The next hour was spent in arranging their boxes and arms, Hamet assisting and calmly taking to his new quarters, as if nothing in nature could surprise him, and when all was done, Ned looked round eagerly.
“Come, uncle,” he said; “it isn’t such a bad place after all.”
“No; far better than I expected, but it wants one thing.”
“What’s that, uncle?”
“Liberty to do what we like, boy. If we had that, we could congratulate ourselves.”
“Well, try and think that you really have it,” said the doctor. “There now, what do you say to coming up to my place to rest till dinner-time? Braine has promised to come.”
Murray hesitated, but the doctor would take no denial, and leaving Hamet in charge of the place, they descended to find that the Tumongong, who had left them for a time, was again back, in company with the other officer.
These made a communication to the doctor, who nodded, and the two officers then bowed gravely, and went away.
“Message for you,” said the doctor. “You are requested—”
“Ordered,” said Murray, drily.