"I think not. And even should it be so, and they should return, you are ready and well able to meet them."
"Yes, ready—and well able to meet them," replied the Orang-Kaya, drawing himself up proudly.
"Did they all go in one direction?" asked Van der Kemp of the youths who had brought the news.
"Yes, all went in a body to the north—except one boat which rowed southward."
"Hm! I thought so. My friends, listen to me. This is no pretence. They do not mean to attack you now you are on your guard; but that boat which went south contains Baderoon, and I feel certain that he means to hang about here till he gets the chance of killing me."
"That is well," returned the chief, calmly. "My young men will hunt till they find where he is. Then they will bring us the information and Van der Kemp will go out with a band and slay his enemy."
"No, my friend," said the hermit, firmly; "that shall not be. I must get out of his way, and in order to do so will leave you at once, for there will be no further need for my services here."
The chief looked at his friend in surprise. "Well," he said, "you have a good judgment, and understand your own affairs. But you have already rendered me good service, and I will help you to fly—though such is not the habit of the Dyaks! There is a trader's vessel to start for Sumatra by the first light of day. Will my friend go by that?"
"I am grateful," answered the hermit, "but I need no help—save some provisions, for I have my little canoe, which will suffice."
As this colloquy was conducted in the native tongue it was unintelligible to Nigel, but after the interview with the chief the hermit explained matters to him, and bade Moses get ready for a start several hours before dawn.