that some are up at all events." At length he got
among the houses, or rather huts, for few of the buildings deserved a
grander name. Some of the natives came out and stared at him, but he
could not make them understand what he wanted. They did not, probably,
recognise him as one of the smartly dressed officers who had paid a
visit to the sultan in the morning. They saw, however, that he was a
stranger. At last one made signs to him that he would show him where a
person lived who could understand what he said; so Owen fancied was the
meaning of the native's gesticulations. "Yes, quick," answered Owen.

The native led the way along several rows of huts, until they reached
the door of a building of superior pretensions with a broad verandah
overlooking the harbour. Owen at once called out--

"Does any one understand English here? If so, I want their assistance
without delay. I can promise a handsome reward to all who give it."

"Come in, come in," said a voice in a foreign accent. A native appeared
at the door with a light in his hand. "Mynheer Van Wijk will see you,"
said he, as he conducted Owen into a room where a white man was
reclining in a hammock, with a huge pipe in his mouth, whom he supposed
to be Mynheer Van Wijk, the owner of the mansion.

"Vat you want?" exclaimed Mynheer, gazing at Owen, as he stood, shoeless
and hatless, in his still damp shirt and trousers.

Owen, in as few words as possible, explained who he was, and the
accident which had happened.

"Donder en bliksem, dat is bad," exclaimed the Dutchman, tumbling out of
his hammock and putting on his coat and shoes. "Dare is no time to
lose; we must go off at once. And you, young gentleman, want food and
clothing. You'll be getting fever if we don't look after you. Mine
young son's clothes will fit you; you must put them on."

He shouted, when a servant appeared, to whom he gave some orders. In a
few minutes the servant returned with a bundle of clothes and a towel.

Owen thankfully exchanged his wet garments for the young Dutchman's
dress, although he was conscious that he cut a somewhat unusual
appearance in it. He had scarcely time to finish his toilet before
another servant came in with several dishes of food.

"Fall to," said Mynheer Van Wijk; "we have no time to lose I have sent
down to ze harbour to order two boats to be got ready. You and I will
go in one, and my friend Jacob Leefkens will take charge of ze other.
He