All this was said as the boat glided along by the bamboo posts, and Murray added hastily: “Perhaps you would not mind helping us. We want to buy some provisions—something to eat.”
“Buy something to ate?” said the man, smiling. “Whisht, here’s the masther and the ladies.—Here’s an English gentleman, sor.”
There was rather an angry buzzing here from the dragon boat, as the gentleman with the white umbrella came on to the jetty, the two ladies with him remaining behind, while quite a little crowd of Malays began to collect on the river-bank.
“English gentleman?” said the newcomer. “Glad to see you, sir. From Singapore, I presume!”
“Not just lately; we have been staying at Dindong. We were on our way up the river, and this place seemed a likely one to lay in a store of fresh provisions. Am I right?”
“Perfectly. Come ashore, my dear sir. Your son?”
“Nephew,” replied Murray, and Ned bowed stiffly.
“Just as welcome in this savage place. This way; my bungalow is a very little way off.”
“But my boat, guns, and the like?”
“Be safe? Tim, jump in and take charge, while the gentlemen come up to tiffin.”