tear away right before them in a fiercecharge upon the advancing enemy, whose attack that had meant theextinction of the brave defenders was now turned into a repetition ofthe sham-fight's rout, as they scattered in wild retreat across theparade-ground and made for the jungle. 

The defenders stood, with presented blood-stained bayonets, inbewildered silence for a time, and too much astounded to cheer as theywatched the smart, bright military charge of the new enemy, for itseemed impossible to believe that these were others than a fresh partywho were making some terrible mistake. 

They watched then as the fresh, bright line with glittering spears toreon, driving the enemy before them, till the latter began to plunge inamongst the jungle trees, or made for one or other of the paths, whenall at once a wild, shrill cry rang out, and, as if by magic, the new, well-drilled force stopped short as though in obedience to the loud, familiar sound of a British bugle. This was answered by two more, onefrom the path nearest to the river, the other away from the direction ofthe village campong; and in response to these three calls came as manycrashing volleys, while as the smoke arose it was to display a motleycrowd of the enemy returning in wild excitement, driven back by thecheck, to be met in their retreat by the spears of their new foes. 

What followed was a short and desperate encounter, in which the retiringfoe turned wildly again to reach the shelter of the jungle, but only tomeet the quick, scattering fire of the advancing detachments, which, asif from some carefully planned manoeuvre, but which Peter called chance, were now advancing in the nick of time. 

The fight was over, for, hemmed in now, Rajah Suleiman's despairingforce threw down their arms in appeal for mercy, crushed, beaten, half-destroyed. 

Trapped by Malays--by George Manville Fenn

CHAPTER FORTY SIX. 

"HOO-RAY!"

In the midst of the wild bursts of cheering given out again and again bythe rescued men, wounded (who were many) and sound (who were very few), to those who had succoured them in their direful time of need--shoutsthat were echoed and re-echoed by the wearied and weather-worn comradeswarmly shaking hands and almost ready to embrace old friends--there wereother meetings and heart-stirring incidents. Not the least interestingwas that in which the commanding officers of the three detachments werein turn grasping the hand of the quiet-looking young leader of thewell-drilled Malays who had come up from the rear and literally flungback Rajah Suleiman's savage warriors on to the bayonets of thereturning force. 

"I don't know how to thank you enough, sir, " said Captain Down. 

"Nor I, sir, " said Lieutenant Durham. 

"You, Ripsy, " cried Captain Down again--"you understand these thingsbetter than we do. Did you ever witness a better advance and charge?You saw it, didn't you?"

"Yes, sir, " said the old Sergeant, "just as we were all out of breathand were struggling out of the jungle path. "

"Well, say something to the Prince, man. "

"No speaker, sir, " said the Sergeant-Major gruffly; "but I should havebeen a proud man if I had had the drilling of such a body of men. "

"Oh, gentlemen, gentlemen, " said the young chief, "it is all imitation, and the teaching of an old non-com, whom I have had with me ever since Icame back from England. Only too glad to have come in time. But Ishould like to say a few words to Major Knowle and Sir Charles Dallasbefore we retire to my boats. "

"Oh, we will talk about that by-and-by, " cried Captain Down. "I seethey have been playing havoc here while we have been tricked and deludedinto following no end of false and lying guides who professed to lead usto the place where Suleiman and his men were retiring before us. Comealong. Good heavens! I had no idea that the Major had been pressedlike this. The Residency gone, too! And look, Durham--it was time wecame!"

The officers and the young Rajah quickened their steps across theparade-ground, dotted now with fallen Malays, wounded and dead in thefinal _melee_; and Captain Down uttered a groan as he ran to grasp thehand of his chief, who took a step or two forward by the help of hisblunted and rusted sword, while the relics of the defenders stood round, cheering hoarsely and feebly, and trying to cheer again, but breakingdown in the effort and lapsing into silence, each man craning forwardeagerly to listen to what was said. 

"We had no messages, sir, from headquarters, or we should have been backlong before. All we could gather was that the Rajah was fleeing beforeus; and Durham was told the same. Here--the Sergeant too. He was ledon and on by people who showed him the tracks of Suleiman's elephants, and--"

"No more--no more, " said the Major hoarsely. "I knew you'd have come, and that there must be some good reason. I thank Heaven that it was noworse, for in my despair I was ready to agree with my true comrade here, Sir Charles Dallas, that each detachment had been led into some trap, and my brave lads slaughtered to a man. As you see, we have had prettywell to fight to the death, and I'm too weak and ready for the Doctor'shands to grasp everything. I want to know, though, " he added feebly, "how it is that this brave little native force came to us at the lastpinch and turned our defeat into a victory. "

"What! don't you know, sir?" cried Captain Down excitedly. --"Here, RajahHamet, speak for yourself. "

"Rajah Hamet!" cried the Major and Sir Charles in a breath; and theyoung man took a step forward as the group of officers drew back to givehim place. 

"Oh, don't say anything, Major, " said the young man, smiling. "I havealways been your friend, but, somehow, your caution and the malignantlies and jealousy of an old enemy made you distrust me. But there, Iremember a Latin saying at my English school. It was, to speak no evilof the dead. "

"The dead!" said Sir Charles, who looked startled. 

"Yes, sir, of the dead--the man who plotted to rob me of my country, andmake you believe in him and mistrust me. "

"But you said dead, " cried Sir Charles, who spoke with difficulty, as hesupported a wounded arm with a bleeding and roughly bandaged hand. 

"Yes, sir. Rajah Suleiman died bravely in his final charge. "

"Are you sure of that?" said Sir Charles excitedly. 

"Yes, sir; I saw him fall. But one word, Sir Charles: I should like tohear from your own lips that you believe in me now. "

"Believe in you, Prince! You have proved that my suspicions have allbeen wrong. I ask your forgiveness, sir; and let me be the first tohail you as the new Rajah of Suleiman's dominions, combined with yourown. "

"You mean this, Sir Charles?" cried the young man, who for the momentlost his calm, Eastern composure. 

"Mean it, sir? I repeat it in the name of Her Majesty the Queen, whoserepresentative I am. --Yes, what is it, Major?--Quick, some one--theDoctor! He is fainting. "

"No, no, " said the Major feebly; "only a little overcome. Water, fromthe Doctor's well. Don't fetch him. He has too many brave fellows toattend to yonder. Ah! thanks, Rajah. You carry a water-bottle, then, as we do. "

"I was never more glad to follow a good old English custom than now. "

"Ah!" cried the Major, after a hearty draught. "That's like new life. I had half-forgotten. Everything's been swimming round me. Now tellme, some one--you, Sergeant--did not Mr Maine come suddenly upon us, asif from the dead, to help us at the last?"

"Yes, sir; and young Pegg as well, " said the wounded Sergeant, saluting, as he supported himself upon the rifle and broken bayonet he held. "But--"

"Ah!" cried the Major excitedly. "Don't say that--"

"No, sir, I hope it's not that, " said the Sergeant huskily; "but theywere both amongst the missing as I tried to call the roll. "

"Wrong, Sergeant!" cried a husky voice, and all turned and saw agrim-looking private sitting with his bandaged head resting upon onehand. 

"What do you know, then, Joe Smithers?"

"Only here they come, " growled the poor fellow, as he flung up hisdisengaged hand and cried, "Hoo--"

He meant to say "Hooray, " but his feeble voice was drowned in a freshburst of cheers, as from the direction of the Doctor's bungalow MinnieHeath appeared, nominally led by Archie and Peter Pegg, but partlysupporting them as they tottered on either side. 

At that moment a wild cry of joy rang out, and Joe Smithers's wife, whohad dropped a great brass lotah of clear, cold water which she had beento fetch from the Doctor's well, hurried in to announce that thecommanding officer was down, and had brought the Doctor with his wife toattend to their brave old friend. 

Poor Archie and Peter had to snatch at the nearest hands, as, with a cryof joy, Minnie sprang to her aunt; while, after an interval devoted toembrace and welcome, the Doctor turned to Archie and began to examinehis hurts. 

"Quiet, sir!" he cried, as he passed a hand hastily across hisscrewed-up eyes. "I've no time for all this nonsense with all thesewounded on my hands. I've kissed her, boy, and said I was glad; and heraunt and Sir Charles here will do all the rest. Now, Archie, my lad, nononsense; lean on me. Do you think I've been wounded too? I haven't ascratch. I say you shall have first turn, and--I say, wasn't I rightwhen I prescribed that day? Do you feel anything like a boy now?"

"Oh, I say, Doctor, don't!"

"What!" cried the Doctor, purposely misunderstanding him. "What! goingto play the woman? Bah! I'm going to hurt you far more than that. "

THE END.