stop a mile or two away in the jungle path. Could you
contrive to join me with the ladies after dark?"

"And if you could alone over-ride your guard, and I could contrive to
join you with the ladies after dark, where should we go? My dear
fellow, it is madness. Only out into the mountains to starve. We could
not take the ladies, even if we could forsake the boys. Hush! here he
is."

The Tumongong, who had been in close conference with the chief of the
guard below in the garden, now ascended the steps, and saluted the two
prisoners.

"I bring you a message," he said, gravely. "The rajah wishes him to
wait for a few days before going upon his expedition, and he is to
return to his own house. Tell him."

"The rajah sends word that we are to be separated, Murray," said Mr
Braine. "You are to go."

"And if I refuse?"

"There is no appeal, man; force would be used. Go patiently, and
console yourself with the thought that I am working and planning for
you. You must go."

Murray rose and held out his hand.

"Look here," he said; "if they have not taken them, I have plenty of
arms and ammunition there, and I am ready to stand by you to the
death.--Hah!" he ejaculated angrily, as he turned fiercely on the
Tumongong, "you know what I said?"

The Malay looked at him fixedly, but said nothing, and Murray shook
hands with Mr Braine.

"Is this a ruse!" he said, bitterly. "Is it good-bye for ever? Are
they going to make an end of me?"

The Tumongong looked admiringly at the firm manly fellow about to be led
off, for aught he knew, to execution, and he spoke quickly to Mr
Braine.

"The Tumongong bids me tell you that your life is quite safe."

"Hah!" ejaculated Murray; and he gave the Malay a grateful look, and
went down to where his escort was waiting, the chief and half the guard
marching him off back to his house, where at the first glance he saw
that his weapons were still in their places; and here he threw himself
down, to try to hit out some plan, while the Malays stationed themselves
about the place, and he saw that he was to be strictly watched.

Meanwhile the Tumongong and Mr Braine stood gazing hard into each
other's faces.

"Well, what next?" said Mr Braine at last, gazing searchingly into the
Malay's eyes.

"You are to join the doctor and his family, and if you value your life,
help his highness by reasoning with them, so that his wishes may be
obeyed at once."

"He is still set upon thi