, was one of the officers present, and
although nervous about the Sultan's visit, and feeling certain that it
had to do with the rescue of the slave girls, he could not help a smile
at the umbrella, and a congratulatory sensation that Bob Roberts was not
present, for he would have been sure to laugh, when an extension of the
risible muscles might have been taken as an insult not to be endured.

The august visitors were received in the wide verandah on account of
their number, where the sultan took the seat placed for him; five of his
principal men, including the former ambassadors, stood behind him; the
rest, sword and umbrella-bearers, carriers of the potentate's golden
betel-box and spittoon, squatted down on their heels, and were as
motionless as so many images of bronze.

The various British officers remained with the resident, standing, out
of respect to the sultan, whose heavy dark features seemed to express
satisfaction; and he at once proceeded in a rather forced, excited
manner to inform the resident that he had only been having a
water-excursion, and had thought how much he should like to see his good
friends at the residency.

The resident was delighted, of course, at this mark of condescension,
and hastened to assure the sultan of the fact.

The latter then proceeded to announce that his grand tiger-hunt would
take place in a fortnight's time, and begged that all the officers would
accept his invitation.

As spokesman and interpreter, the resident assured his august visitor
that as many as possible would be there; when in addition the sultan
asked that a great many soldiers might be sent as well, to help keep the
tigers from breaking back when the hunt was on.

To this, Mr Linton, by Major Sandars' permission, readily assented; and
then, knowing of old his visitor's taste in such matters, some champagne
was produced. At the sight of the gold-foiled bottles the rajah's eyes
glistened, and he readily partook of a tumbler twice filled for him;
after which he walked into the house with the resident, as an excuse for
not being present when his followers partook of some of the wine.

At length, after a walk round the fort, which was willingly accorded to
him, that he might see that the residency and its protectors were well
on the _qui vive_, the sultan took his departure, begging earnestly that
all who could would come to the hunting expedition. Then the soldiers
presented arms, and the little procession