he island, that though the sultan and his people were friendly, some of
the rajahs detested the English, as being likely to put a stop to their
piratical practices, the destruction of Rajah Gantang's stockade, while
it gave plenty of satisfaction in some parts, being looked upon with
disfavour in others.

"Pretty well all right again, old man?" said Bob, sauntering in one day,
to find the ensign reading.

"Yes, I'm stronger by a good deal than I was," said Tom Long, holding
out his hand.

"No more limbings pitched in at the window, eh?"

"No," said Tom Long with a slight shudder; "I hope that sort of thing is
not going to happen again."

"To which I say ditto," said Bob. "But I say, I know who pitched that
spear at you."

"You do?"

"Yes, it was that Malay chap you offended with the durian."

"Then he must be taken and punished."

"First catch your brown hare, master officer of infantry," said Bob,
smiling. "He won't set foot here again, depend upon it, unless he
slinks in at night. By George, what a malicious lot they must be, to
act like that!"

"Yes, it's not pleasant," said Tom Long, with an involuntary shudder,
as, in imagination, he saw the dark face of his enemy always on the
watch for an opportunity to assassinate him.

"I never finished my account of the trip to the sultan's," said Bob, at
last.

"Was there anything more to tell?"

"Yes, one thing," replied Bob; "the best of the whole lot."

"What was it?"

"Don't get riled if I tell you."

"Pooh! how can it rile me?"

"Oh, I don't know; only it may. It was a proposal made by the sultan to
Mr Linton."

"Proposal! What proposal?"

"Well, I'll tell you; only don't go into fits. It was after we'd been
sitting smoking for a bit, and just before we were coming away. Master
Sultan had shown us all his best things--his gold and silver, and his
slaves, and the dingy beauties with great earrings, and bangles on their
arms and legs, who have the honour of being his wives; and at last he
said something to Mr Linton, who understands his lingo as well as you
and I do French."

"Well, but what did he propose?" said Long, eagerly.

"I got to know afterwards from Captain Smithers," continued Bob, "that
he said he had been thinking very seriously about his position in
connexion with the English, and that he saw how a strong alliance would
be best for all; that it would settle him in his government, and make it
a very excellent match for the