“She is trying to anchor, I suppose,” said Than Khan.
“No, she is not,” replied Liem King; “she is only trying to keep out of the smuggling radius.”
“Well,” cried Than Khan, “that’s cool enough anyhow. Why! only last night we had the Matamata here.”
“Why,” said the other, “she is safe enough. Where she is now lying the steamer could not get at her, and, what’s more, she is flying the British ensign. Under those colours no one will dare to meddle with her. The Dutch are frightened to death of the English.”
After looking through his glass at the schooner for a few moments longer Liem King exclaimed: “They are lowering the boat!”
“Then one of us,” said Than Khan, “will have to run to the landing place at the Tjatjing.”
“Very well, you go,” said Liem King.
“No, you,” said the other.
“Why should we not both go together?” asked Liem King.
“Certainly not,” rejoined Than Khan. “Would you,” he asked as he pointed to Ardjan, “leave this fellow here alone and unwatched?”