“There is no appeal, man; force would be used. Go patiently, and console yourself with the thought that I am working and planning for you. You must go.”
Murray rose and held out his hand.
“Look here,” he said; “if they have not taken them, I have plenty of arms and ammunition there, and I am ready to stand by you to the death.—Hah!” he ejaculated angrily, as he turned fiercely on the Tumongong, “you know what I said?”
The Malay looked at him fixedly, but said nothing, and Murray shook hands with Mr Braine.
“Is this a ruse!” he said, bitterly. “Is it good-bye for ever? Are they going to make an end of me?”
The Tumongong looked admiringly at the firm manly fellow about to be led off, for aught he knew, to execution, and he spoke quickly to Mr Braine.
“The Tumongong bids me tell you that your life is quite safe.”
“Hah!” ejaculated Murray; and he gave the Malay a grateful look, and went down to where his escort was waiting, the chief and half the guard marching him off back to his house, where at the first glance he saw that his weapons were still in their places; and here he threw himself down, to try to hit out some plan, while the Malays stationed themselves about the place, and he saw that he was to be strictly watched.
Meanwhile the Tumongong and Mr Braine stood gazing hard into each other’s faces.
“Well, what next?” said Mr Braine at last, gazing searchingly into the Malay’s eyes.