Ardjan trembled inwardly; but he replied calmly enough:
“I could not get as far as Sepoetran, and found myself drifting out to sea, so I was compelled to make for the nearest land.”
“But they have been after you,” exclaimed Than Khan. “You have been fired at.”
“So I have,” said Ardjan. “It must have been a boat of that wretched Matamata, they must have taken me for a smuggler.”
“Have you any stuff with you?” asked Than Khan. There was no reply to that question. Had these Chinamen known in what position he really was, they never would have asked him such a question as that.
“But,” continued Liem King, “you are mate of the Kiem Ping Hin. How is it you are not on board of her?”
For a moment the Javanese did not know what to answer, then he said:
“Captain Awal Boep Said has given me leave to spend two days on shore.”
“You go and tell your grandmother that tale, it won’t do for us. What! just at this time, when there is so much work on hand?” cried Than Khan.
“Well,” said Ardjan, “it is true, nevertheless.”