“Well, it’s very kind of them,” said Chumbley, drily; “for I laid about me as heartily as I could.”
“Yes, they told me how you fought, and I was glad; for they would have despised you if you had only been big, and had let them tie you like a beaten elephant.”
“That comes of being big, Bertie,” said Chumbley. “You see, they compare me to an elephant.”
“I have commanded that you shall be chief captain for your friend, and lead our fighting men, as well as being Tumongong, my lord’s adviser. A chief is trebly strong who has a brave and trusty friend.”
“I say, old man, do you hear all this?” said Chumbley.
“Yes, I hear,” said the other, quietly.
“This is promotion with a vengeance! Yesterday lieutenant of foot, to-day commander-in-chief of her highness the Inche Maida’s troops.”
“Yes, you shall be commander,” said the Princess, seriously. “It will save my country, for my people will follow you to the death.”
“Well, ’pon my word, Princess,” said Chumbley, merrily, “you are a precious clever, sensible woman, and I like you after all.”
“And I like you,” she said, innocently. “I do not love you, but I like you very much, you seem so brave and true, and what you people call frank. You will help me, will you not, both of you? Think how I appealed to Mr Harley for help—how that almost my life depends upon it—and what did I get but empty words?”