Trapped by Malays Part 55

As the Doctor rose from one knee, something bright caught Archie's eye and somehow brought to mind the gold bracelet he had seen the French Count wear. Then thought after thought flashed through his mind, as he heard a deep, muttering groan, and the man who had brought the tidings whispered to his young officer:

"That's the same as he did before, sir--just cried 'Lo-lo-lo!' or something like that."

"Why, Doctor," said Archie excitedly, "did you hear the rest--'_De l'eau_'? He was asking for water."

"Yes--for the love of Heaven! what does this mean? He can't be a Malay."

"No," said Archie excitedly. "It's impossible to recognise him for certain 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 Down and I were startled by hearing some one outside the veranda--some one who must have been listening to you and Sir Charles when you were talking together?"

"Here, I don't understand," said the Major petulantly. "What could the Rajah'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 the Rajah's. He's a Malay. That's a piece of a silk sarong clinging to his waist, with a kris stuck in it."

"Yes, sir," said Archie; "but those are European trousers he's wearing underneath, and--yes!" cried the lad, as he bent nearer and shrinkingly touched the blackened wrist, just as a fresh flight of flame rose from the ruined magazine--"I am certain that's the gold bracelet the Rajah's friend used to wear. It's got a French motto on it, which you could see if you took it to the light. But I know it by the shape, and I thought that it was a silly bit of effeminate foppishness on the part of a man."

"Yes," said Sir Charles; "I remember thinking so too. Why, the scoundrel must have been in the pay of the Rajah, and played the spy here to pretty good purpose. I don't think you need search for the cause of the magazine being exploded."

Further conversation was ended by the report of a musket, which served as the signal for several more, all fired from beyond the parade-ground, and doing no harm, though the _whiz_ and _phit_ of the bullets pa.s.sed close by, and could be heard striking against the nearest buildings.

"Cover," said the Major sharply. "Never mind the fire now. It will do them as much harm as it does us, for we shall be able to see its glint reflected 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 patient carried in."

"Your what!" said the Major fiercely. "The renegade who has dealt us this cowardly blow?"

"I never ask questions about a man's character," said the Doctor gruffly. "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, and court-martial him and shoot him afterwards, as a spy, that's not my business, and I shall not interfere.--But look sharp, my lads. These big musket-b.a.l.l.s are coming unpleasantly near, and they make very bad wounds. I can't afford to get one in me, for I am afraid you will want your surgeon for some time to come."

It was a horrible task, but the four men who raised the injured man to bear 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-bullets were flying faster, fortunately without aim; and as shelter was reached it 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 be seen every now and then at the jungle-edge, and as the enemy once more gathered as if for a rush, their threatening yells grew plain.

"Well, young Maine," said the Major slowly, as he pa.s.sed his hand over his 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 officer wonderingly.

"Yes, because you are such a young fellow. There, go on. Don't let the men waste a cartridge, for they must be made to last until one or the other of our detachments comes in--I hope well supplied, for if they've been 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 tough work getting through the jungle--and there, look at that! These fellows have plenty of pluck, or they wouldn't expose themselves as they do. I expect to find that we have very little more ball-cartridge. Well, it will be bayonet against spear, and if it were only equal sides I should back our lads. As it is, Maine, we must hope, and pray for our lads to come 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 on with his new patient. You are right, my lad; I am sure now. You young fellows jump at a thing directly. We old fellows want a good deal of thought over anything before we will accept it as a fact."

"Are you looking for anything, sir?" asked Archie, as the Major walked close 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 a result of a violent thrust from Archie, who swung out his sword and struck up the shaft of a spear with one cut, sending the spear to stick into the upper framework of the window, his next stroke being delivered with the pommel of his sword crash into the temple of a Malay who had crept up in the darkness and made two thrusts at the gallant old soldier, who said dryly, as one of his men made a thrust with his bayonet and rendered the treacherous enemy _hors de combat_.

"That was very soldierly and smart, Maine. They're as treacherous as the great striped cats of their jungle. Well, I suppose I ought to thank you for saving my life, but we soldiers don't talk about this sort of thing."

CHAPTER THIRTY SIX.

A STRANGE CONFESSION.

The Doctor was busy with his patients in the heat of the day, loosening one poor fellow's bandage, and tightening another that an irritable sufferer had worked loose; while Mrs Smithers was thoroughly proving her 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 where Peter Pegg was stationed, and from whose window an occasional shot rang out from time to time, with the result of the gaudily robed Malay in a smart, 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," said Mrs Smithers; and then, in response to a second: 'Yes, old lady, or, I should say, Madame la d.u.c.h.esse'--"Now, please, sir, don't you get calling me names too. I don't mind from the Doctor, but it teases when it comes from a young gent like you. No, sir, I ain't cross, only a bit worried by the flies. They are terrible, and it's all due to its being so hot."

"Yes, Mrs Smithers," said Archie meaningly. "It is hot, and no mistake. But how beautiful and tidy you have got everything!"

"Well, it is a bit better, sir. I have been collecting all the mats I could find for the poor boys. Do you hear any news, sir, of reinforcements coming up?"

"Not yet, old lady."

"I do wish they'd come, sir; and oh, Mr Archie, can't I do anything for you?"

"Me? No! I am not wounded."

"No, sir; but, oh dear, what a state you are in! Some clean things would be a blessing to you."

"Oh, wait a bit. One's got something else to think about now. Where's the Doctor?"

"He was here just this minute, sir; and he's sure not to be long, for I never see such a man for watching everybody who's in hospital. There, I thought so! Here he is, with the mess water-can and a clean gla.s.s. He might have asked me to fetch some water if he wanted it. But he always will interfere with what's in my department."

"Hullo, Maine, my lad, you here! You are just in time. I've been fetching a can of this clear, sparkling water for my poor fellows. Look sharp, for I can see several eyes looking at it hungrily--I mean thirstily," he added quickly.

He filled the gla.s.s after the fas.h.i.+on of d.i.c.kens's butler, trying to froth 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 and hot. I will have the next gla.s.s."

"No, sir, please," said the woman firmly. "You want it worse than I do."

"Don't waste time," said the Doctor sternly. "Drink the water, my lad."