“What do you think, Captain Smithers?” said the resident to that officer, who was present.
“I cannot help agreeing with the major,” he replied. “I see no reason for these extra precautions.”
“Then I am in the minority,” said the resident, smiling.
“Look out there, gentlemen,” he said, pointing through the open window. “What do you see?”
“You tell him, Smithers,” said the major, “I’m too hot and tired to do more than breathe.”
“I can see the bright river with the lights of the steamer glistening on its surface; the fire-flies are darting amongst the trees; the stars look soft and mellow; altogether it is a delightful picture, that reminds one of being in some delicious summer retreat on the banks of dear old Father Thames.”
“Captain Smithers,” said the resident, gravely, “it is indeed a beautiful picture; the river flows peacefully on with the lights reflected from its bosom; but you know as well as I, that if a man attempted to breast those treacherous waters, he would, before he had swum many yards, have been drawn down by one of the hideous reptiles that swarm in the Parang. That river is to my mind a type of the Malay feeling towards us—the intruders upon his soil. So little am I satisfied with what seems to me to be a deceitful calm, that I have serious thoughts of asking you to increase the sentries.”
“Nonsense, my dear Linton,” said Captain Horton; “we shall hear no more of the affair.”
“We shall hear more,” said the resident. “Wait and see.”
The resident was right; for the next day the sultan’s principal naga, or dragon-boat, with its uncouth figure-head, was seen coming swiftly down the stream, propelled by about thirty rowers, all clad in rich yellow jackets—the royal colour—and nattily-made scarlet caps. Their lower limbs were bare, save where covered by their scarlet and yellow sarongs. The men rowed well together; and as the word was passed by the sentries the officer on duty could plainly make out beneath the matting awning reaching nearly from end to end of the boat, the figures of the sultan and several of his officers.