“The Chief—supposing by the richness of his attire and the quality of his dancing, that he must be some person of consequence—asked one of Thacker’s companions if he were not of noble birth.
“‘Your lordship is much in the right,’ replied the seaman, who was interested in carrying on the deception; ‘and most of our ship’s company are of the like extraction, especially all those who have fine clothes; for, having money enough to bear their own expenses, they have come abroad just to see the world. As for those men your lordship sees with mean clothes, why they are only common seamen.’
“This impudent falsehood had the desired effect upon the native Prince, who thenceforth treated John Thacker with the highest consideration. Unfortunately, however, the Captain was not fond of practical joking, so that when it came to his ears, he not only undeceived the Chief, but caused a sound drubbing to be administered to the pseudo noble.”
At the appointed hour, we were conducted to the Chief’s palace, and were at once introduced to the hall of audience, a large building, with open sides, the roof of which was handsomely carved, ornamented with vermilion and gold, and rested upon numerous pillars. The Chief received us very graciously; and having obtained satisfactory replies to the many questions he asked, listened attentively to Prabu’s requisition to be permitted to refit his vessel, and at once signified his acquiescence. But, as we were about taking our departure, there arose a great commotion at the entrance end of the hall, and presently several officers of justice appeared, bringing with them two men, both kicking and struggling to release themselves, like refractory school-boys. Of course, we stepped a little forward to ascertain the cause of their apprehension. The one was a Javanese, the other a Chinaman. At the sight of the latter, I startled not a little, exclaiming, “By Jove! Martin, here is that rascal To-ki again.”
“The rogue! so it is,” he replied. But Prabu also recognized him.
“The dog,” said he, “was formerly on board my prahu, but he fled one night when we were in harbor at Batavia, carrying with him all the dollars upon which he could lay his hands.” Hence, thought I, the reason of his trembling in that cave at the very name of Prabu.
But now commenced one of those scenes so characteristic of the courts of the native chiefs.
A woman of venerable aspect, but bent with age and overwhelmed with grief, came forward, and, falling at the feet of the chief, with clasped hands, said boldly, as is the wont of the Javanese in such cases, “Justice, oh! my lord, I demand justice. I have been foully wronged. I will not submit to it! Justice I ask upon the head of this villain Chinaman, for last night he waylaid and slew my boy, my only son, the prop of my numerous years, the staff of my existence!”
This charge having been corroborated by several witnesses, beyond all doubt or hope of dispute, one of the officials, turning to To-ki, cried:
“Thou hast heard the charge. What, oh, dog of a Chinese, hast to say to our lord the chief in reply?”