“We won’t act rashly, Tomonggong. We will only keep our men ready for any emergency.”
“If once our men know that Harimaoung Boekit and his Poenans are inside the kotta, nothing will make them attack it; and more, I sincerely believe that they will even run away.”
“So do I,” said the Tomonggong of Kwala Hiang.
“But what business has this Poenan chief at kotta Djangkan?” the Colonel asked.
“I do not know, sir; it is above my conception. If I could only speak with Amai Kotong.”
“But did you not see any Europeans during your visit to the kotta?”
“Not one, sir. I only noticed the smiling face of Harimaoung Boekit.”
“Who fired at you?”
“I do not know; for the shots were fired from behind the palisades and through loop-holes. Their shots were badly aimed or they would have killed me at such short range.”
The Colonel smiled.