Trapped by Malays Part 25

"For shame, Henry!--Don't you believe him, Sir Charles. I am sure I did the poor woman a great deal of good."

"It's all very fine," said the Doctor. "I must confess the woman did get better; and if madam had quite poisoned her, as she was a native it wouldn't have mattered much."

"Oh uncle, for shame!--He doesn't mean it, Sir Charles," said Minnie.

"But it would have spoilt my credit," continued the Doctor; "and there, I don't want to see a lot of blow-flies with lights in their tails; so, once for all, I sha'n't go."

"But you ought to go, my dear," said Mrs Morley, who looked rather annoyed.

"Why?"

"Why? To take care of Minnie."

"It doesn't take two men as well as a couple of servants to take care of one little girl. Don't talk stuff, my dear. I'm sure Sir Charles will take every care of her."

Mrs Morley said no more, and Sir Charles left at last with the matter entirely settled to his satisfaction, while Minnie smiled in answer to a few words respecting the old folks leaving them to themselves.

The evening promised to be perfect, and Minnie was waiting for their visitor, when, just as she was beginning to be impatient, a note was brought from the Resident stating that Rajah Hamet had come up the river unexpectedly to discuss a question relating to the possibility of some stronger alliance.

"I am horribly disappointed," wrote the Resident, "but it is a Government matter, and your uncle will understand with me that I am only too much delighted to find that this again proves that my doubts were all wrong, and that I am glad to welcome the Rajah here. He evidently means to stop the night, and I have sent in for Major Knowle to join us.

Under the circ.u.mstances I feel that I dare not come. However, you shall not be disappointed; the boat is waiting with two picked men, and I must beg that your uncle and aunt will be your companions."

"There, old lady," said the Doctor as, in a disappointed tone, his niece finished reading the letter. "It will be rude to Sir Charles, as well as a bitter disappointment to Minnie. Come, there's no cause for alarm.

If there were I would not ask you. Say you will come."

"No, Henry," replied the lady firmly; "I will not."

"Oh, very well," said the Doctor, as he saw the tears rising in his niece's eyes. "You sha'n't be disappointed, Minnie. We will risk your aunt giving some poor woman a lotion to take instead of a draught. Get your cloak and veil. We mustn't have any trouble from the night air.

I'll take you myself.--Hullo! What in the name of wonder does this mean? An elephant--another Rajah!"

"Two of them," said Mrs Morley anxiously, "and they are coming here."

"Yes," said the Doctor, stepping out into the veranda of his pretty bungalow to meet his visitors, as the great, soft-footed, howdah-bearing beast was checked by his mahout at the bamboo fence. One of the two Malay officers bent down to inform him that the Rajah Suleiman had been out shooting that morning with his French friend, and that, after firing at a tiger, the wounded beast had leaped upon the Rajah's elephant, and Suleiman and his friend had both been mauled. The bearers of the message stated that the Doctor must come at once.

"Can't help it, my child," said the Doctor. "I am sorry for your disappointment, but it is impossible for me to refuse. In an ordinary case I might postpone my visit, but, you see, Suleiman is our friend, and it is most important that I should be off at once."

"But, my dear," exclaimed Minnie's aunt, "it means your being away all night."

"Of course; and if he's very bad I may have to stay two or three days.

There, I can't stop talking. Get me my little bag while I fetch my instruments and some dressing."

Without a word Mrs Morley hurried to obtain what was required, and the Doctor patted his niece on the shoulder.

"Never mind, my dear. We must give it up. Dallas will be able to go with you another time, and you will enjoy your trip better."

Minnie nodded.

"I won't mind, uncle--much. But it never rains but it pours: here's somebody else wants you."

"Young Archie! What does he want?"

He soon knew, for the lad hurried up, glancing at the two Malays upon the elephant, giving Minnie a quick nod, and then catching the Doctor by the arm and hurrying him into the nearest room.

"The Major sent me to know what these two swells want. He thinks they have come to your place instead of to him."

The Doctor explained at once, and then a sudden thought occurred to him.

"Look here," he said; "you know Sir Charles was going to take us up the river in his boat this evening?"

"Yes, I know. He's got Rajah Hamet, and the Major's going into the Residency. That's why the chief thinks those chaps on the elephant have come to the wrong house."

"Well, look here, my lad; you must take my place."

"What!" cried the lad, staring. "I could pour him out a dose of physic, or I could tackle a native, but I wouldn't undertake to dress a Rajah's wounds."

"What are you talking about, stupid?" cried the Doctor angrily. "I mean, take my place and escort Minnie up the river in the Resident's boat."

"De-lighted!" cried the lad excitedly. "Of course--but I don't know whether the Major will give me leave, as Rajah Hamet's here. Here, I'll run back as fast as I can, and be with you, if it's all right, in no time."

"Yes, do. I don't want the poor girl to be disappointed; and you will take care of her?"

"Of course!"

Archie was turning to go, when the Doctor caught him by the arm.

"There's no need. I will jump up on the elephant as soon as I have got my bag, and go round by headquarters and make it right with the Major."

"Yes, sir, do. Capital!--But no, no. He sent me to find out, and he won't like it. I must go, Doctor."

"What! am I not surgeon to this force, and are not all officers under me? Here, I will make him like it. You mind what I say--I give you leave to go."

Just then Minnie and her aunt came to the door with the Doctor's bag, and Archie hesitated.

"Look here, Minnie," he cried, hurrying to her side; "I am going to--No, no," he said, giving his foot a stamp, "I can't! I will not, Doctor.

Here, I will run on and get back. Look here; you see how important it is. Here's Down coming as hard as he can to see why I have been so long."

"Confound you, sir!" cried the Doctor. "And when I'd settled the whole thing!--Here, you, Down, what do you want?"

The Captain came up quickly, and the state of affairs was explained, ending with the new-comer being introduced to the two Malay officers.

"Look here," said the Doctor, turning to the Captain; "you explain everything to the Major, and tell him I am off at once to Palm-Tree Palace, and am keeping Archie Maine here to take my place for an hour or two. You understand?"

"Quite," said the Captain.

"Maine thinks, as the Major has sent him with a message to me, that he ought to go back; but your coming and the answer I send by you, I consider, will be sufficient to exonerate your subaltern. What do you say?"

"Oh yes, sir; quite sufficient."

"Now, Archie, my lad, are you satisfied?"