id Captain Horton, "I do; and I shall be glad to
give up our strict discipline on board."

"What do you think, Captain Smithers?" said the resident to that
officer, who was present.

"I cannot help agreeing with the major," he replied. "I see no reason
for these extra precautions."

"Then I am in the minority," said the resident, smiling.

"Look out there, gentlemen," he said, pointing through the open window.
"What do you see?"

"You tell him, Smithers," said the major, "I'm too hot and tired to do
more than breathe."

"I can see the bright river with the lights of the steamer glistening on
its surface; the fire-flies are darting amongst the trees; the stars
look soft and mellow; altogether it is a delightful picture, that
reminds one of being in some delicious summer retreat on the banks of
dear old Father Thames."

"Captain Smithers," said the resident, gravely, "it is indeed a
beautiful picture; the river flows peacefully on with the lights
reflected from its bosom; but you know as well as I, that if a man
attempted to breast those treacherous waters, he would, before he had
swum many yards, have been drawn down by one of the hideous reptiles
that swarm in the Parang. That river is to my mind a type of the Malay
feeling towards us--the intruders upon his soil. So little am I
satisfied with what seems to me to be a deceitful calm, that I have
serious thoughts of asking you to increase the sentries."

"Nonsense, my dear Linton," said Captain Horton; "we shall hear no more
of the affair."

"We shall hear more," said the resident. "Wait and see."

The resident was right; for the next day the sultan's principal naga, or
dragon-boat, with its uncouth figure-head, was seen coming swiftly down
the stream, propelled by about thirty rowers, all clad in rich yellow
jackets--the royal colour--and nattily-made scarlet caps. Their lower
limbs were bare, save where covered by their scarlet and yellow sarongs.
The men rowed well together; and as the word was passed by the sentries
the officer on duty could plainly make out beneath the matting awning,
reaching nearly from end to end of the boat, the figures of the sultan
and several of his officers.

The sultan was easily distinguishable; for while his chief officers
strictly adhered to their native costume, he wore a gorgeous
semi-military uniform, that had specially been built--so Bob Roberts
termed it--for him in England. It was one mass of rich embroidery,
c