leather
boots of an Englishman, and the middy saw that he had a gold albert
chain and straw-coloured kid gloves.

"This gentleman is the son of the Tumongong of Parang, Mr Roberts,"
said the lieutenant, "and he has come on board to see the ship. Take
him round and show him everything, especially the armoury, and let him
understand the power of the guns. Captain Horton wishes it."

The lieutenant looked meaningly at the middy, who saluted, and then
nodded his head in a way that showed he comprehended his task.

"The skipper wants these people to know that it is of no good to try and
tackle us," thought Bob. "Yes, sir," he said aloud, "I'll take him
round;" and then the lieutenant, who had been interrupted in a nap,
saluted the young chief; who salaamed to him gravely, and the two young
men were left alone, gazing straight at one another, each apparently
trying to read the other's thoughts.

"This is a jolly nice sort of a game," said Bob to himself! "How am I
to make him understand? What a jolly fool old Johnson is. Now, my
sun-brown-o cockywax, comment vous portez-vous? as we say in French. Me
no understandy curse Malay's lingo not at all-oh. Bismillah! wallah!
Come oh! and have a bottle oh! of Bass's ale oh!"

"With much pleasure," said the young Malay, laughing. "I am thirsty."

Bob Roberts turned as red as a turkey-cock with vexation.

"What! Can you understand English?" he stammered.

"Rather!" was the reply. "I couldn't make out all you said--not quite,"
he added, laughing meaningly.

"Oh! I say, I am sorry," said Bob frankly. "I didn't know you could
understand a word."

"It's all right," said the young Malay, showing his white teeth, and
speaking fair idiomatic English, though with a peculiar accent. "I've
been a great deal at Penang and Singapore. I like English ways."

"I say, you know," cried Bob, holding out his hand, "it was only my fun.
I wouldn't have chaffed you like that for a moment if I had thought you
could understand."

"No, I suppose not," said the young Malay. "Never mind, I wanted to see
you. That's why I came. Where's the young soldier?"

"What Tom--I mean Ensign Long?"

"Yes, En-sign Long."

"Knocked up. Ill with his wound. He got hurt up the river."

"I did not know it was he," said the young Malay. "Poor fellow!"

"He was in an awful state," said Bob. "Got a kris through his shoulder,
and thought it was poisoned."

"What, the kris? Oh, no. That is