“Yes,” said Major Sandars. “I envy you your command of countenance, and knowledge of the language, Linton.”
“Game? over?” said Mr Linton, smiling sadly. “No, my dear sirs, that is only the first move our adversaries have made—king’s pawn two squares forward; to which I have replied with queen’s pawn one square forward.”
“And that’s a bad move, isn’t it, Horton?” exclaimed Major Sandars.
“So the chess books make one think,” said the captain.
“It all depends upon your adversary and your game,” said the resident, smiling. “Gentlemen, I hope I have done right.”
“And what are you going to do now?” said Captain Horton.
“Wait to see our adversary’s next move. Meanwhile, gentlemen, extra caution will do no harm, for we have touched the Malays in one of their most sensitive places.”
“We? You mean those young scamps of boys,” said Captain Horton.
“Oh, it’s we all the same,” said Major Sandars. “Well, what’s to be done?”
“I should, without seeming to do anything, put on a few extra sentries, Major Sandars,” said the resident; “and, Captain Horton, I should be ready for action at a moment’s notice, and be cautious about who came on board, and what prahus anchored near.”