ted to be treated by him as a
friend.

This answer, which I had reason to believe the Dutchman faithfully
interpreted, seemed to please the chief. However, he made no direct
reply to me, but spoke for some time aside to his companions, whom I
took to be officially counsellors or advisers. One made a remark, then
another, and at last one said something at which I thought my friend the
Dutchman looked rather blank. A good deal of discussion took place,
when I heard the chief issue some orders to the officers of the guards.
Immediately on this two of the counsellors got up, and with the officer
and several other persons, and part of the guard, left the hall.

The movement seemed to give great satisfaction to the counsellors,
especially to the gentleman who had made the suggestion, as I fancied,
which led to it, while a pleased smile played over the countenance of
the chief. All the time the honest Dutchman looked very much annoyed.
At length I asked him what it was all about.

"I suppose that I shall not be found fault with for telling you," he
answered. "And I assure you that I would much rather not have to give
you such unpleasant information. Do not look surprised or annoyed, and
no harm can come of it. The fact is that the chief here, the governor
of this district, Mulock Ben Azel, is not a bright genius, and though he
had made up his mind to detain you, it had not occurred to him to detain
your vessel. The idea, however, was suggested to him just now by one of
these cunning gentlemen, and he has sent a party to stop her. The
Javanese are rather daring fellows, so that the captain must be smart if
he would get away from them."

This was indeed a disagreeable announcement. I congratulated myself,
however, at having sent off Jack to warn Captain Hassall, and I had
great hopes that he would have followed my advice and got the _Barbara_
under way before the Javanese could reach her. I thanked the Dutchman
for his sympathy and kindness.

"I have a warm regard for the English," he answered: "I have received
much kindness at the hands of your countrymen, and am glad of an
opportunity of proving my gratitude. As far as you are concerned I may
be of service, but if these gentry get hold of your vessel, I am afraid
that they will not let her go till they have cleaned out her hold."

I, of course, on hearing all this became very impatient to go and see
whether the _Barbara_ was leaving the harbour, but as far as