"No, Sahib; nothing but my kris in my padung. If I take a gun and am seen, I shall seem an enemy and be speared."
"Yes; right. And we are to wait until you come back?"
"That is so," whispered Sree. "Now, silence. No one will speak. Adong knows."
The next moment the prow of the light boat touched the dark bank, and
Sree leaped right ashore.
Harry held his breath, expecting to hear the rush of feet; but all was still, and the boat went gliding back through the darkness to the other side, where the men made it fast, and then squatted down upon their heels in perfect silence, watching the faint lights across the river.
It was a terrible silence, and Harry wondered, as he sat there listening for anything which might give him a clue to the state of affairs, at the change which had taken place during their short absence. When they left, the place was bright with gaiety, and the river fringed with houseboats full of light-hearted people; now all was painfully still, save the murmur from the direction of the palace, while the river glided by, lapping the sides of the boat, and making the boy shudder as he thought of how much it could tell of the secrets hidden beneath its dark waters.
All at once Phra started violently, for a loud shouting and beating of gongs arose once more from the direction of the palace. They could see lights, too, moving, as if a party were on their way to make an attack; but the sound of firing recommenced and kept on till the gong-beating ceased, when the lights seemed for the most part to die out.
"Those mean attacks being made on the palace, Phra," whispered Harry, "and the firing is from our friends."
"Yes," said Phra; "but it is so hard to bear. Hal, I must go across and see."
"No," said a voice close to his ear. "You must stay and bear it, Phra, till we get news."