f the upper country had no hesitation in
selecting the side to which it was most politic for them to adhere.

Wan Bong installed his father as Bendahara of Pahang with much state,
and many ceremonial observances. All the insignia of royalty were
hastily fashioned by the goldsmiths of Penjum, and, whenever To' Raja or
Wan Bong appeared in public, they were accompanied by pages bearing
betel boxes, swords, and silken umbrellas, as is the manner of Malay
kings.

To' Raja remained in his village of Bukit Betong, on the banks of the
Jelai river, and Wan Bong, with his army, speedily conquered the whole
of Pahang as far as Kuala Semantan. Thus more than half the country was
his, almost without a struggle; and Wan Bong, flustered with victory,
returned up river to receive the congratulations of his friends, leaving
Panglima Raja Sebidi, his principal General, in charge of the conquered
districts.

The _Rajas_ at Pekan, however, were meanwhile mustering their men, and,
when Wan Bong reached Kuala Tembeling, he received the unwelcome
intelligence that his forces had fallen back some sixty miles to Tanjong
Gatal, before an army under the command of Che' Wan Ahman and Che' Wan
Da. At Tanjong Gatal a battle was fought, and the royal forces were
routed with great slaughter, as casualties are reckoned in Malay
warfare, nearly a score of men being killed. But Che' Wan Ahman knew
that many Pahang battles had been won without the aid of gunpowder or
bullets, or even _kris_ and spear. He sent secretly to Panglima Raja
Sibidi, and, by promises of favours to come, and by gifts of no small
value, he had but little difficulty in persuading him to turn traitor.
The Panglima was engaged in a war against the ruler of the country, the
Khalifah, the earthly representative of the Prophet on Pahang soil, and
the feeling that he was thus warring against God, as well as against
man, probably made him the more ready to enrich himself by making peace
with the princes to whom he rightly owed allegiance. Be this how it may,
certain it is that Panglima Raja Sebidi went to Wan Bong, where he lay
camped at Kuala Tembeling, and assured him that after the defeat at
Tanjong Gatal, the royal forces had dispersed, and that the Pekan
_Rajas_ were now in full flight.

'Pahang is now thine, O Prince!' he concluded, 'so be pleased to return
to the Jelai, and I, thy servant, will keep watch and ward over the
conquered land, until such time as thou bringest thy fa