"Hist! Sahib Phra; a boat is coming."
All listened, but the Europeans once more felt that they had been deceived, till suddenly there was a faint splash, followed by the dull pattering of water against a prow, and this sound came nearer and nearer till a big, dark shadow propelled by quite a dozen oars was seen to glide up the river towards the palace landing-place.
They waited till the boat passed out of hearing, and Phra went on.
"Harry and I could darken our faces, hands and legs easily enough so as to pass for common people. We did once dress like that. You remember, Hal, when we went right down among the house-boats and no one knew."
"Yes, I remember," said Harry shortly.
"It would be easy for us," said Phra; "but—"
The boy stopped.
"Would Doctor Cameron and I disguise ourselves for such a purpose as this? Certainly we would."
"Yes, of course," said the doctor huskily. "What about the native clothes—the baju and padung?"
"They would be easier to get, Sahib—easier than spears."