on for calling
me up I will make you smart for it, the first time you get under my
hands. Whom have we got here?"

"He is a messenger from Hassan; he mentioned our names and yours."

"Ah, I am glad of that," the doctor said, rubbing his hands together;
"they have been chaffing me in the wardroom about it, and prophesying
that I should never hear of him again. Well, what does he say?"

"He has not said anything except our names, Doctor, and that he comes
from Hassan. I don't suppose he knows any more English, and I thought we
had better consult you, whether it would be best to send for Soh Hay; he
may have brought some message of importance."

"Right, lad. I think the most prudent thing will be to tell the captain
first. It may only be a message to say why he has not come, or it may be
a matter of some importance. I will go to him at once."

Two or three minutes later he returned. "You are to bring him to the
captain's cabin. Here, Davis, pass the word forward that the captain
wants to see Soh Hay in his cabin."

Harry touched the native, who had been standing quietly by his side, and
signed him to accompany them, and with Dr. Horsley and Dick went direct
to the cabin.

"So your friend has sent a message at last, lad?" Captain Forest said.
"I am glad of that, for I own that I had doubts whether we should hear
any more of him."

"You come from the chief Hassan?" the captain, who had been working at
the Malay language, with the interpreter, since he had arrived at the
mouth of the river, asked in that tongue. The man's face brightened.

"Yes, my lord," he said.

"Is he well?"

"The chief is quite well."

"I wish I knew enough to question him without Soh Hay's interference,
but I shall only make a mess of it, and, perhaps, get a wrong
idea altogether of his message. Now, Soh Hay," he broke off as the
interpreter entered, "you will ask this man the questions exactly as I
put them, and tell me his answer word for word. It may be of importance.
Now ask him first what message he brings from his chief to the
officers."

The question was put, and the native, speaking slowly and quietly, and
evidently repeating a lesson that he had learned by heart, said, "The
chief sends his greeting to his three friends, Harry, Dick, and Doctor,
also to Captain. He is well in body; he is cured, and can throw a
spear and lead his men to battle. He has sent four messengers one after
another, but none have returned with an answer;