ith brass buttons, below
which he wore a scarlet _sarong_ reaching to his bare feet, and evidently
fashioned from an old table-cover. The hilt of a kris showed above the
folds of his _sarong_, and the two lower buttons of the jacket were left
open, so that the dagger might be free to his hand. He grinned and showed
his teeth.

"Dumb as a dog-fish, but can hear like a terrier," said Riggs. "Picked
him up in the streets of Singapore, where he was sort of an assistant
magician. He's quick with that knife, gentlemen."

The captain was obviously proud of his queer bodyguard and servant.

"It is a pity that he should be allowed to carry a fearsome weapon, which
is a menace to his fellowmen," said Meeker, shrinking away from the boy.
"I believe he would slay a human over a trifle."

"Absolutely harmless unless he has some reason to anger," laughed
Riggs, somewhat amused at the nervousness of Meeker. "Has to pack that
cheese-knife--chinks pick on him if he don't. Give him a wide berth,
though, when they see that blade. Quick with it."

"But we should lead the barbarian to the light," said Meeker. "It is a
dreadful example for Christians to set such people. They should not be
allowed to carry such weapons--the practice leads to crime."

"Soup all around, Rajah," said Riggs, as if to close the subject.

"Do you carry deadly weapons, Mr. Trenholm? Do you approve of the bearing
of arms?"

"I always have a weapon at hand," I replied seriously. "One never can
tell when it will be needed in this country, and I believe in always
being ready for an emergency."

"Indeed! And is it possible that you have a dagger concealed upon your
person?"

"No daggers; but this is my right bower"--tapping the butt of the pistol
on my right side--"and this is my left bower," and I tapped my left side.

Mr. Trego burst out laughing at this, much to the discomfiture of Meeker,
who glared at him, and edged away from me.

"And do you carry such death-dealing machinery, Mr. Trego?" asked Meeker,
a sneer in the question.

Trego reached for his malacca cane. In an instant he had whipped it apart
and presented a delicate point toward Meeker, who recoiled at the
suddenness of the unexpected thrust.

"With me at all times," said Trego, when the captain stopped laughing.
"And my cabeen--eet ees one beeg arsenal, like you call it in your
language. Yes."

"A pitiable example for the heathen," said Meeker. "I trust that you are
not armed to the tee