He had been bending over Archie, and was drawing away as softly as could be for fear the rustling of the leaf-bed might wake his companion again, to recommence talking in an excited way about Minnie Heath and her fate, when he heard the sound of voices, the door of the palm and bamboo building was unbarred and thrown open, and a fierce, swarthy-looking, scowling Malay, with the hilt of his kris uncovered, strode swaggeringly in, accompanied by six spear-armed natives of about his own stamp, their leader looking sharply at the two prisoners, and then about the place.
“Here, I say, don’t kick up such a jolly row,” said the private in a hoarse whisper. “Can’t you see that the poor fellow has just dropped off to sleep?”
The big Malay turned upon him fiercely, and as he took a couple of steps nearer, the crisp, dry leaves rustled more than ever.
“Will you be quiet?” whispered the private, springing up, and with one stride planting himself threateningly before the offender, who took a step back and flashed his naked kris from its sheath, while his followers lowered their spears for his protection.
“There, put that cook’s skewer away,” growled the lad, as he pointed at the kris. “Can’t you be quiet? Can’t you see that I have got nothing to fight with? Seven on you to one wounded man! Nice, plucky lot, aren’t you? Why, I’m about the youngest chap in my company, but give me my empty rifle and bay’net and fair-play, and I would take the lot on you.”
Then, placing his open hands on either side of his lips as if he were about to hail somebody at a distance, he whispered hoarsely:
“Look at him. Very bad. Thought he was going to die. Can’t you understand?”
Lowering his hands, he first pointed to the insensible officer, and then, treating the bared weapons which menaced him with as much contempt as if they were not there, he stepped on tiptoe close to his young companion, and stood pointing down at his terribly swollen forehead, which was not only cut but discoloured.
He stood waiting, but neither of the Malays moved, only looked at their leader as if for orders, and then gazed at one another, till he uttered a low grunt, in response to which the men raised the points of their spears and planted the butts on the ground.
Peter Pegg gave vent to a low, sneering laugh as he gazed half-jauntily at the big Malay.