poisons they use."

"I should like to--now," said Ned, drily.

"And so you shall--before long. I'll soon get you out of this. Yes,"
he continued, "this is one of the old boy's places. See how fine the
mats are, and how the walls are covered. But never mind now, my head's
better, and here's our breakfast."

For the two men entered as the boys came back into the main room opening
on to the veranda from an inspection of two side-places beautifully hung
and covered with mats. Then a third man entered, and as Frank
nonchalantly seated himself on the matting floor, Ned followed his
example, and an excellent breakfast was placed before them.

"Not bad for being prisoners," said Frank, as he ate away; while, after
the first few mouthfuls, Ned's appetite increased, and he began to enjoy
the meal.

"That's right. Ruminate away, old chap. There's nothing to pay. It's
the rajah's orders, sure enough, or we shouldn't be fed like this. He
isn't going to kill us."

"Think not?"

"Sure of it, unless he's going to fatten us up, and then try whether
we're good to eat."

"I wish I had such good spirits as you have."

"Oh, I'm getting better now. Here you, send in the head-man," cried
Frank to one of their attendants.

The man bowed respectfully, and withdrew to the veranda, where they
heard him speak, and directly after one of the party, evidently a man of
some consequence from his silken sarong, came in.

"I want my kris," said Frank.

The man smiled, and shook his head.

"You give it me directly. It was the rajah's present."

"You will run amok," said the man.

"No. I promise. An English gentleman's promise," said Frank.

The man thrust his hand under his silken robe, and produced the handsome
weapon.

"An English gentleman does not break his word," he said, giving the kris
to the boy.

"Of course he doesn't. Thank you," said Frank, replacing the dagger at
his waist, and covering up the hilt with a significant look at the man,
who smiled and withdrew, while the boy interpreted the words which his
companion had failed to grasp.

The meal being ended, they rose; the men came and cleared away, and as
soon as they were alone again, Ned looked at Frank.

"What next!" he said.

"Ah, that's the puzzle! Here we are, like two dicky-birds in a cage,
and they won't let us go out. If they keep us shut up long like this,
it will be horrid. I wish I could send father word."

"Could we escape?"

"I don