in the side for the insertion of a thin reed or
quill, formed a pipe much affected by the Jacks when they took their
tobacco in smoke, instead of by the unpleasantly moist masticating
process.

At the residency all went on as usual; sometimes the ladies received,
and there was the sound of music and singing in the pleasantly lit-up
verandah; sometimes Captain Horton sent his gig, and the agreeable
little reunions were held on board the "Startler," in an improvised
tent, draped with the ship's colours, while the lights were reflected on
the smooth surface of the hurrying stream, and the Malays on shore
watched the figures that passed to and fro till the party was over.

Captain Horton and Major Sandars both thought the rajah's party had
forgotten the affair; but the resident held to his opinion, which was
strengthened by the imploring manner in which the two girls, who had
attached themselves as attendants on Rachel Linton and her cousin,
begged him not to let them be fetched away.

"Suppose I did let them have you back," said the resident to them one
day in their native tongue, "what would happen?"

One of the girls, a tall, dark, graceful creature, but with the
protruding lips, high cheekbones, and flat distended nose of the Malay,
rose with contracted eyebrows, took her companion, forced her upon her
knees, and then drawing an imaginary kris, she placed the point on the
girl's shoulder, and struck the hilt with her right hand as if driving
it perpendicularly down into her heart.

"They would kill us--so!" she exclaimed, "and throw our bodies in the
water to the crocodiles!"

The other girl shuddered, and raised her frightened eyes to the faces of
the ladies as if imploring them to intercede--and not in vain.

"But they will not trouble about you now;" said the resident,
tentatively.

"Yes, yes," they both exclaimed, "they will send a naga and many men,
but you will not let us go?"

"No," said the resident, quietly. "_We_ shall not give you up," and he
went away thoughtfully to his room, to continue writing the despatch he
had commenced some days before.

That same evening the two principal officers came to have a chat, and
over their cigars Major Sandars introduced the subject of the doubled
sentries.

"There is no longer any need for this," he said. "Let's see, Linton, it
is now a week since those two fellows came. Don't you think, Horton, it
is an unnecessary precaution?"

"Well, to be frank," sa