On the day after their anchoring, a large canoe put off from the
mainland. In the stern sat two men, whose gay dresses showed them
to be minor chiefs or officials. Harry, who had throughout the
voyage worn only civilian costume of white drill, now put on his
full uniform; as did the sowars of his escort. The ladder was
lowered for the accommodation of the visitors; and these, on
reaching the deck, were received by Fairclough, his officers, and a
guard of honour. The Malay interpreter stood by the captain's side.

"Why do you come here?" was their first question.

"We bring a high officer of the Governor General at Calcutta, to
confer with the lord of Singapore," Fairclough answered, through
the interpreter.

"Our lord thought that it might be so," one of the officials said,
"and therefore sent us off to enquire."

Fairclough led the Malays to the quarterdeck, where Harry was
standing, with his four troopers as a bodyguard behind him.

"This is the official whom the Governor General has sent to you."

The Malays, struck with Harry's uniform, and still more with that
of his guard--all of which were new to them, and impressed them
deeply--salaamed profoundly to him.

"I have arrived," Harry said, "as the agent of our great governor;
and in answer to a request of your lord, the tumangong, that he
should send an officer of rank here, to treat with him."

"Seeing this vessel of war," the Malay said, when Harry's speech
had been translated to him, "our lord hoped that it might be so;
and directed us, should this prove correct, to inform you that he
will himself come off to see you, in three days' time. He has heard
of the might of your lord in India, that he has conquered great
kingdoms, that the rule is a wise one, and that the people are well
contented. We love not the Dutch, who are hard masters, and make
the people labour for them; and he desires to be on terms of
friendship with the power which, as he understands, has taken their
strong places in India, so that they have no longer any importance
there."

"He has done wisely," Harry said, "and I shall be glad to see your
lord, and to tell him what is in the mind of our governor."

The envoys were then invited to the cabin, where they were offered
refreshments. They ate sparingly, but greatly appreciated the
champagne; and asked, through the interpreter, if they could be
instructed how to make this liquor; and were much disappointed on
learning it could only be