The Rajah of Dah Part 11

"Yes; it is very awkward," said Mr Braine.

"Tell him I am highly flattered, but I must go on to-day.--Well, go on: speak to him."

"I cannot. I dare not."

"Then I will."

"But you can't; you do not know his language."

"Then I'll show him in pantomime."

"My dear sir, pray do nothing rash. I understand this chief and his people. You are quite strange to their ways. I beg you for your own sakes to accept the position."

"But it is making prisoners of us, sir. English people are not accustomed to such treatment. I will not be forced to stay."

"My dear Mr Murray, you are losing your temper," said Mr Braine.

"Just let me, as a man of some experience out here, remind you of what, in cooler moments, you must know: I mean the necessity for being diplomatic with eastern people. Now pray look here. I know how annoying all this is; but on the other hand, you will have facilities for carrying on your researches such as you could not create for yourself."

"Yes; but I do not like to be forced."

"I know that. It is most objectionable."

"And I see through him as plainly as can be: he wants me to find out gold, or tin and precious stones, and other things for his benefit. It is degrading to a scientific man."

"You are perfectly right; but I must speak plainly. This man has perfect confidence in his own power, and he rules here like the Czar of Russia. My dear sir, be guided by me. You have no alternative. You cannot leave here, and he will have no hesitation whatever in imprisoning you if you refuse. Come, accept his proposal with a good grace, for your own and your nephew's sake--I may add for the sake of the follow country-folk you have met here to-day."

"But my good sir," said Murray angrily, "this idea of forcing me makes me the more indignant and obstinate."

"Yes; but forget all that in the cause of science."

Murray smiled.

"You are a clever diplomat, Mr Braine," he said. "Well I give way, for, as you say, there is no alternative."

"That's right," said Mr Braine eagerly, "and I hope you will not regret it. There, the rajah is growing impatient. He must not think you have spoken like this. I shall tell him that you have been stipulating for abundance of help."

"I do stipulate for that."

"And freedom to pursue your investigations in every direction."

"Yes; I stipulate for that too."

For some time past the rajah had been frowning, and loosening his sabre in its scabbard and clapping it down again, while Ned noticed that, as if antic.i.p.ating an unpleasant reminder of their master's anger, the people right and left squatted and stood like statues, gazing straight before them. But when Mr Braine left the two strangers, and went back to the fierce-looking chief and made a long communication, which he had dressed up so as to gloss over the long consultation and Murray's defiant manner, the rajah's face lit up, and showed his satisfaction, the courtiers and attendants relaxed, and began to chew their betel.

Ned even thought he heard a faint sigh of relief rise from the group, as Mr Braine bowed and returned to where the newcomers were standing.

"You have acted very wisely, Mr Murray," he said. "Come now, his highness wishes to speak to you."

Murray could hardly crush down the feeling of resentment which troubled him, but he walked up with Ned quietly enough, and stood waiting and trying to attach a meaning to the words which the rajah said, feeling how valuable some knowledge of the language would be, and hardly hearing Mr Braine's interpretation.

"His highness bids me say that he will be most happy to meet your wishes with respect to accommodation, and freedom to explore."

The rajah spoke again.

"And that boats, elephants, and men to clear a path through the jungle, are to be at your service."

There was another speech in Malay, which Mr Braine did not interpret, apparently for the reason that the rajah now rose from his stool, and took a step forward to tap both Murray and Ned on the shoulder, standing looking from one to the other, and rolling his great quid of betel-nut in his cheeks as he tried to recall something he wanted to say.

At last a smile came upon his heavy features.

"Goooood--boyahs," he said thickly. Then, drawing himself up, he stood fast, holding the scabbard of his sword in his left hand, threw his right over and grasped the hilt, and then in strict military fas.h.i.+on evidently, as he had been drilled by an instructor, he drew his sword, saluted, replaced the blade, faced to the right, marched a dozen paces; faced to the right again, and marched toward his bamboo and palm palace, the loose fit of his tunic and the bagginess of his trousers showing off to the worst advantage, till he was covered by his followers, who also marched after him mechanically, sword-bearers, men carrying a golden betel-box and golden spittoon, courtiers, and spearmen. At last all were either in or close up to the house, only the two Malay chiefs, who had fetched the strangers from the doctor's bungalow, remaining behind.

These two came up to them smiling in the most friendly way, just as Murray said: "What about our boat and the men?"

"Oh, they will be all right," replied Mr Braine.

"But the men? Am I to send them back?"

"No; his highness desires that they stay."

Just then the chief who had been spoken of as the Tumongong--a kind of chief counsellor--made some remark to Mr Braine, who nodded.

"These gentlemen," he said, "wish me to say that they hope we shall all be very good friends, and that they will see the rajah's wishes carried out as to your comfort."

"And our guns and things in the boat?"

The Tumongong spoke at once.

"You are not to make yourself uneasy. Everything will be right."

Then profound salaams were exchanged, and the Malays went toward the rajah's house, while the Englishmen took the way that led to the doctor's.

"I am beaten, Mr Braine," said Murray, rather bitterly. "I said I would go."

"You have acted very wisely, sir."

"Humph! Well, perhaps so," said Murray, rather gruffly. "Here we are then, Ned: prisoners in the cause of science we'll call it.--But it seems to me, Mr Braine, that if we do not mind our P's and Q's, we shall be prisoners indeed."

Mr Braine made no reply, but his looks seemed to endorse the other's words.

CHAPTER SIX.

MAKING THE BEST OF IT.

"Ned," said Mr Murray, as they reached the doctor's, "run and tell the boatmen we are going to stay," and Ned started off.

The boatmen did not seem in the least degree surprised upon Ned announcing to them that they were to stay for the present. "It is kismet--fate," said Hamet, calmly.