diff options
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 3 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 44680-0.txt | 15628 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/44680-8.txt | 16028 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/44680-8.zip | bin | 0 -> 240695 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/44680.txt | 16028 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/44680.zip | bin | 0 -> 240673 bytes |
8 files changed, 47700 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/44680-0.txt b/44680-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..15d409b --- /dev/null +++ b/44680-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,15628 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44680 *** + + JUNGLE AND STREAM + OR + THE ADVENTURES OF TWO BOYS IN SIAM + + + BY + GEO. MANVILLE FENN + + AUTHOR OF + "IN HONOUR'S CAUSE," "CORMORANT CRAG" + "FIRST IN THE FIELD," ETC. + + + DEAN & SON, LTD. + 6 LA BELLA SAUVAGE, LUDGATE HILL, + LONDON, E.C.4 + + + + + MADE AND PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN + + + + + CONTENTS + + I. SIXTY YEARS AGO + II. THE JUNGLE HUNTER + III. SREE'S PRISONER + IV. FISHING WITH A WORM + V. THE DOCTOR'S POST-MORTEM + VI. MAKING PLANS + VII. THE BRINK OF A VOLCANO + VIII. A PROWL BY WATER + IX. NATURALISTS' TREASURES + X. WHAT HARRY HEARD + XI. THE NAGA'S BITE + XII. SUL THE ELEPHANT + XIII. THEIR FIRST TIGER + XIV. A YOUNG SAVAGE + XV. FOR THE JUNGLE, HO! + XVI. THE HOUSE-BOAT + XVII. JUNGLE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS + XVIII. ELEPHANTS AT HOME + XIX. A NIGHT ALARM + XX. A DREARY RETURN + XXI. A HIDING-PLACE + XXII. DARING PLANS + XXIII. THE SPEAR HARVEST + XXIV. THE HELP SEEKER + XXV. A DESPERATE VENTURE + XXVI. FOR LIFE + XXVII. THE POWDER MINE + XXVIII. SAVING THE STORES + XXIX. THE DOCTOR KEPT BUSY + XXX. LIKE A BAD SHILLING + XXXI. COMING HOME TO ROOST + XXXII. IN THE NICK OF TIME + XXXIII. WHAT FOLLOWED + + + + + [Illustration: "Then there was a roar like a peal of thunder."] + + + + +CHAPTER I + +SIXTY YEARS AGO + + +"Charlie is my darling, my darling, my darling!" was sung in a good, +clear, boyish tenor, and then the singer stopped, to say +impatiently,-- + +"What nonsense it is! My head seems stuffed full of Scotch +songs,--'Wee bit sangs,' as the doctor calls them. Seems funny that so +many Scotch people should come out here to the East. I suppose it's +because the Irish all go to the West, that they may get as far apart +as they can, so that there may not be a fight. I say, though, I want +my breakfast." + +The speaker, to wit Harry Kenyon, sauntered up to the verandah of the +bungalow and looked in at the window of the cool, shaded room, where a +man-servant in white drill jacket and trousers was giving the +finishing touches to the table. + +"Breakfast ready, Mike?" + +"Yes, sir; coffee's boiled, curry's made." + +"Curry again?" + +"Yes, Master Harry; curry again. That heathen of a cook don't believe +a meal's complete without curry and rice." + +"But I thought we were going to have fried fish this morning." + +"So did I, sir. I told him plainly enough; but he won't understand, +and he's curried the lot." + +"How tiresome!" + +"I should like to curry his hide, Master Harry, but it's +leather-coloured already. Never mind; there's some fresh potted meat." + +"Bother potted meat! I'm sick of potted meat. Look here, next time I +bring home any fresh fish you go into the kitchen and cook them +yourself." + +"What, me go and meddle there! Look here, Master Harry, I'll go with +you fishing, and wade into that sticky red mud if you want me to; or +I'll go with you shooting or collecting, and get my eyes scratched out +in the jungle, and risk being clawed by tigers, or stung by snakes, or +squeedged flat by an elephant's neat little foot; but I'm not going to +interfere with old Ng's pots and pans. Why, he'd put some poison in my +vittles." + +"Nonsense!" + +"He would, sir, sure as I stand here. He looks wonderful gentle and +smiling, with that Chinese face of his; but I know he can bite." + +"Poor old Ng; he's as harmless as his name. N. G.--Ng." + +"Name? I don't call that a name, Master Harry. Fag end of a pig's +grunt; that's about what that is." + +"Here, I want my breakfast. Isn't father nearly dressed?" + +"No, sir; he hasn't begun to shave yet, and he won't be down for +another quarter of an hour." + +"Call me when he comes," said the lad, and he went off down the garden +again, towards the river which flowed swiftly at the bottom, where the +bamboo landing-stage had been made, with its high-peaked attap, or +palm-leaf roof. It was all bamboo. Big canes were driven into the mud +for supports, others for pillars and beams, and the floor was of +smaller ones, split and laid close together, and then bound in their +places with long lengths of the rotan cane which grew so plentifully +in the jungle, running up the great forest trees, and after reaching +the top, going on growing till it swung down by the yard, and waited +till the wind blew it into the next tree, where it held on by its +thorns, and went on growing to any length. + +The garden was beautiful in its wildness, the trees having been left +for shade; and John Kenyon, the East India merchant, who had settled +far up one of the rivers of Siam ten years before, after the death of +his wife, had found out from long experience that he who tries to make +an English garden in a tropical country has worry for crops, while he +who encourages the native growths makes his home a place of beauty. + +So Harry Kenyon sauntered down, keeping out of the hot rays of the +early morning sun--hot enough, though it was only six, for people rise +early in the East--and made his way to the bamboo platform beneath +which the river, here about a hundred yards wide, looked like a stream +whose waters had been transformed into a decoction of coffee and +chicory, with the milk left out, or, as Harry once said, muddy soup. + +The creepers, crowded with many-coloured blossoms, hung down from the +trees and ran over the roof, forming, with the dry palm-leaves, +nesting and hiding places for plenty of natural history objects from +the neighbouring jungle. Birds nested there, and rats and snakes came +birds'-nesting, while lizards of various kinds, from the little active +fly-catchers to the great shrieking tokay, found that roof an +admirable resting-place. + +There were sundry rustlings overhead as Harry stepped on to the +slippery, squeaking, yielding bamboos; but use is second nature, and +ten years in such company, without reckoning the inhabitants of the +jungle, had made the boy so familiar with many of these things that he +looked upon them with a calm contempt. + +As a matter of course he would have swarmed up a tree fast enough at +the sight of a tiger or elephant in either of the forest tracks, or, +to use Mike's expression, have made himself scarce if he had +encountered a cobra, or seen one of the great boas swaying to and fro +from the gigantic limb of a tree. Even at the moment of stepping upon +the covered-in summerhouse-like landing-stage, with its fishing-rods +laid up overhead in the bamboo rafters, he shrank a little, and then +angrily bared his teeth as he stood gazing down at the water a dozen +yards away. + +"You beast!" he hissed. "Oh, if you'd only stay there while I fetched +a gun! Oh, yes, it's all very well to wink one eye at me; I'd make you +wink both." + +It seemed odd that the lad should address himself like that to a piece +of rugged, gnarled tree-trunk floating slowly down the flashing river; +but, as aforesaid, Harry Kenyon had been up the country in Siam ever +since he was quite a little fellow, and had been accustomed to have +the wild creatures of the forest for pets and companions. Where boys +at home had had cats or dogs, Harry had more than once petted a tiger +cub; lizards had been as common with him as white mice with English +lads. Then he had kept squirrels, snakes, monkeys, and birds to any +extent. Moreover, he had once contrived to keep alive, until it became +wild instead of tame a hideous-looking creature which lived in a +fenced-in patch of sand with half a sugar hogshead sunk level with the +ground, provided with a central heap formed of an old tree-root, and +filled up with water. This creature strangely resembled the efts or +newts so common in some ponds, but magnified many times, so that there +was no cause for surprise that the boy should speak as he did to the +tree-trunk, for his experienced eyes had seen at a glance that this +was no half-rotten stem torn out from the bank by the flooded river. +He had recognised the two horny prominences over the eyes, and their +furtive, ugly gleam, so that he was not at all surprised when one end +of the trunk moved slowly, in a wavy fashion, and the object began to +part the water. + +"Yes, I thought you'd soon go," said Harry. "Stop a minute, though." + +He stepped gently back into the garden and snatched up a piece of +stone about as big as two fists, from a heap of rockwork, stole back +to the bamboo floor till he could just see over the edge, keeping his +movements hidden, and launched out the heavy piece of spar with so +good an aim that, after curving through the air just above the surface +of the water, it fell with a dull thud right in the centre of the +trunk. + +The effect was instantaneous. A long muzzle with gaping jaws rose out +of the water for a moment, there was a tremendous wallowing which made +the water foam, and then a great serrated tail rose several feet above +the surface, quivered in a wavy way, delivered a sounding slap on the +top of the water, and disappeared. + +"I thought that would make you wag your tail, old gentleman. What a +whopper! Nearly twenty feet long, and as thick as thick. Pull a man +in? Why, it would pull in a young elephant. Oh, how I do hate crocs!" + +The boy stood watching the surface for some minutes, but there was no +sign of the huge reptile reappearing. + +"Gone down," muttered the boy. "Suppose, though, he has swum +underneath here, and is waiting to dash out and grab me by the legs. +Ugh!" he added, with a shudder, "it does seem such a horrible death, +only I suppose the poor people these creatures catch don't feel any +more when once they're under the water. Wonder whether they do. +Shouldn't like to try." + +His thoughts made him peer down through an opening between the warped +bamboos, at where the river glided beneath his feet; but all was +perfectly quiet there, and he glanced up at the fishing-rods. + +"Be no use to try now," he said; "the brute would scare every fish +away, and I've got no bait, and--oh, I say, how badly I do want my +breakfast! Is father going to lie in bed all day?" + +Evidently not, for the minute after a cheery voice cried, "Now, Harry, +lad, breakfast!" + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE JUNGLE HUNTER + + +Harry Kenyon did not run up the slope to the house, which was erected +upon an elevation to raise it beyond the flood when the river burst +its bounds, as it made a point of doing once or twice a year during +the heavy rains. People out in sunny Siam do not run much, but make a +point of moving deliberately as the natives do, for the simple reason +that it takes a very short time to get into a violent perspiration, +but a very long time to get cool; besides which, overheating means the +risk of chills, and chills mean fever. + +He walked gently up to meet the tall, thin, rather stern-featured, +grizzly-haired man in white flannel and straw hat with puggaree, who +had come out to meet him, and who saluted him heartily. + +"Lovely morning, my boy, but quite warm enough already. How sweet the +blossoms smell!" + +"Yes, father," said Harry, whose brain was full of the great reptile; +"but I've just seen such a monster." + +"Crocodile?" + +"Yes; quite twenty feet long." + +"With discount twenty-five per cent., Hal?" said the father, laughing. + +"No, father, really." + +"One's eyes magnify when they look at savage creatures, especially at +snakes." + +"Oh yes, I know, father," said the lad impatiently; "but this was the +biggest I've seen." + +"Then it must have been twenty-four feet long, Hal, for I've shown you +one of twenty-two." + +"I didn't measure him, father; he wouldn't wait," said the boy, +laughing; "but he was a monster." + +"You threw something at it, I suppose?" + +"Yes, a big piece out of the rockery--and hit him on the back. It +sounded like hitting a leather trunk." + +"Humph!" said Mr. Kenyon. "Boys are boys all the world round, it +seems. Here have you been in Siam almost ever since you were born, and +you act just in the same way as an English boy at home." + +"Act! How did I act?" + +"Began throwing stones. Bit of human nature, I suppose, learnt +originally of the monkeys. So you hit the brute?" + +"Yes, father, and he went off with a rush!" + +"Looking for its breakfast, I suppose. Let's go and get ours." + +Harry Kenyon required no second invitation, for the pangs of hunger, +forgotten in the excitement, returned with full force, and in a few +minutes father and son were seated at table in the well-furnished +half-Eastern, half-English-looking home, enjoying a well-cooked +breakfast, served on delicate china from the neighbouring country, and +with glistening silver tea and coffee pot well worn with long +polishing, for they were portions of a set of old family plate which +had been sent out to the fairly wealthy merchant trading with England +from the East. + +"Hullo!" said Mr. Kenyon; "why, you are not eating any of your fish!" + +"No, father. Ng has spoiled them." + +"Spoiled? Nonsense; the curry is delicious." + +"But I don't want to be always eating curry, father. I told him to fry +them." + +"Better leave him to do things his own way, my boy, and have some. +They are very good. The Chinese are a wonderfully conservative people. +They begin life running in the groove their fathers ran in before +them, and go on following it up to the end of their days, and then +leave the groove to their sons. Did you catch all these?" + +"No; Phra caught more than I did. He is more patient than I am." + +"A great deal, and with his studies too." + +"Yes, father; I say, the fish are better than I thought." + +"I was talking about the Prince being more patient over his studies +than you are, Hal," said Mr. Kenyon drily. + +"Yes, father," said the lad, reddening. + +Mike just then brought in a dish of hot bread-cakes, and no more was +said until he had left the room, when Mr. Kenyon continued:-- + +"Take it altogether, Hal, you are not such a bad sort of boy, and I +like the way in which you devote yourself to the collecting for the +museum; but I do wonder at an English lad calmly letting one of these +Siamese boys leave him behind." + +"Oh, but he's the son of a king," said Harry, smiling. + +"Tchah! What of that? Suppose he is a prince by birth, like a score +more of them, that is no reason why he should beat you." + +"He can't, father," said Harry sturdily. + +"Well, he seems to." + +"If I liked to try hard, I could leave him all behind nowhere." + +"Then, why don't you try hard, sir?" + +"It's so hot, father." + +"And you are so lazy, sir." + +"Yes, father. I'll have a little more curry, please." + +"I wish I could have your classics and mathematics curried, sir, so as +to make you want more of them," said Mr. Kenyon, helping his son to +more of the savoury dish. "Yes, Mike?" + +"Old Sree is here, sir, with two bearers and a big basket." + +"Oh!" cried Harry, jumping up; "what has he got now?" + +"Sit down and finish your breakfast, Hal," said his father sternly. +"Don't be such a young savage, even if you are obliged to live out +here in these uncivilized parts." + +The lad sat down promptly, but felt annoyed, and anxious to know what +the old hunter employed by his father to collect specimens had +brought. + +"What has he in the big basket, Mike?" asked Mr. Kenyon. + +"Don't know, sir; he wouldn't tell me. Said the Sahibs must know +first." + +"Then he must have got something good, I know," said Harry excitedly. +"I expect it's a coo-ah." + +"One o' them big, speckled peacocks with no colour in 'em, Master +Harry?" said Mike respectfully. "No, it isn't one o' them; the +basket's too small." + +"What is it, then?" + +"Don't know, sir; but I think it's one o' those funny little bears, +like fat monkeys." + +"May I send on for Phra, father?" + +"Yes, if you like; but perhaps they will not let him come." + +"Oh, I think they will; and I promised always to send on to him when +anything good was brought in." + +"Very well," said his father quietly; "send." + +"Run, Mike," said the boy excitedly, and the man made a grimace at +him. "Well, then, walk fast, and ask to see him. They'll let you pass. +Then tell him we've got a big specimen brought in, and ask him, with +my compliments, if he'd like to come on and see it." + +"Yes, sir;" and the man hurried out, while Mr. Kenyon, who had just +helped himself to a fresh cup of coffee, leaned back in his chair and +smiled. + +"What are you laughing at, father?" said the boy, with his bronzed +face reddening again. "Did I make some stupid blunder?" + +"Well, I hardly like to call it a blunder, Hal, because it was done +knowingly. I was smiling at the impudence of you, an ordinary British +merchant's son, coolly sending a message to a palace and telling a +king's son to come on here." + +"Palace! Why, it's only a palm-tree house, not much better than this, +father; not a bit like a palace we see in books. And as to his being a +king's son, and a prince, well, he's only a boy like myself." + +"Of the royal blood, Hal." + +"He can't help that, father, and I'm sure he likes to come here and +read English and Latin with me, and then go out collecting. He said +the King liked it too." + +"Oh yes, he likes it, or he would not let his son come." + +"Phra said his father wanted him to talk English as well as we do." + +"And very wise of him too, my boy. This country will have more and +more dealing with England as the time goes on." + +Harry sat watching his father impatiently, longing the while to get +out into the verandah, where he expected that the old hunter would be. + +"You are not eating, my boy," said Mr. Kenyon; "go on with your +breakfast." + +"I've done, thank you, father." + +"Nonsense. You always have two cups of coffee. Get on with the meal. +It is better to make a good breakfast than to wait till the middle of +the day, when it is so hot." + +Harry began again unwillingly, and his father remarked upon it. + +"You want to get out there, but you told me you did not wish to see +what the man has brought till your friend came." + +"Yes, I said so, father; but I should like Sree to tell me." + +"Finish your breakfast, and you will have plenty of time." + +Harry went on, and after the first few mouthfuls his healthy young +appetite prevailed, and he concluded a hearty meal. + +"There, you can go now," said his father. "Call me when the Prince +comes." + +Harry Kenyon hurried out into the broad verandah, and then along two +sides of the square bungalow so as to reach the back, where sat a +little, wrinkled-faced, square-shaped, yellow-skinned man, with his +face and head shaved along the sides as high as the tips of his ears, +leaving a short, stubbly tuft of grizzled hair extended backward from +the man's low forehead to the nape of his neck, looking for all the +world like the hair out of a blacking-brush stretched over the top of +his head. + +His dress was as scanty as that of his two muscular young companions, +consisting as it did of a cotton plaid sarong or scarf of once bright +colours, but now dull in hue from long usage, and a good deal torn and +tattered by forcing a way through the jungle. This was doubled +lengthwise and drawn round the loins, and then tightened at the waist +by giving the edge of the sarong a peculiar twist and tuck in, thus +forming a waist-belt in which in each case was stuck a dagger-like +kris, with pistol-shaped handle and wooden sheath to hold the wavy +blade, and a parang or heavy sword used in travelling to hack a way +through the jungle and form a path by chopping through tangled rotan +or tufts of bamboo, or lawyer cane. + +The three men were squatted on their heels, with their mouths +distended and lips scarlet, chewing away at pieces of betel-nut +previously rolled in a pepper-leaf, which had first been smeared with +what looked like so much white paste, but which was in fact lime, made +by burning the white coral, abundant along some portion of the shores, +and rising inland to quite mountainous height. + +As soon as Harry came in sight, all rose up, smiling, and the elder +man wanted to exhibit the prize contained within the great square +basket standing on the bamboo flooring, while two stout bamboos, each +about eight feet long, were stood up against the house, a couple of +loops on either side of the basket showing where the bamboo poles had +been thrust through so that the basket could hang dependent from the +two men's shoulders. + +"What have you got, Sree?" asked Harry, in English, which from long +service with Mr. Kenyon, and mixing with other colonists, Sree spoke +plainly enough to make himself understood. + +"Big thing, Sahib. Very heavy." + +"Bear?" + +The man made a sign, and his two followers grinned with enjoyment, and +seated themselves on the basket, which squeaked loudly. + +"What did you do that for?" cried Harry. + +"The young Sahib must wait till the old Sahib comes, and then he see." + +"Old Sahib, indeed!" cried Harry; "why, my father isn't half so old as +you." + +"The young Sahib wait." + +"Of course I can wait," said Harry pettishly, "and I was going to +wait. I only asked you what it was." + +The man smiled, and shook his head mysteriously, and just then Mike +thrust his head out of the door. + +"Ah, got back, Mike!" cried Harry. "What did the Prince say?" + +"Come on almost directly, sir; but I had no end of a job to get to see +him." + +"How was that?" + +"Oh, those guard chaps; soldiers, I s'pose they call themselves. +They're a deal too handy with those spears of theirs. They ought to be +told that they mustn't point them at an Englishman's breast." + +"Oh, it's only because they're on duty, Mike," replied Harry. + +"Wouldn't make any difference to me, sir, whether it was on dooty or +off dooty if one of them was to go inside my chest." + +"Oh, you needn't be afraid of that." + +"Afraid! Oh, come, I like that, Master Harry--afraid! Not likely to be +afraid of any number of the squatty, yellow-skinned chaps, but they +oughtn't to be allowed to carry such things. Fancy Englishmen at home +all going about carrying area railings in their hands." + +Harry shook his head, for his recollections of spear-pointed area +railings were very vague. + +"Don't matter, sir," said Mike, "they don't know any better; but I +know I shall get in a row one of these days for giving one of 'em a +smeller right on the nose." + +"Nonsense! you mustn't do that, Mike." + +"Why not, sir? Couldn't do no harm; they're as flat as flat as it is." + +"You know what my father said about keeping on good terms with the +natives." + +"Yes, sir, I know, sir, but fair play's a jewel; if I keep on good +terms with them they ought to keep on good terms with me, and sticking +a spear-point into a man's wesket aren't the sort o' terms I like. +'Specially when you know the things are poisoned." + +"Nonsense! The Prince assured me they were not." + +"Well, those ugly, twisty krises are, sir." + +"No. The only danger from them is their sharp point." + +"Well, that's bad enough, sir; but how about the thing you've got +yonder? What is it, Master Harry?" he asked. + +"Come out and see. Don't stand there with your head just stuck out +like a snake in a hole looking to see if it's safe." + +"Well, but is it safe, sir?" + +"Come and see. If it's safe enough for me to be out here, it's safe +enough for you." + +Mike evidently considered this reply unanswerable, for he came out +slowly and cautiously, the two men seated on the hamper-like basket +evidently enjoying the man's timidity. They glanced at Harry +inquiringly, and he gave them a quick nod of assent, with the result +that as Mike was passing them, with divers suspicious glances at their +seat, they made a sudden spring together, as if the occupant of the +bamboo covering had suddenly and by a tremendous effort raised the +lid. There was a loud creaking, and with a rush Mike was back through +the door, which he banged to. + +The old hunter, who had seated himself to prepare a fresh piece of +betel-nut for chewing, laughed till the tears ran down his cheeks, +while his two bearers drew their feet up and squatted now upon the +basket lid, chuckling with delight, and looking to Harry as if +expecting a fresh hint for startling Mike. + +Harry went to the door and pushed at it, finding it give a little, but +only to be pressed to directly, as if by Mike's shoulder. + +"Here, it's all right; open the door," cried Harry. "He didn't get +out." + +The door was opened cautiously, and Mike's head slowly appeared, to +look from one to the other and encounter faces that were serious now +almost to solemnity. + +"I thought he'd got out, sir," said Mike. + +"Oh no, he's safe enough; look how they've fastened the lid down with +bamboo skewers." + +"Yes, sir, but some o' them things is so awful strong. What is +it--tiger?" + +"Oh no, it's not a tiger, Mike. A tiger would scratch and kick a +basket like that to pieces in no time." + +"Of course he would, sir. I say, Master Harry, hadn't you better tell +old Sree to get up and sit on the basket too?" + +"Hardly room, is there?" said Harry seriously. + +"Plenty, sir, if you make those chaps squeedge up together a bit." + +"But the basket's so tickle, Mike, and their weight might send it over +sidewise. If it did the basket would go nearly flat, the lid would be +burst off, and where should be we then?" + +"I know where I should be, sir," said Mike--"indoors." + +"You wouldn't have time, for those beasts are so wonderfully active +that this one would be out of the basket like a flash of lightning." + +"Would he, sir? Then don't you do it. Let him be. What is it, sir--a +leopard?" + +"Oh no, not a leopard, Mike." + +"What, then? One of those big monkeys we've never yet got a sight of?" + +"Monkey? Oh no." + +"What is it, then, sir?" + +"Well, you see, Mike, I don't know myself yet," said Harry, laughing. + +Mike looked at him sharply, then at the three Siamese, whose faces +were contorted with mirth, and back at his young master. + +"Humbugging me," he said sharply. "That's it, is it, Master Harry? +Yah! I don't believe there's anything in the old hamper at all." + +He went round the basket from the other direction, so as to reach the +door, and as he got behind the two men on the lid, he turned. + +"I do wonder at you, Master Harry, laughing at a fellow like that, and +setting these niggers to make fun of me. Yah!" + +He raised one foot and delivered a tremendous kick at the bottom of +the basket, startling the two squatting men on the lid so that one +sprang up and the other leaped off on to the bamboo floor of the +verandah, while a violent commotion inside the basket showed that its +occupant had also been disturbed. + +"Something else for you to laugh at," said Mike, and he slipped in and +closed the door. + +Harry smiled, the man returned to his perch on the lid, frowning and +looking very serious, while the occupant of the basket settled down +quietly again, making Harry more curious than ever as to what it might +be; but he mastered his desire to go and peer through the split bamboo +so tightly woven together, and waited impatiently for the coming of +his friend and companion. + +"I believe it's a big monkey, after all," he said to himself. "Sree +always said he was sure there were monsters right away in the jungle, +just about the same as the one father saw at Singapore, brought from +Borneo. It was precious quiet, though, till Mike kicked the basket. +How savage it made him to be laughed at!" + +He glanced at the basket again, and then at the old hunter and his +men, all three squatting down on their heels, chewing away at their +betel-nut, and evidently in calm, restful enjoyment of the habit. + +"Just like three cows chewing their cud," said Harry to himself, and +then feeling that it was the best way to avoid the temptation to look +into the basket, he went along the verandah to the corner of the +house, just as his father reached the next corner, coming to join +them. + +"Well, has Phra come?" he cried. + +"No, father, not yet." + +"Found out what's in the basket?" said Mr. Kenyon, smiling. + +"No; haven't looked." + +"Well done, Hal; I didn't give you credit for so much self-denial. But +there, I think we have waited long enough. Let's go and see now what +we've got." + +"No, no, don't do that," said Harry excitedly. "Phra would be so +disappointed if we began before he had time to get here." + +"Ah well, he will not be disappointed," said Mr. Kenyon, "for here he +is." + +As he spoke a boat came in sight, gliding along the river at the +bottom of the garden--a handsomely made boat, propelled by a couple of +rowers standing one in the bow, the other astern, facing the way they +were going, and propelling the vessel after the fashion of Venetian +gondoliers, their oars being secured to a stout peg in the side by a +loop of hemp. + +Harry started off down the garden to meet the passenger, who was +seated amidships beneath an awning; and as the men ran the craft +deftly up to the landing-place, a dark-complexioned, black-haired lad +sprang on to the bamboo platform, looking wonderfully European as to +his dress, for it was simply of white flannel. It was the little +scarlet military cap and the brightly tinted plaid sarong with kris at +the waist which gave the Eastern tinge to his appearance. + +"Well," he said, in excellent English, as he joined Harry, "what have +they got? Something from their traps in the jungle?" + +"Don't know anything. There they are yonder. We waited till you came." + +"Oh," said the Siamese lad, with a gratified look, "I like that. I'm +afraid I shouldn't have waited, Hal." + +"Oh, but then you're a prince," said Harry. + +The Siamese lad stopped short. + +"If you're going to chaff me about that, I shall go back," he said. + +"All right; I won't then," said Harry. "You can't help it, can you?" + +"Of course I can't, and I shan't be able to help it when I'm king some +day." + +"Poor fellow, no; how horrible!" said Harry mockingly. + +"There you go again. You've got one of your teasing fits on to-day." + +"No, no, I haven't. It's all right, Phra, and I won't say another word +of that sort. Come along." + +"Good-morning," said Mr. Kenyon, as the boys reached the verandah. +"Come to see our prize?" + +"Yes, Mr. Kenyon. What is it you have this time?" + +"We are waiting to see. Harry here wanted it to be kept for you." + +The new-comer turned to give Harry a grateful nod and a smile, and +then walked with his host along the verandah, and turned the corner. + +The moment he appeared, the hunter and the two men leaped up excitedly +and dropped upon their knees, raising their hands to the sides of +their faces and lowering their heads till their foreheads nearly +touched the bamboo floor. + +The young Prince said a few words sharply in his own language, and the +men sprang up. + +"Now then, Mr. Kenyon," he said, "let's see what is in the basket." + +"What have you got, Sree?" asked Mr. Kenyon. + +"Very fine, big snake, Sahib," was the reply. + +"A snake?" cried Harry excitedly. "Ugh!" + +"A big one?" said the merchant uneasily. Then, recalling the habit of +exaggeration so freely indulged in by these people as a rule, he asked +the size. + +"Long as two men and a half, Sahib," said Sree. "Very thick, like +man's leg. Very heavy to carry." + +"Humph! Twelve or fourteen feet long, I suppose," said Mr. Kenyon. "Is +it dangerous?" + +"No, Sahib. I find him asleep in the jungle. He eat too much; go to +sleep for long time. Didn't try to bite when we lift him into the +basket. Very heavy." + +"What do you say, Prince?" said the merchant. "Shall we have the lid +off and look at it?" + +"Yes. I won't be afraid," was the reply. "Will you, Hal?" + +"Not if the brute's asleep; but if it's awake and pops out at us, I +shall run for your boat." + +"And leave your poor father in the lurch?" said Mr. Kenyon. + +"But you'd run too, wouldn't you, father?" + +"Not if the snake threw one of its coils round me." + +"Then I suppose I shall have to stay," said Harry slowly. + +"Perhaps it would be as well," said Mr. Kenyon drily--"You won't run, +will you?" + +The young Siamese laughed merrily, and showed his white teeth. + +"I don't know," he said; "I'm afraid I should. Snakes are so strong, +and they bite. I think it would be best to go with Harry." + +The hunter said something very humbly in the native tongue. + +"He says that he and his men would hold tight on to the snake if it +were angry, and shut it up again; but I don't believe they could. They +would all run away too." + +"I don't think there is any danger," said Mr. Kenyon gravely. "These +things always try to escape back to the jungle, and they are, I +believe, more frightened of us than we are of them. We'll have a look +at the creature, then, out here, for I have no suitable place for it +at present." + +"You could turn the birds out of the little aviary and let it loose +there, father." + +"Good idea, Hal; but let's see it first. Look here, Sree; you and your +men must lay hold of the brute if it tries to escape." + +"Yes, Sahib; we catch it and shut the lid down again." + +"That's right," said the merchant. "Yes, who's that? Oh, you, Mike. +Come to see the prisoner set free? Come and stand a little farther +this way." + +"Thank you, sir; yes, sir," said the man. + +Harry nudged the Prince, and the nudge was returned, with a laughing +glance. + +"No danger, is there, sir?" said Mike respectfully. + +"I hope not," said Mr. Kenyon; "but you will be no worse off than we +are. Like to go back before the basket is opened?" + +"Isn't time, sir; they've nearly got it open now." + +"Run round the other way, Mike," cried Harry. + +"Me, sir? No, thank you," replied the man. "I don't want to run." + +Meanwhile the two bearers were holding the lid of the basket firmly +down while Sree pulled out eight stout elastic skewers of bamboo, +which had held the lid tightly in place. And as one after the other +was slowly and carefully extracted with as little movement of the +basket as possible, so as not to irritate the snake if awake, or to +disturb it if asleep, the interest and excitement increased till only +one was left, when Harry glanced at Mike, who stood with eyes widely +staring, cheeks puffed out, and fists clenched, as if about to start +off at full speed. + +Sree looked up at Mr. Kenyon as the two men pressed down harder and he +stood ready to pull out the last skewer. + +"Out with it," said Mr. Kenyon, and a thrill ran through all present +as the last piece of bamboo was withdrawn. + +But still the lid was pressed down, and of this the hunter took hold, +said a few words to his two men, who stood back right and left, ready +to help if necessary, while their master had stationed himself at the +back of the basket, facing his employer and the two boys. He held the +lid with outstretched hands, and once more he paused and looked at Mr. +Kenyon as if waiting for orders to proceed, his aim of course being to +make the whole business as impressive as possible. + +"Now then, off with it," cried Harry, and in spite of their +excitement, to the amusement of the two boys the hunters took off the +lid with a tremendous flourish, and stood back smiling with triumph. + +"Just like Mike taking the dish-cover off a roast peacock," as Harry +afterwards said. + +It was too much for the last-mentioned personage. As the basket was +laid open for the gentlemen to see its contents, Mike took half a +dozen steps backward as fast as he could, and with his eye fixed upon +the open basket he was in the act of turning to run, when he saw +everyone else stand fast. + +"Lies pretty quiet at the bottom," said Harry, advancing with Phra, +Mr. Kenyon keeping close behind. + +"Only a little one," said the young Prince, rather contemptuously. + +"Here! I say, Sree; what do you mean by this?" cried Harry. + +"Ha, ha, ha!" laughed Phra. "This is one of your tricks, Hal." + +"That it isn't," cried the boy. + +"Where is the snake, Sree?" said Mr. Kenyon. "The basket's empty." + + + + +CHAPTER III + +SREE'S PRISONER + + +The hunter took a couple of steps forward, looked down into the +basket, looked up, half stunned with astonishment, looked in the lid, +then outside it, lifted up the basket and peered under it, threw down +the lid, felt in his sarong, and then, as there was no heavy boa +twelve or fourteen feet long in its folds, he turned fiercely to the +two men in turn to ask them angrily in their own tongue what they had +done with the snake. + +Both of them felt in their sarongs and began to protest volubly that +they had not touched it; that it was there just now, for they had +heard it and felt the weight. It was there--it must be there--and +their master had better look again. + +"It's a conjuring trick," said Phra, who looked annoyed. + +"I had nothing to do with it, then," said Harry. "I hadn't, honour +bright," he added hurriedly as his companion looked doubtingly at him. +"Here, Sree, have you begun to learn juggling?" + +"No, Sahib; it was a lovely snake, all yellow, with big brown spots +and purple shadows all over the dark parts. One of these sons of +wickedness must have taken it out to sell it to some ship captain to +carry away. Surely Sree would not try to cheat the good Sahibs and his +Prince by playing tricks like an Indian juggler. Here, Michael; you +heard the snake inside before the master came?" + +"Yes," said Mike, who looked quite brave now, as he approached and +looked into the basket searchingly. "I'm sure I heard it plainly, but +there's no snake here now. There has been one here, though, for you +can smell it." + +"Yes, there has been one here," cried Harry eagerly. "Then where is it +gone?" + +"Something dreadful has blinded all our eyes, Sahib, so that we cannot +see. Thrust in your hand and feel if it is there." + +Harry shrank for the moment, for the idea of feeling after a snake +that had been rendered invisible was startling; but feeling ashamed +the next moment of his superstitious folly, he plunged his hand down +into the basket, felt round it, and stood up. + +"There's nothing in there," he said. + +"Well, you could see that there was not," said his father shortly. + +"But there has been one there quite lately," said Harry. "Smell my +fingers, Phra." + +"Pouf! Serpent!" cried the young Prince, with a gesture of disgust. +"It must have got away." + +Sree took hold of the basket, bent down into it, looked all round, and +then to the surprise of all he stood it up again, turned it round a +little, and then jumped in, to stand upright. + +The surprise came to an end directly, for Sree pointed downward, and +as he did so he thrust his toes through the bottom of the basket, +where no hole had been apparent, but which gave way easily to the +pressure of the man's foot from within, thus showing that it must have +been broken at that one particular place. + +"What! A hole in the bottom for the reptile to crawl out? That was +wise of you, Sree!" + +"I was wise, Sahib, and the basket had no hole in it when we put the +snake in." + +"Then it must have made one, and forced its way through." + +Sree was silent, and looked at Mike as if waiting for him to speak. +But Mike had not the least intention of speaking, and stood with his +lips pinched together, perfectly dumb. + +"Why, of course!" cried Harry excitedly; "I see now. Mike gave the +basket a tremendous kick as he went by it, and startled the serpent, +and made it swing about. Why, Mike, you must have broken a hole +through then." + +"Master Harry, I--" began Mike. + +"Yes, Sahib, that was it; he broke a hole through, and once the +snake's head was through he would force his way right out." + +"One minute," said Mr. Kenyon rather anxiously; "tell me, Harry: are +you perfectly sure that the snake was there?" + +"Certain, father." + +"And you saw Michael kick the basket?" + +"Oh yes, father; and Michael knows he did." + +"That's right enough, sir; but I didn't mean to let the brute out." + +"No, no, of course not," said Mr. Kenyon anxiously: "but if the +serpent was in that basket a short time ago and is gone now, it must +either be in one of the rooms here by the verandah or just beneath the +house." + +"Ow!" ejaculated Mike, with a look of horror, as he glanced round; and +then he shouted as he pointed to an opening in one corner of the +verandah, where a great bamboo had been shortened for the purpose of +ventilating the woodwork beneath the bungalow, "That's the way he has +gone, sir; that's the way he has gone." + +It seemed only too probable, for it was just the kind of place in +which a fugitive, gloom-loving reptile would seek for a hiding-place; +while as if to prove the truth of Mike's guess there was a sharp, +squeaking sound heard somewhere below the house, and one after the +other three rats dashed out of the opening, darted across the +verandah, and sprang into the garden, disappearing directly amongst +the plants. + +"Yes," said Mr. Kenyon; "the reptile seems to have gone under the +house." + +"And he will clear away all the rats, Sahib," said Sree, in a tone of +voice which seemed to add, "and what could you wish for better than +that?" + +"But I think that my son and I would rather have the rats, my man. +What do you say, Hal?" + +"Yes, father; of course. We can't live here with a horrible thing like +that always lying in wait for us. How long did you say it was, Sree?" + +"Two men and a half, Sahib." + +"And that's a man and a half too long, Sree. What's to be done?" + +Sree looked disconsolately at the merchant, and slowly rubbed his +blacking-brush-like hair. + +"The Sahib told me to bring everything I could find in the jungle, and +this was a lovely snake, all yellow and brown and purple like +tortoiseshell. The Sahib would have been so pleased." + +"No doubt, if I could have got it shut up safely in some kind of cage; +but you see you have let it go." + +"If the Sahib will pardon me," said the man humbly. + +"Of course; yes, it was not your fault, but Michael's. Well, Michael, +how are you going to catch this great snake?" + +"Me catch it, sir?" said Mike mildly. + +"Yes, of course; we can't leave it at liberty here." + +"I thought perhaps you would shoot at it, sir, or Master Harry would +have a pop at it with his gun." + +"That's all very well, Mike; but it's of no use to shoot till you can +see it," cried Harry. + +"How can we drive it out, Sree?" said Mr. Kenyon. "We must get rid of +it somehow." + +Sree shook his head. + +"I'm afraid it will go to sleep now, Sahib," he said. + +"For how long?" + +"Three weeks or a month, Sahib. Until it gets hungry again." + +"Why not get guns and two of us stand near here to see if it comes out +of this hole, while the others go from room to room hammering on the +floor?" + +"That sounds well," said the merchant. + +"And it would be good to try first if a cat would go down. Snakes do +not like cats or the mongoose, and the cat might drive it out. Cats +hate snakes." + +"That sounds like a good plan, too, Sree. Suppose we try that first. +We have a cat, but what about a mongoose? Have you got one?" + +"I had one when I was in Hindooland, Sahib, but perhaps it is dead +now." + +"If not, it's of no use to us now," said Mr. Kenyon sarcastically. +"Here, Hal, go in and get the two guns hanging in my room. Bring the +powder-flasks and pouches too. Be careful, my lad; the guns are +loaded." + +"Come along, Phra," said Harry. + +"No, I am going back for my gun." + +"I meant to lend you one of mine," said the merchant quietly. "You two +lads ought to be able to shoot that reptile if we succeed in driving +it out." + +"Ah!" cried the young Siamese eagerly. "Thank you." + +He looked gratefully at Mr. Kenyon, and then followed Harry into the +bungalow. + +"This is a nice job," said the latter. "We shall never drive the brute +out. This place was built as if they wanted to make a snug, +comfortable home for a boa constrictor. There are double floors, +double ceilings, and double walls. There's every convenience for the +brute, whether he wants to stay a week or a year." + +"Never mind; it will be good fun hunting him. Where are the guns?" + +"Here, in father's room," said the boy, leading the way into the +lightly furnished bed-chamber with its matted floor and walls, bath, +and couch well draped with mosquito net. + +One side was turned into quite a little armoury, guns and swords being +hung against the wall, while pouches, shot-belts, and powder-flasks +had places to themselves. + +"Take care," said Harry, as he took down and handed a gun to his +companion, who smiled and nodded. + +"Yes," he said; "but it isn't the first time I've had hold of a gun." + +"Well, I know that, Phra. You needn't turn rusty about it. I only said +so because it comes natural to warn any one to be careful." + +"Hist! Listen," said the Prince, holding up his hand. + +Harry had heard the sound at the same moment. It was a strange, +rustling, creeping sound, as of horny scales passing over wood in the +wall to their right. + +A look of intelligence passed between the boys, and they stood +listening for a few moments, which were quite sufficient to satisfy +them that the object of their visit within was gliding slowly up +between the bamboos of the open wall, probably to reach the +palm-thatched roof. + +But it was not to do so without hindrance, for after darting another +look at his companion Phra cocked his gun, walked close to the wall, +and after listening again and again he placed the muzzle of his piece +about six inches from the thin teak matting-covered boarding, and +fired. + +The result was immediate. Whether hit or only startled by the shot, +the reptile fell with a loud thud and there was the evident sound of +writhing and twisting about. + +"Well done, Phra! You've shot him!" cried Harry; "but if he dies there +we shall have to take the floor up to get him out." + +"What is it, boys? Have you seen the snake?" + +"No, sir. I heard it in the wall, and fired." + +"Yes, and you have hit it, too," said the merchant. "Listen." + +The boys were quite ready to obey, and all stood attentively trying to +analyse the meaning of the movements below the floor. + +It proved to be easy enough, for the violent writhings ceased, and the +serpent began to ascend the side of the room again in the hollow wall. + +They went on tip-toe to the spot they had marked down, and as soon as +they were still again they could hear the faint _crick, crick, crick_ +of the scales on the wood, as the serpent crawled from beneath the +floor and extended itself more and more up the side, so that it was +plain enough to trace the length upward, till evidently a good six +feet had been reached. + +"My turn now," said Harry, cocking his piece. "Shall I fire father?" + +"No; it would only bring it down again, and if it dies beneath the +floor or in the wall it will be a great nuisance to get it out. It +will mean picking the place to pieces." + +"Let it go on up into the roof, then." + +"Yes," said Mr. Kenyon; "if it gets up there it will be sure to +descend to the eaves, and if we keep a pretty good watch we shall see +it coming down slowly, and you will both get a good shot at it." + +They stood listening for a few minutes longer, and then the _crick, +crick_ in the wall ceased, and it was evident that a long and heavy +body was gliding along over the ceiling. + +"Now then, boys, out with you, and I think I'll bring a gun too; but +you shall have the honour of shooting the brute if you can. By the +way, I don't think Sree has exaggerated as to the reptile's length, +and I shall be glad to get rid of such a neighbour." + +"It's not moving now," said Harry, in a whisper. + +"Yes, I can hear it," said Phra, whose ears were preternaturally +sharp; "it's creeping towards where it can see the light shine +through, and it will come out right on the roof." + +The little party hurried out to where Mike and the three Siamese were +anxiously watching the hole in the corner of the verandah, the three +latter armed with bamboo poles, and their long knives in their +waist-folds, while Mike had furnished himself with a rusty old cavalry +sword which he had bought in London, and brought with him because he +thought it might some day prove to be useful. + +Their watching in the verandah came to an end on the appearance of the +little party, and they were posted ready to rush in to the attack of +the reptile if it should be shot and come wriggling down off the attap +thatch. + +But for some minutes after the whole party had commenced their +watching there was no sign of the escaped prize, not the faintest +rustle or crackle of the crisp, sun-dried roof. + +Phra began to grow impatient at having to stand in the hot sun holding +a heavy gun ready for firing, and Harry was little better, for the +effort of watching in the dazzling glare affected his eyes. + +"Can't you send somebody inside to bang the ceiling with a stick, Mr. +Kenyon?" said Phra at last. + +"Yes," said that gentleman. "This is getting rather weary work. Here, +Mike, go indoors and listen till you hear the snake rustling over the +ceiling of my room, and then thump loudly with a bamboo." + +"Yes, sir," said Mike promptly, and he took two steps towards the +house, and then stopped and coughed. + +"Well, what is it?" said Mr. Kenyon. + +"I beg pardon, sir; but suppose the beast has taken fright at seeing +you all waiting for him, and got into the house to hide." + +"Yes?" said Mr. Kenyon. + +"And is scrawming about all over the floor. What shall I do then?" + +"Don't lose a chance; hit it over the head or tail with all your +might." + +Mike looked warmer than ever, and began to wipe the great drops of +perspiration off his forehead. + +"Yes, sir," he said respectfully. + +"We must not stop to be nice now, for it seems to be hopeless to think +of capturing the reptile again, and I can't have such a brute as that +haunting the place." + +"No, sir, of course not," said Mike. + +"Well go on," said Mr. Kenyon sharply. "You are not afraid, are you?" + +"Oh no, sir, not a bit; but--" + +Mr. Kenyon shrugged his shoulders and strode into the house, while the +two lads burst out laughing. + +"I say, Mike, you are a brave one!" cried Harry. + +"Now, look here," cried the man, "don't you go making the same mistake +as the master. I'm not a bit afraid." + +"Ha, ha, ha!" laughed Phra. + +"No, sir," said the man angrily; "not a bit afraid; but I've got a +mother in England, and I don't like to be rash." + +"You never are, Mike." + +"No, sir, and I won't be. I'm sure every one ought to look before he +leaps when it's over a dangerous place, and--Ah! look out; here he +comes." + +There was a yell, too, from Sree and his two men, who dashed forward +together, as all at once the great serpent seemed to dart suddenly +from under a fold of the palm-leaf thatch, make an effort to glide +along the slope from the neighbourhood of those who were waiting for +it, and then failing from the steepness of the incline, rolled over +and over, writhing and twining, towards the edge where the bamboo +supports formed the pillars of the verandah. + +"Here, hi! stop!" roared the boys; but it was all in vain, for the +excited Siamese men were deaf to everything save their own impulses, +which prompted them to recover the escaped prize, and obtain their +promised reward. + +"Here, I don't want to shoot one of them," cried Phra, stamping in his +disappointment. + +"No, no, don't fire," cried Harry, throwing up his gun. "Here, hi, +Mike! Now's your time; go and help. Lay hold of his tail, but don't be +rash." + +For the serpent had rapidly reached the edge of the thatch and fallen +into one of the flower beds with a heavy thud which proclaimed its +weight. But the next minute that was a flower bed no longer. + +The serpent began the work of destruction by struggling violently as +it drew itself up into a knot, and the three Siamese finished the +work. They seemed to have not the slightest fear of the great +glistening creature whose scales shone in the sun, but dashed at it to +try and pinion it down to the ground. + +There was a furious hissing, mingled with loud shouts, panting, +rustling, and the sound of heavy blows delivered on the earth and the +bamboo flooring of the verandah, as the serpent freed its tail and +lashed about furiously. Then there was a confused knot composed of +reptile and men, rolling over, heaving and straining, and a gaily +coloured sarong was thrown out, to fall a few yards away. + +"Can't you get a shot at it, boys?" cried Mr. Kenyon, as he rushed +out. + +"Impossible, father." + +"Yes, impossible," repeated Mr. Kenyon. + +"What fun!" cried Phra excitedly. "They want to catch him alive. Look, +Hal, look." + +Harry was doing nothing else, and forgetful of all his repugnance he +approached so near the struggling knot that he had a narrow escape +from a heavy flogging blow delivered by the serpent's tail, one which +indented the soft earth with a furrow. + +"Ugh! you beast!" cried Harry, kicking at one of the reptile's folds, +which just then offered itself temptingly; but before the boy's foot +could reach it the fold was a yard away and the struggle going on more +fiercely than ever. + +It was the fight of three stout, strong men against that elongated, +tapering mass of bone and muscle, with fierce jaws at one end, a +thick, whip-like portion at the other, and the men seemed to be +comparatively helpless, being thrown here and there in spite of the +brave way in which they clung to the writhing form. The end soon +arrived, for the reptile made one tremendous effort to escape, +wrenched itself free enough to throw a couple of folds of its tail +round the thick bamboo pillar which supported the roof, took advantage +of the purchase afforded, and threw off its three adversaries, to +cling there with half its body undulating and quivering in the air, +its head with its eyes glittering fiercely, and its forked tongue +darting in and out, menacing its enemies and preparing to strike. + +The men were up again in an instant, ready to resume the attack, Sree +giving his orders in their native tongue. + +"I'll get hold of his neck," he panted, "and you two catch his tail. +Keep him tight to the bamboo, and I'll hold his head close up and ask +the master to tie it to the upright." + +"Stand back, all of you!" cried Mr. Kenyon. "Now, boys, get into the +verandah and fire outward. You have a fine chance." + +"No, no, Sahib," cried the hunter imploringly. "The snake is nearly +tired out now, and in another minute we shall have caught it fast." + +"Nonsense," cried Mr. Kenyon; "it is far too strong for you. You are +all hurt now." + +"A few scratches only, Sahib, and we could not bear to see so fine a +snake, which the master would love to have, killed like that." + +"Thinking of reward, Sree?" said the merchant, smiling. + +Harry whispered something to Phra, who nodded. + +"Let them have another try, father," cried the boy. "Phra and I don't +mind missing a shot apiece." + +"Very well," said Mr. Kenyon, and turning to the men--"Take it alive, +then, if you can." + +From wearing a dull, heavy look of disappointment the faces of the +Siamese were all smiles once more, and they prepared to rush in at +their enemy on receiving a word from Sree, who now advanced with one +of the bamboo poles he had picked up, and held out the end toward the +quivering, menacing head of the snake. + +The latter accepted the challenge directly and struck at the end of +the thick pole, its jaws opening and closing, and the dart of the +drawn-back head being quicker than the eye could follow. + +Sree was as quick, though. The slightest movement of the wrist threw +the end of the pole aside, and the serpent missed it three times +running. After that it refused to strike, but drew back its head and +swung it from side to side till it was teased into striking once more. + +This time there was a sharp jar of the bamboo, as the reptile's teeth +closed upon the wood, and the pole was nearly jerked out of the man's +hands. But he held on firmly without displaying the slightest fear, +swaying to and fro as the reptile dragged and gave. + +"Better kill it at once, Sree," cried Mr. Kenyon. + +"Pray no, Sahib. He is very strong, but we shall tire him out. I am +going to have his neck bound to the great bamboo pillar with a +sarong." + +"My good fellow," cried the merchant, "if you do it will drag the +pillar down." + +"And pull half the roof off," said Phra. "Yes, they are very strong, +these big serpents." + +"I'm afraid he would, Sahib," said the hunter mildly. "Now, if I had +time I could go into the jungle and get leaves to pound up and give +him, and he would be asleep so that we could put him in the basket." + +"Well, hadn't you better go and fetch some?" cried Harry +mischievously. "Here, Mike, come and hold this bamboo while Sree +goes." + +There was a burst of laughter at this, in which the Siamese joined, +for Mike's features were for a moment convulsed with horror; the next +he grasped the fact that a joke was being made at his expense, and +stood shaking his head and pretending to be amused. + +"We had better have a shot, my lads," said Mr. Kenyon. "It is too +unmanageable a specimen to keep, and I shall be quite content with the +skin." + +"Let them have another try, Mr. Kenyon," said Phra eagerly. "It is +grand to see them fight. Perhaps they will win this time." + +"Very well," said Mr. Kenyon, smiling. + +"Go and help them, Phra," said Harry, laughing. + +"It's so hot," said the young Siamese, "and one would be knocked about +so, and have all one's clothes torn off. Besides, you can't take hold, +only by clinging round it with your arms, and snakes are not nice. But +I will, if you will." + +"All right," said Harry; "only let's have the tail." + +Mike looked at the boys in horror, as if he thought they had gone mad. + +But at that moment Sree gave a sign to his two followers, after +finding that the reptile was so much exhausted that he could force its +head in any direction, for it still held on tightly with its teeth. + +There was a rush, and the two men seized the creature's tail and began +to unwind it from the pillar by walking round and round. + +"Hurrah! they've mastered it," cried Harry, and they drew back as the +last fold was untwined from the pillar, Mike drawing much farther back +than any one else, so as to give plenty of room. + +But the tight clasp of the teeth-armed jaws did not relax in the +slightest degree, and the next minute, by the efforts of the three +men, the creature was half dragged, half carried out into the open +garden, limp apparently and completely worn out. + +"Why, they'll manage it yet, father," cried Harry. "Here, Mike, bring +that basket out here." + +"Yes," cried Mr. Kenyon, "quick!" + +Mike looked horrified, but he felt compelled to obey, and, hurrying +into the verandah, he was half-way to the men with the basket, when he +uttered a yell, dropped it, and darted back. + +"It was frightened of Mike," said Phra afterwards. + +Frightened or no, all at once when its captors were quite off their +guard, the serpent suddenly brought its tremendous muscles into full +play, contracted itself with a sudden snatch as if about to tie itself +in a knot, and before the men could seize it again, for it was quite +free, it went down the garden at a tremendous rate, making at first +for the river, then turning off towards the jungle. + +The men, as they recovered from their astonishment, darted in pursuit, +but stopped short, for Mr. Kenyon's gun rang out with a loud report, +making the serpent start violently, but without checking its course, +and it was half out of sight among the low-growing bushes when, in +rapid succession, Phra and Harry fired, with the effect of making the +reptile draw itself into a knot again, roll, and twine right back into +the garden, give a few convulsive throes, and then slowly straighten +itself out at full length and lie heaving gently, as a slight quiver +ran from head to tail. + +The boys cheered, and after reloading in the slow, old-fashioned way +of fifty years ago, went close up to the reptile. + +"Shall I give him another shot in the head, Mr. Kenyon?" cried Phra. + +"No, no, my lad; it would be only waste of powder and shot. The brute +is beyond the reach of pain now. Well, Hal, how long do you make it?" +he cried, as that young gentleman finished pacing the ground close up +to the great reptile. + +"Five of my steps," said Harry; "and he's as thick round as I can +span--a little thicker. I say, isn't he beautifully marked, father?" + +"Splendidly, my boy." + +"But who'd have thought a thing like that could be so strong?" + +"They are wonderfully powerful," said Mr. Kenyon. "It is a splendid +specimen, Sree," he continued to that personage, who, with his +companions--all three looking sullen and out of heart--was rearranging +dragged-off or discarded loin-cloths, and looking dirty, torn, and in +one or two places bleeding, from the reptile's teeth. + +"Yes, Sahib," said the man sadly; "he would have been a prize, and I +should have been proud, and the Sahib would have been grateful in the +way he always is to his servants." + +"Oh, I see," said Harry, who whispered to his father and then to Phra, +both nodding. + +"I could not have kept such a monster as that alive, Sree," said the +merchant; "but you men behaved splendidly. You were brave to a degree, +and of course I shall pay you as much or more than I should have given +you if it had been prisoned alive." + +"Oh, Sahib!" cried the man, whose face became transformed, his eyes +brightened, and with a look of delight he brought a smile to his lips. + +Turning quickly to his two men, he whispered to them in their own +tongue, and the change was magical. They uttered a shout of joy, threw +themselves on their knees, raised their hands to the sides of their +heads, and shuffled along towards the master. + +"That will do, Sree," cried Mr. Kenyon impatiently; "make them get up. +You know I do not like to be treated like that." + +"Yes, Sahib; I know," said the hunter, and at a word the two men +started up, beaming and grinning at the two lads. + +"Brave boys," said Phra, speaking in his own tongue; and, thrusting +his hand in his pocket, he brought out and gave each of the men one of +the silver coins of the country. + +The next moment all three were grovelling on the earth before their +young Prince. + +He waved his hand and they rose. + +"I don't much like it now, Hal," said Phra apologetically; "but it is +the custom, you know. I like to be English, though, when I am with +you." + +"Oh, it's all right," said Harry; "but you do improve wonderfully, +lad. You'll be quite an English gentleman some day. I say, father, +give me some silver; I want to do as Phra did." + +Mr. Kenyon smiled and handed his son some money, nodding his +satisfaction as he saw him give each of the Siamese a coin, and check +them when they were about to prostrate themselves. + +"No, no," he shouted; "be English. Pull your blacking-brushes--so." + +The men grinned, and gave a tug at what would have been their +forelocks if they had not been cropped short. + +"Skin the snake very carefully, Sree," said Mr. Kenyon quietly, after +liberally rewarding the men, whose gloom gave place to the exuberance +of satisfaction. + +"Yes, Sahib; there shall not be a tear in the skin," cried the old +hunter eagerly. + +"Where shall they do it, father?" said Harry. "It will make such a +mess here." + +"Let them drag it down to the landing-stage, my boy, and they can +sluice the bamboo flooring afterwards, and then peg out the skin to +dry on the side. You will stay and see it done?" + +"Yes, father," replied the boy, and he turned to Phra. + +"Will you stop?" + +"Of course. I came to stay," was the reply; "didn't you see that I +sent the boatmen back?" + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +FISHING WITH A WORM + + +"I say, Sree, hadn't you and your fellows better have a wash?" said +Harry, as soon as Mr. Kenyon had re-entered the bungalow to go to his +office on the other side for his regular morning work connected with +the dispatching of rice and coffee down to the principal city. + +"What good, Sahib?" said the man, looking up with so much wonder in +his amiable, simple face, that both Phra and Harry burst out laughing, +in which the men joined. + +"Why, you are all so dirty, and you smell nasty and musky of that +great snake." + +"But we are going to skin it, Sahib, and we shall be much worse then." + +"Oh yes, I forgot," said Harry. + +"When we have done we shall all bathe and be quite clean, and go and +thank the good Sahib before we depart." + +He said a few words to his two men, and, gun in hand, the boys walked +with them towards the boa, when a thought occurred to Harry. + +"I say," he cried, "mind what you are about when you bathe, for +there's a crocodile yonder, half as long again as that snake." + +"Ah!" ejaculated the man, "then we must take care." + +"So will we, Phra. We'll look out for him and try and get a shot." + +"A big one?" said the Siamese lad. + +"Yes, I think it is the biggest I have seen." + +"Then we'll shoot him. But how bad you have made me! Before we became +friends I followed our people's rule--never killing anything. Now this +morning I am going to try and kill a crocodile, after helping to kill +a snake." + +"Well," said Harry, "I don't care about arguing who's right, but it +seems to be very stupid not to kill those horrible great monsters +which drag people who are bathing under water and eat them, and to be +afraid to kill a tiger that springs upon the poor rice and coffee +growers at the edges of the plantations." + +"So it does," said Phra, with a dry look; "and I am trying not to be +stupid. All, look there!" + +Harry was already looking, for as one of the men took hold of the +serpent's tail, in order to drag it down to the landing-place, it was +snatched away, then raised up and brought down again heavily to lie +heaving and undulating, the movement being continued right up to the +head. + +"You don't seem to have killed that," said Harry drily. + +"No," replied Phra; "but I will," and he cocked his gun. + +But Sree addressed a few words to him in his native tongue, and the +lad nodded. + +"What does he say?" asked Harry; "he can kill it more easily, without +spoiling the skin?" + +"Yes. Look. What a while these things take to die!" + +"My father says that at home in England the country people say you +can't kill a snake directly. It always lives till the sun sets." + +"You haven't got snakes like that in England?" + +"Oh no; the biggest are only a little more than a yard long." + +"But how can they live like that? What has the sun to do with it?" + +"Nothing. Father says it's only an old-fashioned superstition." + +"Look! Sree's going to kill the snake now. He's a bad Buddhist." + +"Never mind; he's a capital hunter. See what splendid things we've +found when we've been with him," said Harry enthusiastically. "He +seems to know the habits of everything in the jungle." + +Harry ceased speaking, for Sree drew a knife from its sheath in the +band of his sarong, or padung, whetted it on one of the stones of the +rockery, and went to the head of the serpent, which was moving gently. + +Sree bent down, extending his left hand to grip the reptile softly +behind the head, and give it a mortal wound which would afterwards +serve as the beginning of the cut to take off the beautifully marked +skin. + +But at the first touch, the reptile seemed to be galvanized into life, +and coiling and knotting itself up, it began to twine and writhe with +apparently as much vigour as before receiving the shots. + +"Did you ever see such a brute?" cried Harry. "Take care, or you'll +lose him." + +"Oh, no, Sahib; I will not do that. Only let me get one cut, and I +will soon make him still." + +He waited for a few minutes till the reptile straightened itself out +again, and then at a sign the two men followed their leader's example, +throwing themselves down upon the fore part of the boa, which began to +heave again, the lower part of the body writhing and flogging the +earth. + +But Sree was quite equal to the occasion. He had pinned the reptile's +neck down with one hand, and managed to hold it till with all the +skill of an old huntsman, he had slit up the skin, inserted his knife, +and cleverly divided the vertebrae just behind the creature's head. + +The moment this was done the tremendous thrashing of the tail part +began to grow less violent, then grew more gentle still, and finally +it lay undulating gently. + +"He will die now," said the man, and the long, lithe body was dragged +to the bottom of the garden and stretched out on the bamboo +landing-stage beneath the attap roofing. + +As soon as this was done, the three men went down to the water's edge, +stripped off their sarongs, washed them, and spread them in the hot +sun to dry, while, gun in hand, the two lads stood carefully scanning +the river in search of enemies, so as to get a shot. + +But no great reptile was in sight then, and they remained looking on +while Sree and his men cleverly stripped off the boa's skin and +stretched it out to dry, before fetching a couple of brass vessels +from the back of the bungalow and using them to thoroughly remove all +traces of their late work. + +Their next duty was to take a couple of bamboos and thrust off the +body of the serpent. + +Sree, however, undertook to do this himself, telling his men to refill +the brass vessels to sluice down the bamboo stage. + +But instead of thrusting the repulsive-looking reptile off, he +stopped, thinking for a few moments. + +"What is it?" said Phra; "why don't you throw that nasty thing in to +be swept out to sea?" + +Sree gave him a peculiar look, and turned to Harry. + +"Was it a very big crocodile, Sahib?" he said. + +"Yes. Why?" + +"Would you like to have a shot at it?" + +"Of course; but these big ones are so cunning." + +"Let's see," said the man. "Perhaps I could get you a shot." + +The boys were interested at once. + +"What are you going to do?" said Phra. + +"See if I can bring one up where you can shoot." + +"How?" asked Harry. + +"Is there a big hook in the house?" said Sree. + +"Do you want one?" + +"Yes, Sahib." + +"Go up, then, and tell Mike to give you one of the biggest meat-hooks. +Say I want it directly, and then he will." + +The two men squatted down at the end of the landing-place, smiling, +behind their vessels of water, as Sree hurried up the garden, while +the two boys stood, gun in hand, scanning the surface of the river. + +"He's going to make a bait of the snake, I suppose; but I don't expect +the croc will be about here now. If the water were clear we could +see." + +But, as before said, the stream was flowing of a rich coffee or +chocolate hue, deeply laden as it was with the fine mud of the low +flats so often flooded after rains in the mountains, and it was +impossible to see a fish, save when now and then some tiny, silvery +scrap of a thing sprang out, to fall back with a splash. + +"We're only going to make ourselves hot for nothing," said Harry. "I +don't believe we shall see the beast. Now, if you had been here when I +saw him." + +"And both of us had had guns," said Phra. "What nonsense it is to talk +like that! One never is at a place at the right time." + +"Fortunately for the crocs," said Harry, laughing. "Here he is." + +"What, the croc?" cried Phra, cocking his gun. + +"No, no; Sree.--Got it?" + +"Yes, Sahib. A good big one." + +The man came on to the landing-stage, smiling, with the bright new +double hook in his hand and a stout piece of string. Then taking down +a little coil of rope used for mooring boats at one of the posts, he +thrust one of the hooks through the hemp, bound it fast with string, +leaving a long piece after knotting off, and then passed the other +hook well through the vertebrae and muscles behind the snake's head, +using the remaining string to bind the shank of the hook firmly to the +serpent's neck so as to strengthen the hold. + +There were about twenty yards of strong rope, and Sree fastened the +other end of this to the post used to secure the boats, before looking +up at the boys. + +"Large big fishing," he said, with a dry smile. "Fish too strong to +hold." + +"And that's rather a big worm to put on the hook," said Harry, +laughing. "There, throw it out, and let's see if we get a bite. Are +you going to fish, Phra?" + +"No," said the Prince; "I am going to shoot. You can hold the line." + +"Thankye, but I'm going to fish too. Throw out, Sree." + +The old hunter's throwing out was to push one end of the serpent off +the end of the bamboo stage, with the result that the rest glided +after it, and with their guns at the ready the two boys waited to see +if there was a rush made at the bait as it disappeared beneath the +muddy stream. + +But all they saw was a gleam or two of the white part of the serpent, +as it rolled over and over, then went down, drawing the rope slowly +out till the last coil had gone; and then nothing was visible save a +few yards of rope going down from the post into the water, and rising +and falling with the action of the current. + +Sree squatted down by the post and went on chewing his betel, his two +men by the brass vessels doing the same. + +So five, ten, fifteen minutes passed away, with the boys watching, +ready to fire if there was a chance. + +"Oh, I say, this is horribly stupid," cried Harry at last. "Let's give +it up." + +"No," said Phra; "you want patience to fish for big things as well as +for little. You have no patience at all." + +"Well, I'm not a Siamese," said Harry, laughing. "We English folk are +not always squatting down on our heels chewing nut and pepper-leaf, +and thinking about nothing." + +"Neither am I," said Phra; "but I have patience to wait." + +"It is your nature to," said Harry. "You're all alike here; never in a +hurry about anything." + +"Why should we be?" replied Phra quietly. "We could not in a hot +country like ours. You always want to be in a hurry to do something +else. Look at Sree and his men; see how they wait." + +"Yes, I suppose they're comfortable; but I'm not. I want to go and lie +down under a tree. Think it's any good, Sree? Won't come, will he?" + +"Who can say, Sahib?" replied the man. "He ought to if he is about +here. That bait is big and long; the bait must go far down the stream, +and it smells well." + +"Smells well, eh?" said Harry. + +"Beautiful for a bait, Sahib. You are sure you saw one this morning?" + +"Saw it, and hit it a fine crack with a big stone." + +"Then he ought to be there and take that bait; and he will, too, if +you have not offended him by making his back too sore." + +"Offended him! Made his back too sore!" said Harry, with a chuckle. +"What a rum old chap you are, Sree! You talk about animals just as if +they felt and thought as we do." + +"Yes, Sahib, and that is what the bonzes teach. They say that when +people die they become crocodiles, or elephants, or birds, or +serpents, or monkeys, or some other kind of creature." + +"And that's all stuff and nonsense, Sree. You don't believe all that, +I know." + +"It's what I was taught, Sahib," said the man, with a queer twinkle of +the eye. + +"But you don't believe it, Sree. You don't think that some one turned +when he died into that old snake, or else you wouldn't have caught it +to sell to my father as a specimen." + +"And then skinned it and made a bait of it on a hook to catch a +crocodile," said Phra. + +"Not he. Look at him," cried Harry. "See how he's laughing in his +sleeve." + +"He isn't. Hasn't got any sleeves." + +"Well, inside, then. His eyes are all of a twinkle. He doesn't believe +it a bit. There, I shan't stand here any longer cuddling this gun, +with nothing to shoot at." + +"It is rather stupid, Hal." + +"Yes. Here, jump up, Sree, and take us where we can have a shoot at +something, or go and fish; I don't care which." + +"Come and see the elephants," suggested Phra. + +"No, I want to be under the shady trees. What's the good of going to +see the tame elephants? They're not white, after all. Chained by one +leg and nodding their old heads up and down, up and down, till they +see you, and then they begin sticking out their leeches." + +"Sticking out their leeches?" said Phra, looking at him wonderingly. + +"Trunks, then. They always look to me like jolly great leeches ready +to hold on to you. Let's go. Pull up the hook and line, Sree, and get +rid of that nasty snake." + +"Yes, Sahib," said the old hunter, beginning to haul on the rope, +which came in heavily for a few feet. + +"It comes in slowly," said Phra; "has something taken the bait?" + +_Whush!_ went the line through Sree's hands, and then _whang!_ as it +was snapped tight with such violence that the man started from it, for +the stout post was jarred so that it quivered and seemed about to be +pulled down, while the light bamboo and palm roof swayed, and the +whole structure seemed as if it were going to be dragged over into the +river. + +There was no doubting the violence of the wrench and the danger, for +the two men sprang off on to the shore and stood staring, till Sree +shouted to them to come back and help haul. + +"Why, we've caught him, Phra," cried Harry, as soon as he had +recovered from his astonishment. "Look out, lad, and be ready to fire +as soon as he shows upon the surface. Pull, Sree; don't let him drag +like that at the post again." + +"I can't move him, Sahib," said the man, who looked startled; and he +was already hauling with all his might, but doing nothing more than +slightly ease the strain on the post. + +But first one and then the other man got a grip of the rope, pulling +together with such effect that whatever had seized the bait and become +hooked began to jerk the line violently, as if it were throwing its +head from side to side. + +"Be ready to shoot, Master Harry," said Sree. "He may rush up to the +top of the water and come at us, or try to sweep us off here with his +tail." + +"Nonsense!" cried Harry. + +"'Tisn't," said Phra calmly, as he stood like a bronze statue, ready +to fire. "I saw a man swept off a boat once like that." + +"By a croc?" + +"Yes." + +"What then?" said Harry huskily. + +"I don't know. He was never seen again. Ah, look out!" + +As Phra spoke there was a violent eddying in the water where the end +of the line must have been. + +"He's coming up," cried Harry, raising his gun to his shoulder. "Hold +on, all of you. Ah, here he is. Fire!" + +The two guns went off almost like one, for all at once the hideous +knotted head of a crocodile appeared at the surface and came rapidly +towards the stage slackening the rope and making the two men quit +their hold and, in spite of an angry cry from Sree, tumble one over +the other ashore. + +The hunter behaved bravely enough, but the moment had arrived when he +felt that discretion was the better part of valour--when it was +evident that the hideous reptile, enraged at finding such a finale to +the delicious repast of musky boa, neatly skinned apparently for its +benefit, but followed by a horrible tearing sensation in its throat +and the pressure of a long rope which could not be swallowed nor +bitten through because it persisted in getting between the teeth, had +risen to the surface, caught sight of a man dragging at the rope, had +aimed straight at him as being the cause of all the pain, and was +about to rush at and sweep him from the platform. + +Under the circumstances Sree was about to let go and follow the +example of his men, but the firing checked the crocodile's charge, +sending it rushing down below with a tremendous wallow and splash on +the surface with its tail; the rope ran out again, and Sree proudly +held on, congratulating himself on not having let go, but repenting +directly after, for there was a jerk which seemed as if it would drag +his arms out of their sockets, and if he had not let the rope slide he +must have gone head first into the river. + +Then came another drag at the post which supported the roof, and once +more everything quivered, but not so violently as before, while Sree +tightened his hold again and roared to his men to come. + +The movement of the rope now showed that the great reptile was +swimming here and there deep down in the muddy water, while the two +lads with hands trembling from excitement reloaded as quickly as they +could; and as the two men resumed their places on the stage and took +hold of the rope, the sharp clicking of gun-locks told that a couple +more charges were ready. + +"Think we can kill him, Sree?" cried Harry. + +"I daren't say, Sahib. The rope may break by his teeth at any time, +but we'll drag and make him come up again, so that you can have +another shot. What are you loaded with?" + +"Big slugs," cried Phra. + +"Ought to be bullets," said the hunter. + +"But we are very near, Sree," chimed in Harry. + +"Yes, Sahib; but an old crocodile like this is so horny. Never mind; +you must try. Say when you're ready." + +"Now," said Phra hoarsely, and Harry stood with his lips pinched and +his forehead a maze of wrinkles. + +Sree turned fiercely to his two followers, who had hold of the rope +close behind him. + +"If you let go this time, I'll knock you both in," he cried, "and then +you'll be killed and eaten, and come to life again as crocodiles." + +The men shivered at this to them horrible threat, and Harry and Phra +exchanged glances. + +Meanwhile Sree was, so to speak, just feeling the crocodile's head, +and as no extra strain was put upon the rope the reptile kept on +swimming to and fro; but the moment the rope was tightened and the +three men gave a steady drag there was a violent eddying of the water, +the rope slackened, and the huge head and shoulders shot out as if the +brute meant to reach its enemies in one bound. + +But once more the reports of the two guns came nearly together, and +the gaping jaws of the reptile snapped together as the head +disappeared. + +"Load again," cried Harry excitedly. "Let him run, Sree." + +The hunter nodded, and as soon as the guns were loaded the drag and +reappearance of the beast took place, another couple of shots were +received, and this time the reptile whirled itself round and making +good use of its favourite weapon struck at the occupants of the +landing-stage, its tail sweeping along with terrific force. + +But the brute had miscalculated the distance. Six feet nearer, and the +two lads would have been swept into the river. As it was they felt the +wind of the passing tail and heard the loud humming _whish_ as it +passed. + +"That was near, Phra," said Harry. + +"Yes; the hideous wretch! the beast!" hissed the Siamese lad through +his teeth, and followed it up with another loud, hollow, hissing noise +from the barrel of his gun, as he rammed a wad down upon the powder. +"Let's go on and kill him. Such a wretch ought not to live and destroy +everything he can reach along the banks. Oh, how I wish we had some +big bullets! I'd half fill the gun." + +"Then I'm glad you have none, old chap," said Harry. + +"Why?" cried Phra, pausing, ramrod in hand. + +"You ought to know by now. Burst the gun." + +"Nearly ready, Sahib?" cried Sree. "He's pulling harder, and I'm +afraid of the rope breaking." + +"Not quite," said Phra, but a minute later, "Let's stand a bit farther +back, Hal. Now, Sree, pull." + +There was another steady draw upon the rope, which ran out now quite +at right angles with the stage, and in an instant it was responded to +by a tremendous rush. The water rose in a wave, then parted, as the +open jaws of the crocodile appeared, coming right at them. The next +moment the landing-stage quivered and rocked, for it was as if a +tree-trunk had struck it right at the edge. Then there was a splash +which sent the water flying all over the edifice, and all was still. + +The reptile's charge had its effect, for as it fell back into the +water the three Siamese rose to their feet from where they had flung +themselves off from the staging in among the flowering bushes, and +Harry and Phra sat up on the path which led into the garden. + +"Oh, what a beast!" cried Phra, rubbing himself. "I hate him, oh, ten +thousand times worse now!" + +"Lucky we didn't shoot one another," said Harry. "I say, see how I've +scratched the stock of father's gun." + +"Why didn't you fire, Sahib?" said Sree ruefully, as he began picking +thorns out of his left arm. + +"Come, I like that!" cried Harry. "Why didn't you three hold on by the +rope? I say, Sree, this is a one-er." + +"You see, he doesn't like that hook, Sahib," said the hunter. + +"But he has got to like it," said Harry. "There, we're not beaten. +Come on again. We must kill him now." + +"I'm afraid, Sahib, he is one of those old savage crocodiles that are +enchanted, and can't be killed." + +"Oh, are you?" said Harry drily; "then I'm not. And if that rope +doesn't break, we're going to kill him for being so impudent, aren't +we, Phra?" + +"Yes," said the lad, with his dark eyes flashing. "We will kill him +now if it takes pounds of powder." + +"And hundredweights of shot," said Harry. "Now then, look at the +primings, and then stir the wretch up again, Sree, before he jigs that +post down." + +The jerking of the post was transferred to the arms of the men as the +two lads stepped back to the bamboo floor, ready once more, and +laughingly now, as they trusted to their own activity to escape the +reptile's jaws. The men began to haul at the rope, with the same +result as before. + +But the boys were more ready this time. They watched the approaching +wave, and as the open jaws of the enemy appeared, they fired right in +between them, as if moved by the same impulse; and this time the +creature dropped back at once. + +"That was a good one, Sree," cried Harry, beginning to reload. + +"It was great and wonderful, Sahib. How glad I am to see you both +trying to slay the old murderer! A few more shots like that, and he +will never again drag little children and poor weak women down to his +holes in the muddy banks. It is a grand thing to do; but the bullets +should be heavier than those." + +"Never mind," said Phra; "we'll make these do." + +Once more the order was given to pull, and the rope was tightened as +it descended just in the same place, showing that the reptile was +lying still in the same spot--probably a hole in the muddy bed--which +had formed its lurking-place during the last few minutes. + +It was a complete repetition in every respect of the last rush, and, +taught by experience, the lads were as quick in the repetition of +their last tactics. The wave rose in response to the heavy drag, the +water eddied and parted, and once more a couple of heavy charges of +slugs were poured between the hideous, gaping jaws, which closed with +a snap, and the head sank down out of sight. + +But this time there was a fresh surprise. The monster's tail rose high +in the air, and delivered three or four tremendous smacks on the +surface, raising such a foam and shower that it was only dimly seen +how the reptile must have tried to evade its enemies by shooting up +stream. + +But it was apparent by the direction of the rope, to which the three +men held on as long as they could, the final jerk making them let go +for a few minutes, but only for Sree to seize hold again. + +"He must have got that last badly, Sahib," said the hunter gravely, as +he began to pull in the slack, which showed that the reptile was no +longer straining at the line. + +"Bring him back then directly we're ready," cried Harry, "and we'll +give him another dose. But I say," he added, as he went on loading +quickly, "that line comes in very easily." + +"Yes, Sahib, and we must be on the look-out. I thought he had rushed +up stream, but he must be close here." + +"I know," cried Phra; "it's just like the cunning beast. He has come +back, and is hiding under the floor. We must look out." + +"Yes, Sahib," replied the hunter; "very likely, for they are cunning +things. I will not pull in more rope till you are ready for him." + +"Ready!" cried Phra a minute later, and Harry echoed the cry. + +"Better stand on my other side, Sahibs," said Sree; and the lads took +up the more advantageous place--one, too, which made the hunter more +safe from proving the resting-place of the next volley of bullets. + +The two men eagerly took their places at the rope, for familiarity +with the danger incurred had thoroughly bred contempt; and the hauling +began slowly and steadily, every one being on the _qui vive_, and +ready to spring back. + +But the first yard came without the slightest resistance. + +"Look out!" said Harry, holding his gun to his shoulder, and aiming +down at the water; "he must be very near." + +Another yard came without the crocodile being felt. + +"He must be close in," whispered Phra, and the excitement now became +intense; for their enemy seemed to be playing a very artful game under +cover of the thick water, which completely shielded the approach. + +"Better stand farther back, Sahibs," said Sree, ceasing to pull, + +"But we couldn't see to shoot," said Harry. + +"Better not shoot than be seized by this child of a horrible mother, +Sahib." + +"We should have time to spring back," said Phra; "for we should see +the water move. Go on pulling in the rope." + +"Yes, go on," said Harry excitedly. "I can't bear this waiting. Haul +quicker, and let's have it over." + +The men obeyed, and another yard was easily and slowly drawn in, the +Siamese in their excitement opening their eyelids widely so as to show +the opalescent eyeballs; but still there was no check, and the curve +of the rope now showed that the hook end must be close under the +stage. + +"Now, Sahibs, mind," whispered Sree hoarsely; "he is down there by +your feet, or else right under the floor." + +The lads glanced down at the frail, split bamboos, through whose +interstices they could just catch the gleam of the flowing water, +while the same idea came to both. + +Suppose the brute were to dash its head upward? It would break through +as easily as if the flooring had been of laths. + +But all was still save the rippling whisper of the water and the hum +of insect life outside in the blistering sunshine, as the men drew on +cautiously, inch by inch, in momentary expectation of the development +of a cunning attack. + +It was almost in breathless awe now that the men ceased pulling for a +few moments in response to an order from Sree, who whispered to his +superiors,-- + +"We are just at the end, Sahibs; be quite ready to fire." + +"We are," they replied, in a husky whisper. + +"Then we shall pull now sharply, Sahibs." + +"Pull," said Harry. "Quick!" + +The men gave two rapid heaves, and the boys started back with a shout. + +"Oh!" roared Harry, stamping about the floor, "only to think of that!" + +For Sree was standing holding out the frayed and untwisted end of the +rope, worn through at last by the crocodile's teeth, and parted in the +last rush. + +"Oh, I say!" cried Phra. + +"Mind! Look out!" yelled Harry, making a dash for the shore, and +immediately there was a regular stampede, which ended in the Prince +seizing his friend by the arm, and thumping his back with the butt of +the gun he held. + +"Oh, I say, don't--don't!" panted Harry, who was choking with +laughter. + +"Then will you leave off playing such tricks?" + +"Yes, yes--please, please!" cried Harry. "Oh, don't; it hurts." + +"I know: it'll be like that fable of the shepherd boy and the wolf. +Some day he'll come and no one will run." + +"I don't care, so long as you leave off thumping me with that gun. +Don't, Phra, old chap," he added, growing serious; "it's dangerous to +play with guns." + +"It's too bad," said Phra. "I thought the beast was jumping on to us. +What a pity, though! All that powder and shot wasted for nothing." + +"The bullets were too small, Sahib," said Sree; "but I'm afraid you +could never have killed that crocodile." + +"Oh, nonsense!" cried Harry; "bullets would have done it." + +Sree shook his head solemnly. + +"Look at him, Phra. I did think he was sensible." + +"No; he's nearly as superstitious as any of them," replied the lad. + +"No, Sahib," said Sree; "I only think it's strange that you fired shot +after shot into that thing, and still he was as strong as ever. I hope +he will not stop about here, and make it not safe to come down to the +landing-place. It would be bad." + +"Ahoy--oy--oy!" rang out in a clear, manly voice, and the sound of +oars was followed by a boat gliding into sight. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +THE DOCTOR'S POST-MORTEM + + +"Morning, Mr. Cameron," cried Harry heartily, as the boat, propelled +by its fore-and-aft rowers, glided up to the landing-stage, Sree +handing the crocodile-catching rope to one of the men to make the boat +fast, while the occupant of the seat beneath the central awning leapt +out. + +He was a good-looking, lightly bronzed, red-haired man of about +thirty, tall, and active apparently as a boy, and as he strode over +the yielding bamboo flooring, making it creak, he shook hands warmly. + +"How are you, my lads?--Ah, Sree!" and the hunter salaamed. + +"I'm jolly, Mr. Cameron. Phra's bad. Put out your tongue, old chap." + +Phra's reply was a punch in the chest. + +"Looks terribly bad," said the new arrival, who knew his friends. +"Here, what does all this shooting mean? I came on to see." + +"Awful great croc," cried Harry. + +"Shooting at it?" + +"Yes, and the big slugs rattled off it like hail on a lot of dry +thatch." + +"Then you did not kill it?" + +"Kill it--no. Only wish we had. Mr. Cameron, it was a monster." + +"So I suppose. Nine feet long, eh?" + +"Nine feet long!" said Harry contemptuously; "why, it was over +twenty." + +"You young romancer!" cried the new-comer. "How long was it, Prince?" + +"I've only seen its head," said Phra. "It was big enough for it to be +thirty feet." + +"Then I beg your pardon humbly, Hal." + +This was accompanied by a hearty clap on the shoulder. + +"Oh, I don't mind," said the lad merrily. "Only if you won't believe +me, Mr. Cameron, I won't believe you." + +"I never tell travellers' tales, Hal." + +"No, but you tell me sometimes that your nasty mixtures will do me +good, and that's precious hard to believe." + +The young doctor laughed. + +"You ought to have killed the croc, though," he said. + +"Sahib! Sahib, look!" cried Sree, as a shout arose from Mr. Cameron's +boatmen. + +All turned sharply to where the men were pointing, to see, floating on +its back and with its toad-like under part drying in the hot sunshine, +the body of a huge crocodile. + +"That's ours," cried Harry. + +"Or a dead one from somewhere up the river," said the doctor. "But +we'll soon prove it with our noses." + +"Hooray! no need," cried Harry; "that's him;" for all at once the +great reptile undulated in the water, struggled, splashed, and turned +over, swam round, and went up the river again, passing out of sight. + +"Well, you are pretty sportsmen! Why didn't you shoot?" + +"I never thought of the gun," said Phra. + +"Here, take us in your boat, and let's follow him, Mr. Cameron." + +There was another shout before the doctor could answer, for the men +could see that the reptile's strength was exhausted, it being once +more upon its back, floating down the stream. + +"We'll shoot this time," said Phra. + +"There is no need, master," said Sree. "I think it is dead now." + +"I came to have a chat with your father," said the doctor; "but I must +make acquaintance with our friend yonder. Look here, Sree, take the +boat and the rope and tow the brute ashore. Take care that it is dead +first. Don't run any risks." + +"No, Sahib," said the man, drawing his keen knife from his waist and +trying its edge and point. + +"Ah, I need not try to teach you, Sree." + +"Here's father," cried Harry, as Mr. Kenyon came out of the open +window of the bungalow and walked down to where they stood. + +"Ah, Cameron, how are you? Glad to see you, man. How is the wife?" + +"Complaining about the heat. But look yonder." + +He pointed at the floating reptile, and the merchant uttered an +exclamation of wonder. + +"So that explains the firing, boys. It is a monster. What a good +riddance! What are you going to do, Sree?" + +"Put a rope round his neck and bring him ashore, Sahib." + +"Yes, we ought to take some measurements. But be careful, or it will +capsize you; I don't think it's dead." + +"It will be soon, Sahib," said the man meaningly. + +"Yes, but those creatures have such strength in their tails. Where is +your spear, man?" + +"In my boat, Sahib, far away." + +"Here, Harry, run to the hall and take down one of those Malay +spears." + +Harry ran, and after a moment's hesitation the young prince followed +him, walking in a slow, dignified way. But long contact and education +with an English boy had left its traces, and before he had gone many +yards the observances of his father's jungle palace were forgotten, +and he dashed off as hard as he could go, leaping in at the doorway +and nearly overturning his companion. + +"Here, mind where you're coming to," cried Harry. + +"Bring two spears," cried Phra excitedly. + +"Well, I am bringing two, aren't I? Thought you'd like to have a go, +too." + +Phra's arm went over his friend's shoulder in an instant. + +"That's what I do like in you," he cried. "You always want to share +everything with me." + +"You're just as stupid," said Harry drily. "Here, catch hold. Which +will you have? Make haste. Come along." + +"Oh, I don't mind," said Phra. + +"Better choose," said Harry, holding out the long, keen heads. "This +one's as sharp as that one, and that one's got as good a point as +this. Which is it to be?" + +"I don't quite understand," said Phra, gazing in Harry's laughing +eyes. "Yes, I do. Either of them will do. How fond you are of trying +to puzzle one!" + +"Make haste, boys," cried Mr. Kenyon. + +Dignity before the common people was once more forgotten, prince and +English boy racing down to the landing-stage with the light spears +over their shoulders. + +"Hullo!" said Harry's father. "I did not mean you to go." + +"Oh, we must go, father," cried the lad. + +"Well, be careful, Sree. Mind that the boat is kept a little way +back." + +"Yes, Sahib; I will take care." + +"You might have asked me if I'd like to come in my own boat," said the +doctor, smiling. + +"Oh, Dr. Cameron," said Phra with an apologetic look, "pray go;" and +he offered him the spear he held. + +"No, no, my dear lad," said the doctor; "I was only joking. It is your +task." + +"But come too," cried Harry. + +"There will be plenty in the boat without me. Off with you." + +Harry looked unwilling to stir, but the doctor seized him by the +shoulders and hurried him along, and the next minute they were being +paddled towards the floating reptile, the men managing so that the +boys could have a thrust in turn, the Prince as they passed along one +side, Harry on their return on the other. + +But the thrusts did not follow one another quickly, for the deep +plunging in of the spear by Phra seemed to act like a reviver, +although it was delivered about where the lad believed the heart to +be. + +In an instant the great reptile had flung itself over and began +lashing the water with its tail. + +"Take care!" shouted Mr. Kenyon from the landing-stage. But the +warning was needless, for a sharp stroke from the oars sent the boat +well out of reach, the rowers changing their positions and sending it +backward in pursuit, as the crocodile began once more to swim up +stream, at a pretty good rate at first, then slower and slower, +leaving the water stained with its blood as it went on. + +It managed to make its way, though, quite a hundred yards above the +bungalow before its tail ceased its wavy, fish-like motion. Then there +was a struggle and a little splashing, and once more it turned over +upon its back. + +"Your turn now," cried Phra excitedly. "I must have missed its heart. +You stab it there this time." + +"Want the doctor here to tell me where it is," said Harry, as he stood +up with his spear poised ready to strike when within reach. + +"Thrust just between its front paws, Sahib," said Sree from where he +squatted just behind the front rower. + +"I will if I can; if I can't, how can I?" hummed Harry. + +"Now," whispered Sree. + +"Yes, yes, now," cried Phra excitedly. + +"There you are, then," muttered the lad, and he delivered a thrust +right in the spot pointed out, snatching back the weapon just in time, +for the wound seemed to madden the reptile, which turned over and +began to struggle with astonishing vigour; but only to roll over again +and swim round the boat in that position, giving Phra the opportunity +of delivering a deadly thrust, which was followed by another by Harry. + +"That has done it," said the latter, for there was no response to +these save a slight quivering of the tail, and now Sree rose from +where he had crouched. + +"Dead now, Sahibs," he said; "he will fight no more." + +The two lads worked their spears about in the water a few times to +cleanse them, and then sat down under the thatched awning, panting and +hot with exertion, while they watched the action of the hunter. Sree, +aided by the boatmen, who held the crocodile within reach, leaned over +the side and slipped a running noose over the monster's head right up +to the neck, drew it tight, and then let the rope run through his +hands as the two Siamese rowers made their oars bend in sending the +light sampan along, for the huge bulk was heavy. But the stream was +with them, and a few minutes after, in obedience to the doctor's +instructions, the crocodile was drawn up close to the muddy bank, some +fifty yards below the merchant's garden. + +Here another rope was fetched out and made fast round one of the hind +legs, both ropes being held by Sree's men, while their leader remained +in the boat, the boys having sprung ashore. + +And now measurements were taken, the monster proving to be just +twenty-one feet in length, and of enormous bulk. + +"I was not far wrong, Doctor Cameron," said Harry. + +"No, my boy; you were not, indeed." + +"Are you going to let it float down the river now?" asked Phra. + +"Not yet," said the doctor; "but perhaps you two had better go now, +for I am about to superintend rather a nasty examination in the cause +of science." + +"I know," said Harry to his companion; "he is going to see what the +thing lives on. Shall we go?" + +"No," said Phra gravely; "I want to learn all that I can, and the +doctor is so clever, he seems to know everything." + +"I heard what you said, Prince," said the doctor, smiling; "but I +don't; I wish I did. Now, Sree, you know how to go to work; let's get +it over; the water will wash everything away." + +The hunter, who had worked with Doctor Cameron in many an expedition, +and understood what was required, bent over the side of the boat, made +one long opening, and then plunging his knife in again, made another, +and with the flowing water for help, in a short time laid bare the +various objects which formed the loathsome reptile's food. + +First and foremost there was, to the doctor's astonishment, the snake, +and as soon as this had been sent floating down the stream there were +fish, seven of goodly size, beside some that were quite small. Then +the boys were puzzled, but the cleansing water soon showed that what +followed next were a couple of water-fowl, nearly as big as geese. + +"That's all, is it?" said the doctor. + +"No, Sahib, there is something else--something hard," said the hunter, +and he searched about, gathering something in his hand, rinsed it to +and fro a few times, and carefully threw four objects ashore. + +Harry shuddered and felt a horrible, sickening sensation for a few +moments, but it was swept away directly after by the feeling of rage +which made the blood run hot to his temples. + +"I've been thinking what brutes we were, killing things as we have +been this morning; but oh, the beast! I should like to kill hundreds." + +"Ugh!" ejaculated Phra, as he stamped his foot, and then through his +compressed teeth: "The wretches! the monsters! how I hate them!" + +He said no more, but stood with his companion listening as the doctor +rested on one knee and turned over the objects on the grass. + +"Yes, strung on wire; that is why they have not separated. Gilt +bronze, and very pretty too. Each one is chased; the leg and arm +bangles are bronze too, and quite plain. You may as well put them in +your museum, Kenyon, with a label containing their sad little +history--Worn by some pretty little Siamese girl dragged under when +bathing." + +"Yes, Sahib doctor," said Sree respectfully; "they wear bangles like +that three days' journey up the river." + +"Horrible!" ejaculated Harry, bending over the relics. + +"Horrible indeed, my boy," said his father. Then laying his hand upon +Phra's shoulder, "Thank you both, my lads, for ridding the river of a +vile old murderer." + +"Thank old Sree, too, father," said Harry eagerly, "for he did more +than either of us." + +"I'm going to thank Sree," said the merchant. "There, let the monster +float down to the sea. Don't go away yet; Doctor Cameron and I want to +talk to you." + +"Yes, and Harry and I want to go up the river to the wild jungle," +said Phra eagerly. "We have not had a hunt for a week." + +"Come along, then," said Mr. Kenyon, laying his hand on the Prince's +shoulder. "We'll talk it over, and perhaps we can join forces. What's +that, Sree?" + +"The crocodiles from below are coming up, Sahib; they have smelt the +blood." + +"Yes, look at that," said the doctor, as there was a wallow and a +splash not ten yards from the monster's head. + +"Take care!" said Mr. Kenyon excitedly. "Don't try to untie those +ropes, Sree, or you may have your hand seized; cut them, and let the +reptile go." + +Sree obeyed, dividing the strong cords with a couple of cuts. Then +taking an oar from one of the boatmen he forced the boat along past +the crocodile, giving the latter a thrust, when the current bore it +outward, and directly after another of its tribe, of about half the +size, raised its head out of the water, and drew itself partly on the +bulky body, which rolled over toward it, and then sank back out of +sight. + +But it was not gone, and the agitation of the surface about the +floating body showed that others were there, tearing at it as it +floated away. + +"I should hardly have thought that we had so many of these brutes +about here," said the doctor. + +"They come and go, Sahib; and they hide so. There are plenty more, and +that dead one will never reach the sea." + +"It's a warning to you two boys never to attempt to bathe off here," +said Mr. Kenyon. + +"Bathe, father!" cried Harry, glancing down at the bronze rings and +the necklace lying in the grass; "I feel as if I shall never like to +bathe again;" and Phra curled up his lip, as he once more +ejaculated:-- + +"Ugh!" + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +MAKING PLANS + + +It was pleasantly dusk and shady in Mr. Kenyon's museum, where the +party had gathered, glad enough to get away from the glare of the sun +after the exertions of the morning. For Siam is a country beautiful +enough, but one where the sun has a bad habit of making it pretty +often somewhere near ninety-nine in the shade. The natives revel in +this, and grow strong and well, though it has a tendency to make even +them a quiet, deliberate, and indolent people. What wonder, then, that +an Englishman should feel indisposed to work? + +All the same, there was not much idleness in the Kenyons' bungalow, +for the merchant was an indefatigable business man, who had built up a +fine business, at the same time finding time for gratifying his +intense love for natural history, in which he had an energetic +companion in the young doctor, who had been encouraged to settle at +Dahcok by one of the kings. As for Harry, his restless nature made him +set the hottest weather at defiance unless he was checked, for, to use +his own words, "I'm not going to let Phra beat me out of doors, even +if he was born in the country." + +There had been a few words in connection with his restlessness when +the lads bore in the guns and spears, all of which were handed over to +Mike to be cleaned and carefully oiled. + +"You lads had better sit down now and have a good rest in here; it's +cool and shady. Your face is scarlet, Hal. Make Phra stay and have a +bit of dinner with us." + +"I should like to," said the young Prince eagerly. + +"Of course he will, father; but you and Doctor Cameron want to talk." + +"About what will interest you as well, I dare say. What were you going +to do?" + +For Harry had made a sign to Phra, and was sidling towards the door. + +"Oh, I don't know, father; look about and do something along with +Phra." + +"Do you hear him, Doctor? Did you ever see such a restless fellow? +He's spoiling the Prince too." + +"Oh no," said Phra; "I'm just as bad as he is, sir." + +"I begin to think you are," cried Mr. Kenyon. "Look here, Cameron; +they've had a fight with the boa whose skin I showed you, and another +with that crocodile. That ought to satisfy any two boys who love +adventure for quite a month." + +"Well, it is a pretty good morning's work," said the doctor, laughing. +"Take my advice, lads, and have a rest till dinner-time, and another +afterwards. As it happens, Kenyon, I told the wife I shouldn't be back +to dinner." + +"You wouldn't have gone back if you had not," said Mr. Kenyon +laughing. "Oh, by the way, have you completed your collection of +fireflies?" + +"No; there is one which gives out quite a fiery light, very different +from the greeny gold of the others. I've seen it three times, but it +always soars away over the river or up amongst the lofty trees." + +"I know that one," said Phra eagerly. + +"I've seen it once," said Harry. "Old Sree would get you one." + +"I've asked him, but he has not succeeded yet," said the doctor. + +"We'll try, then," said Phra, springing up, an action followed by +Harry. + +"But the fireflies are best caught by night," said Mr. Kenyon drily. + +"Of course," cried Phra, reddening through his yellowish bronze skin, +and he dropped back in his chair, with Harry following suit. + +But in spite of the heat, the boys could not sit still, and began +fidgeting about, while Mr. Kenyon and his friend chatted about the +state of the colony. + +For want of something else more in accordance with their desires at +the moment, the two boys began to go over the various objects in the +large, high-ceiled room, which were the result of ten years' +collecting. There were bird-skins by the hundred--pheasants with the +wondrously-shaped eyes upon tail and wing, which had won for them the +name argus; others eye-bearing like the peacock, but on a smaller +scale; and then the great peacock itself--the Javanese kind--gorgeous +in golden green where the Indian kinds were of peacock blue. + +Every here and there hung snake-skins, trophies of the jungle, while +upon the floor were no less than six magnificent tiger-pelts, each of +which had its history, and a black one too, of murder committed upon +the body of some defenceless native. + +Leopard-skins, too, were well represented. Elephants' tusks of the +whitest ivory; and one strange-looking object stood on the floor, +resembling a badly rounded tub about twenty inches in diameter, and +formed out of the foot of some huge elephant. + +Skulls with horns were there, and skulls without; cases and drawers of +birds' eggs, and lovely butterflies and moths, with brilliant, +metallic-looking beetles; and the boys smiled at one another as they +paused before first one thing and then another in whose capture they +had played a part. + +Here, too, was another stand of weapons that would be suitable for the +attack upon some tyrant of the jungle, or for defence against any +enemy who might rise against the peace of those dwelling at the +bungalow. + +The boys were interested enough in the contents of the museum they had +helped to form; but at last the weariness growing upon them became +unbearable, and they moved towards the door, expecting to hear some +remark made by either Mr. Kenyon or the doctor; but these gentlemen +were too intent upon the subject they had in hand, and about which +they were talking in a low voice. + +"They didn't hear us come out, Phra," said Harry. "Here let's run and +see whether old Sree has gone yet. I hope Mike Dunning has given them +all plenty to eat." + +"He was told to," said Phra quietly. + +"Yes, he was told to," said Harry; "but that does not mean that he +always does as he's told." + +"One of our servants dare not forget to do what he was ordered," said +Phra, frowning. + +"No; but our laws don't allow masters to cut off people's heads for +forgetting things." + +By this time they had passed round the house, to find right at the +back Sree and his two men busy at work cleaning and polishing the guns +and spears that had been used that morning, while Mike, whose task it +was by rights, lounged about giving orders and looking on. + +"Have you given those men their dinner, Mike?" asked Harry. + +"Oh yes, sir, such a dinner as they don't get every day," replied the +man. + +"That's more than you know, Mike," said Harry. "Hunters know how to +live well out in the jungle; don't they, Sree?" + +"We always manage to get enough, Master Harry," said the man, smiling; +"for there is plenty for those who know how to find it in the jungle, +out on the river's edge, or in the water." + +"And you know how to look for provisions if any man does. But here, +you, Mike, they've no business cleaning these things. You finish them; +I want to talk to Sree." + +Mike took the gun Sree was polishing without a word, and went on with +the task, while the hunter rose respectfully and stood waiting to hear +what the boys had to say. + +"We want to have a day in the jungle," said Harry. "What is there to +shoot?" + +"A deer, Sahib." + +"No," said Phra, frowning; "they are so hard to get near. They go off +at the slightest noise." + +"The young Sahibs might wait and watch by a water-hole," said the +hunter. "It is easier to catch the deer when they come to drink." + +"But that means staying out in the jungle all night." + +"Yes, Sahib, it is the best way." + +"No," said Phra. + +"What else, Sree?" asked Harry. + +"The Sahib said he would like two more coo-ahs; would the Sahibs like +to lie in wait for them? I could make them come near enough by calling +as they do--_Coo--ah! coo--ah!_" + +The man put his hands before his mouth and softly imitated the harsh +cry of the great argus pheasant so accurately that Phra nodded his +head and smiled. + +"Yes, that's like it," cried Harry. "_Coo--ah! coo--ah!_" + +"And that isn't a bit like it," said Phra laughingly. "You would not +have many come to a cry like that; would he, Sree?" + +"No, my Prince," replied the man, shaking his head; "the great birds +would not come for that." + +"Very rude of them," cried Harry merrily; "for it's the best I can do. +Well, shall we try for the _coo--ahs?_" + +"What else do you know of, Sree?" asked Phra. + +"There was a leopard in the woods across the river yesterday, my +Prince; but they are strange beasts, and he may be far away to-day." + +"Oh yes, I don't think that's any good," said Harry. "I should like to +try for an elephant." + +"There are very few near, just now, Sahib," replied the man. "It is +only a month since there was the great drive into the kraal, and those +that were let go are wild and have gone far away." + +"Oh, I say, Phra, and we call this a wild country! Why, we shall have +to go beetle-catching or hunting frogs." + +Sree smiled, and Harry saw it. + +"Well, propose something better," he cried. + +"The men were at work in the new sugar plantation," said the man +quietly. + +"Well, we don't want to go hunting men," cried Harry impatiently. + +"And the tiger leaped out of the edge of the jungle, caught the man by +the shoulder, and carried him away." + +"Ah!" cried Phra excitedly; "why didn't you tell us that at first?" + +"Because he kept it back for the last," said Harry. "That's just his +way." + +"Would the Sahib and my Prince like to try and shoot the tiger?" asked +Sree. + +"Would we? Why, of course we would," cried Harry excitedly. "What +shall we do? Have a place made in a tree?" + +"No, Sahib," replied the man, shaking his head. "If it were a cow or +one of the oxen, I would make a place in a tree near the spot where he +had dragged the beast, for he would come back to feed upon it as soon +as it grew dark; but it was not an ox nor a cow. The poor man has been +taken away to the wat, and his wife and friends have paid all they +could for him to be burned." + +"What shall we do, then?" + +"It is of no use to go without a couple of elephants and beaters to +drive the tiger out." + +Harry looked round at Phra, who nodded his head quietly. + +"Very well," he said; "we'll have the elephants out, and men to beat. +When shall we go? To-morrow?" + +"Yes, my Prince; to-morrow when the tiger will be lying asleep." + +"I'll go and speak to my father," said Phra. "He will not care to come +himself, but your father and Doctor Cameron will be sure to say that +they will come." + +"Yes, of course," said Harry. "But I say, only to think of old Sree +here knowing of this tiger, and not saying a word!" + +"I was going to tell you, Sahib, before I went away." + +"But why didn't you tell us before?" + +"Because I did not know, Sahib, till a little while ago, when he came +to find me and bring me the news." + +He pointed as he spoke to an ordinary-looking peasant who was squatted +a little way off beneath the trees, chewing his betel. + +The lads had not noticed the man before, as he had shrunk away more +into the shade on seeing them come out. + +"He brought you the bad news?" said Phra. + +"Yes, my Prince. He went to find me yonder after coming across from +his village, and no one could tell him where I had gone, till at last +he saw the Sahib doctor's boatmen, and they told him that I was here." + +"Then I will go and tell my father we want the elephant," said Phra. +"You go and speak to them indoors, for we must kill that wretch." + +"If we can," said Harry, smiling; "but Mr. Stripes is sometimes rather +hard to find." + +Phra nodded, and went across the garden on his way to the palace, +while Harry went back into the house, Mike waiting till his young +master's back was turned and then handing the gun he was finishing to +the old hunter. + +"You may as well do this, Sree," he said; "you clean guns so much +better than I can." + +The old hunter smiled, as he waited to examine the points of the +spears his men had been polishing, and then good-humouredly took the +gun to finish after his own fashion, for there was a good deal of +truth in what Mike Dunning had said. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +THE BRINK OF A VOLCANO + + +The boys were quite wrong in imagining that their act of escaping from +the museum had passed unnoticed, for as soon as they had passed out of +hearing the doctor nodded his head and threw himself back in his cane +chair. + +"Now we are alone," he said to Mr. Kenyon, "I may as well tell you +what I have heard." + +"Nothing serious, I hope?" + +"No--yes. It may be either," replied the doctor. "I would not say +anything before the boys, for it might make Phra uneasy." + +"And Harry?" said Mr. Kenyon. + +"No, I think not. I don't believe he would give the matter a second +thought." + +"You are hard upon the boy," said Mr. Kenyon, rather sternly. + +"Not in the least," said the doctor, smiling. "It is his nature. I +don't think the matter is really of any consequence, but it would have +upset Phra, who is as sensitive as a girl; and he would be worrying +himself, and thinking about it for weeks, beside exaggerating the +matter on his father's account." + +"What is it, then--some trouble with our friend the other king?" + +"Friend, eh? I believe that if he could have his own way every +European would be driven out of the country--or into the river," he +added to himself--"before we were twenty-four hours older." + +"What is the fresh trouble, now?" + +"Nothing fresh about it, Kenyon. It is the stale old matter. Here we +have two parties in the country." + +"Yes, and worse still, two kings," interposed Mr. Kenyon. + +"Exactly, each having his own party. The one wants to see the country +progress and become prosperous and enlightened; the other for it to +keep just as it was five hundred years ago; and the worst of it is +nearly all the people are on the stand-still side." + +"Yes," said Mr. Kenyon. "The old traditions and superstitions suit the +indolent nature of the people." + +"And the progress the King is making offends their prejudices." + +"You mean the prejudices of the bonzes," said Mr. Kenyon sadly. + +"Exactly; that is what I do mean, and they are getting so thick with +the second king, that I sometimes begin to be afraid that we shall +have trouble." + +"You have had that idea for a long time now, but the reigning King +holds so strong a position that his kinsman dare not rise against him. +He is as gentle and amiable a man as could exist, but there is the old +Eastern potentate in him still, and our friend number two knows +perfectly well that if he attempted to rise he would be pretty well +sure to fail, and then his head would fall as surely as if our old +Harry the Eighth were on the throne." + +"But would he fail? All the bonzes are on his side." + +"Yes," said Mr. Kenyon, laughing; "and they'd tell him to go on and +prosper, but they would not fight." + +"No, they would not fight," said the doctor musingly. + +"Do you think there is a regular conspiracy?" + +"I really do sometimes, and it makes me uneasy." + +"That is because you are a young married man, and fidget about your +wife." + +"Well, and quite naturally." + +"Yes, quite naturally, of course; but when you have been here as long +as I have, you will not be so nervous." + +"I don't think I am nervous, Kenyon; but it would be very horrible if +there should be a rising amongst the people." + +"Horrible, but not likely, my dear sir." + +"But if there were? I suppose I am right in looking upon ourselves as +being favourites." + +"Certainly." + +"Well, then, should we not be among the first whom the people would +attack?" + +"That is quite possible, but I suppose we should defend ourselves, and +be defended as well by the people who remained staunch." + +"I have thought of all that, but if trouble did come it would be +sudden and unexpected, and we should be taken by surprise." + +"We might be, or we might have ample warning. I think the latter, for +these people are very open and wanting in cunning." + +"But don't you think we--or say you--having so much influence with the +King, would do wisely if you warned him--told him of our suspicions?" + +"No, I think not," said Mr. Kenyon. + +"Why?" + +"Because, quiet and studious as the King is, he happens to be very +acute and observant. I feel certain that nothing goes on in the city +without his being fully aware of it; and though he seems to take very +little notice, I am pretty sure that nothing important takes place +except under his eye, or which is not faithfully reported to him by +one or other of his councillors." + +"Perhaps you are right," said the doctor, "and I have been +unnecessarily nervous." + +"I feel sure that you have been. I would speak to him, but he might +look upon it as an impertinent interference on my part in connection +with private family matters. Take my advice, and let it rest. We +should have ample warning and ample protection, I feel sure. But I am +glad you spoke out, all the same. But bah! nonsense! You would not be +hurt--you, the doctor who has done so much good among the poor people. +Why, doctor, they look upon you as something more than man: they +idolize you." + +"For the few simple cures I have effected." + +"Few? Hundreds." + +"Well, hundreds, then. But what has it done?" + +"Made you friends with every one in the city." + +"Made me a number of bitter enemies, sir. Why, the native doctors +absolutely hate me. My word! I should not like to be taken ill and +become helpless. They'd never let me get well again if they had the +doctoring." + +"Don't be too hard on them," said Mr. Kenyon. + +"Not I, my dear sir. I only speak as I think. So you would not take a +step in our defence?" + +"Not until we were certain that it was necessary; then as many as you +like. Steps? I'd make them good long strides. But say no more: the +boys are coming back, and we don't want to set them thinking about +such things." + +In effect, steps were heard in the verandah, and a few minutes later +Harry hurried into the museum again. + +"Well, boy!" cried the doctor. "What is it? you look hot." + +"Tiger," said Harry eagerly. + +"Where?" cried Mr. Kenyon and his visitor in a breath. + +"Over yonder, by the new sugar plantation," cried Harry. "Jumped on a +man and killed him. Sree has just heard the news. He told me and +Phra." + +"How horrible!" said Mr. Kenyon. + +"Yes, and the village people sent a messenger to Sree. They want the +brute killed, and we're going to have an expedition and destroy the +wretch." + +"Indeed?" said Mr. Kenyon drily. + +"You and Mr. Cameron will come with us, of course, father?" said +Harry, who was too much excited to notice the glances exchanged +between the merchant and his visitor; "but I should like to have first +shot, and kill the beast." + +"No doubt," said the doctor drily; "but I suppose you would not wish +us to give up our chances if the tiger came out our way?" + +"Oh no, of course not," said Harry. Then turning to Mr. Kenyon, "You +will try the new rifles the King sent to you, will you not, father?" + +"When I go tiger-hunting," said Mr. Kenyon drily. + +Harry felt damped by his father's manner. + +"But you will go now, father?" + +"What, and walk the tiger up like one would a partridge?" said Mr. +Kenyon. "Certainly not, and you are not old and experienced enough yet +to go tiger-shooting. It requires a great deal of nerve." + +"Oh, but I don't think I should feel frightened, father." + +"Perhaps not; but you would be too much excited, and might shoot the +doctor. We could not spare him, Hal." + +"I shouldn't, father. You taught me how to handle a gun, and if I can +do that I ought to be able to handle a rifle." + +"Possibly; but, as Mr. Cameron will tell you, we could not risk going +on foot." + +"We're not going on foot, father," cried Harry excitedly. "We're going +to have two elephants, and you and doctor could go on one, and Phra +and I on the other." + +"Oh, that alters the case," said Mr. Cameron eagerly. + +"Has the King offered to lend us elephants?" said Mr. Kenyon. + +"No, father, but he will," said Harry. "Phra has gone to tell him, and +he is sure to say we may have them." + +"Indeed? I doubt it." + +"He always lets Phra and me have anything we ask for." + +"Yes, he is very indulgent to you both, my boy--too much so sometimes; +but I notice that there is a certain amount of wisdom in what he does. +What about the rifles?" + +"Well, he gave us the rifles, father." + +"With certain restrictions, Hal. They were to be placed in my charge, +and I was to decide when it would be right for you to use them." + +"Oh yes, father, he did say that." + +"Yes, and I think it was not until you and Phra had been waiting +nearly two years that they were sent." + +"It was a long time, certainly," agreed Harry. + +"The King is a wise man in his way, and I feel pretty sure that he +will refuse to lend the elephants. What do you say, Cameron?" + +"I agree with you." + +"What, and let the tiger lurk about that great plantation and keep on +killing the poor fellows who are hoeing?" cried Harry indignantly. +"I'm sure he wouldn't; he's too particular about protecting people." + +"He will most likely get up a big hunt to destroy the tiger," said the +doctor; "but I don't believe he will let you two boys go." + +"Oh!" cried Harry, who seemed as if he could hardly contain himself in +his keen disappointment; "any one would think it was wicked and +contemptible to be a boy. One mustn't do this and one mustn't do that, +because one is a boy. One mustn't do anything because one is a boy. +It's always, 'You are too young' for what one wants to do. Oh," he +cried passionately, "who'd be a boy?" + +"I would, for one," said the doctor, laughing. + +"I don't believe it, doctor," cried Harry. "You wouldn't like to be +always kept down." + +"Perhaps not; boys never do. They're too stupid." + +"What!" cried Harry. + +"Too stupid," said the doctor again, while Mr. Kenyon lay back in his +creaking cane chair with his eyes half closed, listening, with an +amused expression of countenance. "Why, I was as stupid as you are, +Hal, at your age." + +"But you did not think so," retorted Hal. + +"Of course I did not. I did not know any better. I could not see that +by being a thorough boy for so many years, and being boyish and +thinking as a boy should think, I should naturally grow into a +thorough manly man." + +"I don't quite understand you, sir," said Harry rather distantly. + +"But I'm speaking plainly enough, Hal. Come, confess, my lad; you want +to be a man, and to be treated as if you were one?" + +Harry hesitated. + +"Speak out frankly, sir," said Mr. Kenyon sternly. + +"Well, of course I do," said the lad. + +"And you can't see that if we treated you as you wish to be treated," +said the doctor earnestly, "that we should be weak, foolish, and +indulgent, for we should be doing you harm?" + +"Oh, Mr. Cameron, what nonsense!" + +"Think of this some day in the future, Hal, my lad," said the doctor +warmly, "and you will find then that it is not nonsense. Look here, my +lad, a boy of seventeen, however advanced and able he may be in some +things, is only a boy." + +"Only a boy!" said Harry bitterly. + +"Yes, only a boy; a young, green sapling who must pass through years +before he can grow naturally into a strong, muscular man. Some boys +fret over this and the restraints they undergo, because of their +youth, and want to be men at once--want to throw away four or five of +the golden years of their existence, and all through ignorance, +because they are too blind to see how beautiful they are." + +"You told me all that once before, Mr. Cameron." + +"Very likely, Hal, for I am rather disposed to moralize sometimes. But +it's quite true, my lad." + +"Yes." said Mr. Kenyon, "it's true enough, Hal, for boys are +wonderfully boyish. Naturally, too, my lad," he added, with a laugh. +"But there, don't build any hopes upon this expedition, for I should +certainly shrink from letting you go." + +"Oh, father, I would be so careful, and I'll believe all Doctor +Cameron said and won't want to be a man till I am quite grown up. I'll +be as boyish as I can be." + +"I think I'd shrink from any promises of that kind, Hal," said the +doctor, smiling. "Don't tie yourself down to rules of your own +invention. Look here, aim at being natural, at hitting the happy +medium." + +"I suppose that's the unhappy medium for the boy, isn't it?" + +"Not at all, my lad; it's the way to be happy. Leave it to Nature; she +will set that right. Don't be too boyish, and don't aim at being an +imitation man--in other words a prig. Be natural." + +"Yes," said Mr. Kenyon; "the doctor's right, Hal. Be natural, and you +will not be far wrong there." + +"I always am as natural as I can be," said Harry, throwing himself +into action, and looking as gloomy and discontented as a boy could +look; "but no one gets to be so disappointed and sat upon as I am." + +Mr. Kenyon's brow clouded over, but he said nothing. + +"So sure as I set my mind upon anything I'm sure to be balked." + +"Poor fellow!" said the doctor gravely. + +"Yes, Doctor, it's all very well for you to make fun of me. You can do +just as you like." + +"Of course," said the doctor gravely, "and I see that does make a +difference. One sees things from such a different point of view." + +"Yes, that you do," said Harry. + +"Exactly," continued the doctor slowly, "and you see, as you say, I do +exactly as I like, have everything I wish for, never suffer the +slightest trouble, enjoy the most robust health, am as rich as a man +need wish to be; in fact, I am the happiest man under the sun." + +"Are you, Doctor?" said Harry. "I'm glad of it. I didn't know it was +so good as that." + +"And, of course, that is about how you'd like to be, eh, Hal?" + +"Well," said the boy, hesitating, "something like that--I--er--I--I +don't want to be greedy." + +"Don't want to be greedy?" cried the doctor, changing his manner, as +he sprang up and began to pace the museum. "Why, you miserable, +discontented young cub! There is not one boy in a thousand leads such +a life as you do: a good home, surrounded by friends, with plenty of +time for study, and plenty of time for the necessary amusement. Yours, +sir, is an ideal life; but it has spoilt you, and I'm afraid it is +from having a too indulgent father." + +"Oh, come, Cameron, I must speak in my own defence," said Mr. Kenyon. + +"And you ought to speak in mine too, father," cried Harry indignantly, +as he gazed at the doctor with blazing eyes and flaming cheeks. + +"I can't, Hal," said his father, smiling; "there's so much truth in +what he says, my boy, and your words were uncalled for--unjust." + +"I beg your pardon, Kenyon," said the doctor; "I had no business to +speak as I did. I had no right. But I'm such a hot-headed Scotsman, +and Master Hal here put me out." + +"There is no begging pardon needed," said Mr. Kenyon quietly. + +"You see, I could not help comparing Hal's lot with mine--a poor, raw +lad on the west coast who lived on potatoes and porridge, with a +broiled herring or haddie once in a way for a treat. But there, once +more, I had no right to interfere." + +"I say, granted, and thanks." + +"Then I shan't beg your pardon, Hal, boy," cried the doctor, "for I +honestly believe what I say is the truth. Take it all as so many +pills, and if you'll come along the river to my place to-morrow +morning I'll give you a draught as well--to do you good, my dear +boy--to do you good." + +"I think I've had physic enough," said Harry sulkily. + +"And you don't seem to like the taste, eh?" said the doctor, laughing. +"Never mind; it will, as people say, do you good. You will be sure to +have some bit of luck to take the taste out of your mouth--a bit of +sugary pleasure, my lad. Aha! and here it comes in the shape of +friend, Phra, the prince, who, king's son as he is, does not enjoy a +single advantage more than you." + +"Doctor!" cried Harry indignantly. "He has only to speak to have +everything he wants. No one could be better off than he is. Look, he's +in a hurry to tell us all about the expedition for to-morrow. Oh, it +is so disappointing, for I wanted so badly to shoot a tiger. It set me +longing when Phra and I looked at those skins to-day." + +"Dear me! what a thirst for blood you are developing, Hal!" said the +doctor, as Mr. Kenyon still sat back in his chair, looking pained, +while his son carefully avoided gazing in his direction. "I should +have thought you had killed enough for one day." + +"Well, Phra?" cried Harry, as his companion came straight in. + +"Well?" said the boy, with a mocking smile. + +"What did your father say?" + +Phra was silent for a few moments, and then he spoke quietly. + +"That I was too much of a boy yet to think of going after tigers," +said the lad slowly, and then he started and frowned. For the doctor +had thrown himself back in one of the cane chairs, which gave vent to +a peculiar squeaking noise, while its occupier rocked himself to and +fro, literally roaring with laughter. + +"I am very sorry if I have said some ridiculous thing, sir," said Phra +gravely. "I speak English as well as I can." + +"Ridiculous thing!" cried the doctor, springing up and seizing the +young Siamese by the shoulders; "why, it was splendid. Look at him," +he cried, half-choking with laughter, "look at Hal! Oh, dear me, how +you have made my sides ache!" + +"But I don't understand," said Phra. + +"Then you soon shall," cried the doctor. "My lord there has been in a +tantrum because--because--oh, dear me, I shall be able to speak +directly." + +Phra looked in a puzzled way from the laughing doctor to his friend, +who sat frowning and biting his lips. + +"Because," continued the doctor, "Mr. Kenyon here has told him that he +should not like him to go to the tiger hunt." + +"Mr. Kenyon told him so?" cried Phra quickly. + +"Yes, because he is too young." + +"Oh, I am so glad," cried Phra, showing his white teeth. + +Harry started as if he had received a blow. + +"What!" he cried fiercely. + +"I say I am so glad, because that is just what my father said to me." + +"And very wisely too, Phra, my boy," said Mr. Kenyon, rising. "You +lads had better wait a bit longer before you indulge in a sport which +is very risky even to one mounted upon an elephant, especially if the +elephant is timid. I have known several bad accidents occur through +the poor creature becoming unmanageable from a wounded beast's +charge." + +"It's disappointing, sir," said Phra; "but I suppose father's right." + +"Of course he is, and I'm glad to see you take it so wisely." + +The speaker laid his hand on the doctor's arm, and they went out into +the verandah. + +"Ah, Kenyon, you spoil that boy with indulgence." + +"Think so?" + +"Yes; I don't like to hear a lad like that speak as he did to you. It +was that made me fire up. But there, I'm sorry if I've done wrong." + +"You have not done wrong," said Mr. Kenyon, "and I am rather glad you +spoke as you did. But you do not understand Hal so well as I do." + +"Naturally I do not." + +"He is a queer boy, with a good many things about him that I don't +like; but he has some oddities that I do like. I dare say he will +display one of them before you go." + +"He will have to be quick about it, then," said the doctor, smiling, +"for I have not much longer to stay." + +"Plenty of time for him to show the stuff he is made of. I'm sorry to +disappoint the boys, though." + +"And ourselves too, for I should have liked the jaunt, and the more of +those savage beasts we can destroy the better. What do you say to +going over to the palace and asking the old gentleman to let us have +the use of the elephants and beaters?" + +"No," said Mr. Kenyon, "I could not do that under the circumstances. +It would be too hard upon the boys. Yes, Michael?" + +"There is a man from--one of the gentlemen from the King to see you, +sir," said the man. + +"Indeed? I will come. Come too, Cameron; I daresay it will interest +you." + +The messenger had come to ask Mr. Kenyon if he would take charge of a +little expedition to be made against a tiger that had been destroying +life in the neighbourhood, and to say that as matters were so serious +the King would be greatly obliged if he would go. + +"I don't like to say No, and I don't want to say Yes," said Mr. +Kenyon. + +"I do not see how you can refuse." + +"Neither do I," said Mr. Kenyon thoughtfully, and he sent a note back, +promising to undertake the task. + +Hardly had the messenger departed before Harry came hurriedly into the +room, but started on seeing the doctor there. + +"I thought you had gone, sir," he said. "I made sure I heard the door +swing to." + +"No, I have not gone, Hal," said the doctor, smiling good-humouredly; +"but I'll soon be off, if you want to speak to your father alone." + +"I did, sir; but it doesn't matter your being here." + +"What is it, Hal?" said Mr. Kenyon gravely. + +"Wanted to tell you I feel horribly ashamed of myself, father," said +Harry quickly. + +"Indeed?" + +"Yes, it seems so queer that such a chap as Phra should behave like a +gentleman over a bit of disappointment, while I--I--well, I behaved +like a disagreeable boy." + +"But very naturally, Hal," said the doctor. "Better than acting like a +make-believe man." + +"Thank you, Hal," said Mr. Kenyon quietly, holding out his hand. "Has +Phra gone?" + +"No, father." + +"Tell him that his father has sent requesting me to take charge of an +expedition against the tiger, and that I am sorry I cannot ask you two +lads to go with me." + +"All right, father; he won't mind. I don't now." + +Harry nodded at the doctor, and went out of the room, while his father +waited till his steps had ceased, and a door had swung to. + +"Odd boy, isn't he, Cameron?" said Mr. Kenyon then. + +"Very odd chap," replied the doctor. "But I like boys to be odd like +that." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +A PROWL BY WATER + + +It was disappointing and hard for two boys to bear, situated as they +had been--singled out by the old hunter as the first receivers of the +news; but they had determined to be heroic over it, and after a +fashion they were. + +"Don't let's seem to mind it the least bit in the world, Phra," Harry +said. + +"What shall we do? go up the river?" + +"Go up the river? No. Let's see them start, and help them with their +guns when they mount the elephants. They'll be watching to see how we +look, and we're going to puzzle them." + +"But will not that look queer?" + +"I dunno," said Harry, "and I don't care; but that's what I've made up +my mind to do. What do you mean to do?" + +"The same as you do," said Phra firmly. + +The result was that at the time appointed Harry walked up to the court +by the palace main entrance, shouldering one of the rifles, and there +his heart failed him for a moment or two, but he was himself again +directly. + +For the sight of the two huge elephants with their howdahs, and their +mahouts with their legs hidden beneath the huge beasts' ears, each +holding his anchus--the short, heavy, spear-like goad with hook which +takes the place of whip, spur, and reins, in the driving of the huge +beasts--was almost too much for him. + +There was a party, too, of pretty well fifty spearmen to act as +beaters, some of whom were furnished with small gongs. Altogether it +formed a goodly show, and it sent the sting of disappointment pretty +deeply into the boys' breasts, so that they had to bear up bravely to +keep a good face on the matter. + +The King was there to see the start made, after Mr. Kenyon, with Sree +for his attendant, had mounted one of the elephants by means of a +bamboo ladder, the doctor and a trusted old hunter in the King's +service perching themselves upon the other. + +Then the King wished them both good fortune, the word was given, and +half the spearmen marched off in front; the elephants at a word from +their mahouts shuffled after, side by side, and the remainder of the +spearmen followed, passing out of the gateway. + +The King said a few words to the boys, and then retired, leaving them +alone in the yard with the armed men on guard. + +"Shall we follow them part of the way?" said Phra then. + +"No, that wouldn't do," replied Harry. "It was right to come and show +that we weren't going to mind; but if we followed now, I know what my +father would think." + +"What?" said Phra abruptly. + +"That we were following in the hope of being asked to get on the +elephants. It would be too mean." + +"Yes," said Phra, "of course. I did not think of that. Well, what +shall we do?" + +"I dunno. Lie down and go to sleep till they come back; that's the +best way to forget it all." + +"Bah! I'm not going to do that. I know: get over the river in a boat, +and go and see the big Wat." + +"What for? Who wants to see the old place again, with its bonzes, with +their yellow robes and shaven heads?" + +"We could go up the great tower again." + +"Nice job to climb all the way up those steps in a hot time like this! +What's the good?" + +Phra looked at him and smiled. + +"You could take the telescope up, and see for miles." + +"But I don't want to carry that lumpy thing up those hundreds of +steps." + +"I'd carry it." + +"But I don't want you to carry it, and I don't want to see for miles. +I can see quite as much as I want to-day without the telescope. I +don't feel as if I want to see at all. It was quite right, I suppose, +for us to be left at home, and proper for us to come and make a show +of not minding; but now the excitement's all over, and they're gone, I +feel just as if I could howl." + +"What! cry?" said Phra wonderingly. + +"No--ooo! Howl--shout with rage. I want to quarrel with some one and +hit him." + +"Well, quarrel with and hit me." + +"Shan't. I should hurt you." + +"Well, hurt away. I won't hit back." + +"Then I shan't be such a coward. Here, I know: I'll go and take that +chap's spear away, and break it." + +He nodded his head towards one of the guards on duty close to the +entrance of the palace. + +"What for?" + +"Because I'm in a rage," said Harry between his teeth. "Oh, I could do +that, and then run at another and knock him down, and then yell and +shout, and throw stones at those great vases, and break the china +squares over the doorway. I feel just like those Malay fellows must +when they get in one of their mad tempers and run _amok_." + +"Why don't you, then?" said Phra mockingly. + +"Because I can't," cried Harry bitterly. + +"Can't? Why, it would be easy enough. You could go and break the +spears of all the guards, and take their krises away. They wouldn't +dare to hurt you, seeing what a favourite you are with my father." + +"I know all that," said Harry, snapping his teeth together. + +"Then why can't you do it?" said Phra mockingly. "Go on; run _amok_." + +"Shan't--can't." + +"Why can't you?" + +"Because I'm English, and I've got to fight it all down, and I'm going +to, savage as it makes me feel. Here, what shall we do?" + +"Go right up to the highest window in the big tower of the Wat over +yonder, and take the telescope up with us." + +"I tell you I don't want to. There's nothing to see there that we +haven't seen scores of times." + +"Yes, there is." + +"No, there isn't." + +"Yes, there is, I tell you." + +"Well, what is there?" + +"We could watch and follow them with the glass nearly all the way to +the new sugar plantation, and perhaps see the tiger hunt." + +Harry started excitedly, and caught his friend by the arm. + +"So we could," he said, with his face lighting up. "I needn't go back +for our glass; you could get one from your father; he'd let you have +that if he wouldn't let you have the elephants." + +"Yes. Shall I fetch it?" + +"No," cried Harry sharply; "I won't take any more notice of the +hunting; we'll do something else." + +"But you'd like to see it," said Phra. + +"Of course I should, but I won't. There." + +"But it's like--what do you call it when you're doing something to +hurt yourself?" + +"Hurting myself," said Harry bluntly. + +"No, no, no. Ah, I've got it. Biting your own nose off in revenge of +your face." + +"All right, that's what I'm going to do--bite it off. I won't watch +them going, and I won't take any more notice of the miserable, +disappointing business." + +"Oh, Hal, what a temper you're in!" + +"I know that, but I'm fighting it all the time, and I mean to win." + +"But you'll be obliged to be here when they come back." + +"No, I shan't; I won't hear them." + +"You can't help it; they'll come marching back, banging the gongs and +tomtomming and shouting, with the tiger slung on the back of one +elephant, and the doctor and your father in the same howdah. Oh, +you'll be obliged to come and meet them." + +"Yes, I suppose so," said Harry, drawing a deep breath. "If I don't, +they'll think me sulky." + +"So you are," said Phra, laughing. + +"I'm not; no, not a bit, only in a temper." + +"I wish the cricket and football things had come." + +"I don't believe they ever will come," said Harry. "See what time it +is." + +"They will come," said Phra gravely. + +"How do you know?" + +"Because my father said that we should have them. There, you're better +now." + +"No, I'm not; I'm ever so much worse," said Harry, through his set +teeth. + +"Well, let's go and kill something; you'll be better then." + +"Don't believe I should," replied Harry. "What should we go and kill?" + +"I don't know. Let's get the guns and make two of the men row us up +the narrow stream, right up yonder through the jungle where the best +birds are. Your father would like it if we got some good specimens +ready for Sree to skin." + +"Very well," said Harry resignedly; "I shan't mind so long as you +don't want me to go up the big temple tower to watch them. I say, +Phra, I'm beginning to feel a bit better now." + +Phra laughed, and the two boys went into the palace, where the former +gave an order to one of the servants about a boat, and then led the +way to his own room, a charming little library with a couple of stands +on one side bearing guns and weapons of various kinds, beside +fishing-rods and a naturalist's collecting gear. + +"Which gun will you have?" asked Phra. + +"Either; I don't care," was the reply; and by the time they were +prepared one of the attendants announced that the boat was ready. + +They walked down to the great stone landing-place at the river, +stepped into the boat, and seated themselves under the little +open-sided roof, while their two rowers pushed off, and keeping close +in shore, where the eddy was in their favour, sent the boat rapidly on +through the muddy water. + +For some distance the forest lay back away from the river, while the +bank on their right was pretty well hidden by a continuous mass of +house-boats, so close together as almost to touch; but at last these +were left behind, and the trees on their left began to encroach upon +the fields and fruit gardens, where melons, pines and bananas grew in +wonderful profusion, and the air was full of life such as would have +delighted an entomologist. + +By degrees cultivation ceased and the wild jungle came close down to +the stream, and in places even overhung and dipped the tips of +branches in the water. Now and then, a small crocodile scuffled off +the muddy bank and plunged into the river. Fish began to be more +plentiful, little shoals showing on the surface, and in two or three +places a heavy fellow springing out in pursuit of its prey and falling +back with a splash. + +Birds, too, began to be seen: tiny parrots whistled and chattered in +the trees; a big hawk hovered overhead; and several times over great +long-legged waders were disturbed. + +But no attempt at firing was made, the two lads sitting quiet and +thoughtful beneath their sheltering roof, musing over the expedition, +and wondering whether it was being successful. + +In imagination Harry seemed to see it all: the men spread out to beat +some fairly open space and drive the tiger towards where the two +elephants would be stationed some fifty yards apart, with their +occupants, rifle in hand, watching for the slightest movement in a +clump of bushes or tuft of reeds. + +"Oh, what would I not give to be there!" said Harry to himself at +last. "I wish I were not such a boy!" + +The colour came a little, though, into his cheeks--or it might have +been caused by the heat of the sun, at any rate it was there--as he +thought of what the doctor had said, and of his own words to his +father. + +And as these thoughts came, he felt something like shame at his +feeling of dissatisfaction with what he had, and his striving after +that which he had not. + +"I won't be such a dissatisfied donkey," he muttered, and his face +looked brighter as he turned sharply to speak to Phra. + +His change affected his companion, who brightened up too. + +"We're getting close to the mouth of the little river," he said. + +"I'm glad of it," said Harry cheerfully. "I say, they have been quick; +it's hot work for them." + +"Yes," said Phra, "but they'll have a good rest soon while we're going +slowly, and there will be nothing to do but steer, going back." + +"I say, suppose they get back first with the tiger." + +"I hope they will not," cried Phra; "but it isn't likely. They've a +long way to go, and the beating will take a long time. We shall be +back first. Ugh, you brute!" he whispered, reaching for his gun, +cocking both barrels softly, and taking aim at a large crocodile. + +_Snip! snap!_ and then a splash, as the reptile disappeared. + +"I don't think you have killed it," said Harry seriously, but with his +eyes dancing with mischief. + +"Ah, you're better," cried Phra pettishly. "You don't want to run +_amok_ now. How could I be so stupid! I never thought about not being +loaded." + +"Better think about it now," said Harry, beginning the operation in +the tedious, old-fashioned way that ruled so long before the cartridge +was invented for a sportsman's use. "But we were only to shoot birds, +I thought." + +"Yes, birds, and only beautiful specimens," replied Phra. "I couldn't +help being tempted to fire at the brute, though. I shall always be +shooting at them now." + +"Here we are," said Harry, and at a word from Phra the light sampan +was guided into a sluggish side stream only some twenty yards or so +wide, while on either side the trees rose like a wall of verdure, the +water lapping the leaves, which dipped and played up and down with the +motion of the stream. + +"You take that side and I'll take this," said Phra; and then giving +the order to the rower in front, the man ceased paddling and made his +way right astern, to squat down on the little platform beside his +fellow, who cleverly propelled and steered the light craft with his +one oar, leaving the look-out forward free for the gunners. + +"Hullo! How are you, old gentleman?" cried Harry suddenly, as a +grey-bearded, venerable-looking little face was suddenly thrust out +through the leaves, so that its owner could look down at the strange +visitors to his wild home. + +There was a sharp chattering, the head of the monkey was drawn back, +and then a rustling and waving of the boughs on the left began, going +on a little in front. + +"There's a whole troop of them travelling along," said Harry. + +"Yes, and they'll scare all the birds," cried Phra. "Look, they've +startled those lovely parroquets. What's to be done?" + +"They'll soon go," replied Harry. "Row away." + +The man astern thrust the boat along with his easy, Venice-like +manipulation of the oar, and the light boat glided on right in the +centre of the beautiful green lane with its watery floor; but the wave +as it seemed to be likewise glided along, with a peculiar rustle in +the foliage some twenty yards in front. + +There was not a sound beside, save when, further ahead, some parroquet +darted out with a shriek to cross to the other side of the stream, or +a sharp flapping of wings told that it was a dove darting frantically +through the twigs to escape from enemies with a great love for eggs, +and no objection to savoury, plump morsels in the shape of +half-fledged young, by way of change from a fruit diet. + +"Let's stop," said Phra, on seeing that the undulation in the green +wall on their left kept on at about the same rate. + +"Stop, and let them go on?" said Harry. "Very well." + +At a word the man ceased paddling, the boat glided on from the impetus +already given, but less and less fast, till completely overcome by the +stream it was meeting, it gradually came to a standstill, and was on +the point of giving way and being borne back, when Harry burst into a +hearty laugh, which had the result of making the grey, inquiring face +of the monkey that had just peered out, pop back again. + +"Row," said Phra, "and keep the boat stationary." + +The rower dipped his oar gently, and the boat ceased to retrograde. + +"What rum little customers they are!" said Harry, as he watched the +place where the grey head had disappeared. "Just like a little old man +watching us. Think they're gone now?" + +"No; look." + +Harry was looking, and saw at the same moment the little face +cautiously thrust out again, but withdrawn as he made a threatening +movement with his gun. + +Then all was perfectly still for a minute. + +"Perhaps they're gone now," said Harry. + +"No; they are too inquisitive. I daresay there are fifty of them +hidden in among the boughs." + +"I think they're gone," said Harry at the end of another minute. + +"Well, try. Go on," said Phra, and the oar was once more silently +plied, gently disturbing the water, while at the same moment the wave +in the trees began again, with its gentle rustling, showing that the +monkey troop was once more travelling along just in front, scaring the +birds away as they advanced. + +The boat was stopped again, and the monkeys followed suit, the same +curious old face peering cautiously out and watching. + +The boat went on, so did the monkeys; and this was repeated over and +over again, stopping and going on, the wave in the trees seeming to be +so exactly influenced by the rowers' agitation of the water that it +was as if one touch moved both water and leaf. + +"Well, they are comical little beggars," cried Harry, who was once +more in the highest of spirits. "I say, old man, just take your +friends away; we're going shooting. Do you hear?" + +The little head popped in out of sight, but as the boat did not move +it popped out again, as if to find the reason why. + +"We shan't get a bird, for they'll keep on like that for miles." + +"It's tiresome," said Harry. "Here, I say, if you don't toddle I'll +give you pepper." + +The gun was raised threateningly as the boy spoke, and the head +disappeared. + +"He knows English," cried Harry, "and he's an uncommonly sensible old +gentleman. Father told me that the country folks at home say rooks can +smell powder. So can monkeys, seemingly." + +"Country folks at home? What country folks?" + +"Not yours; ours, in the old home, England. There, let's get on and +begin shooting, or we shall get nothing." + +"It doesn't matter," said Phra quietly; "it's very beautiful gliding +along without killing things." + +"Yes, but as we came to get specimens, let's get a few. I want to, so +as to show father and the doctor that we haven't been moping. Row +away." + +The man smiled, and sent the boat gliding up the bright stream again, +for the sun was so nearly overhead that scarcely any shadow was cast +on their left. + +But the moment the boat moved the wave ran along the trees again, and +Phra laughed aloud at his companion's face. + +"Yes, you may laugh, but it's too bad. There, I'll keep my word, +though, and as soon as my grey-headed gentleman shows his face I'm +going to pepper him with small shot." + +"No, you're not," said Phra, laughing. "You don't want him for a +specimen." + +"No, of course not. I don't want to shoot him. It would be just like +killing a little old man. I'll only pepper him so as to scare him and +his friends away. They'll spoil all our fun." + +"Hi! Look out, Hal!" + +There was a great flapping of wings and a loud rushing sound, as two +large birds dashed out from where the troop of monkeys were passing, +to fly across the river to the trees on the other side. But before +they were two-thirds of the way across a couple of reports followed +rapidly one after the other, and the birds fell in the water, which +one of them beat with its wings for a few moments, and then became +motionless, floating down towards the boat, which was dexterously +driven on to meet them. + +The birds were carefully lifted in, and with their plumage smoothed +down, laid in a kind of locker, proving to be a finely developed pair +of the great hornbills, no beauties as far as feathering was +concerned, but singular as specimens, from the enormous development of +their bills, and the great addition in form which has earned for them +the sobriquet of rhinoceros. + +"That's capital," said Harry. "Father was saying he wanted a good +specimen or two, for ours were very poor." + +The boys were loading again now, and the boat was once more advancing. + +"The monkeys did not drive those away," said Phra. + +"No; just drove them out right for us. Did as well as dogs, +but--Hullo! where are they?" + +The boys stared up at the great green wall on their left, but the +trees were motionless in the hot sunshine, not a leaf stirring, the +only movement visible being in one spot where a gigantic wreath of +some flowering creeper hung down from far on high, spreading to the +sunshine hundreds of trumpet-shaped white blossoms, and among these +somewhere about a score of tiny sun-birds were hovering and darting, +the brilliant, metallic, scale-like plumage of head and breast looking +as if the diminutive creatures wore helmet and gorget of wonderfully +tinted and burnished metals, others approaching in lustre the polish +of brilliant gems. + +It was a beautiful sight as the little creatures darted about, their +rapidly beating wings almost invisible, but giving the birds the +appearance of being surrounded by a soft haze. Here one would be +apparently motionless beneath a hanging blossom, into which its long +thin beak was thrust to probe the nectar like a gigantic bee. There a +couple would be engaged in chase and flight, with flash after flash of +metallic light reflected from the surface of their plumage as they +darted about in full career, turning different portions of their +plumage to the sun's rays. Again one would seem to be of the most +sober colours, almost dingy, till it moved, and then as it caught the +light at some other angle it flashed into a thing of beauty, dazzling +in its tints of ruby, sapphire, and purple. + +The boys had seen these tiny representatives of the humming birds in +the New World scores of times, but always found satisfaction in +watching them, and for the time being the monkeys were forgotten. + +"What a chance!" said Harry, as the boat was sent in close to the +burdened tree without disturbing the sun-birds in the least. "If +father wants any more specimens of these, we couldn't come to a better +place." + +"But next time we come by, that bush will not be in flower, and there +will be no sun-birds there." + +"But they would be somewhere else," said Harry philosophically. "Look +at that one with the red band across his breast. What a beauty! I say, +next time we want any I vote that we don't shoot them with sand or +water, but try a butterfly net." + +"Couldn't reach," said Phra. + +"Could if we had it at the end of a long bamboo." + +"No," said Phra decisively; "you could not handle it quickly enough +then. It would be too clumsy, and the bird would be as quick again. +Couldn't do it, Hal." + +"S'pose not," said the boy thoughtfully. "I say, look at that one with +the rose-coloured head." + +"Am looking at it. I don't think I ever saw such a beauty." + +"Oh dear!" said Harry, with a deep sigh. + +"What's the matter?" + +"I was thinking what poor, stupid things our stuffed skins are. They +don't look a bit like these tiny beauties all in motion, and seeming +to be a fresh colour every time they move. They're so soft and round, +and so quick. And see how they fly, too. I say, Phra, it seems a shame +to shoot them." + +"Horrible! Nothing could be more beautiful," said Phra, thoughtfully. + +"Humming-birds are more beautiful," observed Harry. + +"Ever seen any?" + +"No, but my father says they are. He has seen them stuffed, and they +are so beautiful then that they must be wonderfully lovely alive." + +"Let's go on," said Phra thoughtfully. "Perhaps we shall get another +shot or two, in spite of the monkeys." + +The man set the boat gliding on again, and Harry sat with his gun +cocked, waiting to see the little grey face peer out from among the +leaves. + +"I wouldn't pepper him, Harry," said Phra. + +"Not going to," was the reply. "I've only put some powder to frighten +him." + +"That's right; but I don't see anything moving." + +"They'll show themselves directly. Then we'll stop, and when the +little old fellow shows his face I'll fire." + +But the shots already fired had been sufficient, sending the troop +away through the trees at the quickest pace they could command, and +the two boys looked in vain. + +Soon after, they had capital chances at different kinds of parrots, +but did not lift their guns, these birds being abundant, and the +little museum amply supplied with their skins; but upon coming abreast +of an opening, the boat stopped, for it seemed a likely place for +something novel. + +"Hist!" whispered Phra, pointing. "That's a bird you've not shot yet." + +"Yes, like the one you missed that day. Let me try for this one.--How +tiresome! it's gone in beneath the bushes." + +It was evidently a bird of secretive habit, for it had dived into a +dense place; but just as Harry was about to give up, and tell the man +to go on, the bird came into sight again, rose from the top of a low +tree, and was in the act of flying across the opening, when Harry +raised his gun quickly and fired. + +"Down?" he said. "I couldn't see for the smoke." + +"No," said Phra; "it flew right away yonder." + +"Oh, it couldn't; I took such a careful aim. Did you see it?" he asked +the men. + +They both replied in the affirmative, and Harry looked puzzled. + +"It seems queer," he said, beginning to reload his gun. "I don't know +how I could have missed." + +"I know," cried Phra. "You loaded to frighten the monkey." + +"And did not put any shot in!" cried Harry. "Oh, how stupid!" + +At that moment Phra raised his gun and fired at a similar bird, as it +crossed the river, and dropped just at the edge of the opening. + +A turn or two of the oar sent the boat alongside, the bird was +retrieved, and Harry was in ecstasies with its beautiful shades of +turquoise blue, pale drab, and grey. + +"It's the kind father was saying he was so eager to get a specimen +of," cried Harry. "Do you think any more will come if we wait?" + +"I don't think so," was the reply; "but let's try." + +They waited for half an hour, but not another bird appeared, and they +went on, having the luck to bring down one of the lovely ground +thrushes at the next opening. + +After this Phra shot one of the scarlet-breasted trogons, a beautiful +insect-eating bird, nearly allied to our goatsuckers and cuckoos, +with, in addition to its rosy, scarlet breast, a delicate pencilling +of grey and black, while the greater part of its back was of a fine +metallic green. + +Flycatchers with inordinately long tails were the next trophies, and +Harry was beginning to think that enough had been secured for Sree to +skin and preserve, when Phra pressed his companion's arm, and pointed +to what looked like a streak of vivid blue being drawn in the air just +above the water. + +It was too far off to fire, so the boys strained their eyesight to +note where the beautiful object settled, but without result, so the +boat was urged gently forward, and, finger on trigger, the boys +watched the spot where they had last seen the bird. + +"It has a splendid tail, Hal," said Phra, in a whisper. "You had +better fire." + +"No, you; it's a beauty." + +"Then you fire; you are so much surer than I am. I'll hold my shot in +case you don't bring it down." + +They were in momentary expectation of seeing the bird rise to continue +its flight up the watery way; but there was no sign of it, and the +lads were getting in despair, when there was a flash from a spot least +expected. Phra, in his excitement at seeing it going away without +Harry getting a good view of it, fired, though it seemed to be too +late. However, the bird fell into the river, and another rose at the +report, skimmed along just above the surface, and was getting almost +beyond range, when Harry drew trigger, and the bird dropped. + +"I shan't shoot any more to-day," said Harry excitedly, as the two +birds were retrieved and laid for their plumage to dry, being two +perfect specimens of the racket-tailed kingfisher, whose azure +adornments render it one of the most lovely birds of that part of the +world. "I say, what beauties! We have done well." + +"We've shot those bird often," said Phra, as he raised one of the +kingfishers by the beak, and drew it softly through his hand, removing +part of the water which remained, and straightening the produced +feathers of the tail, each with its narrow almost naked shaft ending +in a lovely blue ellipse of web. This done, he laid the damp bird in +the sunshine to dry, adding, "But I don't think we ever shot better +specimens, or hurt the plumage so little." + +A low, hissing noise drew the boys' attention to the man who was not +rowing, and, as he caught their eyes, he pointed to something in one +of the overhanging trees. + +"What is it?" said Harry; "I can't see;" and he cocked his piece, +quite forgetting his words of a short time before. + +"Only nests," said Phra; "we don't want them." + +In effect there was a cluster of about a dozen pensile nests, formed +like a chemist's retort by the clever bird-weavers, and hanging neck +downward from the ends of thin branches, where they were perfectly +safe from the intrusion of active, long-armed monkeys. + +There was, in fact, something attractive at every few yards, for when +birds were not in sight magnificent butterflies or day-flying moths +came flitting out of the openings into the forest, one of which was +the atlas, as much as ten inches across the wings. + +And now the tension of seeking for choice specimens being over, the +boys sat back carelessly, watching the various objects which came into +view. Now it would be fish, temptingly suggestive of the sport that +might be had up this lovely stream, did they feel disposed to bring +tackle. A little farther on the boat was stopped for a cluster of +beautiful orchids to be secured, but they were rejected on account of +their being inhabited by a colony of virulent ants. + +"I say," said Harry suddenly, "this would be just the place for +fireflies. Let's tell Dr. Cameron, and we'll have a trip up some +night. We might shoot some of the queer night birds." + +"Yes," said Phra, "and something else too. There are tigers up here, +they say." + +"So much the better. We should get a chance to shoot one then by +accident. I say, where should we come to if we kept right on as far as +the river ran?" + +"To the place it started from." + +"Well, I know that; but where is it?" + +"Oh, it's all our country. There are mountains there, and plenty of +elephants, Sree says." + +"Let's have an expedition right up then, and bring a tent and plenty +of provisions. We ought to be able to get all kinds of new specimens." + +"I'm willing," said Phra; "but hadn't we better turn back now?" + +"Think they will be coming back from the tiger hunt?" + +"Most likely. I say, Hal, it hasn't been a bad time, has it?" + +"No," said Harry with a sigh. "Tell him to go back." + +At the order the man who had been resting returned to the fore part of +the boat, and seized his oar, making that the stern now, while his +companion laid in his oar, and squatted down for his rest. + +"Hullo! look!" cried Harry; "there's another of those queer-looking +old chaps," and he nodded in the direction of the other side of the +river, where it was evident that a fresh troop of the quaint little +animals were travelling along in the trees. They were going up the +river, but as soon as they found that the boat was retiring they at +once altered their direction, and the foliage waved and trembled as +they kept alongside, travelling through the dense jungle about +five-and-twenty feet above the ground, and very rarely giving the +occupants of the boat a chance of seeing their lithe, active forms. + +How far these eager, inquisitive little fellows would have followed +them, if left undisturbed, it is impossible to say; but after watching +their movements and the eager, excited face of their leader for some +time, Harry grew tired of their company. + +"Send a shot over them, Phra," he cried. + +The boy raised his gun, pistol fashion, in the air, and fired it, +while Harry watched the wall of verdure. + +Just as the gun was fired the little old face of the leader was being +reached out from the extremities of the boughs, the monkey holding on +in what proved to be a very precarious position, for the suddenness of +the report frightened it out of its small wits, and made it give such +a bound that the next moment, collapsed into what looked like a ball +fringed with white, it came rushing through the leaves, splash into +the water, making the occupants of the boat roar with laughter. + +"What is fun to you is death to us," said the frogs to the boys, in +the fable, and this was nearly the case with the monkey. + +For as soon as the rower saw the beginning of the mishap he gave a +tremendous sweep with his oar, changing the direction of the boat and +giving it greater speed at the same time, so that it might glide in +close to where the trees dipped, and pick up the monkey before it was +drowned or succeeded in dragging itself up. + +The movement was cleverly conceived and carried out, but it had a +different culmination from that which was expected. + +Full of excitement now, the boys were watching for the monkey to rise +from its deep plunge, and so well had the boatman judged his distance +that the swiftly moving prow was within a yard of the little +unfortunate when it rose to the surface. + +At the same moment the gaping, teeth-armed jaws of a crocodile shot +out of the water, and the next would have closed upon the delicate +mouthful, had not the prow of the sampan struck the reptile full on +the shoulder with a tremendous shock which made the boat quiver, while +from the shape of the prow and the force with which it was going, the +boat rose and scraped right over the reptile's back, gliding down on +the other side amidst a tremendous turmoil in the water. + +The boys held on by the sides, fully expecting to be capsized, but not +a drop of water was shipped, and when they turned to look back it was +to see that the unoccupied man had snatched at the monkey and lifted +it on board, while the crocodile, a creature of about twelve or +fourteen feet long, was lashing the water into a foam with its tail. + +"Here, take us back," cried Harry. "I must have a shot at that brute." + +The man reversed the movement of the oar he handled, and the sampan +began to glide back. + +"Mind!" said Phra excitedly. "It will be horrible if we are capsized." + +"I'll capsize him as soon as I get close enough," said Harry between +his teeth, and he knelt ready in the boat, as it approached nearer and +nearer. + +The monkey seemed to be in an utter state of collapse from fear, as it +crouched in its captor's lap, huddled into a drenched ball, till it +caught sight of the crocodile, when it was literally transformed. + +In an instant its eyes were flashing and teeth bare at the sight of +its hereditary enemy, the murderer of hundreds of the unfortunates +which from time to time played and slipped, or descended to the ends +of branches to drink from the river; its dull state of helpless +weakness had gone, and before the man who held it could grasp what was +about to happen, the little creature uttered a shrieking, chattering +cry of anger, bounded to the end of the sampan, and raged at the +reptile. + +That was enough. The crocodile responded to the angry challenge and +monkey-like, violent language apparently being heaped upon it, and +made a dash at the sampan; but as it reached the prow the monkey +bounded on to the top of the palm-leaf roofing, while, reaching +backward, Harry discharged his piece right between the reptile's eyes. + +Firing as he did, with the muzzle of his piece not above a yard away, +the effect of the charge of small shot was much the same as would have +been that of a heavy bullet the diameter of the fowling-piece's bore. + +The rower was on his guard too, and as the lad fired he forced the +light sampan away so that they were quite clear of the violent blow +given by the creature's tail, as it swung itself round and then sank +like a stone. + +The effect upon the monkey was again startling to a degree. + +At the report of the gun it leapt upward from the roof of the shelter, +and instead of coming down in the same place it dropped on all-fours +close to Harry, who caught it by one arm. + +"Mind," cried Phra warningly; "they can bite very sharply." + +"Oh, I don't think he'll hurt, poor little chap," was the reply, and +the boy drew his little prisoner close to him, laid down his gun, and +patted its shoulder. "Shall we keep it as a pet?" + +"No," said Phra; "it would pine away and die. You must get a young one +if you want them to keep." + +"Yes, of course," said Harry. "Isn't he comic? I wish I'd got +something to give him. He's ready to make friends." + +"So he ought to be," said Phra; "we saved his life. That croc would +have swallowed him like we do Doctor Cameron's pills." + +"That he would. What a narrow squeak! I say, have you got anything you +can give him?" + +"No, give him his liberty." + +"I'm going to. Poor little wretch, how he shivers! He's too much +frightened to bite or do anything. Hi! old gentleman, get up there on +the top." + +He lifted the monkey up, and it went slowly on to the hot roof, gazing +back at its captor with wondering eyes. + +"Now run the boat in close to the trees," said Harry, as he patted and +stroked the utterly cowed prisoner. + +The next moment the open, cabin-like construction was brushing against +the palm leaves with a loud, rustling sound. + +This seemed to galvanize the little creature into life, and it uttered +a loud _chick, chick, chack!_ + +This was answered by a chorus from above; for, unnoticed by the +occupants of the boat, the trees had been in quiet motion all the +while as they glided down. + +That was enough; the monkey seized the twigs nearest to it and the +next minute had swung itself up out of sight. There was a tremendous +chattering, which grew distant as if the troop was hurrying through +the trees in one direction, while the boat was gliding swiftly down in +the other, and then Harry said laughingly,-- + +"Well; he might have been a bit more grateful; never so much as said +Thank ye." + +"I think he was wonderfully grateful, for he did not bite. I say, +though, how careful one has got to be about the crocodiles. I turned +quite cold, for I thought we were going over." + +"I felt a bit queer," said Harry thoughtfully. "If I were your father +I'd offer a reward for every crocodile that was killed in the river. +They're no good, and they must do a deal of mischief in the course of +the year." + +"Let's tell him so," said Phra, smiling. "Perhaps he will." + +The journey back was beautiful enough, for they were looking at the +long, sunlit course from a different point of view; but it had ceased +to interest, for the lads were hungry and tired, glad enough too when +the great stone landing-place was reached, and after giving +instructions to the men to take in the birds to place them in Mike's +charge for transfer to Sree when he returned, they went into the +palace, Harry to be Phra's guest over a very hearty, semi-English +meal; for the hunters had not returned and there was no temptation for +Harry to go home and eat alone when he was warmly pressed to stay +where he was, so as to be present when the hunters returned in +triumph. + +It was growing late by the time they had done, and they strolled out +into the court, and then into the beautiful garden, one of the King's +hobbies. + +It was a lovely moonlight night, with here everything turned to +silver, there all looking black and velvety in the shade. The river, +too, looked its best, with the moonbeams playing upon its surface; but +the boys were growing too weary to admire the beauties around, or to +heed the buzzing, croaking, and booming that came from across the +river. + +"Look here," said Harry at last, "they've gone farther than they +meant, and they're not coming back to-night." + +"Going to camp out?" asked Phra dubiously. + +"Not a doubt about it. Perhaps going to watch through the night for +the tiger, with a goat or calf tied up for bait." + +"Very likely," said Phra, yawning. + +"There, don't turn sleepy like that." + +"Can't help it." + +"I say, look here; go and tell your father you are coming down to the +bungalow to keep me company to-night, because I don't like to be +alone." + +"No, you stop and sleep here. Then you will not have the bother of +walking down there." + +"No," said Harry firmly; "father's out, and I'm sure he wouldn't like +me to leave the house when he's away. Come and sleep at our place +to-night, there's a good chap." + +"Very well," said Phra. "Come with me and speak to father." + +"All right," said Harry, coolly enough, and they walked through the +moonlit garden together, when, as they passed toward the palace, the +incongruity of it all seemed to strike the boy, and he laughed softly. + +"I say, how comic it all seems! Here's your father a great Eastern +king--king over this big country, and yet he's only your father, and +I'm going with you to talk to him just as if he was nobody at all." + +"But he is," said Phra thoughtfully. "He's very different with other +people, but he talks to you, and about you to me, just as if you were +a--I mean a boy like I am." + +"Well, it's very nice of him," said Harry. "I've never done anything +to make him like me. I never went down on my knees and held my hands +on each side of my face, and seemed as if I were going to rub the skin +off my nose on the ground because he's a great king." + +"No; he laughed about it one day, and said that's why he liked you to +be my playfellow." + +"That's funny, isn't it?" + +"No; he said he liked you because you were frank, and manly, and +independent." + +"Ah," said Harry, after a brief pause, "he doesn't know what a bad one +I can be sometimes." + +"Hist!" + +"What for?" + +"Listen." + +"I am listening, but I can't hear anything." + +"I can, right away in the distance. Can't you hear?" + +"No, nothing but the frogs at the riverside, and the barking of a +croc. Yes, I can; something going thump, thump, far away." + +"It's the drum. They're marching back with the elephants." + +"Hurrah!" cried Harry excitedly. "Well, I am glad, because I should +have lain awake ever so long thinking that something had happened, or +that father was in danger from the tiger, perhaps. I say, you don't +feel sleepy now?" + +"Sleepy? No, not a bit. Here, let's get down yonder so as to meet +them." + +"But they'll be half an hour yet. Look there; the guard has heard the +drum." + +As he spoke the picturesque beauty of the place was enhanced by the +appearance of the guard turning out, bearing lighted torches, some of +which were stuck at intervals about the courtyard, throwing up the +grotesque figures and carvings abundantly scattered around. + +Then more were fetched, and the place became brilliantly lighted for +the reception of the King's friends who were bringing the body of the +slain tiger in triumph home. + +The red glare of the torches mingled strangely with the silvery light +of the moon, so that some of the men's spears seemed to be tipped with +silver, some with gold; and listening and noting these things the time +of waiting soon passed away for the boys, who at last joined a party +of a dozen torch-bearers setting off to meet the returning party. + +But before they reached the gate Phra stopped short and arrested his +friend. + +"No," he said in an earnest whisper, "don't let's go. Very likely my +father will come out, and he would like us to be near to seem to be +honouring and paying him respect." + +"Very well," said Harry shortly; for it was against his grain. + +"Yes, there he comes," said Phra eagerly, as the palace entrance was +lit up by numbers of lanthorn-bearers, and the King came and stood on +the terrace to welcome his English friends. + +At last the party of spearmen in advance marched in, with the +elephants shuffling along side by side behind; but each bore its load +the same as when it started, no alteration having been made. + +Harry ought to have let the elephants go close up to the terrace and +kneel before the King, to whom the result of the hunt should have been +first communicated, but in his excitement he forgot all about Court +etiquette, and ran up to the side of the nearest beast. + +"Well, father, Where's the tiger?" he cried. + +"Over the hills and far away," cried the doctor. + +"Yes, my boy," said Mr. Kenyon; "we have seen nothing but his pug--the +marks of his feet." + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +NATURALISTS' TREASURES + + +There were a few words exchanged with the King as the hunters were +about to descend, but he bade them keep their seats in the howdahs, +saying that they must be very tired, and after ordering the mahouts to +take their elephants to the gentlemen's quarters, he bade them +good-night and went in. + +"Then we must part here, Cameron," said Mr. Kenyon. + +"Yes; good-night, and better luck next time." + +The doctor's elephant rose and began to shuffle off, its companion +following its example and uttering an angry trumpeting sound upon +being checked. + +"Here, Hal," said Mr. Kenyon, "you may as well ride." + +"Yes, of course, father. Good-night, Phra." Then mischievously, +"They'll have to send us if they want that tiger shot." + +"Yes, Mr. Kenyon, we don't think much of you and Doctor Cameron as +tiger-hunters." + +The merchant laughed, as the elephant knelt once more and Harry +scrambled up into the howdah, Sree, who was holding on behind, giving +the boy a hand. Then there was a heave and a pitch to and fro, and the +huge beast was on its legs again, shambling off towards the bungalow, +a pleasant enough sight in the moonlight, and welcome enough to Harry, +who was pretty well tired out. + +"Didn't you see the tiger at all, father?" he asked. + +"No, or most likely I should have shot it," replied Mr. Kenyon. "The +brute has evidently gone off to the country on the slope of the +mountains and saved his stripes this time. What have you been doing +with yourself?" + +Harry briefly told of his adventures. + +"Then you have some decent specimens for me?" + +"Yes, father; beauties." + +"You have done better than we did, my boy. We have only brought back +sore bones. There, I am not in much of a humour for talking to-night; +I want a good rest." + +"You must be tired, father." + +"Yes, too tired to think of anything but sleep. Not quite, though; +there are those birds. Sree, can you come first thing in the morning +and skin them?" + +"Yes, Sahib. I was going to ask if I might come." + +No more was said till the elephant had stopped of its own accord at +the gateway of the bungalow garden for as soon as it had got over its +irritation at being separated from its companion it had gone steadily +enough. + +After this the mahout was so liberally rewarded that he wanted to get +down from the elephant's neck to prostrate himself, and of course was +not allowed, but sent back, Harry stopping to watch his great, grey, +shambling mount till it disappeared, with Sree still hanging by the +back of the howdah. + +Breakfast was late the next morning, both the merchant and his son +sleeping very soundly; and when at last Harry dragged himself from his +light bamboo bedstead and had refreshed himself, not with a good swim +in the river,--a luxury too dangerous to attempt,--but by squatting in +a large, open tub and pouring jars of cold water over his head, he +went out into the verandah, to find Sree just finishing the skin of +the last of the birds by painting the fleshy side all over with +preserving paste before turning it back and filling it with cotton +wool. + +"How quick you have been, Sree!" said Harry. "I meant to have come and +helped you." + +"The young Sahib must have been tired." + +"I'm tired now," said the boy, with a yawn. "But I say, they are all +good birds, aren't they?" + +"Some of the best I have ever seen, Sahib; there is hardly a feather +gone. Look at this one," said the man, taking hold of the bird's long, +thick beak and giving it a dexterous shake, with the result that the +feathers fluffed up and then fell gently back into place, lying so +lightly and naturally that it was hard to believe that nothing but the +skull, leg and wing bones were left of the little creature which +animated the skin so short a time before. + +"Beautiful," said Harry, examining it and the others already prepared +in turn. "I wish you had been with us, though. We had capital sport." + +"Yes, Sahib, I wish I had been with you," said Sree. "My heart felt +heavy for you when I found you were not to come. I like to be with the +young Sahibs. We had no sport at all." + +"Ah, you should have been with us. The crocodile must have been +fourteen feet long." + +"Ah! but they would not be so big up the little river. I hope, though, +the Sahib will not shoot any more." + +"Not shoot any more!" cried Harry. "Are you friends with the +wretches?" + +"No, Sahib," said the man solemnly; "but they are dangerous beasts, +and I fear if the young Sahib goes after them much there may be an +accident." + +"Hardly likely," said Harry contemptuously. + +"I don't know, Sahib; they are very dangerous beasts. A hungry mugger, +as they call them over yonder on the Ganges, will rush at any one in +the water, or try to sweep him off the shore into the river. If he is +wounded he is mad with rage, and strikes about furiously with his +tail. One hard blow would break or overturn a sampan, and a man in the +water is no match for one of these beasts." + +"Oh, but I shall be careful, Sree," cried Harry; "and I can't help +hating the monsters." + +"We all hate them, Sahib, except some of the foolish people who would +think it a sin to hurt a crocodile. Do not be rash." + +"Oh no, I shan't be rash," said Harry; "but you should have been with +us yesterday; it was rare fun with the little grey-whiskered monkey. +It was frightened nearly to death, what with the noise of the gun and +the fall plump into the water, and the ducking, and then being so +nearly snapped up by the crocodile." + +"It would be frightened, too, on finding it was a prisoner, Sahib." + +"He looked just like a withered-up old man, not much bigger than a +baby." + +"Yes, Sahib; they are strange little beasts," said Sree, who was still +busy with the skins, giving delicate touches here and there to the +plumage, with a small needle made of ivory. "I never kill one if I can +help it, because they are so much like very wild old men." + +"That is a lovely skin, Sree," said Harry, bending over the blue and +grey thrush. + +"Yes, and these are hard to find, Sahib." + +"Father will be delighted with those, I'm sure," said Harry. Then +turning off to the old hunter's last remarks, "So you don't like +shooting monkeys?" + +"No, Sahib, I never do." + +"It does seem a shame, for they're such merry, happy-looking little +chaps, swinging and playing about in the trees. How they enjoy the +fruit, too! They seem to have quite a jolly life." + +"Oh no, Sahib; they have their troubles too," said Sree seriously, +"and many of them." + +"Monkeys do?" cried Harry, laughing. "Why, what troubles can they +have?" + +"Muggers waiting under the trees to catch any that fall, Sahib." + +"Then they ought to know better than to play in the branches which +overhang the river." + +"That is where the best fruit grows, in the open sunshine, Sahib, and +it is often when they go down to drink that the muggers catch them or +sweep them into the water with their tails." + +"Ugh! the beasts!" cried Harry. + +"Then there are the leopards lying in wait up in the trees, and some +of the big wild cats, too, staring at them. Monkeys are very quick, +but the leopards are sometimes quicker." + +"Yes, it's wonderful how active those spotted, cat-like creatures are. +I say, Sree, have you ever seen one of the very big monkeys that live +in the islands?" + +"Only once, Sahib. It was when I went to Borneo with a Sahib from +India. We were a long time hunting in the woods before we found one, +and then it was high up in a tree, going along hanging by his hands. +He seemed to be a very quiet, tame sort of beast, only trying to get +away; but the Sahib shot him, and he hung from a great bough, oh, very +high up, till the Sahib shot again, and then he let go and came down, +dropping from bough to bough till he fell dead, nearly at our feet." + +"Was it very big, Sree?" + +"Very, very big, Sahib; nearly twice as big as I am." + +"Really?" + +"Oh yes, Sahib. Not so tall as I am, not higher than the Prince Phra, +but so big and broad--big head--big face with great swellings behind +the cheeks--big shoulder, and big arms that reached down nearly to his +feet. And such hands and feet, Sahib! so big and strong." + +"Much like a man, Sree?" + +"Like what a wild man might be, Sahib. And yet no, not like a man; he +was more like a wild beast, all hairy. The poor people here, some of +them, believe that when we die, if we have been wicked we shall turn +to monkeys or crocodiles." + +"And do you believe that, Sree?" + +The man looked up and smiled, as he shook his head. + +"Oh no, Sahib; I don't believe anything of the kind. It is all +nonsense; but monkeys are very curious little things, and very +cunning. They have plenty of sense." + +"Think so?" + +"Oh yes. Did not you say that the one you caught was angry with the +crocodile, and danced about and called him names?" + +"Well, he did something of the kind," said Harry, laughing; "and very +comical it was." + +"Oh yes, Sahib, I've seen them spit at and shout and chatter at the +muggers often enough. Being so much in the jungle, watching night and +day, I often notice all that the wild things do--birds, snakes, +lizards, as well as the tigers and bears and monkeys. I have seen how +they fight, and how they play and teach their young ones to play; but +there is nothing which can play like a monkey. He is more full of fun +than a boy. A monkey always seems to think that another monkey's tail +is meant to pull, so as to tease him." + +"Yes, I've seen them do that." + +"But the funniest thing, Sahib," said the old hunter, "is to see a +monkey pull another one's tail, and then pretend that he did not do +it. I have seen one put his hand out behind, and give a pull, and then +snatch his hand back and shut his eyes, pretending to be asleep." + +"Oh, here you are," said Mr. Kenyon, coming into the verandah. "Come, +Hal, breakfast; we are very late." + +"Here are the specimens Phra and I got yesterday father." + +"These? Capital; excellent! That is the kind of _Pitta_ I wanted so +badly, and those two kingfishers will be a splendid addition to the +collection. Well skinned too, Sree. They are perfect." + +Over the breakfast Mr. Kenyon related their adventures of the previous +day; but there was nothing much to tell save of wearisome wanderings +here and there through rugged, thorny ground where the tiger's pugs +could be traced. Hollows were carefully beaten, and patches of reed +and grass driven, while the hunters waited for the coming of the +cunning beast which was not there. Then at last they found +unmistakable traces of his having gone off, and, weary and disgusted, +they had turned back. + +Harry Kenyon and his father led a very pleasant life in that curious +country, for their position was a favoured one, though a great deal +was due to the latter's enterprise. + +At first their existence was lonely, but it was not long before their +position became a good deal talked about through correspondence which +followed their arrival, and by degrees a happy little colony had grown +up in the neighbourhood of the palace. + +It was entirely at the King's invitation that Mr. Kenyon had first +settled there, for being himself a man who took great interest in +scientific matters and the wonders of nature, he had by accident come +in contact with the merchant, who had sought an interview, with the +object of asking certain concessions and leave to trade. The result +was that Mr. Kenyon was taken quite by surprise on discovering that +the King, whom he had expected to find much on a par with so many of +the barbaric chieftains of the East, was a man who cared nothing for +war and aggrandisement, neither for decking himself out in diamonds, +emeralds, and pearls, but who was dressed in the simplest manner, +loved to study chemistry, and surrounded himself with beautifully made +microscopes and telescopes, obtained at great expense from London and +Vienna. + +That one interview was quite enough for the beginning of a friendship, +the King soon finding out that his visitor was a man of similar tastes +to himself, but immeasurably far in advance, and eager to impart his +scientific knowledge to one to whom so many things were enclosed in +what seemed to be a sealed-up book of wonder and mystery. + +The consequence was that, instead of making a temporary stay in Siam, +Mr. Kenyon gladly accepted the monarch's friendship and protection, +settling down on the banks of the great river at once. + +This had happened ten years before the events narrated here, but all +had not been smooth. There had been plenty of the opposition of +ignorance; the King's far-seeing brain was almost alone, and his +nobles and retainers of the blood royal looked with contempt upon the +strange things that took up so much of their ruler's time. To them +many of his studies seemed to be mere madness, and they looked at one +another and shook their heads when they learned that the King spent +the whole of some nights looking through a tube like a big bamboo, at +the moon and stars. + +Then worse things happened: it was found that he was doing uncanny +things, a kind of magic by which he conjured up horrible creatures and +made them dance and whirl about in water. He showed favoured people +strange demons with teeth and horns and claws in a dark room in the +palace, where he made a great white spot of light come on the wall, +into which he conjured the aforesaid monsters. + +But the worst of all was his fitting up one little room with shelves +and cabinets full of bottles and glasses. It was well known that here +he studied, by mixing and boiling up, how to make horrible poisons, +one drop of which shown to an enemy would produce madness, while if +taken it was sudden death. And all this the nobles, priests from the +great temples, and wise men generally, in secret conclave, came to the +conclusion could only have one meaning, and that was to kill off +secretly every one of the blood royal and second king's family, so +that no one except the one the King wished could by any possibility +succeed to the throne. + +It was very dreadful, and they shook their heads more and more, and +there were talks about its being a sacred duty to kill such a vile +being, and make the second king the first; but so far it had all been +talk, for changes are a long time coming about among such people as +these. + +Then, too, for a long time Mr. Kenyon, this foreigner of the +barbarians who came from the far West, was looked upon with sinister +eyes, for was he not a favourite with the King, helping him to prepare +his magic and his terrible poisons? + +But as no one died, and no one seemed to be any the worse for the +King's magic, and above all as the great people of the country found +that Mr. Kenyon was a very pleasant gentleman, who paid great respect +to them and all their institutions, it was settled that he should not +be stabbed with krises--unless he behaved worse or did some real harm. + +He did offend soon after, for upon settling down he was favoured by +the King with a grant of land on the banks of the river, this being +looked upon as a great offence, land in such a position having +heretofore been reserved for the sole benefit of the great nobles of +the land and the priesthood, for their large monastic +institutions--great walled-in enclosures of some fifteen or twenty +acres, covered with the temples, shrines, and conventual +dwelling-places of the talapoins or bonzes, as they were called, and +easily enough to distinguish by their closely shaven heads and long, +yellow robes. Ordinary people and the poor had to live, according to +law, in house-boats, with which the rivers, canals, and backwaters +were covered. These waterways were the highways--there were no proper +roads--and were thronged with dwelling-places large and small, +warehouses, shops, and places of entertainment, all built upon bamboo +rafts and moored to the banks, forming a beautifully healthy, populous +city, for the tide from the sea swept to and fro, clearing it from all +impurities day and night. + +That grant of land gave great offence, for who was this strange +barbarian who had come among them with his little curly-haired boy and +a servant, that he should be treated as if he were a noble lord of the +land? And once more Mr. Kenyon's position seemed to be precarious, for +the King's favour went farther towards his new English friend and +student. For native workmen and material were supplied in abundance, +the orders given to the men being that they should build the place, +dwelling and warehouses, in accordance with Mr. Kenyon's design. + +All this proved a great gain to both, for while Mr. Kenyon prospered +wonderfully in his trading ventures, and had ample opportunity for +collecting the strange products of the country in connection with his +favourite study, the King found his revenues increase and his capital +become more enlightened by the introduction of Europeans, who were +attracted there through finding that they were protected, treated with +respect, and encouraged to trade. + +This was forgiven, and all went well till the doctor came, when the +native medicos grew alarmed and threatening, for this Englishman, or +Scotchman, knew better than they. + +As the years went on the friendship grew firmer, and the King gladly +seized the opportunity of letting his son share young Kenyon's +studies, for his desire was that his boy should become an enlightened +ruler, who would carry on his plans for the improvement of the country +over which in all probability he would some day reign. + +Mr. Kenyon, who was a highly cultivated man, gratefully entered into +the King's plans and invited a clever university man from Oxford to +come out and act as tutor to the two boys, with the result that the +young Prince Phra passed a good half of his existence with Harry at +the bungalow, sharing his studies and amusements, while Harry was +always as welcome a guest as his father at the palace, having only to +express a wish to have it gratified, whether his want took the form of +books, fishing tackle, guns, men, elephants or boats for some +expedition in jungle or open stream. + +Harry's chum was a prince, and to all intents and purposes Harry led +the life of a king's son himself, though he did not realize the fact, +everything coming quite as a matter of course. His chief trouble had +to do with the climate, which was, as he told Phra, "so jolly hot." + +Phra replied sadly that he could not help it. + +"No," said Harry thoughtfully, "you can't help it; but it's jolly hot +all the same." + + + + +CHAPTER X + +WHAT HARRY HEARD + + +No more was heard of the tiger, but the boys laughed and talked about +it together, for they could not help enjoying the ill-luck which had +attended those who went in its chase. + +"I know how it is," said Harry, with mock seriousness; "the tiger +heard who was coming to shoot him, and he went, off to wait until +Prince Phra had grown up old enough to go tiger-hunting in proper +style." + +"Yes, that's it," said Phra drily. "But you may as well say how you +know. The tiger came and told you, I suppose." + +"Oh, never mind that," said Harry. "I wish you wouldn't talk about it. +I say, when's that chest coming from London?" + +"Don't know; some day," said Phra. + +It was pretty well on to half a year from the time of the order being +given to the day when the big chest was delivered at the palace, being +brought up by one of the royal barges, with its many rowers in scarlet +jackets, from the vessel lying at the mouth of the river, right up to +the stone landing-place in front of the palace, from which it was +borne, attached to a couple of great bamboos, by a dozen men, preceded +and followed by guards bearing spears. + +"Such a jolly fuss," said Harry, frowning. "Why, you and I could have +each taken hold of an end and carried it up to our house and opened it +there." + +"Well, no," said Phra; "you see, it is my father's, and he is King, +and it is only proper for the box to be brought up like this." + +"Is it?" said Harry contemptuously. "All right, only I thought the box +was for us." + +"So it is," said Phra; "but father has not given it to us yet." + +"Oh, all right, only it does seem so stupid; and if a lot of English +boys could see, I daresay they'd laugh like fun." + +"If one of them laughed at my father he'd repent it," said Phra hotly. + +"Tchah! They wouldn't laugh at your father. I should like to catch 'em +at it! I should have something to say then." + +Phra caught his friend warmly by the arm, and his eyes brightened. + +"They might, though," said Harry solemnly, "if they saw him sitting +under that big umbrella, with his silk padung on, looking like an old +woman in a petticoat." + +"That he doesn't," said Phra warmly; "and I'm sure a padung is a much +more comfortable thing out here in a hot country than a pair of +trousers." + +"Oh, I don't know," said Harry; "but it is jolly hot." + +"You don't know, because you have only put one on just for fun; but I +often feel disposed to give up wearing trousers, and to go back to a +padung again." + +"What, go back to being a barbarian?" cried Harry. "You ought to be +ashamed of yourself." + +"Well, I'm not," said Phra warmly. "It's much cooler, and more +pleasant." + +"Oh, you savage! You'd better say it's cooler to go without anything +at all." + +"So it is--in the shade," replied Phra. + +"Well, I am!" cried Harry. "After all the trouble father, Dr. Cameron, +and your most humble and obedient servant have taken to make a +civilized being of you, to talk like that!" + +"Civilized being! pooh! I should have been a civilized being without +your help." + +"Not you. To begin with, you wouldn't have worn trousers, and wearing +trousers means everything. A man who wears trousers stands at the very +top of civilization. A man who doesn't wear them is a savage." + +"Ha! ha! ha!" laughed Phra. "I should like Mr. Cameron to hear you say +that he was a savage." + +"Who ever would say so? Mr. Cameron is--is--well, he's a tip-topper in +everything." + +"But he doesn't wear trousers when he goes with us shooting. He always +wears his war petticoat then." + +"Wears his what?" cried Harry wonderingly. + +"That grey fighting petticoat. His kill it." + +"Kill it? Kilt!" cried Harry. "Oh, what a rum chap you are sometimes, +Phra! But that's only the old savage dress of the Highlanders. Hardly +anybody but soldiers wears that now." + +"Kill--kill it--kilt," said Phra thoughtfully. "What had you got to +laugh at? Why, it does mean a war petticoat." + +"All right; have it your own way," said Harry, who was watching the +last of the guard following the box into the courtyard. + +"But I don't want to have it my own way if I'm wrong," said Phra. "I +want to be right." + +"Very well. You are wrong there, lad." + +"Why do they call it a kilt, then?" said Phra. + +"Because it is a kilt, I suppose. Because--because--there, I don't +know. We'll ask the doctor. But, I say, I didn't mean any harm about +laughing at the King. I wouldn't, and I wouldn't let any one else +laugh at him. He's such a good old chap; but he does look rum +sometimes." + +"Well, I know that," said Phra hurriedly. "And I don't like it, Hal, +and I wish he would do as English gentlemen do; but he can't +altogether." + +"Why?" + +"Because he's king, and the people wouldn't like it. The priests don't +like a great deal that he does now, and they talk about it to the +common people. They make them believe that my father is fighting +against them and doing them harm." + +"If I were your father, and they talked against me, I'd pitch them all +into the river." + +"No, you wouldn't, Hal. But hadn't we better go up to the door and see +the chest opened?" + +"Yes, come on," cried Harry eagerly, and they followed the guard, +going by sentries armed with spear and kris, who smiled solemnly at +the two boys, and made way for them with every show of respect. + +They crossed the courtyard, which partook more of the nature of a +garden, and looked particularly attractive, with its quaint, +highly-pitched, gable-ended buildings around. But Harry had seen the +place too often to pay any heed to the beautiful architecture, and he +was all eyes for a little procession issuing from the principal +doorway, consisting of the King, a quiet, grave-looking, grey-haired +man, in silken jacket and sarong, and a number of his chief men, while +the royal umbrella was held over his head. + +The chest, one of ordinary deal, nailed down, strengthened with a +couple of bands of hoop-iron, and directed in painted black letters, +had been placed in front of the entrance, and ten spearmen stood in a +row on each side, when the two boys, in obedience to a sign from the +King, went up, each receiving a smile and a nod. + +"Here is the new present," he said, smiling. "Take it, and see if +everything is as you wished it to be; and I hope it will give you both +much pleasure." + +He spoke in very good English, and smilingly accepted the boys' +thanks, before gravely turning and going back in procession to the +main entrance to the palace; while, as soon as they were alone, Phra +sent one of the guards to fetch a couple of artificers to bring +hammers and chisels to open the chest. + +"I don't believe a box ever had so much fuss made over it before," +said Harry, laughing. "The things ought to be all right. I say, Phra, +I hope nothing's broken." + +"Oh, don't say that!" + +"The big clock that came from England was. They're wretches, those +sailors, for pitching packages about on board ship." + +"They ought not to be allowed to be so rough," replied Phra. "My +father would not permit them to be careless." + +"Ah, but your father's one of the kings of Siam. We English people +aren't allowed to slice people's heads off because they do as they +like. I say, though, suppose they're burst." + +"Burst! oh, I say, don't," cried Phra. "I've been looking forward to +these things coming, so that we could play English games, and it would +be horrible if we had to wait another six months." + +"Perhaps they'll be all right," said Harry, in consolatory tones; "but +that corner of the box has had a great bang, and the lid's split in +two places, just as if it had been thrown down on the stones of a +wharf." + +"It says, 'With care. Keep this side up,'" said Phra. + +"Oh yes; that's why they knock it about so, I suppose," replied Harry, +laughing. "The sailors know their heads won't be chopped off." + +"Here are the men," said Phra, as a couple of workmen came up, +prostrated themselves, and then cleverly attacked the nails in the +box, clumsy-looking as their tools were, removing the iron bands, +wrenching up the lid and taking it off, while the guards and +attendants stood stolidly looking on. + +The removal of the lid revealed a quantity of paper shavings packed +round sundry brown paper parcels, while one end of the chest was +occupied by half a dozen pasteboard boxes, one of which was +immediately opened, to reveal the neatly-sewn and laced leather cover +of a football. + +"What's that for?" said Phra. "Yes, I know; a football." + +"Yes. You have first kick. I'll throw it down, and you run and kick +it, just as you saw in our book of sports." + +"I could not with the guard looking on," said Phra. + +"I could," said Harry. "English fellows can do anything. Here goes." + +He threw the ball down heavily, making it rebound, and then as it +repeated its rebounds he rushed at it, and, although he had never done +such a thing before, gave it a flying kick which sent it high in the +air, but only to come down and bounce into the fountain basin in the +middle of the courtyard. + +"Wonderful!" the spectators seemed to say, as they looked solemnly at +one another. + +"Oh, I didn't mean that," cried Harry, rushing after the ball, +followed by his companion, who walked sedately up just as Harry had +shouted to one of the guard to come. + +"Here," he said in Siamese, "fish out that ball." + +The man smiled, reached out over the basin, and in another moment +would have transfixed the football on his keenly-pointed lance. + +But Harry was too quick for him, and gave the lance shaft a thrust. + +"Not like that," he cried; "you'd kill it--let all its wind out. This +way." + +He showed the man how to guide the ball to the side with his spear, +and then picked it up all dripping, to place it in the sun to dry. + +"I say, Phra," he said, as he paused to wipe his wet face; "I'm afraid +football's going to be rather a hot game out here." + +"The book said it was played in winter," said Phra. + +"Yes, but then we haven't got any winter here, so we must play it any +time we can. But it is going to be rather a warm sort of game. Never +mind; we've got the balls--six of them." + +"But you don't want six." + +"Yes, you do," cried Harry. "Some will burst; some will get kicked +over into some one else's place and lost perhaps. But I say, we must +learn to play, as we have got the balls." + +"Come and finish opening the box," said Phra. + +"'Tis opened. Why don't you say unpacking?" + +"Because I am not so full of English as you are," replied Phra, with a +sigh; and they bent over the chest and went on taking out its +treasures: bats, stumps, bails, pads and gloves, all carefully done up +in brown paper, while a whole dozen of best cricket balls were in as +many little boxes. + +"Seem to be making a pretty good mess with all these shavings," said +Harry, raising himself up with a sigh of relief that the box was at +last emptied. + +"The people shall clear all away soon," replied Phra, glancing at the +stolid-looking guards, who were gazing wonderingly at the new form of +war club with handle bound with black string, and at the short, +sharp-pointed spears which seemed to be a clumsy kind of javelin. "But +this cricket seems as if it would be a very hot game to play." + +"Oh, I don't know," said Harry carelessly. "Of course I've never +played, but I know all about it. If you come to that, so do you." + +"Yes," said Phra thoughtfully, "but I'm afraid I shall not like a game +where one has to get so many runs. It will be terribly hot work." + +"But you only get a great many runs if you can." + +"Then it will be much cooler and pleasanter if you can't get any," +said Phra. "I say, Harry, couldn't we alter the game?" + +"I don't know. I daresay we could." + +"Let's do the batting ourselves, and make the people bowl and run +after the balls." + +"And always be in?" said Harry. "Well, that wouldn't be bad. But I +say, where are we to play?" + +"I should like it to be right away somewhere," said Phra. "It would +not be pleasant for us to be running and tearing about with our people +looking on and making remarks about our getting so hot." + +"Never mind about the cricket to-day," said Harry. "You want a lot of +fellows to play that--twenty besides ourselves; but we could have a +game of football." + +"Very well; let's play football, then. I'll have all these things +taken into my room. Only let's get right away. I don't care about +playing here." + +"Why not? It will be a capital place if we take care not to kick the +ball into the fountain." + +"I don't like playing here, with all the men looking on. It seems so +silly to be running after a ball and kicking it, as if you were cross +with it for being on the ground." + +"I never thought of that," said Harry. "But let's see: why do we kick +it? I wish we'd been the same as other boys." + +"Well, so we are, only you were born in India, and I was born here." + +"I don't mean that," cried Harry. "I mean the same as other English +boys are. They go to big schools where they learn all sorts of games +when they're half as big as we are. But let's see; we want to know why +everything is. Why do we kick the football?" + +"To make it bounce, of course." + +"That isn't all. We kick it to make it fly through the air." + +"For exercise," said Phra. + +"That's something to do with it, I suppose; but there's something +else. It's to try who's best man. Don't you see?" + +"No," said Phra; "I only know that we've got to learn to play football +and cricket." + +"Never mind about cricket now; let's get to play football first." + +"But we don't know anything about it," said Phra, "and it seems so +stupid. Let's ask Mr. Cameron to show us how." + +"That we just won't," cried Harry. "He'd only laugh at us. 'What!' +he'd say, 'don't know how to play football? Why, I thought every boy +could play that.'" + +"I don't like to be laughed at," said Phra. + +"Of course you don't. I don't either. That's the worse of people too. +Just because they know something that you don't know, they think +themselves so awfully clever, and laugh at you because you don't know +the same as they do." + +"Well, how do we play? Do you know?" + +"I know something about it. You make sides, because it's going to be a +fight." + +"Then it's a cowardly game," cried Phra. + +"Why?" said Harry in astonishment. + +"Because in a fight you ought to use your fists; you taught me so; and +this is all kicking." + +"Oh, what a chap you are, Phra! If I didn't know what a +straightforward one you were, I should think you were making fun. +Can't you see this is not a fighting fight, but a fight in fun--to see +who's to get the best of it?" + +"So's a fighting fight," said Phra. + +"Yes, but this is play. There ought to be a lot of fellows on each +side, but I don't see why two can't have a game. I'm sure they'll get +more kicking. Now we're going to play; I'm against you, and you're +against me." + +"I see; I'm against you, and you're against me. Well?" + +"We begin out in the middle of a place, with the ball between us. I've +got to kick it to the hedge on your side, and you've got to prevent +me. You've got to kick it to the hedge on my side, and I've got to +prevent you. That's easy enough to understand, isn't it?" + +"Oh yes, I understand that; but I shan't play here." + +"Why?" + +"Because we're sure to fall out over it and fight, and I don't want +our guards to see me and you fighting." + +"Oh, we shouldn't be so stupid." + +"I don't know whether it's stupid, but I know how you are when you get +hurt a bit, Hal. No, I shan't play here." + +"Very well, come on home with me. There's plenty of room at the bottom +of the garden, and there'll be no one to see us there except Mike, and +I'll take care he is sent somewhere else." + +"That will do," said Phra. "How many balls shall we want?" + +"Only one, of course." + +"Why not have two?" said Phra. "One apiece; then we shouldn't fall +out." + +"And we shouldn't be playing at football. This ball will do. Come on." + +Phra made no further opposition, but he hazarded the remark that it +was rather hot to play. + +"Yes, this is the hottest place I was ever in," said Harry. "There +couldn't be any place hotter. But come along; English boys don't study +about its being hot or cold when they want to do anything. I'm glad +Doctor Cameron is nowhere near. He'd be interfering and dictating +about the game directly. That's the worst of him, he knows so much. It +will be much nicer for us to learn how to play well before he sees us +at it, and then we shall know as much as he does." + +The boys trudged off, with the sun shining down upon them as it can +shine down in Siam. It was somewhere about a hundred degrees +Fahrenheit in the shade, and it may readily be set down as being a +hundred and twenty in the sun; so that Harry was quite right in his +remarks about Dr. Cameron, for if he had been present he most +assuredly would have interfered to the extent of making them put the +football away, and ordering them into the shade. + +But there was no one to interfere, as they trudged on, and entered by +the gate of the bungalow, finding all very quiet till they got around +to the back, where a peculiar noise came through the open jalousies of +one window, making Harry step forward on tip-toe till he could look +in. + +This done, he stepped cautiously back to his companion. + +"Only Mike," he whispered. "Lying on his back fast asleep, and snoring +like a young thunderstorm in the distance. Come along; we shall have +it all to ourselves." + +"Where's your father?" + +"Gone down to the port in a boat, to see the captain of one of the +ships." + +Five minutes later they were in a good-sized field, well hedged in +with native growth, and displaying a very respectable lawn-like +greensward, one which had cost Mr. Kenyon years of trouble to get +something like an English meadow. + +It was a capital place, and having settled which were to be the +goals--though Harry did not call them so--they walked into the middle +of the enclosure to make a start. + +"Now," said Harry, "of course we don't know exactly how to begin, +but--" + +"Why didn't we read what it said in the book?" said Phra. + +"What book?" + +"The one that came in the chest." + +"I didn't see any book in the chest." + +"I did: _The Book of Games_; it was at the top, wrapped up in paper, +and I sent it into my room so as to be safe." + +"Well, you are a fellow!" cried Harry. "Never mind; we'll read all +through it to-night. Let's begin our way to-day. There lies the ball, +and we must start fair. I'll say one--two--three, and away! and then +we must kick." + +The boys stood face to face with the ball between them, and so close +that their toes nearly touched it. + +"Ready?" said Harry. + +"Yes." + +"Then one--two--three--and away!" + +Phra was quick as lightning almost, and at the word away! he kicked at +the ball; but Harry, instead of kicking, thrust it a little on one +side so as to get a kick to himself, and he got it, right on the shin. + +"Oh!" he cried, beginning to hop on one leg, while Phra sent the ball +flying towards his goal, and ran after it at full speed. + +"Hi! stop! stop! stop!" shouted Harry. + +But Phra was too much excited to halt. He was finding a certain amount +of satisfaction in delivering kick after kick to the yielding ball, +which, in spite of a long voyage, proved to be wonderfully elastic, +and flew here, there, and everywhere, except in the direction of the +goal. For Phra's kicks were wanting in experience. He kicked too high, +or too low, or out of centre; and the consequence was that he had a +great deal of exercise, before a final kick sent the ball up to the +hedge which formed one goal. + +He turned round now, streaming with perspiration and flushed with +triumph, to find that Harry had been limping and panting after him, to +come up now, hot and angry. + +"I've won," cried Phra. "What a capital game!" + +"You've won!" grumbled Harry. "Of course you have. Any one could win +who didn't play fair. But it wasn't playing." + +"Why, what's the matter?" said Phra, staring. + +"You know; you kicked me instead of the ball, and crippled me so that +I couldn't try." + +"I'm so sorry, Hal. Ought you to have been kicking too?" + +"Yes, and I wish I had--I wish I had kicked you at the beginning as +you did me." + +"But that was an accident," said Phra earnestly. + +"It hurt just as much as if you had done it on purpose." + +"Never mind," cried Phra; "let's begin again. I didn't understand the +game. But, I say; it's splendid fun." + +"Oh, is it?" said Hal, sitting down to rub his tender shin. + +"Yes, splendid. When you kick the ball it flies off so beautifully. +You seem obliged to run after it." + +"Yes," said Harry sarcastically, "and then I was obliged to run after +you. Why didn't you kick it my way?" he added fiercely. + +"I couldn't," replied Phra innocently. "That's the funny part of it, +and I suppose the ball's made so on purpose. It never went the way I +kicked it, but flew to all sorts of places. But I say, it's glorious +fun running after it for the next kick." + +"Oh, is it?" sneered Harry; for if the skin was not off his shin, it +certainly seemed to be off his temper. + +"Yes, come on, and let's begin again." + +"Shan't," said Harry sourly; "it's too hot." + +"Oh, nonsense; you don't feel it when you're at play." + +"Play! I don't call it play," cried Harry angrily. "I call it being a +pig and trying to have everything to yourself." + +"Oh, I say, don't talk like that, Hal! I didn't know I was doing +wrong. There, I apologise. I won't do it again. Come along." + +"No, I'm not going to try now. It's a fool of a game, and all +one-sided." + +"Well, never mind; you'll have the right side sometimes. Let's start +off again. I know you'll like it." + +"No, I'm not going to play any more," grumbled Harry. "I wish the old +ball was burst." + +"You are in a temper," said Phra quietly. "I'm sorry I hurt you. Here, +have a kick, Hal." + +"Shan't; I'm too hot and tired." + +"Rest a bit, then," said Phra. "I say, what queer people the English +are to have invented a game like that! They must look so comic." + +"What!" cried Harry indignantly. "Well, I do like that! Who looks +comic, playing at shuttlecock and kicking it up in the air, and +sending it back with the knees, elbows, or shoulders? I've seen some +of the men knock the great shuttlecock up with their necks or chins. +Now, that does look stupid." + +Phra's eyelids contracted a little, and there was a frown upon his +brow for a few moments. + +It passed off then, and he brightened up, just when a few angry words +would have caused an open rupture. + +"Come and have a try, Hal, old chap," he said. "Sorry I hurt you," and +he held out his hand. + +This was too much for Harry, whose irritation was passing off with the +pain. Jumping up quickly, he made a snatch at the ball, sent it +flying, dashed after it, and delivered a tremendous kick, intending to +send it right across the field. + +But it did nothing of the kind, for the kick proved to be a regular +sky-flyer, the ball taking an almost perpendicular course. Harry was +lying in wait for it as it came down, ready to kick again; but Phra +was coming, and unintentionally proved that two legs are much better +for stability than one. + +Of course every one knows this, and takes it for granted, just as most +of us know some of the problems of Euclid, and could take the theory +there set out for granted. But the old Greek philosopher proves them +all, and Phra proved our theory by giving Harry a sharp push just as +one leg was raised, sending him over like a single ninepin, and +securing the ball once more, racing away, laughing heartily the while. + +"Oh!" ejaculated Harry; "and him only a nigger! He shan't beat me like +this." + +He rushed off, with his temper coming back, in full chase of Phra, who +ran on, kicking the ball, and roaring with laughter the while, till +just as he was about to finish off with a tremendous kick, one which +would secure a goal if it went straight, Harry came on with a rush, +sent him flying instead of the ball, turned, and enjoyed a capital +series of kicks before he was overtaken in turn. + +Phra tried to put the same tactics into force, bounding right at +Harry, who was just on the point of kicking home, when a thrust sent +him over, and while still under the impetus of his run, Phra delivered +the kick instead, a kick which proved to be the most direct that had +been given, for the ball landed close to Harry's hedge, bounced, and +went right home. + +"There," cried Phra, flushed with victory; "I've won again." + +Then he stared, for Harry threw himself down, panting and roaring with +laughter. + +"What are you laughing at?" cried his adversary. "That makes two games +I've won." + +"No," cried Harry, wiping his eyes; "this one's mine." + +"Nonsense! I kicked the ball." + +"Yes, but into my goal." + +"No; it's mine. I kicked the ball there." + +"By mistake; for me." + +"Oh, what a stupid game!" cried Phra pettishly. "Phew! how hot I am! I +don't want to play any more at a game like that." + +And now, with the excitement at an end, both found that playing +football in their fashion under such a sun was an exercise of which a +very little went a long way. + +They stretched themselves out on the ground, with the ball lying hard +by getting warm. + +"Oh, I say, it's too hot to stop here; come and lie in the shade," +cried Harry. "Let's go indoors." + +They went back, passed through the verandah, and entered the +dining-room. + +It was as hot there, a heavy, stagnant heat; but there was a basket of +oranges upon the table. + +"These'll be better than water to drink," said Harry, rolling four +across the table to his companion, and pocketing as many for his own +use. + +"But we can't stop here," said Phra; "it's too hot to breathe." + +"I know; let's go and lie down on the floor at the landing-place." + +"Yes, that will do," replied Phra, and a few minutes later the boys +were extended upon their backs upon the bamboos, shaded by the +palm-leaf roofing, and feeling a faint breath of warm air come up from +the surface of the river, just as if it had floated up from the sea. + +Here, as they lay, the boys peeled their oranges and threw the yellow +rind into the river, where, whenever the white side fell downward, +there was a loud splash made by a fish, which dashed at it and left it +again as not good enough for food. + +The oranges were not good--they were small and pithy, as if the sun +had dried all the juice out of them; but they were the best the boys +could obtain, and they were eaten in silence, neither feeling disposed +to talk; and then the natural thing occurred to two boys hot and tired +upon a torrid day when there was a sleepy hum in the air in and out +beneath the shade in which they lay. + +Five minutes after the last orange was eaten, a heavy breathing could +be heard. + +"Asleep, Phra?" said Harry softly. + +A repetition of the breathing was the reply, and Harry lay with his +hands clasped under the back of his head, gazing up at the palm +thatch, where all looked softly light, though it was in the shade, the +reason being that the sunshine was reflected from the surface of the +water and played in a peculiar, mazy way upon the inner part of the +roof, as if a golden net were covering the palm leaves and being kept +in continuous motion. + +There was a good deal to be seen up there: flies were darting about, +and often faring badly, for every now and then a lizard ran along, +looking like a miniature crocodile, the sunny reflections in full +motion resembling the water. + +The dart of one of these lizards upon an unfortunate fly was too quick +for the eye to follow. One minute the curious little creature in its +glistening armour would be creeping up to within a few inches of a fly +busy at work brushing its head and wings with a care and nicety that +suggested great pride in its personal appearance; the next moment +there would be what seemed to be a faint streak upon the palm thatch, +and the lizard would be where the fly was preening itself, but the fly +was gone, and it had not been seen to fly away. It was there still, +but securely enclosed, and ready to be transmuted into food. + +"They are quick," thought Harry; but his attention was taken off the +lizards to the action of something gliding along among the loose +leaves of the thatch--something long and pale green and grey. It +seemed to be so insecurely placed that it appeared to be on the point +of falling, and if it had dropped it must have been upon the sleeping +figure of Phra. But somehow it held on by means of the long plates or +scales at the lower part of its body in one or two places, while the +rest hung in limp, unsupported folds. + +It was very interesting to follow the sinuous movements of this snake, +a gracefully thin creature of about four feet long; and over and over +again Harry laughed to himself, thinking how Phra would jump when he +felt the thin, twining reptile drop upon him; but there was no fear of +its falling, for it had the instinct of self-preservation strong +within its fragile body, and it always appeared to be holding on +tightly by one part, while the other was gliding forward seeking a +fresh hold. + +It was nothing new to the watcher, for Harry had seen snakes of this +kind often, both living and dead, and his father had pointed out to +him that it was of a perfectly harmless description, the head being +softly elliptical and gently graduated off in its junction with the +long, thin neck, showing no sudden swellings out caused by the +possession of poison glands, which give to the dangerous little +serpents the peculiar spade-shaped or triangular head with the corners +bluntly rounded off. + +As Harry lay watching the snake, he fully expected to see it dart its +head at some of the flies buzzing about, but it went on its way +quietly investigating, for it was in search of more juicy morsels than +flies, its instinct having taught it that the palm thatch of such a +roof as that in which it searched was exceedingly likely to contain +the nest of some mouse or hole-loving bird, one of the little +wren-like creatures whose fat, featherless young would form delicious +morsels for a creature whose teeth were implements for holding on and +not for masticating its prey. + +In those days the American humourist was not born, or, as he did, +Harry might have lain there and wondered in connection with their food +and the great length of neck whether it tasted "good all the way +down." But naturally, as he had not read the lines, he thought nothing +of the kind. In fact, he paid no more heed to the little snake beyond +thinking of what a number of different things there were living in +that thatched edifice; for all at once there was a low, deep, humming +buzz, a flash as of burnished copper, and a thick, squat beetle flew +in beneath the roof, lit on one of the bamboo rafters, and began to +fold up its gauzy wings perfectly neatly, shutting them up beneath +their cases, into which they fitted so closely, that when all was shut +up there was no sign of opening, and a casual observer would never +have imagined that such a short, stumpy, armour-clad, horny creature, +all spikes and corners about the legs, could fly. + +That beetle took up a great deal of Harry's attention, for all was so +still that when it crawled up into the thatching, holding on by its +hooked legs, the rustle and scratching could be plainly heard. But at +last the sound seemed to be distant, while, strangely enough, the +beetle gradually appeared as if it were swelling out to a gigantic +size, but grew hazy and undefined, and was apparently about to die out +as if into mist, when Harry started and saw that it was just the +rounded, stumpy, coppery green insect again, and he knew that he had +been asleep and was startled into wakefulness by some sound close at +hand. + +Voices, and then the rippling of water, and as he lay perfectly still +upon his back he knew that a boat was coming abreast of the +landing-place and a man was talking in a haughty, contemptuous way, as +if in answer to some question that had been asked. + +"That Feringhee dog the King favours; he was the beginning of the +swarm that invaded the country." + +"Never mind," said another voice; "don't be angry: it will soon come +to an end." + +"The sooner the better. I am sick of all this. A mad king makes mad +people who will not sit still and see their country ruined by his +follies. What whim will he have next?" + +"Who knows? There is always some case or another coming by one of the +unbelievers' ships. I believe they send their diseases and sicknesses +here to kill our people, so that they may come and take the country. +It is all wrong. What a beautiful place that man has here!" + +"Hist! don't talk." + +"Why not? I do not mind who hears. I would say what I do even before +our foolish king." + +"Be silent; there are people lying asleep on that landing-place, and +they might hear." + +One of them did hear--plainly enough, for in still weather water has a +wonderful power for conveying sounds along its surface. These words +were spoken in the native dialect, but every word was clear to the +involuntary listener, for the language was almost as familiar to Harry +as his own. + +The words jarred upon him. What did they mean? The speakers from their +tone were evidently people who hated the English colonists, and an +intense desire to see whether they were people whom he knew animated +the boy with the disposition to start up and look. But on second +thoughts he felt that it might be better for them if they appeared to +be asleep, especially as Phra was the King's son. + +But once more the desire to see who it was grew strong in Harry's +breast, and as the light splashing of the oars grew less plain he +slowly turned his head till he could open one eye and gaze over the +surface of the river. + +He was too late; there was nothing in sight but the boats moored to +the farther bank. + +"I could see them from the far end of the garden, though," he thought; +and rolling himself gently over three or four times, so as not to +awaken Phra, he reached the bridge-like way off the stage into the +garden, where he rose to his feet and keeping in shelter of the +flowering shrubs which had been abundantly planted, he made for the +corner of the garden higher up the stream, for the slow progress of +the boat in passing showed that the people, whoever they were, had +gone in that direction. + +Harry had little difficulty in getting to the boundary of his father's +grounds, keeping well under cover, though it was hot work hurrying +along in a stooping position. But when he raised his head cautiously +and peered over the river, the result was disappointing. + +There was the boat certainly, going on against tide, propelled by a +couple of stout rowers; and it was evidently the boat of some one well +to do, for the rowers were dressed alike. As to the occupants of the +central part beneath the awning, they were partly hidden by the +uprights which supported the light roof shelter, and their backs were +towards him. They were richly dressed, but though the boy watched till +the boat passed out of sight beyond a curve they did not turn their +heads once. + +Harry returned to the landing-stage, feeling troubled and thoughtful. +He was asking himself whether he should tell Phra what he had heard, +and a feeling of shrinking from making his companion uncomfortable had +almost fixed him in his determination to say nothing until he had told +his father. + +But Phra's action altered all this. + +For just as he was about to set foot upon the stage, Phra leaped up +and began to rub his ear frantically. + +"What did you do that for?" he cried fiercely. + +"Do what?" said Harry, laughing at the boy's antics. + +"You put that nasty little beetle in my ear." + +"I didn't," cried Harry, bursting into a roar of laughter. + +"Yes, you did. There it is," cried Phra angrily, as he stamped upon +and crushed a little round insect about the size of the smaller +lady-bird. "Tickle, tickle, tickle! Why, if I hadn't woke up, the +horrible little creature might have eaten its way into my brains, and +killed me." + +"Nonsense! nothing would do that." + +"Well, you had no business to play such silly boys' tricks. It's +enough to make me hit you. Yes, you can laugh at me; but if I were +regularly angry, you would be ready to run." + +"Run away?" said Harry merrily. + +"Yes, run away." + +"Oh yes, and never come back again. You frighten me horribly." + +"You're mocking at me, but I tell you it was very cowardly and +stupid." + +"No, it was not; for I did not do it, my boy." + +"What? why, I woke up and caught you just as you were going to run +away." + +"No, I was coming back." + +"Oh, Hal! that's what you call a cracker, and that's more cowardly +still. When I went to sleep you were lying down beside me, and when I +woke up you were standing over there." + +"That's right," said Harry. + +"And when you woke up you felt mischievous, and caught that little +beetle to put in my ear." + +"That's wrong," said Harry sturdily. + +"Why, I felt it directly it was in; and you must have done it." + +"Oh, of course, because beetles have no legs to crawl, and no wings to +fly, and you weren't lying ear upward so that it could drop in off the +roof." + +"You may argue as long as you like, and as I was asleep, of course I +couldn't quite tell how you did it; but there's the beetle. See?" + +"Oh yes, I can see," said Harry thoughtfully; "but I didn't put it +there. It got into your ear while I was away." + +"Oh, Hal!" + +"And oh, Phra!" + +"To say you were coming back when you were just going to slip away!" + +"Wasn't going to slip away. I tell you I was coming back." + +"I don't believe you." + +"Very well," said Harry; "don't." + +"I--I mean, I beg your pardon, Hal." + +There was no reply. + +"Tell me why you went away," said Phra, who felt that he had gone too +far. + +"It's of no use. You will not believe me," said Harry, taking out his +knife and beginning to carve his initials on one of the big bamboos. + +"Yes, I will!" cried Phra. "I daresay I was wrong. I was cross with +being woke up like that, and I felt sure you had done it." + +"And you feel sure now," said Harry coldly. + +"No, not sure," said Phra frankly, "only doubtful." + +"Then you ought to be ashamed of yourself for feeling so. It's not as +if I were a Siamese fellow--they say anything. An English boy doesn't +like to be doubted." + +"Beg your pardon, Hal--so sorry," said Phra penitently. "Shake hands." + +"Not I," said Harry stiffly. "I'm not going to shake hands with a chap +who doesn't believe my word." + +"Hal!" cried Phra, with a pleading look in his eyes. + +"We'd better not be friends any more; and you'd better go away and +have nothing more to do with us English people." + +"Why? What makes you say that?" + +Harry was silent, and stood frowning there, hacking at the bamboo; but +the quick-witted Siamese lad seemed to grasp the idea that there was +something more behind the fit of annoyance, and began to press his +companion. And the more silent and mysterious Harry proved to be, the +more he pressed. + +For a time he obtained nothing but mysterious hints and bitter words +about things not being as they should be, and at last the boy said +angrily,-- + +"Look here, Hal, I'm sure you are hiding something. I woke up and saw +you there, and I felt sure you had been playing some trick. You know +you often do." + +"Yes, often," said Harry quietly. + +"Then you told me you had not, and I begged your pardon for saying +things when I was cross. I know you well enough now; you can't keep up +anything of that sort--you get in a temper sometimes, but it's all +over soon and you shake hands, or even if you don't, it's soon all +right again and forgotten: but now you keep on talking about our not +being friends any more, and I'm sure there's something the matter. +Now, isn't there?" + +Harry nodded and looked gloomy as he went on cutting in the hard wood, +and spoiled the shape of the K he was carving. + +"What is it, then? Why don't you tell me?" + +"Don't want to make you uncomfortable." + +"Then it's something serious?" + +Harry nodded again. + +"You're not going away, Hal?" cried Phra excitedly. + +"It seems as if we'd better," said Harry gloomily. + +"No, that you shan't!" cried Phra angrily. "Who says that? I know; +it's your father's offended about something. But I won't have it." + +Harry smiled. + +"You're not king," he said. + +"No, but I shall be some day, and till I am, my father will let me +have anything I like, so long as it's wise and good. It's quite right +for you and your father to stay here, for it's doing you both good, +and us too. Father said only the other night that it was a grand thing +for the country to have wise Englishmen here to instruct us in +everything." + +"Do you think so, Phra?" + +"Of course I do. Why, look at last year, when that dreadful plague +came and the people were dying so fast till Doctor Cameron made them +keep the sick people to themselves, and had their clothes and things +burnt. Father always says he stopped it from going any further. It's +so with everything, if people would only learn." + +"But they don't like us," said Harry. + +"The sensible ones do. It's only the silly, obstinate, old-fashioned +folk who like to go on always in the same way, and who think that they +know everything and that there's nothing more to be learnt. Here's +something you never heard. Some of the other king's people put it +about last year that father was making poisons in his room so as to +kill the people." + +"Oh yes, I know it," said Harry bitterly. + +"And they say the bad diseases come in the cases father has from +England. I daresay they'll think that there's another plague come in +our case with the cricket bats and balls." + +"They do say so," said Harry. + +"How do you know?" cried Phra sharply. + +"Heard 'em." + +"When?" + +"Just now, when you were asleep." + +"Hah! Then that's it!" cried Phra; and it all came out. + +The Siamese lad heard his companion to the end with a look of haughty +contempt which made him look years older, and when he had finished he +said slowly,-- + +"Poor silly idiots! Those are the sort of people who would say that a +blowpipe was better than a rifle. What does it matter?" + +"Matter? Why, it is bad for you and your father to be friendly with +such people as we are." + +"How absurd!" cried Phra. "The weak, silly, ignorant people are so +stupid about things they do not understand." + +"But these were not common, ignorant people, but noblemen." + +"Very likely," said Phra, with a shrug of his shoulders. "It is as +father says: many of the old noblemen of the other king's party are +too proud to learn anything, and they pretend to believe he deals in +magic and is mad." + +"Yes, that's how they talked," said Harry. + +"Well, let them talk. I'm glad my father is so mad as he is, and wants +to learn all about the wonders of the world, and to get me to learn +them too. And I do like it, Hal; I'm ever so fond of learning about +all these strange things. Of course I like playing games, too, and +even your games that you teach us are wonderful and clever. Pooh! let +the silly people talk till they learn to know better." + +"But these men in the boat spoke threateningly of it all having an +end, just as if they meant to attack the King and drive us all away." + +"Bah!" ejaculated the lad. "Attack my father? Pooh! they dare not. +He's as gentle and kind as any one can be, but he can be angry too, +and when he is, he is very fierce and stern. He won't believe that any +one would dare to attack him. I don't believe it either." + +"But if you had heard those two men talk?" + +"Well, then I should have heard two men talk, that's all. What is +talking? A mere nothing." + +"But suppose they were to begin to act?" said Harry, who was looking +at his friend admiringly. + +"What do you mean--fight?" + +"Yes." + +"I hope they will not," said Phra rather sadly, "because it would be +so terrible. They would fight because they don't know better, and they +will not learn. But they would learn then when it was too late." + +"What would happen?" + +"A number of foolish people would be killed, and when those who began +the trouble were caught--" + +"Yes?" said Harry, for Phra had ceased speaking; "what would happen +then?" + +"They would have to die, too, and it seems horrible when the great +world is so beautiful and people might be happy." + +"Think the King would have them executed?" + +"Of course. He is all that is good and kind to everybody now, but if +the people rose against him, he would say, 'Poor blind, foolish +creatures! I must forgive them, for they don't know better; but the +leaders must suffer for leading them into sin.'" + +"And their heads would be chopped off?" + +"Certainly," said Phra coldly. "It would be for every one's good. But +don't look like that, Hal; we can't help the stupid people talking +foolishly. It does not matter to us." + +"But it does," said Harry. "It makes me think that we ought not to +stay." + +"Nonsense!" cried Phra. + +"Are you going to tell your father what the people are saying?" + +"No; why should I?" + +"I think he ought to know," said Harry. + +"I daresay he does know how people talk, but it does not trouble him. +They are foolish people who do not know he is the best king we have +ever had. Let them talk. There, I am going home now. You keep the +football." + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +THE NAGA'S BITE + + +Phra had not been gone long before Mr. Kenyon returned from his +business down in the port, and in reply to his question, "Anything +fresh happened, my boy?" Harry told him what he had heard, watching +his father's face intently the while. + +"Then you think it is very serious, father?" said Harry. + +"Do I, Hal? What makes you say that?" + +"You look anxious about it." + +"I was not aware that you were studying my face," said Mr. Kenyon, +smiling. "Well, it is serious news, and it is not serious, if you can +understand that. The words you heard were those of dissatisfied folk, +and these exist everywhere. Of course I have long known that the +common, ignorant people resent our being here a good deal, especially +the followers of the second king, as they call him; but most of the +people like us, and I find that they are very eager to deal with me in +business, trusting me largely with their goods, and quite content to +wait till I choose to pay them. That looks as if we have a good +character. Then, as regards our treatment in the place, you have never +found any one insulting or offensive to you." + +"No, father; every one is smiling and pleasant." + +"Of course. You need not trouble yourself about the disagreeable +remarks of a couple of malcontents." + +These words cheered Harry, whose young imagination had been piling up +horrors to come for the dwellers at the palace and the English people +who were near. + +Two days later, when he was a little higher up the river, a pleasant, +musical voice saluted him from the other side of a hedge. + +"What! going by without calling? For shame!" + +Harry turned through a gate and down a path to where a lady was seated +busy over some kind of needlework under a shady tree. + +There was something so pleasant in her smile of welcome that the boy +eagerly caught at her extended hand, before taking the chair that was +pointed out. + +"But that's the doctor's," he said. + +"Yes, but he is down the river in his boat, seeing some of his +patients. Have some fruit, Harry. All that basketful was sent us this +morning by one of Duncan's patients." + +"How nice! May I take that mangosteen?" + +"Take all," said Mrs. Cameron, for she it was. "The people are never +tired of sending us great pines and melons. They are so nice and +grateful for everything my husband does for them. I used to think it +would be very dreadful to come out here amongst all the strange, +half-savage people, as I expected they would be." + +"But they are not savage," said Harry. + +"Savage? No. They are as gentle and nice as can be. They seem to be +more afraid of us than we are of them." + +Harry feasted his eyes upon the sweet face and form of the graceful +English lady, and the sight seemed to bring up something misty and +undefined of some one who used to lean over his little bed at night to +press her warm lips upon his face, which was brushed by her long, fair +hair. + +It was a pleasant feeling, but sad as well, for the few moments that +the memory stayed. + +Then he had to answer questions as to why he had not brought his +friend with him, of the games he had been playing, about his +excursions; and he was in the midst of his answers when a quick step +was heard, and Mrs. Cameron sprang up. + +"Here is Duncan," she cried. + +"Hullo, Hal!" cried the doctor, entering; "here you are, then! Where's +the Prince?" + +"He has not been down to-day." + +"Oh, then that is why we are honoured with a visit, is it?" + +"I--I was not coming to see you to-day, was I, Mrs. Cameron?" said +Harry, colouring. + +"No, that is a fact," said the lady. "He was going right by, but I +called him in." + +"Ah, well, we will forgive you. Stop and have tea with us." + +Harry's acceptation showed that he was only too glad, and after the +pleasant meal in the verandah, there was an interesting hour to be +spent in the doctor's curious compound of surgery, study, and museum, +where plenty of fresh insects had to be examined. + +Mrs. Cameron displaying a bright, girl-like interest in everything, +till called away to give some instructions to her servants. + +"How Mrs. Cameron must help you, Doctor!" said Harry. "I did not know +that she was so clever at pinning out moths." + +"Look here," said the doctor sternly, "have you been saying anything +to her about what you told your father you heard said in that boat?" + +"Not a word, sir." + +"That's right. I'm glad of it; but I was afraid." + +"Oh, I shouldn't have thought of telling her." + +"I'm glad you have so much discretion, my boy. You see, ladies are +easily made nervous; and if my wife had heard all that, she would have +been fidgeting about it every time I was away, and of course that is +very often." + +"You don't think there is any danger, do you?" + +"Not the slightest, my boy; the people are all too friendly. It is +only a few discontented humbugs who are old-fashioned and object to +the King's ways." + +"That is what my father says," said Harry. + +"And that is what I say, so let's think no more about it." + +"There's Phra," cried Harry, starting up, as a long-drawn whistle was +heard. + +Harry ran out, and was going down to the gate, passing Mrs. Cameron, +who was walking back to her seat under the tree; but all of a sudden +she stopped short, tottered as if about to fall, and then stood there +with a ghastly face as white as her dress. + +It was a mere glimpse that the boy obtained, but it was enough to +check his hurried race for the gate. + +Something was wrong, he could not tell what; but the doctor's wife was +evidently in sore trouble, and he turned to go to her help. + +"What is the matter, Mrs. Cameron?" he cried; but she made no reply. +It was as if she had not heard him speak, and with head averted she +stood looking to the left in a singularly strained attitude, like one +striving to escape from something horrible, but whose feet were held +to the ground. + +In his excitement Harry ran round before her and caught her hand in +his, to find it icily cold; but she only uttered a gasping sound, and +still stared horribly and with convulsed face down to her left. + +Very few moments had elapsed from the boy's first taking alarm till he +now turned wonderingly to his right to follow the direction of Mrs. +Cameron's eyes, and then a horrible chill ran through him, and he felt +paralysed and helpless, for there, not six feet away, raised up on the +lower part of its body, was one of the most deadly serpents in the +world, its grey brown marked scales glistening as it played about in a +wavy, undulatory fashion, its so-called hood spread out showing the +spectacle-like markings, and its flattened head turned down at right +angles to the neck, with the forked tongue playing and flickering in +and out through the little opening in its jaws. + +The lower part of the creature was partly hidden by the flowers on a +dry bed, but the anterior portion rose fully three feet above the +plants, and the creature swung itself about and rose and sank as if +preparing for a spring upon the fascinated woman; for either from +horror or some occult power on the part of the deadly reptile, Mrs. +Cameron was perfectly helpless, and promised to be an easy victim to +the cobra when it struck. + +But Harry's stunned sensation of horror did not last; he stepped back +for a moment or two, looking sharply about for a weapon, but looked in +vain, for there was nothing near but a small bamboo stool. + +It was better than nothing. He caught it up by one leg, and raising it +above his shoulder he stepped quickly between Mrs. Cameron and her +enemy, prepared to strike with all his might, while the cobra's eyes +seemed to burn, and it drew back as if about to spring. + +At that moment, released from the influence of the reptile by the +interposition of Harry's body, the power of movement returned, and +uttering a low, sobbing cry Mrs. Cameron sank slowly to her knees upon +the ground, where she crouched, watching the movements of her +champion, but not daring to look again at the serpent. + +The sobbing cry behind him drew Harry's attention from his enemy for a +moment, but only for that space of time. Then he was once more on +guard, fully realizing the danger of his position, but so strung up by +the emergency that he felt not the slightest fear. + +Harry's was but a momentary glance back, but it was an opportunity for +the enemy. + +Quick as lightning it struck. There was the darting forward as of a +spring set free, the stroke and the rebound, and as the reptile was +about to strike again Harry delivered his blow, which crushed down the +hissing creature with such effect that the next moment it had writhed +itself out from among the plants, to lie clear to receive blow after +blow from the stool, till the latter flew into fragments, while the +cobra twined and twisted and tied itself into knots in its agony, +close to the lad's feet. + +He did not attempt to shrink away, only looked round for something +else to seize as a weapon, and then he stared strangely at Mrs. +Cameron, who had sprung up. + +"Harry! What is it?" she cried hoarsely. "Did it bite you?" + +"Don't know," he said, in a curious, husky voice. "I--I think so; but +I've killed it." + +"But where? Show me where?" panted Mrs. Cameron wildly. + +For answer Harry drew back the cuff from his right wrist, and held it +up. + +"There," he said. + +Without a moment's hesitation Mrs. Cameron caught the lad's hand and +arm and raised it to her lips, sucking the tiny puncture with all her +power, and then, as she withdrew her lips for a moment, she shrieked +out,-- + +"Duncan! Duncan! Help, help!" before placing her lips to the bite +again. + +"What's the matter?" cried Phra, running to them from the gate. "Mrs. +Cameron! Hal! What is it?" + +"Snake," said Harry faintly, just as Phra caught sight of the writhing +creature, struck at it, and watching his opportunity crushed its head +into the ground with his heel, the reptile in its dying agonies +twining tightly about his ankle and leg. + +Mrs. Cameron took her lips from the wound again, and her lips parted +to shriek once more; but her cries had been heard, and the doctor came +running down to her side. + +There was no need to ask questions--he saw what had happened at a +glance, and the dangerous nature of the wound was told by the swollen +shape of the snake's neck by Phra's boot. + +"Once more," he said to his wife; "then let me." + +As Mrs. Cameron pressed her lips to the wound, her husband snatched +the thin silk neckerchief Harry wore from his neck, twisted it up into +a cord, and tied it as tightly as he could round the lad's arm, just +above the elbow-joint. + +"Now let me come," he said sharply. "Run in, Mary; fetch basin, +sponge, water, and the caustic bottle." + +Mrs. Cameron was used to her husband's ways in emergencies, and +resigning the patient to his hands she ran off to the house. + +"Sit down here, Hal," said Cameron, "and keep a good heart, lad. I +daresay we shall take it in time." + +As he spoke he pressed the silent lad back into Mrs. Cameron's chair, +snatched off the jacket, tore open the shirt-sleeve, and then drew out +his pocket-book, from which he took a lancet. + +With this he scarified the tiny wound, making it bleed freely, before +placing his lips to it and trying to draw the poison away again and +again, while Phra stood close by, his face of a livid hue, and making +no offer of help on account of his position. + +For the serpent was still twined tightly about his ankle and leg, and +he felt sure that if he released the head from beneath his foot, the +reptile would strike again. + +By this time Mrs. Cameron was back with the various articles required, +and she knelt down with the basin in her lap as the doctor took a +little wide-mouthed bottle from her hand, removed the stopper, shook +out a tiny stick of white, sugar-looking crystal, and after moistening +the end, liberally used it in and about the mouth of the wound. + +"Hurt you, my boy?" said Cameron sharply, as Harry lay back, with his +eyes tightly closed. + +"Horribly," was the reply. "Feels like red-hot iron." + +"Do you good, boy. Act like a stimulus. Now, can you walk indoors?" + +"I think so." + +"One moment. You, Phra, run up and tell Mr. Kenyon to come here +directly." + +"No, no," cried Harry; "don't do that. It would frighten him." + +"He must be told, Hal, my lad. Go, Phra." + +The boy addressed pointed to his foot. + +"If I let its head go, it will sting," he said. + +"Oh, I see," said the doctor coolly, and taking a knife from his +pocket, he opened it, bent down, and with one cut passed the knife +blade through the cobra's neck, with the result that the long, lithe +body was set free, as if it had been held in its place by the position +of the head, and Phra's leg was released. + +But he took his foot very cautiously off the head, which even then +moved, as if still connected with the slowly writhing body, for the +jaws opened and shut two or three times, the vitality in the creature +being wonderful. + +But Phra did not stay to see. He stepped quickly to Harry's side and +caught his left hand, to hold it for a moment against his throbbing +breast, and then ran off as hard as he could go. + +Meanwhile, supported on either side by the doctor and his wife, Harry +was led into the former's room, the boy looking rather wild and +strange. Here he was seated upon a cane couch, while a draught of +ammonia and water was prepared, and held to him to drink. + +"Not thirsty," he said, shaking his head. + +"Never mind; drink," cried the doctor, and the lad hastily tossed off +the contents. + +"Nice?" said the doctor, with a smile. + +"Horrid; like soap and water," replied Harry. "May I go to sleep?" + +"Yes, for a time, if you can." + +"But I say, look here, Doctor; when father comes, don't let him be +frightened. I'm not going to be very bad, am I?" + +"I hope not, Hal. You see, we have taken it in time." + +"That's right," said the boy, with a deep sigh, and he closed his eyes +at once and let his head subside on the pillow, sinking at once into a +kind of stupor, for it was not like sleep. + +"Oh, Duncan," whispered Mrs. Cameron, as soon as she felt satisfied +that the patient could not hear, "surely he will not die?" + +"Not if I can help it, dear," he replied. "That was very brave of you +to suck the wound. It may have saved his life." + +"Poor, brave, darling boy!" she cried, bursting into a convulsive fit +of sobbing, as she sank in her husband's arms, utterly giving way now. +"He saved me from the horrible reptile, and was bitten himself." + +"Ha! God bless him for it--and spare his life," added the doctor to +himself--"that was it, then?" + +"Yes, dear," sobbed Mrs. Cameron; "I was going back to take up my work +when I heard a rustling sound among the flowers, and looking round I +saw the horrible thing dancing and waving itself up and down as they +do when a snake-charmer plays to them. I couldn't stir; I couldn't +speak. I seemed to be suddenly made rigid; and then it was that Harry +saw the state I was in, and came to my help." + +"What did he do?" said the doctor, as he tried to calm his wife's +hysterical sobs. + +"Ran between me and the snake, and struck at it when it darted itself +out. It would have bitten me, for it was gradually coming closer to +me, and--and--and--oh, it was so dreadful, Duncan dear! I seemed to +have no power to move. I knew that if I ran off I should be safe, but +I could not stir, only wait as if fixed by the horrible creature's +eyes--wait till it darted at and bit me." + +"And Harry dashed in between you?" + +"Yes, dear. He seized the little bamboo stool, and struck at it. Oh, +Duncan! Duncan! Don't let him die!" + +"Let him die, my dear?" said the doctor, drawing in his breath. "Not +if my poor knowledge can save him. But I have great hopes that your +brave thoughtfulness will have had its effect. Now go and lie down a +bit till you have grown calm. This terrible business has unhinged +you." + +"No, no, dear; let me stay." + +"I dare not, my dear. You are weak and hysterical from the shock, and +I must keep the poor boy undisturbed." + +"You may trust me, dear," said Mrs. Cameron; "I am better now. There, +you see I am mastering my weakness. I will master it, and be quite +calm, so as to help you to nurse him and make him well." + +"May I trust you?" + +"Yes, yes, dear." + +"But suppose he is very, very bad?" whispered the doctor. + +"I will be quite calm and helpful then. Afterwards I will not answer +for myself." + +"Then stay," said the doctor, who examined his patient as he lay +there, looking strange and completely stupefied. + +"Raise him up a little," said the doctor, after he had mixed some more +ammonia and water; "I want him to drink this." + +Mrs. Cameron's task was easy, and there was no trouble then in getting +the patient to drink, till the last spoonful or two, which he thrust +away. + +"It hurts me to swallow," he muttered, as if to himself--"it hurts me +to swallow." + +The doctor frowned, as he helped his wife to lower the poor fellow +down, and examined the wrist and arm, which were now becoming terribly +swollen and blotched. + +"Oh, Duncan!" whispered Mrs. Cameron, "can't you do something more?" + +"No," he said sadly; "one is fearfully helpless in such a case as +this. Everything possible has been done; it is a fight between nature +and the poison." + +"And there seemed to be no time before I was trying to draw it out of +the wound again." + +"It is so horribly subtle," said the doctor. "What you did ought to +have checked the action, but it is going on. I dread poor Kenyon's +coming, and yet I am longing for it. He cannot be long." + +"Duncan," whispered Mrs. Cameron, as she laid her hand tenderly upon +Harry's forehead, "are you sure that he cannot understand what we +say?" + +"Quite." + +"You said the poison was subtle; will it be long before the effect +passes off?" + +"No," replied the doctor; "the danger should be quite at an end before +an hour is passed. Subtle? Horribly subtle and quick, dear. I have +known poor creatures die in a quarter of an hour after being struck. +Hist! I can hear Kenyon's steps in the garden. Go to the door and +bring him in." + +Mrs. Cameron went out softly, but returned with Phra. + +"Is Mr. Kenyon coming?" + +"He went down the river in his boat, Michael says, and will not be +back till evening." + +"Tut--tut--tut!" ejaculated the doctor. + +"How is he?" whispered Phra. + +"Bad; very bad," replied the doctor. + +"Oh!" cried Phra, in agony. "But you are curing him, Doctor Cameron?" + +"I am doing everything I possibly can, Phra." + +"Yes, I know; and you are so clever. It is all right, and he will soon +be better." + +The doctor groaned, and bent over his patient, exchanging glances with +his wife--looks both full of despair. + +Phra stepped to the doctor's side, and caught him fiercely by the arm. + +"You frighten me," he whispered excitedly. "Don't say he is very bad!" + +"Look," said the doctor sadly, and he pointed to the horrible +appearance of his young patient's arm. "It is of no use to disguise +it, Phra: the poison of these dreadful reptiles is beyond a doctor's +skill." + +"But do something--do something!" cried Phra angrily. "You are only +standing and looking on. You must--you shall do more." + +Mrs. Cameron rose and took the lad's hands, drawing them aside. + +"Be patient, Phra," she whispered. "My husband is doing everything +that is possible." + +"But it is so dreadful," cried Phra. "I saw some one die from a +snake-bite, and he looked just like that. But there was no doctor +then. Can't he do something more?" + +Mrs. Cameron shook her head. + +"You know how clever and wise he is, Phra. We must trust him. He knows +what is best." + +Phra groaned, and sank down despairingly in a chair; but he started up +again directly. + +"Shall I fetch my father? He is very wise about snake-bites. He would +come for Hal." + +"He could do nothing," said the doctor gravely. "Be silent, please; I +am doing everything that is possible." + +Phra frowned on hearing the imperative way in which the doctor spoke, +but he did not resent it. He merely went on tip-toe to the head of the +couch, and knelt down there, watching every movement on Harry's part, +though these were few. + +From time to time the doctor administered ammonia, but it seemed to +have not the slightest effect: the swelling went on; the skin of the +boy's arm grew of a livid black; and the mutterings of delirium made +the scene more painful. + +And so three hours passed away, with no sign of Mr. Kenyon, no token +given that the danger was nearly passed. + +Every one was indefatigable, striving the best to render Harry's +sufferings lighter; but all seemed in vain, and at last, as she read +truly the look of despair in her husband's face, every palliative he +administered seeming to be useless, Mrs. Cameron, after fighting hard +to keep back her grief, threw herself upon her knees by the side of +the couch, and burst into a hysterical fit of sobbing. + +This was too much for Phra, who, to hide his own feelings, hurried out +into the garden, unable as he was to witness Mrs. Cameron's sufferings +unmoved. + +And now in his utter despair the doctor made no effort to check his +wife's loud sobs, feeling as he did that they could do no harm; and +after attending to his patient again, he was about to walk to the +window to try and think whether there was anything else that he could +do, when to his astonishment Harry opened his eyes, stared round +vacantly, and said in sharp tones,-- + +"Yes! What is it? Who called?" + +The doctor was at his side in an instant, and caught his hand. "Harry, +my lad," he said, "do you know me?" + +The boy stared at him strangely, but he had comprehended the question. + +"Know you?" he said. "Yes; why shouldn't I know you? What a ridiculous +question! But--Here, what is the matter with that lady? Is it--is +it--? My head aches, and I can't think," he added, after looking +wonderingly about. "What has been the matter? Doctor Cameron, has some +one been ill?" + +"Yes, some one has been very ill," said the doctor, laying his cool +hand upon the boy's forehead and pressing him back upon the pillow. + +"Some one has been very ill! Who is it? Can't be father or Mike. Why +am I here? I'm not ill. Here, something hurts me, doctor--something on +the wrist. Just look; it hurts so that I can't lift it." + +The doctor took hold of the frightfully swollen arm, and made as if +examining the injury, saying quietly,-- + +"Oh, it's only a bite; it will be better soon. I'll put a little olive +oil to it. Will you get some, my dear?" + +Mrs. Cameron rose from her knees quickly, and hurried out of the room, +keeping her head averted so that Harry should not see her face. + +He noticed this, and his eyes filled with a wondering look. "I don't +understand it," he said. "I'm not at home." + +"No," said the doctor quietly. "You are here, at my house." + +"Of course; and that was Mrs. Cameron who went out to get the oil, +and--" + +He stopped short, and looked about him for some moments. Then in a +puzzled way:-- + +"There's something I want to think about, but I can't." + +"Don't worry about it, then. Lie still till you can." + +"Yes, that will be the best way. Ah! here she is." + +Mrs. Cameron was back with the oil, and he made her lips quiver, and +she had hard work to keep back her tears, as he said,-- + +"That's good of you to fetch it. Thank you, Doctor. What was it bit +me? One of those big mosquitoes? Ah!" + +He uttered a wild cry, and his face grew convulsed with horror. + +"What is it, my dear boy?" said the doctor. + +"I know now," he said, in a low, passionate, agitated voice. "It has +come back. The snake! I was bitten by that snake!" + +"Yes, my boy, but the effect is all passing off," said the doctor +soothingly. + +"No, no; you are saying that to keep me from thinking I shall die of +the bite, and--" his voice sank to a whisper, as he murmured +despairingly, "Oh, father, father! what will you do?" + +"I am not cheating you, Harry," said the doctor, leaning over him; "it +is the simple truth. You were bitten by the virulent reptile; but +fortunately we were close by, and the poison has yielded to the +remedies." + +"Ah! you gave me something?" + +"We did, of course," said the doctor gravely, giving his wife a +glance. "You have been delirious and insensible, but the poison is +mastered, and you have nothing to do now but get well. Thank God!" + +The boy took the last words literally. He closed his eyes, and they +saw his lips move in the silence which lasted for some minutes. + +Then he opened his eyes, and spoke quite naturally. + +"I can recollect all about it now. But tell me, are you sure Mrs. +Cameron was not hurt?" + +"Hurt? No, Harry," said that lady, taking his hand, to press it to her +lips. "I have you to thank for saving my life." + +He imitated her action, and said with a smile,-- + +"No, no. Doctor Cameron would have cured you as he did me. But ugh! +what an arm!" he cried, hastily drawing the sleeve over the +discoloured, swollen skin. "I say, doctor, it won't stop like that, +will it?" + +"Oh no, that will soon pass away." + +At that moment Phra's piteous face appeared at the window, looking +inquiringly in, for he had been puzzled by the voices he had heard; +and as soon as he grasped the state of affairs, he uttered a wild +cry,-- + +"Hal!" + +It was as he rushed in through the window and dashed across the floor, +to pretty well fling himself upon his companion. Then, with simulated +anger, to choke down the burst of sobs striving for exit,-- + +"Oh, you wretch!" he cried, "to frighten us all like that! Doctor, +what doesn't he deserve!" + +"Rest and quiet, Phra, my lad. Steady, please; he is a bit weak yet." + +"Yes, I understand. But oh, Hal, old chap, old chap! you have made me +feel bad!" + +"So sorry," said the boy, "and so glad you all felt like that. But, +Phra, I want you to do something." + +"Yes, what is it?" cried Phra eagerly. + +"I want you to go up to our place and wait till father comes back. +Then tell him I'm better. I shouldn't like him to hear I had been +bitten by a naga without knowing the whole truth." + +"Yes, I'll go," cried the boy, pressing his friend's hand. "But tell +me first, doctor: he is ever so much better?" + +"Quite out of all danger now," was the reply, and Phra started off, +but only to find that he was too late, for before he had gone a +hundred yards he met Mr. Kenyon and Mike, running. + +"Ah!" cried the merchant wildly, catching Phra by the arm, "tell me +quickly--the truth--the truth." + +"Better; getting well fast," said Phra quickly. + +Mr. Kenyon stopped short and laid his hand to his breast, and stood +panting for a few minutes before speaking again. + +"Mike told you as soon as you came ashore, then?" + +"No, he came down the river in a boat to fetch me, as soon as he heard +the news. But come, quick, I must see for myself!" + +As Mr. Kenyon entered the room the doctor and his wife just said a +word, and then went softly out, Phra grasping the reason and following +them into the garden. + +"Yes, I see," he said softly; "to let them be alone." + +They all three turned down one of the paths amongst the thickly +planted bushes, and then stopped short in wonder, for there just +before them was Mike, crying like a child, and wiping his eyes. + +He was aware of their presence, though, almost as soon as they were of +his, and making a pretence of mopping his face with the handkerchief +he held, he hurried up. + +"Awful hot, sir," he said. "You want me?" + +"No, not yet," said the doctor, ignoring the tears; "but in two or +three hours I think we can get your young master home. I think you had +better see about a palanquin and bearers by-and-by. Or perhaps you +might as well go now, and tell the men to be here in two hours' time." + +"Yes, sir; of course, sir, but--er--" + +"What is it?" said the doctor. + +"Could I just go and say a word to the young master, sir?" + +"I think not now, Mike. His father is with him, and we have left them +so that they might be alone." + +"Of course, sir, and quite right too," said Mike. "I'll be off at +once, sir; but it is amazing hot." + +Mike hurried away, and as soon as he was out of hearing Phra said +quickly,-- + +"See how he'd been crying, Mr. Cameron?" + +"Yes, Phra." + +"That's because he liked our Hal so. Every one likes Hal." + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +SUL THE ELEPHANT + + +"Bother the old cobra! Don't say any more about it; I hate to hear the +thing mentioned. Well, there, quite well, thank you; how do you do?" + +"But you might tell me, Hal." + +"Why, I am telling you. I'm quite well again." + +"Don't you feel anything?" + +"Oh yes, just a little; my arm feels pins-and-needlesy, just as if I +had been to sleep on it in an awkward position; and it looks as if it +was turning into a snake." + +"What, twists and twines about?" + +"No--o--o--o! What nonsense! How can a thing with stiff bones in it +twist and twine about? I mean, the skin's all marked something like a +snake's; but Dr. Cameron says I need not mind, for it will all go off +in time. Oh, I am so sick of it all! I wish I hadn't killed the +snake." + +"What!" cried Phra. + +"No, I don't quite mean that, because of course I'm glad to have +killed the horrible, poisonous thing; only it's so tiresome. That's +nearly a month ago, and everybody's watching me to see how I look, and +asking me how I am, and you're about the worst of the lot." + +"It's quite natural, Hal." + +"Is it? Then I wish it wasn't. I suppose it's quite natural for Mrs. +Cameron to begin to cry as soon as she sees me." + +"It's because she feels grateful to you for saving her life." + +"There you go again," cried Harry peevishly. "Saving her life! Oh, how +I wish I hadn't! Everybody will keep telling me of it, and one says it +was so good of me, and another calls me a brave young hero; and just +because I hit a snake a whack with an old bamboo stool. It's +sickening." + +Phra laughed heartily. + +"You're not sorry you saved her life." + +"Will you be quiet?" cried Harry angrily. "Saved her life again. +Everybody's telling me of it. Of course I don't mean I'm sorry, but I +wish somebody else had done it. Ah! you, for instance," cried the boy, +with one of his old mirthful looks. "Ha, ha, ha! Poor old Phra! How +would he like it? every one calling him a brave young hero!" + +"I shouldn't mind it once or twice," said Phra thoughtfully. "But +after that I suppose it would be rather tiresome." + +"Tiresome!" cried Harry. "It sets your teeth on edge--it makes you +squirm--it makes you want to throw things that will break--it makes +you want to call names, and kick." + +Phra roared. + +"Ah, you may grin, my lad, but it does." + +"It would make me feel proud," said Phra. + +"That it wouldn't. You're not such a silly, weak noodle. It would make +you feel ashamed of yourself, for it's sickly and stupid to make such +a fuss about nothing. No, don't say any more about it, or there'll be +a fight." + +"I say, Hal," cried Phra. "I shall be glad when you are quite well +again." + +"I am quite well again. Look here, I'll race you along the terrace and +back." + +"No, it makes one too hot. But you're not quite well yet." + +"I am, I tell you. Do you want to quarrel?" + +"No, but that proves you are not." + +"How? What do you mean?" + +"You get cross so soon. It's just as if that snakebite--" + +"Don't!" roared Harry. + +"Turned you sour and acid." + +Harry did not resent this, but remained silent for a few moments. + +"I say," he said at last, "is that true?" + +"What?" + +"About me turning sour and acid?" + +"Oh yes; you get out of temper about such little things. I'm almost +afraid to speak to you sometimes." + +"Hi! Look at him! There he goes. One of those little monkeys. He heard +me shout. How he can jump from tree to tree! I wish we were as active. +There! He can't jump to that next tree. He'd fall down. Well! Look at +that. Why, it was a tremendous jump." + +"We were here just right," said Phra; "he was coming after the fruit, +and we scared him." + +Harry was silent, and walked on by his companion's side in the +beautiful gardens of the palace. Then he began to whistle softly, as +if he were thinking. At last he broke out with-- + +"Oh, what a lovely garden this is! I wish my father was a king, and I +was a prince, and all this was ours." + +Phra threw himself down on the grass beneath a clump of shrubs and +began to laugh heartily. + +"What are you laughing at?" said Harry angrily. + +"You. Why, you wouldn't like it half so well as what you have now." + +"Oh, shouldn't I! I know better than that." + +"No, you don't, Hal. That is all my father's, and it will be all mine +some day; but I like being at your place ever so much better than +being here." + +"You don't. Nonsense!" + +"I do, I tell you. Your little garden's lovely, and the dear old +landing-place is ten times nicer than our marble steps." + +"You've been out in the sun too much, Phra, and it has turned your +head." + +"That it hasn't. And as to your father being king, he'd soon be very +tired of it, as my father is; for it's all worry and care." + +Harry had thrown himself sprawling on the grass beside his companion, +and the boys were both silent for a while, as if listening to the soft +cooing of one of the beautiful little rose and green doves which +frequented the garden. + +"It's very curious," said Harry at last. + +"What is?" said Phra wonderingly. + +"That the poison of that snake--such a wee, tiny drop as got into +me--should have such a droll effect." + +"I don't see anything droll in it," replied Phra. + +"I do," cried Harry. "Here, only a little time ago I was the jolliest, +best-tempered fellow that ever lived." + +"Ho, ho, ho!" laughed Phra. + +"Well, so I was," cried Harry indignantly. + +"When you weren't cross." + +"Oh, I say, I never was cross; but I'll own to it now. I've often +thought about it lately. You're quite right, Phra; the least thing +does put me out now, and I feel as if I must grind my teeth together. +Think it is because of the poison?" + +"Of course it is. But never mind. I don't, because I know why it is." + +"I have been very cross, then, sometimes, have I?" + +"Horrid!" cried Phra, laughing. "You've been ready to call the sun +names for shining, and the wind for blowing. You can't think how cross +you've been." + +"I can guess. It's what Dr. Cameron calls being a trifle irritable. +Hullo! here's one of your fellows coming. Looks just as if he were +going to spear us both for being in the King's garden." + +A handsome, bronze-skinned guard stalked up and bowed to Phra. + +"What do you want?" asked Phra. + +"The hunter, Sree, asks to see the Prince," replied the man. + +That was enough. There was neither irritability in Harry, nor thought +of the heat in Phra, as they sprang up and made for the outer court, +where they found Sree sitting upon his heels, calmly meditative over +his thoughts, but ready to spring up on seeing the two lads approach. + +He saluted them after the country fashion, and in reply to the +question asked by both together,-- + +"I came to see if the young Sahib Harry was well enough to go out, and +the Prince would go with him." + +"Of course I'm well enough," cried Harry. "I say, Sree, have you seen +any cobras since that one bit me?" + +Phra turned sharply round, with his face full of the mirth he tried to +hide. + +"Yes, I know what you mean," cried Harry sharply. "I shall talk about +it myself, though, if I like. Have you seen any, Sree?" + +"Just one hundred and seven, Sahib," said the man. + +"A hundred and seven!" cried Harry. "What, about here?" + +"About the different houses and landings, Sahib," replied the old +hunter. "They like to get near to where people live, because of the +little animals that come too." + +"I shouldn't have thought that there were so many for miles and +miles." + +"Oh yes, Sahib; there are many nagas about." + +"You must have seen the same ones over again," said Harry. + +"No, Sahib; it was not so, because I killed as many as I said." + +"Killed them!" + +"Yes, Sahib; when I knew that you had been bitten, I felt that I must +have been neglectful, and I set to work seeking for nagas with my two +men, and we killed all those. You see, it is easy. When you find one, +there is sure to be its husband or its wife somewhere near." + +"Then you killed all those because I was bitten?" said Harry. + +"Yes, Sahib, and we are going to kill more. They are dangerous things. +Would the Sahib like to go out to-day?" + +"Yes, we should; shouldn't we, Phra?" + +"Yes, if you--" + +Phra got no farther, on account of the sharp look Harry darted at him. + +"Have you anything particular you have tracked down?" + +"I have done nothing but hunt nagas lately, Sahib, because I did not +know when the Sahib would come again; but the jungle is full of wild +creatures, and the river the same. Would Sahib Harry like to go right +up the river in a boat, or would he like a ride through the jungle +with an elephant?" + +"What do you say, Phra?" asked Harry. + +"We had a boat out last time," said Phra. "Which you like, though." + +"But could you get an elephant? Would your father--" + +"Of course," said Phra eagerly. "How soon shall we go?" + +"I should like to go directly." + +"Then we will go directly. I'll order an elephant to be brought round +at once." + +He went towards the palace, and Harry followed him with his eyes. + +"It's nice," he thought, "to be able to order everything you want like +that. To tell the people to bring round an elephant, just as I might +give orders for a donkey. Well, it's just the same, only one's bigger +than the other, and costs more to keep. It is nice, after all, to be a +king or a prince. Phra says it isn't, though, and perhaps one might +get as much fun out of a donkey, and if he kicked it wouldn't be so +far to fall." + +He turned suddenly, to find that the old hunter's eyes were fixed +sharply upon him. + +"Does the young Sahib feel any pain now from the snake-bite?" + +Harry frowned at the allusion, but the question was so respectfully +put that he replied quietly,-- + +"A good deal sometimes, Sree, but my arm is better." + +"Be out in the sun all you can, Sahib, and let the hot light shine +upon it to bring life and strength back to the blood." + +Harry nodded. + +"There is death in the serpent's poison, but life in the light of the +sun, Sahib. Sree's heart was sore within him when he heard the bad +tidings, for he feared it meant that the young Sahib's days were at an +end." + +"But you never came near me, Sree, while I was bad." + +"But I knew, Sahib, and I was busy--oh, so busy! One hundred and seven +of the little wretches." + +"Oh yes," said Harry, "I had forgotten that. But come along; the +Prince is coming out again." + +By the time they reached the court Phra was there, with men carrying +out guns, belts, and flasks, with net-bags to hold anything they might +shoot; and before this was quite done a peculiar scrunching sound was +heard, and directly after the prominent fronted grey head of a huge +elephant appeared, as the great quadruped came on, walking softly, and +swaying its long trunk from side to side, while upon its neck sat a +little ugly man not bigger than a boy, hook-speared goad in hand, and +with his legs completely hidden by the creature's great, leathery, +flap ears. + +"You've got the biggest one, Phra," said Harry. + +"Yes, he takes longer strides, and I like him; don't I, Sul?" said the +lad, giving the _u_ in the animal's name the long, soft sound of +double _o_. + +The elephant uttered a peculiar sound, and twining his truck round +Phra's waist, lifted him from the ground. + +"No, no, I am going up by the ladder," said Phra, laughing, and at a +word the huge beast set him down again, and raised his trunk to +receive a petting from Harry, who was an old friend. + +It seemed strange for the great beast with its gigantic power to be so +obedient and docile to a couple of mere lads, and the insignificant +mahout perched upon its neck. But so it was: at a word the elephant +knelt, a short, bamboo ladder was placed against its side, and the +boys climbed up; the guns and ammunition were handed in by Sree, who +was particular to a degree in seeing that everything was placed in the +howdah that was necessary; and then he took his own place behind the +lads. + +Without being told, a couple of the men drew the ladder away, and the +mahout grasped his silver-mounted goad, all attention for the word. + +Phra gave this, and then it was like a boat mounting a wave and +plunging down the other side, as the elephant rose, and without +seeming to exert itself in the least, began to shuffle over the +ground. + +"Just like two pairs of stuffed trousers under a feather bed," as +Harry termed it. + +Sree gave the mahout his directions, and very soon the river was left +far behind, and they were following one of the elephant tracks through +the wooded district which lay between the river and the jungle +proper--the primitive wild, much of which had never been trodden by +the foot of man. + +Here the trees had gone on growing to their full age, and fallen to +make way for others to take their places, the roots of the young +literally devouring the crumbled-up touchwood over which they had +spread their boughs, while creepers and the ever-present climbing and +running palm, the rotan, bound the grand, forest monarchs together, +and turned the place into an impenetrable wild, save where the wild +elephants had formed their roads and traversed them even to taking the +same steps, each planting its huge feet in the impressions made by +those which had gone before. + +"Are we going to begin shooting at once, Sree?" asked Harry. + +"No, Sahib; not here. Too many people have been about, and everything +is shy and hides. Wait till we get into some of the open places in the +wild jungle." + +This was while they were in the more open woodland; but soon this was +left behind, and they were in the twilight of the great forest, going +through a tunnel arched over by big trees, and with very little more +than room for their huge steed to pass without brushing the sides. + +Every here and there the gloom was relieved by what looked like a +golden shower of rain, where the sun managed to penetrate; but, as +soon as this was passed, the darkness seemed deeper than before. + +The first part of this savage wild lay low, and the huge footprints +made by the wild elephants were full of mud and water; but Sul did not +seem in the least troubled. According to the custom of his kind, he +chose these holes in preference to the firm ground between, his feet +sometimes descending with a loud splash a couple of feet or so, and +being withdrawn with a peculiar _suck_, while the huge beast rolled +and plunged like a boat in a rough sea. + +"Do you mind this?" said Phra, turning to his companion, as they were +shaken together. + +"No; I like it," replied Harry. "I say, what a place this must be for +the big snakes, and how easily one might dart down half its body and +twist round one of us. Don't you feel a bit scared?" + +"No; but I heard of a hungry one doing that once. I daresay we should +know if one was near." + +"How?" + +"The elephant seems to see and know whenever he is near anything +dangerous." + +"Oh, only when there is a tiger or buffalo, Phra." + +"This one notices everything, doesn't he, Sree?" + +"Yes, Prince; he is a wonderful beast," replied the hunter, who, in +spite of the rolling about, had carefully charged the four guns that +had been brought, and replaced them lying upon the hooks within the +howdah, ready to be seized at a moment's notice. + +"We shan't see anything here," said Phra. + +"Too thick," replied the hunter; "but there are plenty of beasts on +either side now. In an hour though we shall reach a part where the sun +can shine through." + +"Hist! Something before us," whispered Phra stretching out his hand +for a gun, an act imitated by Harry; for the elephant had suddenly +stopped, thrown up its trunk, and as it gave vent to a rumbling sound +which ended in the loud, highly-pitched cry which is called +trumpeting, it shook its head from side to side, striking the branches +with the ends of its long, sharp-pointed tusks, which were hooped in +two places with bands of glistening silver. + +"You had better take a gun too, Sree," said Harry, in a low voice, and +the old hunter eagerly availed himself of the permission. + +"Mind not to hit the mahout," whispered Phra, for the little turbanned +man kept on anxiously looking back; "and you had better be looking +out, Hal, for Sul may spin right round and run away." + +They sat watching and listening for some minutes, expecting moment by +moment to see the cause of their stoppage approaching along the dusk +tunnel, and at last, as the elephant ceased to make uneasy signs, Sree +handed the gun to Harry. + +"What are you going to do?" asked the latter. + +"Slip down, Sahib, and go forward to see what startled the elephant." + +"Is it safe?" + +"Oh yes, Sahib; I should run back if there was danger, and you would +fire over my head." + +"But you had better have a gun." + +The old hunter smiled, and the next minute, he had lowered himself +down by the ropes which held on the howdah, reached up for the gun, +which was handed down to him, and they saw him go slowly forward, +carefully examining the pathway, which fortunately was here fairly +free from water, though the earth was soft enough to show the +footprints of whatever had passed along. + +As if fully comprehending what all this meant, the great elephant made +a muttering noise, lowered its trunk, and of its own choice continued +its march, following close behind Sree, till the latter began to move +more cautiously; and now the elephant raised its head again, and +curled its trunk up, throwing it back towards its forehead. + +"Means a tiger," whispered Harry. + +"Yes; look at Sree. Be ready to fire." + +Harry's heart beat fast, and he sat there with his gun-barrels resting +on the front of the howdah, ready to fire if the great cat came into +view. + +The elephant was shifting its weight from foot to foot, giving itself +an awkward roll that would be rather bad for a marksman; but otherwise +it made no further uneasy signs. + +"Tiger," cried Phra, and Sree nodded sharply, before running some +little distance on in a stooping position, displaying the activity of +a boy, till he was nearly out of sight; but before he was quite so he +turned sharply and ran back, stopping about a dozen yards in front of +the elephant's head. + +"Look, Sahibs," he said, pointing down, "tiger. He came out of the low +bush just on your left, and trotted along to here, and then crossed to +yonder, twenty paces farther, where he went in among the trees on your +right." + +"Come back, then, and mount," said Harry anxiously. "The brute may be +crouching somewhere ready to spring on you." + +"No, Sahib," said the man, smiling; "he has gone right away." + +"How can you tell that?" asked Harry. + +"Look at Sul, Sahib. He would not stand quietly like that if the tiger +was near." + +"Yes, that is right," said Phra quietly, and he bade the mahout tell +the elephant to kneel. + +"Couldn't we follow and get a shot at it?" said Harry excitedly. "No, +no, of course not in a place like this," he hastened to add, for +unless the path was followed it was next to impossible to move. + +The next minute the elephant had knelt, and Sree had scrambled back to +his place behind the howdah. + +"As there was one here, there may be his mate, Sahib," he said; "so we +will keep a good look-out." + +"Yes, of course," said Harry, as the elephant strode along quietly +enough; "but I say, Phra, we did not come out after tigers, did we?" + +"No, but by accident we are where we may get one. Did you find the +pugs as easily as this, when you were out with my father that day?" + +"No, Sahib; it was all hard work, and very few footmarks to be found." + +"Did you bring us this way hoping that we might shoot a tiger?" + +"No, Sahib; I brought you along here so that you might shoot a deer +for us to take back. I would not purposely take you where there are +tigers; but if we have one tracking us, of course we must shoot, +unless you would like to go back." + +"Ask the Prince if he would," said Harry. "I mean to go on." + +"Go on, of course," said Phra. "I don't think we shall see any more +signs of tigers." + +And, in fact, they went right on now along this winding tunnel through +the jungle without seeing anything, and hearing nothing but the +shrieking of parrots now and then, far above their heads, where the +tops of the trees spread their flowers or fruit in the bright +sunshine, but produced semi-darkness in the jungle beneath. + +At last, though, the path grew drier and drier and it was evident that +they were ascending a slope, which being pursued for another quarter +of an hour, they had the satisfaction of noting that the trees were of +less growth, and every now and then there were rays of light streaming +down, till all at once there was a patch of bright sunshine right in +front, showing that comparatively open ground lay before them; while +directly after Harry had a glimpse of something dusky fifty yards +away, there was the sound of a rush and the breaking of twigs, and +then all was silent again. + +"Buffalo, wasn't it?" said Phra. + +"Yes, Sahib," replied the old hunter. "Scared away; but they may +return. There were four of them. Be ready, for they might come back +and charge at the elephant, big as he is." + +But no more was seen of the game they had disturbed, and a few minutes +later they were out in full sunshine, the track before them being a +wide expanse of park-like ground extended on either slope of a valley, +through which a stream ran, half hidden by overhanging bushes and +reeds. Here and there the sun flashed from the running water, but for +the most part the stream was invisible. + +When they broke out of the jungle they entered a dense patch of grass, +which immediately found favour with the elephant, and it began tearing +it up in bundles as large as its trunk would embrace; but this +enjoyment was stopped at once, for at a word or two from Sree, the +mahout started the animal onward, uttering mild remonstrances the +while. + +"We will keep along here on the slope, Sahibs," said the hunter. "Be +quite ready to fire." + +It was an unnecessary order, for both boys were keenly on the +look-out, while as soon as he had got over his disappointment at not +being allowed to tuck small trusses of the succulent grass into his +capacious maw, Sul showed how well trained a hunting elephant he was, +taking up the beating in the most matter-of-fact way, and as if +thoroughly entering into the spirit of the chase. + +"What shall we get along here, Sree?" asked Harry, as they rode on, +with the long grass and bushes rustling and snapping about the +elephant's feet. + +"Who knows, Sahib? Perhaps pig, which will make for the low ground +yonder by the stream, or peacock, and they will rise and fly to our +left for the shelter of the jungle. Maybe it will be a buffalo, who +will charge us, and then it will be better that I should fire too, for +the great obstinate brute ought to be stopped before it reaches Sul. +He would take the buffalo on his tusks, but these beasts are so strong +that he might be hurt, and that would be a pity; it makes an elephant +unsteady." + +"I thought you said we might get a deer," said Phra. + +"It is very likely, Sahib," replied the man. "Who knows what we may +find in such a beautiful hunting-country, where no one disturbs the +beasts? Ah, look!" + +For at that moment Sul uttered a warning sound which can best be +represented by the word _Phoomk_, and stopped short, but without +curling up his trunk out of the way of some charging enemy. + +The boys raised their guns to their shoulders, and waited for a chance +to fire, but there was nothing seen save the waving and undulating of +the long grass to their left, as if something were making for the +jungle--something long, like a gigantic serpent. + +"Shall I fire?" said Phra. + +"It is of no use, Sahib," replied Sree; "the cover is too deep." + +"What is it?" said Harry hoarsely--"a boa?" + +"No, Sahib; a little troop of small monkeys following an old one. They +have been down to the water to drink, and they are running back to the +jungle trees." + +"Oh, we don't want to shoot them," said Harry; "go on." + +The elephant obeyed a touch from the goad, and shambled along, making +the long grass swish, while he muttered and grumbled as if +dissatisfied at there being no firing. But before they had gone a +hundred yards farther he gave warning again, and almost at the same +moment there was a loud grunting, a rush to the right, and two reports +rang out as both boys fired. + +This was followed by a sharp squeal, but the undulation of the grass +did not cease, and from their position high up the two lads caught +sight from time to time of the blackish-brown backs of three or four +good-sized pigs. + +"We hit one," cried Harry excitedly. "Send Sul on. It must be lying +dead." + +"No, Sahib," said Sree. "You hit one, but they have all gone off." + +"How do you know? Perhaps one is lying there in the long grass." + +"No, Sahib," said the man; "you would have seen it struggling, and +heard its shrieks. A pig makes much noise. But I saw the one hit, and +it only gave a jump. You both fired the wrong barrels." + +"What!" cried Phra, examining his gun, with Harry following suit. + +"The right barrels are for shot, the left barrels for ball," said Sree +quietly. "Those shot would kill a peacock, but only tickle the thick +skin of a wild pig." + +"How stupid!" said Harry. "I never thought of that. Here, load again." + +He handed his gun to the hunter, and took up another from the hooks +inside the howdah, while Sul went on, muttering to himself, but there +appeared from the sound to be more satisfaction in his remarks at the +efforts made, though there had been no result. + +So comical was all this that the boys laughed heartily, and there was +a grim smile on Sree's countenance. + +"It seems so droll," said Phra merrily. "It is just as if he knew all +about it." + +"He does, Sahib," said the hunter. + +"Nonsense!" said Harry. + +"The Sahib has not seen so much of elephants as I have," said the man +respectfully. "He believes that I have learned much about the wild +creatures of the jungle?" + +"Oh yes, you have, Sree; but I can't believe elephants understand what +we are doing." + +"The wild elephant is one of the wisest of beasts, Sahib, and he would +never be caught, he is so cunning, if it was not that we cheat him by +sending elephants that we have trained to the herd to lead others into +traps. And when they have got them there, do they not beat them and +hold them till they are noosed and their spirit is conquered?" + +"Oh yes, they do all that." + +"And many other things," said Sree, "that I have seen with the Sahibs +in India, where they move and pile the trees that are cut down, and +lift guns; and what beast will obey its master better than an +elephant? Old Sul here is very wise, and knows a great deal." + +"Yes," said Harry, "but not to understand what we say." + +"But he knows what the order means, Sahib; and see how he enjoys the +hunting." + +"Yes, Sul really does like hunting, Hal," said Phra. + +"And it is not only elephants that like hunting," continued Sree. "See +how the horses and dogs love the hunting in India, and the horses the +pig-sticking. I have seen them enjoy it as much as the Sahibs. They +never want the spur, but go wonderfully fast, as soon as they see a +fierce, wild boar. Ah, Sahib, animals are wiser than we think, and +love us back again if we love them. Old Sul here loves me better than +he does his driver; but I am afraid of him. He loves me too well." + +"That sounds funny, Sree," said Harry. "What do you mean?" + +"He likes to show me how much he loves me by rubbing up against me; +and if he tries to do that when he has me by a tree or one of the +palace walls, I am obliged to be quick and get under him; he is so big +and heavy. But here is your gun." + +Meanwhile the object of these remarks had been forcing his way through +the grass and bushes, winking his little red eyes as if enjoying the +conversation, and flapping his great ears, his absurdly small tail +whisking about and making dashes at troublesome flies, while his great +trunk seemed to possess an independent existence, twining and waving, +swaying this way and that, and never for a moment still. + +But all the while the great, sensible creature was intent upon the +object in hand, pushing steadily forward through the dense growth, and +starting numberless occupiers of the long grass--snakes, lizards, +rats, and mice, scurrying away to avoid the pillar-like legs which +invaded their home. + +"Don't seem as if we are going to have much sport," said Harry at +last, "and it's precious hot out here." + +The words had hardly passed his lips when Sul uttered a deep grunt and +stood fast, for he had startled a small deer from its lair, the +graceful creature making a sudden bound into sight close to the +elephant's feet, and then going right forward in a succession of +leaps, so that its course hindered the boys from firing until it had +gone forty yards, when both guns rang out sharply, Sul remaining firm +as a rock. + +"Hit!" cried Sree, for the deer fell heavily, struggled in the thick +growth for a few moments, then gained its feet and made another bound +into sight--a bound which paralysed the arms of the two lads and made +them hold their breath, for as the deer made what was veritably its +death leap, something of a tawny yellow and brown mingled made a +tremendous bound on to it, bringing it down among the bushes with a +dull, crashing sound, and then all was still. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +THEIR FIRST TIGER + + +Though the two boys seemed to be turned to stone, others were active +enough. + +Sree leaned over the back of the howdah and took the boys' guns from +their hands. "Quick, Sahibs!" he cried; "take the other guns and be +ready." + +The boys obeyed mechanically, while Sree began to re-charge the empty +barrels, calling to the mahout to turn the elephant and go back. + +But Sul had ideas of his own in connection with elephant-hunting, and +absolutely refused to obey that order even though it was emphasized +with the sharp goad. + +Understand or no, according to Sree's theory, he had sense enough to +decline doing what many of his kind would have done under the +circumstances--to wit, turning tail. For Sul seemed to know that +though his insignificant tail with its tuft at the end was a +formidable weapon to deal with teasing flies, that end of his person +was absurdly useless for fighting tigers, whereas his other end, when +his trunk was thrown up out of the way, with its two sharp-pointed +clear lengths of ivory, was about the most formidable object the +great, ferocious cat could encounter. + +Consequently, as soon as in obedience to Sree's orders the goad was +applied, Sul uttered a shrill remonstrance, curled up his trunk, threw +his head from side to side, and then as if declaring that he didn't +care a _sou_ for the biggest tiger that ever grew, he trumpeted out +defiance and began a performance that was wonderfully like his idea of +a war dance, which threatened to shake the occupants out of the +howdah. + +"Turn him back and get away," cried Sree angrily, in the Siamese +tongue. + +"Says he won't go and wants to fight," replied the mahout. + +Sul uttered a fierce cry, and ceasing his dance opened his ears +widely, and began to advance. + +"You must turn him back," cried Sree excitedly, as he finished ramming +down bullets in every barrel. + +"I can't," came back from the mahout, in a helpless tone. + +"Never mind," cried Harry; "let's go on," and he changed his gun for +one that had been reloaded. + +"But it is too dangerous for you, Sahibs," cried Sree. "It is a big +tiger. Do you hear me? Turn the elephant back." + +"No," said Phra hoarsely, as he stood up in the howdah. "I say he +shall go on." + +Sul trumpeted again, while Sree rammed down bullets in the other guns, +and in answer to the elephant's challenge the hidden tiger uttered a +deep, muttering roar. + +"We can't help ourselves, Hal," said Phra through his set teeth. "We +must go on." + +"Yes," replied Harry, cocking both barrels of his gun; "I wouldn't +have tried for it, but we must hunt this beast." + +There was only one way of avoiding the encounter, and that was by +sliding off over the elephant's tail, which would have been a far +wilder proceeding. But this neither of the boys had the slightest +inclination to do, for the elephant was still moving cautiously +forward, and fully realizing now that there was nothing to be done but +to assume the offensive, Sree became silent, contenting himself with +cocking both the guns he held and standing ready either to hand them +to the boys or fire himself. + +Harry, too, set his teeth as he looked over the elephant's flapping +ears towards the spot where he knew the tiger must be crouching upon +the stricken deer, and while, step by step, as if to give his masters +the opportunity of using their deadly weapons Sul slowly advanced, the +tiger raised its head from its prey and uttered a warning roar to +frighten the elephant back. + +"Oh, if he would only show himself!" thought Harry. + +But the elephant did not respond to the threat by turning back, for he +meant to fight, and was ready to impale his enemy should he get a +chance; and to this end he still went on, till all at once, about a +dozen yards from his head, the tiger leaped up into sight and stood +lashing his sleek, glistening sides as if to add to the number of +stripes with his tail. + +The words were on the old hunter's lips, "Fire, fire!" but before they +were uttered two reports rang out, there was a terrific, snarling +yell, and the tiger leaped high in the air and then dropped back, +crouching out of sight. + +"Good, good!" whispered Sree, and forgetting entirely now all about +the objections to the boys joining in a tiger hunt, he was about to +bid the mahout advance. But the order was unnecessary. Sul was as +eager as the boys, and he moved steadily on, while the latter leaned +forward, seeking for the first sign of the striped skin, so as to fire +again. + +They had not long to wait, for Sul had advanced but very few yards +before with a terrific roar the tiger rose and leaped forward. + +The sudden advance checked the elephant, which stopped short, giving +the boys a steady shot each, but without the slightest effect upon the +tiger, which made two or three bounds and then launched itself at the +elephant's head. + +But Sul was ready for it, and caught the savage brute on his tusks and +threw it back as easily as a bull would toss an attacking dog. + +Cat-like, the tiger fell upon its feet, and crouched to spring again, +but before it could launch itself forward a couple more shots cooled +its savage ardour, and it crouched down, turned its head, and bit +angrily at one shoulder, from which the blood was starting. + +Sul seized the opportunity and rushed forward to crush his enemy +beneath his feet. But wounded though it was, the tiger was aware of +the attack, and leaping aside let the great animal thunder by, and +then, following quickly, made a tremendous leap and lighted on the +elephant's hind quarter, holding on by tooth and nail. + +Sul uttered a terrific blast and continued his course, shuffling along +at a tremendous pace, forcing those who rode in the howdah to think of +nothing but preserving their position and keeping the guns from being +shaken out. But at the end of a few moments the peril in which Sree +stood came strongly to Harry's attention, for the man could do nothing +but hold on by the back of the howdah, after thrusting the gun he had +been loading, forward by Phra's side. + +It was a perilous task, and required plenty of nerve, but Harry +mastered his shrinking. He glanced over the back of the howdah, to +find himself face to face with the tiger, whose wildly dilated eyes +seemed to be blazing with rage, and for a moment or two he shrank +away. + +But recovering himself a little he made sure of the gun he held being +cocked, and catching tightly hold by the side of the howdah, he rested +the gun-barrels on the back, holding the stock as if it were a pistol. + +But now he was so insecure that he felt as if at any moment he must be +pitched over backward on the tiger, and firing seemed quite out of the +question. + +Still it had to be done, and he knew that he must do it, and at once. + +Dropping on his knees, he shuffled himself close to the back, bringing +himself so near to the tiger that as he reached over with the gun he +could touch the savage brute with the muzzle. + +He knew that if he stopped to think he should not dare to do it, while +as he leaned over he was saluted by a savage roar, and the tiger began +to claw its way up to leap at him. + +But there was not time, for Harry rested the muzzle of his piece +between the creature's eyes, feeling it pressed back towards him. Only +for an instant, though, for he drew trigger, there was a roar mingled +with the sharp report, and with one spasmodic movement the tiger +gathered itself up almost into a ball and fell back among the long +grass, where it lay writhing in agony. + +The effect on Sul was immediate. He stopped short and swung round, +nearly throwing his riders off as he ran back to where the tiger lay, +and drove one tusk through the monster, pinning it to the ground, with +the result that the beast writhed a little, and then stretched itself +out, dead. + +"Yes, he is dead enough, Sahib; but Sul has made a dreadful hole in +his skin." + +This was after Sree had slipped down from the back of the elephant, +and walked close up. + +"Make quite sure," said Harry, who with Phra was looking on. + +"There's no doubt about it, Sahib. You made sure with that last shot +in his head. Feel if he's dead, Sul," he said, in the Siamese tongue. + +The elephant grunted and muttered, and seemed for a time unwilling to +withdraw his tusk; but he evidently understood the order, and at last +backed a little, the action dragging the tiger with him, till he gave +his head a shake, and the body dropped off. + +After this the elephant cautiously walked over the prostrate foe, and +kicked it to and fro from one foot to the other, before feeling it all +over with his trunk, and then standing panting with exertion, and +breathing hard. + +"Get off and help see to his hurts," said Sree to the mahout, who +ordered the elephant to kneel, and then climbed along his back by +holding on to the sides of the howdah, till he reached the places +where the tiger's teeth and claws had been struck into the thick hard +skin. + +Some nasty places had been made, but there was nothing serious the +matter. All that was necessary was to keep the ever-active flies away, +and this was done by some very rough but effective surgery, consisting +in filling up the wounds with mud, the elephant grumbling and +muttering, but evidently appreciating the treatment, keeping perfectly +still the while. + +"Poor old chap!" said Harry, who had dismounted to examine the dead +tiger and pet the elephant by stroking his trunk. "But what about +getting the game home?" + +"I shall begin skinning it at once, Sahib," said Sree quietly; "but I +want you to get back into the howdah and keep a good watch. This +fellow has very likely a companion somewhere near, and she may come +and attack us." + +"Think so?" said Harry. + +"Oh yes," interposed Phra; "it is very likely. But I say, Hal, we're +not going to have our prize skinned yet." + +"No, that's what I thought. We must take it home for every one to see. +Sul would carry it home on his back." + +"I don't know; he has never been taught; but we'll try." + +He spoke to Sree, who looked doubtful, and in turn consulted the +mahout before saying more. + +"Sul is such a big, noble animal, Sahibs," he then said, "that he has +never been set to carry dead game, that has always been done by a +little pad elephant; but he is so wise that he may be proud of +carrying back the great tiger he has killed. I am going to try him." + +The boys smiled at each other, and were amused to see the old hunter +go with the mahout to the elephant and bring him up to the dead tiger, +which he began to touch with his trunk, ending by taking a turn round +the animal and drawing it along a little way. + +After this he stood quietly enough while the ropes were unlaced from +the howdah ready for hoisting the tiger on to the elephant's back. + +"We shall not be strong enough to get it up, I'm afraid," said Sree +thoughtfully. + +"Look here," said Harry; "there is a great tree with strong branches +yonder; make Sul drag the tiger under one of the big boughs; then we +can throw the rope over and make him stand underneath, haul the tiger +up, and lower it down." + +Sree smiled, for the knot which had puzzled him had been untied. + +The mahout was brought into requisition, and at the word of command, +just as if he fully understood the business required of him, Sul took +a turn of his trunk round the tiger's neck and dragged it through the +long grass right beneath the great tree, one of the many dotted about +park-like on the slope. + +The rest was easy. The rope was fastened round the tiger's hind legs, +the end thrown over a horizontal branch, and then the willing hands of +all four drew the savage brute up some fifteen feet. Here the crucial +time came, for there was a doubt still whether Sul would now submit to +the huge cat being lowered down upon his back. + +But as it happened he placed himself quietly enough where his mahout +directed, and the tiger was lowered down, after which Sree climbed up +and with the mahout's assistance they laid the body right across the +back of the howdah. Then the latter, which had been in a very +tottering condition, was carefully secured by its rope, all mounted +again in triumph, and the journey back was commenced, Sree carefully +seeing to the reloading of the guns and placing them ready, before +settling down to his place in the howdah, for he had to sit on the +dead tiger and keep it from shifting to right or left. + +They had not gone far on their return journey before the old hunter +uttered a warning which made the boys catch up and cock their guns, in +spite of the determination they had come to of not firing any more +that day. + +"Are you sure?" said Phra. "Sul has not made any sign." + +"No, Sahib," replied Sree; "he did not see her, because he has been +walking nearly all the time with his eyes turned back to watch the +tiger; for though he is very good, I am sure he does not like having +the wicked wretch upon his back." + +Five minutes later they drew near the spot where the old hunter had +caught a glimpse of a striped side crossing the track they had made in +coming, and proof of the keenness of Sree's observation was given, the +elephant throwing up his trunk and trumpeting uneasily. + +"It's this wretch's wife, Sahibs," said Sree. "She has been hunting, +and is coming back." + +"Will she attack us?" said Harry, cocking his gun, and feeling quite +ready now for another shot. + +"No, Sahib, I think not. Tigers are very cowardly till they are hurt; +then they are blind and mad in their rage, and will rush at anything. +No; perhaps she may understand that it is her mate that we have here, +and follow us; but I do not think she will attack." + +"Old Sul does not think so," said Phra. "Look at him, how he keeps on +turning his head from side to side, and how high he carries his +trunk." + +It was plain enough that the great animal was growing more and more +uneasy, necessitating constant talking to on the part of the mahout, +who spoke sometimes caressingly, at others angrily, and using his goad +afterward, as he threatened tremendous punishment and deprivation of +all good if his charge did not behave. + +"He thinks old Sul means to rush off home as hard as he can go," +observed Phra. + +"And if he does he'll soon waggle the tiger off his back, won't he, +Sree? The tiger must come off if Sul rushes away?" + +"I fear so, Sahib. Ah, the tigress must be very near now. Look at +Sul's ears." + +"She must be slinking along through the grass on this side," said +Harry. + +"Yes, Sahib; that is where she is, but I don't think she will attack +us." + +"Shall we send a shot or two in amongst the grass?" said Phra. + +"No, Sahib; that would make her come on, and one tiger is enough for +to-day." + +"Yes, quite," said Phra. "Let's go faster and see if the tiger will +stop on." + +He said a word or two, and the mahout spoke to the elephant, who +wanted no urging, but stretched out in that long, shuffling movement +which seems nothing, but goes over enough ground to make a horse use +plenty of speed to keep up with it. + +But it seemed as if the tigress must still be near, for Sul's trunk +formed a curve high in the air, and his ears stood out at a fierce +cock, while it needed all the mahout's attention to keep the great +creature to one pace, for without the check of the hooked goad he +would have gone off at a frantic rate. + +For the first few hundred yards the attention of all in the howdah was +directed to the tiger, their expectation being that it would slip off +on one side or the other; but it was yet soft and yielding, and with +Sree's weight upon it the middle sank down lower and lower in the +howdah till the head and legs on one side, the hind quarters and long, +supple tail on the other, rose higher and higher in the air, and all +chance of its causing further trouble was at an end. + +It was not until the edge of the jungle was reached, where the +elephant path ended, that Sul's trunk had descended to its customary +pendent fashion, and his ears ceased to quiver and flap; but the +narrow track in the gloom seemed to be far more suggestive of danger, +and Phra suggested that Sree should change his position, kneel down, +and keep watch over the elephant's tail, in case the tigress should be +following still. + +"Yes, Sahib," said the man, and he at once did as was suggested; but +he observed before turning that he did not think there was any fear of +an attack in the rear. + +"Sul's senses are sharper than mine," he said, "and he would know if +we were being tracked." + +Sree was right, for there was nothing to cause alarm all the way back. +Monkeys were plentiful in one place, and whenever the party came upon +an opening, it was made beautiful by flower, bird, and gaily painted +insect. These had no charms for the hunters, though, with such a +trophy within touch, and at first all their conversation had a +connection with the great, white, china-like fangs of the monster, the +size of its claws, and the soft beauty and rich colour of its fur. + +But as they drew nearer to the end of their journey, with Sul +shuffling along at a sober but rapid pace, the conversation became one +in which the old hunter was not asked to join. + +For now misgivings began to arise as to the reception that might await +them when they reached their homes. + +"I know how it will be," said Harry; "father will have heard that I +have gone off with you on the elephant, and he will think that I have +wilfully disobeyed his orders and been tiger-shooting." + +"Why should he think that? You never do disobey his orders." + +"Don't I?" said Harry dubiously. + +"Never," cried Phra. + +"I don't know about that," said Harry. "I'm afraid I've gone very near +to it sometimes. But I will say I've always been very sorry +afterwards." + +"And owned to it?" + +"Oh yes," said Harry stoutly; "I've always owned up at once. Haven't +you?" + +Phra was silent. + +"Why don't you say yes?" + +"Because it wouldn't be true," said the boy, with a sigh. "I've always +wanted to, but sometimes I've felt afraid. You see, my father isn't +like yours." + +"He's a very nice old chap," said Harry. + +"Yes, of course; but he's a king, and kings can't do like other +people." + +"_I_ don't see why they shouldn't," said Harry; "but I say, suppose my +father is up at the palace, what are we going to do? You are sure to +catch it for taking the elephant." + +"That I'm not. Father said I could have one whenever I liked. I could +have three or four if I wanted them." + +"But not to go tiger-shooting. Oh, Phra, this has been wonderfully +jolly and exciting." + +"Splendid." + +"Well, splendid; but I am afraid we shall be in a mess." + +"We can't be if we speak out. I'm sure I can say honestly that I +hadn't the least thought of shooting a tiger when we set off; can't +you?" + +"No," said Harry bluntly. "I began to feel tigerish as soon as I got +in the howdah, and I couldn't think of anything else all the time. I +wasn't a bit surprised to see old Sul begin to show signs. No, I can't +say right out that I didn't think about tiger-hunting." + +"But we didn't go on purpose," said Phra. + +"Well, no," said Harry, hesitating, "not quite on purpose, but I +couldn't help wishing we might see one." + +"Well, you had your wish; but I wish we weren't so late." + +"It was all an accident, though," said Harry. "I say, Sree, wasn't it +all by accident that we came across a tiger to-day." + +"Yes, Sahib, quite an accident; but we have got one, and I feel very +proud of the way in which you two young gentlemen behaved. No old +tiger-hunter could have done better." + +"But I'm sure father won't like it." + +"He will know it was all as it happened, Sahib. You were obliged to +shoot the wicked beast. If any one is to blame, it is old Sul, for +forcing you to go on." + +"Ah, to be sure," cried Harry, laughing merrily. "It was all his +fault, Phra, and we'll say so." + +"Yes, it's all very well to say so," said Phra, rather gloomily; "but +will they believe what we say?" + +"My father will believe what I say," said Harry stoutly; "so will +yours." + +"I hope so," said Phra sadly, "but I don't feel sure." + +"I don't think the Sahib Kenyon can be angry," said Sree respectfully, +"because it is such a splendid tiger." + +"Why, that's just why he will be angry," cried Harry. "He'll be quite +furious with me for going out and getting a grand tiger like this when +he and the doctor went out as they did, and tried till quite late, and +never had a chance." + +"Well," said Phra philosophically, "we are very nearly home now, and +we shall see. But I wish we hadn't brought the tiger back." + +"I don't," said Harry. "It really was an accident." + +Very little more was said till they came in sight of the palace, where +something important was evidently going on, for they caught sight of +the glint of spears and a body of men. A minute later they saw a +couple of elephants, and directly after they made out that Mr. Kenyon +and Doctor Cameron were there. + +Then there was quite a scene of excitement, for some of those present +had seen them coming, and when the next moment some one caught sight +of the tiger, there was a tremendous shout. + +"Hal," whispered Phra, "my father found that we had gone out on an +elephant, with guns, and he has sent word to Mr. Kenyon and the +doctor, and ordered them to get ready." + +"That's it," cried Harry excitedly, "and they were coming in search of +us." + +"The King will be dreadfully angry," said Phra, "and say I disobeyed +his orders." + +"And my father will be quite awful," said Harry solemnly. Then +changing his tone and speaking with an assumption of lightness which +he did not feel, "I don't care; it really was an accident, and we're +in for it, and it can't be helped; but here, I say, Sul, you ugly old +double-tailed deceiver, do you know you've got us into an awful mess? +Sul, I say, do you hear!" + +And the elephant said,-- + +_Phoomk!_ + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +A YOUNG SAVAGE + + +The great elephant approached the group in the courtyard with slow and +majestic step, as if proud of the load he bore, and of now being +surrounded by a little crowd of spearmen, cheering and shouting +loudly. + +As they drew near, the two elephants that had been prepared, as was +rightly surmised, to go in search of the wanderers, challenged their +big companion loudly, Sul sounding his trumpet in reply, but without +allowing the excitement around to increase his advance in the +slightest degree. + +"The young rascals!" said the doctor to Mr. Kenyon. "It's a +magnificent tiger, apparently." + +"Yes, but Harry ought not to have done this," said Mr. Kenyon. "I am +disappointed in him." + +"Are you going to give him a talking to now? Rather awkward while he +is being made a hero of by the people." + +"I am going to wait till I get him home." + +"Well, I'm glad to see them safe back again," said the doctor. "I felt +certain that they must have met with some mishap. But it is hard that +we should be disappointed, and that they should have all the luck." + +"Hush!" whispered Mr. Kenyon, for the great elephant had knelt down +before the King, ladders had been placed by the attendants on either +side, the boys had descended, and helped by some of the men, Sree had +slid the tiger off, to be half borne, half dragged, to the King's +feet. + +But Phra's father did not even glance at it. He gave Harry an angry +glance as he approached with his companion, and then fixed his eyes +sternly upon his son, who bent down before him. + +"You know, sir," he said, in their own tongue, "that it is the duty of +my people to obey my commands." + +"Yes, father." + +"How can we expect them to do so when my own son sets my orders at +defiance? I told you I wished you not to go in chase of tigers, did I +not?" + +"Yes, father." + +"Who is to blame for this, you or your companion?" + +"Neither of us, sir," broke in Harry, in his blunt, English, outspoken +way. "We only went deer-shooting, sir; but the tiger charged us, and +of course we were obliged to shoot. Old Sul was most to blame." + +The King looked more stern that ever, all but his eyes, which refused +to keep his other features in countenance. + +"What have you to say, sir?" said the King, turning again to his son. + +"The same as Harry Kenyon, father," replied the boy. "The elephant +rushed at the tiger, which had struck down a deer we shot." + +"Where is the deer you shot?" said the King. + +Phra turned to Harry, for the deer had been quite forgotten, and Harry +turned to the old hunter, who was kneeling by the tiger. + +"Here, Sree," he cried, "what became of that deer we shot?" + +The man made a gesture with his hands, and shook his head. + +"We forgot all about it, sir," said Harry, laughing frankly. "We had +so much to do with killing the tiger and getting it on old Sul's back +that we never remembered it any more, did we, Phra?" + +"No," said the latter gravely. + +"It was all an accident, sir, indeed," said Harry, who was speaking in +English. "We were obliged to shoot, sir, really. I'm sure you would +have done the same if you had been there." + +"That is enough," said the King quietly. "I am glad to hear it was so. +It is a painful thing, Harry Kenyon, to feel that one's own son is not +to be trusted. Your father felt the same." + +"Oh, but he doesn't now, sir. Do you, father?" + +"No, Hal; I am quite satisfied." + +"A very fine tiger," said the King, going close up to the dead beast; +"a splendid specimen. Let it be carefully skinned, and the skin +properly dressed." + +Sree bowed his lowest, so that his forehead would have touched the +ground had not the tiger been there. As it was, he thumped his head +against the animal's ribs. + +"Who fired the first shot?" said the King, smiling. + +The boys looked at one another. + +"Both fired together, father," replied Phra. + +"Then you will give way to your friend, my son," said the King. "Harry +Kenyon, it is yours." + +Harry was about to protest in his blunt way, but his father was at his +elbow. + +"Silence!" he said softly. "Now your thanks." + +Harry obeyed, and the King turned to where the little party of English +people were standing. + +"I am glad it has turned out so well, Kenyon," he said gravely, and +with great dignity, as the eyes of all his people were upon him; "but +it is disappointing for you and the doctor to see these two boys have +such good fortune. You shall have another trial, and we must do away +with our objections now. I think the boys deserve to be admitted to +the ranks of tiger-hunters." + +"Oh!" ejaculated Harry, and the King turned to him. + +"You make a bad courtier, Harry," he said, with a very faint smile +upon his lip. "I feel that there is no one in my country less afraid +of me than you are." + +He saluted them, and making a sign to his son to follow, passed into +the palace, Phra giving his friends a quick nod of the head and a +smile, and then he was hidden from sight by the King's attendants. + +"Then we may go back home now, I suppose," said Mr. Kenyon. + +"Yes," replied the doctor, "and the sooner the better. As soon as the +sun goes in we seem to be in the shade. All is bright and warm while +the King is near, but when he goes every one seems to scowl." + +Mr. Kenyon gave his friend a meaning look as if saying, "No more now," +and laid his hand upon Harry's shoulder. + +"You have had quite an exciting time, then, Hal?" he said quietly, as +they walked away. + +"Oh, wonderfully, father," cried the boy. + +"Enjoyed yourself?" + +"Well, I don't know that it was enjoying oneself, but I liked killing +such a dangerous, mischievous beast." + +"And all the time the King and I were fidgeting ourselves and +beginning to think, as it grew so late, that some terrible accident +had happened to you." + +"It isn't so late as you and Doctor Cameron were that time." + +"Getting on to be, sir." + +"Don't you think that poor Phra and I were just as anxious about you +and the doctor, father?" said the boy mischievously. + +"No, indeed I don't," said Mr. Kenyon, laughing. "You are both too +thoughtless. And look here, young gentleman, you forget yourself +horribly. I never heard anything like it. You must not speak to the +King in that free and easy way, just as if he were your equal, before +all his people." + +"Free and easy?" said Harry, staring. "I thought I was speaking very +nicely, father." + +The doctor laughed heartily, and Harry's cheeks turned hot with +annoyance. + +"Why, what did I say that was wrong?" + +"It was not the words but the way, my boy," said Mr. Kenyon gravely. +"Of course one does not look upon the Prince of a barbaric country +like this as one would upon a European monarch; but in the presence of +his followers we must not forget that he is a king." + +"I did," said Harry frankly; "I felt as if I were speaking to Phra's +father and your friend." + +"Humph!" ejaculated Mr. Kenyon, as he glanced at the doctor. + +"That's right enough, Hal," said the latter; "but we must not presume +on the King's kindness to us." + +"No, of course not," said Harry thoughtfully. "I'll be more careful, +especially as some of the people seem to be jealous of our being so +much in favour." + +"That's right, Hal; be more careful, for all our sakes." + +"Do you think there is any danger, father?" said Harry. + +"Danger of what?" said Mr. Kenyon sharply. + +"Of the people turning against us and the King." + +"Hush! Mind what you are saying, my boy. No; I do not think there is +any real danger, and I feel that the best thing for every one is to +completely ignore the unpleasant looks we are getting now and then. We +are in the right, and I want for our conduct to be such as will gain +the respect of the people for our just consideration and honest +treatment of them." + +"But there is that second king--I say, father, it seems curious for +there to be a second king." + +"It is the custom of the country, my boy, and in every land there are +quaint fashions and I may say parties who are opposed to the ruling +power." + +"And jealous of the King?" + +"Yes, Hal, and of the people he favours." + +"That's not pleasant, father," said Hal sharply. + +"Not at all," replied Mr. Kenyon. "But I don't think it need trouble +us, for we are not arrogant to the people because we are in high +favour. I'm sure we do our best, eh, Cameron?" + +"That we do," said the doctor heartily. "As for me, I should be a rich +man if I charged ordinary fees for what I do." + +"Instead of getting disliked," said Mr. Kenyon. + +"Oh, but, father," cried Harry, "I know lots of people who almost +worship Dr. Cameron for what he has done for them." + +"Yes, Hal, and so do I; but unfortunately he offends the native +doctors through knowing so much better than they do, and curing +patients whom they have condemned to death." + +"It's a pity that people will be jealous of those who are more +clever." + +"It's a natural failing, Hal, my boy," said the doctor, laughing. "But +never mind; even those who dislike us are bound to pay us the respect +we have earned." + +"But you remember what I told you about the people talking in the +boat?" said Harry. + +"Perfectly." + +"You don't think that there will be a revolution, and an attack upon +the King and the English people, do you?" + +"No, Hal, my boy," said Mr. Kenyon; "I do not, so don't trouble +yourself about it. Let's change the conversation. I'm glad you are to +have the tiger's skin." + +"Yes; I don't think Phra will mind." + +"It is a beauty. Was he very hard to kill?" + +"Horribly, father;" and with plenty of animation the boy related their +adventure. + +"We're jealous now, Hal," said the doctor smiling. + +"I don't mind that a bit," said the boy. "You must do better, and we +two are to come next time you go." + +"Well, I suppose so," said Mr. Kenyon gravely. "By the way, Hal, you +had the chest of bats and balls. How did you get on? You tried +football in the field?" + +"Oh, it's a horribly hot, stupid game," said Harry. + +"Stupid?" cried the doctor warmly. + +"Yes; it's all one or the other. If Phra gets the ball, one does +nothing but run after him; and if I get the ball, he has to run after +me. And oh! wasn't it hot!" + +"When did you play?" said the doctor. + +"Oh, in the afternoon." + +"You are quite right, my lad," said the doctor drily. "A game at +football between two boys with the thermometer standing at over a +hundred in the shade, must be a very stupid game indeed." + +"Did you ever play it?" said Harry. "I think I've heard you say you +did." + +"Did I ever play it?" said the doctor scornfully. "I should think I +did, and with a couple of good teams. But the thermometer was not at a +hundred in the shade, but thirty-five or forty." + +"I wish you would play with us next time, Doctor," said Harry eagerly. + +"Thank you, my lad, but I would rather be excused." + +"Will you show us how to play cricket, then?" + +"Yes, but you must get up your two sides. Have you read up anything +about it in any book of games and sports?" + +"Oh yes, and it says you have eleven and an umpire on each side; but +that's nonsense, of course." + +"Kenyon," said the doctor with mock solemnity, "do you call this +bringing up an English boy properly? It sounds to me quite dreadful. +He talks like a young barbarian--as if he had never had any education +at all. What did you say, sir?" he continued, turning to Harry. + +"What about?" + +"There being eleven on a side, and that being nonsense, of course." + +"I said so," said Harry, who felt half amused, half annoyed. + +"Well, sir, I see that I shall have to take pity on you and young +Phra, and try to make up for your neglected education. We shall have +to make a cricket club, and petition the King for a cricket ground; +but I have my doubts about the game proving popular: the work will be +too hard." + +"But you will help us, Doctor?" + +"Yes, my boy, and I shall prescribe an occasional game for your +father. A little exercise will do him good." + +"A game of cricket?" said Mr. Kenyon, starting out of a fit of musing. +"Why, I haven't had a bat in my hand for twenty years! But I don't +know--well, yes--I might. I used to be a very tidy bowler, Cameron, +and perhaps my hand may be cunning still at delivering twists. But +under this tropical sun? Phew! I'm rather doubtful." + +"Never mind the doubts," said the doctor. + +"Here, hullo, my boy! where are you going?" cried Mr. Kenyon. + +"Only to try and see Phra." + +"What! to-night? Nonsense! I daresay he is with his father now, and +the news will keep." + +Harry looked disappointed, but he said no more, and directly after +they had to say good-night to the doctor. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +FOR THE JUNGLE, HO! + + +In due time the skin of the tiger, beautifully dressed, and with the +hole made by Sul's tusk so carefully drawn together that the fur +concealed the damage, was brought to the bungalow by Sree, who was +eager to go upon a fresh expedition; but another week passed away +before matters shaped themselves for this to be made. + +Matters had gone on as usual, and the insubordinate words used by the +occupants of the boat were half forgotten in the excitement of +religious fetes and illuminations with lanthorns along the river, +kite-flying, and discharges of fireworks, in the making of some of +which the people, who had learned the art of the Chinese, were adepts. + +These fêtes were wonderfully attractive to the two lads, who joined +in the processions for the sake of seeing all they could, the royal +boat in which they were rowed being one mass of coloured lanthorns +swinging from bamboo frameworks, and the effect with the lights +reflected in the glassy water was beautiful in the extreme. + +"I should enjoy it all so much more, though," Harry said, "if the +people would be contented with the bells and the music. They spoil it +all with so much gong." + +But the Siamese do not shine in music--at least to English taste. + +Phra came down to the bungalow some time or other every day, and as +often as not Harry returned with him to the palace; but he rarely saw +the King, who appeared to pass a great deal of his time in study. + +Not a day passed without the cricket implements being examined in +Phra's room. The bats were handled, the balls taken out of their +boxes, and sometimes a little throwing from one to the other, and +catching was practised. + +At another time the pads which had come with the rest of the things +were solemnly tried on, and the room promenaded. + +"They seem rather stupid things," said Phra. "I think they'd be best +for the football." + +"So as to save one's legs from kicks?" said Harry. "Yes, they wouldn't +be bad for that, but I suppose they're all right." + +"We look rather ridiculous in them, though, Hal." + +"Yes, I expect we shall be laughed at; but I don't care. The worst +thing about them is that they're so jolly hot. Now let's try on the +gloves." + +These were carefully put on, the boys' countenances being particularly +solemn as the long indiarubber guarded fingers were examined. + +Then a thought occurred to Harry, and he struck an attitude. + +"What do you say to a fight?" he cried. "We can't hurt one another +with our legs guarded and our hands in these gloves. Hit me, and I'll +hit you." + +"No," said Phra shortly; "I don't like fighting in play. It always +hurts, and then I get cross, and want to hit as hard as I can. I say, +though, we shall be hot in these leggings and gloves." + +"Look here," cried Harry; "we haven't seen these before." + +"What are they?" + +"Gloves, of course, all stuffed and soft. Here, let's look at the book +and see what it says about them." + +The book of games was examined, but they found no mention of the +wicket-keeper's gloves, but plenty of other information which was +puzzling. + +"It's all very well to call this thing a book of games," said Harry at +last, "but there doesn't seem to be much fun in it. It's as puzzling +as old Euclid with his circles and straight lines and angles. Here, +let's put all the things away. I can't understand. We'll make the +doctor show us; that's the easiest way." + +And so it was time after time, nothing more being done, for it was +decided that there should be no genuine commencement till the doctor +was ready, and though he was reminded pretty well every day he always +replied that he was not ready yet. + +"But there is no occasion to waste time," he said one day. "You boys +have the book, so you cannot do better than well study it up, rules +and all. Then you will thoroughly know how to play cricket; all you +will want is practice." + +"We shall have to study up the book, Phra," said Harry, after parting +from the doctor, "and I know it's going to be a hard job. But never +mind; when you've got to take physic, it's best to swallow it down at +once. Come along." + +Phra nodded, set his teeth hard, and they went up to the palace +through the hot sunshine, to enter its cool precincts and find Phra's +room refreshing in its semi-darkness after the glare without, where +Harry said it was hot enough to frizzle up the leaves into tea. + +The book was brought, cricket turned to, and they sat down side by +side with the book on the table. + +"Let's begin at the beginning, and go steadily through it," proposed +Phra. + +"No, no; we'll just skim it first." + +"Very well. What's this--popping grease? Why do they pop grease?" + +"'Tisn't! It's popping crease. 'The popping crease must be four feet +from the wicket, and exactly parallel with it.' Bother! I shan't read +any more of that. Parallel! Why, it's geometry. Look at something +else." + +"'The wickets must be pitched,'" read Phra. + +"What for? To keep off the wet, I suppose. No! It means pitched into +the ground, to make them stand up." + +"But I say, what a lot there is to learn here, Hal. See what names +they call the players by. Here's wicket-keeper." + +"That's the one who attends to the gate, I suppose." + +"Short slip." + +"What's he got to do?" + +"I don't know.--Point." + +"Oh, he's the man who keeps the stumps sharp." + +"No; he must be a good catcher," cried Phra, and he went on, "'Mid +wicket--cover point--leg--long stop--long slip--long field off--long +field on--changes of position--fielding.'" + +"Bother! Never mind about that," said Harry. "Look here; let's read +that bit, 'How to defend your wicket!' That ought to be interesting. +'The bifold task of the batsman.'" + +Bang went the book, as Harry shut it up. + +"What did you do that for?" cried Phra, staring. + +"Because it makes me feel so hot and stupid. I want to learn how to +play, and that's all puzzles and problems, and what do I care when I +go to play a game about parallels and bifolds? It's too hot here to +learn cricket from books. I say, what shall we do?" + +"Let's go to sleep," said Phra. + +"Bah! It's too lazy." + +"I don't think so," said Phra. "Every one goes to sleep here in the +middle of the day." + +"No, they don't. I never do." + +"Oh! I've seen you more than once when it has been very hot." + +"Well, it was an accident, then. It seems so stupid to go to sleep +when it's light. Here, come along out again, and let's try and find +old Sree." + +"Who's to find him? Why, he may be miles away in the jungle." + +"But I want him to arrange about going up a long way in a boat. Let's +go up that little river again, and see how far we can get. Look here, +I know what we'll do. We'll start as soon as it's light, and take +plenty to eat with us, and have the next size larger boat out, with +four men to paddle and four to rest, and then we can go right on." + +"You'd have Sree?" + +"Of course. He knows the way everywhere. He'd take us right up the +little rivers that branch off--I mean, where no one goes. There's no +knowing what we may find up there." + +"No. Sree says there are plenty of wonders; I've often longed to go." + +"Then we'll go now. We ought to have done so before. I should like to +go for a week," said Harry. + +"I don't think our people would like us to go for so long." + +"Oh, I don't know. Let's try. I tell you what; let's have a bigger +boat, so that we can sleep on board, and a man to cook for us. Then we +can live comfortably for a few days. Why, we should get a wonderful +lot of things for the museum." + +"It would be very nice," said Phra thoughtfully. + +"Nice? It would be grand. Here, I shall go home and speak to my father +at once." + +"Then I'll ask mine." + +"He'll say yes, because he'll think he can trust us. I say, Phra, I +wish we had thought of this before." + +The boys separated, and Harry did not feel the heat as he hurried home +to lay his plans before his father. + +"For a week?" said Mr. Kenyon, with a look of doubt. "That's a long +time, Hal." + +"Not for getting a good lot of things, father. You know, whenever +we've been up the river before, directly we have begun it has been +time to come back." + +"Yes," said Mr Kenyon thoughtfully, "and if you were up the jungle +river at daybreak you would have far better chances for getting scarce +birds, and it would be a most interesting experience for you." + +"Then you'll let me go, father?" cried the boy excitedly. + +"I must talk the matter over with the King first." + +"If he feels that you do not object, father, he is sure to say yes." + +Mr. Kenyon was silent and thoughtful, looking so serious that Harry +began to lose heart. + +"What are you thinking, father?" he said at last. + +"That it's a long time since I had a change." + +"Yes, father?" + +"That I have nothing particular to do." + +"Father!" + +"And that the doctor has been saying that he would like to make an +expedition up the country." + +"Then you think--" + +"Yes, Hal, I do think that I should like for the doctor and me to join +in your trip. It would only necessitate a larger boat." + +"Oh," cried Harry excitedly, "that would be splendid." + +"Better than you two alone?" said Mr. Kenyon quietly. + +"A hundred times better, father. But think of that!" + +"Think of what?" said Mr. Kenyon. + +"Doctor Cameron putting us off day after day because he had not time +to teach us cricket, when he can find time to go up the country." + +Mr. Kenyon smiled. + +"My dear boy," he said, "I do not wonder at his putting you off. +Cricket is not a very attractive game at this time of year, in a +country like this." + +"Never mind the cricket," cried Harry. "Look here, father, will you +go?" + +"I am very much tempted to say yes." + +"Say it then, father. I say, you'd take Mike, wouldn't you?" + +"Certainly; he would be very useful." + +"Here, I must go and tell Phra." + +"There is no need; here he comes." + +For the lad was crossing the garden, and as Harry met him with his +face lit up with excitement, Phra's countenance was dark and dejected. + +"It's all over, Hal," he said. "My father says it is out of the +question for us to go alone." + +"He said that?" cried Harry. + +"Yes, and that if your father and Doctor Cameron were going too it +would be different." + +"They are going too, lad," cried Harry, slapping him on the shoulder. + +"They--your father and Mr. Cameron?" + +"Yes; isn't it splendid?" + +"Here, I must go back at once," cried Phra, and, regardless of the +heat, he set off at a trot. + +Harry returned to the museum, where his father was seated. + +"Where's Phra?" said the latter. + +"Gone back to tell the King." + +"To tell him what?" + +"He said that it was out of the question for us two boys to go upon +such an expedition alone." + +"I expected as much." + +"But if you and the doctor had been going, it would have been +different." + +"Indeed?" + +"Yes, father. Poor old chap! he did look disappointed, till I told him +that you two were going, and he has gone to tell the King." + +"Tut--tut--tut!" muttered Mr. Kenyon. "What a rash, harem-scarem +fellow you are! You shouldn't have taken all I said for granted, sir. +Even if I fully make up my mind, we don't know that Doctor Cameron +would be able to leave." + +"But you said, father--" + +"I said--you said--look here, sir, you are far too hasty. The doctor +only said he thought he should go." + +"That's enough, father," said Harry, laughing. "As soon as he hears +that there is going to be such an expedition, do you think he will not +manage to go with it?" + +"Well, I must say I should be surprised if he did not come." + +"So should I, father. I say, it will be capital. The King is sure to +say yes now, and we can have the pick of his boats, and which men we +like. I say, I wonder whether we can get a man who will find old Sree, +because we ought to start to-morrow morning." + +"Stuff! Rubbish!" cried Mr. Kenyon, laughing. "If we get off in a +week, we shall do well. But I think I will go. I should be very glad +of a change. So you may go and see the doctor and chat the matter over +with him--not telling him that we are going, but that we are thinking +of such a trip. You can then hear what he says about it." + +"Go now, father?" + +"If you like." + +Harry did like, and was off at once, to find Mrs. Cameron under the +tree, as he had seen her on that terrible day, but with the doctor +seated back in another long cane-seated chair, fast asleep. + +"Doctor not well?" said Harry, after the customary salute. + +"Not at all well, Harry," said Mrs. Cameron, with a sigh. "He has been +working too hard lately over his native patients, and he is quite done +up. He must have a change." + +"That's what I've come about," said Harry excitedly, and he told her +what was proposed. + +"I should not like losing him for a week, but I think it would do him +a great deal of good." + +"Quite set me up, dear," said the doctor, opening his eyes. + +"Did you hear what I was saying, Doctor?" cried Harry wonderingly. + +"Pretty well every word, my boy. It will be the very thing for me, for +I am completely fagged. A long ride day after day up the river will be +rest and refreshment. But I can't take you, my dear." + +"I shall not mind, Duncan," said his wife. "Nothing could be better. +Yes, you must go." + +He sat up, and then sank back again, closing his eyes. + +"It is of no use to fight against it, Mary," he said sadly. "I am +doctor enough to thoroughly grasp all my symptoms. I really am +overdone, and there is nothing for it but to try change--such a change +as this. I wish it did not look like going for a thorough holiday and +leaving you behind. It does not seem right." + +"You will make me unhappy if you talk like this," cried Mrs. Cameron. +"How can you think I should be so selfish as to mind your doing what +is for your health?" + +"It will do him good, Mrs. Cameron," said Harry, who was not enjoying +the scene. + +"Of course," she cried. "You may go back and tell Mr. Kenyon that the +doctor will be delighted to make one of the party, for he wants a +change badly." + +"Look here, Harry; I don't think I ought to go," said the doctor. + +"He ought, Harry, and he shall," cried his wife. "You take that +message." + +"Harry, lad, this is a horrible piece of tyranny. I am not very well, +and my oppressor treats me like this. But there, it is of no use to +protest, so I give in. I'll come." + +Full of excitement, the boy hurried back to the bungalow to announce +the result of his visit, his father hearing him silently to the end, +and then looking so serious that Harry asked anxiously what it meant. + +"This is very disappointing, my boy," said Mr. Kenyon. "After you had +gone I began to be in hopes that the doctor would not go, and now he +says he will." + +"Yes, that he will, father." + +"Then I suppose we shall have to go. I don't know, though: there is +another chance, the King may refuse to sanction the journey, and of +course you would not care to go without Phra." + +"Well, no," said Harry, in a hesitating way; "it would not seem fair +to go without him. Ah, here he is.--Well, what does he say?" + +"That he thinks it will be a very interesting trip, and that he wishes +he could leave all the cares and worries of his affairs and come with +us.--My father says, Mr. Kenyon, that you are to choose whichever boat +will be best for the journey, and select as many men as you think +necessary, and store the boat with everything you want." + +"Then this means going," said Mr. Kenyon. + +"Of course, father. Shall we start to-morrow?" + +"Can we be ready?" + +"Can we be ready?" cried Harry scornfully. "What do you say, Phra?" + +"Oh yes, we can be ready, only what about Sree?" + +"I forgot old Sree!" cried Harry. "We must have him, and he's +somewhere up the jungle." + +"Yes," said his father, "we must have him with us; so I take it that +we may make all our preparations, but do not start till Sree returns." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +THE HOUSE-BOAT + + +The disappointment caused by the absence of the old hunter was +modified by the interest in the preparations. These filled the two +lads with excitement, for a journey into unknown parts in such a land +as Siam was full of the suggestions of wonders. + +The first thing seen to was the choice of a boat, the requirements +being that it should be light, strong, drawing very little water, and +well provided for the accommodation of fourteen or sixteen people, +with a fair amount of room, night and day. Then there would be boxes +containing stores for a week, cooking apparatus, and cases for +containing the specimens of all kinds that were to be saved. + +But in a country like Siam, where house-boats are necessities of +domestic daily life, there was little difficulty. One of the plainest +of the King's light barges was found to answer all the requirements +upon being provided with a few bamboo poles and an awning, so that the +forward part of the boat could be sheltered at night and during +storms, for the protection of the men. The central part was covered +in, according to the regular custom, with a bamboo-supported roof, and +matting curtains were so placed at the sides that the whole could be +turned into a comfortable cabin at night, while the after-part had its +matting cover that could be set up or removed at pleasure, this +portion being intended for the after rowers and servants. + +Boxes and chests were selected, filled, and placed on board. There +were loops for the guns and spears to be taken, and lockers for the +ammunition, and at last there seemed to be nothing more that could be +done, for the crew were selected by Phra, who had his favourites among +the King's servants, these including men who had never evinced any +dislike to the English and were always eager to attend to the wishes +of their young Prince. + +The time had passed so rapidly that it was hard to believe two days +had slipped away before everything could be declared to be in +readiness. But on the second evening nothing more seemed needed, and +it was felt that they might start at daylight the next morning. + +For the crew was on board to protect the stores and other things; even +the stone, barrel-shaped filter fitted in a basket cover--a clumsy, +awkward thing which the doctor declared to be absolutely +necessary--was on board. + +Harry had exclaimed against its being taken, and the doctor heard him. + +"Look here, young fellow," he said, "do you know what I am going up +the river for?" + +"A holiday, of course," replied Harry. + +"Exactly. Then do you suppose I want my holiday spoiled by being +called upon to attend people who are ill through drinking unwholesome +water?" + +"Of course not, sir; but would any one be ill?" + +"Every one would," said the doctor angrily. + +Harry thought this was a sweeping assertion, but he said nothing, and +the filter was placed astern. + +"I wish some one would knock it over," Harry whispered to Phra. "It +would go to the bottom like a stone." + +"Never mind the filter." + +"I don't," said Harry; "but I do mind about old Sree. Oh, don't I wish +I could have three wishes!" + +"What would they be? What's the first?" + +"I should have had that," said Harry. "Wishing to have three wishes." + +"Well, then, what would the second be?" + +"That the third might for certain be had," said Harry, laughing. + +"What would the third be?" + +"That old Sree would come here to-night." + +"You've got your wish, then," cried Phra excitedly, "for here he +comes." + +"No! Nonsense!" cried Harry, who felt staggered and ready to turn +superstitious. + +"He is here, I tell you. Look, talking to that sentry by the gate." + +"I say," said Harry, "isn't it rather queer?" + +"It's rather good fortune," replied Phra. + +"But after what we said." + +Phra laughed. + +"Why, you're not going to believe in old fables, are you?" + +"No, of course not; but it did seem startling for him to turn up just +as I had been wishing for him." + +"Nonsense. Why, I have been wishing for him to come every hour for the +last two days. Let's go and meet him. He's coming this way." + +In another minute they had leaped ashore, run up the stone steps of +the landing-place in front of the palace, and encountered Sree. + +"Here, I say, where have you been?" cried Harry. + +"I have been through the jungle and up towards the head of the little +river, Sahibs, so as to find out whether it is worth your going up +too." + +"Well, is it?" cried Harry. + +"Oh yes, well worthy," replied Sree. "No one ever goes there to hunt +or shoot, and the birds are very tame and beautiful, and the river +full of fish." + +"Fish!" cried Harry excitedly. "There, I knew we had forgotten +something, Phra. Fishing tackle." + +"Yes, we must take some." + +"I was coming to advise you to get a boat and go up there for two or +three days to shoot, fish, and collect." + +"Then you are too late, old Sree," cried Harry. + +"Too late, Sahib?" said the man, whose countenance looked gloomy from +disappointment. + +"Yes; we're going for a week in that big boat." + +"I am sorry, Sahib," said the man sadly. "I worked hard, and it took +long to get through the jungle, and I had to sleep in trees. The +Sahib's servant was not neglectful of his master. He is grieved that +he is too late." + +"Don't tease him, Hal; he doesn't like it. It hurts him. Never mind, +Sree; we wanted you to help, but everything is ready now." + +"I am glad, Sahib," said the man; "but I am sorry too, for I should +have liked to go as hunter with the young Sahibs." + +"Does that mean you can't go?" said Harry, laughing. + +"Not unless the young Sahib will take his servant," said the man +sadly. + +"Why, of course we shall take you," cried Harry, "and we are as glad +as glad that you have come. Here, let's go to the boat, Phra. I want +Sree to see everything, so as to say whether we ought to take anything +else." + +The old hunter brightened up on the instant, and hurried with the boys +to the boat, where for the next hour he was examining arrangements and +suggesting fresh places for some of the articles, so that they might +be stowed where they would be handier and yet more out of the way. He +was able to suggest a few more things too, notably a stout net to hang +by hooks from the roof of the cabin, ready to place specimens in to +dry, or hold odds and ends for common use; more baskets, and a coil of +rope, and a stout parang or two for cutting a way through creepers or +cane-brakes. + +At last, with a smile full of content, Sree announced himself as being +satisfied, and having received permission from Phra, took possession +of one corner at the back of the cabin, while Harry went to see the +doctor respecting starting quite early the next morning, and then +returned home. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +JUNGLE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS + + +The heavy dew lay thick on leaf and strand, and the sky in the east +was still grey, as the little party met at the landing-place, where +the men were on the look-out and ready for the start; while when they +pushed off and four oars sent the boat well up against the stream, +past the house-boats clustered against the farther shore, nothing +could have looked more peaceful and still. + +The men eagerly worked at their oars in their peculiar Venetian, +thrusting fashion, standing to their work; and it was a satisfaction +to see that, in spite of its size and load, the boat was wonderfully +light, and rode over the water like a duck. + +The calmness and peace of everything was most striking as it grew +lighter; and when the eastern sky began to glow, and the tips of the +towers and spires of the different temples became gilded by the coming +sun, both Mr. Kenyon and the doctor expressed their admiration, +declaring the King's city to be after all, in spite of its lying in a +flat plain, beautiful in the extreme. + +Then the sun rose, shedding its glorious light around and giving +everything a beauty it did not really possess. For sordid-looking +boats, with nothing but a few mats hung from bamboo poles, looked as +if they were made of refined gold; while the trees which fringed the +water, and hung their pendent boughs from the banks, shed a wondrous +lustre, as if flashing gems from every dewy leaf. + +The river too, in spite of its muddy waters, seemed more beautiful +than ever, and the boys were revelling in the new delight of their +journey up stream, when sundry preparations being made by Mike in the +extreme after part of the boat changed the bent of Harry's thoughts to +quite a different direction from that of admiring the beauty of the +scene through which they were passing. + +It was just as his father exclaimed,-- + +"Are you noticing how beautiful all this is, Hal?" + +"Oh yes, father, I've been looking at it ever so long. But when are we +going to have breakfast?" + +The doctor burst into a hearty fit of laughter, in which Phra joined, +and the boy seemed puzzled. + +"What is it?" he said, looking from one to the other. "Have I said +something queer?" + +"Very, Hal," said his father. "Getting hungry?" + +"I was--terribly," replied Harry uneasily; "but I don't feel so now. I +don't like to be laughed at." + +"It will not hurt you, my boy. As to breakfast, you will have to wait +an hour or so, till we turn out of the main stream. Then we must land +at the first opening, and have a fire made ashore." + +Harry nodded, and wondered how he should get over the time. + +There proved to be so much to take his attention, however, that he was +ready to wonder when the boat was run in between two magnificent +clumps of trees soon after they had turned off into the lesser river +and entered the jungle by one of its water highways. + +The men sprang out, and one made the prow fast by a rope, while others +scattered, parang in hand, to collect and cut up dead or resinous +wood, of which a heap was soon made and set alight, the air being so +still that the blue smoke rose up quite straight, to filter, as it +were, through the boughs overhead, the men feeding the flames +carefully till a good mass of glowing embers was produced. + +Over this sylvan fireplace Mike, with a cloth tied about his waist, +apron fashion, presided, and in a very short time had prepared the +coffee and taken it aboard. + +There had been no preparations--no hunting for provisions, to add to +the toothsomeness of the breakfast; but eaten out there in the open +boat, under the shade of the majestic trees, with the river gliding +by, the strange cries from the jungle heard from time to time, and the +attention of the lads constantly attracted to bird, insect, or +reptile, they were ready to declare that they had never enjoyed such a +breakfast before. + +"How grand it would be to live always like this!" cried Harry. + +"Beautiful," said the doctor; "especially in the rainy seasons, when +you could keep nothing dry and find no wood that would burn." + +"Yes," said Mr. Kenyon; "rain does damp one's enthusiasm." + +"Oh, of course it would not be so pleasant then," said Harry; "but +generally it would be glorious, wouldn't it, Phra?" + +"I should get tired of it after a time, I think," was the reply. + +"Pooh! I shouldn't. Look how the men are enjoying it." + +Harry nodded towards their people, who had all landed to take their +meal on shore, leaving the boat free to their superiors, and certainly +the party looked very happy, squatted round the fire, in spite of the +heat; while the smoke curled up in great wreaths in company with the +suffocating carbonic acid gas evolved by the burning wood. + +"Yes, they look happy enough, Hal," said the doctor. "They don't +trouble themselves much about tablecloths or knives and forks." + +In fact, the party formed quite a picture, one that it seemed a pity +to disturb. + +But it was disturbed, for at a word from Mike, Sree rose to dip some +fresh, clear water to fill up the coffee-pot, and this done, Mike took +a piece of half-burned bamboo, stirred the embers and parted them so +as to make a steady place for the big coffee-pot, when there was a +whirl of flame, sparks, and smoke rushing up among the boughs in a +spiral, for the fire was now at its hottest. + +There was no warning. + +Sree had squatted down again, and Mike had seated himself, supporting +himself upon one hand, leaving the other to snatch off the coffee-pot +directly the brown froth began to rise with the boiling up, when +_bang--rush--scatter!_ Something fell suddenly from high up among the +boughs overhead right into the fire, and as the men turned and rolled +themselves away in every direction, they were bombarded as it were, by +showers of red-hot embers and half-burned sticks, which were driven +after them by the object which had fallen from the tree, and was now +writhing, twining, and beating the burning wood and ashes till the +fire was scattered over a surface some yards across. + +The matter needed no explanation; it was all plain enough. After the +manner of such reptiles, a good-sized boa had tied itself up in a +bundle of curves, knots, and loops on a convenient bough, after a +liberal meal probably of monkey, and had been fast asleep exactly over +the spot where the fire was made. It had borne heat and smoke without +moving until the last stir up of the embers delivered by Mike, but +this had sent so stifling a flame that the sleeping serpent had been +aroused, started into wakefulness, and in the heat and suffocation +fallen into the flames, to writhe in agony, turning over and over in +knotty convolutions, in one spot a yard or two square. + +The doctor was the quickest to grasp the position. Rising from his +seat, he took down one of the ready-charged guns, and waited for a few +moments till from out of the writhing knot the reptile's tail rose +quivering and thrashing the ashy ground. Directly after the head +appeared, some feet above the folds, dimly seen through the smoke, as +it was darted angrily in different directions, the jaws opening and +the creature snapping at the horrible enemy which was causing it so +much agony. + +It was for this the doctor had been waiting, and as the head rose a +little higher and was nearly motionless for a moment, both barrels +flashed out their contents; and as the concussion made the leaves +overhead quiver violently, the serpent writhed and struggled +frantically over and over in a knot that seemed to be always tying and +untying itself, was hidden amongst the thick, reedy growth close to +the river, splashed and wallowed a little in the shallow from which +the reeds sprung, and then with a loud splash went clear of the growth +into the dark, deep water overhung by the boughs of the trees. + +Then there was an eddying and quivering where the stream glided along, +and a few bubbles ascended to the surface, but though attentive watch +was kept, no more was seen, the swift current having undoubtedly swept +the reptile away. + +"I had a good sight of its head when I fired," said the doctor. "Would +you like to have snake for breakfast every morning when you lived out +in the open, Harry?" + +"Ugh!" ejaculated the boys together. + +"Well, I'm very glad we were having our breakfast on board," said Mr. +Kenyon, laughing. "Here, Michael, you need not stand staring up into +the tree; there are no more snakes up there." + +"Wouldn't its mate be there, sir?" said the man. + +"Oh no, it isn't likely. Where is the coffee-pot?" + +"Don't know, sir; but I don't want any more breakfast, thank you." + +"Nonsense, man," said his master; "find the coffee-pot, and the men +will rake the fire together again. There is nothing to mind now." + +Mike looked anything but satisfied, going about his task unwillingly; +but the men came back from where they had scattered, laughing with one +another now that the scare was at an end. + +"He's making a poor beginning," said Harry, on seeing their man go +peering about slowly in different directions amongst the tall grass +and bushes. + +"Mike doesn't like snakes," replied Phra, laughing. + +"Well, who does?" cried Harry. "I hate them; and it was enough to +scare anybody. I know I should have jumped away fast enough. I say, +look there." + +"What at?" + +"There's the pot, in amongst those young bamboos. No, no; there, half +in the water.--Found it?" + +"No, sir. It's gone," replied the man. + +"Nonsense; here it is. You didn't look in the right place." + +Mike came towards them, looking very sour and disgusted, as he picked +up the tin vessel. + +"Reg'lar spoiled," he said, examining the pot and holding it out to +show that there was a big dent on one side. "Won't hold water now." + +"How do you know till you try? Dip it in and see." + +The pot was dipped, filled, and proved to be quite sound in spite of +the hollow in its side, a fact which disappointed Mike, who prepared +to make some fresh coffee by getting into the boat again, while the +men laughingly collected the scattered brands and restarted the fire. + +"I say, Mike," said Harry, as the man came back, "you shouldn't make a +fuss about a little thing like this; it's nothing to what you will +have to put up with." + +Mike looked at him aghast, his face screwed up into such an aspect of +dismay that the boys burst out laughing. + +"Ah, it's all very well to laugh, Master Harry," grumbled the man; +"but if there's going to be any more of this sort of thing, I know--" + +"Know what?" + +"I'm going back home." + +"How?" said Harry, laughing. + +"Don't ask stupid questions," said Phra, with a perfectly serious +face. "He's either going to swim back with the stream, among the +crocodiles, or to walk through the jungle. There are not so very many +tigers there now." + +"What!" gasped Mike. + +"Make haste, Michael, my lad," said Mr. Kenyon. "Get the fresh coffee +made and the men's breakfast over; we want to go on." + +"Yes, sir; of course, sir--oh dear, oh dear!--Ah, it's all very well +to laugh, Master Harry." + +"Laugh! Well, it's enough to make any one laugh to see you make such a +fuss over a baby snake. Wait till we come to the hundred foot long +ones." + +Mike gave him another look, and then hurried back to the blazing fire. + +"You've spoiled his breakfast," said Phra. + +"Serve him right for being a great coward. I want him to get used to +such things." + +Phra laughed. + +"Who's to get used to such things as that? I say, look; there's one of +our old friends watching us." + +He pointed up to where a little grey-whiskered monkey was holding back +the leaves, so as to peer wonderingly down at the party. + +"I believe one could soon coax these monkeys down to be fed." + +"If you put a few bananas on the top of the cabin there, they wouldn't +want any coaxing; they'd come and take them." + +"Yes, when we were not looking; but I mean, coax them into being tame +enough to feed from one's hand." + +"Might perhaps, but they're treacherous. They like to spring on any +one's shoulders to bite the back of the neck. Look, look! Parrots!" + +A little flock of brightly coloured, long-tailed lories flew over the +river, but before a gun could be seized they had disappeared. + +"Not very good ones," said Harry. "Only green." + +"And sour," said the doctor. + +"Sour?" cried Harry wonderingly. + +"Yes, sour grapes, Hal. Why, they were lovely specimens, my boy. Look +at those butterflies flitting about the flowers growing there in +wreaths. Now, if this were a hard road we might get a few of them." + +"We could get one of those sun-birds," said Harry, pointing to some +half-dozen fluttering about the cluster of flowers dependent from a +bough overhanging the stream. + +"Yes, but we must wait till we have got some dry sand to use instead +of shot. Mind we scrape some up from the first shallow place we +reach." + +The fact of the boat being motionless there by the side of the river, +and all on board sitting quietly watching the abundant beautiful +objects around, made the various inhabitants of the jungle on either +side come out of their hiding-places and take no further heed of their +presence; consequently until the men had finished their breakfast +there was ample opportunity for a quiet, observant natural history +study, and Mr. Kenyon remarked,-- + +"It is, after all, better to be content with watching nature in a +place like this than shooting specimens and preserving them in a +miserable imitation of the natural shape. For how poor and pitiful +they are at the best." + +"That's true enough," said the doctor, smiling; "but you would not +make a museum of our memories." + +"Why not?" said Mr. Kenyon. + +"Because memory is weak, and our description of what we have seen to +other people who could never by any possibility see the beautiful +creatures we have encountered, would come very far short. I think that +the sight of the poorest skin that we have preserved would make ten +times the impression on another's mind that a month's talking could." + +"Yes," said Mr. Kenyon, "and nature is so abundant." + +By this time the men had resumed their oars, and the boat was gliding +rapidly up the river, the boys being ready to point out where they had +shot the birds they had taken back, and seen the monkey which had +watched them on their way. + +So far they had met no crocodiles, but as they went higher it seemed +as if, though they kept themselves out of sight, several were in the +narrow river and were retiring before them, till the water growing +more shallow they began to show from time to time. + +The boys seized their guns upon catching sight of the two prominences +which contained the reptile's eyes appearing above the surface some +thirty yards ahead, but Mr. Kenyon checked them. + +"Don't shoot," he said, "it is of no use to kill a few among so many." + +"But suppose they attack us," said Harry. + +"They will not unless driven to bay. Steer in closer to the side, +Sree," continued Mr. Kenyon, "so as to give them room to retreat down +the river." + +The order was obeyed, the boat being kept to the left, so close in +that the oars touched the tips of the hanging boughs, with the +consequence that every now and then there was a loud splashing and +wallowing in the water close beneath the bank, the part hidden by the +pendent boughs. + +"Why, they swarm under there," said the doctor. + +"Yes," said Mr. Kenyon, "and this shows how little the shooting of one +or two has to do with thinning them down. By the way, boys, where was +it that you had your adventure with the big crocodile and the monkey?" + +Phra rose and pointed forward. + +"A little farther there, on the right," he said, "where those bigger +trees are hanging over the water." + +The whole scene came vividly back to the pair as the boat glided on, +and after a glance upward at the trees, Harry's eyes fell to scanning +the water, half expecting to see the ugly muzzle of one of the great +crocodiles shoot out. + +This he did not see, but first one and then another made a tremendous +eddy in the stream, their lurking-places being churned up by the men's +oars. + +"The brutes are extremely thick up here," said the doctor: "a pretty +good warning that we must not attempt any bathing." + +"They seem to swarm," replied Mr. Kenyon. "It is a pity they are of no +use; but perhaps some day one will be found for them,--possibly their +skins may be utilised." + +"Skins of young ones, perhaps. These big fellows would be too horny." + +As he spoke, a huge reptile rushed from a mud bank into the river with +a tremendous splash, sending a wave along the surface, which made the +boat rise and fall. + +This time guns were seized by the boys' elders, upon the strength of +the possibility of an attack; but the huge creature must have sunk at +once to the bottom, for no further sign appeared. + +Meantime the great, green bank of trees on either side seemed to grow +more beautiful from the brilliancy of the flowers with which some of +the trees were covered; while, wherever a flock of parroquets flew +out, it was pretty well always a sign of fruit. + +Here, too, at intervals, where there were breaks in the banks of the +great timber trees, huge tufts of bamboo shot up spear-like, and +showed their delicate foliage, looking at a distance so light and +feathery that often enough the straight stems, which rose in places as +much as sixty feet, seemed as if surrounded by a delicate haze. + +It was now decided that due attention should be given to collecting +and providing for the meals of so large a party; and as nothing in the +shape of deer or pig had been seen, and mid-day was long passed, it +was suggested that, as soon as a suitable spot was reached, the boat +should be moored to some overhanging bough and the boys should try +their fortune at fishing. + +As soon as Sree heard this he busied himself with the basket which +contained the lines, and kept a look-out for a likely pitch. + +Suddenly there was a rushing of wings, and a big bird appeared--a +signal for two guns to be raised, but only to be laid down again. + +"Ugh! vulture," said Harry in disgust. + +"Pity not to have shot it," said Phra; "it would have done to cut up +for bait." + +Harry's lip curled up and his nostrils dilated. + +"Do you know we mean to eat the fish we catch?" + +"Oh, of course," said Phra hurriedly; "I hadn't thought of that. But +would it make any difference, Doctor Cameron?" he added. + +The doctor laughed. + +"No," he said, "I don't think we should have found the fish any the +worse for it. All the same, though, I should prefer my fish not to +have been fed upon the flesh of an unclean bird." + +"Exactly so," said Harry's father; "but perhaps it is just as well +that we should not study the food of the fish we eat. They are not +very particular as to their diet.--What about that quiet, still eddy +yonder, Sree?" + +"Where the great tree-trunk lies in the water?" said the doctor. "No, +that won't do. There must be scores of half-rotten boughs among which +the fish would run and tangle up the lines." + +"It would be an excellent place, Sahib," said Sree humbly. "We could +tie up the boat there, and fish below it, where the stream runs in." + +"To be sure," said Mr. Kenyon; "I had not noticed that little rivulet. +You are wrong, Doctor; it will be a capital place." + +"Perhaps," said the gentleman addressed, "but I don't like the look of +it. I feel pretty sure that we shall find a great crocodile has his +lurking-place under that large tree-trunk." + +"Yes, Sahib; there is one there," said Sree; "but he will go as soon +as he sees the boat." + +He spoke to the man in the bows to be ready to make the line fast to +one of the dead boughs, which stuck up dry and swept clear of bark, +showing, like its fellows, how high the flood water had raised the +level of the river, for above a certain height the bark was still +clinging to the branches. + +It proved to be just as the old hunter had said, for as the boat was +forced up to the great trunk lying in the water, there was a sudden +rush, the surface was turned into a series of eddies, and a wave +rolled along towards the other side of the river, indicating the +direction in which the reptile disturbed had gone. + +All the same the boat was made fast, and floated down stream to the +full length of the rope, the men's oars were laid in, and those astern +joined their companions forward, to squat together talking in a low +tone and chewing betel, while Mr. Kenyon and the doctor settled +themselves comfortably in the open cabin. + +"Won't you fish, father?" asked Harry. + +"No, my boy," he replied; "you shall fish for me." + +"But you will fish, Doctor Cameron?" said Phra politely. + +"No, I would rather see you," replied the doctor, and he started and +caught up his gun, but laid it down once more, for the birds which had +caught his eye were only crows, some half-dozen of which came up +stream as if they had followed the boat, and now they had found it, +settled down in one of the highest trees apparently to have a quiet +chat about its object in coming up there. + +Sree had been busy the while, preparing bait for the lines, which were +to be used ledger fashion without rods. + +Sree's bait was some very stiff paste, which he was working up out of +a couple of handfuls of flour; and he made haste to explain that if +the fish did not take this well, he should soon change the lure. + +"But we must catch one first." + +The lines were strong and the hooks tied on gimp, such as would have +been used for pike-fishing at home, for the fish of the Siamese rivers +had not been tried for till they were as shy as ours at home, and +before many minutes had elapsed the boys each had his baited hook +thrown out from the opposite side of the boat six or eight yards away, +the leads sinking some six feet in the fairly clear water, and with +fingers just feeling the pierced lead, they waited. + +It was not the first by many times that the boys had fished together +in the river, and they pretty well knew what they were likely to +catch; but they were not prepared to sit beneath the hot sunshine for +so long without a sign of there being fish about. + +"Come, be sharp," cried the doctor banteringly. "I thought we were +going to have a good fry for dinner. How soon shall I send the men +ashore to make a fire?" + +"Fishermen always have patience," said Harry. + +"But people who want their dinner do not," said Mr. Kenyon, laughing. + +"I say, Sree," whispered Harry, "they will not bite at paste." + +"Pull up your line, Sahib," said the hunter. + +Harry did as he was told, and Sree smiled. + +"Something has eaten the bait," he said. "Didn't you feel a pull?" + +"No, not the slightest." + +The hook was rebaited and sent down stream again, and Phra's hook +proving to be in the same unattractive state, received the same +treatment; but for fully half an hour nothing was done but rebaiting +and throwing in. + +"We had better make a move," said Mr. Kenyon. "It is very beautiful +here, but the crocodiles seem to have scared the fish away. Let's go +half a mile higher." + +"No, no, not yet, father," said Harry. "It seems such a capital place, +and--I've got him!" + +For as he spoke he felt a slight twitch at the line he held, and then +all was still for a few moments. Next there was a steady draw, and the +line began to pass through his fingers, while upon checking it the +drag became a heavy one, and he found that he was fast in a good fish. + +It was evident that a shoal had come up towards the boat, for hardly +had Harry begun to haul upon his line before Phra felt the premonitory +twitch, and directly after the draw upon his line. + +"Now, father, had we better go higher?" cried Harry. "Oh, my word! it +is a big one; the line regularly cuts my hands." + +There was nothing to see but the lines cutting the water in different +directions, for it was evident that the baits had been seized by +bottom-loving fish, which went on fighting to keep down as low as they +could. + +By this time Sree had taken up a short bamboo to which a large hook +was firmly bound, and bidding Harry now draw hard, he stood ready, +while the lad raised the heavy, struggling fish to the surface, and, +in spite of its efforts, brought it close up to the side of the boat, +when with one well-aimed stroke the old hunter thrust the hook beneath +it and lifted it over the side. + +The next moment, leaving the fish flapping and beating the bamboo +bottom, Sree stepped beside Phra, where the same business was gone +through, and the second fish dragged in. + +They proved to be very similar in appearance to a fish but little +known in England, though lingering still in some few sluggish +rivers--the burbot--a fish that is best described as being something +like a short, thick eel. These were together over twenty pounds in +weight, and welcome from their delicate quality as food. + +"Enough is as good as a feast," said Mr. Kenyon, smiling; and the +order being given, the boat was once more sent gliding up stream, +look-out being kept for a suitable place for landing and making a +fire. + +This was reached at last, and the fish, spitted on the ever-present, +ever-useful bamboo, set down to roast, so that they might make a +welcome addition to the next _al fresco_ meal. + +After another few miles a suitable mooring-place was found beneath an +enormous tree, and a fire once more lit; this was to act as a scare to +keep away noxious creatures, but, as Harry said, for some things they +might have been better without. + +For they soon found that the glare of the burning wood woke up and +attracted the birds, which came circling round it in a strangely weird +way, their dimly seen forms coming and going out of the darkness into +the dome of light ribbed with the branches of the trees. + +Moths and flies innumerable buzzed about through the glare, and, worst +of all, the light and heat attracted the smaller reptiles, snakes and +lizards creeping towards the flame for the sake of the warmth of what +must have seemed to them like a new, strange sun, and many of them +getting burned. + +"It's very horrid, father," said Harry. "Mike says that he saw +hundreds of wriggling snakes and lizards creeping up when he helped +the men make up the fire as you advised, for they would have set the +forest ablaze if it had been done their way." + +"Hundreds, eh?" said Mr. Kenyon. "Then I suppose we may set it down as +being about a dozen, Hal?" + +"He is an awful fibster, father," said Harry, laughing. + +"I don't think the man really means to lie wilfully," said Mr. Kenyon; +"but his imagination and his tongue run wild." + +"Perhaps it's his eyes," said the doctor, smiling; "a natural failing. +The lenses are too round, and they magnify." + +"Let's be charitable, and set it down as that," said Mr. Kenyon; "but +it does not matter to us. It is not as if we were going to sleep +ashore, and this is a novel experience." + +"Novel, indeed. What a collection of moths and beetles we might make +now!" + +"Awkward work," replied Mr. Kenyon. "I think we might be content with +enjoying the strange scene." + +Both being tired with the day's exertions, the boys thought so too, +and for long enough they watched the illuminated trees of the jungle, +which were always changing their aspect as the fire rose and fell, +emitting flashes of light, and sending up myriads of sparks or wreaths +of smoke to form clouds overhead, which reflected back the light and +turned the water into gold, while strange, dark shadows seemed to +dance and waltz among the great trunks. + +It was all so wild and beautiful that even after the men had finally +replenished the fire and settled themselves down for the night under +their matting shelter, spread over the fore part of the boat, no one +aft felt the slightest desire to lie down and sleep. + +"I couldn't sleep, could you?" said Harry, in a low tone, to Phra, as +they sat in the half-closed-in cabin, now watching the surroundings of +the fire, now, attracted by some sound, turning to look up or down the +river. + +"Sleep? No," replied Phra; "it all seems so strange and different. +We've heard all these noises of a night when we've been at home, but +they were far off." + +"And now one is right amongst them," said Harry. "I say, are you sure +your gun's loaded?" + +"Yes, quite; I looked at it just now." + +"So did I at mine. I don't think I'm at all afraid; are you?" + +"I don't think so; but after what we saw this morning I can't help +fancying that there might be a great snake somewhere in the boughs +overhead, coming down lower and lower till it thrust in its head here. +I say, fancy it taking one of us out and up into the tree." + +"Shan't," said Harry. "I don't believe there are any in the jungle big +enough to do such a thing." + +"Oh, there are some monsters," said Phra quietly. + +"Yes, so people like our Mike say. He told me once that some of your +father's men said they had seen a croc fifty feet long. Hark at that!" + +The sound was startling, and it came from off the water lower down the +river. + +"It's your fifty feet crocodile slapping the water with his tail to +stun the fish," said Phra grimly. + +"I don't know about fifty, but it sounds as if the great wretch might +be thirty feet long. Ugh! What's to prevent a monster coming up close +to the boat and helping himself to one of us? I couldn't go to sleep +for thinking such a thing possible." + +"I don't think there's any fear of such a thing happening. You never +heard of anything of the kind among the thousands of boats down the +river and canals." + +"No, but one can't help thinking of such creepy notions. We never +thought of them before we came." + +"Are you boys going to sleep?" said Mr. Kenyon. + +"Yes, father, directly," said Harry; "I mean, going to try." + +"Off with you, then, so as to be ready for a good day's work +to-morrow. Did you see how beautiful the fire-flies are, right away up +and down the river?" + +"Yes, sir," said Phra. "I've been watching them; it looks sometimes as +if the bushes and boughs were full of flying stars. Hear that?" + +"Yes; a tiger," said Mr. Kenyon quietly. "Hear the king of stripes, +Doctor?" + +The gentleman addressed grunted, and then breathed hard. + +"The brute does not trouble him," said Mr. Kenyon; "and it need not +trouble us." + +"No fear of its swimming out to the boat?" said Phra. + +"Not the slightest," replied Mr. Kenyon. "Let down that mat to screen +you from the night air and mists, and go to sleep." + +"Let the mat down?" said Harry, in a tone full of protest; "but if we +do we can't see the fire-flies." + +"Take another look, and then let it down and go to sleep." + +"But we don't feel as if we could go, father." + +"Of course not, if you sit up talking. There, let down the matting, +for our sake as well as yours. Good-night, my boys." + +"Good-night, sir." + +"Good-night, father," said Harry, as he let fall the mat, and thus +completely closed in the cabin-like place.--"But there's no sleep for +us, Phra, I'm afraid." + +"Let's try," said Phra. + +"Oh, I'll try," replied Harry. + +It needed no trying, for in five minutes there was no one awake in the +boat, though there were wild cries far away in the jungle, strange +splashings, coughings and barkings from the river, and every now and +then loud cracklings and sputterings from the fire, whose rays gleamed +in through the matting hung round. + +But though every one slept, there was an advance about to be made upon +the occupants of the boat, some forty or fifty fierce creatures making +their way in through the matting to attack first one and then the +other, the attack going on till the savage enemies were satiated with +blood, their victims being all the while deeply plunged in sleep. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +ELEPHANTS AT HOME + + +"Eh? What? Nonsense!" + +"That's what I said, Master Harry. It's 'most a thousand times darker +than when we lay down. I mean, it would be if old Sree hadn't raked +the fire together and put on some more wood. He said it was time to +get up, and I had to get up; but I feel horrid bad. I hope we're all +alive." + +"Did Sree say it was to-morrow morning, Mike?" + +"Yes, sir; but I don't believe it." + +"Here, Phra, wake up. Do you hear? Mike says it's tomorrow morning." + +"No, sir; no, sir," protested the man, who could be dimly seen leaning +over the boys by the faint rays of the fire ashore still streaming in. +"I wouldn't have said such a thing these next two hours." + +"Very well," said Harry irritably; "Sree said so, and he's sure to +know. Do you hear, Phra? Wake up." + +Phra made use of a word he had learned of his companion. + +"Bother!" And then, "Do be quiet!" + +"Shan't. Wake up, or I'll scoop in some water over you." + +"You do if you dare," growled Phra viciously. + +"Oh, I dare," said Harry, whose sleepy irritability was going off and +making way for the spirit of mischief in him; "but I don't want to +make everything wet. Get up, you miserable old Siamese prince! You're +not going to sleep if I'm not." + +"Bother!" cried Phra sharply, in response to a shake. + +"Wake up, then! Here, Phra, we're all alive oh! and nothing has +touched us all through the night." + +"Oh!" + +"What's the matter, Mike?" said Harry, whose attention was turned from +the young Prince to their man. + +"I'm so bad, sir. I've caught the jungle fever with sleeping in this +damp place." + +"Nonsense!" + +"Oh, I have, sir, and I feel dreadful bad. I never was so ill before +in my life." + +"I don't believe it, but I'll wake Doctor Cameron. I daresay he +brought some quinine with him." + +"What! that horrid, bitter stuff, sir? No, no; don't, please." + +"Bah! Making a fuss about some physic. But you must have it. We're not +going to have our trip spoiled by your turning ill. I say, Doctor!" + +"No, no, Master Harry; don't say anything, please," whispered the man. +"Not till after breakfast. I couldn't eat a mossle if I had to take +that horrid, bitter quinny." + +"Oh, you must be bad!" said Harry, with mock sympathy. "Here, I know a +little. How do you feel?--pain in your back?" + +"A little, sir, where it rested against a big bamboo in the night." + +"That sounds bad," said Harry. + +"Does it, sir? Oh dear!" + +"What else? Headache?" + +"No, sir; but I've got it, and I can feel my face all covered with +spots." + +"It's the mosquitoes," cried Phra, sitting up suddenly. + +"Hullo! You awake?--That's it, Mikey." + +"Oh no, sir," groaned the man; "it's worse than that." + +"'Tisn't. His Royal Highness Prince Phra Mala Krom Praya says it's +mosquitoes, and he's right. How many spots have you got on your face? +A million?" + +"Well, no, sir, I don't think there's as many as that; but my face is +full, and they itch and sting horrid, and my eyes are swelled up and +stiff. Just you feel." + +"No, thankye, Mike; but I'll have a look as soon as it is light. I +say, though, I wonder you haven't got a million bites.--There, don't +be such a baby. Go and get the breakfast ready. I'll wake the others." + +"He ain't a bit o' feeling in him," sighed Mike to himself; and he +went out of the cabin. + +"What does it look like, Phra?" said Harry, for his companion had +passed his head out beside the matting. + +"Come and see; it's lovely." + +Harry thrust his head out on the other side of the mat, to gaze up and +down the river, to see overhead the stars growing pale and feeble, +while the river bed was filled up by a soft, dark-grey flood which +rose about ten or fifteen feet up the black wall of trees opposite to +them. On the other side and overhead there was a warm glow which lit +up the thin mist, giving it a roseate hue, while the cloud of smoke +was gathering more and more and blotting out the faint stars half +across the river, its under side ruddy too with the fire-reflected +light. + +"I never saw the river look like this before," cried Harry. "Looks +jolly, doesn't it?" + +"Beautiful and calm, and just as if the earth was waking up," replied +Phra. + +"Birds, you mean," said Harry. "Parrots are whistling, and--here, I +say, hark at that _coo--ah--coo--ah_. Hear that?" + +"Yes. Argus pheasant," said Phra eagerly. + +"Let's take the guns and go and see if we can't get a shot at it." + +"What! try and get through the jungle now it's all dripping with dew?" + +"Never thought of that," said Harry. "Would be sloppy, wouldn't it?" + +"Sloppy! Why, we should be drenched before we'd gone ten yards." + +"And I don't suppose we could go ten yards. Let's go and ask old Sree +if he can call the birds over, so that we can get a shot at them." + +They stepped carefully out into the forward part of the boat, and then +Harry thrust back his head to carry out his promise. + +"Father! Doctor!" he cried. "Morning." + +"Yes; thank you," said Mr. Kenyon, and the doctor grunted. + +Phra had by this time reached the mooring rope and begun drawing the +boat's prow close up to the prostrate tree-trunk to which it was +moored, for prostrate trees were plentiful along the banks, and in one +place two falling nearly opposite from either bank of the stream had +almost formed a barricade to stop the way. + +"Be careful, Sahibs," said a voice out of the gloom, the old hunter +having left the group of rowers gathered round the fire. "The +tree-trunk is slippery with the dew." + +"Oh, it's you, Sree," said Harry. "Isn't that the coo--ah calling?" + +"Yes, Sahib; I have heard it many times." + +"Could we get near and manage a shot at it?" + +"No, Sahib; it would hear us before we were half way, and be silent. +Then we should not know which way to go. Besides, you would find the +grass and trees too wet." + +"Would it come if you called to it?" + +"No, Sahib, not unless we were in a deep, dark part of the jungle." + +"Oh well, never mind," said Harry. "It wouldn't be pleasant before +breakfast. Here, let's go ashore now we're so near, Phra. Anything +burned in the fire last night?" + +"Yes, Sahib; I've found four dead birds under the trees, and some +lizards and snakes that had been too close. Some of them were only +half dead. They had scorched themselves and then crawled away." + +The boys went up to the blazing fire, to find Mike busy cooking the +men's breakfast, the latter making way for the lads to come close up +to the pleasant glow, which dissipated the chilly mist floating +around. + +As they went round the fire Sree pointed out the remains of several +reptiles, one of which was still moving and writhing slightly. + +This--part of a long, thin snake--Sree stooped to twitch into the +hottest part of the glowing fire. + +"Oh, I say, Sree, how horrid!" said Harry. + +"No, sir; better dead than living in such pain. It could never get +well. This one might," he added, dragging another from among the low +growth close by, with the result that it came to and bit at a bamboo +staff the man held. + +"It's poisonous," cried Phra. "Mind!" + +"Yes, Sahib; I'll take care," said Sree. "It is a good deal scorched, +but it might live and do mischief. It is a very bad kind, almost as +poisonous as the naga." + +As he spoke he gave his bamboo staff a whirl round his head, which +threw the writhing reptile into a knot at the end, and then giving a +final jerk the dangerous creature was dashed into the middle of the +fire, where a loud sputtering, crackling, and hissing bespoke its +fate. + +"Was that it hissing in agony?" said Harry, with a look of disgust. + +"Oh no, Sahib," said the old hunter, smiling. "It is only the flesh. +The heat in there killed the snake directly. Look! there is a dead +bird; that will make the same noise. Throw it in." + +"Why, it's one of those beautiful rosy pigeons," said Harry, "only +half its feathers are burnt off. It's dead enough. I say, though, it's +a pity to waste that. I'll make Mike cook it for breakfast. What's +that bird?" + +"A crow," said Phra, turning the object over with his foot; and then, +before Harry could seize it, tossing it into the fire himself, for a +precisely similar hissing to arise. + +"I'm glad of that," said Harry; "it seems so horrible to burn anything +alive. Here, Mike, how soon will our breakfast be ready?" + +"As soon as I can go on board to get it, sir. The gentlemen are not up +yet." + +"Not up!" said Harry. "Why, you talk as if they slept in +bedrooms--Look! there they are." + +For as he spoke the matting was drawn aside, just as the light was +coming fast, the faint rays of the sun striking horizontally through +the soft, grey mist, and lighting it up like a cloud at sunset. + +The effect was wonderful, for with the first rising of the sun there +was a light breeze which lifted the mist, making it rise and float +away in wreaths across the tops of the jungle trees, the coming of +bright day once more bringing forth a wild chorus of shrieks, pipings, +and strange cries from the hidden birds. + +Mike quickly had a good meal spread, and as soon as the fire was no +longer necessary, the men under Sree's direction threw a few jars of +water over it, and then took to their oars, the breakfast in the open +cabin being finished as the party glided up the beautiful stream. + +They were now well beyond the parts ever reached by the most +venturesome of the boating men of the town and villages around, and in +consequence the various birds and quadrupeds displayed but little +shyness, the former fluttering near the boat, or perching in little +flocks to watch the visitors to this wild region, while the monkeys +grew more and more venturesome, ceasing to depute the observations to +the old greybeard of the troop, and crowding on the branches, to +chatter and stare down, probably seeing human beings for the first +time in their lives. + +"They don't seem to think much of us, Phra," said Harry, who was lying +back so that he could look up in comfort at the comical little +creatures. + +"Well, it's quite fair," said Phra; "we don't think much of them. I +don't know, though; I envy their strength. Look how easily they make +those jumps." + +"Yes, it would puzzle us. But isn't it ridiculous that they should be +so careless, jumping from tree to tree just over the water, where they +ought to know that the crocodiles are waiting for them? I daresay we +shall see one come down with a splash directly." + +Harry was quite right: five minutes had not passed before, in the +midst of a loud chattering, a low, heavily laden bough snapped, and +about a dozen of the little fellows fell scrambling down; but all +saved themselves by catching at branches before reaching the water, +save one, who went in with a loud splash, but caught at some twigs and +leaves which dipped in the surface, and cleverly dragged itself out, +to begin scrambling up again amidst a chorus of loud cries, just as +the long muzzle of a crocodile was thrust out and snatched back again +as rapidly, after receiving full in the side of the head the contents +of the doctor's gun. + +"Brute!" he exclaimed. "What a beautiful place this would be if it +were not infested with these savage wretches!--Killed, Sree?" + +"No, Sahib; I think not. I can see him swimming yonder. The water is +clear here." + +They had another glimpse at the injured reptile, which shot up about +fifty yards ahead, beat the water for a few moments, and then +disappeared beneath the tangle. + +No more shooting was done, the voyagers contenting themselves with +observing, and finding abundance to take their attention, for at every +few yards some curious-looking water-fowl or wader rose from the river +side. Then it would be a lovely blue kingfisher or solemn-looking +crimson-breasted trogon, while at times a glimpse was obtained of some +animal coming down to drink, only to be startled away by the passing +boat. + +Once it was a strange-looking animal with trunk-like snout, which +stared for a moment before wrenching itself round, giving just a +momentary view of its piebald body, and then rushed through the +undergrowth. + +"We're favoured," cried the doctor. "That was a specimen one ought to +have shot." + +"What for?" said Mr. Kenyon. "It would have been too big and clumsy to +preserve. If you shoot, let it be something for the table." + +The doctor took note of this, and he and the lads finding good +opportunities, brought down several large water-fowl, which were +plucked by the men not rowing for the evening meal, it having been +decided that while on the trip up the river two good meals would be +sufficient for each day. + +Twice over Phra's sharp eyes detected large serpents in the +overhanging boughs, their presence being doubtless explicable by the +numbers of monkeys travelling to and fro along the edges of the jungle +where it was cut by the river. + +On the second occasion the doctor's gun was raised for a shot, but a +sign from the old hunter stopped him. + +"What is it?" he said, for Sree was pointing forward. + +"Elephants, Sahib," whispered the man; and then bidding the men to row +gently, so as not to make a sound, the boat glided on towards what in +the distance looked like the blunt end of the river, so completely did +it seem cut off by the sudden way in which it doubled back upon +itself, growing wider and shallower at the same time, while from some +peculiarity of soil the trees had retired farther from the bank, +leaving quite a wide, park-like stretch, through which the stream +meandered. + +But the party in the boat had no eyes for the scenery; their attention +was taken up fully, as they turned the bend of the river, by the sight +of some ten or a dozen elephants of all sizes indulging in a bath in +the now shallow water, wading, wallowing, or squirting it over their +backs. + +It was evidently such a sanctuary that the great animals felt no fear +of being disturbed, and the boat and its occupants remained unnoticed, +Sree having signed to the men to run it close in under the shore on +the right. Here, through the doubling back of the river, they were not +above a couple of hundred yards across the intervening jungle from +where they had come up and the old hunter had first heard the noise +made by the herd. + +They sat for some time watching the actions of the strange, +unwieldy-looking creatures, and would have been content to remain +longer had not the largest of the animals, after syringeing himself to +his heart's content, trumpeted loudly and begun to wade out of the +river, taking a course which, if continued, would have brought him to +the shore close to the boat. + +Wild elephants can be very dangerous if roused; but here there was +nothing to fear, for the men could with a few strokes have put the +boat into deep water where an elephant was not likely to follow; so in +obedience to Mr. Kenyon's order, the rowers rested on their oars and +the elephant came on, nearer and nearer, his great head nodding and +bowing from side to side, and his eyes fixed upon the surface, till +suddenly taking the scent of the travellers, borne by the light air, +he stopped short, caught sight of them as he raised his head, and +stood as if turned to stone, staring at them for some seconds, before +uttering a strange cry of alarm and dashing back, with ears flapping +and extended trunk, towards his companions. + +The first cry of alarm was sufficient, every elephant churning up the +water in the endeavour to be first on the farther shore. + +The party watched till the last beast had disappeared, the first +making straight for the jungle and plunging right in through a hole it +made apparently in the great wall of greenery, the others following in +single line after it, and, according to custom using its footprints, +till the biggest, who appeared to be as massive as old Sul, passed +through, and the elastic stems and vines seemed to spring back in +their places. + +"Why, Phra," said Harry, "I did not know that we had wild elephants so +near. Did you know, Sree?" + +"Yes, Sahib; I have seen that herd many times, and could lead the +King's elephant-catchers to their hiding-place if they were wanted; +but they have not been wanted yet." + +"It is a curious country," said Mr. Kenyon; "we seem to know nothing +of it a few miles from any of the rivers." + +The open part they were in looked so bright and attractive that, +regardless of the near neighbourhood of the elephants, it was decided +merely to go to the upper end of the shallows where the jungle closed +in again, and where a sufficiently umbrageous tree could be found +projecting over the river to add to their shelter, and then camp for +the night. + +Here a fire was once more lit, and while the preparations for the +evening meal went on, the doctor and the two boys took their guns for +a stroll back along the open stretch of grass they had passed. + +"Don't be long," said Mr. Kenyon. + +"Which means, don't go too far," replied the doctor. "We shall not. It +is only to stretch our legs a bit, for the boat is rather cramping." + +The intention was good and wise, but the object intended soon proved +to be almost an impossibility. The stretch of open land between the +river and the jungle looked at a distance much like a fair meadow, and +it struck Harry from that point of view. + +"Just the place for our cricket," he said to Phra, as, shouldering +their guns, they stepped off after the doctor. + +"Mind how you come," said the latter, who was brought to a standstill. +"The water has been all over here, and the place is full of cracks and +holes. Try back a little your way." + +"Looks quite right here, sir," cried Harry. "It's as solid as--Oh--Hi! +Phra, catch hold of my gun." + +The boy laid his own piece down, caught at the barrel of Harry's, and +pulling hard, his companion, who had sunk up to his knees and was +steadily going lower, was able to struggle back. + +"Oh, here's a mess!" he panted, stamping to get rid of the mud. + +"You didn't choose the right direction, Hal," said the doctor, +laughing. + +"No, sir," said Harry meekly. "Will you go first?" + +"Yes, I think I can do better than that, my lad. Let's strike right +across here towards where the elephants went out of sight. The ground +must be firmer there." + +The boys prepared to follow, as the doctor led off; but Harry directed +a malicious glance at his companion, which seemed to say plainly, +"Look out, and see if he doesn't go in." + +But Harry felt disappointed and ill-used, as well as wet and muddy +about the legs, for the doctor strode off steadily for about twenty +yards, the boys following over perfectly firm ground. + +"You should pick your way in a place like this, my lads. It only +needs--" + +_Care,_ the doctor was about to say, but he did not; for all at once, +to Harry's intense delight, his leader uttered a sharp ejaculation, +and, throwing himself flat on the ground, began to roll over and over, +with his gun held upright against his breast, till he was close to the +boys' feet, where he sat up, drew the stout hunting-knife he wore at +his breast, and began to scrape the mud off one leg. + +"Was it soft there, sir?" said Harry, with mock seriousness. + +"Soft!" cried the doctor. "Oh, you're laughing at me, eh? Well, I'm +fair game, I must own. Here, step back! quick! both of you. We're +sinking." + +It was quite true, for there was a bubbling, hissing, and gurgling +sound arising from among the grassy growth, and the black water began +to ooze up among the stems, so that as the boys ran back it splashed +up, and the doctor followed, none too soon. + +"Why, the whole place is a marsh," he said, looking back as soon as +the ground felt more solid. "It is just as if the water of the river +spread right up to the jungle and this part had become covered with +weeds and plants till they were matted together and looked like a +meadow." + +"But," cried Harry, "I want to know how the elephants managed." + +"There must be a sort of causeway of firm ground somewhere out in the +middle there," replied the doctor. "I daresay we should find it so if +we went back with the boat to where the great creatures came out of +the water." + +"And we couldn't have the boat now, I suppose," said Harry, glancing +in the direction of camp. + +"No, but it does not matter. We should only find a muddy, elephant +path, full of holes." + +"Sorry I was so stupid, doctor," said Harry. + +The doctor turned to him sharply and nodded. + +"Yes, you have me on the hip there, Hal. Take it as a warning to +yourself not to be in too great a hurry to condemn other people." + +Phra smiled. + +"What are we going to do?" he said. "It's too soon to go back." + +"Well, we can't walk on this floating green carpet," replied Harry. +"Could we get along by the river?" + +"We could try," said the doctor. + +"Or go up along the edge of the jungle. We ought to find something +worth shooting there." + +"Let's try the edge of the jungle," said the doctor. "The ground must +be firmer there." + +Striking up to their right, they managed to get about fifty yards +nearer the edge of the forest; but then they had to turn back and make +for a point nearer the little camp, where two or three huge trees +stood out like sentinels in front of the vast army of vegetation +packed closely as trees could stand. + +Here the earth proved to be firm, and for a few dozen yards they +managed to progress among the trees at the very edge of the jungle. +After that the way was stopped by the interlacing creepers and thorny +rotans, and after a few minutes' trial it became evident that without +the help of stout men with their parangs to clear the way, further +progress was impossible. + +"Let's go back again," said Harry. "One does get so hot and fagged." + +"Better keep walking till your legs are dry," said the doctor. "I +don't want you down with a feverish cold." + +"They're nearly dry now," said Harry, "and they'll be quite dry by the +time we get back." + +"Yes," said Phra; "it's farther off than we think for, and will take +longer." + +"Back again, then," said the doctor; "but I do not like to be beaten +like this. I wanted to see more of the elephants and their ways." + +"Come to the big stables, then, Doctor, when we get back. Phra will +take you and let you see all there are at home; won't you, Phra?" + +"Of course, if the doctor wishes to see them." + +"Much obliged," replied the doctor; "but it's the wild ones I want to +study. What's that?" + +He stopped short, and brought his gun round ready to fire at any +danger which might assail them from the jungle. + +The boys had heard what startled their companion, and cocked their +guns. For suddenly there was the quick rush of something behind the +dense screen of verdure--a something which seemed to have been +watching them, and had darted off as soon as they came near. + +"Wild pig?" asked Harry. + +"No, I think it was more like a man," replied the doctor. "What do you +say, Phra?" + +"I think it was a man, but how could a man rush through the jungle +like that? We must ask Sree if there are any wild tribe people about +here." + +"There would not be nearer than the mountain region," said the doctor; +"but whatever it was has gone. Look, they're making signals for us to +come back." + +The boys looked in the direction of the camp, where a thin mat had +been hoisted, flag fashion, at the end of one of the bamboo poles of +the boat; and hurrying their steps a little they reached the great +tree beneath which the cooking fire had been made, to find the boatmen +finishing their rice, and a capitally cooked meal waiting for them in +the boat. + +Sree shook his head at the suggestion of any people being near. + +"Plenty of wild beasts, Sahib; and I have seen the tracks of a tiger +that has been down to the water. There are plenty of monkeys, too, the +greybeards and the big, black fellows; but I don't think we should +find savage people here in the jungle. It would be a wild boar or a +rhinoceros. No, not a rhinoceros; he would not have run away. It might +have been a tapir." + +The evening changed very rapidly into night, and with the darkness +came the wonderful chorus of strange sounds from the jungle and banks +of the river, the splashings and coughing, barking utterances giving +warning that the crocodiles were still plentiful. The fire-flies were +even more beautiful there than in the denser portion where the river +banks were hidden by great timber trees, for on both sides lower down +the low, shrub-like growth was more abundant. + +The scene was very beautiful, with the star-studded, clear, dark, sky +above, and the reflection as it were of another star-spangled heaven +in the smooth, gliding water at their feet, while the myriads of +fire-flies suggested the existence of another intermediate star sphere +in constant motion, now scintillating, now dying out, and again as if +floating along the opposite shore like a low cloud of tiny orbs, +golden-green, golden, pale lambent, and occasionally ruddier than +Aldebaran or some kindred star. + +There was less disposition for sitting up talking that night, and soon +after the fire was well replenished, and its necessity made plain. + +Phra was the first to call attention to the distant cry, which was +exactly that of some enormous cat far away in the jungle. + +"Calling his mate," said Mr. Kenyon. + +"Perhaps the tiger whose tracks Sree saw in the soft mud this +evening," said Harry. "I suppose he will not come near our fire, or +try to get on board. Think we ought to keep watch, father?" + +"Oh no, my boy. We are floating out here a good thirty feet from the +land." + +"But suppose the boat drifts to the side in the night?" suggested +Phra. + +"It is not probable, for we are right where the stream sets off the +shore. We are not likely to be disturbed, boys. There is the proof." + +Mr. Kenyon pointed to where the men had spread the mats over the +horizontal bamboo, and were settling down to sleep. + +"Yes, that is a pretty good sign," said the doctor; "the men would not +take matters so coolly if there were any danger from tigers." + +"Did the Sahibs hear the big tiger calling?" said Sree, thrusting his +head out from beneath the men's awning. + +"Yes, quite plainly," said Harry. "Think he'll come prowling about the +fire, so as to give us a shot?" + +"No, no, Sahib," replied the man, shaking his head; "he will be too +careful." + +"That was a clever way of putting it, Hal," said the doctor drily. +"You did not say, Is there any fear of the tiger's swimming out to +us?" + +"No; why should I tell him that I was a bit nervous?" replied Harry +frankly; "even if one does feel a bit scared, I can't help it, can I, +father?" + +"No, my boy; it is quite natural to feel a little nervous, and to make +sure that one's gun is loaded and close at hand. But we must get used +to these noises. We can't expect to come out here and live in such a +wild place without being a bit startled sometimes. Good-night, boys. +But you have not fastened down that mat to shut out the night air." + +"Just going to, father," replied Harry. "I don't think, though, that +we shall have so much mist here." + +The final good-nights were said just as the last murmurs of the men's +conversation forward died out, and then all was still, the darkness +being relieved by the rays from the fire, which crackled and burned +merrily, the light coming quite brightly at times through the +interstices of the mats, and then, as the smoke rolled up decreasing +again; while after shifting his position to get into a more +comfortable attitude, Harry Kenyon drew a long, deep breath, with a +touch of a yawn in it, and then told himself that he did not mean to +feel in the slightest degree nervous about the strangeness of their +position, but was going to have a good, long night's rest. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +A NIGHT ALARM + + +Sleep comes and sleep goes, and always seems beyond our control. +Sometimes the weary one drops off soundly the moment his head has been +comfortably settled upon the pillow; at other times, however tired he +may have been before going to bed, the very fact of having undressed +has so thoroughly wakened him up that the object for which he has come +to bed has been completely banished. + +It was so with Harry Kenyon in some respects that night. He had not +undressed, and he had not gone to bed, only made himself as +comfortable as he could on a mat pillow two thwarts of the boat, using +his hand as a pillow. + +As comfortable as he could! but it was not very comfortable, for the +bottom of the boat was as hard as the one quill which the Irishman put +beneath him to try what sleeping on a feather-bed was like. There was +too much light in the open cabin, and he could hear the _ping-wing_ of +mosquitoes above him in the roof. + +He shut his eyes tightly, but every now and then he could see that his +eyelids looked translucent. The water was making quite a loud, rushing +noise against the sides of the boat, and the barkings, croakings, and +indescribable noises from jungle and river-bank seemed to be +increasing minute by minute. + +Harry shifted his position a little, and then felt annoyed, for close +at hand he could hear a steady, deep breathing which he knew was his +father's, and from just beyond, another deep respiration with a faint +buzz in it, which was evidently the doctor's breath coming and going +through his big, thick, ruddy-brown moustache. + +"Why can't I go to sleep like that?" muttered the lad. "I'm just as +tired as they are, and yet I feel as if I were going to lie awake all +night." + +Harry uttered a sound very strongly resembling the grunt of one of the +lower animals, and then resettled himself. + +"Now I will go to sleep," he muttered. + +But a quarter of an hour must have passed, and he was as wakeful as +ever, while he was quite sure that he had heard the low, mournful cry +of the tiger very near. + +"Asleep, Phra?" + +No answer. + +"Phra! the tiger's coming quite near." + +This in a whisper, but there was no response, for Phra was sleeping +soundly. + +"Oh, how hot it is! I can't hardly breathe," muttered Harry; "and +there are those wretched old Siamese snoring under the mat forward as +if they were doing it on purpose to keep me awake.--Wish I could get +up and go for a walk.--How stupid! It's mad enough to go for a walk +when it's broad daylight. I know it's impossible, and yet I get +wishing such an idiotic thing as that.--Might sit up and open the mat, +though, and watch the fire-flies. + +"What stuff," he said to himself the next moment; "who's going to sit +up all night watching fire-flies dancing about like sparks in tinder? +Besides, if I opened the matting it might give some of us cold and +fever, and it would be all my fault. Oh, why can't I go to sleep! +There never was such an unlucky fellow as I am." + +He tried turning, but he could not get into a more comfortable +position, and he turned back and listened to the splashings in the +river coming nearer and going farther away. Once more he began to +think of a huge serpent up in the tree swinging itself down, and a +faint rustling in the thatch he was sure must be the great reptile's +head as it kept on touching the palm leaf matting; and in imagination +he saw the forked tongue flicking in and out of the nick in the upper +jaw, till a loud tap told him that it was only a beetle inside instead +of outside, and it had lost its hold and fallen to the bottom of the +boat. + +"That was all fancy," he said to himself; "but that rustling noise +ashore is not. I believe it's some big animal searching about the +camp." + +_Crack!_ + +"There, I knew it. A buffalo, I believe, and it put its hoof on a dead +stick." + +_Crack, crick, crick, crackle, crackle._ + +Harry sighed with relief and opened his eyes widely to see how much +lighter the interior of the matting and bamboo cabin had become +through the fire ashore falling in, and some of the piled-up wood +catching and burning briskly. + +"Now then," the listener said to himself, "what am I going to fancy +next?--I dunno," he added, after a pause. "I'm so wakeful, I could +fancy anything. I know what I'll do. I'll go and wake old Sree, and +get him to sit and talk to me." + +Harry paused to think again. The old hunter was lying just outside the +cabin, and the nearest to it of the men. Then Mike with his +currant-dumpling-like face was beside him, and he would not want to +wake him too. How was he to manage? If Sree had been sleeping in the +side of the boat, he could have stretched out his hand and touched +him, as there was no awning there, nothing but some baskets. + +But the great difficulty was how to get past Phra and his father and +the doctor before he could reach the matting, pull it aside, and touch +Sree. It seemed impossible. It was very dark now, and there would be +three pairs of legs to get over, and he felt sure that he would +stumble over them and wake everybody up. + +How to manage--how to do it--how to get by--how to get by? + +How to get by? + +It was so easy. Sree woke up at a touch, and they sat on the top of +the cabin and watched the fire-flies--and the blazing fire. They +listened to croakings and cries and the low howl of the tiger, which +did not seem to be successful in finding his mate, and it was very +calm and restful and pleasant out there in the night, only they dared +not move for fear the thatch should give way, and let them both +through on the top of those sleeping below. + +And so they sat and whispered and talked about the elephants bathing, +and the big one scenting them at last and giving the alarm, and the +whole herd disappearing after crossing that green marsh place which +let them through when they were walking. There was that strange rush +that they heard too, that which Sree said was a wild boar, and +then--_bump!_ + +What was that? + +It was to Harry Kenyon just as if a boat had thumped up against +theirs, and some one with a voice like his own had asked that +question. + +But there was no answer. All was perfectly still in the cabin, while +the noises in the jungle and on the river banks were not so loud. + +It was all dark too, for the fire had burned down, and there was no +glimmering light through the interstices of the mats. + +But he felt that he ought to see that fire, even if it were merely the +glowing embers, seated as he was up there on the top of the cabin +roof. + +Absurd! How could he be sitting up there, and with Sree too! + +They could not have got up there, and he was in his place in the +cabin. All that was dreaming. + +"Then I have been asleep," he said to himself. "I must have dropped +off hours ago, and lain here till that woke me. Some one said, 'What +was that?' No; I said it to myself, and seemed to hear it." + +Harry ceased his musings, feeling that he was certainly wide awake +now, and as certain that he had been awakened by a bump on the side of +the boat, for there was a faint grinding sound as of another boat +rubbing up against the side. + +The boy turned hotter then in the darkness, for there was a low +whispering plainly heard, and the first thought which came to him now +was that some boat had come to attack them in the night, a boatload of +the wild, piratical people who lived by robbing and bloodshed. He had +from time to time heard of junks and trading boats being attacked and +plundered, but only rarely in their neighbourhood. Certainly, though, +this was one, and his hand stole to his gun, which he grasped tightly +as with a quick movement he rose to a sitting position so that he +might alarm his father. + +Just then there was a quick, rustling sound as the matting curtain +which separated them from the men forward was drawn aside, and with a +strange sensation of palpitation in his breast, instead of calling to +his sleeping companions, the lad involuntarily cocked both barrels of +his gun. + +The loud _click, click--click, click_ gave the alarm. + +"Who's that?" cried Mr. Kenyon, springing up. + +"It is I, Sahib--Sree," came in the familiar voice. + +"Yes! What is it?" said Mr. Kenyon, and as he spoke the clicking of +gun-cocks, in company with a quick movement, told plainly enough that +the other two occupants of the cabin were awake, and well on the alert +for whatever danger there might be. + +"Adong has come, Sahib," said Sree, whose voice trembled. + +"Adong? What does this mean--is it some treachery?" + +"I fear so, Sahib," said Sree huskily. + +"And you have come to warn us?" + +"Yes, Sahib." + +"Come in here, then. Harry, hand this man a gun and ammunition. You, +Sree--there is a boat out there?" + +"Yes, Sahib; the one Adong came in." + +"With a party of men?" + +"No, no, Sahib; he came alone." + +"Ah, and the men all side against us?" + +"Yes, Sahib; I suppose all." + +"Very well; then we must fight. But who is Adong?" + +"The Sahib knows him: the young one of the two boys who help me hunt +for wild things in the jungle." + +"Oh, that young fellow!" + +"Yes, Sahib; he looks to me as to a father." + +"And yet goes against you?" + +"He go against me, Sahib?" cried the man. "Why, he would lay down his +life for me. As soon as he knew, he seized the first boat he could +swim to and followed us up the river." + +"But you said the men were all against us." + +"Yes, Sahib; as far as I can make out, all the fighting men have +risen, and they are killing and burning; and when Adong came after me, +they were going in a great crowd with spear and kris against the +King's house." + +"What!" cried Phra wildly, and Harry caught his arm. + +"Hush!" he whispered; "it may not be so bad. That man may have taken +fright." + +"You hear all this, Cameron?" said Mr. Kenyon hoarsely. + +"Hear it!" groaned the doctor. "It is what we have always dreaded. And +I am here! Oh, Kenyon, my wife--my wife!" + +Mr. Kenyon drew a deep breath. + +"Thanks, Sree," he said calmly; "I thought you meant there was danger +here. Wake up the men at once." + +"They are all awake and listening to Adong, Sahib. He had to run for +his life. What will the Sahib do?" + +"Go back at once." + +"No, no, Sahib," cried the hunter wildly; "it would mean death to you +all. They would seize the Prince, and kill him. You must wait till +day, and then we will go on right up into the jungle, where you must +hide till there is peace again, and you can go back home. We can get +food for you, and a hiding-place where the people who come to find and +kill the young Prince shall never find where you are." + +"Mr. Kenyon, you will not listen to this man?" cried Phra wildly; but +he received no answer, for just then the doctor gripped his friend +tightly by the arm in the darkness which seemed to add to the horror +of the terrible situation. + +"Kenyon," he whispered, "I am weak and ill. I cannot think. This +stroke has driven me mad. Act for me, old friend--think for me. Help +me to save my wife." + +Mr. Kenyon's reply was a firm pressure of the hand, but some moments +elapsed before he spoke. + +"Sree," he said at last, "you are a brave, true servant, and your +advice is good; but neither the doctor nor I can do as you say. What +boat is this that has joined us? A small one, of course?" + +"Yes, Sahib; it is for two rowers, but it was the only one Adong could +get." + +"It will do. Now listen, for I trust you." + +"Yes, the Sahib always trusted his servant," replied Sree proudly. + +"You will take command of this boat that we are in, and I trust to you +and your men to fight for and protect your young Prince and my son." + +"As long as we can fight, Sahib," said the man proudly. "We all love +them, and would die for them." + +"I know it, Sree. Then I trust you to find some hiding-place where +they will be safe till this rising is at an end." + +"Yes, Sahib; but what will the master and the doctor Sahib do?" said +Sree excitedly, and without heeding the eager whispering going on +close by. + +"We take the small boat now directly, and go down the river." + +"But it would be to meet boats coming up, Sahib," said the man +excitedly. "You would be running upon bad men's spears." + +"We have our guns, and shall be prepared," said Mr. Kenyon coldly. + +"But the little sampan--in the darkness, Sahib. You would overset, and +that means a horrible death too." + +"Then you will ask two men to volunteer to take us." + +"Adong and I would row you safely back, Sahib," said the man +earnestly. + +"No; I cannot spare you from watching over my son. You and your man, +who know him so well, must stay." + +"Sahib, we cannot spare you and the good doctor Sahib. Pray, pray do +not try to go back. It would be only to lose your lives." + +"Silence, man! We go to save the doctor Sahib's wife." + +"Ah, yes! the sweet, good lady," sighed Sree. + +"And the King is our friend; we cannot leave him like this. No more +words; obey my orders." + +"No!" shouted Harry, out of the darkness. "Stop where you are." + +"Harry!" cried Mr. Kenyon. + +"Yes, father, I hear; but if the King has been attacked, and--and--you +know what I mean," said the boy, choking for a moment, "Phra says he +is King and master now, and that this shall not be. We say we won't be +treated like children and be sent away to be taken care of while you +go down the river to fight." + +"That is right," said Phra firmly. "Let me speak now, Hal. You are +going to save dear Mrs. Cameron from these wretches--these fools, who +have risen against my father; we must go too. You are going to try and +save your friend, my father, who has never done anything but good for +his people." + +"Yes, and--" + +"I have not spoken all, Mr. Kenyon," said the boy proudly. "You are +going to try and save him. Well, I am his son. Not a man yet, but I +can fight; and where should I be but helping to save him? What! Do you +want him, if he lives, to be ashamed of the boy who ran away to hide +in the woods? Do you want Hal to let his father go alone? Do you think +we two could ever look dear Mrs. Cameron in the eyes again if we had +been such a pair of cowards as that? No: Hal and I are coming with +you, but there are not enough of us to attack and fight with all those +wretches. We must try cunning against them, and go to the doctor's +bungalow and to the palace by night, and bring those who are waiting +for us to the boat. Then we can come back into the jungle to wait till +my father goes back again to take his place. Now, Sree, clear away the +mats and unfasten the boat; we must start back at once. Cast off the +other, it will be in the way." + +A heavy sigh rose from one occupant of the cabin, a deep groan from +another, but not a word of opposition came from either of the elders; +and the next minute the men forward were busy rolling up the mats and +unmooring the boat, while two crept along outside the cabin to take +their oars. + +It was still intensely dark, for the matting at the cabin sides had +not been rolled up, and Mr. Kenyon sat trying to whisper a few words +of comfort to the doctor, who seemed completely prostrated by the +news, when the former felt a hand laid upon his arm, and he started +slightly, for in the black darkness he had not noticed that some one +had drawn near. + +"You are not very angry with me, father?" was whispered. + +"Angry with you, my boy? No." + +"Nor with me, Mr. Kenyon?" + +"Nor yet with you, Phra, my dear lad. No. You made me feel very, very +proud; but I think that I ought not to let you run such risks." + +"God bless you both, boys, for what you have said," groaned the +doctor. "Boys? No; you spoke like men, while I sit here feeling weak +and helpless as a child. But I shall be better soon--in a few minutes +I shall be a man once more, and we must all talk, and plan, and +scheme. For Phra is right; it must be done with cunning, as we are so +weak. Now please leave me to myself for a few minutes. First tell me, +though, are we going back?" + +"Yes," said Harry, after looking out between the mats; "the boat is +steadily going with the stream. The other is floating yonder." + +The doctor drew a deep breath. + +"Hah!" he said; "that has taken a weight from my breast. Going +back--going to the rescue. Heaven help us! Shall we be too late?" + + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +A DREARY RETURN + + +Harry was correct: the boat was gliding steadily back with the stream, +and Sree was standing right forward in the prow, looking out and +uttering warnings from time to time of dangers ahead, in the shape of +fallen trees, while he kept on admonishing the men to be content with +keeping the boat straight while the darkness lasted, and deferring all +attempts at making speed till the day came. + +It was still very dark, the stars being nearly blotted out by the thin +mist; but there were sundry significant hints that morning was +approaching, for the scintillation of the fire-flies had ceased, and +the chorus of reptile and wandering beast in the depths of the forest +was dying away. + +Leaving Mr. Kenyon and the doctor talking, the boys were standing +together right astern beyond the two rowers there, who were too intent +upon working their oars to pay any heed to them and their discourse, +though as it was carried on in English, they could have made out +nothing, had they listened. + +"I'm glad father wasn't cross," said Harry after several awkward +attempts at getting up a conversation, Phra having replied to all he +said in monosyllables, as in the present instance. + +"Yes." + +"It seemed so queer to get up and contradict his orders, and say we +would do as we liked." + +"Yes," said Phra, with a sigh, and then he added, "but it was quite +right, for we both felt that it was like doing our duty." + +"Ah!" cried Harry eagerly. "So it was. Look here, Phra, old chap, +don't you be down-hearted." + +"I am not going to be till I know the worst." + +"That's the way to take it; for look here, that Adong would only know +that there was gong-beating and spearing and setting places on fire--a +regular riot. He would not know anything about how matters were at the +palace." + +"No; he could not," said Phra, with a sigh. + +"And your father has got plenty of fighting men, who could soon stop a +mob." + +"If they were faithful to him," said Phra, sighing. + +"Oh well, they would be for certain." + +"I don't know," said Phra. "I have always been afraid of this. You +see, the second king has made friends with the bonzes, and they can +talk and preach to the people, and make them believe almost anything +about my father." + +"Because he does all kinds of scientific things," said Harry, "that +they cannot understand." + +"Yes," said Phra; "it is the old story. They are too stupid to grasp +the meaning of all he does, and because they cannot understand it, +they teach the people to believe that it is all what you English +people call 'witchcraft' and wickedness. Oh, I have not patience with +the silly babies--they are not men." + +"I hope we shall have a chance to knock some of their thick heads +together. There, you are getting in better heart now about the news." + +Phra turned upon him sadly. + +"Are you getting in better heart about poor Mrs. Cameron?" he said. + +"Oh, Phra!" cried Harry passionately. "Don't." + +"You tell me to be of good heart about my father and you are in +despair about Mrs. Cameron." + +"Yes, that's right," cried Harry passionately; "but I won't be so any +longer, for I don't believe that any of your people, even the very +worst of them, would be such wretches as to hurt her." + +Phra uttered a low groan. + +"What!" cried Harry. "You do believe they would?" + +"Our people," said Phra sadly, "are, as my father has said to me, +quiet and good and gentle as can be. They always seem merry and happy; +but deep down in their nature there is a something which can be +stirred up, and then they are like the fierce savages from the +mountains yonder. They will do anything terrible then, and these +wretches who are trying to place the second king in my father's place +know that and have driven them to rise. Hal, we can't tell what may +have happened till we get down home; but if they have killed my +father, I am king, and I shall pray night and day that I may grow +quickly into a man, so that I may kill and kill and kill till I feel +that my dear father is avenged. It will be war until I have done my +duty there." + +Harry was silent, as he stood listening and gazing in his companion's +face, which had suddenly seemed to start out of the darkness--the face +alone; all else was pretty well invisible--and there it was, a +strange, pale, ghastly-looking visage, distorted by the agony in the +boy's breast, and the deadly determination the pangs had brought +forth. + +Harry shuddered, and for some time the only sounds heard were the +murmur of voices in the cabin and the _swish_ of water as the men +dipped their oars. + +"Your father was right," said the English boy at last. + +"What about?" said Phra hoarsely. + +"About the Siamese people being so amiable and gentle until they are +stirred." + +"Yes, I see what you mean," replied Phra, "and I suppose it is so, +Hal. I feel as if I can see my poor father lying dead and covered with +bad wounds given by a set of cowards rushing upon him, and it makes me +seem to see blood, and I want to punish them for killing one who has +thought of nothing but doing the people good." + +"There, don't think such things any more," cried Harry. "I won't. It +can't be true. I'm going to believe that we shall find him and Mrs. +Cameron quite well. Yes; I know how it would be, for your father is +such a thorough gentleman in his ways, and so thoughtful. As soon as +he heard of there being any trouble, he would either go or send one of +the people with a lot of spearmen to protect them, and bring Mrs. +Cameron and all the English people into the palace. Now then, what +have you got to say to that?" + +"Yes, I think he is sure to have done that," said Phra, speaking very +slowly and gravely. "He would--if he had time; but suppose the first +he heard of the trouble was in the mad rush made by his murderers." + +"Shan't!" cried Harry. "I won't suppose anything of the kind. But I +say, it's a pity that we didn't take more notice about what I heard +said that day when we were lying in the boat place." + +"Yes," said Phra; "but I did not think we need mind a few bitter +words. Such things have been so often said by the discontented +people." + +"Discontented!" cried Harry angrily; "and a deal they had to be +discontented about! They always seemed, from the poorest to the +richest, as comfortable and as happy as could be." + +The morning broke as bright and sunny as ever, but to those on board +the boat all was changed. The excitement and delight of the trip, with +its constant array of fresh objects, were gone. The birds which +flashed out of the trees looked dull of colour; the troops of monkeys +bounding through the branches on either side were unnoticed; and the +gorgeous displays of flowers that here and there greeted the eyes of +the travellers excited no attention. + +The crocodiles seemed to Harry to be the only things in keeping with +their situation, as in a gloomy, despondent way he went to the fore +part of the boat to look out for them on a mud bank, or lying, with +only their eyes visible on the surface of the water, in some eddy or +pool. + +The constant presence of these loathsome reptiles suggested to him the +troubles at the city and its outskirts. And he felt that there would +be fighting, with people slain and tossed into the stream, where the +crocodiles would gather in swarms; and there were moments when he +almost wondered that some strange instinct did not lead the horrible +creatures to follow the boat instead of hiding in the dark parts, +where the trees hung their branches low down and touching the water. + +After a time he heard his name called, and he went back to the cabin, +where he felt quite hurt and disgusted to see that Mike had prepared a +comfortable breakfast, and his friends were waiting for him before +beginning. + +Harry's face must have spoken plainly his wonder at seeing the doctor, +so short a time before overcome with grief, looking perfectly calm and +serious, and prepared to take his place. His father noticed it, and +spoke at once. + +"Yes, my boy," he said, "we must eat and drink, or the machinery will +be useless when we want it most for thinking and acting. Sit down and +make a good breakfast." + +"Oh, father," cried the boy passionately, "I feel as if I could not +touch anything." + +"We all do, Hal," said Mr. Kenyon; "but we may have to fight, and we +shall require all our strength in our efforts to save Mrs. Cameron and +the King." + +Harry nodded, took his place, and--there is no other way of describing +what followed--ate and drank savagely, acting as if every morsel or +draught that passed his lips were to give him strength for what might +come. + +The meal was soon ended, and Mike received his orders to see that the +men were refreshed, while the doctor and Mr. Kenyon commenced talking, +with the result that the two boys now went right aft and sat together +looking up stream. + +For some minutes neither spoke, and then Harry broke out angrily:-- + +"It makes me feel mad," he cried. + +"Yes," said Phra, "and one feels the worse at having to sit here and +wait, without being able to do anything." + +"I didn't mean that," cried Harry angrily; "I mean about sitting and +eating and drinking there, just as if I was an animal without any +feeling. It's horrible." + +"Your father was quite right," said Phra; "we do want to be strong." + +Harry grunted, and turned away his face, to sit scowling at the river, +while Phra rested his head upon his hand. + +"Oh," cried Harry at last, "I should like to kill some one." + +Phra smiled at him sadly. + +"Perhaps we shall have to try before long," he said. + +"I hope so. I should like to help kill all the wretches who have made +all this trouble." + +"Should you?" said Phra, with a faint smile. "But look here, Hal, you +will try and help me to save my father?" + +"Will I?" cried the boy angrily. "Why, you know I will. Here, Phra, +let's try and think out some way of getting him out of the palace." + +"I'm afraid we shall find that he has shut himself up there, and that +we cannot get near him." + +"Well, so long as he is safe we need not mind." + +They sat on talking and planning together, more for the sake of +keeping from dwelling on the great trouble than from any hope of +thinking out something feasible, and the day wore on till the boat was +drawn up to an opening in the apparently endless jungle. + +Harry said to his companion that it was a shame, but it was a +necessity. Food had to be cooked for the men as well as for +themselves, and it was no loss of time, for after a couple of hours' +rest the men worked with renewed energy, the boat gliding swiftly down +the stream till it became too dark to venture farther amidst the many +dangers to navigation. In fact, they had kept on till, in spite of the +native boatmen's skill, the light craft was run half over a huge +tree-trunk lying out at right angles to the bank, and for a time a +terrible capsize was imminent. + +For the bows were clean out of the river for some distance, and the +water began to rush in over the stern, till several of the men crept +forward, with the result that the bows went down so suddenly, as the +craft balanced on the great trunk, that the water rushed in at the +other end, and it seemed to be a foregone conclusion that they would +sink. For with a rush and a plunge they cleared the obstacle, gliding +over into the deep water, the boat filling to gunwale as she came to a +level again, with every one preparing to swim for the nearest shore. + +But Sree called upon the little crew to follow his example, and they +all glided overboard, taking opposite sides, and supported themselves +by holding on to the boat. + +Then, in obedience to calls from Sree, the boys handed the men various +articles from Mike's little kitchen arrangements. Those left on board +took crock and bucket, and from their united efforts in baling, all +danger of sinking was soon at an end, while in a few minutes the men +one by one crept back into the boat, where they could bale with more +effect. + +Finally the boat was entirely freed from water, and an opening, which +happened to be near at hand, was reached, a fire made for drying +clothes, and as wretched a night as could be imagined was spent. + +But they were all dry and able to start the moment it began to be +light, and that day was a repetition of the preceding, and followed by +another despondent night, this time, though, one which gave +refreshment to all. + +That next day they knew they would reach the river town, and had to +time themselves so as not to get there before dark, in spite of the +eagerness for news. But it was hard to contrive everything to their +wishes. It had been expected that they would get right back two hours +before sunset, and this meant lying up in some creek for that space, +while Sree or Adong went forward by land to reconnoitre and bring news +of the state of affairs; but it so happened that the tide had not been +counted upon, and instead of gliding down with the stream for the +latter part of the way, they had to force the boat against an adverse +current, so that it became hard work to get to their destination by +dark. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +A HIDING-PLACE + + +Long before the more familiar parts of the river were reached, +preparations had been made in the way of seeing that the guns were +loaded, though their use would be only in some grave emergency, since +it was fully grasped that force would in all probability be of no +avail. Clever scheming must be the weapon, though how to bring it to +bear would depend upon circumstances. + +At last they were nearing the part of the river where it was lined +with the walls of the great temples, and farther on with boats. In a +very short time they would be abreast of the palace and of the little +English quarter, Mr. Kenyon's home being farthest away. + +And now, to the surprise of all, Sree spoke out earnestly, unasked. + +"If the place is in the hands of the rebels," he said, "the Sahibs +would lose their lives directly they landed." + +"I cannot help that," said the doctor. "I must land as soon as I am +near home." + +"The doctor Sahib will not be doing his best to save his wife," said +Sree sternly. + +"No, Doctor, you must stay in the boat while I land," said Phra. + +"To be killed at once," said Sree. "No, we will not let our Prince +land now. Sahibs, I am like the rest of the people, and I can go +ashore without being stopped. You must trust to me to go first and +bring news." + +"I cannot wait; it is impossible," said the doctor. + +"I must go and find what has happened to my father." cried Phra. + +And all the time the boat was being urged steadily on by the rowers, +nearer and nearer to the river town; but so far there was nothing to +suggest danger, for the customary sounds arose like a low murmur from +the distance, and a faint glow hung above the river--the reflection +from the paper lanthorns hanging from the boats. + +"All seems to be unchanged," said Mr. Kenyon, breaking a long pause. + +"Yes; it may be a false alarm," said the doctor. "Tell your men to row +faster, Sree, and to stop at the first landing-place beyond the +palace." + +"The Sahib doctor does not see," replied the old hunter. "Something +must have happened. Where are the lights?" + +"Yonder," said the doctor, pointing to the reflection. + +"Oh, Sahib, those are as nothing," said the old man. "And we can +hardly hear the city breathe. We are close there, and we see that +faint light and hear that little buzz of voices. It's more like a few +insects. When I have come out of the jungle far away, it has been more +bright than that and twice as loud. Will the Sahib tell his friend the +doctor he must stay and I must go and see?" + +"Yes, Cameron, Sree is right," said Mr. Kenyon. "Let him go first." + +"My wife!" said the doctor, in a hoarse whisper so full of despair +that a choking sensation rose to Harry's throat as he sat there in the +dark. + +"It means death, Sahib," said Sree plaintively, and the boat glided +on, till, rounding a bend, those on board could see that very few +lit-up houseboats were visible, and that the light came from the open +ground on either side of the palace. While hardly had they grasped +that when there was a sudden increase of the faint glow, and the loud, +jarring noise of gongs beaten, followed by a scattered firing, the +reports sounding loud in the darkness around. + +A thrill ran through all present, and each drew a deep breath, for it +was evident that the danger was very close, and in all probability +watchers might be hidden among the bushes of the river bank, whose +presence would be made known by the throwing of spears. + +"The Sahib doctor hears," whispered the old hunter; "there is fighting +going on by the palace. He will stay, and let his servant go and see?" + +"Yes; go," said the doctor huskily. + +"It is right, Cameron," whispered Mr. Kenyon.--"Now, Sree, what will +you do?" + +"Leave it to me, Sahib," was the reply, and turning to the men he +whispered his orders, and all but one of the rowers laid in their +oars, while the last just sent the boat gently along under the farther +bank of the river where the eddy made the task less difficult, and for +the next few hundred yards they glided along under the walls and +terraces of the principal Wats or temples, till they drew near to the +palace, and Harry laid his hand upon that which came out of the +darkness and gripped his arm. + +"Look," whispered Phra, in a hoarse whisper. + +"Yes; I see," was the reply, and the two boys strained their eyes to +make out what was going on near the palace, where paper lanthorns were +gliding here and there, and a low buzz arose as of many voices; but +the palace itself, as far as they could make out for the trees, was +quite dark, and not a sound arose. + +The firing had ceased before they drew near, and save the lights +moving among the trees, and the buzz of voices, there seemed to be +nothing more that they could learn. + +The boat glided on silently and without challenge, while to all +appearances, as far as they could make out in the darkness, there was +not another vessel on the river, till they had passed the stone +landing-place and reached the other side of the palace, where again a +few paper lanthorns were seen moving here and there, and now and again +came the faint sound of talking. + +And now lower down they could just make out the lights of a few boats +moored on their side of the river, but only a few, where they should +have been packed close together. + +They were now nearing the bank where the bungalows of the English +residents had been erected, and it needed a few passionate, appealing +words on the part of Mr. Kenyon to make the doctor refrain from +landing. + +"For aught we know there may be hundreds watching the boat," whispered +Harry's father, "and your landing may mean the signal for a shower of +spears. Sree, go on with your plans." + +"Then there must be silence, Sahib." + +"Yes, of course. Where will you land?" + +"Yonder, Sahib, and as soon as I have leapt on the bank Adong, who is +rowing, will take the boat across again and tie it up." + +"Yes, and then?" + +"You will wait. A boat can lie there without being noticed even in the +daytime. When I pipe like one of the little herons that fish from the +bank, the boat must come over and fetch me, for I shall have news." + +"Yes, yes," said Mr. Kenyon hastily, while the rest eagerly drank in +every word. "You will take one of the double guns?" + +"No, Sahib; nothing but my kris in my padung. If I take a gun and am +seen, I shall seem an enemy and be speared." + +"Yes; right. And we are to wait until you come back?" + +"That is so," whispered Sree. "Now, silence. No one will speak. Adong +knows." + +The next moment the prow of the light boat touched the dark bank, and +Sree leaped right ashore. + +Harry held his breath, expecting to hear the rush of feet; but all was +still, and the boat went gliding back through the darkness to the +other side, where the men made it fast, and then squatted down upon +their heels in perfect silence, watching the faint lights across the +river. + +It was a terrible silence, and Harry wondered, as he sat there +listening for anything which might give him a clue to the state of +affairs, at the change which had taken place during their short +absence. When they left, the place was bright with gaiety, and the +river fringed with houseboats full of light-hearted people; now all +was painfully still, save the murmur from the direction of the palace, +while the river glided by, lapping the sides of the boat, and making +the boy shudder as he thought of how much it could tell of the secrets +hidden beneath its dark waters. + +All at once Phra started violently, for a loud shouting and beating of +gongs arose once more from the direction of the palace. They could see +lights, too, moving, as if a party were on their way to make an +attack; but the sound of firing recommenced and kept on till the +gong-beating ceased, when the lights seemed for the most part to die +out. + +"Those mean attacks being made on the palace, Phra," whispered Harry, +"and the firing is from our friends." + +"Yes," said Phra; "but it is so hard to bear. Hal, I must go across +and see." + +"No," said a voice close to his ear. "You must stay and bear it, Phra, +till we get news." + +"Don't say that, Mr. Kenyon," whispered Phra; "it is so terrible." + +"Yes, my boy, I know it; but be a man. It is evident that your father +and his friends have beaten the enemy off again." + +"Or been killed," said Phra bitterly. + +"Oh no, my lad; if the enemy had won, there would have been a burst of +shouting, and--" + +Mr. Kenyon paused, unwilling to proceed. + +"I know what you were going to say, Mr. Kenyon; they would have set +fire to the palace." + +"Yes; they would have tried to burn the place," said Mr. Kenyon +hurriedly. "Hist! a boat is coming." + +All crouched down lower in the bottom and waited, for there was the +splash of oars and the murmur of many voices, suggesting that the boat +must be large; and in a short time they could see that it was one of +the biggest barges, propelled by many oars, while as the covered-in +part loomed up before them in the darkness while passing, the rapid +chatter told that it was crammed with men. + +There was little fear of their being noticed, as the boat lay close up +under the bank, its occupants sitting so low that they were pretty +well hidden by the side; but Harry held his breath, for he felt +assured that these were fighting men on their way to join in the +attack upon the palace. But his anticipation of a shower of spears was +not realized, and the great barge, probably one of the king's, passed +by without noticing them. + +As soon as the vessel was out of hearing, Harry whispered,-- + +"Is that full of friends or enemies, Phra?" + +"Enemies," said the lad bitterly. "If my father is shut up like that, +and the palace being attacked, he will have no friends. Oh, how +long--how long must I wait before I go to help?" + +"Patience, my boy, patience," said Mr. Kenyon softly; "we are all as +anxious as you; but when we stir it must be to do good, not to +increase your father's anxieties." + +"How could we?" said Phra impatiently. + +"By placing the son he believes to be beyond the reach of his enemies +in a position of danger." + +"That was just the right thing to say to him, poor fellow!" thought +Harry. "I wish I was as clever as my father. Poor old Phra! he can't +say anything to that." + +Harry was right. Phra remained silent, but from time to time, as he +sat with his hand resting upon his comrade's arm, the English boy +could feel it quiver as if from the pain he suffered. + +Suddenly there was a fresh burst of shouting from across the river in +the direction of the palace, suggestive of the occupants of the boat +having joined those they supposed to be the besiegers; and now the +party sat anxiously listening for another attack, but they waited in +vain. + +And how long the time seemed that Sree had been away! It was +impossible to make any calculation in such a position, but everything +had for some time been silent in the direction of the palace, where +the lights had gone out one by one, while lower down the river there +was not one to be seen, only the twinkling of the fire-flies in the +gardens on the other side. + +Suddenly the silence was broken by the doctor saying aloud,-- + +"Is he playing us false--has he escaped to save himself?" + +"No," said Mr. Kenyon firmly, "but speak lower. Sound travels along +the river by night." + +"Sree would not cheat us, Mr. Cameron," said Harry bitterly. "I'll +answer for him." + +"Then why doesn't he return--why doesn't he return?" + +"Because he has much to do." + +"But he must have been three hours away," said the doctor excitedly. +"I cannot bear this inaction longer. Kenyon, you must have me put +ashore yonder." + +"No," said Harry's father sternly; "I must take the lead here, for all +our sakes. The man has his life to look to, and has no doubt had to +thread his way among enemies." + +"He will not come back," said the doctor. "I will wait another +half-hour, and then at all costs I will be set ashore." + +"Be silent, please," said Mr. Kenyon sternly. + +"Ah, there he is," whispered Harry, for there was a low, hoarse, +piping cry from the opposite bank. + +Adong rose silently to his feet and raised his oar upright, while one +of the men forward set the boat free and gave it a good thrust out +into the current. + +Adong lowered his oar silently into the water, not making the +slightest splash; but to the astonishment of the little English party, +instead of urging the boat across he gave a few vigorous thrusts and +drove her back to the bank, squatting down again in his place. + +"What does this mean?" whispered Mr. Kenyon sternly. + +"Hist! Boat coming," whispered back the man, in his own tongue. + +Those who heard him listened, but they could not hear a sound, and at +the end of a few moments Mr. Kenyon turned angrily upon the man. + +"There is no boat," he said, in the man's language. "Row across +directly." + +"No," said the man; "boat coming. Adong hear much farther than the +master. Boat coming." + +Harry thought of the man's life in the jungle, passed in tracking the +wild creatures with his teacher, Sree, and felt that his senses would +be keener than theirs, so that the boy was in nowise surprised when at +the end of a minute the faint, far-off sound of paddling was borne to +his ears, and a boat came nearer--a boat propelled by only one oar, +and as far as he could make out with only two people in it besides the +rower, for he could hear whispering as it passed like a shadow on the +dark background in front of where he sat. + +Adong made no movement till he was satisfied that the boat was out of +hearing. Then uttering one word, the men who had held their prow to +the bank once more gave a firm thrust, sending it into the current, +and Adong sent the boat steadily across the river. + +"Quicker! quicker!" whispered Phra, for from lower down came the sound +of oars being used with furious haste, and voices were heard speaking +angrily, while having the tide in their favour the fresh boat came +along at so rapid a rate that the one the English party were in had +only just time to glide in among some overhanging bushes by the bank, +when a good-sized barge passed by so near to them that Harry felt that +they must have been seen, though the next moment he knew that the +passers-by would have looked upon their boat as one moored to the bank +and empty. + +"Sree!" + +"I am here, Sahib," whispered the hunter, stepping down to them as +soon as the barge was beyond hearing; "that is an enemy's boat, I +think, in chase of one which went up before." + +"Your news, man--your news!" whispered the doctor hoarsely. + +"I went to the doctor Sahib's house." + +"Yes! My wife?" + +"The doctor Sahib's house is gone." + +"Burned?" + +"Yes, Sahib, to ashes. There was no one there." + +"Did you go to the bungalow, Sree?" whispered Harry. + +"Burnt down to embers, Sahib Harry. Every house belonging to the +English masters has been burned down." + +"But man--man!" whispered the doctor wildly, "what are houses? Our +friends, the English people? have you found out nothing more?" + +"Yes, Sahib Doctor; the ladies were saved by the King and his +spearmen. There was a great fight, and they were all taken to the +palace. Not one was killed." + +"Thank God!" groaned the doctor, and a deep silence reigned for a few +minutes--a silence Phra respected for the doctor's sake, though he was +burning to hear more. At last the lad spoke. + +"How did you know this?" + +"From my boy, Lahn. I sought for and found him, my Prince. He saw +everything: the fight, the English Sahibs and their ladies taken to +the palace, and the houses burned by the people. Lahn is here with me +now." + +"Tell me about my father," said Phra, with his voice trembling and an +agonizing pain attacking him for fear lest he hoped too much. "He is +safe?" + +"Safe when Lahn was with the crowd of men at sunset. He is in the part +of the palace by the little court where the young Prince's rooms are. +The gates are shut, and there is much fighting by the second king's +friends, who are trying to get in." + +"And my father has all his brave spearmen to defend him?" + +There was silence. + +"Why do you not speak?" cried Phra angrily. + +"It is hard to tell, Sahib Phra," said the old hunter sadly. "Lahn +tells me that the King's guards fought for him till he and the ladies +and the Sahibs were safe in the palace; then at a word from one of the +bonzes they threw down their spears and krises in the courtyard, and +joined the King's enemies outside the walls." + +"The traitors--the traitors!" groaned Phra; "and we trusted them so. +But tell me, Sree: those lights, the cries, and the beating of gongs +to-night, what did it all mean?" + +"Fighting, Sahib. The King's friends are very few, but some of his +servants are with him still, and they beat the enemy off. Spears +cannot reach so far as guns. Lahn says fighting like that has gone on +all day." + +"Hah!" ejaculated Phra. "But tell me: you, did you do nothing?" + +"Yes, Sahib Phra; that made me so long. I went up in the dark to where +there are many hundreds of the enemy all about the palace." + +"But did you try to find a way by which we may get in tonight?" + +"No, Sahib; the enemy are many, and they watch every place." + +"But the terrace?" said Phra eagerly. "We could take the boat up +there." + +"Two of the King's barges are there, with many men guarding the +landing-place, so that the King and his friends should not escape by +the river." + +"But at the back there, by the elephant houses?" + +"A hundred men are there." + +"By the garden?" + +"It is full of spearmen." + +"Oh, is there no place?" whispered Phra--"nowhere that we could crawl +up unseen?" + +"The Sahib Prince knows the place better than his servant, and that it +is strong. His servant would have tried to climb over the wall, but +there were many men everywhere, and he could not get near." + +"If we could only let my father know that we are near!" said Phra +excitedly. + +"If we could, Sahib," said Sree slowly, "he would command you to +escape, and wait till the danger is at an end." + +"Yes--yes--he would wish me to go, but I cannot. Mr. +Kenyon--Doctor--what shall we do?" + +"We must get help," said Mr. Kenyon promptly. "Phra, my dear lad, we +can do nothing alone." + +"But who would help us at a time like this? The priests and the whole +city have risen against my father; who will help us now?" + +"We must go down to the mouth of the river as soon as it is day, and +see if there are any English or French vessels there. They would help +us." + +"Lahn says the river is full of the second king's fighting boats, +Sahib, and you could not go down. The boat would be stopped, and you +would all be slain." + +There was silence in the boat till Sree spoke again. + +"The Sahibs must hide." + +"Hide?" cried Phra; "where could we hide now? We should be seen, and +to please the bonzes the people would give us up." + +"You must hide in the boat, Sahib Phra," said the old hunter quietly. + +"What, go up the river again, and get into the jungle?" + +"No, Sahib; we must be here--close to the palace." + +"But with all the enemy's boats about, how can we?" said Mr. Kenyon. + +"By being bold, Sahib," said Sree. "His servant will make the boat +look dirty and common with mats where the cabin is, and throw that +into the river. The Sahibs must hide beneath the mats; the men can +hide their good padungs and sit in the boat and fish and chew." + +"Yes, yes," said Phra; "no one would notice them. That is good. We +must not go away." + +"But help?" said Mr. Kenyon; "we must get help." + +"His servant will swim to some boat, Sahib--he will find one, no +doubt--and go down the river to try for help." + +"No," said Mr. Kenyon, "we want you here. I will write on a leaf of my +pocket-book, and you must send one of your men." + +"Yes, Lahn would take it to an English ship if there is one," said +Sree, whose voice suggested that he was pleased that he was wanted in +the boat. "Lahn is here, Sahib. May he come on board?" + +"Of course." + +Sree uttered a peculiar sound, and a dark figure rose from the ground +where it had lain flat, and glided down the bank into the boat. + +"Now across to the other shore where we can hide," said Mr. Kenyon. + +"No, Sahib," said Sree in a low, earnest whisper; "his servant has +been thinking. We will go down to the landing-place at the bottom of +the bungalow garden." + +"Why there?" said Phra excitedly. + +"Because the Sahib Prince's servant thinks if the cabin is taken down +and thrown into the river to float away, the boat can be pushed +between the big posts of the landing-place, and will lie under the +bamboo floor." + +"Yes, when the tide's down," said Harry; "but when the tide rises, +what then?" + +"The boat will be pushed close up against the bottom of the floor, and +the water will rise a little round it, Sahib." + +"But we should be shut up like in a trap, Sree, and regularly caught," +said Harry. + +"No, Sahib; the bamboos are split, and only tied down with rotan cane. +It would be easy to undo two or three, so that we could pass out, or +to leave a little of the boat outside one end, so that there would be +room to get out on to the floor." + +"Well, you are a clever old fellow, Sree," said Harry eagerly. "And +now the bungalow is burnt no one will come there." + +"No, Sahib; they will keep away. Does Sahib Kenyon feel that we should +go there?" + +"Yes, my man, yes. It will be less of a risk, for boats that pass will +not think of meddling with the one lying there." + +That was enough. Sree said one word, and Adong rose from where he had +crouched, plunged his oar into the water, and forced the boat downward +against the tide, while Sree and the boatmen set to work and cut loose +the mats which hung from the cabin roof. These were carefully rolled +up by one of the men, while the bamboo rafters were cut away. Then +four men stood on the sides of the boat, each by one of the stout +uprights, and at the word of command raised the light matting and +palm-thatch roof, and heaved it away, to fall edgewise with a splash +into the dark river. + +Ten minutes later the last of the four uprights was thrust overboard, +and almost directly after the garden landing-place was reached, and +Sree's calculations were put to the test. + +They proved to be quite correct, for there was just room for the boat +to glide in between the bamboo posts; and as to height, the occupants +were able to keep upon their seats with a few inches above their heads +between them and the joists which supported the bamboo floor. + +"Ah!" said Phra between his teeth; "we shall be in hiding here." + +"Yes," whispered Harry; "but I don't think we shall be safe." + +"I don't know," said his father; "an open hiding-place is often the +most secure." + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +DARING PLANS + + +The tide rose but a trifle higher, so that there was no imprisonment +such as had been suggested, and the boatmen, after a modest meal of +rice, calmly settled themselves down to sleep. + +But, like his employers, Sree was wakeful, and sat near, ready to +answer questions or offer advice. + +He said that he believed they might stay where they were, +unquestioned, for days; and as for provisions, it would be easy for +him or one of his men to go here or there about the place and buy +food. + +These minor questions were soon disposed of. The main topic--how to +rescue the King and their friends--then took up all their thought and +kept them watching and waking hour after hour, a certain equality now +seeming to reign, and the boys' suggestions being listened to eagerly +by their elders. + +But everything proposed seemed to be full of difficulties. The first +most natural and simplest was to get the besieged away in boats, for +the rivers and canals were the highways, the roads through the jungle +mere elephant tracks. But this was at once seen to be impossible in +the face of the facts that the way to the river was watched, and the +large boats in the hands of the enemy. + +Then there was the plan of escaping by means of the elephants, the +whole of which were, according to Lahn, still in their great houses, +close to the part of the palace defended by the King and his friends. + +But supposing it possible that the whole of the defenders could be +mounted upon the huge, docile beasts, and could succeed in forcing +their way through the crowd of assailants, where could they go? Only +into the jungle to starve, for there was no place to which they could +flee. + +It was always the same: they were face to face with the fact that in +such a self-dependent place the King, who was all-powerful one day, +might be the next weaker and more helpless than the humblest of his +subjects. + +Plan after plan was discussed during the calm silence of that night, +when all were in momentary expectation of hearing fresh alarms and +attacks; but every idea seemed perfectly futile, and a dead silence +fell. + +Harry was the first to break the silence. + +"Why don't you propose something, Phra?" he said. "We've been talking +all this time, and you've hardly said a word." + +"I've been listening," said the boy gravely, "and I have thought." + +"Yes, what have you thought?" + +"That if we could think of some plan of escape, my father would help +you to get all your friends away." + +"Yes, of course," said Harry, for Phra had stopped. "Well?" + +"But he would not leave the place himself. I know my father. He would +say, 'I am the king here by right, and I will never leave. I would +sooner die.'" + +"I fear so," said Mr. Kenyon. + +"I can only think of my father," continued Phra; "you only of your +friends, and so we think differently." + +"Oh no," said Harry. "Your troubles are ours, just as our troubles are +yours." + +"That is so," replied the boy; "but I can only think of joining my +father to help him defend the palace till he has driven his enemies +away." + +"Phra is right," said the doctor. "We cannot bring our people away--it +seems impossible. We must devote ourselves to joining the King and +defending the palace against all enemies." + +"It is good advice," said Mr. Kenyon, "but how can we join them? It +seems impossible, too." + +"We have not tried," said the doctor coldly. + +"Sree has tried to find a way in," replied Mr. Kenyon, "and he says it +cannot be done. Do you not, Sree?" + +"Yes, Sahib. If we go as we are, your servant and the men could +perhaps make the second king and those with him believe that they were +friends; but whether by night or by day, if the sahibs try to get +there, they will all be speared. It is what the enemy would gladly +do." + +"We could fight," said Phra proudly. "We have guns." + +"Yes, Sahib Phra, and some of the enemy would be killed, but what are +we against so many?" + +"Ah, what indeed?" sighed Mr. Kenyon. "A dozen or so against thousands +upon thousands." + +"Phra Sahib is right," continued Sree. "He is prince, and should take +us to join his father the King." + +"Yes, but how?" said the doctor. + +"It can only be by cunning, Sahib," replied the man. + +"Hist! One moment," said Harry excitedly; "what about the men? The +spear-bearers forsook the King; how can we trust these boatmen?" + +"Because they love and believe in the sahibs," said Sree. "I think we +can trust them." + +"But your two men, Sree?" + +"My two--Adong and Lahn--Sahib Harry?" said the old hunter with a +little laugh. "I have always been like a father to them, and they +would follow me, even if it were to be killed." + +"And you, Sree?" the said doctor bitterly; "why should you be faithful +to us?" + +"I don't know, Sahib," said the man simply; "only that Sahib Kenyon +has been like a father to me ever since he brought me back here to my +people from among the Indian sahibs, where I had lived for years. He +has always been my good, kind master, who fed me when I was hungry, +and gave me money to buy clothes. I don't know how it is, but I feel +that I belong to him and the young Sahib Harry; and if they said to +me, 'Sree, you must die that we may escape and live,' well, it would +only be what I should do, and I should be happy. Yes, sahibs, I should +die." + +"I know you would, Sree," whispered Harry, leaning over to grasp the +man's hands. "He would, wouldn't he, father?" + +"Yes, my boy, I believe he would. He has saved my life more than +once." + +"Oh, I believe in Sree, too," said the doctor excitedly. "But those we +love are perishing close by, and we are doing nothing." + +"I know what we might do," said Harry eagerly. + +"Yes, what?" said the doctor. + +"Wait till to-morrow night." + +"Wait till to-morrow night!" echoed the doctor bitterly. "Wait while +they perish!" + +"We don't know but what they can keep the enemy off till then," said +Harry, with spirit. + +"True," said his father quickly; "but what if we wait till to-morrow +night?" + +"Then it would be dark, and we might go and join with the enemy when +they make one of their attacks. Then, when they retire, we might fall +down as if wounded, and wait close up to the gate." + +"Yes," said Phra eagerly, "and as soon as the enemy were far enough +off we could call to those in the palace that we were friends, and +they would open and let us in." + +"That sounds wild," said Mr. Kenyon, "but it is possible. What do you +say, Sree?" + +"No, Sahib; it would do for me and the men. We could get into the +palace that way, but the Sahibs? No. The enemy would know them at +once, however dark." + +"True," said Mr. Kenyon. + +"It is not possible," groaned the doctor. "We must try by force to +break through." + +"That would mean death to all, Sahib," said Sree in a low, sad voice; +"and there would be no help for your friends." + +"Stop," said Phra. "I think it might be done." + +"Hist! Sahib Phra; a boat is coming." + +All listened, but the Europeans once more felt that they had been +deceived, till suddenly there was a faint splash, followed by the dull +pattering of water against a prow, and this sound came nearer and +nearer till a big, dark shadow propelled by quite a dozen oars was +seen to glide up the river towards the palace landing-place. + +They waited till the boat passed out of hearing, and Phra went on. + +"Harry and I could darken our faces, hands and legs easily enough so +as to pass for common people. We did once dress like that. You +remember, Hal, when we went right down among the house-boats and no +one knew." + +"Yes, I remember," said Harry shortly. + +"It would be easy for us," said Phra; "but--" + +The boy stopped. + +"Would Doctor Cameron and I disguise ourselves for such a purpose as +this? Certainly we would." + +"Yes, of course," said the doctor huskily. "What about the native +clothes--the baju and padung?" + +"They would be easier to get, Sahib--easier than spears." + +"Spears?" said the doctor; "we have our guns." + +"But they would betray us, Cameron," said Mr. Kenyon. "We should have +spears for ourselves and men." + +"There are plenty of guns in the palace," said Phra. "Sree, could we +get spears by then?" + +The old hunter was silent for a while, as if thinking deeply. + +"How long is it before morning?" he said. + +"It must be near day-break now," replied Mr. Kenyon. + +"No, Sahib. Not for two hours yet. There are many spears in the big +boats that have gone up to the palace landing-place; and if the men on +board are asleep, we might get what we want." + +"There are sheaves and sheaves in the guard-rooms, Sree, if we could +get them." + +"Yes, Sahib Phra," replied the man; "but that we could not do. If the +sahibs will get on to the floor above us and stay there with the men, +it is very dark to-night, and Adong and Lahn might go with me in the +boat. We could row up very quietly, and perhaps get enough from one of +the barges." + +"Try," said Mr. Kenyon laconically. "You could not hurt if you were +careful." + +Phra whispered a word to Harry. + +"Yes," he replied. "Father, Phra and I want to go with Sree." + +"It would be better for him to go alone." + +"The young sahibs have been trained by me to be silent when seeking +wild creatures in the jungle, Sahib. They could help us by taking the +spears, if we get any, and laying them in the bottom of the boat." + +"Why not take two of the boatmen?" + +"His servant would rather trust the young sahibs," said Sree. + +"There is no time to discuss the matter," said Mr. Kenyon firmly. "Be +careful, boys, and go." + +Harry's heart gave a big throb, and he gripped Phra's knee. + +"Ah," whispered the latter; "this is what I wanted. It is doing +something to help." + +"Yes," whispered back Harry. "It is horrible sitting here doing +nothing but talk." + +Even in those brief moments something had been done; the boat had been +set in motion, and now glided with the stream from beneath the bamboo +platform out at the upper end. + +Then at a word the boatmen followed the two gentlemen and Mike out on +to the platform, and squatted down at once; Adong and Lahn seized +oars, passing the cocoa-nut fibre loops over the posts which served as +rowlocks, and, with the boys' hearts beating high with excitement, the +boat began to glide rapidly and silently up stream with the tide. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +THE SPEAR HARVEST + + +The distance was short, and to favour the daring enterprise, the +darkness seemed to grow more intense as morning drew near. The banks +of the river were invisible as they glided silently along, and the +boys were whispering together when Sree suddenly stepped to where they +sat amidships. + +"We speak not when near the tiger's lair," he said softly. "When we go +alongside the boat I pick, I shall hold on, Adong and Lahn will go on +board; you two will silently take the spears and lay them along the +thwarts." + +"Yes," said Phra, and the old hunter passed on, bare-footed, forward +to where Adong was wielding his oar. + +The two comrades sat straining their eyes, for the barges, they felt +certain, were not far ahead, and wondered whether the two boys, as +they called them--though they were full-grown men--would succeed in +the daring venture; and it was on Harry's tongue to whisper,-- + +"Oh, I wish we had made Sree send us instead." + +It was only a momentary thought, before he felt that the two dark, +nearly-naked Siamese, as strong, active and silent in their movements +as leopards, from long training as hunters, were far better adapted +for the task; and he had nearly come to this conclusion when a low +muttering reached his ears, and looking to his left, he could just +make out something dark which he knew to be one of the barges anchored +almost in mid-stream. + +The next minute he caught sight of the dim glow of a paper lanthorn, +and that was on the prow of another barge close in to the palace +landing-place; but the boat still glided on, for the keen, owl-like +eyes of Adong had seen another of the barges a little ahead. + +All was wonderfully still, but there was a dull, indescribable murmur +in the air which told of sleeping men being near at hand, and a faint, +human odour reached Harry's nostrils which endorsed the fact. + +But he had no time for thinking: the movements of the three Siamese +hunters were so rapid. The next minute they were close up to the last +barge seen, and the boat quivered a little as Sree made a movement +which meant that he had reached over and caught the side. + +So to speak, the boys listened with all their might, and their ears, +made more sensitive by excitement, seemed to magnify sound, and their +eyes to have increased power; still the darkness was so intense that +they could not see the actions of the men forward and astern. + +But their sense of feeling had grown so acute that they were conscious +of the fore part of the boat rising a little, and then of the hinder +portion lifting, each time there being a light quivering and lapping +of the water against the sides. + +"They've got aboard her," thought Harry, whose mouth and throat grew +dry. "The next thing will be spears indeed, but a shower sent at Adong +and Lahn. Then they will leap overboard with a splash, Sree will push +off, and the two boys will swim to us." + +_"Oh!"_ + +It was a mental ejaculation, and the boy's thoughts formed this +question,-- + +"Will they think to swim with the tide, for we shall float up stream?" + +A faint click as of wood against wood interrupted his musings, and +then he started, for Phra pinched his leg, the compression of the +flesh being painful from the excitement of the giver. + +Harry responded with another pinch, which to his credit was of a much +milder form, and then all was still, while the boys waited on the _qui +vive_ for what seemed fully five minutes. + +All was perfectly still, and Harry strained his eyes so as to make out +Sree holding the boat alongside in a position which enabled him to +keep it steady, while at the same time he was ready to thrust it right +away into comparative, though not perfect, safety, for a well thrown +bamboo-hafted spear flies far and with deadly power. + +"There are none, or they can't find them," thought Harry, but the next +moment the bamboo shaft of a spear touched his shoulder, the man who +handed it being careful to pass the butt end of the weapon first, and +quick as lightning the boy received it and laid it down behind him, +reaching up his hands again to feel for another, and becoming +conscious at the same moment that Phra was stooping to lay down one he +had received. + +It was not easy to feel the weapons in the dark, but they felt for and +received two each, and then there was a pause, while they listened to +the _murmur, murmur_ from one of the other great boats, which sounded +as if some one was relating a long story in a low tone. + +Then two more spears were passed down, and two more, it being hard +work to lay them alongside the thwarts without making them rattle; and +again there was a pause for what seemed to the boys fully ten minutes, +before they heard a low, rattling sound, as if several of the bamboo +shafts had been laid together against the rail of the barge, and the +murmur ceased. + +Harry held up his hands for another spear, but he reached about in +vain. There was no response till the murmur recommenced, when there +was another rattle, louder than the first, and again the murmur +ceased. + +But now the butts of two spears touched Harry in the chest, and he +seized and laid them down, finding two more waiting. + +These he grasped and laid down. Then two more, which he also seized, +thus taking possession of six in less than a minute; a dull rattling +in front telling that Phra was as busily employed, though how many he +had obtained it was impossible to tell. + +The murmur of voices began again, but the two men did not make any +sign of returning, and the boys waited with beating hearts, but waited +in vain. + +They raised their hands and felt about overhead, but nothing more was +handed to them, and the desire was strong upon Harry to creep to where +Sree was holding the boat close against the barge's side, and ask him +what he thought; but the feeling that the old hunter was in command, +and that the two boys might be only obeying their master's orders, +stayed him, and he waited. + +"Here they are," he thought at last, for there was a movement high up +on the side of the barge. + +He raised his hand again, and as he did so he felt a sharp jerk in the +sleeve of his jacket and starting back he knew instinctively that the +blade of a spear had been sharply thrust down instead of the butt, and +had passed through his jacket, grazing his arm, while the jerk he gave +held the blade entangled lightly between his arm and side. + +"What does he mean by that?" thought the boy as he was dragged forward +and nearly off his feet, for he had seized the shaft with both hands. + +He knew the next moment, for there was a loud shout, the sound of a +blow; the spear came free, and something heavy and soft drove him +backwards, while a sudden jerking of the boat brought Phra to his +knees. + +The shouting increased, and was responded to from barge after barge, +the alarm having spread; but the boat was rapidly gliding across the +river, and, turning at the opposite side, began to descend again at a +pretty good rate, while a couple of lanthorns could be seen moving +about on the barge they had left, and others were being lit as fast as +was possible--slowly enough--on the others. + +It was still too dark to make out what was taking place in their own +boat, but it seemed to Harry in the excitement and confusion that only +one of the men had dropped in and was rowing forward, while Sree was +working the after oar, but with danger so near, he dared not even +whisper to Phra, who was close by. Another thing was that he was +trying to draw the spear from his left sleeve, in which it was +strangely tangled, as if the man who thrust had given it a twist; and, +worse still, he had become conscious that his arm and sleeve were wet, +a peculiar smarting sensation telling him that he was bleeding freely. + +"At last!" he said to himself, as he tore out the spear; and then he +started, for Sree was leaning over him. + +"Adong--Lahn?" whispered Harry. + +"Both here, Sahib. Are you hurt?" + +"I don't know. Yes--a little." + +"Put your hand on the place," said Sree. + +Harry obeyed, and the next moment a broad band was tightening over it. + +"Now slip your hand away," whispered Sree. + +Harry obeyed, and the band was drawn tighter and something wrapped +round again and again before it was tied. + +"Don't talk," whispered Sree; "they will follow us, and I must row." + +He went aft, and put out another oar, helping to send the boat more +rapidly along; and it was necessary, for before they had gone much +farther, the boys could make out that many more lanthorns had been +lit, and a couple of barges were beginning to move, one going up +stream, the other coming down after them. + +But the boat was going very fast now, and not many minutes had elapsed +before they were abreast of the garden, and Sree was guiding the craft +towards the landing-place. + +"Are you hurt much?" whispered Phra. + +"A nasty cut, that's all," was the reply. "Some one stabbed at me with +a spear, and I thought it was only one being handed down. Never mind; +we've got what we went for. Here, what's the matter?" + +For Phra had drawn his breath as if in pain. + +"Nothing much, only that man Adong fell down on me and hurt my back +against the seat. Doesn't matter; soon be better. But you--does it +bleed much?" + +"Oh no; it's only like having a big finger cut instead of a little +one. I say, do you think they'll find us out here?" + +"No; they won't think we should hide so close. If they do, we must use +the guns." + +"Well, what success?" whispered Mr. Kenyon. + +"Got the spears, father," said Harry, with forced gaiety, "but they +heard us at last, and one of the barges is coming after us." + +"Hist!" whispered Sree. "All get in now." + +Long before the pursuing barge came abreast the party were all lying +snugly beneath the landing-stage, and preparations for defence were +made, the English and Sree with their guns ready to repel and attack, +and the boatmen provided with the keenly-pointed spears. + +There were breathless moments as the lanthorn-hung barge came steadily +along, and every one expected that the crew would turn aside; but +there was no check to the rowing, and the fugitives were able to +breathe more freely as the lanthorns grew more faint, when the first +words said were by Phra,--words which sent a thrill of horror through +Mr. Kenyon, for Phra said in a hurried, excited manner: + +"Here, Doctor, you must see to Harry: he is wounded." + +"Only--a scratch," said the lad in a strange voice, and then he fell +over sidewise. + +The shock had been greater than he himself believed, for he had +fainted away. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +THE HELP SEEKER + + +Doctor Cameron satisfied himself that the wound was not bleeding, and +a little sprinkling with cold water soon brought the sufferer to, but +nothing more could be done till daylight lit up their refuge. + +Meanwhile they waited anxiously, and ready to sell their lives dearly +should they be attacked by the returning barge, Sree having given his +opinion that their pursuers would not go very far. + +He was quite right, for before half an hour had passed the sound of +oars came over the water with what seemed to be a regular throb, which +grew more distinct as the minutes passed away. + +And now, to hide the clean, superior aspect of the boat, three or four +of the mats, which had been taken down, were roughly torn and damaged, +after which they were hung clumsily from the bamboos overhead, the +lower part trailing in the water, so that, in addition to the damaged +look they gave the boat, they formed a shelter behind which the party +waited, weapon in hand. + +Faint signs of the coming day were visible, and the notes of birds +could be heard; but it was still dark enough to help their +concealment, for the stars were shining faintly when the barge came in +sight and swept by without its occupants noticing the boat in its tiny +harbour. + +But no one stirred till the barge had passed quite out of sight, and +then as the daylight rapidly broadened, Doctor Cameron helped his +patient to the stern of the boat, and, with Mr. Kenyon and Phra +looking on, drew off the boy's jacket and proceeded to examine the +wound. + +"Only a slight, clean cut, Hal, my boy," he said, as he tore up a +handkerchief for a bandage, and bound the wound. "It bled freely, but +the edges are well together, and it will rapidly heal. How was it?" + +Harry explained, watching the doctor the while, as he drew out his +pocket-book, took needle and silk from within, and neatly sewed up the +end of the bandage. + +"Lucky for you it did not strike you in the chest. There; to-morrow or +next day I will put on a little strapping. You need not even carry +your arm in a sling." + +Mr. Kenyon sighed with relief, and then proceeded with the others to +examine the weapons Adong and Lahn had handed down from the barge +before they were heard and had to make their escape. + +And now it was seen that the pair had done more than merely obtain the +spears, for as they rose from the bottom of the boat and stood +stooping in the light which streamed clearer and clearer through every +opening, they proudly showed that their lingouties, or waistbands, +were stuck full, back and front, of the krises or native daggers in +their wooden sheaths. + +"Capital!" cried Mr. Kenyon, and the two men's eyes flashed with pride +at the words of praise bestowed upon them. Even the doctor looked less +sombre, and took eager interest in the process of arming their +followers, the krises being handed round, and each man apportioned one +of the spears, which were now laid neatly along the thwarts of the +boat on either side, ready for use. + +Fortunately there was a sufficiency of food left in the boat to last +for a couple of days or more, for it had been well provisioned at +starting, so that there was no need to attempt any search for more, +and Harry drew Sree's attention to the fact that the fishing bamboos +and lines were still untouched where they had been placed across the +bamboo rafters. But it was a day of agony for those who had so much at +stake. + +Mr. Kenyon refused to look at the ruins of his home, but Harry could +not resist the temptation to creep out on to the bamboo floor and then +crawl a short distance up the garden, keeping well in shelter among +the bushes till he could see all that was left of the charming, +well-tended home. + +"And all the beautiful specimens gone!" he sighed. + +"Yes, sir, and all my clothes and treasures in my pantry," said a +familiar voice. + +"You here, Mike!" said Harry, starting. + +"Yes, sir; the master said I might crawl after you to have a look. Oh +dear, dear! burnt to ashes! Why didn't they build the place of stone +instead of wood?" + +"I don't know, Mike. I was too little to have any voice in the +matter." + +"Yes, sir, you was, and precious little too; but oh dear, oh dear! I'm +a ruined man. Think it would be safe to go to the tool shed and get a +shovel? I see it ain't burnt." + +"No; we must not risk being seen. But what do you want to do?" + +"Try and find something among the ashes where my pantry was, sir." + +"No, you must not go now. What is it you want to search for?" + +"Honour bright, sir? You won't go along with Mr. Phra and dig for it +yourself?" + +"Dig for _it!_ Is it likely? What is _it?_" + +"That little old Chinee teapot o' mine as stood on the shelf." + +"What, that old bit of rubbish, Mike! Why, both the spout and handle +were knocked off." + +"That's so, sir," said Mike, with a queer look; "but the lid was all +right." + +"Pooh! I could buy you a better one for--" + +"No, you couldn't, Master Harry, because you see there's no chance for +spending such money here, so I saved a bit." + +"Saved a bit?" said Harry. + +"Yes, sir; there was just a hundred and one silver Chinese dollars in +that teapot. Now do you understand?" + +"Yes, Mike, I understand," said the boy sadly. "But never mind; +they'll be safe enough till we've got the mastery over these +wretches." + +"Don't think they'll all ha' melted away, do you, sir?" + +"They may have melted, Mike, but not away. Perhaps they'll have all +run down into the shape of the bottom of the teapot; but if they have, +the silver will be worth the money." + +"Oh, come, sir; there's some comfort in that. I say, Master Harry, are +we going to have to fight?" + +"I think we are sure to, Mike." + +"Well, I s'pose I am a coward now, sir. I used to be a bit of a dab +with my fists when I was your age; not as I was over fond of it; but +I've never killed anybody, and I'd rather clean the guns any day than +shoot men with 'em. But after hearing all I have, and after seeing +what they'll do with spears--for it wasn't that chap's fault that he +didn't send that spear through you instead of your arm--and what with +the business last night, and the doctor's trouble, and now seeing our +house and my pantry turned into just a heap of ashes, it's a bit too +much. It makes me want to fight, sir; and if there is any going on, I +will." + +"That's right, Mike. You will stand by us then?" + +"That I will, Master Harry," said the man, with the tears in his eyes. +"I aren't been all I should ha' been as your father's servant, but I +am a man, sir, and an Englishman, and Englishmen must stick together +out in foreign parts like this." + +"They must indeed, Mike." + +"Then I'll be close at your back, Master Harry, wherever you go; and +if I gets killed, well, I do, sir, and I leave you all the silver in +that old pot." + +"_Phee--ew!_" + +"Quick! let's get back," whispered Harry, giving the man a grateful +look, and hiding a disposition to laugh; "that was Sree whistled. Some +one must be coming along the river." + +The warning was repeated softly before they reached the landing-place. + +"Quick, quick!" said Mr. Kenyon, in a loud whisper, and they had only +just time to creep down into the shelter when half a dozen large boats +were seen coming up the river, each filled with men, whose +spear-points glittered in the sunshine; and once more all crouched in +readiness to defend their little stronghold, should the boat attract +the attention of the enemy as they passed by. + +But the boats passed on, following in each other's wake, the occupants +being too much taken up by the sounds which suddenly arose from the +direction of the palace; for just as the first boat was nearly abreast +of the landing-stage the sharp reports of guns told that a fresh +attack was being made upon it, the first discharges producing a +strange excitement amongst the enemy, who began rowing with all their +might, so that they soon passed, but without giving much relief to +those who watched, for the firing increased, and it was evident that a +desperate attack was going on. + +Then the firing ceased as suddenly as it had begun, leaving the +listeners in a frightful state of doubt. + +For the cessation might just as probably mean that the enemy had +forced their way in as that they had been beaten off; and as the +silence continued for quite an hour, Harry and Phra moved so as to be +close to the doctor, and then gently take his hand. + +The sound of firing, when every shot may mean the death of a fellow +creature, is a strange reviver of hope--a peculiar comforter; but when +at the end of that weary hour the firing began again, both Phra and +the doctor started up with their faces flushed with eager excitement, +and Harry felt ready to shout. + +"They're not beaten," he said proudly. "The King's too strong, and he +drives the wretches back every time. Why, father, when we get to them +to-night, they will all be in such good spirits that it will be +dangerous for the enemy to show themselves again." + +"We must be thinking about our attack, Sree," said Mr. Kenyon, without +making any reply to his son's outburst. + +"I am going as soon as it grows dark, Sahib. There is not much to do. +A little brown earth to moisten and rub over your hands, arms, and +faces." + +"Yes, yes, that is easy enough; anything will do as it is night; even +gunpowder could be used. But the garments? it is of them that I was +thinking." + +"The sahibs will have to use those of the common people, and so many +are away from their boats that it will not be long before I can get +padungs enough. Those are all that you will need, and be the best +things to hide you; for no one would think that you could be sahibs, +dressed like that." + +The rest of the day went sluggishly by, with total cessations of the +firing filling the listeners with despair and hope returning whenever +it was resumed. + +At last, after many alarms from passing boats, the sun sank low, and +the question of sending off a message to some English vessel in the +port had to be decided for Mr. Kenyon had pencilled a few lines +containing an urgent appeal for help from any captain into whose hands +it might fall, begging that he would at once set sail for the nearest +port where a British man-of-war might be found--Hong-Kong or +Singapore--and lay before the authorities the critical position in +which the tiny English colony was placed, and imploring that steps +might be at once taken for their rescue. + +To deliver this note, a trusty messenger was needed, and a boat. + +And now there was a feeling of bitter regret that the sampan in which +Adong had followed them up the river had been abandoned from the hour +the man came on board as being a useless appendage at such a time of +peril. But Sree declared that there would be no difficulty in finding +one after dark, so part of the trouble was at an end. + +The question then arose as to who should be the messenger, and Sree +now proposed Adong. + +He would soon find a boat, Sree said, but he thought that some one +should accompany him, and that the some one should be Sahib Harry. + +"I couldn't go," said Harry hastily. "I must stay to help here." + +"But the young Sahib is wounded; and if he took the letter with Adong, +he would be safe." + +"I don't want to be safe like that," said Harry hastily. "I can't go, +father; I must stay with you." + +"But it is most important that the letter should be placed in some +Englishman's hands," said Mr. Kenyon; "and Sree is right, my boy; you +would be safe." + +"Oh no, father," cried the boy excitedly; "there would be as much risk +in sending me there as in letting me stay. I may be of some help here; +and, besides, I couldn't go and leave you." + +Mr. Kenyon gave way. The paper was rolled up small, a bamboo was cut, +and into one of its hollows the paper was thrust, and then the place +was plugged so that it was water-tight, in case the messenger had to +swim. Lastly, armed with a kris in his waist-band, and with one of the +spears, Adong, who fully appreciated the importance of his mission, +proudly took his departure, going off through the garden; for, as Sree +said, no one was likely to interfere with such a man as he at a time +like that. + +The little party breathed more freely when the man had gone, for it +was like the first step towards a rescue; but in a few minutes there +was a short, earnest conversation with Sree as to how his man would +manage. + +"He will journey down the river till he sees a boat that he can take, +and then go on, lying up close to the shore when there is danger, and +going on down again towards the sea." + +This decided, the perilous enterprise of joining with some portion of +the attacking force was discussed in what was really a little council +of war; and it was determined that Sree should assume the character of +leader, with Phra as his lieutenant, the rest being followers. How and +where they were to join the enemy must, it was agreed, depend upon +circumstances. + +The men were eager to a degree, declaring themselves ready to die so +that they might save the King; and as soon as it was quite dark the +well-armed party quitted their cramping position in the boat to +assemble in the forlorn and deserted garden, the boat being well +secured, and left as a place of _rendezvous_ in case of fortune being +against them, and as a means of escape in dire peril. Then Sree went +away for an hour, and returned, declaring the time had come. + +In the few words which passed in whispers as they made for the gateway +opening on the riverside track leading to the rest of the English +bungalows, and beyond that to the palace, it was quite decided that +they had nothing to fear in marching boldly onward through the +darkness, for their appearance as so many well-armed men going to join +in the attack would be quite natural, the second king's army +consisting as it did merely of an armed rabble, with which some of the +King's half-drilled guards were mixed after they had deserted him in +his peril. + +Of all this Sree in his efforts to spy out the state of affairs had +thoroughly convinced himself; the great danger was that Phra or the +gentlemen might excite suspicion; but the efforts to disguise them had +been most successful, the simplicity of their garb and the coloured +skins promising in the darkness and confusion to be enough. + +Then a few words were addressed by the old hunter to the men, and the +adventurers moved out of the gateway, and with beating hearts made for +the lights whose reflections could be seen above and through the +trees. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +A DESPERATE VENTURE + + +It was an exciting tramp, but those most concerned in the success +marched on with such a display of eagerness as sent a thrill of +confidence through Harry, who, for the first part of their little +journey, walked beside Phra, the boys talking in whispers about what +would probably be done. + +"It seems very horrid," whispered Harry. "Why, when we go up to the +attack, we shall be longing to stick our spears into the wretches who +are about us, and all the time we shall have to seem like friends." + +"You will not be able to do anything but carry your spear over your +shoulder," replied Phra. + +"Shan't I? You'll see. My arm doesn't hurt much now; and if we get +fighting, I believe that I shall not feel it at all. Oh, Phra, how I +do long to begin! It's the thinking about it all and the waiting that +is the worst." + +"Talk in a lower tone," said Mr. Kenyon in a whisper; "and as soon as +we hear the enemy be silent." + +Phra kept by his comrade's side, and twice over, when voices were +heard in front, Sree halted his party, a low, snake-like hiss being +the agreed signal. + +To the great satisfaction of all, the voices came from a couple of +parties, apparently, as far as could be made out in the darkness, +similar in numbers to their own, and moving in the direction of the +palace. + +Encouraged by this, Sree went on more boldly, and they soon found that +the very daring of their enterprise would prove their safety, the +attacking force being made up of groups all strange to one another, +their only bond being that they were bent on the same errand--the +destruction of the palace and overthrow of the King's power, with the +massacre of the whites. + +In fact, as during one halt Sree told Mr. Kenyon, it would be quite +possible to join on to any party they liked, their presence showing to +the strangers that they were on the same side, and consequently, for +the time being, friends. + +"We can go where we like now, sahibs," said Sree; "and all you have to +do is to keep away from any of the lights." + +Consequently the need for caution was at an end, and, after a short +consultation with Phra, Sree determined to go right round to the back +of the palace, where he proposed that they should scale the outer +wall, cross the garden, and then make for the inner wall near the +elephant house, where the great gates were with their sculptured +figures. + +Increasing their pace now, they passed through several groups +numbering hundreds; the people, who were non-combatants, gathered in +the hope of plunder, giving way at once at the bold advance of the +little band of spearmen, and following at a distance for some hundreds +of yards before halting, for there in front were the outer walls. + +Before they reached these, as they loomed up in the darkness, the +gloom was cut in many directions by flashes of light, and there was +once more the loud, sputtering fire of the defenders, who were still +safe and keeping their enemies at bay. + +The firing seemed to inspire the little party with renewed eagerness, +and at a word from Sree they broke into a trot, following an avenue of +palms which led right up to the wall, where there was a little, +strongly-made gate. + +Before reaching it, Sree called a halt, and there was a short debate. + +"The enemy must have broken open the gate," Phra whispered; "and they +are in the gardens." + +"Never mind," said Sree; "we must go on and try to get to the Great +Elephant gates." + +The next minute they found that they were wrong, for the little +doorway in the stone wall was fast, but directly after they found that +a couple of roughly-made bamboo ladders had been tied and placed +against the wall, up one of which Sree crept, Phra mounting the other, +followed by Harry, while Mr. Kenyon and the doctor followed Sree. + +Then the first check came. There was a sharp movement, the staves of +spears rattled on the other side, and a voice challenged them with the +question where they were going. + +"To help take the palace, of course," said Sree sharply. + +There was a laugh. + +"Over with you, then," said the man who challenged; "but you will not +all come back." + +Sree made a show of hesitating. + +"What, is it a hard fight?" he said. + +"Yes; hundreds have been shot down as fast as they tried to climb the +gates. What! Are you afraid?" + +"Afraid? No," said Sree, seating himself on the top of the wall. + +The man laughed again, and his laugh was echoed by what sounded like a +score of companions. + +"There, don't shirk it," said the man in command. "You must take your +chance, and there'll be plenty of loot for those who are first in." + +"Then why don't you go?" growled Sree. + +"Because we're ordered to stop here by our leader. Come, over with +you." + +Sree hesitated for a moment or two. + +"They can't see to shoot in the dark," he said; and calling on his +party to follow, he hurried down the ladder on the other side, +followed by the rest, and receiving an encouraging cheer from the +enemy. Phra stepped to Sree's side and guided the party by the most +direct path towards the gates they sought. + +Naturally it was familiar enough to Harry, but it seemed strange and +terrible as they approached the great bronze gates behind which a +little party of their friends had evidently entrenched themselves and +kept up a fire whenever a party of the enemy dashed up to thrust with +their spears through the open work of the barrier. + +Harry had instant warning of the danger of their position in the +bullets which came whistling by, but a word of warning from Sree made +the new-comers strike off to the left, where they were out of the line +of fire; while now the boy made out, more by the murmuring of voices +than by the eye, that the rebels, in two strong bodies, had grouped +themselves on either side of the opening for safety, and from one or +the other of these a little party kept on dashing up to the front, +shouting defiance and trying to alarm the defenders in the hope of +driving them back, so that the gates might be climbed. + +This was evidently the principle upon which the attack had been +carried on--a desultory, useless plan so long as the defenders stood +firm. In fact, there was no discipline, no cohesion in the attacking +force, no mutual dependence; merely the hand-to-hand fighting of a +barbarous people, and the result could be heard in the many sighs and +groans which came from where the wounded had been carried or had +dragged themselves out of the line of fire. + +There was the humming crowd in the darkness just in front, and a few +steps would have taken Mr. Kenyon's party right amongst them; but no +one heeded the new-comers, and once more the leaders drew together to +consult. + +"We can do nothing here," whispered Phra. "If we were not shot down by +our friends, we could not sham dead. Look there, we should be seen." + +For now there was a flash of light, and a blazing mass of fire, +somewhat after the fashion of a blue light, came flying over the gate, +to fall twenty yards outside, and throw up the swarthy bodies of the +enemy like so many dark silhouettes, while a rapid burst of shots told +the reason for the light, several men having afforded good aim to the +defenders, and half a dozen dropping amidst groans and howls of rage. + +"Yes, it is impossible," whispered Mr. Kenyon in Siamese. "Is there no +place where we could climb this wall?" + +There was no reply for some moments, during which the blue light began +to burn out, and a man darted forward to trample upon it, but to his +cost, for two shots were fired, and in the expiring, pallid glare the +man was seen to stagger a few paces and then fall. + +A roar of rage followed this proof of the defenders' marksmanship, and +another rush was made at the gate by the maddened enemy, not in +obedience to any order, but every man acting upon his own impulse; and +amidst the roar of voices, the clattering of spears against the bronze +ornamentation, and the firing of the defenders, Sree uttered his low +hiss, and led the way with Phra away to the left, the latter plunging +directly after into a secluded walk close to the wall, where all was +completely deserted, and Harry felt that if they only had one of the +bamboo ladders they had so lately used, it would be perfectly easy to +climb up and drop within the palace courts. + +Their evasion was either not heeded, or merely looked upon as part of +an attempt to turn the defenders by means of a fresh attack; so the +little party crept silently along through the bushes which acted as a +blind to this part of the wall, above which a portion of the palace +rose. + +A sudden thought struck Harry, and, with his spear sloped back over +his shoulder, he pressed on quickly to the front. + +"Phra," he whispered, as he reached his friend, "the big tree." + +"Hist! Yes." + +In another minute they were all halted in the intense darkness close +up to the trunk of a huge tree whose boughs spread horizontally in +every direction, some overhanging the walls, a place familiar to +Harry; but as soon as he had realized Phra's intent he felt convinced +that the defenders would have taken steps to do away with so +vulnerable a part of their defence. + +For here it was quite possible to climb up the dwarfed trunk, crawl +along one of the enormous horizontal boughs, and drop down into the +open space between the wall and the palace. + +Phra had evidently the same idea; but upon searching round a little, +the bushes beneath rustling as he and Sree passed here and there, it +was evident that no saw had been at work, and in a whisper Sree +announced that he was going first to show the way. + +"The bough will bend down at the far end," whispered Phra, "and it +will not be so far to drop. Here, I will go first; I can climb." + +Amidst the almost breathless silence beneath the tree, Phra began to +mount, and Harry whispered that he would come next, just as a fresh +burst of firing, which sounded distant, arose. + +"You cannot climb, Sahib," whispered Sree; "your arm." + +"I _will_ climb," whispered back Harry. "Hold my spear." + +He passed the weapon to the old hunter, and followed Phra right up to +the fork, level with the top of the wall; and by that time his comrade +had nearly reached the wall, which was a couple of feet below the +great bough, when there was a bright flash from a window, the crashing +of a bullet through the branches of the tree, and almost +simultaneously a loud report. + +"Don't fire--don't fire! Friends!" cried Mr. Kenyon; but before the +words had passed his lips there was another report. + +"Who is it?" came now. + +"Kenyon, Cameron, and men to help," cried the doctor. + +"How are we to know that? Speak again." + +"Up with you, and over!" cried Mr. Kenyon angrily. "We shall have the +wretches round here directly. Quick, boys; get on, and drop!" + +There was no further opposition; the English was unmistakable, and the +two who had been at the window guarding the well-known weak spot, +descended from the barricaded window to help the new-comers, welcoming +each warmly as he descended. + +It was close work though, for, hearing the firing, a party of the +watchful enemy was attracted to the spot before all were over, the +last man and Sree--who had stayed to see all in safety before he +crossed the natural bridge--having to halt and engage in a sort of +duel with spears in the darkness, when from their crippled position in +the tree, matters would have gone ill with them but for the diversion +made by the defenders, who fired a little volley from the window, +which held the enemy in check till Sree was safe. + +"What an escape!" whispered Harry, as he caught the old hunter's arm +when he dropped into the narrow court. + +"Yes, Sahib; they came very near to stopping me from joining you; but +there, I'm used to such escapes. It is many times that I have been +nearly killed. But now some of us must stop here to keep the enemies +of the King away, for where we got over they will try to do the same." + +It was felt that no better way of defending the spot could be adopted +than that already in practice, and the two colonists, after warm +congratulations had passed between them and their friends, returned to +their position at the window, while Phra eagerly led his tiny +reinforcement round to the little court by the Elephant Gates, where +the small wing of the palace had been fortified as much as was +possible, and was being held by the King. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +FOR LIFE + + +It is needless to try and describe the meeting between Doctor Cameron +and his wife and friends, or that between Phra and his father, the +King. They were brief enough, and at a time when any moment they might +be called upon to take a final farewell, for the state of affairs was +very desperate in the palace, whose defenders were getting worn out by +the constantly recurring attacks. The coming then of the +reinforcement, trifling as it seemed, was hailed with the most intense +satisfaction, giving as it did fresh hope to the defenders when they +were beginning to despair. + +For the palace, with its extended walls, was too big for so small a +garrison to defend. + +In all there were not more than sixty people fit to bear arms, forty +being the white colonists, the remaining twenty officers and nobles +who had remained faithful to the King, and who had proved that they +were ready to lay down their lives in his defence and that of the +ladies who had been brought into the palace when the revolution first +broke out. + +Ten minutes after the reinforcements had reached the group of +defenders another attack was made; and now from the interior the boys +had a view of the way in which the enemy was made to suffer. + +For the King had cast aside all his quiet, studious ways, and was +fighting side by side with his defenders. It was he who had prepared +the light grenades by mixing up certain proportions of nitre, sulphur, +and antimony, ramming the powder into small vases, which one or other +of the gentlemen lit, and then hurled over the gate, throwing the +enemy into confusion and giving the little party of marksmen behind a +barricade that had been thrown up, a good opportunity for inflicting +loss upon the enemy who were thus time after time kept at bay and +disheartened, when a combined attack must have been fatal to the +defenders of the palace. + +And now as the two boys watched the firing, they realized more fully +how weak were the defences, and how easily the hundreds upon hundreds +of rebels swarming outside might have carried them by a brave attack, +when, unless they had been able to make a stand in the wing of the +palace, the besieged must have been crushed by weight of numbers. + +Harry had noticed this, inexperienced as he was; but it was further +impressed upon him by a whisper from Phra, who stood by him, double +gun in hand. + +"If their leader were to make one bold attack, Hal, we should be +driven inside, and then I'm afraid it would be all over." + +"There are a good many of them," said Harry evasively, "and it doesn't +seem nice shooting at people as if they were tigers." + +"They are tigers," said Phra fiercely. "They would kill us all." + +"Then we must treat them as tigers," said Harry coolly, "and shoot all +we can. Look here, the numbers are not so bad as they appear, because +one Englishman is as good as ten such fighting men as these, to put it +modestly; and you and your father and some of these here are half +English now; so we're stronger than we seem. I say, I don't feel as if +I want to know, it's so horrible; but I feel as if I ought to." + +"To know what?" + +"When the wretches burned the bungalow, did they--" + +"Look out!" panted Phra; "they're coming on to break down the gates." + +Phra was right, for by the light of the paper lanthorns, swinging on +high at the tops of spears, a dense crowd of the enemy could be dimly +seen surging up towards the opening with a dull, hoarse roar; and a +sharp order or two was given by some one who seemed to be in command. + +There was an order too given on the defenders' side, and as the foe +reached the gates and planted rough ladders there to climb up--this +being the first time they had been so daring in their attack, those +before having been confined to thrusting and throwing spears--a single +shot rang out, and then another. These were followed by a volley from +about a dozen pieces, but the assailants were not checked. Several +fell, but the others came on desperately, and in obedience to a word +from Sree the spearmen just brought in marched forward to stand close +behind the people firing, and about a dozen more drawn up by the +palace joined them. + +_Crash!_ + +Another volley, the bullets for the most part passing through the open +work of the gates; but still the enemy swarmed on. + +Just then a dark figure ran back to where the boys stood, gun in hand, +ready to fire. + +"Hal! Phra!" was whispered hoarsely; "if they get through and we are +driven back, don't wait to resist, but rush into one of the rooms at +once and fire through the open windows. We are all going to retreat +there." + +"Where is my father?" whispered Phra excitedly. + +"I don't know; I have not seen him for the last few minutes." + +"Ah! here he comes," cried Phra. + +"Stand away, boy!" cried the King excitedly, as he ran down the steps +from the palace entrance, bearing something in each hand spitting and +sparkling like a firework. + +Phra gave way at his father's command, but rushed after him to be +ready to defend him from injury; and, as if from a natural instinct, +Harry followed to defend his comrade, till they saw the King stop in +front of the gates, over which many of the enemy were climbing, some +to reach the ground unhurt, others to fall, shot down. + +As the King stopped there seemed to be a sea of fire about his head, +as he whirled one of the sparkling objects round; then it passed from +his hand, formed a tiny arc as it flew over the gate, and fell amongst +the crowd beyond. + +Another volley was fired now; but hardly had the flashes of the pieces +darted from the muzzles of the guns before the second fuze, sparkling +brightly, flew from the King's hand, forming another arc of +scintillating light as it cleared the gates and would have fallen +twenty feet or so beyond, but ere it reached the ground there was a +blinding flash, a tremendous concussion, which drove the boys back, +and a terrific roar. + +For a few moments there was dead silence, and then from the spot where +the first missile had fallen, apparently without effect, there was +another roar, followed by a rush of feet, cries, and groans, while +from within there were fierce yells and warlike shouts, mingled with +the clashing of spears, as about twenty of the enemy, who had +succeeded in getting over, made a rush. + +They were met, though, by the spearmen who had formed up to defend the +firing party, and a desperate conflict ensued, not a man surviving the +fierce defenders now freshly come upon the scene. + +A few groans, and the scuffling sound of men on the other side of the +gate crawling or being helped away, was now all that could be heard +save the peculiar murmur and tramp of the huge crowd of retiring men, +startled and checked for the time being by the new weapons of defence +which they had encountered for the first time. + +It was a respite, and after leaving a sufficient guard at the gate and +others on the wall, to give warning of another advance, the defenders +crowded up to the terrace steps, all talking together and +congratulating the King on what he had done. + +"Go in, half of you at a time, gentlemen, and eat and drink. This has +only checked them for the present." + +"Oh, they won't come back to-night, sir, surely?" cried a voice Harry +knew to be the doctor's, though it seemed strangely altered, so full +was it of exultation now. "But what were they--shells?" + +"Only a couple of canisters of powder," replied the King. "It was a +thought I had. I made a hole in each, and thrust in a roll of +touch-paper." + +"But, my dear sir, suppose they had exploded before they left your +hands?" cried the doctor excitedly. + +"Ah, then," said the King quietly, "then, Doctor--yes, it would have +been bad. I'm afraid I should have been beyond your power to cure. But +you must be worn out, Doctor," he added; "pray go in and get some +refreshments. You will find the ladies have everything ready in the +lower room." + +"Thanks, sir, no," said the doctor abruptly; "my mind's at rest now, +and I want to work. Where are the wounded being placed?" + +"In my son's rooms, Doctor. Thank you. You are right; but make some +one bring you coffee and whatever you require." + +"Oh, yes, sir, I'll take care," cried the doctor, and he hurried in, +while the King turned to Mr. Kenyon. + +"Ah, now I can speak with you, my friend," he said. "No, no, my boys, +you need not go," he added, as Phra and Harry were drawing back. "It +is sad work for you, but it is forced upon me. Now, Kenyon, you are +fresh, and I want your advice; you know how difficult a place this is +to defend. What do you say? Ought we not to retire into this part of +the palace now and defend ourselves from there? I have had every +window boarded up; we have plenty of ammunition, and the place is well +provisioned. There is water too. What do you think?" + +"I am not a soldier, sir," said Mr. Kenyon gravely. + +"No, but you are my friend, and it is a relief to hear your voice. +Speak." + +"I may say things that you, sir, would not like." + +"They will be the words of the man I have known and trusted these many +years," said the King--"the man I trust to be a second father to my +boy here if I fall." + +"Then for his sake, sir, I should say--I do not know that I am right, +but I speak as I think at the moment--would it not be better to seize +the opportunity of retreating now that the enemy have been checked for +the present?" + +"No, Kenyon," said the King firmly; "I have thought of that, but +everything is against it. I dislike this bloodshed, though the men who +fall are my cruel enemies who are thirsting for our blood; but I am +king here, and when I die, my son must be king in my place. I have +done nothing but good for my people, and because they have been raised +against me by treacherous foes, I will not be coward enough to go." + +"Your situation is desperate, sir, and there are all my friends here, +who, trusting to my advice and to your promises, are now in terrible +peril." + +"It is that, Kenyon, which makes me firmer and more determined to +stay. Think, my friend; suppose I say we will retreat. There is the +jungle, into which we must take the delicate women. There are +elephants enough to bear them all. What about food, and how could we +defend them there? We should all be killed." + +"Yes," said Mr. Kenyon; "but the river?" + +"The enemy is master there, and has all the boats. But even if we had +two, we should be at a terrible disadvantage, and could only try to +reach some foreign ship. But they would beat us there. No, we want +strong walls to fight behind." + +"You are right, sir," said Mr. Kenyon; "but I would not retreat inside +after what has taken place to-night." + +"We are wearied out with fighting," said the King sadly. + +"But the enemy is dispirited to-night, and I venture to think that +they will not attack again till morning. Better let us who have come +freshly try to strengthen the defences by the gate." + +"Nothing can be done there; better strengthen this part of the palace. +There are weak places yet." + +"Very well, sir; we will do that; and to-night we will watch while you +and the others rest. It seems to me too that the powder canisters +produced more effect than the firing of all our friends. Why should we +not make a mine?" + +"A mine? I do not understand." + +"A hollow somewhere in front of the gate, say a dozen yards away; +charge it with a small keg of powder, and I think I can contrive a +plan for firing it by means of a wire laid underground. The keg, too, +will be covered, and the enemy will not know. It would produce a +terrible effect when they crowded up to the next attack. The idea is +horrible, but it is in defence of all." + +"It would be ten times as horrible for us to fall, and the poor women +to be brutally massacred by these mad wretches. Can you do this, +Kenyon?" + +"I can, sir. I will do it in two places, so that if one fails the +other will be sure." + +"Hah!" ejaculated the King. "Kenyon, old friend, you make me feel +strong again, and as if you and the boys have brought me hope in my +hour of despair." + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +THE POWDER MINE + + +"Had a good sleep, Hal?" + +Harry sat up with a sudden start from the cushioned seat upon which he +had been lying in the open hall of the King's palace, to find the +doctor grimly smiling down. His second glance was at a great, +grotesque, bronze figure looming up over him, and his third at Phra, +who was lying on his back with his lips apart, sleeping heavily. + +"Have--have I been asleep?" he stammered. + +"Fast as a top, boy." + +"But--but I thought we were in the boat up in the jungle, and--" + +"We're here in the palace instead. How's your arm?" + +"My arm?" said Harry wonderingly; "I don't know." + +"Not very bad, then, old fellow." + +"Oh, I recollect now. Here, I'd no business to go to sleep. I ought to +have been watching." + +"No, you ought not; the King told me that he had sent you boys to lie +down." + +"Yes, of course, he did," said the lad excitedly; "but oh, what a +shame for us to be sleeping here at such a time! I say, has there been +any more fighting?" + +"Not a bit. The ruffians were sickened by those two boxes of powder +they had." + +"Oh, I am glad. But I say, Doctor Cameron, how is your wife?" + +"Quite well, Hal. She has gone to lie down for a good sleep." + +"What, has she been up all night?" + +"Yes, helping me with the wounded." + +"Oh, what a good woman she is!" cried Harry enthusiastically. + +"Right, Hal," cried the doctor merrily. "Bless her! she is." + +"And I do feel such a lazy pig! You two hard at work all night, and +I've been snoring here like old Phra." + +"So as to be ready to work hard to-day. It's all right, my boy." + +"I say, doctor, you do look well and jolly to-day; any one would think +we were not in trouble," said Harry gravely. + +"Trouble, boy? I feel as if there was no trouble in the world." + +"Yes, I understand," said Harry slowly. "You must feel relieved to +have got back to Mrs. Cameron and found her safe and well. But I say, +do you think we can beat these wretches off?" + +"Think? No. We are going to do it, my lad." + +"So we are," cried Harry. "Here, let's wake up old lazy-bones." + +Boys will be boys, thanks to the grand elasticity of their nature. +Over night Harry had felt like a serious man, but the night's rest and +the doctor's hopeful words made him feel as full of light-heartedness +as if there were not an enemy within a thousand miles. + +Catching up the first thing near, a peacock's feather from a huge +bunch in a massive bronze vase, he went behind Phra's head and gently +inserted the quill end between the sleeper's lips. + +There was no response, so the act was repeated, and Phra's teeth +closed with a snap on the quill, which Harry released. Then the boy's +eyes opened, and he lay staring at the waving plume standing straight +up above him, raised his hand, took hold of it, and gave it a tug, but +it was fast. He gave it another tug, discovered that it was held in +his teeth, and sat up facing the doctor. + +"Did you do that?" he cried. + +"I? No." + +"Then it was one of Hal's childish games. Oh, there you are! Here: +have I been asleep? Yes, father told me to lie down. Oh, tell me, has +the enemy come on again?" + +"No, it's all right, old chap. I say, aren't you hungry?" + +"Hungry? No. Where is my father. Doctor?" + +"I don't know; he was with me just now, looking at the wounded." + +The colour came a little in Harry's cheeks, for the thought struck him +that he had not asked after his own father. + +"How are the wounded, Doctor?" said Phra. + +"All doing well, my dear boy. Now then, shall I prescribe for you +two?" + +"No, no; we don't want anything," cried the boys in a breath. + +"Yes, you do, both of you--washing. Go and tidy yourselves up, and by +that time there will be a regular comfortable breakfast ready. The +ladies and Mike have been busy this hour past. If we are to fight, we +must eat." + +The doctor walked away, and Phra turned to Harry. + +"If we get over this trouble, Hal," he said solemnly, "I'll punch your +head for playing me that stupid trick." + +"Do, old chap--if you can," cried the boy; "but I say, is my face +dirty?" + +"Horribly. Is mine?" + +"Well," said Harry, frowning and looking very serious, "one could +hardly call it dirty, but there's a black smudge across one cheek, and +a dab on your forehead, and three black finger marks on your nose." + +"Nonsense!" + +"Quite true, old chap. You must have been painting your face with your +gunpowdery fingers." + +"Come to my bedroom then, and let's have a good wash." + +Harry followed willingly, for he felt as if the operation would be +delightful, and the next minute they were in the young prince's +thoroughly English-looking bedroom, though it did not look at its +best, for the curtains had been dragged aside, heavy boards nailed +across the lower part of the window like a breastwork, and a couple of +stout mattresses fixed up within the boards to make them less +vulnerable to bullet or spear. But the rest of the room was as it +should be, and a quarter of an hour was pleasantly spent with soap, +water, towels, and brushes. + +"Hah!" ejaculated Harry at last; "that was a treat; but I should have +liked a regular bath." + +"Let's whip the rebels first," said Phra, who looked bright and +refreshed. "Come and have breakfast." + +He led the way to the handsome saloon where the table was spread, and +Mike was busy arranging a few things and looking clean and smart--even +to being fresh shaved--as if nothing were wrong. + +But the boys only glanced at him, and were directly after being warmly +greeted by plenty of familiar friends. For about half the white +defenders were gathered there, while the other half were on guard +keeping careful watch. There was not a single enemy to be seen, though +Sree and two men who had been scouting at daybreak had returned to +announce that there were a great many of the rebels in hiding among +the bushes and trees just beyond the outer wall, especially outside +the grounds, as if to take care that no one should escape from the +palace, where they were hemmed in. + +A minute later the King came in with about half a dozen of the +faithful officials, Mr. Kenyon, and the doctor. + +His Majesty smilingly greeted all his white friends, and crossed then +to the boys, with whom he shook hands warmly, after which the +excellent breakfast was discussed, during which the King turned to Mr. +Kenyon. + +"We could not fare like this, my friend," he said, "if we took to the +jungle or a boat." + +"No, sir, no," replied Mr. Kenyon quickly. "I spoke last night on the +impulse of the moment, but I have since thought that my idea was +impracticable. I've been all about this wing of the palace too this +morning, and I feel satisfied that we can hold it as long as we like +if we do a little more to the defences. I'll talk with you, though, +after breakfast." + +The change from the hopeless despair of the past night was strange, +and before long the two boys began to long for an opportunity to leave +the table, for the disposition among their friends whom they had +rejoined seemed to be one of crediting them with completely altering +the state of affairs and making them the heroes of the hour. + +At last the opportunity came, for the King rose, and those who had +breakfasted hurried away to take the places of the guard. + +"Let's slip out this way," said Harry, "or we shall meet the others as +they come in, and I'm sick of it. Such rubbish! Why, it was all +father, Sree, and you." + +"Old Sree deserves pretty well all the credit," agreed Phra. "Let's go +and see where he is." + +They soon found him and Lahn on their way back from the gate, and +hurried them in to where Mike had a second breakfast waiting, the old +hunter smiling with content at the genuine eagerness the two lads +displayed in regard to his comfort. + +But before they had been there long Mike hurried in from attending on +the second party at the King's table, to see that his native friends, +as he called them, were all right. + +"Of course we shall beat the enemy, Master Harry," he said; "but I had +a look out from the top of the palace as soon as the sun rose, and you +could see hundreds of thousands of them down by the river." + +"Millions, Mike," cried Harry. + +"Ah, you may laugh, sir, but there's an awful lot. Seems too many for +us to beat, but we've got to do it, I suppose." + +"Yes," said Sree, smiling, "we have got to beat them; but they will +not come on all at once." + +"How many shots did you fire last night, Mike?" said Harry +banteringly. + +"I didn't count, sir," said the man quietly; "you see, I got so +excited. Didn't feel half so scared as I thought I should. Hands +trembled a bit first time I pulled the trigger, but they didn't +afterwards. I suppose I was too busy." + +"Didn't you count your cartridges?" + +"No, sir. I took a belt full, and some in my pockets." + +"And how many did you bring back?" asked Phra. + +"None at all, sir." + +"Michael was between Lahn and the sahibs," said Sree quietly, "and I +hope he will fight by our sides the next time the enemy come on. I +like to be fighting with a brave Englishman at my side." + +"Yes, sir; coming, sir," cried Mike, and he ran out of the room, with +a very red face. + +"Did any one call?" said Phra. + +"No, it was his gammon, so as to get away," said Harry. "I say, Sree, +no nonsense. Old Mike didn't fight like that, did he?" + +"Oh, yes, Sahib; no one could have been more brave and cool. I did not +expect it. I always thought he was what you English people call a +coward." + +"I say, Phra, what a shame to laugh at him like that!" + +"Yes, but you began it." + +"Oh, that I didn't," cried Harry. "Never mind, we'll go halves; I'll +take my share of the blame." + +"Are you lads in there?" cried Mr. Kenyon. + +"Yes, father," cried Harry. + +"You may as well come with me. Ah, Sree, meet me in half an hour's +time by the great gates; bring the men who came with us, and we shall +want spears." + +"Yes, Sahib," said Sree, rising. + +"No, no; finish your meal first, my man. There is plenty of time." + +The King, with several of his followers, was in the great hall; and +after Mr. Kenyon had gone round with the party to the several windows +to see what more could be done by way of strengthening them and making +more loop-holes for firing from, they were led to the vault-like +arrangement beneath, where, dimly lit by slits in the thick wall, the +ammunition stored up lay ready to hand. + +Everything was in good order, and in addition to chests of +cartridges--an ample supply--there were two perfectly new stands of +rifles, with bayonets attached, while the other end was stacked with +provisions, barrels of flour, boxes of biscuits, chests of tea, and +bags of coffee and sugar--an ample store, the water supply being +furnished from a spigot fitted to a bamboo pipe connected with a +reservoir right away in the higher part of the grounds. + +Two small kegs of gunpowder were carried up into the hall, Mr. Kenyon +taking up one and the King the other; but in an instant Harry had +relieved his father of his load, and Phra had taken the King's. + +These being placed ready by the door opening on to the steps, the +party, at Mr. Kenyon's request, ascended to the roof, where Harry's +father explained his wishes; namely, that an ample supply of food, +water, and ammunition should be brought up there ready for use, if at +the last they were driven from the ground floor to the rooms above, +and from there to taking refuge on the top, each floor forming a +stronghold. + +"And if it comes to the worst, Kenyon," said the King gravely-- + +"If it comes to the worst, sir," replied Mr. Kenyon solemnly, "we must +not let ourselves and those we love fall into the hands of these +wretches." + +"No," said the King, with his eyes flashing. "What would you do?" + +"I propose, sir," said Mr. Kenyon, "that a sufficiency of the powder +be placed ready below, and with that I shall make an arrangement +through which, on the firing of a gun by means of a wire brought up +here, the place can be blown up, and our enemies perish with us." + +"Yes," said the King. "Good." + +Harry and Phra exchanged glances, and then they shuddered. + +Sree was waiting with the men when they descended to the terrace, +where, refreshed by their meal, the second party had assembled, ready +for anything that might happen that day; eager also to see what Mr. +Kenyon and the doctor would suggest. + +The first thing done was to send scouts once more to try and find out +whether an advance was being prepared. While they were absent, Mr. +Kenyon, after explaining to the King his plans, asked for the gates to +be opened, so that he and his men could pass out with an advance guard +of about twenty, to screen as well as protect them while the mine was +prepared. + +The distance was so short that there was no scruple about the gates +being unclosed, though both Harry and Phra looked upon the posting of +the guard across the pathway outside the defences as being like a +defiance and invitation to the enemy in one, and Harry told his father +their thoughts. + +"Exactly what I thought myself, Hal, but it must be done; and what I +hope they will think is that we have become emboldened by the defeat +we gave them last night, and have advanced to meet them in fair fight +outside." + +"They will be watching, of course," said Phra. + +"Yes, and that is why I have placed the men to cover us. No more +words. Now to get the mines made as quickly as possible." + +There was this difficulty in making the mines: to be effective, it was +necessary that they should be as near the gates as possible, for there +the greater part of the enemy would crowd to the attack; but if they +were too close, they might blow down the defences and inflict injury +upon their friends; while if they were too far off, they would be +ineffective from the attacking party being few. + +The only thing to be done was to choose the medium way, and the men +were set to work to dig two small, deep holes, each capable of holding +one of the powder kegs, and in each case the head was taken out before +it was laid upon its side. But previously a narrow trench of about a +foot in depth was dug, leading from the head of the cask right in +through the gates. This finished, stout matting was laid over the keg +and a loaded gun placed in the trench, already cocked, so that when +the trigger was pulled by means of a wire, the flash from the gun +would explode the powder. Then the wire was run through a number of +large bamboos such as were used--after boring through the +divisions--for water, and these were laid along the trench and through +the gateway. + +The result of this was that when the wire was pulled it would run +easily and not be checked by the earth with which the trench was again +to be filled, so that, the wire being attached to the trigger of the +gun, the mine could be sprung in safety by those within the gates. + +The preparations took some time, the arrangement of the bamboos +causing a good deal of trouble. But all this was satisfactorily +overcome at last, the trenches filled and trampled down so as not to +betray the danger; the kegs were covered in as well, the ground +levelled, and dust and stones thrown over. Nothing remained to be done +but to attach the wires to the triggers, lay boards over the guns from +beneath the matting which covered the powder to the bamboos, and then +fill in and level over the boards. + +"Who is going to do this, father?" said Harry, who had stood by +looking on all through. + +"Do what?" + +"Fasten the wires to the triggers." + +"I am, my boy," said Mr. Kenyon, through his teeth. + +"But suppose the guns went off?" + +"I am going to provide against that," said Mr. Kenyon firmly, and he +ordered the men who formed the screen and guard to advance fifty paces +towards the enemy and away from the mines. + +"But it will be very dangerous, father." + +"Very, Hal; and I want careful guard to be kept over the ends of the +wires within the gates, so that they shall not be touched. You and +Phra had better take that duty." + +"No, don't send me to do that, father," said Harry in rather a husky +tone of voice. "I want to stay and help you." + +"No one can help me, Hal; no one can do this but myself." + +"But, father," whispered the boy, in agonized tones, "suppose--" + +"I will suppose nothing, Hal," said Mr. Kenyon sternly. "It is very +dangerous work, and I dare trust no one but myself. Now obey me, and +remember that my life is in you boys' hands. No one must touch the end +of those wires. Phra, you hear?" + +"Yes, Mr. Kenyon, but I feel like Hal. We don't like to leave you." + +"I am going to help the Sahib," said Sree quietly from where he stood, +spade in hand. + +"No, Sree; the task is too dangerous. Go with my son." + +"The Sahib will want help to fill in the earth over the boards; there +is much to do, and his servant begs that he may share the danger with +the Sahib." + +"You know the risk." + +"Yes, Sahib," said the man calmly. + +"Then stay." + +"Hah!" ejaculated the old hunter, in a sigh of satisfaction, and he +smiled as Mr. Kenyon held out his hand and took his follower's in a +strong grip. + +Then turning to the men who had helped with the digging: + +"Follow my son and the Prince inside.--Now, Hal, you know your task." + +"Yes, father," said Harry, with his brow all in wrinkles and his teeth +set; and, leading the way, his first act was to order every one back +from the ends of the wires, which he made the men protect by building +a ring of big stones around them--stones which had been used to form +the breastwork from behind which the defenders had fired. + +As he looked up from this he saw that his father was waiting and +watching; and now seeing that all was ready, he waved his hand to the +boys and went down on one knee, Sree standing close by with one foot +resting upon his spade. + +"Why is he left alone, Phra?" asked a familiar voice, for the King had +come up to the breastwork to see how matters were progressing. + +Phra explained, but in the midst Harry interrupted: + +"It is horribly dangerous, sir, and my father told us to keep every +one back in case the powder exploded." + +"Then why do you stand there with my son in such peril, boy?" + +"Because I can't leave my father," said Harry, in a choking voice. + +"Then you, Phra?" said the King. + +"I cannot leave my friend," said Phra hoarsely. + +"I forgot," said the King quietly; "and you both have your duty to do +in guarding the ends of those wires. Hal, boy, your father is a brave +man, and he is doing this to save my kingdom to me and our lives for +us all. I too, Phra, my son, feel that I cannot leave my friend." + +As he finished speaking he turned and walked slowly towards where Mr. +Kenyon was still kneeling over his dangerous task; and as the King +reached the place it was just as the wire had been successfully looped +over the trigger and tied so that it could not slip, when Mr. Kenyon +covered his work with a board whose sides rested on two ledges left +for the purpose high above the gun. + +"Fill in, Sree," he said quietly.--"You here, sir? Go back! Go back! I +cannot answer for this. The slightest touch, and the powder will +explode." + +"You order me, Kenyon, your friend. I, the King, command you. Go on; +finish the other now." + +"But the danger, sir," said Mr. Kenyon, upon whose brow the moisture +stood in great drops. + +"I will share it with you," said the King calmly. "Go on." + +Mr. Kenyon seized another spade, and helped in the covering in and +levelling of the short piece of trench, while those who watched from +the gate were in expectation moment by moment of seeing the earth rent +asunder and the three standing before them torn to fragments by the +explosion. + +They were horrible moments, and the two boys could hardly breathe, +while their hearts kept up a painful throb, as if unable to fight +against the heavy pressure which kept them down. + +The time seemed, too, so very long, as Mr. Kenyon once more went down +upon his left knee and carefully passed the second wire loop over the +trigger of the other gun, tied it there with fingers that did not +tremble in the least, and then took the board, laid it carefully upon +the ledges, and rose to help Sree to throw in the earth and stones. + +The King had followed them there as well, and stood with his arms +folded across his chest, looking proud and defiant--more like a king, +Harry thought, than he had ever appeared when upon state occasions he +had mounted one of his elephants, a blaze of cloth of gold and jewels, +to take his seat in a howdah which was a resplendent throne. + +"At last!" said Harry, speaking unconsciously, for the heroic deed was +done; but there was no triumph in the boy's tones, his voice sounded +like a groan; and upon turning to glance at Phra he was startled for +the moment, his comrade's face and lips were so clayey looking and +strange. + +Sree had shouldered the tools, and at an order walked slowly back, the +King and Mr. Kenyon coming next, the former with his hand resting upon +his English friend's shoulder; and as they reached the gateway the +boys were startled by the rush of feet behind them. + +The sounds brought them back to the duty they were set, and darting +before the wires, they raised their guns to the "ready," and shouted, +"Back!" + +The sudden movement of the two lads had an instant effect upon the +body of armed men, who for days past had been as it were under +military rule. They stopped short, but only to raise gun, spear, or +cap high above their heads and burst forth into a stentorian cheer, +which was echoed by the little body of men fifty yards on the other +side of the deadly mines. + +As his brave defenders cheered again the King bowed, and with a quick +movement fell back behind Mr. Kenyon, seeming to thrust him forward to +receive the acclamations which rent the air again and again. + +Then as they passed in amongst the defenders, with Mr. Kenyon's face +showing in its marble sternness the tremendous emotion through which +he had passed, Harry reached out one hand and touched his arm, to have +it grasped and wrung before he went on with the King towards the +terrace entrance. + +"Oh, Hal," panted Phra half hysterically, "don't you feel proud?" + +"Proud?" cried Harry wildly. "Oh, I wish we were not obliged to stay +here. Ah!" he half yelled; "there he is! I must do something. Hi! +everybody," he yelped, "three cheers for old Sree." + +The cheers were given again and again, and when at a sign the guards +outside marched back in two parties, single file, one on each side of +the mines, the cheering burst forth again, and was kept up till the +last man was within, a final roar being given when the gates were shut +to and firmly secured. + +"Beaten, Phra?" cried Harry excitedly, but with something in his +throat; "who's going to be beaten? Here, I say, if we were free, do +you know what we'd do?" + +"I should like to go and shut myself in my room and cry," said Phra +simply. + +"Cry?" said Harry, turning angrily upon his comrade; "cry? What, like +a great, silly goose of a girl?" + +"Yes," said Phra gravely; "that's how I feel." + +"Cry?" said Harry again. "Bah! I feel as if I want to shout." + +"But your eyes look quite wet, and there's a cracked sound in your +voice." + +"It's with shouting so, and the sun being in one's face." + +"Yes," said Phra, with a wistful look and a smile. "I know, Hal. But +what should we do if we were free?" + +"Go and hoist the flags on the top of the palace." + +"Yes," cried Phra eagerly, "we will, and the British colours too." + +The boys were relieved in an hour's time, when Mr. Kenyon came out +with the King to superintend a piece of strong breastwork being built +up round the spot where the two wires lay; and when this was done, +fresh guards were set. Soon after, another cheer arose from the top of +the palace, to be taken up by those in the court below and wherever +the defenders were distributed, for the boys had kept their word and +hoisted the King's gay, silken standard and the Union Jack side by +side. + +"It seems as if we've frightened the enemy all away, Phra," said +Harry, as he shaded his eyes and gazed from his point of vantage in +every direction. + +"Yes," said Phra, who was following his example; "there isn't one to +be seen." + +"Hurrah!" shouted Harry. + +"But it's a bad sign," said Phra; "they mean to come on again quietly +to-night." + +"Then they'll never see where the ground has been dug," said Harry, +"and--oh, I say, Phra, I hope they will not come; it seems so horrid, +after all." + +"But if it's to save our fathers and our friends from a horrible +death, I'll pull one of the wires." + +"Yes," cried Harry, flushing, and with sparkling eyes, "and so will I. +But I hope they'll stay away." + +"Amen," said a voice behind them. + +Mr. Kenyon had come up with the King, each telescope in hand, and +unobserved. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +SAVING THE STORES + + +There was no sign to be made out of anything in the shape of immediate +danger from the top of the palace, and the party soon descended to +some of the more immediate trouble. + +For there were the wounded to visit and to try to cheer, encouraging +them with hopeful words about the future, Mr. Kenyon laying a good +deal of stress upon the possibilities of help coming ere long from +outside as the result of his message sent by Adong; and as Harry went +through the room turned into a hospital, he could not help noticing +the effect of his father's words, and the way in which the sufferers' +eyes brightened at the very mention of a British man-o'-war. + +Then there was another matter to set right. There was an ample supply +of provisions in the palace stores, so long as they were not forced by +the enemy to keep merely to the one wing; and even if they were, the +King had seen that there was a fortnight's provender for all; but +there was another little party shut up with them for whom provision +had been made, but whose proceedings were so wholesale that it was +evident something must be done. + +A little council of war was held, the King being careful not to wound +the susceptibilities of his English friends by taking any steps +without consulting them. + +And as the matter in question was discussed he said,-- + +"I took care to keep the elephants, thinking that possibly we might +have to escape to the jungle, when they would be invaluable for the +ladies; but on further consideration it seems that they are only a +useless encumbrance to us. They eat enormously, and to-morrow we +should have to let them commence upon the stores of grain which we may +require for ourselves." + +"And you propose now, sir, to set them at liberty to shift for +themselves?" said one of the gentlemen present. + +"Yes, they would get their own living in the jungle, and in happier +days to come, perhaps, they might be caught again." + +"It is a pity," said Mr. Kenyon. "Let me see; there are ten, and all +magnificent beasts." + +"Eleven," said Harry promptly. + +"Yes--eleven," said the King; "and they are the finest that the wild +droves supplied. I think we must let them go at once." + +"Yes," said Mr. Kenyon, "and perhaps it is only hastening the loss, +for if the enemy gain possession of the grounds and outer court, of +course we lose them then." + +"Yes, they had better go at once," said the King with a sigh, which +was echoed by his son, while Harry directed an angry look at his +father. + +"What does that mean, Hal?" said Mr. Kenyon. + +"I'd sooner go without half my food every day than the elephants +should be given up," cried the boy impetuously, "and so would Phra." + +"I believe you," said the King, smiling; "but even the whole of your +daily food would not go far with one of the beasts. They might be +turned into the grounds between the river and the outer wall, but it +would only be for them to destroy and starve. They must be set at +liberty at once while there is an opportunity. The great gate in the +outer wall near the river must be opened. Mr. Kenyon, send men in +advance to see if the enemy are away from that part too, and then, +with a strong party to guard against surprise, we can have them led +out, and the gates re-closed." + +Scouts were sent at once, and a strong guard numbered off, while, as +the mahouts had fled with the rest, the task of leading the elephants +from their great stables was deputed to Sree and his man, Lahn, and in +spite of their sorrow at the magnificent troop being sent off to +resume their wild state, the two boys eagerly seized upon the event as +a fresh diversion from the troubles by which they were surrounded. + +Harry was all excitement directly. + +"Never mind, old chap," he cried; "let the poor beggars go. It's bad +enough to feel hungry for any one my size. As for an elephant who eats +so much, it must be quite awful." + +"I don't like Sul to go," said Phra. + +"I don't either, but cheer up; we shall soon whop the enemy, and make +prisoners of Mr. Number Two and the leaders of the riot, and have a +good day settling up this little trouble; and then we'll get old Sree +and his two boys, and have days and days of elephant catching. Oh, the +row will soon be over now." + +Phra sighed, but he knew the necessities of the case, and joined in +the business heart and soul. + +Sree was as ready to perform this duty as to dig and charge mines, and +as soon as the guard was ready, and the scouts had returned to +announce that the coast was quite clear, a party went to the elephant +stables, where Sree and Lahn went busily to work cutting off the +shackles from the great beasts' hind legs, where they stood shaking +their heads, waving their trunks, and trumpeting in an uneasy way +which announced their desire for more food; while as soon as they were +all free, Sree and the boys went to Sul's head, the great beast was +ordered to kneel, a ladder brought, and the hunter climbed into the +mahout's place. Then at a word the great animal rose and started off, +with the others following in a docile fashion, which seemed to suggest +that they comprehended what was going on. + +Harry had provided himself for the occasion, and when the little +procession started, he and Phra placed themselves on either side of +the great leader's head feeding him with biscuits, his trunk being +turned alternately from one lad to the other in search of their +offerings as he shuffled away, blinking his eyes and uttering a low +"chuntering" sound, as if talking all the time. + +"He's asking if we're going out after tigers," said Harry, laughing. + +"Not he," said Phra; "he knows he's going off for a run in the forest, +and the others know it too." + +"Nonsense!" + +"I don't care: they do," said Phra. "If they didn't they'd be rushing +about here and there to begin breaking off and eating the green +boughs." + +The first gate was passed, leading from the court into the outer +grounds, and almost in silence the great beasts shuffled along in +single file, treading with absurd exactness in each other's steps, +while the guard on being overtaken, trotted on in advance till the +outer wall was reached, with a couple of men perched on the top of the +ponderous gates keeping a look-out. + +At a word from Sree the great elephant he rode stopped and knelt, +extending his trunk for a foothold, so that his temporary mahout could +climb down. + +Meanwhile four men of the guard had leaned their spears against the +wall, raised and swung round the massive bars, and then after a great +deal of tugging managed to drag open one of the double gates, beyond +which lay open paddy fields, and on the other side the wild jungle, +the river being away to their right. + +"Good-bye, Sul," cried Harry, and the elephant turned his trunk for +another biscuit. "There you are--the last, perhaps, that I shall ever +give you." + +The elephant turned his trunk under and tucked the biscuit into his +huge, wet mouth, then extended his flexible proboscis for more. + +But there were no more, and the silent, visible request to Phra made +in turn was just as unsuccessful. + +"There, Sree," cried Phra huskily, "tell them to go." + +Sree took a step forward and repeated a few words in his native +tongue, with the result that Sul threw up his trunk and made a +peculiar noise, which was responded to by one of the elephants behind, +and then he went off with a rush, squealing, trumpeting, and setting +up his comical little tail; and the troop followed suit, getting over +the ground at a tremendous pace and making straight for the jungle. + +"Well, it has made them happy," said Harry, looking after the troop +wistfully. + +"Yes, they're glad enough to get away from the poor wretches doomed to +be killed," said Phra bitterly. + +"Doomed to be smothered!" cried Harry sharply. "What nonsense! Look at +them. Just like a lot of children let out for a run." + +"We shall never see old Sul again," sighed Phra. + +"Not if we stand here like this," replied Harry. "Do you see why the +elephants rushed off so quickly just now?" + +"No. They are glad of their liberty, perhaps, and the chance of +getting plenty to eat." + +"No; they smelt danger." + +"Danger? Where?" + +"Out yonder to the left. I caught a glimpse of the tops of spears +twinkling in the sun." + +"Where? I can see nothing." + +"Because you are not looking the right way. Over there, where there +must be a deep ditch between two of the rice fields. Yes, there's a +long line of twinkling spear tops. They've seen the place opened and +the elephants let out, and they're trying to sneak up along that dyke +and rush in before we can shut the gate." + +"Yes, quick, quick!" cried Sree; and setting the example, which half a +dozen followed, amongst them the gate was being pushed to, Harry +getting a farewell glance at the troop of elephants as they +disappeared through the edge of the jungle. + +Those who closed the gate were none too soon, for, unseen, another +party had crept up close to the now unwatched wall, the scouts having +descended as soon as the guard arrived; and just as the distance +between the two great leaves of the gates was being reduced to a mere +slit, a spear was thrust through. + +Then _crack, crack_, the edge of the gate caught it and snapped the +bamboo shaft in two, the bright, sharp head falling inside. + +"More help!" shouted Sree, for there was a rush of men to force the +gate open again; but the defenders being reinforced, the leaves were +held together till one of the huge bars was thrust into its place, and +a savage yelling ensued, followed by a little shower of spears which +had been darted nearly straight upward and fell amongst the defenders. + +The weapons of these latter were too valuable to be used in this +manner; but while the final efforts were being made to secure the +ponderous means of exit, two of the men pulled the quivering shafts +out of the ground, and sent them flying back in the same way, +repeating the act till a sharp cry from outside told that one of the +attacking party had been hurt. + +"Better run back, sahibs," said Sree now, as the babble of voices +outside increased suddenly, telling that the party which had been +detected creeping along the dyke had now joined those who came by the +wall. + +"Yes, there's nothing to be gained by staying here," said Phra. "We +couldn't keep them back if they had ladders to climb over." + +Just then there was a shot from the direction of the palace, and the +puff of smoke showed where it had been fired. + +"Fighting begun?" cried Harry. + +"No," said Phra; "a signal for us to run back. Come on." + +Phra was right, for their proceedings had been watched from the top of +the palace by means of a glass, and hence as soon as the gate had been +seen to be secure the signal was fired to call them back. + +They were met by Mr. Kenyon, glass in hand, as they ran up. + +"I was watching you from the top there," he said. + +"Didn't you see the spears as the men came along the ditch?" asked +Phra. + +"No, or I should have sent help at once. Of course I could not detect +the men coming up under shelter of the wall. Well, we have done two +good things to-day: got rid of those devourers of our stores, and +found out that the enemy are hiding about the country beyond the +walls." + +"Think they are on this side too, father?" asked Harry. + +"I feel sure they are, my boy. They lie all along a loop whose two +ends rest on the river's bank, while their boats guard the terrace and +landing-place as well. This means fresh attacks as soon as they have +recovered from the check they have just received." + +"But why don't they attack us from some other side--come over the +walls?" said Harry. + +"It does not seem to be their way. Yonder is the main way into the +palace, and they commenced by attacking there; but perhaps they will +try fresh plans now. I am, with the King's permission, going to +strengthen one weak part, though, before night comes." + +"Which is that?" asked Phra. + +"The one where we managed to get in," replied Mr. Kenyon. "Here, Sree, +are you willing, if I have you well supported, to get up into that +tree and cut off all the boughs which project over the wall?" + +"Yes, Sahib," said the old hunter quietly. "I have thought that it +ought to be done." + +"Yes, and the sooner the better; it will set two men free from keeping +watch at the windows overlooking that part of the wall." + +"Shall I begin now, Sahib?" said Sree. + +"No; not till dark, and I have not yet made my plans." + +"Whenever the Sahib pleases," said Sree quietly, "his servant is +ready. But why not burn the big tree down?" + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +THE DOCTOR KEPT BUSY + + +Strict watch was kept on all sides, but no farther sign of the enemy +was seen, and towards evening, permission being given, preparations +were made for the destruction of the tree. + +Sree's idea had found favour, but the question was how the task was to +be done. Once the fire was started it was felt that there could be no +doubt about the tree's fate, it being of a resinous kind; but the task +was to get it well alight, for a furnace built against the trunk would +have had but little effect, and it was nearly decided that the best +way would, after all, be to cut off some of the nearest limbs. + +An idea, however, struck Harry, as he and Phra came upon a stack of +bamboo poles collected there to dry until required for various uses. + +Harry's idea was that if the poles were passed over the wall and piled +round the great trunk as close as possible, and with their thinner +portions running up into the tree among the branches, the shape of the +stack with the air passages between the tall poles would ensure a +sharp draught of air, and a fire if lit would soon become fierce. + +Mr. Kenyon snatched at the plan, and men were set to work carrying the +poles to the wall beneath the tree; then after a careful look round, +it was deemed safe for Sree to climb over in company with Lahn, after +which men were ready to hand over the poles so as to keep Sree and his +boy well employed, the one in the tree, the other at the foot, +arranging the poles. + +Just before sundown this was commenced, half a dozen well-armed men +being ready at the window to cover the workers, and bamboo ladders +having been placed for their convenience, while torches of resinous +wood were lit, waiting to be used. + +Then, for about an hour, the work went on till darkness set in, and +the tree had grown into a strange, unsightly object, while the torches +in the yard grew brighter and brighter, till they cast strange shadows +of the workers in all directions. + +Suddenly there was an alarm of the enemy's approach, and no more time +was bestowed upon the task. The word was given, and the torches passed +over the wall to Sree, who had descended from the tree, and now thrust +them in between the bamboos into a kind of chimney which the pile had +formed. + +"Make haste, Sree," cried Harry, who was seated beside Phra on the top +of the wall. + +"Yes, Sahib," said the man quietly. + +"But the wood does not burn." + +"No, Sahib; the big bamboos are slow to catch fire, but when they do +they will burn fast." + +"Here, Phra, I'm getting fidgety," whispered Harry. "The rebels must +have seen those torches flashing about, and perhaps they're crawling +up in the darkness." + +"Yes, I'm afraid they will be," replied Phra. "How long he is!" + +"Yes, and it makes my wound throb." + +"Your wound?" + +"Yes, I don't know why, but it does. I say, you up at the windows, be +on the look out, please, and ready to fire." + +"All ready," said a voice; "but you'd better make haste with the work, +in case the enemy should be coming up." + +"Yes, yes. Hi! Sree, can't you get that wood to burn?" + +"Not yet, Sahib; but it soon will." + +"Where's Lahn?" cried Harry. + +"I'm here, Sahib." + +"Sree does not want you now; come up the ladder, and get inside." + +The man obeyed, scrambling quickly up the rough bamboo steps and +passing over the wall, when Phra stopped him. + +"Wo!" he said. "Stop there, and hold the top of the ladder fast." + +"Pass up two loaded guns," said Harry, looking down inside. + +This was done, and Phra and Harry each took and cocked his piece as +they sat astride of the wall, facing each other, but with Lahn between +them holding the top of the ladder, his keen eyes peering first in one +direction, then in the other, where the view was not obstructed by the +tree. + +"Oh, I say, I say!" cried Harry, as the darkness increased, and +nothing but a feeble glow appeared through the pile of great grasses. +"You have not gone to sleep, have you, Sree?" + +"No, Sahib," came from below, with a soft chuckle. "I ought to have +had some small, dry wood to burn first. It is very slow." + +"Slow? Oh, it's horrible!" + +"The Sahib hurries." + +"Hurries? Yes. Do you suppose I want to sit here till the enemy comes, +so as to see you speared?" + +"It is too dark, Sahib," said the man softly; "they could not see me." + +"Nonsense! I can see you from up here--your hands and face: the fire +shines upon them." + +"Yes, Sahib; it is beginning now." + +At that moment Lahn laid his hand upon Harry's breast, while he +pointed away to the left with the other, and uttered a low, snake-like +hiss. + +"Men coming?" asked Sree. "Well, I must get the fire to burn now." + +"Can you see them?" whispered Harry, as he strained his eyesight in +the pointed-out direction without result, and then looked down at a +little writhing tongue of flame beginning to run up inside the sloping +pile of bamboo. + +"Yes, many men," whispered Lahn, and he hissed sharply twice. + +"Look out up there," said Harry loudly. "The enemy. Now, Sree, up at +once." + +But at that moment the rough ladder held by Lahn was snatched away, +and seemed to fall over against the bamboo pile from the noise that +was made, while at the same moment there was a faint, rustling sound, +sharp clicks against the side of the palace, and the rattling down of +at least a dozen spears, which had been hurled up at the speaker, and +passed over the wall. + +"Down with you from off there," shouted Mr. Kenyon at the window. "We +can't fire with you there." + +Accustomed to obey, the boys threw their legs over the inner side, +felt for the ladders, and then crouched down, Lahn following their +example. + +"No, no," he cried, "don't fire; Sree is on the other side." + +"Oh!" cried Mr. Kenyon. There was a momentary silence, and more spears +flew over, evidently directed at the window, a sharp exclamation +telling that one had taken effect, the others clattering down again +into the narrow court between the walls. + +"Can't he reach the ladder?" cried Mr. Kenyon. + +"It is gone," replied Harry; but before he spoke he had laid his gun +on the top of the wall, set free the ladder upon which he stood, and +was helping Lahn to raise it up so as to pass it over and lower it on +the other side, meaning to call to Sree to take advantage of this to +escape. + +But before it was half up they paused, and lowered it quickly down +again, for suddenly the result of Sree's long and careful preparation +manifested itself. There was a bright flash of flame seen running up +the bamboo pile, and by the light it shed the space beyond the wall +displayed scores of bright spear points, and double that number of +flashing eyes. + +It was almost instantaneous, for the light died out again, hidden by a +dense cloud of smoke; but it had been long enough to show no sign of +Sree, and that to lower a ladder down meant to make a way for scores +of the enemy to come running up and over the wall. + +"The other ladder--where is it?" whispered Harry wildly to Lahn. + +"On the fire," said the man. + +"But Sree--did you see poor Sree?" + +"No," said the man, with all the stolid manner of an Eastern. "Said +_ciss_, but he did not come." + +There was another flash, and a fresh shower of spears, followed by a +dull red glow through the smoke. Then flash after flash in quick +succession, accompanied by what might have been taken at a distance +for a confused volley of pistol shots; for now, with a roar, the fire +blazed up, rushing rapidly through the bamboos and into the body of +the tree, whose green leaves hissed and crackled, and began to blaze +brightly, lighting up the gardens beyond the wall, and compelling the +defenders at the window to crouch behind their breastwork, beginning +to fire sharply now, and driving back the crowding enemy, some of the +boldest of whom had run forward to begin pulling down the bamboos +where they had not yet caught. + +In another minute all such attempts would have been in vain, for the +fire rapidly swept round in a spiral, the poles cracking with loud +reports. Showers of sparks flew up on what appeared to be a whirl of +ruddy smoke, while, as the flames roared up as from a furnace, the +boughs began to yield to its fiery tongues, which licked up all the +moisture, and in an incredibly short space of time the whole tree was +one hissing, seething pile of fiercely writhing flames. The heat soon +forced the boys to slide down the ladders, and the defenders to shrink +from the window, whose breastwork and outer shutters began to blister +and crack in so alarming a way that the occupants of the room fetched +water to be ready to extinguish the first part that caught. + +The light was reflected down upon the boys as they laid the ladders +close up against the wall, and then turned to look anxiously at the +pyramid of flame in such close proximity to the palace, wondering +whether Sree's work had not been too well done. + +But far away and above all other thoughts, was that which struck home +in their breasts--had poor Sree fallen a victim to his fidelity and +his determination to get the fire well alight before he sought his own +safety? + +The boys hurriedly discussed this in whispers, and then they turned to +question Lahn as to the plucking away of the ladder. + +"Could you see anything?" Harry asked. + +"Yes, two enemies got to the ladder," said the man in Siamese. "Sree +pulled it over into the fire." + +"And what then?--where was Sree?" + +The man shook his head. + +"Don't know," he said. "A big smoke came, and all turned dark." + +"Do you think Sree was killed?" + +"No. Sree too clever. Kill the men." + +They asked no more, for, surrounded as he would be by foes, they could +see no chance of the poor fellow escaping; so with their hearts +sinking in despair, they remained gazing up at the floating flakes of +fire and the spangled wreaths of smoke which whirled up over the +palace, while the heat was reflected back upon them with such power +that in spite of the rush of comparatively cool air caused by the +rising fire and steam, they had to retreat and pass along to the +corner where, some twenty yards away, they could stand and watch the +burning tree. + +They could hear nothing of the enemy, and were ready to go round to +the terrace entrance; but something seemed to hold them there--a +strange, undefined something in the form of hope that Sree might +somehow have escaped, and that they might at any moment see his head +rise up in the light where the dark top of the wall ran in a hard +line. + +Then, too, there was the excitement about the palace, as the fire +waved to and fro and roared louder than ever, while the bigger boughs, +as they grew super-heated, burst with loud reports to let out the +compressed steam. + +A dozen times over it seemed certain that the palace must go, for the +wooden jalousies and exposed elaborate carvings, kept catching; but a +few buckets of water, carefully distributed, extinguished the flames, +and it became plain that the enemy had retired to a safe distance, +hiding among the trees, for no more spears were thrown and no shots +were fired. + +At last it was evident that the fire had passed its culminating point, +and the spectators gazed at a glowing skeleton whose framework kept on +falling into the main body of the fire below. At first they were small +branches which hardly reached the bottom, but were borne up again to +pass away in fresh clouds of what looked like golden snow. Then +heavier boughs were burned through and dropped, carrying down with +them those below, and so on and on till the trunk, alone stood, with +the stumps of branches rising high above the wall, one glowing tower +of dazzling light doomed to burn on and on probably for hours, and +then, fanned by the wind, slowly smoulder away into so much golden +ash. + +But before this could be achieved, and when it was certain that no +danger could accrue to that part of the palace, Phra laid his hand +upon his companion's shoulder. + +"Come," he said abruptly, and he made a sign to Lahn for him to +follow. + +Five minutes later they were at the back of the line of defence, in +front of the great, open-work bronze gates; but all was quiet there; +no sign of the enemy had been seen, and with the palace between them +and the burning tree the boys looked up at it as it stood out against +the glow shed by the fire, which lit up the two flags floating side by +side, blown out by the soft breeze caused by the rush of hot air +rising from the fire. + +"Let's go in and tell them, Hal," said Phra. "They will be waiting to +know." + +Harry nodded shortly, but said no word, walking slowly into the great +hall, where two of the first persons they encountered were Mr. Kenyon +and the King. + +Under the pressure of questions the boys related in simple words all +that had occurred, the King listening till they had done, and then +standing with wrinkled brow and compressed lip. + +Mr. Kenyon was the first to utter what sounded like a confirmation of +his thoughts in Harry's ear. + +"Poor Sree!" he said sadly; "as brave a man as ever stepped. I looked +upon him as a friend." + +"Everything a man should be," said the King, endorsing this utterance +of the poor fellow's fate: "simple, modest, devoted and true. Kenyon, +my friend, we have lost one of our best supporters. He died trying to +shield us from the perils which hem us in." + +"Yes," said Mr. Kenyon, sharply now, as if making an effort to thrust +the inevitable behind him. "You are neither of you hurt, boys?" + +"My arm aches a great deal," said Harry, speaking in a dull, apathetic +way. + +"Ah! Your wound. Let Dr. Cameron see it at once." + +"Oh, not to-night, father." + +"To-night, Hal--directly. You have been using it a great deal, and the +bandages need loosening because the cut is swollen and inflamed." + +"And you, Phra?" said the King quietly. + +"A mere nothing, father." + +"What, wounded?" cried the King, with a quick change from his calm, +grave manner to eager excitement, as he caught his son's arm. + +"Not a wound, father. A spear whistled by my ear when we were on the +top of the wall. I had forgotten it. My ear is a little cut, but it +soon stopped bleeding." + +Hie King uttered a sigh of relief as he thought of what a few inches' +difference in the direction would have meant. + +"Go in with Hal, and ask Doctor Cameron to look to it." + +"Oh, but father, it is--" + +"My wish, sir," said the King firmly. "You had both better rest then, +for you have done your share of the work." + +Phra looked a protest, and the King went on: + +"Unless the enemy attack us in force to-night; then of course you will +both come and help. Now, Kenyon, let us go our rounds. This quietness +is more startling than an attack. I fear they are planning something +fresh." + +"Very likely, sir," said Mr. Kenyon cheerfully; "but we must scheme in +return." + +They went on down to the barricade by the gate, and the boys sighed +wearily as they walked towards Doctor Cameron's hospital room; for the +spirit seemed to have sunk down in them just as the fire had fallen +after it had reached its height. + +"What a capital English gentleman your father would make if he dressed +like us," said Harry, for the sake of saying something. + +"Yes, and what a good Siamese noble your father would make if he +dressed like some of ours," said Phra, with a faint smile. + +"All right," said Harry; "that's one each. But I say, it seems very +stupid to go to the doctor for such hurts as these." + +"Yes, we must say the King sent us, or he will laugh." + +But Doctor Cameron did not laugh: he frowned as he examined Phra's +left ear. + +"A narrow escape, my dear boy; but as we people say, a miss is as good +as a mile. Only this is not a miss: the spear blade has cut the lobe +of your ear in two. I must put in a stitch or two and draw it together +before strapping it up. I'll bathe it directly. All, here's my wife. +Bathe this injury, my dear." + +Phra shrank, but resigned himself directly to Mrs. Cameron's hands, +while her husband turned to Harry. + +"Oh, it's nothing," said the boy. "We shouldn't have come, only father +and the King ordered us to show you our awful injuries." + +"This is worse than you think, my dear Hal," said the doctor sternly. +"Your arm is much swollen and inflamed. It would have been seriously +bad if you had waited till to-morrow." + +"Oh," cried Harry passionately; "what do I care? It's horrible; it's +too hard to bear!" + +"What, this?" said the doctor sharply. + +"This?" cried Harry. "Pish! _No!_--NO! But you don't know. Poor old +Sree--poor old Sree, Mrs. Cameron: he's dead--he's dead!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + +LIKE A BAD SHILLING + + +When they quitted the hospital room, Harry and Phra threw themselves +down on one of the long bamboo seats in the hall where they had left +their guns, and sat talking dejectedly in a low tone, leaving oft from +time to time for a walk out into the still night air to listen whether +there were any tokens of an approaching attack; but the place was +perfectly still; the glow from the burning tree had nearly died out, +and everything was calm and peaceful. + +After a time the King and Mr. Kenyon returned from their rounds and +stopped to speak to the boys for a few minutes, telling them that they +had better get a good sleep while they could, and that they had been +examining the windows at the other side of the palace, where they had +been a good deal burned. + +"I'm afraid, sir, that was a mistake," said Mr. Kenyon. "It may have +suggested to the enemy a means of attacking and destroying us without +risk to themselves." + +"By firing the palace," said the King gravely. "Yes. I thought of +that. It is possible, and we must be prepared. Fire is easily mastered +when it is small--a jar of water is sufficient; when it grows large, +it takes a river." + +They passed on, talking together, and the boys began and continued +recalling the many expeditions they had made with Sree. What a brave +man he was! how full of knowledge of animal life in the jungle, and +how devoted to them in his simple, unostentatious manner! + +"Yes, poor old Sree!" sighed Harry; "and now he's gone, and Adong +too." + +"Think so?" said Phra, looking up sharply. + +"Oh, yes, or he would have been back with help," replied Harry. "Phra, +old chap, I never felt so unhappy before in my life. It seems as if it +was all over now." + +"But it isn't," said Phra. "There is so much for us to do." + +"To help our fathers?" + +"Yes." + +Harry sat back in his seat and began to think seriously, for his +comrade's words had impressed him deeply, and as he sat there in the +darkness of the night it dawned upon him more and more that in life +one has to give up self for the sake of others, and that even at the +very worst, when there is a disposition to think that one's own +sorrows are everything, others have troubles and sorrows too that it +is our duty to help and combat. + +They were vague, disconnected thoughts, which he could not quite put +together, but they served to make him feel less miserable, even +contented; and then he began to think of the King's words in +connection with his father's, and the possibility of the palace being +fired by the enemy. + +What had the King said?--that at the beginning a fire could be +extinguished with a jar of water? + +Consequently Harry sat back making up his mind that as soon as it was +light he and Phra would get the boatmen together and plant big jars +and bamboo buckets of water in the parts of the palace nearest to the +wall--in fact, wherever it seemed possible that firebrands would be +thrown in. + +The natural consequence was that, being fagged out and sitting in an +uncomfortable position upon a hard-backed seat, he dropped off to +sleep and began dreaming of fire and putting it out with wooden +buckets of water which always seemed to be empty when he was about to +pour them on the flames. + +And so the night wore on, without any alarm of attack, and Harry +dreaming wearily, starting into wakefulness, and dropping off again to +dream of those bottomless buckets which were always empty when they +ought to have been full. + +That constantly repeated dream irritated him, for even while he +dreamed he was conscious that it was all imaginative, and that before +long he would wake up and find he was dreaming, as he did over and +over again, stiff, weary, and ready to make up his mind that he would +sleep no more. But the next minute he was off again fast, and the last +time in so deep a slumber that the sun was shining brightly when at +last he opened his eyes upon Phra seated fast asleep at the other +corner of the settee; and then turning his eyes a little to the right +as he prepared his lower jaw for a good long yawn, he sat as if turned +to stone, his mouth partly open, his eyes staring, and a horrible +feeling as of cold water running down his back. + +For there, so near that he had only to sit up and stretch out his hand +to touch him, Sree was squatted upon his heels in the middle of a mat, +calmly chewing his roll of betel-nut, lime and pepper leaf, his +homely, dark face expanding into a broad smile as he saw that he was +noticed. + +"Sree! Alive!" cried Harry, springing from his seat, his cry rousing +Phra, to sit up staring. + +"Yes, Sahib Harry," said the old hunter quietly. "I ran round to the +back of the fire when I had pulled the ladder over and laid it with +the bamboos, and then crept in among the bushes, to lie there, for I +was nearly dead with the smoke. Then I crawled right away." + +"But weren't you hurt?" + +"My face scorched, and my hair burned a little, Sahib; that is all." + +"Oh, I am so glad, Sree," cried Harry. "You don't--don't--know what we +felt last night." + +There was a slight impediment in Harry's speech as he caught the old +hunter's right hand in both his own, an act imitated by Phra on the +instant with the left, while the old man stood now looking proud and +happy as he glanced from one to the other. + +"Yes, we thought you were dead," said Phra. + +"Here, let me go and tell father and the doctor," said Harry. + +"No, no, Sahib," said Sree. "I saw Sahib Kenyon an hour ago, and he +sent me to you. I have been sitting here till you woke up. He said you +would be pleased." + +"Pleased!" cried Harry. "There's a stupid word! That doesn't half mean +what I feel. But I say, Sree, have you had any breakfast." + +"Oh, yes, Sahib; the master gave me plenty." + +"Tell us more, then. How did you manage to get here?" + +"Oh, I crawled along like a snake, Sahib," said Sree, smiling. "There +are many of the enemy about, but I managed to get by without being +seen while it was dark; and when the sun rose, I got up and walked +along boldly with a spear over my shoulder, just as if I was one of +the enemy, till I was opposite to the great gates where the powder is +buried. Then I came straight up to the gate, and the sahibs were going +to shoot me, for my face was so blackened by the fire and smoke that +they did not know me till I spoke. Then I gave them my spear, and +climbed over. What does Sahib Harry want me to do next?" + +"Fill water pots and bamboo buckets with water, to put in the rooms at +the other side." + +"Ah, yes; that is wise," said Sree. "I thought of that last night, +when I saw the windows begin to burn. A little fire can be mastered +with a jar of water." + +"Hullo!" cried Harry. "Did you hear the King say that?" + +"Oh, no, Sahib; we all say so, because we know how easily our boats +catch alight; and if the fire is not put out, it may mean hundreds all +along the river." + +"Then we'll do that at once," said Phra; "only you must get Lahn and +the boatmen to help." + +"But that's my idea, Phra," cried Harry; "I say, Sree, have you seen +Lahn?" + +"Oh, yes, Sahib; he came running up, and then threw himself down to +kiss and cry over my feet." + +"What did he do that for?" said Harry. + +"Because he was so glad, for he thinks of me as his father." + +"Now, Hal!" cried Phra; "come on; let's get the water pots put all +about at once." + +"Shan't," said Hal, laughing. "I'm not going to begin till I've had my +breakfast. I'm so hungry I could eat old Sree." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI + +COMING HOME TO ROOST + + +That day passed away quietly enough, the enemy making no sign; but +scouts reported that they were in hiding in all directions. + +"They mean to starve us out, boys," said Mr. Kenyon. + +"Oh," said Harry, "then they'll have to take care that they don't get +starved first, for now the elephants are gone I suppose we could live +for a month on the grain." + +It was as if the very mention of the word elephants had been the +introduction to what was to come, for just then the peculiar noise +known as trumpeting--which is really an agreeable blend in the way of +noises, of pig in a gate, the final _haw_, prolonged and intense, of a +donkey's bray, and the hoarse crow of a Cochin China cock--came +faintly in through the open windows of the hall. + +Harry ran and looked out to where Sree and Lahn sat waiting and +listening. + +"What was that, Sree?" he cried, as Phra followed him and looked out +too. + +"It was an elephant, Sahib," said the hunter. + +"Yes, it was old Sul," cried Phra excitedly. + +"I know," cried Harry, laughing. "They've been and had a tremendous +good feed out in the jungle, and now they've all come back." + +Harry was quite right, as examination proved, for the elephants had +been thoroughly well trained, and treated in a way which made them +prefer their civilized home to the jungle. So after a few words with +Mr. Kenyon the King gave orders that a strong party should go across +to the gate and guard it while the animals were admitted. + +The two boys hastened to join the party, taking Sree with them, when, +having learned wisdom from the last time the gates were opened, +ladders were placed against the wall, and a good look-out kept, so +that no advance could be made along the side ditch or by the wall +unnoticed. + +All being declared clear, and the guard stationed ready on either +side, the gate was unfastened, the elephants standing patiently +waiting, the trumpeting having ceased as soon as the first man's head +appeared above the wall, while directly the gate was being dragged +open, Sul thrust his head against it and pushed, making the task +particularly easy. But as soon as there was ample room he uttered a +peculiar squeak, and shuffled off across the park-like grounds, +followed by the troop of ten, all evidently eager to get back to their +old quarters, to which they made their way. + +"They'll want to go off again," said Harry, laughing. "Aren't you glad +to see them back, Phra?" + +"Glad? Of course; it seemed horrible to lose them all. I never +expected to see either of them again." + +"What are you shaking your head at, Sree?" cried Harry, as they waited +till the gates were once more secure. + +"I was listening to what the Sahib said," replied the old hunter. "I +am not surprised to see the elephants come back. Once they get used to +man, and find he is a friend who feeds them, and treats them well, +they do not want to leave him. Some of the mahouts are cruel, and make +their heads sore with the goads, but I think kindness is best. I have +made friends with the great beasts, often with big ones that the +mahouts said were savage-tempered and dangerous. I never found them +so." + +"Not when they were mad?" said Phra. + +"Oh, yes, then," replied the man. "They are dangerous at times, and it +does not do to trust them much. Better let them loose in the jungle." + +"We might as well have made old Sul stop and carry us back," said +Harry. "I say; there were no fighting men anywhere outside; do you +think they will come to-night?" + +"Who knows, Sahib? Perhaps not to-night, but they will come and try to +take the place, or they would not be waiting as I saw them this +morning. They have some plan in their minds, but we are ready, and +must meet them when they come." + +But there was no sign of the enemy that night, nor the next, and such +a state of calm that it was hard to imagine that the palace was still +beleaguered. There was no doubt of this, though, for it was only +necessary to send out a scout in any direction for him to find bodies +of the enemy watching the palace, and ready to check any attempt at +escape, if such had been the intention of the besieged. + +This state of quietude enabled Mr. Kenyon and his English friends to +finish several little arrangements for the defence, and the risk of +fire was reduced by the amount of water provided for checking the +first attempt to destroy the place, if such should prove to be the +enemy's design. The earthwork at the great gates, too, was +strengthened; for though there was the possibility of the attack being +made in another portion of the defences, it seemed probable that it +would be made as before. + +"They're like elephants, Hal," Phra said contemptuously; "they keep to +the old track." + +The halt on the part of the enemy gave the doctor's patients a better +chance of amendment, and the spirit that was within made several ready +to return to the duties of the defence, each declaring that he would +get better more quickly busy with his friends than lying as an invalid +in bed, in spite of the gentle ministrations of the ladies, who did +everything possible to help the doctor with his charge. + +Generally speaking, everything now had settled down in the palace to a +complete state of routine. Watches were regularly set, including one +on the roof, by the flagstaff, whence portions of the river could be +seen; and longing looks were constantly cast, in the vain hope of +seeing help in the shape of the well-manned boats of some British +man-o'-war. + +Plans too were made as to the provisioning of the little garrison, and +arranging that the stores should last as long as possible. This duty, +with the care for the health of the place, devolved upon the doctor +who proved to be most stern in his insistence upon every one obeying +his rules. + +Harry and Phra took their turns in going on duty, and it fell to their +lot to superintend the guard when the elephants were let out and +returned from the jungle, the sagacious beasts marching off regularly +every morning, and forming a regular path across the grounds to the +distant gates, while, strange to state, a whole week elapsed without +the enemy again interfering and attempting to gain an entrance at such +times. + +"There is a meaning in it all, father says. They have lost so many men +that they have determined to starve us out," Phra said one morning to +his companion. + +"Yes; so my father thinks," replied Harry; "or else it is that they +are waiting for reinforcements." + +"I don't think they would have to wait," replied Phra. "No; depend +upon it, they think we shall give up soon, and lay down our arms." + +"So that they may march in and jump upon us, and then cut off our +heads?" + +Phra's face looked quite old with wrinkles as he gave his companion a +sombre look, and then nodded. + +"Perhaps they would be content, and let you English people off, if you +gave up my father and his faithful friends." + +"And you with them?" said Harry gravely. + +"Of course." + +"Can't spare you, old chap. Bah! What are you talking about? If they +think anything of that sort, they are more stupid than I thought for. +Give up? They don't know what English people are yet. Why, Phra, we +shall go on fighting till all the provisions are done, and then we +shall make a fresh start." + +"How?" + +"By killing one of the elephants and eating him. Let's see; eleven of +them. How long would they last?" + +"Nonsense!" + +"'Tisn't. Old Mike would cook them so as to make something good, and +so that they wouldn't be tough." + +"Don't make fun out of our troubles," said Phra bitterly. + +"Why not? they're bad enough, so one needn't try to make them worse." + +"What I dread is--" began Phra, but Harry interrupted him. + +"I know; that the enemy won't come and be well thrashed." + +"No; that the water supply will be stopped. Father wondered that they +had not dug up the bamboo pipes and cut that off." + +"Pooh! Let them. Father and Doctor Cameron talked that over the other +night, and they said that near as we are to the river they would find +water before we had dug down ten feet, and there would be abundance. +Look here, Phra; I've thought over it all, and now the place is so +strong we can laugh at the enemy and starve them out. Give up? Why, if +it came to the worst, we should shut ourselves up in that wing, and +blow away the big passage which joins it to the rest of the palace. +Then we should defend it step by step till we were on the roof, and +fight there till the last of us was killed. English people would +rather die fighting than give up to be murdered by a set of savages +like the enemy." + +Phra was silent. + +"Well, wouldn't you?" said Harry. + +"Yes," said Phra gravely. "I suppose I should be horribly frightened, +but I should know that it was my duty to fight for my father to the +last, and I should fight." + +"Of course you would, and so should I," cried Harry, flushing. "As to +being frightened, well, I don't think we should be a bit. We should +feel that shrinky-shanky sensation which makes you shiver and feel hot +and cold and wish you were somewhere else, and want to run away, only +you wouldn't for the world. I believe everyone feels that at such +times--say if any one's drowning, and you don't want to jump in after +him, or when there's a tiger or a big snake; but I don't think that's +being frightened; that's only natural, because one would jump into the +water to save any fellow drowning, or go and do anything. It's only a +sort of hanging back before one begins. It can't be regular fright, +old chap, because, if it was, we should run, and that we couldn't do. +Now, that's real fright: we should be afraid to do that." + +"You're a queer fellow, Hal," said Phra, smiling. + +"Am I? Well, so are other English boys, for I suppose I'm like most of +them. I don't want to fight. I hate it. It's horrible, but I think I +shall not be afraid to fight; but I'm sure I should be afraid to run +away." + +"I hope I should," said Phra thoughtfully, "and I don't want the +fighting to begin again; but this miserable waiting day after day for +aid to come is terrible. I say, do you think Adong will bring help?" + +"Not now, I don't. I'm afraid the poor chap has been killed, or he +would have come back. He'd have made his way to us, the same as Sree +did. I say, I begin to feel as you do--wish it would all come to an +end." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII + +IN THE NICK OF TIME + + +Sunset had come. The elephants had returned to the gate, and, being +admitted without the sign of an enemy, had tramped quietly to their +stables after their hearty banquet upon the succulent, jungle leaves. + +Then the darkness fell, the evening meal was eaten, the guard set, and +after a chat with Sree, the boys went to their beds, to lie down +dressed--ready for anything, and dropped off soundly to sleep. + +In what seemed like ten minutes Harry was awake again, to be conscious +of a busy stir in the palace and Sree leaning over him with a hand +upon his shoulder. + +"What's the matter?" cried the boy; "are they attacking?" + +"Yes, Sahib; there is going to be a big fight, and they are coming on +with lights." + +"Ah!" cried Harry, "at last! Here, Phra!" + +"I'm ready," was the reply, and a minute later, gun in hand, the boys +were out on the terrace, learning that the enemy was coming on in two +bodies, their presence having been detected by Sree and Lahn, who were +on guard, and whose keen ears had caught the low, rustling sound of +their approach. + +There was no excitement among the defenders, for in obedience to +several orders made for acting upon in case of such an emergency, +every one had gone quietly to his place, the ammunition chests were +thrown open, and arrangements made for keeping all well supplied, +while the ladies had hurriedly dressed and gone to their post in the +hospital room to wait till the doctor, who was with those who were in +consultation on the terrace, should need their services. + +"Where are the boys?" said Mr. Kenyon suddenly. + +The answer came from close behind him. + +"Here, quick!" he said; "take the night glass and go up on the roof. +You may be able to make out something of the movements of the enemy. +Be back here in ten minutes." + +Harry and Phra ran off, the glass was obtained, and they made their +way to the flagstaffs. + +It was wonderfully still, not a breath of air perceptible, and the +darkness was intense low down, though above the sky was one glorious +encrustation of stars. + +For a few moments nothing could be seen, and they stood listening to a +peculiar, murmurous sound from away over the great gates, evidently +caused by the movement of a large body of men. + +The telescope was brought to bear in that direction, but still nothing +could be seen, and Harry, who held it, swept it round to the back, +where all seemed black too; but suddenly a bright spark darted into +the field of vision, then another, and another, and the boy handed the +glass to his companion. + +"Look right over the corner yonder," he whispered. + +Phra adjusted the glass, but before he had time to make out that which +had met Harry's eye the latter uttered a sharp ejaculation. + +"What is it?" cried Phra. + +"The river is alive with boats. They're just coming round the bend +where the trees are. They all have lanthorns, and it would be a +beautiful sight if they weren't coming to destroy this place." + +"Yes, beautiful," said Phra. "We've seen enough. There's a party +coming on with torches behind; the enemy are in the front, and they +are coming up to land on the water terrace to attack us at the side." + +"Come on down," said Harry, drawing a deep breath. "It's going to be a +big fight to-night, and we shall have to retreat in here." + +Their information was carried to Mr. Kenyon, with whom was the King, +and, as Harry had said, instructions were given for the defence by the +gate to be held as long as possible before a retreat was made to the +palace wing; a party was sent round to strengthen the guard in the +rooms, the instructions being to think of nothing but extinguishing +the fire if it should catch hold, for it was not judged likely that +any attempts to scale the wall would be made there. And then as strong +a party as could be spared was sent in the direction of the great, +stone landing-place in case of an attack being made there, with orders +to quickly retire if they were much pressed, so that the strength +might be concentrated at and about the palace. + +The darkness did not seem to interfere with the movements in the +least, for every man was familiar now with the dark paths beyond the +court, and knew what he had to do, moving with the stern determination +to perform that duty even at the cost of his life. + +The silence now grew more and more painful, and the defenders, who +knew but little of what was going on at the back of the palace, their +attention being concentrated upon the front or water side, were +longing for the suspense of waiting to be brought to an end, so that +they might find relief in action, when suddenly there arose a burst of +shouting, and a faint glow rose over the roof of the principal +building. + +The great danger foreseen had come, for a body of the enemy bearing +burning brands had advanced boldly up to a short distance from the +wall, close to the ashes of the burned tree, and begun hurling the +blazing wood against the windows within reach. + +It was so quickly done that it seemed as if a splash of light suddenly +darted out of the darkness beneath the wall, quivered for a moment in +the air, and then described a curve, passing over the wall, striking +against the barricaded window, rebounding, and falling down into the +narrow court below. + +This continued rapidly; and though a glimpse was now and then caught +of a dark face with flashing eyes, as the burning brand was thrown, it +was so momentary that it was considered waste of ammunition to fire. + +Harry and Phra had hurried there directly they had given warning, and +one of the first orders given was for two of the faithful Siamese to +go down into the court and provide themselves with a bamboo bucket of +water. Then as fast as the brands flew over the wall, struck the +palace, and dropped down, they were seized, and their burning ends +quenched. + +They came fast, striking above, below, and on either side. Some came +with a loud rap against the boards nailed up for a breastwork, but few +came right in at the open window. Still now and then one better aimed +than usual rushed in like a rocket, and the value of the preparation +made was evident. + +If there had been no defenders there, without doubt that portion of +the palace would soon have been in a blaze, for the torches thrown had +been prepared with some violently inflammable resin, and filled the +place with a pungent smoke as they fell. + +But their time for burning was short. Quickly as they came, there was +always some one ready to dart upon them, plunge them into a jar of +water, and drop them down into the court. + +Still, in spite of the ill success of the movement, the brands were +thrown in by the men, who darted from the shelter of the wall and back +as soon as they had thrown the missile, while the bright glow which +rose showed that a party must be busy there getting the torches well +alight while others were being thrown. + +This had been going on for quite a quarter of an hour, the enemy +working away with impunity, not one being hurt; and it seemed as if +they meant to keep on till the room began to blaze. + +"This won't do, Phra," said Harry at last; "it's sickening, we ought +to fire at the next who runs out." + +"It would be impossible to hit," said Phra bitterly. + +"I know," cried Harry. "Back directly." + +He ran round to the far wing, to find his father, the King, and +several more anxiously waiting for the attack to commence upon the +gate; for it was evident that a mass of the enemy were waiting, +probably for the place to be on fire, before they began their advance, +feeling that the blaze would confuse and dishearten the defenders, and +make the task comparatively easy. + +Harry was supplied with that for which he had come, and hurried back +to the room, into which two brands came hissing, entering by the +window as he ran in by the door. + +"No, no, Sree," he cried; "don't touch that one," and the hunter rose +again while the boy stooped, those who looked on catching a glimpse of +a canister as the boy held a fuse to the flame, waited till it began +to fizz and spit tiny sparks, and then rushed with it to the window, +leaned out, making himself a mark for the next thrower whose torch +whizzed by his ear, and then, well calculating his distance, the boy +pitched the canister so that it, too, made a curve in the air, +emitting scintillations as it flew, and dropped down on the far side +of the wall just where the glow arose and formed a halo of light. + +"There," he cried, "if you're so fond of fireworks, how do you like +that?" + +The words had hardly passed his lips before there was a tremendous +concussion, a deafening roar, and the light which arose went out as +suddenly as it had come; the glow had gone, and the throwing of the +torches was at an end. + +"Any one hurt?" cried Harry. + +"No; are you, Hal?" + +"No, I don't think so. But has that stopped them?" he continued, as he +looked out. "Yes, you can hear them running." + +"They're gone. But oh! I say! there's a big gap blown through the +wall." + +Sree had picked up the still burning torch and now handed it to Harry, +who threw it down into the court to make sure; and there plainly +enough he could see an opening about four feet wide, offering an easy +entrance for the enemy if they came on again. + +"Here," cried Harry, "all of you follow us; we must go round and be +ready to beat them back. We must have some spears as well." + +The lad's promptness in proposing the right thing at the right moment +naturally made him leader, and as he rushed out of the door all +followed along the passage and downstairs to the terrace, so that they +might run round. + +But as they ran they became conscious of a sudden roar of voices, +coming, though they knew it not, from two directions, and the rattle +of musketry began. + +For the enemy had taken the explosion at the back of the palace and +the flash of light as the signal for them to advance; and with a wild +burst of cries they came rushing towards the gate and the walls at the +sides, provided with ladders, while from the landing-place by the +river another column landed from the boats came on with a roar. + +The noise increased, and volley after volley was fired; but it soon +grew desultory and weaker, for, unchecked by their losses, the enemy +came on in their determined attack, driving the defenders along the +paths leading to the river, and swarming over the gate and walls in a +way that the weak force behind the barricade could not resist. + +Shot, hoarse yell, roar of defiance, and the clattering and ringing of +spears, were mingled in wild confusion; and just as Harry and his +little party reached the terrace, ready to rush round by the back, it +was to awaken to the fact that the little reserve gathered there when +he fetched the impromptu shell had rushed forward to assist those by +the gate who were being driven back by sheer weight of numbers. + +"Stand fast!" cried Phra. "Spears, spears!" + +He set the example of seizing one from a sheaf placed ready by the +door; the others followed, and they were able to plant themselves, a +little compact body of ten, ready to try and cover their friends, who +from the dark paths leading to the water and from the barrier were +retreating, fighting hand to hand, their emptied pieces being only of +use now as spears, thanks to the bayonets they had fixed. + +It was all over in the space of a minute. The defenders faced their +enemies to the last; for the final retreat up the steps to the terrace +was made backwards, as they came closer together till they were +shoulder to shoulder, presenting a _chevaux de frise_ of bayonets to +the stabbing spears of their enemies, till those first to reach the +great doorway were crowded through, carrying those who had tried to +cover them in first in spite of their efforts. + +But Harry in the wild excitement had a clear head. He and his +companions, though so few in number, still retained their muskets, and +these were loaded. + +Quick as the thought which occurred to him, he called upon his party +to follow, and led the way to the window at the side, one that he had +seen carefully provided with a breastwork ready for defenders, though +he little thought he was to be one of those who would first prove its +value. + +He saw it now, though; and as the great door was being held by those +at bay, all inside now, and the enemy were pressing forward to follow +them in, he got his own party crowded at the window. + +"At the word," he cried, as every musket was brought to bear on the +dense crowd not five yards away. + +There was a momentary pause. + +"Present--fire!" he roared, and the ten muskets were discharged like +one, literally tearing a little alley through the crowd. + +The effect was so sudden and startling to the attacking party that +they fell back with one accord; but only for a few moments. + +Moments were vital then; and brief as the time was, it had given +enough for some of those first driven in to get to and man the window +on the other side of the door. + +Recovering from their surprise, the enemy yelled and rebounded, to +come on again, when the sharp word of command was given, and a volley +rattled from that side. + +It was another check, and the two together gave time for the defenders +in the great doorway to bang it to, thrust in the bolts, and clang the +bars across. + +"Twenty of you follow me to the upper windows," cried Mr. Kenyon. "You +sir, hold those two windows. Fire in turn from each side. Volleys, +mind; they have ten times the effect." + +By this time Harry's party had reloaded, and as with a savage yell the +disappointed enemy divided to make for the windows, another volley +tore through them. + +The King had obeyed his friend, and his first step had been to get +twenty of his panting followers in a line and order them to load. Then +he divided them into two firing parties, ten on either side, to +support those at the windows. + +The fighting already gone through had been magnificent as a +discipline, and in an incredibly short time the reserves were ready; +and at a word Harry's party, who had been holding the window with +bayonets, dropped back to reload, while the fresh ten stepped up and +delivered their fire, holding the place in turn with their bayonets +till Harry's party had reloaded. + +The same thing was going on at the other window, while now from the +floor above, crash after crash, volley after volley, Mr. Kenyon's +party joined in their fire. + +"Here, Sree," whispered Harry, "my arm has gone bad; you must load for +me." + +There was no reply. + +"Where's Sree?" cried Harry again. + +No one had seen him since they fired the first volley, and Harry +uttered a groan as he felt sure that the poor fellow must have gone +down from a spear thrust. + +But there was no time to think in the darkness where they were pent +up. It was every man's duty to make his ammunition tell upon the +seething, savage crowd athirst for their blood, and the volley firing +was kept up steadily, the ammunition chests in the middle of the hall +being amply supplied in readiness for such an emergency, and every +window attacked had its defenders directly. + +All at once Mr. Kenyon's voice was heard from above. + +"Where is the King?" he cried. + +"Here. Are you losing ground up there?" + +"No, sir, no. My men can keep up their fire there. I came to speak to +you," he said in a low voice, but it was close to where the two boys +were standing, and they heard every word. "We must do our best," he +said, "for the whole country seems up against us. They have cast off +all concealment now, and are coming up to the gate in thousands, many +of them with lanthorns at the end of their spears. Where are the +home-made shells?" + +"There, in a chest by themselves beneath the great table." + +"Yes, I know," said Mr. Kenyon. "I am going to throw a few down from +one of the upper windows. Oh, if we could have fired those mines!" + +"The attack was too sudden," said the King. "The poor fellows had not +a chance." + +"I ought to have gone there sooner," groaned Mr. Kenyon. + +The words had hardly passed his lips when the great hall became light +as day for a moment, and then there was a roar like a peal of thunder, +making the bamboo sun-blinds rattle and the whole place quiver. + +"Hurrah!" shouted Harry. "I know. That's Sree!" + +He did not pause to think how Sree could have been by him so short a +time before and down at the barrier then. + +Even if he had felt disposed to wonder, the thought would have been +driven out of his head, for in the midst of the sudden silence which +had succeeded the tremendous roar it was repeated--the other mine had +been fired, with a report which seemed louder than the first. + +The silence, both inside and out, was now appalling, and those within +ceased reloading, as they waited, wondering what the effect had been +upon the enemy, and whether such a catastrophe as that which must have +befallen them would be followed by a retreat. + +But it was the turn of the besieged now to receive a shock, for all at +once the faces of those who thronged the court began to be visible in +the darkness. In another minute there came flash after flash, showing +thousands of gleaming eyes, and a spontaneous yell of savage delight +rose up from all around as the light grew brighter. + +"The palace--at the back!" cried Harry wildly. "Oh, Phra, we oughtn't +to have left our posts." + +"They have come in through the wall and fired the place," said Phra +with a groan. + +"Yes," said Mr. Kenyon coolly; "but half a keg of powder will tear +down our connection with the main building, and we can still hold this +wing to the bitter end." + +"What's that? Are they bringing big guns against us?" cried the King. + +No one replied, but stood listening, as _thud, thud, thud_, at regular +intervals there came the reports of heavy pieces, followed by a fresh +surprise. + +All at once there was a bright light from the direction of the river. +Then another, which began to light up the trees in that direction, +while, with a strange rapidity as the heavy firing went on, blaze +after blaze sprang up, and it was now Mr. Kenyon's turn to be wildly +excited. + +"Hark!" he shouted. "Do you hear that?" + +His answer was a wild burst of cheering from all the defenders +present, as if in echo to the faint shouting which came off the river. + +"Hurrah!" cried Harry again. "Shout, Phra, shout! It's the help at +last. It must be men-o'-war boats, and they're firing the enemy's +barges as they come." + +"Yes, Sahib Harry," said a familiar voice. "English sailors with guns +in boats, but the place is on fire and burning fast." + +At least a dozen of the light barges on the river were burning +fiercely now, and drifting amongst and setting fire to others; but the +firing from that direction had ceased. + +Then all at once there was a hearty cheer and a volley of musketry, +while by the bright light which illumined the courtyard a movement +began to be visible amongst the besiegers. + +In an instant Mr. Kenyon called upon those present, and volley after +volley was sent tearing through the crowd moving now towards the gate. +In another minute there was a rush from the now lit-up walks leading +to the landing, and a strong body of sailors dashed out into the open, +formed up in line, fired a fresh volley, and then charged across at +the retiring enemy. + +That was enough. This charge from disciplined men, who came on with a +tremendous cheer, broke the neck of the attack, and the crowd +scattered and fled, seeking who could be first outside, for the way +was clear, the great gates and twenty feet of the wall being +completely swept away. + +A volley or two from the sailors hastened the flight, but no pursuit +was attempted, and the men were wheeled round and halted in front of +the terrace, their officers advancing to congratulate those whom they +had so opportunely relieved; while as soon as a strong party had been +stationed at the ruined gates the efforts of every one were directed +to the burning palace, the far end of which was blazing furiously. + +"Look here," said the lieutenant in command of the sailors, "it seems +a pity; but if it is not done, the whole place must burn down." + +"What would you do?" said the King. + +"Blow up the burning rooms--the farther end," said Mr. Kenyon +promptly. + +"That's it," said the lieutenant. "If you've half a keg of powder, +we'll soon manage that, and a few hundred buckets of water will do the +rest." + +It was a pity, but it was like lopping off a diseased limb, and half +an hour after another explosion had suddenly shaken down that end of +the lightly built palace not a spark was visible. + +The next morning there was a ghastly array of sufferers lying about +the precincts of the palace, but not an enemy to be seen. The great +force gathered against the little knot of defenders had melted away. +Weapons were hidden, and the spirit of the rebellion seemed to have +quite evaporated, so that thousands of those who had been ready to +fight desperately in the second king's cause eagerly returned to their +daily avocations as soon as the news spread after the defeat that +their leader and those who had headed the conspiracy had fled up the +country to try and escape to safety in another land. + +It was while the naval officer in command of the sailors was +collecting all the men he could--most of them members of the inimical +force, but peaceful enough now--to set to work and remove all the +ghastly traces of the late fight, that Harry and Phra came suddenly +upon the old hunter and his two men superintending a gang of about +twenty Siamese laden with spears and krises, which were being carried +into one of the great sheds by the elephant stables. + +"Why, there's Adong!" cried Harry. "Here, how did you get back?" + +"He came with the sailors In one of the boats, Sahib," said Sree, +answering for his man, who nudged him to reply. + +"Then it was he who found an English ship to send help?" + +"Oh, yes, Sahib Phra; but it took him a long time, and he began to +fear that he would not find one at last." + +"Where did he find it?" + +"Sailing on the sea, and coming to our river, Sahib. He says he could +not help being so long." + +"But how about the firing of those mines, Sree?" cried Harry. "You did +that?" + +"Yes, Sahib." + +"How did you manage it? You were with us." + +"I went to a window where there were no fighting men, Sahib, and +dropped out to go down to the gate, where hundreds of men were +crowding in." + +"But didn't they stop you?" + +"No, Sahib; I was not an Englishman, and I played with them." + +"Played with them?" + +"Yes, Sahib; I held my arm, and I walked lame, and they said to +themselves, 'Here is a brave man who has been wounded,' and they let +me go. I knew that the Sahib wanted the powder to go off at a time +like that, and I crept to the places where the wires were hidden among +the stones. I pulled first one and then the other. It was very +horrible, Sahibs, but they were enemies seeking to kill the King and +his friends, so it was right that I should fire the mines." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII + +WHAT FOLLOWED + + +Sree's daring act with the mines, and the coming of the sailors who +had burned the enemy's fleet of warboats, combined to completely +dishearten the rebels, who fled, to a man; and the next day the people +were poling back their houseboats to their old places about the banks +of the river, trade was going on, and scores of the King's servants +and retainers came flocking in, many of whom had no doubt taken part +in the attack upon the palace, but the majority had fled through fear. + +The wounded were for the most part helped and fetched away, saving the +bad cases, which were attended by Dr. Cameron and the surgeon from the +ship; and excepting that strong guards were stationed at the levelled +gates and the broken wall there was no sign of the effects of the +siege twenty-four hours after the enemy had taken flight. + +The presence of the British war-ship in the river, with her guns and +the naval detachment, helped to awe the people; but with the flight of +the second king and his party the rebellion died, the hatred of the +English colony was forgotten, and Harry felt half angry, half amused, +to see the competition which ensued in the course of a few hours among +the work-people of the city, who nearly fought for the right to +rebuild the bungalows which had been destroyed. + +To be brief, in a few days the King was more firmly seated upon the +throne than ever, for the inimical party had been swept away, and his +people vied among themselves to prove who were the most devoted +servants he possessed. + +It was about three months later, and after the departure of the +man-of-war, that Harry and Phra were going round the English quarter, +where the rebuilding was well in progress, Mr. Kenyon's bungalow most +forward of all. + +"They have worked, Phra," cried Harry triumphantly. "Why, in another +fortnight we shall be able to begin housekeeping again. Mike has +bought boat-loads of things ready to come in as soon as the place is +dry." + +"Yes," said Phra; "they are getting on fast. These light bamboo-built +places are soon raised; but I don't see why you should be in such a +hurry. Aren't you comfortable up at the palace?" + +"Comfortable?" cried Harry. "It would be a shame if we weren't. No one +could be nicer than the King." + +"To his friends," said Phra gravely. "His enemies think differently." + +"He has no enemies now," said Harry. + +"No, not now, for the last of those who headed the rising have left +the country." + +"All those who could," said Harry, with a meaning look. + +"Don't talk about it," said Phra, with a spasm of pain in his face. +"We were talking about you coming back here to live. Aren't you afraid +of another volcanic eruption?" + +"N--no," said Harry. "We should be more on our guard if one were +threatening." + +"There will not be another for many years," said Phra gravely. "My +father has shown the people what he can do when roused, and he means +to be more severe with any who stir up the people against what he does +and his favouring of the English. I am sure we shall all be safe for +many years to come. Don't hurry to get away from the palace; father +wants you to stay--so do I." + +"Yes, that's very nice, but it isn't home, Phra, old chap, and we +English people like to be independent and have our own nests. But I +was thinking that if there was another rising in a few years, we +should be grown men and able to do better." + +"You couldn't. Could they, Cameron?" said a voice behind them. + +"You there, father?" cried Harry, flushing. + +"Where should I be but in my own home, sir? The doctor and I have just +come for a look round. But the museum looks bad, boys." + +"Yes, father. Phra and I were talking last night about having a turn +in the jungle with Sree to begin collecting." + +"And also about a rebellion in the future, and fighting better when +you are men. The doctor and I hope and believe that if there is war +again it will be against a foreign enemy, and the people will be +joining their wise and progressive King in defending themselves. Eh, +Cameron?" + +"We shall have no more risings," said the doctor decisively, "for the +people will never forget the way in which the last was put down. We +are like your father, Phra, stronger than ever now." + +"Let's end here," said Mr. Kenyon. "One such incident as that trouble +at the palace is enough in any boy's life." + +The two elders walked away to meet Mrs. Cameron, who had come down to +join her husband; and the boys stood looking at one another. + +"No more fighting, Phra," said Harry; "but we've got the museum to +fill." + +"Yes; when shall we begin?" + +"At once," said Harry. "So let's go and find old Sree." + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Jungle and Stream, by George Manville Fenn + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44680 *** diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..85fc667 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #44680 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/44680) diff --git a/old/44680-8.txt b/old/44680-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b27c9bc --- /dev/null +++ b/old/44680-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,16028 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Jungle and Stream, by George Manville Fenn + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Jungle and Stream + Or The Adventures of Two Boys in Siam + +Author: George Manville Fenn + +Release Date: January 16, 2014 [EBook #44680] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JUNGLE AND STREAM *** + + + + +Produced by the volunteers of Project Gutenberg Thailand. +Proofreading by users brianjungwi, ianh68, kaewmala, +LScribe, Saksith, rikker, Claudio, andysteve, wyaryan, +dekpient, Gwindarr. PGT is an affiliated sister project +focusing on public domain books on Thailand and Southeast +Asia. Project leads: Rikker Dockum, Emil Kloeden. (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive.) + + + + + + + + + + JUNGLE AND STREAM + OR + THE ADVENTURES OF TWO BOYS IN SIAM + + + BY + GEO. MANVILLE FENN + + AUTHOR OF + "IN HONOUR'S CAUSE," "CORMORANT CRAG" + "FIRST IN THE FIELD," ETC. + + + DEAN & SON, LTD. + 6 LA BELLA SAUVAGE, LUDGATE HILL, + LONDON, E.C.4 + + + + + MADE AND PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN + + + + + CONTENTS + + I. SIXTY YEARS AGO + II. THE JUNGLE HUNTER + III. SREE'S PRISONER + IV. FISHING WITH A WORM + V. THE DOCTOR'S POST-MORTEM + VI. MAKING PLANS + VII. THE BRINK OF A VOLCANO + VIII. A PROWL BY WATER + IX. NATURALISTS' TREASURES + X. WHAT HARRY HEARD + XI. THE NAGA'S BITE + XII. SUL THE ELEPHANT + XIII. THEIR FIRST TIGER + XIV. A YOUNG SAVAGE + XV. FOR THE JUNGLE, HO! + XVI. THE HOUSE-BOAT + XVII. JUNGLE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS + XVIII. ELEPHANTS AT HOME + XIX. A NIGHT ALARM + XX. A DREARY RETURN + XXI. A HIDING-PLACE + XXII. DARING PLANS + XXIII. THE SPEAR HARVEST + XXIV. THE HELP SEEKER + XXV. A DESPERATE VENTURE + XXVI. FOR LIFE + XXVII. THE POWDER MINE + XXVIII. SAVING THE STORES + XXIX. THE DOCTOR KEPT BUSY + XXX. LIKE A BAD SHILLING + XXXI. COMING HOME TO ROOST + XXXII. IN THE NICK OF TIME + XXXIII. WHAT FOLLOWED + + + + + [Illustration: "Then there was a roar like a peal of thunder."] + + + + +CHAPTER I + +SIXTY YEARS AGO + + +"Charlie is my darling, my darling, my darling!" was sung in a good, +clear, boyish tenor, and then the singer stopped, to say +impatiently,-- + +"What nonsense it is! My head seems stuffed full of Scotch +songs,--'Wee bit sangs,' as the doctor calls them. Seems funny that so +many Scotch people should come out here to the East. I suppose it's +because the Irish all go to the West, that they may get as far apart +as they can, so that there may not be a fight. I say, though, I want +my breakfast." + +The speaker, to wit Harry Kenyon, sauntered up to the verandah of the +bungalow and looked in at the window of the cool, shaded room, where a +man-servant in white drill jacket and trousers was giving the +finishing touches to the table. + +"Breakfast ready, Mike?" + +"Yes, sir; coffee's boiled, curry's made." + +"Curry again?" + +"Yes, Master Harry; curry again. That heathen of a cook don't believe +a meal's complete without curry and rice." + +"But I thought we were going to have fried fish this morning." + +"So did I, sir. I told him plainly enough; but he won't understand, +and he's curried the lot." + +"How tiresome!" + +"I should like to curry his hide, Master Harry, but it's +leather-coloured already. Never mind; there's some fresh potted meat." + +"Bother potted meat! I'm sick of potted meat. Look here, next time I +bring home any fresh fish you go into the kitchen and cook them +yourself." + +"What, me go and meddle there! Look here, Master Harry, I'll go with +you fishing, and wade into that sticky red mud if you want me to; or +I'll go with you shooting or collecting, and get my eyes scratched out +in the jungle, and risk being clawed by tigers, or stung by snakes, or +squeedged flat by an elephant's neat little foot; but I'm not going to +interfere with old Ng's pots and pans. Why, he'd put some poison in my +vittles." + +"Nonsense!" + +"He would, sir, sure as I stand here. He looks wonderful gentle and +smiling, with that Chinese face of his; but I know he can bite." + +"Poor old Ng; he's as harmless as his name. N. G.--Ng." + +"Name? I don't call that a name, Master Harry. Fag end of a pig's +grunt; that's about what that is." + +"Here, I want my breakfast. Isn't father nearly dressed?" + +"No, sir; he hasn't begun to shave yet, and he won't be down for +another quarter of an hour." + +"Call me when he comes," said the lad, and he went off down the garden +again, towards the river which flowed swiftly at the bottom, where the +bamboo landing-stage had been made, with its high-peaked attap, or +palm-leaf roof. It was all bamboo. Big canes were driven into the mud +for supports, others for pillars and beams, and the floor was of +smaller ones, split and laid close together, and then bound in their +places with long lengths of the rotan cane which grew so plentifully +in the jungle, running up the great forest trees, and after reaching +the top, going on growing till it swung down by the yard, and waited +till the wind blew it into the next tree, where it held on by its +thorns, and went on growing to any length. + +The garden was beautiful in its wildness, the trees having been left +for shade; and John Kenyon, the East India merchant, who had settled +far up one of the rivers of Siam ten years before, after the death of +his wife, had found out from long experience that he who tries to make +an English garden in a tropical country has worry for crops, while he +who encourages the native growths makes his home a place of beauty. + +So Harry Kenyon sauntered down, keeping out of the hot rays of the +early morning sun--hot enough, though it was only six, for people rise +early in the East--and made his way to the bamboo platform beneath +which the river, here about a hundred yards wide, looked like a stream +whose waters had been transformed into a decoction of coffee and +chicory, with the milk left out, or, as Harry once said, muddy soup. + +The creepers, crowded with many-coloured blossoms, hung down from the +trees and ran over the roof, forming, with the dry palm-leaves, +nesting and hiding places for plenty of natural history objects from +the neighbouring jungle. Birds nested there, and rats and snakes came +birds'-nesting, while lizards of various kinds, from the little active +fly-catchers to the great shrieking tokay, found that roof an +admirable resting-place. + +There were sundry rustlings overhead as Harry stepped on to the +slippery, squeaking, yielding bamboos; but use is second nature, and +ten years in such company, without reckoning the inhabitants of the +jungle, had made the boy so familiar with many of these things that he +looked upon them with a calm contempt. + +As a matter of course he would have swarmed up a tree fast enough at +the sight of a tiger or elephant in either of the forest tracks, or, +to use Mike's expression, have made himself scarce if he had +encountered a cobra, or seen one of the great boas swaying to and fro +from the gigantic limb of a tree. Even at the moment of stepping upon +the covered-in summerhouse-like landing-stage, with its fishing-rods +laid up overhead in the bamboo rafters, he shrank a little, and then +angrily bared his teeth as he stood gazing down at the water a dozen +yards away. + +"You beast!" he hissed. "Oh, if you'd only stay there while I fetched +a gun! Oh, yes, it's all very well to wink one eye at me; I'd make you +wink both." + +It seemed odd that the lad should address himself like that to a piece +of rugged, gnarled tree-trunk floating slowly down the flashing river; +but, as aforesaid, Harry Kenyon had been up the country in Siam ever +since he was quite a little fellow, and had been accustomed to have +the wild creatures of the forest for pets and companions. Where boys +at home had had cats or dogs, Harry had more than once petted a tiger +cub; lizards had been as common with him as white mice with English +lads. Then he had kept squirrels, snakes, monkeys, and birds to any +extent. Moreover, he had once contrived to keep alive, until it became +wild instead of tame a hideous-looking creature which lived in a +fenced-in patch of sand with half a sugar hogshead sunk level with the +ground, provided with a central heap formed of an old tree-root, and +filled up with water. This creature strangely resembled the efts or +newts so common in some ponds, but magnified many times, so that there +was no cause for surprise that the boy should speak as he did to the +tree-trunk, for his experienced eyes had seen at a glance that this +was no half-rotten stem torn out from the bank by the flooded river. +He had recognised the two horny prominences over the eyes, and their +furtive, ugly gleam, so that he was not at all surprised when one end +of the trunk moved slowly, in a wavy fashion, and the object began to +part the water. + +"Yes, I thought you'd soon go," said Harry. "Stop a minute, though." + +He stepped gently back into the garden and snatched up a piece of +stone about as big as two fists, from a heap of rockwork, stole back +to the bamboo floor till he could just see over the edge, keeping his +movements hidden, and launched out the heavy piece of spar with so +good an aim that, after curving through the air just above the surface +of the water, it fell with a dull thud right in the centre of the +trunk. + +The effect was instantaneous. A long muzzle with gaping jaws rose out +of the water for a moment, there was a tremendous wallowing which made +the water foam, and then a great serrated tail rose several feet above +the surface, quivered in a wavy way, delivered a sounding slap on the +top of the water, and disappeared. + +"I thought that would make you wag your tail, old gentleman. What a +whopper! Nearly twenty feet long, and as thick as thick. Pull a man +in? Why, it would pull in a young elephant. Oh, how I do hate crocs!" + +The boy stood watching the surface for some minutes, but there was no +sign of the huge reptile reappearing. + +"Gone down," muttered the boy. "Suppose, though, he has swum +underneath here, and is waiting to dash out and grab me by the legs. +Ugh!" he added, with a shudder, "it does seem such a horrible death, +only I suppose the poor people these creatures catch don't feel any +more when once they're under the water. Wonder whether they do. +Shouldn't like to try." + +His thoughts made him peer down through an opening between the warped +bamboos, at where the river glided beneath his feet; but all was +perfectly quiet there, and he glanced up at the fishing-rods. + +"Be no use to try now," he said; "the brute would scare every fish +away, and I've got no bait, and--oh, I say, how badly I do want my +breakfast! Is father going to lie in bed all day?" + +Evidently not, for the minute after a cheery voice cried, "Now, Harry, +lad, breakfast!" + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE JUNGLE HUNTER + + +Harry Kenyon did not run up the slope to the house, which was erected +upon an elevation to raise it beyond the flood when the river burst +its bounds, as it made a point of doing once or twice a year during +the heavy rains. People out in sunny Siam do not run much, but make a +point of moving deliberately as the natives do, for the simple reason +that it takes a very short time to get into a violent perspiration, +but a very long time to get cool; besides which, overheating means the +risk of chills, and chills mean fever. + +He walked gently up to meet the tall, thin, rather stern-featured, +grizzly-haired man in white flannel and straw hat with puggaree, who +had come out to meet him, and who saluted him heartily. + +"Lovely morning, my boy, but quite warm enough already. How sweet the +blossoms smell!" + +"Yes, father," said Harry, whose brain was full of the great reptile; +"but I've just seen such a monster." + +"Crocodile?" + +"Yes; quite twenty feet long." + +"With discount twenty-five per cent., Hal?" said the father, laughing. + +"No, father, really." + +"One's eyes magnify when they look at savage creatures, especially at +snakes." + +"Oh yes, I know, father," said the lad impatiently; "but this was the +biggest I've seen." + +"Then it must have been twenty-four feet long, Hal, for I've shown you +one of twenty-two." + +"I didn't measure him, father; he wouldn't wait," said the boy, +laughing; "but he was a monster." + +"You threw something at it, I suppose?" + +"Yes, a big piece out of the rockery--and hit him on the back. It +sounded like hitting a leather trunk." + +"Humph!" said Mr. Kenyon. "Boys are boys all the world round, it +seems. Here have you been in Siam almost ever since you were born, and +you act just in the same way as an English boy at home." + +"Act! How did I act?" + +"Began throwing stones. Bit of human nature, I suppose, learnt +originally of the monkeys. So you hit the brute?" + +"Yes, father, and he went off with a rush!" + +"Looking for its breakfast, I suppose. Let's go and get ours." + +Harry Kenyon required no second invitation, for the pangs of hunger, +forgotten in the excitement, returned with full force, and in a few +minutes father and son were seated at table in the well-furnished +half-Eastern, half-English-looking home, enjoying a well-cooked +breakfast, served on delicate china from the neighbouring country, and +with glistening silver tea and coffee pot well worn with long +polishing, for they were portions of a set of old family plate which +had been sent out to the fairly wealthy merchant trading with England +from the East. + +"Hullo!" said Mr. Kenyon; "why, you are not eating any of your fish!" + +"No, father. Ng has spoiled them." + +"Spoiled? Nonsense; the curry is delicious." + +"But I don't want to be always eating curry, father. I told him to fry +them." + +"Better leave him to do things his own way, my boy, and have some. +They are very good. The Chinese are a wonderfully conservative people. +They begin life running in the groove their fathers ran in before +them, and go on following it up to the end of their days, and then +leave the groove to their sons. Did you catch all these?" + +"No; Phra caught more than I did. He is more patient than I am." + +"A great deal, and with his studies too." + +"Yes, father; I say, the fish are better than I thought." + +"I was talking about the Prince being more patient over his studies +than you are, Hal," said Mr. Kenyon drily. + +"Yes, father," said the lad, reddening. + +Mike just then brought in a dish of hot bread-cakes, and no more was +said until he had left the room, when Mr. Kenyon continued:-- + +"Take it altogether, Hal, you are not such a bad sort of boy, and I +like the way in which you devote yourself to the collecting for the +museum; but I do wonder at an English lad calmly letting one of these +Siamese boys leave him behind." + +"Oh, but he's the son of a king," said Harry, smiling. + +"Tchah! What of that? Suppose he is a prince by birth, like a score +more of them, that is no reason why he should beat you." + +"He can't, father," said Harry sturdily. + +"Well, he seems to." + +"If I liked to try hard, I could leave him all behind nowhere." + +"Then, why don't you try hard, sir?" + +"It's so hot, father." + +"And you are so lazy, sir." + +"Yes, father. I'll have a little more curry, please." + +"I wish I could have your classics and mathematics curried, sir, so as +to make you want more of them," said Mr. Kenyon, helping his son to +more of the savoury dish. "Yes, Mike?" + +"Old Sree is here, sir, with two bearers and a big basket." + +"Oh!" cried Harry, jumping up; "what has he got now?" + +"Sit down and finish your breakfast, Hal," said his father sternly. +"Don't be such a young savage, even if you are obliged to live out +here in these uncivilized parts." + +The lad sat down promptly, but felt annoyed, and anxious to know what +the old hunter employed by his father to collect specimens had +brought. + +"What has he in the big basket, Mike?" asked Mr. Kenyon. + +"Don't know, sir; he wouldn't tell me. Said the Sahibs must know +first." + +"Then he must have got something good, I know," said Harry excitedly. +"I expect it's a coo-ah." + +"One o' them big, speckled peacocks with no colour in 'em, Master +Harry?" said Mike respectfully. "No, it isn't one o' them; the +basket's too small." + +"What is it, then?" + +"Don't know, sir; but I think it's one o' those funny little bears, +like fat monkeys." + +"May I send on for Phra, father?" + +"Yes, if you like; but perhaps they will not let him come." + +"Oh, I think they will; and I promised always to send on to him when +anything good was brought in." + +"Very well," said his father quietly; "send." + +"Run, Mike," said the boy excitedly, and the man made a grimace at +him. "Well, then, walk fast, and ask to see him. They'll let you pass. +Then tell him we've got a big specimen brought in, and ask him, with +my compliments, if he'd like to come on and see it." + +"Yes, sir;" and the man hurried out, while Mr. Kenyon, who had just +helped himself to a fresh cup of coffee, leaned back in his chair and +smiled. + +"What are you laughing at, father?" said the boy, with his bronzed +face reddening again. "Did I make some stupid blunder?" + +"Well, I hardly like to call it a blunder, Hal, because it was done +knowingly. I was smiling at the impudence of you, an ordinary British +merchant's son, coolly sending a message to a palace and telling a +king's son to come on here." + +"Palace! Why, it's only a palm-tree house, not much better than this, +father; not a bit like a palace we see in books. And as to his being a +king's son, and a prince, well, he's only a boy like myself." + +"Of the royal blood, Hal." + +"He can't help that, father, and I'm sure he likes to come here and +read English and Latin with me, and then go out collecting. He said +the King liked it too." + +"Oh yes, he likes it, or he would not let his son come." + +"Phra said his father wanted him to talk English as well as we do." + +"And very wise of him too, my boy. This country will have more and +more dealing with England as the time goes on." + +Harry sat watching his father impatiently, longing the while to get +out into the verandah, where he expected that the old hunter would be. + +"You are not eating, my boy," said Mr. Kenyon; "go on with your +breakfast." + +"I've done, thank you, father." + +"Nonsense. You always have two cups of coffee. Get on with the meal. +It is better to make a good breakfast than to wait till the middle of +the day, when it is so hot." + +Harry began again unwillingly, and his father remarked upon it. + +"You want to get out there, but you told me you did not wish to see +what the man has brought till your friend came." + +"Yes, I said so, father; but I should like Sree to tell me." + +"Finish your breakfast, and you will have plenty of time." + +Harry went on, and after the first few mouthfuls his healthy young +appetite prevailed, and he concluded a hearty meal. + +"There, you can go now," said his father. "Call me when the Prince +comes." + +Harry Kenyon hurried out into the broad verandah, and then along two +sides of the square bungalow so as to reach the back, where sat a +little, wrinkled-faced, square-shaped, yellow-skinned man, with his +face and head shaved along the sides as high as the tips of his ears, +leaving a short, stubbly tuft of grizzled hair extended backward from +the man's low forehead to the nape of his neck, looking for all the +world like the hair out of a blacking-brush stretched over the top of +his head. + +His dress was as scanty as that of his two muscular young companions, +consisting as it did of a cotton plaid sarong or scarf of once bright +colours, but now dull in hue from long usage, and a good deal torn and +tattered by forcing a way through the jungle. This was doubled +lengthwise and drawn round the loins, and then tightened at the waist +by giving the edge of the sarong a peculiar twist and tuck in, thus +forming a waist-belt in which in each case was stuck a dagger-like +kris, with pistol-shaped handle and wooden sheath to hold the wavy +blade, and a parang or heavy sword used in travelling to hack a way +through the jungle and form a path by chopping through tangled rotan +or tufts of bamboo, or lawyer cane. + +The three men were squatted on their heels, with their mouths +distended and lips scarlet, chewing away at pieces of betel-nut +previously rolled in a pepper-leaf, which had first been smeared with +what looked like so much white paste, but which was in fact lime, made +by burning the white coral, abundant along some portion of the shores, +and rising inland to quite mountainous height. + +As soon as Harry came in sight, all rose up, smiling, and the elder +man wanted to exhibit the prize contained within the great square +basket standing on the bamboo flooring, while two stout bamboos, each +about eight feet long, were stood up against the house, a couple of +loops on either side of the basket showing where the bamboo poles had +been thrust through so that the basket could hang dependent from the +two men's shoulders. + +"What have you got, Sree?" asked Harry, in English, which from long +service with Mr. Kenyon, and mixing with other colonists, Sree spoke +plainly enough to make himself understood. + +"Big thing, Sahib. Very heavy." + +"Bear?" + +The man made a sign, and his two followers grinned with enjoyment, and +seated themselves on the basket, which squeaked loudly. + +"What did you do that for?" cried Harry. + +"The young Sahib must wait till the old Sahib comes, and then he see." + +"Old Sahib, indeed!" cried Harry; "why, my father isn't half so old as +you." + +"The young Sahib wait." + +"Of course I can wait," said Harry pettishly, "and I was going to +wait. I only asked you what it was." + +The man smiled, and shook his head mysteriously, and just then Mike +thrust his head out of the door. + +"Ah, got back, Mike!" cried Harry. "What did the Prince say?" + +"Come on almost directly, sir; but I had no end of a job to get to see +him." + +"How was that?" + +"Oh, those guard chaps; soldiers, I s'pose they call themselves. +They're a deal too handy with those spears of theirs. They ought to be +told that they mustn't point them at an Englishman's breast." + +"Oh, it's only because they're on duty, Mike," replied Harry. + +"Wouldn't make any difference to me, sir, whether it was on dooty or +off dooty if one of them was to go inside my chest." + +"Oh, you needn't be afraid of that." + +"Afraid! Oh, come, I like that, Master Harry--afraid! Not likely to be +afraid of any number of the squatty, yellow-skinned chaps, but they +oughtn't to be allowed to carry such things. Fancy Englishmen at home +all going about carrying area railings in their hands." + +Harry shook his head, for his recollections of spear-pointed area +railings were very vague. + +"Don't matter, sir," said Mike, "they don't know any better; but I +know I shall get in a row one of these days for giving one of 'em a +smeller right on the nose." + +"Nonsense! you mustn't do that, Mike." + +"Why not, sir? Couldn't do no harm; they're as flat as flat as it is." + +"You know what my father said about keeping on good terms with the +natives." + +"Yes, sir, I know, sir, but fair play's a jewel; if I keep on good +terms with them they ought to keep on good terms with me, and sticking +a spear-point into a man's wesket aren't the sort o' terms I like. +'Specially when you know the things are poisoned." + +"Nonsense! The Prince assured me they were not." + +"Well, those ugly, twisty krises are, sir." + +"No. The only danger from them is their sharp point." + +"Well, that's bad enough, sir; but how about the thing you've got +yonder? What is it, Master Harry?" he asked. + +"Come out and see. Don't stand there with your head just stuck out +like a snake in a hole looking to see if it's safe." + +"Well, but is it safe, sir?" + +"Come and see. If it's safe enough for me to be out here, it's safe +enough for you." + +Mike evidently considered this reply unanswerable, for he came out +slowly and cautiously, the two men seated on the hamper-like basket +evidently enjoying the man's timidity. They glanced at Harry +inquiringly, and he gave them a quick nod of assent, with the result +that as Mike was passing them, with divers suspicious glances at their +seat, they made a sudden spring together, as if the occupant of the +bamboo covering had suddenly and by a tremendous effort raised the +lid. There was a loud creaking, and with a rush Mike was back through +the door, which he banged to. + +The old hunter, who had seated himself to prepare a fresh piece of +betel-nut for chewing, laughed till the tears ran down his cheeks, +while his two bearers drew their feet up and squatted now upon the +basket lid, chuckling with delight, and looking to Harry as if +expecting a fresh hint for startling Mike. + +Harry went to the door and pushed at it, finding it give a little, but +only to be pressed to directly, as if by Mike's shoulder. + +"Here, it's all right; open the door," cried Harry. "He didn't get +out." + +The door was opened cautiously, and Mike's head slowly appeared, to +look from one to the other and encounter faces that were serious now +almost to solemnity. + +"I thought he'd got out, sir," said Mike. + +"Oh no, he's safe enough; look how they've fastened the lid down with +bamboo skewers." + +"Yes, sir, but some o' them things is so awful strong. What is +it--tiger?" + +"Oh no, it's not a tiger, Mike. A tiger would scratch and kick a +basket like that to pieces in no time." + +"Of course he would, sir. I say, Master Harry, hadn't you better tell +old Sree to get up and sit on the basket too?" + +"Hardly room, is there?" said Harry seriously. + +"Plenty, sir, if you make those chaps squeedge up together a bit." + +"But the basket's so tickle, Mike, and their weight might send it over +sidewise. If it did the basket would go nearly flat, the lid would be +burst off, and where should be we then?" + +"I know where I should be, sir," said Mike--"indoors." + +"You wouldn't have time, for those beasts are so wonderfully active +that this one would be out of the basket like a flash of lightning." + +"Would he, sir? Then don't you do it. Let him be. What is it, sir--a +leopard?" + +"Oh no, not a leopard, Mike." + +"What, then? One of those big monkeys we've never yet got a sight of?" + +"Monkey? Oh no." + +"What is it, then, sir?" + +"Well, you see, Mike, I don't know myself yet," said Harry, laughing. + +Mike looked at him sharply, then at the three Siamese, whose faces +were contorted with mirth, and back at his young master. + +"Humbugging me," he said sharply. "That's it, is it, Master Harry? +Yah! I don't believe there's anything in the old hamper at all." + +He went round the basket from the other direction, so as to reach the +door, and as he got behind the two men on the lid, he turned. + +"I do wonder at you, Master Harry, laughing at a fellow like that, and +setting these niggers to make fun of me. Yah!" + +He raised one foot and delivered a tremendous kick at the bottom of +the basket, startling the two squatting men on the lid so that one +sprang up and the other leaped off on to the bamboo floor of the +verandah, while a violent commotion inside the basket showed that its +occupant had also been disturbed. + +"Something else for you to laugh at," said Mike, and he slipped in and +closed the door. + +Harry smiled, the man returned to his perch on the lid, frowning and +looking very serious, while the occupant of the basket settled down +quietly again, making Harry more curious than ever as to what it might +be; but he mastered his desire to go and peer through the split bamboo +so tightly woven together, and waited impatiently for the coming of +his friend and companion. + +"I believe it's a big monkey, after all," he said to himself. "Sree +always said he was sure there were monsters right away in the jungle, +just about the same as the one father saw at Singapore, brought from +Borneo. It was precious quiet, though, till Mike kicked the basket. +How savage it made him to be laughed at!" + +He glanced at the basket again, and then at the old hunter and his +men, all three squatting down on their heels, chewing away at their +betel-nut, and evidently in calm, restful enjoyment of the habit. + +"Just like three cows chewing their cud," said Harry to himself, and +then feeling that it was the best way to avoid the temptation to look +into the basket, he went along the verandah to the corner of the +house, just as his father reached the next corner, coming to join +them. + +"Well, has Phra come?" he cried. + +"No, father, not yet." + +"Found out what's in the basket?" said Mr. Kenyon, smiling. + +"No; haven't looked." + +"Well done, Hal; I didn't give you credit for so much self-denial. But +there, I think we have waited long enough. Let's go and see now what +we've got." + +"No, no, don't do that," said Harry excitedly. "Phra would be so +disappointed if we began before he had time to get here." + +"Ah well, he will not be disappointed," said Mr. Kenyon, "for here he +is." + +As he spoke a boat came in sight, gliding along the river at the +bottom of the garden--a handsomely made boat, propelled by a couple of +rowers standing one in the bow, the other astern, facing the way they +were going, and propelling the vessel after the fashion of Venetian +gondoliers, their oars being secured to a stout peg in the side by a +loop of hemp. + +Harry started off down the garden to meet the passenger, who was +seated amidships beneath an awning; and as the men ran the craft +deftly up to the landing-place, a dark-complexioned, black-haired lad +sprang on to the bamboo platform, looking wonderfully European as to +his dress, for it was simply of white flannel. It was the little +scarlet military cap and the brightly tinted plaid sarong with kris at +the waist which gave the Eastern tinge to his appearance. + +"Well," he said, in excellent English, as he joined Harry, "what have +they got? Something from their traps in the jungle?" + +"Don't know anything. There they are yonder. We waited till you came." + +"Oh," said the Siamese lad, with a gratified look, "I like that. I'm +afraid I shouldn't have waited, Hal." + +"Oh, but then you're a prince," said Harry. + +The Siamese lad stopped short. + +"If you're going to chaff me about that, I shall go back," he said. + +"All right; I won't then," said Harry. "You can't help it, can you?" + +"Of course I can't, and I shan't be able to help it when I'm king some +day." + +"Poor fellow, no; how horrible!" said Harry mockingly. + +"There you go again. You've got one of your teasing fits on to-day." + +"No, no, I haven't. It's all right, Phra, and I won't say another word +of that sort. Come along." + +"Good-morning," said Mr. Kenyon, as the boys reached the verandah. +"Come to see our prize?" + +"Yes, Mr. Kenyon. What is it you have this time?" + +"We are waiting to see. Harry here wanted it to be kept for you." + +The new-comer turned to give Harry a grateful nod and a smile, and +then walked with his host along the verandah, and turned the corner. + +The moment he appeared, the hunter and the two men leaped up excitedly +and dropped upon their knees, raising their hands to the sides of +their faces and lowering their heads till their foreheads nearly +touched the bamboo floor. + +The young Prince said a few words sharply in his own language, and the +men sprang up. + +"Now then, Mr. Kenyon," he said, "let's see what is in the basket." + +"What have you got, Sree?" asked Mr. Kenyon. + +"Very fine, big snake, Sahib," was the reply. + +"A snake?" cried Harry excitedly. "Ugh!" + +"A big one?" said the merchant uneasily. Then, recalling the habit of +exaggeration so freely indulged in by these people as a rule, he asked +the size. + +"Long as two men and a half, Sahib," said Sree. "Very thick, like +man's leg. Very heavy to carry." + +"Humph! Twelve or fourteen feet long, I suppose," said Mr. Kenyon. "Is +it dangerous?" + +"No, Sahib. I find him asleep in the jungle. He eat too much; go to +sleep for long time. Didn't try to bite when we lift him into the +basket. Very heavy." + +"What do you say, Prince?" said the merchant. "Shall we have the lid +off and look at it?" + +"Yes. I won't be afraid," was the reply. "Will you, Hal?" + +"Not if the brute's asleep; but if it's awake and pops out at us, I +shall run for your boat." + +"And leave your poor father in the lurch?" said Mr. Kenyon. + +"But you'd run too, wouldn't you, father?" + +"Not if the snake threw one of its coils round me." + +"Then I suppose I shall have to stay," said Harry slowly. + +"Perhaps it would be as well," said Mr. Kenyon drily--"You won't run, +will you?" + +The young Siamese laughed merrily, and showed his white teeth. + +"I don't know," he said; "I'm afraid I should. Snakes are so strong, +and they bite. I think it would be best to go with Harry." + +The hunter said something very humbly in the native tongue. + +"He says that he and his men would hold tight on to the snake if it +were angry, and shut it up again; but I don't believe they could. They +would all run away too." + +"I don't think there is any danger," said Mr. Kenyon gravely. "These +things always try to escape back to the jungle, and they are, I +believe, more frightened of us than we are of them. We'll have a look +at the creature, then, out here, for I have no suitable place for it +at present." + +"You could turn the birds out of the little aviary and let it loose +there, father." + +"Good idea, Hal; but let's see it first. Look here, Sree; you and your +men must lay hold of the brute if it tries to escape." + +"Yes, Sahib; we catch it and shut the lid down again." + +"That's right," said the merchant. "Yes, who's that? Oh, you, Mike. +Come to see the prisoner set free? Come and stand a little farther +this way." + +"Thank you, sir; yes, sir," said the man. + +Harry nudged the Prince, and the nudge was returned, with a laughing +glance. + +"No danger, is there, sir?" said Mike respectfully. + +"I hope not," said Mr. Kenyon; "but you will be no worse off than we +are. Like to go back before the basket is opened?" + +"Isn't time, sir; they've nearly got it open now." + +"Run round the other way, Mike," cried Harry. + +"Me, sir? No, thank you," replied the man. "I don't want to run." + +Meanwhile the two bearers were holding the lid of the basket firmly +down while Sree pulled out eight stout elastic skewers of bamboo, +which had held the lid tightly in place. And as one after the other +was slowly and carefully extracted with as little movement of the +basket as possible, so as not to irritate the snake if awake, or to +disturb it if asleep, the interest and excitement increased till only +one was left, when Harry glanced at Mike, who stood with eyes widely +staring, cheeks puffed out, and fists clenched, as if about to start +off at full speed. + +Sree looked up at Mr. Kenyon as the two men pressed down harder and he +stood ready to pull out the last skewer. + +"Out with it," said Mr. Kenyon, and a thrill ran through all present +as the last piece of bamboo was withdrawn. + +But still the lid was pressed down, and of this the hunter took hold, +said a few words to his two men, who stood back right and left, ready +to help if necessary, while their master had stationed himself at the +back of the basket, facing his employer and the two boys. He held the +lid with outstretched hands, and once more he paused and looked at Mr. +Kenyon as if waiting for orders to proceed, his aim of course being to +make the whole business as impressive as possible. + +"Now then, off with it," cried Harry, and in spite of their +excitement, to the amusement of the two boys the hunters took off the +lid with a tremendous flourish, and stood back smiling with triumph. + +"Just like Mike taking the dish-cover off a roast peacock," as Harry +afterwards said. + +It was too much for the last-mentioned personage. As the basket was +laid open for the gentlemen to see its contents, Mike took half a +dozen steps backward as fast as he could, and with his eye fixed upon +the open basket he was in the act of turning to run, when he saw +everyone else stand fast. + +"Lies pretty quiet at the bottom," said Harry, advancing with Phra, +Mr. Kenyon keeping close behind. + +"Only a little one," said the young Prince, rather contemptuously. + +"Here! I say, Sree; what do you mean by this?" cried Harry. + +"Ha, ha, ha!" laughed Phra. "This is one of your tricks, Hal." + +"That it isn't," cried the boy. + +"Where is the snake, Sree?" said Mr. Kenyon. "The basket's empty." + + + + +CHAPTER III + +SREE'S PRISONER + + +The hunter took a couple of steps forward, looked down into the +basket, looked up, half stunned with astonishment, looked in the lid, +then outside it, lifted up the basket and peered under it, threw down +the lid, felt in his sarong, and then, as there was no heavy boa +twelve or fourteen feet long in its folds, he turned fiercely to the +two men in turn to ask them angrily in their own tongue what they had +done with the snake. + +Both of them felt in their sarongs and began to protest volubly that +they had not touched it; that it was there just now, for they had +heard it and felt the weight. It was there--it must be there--and +their master had better look again. + +"It's a conjuring trick," said Phra, who looked annoyed. + +"I had nothing to do with it, then," said Harry. "I hadn't, honour +bright," he added hurriedly as his companion looked doubtingly at him. +"Here, Sree, have you begun to learn juggling?" + +"No, Sahib; it was a lovely snake, all yellow, with big brown spots +and purple shadows all over the dark parts. One of these sons of +wickedness must have taken it out to sell it to some ship captain to +carry away. Surely Sree would not try to cheat the good Sahibs and his +Prince by playing tricks like an Indian juggler. Here, Michael; you +heard the snake inside before the master came?" + +"Yes," said Mike, who looked quite brave now, as he approached and +looked into the basket searchingly. "I'm sure I heard it plainly, but +there's no snake here now. There has been one here, though, for you +can smell it." + +"Yes, there has been one here," cried Harry eagerly. "Then where is it +gone?" + +"Something dreadful has blinded all our eyes, Sahib, so that we cannot +see. Thrust in your hand and feel if it is there." + +Harry shrank for the moment, for the idea of feeling after a snake +that had been rendered invisible was startling; but feeling ashamed +the next moment of his superstitious folly, he plunged his hand down +into the basket, felt round it, and stood up. + +"There's nothing in there," he said. + +"Well, you could see that there was not," said his father shortly. + +"But there has been one there quite lately," said Harry. "Smell my +fingers, Phra." + +"Pouf! Serpent!" cried the young Prince, with a gesture of disgust. +"It must have got away." + +Sree took hold of the basket, bent down into it, looked all round, and +then to the surprise of all he stood it up again, turned it round a +little, and then jumped in, to stand upright. + +The surprise came to an end directly, for Sree pointed downward, and +as he did so he thrust his toes through the bottom of the basket, +where no hole had been apparent, but which gave way easily to the +pressure of the man's foot from within, thus showing that it must have +been broken at that one particular place. + +"What! A hole in the bottom for the reptile to crawl out? That was +wise of you, Sree!" + +"I was wise, Sahib, and the basket had no hole in it when we put the +snake in." + +"Then it must have made one, and forced its way through." + +Sree was silent, and looked at Mike as if waiting for him to speak. +But Mike had not the least intention of speaking, and stood with his +lips pinched together, perfectly dumb. + +"Why, of course!" cried Harry excitedly; "I see now. Mike gave the +basket a tremendous kick as he went by it, and startled the serpent, +and made it swing about. Why, Mike, you must have broken a hole +through then." + +"Master Harry, I--" began Mike. + +"Yes, Sahib, that was it; he broke a hole through, and once the +snake's head was through he would force his way right out." + +"One minute," said Mr. Kenyon rather anxiously; "tell me, Harry: are +you perfectly sure that the snake was there?" + +"Certain, father." + +"And you saw Michael kick the basket?" + +"Oh yes, father; and Michael knows he did." + +"That's right enough, sir; but I didn't mean to let the brute out." + +"No, no, of course not," said Mr. Kenyon anxiously: "but if the +serpent was in that basket a short time ago and is gone now, it must +either be in one of the rooms here by the verandah or just beneath the +house." + +"Ow!" ejaculated Mike, with a look of horror, as he glanced round; and +then he shouted as he pointed to an opening in one corner of the +verandah, where a great bamboo had been shortened for the purpose of +ventilating the woodwork beneath the bungalow, "That's the way he has +gone, sir; that's the way he has gone." + +It seemed only too probable, for it was just the kind of place in +which a fugitive, gloom-loving reptile would seek for a hiding-place; +while as if to prove the truth of Mike's guess there was a sharp, +squeaking sound heard somewhere below the house, and one after the +other three rats dashed out of the opening, darted across the +verandah, and sprang into the garden, disappearing directly amongst +the plants. + +"Yes," said Mr. Kenyon; "the reptile seems to have gone under the +house." + +"And he will clear away all the rats, Sahib," said Sree, in a tone of +voice which seemed to add, "and what could you wish for better than +that?" + +"But I think that my son and I would rather have the rats, my man. +What do you say, Hal?" + +"Yes, father; of course. We can't live here with a horrible thing like +that always lying in wait for us. How long did you say it was, Sree?" + +"Two men and a half, Sahib." + +"And that's a man and a half too long, Sree. What's to be done?" + +Sree looked disconsolately at the merchant, and slowly rubbed his +blacking-brush-like hair. + +"The Sahib told me to bring everything I could find in the jungle, and +this was a lovely snake, all yellow and brown and purple like +tortoiseshell. The Sahib would have been so pleased." + +"No doubt, if I could have got it shut up safely in some kind of cage; +but you see you have let it go." + +"If the Sahib will pardon me," said the man humbly. + +"Of course; yes, it was not your fault, but Michael's. Well, Michael, +how are you going to catch this great snake?" + +"Me catch it, sir?" said Mike mildly. + +"Yes, of course; we can't leave it at liberty here." + +"I thought perhaps you would shoot at it, sir, or Master Harry would +have a pop at it with his gun." + +"That's all very well, Mike; but it's of no use to shoot till you can +see it," cried Harry. + +"How can we drive it out, Sree?" said Mr. Kenyon. "We must get rid of +it somehow." + +Sree shook his head. + +"I'm afraid it will go to sleep now, Sahib," he said. + +"For how long?" + +"Three weeks or a month, Sahib. Until it gets hungry again." + +"Why not get guns and two of us stand near here to see if it comes out +of this hole, while the others go from room to room hammering on the +floor?" + +"That sounds well," said the merchant. + +"And it would be good to try first if a cat would go down. Snakes do +not like cats or the mongoose, and the cat might drive it out. Cats +hate snakes." + +"That sounds like a good plan, too, Sree. Suppose we try that first. +We have a cat, but what about a mongoose? Have you got one?" + +"I had one when I was in Hindooland, Sahib, but perhaps it is dead +now." + +"If not, it's of no use to us now," said Mr. Kenyon sarcastically. +"Here, Hal, go in and get the two guns hanging in my room. Bring the +powder-flasks and pouches too. Be careful, my lad; the guns are +loaded." + +"Come along, Phra," said Harry. + +"No, I am going back for my gun." + +"I meant to lend you one of mine," said the merchant quietly. "You two +lads ought to be able to shoot that reptile if we succeed in driving +it out." + +"Ah!" cried the young Siamese eagerly. "Thank you." + +He looked gratefully at Mr. Kenyon, and then followed Harry into the +bungalow. + +"This is a nice job," said the latter. "We shall never drive the brute +out. This place was built as if they wanted to make a snug, +comfortable home for a boa constrictor. There are double floors, +double ceilings, and double walls. There's every convenience for the +brute, whether he wants to stay a week or a year." + +"Never mind; it will be good fun hunting him. Where are the guns?" + +"Here, in father's room," said the boy, leading the way into the +lightly furnished bed-chamber with its matted floor and walls, bath, +and couch well draped with mosquito net. + +One side was turned into quite a little armoury, guns and swords being +hung against the wall, while pouches, shot-belts, and powder-flasks +had places to themselves. + +"Take care," said Harry, as he took down and handed a gun to his +companion, who smiled and nodded. + +"Yes," he said; "but it isn't the first time I've had hold of a gun." + +"Well, I know that, Phra. You needn't turn rusty about it. I only said +so because it comes natural to warn any one to be careful." + +"Hist! Listen," said the Prince, holding up his hand. + +Harry had heard the sound at the same moment. It was a strange, +rustling, creeping sound, as of horny scales passing over wood in the +wall to their right. + +A look of intelligence passed between the boys, and they stood +listening for a few moments, which were quite sufficient to satisfy +them that the object of their visit within was gliding slowly up +between the bamboos of the open wall, probably to reach the +palm-thatched roof. + +But it was not to do so without hindrance, for after darting another +look at his companion Phra cocked his gun, walked close to the wall, +and after listening again and again he placed the muzzle of his piece +about six inches from the thin teak matting-covered boarding, and +fired. + +The result was immediate. Whether hit or only startled by the shot, +the reptile fell with a loud thud and there was the evident sound of +writhing and twisting about. + +"Well done, Phra! You've shot him!" cried Harry; "but if he dies there +we shall have to take the floor up to get him out." + +"What is it, boys? Have you seen the snake?" + +"No, sir. I heard it in the wall, and fired." + +"Yes, and you have hit it, too," said the merchant. "Listen." + +The boys were quite ready to obey, and all stood attentively trying to +analyse the meaning of the movements below the floor. + +It proved to be easy enough, for the violent writhings ceased, and the +serpent began to ascend the side of the room again in the hollow wall. + +They went on tip-toe to the spot they had marked down, and as soon as +they were still again they could hear the faint _crick, crick, crick_ +of the scales on the wood, as the serpent crawled from beneath the +floor and extended itself more and more up the side, so that it was +plain enough to trace the length upward, till evidently a good six +feet had been reached. + +"My turn now," said Harry, cocking his piece. "Shall I fire father?" + +"No; it would only bring it down again, and if it dies beneath the +floor or in the wall it will be a great nuisance to get it out. It +will mean picking the place to pieces." + +"Let it go on up into the roof, then." + +"Yes," said Mr. Kenyon; "if it gets up there it will be sure to +descend to the eaves, and if we keep a pretty good watch we shall see +it coming down slowly, and you will both get a good shot at it." + +They stood listening for a few minutes longer, and then the _crick, +crick_ in the wall ceased, and it was evident that a long and heavy +body was gliding along over the ceiling. + +"Now then, boys, out with you, and I think I'll bring a gun too; but +you shall have the honour of shooting the brute if you can. By the +way, I don't think Sree has exaggerated as to the reptile's length, +and I shall be glad to get rid of such a neighbour." + +"It's not moving now," said Harry, in a whisper. + +"Yes, I can hear it," said Phra, whose ears were preternaturally +sharp; "it's creeping towards where it can see the light shine +through, and it will come out right on the roof." + +The little party hurried out to where Mike and the three Siamese were +anxiously watching the hole in the corner of the verandah, the three +latter armed with bamboo poles, and their long knives in their +waist-folds, while Mike had furnished himself with a rusty old cavalry +sword which he had bought in London, and brought with him because he +thought it might some day prove to be useful. + +Their watching in the verandah came to an end on the appearance of the +little party, and they were posted ready to rush in to the attack of +the reptile if it should be shot and come wriggling down off the attap +thatch. + +But for some minutes after the whole party had commenced their +watching there was no sign of the escaped prize, not the faintest +rustle or crackle of the crisp, sun-dried roof. + +Phra began to grow impatient at having to stand in the hot sun holding +a heavy gun ready for firing, and Harry was little better, for the +effort of watching in the dazzling glare affected his eyes. + +"Can't you send somebody inside to bang the ceiling with a stick, Mr. +Kenyon?" said Phra at last. + +"Yes," said that gentleman. "This is getting rather weary work. Here, +Mike, go indoors and listen till you hear the snake rustling over the +ceiling of my room, and then thump loudly with a bamboo." + +"Yes, sir," said Mike promptly, and he took two steps towards the +house, and then stopped and coughed. + +"Well, what is it?" said Mr. Kenyon. + +"I beg pardon, sir; but suppose the beast has taken fright at seeing +you all waiting for him, and got into the house to hide." + +"Yes?" said Mr. Kenyon. + +"And is scrawming about all over the floor. What shall I do then?" + +"Don't lose a chance; hit it over the head or tail with all your +might." + +Mike looked warmer than ever, and began to wipe the great drops of +perspiration off his forehead. + +"Yes, sir," he said respectfully. + +"We must not stop to be nice now, for it seems to be hopeless to think +of capturing the reptile again, and I can't have such a brute as that +haunting the place." + +"No, sir, of course not," said Mike. + +"Well go on," said Mr. Kenyon sharply. "You are not afraid, are you?" + +"Oh no, sir, not a bit; but--" + +Mr. Kenyon shrugged his shoulders and strode into the house, while the +two lads burst out laughing. + +"I say, Mike, you are a brave one!" cried Harry. + +"Now, look here," cried the man, "don't you go making the same mistake +as the master. I'm not a bit afraid." + +"Ha, ha, ha!" laughed Phra. + +"No, sir," said the man angrily; "not a bit afraid; but I've got a +mother in England, and I don't like to be rash." + +"You never are, Mike." + +"No, sir, and I won't be. I'm sure every one ought to look before he +leaps when it's over a dangerous place, and--Ah! look out; here he +comes." + +There was a yell, too, from Sree and his two men, who dashed forward +together, as all at once the great serpent seemed to dart suddenly +from under a fold of the palm-leaf thatch, make an effort to glide +along the slope from the neighbourhood of those who were waiting for +it, and then failing from the steepness of the incline, rolled over +and over, writhing and twining, towards the edge where the bamboo +supports formed the pillars of the verandah. + +"Here, hi! stop!" roared the boys; but it was all in vain, for the +excited Siamese men were deaf to everything save their own impulses, +which prompted them to recover the escaped prize, and obtain their +promised reward. + +"Here, I don't want to shoot one of them," cried Phra, stamping in his +disappointment. + +"No, no, don't fire," cried Harry, throwing up his gun. "Here, hi, +Mike! Now's your time; go and help. Lay hold of his tail, but don't be +rash." + +For the serpent had rapidly reached the edge of the thatch and fallen +into one of the flower beds with a heavy thud which proclaimed its +weight. But the next minute that was a flower bed no longer. + +The serpent began the work of destruction by struggling violently as +it drew itself up into a knot, and the three Siamese finished the +work. They seemed to have not the slightest fear of the great +glistening creature whose scales shone in the sun, but dashed at it to +try and pinion it down to the ground. + +There was a furious hissing, mingled with loud shouts, panting, +rustling, and the sound of heavy blows delivered on the earth and the +bamboo flooring of the verandah, as the serpent freed its tail and +lashed about furiously. Then there was a confused knot composed of +reptile and men, rolling over, heaving and straining, and a gaily +coloured sarong was thrown out, to fall a few yards away. + +"Can't you get a shot at it, boys?" cried Mr. Kenyon, as he rushed +out. + +"Impossible, father." + +"Yes, impossible," repeated Mr. Kenyon. + +"What fun!" cried Phra excitedly. "They want to catch him alive. Look, +Hal, look." + +Harry was doing nothing else, and forgetful of all his repugnance he +approached so near the struggling knot that he had a narrow escape +from a heavy flogging blow delivered by the serpent's tail, one which +indented the soft earth with a furrow. + +"Ugh! you beast!" cried Harry, kicking at one of the reptile's folds, +which just then offered itself temptingly; but before the boy's foot +could reach it the fold was a yard away and the struggle going on more +fiercely than ever. + +It was the fight of three stout, strong men against that elongated, +tapering mass of bone and muscle, with fierce jaws at one end, a +thick, whip-like portion at the other, and the men seemed to be +comparatively helpless, being thrown here and there in spite of the +brave way in which they clung to the writhing form. The end soon +arrived, for the reptile made one tremendous effort to escape, +wrenched itself free enough to throw a couple of folds of its tail +round the thick bamboo pillar which supported the roof, took advantage +of the purchase afforded, and threw off its three adversaries, to +cling there with half its body undulating and quivering in the air, +its head with its eyes glittering fiercely, and its forked tongue +darting in and out, menacing its enemies and preparing to strike. + +The men were up again in an instant, ready to resume the attack, Sree +giving his orders in their native tongue. + +"I'll get hold of his neck," he panted, "and you two catch his tail. +Keep him tight to the bamboo, and I'll hold his head close up and ask +the master to tie it to the upright." + +"Stand back, all of you!" cried Mr. Kenyon. "Now, boys, get into the +verandah and fire outward. You have a fine chance." + +"No, no, Sahib," cried the hunter imploringly. "The snake is nearly +tired out now, and in another minute we shall have caught it fast." + +"Nonsense," cried Mr. Kenyon; "it is far too strong for you. You are +all hurt now." + +"A few scratches only, Sahib, and we could not bear to see so fine a +snake, which the master would love to have, killed like that." + +"Thinking of reward, Sree?" said the merchant, smiling. + +Harry whispered something to Phra, who nodded. + +"Let them have another try, father," cried the boy. "Phra and I don't +mind missing a shot apiece." + +"Very well," said Mr. Kenyon, and turning to the men--"Take it alive, +then, if you can." + +From wearing a dull, heavy look of disappointment the faces of the +Siamese were all smiles once more, and they prepared to rush in at +their enemy on receiving a word from Sree, who now advanced with one +of the bamboo poles he had picked up, and held out the end toward the +quivering, menacing head of the snake. + +The latter accepted the challenge directly and struck at the end of +the thick pole, its jaws opening and closing, and the dart of the +drawn-back head being quicker than the eye could follow. + +Sree was as quick, though. The slightest movement of the wrist threw +the end of the pole aside, and the serpent missed it three times +running. After that it refused to strike, but drew back its head and +swung it from side to side till it was teased into striking once more. + +This time there was a sharp jar of the bamboo, as the reptile's teeth +closed upon the wood, and the pole was nearly jerked out of the man's +hands. But he held on firmly without displaying the slightest fear, +swaying to and fro as the reptile dragged and gave. + +"Better kill it at once, Sree," cried Mr. Kenyon. + +"Pray no, Sahib. He is very strong, but we shall tire him out. I am +going to have his neck bound to the great bamboo pillar with a +sarong." + +"My good fellow," cried the merchant, "if you do it will drag the +pillar down." + +"And pull half the roof off," said Phra. "Yes, they are very strong, +these big serpents." + +"I'm afraid he would, Sahib," said the hunter mildly. "Now, if I had +time I could go into the jungle and get leaves to pound up and give +him, and he would be asleep so that we could put him in the basket." + +"Well, hadn't you better go and fetch some?" cried Harry +mischievously. "Here, Mike, come and hold this bamboo while Sree +goes." + +There was a burst of laughter at this, in which the Siamese joined, +for Mike's features were for a moment convulsed with horror; the next +he grasped the fact that a joke was being made at his expense, and +stood shaking his head and pretending to be amused. + +"We had better have a shot, my lads," said Mr. Kenyon. "It is too +unmanageable a specimen to keep, and I shall be quite content with the +skin." + +"Let them have another try, Mr. Kenyon," said Phra eagerly. "It is +grand to see them fight. Perhaps they will win this time." + +"Very well," said Mr. Kenyon, smiling. + +"Go and help them, Phra," said Harry, laughing. + +"It's so hot," said the young Siamese, "and one would be knocked about +so, and have all one's clothes torn off. Besides, you can't take hold, +only by clinging round it with your arms, and snakes are not nice. But +I will, if you will." + +"All right," said Harry; "only let's have the tail." + +Mike looked at the boys in horror, as if he thought they had gone mad. + +But at that moment Sree gave a sign to his two followers, after +finding that the reptile was so much exhausted that he could force its +head in any direction, for it still held on tightly with its teeth. + +There was a rush, and the two men seized the creature's tail and began +to unwind it from the pillar by walking round and round. + +"Hurrah! they've mastered it," cried Harry, and they drew back as the +last fold was untwined from the pillar, Mike drawing much farther back +than any one else, so as to give plenty of room. + +But the tight clasp of the teeth-armed jaws did not relax in the +slightest degree, and the next minute, by the efforts of the three +men, the creature was half dragged, half carried out into the open +garden, limp apparently and completely worn out. + +"Why, they'll manage it yet, father," cried Harry. "Here, Mike, bring +that basket out here." + +"Yes," cried Mr. Kenyon, "quick!" + +Mike looked horrified, but he felt compelled to obey, and, hurrying +into the verandah, he was half-way to the men with the basket, when he +uttered a yell, dropped it, and darted back. + +"It was frightened of Mike," said Phra afterwards. + +Frightened or no, all at once when its captors were quite off their +guard, the serpent suddenly brought its tremendous muscles into full +play, contracted itself with a sudden snatch as if about to tie itself +in a knot, and before the men could seize it again, for it was quite +free, it went down the garden at a tremendous rate, making at first +for the river, then turning off towards the jungle. + +The men, as they recovered from their astonishment, darted in pursuit, +but stopped short, for Mr. Kenyon's gun rang out with a loud report, +making the serpent start violently, but without checking its course, +and it was half out of sight among the low-growing bushes when, in +rapid succession, Phra and Harry fired, with the effect of making the +reptile draw itself into a knot again, roll, and twine right back into +the garden, give a few convulsive throes, and then slowly straighten +itself out at full length and lie heaving gently, as a slight quiver +ran from head to tail. + +The boys cheered, and after reloading in the slow, old-fashioned way +of fifty years ago, went close up to the reptile. + +"Shall I give him another shot in the head, Mr. Kenyon?" cried Phra. + +"No, no, my lad; it would be only waste of powder and shot. The brute +is beyond the reach of pain now. Well, Hal, how long do you make it?" +he cried, as that young gentleman finished pacing the ground close up +to the great reptile. + +"Five of my steps," said Harry; "and he's as thick round as I can +span--a little thicker. I say, isn't he beautifully marked, father?" + +"Splendidly, my boy." + +"But who'd have thought a thing like that could be so strong?" + +"They are wonderfully powerful," said Mr. Kenyon. "It is a splendid +specimen, Sree," he continued to that personage, who, with his +companions--all three looking sullen and out of heart--was rearranging +dragged-off or discarded loin-cloths, and looking dirty, torn, and in +one or two places bleeding, from the reptile's teeth. + +"Yes, Sahib," said the man sadly; "he would have been a prize, and I +should have been proud, and the Sahib would have been grateful in the +way he always is to his servants." + +"Oh, I see," said Harry, who whispered to his father and then to Phra, +both nodding. + +"I could not have kept such a monster as that alive, Sree," said the +merchant; "but you men behaved splendidly. You were brave to a degree, +and of course I shall pay you as much or more than I should have given +you if it had been prisoned alive." + +"Oh, Sahib!" cried the man, whose face became transformed, his eyes +brightened, and with a look of delight he brought a smile to his lips. + +Turning quickly to his two men, he whispered to them in their own +tongue, and the change was magical. They uttered a shout of joy, threw +themselves on their knees, raised their hands to the sides of their +heads, and shuffled along towards the master. + +"That will do, Sree," cried Mr. Kenyon impatiently; "make them get up. +You know I do not like to be treated like that." + +"Yes, Sahib; I know," said the hunter, and at a word the two men +started up, beaming and grinning at the two lads. + +"Brave boys," said Phra, speaking in his own tongue; and, thrusting +his hand in his pocket, he brought out and gave each of the men one of +the silver coins of the country. + +The next moment all three were grovelling on the earth before their +young Prince. + +He waved his hand and they rose. + +"I don't much like it now, Hal," said Phra apologetically; "but it is +the custom, you know. I like to be English, though, when I am with +you." + +"Oh, it's all right," said Harry; "but you do improve wonderfully, +lad. You'll be quite an English gentleman some day. I say, father, +give me some silver; I want to do as Phra did." + +Mr. Kenyon smiled and handed his son some money, nodding his +satisfaction as he saw him give each of the Siamese a coin, and check +them when they were about to prostrate themselves. + +"No, no," he shouted; "be English. Pull your blacking-brushes--so." + +The men grinned, and gave a tug at what would have been their +forelocks if they had not been cropped short. + +"Skin the snake very carefully, Sree," said Mr. Kenyon quietly, after +liberally rewarding the men, whose gloom gave place to the exuberance +of satisfaction. + +"Yes, Sahib; there shall not be a tear in the skin," cried the old +hunter eagerly. + +"Where shall they do it, father?" said Harry. "It will make such a +mess here." + +"Let them drag it down to the landing-stage, my boy, and they can +sluice the bamboo flooring afterwards, and then peg out the skin to +dry on the side. You will stay and see it done?" + +"Yes, father," replied the boy, and he turned to Phra. + +"Will you stop?" + +"Of course. I came to stay," was the reply; "didn't you see that I +sent the boatmen back?" + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +FISHING WITH A WORM + + +"I say, Sree, hadn't you and your fellows better have a wash?" said +Harry, as soon as Mr. Kenyon had re-entered the bungalow to go to his +office on the other side for his regular morning work connected with +the dispatching of rice and coffee down to the principal city. + +"What good, Sahib?" said the man, looking up with so much wonder in +his amiable, simple face, that both Phra and Harry burst out laughing, +in which the men joined. + +"Why, you are all so dirty, and you smell nasty and musky of that +great snake." + +"But we are going to skin it, Sahib, and we shall be much worse then." + +"Oh yes, I forgot," said Harry. + +"When we have done we shall all bathe and be quite clean, and go and +thank the good Sahib before we depart." + +He said a few words to his two men, and, gun in hand, the boys walked +with them towards the boa, when a thought occurred to Harry. + +"I say," he cried, "mind what you are about when you bathe, for +there's a crocodile yonder, half as long again as that snake." + +"Ah!" ejaculated the man, "then we must take care." + +"So will we, Phra. We'll look out for him and try and get a shot." + +"A big one?" said the Siamese lad. + +"Yes, I think it is the biggest I have seen." + +"Then we'll shoot him. But how bad you have made me! Before we became +friends I followed our people's rule--never killing anything. Now this +morning I am going to try and kill a crocodile, after helping to kill +a snake." + +"Well," said Harry, "I don't care about arguing who's right, but it +seems to be very stupid not to kill those horrible great monsters +which drag people who are bathing under water and eat them, and to be +afraid to kill a tiger that springs upon the poor rice and coffee +growers at the edges of the plantations." + +"So it does," said Phra, with a dry look; "and I am trying not to be +stupid. All, look there!" + +Harry was already looking, for as one of the men took hold of the +serpent's tail, in order to drag it down to the landing-place, it was +snatched away, then raised up and brought down again heavily to lie +heaving and undulating, the movement being continued right up to the +head. + +"You don't seem to have killed that," said Harry drily. + +"No," replied Phra; "but I will," and he cocked his gun. + +But Sree addressed a few words to him in his native tongue, and the +lad nodded. + +"What does he say?" asked Harry; "he can kill it more easily, without +spoiling the skin?" + +"Yes. Look. What a while these things take to die!" + +"My father says that at home in England the country people say you +can't kill a snake directly. It always lives till the sun sets." + +"You haven't got snakes like that in England?" + +"Oh no; the biggest are only a little more than a yard long." + +"But how can they live like that? What has the sun to do with it?" + +"Nothing. Father says it's only an old-fashioned superstition." + +"Look! Sree's going to kill the snake now. He's a bad Buddhist." + +"Never mind; he's a capital hunter. See what splendid things we've +found when we've been with him," said Harry enthusiastically. "He +seems to know the habits of everything in the jungle." + +Harry ceased speaking, for Sree drew a knife from its sheath in the +band of his sarong, or padung, whetted it on one of the stones of the +rockery, and went to the head of the serpent, which was moving gently. + +Sree bent down, extending his left hand to grip the reptile softly +behind the head, and give it a mortal wound which would afterwards +serve as the beginning of the cut to take off the beautifully marked +skin. + +But at the first touch, the reptile seemed to be galvanized into life, +and coiling and knotting itself up, it began to twine and writhe with +apparently as much vigour as before receiving the shots. + +"Did you ever see such a brute?" cried Harry. "Take care, or you'll +lose him." + +"Oh, no, Sahib; I will not do that. Only let me get one cut, and I +will soon make him still." + +He waited for a few minutes till the reptile straightened itself out +again, and then at a sign the two men followed their leader's example, +throwing themselves down upon the fore part of the boa, which began to +heave again, the lower part of the body writhing and flogging the +earth. + +But Sree was quite equal to the occasion. He had pinned the reptile's +neck down with one hand, and managed to hold it till with all the +skill of an old huntsman, he had slit up the skin, inserted his knife, +and cleverly divided the vertebrae just behind the creature's head. + +The moment this was done the tremendous thrashing of the tail part +began to grow less violent, then grew more gentle still, and finally +it lay undulating gently. + +"He will die now," said the man, and the long, lithe body was dragged +to the bottom of the garden and stretched out on the bamboo +landing-stage beneath the attap roofing. + +As soon as this was done, the three men went down to the water's edge, +stripped off their sarongs, washed them, and spread them in the hot +sun to dry, while, gun in hand, the two lads stood carefully scanning +the river in search of enemies, so as to get a shot. + +But no great reptile was in sight then, and they remained looking on +while Sree and his men cleverly stripped off the boa's skin and +stretched it out to dry, before fetching a couple of brass vessels +from the back of the bungalow and using them to thoroughly remove all +traces of their late work. + +Their next duty was to take a couple of bamboos and thrust off the +body of the serpent. + +Sree, however, undertook to do this himself, telling his men to refill +the brass vessels to sluice down the bamboo stage. + +But instead of thrusting the repulsive-looking reptile off, he +stopped, thinking for a few moments. + +"What is it?" said Phra; "why don't you throw that nasty thing in to +be swept out to sea?" + +Sree gave him a peculiar look, and turned to Harry. + +"Was it a very big crocodile, Sahib?" he said. + +"Yes. Why?" + +"Would you like to have a shot at it?" + +"Of course; but these big ones are so cunning." + +"Let's see," said the man. "Perhaps I could get you a shot." + +The boys were interested at once. + +"What are you going to do?" said Phra. + +"See if I can bring one up where you can shoot." + +"How?" asked Harry. + +"Is there a big hook in the house?" said Sree. + +"Do you want one?" + +"Yes, Sahib." + +"Go up, then, and tell Mike to give you one of the biggest meat-hooks. +Say I want it directly, and then he will." + +The two men squatted down at the end of the landing-place, smiling, +behind their vessels of water, as Sree hurried up the garden, while +the two boys stood, gun in hand, scanning the surface of the river. + +"He's going to make a bait of the snake, I suppose; but I don't expect +the croc will be about here now. If the water were clear we could +see." + +But, as before said, the stream was flowing of a rich coffee or +chocolate hue, deeply laden as it was with the fine mud of the low +flats so often flooded after rains in the mountains, and it was +impossible to see a fish, save when now and then some tiny, silvery +scrap of a thing sprang out, to fall back with a splash. + +"We're only going to make ourselves hot for nothing," said Harry. "I +don't believe we shall see the beast. Now, if you had been here when I +saw him." + +"And both of us had had guns," said Phra. "What nonsense it is to talk +like that! One never is at a place at the right time." + +"Fortunately for the crocs," said Harry, laughing. "Here he is." + +"What, the croc?" cried Phra, cocking his gun. + +"No, no; Sree.--Got it?" + +"Yes, Sahib. A good big one." + +The man came on to the landing-stage, smiling, with the bright new +double hook in his hand and a stout piece of string. Then taking down +a little coil of rope used for mooring boats at one of the posts, he +thrust one of the hooks through the hemp, bound it fast with string, +leaving a long piece after knotting off, and then passed the other +hook well through the vertebrae and muscles behind the snake's head, +using the remaining string to bind the shank of the hook firmly to the +serpent's neck so as to strengthen the hold. + +There were about twenty yards of strong rope, and Sree fastened the +other end of this to the post used to secure the boats, before looking +up at the boys. + +"Large big fishing," he said, with a dry smile. "Fish too strong to +hold." + +"And that's rather a big worm to put on the hook," said Harry, +laughing. "There, throw it out, and let's see if we get a bite. Are +you going to fish, Phra?" + +"No," said the Prince; "I am going to shoot. You can hold the line." + +"Thankye, but I'm going to fish too. Throw out, Sree." + +The old hunter's throwing out was to push one end of the serpent off +the end of the bamboo stage, with the result that the rest glided +after it, and with their guns at the ready the two boys waited to see +if there was a rush made at the bait as it disappeared beneath the +muddy stream. + +But all they saw was a gleam or two of the white part of the serpent, +as it rolled over and over, then went down, drawing the rope slowly +out till the last coil had gone; and then nothing was visible save a +few yards of rope going down from the post into the water, and rising +and falling with the action of the current. + +Sree squatted down by the post and went on chewing his betel, his two +men by the brass vessels doing the same. + +So five, ten, fifteen minutes passed away, with the boys watching, +ready to fire if there was a chance. + +"Oh, I say, this is horribly stupid," cried Harry at last. "Let's give +it up." + +"No," said Phra; "you want patience to fish for big things as well as +for little. You have no patience at all." + +"Well, I'm not a Siamese," said Harry, laughing. "We English folk are +not always squatting down on our heels chewing nut and pepper-leaf, +and thinking about nothing." + +"Neither am I," said Phra; "but I have patience to wait." + +"It is your nature to," said Harry. "You're all alike here; never in a +hurry about anything." + +"Why should we be?" replied Phra quietly. "We could not in a hot +country like ours. You always want to be in a hurry to do something +else. Look at Sree and his men; see how they wait." + +"Yes, I suppose they're comfortable; but I'm not. I want to go and lie +down under a tree. Think it's any good, Sree? Won't come, will he?" + +"Who can say, Sahib?" replied the man. "He ought to if he is about +here. That bait is big and long; the bait must go far down the stream, +and it smells well." + +"Smells well, eh?" said Harry. + +"Beautiful for a bait, Sahib. You are sure you saw one this morning?" + +"Saw it, and hit it a fine crack with a big stone." + +"Then he ought to be there and take that bait; and he will, too, if +you have not offended him by making his back too sore." + +"Offended him! Made his back too sore!" said Harry, with a chuckle. +"What a rum old chap you are, Sree! You talk about animals just as if +they felt and thought as we do." + +"Yes, Sahib, and that is what the bonzes teach. They say that when +people die they become crocodiles, or elephants, or birds, or +serpents, or monkeys, or some other kind of creature." + +"And that's all stuff and nonsense, Sree. You don't believe all that, +I know." + +"It's what I was taught, Sahib," said the man, with a queer twinkle of +the eye. + +"But you don't believe it, Sree. You don't think that some one turned +when he died into that old snake, or else you wouldn't have caught it +to sell to my father as a specimen." + +"And then skinned it and made a bait of it on a hook to catch a +crocodile," said Phra. + +"Not he. Look at him," cried Harry. "See how he's laughing in his +sleeve." + +"He isn't. Hasn't got any sleeves." + +"Well, inside, then. His eyes are all of a twinkle. He doesn't believe +it a bit. There, I shan't stand here any longer cuddling this gun, +with nothing to shoot at." + +"It is rather stupid, Hal." + +"Yes. Here, jump up, Sree, and take us where we can have a shoot at +something, or go and fish; I don't care which." + +"Come and see the elephants," suggested Phra. + +"No, I want to be under the shady trees. What's the good of going to +see the tame elephants? They're not white, after all. Chained by one +leg and nodding their old heads up and down, up and down, till they +see you, and then they begin sticking out their leeches." + +"Sticking out their leeches?" said Phra, looking at him wonderingly. + +"Trunks, then. They always look to me like jolly great leeches ready +to hold on to you. Let's go. Pull up the hook and line, Sree, and get +rid of that nasty snake." + +"Yes, Sahib," said the old hunter, beginning to haul on the rope, +which came in heavily for a few feet. + +"It comes in slowly," said Phra; "has something taken the bait?" + +_Whush!_ went the line through Sree's hands, and then _whang!_ as it +was snapped tight with such violence that the man started from it, for +the stout post was jarred so that it quivered and seemed about to be +pulled down, while the light bamboo and palm roof swayed, and the +whole structure seemed as if it were going to be dragged over into the +river. + +There was no doubting the violence of the wrench and the danger, for +the two men sprang off on to the shore and stood staring, till Sree +shouted to them to come back and help haul. + +"Why, we've caught him, Phra," cried Harry, as soon as he had +recovered from his astonishment. "Look out, lad, and be ready to fire +as soon as he shows upon the surface. Pull, Sree; don't let him drag +like that at the post again." + +"I can't move him, Sahib," said the man, who looked startled; and he +was already hauling with all his might, but doing nothing more than +slightly ease the strain on the post. + +But first one and then the other man got a grip of the rope, pulling +together with such effect that whatever had seized the bait and become +hooked began to jerk the line violently, as if it were throwing its +head from side to side. + +"Be ready to shoot, Master Harry," said Sree. "He may rush up to the +top of the water and come at us, or try to sweep us off here with his +tail." + +"Nonsense!" cried Harry. + +"'Tisn't," said Phra calmly, as he stood like a bronze statue, ready +to fire. "I saw a man swept off a boat once like that." + +"By a croc?" + +"Yes." + +"What then?" said Harry huskily. + +"I don't know. He was never seen again. Ah, look out!" + +As Phra spoke there was a violent eddying in the water where the end +of the line must have been. + +"He's coming up," cried Harry, raising his gun to his shoulder. "Hold +on, all of you. Ah, here he is. Fire!" + +The two guns went off almost like one, for all at once the hideous +knotted head of a crocodile appeared at the surface and came rapidly +towards the stage slackening the rope and making the two men quit +their hold and, in spite of an angry cry from Sree, tumble one over +the other ashore. + +The hunter behaved bravely enough, but the moment had arrived when he +felt that discretion was the better part of valour--when it was +evident that the hideous reptile, enraged at finding such a finale to +the delicious repast of musky boa, neatly skinned apparently for its +benefit, but followed by a horrible tearing sensation in its throat +and the pressure of a long rope which could not be swallowed nor +bitten through because it persisted in getting between the teeth, had +risen to the surface, caught sight of a man dragging at the rope, had +aimed straight at him as being the cause of all the pain, and was +about to rush at and sweep him from the platform. + +Under the circumstances Sree was about to let go and follow the +example of his men, but the firing checked the crocodile's charge, +sending it rushing down below with a tremendous wallow and splash on +the surface with its tail; the rope ran out again, and Sree proudly +held on, congratulating himself on not having let go, but repenting +directly after, for there was a jerk which seemed as if it would drag +his arms out of their sockets, and if he had not let the rope slide he +must have gone head first into the river. + +Then came another drag at the post which supported the roof, and once +more everything quivered, but not so violently as before, while Sree +tightened his hold again and roared to his men to come. + +The movement of the rope now showed that the great reptile was +swimming here and there deep down in the muddy water, while the two +lads with hands trembling from excitement reloaded as quickly as they +could; and as the two men resumed their places on the stage and took +hold of the rope, the sharp clicking of gun-locks told that a couple +more charges were ready. + +"Think we can kill him, Sree?" cried Harry. + +"I daren't say, Sahib. The rope may break by his teeth at any time, +but we'll drag and make him come up again, so that you can have +another shot. What are you loaded with?" + +"Big slugs," cried Phra. + +"Ought to be bullets," said the hunter. + +"But we are very near, Sree," chimed in Harry. + +"Yes, Sahib; but an old crocodile like this is so horny. Never mind; +you must try. Say when you're ready." + +"Now," said Phra hoarsely, and Harry stood with his lips pinched and +his forehead a maze of wrinkles. + +Sree turned fiercely to his two followers, who had hold of the rope +close behind him. + +"If you let go this time, I'll knock you both in," he cried, "and then +you'll be killed and eaten, and come to life again as crocodiles." + +The men shivered at this to them horrible threat, and Harry and Phra +exchanged glances. + +Meanwhile Sree was, so to speak, just feeling the crocodile's head, +and as no extra strain was put upon the rope the reptile kept on +swimming to and fro; but the moment the rope was tightened and the +three men gave a steady drag there was a violent eddying of the water, +the rope slackened, and the huge head and shoulders shot out as if the +brute meant to reach its enemies in one bound. + +But once more the reports of the two guns came nearly together, and +the gaping jaws of the reptile snapped together as the head +disappeared. + +"Load again," cried Harry excitedly. "Let him run, Sree." + +The hunter nodded, and as soon as the guns were loaded the drag and +reappearance of the beast took place, another couple of shots were +received, and this time the reptile whirled itself round and making +good use of its favourite weapon struck at the occupants of the +landing-stage, its tail sweeping along with terrific force. + +But the brute had miscalculated the distance. Six feet nearer, and the +two lads would have been swept into the river. As it was they felt the +wind of the passing tail and heard the loud humming _whish_ as it +passed. + +"That was near, Phra," said Harry. + +"Yes; the hideous wretch! the beast!" hissed the Siamese lad through +his teeth, and followed it up with another loud, hollow, hissing noise +from the barrel of his gun, as he rammed a wad down upon the powder. +"Let's go on and kill him. Such a wretch ought not to live and destroy +everything he can reach along the banks. Oh, how I wish we had some +big bullets! I'd half fill the gun." + +"Then I'm glad you have none, old chap," said Harry. + +"Why?" cried Phra, pausing, ramrod in hand. + +"You ought to know by now. Burst the gun." + +"Nearly ready, Sahib?" cried Sree. "He's pulling harder, and I'm +afraid of the rope breaking." + +"Not quite," said Phra, but a minute later, "Let's stand a bit farther +back, Hal. Now, Sree, pull." + +There was another steady draw upon the rope, which ran out now quite +at right angles with the stage, and in an instant it was responded to +by a tremendous rush. The water rose in a wave, then parted, as the +open jaws of the crocodile appeared, coming right at them. The next +moment the landing-stage quivered and rocked, for it was as if a +tree-trunk had struck it right at the edge. Then there was a splash +which sent the water flying all over the edifice, and all was still. + +The reptile's charge had its effect, for as it fell back into the +water the three Siamese rose to their feet from where they had flung +themselves off from the staging in among the flowering bushes, and +Harry and Phra sat up on the path which led into the garden. + +"Oh, what a beast!" cried Phra, rubbing himself. "I hate him, oh, ten +thousand times worse now!" + +"Lucky we didn't shoot one another," said Harry. "I say, see how I've +scratched the stock of father's gun." + +"Why didn't you fire, Sahib?" said Sree ruefully, as he began picking +thorns out of his left arm. + +"Come, I like that!" cried Harry. "Why didn't you three hold on by the +rope? I say, Sree, this is a one-er." + +"You see, he doesn't like that hook, Sahib," said the hunter. + +"But he has got to like it," said Harry. "There, we're not beaten. +Come on again. We must kill him now." + +"I'm afraid, Sahib, he is one of those old savage crocodiles that are +enchanted, and can't be killed." + +"Oh, are you?" said Harry drily; "then I'm not. And if that rope +doesn't break, we're going to kill him for being so impudent, aren't +we, Phra?" + +"Yes," said the lad, with his dark eyes flashing. "We will kill him +now if it takes pounds of powder." + +"And hundredweights of shot," said Harry. "Now then, look at the +primings, and then stir the wretch up again, Sree, before he jigs that +post down." + +The jerking of the post was transferred to the arms of the men as the +two lads stepped back to the bamboo floor, ready once more, and +laughingly now, as they trusted to their own activity to escape the +reptile's jaws. The men began to haul at the rope, with the same +result as before. + +But the boys were more ready this time. They watched the approaching +wave, and as the open jaws of the enemy appeared, they fired right in +between them, as if moved by the same impulse; and this time the +creature dropped back at once. + +"That was a good one, Sree," cried Harry, beginning to reload. + +"It was great and wonderful, Sahib. How glad I am to see you both +trying to slay the old murderer! A few more shots like that, and he +will never again drag little children and poor weak women down to his +holes in the muddy banks. It is a grand thing to do; but the bullets +should be heavier than those." + +"Never mind," said Phra; "we'll make these do." + +Once more the order was given to pull, and the rope was tightened as +it descended just in the same place, showing that the reptile was +lying still in the same spot--probably a hole in the muddy bed--which +had formed its lurking-place during the last few minutes. + +It was a complete repetition in every respect of the last rush, and, +taught by experience, the lads were as quick in the repetition of +their last tactics. The wave rose in response to the heavy drag, the +water eddied and parted, and once more a couple of heavy charges of +slugs were poured between the hideous, gaping jaws, which closed with +a snap, and the head sank down out of sight. + +But this time there was a fresh surprise. The monster's tail rose high +in the air, and delivered three or four tremendous smacks on the +surface, raising such a foam and shower that it was only dimly seen +how the reptile must have tried to evade its enemies by shooting up +stream. + +But it was apparent by the direction of the rope, to which the three +men held on as long as they could, the final jerk making them let go +for a few minutes, but only for Sree to seize hold again. + +"He must have got that last badly, Sahib," said the hunter gravely, as +he began to pull in the slack, which showed that the reptile was no +longer straining at the line. + +"Bring him back then directly we're ready," cried Harry, "and we'll +give him another dose. But I say," he added, as he went on loading +quickly, "that line comes in very easily." + +"Yes, Sahib, and we must be on the look-out. I thought he had rushed +up stream, but he must be close here." + +"I know," cried Phra; "it's just like the cunning beast. He has come +back, and is hiding under the floor. We must look out." + +"Yes, Sahib," replied the hunter; "very likely, for they are cunning +things. I will not pull in more rope till you are ready for him." + +"Ready!" cried Phra a minute later, and Harry echoed the cry. + +"Better stand on my other side, Sahibs," said Sree; and the lads took +up the more advantageous place--one, too, which made the hunter more +safe from proving the resting-place of the next volley of bullets. + +The two men eagerly took their places at the rope, for familiarity +with the danger incurred had thoroughly bred contempt; and the hauling +began slowly and steadily, every one being on the _qui vive_, and +ready to spring back. + +But the first yard came without the slightest resistance. + +"Look out!" said Harry, holding his gun to his shoulder, and aiming +down at the water; "he must be very near." + +Another yard came without the crocodile being felt. + +"He must be close in," whispered Phra, and the excitement now became +intense; for their enemy seemed to be playing a very artful game under +cover of the thick water, which completely shielded the approach. + +"Better stand farther back, Sahibs," said Sree, ceasing to pull, + +"But we couldn't see to shoot," said Harry. + +"Better not shoot than be seized by this child of a horrible mother, +Sahib." + +"We should have time to spring back," said Phra; "for we should see +the water move. Go on pulling in the rope." + +"Yes, go on," said Harry excitedly. "I can't bear this waiting. Haul +quicker, and let's have it over." + +The men obeyed, and another yard was easily and slowly drawn in, the +Siamese in their excitement opening their eyelids widely so as to show +the opalescent eyeballs; but still there was no check, and the curve +of the rope now showed that the hook end must be close under the +stage. + +"Now, Sahibs, mind," whispered Sree hoarsely; "he is down there by +your feet, or else right under the floor." + +The lads glanced down at the frail, split bamboos, through whose +interstices they could just catch the gleam of the flowing water, +while the same idea came to both. + +Suppose the brute were to dash its head upward? It would break through +as easily as if the flooring had been of laths. + +But all was still save the rippling whisper of the water and the hum +of insect life outside in the blistering sunshine, as the men drew on +cautiously, inch by inch, in momentary expectation of the development +of a cunning attack. + +It was almost in breathless awe now that the men ceased pulling for a +few moments in response to an order from Sree, who whispered to his +superiors,-- + +"We are just at the end, Sahibs; be quite ready to fire." + +"We are," they replied, in a husky whisper. + +"Then we shall pull now sharply, Sahibs." + +"Pull," said Harry. "Quick!" + +The men gave two rapid heaves, and the boys started back with a shout. + +"Oh!" roared Harry, stamping about the floor, "only to think of that!" + +For Sree was standing holding out the frayed and untwisted end of the +rope, worn through at last by the crocodile's teeth, and parted in the +last rush. + +"Oh, I say!" cried Phra. + +"Mind! Look out!" yelled Harry, making a dash for the shore, and +immediately there was a regular stampede, which ended in the Prince +seizing his friend by the arm, and thumping his back with the butt of +the gun he held. + +"Oh, I say, don't--don't!" panted Harry, who was choking with +laughter. + +"Then will you leave off playing such tricks?" + +"Yes, yes--please, please!" cried Harry. "Oh, don't; it hurts." + +"I know: it'll be like that fable of the shepherd boy and the wolf. +Some day he'll come and no one will run." + +"I don't care, so long as you leave off thumping me with that gun. +Don't, Phra, old chap," he added, growing serious; "it's dangerous to +play with guns." + +"It's too bad," said Phra. "I thought the beast was jumping on to us. +What a pity, though! All that powder and shot wasted for nothing." + +"The bullets were too small, Sahib," said Sree; "but I'm afraid you +could never have killed that crocodile." + +"Oh, nonsense!" cried Harry; "bullets would have done it." + +Sree shook his head solemnly. + +"Look at him, Phra. I did think he was sensible." + +"No; he's nearly as superstitious as any of them," replied the lad. + +"No, Sahib," said Sree; "I only think it's strange that you fired shot +after shot into that thing, and still he was as strong as ever. I hope +he will not stop about here, and make it not safe to come down to the +landing-place. It would be bad." + +"Ahoy--oy--oy!" rang out in a clear, manly voice, and the sound of +oars was followed by a boat gliding into sight. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +THE DOCTOR'S POST-MORTEM + + +"Morning, Mr. Cameron," cried Harry heartily, as the boat, propelled +by its fore-and-aft rowers, glided up to the landing-stage, Sree +handing the crocodile-catching rope to one of the men to make the boat +fast, while the occupant of the seat beneath the central awning leapt +out. + +He was a good-looking, lightly bronzed, red-haired man of about +thirty, tall, and active apparently as a boy, and as he strode over +the yielding bamboo flooring, making it creak, he shook hands warmly. + +"How are you, my lads?--Ah, Sree!" and the hunter salaamed. + +"I'm jolly, Mr. Cameron. Phra's bad. Put out your tongue, old chap." + +Phra's reply was a punch in the chest. + +"Looks terribly bad," said the new arrival, who knew his friends. +"Here, what does all this shooting mean? I came on to see." + +"Awful great croc," cried Harry. + +"Shooting at it?" + +"Yes, and the big slugs rattled off it like hail on a lot of dry +thatch." + +"Then you did not kill it?" + +"Kill it--no. Only wish we had. Mr. Cameron, it was a monster." + +"So I suppose. Nine feet long, eh?" + +"Nine feet long!" said Harry contemptuously; "why, it was over +twenty." + +"You young romancer!" cried the new-comer. "How long was it, Prince?" + +"I've only seen its head," said Phra. "It was big enough for it to be +thirty feet." + +"Then I beg your pardon humbly, Hal." + +This was accompanied by a hearty clap on the shoulder. + +"Oh, I don't mind," said the lad merrily. "Only if you won't believe +me, Mr. Cameron, I won't believe you." + +"I never tell travellers' tales, Hal." + +"No, but you tell me sometimes that your nasty mixtures will do me +good, and that's precious hard to believe." + +The young doctor laughed. + +"You ought to have killed the croc, though," he said. + +"Sahib! Sahib, look!" cried Sree, as a shout arose from Mr. Cameron's +boatmen. + +All turned sharply to where the men were pointing, to see, floating on +its back and with its toad-like under part drying in the hot sunshine, +the body of a huge crocodile. + +"That's ours," cried Harry. + +"Or a dead one from somewhere up the river," said the doctor. "But +we'll soon prove it with our noses." + +"Hooray! no need," cried Harry; "that's him;" for all at once the +great reptile undulated in the water, struggled, splashed, and turned +over, swam round, and went up the river again, passing out of sight. + +"Well, you are pretty sportsmen! Why didn't you shoot?" + +"I never thought of the gun," said Phra. + +"Here, take us in your boat, and let's follow him, Mr. Cameron." + +There was another shout before the doctor could answer, for the men +could see that the reptile's strength was exhausted, it being once +more upon its back, floating down the stream. + +"We'll shoot this time," said Phra. + +"There is no need, master," said Sree. "I think it is dead now." + +"I came to have a chat with your father," said the doctor; "but I must +make acquaintance with our friend yonder. Look here, Sree, take the +boat and the rope and tow the brute ashore. Take care that it is dead +first. Don't run any risks." + +"No, Sahib," said the man, drawing his keen knife from his waist and +trying its edge and point. + +"Ah, I need not try to teach you, Sree." + +"Here's father," cried Harry, as Mr. Kenyon came out of the open +window of the bungalow and walked down to where they stood. + +"Ah, Cameron, how are you? Glad to see you, man. How is the wife?" + +"Complaining about the heat. But look yonder." + +He pointed at the floating reptile, and the merchant uttered an +exclamation of wonder. + +"So that explains the firing, boys. It is a monster. What a good +riddance! What are you going to do, Sree?" + +"Put a rope round his neck and bring him ashore, Sahib." + +"Yes, we ought to take some measurements. But be careful, or it will +capsize you; I don't think it's dead." + +"It will be soon, Sahib," said the man meaningly. + +"Yes, but those creatures have such strength in their tails. Where is +your spear, man?" + +"In my boat, Sahib, far away." + +"Here, Harry, run to the hall and take down one of those Malay +spears." + +Harry ran, and after a moment's hesitation the young prince followed +him, walking in a slow, dignified way. But long contact and education +with an English boy had left its traces, and before he had gone many +yards the observances of his father's jungle palace were forgotten, +and he dashed off as hard as he could go, leaping in at the doorway +and nearly overturning his companion. + +"Here, mind where you're coming to," cried Harry. + +"Bring two spears," cried Phra excitedly. + +"Well, I am bringing two, aren't I? Thought you'd like to have a go, +too." + +Phra's arm went over his friend's shoulder in an instant. + +"That's what I do like in you," he cried. "You always want to share +everything with me." + +"You're just as stupid," said Harry drily. "Here, catch hold. Which +will you have? Make haste. Come along." + +"Oh, I don't mind," said Phra. + +"Better choose," said Harry, holding out the long, keen heads. "This +one's as sharp as that one, and that one's got as good a point as +this. Which is it to be?" + +"I don't quite understand," said Phra, gazing in Harry's laughing +eyes. "Yes, I do. Either of them will do. How fond you are of trying +to puzzle one!" + +"Make haste, boys," cried Mr. Kenyon. + +Dignity before the common people was once more forgotten, prince and +English boy racing down to the landing-stage with the light spears +over their shoulders. + +"Hullo!" said Harry's father. "I did not mean you to go." + +"Oh, we must go, father," cried the lad. + +"Well, be careful, Sree. Mind that the boat is kept a little way +back." + +"Yes, Sahib; I will take care." + +"You might have asked me if I'd like to come in my own boat," said the +doctor, smiling. + +"Oh, Dr. Cameron," said Phra with an apologetic look, "pray go;" and +he offered him the spear he held. + +"No, no, my dear lad," said the doctor; "I was only joking. It is your +task." + +"But come too," cried Harry. + +"There will be plenty in the boat without me. Off with you." + +Harry looked unwilling to stir, but the doctor seized him by the +shoulders and hurried him along, and the next minute they were being +paddled towards the floating reptile, the men managing so that the +boys could have a thrust in turn, the Prince as they passed along one +side, Harry on their return on the other. + +But the thrusts did not follow one another quickly, for the deep +plunging in of the spear by Phra seemed to act like a reviver, +although it was delivered about where the lad believed the heart to +be. + +In an instant the great reptile had flung itself over and began +lashing the water with its tail. + +"Take care!" shouted Mr. Kenyon from the landing-stage. But the +warning was needless, for a sharp stroke from the oars sent the boat +well out of reach, the rowers changing their positions and sending it +backward in pursuit, as the crocodile began once more to swim up +stream, at a pretty good rate at first, then slower and slower, +leaving the water stained with its blood as it went on. + +It managed to make its way, though, quite a hundred yards above the +bungalow before its tail ceased its wavy, fish-like motion. Then there +was a struggle and a little splashing, and once more it turned over +upon its back. + +"Your turn now," cried Phra excitedly. "I must have missed its heart. +You stab it there this time." + +"Want the doctor here to tell me where it is," said Harry, as he stood +up with his spear poised ready to strike when within reach. + +"Thrust just between its front paws, Sahib," said Sree from where he +squatted just behind the front rower. + +"I will if I can; if I can't, how can I?" hummed Harry. + +"Now," whispered Sree. + +"Yes, yes, now," cried Phra excitedly. + +"There you are, then," muttered the lad, and he delivered a thrust +right in the spot pointed out, snatching back the weapon just in time, +for the wound seemed to madden the reptile, which turned over and +began to struggle with astonishing vigour; but only to roll over again +and swim round the boat in that position, giving Phra the opportunity +of delivering a deadly thrust, which was followed by another by Harry. + +"That has done it," said the latter, for there was no response to +these save a slight quivering of the tail, and now Sree rose from +where he had crouched. + +"Dead now, Sahibs," he said; "he will fight no more." + +The two lads worked their spears about in the water a few times to +cleanse them, and then sat down under the thatched awning, panting and +hot with exertion, while they watched the action of the hunter. Sree, +aided by the boatmen, who held the crocodile within reach, leaned over +the side and slipped a running noose over the monster's head right up +to the neck, drew it tight, and then let the rope run through his +hands as the two Siamese rowers made their oars bend in sending the +light sampan along, for the huge bulk was heavy. But the stream was +with them, and a few minutes after, in obedience to the doctor's +instructions, the crocodile was drawn up close to the muddy bank, some +fifty yards below the merchant's garden. + +Here another rope was fetched out and made fast round one of the hind +legs, both ropes being held by Sree's men, while their leader remained +in the boat, the boys having sprung ashore. + +And now measurements were taken, the monster proving to be just +twenty-one feet in length, and of enormous bulk. + +"I was not far wrong, Doctor Cameron," said Harry. + +"No, my boy; you were not, indeed." + +"Are you going to let it float down the river now?" asked Phra. + +"Not yet," said the doctor; "but perhaps you two had better go now, +for I am about to superintend rather a nasty examination in the cause +of science." + +"I know," said Harry to his companion; "he is going to see what the +thing lives on. Shall we go?" + +"No," said Phra gravely; "I want to learn all that I can, and the +doctor is so clever, he seems to know everything." + +"I heard what you said, Prince," said the doctor, smiling; "but I +don't; I wish I did. Now, Sree, you know how to go to work; let's get +it over; the water will wash everything away." + +The hunter, who had worked with Doctor Cameron in many an expedition, +and understood what was required, bent over the side of the boat, made +one long opening, and then plunging his knife in again, made another, +and with the flowing water for help, in a short time laid bare the +various objects which formed the loathsome reptile's food. + +First and foremost there was, to the doctor's astonishment, the snake, +and as soon as this had been sent floating down the stream there were +fish, seven of goodly size, beside some that were quite small. Then +the boys were puzzled, but the cleansing water soon showed that what +followed next were a couple of water-fowl, nearly as big as geese. + +"That's all, is it?" said the doctor. + +"No, Sahib, there is something else--something hard," said the hunter, +and he searched about, gathering something in his hand, rinsed it to +and fro a few times, and carefully threw four objects ashore. + +Harry shuddered and felt a horrible, sickening sensation for a few +moments, but it was swept away directly after by the feeling of rage +which made the blood run hot to his temples. + +"I've been thinking what brutes we were, killing things as we have +been this morning; but oh, the beast! I should like to kill hundreds." + +"Ugh!" ejaculated Phra, as he stamped his foot, and then through his +compressed teeth: "The wretches! the monsters! how I hate them!" + +He said no more, but stood with his companion listening as the doctor +rested on one knee and turned over the objects on the grass. + +"Yes, strung on wire; that is why they have not separated. Gilt +bronze, and very pretty too. Each one is chased; the leg and arm +bangles are bronze too, and quite plain. You may as well put them in +your museum, Kenyon, with a label containing their sad little +history--Worn by some pretty little Siamese girl dragged under when +bathing." + +"Yes, Sahib doctor," said Sree respectfully; "they wear bangles like +that three days' journey up the river." + +"Horrible!" ejaculated Harry, bending over the relics. + +"Horrible indeed, my boy," said his father. Then laying his hand upon +Phra's shoulder, "Thank you both, my lads, for ridding the river of a +vile old murderer." + +"Thank old Sree, too, father," said Harry eagerly, "for he did more +than either of us." + +"I'm going to thank Sree," said the merchant. "There, let the monster +float down to the sea. Don't go away yet; Doctor Cameron and I want to +talk to you." + +"Yes, and Harry and I want to go up the river to the wild jungle," +said Phra eagerly. "We have not had a hunt for a week." + +"Come along, then," said Mr. Kenyon, laying his hand on the Prince's +shoulder. "We'll talk it over, and perhaps we can join forces. What's +that, Sree?" + +"The crocodiles from below are coming up, Sahib; they have smelt the +blood." + +"Yes, look at that," said the doctor, as there was a wallow and a +splash not ten yards from the monster's head. + +"Take care!" said Mr. Kenyon excitedly. "Don't try to untie those +ropes, Sree, or you may have your hand seized; cut them, and let the +reptile go." + +Sree obeyed, dividing the strong cords with a couple of cuts. Then +taking an oar from one of the boatmen he forced the boat along past +the crocodile, giving the latter a thrust, when the current bore it +outward, and directly after another of its tribe, of about half the +size, raised its head out of the water, and drew itself partly on the +bulky body, which rolled over toward it, and then sank back out of +sight. + +But it was not gone, and the agitation of the surface about the +floating body showed that others were there, tearing at it as it +floated away. + +"I should hardly have thought that we had so many of these brutes +about here," said the doctor. + +"They come and go, Sahib; and they hide so. There are plenty more, and +that dead one will never reach the sea." + +"It's a warning to you two boys never to attempt to bathe off here," +said Mr. Kenyon. + +"Bathe, father!" cried Harry, glancing down at the bronze rings and +the necklace lying in the grass; "I feel as if I shall never like to +bathe again;" and Phra curled up his lip, as he once more +ejaculated:-- + +"Ugh!" + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +MAKING PLANS + + +It was pleasantly dusk and shady in Mr. Kenyon's museum, where the +party had gathered, glad enough to get away from the glare of the sun +after the exertions of the morning. For Siam is a country beautiful +enough, but one where the sun has a bad habit of making it pretty +often somewhere near ninety-nine in the shade. The natives revel in +this, and grow strong and well, though it has a tendency to make even +them a quiet, deliberate, and indolent people. What wonder, then, that +an Englishman should feel indisposed to work? + +All the same, there was not much idleness in the Kenyons' bungalow, +for the merchant was an indefatigable business man, who had built up a +fine business, at the same time finding time for gratifying his +intense love for natural history, in which he had an energetic +companion in the young doctor, who had been encouraged to settle at +Dahcok by one of the kings. As for Harry, his restless nature made him +set the hottest weather at defiance unless he was checked, for, to use +his own words, "I'm not going to let Phra beat me out of doors, even +if he was born in the country." + +There had been a few words in connection with his restlessness when +the lads bore in the guns and spears, all of which were handed over to +Mike to be cleaned and carefully oiled. + +"You lads had better sit down now and have a good rest in here; it's +cool and shady. Your face is scarlet, Hal. Make Phra stay and have a +bit of dinner with us." + +"I should like to," said the young Prince eagerly. + +"Of course he will, father; but you and Doctor Cameron want to talk." + +"About what will interest you as well, I dare say. What were you going +to do?" + +For Harry had made a sign to Phra, and was sidling towards the door. + +"Oh, I don't know, father; look about and do something along with +Phra." + +"Do you hear him, Doctor? Did you ever see such a restless fellow? +He's spoiling the Prince too." + +"Oh no," said Phra; "I'm just as bad as he is, sir." + +"I begin to think you are," cried Mr. Kenyon. "Look here, Cameron; +they've had a fight with the boa whose skin I showed you, and another +with that crocodile. That ought to satisfy any two boys who love +adventure for quite a month." + +"Well, it is a pretty good morning's work," said the doctor, laughing. +"Take my advice, lads, and have a rest till dinner-time, and another +afterwards. As it happens, Kenyon, I told the wife I shouldn't be back +to dinner." + +"You wouldn't have gone back if you had not," said Mr. Kenyon +laughing. "Oh, by the way, have you completed your collection of +fireflies?" + +"No; there is one which gives out quite a fiery light, very different +from the greeny gold of the others. I've seen it three times, but it +always soars away over the river or up amongst the lofty trees." + +"I know that one," said Phra eagerly. + +"I've seen it once," said Harry. "Old Sree would get you one." + +"I've asked him, but he has not succeeded yet," said the doctor. + +"We'll try, then," said Phra, springing up, an action followed by +Harry. + +"But the fireflies are best caught by night," said Mr. Kenyon drily. + +"Of course," cried Phra, reddening through his yellowish bronze skin, +and he dropped back in his chair, with Harry following suit. + +But in spite of the heat, the boys could not sit still, and began +fidgeting about, while Mr. Kenyon and his friend chatted about the +state of the colony. + +For want of something else more in accordance with their desires at +the moment, the two boys began to go over the various objects in the +large, high-ceiled room, which were the result of ten years' +collecting. There were bird-skins by the hundred--pheasants with the +wondrously-shaped eyes upon tail and wing, which had won for them the +name argus; others eye-bearing like the peacock, but on a smaller +scale; and then the great peacock itself--the Javanese kind--gorgeous +in golden green where the Indian kinds were of peacock blue. + +Every here and there hung snake-skins, trophies of the jungle, while +upon the floor were no less than six magnificent tiger-pelts, each of +which had its history, and a black one too, of murder committed upon +the body of some defenceless native. + +Leopard-skins, too, were well represented. Elephants' tusks of the +whitest ivory; and one strange-looking object stood on the floor, +resembling a badly rounded tub about twenty inches in diameter, and +formed out of the foot of some huge elephant. + +Skulls with horns were there, and skulls without; cases and drawers of +birds' eggs, and lovely butterflies and moths, with brilliant, +metallic-looking beetles; and the boys smiled at one another as they +paused before first one thing and then another in whose capture they +had played a part. + +Here, too, was another stand of weapons that would be suitable for the +attack upon some tyrant of the jungle, or for defence against any +enemy who might rise against the peace of those dwelling at the +bungalow. + +The boys were interested enough in the contents of the museum they had +helped to form; but at last the weariness growing upon them became +unbearable, and they moved towards the door, expecting to hear some +remark made by either Mr. Kenyon or the doctor; but these gentlemen +were too intent upon the subject they had in hand, and about which +they were talking in a low voice. + +"They didn't hear us come out, Phra," said Harry. "Here let's run and +see whether old Sree has gone yet. I hope Mike Dunning has given them +all plenty to eat." + +"He was told to," said Phra quietly. + +"Yes, he was told to," said Harry; "but that does not mean that he +always does as he's told." + +"One of our servants dare not forget to do what he was ordered," said +Phra, frowning. + +"No; but our laws don't allow masters to cut off people's heads for +forgetting things." + +By this time they had passed round the house, to find right at the +back Sree and his two men busy at work cleaning and polishing the guns +and spears that had been used that morning, while Mike, whose task it +was by rights, lounged about giving orders and looking on. + +"Have you given those men their dinner, Mike?" asked Harry. + +"Oh yes, sir, such a dinner as they don't get every day," replied the +man. + +"That's more than you know, Mike," said Harry. "Hunters know how to +live well out in the jungle; don't they, Sree?" + +"We always manage to get enough, Master Harry," said the man, smiling; +"for there is plenty for those who know how to find it in the jungle, +out on the river's edge, or in the water." + +"And you know how to look for provisions if any man does. But here, +you, Mike, they've no business cleaning these things. You finish them; +I want to talk to Sree." + +Mike took the gun Sree was polishing without a word, and went on with +the task, while the hunter rose respectfully and stood waiting to hear +what the boys had to say. + +"We want to have a day in the jungle," said Harry. "What is there to +shoot?" + +"A deer, Sahib." + +"No," said Phra, frowning; "they are so hard to get near. They go off +at the slightest noise." + +"The young Sahibs might wait and watch by a water-hole," said the +hunter. "It is easier to catch the deer when they come to drink." + +"But that means staying out in the jungle all night." + +"Yes, Sahib, it is the best way." + +"No," said Phra. + +"What else, Sree?" asked Harry. + +"The Sahib said he would like two more coo-ahs; would the Sahibs like +to lie in wait for them? I could make them come near enough by calling +as they do--_Coo--ah! coo--ah!_" + +The man put his hands before his mouth and softly imitated the harsh +cry of the great argus pheasant so accurately that Phra nodded his +head and smiled. + +"Yes, that's like it," cried Harry. "_Coo--ah! coo--ah!_" + +"And that isn't a bit like it," said Phra laughingly. "You would not +have many come to a cry like that; would he, Sree?" + +"No, my Prince," replied the man, shaking his head; "the great birds +would not come for that." + +"Very rude of them," cried Harry merrily; "for it's the best I can do. +Well, shall we try for the _coo--ahs?_" + +"What else do you know of, Sree?" asked Phra. + +"There was a leopard in the woods across the river yesterday, my +Prince; but they are strange beasts, and he may be far away to-day." + +"Oh yes, I don't think that's any good," said Harry. "I should like to +try for an elephant." + +"There are very few near, just now, Sahib," replied the man. "It is +only a month since there was the great drive into the kraal, and those +that were let go are wild and have gone far away." + +"Oh, I say, Phra, and we call this a wild country! Why, we shall have +to go beetle-catching or hunting frogs." + +Sree smiled, and Harry saw it. + +"Well, propose something better," he cried. + +"The men were at work in the new sugar plantation," said the man +quietly. + +"Well, we don't want to go hunting men," cried Harry impatiently. + +"And the tiger leaped out of the edge of the jungle, caught the man by +the shoulder, and carried him away." + +"Ah!" cried Phra excitedly; "why didn't you tell us that at first?" + +"Because he kept it back for the last," said Harry. "That's just his +way." + +"Would the Sahib and my Prince like to try and shoot the tiger?" asked +Sree. + +"Would we? Why, of course we would," cried Harry excitedly. "What +shall we do? Have a place made in a tree?" + +"No, Sahib," replied the man, shaking his head. "If it were a cow or +one of the oxen, I would make a place in a tree near the spot where he +had dragged the beast, for he would come back to feed upon it as soon +as it grew dark; but it was not an ox nor a cow. The poor man has been +taken away to the wat, and his wife and friends have paid all they +could for him to be burned." + +"What shall we do, then?" + +"It is of no use to go without a couple of elephants and beaters to +drive the tiger out." + +Harry looked round at Phra, who nodded his head quietly. + +"Very well," he said; "we'll have the elephants out, and men to beat. +When shall we go? To-morrow?" + +"Yes, my Prince; to-morrow when the tiger will be lying asleep." + +"I'll go and speak to my father," said Phra. "He will not care to come +himself, but your father and Doctor Cameron will be sure to say that +they will come." + +"Yes, of course," said Harry. "But I say, only to think of old Sree +here knowing of this tiger, and not saying a word!" + +"I was going to tell you, Sahib, before I went away." + +"But why didn't you tell us before?" + +"Because I did not know, Sahib, till a little while ago, when he came +to find me and bring me the news." + +He pointed as he spoke to an ordinary-looking peasant who was squatted +a little way off beneath the trees, chewing his betel. + +The lads had not noticed the man before, as he had shrunk away more +into the shade on seeing them come out. + +"He brought you the bad news?" said Phra. + +"Yes, my Prince. He went to find me yonder after coming across from +his village, and no one could tell him where I had gone, till at last +he saw the Sahib doctor's boatmen, and they told him that I was here." + +"Then I will go and tell my father we want the elephant," said Phra. +"You go and speak to them indoors, for we must kill that wretch." + +"If we can," said Harry, smiling; "but Mr. Stripes is sometimes rather +hard to find." + +Phra nodded, and went across the garden on his way to the palace, +while Harry went back into the house, Mike waiting till his young +master's back was turned and then handing the gun he was finishing to +the old hunter. + +"You may as well do this, Sree," he said; "you clean guns so much +better than I can." + +The old hunter smiled, as he waited to examine the points of the +spears his men had been polishing, and then good-humouredly took the +gun to finish after his own fashion, for there was a good deal of +truth in what Mike Dunning had said. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +THE BRINK OF A VOLCANO + + +The boys were quite wrong in imagining that their act of escaping from +the museum had passed unnoticed, for as soon as they had passed out of +hearing the doctor nodded his head and threw himself back in his cane +chair. + +"Now we are alone," he said to Mr. Kenyon, "I may as well tell you +what I have heard." + +"Nothing serious, I hope?" + +"No--yes. It may be either," replied the doctor. "I would not say +anything before the boys, for it might make Phra uneasy." + +"And Harry?" said Mr. Kenyon. + +"No, I think not. I don't believe he would give the matter a second +thought." + +"You are hard upon the boy," said Mr. Kenyon, rather sternly. + +"Not in the least," said the doctor, smiling. "It is his nature. I +don't think the matter is really of any consequence, but it would have +upset Phra, who is as sensitive as a girl; and he would be worrying +himself, and thinking about it for weeks, beside exaggerating the +matter on his father's account." + +"What is it, then--some trouble with our friend the other king?" + +"Friend, eh? I believe that if he could have his own way every +European would be driven out of the country--or into the river," he +added to himself--"before we were twenty-four hours older." + +"What is the fresh trouble, now?" + +"Nothing fresh about it, Kenyon. It is the stale old matter. Here we +have two parties in the country." + +"Yes, and worse still, two kings," interposed Mr. Kenyon. + +"Exactly, each having his own party. The one wants to see the country +progress and become prosperous and enlightened; the other for it to +keep just as it was five hundred years ago; and the worst of it is +nearly all the people are on the stand-still side." + +"Yes," said Mr. Kenyon. "The old traditions and superstitions suit the +indolent nature of the people." + +"And the progress the King is making offends their prejudices." + +"You mean the prejudices of the bonzes," said Mr. Kenyon sadly. + +"Exactly; that is what I do mean, and they are getting so thick with +the second king, that I sometimes begin to be afraid that we shall +have trouble." + +"You have had that idea for a long time now, but the reigning King +holds so strong a position that his kinsman dare not rise against him. +He is as gentle and amiable a man as could exist, but there is the old +Eastern potentate in him still, and our friend number two knows +perfectly well that if he attempted to rise he would be pretty well +sure to fail, and then his head would fall as surely as if our old +Harry the Eighth were on the throne." + +"But would he fail? All the bonzes are on his side." + +"Yes," said Mr. Kenyon, laughing; "and they'd tell him to go on and +prosper, but they would not fight." + +"No, they would not fight," said the doctor musingly. + +"Do you think there is a regular conspiracy?" + +"I really do sometimes, and it makes me uneasy." + +"That is because you are a young married man, and fidget about your +wife." + +"Well, and quite naturally." + +"Yes, quite naturally, of course; but when you have been here as long +as I have, you will not be so nervous." + +"I don't think I am nervous, Kenyon; but it would be very horrible if +there should be a rising amongst the people." + +"Horrible, but not likely, my dear sir." + +"But if there were? I suppose I am right in looking upon ourselves as +being favourites." + +"Certainly." + +"Well, then, should we not be among the first whom the people would +attack?" + +"That is quite possible, but I suppose we should defend ourselves, and +be defended as well by the people who remained staunch." + +"I have thought of all that, but if trouble did come it would be +sudden and unexpected, and we should be taken by surprise." + +"We might be, or we might have ample warning. I think the latter, for +these people are very open and wanting in cunning." + +"But don't you think we--or say you--having so much influence with the +King, would do wisely if you warned him--told him of our suspicions?" + +"No, I think not," said Mr. Kenyon. + +"Why?" + +"Because, quiet and studious as the King is, he happens to be very +acute and observant. I feel certain that nothing goes on in the city +without his being fully aware of it; and though he seems to take very +little notice, I am pretty sure that nothing important takes place +except under his eye, or which is not faithfully reported to him by +one or other of his councillors." + +"Perhaps you are right," said the doctor, "and I have been +unnecessarily nervous." + +"I feel sure that you have been. I would speak to him, but he might +look upon it as an impertinent interference on my part in connection +with private family matters. Take my advice, and let it rest. We +should have ample warning and ample protection, I feel sure. But I am +glad you spoke out, all the same. But bah! nonsense! You would not be +hurt--you, the doctor who has done so much good among the poor people. +Why, doctor, they look upon you as something more than man: they +idolize you." + +"For the few simple cures I have effected." + +"Few? Hundreds." + +"Well, hundreds, then. But what has it done?" + +"Made you friends with every one in the city." + +"Made me a number of bitter enemies, sir. Why, the native doctors +absolutely hate me. My word! I should not like to be taken ill and +become helpless. They'd never let me get well again if they had the +doctoring." + +"Don't be too hard on them," said Mr. Kenyon. + +"Not I, my dear sir. I only speak as I think. So you would not take a +step in our defence?" + +"Not until we were certain that it was necessary; then as many as you +like. Steps? I'd make them good long strides. But say no more: the +boys are coming back, and we don't want to set them thinking about +such things." + +In effect, steps were heard in the verandah, and a few minutes later +Harry hurried into the museum again. + +"Well, boy!" cried the doctor. "What is it? you look hot." + +"Tiger," said Harry eagerly. + +"Where?" cried Mr. Kenyon and his visitor in a breath. + +"Over yonder, by the new sugar plantation," cried Harry. "Jumped on a +man and killed him. Sree has just heard the news. He told me and +Phra." + +"How horrible!" said Mr. Kenyon. + +"Yes, and the village people sent a messenger to Sree. They want the +brute killed, and we're going to have an expedition and destroy the +wretch." + +"Indeed?" said Mr. Kenyon drily. + +"You and Mr. Cameron will come with us, of course, father?" said +Harry, who was too much excited to notice the glances exchanged +between the merchant and his visitor; "but I should like to have first +shot, and kill the beast." + +"No doubt," said the doctor drily; "but I suppose you would not wish +us to give up our chances if the tiger came out our way?" + +"Oh no, of course not," said Harry. Then turning to Mr. Kenyon, "You +will try the new rifles the King sent to you, will you not, father?" + +"When I go tiger-hunting," said Mr. Kenyon drily. + +Harry felt damped by his father's manner. + +"But you will go now, father?" + +"What, and walk the tiger up like one would a partridge?" said Mr. +Kenyon. "Certainly not, and you are not old and experienced enough yet +to go tiger-shooting. It requires a great deal of nerve." + +"Oh, but I don't think I should feel frightened, father." + +"Perhaps not; but you would be too much excited, and might shoot the +doctor. We could not spare him, Hal." + +"I shouldn't, father. You taught me how to handle a gun, and if I can +do that I ought to be able to handle a rifle." + +"Possibly; but, as Mr. Cameron will tell you, we could not risk going +on foot." + +"We're not going on foot, father," cried Harry excitedly. "We're going +to have two elephants, and you and doctor could go on one, and Phra +and I on the other." + +"Oh, that alters the case," said Mr. Cameron eagerly. + +"Has the King offered to lend us elephants?" said Mr. Kenyon. + +"No, father, but he will," said Harry. "Phra has gone to tell him, and +he is sure to say we may have them." + +"Indeed? I doubt it." + +"He always lets Phra and me have anything we ask for." + +"Yes, he is very indulgent to you both, my boy--too much so sometimes; +but I notice that there is a certain amount of wisdom in what he does. +What about the rifles?" + +"Well, he gave us the rifles, father." + +"With certain restrictions, Hal. They were to be placed in my charge, +and I was to decide when it would be right for you to use them." + +"Oh yes, father, he did say that." + +"Yes, and I think it was not until you and Phra had been waiting +nearly two years that they were sent." + +"It was a long time, certainly," agreed Harry. + +"The King is a wise man in his way, and I feel pretty sure that he +will refuse to lend the elephants. What do you say, Cameron?" + +"I agree with you." + +"What, and let the tiger lurk about that great plantation and keep on +killing the poor fellows who are hoeing?" cried Harry indignantly. +"I'm sure he wouldn't; he's too particular about protecting people." + +"He will most likely get up a big hunt to destroy the tiger," said the +doctor; "but I don't believe he will let you two boys go." + +"Oh!" cried Harry, who seemed as if he could hardly contain himself in +his keen disappointment; "any one would think it was wicked and +contemptible to be a boy. One mustn't do this and one mustn't do that, +because one is a boy. One mustn't do anything because one is a boy. +It's always, 'You are too young' for what one wants to do. Oh," he +cried passionately, "who'd be a boy?" + +"I would, for one," said the doctor, laughing. + +"I don't believe it, doctor," cried Harry. "You wouldn't like to be +always kept down." + +"Perhaps not; boys never do. They're too stupid." + +"What!" cried Harry. + +"Too stupid," said the doctor again, while Mr. Kenyon lay back in his +creaking cane chair with his eyes half closed, listening, with an +amused expression of countenance. "Why, I was as stupid as you are, +Hal, at your age." + +"But you did not think so," retorted Hal. + +"Of course I did not. I did not know any better. I could not see that +by being a thorough boy for so many years, and being boyish and +thinking as a boy should think, I should naturally grow into a +thorough manly man." + +"I don't quite understand you, sir," said Harry rather distantly. + +"But I'm speaking plainly enough, Hal. Come, confess, my lad; you want +to be a man, and to be treated as if you were one?" + +Harry hesitated. + +"Speak out frankly, sir," said Mr. Kenyon sternly. + +"Well, of course I do," said the lad. + +"And you can't see that if we treated you as you wish to be treated," +said the doctor earnestly, "that we should be weak, foolish, and +indulgent, for we should be doing you harm?" + +"Oh, Mr. Cameron, what nonsense!" + +"Think of this some day in the future, Hal, my lad," said the doctor +warmly, "and you will find then that it is not nonsense. Look here, my +lad, a boy of seventeen, however advanced and able he may be in some +things, is only a boy." + +"Only a boy!" said Harry bitterly. + +"Yes, only a boy; a young, green sapling who must pass through years +before he can grow naturally into a strong, muscular man. Some boys +fret over this and the restraints they undergo, because of their +youth, and want to be men at once--want to throw away four or five of +the golden years of their existence, and all through ignorance, +because they are too blind to see how beautiful they are." + +"You told me all that once before, Mr. Cameron." + +"Very likely, Hal, for I am rather disposed to moralize sometimes. But +it's quite true, my lad." + +"Yes." said Mr. Kenyon, "it's true enough, Hal, for boys are +wonderfully boyish. Naturally, too, my lad," he added, with a laugh. +"But there, don't build any hopes upon this expedition, for I should +certainly shrink from letting you go." + +"Oh, father, I would be so careful, and I'll believe all Doctor +Cameron said and won't want to be a man till I am quite grown up. I'll +be as boyish as I can be." + +"I think I'd shrink from any promises of that kind, Hal," said the +doctor, smiling. "Don't tie yourself down to rules of your own +invention. Look here, aim at being natural, at hitting the happy +medium." + +"I suppose that's the unhappy medium for the boy, isn't it?" + +"Not at all, my lad; it's the way to be happy. Leave it to Nature; she +will set that right. Don't be too boyish, and don't aim at being an +imitation man--in other words a prig. Be natural." + +"Yes," said Mr. Kenyon; "the doctor's right, Hal. Be natural, and you +will not be far wrong there." + +"I always am as natural as I can be," said Harry, throwing himself +into action, and looking as gloomy and discontented as a boy could +look; "but no one gets to be so disappointed and sat upon as I am." + +Mr. Kenyon's brow clouded over, but he said nothing. + +"So sure as I set my mind upon anything I'm sure to be balked." + +"Poor fellow!" said the doctor gravely. + +"Yes, Doctor, it's all very well for you to make fun of me. You can do +just as you like." + +"Of course," said the doctor gravely, "and I see that does make a +difference. One sees things from such a different point of view." + +"Yes, that you do," said Harry. + +"Exactly," continued the doctor slowly, "and you see, as you say, I do +exactly as I like, have everything I wish for, never suffer the +slightest trouble, enjoy the most robust health, am as rich as a man +need wish to be; in fact, I am the happiest man under the sun." + +"Are you, Doctor?" said Harry. "I'm glad of it. I didn't know it was +so good as that." + +"And, of course, that is about how you'd like to be, eh, Hal?" + +"Well," said the boy, hesitating, "something like that--I--er--I--I +don't want to be greedy." + +"Don't want to be greedy?" cried the doctor, changing his manner, as +he sprang up and began to pace the museum. "Why, you miserable, +discontented young cub! There is not one boy in a thousand leads such +a life as you do: a good home, surrounded by friends, with plenty of +time for study, and plenty of time for the necessary amusement. Yours, +sir, is an ideal life; but it has spoilt you, and I'm afraid it is +from having a too indulgent father." + +"Oh, come, Cameron, I must speak in my own defence," said Mr. Kenyon. + +"And you ought to speak in mine too, father," cried Harry indignantly, +as he gazed at the doctor with blazing eyes and flaming cheeks. + +"I can't, Hal," said his father, smiling; "there's so much truth in +what he says, my boy, and your words were uncalled for--unjust." + +"I beg your pardon, Kenyon," said the doctor; "I had no business to +speak as I did. I had no right. But I'm such a hot-headed Scotsman, +and Master Hal here put me out." + +"There is no begging pardon needed," said Mr. Kenyon quietly. + +"You see, I could not help comparing Hal's lot with mine--a poor, raw +lad on the west coast who lived on potatoes and porridge, with a +broiled herring or haddie once in a way for a treat. But there, once +more, I had no right to interfere." + +"I say, granted, and thanks." + +"Then I shan't beg your pardon, Hal, boy," cried the doctor, "for I +honestly believe what I say is the truth. Take it all as so many +pills, and if you'll come along the river to my place to-morrow +morning I'll give you a draught as well--to do you good, my dear +boy--to do you good." + +"I think I've had physic enough," said Harry sulkily. + +"And you don't seem to like the taste, eh?" said the doctor, laughing. +"Never mind; it will, as people say, do you good. You will be sure to +have some bit of luck to take the taste out of your mouth--a bit of +sugary pleasure, my lad. Aha! and here it comes in the shape of +friend, Phra, the prince, who, king's son as he is, does not enjoy a +single advantage more than you." + +"Doctor!" cried Harry indignantly. "He has only to speak to have +everything he wants. No one could be better off than he is. Look, he's +in a hurry to tell us all about the expedition for to-morrow. Oh, it +is so disappointing, for I wanted so badly to shoot a tiger. It set me +longing when Phra and I looked at those skins to-day." + +"Dear me! what a thirst for blood you are developing, Hal!" said the +doctor, as Mr. Kenyon still sat back in his chair, looking pained, +while his son carefully avoided gazing in his direction. "I should +have thought you had killed enough for one day." + +"Well, Phra?" cried Harry, as his companion came straight in. + +"Well?" said the boy, with a mocking smile. + +"What did your father say?" + +Phra was silent for a few moments, and then he spoke quietly. + +"That I was too much of a boy yet to think of going after tigers," +said the lad slowly, and then he started and frowned. For the doctor +had thrown himself back in one of the cane chairs, which gave vent to +a peculiar squeaking noise, while its occupier rocked himself to and +fro, literally roaring with laughter. + +"I am very sorry if I have said some ridiculous thing, sir," said Phra +gravely. "I speak English as well as I can." + +"Ridiculous thing!" cried the doctor, springing up and seizing the +young Siamese by the shoulders; "why, it was splendid. Look at him," +he cried, half-choking with laughter, "look at Hal! Oh, dear me, how +you have made my sides ache!" + +"But I don't understand," said Phra. + +"Then you soon shall," cried the doctor. "My lord there has been in a +tantrum because--because--oh, dear me, I shall be able to speak +directly." + +Phra looked in a puzzled way from the laughing doctor to his friend, +who sat frowning and biting his lips. + +"Because," continued the doctor, "Mr. Kenyon here has told him that he +should not like him to go to the tiger hunt." + +"Mr. Kenyon told him so?" cried Phra quickly. + +"Yes, because he is too young." + +"Oh, I am so glad," cried Phra, showing his white teeth. + +Harry started as if he had received a blow. + +"What!" he cried fiercely. + +"I say I am so glad, because that is just what my father said to me." + +"And very wisely too, Phra, my boy," said Mr. Kenyon, rising. "You +lads had better wait a bit longer before you indulge in a sport which +is very risky even to one mounted upon an elephant, especially if the +elephant is timid. I have known several bad accidents occur through +the poor creature becoming unmanageable from a wounded beast's +charge." + +"It's disappointing, sir," said Phra; "but I suppose father's right." + +"Of course he is, and I'm glad to see you take it so wisely." + +The speaker laid his hand on the doctor's arm, and they went out into +the verandah. + +"Ah, Kenyon, you spoil that boy with indulgence." + +"Think so?" + +"Yes; I don't like to hear a lad like that speak as he did to you. It +was that made me fire up. But there, I'm sorry if I've done wrong." + +"You have not done wrong," said Mr. Kenyon, "and I am rather glad you +spoke as you did. But you do not understand Hal so well as I do." + +"Naturally I do not." + +"He is a queer boy, with a good many things about him that I don't +like; but he has some oddities that I do like. I dare say he will +display one of them before you go." + +"He will have to be quick about it, then," said the doctor, smiling, +"for I have not much longer to stay." + +"Plenty of time for him to show the stuff he is made of. I'm sorry to +disappoint the boys, though." + +"And ourselves too, for I should have liked the jaunt, and the more of +those savage beasts we can destroy the better. What do you say to +going over to the palace and asking the old gentleman to let us have +the use of the elephants and beaters?" + +"No," said Mr. Kenyon, "I could not do that under the circumstances. +It would be too hard upon the boys. Yes, Michael?" + +"There is a man from--one of the gentlemen from the King to see you, +sir," said the man. + +"Indeed? I will come. Come too, Cameron; I daresay it will interest +you." + +The messenger had come to ask Mr. Kenyon if he would take charge of a +little expedition to be made against a tiger that had been destroying +life in the neighbourhood, and to say that as matters were so serious +the King would be greatly obliged if he would go. + +"I don't like to say No, and I don't want to say Yes," said Mr. +Kenyon. + +"I do not see how you can refuse." + +"Neither do I," said Mr. Kenyon thoughtfully, and he sent a note back, +promising to undertake the task. + +Hardly had the messenger departed before Harry came hurriedly into the +room, but started on seeing the doctor there. + +"I thought you had gone, sir," he said. "I made sure I heard the door +swing to." + +"No, I have not gone, Hal," said the doctor, smiling good-humouredly; +"but I'll soon be off, if you want to speak to your father alone." + +"I did, sir; but it doesn't matter your being here." + +"What is it, Hal?" said Mr. Kenyon gravely. + +"Wanted to tell you I feel horribly ashamed of myself, father," said +Harry quickly. + +"Indeed?" + +"Yes, it seems so queer that such a chap as Phra should behave like a +gentleman over a bit of disappointment, while I--I--well, I behaved +like a disagreeable boy." + +"But very naturally, Hal," said the doctor. "Better than acting like a +make-believe man." + +"Thank you, Hal," said Mr. Kenyon quietly, holding out his hand. "Has +Phra gone?" + +"No, father." + +"Tell him that his father has sent requesting me to take charge of an +expedition against the tiger, and that I am sorry I cannot ask you two +lads to go with me." + +"All right, father; he won't mind. I don't now." + +Harry nodded at the doctor, and went out of the room, while his father +waited till his steps had ceased, and a door had swung to. + +"Odd boy, isn't he, Cameron?" said Mr. Kenyon then. + +"Very odd chap," replied the doctor. "But I like boys to be odd like +that." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +A PROWL BY WATER + + +It was disappointing and hard for two boys to bear, situated as they +had been--singled out by the old hunter as the first receivers of the +news; but they had determined to be heroic over it, and after a +fashion they were. + +"Don't let's seem to mind it the least bit in the world, Phra," Harry +said. + +"What shall we do? go up the river?" + +"Go up the river? No. Let's see them start, and help them with their +guns when they mount the elephants. They'll be watching to see how we +look, and we're going to puzzle them." + +"But will not that look queer?" + +"I dunno," said Harry, "and I don't care; but that's what I've made up +my mind to do. What do you mean to do?" + +"The same as you do," said Phra firmly. + +The result was that at the time appointed Harry walked up to the court +by the palace main entrance, shouldering one of the rifles, and there +his heart failed him for a moment or two, but he was himself again +directly. + +For the sight of the two huge elephants with their howdahs, and their +mahouts with their legs hidden beneath the huge beasts' ears, each +holding his anchus--the short, heavy, spear-like goad with hook which +takes the place of whip, spur, and reins, in the driving of the huge +beasts--was almost too much for him. + +There was a party, too, of pretty well fifty spearmen to act as +beaters, some of whom were furnished with small gongs. Altogether it +formed a goodly show, and it sent the sting of disappointment pretty +deeply into the boys' breasts, so that they had to bear up bravely to +keep a good face on the matter. + +The King was there to see the start made, after Mr. Kenyon, with Sree +for his attendant, had mounted one of the elephants by means of a +bamboo ladder, the doctor and a trusted old hunter in the King's +service perching themselves upon the other. + +Then the King wished them both good fortune, the word was given, and +half the spearmen marched off in front; the elephants at a word from +their mahouts shuffled after, side by side, and the remainder of the +spearmen followed, passing out of the gateway. + +The King said a few words to the boys, and then retired, leaving them +alone in the yard with the armed men on guard. + +"Shall we follow them part of the way?" said Phra then. + +"No, that wouldn't do," replied Harry. "It was right to come and show +that we weren't going to mind; but if we followed now, I know what my +father would think." + +"What?" said Phra abruptly. + +"That we were following in the hope of being asked to get on the +elephants. It would be too mean." + +"Yes," said Phra, "of course. I did not think of that. Well, what +shall we do?" + +"I dunno. Lie down and go to sleep till they come back; that's the +best way to forget it all." + +"Bah! I'm not going to do that. I know: get over the river in a boat, +and go and see the big Wat." + +"What for? Who wants to see the old place again, with its bonzes, with +their yellow robes and shaven heads?" + +"We could go up the great tower again." + +"Nice job to climb all the way up those steps in a hot time like this! +What's the good?" + +Phra looked at him and smiled. + +"You could take the telescope up, and see for miles." + +"But I don't want to carry that lumpy thing up those hundreds of +steps." + +"I'd carry it." + +"But I don't want you to carry it, and I don't want to see for miles. +I can see quite as much as I want to-day without the telescope. I +don't feel as if I want to see at all. It was quite right, I suppose, +for us to be left at home, and proper for us to come and make a show +of not minding; but now the excitement's all over, and they're gone, I +feel just as if I could howl." + +"What! cry?" said Phra wonderingly. + +"No--ooo! Howl--shout with rage. I want to quarrel with some one and +hit him." + +"Well, quarrel with and hit me." + +"Shan't. I should hurt you." + +"Well, hurt away. I won't hit back." + +"Then I shan't be such a coward. Here, I know: I'll go and take that +chap's spear away, and break it." + +He nodded his head towards one of the guards on duty close to the +entrance of the palace. + +"What for?" + +"Because I'm in a rage," said Harry between his teeth. "Oh, I could do +that, and then run at another and knock him down, and then yell and +shout, and throw stones at those great vases, and break the china +squares over the doorway. I feel just like those Malay fellows must +when they get in one of their mad tempers and run _amok_." + +"Why don't you, then?" said Phra mockingly. + +"Because I can't," cried Harry bitterly. + +"Can't? Why, it would be easy enough. You could go and break the +spears of all the guards, and take their krises away. They wouldn't +dare to hurt you, seeing what a favourite you are with my father." + +"I know all that," said Harry, snapping his teeth together. + +"Then why can't you do it?" said Phra mockingly. "Go on; run _amok_." + +"Shan't--can't." + +"Why can't you?" + +"Because I'm English, and I've got to fight it all down, and I'm going +to, savage as it makes me feel. Here, what shall we do?" + +"Go right up to the highest window in the big tower of the Wat over +yonder, and take the telescope up with us." + +"I tell you I don't want to. There's nothing to see there that we +haven't seen scores of times." + +"Yes, there is." + +"No, there isn't." + +"Yes, there is, I tell you." + +"Well, what is there?" + +"We could watch and follow them with the glass nearly all the way to +the new sugar plantation, and perhaps see the tiger hunt." + +Harry started excitedly, and caught his friend by the arm. + +"So we could," he said, with his face lighting up. "I needn't go back +for our glass; you could get one from your father; he'd let you have +that if he wouldn't let you have the elephants." + +"Yes. Shall I fetch it?" + +"No," cried Harry sharply; "I won't take any more notice of the +hunting; we'll do something else." + +"But you'd like to see it," said Phra. + +"Of course I should, but I won't. There." + +"But it's like--what do you call it when you're doing something to +hurt yourself?" + +"Hurting myself," said Harry bluntly. + +"No, no, no. Ah, I've got it. Biting your own nose off in revenge of +your face." + +"All right, that's what I'm going to do--bite it off. I won't watch +them going, and I won't take any more notice of the miserable, +disappointing business." + +"Oh, Hal, what a temper you're in!" + +"I know that, but I'm fighting it all the time, and I mean to win." + +"But you'll be obliged to be here when they come back." + +"No, I shan't; I won't hear them." + +"You can't help it; they'll come marching back, banging the gongs and +tomtomming and shouting, with the tiger slung on the back of one +elephant, and the doctor and your father in the same howdah. Oh, +you'll be obliged to come and meet them." + +"Yes, I suppose so," said Harry, drawing a deep breath. "If I don't, +they'll think me sulky." + +"So you are," said Phra, laughing. + +"I'm not; no, not a bit, only in a temper." + +"I wish the cricket and football things had come." + +"I don't believe they ever will come," said Harry. "See what time it +is." + +"They will come," said Phra gravely. + +"How do you know?" + +"Because my father said that we should have them. There, you're better +now." + +"No, I'm not; I'm ever so much worse," said Harry, through his set +teeth. + +"Well, let's go and kill something; you'll be better then." + +"Don't believe I should," replied Harry. "What should we go and kill?" + +"I don't know. Let's get the guns and make two of the men row us up +the narrow stream, right up yonder through the jungle where the best +birds are. Your father would like it if we got some good specimens +ready for Sree to skin." + +"Very well," said Harry resignedly; "I shan't mind so long as you +don't want me to go up the big temple tower to watch them. I say, +Phra, I'm beginning to feel a bit better now." + +Phra laughed, and the two boys went into the palace, where the former +gave an order to one of the servants about a boat, and then led the +way to his own room, a charming little library with a couple of stands +on one side bearing guns and weapons of various kinds, beside +fishing-rods and a naturalist's collecting gear. + +"Which gun will you have?" asked Phra. + +"Either; I don't care," was the reply; and by the time they were +prepared one of the attendants announced that the boat was ready. + +They walked down to the great stone landing-place at the river, +stepped into the boat, and seated themselves under the little +open-sided roof, while their two rowers pushed off, and keeping close +in shore, where the eddy was in their favour, sent the boat rapidly on +through the muddy water. + +For some distance the forest lay back away from the river, while the +bank on their right was pretty well hidden by a continuous mass of +house-boats, so close together as almost to touch; but at last these +were left behind, and the trees on their left began to encroach upon +the fields and fruit gardens, where melons, pines and bananas grew in +wonderful profusion, and the air was full of life such as would have +delighted an entomologist. + +By degrees cultivation ceased and the wild jungle came close down to +the stream, and in places even overhung and dipped the tips of +branches in the water. Now and then, a small crocodile scuffled off +the muddy bank and plunged into the river. Fish began to be more +plentiful, little shoals showing on the surface, and in two or three +places a heavy fellow springing out in pursuit of its prey and falling +back with a splash. + +Birds, too, began to be seen: tiny parrots whistled and chattered in +the trees; a big hawk hovered overhead; and several times over great +long-legged waders were disturbed. + +But no attempt at firing was made, the two lads sitting quiet and +thoughtful beneath their sheltering roof, musing over the expedition, +and wondering whether it was being successful. + +In imagination Harry seemed to see it all: the men spread out to beat +some fairly open space and drive the tiger towards where the two +elephants would be stationed some fifty yards apart, with their +occupants, rifle in hand, watching for the slightest movement in a +clump of bushes or tuft of reeds. + +"Oh, what would I not give to be there!" said Harry to himself at +last. "I wish I were not such a boy!" + +The colour came a little, though, into his cheeks--or it might have +been caused by the heat of the sun, at any rate it was there--as he +thought of what the doctor had said, and of his own words to his +father. + +And as these thoughts came, he felt something like shame at his +feeling of dissatisfaction with what he had, and his striving after +that which he had not. + +"I won't be such a dissatisfied donkey," he muttered, and his face +looked brighter as he turned sharply to speak to Phra. + +His change affected his companion, who brightened up too. + +"We're getting close to the mouth of the little river," he said. + +"I'm glad of it," said Harry cheerfully. "I say, they have been quick; +it's hot work for them." + +"Yes," said Phra, "but they'll have a good rest soon while we're going +slowly, and there will be nothing to do but steer, going back." + +"I say, suppose they get back first with the tiger." + +"I hope they will not," cried Phra; "but it isn't likely. They've a +long way to go, and the beating will take a long time. We shall be +back first. Ugh, you brute!" he whispered, reaching for his gun, +cocking both barrels softly, and taking aim at a large crocodile. + +_Snip! snap!_ and then a splash, as the reptile disappeared. + +"I don't think you have killed it," said Harry seriously, but with his +eyes dancing with mischief. + +"Ah, you're better," cried Phra pettishly. "You don't want to run +_amok_ now. How could I be so stupid! I never thought about not being +loaded." + +"Better think about it now," said Harry, beginning the operation in +the tedious, old-fashioned way that ruled so long before the cartridge +was invented for a sportsman's use. "But we were only to shoot birds, +I thought." + +"Yes, birds, and only beautiful specimens," replied Phra. "I couldn't +help being tempted to fire at the brute, though. I shall always be +shooting at them now." + +"Here we are," said Harry, and at a word from Phra the light sampan +was guided into a sluggish side stream only some twenty yards or so +wide, while on either side the trees rose like a wall of verdure, the +water lapping the leaves, which dipped and played up and down with the +motion of the stream. + +"You take that side and I'll take this," said Phra; and then giving +the order to the rower in front, the man ceased paddling and made his +way right astern, to squat down on the little platform beside his +fellow, who cleverly propelled and steered the light craft with his +one oar, leaving the look-out forward free for the gunners. + +"Hullo! How are you, old gentleman?" cried Harry suddenly, as a +grey-bearded, venerable-looking little face was suddenly thrust out +through the leaves, so that its owner could look down at the strange +visitors to his wild home. + +There was a sharp chattering, the head of the monkey was drawn back, +and then a rustling and waving of the boughs on the left began, going +on a little in front. + +"There's a whole troop of them travelling along," said Harry. + +"Yes, and they'll scare all the birds," cried Phra. "Look, they've +startled those lovely parroquets. What's to be done?" + +"They'll soon go," replied Harry. "Row away." + +The man astern thrust the boat along with his easy, Venice-like +manipulation of the oar, and the light boat glided on right in the +centre of the beautiful green lane with its watery floor; but the wave +as it seemed to be likewise glided along, with a peculiar rustle in +the foliage some twenty yards in front. + +There was not a sound beside, save when, further ahead, some parroquet +darted out with a shriek to cross to the other side of the stream, or +a sharp flapping of wings told that it was a dove darting frantically +through the twigs to escape from enemies with a great love for eggs, +and no objection to savoury, plump morsels in the shape of +half-fledged young, by way of change from a fruit diet. + +"Let's stop," said Phra, on seeing that the undulation in the green +wall on their left kept on at about the same rate. + +"Stop, and let them go on?" said Harry. "Very well." + +At a word the man ceased paddling, the boat glided on from the impetus +already given, but less and less fast, till completely overcome by the +stream it was meeting, it gradually came to a standstill, and was on +the point of giving way and being borne back, when Harry burst into a +hearty laugh, which had the result of making the grey, inquiring face +of the monkey that had just peered out, pop back again. + +"Row," said Phra, "and keep the boat stationary." + +The rower dipped his oar gently, and the boat ceased to retrograde. + +"What rum little customers they are!" said Harry, as he watched the +place where the grey head had disappeared. "Just like a little old man +watching us. Think they're gone now?" + +"No; look." + +Harry was looking, and saw at the same moment the little face +cautiously thrust out again, but withdrawn as he made a threatening +movement with his gun. + +Then all was perfectly still for a minute. + +"Perhaps they're gone now," said Harry. + +"No; they are too inquisitive. I daresay there are fifty of them +hidden in among the boughs." + +"I think they're gone," said Harry at the end of another minute. + +"Well, try. Go on," said Phra, and the oar was once more silently +plied, gently disturbing the water, while at the same moment the wave +in the trees began again, with its gentle rustling, showing that the +monkey troop was once more travelling along just in front, scaring the +birds away as they advanced. + +The boat was stopped again, and the monkeys followed suit, the same +curious old face peering cautiously out and watching. + +The boat went on, so did the monkeys; and this was repeated over and +over again, stopping and going on, the wave in the trees seeming to be +so exactly influenced by the rowers' agitation of the water that it +was as if one touch moved both water and leaf. + +"Well, they are comical little beggars," cried Harry, who was once +more in the highest of spirits. "I say, old man, just take your +friends away; we're going shooting. Do you hear?" + +The little head popped in out of sight, but as the boat did not move +it popped out again, as if to find the reason why. + +"We shan't get a bird, for they'll keep on like that for miles." + +"It's tiresome," said Harry. "Here, I say, if you don't toddle I'll +give you pepper." + +The gun was raised threateningly as the boy spoke, and the head +disappeared. + +"He knows English," cried Harry, "and he's an uncommonly sensible old +gentleman. Father told me that the country folks at home say rooks can +smell powder. So can monkeys, seemingly." + +"Country folks at home? What country folks?" + +"Not yours; ours, in the old home, England. There, let's get on and +begin shooting, or we shall get nothing." + +"It doesn't matter," said Phra quietly; "it's very beautiful gliding +along without killing things." + +"Yes, but as we came to get specimens, let's get a few. I want to, so +as to show father and the doctor that we haven't been moping. Row +away." + +The man smiled, and sent the boat gliding up the bright stream again, +for the sun was so nearly overhead that scarcely any shadow was cast +on their left. + +But the moment the boat moved the wave ran along the trees again, and +Phra laughed aloud at his companion's face. + +"Yes, you may laugh, but it's too bad. There, I'll keep my word, +though, and as soon as my grey-headed gentleman shows his face I'm +going to pepper him with small shot." + +"No, you're not," said Phra, laughing. "You don't want him for a +specimen." + +"No, of course not. I don't want to shoot him. It would be just like +killing a little old man. I'll only pepper him so as to scare him and +his friends away. They'll spoil all our fun." + +"Hi! Look out, Hal!" + +There was a great flapping of wings and a loud rushing sound, as two +large birds dashed out from where the troop of monkeys were passing, +to fly across the river to the trees on the other side. But before +they were two-thirds of the way across a couple of reports followed +rapidly one after the other, and the birds fell in the water, which +one of them beat with its wings for a few moments, and then became +motionless, floating down towards the boat, which was dexterously +driven on to meet them. + +The birds were carefully lifted in, and with their plumage smoothed +down, laid in a kind of locker, proving to be a finely developed pair +of the great hornbills, no beauties as far as feathering was +concerned, but singular as specimens, from the enormous development of +their bills, and the great addition in form which has earned for them +the sobriquet of rhinoceros. + +"That's capital," said Harry. "Father was saying he wanted a good +specimen or two, for ours were very poor." + +The boys were loading again now, and the boat was once more advancing. + +"The monkeys did not drive those away," said Phra. + +"No; just drove them out right for us. Did as well as dogs, +but--Hullo! where are they?" + +The boys stared up at the great green wall on their left, but the +trees were motionless in the hot sunshine, not a leaf stirring, the +only movement visible being in one spot where a gigantic wreath of +some flowering creeper hung down from far on high, spreading to the +sunshine hundreds of trumpet-shaped white blossoms, and among these +somewhere about a score of tiny sun-birds were hovering and darting, +the brilliant, metallic, scale-like plumage of head and breast looking +as if the diminutive creatures wore helmet and gorget of wonderfully +tinted and burnished metals, others approaching in lustre the polish +of brilliant gems. + +It was a beautiful sight as the little creatures darted about, their +rapidly beating wings almost invisible, but giving the birds the +appearance of being surrounded by a soft haze. Here one would be +apparently motionless beneath a hanging blossom, into which its long +thin beak was thrust to probe the nectar like a gigantic bee. There a +couple would be engaged in chase and flight, with flash after flash of +metallic light reflected from the surface of their plumage as they +darted about in full career, turning different portions of their +plumage to the sun's rays. Again one would seem to be of the most +sober colours, almost dingy, till it moved, and then as it caught the +light at some other angle it flashed into a thing of beauty, dazzling +in its tints of ruby, sapphire, and purple. + +The boys had seen these tiny representatives of the humming birds in +the New World scores of times, but always found satisfaction in +watching them, and for the time being the monkeys were forgotten. + +"What a chance!" said Harry, as the boat was sent in close to the +burdened tree without disturbing the sun-birds in the least. "If +father wants any more specimens of these, we couldn't come to a better +place." + +"But next time we come by, that bush will not be in flower, and there +will be no sun-birds there." + +"But they would be somewhere else," said Harry philosophically. "Look +at that one with the red band across his breast. What a beauty! I say, +next time we want any I vote that we don't shoot them with sand or +water, but try a butterfly net." + +"Couldn't reach," said Phra. + +"Could if we had it at the end of a long bamboo." + +"No," said Phra decisively; "you could not handle it quickly enough +then. It would be too clumsy, and the bird would be as quick again. +Couldn't do it, Hal." + +"S'pose not," said the boy thoughtfully. "I say, look at that one with +the rose-coloured head." + +"Am looking at it. I don't think I ever saw such a beauty." + +"Oh dear!" said Harry, with a deep sigh. + +"What's the matter?" + +"I was thinking what poor, stupid things our stuffed skins are. They +don't look a bit like these tiny beauties all in motion, and seeming +to be a fresh colour every time they move. They're so soft and round, +and so quick. And see how they fly, too. I say, Phra, it seems a shame +to shoot them." + +"Horrible! Nothing could be more beautiful," said Phra, thoughtfully. + +"Humming-birds are more beautiful," observed Harry. + +"Ever seen any?" + +"No, but my father says they are. He has seen them stuffed, and they +are so beautiful then that they must be wonderfully lovely alive." + +"Let's go on," said Phra thoughtfully. "Perhaps we shall get another +shot or two, in spite of the monkeys." + +The man set the boat gliding on again, and Harry sat with his gun +cocked, waiting to see the little grey face peer out from among the +leaves. + +"I wouldn't pepper him, Harry," said Phra. + +"Not going to," was the reply. "I've only put some powder to frighten +him." + +"That's right; but I don't see anything moving." + +"They'll show themselves directly. Then we'll stop, and when the +little old fellow shows his face I'll fire." + +But the shots already fired had been sufficient, sending the troop +away through the trees at the quickest pace they could command, and +the two boys looked in vain. + +Soon after, they had capital chances at different kinds of parrots, +but did not lift their guns, these birds being abundant, and the +little museum amply supplied with their skins; but upon coming abreast +of an opening, the boat stopped, for it seemed a likely place for +something novel. + +"Hist!" whispered Phra, pointing. "That's a bird you've not shot yet." + +"Yes, like the one you missed that day. Let me try for this one.--How +tiresome! it's gone in beneath the bushes." + +It was evidently a bird of secretive habit, for it had dived into a +dense place; but just as Harry was about to give up, and tell the man +to go on, the bird came into sight again, rose from the top of a low +tree, and was in the act of flying across the opening, when Harry +raised his gun quickly and fired. + +"Down?" he said. "I couldn't see for the smoke." + +"No," said Phra; "it flew right away yonder." + +"Oh, it couldn't; I took such a careful aim. Did you see it?" he asked +the men. + +They both replied in the affirmative, and Harry looked puzzled. + +"It seems queer," he said, beginning to reload his gun. "I don't know +how I could have missed." + +"I know," cried Phra. "You loaded to frighten the monkey." + +"And did not put any shot in!" cried Harry. "Oh, how stupid!" + +At that moment Phra raised his gun and fired at a similar bird, as it +crossed the river, and dropped just at the edge of the opening. + +A turn or two of the oar sent the boat alongside, the bird was +retrieved, and Harry was in ecstasies with its beautiful shades of +turquoise blue, pale drab, and grey. + +"It's the kind father was saying he was so eager to get a specimen +of," cried Harry. "Do you think any more will come if we wait?" + +"I don't think so," was the reply; "but let's try." + +They waited for half an hour, but not another bird appeared, and they +went on, having the luck to bring down one of the lovely ground +thrushes at the next opening. + +After this Phra shot one of the scarlet-breasted trogons, a beautiful +insect-eating bird, nearly allied to our goatsuckers and cuckoos, +with, in addition to its rosy, scarlet breast, a delicate pencilling +of grey and black, while the greater part of its back was of a fine +metallic green. + +Flycatchers with inordinately long tails were the next trophies, and +Harry was beginning to think that enough had been secured for Sree to +skin and preserve, when Phra pressed his companion's arm, and pointed +to what looked like a streak of vivid blue being drawn in the air just +above the water. + +It was too far off to fire, so the boys strained their eyesight to +note where the beautiful object settled, but without result, so the +boat was urged gently forward, and, finger on trigger, the boys +watched the spot where they had last seen the bird. + +"It has a splendid tail, Hal," said Phra, in a whisper. "You had +better fire." + +"No, you; it's a beauty." + +"Then you fire; you are so much surer than I am. I'll hold my shot in +case you don't bring it down." + +They were in momentary expectation of seeing the bird rise to continue +its flight up the watery way; but there was no sign of it, and the +lads were getting in despair, when there was a flash from a spot least +expected. Phra, in his excitement at seeing it going away without +Harry getting a good view of it, fired, though it seemed to be too +late. However, the bird fell into the river, and another rose at the +report, skimmed along just above the surface, and was getting almost +beyond range, when Harry drew trigger, and the bird dropped. + +"I shan't shoot any more to-day," said Harry excitedly, as the two +birds were retrieved and laid for their plumage to dry, being two +perfect specimens of the racket-tailed kingfisher, whose azure +adornments render it one of the most lovely birds of that part of the +world. "I say, what beauties! We have done well." + +"We've shot those bird often," said Phra, as he raised one of the +kingfishers by the beak, and drew it softly through his hand, removing +part of the water which remained, and straightening the produced +feathers of the tail, each with its narrow almost naked shaft ending +in a lovely blue ellipse of web. This done, he laid the damp bird in +the sunshine to dry, adding, "But I don't think we ever shot better +specimens, or hurt the plumage so little." + +A low, hissing noise drew the boys' attention to the man who was not +rowing, and, as he caught their eyes, he pointed to something in one +of the overhanging trees. + +"What is it?" said Harry; "I can't see;" and he cocked his piece, +quite forgetting his words of a short time before. + +"Only nests," said Phra; "we don't want them." + +In effect there was a cluster of about a dozen pensile nests, formed +like a chemist's retort by the clever bird-weavers, and hanging neck +downward from the ends of thin branches, where they were perfectly +safe from the intrusion of active, long-armed monkeys. + +There was, in fact, something attractive at every few yards, for when +birds were not in sight magnificent butterflies or day-flying moths +came flitting out of the openings into the forest, one of which was +the atlas, as much as ten inches across the wings. + +And now the tension of seeking for choice specimens being over, the +boys sat back carelessly, watching the various objects which came into +view. Now it would be fish, temptingly suggestive of the sport that +might be had up this lovely stream, did they feel disposed to bring +tackle. A little farther on the boat was stopped for a cluster of +beautiful orchids to be secured, but they were rejected on account of +their being inhabited by a colony of virulent ants. + +"I say," said Harry suddenly, "this would be just the place for +fireflies. Let's tell Dr. Cameron, and we'll have a trip up some +night. We might shoot some of the queer night birds." + +"Yes," said Phra, "and something else too. There are tigers up here, +they say." + +"So much the better. We should get a chance to shoot one then by +accident. I say, where should we come to if we kept right on as far as +the river ran?" + +"To the place it started from." + +"Well, I know that; but where is it?" + +"Oh, it's all our country. There are mountains there, and plenty of +elephants, Sree says." + +"Let's have an expedition right up then, and bring a tent and plenty +of provisions. We ought to be able to get all kinds of new specimens." + +"I'm willing," said Phra; "but hadn't we better turn back now?" + +"Think they will be coming back from the tiger hunt?" + +"Most likely. I say, Hal, it hasn't been a bad time, has it?" + +"No," said Harry with a sigh. "Tell him to go back." + +At the order the man who had been resting returned to the fore part of +the boat, and seized his oar, making that the stern now, while his +companion laid in his oar, and squatted down for his rest. + +"Hullo! look!" cried Harry; "there's another of those queer-looking +old chaps," and he nodded in the direction of the other side of the +river, where it was evident that a fresh troop of the quaint little +animals were travelling along in the trees. They were going up the +river, but as soon as they found that the boat was retiring they at +once altered their direction, and the foliage waved and trembled as +they kept alongside, travelling through the dense jungle about +five-and-twenty feet above the ground, and very rarely giving the +occupants of the boat a chance of seeing their lithe, active forms. + +How far these eager, inquisitive little fellows would have followed +them, if left undisturbed, it is impossible to say; but after watching +their movements and the eager, excited face of their leader for some +time, Harry grew tired of their company. + +"Send a shot over them, Phra," he cried. + +The boy raised his gun, pistol fashion, in the air, and fired it, +while Harry watched the wall of verdure. + +Just as the gun was fired the little old face of the leader was being +reached out from the extremities of the boughs, the monkey holding on +in what proved to be a very precarious position, for the suddenness of +the report frightened it out of its small wits, and made it give such +a bound that the next moment, collapsed into what looked like a ball +fringed with white, it came rushing through the leaves, splash into +the water, making the occupants of the boat roar with laughter. + +"What is fun to you is death to us," said the frogs to the boys, in +the fable, and this was nearly the case with the monkey. + +For as soon as the rower saw the beginning of the mishap he gave a +tremendous sweep with his oar, changing the direction of the boat and +giving it greater speed at the same time, so that it might glide in +close to where the trees dipped, and pick up the monkey before it was +drowned or succeeded in dragging itself up. + +The movement was cleverly conceived and carried out, but it had a +different culmination from that which was expected. + +Full of excitement now, the boys were watching for the monkey to rise +from its deep plunge, and so well had the boatman judged his distance +that the swiftly moving prow was within a yard of the little +unfortunate when it rose to the surface. + +At the same moment the gaping, teeth-armed jaws of a crocodile shot +out of the water, and the next would have closed upon the delicate +mouthful, had not the prow of the sampan struck the reptile full on +the shoulder with a tremendous shock which made the boat quiver, while +from the shape of the prow and the force with which it was going, the +boat rose and scraped right over the reptile's back, gliding down on +the other side amidst a tremendous turmoil in the water. + +The boys held on by the sides, fully expecting to be capsized, but not +a drop of water was shipped, and when they turned to look back it was +to see that the unoccupied man had snatched at the monkey and lifted +it on board, while the crocodile, a creature of about twelve or +fourteen feet long, was lashing the water into a foam with its tail. + +"Here, take us back," cried Harry. "I must have a shot at that brute." + +The man reversed the movement of the oar he handled, and the sampan +began to glide back. + +"Mind!" said Phra excitedly. "It will be horrible if we are capsized." + +"I'll capsize him as soon as I get close enough," said Harry between +his teeth, and he knelt ready in the boat, as it approached nearer and +nearer. + +The monkey seemed to be in an utter state of collapse from fear, as it +crouched in its captor's lap, huddled into a drenched ball, till it +caught sight of the crocodile, when it was literally transformed. + +In an instant its eyes were flashing and teeth bare at the sight of +its hereditary enemy, the murderer of hundreds of the unfortunates +which from time to time played and slipped, or descended to the ends +of branches to drink from the river; its dull state of helpless +weakness had gone, and before the man who held it could grasp what was +about to happen, the little creature uttered a shrieking, chattering +cry of anger, bounded to the end of the sampan, and raged at the +reptile. + +That was enough. The crocodile responded to the angry challenge and +monkey-like, violent language apparently being heaped upon it, and +made a dash at the sampan; but as it reached the prow the monkey +bounded on to the top of the palm-leaf roofing, while, reaching +backward, Harry discharged his piece right between the reptile's eyes. + +Firing as he did, with the muzzle of his piece not above a yard away, +the effect of the charge of small shot was much the same as would have +been that of a heavy bullet the diameter of the fowling-piece's bore. + +The rower was on his guard too, and as the lad fired he forced the +light sampan away so that they were quite clear of the violent blow +given by the creature's tail, as it swung itself round and then sank +like a stone. + +The effect upon the monkey was again startling to a degree. + +At the report of the gun it leapt upward from the roof of the shelter, +and instead of coming down in the same place it dropped on all-fours +close to Harry, who caught it by one arm. + +"Mind," cried Phra warningly; "they can bite very sharply." + +"Oh, I don't think he'll hurt, poor little chap," was the reply, and +the boy drew his little prisoner close to him, laid down his gun, and +patted its shoulder. "Shall we keep it as a pet?" + +"No," said Phra; "it would pine away and die. You must get a young one +if you want them to keep." + +"Yes, of course," said Harry. "Isn't he comic? I wish I'd got +something to give him. He's ready to make friends." + +"So he ought to be," said Phra; "we saved his life. That croc would +have swallowed him like we do Doctor Cameron's pills." + +"That he would. What a narrow squeak! I say, have you got anything you +can give him?" + +"No, give him his liberty." + +"I'm going to. Poor little wretch, how he shivers! He's too much +frightened to bite or do anything. Hi! old gentleman, get up there on +the top." + +He lifted the monkey up, and it went slowly on to the hot roof, gazing +back at its captor with wondering eyes. + +"Now run the boat in close to the trees," said Harry, as he patted and +stroked the utterly cowed prisoner. + +The next moment the open, cabin-like construction was brushing against +the palm leaves with a loud, rustling sound. + +This seemed to galvanize the little creature into life, and it uttered +a loud _chick, chick, chack!_ + +This was answered by a chorus from above; for, unnoticed by the +occupants of the boat, the trees had been in quiet motion all the +while as they glided down. + +That was enough; the monkey seized the twigs nearest to it and the +next minute had swung itself up out of sight. There was a tremendous +chattering, which grew distant as if the troop was hurrying through +the trees in one direction, while the boat was gliding swiftly down in +the other, and then Harry said laughingly,-- + +"Well; he might have been a bit more grateful; never so much as said +Thank ye." + +"I think he was wonderfully grateful, for he did not bite. I say, +though, how careful one has got to be about the crocodiles. I turned +quite cold, for I thought we were going over." + +"I felt a bit queer," said Harry thoughtfully. "If I were your father +I'd offer a reward for every crocodile that was killed in the river. +They're no good, and they must do a deal of mischief in the course of +the year." + +"Let's tell him so," said Phra, smiling. "Perhaps he will." + +The journey back was beautiful enough, for they were looking at the +long, sunlit course from a different point of view; but it had ceased +to interest, for the lads were hungry and tired, glad enough too when +the great stone landing-place was reached, and after giving +instructions to the men to take in the birds to place them in Mike's +charge for transfer to Sree when he returned, they went into the +palace, Harry to be Phra's guest over a very hearty, semi-English +meal; for the hunters had not returned and there was no temptation for +Harry to go home and eat alone when he was warmly pressed to stay +where he was, so as to be present when the hunters returned in +triumph. + +It was growing late by the time they had done, and they strolled out +into the court, and then into the beautiful garden, one of the King's +hobbies. + +It was a lovely moonlight night, with here everything turned to +silver, there all looking black and velvety in the shade. The river, +too, looked its best, with the moonbeams playing upon its surface; but +the boys were growing too weary to admire the beauties around, or to +heed the buzzing, croaking, and booming that came from across the +river. + +"Look here," said Harry at last, "they've gone farther than they +meant, and they're not coming back to-night." + +"Going to camp out?" asked Phra dubiously. + +"Not a doubt about it. Perhaps going to watch through the night for +the tiger, with a goat or calf tied up for bait." + +"Very likely," said Phra, yawning. + +"There, don't turn sleepy like that." + +"Can't help it." + +"I say, look here; go and tell your father you are coming down to the +bungalow to keep me company to-night, because I don't like to be +alone." + +"No, you stop and sleep here. Then you will not have the bother of +walking down there." + +"No," said Harry firmly; "father's out, and I'm sure he wouldn't like +me to leave the house when he's away. Come and sleep at our place +to-night, there's a good chap." + +"Very well," said Phra. "Come with me and speak to father." + +"All right," said Harry, coolly enough, and they walked through the +moonlit garden together, when, as they passed toward the palace, the +incongruity of it all seemed to strike the boy, and he laughed softly. + +"I say, how comic it all seems! Here's your father a great Eastern +king--king over this big country, and yet he's only your father, and +I'm going with you to talk to him just as if he was nobody at all." + +"But he is," said Phra thoughtfully. "He's very different with other +people, but he talks to you, and about you to me, just as if you were +a--I mean a boy like I am." + +"Well, it's very nice of him," said Harry. "I've never done anything +to make him like me. I never went down on my knees and held my hands +on each side of my face, and seemed as if I were going to rub the skin +off my nose on the ground because he's a great king." + +"No; he laughed about it one day, and said that's why he liked you to +be my playfellow." + +"That's funny, isn't it?" + +"No; he said he liked you because you were frank, and manly, and +independent." + +"Ah," said Harry, after a brief pause, "he doesn't know what a bad one +I can be sometimes." + +"Hist!" + +"What for?" + +"Listen." + +"I am listening, but I can't hear anything." + +"I can, right away in the distance. Can't you hear?" + +"No, nothing but the frogs at the riverside, and the barking of a +croc. Yes, I can; something going thump, thump, far away." + +"It's the drum. They're marching back with the elephants." + +"Hurrah!" cried Harry excitedly. "Well, I am glad, because I should +have lain awake ever so long thinking that something had happened, or +that father was in danger from the tiger, perhaps. I say, you don't +feel sleepy now?" + +"Sleepy? No, not a bit. Here, let's get down yonder so as to meet +them." + +"But they'll be half an hour yet. Look there; the guard has heard the +drum." + +As he spoke the picturesque beauty of the place was enhanced by the +appearance of the guard turning out, bearing lighted torches, some of +which were stuck at intervals about the courtyard, throwing up the +grotesque figures and carvings abundantly scattered around. + +Then more were fetched, and the place became brilliantly lighted for +the reception of the King's friends who were bringing the body of the +slain tiger in triumph home. + +The red glare of the torches mingled strangely with the silvery light +of the moon, so that some of the men's spears seemed to be tipped with +silver, some with gold; and listening and noting these things the time +of waiting soon passed away for the boys, who at last joined a party +of a dozen torch-bearers setting off to meet the returning party. + +But before they reached the gate Phra stopped short and arrested his +friend. + +"No," he said in an earnest whisper, "don't let's go. Very likely my +father will come out, and he would like us to be near to seem to be +honouring and paying him respect." + +"Very well," said Harry shortly; for it was against his grain. + +"Yes, there he comes," said Phra eagerly, as the palace entrance was +lit up by numbers of lanthorn-bearers, and the King came and stood on +the terrace to welcome his English friends. + +At last the party of spearmen in advance marched in, with the +elephants shuffling along side by side behind; but each bore its load +the same as when it started, no alteration having been made. + +Harry ought to have let the elephants go close up to the terrace and +kneel before the King, to whom the result of the hunt should have been +first communicated, but in his excitement he forgot all about Court +etiquette, and ran up to the side of the nearest beast. + +"Well, father, Where's the tiger?" he cried. + +"Over the hills and far away," cried the doctor. + +"Yes, my boy," said Mr. Kenyon; "we have seen nothing but his pug--the +marks of his feet." + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +NATURALISTS' TREASURES + + +There were a few words exchanged with the King as the hunters were +about to descend, but he bade them keep their seats in the howdahs, +saying that they must be very tired, and after ordering the mahouts to +take their elephants to the gentlemen's quarters, he bade them +good-night and went in. + +"Then we must part here, Cameron," said Mr. Kenyon. + +"Yes; good-night, and better luck next time." + +The doctor's elephant rose and began to shuffle off, its companion +following its example and uttering an angry trumpeting sound upon +being checked. + +"Here, Hal," said Mr. Kenyon, "you may as well ride." + +"Yes, of course, father. Good-night, Phra." Then mischievously, +"They'll have to send us if they want that tiger shot." + +"Yes, Mr. Kenyon, we don't think much of you and Doctor Cameron as +tiger-hunters." + +The merchant laughed, as the elephant knelt once more and Harry +scrambled up into the howdah, Sree, who was holding on behind, giving +the boy a hand. Then there was a heave and a pitch to and fro, and the +huge beast was on its legs again, shambling off towards the bungalow, +a pleasant enough sight in the moonlight, and welcome enough to Harry, +who was pretty well tired out. + +"Didn't you see the tiger at all, father?" he asked. + +"No, or most likely I should have shot it," replied Mr. Kenyon. "The +brute has evidently gone off to the country on the slope of the +mountains and saved his stripes this time. What have you been doing +with yourself?" + +Harry briefly told of his adventures. + +"Then you have some decent specimens for me?" + +"Yes, father; beauties." + +"You have done better than we did, my boy. We have only brought back +sore bones. There, I am not in much of a humour for talking to-night; +I want a good rest." + +"You must be tired, father." + +"Yes, too tired to think of anything but sleep. Not quite, though; +there are those birds. Sree, can you come first thing in the morning +and skin them?" + +"Yes, Sahib. I was going to ask if I might come." + +No more was said till the elephant had stopped of its own accord at +the gateway of the bungalow garden for as soon as it had got over its +irritation at being separated from its companion it had gone steadily +enough. + +After this the mahout was so liberally rewarded that he wanted to get +down from the elephant's neck to prostrate himself, and of course was +not allowed, but sent back, Harry stopping to watch his great, grey, +shambling mount till it disappeared, with Sree still hanging by the +back of the howdah. + +Breakfast was late the next morning, both the merchant and his son +sleeping very soundly; and when at last Harry dragged himself from his +light bamboo bedstead and had refreshed himself, not with a good swim +in the river,--a luxury too dangerous to attempt,--but by squatting in +a large, open tub and pouring jars of cold water over his head, he +went out into the verandah, to find Sree just finishing the skin of +the last of the birds by painting the fleshy side all over with +preserving paste before turning it back and filling it with cotton +wool. + +"How quick you have been, Sree!" said Harry. "I meant to have come and +helped you." + +"The young Sahib must have been tired." + +"I'm tired now," said the boy, with a yawn. "But I say, they are all +good birds, aren't they?" + +"Some of the best I have ever seen, Sahib; there is hardly a feather +gone. Look at this one," said the man, taking hold of the bird's long, +thick beak and giving it a dexterous shake, with the result that the +feathers fluffed up and then fell gently back into place, lying so +lightly and naturally that it was hard to believe that nothing but the +skull, leg and wing bones were left of the little creature which +animated the skin so short a time before. + +"Beautiful," said Harry, examining it and the others already prepared +in turn. "I wish you had been with us, though. We had capital sport." + +"Yes, Sahib, I wish I had been with you," said Sree. "My heart felt +heavy for you when I found you were not to come. I like to be with the +young Sahibs. We had no sport at all." + +"Ah, you should have been with us. The crocodile must have been +fourteen feet long." + +"Ah! but they would not be so big up the little river. I hope, though, +the Sahib will not shoot any more." + +"Not shoot any more!" cried Harry. "Are you friends with the +wretches?" + +"No, Sahib," said the man solemnly; "but they are dangerous beasts, +and I fear if the young Sahib goes after them much there may be an +accident." + +"Hardly likely," said Harry contemptuously. + +"I don't know, Sahib; they are very dangerous beasts. A hungry mugger, +as they call them over yonder on the Ganges, will rush at any one in +the water, or try to sweep him off the shore into the river. If he is +wounded he is mad with rage, and strikes about furiously with his +tail. One hard blow would break or overturn a sampan, and a man in the +water is no match for one of these beasts." + +"Oh, but I shall be careful, Sree," cried Harry; "and I can't help +hating the monsters." + +"We all hate them, Sahib, except some of the foolish people who would +think it a sin to hurt a crocodile. Do not be rash." + +"Oh no, I shan't be rash," said Harry; "but you should have been with +us yesterday; it was rare fun with the little grey-whiskered monkey. +It was frightened nearly to death, what with the noise of the gun and +the fall plump into the water, and the ducking, and then being so +nearly snapped up by the crocodile." + +"It would be frightened, too, on finding it was a prisoner, Sahib." + +"He looked just like a withered-up old man, not much bigger than a +baby." + +"Yes, Sahib; they are strange little beasts," said Sree, who was still +busy with the skins, giving delicate touches here and there to the +plumage, with a small needle made of ivory. "I never kill one if I can +help it, because they are so much like very wild old men." + +"That is a lovely skin, Sree," said Harry, bending over the blue and +grey thrush. + +"Yes, and these are hard to find, Sahib." + +"Father will be delighted with those, I'm sure," said Harry. Then +turning off to the old hunter's last remarks, "So you don't like +shooting monkeys?" + +"No, Sahib, I never do." + +"It does seem a shame, for they're such merry, happy-looking little +chaps, swinging and playing about in the trees. How they enjoy the +fruit, too! They seem to have quite a jolly life." + +"Oh no, Sahib; they have their troubles too," said Sree seriously, +"and many of them." + +"Monkeys do?" cried Harry, laughing. "Why, what troubles can they +have?" + +"Muggers waiting under the trees to catch any that fall, Sahib." + +"Then they ought to know better than to play in the branches which +overhang the river." + +"That is where the best fruit grows, in the open sunshine, Sahib, and +it is often when they go down to drink that the muggers catch them or +sweep them into the water with their tails." + +"Ugh! the beasts!" cried Harry. + +"Then there are the leopards lying in wait up in the trees, and some +of the big wild cats, too, staring at them. Monkeys are very quick, +but the leopards are sometimes quicker." + +"Yes, it's wonderful how active those spotted, cat-like creatures are. +I say, Sree, have you ever seen one of the very big monkeys that live +in the islands?" + +"Only once, Sahib. It was when I went to Borneo with a Sahib from +India. We were a long time hunting in the woods before we found one, +and then it was high up in a tree, going along hanging by his hands. +He seemed to be a very quiet, tame sort of beast, only trying to get +away; but the Sahib shot him, and he hung from a great bough, oh, very +high up, till the Sahib shot again, and then he let go and came down, +dropping from bough to bough till he fell dead, nearly at our feet." + +"Was it very big, Sree?" + +"Very, very big, Sahib; nearly twice as big as I am." + +"Really?" + +"Oh yes, Sahib. Not so tall as I am, not higher than the Prince Phra, +but so big and broad--big head--big face with great swellings behind +the cheeks--big shoulder, and big arms that reached down nearly to his +feet. And such hands and feet, Sahib! so big and strong." + +"Much like a man, Sree?" + +"Like what a wild man might be, Sahib. And yet no, not like a man; he +was more like a wild beast, all hairy. The poor people here, some of +them, believe that when we die, if we have been wicked we shall turn +to monkeys or crocodiles." + +"And do you believe that, Sree?" + +The man looked up and smiled, as he shook his head. + +"Oh no, Sahib; I don't believe anything of the kind. It is all +nonsense; but monkeys are very curious little things, and very +cunning. They have plenty of sense." + +"Think so?" + +"Oh yes. Did not you say that the one you caught was angry with the +crocodile, and danced about and called him names?" + +"Well, he did something of the kind," said Harry, laughing; "and very +comical it was." + +"Oh yes, Sahib, I've seen them spit at and shout and chatter at the +muggers often enough. Being so much in the jungle, watching night and +day, I often notice all that the wild things do--birds, snakes, +lizards, as well as the tigers and bears and monkeys. I have seen how +they fight, and how they play and teach their young ones to play; but +there is nothing which can play like a monkey. He is more full of fun +than a boy. A monkey always seems to think that another monkey's tail +is meant to pull, so as to tease him." + +"Yes, I've seen them do that." + +"But the funniest thing, Sahib," said the old hunter, "is to see a +monkey pull another one's tail, and then pretend that he did not do +it. I have seen one put his hand out behind, and give a pull, and then +snatch his hand back and shut his eyes, pretending to be asleep." + +"Oh, here you are," said Mr. Kenyon, coming into the verandah. "Come, +Hal, breakfast; we are very late." + +"Here are the specimens Phra and I got yesterday father." + +"These? Capital; excellent! That is the kind of _Pitta_ I wanted so +badly, and those two kingfishers will be a splendid addition to the +collection. Well skinned too, Sree. They are perfect." + +Over the breakfast Mr. Kenyon related their adventures of the previous +day; but there was nothing much to tell save of wearisome wanderings +here and there through rugged, thorny ground where the tiger's pugs +could be traced. Hollows were carefully beaten, and patches of reed +and grass driven, while the hunters waited for the coming of the +cunning beast which was not there. Then at last they found +unmistakable traces of his having gone off, and, weary and disgusted, +they had turned back. + +Harry Kenyon and his father led a very pleasant life in that curious +country, for their position was a favoured one, though a great deal +was due to the latter's enterprise. + +At first their existence was lonely, but it was not long before their +position became a good deal talked about through correspondence which +followed their arrival, and by degrees a happy little colony had grown +up in the neighbourhood of the palace. + +It was entirely at the King's invitation that Mr. Kenyon had first +settled there, for being himself a man who took great interest in +scientific matters and the wonders of nature, he had by accident come +in contact with the merchant, who had sought an interview, with the +object of asking certain concessions and leave to trade. The result +was that Mr. Kenyon was taken quite by surprise on discovering that +the King, whom he had expected to find much on a par with so many of +the barbaric chieftains of the East, was a man who cared nothing for +war and aggrandisement, neither for decking himself out in diamonds, +emeralds, and pearls, but who was dressed in the simplest manner, +loved to study chemistry, and surrounded himself with beautifully made +microscopes and telescopes, obtained at great expense from London and +Vienna. + +That one interview was quite enough for the beginning of a friendship, +the King soon finding out that his visitor was a man of similar tastes +to himself, but immeasurably far in advance, and eager to impart his +scientific knowledge to one to whom so many things were enclosed in +what seemed to be a sealed-up book of wonder and mystery. + +The consequence was that, instead of making a temporary stay in Siam, +Mr. Kenyon gladly accepted the monarch's friendship and protection, +settling down on the banks of the great river at once. + +This had happened ten years before the events narrated here, but all +had not been smooth. There had been plenty of the opposition of +ignorance; the King's far-seeing brain was almost alone, and his +nobles and retainers of the blood royal looked with contempt upon the +strange things that took up so much of their ruler's time. To them +many of his studies seemed to be mere madness, and they looked at one +another and shook their heads when they learned that the King spent +the whole of some nights looking through a tube like a big bamboo, at +the moon and stars. + +Then worse things happened: it was found that he was doing uncanny +things, a kind of magic by which he conjured up horrible creatures and +made them dance and whirl about in water. He showed favoured people +strange demons with teeth and horns and claws in a dark room in the +palace, where he made a great white spot of light come on the wall, +into which he conjured the aforesaid monsters. + +But the worst of all was his fitting up one little room with shelves +and cabinets full of bottles and glasses. It was well known that here +he studied, by mixing and boiling up, how to make horrible poisons, +one drop of which shown to an enemy would produce madness, while if +taken it was sudden death. And all this the nobles, priests from the +great temples, and wise men generally, in secret conclave, came to the +conclusion could only have one meaning, and that was to kill off +secretly every one of the blood royal and second king's family, so +that no one except the one the King wished could by any possibility +succeed to the throne. + +It was very dreadful, and they shook their heads more and more, and +there were talks about its being a sacred duty to kill such a vile +being, and make the second king the first; but so far it had all been +talk, for changes are a long time coming about among such people as +these. + +Then, too, for a long time Mr. Kenyon, this foreigner of the +barbarians who came from the far West, was looked upon with sinister +eyes, for was he not a favourite with the King, helping him to prepare +his magic and his terrible poisons? + +But as no one died, and no one seemed to be any the worse for the +King's magic, and above all as the great people of the country found +that Mr. Kenyon was a very pleasant gentleman, who paid great respect +to them and all their institutions, it was settled that he should not +be stabbed with krises--unless he behaved worse or did some real harm. + +He did offend soon after, for upon settling down he was favoured by +the King with a grant of land on the banks of the river, this being +looked upon as a great offence, land in such a position having +heretofore been reserved for the sole benefit of the great nobles of +the land and the priesthood, for their large monastic +institutions--great walled-in enclosures of some fifteen or twenty +acres, covered with the temples, shrines, and conventual +dwelling-places of the talapoins or bonzes, as they were called, and +easily enough to distinguish by their closely shaven heads and long, +yellow robes. Ordinary people and the poor had to live, according to +law, in house-boats, with which the rivers, canals, and backwaters +were covered. These waterways were the highways--there were no proper +roads--and were thronged with dwelling-places large and small, +warehouses, shops, and places of entertainment, all built upon bamboo +rafts and moored to the banks, forming a beautifully healthy, populous +city, for the tide from the sea swept to and fro, clearing it from all +impurities day and night. + +That grant of land gave great offence, for who was this strange +barbarian who had come among them with his little curly-haired boy and +a servant, that he should be treated as if he were a noble lord of the +land? And once more Mr. Kenyon's position seemed to be precarious, for +the King's favour went farther towards his new English friend and +student. For native workmen and material were supplied in abundance, +the orders given to the men being that they should build the place, +dwelling and warehouses, in accordance with Mr. Kenyon's design. + +All this proved a great gain to both, for while Mr. Kenyon prospered +wonderfully in his trading ventures, and had ample opportunity for +collecting the strange products of the country in connection with his +favourite study, the King found his revenues increase and his capital +become more enlightened by the introduction of Europeans, who were +attracted there through finding that they were protected, treated with +respect, and encouraged to trade. + +This was forgiven, and all went well till the doctor came, when the +native medicos grew alarmed and threatening, for this Englishman, or +Scotchman, knew better than they. + +As the years went on the friendship grew firmer, and the King gladly +seized the opportunity of letting his son share young Kenyon's +studies, for his desire was that his boy should become an enlightened +ruler, who would carry on his plans for the improvement of the country +over which in all probability he would some day reign. + +Mr. Kenyon, who was a highly cultivated man, gratefully entered into +the King's plans and invited a clever university man from Oxford to +come out and act as tutor to the two boys, with the result that the +young Prince Phra passed a good half of his existence with Harry at +the bungalow, sharing his studies and amusements, while Harry was +always as welcome a guest as his father at the palace, having only to +express a wish to have it gratified, whether his want took the form of +books, fishing tackle, guns, men, elephants or boats for some +expedition in jungle or open stream. + +Harry's chum was a prince, and to all intents and purposes Harry led +the life of a king's son himself, though he did not realize the fact, +everything coming quite as a matter of course. His chief trouble had +to do with the climate, which was, as he told Phra, "so jolly hot." + +Phra replied sadly that he could not help it. + +"No," said Harry thoughtfully, "you can't help it; but it's jolly hot +all the same." + + + + +CHAPTER X + +WHAT HARRY HEARD + + +No more was heard of the tiger, but the boys laughed and talked about +it together, for they could not help enjoying the ill-luck which had +attended those who went in its chase. + +"I know how it is," said Harry, with mock seriousness; "the tiger +heard who was coming to shoot him, and he went, off to wait until +Prince Phra had grown up old enough to go tiger-hunting in proper +style." + +"Yes, that's it," said Phra drily. "But you may as well say how you +know. The tiger came and told you, I suppose." + +"Oh, never mind that," said Harry. "I wish you wouldn't talk about it. +I say, when's that chest coming from London?" + +"Don't know; some day," said Phra. + +It was pretty well on to half a year from the time of the order being +given to the day when the big chest was delivered at the palace, being +brought up by one of the royal barges, with its many rowers in scarlet +jackets, from the vessel lying at the mouth of the river, right up to +the stone landing-place in front of the palace, from which it was +borne, attached to a couple of great bamboos, by a dozen men, preceded +and followed by guards bearing spears. + +"Such a jolly fuss," said Harry, frowning. "Why, you and I could have +each taken hold of an end and carried it up to our house and opened it +there." + +"Well, no," said Phra; "you see, it is my father's, and he is King, +and it is only proper for the box to be brought up like this." + +"Is it?" said Harry contemptuously. "All right, only I thought the box +was for us." + +"So it is," said Phra; "but father has not given it to us yet." + +"Oh, all right, only it does seem so stupid; and if a lot of English +boys could see, I daresay they'd laugh like fun." + +"If one of them laughed at my father he'd repent it," said Phra hotly. + +"Tchah! They wouldn't laugh at your father. I should like to catch 'em +at it! I should have something to say then." + +Phra caught his friend warmly by the arm, and his eyes brightened. + +"They might, though," said Harry solemnly, "if they saw him sitting +under that big umbrella, with his silk padung on, looking like an old +woman in a petticoat." + +"That he doesn't," said Phra warmly; "and I'm sure a padung is a much +more comfortable thing out here in a hot country than a pair of +trousers." + +"Oh, I don't know," said Harry; "but it is jolly hot." + +"You don't know, because you have only put one on just for fun; but I +often feel disposed to give up wearing trousers, and to go back to a +padung again." + +"What, go back to being a barbarian?" cried Harry. "You ought to be +ashamed of yourself." + +"Well, I'm not," said Phra warmly. "It's much cooler, and more +pleasant." + +"Oh, you savage! You'd better say it's cooler to go without anything +at all." + +"So it is--in the shade," replied Phra. + +"Well, I am!" cried Harry. "After all the trouble father, Dr. Cameron, +and your most humble and obedient servant have taken to make a +civilized being of you, to talk like that!" + +"Civilized being! pooh! I should have been a civilized being without +your help." + +"Not you. To begin with, you wouldn't have worn trousers, and wearing +trousers means everything. A man who wears trousers stands at the very +top of civilization. A man who doesn't wear them is a savage." + +"Ha! ha! ha!" laughed Phra. "I should like Mr. Cameron to hear you say +that he was a savage." + +"Who ever would say so? Mr. Cameron is--is--well, he's a tip-topper in +everything." + +"But he doesn't wear trousers when he goes with us shooting. He always +wears his war petticoat then." + +"Wears his what?" cried Harry wonderingly. + +"That grey fighting petticoat. His kill it." + +"Kill it? Kilt!" cried Harry. "Oh, what a rum chap you are sometimes, +Phra! But that's only the old savage dress of the Highlanders. Hardly +anybody but soldiers wears that now." + +"Kill--kill it--kilt," said Phra thoughtfully. "What had you got to +laugh at? Why, it does mean a war petticoat." + +"All right; have it your own way," said Harry, who was watching the +last of the guard following the box into the courtyard. + +"But I don't want to have it my own way if I'm wrong," said Phra. "I +want to be right." + +"Very well. You are wrong there, lad." + +"Why do they call it a kilt, then?" said Phra. + +"Because it is a kilt, I suppose. Because--because--there, I don't +know. We'll ask the doctor. But, I say, I didn't mean any harm about +laughing at the King. I wouldn't, and I wouldn't let any one else +laugh at him. He's such a good old chap; but he does look rum +sometimes." + +"Well, I know that," said Phra hurriedly. "And I don't like it, Hal, +and I wish he would do as English gentlemen do; but he can't +altogether." + +"Why?" + +"Because he's king, and the people wouldn't like it. The priests don't +like a great deal that he does now, and they talk about it to the +common people. They make them believe that my father is fighting +against them and doing them harm." + +"If I were your father, and they talked against me, I'd pitch them all +into the river." + +"No, you wouldn't, Hal. But hadn't we better go up to the door and see +the chest opened?" + +"Yes, come on," cried Harry eagerly, and they followed the guard, +going by sentries armed with spear and kris, who smiled solemnly at +the two boys, and made way for them with every show of respect. + +They crossed the courtyard, which partook more of the nature of a +garden, and looked particularly attractive, with its quaint, +highly-pitched, gable-ended buildings around. But Harry had seen the +place too often to pay any heed to the beautiful architecture, and he +was all eyes for a little procession issuing from the principal +doorway, consisting of the King, a quiet, grave-looking, grey-haired +man, in silken jacket and sarong, and a number of his chief men, while +the royal umbrella was held over his head. + +The chest, one of ordinary deal, nailed down, strengthened with a +couple of bands of hoop-iron, and directed in painted black letters, +had been placed in front of the entrance, and ten spearmen stood in a +row on each side, when the two boys, in obedience to a sign from the +King, went up, each receiving a smile and a nod. + +"Here is the new present," he said, smiling. "Take it, and see if +everything is as you wished it to be; and I hope it will give you both +much pleasure." + +He spoke in very good English, and smilingly accepted the boys' +thanks, before gravely turning and going back in procession to the +main entrance to the palace; while, as soon as they were alone, Phra +sent one of the guards to fetch a couple of artificers to bring +hammers and chisels to open the chest. + +"I don't believe a box ever had so much fuss made over it before," +said Harry, laughing. "The things ought to be all right. I say, Phra, +I hope nothing's broken." + +"Oh, don't say that!" + +"The big clock that came from England was. They're wretches, those +sailors, for pitching packages about on board ship." + +"They ought not to be allowed to be so rough," replied Phra. "My +father would not permit them to be careless." + +"Ah, but your father's one of the kings of Siam. We English people +aren't allowed to slice people's heads off because they do as they +like. I say, though, suppose they're burst." + +"Burst! oh, I say, don't," cried Phra. "I've been looking forward to +these things coming, so that we could play English games, and it would +be horrible if we had to wait another six months." + +"Perhaps they'll be all right," said Harry, in consolatory tones; "but +that corner of the box has had a great bang, and the lid's split in +two places, just as if it had been thrown down on the stones of a +wharf." + +"It says, 'With care. Keep this side up,'" said Phra. + +"Oh yes; that's why they knock it about so, I suppose," replied Harry, +laughing. "The sailors know their heads won't be chopped off." + +"Here are the men," said Phra, as a couple of workmen came up, +prostrated themselves, and then cleverly attacked the nails in the +box, clumsy-looking as their tools were, removing the iron bands, +wrenching up the lid and taking it off, while the guards and +attendants stood stolidly looking on. + +The removal of the lid revealed a quantity of paper shavings packed +round sundry brown paper parcels, while one end of the chest was +occupied by half a dozen pasteboard boxes, one of which was +immediately opened, to reveal the neatly-sewn and laced leather cover +of a football. + +"What's that for?" said Phra. "Yes, I know; a football." + +"Yes. You have first kick. I'll throw it down, and you run and kick +it, just as you saw in our book of sports." + +"I could not with the guard looking on," said Phra. + +"I could," said Harry. "English fellows can do anything. Here goes." + +He threw the ball down heavily, making it rebound, and then as it +repeated its rebounds he rushed at it, and, although he had never done +such a thing before, gave it a flying kick which sent it high in the +air, but only to come down and bounce into the fountain basin in the +middle of the courtyard. + +"Wonderful!" the spectators seemed to say, as they looked solemnly at +one another. + +"Oh, I didn't mean that," cried Harry, rushing after the ball, +followed by his companion, who walked sedately up just as Harry had +shouted to one of the guard to come. + +"Here," he said in Siamese, "fish out that ball." + +The man smiled, reached out over the basin, and in another moment +would have transfixed the football on his keenly-pointed lance. + +But Harry was too quick for him, and gave the lance shaft a thrust. + +"Not like that," he cried; "you'd kill it--let all its wind out. This +way." + +He showed the man how to guide the ball to the side with his spear, +and then picked it up all dripping, to place it in the sun to dry. + +"I say, Phra," he said, as he paused to wipe his wet face; "I'm afraid +football's going to be rather a hot game out here." + +"The book said it was played in winter," said Phra. + +"Yes, but then we haven't got any winter here, so we must play it any +time we can. But it is going to be rather a warm sort of game. Never +mind; we've got the balls--six of them." + +"But you don't want six." + +"Yes, you do," cried Harry. "Some will burst; some will get kicked +over into some one else's place and lost perhaps. But I say, we must +learn to play, as we have got the balls." + +"Come and finish opening the box," said Phra. + +"'Tis opened. Why don't you say unpacking?" + +"Because I am not so full of English as you are," replied Phra, with a +sigh; and they bent over the chest and went on taking out its +treasures: bats, stumps, bails, pads and gloves, all carefully done up +in brown paper, while a whole dozen of best cricket balls were in as +many little boxes. + +"Seem to be making a pretty good mess with all these shavings," said +Harry, raising himself up with a sigh of relief that the box was at +last emptied. + +"The people shall clear all away soon," replied Phra, glancing at the +stolid-looking guards, who were gazing wonderingly at the new form of +war club with handle bound with black string, and at the short, +sharp-pointed spears which seemed to be a clumsy kind of javelin. "But +this cricket seems as if it would be a very hot game to play." + +"Oh, I don't know," said Harry carelessly. "Of course I've never +played, but I know all about it. If you come to that, so do you." + +"Yes," said Phra thoughtfully, "but I'm afraid I shall not like a game +where one has to get so many runs. It will be terribly hot work." + +"But you only get a great many runs if you can." + +"Then it will be much cooler and pleasanter if you can't get any," +said Phra. "I say, Harry, couldn't we alter the game?" + +"I don't know. I daresay we could." + +"Let's do the batting ourselves, and make the people bowl and run +after the balls." + +"And always be in?" said Harry. "Well, that wouldn't be bad. But I +say, where are we to play?" + +"I should like it to be right away somewhere," said Phra. "It would +not be pleasant for us to be running and tearing about with our people +looking on and making remarks about our getting so hot." + +"Never mind about the cricket to-day," said Harry. "You want a lot of +fellows to play that--twenty besides ourselves; but we could have a +game of football." + +"Very well; let's play football, then. I'll have all these things +taken into my room. Only let's get right away. I don't care about +playing here." + +"Why not? It will be a capital place if we take care not to kick the +ball into the fountain." + +"I don't like playing here, with all the men looking on. It seems so +silly to be running after a ball and kicking it, as if you were cross +with it for being on the ground." + +"I never thought of that," said Harry. "But let's see: why do we kick +it? I wish we'd been the same as other boys." + +"Well, so we are, only you were born in India, and I was born here." + +"I don't mean that," cried Harry. "I mean the same as other English +boys are. They go to big schools where they learn all sorts of games +when they're half as big as we are. But let's see; we want to know why +everything is. Why do we kick the football?" + +"To make it bounce, of course." + +"That isn't all. We kick it to make it fly through the air." + +"For exercise," said Phra. + +"That's something to do with it, I suppose; but there's something +else. It's to try who's best man. Don't you see?" + +"No," said Phra; "I only know that we've got to learn to play football +and cricket." + +"Never mind about cricket now; let's get to play football first." + +"But we don't know anything about it," said Phra, "and it seems so +stupid. Let's ask Mr. Cameron to show us how." + +"That we just won't," cried Harry. "He'd only laugh at us. 'What!' +he'd say, 'don't know how to play football? Why, I thought every boy +could play that.'" + +"I don't like to be laughed at," said Phra. + +"Of course you don't. I don't either. That's the worse of people too. +Just because they know something that you don't know, they think +themselves so awfully clever, and laugh at you because you don't know +the same as they do." + +"Well, how do we play? Do you know?" + +"I know something about it. You make sides, because it's going to be a +fight." + +"Then it's a cowardly game," cried Phra. + +"Why?" said Harry in astonishment. + +"Because in a fight you ought to use your fists; you taught me so; and +this is all kicking." + +"Oh, what a chap you are, Phra! If I didn't know what a +straightforward one you were, I should think you were making fun. +Can't you see this is not a fighting fight, but a fight in fun--to see +who's to get the best of it?" + +"So's a fighting fight," said Phra. + +"Yes, but this is play. There ought to be a lot of fellows on each +side, but I don't see why two can't have a game. I'm sure they'll get +more kicking. Now we're going to play; I'm against you, and you're +against me." + +"I see; I'm against you, and you're against me. Well?" + +"We begin out in the middle of a place, with the ball between us. I've +got to kick it to the hedge on your side, and you've got to prevent +me. You've got to kick it to the hedge on my side, and I've got to +prevent you. That's easy enough to understand, isn't it?" + +"Oh yes, I understand that; but I shan't play here." + +"Why?" + +"Because we're sure to fall out over it and fight, and I don't want +our guards to see me and you fighting." + +"Oh, we shouldn't be so stupid." + +"I don't know whether it's stupid, but I know how you are when you get +hurt a bit, Hal. No, I shan't play here." + +"Very well, come on home with me. There's plenty of room at the bottom +of the garden, and there'll be no one to see us there except Mike, and +I'll take care he is sent somewhere else." + +"That will do," said Phra. "How many balls shall we want?" + +"Only one, of course." + +"Why not have two?" said Phra. "One apiece; then we shouldn't fall +out." + +"And we shouldn't be playing at football. This ball will do. Come on." + +Phra made no further opposition, but he hazarded the remark that it +was rather hot to play. + +"Yes, this is the hottest place I was ever in," said Harry. "There +couldn't be any place hotter. But come along; English boys don't study +about its being hot or cold when they want to do anything. I'm glad +Doctor Cameron is nowhere near. He'd be interfering and dictating +about the game directly. That's the worst of him, he knows so much. It +will be much nicer for us to learn how to play well before he sees us +at it, and then we shall know as much as he does." + +The boys trudged off, with the sun shining down upon them as it can +shine down in Siam. It was somewhere about a hundred degrees +Fahrenheit in the shade, and it may readily be set down as being a +hundred and twenty in the sun; so that Harry was quite right in his +remarks about Dr. Cameron, for if he had been present he most +assuredly would have interfered to the extent of making them put the +football away, and ordering them into the shade. + +But there was no one to interfere, as they trudged on, and entered by +the gate of the bungalow, finding all very quiet till they got around +to the back, where a peculiar noise came through the open jalousies of +one window, making Harry step forward on tip-toe till he could look +in. + +This done, he stepped cautiously back to his companion. + +"Only Mike," he whispered. "Lying on his back fast asleep, and snoring +like a young thunderstorm in the distance. Come along; we shall have +it all to ourselves." + +"Where's your father?" + +"Gone down to the port in a boat, to see the captain of one of the +ships." + +Five minutes later they were in a good-sized field, well hedged in +with native growth, and displaying a very respectable lawn-like +greensward, one which had cost Mr. Kenyon years of trouble to get +something like an English meadow. + +It was a capital place, and having settled which were to be the +goals--though Harry did not call them so--they walked into the middle +of the enclosure to make a start. + +"Now," said Harry, "of course we don't know exactly how to begin, +but--" + +"Why didn't we read what it said in the book?" said Phra. + +"What book?" + +"The one that came in the chest." + +"I didn't see any book in the chest." + +"I did: _The Book of Games_; it was at the top, wrapped up in paper, +and I sent it into my room so as to be safe." + +"Well, you are a fellow!" cried Harry. "Never mind; we'll read all +through it to-night. Let's begin our way to-day. There lies the ball, +and we must start fair. I'll say one--two--three, and away! and then +we must kick." + +The boys stood face to face with the ball between them, and so close +that their toes nearly touched it. + +"Ready?" said Harry. + +"Yes." + +"Then one--two--three--and away!" + +Phra was quick as lightning almost, and at the word away! he kicked at +the ball; but Harry, instead of kicking, thrust it a little on one +side so as to get a kick to himself, and he got it, right on the shin. + +"Oh!" he cried, beginning to hop on one leg, while Phra sent the ball +flying towards his goal, and ran after it at full speed. + +"Hi! stop! stop! stop!" shouted Harry. + +But Phra was too much excited to halt. He was finding a certain amount +of satisfaction in delivering kick after kick to the yielding ball, +which, in spite of a long voyage, proved to be wonderfully elastic, +and flew here, there, and everywhere, except in the direction of the +goal. For Phra's kicks were wanting in experience. He kicked too high, +or too low, or out of centre; and the consequence was that he had a +great deal of exercise, before a final kick sent the ball up to the +hedge which formed one goal. + +He turned round now, streaming with perspiration and flushed with +triumph, to find that Harry had been limping and panting after him, to +come up now, hot and angry. + +"I've won," cried Phra. "What a capital game!" + +"You've won!" grumbled Harry. "Of course you have. Any one could win +who didn't play fair. But it wasn't playing." + +"Why, what's the matter?" said Phra, staring. + +"You know; you kicked me instead of the ball, and crippled me so that +I couldn't try." + +"I'm so sorry, Hal. Ought you to have been kicking too?" + +"Yes, and I wish I had--I wish I had kicked you at the beginning as +you did me." + +"But that was an accident," said Phra earnestly. + +"It hurt just as much as if you had done it on purpose." + +"Never mind," cried Phra; "let's begin again. I didn't understand the +game. But, I say; it's splendid fun." + +"Oh, is it?" said Hal, sitting down to rub his tender shin. + +"Yes, splendid. When you kick the ball it flies off so beautifully. +You seem obliged to run after it." + +"Yes," said Harry sarcastically, "and then I was obliged to run after +you. Why didn't you kick it my way?" he added fiercely. + +"I couldn't," replied Phra innocently. "That's the funny part of it, +and I suppose the ball's made so on purpose. It never went the way I +kicked it, but flew to all sorts of places. But I say, it's glorious +fun running after it for the next kick." + +"Oh, is it?" sneered Harry; for if the skin was not off his shin, it +certainly seemed to be off his temper. + +"Yes, come on, and let's begin again." + +"Shan't," said Harry sourly; "it's too hot." + +"Oh, nonsense; you don't feel it when you're at play." + +"Play! I don't call it play," cried Harry angrily. "I call it being a +pig and trying to have everything to yourself." + +"Oh, I say, don't talk like that, Hal! I didn't know I was doing +wrong. There, I apologise. I won't do it again. Come along." + +"No, I'm not going to try now. It's a fool of a game, and all +one-sided." + +"Well, never mind; you'll have the right side sometimes. Let's start +off again. I know you'll like it." + +"No, I'm not going to play any more," grumbled Harry. "I wish the old +ball was burst." + +"You are in a temper," said Phra quietly. "I'm sorry I hurt you. Here, +have a kick, Hal." + +"Shan't; I'm too hot and tired." + +"Rest a bit, then," said Phra. "I say, what queer people the English +are to have invented a game like that! They must look so comic." + +"What!" cried Harry indignantly. "Well, I do like that! Who looks +comic, playing at shuttlecock and kicking it up in the air, and +sending it back with the knees, elbows, or shoulders? I've seen some +of the men knock the great shuttlecock up with their necks or chins. +Now, that does look stupid." + +Phra's eyelids contracted a little, and there was a frown upon his +brow for a few moments. + +It passed off then, and he brightened up, just when a few angry words +would have caused an open rupture. + +"Come and have a try, Hal, old chap," he said. "Sorry I hurt you," and +he held out his hand. + +This was too much for Harry, whose irritation was passing off with the +pain. Jumping up quickly, he made a snatch at the ball, sent it +flying, dashed after it, and delivered a tremendous kick, intending to +send it right across the field. + +But it did nothing of the kind, for the kick proved to be a regular +sky-flyer, the ball taking an almost perpendicular course. Harry was +lying in wait for it as it came down, ready to kick again; but Phra +was coming, and unintentionally proved that two legs are much better +for stability than one. + +Of course every one knows this, and takes it for granted, just as most +of us know some of the problems of Euclid, and could take the theory +there set out for granted. But the old Greek philosopher proves them +all, and Phra proved our theory by giving Harry a sharp push just as +one leg was raised, sending him over like a single ninepin, and +securing the ball once more, racing away, laughing heartily the while. + +"Oh!" ejaculated Harry; "and him only a nigger! He shan't beat me like +this." + +He rushed off, with his temper coming back, in full chase of Phra, who +ran on, kicking the ball, and roaring with laughter the while, till +just as he was about to finish off with a tremendous kick, one which +would secure a goal if it went straight, Harry came on with a rush, +sent him flying instead of the ball, turned, and enjoyed a capital +series of kicks before he was overtaken in turn. + +Phra tried to put the same tactics into force, bounding right at +Harry, who was just on the point of kicking home, when a thrust sent +him over, and while still under the impetus of his run, Phra delivered +the kick instead, a kick which proved to be the most direct that had +been given, for the ball landed close to Harry's hedge, bounced, and +went right home. + +"There," cried Phra, flushed with victory; "I've won again." + +Then he stared, for Harry threw himself down, panting and roaring with +laughter. + +"What are you laughing at?" cried his adversary. "That makes two games +I've won." + +"No," cried Harry, wiping his eyes; "this one's mine." + +"Nonsense! I kicked the ball." + +"Yes, but into my goal." + +"No; it's mine. I kicked the ball there." + +"By mistake; for me." + +"Oh, what a stupid game!" cried Phra pettishly. "Phew! how hot I am! I +don't want to play any more at a game like that." + +And now, with the excitement at an end, both found that playing +football in their fashion under such a sun was an exercise of which a +very little went a long way. + +They stretched themselves out on the ground, with the ball lying hard +by getting warm. + +"Oh, I say, it's too hot to stop here; come and lie in the shade," +cried Harry. "Let's go indoors." + +They went back, passed through the verandah, and entered the +dining-room. + +It was as hot there, a heavy, stagnant heat; but there was a basket of +oranges upon the table. + +"These'll be better than water to drink," said Harry, rolling four +across the table to his companion, and pocketing as many for his own +use. + +"But we can't stop here," said Phra; "it's too hot to breathe." + +"I know; let's go and lie down on the floor at the landing-place." + +"Yes, that will do," replied Phra, and a few minutes later the boys +were extended upon their backs upon the bamboos, shaded by the +palm-leaf roofing, and feeling a faint breath of warm air come up from +the surface of the river, just as if it had floated up from the sea. + +Here, as they lay, the boys peeled their oranges and threw the yellow +rind into the river, where, whenever the white side fell downward, +there was a loud splash made by a fish, which dashed at it and left it +again as not good enough for food. + +The oranges were not good--they were small and pithy, as if the sun +had dried all the juice out of them; but they were the best the boys +could obtain, and they were eaten in silence, neither feeling disposed +to talk; and then the natural thing occurred to two boys hot and tired +upon a torrid day when there was a sleepy hum in the air in and out +beneath the shade in which they lay. + +Five minutes after the last orange was eaten, a heavy breathing could +be heard. + +"Asleep, Phra?" said Harry softly. + +A repetition of the breathing was the reply, and Harry lay with his +hands clasped under the back of his head, gazing up at the palm +thatch, where all looked softly light, though it was in the shade, the +reason being that the sunshine was reflected from the surface of the +water and played in a peculiar, mazy way upon the inner part of the +roof, as if a golden net were covering the palm leaves and being kept +in continuous motion. + +There was a good deal to be seen up there: flies were darting about, +and often faring badly, for every now and then a lizard ran along, +looking like a miniature crocodile, the sunny reflections in full +motion resembling the water. + +The dart of one of these lizards upon an unfortunate fly was too quick +for the eye to follow. One minute the curious little creature in its +glistening armour would be creeping up to within a few inches of a fly +busy at work brushing its head and wings with a care and nicety that +suggested great pride in its personal appearance; the next moment +there would be what seemed to be a faint streak upon the palm thatch, +and the lizard would be where the fly was preening itself, but the fly +was gone, and it had not been seen to fly away. It was there still, +but securely enclosed, and ready to be transmuted into food. + +"They are quick," thought Harry; but his attention was taken off the +lizards to the action of something gliding along among the loose +leaves of the thatch--something long and pale green and grey. It +seemed to be so insecurely placed that it appeared to be on the point +of falling, and if it had dropped it must have been upon the sleeping +figure of Phra. But somehow it held on by means of the long plates or +scales at the lower part of its body in one or two places, while the +rest hung in limp, unsupported folds. + +It was very interesting to follow the sinuous movements of this snake, +a gracefully thin creature of about four feet long; and over and over +again Harry laughed to himself, thinking how Phra would jump when he +felt the thin, twining reptile drop upon him; but there was no fear of +its falling, for it had the instinct of self-preservation strong +within its fragile body, and it always appeared to be holding on +tightly by one part, while the other was gliding forward seeking a +fresh hold. + +It was nothing new to the watcher, for Harry had seen snakes of this +kind often, both living and dead, and his father had pointed out to +him that it was of a perfectly harmless description, the head being +softly elliptical and gently graduated off in its junction with the +long, thin neck, showing no sudden swellings out caused by the +possession of poison glands, which give to the dangerous little +serpents the peculiar spade-shaped or triangular head with the corners +bluntly rounded off. + +As Harry lay watching the snake, he fully expected to see it dart its +head at some of the flies buzzing about, but it went on its way +quietly investigating, for it was in search of more juicy morsels than +flies, its instinct having taught it that the palm thatch of such a +roof as that in which it searched was exceedingly likely to contain +the nest of some mouse or hole-loving bird, one of the little +wren-like creatures whose fat, featherless young would form delicious +morsels for a creature whose teeth were implements for holding on and +not for masticating its prey. + +In those days the American humourist was not born, or, as he did, +Harry might have lain there and wondered in connection with their food +and the great length of neck whether it tasted "good all the way +down." But naturally, as he had not read the lines, he thought nothing +of the kind. In fact, he paid no more heed to the little snake beyond +thinking of what a number of different things there were living in +that thatched edifice; for all at once there was a low, deep, humming +buzz, a flash as of burnished copper, and a thick, squat beetle flew +in beneath the roof, lit on one of the bamboo rafters, and began to +fold up its gauzy wings perfectly neatly, shutting them up beneath +their cases, into which they fitted so closely, that when all was shut +up there was no sign of opening, and a casual observer would never +have imagined that such a short, stumpy, armour-clad, horny creature, +all spikes and corners about the legs, could fly. + +That beetle took up a great deal of Harry's attention, for all was so +still that when it crawled up into the thatching, holding on by its +hooked legs, the rustle and scratching could be plainly heard. But at +last the sound seemed to be distant, while, strangely enough, the +beetle gradually appeared as if it were swelling out to a gigantic +size, but grew hazy and undefined, and was apparently about to die out +as if into mist, when Harry started and saw that it was just the +rounded, stumpy, coppery green insect again, and he knew that he had +been asleep and was startled into wakefulness by some sound close at +hand. + +Voices, and then the rippling of water, and as he lay perfectly still +upon his back he knew that a boat was coming abreast of the +landing-place and a man was talking in a haughty, contemptuous way, as +if in answer to some question that had been asked. + +"That Feringhee dog the King favours; he was the beginning of the +swarm that invaded the country." + +"Never mind," said another voice; "don't be angry: it will soon come +to an end." + +"The sooner the better. I am sick of all this. A mad king makes mad +people who will not sit still and see their country ruined by his +follies. What whim will he have next?" + +"Who knows? There is always some case or another coming by one of the +unbelievers' ships. I believe they send their diseases and sicknesses +here to kill our people, so that they may come and take the country. +It is all wrong. What a beautiful place that man has here!" + +"Hist! don't talk." + +"Why not? I do not mind who hears. I would say what I do even before +our foolish king." + +"Be silent; there are people lying asleep on that landing-place, and +they might hear." + +One of them did hear--plainly enough, for in still weather water has a +wonderful power for conveying sounds along its surface. These words +were spoken in the native dialect, but every word was clear to the +involuntary listener, for the language was almost as familiar to Harry +as his own. + +The words jarred upon him. What did they mean? The speakers from their +tone were evidently people who hated the English colonists, and an +intense desire to see whether they were people whom he knew animated +the boy with the disposition to start up and look. But on second +thoughts he felt that it might be better for them if they appeared to +be asleep, especially as Phra was the King's son. + +But once more the desire to see who it was grew strong in Harry's +breast, and as the light splashing of the oars grew less plain he +slowly turned his head till he could open one eye and gaze over the +surface of the river. + +He was too late; there was nothing in sight but the boats moored to +the farther bank. + +"I could see them from the far end of the garden, though," he thought; +and rolling himself gently over three or four times, so as not to +awaken Phra, he reached the bridge-like way off the stage into the +garden, where he rose to his feet and keeping in shelter of the +flowering shrubs which had been abundantly planted, he made for the +corner of the garden higher up the stream, for the slow progress of +the boat in passing showed that the people, whoever they were, had +gone in that direction. + +Harry had little difficulty in getting to the boundary of his father's +grounds, keeping well under cover, though it was hot work hurrying +along in a stooping position. But when he raised his head cautiously +and peered over the river, the result was disappointing. + +There was the boat certainly, going on against tide, propelled by a +couple of stout rowers; and it was evidently the boat of some one well +to do, for the rowers were dressed alike. As to the occupants of the +central part beneath the awning, they were partly hidden by the +uprights which supported the light roof shelter, and their backs were +towards him. They were richly dressed, but though the boy watched till +the boat passed out of sight beyond a curve they did not turn their +heads once. + +Harry returned to the landing-stage, feeling troubled and thoughtful. +He was asking himself whether he should tell Phra what he had heard, +and a feeling of shrinking from making his companion uncomfortable had +almost fixed him in his determination to say nothing until he had told +his father. + +But Phra's action altered all this. + +For just as he was about to set foot upon the stage, Phra leaped up +and began to rub his ear frantically. + +"What did you do that for?" he cried fiercely. + +"Do what?" said Harry, laughing at the boy's antics. + +"You put that nasty little beetle in my ear." + +"I didn't," cried Harry, bursting into a roar of laughter. + +"Yes, you did. There it is," cried Phra angrily, as he stamped upon +and crushed a little round insect about the size of the smaller +lady-bird. "Tickle, tickle, tickle! Why, if I hadn't woke up, the +horrible little creature might have eaten its way into my brains, and +killed me." + +"Nonsense! nothing would do that." + +"Well, you had no business to play such silly boys' tricks. It's +enough to make me hit you. Yes, you can laugh at me; but if I were +regularly angry, you would be ready to run." + +"Run away?" said Harry merrily. + +"Yes, run away." + +"Oh yes, and never come back again. You frighten me horribly." + +"You're mocking at me, but I tell you it was very cowardly and +stupid." + +"No, it was not; for I did not do it, my boy." + +"What? why, I woke up and caught you just as you were going to run +away." + +"No, I was coming back." + +"Oh, Hal! that's what you call a cracker, and that's more cowardly +still. When I went to sleep you were lying down beside me, and when I +woke up you were standing over there." + +"That's right," said Harry. + +"And when you woke up you felt mischievous, and caught that little +beetle to put in my ear." + +"That's wrong," said Harry sturdily. + +"Why, I felt it directly it was in; and you must have done it." + +"Oh, of course, because beetles have no legs to crawl, and no wings to +fly, and you weren't lying ear upward so that it could drop in off the +roof." + +"You may argue as long as you like, and as I was asleep, of course I +couldn't quite tell how you did it; but there's the beetle. See?" + +"Oh yes, I can see," said Harry thoughtfully; "but I didn't put it +there. It got into your ear while I was away." + +"Oh, Hal!" + +"And oh, Phra!" + +"To say you were coming back when you were just going to slip away!" + +"Wasn't going to slip away. I tell you I was coming back." + +"I don't believe you." + +"Very well," said Harry; "don't." + +"I--I mean, I beg your pardon, Hal." + +There was no reply. + +"Tell me why you went away," said Phra, who felt that he had gone too +far. + +"It's of no use. You will not believe me," said Harry, taking out his +knife and beginning to carve his initials on one of the big bamboos. + +"Yes, I will!" cried Phra. "I daresay I was wrong. I was cross with +being woke up like that, and I felt sure you had done it." + +"And you feel sure now," said Harry coldly. + +"No, not sure," said Phra frankly, "only doubtful." + +"Then you ought to be ashamed of yourself for feeling so. It's not as +if I were a Siamese fellow--they say anything. An English boy doesn't +like to be doubted." + +"Beg your pardon, Hal--so sorry," said Phra penitently. "Shake hands." + +"Not I," said Harry stiffly. "I'm not going to shake hands with a chap +who doesn't believe my word." + +"Hal!" cried Phra, with a pleading look in his eyes. + +"We'd better not be friends any more; and you'd better go away and +have nothing more to do with us English people." + +"Why? What makes you say that?" + +Harry was silent, and stood frowning there, hacking at the bamboo; but +the quick-witted Siamese lad seemed to grasp the idea that there was +something more behind the fit of annoyance, and began to press his +companion. And the more silent and mysterious Harry proved to be, the +more he pressed. + +For a time he obtained nothing but mysterious hints and bitter words +about things not being as they should be, and at last the boy said +angrily,-- + +"Look here, Hal, I'm sure you are hiding something. I woke up and saw +you there, and I felt sure you had been playing some trick. You know +you often do." + +"Yes, often," said Harry quietly. + +"Then you told me you had not, and I begged your pardon for saying +things when I was cross. I know you well enough now; you can't keep up +anything of that sort--you get in a temper sometimes, but it's all +over soon and you shake hands, or even if you don't, it's soon all +right again and forgotten: but now you keep on talking about our not +being friends any more, and I'm sure there's something the matter. +Now, isn't there?" + +Harry nodded and looked gloomy as he went on cutting in the hard wood, +and spoiled the shape of the K he was carving. + +"What is it, then? Why don't you tell me?" + +"Don't want to make you uncomfortable." + +"Then it's something serious?" + +Harry nodded again. + +"You're not going away, Hal?" cried Phra excitedly. + +"It seems as if we'd better," said Harry gloomily. + +"No, that you shan't!" cried Phra angrily. "Who says that? I know; +it's your father's offended about something. But I won't have it." + +Harry smiled. + +"You're not king," he said. + +"No, but I shall be some day, and till I am, my father will let me +have anything I like, so long as it's wise and good. It's quite right +for you and your father to stay here, for it's doing you both good, +and us too. Father said only the other night that it was a grand thing +for the country to have wise Englishmen here to instruct us in +everything." + +"Do you think so, Phra?" + +"Of course I do. Why, look at last year, when that dreadful plague +came and the people were dying so fast till Doctor Cameron made them +keep the sick people to themselves, and had their clothes and things +burnt. Father always says he stopped it from going any further. It's +so with everything, if people would only learn." + +"But they don't like us," said Harry. + +"The sensible ones do. It's only the silly, obstinate, old-fashioned +folk who like to go on always in the same way, and who think that they +know everything and that there's nothing more to be learnt. Here's +something you never heard. Some of the other king's people put it +about last year that father was making poisons in his room so as to +kill the people." + +"Oh yes, I know it," said Harry bitterly. + +"And they say the bad diseases come in the cases father has from +England. I daresay they'll think that there's another plague come in +our case with the cricket bats and balls." + +"They do say so," said Harry. + +"How do you know?" cried Phra sharply. + +"Heard 'em." + +"When?" + +"Just now, when you were asleep." + +"Hah! Then that's it!" cried Phra; and it all came out. + +The Siamese lad heard his companion to the end with a look of haughty +contempt which made him look years older, and when he had finished he +said slowly,-- + +"Poor silly idiots! Those are the sort of people who would say that a +blowpipe was better than a rifle. What does it matter?" + +"Matter? Why, it is bad for you and your father to be friendly with +such people as we are." + +"How absurd!" cried Phra. "The weak, silly, ignorant people are so +stupid about things they do not understand." + +"But these were not common, ignorant people, but noblemen." + +"Very likely," said Phra, with a shrug of his shoulders. "It is as +father says: many of the old noblemen of the other king's party are +too proud to learn anything, and they pretend to believe he deals in +magic and is mad." + +"Yes, that's how they talked," said Harry. + +"Well, let them talk. I'm glad my father is so mad as he is, and wants +to learn all about the wonders of the world, and to get me to learn +them too. And I do like it, Hal; I'm ever so fond of learning about +all these strange things. Of course I like playing games, too, and +even your games that you teach us are wonderful and clever. Pooh! let +the silly people talk till they learn to know better." + +"But these men in the boat spoke threateningly of it all having an +end, just as if they meant to attack the King and drive us all away." + +"Bah!" ejaculated the lad. "Attack my father? Pooh! they dare not. +He's as gentle and kind as any one can be, but he can be angry too, +and when he is, he is very fierce and stern. He won't believe that any +one would dare to attack him. I don't believe it either." + +"But if you had heard those two men talk?" + +"Well, then I should have heard two men talk, that's all. What is +talking? A mere nothing." + +"But suppose they were to begin to act?" said Harry, who was looking +at his friend admiringly. + +"What do you mean--fight?" + +"Yes." + +"I hope they will not," said Phra rather sadly, "because it would be +so terrible. They would fight because they don't know better, and they +will not learn. But they would learn then when it was too late." + +"What would happen?" + +"A number of foolish people would be killed, and when those who began +the trouble were caught--" + +"Yes?" said Harry, for Phra had ceased speaking; "what would happen +then?" + +"They would have to die, too, and it seems horrible when the great +world is so beautiful and people might be happy." + +"Think the King would have them executed?" + +"Of course. He is all that is good and kind to everybody now, but if +the people rose against him, he would say, 'Poor blind, foolish +creatures! I must forgive them, for they don't know better; but the +leaders must suffer for leading them into sin.'" + +"And their heads would be chopped off?" + +"Certainly," said Phra coldly. "It would be for every one's good. But +don't look like that, Hal; we can't help the stupid people talking +foolishly. It does not matter to us." + +"But it does," said Harry. "It makes me think that we ought not to +stay." + +"Nonsense!" cried Phra. + +"Are you going to tell your father what the people are saying?" + +"No; why should I?" + +"I think he ought to know," said Harry. + +"I daresay he does know how people talk, but it does not trouble him. +They are foolish people who do not know he is the best king we have +ever had. Let them talk. There, I am going home now. You keep the +football." + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +THE NAGA'S BITE + + +Phra had not been gone long before Mr. Kenyon returned from his +business down in the port, and in reply to his question, "Anything +fresh happened, my boy?" Harry told him what he had heard, watching +his father's face intently the while. + +"Then you think it is very serious, father?" said Harry. + +"Do I, Hal? What makes you say that?" + +"You look anxious about it." + +"I was not aware that you were studying my face," said Mr. Kenyon, +smiling. "Well, it is serious news, and it is not serious, if you can +understand that. The words you heard were those of dissatisfied folk, +and these exist everywhere. Of course I have long known that the +common, ignorant people resent our being here a good deal, especially +the followers of the second king, as they call him; but most of the +people like us, and I find that they are very eager to deal with me in +business, trusting me largely with their goods, and quite content to +wait till I choose to pay them. That looks as if we have a good +character. Then, as regards our treatment in the place, you have never +found any one insulting or offensive to you." + +"No, father; every one is smiling and pleasant." + +"Of course. You need not trouble yourself about the disagreeable +remarks of a couple of malcontents." + +These words cheered Harry, whose young imagination had been piling up +horrors to come for the dwellers at the palace and the English people +who were near. + +Two days later, when he was a little higher up the river, a pleasant, +musical voice saluted him from the other side of a hedge. + +"What! going by without calling? For shame!" + +Harry turned through a gate and down a path to where a lady was seated +busy over some kind of needlework under a shady tree. + +There was something so pleasant in her smile of welcome that the boy +eagerly caught at her extended hand, before taking the chair that was +pointed out. + +"But that's the doctor's," he said. + +"Yes, but he is down the river in his boat, seeing some of his +patients. Have some fruit, Harry. All that basketful was sent us this +morning by one of Duncan's patients." + +"How nice! May I take that mangosteen?" + +"Take all," said Mrs. Cameron, for she it was. "The people are never +tired of sending us great pines and melons. They are so nice and +grateful for everything my husband does for them. I used to think it +would be very dreadful to come out here amongst all the strange, +half-savage people, as I expected they would be." + +"But they are not savage," said Harry. + +"Savage? No. They are as gentle and nice as can be. They seem to be +more afraid of us than we are of them." + +Harry feasted his eyes upon the sweet face and form of the graceful +English lady, and the sight seemed to bring up something misty and +undefined of some one who used to lean over his little bed at night to +press her warm lips upon his face, which was brushed by her long, fair +hair. + +It was a pleasant feeling, but sad as well, for the few moments that +the memory stayed. + +Then he had to answer questions as to why he had not brought his +friend with him, of the games he had been playing, about his +excursions; and he was in the midst of his answers when a quick step +was heard, and Mrs. Cameron sprang up. + +"Here is Duncan," she cried. + +"Hullo, Hal!" cried the doctor, entering; "here you are, then! Where's +the Prince?" + +"He has not been down to-day." + +"Oh, then that is why we are honoured with a visit, is it?" + +"I--I was not coming to see you to-day, was I, Mrs. Cameron?" said +Harry, colouring. + +"No, that is a fact," said the lady. "He was going right by, but I +called him in." + +"Ah, well, we will forgive you. Stop and have tea with us." + +Harry's acceptation showed that he was only too glad, and after the +pleasant meal in the verandah, there was an interesting hour to be +spent in the doctor's curious compound of surgery, study, and museum, +where plenty of fresh insects had to be examined. + +Mrs. Cameron displaying a bright, girl-like interest in everything, +till called away to give some instructions to her servants. + +"How Mrs. Cameron must help you, Doctor!" said Harry. "I did not know +that she was so clever at pinning out moths." + +"Look here," said the doctor sternly, "have you been saying anything +to her about what you told your father you heard said in that boat?" + +"Not a word, sir." + +"That's right. I'm glad of it; but I was afraid." + +"Oh, I shouldn't have thought of telling her." + +"I'm glad you have so much discretion, my boy. You see, ladies are +easily made nervous; and if my wife had heard all that, she would have +been fidgeting about it every time I was away, and of course that is +very often." + +"You don't think there is any danger, do you?" + +"Not the slightest, my boy; the people are all too friendly. It is +only a few discontented humbugs who are old-fashioned and object to +the King's ways." + +"That is what my father says," said Harry. + +"And that is what I say, so let's think no more about it." + +"There's Phra," cried Harry, starting up, as a long-drawn whistle was +heard. + +Harry ran out, and was going down to the gate, passing Mrs. Cameron, +who was walking back to her seat under the tree; but all of a sudden +she stopped short, tottered as if about to fall, and then stood there +with a ghastly face as white as her dress. + +It was a mere glimpse that the boy obtained, but it was enough to +check his hurried race for the gate. + +Something was wrong, he could not tell what; but the doctor's wife was +evidently in sore trouble, and he turned to go to her help. + +"What is the matter, Mrs. Cameron?" he cried; but she made no reply. +It was as if she had not heard him speak, and with head averted she +stood looking to the left in a singularly strained attitude, like one +striving to escape from something horrible, but whose feet were held +to the ground. + +In his excitement Harry ran round before her and caught her hand in +his, to find it icily cold; but she only uttered a gasping sound, and +still stared horribly and with convulsed face down to her left. + +Very few moments had elapsed from the boy's first taking alarm till he +now turned wonderingly to his right to follow the direction of Mrs. +Cameron's eyes, and then a horrible chill ran through him, and he felt +paralysed and helpless, for there, not six feet away, raised up on the +lower part of its body, was one of the most deadly serpents in the +world, its grey brown marked scales glistening as it played about in a +wavy, undulatory fashion, its so-called hood spread out showing the +spectacle-like markings, and its flattened head turned down at right +angles to the neck, with the forked tongue playing and flickering in +and out through the little opening in its jaws. + +The lower part of the creature was partly hidden by the flowers on a +dry bed, but the anterior portion rose fully three feet above the +plants, and the creature swung itself about and rose and sank as if +preparing for a spring upon the fascinated woman; for either from +horror or some occult power on the part of the deadly reptile, Mrs. +Cameron was perfectly helpless, and promised to be an easy victim to +the cobra when it struck. + +But Harry's stunned sensation of horror did not last; he stepped back +for a moment or two, looking sharply about for a weapon, but looked in +vain, for there was nothing near but a small bamboo stool. + +It was better than nothing. He caught it up by one leg, and raising it +above his shoulder he stepped quickly between Mrs. Cameron and her +enemy, prepared to strike with all his might, while the cobra's eyes +seemed to burn, and it drew back as if about to spring. + +At that moment, released from the influence of the reptile by the +interposition of Harry's body, the power of movement returned, and +uttering a low, sobbing cry Mrs. Cameron sank slowly to her knees upon +the ground, where she crouched, watching the movements of her +champion, but not daring to look again at the serpent. + +The sobbing cry behind him drew Harry's attention from his enemy for a +moment, but only for that space of time. Then he was once more on +guard, fully realizing the danger of his position, but so strung up by +the emergency that he felt not the slightest fear. + +Harry's was but a momentary glance back, but it was an opportunity for +the enemy. + +Quick as lightning it struck. There was the darting forward as of a +spring set free, the stroke and the rebound, and as the reptile was +about to strike again Harry delivered his blow, which crushed down the +hissing creature with such effect that the next moment it had writhed +itself out from among the plants, to lie clear to receive blow after +blow from the stool, till the latter flew into fragments, while the +cobra twined and twisted and tied itself into knots in its agony, +close to the lad's feet. + +He did not attempt to shrink away, only looked round for something +else to seize as a weapon, and then he stared strangely at Mrs. +Cameron, who had sprung up. + +"Harry! What is it?" she cried hoarsely. "Did it bite you?" + +"Don't know," he said, in a curious, husky voice. "I--I think so; but +I've killed it." + +"But where? Show me where?" panted Mrs. Cameron wildly. + +For answer Harry drew back the cuff from his right wrist, and held it +up. + +"There," he said. + +Without a moment's hesitation Mrs. Cameron caught the lad's hand and +arm and raised it to her lips, sucking the tiny puncture with all her +power, and then, as she withdrew her lips for a moment, she shrieked +out,-- + +"Duncan! Duncan! Help, help!" before placing her lips to the bite +again. + +"What's the matter?" cried Phra, running to them from the gate. "Mrs. +Cameron! Hal! What is it?" + +"Snake," said Harry faintly, just as Phra caught sight of the writhing +creature, struck at it, and watching his opportunity crushed its head +into the ground with his heel, the reptile in its dying agonies +twining tightly about his ankle and leg. + +Mrs. Cameron took her lips from the wound again, and her lips parted +to shriek once more; but her cries had been heard, and the doctor came +running down to her side. + +There was no need to ask questions--he saw what had happened at a +glance, and the dangerous nature of the wound was told by the swollen +shape of the snake's neck by Phra's boot. + +"Once more," he said to his wife; "then let me." + +As Mrs. Cameron pressed her lips to the wound, her husband snatched +the thin silk neckerchief Harry wore from his neck, twisted it up into +a cord, and tied it as tightly as he could round the lad's arm, just +above the elbow-joint. + +"Now let me come," he said sharply. "Run in, Mary; fetch basin, +sponge, water, and the caustic bottle." + +Mrs. Cameron was used to her husband's ways in emergencies, and +resigning the patient to his hands she ran off to the house. + +"Sit down here, Hal," said Cameron, "and keep a good heart, lad. I +daresay we shall take it in time." + +As he spoke he pressed the silent lad back into Mrs. Cameron's chair, +snatched off the jacket, tore open the shirt-sleeve, and then drew out +his pocket-book, from which he took a lancet. + +With this he scarified the tiny wound, making it bleed freely, before +placing his lips to it and trying to draw the poison away again and +again, while Phra stood close by, his face of a livid hue, and making +no offer of help on account of his position. + +For the serpent was still twined tightly about his ankle and leg, and +he felt sure that if he released the head from beneath his foot, the +reptile would strike again. + +By this time Mrs. Cameron was back with the various articles required, +and she knelt down with the basin in her lap as the doctor took a +little wide-mouthed bottle from her hand, removed the stopper, shook +out a tiny stick of white, sugar-looking crystal, and after moistening +the end, liberally used it in and about the mouth of the wound. + +"Hurt you, my boy?" said Cameron sharply, as Harry lay back, with his +eyes tightly closed. + +"Horribly," was the reply. "Feels like red-hot iron." + +"Do you good, boy. Act like a stimulus. Now, can you walk indoors?" + +"I think so." + +"One moment. You, Phra, run up and tell Mr. Kenyon to come here +directly." + +"No, no," cried Harry; "don't do that. It would frighten him." + +"He must be told, Hal, my lad. Go, Phra." + +The boy addressed pointed to his foot. + +"If I let its head go, it will sting," he said. + +"Oh, I see," said the doctor coolly, and taking a knife from his +pocket, he opened it, bent down, and with one cut passed the knife +blade through the cobra's neck, with the result that the long, lithe +body was set free, as if it had been held in its place by the position +of the head, and Phra's leg was released. + +But he took his foot very cautiously off the head, which even then +moved, as if still connected with the slowly writhing body, for the +jaws opened and shut two or three times, the vitality in the creature +being wonderful. + +But Phra did not stay to see. He stepped quickly to Harry's side and +caught his left hand, to hold it for a moment against his throbbing +breast, and then ran off as hard as he could go. + +Meanwhile, supported on either side by the doctor and his wife, Harry +was led into the former's room, the boy looking rather wild and +strange. Here he was seated upon a cane couch, while a draught of +ammonia and water was prepared, and held to him to drink. + +"Not thirsty," he said, shaking his head. + +"Never mind; drink," cried the doctor, and the lad hastily tossed off +the contents. + +"Nice?" said the doctor, with a smile. + +"Horrid; like soap and water," replied Harry. "May I go to sleep?" + +"Yes, for a time, if you can." + +"But I say, look here, Doctor; when father comes, don't let him be +frightened. I'm not going to be very bad, am I?" + +"I hope not, Hal. You see, we have taken it in time." + +"That's right," said the boy, with a deep sigh, and he closed his eyes +at once and let his head subside on the pillow, sinking at once into a +kind of stupor, for it was not like sleep. + +"Oh, Duncan," whispered Mrs. Cameron, as soon as she felt satisfied +that the patient could not hear, "surely he will not die?" + +"Not if I can help it, dear," he replied. "That was very brave of you +to suck the wound. It may have saved his life." + +"Poor, brave, darling boy!" she cried, bursting into a convulsive fit +of sobbing, as she sank in her husband's arms, utterly giving way now. +"He saved me from the horrible reptile, and was bitten himself." + +"Ha! God bless him for it--and spare his life," added the doctor to +himself--"that was it, then?" + +"Yes, dear," sobbed Mrs. Cameron; "I was going back to take up my work +when I heard a rustling sound among the flowers, and looking round I +saw the horrible thing dancing and waving itself up and down as they +do when a snake-charmer plays to them. I couldn't stir; I couldn't +speak. I seemed to be suddenly made rigid; and then it was that Harry +saw the state I was in, and came to my help." + +"What did he do?" said the doctor, as he tried to calm his wife's +hysterical sobs. + +"Ran between me and the snake, and struck at it when it darted itself +out. It would have bitten me, for it was gradually coming closer to +me, and--and--and--oh, it was so dreadful, Duncan dear! I seemed to +have no power to move. I knew that if I ran off I should be safe, but +I could not stir, only wait as if fixed by the horrible creature's +eyes--wait till it darted at and bit me." + +"And Harry dashed in between you?" + +"Yes, dear. He seized the little bamboo stool, and struck at it. Oh, +Duncan! Duncan! Don't let him die!" + +"Let him die, my dear?" said the doctor, drawing in his breath. "Not +if my poor knowledge can save him. But I have great hopes that your +brave thoughtfulness will have had its effect. Now go and lie down a +bit till you have grown calm. This terrible business has unhinged +you." + +"No, no, dear; let me stay." + +"I dare not, my dear. You are weak and hysterical from the shock, and +I must keep the poor boy undisturbed." + +"You may trust me, dear," said Mrs. Cameron; "I am better now. There, +you see I am mastering my weakness. I will master it, and be quite +calm, so as to help you to nurse him and make him well." + +"May I trust you?" + +"Yes, yes, dear." + +"But suppose he is very, very bad?" whispered the doctor. + +"I will be quite calm and helpful then. Afterwards I will not answer +for myself." + +"Then stay," said the doctor, who examined his patient as he lay +there, looking strange and completely stupefied. + +"Raise him up a little," said the doctor, after he had mixed some more +ammonia and water; "I want him to drink this." + +Mrs. Cameron's task was easy, and there was no trouble then in getting +the patient to drink, till the last spoonful or two, which he thrust +away. + +"It hurts me to swallow," he muttered, as if to himself--"it hurts me +to swallow." + +The doctor frowned, as he helped his wife to lower the poor fellow +down, and examined the wrist and arm, which were now becoming terribly +swollen and blotched. + +"Oh, Duncan!" whispered Mrs. Cameron, "can't you do something more?" + +"No," he said sadly; "one is fearfully helpless in such a case as +this. Everything possible has been done; it is a fight between nature +and the poison." + +"And there seemed to be no time before I was trying to draw it out of +the wound again." + +"It is so horribly subtle," said the doctor. "What you did ought to +have checked the action, but it is going on. I dread poor Kenyon's +coming, and yet I am longing for it. He cannot be long." + +"Duncan," whispered Mrs. Cameron, as she laid her hand tenderly upon +Harry's forehead, "are you sure that he cannot understand what we +say?" + +"Quite." + +"You said the poison was subtle; will it be long before the effect +passes off?" + +"No," replied the doctor; "the danger should be quite at an end before +an hour is passed. Subtle? Horribly subtle and quick, dear. I have +known poor creatures die in a quarter of an hour after being struck. +Hist! I can hear Kenyon's steps in the garden. Go to the door and +bring him in." + +Mrs. Cameron went out softly, but returned with Phra. + +"Is Mr. Kenyon coming?" + +"He went down the river in his boat, Michael says, and will not be +back till evening." + +"Tut--tut--tut!" ejaculated the doctor. + +"How is he?" whispered Phra. + +"Bad; very bad," replied the doctor. + +"Oh!" cried Phra, in agony. "But you are curing him, Doctor Cameron?" + +"I am doing everything I possibly can, Phra." + +"Yes, I know; and you are so clever. It is all right, and he will soon +be better." + +The doctor groaned, and bent over his patient, exchanging glances with +his wife--looks both full of despair. + +Phra stepped to the doctor's side, and caught him fiercely by the arm. + +"You frighten me," he whispered excitedly. "Don't say he is very bad!" + +"Look," said the doctor sadly, and he pointed to the horrible +appearance of his young patient's arm. "It is of no use to disguise +it, Phra: the poison of these dreadful reptiles is beyond a doctor's +skill." + +"But do something--do something!" cried Phra angrily. "You are only +standing and looking on. You must--you shall do more." + +Mrs. Cameron rose and took the lad's hands, drawing them aside. + +"Be patient, Phra," she whispered. "My husband is doing everything +that is possible." + +"But it is so dreadful," cried Phra. "I saw some one die from a +snake-bite, and he looked just like that. But there was no doctor +then. Can't he do something more?" + +Mrs. Cameron shook her head. + +"You know how clever and wise he is, Phra. We must trust him. He knows +what is best." + +Phra groaned, and sank down despairingly in a chair; but he started up +again directly. + +"Shall I fetch my father? He is very wise about snake-bites. He would +come for Hal." + +"He could do nothing," said the doctor gravely. "Be silent, please; I +am doing everything that is possible." + +Phra frowned on hearing the imperative way in which the doctor spoke, +but he did not resent it. He merely went on tip-toe to the head of the +couch, and knelt down there, watching every movement on Harry's part, +though these were few. + +From time to time the doctor administered ammonia, but it seemed to +have not the slightest effect: the swelling went on; the skin of the +boy's arm grew of a livid black; and the mutterings of delirium made +the scene more painful. + +And so three hours passed away, with no sign of Mr. Kenyon, no token +given that the danger was nearly passed. + +Every one was indefatigable, striving the best to render Harry's +sufferings lighter; but all seemed in vain, and at last, as she read +truly the look of despair in her husband's face, every palliative he +administered seeming to be useless, Mrs. Cameron, after fighting hard +to keep back her grief, threw herself upon her knees by the side of +the couch, and burst into a hysterical fit of sobbing. + +This was too much for Phra, who, to hide his own feelings, hurried out +into the garden, unable as he was to witness Mrs. Cameron's sufferings +unmoved. + +And now in his utter despair the doctor made no effort to check his +wife's loud sobs, feeling as he did that they could do no harm; and +after attending to his patient again, he was about to walk to the +window to try and think whether there was anything else that he could +do, when to his astonishment Harry opened his eyes, stared round +vacantly, and said in sharp tones,-- + +"Yes! What is it? Who called?" + +The doctor was at his side in an instant, and caught his hand. "Harry, +my lad," he said, "do you know me?" + +The boy stared at him strangely, but he had comprehended the question. + +"Know you?" he said. "Yes; why shouldn't I know you? What a ridiculous +question! But--Here, what is the matter with that lady? Is it--is +it--? My head aches, and I can't think," he added, after looking +wonderingly about. "What has been the matter? Doctor Cameron, has some +one been ill?" + +"Yes, some one has been very ill," said the doctor, laying his cool +hand upon the boy's forehead and pressing him back upon the pillow. + +"Some one has been very ill! Who is it? Can't be father or Mike. Why +am I here? I'm not ill. Here, something hurts me, doctor--something on +the wrist. Just look; it hurts so that I can't lift it." + +The doctor took hold of the frightfully swollen arm, and made as if +examining the injury, saying quietly,-- + +"Oh, it's only a bite; it will be better soon. I'll put a little olive +oil to it. Will you get some, my dear?" + +Mrs. Cameron rose from her knees quickly, and hurried out of the room, +keeping her head averted so that Harry should not see her face. + +He noticed this, and his eyes filled with a wondering look. "I don't +understand it," he said. "I'm not at home." + +"No," said the doctor quietly. "You are here, at my house." + +"Of course; and that was Mrs. Cameron who went out to get the oil, +and--" + +He stopped short, and looked about him for some moments. Then in a +puzzled way:-- + +"There's something I want to think about, but I can't." + +"Don't worry about it, then. Lie still till you can." + +"Yes, that will be the best way. Ah! here she is." + +Mrs. Cameron was back with the oil, and he made her lips quiver, and +she had hard work to keep back her tears, as he said,-- + +"That's good of you to fetch it. Thank you, Doctor. What was it bit +me? One of those big mosquitoes? Ah!" + +He uttered a wild cry, and his face grew convulsed with horror. + +"What is it, my dear boy?" said the doctor. + +"I know now," he said, in a low, passionate, agitated voice. "It has +come back. The snake! I was bitten by that snake!" + +"Yes, my boy, but the effect is all passing off," said the doctor +soothingly. + +"No, no; you are saying that to keep me from thinking I shall die of +the bite, and--" his voice sank to a whisper, as he murmured +despairingly, "Oh, father, father! what will you do?" + +"I am not cheating you, Harry," said the doctor, leaning over him; "it +is the simple truth. You were bitten by the virulent reptile; but +fortunately we were close by, and the poison has yielded to the +remedies." + +"Ah! you gave me something?" + +"We did, of course," said the doctor gravely, giving his wife a +glance. "You have been delirious and insensible, but the poison is +mastered, and you have nothing to do now but get well. Thank God!" + +The boy took the last words literally. He closed his eyes, and they +saw his lips move in the silence which lasted for some minutes. + +Then he opened his eyes, and spoke quite naturally. + +"I can recollect all about it now. But tell me, are you sure Mrs. +Cameron was not hurt?" + +"Hurt? No, Harry," said that lady, taking his hand, to press it to her +lips. "I have you to thank for saving my life." + +He imitated her action, and said with a smile,-- + +"No, no. Doctor Cameron would have cured you as he did me. But ugh! +what an arm!" he cried, hastily drawing the sleeve over the +discoloured, swollen skin. "I say, doctor, it won't stop like that, +will it?" + +"Oh no, that will soon pass away." + +At that moment Phra's piteous face appeared at the window, looking +inquiringly in, for he had been puzzled by the voices he had heard; +and as soon as he grasped the state of affairs, he uttered a wild +cry,-- + +"Hal!" + +It was as he rushed in through the window and dashed across the floor, +to pretty well fling himself upon his companion. Then, with simulated +anger, to choke down the burst of sobs striving for exit,-- + +"Oh, you wretch!" he cried, "to frighten us all like that! Doctor, +what doesn't he deserve!" + +"Rest and quiet, Phra, my lad. Steady, please; he is a bit weak yet." + +"Yes, I understand. But oh, Hal, old chap, old chap! you have made me +feel bad!" + +"So sorry," said the boy, "and so glad you all felt like that. But, +Phra, I want you to do something." + +"Yes, what is it?" cried Phra eagerly. + +"I want you to go up to our place and wait till father comes back. +Then tell him I'm better. I shouldn't like him to hear I had been +bitten by a naga without knowing the whole truth." + +"Yes, I'll go," cried the boy, pressing his friend's hand. "But tell +me first, doctor: he is ever so much better?" + +"Quite out of all danger now," was the reply, and Phra started off, +but only to find that he was too late, for before he had gone a +hundred yards he met Mr. Kenyon and Mike, running. + +"Ah!" cried the merchant wildly, catching Phra by the arm, "tell me +quickly--the truth--the truth." + +"Better; getting well fast," said Phra quickly. + +Mr. Kenyon stopped short and laid his hand to his breast, and stood +panting for a few minutes before speaking again. + +"Mike told you as soon as you came ashore, then?" + +"No, he came down the river in a boat to fetch me, as soon as he heard +the news. But come, quick, I must see for myself!" + +As Mr. Kenyon entered the room the doctor and his wife just said a +word, and then went softly out, Phra grasping the reason and following +them into the garden. + +"Yes, I see," he said softly; "to let them be alone." + +They all three turned down one of the paths amongst the thickly +planted bushes, and then stopped short in wonder, for there just +before them was Mike, crying like a child, and wiping his eyes. + +He was aware of their presence, though, almost as soon as they were of +his, and making a pretence of mopping his face with the handkerchief +he held, he hurried up. + +"Awful hot, sir," he said. "You want me?" + +"No, not yet," said the doctor, ignoring the tears; "but in two or +three hours I think we can get your young master home. I think you had +better see about a palanquin and bearers by-and-by. Or perhaps you +might as well go now, and tell the men to be here in two hours' time." + +"Yes, sir; of course, sir, but--er--" + +"What is it?" said the doctor. + +"Could I just go and say a word to the young master, sir?" + +"I think not now, Mike. His father is with him, and we have left them +so that they might be alone." + +"Of course, sir, and quite right too," said Mike. "I'll be off at +once, sir; but it is amazing hot." + +Mike hurried away, and as soon as he was out of hearing Phra said +quickly,-- + +"See how he'd been crying, Mr. Cameron?" + +"Yes, Phra." + +"That's because he liked our Hal so. Every one likes Hal." + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +SUL THE ELEPHANT + + +"Bother the old cobra! Don't say any more about it; I hate to hear the +thing mentioned. Well, there, quite well, thank you; how do you do?" + +"But you might tell me, Hal." + +"Why, I am telling you. I'm quite well again." + +"Don't you feel anything?" + +"Oh yes, just a little; my arm feels pins-and-needlesy, just as if I +had been to sleep on it in an awkward position; and it looks as if it +was turning into a snake." + +"What, twists and twines about?" + +"No--o--o--o! What nonsense! How can a thing with stiff bones in it +twist and twine about? I mean, the skin's all marked something like a +snake's; but Dr. Cameron says I need not mind, for it will all go off +in time. Oh, I am so sick of it all! I wish I hadn't killed the +snake." + +"What!" cried Phra. + +"No, I don't quite mean that, because of course I'm glad to have +killed the horrible, poisonous thing; only it's so tiresome. That's +nearly a month ago, and everybody's watching me to see how I look, and +asking me how I am, and you're about the worst of the lot." + +"It's quite natural, Hal." + +"Is it? Then I wish it wasn't. I suppose it's quite natural for Mrs. +Cameron to begin to cry as soon as she sees me." + +"It's because she feels grateful to you for saving her life." + +"There you go again," cried Harry peevishly. "Saving her life! Oh, how +I wish I hadn't! Everybody will keep telling me of it, and one says it +was so good of me, and another calls me a brave young hero; and just +because I hit a snake a whack with an old bamboo stool. It's +sickening." + +Phra laughed heartily. + +"You're not sorry you saved her life." + +"Will you be quiet?" cried Harry angrily. "Saved her life again. +Everybody's telling me of it. Of course I don't mean I'm sorry, but I +wish somebody else had done it. Ah! you, for instance," cried the boy, +with one of his old mirthful looks. "Ha, ha, ha! Poor old Phra! How +would he like it? every one calling him a brave young hero!" + +"I shouldn't mind it once or twice," said Phra thoughtfully. "But +after that I suppose it would be rather tiresome." + +"Tiresome!" cried Harry. "It sets your teeth on edge--it makes you +squirm--it makes you want to throw things that will break--it makes +you want to call names, and kick." + +Phra roared. + +"Ah, you may grin, my lad, but it does." + +"It would make me feel proud," said Phra. + +"That it wouldn't. You're not such a silly, weak noodle. It would make +you feel ashamed of yourself, for it's sickly and stupid to make such +a fuss about nothing. No, don't say any more about it, or there'll be +a fight." + +"I say, Hal," cried Phra. "I shall be glad when you are quite well +again." + +"I am quite well again. Look here, I'll race you along the terrace and +back." + +"No, it makes one too hot. But you're not quite well yet." + +"I am, I tell you. Do you want to quarrel?" + +"No, but that proves you are not." + +"How? What do you mean?" + +"You get cross so soon. It's just as if that snakebite--" + +"Don't!" roared Harry. + +"Turned you sour and acid." + +Harry did not resent this, but remained silent for a few moments. + +"I say," he said at last, "is that true?" + +"What?" + +"About me turning sour and acid?" + +"Oh yes; you get out of temper about such little things. I'm almost +afraid to speak to you sometimes." + +"Hi! Look at him! There he goes. One of those little monkeys. He heard +me shout. How he can jump from tree to tree! I wish we were as active. +There! He can't jump to that next tree. He'd fall down. Well! Look at +that. Why, it was a tremendous jump." + +"We were here just right," said Phra; "he was coming after the fruit, +and we scared him." + +Harry was silent, and walked on by his companion's side in the +beautiful gardens of the palace. Then he began to whistle softly, as +if he were thinking. At last he broke out with-- + +"Oh, what a lovely garden this is! I wish my father was a king, and I +was a prince, and all this was ours." + +Phra threw himself down on the grass beneath a clump of shrubs and +began to laugh heartily. + +"What are you laughing at?" said Harry angrily. + +"You. Why, you wouldn't like it half so well as what you have now." + +"Oh, shouldn't I! I know better than that." + +"No, you don't, Hal. That is all my father's, and it will be all mine +some day; but I like being at your place ever so much better than +being here." + +"You don't. Nonsense!" + +"I do, I tell you. Your little garden's lovely, and the dear old +landing-place is ten times nicer than our marble steps." + +"You've been out in the sun too much, Phra, and it has turned your +head." + +"That it hasn't. And as to your father being king, he'd soon be very +tired of it, as my father is; for it's all worry and care." + +Harry had thrown himself sprawling on the grass beside his companion, +and the boys were both silent for a while, as if listening to the soft +cooing of one of the beautiful little rose and green doves which +frequented the garden. + +"It's very curious," said Harry at last. + +"What is?" said Phra wonderingly. + +"That the poison of that snake--such a wee, tiny drop as got into +me--should have such a droll effect." + +"I don't see anything droll in it," replied Phra. + +"I do," cried Harry. "Here, only a little time ago I was the jolliest, +best-tempered fellow that ever lived." + +"Ho, ho, ho!" laughed Phra. + +"Well, so I was," cried Harry indignantly. + +"When you weren't cross." + +"Oh, I say, I never was cross; but I'll own to it now. I've often +thought about it lately. You're quite right, Phra; the least thing +does put me out now, and I feel as if I must grind my teeth together. +Think it is because of the poison?" + +"Of course it is. But never mind. I don't, because I know why it is." + +"I have been very cross, then, sometimes, have I?" + +"Horrid!" cried Phra, laughing. "You've been ready to call the sun +names for shining, and the wind for blowing. You can't think how cross +you've been." + +"I can guess. It's what Dr. Cameron calls being a trifle irritable. +Hullo! here's one of your fellows coming. Looks just as if he were +going to spear us both for being in the King's garden." + +A handsome, bronze-skinned guard stalked up and bowed to Phra. + +"What do you want?" asked Phra. + +"The hunter, Sree, asks to see the Prince," replied the man. + +That was enough. There was neither irritability in Harry, nor thought +of the heat in Phra, as they sprang up and made for the outer court, +where they found Sree sitting upon his heels, calmly meditative over +his thoughts, but ready to spring up on seeing the two lads approach. + +He saluted them after the country fashion, and in reply to the +question asked by both together,-- + +"I came to see if the young Sahib Harry was well enough to go out, and +the Prince would go with him." + +"Of course I'm well enough," cried Harry. "I say, Sree, have you seen +any cobras since that one bit me?" + +Phra turned sharply round, with his face full of the mirth he tried to +hide. + +"Yes, I know what you mean," cried Harry sharply. "I shall talk about +it myself, though, if I like. Have you seen any, Sree?" + +"Just one hundred and seven, Sahib," said the man. + +"A hundred and seven!" cried Harry. "What, about here?" + +"About the different houses and landings, Sahib," replied the old +hunter. "They like to get near to where people live, because of the +little animals that come too." + +"I shouldn't have thought that there were so many for miles and +miles." + +"Oh yes, Sahib; there are many nagas about." + +"You must have seen the same ones over again," said Harry. + +"No, Sahib; it was not so, because I killed as many as I said." + +"Killed them!" + +"Yes, Sahib; when I knew that you had been bitten, I felt that I must +have been neglectful, and I set to work seeking for nagas with my two +men, and we killed all those. You see, it is easy. When you find one, +there is sure to be its husband or its wife somewhere near." + +"Then you killed all those because I was bitten?" said Harry. + +"Yes, Sahib, and we are going to kill more. They are dangerous things. +Would the Sahib like to go out to-day?" + +"Yes, we should; shouldn't we, Phra?" + +"Yes, if you--" + +Phra got no farther, on account of the sharp look Harry darted at him. + +"Have you anything particular you have tracked down?" + +"I have done nothing but hunt nagas lately, Sahib, because I did not +know when the Sahib would come again; but the jungle is full of wild +creatures, and the river the same. Would Sahib Harry like to go right +up the river in a boat, or would he like a ride through the jungle +with an elephant?" + +"What do you say, Phra?" asked Harry. + +"We had a boat out last time," said Phra. "Which you like, though." + +"But could you get an elephant? Would your father--" + +"Of course," said Phra eagerly. "How soon shall we go?" + +"I should like to go directly." + +"Then we will go directly. I'll order an elephant to be brought round +at once." + +He went towards the palace, and Harry followed him with his eyes. + +"It's nice," he thought, "to be able to order everything you want like +that. To tell the people to bring round an elephant, just as I might +give orders for a donkey. Well, it's just the same, only one's bigger +than the other, and costs more to keep. It is nice, after all, to be a +king or a prince. Phra says it isn't, though, and perhaps one might +get as much fun out of a donkey, and if he kicked it wouldn't be so +far to fall." + +He turned suddenly, to find that the old hunter's eyes were fixed +sharply upon him. + +"Does the young Sahib feel any pain now from the snake-bite?" + +Harry frowned at the allusion, but the question was so respectfully +put that he replied quietly,-- + +"A good deal sometimes, Sree, but my arm is better." + +"Be out in the sun all you can, Sahib, and let the hot light shine +upon it to bring life and strength back to the blood." + +Harry nodded. + +"There is death in the serpent's poison, but life in the light of the +sun, Sahib. Sree's heart was sore within him when he heard the bad +tidings, for he feared it meant that the young Sahib's days were at an +end." + +"But you never came near me, Sree, while I was bad." + +"But I knew, Sahib, and I was busy--oh, so busy! One hundred and seven +of the little wretches." + +"Oh yes," said Harry, "I had forgotten that. But come along; the +Prince is coming out again." + +By the time they reached the court Phra was there, with men carrying +out guns, belts, and flasks, with net-bags to hold anything they might +shoot; and before this was quite done a peculiar scrunching sound was +heard, and directly after the prominent fronted grey head of a huge +elephant appeared, as the great quadruped came on, walking softly, and +swaying its long trunk from side to side, while upon its neck sat a +little ugly man not bigger than a boy, hook-speared goad in hand, and +with his legs completely hidden by the creature's great, leathery, +flap ears. + +"You've got the biggest one, Phra," said Harry. + +"Yes, he takes longer strides, and I like him; don't I, Sul?" said the +lad, giving the _u_ in the animal's name the long, soft sound of +double _o_. + +The elephant uttered a peculiar sound, and twining his truck round +Phra's waist, lifted him from the ground. + +"No, no, I am going up by the ladder," said Phra, laughing, and at a +word the huge beast set him down again, and raised his trunk to +receive a petting from Harry, who was an old friend. + +It seemed strange for the great beast with its gigantic power to be so +obedient and docile to a couple of mere lads, and the insignificant +mahout perched upon its neck. But so it was: at a word the elephant +knelt, a short, bamboo ladder was placed against its side, and the +boys climbed up; the guns and ammunition were handed in by Sree, who +was particular to a degree in seeing that everything was placed in the +howdah that was necessary; and then he took his own place behind the +lads. + +Without being told, a couple of the men drew the ladder away, and the +mahout grasped his silver-mounted goad, all attention for the word. + +Phra gave this, and then it was like a boat mounting a wave and +plunging down the other side, as the elephant rose, and without +seeming to exert itself in the least, began to shuffle over the +ground. + +"Just like two pairs of stuffed trousers under a feather bed," as +Harry termed it. + +Sree gave the mahout his directions, and very soon the river was left +far behind, and they were following one of the elephant tracks through +the wooded district which lay between the river and the jungle +proper--the primitive wild, much of which had never been trodden by +the foot of man. + +Here the trees had gone on growing to their full age, and fallen to +make way for others to take their places, the roots of the young +literally devouring the crumbled-up touchwood over which they had +spread their boughs, while creepers and the ever-present climbing and +running palm, the rotan, bound the grand, forest monarchs together, +and turned the place into an impenetrable wild, save where the wild +elephants had formed their roads and traversed them even to taking the +same steps, each planting its huge feet in the impressions made by +those which had gone before. + +"Are we going to begin shooting at once, Sree?" asked Harry. + +"No, Sahib; not here. Too many people have been about, and everything +is shy and hides. Wait till we get into some of the open places in the +wild jungle." + +This was while they were in the more open woodland; but soon this was +left behind, and they were in the twilight of the great forest, going +through a tunnel arched over by big trees, and with very little more +than room for their huge steed to pass without brushing the sides. + +Every here and there the gloom was relieved by what looked like a +golden shower of rain, where the sun managed to penetrate; but, as +soon as this was passed, the darkness seemed deeper than before. + +The first part of this savage wild lay low, and the huge footprints +made by the wild elephants were full of mud and water; but Sul did not +seem in the least troubled. According to the custom of his kind, he +chose these holes in preference to the firm ground between, his feet +sometimes descending with a loud splash a couple of feet or so, and +being withdrawn with a peculiar _suck_, while the huge beast rolled +and plunged like a boat in a rough sea. + +"Do you mind this?" said Phra, turning to his companion, as they were +shaken together. + +"No; I like it," replied Harry. "I say, what a place this must be for +the big snakes, and how easily one might dart down half its body and +twist round one of us. Don't you feel a bit scared?" + +"No; but I heard of a hungry one doing that once. I daresay we should +know if one was near." + +"How?" + +"The elephant seems to see and know whenever he is near anything +dangerous." + +"Oh, only when there is a tiger or buffalo, Phra." + +"This one notices everything, doesn't he, Sree?" + +"Yes, Prince; he is a wonderful beast," replied the hunter, who, in +spite of the rolling about, had carefully charged the four guns that +had been brought, and replaced them lying upon the hooks within the +howdah, ready to be seized at a moment's notice. + +"We shan't see anything here," said Phra. + +"Too thick," replied the hunter; "but there are plenty of beasts on +either side now. In an hour though we shall reach a part where the sun +can shine through." + +"Hist! Something before us," whispered Phra stretching out his hand +for a gun, an act imitated by Harry; for the elephant had suddenly +stopped, thrown up its trunk, and as it gave vent to a rumbling sound +which ended in the loud, highly-pitched cry which is called +trumpeting, it shook its head from side to side, striking the branches +with the ends of its long, sharp-pointed tusks, which were hooped in +two places with bands of glistening silver. + +"You had better take a gun too, Sree," said Harry, in a low voice, and +the old hunter eagerly availed himself of the permission. + +"Mind not to hit the mahout," whispered Phra, for the little turbanned +man kept on anxiously looking back; "and you had better be looking +out, Hal, for Sul may spin right round and run away." + +They sat watching and listening for some minutes, expecting moment by +moment to see the cause of their stoppage approaching along the dusk +tunnel, and at last, as the elephant ceased to make uneasy signs, Sree +handed the gun to Harry. + +"What are you going to do?" asked the latter. + +"Slip down, Sahib, and go forward to see what startled the elephant." + +"Is it safe?" + +"Oh yes, Sahib; I should run back if there was danger, and you would +fire over my head." + +"But you had better have a gun." + +The old hunter smiled, and the next minute, he had lowered himself +down by the ropes which held on the howdah, reached up for the gun, +which was handed down to him, and they saw him go slowly forward, +carefully examining the pathway, which fortunately was here fairly +free from water, though the earth was soft enough to show the +footprints of whatever had passed along. + +As if fully comprehending what all this meant, the great elephant made +a muttering noise, lowered its trunk, and of its own choice continued +its march, following close behind Sree, till the latter began to move +more cautiously; and now the elephant raised its head again, and +curled its trunk up, throwing it back towards its forehead. + +"Means a tiger," whispered Harry. + +"Yes; look at Sree. Be ready to fire." + +Harry's heart beat fast, and he sat there with his gun-barrels resting +on the front of the howdah, ready to fire if the great cat came into +view. + +The elephant was shifting its weight from foot to foot, giving itself +an awkward roll that would be rather bad for a marksman; but otherwise +it made no further uneasy signs. + +"Tiger," cried Phra, and Sree nodded sharply, before running some +little distance on in a stooping position, displaying the activity of +a boy, till he was nearly out of sight; but before he was quite so he +turned sharply and ran back, stopping about a dozen yards in front of +the elephant's head. + +"Look, Sahibs," he said, pointing down, "tiger. He came out of the low +bush just on your left, and trotted along to here, and then crossed to +yonder, twenty paces farther, where he went in among the trees on your +right." + +"Come back, then, and mount," said Harry anxiously. "The brute may be +crouching somewhere ready to spring on you." + +"No, Sahib," said the man, smiling; "he has gone right away." + +"How can you tell that?" asked Harry. + +"Look at Sul, Sahib. He would not stand quietly like that if the tiger +was near." + +"Yes, that is right," said Phra quietly, and he bade the mahout tell +the elephant to kneel. + +"Couldn't we follow and get a shot at it?" said Harry excitedly. "No, +no, of course not in a place like this," he hastened to add, for +unless the path was followed it was next to impossible to move. + +The next minute the elephant had knelt, and Sree had scrambled back to +his place behind the howdah. + +"As there was one here, there may be his mate, Sahib," he said; "so we +will keep a good look-out." + +"Yes, of course," said Harry, as the elephant strode along quietly +enough; "but I say, Phra, we did not come out after tigers, did we?" + +"No, but by accident we are where we may get one. Did you find the +pugs as easily as this, when you were out with my father that day?" + +"No, Sahib; it was all hard work, and very few footmarks to be found." + +"Did you bring us this way hoping that we might shoot a tiger?" + +"No, Sahib; I brought you along here so that you might shoot a deer +for us to take back. I would not purposely take you where there are +tigers; but if we have one tracking us, of course we must shoot, +unless you would like to go back." + +"Ask the Prince if he would," said Harry. "I mean to go on." + +"Go on, of course," said Phra. "I don't think we shall see any more +signs of tigers." + +And, in fact, they went right on now along this winding tunnel through +the jungle without seeing anything, and hearing nothing but the +shrieking of parrots now and then, far above their heads, where the +tops of the trees spread their flowers or fruit in the bright +sunshine, but produced semi-darkness in the jungle beneath. + +At last, though, the path grew drier and drier and it was evident that +they were ascending a slope, which being pursued for another quarter +of an hour, they had the satisfaction of noting that the trees were of +less growth, and every now and then there were rays of light streaming +down, till all at once there was a patch of bright sunshine right in +front, showing that comparatively open ground lay before them; while +directly after Harry had a glimpse of something dusky fifty yards +away, there was the sound of a rush and the breaking of twigs, and +then all was silent again. + +"Buffalo, wasn't it?" said Phra. + +"Yes, Sahib," replied the old hunter. "Scared away; but they may +return. There were four of them. Be ready, for they might come back +and charge at the elephant, big as he is." + +But no more was seen of the game they had disturbed, and a few minutes +later they were out in full sunshine, the track before them being a +wide expanse of park-like ground extended on either slope of a valley, +through which a stream ran, half hidden by overhanging bushes and +reeds. Here and there the sun flashed from the running water, but for +the most part the stream was invisible. + +When they broke out of the jungle they entered a dense patch of grass, +which immediately found favour with the elephant, and it began tearing +it up in bundles as large as its trunk would embrace; but this +enjoyment was stopped at once, for at a word or two from Sree, the +mahout started the animal onward, uttering mild remonstrances the +while. + +"We will keep along here on the slope, Sahibs," said the hunter. "Be +quite ready to fire." + +It was an unnecessary order, for both boys were keenly on the +look-out, while as soon as he had got over his disappointment at not +being allowed to tuck small trusses of the succulent grass into his +capacious maw, Sul showed how well trained a hunting elephant he was, +taking up the beating in the most matter-of-fact way, and as if +thoroughly entering into the spirit of the chase. + +"What shall we get along here, Sree?" asked Harry, as they rode on, +with the long grass and bushes rustling and snapping about the +elephant's feet. + +"Who knows, Sahib? Perhaps pig, which will make for the low ground +yonder by the stream, or peacock, and they will rise and fly to our +left for the shelter of the jungle. Maybe it will be a buffalo, who +will charge us, and then it will be better that I should fire too, for +the great obstinate brute ought to be stopped before it reaches Sul. +He would take the buffalo on his tusks, but these beasts are so strong +that he might be hurt, and that would be a pity; it makes an elephant +unsteady." + +"I thought you said we might get a deer," said Phra. + +"It is very likely, Sahib," replied the man. "Who knows what we may +find in such a beautiful hunting-country, where no one disturbs the +beasts? Ah, look!" + +For at that moment Sul uttered a warning sound which can best be +represented by the word _Phoomk_, and stopped short, but without +curling up his trunk out of the way of some charging enemy. + +The boys raised their guns to their shoulders, and waited for a chance +to fire, but there was nothing seen save the waving and undulating of +the long grass to their left, as if something were making for the +jungle--something long, like a gigantic serpent. + +"Shall I fire?" said Phra. + +"It is of no use, Sahib," replied Sree; "the cover is too deep." + +"What is it?" said Harry hoarsely--"a boa?" + +"No, Sahib; a little troop of small monkeys following an old one. They +have been down to the water to drink, and they are running back to the +jungle trees." + +"Oh, we don't want to shoot them," said Harry; "go on." + +The elephant obeyed a touch from the goad, and shambled along, making +the long grass swish, while he muttered and grumbled as if +dissatisfied at there being no firing. But before they had gone a +hundred yards farther he gave warning again, and almost at the same +moment there was a loud grunting, a rush to the right, and two reports +rang out as both boys fired. + +This was followed by a sharp squeal, but the undulation of the grass +did not cease, and from their position high up the two lads caught +sight from time to time of the blackish-brown backs of three or four +good-sized pigs. + +"We hit one," cried Harry excitedly. "Send Sul on. It must be lying +dead." + +"No, Sahib," said Sree. "You hit one, but they have all gone off." + +"How do you know? Perhaps one is lying there in the long grass." + +"No, Sahib," said the man; "you would have seen it struggling, and +heard its shrieks. A pig makes much noise. But I saw the one hit, and +it only gave a jump. You both fired the wrong barrels." + +"What!" cried Phra, examining his gun, with Harry following suit. + +"The right barrels are for shot, the left barrels for ball," said Sree +quietly. "Those shot would kill a peacock, but only tickle the thick +skin of a wild pig." + +"How stupid!" said Harry. "I never thought of that. Here, load again." + +He handed his gun to the hunter, and took up another from the hooks +inside the howdah, while Sul went on, muttering to himself, but there +appeared from the sound to be more satisfaction in his remarks at the +efforts made, though there had been no result. + +So comical was all this that the boys laughed heartily, and there was +a grim smile on Sree's countenance. + +"It seems so droll," said Phra merrily. "It is just as if he knew all +about it." + +"He does, Sahib," said the hunter. + +"Nonsense!" said Harry. + +"The Sahib has not seen so much of elephants as I have," said the man +respectfully. "He believes that I have learned much about the wild +creatures of the jungle?" + +"Oh yes, you have, Sree; but I can't believe elephants understand what +we are doing." + +"The wild elephant is one of the wisest of beasts, Sahib, and he would +never be caught, he is so cunning, if it was not that we cheat him by +sending elephants that we have trained to the herd to lead others into +traps. And when they have got them there, do they not beat them and +hold them till they are noosed and their spirit is conquered?" + +"Oh yes, they do all that." + +"And many other things," said Sree, "that I have seen with the Sahibs +in India, where they move and pile the trees that are cut down, and +lift guns; and what beast will obey its master better than an +elephant? Old Sul here is very wise, and knows a great deal." + +"Yes," said Harry, "but not to understand what we say." + +"But he knows what the order means, Sahib; and see how he enjoys the +hunting." + +"Yes, Sul really does like hunting, Hal," said Phra. + +"And it is not only elephants that like hunting," continued Sree. "See +how the horses and dogs love the hunting in India, and the horses the +pig-sticking. I have seen them enjoy it as much as the Sahibs. They +never want the spur, but go wonderfully fast, as soon as they see a +fierce, wild boar. Ah, Sahib, animals are wiser than we think, and +love us back again if we love them. Old Sul here loves me better than +he does his driver; but I am afraid of him. He loves me too well." + +"That sounds funny, Sree," said Harry. "What do you mean?" + +"He likes to show me how much he loves me by rubbing up against me; +and if he tries to do that when he has me by a tree or one of the +palace walls, I am obliged to be quick and get under him; he is so big +and heavy. But here is your gun." + +Meanwhile the object of these remarks had been forcing his way through +the grass and bushes, winking his little red eyes as if enjoying the +conversation, and flapping his great ears, his absurdly small tail +whisking about and making dashes at troublesome flies, while his great +trunk seemed to possess an independent existence, twining and waving, +swaying this way and that, and never for a moment still. + +But all the while the great, sensible creature was intent upon the +object in hand, pushing steadily forward through the dense growth, and +starting numberless occupiers of the long grass--snakes, lizards, +rats, and mice, scurrying away to avoid the pillar-like legs which +invaded their home. + +"Don't seem as if we are going to have much sport," said Harry at +last, "and it's precious hot out here." + +The words had hardly passed his lips when Sul uttered a deep grunt and +stood fast, for he had startled a small deer from its lair, the +graceful creature making a sudden bound into sight close to the +elephant's feet, and then going right forward in a succession of +leaps, so that its course hindered the boys from firing until it had +gone forty yards, when both guns rang out sharply, Sul remaining firm +as a rock. + +"Hit!" cried Sree, for the deer fell heavily, struggled in the thick +growth for a few moments, then gained its feet and made another bound +into sight--a bound which paralysed the arms of the two lads and made +them hold their breath, for as the deer made what was veritably its +death leap, something of a tawny yellow and brown mingled made a +tremendous bound on to it, bringing it down among the bushes with a +dull, crashing sound, and then all was still. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +THEIR FIRST TIGER + + +Though the two boys seemed to be turned to stone, others were active +enough. + +Sree leaned over the back of the howdah and took the boys' guns from +their hands. "Quick, Sahibs!" he cried; "take the other guns and be +ready." + +The boys obeyed mechanically, while Sree began to re-charge the empty +barrels, calling to the mahout to turn the elephant and go back. + +But Sul had ideas of his own in connection with elephant-hunting, and +absolutely refused to obey that order even though it was emphasized +with the sharp goad. + +Understand or no, according to Sree's theory, he had sense enough to +decline doing what many of his kind would have done under the +circumstances--to wit, turning tail. For Sul seemed to know that +though his insignificant tail with its tuft at the end was a +formidable weapon to deal with teasing flies, that end of his person +was absurdly useless for fighting tigers, whereas his other end, when +his trunk was thrown up out of the way, with its two sharp-pointed +clear lengths of ivory, was about the most formidable object the +great, ferocious cat could encounter. + +Consequently, as soon as in obedience to Sree's orders the goad was +applied, Sul uttered a shrill remonstrance, curled up his trunk, threw +his head from side to side, and then as if declaring that he didn't +care a _sou_ for the biggest tiger that ever grew, he trumpeted out +defiance and began a performance that was wonderfully like his idea of +a war dance, which threatened to shake the occupants out of the +howdah. + +"Turn him back and get away," cried Sree angrily, in the Siamese +tongue. + +"Says he won't go and wants to fight," replied the mahout. + +Sul uttered a fierce cry, and ceasing his dance opened his ears +widely, and began to advance. + +"You must turn him back," cried Sree excitedly, as he finished ramming +down bullets in every barrel. + +"I can't," came back from the mahout, in a helpless tone. + +"Never mind," cried Harry; "let's go on," and he changed his gun for +one that had been reloaded. + +"But it is too dangerous for you, Sahibs," cried Sree. "It is a big +tiger. Do you hear me? Turn the elephant back." + +"No," said Phra hoarsely, as he stood up in the howdah. "I say he +shall go on." + +Sul trumpeted again, while Sree rammed down bullets in the other guns, +and in answer to the elephant's challenge the hidden tiger uttered a +deep, muttering roar. + +"We can't help ourselves, Hal," said Phra through his set teeth. "We +must go on." + +"Yes," replied Harry, cocking both barrels of his gun; "I wouldn't +have tried for it, but we must hunt this beast." + +There was only one way of avoiding the encounter, and that was by +sliding off over the elephant's tail, which would have been a far +wilder proceeding. But this neither of the boys had the slightest +inclination to do, for the elephant was still moving cautiously +forward, and fully realizing now that there was nothing to be done but +to assume the offensive, Sree became silent, contenting himself with +cocking both the guns he held and standing ready either to hand them +to the boys or fire himself. + +Harry, too, set his teeth as he looked over the elephant's flapping +ears towards the spot where he knew the tiger must be crouching upon +the stricken deer, and while, step by step, as if to give his masters +the opportunity of using their deadly weapons Sul slowly advanced, the +tiger raised its head from its prey and uttered a warning roar to +frighten the elephant back. + +"Oh, if he would only show himself!" thought Harry. + +But the elephant did not respond to the threat by turning back, for he +meant to fight, and was ready to impale his enemy should he get a +chance; and to this end he still went on, till all at once, about a +dozen yards from his head, the tiger leaped up into sight and stood +lashing his sleek, glistening sides as if to add to the number of +stripes with his tail. + +The words were on the old hunter's lips, "Fire, fire!" but before they +were uttered two reports rang out, there was a terrific, snarling +yell, and the tiger leaped high in the air and then dropped back, +crouching out of sight. + +"Good, good!" whispered Sree, and forgetting entirely now all about +the objections to the boys joining in a tiger hunt, he was about to +bid the mahout advance. But the order was unnecessary. Sul was as +eager as the boys, and he moved steadily on, while the latter leaned +forward, seeking for the first sign of the striped skin, so as to fire +again. + +They had not long to wait, for Sul had advanced but very few yards +before with a terrific roar the tiger rose and leaped forward. + +The sudden advance checked the elephant, which stopped short, giving +the boys a steady shot each, but without the slightest effect upon the +tiger, which made two or three bounds and then launched itself at the +elephant's head. + +But Sul was ready for it, and caught the savage brute on his tusks and +threw it back as easily as a bull would toss an attacking dog. + +Cat-like, the tiger fell upon its feet, and crouched to spring again, +but before it could launch itself forward a couple more shots cooled +its savage ardour, and it crouched down, turned its head, and bit +angrily at one shoulder, from which the blood was starting. + +Sul seized the opportunity and rushed forward to crush his enemy +beneath his feet. But wounded though it was, the tiger was aware of +the attack, and leaping aside let the great animal thunder by, and +then, following quickly, made a tremendous leap and lighted on the +elephant's hind quarter, holding on by tooth and nail. + +Sul uttered a terrific blast and continued his course, shuffling along +at a tremendous pace, forcing those who rode in the howdah to think of +nothing but preserving their position and keeping the guns from being +shaken out. But at the end of a few moments the peril in which Sree +stood came strongly to Harry's attention, for the man could do nothing +but hold on by the back of the howdah, after thrusting the gun he had +been loading, forward by Phra's side. + +It was a perilous task, and required plenty of nerve, but Harry +mastered his shrinking. He glanced over the back of the howdah, to +find himself face to face with the tiger, whose wildly dilated eyes +seemed to be blazing with rage, and for a moment or two he shrank +away. + +But recovering himself a little he made sure of the gun he held being +cocked, and catching tightly hold by the side of the howdah, he rested +the gun-barrels on the back, holding the stock as if it were a pistol. + +But now he was so insecure that he felt as if at any moment he must be +pitched over backward on the tiger, and firing seemed quite out of the +question. + +Still it had to be done, and he knew that he must do it, and at once. + +Dropping on his knees, he shuffled himself close to the back, bringing +himself so near to the tiger that as he reached over with the gun he +could touch the savage brute with the muzzle. + +He knew that if he stopped to think he should not dare to do it, while +as he leaned over he was saluted by a savage roar, and the tiger began +to claw its way up to leap at him. + +But there was not time, for Harry rested the muzzle of his piece +between the creature's eyes, feeling it pressed back towards him. Only +for an instant, though, for he drew trigger, there was a roar mingled +with the sharp report, and with one spasmodic movement the tiger +gathered itself up almost into a ball and fell back among the long +grass, where it lay writhing in agony. + +The effect on Sul was immediate. He stopped short and swung round, +nearly throwing his riders off as he ran back to where the tiger lay, +and drove one tusk through the monster, pinning it to the ground, with +the result that the beast writhed a little, and then stretched itself +out, dead. + +"Yes, he is dead enough, Sahib; but Sul has made a dreadful hole in +his skin." + +This was after Sree had slipped down from the back of the elephant, +and walked close up. + +"Make quite sure," said Harry, who with Phra was looking on. + +"There's no doubt about it, Sahib. You made sure with that last shot +in his head. Feel if he's dead, Sul," he said, in the Siamese tongue. + +The elephant grunted and muttered, and seemed for a time unwilling to +withdraw his tusk; but he evidently understood the order, and at last +backed a little, the action dragging the tiger with him, till he gave +his head a shake, and the body dropped off. + +After this the elephant cautiously walked over the prostrate foe, and +kicked it to and fro from one foot to the other, before feeling it all +over with his trunk, and then standing panting with exertion, and +breathing hard. + +"Get off and help see to his hurts," said Sree to the mahout, who +ordered the elephant to kneel, and then climbed along his back by +holding on to the sides of the howdah, till he reached the places +where the tiger's teeth and claws had been struck into the thick hard +skin. + +Some nasty places had been made, but there was nothing serious the +matter. All that was necessary was to keep the ever-active flies away, +and this was done by some very rough but effective surgery, consisting +in filling up the wounds with mud, the elephant grumbling and +muttering, but evidently appreciating the treatment, keeping perfectly +still the while. + +"Poor old chap!" said Harry, who had dismounted to examine the dead +tiger and pet the elephant by stroking his trunk. "But what about +getting the game home?" + +"I shall begin skinning it at once, Sahib," said Sree quietly; "but I +want you to get back into the howdah and keep a good watch. This +fellow has very likely a companion somewhere near, and she may come +and attack us." + +"Think so?" said Harry. + +"Oh yes," interposed Phra; "it is very likely. But I say, Hal, we're +not going to have our prize skinned yet." + +"No, that's what I thought. We must take it home for every one to see. +Sul would carry it home on his back." + +"I don't know; he has never been taught; but we'll try." + +He spoke to Sree, who looked doubtful, and in turn consulted the +mahout before saying more. + +"Sul is such a big, noble animal, Sahibs," he then said, "that he has +never been set to carry dead game, that has always been done by a +little pad elephant; but he is so wise that he may be proud of +carrying back the great tiger he has killed. I am going to try him." + +The boys smiled at each other, and were amused to see the old hunter +go with the mahout to the elephant and bring him up to the dead tiger, +which he began to touch with his trunk, ending by taking a turn round +the animal and drawing it along a little way. + +After this he stood quietly enough while the ropes were unlaced from +the howdah ready for hoisting the tiger on to the elephant's back. + +"We shall not be strong enough to get it up, I'm afraid," said Sree +thoughtfully. + +"Look here," said Harry; "there is a great tree with strong branches +yonder; make Sul drag the tiger under one of the big boughs; then we +can throw the rope over and make him stand underneath, haul the tiger +up, and lower it down." + +Sree smiled, for the knot which had puzzled him had been untied. + +The mahout was brought into requisition, and at the word of command, +just as if he fully understood the business required of him, Sul took +a turn of his trunk round the tiger's neck and dragged it through the +long grass right beneath the great tree, one of the many dotted about +park-like on the slope. + +The rest was easy. The rope was fastened round the tiger's hind legs, +the end thrown over a horizontal branch, and then the willing hands of +all four drew the savage brute up some fifteen feet. Here the crucial +time came, for there was a doubt still whether Sul would now submit to +the huge cat being lowered down upon his back. + +But as it happened he placed himself quietly enough where his mahout +directed, and the tiger was lowered down, after which Sree climbed up +and with the mahout's assistance they laid the body right across the +back of the howdah. Then the latter, which had been in a very +tottering condition, was carefully secured by its rope, all mounted +again in triumph, and the journey back was commenced, Sree carefully +seeing to the reloading of the guns and placing them ready, before +settling down to his place in the howdah, for he had to sit on the +dead tiger and keep it from shifting to right or left. + +They had not gone far on their return journey before the old hunter +uttered a warning which made the boys catch up and cock their guns, in +spite of the determination they had come to of not firing any more +that day. + +"Are you sure?" said Phra. "Sul has not made any sign." + +"No, Sahib," replied Sree; "he did not see her, because he has been +walking nearly all the time with his eyes turned back to watch the +tiger; for though he is very good, I am sure he does not like having +the wicked wretch upon his back." + +Five minutes later they drew near the spot where the old hunter had +caught a glimpse of a striped side crossing the track they had made in +coming, and proof of the keenness of Sree's observation was given, the +elephant throwing up his trunk and trumpeting uneasily. + +"It's this wretch's wife, Sahibs," said Sree. "She has been hunting, +and is coming back." + +"Will she attack us?" said Harry, cocking his gun, and feeling quite +ready now for another shot. + +"No, Sahib, I think not. Tigers are very cowardly till they are hurt; +then they are blind and mad in their rage, and will rush at anything. +No; perhaps she may understand that it is her mate that we have here, +and follow us; but I do not think she will attack." + +"Old Sul does not think so," said Phra. "Look at him, how he keeps on +turning his head from side to side, and how high he carries his +trunk." + +It was plain enough that the great animal was growing more and more +uneasy, necessitating constant talking to on the part of the mahout, +who spoke sometimes caressingly, at others angrily, and using his goad +afterward, as he threatened tremendous punishment and deprivation of +all good if his charge did not behave. + +"He thinks old Sul means to rush off home as hard as he can go," +observed Phra. + +"And if he does he'll soon waggle the tiger off his back, won't he, +Sree? The tiger must come off if Sul rushes away?" + +"I fear so, Sahib. Ah, the tigress must be very near now. Look at +Sul's ears." + +"She must be slinking along through the grass on this side," said +Harry. + +"Yes, Sahib; that is where she is, but I don't think she will attack +us." + +"Shall we send a shot or two in amongst the grass?" said Phra. + +"No, Sahib; that would make her come on, and one tiger is enough for +to-day." + +"Yes, quite," said Phra. "Let's go faster and see if the tiger will +stop on." + +He said a word or two, and the mahout spoke to the elephant, who +wanted no urging, but stretched out in that long, shuffling movement +which seems nothing, but goes over enough ground to make a horse use +plenty of speed to keep up with it. + +But it seemed as if the tigress must still be near, for Sul's trunk +formed a curve high in the air, and his ears stood out at a fierce +cock, while it needed all the mahout's attention to keep the great +creature to one pace, for without the check of the hooked goad he +would have gone off at a frantic rate. + +For the first few hundred yards the attention of all in the howdah was +directed to the tiger, their expectation being that it would slip off +on one side or the other; but it was yet soft and yielding, and with +Sree's weight upon it the middle sank down lower and lower in the +howdah till the head and legs on one side, the hind quarters and long, +supple tail on the other, rose higher and higher in the air, and all +chance of its causing further trouble was at an end. + +It was not until the edge of the jungle was reached, where the +elephant path ended, that Sul's trunk had descended to its customary +pendent fashion, and his ears ceased to quiver and flap; but the +narrow track in the gloom seemed to be far more suggestive of danger, +and Phra suggested that Sree should change his position, kneel down, +and keep watch over the elephant's tail, in case the tigress should be +following still. + +"Yes, Sahib," said the man, and he at once did as was suggested; but +he observed before turning that he did not think there was any fear of +an attack in the rear. + +"Sul's senses are sharper than mine," he said, "and he would know if +we were being tracked." + +Sree was right, for there was nothing to cause alarm all the way back. +Monkeys were plentiful in one place, and whenever the party came upon +an opening, it was made beautiful by flower, bird, and gaily painted +insect. These had no charms for the hunters, though, with such a +trophy within touch, and at first all their conversation had a +connection with the great, white, china-like fangs of the monster, the +size of its claws, and the soft beauty and rich colour of its fur. + +But as they drew nearer to the end of their journey, with Sul +shuffling along at a sober but rapid pace, the conversation became one +in which the old hunter was not asked to join. + +For now misgivings began to arise as to the reception that might await +them when they reached their homes. + +"I know how it will be," said Harry; "father will have heard that I +have gone off with you on the elephant, and he will think that I have +wilfully disobeyed his orders and been tiger-shooting." + +"Why should he think that? You never do disobey his orders." + +"Don't I?" said Harry dubiously. + +"Never," cried Phra. + +"I don't know about that," said Harry. "I'm afraid I've gone very near +to it sometimes. But I will say I've always been very sorry +afterwards." + +"And owned to it?" + +"Oh yes," said Harry stoutly; "I've always owned up at once. Haven't +you?" + +Phra was silent. + +"Why don't you say yes?" + +"Because it wouldn't be true," said the boy, with a sigh. "I've always +wanted to, but sometimes I've felt afraid. You see, my father isn't +like yours." + +"He's a very nice old chap," said Harry. + +"Yes, of course; but he's a king, and kings can't do like other +people." + +"_I_ don't see why they shouldn't," said Harry; "but I say, suppose my +father is up at the palace, what are we going to do? You are sure to +catch it for taking the elephant." + +"That I'm not. Father said I could have one whenever I liked. I could +have three or four if I wanted them." + +"But not to go tiger-shooting. Oh, Phra, this has been wonderfully +jolly and exciting." + +"Splendid." + +"Well, splendid; but I am afraid we shall be in a mess." + +"We can't be if we speak out. I'm sure I can say honestly that I +hadn't the least thought of shooting a tiger when we set off; can't +you?" + +"No," said Harry bluntly. "I began to feel tigerish as soon as I got +in the howdah, and I couldn't think of anything else all the time. I +wasn't a bit surprised to see old Sul begin to show signs. No, I can't +say right out that I didn't think about tiger-hunting." + +"But we didn't go on purpose," said Phra. + +"Well, no," said Harry, hesitating, "not quite on purpose, but I +couldn't help wishing we might see one." + +"Well, you had your wish; but I wish we weren't so late." + +"It was all an accident, though," said Harry. "I say, Sree, wasn't it +all by accident that we came across a tiger to-day." + +"Yes, Sahib, quite an accident; but we have got one, and I feel very +proud of the way in which you two young gentlemen behaved. No old +tiger-hunter could have done better." + +"But I'm sure father won't like it." + +"He will know it was all as it happened, Sahib. You were obliged to +shoot the wicked beast. If any one is to blame, it is old Sul, for +forcing you to go on." + +"Ah, to be sure," cried Harry, laughing merrily. "It was all his +fault, Phra, and we'll say so." + +"Yes, it's all very well to say so," said Phra, rather gloomily; "but +will they believe what we say?" + +"My father will believe what I say," said Harry stoutly; "so will +yours." + +"I hope so," said Phra sadly, "but I don't feel sure." + +"I don't think the Sahib Kenyon can be angry," said Sree respectfully, +"because it is such a splendid tiger." + +"Why, that's just why he will be angry," cried Harry. "He'll be quite +furious with me for going out and getting a grand tiger like this when +he and the doctor went out as they did, and tried till quite late, and +never had a chance." + +"Well," said Phra philosophically, "we are very nearly home now, and +we shall see. But I wish we hadn't brought the tiger back." + +"I don't," said Harry. "It really was an accident." + +Very little more was said till they came in sight of the palace, where +something important was evidently going on, for they caught sight of +the glint of spears and a body of men. A minute later they saw a +couple of elephants, and directly after they made out that Mr. Kenyon +and Doctor Cameron were there. + +Then there was quite a scene of excitement, for some of those present +had seen them coming, and when the next moment some one caught sight +of the tiger, there was a tremendous shout. + +"Hal," whispered Phra, "my father found that we had gone out on an +elephant, with guns, and he has sent word to Mr. Kenyon and the +doctor, and ordered them to get ready." + +"That's it," cried Harry excitedly, "and they were coming in search of +us." + +"The King will be dreadfully angry," said Phra, "and say I disobeyed +his orders." + +"And my father will be quite awful," said Harry solemnly. Then +changing his tone and speaking with an assumption of lightness which +he did not feel, "I don't care; it really was an accident, and we're +in for it, and it can't be helped; but here, I say, Sul, you ugly old +double-tailed deceiver, do you know you've got us into an awful mess? +Sul, I say, do you hear!" + +And the elephant said,-- + +_Phoomk!_ + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +A YOUNG SAVAGE + + +The great elephant approached the group in the courtyard with slow and +majestic step, as if proud of the load he bore, and of now being +surrounded by a little crowd of spearmen, cheering and shouting +loudly. + +As they drew near, the two elephants that had been prepared, as was +rightly surmised, to go in search of the wanderers, challenged their +big companion loudly, Sul sounding his trumpet in reply, but without +allowing the excitement around to increase his advance in the +slightest degree. + +"The young rascals!" said the doctor to Mr. Kenyon. "It's a +magnificent tiger, apparently." + +"Yes, but Harry ought not to have done this," said Mr. Kenyon. "I am +disappointed in him." + +"Are you going to give him a talking to now? Rather awkward while he +is being made a hero of by the people." + +"I am going to wait till I get him home." + +"Well, I'm glad to see them safe back again," said the doctor. "I felt +certain that they must have met with some mishap. But it is hard that +we should be disappointed, and that they should have all the luck." + +"Hush!" whispered Mr. Kenyon, for the great elephant had knelt down +before the King, ladders had been placed by the attendants on either +side, the boys had descended, and helped by some of the men, Sree had +slid the tiger off, to be half borne, half dragged, to the King's +feet. + +But Phra's father did not even glance at it. He gave Harry an angry +glance as he approached with his companion, and then fixed his eyes +sternly upon his son, who bent down before him. + +"You know, sir," he said, in their own tongue, "that it is the duty of +my people to obey my commands." + +"Yes, father." + +"How can we expect them to do so when my own son sets my orders at +defiance? I told you I wished you not to go in chase of tigers, did I +not?" + +"Yes, father." + +"Who is to blame for this, you or your companion?" + +"Neither of us, sir," broke in Harry, in his blunt, English, outspoken +way. "We only went deer-shooting, sir; but the tiger charged us, and +of course we were obliged to shoot. Old Sul was most to blame." + +The King looked more stern that ever, all but his eyes, which refused +to keep his other features in countenance. + +"What have you to say, sir?" said the King, turning again to his son. + +"The same as Harry Kenyon, father," replied the boy. "The elephant +rushed at the tiger, which had struck down a deer we shot." + +"Where is the deer you shot?" said the King. + +Phra turned to Harry, for the deer had been quite forgotten, and Harry +turned to the old hunter, who was kneeling by the tiger. + +"Here, Sree," he cried, "what became of that deer we shot?" + +The man made a gesture with his hands, and shook his head. + +"We forgot all about it, sir," said Harry, laughing frankly. "We had +so much to do with killing the tiger and getting it on old Sul's back +that we never remembered it any more, did we, Phra?" + +"No," said the latter gravely. + +"It was all an accident, sir, indeed," said Harry, who was speaking in +English. "We were obliged to shoot, sir, really. I'm sure you would +have done the same if you had been there." + +"That is enough," said the King quietly. "I am glad to hear it was so. +It is a painful thing, Harry Kenyon, to feel that one's own son is not +to be trusted. Your father felt the same." + +"Oh, but he doesn't now, sir. Do you, father?" + +"No, Hal; I am quite satisfied." + +"A very fine tiger," said the King, going close up to the dead beast; +"a splendid specimen. Let it be carefully skinned, and the skin +properly dressed." + +Sree bowed his lowest, so that his forehead would have touched the +ground had not the tiger been there. As it was, he thumped his head +against the animal's ribs. + +"Who fired the first shot?" said the King, smiling. + +The boys looked at one another. + +"Both fired together, father," replied Phra. + +"Then you will give way to your friend, my son," said the King. "Harry +Kenyon, it is yours." + +Harry was about to protest in his blunt way, but his father was at his +elbow. + +"Silence!" he said softly. "Now your thanks." + +Harry obeyed, and the King turned to where the little party of English +people were standing. + +"I am glad it has turned out so well, Kenyon," he said gravely, and +with great dignity, as the eyes of all his people were upon him; "but +it is disappointing for you and the doctor to see these two boys have +such good fortune. You shall have another trial, and we must do away +with our objections now. I think the boys deserve to be admitted to +the ranks of tiger-hunters." + +"Oh!" ejaculated Harry, and the King turned to him. + +"You make a bad courtier, Harry," he said, with a very faint smile +upon his lip. "I feel that there is no one in my country less afraid +of me than you are." + +He saluted them, and making a sign to his son to follow, passed into +the palace, Phra giving his friends a quick nod of the head and a +smile, and then he was hidden from sight by the King's attendants. + +"Then we may go back home now, I suppose," said Mr. Kenyon. + +"Yes," replied the doctor, "and the sooner the better. As soon as the +sun goes in we seem to be in the shade. All is bright and warm while +the King is near, but when he goes every one seems to scowl." + +Mr. Kenyon gave his friend a meaning look as if saying, "No more now," +and laid his hand upon Harry's shoulder. + +"You have had quite an exciting time, then, Hal?" he said quietly, as +they walked away. + +"Oh, wonderfully, father," cried the boy. + +"Enjoyed yourself?" + +"Well, I don't know that it was enjoying oneself, but I liked killing +such a dangerous, mischievous beast." + +"And all the time the King and I were fidgeting ourselves and +beginning to think, as it grew so late, that some terrible accident +had happened to you." + +"It isn't so late as you and Doctor Cameron were that time." + +"Getting on to be, sir." + +"Don't you think that poor Phra and I were just as anxious about you +and the doctor, father?" said the boy mischievously. + +"No, indeed I don't," said Mr. Kenyon, laughing. "You are both too +thoughtless. And look here, young gentleman, you forget yourself +horribly. I never heard anything like it. You must not speak to the +King in that free and easy way, just as if he were your equal, before +all his people." + +"Free and easy?" said Harry, staring. "I thought I was speaking very +nicely, father." + +The doctor laughed heartily, and Harry's cheeks turned hot with +annoyance. + +"Why, what did I say that was wrong?" + +"It was not the words but the way, my boy," said Mr. Kenyon gravely. +"Of course one does not look upon the Prince of a barbaric country +like this as one would upon a European monarch; but in the presence of +his followers we must not forget that he is a king." + +"I did," said Harry frankly; "I felt as if I were speaking to Phra's +father and your friend." + +"Humph!" ejaculated Mr. Kenyon, as he glanced at the doctor. + +"That's right enough, Hal," said the latter; "but we must not presume +on the King's kindness to us." + +"No, of course not," said Harry thoughtfully. "I'll be more careful, +especially as some of the people seem to be jealous of our being so +much in favour." + +"That's right, Hal; be more careful, for all our sakes." + +"Do you think there is any danger, father?" said Harry. + +"Danger of what?" said Mr. Kenyon sharply. + +"Of the people turning against us and the King." + +"Hush! Mind what you are saying, my boy. No; I do not think there is +any real danger, and I feel that the best thing for every one is to +completely ignore the unpleasant looks we are getting now and then. We +are in the right, and I want for our conduct to be such as will gain +the respect of the people for our just consideration and honest +treatment of them." + +"But there is that second king--I say, father, it seems curious for +there to be a second king." + +"It is the custom of the country, my boy, and in every land there are +quaint fashions and I may say parties who are opposed to the ruling +power." + +"And jealous of the King?" + +"Yes, Hal, and of the people he favours." + +"That's not pleasant, father," said Hal sharply. + +"Not at all," replied Mr. Kenyon. "But I don't think it need trouble +us, for we are not arrogant to the people because we are in high +favour. I'm sure we do our best, eh, Cameron?" + +"That we do," said the doctor heartily. "As for me, I should be a rich +man if I charged ordinary fees for what I do." + +"Instead of getting disliked," said Mr. Kenyon. + +"Oh, but, father," cried Harry, "I know lots of people who almost +worship Dr. Cameron for what he has done for them." + +"Yes, Hal, and so do I; but unfortunately he offends the native +doctors through knowing so much better than they do, and curing +patients whom they have condemned to death." + +"It's a pity that people will be jealous of those who are more +clever." + +"It's a natural failing, Hal, my boy," said the doctor, laughing. "But +never mind; even those who dislike us are bound to pay us the respect +we have earned." + +"But you remember what I told you about the people talking in the +boat?" said Harry. + +"Perfectly." + +"You don't think that there will be a revolution, and an attack upon +the King and the English people, do you?" + +"No, Hal, my boy," said Mr. Kenyon; "I do not, so don't trouble +yourself about it. Let's change the conversation. I'm glad you are to +have the tiger's skin." + +"Yes; I don't think Phra will mind." + +"It is a beauty. Was he very hard to kill?" + +"Horribly, father;" and with plenty of animation the boy related their +adventure. + +"We're jealous now, Hal," said the doctor smiling. + +"I don't mind that a bit," said the boy. "You must do better, and we +two are to come next time you go." + +"Well, I suppose so," said Mr. Kenyon gravely. "By the way, Hal, you +had the chest of bats and balls. How did you get on? You tried +football in the field?" + +"Oh, it's a horribly hot, stupid game," said Harry. + +"Stupid?" cried the doctor warmly. + +"Yes; it's all one or the other. If Phra gets the ball, one does +nothing but run after him; and if I get the ball, he has to run after +me. And oh! wasn't it hot!" + +"When did you play?" said the doctor. + +"Oh, in the afternoon." + +"You are quite right, my lad," said the doctor drily. "A game at +football between two boys with the thermometer standing at over a +hundred in the shade, must be a very stupid game indeed." + +"Did you ever play it?" said Harry. "I think I've heard you say you +did." + +"Did I ever play it?" said the doctor scornfully. "I should think I +did, and with a couple of good teams. But the thermometer was not at a +hundred in the shade, but thirty-five or forty." + +"I wish you would play with us next time, Doctor," said Harry eagerly. + +"Thank you, my lad, but I would rather be excused." + +"Will you show us how to play cricket, then?" + +"Yes, but you must get up your two sides. Have you read up anything +about it in any book of games and sports?" + +"Oh yes, and it says you have eleven and an umpire on each side; but +that's nonsense, of course." + +"Kenyon," said the doctor with mock solemnity, "do you call this +bringing up an English boy properly? It sounds to me quite dreadful. +He talks like a young barbarian--as if he had never had any education +at all. What did you say, sir?" he continued, turning to Harry. + +"What about?" + +"There being eleven on a side, and that being nonsense, of course." + +"I said so," said Harry, who felt half amused, half annoyed. + +"Well, sir, I see that I shall have to take pity on you and young +Phra, and try to make up for your neglected education. We shall have +to make a cricket club, and petition the King for a cricket ground; +but I have my doubts about the game proving popular: the work will be +too hard." + +"But you will help us, Doctor?" + +"Yes, my boy, and I shall prescribe an occasional game for your +father. A little exercise will do him good." + +"A game of cricket?" said Mr. Kenyon, starting out of a fit of musing. +"Why, I haven't had a bat in my hand for twenty years! But I don't +know--well, yes--I might. I used to be a very tidy bowler, Cameron, +and perhaps my hand may be cunning still at delivering twists. But +under this tropical sun? Phew! I'm rather doubtful." + +"Never mind the doubts," said the doctor. + +"Here, hullo, my boy! where are you going?" cried Mr. Kenyon. + +"Only to try and see Phra." + +"What! to-night? Nonsense! I daresay he is with his father now, and +the news will keep." + +Harry looked disappointed, but he said no more, and directly after +they had to say good-night to the doctor. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +FOR THE JUNGLE, HO! + + +In due time the skin of the tiger, beautifully dressed, and with the +hole made by Sul's tusk so carefully drawn together that the fur +concealed the damage, was brought to the bungalow by Sree, who was +eager to go upon a fresh expedition; but another week passed away +before matters shaped themselves for this to be made. + +Matters had gone on as usual, and the insubordinate words used by the +occupants of the boat were half forgotten in the excitement of +religious fetes and illuminations with lanthorns along the river, +kite-flying, and discharges of fireworks, in the making of some of +which the people, who had learned the art of the Chinese, were adepts. + +These fêtes were wonderfully attractive to the two lads, who joined +in the processions for the sake of seeing all they could, the royal +boat in which they were rowed being one mass of coloured lanthorns +swinging from bamboo frameworks, and the effect with the lights +reflected in the glassy water was beautiful in the extreme. + +"I should enjoy it all so much more, though," Harry said, "if the +people would be contented with the bells and the music. They spoil it +all with so much gong." + +But the Siamese do not shine in music--at least to English taste. + +Phra came down to the bungalow some time or other every day, and as +often as not Harry returned with him to the palace; but he rarely saw +the King, who appeared to pass a great deal of his time in study. + +Not a day passed without the cricket implements being examined in +Phra's room. The bats were handled, the balls taken out of their +boxes, and sometimes a little throwing from one to the other, and +catching was practised. + +At another time the pads which had come with the rest of the things +were solemnly tried on, and the room promenaded. + +"They seem rather stupid things," said Phra. "I think they'd be best +for the football." + +"So as to save one's legs from kicks?" said Harry. "Yes, they wouldn't +be bad for that, but I suppose they're all right." + +"We look rather ridiculous in them, though, Hal." + +"Yes, I expect we shall be laughed at; but I don't care. The worst +thing about them is that they're so jolly hot. Now let's try on the +gloves." + +These were carefully put on, the boys' countenances being particularly +solemn as the long indiarubber guarded fingers were examined. + +Then a thought occurred to Harry, and he struck an attitude. + +"What do you say to a fight?" he cried. "We can't hurt one another +with our legs guarded and our hands in these gloves. Hit me, and I'll +hit you." + +"No," said Phra shortly; "I don't like fighting in play. It always +hurts, and then I get cross, and want to hit as hard as I can. I say, +though, we shall be hot in these leggings and gloves." + +"Look here," cried Harry; "we haven't seen these before." + +"What are they?" + +"Gloves, of course, all stuffed and soft. Here, let's look at the book +and see what it says about them." + +The book of games was examined, but they found no mention of the +wicket-keeper's gloves, but plenty of other information which was +puzzling. + +"It's all very well to call this thing a book of games," said Harry at +last, "but there doesn't seem to be much fun in it. It's as puzzling +as old Euclid with his circles and straight lines and angles. Here, +let's put all the things away. I can't understand. We'll make the +doctor show us; that's the easiest way." + +And so it was time after time, nothing more being done, for it was +decided that there should be no genuine commencement till the doctor +was ready, and though he was reminded pretty well every day he always +replied that he was not ready yet. + +"But there is no occasion to waste time," he said one day. "You boys +have the book, so you cannot do better than well study it up, rules +and all. Then you will thoroughly know how to play cricket; all you +will want is practice." + +"We shall have to study up the book, Phra," said Harry, after parting +from the doctor, "and I know it's going to be a hard job. But never +mind; when you've got to take physic, it's best to swallow it down at +once. Come along." + +Phra nodded, set his teeth hard, and they went up to the palace +through the hot sunshine, to enter its cool precincts and find Phra's +room refreshing in its semi-darkness after the glare without, where +Harry said it was hot enough to frizzle up the leaves into tea. + +The book was brought, cricket turned to, and they sat down side by +side with the book on the table. + +"Let's begin at the beginning, and go steadily through it," proposed +Phra. + +"No, no; we'll just skim it first." + +"Very well. What's this--popping grease? Why do they pop grease?" + +"'Tisn't! It's popping crease. 'The popping crease must be four feet +from the wicket, and exactly parallel with it.' Bother! I shan't read +any more of that. Parallel! Why, it's geometry. Look at something +else." + +"'The wickets must be pitched,'" read Phra. + +"What for? To keep off the wet, I suppose. No! It means pitched into +the ground, to make them stand up." + +"But I say, what a lot there is to learn here, Hal. See what names +they call the players by. Here's wicket-keeper." + +"That's the one who attends to the gate, I suppose." + +"Short slip." + +"What's he got to do?" + +"I don't know.--Point." + +"Oh, he's the man who keeps the stumps sharp." + +"No; he must be a good catcher," cried Phra, and he went on, "'Mid +wicket--cover point--leg--long stop--long slip--long field off--long +field on--changes of position--fielding.'" + +"Bother! Never mind about that," said Harry. "Look here; let's read +that bit, 'How to defend your wicket!' That ought to be interesting. +'The bifold task of the batsman.'" + +Bang went the book, as Harry shut it up. + +"What did you do that for?" cried Phra, staring. + +"Because it makes me feel so hot and stupid. I want to learn how to +play, and that's all puzzles and problems, and what do I care when I +go to play a game about parallels and bifolds? It's too hot here to +learn cricket from books. I say, what shall we do?" + +"Let's go to sleep," said Phra. + +"Bah! It's too lazy." + +"I don't think so," said Phra. "Every one goes to sleep here in the +middle of the day." + +"No, they don't. I never do." + +"Oh! I've seen you more than once when it has been very hot." + +"Well, it was an accident, then. It seems so stupid to go to sleep +when it's light. Here, come along out again, and let's try and find +old Sree." + +"Who's to find him? Why, he may be miles away in the jungle." + +"But I want him to arrange about going up a long way in a boat. Let's +go up that little river again, and see how far we can get. Look here, +I know what we'll do. We'll start as soon as it's light, and take +plenty to eat with us, and have the next size larger boat out, with +four men to paddle and four to rest, and then we can go right on." + +"You'd have Sree?" + +"Of course. He knows the way everywhere. He'd take us right up the +little rivers that branch off--I mean, where no one goes. There's no +knowing what we may find up there." + +"No. Sree says there are plenty of wonders; I've often longed to go." + +"Then we'll go now. We ought to have done so before. I should like to +go for a week," said Harry. + +"I don't think our people would like us to go for so long." + +"Oh, I don't know. Let's try. I tell you what; let's have a bigger +boat, so that we can sleep on board, and a man to cook for us. Then we +can live comfortably for a few days. Why, we should get a wonderful +lot of things for the museum." + +"It would be very nice," said Phra thoughtfully. + +"Nice? It would be grand. Here, I shall go home and speak to my father +at once." + +"Then I'll ask mine." + +"He'll say yes, because he'll think he can trust us. I say, Phra, I +wish we had thought of this before." + +The boys separated, and Harry did not feel the heat as he hurried home +to lay his plans before his father. + +"For a week?" said Mr. Kenyon, with a look of doubt. "That's a long +time, Hal." + +"Not for getting a good lot of things, father. You know, whenever +we've been up the river before, directly we have begun it has been +time to come back." + +"Yes," said Mr Kenyon thoughtfully, "and if you were up the jungle +river at daybreak you would have far better chances for getting scarce +birds, and it would be a most interesting experience for you." + +"Then you'll let me go, father?" cried the boy excitedly. + +"I must talk the matter over with the King first." + +"If he feels that you do not object, father, he is sure to say yes." + +Mr. Kenyon was silent and thoughtful, looking so serious that Harry +began to lose heart. + +"What are you thinking, father?" he said at last. + +"That it's a long time since I had a change." + +"Yes, father?" + +"That I have nothing particular to do." + +"Father!" + +"And that the doctor has been saying that he would like to make an +expedition up the country." + +"Then you think--" + +"Yes, Hal, I do think that I should like for the doctor and me to join +in your trip. It would only necessitate a larger boat." + +"Oh," cried Harry excitedly, "that would be splendid." + +"Better than you two alone?" said Mr. Kenyon quietly. + +"A hundred times better, father. But think of that!" + +"Think of what?" said Mr. Kenyon. + +"Doctor Cameron putting us off day after day because he had not time +to teach us cricket, when he can find time to go up the country." + +Mr. Kenyon smiled. + +"My dear boy," he said, "I do not wonder at his putting you off. +Cricket is not a very attractive game at this time of year, in a +country like this." + +"Never mind the cricket," cried Harry. "Look here, father, will you +go?" + +"I am very much tempted to say yes." + +"Say it then, father. I say, you'd take Mike, wouldn't you?" + +"Certainly; he would be very useful." + +"Here, I must go and tell Phra." + +"There is no need; here he comes." + +For the lad was crossing the garden, and as Harry met him with his +face lit up with excitement, Phra's countenance was dark and dejected. + +"It's all over, Hal," he said. "My father says it is out of the +question for us to go alone." + +"He said that?" cried Harry. + +"Yes, and that if your father and Doctor Cameron were going too it +would be different." + +"They are going too, lad," cried Harry, slapping him on the shoulder. + +"They--your father and Mr. Cameron?" + +"Yes; isn't it splendid?" + +"Here, I must go back at once," cried Phra, and, regardless of the +heat, he set off at a trot. + +Harry returned to the museum, where his father was seated. + +"Where's Phra?" said the latter. + +"Gone back to tell the King." + +"To tell him what?" + +"He said that it was out of the question for us two boys to go upon +such an expedition alone." + +"I expected as much." + +"But if you and the doctor had been going, it would have been +different." + +"Indeed?" + +"Yes, father. Poor old chap! he did look disappointed, till I told him +that you two were going, and he has gone to tell the King." + +"Tut--tut--tut!" muttered Mr. Kenyon. "What a rash, harem-scarem +fellow you are! You shouldn't have taken all I said for granted, sir. +Even if I fully make up my mind, we don't know that Doctor Cameron +would be able to leave." + +"But you said, father--" + +"I said--you said--look here, sir, you are far too hasty. The doctor +only said he thought he should go." + +"That's enough, father," said Harry, laughing. "As soon as he hears +that there is going to be such an expedition, do you think he will not +manage to go with it?" + +"Well, I must say I should be surprised if he did not come." + +"So should I, father. I say, it will be capital. The King is sure to +say yes now, and we can have the pick of his boats, and which men we +like. I say, I wonder whether we can get a man who will find old Sree, +because we ought to start to-morrow morning." + +"Stuff! Rubbish!" cried Mr. Kenyon, laughing. "If we get off in a +week, we shall do well. But I think I will go. I should be very glad +of a change. So you may go and see the doctor and chat the matter over +with him--not telling him that we are going, but that we are thinking +of such a trip. You can then hear what he says about it." + +"Go now, father?" + +"If you like." + +Harry did like, and was off at once, to find Mrs. Cameron under the +tree, as he had seen her on that terrible day, but with the doctor +seated back in another long cane-seated chair, fast asleep. + +"Doctor not well?" said Harry, after the customary salute. + +"Not at all well, Harry," said Mrs. Cameron, with a sigh. "He has been +working too hard lately over his native patients, and he is quite done +up. He must have a change." + +"That's what I've come about," said Harry excitedly, and he told her +what was proposed. + +"I should not like losing him for a week, but I think it would do him +a great deal of good." + +"Quite set me up, dear," said the doctor, opening his eyes. + +"Did you hear what I was saying, Doctor?" cried Harry wonderingly. + +"Pretty well every word, my boy. It will be the very thing for me, for +I am completely fagged. A long ride day after day up the river will be +rest and refreshment. But I can't take you, my dear." + +"I shall not mind, Duncan," said his wife. "Nothing could be better. +Yes, you must go." + +He sat up, and then sank back again, closing his eyes. + +"It is of no use to fight against it, Mary," he said sadly. "I am +doctor enough to thoroughly grasp all my symptoms. I really am +overdone, and there is nothing for it but to try change--such a change +as this. I wish it did not look like going for a thorough holiday and +leaving you behind. It does not seem right." + +"You will make me unhappy if you talk like this," cried Mrs. Cameron. +"How can you think I should be so selfish as to mind your doing what +is for your health?" + +"It will do him good, Mrs. Cameron," said Harry, who was not enjoying +the scene. + +"Of course," she cried. "You may go back and tell Mr. Kenyon that the +doctor will be delighted to make one of the party, for he wants a +change badly." + +"Look here, Harry; I don't think I ought to go," said the doctor. + +"He ought, Harry, and he shall," cried his wife. "You take that +message." + +"Harry, lad, this is a horrible piece of tyranny. I am not very well, +and my oppressor treats me like this. But there, it is of no use to +protest, so I give in. I'll come." + +Full of excitement, the boy hurried back to the bungalow to announce +the result of his visit, his father hearing him silently to the end, +and then looking so serious that Harry asked anxiously what it meant. + +"This is very disappointing, my boy," said Mr. Kenyon. "After you had +gone I began to be in hopes that the doctor would not go, and now he +says he will." + +"Yes, that he will, father." + +"Then I suppose we shall have to go. I don't know, though: there is +another chance, the King may refuse to sanction the journey, and of +course you would not care to go without Phra." + +"Well, no," said Harry, in a hesitating way; "it would not seem fair +to go without him. Ah, here he is.--Well, what does he say?" + +"That he thinks it will be a very interesting trip, and that he wishes +he could leave all the cares and worries of his affairs and come with +us.--My father says, Mr. Kenyon, that you are to choose whichever boat +will be best for the journey, and select as many men as you think +necessary, and store the boat with everything you want." + +"Then this means going," said Mr. Kenyon. + +"Of course, father. Shall we start to-morrow?" + +"Can we be ready?" + +"Can we be ready?" cried Harry scornfully. "What do you say, Phra?" + +"Oh yes, we can be ready, only what about Sree?" + +"I forgot old Sree!" cried Harry. "We must have him, and he's +somewhere up the jungle." + +"Yes," said his father, "we must have him with us; so I take it that +we may make all our preparations, but do not start till Sree returns." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +THE HOUSE-BOAT + + +The disappointment caused by the absence of the old hunter was +modified by the interest in the preparations. These filled the two +lads with excitement, for a journey into unknown parts in such a land +as Siam was full of the suggestions of wonders. + +The first thing seen to was the choice of a boat, the requirements +being that it should be light, strong, drawing very little water, and +well provided for the accommodation of fourteen or sixteen people, +with a fair amount of room, night and day. Then there would be boxes +containing stores for a week, cooking apparatus, and cases for +containing the specimens of all kinds that were to be saved. + +But in a country like Siam, where house-boats are necessities of +domestic daily life, there was little difficulty. One of the plainest +of the King's light barges was found to answer all the requirements +upon being provided with a few bamboo poles and an awning, so that the +forward part of the boat could be sheltered at night and during +storms, for the protection of the men. The central part was covered +in, according to the regular custom, with a bamboo-supported roof, and +matting curtains were so placed at the sides that the whole could be +turned into a comfortable cabin at night, while the after-part had its +matting cover that could be set up or removed at pleasure, this +portion being intended for the after rowers and servants. + +Boxes and chests were selected, filled, and placed on board. There +were loops for the guns and spears to be taken, and lockers for the +ammunition, and at last there seemed to be nothing more that could be +done, for the crew were selected by Phra, who had his favourites among +the King's servants, these including men who had never evinced any +dislike to the English and were always eager to attend to the wishes +of their young Prince. + +The time had passed so rapidly that it was hard to believe two days +had slipped away before everything could be declared to be in +readiness. But on the second evening nothing more seemed needed, and +it was felt that they might start at daylight the next morning. + +For the crew was on board to protect the stores and other things; even +the stone, barrel-shaped filter fitted in a basket cover--a clumsy, +awkward thing which the doctor declared to be absolutely +necessary--was on board. + +Harry had exclaimed against its being taken, and the doctor heard him. + +"Look here, young fellow," he said, "do you know what I am going up +the river for?" + +"A holiday, of course," replied Harry. + +"Exactly. Then do you suppose I want my holiday spoiled by being +called upon to attend people who are ill through drinking unwholesome +water?" + +"Of course not, sir; but would any one be ill?" + +"Every one would," said the doctor angrily. + +Harry thought this was a sweeping assertion, but he said nothing, and +the filter was placed astern. + +"I wish some one would knock it over," Harry whispered to Phra. "It +would go to the bottom like a stone." + +"Never mind the filter." + +"I don't," said Harry; "but I do mind about old Sree. Oh, don't I wish +I could have three wishes!" + +"What would they be? What's the first?" + +"I should have had that," said Harry. "Wishing to have three wishes." + +"Well, then, what would the second be?" + +"That the third might for certain be had," said Harry, laughing. + +"What would the third be?" + +"That old Sree would come here to-night." + +"You've got your wish, then," cried Phra excitedly, "for here he +comes." + +"No! Nonsense!" cried Harry, who felt staggered and ready to turn +superstitious. + +"He is here, I tell you. Look, talking to that sentry by the gate." + +"I say," said Harry, "isn't it rather queer?" + +"It's rather good fortune," replied Phra. + +"But after what we said." + +Phra laughed. + +"Why, you're not going to believe in old fables, are you?" + +"No, of course not; but it did seem startling for him to turn up just +as I had been wishing for him." + +"Nonsense. Why, I have been wishing for him to come every hour for the +last two days. Let's go and meet him. He's coming this way." + +In another minute they had leaped ashore, run up the stone steps of +the landing-place in front of the palace, and encountered Sree. + +"Here, I say, where have you been?" cried Harry. + +"I have been through the jungle and up towards the head of the little +river, Sahibs, so as to find out whether it is worth your going up +too." + +"Well, is it?" cried Harry. + +"Oh yes, well worthy," replied Sree. "No one ever goes there to hunt +or shoot, and the birds are very tame and beautiful, and the river +full of fish." + +"Fish!" cried Harry excitedly. "There, I knew we had forgotten +something, Phra. Fishing tackle." + +"Yes, we must take some." + +"I was coming to advise you to get a boat and go up there for two or +three days to shoot, fish, and collect." + +"Then you are too late, old Sree," cried Harry. + +"Too late, Sahib?" said the man, whose countenance looked gloomy from +disappointment. + +"Yes; we're going for a week in that big boat." + +"I am sorry, Sahib," said the man sadly. "I worked hard, and it took +long to get through the jungle, and I had to sleep in trees. The +Sahib's servant was not neglectful of his master. He is grieved that +he is too late." + +"Don't tease him, Hal; he doesn't like it. It hurts him. Never mind, +Sree; we wanted you to help, but everything is ready now." + +"I am glad, Sahib," said the man; "but I am sorry too, for I should +have liked to go as hunter with the young Sahibs." + +"Does that mean you can't go?" said Harry, laughing. + +"Not unless the young Sahib will take his servant," said the man +sadly. + +"Why, of course we shall take you," cried Harry, "and we are as glad +as glad that you have come. Here, let's go to the boat, Phra. I want +Sree to see everything, so as to say whether we ought to take anything +else." + +The old hunter brightened up on the instant, and hurried with the boys +to the boat, where for the next hour he was examining arrangements and +suggesting fresh places for some of the articles, so that they might +be stowed where they would be handier and yet more out of the way. He +was able to suggest a few more things too, notably a stout net to hang +by hooks from the roof of the cabin, ready to place specimens in to +dry, or hold odds and ends for common use; more baskets, and a coil of +rope, and a stout parang or two for cutting a way through creepers or +cane-brakes. + +At last, with a smile full of content, Sree announced himself as being +satisfied, and having received permission from Phra, took possession +of one corner at the back of the cabin, while Harry went to see the +doctor respecting starting quite early the next morning, and then +returned home. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +JUNGLE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS + + +The heavy dew lay thick on leaf and strand, and the sky in the east +was still grey, as the little party met at the landing-place, where +the men were on the look-out and ready for the start; while when they +pushed off and four oars sent the boat well up against the stream, +past the house-boats clustered against the farther shore, nothing +could have looked more peaceful and still. + +The men eagerly worked at their oars in their peculiar Venetian, +thrusting fashion, standing to their work; and it was a satisfaction +to see that, in spite of its size and load, the boat was wonderfully +light, and rode over the water like a duck. + +The calmness and peace of everything was most striking as it grew +lighter; and when the eastern sky began to glow, and the tips of the +towers and spires of the different temples became gilded by the coming +sun, both Mr. Kenyon and the doctor expressed their admiration, +declaring the King's city to be after all, in spite of its lying in a +flat plain, beautiful in the extreme. + +Then the sun rose, shedding its glorious light around and giving +everything a beauty it did not really possess. For sordid-looking +boats, with nothing but a few mats hung from bamboo poles, looked as +if they were made of refined gold; while the trees which fringed the +water, and hung their pendent boughs from the banks, shed a wondrous +lustre, as if flashing gems from every dewy leaf. + +The river too, in spite of its muddy waters, seemed more beautiful +than ever, and the boys were revelling in the new delight of their +journey up stream, when sundry preparations being made by Mike in the +extreme after part of the boat changed the bent of Harry's thoughts to +quite a different direction from that of admiring the beauty of the +scene through which they were passing. + +It was just as his father exclaimed,-- + +"Are you noticing how beautiful all this is, Hal?" + +"Oh yes, father, I've been looking at it ever so long. But when are we +going to have breakfast?" + +The doctor burst into a hearty fit of laughter, in which Phra joined, +and the boy seemed puzzled. + +"What is it?" he said, looking from one to the other. "Have I said +something queer?" + +"Very, Hal," said his father. "Getting hungry?" + +"I was--terribly," replied Harry uneasily; "but I don't feel so now. I +don't like to be laughed at." + +"It will not hurt you, my boy. As to breakfast, you will have to wait +an hour or so, till we turn out of the main stream. Then we must land +at the first opening, and have a fire made ashore." + +Harry nodded, and wondered how he should get over the time. + +There proved to be so much to take his attention, however, that he was +ready to wonder when the boat was run in between two magnificent +clumps of trees soon after they had turned off into the lesser river +and entered the jungle by one of its water highways. + +The men sprang out, and one made the prow fast by a rope, while others +scattered, parang in hand, to collect and cut up dead or resinous +wood, of which a heap was soon made and set alight, the air being so +still that the blue smoke rose up quite straight, to filter, as it +were, through the boughs overhead, the men feeding the flames +carefully till a good mass of glowing embers was produced. + +Over this sylvan fireplace Mike, with a cloth tied about his waist, +apron fashion, presided, and in a very short time had prepared the +coffee and taken it aboard. + +There had been no preparations--no hunting for provisions, to add to +the toothsomeness of the breakfast; but eaten out there in the open +boat, under the shade of the majestic trees, with the river gliding +by, the strange cries from the jungle heard from time to time, and the +attention of the lads constantly attracted to bird, insect, or +reptile, they were ready to declare that they had never enjoyed such a +breakfast before. + +"How grand it would be to live always like this!" cried Harry. + +"Beautiful," said the doctor; "especially in the rainy seasons, when +you could keep nothing dry and find no wood that would burn." + +"Yes," said Mr. Kenyon; "rain does damp one's enthusiasm." + +"Oh, of course it would not be so pleasant then," said Harry; "but +generally it would be glorious, wouldn't it, Phra?" + +"I should get tired of it after a time, I think," was the reply. + +"Pooh! I shouldn't. Look how the men are enjoying it." + +Harry nodded towards their people, who had all landed to take their +meal on shore, leaving the boat free to their superiors, and certainly +the party looked very happy, squatted round the fire, in spite of the +heat; while the smoke curled up in great wreaths in company with the +suffocating carbonic acid gas evolved by the burning wood. + +"Yes, they look happy enough, Hal," said the doctor. "They don't +trouble themselves much about tablecloths or knives and forks." + +In fact, the party formed quite a picture, one that it seemed a pity +to disturb. + +But it was disturbed, for at a word from Mike, Sree rose to dip some +fresh, clear water to fill up the coffee-pot, and this done, Mike took +a piece of half-burned bamboo, stirred the embers and parted them so +as to make a steady place for the big coffee-pot, when there was a +whirl of flame, sparks, and smoke rushing up among the boughs in a +spiral, for the fire was now at its hottest. + +There was no warning. + +Sree had squatted down again, and Mike had seated himself, supporting +himself upon one hand, leaving the other to snatch off the coffee-pot +directly the brown froth began to rise with the boiling up, when +_bang--rush--scatter!_ Something fell suddenly from high up among the +boughs overhead right into the fire, and as the men turned and rolled +themselves away in every direction, they were bombarded as it were, by +showers of red-hot embers and half-burned sticks, which were driven +after them by the object which had fallen from the tree, and was now +writhing, twining, and beating the burning wood and ashes till the +fire was scattered over a surface some yards across. + +The matter needed no explanation; it was all plain enough. After the +manner of such reptiles, a good-sized boa had tied itself up in a +bundle of curves, knots, and loops on a convenient bough, after a +liberal meal probably of monkey, and had been fast asleep exactly over +the spot where the fire was made. It had borne heat and smoke without +moving until the last stir up of the embers delivered by Mike, but +this had sent so stifling a flame that the sleeping serpent had been +aroused, started into wakefulness, and in the heat and suffocation +fallen into the flames, to writhe in agony, turning over and over in +knotty convolutions, in one spot a yard or two square. + +The doctor was the quickest to grasp the position. Rising from his +seat, he took down one of the ready-charged guns, and waited for a few +moments till from out of the writhing knot the reptile's tail rose +quivering and thrashing the ashy ground. Directly after the head +appeared, some feet above the folds, dimly seen through the smoke, as +it was darted angrily in different directions, the jaws opening and +the creature snapping at the horrible enemy which was causing it so +much agony. + +It was for this the doctor had been waiting, and as the head rose a +little higher and was nearly motionless for a moment, both barrels +flashed out their contents; and as the concussion made the leaves +overhead quiver violently, the serpent writhed and struggled +frantically over and over in a knot that seemed to be always tying and +untying itself, was hidden amongst the thick, reedy growth close to +the river, splashed and wallowed a little in the shallow from which +the reeds sprung, and then with a loud splash went clear of the growth +into the dark, deep water overhung by the boughs of the trees. + +Then there was an eddying and quivering where the stream glided along, +and a few bubbles ascended to the surface, but though attentive watch +was kept, no more was seen, the swift current having undoubtedly swept +the reptile away. + +"I had a good sight of its head when I fired," said the doctor. "Would +you like to have snake for breakfast every morning when you lived out +in the open, Harry?" + +"Ugh!" ejaculated the boys together. + +"Well, I'm very glad we were having our breakfast on board," said Mr. +Kenyon, laughing. "Here, Michael, you need not stand staring up into +the tree; there are no more snakes up there." + +"Wouldn't its mate be there, sir?" said the man. + +"Oh no, it isn't likely. Where is the coffee-pot?" + +"Don't know, sir; but I don't want any more breakfast, thank you." + +"Nonsense, man," said his master; "find the coffee-pot, and the men +will rake the fire together again. There is nothing to mind now." + +Mike looked anything but satisfied, going about his task unwillingly; +but the men came back from where they had scattered, laughing with one +another now that the scare was at an end. + +"He's making a poor beginning," said Harry, on seeing their man go +peering about slowly in different directions amongst the tall grass +and bushes. + +"Mike doesn't like snakes," replied Phra, laughing. + +"Well, who does?" cried Harry. "I hate them; and it was enough to +scare anybody. I know I should have jumped away fast enough. I say, +look there." + +"What at?" + +"There's the pot, in amongst those young bamboos. No, no; there, half +in the water.--Found it?" + +"No, sir. It's gone," replied the man. + +"Nonsense; here it is. You didn't look in the right place." + +Mike came towards them, looking very sour and disgusted, as he picked +up the tin vessel. + +"Reg'lar spoiled," he said, examining the pot and holding it out to +show that there was a big dent on one side. "Won't hold water now." + +"How do you know till you try? Dip it in and see." + +The pot was dipped, filled, and proved to be quite sound in spite of +the hollow in its side, a fact which disappointed Mike, who prepared +to make some fresh coffee by getting into the boat again, while the +men laughingly collected the scattered brands and restarted the fire. + +"I say, Mike," said Harry, as the man came back, "you shouldn't make a +fuss about a little thing like this; it's nothing to what you will +have to put up with." + +Mike looked at him aghast, his face screwed up into such an aspect of +dismay that the boys burst out laughing. + +"Ah, it's all very well to laugh, Master Harry," grumbled the man; +"but if there's going to be any more of this sort of thing, I know--" + +"Know what?" + +"I'm going back home." + +"How?" said Harry, laughing. + +"Don't ask stupid questions," said Phra, with a perfectly serious +face. "He's either going to swim back with the stream, among the +crocodiles, or to walk through the jungle. There are not so very many +tigers there now." + +"What!" gasped Mike. + +"Make haste, Michael, my lad," said Mr. Kenyon. "Get the fresh coffee +made and the men's breakfast over; we want to go on." + +"Yes, sir; of course, sir--oh dear, oh dear!--Ah, it's all very well +to laugh, Master Harry." + +"Laugh! Well, it's enough to make any one laugh to see you make such a +fuss over a baby snake. Wait till we come to the hundred foot long +ones." + +Mike gave him another look, and then hurried back to the blazing fire. + +"You've spoiled his breakfast," said Phra. + +"Serve him right for being a great coward. I want him to get used to +such things." + +Phra laughed. + +"Who's to get used to such things as that? I say, look; there's one of +our old friends watching us." + +He pointed up to where a little grey-whiskered monkey was holding back +the leaves, so as to peer wonderingly down at the party. + +"I believe one could soon coax these monkeys down to be fed." + +"If you put a few bananas on the top of the cabin there, they wouldn't +want any coaxing; they'd come and take them." + +"Yes, when we were not looking; but I mean, coax them into being tame +enough to feed from one's hand." + +"Might perhaps, but they're treacherous. They like to spring on any +one's shoulders to bite the back of the neck. Look, look! Parrots!" + +A little flock of brightly coloured, long-tailed lories flew over the +river, but before a gun could be seized they had disappeared. + +"Not very good ones," said Harry. "Only green." + +"And sour," said the doctor. + +"Sour?" cried Harry wonderingly. + +"Yes, sour grapes, Hal. Why, they were lovely specimens, my boy. Look +at those butterflies flitting about the flowers growing there in +wreaths. Now, if this were a hard road we might get a few of them." + +"We could get one of those sun-birds," said Harry, pointing to some +half-dozen fluttering about the cluster of flowers dependent from a +bough overhanging the stream. + +"Yes, but we must wait till we have got some dry sand to use instead +of shot. Mind we scrape some up from the first shallow place we +reach." + +The fact of the boat being motionless there by the side of the river, +and all on board sitting quietly watching the abundant beautiful +objects around, made the various inhabitants of the jungle on either +side come out of their hiding-places and take no further heed of their +presence; consequently until the men had finished their breakfast +there was ample opportunity for a quiet, observant natural history +study, and Mr. Kenyon remarked,-- + +"It is, after all, better to be content with watching nature in a +place like this than shooting specimens and preserving them in a +miserable imitation of the natural shape. For how poor and pitiful +they are at the best." + +"That's true enough," said the doctor, smiling; "but you would not +make a museum of our memories." + +"Why not?" said Mr. Kenyon. + +"Because memory is weak, and our description of what we have seen to +other people who could never by any possibility see the beautiful +creatures we have encountered, would come very far short. I think that +the sight of the poorest skin that we have preserved would make ten +times the impression on another's mind that a month's talking could." + +"Yes," said Mr. Kenyon, "and nature is so abundant." + +By this time the men had resumed their oars, and the boat was gliding +rapidly up the river, the boys being ready to point out where they had +shot the birds they had taken back, and seen the monkey which had +watched them on their way. + +So far they had met no crocodiles, but as they went higher it seemed +as if, though they kept themselves out of sight, several were in the +narrow river and were retiring before them, till the water growing +more shallow they began to show from time to time. + +The boys seized their guns upon catching sight of the two prominences +which contained the reptile's eyes appearing above the surface some +thirty yards ahead, but Mr. Kenyon checked them. + +"Don't shoot," he said, "it is of no use to kill a few among so many." + +"But suppose they attack us," said Harry. + +"They will not unless driven to bay. Steer in closer to the side, +Sree," continued Mr. Kenyon, "so as to give them room to retreat down +the river." + +The order was obeyed, the boat being kept to the left, so close in +that the oars touched the tips of the hanging boughs, with the +consequence that every now and then there was a loud splashing and +wallowing in the water close beneath the bank, the part hidden by the +pendent boughs. + +"Why, they swarm under there," said the doctor. + +"Yes," said Mr. Kenyon, "and this shows how little the shooting of one +or two has to do with thinning them down. By the way, boys, where was +it that you had your adventure with the big crocodile and the monkey?" + +Phra rose and pointed forward. + +"A little farther there, on the right," he said, "where those bigger +trees are hanging over the water." + +The whole scene came vividly back to the pair as the boat glided on, +and after a glance upward at the trees, Harry's eyes fell to scanning +the water, half expecting to see the ugly muzzle of one of the great +crocodiles shoot out. + +This he did not see, but first one and then another made a tremendous +eddy in the stream, their lurking-places being churned up by the men's +oars. + +"The brutes are extremely thick up here," said the doctor: "a pretty +good warning that we must not attempt any bathing." + +"They seem to swarm," replied Mr. Kenyon. "It is a pity they are of no +use; but perhaps some day one will be found for them,--possibly their +skins may be utilised." + +"Skins of young ones, perhaps. These big fellows would be too horny." + +As he spoke, a huge reptile rushed from a mud bank into the river with +a tremendous splash, sending a wave along the surface, which made the +boat rise and fall. + +This time guns were seized by the boys' elders, upon the strength of +the possibility of an attack; but the huge creature must have sunk at +once to the bottom, for no further sign appeared. + +Meantime the great, green bank of trees on either side seemed to grow +more beautiful from the brilliancy of the flowers with which some of +the trees were covered; while, wherever a flock of parroquets flew +out, it was pretty well always a sign of fruit. + +Here, too, at intervals, where there were breaks in the banks of the +great timber trees, huge tufts of bamboo shot up spear-like, and +showed their delicate foliage, looking at a distance so light and +feathery that often enough the straight stems, which rose in places as +much as sixty feet, seemed as if surrounded by a delicate haze. + +It was now decided that due attention should be given to collecting +and providing for the meals of so large a party; and as nothing in the +shape of deer or pig had been seen, and mid-day was long passed, it +was suggested that, as soon as a suitable spot was reached, the boat +should be moored to some overhanging bough and the boys should try +their fortune at fishing. + +As soon as Sree heard this he busied himself with the basket which +contained the lines, and kept a look-out for a likely pitch. + +Suddenly there was a rushing of wings, and a big bird appeared--a +signal for two guns to be raised, but only to be laid down again. + +"Ugh! vulture," said Harry in disgust. + +"Pity not to have shot it," said Phra; "it would have done to cut up +for bait." + +Harry's lip curled up and his nostrils dilated. + +"Do you know we mean to eat the fish we catch?" + +"Oh, of course," said Phra hurriedly; "I hadn't thought of that. But +would it make any difference, Doctor Cameron?" he added. + +The doctor laughed. + +"No," he said, "I don't think we should have found the fish any the +worse for it. All the same, though, I should prefer my fish not to +have been fed upon the flesh of an unclean bird." + +"Exactly so," said Harry's father; "but perhaps it is just as well +that we should not study the food of the fish we eat. They are not +very particular as to their diet.--What about that quiet, still eddy +yonder, Sree?" + +"Where the great tree-trunk lies in the water?" said the doctor. "No, +that won't do. There must be scores of half-rotten boughs among which +the fish would run and tangle up the lines." + +"It would be an excellent place, Sahib," said Sree humbly. "We could +tie up the boat there, and fish below it, where the stream runs in." + +"To be sure," said Mr. Kenyon; "I had not noticed that little rivulet. +You are wrong, Doctor; it will be a capital place." + +"Perhaps," said the gentleman addressed, "but I don't like the look of +it. I feel pretty sure that we shall find a great crocodile has his +lurking-place under that large tree-trunk." + +"Yes, Sahib; there is one there," said Sree; "but he will go as soon +as he sees the boat." + +He spoke to the man in the bows to be ready to make the line fast to +one of the dead boughs, which stuck up dry and swept clear of bark, +showing, like its fellows, how high the flood water had raised the +level of the river, for above a certain height the bark was still +clinging to the branches. + +It proved to be just as the old hunter had said, for as the boat was +forced up to the great trunk lying in the water, there was a sudden +rush, the surface was turned into a series of eddies, and a wave +rolled along towards the other side of the river, indicating the +direction in which the reptile disturbed had gone. + +All the same the boat was made fast, and floated down stream to the +full length of the rope, the men's oars were laid in, and those astern +joined their companions forward, to squat together talking in a low +tone and chewing betel, while Mr. Kenyon and the doctor settled +themselves comfortably in the open cabin. + +"Won't you fish, father?" asked Harry. + +"No, my boy," he replied; "you shall fish for me." + +"But you will fish, Doctor Cameron?" said Phra politely. + +"No, I would rather see you," replied the doctor, and he started and +caught up his gun, but laid it down once more, for the birds which had +caught his eye were only crows, some half-dozen of which came up +stream as if they had followed the boat, and now they had found it, +settled down in one of the highest trees apparently to have a quiet +chat about its object in coming up there. + +Sree had been busy the while, preparing bait for the lines, which were +to be used ledger fashion without rods. + +Sree's bait was some very stiff paste, which he was working up out of +a couple of handfuls of flour; and he made haste to explain that if +the fish did not take this well, he should soon change the lure. + +"But we must catch one first." + +The lines were strong and the hooks tied on gimp, such as would have +been used for pike-fishing at home, for the fish of the Siamese rivers +had not been tried for till they were as shy as ours at home, and +before many minutes had elapsed the boys each had his baited hook +thrown out from the opposite side of the boat six or eight yards away, +the leads sinking some six feet in the fairly clear water, and with +fingers just feeling the pierced lead, they waited. + +It was not the first by many times that the boys had fished together +in the river, and they pretty well knew what they were likely to +catch; but they were not prepared to sit beneath the hot sunshine for +so long without a sign of there being fish about. + +"Come, be sharp," cried the doctor banteringly. "I thought we were +going to have a good fry for dinner. How soon shall I send the men +ashore to make a fire?" + +"Fishermen always have patience," said Harry. + +"But people who want their dinner do not," said Mr. Kenyon, laughing. + +"I say, Sree," whispered Harry, "they will not bite at paste." + +"Pull up your line, Sahib," said the hunter. + +Harry did as he was told, and Sree smiled. + +"Something has eaten the bait," he said. "Didn't you feel a pull?" + +"No, not the slightest." + +The hook was rebaited and sent down stream again, and Phra's hook +proving to be in the same unattractive state, received the same +treatment; but for fully half an hour nothing was done but rebaiting +and throwing in. + +"We had better make a move," said Mr. Kenyon. "It is very beautiful +here, but the crocodiles seem to have scared the fish away. Let's go +half a mile higher." + +"No, no, not yet, father," said Harry. "It seems such a capital place, +and--I've got him!" + +For as he spoke he felt a slight twitch at the line he held, and then +all was still for a few moments. Next there was a steady draw, and the +line began to pass through his fingers, while upon checking it the +drag became a heavy one, and he found that he was fast in a good fish. + +It was evident that a shoal had come up towards the boat, for hardly +had Harry begun to haul upon his line before Phra felt the premonitory +twitch, and directly after the draw upon his line. + +"Now, father, had we better go higher?" cried Harry. "Oh, my word! it +is a big one; the line regularly cuts my hands." + +There was nothing to see but the lines cutting the water in different +directions, for it was evident that the baits had been seized by +bottom-loving fish, which went on fighting to keep down as low as they +could. + +By this time Sree had taken up a short bamboo to which a large hook +was firmly bound, and bidding Harry now draw hard, he stood ready, +while the lad raised the heavy, struggling fish to the surface, and, +in spite of its efforts, brought it close up to the side of the boat, +when with one well-aimed stroke the old hunter thrust the hook beneath +it and lifted it over the side. + +The next moment, leaving the fish flapping and beating the bamboo +bottom, Sree stepped beside Phra, where the same business was gone +through, and the second fish dragged in. + +They proved to be very similar in appearance to a fish but little +known in England, though lingering still in some few sluggish +rivers--the burbot--a fish that is best described as being something +like a short, thick eel. These were together over twenty pounds in +weight, and welcome from their delicate quality as food. + +"Enough is as good as a feast," said Mr. Kenyon, smiling; and the +order being given, the boat was once more sent gliding up stream, +look-out being kept for a suitable place for landing and making a +fire. + +This was reached at last, and the fish, spitted on the ever-present, +ever-useful bamboo, set down to roast, so that they might make a +welcome addition to the next _al fresco_ meal. + +After another few miles a suitable mooring-place was found beneath an +enormous tree, and a fire once more lit; this was to act as a scare to +keep away noxious creatures, but, as Harry said, for some things they +might have been better without. + +For they soon found that the glare of the burning wood woke up and +attracted the birds, which came circling round it in a strangely weird +way, their dimly seen forms coming and going out of the darkness into +the dome of light ribbed with the branches of the trees. + +Moths and flies innumerable buzzed about through the glare, and, worst +of all, the light and heat attracted the smaller reptiles, snakes and +lizards creeping towards the flame for the sake of the warmth of what +must have seemed to them like a new, strange sun, and many of them +getting burned. + +"It's very horrid, father," said Harry. "Mike says that he saw +hundreds of wriggling snakes and lizards creeping up when he helped +the men make up the fire as you advised, for they would have set the +forest ablaze if it had been done their way." + +"Hundreds, eh?" said Mr. Kenyon. "Then I suppose we may set it down as +being about a dozen, Hal?" + +"He is an awful fibster, father," said Harry, laughing. + +"I don't think the man really means to lie wilfully," said Mr. Kenyon; +"but his imagination and his tongue run wild." + +"Perhaps it's his eyes," said the doctor, smiling; "a natural failing. +The lenses are too round, and they magnify." + +"Let's be charitable, and set it down as that," said Mr. Kenyon; "but +it does not matter to us. It is not as if we were going to sleep +ashore, and this is a novel experience." + +"Novel, indeed. What a collection of moths and beetles we might make +now!" + +"Awkward work," replied Mr. Kenyon. "I think we might be content with +enjoying the strange scene." + +Both being tired with the day's exertions, the boys thought so too, +and for long enough they watched the illuminated trees of the jungle, +which were always changing their aspect as the fire rose and fell, +emitting flashes of light, and sending up myriads of sparks or wreaths +of smoke to form clouds overhead, which reflected back the light and +turned the water into gold, while strange, dark shadows seemed to +dance and waltz among the great trunks. + +It was all so wild and beautiful that even after the men had finally +replenished the fire and settled themselves down for the night under +their matting shelter, spread over the fore part of the boat, no one +aft felt the slightest desire to lie down and sleep. + +"I couldn't sleep, could you?" said Harry, in a low tone, to Phra, as +they sat in the half-closed-in cabin, now watching the surroundings of +the fire, now, attracted by some sound, turning to look up or down the +river. + +"Sleep? No," replied Phra; "it all seems so strange and different. +We've heard all these noises of a night when we've been at home, but +they were far off." + +"And now one is right amongst them," said Harry. "I say, are you sure +your gun's loaded?" + +"Yes, quite; I looked at it just now." + +"So did I at mine. I don't think I'm at all afraid; are you?" + +"I don't think so; but after what we saw this morning I can't help +fancying that there might be a great snake somewhere in the boughs +overhead, coming down lower and lower till it thrust in its head here. +I say, fancy it taking one of us out and up into the tree." + +"Shan't," said Harry. "I don't believe there are any in the jungle big +enough to do such a thing." + +"Oh, there are some monsters," said Phra quietly. + +"Yes, so people like our Mike say. He told me once that some of your +father's men said they had seen a croc fifty feet long. Hark at that!" + +The sound was startling, and it came from off the water lower down the +river. + +"It's your fifty feet crocodile slapping the water with his tail to +stun the fish," said Phra grimly. + +"I don't know about fifty, but it sounds as if the great wretch might +be thirty feet long. Ugh! What's to prevent a monster coming up close +to the boat and helping himself to one of us? I couldn't go to sleep +for thinking such a thing possible." + +"I don't think there's any fear of such a thing happening. You never +heard of anything of the kind among the thousands of boats down the +river and canals." + +"No, but one can't help thinking of such creepy notions. We never +thought of them before we came." + +"Are you boys going to sleep?" said Mr. Kenyon. + +"Yes, father, directly," said Harry; "I mean, going to try." + +"Off with you, then, so as to be ready for a good day's work +to-morrow. Did you see how beautiful the fire-flies are, right away up +and down the river?" + +"Yes, sir," said Phra. "I've been watching them; it looks sometimes as +if the bushes and boughs were full of flying stars. Hear that?" + +"Yes; a tiger," said Mr. Kenyon quietly. "Hear the king of stripes, +Doctor?" + +The gentleman addressed grunted, and then breathed hard. + +"The brute does not trouble him," said Mr. Kenyon; "and it need not +trouble us." + +"No fear of its swimming out to the boat?" said Phra. + +"Not the slightest," replied Mr. Kenyon. "Let down that mat to screen +you from the night air and mists, and go to sleep." + +"Let the mat down?" said Harry, in a tone full of protest; "but if we +do we can't see the fire-flies." + +"Take another look, and then let it down and go to sleep." + +"But we don't feel as if we could go, father." + +"Of course not, if you sit up talking. There, let down the matting, +for our sake as well as yours. Good-night, my boys." + +"Good-night, sir." + +"Good-night, father," said Harry, as he let fall the mat, and thus +completely closed in the cabin-like place.--"But there's no sleep for +us, Phra, I'm afraid." + +"Let's try," said Phra. + +"Oh, I'll try," replied Harry. + +It needed no trying, for in five minutes there was no one awake in the +boat, though there were wild cries far away in the jungle, strange +splashings, coughings and barkings from the river, and every now and +then loud cracklings and sputterings from the fire, whose rays gleamed +in through the matting hung round. + +But though every one slept, there was an advance about to be made upon +the occupants of the boat, some forty or fifty fierce creatures making +their way in through the matting to attack first one and then the +other, the attack going on till the savage enemies were satiated with +blood, their victims being all the while deeply plunged in sleep. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +ELEPHANTS AT HOME + + +"Eh? What? Nonsense!" + +"That's what I said, Master Harry. It's 'most a thousand times darker +than when we lay down. I mean, it would be if old Sree hadn't raked +the fire together and put on some more wood. He said it was time to +get up, and I had to get up; but I feel horrid bad. I hope we're all +alive." + +"Did Sree say it was to-morrow morning, Mike?" + +"Yes, sir; but I don't believe it." + +"Here, Phra, wake up. Do you hear? Mike says it's tomorrow morning." + +"No, sir; no, sir," protested the man, who could be dimly seen leaning +over the boys by the faint rays of the fire ashore still streaming in. +"I wouldn't have said such a thing these next two hours." + +"Very well," said Harry irritably; "Sree said so, and he's sure to +know. Do you hear, Phra? Wake up." + +Phra made use of a word he had learned of his companion. + +"Bother!" And then, "Do be quiet!" + +"Shan't. Wake up, or I'll scoop in some water over you." + +"You do if you dare," growled Phra viciously. + +"Oh, I dare," said Harry, whose sleepy irritability was going off and +making way for the spirit of mischief in him; "but I don't want to +make everything wet. Get up, you miserable old Siamese prince! You're +not going to sleep if I'm not." + +"Bother!" cried Phra sharply, in response to a shake. + +"Wake up, then! Here, Phra, we're all alive oh! and nothing has +touched us all through the night." + +"Oh!" + +"What's the matter, Mike?" said Harry, whose attention was turned from +the young Prince to their man. + +"I'm so bad, sir. I've caught the jungle fever with sleeping in this +damp place." + +"Nonsense!" + +"Oh, I have, sir, and I feel dreadful bad. I never was so ill before +in my life." + +"I don't believe it, but I'll wake Doctor Cameron. I daresay he +brought some quinine with him." + +"What! that horrid, bitter stuff, sir? No, no; don't, please." + +"Bah! Making a fuss about some physic. But you must have it. We're not +going to have our trip spoiled by your turning ill. I say, Doctor!" + +"No, no, Master Harry; don't say anything, please," whispered the man. +"Not till after breakfast. I couldn't eat a mossle if I had to take +that horrid, bitter quinny." + +"Oh, you must be bad!" said Harry, with mock sympathy. "Here, I know a +little. How do you feel?--pain in your back?" + +"A little, sir, where it rested against a big bamboo in the night." + +"That sounds bad," said Harry. + +"Does it, sir? Oh dear!" + +"What else? Headache?" + +"No, sir; but I've got it, and I can feel my face all covered with +spots." + +"It's the mosquitoes," cried Phra, sitting up suddenly. + +"Hullo! You awake?--That's it, Mikey." + +"Oh no, sir," groaned the man; "it's worse than that." + +"'Tisn't. His Royal Highness Prince Phra Mala Krom Praya says it's +mosquitoes, and he's right. How many spots have you got on your face? +A million?" + +"Well, no, sir, I don't think there's as many as that; but my face is +full, and they itch and sting horrid, and my eyes are swelled up and +stiff. Just you feel." + +"No, thankye, Mike; but I'll have a look as soon as it is light. I +say, though, I wonder you haven't got a million bites.--There, don't +be such a baby. Go and get the breakfast ready. I'll wake the others." + +"He ain't a bit o' feeling in him," sighed Mike to himself; and he +went out of the cabin. + +"What does it look like, Phra?" said Harry, for his companion had +passed his head out beside the matting. + +"Come and see; it's lovely." + +Harry thrust his head out on the other side of the mat, to gaze up and +down the river, to see overhead the stars growing pale and feeble, +while the river bed was filled up by a soft, dark-grey flood which +rose about ten or fifteen feet up the black wall of trees opposite to +them. On the other side and overhead there was a warm glow which lit +up the thin mist, giving it a roseate hue, while the cloud of smoke +was gathering more and more and blotting out the faint stars half +across the river, its under side ruddy too with the fire-reflected +light. + +"I never saw the river look like this before," cried Harry. "Looks +jolly, doesn't it?" + +"Beautiful and calm, and just as if the earth was waking up," replied +Phra. + +"Birds, you mean," said Harry. "Parrots are whistling, and--here, I +say, hark at that _coo--ah--coo--ah_. Hear that?" + +"Yes. Argus pheasant," said Phra eagerly. + +"Let's take the guns and go and see if we can't get a shot at it." + +"What! try and get through the jungle now it's all dripping with dew?" + +"Never thought of that," said Harry. "Would be sloppy, wouldn't it?" + +"Sloppy! Why, we should be drenched before we'd gone ten yards." + +"And I don't suppose we could go ten yards. Let's go and ask old Sree +if he can call the birds over, so that we can get a shot at them." + +They stepped carefully out into the forward part of the boat, and then +Harry thrust back his head to carry out his promise. + +"Father! Doctor!" he cried. "Morning." + +"Yes; thank you," said Mr. Kenyon, and the doctor grunted. + +Phra had by this time reached the mooring rope and begun drawing the +boat's prow close up to the prostrate tree-trunk to which it was +moored, for prostrate trees were plentiful along the banks, and in one +place two falling nearly opposite from either bank of the stream had +almost formed a barricade to stop the way. + +"Be careful, Sahibs," said a voice out of the gloom, the old hunter +having left the group of rowers gathered round the fire. "The +tree-trunk is slippery with the dew." + +"Oh, it's you, Sree," said Harry. "Isn't that the coo--ah calling?" + +"Yes, Sahib; I have heard it many times." + +"Could we get near and manage a shot at it?" + +"No, Sahib; it would hear us before we were half way, and be silent. +Then we should not know which way to go. Besides, you would find the +grass and trees too wet." + +"Would it come if you called to it?" + +"No, Sahib, not unless we were in a deep, dark part of the jungle." + +"Oh well, never mind," said Harry. "It wouldn't be pleasant before +breakfast. Here, let's go ashore now we're so near, Phra. Anything +burned in the fire last night?" + +"Yes, Sahib; I've found four dead birds under the trees, and some +lizards and snakes that had been too close. Some of them were only +half dead. They had scorched themselves and then crawled away." + +The boys went up to the blazing fire, to find Mike busy cooking the +men's breakfast, the latter making way for the lads to come close up +to the pleasant glow, which dissipated the chilly mist floating +around. + +As they went round the fire Sree pointed out the remains of several +reptiles, one of which was still moving and writhing slightly. + +This--part of a long, thin snake--Sree stooped to twitch into the +hottest part of the glowing fire. + +"Oh, I say, Sree, how horrid!" said Harry. + +"No, sir; better dead than living in such pain. It could never get +well. This one might," he added, dragging another from among the low +growth close by, with the result that it came to and bit at a bamboo +staff the man held. + +"It's poisonous," cried Phra. "Mind!" + +"Yes, Sahib; I'll take care," said Sree. "It is a good deal scorched, +but it might live and do mischief. It is a very bad kind, almost as +poisonous as the naga." + +As he spoke he gave his bamboo staff a whirl round his head, which +threw the writhing reptile into a knot at the end, and then giving a +final jerk the dangerous creature was dashed into the middle of the +fire, where a loud sputtering, crackling, and hissing bespoke its +fate. + +"Was that it hissing in agony?" said Harry, with a look of disgust. + +"Oh no, Sahib," said the old hunter, smiling. "It is only the flesh. +The heat in there killed the snake directly. Look! there is a dead +bird; that will make the same noise. Throw it in." + +"Why, it's one of those beautiful rosy pigeons," said Harry, "only +half its feathers are burnt off. It's dead enough. I say, though, it's +a pity to waste that. I'll make Mike cook it for breakfast. What's +that bird?" + +"A crow," said Phra, turning the object over with his foot; and then, +before Harry could seize it, tossing it into the fire himself, for a +precisely similar hissing to arise. + +"I'm glad of that," said Harry; "it seems so horrible to burn anything +alive. Here, Mike, how soon will our breakfast be ready?" + +"As soon as I can go on board to get it, sir. The gentlemen are not up +yet." + +"Not up!" said Harry. "Why, you talk as if they slept in +bedrooms--Look! there they are." + +For as he spoke the matting was drawn aside, just as the light was +coming fast, the faint rays of the sun striking horizontally through +the soft, grey mist, and lighting it up like a cloud at sunset. + +The effect was wonderful, for with the first rising of the sun there +was a light breeze which lifted the mist, making it rise and float +away in wreaths across the tops of the jungle trees, the coming of +bright day once more bringing forth a wild chorus of shrieks, pipings, +and strange cries from the hidden birds. + +Mike quickly had a good meal spread, and as soon as the fire was no +longer necessary, the men under Sree's direction threw a few jars of +water over it, and then took to their oars, the breakfast in the open +cabin being finished as the party glided up the beautiful stream. + +They were now well beyond the parts ever reached by the most +venturesome of the boating men of the town and villages around, and in +consequence the various birds and quadrupeds displayed but little +shyness, the former fluttering near the boat, or perching in little +flocks to watch the visitors to this wild region, while the monkeys +grew more and more venturesome, ceasing to depute the observations to +the old greybeard of the troop, and crowding on the branches, to +chatter and stare down, probably seeing human beings for the first +time in their lives. + +"They don't seem to think much of us, Phra," said Harry, who was lying +back so that he could look up in comfort at the comical little +creatures. + +"Well, it's quite fair," said Phra; "we don't think much of them. I +don't know, though; I envy their strength. Look how easily they make +those jumps." + +"Yes, it would puzzle us. But isn't it ridiculous that they should be +so careless, jumping from tree to tree just over the water, where they +ought to know that the crocodiles are waiting for them? I daresay we +shall see one come down with a splash directly." + +Harry was quite right: five minutes had not passed before, in the +midst of a loud chattering, a low, heavily laden bough snapped, and +about a dozen of the little fellows fell scrambling down; but all +saved themselves by catching at branches before reaching the water, +save one, who went in with a loud splash, but caught at some twigs and +leaves which dipped in the surface, and cleverly dragged itself out, +to begin scrambling up again amidst a chorus of loud cries, just as +the long muzzle of a crocodile was thrust out and snatched back again +as rapidly, after receiving full in the side of the head the contents +of the doctor's gun. + +"Brute!" he exclaimed. "What a beautiful place this would be if it +were not infested with these savage wretches!--Killed, Sree?" + +"No, Sahib; I think not. I can see him swimming yonder. The water is +clear here." + +They had another glimpse at the injured reptile, which shot up about +fifty yards ahead, beat the water for a few moments, and then +disappeared beneath the tangle. + +No more shooting was done, the voyagers contenting themselves with +observing, and finding abundance to take their attention, for at every +few yards some curious-looking water-fowl or wader rose from the river +side. Then it would be a lovely blue kingfisher or solemn-looking +crimson-breasted trogon, while at times a glimpse was obtained of some +animal coming down to drink, only to be startled away by the passing +boat. + +Once it was a strange-looking animal with trunk-like snout, which +stared for a moment before wrenching itself round, giving just a +momentary view of its piebald body, and then rushed through the +undergrowth. + +"We're favoured," cried the doctor. "That was a specimen one ought to +have shot." + +"What for?" said Mr. Kenyon. "It would have been too big and clumsy to +preserve. If you shoot, let it be something for the table." + +The doctor took note of this, and he and the lads finding good +opportunities, brought down several large water-fowl, which were +plucked by the men not rowing for the evening meal, it having been +decided that while on the trip up the river two good meals would be +sufficient for each day. + +Twice over Phra's sharp eyes detected large serpents in the +overhanging boughs, their presence being doubtless explicable by the +numbers of monkeys travelling to and fro along the edges of the jungle +where it was cut by the river. + +On the second occasion the doctor's gun was raised for a shot, but a +sign from the old hunter stopped him. + +"What is it?" he said, for Sree was pointing forward. + +"Elephants, Sahib," whispered the man; and then bidding the men to row +gently, so as not to make a sound, the boat glided on towards what in +the distance looked like the blunt end of the river, so completely did +it seem cut off by the sudden way in which it doubled back upon +itself, growing wider and shallower at the same time, while from some +peculiarity of soil the trees had retired farther from the bank, +leaving quite a wide, park-like stretch, through which the stream +meandered. + +But the party in the boat had no eyes for the scenery; their attention +was taken up fully, as they turned the bend of the river, by the sight +of some ten or a dozen elephants of all sizes indulging in a bath in +the now shallow water, wading, wallowing, or squirting it over their +backs. + +It was evidently such a sanctuary that the great animals felt no fear +of being disturbed, and the boat and its occupants remained unnoticed, +Sree having signed to the men to run it close in under the shore on +the right. Here, through the doubling back of the river, they were not +above a couple of hundred yards across the intervening jungle from +where they had come up and the old hunter had first heard the noise +made by the herd. + +They sat for some time watching the actions of the strange, +unwieldy-looking creatures, and would have been content to remain +longer had not the largest of the animals, after syringeing himself to +his heart's content, trumpeted loudly and begun to wade out of the +river, taking a course which, if continued, would have brought him to +the shore close to the boat. + +Wild elephants can be very dangerous if roused; but here there was +nothing to fear, for the men could with a few strokes have put the +boat into deep water where an elephant was not likely to follow; so in +obedience to Mr. Kenyon's order, the rowers rested on their oars and +the elephant came on, nearer and nearer, his great head nodding and +bowing from side to side, and his eyes fixed upon the surface, till +suddenly taking the scent of the travellers, borne by the light air, +he stopped short, caught sight of them as he raised his head, and +stood as if turned to stone, staring at them for some seconds, before +uttering a strange cry of alarm and dashing back, with ears flapping +and extended trunk, towards his companions. + +The first cry of alarm was sufficient, every elephant churning up the +water in the endeavour to be first on the farther shore. + +The party watched till the last beast had disappeared, the first +making straight for the jungle and plunging right in through a hole it +made apparently in the great wall of greenery, the others following in +single line after it, and, according to custom using its footprints, +till the biggest, who appeared to be as massive as old Sul, passed +through, and the elastic stems and vines seemed to spring back in +their places. + +"Why, Phra," said Harry, "I did not know that we had wild elephants so +near. Did you know, Sree?" + +"Yes, Sahib; I have seen that herd many times, and could lead the +King's elephant-catchers to their hiding-place if they were wanted; +but they have not been wanted yet." + +"It is a curious country," said Mr. Kenyon; "we seem to know nothing +of it a few miles from any of the rivers." + +The open part they were in looked so bright and attractive that, +regardless of the near neighbourhood of the elephants, it was decided +merely to go to the upper end of the shallows where the jungle closed +in again, and where a sufficiently umbrageous tree could be found +projecting over the river to add to their shelter, and then camp for +the night. + +Here a fire was once more lit, and while the preparations for the +evening meal went on, the doctor and the two boys took their guns for +a stroll back along the open stretch of grass they had passed. + +"Don't be long," said Mr. Kenyon. + +"Which means, don't go too far," replied the doctor. "We shall not. It +is only to stretch our legs a bit, for the boat is rather cramping." + +The intention was good and wise, but the object intended soon proved +to be almost an impossibility. The stretch of open land between the +river and the jungle looked at a distance much like a fair meadow, and +it struck Harry from that point of view. + +"Just the place for our cricket," he said to Phra, as, shouldering +their guns, they stepped off after the doctor. + +"Mind how you come," said the latter, who was brought to a standstill. +"The water has been all over here, and the place is full of cracks and +holes. Try back a little your way." + +"Looks quite right here, sir," cried Harry. "It's as solid as--Oh--Hi! +Phra, catch hold of my gun." + +The boy laid his own piece down, caught at the barrel of Harry's, and +pulling hard, his companion, who had sunk up to his knees and was +steadily going lower, was able to struggle back. + +"Oh, here's a mess!" he panted, stamping to get rid of the mud. + +"You didn't choose the right direction, Hal," said the doctor, +laughing. + +"No, sir," said Harry meekly. "Will you go first?" + +"Yes, I think I can do better than that, my lad. Let's strike right +across here towards where the elephants went out of sight. The ground +must be firmer there." + +The boys prepared to follow, as the doctor led off; but Harry directed +a malicious glance at his companion, which seemed to say plainly, +"Look out, and see if he doesn't go in." + +But Harry felt disappointed and ill-used, as well as wet and muddy +about the legs, for the doctor strode off steadily for about twenty +yards, the boys following over perfectly firm ground. + +"You should pick your way in a place like this, my lads. It only +needs--" + +_Care,_ the doctor was about to say, but he did not; for all at once, +to Harry's intense delight, his leader uttered a sharp ejaculation, +and, throwing himself flat on the ground, began to roll over and over, +with his gun held upright against his breast, till he was close to the +boys' feet, where he sat up, drew the stout hunting-knife he wore at +his breast, and began to scrape the mud off one leg. + +"Was it soft there, sir?" said Harry, with mock seriousness. + +"Soft!" cried the doctor. "Oh, you're laughing at me, eh? Well, I'm +fair game, I must own. Here, step back! quick! both of you. We're +sinking." + +It was quite true, for there was a bubbling, hissing, and gurgling +sound arising from among the grassy growth, and the black water began +to ooze up among the stems, so that as the boys ran back it splashed +up, and the doctor followed, none too soon. + +"Why, the whole place is a marsh," he said, looking back as soon as +the ground felt more solid. "It is just as if the water of the river +spread right up to the jungle and this part had become covered with +weeds and plants till they were matted together and looked like a +meadow." + +"But," cried Harry, "I want to know how the elephants managed." + +"There must be a sort of causeway of firm ground somewhere out in the +middle there," replied the doctor. "I daresay we should find it so if +we went back with the boat to where the great creatures came out of +the water." + +"And we couldn't have the boat now, I suppose," said Harry, glancing +in the direction of camp. + +"No, but it does not matter. We should only find a muddy, elephant +path, full of holes." + +"Sorry I was so stupid, doctor," said Harry. + +The doctor turned to him sharply and nodded. + +"Yes, you have me on the hip there, Hal. Take it as a warning to +yourself not to be in too great a hurry to condemn other people." + +Phra smiled. + +"What are we going to do?" he said. "It's too soon to go back." + +"Well, we can't walk on this floating green carpet," replied Harry. +"Could we get along by the river?" + +"We could try," said the doctor. + +"Or go up along the edge of the jungle. We ought to find something +worth shooting there." + +"Let's try the edge of the jungle," said the doctor. "The ground must +be firmer there." + +Striking up to their right, they managed to get about fifty yards +nearer the edge of the forest; but then they had to turn back and make +for a point nearer the little camp, where two or three huge trees +stood out like sentinels in front of the vast army of vegetation +packed closely as trees could stand. + +Here the earth proved to be firm, and for a few dozen yards they +managed to progress among the trees at the very edge of the jungle. +After that the way was stopped by the interlacing creepers and thorny +rotans, and after a few minutes' trial it became evident that without +the help of stout men with their parangs to clear the way, further +progress was impossible. + +"Let's go back again," said Harry. "One does get so hot and fagged." + +"Better keep walking till your legs are dry," said the doctor. "I +don't want you down with a feverish cold." + +"They're nearly dry now," said Harry, "and they'll be quite dry by the +time we get back." + +"Yes," said Phra; "it's farther off than we think for, and will take +longer." + +"Back again, then," said the doctor; "but I do not like to be beaten +like this. I wanted to see more of the elephants and their ways." + +"Come to the big stables, then, Doctor, when we get back. Phra will +take you and let you see all there are at home; won't you, Phra?" + +"Of course, if the doctor wishes to see them." + +"Much obliged," replied the doctor; "but it's the wild ones I want to +study. What's that?" + +He stopped short, and brought his gun round ready to fire at any +danger which might assail them from the jungle. + +The boys had heard what startled their companion, and cocked their +guns. For suddenly there was the quick rush of something behind the +dense screen of verdure--a something which seemed to have been +watching them, and had darted off as soon as they came near. + +"Wild pig?" asked Harry. + +"No, I think it was more like a man," replied the doctor. "What do you +say, Phra?" + +"I think it was a man, but how could a man rush through the jungle +like that? We must ask Sree if there are any wild tribe people about +here." + +"There would not be nearer than the mountain region," said the doctor; +"but whatever it was has gone. Look, they're making signals for us to +come back." + +The boys looked in the direction of the camp, where a thin mat had +been hoisted, flag fashion, at the end of one of the bamboo poles of +the boat; and hurrying their steps a little they reached the great +tree beneath which the cooking fire had been made, to find the boatmen +finishing their rice, and a capitally cooked meal waiting for them in +the boat. + +Sree shook his head at the suggestion of any people being near. + +"Plenty of wild beasts, Sahib; and I have seen the tracks of a tiger +that has been down to the water. There are plenty of monkeys, too, the +greybeards and the big, black fellows; but I don't think we should +find savage people here in the jungle. It would be a wild boar or a +rhinoceros. No, not a rhinoceros; he would not have run away. It might +have been a tapir." + +The evening changed very rapidly into night, and with the darkness +came the wonderful chorus of strange sounds from the jungle and banks +of the river, the splashings and coughing, barking utterances giving +warning that the crocodiles were still plentiful. The fire-flies were +even more beautiful there than in the denser portion where the river +banks were hidden by great timber trees, for on both sides lower down +the low, shrub-like growth was more abundant. + +The scene was very beautiful, with the star-studded, clear, dark, sky +above, and the reflection as it were of another star-spangled heaven +in the smooth, gliding water at their feet, while the myriads of +fire-flies suggested the existence of another intermediate star sphere +in constant motion, now scintillating, now dying out, and again as if +floating along the opposite shore like a low cloud of tiny orbs, +golden-green, golden, pale lambent, and occasionally ruddier than +Aldebaran or some kindred star. + +There was less disposition for sitting up talking that night, and soon +after the fire was well replenished, and its necessity made plain. + +Phra was the first to call attention to the distant cry, which was +exactly that of some enormous cat far away in the jungle. + +"Calling his mate," said Mr. Kenyon. + +"Perhaps the tiger whose tracks Sree saw in the soft mud this +evening," said Harry. "I suppose he will not come near our fire, or +try to get on board. Think we ought to keep watch, father?" + +"Oh no, my boy. We are floating out here a good thirty feet from the +land." + +"But suppose the boat drifts to the side in the night?" suggested +Phra. + +"It is not probable, for we are right where the stream sets off the +shore. We are not likely to be disturbed, boys. There is the proof." + +Mr. Kenyon pointed to where the men had spread the mats over the +horizontal bamboo, and were settling down to sleep. + +"Yes, that is a pretty good sign," said the doctor; "the men would not +take matters so coolly if there were any danger from tigers." + +"Did the Sahibs hear the big tiger calling?" said Sree, thrusting his +head out from beneath the men's awning. + +"Yes, quite plainly," said Harry. "Think he'll come prowling about the +fire, so as to give us a shot?" + +"No, no, Sahib," replied the man, shaking his head; "he will be too +careful." + +"That was a clever way of putting it, Hal," said the doctor drily. +"You did not say, Is there any fear of the tiger's swimming out to +us?" + +"No; why should I tell him that I was a bit nervous?" replied Harry +frankly; "even if one does feel a bit scared, I can't help it, can I, +father?" + +"No, my boy; it is quite natural to feel a little nervous, and to make +sure that one's gun is loaded and close at hand. But we must get used +to these noises. We can't expect to come out here and live in such a +wild place without being a bit startled sometimes. Good-night, boys. +But you have not fastened down that mat to shut out the night air." + +"Just going to, father," replied Harry. "I don't think, though, that +we shall have so much mist here." + +The final good-nights were said just as the last murmurs of the men's +conversation forward died out, and then all was still, the darkness +being relieved by the rays from the fire, which crackled and burned +merrily, the light coming quite brightly at times through the +interstices of the mats, and then, as the smoke rolled up decreasing +again; while after shifting his position to get into a more +comfortable attitude, Harry Kenyon drew a long, deep breath, with a +touch of a yawn in it, and then told himself that he did not mean to +feel in the slightest degree nervous about the strangeness of their +position, but was going to have a good, long night's rest. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +A NIGHT ALARM + + +Sleep comes and sleep goes, and always seems beyond our control. +Sometimes the weary one drops off soundly the moment his head has been +comfortably settled upon the pillow; at other times, however tired he +may have been before going to bed, the very fact of having undressed +has so thoroughly wakened him up that the object for which he has come +to bed has been completely banished. + +It was so with Harry Kenyon in some respects that night. He had not +undressed, and he had not gone to bed, only made himself as +comfortable as he could on a mat pillow two thwarts of the boat, using +his hand as a pillow. + +As comfortable as he could! but it was not very comfortable, for the +bottom of the boat was as hard as the one quill which the Irishman put +beneath him to try what sleeping on a feather-bed was like. There was +too much light in the open cabin, and he could hear the _ping-wing_ of +mosquitoes above him in the roof. + +He shut his eyes tightly, but every now and then he could see that his +eyelids looked translucent. The water was making quite a loud, rushing +noise against the sides of the boat, and the barkings, croakings, and +indescribable noises from jungle and river-bank seemed to be +increasing minute by minute. + +Harry shifted his position a little, and then felt annoyed, for close +at hand he could hear a steady, deep breathing which he knew was his +father's, and from just beyond, another deep respiration with a faint +buzz in it, which was evidently the doctor's breath coming and going +through his big, thick, ruddy-brown moustache. + +"Why can't I go to sleep like that?" muttered the lad. "I'm just as +tired as they are, and yet I feel as if I were going to lie awake all +night." + +Harry uttered a sound very strongly resembling the grunt of one of the +lower animals, and then resettled himself. + +"Now I will go to sleep," he muttered. + +But a quarter of an hour must have passed, and he was as wakeful as +ever, while he was quite sure that he had heard the low, mournful cry +of the tiger very near. + +"Asleep, Phra?" + +No answer. + +"Phra! the tiger's coming quite near." + +This in a whisper, but there was no response, for Phra was sleeping +soundly. + +"Oh, how hot it is! I can't hardly breathe," muttered Harry; "and +there are those wretched old Siamese snoring under the mat forward as +if they were doing it on purpose to keep me awake.--Wish I could get +up and go for a walk.--How stupid! It's mad enough to go for a walk +when it's broad daylight. I know it's impossible, and yet I get +wishing such an idiotic thing as that.--Might sit up and open the mat, +though, and watch the fire-flies. + +"What stuff," he said to himself the next moment; "who's going to sit +up all night watching fire-flies dancing about like sparks in tinder? +Besides, if I opened the matting it might give some of us cold and +fever, and it would be all my fault. Oh, why can't I go to sleep! +There never was such an unlucky fellow as I am." + +He tried turning, but he could not get into a more comfortable +position, and he turned back and listened to the splashings in the +river coming nearer and going farther away. Once more he began to +think of a huge serpent up in the tree swinging itself down, and a +faint rustling in the thatch he was sure must be the great reptile's +head as it kept on touching the palm leaf matting; and in imagination +he saw the forked tongue flicking in and out of the nick in the upper +jaw, till a loud tap told him that it was only a beetle inside instead +of outside, and it had lost its hold and fallen to the bottom of the +boat. + +"That was all fancy," he said to himself; "but that rustling noise +ashore is not. I believe it's some big animal searching about the +camp." + +_Crack!_ + +"There, I knew it. A buffalo, I believe, and it put its hoof on a dead +stick." + +_Crack, crick, crick, crackle, crackle._ + +Harry sighed with relief and opened his eyes widely to see how much +lighter the interior of the matting and bamboo cabin had become +through the fire ashore falling in, and some of the piled-up wood +catching and burning briskly. + +"Now then," the listener said to himself, "what am I going to fancy +next?--I dunno," he added, after a pause. "I'm so wakeful, I could +fancy anything. I know what I'll do. I'll go and wake old Sree, and +get him to sit and talk to me." + +Harry paused to think again. The old hunter was lying just outside the +cabin, and the nearest to it of the men. Then Mike with his +currant-dumpling-like face was beside him, and he would not want to +wake him too. How was he to manage? If Sree had been sleeping in the +side of the boat, he could have stretched out his hand and touched +him, as there was no awning there, nothing but some baskets. + +But the great difficulty was how to get past Phra and his father and +the doctor before he could reach the matting, pull it aside, and touch +Sree. It seemed impossible. It was very dark now, and there would be +three pairs of legs to get over, and he felt sure that he would +stumble over them and wake everybody up. + +How to manage--how to do it--how to get by--how to get by? + +How to get by? + +It was so easy. Sree woke up at a touch, and they sat on the top of +the cabin and watched the fire-flies--and the blazing fire. They +listened to croakings and cries and the low howl of the tiger, which +did not seem to be successful in finding his mate, and it was very +calm and restful and pleasant out there in the night, only they dared +not move for fear the thatch should give way, and let them both +through on the top of those sleeping below. + +And so they sat and whispered and talked about the elephants bathing, +and the big one scenting them at last and giving the alarm, and the +whole herd disappearing after crossing that green marsh place which +let them through when they were walking. There was that strange rush +that they heard too, that which Sree said was a wild boar, and +then--_bump!_ + +What was that? + +It was to Harry Kenyon just as if a boat had thumped up against +theirs, and some one with a voice like his own had asked that +question. + +But there was no answer. All was perfectly still in the cabin, while +the noises in the jungle and on the river banks were not so loud. + +It was all dark too, for the fire had burned down, and there was no +glimmering light through the interstices of the mats. + +But he felt that he ought to see that fire, even if it were merely the +glowing embers, seated as he was up there on the top of the cabin +roof. + +Absurd! How could he be sitting up there, and with Sree too! + +They could not have got up there, and he was in his place in the +cabin. All that was dreaming. + +"Then I have been asleep," he said to himself. "I must have dropped +off hours ago, and lain here till that woke me. Some one said, 'What +was that?' No; I said it to myself, and seemed to hear it." + +Harry ceased his musings, feeling that he was certainly wide awake +now, and as certain that he had been awakened by a bump on the side of +the boat, for there was a faint grinding sound as of another boat +rubbing up against the side. + +The boy turned hotter then in the darkness, for there was a low +whispering plainly heard, and the first thought which came to him now +was that some boat had come to attack them in the night, a boatload of +the wild, piratical people who lived by robbing and bloodshed. He had +from time to time heard of junks and trading boats being attacked and +plundered, but only rarely in their neighbourhood. Certainly, though, +this was one, and his hand stole to his gun, which he grasped tightly +as with a quick movement he rose to a sitting position so that he +might alarm his father. + +Just then there was a quick, rustling sound as the matting curtain +which separated them from the men forward was drawn aside, and with a +strange sensation of palpitation in his breast, instead of calling to +his sleeping companions, the lad involuntarily cocked both barrels of +his gun. + +The loud _click, click--click, click_ gave the alarm. + +"Who's that?" cried Mr. Kenyon, springing up. + +"It is I, Sahib--Sree," came in the familiar voice. + +"Yes! What is it?" said Mr. Kenyon, and as he spoke the clicking of +gun-cocks, in company with a quick movement, told plainly enough that +the other two occupants of the cabin were awake, and well on the alert +for whatever danger there might be. + +"Adong has come, Sahib," said Sree, whose voice trembled. + +"Adong? What does this mean--is it some treachery?" + +"I fear so, Sahib," said Sree huskily. + +"And you have come to warn us?" + +"Yes, Sahib." + +"Come in here, then. Harry, hand this man a gun and ammunition. You, +Sree--there is a boat out there?" + +"Yes, Sahib; the one Adong came in." + +"With a party of men?" + +"No, no, Sahib; he came alone." + +"Ah, and the men all side against us?" + +"Yes, Sahib; I suppose all." + +"Very well; then we must fight. But who is Adong?" + +"The Sahib knows him: the young one of the two boys who help me hunt +for wild things in the jungle." + +"Oh, that young fellow!" + +"Yes, Sahib; he looks to me as to a father." + +"And yet goes against you?" + +"He go against me, Sahib?" cried the man. "Why, he would lay down his +life for me. As soon as he knew, he seized the first boat he could +swim to and followed us up the river." + +"But you said the men were all against us." + +"Yes, Sahib; as far as I can make out, all the fighting men have +risen, and they are killing and burning; and when Adong came after me, +they were going in a great crowd with spear and kris against the +King's house." + +"What!" cried Phra wildly, and Harry caught his arm. + +"Hush!" he whispered; "it may not be so bad. That man may have taken +fright." + +"You hear all this, Cameron?" said Mr. Kenyon hoarsely. + +"Hear it!" groaned the doctor. "It is what we have always dreaded. And +I am here! Oh, Kenyon, my wife--my wife!" + +Mr. Kenyon drew a deep breath. + +"Thanks, Sree," he said calmly; "I thought you meant there was danger +here. Wake up the men at once." + +"They are all awake and listening to Adong, Sahib. He had to run for +his life. What will the Sahib do?" + +"Go back at once." + +"No, no, Sahib," cried the hunter wildly; "it would mean death to you +all. They would seize the Prince, and kill him. You must wait till +day, and then we will go on right up into the jungle, where you must +hide till there is peace again, and you can go back home. We can get +food for you, and a hiding-place where the people who come to find and +kill the young Prince shall never find where you are." + +"Mr. Kenyon, you will not listen to this man?" cried Phra wildly; but +he received no answer, for just then the doctor gripped his friend +tightly by the arm in the darkness which seemed to add to the horror +of the terrible situation. + +"Kenyon," he whispered, "I am weak and ill. I cannot think. This +stroke has driven me mad. Act for me, old friend--think for me. Help +me to save my wife." + +Mr. Kenyon's reply was a firm pressure of the hand, but some moments +elapsed before he spoke. + +"Sree," he said at last, "you are a brave, true servant, and your +advice is good; but neither the doctor nor I can do as you say. What +boat is this that has joined us? A small one, of course?" + +"Yes, Sahib; it is for two rowers, but it was the only one Adong could +get." + +"It will do. Now listen, for I trust you." + +"Yes, the Sahib always trusted his servant," replied Sree proudly. + +"You will take command of this boat that we are in, and I trust to you +and your men to fight for and protect your young Prince and my son." + +"As long as we can fight, Sahib," said the man proudly. "We all love +them, and would die for them." + +"I know it, Sree. Then I trust you to find some hiding-place where +they will be safe till this rising is at an end." + +"Yes, Sahib; but what will the master and the doctor Sahib do?" said +Sree excitedly, and without heeding the eager whispering going on +close by. + +"We take the small boat now directly, and go down the river." + +"But it would be to meet boats coming up, Sahib," said the man +excitedly. "You would be running upon bad men's spears." + +"We have our guns, and shall be prepared," said Mr. Kenyon coldly. + +"But the little sampan--in the darkness, Sahib. You would overset, and +that means a horrible death too." + +"Then you will ask two men to volunteer to take us." + +"Adong and I would row you safely back, Sahib," said the man +earnestly. + +"No; I cannot spare you from watching over my son. You and your man, +who know him so well, must stay." + +"Sahib, we cannot spare you and the good doctor Sahib. Pray, pray do +not try to go back. It would be only to lose your lives." + +"Silence, man! We go to save the doctor Sahib's wife." + +"Ah, yes! the sweet, good lady," sighed Sree. + +"And the King is our friend; we cannot leave him like this. No more +words; obey my orders." + +"No!" shouted Harry, out of the darkness. "Stop where you are." + +"Harry!" cried Mr. Kenyon. + +"Yes, father, I hear; but if the King has been attacked, and--and--you +know what I mean," said the boy, choking for a moment, "Phra says he +is King and master now, and that this shall not be. We say we won't be +treated like children and be sent away to be taken care of while you +go down the river to fight." + +"That is right," said Phra firmly. "Let me speak now, Hal. You are +going to save dear Mrs. Cameron from these wretches--these fools, who +have risen against my father; we must go too. You are going to try and +save your friend, my father, who has never done anything but good for +his people." + +"Yes, and--" + +"I have not spoken all, Mr. Kenyon," said the boy proudly. "You are +going to try and save him. Well, I am his son. Not a man yet, but I +can fight; and where should I be but helping to save him? What! Do you +want him, if he lives, to be ashamed of the boy who ran away to hide +in the woods? Do you want Hal to let his father go alone? Do you think +we two could ever look dear Mrs. Cameron in the eyes again if we had +been such a pair of cowards as that? No: Hal and I are coming with +you, but there are not enough of us to attack and fight with all those +wretches. We must try cunning against them, and go to the doctor's +bungalow and to the palace by night, and bring those who are waiting +for us to the boat. Then we can come back into the jungle to wait till +my father goes back again to take his place. Now, Sree, clear away the +mats and unfasten the boat; we must start back at once. Cast off the +other, it will be in the way." + +A heavy sigh rose from one occupant of the cabin, a deep groan from +another, but not a word of opposition came from either of the elders; +and the next minute the men forward were busy rolling up the mats and +unmooring the boat, while two crept along outside the cabin to take +their oars. + +It was still intensely dark, for the matting at the cabin sides had +not been rolled up, and Mr. Kenyon sat trying to whisper a few words +of comfort to the doctor, who seemed completely prostrated by the +news, when the former felt a hand laid upon his arm, and he started +slightly, for in the black darkness he had not noticed that some one +had drawn near. + +"You are not very angry with me, father?" was whispered. + +"Angry with you, my boy? No." + +"Nor with me, Mr. Kenyon?" + +"Nor yet with you, Phra, my dear lad. No. You made me feel very, very +proud; but I think that I ought not to let you run such risks." + +"God bless you both, boys, for what you have said," groaned the +doctor. "Boys? No; you spoke like men, while I sit here feeling weak +and helpless as a child. But I shall be better soon--in a few minutes +I shall be a man once more, and we must all talk, and plan, and +scheme. For Phra is right; it must be done with cunning, as we are so +weak. Now please leave me to myself for a few minutes. First tell me, +though, are we going back?" + +"Yes," said Harry, after looking out between the mats; "the boat is +steadily going with the stream. The other is floating yonder." + +The doctor drew a deep breath. + +"Hah!" he said; "that has taken a weight from my breast. Going +back--going to the rescue. Heaven help us! Shall we be too late?" + + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +A DREARY RETURN + + +Harry was correct: the boat was gliding steadily back with the stream, +and Sree was standing right forward in the prow, looking out and +uttering warnings from time to time of dangers ahead, in the shape of +fallen trees, while he kept on admonishing the men to be content with +keeping the boat straight while the darkness lasted, and deferring all +attempts at making speed till the day came. + +It was still very dark, the stars being nearly blotted out by the thin +mist; but there were sundry significant hints that morning was +approaching, for the scintillation of the fire-flies had ceased, and +the chorus of reptile and wandering beast in the depths of the forest +was dying away. + +Leaving Mr. Kenyon and the doctor talking, the boys were standing +together right astern beyond the two rowers there, who were too intent +upon working their oars to pay any heed to them and their discourse, +though as it was carried on in English, they could have made out +nothing, had they listened. + +"I'm glad father wasn't cross," said Harry after several awkward +attempts at getting up a conversation, Phra having replied to all he +said in monosyllables, as in the present instance. + +"Yes." + +"It seemed so queer to get up and contradict his orders, and say we +would do as we liked." + +"Yes," said Phra, with a sigh, and then he added, "but it was quite +right, for we both felt that it was like doing our duty." + +"Ah!" cried Harry eagerly. "So it was. Look here, Phra, old chap, +don't you be down-hearted." + +"I am not going to be till I know the worst." + +"That's the way to take it; for look here, that Adong would only know +that there was gong-beating and spearing and setting places on fire--a +regular riot. He would not know anything about how matters were at the +palace." + +"No; he could not," said Phra, with a sigh. + +"And your father has got plenty of fighting men, who could soon stop a +mob." + +"If they were faithful to him," said Phra, sighing. + +"Oh well, they would be for certain." + +"I don't know," said Phra. "I have always been afraid of this. You +see, the second king has made friends with the bonzes, and they can +talk and preach to the people, and make them believe almost anything +about my father." + +"Because he does all kinds of scientific things," said Harry, "that +they cannot understand." + +"Yes," said Phra; "it is the old story. They are too stupid to grasp +the meaning of all he does, and because they cannot understand it, +they teach the people to believe that it is all what you English +people call 'witchcraft' and wickedness. Oh, I have not patience with +the silly babies--they are not men." + +"I hope we shall have a chance to knock some of their thick heads +together. There, you are getting in better heart now about the news." + +Phra turned upon him sadly. + +"Are you getting in better heart about poor Mrs. Cameron?" he said. + +"Oh, Phra!" cried Harry passionately. "Don't." + +"You tell me to be of good heart about my father and you are in +despair about Mrs. Cameron." + +"Yes, that's right," cried Harry passionately; "but I won't be so any +longer, for I don't believe that any of your people, even the very +worst of them, would be such wretches as to hurt her." + +Phra uttered a low groan. + +"What!" cried Harry. "You do believe they would?" + +"Our people," said Phra sadly, "are, as my father has said to me, +quiet and good and gentle as can be. They always seem merry and happy; +but deep down in their nature there is a something which can be +stirred up, and then they are like the fierce savages from the +mountains yonder. They will do anything terrible then, and these +wretches who are trying to place the second king in my father's place +know that and have driven them to rise. Hal, we can't tell what may +have happened till we get down home; but if they have killed my +father, I am king, and I shall pray night and day that I may grow +quickly into a man, so that I may kill and kill and kill till I feel +that my dear father is avenged. It will be war until I have done my +duty there." + +Harry was silent, as he stood listening and gazing in his companion's +face, which had suddenly seemed to start out of the darkness--the face +alone; all else was pretty well invisible--and there it was, a +strange, pale, ghastly-looking visage, distorted by the agony in the +boy's breast, and the deadly determination the pangs had brought +forth. + +Harry shuddered, and for some time the only sounds heard were the +murmur of voices in the cabin and the _swish_ of water as the men +dipped their oars. + +"Your father was right," said the English boy at last. + +"What about?" said Phra hoarsely. + +"About the Siamese people being so amiable and gentle until they are +stirred." + +"Yes, I see what you mean," replied Phra, "and I suppose it is so, +Hal. I feel as if I can see my poor father lying dead and covered with +bad wounds given by a set of cowards rushing upon him, and it makes me +seem to see blood, and I want to punish them for killing one who has +thought of nothing but doing the people good." + +"There, don't think such things any more," cried Harry. "I won't. It +can't be true. I'm going to believe that we shall find him and Mrs. +Cameron quite well. Yes; I know how it would be, for your father is +such a thorough gentleman in his ways, and so thoughtful. As soon as +he heard of there being any trouble, he would either go or send one of +the people with a lot of spearmen to protect them, and bring Mrs. +Cameron and all the English people into the palace. Now then, what +have you got to say to that?" + +"Yes, I think he is sure to have done that," said Phra, speaking very +slowly and gravely. "He would--if he had time; but suppose the first +he heard of the trouble was in the mad rush made by his murderers." + +"Shan't!" cried Harry. "I won't suppose anything of the kind. But I +say, it's a pity that we didn't take more notice about what I heard +said that day when we were lying in the boat place." + +"Yes," said Phra; "but I did not think we need mind a few bitter +words. Such things have been so often said by the discontented +people." + +"Discontented!" cried Harry angrily; "and a deal they had to be +discontented about! They always seemed, from the poorest to the +richest, as comfortable and as happy as could be." + +The morning broke as bright and sunny as ever, but to those on board +the boat all was changed. The excitement and delight of the trip, with +its constant array of fresh objects, were gone. The birds which +flashed out of the trees looked dull of colour; the troops of monkeys +bounding through the branches on either side were unnoticed; and the +gorgeous displays of flowers that here and there greeted the eyes of +the travellers excited no attention. + +The crocodiles seemed to Harry to be the only things in keeping with +their situation, as in a gloomy, despondent way he went to the fore +part of the boat to look out for them on a mud bank, or lying, with +only their eyes visible on the surface of the water, in some eddy or +pool. + +The constant presence of these loathsome reptiles suggested to him the +troubles at the city and its outskirts. And he felt that there would +be fighting, with people slain and tossed into the stream, where the +crocodiles would gather in swarms; and there were moments when he +almost wondered that some strange instinct did not lead the horrible +creatures to follow the boat instead of hiding in the dark parts, +where the trees hung their branches low down and touching the water. + +After a time he heard his name called, and he went back to the cabin, +where he felt quite hurt and disgusted to see that Mike had prepared a +comfortable breakfast, and his friends were waiting for him before +beginning. + +Harry's face must have spoken plainly his wonder at seeing the doctor, +so short a time before overcome with grief, looking perfectly calm and +serious, and prepared to take his place. His father noticed it, and +spoke at once. + +"Yes, my boy," he said, "we must eat and drink, or the machinery will +be useless when we want it most for thinking and acting. Sit down and +make a good breakfast." + +"Oh, father," cried the boy passionately, "I feel as if I could not +touch anything." + +"We all do, Hal," said Mr. Kenyon; "but we may have to fight, and we +shall require all our strength in our efforts to save Mrs. Cameron and +the King." + +Harry nodded, took his place, and--there is no other way of describing +what followed--ate and drank savagely, acting as if every morsel or +draught that passed his lips were to give him strength for what might +come. + +The meal was soon ended, and Mike received his orders to see that the +men were refreshed, while the doctor and Mr. Kenyon commenced talking, +with the result that the two boys now went right aft and sat together +looking up stream. + +For some minutes neither spoke, and then Harry broke out angrily:-- + +"It makes me feel mad," he cried. + +"Yes," said Phra, "and one feels the worse at having to sit here and +wait, without being able to do anything." + +"I didn't mean that," cried Harry angrily; "I mean about sitting and +eating and drinking there, just as if I was an animal without any +feeling. It's horrible." + +"Your father was quite right," said Phra; "we do want to be strong." + +Harry grunted, and turned away his face, to sit scowling at the river, +while Phra rested his head upon his hand. + +"Oh," cried Harry at last, "I should like to kill some one." + +Phra smiled at him sadly. + +"Perhaps we shall have to try before long," he said. + +"I hope so. I should like to help kill all the wretches who have made +all this trouble." + +"Should you?" said Phra, with a faint smile. "But look here, Hal, you +will try and help me to save my father?" + +"Will I?" cried the boy angrily. "Why, you know I will. Here, Phra, +let's try and think out some way of getting him out of the palace." + +"I'm afraid we shall find that he has shut himself up there, and that +we cannot get near him." + +"Well, so long as he is safe we need not mind." + +They sat on talking and planning together, more for the sake of +keeping from dwelling on the great trouble than from any hope of +thinking out something feasible, and the day wore on till the boat was +drawn up to an opening in the apparently endless jungle. + +Harry said to his companion that it was a shame, but it was a +necessity. Food had to be cooked for the men as well as for +themselves, and it was no loss of time, for after a couple of hours' +rest the men worked with renewed energy, the boat gliding swiftly down +the stream till it became too dark to venture farther amidst the many +dangers to navigation. In fact, they had kept on till, in spite of the +native boatmen's skill, the light craft was run half over a huge +tree-trunk lying out at right angles to the bank, and for a time a +terrible capsize was imminent. + +For the bows were clean out of the river for some distance, and the +water began to rush in over the stern, till several of the men crept +forward, with the result that the bows went down so suddenly, as the +craft balanced on the great trunk, that the water rushed in at the +other end, and it seemed to be a foregone conclusion that they would +sink. For with a rush and a plunge they cleared the obstacle, gliding +over into the deep water, the boat filling to gunwale as she came to a +level again, with every one preparing to swim for the nearest shore. + +But Sree called upon the little crew to follow his example, and they +all glided overboard, taking opposite sides, and supported themselves +by holding on to the boat. + +Then, in obedience to calls from Sree, the boys handed the men various +articles from Mike's little kitchen arrangements. Those left on board +took crock and bucket, and from their united efforts in baling, all +danger of sinking was soon at an end, while in a few minutes the men +one by one crept back into the boat, where they could bale with more +effect. + +Finally the boat was entirely freed from water, and an opening, which +happened to be near at hand, was reached, a fire made for drying +clothes, and as wretched a night as could be imagined was spent. + +But they were all dry and able to start the moment it began to be +light, and that day was a repetition of the preceding, and followed by +another despondent night, this time, though, one which gave +refreshment to all. + +That next day they knew they would reach the river town, and had to +time themselves so as not to get there before dark, in spite of the +eagerness for news. But it was hard to contrive everything to their +wishes. It had been expected that they would get right back two hours +before sunset, and this meant lying up in some creek for that space, +while Sree or Adong went forward by land to reconnoitre and bring news +of the state of affairs; but it so happened that the tide had not been +counted upon, and instead of gliding down with the stream for the +latter part of the way, they had to force the boat against an adverse +current, so that it became hard work to get to their destination by +dark. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +A HIDING-PLACE + + +Long before the more familiar parts of the river were reached, +preparations had been made in the way of seeing that the guns were +loaded, though their use would be only in some grave emergency, since +it was fully grasped that force would in all probability be of no +avail. Clever scheming must be the weapon, though how to bring it to +bear would depend upon circumstances. + +At last they were nearing the part of the river where it was lined +with the walls of the great temples, and farther on with boats. In a +very short time they would be abreast of the palace and of the little +English quarter, Mr. Kenyon's home being farthest away. + +And now, to the surprise of all, Sree spoke out earnestly, unasked. + +"If the place is in the hands of the rebels," he said, "the Sahibs +would lose their lives directly they landed." + +"I cannot help that," said the doctor. "I must land as soon as I am +near home." + +"The doctor Sahib will not be doing his best to save his wife," said +Sree sternly. + +"No, Doctor, you must stay in the boat while I land," said Phra. + +"To be killed at once," said Sree. "No, we will not let our Prince +land now. Sahibs, I am like the rest of the people, and I can go +ashore without being stopped. You must trust to me to go first and +bring news." + +"I cannot wait; it is impossible," said the doctor. + +"I must go and find what has happened to my father." cried Phra. + +And all the time the boat was being urged steadily on by the rowers, +nearer and nearer to the river town; but so far there was nothing to +suggest danger, for the customary sounds arose like a low murmur from +the distance, and a faint glow hung above the river--the reflection +from the paper lanthorns hanging from the boats. + +"All seems to be unchanged," said Mr. Kenyon, breaking a long pause. + +"Yes; it may be a false alarm," said the doctor. "Tell your men to row +faster, Sree, and to stop at the first landing-place beyond the +palace." + +"The Sahib doctor does not see," replied the old hunter. "Something +must have happened. Where are the lights?" + +"Yonder," said the doctor, pointing to the reflection. + +"Oh, Sahib, those are as nothing," said the old man. "And we can +hardly hear the city breathe. We are close there, and we see that +faint light and hear that little buzz of voices. It's more like a few +insects. When I have come out of the jungle far away, it has been more +bright than that and twice as loud. Will the Sahib tell his friend the +doctor he must stay and I must go and see?" + +"Yes, Cameron, Sree is right," said Mr. Kenyon. "Let him go first." + +"My wife!" said the doctor, in a hoarse whisper so full of despair +that a choking sensation rose to Harry's throat as he sat there in the +dark. + +"It means death, Sahib," said Sree plaintively, and the boat glided +on, till, rounding a bend, those on board could see that very few +lit-up houseboats were visible, and that the light came from the open +ground on either side of the palace. While hardly had they grasped +that when there was a sudden increase of the faint glow, and the loud, +jarring noise of gongs beaten, followed by a scattered firing, the +reports sounding loud in the darkness around. + +A thrill ran through all present, and each drew a deep breath, for it +was evident that the danger was very close, and in all probability +watchers might be hidden among the bushes of the river bank, whose +presence would be made known by the throwing of spears. + +"The Sahib doctor hears," whispered the old hunter; "there is fighting +going on by the palace. He will stay, and let his servant go and see?" + +"Yes; go," said the doctor huskily. + +"It is right, Cameron," whispered Mr. Kenyon.--"Now, Sree, what will +you do?" + +"Leave it to me, Sahib," was the reply, and turning to the men he +whispered his orders, and all but one of the rowers laid in their +oars, while the last just sent the boat gently along under the farther +bank of the river where the eddy made the task less difficult, and for +the next few hundred yards they glided along under the walls and +terraces of the principal Wats or temples, till they drew near to the +palace, and Harry laid his hand upon that which came out of the +darkness and gripped his arm. + +"Look," whispered Phra, in a hoarse whisper. + +"Yes; I see," was the reply, and the two boys strained their eyes to +make out what was going on near the palace, where paper lanthorns were +gliding here and there, and a low buzz arose as of many voices; but +the palace itself, as far as they could make out for the trees, was +quite dark, and not a sound arose. + +The firing had ceased before they drew near, and save the lights +moving among the trees, and the buzz of voices, there seemed to be +nothing more that they could learn. + +The boat glided on silently and without challenge, while to all +appearances, as far as they could make out in the darkness, there was +not another vessel on the river, till they had passed the stone +landing-place and reached the other side of the palace, where again a +few paper lanthorns were seen moving here and there, and now and again +came the faint sound of talking. + +And now lower down they could just make out the lights of a few boats +moored on their side of the river, but only a few, where they should +have been packed close together. + +They were now nearing the bank where the bungalows of the English +residents had been erected, and it needed a few passionate, appealing +words on the part of Mr. Kenyon to make the doctor refrain from +landing. + +"For aught we know there may be hundreds watching the boat," whispered +Harry's father, "and your landing may mean the signal for a shower of +spears. Sree, go on with your plans." + +"Then there must be silence, Sahib." + +"Yes, of course. Where will you land?" + +"Yonder, Sahib, and as soon as I have leapt on the bank Adong, who is +rowing, will take the boat across again and tie it up." + +"Yes, and then?" + +"You will wait. A boat can lie there without being noticed even in the +daytime. When I pipe like one of the little herons that fish from the +bank, the boat must come over and fetch me, for I shall have news." + +"Yes, yes," said Mr. Kenyon hastily, while the rest eagerly drank in +every word. "You will take one of the double guns?" + +"No, Sahib; nothing but my kris in my padung. If I take a gun and am +seen, I shall seem an enemy and be speared." + +"Yes; right. And we are to wait until you come back?" + +"That is so," whispered Sree. "Now, silence. No one will speak. Adong +knows." + +The next moment the prow of the light boat touched the dark bank, and +Sree leaped right ashore. + +Harry held his breath, expecting to hear the rush of feet; but all was +still, and the boat went gliding back through the darkness to the +other side, where the men made it fast, and then squatted down upon +their heels in perfect silence, watching the faint lights across the +river. + +It was a terrible silence, and Harry wondered, as he sat there +listening for anything which might give him a clue to the state of +affairs, at the change which had taken place during their short +absence. When they left, the place was bright with gaiety, and the +river fringed with houseboats full of light-hearted people; now all +was painfully still, save the murmur from the direction of the palace, +while the river glided by, lapping the sides of the boat, and making +the boy shudder as he thought of how much it could tell of the secrets +hidden beneath its dark waters. + +All at once Phra started violently, for a loud shouting and beating of +gongs arose once more from the direction of the palace. They could see +lights, too, moving, as if a party were on their way to make an +attack; but the sound of firing recommenced and kept on till the +gong-beating ceased, when the lights seemed for the most part to die +out. + +"Those mean attacks being made on the palace, Phra," whispered Harry, +"and the firing is from our friends." + +"Yes," said Phra; "but it is so hard to bear. Hal, I must go across +and see." + +"No," said a voice close to his ear. "You must stay and bear it, Phra, +till we get news." + +"Don't say that, Mr. Kenyon," whispered Phra; "it is so terrible." + +"Yes, my boy, I know it; but be a man. It is evident that your father +and his friends have beaten the enemy off again." + +"Or been killed," said Phra bitterly. + +"Oh no, my lad; if the enemy had won, there would have been a burst of +shouting, and--" + +Mr. Kenyon paused, unwilling to proceed. + +"I know what you were going to say, Mr. Kenyon; they would have set +fire to the palace." + +"Yes; they would have tried to burn the place," said Mr. Kenyon +hurriedly. "Hist! a boat is coming." + +All crouched down lower in the bottom and waited, for there was the +splash of oars and the murmur of many voices, suggesting that the boat +must be large; and in a short time they could see that it was one of +the biggest barges, propelled by many oars, while as the covered-in +part loomed up before them in the darkness while passing, the rapid +chatter told that it was crammed with men. + +There was little fear of their being noticed, as the boat lay close up +under the bank, its occupants sitting so low that they were pretty +well hidden by the side; but Harry held his breath, for he felt +assured that these were fighting men on their way to join in the +attack upon the palace. But his anticipation of a shower of spears was +not realized, and the great barge, probably one of the king's, passed +by without noticing them. + +As soon as the vessel was out of hearing, Harry whispered,-- + +"Is that full of friends or enemies, Phra?" + +"Enemies," said the lad bitterly. "If my father is shut up like that, +and the palace being attacked, he will have no friends. Oh, how +long--how long must I wait before I go to help?" + +"Patience, my boy, patience," said Mr. Kenyon softly; "we are all as +anxious as you; but when we stir it must be to do good, not to +increase your father's anxieties." + +"How could we?" said Phra impatiently. + +"By placing the son he believes to be beyond the reach of his enemies +in a position of danger." + +"That was just the right thing to say to him, poor fellow!" thought +Harry. "I wish I was as clever as my father. Poor old Phra! he can't +say anything to that." + +Harry was right. Phra remained silent, but from time to time, as he +sat with his hand resting upon his comrade's arm, the English boy +could feel it quiver as if from the pain he suffered. + +Suddenly there was a fresh burst of shouting from across the river in +the direction of the palace, suggestive of the occupants of the boat +having joined those they supposed to be the besiegers; and now the +party sat anxiously listening for another attack, but they waited in +vain. + +And how long the time seemed that Sree had been away! It was +impossible to make any calculation in such a position, but everything +had for some time been silent in the direction of the palace, where +the lights had gone out one by one, while lower down the river there +was not one to be seen, only the twinkling of the fire-flies in the +gardens on the other side. + +Suddenly the silence was broken by the doctor saying aloud,-- + +"Is he playing us false--has he escaped to save himself?" + +"No," said Mr. Kenyon firmly, "but speak lower. Sound travels along +the river by night." + +"Sree would not cheat us, Mr. Cameron," said Harry bitterly. "I'll +answer for him." + +"Then why doesn't he return--why doesn't he return?" + +"Because he has much to do." + +"But he must have been three hours away," said the doctor excitedly. +"I cannot bear this inaction longer. Kenyon, you must have me put +ashore yonder." + +"No," said Harry's father sternly; "I must take the lead here, for all +our sakes. The man has his life to look to, and has no doubt had to +thread his way among enemies." + +"He will not come back," said the doctor. "I will wait another +half-hour, and then at all costs I will be set ashore." + +"Be silent, please," said Mr. Kenyon sternly. + +"Ah, there he is," whispered Harry, for there was a low, hoarse, +piping cry from the opposite bank. + +Adong rose silently to his feet and raised his oar upright, while one +of the men forward set the boat free and gave it a good thrust out +into the current. + +Adong lowered his oar silently into the water, not making the +slightest splash; but to the astonishment of the little English party, +instead of urging the boat across he gave a few vigorous thrusts and +drove her back to the bank, squatting down again in his place. + +"What does this mean?" whispered Mr. Kenyon sternly. + +"Hist! Boat coming," whispered back the man, in his own tongue. + +Those who heard him listened, but they could not hear a sound, and at +the end of a few moments Mr. Kenyon turned angrily upon the man. + +"There is no boat," he said, in the man's language. "Row across +directly." + +"No," said the man; "boat coming. Adong hear much farther than the +master. Boat coming." + +Harry thought of the man's life in the jungle, passed in tracking the +wild creatures with his teacher, Sree, and felt that his senses would +be keener than theirs, so that the boy was in nowise surprised when at +the end of a minute the faint, far-off sound of paddling was borne to +his ears, and a boat came nearer--a boat propelled by only one oar, +and as far as he could make out with only two people in it besides the +rower, for he could hear whispering as it passed like a shadow on the +dark background in front of where he sat. + +Adong made no movement till he was satisfied that the boat was out of +hearing. Then uttering one word, the men who had held their prow to +the bank once more gave a firm thrust, sending it into the current, +and Adong sent the boat steadily across the river. + +"Quicker! quicker!" whispered Phra, for from lower down came the sound +of oars being used with furious haste, and voices were heard speaking +angrily, while having the tide in their favour the fresh boat came +along at so rapid a rate that the one the English party were in had +only just time to glide in among some overhanging bushes by the bank, +when a good-sized barge passed by so near to them that Harry felt that +they must have been seen, though the next moment he knew that the +passers-by would have looked upon their boat as one moored to the bank +and empty. + +"Sree!" + +"I am here, Sahib," whispered the hunter, stepping down to them as +soon as the barge was beyond hearing; "that is an enemy's boat, I +think, in chase of one which went up before." + +"Your news, man--your news!" whispered the doctor hoarsely. + +"I went to the doctor Sahib's house." + +"Yes! My wife?" + +"The doctor Sahib's house is gone." + +"Burned?" + +"Yes, Sahib, to ashes. There was no one there." + +"Did you go to the bungalow, Sree?" whispered Harry. + +"Burnt down to embers, Sahib Harry. Every house belonging to the +English masters has been burned down." + +"But man--man!" whispered the doctor wildly, "what are houses? Our +friends, the English people? have you found out nothing more?" + +"Yes, Sahib Doctor; the ladies were saved by the King and his +spearmen. There was a great fight, and they were all taken to the +palace. Not one was killed." + +"Thank God!" groaned the doctor, and a deep silence reigned for a few +minutes--a silence Phra respected for the doctor's sake, though he was +burning to hear more. At last the lad spoke. + +"How did you know this?" + +"From my boy, Lahn. I sought for and found him, my Prince. He saw +everything: the fight, the English Sahibs and their ladies taken to +the palace, and the houses burned by the people. Lahn is here with me +now." + +"Tell me about my father," said Phra, with his voice trembling and an +agonizing pain attacking him for fear lest he hoped too much. "He is +safe?" + +"Safe when Lahn was with the crowd of men at sunset. He is in the part +of the palace by the little court where the young Prince's rooms are. +The gates are shut, and there is much fighting by the second king's +friends, who are trying to get in." + +"And my father has all his brave spearmen to defend him?" + +There was silence. + +"Why do you not speak?" cried Phra angrily. + +"It is hard to tell, Sahib Phra," said the old hunter sadly. "Lahn +tells me that the King's guards fought for him till he and the ladies +and the Sahibs were safe in the palace; then at a word from one of the +bonzes they threw down their spears and krises in the courtyard, and +joined the King's enemies outside the walls." + +"The traitors--the traitors!" groaned Phra; "and we trusted them so. +But tell me, Sree: those lights, the cries, and the beating of gongs +to-night, what did it all mean?" + +"Fighting, Sahib. The King's friends are very few, but some of his +servants are with him still, and they beat the enemy off. Spears +cannot reach so far as guns. Lahn says fighting like that has gone on +all day." + +"Hah!" ejaculated Phra. "But tell me: you, did you do nothing?" + +"Yes, Sahib Phra; that made me so long. I went up in the dark to where +there are many hundreds of the enemy all about the palace." + +"But did you try to find a way by which we may get in tonight?" + +"No, Sahib; the enemy are many, and they watch every place." + +"But the terrace?" said Phra eagerly. "We could take the boat up +there." + +"Two of the King's barges are there, with many men guarding the +landing-place, so that the King and his friends should not escape by +the river." + +"But at the back there, by the elephant houses?" + +"A hundred men are there." + +"By the garden?" + +"It is full of spearmen." + +"Oh, is there no place?" whispered Phra--"nowhere that we could crawl +up unseen?" + +"The Sahib Prince knows the place better than his servant, and that it +is strong. His servant would have tried to climb over the wall, but +there were many men everywhere, and he could not get near." + +"If we could only let my father know that we are near!" said Phra +excitedly. + +"If we could, Sahib," said Sree slowly, "he would command you to +escape, and wait till the danger is at an end." + +"Yes--yes--he would wish me to go, but I cannot. Mr. +Kenyon--Doctor--what shall we do?" + +"We must get help," said Mr. Kenyon promptly. "Phra, my dear lad, we +can do nothing alone." + +"But who would help us at a time like this? The priests and the whole +city have risen against my father; who will help us now?" + +"We must go down to the mouth of the river as soon as it is day, and +see if there are any English or French vessels there. They would help +us." + +"Lahn says the river is full of the second king's fighting boats, +Sahib, and you could not go down. The boat would be stopped, and you +would all be slain." + +There was silence in the boat till Sree spoke again. + +"The Sahibs must hide." + +"Hide?" cried Phra; "where could we hide now? We should be seen, and +to please the bonzes the people would give us up." + +"You must hide in the boat, Sahib Phra," said the old hunter quietly. + +"What, go up the river again, and get into the jungle?" + +"No, Sahib; we must be here--close to the palace." + +"But with all the enemy's boats about, how can we?" said Mr. Kenyon. + +"By being bold, Sahib," said Sree. "His servant will make the boat +look dirty and common with mats where the cabin is, and throw that +into the river. The Sahibs must hide beneath the mats; the men can +hide their good padungs and sit in the boat and fish and chew." + +"Yes, yes," said Phra; "no one would notice them. That is good. We +must not go away." + +"But help?" said Mr. Kenyon; "we must get help." + +"His servant will swim to some boat, Sahib--he will find one, no +doubt--and go down the river to try for help." + +"No," said Mr. Kenyon, "we want you here. I will write on a leaf of my +pocket-book, and you must send one of your men." + +"Yes, Lahn would take it to an English ship if there is one," said +Sree, whose voice suggested that he was pleased that he was wanted in +the boat. "Lahn is here, Sahib. May he come on board?" + +"Of course." + +Sree uttered a peculiar sound, and a dark figure rose from the ground +where it had lain flat, and glided down the bank into the boat. + +"Now across to the other shore where we can hide," said Mr. Kenyon. + +"No, Sahib," said Sree in a low, earnest whisper; "his servant has +been thinking. We will go down to the landing-place at the bottom of +the bungalow garden." + +"Why there?" said Phra excitedly. + +"Because the Sahib Prince's servant thinks if the cabin is taken down +and thrown into the river to float away, the boat can be pushed +between the big posts of the landing-place, and will lie under the +bamboo floor." + +"Yes, when the tide's down," said Harry; "but when the tide rises, +what then?" + +"The boat will be pushed close up against the bottom of the floor, and +the water will rise a little round it, Sahib." + +"But we should be shut up like in a trap, Sree, and regularly caught," +said Harry. + +"No, Sahib; the bamboos are split, and only tied down with rotan cane. +It would be easy to undo two or three, so that we could pass out, or +to leave a little of the boat outside one end, so that there would be +room to get out on to the floor." + +"Well, you are a clever old fellow, Sree," said Harry eagerly. "And +now the bungalow is burnt no one will come there." + +"No, Sahib; they will keep away. Does Sahib Kenyon feel that we should +go there?" + +"Yes, my man, yes. It will be less of a risk, for boats that pass will +not think of meddling with the one lying there." + +That was enough. Sree said one word, and Adong rose from where he had +crouched, plunged his oar into the water, and forced the boat downward +against the tide, while Sree and the boatmen set to work and cut loose +the mats which hung from the cabin roof. These were carefully rolled +up by one of the men, while the bamboo rafters were cut away. Then +four men stood on the sides of the boat, each by one of the stout +uprights, and at the word of command raised the light matting and +palm-thatch roof, and heaved it away, to fall edgewise with a splash +into the dark river. + +Ten minutes later the last of the four uprights was thrust overboard, +and almost directly after the garden landing-place was reached, and +Sree's calculations were put to the test. + +They proved to be quite correct, for there was just room for the boat +to glide in between the bamboo posts; and as to height, the occupants +were able to keep upon their seats with a few inches above their heads +between them and the joists which supported the bamboo floor. + +"Ah!" said Phra between his teeth; "we shall be in hiding here." + +"Yes," whispered Harry; "but I don't think we shall be safe." + +"I don't know," said his father; "an open hiding-place is often the +most secure." + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +DARING PLANS + + +The tide rose but a trifle higher, so that there was no imprisonment +such as had been suggested, and the boatmen, after a modest meal of +rice, calmly settled themselves down to sleep. + +But, like his employers, Sree was wakeful, and sat near, ready to +answer questions or offer advice. + +He said that he believed they might stay where they were, +unquestioned, for days; and as for provisions, it would be easy for +him or one of his men to go here or there about the place and buy +food. + +These minor questions were soon disposed of. The main topic--how to +rescue the King and their friends--then took up all their thought and +kept them watching and waking hour after hour, a certain equality now +seeming to reign, and the boys' suggestions being listened to eagerly +by their elders. + +But everything proposed seemed to be full of difficulties. The first +most natural and simplest was to get the besieged away in boats, for +the rivers and canals were the highways, the roads through the jungle +mere elephant tracks. But this was at once seen to be impossible in +the face of the facts that the way to the river was watched, and the +large boats in the hands of the enemy. + +Then there was the plan of escaping by means of the elephants, the +whole of which were, according to Lahn, still in their great houses, +close to the part of the palace defended by the King and his friends. + +But supposing it possible that the whole of the defenders could be +mounted upon the huge, docile beasts, and could succeed in forcing +their way through the crowd of assailants, where could they go? Only +into the jungle to starve, for there was no place to which they could +flee. + +It was always the same: they were face to face with the fact that in +such a self-dependent place the King, who was all-powerful one day, +might be the next weaker and more helpless than the humblest of his +subjects. + +Plan after plan was discussed during the calm silence of that night, +when all were in momentary expectation of hearing fresh alarms and +attacks; but every idea seemed perfectly futile, and a dead silence +fell. + +Harry was the first to break the silence. + +"Why don't you propose something, Phra?" he said. "We've been talking +all this time, and you've hardly said a word." + +"I've been listening," said the boy gravely, "and I have thought." + +"Yes, what have you thought?" + +"That if we could think of some plan of escape, my father would help +you to get all your friends away." + +"Yes, of course," said Harry, for Phra had stopped. "Well?" + +"But he would not leave the place himself. I know my father. He would +say, 'I am the king here by right, and I will never leave. I would +sooner die.'" + +"I fear so," said Mr. Kenyon. + +"I can only think of my father," continued Phra; "you only of your +friends, and so we think differently." + +"Oh no," said Harry. "Your troubles are ours, just as our troubles are +yours." + +"That is so," replied the boy; "but I can only think of joining my +father to help him defend the palace till he has driven his enemies +away." + +"Phra is right," said the doctor. "We cannot bring our people away--it +seems impossible. We must devote ourselves to joining the King and +defending the palace against all enemies." + +"It is good advice," said Mr. Kenyon, "but how can we join them? It +seems impossible, too." + +"We have not tried," said the doctor coldly. + +"Sree has tried to find a way in," replied Mr. Kenyon, "and he says it +cannot be done. Do you not, Sree?" + +"Yes, Sahib. If we go as we are, your servant and the men could +perhaps make the second king and those with him believe that they were +friends; but whether by night or by day, if the sahibs try to get +there, they will all be speared. It is what the enemy would gladly +do." + +"We could fight," said Phra proudly. "We have guns." + +"Yes, Sahib Phra, and some of the enemy would be killed, but what are +we against so many?" + +"Ah, what indeed?" sighed Mr. Kenyon. "A dozen or so against thousands +upon thousands." + +"Phra Sahib is right," continued Sree. "He is prince, and should take +us to join his father the King." + +"Yes, but how?" said the doctor. + +"It can only be by cunning, Sahib," replied the man. + +"Hist! One moment," said Harry excitedly; "what about the men? The +spear-bearers forsook the King; how can we trust these boatmen?" + +"Because they love and believe in the sahibs," said Sree. "I think we +can trust them." + +"But your two men, Sree?" + +"My two--Adong and Lahn--Sahib Harry?" said the old hunter with a +little laugh. "I have always been like a father to them, and they +would follow me, even if it were to be killed." + +"And you, Sree?" the said doctor bitterly; "why should you be faithful +to us?" + +"I don't know, Sahib," said the man simply; "only that Sahib Kenyon +has been like a father to me ever since he brought me back here to my +people from among the Indian sahibs, where I had lived for years. He +has always been my good, kind master, who fed me when I was hungry, +and gave me money to buy clothes. I don't know how it is, but I feel +that I belong to him and the young Sahib Harry; and if they said to +me, 'Sree, you must die that we may escape and live,' well, it would +only be what I should do, and I should be happy. Yes, sahibs, I should +die." + +"I know you would, Sree," whispered Harry, leaning over to grasp the +man's hands. "He would, wouldn't he, father?" + +"Yes, my boy, I believe he would. He has saved my life more than +once." + +"Oh, I believe in Sree, too," said the doctor excitedly. "But those we +love are perishing close by, and we are doing nothing." + +"I know what we might do," said Harry eagerly. + +"Yes, what?" said the doctor. + +"Wait till to-morrow night." + +"Wait till to-morrow night!" echoed the doctor bitterly. "Wait while +they perish!" + +"We don't know but what they can keep the enemy off till then," said +Harry, with spirit. + +"True," said his father quickly; "but what if we wait till to-morrow +night?" + +"Then it would be dark, and we might go and join with the enemy when +they make one of their attacks. Then, when they retire, we might fall +down as if wounded, and wait close up to the gate." + +"Yes," said Phra eagerly, "and as soon as the enemy were far enough +off we could call to those in the palace that we were friends, and +they would open and let us in." + +"That sounds wild," said Mr. Kenyon, "but it is possible. What do you +say, Sree?" + +"No, Sahib; it would do for me and the men. We could get into the +palace that way, but the Sahibs? No. The enemy would know them at +once, however dark." + +"True," said Mr. Kenyon. + +"It is not possible," groaned the doctor. "We must try by force to +break through." + +"That would mean death to all, Sahib," said Sree in a low, sad voice; +"and there would be no help for your friends." + +"Stop," said Phra. "I think it might be done." + +"Hist! Sahib Phra; a boat is coming." + +All listened, but the Europeans once more felt that they had been +deceived, till suddenly there was a faint splash, followed by the dull +pattering of water against a prow, and this sound came nearer and +nearer till a big, dark shadow propelled by quite a dozen oars was +seen to glide up the river towards the palace landing-place. + +They waited till the boat passed out of hearing, and Phra went on. + +"Harry and I could darken our faces, hands and legs easily enough so +as to pass for common people. We did once dress like that. You +remember, Hal, when we went right down among the house-boats and no +one knew." + +"Yes, I remember," said Harry shortly. + +"It would be easy for us," said Phra; "but--" + +The boy stopped. + +"Would Doctor Cameron and I disguise ourselves for such a purpose as +this? Certainly we would." + +"Yes, of course," said the doctor huskily. "What about the native +clothes--the baju and padung?" + +"They would be easier to get, Sahib--easier than spears." + +"Spears?" said the doctor; "we have our guns." + +"But they would betray us, Cameron," said Mr. Kenyon. "We should have +spears for ourselves and men." + +"There are plenty of guns in the palace," said Phra. "Sree, could we +get spears by then?" + +The old hunter was silent for a while, as if thinking deeply. + +"How long is it before morning?" he said. + +"It must be near day-break now," replied Mr. Kenyon. + +"No, Sahib. Not for two hours yet. There are many spears in the big +boats that have gone up to the palace landing-place; and if the men on +board are asleep, we might get what we want." + +"There are sheaves and sheaves in the guard-rooms, Sree, if we could +get them." + +"Yes, Sahib Phra," replied the man; "but that we could not do. If the +sahibs will get on to the floor above us and stay there with the men, +it is very dark to-night, and Adong and Lahn might go with me in the +boat. We could row up very quietly, and perhaps get enough from one of +the barges." + +"Try," said Mr. Kenyon laconically. "You could not hurt if you were +careful." + +Phra whispered a word to Harry. + +"Yes," he replied. "Father, Phra and I want to go with Sree." + +"It would be better for him to go alone." + +"The young sahibs have been trained by me to be silent when seeking +wild creatures in the jungle, Sahib. They could help us by taking the +spears, if we get any, and laying them in the bottom of the boat." + +"Why not take two of the boatmen?" + +"His servant would rather trust the young sahibs," said Sree. + +"There is no time to discuss the matter," said Mr. Kenyon firmly. "Be +careful, boys, and go." + +Harry's heart gave a big throb, and he gripped Phra's knee. + +"Ah," whispered the latter; "this is what I wanted. It is doing +something to help." + +"Yes," whispered back Harry. "It is horrible sitting here doing +nothing but talk." + +Even in those brief moments something had been done; the boat had been +set in motion, and now glided with the stream from beneath the bamboo +platform out at the upper end. + +Then at a word the boatmen followed the two gentlemen and Mike out on +to the platform, and squatted down at once; Adong and Lahn seized +oars, passing the cocoa-nut fibre loops over the posts which served as +rowlocks, and, with the boys' hearts beating high with excitement, the +boat began to glide rapidly and silently up stream with the tide. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +THE SPEAR HARVEST + + +The distance was short, and to favour the daring enterprise, the +darkness seemed to grow more intense as morning drew near. The banks +of the river were invisible as they glided silently along, and the +boys were whispering together when Sree suddenly stepped to where they +sat amidships. + +"We speak not when near the tiger's lair," he said softly. "When we go +alongside the boat I pick, I shall hold on, Adong and Lahn will go on +board; you two will silently take the spears and lay them along the +thwarts." + +"Yes," said Phra, and the old hunter passed on, bare-footed, forward +to where Adong was wielding his oar. + +The two comrades sat straining their eyes, for the barges, they felt +certain, were not far ahead, and wondered whether the two boys, as +they called them--though they were full-grown men--would succeed in +the daring venture; and it was on Harry's tongue to whisper,-- + +"Oh, I wish we had made Sree send us instead." + +It was only a momentary thought, before he felt that the two dark, +nearly-naked Siamese, as strong, active and silent in their movements +as leopards, from long training as hunters, were far better adapted +for the task; and he had nearly come to this conclusion when a low +muttering reached his ears, and looking to his left, he could just +make out something dark which he knew to be one of the barges anchored +almost in mid-stream. + +The next minute he caught sight of the dim glow of a paper lanthorn, +and that was on the prow of another barge close in to the palace +landing-place; but the boat still glided on, for the keen, owl-like +eyes of Adong had seen another of the barges a little ahead. + +All was wonderfully still, but there was a dull, indescribable murmur +in the air which told of sleeping men being near at hand, and a faint, +human odour reached Harry's nostrils which endorsed the fact. + +But he had no time for thinking: the movements of the three Siamese +hunters were so rapid. The next minute they were close up to the last +barge seen, and the boat quivered a little as Sree made a movement +which meant that he had reached over and caught the side. + +So to speak, the boys listened with all their might, and their ears, +made more sensitive by excitement, seemed to magnify sound, and their +eyes to have increased power; still the darkness was so intense that +they could not see the actions of the men forward and astern. + +But their sense of feeling had grown so acute that they were conscious +of the fore part of the boat rising a little, and then of the hinder +portion lifting, each time there being a light quivering and lapping +of the water against the sides. + +"They've got aboard her," thought Harry, whose mouth and throat grew +dry. "The next thing will be spears indeed, but a shower sent at Adong +and Lahn. Then they will leap overboard with a splash, Sree will push +off, and the two boys will swim to us." + +_"Oh!"_ + +It was a mental ejaculation, and the boy's thoughts formed this +question,-- + +"Will they think to swim with the tide, for we shall float up stream?" + +A faint click as of wood against wood interrupted his musings, and +then he started, for Phra pinched his leg, the compression of the +flesh being painful from the excitement of the giver. + +Harry responded with another pinch, which to his credit was of a much +milder form, and then all was still, while the boys waited on the _qui +vive_ for what seemed fully five minutes. + +All was perfectly still, and Harry strained his eyes so as to make out +Sree holding the boat alongside in a position which enabled him to +keep it steady, while at the same time he was ready to thrust it right +away into comparative, though not perfect, safety, for a well thrown +bamboo-hafted spear flies far and with deadly power. + +"There are none, or they can't find them," thought Harry, but the next +moment the bamboo shaft of a spear touched his shoulder, the man who +handed it being careful to pass the butt end of the weapon first, and +quick as lightning the boy received it and laid it down behind him, +reaching up his hands again to feel for another, and becoming +conscious at the same moment that Phra was stooping to lay down one he +had received. + +It was not easy to feel the weapons in the dark, but they felt for and +received two each, and then there was a pause, while they listened to +the _murmur, murmur_ from one of the other great boats, which sounded +as if some one was relating a long story in a low tone. + +Then two more spears were passed down, and two more, it being hard +work to lay them alongside the thwarts without making them rattle; and +again there was a pause for what seemed to the boys fully ten minutes, +before they heard a low, rattling sound, as if several of the bamboo +shafts had been laid together against the rail of the barge, and the +murmur ceased. + +Harry held up his hands for another spear, but he reached about in +vain. There was no response till the murmur recommenced, when there +was another rattle, louder than the first, and again the murmur +ceased. + +But now the butts of two spears touched Harry in the chest, and he +seized and laid them down, finding two more waiting. + +These he grasped and laid down. Then two more, which he also seized, +thus taking possession of six in less than a minute; a dull rattling +in front telling that Phra was as busily employed, though how many he +had obtained it was impossible to tell. + +The murmur of voices began again, but the two men did not make any +sign of returning, and the boys waited with beating hearts, but waited +in vain. + +They raised their hands and felt about overhead, but nothing more was +handed to them, and the desire was strong upon Harry to creep to where +Sree was holding the boat close against the barge's side, and ask him +what he thought; but the feeling that the old hunter was in command, +and that the two boys might be only obeying their master's orders, +stayed him, and he waited. + +"Here they are," he thought at last, for there was a movement high up +on the side of the barge. + +He raised his hand again, and as he did so he felt a sharp jerk in the +sleeve of his jacket and starting back he knew instinctively that the +blade of a spear had been sharply thrust down instead of the butt, and +had passed through his jacket, grazing his arm, while the jerk he gave +held the blade entangled lightly between his arm and side. + +"What does he mean by that?" thought the boy as he was dragged forward +and nearly off his feet, for he had seized the shaft with both hands. + +He knew the next moment, for there was a loud shout, the sound of a +blow; the spear came free, and something heavy and soft drove him +backwards, while a sudden jerking of the boat brought Phra to his +knees. + +The shouting increased, and was responded to from barge after barge, +the alarm having spread; but the boat was rapidly gliding across the +river, and, turning at the opposite side, began to descend again at a +pretty good rate, while a couple of lanthorns could be seen moving +about on the barge they had left, and others were being lit as fast as +was possible--slowly enough--on the others. + +It was still too dark to make out what was taking place in their own +boat, but it seemed to Harry in the excitement and confusion that only +one of the men had dropped in and was rowing forward, while Sree was +working the after oar, but with danger so near, he dared not even +whisper to Phra, who was close by. Another thing was that he was +trying to draw the spear from his left sleeve, in which it was +strangely tangled, as if the man who thrust had given it a twist; and, +worse still, he had become conscious that his arm and sleeve were wet, +a peculiar smarting sensation telling him that he was bleeding freely. + +"At last!" he said to himself, as he tore out the spear; and then he +started, for Sree was leaning over him. + +"Adong--Lahn?" whispered Harry. + +"Both here, Sahib. Are you hurt?" + +"I don't know. Yes--a little." + +"Put your hand on the place," said Sree. + +Harry obeyed, and the next moment a broad band was tightening over it. + +"Now slip your hand away," whispered Sree. + +Harry obeyed, and the band was drawn tighter and something wrapped +round again and again before it was tied. + +"Don't talk," whispered Sree; "they will follow us, and I must row." + +He went aft, and put out another oar, helping to send the boat more +rapidly along; and it was necessary, for before they had gone much +farther, the boys could make out that many more lanthorns had been +lit, and a couple of barges were beginning to move, one going up +stream, the other coming down after them. + +But the boat was going very fast now, and not many minutes had elapsed +before they were abreast of the garden, and Sree was guiding the craft +towards the landing-place. + +"Are you hurt much?" whispered Phra. + +"A nasty cut, that's all," was the reply. "Some one stabbed at me with +a spear, and I thought it was only one being handed down. Never mind; +we've got what we went for. Here, what's the matter?" + +For Phra had drawn his breath as if in pain. + +"Nothing much, only that man Adong fell down on me and hurt my back +against the seat. Doesn't matter; soon be better. But you--does it +bleed much?" + +"Oh no; it's only like having a big finger cut instead of a little +one. I say, do you think they'll find us out here?" + +"No; they won't think we should hide so close. If they do, we must use +the guns." + +"Well, what success?" whispered Mr. Kenyon. + +"Got the spears, father," said Harry, with forced gaiety, "but they +heard us at last, and one of the barges is coming after us." + +"Hist!" whispered Sree. "All get in now." + +Long before the pursuing barge came abreast the party were all lying +snugly beneath the landing-stage, and preparations for defence were +made, the English and Sree with their guns ready to repel and attack, +and the boatmen provided with the keenly-pointed spears. + +There were breathless moments as the lanthorn-hung barge came steadily +along, and every one expected that the crew would turn aside; but +there was no check to the rowing, and the fugitives were able to +breathe more freely as the lanthorns grew more faint, when the first +words said were by Phra,--words which sent a thrill of horror through +Mr. Kenyon, for Phra said in a hurried, excited manner: + +"Here, Doctor, you must see to Harry: he is wounded." + +"Only--a scratch," said the lad in a strange voice, and then he fell +over sidewise. + +The shock had been greater than he himself believed, for he had +fainted away. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +THE HELP SEEKER + + +Doctor Cameron satisfied himself that the wound was not bleeding, and +a little sprinkling with cold water soon brought the sufferer to, but +nothing more could be done till daylight lit up their refuge. + +Meanwhile they waited anxiously, and ready to sell their lives dearly +should they be attacked by the returning barge, Sree having given his +opinion that their pursuers would not go very far. + +He was quite right, for before half an hour had passed the sound of +oars came over the water with what seemed to be a regular throb, which +grew more distinct as the minutes passed away. + +And now, to hide the clean, superior aspect of the boat, three or four +of the mats, which had been taken down, were roughly torn and damaged, +after which they were hung clumsily from the bamboos overhead, the +lower part trailing in the water, so that, in addition to the damaged +look they gave the boat, they formed a shelter behind which the party +waited, weapon in hand. + +Faint signs of the coming day were visible, and the notes of birds +could be heard; but it was still dark enough to help their +concealment, for the stars were shining faintly when the barge came in +sight and swept by without its occupants noticing the boat in its tiny +harbour. + +But no one stirred till the barge had passed quite out of sight, and +then as the daylight rapidly broadened, Doctor Cameron helped his +patient to the stern of the boat, and, with Mr. Kenyon and Phra +looking on, drew off the boy's jacket and proceeded to examine the +wound. + +"Only a slight, clean cut, Hal, my boy," he said, as he tore up a +handkerchief for a bandage, and bound the wound. "It bled freely, but +the edges are well together, and it will rapidly heal. How was it?" + +Harry explained, watching the doctor the while, as he drew out his +pocket-book, took needle and silk from within, and neatly sewed up the +end of the bandage. + +"Lucky for you it did not strike you in the chest. There; to-morrow or +next day I will put on a little strapping. You need not even carry +your arm in a sling." + +Mr. Kenyon sighed with relief, and then proceeded with the others to +examine the weapons Adong and Lahn had handed down from the barge +before they were heard and had to make their escape. + +And now it was seen that the pair had done more than merely obtain the +spears, for as they rose from the bottom of the boat and stood +stooping in the light which streamed clearer and clearer through every +opening, they proudly showed that their lingouties, or waistbands, +were stuck full, back and front, of the krises or native daggers in +their wooden sheaths. + +"Capital!" cried Mr. Kenyon, and the two men's eyes flashed with pride +at the words of praise bestowed upon them. Even the doctor looked less +sombre, and took eager interest in the process of arming their +followers, the krises being handed round, and each man apportioned one +of the spears, which were now laid neatly along the thwarts of the +boat on either side, ready for use. + +Fortunately there was a sufficiency of food left in the boat to last +for a couple of days or more, for it had been well provisioned at +starting, so that there was no need to attempt any search for more, +and Harry drew Sree's attention to the fact that the fishing bamboos +and lines were still untouched where they had been placed across the +bamboo rafters. But it was a day of agony for those who had so much at +stake. + +Mr. Kenyon refused to look at the ruins of his home, but Harry could +not resist the temptation to creep out on to the bamboo floor and then +crawl a short distance up the garden, keeping well in shelter among +the bushes till he could see all that was left of the charming, +well-tended home. + +"And all the beautiful specimens gone!" he sighed. + +"Yes, sir, and all my clothes and treasures in my pantry," said a +familiar voice. + +"You here, Mike!" said Harry, starting. + +"Yes, sir; the master said I might crawl after you to have a look. Oh +dear, dear! burnt to ashes! Why didn't they build the place of stone +instead of wood?" + +"I don't know, Mike. I was too little to have any voice in the +matter." + +"Yes, sir, you was, and precious little too; but oh dear, oh dear! I'm +a ruined man. Think it would be safe to go to the tool shed and get a +shovel? I see it ain't burnt." + +"No; we must not risk being seen. But what do you want to do?" + +"Try and find something among the ashes where my pantry was, sir." + +"No, you must not go now. What is it you want to search for?" + +"Honour bright, sir? You won't go along with Mr. Phra and dig for it +yourself?" + +"Dig for _it!_ Is it likely? What is _it?_" + +"That little old Chinee teapot o' mine as stood on the shelf." + +"What, that old bit of rubbish, Mike! Why, both the spout and handle +were knocked off." + +"That's so, sir," said Mike, with a queer look; "but the lid was all +right." + +"Pooh! I could buy you a better one for--" + +"No, you couldn't, Master Harry, because you see there's no chance for +spending such money here, so I saved a bit." + +"Saved a bit?" said Harry. + +"Yes, sir; there was just a hundred and one silver Chinese dollars in +that teapot. Now do you understand?" + +"Yes, Mike, I understand," said the boy sadly. "But never mind; +they'll be safe enough till we've got the mastery over these +wretches." + +"Don't think they'll all ha' melted away, do you, sir?" + +"They may have melted, Mike, but not away. Perhaps they'll have all +run down into the shape of the bottom of the teapot; but if they have, +the silver will be worth the money." + +"Oh, come, sir; there's some comfort in that. I say, Master Harry, are +we going to have to fight?" + +"I think we are sure to, Mike." + +"Well, I s'pose I am a coward now, sir. I used to be a bit of a dab +with my fists when I was your age; not as I was over fond of it; but +I've never killed anybody, and I'd rather clean the guns any day than +shoot men with 'em. But after hearing all I have, and after seeing +what they'll do with spears--for it wasn't that chap's fault that he +didn't send that spear through you instead of your arm--and what with +the business last night, and the doctor's trouble, and now seeing our +house and my pantry turned into just a heap of ashes, it's a bit too +much. It makes me want to fight, sir; and if there is any going on, I +will." + +"That's right, Mike. You will stand by us then?" + +"That I will, Master Harry," said the man, with the tears in his eyes. +"I aren't been all I should ha' been as your father's servant, but I +am a man, sir, and an Englishman, and Englishmen must stick together +out in foreign parts like this." + +"They must indeed, Mike." + +"Then I'll be close at your back, Master Harry, wherever you go; and +if I gets killed, well, I do, sir, and I leave you all the silver in +that old pot." + +"_Phee--ew!_" + +"Quick! let's get back," whispered Harry, giving the man a grateful +look, and hiding a disposition to laugh; "that was Sree whistled. Some +one must be coming along the river." + +The warning was repeated softly before they reached the landing-place. + +"Quick, quick!" said Mr. Kenyon, in a loud whisper, and they had only +just time to creep down into the shelter when half a dozen large boats +were seen coming up the river, each filled with men, whose +spear-points glittered in the sunshine; and once more all crouched in +readiness to defend their little stronghold, should the boat attract +the attention of the enemy as they passed by. + +But the boats passed on, following in each other's wake, the occupants +being too much taken up by the sounds which suddenly arose from the +direction of the palace; for just as the first boat was nearly abreast +of the landing-stage the sharp reports of guns told that a fresh +attack was being made upon it, the first discharges producing a +strange excitement amongst the enemy, who began rowing with all their +might, so that they soon passed, but without giving much relief to +those who watched, for the firing increased, and it was evident that a +desperate attack was going on. + +Then the firing ceased as suddenly as it had begun, leaving the +listeners in a frightful state of doubt. + +For the cessation might just as probably mean that the enemy had +forced their way in as that they had been beaten off; and as the +silence continued for quite an hour, Harry and Phra moved so as to be +close to the doctor, and then gently take his hand. + +The sound of firing, when every shot may mean the death of a fellow +creature, is a strange reviver of hope--a peculiar comforter; but when +at the end of that weary hour the firing began again, both Phra and +the doctor started up with their faces flushed with eager excitement, +and Harry felt ready to shout. + +"They're not beaten," he said proudly. "The King's too strong, and he +drives the wretches back every time. Why, father, when we get to them +to-night, they will all be in such good spirits that it will be +dangerous for the enemy to show themselves again." + +"We must be thinking about our attack, Sree," said Mr. Kenyon, without +making any reply to his son's outburst. + +"I am going as soon as it grows dark, Sahib. There is not much to do. +A little brown earth to moisten and rub over your hands, arms, and +faces." + +"Yes, yes, that is easy enough; anything will do as it is night; even +gunpowder could be used. But the garments? it is of them that I was +thinking." + +"The sahibs will have to use those of the common people, and so many +are away from their boats that it will not be long before I can get +padungs enough. Those are all that you will need, and be the best +things to hide you; for no one would think that you could be sahibs, +dressed like that." + +The rest of the day went sluggishly by, with total cessations of the +firing filling the listeners with despair and hope returning whenever +it was resumed. + +At last, after many alarms from passing boats, the sun sank low, and +the question of sending off a message to some English vessel in the +port had to be decided for Mr. Kenyon had pencilled a few lines +containing an urgent appeal for help from any captain into whose hands +it might fall, begging that he would at once set sail for the nearest +port where a British man-of-war might be found--Hong-Kong or +Singapore--and lay before the authorities the critical position in +which the tiny English colony was placed, and imploring that steps +might be at once taken for their rescue. + +To deliver this note, a trusty messenger was needed, and a boat. + +And now there was a feeling of bitter regret that the sampan in which +Adong had followed them up the river had been abandoned from the hour +the man came on board as being a useless appendage at such a time of +peril. But Sree declared that there would be no difficulty in finding +one after dark, so part of the trouble was at an end. + +The question then arose as to who should be the messenger, and Sree +now proposed Adong. + +He would soon find a boat, Sree said, but he thought that some one +should accompany him, and that the some one should be Sahib Harry. + +"I couldn't go," said Harry hastily. "I must stay to help here." + +"But the young Sahib is wounded; and if he took the letter with Adong, +he would be safe." + +"I don't want to be safe like that," said Harry hastily. "I can't go, +father; I must stay with you." + +"But it is most important that the letter should be placed in some +Englishman's hands," said Mr. Kenyon; "and Sree is right, my boy; you +would be safe." + +"Oh no, father," cried the boy excitedly; "there would be as much risk +in sending me there as in letting me stay. I may be of some help here; +and, besides, I couldn't go and leave you." + +Mr. Kenyon gave way. The paper was rolled up small, a bamboo was cut, +and into one of its hollows the paper was thrust, and then the place +was plugged so that it was water-tight, in case the messenger had to +swim. Lastly, armed with a kris in his waist-band, and with one of the +spears, Adong, who fully appreciated the importance of his mission, +proudly took his departure, going off through the garden; for, as Sree +said, no one was likely to interfere with such a man as he at a time +like that. + +The little party breathed more freely when the man had gone, for it +was like the first step towards a rescue; but in a few minutes there +was a short, earnest conversation with Sree as to how his man would +manage. + +"He will journey down the river till he sees a boat that he can take, +and then go on, lying up close to the shore when there is danger, and +going on down again towards the sea." + +This decided, the perilous enterprise of joining with some portion of +the attacking force was discussed in what was really a little council +of war; and it was determined that Sree should assume the character of +leader, with Phra as his lieutenant, the rest being followers. How and +where they were to join the enemy must, it was agreed, depend upon +circumstances. + +The men were eager to a degree, declaring themselves ready to die so +that they might save the King; and as soon as it was quite dark the +well-armed party quitted their cramping position in the boat to +assemble in the forlorn and deserted garden, the boat being well +secured, and left as a place of _rendezvous_ in case of fortune being +against them, and as a means of escape in dire peril. Then Sree went +away for an hour, and returned, declaring the time had come. + +In the few words which passed in whispers as they made for the gateway +opening on the riverside track leading to the rest of the English +bungalows, and beyond that to the palace, it was quite decided that +they had nothing to fear in marching boldly onward through the +darkness, for their appearance as so many well-armed men going to join +in the attack would be quite natural, the second king's army +consisting as it did merely of an armed rabble, with which some of the +King's half-drilled guards were mixed after they had deserted him in +his peril. + +Of all this Sree in his efforts to spy out the state of affairs had +thoroughly convinced himself; the great danger was that Phra or the +gentlemen might excite suspicion; but the efforts to disguise them had +been most successful, the simplicity of their garb and the coloured +skins promising in the darkness and confusion to be enough. + +Then a few words were addressed by the old hunter to the men, and the +adventurers moved out of the gateway, and with beating hearts made for +the lights whose reflections could be seen above and through the +trees. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +A DESPERATE VENTURE + + +It was an exciting tramp, but those most concerned in the success +marched on with such a display of eagerness as sent a thrill of +confidence through Harry, who, for the first part of their little +journey, walked beside Phra, the boys talking in whispers about what +would probably be done. + +"It seems very horrid," whispered Harry. "Why, when we go up to the +attack, we shall be longing to stick our spears into the wretches who +are about us, and all the time we shall have to seem like friends." + +"You will not be able to do anything but carry your spear over your +shoulder," replied Phra. + +"Shan't I? You'll see. My arm doesn't hurt much now; and if we get +fighting, I believe that I shall not feel it at all. Oh, Phra, how I +do long to begin! It's the thinking about it all and the waiting that +is the worst." + +"Talk in a lower tone," said Mr. Kenyon in a whisper; "and as soon as +we hear the enemy be silent." + +Phra kept by his comrade's side, and twice over, when voices were +heard in front, Sree halted his party, a low, snake-like hiss being +the agreed signal. + +To the great satisfaction of all, the voices came from a couple of +parties, apparently, as far as could be made out in the darkness, +similar in numbers to their own, and moving in the direction of the +palace. + +Encouraged by this, Sree went on more boldly, and they soon found that +the very daring of their enterprise would prove their safety, the +attacking force being made up of groups all strange to one another, +their only bond being that they were bent on the same errand--the +destruction of the palace and overthrow of the King's power, with the +massacre of the whites. + +In fact, as during one halt Sree told Mr. Kenyon, it would be quite +possible to join on to any party they liked, their presence showing to +the strangers that they were on the same side, and consequently, for +the time being, friends. + +"We can go where we like now, sahibs," said Sree; "and all you have to +do is to keep away from any of the lights." + +Consequently the need for caution was at an end, and, after a short +consultation with Phra, Sree determined to go right round to the back +of the palace, where he proposed that they should scale the outer +wall, cross the garden, and then make for the inner wall near the +elephant house, where the great gates were with their sculptured +figures. + +Increasing their pace now, they passed through several groups +numbering hundreds; the people, who were non-combatants, gathered in +the hope of plunder, giving way at once at the bold advance of the +little band of spearmen, and following at a distance for some hundreds +of yards before halting, for there in front were the outer walls. + +Before they reached these, as they loomed up in the darkness, the +gloom was cut in many directions by flashes of light, and there was +once more the loud, sputtering fire of the defenders, who were still +safe and keeping their enemies at bay. + +The firing seemed to inspire the little party with renewed eagerness, +and at a word from Sree they broke into a trot, following an avenue of +palms which led right up to the wall, where there was a little, +strongly-made gate. + +Before reaching it, Sree called a halt, and there was a short debate. + +"The enemy must have broken open the gate," Phra whispered; "and they +are in the gardens." + +"Never mind," said Sree; "we must go on and try to get to the Great +Elephant gates." + +The next minute they found that they were wrong, for the little +doorway in the stone wall was fast, but directly after they found that +a couple of roughly-made bamboo ladders had been tied and placed +against the wall, up one of which Sree crept, Phra mounting the other, +followed by Harry, while Mr. Kenyon and the doctor followed Sree. + +Then the first check came. There was a sharp movement, the staves of +spears rattled on the other side, and a voice challenged them with the +question where they were going. + +"To help take the palace, of course," said Sree sharply. + +There was a laugh. + +"Over with you, then," said the man who challenged; "but you will not +all come back." + +Sree made a show of hesitating. + +"What, is it a hard fight?" he said. + +"Yes; hundreds have been shot down as fast as they tried to climb the +gates. What! Are you afraid?" + +"Afraid? No," said Sree, seating himself on the top of the wall. + +The man laughed again, and his laugh was echoed by what sounded like a +score of companions. + +"There, don't shirk it," said the man in command. "You must take your +chance, and there'll be plenty of loot for those who are first in." + +"Then why don't you go?" growled Sree. + +"Because we're ordered to stop here by our leader. Come, over with +you." + +Sree hesitated for a moment or two. + +"They can't see to shoot in the dark," he said; and calling on his +party to follow, he hurried down the ladder on the other side, +followed by the rest, and receiving an encouraging cheer from the +enemy. Phra stepped to Sree's side and guided the party by the most +direct path towards the gates they sought. + +Naturally it was familiar enough to Harry, but it seemed strange and +terrible as they approached the great bronze gates behind which a +little party of their friends had evidently entrenched themselves and +kept up a fire whenever a party of the enemy dashed up to thrust with +their spears through the open work of the barrier. + +Harry had instant warning of the danger of their position in the +bullets which came whistling by, but a word of warning from Sree made +the new-comers strike off to the left, where they were out of the line +of fire; while now the boy made out, more by the murmuring of voices +than by the eye, that the rebels, in two strong bodies, had grouped +themselves on either side of the opening for safety, and from one or +the other of these a little party kept on dashing up to the front, +shouting defiance and trying to alarm the defenders in the hope of +driving them back, so that the gates might be climbed. + +This was evidently the principle upon which the attack had been +carried on--a desultory, useless plan so long as the defenders stood +firm. In fact, there was no discipline, no cohesion in the attacking +force, no mutual dependence; merely the hand-to-hand fighting of a +barbarous people, and the result could be heard in the many sighs and +groans which came from where the wounded had been carried or had +dragged themselves out of the line of fire. + +There was the humming crowd in the darkness just in front, and a few +steps would have taken Mr. Kenyon's party right amongst them; but no +one heeded the new-comers, and once more the leaders drew together to +consult. + +"We can do nothing here," whispered Phra. "If we were not shot down by +our friends, we could not sham dead. Look there, we should be seen." + +For now there was a flash of light, and a blazing mass of fire, +somewhat after the fashion of a blue light, came flying over the gate, +to fall twenty yards outside, and throw up the swarthy bodies of the +enemy like so many dark silhouettes, while a rapid burst of shots told +the reason for the light, several men having afforded good aim to the +defenders, and half a dozen dropping amidst groans and howls of rage. + +"Yes, it is impossible," whispered Mr. Kenyon in Siamese. "Is there no +place where we could climb this wall?" + +There was no reply for some moments, during which the blue light began +to burn out, and a man darted forward to trample upon it, but to his +cost, for two shots were fired, and in the expiring, pallid glare the +man was seen to stagger a few paces and then fall. + +A roar of rage followed this proof of the defenders' marksmanship, and +another rush was made at the gate by the maddened enemy, not in +obedience to any order, but every man acting upon his own impulse; and +amidst the roar of voices, the clattering of spears against the bronze +ornamentation, and the firing of the defenders, Sree uttered his low +hiss, and led the way with Phra away to the left, the latter plunging +directly after into a secluded walk close to the wall, where all was +completely deserted, and Harry felt that if they only had one of the +bamboo ladders they had so lately used, it would be perfectly easy to +climb up and drop within the palace courts. + +Their evasion was either not heeded, or merely looked upon as part of +an attempt to turn the defenders by means of a fresh attack; so the +little party crept silently along through the bushes which acted as a +blind to this part of the wall, above which a portion of the palace +rose. + +A sudden thought struck Harry, and, with his spear sloped back over +his shoulder, he pressed on quickly to the front. + +"Phra," he whispered, as he reached his friend, "the big tree." + +"Hist! Yes." + +In another minute they were all halted in the intense darkness close +up to the trunk of a huge tree whose boughs spread horizontally in +every direction, some overhanging the walls, a place familiar to +Harry; but as soon as he had realized Phra's intent he felt convinced +that the defenders would have taken steps to do away with so +vulnerable a part of their defence. + +For here it was quite possible to climb up the dwarfed trunk, crawl +along one of the enormous horizontal boughs, and drop down into the +open space between the wall and the palace. + +Phra had evidently the same idea; but upon searching round a little, +the bushes beneath rustling as he and Sree passed here and there, it +was evident that no saw had been at work, and in a whisper Sree +announced that he was going first to show the way. + +"The bough will bend down at the far end," whispered Phra, "and it +will not be so far to drop. Here, I will go first; I can climb." + +Amidst the almost breathless silence beneath the tree, Phra began to +mount, and Harry whispered that he would come next, just as a fresh +burst of firing, which sounded distant, arose. + +"You cannot climb, Sahib," whispered Sree; "your arm." + +"I _will_ climb," whispered back Harry. "Hold my spear." + +He passed the weapon to the old hunter, and followed Phra right up to +the fork, level with the top of the wall; and by that time his comrade +had nearly reached the wall, which was a couple of feet below the +great bough, when there was a bright flash from a window, the crashing +of a bullet through the branches of the tree, and almost +simultaneously a loud report. + +"Don't fire--don't fire! Friends!" cried Mr. Kenyon; but before the +words had passed his lips there was another report. + +"Who is it?" came now. + +"Kenyon, Cameron, and men to help," cried the doctor. + +"How are we to know that? Speak again." + +"Up with you, and over!" cried Mr. Kenyon angrily. "We shall have the +wretches round here directly. Quick, boys; get on, and drop!" + +There was no further opposition; the English was unmistakable, and the +two who had been at the window guarding the well-known weak spot, +descended from the barricaded window to help the new-comers, welcoming +each warmly as he descended. + +It was close work though, for, hearing the firing, a party of the +watchful enemy was attracted to the spot before all were over, the +last man and Sree--who had stayed to see all in safety before he +crossed the natural bridge--having to halt and engage in a sort of +duel with spears in the darkness, when from their crippled position in +the tree, matters would have gone ill with them but for the diversion +made by the defenders, who fired a little volley from the window, +which held the enemy in check till Sree was safe. + +"What an escape!" whispered Harry, as he caught the old hunter's arm +when he dropped into the narrow court. + +"Yes, Sahib; they came very near to stopping me from joining you; but +there, I'm used to such escapes. It is many times that I have been +nearly killed. But now some of us must stop here to keep the enemies +of the King away, for where we got over they will try to do the same." + +It was felt that no better way of defending the spot could be adopted +than that already in practice, and the two colonists, after warm +congratulations had passed between them and their friends, returned to +their position at the window, while Phra eagerly led his tiny +reinforcement round to the little court by the Elephant Gates, where +the small wing of the palace had been fortified as much as was +possible, and was being held by the King. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +FOR LIFE + + +It is needless to try and describe the meeting between Doctor Cameron +and his wife and friends, or that between Phra and his father, the +King. They were brief enough, and at a time when any moment they might +be called upon to take a final farewell, for the state of affairs was +very desperate in the palace, whose defenders were getting worn out by +the constantly recurring attacks. The coming then of the +reinforcement, trifling as it seemed, was hailed with the most intense +satisfaction, giving as it did fresh hope to the defenders when they +were beginning to despair. + +For the palace, with its extended walls, was too big for so small a +garrison to defend. + +In all there were not more than sixty people fit to bear arms, forty +being the white colonists, the remaining twenty officers and nobles +who had remained faithful to the King, and who had proved that they +were ready to lay down their lives in his defence and that of the +ladies who had been brought into the palace when the revolution first +broke out. + +Ten minutes after the reinforcements had reached the group of +defenders another attack was made; and now from the interior the boys +had a view of the way in which the enemy was made to suffer. + +For the King had cast aside all his quiet, studious ways, and was +fighting side by side with his defenders. It was he who had prepared +the light grenades by mixing up certain proportions of nitre, sulphur, +and antimony, ramming the powder into small vases, which one or other +of the gentlemen lit, and then hurled over the gate, throwing the +enemy into confusion and giving the little party of marksmen behind a +barricade that had been thrown up, a good opportunity for inflicting +loss upon the enemy who were thus time after time kept at bay and +disheartened, when a combined attack must have been fatal to the +defenders of the palace. + +And now as the two boys watched the firing, they realized more fully +how weak were the defences, and how easily the hundreds upon hundreds +of rebels swarming outside might have carried them by a brave attack, +when, unless they had been able to make a stand in the wing of the +palace, the besieged must have been crushed by weight of numbers. + +Harry had noticed this, inexperienced as he was; but it was further +impressed upon him by a whisper from Phra, who stood by him, double +gun in hand. + +"If their leader were to make one bold attack, Hal, we should be +driven inside, and then I'm afraid it would be all over." + +"There are a good many of them," said Harry evasively, "and it doesn't +seem nice shooting at people as if they were tigers." + +"They are tigers," said Phra fiercely. "They would kill us all." + +"Then we must treat them as tigers," said Harry coolly, "and shoot all +we can. Look here, the numbers are not so bad as they appear, because +one Englishman is as good as ten such fighting men as these, to put it +modestly; and you and your father and some of these here are half +English now; so we're stronger than we seem. I say, I don't feel as if +I want to know, it's so horrible; but I feel as if I ought to." + +"To know what?" + +"When the wretches burned the bungalow, did they--" + +"Look out!" panted Phra; "they're coming on to break down the gates." + +Phra was right, for by the light of the paper lanthorns, swinging on +high at the tops of spears, a dense crowd of the enemy could be dimly +seen surging up towards the opening with a dull, hoarse roar; and a +sharp order or two was given by some one who seemed to be in command. + +There was an order too given on the defenders' side, and as the foe +reached the gates and planted rough ladders there to climb up--this +being the first time they had been so daring in their attack, those +before having been confined to thrusting and throwing spears--a single +shot rang out, and then another. These were followed by a volley from +about a dozen pieces, but the assailants were not checked. Several +fell, but the others came on desperately, and in obedience to a word +from Sree the spearmen just brought in marched forward to stand close +behind the people firing, and about a dozen more drawn up by the +palace joined them. + +_Crash!_ + +Another volley, the bullets for the most part passing through the open +work of the gates; but still the enemy swarmed on. + +Just then a dark figure ran back to where the boys stood, gun in hand, +ready to fire. + +"Hal! Phra!" was whispered hoarsely; "if they get through and we are +driven back, don't wait to resist, but rush into one of the rooms at +once and fire through the open windows. We are all going to retreat +there." + +"Where is my father?" whispered Phra excitedly. + +"I don't know; I have not seen him for the last few minutes." + +"Ah! here he comes," cried Phra. + +"Stand away, boy!" cried the King excitedly, as he ran down the steps +from the palace entrance, bearing something in each hand spitting and +sparkling like a firework. + +Phra gave way at his father's command, but rushed after him to be +ready to defend him from injury; and, as if from a natural instinct, +Harry followed to defend his comrade, till they saw the King stop in +front of the gates, over which many of the enemy were climbing, some +to reach the ground unhurt, others to fall, shot down. + +As the King stopped there seemed to be a sea of fire about his head, +as he whirled one of the sparkling objects round; then it passed from +his hand, formed a tiny arc as it flew over the gate, and fell amongst +the crowd beyond. + +Another volley was fired now; but hardly had the flashes of the pieces +darted from the muzzles of the guns before the second fuze, sparkling +brightly, flew from the King's hand, forming another arc of +scintillating light as it cleared the gates and would have fallen +twenty feet or so beyond, but ere it reached the ground there was a +blinding flash, a tremendous concussion, which drove the boys back, +and a terrific roar. + +For a few moments there was dead silence, and then from the spot where +the first missile had fallen, apparently without effect, there was +another roar, followed by a rush of feet, cries, and groans, while +from within there were fierce yells and warlike shouts, mingled with +the clashing of spears, as about twenty of the enemy, who had +succeeded in getting over, made a rush. + +They were met, though, by the spearmen who had formed up to defend the +firing party, and a desperate conflict ensued, not a man surviving the +fierce defenders now freshly come upon the scene. + +A few groans, and the scuffling sound of men on the other side of the +gate crawling or being helped away, was now all that could be heard +save the peculiar murmur and tramp of the huge crowd of retiring men, +startled and checked for the time being by the new weapons of defence +which they had encountered for the first time. + +It was a respite, and after leaving a sufficient guard at the gate and +others on the wall, to give warning of another advance, the defenders +crowded up to the terrace steps, all talking together and +congratulating the King on what he had done. + +"Go in, half of you at a time, gentlemen, and eat and drink. This has +only checked them for the present." + +"Oh, they won't come back to-night, sir, surely?" cried a voice Harry +knew to be the doctor's, though it seemed strangely altered, so full +was it of exultation now. "But what were they--shells?" + +"Only a couple of canisters of powder," replied the King. "It was a +thought I had. I made a hole in each, and thrust in a roll of +touch-paper." + +"But, my dear sir, suppose they had exploded before they left your +hands?" cried the doctor excitedly. + +"Ah, then," said the King quietly, "then, Doctor--yes, it would have +been bad. I'm afraid I should have been beyond your power to cure. But +you must be worn out, Doctor," he added; "pray go in and get some +refreshments. You will find the ladies have everything ready in the +lower room." + +"Thanks, sir, no," said the doctor abruptly; "my mind's at rest now, +and I want to work. Where are the wounded being placed?" + +"In my son's rooms, Doctor. Thank you. You are right; but make some +one bring you coffee and whatever you require." + +"Oh, yes, sir, I'll take care," cried the doctor, and he hurried in, +while the King turned to Mr. Kenyon. + +"Ah, now I can speak with you, my friend," he said. "No, no, my boys, +you need not go," he added, as Phra and Harry were drawing back. "It +is sad work for you, but it is forced upon me. Now, Kenyon, you are +fresh, and I want your advice; you know how difficult a place this is +to defend. What do you say? Ought we not to retire into this part of +the palace now and defend ourselves from there? I have had every +window boarded up; we have plenty of ammunition, and the place is well +provisioned. There is water too. What do you think?" + +"I am not a soldier, sir," said Mr. Kenyon gravely. + +"No, but you are my friend, and it is a relief to hear your voice. +Speak." + +"I may say things that you, sir, would not like." + +"They will be the words of the man I have known and trusted these many +years," said the King--"the man I trust to be a second father to my +boy here if I fall." + +"Then for his sake, sir, I should say--I do not know that I am right, +but I speak as I think at the moment--would it not be better to seize +the opportunity of retreating now that the enemy have been checked for +the present?" + +"No, Kenyon," said the King firmly; "I have thought of that, but +everything is against it. I dislike this bloodshed, though the men who +fall are my cruel enemies who are thirsting for our blood; but I am +king here, and when I die, my son must be king in my place. I have +done nothing but good for my people, and because they have been raised +against me by treacherous foes, I will not be coward enough to go." + +"Your situation is desperate, sir, and there are all my friends here, +who, trusting to my advice and to your promises, are now in terrible +peril." + +"It is that, Kenyon, which makes me firmer and more determined to +stay. Think, my friend; suppose I say we will retreat. There is the +jungle, into which we must take the delicate women. There are +elephants enough to bear them all. What about food, and how could we +defend them there? We should all be killed." + +"Yes," said Mr. Kenyon; "but the river?" + +"The enemy is master there, and has all the boats. But even if we had +two, we should be at a terrible disadvantage, and could only try to +reach some foreign ship. But they would beat us there. No, we want +strong walls to fight behind." + +"You are right, sir," said Mr. Kenyon; "but I would not retreat inside +after what has taken place to-night." + +"We are wearied out with fighting," said the King sadly. + +"But the enemy is dispirited to-night, and I venture to think that +they will not attack again till morning. Better let us who have come +freshly try to strengthen the defences by the gate." + +"Nothing can be done there; better strengthen this part of the palace. +There are weak places yet." + +"Very well, sir; we will do that; and to-night we will watch while you +and the others rest. It seems to me too that the powder canisters +produced more effect than the firing of all our friends. Why should we +not make a mine?" + +"A mine? I do not understand." + +"A hollow somewhere in front of the gate, say a dozen yards away; +charge it with a small keg of powder, and I think I can contrive a +plan for firing it by means of a wire laid underground. The keg, too, +will be covered, and the enemy will not know. It would produce a +terrible effect when they crowded up to the next attack. The idea is +horrible, but it is in defence of all." + +"It would be ten times as horrible for us to fall, and the poor women +to be brutally massacred by these mad wretches. Can you do this, +Kenyon?" + +"I can, sir. I will do it in two places, so that if one fails the +other will be sure." + +"Hah!" ejaculated the King. "Kenyon, old friend, you make me feel +strong again, and as if you and the boys have brought me hope in my +hour of despair." + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +THE POWDER MINE + + +"Had a good sleep, Hal?" + +Harry sat up with a sudden start from the cushioned seat upon which he +had been lying in the open hall of the King's palace, to find the +doctor grimly smiling down. His second glance was at a great, +grotesque, bronze figure looming up over him, and his third at Phra, +who was lying on his back with his lips apart, sleeping heavily. + +"Have--have I been asleep?" he stammered. + +"Fast as a top, boy." + +"But--but I thought we were in the boat up in the jungle, and--" + +"We're here in the palace instead. How's your arm?" + +"My arm?" said Harry wonderingly; "I don't know." + +"Not very bad, then, old fellow." + +"Oh, I recollect now. Here, I'd no business to go to sleep. I ought to +have been watching." + +"No, you ought not; the King told me that he had sent you boys to lie +down." + +"Yes, of course, he did," said the lad excitedly; "but oh, what a +shame for us to be sleeping here at such a time! I say, has there been +any more fighting?" + +"Not a bit. The ruffians were sickened by those two boxes of powder +they had." + +"Oh, I am glad. But I say, Doctor Cameron, how is your wife?" + +"Quite well, Hal. She has gone to lie down for a good sleep." + +"What, has she been up all night?" + +"Yes, helping me with the wounded." + +"Oh, what a good woman she is!" cried Harry enthusiastically. + +"Right, Hal," cried the doctor merrily. "Bless her! she is." + +"And I do feel such a lazy pig! You two hard at work all night, and +I've been snoring here like old Phra." + +"So as to be ready to work hard to-day. It's all right, my boy." + +"I say, doctor, you do look well and jolly to-day; any one would think +we were not in trouble," said Harry gravely. + +"Trouble, boy? I feel as if there was no trouble in the world." + +"Yes, I understand," said Harry slowly. "You must feel relieved to +have got back to Mrs. Cameron and found her safe and well. But I say, +do you think we can beat these wretches off?" + +"Think? No. We are going to do it, my lad." + +"So we are," cried Harry. "Here, let's wake up old lazy-bones." + +Boys will be boys, thanks to the grand elasticity of their nature. +Over night Harry had felt like a serious man, but the night's rest and +the doctor's hopeful words made him feel as full of light-heartedness +as if there were not an enemy within a thousand miles. + +Catching up the first thing near, a peacock's feather from a huge +bunch in a massive bronze vase, he went behind Phra's head and gently +inserted the quill end between the sleeper's lips. + +There was no response, so the act was repeated, and Phra's teeth +closed with a snap on the quill, which Harry released. Then the boy's +eyes opened, and he lay staring at the waving plume standing straight +up above him, raised his hand, took hold of it, and gave it a tug, but +it was fast. He gave it another tug, discovered that it was held in +his teeth, and sat up facing the doctor. + +"Did you do that?" he cried. + +"I? No." + +"Then it was one of Hal's childish games. Oh, there you are! Here: +have I been asleep? Yes, father told me to lie down. Oh, tell me, has +the enemy come on again?" + +"No, it's all right, old chap. I say, aren't you hungry?" + +"Hungry? No. Where is my father. Doctor?" + +"I don't know; he was with me just now, looking at the wounded." + +The colour came a little in Harry's cheeks, for the thought struck him +that he had not asked after his own father. + +"How are the wounded, Doctor?" said Phra. + +"All doing well, my dear boy. Now then, shall I prescribe for you +two?" + +"No, no; we don't want anything," cried the boys in a breath. + +"Yes, you do, both of you--washing. Go and tidy yourselves up, and by +that time there will be a regular comfortable breakfast ready. The +ladies and Mike have been busy this hour past. If we are to fight, we +must eat." + +The doctor walked away, and Phra turned to Harry. + +"If we get over this trouble, Hal," he said solemnly, "I'll punch your +head for playing me that stupid trick." + +"Do, old chap--if you can," cried the boy; "but I say, is my face +dirty?" + +"Horribly. Is mine?" + +"Well," said Harry, frowning and looking very serious, "one could +hardly call it dirty, but there's a black smudge across one cheek, and +a dab on your forehead, and three black finger marks on your nose." + +"Nonsense!" + +"Quite true, old chap. You must have been painting your face with your +gunpowdery fingers." + +"Come to my bedroom then, and let's have a good wash." + +Harry followed willingly, for he felt as if the operation would be +delightful, and the next minute they were in the young prince's +thoroughly English-looking bedroom, though it did not look at its +best, for the curtains had been dragged aside, heavy boards nailed +across the lower part of the window like a breastwork, and a couple of +stout mattresses fixed up within the boards to make them less +vulnerable to bullet or spear. But the rest of the room was as it +should be, and a quarter of an hour was pleasantly spent with soap, +water, towels, and brushes. + +"Hah!" ejaculated Harry at last; "that was a treat; but I should have +liked a regular bath." + +"Let's whip the rebels first," said Phra, who looked bright and +refreshed. "Come and have breakfast." + +He led the way to the handsome saloon where the table was spread, and +Mike was busy arranging a few things and looking clean and smart--even +to being fresh shaved--as if nothing were wrong. + +But the boys only glanced at him, and were directly after being warmly +greeted by plenty of familiar friends. For about half the white +defenders were gathered there, while the other half were on guard +keeping careful watch. There was not a single enemy to be seen, though +Sree and two men who had been scouting at daybreak had returned to +announce that there were a great many of the rebels in hiding among +the bushes and trees just beyond the outer wall, especially outside +the grounds, as if to take care that no one should escape from the +palace, where they were hemmed in. + +A minute later the King came in with about half a dozen of the +faithful officials, Mr. Kenyon, and the doctor. + +His Majesty smilingly greeted all his white friends, and crossed then +to the boys, with whom he shook hands warmly, after which the +excellent breakfast was discussed, during which the King turned to Mr. +Kenyon. + +"We could not fare like this, my friend," he said, "if we took to the +jungle or a boat." + +"No, sir, no," replied Mr. Kenyon quickly. "I spoke last night on the +impulse of the moment, but I have since thought that my idea was +impracticable. I've been all about this wing of the palace too this +morning, and I feel satisfied that we can hold it as long as we like +if we do a little more to the defences. I'll talk with you, though, +after breakfast." + +The change from the hopeless despair of the past night was strange, +and before long the two boys began to long for an opportunity to leave +the table, for the disposition among their friends whom they had +rejoined seemed to be one of crediting them with completely altering +the state of affairs and making them the heroes of the hour. + +At last the opportunity came, for the King rose, and those who had +breakfasted hurried away to take the places of the guard. + +"Let's slip out this way," said Harry, "or we shall meet the others as +they come in, and I'm sick of it. Such rubbish! Why, it was all +father, Sree, and you." + +"Old Sree deserves pretty well all the credit," agreed Phra. "Let's go +and see where he is." + +They soon found him and Lahn on their way back from the gate, and +hurried them in to where Mike had a second breakfast waiting, the old +hunter smiling with content at the genuine eagerness the two lads +displayed in regard to his comfort. + +But before they had been there long Mike hurried in from attending on +the second party at the King's table, to see that his native friends, +as he called them, were all right. + +"Of course we shall beat the enemy, Master Harry," he said; "but I had +a look out from the top of the palace as soon as the sun rose, and you +could see hundreds of thousands of them down by the river." + +"Millions, Mike," cried Harry. + +"Ah, you may laugh, sir, but there's an awful lot. Seems too many for +us to beat, but we've got to do it, I suppose." + +"Yes," said Sree, smiling, "we have got to beat them; but they will +not come on all at once." + +"How many shots did you fire last night, Mike?" said Harry +banteringly. + +"I didn't count, sir," said the man quietly; "you see, I got so +excited. Didn't feel half so scared as I thought I should. Hands +trembled a bit first time I pulled the trigger, but they didn't +afterwards. I suppose I was too busy." + +"Didn't you count your cartridges?" + +"No, sir. I took a belt full, and some in my pockets." + +"And how many did you bring back?" asked Phra. + +"None at all, sir." + +"Michael was between Lahn and the sahibs," said Sree quietly, "and I +hope he will fight by our sides the next time the enemy come on. I +like to be fighting with a brave Englishman at my side." + +"Yes, sir; coming, sir," cried Mike, and he ran out of the room, with +a very red face. + +"Did any one call?" said Phra. + +"No, it was his gammon, so as to get away," said Harry. "I say, Sree, +no nonsense. Old Mike didn't fight like that, did he?" + +"Oh, yes, Sahib; no one could have been more brave and cool. I did not +expect it. I always thought he was what you English people call a +coward." + +"I say, Phra, what a shame to laugh at him like that!" + +"Yes, but you began it." + +"Oh, that I didn't," cried Harry. "Never mind, we'll go halves; I'll +take my share of the blame." + +"Are you lads in there?" cried Mr. Kenyon. + +"Yes, father," cried Harry. + +"You may as well come with me. Ah, Sree, meet me in half an hour's +time by the great gates; bring the men who came with us, and we shall +want spears." + +"Yes, Sahib," said Sree, rising. + +"No, no; finish your meal first, my man. There is plenty of time." + +The King, with several of his followers, was in the great hall; and +after Mr. Kenyon had gone round with the party to the several windows +to see what more could be done by way of strengthening them and making +more loop-holes for firing from, they were led to the vault-like +arrangement beneath, where, dimly lit by slits in the thick wall, the +ammunition stored up lay ready to hand. + +Everything was in good order, and in addition to chests of +cartridges--an ample supply--there were two perfectly new stands of +rifles, with bayonets attached, while the other end was stacked with +provisions, barrels of flour, boxes of biscuits, chests of tea, and +bags of coffee and sugar--an ample store, the water supply being +furnished from a spigot fitted to a bamboo pipe connected with a +reservoir right away in the higher part of the grounds. + +Two small kegs of gunpowder were carried up into the hall, Mr. Kenyon +taking up one and the King the other; but in an instant Harry had +relieved his father of his load, and Phra had taken the King's. + +These being placed ready by the door opening on to the steps, the +party, at Mr. Kenyon's request, ascended to the roof, where Harry's +father explained his wishes; namely, that an ample supply of food, +water, and ammunition should be brought up there ready for use, if at +the last they were driven from the ground floor to the rooms above, +and from there to taking refuge on the top, each floor forming a +stronghold. + +"And if it comes to the worst, Kenyon," said the King gravely-- + +"If it comes to the worst, sir," replied Mr. Kenyon solemnly, "we must +not let ourselves and those we love fall into the hands of these +wretches." + +"No," said the King, with his eyes flashing. "What would you do?" + +"I propose, sir," said Mr. Kenyon, "that a sufficiency of the powder +be placed ready below, and with that I shall make an arrangement +through which, on the firing of a gun by means of a wire brought up +here, the place can be blown up, and our enemies perish with us." + +"Yes," said the King. "Good." + +Harry and Phra exchanged glances, and then they shuddered. + +Sree was waiting with the men when they descended to the terrace, +where, refreshed by their meal, the second party had assembled, ready +for anything that might happen that day; eager also to see what Mr. +Kenyon and the doctor would suggest. + +The first thing done was to send scouts once more to try and find out +whether an advance was being prepared. While they were absent, Mr. +Kenyon, after explaining to the King his plans, asked for the gates to +be opened, so that he and his men could pass out with an advance guard +of about twenty, to screen as well as protect them while the mine was +prepared. + +The distance was so short that there was no scruple about the gates +being unclosed, though both Harry and Phra looked upon the posting of +the guard across the pathway outside the defences as being like a +defiance and invitation to the enemy in one, and Harry told his father +their thoughts. + +"Exactly what I thought myself, Hal, but it must be done; and what I +hope they will think is that we have become emboldened by the defeat +we gave them last night, and have advanced to meet them in fair fight +outside." + +"They will be watching, of course," said Phra. + +"Yes, and that is why I have placed the men to cover us. No more +words. Now to get the mines made as quickly as possible." + +There was this difficulty in making the mines: to be effective, it was +necessary that they should be as near the gates as possible, for there +the greater part of the enemy would crowd to the attack; but if they +were too close, they might blow down the defences and inflict injury +upon their friends; while if they were too far off, they would be +ineffective from the attacking party being few. + +The only thing to be done was to choose the medium way, and the men +were set to work to dig two small, deep holes, each capable of holding +one of the powder kegs, and in each case the head was taken out before +it was laid upon its side. But previously a narrow trench of about a +foot in depth was dug, leading from the head of the cask right in +through the gates. This finished, stout matting was laid over the keg +and a loaded gun placed in the trench, already cocked, so that when +the trigger was pulled by means of a wire, the flash from the gun +would explode the powder. Then the wire was run through a number of +large bamboos such as were used--after boring through the +divisions--for water, and these were laid along the trench and through +the gateway. + +The result of this was that when the wire was pulled it would run +easily and not be checked by the earth with which the trench was again +to be filled, so that, the wire being attached to the trigger of the +gun, the mine could be sprung in safety by those within the gates. + +The preparations took some time, the arrangement of the bamboos +causing a good deal of trouble. But all this was satisfactorily +overcome at last, the trenches filled and trampled down so as not to +betray the danger; the kegs were covered in as well, the ground +levelled, and dust and stones thrown over. Nothing remained to be done +but to attach the wires to the triggers, lay boards over the guns from +beneath the matting which covered the powder to the bamboos, and then +fill in and level over the boards. + +"Who is going to do this, father?" said Harry, who had stood by +looking on all through. + +"Do what?" + +"Fasten the wires to the triggers." + +"I am, my boy," said Mr. Kenyon, through his teeth. + +"But suppose the guns went off?" + +"I am going to provide against that," said Mr. Kenyon firmly, and he +ordered the men who formed the screen and guard to advance fifty paces +towards the enemy and away from the mines. + +"But it will be very dangerous, father." + +"Very, Hal; and I want careful guard to be kept over the ends of the +wires within the gates, so that they shall not be touched. You and +Phra had better take that duty." + +"No, don't send me to do that, father," said Harry in rather a husky +tone of voice. "I want to stay and help you." + +"No one can help me, Hal; no one can do this but myself." + +"But, father," whispered the boy, in agonized tones, "suppose--" + +"I will suppose nothing, Hal," said Mr. Kenyon sternly. "It is very +dangerous work, and I dare trust no one but myself. Now obey me, and +remember that my life is in you boys' hands. No one must touch the end +of those wires. Phra, you hear?" + +"Yes, Mr. Kenyon, but I feel like Hal. We don't like to leave you." + +"I am going to help the Sahib," said Sree quietly from where he stood, +spade in hand. + +"No, Sree; the task is too dangerous. Go with my son." + +"The Sahib will want help to fill in the earth over the boards; there +is much to do, and his servant begs that he may share the danger with +the Sahib." + +"You know the risk." + +"Yes, Sahib," said the man calmly. + +"Then stay." + +"Hah!" ejaculated the old hunter, in a sigh of satisfaction, and he +smiled as Mr. Kenyon held out his hand and took his follower's in a +strong grip. + +Then turning to the men who had helped with the digging: + +"Follow my son and the Prince inside.--Now, Hal, you know your task." + +"Yes, father," said Harry, with his brow all in wrinkles and his teeth +set; and, leading the way, his first act was to order every one back +from the ends of the wires, which he made the men protect by building +a ring of big stones around them--stones which had been used to form +the breastwork from behind which the defenders had fired. + +As he looked up from this he saw that his father was waiting and +watching; and now seeing that all was ready, he waved his hand to the +boys and went down on one knee, Sree standing close by with one foot +resting upon his spade. + +"Why is he left alone, Phra?" asked a familiar voice, for the King had +come up to the breastwork to see how matters were progressing. + +Phra explained, but in the midst Harry interrupted: + +"It is horribly dangerous, sir, and my father told us to keep every +one back in case the powder exploded." + +"Then why do you stand there with my son in such peril, boy?" + +"Because I can't leave my father," said Harry, in a choking voice. + +"Then you, Phra?" said the King. + +"I cannot leave my friend," said Phra hoarsely. + +"I forgot," said the King quietly; "and you both have your duty to do +in guarding the ends of those wires. Hal, boy, your father is a brave +man, and he is doing this to save my kingdom to me and our lives for +us all. I too, Phra, my son, feel that I cannot leave my friend." + +As he finished speaking he turned and walked slowly towards where Mr. +Kenyon was still kneeling over his dangerous task; and as the King +reached the place it was just as the wire had been successfully looped +over the trigger and tied so that it could not slip, when Mr. Kenyon +covered his work with a board whose sides rested on two ledges left +for the purpose high above the gun. + +"Fill in, Sree," he said quietly.--"You here, sir? Go back! Go back! I +cannot answer for this. The slightest touch, and the powder will +explode." + +"You order me, Kenyon, your friend. I, the King, command you. Go on; +finish the other now." + +"But the danger, sir," said Mr. Kenyon, upon whose brow the moisture +stood in great drops. + +"I will share it with you," said the King calmly. "Go on." + +Mr. Kenyon seized another spade, and helped in the covering in and +levelling of the short piece of trench, while those who watched from +the gate were in expectation moment by moment of seeing the earth rent +asunder and the three standing before them torn to fragments by the +explosion. + +They were horrible moments, and the two boys could hardly breathe, +while their hearts kept up a painful throb, as if unable to fight +against the heavy pressure which kept them down. + +The time seemed, too, so very long, as Mr. Kenyon once more went down +upon his left knee and carefully passed the second wire loop over the +trigger of the other gun, tied it there with fingers that did not +tremble in the least, and then took the board, laid it carefully upon +the ledges, and rose to help Sree to throw in the earth and stones. + +The King had followed them there as well, and stood with his arms +folded across his chest, looking proud and defiant--more like a king, +Harry thought, than he had ever appeared when upon state occasions he +had mounted one of his elephants, a blaze of cloth of gold and jewels, +to take his seat in a howdah which was a resplendent throne. + +"At last!" said Harry, speaking unconsciously, for the heroic deed was +done; but there was no triumph in the boy's tones, his voice sounded +like a groan; and upon turning to glance at Phra he was startled for +the moment, his comrade's face and lips were so clayey looking and +strange. + +Sree had shouldered the tools, and at an order walked slowly back, the +King and Mr. Kenyon coming next, the former with his hand resting upon +his English friend's shoulder; and as they reached the gateway the +boys were startled by the rush of feet behind them. + +The sounds brought them back to the duty they were set, and darting +before the wires, they raised their guns to the "ready," and shouted, +"Back!" + +The sudden movement of the two lads had an instant effect upon the +body of armed men, who for days past had been as it were under +military rule. They stopped short, but only to raise gun, spear, or +cap high above their heads and burst forth into a stentorian cheer, +which was echoed by the little body of men fifty yards on the other +side of the deadly mines. + +As his brave defenders cheered again the King bowed, and with a quick +movement fell back behind Mr. Kenyon, seeming to thrust him forward to +receive the acclamations which rent the air again and again. + +Then as they passed in amongst the defenders, with Mr. Kenyon's face +showing in its marble sternness the tremendous emotion through which +he had passed, Harry reached out one hand and touched his arm, to have +it grasped and wrung before he went on with the King towards the +terrace entrance. + +"Oh, Hal," panted Phra half hysterically, "don't you feel proud?" + +"Proud?" cried Harry wildly. "Oh, I wish we were not obliged to stay +here. Ah!" he half yelled; "there he is! I must do something. Hi! +everybody," he yelped, "three cheers for old Sree." + +The cheers were given again and again, and when at a sign the guards +outside marched back in two parties, single file, one on each side of +the mines, the cheering burst forth again, and was kept up till the +last man was within, a final roar being given when the gates were shut +to and firmly secured. + +"Beaten, Phra?" cried Harry excitedly, but with something in his +throat; "who's going to be beaten? Here, I say, if we were free, do +you know what we'd do?" + +"I should like to go and shut myself in my room and cry," said Phra +simply. + +"Cry?" said Harry, turning angrily upon his comrade; "cry? What, like +a great, silly goose of a girl?" + +"Yes," said Phra gravely; "that's how I feel." + +"Cry?" said Harry again. "Bah! I feel as if I want to shout." + +"But your eyes look quite wet, and there's a cracked sound in your +voice." + +"It's with shouting so, and the sun being in one's face." + +"Yes," said Phra, with a wistful look and a smile. "I know, Hal. But +what should we do if we were free?" + +"Go and hoist the flags on the top of the palace." + +"Yes," cried Phra eagerly, "we will, and the British colours too." + +The boys were relieved in an hour's time, when Mr. Kenyon came out +with the King to superintend a piece of strong breastwork being built +up round the spot where the two wires lay; and when this was done, +fresh guards were set. Soon after, another cheer arose from the top of +the palace, to be taken up by those in the court below and wherever +the defenders were distributed, for the boys had kept their word and +hoisted the King's gay, silken standard and the Union Jack side by +side. + +"It seems as if we've frightened the enemy all away, Phra," said +Harry, as he shaded his eyes and gazed from his point of vantage in +every direction. + +"Yes," said Phra, who was following his example; "there isn't one to +be seen." + +"Hurrah!" shouted Harry. + +"But it's a bad sign," said Phra; "they mean to come on again quietly +to-night." + +"Then they'll never see where the ground has been dug," said Harry, +"and--oh, I say, Phra, I hope they will not come; it seems so horrid, +after all." + +"But if it's to save our fathers and our friends from a horrible +death, I'll pull one of the wires." + +"Yes," cried Harry, flushing, and with sparkling eyes, "and so will I. +But I hope they'll stay away." + +"Amen," said a voice behind them. + +Mr. Kenyon had come up with the King, each telescope in hand, and +unobserved. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +SAVING THE STORES + + +There was no sign to be made out of anything in the shape of immediate +danger from the top of the palace, and the party soon descended to +some of the more immediate trouble. + +For there were the wounded to visit and to try to cheer, encouraging +them with hopeful words about the future, Mr. Kenyon laying a good +deal of stress upon the possibilities of help coming ere long from +outside as the result of his message sent by Adong; and as Harry went +through the room turned into a hospital, he could not help noticing +the effect of his father's words, and the way in which the sufferers' +eyes brightened at the very mention of a British man-o'-war. + +Then there was another matter to set right. There was an ample supply +of provisions in the palace stores, so long as they were not forced by +the enemy to keep merely to the one wing; and even if they were, the +King had seen that there was a fortnight's provender for all; but +there was another little party shut up with them for whom provision +had been made, but whose proceedings were so wholesale that it was +evident something must be done. + +A little council of war was held, the King being careful not to wound +the susceptibilities of his English friends by taking any steps +without consulting them. + +And as the matter in question was discussed he said,-- + +"I took care to keep the elephants, thinking that possibly we might +have to escape to the jungle, when they would be invaluable for the +ladies; but on further consideration it seems that they are only a +useless encumbrance to us. They eat enormously, and to-morrow we +should have to let them commence upon the stores of grain which we may +require for ourselves." + +"And you propose now, sir, to set them at liberty to shift for +themselves?" said one of the gentlemen present. + +"Yes, they would get their own living in the jungle, and in happier +days to come, perhaps, they might be caught again." + +"It is a pity," said Mr. Kenyon. "Let me see; there are ten, and all +magnificent beasts." + +"Eleven," said Harry promptly. + +"Yes--eleven," said the King; "and they are the finest that the wild +droves supplied. I think we must let them go at once." + +"Yes," said Mr. Kenyon, "and perhaps it is only hastening the loss, +for if the enemy gain possession of the grounds and outer court, of +course we lose them then." + +"Yes, they had better go at once," said the King with a sigh, which +was echoed by his son, while Harry directed an angry look at his +father. + +"What does that mean, Hal?" said Mr. Kenyon. + +"I'd sooner go without half my food every day than the elephants +should be given up," cried the boy impetuously, "and so would Phra." + +"I believe you," said the King, smiling; "but even the whole of your +daily food would not go far with one of the beasts. They might be +turned into the grounds between the river and the outer wall, but it +would only be for them to destroy and starve. They must be set at +liberty at once while there is an opportunity. The great gate in the +outer wall near the river must be opened. Mr. Kenyon, send men in +advance to see if the enemy are away from that part too, and then, +with a strong party to guard against surprise, we can have them led +out, and the gates re-closed." + +Scouts were sent at once, and a strong guard numbered off, while, as +the mahouts had fled with the rest, the task of leading the elephants +from their great stables was deputed to Sree and his man, Lahn, and in +spite of their sorrow at the magnificent troop being sent off to +resume their wild state, the two boys eagerly seized upon the event as +a fresh diversion from the troubles by which they were surrounded. + +Harry was all excitement directly. + +"Never mind, old chap," he cried; "let the poor beggars go. It's bad +enough to feel hungry for any one my size. As for an elephant who eats +so much, it must be quite awful." + +"I don't like Sul to go," said Phra. + +"I don't either, but cheer up; we shall soon whop the enemy, and make +prisoners of Mr. Number Two and the leaders of the riot, and have a +good day settling up this little trouble; and then we'll get old Sree +and his two boys, and have days and days of elephant catching. Oh, the +row will soon be over now." + +Phra sighed, but he knew the necessities of the case, and joined in +the business heart and soul. + +Sree was as ready to perform this duty as to dig and charge mines, and +as soon as the guard was ready, and the scouts had returned to +announce that the coast was quite clear, a party went to the elephant +stables, where Sree and Lahn went busily to work cutting off the +shackles from the great beasts' hind legs, where they stood shaking +their heads, waving their trunks, and trumpeting in an uneasy way +which announced their desire for more food; while as soon as they were +all free, Sree and the boys went to Sul's head, the great beast was +ordered to kneel, a ladder brought, and the hunter climbed into the +mahout's place. Then at a word the great animal rose and started off, +with the others following in a docile fashion, which seemed to suggest +that they comprehended what was going on. + +Harry had provided himself for the occasion, and when the little +procession started, he and Phra placed themselves on either side of +the great leader's head feeding him with biscuits, his trunk being +turned alternately from one lad to the other in search of their +offerings as he shuffled away, blinking his eyes and uttering a low +"chuntering" sound, as if talking all the time. + +"He's asking if we're going out after tigers," said Harry, laughing. + +"Not he," said Phra; "he knows he's going off for a run in the forest, +and the others know it too." + +"Nonsense!" + +"I don't care: they do," said Phra. "If they didn't they'd be rushing +about here and there to begin breaking off and eating the green +boughs." + +The first gate was passed, leading from the court into the outer +grounds, and almost in silence the great beasts shuffled along in +single file, treading with absurd exactness in each other's steps, +while the guard on being overtaken, trotted on in advance till the +outer wall was reached, with a couple of men perched on the top of the +ponderous gates keeping a look-out. + +At a word from Sree the great elephant he rode stopped and knelt, +extending his trunk for a foothold, so that his temporary mahout could +climb down. + +Meanwhile four men of the guard had leaned their spears against the +wall, raised and swung round the massive bars, and then after a great +deal of tugging managed to drag open one of the double gates, beyond +which lay open paddy fields, and on the other side the wild jungle, +the river being away to their right. + +"Good-bye, Sul," cried Harry, and the elephant turned his trunk for +another biscuit. "There you are--the last, perhaps, that I shall ever +give you." + +The elephant turned his trunk under and tucked the biscuit into his +huge, wet mouth, then extended his flexible proboscis for more. + +But there were no more, and the silent, visible request to Phra made +in turn was just as unsuccessful. + +"There, Sree," cried Phra huskily, "tell them to go." + +Sree took a step forward and repeated a few words in his native +tongue, with the result that Sul threw up his trunk and made a +peculiar noise, which was responded to by one of the elephants behind, +and then he went off with a rush, squealing, trumpeting, and setting +up his comical little tail; and the troop followed suit, getting over +the ground at a tremendous pace and making straight for the jungle. + +"Well, it has made them happy," said Harry, looking after the troop +wistfully. + +"Yes, they're glad enough to get away from the poor wretches doomed to +be killed," said Phra bitterly. + +"Doomed to be smothered!" cried Harry sharply. "What nonsense! Look at +them. Just like a lot of children let out for a run." + +"We shall never see old Sul again," sighed Phra. + +"Not if we stand here like this," replied Harry. "Do you see why the +elephants rushed off so quickly just now?" + +"No. They are glad of their liberty, perhaps, and the chance of +getting plenty to eat." + +"No; they smelt danger." + +"Danger? Where?" + +"Out yonder to the left. I caught a glimpse of the tops of spears +twinkling in the sun." + +"Where? I can see nothing." + +"Because you are not looking the right way. Over there, where there +must be a deep ditch between two of the rice fields. Yes, there's a +long line of twinkling spear tops. They've seen the place opened and +the elephants let out, and they're trying to sneak up along that dyke +and rush in before we can shut the gate." + +"Yes, quick, quick!" cried Sree; and setting the example, which half a +dozen followed, amongst them the gate was being pushed to, Harry +getting a farewell glance at the troop of elephants as they +disappeared through the edge of the jungle. + +Those who closed the gate were none too soon, for, unseen, another +party had crept up close to the now unwatched wall, the scouts having +descended as soon as the guard arrived; and just as the distance +between the two great leaves of the gates was being reduced to a mere +slit, a spear was thrust through. + +Then _crack, crack_, the edge of the gate caught it and snapped the +bamboo shaft in two, the bright, sharp head falling inside. + +"More help!" shouted Sree, for there was a rush of men to force the +gate open again; but the defenders being reinforced, the leaves were +held together till one of the huge bars was thrust into its place, and +a savage yelling ensued, followed by a little shower of spears which +had been darted nearly straight upward and fell amongst the defenders. + +The weapons of these latter were too valuable to be used in this +manner; but while the final efforts were being made to secure the +ponderous means of exit, two of the men pulled the quivering shafts +out of the ground, and sent them flying back in the same way, +repeating the act till a sharp cry from outside told that one of the +attacking party had been hurt. + +"Better run back, sahibs," said Sree now, as the babble of voices +outside increased suddenly, telling that the party which had been +detected creeping along the dyke had now joined those who came by the +wall. + +"Yes, there's nothing to be gained by staying here," said Phra. "We +couldn't keep them back if they had ladders to climb over." + +Just then there was a shot from the direction of the palace, and the +puff of smoke showed where it had been fired. + +"Fighting begun?" cried Harry. + +"No," said Phra; "a signal for us to run back. Come on." + +Phra was right, for their proceedings had been watched from the top of +the palace by means of a glass, and hence as soon as the gate had been +seen to be secure the signal was fired to call them back. + +They were met by Mr. Kenyon, glass in hand, as they ran up. + +"I was watching you from the top there," he said. + +"Didn't you see the spears as the men came along the ditch?" asked +Phra. + +"No, or I should have sent help at once. Of course I could not detect +the men coming up under shelter of the wall. Well, we have done two +good things to-day: got rid of those devourers of our stores, and +found out that the enemy are hiding about the country beyond the +walls." + +"Think they are on this side too, father?" asked Harry. + +"I feel sure they are, my boy. They lie all along a loop whose two +ends rest on the river's bank, while their boats guard the terrace and +landing-place as well. This means fresh attacks as soon as they have +recovered from the check they have just received." + +"But why don't they attack us from some other side--come over the +walls?" said Harry. + +"It does not seem to be their way. Yonder is the main way into the +palace, and they commenced by attacking there; but perhaps they will +try fresh plans now. I am, with the King's permission, going to +strengthen one weak part, though, before night comes." + +"Which is that?" asked Phra. + +"The one where we managed to get in," replied Mr. Kenyon. "Here, Sree, +are you willing, if I have you well supported, to get up into that +tree and cut off all the boughs which project over the wall?" + +"Yes, Sahib," said the old hunter quietly. "I have thought that it +ought to be done." + +"Yes, and the sooner the better; it will set two men free from keeping +watch at the windows overlooking that part of the wall." + +"Shall I begin now, Sahib?" said Sree. + +"No; not till dark, and I have not yet made my plans." + +"Whenever the Sahib pleases," said Sree quietly, "his servant is +ready. But why not burn the big tree down?" + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +THE DOCTOR KEPT BUSY + + +Strict watch was kept on all sides, but no farther sign of the enemy +was seen, and towards evening, permission being given, preparations +were made for the destruction of the tree. + +Sree's idea had found favour, but the question was how the task was to +be done. Once the fire was started it was felt that there could be no +doubt about the tree's fate, it being of a resinous kind; but the task +was to get it well alight, for a furnace built against the trunk would +have had but little effect, and it was nearly decided that the best +way would, after all, be to cut off some of the nearest limbs. + +An idea, however, struck Harry, as he and Phra came upon a stack of +bamboo poles collected there to dry until required for various uses. + +Harry's idea was that if the poles were passed over the wall and piled +round the great trunk as close as possible, and with their thinner +portions running up into the tree among the branches, the shape of the +stack with the air passages between the tall poles would ensure a +sharp draught of air, and a fire if lit would soon become fierce. + +Mr. Kenyon snatched at the plan, and men were set to work carrying the +poles to the wall beneath the tree; then after a careful look round, +it was deemed safe for Sree to climb over in company with Lahn, after +which men were ready to hand over the poles so as to keep Sree and his +boy well employed, the one in the tree, the other at the foot, +arranging the poles. + +Just before sundown this was commenced, half a dozen well-armed men +being ready at the window to cover the workers, and bamboo ladders +having been placed for their convenience, while torches of resinous +wood were lit, waiting to be used. + +Then, for about an hour, the work went on till darkness set in, and +the tree had grown into a strange, unsightly object, while the torches +in the yard grew brighter and brighter, till they cast strange shadows +of the workers in all directions. + +Suddenly there was an alarm of the enemy's approach, and no more time +was bestowed upon the task. The word was given, and the torches passed +over the wall to Sree, who had descended from the tree, and now thrust +them in between the bamboos into a kind of chimney which the pile had +formed. + +"Make haste, Sree," cried Harry, who was seated beside Phra on the top +of the wall. + +"Yes, Sahib," said the man quietly. + +"But the wood does not burn." + +"No, Sahib; the big bamboos are slow to catch fire, but when they do +they will burn fast." + +"Here, Phra, I'm getting fidgety," whispered Harry. "The rebels must +have seen those torches flashing about, and perhaps they're crawling +up in the darkness." + +"Yes, I'm afraid they will be," replied Phra. "How long he is!" + +"Yes, and it makes my wound throb." + +"Your wound?" + +"Yes, I don't know why, but it does. I say, you up at the windows, be +on the look out, please, and ready to fire." + +"All ready," said a voice; "but you'd better make haste with the work, +in case the enemy should be coming up." + +"Yes, yes. Hi! Sree, can't you get that wood to burn?" + +"Not yet, Sahib; but it soon will." + +"Where's Lahn?" cried Harry. + +"I'm here, Sahib." + +"Sree does not want you now; come up the ladder, and get inside." + +The man obeyed, scrambling quickly up the rough bamboo steps and +passing over the wall, when Phra stopped him. + +"Wo!" he said. "Stop there, and hold the top of the ladder fast." + +"Pass up two loaded guns," said Harry, looking down inside. + +This was done, and Phra and Harry each took and cocked his piece as +they sat astride of the wall, facing each other, but with Lahn between +them holding the top of the ladder, his keen eyes peering first in one +direction, then in the other, where the view was not obstructed by the +tree. + +"Oh, I say, I say!" cried Harry, as the darkness increased, and +nothing but a feeble glow appeared through the pile of great grasses. +"You have not gone to sleep, have you, Sree?" + +"No, Sahib," came from below, with a soft chuckle. "I ought to have +had some small, dry wood to burn first. It is very slow." + +"Slow? Oh, it's horrible!" + +"The Sahib hurries." + +"Hurries? Yes. Do you suppose I want to sit here till the enemy comes, +so as to see you speared?" + +"It is too dark, Sahib," said the man softly; "they could not see me." + +"Nonsense! I can see you from up here--your hands and face: the fire +shines upon them." + +"Yes, Sahib; it is beginning now." + +At that moment Lahn laid his hand upon Harry's breast, while he +pointed away to the left with the other, and uttered a low, snake-like +hiss. + +"Men coming?" asked Sree. "Well, I must get the fire to burn now." + +"Can you see them?" whispered Harry, as he strained his eyesight in +the pointed-out direction without result, and then looked down at a +little writhing tongue of flame beginning to run up inside the sloping +pile of bamboo. + +"Yes, many men," whispered Lahn, and he hissed sharply twice. + +"Look out up there," said Harry loudly. "The enemy. Now, Sree, up at +once." + +But at that moment the rough ladder held by Lahn was snatched away, +and seemed to fall over against the bamboo pile from the noise that +was made, while at the same moment there was a faint, rustling sound, +sharp clicks against the side of the palace, and the rattling down of +at least a dozen spears, which had been hurled up at the speaker, and +passed over the wall. + +"Down with you from off there," shouted Mr. Kenyon at the window. "We +can't fire with you there." + +Accustomed to obey, the boys threw their legs over the inner side, +felt for the ladders, and then crouched down, Lahn following their +example. + +"No, no," he cried, "don't fire; Sree is on the other side." + +"Oh!" cried Mr. Kenyon. There was a momentary silence, and more spears +flew over, evidently directed at the window, a sharp exclamation +telling that one had taken effect, the others clattering down again +into the narrow court between the walls. + +"Can't he reach the ladder?" cried Mr. Kenyon. + +"It is gone," replied Harry; but before he spoke he had laid his gun +on the top of the wall, set free the ladder upon which he stood, and +was helping Lahn to raise it up so as to pass it over and lower it on +the other side, meaning to call to Sree to take advantage of this to +escape. + +But before it was half up they paused, and lowered it quickly down +again, for suddenly the result of Sree's long and careful preparation +manifested itself. There was a bright flash of flame seen running up +the bamboo pile, and by the light it shed the space beyond the wall +displayed scores of bright spear points, and double that number of +flashing eyes. + +It was almost instantaneous, for the light died out again, hidden by a +dense cloud of smoke; but it had been long enough to show no sign of +Sree, and that to lower a ladder down meant to make a way for scores +of the enemy to come running up and over the wall. + +"The other ladder--where is it?" whispered Harry wildly to Lahn. + +"On the fire," said the man. + +"But Sree--did you see poor Sree?" + +"No," said the man, with all the stolid manner of an Eastern. "Said +_ciss_, but he did not come." + +There was another flash, and a fresh shower of spears, followed by a +dull red glow through the smoke. Then flash after flash in quick +succession, accompanied by what might have been taken at a distance +for a confused volley of pistol shots; for now, with a roar, the fire +blazed up, rushing rapidly through the bamboos and into the body of +the tree, whose green leaves hissed and crackled, and began to blaze +brightly, lighting up the gardens beyond the wall, and compelling the +defenders at the window to crouch behind their breastwork, beginning +to fire sharply now, and driving back the crowding enemy, some of the +boldest of whom had run forward to begin pulling down the bamboos +where they had not yet caught. + +In another minute all such attempts would have been in vain, for the +fire rapidly swept round in a spiral, the poles cracking with loud +reports. Showers of sparks flew up on what appeared to be a whirl of +ruddy smoke, while, as the flames roared up as from a furnace, the +boughs began to yield to its fiery tongues, which licked up all the +moisture, and in an incredibly short space of time the whole tree was +one hissing, seething pile of fiercely writhing flames. The heat soon +forced the boys to slide down the ladders, and the defenders to shrink +from the window, whose breastwork and outer shutters began to blister +and crack in so alarming a way that the occupants of the room fetched +water to be ready to extinguish the first part that caught. + +The light was reflected down upon the boys as they laid the ladders +close up against the wall, and then turned to look anxiously at the +pyramid of flame in such close proximity to the palace, wondering +whether Sree's work had not been too well done. + +But far away and above all other thoughts, was that which struck home +in their breasts--had poor Sree fallen a victim to his fidelity and +his determination to get the fire well alight before he sought his own +safety? + +The boys hurriedly discussed this in whispers, and then they turned to +question Lahn as to the plucking away of the ladder. + +"Could you see anything?" Harry asked. + +"Yes, two enemies got to the ladder," said the man in Siamese. "Sree +pulled it over into the fire." + +"And what then?--where was Sree?" + +The man shook his head. + +"Don't know," he said. "A big smoke came, and all turned dark." + +"Do you think Sree was killed?" + +"No. Sree too clever. Kill the men." + +They asked no more, for, surrounded as he would be by foes, they could +see no chance of the poor fellow escaping; so with their hearts +sinking in despair, they remained gazing up at the floating flakes of +fire and the spangled wreaths of smoke which whirled up over the +palace, while the heat was reflected back upon them with such power +that in spite of the rush of comparatively cool air caused by the +rising fire and steam, they had to retreat and pass along to the +corner where, some twenty yards away, they could stand and watch the +burning tree. + +They could hear nothing of the enemy, and were ready to go round to +the terrace entrance; but something seemed to hold them there--a +strange, undefined something in the form of hope that Sree might +somehow have escaped, and that they might at any moment see his head +rise up in the light where the dark top of the wall ran in a hard +line. + +Then, too, there was the excitement about the palace, as the fire +waved to and fro and roared louder than ever, while the bigger boughs, +as they grew super-heated, burst with loud reports to let out the +compressed steam. + +A dozen times over it seemed certain that the palace must go, for the +wooden jalousies and exposed elaborate carvings, kept catching; but a +few buckets of water, carefully distributed, extinguished the flames, +and it became plain that the enemy had retired to a safe distance, +hiding among the trees, for no more spears were thrown and no shots +were fired. + +At last it was evident that the fire had passed its culminating point, +and the spectators gazed at a glowing skeleton whose framework kept on +falling into the main body of the fire below. At first they were small +branches which hardly reached the bottom, but were borne up again to +pass away in fresh clouds of what looked like golden snow. Then +heavier boughs were burned through and dropped, carrying down with +them those below, and so on and on till the trunk, alone stood, with +the stumps of branches rising high above the wall, one glowing tower +of dazzling light doomed to burn on and on probably for hours, and +then, fanned by the wind, slowly smoulder away into so much golden +ash. + +But before this could be achieved, and when it was certain that no +danger could accrue to that part of the palace, Phra laid his hand +upon his companion's shoulder. + +"Come," he said abruptly, and he made a sign to Lahn for him to +follow. + +Five minutes later they were at the back of the line of defence, in +front of the great, open-work bronze gates; but all was quiet there; +no sign of the enemy had been seen, and with the palace between them +and the burning tree the boys looked up at it as it stood out against +the glow shed by the fire, which lit up the two flags floating side by +side, blown out by the soft breeze caused by the rush of hot air +rising from the fire. + +"Let's go in and tell them, Hal," said Phra. "They will be waiting to +know." + +Harry nodded shortly, but said no word, walking slowly into the great +hall, where two of the first persons they encountered were Mr. Kenyon +and the King. + +Under the pressure of questions the boys related in simple words all +that had occurred, the King listening till they had done, and then +standing with wrinkled brow and compressed lip. + +Mr. Kenyon was the first to utter what sounded like a confirmation of +his thoughts in Harry's ear. + +"Poor Sree!" he said sadly; "as brave a man as ever stepped. I looked +upon him as a friend." + +"Everything a man should be," said the King, endorsing this utterance +of the poor fellow's fate: "simple, modest, devoted and true. Kenyon, +my friend, we have lost one of our best supporters. He died trying to +shield us from the perils which hem us in." + +"Yes," said Mr. Kenyon, sharply now, as if making an effort to thrust +the inevitable behind him. "You are neither of you hurt, boys?" + +"My arm aches a great deal," said Harry, speaking in a dull, apathetic +way. + +"Ah! Your wound. Let Dr. Cameron see it at once." + +"Oh, not to-night, father." + +"To-night, Hal--directly. You have been using it a great deal, and the +bandages need loosening because the cut is swollen and inflamed." + +"And you, Phra?" said the King quietly. + +"A mere nothing, father." + +"What, wounded?" cried the King, with a quick change from his calm, +grave manner to eager excitement, as he caught his son's arm. + +"Not a wound, father. A spear whistled by my ear when we were on the +top of the wall. I had forgotten it. My ear is a little cut, but it +soon stopped bleeding." + +Hie King uttered a sigh of relief as he thought of what a few inches' +difference in the direction would have meant. + +"Go in with Hal, and ask Doctor Cameron to look to it." + +"Oh, but father, it is--" + +"My wish, sir," said the King firmly. "You had both better rest then, +for you have done your share of the work." + +Phra looked a protest, and the King went on: + +"Unless the enemy attack us in force to-night; then of course you will +both come and help. Now, Kenyon, let us go our rounds. This quietness +is more startling than an attack. I fear they are planning something +fresh." + +"Very likely, sir," said Mr. Kenyon cheerfully; "but we must scheme in +return." + +They went on down to the barricade by the gate, and the boys sighed +wearily as they walked towards Doctor Cameron's hospital room; for the +spirit seemed to have sunk down in them just as the fire had fallen +after it had reached its height. + +"What a capital English gentleman your father would make if he dressed +like us," said Harry, for the sake of saying something. + +"Yes, and what a good Siamese noble your father would make if he +dressed like some of ours," said Phra, with a faint smile. + +"All right," said Harry; "that's one each. But I say, it seems very +stupid to go to the doctor for such hurts as these." + +"Yes, we must say the King sent us, or he will laugh." + +But Doctor Cameron did not laugh: he frowned as he examined Phra's +left ear. + +"A narrow escape, my dear boy; but as we people say, a miss is as good +as a mile. Only this is not a miss: the spear blade has cut the lobe +of your ear in two. I must put in a stitch or two and draw it together +before strapping it up. I'll bathe it directly. All, here's my wife. +Bathe this injury, my dear." + +Phra shrank, but resigned himself directly to Mrs. Cameron's hands, +while her husband turned to Harry. + +"Oh, it's nothing," said the boy. "We shouldn't have come, only father +and the King ordered us to show you our awful injuries." + +"This is worse than you think, my dear Hal," said the doctor sternly. +"Your arm is much swollen and inflamed. It would have been seriously +bad if you had waited till to-morrow." + +"Oh," cried Harry passionately; "what do I care? It's horrible; it's +too hard to bear!" + +"What, this?" said the doctor sharply. + +"This?" cried Harry. "Pish! _No!_--NO! But you don't know. Poor old +Sree--poor old Sree, Mrs. Cameron: he's dead--he's dead!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + +LIKE A BAD SHILLING + + +When they quitted the hospital room, Harry and Phra threw themselves +down on one of the long bamboo seats in the hall where they had left +their guns, and sat talking dejectedly in a low tone, leaving oft from +time to time for a walk out into the still night air to listen whether +there were any tokens of an approaching attack; but the place was +perfectly still; the glow from the burning tree had nearly died out, +and everything was calm and peaceful. + +After a time the King and Mr. Kenyon returned from their rounds and +stopped to speak to the boys for a few minutes, telling them that they +had better get a good sleep while they could, and that they had been +examining the windows at the other side of the palace, where they had +been a good deal burned. + +"I'm afraid, sir, that was a mistake," said Mr. Kenyon. "It may have +suggested to the enemy a means of attacking and destroying us without +risk to themselves." + +"By firing the palace," said the King gravely. "Yes. I thought of +that. It is possible, and we must be prepared. Fire is easily mastered +when it is small--a jar of water is sufficient; when it grows large, +it takes a river." + +They passed on, talking together, and the boys began and continued +recalling the many expeditions they had made with Sree. What a brave +man he was! how full of knowledge of animal life in the jungle, and +how devoted to them in his simple, unostentatious manner! + +"Yes, poor old Sree!" sighed Harry; "and now he's gone, and Adong +too." + +"Think so?" said Phra, looking up sharply. + +"Oh, yes, or he would have been back with help," replied Harry. "Phra, +old chap, I never felt so unhappy before in my life. It seems as if it +was all over now." + +"But it isn't," said Phra. "There is so much for us to do." + +"To help our fathers?" + +"Yes." + +Harry sat back in his seat and began to think seriously, for his +comrade's words had impressed him deeply, and as he sat there in the +darkness of the night it dawned upon him more and more that in life +one has to give up self for the sake of others, and that even at the +very worst, when there is a disposition to think that one's own +sorrows are everything, others have troubles and sorrows too that it +is our duty to help and combat. + +They were vague, disconnected thoughts, which he could not quite put +together, but they served to make him feel less miserable, even +contented; and then he began to think of the King's words in +connection with his father's, and the possibility of the palace being +fired by the enemy. + +What had the King said?--that at the beginning a fire could be +extinguished with a jar of water? + +Consequently Harry sat back making up his mind that as soon as it was +light he and Phra would get the boatmen together and plant big jars +and bamboo buckets of water in the parts of the palace nearest to the +wall--in fact, wherever it seemed possible that firebrands would be +thrown in. + +The natural consequence was that, being fagged out and sitting in an +uncomfortable position upon a hard-backed seat, he dropped off to +sleep and began dreaming of fire and putting it out with wooden +buckets of water which always seemed to be empty when he was about to +pour them on the flames. + +And so the night wore on, without any alarm of attack, and Harry +dreaming wearily, starting into wakefulness, and dropping off again to +dream of those bottomless buckets which were always empty when they +ought to have been full. + +That constantly repeated dream irritated him, for even while he +dreamed he was conscious that it was all imaginative, and that before +long he would wake up and find he was dreaming, as he did over and +over again, stiff, weary, and ready to make up his mind that he would +sleep no more. But the next minute he was off again fast, and the last +time in so deep a slumber that the sun was shining brightly when at +last he opened his eyes upon Phra seated fast asleep at the other +corner of the settee; and then turning his eyes a little to the right +as he prepared his lower jaw for a good long yawn, he sat as if turned +to stone, his mouth partly open, his eyes staring, and a horrible +feeling as of cold water running down his back. + +For there, so near that he had only to sit up and stretch out his hand +to touch him, Sree was squatted upon his heels in the middle of a mat, +calmly chewing his roll of betel-nut, lime and pepper leaf, his +homely, dark face expanding into a broad smile as he saw that he was +noticed. + +"Sree! Alive!" cried Harry, springing from his seat, his cry rousing +Phra, to sit up staring. + +"Yes, Sahib Harry," said the old hunter quietly. "I ran round to the +back of the fire when I had pulled the ladder over and laid it with +the bamboos, and then crept in among the bushes, to lie there, for I +was nearly dead with the smoke. Then I crawled right away." + +"But weren't you hurt?" + +"My face scorched, and my hair burned a little, Sahib; that is all." + +"Oh, I am so glad, Sree," cried Harry. "You don't--don't--know what we +felt last night." + +There was a slight impediment in Harry's speech as he caught the old +hunter's right hand in both his own, an act imitated by Phra on the +instant with the left, while the old man stood now looking proud and +happy as he glanced from one to the other. + +"Yes, we thought you were dead," said Phra. + +"Here, let me go and tell father and the doctor," said Harry. + +"No, no, Sahib," said Sree. "I saw Sahib Kenyon an hour ago, and he +sent me to you. I have been sitting here till you woke up. He said you +would be pleased." + +"Pleased!" cried Harry. "There's a stupid word! That doesn't half mean +what I feel. But I say, Sree, have you had any breakfast." + +"Oh, yes, Sahib; the master gave me plenty." + +"Tell us more, then. How did you manage to get here?" + +"Oh, I crawled along like a snake, Sahib," said Sree, smiling. "There +are many of the enemy about, but I managed to get by without being +seen while it was dark; and when the sun rose, I got up and walked +along boldly with a spear over my shoulder, just as if I was one of +the enemy, till I was opposite to the great gates where the powder is +buried. Then I came straight up to the gate, and the sahibs were going +to shoot me, for my face was so blackened by the fire and smoke that +they did not know me till I spoke. Then I gave them my spear, and +climbed over. What does Sahib Harry want me to do next?" + +"Fill water pots and bamboo buckets with water, to put in the rooms at +the other side." + +"Ah, yes; that is wise," said Sree. "I thought of that last night, +when I saw the windows begin to burn. A little fire can be mastered +with a jar of water." + +"Hullo!" cried Harry. "Did you hear the King say that?" + +"Oh, no, Sahib; we all say so, because we know how easily our boats +catch alight; and if the fire is not put out, it may mean hundreds all +along the river." + +"Then we'll do that at once," said Phra; "only you must get Lahn and +the boatmen to help." + +"But that's my idea, Phra," cried Harry; "I say, Sree, have you seen +Lahn?" + +"Oh, yes, Sahib; he came running up, and then threw himself down to +kiss and cry over my feet." + +"What did he do that for?" said Harry. + +"Because he was so glad, for he thinks of me as his father." + +"Now, Hal!" cried Phra; "come on; let's get the water pots put all +about at once." + +"Shan't," said Hal, laughing. "I'm not going to begin till I've had my +breakfast. I'm so hungry I could eat old Sree." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI + +COMING HOME TO ROOST + + +That day passed away quietly enough, the enemy making no sign; but +scouts reported that they were in hiding in all directions. + +"They mean to starve us out, boys," said Mr. Kenyon. + +"Oh," said Harry, "then they'll have to take care that they don't get +starved first, for now the elephants are gone I suppose we could live +for a month on the grain." + +It was as if the very mention of the word elephants had been the +introduction to what was to come, for just then the peculiar noise +known as trumpeting--which is really an agreeable blend in the way of +noises, of pig in a gate, the final _haw_, prolonged and intense, of a +donkey's bray, and the hoarse crow of a Cochin China cock--came +faintly in through the open windows of the hall. + +Harry ran and looked out to where Sree and Lahn sat waiting and +listening. + +"What was that, Sree?" he cried, as Phra followed him and looked out +too. + +"It was an elephant, Sahib," said the hunter. + +"Yes, it was old Sul," cried Phra excitedly. + +"I know," cried Harry, laughing. "They've been and had a tremendous +good feed out in the jungle, and now they've all come back." + +Harry was quite right, as examination proved, for the elephants had +been thoroughly well trained, and treated in a way which made them +prefer their civilized home to the jungle. So after a few words with +Mr. Kenyon the King gave orders that a strong party should go across +to the gate and guard it while the animals were admitted. + +The two boys hastened to join the party, taking Sree with them, when, +having learned wisdom from the last time the gates were opened, +ladders were placed against the wall, and a good look-out kept, so +that no advance could be made along the side ditch or by the wall +unnoticed. + +All being declared clear, and the guard stationed ready on either +side, the gate was unfastened, the elephants standing patiently +waiting, the trumpeting having ceased as soon as the first man's head +appeared above the wall, while directly the gate was being dragged +open, Sul thrust his head against it and pushed, making the task +particularly easy. But as soon as there was ample room he uttered a +peculiar squeak, and shuffled off across the park-like grounds, +followed by the troop of ten, all evidently eager to get back to their +old quarters, to which they made their way. + +"They'll want to go off again," said Harry, laughing. "Aren't you glad +to see them back, Phra?" + +"Glad? Of course; it seemed horrible to lose them all. I never +expected to see either of them again." + +"What are you shaking your head at, Sree?" cried Harry, as they waited +till the gates were once more secure. + +"I was listening to what the Sahib said," replied the old hunter. "I +am not surprised to see the elephants come back. Once they get used to +man, and find he is a friend who feeds them, and treats them well, +they do not want to leave him. Some of the mahouts are cruel, and make +their heads sore with the goads, but I think kindness is best. I have +made friends with the great beasts, often with big ones that the +mahouts said were savage-tempered and dangerous. I never found them +so." + +"Not when they were mad?" said Phra. + +"Oh, yes, then," replied the man. "They are dangerous at times, and it +does not do to trust them much. Better let them loose in the jungle." + +"We might as well have made old Sul stop and carry us back," said +Harry. "I say; there were no fighting men anywhere outside; do you +think they will come to-night?" + +"Who knows, Sahib? Perhaps not to-night, but they will come and try to +take the place, or they would not be waiting as I saw them this +morning. They have some plan in their minds, but we are ready, and +must meet them when they come." + +But there was no sign of the enemy that night, nor the next, and such +a state of calm that it was hard to imagine that the palace was still +beleaguered. There was no doubt of this, though, for it was only +necessary to send out a scout in any direction for him to find bodies +of the enemy watching the palace, and ready to check any attempt at +escape, if such had been the intention of the besieged. + +This state of quietude enabled Mr. Kenyon and his English friends to +finish several little arrangements for the defence, and the risk of +fire was reduced by the amount of water provided for checking the +first attempt to destroy the place, if such should prove to be the +enemy's design. The earthwork at the great gates, too, was +strengthened; for though there was the possibility of the attack being +made in another portion of the defences, it seemed probable that it +would be made as before. + +"They're like elephants, Hal," Phra said contemptuously; "they keep to +the old track." + +The halt on the part of the enemy gave the doctor's patients a better +chance of amendment, and the spirit that was within made several ready +to return to the duties of the defence, each declaring that he would +get better more quickly busy with his friends than lying as an invalid +in bed, in spite of the gentle ministrations of the ladies, who did +everything possible to help the doctor with his charge. + +Generally speaking, everything now had settled down in the palace to a +complete state of routine. Watches were regularly set, including one +on the roof, by the flagstaff, whence portions of the river could be +seen; and longing looks were constantly cast, in the vain hope of +seeing help in the shape of the well-manned boats of some British +man-o'-war. + +Plans too were made as to the provisioning of the little garrison, and +arranging that the stores should last as long as possible. This duty, +with the care for the health of the place, devolved upon the doctor +who proved to be most stern in his insistence upon every one obeying +his rules. + +Harry and Phra took their turns in going on duty, and it fell to their +lot to superintend the guard when the elephants were let out and +returned from the jungle, the sagacious beasts marching off regularly +every morning, and forming a regular path across the grounds to the +distant gates, while, strange to state, a whole week elapsed without +the enemy again interfering and attempting to gain an entrance at such +times. + +"There is a meaning in it all, father says. They have lost so many men +that they have determined to starve us out," Phra said one morning to +his companion. + +"Yes; so my father thinks," replied Harry; "or else it is that they +are waiting for reinforcements." + +"I don't think they would have to wait," replied Phra. "No; depend +upon it, they think we shall give up soon, and lay down our arms." + +"So that they may march in and jump upon us, and then cut off our +heads?" + +Phra's face looked quite old with wrinkles as he gave his companion a +sombre look, and then nodded. + +"Perhaps they would be content, and let you English people off, if you +gave up my father and his faithful friends." + +"And you with them?" said Harry gravely. + +"Of course." + +"Can't spare you, old chap. Bah! What are you talking about? If they +think anything of that sort, they are more stupid than I thought for. +Give up? They don't know what English people are yet. Why, Phra, we +shall go on fighting till all the provisions are done, and then we +shall make a fresh start." + +"How?" + +"By killing one of the elephants and eating him. Let's see; eleven of +them. How long would they last?" + +"Nonsense!" + +"'Tisn't. Old Mike would cook them so as to make something good, and +so that they wouldn't be tough." + +"Don't make fun out of our troubles," said Phra bitterly. + +"Why not? they're bad enough, so one needn't try to make them worse." + +"What I dread is--" began Phra, but Harry interrupted him. + +"I know; that the enemy won't come and be well thrashed." + +"No; that the water supply will be stopped. Father wondered that they +had not dug up the bamboo pipes and cut that off." + +"Pooh! Let them. Father and Doctor Cameron talked that over the other +night, and they said that near as we are to the river they would find +water before we had dug down ten feet, and there would be abundance. +Look here, Phra; I've thought over it all, and now the place is so +strong we can laugh at the enemy and starve them out. Give up? Why, if +it came to the worst, we should shut ourselves up in that wing, and +blow away the big passage which joins it to the rest of the palace. +Then we should defend it step by step till we were on the roof, and +fight there till the last of us was killed. English people would +rather die fighting than give up to be murdered by a set of savages +like the enemy." + +Phra was silent. + +"Well, wouldn't you?" said Harry. + +"Yes," said Phra gravely. "I suppose I should be horribly frightened, +but I should know that it was my duty to fight for my father to the +last, and I should fight." + +"Of course you would, and so should I," cried Harry, flushing. "As to +being frightened, well, I don't think we should be a bit. We should +feel that shrinky-shanky sensation which makes you shiver and feel hot +and cold and wish you were somewhere else, and want to run away, only +you wouldn't for the world. I believe everyone feels that at such +times--say if any one's drowning, and you don't want to jump in after +him, or when there's a tiger or a big snake; but I don't think that's +being frightened; that's only natural, because one would jump into the +water to save any fellow drowning, or go and do anything. It's only a +sort of hanging back before one begins. It can't be regular fright, +old chap, because, if it was, we should run, and that we couldn't do. +Now, that's real fright: we should be afraid to do that." + +"You're a queer fellow, Hal," said Phra, smiling. + +"Am I? Well, so are other English boys, for I suppose I'm like most of +them. I don't want to fight. I hate it. It's horrible, but I think I +shall not be afraid to fight; but I'm sure I should be afraid to run +away." + +"I hope I should," said Phra thoughtfully, "and I don't want the +fighting to begin again; but this miserable waiting day after day for +aid to come is terrible. I say, do you think Adong will bring help?" + +"Not now, I don't. I'm afraid the poor chap has been killed, or he +would have come back. He'd have made his way to us, the same as Sree +did. I say, I begin to feel as you do--wish it would all come to an +end." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII + +IN THE NICK OF TIME + + +Sunset had come. The elephants had returned to the gate, and, being +admitted without the sign of an enemy, had tramped quietly to their +stables after their hearty banquet upon the succulent, jungle leaves. + +Then the darkness fell, the evening meal was eaten, the guard set, and +after a chat with Sree, the boys went to their beds, to lie down +dressed--ready for anything, and dropped off soundly to sleep. + +In what seemed like ten minutes Harry was awake again, to be conscious +of a busy stir in the palace and Sree leaning over him with a hand +upon his shoulder. + +"What's the matter?" cried the boy; "are they attacking?" + +"Yes, Sahib; there is going to be a big fight, and they are coming on +with lights." + +"Ah!" cried Harry, "at last! Here, Phra!" + +"I'm ready," was the reply, and a minute later, gun in hand, the boys +were out on the terrace, learning that the enemy was coming on in two +bodies, their presence having been detected by Sree and Lahn, who were +on guard, and whose keen ears had caught the low, rustling sound of +their approach. + +There was no excitement among the defenders, for in obedience to +several orders made for acting upon in case of such an emergency, +every one had gone quietly to his place, the ammunition chests were +thrown open, and arrangements made for keeping all well supplied, +while the ladies had hurriedly dressed and gone to their post in the +hospital room to wait till the doctor, who was with those who were in +consultation on the terrace, should need their services. + +"Where are the boys?" said Mr. Kenyon suddenly. + +The answer came from close behind him. + +"Here, quick!" he said; "take the night glass and go up on the roof. +You may be able to make out something of the movements of the enemy. +Be back here in ten minutes." + +Harry and Phra ran off, the glass was obtained, and they made their +way to the flagstaffs. + +It was wonderfully still, not a breath of air perceptible, and the +darkness was intense low down, though above the sky was one glorious +encrustation of stars. + +For a few moments nothing could be seen, and they stood listening to a +peculiar, murmurous sound from away over the great gates, evidently +caused by the movement of a large body of men. + +The telescope was brought to bear in that direction, but still nothing +could be seen, and Harry, who held it, swept it round to the back, +where all seemed black too; but suddenly a bright spark darted into +the field of vision, then another, and another, and the boy handed the +glass to his companion. + +"Look right over the corner yonder," he whispered. + +Phra adjusted the glass, but before he had time to make out that which +had met Harry's eye the latter uttered a sharp ejaculation. + +"What is it?" cried Phra. + +"The river is alive with boats. They're just coming round the bend +where the trees are. They all have lanthorns, and it would be a +beautiful sight if they weren't coming to destroy this place." + +"Yes, beautiful," said Phra. "We've seen enough. There's a party +coming on with torches behind; the enemy are in the front, and they +are coming up to land on the water terrace to attack us at the side." + +"Come on down," said Harry, drawing a deep breath. "It's going to be a +big fight to-night, and we shall have to retreat in here." + +Their information was carried to Mr. Kenyon, with whom was the King, +and, as Harry had said, instructions were given for the defence by the +gate to be held as long as possible before a retreat was made to the +palace wing; a party was sent round to strengthen the guard in the +rooms, the instructions being to think of nothing but extinguishing +the fire if it should catch hold, for it was not judged likely that +any attempts to scale the wall would be made there. And then as strong +a party as could be spared was sent in the direction of the great, +stone landing-place in case of an attack being made there, with orders +to quickly retire if they were much pressed, so that the strength +might be concentrated at and about the palace. + +The darkness did not seem to interfere with the movements in the +least, for every man was familiar now with the dark paths beyond the +court, and knew what he had to do, moving with the stern determination +to perform that duty even at the cost of his life. + +The silence now grew more and more painful, and the defenders, who +knew but little of what was going on at the back of the palace, their +attention being concentrated upon the front or water side, were +longing for the suspense of waiting to be brought to an end, so that +they might find relief in action, when suddenly there arose a burst of +shouting, and a faint glow rose over the roof of the principal +building. + +The great danger foreseen had come, for a body of the enemy bearing +burning brands had advanced boldly up to a short distance from the +wall, close to the ashes of the burned tree, and begun hurling the +blazing wood against the windows within reach. + +It was so quickly done that it seemed as if a splash of light suddenly +darted out of the darkness beneath the wall, quivered for a moment in +the air, and then described a curve, passing over the wall, striking +against the barricaded window, rebounding, and falling down into the +narrow court below. + +This continued rapidly; and though a glimpse was now and then caught +of a dark face with flashing eyes, as the burning brand was thrown, it +was so momentary that it was considered waste of ammunition to fire. + +Harry and Phra had hurried there directly they had given warning, and +one of the first orders given was for two of the faithful Siamese to +go down into the court and provide themselves with a bamboo bucket of +water. Then as fast as the brands flew over the wall, struck the +palace, and dropped down, they were seized, and their burning ends +quenched. + +They came fast, striking above, below, and on either side. Some came +with a loud rap against the boards nailed up for a breastwork, but few +came right in at the open window. Still now and then one better aimed +than usual rushed in like a rocket, and the value of the preparation +made was evident. + +If there had been no defenders there, without doubt that portion of +the palace would soon have been in a blaze, for the torches thrown had +been prepared with some violently inflammable resin, and filled the +place with a pungent smoke as they fell. + +But their time for burning was short. Quickly as they came, there was +always some one ready to dart upon them, plunge them into a jar of +water, and drop them down into the court. + +Still, in spite of the ill success of the movement, the brands were +thrown in by the men, who darted from the shelter of the wall and back +as soon as they had thrown the missile, while the bright glow which +rose showed that a party must be busy there getting the torches well +alight while others were being thrown. + +This had been going on for quite a quarter of an hour, the enemy +working away with impunity, not one being hurt; and it seemed as if +they meant to keep on till the room began to blaze. + +"This won't do, Phra," said Harry at last; "it's sickening, we ought +to fire at the next who runs out." + +"It would be impossible to hit," said Phra bitterly. + +"I know," cried Harry. "Back directly." + +He ran round to the far wing, to find his father, the King, and +several more anxiously waiting for the attack to commence upon the +gate; for it was evident that a mass of the enemy were waiting, +probably for the place to be on fire, before they began their advance, +feeling that the blaze would confuse and dishearten the defenders, and +make the task comparatively easy. + +Harry was supplied with that for which he had come, and hurried back +to the room, into which two brands came hissing, entering by the +window as he ran in by the door. + +"No, no, Sree," he cried; "don't touch that one," and the hunter rose +again while the boy stooped, those who looked on catching a glimpse of +a canister as the boy held a fuse to the flame, waited till it began +to fizz and spit tiny sparks, and then rushed with it to the window, +leaned out, making himself a mark for the next thrower whose torch +whizzed by his ear, and then, well calculating his distance, the boy +pitched the canister so that it, too, made a curve in the air, +emitting scintillations as it flew, and dropped down on the far side +of the wall just where the glow arose and formed a halo of light. + +"There," he cried, "if you're so fond of fireworks, how do you like +that?" + +The words had hardly passed his lips before there was a tremendous +concussion, a deafening roar, and the light which arose went out as +suddenly as it had come; the glow had gone, and the throwing of the +torches was at an end. + +"Any one hurt?" cried Harry. + +"No; are you, Hal?" + +"No, I don't think so. But has that stopped them?" he continued, as he +looked out. "Yes, you can hear them running." + +"They're gone. But oh! I say! there's a big gap blown through the +wall." + +Sree had picked up the still burning torch and now handed it to Harry, +who threw it down into the court to make sure; and there plainly +enough he could see an opening about four feet wide, offering an easy +entrance for the enemy if they came on again. + +"Here," cried Harry, "all of you follow us; we must go round and be +ready to beat them back. We must have some spears as well." + +The lad's promptness in proposing the right thing at the right moment +naturally made him leader, and as he rushed out of the door all +followed along the passage and downstairs to the terrace, so that they +might run round. + +But as they ran they became conscious of a sudden roar of voices, +coming, though they knew it not, from two directions, and the rattle +of musketry began. + +For the enemy had taken the explosion at the back of the palace and +the flash of light as the signal for them to advance; and with a wild +burst of cries they came rushing towards the gate and the walls at the +sides, provided with ladders, while from the landing-place by the +river another column landed from the boats came on with a roar. + +The noise increased, and volley after volley was fired; but it soon +grew desultory and weaker, for, unchecked by their losses, the enemy +came on in their determined attack, driving the defenders along the +paths leading to the river, and swarming over the gate and walls in a +way that the weak force behind the barricade could not resist. + +Shot, hoarse yell, roar of defiance, and the clattering and ringing of +spears, were mingled in wild confusion; and just as Harry and his +little party reached the terrace, ready to rush round by the back, it +was to awaken to the fact that the little reserve gathered there when +he fetched the impromptu shell had rushed forward to assist those by +the gate who were being driven back by sheer weight of numbers. + +"Stand fast!" cried Phra. "Spears, spears!" + +He set the example of seizing one from a sheaf placed ready by the +door; the others followed, and they were able to plant themselves, a +little compact body of ten, ready to try and cover their friends, who +from the dark paths leading to the water and from the barrier were +retreating, fighting hand to hand, their emptied pieces being only of +use now as spears, thanks to the bayonets they had fixed. + +It was all over in the space of a minute. The defenders faced their +enemies to the last; for the final retreat up the steps to the terrace +was made backwards, as they came closer together till they were +shoulder to shoulder, presenting a _chevaux de frise_ of bayonets to +the stabbing spears of their enemies, till those first to reach the +great doorway were crowded through, carrying those who had tried to +cover them in first in spite of their efforts. + +But Harry in the wild excitement had a clear head. He and his +companions, though so few in number, still retained their muskets, and +these were loaded. + +Quick as the thought which occurred to him, he called upon his party +to follow, and led the way to the window at the side, one that he had +seen carefully provided with a breastwork ready for defenders, though +he little thought he was to be one of those who would first prove its +value. + +He saw it now, though; and as the great door was being held by those +at bay, all inside now, and the enemy were pressing forward to follow +them in, he got his own party crowded at the window. + +"At the word," he cried, as every musket was brought to bear on the +dense crowd not five yards away. + +There was a momentary pause. + +"Present--fire!" he roared, and the ten muskets were discharged like +one, literally tearing a little alley through the crowd. + +The effect was so sudden and startling to the attacking party that +they fell back with one accord; but only for a few moments. + +Moments were vital then; and brief as the time was, it had given +enough for some of those first driven in to get to and man the window +on the other side of the door. + +Recovering from their surprise, the enemy yelled and rebounded, to +come on again, when the sharp word of command was given, and a volley +rattled from that side. + +It was another check, and the two together gave time for the defenders +in the great doorway to bang it to, thrust in the bolts, and clang the +bars across. + +"Twenty of you follow me to the upper windows," cried Mr. Kenyon. "You +sir, hold those two windows. Fire in turn from each side. Volleys, +mind; they have ten times the effect." + +By this time Harry's party had reloaded, and as with a savage yell the +disappointed enemy divided to make for the windows, another volley +tore through them. + +The King had obeyed his friend, and his first step had been to get +twenty of his panting followers in a line and order them to load. Then +he divided them into two firing parties, ten on either side, to +support those at the windows. + +The fighting already gone through had been magnificent as a +discipline, and in an incredibly short time the reserves were ready; +and at a word Harry's party, who had been holding the window with +bayonets, dropped back to reload, while the fresh ten stepped up and +delivered their fire, holding the place in turn with their bayonets +till Harry's party had reloaded. + +The same thing was going on at the other window, while now from the +floor above, crash after crash, volley after volley, Mr. Kenyon's +party joined in their fire. + +"Here, Sree," whispered Harry, "my arm has gone bad; you must load for +me." + +There was no reply. + +"Where's Sree?" cried Harry again. + +No one had seen him since they fired the first volley, and Harry +uttered a groan as he felt sure that the poor fellow must have gone +down from a spear thrust. + +But there was no time to think in the darkness where they were pent +up. It was every man's duty to make his ammunition tell upon the +seething, savage crowd athirst for their blood, and the volley firing +was kept up steadily, the ammunition chests in the middle of the hall +being amply supplied in readiness for such an emergency, and every +window attacked had its defenders directly. + +All at once Mr. Kenyon's voice was heard from above. + +"Where is the King?" he cried. + +"Here. Are you losing ground up there?" + +"No, sir, no. My men can keep up their fire there. I came to speak to +you," he said in a low voice, but it was close to where the two boys +were standing, and they heard every word. "We must do our best," he +said, "for the whole country seems up against us. They have cast off +all concealment now, and are coming up to the gate in thousands, many +of them with lanthorns at the end of their spears. Where are the +home-made shells?" + +"There, in a chest by themselves beneath the great table." + +"Yes, I know," said Mr. Kenyon. "I am going to throw a few down from +one of the upper windows. Oh, if we could have fired those mines!" + +"The attack was too sudden," said the King. "The poor fellows had not +a chance." + +"I ought to have gone there sooner," groaned Mr. Kenyon. + +The words had hardly passed his lips when the great hall became light +as day for a moment, and then there was a roar like a peal of thunder, +making the bamboo sun-blinds rattle and the whole place quiver. + +"Hurrah!" shouted Harry. "I know. That's Sree!" + +He did not pause to think how Sree could have been by him so short a +time before and down at the barrier then. + +Even if he had felt disposed to wonder, the thought would have been +driven out of his head, for in the midst of the sudden silence which +had succeeded the tremendous roar it was repeated--the other mine had +been fired, with a report which seemed louder than the first. + +The silence, both inside and out, was now appalling, and those within +ceased reloading, as they waited, wondering what the effect had been +upon the enemy, and whether such a catastrophe as that which must have +befallen them would be followed by a retreat. + +But it was the turn of the besieged now to receive a shock, for all at +once the faces of those who thronged the court began to be visible in +the darkness. In another minute there came flash after flash, showing +thousands of gleaming eyes, and a spontaneous yell of savage delight +rose up from all around as the light grew brighter. + +"The palace--at the back!" cried Harry wildly. "Oh, Phra, we oughtn't +to have left our posts." + +"They have come in through the wall and fired the place," said Phra +with a groan. + +"Yes," said Mr. Kenyon coolly; "but half a keg of powder will tear +down our connection with the main building, and we can still hold this +wing to the bitter end." + +"What's that? Are they bringing big guns against us?" cried the King. + +No one replied, but stood listening, as _thud, thud, thud_, at regular +intervals there came the reports of heavy pieces, followed by a fresh +surprise. + +All at once there was a bright light from the direction of the river. +Then another, which began to light up the trees in that direction, +while, with a strange rapidity as the heavy firing went on, blaze +after blaze sprang up, and it was now Mr. Kenyon's turn to be wildly +excited. + +"Hark!" he shouted. "Do you hear that?" + +His answer was a wild burst of cheering from all the defenders +present, as if in echo to the faint shouting which came off the river. + +"Hurrah!" cried Harry again. "Shout, Phra, shout! It's the help at +last. It must be men-o'-war boats, and they're firing the enemy's +barges as they come." + +"Yes, Sahib Harry," said a familiar voice. "English sailors with guns +in boats, but the place is on fire and burning fast." + +At least a dozen of the light barges on the river were burning +fiercely now, and drifting amongst and setting fire to others; but the +firing from that direction had ceased. + +Then all at once there was a hearty cheer and a volley of musketry, +while by the bright light which illumined the courtyard a movement +began to be visible amongst the besiegers. + +In an instant Mr. Kenyon called upon those present, and volley after +volley was sent tearing through the crowd moving now towards the gate. +In another minute there was a rush from the now lit-up walks leading +to the landing, and a strong body of sailors dashed out into the open, +formed up in line, fired a fresh volley, and then charged across at +the retiring enemy. + +That was enough. This charge from disciplined men, who came on with a +tremendous cheer, broke the neck of the attack, and the crowd +scattered and fled, seeking who could be first outside, for the way +was clear, the great gates and twenty feet of the wall being +completely swept away. + +A volley or two from the sailors hastened the flight, but no pursuit +was attempted, and the men were wheeled round and halted in front of +the terrace, their officers advancing to congratulate those whom they +had so opportunely relieved; while as soon as a strong party had been +stationed at the ruined gates the efforts of every one were directed +to the burning palace, the far end of which was blazing furiously. + +"Look here," said the lieutenant in command of the sailors, "it seems +a pity; but if it is not done, the whole place must burn down." + +"What would you do?" said the King. + +"Blow up the burning rooms--the farther end," said Mr. Kenyon +promptly. + +"That's it," said the lieutenant. "If you've half a keg of powder, +we'll soon manage that, and a few hundred buckets of water will do the +rest." + +It was a pity, but it was like lopping off a diseased limb, and half +an hour after another explosion had suddenly shaken down that end of +the lightly built palace not a spark was visible. + +The next morning there was a ghastly array of sufferers lying about +the precincts of the palace, but not an enemy to be seen. The great +force gathered against the little knot of defenders had melted away. +Weapons were hidden, and the spirit of the rebellion seemed to have +quite evaporated, so that thousands of those who had been ready to +fight desperately in the second king's cause eagerly returned to their +daily avocations as soon as the news spread after the defeat that +their leader and those who had headed the conspiracy had fled up the +country to try and escape to safety in another land. + +It was while the naval officer in command of the sailors was +collecting all the men he could--most of them members of the inimical +force, but peaceful enough now--to set to work and remove all the +ghastly traces of the late fight, that Harry and Phra came suddenly +upon the old hunter and his two men superintending a gang of about +twenty Siamese laden with spears and krises, which were being carried +into one of the great sheds by the elephant stables. + +"Why, there's Adong!" cried Harry. "Here, how did you get back?" + +"He came with the sailors In one of the boats, Sahib," said Sree, +answering for his man, who nudged him to reply. + +"Then it was he who found an English ship to send help?" + +"Oh, yes, Sahib Phra; but it took him a long time, and he began to +fear that he would not find one at last." + +"Where did he find it?" + +"Sailing on the sea, and coming to our river, Sahib. He says he could +not help being so long." + +"But how about the firing of those mines, Sree?" cried Harry. "You did +that?" + +"Yes, Sahib." + +"How did you manage it? You were with us." + +"I went to a window where there were no fighting men, Sahib, and +dropped out to go down to the gate, where hundreds of men were +crowding in." + +"But didn't they stop you?" + +"No, Sahib; I was not an Englishman, and I played with them." + +"Played with them?" + +"Yes, Sahib; I held my arm, and I walked lame, and they said to +themselves, 'Here is a brave man who has been wounded,' and they let +me go. I knew that the Sahib wanted the powder to go off at a time +like that, and I crept to the places where the wires were hidden among +the stones. I pulled first one and then the other. It was very +horrible, Sahibs, but they were enemies seeking to kill the King and +his friends, so it was right that I should fire the mines." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII + +WHAT FOLLOWED + + +Sree's daring act with the mines, and the coming of the sailors who +had burned the enemy's fleet of warboats, combined to completely +dishearten the rebels, who fled, to a man; and the next day the people +were poling back their houseboats to their old places about the banks +of the river, trade was going on, and scores of the King's servants +and retainers came flocking in, many of whom had no doubt taken part +in the attack upon the palace, but the majority had fled through fear. + +The wounded were for the most part helped and fetched away, saving the +bad cases, which were attended by Dr. Cameron and the surgeon from the +ship; and excepting that strong guards were stationed at the levelled +gates and the broken wall there was no sign of the effects of the +siege twenty-four hours after the enemy had taken flight. + +The presence of the British war-ship in the river, with her guns and +the naval detachment, helped to awe the people; but with the flight of +the second king and his party the rebellion died, the hatred of the +English colony was forgotten, and Harry felt half angry, half amused, +to see the competition which ensued in the course of a few hours among +the work-people of the city, who nearly fought for the right to +rebuild the bungalows which had been destroyed. + +To be brief, in a few days the King was more firmly seated upon the +throne than ever, for the inimical party had been swept away, and his +people vied among themselves to prove who were the most devoted +servants he possessed. + +It was about three months later, and after the departure of the +man-of-war, that Harry and Phra were going round the English quarter, +where the rebuilding was well in progress, Mr. Kenyon's bungalow most +forward of all. + +"They have worked, Phra," cried Harry triumphantly. "Why, in another +fortnight we shall be able to begin housekeeping again. Mike has +bought boat-loads of things ready to come in as soon as the place is +dry." + +"Yes," said Phra; "they are getting on fast. These light bamboo-built +places are soon raised; but I don't see why you should be in such a +hurry. Aren't you comfortable up at the palace?" + +"Comfortable?" cried Harry. "It would be a shame if we weren't. No one +could be nicer than the King." + +"To his friends," said Phra gravely. "His enemies think differently." + +"He has no enemies now," said Harry. + +"No, not now, for the last of those who headed the rising have left +the country." + +"All those who could," said Harry, with a meaning look. + +"Don't talk about it," said Phra, with a spasm of pain in his face. +"We were talking about you coming back here to live. Aren't you afraid +of another volcanic eruption?" + +"N--no," said Harry. "We should be more on our guard if one were +threatening." + +"There will not be another for many years," said Phra gravely. "My +father has shown the people what he can do when roused, and he means +to be more severe with any who stir up the people against what he does +and his favouring of the English. I am sure we shall all be safe for +many years to come. Don't hurry to get away from the palace; father +wants you to stay--so do I." + +"Yes, that's very nice, but it isn't home, Phra, old chap, and we +English people like to be independent and have our own nests. But I +was thinking that if there was another rising in a few years, we +should be grown men and able to do better." + +"You couldn't. Could they, Cameron?" said a voice behind them. + +"You there, father?" cried Harry, flushing. + +"Where should I be but in my own home, sir? The doctor and I have just +come for a look round. But the museum looks bad, boys." + +"Yes, father. Phra and I were talking last night about having a turn +in the jungle with Sree to begin collecting." + +"And also about a rebellion in the future, and fighting better when +you are men. The doctor and I hope and believe that if there is war +again it will be against a foreign enemy, and the people will be +joining their wise and progressive King in defending themselves. Eh, +Cameron?" + +"We shall have no more risings," said the doctor decisively, "for the +people will never forget the way in which the last was put down. We +are like your father, Phra, stronger than ever now." + +"Let's end here," said Mr. Kenyon. "One such incident as that trouble +at the palace is enough in any boy's life." + +The two elders walked away to meet Mrs. Cameron, who had come down to +join her husband; and the boys stood looking at one another. + +"No more fighting, Phra," said Harry; "but we've got the museum to +fill." + +"Yes; when shall we begin?" + +"At once," said Harry. "So let's go and find old Sree." + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Jungle and Stream, by George Manville Fenn + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JUNGLE AND STREAM *** + +***** This file should be named 44680-8.txt or 44680-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/4/4/6/8/44680/ + +Produced by the volunteers of Project Gutenberg Thailand. +Proofreading by users brianjungwi, ianh68, kaewmala, +LScribe, Saksith, rikker, Claudio, andysteve, wyaryan, +dekpient, Gwindarr. PGT is an affiliated sister project +focusing on public domain books on Thailand and Southeast +Asia. Project leads: Rikker Dockum, Emil Kloeden. (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at + www.gutenberg.org/license. + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation information page at www.gutenberg.org + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at 809 +North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email +contact links and up to date contact information can be found at the +Foundation's web site and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For forty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/old/44680-8.zip b/old/44680-8.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0dc6575 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/44680-8.zip diff --git a/old/44680.txt b/old/44680.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..20b3119 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/44680.txt @@ -0,0 +1,16028 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Jungle and Stream, by George Manville Fenn + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Jungle and Stream + Or The Adventures of Two Boys in Siam + +Author: George Manville Fenn + +Release Date: January 16, 2014 [EBook #44680] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JUNGLE AND STREAM *** + + + + +Produced by the volunteers of Project Gutenberg Thailand. +Proofreading by users brianjungwi, ianh68, kaewmala, +LScribe, Saksith, rikker, Claudio, andysteve, wyaryan, +dekpient, Gwindarr. PGT is an affiliated sister project +focusing on public domain books on Thailand and Southeast +Asia. Project leads: Rikker Dockum, Emil Kloeden. (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive.) + + + + + + + + + + JUNGLE AND STREAM + OR + THE ADVENTURES OF TWO BOYS IN SIAM + + + BY + GEO. MANVILLE FENN + + AUTHOR OF + "IN HONOUR'S CAUSE," "CORMORANT CRAG" + "FIRST IN THE FIELD," ETC. + + + DEAN & SON, LTD. + 6 LA BELLA SAUVAGE, LUDGATE HILL, + LONDON, E.C.4 + + + + + MADE AND PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN + + + + + CONTENTS + + I. SIXTY YEARS AGO + II. THE JUNGLE HUNTER + III. SREE'S PRISONER + IV. FISHING WITH A WORM + V. THE DOCTOR'S POST-MORTEM + VI. MAKING PLANS + VII. THE BRINK OF A VOLCANO + VIII. A PROWL BY WATER + IX. NATURALISTS' TREASURES + X. WHAT HARRY HEARD + XI. THE NAGA'S BITE + XII. SUL THE ELEPHANT + XIII. THEIR FIRST TIGER + XIV. A YOUNG SAVAGE + XV. FOR THE JUNGLE, HO! + XVI. THE HOUSE-BOAT + XVII. JUNGLE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS + XVIII. ELEPHANTS AT HOME + XIX. A NIGHT ALARM + XX. A DREARY RETURN + XXI. A HIDING-PLACE + XXII. DARING PLANS + XXIII. THE SPEAR HARVEST + XXIV. THE HELP SEEKER + XXV. A DESPERATE VENTURE + XXVI. FOR LIFE + XXVII. THE POWDER MINE + XXVIII. SAVING THE STORES + XXIX. THE DOCTOR KEPT BUSY + XXX. LIKE A BAD SHILLING + XXXI. COMING HOME TO ROOST + XXXII. IN THE NICK OF TIME + XXXIII. WHAT FOLLOWED + + + + + [Illustration: "Then there was a roar like a peal of thunder."] + + + + +CHAPTER I + +SIXTY YEARS AGO + + +"Charlie is my darling, my darling, my darling!" was sung in a good, +clear, boyish tenor, and then the singer stopped, to say +impatiently,-- + +"What nonsense it is! My head seems stuffed full of Scotch +songs,--'Wee bit sangs,' as the doctor calls them. Seems funny that so +many Scotch people should come out here to the East. I suppose it's +because the Irish all go to the West, that they may get as far apart +as they can, so that there may not be a fight. I say, though, I want +my breakfast." + +The speaker, to wit Harry Kenyon, sauntered up to the verandah of the +bungalow and looked in at the window of the cool, shaded room, where a +man-servant in white drill jacket and trousers was giving the +finishing touches to the table. + +"Breakfast ready, Mike?" + +"Yes, sir; coffee's boiled, curry's made." + +"Curry again?" + +"Yes, Master Harry; curry again. That heathen of a cook don't believe +a meal's complete without curry and rice." + +"But I thought we were going to have fried fish this morning." + +"So did I, sir. I told him plainly enough; but he won't understand, +and he's curried the lot." + +"How tiresome!" + +"I should like to curry his hide, Master Harry, but it's +leather-coloured already. Never mind; there's some fresh potted meat." + +"Bother potted meat! I'm sick of potted meat. Look here, next time I +bring home any fresh fish you go into the kitchen and cook them +yourself." + +"What, me go and meddle there! Look here, Master Harry, I'll go with +you fishing, and wade into that sticky red mud if you want me to; or +I'll go with you shooting or collecting, and get my eyes scratched out +in the jungle, and risk being clawed by tigers, or stung by snakes, or +squeedged flat by an elephant's neat little foot; but I'm not going to +interfere with old Ng's pots and pans. Why, he'd put some poison in my +vittles." + +"Nonsense!" + +"He would, sir, sure as I stand here. He looks wonderful gentle and +smiling, with that Chinese face of his; but I know he can bite." + +"Poor old Ng; he's as harmless as his name. N. G.--Ng." + +"Name? I don't call that a name, Master Harry. Fag end of a pig's +grunt; that's about what that is." + +"Here, I want my breakfast. Isn't father nearly dressed?" + +"No, sir; he hasn't begun to shave yet, and he won't be down for +another quarter of an hour." + +"Call me when he comes," said the lad, and he went off down the garden +again, towards the river which flowed swiftly at the bottom, where the +bamboo landing-stage had been made, with its high-peaked attap, or +palm-leaf roof. It was all bamboo. Big canes were driven into the mud +for supports, others for pillars and beams, and the floor was of +smaller ones, split and laid close together, and then bound in their +places with long lengths of the rotan cane which grew so plentifully +in the jungle, running up the great forest trees, and after reaching +the top, going on growing till it swung down by the yard, and waited +till the wind blew it into the next tree, where it held on by its +thorns, and went on growing to any length. + +The garden was beautiful in its wildness, the trees having been left +for shade; and John Kenyon, the East India merchant, who had settled +far up one of the rivers of Siam ten years before, after the death of +his wife, had found out from long experience that he who tries to make +an English garden in a tropical country has worry for crops, while he +who encourages the native growths makes his home a place of beauty. + +So Harry Kenyon sauntered down, keeping out of the hot rays of the +early morning sun--hot enough, though it was only six, for people rise +early in the East--and made his way to the bamboo platform beneath +which the river, here about a hundred yards wide, looked like a stream +whose waters had been transformed into a decoction of coffee and +chicory, with the milk left out, or, as Harry once said, muddy soup. + +The creepers, crowded with many-coloured blossoms, hung down from the +trees and ran over the roof, forming, with the dry palm-leaves, +nesting and hiding places for plenty of natural history objects from +the neighbouring jungle. Birds nested there, and rats and snakes came +birds'-nesting, while lizards of various kinds, from the little active +fly-catchers to the great shrieking tokay, found that roof an +admirable resting-place. + +There were sundry rustlings overhead as Harry stepped on to the +slippery, squeaking, yielding bamboos; but use is second nature, and +ten years in such company, without reckoning the inhabitants of the +jungle, had made the boy so familiar with many of these things that he +looked upon them with a calm contempt. + +As a matter of course he would have swarmed up a tree fast enough at +the sight of a tiger or elephant in either of the forest tracks, or, +to use Mike's expression, have made himself scarce if he had +encountered a cobra, or seen one of the great boas swaying to and fro +from the gigantic limb of a tree. Even at the moment of stepping upon +the covered-in summerhouse-like landing-stage, with its fishing-rods +laid up overhead in the bamboo rafters, he shrank a little, and then +angrily bared his teeth as he stood gazing down at the water a dozen +yards away. + +"You beast!" he hissed. "Oh, if you'd only stay there while I fetched +a gun! Oh, yes, it's all very well to wink one eye at me; I'd make you +wink both." + +It seemed odd that the lad should address himself like that to a piece +of rugged, gnarled tree-trunk floating slowly down the flashing river; +but, as aforesaid, Harry Kenyon had been up the country in Siam ever +since he was quite a little fellow, and had been accustomed to have +the wild creatures of the forest for pets and companions. Where boys +at home had had cats or dogs, Harry had more than once petted a tiger +cub; lizards had been as common with him as white mice with English +lads. Then he had kept squirrels, snakes, monkeys, and birds to any +extent. Moreover, he had once contrived to keep alive, until it became +wild instead of tame a hideous-looking creature which lived in a +fenced-in patch of sand with half a sugar hogshead sunk level with the +ground, provided with a central heap formed of an old tree-root, and +filled up with water. This creature strangely resembled the efts or +newts so common in some ponds, but magnified many times, so that there +was no cause for surprise that the boy should speak as he did to the +tree-trunk, for his experienced eyes had seen at a glance that this +was no half-rotten stem torn out from the bank by the flooded river. +He had recognised the two horny prominences over the eyes, and their +furtive, ugly gleam, so that he was not at all surprised when one end +of the trunk moved slowly, in a wavy fashion, and the object began to +part the water. + +"Yes, I thought you'd soon go," said Harry. "Stop a minute, though." + +He stepped gently back into the garden and snatched up a piece of +stone about as big as two fists, from a heap of rockwork, stole back +to the bamboo floor till he could just see over the edge, keeping his +movements hidden, and launched out the heavy piece of spar with so +good an aim that, after curving through the air just above the surface +of the water, it fell with a dull thud right in the centre of the +trunk. + +The effect was instantaneous. A long muzzle with gaping jaws rose out +of the water for a moment, there was a tremendous wallowing which made +the water foam, and then a great serrated tail rose several feet above +the surface, quivered in a wavy way, delivered a sounding slap on the +top of the water, and disappeared. + +"I thought that would make you wag your tail, old gentleman. What a +whopper! Nearly twenty feet long, and as thick as thick. Pull a man +in? Why, it would pull in a young elephant. Oh, how I do hate crocs!" + +The boy stood watching the surface for some minutes, but there was no +sign of the huge reptile reappearing. + +"Gone down," muttered the boy. "Suppose, though, he has swum +underneath here, and is waiting to dash out and grab me by the legs. +Ugh!" he added, with a shudder, "it does seem such a horrible death, +only I suppose the poor people these creatures catch don't feel any +more when once they're under the water. Wonder whether they do. +Shouldn't like to try." + +His thoughts made him peer down through an opening between the warped +bamboos, at where the river glided beneath his feet; but all was +perfectly quiet there, and he glanced up at the fishing-rods. + +"Be no use to try now," he said; "the brute would scare every fish +away, and I've got no bait, and--oh, I say, how badly I do want my +breakfast! Is father going to lie in bed all day?" + +Evidently not, for the minute after a cheery voice cried, "Now, Harry, +lad, breakfast!" + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE JUNGLE HUNTER + + +Harry Kenyon did not run up the slope to the house, which was erected +upon an elevation to raise it beyond the flood when the river burst +its bounds, as it made a point of doing once or twice a year during +the heavy rains. People out in sunny Siam do not run much, but make a +point of moving deliberately as the natives do, for the simple reason +that it takes a very short time to get into a violent perspiration, +but a very long time to get cool; besides which, overheating means the +risk of chills, and chills mean fever. + +He walked gently up to meet the tall, thin, rather stern-featured, +grizzly-haired man in white flannel and straw hat with puggaree, who +had come out to meet him, and who saluted him heartily. + +"Lovely morning, my boy, but quite warm enough already. How sweet the +blossoms smell!" + +"Yes, father," said Harry, whose brain was full of the great reptile; +"but I've just seen such a monster." + +"Crocodile?" + +"Yes; quite twenty feet long." + +"With discount twenty-five per cent., Hal?" said the father, laughing. + +"No, father, really." + +"One's eyes magnify when they look at savage creatures, especially at +snakes." + +"Oh yes, I know, father," said the lad impatiently; "but this was the +biggest I've seen." + +"Then it must have been twenty-four feet long, Hal, for I've shown you +one of twenty-two." + +"I didn't measure him, father; he wouldn't wait," said the boy, +laughing; "but he was a monster." + +"You threw something at it, I suppose?" + +"Yes, a big piece out of the rockery--and hit him on the back. It +sounded like hitting a leather trunk." + +"Humph!" said Mr. Kenyon. "Boys are boys all the world round, it +seems. Here have you been in Siam almost ever since you were born, and +you act just in the same way as an English boy at home." + +"Act! How did I act?" + +"Began throwing stones. Bit of human nature, I suppose, learnt +originally of the monkeys. So you hit the brute?" + +"Yes, father, and he went off with a rush!" + +"Looking for its breakfast, I suppose. Let's go and get ours." + +Harry Kenyon required no second invitation, for the pangs of hunger, +forgotten in the excitement, returned with full force, and in a few +minutes father and son were seated at table in the well-furnished +half-Eastern, half-English-looking home, enjoying a well-cooked +breakfast, served on delicate china from the neighbouring country, and +with glistening silver tea and coffee pot well worn with long +polishing, for they were portions of a set of old family plate which +had been sent out to the fairly wealthy merchant trading with England +from the East. + +"Hullo!" said Mr. Kenyon; "why, you are not eating any of your fish!" + +"No, father. Ng has spoiled them." + +"Spoiled? Nonsense; the curry is delicious." + +"But I don't want to be always eating curry, father. I told him to fry +them." + +"Better leave him to do things his own way, my boy, and have some. +They are very good. The Chinese are a wonderfully conservative people. +They begin life running in the groove their fathers ran in before +them, and go on following it up to the end of their days, and then +leave the groove to their sons. Did you catch all these?" + +"No; Phra caught more than I did. He is more patient than I am." + +"A great deal, and with his studies too." + +"Yes, father; I say, the fish are better than I thought." + +"I was talking about the Prince being more patient over his studies +than you are, Hal," said Mr. Kenyon drily. + +"Yes, father," said the lad, reddening. + +Mike just then brought in a dish of hot bread-cakes, and no more was +said until he had left the room, when Mr. Kenyon continued:-- + +"Take it altogether, Hal, you are not such a bad sort of boy, and I +like the way in which you devote yourself to the collecting for the +museum; but I do wonder at an English lad calmly letting one of these +Siamese boys leave him behind." + +"Oh, but he's the son of a king," said Harry, smiling. + +"Tchah! What of that? Suppose he is a prince by birth, like a score +more of them, that is no reason why he should beat you." + +"He can't, father," said Harry sturdily. + +"Well, he seems to." + +"If I liked to try hard, I could leave him all behind nowhere." + +"Then, why don't you try hard, sir?" + +"It's so hot, father." + +"And you are so lazy, sir." + +"Yes, father. I'll have a little more curry, please." + +"I wish I could have your classics and mathematics curried, sir, so as +to make you want more of them," said Mr. Kenyon, helping his son to +more of the savoury dish. "Yes, Mike?" + +"Old Sree is here, sir, with two bearers and a big basket." + +"Oh!" cried Harry, jumping up; "what has he got now?" + +"Sit down and finish your breakfast, Hal," said his father sternly. +"Don't be such a young savage, even if you are obliged to live out +here in these uncivilized parts." + +The lad sat down promptly, but felt annoyed, and anxious to know what +the old hunter employed by his father to collect specimens had +brought. + +"What has he in the big basket, Mike?" asked Mr. Kenyon. + +"Don't know, sir; he wouldn't tell me. Said the Sahibs must know +first." + +"Then he must have got something good, I know," said Harry excitedly. +"I expect it's a coo-ah." + +"One o' them big, speckled peacocks with no colour in 'em, Master +Harry?" said Mike respectfully. "No, it isn't one o' them; the +basket's too small." + +"What is it, then?" + +"Don't know, sir; but I think it's one o' those funny little bears, +like fat monkeys." + +"May I send on for Phra, father?" + +"Yes, if you like; but perhaps they will not let him come." + +"Oh, I think they will; and I promised always to send on to him when +anything good was brought in." + +"Very well," said his father quietly; "send." + +"Run, Mike," said the boy excitedly, and the man made a grimace at +him. "Well, then, walk fast, and ask to see him. They'll let you pass. +Then tell him we've got a big specimen brought in, and ask him, with +my compliments, if he'd like to come on and see it." + +"Yes, sir;" and the man hurried out, while Mr. Kenyon, who had just +helped himself to a fresh cup of coffee, leaned back in his chair and +smiled. + +"What are you laughing at, father?" said the boy, with his bronzed +face reddening again. "Did I make some stupid blunder?" + +"Well, I hardly like to call it a blunder, Hal, because it was done +knowingly. I was smiling at the impudence of you, an ordinary British +merchant's son, coolly sending a message to a palace and telling a +king's son to come on here." + +"Palace! Why, it's only a palm-tree house, not much better than this, +father; not a bit like a palace we see in books. And as to his being a +king's son, and a prince, well, he's only a boy like myself." + +"Of the royal blood, Hal." + +"He can't help that, father, and I'm sure he likes to come here and +read English and Latin with me, and then go out collecting. He said +the King liked it too." + +"Oh yes, he likes it, or he would not let his son come." + +"Phra said his father wanted him to talk English as well as we do." + +"And very wise of him too, my boy. This country will have more and +more dealing with England as the time goes on." + +Harry sat watching his father impatiently, longing the while to get +out into the verandah, where he expected that the old hunter would be. + +"You are not eating, my boy," said Mr. Kenyon; "go on with your +breakfast." + +"I've done, thank you, father." + +"Nonsense. You always have two cups of coffee. Get on with the meal. +It is better to make a good breakfast than to wait till the middle of +the day, when it is so hot." + +Harry began again unwillingly, and his father remarked upon it. + +"You want to get out there, but you told me you did not wish to see +what the man has brought till your friend came." + +"Yes, I said so, father; but I should like Sree to tell me." + +"Finish your breakfast, and you will have plenty of time." + +Harry went on, and after the first few mouthfuls his healthy young +appetite prevailed, and he concluded a hearty meal. + +"There, you can go now," said his father. "Call me when the Prince +comes." + +Harry Kenyon hurried out into the broad verandah, and then along two +sides of the square bungalow so as to reach the back, where sat a +little, wrinkled-faced, square-shaped, yellow-skinned man, with his +face and head shaved along the sides as high as the tips of his ears, +leaving a short, stubbly tuft of grizzled hair extended backward from +the man's low forehead to the nape of his neck, looking for all the +world like the hair out of a blacking-brush stretched over the top of +his head. + +His dress was as scanty as that of his two muscular young companions, +consisting as it did of a cotton plaid sarong or scarf of once bright +colours, but now dull in hue from long usage, and a good deal torn and +tattered by forcing a way through the jungle. This was doubled +lengthwise and drawn round the loins, and then tightened at the waist +by giving the edge of the sarong a peculiar twist and tuck in, thus +forming a waist-belt in which in each case was stuck a dagger-like +kris, with pistol-shaped handle and wooden sheath to hold the wavy +blade, and a parang or heavy sword used in travelling to hack a way +through the jungle and form a path by chopping through tangled rotan +or tufts of bamboo, or lawyer cane. + +The three men were squatted on their heels, with their mouths +distended and lips scarlet, chewing away at pieces of betel-nut +previously rolled in a pepper-leaf, which had first been smeared with +what looked like so much white paste, but which was in fact lime, made +by burning the white coral, abundant along some portion of the shores, +and rising inland to quite mountainous height. + +As soon as Harry came in sight, all rose up, smiling, and the elder +man wanted to exhibit the prize contained within the great square +basket standing on the bamboo flooring, while two stout bamboos, each +about eight feet long, were stood up against the house, a couple of +loops on either side of the basket showing where the bamboo poles had +been thrust through so that the basket could hang dependent from the +two men's shoulders. + +"What have you got, Sree?" asked Harry, in English, which from long +service with Mr. Kenyon, and mixing with other colonists, Sree spoke +plainly enough to make himself understood. + +"Big thing, Sahib. Very heavy." + +"Bear?" + +The man made a sign, and his two followers grinned with enjoyment, and +seated themselves on the basket, which squeaked loudly. + +"What did you do that for?" cried Harry. + +"The young Sahib must wait till the old Sahib comes, and then he see." + +"Old Sahib, indeed!" cried Harry; "why, my father isn't half so old as +you." + +"The young Sahib wait." + +"Of course I can wait," said Harry pettishly, "and I was going to +wait. I only asked you what it was." + +The man smiled, and shook his head mysteriously, and just then Mike +thrust his head out of the door. + +"Ah, got back, Mike!" cried Harry. "What did the Prince say?" + +"Come on almost directly, sir; but I had no end of a job to get to see +him." + +"How was that?" + +"Oh, those guard chaps; soldiers, I s'pose they call themselves. +They're a deal too handy with those spears of theirs. They ought to be +told that they mustn't point them at an Englishman's breast." + +"Oh, it's only because they're on duty, Mike," replied Harry. + +"Wouldn't make any difference to me, sir, whether it was on dooty or +off dooty if one of them was to go inside my chest." + +"Oh, you needn't be afraid of that." + +"Afraid! Oh, come, I like that, Master Harry--afraid! Not likely to be +afraid of any number of the squatty, yellow-skinned chaps, but they +oughtn't to be allowed to carry such things. Fancy Englishmen at home +all going about carrying area railings in their hands." + +Harry shook his head, for his recollections of spear-pointed area +railings were very vague. + +"Don't matter, sir," said Mike, "they don't know any better; but I +know I shall get in a row one of these days for giving one of 'em a +smeller right on the nose." + +"Nonsense! you mustn't do that, Mike." + +"Why not, sir? Couldn't do no harm; they're as flat as flat as it is." + +"You know what my father said about keeping on good terms with the +natives." + +"Yes, sir, I know, sir, but fair play's a jewel; if I keep on good +terms with them they ought to keep on good terms with me, and sticking +a spear-point into a man's wesket aren't the sort o' terms I like. +'Specially when you know the things are poisoned." + +"Nonsense! The Prince assured me they were not." + +"Well, those ugly, twisty krises are, sir." + +"No. The only danger from them is their sharp point." + +"Well, that's bad enough, sir; but how about the thing you've got +yonder? What is it, Master Harry?" he asked. + +"Come out and see. Don't stand there with your head just stuck out +like a snake in a hole looking to see if it's safe." + +"Well, but is it safe, sir?" + +"Come and see. If it's safe enough for me to be out here, it's safe +enough for you." + +Mike evidently considered this reply unanswerable, for he came out +slowly and cautiously, the two men seated on the hamper-like basket +evidently enjoying the man's timidity. They glanced at Harry +inquiringly, and he gave them a quick nod of assent, with the result +that as Mike was passing them, with divers suspicious glances at their +seat, they made a sudden spring together, as if the occupant of the +bamboo covering had suddenly and by a tremendous effort raised the +lid. There was a loud creaking, and with a rush Mike was back through +the door, which he banged to. + +The old hunter, who had seated himself to prepare a fresh piece of +betel-nut for chewing, laughed till the tears ran down his cheeks, +while his two bearers drew their feet up and squatted now upon the +basket lid, chuckling with delight, and looking to Harry as if +expecting a fresh hint for startling Mike. + +Harry went to the door and pushed at it, finding it give a little, but +only to be pressed to directly, as if by Mike's shoulder. + +"Here, it's all right; open the door," cried Harry. "He didn't get +out." + +The door was opened cautiously, and Mike's head slowly appeared, to +look from one to the other and encounter faces that were serious now +almost to solemnity. + +"I thought he'd got out, sir," said Mike. + +"Oh no, he's safe enough; look how they've fastened the lid down with +bamboo skewers." + +"Yes, sir, but some o' them things is so awful strong. What is +it--tiger?" + +"Oh no, it's not a tiger, Mike. A tiger would scratch and kick a +basket like that to pieces in no time." + +"Of course he would, sir. I say, Master Harry, hadn't you better tell +old Sree to get up and sit on the basket too?" + +"Hardly room, is there?" said Harry seriously. + +"Plenty, sir, if you make those chaps squeedge up together a bit." + +"But the basket's so tickle, Mike, and their weight might send it over +sidewise. If it did the basket would go nearly flat, the lid would be +burst off, and where should be we then?" + +"I know where I should be, sir," said Mike--"indoors." + +"You wouldn't have time, for those beasts are so wonderfully active +that this one would be out of the basket like a flash of lightning." + +"Would he, sir? Then don't you do it. Let him be. What is it, sir--a +leopard?" + +"Oh no, not a leopard, Mike." + +"What, then? One of those big monkeys we've never yet got a sight of?" + +"Monkey? Oh no." + +"What is it, then, sir?" + +"Well, you see, Mike, I don't know myself yet," said Harry, laughing. + +Mike looked at him sharply, then at the three Siamese, whose faces +were contorted with mirth, and back at his young master. + +"Humbugging me," he said sharply. "That's it, is it, Master Harry? +Yah! I don't believe there's anything in the old hamper at all." + +He went round the basket from the other direction, so as to reach the +door, and as he got behind the two men on the lid, he turned. + +"I do wonder at you, Master Harry, laughing at a fellow like that, and +setting these niggers to make fun of me. Yah!" + +He raised one foot and delivered a tremendous kick at the bottom of +the basket, startling the two squatting men on the lid so that one +sprang up and the other leaped off on to the bamboo floor of the +verandah, while a violent commotion inside the basket showed that its +occupant had also been disturbed. + +"Something else for you to laugh at," said Mike, and he slipped in and +closed the door. + +Harry smiled, the man returned to his perch on the lid, frowning and +looking very serious, while the occupant of the basket settled down +quietly again, making Harry more curious than ever as to what it might +be; but he mastered his desire to go and peer through the split bamboo +so tightly woven together, and waited impatiently for the coming of +his friend and companion. + +"I believe it's a big monkey, after all," he said to himself. "Sree +always said he was sure there were monsters right away in the jungle, +just about the same as the one father saw at Singapore, brought from +Borneo. It was precious quiet, though, till Mike kicked the basket. +How savage it made him to be laughed at!" + +He glanced at the basket again, and then at the old hunter and his +men, all three squatting down on their heels, chewing away at their +betel-nut, and evidently in calm, restful enjoyment of the habit. + +"Just like three cows chewing their cud," said Harry to himself, and +then feeling that it was the best way to avoid the temptation to look +into the basket, he went along the verandah to the corner of the +house, just as his father reached the next corner, coming to join +them. + +"Well, has Phra come?" he cried. + +"No, father, not yet." + +"Found out what's in the basket?" said Mr. Kenyon, smiling. + +"No; haven't looked." + +"Well done, Hal; I didn't give you credit for so much self-denial. But +there, I think we have waited long enough. Let's go and see now what +we've got." + +"No, no, don't do that," said Harry excitedly. "Phra would be so +disappointed if we began before he had time to get here." + +"Ah well, he will not be disappointed," said Mr. Kenyon, "for here he +is." + +As he spoke a boat came in sight, gliding along the river at the +bottom of the garden--a handsomely made boat, propelled by a couple of +rowers standing one in the bow, the other astern, facing the way they +were going, and propelling the vessel after the fashion of Venetian +gondoliers, their oars being secured to a stout peg in the side by a +loop of hemp. + +Harry started off down the garden to meet the passenger, who was +seated amidships beneath an awning; and as the men ran the craft +deftly up to the landing-place, a dark-complexioned, black-haired lad +sprang on to the bamboo platform, looking wonderfully European as to +his dress, for it was simply of white flannel. It was the little +scarlet military cap and the brightly tinted plaid sarong with kris at +the waist which gave the Eastern tinge to his appearance. + +"Well," he said, in excellent English, as he joined Harry, "what have +they got? Something from their traps in the jungle?" + +"Don't know anything. There they are yonder. We waited till you came." + +"Oh," said the Siamese lad, with a gratified look, "I like that. I'm +afraid I shouldn't have waited, Hal." + +"Oh, but then you're a prince," said Harry. + +The Siamese lad stopped short. + +"If you're going to chaff me about that, I shall go back," he said. + +"All right; I won't then," said Harry. "You can't help it, can you?" + +"Of course I can't, and I shan't be able to help it when I'm king some +day." + +"Poor fellow, no; how horrible!" said Harry mockingly. + +"There you go again. You've got one of your teasing fits on to-day." + +"No, no, I haven't. It's all right, Phra, and I won't say another word +of that sort. Come along." + +"Good-morning," said Mr. Kenyon, as the boys reached the verandah. +"Come to see our prize?" + +"Yes, Mr. Kenyon. What is it you have this time?" + +"We are waiting to see. Harry here wanted it to be kept for you." + +The new-comer turned to give Harry a grateful nod and a smile, and +then walked with his host along the verandah, and turned the corner. + +The moment he appeared, the hunter and the two men leaped up excitedly +and dropped upon their knees, raising their hands to the sides of +their faces and lowering their heads till their foreheads nearly +touched the bamboo floor. + +The young Prince said a few words sharply in his own language, and the +men sprang up. + +"Now then, Mr. Kenyon," he said, "let's see what is in the basket." + +"What have you got, Sree?" asked Mr. Kenyon. + +"Very fine, big snake, Sahib," was the reply. + +"A snake?" cried Harry excitedly. "Ugh!" + +"A big one?" said the merchant uneasily. Then, recalling the habit of +exaggeration so freely indulged in by these people as a rule, he asked +the size. + +"Long as two men and a half, Sahib," said Sree. "Very thick, like +man's leg. Very heavy to carry." + +"Humph! Twelve or fourteen feet long, I suppose," said Mr. Kenyon. "Is +it dangerous?" + +"No, Sahib. I find him asleep in the jungle. He eat too much; go to +sleep for long time. Didn't try to bite when we lift him into the +basket. Very heavy." + +"What do you say, Prince?" said the merchant. "Shall we have the lid +off and look at it?" + +"Yes. I won't be afraid," was the reply. "Will you, Hal?" + +"Not if the brute's asleep; but if it's awake and pops out at us, I +shall run for your boat." + +"And leave your poor father in the lurch?" said Mr. Kenyon. + +"But you'd run too, wouldn't you, father?" + +"Not if the snake threw one of its coils round me." + +"Then I suppose I shall have to stay," said Harry slowly. + +"Perhaps it would be as well," said Mr. Kenyon drily--"You won't run, +will you?" + +The young Siamese laughed merrily, and showed his white teeth. + +"I don't know," he said; "I'm afraid I should. Snakes are so strong, +and they bite. I think it would be best to go with Harry." + +The hunter said something very humbly in the native tongue. + +"He says that he and his men would hold tight on to the snake if it +were angry, and shut it up again; but I don't believe they could. They +would all run away too." + +"I don't think there is any danger," said Mr. Kenyon gravely. "These +things always try to escape back to the jungle, and they are, I +believe, more frightened of us than we are of them. We'll have a look +at the creature, then, out here, for I have no suitable place for it +at present." + +"You could turn the birds out of the little aviary and let it loose +there, father." + +"Good idea, Hal; but let's see it first. Look here, Sree; you and your +men must lay hold of the brute if it tries to escape." + +"Yes, Sahib; we catch it and shut the lid down again." + +"That's right," said the merchant. "Yes, who's that? Oh, you, Mike. +Come to see the prisoner set free? Come and stand a little farther +this way." + +"Thank you, sir; yes, sir," said the man. + +Harry nudged the Prince, and the nudge was returned, with a laughing +glance. + +"No danger, is there, sir?" said Mike respectfully. + +"I hope not," said Mr. Kenyon; "but you will be no worse off than we +are. Like to go back before the basket is opened?" + +"Isn't time, sir; they've nearly got it open now." + +"Run round the other way, Mike," cried Harry. + +"Me, sir? No, thank you," replied the man. "I don't want to run." + +Meanwhile the two bearers were holding the lid of the basket firmly +down while Sree pulled out eight stout elastic skewers of bamboo, +which had held the lid tightly in place. And as one after the other +was slowly and carefully extracted with as little movement of the +basket as possible, so as not to irritate the snake if awake, or to +disturb it if asleep, the interest and excitement increased till only +one was left, when Harry glanced at Mike, who stood with eyes widely +staring, cheeks puffed out, and fists clenched, as if about to start +off at full speed. + +Sree looked up at Mr. Kenyon as the two men pressed down harder and he +stood ready to pull out the last skewer. + +"Out with it," said Mr. Kenyon, and a thrill ran through all present +as the last piece of bamboo was withdrawn. + +But still the lid was pressed down, and of this the hunter took hold, +said a few words to his two men, who stood back right and left, ready +to help if necessary, while their master had stationed himself at the +back of the basket, facing his employer and the two boys. He held the +lid with outstretched hands, and once more he paused and looked at Mr. +Kenyon as if waiting for orders to proceed, his aim of course being to +make the whole business as impressive as possible. + +"Now then, off with it," cried Harry, and in spite of their +excitement, to the amusement of the two boys the hunters took off the +lid with a tremendous flourish, and stood back smiling with triumph. + +"Just like Mike taking the dish-cover off a roast peacock," as Harry +afterwards said. + +It was too much for the last-mentioned personage. As the basket was +laid open for the gentlemen to see its contents, Mike took half a +dozen steps backward as fast as he could, and with his eye fixed upon +the open basket he was in the act of turning to run, when he saw +everyone else stand fast. + +"Lies pretty quiet at the bottom," said Harry, advancing with Phra, +Mr. Kenyon keeping close behind. + +"Only a little one," said the young Prince, rather contemptuously. + +"Here! I say, Sree; what do you mean by this?" cried Harry. + +"Ha, ha, ha!" laughed Phra. "This is one of your tricks, Hal." + +"That it isn't," cried the boy. + +"Where is the snake, Sree?" said Mr. Kenyon. "The basket's empty." + + + + +CHAPTER III + +SREE'S PRISONER + + +The hunter took a couple of steps forward, looked down into the +basket, looked up, half stunned with astonishment, looked in the lid, +then outside it, lifted up the basket and peered under it, threw down +the lid, felt in his sarong, and then, as there was no heavy boa +twelve or fourteen feet long in its folds, he turned fiercely to the +two men in turn to ask them angrily in their own tongue what they had +done with the snake. + +Both of them felt in their sarongs and began to protest volubly that +they had not touched it; that it was there just now, for they had +heard it and felt the weight. It was there--it must be there--and +their master had better look again. + +"It's a conjuring trick," said Phra, who looked annoyed. + +"I had nothing to do with it, then," said Harry. "I hadn't, honour +bright," he added hurriedly as his companion looked doubtingly at him. +"Here, Sree, have you begun to learn juggling?" + +"No, Sahib; it was a lovely snake, all yellow, with big brown spots +and purple shadows all over the dark parts. One of these sons of +wickedness must have taken it out to sell it to some ship captain to +carry away. Surely Sree would not try to cheat the good Sahibs and his +Prince by playing tricks like an Indian juggler. Here, Michael; you +heard the snake inside before the master came?" + +"Yes," said Mike, who looked quite brave now, as he approached and +looked into the basket searchingly. "I'm sure I heard it plainly, but +there's no snake here now. There has been one here, though, for you +can smell it." + +"Yes, there has been one here," cried Harry eagerly. "Then where is it +gone?" + +"Something dreadful has blinded all our eyes, Sahib, so that we cannot +see. Thrust in your hand and feel if it is there." + +Harry shrank for the moment, for the idea of feeling after a snake +that had been rendered invisible was startling; but feeling ashamed +the next moment of his superstitious folly, he plunged his hand down +into the basket, felt round it, and stood up. + +"There's nothing in there," he said. + +"Well, you could see that there was not," said his father shortly. + +"But there has been one there quite lately," said Harry. "Smell my +fingers, Phra." + +"Pouf! Serpent!" cried the young Prince, with a gesture of disgust. +"It must have got away." + +Sree took hold of the basket, bent down into it, looked all round, and +then to the surprise of all he stood it up again, turned it round a +little, and then jumped in, to stand upright. + +The surprise came to an end directly, for Sree pointed downward, and +as he did so he thrust his toes through the bottom of the basket, +where no hole had been apparent, but which gave way easily to the +pressure of the man's foot from within, thus showing that it must have +been broken at that one particular place. + +"What! A hole in the bottom for the reptile to crawl out? That was +wise of you, Sree!" + +"I was wise, Sahib, and the basket had no hole in it when we put the +snake in." + +"Then it must have made one, and forced its way through." + +Sree was silent, and looked at Mike as if waiting for him to speak. +But Mike had not the least intention of speaking, and stood with his +lips pinched together, perfectly dumb. + +"Why, of course!" cried Harry excitedly; "I see now. Mike gave the +basket a tremendous kick as he went by it, and startled the serpent, +and made it swing about. Why, Mike, you must have broken a hole +through then." + +"Master Harry, I--" began Mike. + +"Yes, Sahib, that was it; he broke a hole through, and once the +snake's head was through he would force his way right out." + +"One minute," said Mr. Kenyon rather anxiously; "tell me, Harry: are +you perfectly sure that the snake was there?" + +"Certain, father." + +"And you saw Michael kick the basket?" + +"Oh yes, father; and Michael knows he did." + +"That's right enough, sir; but I didn't mean to let the brute out." + +"No, no, of course not," said Mr. Kenyon anxiously: "but if the +serpent was in that basket a short time ago and is gone now, it must +either be in one of the rooms here by the verandah or just beneath the +house." + +"Ow!" ejaculated Mike, with a look of horror, as he glanced round; and +then he shouted as he pointed to an opening in one corner of the +verandah, where a great bamboo had been shortened for the purpose of +ventilating the woodwork beneath the bungalow, "That's the way he has +gone, sir; that's the way he has gone." + +It seemed only too probable, for it was just the kind of place in +which a fugitive, gloom-loving reptile would seek for a hiding-place; +while as if to prove the truth of Mike's guess there was a sharp, +squeaking sound heard somewhere below the house, and one after the +other three rats dashed out of the opening, darted across the +verandah, and sprang into the garden, disappearing directly amongst +the plants. + +"Yes," said Mr. Kenyon; "the reptile seems to have gone under the +house." + +"And he will clear away all the rats, Sahib," said Sree, in a tone of +voice which seemed to add, "and what could you wish for better than +that?" + +"But I think that my son and I would rather have the rats, my man. +What do you say, Hal?" + +"Yes, father; of course. We can't live here with a horrible thing like +that always lying in wait for us. How long did you say it was, Sree?" + +"Two men and a half, Sahib." + +"And that's a man and a half too long, Sree. What's to be done?" + +Sree looked disconsolately at the merchant, and slowly rubbed his +blacking-brush-like hair. + +"The Sahib told me to bring everything I could find in the jungle, and +this was a lovely snake, all yellow and brown and purple like +tortoiseshell. The Sahib would have been so pleased." + +"No doubt, if I could have got it shut up safely in some kind of cage; +but you see you have let it go." + +"If the Sahib will pardon me," said the man humbly. + +"Of course; yes, it was not your fault, but Michael's. Well, Michael, +how are you going to catch this great snake?" + +"Me catch it, sir?" said Mike mildly. + +"Yes, of course; we can't leave it at liberty here." + +"I thought perhaps you would shoot at it, sir, or Master Harry would +have a pop at it with his gun." + +"That's all very well, Mike; but it's of no use to shoot till you can +see it," cried Harry. + +"How can we drive it out, Sree?" said Mr. Kenyon. "We must get rid of +it somehow." + +Sree shook his head. + +"I'm afraid it will go to sleep now, Sahib," he said. + +"For how long?" + +"Three weeks or a month, Sahib. Until it gets hungry again." + +"Why not get guns and two of us stand near here to see if it comes out +of this hole, while the others go from room to room hammering on the +floor?" + +"That sounds well," said the merchant. + +"And it would be good to try first if a cat would go down. Snakes do +not like cats or the mongoose, and the cat might drive it out. Cats +hate snakes." + +"That sounds like a good plan, too, Sree. Suppose we try that first. +We have a cat, but what about a mongoose? Have you got one?" + +"I had one when I was in Hindooland, Sahib, but perhaps it is dead +now." + +"If not, it's of no use to us now," said Mr. Kenyon sarcastically. +"Here, Hal, go in and get the two guns hanging in my room. Bring the +powder-flasks and pouches too. Be careful, my lad; the guns are +loaded." + +"Come along, Phra," said Harry. + +"No, I am going back for my gun." + +"I meant to lend you one of mine," said the merchant quietly. "You two +lads ought to be able to shoot that reptile if we succeed in driving +it out." + +"Ah!" cried the young Siamese eagerly. "Thank you." + +He looked gratefully at Mr. Kenyon, and then followed Harry into the +bungalow. + +"This is a nice job," said the latter. "We shall never drive the brute +out. This place was built as if they wanted to make a snug, +comfortable home for a boa constrictor. There are double floors, +double ceilings, and double walls. There's every convenience for the +brute, whether he wants to stay a week or a year." + +"Never mind; it will be good fun hunting him. Where are the guns?" + +"Here, in father's room," said the boy, leading the way into the +lightly furnished bed-chamber with its matted floor and walls, bath, +and couch well draped with mosquito net. + +One side was turned into quite a little armoury, guns and swords being +hung against the wall, while pouches, shot-belts, and powder-flasks +had places to themselves. + +"Take care," said Harry, as he took down and handed a gun to his +companion, who smiled and nodded. + +"Yes," he said; "but it isn't the first time I've had hold of a gun." + +"Well, I know that, Phra. You needn't turn rusty about it. I only said +so because it comes natural to warn any one to be careful." + +"Hist! Listen," said the Prince, holding up his hand. + +Harry had heard the sound at the same moment. It was a strange, +rustling, creeping sound, as of horny scales passing over wood in the +wall to their right. + +A look of intelligence passed between the boys, and they stood +listening for a few moments, which were quite sufficient to satisfy +them that the object of their visit within was gliding slowly up +between the bamboos of the open wall, probably to reach the +palm-thatched roof. + +But it was not to do so without hindrance, for after darting another +look at his companion Phra cocked his gun, walked close to the wall, +and after listening again and again he placed the muzzle of his piece +about six inches from the thin teak matting-covered boarding, and +fired. + +The result was immediate. Whether hit or only startled by the shot, +the reptile fell with a loud thud and there was the evident sound of +writhing and twisting about. + +"Well done, Phra! You've shot him!" cried Harry; "but if he dies there +we shall have to take the floor up to get him out." + +"What is it, boys? Have you seen the snake?" + +"No, sir. I heard it in the wall, and fired." + +"Yes, and you have hit it, too," said the merchant. "Listen." + +The boys were quite ready to obey, and all stood attentively trying to +analyse the meaning of the movements below the floor. + +It proved to be easy enough, for the violent writhings ceased, and the +serpent began to ascend the side of the room again in the hollow wall. + +They went on tip-toe to the spot they had marked down, and as soon as +they were still again they could hear the faint _crick, crick, crick_ +of the scales on the wood, as the serpent crawled from beneath the +floor and extended itself more and more up the side, so that it was +plain enough to trace the length upward, till evidently a good six +feet had been reached. + +"My turn now," said Harry, cocking his piece. "Shall I fire father?" + +"No; it would only bring it down again, and if it dies beneath the +floor or in the wall it will be a great nuisance to get it out. It +will mean picking the place to pieces." + +"Let it go on up into the roof, then." + +"Yes," said Mr. Kenyon; "if it gets up there it will be sure to +descend to the eaves, and if we keep a pretty good watch we shall see +it coming down slowly, and you will both get a good shot at it." + +They stood listening for a few minutes longer, and then the _crick, +crick_ in the wall ceased, and it was evident that a long and heavy +body was gliding along over the ceiling. + +"Now then, boys, out with you, and I think I'll bring a gun too; but +you shall have the honour of shooting the brute if you can. By the +way, I don't think Sree has exaggerated as to the reptile's length, +and I shall be glad to get rid of such a neighbour." + +"It's not moving now," said Harry, in a whisper. + +"Yes, I can hear it," said Phra, whose ears were preternaturally +sharp; "it's creeping towards where it can see the light shine +through, and it will come out right on the roof." + +The little party hurried out to where Mike and the three Siamese were +anxiously watching the hole in the corner of the verandah, the three +latter armed with bamboo poles, and their long knives in their +waist-folds, while Mike had furnished himself with a rusty old cavalry +sword which he had bought in London, and brought with him because he +thought it might some day prove to be useful. + +Their watching in the verandah came to an end on the appearance of the +little party, and they were posted ready to rush in to the attack of +the reptile if it should be shot and come wriggling down off the attap +thatch. + +But for some minutes after the whole party had commenced their +watching there was no sign of the escaped prize, not the faintest +rustle or crackle of the crisp, sun-dried roof. + +Phra began to grow impatient at having to stand in the hot sun holding +a heavy gun ready for firing, and Harry was little better, for the +effort of watching in the dazzling glare affected his eyes. + +"Can't you send somebody inside to bang the ceiling with a stick, Mr. +Kenyon?" said Phra at last. + +"Yes," said that gentleman. "This is getting rather weary work. Here, +Mike, go indoors and listen till you hear the snake rustling over the +ceiling of my room, and then thump loudly with a bamboo." + +"Yes, sir," said Mike promptly, and he took two steps towards the +house, and then stopped and coughed. + +"Well, what is it?" said Mr. Kenyon. + +"I beg pardon, sir; but suppose the beast has taken fright at seeing +you all waiting for him, and got into the house to hide." + +"Yes?" said Mr. Kenyon. + +"And is scrawming about all over the floor. What shall I do then?" + +"Don't lose a chance; hit it over the head or tail with all your +might." + +Mike looked warmer than ever, and began to wipe the great drops of +perspiration off his forehead. + +"Yes, sir," he said respectfully. + +"We must not stop to be nice now, for it seems to be hopeless to think +of capturing the reptile again, and I can't have such a brute as that +haunting the place." + +"No, sir, of course not," said Mike. + +"Well go on," said Mr. Kenyon sharply. "You are not afraid, are you?" + +"Oh no, sir, not a bit; but--" + +Mr. Kenyon shrugged his shoulders and strode into the house, while the +two lads burst out laughing. + +"I say, Mike, you are a brave one!" cried Harry. + +"Now, look here," cried the man, "don't you go making the same mistake +as the master. I'm not a bit afraid." + +"Ha, ha, ha!" laughed Phra. + +"No, sir," said the man angrily; "not a bit afraid; but I've got a +mother in England, and I don't like to be rash." + +"You never are, Mike." + +"No, sir, and I won't be. I'm sure every one ought to look before he +leaps when it's over a dangerous place, and--Ah! look out; here he +comes." + +There was a yell, too, from Sree and his two men, who dashed forward +together, as all at once the great serpent seemed to dart suddenly +from under a fold of the palm-leaf thatch, make an effort to glide +along the slope from the neighbourhood of those who were waiting for +it, and then failing from the steepness of the incline, rolled over +and over, writhing and twining, towards the edge where the bamboo +supports formed the pillars of the verandah. + +"Here, hi! stop!" roared the boys; but it was all in vain, for the +excited Siamese men were deaf to everything save their own impulses, +which prompted them to recover the escaped prize, and obtain their +promised reward. + +"Here, I don't want to shoot one of them," cried Phra, stamping in his +disappointment. + +"No, no, don't fire," cried Harry, throwing up his gun. "Here, hi, +Mike! Now's your time; go and help. Lay hold of his tail, but don't be +rash." + +For the serpent had rapidly reached the edge of the thatch and fallen +into one of the flower beds with a heavy thud which proclaimed its +weight. But the next minute that was a flower bed no longer. + +The serpent began the work of destruction by struggling violently as +it drew itself up into a knot, and the three Siamese finished the +work. They seemed to have not the slightest fear of the great +glistening creature whose scales shone in the sun, but dashed at it to +try and pinion it down to the ground. + +There was a furious hissing, mingled with loud shouts, panting, +rustling, and the sound of heavy blows delivered on the earth and the +bamboo flooring of the verandah, as the serpent freed its tail and +lashed about furiously. Then there was a confused knot composed of +reptile and men, rolling over, heaving and straining, and a gaily +coloured sarong was thrown out, to fall a few yards away. + +"Can't you get a shot at it, boys?" cried Mr. Kenyon, as he rushed +out. + +"Impossible, father." + +"Yes, impossible," repeated Mr. Kenyon. + +"What fun!" cried Phra excitedly. "They want to catch him alive. Look, +Hal, look." + +Harry was doing nothing else, and forgetful of all his repugnance he +approached so near the struggling knot that he had a narrow escape +from a heavy flogging blow delivered by the serpent's tail, one which +indented the soft earth with a furrow. + +"Ugh! you beast!" cried Harry, kicking at one of the reptile's folds, +which just then offered itself temptingly; but before the boy's foot +could reach it the fold was a yard away and the struggle going on more +fiercely than ever. + +It was the fight of three stout, strong men against that elongated, +tapering mass of bone and muscle, with fierce jaws at one end, a +thick, whip-like portion at the other, and the men seemed to be +comparatively helpless, being thrown here and there in spite of the +brave way in which they clung to the writhing form. The end soon +arrived, for the reptile made one tremendous effort to escape, +wrenched itself free enough to throw a couple of folds of its tail +round the thick bamboo pillar which supported the roof, took advantage +of the purchase afforded, and threw off its three adversaries, to +cling there with half its body undulating and quivering in the air, +its head with its eyes glittering fiercely, and its forked tongue +darting in and out, menacing its enemies and preparing to strike. + +The men were up again in an instant, ready to resume the attack, Sree +giving his orders in their native tongue. + +"I'll get hold of his neck," he panted, "and you two catch his tail. +Keep him tight to the bamboo, and I'll hold his head close up and ask +the master to tie it to the upright." + +"Stand back, all of you!" cried Mr. Kenyon. "Now, boys, get into the +verandah and fire outward. You have a fine chance." + +"No, no, Sahib," cried the hunter imploringly. "The snake is nearly +tired out now, and in another minute we shall have caught it fast." + +"Nonsense," cried Mr. Kenyon; "it is far too strong for you. You are +all hurt now." + +"A few scratches only, Sahib, and we could not bear to see so fine a +snake, which the master would love to have, killed like that." + +"Thinking of reward, Sree?" said the merchant, smiling. + +Harry whispered something to Phra, who nodded. + +"Let them have another try, father," cried the boy. "Phra and I don't +mind missing a shot apiece." + +"Very well," said Mr. Kenyon, and turning to the men--"Take it alive, +then, if you can." + +From wearing a dull, heavy look of disappointment the faces of the +Siamese were all smiles once more, and they prepared to rush in at +their enemy on receiving a word from Sree, who now advanced with one +of the bamboo poles he had picked up, and held out the end toward the +quivering, menacing head of the snake. + +The latter accepted the challenge directly and struck at the end of +the thick pole, its jaws opening and closing, and the dart of the +drawn-back head being quicker than the eye could follow. + +Sree was as quick, though. The slightest movement of the wrist threw +the end of the pole aside, and the serpent missed it three times +running. After that it refused to strike, but drew back its head and +swung it from side to side till it was teased into striking once more. + +This time there was a sharp jar of the bamboo, as the reptile's teeth +closed upon the wood, and the pole was nearly jerked out of the man's +hands. But he held on firmly without displaying the slightest fear, +swaying to and fro as the reptile dragged and gave. + +"Better kill it at once, Sree," cried Mr. Kenyon. + +"Pray no, Sahib. He is very strong, but we shall tire him out. I am +going to have his neck bound to the great bamboo pillar with a +sarong." + +"My good fellow," cried the merchant, "if you do it will drag the +pillar down." + +"And pull half the roof off," said Phra. "Yes, they are very strong, +these big serpents." + +"I'm afraid he would, Sahib," said the hunter mildly. "Now, if I had +time I could go into the jungle and get leaves to pound up and give +him, and he would be asleep so that we could put him in the basket." + +"Well, hadn't you better go and fetch some?" cried Harry +mischievously. "Here, Mike, come and hold this bamboo while Sree +goes." + +There was a burst of laughter at this, in which the Siamese joined, +for Mike's features were for a moment convulsed with horror; the next +he grasped the fact that a joke was being made at his expense, and +stood shaking his head and pretending to be amused. + +"We had better have a shot, my lads," said Mr. Kenyon. "It is too +unmanageable a specimen to keep, and I shall be quite content with the +skin." + +"Let them have another try, Mr. Kenyon," said Phra eagerly. "It is +grand to see them fight. Perhaps they will win this time." + +"Very well," said Mr. Kenyon, smiling. + +"Go and help them, Phra," said Harry, laughing. + +"It's so hot," said the young Siamese, "and one would be knocked about +so, and have all one's clothes torn off. Besides, you can't take hold, +only by clinging round it with your arms, and snakes are not nice. But +I will, if you will." + +"All right," said Harry; "only let's have the tail." + +Mike looked at the boys in horror, as if he thought they had gone mad. + +But at that moment Sree gave a sign to his two followers, after +finding that the reptile was so much exhausted that he could force its +head in any direction, for it still held on tightly with its teeth. + +There was a rush, and the two men seized the creature's tail and began +to unwind it from the pillar by walking round and round. + +"Hurrah! they've mastered it," cried Harry, and they drew back as the +last fold was untwined from the pillar, Mike drawing much farther back +than any one else, so as to give plenty of room. + +But the tight clasp of the teeth-armed jaws did not relax in the +slightest degree, and the next minute, by the efforts of the three +men, the creature was half dragged, half carried out into the open +garden, limp apparently and completely worn out. + +"Why, they'll manage it yet, father," cried Harry. "Here, Mike, bring +that basket out here." + +"Yes," cried Mr. Kenyon, "quick!" + +Mike looked horrified, but he felt compelled to obey, and, hurrying +into the verandah, he was half-way to the men with the basket, when he +uttered a yell, dropped it, and darted back. + +"It was frightened of Mike," said Phra afterwards. + +Frightened or no, all at once when its captors were quite off their +guard, the serpent suddenly brought its tremendous muscles into full +play, contracted itself with a sudden snatch as if about to tie itself +in a knot, and before the men could seize it again, for it was quite +free, it went down the garden at a tremendous rate, making at first +for the river, then turning off towards the jungle. + +The men, as they recovered from their astonishment, darted in pursuit, +but stopped short, for Mr. Kenyon's gun rang out with a loud report, +making the serpent start violently, but without checking its course, +and it was half out of sight among the low-growing bushes when, in +rapid succession, Phra and Harry fired, with the effect of making the +reptile draw itself into a knot again, roll, and twine right back into +the garden, give a few convulsive throes, and then slowly straighten +itself out at full length and lie heaving gently, as a slight quiver +ran from head to tail. + +The boys cheered, and after reloading in the slow, old-fashioned way +of fifty years ago, went close up to the reptile. + +"Shall I give him another shot in the head, Mr. Kenyon?" cried Phra. + +"No, no, my lad; it would be only waste of powder and shot. The brute +is beyond the reach of pain now. Well, Hal, how long do you make it?" +he cried, as that young gentleman finished pacing the ground close up +to the great reptile. + +"Five of my steps," said Harry; "and he's as thick round as I can +span--a little thicker. I say, isn't he beautifully marked, father?" + +"Splendidly, my boy." + +"But who'd have thought a thing like that could be so strong?" + +"They are wonderfully powerful," said Mr. Kenyon. "It is a splendid +specimen, Sree," he continued to that personage, who, with his +companions--all three looking sullen and out of heart--was rearranging +dragged-off or discarded loin-cloths, and looking dirty, torn, and in +one or two places bleeding, from the reptile's teeth. + +"Yes, Sahib," said the man sadly; "he would have been a prize, and I +should have been proud, and the Sahib would have been grateful in the +way he always is to his servants." + +"Oh, I see," said Harry, who whispered to his father and then to Phra, +both nodding. + +"I could not have kept such a monster as that alive, Sree," said the +merchant; "but you men behaved splendidly. You were brave to a degree, +and of course I shall pay you as much or more than I should have given +you if it had been prisoned alive." + +"Oh, Sahib!" cried the man, whose face became transformed, his eyes +brightened, and with a look of delight he brought a smile to his lips. + +Turning quickly to his two men, he whispered to them in their own +tongue, and the change was magical. They uttered a shout of joy, threw +themselves on their knees, raised their hands to the sides of their +heads, and shuffled along towards the master. + +"That will do, Sree," cried Mr. Kenyon impatiently; "make them get up. +You know I do not like to be treated like that." + +"Yes, Sahib; I know," said the hunter, and at a word the two men +started up, beaming and grinning at the two lads. + +"Brave boys," said Phra, speaking in his own tongue; and, thrusting +his hand in his pocket, he brought out and gave each of the men one of +the silver coins of the country. + +The next moment all three were grovelling on the earth before their +young Prince. + +He waved his hand and they rose. + +"I don't much like it now, Hal," said Phra apologetically; "but it is +the custom, you know. I like to be English, though, when I am with +you." + +"Oh, it's all right," said Harry; "but you do improve wonderfully, +lad. You'll be quite an English gentleman some day. I say, father, +give me some silver; I want to do as Phra did." + +Mr. Kenyon smiled and handed his son some money, nodding his +satisfaction as he saw him give each of the Siamese a coin, and check +them when they were about to prostrate themselves. + +"No, no," he shouted; "be English. Pull your blacking-brushes--so." + +The men grinned, and gave a tug at what would have been their +forelocks if they had not been cropped short. + +"Skin the snake very carefully, Sree," said Mr. Kenyon quietly, after +liberally rewarding the men, whose gloom gave place to the exuberance +of satisfaction. + +"Yes, Sahib; there shall not be a tear in the skin," cried the old +hunter eagerly. + +"Where shall they do it, father?" said Harry. "It will make such a +mess here." + +"Let them drag it down to the landing-stage, my boy, and they can +sluice the bamboo flooring afterwards, and then peg out the skin to +dry on the side. You will stay and see it done?" + +"Yes, father," replied the boy, and he turned to Phra. + +"Will you stop?" + +"Of course. I came to stay," was the reply; "didn't you see that I +sent the boatmen back?" + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +FISHING WITH A WORM + + +"I say, Sree, hadn't you and your fellows better have a wash?" said +Harry, as soon as Mr. Kenyon had re-entered the bungalow to go to his +office on the other side for his regular morning work connected with +the dispatching of rice and coffee down to the principal city. + +"What good, Sahib?" said the man, looking up with so much wonder in +his amiable, simple face, that both Phra and Harry burst out laughing, +in which the men joined. + +"Why, you are all so dirty, and you smell nasty and musky of that +great snake." + +"But we are going to skin it, Sahib, and we shall be much worse then." + +"Oh yes, I forgot," said Harry. + +"When we have done we shall all bathe and be quite clean, and go and +thank the good Sahib before we depart." + +He said a few words to his two men, and, gun in hand, the boys walked +with them towards the boa, when a thought occurred to Harry. + +"I say," he cried, "mind what you are about when you bathe, for +there's a crocodile yonder, half as long again as that snake." + +"Ah!" ejaculated the man, "then we must take care." + +"So will we, Phra. We'll look out for him and try and get a shot." + +"A big one?" said the Siamese lad. + +"Yes, I think it is the biggest I have seen." + +"Then we'll shoot him. But how bad you have made me! Before we became +friends I followed our people's rule--never killing anything. Now this +morning I am going to try and kill a crocodile, after helping to kill +a snake." + +"Well," said Harry, "I don't care about arguing who's right, but it +seems to be very stupid not to kill those horrible great monsters +which drag people who are bathing under water and eat them, and to be +afraid to kill a tiger that springs upon the poor rice and coffee +growers at the edges of the plantations." + +"So it does," said Phra, with a dry look; "and I am trying not to be +stupid. All, look there!" + +Harry was already looking, for as one of the men took hold of the +serpent's tail, in order to drag it down to the landing-place, it was +snatched away, then raised up and brought down again heavily to lie +heaving and undulating, the movement being continued right up to the +head. + +"You don't seem to have killed that," said Harry drily. + +"No," replied Phra; "but I will," and he cocked his gun. + +But Sree addressed a few words to him in his native tongue, and the +lad nodded. + +"What does he say?" asked Harry; "he can kill it more easily, without +spoiling the skin?" + +"Yes. Look. What a while these things take to die!" + +"My father says that at home in England the country people say you +can't kill a snake directly. It always lives till the sun sets." + +"You haven't got snakes like that in England?" + +"Oh no; the biggest are only a little more than a yard long." + +"But how can they live like that? What has the sun to do with it?" + +"Nothing. Father says it's only an old-fashioned superstition." + +"Look! Sree's going to kill the snake now. He's a bad Buddhist." + +"Never mind; he's a capital hunter. See what splendid things we've +found when we've been with him," said Harry enthusiastically. "He +seems to know the habits of everything in the jungle." + +Harry ceased speaking, for Sree drew a knife from its sheath in the +band of his sarong, or padung, whetted it on one of the stones of the +rockery, and went to the head of the serpent, which was moving gently. + +Sree bent down, extending his left hand to grip the reptile softly +behind the head, and give it a mortal wound which would afterwards +serve as the beginning of the cut to take off the beautifully marked +skin. + +But at the first touch, the reptile seemed to be galvanized into life, +and coiling and knotting itself up, it began to twine and writhe with +apparently as much vigour as before receiving the shots. + +"Did you ever see such a brute?" cried Harry. "Take care, or you'll +lose him." + +"Oh, no, Sahib; I will not do that. Only let me get one cut, and I +will soon make him still." + +He waited for a few minutes till the reptile straightened itself out +again, and then at a sign the two men followed their leader's example, +throwing themselves down upon the fore part of the boa, which began to +heave again, the lower part of the body writhing and flogging the +earth. + +But Sree was quite equal to the occasion. He had pinned the reptile's +neck down with one hand, and managed to hold it till with all the +skill of an old huntsman, he had slit up the skin, inserted his knife, +and cleverly divided the vertebrae just behind the creature's head. + +The moment this was done the tremendous thrashing of the tail part +began to grow less violent, then grew more gentle still, and finally +it lay undulating gently. + +"He will die now," said the man, and the long, lithe body was dragged +to the bottom of the garden and stretched out on the bamboo +landing-stage beneath the attap roofing. + +As soon as this was done, the three men went down to the water's edge, +stripped off their sarongs, washed them, and spread them in the hot +sun to dry, while, gun in hand, the two lads stood carefully scanning +the river in search of enemies, so as to get a shot. + +But no great reptile was in sight then, and they remained looking on +while Sree and his men cleverly stripped off the boa's skin and +stretched it out to dry, before fetching a couple of brass vessels +from the back of the bungalow and using them to thoroughly remove all +traces of their late work. + +Their next duty was to take a couple of bamboos and thrust off the +body of the serpent. + +Sree, however, undertook to do this himself, telling his men to refill +the brass vessels to sluice down the bamboo stage. + +But instead of thrusting the repulsive-looking reptile off, he +stopped, thinking for a few moments. + +"What is it?" said Phra; "why don't you throw that nasty thing in to +be swept out to sea?" + +Sree gave him a peculiar look, and turned to Harry. + +"Was it a very big crocodile, Sahib?" he said. + +"Yes. Why?" + +"Would you like to have a shot at it?" + +"Of course; but these big ones are so cunning." + +"Let's see," said the man. "Perhaps I could get you a shot." + +The boys were interested at once. + +"What are you going to do?" said Phra. + +"See if I can bring one up where you can shoot." + +"How?" asked Harry. + +"Is there a big hook in the house?" said Sree. + +"Do you want one?" + +"Yes, Sahib." + +"Go up, then, and tell Mike to give you one of the biggest meat-hooks. +Say I want it directly, and then he will." + +The two men squatted down at the end of the landing-place, smiling, +behind their vessels of water, as Sree hurried up the garden, while +the two boys stood, gun in hand, scanning the surface of the river. + +"He's going to make a bait of the snake, I suppose; but I don't expect +the croc will be about here now. If the water were clear we could +see." + +But, as before said, the stream was flowing of a rich coffee or +chocolate hue, deeply laden as it was with the fine mud of the low +flats so often flooded after rains in the mountains, and it was +impossible to see a fish, save when now and then some tiny, silvery +scrap of a thing sprang out, to fall back with a splash. + +"We're only going to make ourselves hot for nothing," said Harry. "I +don't believe we shall see the beast. Now, if you had been here when I +saw him." + +"And both of us had had guns," said Phra. "What nonsense it is to talk +like that! One never is at a place at the right time." + +"Fortunately for the crocs," said Harry, laughing. "Here he is." + +"What, the croc?" cried Phra, cocking his gun. + +"No, no; Sree.--Got it?" + +"Yes, Sahib. A good big one." + +The man came on to the landing-stage, smiling, with the bright new +double hook in his hand and a stout piece of string. Then taking down +a little coil of rope used for mooring boats at one of the posts, he +thrust one of the hooks through the hemp, bound it fast with string, +leaving a long piece after knotting off, and then passed the other +hook well through the vertebrae and muscles behind the snake's head, +using the remaining string to bind the shank of the hook firmly to the +serpent's neck so as to strengthen the hold. + +There were about twenty yards of strong rope, and Sree fastened the +other end of this to the post used to secure the boats, before looking +up at the boys. + +"Large big fishing," he said, with a dry smile. "Fish too strong to +hold." + +"And that's rather a big worm to put on the hook," said Harry, +laughing. "There, throw it out, and let's see if we get a bite. Are +you going to fish, Phra?" + +"No," said the Prince; "I am going to shoot. You can hold the line." + +"Thankye, but I'm going to fish too. Throw out, Sree." + +The old hunter's throwing out was to push one end of the serpent off +the end of the bamboo stage, with the result that the rest glided +after it, and with their guns at the ready the two boys waited to see +if there was a rush made at the bait as it disappeared beneath the +muddy stream. + +But all they saw was a gleam or two of the white part of the serpent, +as it rolled over and over, then went down, drawing the rope slowly +out till the last coil had gone; and then nothing was visible save a +few yards of rope going down from the post into the water, and rising +and falling with the action of the current. + +Sree squatted down by the post and went on chewing his betel, his two +men by the brass vessels doing the same. + +So five, ten, fifteen minutes passed away, with the boys watching, +ready to fire if there was a chance. + +"Oh, I say, this is horribly stupid," cried Harry at last. "Let's give +it up." + +"No," said Phra; "you want patience to fish for big things as well as +for little. You have no patience at all." + +"Well, I'm not a Siamese," said Harry, laughing. "We English folk are +not always squatting down on our heels chewing nut and pepper-leaf, +and thinking about nothing." + +"Neither am I," said Phra; "but I have patience to wait." + +"It is your nature to," said Harry. "You're all alike here; never in a +hurry about anything." + +"Why should we be?" replied Phra quietly. "We could not in a hot +country like ours. You always want to be in a hurry to do something +else. Look at Sree and his men; see how they wait." + +"Yes, I suppose they're comfortable; but I'm not. I want to go and lie +down under a tree. Think it's any good, Sree? Won't come, will he?" + +"Who can say, Sahib?" replied the man. "He ought to if he is about +here. That bait is big and long; the bait must go far down the stream, +and it smells well." + +"Smells well, eh?" said Harry. + +"Beautiful for a bait, Sahib. You are sure you saw one this morning?" + +"Saw it, and hit it a fine crack with a big stone." + +"Then he ought to be there and take that bait; and he will, too, if +you have not offended him by making his back too sore." + +"Offended him! Made his back too sore!" said Harry, with a chuckle. +"What a rum old chap you are, Sree! You talk about animals just as if +they felt and thought as we do." + +"Yes, Sahib, and that is what the bonzes teach. They say that when +people die they become crocodiles, or elephants, or birds, or +serpents, or monkeys, or some other kind of creature." + +"And that's all stuff and nonsense, Sree. You don't believe all that, +I know." + +"It's what I was taught, Sahib," said the man, with a queer twinkle of +the eye. + +"But you don't believe it, Sree. You don't think that some one turned +when he died into that old snake, or else you wouldn't have caught it +to sell to my father as a specimen." + +"And then skinned it and made a bait of it on a hook to catch a +crocodile," said Phra. + +"Not he. Look at him," cried Harry. "See how he's laughing in his +sleeve." + +"He isn't. Hasn't got any sleeves." + +"Well, inside, then. His eyes are all of a twinkle. He doesn't believe +it a bit. There, I shan't stand here any longer cuddling this gun, +with nothing to shoot at." + +"It is rather stupid, Hal." + +"Yes. Here, jump up, Sree, and take us where we can have a shoot at +something, or go and fish; I don't care which." + +"Come and see the elephants," suggested Phra. + +"No, I want to be under the shady trees. What's the good of going to +see the tame elephants? They're not white, after all. Chained by one +leg and nodding their old heads up and down, up and down, till they +see you, and then they begin sticking out their leeches." + +"Sticking out their leeches?" said Phra, looking at him wonderingly. + +"Trunks, then. They always look to me like jolly great leeches ready +to hold on to you. Let's go. Pull up the hook and line, Sree, and get +rid of that nasty snake." + +"Yes, Sahib," said the old hunter, beginning to haul on the rope, +which came in heavily for a few feet. + +"It comes in slowly," said Phra; "has something taken the bait?" + +_Whush!_ went the line through Sree's hands, and then _whang!_ as it +was snapped tight with such violence that the man started from it, for +the stout post was jarred so that it quivered and seemed about to be +pulled down, while the light bamboo and palm roof swayed, and the +whole structure seemed as if it were going to be dragged over into the +river. + +There was no doubting the violence of the wrench and the danger, for +the two men sprang off on to the shore and stood staring, till Sree +shouted to them to come back and help haul. + +"Why, we've caught him, Phra," cried Harry, as soon as he had +recovered from his astonishment. "Look out, lad, and be ready to fire +as soon as he shows upon the surface. Pull, Sree; don't let him drag +like that at the post again." + +"I can't move him, Sahib," said the man, who looked startled; and he +was already hauling with all his might, but doing nothing more than +slightly ease the strain on the post. + +But first one and then the other man got a grip of the rope, pulling +together with such effect that whatever had seized the bait and become +hooked began to jerk the line violently, as if it were throwing its +head from side to side. + +"Be ready to shoot, Master Harry," said Sree. "He may rush up to the +top of the water and come at us, or try to sweep us off here with his +tail." + +"Nonsense!" cried Harry. + +"'Tisn't," said Phra calmly, as he stood like a bronze statue, ready +to fire. "I saw a man swept off a boat once like that." + +"By a croc?" + +"Yes." + +"What then?" said Harry huskily. + +"I don't know. He was never seen again. Ah, look out!" + +As Phra spoke there was a violent eddying in the water where the end +of the line must have been. + +"He's coming up," cried Harry, raising his gun to his shoulder. "Hold +on, all of you. Ah, here he is. Fire!" + +The two guns went off almost like one, for all at once the hideous +knotted head of a crocodile appeared at the surface and came rapidly +towards the stage slackening the rope and making the two men quit +their hold and, in spite of an angry cry from Sree, tumble one over +the other ashore. + +The hunter behaved bravely enough, but the moment had arrived when he +felt that discretion was the better part of valour--when it was +evident that the hideous reptile, enraged at finding such a finale to +the delicious repast of musky boa, neatly skinned apparently for its +benefit, but followed by a horrible tearing sensation in its throat +and the pressure of a long rope which could not be swallowed nor +bitten through because it persisted in getting between the teeth, had +risen to the surface, caught sight of a man dragging at the rope, had +aimed straight at him as being the cause of all the pain, and was +about to rush at and sweep him from the platform. + +Under the circumstances Sree was about to let go and follow the +example of his men, but the firing checked the crocodile's charge, +sending it rushing down below with a tremendous wallow and splash on +the surface with its tail; the rope ran out again, and Sree proudly +held on, congratulating himself on not having let go, but repenting +directly after, for there was a jerk which seemed as if it would drag +his arms out of their sockets, and if he had not let the rope slide he +must have gone head first into the river. + +Then came another drag at the post which supported the roof, and once +more everything quivered, but not so violently as before, while Sree +tightened his hold again and roared to his men to come. + +The movement of the rope now showed that the great reptile was +swimming here and there deep down in the muddy water, while the two +lads with hands trembling from excitement reloaded as quickly as they +could; and as the two men resumed their places on the stage and took +hold of the rope, the sharp clicking of gun-locks told that a couple +more charges were ready. + +"Think we can kill him, Sree?" cried Harry. + +"I daren't say, Sahib. The rope may break by his teeth at any time, +but we'll drag and make him come up again, so that you can have +another shot. What are you loaded with?" + +"Big slugs," cried Phra. + +"Ought to be bullets," said the hunter. + +"But we are very near, Sree," chimed in Harry. + +"Yes, Sahib; but an old crocodile like this is so horny. Never mind; +you must try. Say when you're ready." + +"Now," said Phra hoarsely, and Harry stood with his lips pinched and +his forehead a maze of wrinkles. + +Sree turned fiercely to his two followers, who had hold of the rope +close behind him. + +"If you let go this time, I'll knock you both in," he cried, "and then +you'll be killed and eaten, and come to life again as crocodiles." + +The men shivered at this to them horrible threat, and Harry and Phra +exchanged glances. + +Meanwhile Sree was, so to speak, just feeling the crocodile's head, +and as no extra strain was put upon the rope the reptile kept on +swimming to and fro; but the moment the rope was tightened and the +three men gave a steady drag there was a violent eddying of the water, +the rope slackened, and the huge head and shoulders shot out as if the +brute meant to reach its enemies in one bound. + +But once more the reports of the two guns came nearly together, and +the gaping jaws of the reptile snapped together as the head +disappeared. + +"Load again," cried Harry excitedly. "Let him run, Sree." + +The hunter nodded, and as soon as the guns were loaded the drag and +reappearance of the beast took place, another couple of shots were +received, and this time the reptile whirled itself round and making +good use of its favourite weapon struck at the occupants of the +landing-stage, its tail sweeping along with terrific force. + +But the brute had miscalculated the distance. Six feet nearer, and the +two lads would have been swept into the river. As it was they felt the +wind of the passing tail and heard the loud humming _whish_ as it +passed. + +"That was near, Phra," said Harry. + +"Yes; the hideous wretch! the beast!" hissed the Siamese lad through +his teeth, and followed it up with another loud, hollow, hissing noise +from the barrel of his gun, as he rammed a wad down upon the powder. +"Let's go on and kill him. Such a wretch ought not to live and destroy +everything he can reach along the banks. Oh, how I wish we had some +big bullets! I'd half fill the gun." + +"Then I'm glad you have none, old chap," said Harry. + +"Why?" cried Phra, pausing, ramrod in hand. + +"You ought to know by now. Burst the gun." + +"Nearly ready, Sahib?" cried Sree. "He's pulling harder, and I'm +afraid of the rope breaking." + +"Not quite," said Phra, but a minute later, "Let's stand a bit farther +back, Hal. Now, Sree, pull." + +There was another steady draw upon the rope, which ran out now quite +at right angles with the stage, and in an instant it was responded to +by a tremendous rush. The water rose in a wave, then parted, as the +open jaws of the crocodile appeared, coming right at them. The next +moment the landing-stage quivered and rocked, for it was as if a +tree-trunk had struck it right at the edge. Then there was a splash +which sent the water flying all over the edifice, and all was still. + +The reptile's charge had its effect, for as it fell back into the +water the three Siamese rose to their feet from where they had flung +themselves off from the staging in among the flowering bushes, and +Harry and Phra sat up on the path which led into the garden. + +"Oh, what a beast!" cried Phra, rubbing himself. "I hate him, oh, ten +thousand times worse now!" + +"Lucky we didn't shoot one another," said Harry. "I say, see how I've +scratched the stock of father's gun." + +"Why didn't you fire, Sahib?" said Sree ruefully, as he began picking +thorns out of his left arm. + +"Come, I like that!" cried Harry. "Why didn't you three hold on by the +rope? I say, Sree, this is a one-er." + +"You see, he doesn't like that hook, Sahib," said the hunter. + +"But he has got to like it," said Harry. "There, we're not beaten. +Come on again. We must kill him now." + +"I'm afraid, Sahib, he is one of those old savage crocodiles that are +enchanted, and can't be killed." + +"Oh, are you?" said Harry drily; "then I'm not. And if that rope +doesn't break, we're going to kill him for being so impudent, aren't +we, Phra?" + +"Yes," said the lad, with his dark eyes flashing. "We will kill him +now if it takes pounds of powder." + +"And hundredweights of shot," said Harry. "Now then, look at the +primings, and then stir the wretch up again, Sree, before he jigs that +post down." + +The jerking of the post was transferred to the arms of the men as the +two lads stepped back to the bamboo floor, ready once more, and +laughingly now, as they trusted to their own activity to escape the +reptile's jaws. The men began to haul at the rope, with the same +result as before. + +But the boys were more ready this time. They watched the approaching +wave, and as the open jaws of the enemy appeared, they fired right in +between them, as if moved by the same impulse; and this time the +creature dropped back at once. + +"That was a good one, Sree," cried Harry, beginning to reload. + +"It was great and wonderful, Sahib. How glad I am to see you both +trying to slay the old murderer! A few more shots like that, and he +will never again drag little children and poor weak women down to his +holes in the muddy banks. It is a grand thing to do; but the bullets +should be heavier than those." + +"Never mind," said Phra; "we'll make these do." + +Once more the order was given to pull, and the rope was tightened as +it descended just in the same place, showing that the reptile was +lying still in the same spot--probably a hole in the muddy bed--which +had formed its lurking-place during the last few minutes. + +It was a complete repetition in every respect of the last rush, and, +taught by experience, the lads were as quick in the repetition of +their last tactics. The wave rose in response to the heavy drag, the +water eddied and parted, and once more a couple of heavy charges of +slugs were poured between the hideous, gaping jaws, which closed with +a snap, and the head sank down out of sight. + +But this time there was a fresh surprise. The monster's tail rose high +in the air, and delivered three or four tremendous smacks on the +surface, raising such a foam and shower that it was only dimly seen +how the reptile must have tried to evade its enemies by shooting up +stream. + +But it was apparent by the direction of the rope, to which the three +men held on as long as they could, the final jerk making them let go +for a few minutes, but only for Sree to seize hold again. + +"He must have got that last badly, Sahib," said the hunter gravely, as +he began to pull in the slack, which showed that the reptile was no +longer straining at the line. + +"Bring him back then directly we're ready," cried Harry, "and we'll +give him another dose. But I say," he added, as he went on loading +quickly, "that line comes in very easily." + +"Yes, Sahib, and we must be on the look-out. I thought he had rushed +up stream, but he must be close here." + +"I know," cried Phra; "it's just like the cunning beast. He has come +back, and is hiding under the floor. We must look out." + +"Yes, Sahib," replied the hunter; "very likely, for they are cunning +things. I will not pull in more rope till you are ready for him." + +"Ready!" cried Phra a minute later, and Harry echoed the cry. + +"Better stand on my other side, Sahibs," said Sree; and the lads took +up the more advantageous place--one, too, which made the hunter more +safe from proving the resting-place of the next volley of bullets. + +The two men eagerly took their places at the rope, for familiarity +with the danger incurred had thoroughly bred contempt; and the hauling +began slowly and steadily, every one being on the _qui vive_, and +ready to spring back. + +But the first yard came without the slightest resistance. + +"Look out!" said Harry, holding his gun to his shoulder, and aiming +down at the water; "he must be very near." + +Another yard came without the crocodile being felt. + +"He must be close in," whispered Phra, and the excitement now became +intense; for their enemy seemed to be playing a very artful game under +cover of the thick water, which completely shielded the approach. + +"Better stand farther back, Sahibs," said Sree, ceasing to pull, + +"But we couldn't see to shoot," said Harry. + +"Better not shoot than be seized by this child of a horrible mother, +Sahib." + +"We should have time to spring back," said Phra; "for we should see +the water move. Go on pulling in the rope." + +"Yes, go on," said Harry excitedly. "I can't bear this waiting. Haul +quicker, and let's have it over." + +The men obeyed, and another yard was easily and slowly drawn in, the +Siamese in their excitement opening their eyelids widely so as to show +the opalescent eyeballs; but still there was no check, and the curve +of the rope now showed that the hook end must be close under the +stage. + +"Now, Sahibs, mind," whispered Sree hoarsely; "he is down there by +your feet, or else right under the floor." + +The lads glanced down at the frail, split bamboos, through whose +interstices they could just catch the gleam of the flowing water, +while the same idea came to both. + +Suppose the brute were to dash its head upward? It would break through +as easily as if the flooring had been of laths. + +But all was still save the rippling whisper of the water and the hum +of insect life outside in the blistering sunshine, as the men drew on +cautiously, inch by inch, in momentary expectation of the development +of a cunning attack. + +It was almost in breathless awe now that the men ceased pulling for a +few moments in response to an order from Sree, who whispered to his +superiors,-- + +"We are just at the end, Sahibs; be quite ready to fire." + +"We are," they replied, in a husky whisper. + +"Then we shall pull now sharply, Sahibs." + +"Pull," said Harry. "Quick!" + +The men gave two rapid heaves, and the boys started back with a shout. + +"Oh!" roared Harry, stamping about the floor, "only to think of that!" + +For Sree was standing holding out the frayed and untwisted end of the +rope, worn through at last by the crocodile's teeth, and parted in the +last rush. + +"Oh, I say!" cried Phra. + +"Mind! Look out!" yelled Harry, making a dash for the shore, and +immediately there was a regular stampede, which ended in the Prince +seizing his friend by the arm, and thumping his back with the butt of +the gun he held. + +"Oh, I say, don't--don't!" panted Harry, who was choking with +laughter. + +"Then will you leave off playing such tricks?" + +"Yes, yes--please, please!" cried Harry. "Oh, don't; it hurts." + +"I know: it'll be like that fable of the shepherd boy and the wolf. +Some day he'll come and no one will run." + +"I don't care, so long as you leave off thumping me with that gun. +Don't, Phra, old chap," he added, growing serious; "it's dangerous to +play with guns." + +"It's too bad," said Phra. "I thought the beast was jumping on to us. +What a pity, though! All that powder and shot wasted for nothing." + +"The bullets were too small, Sahib," said Sree; "but I'm afraid you +could never have killed that crocodile." + +"Oh, nonsense!" cried Harry; "bullets would have done it." + +Sree shook his head solemnly. + +"Look at him, Phra. I did think he was sensible." + +"No; he's nearly as superstitious as any of them," replied the lad. + +"No, Sahib," said Sree; "I only think it's strange that you fired shot +after shot into that thing, and still he was as strong as ever. I hope +he will not stop about here, and make it not safe to come down to the +landing-place. It would be bad." + +"Ahoy--oy--oy!" rang out in a clear, manly voice, and the sound of +oars was followed by a boat gliding into sight. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +THE DOCTOR'S POST-MORTEM + + +"Morning, Mr. Cameron," cried Harry heartily, as the boat, propelled +by its fore-and-aft rowers, glided up to the landing-stage, Sree +handing the crocodile-catching rope to one of the men to make the boat +fast, while the occupant of the seat beneath the central awning leapt +out. + +He was a good-looking, lightly bronzed, red-haired man of about +thirty, tall, and active apparently as a boy, and as he strode over +the yielding bamboo flooring, making it creak, he shook hands warmly. + +"How are you, my lads?--Ah, Sree!" and the hunter salaamed. + +"I'm jolly, Mr. Cameron. Phra's bad. Put out your tongue, old chap." + +Phra's reply was a punch in the chest. + +"Looks terribly bad," said the new arrival, who knew his friends. +"Here, what does all this shooting mean? I came on to see." + +"Awful great croc," cried Harry. + +"Shooting at it?" + +"Yes, and the big slugs rattled off it like hail on a lot of dry +thatch." + +"Then you did not kill it?" + +"Kill it--no. Only wish we had. Mr. Cameron, it was a monster." + +"So I suppose. Nine feet long, eh?" + +"Nine feet long!" said Harry contemptuously; "why, it was over +twenty." + +"You young romancer!" cried the new-comer. "How long was it, Prince?" + +"I've only seen its head," said Phra. "It was big enough for it to be +thirty feet." + +"Then I beg your pardon humbly, Hal." + +This was accompanied by a hearty clap on the shoulder. + +"Oh, I don't mind," said the lad merrily. "Only if you won't believe +me, Mr. Cameron, I won't believe you." + +"I never tell travellers' tales, Hal." + +"No, but you tell me sometimes that your nasty mixtures will do me +good, and that's precious hard to believe." + +The young doctor laughed. + +"You ought to have killed the croc, though," he said. + +"Sahib! Sahib, look!" cried Sree, as a shout arose from Mr. Cameron's +boatmen. + +All turned sharply to where the men were pointing, to see, floating on +its back and with its toad-like under part drying in the hot sunshine, +the body of a huge crocodile. + +"That's ours," cried Harry. + +"Or a dead one from somewhere up the river," said the doctor. "But +we'll soon prove it with our noses." + +"Hooray! no need," cried Harry; "that's him;" for all at once the +great reptile undulated in the water, struggled, splashed, and turned +over, swam round, and went up the river again, passing out of sight. + +"Well, you are pretty sportsmen! Why didn't you shoot?" + +"I never thought of the gun," said Phra. + +"Here, take us in your boat, and let's follow him, Mr. Cameron." + +There was another shout before the doctor could answer, for the men +could see that the reptile's strength was exhausted, it being once +more upon its back, floating down the stream. + +"We'll shoot this time," said Phra. + +"There is no need, master," said Sree. "I think it is dead now." + +"I came to have a chat with your father," said the doctor; "but I must +make acquaintance with our friend yonder. Look here, Sree, take the +boat and the rope and tow the brute ashore. Take care that it is dead +first. Don't run any risks." + +"No, Sahib," said the man, drawing his keen knife from his waist and +trying its edge and point. + +"Ah, I need not try to teach you, Sree." + +"Here's father," cried Harry, as Mr. Kenyon came out of the open +window of the bungalow and walked down to where they stood. + +"Ah, Cameron, how are you? Glad to see you, man. How is the wife?" + +"Complaining about the heat. But look yonder." + +He pointed at the floating reptile, and the merchant uttered an +exclamation of wonder. + +"So that explains the firing, boys. It is a monster. What a good +riddance! What are you going to do, Sree?" + +"Put a rope round his neck and bring him ashore, Sahib." + +"Yes, we ought to take some measurements. But be careful, or it will +capsize you; I don't think it's dead." + +"It will be soon, Sahib," said the man meaningly. + +"Yes, but those creatures have such strength in their tails. Where is +your spear, man?" + +"In my boat, Sahib, far away." + +"Here, Harry, run to the hall and take down one of those Malay +spears." + +Harry ran, and after a moment's hesitation the young prince followed +him, walking in a slow, dignified way. But long contact and education +with an English boy had left its traces, and before he had gone many +yards the observances of his father's jungle palace were forgotten, +and he dashed off as hard as he could go, leaping in at the doorway +and nearly overturning his companion. + +"Here, mind where you're coming to," cried Harry. + +"Bring two spears," cried Phra excitedly. + +"Well, I am bringing two, aren't I? Thought you'd like to have a go, +too." + +Phra's arm went over his friend's shoulder in an instant. + +"That's what I do like in you," he cried. "You always want to share +everything with me." + +"You're just as stupid," said Harry drily. "Here, catch hold. Which +will you have? Make haste. Come along." + +"Oh, I don't mind," said Phra. + +"Better choose," said Harry, holding out the long, keen heads. "This +one's as sharp as that one, and that one's got as good a point as +this. Which is it to be?" + +"I don't quite understand," said Phra, gazing in Harry's laughing +eyes. "Yes, I do. Either of them will do. How fond you are of trying +to puzzle one!" + +"Make haste, boys," cried Mr. Kenyon. + +Dignity before the common people was once more forgotten, prince and +English boy racing down to the landing-stage with the light spears +over their shoulders. + +"Hullo!" said Harry's father. "I did not mean you to go." + +"Oh, we must go, father," cried the lad. + +"Well, be careful, Sree. Mind that the boat is kept a little way +back." + +"Yes, Sahib; I will take care." + +"You might have asked me if I'd like to come in my own boat," said the +doctor, smiling. + +"Oh, Dr. Cameron," said Phra with an apologetic look, "pray go;" and +he offered him the spear he held. + +"No, no, my dear lad," said the doctor; "I was only joking. It is your +task." + +"But come too," cried Harry. + +"There will be plenty in the boat without me. Off with you." + +Harry looked unwilling to stir, but the doctor seized him by the +shoulders and hurried him along, and the next minute they were being +paddled towards the floating reptile, the men managing so that the +boys could have a thrust in turn, the Prince as they passed along one +side, Harry on their return on the other. + +But the thrusts did not follow one another quickly, for the deep +plunging in of the spear by Phra seemed to act like a reviver, +although it was delivered about where the lad believed the heart to +be. + +In an instant the great reptile had flung itself over and began +lashing the water with its tail. + +"Take care!" shouted Mr. Kenyon from the landing-stage. But the +warning was needless, for a sharp stroke from the oars sent the boat +well out of reach, the rowers changing their positions and sending it +backward in pursuit, as the crocodile began once more to swim up +stream, at a pretty good rate at first, then slower and slower, +leaving the water stained with its blood as it went on. + +It managed to make its way, though, quite a hundred yards above the +bungalow before its tail ceased its wavy, fish-like motion. Then there +was a struggle and a little splashing, and once more it turned over +upon its back. + +"Your turn now," cried Phra excitedly. "I must have missed its heart. +You stab it there this time." + +"Want the doctor here to tell me where it is," said Harry, as he stood +up with his spear poised ready to strike when within reach. + +"Thrust just between its front paws, Sahib," said Sree from where he +squatted just behind the front rower. + +"I will if I can; if I can't, how can I?" hummed Harry. + +"Now," whispered Sree. + +"Yes, yes, now," cried Phra excitedly. + +"There you are, then," muttered the lad, and he delivered a thrust +right in the spot pointed out, snatching back the weapon just in time, +for the wound seemed to madden the reptile, which turned over and +began to struggle with astonishing vigour; but only to roll over again +and swim round the boat in that position, giving Phra the opportunity +of delivering a deadly thrust, which was followed by another by Harry. + +"That has done it," said the latter, for there was no response to +these save a slight quivering of the tail, and now Sree rose from +where he had crouched. + +"Dead now, Sahibs," he said; "he will fight no more." + +The two lads worked their spears about in the water a few times to +cleanse them, and then sat down under the thatched awning, panting and +hot with exertion, while they watched the action of the hunter. Sree, +aided by the boatmen, who held the crocodile within reach, leaned over +the side and slipped a running noose over the monster's head right up +to the neck, drew it tight, and then let the rope run through his +hands as the two Siamese rowers made their oars bend in sending the +light sampan along, for the huge bulk was heavy. But the stream was +with them, and a few minutes after, in obedience to the doctor's +instructions, the crocodile was drawn up close to the muddy bank, some +fifty yards below the merchant's garden. + +Here another rope was fetched out and made fast round one of the hind +legs, both ropes being held by Sree's men, while their leader remained +in the boat, the boys having sprung ashore. + +And now measurements were taken, the monster proving to be just +twenty-one feet in length, and of enormous bulk. + +"I was not far wrong, Doctor Cameron," said Harry. + +"No, my boy; you were not, indeed." + +"Are you going to let it float down the river now?" asked Phra. + +"Not yet," said the doctor; "but perhaps you two had better go now, +for I am about to superintend rather a nasty examination in the cause +of science." + +"I know," said Harry to his companion; "he is going to see what the +thing lives on. Shall we go?" + +"No," said Phra gravely; "I want to learn all that I can, and the +doctor is so clever, he seems to know everything." + +"I heard what you said, Prince," said the doctor, smiling; "but I +don't; I wish I did. Now, Sree, you know how to go to work; let's get +it over; the water will wash everything away." + +The hunter, who had worked with Doctor Cameron in many an expedition, +and understood what was required, bent over the side of the boat, made +one long opening, and then plunging his knife in again, made another, +and with the flowing water for help, in a short time laid bare the +various objects which formed the loathsome reptile's food. + +First and foremost there was, to the doctor's astonishment, the snake, +and as soon as this had been sent floating down the stream there were +fish, seven of goodly size, beside some that were quite small. Then +the boys were puzzled, but the cleansing water soon showed that what +followed next were a couple of water-fowl, nearly as big as geese. + +"That's all, is it?" said the doctor. + +"No, Sahib, there is something else--something hard," said the hunter, +and he searched about, gathering something in his hand, rinsed it to +and fro a few times, and carefully threw four objects ashore. + +Harry shuddered and felt a horrible, sickening sensation for a few +moments, but it was swept away directly after by the feeling of rage +which made the blood run hot to his temples. + +"I've been thinking what brutes we were, killing things as we have +been this morning; but oh, the beast! I should like to kill hundreds." + +"Ugh!" ejaculated Phra, as he stamped his foot, and then through his +compressed teeth: "The wretches! the monsters! how I hate them!" + +He said no more, but stood with his companion listening as the doctor +rested on one knee and turned over the objects on the grass. + +"Yes, strung on wire; that is why they have not separated. Gilt +bronze, and very pretty too. Each one is chased; the leg and arm +bangles are bronze too, and quite plain. You may as well put them in +your museum, Kenyon, with a label containing their sad little +history--Worn by some pretty little Siamese girl dragged under when +bathing." + +"Yes, Sahib doctor," said Sree respectfully; "they wear bangles like +that three days' journey up the river." + +"Horrible!" ejaculated Harry, bending over the relics. + +"Horrible indeed, my boy," said his father. Then laying his hand upon +Phra's shoulder, "Thank you both, my lads, for ridding the river of a +vile old murderer." + +"Thank old Sree, too, father," said Harry eagerly, "for he did more +than either of us." + +"I'm going to thank Sree," said the merchant. "There, let the monster +float down to the sea. Don't go away yet; Doctor Cameron and I want to +talk to you." + +"Yes, and Harry and I want to go up the river to the wild jungle," +said Phra eagerly. "We have not had a hunt for a week." + +"Come along, then," said Mr. Kenyon, laying his hand on the Prince's +shoulder. "We'll talk it over, and perhaps we can join forces. What's +that, Sree?" + +"The crocodiles from below are coming up, Sahib; they have smelt the +blood." + +"Yes, look at that," said the doctor, as there was a wallow and a +splash not ten yards from the monster's head. + +"Take care!" said Mr. Kenyon excitedly. "Don't try to untie those +ropes, Sree, or you may have your hand seized; cut them, and let the +reptile go." + +Sree obeyed, dividing the strong cords with a couple of cuts. Then +taking an oar from one of the boatmen he forced the boat along past +the crocodile, giving the latter a thrust, when the current bore it +outward, and directly after another of its tribe, of about half the +size, raised its head out of the water, and drew itself partly on the +bulky body, which rolled over toward it, and then sank back out of +sight. + +But it was not gone, and the agitation of the surface about the +floating body showed that others were there, tearing at it as it +floated away. + +"I should hardly have thought that we had so many of these brutes +about here," said the doctor. + +"They come and go, Sahib; and they hide so. There are plenty more, and +that dead one will never reach the sea." + +"It's a warning to you two boys never to attempt to bathe off here," +said Mr. Kenyon. + +"Bathe, father!" cried Harry, glancing down at the bronze rings and +the necklace lying in the grass; "I feel as if I shall never like to +bathe again;" and Phra curled up his lip, as he once more +ejaculated:-- + +"Ugh!" + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +MAKING PLANS + + +It was pleasantly dusk and shady in Mr. Kenyon's museum, where the +party had gathered, glad enough to get away from the glare of the sun +after the exertions of the morning. For Siam is a country beautiful +enough, but one where the sun has a bad habit of making it pretty +often somewhere near ninety-nine in the shade. The natives revel in +this, and grow strong and well, though it has a tendency to make even +them a quiet, deliberate, and indolent people. What wonder, then, that +an Englishman should feel indisposed to work? + +All the same, there was not much idleness in the Kenyons' bungalow, +for the merchant was an indefatigable business man, who had built up a +fine business, at the same time finding time for gratifying his +intense love for natural history, in which he had an energetic +companion in the young doctor, who had been encouraged to settle at +Dahcok by one of the kings. As for Harry, his restless nature made him +set the hottest weather at defiance unless he was checked, for, to use +his own words, "I'm not going to let Phra beat me out of doors, even +if he was born in the country." + +There had been a few words in connection with his restlessness when +the lads bore in the guns and spears, all of which were handed over to +Mike to be cleaned and carefully oiled. + +"You lads had better sit down now and have a good rest in here; it's +cool and shady. Your face is scarlet, Hal. Make Phra stay and have a +bit of dinner with us." + +"I should like to," said the young Prince eagerly. + +"Of course he will, father; but you and Doctor Cameron want to talk." + +"About what will interest you as well, I dare say. What were you going +to do?" + +For Harry had made a sign to Phra, and was sidling towards the door. + +"Oh, I don't know, father; look about and do something along with +Phra." + +"Do you hear him, Doctor? Did you ever see such a restless fellow? +He's spoiling the Prince too." + +"Oh no," said Phra; "I'm just as bad as he is, sir." + +"I begin to think you are," cried Mr. Kenyon. "Look here, Cameron; +they've had a fight with the boa whose skin I showed you, and another +with that crocodile. That ought to satisfy any two boys who love +adventure for quite a month." + +"Well, it is a pretty good morning's work," said the doctor, laughing. +"Take my advice, lads, and have a rest till dinner-time, and another +afterwards. As it happens, Kenyon, I told the wife I shouldn't be back +to dinner." + +"You wouldn't have gone back if you had not," said Mr. Kenyon +laughing. "Oh, by the way, have you completed your collection of +fireflies?" + +"No; there is one which gives out quite a fiery light, very different +from the greeny gold of the others. I've seen it three times, but it +always soars away over the river or up amongst the lofty trees." + +"I know that one," said Phra eagerly. + +"I've seen it once," said Harry. "Old Sree would get you one." + +"I've asked him, but he has not succeeded yet," said the doctor. + +"We'll try, then," said Phra, springing up, an action followed by +Harry. + +"But the fireflies are best caught by night," said Mr. Kenyon drily. + +"Of course," cried Phra, reddening through his yellowish bronze skin, +and he dropped back in his chair, with Harry following suit. + +But in spite of the heat, the boys could not sit still, and began +fidgeting about, while Mr. Kenyon and his friend chatted about the +state of the colony. + +For want of something else more in accordance with their desires at +the moment, the two boys began to go over the various objects in the +large, high-ceiled room, which were the result of ten years' +collecting. There were bird-skins by the hundred--pheasants with the +wondrously-shaped eyes upon tail and wing, which had won for them the +name argus; others eye-bearing like the peacock, but on a smaller +scale; and then the great peacock itself--the Javanese kind--gorgeous +in golden green where the Indian kinds were of peacock blue. + +Every here and there hung snake-skins, trophies of the jungle, while +upon the floor were no less than six magnificent tiger-pelts, each of +which had its history, and a black one too, of murder committed upon +the body of some defenceless native. + +Leopard-skins, too, were well represented. Elephants' tusks of the +whitest ivory; and one strange-looking object stood on the floor, +resembling a badly rounded tub about twenty inches in diameter, and +formed out of the foot of some huge elephant. + +Skulls with horns were there, and skulls without; cases and drawers of +birds' eggs, and lovely butterflies and moths, with brilliant, +metallic-looking beetles; and the boys smiled at one another as they +paused before first one thing and then another in whose capture they +had played a part. + +Here, too, was another stand of weapons that would be suitable for the +attack upon some tyrant of the jungle, or for defence against any +enemy who might rise against the peace of those dwelling at the +bungalow. + +The boys were interested enough in the contents of the museum they had +helped to form; but at last the weariness growing upon them became +unbearable, and they moved towards the door, expecting to hear some +remark made by either Mr. Kenyon or the doctor; but these gentlemen +were too intent upon the subject they had in hand, and about which +they were talking in a low voice. + +"They didn't hear us come out, Phra," said Harry. "Here let's run and +see whether old Sree has gone yet. I hope Mike Dunning has given them +all plenty to eat." + +"He was told to," said Phra quietly. + +"Yes, he was told to," said Harry; "but that does not mean that he +always does as he's told." + +"One of our servants dare not forget to do what he was ordered," said +Phra, frowning. + +"No; but our laws don't allow masters to cut off people's heads for +forgetting things." + +By this time they had passed round the house, to find right at the +back Sree and his two men busy at work cleaning and polishing the guns +and spears that had been used that morning, while Mike, whose task it +was by rights, lounged about giving orders and looking on. + +"Have you given those men their dinner, Mike?" asked Harry. + +"Oh yes, sir, such a dinner as they don't get every day," replied the +man. + +"That's more than you know, Mike," said Harry. "Hunters know how to +live well out in the jungle; don't they, Sree?" + +"We always manage to get enough, Master Harry," said the man, smiling; +"for there is plenty for those who know how to find it in the jungle, +out on the river's edge, or in the water." + +"And you know how to look for provisions if any man does. But here, +you, Mike, they've no business cleaning these things. You finish them; +I want to talk to Sree." + +Mike took the gun Sree was polishing without a word, and went on with +the task, while the hunter rose respectfully and stood waiting to hear +what the boys had to say. + +"We want to have a day in the jungle," said Harry. "What is there to +shoot?" + +"A deer, Sahib." + +"No," said Phra, frowning; "they are so hard to get near. They go off +at the slightest noise." + +"The young Sahibs might wait and watch by a water-hole," said the +hunter. "It is easier to catch the deer when they come to drink." + +"But that means staying out in the jungle all night." + +"Yes, Sahib, it is the best way." + +"No," said Phra. + +"What else, Sree?" asked Harry. + +"The Sahib said he would like two more coo-ahs; would the Sahibs like +to lie in wait for them? I could make them come near enough by calling +as they do--_Coo--ah! coo--ah!_" + +The man put his hands before his mouth and softly imitated the harsh +cry of the great argus pheasant so accurately that Phra nodded his +head and smiled. + +"Yes, that's like it," cried Harry. "_Coo--ah! coo--ah!_" + +"And that isn't a bit like it," said Phra laughingly. "You would not +have many come to a cry like that; would he, Sree?" + +"No, my Prince," replied the man, shaking his head; "the great birds +would not come for that." + +"Very rude of them," cried Harry merrily; "for it's the best I can do. +Well, shall we try for the _coo--ahs?_" + +"What else do you know of, Sree?" asked Phra. + +"There was a leopard in the woods across the river yesterday, my +Prince; but they are strange beasts, and he may be far away to-day." + +"Oh yes, I don't think that's any good," said Harry. "I should like to +try for an elephant." + +"There are very few near, just now, Sahib," replied the man. "It is +only a month since there was the great drive into the kraal, and those +that were let go are wild and have gone far away." + +"Oh, I say, Phra, and we call this a wild country! Why, we shall have +to go beetle-catching or hunting frogs." + +Sree smiled, and Harry saw it. + +"Well, propose something better," he cried. + +"The men were at work in the new sugar plantation," said the man +quietly. + +"Well, we don't want to go hunting men," cried Harry impatiently. + +"And the tiger leaped out of the edge of the jungle, caught the man by +the shoulder, and carried him away." + +"Ah!" cried Phra excitedly; "why didn't you tell us that at first?" + +"Because he kept it back for the last," said Harry. "That's just his +way." + +"Would the Sahib and my Prince like to try and shoot the tiger?" asked +Sree. + +"Would we? Why, of course we would," cried Harry excitedly. "What +shall we do? Have a place made in a tree?" + +"No, Sahib," replied the man, shaking his head. "If it were a cow or +one of the oxen, I would make a place in a tree near the spot where he +had dragged the beast, for he would come back to feed upon it as soon +as it grew dark; but it was not an ox nor a cow. The poor man has been +taken away to the wat, and his wife and friends have paid all they +could for him to be burned." + +"What shall we do, then?" + +"It is of no use to go without a couple of elephants and beaters to +drive the tiger out." + +Harry looked round at Phra, who nodded his head quietly. + +"Very well," he said; "we'll have the elephants out, and men to beat. +When shall we go? To-morrow?" + +"Yes, my Prince; to-morrow when the tiger will be lying asleep." + +"I'll go and speak to my father," said Phra. "He will not care to come +himself, but your father and Doctor Cameron will be sure to say that +they will come." + +"Yes, of course," said Harry. "But I say, only to think of old Sree +here knowing of this tiger, and not saying a word!" + +"I was going to tell you, Sahib, before I went away." + +"But why didn't you tell us before?" + +"Because I did not know, Sahib, till a little while ago, when he came +to find me and bring me the news." + +He pointed as he spoke to an ordinary-looking peasant who was squatted +a little way off beneath the trees, chewing his betel. + +The lads had not noticed the man before, as he had shrunk away more +into the shade on seeing them come out. + +"He brought you the bad news?" said Phra. + +"Yes, my Prince. He went to find me yonder after coming across from +his village, and no one could tell him where I had gone, till at last +he saw the Sahib doctor's boatmen, and they told him that I was here." + +"Then I will go and tell my father we want the elephant," said Phra. +"You go and speak to them indoors, for we must kill that wretch." + +"If we can," said Harry, smiling; "but Mr. Stripes is sometimes rather +hard to find." + +Phra nodded, and went across the garden on his way to the palace, +while Harry went back into the house, Mike waiting till his young +master's back was turned and then handing the gun he was finishing to +the old hunter. + +"You may as well do this, Sree," he said; "you clean guns so much +better than I can." + +The old hunter smiled, as he waited to examine the points of the +spears his men had been polishing, and then good-humouredly took the +gun to finish after his own fashion, for there was a good deal of +truth in what Mike Dunning had said. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +THE BRINK OF A VOLCANO + + +The boys were quite wrong in imagining that their act of escaping from +the museum had passed unnoticed, for as soon as they had passed out of +hearing the doctor nodded his head and threw himself back in his cane +chair. + +"Now we are alone," he said to Mr. Kenyon, "I may as well tell you +what I have heard." + +"Nothing serious, I hope?" + +"No--yes. It may be either," replied the doctor. "I would not say +anything before the boys, for it might make Phra uneasy." + +"And Harry?" said Mr. Kenyon. + +"No, I think not. I don't believe he would give the matter a second +thought." + +"You are hard upon the boy," said Mr. Kenyon, rather sternly. + +"Not in the least," said the doctor, smiling. "It is his nature. I +don't think the matter is really of any consequence, but it would have +upset Phra, who is as sensitive as a girl; and he would be worrying +himself, and thinking about it for weeks, beside exaggerating the +matter on his father's account." + +"What is it, then--some trouble with our friend the other king?" + +"Friend, eh? I believe that if he could have his own way every +European would be driven out of the country--or into the river," he +added to himself--"before we were twenty-four hours older." + +"What is the fresh trouble, now?" + +"Nothing fresh about it, Kenyon. It is the stale old matter. Here we +have two parties in the country." + +"Yes, and worse still, two kings," interposed Mr. Kenyon. + +"Exactly, each having his own party. The one wants to see the country +progress and become prosperous and enlightened; the other for it to +keep just as it was five hundred years ago; and the worst of it is +nearly all the people are on the stand-still side." + +"Yes," said Mr. Kenyon. "The old traditions and superstitions suit the +indolent nature of the people." + +"And the progress the King is making offends their prejudices." + +"You mean the prejudices of the bonzes," said Mr. Kenyon sadly. + +"Exactly; that is what I do mean, and they are getting so thick with +the second king, that I sometimes begin to be afraid that we shall +have trouble." + +"You have had that idea for a long time now, but the reigning King +holds so strong a position that his kinsman dare not rise against him. +He is as gentle and amiable a man as could exist, but there is the old +Eastern potentate in him still, and our friend number two knows +perfectly well that if he attempted to rise he would be pretty well +sure to fail, and then his head would fall as surely as if our old +Harry the Eighth were on the throne." + +"But would he fail? All the bonzes are on his side." + +"Yes," said Mr. Kenyon, laughing; "and they'd tell him to go on and +prosper, but they would not fight." + +"No, they would not fight," said the doctor musingly. + +"Do you think there is a regular conspiracy?" + +"I really do sometimes, and it makes me uneasy." + +"That is because you are a young married man, and fidget about your +wife." + +"Well, and quite naturally." + +"Yes, quite naturally, of course; but when you have been here as long +as I have, you will not be so nervous." + +"I don't think I am nervous, Kenyon; but it would be very horrible if +there should be a rising amongst the people." + +"Horrible, but not likely, my dear sir." + +"But if there were? I suppose I am right in looking upon ourselves as +being favourites." + +"Certainly." + +"Well, then, should we not be among the first whom the people would +attack?" + +"That is quite possible, but I suppose we should defend ourselves, and +be defended as well by the people who remained staunch." + +"I have thought of all that, but if trouble did come it would be +sudden and unexpected, and we should be taken by surprise." + +"We might be, or we might have ample warning. I think the latter, for +these people are very open and wanting in cunning." + +"But don't you think we--or say you--having so much influence with the +King, would do wisely if you warned him--told him of our suspicions?" + +"No, I think not," said Mr. Kenyon. + +"Why?" + +"Because, quiet and studious as the King is, he happens to be very +acute and observant. I feel certain that nothing goes on in the city +without his being fully aware of it; and though he seems to take very +little notice, I am pretty sure that nothing important takes place +except under his eye, or which is not faithfully reported to him by +one or other of his councillors." + +"Perhaps you are right," said the doctor, "and I have been +unnecessarily nervous." + +"I feel sure that you have been. I would speak to him, but he might +look upon it as an impertinent interference on my part in connection +with private family matters. Take my advice, and let it rest. We +should have ample warning and ample protection, I feel sure. But I am +glad you spoke out, all the same. But bah! nonsense! You would not be +hurt--you, the doctor who has done so much good among the poor people. +Why, doctor, they look upon you as something more than man: they +idolize you." + +"For the few simple cures I have effected." + +"Few? Hundreds." + +"Well, hundreds, then. But what has it done?" + +"Made you friends with every one in the city." + +"Made me a number of bitter enemies, sir. Why, the native doctors +absolutely hate me. My word! I should not like to be taken ill and +become helpless. They'd never let me get well again if they had the +doctoring." + +"Don't be too hard on them," said Mr. Kenyon. + +"Not I, my dear sir. I only speak as I think. So you would not take a +step in our defence?" + +"Not until we were certain that it was necessary; then as many as you +like. Steps? I'd make them good long strides. But say no more: the +boys are coming back, and we don't want to set them thinking about +such things." + +In effect, steps were heard in the verandah, and a few minutes later +Harry hurried into the museum again. + +"Well, boy!" cried the doctor. "What is it? you look hot." + +"Tiger," said Harry eagerly. + +"Where?" cried Mr. Kenyon and his visitor in a breath. + +"Over yonder, by the new sugar plantation," cried Harry. "Jumped on a +man and killed him. Sree has just heard the news. He told me and +Phra." + +"How horrible!" said Mr. Kenyon. + +"Yes, and the village people sent a messenger to Sree. They want the +brute killed, and we're going to have an expedition and destroy the +wretch." + +"Indeed?" said Mr. Kenyon drily. + +"You and Mr. Cameron will come with us, of course, father?" said +Harry, who was too much excited to notice the glances exchanged +between the merchant and his visitor; "but I should like to have first +shot, and kill the beast." + +"No doubt," said the doctor drily; "but I suppose you would not wish +us to give up our chances if the tiger came out our way?" + +"Oh no, of course not," said Harry. Then turning to Mr. Kenyon, "You +will try the new rifles the King sent to you, will you not, father?" + +"When I go tiger-hunting," said Mr. Kenyon drily. + +Harry felt damped by his father's manner. + +"But you will go now, father?" + +"What, and walk the tiger up like one would a partridge?" said Mr. +Kenyon. "Certainly not, and you are not old and experienced enough yet +to go tiger-shooting. It requires a great deal of nerve." + +"Oh, but I don't think I should feel frightened, father." + +"Perhaps not; but you would be too much excited, and might shoot the +doctor. We could not spare him, Hal." + +"I shouldn't, father. You taught me how to handle a gun, and if I can +do that I ought to be able to handle a rifle." + +"Possibly; but, as Mr. Cameron will tell you, we could not risk going +on foot." + +"We're not going on foot, father," cried Harry excitedly. "We're going +to have two elephants, and you and doctor could go on one, and Phra +and I on the other." + +"Oh, that alters the case," said Mr. Cameron eagerly. + +"Has the King offered to lend us elephants?" said Mr. Kenyon. + +"No, father, but he will," said Harry. "Phra has gone to tell him, and +he is sure to say we may have them." + +"Indeed? I doubt it." + +"He always lets Phra and me have anything we ask for." + +"Yes, he is very indulgent to you both, my boy--too much so sometimes; +but I notice that there is a certain amount of wisdom in what he does. +What about the rifles?" + +"Well, he gave us the rifles, father." + +"With certain restrictions, Hal. They were to be placed in my charge, +and I was to decide when it would be right for you to use them." + +"Oh yes, father, he did say that." + +"Yes, and I think it was not until you and Phra had been waiting +nearly two years that they were sent." + +"It was a long time, certainly," agreed Harry. + +"The King is a wise man in his way, and I feel pretty sure that he +will refuse to lend the elephants. What do you say, Cameron?" + +"I agree with you." + +"What, and let the tiger lurk about that great plantation and keep on +killing the poor fellows who are hoeing?" cried Harry indignantly. +"I'm sure he wouldn't; he's too particular about protecting people." + +"He will most likely get up a big hunt to destroy the tiger," said the +doctor; "but I don't believe he will let you two boys go." + +"Oh!" cried Harry, who seemed as if he could hardly contain himself in +his keen disappointment; "any one would think it was wicked and +contemptible to be a boy. One mustn't do this and one mustn't do that, +because one is a boy. One mustn't do anything because one is a boy. +It's always, 'You are too young' for what one wants to do. Oh," he +cried passionately, "who'd be a boy?" + +"I would, for one," said the doctor, laughing. + +"I don't believe it, doctor," cried Harry. "You wouldn't like to be +always kept down." + +"Perhaps not; boys never do. They're too stupid." + +"What!" cried Harry. + +"Too stupid," said the doctor again, while Mr. Kenyon lay back in his +creaking cane chair with his eyes half closed, listening, with an +amused expression of countenance. "Why, I was as stupid as you are, +Hal, at your age." + +"But you did not think so," retorted Hal. + +"Of course I did not. I did not know any better. I could not see that +by being a thorough boy for so many years, and being boyish and +thinking as a boy should think, I should naturally grow into a +thorough manly man." + +"I don't quite understand you, sir," said Harry rather distantly. + +"But I'm speaking plainly enough, Hal. Come, confess, my lad; you want +to be a man, and to be treated as if you were one?" + +Harry hesitated. + +"Speak out frankly, sir," said Mr. Kenyon sternly. + +"Well, of course I do," said the lad. + +"And you can't see that if we treated you as you wish to be treated," +said the doctor earnestly, "that we should be weak, foolish, and +indulgent, for we should be doing you harm?" + +"Oh, Mr. Cameron, what nonsense!" + +"Think of this some day in the future, Hal, my lad," said the doctor +warmly, "and you will find then that it is not nonsense. Look here, my +lad, a boy of seventeen, however advanced and able he may be in some +things, is only a boy." + +"Only a boy!" said Harry bitterly. + +"Yes, only a boy; a young, green sapling who must pass through years +before he can grow naturally into a strong, muscular man. Some boys +fret over this and the restraints they undergo, because of their +youth, and want to be men at once--want to throw away four or five of +the golden years of their existence, and all through ignorance, +because they are too blind to see how beautiful they are." + +"You told me all that once before, Mr. Cameron." + +"Very likely, Hal, for I am rather disposed to moralize sometimes. But +it's quite true, my lad." + +"Yes." said Mr. Kenyon, "it's true enough, Hal, for boys are +wonderfully boyish. Naturally, too, my lad," he added, with a laugh. +"But there, don't build any hopes upon this expedition, for I should +certainly shrink from letting you go." + +"Oh, father, I would be so careful, and I'll believe all Doctor +Cameron said and won't want to be a man till I am quite grown up. I'll +be as boyish as I can be." + +"I think I'd shrink from any promises of that kind, Hal," said the +doctor, smiling. "Don't tie yourself down to rules of your own +invention. Look here, aim at being natural, at hitting the happy +medium." + +"I suppose that's the unhappy medium for the boy, isn't it?" + +"Not at all, my lad; it's the way to be happy. Leave it to Nature; she +will set that right. Don't be too boyish, and don't aim at being an +imitation man--in other words a prig. Be natural." + +"Yes," said Mr. Kenyon; "the doctor's right, Hal. Be natural, and you +will not be far wrong there." + +"I always am as natural as I can be," said Harry, throwing himself +into action, and looking as gloomy and discontented as a boy could +look; "but no one gets to be so disappointed and sat upon as I am." + +Mr. Kenyon's brow clouded over, but he said nothing. + +"So sure as I set my mind upon anything I'm sure to be balked." + +"Poor fellow!" said the doctor gravely. + +"Yes, Doctor, it's all very well for you to make fun of me. You can do +just as you like." + +"Of course," said the doctor gravely, "and I see that does make a +difference. One sees things from such a different point of view." + +"Yes, that you do," said Harry. + +"Exactly," continued the doctor slowly, "and you see, as you say, I do +exactly as I like, have everything I wish for, never suffer the +slightest trouble, enjoy the most robust health, am as rich as a man +need wish to be; in fact, I am the happiest man under the sun." + +"Are you, Doctor?" said Harry. "I'm glad of it. I didn't know it was +so good as that." + +"And, of course, that is about how you'd like to be, eh, Hal?" + +"Well," said the boy, hesitating, "something like that--I--er--I--I +don't want to be greedy." + +"Don't want to be greedy?" cried the doctor, changing his manner, as +he sprang up and began to pace the museum. "Why, you miserable, +discontented young cub! There is not one boy in a thousand leads such +a life as you do: a good home, surrounded by friends, with plenty of +time for study, and plenty of time for the necessary amusement. Yours, +sir, is an ideal life; but it has spoilt you, and I'm afraid it is +from having a too indulgent father." + +"Oh, come, Cameron, I must speak in my own defence," said Mr. Kenyon. + +"And you ought to speak in mine too, father," cried Harry indignantly, +as he gazed at the doctor with blazing eyes and flaming cheeks. + +"I can't, Hal," said his father, smiling; "there's so much truth in +what he says, my boy, and your words were uncalled for--unjust." + +"I beg your pardon, Kenyon," said the doctor; "I had no business to +speak as I did. I had no right. But I'm such a hot-headed Scotsman, +and Master Hal here put me out." + +"There is no begging pardon needed," said Mr. Kenyon quietly. + +"You see, I could not help comparing Hal's lot with mine--a poor, raw +lad on the west coast who lived on potatoes and porridge, with a +broiled herring or haddie once in a way for a treat. But there, once +more, I had no right to interfere." + +"I say, granted, and thanks." + +"Then I shan't beg your pardon, Hal, boy," cried the doctor, "for I +honestly believe what I say is the truth. Take it all as so many +pills, and if you'll come along the river to my place to-morrow +morning I'll give you a draught as well--to do you good, my dear +boy--to do you good." + +"I think I've had physic enough," said Harry sulkily. + +"And you don't seem to like the taste, eh?" said the doctor, laughing. +"Never mind; it will, as people say, do you good. You will be sure to +have some bit of luck to take the taste out of your mouth--a bit of +sugary pleasure, my lad. Aha! and here it comes in the shape of +friend, Phra, the prince, who, king's son as he is, does not enjoy a +single advantage more than you." + +"Doctor!" cried Harry indignantly. "He has only to speak to have +everything he wants. No one could be better off than he is. Look, he's +in a hurry to tell us all about the expedition for to-morrow. Oh, it +is so disappointing, for I wanted so badly to shoot a tiger. It set me +longing when Phra and I looked at those skins to-day." + +"Dear me! what a thirst for blood you are developing, Hal!" said the +doctor, as Mr. Kenyon still sat back in his chair, looking pained, +while his son carefully avoided gazing in his direction. "I should +have thought you had killed enough for one day." + +"Well, Phra?" cried Harry, as his companion came straight in. + +"Well?" said the boy, with a mocking smile. + +"What did your father say?" + +Phra was silent for a few moments, and then he spoke quietly. + +"That I was too much of a boy yet to think of going after tigers," +said the lad slowly, and then he started and frowned. For the doctor +had thrown himself back in one of the cane chairs, which gave vent to +a peculiar squeaking noise, while its occupier rocked himself to and +fro, literally roaring with laughter. + +"I am very sorry if I have said some ridiculous thing, sir," said Phra +gravely. "I speak English as well as I can." + +"Ridiculous thing!" cried the doctor, springing up and seizing the +young Siamese by the shoulders; "why, it was splendid. Look at him," +he cried, half-choking with laughter, "look at Hal! Oh, dear me, how +you have made my sides ache!" + +"But I don't understand," said Phra. + +"Then you soon shall," cried the doctor. "My lord there has been in a +tantrum because--because--oh, dear me, I shall be able to speak +directly." + +Phra looked in a puzzled way from the laughing doctor to his friend, +who sat frowning and biting his lips. + +"Because," continued the doctor, "Mr. Kenyon here has told him that he +should not like him to go to the tiger hunt." + +"Mr. Kenyon told him so?" cried Phra quickly. + +"Yes, because he is too young." + +"Oh, I am so glad," cried Phra, showing his white teeth. + +Harry started as if he had received a blow. + +"What!" he cried fiercely. + +"I say I am so glad, because that is just what my father said to me." + +"And very wisely too, Phra, my boy," said Mr. Kenyon, rising. "You +lads had better wait a bit longer before you indulge in a sport which +is very risky even to one mounted upon an elephant, especially if the +elephant is timid. I have known several bad accidents occur through +the poor creature becoming unmanageable from a wounded beast's +charge." + +"It's disappointing, sir," said Phra; "but I suppose father's right." + +"Of course he is, and I'm glad to see you take it so wisely." + +The speaker laid his hand on the doctor's arm, and they went out into +the verandah. + +"Ah, Kenyon, you spoil that boy with indulgence." + +"Think so?" + +"Yes; I don't like to hear a lad like that speak as he did to you. It +was that made me fire up. But there, I'm sorry if I've done wrong." + +"You have not done wrong," said Mr. Kenyon, "and I am rather glad you +spoke as you did. But you do not understand Hal so well as I do." + +"Naturally I do not." + +"He is a queer boy, with a good many things about him that I don't +like; but he has some oddities that I do like. I dare say he will +display one of them before you go." + +"He will have to be quick about it, then," said the doctor, smiling, +"for I have not much longer to stay." + +"Plenty of time for him to show the stuff he is made of. I'm sorry to +disappoint the boys, though." + +"And ourselves too, for I should have liked the jaunt, and the more of +those savage beasts we can destroy the better. What do you say to +going over to the palace and asking the old gentleman to let us have +the use of the elephants and beaters?" + +"No," said Mr. Kenyon, "I could not do that under the circumstances. +It would be too hard upon the boys. Yes, Michael?" + +"There is a man from--one of the gentlemen from the King to see you, +sir," said the man. + +"Indeed? I will come. Come too, Cameron; I daresay it will interest +you." + +The messenger had come to ask Mr. Kenyon if he would take charge of a +little expedition to be made against a tiger that had been destroying +life in the neighbourhood, and to say that as matters were so serious +the King would be greatly obliged if he would go. + +"I don't like to say No, and I don't want to say Yes," said Mr. +Kenyon. + +"I do not see how you can refuse." + +"Neither do I," said Mr. Kenyon thoughtfully, and he sent a note back, +promising to undertake the task. + +Hardly had the messenger departed before Harry came hurriedly into the +room, but started on seeing the doctor there. + +"I thought you had gone, sir," he said. "I made sure I heard the door +swing to." + +"No, I have not gone, Hal," said the doctor, smiling good-humouredly; +"but I'll soon be off, if you want to speak to your father alone." + +"I did, sir; but it doesn't matter your being here." + +"What is it, Hal?" said Mr. Kenyon gravely. + +"Wanted to tell you I feel horribly ashamed of myself, father," said +Harry quickly. + +"Indeed?" + +"Yes, it seems so queer that such a chap as Phra should behave like a +gentleman over a bit of disappointment, while I--I--well, I behaved +like a disagreeable boy." + +"But very naturally, Hal," said the doctor. "Better than acting like a +make-believe man." + +"Thank you, Hal," said Mr. Kenyon quietly, holding out his hand. "Has +Phra gone?" + +"No, father." + +"Tell him that his father has sent requesting me to take charge of an +expedition against the tiger, and that I am sorry I cannot ask you two +lads to go with me." + +"All right, father; he won't mind. I don't now." + +Harry nodded at the doctor, and went out of the room, while his father +waited till his steps had ceased, and a door had swung to. + +"Odd boy, isn't he, Cameron?" said Mr. Kenyon then. + +"Very odd chap," replied the doctor. "But I like boys to be odd like +that." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +A PROWL BY WATER + + +It was disappointing and hard for two boys to bear, situated as they +had been--singled out by the old hunter as the first receivers of the +news; but they had determined to be heroic over it, and after a +fashion they were. + +"Don't let's seem to mind it the least bit in the world, Phra," Harry +said. + +"What shall we do? go up the river?" + +"Go up the river? No. Let's see them start, and help them with their +guns when they mount the elephants. They'll be watching to see how we +look, and we're going to puzzle them." + +"But will not that look queer?" + +"I dunno," said Harry, "and I don't care; but that's what I've made up +my mind to do. What do you mean to do?" + +"The same as you do," said Phra firmly. + +The result was that at the time appointed Harry walked up to the court +by the palace main entrance, shouldering one of the rifles, and there +his heart failed him for a moment or two, but he was himself again +directly. + +For the sight of the two huge elephants with their howdahs, and their +mahouts with their legs hidden beneath the huge beasts' ears, each +holding his anchus--the short, heavy, spear-like goad with hook which +takes the place of whip, spur, and reins, in the driving of the huge +beasts--was almost too much for him. + +There was a party, too, of pretty well fifty spearmen to act as +beaters, some of whom were furnished with small gongs. Altogether it +formed a goodly show, and it sent the sting of disappointment pretty +deeply into the boys' breasts, so that they had to bear up bravely to +keep a good face on the matter. + +The King was there to see the start made, after Mr. Kenyon, with Sree +for his attendant, had mounted one of the elephants by means of a +bamboo ladder, the doctor and a trusted old hunter in the King's +service perching themselves upon the other. + +Then the King wished them both good fortune, the word was given, and +half the spearmen marched off in front; the elephants at a word from +their mahouts shuffled after, side by side, and the remainder of the +spearmen followed, passing out of the gateway. + +The King said a few words to the boys, and then retired, leaving them +alone in the yard with the armed men on guard. + +"Shall we follow them part of the way?" said Phra then. + +"No, that wouldn't do," replied Harry. "It was right to come and show +that we weren't going to mind; but if we followed now, I know what my +father would think." + +"What?" said Phra abruptly. + +"That we were following in the hope of being asked to get on the +elephants. It would be too mean." + +"Yes," said Phra, "of course. I did not think of that. Well, what +shall we do?" + +"I dunno. Lie down and go to sleep till they come back; that's the +best way to forget it all." + +"Bah! I'm not going to do that. I know: get over the river in a boat, +and go and see the big Wat." + +"What for? Who wants to see the old place again, with its bonzes, with +their yellow robes and shaven heads?" + +"We could go up the great tower again." + +"Nice job to climb all the way up those steps in a hot time like this! +What's the good?" + +Phra looked at him and smiled. + +"You could take the telescope up, and see for miles." + +"But I don't want to carry that lumpy thing up those hundreds of +steps." + +"I'd carry it." + +"But I don't want you to carry it, and I don't want to see for miles. +I can see quite as much as I want to-day without the telescope. I +don't feel as if I want to see at all. It was quite right, I suppose, +for us to be left at home, and proper for us to come and make a show +of not minding; but now the excitement's all over, and they're gone, I +feel just as if I could howl." + +"What! cry?" said Phra wonderingly. + +"No--ooo! Howl--shout with rage. I want to quarrel with some one and +hit him." + +"Well, quarrel with and hit me." + +"Shan't. I should hurt you." + +"Well, hurt away. I won't hit back." + +"Then I shan't be such a coward. Here, I know: I'll go and take that +chap's spear away, and break it." + +He nodded his head towards one of the guards on duty close to the +entrance of the palace. + +"What for?" + +"Because I'm in a rage," said Harry between his teeth. "Oh, I could do +that, and then run at another and knock him down, and then yell and +shout, and throw stones at those great vases, and break the china +squares over the doorway. I feel just like those Malay fellows must +when they get in one of their mad tempers and run _amok_." + +"Why don't you, then?" said Phra mockingly. + +"Because I can't," cried Harry bitterly. + +"Can't? Why, it would be easy enough. You could go and break the +spears of all the guards, and take their krises away. They wouldn't +dare to hurt you, seeing what a favourite you are with my father." + +"I know all that," said Harry, snapping his teeth together. + +"Then why can't you do it?" said Phra mockingly. "Go on; run _amok_." + +"Shan't--can't." + +"Why can't you?" + +"Because I'm English, and I've got to fight it all down, and I'm going +to, savage as it makes me feel. Here, what shall we do?" + +"Go right up to the highest window in the big tower of the Wat over +yonder, and take the telescope up with us." + +"I tell you I don't want to. There's nothing to see there that we +haven't seen scores of times." + +"Yes, there is." + +"No, there isn't." + +"Yes, there is, I tell you." + +"Well, what is there?" + +"We could watch and follow them with the glass nearly all the way to +the new sugar plantation, and perhaps see the tiger hunt." + +Harry started excitedly, and caught his friend by the arm. + +"So we could," he said, with his face lighting up. "I needn't go back +for our glass; you could get one from your father; he'd let you have +that if he wouldn't let you have the elephants." + +"Yes. Shall I fetch it?" + +"No," cried Harry sharply; "I won't take any more notice of the +hunting; we'll do something else." + +"But you'd like to see it," said Phra. + +"Of course I should, but I won't. There." + +"But it's like--what do you call it when you're doing something to +hurt yourself?" + +"Hurting myself," said Harry bluntly. + +"No, no, no. Ah, I've got it. Biting your own nose off in revenge of +your face." + +"All right, that's what I'm going to do--bite it off. I won't watch +them going, and I won't take any more notice of the miserable, +disappointing business." + +"Oh, Hal, what a temper you're in!" + +"I know that, but I'm fighting it all the time, and I mean to win." + +"But you'll be obliged to be here when they come back." + +"No, I shan't; I won't hear them." + +"You can't help it; they'll come marching back, banging the gongs and +tomtomming and shouting, with the tiger slung on the back of one +elephant, and the doctor and your father in the same howdah. Oh, +you'll be obliged to come and meet them." + +"Yes, I suppose so," said Harry, drawing a deep breath. "If I don't, +they'll think me sulky." + +"So you are," said Phra, laughing. + +"I'm not; no, not a bit, only in a temper." + +"I wish the cricket and football things had come." + +"I don't believe they ever will come," said Harry. "See what time it +is." + +"They will come," said Phra gravely. + +"How do you know?" + +"Because my father said that we should have them. There, you're better +now." + +"No, I'm not; I'm ever so much worse," said Harry, through his set +teeth. + +"Well, let's go and kill something; you'll be better then." + +"Don't believe I should," replied Harry. "What should we go and kill?" + +"I don't know. Let's get the guns and make two of the men row us up +the narrow stream, right up yonder through the jungle where the best +birds are. Your father would like it if we got some good specimens +ready for Sree to skin." + +"Very well," said Harry resignedly; "I shan't mind so long as you +don't want me to go up the big temple tower to watch them. I say, +Phra, I'm beginning to feel a bit better now." + +Phra laughed, and the two boys went into the palace, where the former +gave an order to one of the servants about a boat, and then led the +way to his own room, a charming little library with a couple of stands +on one side bearing guns and weapons of various kinds, beside +fishing-rods and a naturalist's collecting gear. + +"Which gun will you have?" asked Phra. + +"Either; I don't care," was the reply; and by the time they were +prepared one of the attendants announced that the boat was ready. + +They walked down to the great stone landing-place at the river, +stepped into the boat, and seated themselves under the little +open-sided roof, while their two rowers pushed off, and keeping close +in shore, where the eddy was in their favour, sent the boat rapidly on +through the muddy water. + +For some distance the forest lay back away from the river, while the +bank on their right was pretty well hidden by a continuous mass of +house-boats, so close together as almost to touch; but at last these +were left behind, and the trees on their left began to encroach upon +the fields and fruit gardens, where melons, pines and bananas grew in +wonderful profusion, and the air was full of life such as would have +delighted an entomologist. + +By degrees cultivation ceased and the wild jungle came close down to +the stream, and in places even overhung and dipped the tips of +branches in the water. Now and then, a small crocodile scuffled off +the muddy bank and plunged into the river. Fish began to be more +plentiful, little shoals showing on the surface, and in two or three +places a heavy fellow springing out in pursuit of its prey and falling +back with a splash. + +Birds, too, began to be seen: tiny parrots whistled and chattered in +the trees; a big hawk hovered overhead; and several times over great +long-legged waders were disturbed. + +But no attempt at firing was made, the two lads sitting quiet and +thoughtful beneath their sheltering roof, musing over the expedition, +and wondering whether it was being successful. + +In imagination Harry seemed to see it all: the men spread out to beat +some fairly open space and drive the tiger towards where the two +elephants would be stationed some fifty yards apart, with their +occupants, rifle in hand, watching for the slightest movement in a +clump of bushes or tuft of reeds. + +"Oh, what would I not give to be there!" said Harry to himself at +last. "I wish I were not such a boy!" + +The colour came a little, though, into his cheeks--or it might have +been caused by the heat of the sun, at any rate it was there--as he +thought of what the doctor had said, and of his own words to his +father. + +And as these thoughts came, he felt something like shame at his +feeling of dissatisfaction with what he had, and his striving after +that which he had not. + +"I won't be such a dissatisfied donkey," he muttered, and his face +looked brighter as he turned sharply to speak to Phra. + +His change affected his companion, who brightened up too. + +"We're getting close to the mouth of the little river," he said. + +"I'm glad of it," said Harry cheerfully. "I say, they have been quick; +it's hot work for them." + +"Yes," said Phra, "but they'll have a good rest soon while we're going +slowly, and there will be nothing to do but steer, going back." + +"I say, suppose they get back first with the tiger." + +"I hope they will not," cried Phra; "but it isn't likely. They've a +long way to go, and the beating will take a long time. We shall be +back first. Ugh, you brute!" he whispered, reaching for his gun, +cocking both barrels softly, and taking aim at a large crocodile. + +_Snip! snap!_ and then a splash, as the reptile disappeared. + +"I don't think you have killed it," said Harry seriously, but with his +eyes dancing with mischief. + +"Ah, you're better," cried Phra pettishly. "You don't want to run +_amok_ now. How could I be so stupid! I never thought about not being +loaded." + +"Better think about it now," said Harry, beginning the operation in +the tedious, old-fashioned way that ruled so long before the cartridge +was invented for a sportsman's use. "But we were only to shoot birds, +I thought." + +"Yes, birds, and only beautiful specimens," replied Phra. "I couldn't +help being tempted to fire at the brute, though. I shall always be +shooting at them now." + +"Here we are," said Harry, and at a word from Phra the light sampan +was guided into a sluggish side stream only some twenty yards or so +wide, while on either side the trees rose like a wall of verdure, the +water lapping the leaves, which dipped and played up and down with the +motion of the stream. + +"You take that side and I'll take this," said Phra; and then giving +the order to the rower in front, the man ceased paddling and made his +way right astern, to squat down on the little platform beside his +fellow, who cleverly propelled and steered the light craft with his +one oar, leaving the look-out forward free for the gunners. + +"Hullo! How are you, old gentleman?" cried Harry suddenly, as a +grey-bearded, venerable-looking little face was suddenly thrust out +through the leaves, so that its owner could look down at the strange +visitors to his wild home. + +There was a sharp chattering, the head of the monkey was drawn back, +and then a rustling and waving of the boughs on the left began, going +on a little in front. + +"There's a whole troop of them travelling along," said Harry. + +"Yes, and they'll scare all the birds," cried Phra. "Look, they've +startled those lovely parroquets. What's to be done?" + +"They'll soon go," replied Harry. "Row away." + +The man astern thrust the boat along with his easy, Venice-like +manipulation of the oar, and the light boat glided on right in the +centre of the beautiful green lane with its watery floor; but the wave +as it seemed to be likewise glided along, with a peculiar rustle in +the foliage some twenty yards in front. + +There was not a sound beside, save when, further ahead, some parroquet +darted out with a shriek to cross to the other side of the stream, or +a sharp flapping of wings told that it was a dove darting frantically +through the twigs to escape from enemies with a great love for eggs, +and no objection to savoury, plump morsels in the shape of +half-fledged young, by way of change from a fruit diet. + +"Let's stop," said Phra, on seeing that the undulation in the green +wall on their left kept on at about the same rate. + +"Stop, and let them go on?" said Harry. "Very well." + +At a word the man ceased paddling, the boat glided on from the impetus +already given, but less and less fast, till completely overcome by the +stream it was meeting, it gradually came to a standstill, and was on +the point of giving way and being borne back, when Harry burst into a +hearty laugh, which had the result of making the grey, inquiring face +of the monkey that had just peered out, pop back again. + +"Row," said Phra, "and keep the boat stationary." + +The rower dipped his oar gently, and the boat ceased to retrograde. + +"What rum little customers they are!" said Harry, as he watched the +place where the grey head had disappeared. "Just like a little old man +watching us. Think they're gone now?" + +"No; look." + +Harry was looking, and saw at the same moment the little face +cautiously thrust out again, but withdrawn as he made a threatening +movement with his gun. + +Then all was perfectly still for a minute. + +"Perhaps they're gone now," said Harry. + +"No; they are too inquisitive. I daresay there are fifty of them +hidden in among the boughs." + +"I think they're gone," said Harry at the end of another minute. + +"Well, try. Go on," said Phra, and the oar was once more silently +plied, gently disturbing the water, while at the same moment the wave +in the trees began again, with its gentle rustling, showing that the +monkey troop was once more travelling along just in front, scaring the +birds away as they advanced. + +The boat was stopped again, and the monkeys followed suit, the same +curious old face peering cautiously out and watching. + +The boat went on, so did the monkeys; and this was repeated over and +over again, stopping and going on, the wave in the trees seeming to be +so exactly influenced by the rowers' agitation of the water that it +was as if one touch moved both water and leaf. + +"Well, they are comical little beggars," cried Harry, who was once +more in the highest of spirits. "I say, old man, just take your +friends away; we're going shooting. Do you hear?" + +The little head popped in out of sight, but as the boat did not move +it popped out again, as if to find the reason why. + +"We shan't get a bird, for they'll keep on like that for miles." + +"It's tiresome," said Harry. "Here, I say, if you don't toddle I'll +give you pepper." + +The gun was raised threateningly as the boy spoke, and the head +disappeared. + +"He knows English," cried Harry, "and he's an uncommonly sensible old +gentleman. Father told me that the country folks at home say rooks can +smell powder. So can monkeys, seemingly." + +"Country folks at home? What country folks?" + +"Not yours; ours, in the old home, England. There, let's get on and +begin shooting, or we shall get nothing." + +"It doesn't matter," said Phra quietly; "it's very beautiful gliding +along without killing things." + +"Yes, but as we came to get specimens, let's get a few. I want to, so +as to show father and the doctor that we haven't been moping. Row +away." + +The man smiled, and sent the boat gliding up the bright stream again, +for the sun was so nearly overhead that scarcely any shadow was cast +on their left. + +But the moment the boat moved the wave ran along the trees again, and +Phra laughed aloud at his companion's face. + +"Yes, you may laugh, but it's too bad. There, I'll keep my word, +though, and as soon as my grey-headed gentleman shows his face I'm +going to pepper him with small shot." + +"No, you're not," said Phra, laughing. "You don't want him for a +specimen." + +"No, of course not. I don't want to shoot him. It would be just like +killing a little old man. I'll only pepper him so as to scare him and +his friends away. They'll spoil all our fun." + +"Hi! Look out, Hal!" + +There was a great flapping of wings and a loud rushing sound, as two +large birds dashed out from where the troop of monkeys were passing, +to fly across the river to the trees on the other side. But before +they were two-thirds of the way across a couple of reports followed +rapidly one after the other, and the birds fell in the water, which +one of them beat with its wings for a few moments, and then became +motionless, floating down towards the boat, which was dexterously +driven on to meet them. + +The birds were carefully lifted in, and with their plumage smoothed +down, laid in a kind of locker, proving to be a finely developed pair +of the great hornbills, no beauties as far as feathering was +concerned, but singular as specimens, from the enormous development of +their bills, and the great addition in form which has earned for them +the sobriquet of rhinoceros. + +"That's capital," said Harry. "Father was saying he wanted a good +specimen or two, for ours were very poor." + +The boys were loading again now, and the boat was once more advancing. + +"The monkeys did not drive those away," said Phra. + +"No; just drove them out right for us. Did as well as dogs, +but--Hullo! where are they?" + +The boys stared up at the great green wall on their left, but the +trees were motionless in the hot sunshine, not a leaf stirring, the +only movement visible being in one spot where a gigantic wreath of +some flowering creeper hung down from far on high, spreading to the +sunshine hundreds of trumpet-shaped white blossoms, and among these +somewhere about a score of tiny sun-birds were hovering and darting, +the brilliant, metallic, scale-like plumage of head and breast looking +as if the diminutive creatures wore helmet and gorget of wonderfully +tinted and burnished metals, others approaching in lustre the polish +of brilliant gems. + +It was a beautiful sight as the little creatures darted about, their +rapidly beating wings almost invisible, but giving the birds the +appearance of being surrounded by a soft haze. Here one would be +apparently motionless beneath a hanging blossom, into which its long +thin beak was thrust to probe the nectar like a gigantic bee. There a +couple would be engaged in chase and flight, with flash after flash of +metallic light reflected from the surface of their plumage as they +darted about in full career, turning different portions of their +plumage to the sun's rays. Again one would seem to be of the most +sober colours, almost dingy, till it moved, and then as it caught the +light at some other angle it flashed into a thing of beauty, dazzling +in its tints of ruby, sapphire, and purple. + +The boys had seen these tiny representatives of the humming birds in +the New World scores of times, but always found satisfaction in +watching them, and for the time being the monkeys were forgotten. + +"What a chance!" said Harry, as the boat was sent in close to the +burdened tree without disturbing the sun-birds in the least. "If +father wants any more specimens of these, we couldn't come to a better +place." + +"But next time we come by, that bush will not be in flower, and there +will be no sun-birds there." + +"But they would be somewhere else," said Harry philosophically. "Look +at that one with the red band across his breast. What a beauty! I say, +next time we want any I vote that we don't shoot them with sand or +water, but try a butterfly net." + +"Couldn't reach," said Phra. + +"Could if we had it at the end of a long bamboo." + +"No," said Phra decisively; "you could not handle it quickly enough +then. It would be too clumsy, and the bird would be as quick again. +Couldn't do it, Hal." + +"S'pose not," said the boy thoughtfully. "I say, look at that one with +the rose-coloured head." + +"Am looking at it. I don't think I ever saw such a beauty." + +"Oh dear!" said Harry, with a deep sigh. + +"What's the matter?" + +"I was thinking what poor, stupid things our stuffed skins are. They +don't look a bit like these tiny beauties all in motion, and seeming +to be a fresh colour every time they move. They're so soft and round, +and so quick. And see how they fly, too. I say, Phra, it seems a shame +to shoot them." + +"Horrible! Nothing could be more beautiful," said Phra, thoughtfully. + +"Humming-birds are more beautiful," observed Harry. + +"Ever seen any?" + +"No, but my father says they are. He has seen them stuffed, and they +are so beautiful then that they must be wonderfully lovely alive." + +"Let's go on," said Phra thoughtfully. "Perhaps we shall get another +shot or two, in spite of the monkeys." + +The man set the boat gliding on again, and Harry sat with his gun +cocked, waiting to see the little grey face peer out from among the +leaves. + +"I wouldn't pepper him, Harry," said Phra. + +"Not going to," was the reply. "I've only put some powder to frighten +him." + +"That's right; but I don't see anything moving." + +"They'll show themselves directly. Then we'll stop, and when the +little old fellow shows his face I'll fire." + +But the shots already fired had been sufficient, sending the troop +away through the trees at the quickest pace they could command, and +the two boys looked in vain. + +Soon after, they had capital chances at different kinds of parrots, +but did not lift their guns, these birds being abundant, and the +little museum amply supplied with their skins; but upon coming abreast +of an opening, the boat stopped, for it seemed a likely place for +something novel. + +"Hist!" whispered Phra, pointing. "That's a bird you've not shot yet." + +"Yes, like the one you missed that day. Let me try for this one.--How +tiresome! it's gone in beneath the bushes." + +It was evidently a bird of secretive habit, for it had dived into a +dense place; but just as Harry was about to give up, and tell the man +to go on, the bird came into sight again, rose from the top of a low +tree, and was in the act of flying across the opening, when Harry +raised his gun quickly and fired. + +"Down?" he said. "I couldn't see for the smoke." + +"No," said Phra; "it flew right away yonder." + +"Oh, it couldn't; I took such a careful aim. Did you see it?" he asked +the men. + +They both replied in the affirmative, and Harry looked puzzled. + +"It seems queer," he said, beginning to reload his gun. "I don't know +how I could have missed." + +"I know," cried Phra. "You loaded to frighten the monkey." + +"And did not put any shot in!" cried Harry. "Oh, how stupid!" + +At that moment Phra raised his gun and fired at a similar bird, as it +crossed the river, and dropped just at the edge of the opening. + +A turn or two of the oar sent the boat alongside, the bird was +retrieved, and Harry was in ecstasies with its beautiful shades of +turquoise blue, pale drab, and grey. + +"It's the kind father was saying he was so eager to get a specimen +of," cried Harry. "Do you think any more will come if we wait?" + +"I don't think so," was the reply; "but let's try." + +They waited for half an hour, but not another bird appeared, and they +went on, having the luck to bring down one of the lovely ground +thrushes at the next opening. + +After this Phra shot one of the scarlet-breasted trogons, a beautiful +insect-eating bird, nearly allied to our goatsuckers and cuckoos, +with, in addition to its rosy, scarlet breast, a delicate pencilling +of grey and black, while the greater part of its back was of a fine +metallic green. + +Flycatchers with inordinately long tails were the next trophies, and +Harry was beginning to think that enough had been secured for Sree to +skin and preserve, when Phra pressed his companion's arm, and pointed +to what looked like a streak of vivid blue being drawn in the air just +above the water. + +It was too far off to fire, so the boys strained their eyesight to +note where the beautiful object settled, but without result, so the +boat was urged gently forward, and, finger on trigger, the boys +watched the spot where they had last seen the bird. + +"It has a splendid tail, Hal," said Phra, in a whisper. "You had +better fire." + +"No, you; it's a beauty." + +"Then you fire; you are so much surer than I am. I'll hold my shot in +case you don't bring it down." + +They were in momentary expectation of seeing the bird rise to continue +its flight up the watery way; but there was no sign of it, and the +lads were getting in despair, when there was a flash from a spot least +expected. Phra, in his excitement at seeing it going away without +Harry getting a good view of it, fired, though it seemed to be too +late. However, the bird fell into the river, and another rose at the +report, skimmed along just above the surface, and was getting almost +beyond range, when Harry drew trigger, and the bird dropped. + +"I shan't shoot any more to-day," said Harry excitedly, as the two +birds were retrieved and laid for their plumage to dry, being two +perfect specimens of the racket-tailed kingfisher, whose azure +adornments render it one of the most lovely birds of that part of the +world. "I say, what beauties! We have done well." + +"We've shot those bird often," said Phra, as he raised one of the +kingfishers by the beak, and drew it softly through his hand, removing +part of the water which remained, and straightening the produced +feathers of the tail, each with its narrow almost naked shaft ending +in a lovely blue ellipse of web. This done, he laid the damp bird in +the sunshine to dry, adding, "But I don't think we ever shot better +specimens, or hurt the plumage so little." + +A low, hissing noise drew the boys' attention to the man who was not +rowing, and, as he caught their eyes, he pointed to something in one +of the overhanging trees. + +"What is it?" said Harry; "I can't see;" and he cocked his piece, +quite forgetting his words of a short time before. + +"Only nests," said Phra; "we don't want them." + +In effect there was a cluster of about a dozen pensile nests, formed +like a chemist's retort by the clever bird-weavers, and hanging neck +downward from the ends of thin branches, where they were perfectly +safe from the intrusion of active, long-armed monkeys. + +There was, in fact, something attractive at every few yards, for when +birds were not in sight magnificent butterflies or day-flying moths +came flitting out of the openings into the forest, one of which was +the atlas, as much as ten inches across the wings. + +And now the tension of seeking for choice specimens being over, the +boys sat back carelessly, watching the various objects which came into +view. Now it would be fish, temptingly suggestive of the sport that +might be had up this lovely stream, did they feel disposed to bring +tackle. A little farther on the boat was stopped for a cluster of +beautiful orchids to be secured, but they were rejected on account of +their being inhabited by a colony of virulent ants. + +"I say," said Harry suddenly, "this would be just the place for +fireflies. Let's tell Dr. Cameron, and we'll have a trip up some +night. We might shoot some of the queer night birds." + +"Yes," said Phra, "and something else too. There are tigers up here, +they say." + +"So much the better. We should get a chance to shoot one then by +accident. I say, where should we come to if we kept right on as far as +the river ran?" + +"To the place it started from." + +"Well, I know that; but where is it?" + +"Oh, it's all our country. There are mountains there, and plenty of +elephants, Sree says." + +"Let's have an expedition right up then, and bring a tent and plenty +of provisions. We ought to be able to get all kinds of new specimens." + +"I'm willing," said Phra; "but hadn't we better turn back now?" + +"Think they will be coming back from the tiger hunt?" + +"Most likely. I say, Hal, it hasn't been a bad time, has it?" + +"No," said Harry with a sigh. "Tell him to go back." + +At the order the man who had been resting returned to the fore part of +the boat, and seized his oar, making that the stern now, while his +companion laid in his oar, and squatted down for his rest. + +"Hullo! look!" cried Harry; "there's another of those queer-looking +old chaps," and he nodded in the direction of the other side of the +river, where it was evident that a fresh troop of the quaint little +animals were travelling along in the trees. They were going up the +river, but as soon as they found that the boat was retiring they at +once altered their direction, and the foliage waved and trembled as +they kept alongside, travelling through the dense jungle about +five-and-twenty feet above the ground, and very rarely giving the +occupants of the boat a chance of seeing their lithe, active forms. + +How far these eager, inquisitive little fellows would have followed +them, if left undisturbed, it is impossible to say; but after watching +their movements and the eager, excited face of their leader for some +time, Harry grew tired of their company. + +"Send a shot over them, Phra," he cried. + +The boy raised his gun, pistol fashion, in the air, and fired it, +while Harry watched the wall of verdure. + +Just as the gun was fired the little old face of the leader was being +reached out from the extremities of the boughs, the monkey holding on +in what proved to be a very precarious position, for the suddenness of +the report frightened it out of its small wits, and made it give such +a bound that the next moment, collapsed into what looked like a ball +fringed with white, it came rushing through the leaves, splash into +the water, making the occupants of the boat roar with laughter. + +"What is fun to you is death to us," said the frogs to the boys, in +the fable, and this was nearly the case with the monkey. + +For as soon as the rower saw the beginning of the mishap he gave a +tremendous sweep with his oar, changing the direction of the boat and +giving it greater speed at the same time, so that it might glide in +close to where the trees dipped, and pick up the monkey before it was +drowned or succeeded in dragging itself up. + +The movement was cleverly conceived and carried out, but it had a +different culmination from that which was expected. + +Full of excitement now, the boys were watching for the monkey to rise +from its deep plunge, and so well had the boatman judged his distance +that the swiftly moving prow was within a yard of the little +unfortunate when it rose to the surface. + +At the same moment the gaping, teeth-armed jaws of a crocodile shot +out of the water, and the next would have closed upon the delicate +mouthful, had not the prow of the sampan struck the reptile full on +the shoulder with a tremendous shock which made the boat quiver, while +from the shape of the prow and the force with which it was going, the +boat rose and scraped right over the reptile's back, gliding down on +the other side amidst a tremendous turmoil in the water. + +The boys held on by the sides, fully expecting to be capsized, but not +a drop of water was shipped, and when they turned to look back it was +to see that the unoccupied man had snatched at the monkey and lifted +it on board, while the crocodile, a creature of about twelve or +fourteen feet long, was lashing the water into a foam with its tail. + +"Here, take us back," cried Harry. "I must have a shot at that brute." + +The man reversed the movement of the oar he handled, and the sampan +began to glide back. + +"Mind!" said Phra excitedly. "It will be horrible if we are capsized." + +"I'll capsize him as soon as I get close enough," said Harry between +his teeth, and he knelt ready in the boat, as it approached nearer and +nearer. + +The monkey seemed to be in an utter state of collapse from fear, as it +crouched in its captor's lap, huddled into a drenched ball, till it +caught sight of the crocodile, when it was literally transformed. + +In an instant its eyes were flashing and teeth bare at the sight of +its hereditary enemy, the murderer of hundreds of the unfortunates +which from time to time played and slipped, or descended to the ends +of branches to drink from the river; its dull state of helpless +weakness had gone, and before the man who held it could grasp what was +about to happen, the little creature uttered a shrieking, chattering +cry of anger, bounded to the end of the sampan, and raged at the +reptile. + +That was enough. The crocodile responded to the angry challenge and +monkey-like, violent language apparently being heaped upon it, and +made a dash at the sampan; but as it reached the prow the monkey +bounded on to the top of the palm-leaf roofing, while, reaching +backward, Harry discharged his piece right between the reptile's eyes. + +Firing as he did, with the muzzle of his piece not above a yard away, +the effect of the charge of small shot was much the same as would have +been that of a heavy bullet the diameter of the fowling-piece's bore. + +The rower was on his guard too, and as the lad fired he forced the +light sampan away so that they were quite clear of the violent blow +given by the creature's tail, as it swung itself round and then sank +like a stone. + +The effect upon the monkey was again startling to a degree. + +At the report of the gun it leapt upward from the roof of the shelter, +and instead of coming down in the same place it dropped on all-fours +close to Harry, who caught it by one arm. + +"Mind," cried Phra warningly; "they can bite very sharply." + +"Oh, I don't think he'll hurt, poor little chap," was the reply, and +the boy drew his little prisoner close to him, laid down his gun, and +patted its shoulder. "Shall we keep it as a pet?" + +"No," said Phra; "it would pine away and die. You must get a young one +if you want them to keep." + +"Yes, of course," said Harry. "Isn't he comic? I wish I'd got +something to give him. He's ready to make friends." + +"So he ought to be," said Phra; "we saved his life. That croc would +have swallowed him like we do Doctor Cameron's pills." + +"That he would. What a narrow squeak! I say, have you got anything you +can give him?" + +"No, give him his liberty." + +"I'm going to. Poor little wretch, how he shivers! He's too much +frightened to bite or do anything. Hi! old gentleman, get up there on +the top." + +He lifted the monkey up, and it went slowly on to the hot roof, gazing +back at its captor with wondering eyes. + +"Now run the boat in close to the trees," said Harry, as he patted and +stroked the utterly cowed prisoner. + +The next moment the open, cabin-like construction was brushing against +the palm leaves with a loud, rustling sound. + +This seemed to galvanize the little creature into life, and it uttered +a loud _chick, chick, chack!_ + +This was answered by a chorus from above; for, unnoticed by the +occupants of the boat, the trees had been in quiet motion all the +while as they glided down. + +That was enough; the monkey seized the twigs nearest to it and the +next minute had swung itself up out of sight. There was a tremendous +chattering, which grew distant as if the troop was hurrying through +the trees in one direction, while the boat was gliding swiftly down in +the other, and then Harry said laughingly,-- + +"Well; he might have been a bit more grateful; never so much as said +Thank ye." + +"I think he was wonderfully grateful, for he did not bite. I say, +though, how careful one has got to be about the crocodiles. I turned +quite cold, for I thought we were going over." + +"I felt a bit queer," said Harry thoughtfully. "If I were your father +I'd offer a reward for every crocodile that was killed in the river. +They're no good, and they must do a deal of mischief in the course of +the year." + +"Let's tell him so," said Phra, smiling. "Perhaps he will." + +The journey back was beautiful enough, for they were looking at the +long, sunlit course from a different point of view; but it had ceased +to interest, for the lads were hungry and tired, glad enough too when +the great stone landing-place was reached, and after giving +instructions to the men to take in the birds to place them in Mike's +charge for transfer to Sree when he returned, they went into the +palace, Harry to be Phra's guest over a very hearty, semi-English +meal; for the hunters had not returned and there was no temptation for +Harry to go home and eat alone when he was warmly pressed to stay +where he was, so as to be present when the hunters returned in +triumph. + +It was growing late by the time they had done, and they strolled out +into the court, and then into the beautiful garden, one of the King's +hobbies. + +It was a lovely moonlight night, with here everything turned to +silver, there all looking black and velvety in the shade. The river, +too, looked its best, with the moonbeams playing upon its surface; but +the boys were growing too weary to admire the beauties around, or to +heed the buzzing, croaking, and booming that came from across the +river. + +"Look here," said Harry at last, "they've gone farther than they +meant, and they're not coming back to-night." + +"Going to camp out?" asked Phra dubiously. + +"Not a doubt about it. Perhaps going to watch through the night for +the tiger, with a goat or calf tied up for bait." + +"Very likely," said Phra, yawning. + +"There, don't turn sleepy like that." + +"Can't help it." + +"I say, look here; go and tell your father you are coming down to the +bungalow to keep me company to-night, because I don't like to be +alone." + +"No, you stop and sleep here. Then you will not have the bother of +walking down there." + +"No," said Harry firmly; "father's out, and I'm sure he wouldn't like +me to leave the house when he's away. Come and sleep at our place +to-night, there's a good chap." + +"Very well," said Phra. "Come with me and speak to father." + +"All right," said Harry, coolly enough, and they walked through the +moonlit garden together, when, as they passed toward the palace, the +incongruity of it all seemed to strike the boy, and he laughed softly. + +"I say, how comic it all seems! Here's your father a great Eastern +king--king over this big country, and yet he's only your father, and +I'm going with you to talk to him just as if he was nobody at all." + +"But he is," said Phra thoughtfully. "He's very different with other +people, but he talks to you, and about you to me, just as if you were +a--I mean a boy like I am." + +"Well, it's very nice of him," said Harry. "I've never done anything +to make him like me. I never went down on my knees and held my hands +on each side of my face, and seemed as if I were going to rub the skin +off my nose on the ground because he's a great king." + +"No; he laughed about it one day, and said that's why he liked you to +be my playfellow." + +"That's funny, isn't it?" + +"No; he said he liked you because you were frank, and manly, and +independent." + +"Ah," said Harry, after a brief pause, "he doesn't know what a bad one +I can be sometimes." + +"Hist!" + +"What for?" + +"Listen." + +"I am listening, but I can't hear anything." + +"I can, right away in the distance. Can't you hear?" + +"No, nothing but the frogs at the riverside, and the barking of a +croc. Yes, I can; something going thump, thump, far away." + +"It's the drum. They're marching back with the elephants." + +"Hurrah!" cried Harry excitedly. "Well, I am glad, because I should +have lain awake ever so long thinking that something had happened, or +that father was in danger from the tiger, perhaps. I say, you don't +feel sleepy now?" + +"Sleepy? No, not a bit. Here, let's get down yonder so as to meet +them." + +"But they'll be half an hour yet. Look there; the guard has heard the +drum." + +As he spoke the picturesque beauty of the place was enhanced by the +appearance of the guard turning out, bearing lighted torches, some of +which were stuck at intervals about the courtyard, throwing up the +grotesque figures and carvings abundantly scattered around. + +Then more were fetched, and the place became brilliantly lighted for +the reception of the King's friends who were bringing the body of the +slain tiger in triumph home. + +The red glare of the torches mingled strangely with the silvery light +of the moon, so that some of the men's spears seemed to be tipped with +silver, some with gold; and listening and noting these things the time +of waiting soon passed away for the boys, who at last joined a party +of a dozen torch-bearers setting off to meet the returning party. + +But before they reached the gate Phra stopped short and arrested his +friend. + +"No," he said in an earnest whisper, "don't let's go. Very likely my +father will come out, and he would like us to be near to seem to be +honouring and paying him respect." + +"Very well," said Harry shortly; for it was against his grain. + +"Yes, there he comes," said Phra eagerly, as the palace entrance was +lit up by numbers of lanthorn-bearers, and the King came and stood on +the terrace to welcome his English friends. + +At last the party of spearmen in advance marched in, with the +elephants shuffling along side by side behind; but each bore its load +the same as when it started, no alteration having been made. + +Harry ought to have let the elephants go close up to the terrace and +kneel before the King, to whom the result of the hunt should have been +first communicated, but in his excitement he forgot all about Court +etiquette, and ran up to the side of the nearest beast. + +"Well, father, Where's the tiger?" he cried. + +"Over the hills and far away," cried the doctor. + +"Yes, my boy," said Mr. Kenyon; "we have seen nothing but his pug--the +marks of his feet." + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +NATURALISTS' TREASURES + + +There were a few words exchanged with the King as the hunters were +about to descend, but he bade them keep their seats in the howdahs, +saying that they must be very tired, and after ordering the mahouts to +take their elephants to the gentlemen's quarters, he bade them +good-night and went in. + +"Then we must part here, Cameron," said Mr. Kenyon. + +"Yes; good-night, and better luck next time." + +The doctor's elephant rose and began to shuffle off, its companion +following its example and uttering an angry trumpeting sound upon +being checked. + +"Here, Hal," said Mr. Kenyon, "you may as well ride." + +"Yes, of course, father. Good-night, Phra." Then mischievously, +"They'll have to send us if they want that tiger shot." + +"Yes, Mr. Kenyon, we don't think much of you and Doctor Cameron as +tiger-hunters." + +The merchant laughed, as the elephant knelt once more and Harry +scrambled up into the howdah, Sree, who was holding on behind, giving +the boy a hand. Then there was a heave and a pitch to and fro, and the +huge beast was on its legs again, shambling off towards the bungalow, +a pleasant enough sight in the moonlight, and welcome enough to Harry, +who was pretty well tired out. + +"Didn't you see the tiger at all, father?" he asked. + +"No, or most likely I should have shot it," replied Mr. Kenyon. "The +brute has evidently gone off to the country on the slope of the +mountains and saved his stripes this time. What have you been doing +with yourself?" + +Harry briefly told of his adventures. + +"Then you have some decent specimens for me?" + +"Yes, father; beauties." + +"You have done better than we did, my boy. We have only brought back +sore bones. There, I am not in much of a humour for talking to-night; +I want a good rest." + +"You must be tired, father." + +"Yes, too tired to think of anything but sleep. Not quite, though; +there are those birds. Sree, can you come first thing in the morning +and skin them?" + +"Yes, Sahib. I was going to ask if I might come." + +No more was said till the elephant had stopped of its own accord at +the gateway of the bungalow garden for as soon as it had got over its +irritation at being separated from its companion it had gone steadily +enough. + +After this the mahout was so liberally rewarded that he wanted to get +down from the elephant's neck to prostrate himself, and of course was +not allowed, but sent back, Harry stopping to watch his great, grey, +shambling mount till it disappeared, with Sree still hanging by the +back of the howdah. + +Breakfast was late the next morning, both the merchant and his son +sleeping very soundly; and when at last Harry dragged himself from his +light bamboo bedstead and had refreshed himself, not with a good swim +in the river,--a luxury too dangerous to attempt,--but by squatting in +a large, open tub and pouring jars of cold water over his head, he +went out into the verandah, to find Sree just finishing the skin of +the last of the birds by painting the fleshy side all over with +preserving paste before turning it back and filling it with cotton +wool. + +"How quick you have been, Sree!" said Harry. "I meant to have come and +helped you." + +"The young Sahib must have been tired." + +"I'm tired now," said the boy, with a yawn. "But I say, they are all +good birds, aren't they?" + +"Some of the best I have ever seen, Sahib; there is hardly a feather +gone. Look at this one," said the man, taking hold of the bird's long, +thick beak and giving it a dexterous shake, with the result that the +feathers fluffed up and then fell gently back into place, lying so +lightly and naturally that it was hard to believe that nothing but the +skull, leg and wing bones were left of the little creature which +animated the skin so short a time before. + +"Beautiful," said Harry, examining it and the others already prepared +in turn. "I wish you had been with us, though. We had capital sport." + +"Yes, Sahib, I wish I had been with you," said Sree. "My heart felt +heavy for you when I found you were not to come. I like to be with the +young Sahibs. We had no sport at all." + +"Ah, you should have been with us. The crocodile must have been +fourteen feet long." + +"Ah! but they would not be so big up the little river. I hope, though, +the Sahib will not shoot any more." + +"Not shoot any more!" cried Harry. "Are you friends with the +wretches?" + +"No, Sahib," said the man solemnly; "but they are dangerous beasts, +and I fear if the young Sahib goes after them much there may be an +accident." + +"Hardly likely," said Harry contemptuously. + +"I don't know, Sahib; they are very dangerous beasts. A hungry mugger, +as they call them over yonder on the Ganges, will rush at any one in +the water, or try to sweep him off the shore into the river. If he is +wounded he is mad with rage, and strikes about furiously with his +tail. One hard blow would break or overturn a sampan, and a man in the +water is no match for one of these beasts." + +"Oh, but I shall be careful, Sree," cried Harry; "and I can't help +hating the monsters." + +"We all hate them, Sahib, except some of the foolish people who would +think it a sin to hurt a crocodile. Do not be rash." + +"Oh no, I shan't be rash," said Harry; "but you should have been with +us yesterday; it was rare fun with the little grey-whiskered monkey. +It was frightened nearly to death, what with the noise of the gun and +the fall plump into the water, and the ducking, and then being so +nearly snapped up by the crocodile." + +"It would be frightened, too, on finding it was a prisoner, Sahib." + +"He looked just like a withered-up old man, not much bigger than a +baby." + +"Yes, Sahib; they are strange little beasts," said Sree, who was still +busy with the skins, giving delicate touches here and there to the +plumage, with a small needle made of ivory. "I never kill one if I can +help it, because they are so much like very wild old men." + +"That is a lovely skin, Sree," said Harry, bending over the blue and +grey thrush. + +"Yes, and these are hard to find, Sahib." + +"Father will be delighted with those, I'm sure," said Harry. Then +turning off to the old hunter's last remarks, "So you don't like +shooting monkeys?" + +"No, Sahib, I never do." + +"It does seem a shame, for they're such merry, happy-looking little +chaps, swinging and playing about in the trees. How they enjoy the +fruit, too! They seem to have quite a jolly life." + +"Oh no, Sahib; they have their troubles too," said Sree seriously, +"and many of them." + +"Monkeys do?" cried Harry, laughing. "Why, what troubles can they +have?" + +"Muggers waiting under the trees to catch any that fall, Sahib." + +"Then they ought to know better than to play in the branches which +overhang the river." + +"That is where the best fruit grows, in the open sunshine, Sahib, and +it is often when they go down to drink that the muggers catch them or +sweep them into the water with their tails." + +"Ugh! the beasts!" cried Harry. + +"Then there are the leopards lying in wait up in the trees, and some +of the big wild cats, too, staring at them. Monkeys are very quick, +but the leopards are sometimes quicker." + +"Yes, it's wonderful how active those spotted, cat-like creatures are. +I say, Sree, have you ever seen one of the very big monkeys that live +in the islands?" + +"Only once, Sahib. It was when I went to Borneo with a Sahib from +India. We were a long time hunting in the woods before we found one, +and then it was high up in a tree, going along hanging by his hands. +He seemed to be a very quiet, tame sort of beast, only trying to get +away; but the Sahib shot him, and he hung from a great bough, oh, very +high up, till the Sahib shot again, and then he let go and came down, +dropping from bough to bough till he fell dead, nearly at our feet." + +"Was it very big, Sree?" + +"Very, very big, Sahib; nearly twice as big as I am." + +"Really?" + +"Oh yes, Sahib. Not so tall as I am, not higher than the Prince Phra, +but so big and broad--big head--big face with great swellings behind +the cheeks--big shoulder, and big arms that reached down nearly to his +feet. And such hands and feet, Sahib! so big and strong." + +"Much like a man, Sree?" + +"Like what a wild man might be, Sahib. And yet no, not like a man; he +was more like a wild beast, all hairy. The poor people here, some of +them, believe that when we die, if we have been wicked we shall turn +to monkeys or crocodiles." + +"And do you believe that, Sree?" + +The man looked up and smiled, as he shook his head. + +"Oh no, Sahib; I don't believe anything of the kind. It is all +nonsense; but monkeys are very curious little things, and very +cunning. They have plenty of sense." + +"Think so?" + +"Oh yes. Did not you say that the one you caught was angry with the +crocodile, and danced about and called him names?" + +"Well, he did something of the kind," said Harry, laughing; "and very +comical it was." + +"Oh yes, Sahib, I've seen them spit at and shout and chatter at the +muggers often enough. Being so much in the jungle, watching night and +day, I often notice all that the wild things do--birds, snakes, +lizards, as well as the tigers and bears and monkeys. I have seen how +they fight, and how they play and teach their young ones to play; but +there is nothing which can play like a monkey. He is more full of fun +than a boy. A monkey always seems to think that another monkey's tail +is meant to pull, so as to tease him." + +"Yes, I've seen them do that." + +"But the funniest thing, Sahib," said the old hunter, "is to see a +monkey pull another one's tail, and then pretend that he did not do +it. I have seen one put his hand out behind, and give a pull, and then +snatch his hand back and shut his eyes, pretending to be asleep." + +"Oh, here you are," said Mr. Kenyon, coming into the verandah. "Come, +Hal, breakfast; we are very late." + +"Here are the specimens Phra and I got yesterday father." + +"These? Capital; excellent! That is the kind of _Pitta_ I wanted so +badly, and those two kingfishers will be a splendid addition to the +collection. Well skinned too, Sree. They are perfect." + +Over the breakfast Mr. Kenyon related their adventures of the previous +day; but there was nothing much to tell save of wearisome wanderings +here and there through rugged, thorny ground where the tiger's pugs +could be traced. Hollows were carefully beaten, and patches of reed +and grass driven, while the hunters waited for the coming of the +cunning beast which was not there. Then at last they found +unmistakable traces of his having gone off, and, weary and disgusted, +they had turned back. + +Harry Kenyon and his father led a very pleasant life in that curious +country, for their position was a favoured one, though a great deal +was due to the latter's enterprise. + +At first their existence was lonely, but it was not long before their +position became a good deal talked about through correspondence which +followed their arrival, and by degrees a happy little colony had grown +up in the neighbourhood of the palace. + +It was entirely at the King's invitation that Mr. Kenyon had first +settled there, for being himself a man who took great interest in +scientific matters and the wonders of nature, he had by accident come +in contact with the merchant, who had sought an interview, with the +object of asking certain concessions and leave to trade. The result +was that Mr. Kenyon was taken quite by surprise on discovering that +the King, whom he had expected to find much on a par with so many of +the barbaric chieftains of the East, was a man who cared nothing for +war and aggrandisement, neither for decking himself out in diamonds, +emeralds, and pearls, but who was dressed in the simplest manner, +loved to study chemistry, and surrounded himself with beautifully made +microscopes and telescopes, obtained at great expense from London and +Vienna. + +That one interview was quite enough for the beginning of a friendship, +the King soon finding out that his visitor was a man of similar tastes +to himself, but immeasurably far in advance, and eager to impart his +scientific knowledge to one to whom so many things were enclosed in +what seemed to be a sealed-up book of wonder and mystery. + +The consequence was that, instead of making a temporary stay in Siam, +Mr. Kenyon gladly accepted the monarch's friendship and protection, +settling down on the banks of the great river at once. + +This had happened ten years before the events narrated here, but all +had not been smooth. There had been plenty of the opposition of +ignorance; the King's far-seeing brain was almost alone, and his +nobles and retainers of the blood royal looked with contempt upon the +strange things that took up so much of their ruler's time. To them +many of his studies seemed to be mere madness, and they looked at one +another and shook their heads when they learned that the King spent +the whole of some nights looking through a tube like a big bamboo, at +the moon and stars. + +Then worse things happened: it was found that he was doing uncanny +things, a kind of magic by which he conjured up horrible creatures and +made them dance and whirl about in water. He showed favoured people +strange demons with teeth and horns and claws in a dark room in the +palace, where he made a great white spot of light come on the wall, +into which he conjured the aforesaid monsters. + +But the worst of all was his fitting up one little room with shelves +and cabinets full of bottles and glasses. It was well known that here +he studied, by mixing and boiling up, how to make horrible poisons, +one drop of which shown to an enemy would produce madness, while if +taken it was sudden death. And all this the nobles, priests from the +great temples, and wise men generally, in secret conclave, came to the +conclusion could only have one meaning, and that was to kill off +secretly every one of the blood royal and second king's family, so +that no one except the one the King wished could by any possibility +succeed to the throne. + +It was very dreadful, and they shook their heads more and more, and +there were talks about its being a sacred duty to kill such a vile +being, and make the second king the first; but so far it had all been +talk, for changes are a long time coming about among such people as +these. + +Then, too, for a long time Mr. Kenyon, this foreigner of the +barbarians who came from the far West, was looked upon with sinister +eyes, for was he not a favourite with the King, helping him to prepare +his magic and his terrible poisons? + +But as no one died, and no one seemed to be any the worse for the +King's magic, and above all as the great people of the country found +that Mr. Kenyon was a very pleasant gentleman, who paid great respect +to them and all their institutions, it was settled that he should not +be stabbed with krises--unless he behaved worse or did some real harm. + +He did offend soon after, for upon settling down he was favoured by +the King with a grant of land on the banks of the river, this being +looked upon as a great offence, land in such a position having +heretofore been reserved for the sole benefit of the great nobles of +the land and the priesthood, for their large monastic +institutions--great walled-in enclosures of some fifteen or twenty +acres, covered with the temples, shrines, and conventual +dwelling-places of the talapoins or bonzes, as they were called, and +easily enough to distinguish by their closely shaven heads and long, +yellow robes. Ordinary people and the poor had to live, according to +law, in house-boats, with which the rivers, canals, and backwaters +were covered. These waterways were the highways--there were no proper +roads--and were thronged with dwelling-places large and small, +warehouses, shops, and places of entertainment, all built upon bamboo +rafts and moored to the banks, forming a beautifully healthy, populous +city, for the tide from the sea swept to and fro, clearing it from all +impurities day and night. + +That grant of land gave great offence, for who was this strange +barbarian who had come among them with his little curly-haired boy and +a servant, that he should be treated as if he were a noble lord of the +land? And once more Mr. Kenyon's position seemed to be precarious, for +the King's favour went farther towards his new English friend and +student. For native workmen and material were supplied in abundance, +the orders given to the men being that they should build the place, +dwelling and warehouses, in accordance with Mr. Kenyon's design. + +All this proved a great gain to both, for while Mr. Kenyon prospered +wonderfully in his trading ventures, and had ample opportunity for +collecting the strange products of the country in connection with his +favourite study, the King found his revenues increase and his capital +become more enlightened by the introduction of Europeans, who were +attracted there through finding that they were protected, treated with +respect, and encouraged to trade. + +This was forgiven, and all went well till the doctor came, when the +native medicos grew alarmed and threatening, for this Englishman, or +Scotchman, knew better than they. + +As the years went on the friendship grew firmer, and the King gladly +seized the opportunity of letting his son share young Kenyon's +studies, for his desire was that his boy should become an enlightened +ruler, who would carry on his plans for the improvement of the country +over which in all probability he would some day reign. + +Mr. Kenyon, who was a highly cultivated man, gratefully entered into +the King's plans and invited a clever university man from Oxford to +come out and act as tutor to the two boys, with the result that the +young Prince Phra passed a good half of his existence with Harry at +the bungalow, sharing his studies and amusements, while Harry was +always as welcome a guest as his father at the palace, having only to +express a wish to have it gratified, whether his want took the form of +books, fishing tackle, guns, men, elephants or boats for some +expedition in jungle or open stream. + +Harry's chum was a prince, and to all intents and purposes Harry led +the life of a king's son himself, though he did not realize the fact, +everything coming quite as a matter of course. His chief trouble had +to do with the climate, which was, as he told Phra, "so jolly hot." + +Phra replied sadly that he could not help it. + +"No," said Harry thoughtfully, "you can't help it; but it's jolly hot +all the same." + + + + +CHAPTER X + +WHAT HARRY HEARD + + +No more was heard of the tiger, but the boys laughed and talked about +it together, for they could not help enjoying the ill-luck which had +attended those who went in its chase. + +"I know how it is," said Harry, with mock seriousness; "the tiger +heard who was coming to shoot him, and he went, off to wait until +Prince Phra had grown up old enough to go tiger-hunting in proper +style." + +"Yes, that's it," said Phra drily. "But you may as well say how you +know. The tiger came and told you, I suppose." + +"Oh, never mind that," said Harry. "I wish you wouldn't talk about it. +I say, when's that chest coming from London?" + +"Don't know; some day," said Phra. + +It was pretty well on to half a year from the time of the order being +given to the day when the big chest was delivered at the palace, being +brought up by one of the royal barges, with its many rowers in scarlet +jackets, from the vessel lying at the mouth of the river, right up to +the stone landing-place in front of the palace, from which it was +borne, attached to a couple of great bamboos, by a dozen men, preceded +and followed by guards bearing spears. + +"Such a jolly fuss," said Harry, frowning. "Why, you and I could have +each taken hold of an end and carried it up to our house and opened it +there." + +"Well, no," said Phra; "you see, it is my father's, and he is King, +and it is only proper for the box to be brought up like this." + +"Is it?" said Harry contemptuously. "All right, only I thought the box +was for us." + +"So it is," said Phra; "but father has not given it to us yet." + +"Oh, all right, only it does seem so stupid; and if a lot of English +boys could see, I daresay they'd laugh like fun." + +"If one of them laughed at my father he'd repent it," said Phra hotly. + +"Tchah! They wouldn't laugh at your father. I should like to catch 'em +at it! I should have something to say then." + +Phra caught his friend warmly by the arm, and his eyes brightened. + +"They might, though," said Harry solemnly, "if they saw him sitting +under that big umbrella, with his silk padung on, looking like an old +woman in a petticoat." + +"That he doesn't," said Phra warmly; "and I'm sure a padung is a much +more comfortable thing out here in a hot country than a pair of +trousers." + +"Oh, I don't know," said Harry; "but it is jolly hot." + +"You don't know, because you have only put one on just for fun; but I +often feel disposed to give up wearing trousers, and to go back to a +padung again." + +"What, go back to being a barbarian?" cried Harry. "You ought to be +ashamed of yourself." + +"Well, I'm not," said Phra warmly. "It's much cooler, and more +pleasant." + +"Oh, you savage! You'd better say it's cooler to go without anything +at all." + +"So it is--in the shade," replied Phra. + +"Well, I am!" cried Harry. "After all the trouble father, Dr. Cameron, +and your most humble and obedient servant have taken to make a +civilized being of you, to talk like that!" + +"Civilized being! pooh! I should have been a civilized being without +your help." + +"Not you. To begin with, you wouldn't have worn trousers, and wearing +trousers means everything. A man who wears trousers stands at the very +top of civilization. A man who doesn't wear them is a savage." + +"Ha! ha! ha!" laughed Phra. "I should like Mr. Cameron to hear you say +that he was a savage." + +"Who ever would say so? Mr. Cameron is--is--well, he's a tip-topper in +everything." + +"But he doesn't wear trousers when he goes with us shooting. He always +wears his war petticoat then." + +"Wears his what?" cried Harry wonderingly. + +"That grey fighting petticoat. His kill it." + +"Kill it? Kilt!" cried Harry. "Oh, what a rum chap you are sometimes, +Phra! But that's only the old savage dress of the Highlanders. Hardly +anybody but soldiers wears that now." + +"Kill--kill it--kilt," said Phra thoughtfully. "What had you got to +laugh at? Why, it does mean a war petticoat." + +"All right; have it your own way," said Harry, who was watching the +last of the guard following the box into the courtyard. + +"But I don't want to have it my own way if I'm wrong," said Phra. "I +want to be right." + +"Very well. You are wrong there, lad." + +"Why do they call it a kilt, then?" said Phra. + +"Because it is a kilt, I suppose. Because--because--there, I don't +know. We'll ask the doctor. But, I say, I didn't mean any harm about +laughing at the King. I wouldn't, and I wouldn't let any one else +laugh at him. He's such a good old chap; but he does look rum +sometimes." + +"Well, I know that," said Phra hurriedly. "And I don't like it, Hal, +and I wish he would do as English gentlemen do; but he can't +altogether." + +"Why?" + +"Because he's king, and the people wouldn't like it. The priests don't +like a great deal that he does now, and they talk about it to the +common people. They make them believe that my father is fighting +against them and doing them harm." + +"If I were your father, and they talked against me, I'd pitch them all +into the river." + +"No, you wouldn't, Hal. But hadn't we better go up to the door and see +the chest opened?" + +"Yes, come on," cried Harry eagerly, and they followed the guard, +going by sentries armed with spear and kris, who smiled solemnly at +the two boys, and made way for them with every show of respect. + +They crossed the courtyard, which partook more of the nature of a +garden, and looked particularly attractive, with its quaint, +highly-pitched, gable-ended buildings around. But Harry had seen the +place too often to pay any heed to the beautiful architecture, and he +was all eyes for a little procession issuing from the principal +doorway, consisting of the King, a quiet, grave-looking, grey-haired +man, in silken jacket and sarong, and a number of his chief men, while +the royal umbrella was held over his head. + +The chest, one of ordinary deal, nailed down, strengthened with a +couple of bands of hoop-iron, and directed in painted black letters, +had been placed in front of the entrance, and ten spearmen stood in a +row on each side, when the two boys, in obedience to a sign from the +King, went up, each receiving a smile and a nod. + +"Here is the new present," he said, smiling. "Take it, and see if +everything is as you wished it to be; and I hope it will give you both +much pleasure." + +He spoke in very good English, and smilingly accepted the boys' +thanks, before gravely turning and going back in procession to the +main entrance to the palace; while, as soon as they were alone, Phra +sent one of the guards to fetch a couple of artificers to bring +hammers and chisels to open the chest. + +"I don't believe a box ever had so much fuss made over it before," +said Harry, laughing. "The things ought to be all right. I say, Phra, +I hope nothing's broken." + +"Oh, don't say that!" + +"The big clock that came from England was. They're wretches, those +sailors, for pitching packages about on board ship." + +"They ought not to be allowed to be so rough," replied Phra. "My +father would not permit them to be careless." + +"Ah, but your father's one of the kings of Siam. We English people +aren't allowed to slice people's heads off because they do as they +like. I say, though, suppose they're burst." + +"Burst! oh, I say, don't," cried Phra. "I've been looking forward to +these things coming, so that we could play English games, and it would +be horrible if we had to wait another six months." + +"Perhaps they'll be all right," said Harry, in consolatory tones; "but +that corner of the box has had a great bang, and the lid's split in +two places, just as if it had been thrown down on the stones of a +wharf." + +"It says, 'With care. Keep this side up,'" said Phra. + +"Oh yes; that's why they knock it about so, I suppose," replied Harry, +laughing. "The sailors know their heads won't be chopped off." + +"Here are the men," said Phra, as a couple of workmen came up, +prostrated themselves, and then cleverly attacked the nails in the +box, clumsy-looking as their tools were, removing the iron bands, +wrenching up the lid and taking it off, while the guards and +attendants stood stolidly looking on. + +The removal of the lid revealed a quantity of paper shavings packed +round sundry brown paper parcels, while one end of the chest was +occupied by half a dozen pasteboard boxes, one of which was +immediately opened, to reveal the neatly-sewn and laced leather cover +of a football. + +"What's that for?" said Phra. "Yes, I know; a football." + +"Yes. You have first kick. I'll throw it down, and you run and kick +it, just as you saw in our book of sports." + +"I could not with the guard looking on," said Phra. + +"I could," said Harry. "English fellows can do anything. Here goes." + +He threw the ball down heavily, making it rebound, and then as it +repeated its rebounds he rushed at it, and, although he had never done +such a thing before, gave it a flying kick which sent it high in the +air, but only to come down and bounce into the fountain basin in the +middle of the courtyard. + +"Wonderful!" the spectators seemed to say, as they looked solemnly at +one another. + +"Oh, I didn't mean that," cried Harry, rushing after the ball, +followed by his companion, who walked sedately up just as Harry had +shouted to one of the guard to come. + +"Here," he said in Siamese, "fish out that ball." + +The man smiled, reached out over the basin, and in another moment +would have transfixed the football on his keenly-pointed lance. + +But Harry was too quick for him, and gave the lance shaft a thrust. + +"Not like that," he cried; "you'd kill it--let all its wind out. This +way." + +He showed the man how to guide the ball to the side with his spear, +and then picked it up all dripping, to place it in the sun to dry. + +"I say, Phra," he said, as he paused to wipe his wet face; "I'm afraid +football's going to be rather a hot game out here." + +"The book said it was played in winter," said Phra. + +"Yes, but then we haven't got any winter here, so we must play it any +time we can. But it is going to be rather a warm sort of game. Never +mind; we've got the balls--six of them." + +"But you don't want six." + +"Yes, you do," cried Harry. "Some will burst; some will get kicked +over into some one else's place and lost perhaps. But I say, we must +learn to play, as we have got the balls." + +"Come and finish opening the box," said Phra. + +"'Tis opened. Why don't you say unpacking?" + +"Because I am not so full of English as you are," replied Phra, with a +sigh; and they bent over the chest and went on taking out its +treasures: bats, stumps, bails, pads and gloves, all carefully done up +in brown paper, while a whole dozen of best cricket balls were in as +many little boxes. + +"Seem to be making a pretty good mess with all these shavings," said +Harry, raising himself up with a sigh of relief that the box was at +last emptied. + +"The people shall clear all away soon," replied Phra, glancing at the +stolid-looking guards, who were gazing wonderingly at the new form of +war club with handle bound with black string, and at the short, +sharp-pointed spears which seemed to be a clumsy kind of javelin. "But +this cricket seems as if it would be a very hot game to play." + +"Oh, I don't know," said Harry carelessly. "Of course I've never +played, but I know all about it. If you come to that, so do you." + +"Yes," said Phra thoughtfully, "but I'm afraid I shall not like a game +where one has to get so many runs. It will be terribly hot work." + +"But you only get a great many runs if you can." + +"Then it will be much cooler and pleasanter if you can't get any," +said Phra. "I say, Harry, couldn't we alter the game?" + +"I don't know. I daresay we could." + +"Let's do the batting ourselves, and make the people bowl and run +after the balls." + +"And always be in?" said Harry. "Well, that wouldn't be bad. But I +say, where are we to play?" + +"I should like it to be right away somewhere," said Phra. "It would +not be pleasant for us to be running and tearing about with our people +looking on and making remarks about our getting so hot." + +"Never mind about the cricket to-day," said Harry. "You want a lot of +fellows to play that--twenty besides ourselves; but we could have a +game of football." + +"Very well; let's play football, then. I'll have all these things +taken into my room. Only let's get right away. I don't care about +playing here." + +"Why not? It will be a capital place if we take care not to kick the +ball into the fountain." + +"I don't like playing here, with all the men looking on. It seems so +silly to be running after a ball and kicking it, as if you were cross +with it for being on the ground." + +"I never thought of that," said Harry. "But let's see: why do we kick +it? I wish we'd been the same as other boys." + +"Well, so we are, only you were born in India, and I was born here." + +"I don't mean that," cried Harry. "I mean the same as other English +boys are. They go to big schools where they learn all sorts of games +when they're half as big as we are. But let's see; we want to know why +everything is. Why do we kick the football?" + +"To make it bounce, of course." + +"That isn't all. We kick it to make it fly through the air." + +"For exercise," said Phra. + +"That's something to do with it, I suppose; but there's something +else. It's to try who's best man. Don't you see?" + +"No," said Phra; "I only know that we've got to learn to play football +and cricket." + +"Never mind about cricket now; let's get to play football first." + +"But we don't know anything about it," said Phra, "and it seems so +stupid. Let's ask Mr. Cameron to show us how." + +"That we just won't," cried Harry. "He'd only laugh at us. 'What!' +he'd say, 'don't know how to play football? Why, I thought every boy +could play that.'" + +"I don't like to be laughed at," said Phra. + +"Of course you don't. I don't either. That's the worse of people too. +Just because they know something that you don't know, they think +themselves so awfully clever, and laugh at you because you don't know +the same as they do." + +"Well, how do we play? Do you know?" + +"I know something about it. You make sides, because it's going to be a +fight." + +"Then it's a cowardly game," cried Phra. + +"Why?" said Harry in astonishment. + +"Because in a fight you ought to use your fists; you taught me so; and +this is all kicking." + +"Oh, what a chap you are, Phra! If I didn't know what a +straightforward one you were, I should think you were making fun. +Can't you see this is not a fighting fight, but a fight in fun--to see +who's to get the best of it?" + +"So's a fighting fight," said Phra. + +"Yes, but this is play. There ought to be a lot of fellows on each +side, but I don't see why two can't have a game. I'm sure they'll get +more kicking. Now we're going to play; I'm against you, and you're +against me." + +"I see; I'm against you, and you're against me. Well?" + +"We begin out in the middle of a place, with the ball between us. I've +got to kick it to the hedge on your side, and you've got to prevent +me. You've got to kick it to the hedge on my side, and I've got to +prevent you. That's easy enough to understand, isn't it?" + +"Oh yes, I understand that; but I shan't play here." + +"Why?" + +"Because we're sure to fall out over it and fight, and I don't want +our guards to see me and you fighting." + +"Oh, we shouldn't be so stupid." + +"I don't know whether it's stupid, but I know how you are when you get +hurt a bit, Hal. No, I shan't play here." + +"Very well, come on home with me. There's plenty of room at the bottom +of the garden, and there'll be no one to see us there except Mike, and +I'll take care he is sent somewhere else." + +"That will do," said Phra. "How many balls shall we want?" + +"Only one, of course." + +"Why not have two?" said Phra. "One apiece; then we shouldn't fall +out." + +"And we shouldn't be playing at football. This ball will do. Come on." + +Phra made no further opposition, but he hazarded the remark that it +was rather hot to play. + +"Yes, this is the hottest place I was ever in," said Harry. "There +couldn't be any place hotter. But come along; English boys don't study +about its being hot or cold when they want to do anything. I'm glad +Doctor Cameron is nowhere near. He'd be interfering and dictating +about the game directly. That's the worst of him, he knows so much. It +will be much nicer for us to learn how to play well before he sees us +at it, and then we shall know as much as he does." + +The boys trudged off, with the sun shining down upon them as it can +shine down in Siam. It was somewhere about a hundred degrees +Fahrenheit in the shade, and it may readily be set down as being a +hundred and twenty in the sun; so that Harry was quite right in his +remarks about Dr. Cameron, for if he had been present he most +assuredly would have interfered to the extent of making them put the +football away, and ordering them into the shade. + +But there was no one to interfere, as they trudged on, and entered by +the gate of the bungalow, finding all very quiet till they got around +to the back, where a peculiar noise came through the open jalousies of +one window, making Harry step forward on tip-toe till he could look +in. + +This done, he stepped cautiously back to his companion. + +"Only Mike," he whispered. "Lying on his back fast asleep, and snoring +like a young thunderstorm in the distance. Come along; we shall have +it all to ourselves." + +"Where's your father?" + +"Gone down to the port in a boat, to see the captain of one of the +ships." + +Five minutes later they were in a good-sized field, well hedged in +with native growth, and displaying a very respectable lawn-like +greensward, one which had cost Mr. Kenyon years of trouble to get +something like an English meadow. + +It was a capital place, and having settled which were to be the +goals--though Harry did not call them so--they walked into the middle +of the enclosure to make a start. + +"Now," said Harry, "of course we don't know exactly how to begin, +but--" + +"Why didn't we read what it said in the book?" said Phra. + +"What book?" + +"The one that came in the chest." + +"I didn't see any book in the chest." + +"I did: _The Book of Games_; it was at the top, wrapped up in paper, +and I sent it into my room so as to be safe." + +"Well, you are a fellow!" cried Harry. "Never mind; we'll read all +through it to-night. Let's begin our way to-day. There lies the ball, +and we must start fair. I'll say one--two--three, and away! and then +we must kick." + +The boys stood face to face with the ball between them, and so close +that their toes nearly touched it. + +"Ready?" said Harry. + +"Yes." + +"Then one--two--three--and away!" + +Phra was quick as lightning almost, and at the word away! he kicked at +the ball; but Harry, instead of kicking, thrust it a little on one +side so as to get a kick to himself, and he got it, right on the shin. + +"Oh!" he cried, beginning to hop on one leg, while Phra sent the ball +flying towards his goal, and ran after it at full speed. + +"Hi! stop! stop! stop!" shouted Harry. + +But Phra was too much excited to halt. He was finding a certain amount +of satisfaction in delivering kick after kick to the yielding ball, +which, in spite of a long voyage, proved to be wonderfully elastic, +and flew here, there, and everywhere, except in the direction of the +goal. For Phra's kicks were wanting in experience. He kicked too high, +or too low, or out of centre; and the consequence was that he had a +great deal of exercise, before a final kick sent the ball up to the +hedge which formed one goal. + +He turned round now, streaming with perspiration and flushed with +triumph, to find that Harry had been limping and panting after him, to +come up now, hot and angry. + +"I've won," cried Phra. "What a capital game!" + +"You've won!" grumbled Harry. "Of course you have. Any one could win +who didn't play fair. But it wasn't playing." + +"Why, what's the matter?" said Phra, staring. + +"You know; you kicked me instead of the ball, and crippled me so that +I couldn't try." + +"I'm so sorry, Hal. Ought you to have been kicking too?" + +"Yes, and I wish I had--I wish I had kicked you at the beginning as +you did me." + +"But that was an accident," said Phra earnestly. + +"It hurt just as much as if you had done it on purpose." + +"Never mind," cried Phra; "let's begin again. I didn't understand the +game. But, I say; it's splendid fun." + +"Oh, is it?" said Hal, sitting down to rub his tender shin. + +"Yes, splendid. When you kick the ball it flies off so beautifully. +You seem obliged to run after it." + +"Yes," said Harry sarcastically, "and then I was obliged to run after +you. Why didn't you kick it my way?" he added fiercely. + +"I couldn't," replied Phra innocently. "That's the funny part of it, +and I suppose the ball's made so on purpose. It never went the way I +kicked it, but flew to all sorts of places. But I say, it's glorious +fun running after it for the next kick." + +"Oh, is it?" sneered Harry; for if the skin was not off his shin, it +certainly seemed to be off his temper. + +"Yes, come on, and let's begin again." + +"Shan't," said Harry sourly; "it's too hot." + +"Oh, nonsense; you don't feel it when you're at play." + +"Play! I don't call it play," cried Harry angrily. "I call it being a +pig and trying to have everything to yourself." + +"Oh, I say, don't talk like that, Hal! I didn't know I was doing +wrong. There, I apologise. I won't do it again. Come along." + +"No, I'm not going to try now. It's a fool of a game, and all +one-sided." + +"Well, never mind; you'll have the right side sometimes. Let's start +off again. I know you'll like it." + +"No, I'm not going to play any more," grumbled Harry. "I wish the old +ball was burst." + +"You are in a temper," said Phra quietly. "I'm sorry I hurt you. Here, +have a kick, Hal." + +"Shan't; I'm too hot and tired." + +"Rest a bit, then," said Phra. "I say, what queer people the English +are to have invented a game like that! They must look so comic." + +"What!" cried Harry indignantly. "Well, I do like that! Who looks +comic, playing at shuttlecock and kicking it up in the air, and +sending it back with the knees, elbows, or shoulders? I've seen some +of the men knock the great shuttlecock up with their necks or chins. +Now, that does look stupid." + +Phra's eyelids contracted a little, and there was a frown upon his +brow for a few moments. + +It passed off then, and he brightened up, just when a few angry words +would have caused an open rupture. + +"Come and have a try, Hal, old chap," he said. "Sorry I hurt you," and +he held out his hand. + +This was too much for Harry, whose irritation was passing off with the +pain. Jumping up quickly, he made a snatch at the ball, sent it +flying, dashed after it, and delivered a tremendous kick, intending to +send it right across the field. + +But it did nothing of the kind, for the kick proved to be a regular +sky-flyer, the ball taking an almost perpendicular course. Harry was +lying in wait for it as it came down, ready to kick again; but Phra +was coming, and unintentionally proved that two legs are much better +for stability than one. + +Of course every one knows this, and takes it for granted, just as most +of us know some of the problems of Euclid, and could take the theory +there set out for granted. But the old Greek philosopher proves them +all, and Phra proved our theory by giving Harry a sharp push just as +one leg was raised, sending him over like a single ninepin, and +securing the ball once more, racing away, laughing heartily the while. + +"Oh!" ejaculated Harry; "and him only a nigger! He shan't beat me like +this." + +He rushed off, with his temper coming back, in full chase of Phra, who +ran on, kicking the ball, and roaring with laughter the while, till +just as he was about to finish off with a tremendous kick, one which +would secure a goal if it went straight, Harry came on with a rush, +sent him flying instead of the ball, turned, and enjoyed a capital +series of kicks before he was overtaken in turn. + +Phra tried to put the same tactics into force, bounding right at +Harry, who was just on the point of kicking home, when a thrust sent +him over, and while still under the impetus of his run, Phra delivered +the kick instead, a kick which proved to be the most direct that had +been given, for the ball landed close to Harry's hedge, bounced, and +went right home. + +"There," cried Phra, flushed with victory; "I've won again." + +Then he stared, for Harry threw himself down, panting and roaring with +laughter. + +"What are you laughing at?" cried his adversary. "That makes two games +I've won." + +"No," cried Harry, wiping his eyes; "this one's mine." + +"Nonsense! I kicked the ball." + +"Yes, but into my goal." + +"No; it's mine. I kicked the ball there." + +"By mistake; for me." + +"Oh, what a stupid game!" cried Phra pettishly. "Phew! how hot I am! I +don't want to play any more at a game like that." + +And now, with the excitement at an end, both found that playing +football in their fashion under such a sun was an exercise of which a +very little went a long way. + +They stretched themselves out on the ground, with the ball lying hard +by getting warm. + +"Oh, I say, it's too hot to stop here; come and lie in the shade," +cried Harry. "Let's go indoors." + +They went back, passed through the verandah, and entered the +dining-room. + +It was as hot there, a heavy, stagnant heat; but there was a basket of +oranges upon the table. + +"These'll be better than water to drink," said Harry, rolling four +across the table to his companion, and pocketing as many for his own +use. + +"But we can't stop here," said Phra; "it's too hot to breathe." + +"I know; let's go and lie down on the floor at the landing-place." + +"Yes, that will do," replied Phra, and a few minutes later the boys +were extended upon their backs upon the bamboos, shaded by the +palm-leaf roofing, and feeling a faint breath of warm air come up from +the surface of the river, just as if it had floated up from the sea. + +Here, as they lay, the boys peeled their oranges and threw the yellow +rind into the river, where, whenever the white side fell downward, +there was a loud splash made by a fish, which dashed at it and left it +again as not good enough for food. + +The oranges were not good--they were small and pithy, as if the sun +had dried all the juice out of them; but they were the best the boys +could obtain, and they were eaten in silence, neither feeling disposed +to talk; and then the natural thing occurred to two boys hot and tired +upon a torrid day when there was a sleepy hum in the air in and out +beneath the shade in which they lay. + +Five minutes after the last orange was eaten, a heavy breathing could +be heard. + +"Asleep, Phra?" said Harry softly. + +A repetition of the breathing was the reply, and Harry lay with his +hands clasped under the back of his head, gazing up at the palm +thatch, where all looked softly light, though it was in the shade, the +reason being that the sunshine was reflected from the surface of the +water and played in a peculiar, mazy way upon the inner part of the +roof, as if a golden net were covering the palm leaves and being kept +in continuous motion. + +There was a good deal to be seen up there: flies were darting about, +and often faring badly, for every now and then a lizard ran along, +looking like a miniature crocodile, the sunny reflections in full +motion resembling the water. + +The dart of one of these lizards upon an unfortunate fly was too quick +for the eye to follow. One minute the curious little creature in its +glistening armour would be creeping up to within a few inches of a fly +busy at work brushing its head and wings with a care and nicety that +suggested great pride in its personal appearance; the next moment +there would be what seemed to be a faint streak upon the palm thatch, +and the lizard would be where the fly was preening itself, but the fly +was gone, and it had not been seen to fly away. It was there still, +but securely enclosed, and ready to be transmuted into food. + +"They are quick," thought Harry; but his attention was taken off the +lizards to the action of something gliding along among the loose +leaves of the thatch--something long and pale green and grey. It +seemed to be so insecurely placed that it appeared to be on the point +of falling, and if it had dropped it must have been upon the sleeping +figure of Phra. But somehow it held on by means of the long plates or +scales at the lower part of its body in one or two places, while the +rest hung in limp, unsupported folds. + +It was very interesting to follow the sinuous movements of this snake, +a gracefully thin creature of about four feet long; and over and over +again Harry laughed to himself, thinking how Phra would jump when he +felt the thin, twining reptile drop upon him; but there was no fear of +its falling, for it had the instinct of self-preservation strong +within its fragile body, and it always appeared to be holding on +tightly by one part, while the other was gliding forward seeking a +fresh hold. + +It was nothing new to the watcher, for Harry had seen snakes of this +kind often, both living and dead, and his father had pointed out to +him that it was of a perfectly harmless description, the head being +softly elliptical and gently graduated off in its junction with the +long, thin neck, showing no sudden swellings out caused by the +possession of poison glands, which give to the dangerous little +serpents the peculiar spade-shaped or triangular head with the corners +bluntly rounded off. + +As Harry lay watching the snake, he fully expected to see it dart its +head at some of the flies buzzing about, but it went on its way +quietly investigating, for it was in search of more juicy morsels than +flies, its instinct having taught it that the palm thatch of such a +roof as that in which it searched was exceedingly likely to contain +the nest of some mouse or hole-loving bird, one of the little +wren-like creatures whose fat, featherless young would form delicious +morsels for a creature whose teeth were implements for holding on and +not for masticating its prey. + +In those days the American humourist was not born, or, as he did, +Harry might have lain there and wondered in connection with their food +and the great length of neck whether it tasted "good all the way +down." But naturally, as he had not read the lines, he thought nothing +of the kind. In fact, he paid no more heed to the little snake beyond +thinking of what a number of different things there were living in +that thatched edifice; for all at once there was a low, deep, humming +buzz, a flash as of burnished copper, and a thick, squat beetle flew +in beneath the roof, lit on one of the bamboo rafters, and began to +fold up its gauzy wings perfectly neatly, shutting them up beneath +their cases, into which they fitted so closely, that when all was shut +up there was no sign of opening, and a casual observer would never +have imagined that such a short, stumpy, armour-clad, horny creature, +all spikes and corners about the legs, could fly. + +That beetle took up a great deal of Harry's attention, for all was so +still that when it crawled up into the thatching, holding on by its +hooked legs, the rustle and scratching could be plainly heard. But at +last the sound seemed to be distant, while, strangely enough, the +beetle gradually appeared as if it were swelling out to a gigantic +size, but grew hazy and undefined, and was apparently about to die out +as if into mist, when Harry started and saw that it was just the +rounded, stumpy, coppery green insect again, and he knew that he had +been asleep and was startled into wakefulness by some sound close at +hand. + +Voices, and then the rippling of water, and as he lay perfectly still +upon his back he knew that a boat was coming abreast of the +landing-place and a man was talking in a haughty, contemptuous way, as +if in answer to some question that had been asked. + +"That Feringhee dog the King favours; he was the beginning of the +swarm that invaded the country." + +"Never mind," said another voice; "don't be angry: it will soon come +to an end." + +"The sooner the better. I am sick of all this. A mad king makes mad +people who will not sit still and see their country ruined by his +follies. What whim will he have next?" + +"Who knows? There is always some case or another coming by one of the +unbelievers' ships. I believe they send their diseases and sicknesses +here to kill our people, so that they may come and take the country. +It is all wrong. What a beautiful place that man has here!" + +"Hist! don't talk." + +"Why not? I do not mind who hears. I would say what I do even before +our foolish king." + +"Be silent; there are people lying asleep on that landing-place, and +they might hear." + +One of them did hear--plainly enough, for in still weather water has a +wonderful power for conveying sounds along its surface. These words +were spoken in the native dialect, but every word was clear to the +involuntary listener, for the language was almost as familiar to Harry +as his own. + +The words jarred upon him. What did they mean? The speakers from their +tone were evidently people who hated the English colonists, and an +intense desire to see whether they were people whom he knew animated +the boy with the disposition to start up and look. But on second +thoughts he felt that it might be better for them if they appeared to +be asleep, especially as Phra was the King's son. + +But once more the desire to see who it was grew strong in Harry's +breast, and as the light splashing of the oars grew less plain he +slowly turned his head till he could open one eye and gaze over the +surface of the river. + +He was too late; there was nothing in sight but the boats moored to +the farther bank. + +"I could see them from the far end of the garden, though," he thought; +and rolling himself gently over three or four times, so as not to +awaken Phra, he reached the bridge-like way off the stage into the +garden, where he rose to his feet and keeping in shelter of the +flowering shrubs which had been abundantly planted, he made for the +corner of the garden higher up the stream, for the slow progress of +the boat in passing showed that the people, whoever they were, had +gone in that direction. + +Harry had little difficulty in getting to the boundary of his father's +grounds, keeping well under cover, though it was hot work hurrying +along in a stooping position. But when he raised his head cautiously +and peered over the river, the result was disappointing. + +There was the boat certainly, going on against tide, propelled by a +couple of stout rowers; and it was evidently the boat of some one well +to do, for the rowers were dressed alike. As to the occupants of the +central part beneath the awning, they were partly hidden by the +uprights which supported the light roof shelter, and their backs were +towards him. They were richly dressed, but though the boy watched till +the boat passed out of sight beyond a curve they did not turn their +heads once. + +Harry returned to the landing-stage, feeling troubled and thoughtful. +He was asking himself whether he should tell Phra what he had heard, +and a feeling of shrinking from making his companion uncomfortable had +almost fixed him in his determination to say nothing until he had told +his father. + +But Phra's action altered all this. + +For just as he was about to set foot upon the stage, Phra leaped up +and began to rub his ear frantically. + +"What did you do that for?" he cried fiercely. + +"Do what?" said Harry, laughing at the boy's antics. + +"You put that nasty little beetle in my ear." + +"I didn't," cried Harry, bursting into a roar of laughter. + +"Yes, you did. There it is," cried Phra angrily, as he stamped upon +and crushed a little round insect about the size of the smaller +lady-bird. "Tickle, tickle, tickle! Why, if I hadn't woke up, the +horrible little creature might have eaten its way into my brains, and +killed me." + +"Nonsense! nothing would do that." + +"Well, you had no business to play such silly boys' tricks. It's +enough to make me hit you. Yes, you can laugh at me; but if I were +regularly angry, you would be ready to run." + +"Run away?" said Harry merrily. + +"Yes, run away." + +"Oh yes, and never come back again. You frighten me horribly." + +"You're mocking at me, but I tell you it was very cowardly and +stupid." + +"No, it was not; for I did not do it, my boy." + +"What? why, I woke up and caught you just as you were going to run +away." + +"No, I was coming back." + +"Oh, Hal! that's what you call a cracker, and that's more cowardly +still. When I went to sleep you were lying down beside me, and when I +woke up you were standing over there." + +"That's right," said Harry. + +"And when you woke up you felt mischievous, and caught that little +beetle to put in my ear." + +"That's wrong," said Harry sturdily. + +"Why, I felt it directly it was in; and you must have done it." + +"Oh, of course, because beetles have no legs to crawl, and no wings to +fly, and you weren't lying ear upward so that it could drop in off the +roof." + +"You may argue as long as you like, and as I was asleep, of course I +couldn't quite tell how you did it; but there's the beetle. See?" + +"Oh yes, I can see," said Harry thoughtfully; "but I didn't put it +there. It got into your ear while I was away." + +"Oh, Hal!" + +"And oh, Phra!" + +"To say you were coming back when you were just going to slip away!" + +"Wasn't going to slip away. I tell you I was coming back." + +"I don't believe you." + +"Very well," said Harry; "don't." + +"I--I mean, I beg your pardon, Hal." + +There was no reply. + +"Tell me why you went away," said Phra, who felt that he had gone too +far. + +"It's of no use. You will not believe me," said Harry, taking out his +knife and beginning to carve his initials on one of the big bamboos. + +"Yes, I will!" cried Phra. "I daresay I was wrong. I was cross with +being woke up like that, and I felt sure you had done it." + +"And you feel sure now," said Harry coldly. + +"No, not sure," said Phra frankly, "only doubtful." + +"Then you ought to be ashamed of yourself for feeling so. It's not as +if I were a Siamese fellow--they say anything. An English boy doesn't +like to be doubted." + +"Beg your pardon, Hal--so sorry," said Phra penitently. "Shake hands." + +"Not I," said Harry stiffly. "I'm not going to shake hands with a chap +who doesn't believe my word." + +"Hal!" cried Phra, with a pleading look in his eyes. + +"We'd better not be friends any more; and you'd better go away and +have nothing more to do with us English people." + +"Why? What makes you say that?" + +Harry was silent, and stood frowning there, hacking at the bamboo; but +the quick-witted Siamese lad seemed to grasp the idea that there was +something more behind the fit of annoyance, and began to press his +companion. And the more silent and mysterious Harry proved to be, the +more he pressed. + +For a time he obtained nothing but mysterious hints and bitter words +about things not being as they should be, and at last the boy said +angrily,-- + +"Look here, Hal, I'm sure you are hiding something. I woke up and saw +you there, and I felt sure you had been playing some trick. You know +you often do." + +"Yes, often," said Harry quietly. + +"Then you told me you had not, and I begged your pardon for saying +things when I was cross. I know you well enough now; you can't keep up +anything of that sort--you get in a temper sometimes, but it's all +over soon and you shake hands, or even if you don't, it's soon all +right again and forgotten: but now you keep on talking about our not +being friends any more, and I'm sure there's something the matter. +Now, isn't there?" + +Harry nodded and looked gloomy as he went on cutting in the hard wood, +and spoiled the shape of the K he was carving. + +"What is it, then? Why don't you tell me?" + +"Don't want to make you uncomfortable." + +"Then it's something serious?" + +Harry nodded again. + +"You're not going away, Hal?" cried Phra excitedly. + +"It seems as if we'd better," said Harry gloomily. + +"No, that you shan't!" cried Phra angrily. "Who says that? I know; +it's your father's offended about something. But I won't have it." + +Harry smiled. + +"You're not king," he said. + +"No, but I shall be some day, and till I am, my father will let me +have anything I like, so long as it's wise and good. It's quite right +for you and your father to stay here, for it's doing you both good, +and us too. Father said only the other night that it was a grand thing +for the country to have wise Englishmen here to instruct us in +everything." + +"Do you think so, Phra?" + +"Of course I do. Why, look at last year, when that dreadful plague +came and the people were dying so fast till Doctor Cameron made them +keep the sick people to themselves, and had their clothes and things +burnt. Father always says he stopped it from going any further. It's +so with everything, if people would only learn." + +"But they don't like us," said Harry. + +"The sensible ones do. It's only the silly, obstinate, old-fashioned +folk who like to go on always in the same way, and who think that they +know everything and that there's nothing more to be learnt. Here's +something you never heard. Some of the other king's people put it +about last year that father was making poisons in his room so as to +kill the people." + +"Oh yes, I know it," said Harry bitterly. + +"And they say the bad diseases come in the cases father has from +England. I daresay they'll think that there's another plague come in +our case with the cricket bats and balls." + +"They do say so," said Harry. + +"How do you know?" cried Phra sharply. + +"Heard 'em." + +"When?" + +"Just now, when you were asleep." + +"Hah! Then that's it!" cried Phra; and it all came out. + +The Siamese lad heard his companion to the end with a look of haughty +contempt which made him look years older, and when he had finished he +said slowly,-- + +"Poor silly idiots! Those are the sort of people who would say that a +blowpipe was better than a rifle. What does it matter?" + +"Matter? Why, it is bad for you and your father to be friendly with +such people as we are." + +"How absurd!" cried Phra. "The weak, silly, ignorant people are so +stupid about things they do not understand." + +"But these were not common, ignorant people, but noblemen." + +"Very likely," said Phra, with a shrug of his shoulders. "It is as +father says: many of the old noblemen of the other king's party are +too proud to learn anything, and they pretend to believe he deals in +magic and is mad." + +"Yes, that's how they talked," said Harry. + +"Well, let them talk. I'm glad my father is so mad as he is, and wants +to learn all about the wonders of the world, and to get me to learn +them too. And I do like it, Hal; I'm ever so fond of learning about +all these strange things. Of course I like playing games, too, and +even your games that you teach us are wonderful and clever. Pooh! let +the silly people talk till they learn to know better." + +"But these men in the boat spoke threateningly of it all having an +end, just as if they meant to attack the King and drive us all away." + +"Bah!" ejaculated the lad. "Attack my father? Pooh! they dare not. +He's as gentle and kind as any one can be, but he can be angry too, +and when he is, he is very fierce and stern. He won't believe that any +one would dare to attack him. I don't believe it either." + +"But if you had heard those two men talk?" + +"Well, then I should have heard two men talk, that's all. What is +talking? A mere nothing." + +"But suppose they were to begin to act?" said Harry, who was looking +at his friend admiringly. + +"What do you mean--fight?" + +"Yes." + +"I hope they will not," said Phra rather sadly, "because it would be +so terrible. They would fight because they don't know better, and they +will not learn. But they would learn then when it was too late." + +"What would happen?" + +"A number of foolish people would be killed, and when those who began +the trouble were caught--" + +"Yes?" said Harry, for Phra had ceased speaking; "what would happen +then?" + +"They would have to die, too, and it seems horrible when the great +world is so beautiful and people might be happy." + +"Think the King would have them executed?" + +"Of course. He is all that is good and kind to everybody now, but if +the people rose against him, he would say, 'Poor blind, foolish +creatures! I must forgive them, for they don't know better; but the +leaders must suffer for leading them into sin.'" + +"And their heads would be chopped off?" + +"Certainly," said Phra coldly. "It would be for every one's good. But +don't look like that, Hal; we can't help the stupid people talking +foolishly. It does not matter to us." + +"But it does," said Harry. "It makes me think that we ought not to +stay." + +"Nonsense!" cried Phra. + +"Are you going to tell your father what the people are saying?" + +"No; why should I?" + +"I think he ought to know," said Harry. + +"I daresay he does know how people talk, but it does not trouble him. +They are foolish people who do not know he is the best king we have +ever had. Let them talk. There, I am going home now. You keep the +football." + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +THE NAGA'S BITE + + +Phra had not been gone long before Mr. Kenyon returned from his +business down in the port, and in reply to his question, "Anything +fresh happened, my boy?" Harry told him what he had heard, watching +his father's face intently the while. + +"Then you think it is very serious, father?" said Harry. + +"Do I, Hal? What makes you say that?" + +"You look anxious about it." + +"I was not aware that you were studying my face," said Mr. Kenyon, +smiling. "Well, it is serious news, and it is not serious, if you can +understand that. The words you heard were those of dissatisfied folk, +and these exist everywhere. Of course I have long known that the +common, ignorant people resent our being here a good deal, especially +the followers of the second king, as they call him; but most of the +people like us, and I find that they are very eager to deal with me in +business, trusting me largely with their goods, and quite content to +wait till I choose to pay them. That looks as if we have a good +character. Then, as regards our treatment in the place, you have never +found any one insulting or offensive to you." + +"No, father; every one is smiling and pleasant." + +"Of course. You need not trouble yourself about the disagreeable +remarks of a couple of malcontents." + +These words cheered Harry, whose young imagination had been piling up +horrors to come for the dwellers at the palace and the English people +who were near. + +Two days later, when he was a little higher up the river, a pleasant, +musical voice saluted him from the other side of a hedge. + +"What! going by without calling? For shame!" + +Harry turned through a gate and down a path to where a lady was seated +busy over some kind of needlework under a shady tree. + +There was something so pleasant in her smile of welcome that the boy +eagerly caught at her extended hand, before taking the chair that was +pointed out. + +"But that's the doctor's," he said. + +"Yes, but he is down the river in his boat, seeing some of his +patients. Have some fruit, Harry. All that basketful was sent us this +morning by one of Duncan's patients." + +"How nice! May I take that mangosteen?" + +"Take all," said Mrs. Cameron, for she it was. "The people are never +tired of sending us great pines and melons. They are so nice and +grateful for everything my husband does for them. I used to think it +would be very dreadful to come out here amongst all the strange, +half-savage people, as I expected they would be." + +"But they are not savage," said Harry. + +"Savage? No. They are as gentle and nice as can be. They seem to be +more afraid of us than we are of them." + +Harry feasted his eyes upon the sweet face and form of the graceful +English lady, and the sight seemed to bring up something misty and +undefined of some one who used to lean over his little bed at night to +press her warm lips upon his face, which was brushed by her long, fair +hair. + +It was a pleasant feeling, but sad as well, for the few moments that +the memory stayed. + +Then he had to answer questions as to why he had not brought his +friend with him, of the games he had been playing, about his +excursions; and he was in the midst of his answers when a quick step +was heard, and Mrs. Cameron sprang up. + +"Here is Duncan," she cried. + +"Hullo, Hal!" cried the doctor, entering; "here you are, then! Where's +the Prince?" + +"He has not been down to-day." + +"Oh, then that is why we are honoured with a visit, is it?" + +"I--I was not coming to see you to-day, was I, Mrs. Cameron?" said +Harry, colouring. + +"No, that is a fact," said the lady. "He was going right by, but I +called him in." + +"Ah, well, we will forgive you. Stop and have tea with us." + +Harry's acceptation showed that he was only too glad, and after the +pleasant meal in the verandah, there was an interesting hour to be +spent in the doctor's curious compound of surgery, study, and museum, +where plenty of fresh insects had to be examined. + +Mrs. Cameron displaying a bright, girl-like interest in everything, +till called away to give some instructions to her servants. + +"How Mrs. Cameron must help you, Doctor!" said Harry. "I did not know +that she was so clever at pinning out moths." + +"Look here," said the doctor sternly, "have you been saying anything +to her about what you told your father you heard said in that boat?" + +"Not a word, sir." + +"That's right. I'm glad of it; but I was afraid." + +"Oh, I shouldn't have thought of telling her." + +"I'm glad you have so much discretion, my boy. You see, ladies are +easily made nervous; and if my wife had heard all that, she would have +been fidgeting about it every time I was away, and of course that is +very often." + +"You don't think there is any danger, do you?" + +"Not the slightest, my boy; the people are all too friendly. It is +only a few discontented humbugs who are old-fashioned and object to +the King's ways." + +"That is what my father says," said Harry. + +"And that is what I say, so let's think no more about it." + +"There's Phra," cried Harry, starting up, as a long-drawn whistle was +heard. + +Harry ran out, and was going down to the gate, passing Mrs. Cameron, +who was walking back to her seat under the tree; but all of a sudden +she stopped short, tottered as if about to fall, and then stood there +with a ghastly face as white as her dress. + +It was a mere glimpse that the boy obtained, but it was enough to +check his hurried race for the gate. + +Something was wrong, he could not tell what; but the doctor's wife was +evidently in sore trouble, and he turned to go to her help. + +"What is the matter, Mrs. Cameron?" he cried; but she made no reply. +It was as if she had not heard him speak, and with head averted she +stood looking to the left in a singularly strained attitude, like one +striving to escape from something horrible, but whose feet were held +to the ground. + +In his excitement Harry ran round before her and caught her hand in +his, to find it icily cold; but she only uttered a gasping sound, and +still stared horribly and with convulsed face down to her left. + +Very few moments had elapsed from the boy's first taking alarm till he +now turned wonderingly to his right to follow the direction of Mrs. +Cameron's eyes, and then a horrible chill ran through him, and he felt +paralysed and helpless, for there, not six feet away, raised up on the +lower part of its body, was one of the most deadly serpents in the +world, its grey brown marked scales glistening as it played about in a +wavy, undulatory fashion, its so-called hood spread out showing the +spectacle-like markings, and its flattened head turned down at right +angles to the neck, with the forked tongue playing and flickering in +and out through the little opening in its jaws. + +The lower part of the creature was partly hidden by the flowers on a +dry bed, but the anterior portion rose fully three feet above the +plants, and the creature swung itself about and rose and sank as if +preparing for a spring upon the fascinated woman; for either from +horror or some occult power on the part of the deadly reptile, Mrs. +Cameron was perfectly helpless, and promised to be an easy victim to +the cobra when it struck. + +But Harry's stunned sensation of horror did not last; he stepped back +for a moment or two, looking sharply about for a weapon, but looked in +vain, for there was nothing near but a small bamboo stool. + +It was better than nothing. He caught it up by one leg, and raising it +above his shoulder he stepped quickly between Mrs. Cameron and her +enemy, prepared to strike with all his might, while the cobra's eyes +seemed to burn, and it drew back as if about to spring. + +At that moment, released from the influence of the reptile by the +interposition of Harry's body, the power of movement returned, and +uttering a low, sobbing cry Mrs. Cameron sank slowly to her knees upon +the ground, where she crouched, watching the movements of her +champion, but not daring to look again at the serpent. + +The sobbing cry behind him drew Harry's attention from his enemy for a +moment, but only for that space of time. Then he was once more on +guard, fully realizing the danger of his position, but so strung up by +the emergency that he felt not the slightest fear. + +Harry's was but a momentary glance back, but it was an opportunity for +the enemy. + +Quick as lightning it struck. There was the darting forward as of a +spring set free, the stroke and the rebound, and as the reptile was +about to strike again Harry delivered his blow, which crushed down the +hissing creature with such effect that the next moment it had writhed +itself out from among the plants, to lie clear to receive blow after +blow from the stool, till the latter flew into fragments, while the +cobra twined and twisted and tied itself into knots in its agony, +close to the lad's feet. + +He did not attempt to shrink away, only looked round for something +else to seize as a weapon, and then he stared strangely at Mrs. +Cameron, who had sprung up. + +"Harry! What is it?" she cried hoarsely. "Did it bite you?" + +"Don't know," he said, in a curious, husky voice. "I--I think so; but +I've killed it." + +"But where? Show me where?" panted Mrs. Cameron wildly. + +For answer Harry drew back the cuff from his right wrist, and held it +up. + +"There," he said. + +Without a moment's hesitation Mrs. Cameron caught the lad's hand and +arm and raised it to her lips, sucking the tiny puncture with all her +power, and then, as she withdrew her lips for a moment, she shrieked +out,-- + +"Duncan! Duncan! Help, help!" before placing her lips to the bite +again. + +"What's the matter?" cried Phra, running to them from the gate. "Mrs. +Cameron! Hal! What is it?" + +"Snake," said Harry faintly, just as Phra caught sight of the writhing +creature, struck at it, and watching his opportunity crushed its head +into the ground with his heel, the reptile in its dying agonies +twining tightly about his ankle and leg. + +Mrs. Cameron took her lips from the wound again, and her lips parted +to shriek once more; but her cries had been heard, and the doctor came +running down to her side. + +There was no need to ask questions--he saw what had happened at a +glance, and the dangerous nature of the wound was told by the swollen +shape of the snake's neck by Phra's boot. + +"Once more," he said to his wife; "then let me." + +As Mrs. Cameron pressed her lips to the wound, her husband snatched +the thin silk neckerchief Harry wore from his neck, twisted it up into +a cord, and tied it as tightly as he could round the lad's arm, just +above the elbow-joint. + +"Now let me come," he said sharply. "Run in, Mary; fetch basin, +sponge, water, and the caustic bottle." + +Mrs. Cameron was used to her husband's ways in emergencies, and +resigning the patient to his hands she ran off to the house. + +"Sit down here, Hal," said Cameron, "and keep a good heart, lad. I +daresay we shall take it in time." + +As he spoke he pressed the silent lad back into Mrs. Cameron's chair, +snatched off the jacket, tore open the shirt-sleeve, and then drew out +his pocket-book, from which he took a lancet. + +With this he scarified the tiny wound, making it bleed freely, before +placing his lips to it and trying to draw the poison away again and +again, while Phra stood close by, his face of a livid hue, and making +no offer of help on account of his position. + +For the serpent was still twined tightly about his ankle and leg, and +he felt sure that if he released the head from beneath his foot, the +reptile would strike again. + +By this time Mrs. Cameron was back with the various articles required, +and she knelt down with the basin in her lap as the doctor took a +little wide-mouthed bottle from her hand, removed the stopper, shook +out a tiny stick of white, sugar-looking crystal, and after moistening +the end, liberally used it in and about the mouth of the wound. + +"Hurt you, my boy?" said Cameron sharply, as Harry lay back, with his +eyes tightly closed. + +"Horribly," was the reply. "Feels like red-hot iron." + +"Do you good, boy. Act like a stimulus. Now, can you walk indoors?" + +"I think so." + +"One moment. You, Phra, run up and tell Mr. Kenyon to come here +directly." + +"No, no," cried Harry; "don't do that. It would frighten him." + +"He must be told, Hal, my lad. Go, Phra." + +The boy addressed pointed to his foot. + +"If I let its head go, it will sting," he said. + +"Oh, I see," said the doctor coolly, and taking a knife from his +pocket, he opened it, bent down, and with one cut passed the knife +blade through the cobra's neck, with the result that the long, lithe +body was set free, as if it had been held in its place by the position +of the head, and Phra's leg was released. + +But he took his foot very cautiously off the head, which even then +moved, as if still connected with the slowly writhing body, for the +jaws opened and shut two or three times, the vitality in the creature +being wonderful. + +But Phra did not stay to see. He stepped quickly to Harry's side and +caught his left hand, to hold it for a moment against his throbbing +breast, and then ran off as hard as he could go. + +Meanwhile, supported on either side by the doctor and his wife, Harry +was led into the former's room, the boy looking rather wild and +strange. Here he was seated upon a cane couch, while a draught of +ammonia and water was prepared, and held to him to drink. + +"Not thirsty," he said, shaking his head. + +"Never mind; drink," cried the doctor, and the lad hastily tossed off +the contents. + +"Nice?" said the doctor, with a smile. + +"Horrid; like soap and water," replied Harry. "May I go to sleep?" + +"Yes, for a time, if you can." + +"But I say, look here, Doctor; when father comes, don't let him be +frightened. I'm not going to be very bad, am I?" + +"I hope not, Hal. You see, we have taken it in time." + +"That's right," said the boy, with a deep sigh, and he closed his eyes +at once and let his head subside on the pillow, sinking at once into a +kind of stupor, for it was not like sleep. + +"Oh, Duncan," whispered Mrs. Cameron, as soon as she felt satisfied +that the patient could not hear, "surely he will not die?" + +"Not if I can help it, dear," he replied. "That was very brave of you +to suck the wound. It may have saved his life." + +"Poor, brave, darling boy!" she cried, bursting into a convulsive fit +of sobbing, as she sank in her husband's arms, utterly giving way now. +"He saved me from the horrible reptile, and was bitten himself." + +"Ha! God bless him for it--and spare his life," added the doctor to +himself--"that was it, then?" + +"Yes, dear," sobbed Mrs. Cameron; "I was going back to take up my work +when I heard a rustling sound among the flowers, and looking round I +saw the horrible thing dancing and waving itself up and down as they +do when a snake-charmer plays to them. I couldn't stir; I couldn't +speak. I seemed to be suddenly made rigid; and then it was that Harry +saw the state I was in, and came to my help." + +"What did he do?" said the doctor, as he tried to calm his wife's +hysterical sobs. + +"Ran between me and the snake, and struck at it when it darted itself +out. It would have bitten me, for it was gradually coming closer to +me, and--and--and--oh, it was so dreadful, Duncan dear! I seemed to +have no power to move. I knew that if I ran off I should be safe, but +I could not stir, only wait as if fixed by the horrible creature's +eyes--wait till it darted at and bit me." + +"And Harry dashed in between you?" + +"Yes, dear. He seized the little bamboo stool, and struck at it. Oh, +Duncan! Duncan! Don't let him die!" + +"Let him die, my dear?" said the doctor, drawing in his breath. "Not +if my poor knowledge can save him. But I have great hopes that your +brave thoughtfulness will have had its effect. Now go and lie down a +bit till you have grown calm. This terrible business has unhinged +you." + +"No, no, dear; let me stay." + +"I dare not, my dear. You are weak and hysterical from the shock, and +I must keep the poor boy undisturbed." + +"You may trust me, dear," said Mrs. Cameron; "I am better now. There, +you see I am mastering my weakness. I will master it, and be quite +calm, so as to help you to nurse him and make him well." + +"May I trust you?" + +"Yes, yes, dear." + +"But suppose he is very, very bad?" whispered the doctor. + +"I will be quite calm and helpful then. Afterwards I will not answer +for myself." + +"Then stay," said the doctor, who examined his patient as he lay +there, looking strange and completely stupefied. + +"Raise him up a little," said the doctor, after he had mixed some more +ammonia and water; "I want him to drink this." + +Mrs. Cameron's task was easy, and there was no trouble then in getting +the patient to drink, till the last spoonful or two, which he thrust +away. + +"It hurts me to swallow," he muttered, as if to himself--"it hurts me +to swallow." + +The doctor frowned, as he helped his wife to lower the poor fellow +down, and examined the wrist and arm, which were now becoming terribly +swollen and blotched. + +"Oh, Duncan!" whispered Mrs. Cameron, "can't you do something more?" + +"No," he said sadly; "one is fearfully helpless in such a case as +this. Everything possible has been done; it is a fight between nature +and the poison." + +"And there seemed to be no time before I was trying to draw it out of +the wound again." + +"It is so horribly subtle," said the doctor. "What you did ought to +have checked the action, but it is going on. I dread poor Kenyon's +coming, and yet I am longing for it. He cannot be long." + +"Duncan," whispered Mrs. Cameron, as she laid her hand tenderly upon +Harry's forehead, "are you sure that he cannot understand what we +say?" + +"Quite." + +"You said the poison was subtle; will it be long before the effect +passes off?" + +"No," replied the doctor; "the danger should be quite at an end before +an hour is passed. Subtle? Horribly subtle and quick, dear. I have +known poor creatures die in a quarter of an hour after being struck. +Hist! I can hear Kenyon's steps in the garden. Go to the door and +bring him in." + +Mrs. Cameron went out softly, but returned with Phra. + +"Is Mr. Kenyon coming?" + +"He went down the river in his boat, Michael says, and will not be +back till evening." + +"Tut--tut--tut!" ejaculated the doctor. + +"How is he?" whispered Phra. + +"Bad; very bad," replied the doctor. + +"Oh!" cried Phra, in agony. "But you are curing him, Doctor Cameron?" + +"I am doing everything I possibly can, Phra." + +"Yes, I know; and you are so clever. It is all right, and he will soon +be better." + +The doctor groaned, and bent over his patient, exchanging glances with +his wife--looks both full of despair. + +Phra stepped to the doctor's side, and caught him fiercely by the arm. + +"You frighten me," he whispered excitedly. "Don't say he is very bad!" + +"Look," said the doctor sadly, and he pointed to the horrible +appearance of his young patient's arm. "It is of no use to disguise +it, Phra: the poison of these dreadful reptiles is beyond a doctor's +skill." + +"But do something--do something!" cried Phra angrily. "You are only +standing and looking on. You must--you shall do more." + +Mrs. Cameron rose and took the lad's hands, drawing them aside. + +"Be patient, Phra," she whispered. "My husband is doing everything +that is possible." + +"But it is so dreadful," cried Phra. "I saw some one die from a +snake-bite, and he looked just like that. But there was no doctor +then. Can't he do something more?" + +Mrs. Cameron shook her head. + +"You know how clever and wise he is, Phra. We must trust him. He knows +what is best." + +Phra groaned, and sank down despairingly in a chair; but he started up +again directly. + +"Shall I fetch my father? He is very wise about snake-bites. He would +come for Hal." + +"He could do nothing," said the doctor gravely. "Be silent, please; I +am doing everything that is possible." + +Phra frowned on hearing the imperative way in which the doctor spoke, +but he did not resent it. He merely went on tip-toe to the head of the +couch, and knelt down there, watching every movement on Harry's part, +though these were few. + +From time to time the doctor administered ammonia, but it seemed to +have not the slightest effect: the swelling went on; the skin of the +boy's arm grew of a livid black; and the mutterings of delirium made +the scene more painful. + +And so three hours passed away, with no sign of Mr. Kenyon, no token +given that the danger was nearly passed. + +Every one was indefatigable, striving the best to render Harry's +sufferings lighter; but all seemed in vain, and at last, as she read +truly the look of despair in her husband's face, every palliative he +administered seeming to be useless, Mrs. Cameron, after fighting hard +to keep back her grief, threw herself upon her knees by the side of +the couch, and burst into a hysterical fit of sobbing. + +This was too much for Phra, who, to hide his own feelings, hurried out +into the garden, unable as he was to witness Mrs. Cameron's sufferings +unmoved. + +And now in his utter despair the doctor made no effort to check his +wife's loud sobs, feeling as he did that they could do no harm; and +after attending to his patient again, he was about to walk to the +window to try and think whether there was anything else that he could +do, when to his astonishment Harry opened his eyes, stared round +vacantly, and said in sharp tones,-- + +"Yes! What is it? Who called?" + +The doctor was at his side in an instant, and caught his hand. "Harry, +my lad," he said, "do you know me?" + +The boy stared at him strangely, but he had comprehended the question. + +"Know you?" he said. "Yes; why shouldn't I know you? What a ridiculous +question! But--Here, what is the matter with that lady? Is it--is +it--? My head aches, and I can't think," he added, after looking +wonderingly about. "What has been the matter? Doctor Cameron, has some +one been ill?" + +"Yes, some one has been very ill," said the doctor, laying his cool +hand upon the boy's forehead and pressing him back upon the pillow. + +"Some one has been very ill! Who is it? Can't be father or Mike. Why +am I here? I'm not ill. Here, something hurts me, doctor--something on +the wrist. Just look; it hurts so that I can't lift it." + +The doctor took hold of the frightfully swollen arm, and made as if +examining the injury, saying quietly,-- + +"Oh, it's only a bite; it will be better soon. I'll put a little olive +oil to it. Will you get some, my dear?" + +Mrs. Cameron rose from her knees quickly, and hurried out of the room, +keeping her head averted so that Harry should not see her face. + +He noticed this, and his eyes filled with a wondering look. "I don't +understand it," he said. "I'm not at home." + +"No," said the doctor quietly. "You are here, at my house." + +"Of course; and that was Mrs. Cameron who went out to get the oil, +and--" + +He stopped short, and looked about him for some moments. Then in a +puzzled way:-- + +"There's something I want to think about, but I can't." + +"Don't worry about it, then. Lie still till you can." + +"Yes, that will be the best way. Ah! here she is." + +Mrs. Cameron was back with the oil, and he made her lips quiver, and +she had hard work to keep back her tears, as he said,-- + +"That's good of you to fetch it. Thank you, Doctor. What was it bit +me? One of those big mosquitoes? Ah!" + +He uttered a wild cry, and his face grew convulsed with horror. + +"What is it, my dear boy?" said the doctor. + +"I know now," he said, in a low, passionate, agitated voice. "It has +come back. The snake! I was bitten by that snake!" + +"Yes, my boy, but the effect is all passing off," said the doctor +soothingly. + +"No, no; you are saying that to keep me from thinking I shall die of +the bite, and--" his voice sank to a whisper, as he murmured +despairingly, "Oh, father, father! what will you do?" + +"I am not cheating you, Harry," said the doctor, leaning over him; "it +is the simple truth. You were bitten by the virulent reptile; but +fortunately we were close by, and the poison has yielded to the +remedies." + +"Ah! you gave me something?" + +"We did, of course," said the doctor gravely, giving his wife a +glance. "You have been delirious and insensible, but the poison is +mastered, and you have nothing to do now but get well. Thank God!" + +The boy took the last words literally. He closed his eyes, and they +saw his lips move in the silence which lasted for some minutes. + +Then he opened his eyes, and spoke quite naturally. + +"I can recollect all about it now. But tell me, are you sure Mrs. +Cameron was not hurt?" + +"Hurt? No, Harry," said that lady, taking his hand, to press it to her +lips. "I have you to thank for saving my life." + +He imitated her action, and said with a smile,-- + +"No, no. Doctor Cameron would have cured you as he did me. But ugh! +what an arm!" he cried, hastily drawing the sleeve over the +discoloured, swollen skin. "I say, doctor, it won't stop like that, +will it?" + +"Oh no, that will soon pass away." + +At that moment Phra's piteous face appeared at the window, looking +inquiringly in, for he had been puzzled by the voices he had heard; +and as soon as he grasped the state of affairs, he uttered a wild +cry,-- + +"Hal!" + +It was as he rushed in through the window and dashed across the floor, +to pretty well fling himself upon his companion. Then, with simulated +anger, to choke down the burst of sobs striving for exit,-- + +"Oh, you wretch!" he cried, "to frighten us all like that! Doctor, +what doesn't he deserve!" + +"Rest and quiet, Phra, my lad. Steady, please; he is a bit weak yet." + +"Yes, I understand. But oh, Hal, old chap, old chap! you have made me +feel bad!" + +"So sorry," said the boy, "and so glad you all felt like that. But, +Phra, I want you to do something." + +"Yes, what is it?" cried Phra eagerly. + +"I want you to go up to our place and wait till father comes back. +Then tell him I'm better. I shouldn't like him to hear I had been +bitten by a naga without knowing the whole truth." + +"Yes, I'll go," cried the boy, pressing his friend's hand. "But tell +me first, doctor: he is ever so much better?" + +"Quite out of all danger now," was the reply, and Phra started off, +but only to find that he was too late, for before he had gone a +hundred yards he met Mr. Kenyon and Mike, running. + +"Ah!" cried the merchant wildly, catching Phra by the arm, "tell me +quickly--the truth--the truth." + +"Better; getting well fast," said Phra quickly. + +Mr. Kenyon stopped short and laid his hand to his breast, and stood +panting for a few minutes before speaking again. + +"Mike told you as soon as you came ashore, then?" + +"No, he came down the river in a boat to fetch me, as soon as he heard +the news. But come, quick, I must see for myself!" + +As Mr. Kenyon entered the room the doctor and his wife just said a +word, and then went softly out, Phra grasping the reason and following +them into the garden. + +"Yes, I see," he said softly; "to let them be alone." + +They all three turned down one of the paths amongst the thickly +planted bushes, and then stopped short in wonder, for there just +before them was Mike, crying like a child, and wiping his eyes. + +He was aware of their presence, though, almost as soon as they were of +his, and making a pretence of mopping his face with the handkerchief +he held, he hurried up. + +"Awful hot, sir," he said. "You want me?" + +"No, not yet," said the doctor, ignoring the tears; "but in two or +three hours I think we can get your young master home. I think you had +better see about a palanquin and bearers by-and-by. Or perhaps you +might as well go now, and tell the men to be here in two hours' time." + +"Yes, sir; of course, sir, but--er--" + +"What is it?" said the doctor. + +"Could I just go and say a word to the young master, sir?" + +"I think not now, Mike. His father is with him, and we have left them +so that they might be alone." + +"Of course, sir, and quite right too," said Mike. "I'll be off at +once, sir; but it is amazing hot." + +Mike hurried away, and as soon as he was out of hearing Phra said +quickly,-- + +"See how he'd been crying, Mr. Cameron?" + +"Yes, Phra." + +"That's because he liked our Hal so. Every one likes Hal." + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +SUL THE ELEPHANT + + +"Bother the old cobra! Don't say any more about it; I hate to hear the +thing mentioned. Well, there, quite well, thank you; how do you do?" + +"But you might tell me, Hal." + +"Why, I am telling you. I'm quite well again." + +"Don't you feel anything?" + +"Oh yes, just a little; my arm feels pins-and-needlesy, just as if I +had been to sleep on it in an awkward position; and it looks as if it +was turning into a snake." + +"What, twists and twines about?" + +"No--o--o--o! What nonsense! How can a thing with stiff bones in it +twist and twine about? I mean, the skin's all marked something like a +snake's; but Dr. Cameron says I need not mind, for it will all go off +in time. Oh, I am so sick of it all! I wish I hadn't killed the +snake." + +"What!" cried Phra. + +"No, I don't quite mean that, because of course I'm glad to have +killed the horrible, poisonous thing; only it's so tiresome. That's +nearly a month ago, and everybody's watching me to see how I look, and +asking me how I am, and you're about the worst of the lot." + +"It's quite natural, Hal." + +"Is it? Then I wish it wasn't. I suppose it's quite natural for Mrs. +Cameron to begin to cry as soon as she sees me." + +"It's because she feels grateful to you for saving her life." + +"There you go again," cried Harry peevishly. "Saving her life! Oh, how +I wish I hadn't! Everybody will keep telling me of it, and one says it +was so good of me, and another calls me a brave young hero; and just +because I hit a snake a whack with an old bamboo stool. It's +sickening." + +Phra laughed heartily. + +"You're not sorry you saved her life." + +"Will you be quiet?" cried Harry angrily. "Saved her life again. +Everybody's telling me of it. Of course I don't mean I'm sorry, but I +wish somebody else had done it. Ah! you, for instance," cried the boy, +with one of his old mirthful looks. "Ha, ha, ha! Poor old Phra! How +would he like it? every one calling him a brave young hero!" + +"I shouldn't mind it once or twice," said Phra thoughtfully. "But +after that I suppose it would be rather tiresome." + +"Tiresome!" cried Harry. "It sets your teeth on edge--it makes you +squirm--it makes you want to throw things that will break--it makes +you want to call names, and kick." + +Phra roared. + +"Ah, you may grin, my lad, but it does." + +"It would make me feel proud," said Phra. + +"That it wouldn't. You're not such a silly, weak noodle. It would make +you feel ashamed of yourself, for it's sickly and stupid to make such +a fuss about nothing. No, don't say any more about it, or there'll be +a fight." + +"I say, Hal," cried Phra. "I shall be glad when you are quite well +again." + +"I am quite well again. Look here, I'll race you along the terrace and +back." + +"No, it makes one too hot. But you're not quite well yet." + +"I am, I tell you. Do you want to quarrel?" + +"No, but that proves you are not." + +"How? What do you mean?" + +"You get cross so soon. It's just as if that snakebite--" + +"Don't!" roared Harry. + +"Turned you sour and acid." + +Harry did not resent this, but remained silent for a few moments. + +"I say," he said at last, "is that true?" + +"What?" + +"About me turning sour and acid?" + +"Oh yes; you get out of temper about such little things. I'm almost +afraid to speak to you sometimes." + +"Hi! Look at him! There he goes. One of those little monkeys. He heard +me shout. How he can jump from tree to tree! I wish we were as active. +There! He can't jump to that next tree. He'd fall down. Well! Look at +that. Why, it was a tremendous jump." + +"We were here just right," said Phra; "he was coming after the fruit, +and we scared him." + +Harry was silent, and walked on by his companion's side in the +beautiful gardens of the palace. Then he began to whistle softly, as +if he were thinking. At last he broke out with-- + +"Oh, what a lovely garden this is! I wish my father was a king, and I +was a prince, and all this was ours." + +Phra threw himself down on the grass beneath a clump of shrubs and +began to laugh heartily. + +"What are you laughing at?" said Harry angrily. + +"You. Why, you wouldn't like it half so well as what you have now." + +"Oh, shouldn't I! I know better than that." + +"No, you don't, Hal. That is all my father's, and it will be all mine +some day; but I like being at your place ever so much better than +being here." + +"You don't. Nonsense!" + +"I do, I tell you. Your little garden's lovely, and the dear old +landing-place is ten times nicer than our marble steps." + +"You've been out in the sun too much, Phra, and it has turned your +head." + +"That it hasn't. And as to your father being king, he'd soon be very +tired of it, as my father is; for it's all worry and care." + +Harry had thrown himself sprawling on the grass beside his companion, +and the boys were both silent for a while, as if listening to the soft +cooing of one of the beautiful little rose and green doves which +frequented the garden. + +"It's very curious," said Harry at last. + +"What is?" said Phra wonderingly. + +"That the poison of that snake--such a wee, tiny drop as got into +me--should have such a droll effect." + +"I don't see anything droll in it," replied Phra. + +"I do," cried Harry. "Here, only a little time ago I was the jolliest, +best-tempered fellow that ever lived." + +"Ho, ho, ho!" laughed Phra. + +"Well, so I was," cried Harry indignantly. + +"When you weren't cross." + +"Oh, I say, I never was cross; but I'll own to it now. I've often +thought about it lately. You're quite right, Phra; the least thing +does put me out now, and I feel as if I must grind my teeth together. +Think it is because of the poison?" + +"Of course it is. But never mind. I don't, because I know why it is." + +"I have been very cross, then, sometimes, have I?" + +"Horrid!" cried Phra, laughing. "You've been ready to call the sun +names for shining, and the wind for blowing. You can't think how cross +you've been." + +"I can guess. It's what Dr. Cameron calls being a trifle irritable. +Hullo! here's one of your fellows coming. Looks just as if he were +going to spear us both for being in the King's garden." + +A handsome, bronze-skinned guard stalked up and bowed to Phra. + +"What do you want?" asked Phra. + +"The hunter, Sree, asks to see the Prince," replied the man. + +That was enough. There was neither irritability in Harry, nor thought +of the heat in Phra, as they sprang up and made for the outer court, +where they found Sree sitting upon his heels, calmly meditative over +his thoughts, but ready to spring up on seeing the two lads approach. + +He saluted them after the country fashion, and in reply to the +question asked by both together,-- + +"I came to see if the young Sahib Harry was well enough to go out, and +the Prince would go with him." + +"Of course I'm well enough," cried Harry. "I say, Sree, have you seen +any cobras since that one bit me?" + +Phra turned sharply round, with his face full of the mirth he tried to +hide. + +"Yes, I know what you mean," cried Harry sharply. "I shall talk about +it myself, though, if I like. Have you seen any, Sree?" + +"Just one hundred and seven, Sahib," said the man. + +"A hundred and seven!" cried Harry. "What, about here?" + +"About the different houses and landings, Sahib," replied the old +hunter. "They like to get near to where people live, because of the +little animals that come too." + +"I shouldn't have thought that there were so many for miles and +miles." + +"Oh yes, Sahib; there are many nagas about." + +"You must have seen the same ones over again," said Harry. + +"No, Sahib; it was not so, because I killed as many as I said." + +"Killed them!" + +"Yes, Sahib; when I knew that you had been bitten, I felt that I must +have been neglectful, and I set to work seeking for nagas with my two +men, and we killed all those. You see, it is easy. When you find one, +there is sure to be its husband or its wife somewhere near." + +"Then you killed all those because I was bitten?" said Harry. + +"Yes, Sahib, and we are going to kill more. They are dangerous things. +Would the Sahib like to go out to-day?" + +"Yes, we should; shouldn't we, Phra?" + +"Yes, if you--" + +Phra got no farther, on account of the sharp look Harry darted at him. + +"Have you anything particular you have tracked down?" + +"I have done nothing but hunt nagas lately, Sahib, because I did not +know when the Sahib would come again; but the jungle is full of wild +creatures, and the river the same. Would Sahib Harry like to go right +up the river in a boat, or would he like a ride through the jungle +with an elephant?" + +"What do you say, Phra?" asked Harry. + +"We had a boat out last time," said Phra. "Which you like, though." + +"But could you get an elephant? Would your father--" + +"Of course," said Phra eagerly. "How soon shall we go?" + +"I should like to go directly." + +"Then we will go directly. I'll order an elephant to be brought round +at once." + +He went towards the palace, and Harry followed him with his eyes. + +"It's nice," he thought, "to be able to order everything you want like +that. To tell the people to bring round an elephant, just as I might +give orders for a donkey. Well, it's just the same, only one's bigger +than the other, and costs more to keep. It is nice, after all, to be a +king or a prince. Phra says it isn't, though, and perhaps one might +get as much fun out of a donkey, and if he kicked it wouldn't be so +far to fall." + +He turned suddenly, to find that the old hunter's eyes were fixed +sharply upon him. + +"Does the young Sahib feel any pain now from the snake-bite?" + +Harry frowned at the allusion, but the question was so respectfully +put that he replied quietly,-- + +"A good deal sometimes, Sree, but my arm is better." + +"Be out in the sun all you can, Sahib, and let the hot light shine +upon it to bring life and strength back to the blood." + +Harry nodded. + +"There is death in the serpent's poison, but life in the light of the +sun, Sahib. Sree's heart was sore within him when he heard the bad +tidings, for he feared it meant that the young Sahib's days were at an +end." + +"But you never came near me, Sree, while I was bad." + +"But I knew, Sahib, and I was busy--oh, so busy! One hundred and seven +of the little wretches." + +"Oh yes," said Harry, "I had forgotten that. But come along; the +Prince is coming out again." + +By the time they reached the court Phra was there, with men carrying +out guns, belts, and flasks, with net-bags to hold anything they might +shoot; and before this was quite done a peculiar scrunching sound was +heard, and directly after the prominent fronted grey head of a huge +elephant appeared, as the great quadruped came on, walking softly, and +swaying its long trunk from side to side, while upon its neck sat a +little ugly man not bigger than a boy, hook-speared goad in hand, and +with his legs completely hidden by the creature's great, leathery, +flap ears. + +"You've got the biggest one, Phra," said Harry. + +"Yes, he takes longer strides, and I like him; don't I, Sul?" said the +lad, giving the _u_ in the animal's name the long, soft sound of +double _o_. + +The elephant uttered a peculiar sound, and twining his truck round +Phra's waist, lifted him from the ground. + +"No, no, I am going up by the ladder," said Phra, laughing, and at a +word the huge beast set him down again, and raised his trunk to +receive a petting from Harry, who was an old friend. + +It seemed strange for the great beast with its gigantic power to be so +obedient and docile to a couple of mere lads, and the insignificant +mahout perched upon its neck. But so it was: at a word the elephant +knelt, a short, bamboo ladder was placed against its side, and the +boys climbed up; the guns and ammunition were handed in by Sree, who +was particular to a degree in seeing that everything was placed in the +howdah that was necessary; and then he took his own place behind the +lads. + +Without being told, a couple of the men drew the ladder away, and the +mahout grasped his silver-mounted goad, all attention for the word. + +Phra gave this, and then it was like a boat mounting a wave and +plunging down the other side, as the elephant rose, and without +seeming to exert itself in the least, began to shuffle over the +ground. + +"Just like two pairs of stuffed trousers under a feather bed," as +Harry termed it. + +Sree gave the mahout his directions, and very soon the river was left +far behind, and they were following one of the elephant tracks through +the wooded district which lay between the river and the jungle +proper--the primitive wild, much of which had never been trodden by +the foot of man. + +Here the trees had gone on growing to their full age, and fallen to +make way for others to take their places, the roots of the young +literally devouring the crumbled-up touchwood over which they had +spread their boughs, while creepers and the ever-present climbing and +running palm, the rotan, bound the grand, forest monarchs together, +and turned the place into an impenetrable wild, save where the wild +elephants had formed their roads and traversed them even to taking the +same steps, each planting its huge feet in the impressions made by +those which had gone before. + +"Are we going to begin shooting at once, Sree?" asked Harry. + +"No, Sahib; not here. Too many people have been about, and everything +is shy and hides. Wait till we get into some of the open places in the +wild jungle." + +This was while they were in the more open woodland; but soon this was +left behind, and they were in the twilight of the great forest, going +through a tunnel arched over by big trees, and with very little more +than room for their huge steed to pass without brushing the sides. + +Every here and there the gloom was relieved by what looked like a +golden shower of rain, where the sun managed to penetrate; but, as +soon as this was passed, the darkness seemed deeper than before. + +The first part of this savage wild lay low, and the huge footprints +made by the wild elephants were full of mud and water; but Sul did not +seem in the least troubled. According to the custom of his kind, he +chose these holes in preference to the firm ground between, his feet +sometimes descending with a loud splash a couple of feet or so, and +being withdrawn with a peculiar _suck_, while the huge beast rolled +and plunged like a boat in a rough sea. + +"Do you mind this?" said Phra, turning to his companion, as they were +shaken together. + +"No; I like it," replied Harry. "I say, what a place this must be for +the big snakes, and how easily one might dart down half its body and +twist round one of us. Don't you feel a bit scared?" + +"No; but I heard of a hungry one doing that once. I daresay we should +know if one was near." + +"How?" + +"The elephant seems to see and know whenever he is near anything +dangerous." + +"Oh, only when there is a tiger or buffalo, Phra." + +"This one notices everything, doesn't he, Sree?" + +"Yes, Prince; he is a wonderful beast," replied the hunter, who, in +spite of the rolling about, had carefully charged the four guns that +had been brought, and replaced them lying upon the hooks within the +howdah, ready to be seized at a moment's notice. + +"We shan't see anything here," said Phra. + +"Too thick," replied the hunter; "but there are plenty of beasts on +either side now. In an hour though we shall reach a part where the sun +can shine through." + +"Hist! Something before us," whispered Phra stretching out his hand +for a gun, an act imitated by Harry; for the elephant had suddenly +stopped, thrown up its trunk, and as it gave vent to a rumbling sound +which ended in the loud, highly-pitched cry which is called +trumpeting, it shook its head from side to side, striking the branches +with the ends of its long, sharp-pointed tusks, which were hooped in +two places with bands of glistening silver. + +"You had better take a gun too, Sree," said Harry, in a low voice, and +the old hunter eagerly availed himself of the permission. + +"Mind not to hit the mahout," whispered Phra, for the little turbanned +man kept on anxiously looking back; "and you had better be looking +out, Hal, for Sul may spin right round and run away." + +They sat watching and listening for some minutes, expecting moment by +moment to see the cause of their stoppage approaching along the dusk +tunnel, and at last, as the elephant ceased to make uneasy signs, Sree +handed the gun to Harry. + +"What are you going to do?" asked the latter. + +"Slip down, Sahib, and go forward to see what startled the elephant." + +"Is it safe?" + +"Oh yes, Sahib; I should run back if there was danger, and you would +fire over my head." + +"But you had better have a gun." + +The old hunter smiled, and the next minute, he had lowered himself +down by the ropes which held on the howdah, reached up for the gun, +which was handed down to him, and they saw him go slowly forward, +carefully examining the pathway, which fortunately was here fairly +free from water, though the earth was soft enough to show the +footprints of whatever had passed along. + +As if fully comprehending what all this meant, the great elephant made +a muttering noise, lowered its trunk, and of its own choice continued +its march, following close behind Sree, till the latter began to move +more cautiously; and now the elephant raised its head again, and +curled its trunk up, throwing it back towards its forehead. + +"Means a tiger," whispered Harry. + +"Yes; look at Sree. Be ready to fire." + +Harry's heart beat fast, and he sat there with his gun-barrels resting +on the front of the howdah, ready to fire if the great cat came into +view. + +The elephant was shifting its weight from foot to foot, giving itself +an awkward roll that would be rather bad for a marksman; but otherwise +it made no further uneasy signs. + +"Tiger," cried Phra, and Sree nodded sharply, before running some +little distance on in a stooping position, displaying the activity of +a boy, till he was nearly out of sight; but before he was quite so he +turned sharply and ran back, stopping about a dozen yards in front of +the elephant's head. + +"Look, Sahibs," he said, pointing down, "tiger. He came out of the low +bush just on your left, and trotted along to here, and then crossed to +yonder, twenty paces farther, where he went in among the trees on your +right." + +"Come back, then, and mount," said Harry anxiously. "The brute may be +crouching somewhere ready to spring on you." + +"No, Sahib," said the man, smiling; "he has gone right away." + +"How can you tell that?" asked Harry. + +"Look at Sul, Sahib. He would not stand quietly like that if the tiger +was near." + +"Yes, that is right," said Phra quietly, and he bade the mahout tell +the elephant to kneel. + +"Couldn't we follow and get a shot at it?" said Harry excitedly. "No, +no, of course not in a place like this," he hastened to add, for +unless the path was followed it was next to impossible to move. + +The next minute the elephant had knelt, and Sree had scrambled back to +his place behind the howdah. + +"As there was one here, there may be his mate, Sahib," he said; "so we +will keep a good look-out." + +"Yes, of course," said Harry, as the elephant strode along quietly +enough; "but I say, Phra, we did not come out after tigers, did we?" + +"No, but by accident we are where we may get one. Did you find the +pugs as easily as this, when you were out with my father that day?" + +"No, Sahib; it was all hard work, and very few footmarks to be found." + +"Did you bring us this way hoping that we might shoot a tiger?" + +"No, Sahib; I brought you along here so that you might shoot a deer +for us to take back. I would not purposely take you where there are +tigers; but if we have one tracking us, of course we must shoot, +unless you would like to go back." + +"Ask the Prince if he would," said Harry. "I mean to go on." + +"Go on, of course," said Phra. "I don't think we shall see any more +signs of tigers." + +And, in fact, they went right on now along this winding tunnel through +the jungle without seeing anything, and hearing nothing but the +shrieking of parrots now and then, far above their heads, where the +tops of the trees spread their flowers or fruit in the bright +sunshine, but produced semi-darkness in the jungle beneath. + +At last, though, the path grew drier and drier and it was evident that +they were ascending a slope, which being pursued for another quarter +of an hour, they had the satisfaction of noting that the trees were of +less growth, and every now and then there were rays of light streaming +down, till all at once there was a patch of bright sunshine right in +front, showing that comparatively open ground lay before them; while +directly after Harry had a glimpse of something dusky fifty yards +away, there was the sound of a rush and the breaking of twigs, and +then all was silent again. + +"Buffalo, wasn't it?" said Phra. + +"Yes, Sahib," replied the old hunter. "Scared away; but they may +return. There were four of them. Be ready, for they might come back +and charge at the elephant, big as he is." + +But no more was seen of the game they had disturbed, and a few minutes +later they were out in full sunshine, the track before them being a +wide expanse of park-like ground extended on either slope of a valley, +through which a stream ran, half hidden by overhanging bushes and +reeds. Here and there the sun flashed from the running water, but for +the most part the stream was invisible. + +When they broke out of the jungle they entered a dense patch of grass, +which immediately found favour with the elephant, and it began tearing +it up in bundles as large as its trunk would embrace; but this +enjoyment was stopped at once, for at a word or two from Sree, the +mahout started the animal onward, uttering mild remonstrances the +while. + +"We will keep along here on the slope, Sahibs," said the hunter. "Be +quite ready to fire." + +It was an unnecessary order, for both boys were keenly on the +look-out, while as soon as he had got over his disappointment at not +being allowed to tuck small trusses of the succulent grass into his +capacious maw, Sul showed how well trained a hunting elephant he was, +taking up the beating in the most matter-of-fact way, and as if +thoroughly entering into the spirit of the chase. + +"What shall we get along here, Sree?" asked Harry, as they rode on, +with the long grass and bushes rustling and snapping about the +elephant's feet. + +"Who knows, Sahib? Perhaps pig, which will make for the low ground +yonder by the stream, or peacock, and they will rise and fly to our +left for the shelter of the jungle. Maybe it will be a buffalo, who +will charge us, and then it will be better that I should fire too, for +the great obstinate brute ought to be stopped before it reaches Sul. +He would take the buffalo on his tusks, but these beasts are so strong +that he might be hurt, and that would be a pity; it makes an elephant +unsteady." + +"I thought you said we might get a deer," said Phra. + +"It is very likely, Sahib," replied the man. "Who knows what we may +find in such a beautiful hunting-country, where no one disturbs the +beasts? Ah, look!" + +For at that moment Sul uttered a warning sound which can best be +represented by the word _Phoomk_, and stopped short, but without +curling up his trunk out of the way of some charging enemy. + +The boys raised their guns to their shoulders, and waited for a chance +to fire, but there was nothing seen save the waving and undulating of +the long grass to their left, as if something were making for the +jungle--something long, like a gigantic serpent. + +"Shall I fire?" said Phra. + +"It is of no use, Sahib," replied Sree; "the cover is too deep." + +"What is it?" said Harry hoarsely--"a boa?" + +"No, Sahib; a little troop of small monkeys following an old one. They +have been down to the water to drink, and they are running back to the +jungle trees." + +"Oh, we don't want to shoot them," said Harry; "go on." + +The elephant obeyed a touch from the goad, and shambled along, making +the long grass swish, while he muttered and grumbled as if +dissatisfied at there being no firing. But before they had gone a +hundred yards farther he gave warning again, and almost at the same +moment there was a loud grunting, a rush to the right, and two reports +rang out as both boys fired. + +This was followed by a sharp squeal, but the undulation of the grass +did not cease, and from their position high up the two lads caught +sight from time to time of the blackish-brown backs of three or four +good-sized pigs. + +"We hit one," cried Harry excitedly. "Send Sul on. It must be lying +dead." + +"No, Sahib," said Sree. "You hit one, but they have all gone off." + +"How do you know? Perhaps one is lying there in the long grass." + +"No, Sahib," said the man; "you would have seen it struggling, and +heard its shrieks. A pig makes much noise. But I saw the one hit, and +it only gave a jump. You both fired the wrong barrels." + +"What!" cried Phra, examining his gun, with Harry following suit. + +"The right barrels are for shot, the left barrels for ball," said Sree +quietly. "Those shot would kill a peacock, but only tickle the thick +skin of a wild pig." + +"How stupid!" said Harry. "I never thought of that. Here, load again." + +He handed his gun to the hunter, and took up another from the hooks +inside the howdah, while Sul went on, muttering to himself, but there +appeared from the sound to be more satisfaction in his remarks at the +efforts made, though there had been no result. + +So comical was all this that the boys laughed heartily, and there was +a grim smile on Sree's countenance. + +"It seems so droll," said Phra merrily. "It is just as if he knew all +about it." + +"He does, Sahib," said the hunter. + +"Nonsense!" said Harry. + +"The Sahib has not seen so much of elephants as I have," said the man +respectfully. "He believes that I have learned much about the wild +creatures of the jungle?" + +"Oh yes, you have, Sree; but I can't believe elephants understand what +we are doing." + +"The wild elephant is one of the wisest of beasts, Sahib, and he would +never be caught, he is so cunning, if it was not that we cheat him by +sending elephants that we have trained to the herd to lead others into +traps. And when they have got them there, do they not beat them and +hold them till they are noosed and their spirit is conquered?" + +"Oh yes, they do all that." + +"And many other things," said Sree, "that I have seen with the Sahibs +in India, where they move and pile the trees that are cut down, and +lift guns; and what beast will obey its master better than an +elephant? Old Sul here is very wise, and knows a great deal." + +"Yes," said Harry, "but not to understand what we say." + +"But he knows what the order means, Sahib; and see how he enjoys the +hunting." + +"Yes, Sul really does like hunting, Hal," said Phra. + +"And it is not only elephants that like hunting," continued Sree. "See +how the horses and dogs love the hunting in India, and the horses the +pig-sticking. I have seen them enjoy it as much as the Sahibs. They +never want the spur, but go wonderfully fast, as soon as they see a +fierce, wild boar. Ah, Sahib, animals are wiser than we think, and +love us back again if we love them. Old Sul here loves me better than +he does his driver; but I am afraid of him. He loves me too well." + +"That sounds funny, Sree," said Harry. "What do you mean?" + +"He likes to show me how much he loves me by rubbing up against me; +and if he tries to do that when he has me by a tree or one of the +palace walls, I am obliged to be quick and get under him; he is so big +and heavy. But here is your gun." + +Meanwhile the object of these remarks had been forcing his way through +the grass and bushes, winking his little red eyes as if enjoying the +conversation, and flapping his great ears, his absurdly small tail +whisking about and making dashes at troublesome flies, while his great +trunk seemed to possess an independent existence, twining and waving, +swaying this way and that, and never for a moment still. + +But all the while the great, sensible creature was intent upon the +object in hand, pushing steadily forward through the dense growth, and +starting numberless occupiers of the long grass--snakes, lizards, +rats, and mice, scurrying away to avoid the pillar-like legs which +invaded their home. + +"Don't seem as if we are going to have much sport," said Harry at +last, "and it's precious hot out here." + +The words had hardly passed his lips when Sul uttered a deep grunt and +stood fast, for he had startled a small deer from its lair, the +graceful creature making a sudden bound into sight close to the +elephant's feet, and then going right forward in a succession of +leaps, so that its course hindered the boys from firing until it had +gone forty yards, when both guns rang out sharply, Sul remaining firm +as a rock. + +"Hit!" cried Sree, for the deer fell heavily, struggled in the thick +growth for a few moments, then gained its feet and made another bound +into sight--a bound which paralysed the arms of the two lads and made +them hold their breath, for as the deer made what was veritably its +death leap, something of a tawny yellow and brown mingled made a +tremendous bound on to it, bringing it down among the bushes with a +dull, crashing sound, and then all was still. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +THEIR FIRST TIGER + + +Though the two boys seemed to be turned to stone, others were active +enough. + +Sree leaned over the back of the howdah and took the boys' guns from +their hands. "Quick, Sahibs!" he cried; "take the other guns and be +ready." + +The boys obeyed mechanically, while Sree began to re-charge the empty +barrels, calling to the mahout to turn the elephant and go back. + +But Sul had ideas of his own in connection with elephant-hunting, and +absolutely refused to obey that order even though it was emphasized +with the sharp goad. + +Understand or no, according to Sree's theory, he had sense enough to +decline doing what many of his kind would have done under the +circumstances--to wit, turning tail. For Sul seemed to know that +though his insignificant tail with its tuft at the end was a +formidable weapon to deal with teasing flies, that end of his person +was absurdly useless for fighting tigers, whereas his other end, when +his trunk was thrown up out of the way, with its two sharp-pointed +clear lengths of ivory, was about the most formidable object the +great, ferocious cat could encounter. + +Consequently, as soon as in obedience to Sree's orders the goad was +applied, Sul uttered a shrill remonstrance, curled up his trunk, threw +his head from side to side, and then as if declaring that he didn't +care a _sou_ for the biggest tiger that ever grew, he trumpeted out +defiance and began a performance that was wonderfully like his idea of +a war dance, which threatened to shake the occupants out of the +howdah. + +"Turn him back and get away," cried Sree angrily, in the Siamese +tongue. + +"Says he won't go and wants to fight," replied the mahout. + +Sul uttered a fierce cry, and ceasing his dance opened his ears +widely, and began to advance. + +"You must turn him back," cried Sree excitedly, as he finished ramming +down bullets in every barrel. + +"I can't," came back from the mahout, in a helpless tone. + +"Never mind," cried Harry; "let's go on," and he changed his gun for +one that had been reloaded. + +"But it is too dangerous for you, Sahibs," cried Sree. "It is a big +tiger. Do you hear me? Turn the elephant back." + +"No," said Phra hoarsely, as he stood up in the howdah. "I say he +shall go on." + +Sul trumpeted again, while Sree rammed down bullets in the other guns, +and in answer to the elephant's challenge the hidden tiger uttered a +deep, muttering roar. + +"We can't help ourselves, Hal," said Phra through his set teeth. "We +must go on." + +"Yes," replied Harry, cocking both barrels of his gun; "I wouldn't +have tried for it, but we must hunt this beast." + +There was only one way of avoiding the encounter, and that was by +sliding off over the elephant's tail, which would have been a far +wilder proceeding. But this neither of the boys had the slightest +inclination to do, for the elephant was still moving cautiously +forward, and fully realizing now that there was nothing to be done but +to assume the offensive, Sree became silent, contenting himself with +cocking both the guns he held and standing ready either to hand them +to the boys or fire himself. + +Harry, too, set his teeth as he looked over the elephant's flapping +ears towards the spot where he knew the tiger must be crouching upon +the stricken deer, and while, step by step, as if to give his masters +the opportunity of using their deadly weapons Sul slowly advanced, the +tiger raised its head from its prey and uttered a warning roar to +frighten the elephant back. + +"Oh, if he would only show himself!" thought Harry. + +But the elephant did not respond to the threat by turning back, for he +meant to fight, and was ready to impale his enemy should he get a +chance; and to this end he still went on, till all at once, about a +dozen yards from his head, the tiger leaped up into sight and stood +lashing his sleek, glistening sides as if to add to the number of +stripes with his tail. + +The words were on the old hunter's lips, "Fire, fire!" but before they +were uttered two reports rang out, there was a terrific, snarling +yell, and the tiger leaped high in the air and then dropped back, +crouching out of sight. + +"Good, good!" whispered Sree, and forgetting entirely now all about +the objections to the boys joining in a tiger hunt, he was about to +bid the mahout advance. But the order was unnecessary. Sul was as +eager as the boys, and he moved steadily on, while the latter leaned +forward, seeking for the first sign of the striped skin, so as to fire +again. + +They had not long to wait, for Sul had advanced but very few yards +before with a terrific roar the tiger rose and leaped forward. + +The sudden advance checked the elephant, which stopped short, giving +the boys a steady shot each, but without the slightest effect upon the +tiger, which made two or three bounds and then launched itself at the +elephant's head. + +But Sul was ready for it, and caught the savage brute on his tusks and +threw it back as easily as a bull would toss an attacking dog. + +Cat-like, the tiger fell upon its feet, and crouched to spring again, +but before it could launch itself forward a couple more shots cooled +its savage ardour, and it crouched down, turned its head, and bit +angrily at one shoulder, from which the blood was starting. + +Sul seized the opportunity and rushed forward to crush his enemy +beneath his feet. But wounded though it was, the tiger was aware of +the attack, and leaping aside let the great animal thunder by, and +then, following quickly, made a tremendous leap and lighted on the +elephant's hind quarter, holding on by tooth and nail. + +Sul uttered a terrific blast and continued his course, shuffling along +at a tremendous pace, forcing those who rode in the howdah to think of +nothing but preserving their position and keeping the guns from being +shaken out. But at the end of a few moments the peril in which Sree +stood came strongly to Harry's attention, for the man could do nothing +but hold on by the back of the howdah, after thrusting the gun he had +been loading, forward by Phra's side. + +It was a perilous task, and required plenty of nerve, but Harry +mastered his shrinking. He glanced over the back of the howdah, to +find himself face to face with the tiger, whose wildly dilated eyes +seemed to be blazing with rage, and for a moment or two he shrank +away. + +But recovering himself a little he made sure of the gun he held being +cocked, and catching tightly hold by the side of the howdah, he rested +the gun-barrels on the back, holding the stock as if it were a pistol. + +But now he was so insecure that he felt as if at any moment he must be +pitched over backward on the tiger, and firing seemed quite out of the +question. + +Still it had to be done, and he knew that he must do it, and at once. + +Dropping on his knees, he shuffled himself close to the back, bringing +himself so near to the tiger that as he reached over with the gun he +could touch the savage brute with the muzzle. + +He knew that if he stopped to think he should not dare to do it, while +as he leaned over he was saluted by a savage roar, and the tiger began +to claw its way up to leap at him. + +But there was not time, for Harry rested the muzzle of his piece +between the creature's eyes, feeling it pressed back towards him. Only +for an instant, though, for he drew trigger, there was a roar mingled +with the sharp report, and with one spasmodic movement the tiger +gathered itself up almost into a ball and fell back among the long +grass, where it lay writhing in agony. + +The effect on Sul was immediate. He stopped short and swung round, +nearly throwing his riders off as he ran back to where the tiger lay, +and drove one tusk through the monster, pinning it to the ground, with +the result that the beast writhed a little, and then stretched itself +out, dead. + +"Yes, he is dead enough, Sahib; but Sul has made a dreadful hole in +his skin." + +This was after Sree had slipped down from the back of the elephant, +and walked close up. + +"Make quite sure," said Harry, who with Phra was looking on. + +"There's no doubt about it, Sahib. You made sure with that last shot +in his head. Feel if he's dead, Sul," he said, in the Siamese tongue. + +The elephant grunted and muttered, and seemed for a time unwilling to +withdraw his tusk; but he evidently understood the order, and at last +backed a little, the action dragging the tiger with him, till he gave +his head a shake, and the body dropped off. + +After this the elephant cautiously walked over the prostrate foe, and +kicked it to and fro from one foot to the other, before feeling it all +over with his trunk, and then standing panting with exertion, and +breathing hard. + +"Get off and help see to his hurts," said Sree to the mahout, who +ordered the elephant to kneel, and then climbed along his back by +holding on to the sides of the howdah, till he reached the places +where the tiger's teeth and claws had been struck into the thick hard +skin. + +Some nasty places had been made, but there was nothing serious the +matter. All that was necessary was to keep the ever-active flies away, +and this was done by some very rough but effective surgery, consisting +in filling up the wounds with mud, the elephant grumbling and +muttering, but evidently appreciating the treatment, keeping perfectly +still the while. + +"Poor old chap!" said Harry, who had dismounted to examine the dead +tiger and pet the elephant by stroking his trunk. "But what about +getting the game home?" + +"I shall begin skinning it at once, Sahib," said Sree quietly; "but I +want you to get back into the howdah and keep a good watch. This +fellow has very likely a companion somewhere near, and she may come +and attack us." + +"Think so?" said Harry. + +"Oh yes," interposed Phra; "it is very likely. But I say, Hal, we're +not going to have our prize skinned yet." + +"No, that's what I thought. We must take it home for every one to see. +Sul would carry it home on his back." + +"I don't know; he has never been taught; but we'll try." + +He spoke to Sree, who looked doubtful, and in turn consulted the +mahout before saying more. + +"Sul is such a big, noble animal, Sahibs," he then said, "that he has +never been set to carry dead game, that has always been done by a +little pad elephant; but he is so wise that he may be proud of +carrying back the great tiger he has killed. I am going to try him." + +The boys smiled at each other, and were amused to see the old hunter +go with the mahout to the elephant and bring him up to the dead tiger, +which he began to touch with his trunk, ending by taking a turn round +the animal and drawing it along a little way. + +After this he stood quietly enough while the ropes were unlaced from +the howdah ready for hoisting the tiger on to the elephant's back. + +"We shall not be strong enough to get it up, I'm afraid," said Sree +thoughtfully. + +"Look here," said Harry; "there is a great tree with strong branches +yonder; make Sul drag the tiger under one of the big boughs; then we +can throw the rope over and make him stand underneath, haul the tiger +up, and lower it down." + +Sree smiled, for the knot which had puzzled him had been untied. + +The mahout was brought into requisition, and at the word of command, +just as if he fully understood the business required of him, Sul took +a turn of his trunk round the tiger's neck and dragged it through the +long grass right beneath the great tree, one of the many dotted about +park-like on the slope. + +The rest was easy. The rope was fastened round the tiger's hind legs, +the end thrown over a horizontal branch, and then the willing hands of +all four drew the savage brute up some fifteen feet. Here the crucial +time came, for there was a doubt still whether Sul would now submit to +the huge cat being lowered down upon his back. + +But as it happened he placed himself quietly enough where his mahout +directed, and the tiger was lowered down, after which Sree climbed up +and with the mahout's assistance they laid the body right across the +back of the howdah. Then the latter, which had been in a very +tottering condition, was carefully secured by its rope, all mounted +again in triumph, and the journey back was commenced, Sree carefully +seeing to the reloading of the guns and placing them ready, before +settling down to his place in the howdah, for he had to sit on the +dead tiger and keep it from shifting to right or left. + +They had not gone far on their return journey before the old hunter +uttered a warning which made the boys catch up and cock their guns, in +spite of the determination they had come to of not firing any more +that day. + +"Are you sure?" said Phra. "Sul has not made any sign." + +"No, Sahib," replied Sree; "he did not see her, because he has been +walking nearly all the time with his eyes turned back to watch the +tiger; for though he is very good, I am sure he does not like having +the wicked wretch upon his back." + +Five minutes later they drew near the spot where the old hunter had +caught a glimpse of a striped side crossing the track they had made in +coming, and proof of the keenness of Sree's observation was given, the +elephant throwing up his trunk and trumpeting uneasily. + +"It's this wretch's wife, Sahibs," said Sree. "She has been hunting, +and is coming back." + +"Will she attack us?" said Harry, cocking his gun, and feeling quite +ready now for another shot. + +"No, Sahib, I think not. Tigers are very cowardly till they are hurt; +then they are blind and mad in their rage, and will rush at anything. +No; perhaps she may understand that it is her mate that we have here, +and follow us; but I do not think she will attack." + +"Old Sul does not think so," said Phra. "Look at him, how he keeps on +turning his head from side to side, and how high he carries his +trunk." + +It was plain enough that the great animal was growing more and more +uneasy, necessitating constant talking to on the part of the mahout, +who spoke sometimes caressingly, at others angrily, and using his goad +afterward, as he threatened tremendous punishment and deprivation of +all good if his charge did not behave. + +"He thinks old Sul means to rush off home as hard as he can go," +observed Phra. + +"And if he does he'll soon waggle the tiger off his back, won't he, +Sree? The tiger must come off if Sul rushes away?" + +"I fear so, Sahib. Ah, the tigress must be very near now. Look at +Sul's ears." + +"She must be slinking along through the grass on this side," said +Harry. + +"Yes, Sahib; that is where she is, but I don't think she will attack +us." + +"Shall we send a shot or two in amongst the grass?" said Phra. + +"No, Sahib; that would make her come on, and one tiger is enough for +to-day." + +"Yes, quite," said Phra. "Let's go faster and see if the tiger will +stop on." + +He said a word or two, and the mahout spoke to the elephant, who +wanted no urging, but stretched out in that long, shuffling movement +which seems nothing, but goes over enough ground to make a horse use +plenty of speed to keep up with it. + +But it seemed as if the tigress must still be near, for Sul's trunk +formed a curve high in the air, and his ears stood out at a fierce +cock, while it needed all the mahout's attention to keep the great +creature to one pace, for without the check of the hooked goad he +would have gone off at a frantic rate. + +For the first few hundred yards the attention of all in the howdah was +directed to the tiger, their expectation being that it would slip off +on one side or the other; but it was yet soft and yielding, and with +Sree's weight upon it the middle sank down lower and lower in the +howdah till the head and legs on one side, the hind quarters and long, +supple tail on the other, rose higher and higher in the air, and all +chance of its causing further trouble was at an end. + +It was not until the edge of the jungle was reached, where the +elephant path ended, that Sul's trunk had descended to its customary +pendent fashion, and his ears ceased to quiver and flap; but the +narrow track in the gloom seemed to be far more suggestive of danger, +and Phra suggested that Sree should change his position, kneel down, +and keep watch over the elephant's tail, in case the tigress should be +following still. + +"Yes, Sahib," said the man, and he at once did as was suggested; but +he observed before turning that he did not think there was any fear of +an attack in the rear. + +"Sul's senses are sharper than mine," he said, "and he would know if +we were being tracked." + +Sree was right, for there was nothing to cause alarm all the way back. +Monkeys were plentiful in one place, and whenever the party came upon +an opening, it was made beautiful by flower, bird, and gaily painted +insect. These had no charms for the hunters, though, with such a +trophy within touch, and at first all their conversation had a +connection with the great, white, china-like fangs of the monster, the +size of its claws, and the soft beauty and rich colour of its fur. + +But as they drew nearer to the end of their journey, with Sul +shuffling along at a sober but rapid pace, the conversation became one +in which the old hunter was not asked to join. + +For now misgivings began to arise as to the reception that might await +them when they reached their homes. + +"I know how it will be," said Harry; "father will have heard that I +have gone off with you on the elephant, and he will think that I have +wilfully disobeyed his orders and been tiger-shooting." + +"Why should he think that? You never do disobey his orders." + +"Don't I?" said Harry dubiously. + +"Never," cried Phra. + +"I don't know about that," said Harry. "I'm afraid I've gone very near +to it sometimes. But I will say I've always been very sorry +afterwards." + +"And owned to it?" + +"Oh yes," said Harry stoutly; "I've always owned up at once. Haven't +you?" + +Phra was silent. + +"Why don't you say yes?" + +"Because it wouldn't be true," said the boy, with a sigh. "I've always +wanted to, but sometimes I've felt afraid. You see, my father isn't +like yours." + +"He's a very nice old chap," said Harry. + +"Yes, of course; but he's a king, and kings can't do like other +people." + +"_I_ don't see why they shouldn't," said Harry; "but I say, suppose my +father is up at the palace, what are we going to do? You are sure to +catch it for taking the elephant." + +"That I'm not. Father said I could have one whenever I liked. I could +have three or four if I wanted them." + +"But not to go tiger-shooting. Oh, Phra, this has been wonderfully +jolly and exciting." + +"Splendid." + +"Well, splendid; but I am afraid we shall be in a mess." + +"We can't be if we speak out. I'm sure I can say honestly that I +hadn't the least thought of shooting a tiger when we set off; can't +you?" + +"No," said Harry bluntly. "I began to feel tigerish as soon as I got +in the howdah, and I couldn't think of anything else all the time. I +wasn't a bit surprised to see old Sul begin to show signs. No, I can't +say right out that I didn't think about tiger-hunting." + +"But we didn't go on purpose," said Phra. + +"Well, no," said Harry, hesitating, "not quite on purpose, but I +couldn't help wishing we might see one." + +"Well, you had your wish; but I wish we weren't so late." + +"It was all an accident, though," said Harry. "I say, Sree, wasn't it +all by accident that we came across a tiger to-day." + +"Yes, Sahib, quite an accident; but we have got one, and I feel very +proud of the way in which you two young gentlemen behaved. No old +tiger-hunter could have done better." + +"But I'm sure father won't like it." + +"He will know it was all as it happened, Sahib. You were obliged to +shoot the wicked beast. If any one is to blame, it is old Sul, for +forcing you to go on." + +"Ah, to be sure," cried Harry, laughing merrily. "It was all his +fault, Phra, and we'll say so." + +"Yes, it's all very well to say so," said Phra, rather gloomily; "but +will they believe what we say?" + +"My father will believe what I say," said Harry stoutly; "so will +yours." + +"I hope so," said Phra sadly, "but I don't feel sure." + +"I don't think the Sahib Kenyon can be angry," said Sree respectfully, +"because it is such a splendid tiger." + +"Why, that's just why he will be angry," cried Harry. "He'll be quite +furious with me for going out and getting a grand tiger like this when +he and the doctor went out as they did, and tried till quite late, and +never had a chance." + +"Well," said Phra philosophically, "we are very nearly home now, and +we shall see. But I wish we hadn't brought the tiger back." + +"I don't," said Harry. "It really was an accident." + +Very little more was said till they came in sight of the palace, where +something important was evidently going on, for they caught sight of +the glint of spears and a body of men. A minute later they saw a +couple of elephants, and directly after they made out that Mr. Kenyon +and Doctor Cameron were there. + +Then there was quite a scene of excitement, for some of those present +had seen them coming, and when the next moment some one caught sight +of the tiger, there was a tremendous shout. + +"Hal," whispered Phra, "my father found that we had gone out on an +elephant, with guns, and he has sent word to Mr. Kenyon and the +doctor, and ordered them to get ready." + +"That's it," cried Harry excitedly, "and they were coming in search of +us." + +"The King will be dreadfully angry," said Phra, "and say I disobeyed +his orders." + +"And my father will be quite awful," said Harry solemnly. Then +changing his tone and speaking with an assumption of lightness which +he did not feel, "I don't care; it really was an accident, and we're +in for it, and it can't be helped; but here, I say, Sul, you ugly old +double-tailed deceiver, do you know you've got us into an awful mess? +Sul, I say, do you hear!" + +And the elephant said,-- + +_Phoomk!_ + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +A YOUNG SAVAGE + + +The great elephant approached the group in the courtyard with slow and +majestic step, as if proud of the load he bore, and of now being +surrounded by a little crowd of spearmen, cheering and shouting +loudly. + +As they drew near, the two elephants that had been prepared, as was +rightly surmised, to go in search of the wanderers, challenged their +big companion loudly, Sul sounding his trumpet in reply, but without +allowing the excitement around to increase his advance in the +slightest degree. + +"The young rascals!" said the doctor to Mr. Kenyon. "It's a +magnificent tiger, apparently." + +"Yes, but Harry ought not to have done this," said Mr. Kenyon. "I am +disappointed in him." + +"Are you going to give him a talking to now? Rather awkward while he +is being made a hero of by the people." + +"I am going to wait till I get him home." + +"Well, I'm glad to see them safe back again," said the doctor. "I felt +certain that they must have met with some mishap. But it is hard that +we should be disappointed, and that they should have all the luck." + +"Hush!" whispered Mr. Kenyon, for the great elephant had knelt down +before the King, ladders had been placed by the attendants on either +side, the boys had descended, and helped by some of the men, Sree had +slid the tiger off, to be half borne, half dragged, to the King's +feet. + +But Phra's father did not even glance at it. He gave Harry an angry +glance as he approached with his companion, and then fixed his eyes +sternly upon his son, who bent down before him. + +"You know, sir," he said, in their own tongue, "that it is the duty of +my people to obey my commands." + +"Yes, father." + +"How can we expect them to do so when my own son sets my orders at +defiance? I told you I wished you not to go in chase of tigers, did I +not?" + +"Yes, father." + +"Who is to blame for this, you or your companion?" + +"Neither of us, sir," broke in Harry, in his blunt, English, outspoken +way. "We only went deer-shooting, sir; but the tiger charged us, and +of course we were obliged to shoot. Old Sul was most to blame." + +The King looked more stern that ever, all but his eyes, which refused +to keep his other features in countenance. + +"What have you to say, sir?" said the King, turning again to his son. + +"The same as Harry Kenyon, father," replied the boy. "The elephant +rushed at the tiger, which had struck down a deer we shot." + +"Where is the deer you shot?" said the King. + +Phra turned to Harry, for the deer had been quite forgotten, and Harry +turned to the old hunter, who was kneeling by the tiger. + +"Here, Sree," he cried, "what became of that deer we shot?" + +The man made a gesture with his hands, and shook his head. + +"We forgot all about it, sir," said Harry, laughing frankly. "We had +so much to do with killing the tiger and getting it on old Sul's back +that we never remembered it any more, did we, Phra?" + +"No," said the latter gravely. + +"It was all an accident, sir, indeed," said Harry, who was speaking in +English. "We were obliged to shoot, sir, really. I'm sure you would +have done the same if you had been there." + +"That is enough," said the King quietly. "I am glad to hear it was so. +It is a painful thing, Harry Kenyon, to feel that one's own son is not +to be trusted. Your father felt the same." + +"Oh, but he doesn't now, sir. Do you, father?" + +"No, Hal; I am quite satisfied." + +"A very fine tiger," said the King, going close up to the dead beast; +"a splendid specimen. Let it be carefully skinned, and the skin +properly dressed." + +Sree bowed his lowest, so that his forehead would have touched the +ground had not the tiger been there. As it was, he thumped his head +against the animal's ribs. + +"Who fired the first shot?" said the King, smiling. + +The boys looked at one another. + +"Both fired together, father," replied Phra. + +"Then you will give way to your friend, my son," said the King. "Harry +Kenyon, it is yours." + +Harry was about to protest in his blunt way, but his father was at his +elbow. + +"Silence!" he said softly. "Now your thanks." + +Harry obeyed, and the King turned to where the little party of English +people were standing. + +"I am glad it has turned out so well, Kenyon," he said gravely, and +with great dignity, as the eyes of all his people were upon him; "but +it is disappointing for you and the doctor to see these two boys have +such good fortune. You shall have another trial, and we must do away +with our objections now. I think the boys deserve to be admitted to +the ranks of tiger-hunters." + +"Oh!" ejaculated Harry, and the King turned to him. + +"You make a bad courtier, Harry," he said, with a very faint smile +upon his lip. "I feel that there is no one in my country less afraid +of me than you are." + +He saluted them, and making a sign to his son to follow, passed into +the palace, Phra giving his friends a quick nod of the head and a +smile, and then he was hidden from sight by the King's attendants. + +"Then we may go back home now, I suppose," said Mr. Kenyon. + +"Yes," replied the doctor, "and the sooner the better. As soon as the +sun goes in we seem to be in the shade. All is bright and warm while +the King is near, but when he goes every one seems to scowl." + +Mr. Kenyon gave his friend a meaning look as if saying, "No more now," +and laid his hand upon Harry's shoulder. + +"You have had quite an exciting time, then, Hal?" he said quietly, as +they walked away. + +"Oh, wonderfully, father," cried the boy. + +"Enjoyed yourself?" + +"Well, I don't know that it was enjoying oneself, but I liked killing +such a dangerous, mischievous beast." + +"And all the time the King and I were fidgeting ourselves and +beginning to think, as it grew so late, that some terrible accident +had happened to you." + +"It isn't so late as you and Doctor Cameron were that time." + +"Getting on to be, sir." + +"Don't you think that poor Phra and I were just as anxious about you +and the doctor, father?" said the boy mischievously. + +"No, indeed I don't," said Mr. Kenyon, laughing. "You are both too +thoughtless. And look here, young gentleman, you forget yourself +horribly. I never heard anything like it. You must not speak to the +King in that free and easy way, just as if he were your equal, before +all his people." + +"Free and easy?" said Harry, staring. "I thought I was speaking very +nicely, father." + +The doctor laughed heartily, and Harry's cheeks turned hot with +annoyance. + +"Why, what did I say that was wrong?" + +"It was not the words but the way, my boy," said Mr. Kenyon gravely. +"Of course one does not look upon the Prince of a barbaric country +like this as one would upon a European monarch; but in the presence of +his followers we must not forget that he is a king." + +"I did," said Harry frankly; "I felt as if I were speaking to Phra's +father and your friend." + +"Humph!" ejaculated Mr. Kenyon, as he glanced at the doctor. + +"That's right enough, Hal," said the latter; "but we must not presume +on the King's kindness to us." + +"No, of course not," said Harry thoughtfully. "I'll be more careful, +especially as some of the people seem to be jealous of our being so +much in favour." + +"That's right, Hal; be more careful, for all our sakes." + +"Do you think there is any danger, father?" said Harry. + +"Danger of what?" said Mr. Kenyon sharply. + +"Of the people turning against us and the King." + +"Hush! Mind what you are saying, my boy. No; I do not think there is +any real danger, and I feel that the best thing for every one is to +completely ignore the unpleasant looks we are getting now and then. We +are in the right, and I want for our conduct to be such as will gain +the respect of the people for our just consideration and honest +treatment of them." + +"But there is that second king--I say, father, it seems curious for +there to be a second king." + +"It is the custom of the country, my boy, and in every land there are +quaint fashions and I may say parties who are opposed to the ruling +power." + +"And jealous of the King?" + +"Yes, Hal, and of the people he favours." + +"That's not pleasant, father," said Hal sharply. + +"Not at all," replied Mr. Kenyon. "But I don't think it need trouble +us, for we are not arrogant to the people because we are in high +favour. I'm sure we do our best, eh, Cameron?" + +"That we do," said the doctor heartily. "As for me, I should be a rich +man if I charged ordinary fees for what I do." + +"Instead of getting disliked," said Mr. Kenyon. + +"Oh, but, father," cried Harry, "I know lots of people who almost +worship Dr. Cameron for what he has done for them." + +"Yes, Hal, and so do I; but unfortunately he offends the native +doctors through knowing so much better than they do, and curing +patients whom they have condemned to death." + +"It's a pity that people will be jealous of those who are more +clever." + +"It's a natural failing, Hal, my boy," said the doctor, laughing. "But +never mind; even those who dislike us are bound to pay us the respect +we have earned." + +"But you remember what I told you about the people talking in the +boat?" said Harry. + +"Perfectly." + +"You don't think that there will be a revolution, and an attack upon +the King and the English people, do you?" + +"No, Hal, my boy," said Mr. Kenyon; "I do not, so don't trouble +yourself about it. Let's change the conversation. I'm glad you are to +have the tiger's skin." + +"Yes; I don't think Phra will mind." + +"It is a beauty. Was he very hard to kill?" + +"Horribly, father;" and with plenty of animation the boy related their +adventure. + +"We're jealous now, Hal," said the doctor smiling. + +"I don't mind that a bit," said the boy. "You must do better, and we +two are to come next time you go." + +"Well, I suppose so," said Mr. Kenyon gravely. "By the way, Hal, you +had the chest of bats and balls. How did you get on? You tried +football in the field?" + +"Oh, it's a horribly hot, stupid game," said Harry. + +"Stupid?" cried the doctor warmly. + +"Yes; it's all one or the other. If Phra gets the ball, one does +nothing but run after him; and if I get the ball, he has to run after +me. And oh! wasn't it hot!" + +"When did you play?" said the doctor. + +"Oh, in the afternoon." + +"You are quite right, my lad," said the doctor drily. "A game at +football between two boys with the thermometer standing at over a +hundred in the shade, must be a very stupid game indeed." + +"Did you ever play it?" said Harry. "I think I've heard you say you +did." + +"Did I ever play it?" said the doctor scornfully. "I should think I +did, and with a couple of good teams. But the thermometer was not at a +hundred in the shade, but thirty-five or forty." + +"I wish you would play with us next time, Doctor," said Harry eagerly. + +"Thank you, my lad, but I would rather be excused." + +"Will you show us how to play cricket, then?" + +"Yes, but you must get up your two sides. Have you read up anything +about it in any book of games and sports?" + +"Oh yes, and it says you have eleven and an umpire on each side; but +that's nonsense, of course." + +"Kenyon," said the doctor with mock solemnity, "do you call this +bringing up an English boy properly? It sounds to me quite dreadful. +He talks like a young barbarian--as if he had never had any education +at all. What did you say, sir?" he continued, turning to Harry. + +"What about?" + +"There being eleven on a side, and that being nonsense, of course." + +"I said so," said Harry, who felt half amused, half annoyed. + +"Well, sir, I see that I shall have to take pity on you and young +Phra, and try to make up for your neglected education. We shall have +to make a cricket club, and petition the King for a cricket ground; +but I have my doubts about the game proving popular: the work will be +too hard." + +"But you will help us, Doctor?" + +"Yes, my boy, and I shall prescribe an occasional game for your +father. A little exercise will do him good." + +"A game of cricket?" said Mr. Kenyon, starting out of a fit of musing. +"Why, I haven't had a bat in my hand for twenty years! But I don't +know--well, yes--I might. I used to be a very tidy bowler, Cameron, +and perhaps my hand may be cunning still at delivering twists. But +under this tropical sun? Phew! I'm rather doubtful." + +"Never mind the doubts," said the doctor. + +"Here, hullo, my boy! where are you going?" cried Mr. Kenyon. + +"Only to try and see Phra." + +"What! to-night? Nonsense! I daresay he is with his father now, and +the news will keep." + +Harry looked disappointed, but he said no more, and directly after +they had to say good-night to the doctor. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +FOR THE JUNGLE, HO! + + +In due time the skin of the tiger, beautifully dressed, and with the +hole made by Sul's tusk so carefully drawn together that the fur +concealed the damage, was brought to the bungalow by Sree, who was +eager to go upon a fresh expedition; but another week passed away +before matters shaped themselves for this to be made. + +Matters had gone on as usual, and the insubordinate words used by the +occupants of the boat were half forgotten in the excitement of +religious fetes and illuminations with lanthorns along the river, +kite-flying, and discharges of fireworks, in the making of some of +which the people, who had learned the art of the Chinese, were adepts. + +These fetes were wonderfully attractive to the two lads, who joined +in the processions for the sake of seeing all they could, the royal +boat in which they were rowed being one mass of coloured lanthorns +swinging from bamboo frameworks, and the effect with the lights +reflected in the glassy water was beautiful in the extreme. + +"I should enjoy it all so much more, though," Harry said, "if the +people would be contented with the bells and the music. They spoil it +all with so much gong." + +But the Siamese do not shine in music--at least to English taste. + +Phra came down to the bungalow some time or other every day, and as +often as not Harry returned with him to the palace; but he rarely saw +the King, who appeared to pass a great deal of his time in study. + +Not a day passed without the cricket implements being examined in +Phra's room. The bats were handled, the balls taken out of their +boxes, and sometimes a little throwing from one to the other, and +catching was practised. + +At another time the pads which had come with the rest of the things +were solemnly tried on, and the room promenaded. + +"They seem rather stupid things," said Phra. "I think they'd be best +for the football." + +"So as to save one's legs from kicks?" said Harry. "Yes, they wouldn't +be bad for that, but I suppose they're all right." + +"We look rather ridiculous in them, though, Hal." + +"Yes, I expect we shall be laughed at; but I don't care. The worst +thing about them is that they're so jolly hot. Now let's try on the +gloves." + +These were carefully put on, the boys' countenances being particularly +solemn as the long indiarubber guarded fingers were examined. + +Then a thought occurred to Harry, and he struck an attitude. + +"What do you say to a fight?" he cried. "We can't hurt one another +with our legs guarded and our hands in these gloves. Hit me, and I'll +hit you." + +"No," said Phra shortly; "I don't like fighting in play. It always +hurts, and then I get cross, and want to hit as hard as I can. I say, +though, we shall be hot in these leggings and gloves." + +"Look here," cried Harry; "we haven't seen these before." + +"What are they?" + +"Gloves, of course, all stuffed and soft. Here, let's look at the book +and see what it says about them." + +The book of games was examined, but they found no mention of the +wicket-keeper's gloves, but plenty of other information which was +puzzling. + +"It's all very well to call this thing a book of games," said Harry at +last, "but there doesn't seem to be much fun in it. It's as puzzling +as old Euclid with his circles and straight lines and angles. Here, +let's put all the things away. I can't understand. We'll make the +doctor show us; that's the easiest way." + +And so it was time after time, nothing more being done, for it was +decided that there should be no genuine commencement till the doctor +was ready, and though he was reminded pretty well every day he always +replied that he was not ready yet. + +"But there is no occasion to waste time," he said one day. "You boys +have the book, so you cannot do better than well study it up, rules +and all. Then you will thoroughly know how to play cricket; all you +will want is practice." + +"We shall have to study up the book, Phra," said Harry, after parting +from the doctor, "and I know it's going to be a hard job. But never +mind; when you've got to take physic, it's best to swallow it down at +once. Come along." + +Phra nodded, set his teeth hard, and they went up to the palace +through the hot sunshine, to enter its cool precincts and find Phra's +room refreshing in its semi-darkness after the glare without, where +Harry said it was hot enough to frizzle up the leaves into tea. + +The book was brought, cricket turned to, and they sat down side by +side with the book on the table. + +"Let's begin at the beginning, and go steadily through it," proposed +Phra. + +"No, no; we'll just skim it first." + +"Very well. What's this--popping grease? Why do they pop grease?" + +"'Tisn't! It's popping crease. 'The popping crease must be four feet +from the wicket, and exactly parallel with it.' Bother! I shan't read +any more of that. Parallel! Why, it's geometry. Look at something +else." + +"'The wickets must be pitched,'" read Phra. + +"What for? To keep off the wet, I suppose. No! It means pitched into +the ground, to make them stand up." + +"But I say, what a lot there is to learn here, Hal. See what names +they call the players by. Here's wicket-keeper." + +"That's the one who attends to the gate, I suppose." + +"Short slip." + +"What's he got to do?" + +"I don't know.--Point." + +"Oh, he's the man who keeps the stumps sharp." + +"No; he must be a good catcher," cried Phra, and he went on, "'Mid +wicket--cover point--leg--long stop--long slip--long field off--long +field on--changes of position--fielding.'" + +"Bother! Never mind about that," said Harry. "Look here; let's read +that bit, 'How to defend your wicket!' That ought to be interesting. +'The bifold task of the batsman.'" + +Bang went the book, as Harry shut it up. + +"What did you do that for?" cried Phra, staring. + +"Because it makes me feel so hot and stupid. I want to learn how to +play, and that's all puzzles and problems, and what do I care when I +go to play a game about parallels and bifolds? It's too hot here to +learn cricket from books. I say, what shall we do?" + +"Let's go to sleep," said Phra. + +"Bah! It's too lazy." + +"I don't think so," said Phra. "Every one goes to sleep here in the +middle of the day." + +"No, they don't. I never do." + +"Oh! I've seen you more than once when it has been very hot." + +"Well, it was an accident, then. It seems so stupid to go to sleep +when it's light. Here, come along out again, and let's try and find +old Sree." + +"Who's to find him? Why, he may be miles away in the jungle." + +"But I want him to arrange about going up a long way in a boat. Let's +go up that little river again, and see how far we can get. Look here, +I know what we'll do. We'll start as soon as it's light, and take +plenty to eat with us, and have the next size larger boat out, with +four men to paddle and four to rest, and then we can go right on." + +"You'd have Sree?" + +"Of course. He knows the way everywhere. He'd take us right up the +little rivers that branch off--I mean, where no one goes. There's no +knowing what we may find up there." + +"No. Sree says there are plenty of wonders; I've often longed to go." + +"Then we'll go now. We ought to have done so before. I should like to +go for a week," said Harry. + +"I don't think our people would like us to go for so long." + +"Oh, I don't know. Let's try. I tell you what; let's have a bigger +boat, so that we can sleep on board, and a man to cook for us. Then we +can live comfortably for a few days. Why, we should get a wonderful +lot of things for the museum." + +"It would be very nice," said Phra thoughtfully. + +"Nice? It would be grand. Here, I shall go home and speak to my father +at once." + +"Then I'll ask mine." + +"He'll say yes, because he'll think he can trust us. I say, Phra, I +wish we had thought of this before." + +The boys separated, and Harry did not feel the heat as he hurried home +to lay his plans before his father. + +"For a week?" said Mr. Kenyon, with a look of doubt. "That's a long +time, Hal." + +"Not for getting a good lot of things, father. You know, whenever +we've been up the river before, directly we have begun it has been +time to come back." + +"Yes," said Mr Kenyon thoughtfully, "and if you were up the jungle +river at daybreak you would have far better chances for getting scarce +birds, and it would be a most interesting experience for you." + +"Then you'll let me go, father?" cried the boy excitedly. + +"I must talk the matter over with the King first." + +"If he feels that you do not object, father, he is sure to say yes." + +Mr. Kenyon was silent and thoughtful, looking so serious that Harry +began to lose heart. + +"What are you thinking, father?" he said at last. + +"That it's a long time since I had a change." + +"Yes, father?" + +"That I have nothing particular to do." + +"Father!" + +"And that the doctor has been saying that he would like to make an +expedition up the country." + +"Then you think--" + +"Yes, Hal, I do think that I should like for the doctor and me to join +in your trip. It would only necessitate a larger boat." + +"Oh," cried Harry excitedly, "that would be splendid." + +"Better than you two alone?" said Mr. Kenyon quietly. + +"A hundred times better, father. But think of that!" + +"Think of what?" said Mr. Kenyon. + +"Doctor Cameron putting us off day after day because he had not time +to teach us cricket, when he can find time to go up the country." + +Mr. Kenyon smiled. + +"My dear boy," he said, "I do not wonder at his putting you off. +Cricket is not a very attractive game at this time of year, in a +country like this." + +"Never mind the cricket," cried Harry. "Look here, father, will you +go?" + +"I am very much tempted to say yes." + +"Say it then, father. I say, you'd take Mike, wouldn't you?" + +"Certainly; he would be very useful." + +"Here, I must go and tell Phra." + +"There is no need; here he comes." + +For the lad was crossing the garden, and as Harry met him with his +face lit up with excitement, Phra's countenance was dark and dejected. + +"It's all over, Hal," he said. "My father says it is out of the +question for us to go alone." + +"He said that?" cried Harry. + +"Yes, and that if your father and Doctor Cameron were going too it +would be different." + +"They are going too, lad," cried Harry, slapping him on the shoulder. + +"They--your father and Mr. Cameron?" + +"Yes; isn't it splendid?" + +"Here, I must go back at once," cried Phra, and, regardless of the +heat, he set off at a trot. + +Harry returned to the museum, where his father was seated. + +"Where's Phra?" said the latter. + +"Gone back to tell the King." + +"To tell him what?" + +"He said that it was out of the question for us two boys to go upon +such an expedition alone." + +"I expected as much." + +"But if you and the doctor had been going, it would have been +different." + +"Indeed?" + +"Yes, father. Poor old chap! he did look disappointed, till I told him +that you two were going, and he has gone to tell the King." + +"Tut--tut--tut!" muttered Mr. Kenyon. "What a rash, harem-scarem +fellow you are! You shouldn't have taken all I said for granted, sir. +Even if I fully make up my mind, we don't know that Doctor Cameron +would be able to leave." + +"But you said, father--" + +"I said--you said--look here, sir, you are far too hasty. The doctor +only said he thought he should go." + +"That's enough, father," said Harry, laughing. "As soon as he hears +that there is going to be such an expedition, do you think he will not +manage to go with it?" + +"Well, I must say I should be surprised if he did not come." + +"So should I, father. I say, it will be capital. The King is sure to +say yes now, and we can have the pick of his boats, and which men we +like. I say, I wonder whether we can get a man who will find old Sree, +because we ought to start to-morrow morning." + +"Stuff! Rubbish!" cried Mr. Kenyon, laughing. "If we get off in a +week, we shall do well. But I think I will go. I should be very glad +of a change. So you may go and see the doctor and chat the matter over +with him--not telling him that we are going, but that we are thinking +of such a trip. You can then hear what he says about it." + +"Go now, father?" + +"If you like." + +Harry did like, and was off at once, to find Mrs. Cameron under the +tree, as he had seen her on that terrible day, but with the doctor +seated back in another long cane-seated chair, fast asleep. + +"Doctor not well?" said Harry, after the customary salute. + +"Not at all well, Harry," said Mrs. Cameron, with a sigh. "He has been +working too hard lately over his native patients, and he is quite done +up. He must have a change." + +"That's what I've come about," said Harry excitedly, and he told her +what was proposed. + +"I should not like losing him for a week, but I think it would do him +a great deal of good." + +"Quite set me up, dear," said the doctor, opening his eyes. + +"Did you hear what I was saying, Doctor?" cried Harry wonderingly. + +"Pretty well every word, my boy. It will be the very thing for me, for +I am completely fagged. A long ride day after day up the river will be +rest and refreshment. But I can't take you, my dear." + +"I shall not mind, Duncan," said his wife. "Nothing could be better. +Yes, you must go." + +He sat up, and then sank back again, closing his eyes. + +"It is of no use to fight against it, Mary," he said sadly. "I am +doctor enough to thoroughly grasp all my symptoms. I really am +overdone, and there is nothing for it but to try change--such a change +as this. I wish it did not look like going for a thorough holiday and +leaving you behind. It does not seem right." + +"You will make me unhappy if you talk like this," cried Mrs. Cameron. +"How can you think I should be so selfish as to mind your doing what +is for your health?" + +"It will do him good, Mrs. Cameron," said Harry, who was not enjoying +the scene. + +"Of course," she cried. "You may go back and tell Mr. Kenyon that the +doctor will be delighted to make one of the party, for he wants a +change badly." + +"Look here, Harry; I don't think I ought to go," said the doctor. + +"He ought, Harry, and he shall," cried his wife. "You take that +message." + +"Harry, lad, this is a horrible piece of tyranny. I am not very well, +and my oppressor treats me like this. But there, it is of no use to +protest, so I give in. I'll come." + +Full of excitement, the boy hurried back to the bungalow to announce +the result of his visit, his father hearing him silently to the end, +and then looking so serious that Harry asked anxiously what it meant. + +"This is very disappointing, my boy," said Mr. Kenyon. "After you had +gone I began to be in hopes that the doctor would not go, and now he +says he will." + +"Yes, that he will, father." + +"Then I suppose we shall have to go. I don't know, though: there is +another chance, the King may refuse to sanction the journey, and of +course you would not care to go without Phra." + +"Well, no," said Harry, in a hesitating way; "it would not seem fair +to go without him. Ah, here he is.--Well, what does he say?" + +"That he thinks it will be a very interesting trip, and that he wishes +he could leave all the cares and worries of his affairs and come with +us.--My father says, Mr. Kenyon, that you are to choose whichever boat +will be best for the journey, and select as many men as you think +necessary, and store the boat with everything you want." + +"Then this means going," said Mr. Kenyon. + +"Of course, father. Shall we start to-morrow?" + +"Can we be ready?" + +"Can we be ready?" cried Harry scornfully. "What do you say, Phra?" + +"Oh yes, we can be ready, only what about Sree?" + +"I forgot old Sree!" cried Harry. "We must have him, and he's +somewhere up the jungle." + +"Yes," said his father, "we must have him with us; so I take it that +we may make all our preparations, but do not start till Sree returns." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +THE HOUSE-BOAT + + +The disappointment caused by the absence of the old hunter was +modified by the interest in the preparations. These filled the two +lads with excitement, for a journey into unknown parts in such a land +as Siam was full of the suggestions of wonders. + +The first thing seen to was the choice of a boat, the requirements +being that it should be light, strong, drawing very little water, and +well provided for the accommodation of fourteen or sixteen people, +with a fair amount of room, night and day. Then there would be boxes +containing stores for a week, cooking apparatus, and cases for +containing the specimens of all kinds that were to be saved. + +But in a country like Siam, where house-boats are necessities of +domestic daily life, there was little difficulty. One of the plainest +of the King's light barges was found to answer all the requirements +upon being provided with a few bamboo poles and an awning, so that the +forward part of the boat could be sheltered at night and during +storms, for the protection of the men. The central part was covered +in, according to the regular custom, with a bamboo-supported roof, and +matting curtains were so placed at the sides that the whole could be +turned into a comfortable cabin at night, while the after-part had its +matting cover that could be set up or removed at pleasure, this +portion being intended for the after rowers and servants. + +Boxes and chests were selected, filled, and placed on board. There +were loops for the guns and spears to be taken, and lockers for the +ammunition, and at last there seemed to be nothing more that could be +done, for the crew were selected by Phra, who had his favourites among +the King's servants, these including men who had never evinced any +dislike to the English and were always eager to attend to the wishes +of their young Prince. + +The time had passed so rapidly that it was hard to believe two days +had slipped away before everything could be declared to be in +readiness. But on the second evening nothing more seemed needed, and +it was felt that they might start at daylight the next morning. + +For the crew was on board to protect the stores and other things; even +the stone, barrel-shaped filter fitted in a basket cover--a clumsy, +awkward thing which the doctor declared to be absolutely +necessary--was on board. + +Harry had exclaimed against its being taken, and the doctor heard him. + +"Look here, young fellow," he said, "do you know what I am going up +the river for?" + +"A holiday, of course," replied Harry. + +"Exactly. Then do you suppose I want my holiday spoiled by being +called upon to attend people who are ill through drinking unwholesome +water?" + +"Of course not, sir; but would any one be ill?" + +"Every one would," said the doctor angrily. + +Harry thought this was a sweeping assertion, but he said nothing, and +the filter was placed astern. + +"I wish some one would knock it over," Harry whispered to Phra. "It +would go to the bottom like a stone." + +"Never mind the filter." + +"I don't," said Harry; "but I do mind about old Sree. Oh, don't I wish +I could have three wishes!" + +"What would they be? What's the first?" + +"I should have had that," said Harry. "Wishing to have three wishes." + +"Well, then, what would the second be?" + +"That the third might for certain be had," said Harry, laughing. + +"What would the third be?" + +"That old Sree would come here to-night." + +"You've got your wish, then," cried Phra excitedly, "for here he +comes." + +"No! Nonsense!" cried Harry, who felt staggered and ready to turn +superstitious. + +"He is here, I tell you. Look, talking to that sentry by the gate." + +"I say," said Harry, "isn't it rather queer?" + +"It's rather good fortune," replied Phra. + +"But after what we said." + +Phra laughed. + +"Why, you're not going to believe in old fables, are you?" + +"No, of course not; but it did seem startling for him to turn up just +as I had been wishing for him." + +"Nonsense. Why, I have been wishing for him to come every hour for the +last two days. Let's go and meet him. He's coming this way." + +In another minute they had leaped ashore, run up the stone steps of +the landing-place in front of the palace, and encountered Sree. + +"Here, I say, where have you been?" cried Harry. + +"I have been through the jungle and up towards the head of the little +river, Sahibs, so as to find out whether it is worth your going up +too." + +"Well, is it?" cried Harry. + +"Oh yes, well worthy," replied Sree. "No one ever goes there to hunt +or shoot, and the birds are very tame and beautiful, and the river +full of fish." + +"Fish!" cried Harry excitedly. "There, I knew we had forgotten +something, Phra. Fishing tackle." + +"Yes, we must take some." + +"I was coming to advise you to get a boat and go up there for two or +three days to shoot, fish, and collect." + +"Then you are too late, old Sree," cried Harry. + +"Too late, Sahib?" said the man, whose countenance looked gloomy from +disappointment. + +"Yes; we're going for a week in that big boat." + +"I am sorry, Sahib," said the man sadly. "I worked hard, and it took +long to get through the jungle, and I had to sleep in trees. The +Sahib's servant was not neglectful of his master. He is grieved that +he is too late." + +"Don't tease him, Hal; he doesn't like it. It hurts him. Never mind, +Sree; we wanted you to help, but everything is ready now." + +"I am glad, Sahib," said the man; "but I am sorry too, for I should +have liked to go as hunter with the young Sahibs." + +"Does that mean you can't go?" said Harry, laughing. + +"Not unless the young Sahib will take his servant," said the man +sadly. + +"Why, of course we shall take you," cried Harry, "and we are as glad +as glad that you have come. Here, let's go to the boat, Phra. I want +Sree to see everything, so as to say whether we ought to take anything +else." + +The old hunter brightened up on the instant, and hurried with the boys +to the boat, where for the next hour he was examining arrangements and +suggesting fresh places for some of the articles, so that they might +be stowed where they would be handier and yet more out of the way. He +was able to suggest a few more things too, notably a stout net to hang +by hooks from the roof of the cabin, ready to place specimens in to +dry, or hold odds and ends for common use; more baskets, and a coil of +rope, and a stout parang or two for cutting a way through creepers or +cane-brakes. + +At last, with a smile full of content, Sree announced himself as being +satisfied, and having received permission from Phra, took possession +of one corner at the back of the cabin, while Harry went to see the +doctor respecting starting quite early the next morning, and then +returned home. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +JUNGLE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS + + +The heavy dew lay thick on leaf and strand, and the sky in the east +was still grey, as the little party met at the landing-place, where +the men were on the look-out and ready for the start; while when they +pushed off and four oars sent the boat well up against the stream, +past the house-boats clustered against the farther shore, nothing +could have looked more peaceful and still. + +The men eagerly worked at their oars in their peculiar Venetian, +thrusting fashion, standing to their work; and it was a satisfaction +to see that, in spite of its size and load, the boat was wonderfully +light, and rode over the water like a duck. + +The calmness and peace of everything was most striking as it grew +lighter; and when the eastern sky began to glow, and the tips of the +towers and spires of the different temples became gilded by the coming +sun, both Mr. Kenyon and the doctor expressed their admiration, +declaring the King's city to be after all, in spite of its lying in a +flat plain, beautiful in the extreme. + +Then the sun rose, shedding its glorious light around and giving +everything a beauty it did not really possess. For sordid-looking +boats, with nothing but a few mats hung from bamboo poles, looked as +if they were made of refined gold; while the trees which fringed the +water, and hung their pendent boughs from the banks, shed a wondrous +lustre, as if flashing gems from every dewy leaf. + +The river too, in spite of its muddy waters, seemed more beautiful +than ever, and the boys were revelling in the new delight of their +journey up stream, when sundry preparations being made by Mike in the +extreme after part of the boat changed the bent of Harry's thoughts to +quite a different direction from that of admiring the beauty of the +scene through which they were passing. + +It was just as his father exclaimed,-- + +"Are you noticing how beautiful all this is, Hal?" + +"Oh yes, father, I've been looking at it ever so long. But when are we +going to have breakfast?" + +The doctor burst into a hearty fit of laughter, in which Phra joined, +and the boy seemed puzzled. + +"What is it?" he said, looking from one to the other. "Have I said +something queer?" + +"Very, Hal," said his father. "Getting hungry?" + +"I was--terribly," replied Harry uneasily; "but I don't feel so now. I +don't like to be laughed at." + +"It will not hurt you, my boy. As to breakfast, you will have to wait +an hour or so, till we turn out of the main stream. Then we must land +at the first opening, and have a fire made ashore." + +Harry nodded, and wondered how he should get over the time. + +There proved to be so much to take his attention, however, that he was +ready to wonder when the boat was run in between two magnificent +clumps of trees soon after they had turned off into the lesser river +and entered the jungle by one of its water highways. + +The men sprang out, and one made the prow fast by a rope, while others +scattered, parang in hand, to collect and cut up dead or resinous +wood, of which a heap was soon made and set alight, the air being so +still that the blue smoke rose up quite straight, to filter, as it +were, through the boughs overhead, the men feeding the flames +carefully till a good mass of glowing embers was produced. + +Over this sylvan fireplace Mike, with a cloth tied about his waist, +apron fashion, presided, and in a very short time had prepared the +coffee and taken it aboard. + +There had been no preparations--no hunting for provisions, to add to +the toothsomeness of the breakfast; but eaten out there in the open +boat, under the shade of the majestic trees, with the river gliding +by, the strange cries from the jungle heard from time to time, and the +attention of the lads constantly attracted to bird, insect, or +reptile, they were ready to declare that they had never enjoyed such a +breakfast before. + +"How grand it would be to live always like this!" cried Harry. + +"Beautiful," said the doctor; "especially in the rainy seasons, when +you could keep nothing dry and find no wood that would burn." + +"Yes," said Mr. Kenyon; "rain does damp one's enthusiasm." + +"Oh, of course it would not be so pleasant then," said Harry; "but +generally it would be glorious, wouldn't it, Phra?" + +"I should get tired of it after a time, I think," was the reply. + +"Pooh! I shouldn't. Look how the men are enjoying it." + +Harry nodded towards their people, who had all landed to take their +meal on shore, leaving the boat free to their superiors, and certainly +the party looked very happy, squatted round the fire, in spite of the +heat; while the smoke curled up in great wreaths in company with the +suffocating carbonic acid gas evolved by the burning wood. + +"Yes, they look happy enough, Hal," said the doctor. "They don't +trouble themselves much about tablecloths or knives and forks." + +In fact, the party formed quite a picture, one that it seemed a pity +to disturb. + +But it was disturbed, for at a word from Mike, Sree rose to dip some +fresh, clear water to fill up the coffee-pot, and this done, Mike took +a piece of half-burned bamboo, stirred the embers and parted them so +as to make a steady place for the big coffee-pot, when there was a +whirl of flame, sparks, and smoke rushing up among the boughs in a +spiral, for the fire was now at its hottest. + +There was no warning. + +Sree had squatted down again, and Mike had seated himself, supporting +himself upon one hand, leaving the other to snatch off the coffee-pot +directly the brown froth began to rise with the boiling up, when +_bang--rush--scatter!_ Something fell suddenly from high up among the +boughs overhead right into the fire, and as the men turned and rolled +themselves away in every direction, they were bombarded as it were, by +showers of red-hot embers and half-burned sticks, which were driven +after them by the object which had fallen from the tree, and was now +writhing, twining, and beating the burning wood and ashes till the +fire was scattered over a surface some yards across. + +The matter needed no explanation; it was all plain enough. After the +manner of such reptiles, a good-sized boa had tied itself up in a +bundle of curves, knots, and loops on a convenient bough, after a +liberal meal probably of monkey, and had been fast asleep exactly over +the spot where the fire was made. It had borne heat and smoke without +moving until the last stir up of the embers delivered by Mike, but +this had sent so stifling a flame that the sleeping serpent had been +aroused, started into wakefulness, and in the heat and suffocation +fallen into the flames, to writhe in agony, turning over and over in +knotty convolutions, in one spot a yard or two square. + +The doctor was the quickest to grasp the position. Rising from his +seat, he took down one of the ready-charged guns, and waited for a few +moments till from out of the writhing knot the reptile's tail rose +quivering and thrashing the ashy ground. Directly after the head +appeared, some feet above the folds, dimly seen through the smoke, as +it was darted angrily in different directions, the jaws opening and +the creature snapping at the horrible enemy which was causing it so +much agony. + +It was for this the doctor had been waiting, and as the head rose a +little higher and was nearly motionless for a moment, both barrels +flashed out their contents; and as the concussion made the leaves +overhead quiver violently, the serpent writhed and struggled +frantically over and over in a knot that seemed to be always tying and +untying itself, was hidden amongst the thick, reedy growth close to +the river, splashed and wallowed a little in the shallow from which +the reeds sprung, and then with a loud splash went clear of the growth +into the dark, deep water overhung by the boughs of the trees. + +Then there was an eddying and quivering where the stream glided along, +and a few bubbles ascended to the surface, but though attentive watch +was kept, no more was seen, the swift current having undoubtedly swept +the reptile away. + +"I had a good sight of its head when I fired," said the doctor. "Would +you like to have snake for breakfast every morning when you lived out +in the open, Harry?" + +"Ugh!" ejaculated the boys together. + +"Well, I'm very glad we were having our breakfast on board," said Mr. +Kenyon, laughing. "Here, Michael, you need not stand staring up into +the tree; there are no more snakes up there." + +"Wouldn't its mate be there, sir?" said the man. + +"Oh no, it isn't likely. Where is the coffee-pot?" + +"Don't know, sir; but I don't want any more breakfast, thank you." + +"Nonsense, man," said his master; "find the coffee-pot, and the men +will rake the fire together again. There is nothing to mind now." + +Mike looked anything but satisfied, going about his task unwillingly; +but the men came back from where they had scattered, laughing with one +another now that the scare was at an end. + +"He's making a poor beginning," said Harry, on seeing their man go +peering about slowly in different directions amongst the tall grass +and bushes. + +"Mike doesn't like snakes," replied Phra, laughing. + +"Well, who does?" cried Harry. "I hate them; and it was enough to +scare anybody. I know I should have jumped away fast enough. I say, +look there." + +"What at?" + +"There's the pot, in amongst those young bamboos. No, no; there, half +in the water.--Found it?" + +"No, sir. It's gone," replied the man. + +"Nonsense; here it is. You didn't look in the right place." + +Mike came towards them, looking very sour and disgusted, as he picked +up the tin vessel. + +"Reg'lar spoiled," he said, examining the pot and holding it out to +show that there was a big dent on one side. "Won't hold water now." + +"How do you know till you try? Dip it in and see." + +The pot was dipped, filled, and proved to be quite sound in spite of +the hollow in its side, a fact which disappointed Mike, who prepared +to make some fresh coffee by getting into the boat again, while the +men laughingly collected the scattered brands and restarted the fire. + +"I say, Mike," said Harry, as the man came back, "you shouldn't make a +fuss about a little thing like this; it's nothing to what you will +have to put up with." + +Mike looked at him aghast, his face screwed up into such an aspect of +dismay that the boys burst out laughing. + +"Ah, it's all very well to laugh, Master Harry," grumbled the man; +"but if there's going to be any more of this sort of thing, I know--" + +"Know what?" + +"I'm going back home." + +"How?" said Harry, laughing. + +"Don't ask stupid questions," said Phra, with a perfectly serious +face. "He's either going to swim back with the stream, among the +crocodiles, or to walk through the jungle. There are not so very many +tigers there now." + +"What!" gasped Mike. + +"Make haste, Michael, my lad," said Mr. Kenyon. "Get the fresh coffee +made and the men's breakfast over; we want to go on." + +"Yes, sir; of course, sir--oh dear, oh dear!--Ah, it's all very well +to laugh, Master Harry." + +"Laugh! Well, it's enough to make any one laugh to see you make such a +fuss over a baby snake. Wait till we come to the hundred foot long +ones." + +Mike gave him another look, and then hurried back to the blazing fire. + +"You've spoiled his breakfast," said Phra. + +"Serve him right for being a great coward. I want him to get used to +such things." + +Phra laughed. + +"Who's to get used to such things as that? I say, look; there's one of +our old friends watching us." + +He pointed up to where a little grey-whiskered monkey was holding back +the leaves, so as to peer wonderingly down at the party. + +"I believe one could soon coax these monkeys down to be fed." + +"If you put a few bananas on the top of the cabin there, they wouldn't +want any coaxing; they'd come and take them." + +"Yes, when we were not looking; but I mean, coax them into being tame +enough to feed from one's hand." + +"Might perhaps, but they're treacherous. They like to spring on any +one's shoulders to bite the back of the neck. Look, look! Parrots!" + +A little flock of brightly coloured, long-tailed lories flew over the +river, but before a gun could be seized they had disappeared. + +"Not very good ones," said Harry. "Only green." + +"And sour," said the doctor. + +"Sour?" cried Harry wonderingly. + +"Yes, sour grapes, Hal. Why, they were lovely specimens, my boy. Look +at those butterflies flitting about the flowers growing there in +wreaths. Now, if this were a hard road we might get a few of them." + +"We could get one of those sun-birds," said Harry, pointing to some +half-dozen fluttering about the cluster of flowers dependent from a +bough overhanging the stream. + +"Yes, but we must wait till we have got some dry sand to use instead +of shot. Mind we scrape some up from the first shallow place we +reach." + +The fact of the boat being motionless there by the side of the river, +and all on board sitting quietly watching the abundant beautiful +objects around, made the various inhabitants of the jungle on either +side come out of their hiding-places and take no further heed of their +presence; consequently until the men had finished their breakfast +there was ample opportunity for a quiet, observant natural history +study, and Mr. Kenyon remarked,-- + +"It is, after all, better to be content with watching nature in a +place like this than shooting specimens and preserving them in a +miserable imitation of the natural shape. For how poor and pitiful +they are at the best." + +"That's true enough," said the doctor, smiling; "but you would not +make a museum of our memories." + +"Why not?" said Mr. Kenyon. + +"Because memory is weak, and our description of what we have seen to +other people who could never by any possibility see the beautiful +creatures we have encountered, would come very far short. I think that +the sight of the poorest skin that we have preserved would make ten +times the impression on another's mind that a month's talking could." + +"Yes," said Mr. Kenyon, "and nature is so abundant." + +By this time the men had resumed their oars, and the boat was gliding +rapidly up the river, the boys being ready to point out where they had +shot the birds they had taken back, and seen the monkey which had +watched them on their way. + +So far they had met no crocodiles, but as they went higher it seemed +as if, though they kept themselves out of sight, several were in the +narrow river and were retiring before them, till the water growing +more shallow they began to show from time to time. + +The boys seized their guns upon catching sight of the two prominences +which contained the reptile's eyes appearing above the surface some +thirty yards ahead, but Mr. Kenyon checked them. + +"Don't shoot," he said, "it is of no use to kill a few among so many." + +"But suppose they attack us," said Harry. + +"They will not unless driven to bay. Steer in closer to the side, +Sree," continued Mr. Kenyon, "so as to give them room to retreat down +the river." + +The order was obeyed, the boat being kept to the left, so close in +that the oars touched the tips of the hanging boughs, with the +consequence that every now and then there was a loud splashing and +wallowing in the water close beneath the bank, the part hidden by the +pendent boughs. + +"Why, they swarm under there," said the doctor. + +"Yes," said Mr. Kenyon, "and this shows how little the shooting of one +or two has to do with thinning them down. By the way, boys, where was +it that you had your adventure with the big crocodile and the monkey?" + +Phra rose and pointed forward. + +"A little farther there, on the right," he said, "where those bigger +trees are hanging over the water." + +The whole scene came vividly back to the pair as the boat glided on, +and after a glance upward at the trees, Harry's eyes fell to scanning +the water, half expecting to see the ugly muzzle of one of the great +crocodiles shoot out. + +This he did not see, but first one and then another made a tremendous +eddy in the stream, their lurking-places being churned up by the men's +oars. + +"The brutes are extremely thick up here," said the doctor: "a pretty +good warning that we must not attempt any bathing." + +"They seem to swarm," replied Mr. Kenyon. "It is a pity they are of no +use; but perhaps some day one will be found for them,--possibly their +skins may be utilised." + +"Skins of young ones, perhaps. These big fellows would be too horny." + +As he spoke, a huge reptile rushed from a mud bank into the river with +a tremendous splash, sending a wave along the surface, which made the +boat rise and fall. + +This time guns were seized by the boys' elders, upon the strength of +the possibility of an attack; but the huge creature must have sunk at +once to the bottom, for no further sign appeared. + +Meantime the great, green bank of trees on either side seemed to grow +more beautiful from the brilliancy of the flowers with which some of +the trees were covered; while, wherever a flock of parroquets flew +out, it was pretty well always a sign of fruit. + +Here, too, at intervals, where there were breaks in the banks of the +great timber trees, huge tufts of bamboo shot up spear-like, and +showed their delicate foliage, looking at a distance so light and +feathery that often enough the straight stems, which rose in places as +much as sixty feet, seemed as if surrounded by a delicate haze. + +It was now decided that due attention should be given to collecting +and providing for the meals of so large a party; and as nothing in the +shape of deer or pig had been seen, and mid-day was long passed, it +was suggested that, as soon as a suitable spot was reached, the boat +should be moored to some overhanging bough and the boys should try +their fortune at fishing. + +As soon as Sree heard this he busied himself with the basket which +contained the lines, and kept a look-out for a likely pitch. + +Suddenly there was a rushing of wings, and a big bird appeared--a +signal for two guns to be raised, but only to be laid down again. + +"Ugh! vulture," said Harry in disgust. + +"Pity not to have shot it," said Phra; "it would have done to cut up +for bait." + +Harry's lip curled up and his nostrils dilated. + +"Do you know we mean to eat the fish we catch?" + +"Oh, of course," said Phra hurriedly; "I hadn't thought of that. But +would it make any difference, Doctor Cameron?" he added. + +The doctor laughed. + +"No," he said, "I don't think we should have found the fish any the +worse for it. All the same, though, I should prefer my fish not to +have been fed upon the flesh of an unclean bird." + +"Exactly so," said Harry's father; "but perhaps it is just as well +that we should not study the food of the fish we eat. They are not +very particular as to their diet.--What about that quiet, still eddy +yonder, Sree?" + +"Where the great tree-trunk lies in the water?" said the doctor. "No, +that won't do. There must be scores of half-rotten boughs among which +the fish would run and tangle up the lines." + +"It would be an excellent place, Sahib," said Sree humbly. "We could +tie up the boat there, and fish below it, where the stream runs in." + +"To be sure," said Mr. Kenyon; "I had not noticed that little rivulet. +You are wrong, Doctor; it will be a capital place." + +"Perhaps," said the gentleman addressed, "but I don't like the look of +it. I feel pretty sure that we shall find a great crocodile has his +lurking-place under that large tree-trunk." + +"Yes, Sahib; there is one there," said Sree; "but he will go as soon +as he sees the boat." + +He spoke to the man in the bows to be ready to make the line fast to +one of the dead boughs, which stuck up dry and swept clear of bark, +showing, like its fellows, how high the flood water had raised the +level of the river, for above a certain height the bark was still +clinging to the branches. + +It proved to be just as the old hunter had said, for as the boat was +forced up to the great trunk lying in the water, there was a sudden +rush, the surface was turned into a series of eddies, and a wave +rolled along towards the other side of the river, indicating the +direction in which the reptile disturbed had gone. + +All the same the boat was made fast, and floated down stream to the +full length of the rope, the men's oars were laid in, and those astern +joined their companions forward, to squat together talking in a low +tone and chewing betel, while Mr. Kenyon and the doctor settled +themselves comfortably in the open cabin. + +"Won't you fish, father?" asked Harry. + +"No, my boy," he replied; "you shall fish for me." + +"But you will fish, Doctor Cameron?" said Phra politely. + +"No, I would rather see you," replied the doctor, and he started and +caught up his gun, but laid it down once more, for the birds which had +caught his eye were only crows, some half-dozen of which came up +stream as if they had followed the boat, and now they had found it, +settled down in one of the highest trees apparently to have a quiet +chat about its object in coming up there. + +Sree had been busy the while, preparing bait for the lines, which were +to be used ledger fashion without rods. + +Sree's bait was some very stiff paste, which he was working up out of +a couple of handfuls of flour; and he made haste to explain that if +the fish did not take this well, he should soon change the lure. + +"But we must catch one first." + +The lines were strong and the hooks tied on gimp, such as would have +been used for pike-fishing at home, for the fish of the Siamese rivers +had not been tried for till they were as shy as ours at home, and +before many minutes had elapsed the boys each had his baited hook +thrown out from the opposite side of the boat six or eight yards away, +the leads sinking some six feet in the fairly clear water, and with +fingers just feeling the pierced lead, they waited. + +It was not the first by many times that the boys had fished together +in the river, and they pretty well knew what they were likely to +catch; but they were not prepared to sit beneath the hot sunshine for +so long without a sign of there being fish about. + +"Come, be sharp," cried the doctor banteringly. "I thought we were +going to have a good fry for dinner. How soon shall I send the men +ashore to make a fire?" + +"Fishermen always have patience," said Harry. + +"But people who want their dinner do not," said Mr. Kenyon, laughing. + +"I say, Sree," whispered Harry, "they will not bite at paste." + +"Pull up your line, Sahib," said the hunter. + +Harry did as he was told, and Sree smiled. + +"Something has eaten the bait," he said. "Didn't you feel a pull?" + +"No, not the slightest." + +The hook was rebaited and sent down stream again, and Phra's hook +proving to be in the same unattractive state, received the same +treatment; but for fully half an hour nothing was done but rebaiting +and throwing in. + +"We had better make a move," said Mr. Kenyon. "It is very beautiful +here, but the crocodiles seem to have scared the fish away. Let's go +half a mile higher." + +"No, no, not yet, father," said Harry. "It seems such a capital place, +and--I've got him!" + +For as he spoke he felt a slight twitch at the line he held, and then +all was still for a few moments. Next there was a steady draw, and the +line began to pass through his fingers, while upon checking it the +drag became a heavy one, and he found that he was fast in a good fish. + +It was evident that a shoal had come up towards the boat, for hardly +had Harry begun to haul upon his line before Phra felt the premonitory +twitch, and directly after the draw upon his line. + +"Now, father, had we better go higher?" cried Harry. "Oh, my word! it +is a big one; the line regularly cuts my hands." + +There was nothing to see but the lines cutting the water in different +directions, for it was evident that the baits had been seized by +bottom-loving fish, which went on fighting to keep down as low as they +could. + +By this time Sree had taken up a short bamboo to which a large hook +was firmly bound, and bidding Harry now draw hard, he stood ready, +while the lad raised the heavy, struggling fish to the surface, and, +in spite of its efforts, brought it close up to the side of the boat, +when with one well-aimed stroke the old hunter thrust the hook beneath +it and lifted it over the side. + +The next moment, leaving the fish flapping and beating the bamboo +bottom, Sree stepped beside Phra, where the same business was gone +through, and the second fish dragged in. + +They proved to be very similar in appearance to a fish but little +known in England, though lingering still in some few sluggish +rivers--the burbot--a fish that is best described as being something +like a short, thick eel. These were together over twenty pounds in +weight, and welcome from their delicate quality as food. + +"Enough is as good as a feast," said Mr. Kenyon, smiling; and the +order being given, the boat was once more sent gliding up stream, +look-out being kept for a suitable place for landing and making a +fire. + +This was reached at last, and the fish, spitted on the ever-present, +ever-useful bamboo, set down to roast, so that they might make a +welcome addition to the next _al fresco_ meal. + +After another few miles a suitable mooring-place was found beneath an +enormous tree, and a fire once more lit; this was to act as a scare to +keep away noxious creatures, but, as Harry said, for some things they +might have been better without. + +For they soon found that the glare of the burning wood woke up and +attracted the birds, which came circling round it in a strangely weird +way, their dimly seen forms coming and going out of the darkness into +the dome of light ribbed with the branches of the trees. + +Moths and flies innumerable buzzed about through the glare, and, worst +of all, the light and heat attracted the smaller reptiles, snakes and +lizards creeping towards the flame for the sake of the warmth of what +must have seemed to them like a new, strange sun, and many of them +getting burned. + +"It's very horrid, father," said Harry. "Mike says that he saw +hundreds of wriggling snakes and lizards creeping up when he helped +the men make up the fire as you advised, for they would have set the +forest ablaze if it had been done their way." + +"Hundreds, eh?" said Mr. Kenyon. "Then I suppose we may set it down as +being about a dozen, Hal?" + +"He is an awful fibster, father," said Harry, laughing. + +"I don't think the man really means to lie wilfully," said Mr. Kenyon; +"but his imagination and his tongue run wild." + +"Perhaps it's his eyes," said the doctor, smiling; "a natural failing. +The lenses are too round, and they magnify." + +"Let's be charitable, and set it down as that," said Mr. Kenyon; "but +it does not matter to us. It is not as if we were going to sleep +ashore, and this is a novel experience." + +"Novel, indeed. What a collection of moths and beetles we might make +now!" + +"Awkward work," replied Mr. Kenyon. "I think we might be content with +enjoying the strange scene." + +Both being tired with the day's exertions, the boys thought so too, +and for long enough they watched the illuminated trees of the jungle, +which were always changing their aspect as the fire rose and fell, +emitting flashes of light, and sending up myriads of sparks or wreaths +of smoke to form clouds overhead, which reflected back the light and +turned the water into gold, while strange, dark shadows seemed to +dance and waltz among the great trunks. + +It was all so wild and beautiful that even after the men had finally +replenished the fire and settled themselves down for the night under +their matting shelter, spread over the fore part of the boat, no one +aft felt the slightest desire to lie down and sleep. + +"I couldn't sleep, could you?" said Harry, in a low tone, to Phra, as +they sat in the half-closed-in cabin, now watching the surroundings of +the fire, now, attracted by some sound, turning to look up or down the +river. + +"Sleep? No," replied Phra; "it all seems so strange and different. +We've heard all these noises of a night when we've been at home, but +they were far off." + +"And now one is right amongst them," said Harry. "I say, are you sure +your gun's loaded?" + +"Yes, quite; I looked at it just now." + +"So did I at mine. I don't think I'm at all afraid; are you?" + +"I don't think so; but after what we saw this morning I can't help +fancying that there might be a great snake somewhere in the boughs +overhead, coming down lower and lower till it thrust in its head here. +I say, fancy it taking one of us out and up into the tree." + +"Shan't," said Harry. "I don't believe there are any in the jungle big +enough to do such a thing." + +"Oh, there are some monsters," said Phra quietly. + +"Yes, so people like our Mike say. He told me once that some of your +father's men said they had seen a croc fifty feet long. Hark at that!" + +The sound was startling, and it came from off the water lower down the +river. + +"It's your fifty feet crocodile slapping the water with his tail to +stun the fish," said Phra grimly. + +"I don't know about fifty, but it sounds as if the great wretch might +be thirty feet long. Ugh! What's to prevent a monster coming up close +to the boat and helping himself to one of us? I couldn't go to sleep +for thinking such a thing possible." + +"I don't think there's any fear of such a thing happening. You never +heard of anything of the kind among the thousands of boats down the +river and canals." + +"No, but one can't help thinking of such creepy notions. We never +thought of them before we came." + +"Are you boys going to sleep?" said Mr. Kenyon. + +"Yes, father, directly," said Harry; "I mean, going to try." + +"Off with you, then, so as to be ready for a good day's work +to-morrow. Did you see how beautiful the fire-flies are, right away up +and down the river?" + +"Yes, sir," said Phra. "I've been watching them; it looks sometimes as +if the bushes and boughs were full of flying stars. Hear that?" + +"Yes; a tiger," said Mr. Kenyon quietly. "Hear the king of stripes, +Doctor?" + +The gentleman addressed grunted, and then breathed hard. + +"The brute does not trouble him," said Mr. Kenyon; "and it need not +trouble us." + +"No fear of its swimming out to the boat?" said Phra. + +"Not the slightest," replied Mr. Kenyon. "Let down that mat to screen +you from the night air and mists, and go to sleep." + +"Let the mat down?" said Harry, in a tone full of protest; "but if we +do we can't see the fire-flies." + +"Take another look, and then let it down and go to sleep." + +"But we don't feel as if we could go, father." + +"Of course not, if you sit up talking. There, let down the matting, +for our sake as well as yours. Good-night, my boys." + +"Good-night, sir." + +"Good-night, father," said Harry, as he let fall the mat, and thus +completely closed in the cabin-like place.--"But there's no sleep for +us, Phra, I'm afraid." + +"Let's try," said Phra. + +"Oh, I'll try," replied Harry. + +It needed no trying, for in five minutes there was no one awake in the +boat, though there were wild cries far away in the jungle, strange +splashings, coughings and barkings from the river, and every now and +then loud cracklings and sputterings from the fire, whose rays gleamed +in through the matting hung round. + +But though every one slept, there was an advance about to be made upon +the occupants of the boat, some forty or fifty fierce creatures making +their way in through the matting to attack first one and then the +other, the attack going on till the savage enemies were satiated with +blood, their victims being all the while deeply plunged in sleep. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +ELEPHANTS AT HOME + + +"Eh? What? Nonsense!" + +"That's what I said, Master Harry. It's 'most a thousand times darker +than when we lay down. I mean, it would be if old Sree hadn't raked +the fire together and put on some more wood. He said it was time to +get up, and I had to get up; but I feel horrid bad. I hope we're all +alive." + +"Did Sree say it was to-morrow morning, Mike?" + +"Yes, sir; but I don't believe it." + +"Here, Phra, wake up. Do you hear? Mike says it's tomorrow morning." + +"No, sir; no, sir," protested the man, who could be dimly seen leaning +over the boys by the faint rays of the fire ashore still streaming in. +"I wouldn't have said such a thing these next two hours." + +"Very well," said Harry irritably; "Sree said so, and he's sure to +know. Do you hear, Phra? Wake up." + +Phra made use of a word he had learned of his companion. + +"Bother!" And then, "Do be quiet!" + +"Shan't. Wake up, or I'll scoop in some water over you." + +"You do if you dare," growled Phra viciously. + +"Oh, I dare," said Harry, whose sleepy irritability was going off and +making way for the spirit of mischief in him; "but I don't want to +make everything wet. Get up, you miserable old Siamese prince! You're +not going to sleep if I'm not." + +"Bother!" cried Phra sharply, in response to a shake. + +"Wake up, then! Here, Phra, we're all alive oh! and nothing has +touched us all through the night." + +"Oh!" + +"What's the matter, Mike?" said Harry, whose attention was turned from +the young Prince to their man. + +"I'm so bad, sir. I've caught the jungle fever with sleeping in this +damp place." + +"Nonsense!" + +"Oh, I have, sir, and I feel dreadful bad. I never was so ill before +in my life." + +"I don't believe it, but I'll wake Doctor Cameron. I daresay he +brought some quinine with him." + +"What! that horrid, bitter stuff, sir? No, no; don't, please." + +"Bah! Making a fuss about some physic. But you must have it. We're not +going to have our trip spoiled by your turning ill. I say, Doctor!" + +"No, no, Master Harry; don't say anything, please," whispered the man. +"Not till after breakfast. I couldn't eat a mossle if I had to take +that horrid, bitter quinny." + +"Oh, you must be bad!" said Harry, with mock sympathy. "Here, I know a +little. How do you feel?--pain in your back?" + +"A little, sir, where it rested against a big bamboo in the night." + +"That sounds bad," said Harry. + +"Does it, sir? Oh dear!" + +"What else? Headache?" + +"No, sir; but I've got it, and I can feel my face all covered with +spots." + +"It's the mosquitoes," cried Phra, sitting up suddenly. + +"Hullo! You awake?--That's it, Mikey." + +"Oh no, sir," groaned the man; "it's worse than that." + +"'Tisn't. His Royal Highness Prince Phra Mala Krom Praya says it's +mosquitoes, and he's right. How many spots have you got on your face? +A million?" + +"Well, no, sir, I don't think there's as many as that; but my face is +full, and they itch and sting horrid, and my eyes are swelled up and +stiff. Just you feel." + +"No, thankye, Mike; but I'll have a look as soon as it is light. I +say, though, I wonder you haven't got a million bites.--There, don't +be such a baby. Go and get the breakfast ready. I'll wake the others." + +"He ain't a bit o' feeling in him," sighed Mike to himself; and he +went out of the cabin. + +"What does it look like, Phra?" said Harry, for his companion had +passed his head out beside the matting. + +"Come and see; it's lovely." + +Harry thrust his head out on the other side of the mat, to gaze up and +down the river, to see overhead the stars growing pale and feeble, +while the river bed was filled up by a soft, dark-grey flood which +rose about ten or fifteen feet up the black wall of trees opposite to +them. On the other side and overhead there was a warm glow which lit +up the thin mist, giving it a roseate hue, while the cloud of smoke +was gathering more and more and blotting out the faint stars half +across the river, its under side ruddy too with the fire-reflected +light. + +"I never saw the river look like this before," cried Harry. "Looks +jolly, doesn't it?" + +"Beautiful and calm, and just as if the earth was waking up," replied +Phra. + +"Birds, you mean," said Harry. "Parrots are whistling, and--here, I +say, hark at that _coo--ah--coo--ah_. Hear that?" + +"Yes. Argus pheasant," said Phra eagerly. + +"Let's take the guns and go and see if we can't get a shot at it." + +"What! try and get through the jungle now it's all dripping with dew?" + +"Never thought of that," said Harry. "Would be sloppy, wouldn't it?" + +"Sloppy! Why, we should be drenched before we'd gone ten yards." + +"And I don't suppose we could go ten yards. Let's go and ask old Sree +if he can call the birds over, so that we can get a shot at them." + +They stepped carefully out into the forward part of the boat, and then +Harry thrust back his head to carry out his promise. + +"Father! Doctor!" he cried. "Morning." + +"Yes; thank you," said Mr. Kenyon, and the doctor grunted. + +Phra had by this time reached the mooring rope and begun drawing the +boat's prow close up to the prostrate tree-trunk to which it was +moored, for prostrate trees were plentiful along the banks, and in one +place two falling nearly opposite from either bank of the stream had +almost formed a barricade to stop the way. + +"Be careful, Sahibs," said a voice out of the gloom, the old hunter +having left the group of rowers gathered round the fire. "The +tree-trunk is slippery with the dew." + +"Oh, it's you, Sree," said Harry. "Isn't that the coo--ah calling?" + +"Yes, Sahib; I have heard it many times." + +"Could we get near and manage a shot at it?" + +"No, Sahib; it would hear us before we were half way, and be silent. +Then we should not know which way to go. Besides, you would find the +grass and trees too wet." + +"Would it come if you called to it?" + +"No, Sahib, not unless we were in a deep, dark part of the jungle." + +"Oh well, never mind," said Harry. "It wouldn't be pleasant before +breakfast. Here, let's go ashore now we're so near, Phra. Anything +burned in the fire last night?" + +"Yes, Sahib; I've found four dead birds under the trees, and some +lizards and snakes that had been too close. Some of them were only +half dead. They had scorched themselves and then crawled away." + +The boys went up to the blazing fire, to find Mike busy cooking the +men's breakfast, the latter making way for the lads to come close up +to the pleasant glow, which dissipated the chilly mist floating +around. + +As they went round the fire Sree pointed out the remains of several +reptiles, one of which was still moving and writhing slightly. + +This--part of a long, thin snake--Sree stooped to twitch into the +hottest part of the glowing fire. + +"Oh, I say, Sree, how horrid!" said Harry. + +"No, sir; better dead than living in such pain. It could never get +well. This one might," he added, dragging another from among the low +growth close by, with the result that it came to and bit at a bamboo +staff the man held. + +"It's poisonous," cried Phra. "Mind!" + +"Yes, Sahib; I'll take care," said Sree. "It is a good deal scorched, +but it might live and do mischief. It is a very bad kind, almost as +poisonous as the naga." + +As he spoke he gave his bamboo staff a whirl round his head, which +threw the writhing reptile into a knot at the end, and then giving a +final jerk the dangerous creature was dashed into the middle of the +fire, where a loud sputtering, crackling, and hissing bespoke its +fate. + +"Was that it hissing in agony?" said Harry, with a look of disgust. + +"Oh no, Sahib," said the old hunter, smiling. "It is only the flesh. +The heat in there killed the snake directly. Look! there is a dead +bird; that will make the same noise. Throw it in." + +"Why, it's one of those beautiful rosy pigeons," said Harry, "only +half its feathers are burnt off. It's dead enough. I say, though, it's +a pity to waste that. I'll make Mike cook it for breakfast. What's +that bird?" + +"A crow," said Phra, turning the object over with his foot; and then, +before Harry could seize it, tossing it into the fire himself, for a +precisely similar hissing to arise. + +"I'm glad of that," said Harry; "it seems so horrible to burn anything +alive. Here, Mike, how soon will our breakfast be ready?" + +"As soon as I can go on board to get it, sir. The gentlemen are not up +yet." + +"Not up!" said Harry. "Why, you talk as if they slept in +bedrooms--Look! there they are." + +For as he spoke the matting was drawn aside, just as the light was +coming fast, the faint rays of the sun striking horizontally through +the soft, grey mist, and lighting it up like a cloud at sunset. + +The effect was wonderful, for with the first rising of the sun there +was a light breeze which lifted the mist, making it rise and float +away in wreaths across the tops of the jungle trees, the coming of +bright day once more bringing forth a wild chorus of shrieks, pipings, +and strange cries from the hidden birds. + +Mike quickly had a good meal spread, and as soon as the fire was no +longer necessary, the men under Sree's direction threw a few jars of +water over it, and then took to their oars, the breakfast in the open +cabin being finished as the party glided up the beautiful stream. + +They were now well beyond the parts ever reached by the most +venturesome of the boating men of the town and villages around, and in +consequence the various birds and quadrupeds displayed but little +shyness, the former fluttering near the boat, or perching in little +flocks to watch the visitors to this wild region, while the monkeys +grew more and more venturesome, ceasing to depute the observations to +the old greybeard of the troop, and crowding on the branches, to +chatter and stare down, probably seeing human beings for the first +time in their lives. + +"They don't seem to think much of us, Phra," said Harry, who was lying +back so that he could look up in comfort at the comical little +creatures. + +"Well, it's quite fair," said Phra; "we don't think much of them. I +don't know, though; I envy their strength. Look how easily they make +those jumps." + +"Yes, it would puzzle us. But isn't it ridiculous that they should be +so careless, jumping from tree to tree just over the water, where they +ought to know that the crocodiles are waiting for them? I daresay we +shall see one come down with a splash directly." + +Harry was quite right: five minutes had not passed before, in the +midst of a loud chattering, a low, heavily laden bough snapped, and +about a dozen of the little fellows fell scrambling down; but all +saved themselves by catching at branches before reaching the water, +save one, who went in with a loud splash, but caught at some twigs and +leaves which dipped in the surface, and cleverly dragged itself out, +to begin scrambling up again amidst a chorus of loud cries, just as +the long muzzle of a crocodile was thrust out and snatched back again +as rapidly, after receiving full in the side of the head the contents +of the doctor's gun. + +"Brute!" he exclaimed. "What a beautiful place this would be if it +were not infested with these savage wretches!--Killed, Sree?" + +"No, Sahib; I think not. I can see him swimming yonder. The water is +clear here." + +They had another glimpse at the injured reptile, which shot up about +fifty yards ahead, beat the water for a few moments, and then +disappeared beneath the tangle. + +No more shooting was done, the voyagers contenting themselves with +observing, and finding abundance to take their attention, for at every +few yards some curious-looking water-fowl or wader rose from the river +side. Then it would be a lovely blue kingfisher or solemn-looking +crimson-breasted trogon, while at times a glimpse was obtained of some +animal coming down to drink, only to be startled away by the passing +boat. + +Once it was a strange-looking animal with trunk-like snout, which +stared for a moment before wrenching itself round, giving just a +momentary view of its piebald body, and then rushed through the +undergrowth. + +"We're favoured," cried the doctor. "That was a specimen one ought to +have shot." + +"What for?" said Mr. Kenyon. "It would have been too big and clumsy to +preserve. If you shoot, let it be something for the table." + +The doctor took note of this, and he and the lads finding good +opportunities, brought down several large water-fowl, which were +plucked by the men not rowing for the evening meal, it having been +decided that while on the trip up the river two good meals would be +sufficient for each day. + +Twice over Phra's sharp eyes detected large serpents in the +overhanging boughs, their presence being doubtless explicable by the +numbers of monkeys travelling to and fro along the edges of the jungle +where it was cut by the river. + +On the second occasion the doctor's gun was raised for a shot, but a +sign from the old hunter stopped him. + +"What is it?" he said, for Sree was pointing forward. + +"Elephants, Sahib," whispered the man; and then bidding the men to row +gently, so as not to make a sound, the boat glided on towards what in +the distance looked like the blunt end of the river, so completely did +it seem cut off by the sudden way in which it doubled back upon +itself, growing wider and shallower at the same time, while from some +peculiarity of soil the trees had retired farther from the bank, +leaving quite a wide, park-like stretch, through which the stream +meandered. + +But the party in the boat had no eyes for the scenery; their attention +was taken up fully, as they turned the bend of the river, by the sight +of some ten or a dozen elephants of all sizes indulging in a bath in +the now shallow water, wading, wallowing, or squirting it over their +backs. + +It was evidently such a sanctuary that the great animals felt no fear +of being disturbed, and the boat and its occupants remained unnoticed, +Sree having signed to the men to run it close in under the shore on +the right. Here, through the doubling back of the river, they were not +above a couple of hundred yards across the intervening jungle from +where they had come up and the old hunter had first heard the noise +made by the herd. + +They sat for some time watching the actions of the strange, +unwieldy-looking creatures, and would have been content to remain +longer had not the largest of the animals, after syringeing himself to +his heart's content, trumpeted loudly and begun to wade out of the +river, taking a course which, if continued, would have brought him to +the shore close to the boat. + +Wild elephants can be very dangerous if roused; but here there was +nothing to fear, for the men could with a few strokes have put the +boat into deep water where an elephant was not likely to follow; so in +obedience to Mr. Kenyon's order, the rowers rested on their oars and +the elephant came on, nearer and nearer, his great head nodding and +bowing from side to side, and his eyes fixed upon the surface, till +suddenly taking the scent of the travellers, borne by the light air, +he stopped short, caught sight of them as he raised his head, and +stood as if turned to stone, staring at them for some seconds, before +uttering a strange cry of alarm and dashing back, with ears flapping +and extended trunk, towards his companions. + +The first cry of alarm was sufficient, every elephant churning up the +water in the endeavour to be first on the farther shore. + +The party watched till the last beast had disappeared, the first +making straight for the jungle and plunging right in through a hole it +made apparently in the great wall of greenery, the others following in +single line after it, and, according to custom using its footprints, +till the biggest, who appeared to be as massive as old Sul, passed +through, and the elastic stems and vines seemed to spring back in +their places. + +"Why, Phra," said Harry, "I did not know that we had wild elephants so +near. Did you know, Sree?" + +"Yes, Sahib; I have seen that herd many times, and could lead the +King's elephant-catchers to their hiding-place if they were wanted; +but they have not been wanted yet." + +"It is a curious country," said Mr. Kenyon; "we seem to know nothing +of it a few miles from any of the rivers." + +The open part they were in looked so bright and attractive that, +regardless of the near neighbourhood of the elephants, it was decided +merely to go to the upper end of the shallows where the jungle closed +in again, and where a sufficiently umbrageous tree could be found +projecting over the river to add to their shelter, and then camp for +the night. + +Here a fire was once more lit, and while the preparations for the +evening meal went on, the doctor and the two boys took their guns for +a stroll back along the open stretch of grass they had passed. + +"Don't be long," said Mr. Kenyon. + +"Which means, don't go too far," replied the doctor. "We shall not. It +is only to stretch our legs a bit, for the boat is rather cramping." + +The intention was good and wise, but the object intended soon proved +to be almost an impossibility. The stretch of open land between the +river and the jungle looked at a distance much like a fair meadow, and +it struck Harry from that point of view. + +"Just the place for our cricket," he said to Phra, as, shouldering +their guns, they stepped off after the doctor. + +"Mind how you come," said the latter, who was brought to a standstill. +"The water has been all over here, and the place is full of cracks and +holes. Try back a little your way." + +"Looks quite right here, sir," cried Harry. "It's as solid as--Oh--Hi! +Phra, catch hold of my gun." + +The boy laid his own piece down, caught at the barrel of Harry's, and +pulling hard, his companion, who had sunk up to his knees and was +steadily going lower, was able to struggle back. + +"Oh, here's a mess!" he panted, stamping to get rid of the mud. + +"You didn't choose the right direction, Hal," said the doctor, +laughing. + +"No, sir," said Harry meekly. "Will you go first?" + +"Yes, I think I can do better than that, my lad. Let's strike right +across here towards where the elephants went out of sight. The ground +must be firmer there." + +The boys prepared to follow, as the doctor led off; but Harry directed +a malicious glance at his companion, which seemed to say plainly, +"Look out, and see if he doesn't go in." + +But Harry felt disappointed and ill-used, as well as wet and muddy +about the legs, for the doctor strode off steadily for about twenty +yards, the boys following over perfectly firm ground. + +"You should pick your way in a place like this, my lads. It only +needs--" + +_Care,_ the doctor was about to say, but he did not; for all at once, +to Harry's intense delight, his leader uttered a sharp ejaculation, +and, throwing himself flat on the ground, began to roll over and over, +with his gun held upright against his breast, till he was close to the +boys' feet, where he sat up, drew the stout hunting-knife he wore at +his breast, and began to scrape the mud off one leg. + +"Was it soft there, sir?" said Harry, with mock seriousness. + +"Soft!" cried the doctor. "Oh, you're laughing at me, eh? Well, I'm +fair game, I must own. Here, step back! quick! both of you. We're +sinking." + +It was quite true, for there was a bubbling, hissing, and gurgling +sound arising from among the grassy growth, and the black water began +to ooze up among the stems, so that as the boys ran back it splashed +up, and the doctor followed, none too soon. + +"Why, the whole place is a marsh," he said, looking back as soon as +the ground felt more solid. "It is just as if the water of the river +spread right up to the jungle and this part had become covered with +weeds and plants till they were matted together and looked like a +meadow." + +"But," cried Harry, "I want to know how the elephants managed." + +"There must be a sort of causeway of firm ground somewhere out in the +middle there," replied the doctor. "I daresay we should find it so if +we went back with the boat to where the great creatures came out of +the water." + +"And we couldn't have the boat now, I suppose," said Harry, glancing +in the direction of camp. + +"No, but it does not matter. We should only find a muddy, elephant +path, full of holes." + +"Sorry I was so stupid, doctor," said Harry. + +The doctor turned to him sharply and nodded. + +"Yes, you have me on the hip there, Hal. Take it as a warning to +yourself not to be in too great a hurry to condemn other people." + +Phra smiled. + +"What are we going to do?" he said. "It's too soon to go back." + +"Well, we can't walk on this floating green carpet," replied Harry. +"Could we get along by the river?" + +"We could try," said the doctor. + +"Or go up along the edge of the jungle. We ought to find something +worth shooting there." + +"Let's try the edge of the jungle," said the doctor. "The ground must +be firmer there." + +Striking up to their right, they managed to get about fifty yards +nearer the edge of the forest; but then they had to turn back and make +for a point nearer the little camp, where two or three huge trees +stood out like sentinels in front of the vast army of vegetation +packed closely as trees could stand. + +Here the earth proved to be firm, and for a few dozen yards they +managed to progress among the trees at the very edge of the jungle. +After that the way was stopped by the interlacing creepers and thorny +rotans, and after a few minutes' trial it became evident that without +the help of stout men with their parangs to clear the way, further +progress was impossible. + +"Let's go back again," said Harry. "One does get so hot and fagged." + +"Better keep walking till your legs are dry," said the doctor. "I +don't want you down with a feverish cold." + +"They're nearly dry now," said Harry, "and they'll be quite dry by the +time we get back." + +"Yes," said Phra; "it's farther off than we think for, and will take +longer." + +"Back again, then," said the doctor; "but I do not like to be beaten +like this. I wanted to see more of the elephants and their ways." + +"Come to the big stables, then, Doctor, when we get back. Phra will +take you and let you see all there are at home; won't you, Phra?" + +"Of course, if the doctor wishes to see them." + +"Much obliged," replied the doctor; "but it's the wild ones I want to +study. What's that?" + +He stopped short, and brought his gun round ready to fire at any +danger which might assail them from the jungle. + +The boys had heard what startled their companion, and cocked their +guns. For suddenly there was the quick rush of something behind the +dense screen of verdure--a something which seemed to have been +watching them, and had darted off as soon as they came near. + +"Wild pig?" asked Harry. + +"No, I think it was more like a man," replied the doctor. "What do you +say, Phra?" + +"I think it was a man, but how could a man rush through the jungle +like that? We must ask Sree if there are any wild tribe people about +here." + +"There would not be nearer than the mountain region," said the doctor; +"but whatever it was has gone. Look, they're making signals for us to +come back." + +The boys looked in the direction of the camp, where a thin mat had +been hoisted, flag fashion, at the end of one of the bamboo poles of +the boat; and hurrying their steps a little they reached the great +tree beneath which the cooking fire had been made, to find the boatmen +finishing their rice, and a capitally cooked meal waiting for them in +the boat. + +Sree shook his head at the suggestion of any people being near. + +"Plenty of wild beasts, Sahib; and I have seen the tracks of a tiger +that has been down to the water. There are plenty of monkeys, too, the +greybeards and the big, black fellows; but I don't think we should +find savage people here in the jungle. It would be a wild boar or a +rhinoceros. No, not a rhinoceros; he would not have run away. It might +have been a tapir." + +The evening changed very rapidly into night, and with the darkness +came the wonderful chorus of strange sounds from the jungle and banks +of the river, the splashings and coughing, barking utterances giving +warning that the crocodiles were still plentiful. The fire-flies were +even more beautiful there than in the denser portion where the river +banks were hidden by great timber trees, for on both sides lower down +the low, shrub-like growth was more abundant. + +The scene was very beautiful, with the star-studded, clear, dark, sky +above, and the reflection as it were of another star-spangled heaven +in the smooth, gliding water at their feet, while the myriads of +fire-flies suggested the existence of another intermediate star sphere +in constant motion, now scintillating, now dying out, and again as if +floating along the opposite shore like a low cloud of tiny orbs, +golden-green, golden, pale lambent, and occasionally ruddier than +Aldebaran or some kindred star. + +There was less disposition for sitting up talking that night, and soon +after the fire was well replenished, and its necessity made plain. + +Phra was the first to call attention to the distant cry, which was +exactly that of some enormous cat far away in the jungle. + +"Calling his mate," said Mr. Kenyon. + +"Perhaps the tiger whose tracks Sree saw in the soft mud this +evening," said Harry. "I suppose he will not come near our fire, or +try to get on board. Think we ought to keep watch, father?" + +"Oh no, my boy. We are floating out here a good thirty feet from the +land." + +"But suppose the boat drifts to the side in the night?" suggested +Phra. + +"It is not probable, for we are right where the stream sets off the +shore. We are not likely to be disturbed, boys. There is the proof." + +Mr. Kenyon pointed to where the men had spread the mats over the +horizontal bamboo, and were settling down to sleep. + +"Yes, that is a pretty good sign," said the doctor; "the men would not +take matters so coolly if there were any danger from tigers." + +"Did the Sahibs hear the big tiger calling?" said Sree, thrusting his +head out from beneath the men's awning. + +"Yes, quite plainly," said Harry. "Think he'll come prowling about the +fire, so as to give us a shot?" + +"No, no, Sahib," replied the man, shaking his head; "he will be too +careful." + +"That was a clever way of putting it, Hal," said the doctor drily. +"You did not say, Is there any fear of the tiger's swimming out to +us?" + +"No; why should I tell him that I was a bit nervous?" replied Harry +frankly; "even if one does feel a bit scared, I can't help it, can I, +father?" + +"No, my boy; it is quite natural to feel a little nervous, and to make +sure that one's gun is loaded and close at hand. But we must get used +to these noises. We can't expect to come out here and live in such a +wild place without being a bit startled sometimes. Good-night, boys. +But you have not fastened down that mat to shut out the night air." + +"Just going to, father," replied Harry. "I don't think, though, that +we shall have so much mist here." + +The final good-nights were said just as the last murmurs of the men's +conversation forward died out, and then all was still, the darkness +being relieved by the rays from the fire, which crackled and burned +merrily, the light coming quite brightly at times through the +interstices of the mats, and then, as the smoke rolled up decreasing +again; while after shifting his position to get into a more +comfortable attitude, Harry Kenyon drew a long, deep breath, with a +touch of a yawn in it, and then told himself that he did not mean to +feel in the slightest degree nervous about the strangeness of their +position, but was going to have a good, long night's rest. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +A NIGHT ALARM + + +Sleep comes and sleep goes, and always seems beyond our control. +Sometimes the weary one drops off soundly the moment his head has been +comfortably settled upon the pillow; at other times, however tired he +may have been before going to bed, the very fact of having undressed +has so thoroughly wakened him up that the object for which he has come +to bed has been completely banished. + +It was so with Harry Kenyon in some respects that night. He had not +undressed, and he had not gone to bed, only made himself as +comfortable as he could on a mat pillow two thwarts of the boat, using +his hand as a pillow. + +As comfortable as he could! but it was not very comfortable, for the +bottom of the boat was as hard as the one quill which the Irishman put +beneath him to try what sleeping on a feather-bed was like. There was +too much light in the open cabin, and he could hear the _ping-wing_ of +mosquitoes above him in the roof. + +He shut his eyes tightly, but every now and then he could see that his +eyelids looked translucent. The water was making quite a loud, rushing +noise against the sides of the boat, and the barkings, croakings, and +indescribable noises from jungle and river-bank seemed to be +increasing minute by minute. + +Harry shifted his position a little, and then felt annoyed, for close +at hand he could hear a steady, deep breathing which he knew was his +father's, and from just beyond, another deep respiration with a faint +buzz in it, which was evidently the doctor's breath coming and going +through his big, thick, ruddy-brown moustache. + +"Why can't I go to sleep like that?" muttered the lad. "I'm just as +tired as they are, and yet I feel as if I were going to lie awake all +night." + +Harry uttered a sound very strongly resembling the grunt of one of the +lower animals, and then resettled himself. + +"Now I will go to sleep," he muttered. + +But a quarter of an hour must have passed, and he was as wakeful as +ever, while he was quite sure that he had heard the low, mournful cry +of the tiger very near. + +"Asleep, Phra?" + +No answer. + +"Phra! the tiger's coming quite near." + +This in a whisper, but there was no response, for Phra was sleeping +soundly. + +"Oh, how hot it is! I can't hardly breathe," muttered Harry; "and +there are those wretched old Siamese snoring under the mat forward as +if they were doing it on purpose to keep me awake.--Wish I could get +up and go for a walk.--How stupid! It's mad enough to go for a walk +when it's broad daylight. I know it's impossible, and yet I get +wishing such an idiotic thing as that.--Might sit up and open the mat, +though, and watch the fire-flies. + +"What stuff," he said to himself the next moment; "who's going to sit +up all night watching fire-flies dancing about like sparks in tinder? +Besides, if I opened the matting it might give some of us cold and +fever, and it would be all my fault. Oh, why can't I go to sleep! +There never was such an unlucky fellow as I am." + +He tried turning, but he could not get into a more comfortable +position, and he turned back and listened to the splashings in the +river coming nearer and going farther away. Once more he began to +think of a huge serpent up in the tree swinging itself down, and a +faint rustling in the thatch he was sure must be the great reptile's +head as it kept on touching the palm leaf matting; and in imagination +he saw the forked tongue flicking in and out of the nick in the upper +jaw, till a loud tap told him that it was only a beetle inside instead +of outside, and it had lost its hold and fallen to the bottom of the +boat. + +"That was all fancy," he said to himself; "but that rustling noise +ashore is not. I believe it's some big animal searching about the +camp." + +_Crack!_ + +"There, I knew it. A buffalo, I believe, and it put its hoof on a dead +stick." + +_Crack, crick, crick, crackle, crackle._ + +Harry sighed with relief and opened his eyes widely to see how much +lighter the interior of the matting and bamboo cabin had become +through the fire ashore falling in, and some of the piled-up wood +catching and burning briskly. + +"Now then," the listener said to himself, "what am I going to fancy +next?--I dunno," he added, after a pause. "I'm so wakeful, I could +fancy anything. I know what I'll do. I'll go and wake old Sree, and +get him to sit and talk to me." + +Harry paused to think again. The old hunter was lying just outside the +cabin, and the nearest to it of the men. Then Mike with his +currant-dumpling-like face was beside him, and he would not want to +wake him too. How was he to manage? If Sree had been sleeping in the +side of the boat, he could have stretched out his hand and touched +him, as there was no awning there, nothing but some baskets. + +But the great difficulty was how to get past Phra and his father and +the doctor before he could reach the matting, pull it aside, and touch +Sree. It seemed impossible. It was very dark now, and there would be +three pairs of legs to get over, and he felt sure that he would +stumble over them and wake everybody up. + +How to manage--how to do it--how to get by--how to get by? + +How to get by? + +It was so easy. Sree woke up at a touch, and they sat on the top of +the cabin and watched the fire-flies--and the blazing fire. They +listened to croakings and cries and the low howl of the tiger, which +did not seem to be successful in finding his mate, and it was very +calm and restful and pleasant out there in the night, only they dared +not move for fear the thatch should give way, and let them both +through on the top of those sleeping below. + +And so they sat and whispered and talked about the elephants bathing, +and the big one scenting them at last and giving the alarm, and the +whole herd disappearing after crossing that green marsh place which +let them through when they were walking. There was that strange rush +that they heard too, that which Sree said was a wild boar, and +then--_bump!_ + +What was that? + +It was to Harry Kenyon just as if a boat had thumped up against +theirs, and some one with a voice like his own had asked that +question. + +But there was no answer. All was perfectly still in the cabin, while +the noises in the jungle and on the river banks were not so loud. + +It was all dark too, for the fire had burned down, and there was no +glimmering light through the interstices of the mats. + +But he felt that he ought to see that fire, even if it were merely the +glowing embers, seated as he was up there on the top of the cabin +roof. + +Absurd! How could he be sitting up there, and with Sree too! + +They could not have got up there, and he was in his place in the +cabin. All that was dreaming. + +"Then I have been asleep," he said to himself. "I must have dropped +off hours ago, and lain here till that woke me. Some one said, 'What +was that?' No; I said it to myself, and seemed to hear it." + +Harry ceased his musings, feeling that he was certainly wide awake +now, and as certain that he had been awakened by a bump on the side of +the boat, for there was a faint grinding sound as of another boat +rubbing up against the side. + +The boy turned hotter then in the darkness, for there was a low +whispering plainly heard, and the first thought which came to him now +was that some boat had come to attack them in the night, a boatload of +the wild, piratical people who lived by robbing and bloodshed. He had +from time to time heard of junks and trading boats being attacked and +plundered, but only rarely in their neighbourhood. Certainly, though, +this was one, and his hand stole to his gun, which he grasped tightly +as with a quick movement he rose to a sitting position so that he +might alarm his father. + +Just then there was a quick, rustling sound as the matting curtain +which separated them from the men forward was drawn aside, and with a +strange sensation of palpitation in his breast, instead of calling to +his sleeping companions, the lad involuntarily cocked both barrels of +his gun. + +The loud _click, click--click, click_ gave the alarm. + +"Who's that?" cried Mr. Kenyon, springing up. + +"It is I, Sahib--Sree," came in the familiar voice. + +"Yes! What is it?" said Mr. Kenyon, and as he spoke the clicking of +gun-cocks, in company with a quick movement, told plainly enough that +the other two occupants of the cabin were awake, and well on the alert +for whatever danger there might be. + +"Adong has come, Sahib," said Sree, whose voice trembled. + +"Adong? What does this mean--is it some treachery?" + +"I fear so, Sahib," said Sree huskily. + +"And you have come to warn us?" + +"Yes, Sahib." + +"Come in here, then. Harry, hand this man a gun and ammunition. You, +Sree--there is a boat out there?" + +"Yes, Sahib; the one Adong came in." + +"With a party of men?" + +"No, no, Sahib; he came alone." + +"Ah, and the men all side against us?" + +"Yes, Sahib; I suppose all." + +"Very well; then we must fight. But who is Adong?" + +"The Sahib knows him: the young one of the two boys who help me hunt +for wild things in the jungle." + +"Oh, that young fellow!" + +"Yes, Sahib; he looks to me as to a father." + +"And yet goes against you?" + +"He go against me, Sahib?" cried the man. "Why, he would lay down his +life for me. As soon as he knew, he seized the first boat he could +swim to and followed us up the river." + +"But you said the men were all against us." + +"Yes, Sahib; as far as I can make out, all the fighting men have +risen, and they are killing and burning; and when Adong came after me, +they were going in a great crowd with spear and kris against the +King's house." + +"What!" cried Phra wildly, and Harry caught his arm. + +"Hush!" he whispered; "it may not be so bad. That man may have taken +fright." + +"You hear all this, Cameron?" said Mr. Kenyon hoarsely. + +"Hear it!" groaned the doctor. "It is what we have always dreaded. And +I am here! Oh, Kenyon, my wife--my wife!" + +Mr. Kenyon drew a deep breath. + +"Thanks, Sree," he said calmly; "I thought you meant there was danger +here. Wake up the men at once." + +"They are all awake and listening to Adong, Sahib. He had to run for +his life. What will the Sahib do?" + +"Go back at once." + +"No, no, Sahib," cried the hunter wildly; "it would mean death to you +all. They would seize the Prince, and kill him. You must wait till +day, and then we will go on right up into the jungle, where you must +hide till there is peace again, and you can go back home. We can get +food for you, and a hiding-place where the people who come to find and +kill the young Prince shall never find where you are." + +"Mr. Kenyon, you will not listen to this man?" cried Phra wildly; but +he received no answer, for just then the doctor gripped his friend +tightly by the arm in the darkness which seemed to add to the horror +of the terrible situation. + +"Kenyon," he whispered, "I am weak and ill. I cannot think. This +stroke has driven me mad. Act for me, old friend--think for me. Help +me to save my wife." + +Mr. Kenyon's reply was a firm pressure of the hand, but some moments +elapsed before he spoke. + +"Sree," he said at last, "you are a brave, true servant, and your +advice is good; but neither the doctor nor I can do as you say. What +boat is this that has joined us? A small one, of course?" + +"Yes, Sahib; it is for two rowers, but it was the only one Adong could +get." + +"It will do. Now listen, for I trust you." + +"Yes, the Sahib always trusted his servant," replied Sree proudly. + +"You will take command of this boat that we are in, and I trust to you +and your men to fight for and protect your young Prince and my son." + +"As long as we can fight, Sahib," said the man proudly. "We all love +them, and would die for them." + +"I know it, Sree. Then I trust you to find some hiding-place where +they will be safe till this rising is at an end." + +"Yes, Sahib; but what will the master and the doctor Sahib do?" said +Sree excitedly, and without heeding the eager whispering going on +close by. + +"We take the small boat now directly, and go down the river." + +"But it would be to meet boats coming up, Sahib," said the man +excitedly. "You would be running upon bad men's spears." + +"We have our guns, and shall be prepared," said Mr. Kenyon coldly. + +"But the little sampan--in the darkness, Sahib. You would overset, and +that means a horrible death too." + +"Then you will ask two men to volunteer to take us." + +"Adong and I would row you safely back, Sahib," said the man +earnestly. + +"No; I cannot spare you from watching over my son. You and your man, +who know him so well, must stay." + +"Sahib, we cannot spare you and the good doctor Sahib. Pray, pray do +not try to go back. It would be only to lose your lives." + +"Silence, man! We go to save the doctor Sahib's wife." + +"Ah, yes! the sweet, good lady," sighed Sree. + +"And the King is our friend; we cannot leave him like this. No more +words; obey my orders." + +"No!" shouted Harry, out of the darkness. "Stop where you are." + +"Harry!" cried Mr. Kenyon. + +"Yes, father, I hear; but if the King has been attacked, and--and--you +know what I mean," said the boy, choking for a moment, "Phra says he +is King and master now, and that this shall not be. We say we won't be +treated like children and be sent away to be taken care of while you +go down the river to fight." + +"That is right," said Phra firmly. "Let me speak now, Hal. You are +going to save dear Mrs. Cameron from these wretches--these fools, who +have risen against my father; we must go too. You are going to try and +save your friend, my father, who has never done anything but good for +his people." + +"Yes, and--" + +"I have not spoken all, Mr. Kenyon," said the boy proudly. "You are +going to try and save him. Well, I am his son. Not a man yet, but I +can fight; and where should I be but helping to save him? What! Do you +want him, if he lives, to be ashamed of the boy who ran away to hide +in the woods? Do you want Hal to let his father go alone? Do you think +we two could ever look dear Mrs. Cameron in the eyes again if we had +been such a pair of cowards as that? No: Hal and I are coming with +you, but there are not enough of us to attack and fight with all those +wretches. We must try cunning against them, and go to the doctor's +bungalow and to the palace by night, and bring those who are waiting +for us to the boat. Then we can come back into the jungle to wait till +my father goes back again to take his place. Now, Sree, clear away the +mats and unfasten the boat; we must start back at once. Cast off the +other, it will be in the way." + +A heavy sigh rose from one occupant of the cabin, a deep groan from +another, but not a word of opposition came from either of the elders; +and the next minute the men forward were busy rolling up the mats and +unmooring the boat, while two crept along outside the cabin to take +their oars. + +It was still intensely dark, for the matting at the cabin sides had +not been rolled up, and Mr. Kenyon sat trying to whisper a few words +of comfort to the doctor, who seemed completely prostrated by the +news, when the former felt a hand laid upon his arm, and he started +slightly, for in the black darkness he had not noticed that some one +had drawn near. + +"You are not very angry with me, father?" was whispered. + +"Angry with you, my boy? No." + +"Nor with me, Mr. Kenyon?" + +"Nor yet with you, Phra, my dear lad. No. You made me feel very, very +proud; but I think that I ought not to let you run such risks." + +"God bless you both, boys, for what you have said," groaned the +doctor. "Boys? No; you spoke like men, while I sit here feeling weak +and helpless as a child. But I shall be better soon--in a few minutes +I shall be a man once more, and we must all talk, and plan, and +scheme. For Phra is right; it must be done with cunning, as we are so +weak. Now please leave me to myself for a few minutes. First tell me, +though, are we going back?" + +"Yes," said Harry, after looking out between the mats; "the boat is +steadily going with the stream. The other is floating yonder." + +The doctor drew a deep breath. + +"Hah!" he said; "that has taken a weight from my breast. Going +back--going to the rescue. Heaven help us! Shall we be too late?" + + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +A DREARY RETURN + + +Harry was correct: the boat was gliding steadily back with the stream, +and Sree was standing right forward in the prow, looking out and +uttering warnings from time to time of dangers ahead, in the shape of +fallen trees, while he kept on admonishing the men to be content with +keeping the boat straight while the darkness lasted, and deferring all +attempts at making speed till the day came. + +It was still very dark, the stars being nearly blotted out by the thin +mist; but there were sundry significant hints that morning was +approaching, for the scintillation of the fire-flies had ceased, and +the chorus of reptile and wandering beast in the depths of the forest +was dying away. + +Leaving Mr. Kenyon and the doctor talking, the boys were standing +together right astern beyond the two rowers there, who were too intent +upon working their oars to pay any heed to them and their discourse, +though as it was carried on in English, they could have made out +nothing, had they listened. + +"I'm glad father wasn't cross," said Harry after several awkward +attempts at getting up a conversation, Phra having replied to all he +said in monosyllables, as in the present instance. + +"Yes." + +"It seemed so queer to get up and contradict his orders, and say we +would do as we liked." + +"Yes," said Phra, with a sigh, and then he added, "but it was quite +right, for we both felt that it was like doing our duty." + +"Ah!" cried Harry eagerly. "So it was. Look here, Phra, old chap, +don't you be down-hearted." + +"I am not going to be till I know the worst." + +"That's the way to take it; for look here, that Adong would only know +that there was gong-beating and spearing and setting places on fire--a +regular riot. He would not know anything about how matters were at the +palace." + +"No; he could not," said Phra, with a sigh. + +"And your father has got plenty of fighting men, who could soon stop a +mob." + +"If they were faithful to him," said Phra, sighing. + +"Oh well, they would be for certain." + +"I don't know," said Phra. "I have always been afraid of this. You +see, the second king has made friends with the bonzes, and they can +talk and preach to the people, and make them believe almost anything +about my father." + +"Because he does all kinds of scientific things," said Harry, "that +they cannot understand." + +"Yes," said Phra; "it is the old story. They are too stupid to grasp +the meaning of all he does, and because they cannot understand it, +they teach the people to believe that it is all what you English +people call 'witchcraft' and wickedness. Oh, I have not patience with +the silly babies--they are not men." + +"I hope we shall have a chance to knock some of their thick heads +together. There, you are getting in better heart now about the news." + +Phra turned upon him sadly. + +"Are you getting in better heart about poor Mrs. Cameron?" he said. + +"Oh, Phra!" cried Harry passionately. "Don't." + +"You tell me to be of good heart about my father and you are in +despair about Mrs. Cameron." + +"Yes, that's right," cried Harry passionately; "but I won't be so any +longer, for I don't believe that any of your people, even the very +worst of them, would be such wretches as to hurt her." + +Phra uttered a low groan. + +"What!" cried Harry. "You do believe they would?" + +"Our people," said Phra sadly, "are, as my father has said to me, +quiet and good and gentle as can be. They always seem merry and happy; +but deep down in their nature there is a something which can be +stirred up, and then they are like the fierce savages from the +mountains yonder. They will do anything terrible then, and these +wretches who are trying to place the second king in my father's place +know that and have driven them to rise. Hal, we can't tell what may +have happened till we get down home; but if they have killed my +father, I am king, and I shall pray night and day that I may grow +quickly into a man, so that I may kill and kill and kill till I feel +that my dear father is avenged. It will be war until I have done my +duty there." + +Harry was silent, as he stood listening and gazing in his companion's +face, which had suddenly seemed to start out of the darkness--the face +alone; all else was pretty well invisible--and there it was, a +strange, pale, ghastly-looking visage, distorted by the agony in the +boy's breast, and the deadly determination the pangs had brought +forth. + +Harry shuddered, and for some time the only sounds heard were the +murmur of voices in the cabin and the _swish_ of water as the men +dipped their oars. + +"Your father was right," said the English boy at last. + +"What about?" said Phra hoarsely. + +"About the Siamese people being so amiable and gentle until they are +stirred." + +"Yes, I see what you mean," replied Phra, "and I suppose it is so, +Hal. I feel as if I can see my poor father lying dead and covered with +bad wounds given by a set of cowards rushing upon him, and it makes me +seem to see blood, and I want to punish them for killing one who has +thought of nothing but doing the people good." + +"There, don't think such things any more," cried Harry. "I won't. It +can't be true. I'm going to believe that we shall find him and Mrs. +Cameron quite well. Yes; I know how it would be, for your father is +such a thorough gentleman in his ways, and so thoughtful. As soon as +he heard of there being any trouble, he would either go or send one of +the people with a lot of spearmen to protect them, and bring Mrs. +Cameron and all the English people into the palace. Now then, what +have you got to say to that?" + +"Yes, I think he is sure to have done that," said Phra, speaking very +slowly and gravely. "He would--if he had time; but suppose the first +he heard of the trouble was in the mad rush made by his murderers." + +"Shan't!" cried Harry. "I won't suppose anything of the kind. But I +say, it's a pity that we didn't take more notice about what I heard +said that day when we were lying in the boat place." + +"Yes," said Phra; "but I did not think we need mind a few bitter +words. Such things have been so often said by the discontented +people." + +"Discontented!" cried Harry angrily; "and a deal they had to be +discontented about! They always seemed, from the poorest to the +richest, as comfortable and as happy as could be." + +The morning broke as bright and sunny as ever, but to those on board +the boat all was changed. The excitement and delight of the trip, with +its constant array of fresh objects, were gone. The birds which +flashed out of the trees looked dull of colour; the troops of monkeys +bounding through the branches on either side were unnoticed; and the +gorgeous displays of flowers that here and there greeted the eyes of +the travellers excited no attention. + +The crocodiles seemed to Harry to be the only things in keeping with +their situation, as in a gloomy, despondent way he went to the fore +part of the boat to look out for them on a mud bank, or lying, with +only their eyes visible on the surface of the water, in some eddy or +pool. + +The constant presence of these loathsome reptiles suggested to him the +troubles at the city and its outskirts. And he felt that there would +be fighting, with people slain and tossed into the stream, where the +crocodiles would gather in swarms; and there were moments when he +almost wondered that some strange instinct did not lead the horrible +creatures to follow the boat instead of hiding in the dark parts, +where the trees hung their branches low down and touching the water. + +After a time he heard his name called, and he went back to the cabin, +where he felt quite hurt and disgusted to see that Mike had prepared a +comfortable breakfast, and his friends were waiting for him before +beginning. + +Harry's face must have spoken plainly his wonder at seeing the doctor, +so short a time before overcome with grief, looking perfectly calm and +serious, and prepared to take his place. His father noticed it, and +spoke at once. + +"Yes, my boy," he said, "we must eat and drink, or the machinery will +be useless when we want it most for thinking and acting. Sit down and +make a good breakfast." + +"Oh, father," cried the boy passionately, "I feel as if I could not +touch anything." + +"We all do, Hal," said Mr. Kenyon; "but we may have to fight, and we +shall require all our strength in our efforts to save Mrs. Cameron and +the King." + +Harry nodded, took his place, and--there is no other way of describing +what followed--ate and drank savagely, acting as if every morsel or +draught that passed his lips were to give him strength for what might +come. + +The meal was soon ended, and Mike received his orders to see that the +men were refreshed, while the doctor and Mr. Kenyon commenced talking, +with the result that the two boys now went right aft and sat together +looking up stream. + +For some minutes neither spoke, and then Harry broke out angrily:-- + +"It makes me feel mad," he cried. + +"Yes," said Phra, "and one feels the worse at having to sit here and +wait, without being able to do anything." + +"I didn't mean that," cried Harry angrily; "I mean about sitting and +eating and drinking there, just as if I was an animal without any +feeling. It's horrible." + +"Your father was quite right," said Phra; "we do want to be strong." + +Harry grunted, and turned away his face, to sit scowling at the river, +while Phra rested his head upon his hand. + +"Oh," cried Harry at last, "I should like to kill some one." + +Phra smiled at him sadly. + +"Perhaps we shall have to try before long," he said. + +"I hope so. I should like to help kill all the wretches who have made +all this trouble." + +"Should you?" said Phra, with a faint smile. "But look here, Hal, you +will try and help me to save my father?" + +"Will I?" cried the boy angrily. "Why, you know I will. Here, Phra, +let's try and think out some way of getting him out of the palace." + +"I'm afraid we shall find that he has shut himself up there, and that +we cannot get near him." + +"Well, so long as he is safe we need not mind." + +They sat on talking and planning together, more for the sake of +keeping from dwelling on the great trouble than from any hope of +thinking out something feasible, and the day wore on till the boat was +drawn up to an opening in the apparently endless jungle. + +Harry said to his companion that it was a shame, but it was a +necessity. Food had to be cooked for the men as well as for +themselves, and it was no loss of time, for after a couple of hours' +rest the men worked with renewed energy, the boat gliding swiftly down +the stream till it became too dark to venture farther amidst the many +dangers to navigation. In fact, they had kept on till, in spite of the +native boatmen's skill, the light craft was run half over a huge +tree-trunk lying out at right angles to the bank, and for a time a +terrible capsize was imminent. + +For the bows were clean out of the river for some distance, and the +water began to rush in over the stern, till several of the men crept +forward, with the result that the bows went down so suddenly, as the +craft balanced on the great trunk, that the water rushed in at the +other end, and it seemed to be a foregone conclusion that they would +sink. For with a rush and a plunge they cleared the obstacle, gliding +over into the deep water, the boat filling to gunwale as she came to a +level again, with every one preparing to swim for the nearest shore. + +But Sree called upon the little crew to follow his example, and they +all glided overboard, taking opposite sides, and supported themselves +by holding on to the boat. + +Then, in obedience to calls from Sree, the boys handed the men various +articles from Mike's little kitchen arrangements. Those left on board +took crock and bucket, and from their united efforts in baling, all +danger of sinking was soon at an end, while in a few minutes the men +one by one crept back into the boat, where they could bale with more +effect. + +Finally the boat was entirely freed from water, and an opening, which +happened to be near at hand, was reached, a fire made for drying +clothes, and as wretched a night as could be imagined was spent. + +But they were all dry and able to start the moment it began to be +light, and that day was a repetition of the preceding, and followed by +another despondent night, this time, though, one which gave +refreshment to all. + +That next day they knew they would reach the river town, and had to +time themselves so as not to get there before dark, in spite of the +eagerness for news. But it was hard to contrive everything to their +wishes. It had been expected that they would get right back two hours +before sunset, and this meant lying up in some creek for that space, +while Sree or Adong went forward by land to reconnoitre and bring news +of the state of affairs; but it so happened that the tide had not been +counted upon, and instead of gliding down with the stream for the +latter part of the way, they had to force the boat against an adverse +current, so that it became hard work to get to their destination by +dark. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +A HIDING-PLACE + + +Long before the more familiar parts of the river were reached, +preparations had been made in the way of seeing that the guns were +loaded, though their use would be only in some grave emergency, since +it was fully grasped that force would in all probability be of no +avail. Clever scheming must be the weapon, though how to bring it to +bear would depend upon circumstances. + +At last they were nearing the part of the river where it was lined +with the walls of the great temples, and farther on with boats. In a +very short time they would be abreast of the palace and of the little +English quarter, Mr. Kenyon's home being farthest away. + +And now, to the surprise of all, Sree spoke out earnestly, unasked. + +"If the place is in the hands of the rebels," he said, "the Sahibs +would lose their lives directly they landed." + +"I cannot help that," said the doctor. "I must land as soon as I am +near home." + +"The doctor Sahib will not be doing his best to save his wife," said +Sree sternly. + +"No, Doctor, you must stay in the boat while I land," said Phra. + +"To be killed at once," said Sree. "No, we will not let our Prince +land now. Sahibs, I am like the rest of the people, and I can go +ashore without being stopped. You must trust to me to go first and +bring news." + +"I cannot wait; it is impossible," said the doctor. + +"I must go and find what has happened to my father." cried Phra. + +And all the time the boat was being urged steadily on by the rowers, +nearer and nearer to the river town; but so far there was nothing to +suggest danger, for the customary sounds arose like a low murmur from +the distance, and a faint glow hung above the river--the reflection +from the paper lanthorns hanging from the boats. + +"All seems to be unchanged," said Mr. Kenyon, breaking a long pause. + +"Yes; it may be a false alarm," said the doctor. "Tell your men to row +faster, Sree, and to stop at the first landing-place beyond the +palace." + +"The Sahib doctor does not see," replied the old hunter. "Something +must have happened. Where are the lights?" + +"Yonder," said the doctor, pointing to the reflection. + +"Oh, Sahib, those are as nothing," said the old man. "And we can +hardly hear the city breathe. We are close there, and we see that +faint light and hear that little buzz of voices. It's more like a few +insects. When I have come out of the jungle far away, it has been more +bright than that and twice as loud. Will the Sahib tell his friend the +doctor he must stay and I must go and see?" + +"Yes, Cameron, Sree is right," said Mr. Kenyon. "Let him go first." + +"My wife!" said the doctor, in a hoarse whisper so full of despair +that a choking sensation rose to Harry's throat as he sat there in the +dark. + +"It means death, Sahib," said Sree plaintively, and the boat glided +on, till, rounding a bend, those on board could see that very few +lit-up houseboats were visible, and that the light came from the open +ground on either side of the palace. While hardly had they grasped +that when there was a sudden increase of the faint glow, and the loud, +jarring noise of gongs beaten, followed by a scattered firing, the +reports sounding loud in the darkness around. + +A thrill ran through all present, and each drew a deep breath, for it +was evident that the danger was very close, and in all probability +watchers might be hidden among the bushes of the river bank, whose +presence would be made known by the throwing of spears. + +"The Sahib doctor hears," whispered the old hunter; "there is fighting +going on by the palace. He will stay, and let his servant go and see?" + +"Yes; go," said the doctor huskily. + +"It is right, Cameron," whispered Mr. Kenyon.--"Now, Sree, what will +you do?" + +"Leave it to me, Sahib," was the reply, and turning to the men he +whispered his orders, and all but one of the rowers laid in their +oars, while the last just sent the boat gently along under the farther +bank of the river where the eddy made the task less difficult, and for +the next few hundred yards they glided along under the walls and +terraces of the principal Wats or temples, till they drew near to the +palace, and Harry laid his hand upon that which came out of the +darkness and gripped his arm. + +"Look," whispered Phra, in a hoarse whisper. + +"Yes; I see," was the reply, and the two boys strained their eyes to +make out what was going on near the palace, where paper lanthorns were +gliding here and there, and a low buzz arose as of many voices; but +the palace itself, as far as they could make out for the trees, was +quite dark, and not a sound arose. + +The firing had ceased before they drew near, and save the lights +moving among the trees, and the buzz of voices, there seemed to be +nothing more that they could learn. + +The boat glided on silently and without challenge, while to all +appearances, as far as they could make out in the darkness, there was +not another vessel on the river, till they had passed the stone +landing-place and reached the other side of the palace, where again a +few paper lanthorns were seen moving here and there, and now and again +came the faint sound of talking. + +And now lower down they could just make out the lights of a few boats +moored on their side of the river, but only a few, where they should +have been packed close together. + +They were now nearing the bank where the bungalows of the English +residents had been erected, and it needed a few passionate, appealing +words on the part of Mr. Kenyon to make the doctor refrain from +landing. + +"For aught we know there may be hundreds watching the boat," whispered +Harry's father, "and your landing may mean the signal for a shower of +spears. Sree, go on with your plans." + +"Then there must be silence, Sahib." + +"Yes, of course. Where will you land?" + +"Yonder, Sahib, and as soon as I have leapt on the bank Adong, who is +rowing, will take the boat across again and tie it up." + +"Yes, and then?" + +"You will wait. A boat can lie there without being noticed even in the +daytime. When I pipe like one of the little herons that fish from the +bank, the boat must come over and fetch me, for I shall have news." + +"Yes, yes," said Mr. Kenyon hastily, while the rest eagerly drank in +every word. "You will take one of the double guns?" + +"No, Sahib; nothing but my kris in my padung. If I take a gun and am +seen, I shall seem an enemy and be speared." + +"Yes; right. And we are to wait until you come back?" + +"That is so," whispered Sree. "Now, silence. No one will speak. Adong +knows." + +The next moment the prow of the light boat touched the dark bank, and +Sree leaped right ashore. + +Harry held his breath, expecting to hear the rush of feet; but all was +still, and the boat went gliding back through the darkness to the +other side, where the men made it fast, and then squatted down upon +their heels in perfect silence, watching the faint lights across the +river. + +It was a terrible silence, and Harry wondered, as he sat there +listening for anything which might give him a clue to the state of +affairs, at the change which had taken place during their short +absence. When they left, the place was bright with gaiety, and the +river fringed with houseboats full of light-hearted people; now all +was painfully still, save the murmur from the direction of the palace, +while the river glided by, lapping the sides of the boat, and making +the boy shudder as he thought of how much it could tell of the secrets +hidden beneath its dark waters. + +All at once Phra started violently, for a loud shouting and beating of +gongs arose once more from the direction of the palace. They could see +lights, too, moving, as if a party were on their way to make an +attack; but the sound of firing recommenced and kept on till the +gong-beating ceased, when the lights seemed for the most part to die +out. + +"Those mean attacks being made on the palace, Phra," whispered Harry, +"and the firing is from our friends." + +"Yes," said Phra; "but it is so hard to bear. Hal, I must go across +and see." + +"No," said a voice close to his ear. "You must stay and bear it, Phra, +till we get news." + +"Don't say that, Mr. Kenyon," whispered Phra; "it is so terrible." + +"Yes, my boy, I know it; but be a man. It is evident that your father +and his friends have beaten the enemy off again." + +"Or been killed," said Phra bitterly. + +"Oh no, my lad; if the enemy had won, there would have been a burst of +shouting, and--" + +Mr. Kenyon paused, unwilling to proceed. + +"I know what you were going to say, Mr. Kenyon; they would have set +fire to the palace." + +"Yes; they would have tried to burn the place," said Mr. Kenyon +hurriedly. "Hist! a boat is coming." + +All crouched down lower in the bottom and waited, for there was the +splash of oars and the murmur of many voices, suggesting that the boat +must be large; and in a short time they could see that it was one of +the biggest barges, propelled by many oars, while as the covered-in +part loomed up before them in the darkness while passing, the rapid +chatter told that it was crammed with men. + +There was little fear of their being noticed, as the boat lay close up +under the bank, its occupants sitting so low that they were pretty +well hidden by the side; but Harry held his breath, for he felt +assured that these were fighting men on their way to join in the +attack upon the palace. But his anticipation of a shower of spears was +not realized, and the great barge, probably one of the king's, passed +by without noticing them. + +As soon as the vessel was out of hearing, Harry whispered,-- + +"Is that full of friends or enemies, Phra?" + +"Enemies," said the lad bitterly. "If my father is shut up like that, +and the palace being attacked, he will have no friends. Oh, how +long--how long must I wait before I go to help?" + +"Patience, my boy, patience," said Mr. Kenyon softly; "we are all as +anxious as you; but when we stir it must be to do good, not to +increase your father's anxieties." + +"How could we?" said Phra impatiently. + +"By placing the son he believes to be beyond the reach of his enemies +in a position of danger." + +"That was just the right thing to say to him, poor fellow!" thought +Harry. "I wish I was as clever as my father. Poor old Phra! he can't +say anything to that." + +Harry was right. Phra remained silent, but from time to time, as he +sat with his hand resting upon his comrade's arm, the English boy +could feel it quiver as if from the pain he suffered. + +Suddenly there was a fresh burst of shouting from across the river in +the direction of the palace, suggestive of the occupants of the boat +having joined those they supposed to be the besiegers; and now the +party sat anxiously listening for another attack, but they waited in +vain. + +And how long the time seemed that Sree had been away! It was +impossible to make any calculation in such a position, but everything +had for some time been silent in the direction of the palace, where +the lights had gone out one by one, while lower down the river there +was not one to be seen, only the twinkling of the fire-flies in the +gardens on the other side. + +Suddenly the silence was broken by the doctor saying aloud,-- + +"Is he playing us false--has he escaped to save himself?" + +"No," said Mr. Kenyon firmly, "but speak lower. Sound travels along +the river by night." + +"Sree would not cheat us, Mr. Cameron," said Harry bitterly. "I'll +answer for him." + +"Then why doesn't he return--why doesn't he return?" + +"Because he has much to do." + +"But he must have been three hours away," said the doctor excitedly. +"I cannot bear this inaction longer. Kenyon, you must have me put +ashore yonder." + +"No," said Harry's father sternly; "I must take the lead here, for all +our sakes. The man has his life to look to, and has no doubt had to +thread his way among enemies." + +"He will not come back," said the doctor. "I will wait another +half-hour, and then at all costs I will be set ashore." + +"Be silent, please," said Mr. Kenyon sternly. + +"Ah, there he is," whispered Harry, for there was a low, hoarse, +piping cry from the opposite bank. + +Adong rose silently to his feet and raised his oar upright, while one +of the men forward set the boat free and gave it a good thrust out +into the current. + +Adong lowered his oar silently into the water, not making the +slightest splash; but to the astonishment of the little English party, +instead of urging the boat across he gave a few vigorous thrusts and +drove her back to the bank, squatting down again in his place. + +"What does this mean?" whispered Mr. Kenyon sternly. + +"Hist! Boat coming," whispered back the man, in his own tongue. + +Those who heard him listened, but they could not hear a sound, and at +the end of a few moments Mr. Kenyon turned angrily upon the man. + +"There is no boat," he said, in the man's language. "Row across +directly." + +"No," said the man; "boat coming. Adong hear much farther than the +master. Boat coming." + +Harry thought of the man's life in the jungle, passed in tracking the +wild creatures with his teacher, Sree, and felt that his senses would +be keener than theirs, so that the boy was in nowise surprised when at +the end of a minute the faint, far-off sound of paddling was borne to +his ears, and a boat came nearer--a boat propelled by only one oar, +and as far as he could make out with only two people in it besides the +rower, for he could hear whispering as it passed like a shadow on the +dark background in front of where he sat. + +Adong made no movement till he was satisfied that the boat was out of +hearing. Then uttering one word, the men who had held their prow to +the bank once more gave a firm thrust, sending it into the current, +and Adong sent the boat steadily across the river. + +"Quicker! quicker!" whispered Phra, for from lower down came the sound +of oars being used with furious haste, and voices were heard speaking +angrily, while having the tide in their favour the fresh boat came +along at so rapid a rate that the one the English party were in had +only just time to glide in among some overhanging bushes by the bank, +when a good-sized barge passed by so near to them that Harry felt that +they must have been seen, though the next moment he knew that the +passers-by would have looked upon their boat as one moored to the bank +and empty. + +"Sree!" + +"I am here, Sahib," whispered the hunter, stepping down to them as +soon as the barge was beyond hearing; "that is an enemy's boat, I +think, in chase of one which went up before." + +"Your news, man--your news!" whispered the doctor hoarsely. + +"I went to the doctor Sahib's house." + +"Yes! My wife?" + +"The doctor Sahib's house is gone." + +"Burned?" + +"Yes, Sahib, to ashes. There was no one there." + +"Did you go to the bungalow, Sree?" whispered Harry. + +"Burnt down to embers, Sahib Harry. Every house belonging to the +English masters has been burned down." + +"But man--man!" whispered the doctor wildly, "what are houses? Our +friends, the English people? have you found out nothing more?" + +"Yes, Sahib Doctor; the ladies were saved by the King and his +spearmen. There was a great fight, and they were all taken to the +palace. Not one was killed." + +"Thank God!" groaned the doctor, and a deep silence reigned for a few +minutes--a silence Phra respected for the doctor's sake, though he was +burning to hear more. At last the lad spoke. + +"How did you know this?" + +"From my boy, Lahn. I sought for and found him, my Prince. He saw +everything: the fight, the English Sahibs and their ladies taken to +the palace, and the houses burned by the people. Lahn is here with me +now." + +"Tell me about my father," said Phra, with his voice trembling and an +agonizing pain attacking him for fear lest he hoped too much. "He is +safe?" + +"Safe when Lahn was with the crowd of men at sunset. He is in the part +of the palace by the little court where the young Prince's rooms are. +The gates are shut, and there is much fighting by the second king's +friends, who are trying to get in." + +"And my father has all his brave spearmen to defend him?" + +There was silence. + +"Why do you not speak?" cried Phra angrily. + +"It is hard to tell, Sahib Phra," said the old hunter sadly. "Lahn +tells me that the King's guards fought for him till he and the ladies +and the Sahibs were safe in the palace; then at a word from one of the +bonzes they threw down their spears and krises in the courtyard, and +joined the King's enemies outside the walls." + +"The traitors--the traitors!" groaned Phra; "and we trusted them so. +But tell me, Sree: those lights, the cries, and the beating of gongs +to-night, what did it all mean?" + +"Fighting, Sahib. The King's friends are very few, but some of his +servants are with him still, and they beat the enemy off. Spears +cannot reach so far as guns. Lahn says fighting like that has gone on +all day." + +"Hah!" ejaculated Phra. "But tell me: you, did you do nothing?" + +"Yes, Sahib Phra; that made me so long. I went up in the dark to where +there are many hundreds of the enemy all about the palace." + +"But did you try to find a way by which we may get in tonight?" + +"No, Sahib; the enemy are many, and they watch every place." + +"But the terrace?" said Phra eagerly. "We could take the boat up +there." + +"Two of the King's barges are there, with many men guarding the +landing-place, so that the King and his friends should not escape by +the river." + +"But at the back there, by the elephant houses?" + +"A hundred men are there." + +"By the garden?" + +"It is full of spearmen." + +"Oh, is there no place?" whispered Phra--"nowhere that we could crawl +up unseen?" + +"The Sahib Prince knows the place better than his servant, and that it +is strong. His servant would have tried to climb over the wall, but +there were many men everywhere, and he could not get near." + +"If we could only let my father know that we are near!" said Phra +excitedly. + +"If we could, Sahib," said Sree slowly, "he would command you to +escape, and wait till the danger is at an end." + +"Yes--yes--he would wish me to go, but I cannot. Mr. +Kenyon--Doctor--what shall we do?" + +"We must get help," said Mr. Kenyon promptly. "Phra, my dear lad, we +can do nothing alone." + +"But who would help us at a time like this? The priests and the whole +city have risen against my father; who will help us now?" + +"We must go down to the mouth of the river as soon as it is day, and +see if there are any English or French vessels there. They would help +us." + +"Lahn says the river is full of the second king's fighting boats, +Sahib, and you could not go down. The boat would be stopped, and you +would all be slain." + +There was silence in the boat till Sree spoke again. + +"The Sahibs must hide." + +"Hide?" cried Phra; "where could we hide now? We should be seen, and +to please the bonzes the people would give us up." + +"You must hide in the boat, Sahib Phra," said the old hunter quietly. + +"What, go up the river again, and get into the jungle?" + +"No, Sahib; we must be here--close to the palace." + +"But with all the enemy's boats about, how can we?" said Mr. Kenyon. + +"By being bold, Sahib," said Sree. "His servant will make the boat +look dirty and common with mats where the cabin is, and throw that +into the river. The Sahibs must hide beneath the mats; the men can +hide their good padungs and sit in the boat and fish and chew." + +"Yes, yes," said Phra; "no one would notice them. That is good. We +must not go away." + +"But help?" said Mr. Kenyon; "we must get help." + +"His servant will swim to some boat, Sahib--he will find one, no +doubt--and go down the river to try for help." + +"No," said Mr. Kenyon, "we want you here. I will write on a leaf of my +pocket-book, and you must send one of your men." + +"Yes, Lahn would take it to an English ship if there is one," said +Sree, whose voice suggested that he was pleased that he was wanted in +the boat. "Lahn is here, Sahib. May he come on board?" + +"Of course." + +Sree uttered a peculiar sound, and a dark figure rose from the ground +where it had lain flat, and glided down the bank into the boat. + +"Now across to the other shore where we can hide," said Mr. Kenyon. + +"No, Sahib," said Sree in a low, earnest whisper; "his servant has +been thinking. We will go down to the landing-place at the bottom of +the bungalow garden." + +"Why there?" said Phra excitedly. + +"Because the Sahib Prince's servant thinks if the cabin is taken down +and thrown into the river to float away, the boat can be pushed +between the big posts of the landing-place, and will lie under the +bamboo floor." + +"Yes, when the tide's down," said Harry; "but when the tide rises, +what then?" + +"The boat will be pushed close up against the bottom of the floor, and +the water will rise a little round it, Sahib." + +"But we should be shut up like in a trap, Sree, and regularly caught," +said Harry. + +"No, Sahib; the bamboos are split, and only tied down with rotan cane. +It would be easy to undo two or three, so that we could pass out, or +to leave a little of the boat outside one end, so that there would be +room to get out on to the floor." + +"Well, you are a clever old fellow, Sree," said Harry eagerly. "And +now the bungalow is burnt no one will come there." + +"No, Sahib; they will keep away. Does Sahib Kenyon feel that we should +go there?" + +"Yes, my man, yes. It will be less of a risk, for boats that pass will +not think of meddling with the one lying there." + +That was enough. Sree said one word, and Adong rose from where he had +crouched, plunged his oar into the water, and forced the boat downward +against the tide, while Sree and the boatmen set to work and cut loose +the mats which hung from the cabin roof. These were carefully rolled +up by one of the men, while the bamboo rafters were cut away. Then +four men stood on the sides of the boat, each by one of the stout +uprights, and at the word of command raised the light matting and +palm-thatch roof, and heaved it away, to fall edgewise with a splash +into the dark river. + +Ten minutes later the last of the four uprights was thrust overboard, +and almost directly after the garden landing-place was reached, and +Sree's calculations were put to the test. + +They proved to be quite correct, for there was just room for the boat +to glide in between the bamboo posts; and as to height, the occupants +were able to keep upon their seats with a few inches above their heads +between them and the joists which supported the bamboo floor. + +"Ah!" said Phra between his teeth; "we shall be in hiding here." + +"Yes," whispered Harry; "but I don't think we shall be safe." + +"I don't know," said his father; "an open hiding-place is often the +most secure." + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +DARING PLANS + + +The tide rose but a trifle higher, so that there was no imprisonment +such as had been suggested, and the boatmen, after a modest meal of +rice, calmly settled themselves down to sleep. + +But, like his employers, Sree was wakeful, and sat near, ready to +answer questions or offer advice. + +He said that he believed they might stay where they were, +unquestioned, for days; and as for provisions, it would be easy for +him or one of his men to go here or there about the place and buy +food. + +These minor questions were soon disposed of. The main topic--how to +rescue the King and their friends--then took up all their thought and +kept them watching and waking hour after hour, a certain equality now +seeming to reign, and the boys' suggestions being listened to eagerly +by their elders. + +But everything proposed seemed to be full of difficulties. The first +most natural and simplest was to get the besieged away in boats, for +the rivers and canals were the highways, the roads through the jungle +mere elephant tracks. But this was at once seen to be impossible in +the face of the facts that the way to the river was watched, and the +large boats in the hands of the enemy. + +Then there was the plan of escaping by means of the elephants, the +whole of which were, according to Lahn, still in their great houses, +close to the part of the palace defended by the King and his friends. + +But supposing it possible that the whole of the defenders could be +mounted upon the huge, docile beasts, and could succeed in forcing +their way through the crowd of assailants, where could they go? Only +into the jungle to starve, for there was no place to which they could +flee. + +It was always the same: they were face to face with the fact that in +such a self-dependent place the King, who was all-powerful one day, +might be the next weaker and more helpless than the humblest of his +subjects. + +Plan after plan was discussed during the calm silence of that night, +when all were in momentary expectation of hearing fresh alarms and +attacks; but every idea seemed perfectly futile, and a dead silence +fell. + +Harry was the first to break the silence. + +"Why don't you propose something, Phra?" he said. "We've been talking +all this time, and you've hardly said a word." + +"I've been listening," said the boy gravely, "and I have thought." + +"Yes, what have you thought?" + +"That if we could think of some plan of escape, my father would help +you to get all your friends away." + +"Yes, of course," said Harry, for Phra had stopped. "Well?" + +"But he would not leave the place himself. I know my father. He would +say, 'I am the king here by right, and I will never leave. I would +sooner die.'" + +"I fear so," said Mr. Kenyon. + +"I can only think of my father," continued Phra; "you only of your +friends, and so we think differently." + +"Oh no," said Harry. "Your troubles are ours, just as our troubles are +yours." + +"That is so," replied the boy; "but I can only think of joining my +father to help him defend the palace till he has driven his enemies +away." + +"Phra is right," said the doctor. "We cannot bring our people away--it +seems impossible. We must devote ourselves to joining the King and +defending the palace against all enemies." + +"It is good advice," said Mr. Kenyon, "but how can we join them? It +seems impossible, too." + +"We have not tried," said the doctor coldly. + +"Sree has tried to find a way in," replied Mr. Kenyon, "and he says it +cannot be done. Do you not, Sree?" + +"Yes, Sahib. If we go as we are, your servant and the men could +perhaps make the second king and those with him believe that they were +friends; but whether by night or by day, if the sahibs try to get +there, they will all be speared. It is what the enemy would gladly +do." + +"We could fight," said Phra proudly. "We have guns." + +"Yes, Sahib Phra, and some of the enemy would be killed, but what are +we against so many?" + +"Ah, what indeed?" sighed Mr. Kenyon. "A dozen or so against thousands +upon thousands." + +"Phra Sahib is right," continued Sree. "He is prince, and should take +us to join his father the King." + +"Yes, but how?" said the doctor. + +"It can only be by cunning, Sahib," replied the man. + +"Hist! One moment," said Harry excitedly; "what about the men? The +spear-bearers forsook the King; how can we trust these boatmen?" + +"Because they love and believe in the sahibs," said Sree. "I think we +can trust them." + +"But your two men, Sree?" + +"My two--Adong and Lahn--Sahib Harry?" said the old hunter with a +little laugh. "I have always been like a father to them, and they +would follow me, even if it were to be killed." + +"And you, Sree?" the said doctor bitterly; "why should you be faithful +to us?" + +"I don't know, Sahib," said the man simply; "only that Sahib Kenyon +has been like a father to me ever since he brought me back here to my +people from among the Indian sahibs, where I had lived for years. He +has always been my good, kind master, who fed me when I was hungry, +and gave me money to buy clothes. I don't know how it is, but I feel +that I belong to him and the young Sahib Harry; and if they said to +me, 'Sree, you must die that we may escape and live,' well, it would +only be what I should do, and I should be happy. Yes, sahibs, I should +die." + +"I know you would, Sree," whispered Harry, leaning over to grasp the +man's hands. "He would, wouldn't he, father?" + +"Yes, my boy, I believe he would. He has saved my life more than +once." + +"Oh, I believe in Sree, too," said the doctor excitedly. "But those we +love are perishing close by, and we are doing nothing." + +"I know what we might do," said Harry eagerly. + +"Yes, what?" said the doctor. + +"Wait till to-morrow night." + +"Wait till to-morrow night!" echoed the doctor bitterly. "Wait while +they perish!" + +"We don't know but what they can keep the enemy off till then," said +Harry, with spirit. + +"True," said his father quickly; "but what if we wait till to-morrow +night?" + +"Then it would be dark, and we might go and join with the enemy when +they make one of their attacks. Then, when they retire, we might fall +down as if wounded, and wait close up to the gate." + +"Yes," said Phra eagerly, "and as soon as the enemy were far enough +off we could call to those in the palace that we were friends, and +they would open and let us in." + +"That sounds wild," said Mr. Kenyon, "but it is possible. What do you +say, Sree?" + +"No, Sahib; it would do for me and the men. We could get into the +palace that way, but the Sahibs? No. The enemy would know them at +once, however dark." + +"True," said Mr. Kenyon. + +"It is not possible," groaned the doctor. "We must try by force to +break through." + +"That would mean death to all, Sahib," said Sree in a low, sad voice; +"and there would be no help for your friends." + +"Stop," said Phra. "I think it might be done." + +"Hist! Sahib Phra; a boat is coming." + +All listened, but the Europeans once more felt that they had been +deceived, till suddenly there was a faint splash, followed by the dull +pattering of water against a prow, and this sound came nearer and +nearer till a big, dark shadow propelled by quite a dozen oars was +seen to glide up the river towards the palace landing-place. + +They waited till the boat passed out of hearing, and Phra went on. + +"Harry and I could darken our faces, hands and legs easily enough so +as to pass for common people. We did once dress like that. You +remember, Hal, when we went right down among the house-boats and no +one knew." + +"Yes, I remember," said Harry shortly. + +"It would be easy for us," said Phra; "but--" + +The boy stopped. + +"Would Doctor Cameron and I disguise ourselves for such a purpose as +this? Certainly we would." + +"Yes, of course," said the doctor huskily. "What about the native +clothes--the baju and padung?" + +"They would be easier to get, Sahib--easier than spears." + +"Spears?" said the doctor; "we have our guns." + +"But they would betray us, Cameron," said Mr. Kenyon. "We should have +spears for ourselves and men." + +"There are plenty of guns in the palace," said Phra. "Sree, could we +get spears by then?" + +The old hunter was silent for a while, as if thinking deeply. + +"How long is it before morning?" he said. + +"It must be near day-break now," replied Mr. Kenyon. + +"No, Sahib. Not for two hours yet. There are many spears in the big +boats that have gone up to the palace landing-place; and if the men on +board are asleep, we might get what we want." + +"There are sheaves and sheaves in the guard-rooms, Sree, if we could +get them." + +"Yes, Sahib Phra," replied the man; "but that we could not do. If the +sahibs will get on to the floor above us and stay there with the men, +it is very dark to-night, and Adong and Lahn might go with me in the +boat. We could row up very quietly, and perhaps get enough from one of +the barges." + +"Try," said Mr. Kenyon laconically. "You could not hurt if you were +careful." + +Phra whispered a word to Harry. + +"Yes," he replied. "Father, Phra and I want to go with Sree." + +"It would be better for him to go alone." + +"The young sahibs have been trained by me to be silent when seeking +wild creatures in the jungle, Sahib. They could help us by taking the +spears, if we get any, and laying them in the bottom of the boat." + +"Why not take two of the boatmen?" + +"His servant would rather trust the young sahibs," said Sree. + +"There is no time to discuss the matter," said Mr. Kenyon firmly. "Be +careful, boys, and go." + +Harry's heart gave a big throb, and he gripped Phra's knee. + +"Ah," whispered the latter; "this is what I wanted. It is doing +something to help." + +"Yes," whispered back Harry. "It is horrible sitting here doing +nothing but talk." + +Even in those brief moments something had been done; the boat had been +set in motion, and now glided with the stream from beneath the bamboo +platform out at the upper end. + +Then at a word the boatmen followed the two gentlemen and Mike out on +to the platform, and squatted down at once; Adong and Lahn seized +oars, passing the cocoa-nut fibre loops over the posts which served as +rowlocks, and, with the boys' hearts beating high with excitement, the +boat began to glide rapidly and silently up stream with the tide. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +THE SPEAR HARVEST + + +The distance was short, and to favour the daring enterprise, the +darkness seemed to grow more intense as morning drew near. The banks +of the river were invisible as they glided silently along, and the +boys were whispering together when Sree suddenly stepped to where they +sat amidships. + +"We speak not when near the tiger's lair," he said softly. "When we go +alongside the boat I pick, I shall hold on, Adong and Lahn will go on +board; you two will silently take the spears and lay them along the +thwarts." + +"Yes," said Phra, and the old hunter passed on, bare-footed, forward +to where Adong was wielding his oar. + +The two comrades sat straining their eyes, for the barges, they felt +certain, were not far ahead, and wondered whether the two boys, as +they called them--though they were full-grown men--would succeed in +the daring venture; and it was on Harry's tongue to whisper,-- + +"Oh, I wish we had made Sree send us instead." + +It was only a momentary thought, before he felt that the two dark, +nearly-naked Siamese, as strong, active and silent in their movements +as leopards, from long training as hunters, were far better adapted +for the task; and he had nearly come to this conclusion when a low +muttering reached his ears, and looking to his left, he could just +make out something dark which he knew to be one of the barges anchored +almost in mid-stream. + +The next minute he caught sight of the dim glow of a paper lanthorn, +and that was on the prow of another barge close in to the palace +landing-place; but the boat still glided on, for the keen, owl-like +eyes of Adong had seen another of the barges a little ahead. + +All was wonderfully still, but there was a dull, indescribable murmur +in the air which told of sleeping men being near at hand, and a faint, +human odour reached Harry's nostrils which endorsed the fact. + +But he had no time for thinking: the movements of the three Siamese +hunters were so rapid. The next minute they were close up to the last +barge seen, and the boat quivered a little as Sree made a movement +which meant that he had reached over and caught the side. + +So to speak, the boys listened with all their might, and their ears, +made more sensitive by excitement, seemed to magnify sound, and their +eyes to have increased power; still the darkness was so intense that +they could not see the actions of the men forward and astern. + +But their sense of feeling had grown so acute that they were conscious +of the fore part of the boat rising a little, and then of the hinder +portion lifting, each time there being a light quivering and lapping +of the water against the sides. + +"They've got aboard her," thought Harry, whose mouth and throat grew +dry. "The next thing will be spears indeed, but a shower sent at Adong +and Lahn. Then they will leap overboard with a splash, Sree will push +off, and the two boys will swim to us." + +_"Oh!"_ + +It was a mental ejaculation, and the boy's thoughts formed this +question,-- + +"Will they think to swim with the tide, for we shall float up stream?" + +A faint click as of wood against wood interrupted his musings, and +then he started, for Phra pinched his leg, the compression of the +flesh being painful from the excitement of the giver. + +Harry responded with another pinch, which to his credit was of a much +milder form, and then all was still, while the boys waited on the _qui +vive_ for what seemed fully five minutes. + +All was perfectly still, and Harry strained his eyes so as to make out +Sree holding the boat alongside in a position which enabled him to +keep it steady, while at the same time he was ready to thrust it right +away into comparative, though not perfect, safety, for a well thrown +bamboo-hafted spear flies far and with deadly power. + +"There are none, or they can't find them," thought Harry, but the next +moment the bamboo shaft of a spear touched his shoulder, the man who +handed it being careful to pass the butt end of the weapon first, and +quick as lightning the boy received it and laid it down behind him, +reaching up his hands again to feel for another, and becoming +conscious at the same moment that Phra was stooping to lay down one he +had received. + +It was not easy to feel the weapons in the dark, but they felt for and +received two each, and then there was a pause, while they listened to +the _murmur, murmur_ from one of the other great boats, which sounded +as if some one was relating a long story in a low tone. + +Then two more spears were passed down, and two more, it being hard +work to lay them alongside the thwarts without making them rattle; and +again there was a pause for what seemed to the boys fully ten minutes, +before they heard a low, rattling sound, as if several of the bamboo +shafts had been laid together against the rail of the barge, and the +murmur ceased. + +Harry held up his hands for another spear, but he reached about in +vain. There was no response till the murmur recommenced, when there +was another rattle, louder than the first, and again the murmur +ceased. + +But now the butts of two spears touched Harry in the chest, and he +seized and laid them down, finding two more waiting. + +These he grasped and laid down. Then two more, which he also seized, +thus taking possession of six in less than a minute; a dull rattling +in front telling that Phra was as busily employed, though how many he +had obtained it was impossible to tell. + +The murmur of voices began again, but the two men did not make any +sign of returning, and the boys waited with beating hearts, but waited +in vain. + +They raised their hands and felt about overhead, but nothing more was +handed to them, and the desire was strong upon Harry to creep to where +Sree was holding the boat close against the barge's side, and ask him +what he thought; but the feeling that the old hunter was in command, +and that the two boys might be only obeying their master's orders, +stayed him, and he waited. + +"Here they are," he thought at last, for there was a movement high up +on the side of the barge. + +He raised his hand again, and as he did so he felt a sharp jerk in the +sleeve of his jacket and starting back he knew instinctively that the +blade of a spear had been sharply thrust down instead of the butt, and +had passed through his jacket, grazing his arm, while the jerk he gave +held the blade entangled lightly between his arm and side. + +"What does he mean by that?" thought the boy as he was dragged forward +and nearly off his feet, for he had seized the shaft with both hands. + +He knew the next moment, for there was a loud shout, the sound of a +blow; the spear came free, and something heavy and soft drove him +backwards, while a sudden jerking of the boat brought Phra to his +knees. + +The shouting increased, and was responded to from barge after barge, +the alarm having spread; but the boat was rapidly gliding across the +river, and, turning at the opposite side, began to descend again at a +pretty good rate, while a couple of lanthorns could be seen moving +about on the barge they had left, and others were being lit as fast as +was possible--slowly enough--on the others. + +It was still too dark to make out what was taking place in their own +boat, but it seemed to Harry in the excitement and confusion that only +one of the men had dropped in and was rowing forward, while Sree was +working the after oar, but with danger so near, he dared not even +whisper to Phra, who was close by. Another thing was that he was +trying to draw the spear from his left sleeve, in which it was +strangely tangled, as if the man who thrust had given it a twist; and, +worse still, he had become conscious that his arm and sleeve were wet, +a peculiar smarting sensation telling him that he was bleeding freely. + +"At last!" he said to himself, as he tore out the spear; and then he +started, for Sree was leaning over him. + +"Adong--Lahn?" whispered Harry. + +"Both here, Sahib. Are you hurt?" + +"I don't know. Yes--a little." + +"Put your hand on the place," said Sree. + +Harry obeyed, and the next moment a broad band was tightening over it. + +"Now slip your hand away," whispered Sree. + +Harry obeyed, and the band was drawn tighter and something wrapped +round again and again before it was tied. + +"Don't talk," whispered Sree; "they will follow us, and I must row." + +He went aft, and put out another oar, helping to send the boat more +rapidly along; and it was necessary, for before they had gone much +farther, the boys could make out that many more lanthorns had been +lit, and a couple of barges were beginning to move, one going up +stream, the other coming down after them. + +But the boat was going very fast now, and not many minutes had elapsed +before they were abreast of the garden, and Sree was guiding the craft +towards the landing-place. + +"Are you hurt much?" whispered Phra. + +"A nasty cut, that's all," was the reply. "Some one stabbed at me with +a spear, and I thought it was only one being handed down. Never mind; +we've got what we went for. Here, what's the matter?" + +For Phra had drawn his breath as if in pain. + +"Nothing much, only that man Adong fell down on me and hurt my back +against the seat. Doesn't matter; soon be better. But you--does it +bleed much?" + +"Oh no; it's only like having a big finger cut instead of a little +one. I say, do you think they'll find us out here?" + +"No; they won't think we should hide so close. If they do, we must use +the guns." + +"Well, what success?" whispered Mr. Kenyon. + +"Got the spears, father," said Harry, with forced gaiety, "but they +heard us at last, and one of the barges is coming after us." + +"Hist!" whispered Sree. "All get in now." + +Long before the pursuing barge came abreast the party were all lying +snugly beneath the landing-stage, and preparations for defence were +made, the English and Sree with their guns ready to repel and attack, +and the boatmen provided with the keenly-pointed spears. + +There were breathless moments as the lanthorn-hung barge came steadily +along, and every one expected that the crew would turn aside; but +there was no check to the rowing, and the fugitives were able to +breathe more freely as the lanthorns grew more faint, when the first +words said were by Phra,--words which sent a thrill of horror through +Mr. Kenyon, for Phra said in a hurried, excited manner: + +"Here, Doctor, you must see to Harry: he is wounded." + +"Only--a scratch," said the lad in a strange voice, and then he fell +over sidewise. + +The shock had been greater than he himself believed, for he had +fainted away. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +THE HELP SEEKER + + +Doctor Cameron satisfied himself that the wound was not bleeding, and +a little sprinkling with cold water soon brought the sufferer to, but +nothing more could be done till daylight lit up their refuge. + +Meanwhile they waited anxiously, and ready to sell their lives dearly +should they be attacked by the returning barge, Sree having given his +opinion that their pursuers would not go very far. + +He was quite right, for before half an hour had passed the sound of +oars came over the water with what seemed to be a regular throb, which +grew more distinct as the minutes passed away. + +And now, to hide the clean, superior aspect of the boat, three or four +of the mats, which had been taken down, were roughly torn and damaged, +after which they were hung clumsily from the bamboos overhead, the +lower part trailing in the water, so that, in addition to the damaged +look they gave the boat, they formed a shelter behind which the party +waited, weapon in hand. + +Faint signs of the coming day were visible, and the notes of birds +could be heard; but it was still dark enough to help their +concealment, for the stars were shining faintly when the barge came in +sight and swept by without its occupants noticing the boat in its tiny +harbour. + +But no one stirred till the barge had passed quite out of sight, and +then as the daylight rapidly broadened, Doctor Cameron helped his +patient to the stern of the boat, and, with Mr. Kenyon and Phra +looking on, drew off the boy's jacket and proceeded to examine the +wound. + +"Only a slight, clean cut, Hal, my boy," he said, as he tore up a +handkerchief for a bandage, and bound the wound. "It bled freely, but +the edges are well together, and it will rapidly heal. How was it?" + +Harry explained, watching the doctor the while, as he drew out his +pocket-book, took needle and silk from within, and neatly sewed up the +end of the bandage. + +"Lucky for you it did not strike you in the chest. There; to-morrow or +next day I will put on a little strapping. You need not even carry +your arm in a sling." + +Mr. Kenyon sighed with relief, and then proceeded with the others to +examine the weapons Adong and Lahn had handed down from the barge +before they were heard and had to make their escape. + +And now it was seen that the pair had done more than merely obtain the +spears, for as they rose from the bottom of the boat and stood +stooping in the light which streamed clearer and clearer through every +opening, they proudly showed that their lingouties, or waistbands, +were stuck full, back and front, of the krises or native daggers in +their wooden sheaths. + +"Capital!" cried Mr. Kenyon, and the two men's eyes flashed with pride +at the words of praise bestowed upon them. Even the doctor looked less +sombre, and took eager interest in the process of arming their +followers, the krises being handed round, and each man apportioned one +of the spears, which were now laid neatly along the thwarts of the +boat on either side, ready for use. + +Fortunately there was a sufficiency of food left in the boat to last +for a couple of days or more, for it had been well provisioned at +starting, so that there was no need to attempt any search for more, +and Harry drew Sree's attention to the fact that the fishing bamboos +and lines were still untouched where they had been placed across the +bamboo rafters. But it was a day of agony for those who had so much at +stake. + +Mr. Kenyon refused to look at the ruins of his home, but Harry could +not resist the temptation to creep out on to the bamboo floor and then +crawl a short distance up the garden, keeping well in shelter among +the bushes till he could see all that was left of the charming, +well-tended home. + +"And all the beautiful specimens gone!" he sighed. + +"Yes, sir, and all my clothes and treasures in my pantry," said a +familiar voice. + +"You here, Mike!" said Harry, starting. + +"Yes, sir; the master said I might crawl after you to have a look. Oh +dear, dear! burnt to ashes! Why didn't they build the place of stone +instead of wood?" + +"I don't know, Mike. I was too little to have any voice in the +matter." + +"Yes, sir, you was, and precious little too; but oh dear, oh dear! I'm +a ruined man. Think it would be safe to go to the tool shed and get a +shovel? I see it ain't burnt." + +"No; we must not risk being seen. But what do you want to do?" + +"Try and find something among the ashes where my pantry was, sir." + +"No, you must not go now. What is it you want to search for?" + +"Honour bright, sir? You won't go along with Mr. Phra and dig for it +yourself?" + +"Dig for _it!_ Is it likely? What is _it?_" + +"That little old Chinee teapot o' mine as stood on the shelf." + +"What, that old bit of rubbish, Mike! Why, both the spout and handle +were knocked off." + +"That's so, sir," said Mike, with a queer look; "but the lid was all +right." + +"Pooh! I could buy you a better one for--" + +"No, you couldn't, Master Harry, because you see there's no chance for +spending such money here, so I saved a bit." + +"Saved a bit?" said Harry. + +"Yes, sir; there was just a hundred and one silver Chinese dollars in +that teapot. Now do you understand?" + +"Yes, Mike, I understand," said the boy sadly. "But never mind; +they'll be safe enough till we've got the mastery over these +wretches." + +"Don't think they'll all ha' melted away, do you, sir?" + +"They may have melted, Mike, but not away. Perhaps they'll have all +run down into the shape of the bottom of the teapot; but if they have, +the silver will be worth the money." + +"Oh, come, sir; there's some comfort in that. I say, Master Harry, are +we going to have to fight?" + +"I think we are sure to, Mike." + +"Well, I s'pose I am a coward now, sir. I used to be a bit of a dab +with my fists when I was your age; not as I was over fond of it; but +I've never killed anybody, and I'd rather clean the guns any day than +shoot men with 'em. But after hearing all I have, and after seeing +what they'll do with spears--for it wasn't that chap's fault that he +didn't send that spear through you instead of your arm--and what with +the business last night, and the doctor's trouble, and now seeing our +house and my pantry turned into just a heap of ashes, it's a bit too +much. It makes me want to fight, sir; and if there is any going on, I +will." + +"That's right, Mike. You will stand by us then?" + +"That I will, Master Harry," said the man, with the tears in his eyes. +"I aren't been all I should ha' been as your father's servant, but I +am a man, sir, and an Englishman, and Englishmen must stick together +out in foreign parts like this." + +"They must indeed, Mike." + +"Then I'll be close at your back, Master Harry, wherever you go; and +if I gets killed, well, I do, sir, and I leave you all the silver in +that old pot." + +"_Phee--ew!_" + +"Quick! let's get back," whispered Harry, giving the man a grateful +look, and hiding a disposition to laugh; "that was Sree whistled. Some +one must be coming along the river." + +The warning was repeated softly before they reached the landing-place. + +"Quick, quick!" said Mr. Kenyon, in a loud whisper, and they had only +just time to creep down into the shelter when half a dozen large boats +were seen coming up the river, each filled with men, whose +spear-points glittered in the sunshine; and once more all crouched in +readiness to defend their little stronghold, should the boat attract +the attention of the enemy as they passed by. + +But the boats passed on, following in each other's wake, the occupants +being too much taken up by the sounds which suddenly arose from the +direction of the palace; for just as the first boat was nearly abreast +of the landing-stage the sharp reports of guns told that a fresh +attack was being made upon it, the first discharges producing a +strange excitement amongst the enemy, who began rowing with all their +might, so that they soon passed, but without giving much relief to +those who watched, for the firing increased, and it was evident that a +desperate attack was going on. + +Then the firing ceased as suddenly as it had begun, leaving the +listeners in a frightful state of doubt. + +For the cessation might just as probably mean that the enemy had +forced their way in as that they had been beaten off; and as the +silence continued for quite an hour, Harry and Phra moved so as to be +close to the doctor, and then gently take his hand. + +The sound of firing, when every shot may mean the death of a fellow +creature, is a strange reviver of hope--a peculiar comforter; but when +at the end of that weary hour the firing began again, both Phra and +the doctor started up with their faces flushed with eager excitement, +and Harry felt ready to shout. + +"They're not beaten," he said proudly. "The King's too strong, and he +drives the wretches back every time. Why, father, when we get to them +to-night, they will all be in such good spirits that it will be +dangerous for the enemy to show themselves again." + +"We must be thinking about our attack, Sree," said Mr. Kenyon, without +making any reply to his son's outburst. + +"I am going as soon as it grows dark, Sahib. There is not much to do. +A little brown earth to moisten and rub over your hands, arms, and +faces." + +"Yes, yes, that is easy enough; anything will do as it is night; even +gunpowder could be used. But the garments? it is of them that I was +thinking." + +"The sahibs will have to use those of the common people, and so many +are away from their boats that it will not be long before I can get +padungs enough. Those are all that you will need, and be the best +things to hide you; for no one would think that you could be sahibs, +dressed like that." + +The rest of the day went sluggishly by, with total cessations of the +firing filling the listeners with despair and hope returning whenever +it was resumed. + +At last, after many alarms from passing boats, the sun sank low, and +the question of sending off a message to some English vessel in the +port had to be decided for Mr. Kenyon had pencilled a few lines +containing an urgent appeal for help from any captain into whose hands +it might fall, begging that he would at once set sail for the nearest +port where a British man-of-war might be found--Hong-Kong or +Singapore--and lay before the authorities the critical position in +which the tiny English colony was placed, and imploring that steps +might be at once taken for their rescue. + +To deliver this note, a trusty messenger was needed, and a boat. + +And now there was a feeling of bitter regret that the sampan in which +Adong had followed them up the river had been abandoned from the hour +the man came on board as being a useless appendage at such a time of +peril. But Sree declared that there would be no difficulty in finding +one after dark, so part of the trouble was at an end. + +The question then arose as to who should be the messenger, and Sree +now proposed Adong. + +He would soon find a boat, Sree said, but he thought that some one +should accompany him, and that the some one should be Sahib Harry. + +"I couldn't go," said Harry hastily. "I must stay to help here." + +"But the young Sahib is wounded; and if he took the letter with Adong, +he would be safe." + +"I don't want to be safe like that," said Harry hastily. "I can't go, +father; I must stay with you." + +"But it is most important that the letter should be placed in some +Englishman's hands," said Mr. Kenyon; "and Sree is right, my boy; you +would be safe." + +"Oh no, father," cried the boy excitedly; "there would be as much risk +in sending me there as in letting me stay. I may be of some help here; +and, besides, I couldn't go and leave you." + +Mr. Kenyon gave way. The paper was rolled up small, a bamboo was cut, +and into one of its hollows the paper was thrust, and then the place +was plugged so that it was water-tight, in case the messenger had to +swim. Lastly, armed with a kris in his waist-band, and with one of the +spears, Adong, who fully appreciated the importance of his mission, +proudly took his departure, going off through the garden; for, as Sree +said, no one was likely to interfere with such a man as he at a time +like that. + +The little party breathed more freely when the man had gone, for it +was like the first step towards a rescue; but in a few minutes there +was a short, earnest conversation with Sree as to how his man would +manage. + +"He will journey down the river till he sees a boat that he can take, +and then go on, lying up close to the shore when there is danger, and +going on down again towards the sea." + +This decided, the perilous enterprise of joining with some portion of +the attacking force was discussed in what was really a little council +of war; and it was determined that Sree should assume the character of +leader, with Phra as his lieutenant, the rest being followers. How and +where they were to join the enemy must, it was agreed, depend upon +circumstances. + +The men were eager to a degree, declaring themselves ready to die so +that they might save the King; and as soon as it was quite dark the +well-armed party quitted their cramping position in the boat to +assemble in the forlorn and deserted garden, the boat being well +secured, and left as a place of _rendezvous_ in case of fortune being +against them, and as a means of escape in dire peril. Then Sree went +away for an hour, and returned, declaring the time had come. + +In the few words which passed in whispers as they made for the gateway +opening on the riverside track leading to the rest of the English +bungalows, and beyond that to the palace, it was quite decided that +they had nothing to fear in marching boldly onward through the +darkness, for their appearance as so many well-armed men going to join +in the attack would be quite natural, the second king's army +consisting as it did merely of an armed rabble, with which some of the +King's half-drilled guards were mixed after they had deserted him in +his peril. + +Of all this Sree in his efforts to spy out the state of affairs had +thoroughly convinced himself; the great danger was that Phra or the +gentlemen might excite suspicion; but the efforts to disguise them had +been most successful, the simplicity of their garb and the coloured +skins promising in the darkness and confusion to be enough. + +Then a few words were addressed by the old hunter to the men, and the +adventurers moved out of the gateway, and with beating hearts made for +the lights whose reflections could be seen above and through the +trees. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +A DESPERATE VENTURE + + +It was an exciting tramp, but those most concerned in the success +marched on with such a display of eagerness as sent a thrill of +confidence through Harry, who, for the first part of their little +journey, walked beside Phra, the boys talking in whispers about what +would probably be done. + +"It seems very horrid," whispered Harry. "Why, when we go up to the +attack, we shall be longing to stick our spears into the wretches who +are about us, and all the time we shall have to seem like friends." + +"You will not be able to do anything but carry your spear over your +shoulder," replied Phra. + +"Shan't I? You'll see. My arm doesn't hurt much now; and if we get +fighting, I believe that I shall not feel it at all. Oh, Phra, how I +do long to begin! It's the thinking about it all and the waiting that +is the worst." + +"Talk in a lower tone," said Mr. Kenyon in a whisper; "and as soon as +we hear the enemy be silent." + +Phra kept by his comrade's side, and twice over, when voices were +heard in front, Sree halted his party, a low, snake-like hiss being +the agreed signal. + +To the great satisfaction of all, the voices came from a couple of +parties, apparently, as far as could be made out in the darkness, +similar in numbers to their own, and moving in the direction of the +palace. + +Encouraged by this, Sree went on more boldly, and they soon found that +the very daring of their enterprise would prove their safety, the +attacking force being made up of groups all strange to one another, +their only bond being that they were bent on the same errand--the +destruction of the palace and overthrow of the King's power, with the +massacre of the whites. + +In fact, as during one halt Sree told Mr. Kenyon, it would be quite +possible to join on to any party they liked, their presence showing to +the strangers that they were on the same side, and consequently, for +the time being, friends. + +"We can go where we like now, sahibs," said Sree; "and all you have to +do is to keep away from any of the lights." + +Consequently the need for caution was at an end, and, after a short +consultation with Phra, Sree determined to go right round to the back +of the palace, where he proposed that they should scale the outer +wall, cross the garden, and then make for the inner wall near the +elephant house, where the great gates were with their sculptured +figures. + +Increasing their pace now, they passed through several groups +numbering hundreds; the people, who were non-combatants, gathered in +the hope of plunder, giving way at once at the bold advance of the +little band of spearmen, and following at a distance for some hundreds +of yards before halting, for there in front were the outer walls. + +Before they reached these, as they loomed up in the darkness, the +gloom was cut in many directions by flashes of light, and there was +once more the loud, sputtering fire of the defenders, who were still +safe and keeping their enemies at bay. + +The firing seemed to inspire the little party with renewed eagerness, +and at a word from Sree they broke into a trot, following an avenue of +palms which led right up to the wall, where there was a little, +strongly-made gate. + +Before reaching it, Sree called a halt, and there was a short debate. + +"The enemy must have broken open the gate," Phra whispered; "and they +are in the gardens." + +"Never mind," said Sree; "we must go on and try to get to the Great +Elephant gates." + +The next minute they found that they were wrong, for the little +doorway in the stone wall was fast, but directly after they found that +a couple of roughly-made bamboo ladders had been tied and placed +against the wall, up one of which Sree crept, Phra mounting the other, +followed by Harry, while Mr. Kenyon and the doctor followed Sree. + +Then the first check came. There was a sharp movement, the staves of +spears rattled on the other side, and a voice challenged them with the +question where they were going. + +"To help take the palace, of course," said Sree sharply. + +There was a laugh. + +"Over with you, then," said the man who challenged; "but you will not +all come back." + +Sree made a show of hesitating. + +"What, is it a hard fight?" he said. + +"Yes; hundreds have been shot down as fast as they tried to climb the +gates. What! Are you afraid?" + +"Afraid? No," said Sree, seating himself on the top of the wall. + +The man laughed again, and his laugh was echoed by what sounded like a +score of companions. + +"There, don't shirk it," said the man in command. "You must take your +chance, and there'll be plenty of loot for those who are first in." + +"Then why don't you go?" growled Sree. + +"Because we're ordered to stop here by our leader. Come, over with +you." + +Sree hesitated for a moment or two. + +"They can't see to shoot in the dark," he said; and calling on his +party to follow, he hurried down the ladder on the other side, +followed by the rest, and receiving an encouraging cheer from the +enemy. Phra stepped to Sree's side and guided the party by the most +direct path towards the gates they sought. + +Naturally it was familiar enough to Harry, but it seemed strange and +terrible as they approached the great bronze gates behind which a +little party of their friends had evidently entrenched themselves and +kept up a fire whenever a party of the enemy dashed up to thrust with +their spears through the open work of the barrier. + +Harry had instant warning of the danger of their position in the +bullets which came whistling by, but a word of warning from Sree made +the new-comers strike off to the left, where they were out of the line +of fire; while now the boy made out, more by the murmuring of voices +than by the eye, that the rebels, in two strong bodies, had grouped +themselves on either side of the opening for safety, and from one or +the other of these a little party kept on dashing up to the front, +shouting defiance and trying to alarm the defenders in the hope of +driving them back, so that the gates might be climbed. + +This was evidently the principle upon which the attack had been +carried on--a desultory, useless plan so long as the defenders stood +firm. In fact, there was no discipline, no cohesion in the attacking +force, no mutual dependence; merely the hand-to-hand fighting of a +barbarous people, and the result could be heard in the many sighs and +groans which came from where the wounded had been carried or had +dragged themselves out of the line of fire. + +There was the humming crowd in the darkness just in front, and a few +steps would have taken Mr. Kenyon's party right amongst them; but no +one heeded the new-comers, and once more the leaders drew together to +consult. + +"We can do nothing here," whispered Phra. "If we were not shot down by +our friends, we could not sham dead. Look there, we should be seen." + +For now there was a flash of light, and a blazing mass of fire, +somewhat after the fashion of a blue light, came flying over the gate, +to fall twenty yards outside, and throw up the swarthy bodies of the +enemy like so many dark silhouettes, while a rapid burst of shots told +the reason for the light, several men having afforded good aim to the +defenders, and half a dozen dropping amidst groans and howls of rage. + +"Yes, it is impossible," whispered Mr. Kenyon in Siamese. "Is there no +place where we could climb this wall?" + +There was no reply for some moments, during which the blue light began +to burn out, and a man darted forward to trample upon it, but to his +cost, for two shots were fired, and in the expiring, pallid glare the +man was seen to stagger a few paces and then fall. + +A roar of rage followed this proof of the defenders' marksmanship, and +another rush was made at the gate by the maddened enemy, not in +obedience to any order, but every man acting upon his own impulse; and +amidst the roar of voices, the clattering of spears against the bronze +ornamentation, and the firing of the defenders, Sree uttered his low +hiss, and led the way with Phra away to the left, the latter plunging +directly after into a secluded walk close to the wall, where all was +completely deserted, and Harry felt that if they only had one of the +bamboo ladders they had so lately used, it would be perfectly easy to +climb up and drop within the palace courts. + +Their evasion was either not heeded, or merely looked upon as part of +an attempt to turn the defenders by means of a fresh attack; so the +little party crept silently along through the bushes which acted as a +blind to this part of the wall, above which a portion of the palace +rose. + +A sudden thought struck Harry, and, with his spear sloped back over +his shoulder, he pressed on quickly to the front. + +"Phra," he whispered, as he reached his friend, "the big tree." + +"Hist! Yes." + +In another minute they were all halted in the intense darkness close +up to the trunk of a huge tree whose boughs spread horizontally in +every direction, some overhanging the walls, a place familiar to +Harry; but as soon as he had realized Phra's intent he felt convinced +that the defenders would have taken steps to do away with so +vulnerable a part of their defence. + +For here it was quite possible to climb up the dwarfed trunk, crawl +along one of the enormous horizontal boughs, and drop down into the +open space between the wall and the palace. + +Phra had evidently the same idea; but upon searching round a little, +the bushes beneath rustling as he and Sree passed here and there, it +was evident that no saw had been at work, and in a whisper Sree +announced that he was going first to show the way. + +"The bough will bend down at the far end," whispered Phra, "and it +will not be so far to drop. Here, I will go first; I can climb." + +Amidst the almost breathless silence beneath the tree, Phra began to +mount, and Harry whispered that he would come next, just as a fresh +burst of firing, which sounded distant, arose. + +"You cannot climb, Sahib," whispered Sree; "your arm." + +"I _will_ climb," whispered back Harry. "Hold my spear." + +He passed the weapon to the old hunter, and followed Phra right up to +the fork, level with the top of the wall; and by that time his comrade +had nearly reached the wall, which was a couple of feet below the +great bough, when there was a bright flash from a window, the crashing +of a bullet through the branches of the tree, and almost +simultaneously a loud report. + +"Don't fire--don't fire! Friends!" cried Mr. Kenyon; but before the +words had passed his lips there was another report. + +"Who is it?" came now. + +"Kenyon, Cameron, and men to help," cried the doctor. + +"How are we to know that? Speak again." + +"Up with you, and over!" cried Mr. Kenyon angrily. "We shall have the +wretches round here directly. Quick, boys; get on, and drop!" + +There was no further opposition; the English was unmistakable, and the +two who had been at the window guarding the well-known weak spot, +descended from the barricaded window to help the new-comers, welcoming +each warmly as he descended. + +It was close work though, for, hearing the firing, a party of the +watchful enemy was attracted to the spot before all were over, the +last man and Sree--who had stayed to see all in safety before he +crossed the natural bridge--having to halt and engage in a sort of +duel with spears in the darkness, when from their crippled position in +the tree, matters would have gone ill with them but for the diversion +made by the defenders, who fired a little volley from the window, +which held the enemy in check till Sree was safe. + +"What an escape!" whispered Harry, as he caught the old hunter's arm +when he dropped into the narrow court. + +"Yes, Sahib; they came very near to stopping me from joining you; but +there, I'm used to such escapes. It is many times that I have been +nearly killed. But now some of us must stop here to keep the enemies +of the King away, for where we got over they will try to do the same." + +It was felt that no better way of defending the spot could be adopted +than that already in practice, and the two colonists, after warm +congratulations had passed between them and their friends, returned to +their position at the window, while Phra eagerly led his tiny +reinforcement round to the little court by the Elephant Gates, where +the small wing of the palace had been fortified as much as was +possible, and was being held by the King. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +FOR LIFE + + +It is needless to try and describe the meeting between Doctor Cameron +and his wife and friends, or that between Phra and his father, the +King. They were brief enough, and at a time when any moment they might +be called upon to take a final farewell, for the state of affairs was +very desperate in the palace, whose defenders were getting worn out by +the constantly recurring attacks. The coming then of the +reinforcement, trifling as it seemed, was hailed with the most intense +satisfaction, giving as it did fresh hope to the defenders when they +were beginning to despair. + +For the palace, with its extended walls, was too big for so small a +garrison to defend. + +In all there were not more than sixty people fit to bear arms, forty +being the white colonists, the remaining twenty officers and nobles +who had remained faithful to the King, and who had proved that they +were ready to lay down their lives in his defence and that of the +ladies who had been brought into the palace when the revolution first +broke out. + +Ten minutes after the reinforcements had reached the group of +defenders another attack was made; and now from the interior the boys +had a view of the way in which the enemy was made to suffer. + +For the King had cast aside all his quiet, studious ways, and was +fighting side by side with his defenders. It was he who had prepared +the light grenades by mixing up certain proportions of nitre, sulphur, +and antimony, ramming the powder into small vases, which one or other +of the gentlemen lit, and then hurled over the gate, throwing the +enemy into confusion and giving the little party of marksmen behind a +barricade that had been thrown up, a good opportunity for inflicting +loss upon the enemy who were thus time after time kept at bay and +disheartened, when a combined attack must have been fatal to the +defenders of the palace. + +And now as the two boys watched the firing, they realized more fully +how weak were the defences, and how easily the hundreds upon hundreds +of rebels swarming outside might have carried them by a brave attack, +when, unless they had been able to make a stand in the wing of the +palace, the besieged must have been crushed by weight of numbers. + +Harry had noticed this, inexperienced as he was; but it was further +impressed upon him by a whisper from Phra, who stood by him, double +gun in hand. + +"If their leader were to make one bold attack, Hal, we should be +driven inside, and then I'm afraid it would be all over." + +"There are a good many of them," said Harry evasively, "and it doesn't +seem nice shooting at people as if they were tigers." + +"They are tigers," said Phra fiercely. "They would kill us all." + +"Then we must treat them as tigers," said Harry coolly, "and shoot all +we can. Look here, the numbers are not so bad as they appear, because +one Englishman is as good as ten such fighting men as these, to put it +modestly; and you and your father and some of these here are half +English now; so we're stronger than we seem. I say, I don't feel as if +I want to know, it's so horrible; but I feel as if I ought to." + +"To know what?" + +"When the wretches burned the bungalow, did they--" + +"Look out!" panted Phra; "they're coming on to break down the gates." + +Phra was right, for by the light of the paper lanthorns, swinging on +high at the tops of spears, a dense crowd of the enemy could be dimly +seen surging up towards the opening with a dull, hoarse roar; and a +sharp order or two was given by some one who seemed to be in command. + +There was an order too given on the defenders' side, and as the foe +reached the gates and planted rough ladders there to climb up--this +being the first time they had been so daring in their attack, those +before having been confined to thrusting and throwing spears--a single +shot rang out, and then another. These were followed by a volley from +about a dozen pieces, but the assailants were not checked. Several +fell, but the others came on desperately, and in obedience to a word +from Sree the spearmen just brought in marched forward to stand close +behind the people firing, and about a dozen more drawn up by the +palace joined them. + +_Crash!_ + +Another volley, the bullets for the most part passing through the open +work of the gates; but still the enemy swarmed on. + +Just then a dark figure ran back to where the boys stood, gun in hand, +ready to fire. + +"Hal! Phra!" was whispered hoarsely; "if they get through and we are +driven back, don't wait to resist, but rush into one of the rooms at +once and fire through the open windows. We are all going to retreat +there." + +"Where is my father?" whispered Phra excitedly. + +"I don't know; I have not seen him for the last few minutes." + +"Ah! here he comes," cried Phra. + +"Stand away, boy!" cried the King excitedly, as he ran down the steps +from the palace entrance, bearing something in each hand spitting and +sparkling like a firework. + +Phra gave way at his father's command, but rushed after him to be +ready to defend him from injury; and, as if from a natural instinct, +Harry followed to defend his comrade, till they saw the King stop in +front of the gates, over which many of the enemy were climbing, some +to reach the ground unhurt, others to fall, shot down. + +As the King stopped there seemed to be a sea of fire about his head, +as he whirled one of the sparkling objects round; then it passed from +his hand, formed a tiny arc as it flew over the gate, and fell amongst +the crowd beyond. + +Another volley was fired now; but hardly had the flashes of the pieces +darted from the muzzles of the guns before the second fuze, sparkling +brightly, flew from the King's hand, forming another arc of +scintillating light as it cleared the gates and would have fallen +twenty feet or so beyond, but ere it reached the ground there was a +blinding flash, a tremendous concussion, which drove the boys back, +and a terrific roar. + +For a few moments there was dead silence, and then from the spot where +the first missile had fallen, apparently without effect, there was +another roar, followed by a rush of feet, cries, and groans, while +from within there were fierce yells and warlike shouts, mingled with +the clashing of spears, as about twenty of the enemy, who had +succeeded in getting over, made a rush. + +They were met, though, by the spearmen who had formed up to defend the +firing party, and a desperate conflict ensued, not a man surviving the +fierce defenders now freshly come upon the scene. + +A few groans, and the scuffling sound of men on the other side of the +gate crawling or being helped away, was now all that could be heard +save the peculiar murmur and tramp of the huge crowd of retiring men, +startled and checked for the time being by the new weapons of defence +which they had encountered for the first time. + +It was a respite, and after leaving a sufficient guard at the gate and +others on the wall, to give warning of another advance, the defenders +crowded up to the terrace steps, all talking together and +congratulating the King on what he had done. + +"Go in, half of you at a time, gentlemen, and eat and drink. This has +only checked them for the present." + +"Oh, they won't come back to-night, sir, surely?" cried a voice Harry +knew to be the doctor's, though it seemed strangely altered, so full +was it of exultation now. "But what were they--shells?" + +"Only a couple of canisters of powder," replied the King. "It was a +thought I had. I made a hole in each, and thrust in a roll of +touch-paper." + +"But, my dear sir, suppose they had exploded before they left your +hands?" cried the doctor excitedly. + +"Ah, then," said the King quietly, "then, Doctor--yes, it would have +been bad. I'm afraid I should have been beyond your power to cure. But +you must be worn out, Doctor," he added; "pray go in and get some +refreshments. You will find the ladies have everything ready in the +lower room." + +"Thanks, sir, no," said the doctor abruptly; "my mind's at rest now, +and I want to work. Where are the wounded being placed?" + +"In my son's rooms, Doctor. Thank you. You are right; but make some +one bring you coffee and whatever you require." + +"Oh, yes, sir, I'll take care," cried the doctor, and he hurried in, +while the King turned to Mr. Kenyon. + +"Ah, now I can speak with you, my friend," he said. "No, no, my boys, +you need not go," he added, as Phra and Harry were drawing back. "It +is sad work for you, but it is forced upon me. Now, Kenyon, you are +fresh, and I want your advice; you know how difficult a place this is +to defend. What do you say? Ought we not to retire into this part of +the palace now and defend ourselves from there? I have had every +window boarded up; we have plenty of ammunition, and the place is well +provisioned. There is water too. What do you think?" + +"I am not a soldier, sir," said Mr. Kenyon gravely. + +"No, but you are my friend, and it is a relief to hear your voice. +Speak." + +"I may say things that you, sir, would not like." + +"They will be the words of the man I have known and trusted these many +years," said the King--"the man I trust to be a second father to my +boy here if I fall." + +"Then for his sake, sir, I should say--I do not know that I am right, +but I speak as I think at the moment--would it not be better to seize +the opportunity of retreating now that the enemy have been checked for +the present?" + +"No, Kenyon," said the King firmly; "I have thought of that, but +everything is against it. I dislike this bloodshed, though the men who +fall are my cruel enemies who are thirsting for our blood; but I am +king here, and when I die, my son must be king in my place. I have +done nothing but good for my people, and because they have been raised +against me by treacherous foes, I will not be coward enough to go." + +"Your situation is desperate, sir, and there are all my friends here, +who, trusting to my advice and to your promises, are now in terrible +peril." + +"It is that, Kenyon, which makes me firmer and more determined to +stay. Think, my friend; suppose I say we will retreat. There is the +jungle, into which we must take the delicate women. There are +elephants enough to bear them all. What about food, and how could we +defend them there? We should all be killed." + +"Yes," said Mr. Kenyon; "but the river?" + +"The enemy is master there, and has all the boats. But even if we had +two, we should be at a terrible disadvantage, and could only try to +reach some foreign ship. But they would beat us there. No, we want +strong walls to fight behind." + +"You are right, sir," said Mr. Kenyon; "but I would not retreat inside +after what has taken place to-night." + +"We are wearied out with fighting," said the King sadly. + +"But the enemy is dispirited to-night, and I venture to think that +they will not attack again till morning. Better let us who have come +freshly try to strengthen the defences by the gate." + +"Nothing can be done there; better strengthen this part of the palace. +There are weak places yet." + +"Very well, sir; we will do that; and to-night we will watch while you +and the others rest. It seems to me too that the powder canisters +produced more effect than the firing of all our friends. Why should we +not make a mine?" + +"A mine? I do not understand." + +"A hollow somewhere in front of the gate, say a dozen yards away; +charge it with a small keg of powder, and I think I can contrive a +plan for firing it by means of a wire laid underground. The keg, too, +will be covered, and the enemy will not know. It would produce a +terrible effect when they crowded up to the next attack. The idea is +horrible, but it is in defence of all." + +"It would be ten times as horrible for us to fall, and the poor women +to be brutally massacred by these mad wretches. Can you do this, +Kenyon?" + +"I can, sir. I will do it in two places, so that if one fails the +other will be sure." + +"Hah!" ejaculated the King. "Kenyon, old friend, you make me feel +strong again, and as if you and the boys have brought me hope in my +hour of despair." + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +THE POWDER MINE + + +"Had a good sleep, Hal?" + +Harry sat up with a sudden start from the cushioned seat upon which he +had been lying in the open hall of the King's palace, to find the +doctor grimly smiling down. His second glance was at a great, +grotesque, bronze figure looming up over him, and his third at Phra, +who was lying on his back with his lips apart, sleeping heavily. + +"Have--have I been asleep?" he stammered. + +"Fast as a top, boy." + +"But--but I thought we were in the boat up in the jungle, and--" + +"We're here in the palace instead. How's your arm?" + +"My arm?" said Harry wonderingly; "I don't know." + +"Not very bad, then, old fellow." + +"Oh, I recollect now. Here, I'd no business to go to sleep. I ought to +have been watching." + +"No, you ought not; the King told me that he had sent you boys to lie +down." + +"Yes, of course, he did," said the lad excitedly; "but oh, what a +shame for us to be sleeping here at such a time! I say, has there been +any more fighting?" + +"Not a bit. The ruffians were sickened by those two boxes of powder +they had." + +"Oh, I am glad. But I say, Doctor Cameron, how is your wife?" + +"Quite well, Hal. She has gone to lie down for a good sleep." + +"What, has she been up all night?" + +"Yes, helping me with the wounded." + +"Oh, what a good woman she is!" cried Harry enthusiastically. + +"Right, Hal," cried the doctor merrily. "Bless her! she is." + +"And I do feel such a lazy pig! You two hard at work all night, and +I've been snoring here like old Phra." + +"So as to be ready to work hard to-day. It's all right, my boy." + +"I say, doctor, you do look well and jolly to-day; any one would think +we were not in trouble," said Harry gravely. + +"Trouble, boy? I feel as if there was no trouble in the world." + +"Yes, I understand," said Harry slowly. "You must feel relieved to +have got back to Mrs. Cameron and found her safe and well. But I say, +do you think we can beat these wretches off?" + +"Think? No. We are going to do it, my lad." + +"So we are," cried Harry. "Here, let's wake up old lazy-bones." + +Boys will be boys, thanks to the grand elasticity of their nature. +Over night Harry had felt like a serious man, but the night's rest and +the doctor's hopeful words made him feel as full of light-heartedness +as if there were not an enemy within a thousand miles. + +Catching up the first thing near, a peacock's feather from a huge +bunch in a massive bronze vase, he went behind Phra's head and gently +inserted the quill end between the sleeper's lips. + +There was no response, so the act was repeated, and Phra's teeth +closed with a snap on the quill, which Harry released. Then the boy's +eyes opened, and he lay staring at the waving plume standing straight +up above him, raised his hand, took hold of it, and gave it a tug, but +it was fast. He gave it another tug, discovered that it was held in +his teeth, and sat up facing the doctor. + +"Did you do that?" he cried. + +"I? No." + +"Then it was one of Hal's childish games. Oh, there you are! Here: +have I been asleep? Yes, father told me to lie down. Oh, tell me, has +the enemy come on again?" + +"No, it's all right, old chap. I say, aren't you hungry?" + +"Hungry? No. Where is my father. Doctor?" + +"I don't know; he was with me just now, looking at the wounded." + +The colour came a little in Harry's cheeks, for the thought struck him +that he had not asked after his own father. + +"How are the wounded, Doctor?" said Phra. + +"All doing well, my dear boy. Now then, shall I prescribe for you +two?" + +"No, no; we don't want anything," cried the boys in a breath. + +"Yes, you do, both of you--washing. Go and tidy yourselves up, and by +that time there will be a regular comfortable breakfast ready. The +ladies and Mike have been busy this hour past. If we are to fight, we +must eat." + +The doctor walked away, and Phra turned to Harry. + +"If we get over this trouble, Hal," he said solemnly, "I'll punch your +head for playing me that stupid trick." + +"Do, old chap--if you can," cried the boy; "but I say, is my face +dirty?" + +"Horribly. Is mine?" + +"Well," said Harry, frowning and looking very serious, "one could +hardly call it dirty, but there's a black smudge across one cheek, and +a dab on your forehead, and three black finger marks on your nose." + +"Nonsense!" + +"Quite true, old chap. You must have been painting your face with your +gunpowdery fingers." + +"Come to my bedroom then, and let's have a good wash." + +Harry followed willingly, for he felt as if the operation would be +delightful, and the next minute they were in the young prince's +thoroughly English-looking bedroom, though it did not look at its +best, for the curtains had been dragged aside, heavy boards nailed +across the lower part of the window like a breastwork, and a couple of +stout mattresses fixed up within the boards to make them less +vulnerable to bullet or spear. But the rest of the room was as it +should be, and a quarter of an hour was pleasantly spent with soap, +water, towels, and brushes. + +"Hah!" ejaculated Harry at last; "that was a treat; but I should have +liked a regular bath." + +"Let's whip the rebels first," said Phra, who looked bright and +refreshed. "Come and have breakfast." + +He led the way to the handsome saloon where the table was spread, and +Mike was busy arranging a few things and looking clean and smart--even +to being fresh shaved--as if nothing were wrong. + +But the boys only glanced at him, and were directly after being warmly +greeted by plenty of familiar friends. For about half the white +defenders were gathered there, while the other half were on guard +keeping careful watch. There was not a single enemy to be seen, though +Sree and two men who had been scouting at daybreak had returned to +announce that there were a great many of the rebels in hiding among +the bushes and trees just beyond the outer wall, especially outside +the grounds, as if to take care that no one should escape from the +palace, where they were hemmed in. + +A minute later the King came in with about half a dozen of the +faithful officials, Mr. Kenyon, and the doctor. + +His Majesty smilingly greeted all his white friends, and crossed then +to the boys, with whom he shook hands warmly, after which the +excellent breakfast was discussed, during which the King turned to Mr. +Kenyon. + +"We could not fare like this, my friend," he said, "if we took to the +jungle or a boat." + +"No, sir, no," replied Mr. Kenyon quickly. "I spoke last night on the +impulse of the moment, but I have since thought that my idea was +impracticable. I've been all about this wing of the palace too this +morning, and I feel satisfied that we can hold it as long as we like +if we do a little more to the defences. I'll talk with you, though, +after breakfast." + +The change from the hopeless despair of the past night was strange, +and before long the two boys began to long for an opportunity to leave +the table, for the disposition among their friends whom they had +rejoined seemed to be one of crediting them with completely altering +the state of affairs and making them the heroes of the hour. + +At last the opportunity came, for the King rose, and those who had +breakfasted hurried away to take the places of the guard. + +"Let's slip out this way," said Harry, "or we shall meet the others as +they come in, and I'm sick of it. Such rubbish! Why, it was all +father, Sree, and you." + +"Old Sree deserves pretty well all the credit," agreed Phra. "Let's go +and see where he is." + +They soon found him and Lahn on their way back from the gate, and +hurried them in to where Mike had a second breakfast waiting, the old +hunter smiling with content at the genuine eagerness the two lads +displayed in regard to his comfort. + +But before they had been there long Mike hurried in from attending on +the second party at the King's table, to see that his native friends, +as he called them, were all right. + +"Of course we shall beat the enemy, Master Harry," he said; "but I had +a look out from the top of the palace as soon as the sun rose, and you +could see hundreds of thousands of them down by the river." + +"Millions, Mike," cried Harry. + +"Ah, you may laugh, sir, but there's an awful lot. Seems too many for +us to beat, but we've got to do it, I suppose." + +"Yes," said Sree, smiling, "we have got to beat them; but they will +not come on all at once." + +"How many shots did you fire last night, Mike?" said Harry +banteringly. + +"I didn't count, sir," said the man quietly; "you see, I got so +excited. Didn't feel half so scared as I thought I should. Hands +trembled a bit first time I pulled the trigger, but they didn't +afterwards. I suppose I was too busy." + +"Didn't you count your cartridges?" + +"No, sir. I took a belt full, and some in my pockets." + +"And how many did you bring back?" asked Phra. + +"None at all, sir." + +"Michael was between Lahn and the sahibs," said Sree quietly, "and I +hope he will fight by our sides the next time the enemy come on. I +like to be fighting with a brave Englishman at my side." + +"Yes, sir; coming, sir," cried Mike, and he ran out of the room, with +a very red face. + +"Did any one call?" said Phra. + +"No, it was his gammon, so as to get away," said Harry. "I say, Sree, +no nonsense. Old Mike didn't fight like that, did he?" + +"Oh, yes, Sahib; no one could have been more brave and cool. I did not +expect it. I always thought he was what you English people call a +coward." + +"I say, Phra, what a shame to laugh at him like that!" + +"Yes, but you began it." + +"Oh, that I didn't," cried Harry. "Never mind, we'll go halves; I'll +take my share of the blame." + +"Are you lads in there?" cried Mr. Kenyon. + +"Yes, father," cried Harry. + +"You may as well come with me. Ah, Sree, meet me in half an hour's +time by the great gates; bring the men who came with us, and we shall +want spears." + +"Yes, Sahib," said Sree, rising. + +"No, no; finish your meal first, my man. There is plenty of time." + +The King, with several of his followers, was in the great hall; and +after Mr. Kenyon had gone round with the party to the several windows +to see what more could be done by way of strengthening them and making +more loop-holes for firing from, they were led to the vault-like +arrangement beneath, where, dimly lit by slits in the thick wall, the +ammunition stored up lay ready to hand. + +Everything was in good order, and in addition to chests of +cartridges--an ample supply--there were two perfectly new stands of +rifles, with bayonets attached, while the other end was stacked with +provisions, barrels of flour, boxes of biscuits, chests of tea, and +bags of coffee and sugar--an ample store, the water supply being +furnished from a spigot fitted to a bamboo pipe connected with a +reservoir right away in the higher part of the grounds. + +Two small kegs of gunpowder were carried up into the hall, Mr. Kenyon +taking up one and the King the other; but in an instant Harry had +relieved his father of his load, and Phra had taken the King's. + +These being placed ready by the door opening on to the steps, the +party, at Mr. Kenyon's request, ascended to the roof, where Harry's +father explained his wishes; namely, that an ample supply of food, +water, and ammunition should be brought up there ready for use, if at +the last they were driven from the ground floor to the rooms above, +and from there to taking refuge on the top, each floor forming a +stronghold. + +"And if it comes to the worst, Kenyon," said the King gravely-- + +"If it comes to the worst, sir," replied Mr. Kenyon solemnly, "we must +not let ourselves and those we love fall into the hands of these +wretches." + +"No," said the King, with his eyes flashing. "What would you do?" + +"I propose, sir," said Mr. Kenyon, "that a sufficiency of the powder +be placed ready below, and with that I shall make an arrangement +through which, on the firing of a gun by means of a wire brought up +here, the place can be blown up, and our enemies perish with us." + +"Yes," said the King. "Good." + +Harry and Phra exchanged glances, and then they shuddered. + +Sree was waiting with the men when they descended to the terrace, +where, refreshed by their meal, the second party had assembled, ready +for anything that might happen that day; eager also to see what Mr. +Kenyon and the doctor would suggest. + +The first thing done was to send scouts once more to try and find out +whether an advance was being prepared. While they were absent, Mr. +Kenyon, after explaining to the King his plans, asked for the gates to +be opened, so that he and his men could pass out with an advance guard +of about twenty, to screen as well as protect them while the mine was +prepared. + +The distance was so short that there was no scruple about the gates +being unclosed, though both Harry and Phra looked upon the posting of +the guard across the pathway outside the defences as being like a +defiance and invitation to the enemy in one, and Harry told his father +their thoughts. + +"Exactly what I thought myself, Hal, but it must be done; and what I +hope they will think is that we have become emboldened by the defeat +we gave them last night, and have advanced to meet them in fair fight +outside." + +"They will be watching, of course," said Phra. + +"Yes, and that is why I have placed the men to cover us. No more +words. Now to get the mines made as quickly as possible." + +There was this difficulty in making the mines: to be effective, it was +necessary that they should be as near the gates as possible, for there +the greater part of the enemy would crowd to the attack; but if they +were too close, they might blow down the defences and inflict injury +upon their friends; while if they were too far off, they would be +ineffective from the attacking party being few. + +The only thing to be done was to choose the medium way, and the men +were set to work to dig two small, deep holes, each capable of holding +one of the powder kegs, and in each case the head was taken out before +it was laid upon its side. But previously a narrow trench of about a +foot in depth was dug, leading from the head of the cask right in +through the gates. This finished, stout matting was laid over the keg +and a loaded gun placed in the trench, already cocked, so that when +the trigger was pulled by means of a wire, the flash from the gun +would explode the powder. Then the wire was run through a number of +large bamboos such as were used--after boring through the +divisions--for water, and these were laid along the trench and through +the gateway. + +The result of this was that when the wire was pulled it would run +easily and not be checked by the earth with which the trench was again +to be filled, so that, the wire being attached to the trigger of the +gun, the mine could be sprung in safety by those within the gates. + +The preparations took some time, the arrangement of the bamboos +causing a good deal of trouble. But all this was satisfactorily +overcome at last, the trenches filled and trampled down so as not to +betray the danger; the kegs were covered in as well, the ground +levelled, and dust and stones thrown over. Nothing remained to be done +but to attach the wires to the triggers, lay boards over the guns from +beneath the matting which covered the powder to the bamboos, and then +fill in and level over the boards. + +"Who is going to do this, father?" said Harry, who had stood by +looking on all through. + +"Do what?" + +"Fasten the wires to the triggers." + +"I am, my boy," said Mr. Kenyon, through his teeth. + +"But suppose the guns went off?" + +"I am going to provide against that," said Mr. Kenyon firmly, and he +ordered the men who formed the screen and guard to advance fifty paces +towards the enemy and away from the mines. + +"But it will be very dangerous, father." + +"Very, Hal; and I want careful guard to be kept over the ends of the +wires within the gates, so that they shall not be touched. You and +Phra had better take that duty." + +"No, don't send me to do that, father," said Harry in rather a husky +tone of voice. "I want to stay and help you." + +"No one can help me, Hal; no one can do this but myself." + +"But, father," whispered the boy, in agonized tones, "suppose--" + +"I will suppose nothing, Hal," said Mr. Kenyon sternly. "It is very +dangerous work, and I dare trust no one but myself. Now obey me, and +remember that my life is in you boys' hands. No one must touch the end +of those wires. Phra, you hear?" + +"Yes, Mr. Kenyon, but I feel like Hal. We don't like to leave you." + +"I am going to help the Sahib," said Sree quietly from where he stood, +spade in hand. + +"No, Sree; the task is too dangerous. Go with my son." + +"The Sahib will want help to fill in the earth over the boards; there +is much to do, and his servant begs that he may share the danger with +the Sahib." + +"You know the risk." + +"Yes, Sahib," said the man calmly. + +"Then stay." + +"Hah!" ejaculated the old hunter, in a sigh of satisfaction, and he +smiled as Mr. Kenyon held out his hand and took his follower's in a +strong grip. + +Then turning to the men who had helped with the digging: + +"Follow my son and the Prince inside.--Now, Hal, you know your task." + +"Yes, father," said Harry, with his brow all in wrinkles and his teeth +set; and, leading the way, his first act was to order every one back +from the ends of the wires, which he made the men protect by building +a ring of big stones around them--stones which had been used to form +the breastwork from behind which the defenders had fired. + +As he looked up from this he saw that his father was waiting and +watching; and now seeing that all was ready, he waved his hand to the +boys and went down on one knee, Sree standing close by with one foot +resting upon his spade. + +"Why is he left alone, Phra?" asked a familiar voice, for the King had +come up to the breastwork to see how matters were progressing. + +Phra explained, but in the midst Harry interrupted: + +"It is horribly dangerous, sir, and my father told us to keep every +one back in case the powder exploded." + +"Then why do you stand there with my son in such peril, boy?" + +"Because I can't leave my father," said Harry, in a choking voice. + +"Then you, Phra?" said the King. + +"I cannot leave my friend," said Phra hoarsely. + +"I forgot," said the King quietly; "and you both have your duty to do +in guarding the ends of those wires. Hal, boy, your father is a brave +man, and he is doing this to save my kingdom to me and our lives for +us all. I too, Phra, my son, feel that I cannot leave my friend." + +As he finished speaking he turned and walked slowly towards where Mr. +Kenyon was still kneeling over his dangerous task; and as the King +reached the place it was just as the wire had been successfully looped +over the trigger and tied so that it could not slip, when Mr. Kenyon +covered his work with a board whose sides rested on two ledges left +for the purpose high above the gun. + +"Fill in, Sree," he said quietly.--"You here, sir? Go back! Go back! I +cannot answer for this. The slightest touch, and the powder will +explode." + +"You order me, Kenyon, your friend. I, the King, command you. Go on; +finish the other now." + +"But the danger, sir," said Mr. Kenyon, upon whose brow the moisture +stood in great drops. + +"I will share it with you," said the King calmly. "Go on." + +Mr. Kenyon seized another spade, and helped in the covering in and +levelling of the short piece of trench, while those who watched from +the gate were in expectation moment by moment of seeing the earth rent +asunder and the three standing before them torn to fragments by the +explosion. + +They were horrible moments, and the two boys could hardly breathe, +while their hearts kept up a painful throb, as if unable to fight +against the heavy pressure which kept them down. + +The time seemed, too, so very long, as Mr. Kenyon once more went down +upon his left knee and carefully passed the second wire loop over the +trigger of the other gun, tied it there with fingers that did not +tremble in the least, and then took the board, laid it carefully upon +the ledges, and rose to help Sree to throw in the earth and stones. + +The King had followed them there as well, and stood with his arms +folded across his chest, looking proud and defiant--more like a king, +Harry thought, than he had ever appeared when upon state occasions he +had mounted one of his elephants, a blaze of cloth of gold and jewels, +to take his seat in a howdah which was a resplendent throne. + +"At last!" said Harry, speaking unconsciously, for the heroic deed was +done; but there was no triumph in the boy's tones, his voice sounded +like a groan; and upon turning to glance at Phra he was startled for +the moment, his comrade's face and lips were so clayey looking and +strange. + +Sree had shouldered the tools, and at an order walked slowly back, the +King and Mr. Kenyon coming next, the former with his hand resting upon +his English friend's shoulder; and as they reached the gateway the +boys were startled by the rush of feet behind them. + +The sounds brought them back to the duty they were set, and darting +before the wires, they raised their guns to the "ready," and shouted, +"Back!" + +The sudden movement of the two lads had an instant effect upon the +body of armed men, who for days past had been as it were under +military rule. They stopped short, but only to raise gun, spear, or +cap high above their heads and burst forth into a stentorian cheer, +which was echoed by the little body of men fifty yards on the other +side of the deadly mines. + +As his brave defenders cheered again the King bowed, and with a quick +movement fell back behind Mr. Kenyon, seeming to thrust him forward to +receive the acclamations which rent the air again and again. + +Then as they passed in amongst the defenders, with Mr. Kenyon's face +showing in its marble sternness the tremendous emotion through which +he had passed, Harry reached out one hand and touched his arm, to have +it grasped and wrung before he went on with the King towards the +terrace entrance. + +"Oh, Hal," panted Phra half hysterically, "don't you feel proud?" + +"Proud?" cried Harry wildly. "Oh, I wish we were not obliged to stay +here. Ah!" he half yelled; "there he is! I must do something. Hi! +everybody," he yelped, "three cheers for old Sree." + +The cheers were given again and again, and when at a sign the guards +outside marched back in two parties, single file, one on each side of +the mines, the cheering burst forth again, and was kept up till the +last man was within, a final roar being given when the gates were shut +to and firmly secured. + +"Beaten, Phra?" cried Harry excitedly, but with something in his +throat; "who's going to be beaten? Here, I say, if we were free, do +you know what we'd do?" + +"I should like to go and shut myself in my room and cry," said Phra +simply. + +"Cry?" said Harry, turning angrily upon his comrade; "cry? What, like +a great, silly goose of a girl?" + +"Yes," said Phra gravely; "that's how I feel." + +"Cry?" said Harry again. "Bah! I feel as if I want to shout." + +"But your eyes look quite wet, and there's a cracked sound in your +voice." + +"It's with shouting so, and the sun being in one's face." + +"Yes," said Phra, with a wistful look and a smile. "I know, Hal. But +what should we do if we were free?" + +"Go and hoist the flags on the top of the palace." + +"Yes," cried Phra eagerly, "we will, and the British colours too." + +The boys were relieved in an hour's time, when Mr. Kenyon came out +with the King to superintend a piece of strong breastwork being built +up round the spot where the two wires lay; and when this was done, +fresh guards were set. Soon after, another cheer arose from the top of +the palace, to be taken up by those in the court below and wherever +the defenders were distributed, for the boys had kept their word and +hoisted the King's gay, silken standard and the Union Jack side by +side. + +"It seems as if we've frightened the enemy all away, Phra," said +Harry, as he shaded his eyes and gazed from his point of vantage in +every direction. + +"Yes," said Phra, who was following his example; "there isn't one to +be seen." + +"Hurrah!" shouted Harry. + +"But it's a bad sign," said Phra; "they mean to come on again quietly +to-night." + +"Then they'll never see where the ground has been dug," said Harry, +"and--oh, I say, Phra, I hope they will not come; it seems so horrid, +after all." + +"But if it's to save our fathers and our friends from a horrible +death, I'll pull one of the wires." + +"Yes," cried Harry, flushing, and with sparkling eyes, "and so will I. +But I hope they'll stay away." + +"Amen," said a voice behind them. + +Mr. Kenyon had come up with the King, each telescope in hand, and +unobserved. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +SAVING THE STORES + + +There was no sign to be made out of anything in the shape of immediate +danger from the top of the palace, and the party soon descended to +some of the more immediate trouble. + +For there were the wounded to visit and to try to cheer, encouraging +them with hopeful words about the future, Mr. Kenyon laying a good +deal of stress upon the possibilities of help coming ere long from +outside as the result of his message sent by Adong; and as Harry went +through the room turned into a hospital, he could not help noticing +the effect of his father's words, and the way in which the sufferers' +eyes brightened at the very mention of a British man-o'-war. + +Then there was another matter to set right. There was an ample supply +of provisions in the palace stores, so long as they were not forced by +the enemy to keep merely to the one wing; and even if they were, the +King had seen that there was a fortnight's provender for all; but +there was another little party shut up with them for whom provision +had been made, but whose proceedings were so wholesale that it was +evident something must be done. + +A little council of war was held, the King being careful not to wound +the susceptibilities of his English friends by taking any steps +without consulting them. + +And as the matter in question was discussed he said,-- + +"I took care to keep the elephants, thinking that possibly we might +have to escape to the jungle, when they would be invaluable for the +ladies; but on further consideration it seems that they are only a +useless encumbrance to us. They eat enormously, and to-morrow we +should have to let them commence upon the stores of grain which we may +require for ourselves." + +"And you propose now, sir, to set them at liberty to shift for +themselves?" said one of the gentlemen present. + +"Yes, they would get their own living in the jungle, and in happier +days to come, perhaps, they might be caught again." + +"It is a pity," said Mr. Kenyon. "Let me see; there are ten, and all +magnificent beasts." + +"Eleven," said Harry promptly. + +"Yes--eleven," said the King; "and they are the finest that the wild +droves supplied. I think we must let them go at once." + +"Yes," said Mr. Kenyon, "and perhaps it is only hastening the loss, +for if the enemy gain possession of the grounds and outer court, of +course we lose them then." + +"Yes, they had better go at once," said the King with a sigh, which +was echoed by his son, while Harry directed an angry look at his +father. + +"What does that mean, Hal?" said Mr. Kenyon. + +"I'd sooner go without half my food every day than the elephants +should be given up," cried the boy impetuously, "and so would Phra." + +"I believe you," said the King, smiling; "but even the whole of your +daily food would not go far with one of the beasts. They might be +turned into the grounds between the river and the outer wall, but it +would only be for them to destroy and starve. They must be set at +liberty at once while there is an opportunity. The great gate in the +outer wall near the river must be opened. Mr. Kenyon, send men in +advance to see if the enemy are away from that part too, and then, +with a strong party to guard against surprise, we can have them led +out, and the gates re-closed." + +Scouts were sent at once, and a strong guard numbered off, while, as +the mahouts had fled with the rest, the task of leading the elephants +from their great stables was deputed to Sree and his man, Lahn, and in +spite of their sorrow at the magnificent troop being sent off to +resume their wild state, the two boys eagerly seized upon the event as +a fresh diversion from the troubles by which they were surrounded. + +Harry was all excitement directly. + +"Never mind, old chap," he cried; "let the poor beggars go. It's bad +enough to feel hungry for any one my size. As for an elephant who eats +so much, it must be quite awful." + +"I don't like Sul to go," said Phra. + +"I don't either, but cheer up; we shall soon whop the enemy, and make +prisoners of Mr. Number Two and the leaders of the riot, and have a +good day settling up this little trouble; and then we'll get old Sree +and his two boys, and have days and days of elephant catching. Oh, the +row will soon be over now." + +Phra sighed, but he knew the necessities of the case, and joined in +the business heart and soul. + +Sree was as ready to perform this duty as to dig and charge mines, and +as soon as the guard was ready, and the scouts had returned to +announce that the coast was quite clear, a party went to the elephant +stables, where Sree and Lahn went busily to work cutting off the +shackles from the great beasts' hind legs, where they stood shaking +their heads, waving their trunks, and trumpeting in an uneasy way +which announced their desire for more food; while as soon as they were +all free, Sree and the boys went to Sul's head, the great beast was +ordered to kneel, a ladder brought, and the hunter climbed into the +mahout's place. Then at a word the great animal rose and started off, +with the others following in a docile fashion, which seemed to suggest +that they comprehended what was going on. + +Harry had provided himself for the occasion, and when the little +procession started, he and Phra placed themselves on either side of +the great leader's head feeding him with biscuits, his trunk being +turned alternately from one lad to the other in search of their +offerings as he shuffled away, blinking his eyes and uttering a low +"chuntering" sound, as if talking all the time. + +"He's asking if we're going out after tigers," said Harry, laughing. + +"Not he," said Phra; "he knows he's going off for a run in the forest, +and the others know it too." + +"Nonsense!" + +"I don't care: they do," said Phra. "If they didn't they'd be rushing +about here and there to begin breaking off and eating the green +boughs." + +The first gate was passed, leading from the court into the outer +grounds, and almost in silence the great beasts shuffled along in +single file, treading with absurd exactness in each other's steps, +while the guard on being overtaken, trotted on in advance till the +outer wall was reached, with a couple of men perched on the top of the +ponderous gates keeping a look-out. + +At a word from Sree the great elephant he rode stopped and knelt, +extending his trunk for a foothold, so that his temporary mahout could +climb down. + +Meanwhile four men of the guard had leaned their spears against the +wall, raised and swung round the massive bars, and then after a great +deal of tugging managed to drag open one of the double gates, beyond +which lay open paddy fields, and on the other side the wild jungle, +the river being away to their right. + +"Good-bye, Sul," cried Harry, and the elephant turned his trunk for +another biscuit. "There you are--the last, perhaps, that I shall ever +give you." + +The elephant turned his trunk under and tucked the biscuit into his +huge, wet mouth, then extended his flexible proboscis for more. + +But there were no more, and the silent, visible request to Phra made +in turn was just as unsuccessful. + +"There, Sree," cried Phra huskily, "tell them to go." + +Sree took a step forward and repeated a few words in his native +tongue, with the result that Sul threw up his trunk and made a +peculiar noise, which was responded to by one of the elephants behind, +and then he went off with a rush, squealing, trumpeting, and setting +up his comical little tail; and the troop followed suit, getting over +the ground at a tremendous pace and making straight for the jungle. + +"Well, it has made them happy," said Harry, looking after the troop +wistfully. + +"Yes, they're glad enough to get away from the poor wretches doomed to +be killed," said Phra bitterly. + +"Doomed to be smothered!" cried Harry sharply. "What nonsense! Look at +them. Just like a lot of children let out for a run." + +"We shall never see old Sul again," sighed Phra. + +"Not if we stand here like this," replied Harry. "Do you see why the +elephants rushed off so quickly just now?" + +"No. They are glad of their liberty, perhaps, and the chance of +getting plenty to eat." + +"No; they smelt danger." + +"Danger? Where?" + +"Out yonder to the left. I caught a glimpse of the tops of spears +twinkling in the sun." + +"Where? I can see nothing." + +"Because you are not looking the right way. Over there, where there +must be a deep ditch between two of the rice fields. Yes, there's a +long line of twinkling spear tops. They've seen the place opened and +the elephants let out, and they're trying to sneak up along that dyke +and rush in before we can shut the gate." + +"Yes, quick, quick!" cried Sree; and setting the example, which half a +dozen followed, amongst them the gate was being pushed to, Harry +getting a farewell glance at the troop of elephants as they +disappeared through the edge of the jungle. + +Those who closed the gate were none too soon, for, unseen, another +party had crept up close to the now unwatched wall, the scouts having +descended as soon as the guard arrived; and just as the distance +between the two great leaves of the gates was being reduced to a mere +slit, a spear was thrust through. + +Then _crack, crack_, the edge of the gate caught it and snapped the +bamboo shaft in two, the bright, sharp head falling inside. + +"More help!" shouted Sree, for there was a rush of men to force the +gate open again; but the defenders being reinforced, the leaves were +held together till one of the huge bars was thrust into its place, and +a savage yelling ensued, followed by a little shower of spears which +had been darted nearly straight upward and fell amongst the defenders. + +The weapons of these latter were too valuable to be used in this +manner; but while the final efforts were being made to secure the +ponderous means of exit, two of the men pulled the quivering shafts +out of the ground, and sent them flying back in the same way, +repeating the act till a sharp cry from outside told that one of the +attacking party had been hurt. + +"Better run back, sahibs," said Sree now, as the babble of voices +outside increased suddenly, telling that the party which had been +detected creeping along the dyke had now joined those who came by the +wall. + +"Yes, there's nothing to be gained by staying here," said Phra. "We +couldn't keep them back if they had ladders to climb over." + +Just then there was a shot from the direction of the palace, and the +puff of smoke showed where it had been fired. + +"Fighting begun?" cried Harry. + +"No," said Phra; "a signal for us to run back. Come on." + +Phra was right, for their proceedings had been watched from the top of +the palace by means of a glass, and hence as soon as the gate had been +seen to be secure the signal was fired to call them back. + +They were met by Mr. Kenyon, glass in hand, as they ran up. + +"I was watching you from the top there," he said. + +"Didn't you see the spears as the men came along the ditch?" asked +Phra. + +"No, or I should have sent help at once. Of course I could not detect +the men coming up under shelter of the wall. Well, we have done two +good things to-day: got rid of those devourers of our stores, and +found out that the enemy are hiding about the country beyond the +walls." + +"Think they are on this side too, father?" asked Harry. + +"I feel sure they are, my boy. They lie all along a loop whose two +ends rest on the river's bank, while their boats guard the terrace and +landing-place as well. This means fresh attacks as soon as they have +recovered from the check they have just received." + +"But why don't they attack us from some other side--come over the +walls?" said Harry. + +"It does not seem to be their way. Yonder is the main way into the +palace, and they commenced by attacking there; but perhaps they will +try fresh plans now. I am, with the King's permission, going to +strengthen one weak part, though, before night comes." + +"Which is that?" asked Phra. + +"The one where we managed to get in," replied Mr. Kenyon. "Here, Sree, +are you willing, if I have you well supported, to get up into that +tree and cut off all the boughs which project over the wall?" + +"Yes, Sahib," said the old hunter quietly. "I have thought that it +ought to be done." + +"Yes, and the sooner the better; it will set two men free from keeping +watch at the windows overlooking that part of the wall." + +"Shall I begin now, Sahib?" said Sree. + +"No; not till dark, and I have not yet made my plans." + +"Whenever the Sahib pleases," said Sree quietly, "his servant is +ready. But why not burn the big tree down?" + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +THE DOCTOR KEPT BUSY + + +Strict watch was kept on all sides, but no farther sign of the enemy +was seen, and towards evening, permission being given, preparations +were made for the destruction of the tree. + +Sree's idea had found favour, but the question was how the task was to +be done. Once the fire was started it was felt that there could be no +doubt about the tree's fate, it being of a resinous kind; but the task +was to get it well alight, for a furnace built against the trunk would +have had but little effect, and it was nearly decided that the best +way would, after all, be to cut off some of the nearest limbs. + +An idea, however, struck Harry, as he and Phra came upon a stack of +bamboo poles collected there to dry until required for various uses. + +Harry's idea was that if the poles were passed over the wall and piled +round the great trunk as close as possible, and with their thinner +portions running up into the tree among the branches, the shape of the +stack with the air passages between the tall poles would ensure a +sharp draught of air, and a fire if lit would soon become fierce. + +Mr. Kenyon snatched at the plan, and men were set to work carrying the +poles to the wall beneath the tree; then after a careful look round, +it was deemed safe for Sree to climb over in company with Lahn, after +which men were ready to hand over the poles so as to keep Sree and his +boy well employed, the one in the tree, the other at the foot, +arranging the poles. + +Just before sundown this was commenced, half a dozen well-armed men +being ready at the window to cover the workers, and bamboo ladders +having been placed for their convenience, while torches of resinous +wood were lit, waiting to be used. + +Then, for about an hour, the work went on till darkness set in, and +the tree had grown into a strange, unsightly object, while the torches +in the yard grew brighter and brighter, till they cast strange shadows +of the workers in all directions. + +Suddenly there was an alarm of the enemy's approach, and no more time +was bestowed upon the task. The word was given, and the torches passed +over the wall to Sree, who had descended from the tree, and now thrust +them in between the bamboos into a kind of chimney which the pile had +formed. + +"Make haste, Sree," cried Harry, who was seated beside Phra on the top +of the wall. + +"Yes, Sahib," said the man quietly. + +"But the wood does not burn." + +"No, Sahib; the big bamboos are slow to catch fire, but when they do +they will burn fast." + +"Here, Phra, I'm getting fidgety," whispered Harry. "The rebels must +have seen those torches flashing about, and perhaps they're crawling +up in the darkness." + +"Yes, I'm afraid they will be," replied Phra. "How long he is!" + +"Yes, and it makes my wound throb." + +"Your wound?" + +"Yes, I don't know why, but it does. I say, you up at the windows, be +on the look out, please, and ready to fire." + +"All ready," said a voice; "but you'd better make haste with the work, +in case the enemy should be coming up." + +"Yes, yes. Hi! Sree, can't you get that wood to burn?" + +"Not yet, Sahib; but it soon will." + +"Where's Lahn?" cried Harry. + +"I'm here, Sahib." + +"Sree does not want you now; come up the ladder, and get inside." + +The man obeyed, scrambling quickly up the rough bamboo steps and +passing over the wall, when Phra stopped him. + +"Wo!" he said. "Stop there, and hold the top of the ladder fast." + +"Pass up two loaded guns," said Harry, looking down inside. + +This was done, and Phra and Harry each took and cocked his piece as +they sat astride of the wall, facing each other, but with Lahn between +them holding the top of the ladder, his keen eyes peering first in one +direction, then in the other, where the view was not obstructed by the +tree. + +"Oh, I say, I say!" cried Harry, as the darkness increased, and +nothing but a feeble glow appeared through the pile of great grasses. +"You have not gone to sleep, have you, Sree?" + +"No, Sahib," came from below, with a soft chuckle. "I ought to have +had some small, dry wood to burn first. It is very slow." + +"Slow? Oh, it's horrible!" + +"The Sahib hurries." + +"Hurries? Yes. Do you suppose I want to sit here till the enemy comes, +so as to see you speared?" + +"It is too dark, Sahib," said the man softly; "they could not see me." + +"Nonsense! I can see you from up here--your hands and face: the fire +shines upon them." + +"Yes, Sahib; it is beginning now." + +At that moment Lahn laid his hand upon Harry's breast, while he +pointed away to the left with the other, and uttered a low, snake-like +hiss. + +"Men coming?" asked Sree. "Well, I must get the fire to burn now." + +"Can you see them?" whispered Harry, as he strained his eyesight in +the pointed-out direction without result, and then looked down at a +little writhing tongue of flame beginning to run up inside the sloping +pile of bamboo. + +"Yes, many men," whispered Lahn, and he hissed sharply twice. + +"Look out up there," said Harry loudly. "The enemy. Now, Sree, up at +once." + +But at that moment the rough ladder held by Lahn was snatched away, +and seemed to fall over against the bamboo pile from the noise that +was made, while at the same moment there was a faint, rustling sound, +sharp clicks against the side of the palace, and the rattling down of +at least a dozen spears, which had been hurled up at the speaker, and +passed over the wall. + +"Down with you from off there," shouted Mr. Kenyon at the window. "We +can't fire with you there." + +Accustomed to obey, the boys threw their legs over the inner side, +felt for the ladders, and then crouched down, Lahn following their +example. + +"No, no," he cried, "don't fire; Sree is on the other side." + +"Oh!" cried Mr. Kenyon. There was a momentary silence, and more spears +flew over, evidently directed at the window, a sharp exclamation +telling that one had taken effect, the others clattering down again +into the narrow court between the walls. + +"Can't he reach the ladder?" cried Mr. Kenyon. + +"It is gone," replied Harry; but before he spoke he had laid his gun +on the top of the wall, set free the ladder upon which he stood, and +was helping Lahn to raise it up so as to pass it over and lower it on +the other side, meaning to call to Sree to take advantage of this to +escape. + +But before it was half up they paused, and lowered it quickly down +again, for suddenly the result of Sree's long and careful preparation +manifested itself. There was a bright flash of flame seen running up +the bamboo pile, and by the light it shed the space beyond the wall +displayed scores of bright spear points, and double that number of +flashing eyes. + +It was almost instantaneous, for the light died out again, hidden by a +dense cloud of smoke; but it had been long enough to show no sign of +Sree, and that to lower a ladder down meant to make a way for scores +of the enemy to come running up and over the wall. + +"The other ladder--where is it?" whispered Harry wildly to Lahn. + +"On the fire," said the man. + +"But Sree--did you see poor Sree?" + +"No," said the man, with all the stolid manner of an Eastern. "Said +_ciss_, but he did not come." + +There was another flash, and a fresh shower of spears, followed by a +dull red glow through the smoke. Then flash after flash in quick +succession, accompanied by what might have been taken at a distance +for a confused volley of pistol shots; for now, with a roar, the fire +blazed up, rushing rapidly through the bamboos and into the body of +the tree, whose green leaves hissed and crackled, and began to blaze +brightly, lighting up the gardens beyond the wall, and compelling the +defenders at the window to crouch behind their breastwork, beginning +to fire sharply now, and driving back the crowding enemy, some of the +boldest of whom had run forward to begin pulling down the bamboos +where they had not yet caught. + +In another minute all such attempts would have been in vain, for the +fire rapidly swept round in a spiral, the poles cracking with loud +reports. Showers of sparks flew up on what appeared to be a whirl of +ruddy smoke, while, as the flames roared up as from a furnace, the +boughs began to yield to its fiery tongues, which licked up all the +moisture, and in an incredibly short space of time the whole tree was +one hissing, seething pile of fiercely writhing flames. The heat soon +forced the boys to slide down the ladders, and the defenders to shrink +from the window, whose breastwork and outer shutters began to blister +and crack in so alarming a way that the occupants of the room fetched +water to be ready to extinguish the first part that caught. + +The light was reflected down upon the boys as they laid the ladders +close up against the wall, and then turned to look anxiously at the +pyramid of flame in such close proximity to the palace, wondering +whether Sree's work had not been too well done. + +But far away and above all other thoughts, was that which struck home +in their breasts--had poor Sree fallen a victim to his fidelity and +his determination to get the fire well alight before he sought his own +safety? + +The boys hurriedly discussed this in whispers, and then they turned to +question Lahn as to the plucking away of the ladder. + +"Could you see anything?" Harry asked. + +"Yes, two enemies got to the ladder," said the man in Siamese. "Sree +pulled it over into the fire." + +"And what then?--where was Sree?" + +The man shook his head. + +"Don't know," he said. "A big smoke came, and all turned dark." + +"Do you think Sree was killed?" + +"No. Sree too clever. Kill the men." + +They asked no more, for, surrounded as he would be by foes, they could +see no chance of the poor fellow escaping; so with their hearts +sinking in despair, they remained gazing up at the floating flakes of +fire and the spangled wreaths of smoke which whirled up over the +palace, while the heat was reflected back upon them with such power +that in spite of the rush of comparatively cool air caused by the +rising fire and steam, they had to retreat and pass along to the +corner where, some twenty yards away, they could stand and watch the +burning tree. + +They could hear nothing of the enemy, and were ready to go round to +the terrace entrance; but something seemed to hold them there--a +strange, undefined something in the form of hope that Sree might +somehow have escaped, and that they might at any moment see his head +rise up in the light where the dark top of the wall ran in a hard +line. + +Then, too, there was the excitement about the palace, as the fire +waved to and fro and roared louder than ever, while the bigger boughs, +as they grew super-heated, burst with loud reports to let out the +compressed steam. + +A dozen times over it seemed certain that the palace must go, for the +wooden jalousies and exposed elaborate carvings, kept catching; but a +few buckets of water, carefully distributed, extinguished the flames, +and it became plain that the enemy had retired to a safe distance, +hiding among the trees, for no more spears were thrown and no shots +were fired. + +At last it was evident that the fire had passed its culminating point, +and the spectators gazed at a glowing skeleton whose framework kept on +falling into the main body of the fire below. At first they were small +branches which hardly reached the bottom, but were borne up again to +pass away in fresh clouds of what looked like golden snow. Then +heavier boughs were burned through and dropped, carrying down with +them those below, and so on and on till the trunk, alone stood, with +the stumps of branches rising high above the wall, one glowing tower +of dazzling light doomed to burn on and on probably for hours, and +then, fanned by the wind, slowly smoulder away into so much golden +ash. + +But before this could be achieved, and when it was certain that no +danger could accrue to that part of the palace, Phra laid his hand +upon his companion's shoulder. + +"Come," he said abruptly, and he made a sign to Lahn for him to +follow. + +Five minutes later they were at the back of the line of defence, in +front of the great, open-work bronze gates; but all was quiet there; +no sign of the enemy had been seen, and with the palace between them +and the burning tree the boys looked up at it as it stood out against +the glow shed by the fire, which lit up the two flags floating side by +side, blown out by the soft breeze caused by the rush of hot air +rising from the fire. + +"Let's go in and tell them, Hal," said Phra. "They will be waiting to +know." + +Harry nodded shortly, but said no word, walking slowly into the great +hall, where two of the first persons they encountered were Mr. Kenyon +and the King. + +Under the pressure of questions the boys related in simple words all +that had occurred, the King listening till they had done, and then +standing with wrinkled brow and compressed lip. + +Mr. Kenyon was the first to utter what sounded like a confirmation of +his thoughts in Harry's ear. + +"Poor Sree!" he said sadly; "as brave a man as ever stepped. I looked +upon him as a friend." + +"Everything a man should be," said the King, endorsing this utterance +of the poor fellow's fate: "simple, modest, devoted and true. Kenyon, +my friend, we have lost one of our best supporters. He died trying to +shield us from the perils which hem us in." + +"Yes," said Mr. Kenyon, sharply now, as if making an effort to thrust +the inevitable behind him. "You are neither of you hurt, boys?" + +"My arm aches a great deal," said Harry, speaking in a dull, apathetic +way. + +"Ah! Your wound. Let Dr. Cameron see it at once." + +"Oh, not to-night, father." + +"To-night, Hal--directly. You have been using it a great deal, and the +bandages need loosening because the cut is swollen and inflamed." + +"And you, Phra?" said the King quietly. + +"A mere nothing, father." + +"What, wounded?" cried the King, with a quick change from his calm, +grave manner to eager excitement, as he caught his son's arm. + +"Not a wound, father. A spear whistled by my ear when we were on the +top of the wall. I had forgotten it. My ear is a little cut, but it +soon stopped bleeding." + +Hie King uttered a sigh of relief as he thought of what a few inches' +difference in the direction would have meant. + +"Go in with Hal, and ask Doctor Cameron to look to it." + +"Oh, but father, it is--" + +"My wish, sir," said the King firmly. "You had both better rest then, +for you have done your share of the work." + +Phra looked a protest, and the King went on: + +"Unless the enemy attack us in force to-night; then of course you will +both come and help. Now, Kenyon, let us go our rounds. This quietness +is more startling than an attack. I fear they are planning something +fresh." + +"Very likely, sir," said Mr. Kenyon cheerfully; "but we must scheme in +return." + +They went on down to the barricade by the gate, and the boys sighed +wearily as they walked towards Doctor Cameron's hospital room; for the +spirit seemed to have sunk down in them just as the fire had fallen +after it had reached its height. + +"What a capital English gentleman your father would make if he dressed +like us," said Harry, for the sake of saying something. + +"Yes, and what a good Siamese noble your father would make if he +dressed like some of ours," said Phra, with a faint smile. + +"All right," said Harry; "that's one each. But I say, it seems very +stupid to go to the doctor for such hurts as these." + +"Yes, we must say the King sent us, or he will laugh." + +But Doctor Cameron did not laugh: he frowned as he examined Phra's +left ear. + +"A narrow escape, my dear boy; but as we people say, a miss is as good +as a mile. Only this is not a miss: the spear blade has cut the lobe +of your ear in two. I must put in a stitch or two and draw it together +before strapping it up. I'll bathe it directly. All, here's my wife. +Bathe this injury, my dear." + +Phra shrank, but resigned himself directly to Mrs. Cameron's hands, +while her husband turned to Harry. + +"Oh, it's nothing," said the boy. "We shouldn't have come, only father +and the King ordered us to show you our awful injuries." + +"This is worse than you think, my dear Hal," said the doctor sternly. +"Your arm is much swollen and inflamed. It would have been seriously +bad if you had waited till to-morrow." + +"Oh," cried Harry passionately; "what do I care? It's horrible; it's +too hard to bear!" + +"What, this?" said the doctor sharply. + +"This?" cried Harry. "Pish! _No!_--NO! But you don't know. Poor old +Sree--poor old Sree, Mrs. Cameron: he's dead--he's dead!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + +LIKE A BAD SHILLING + + +When they quitted the hospital room, Harry and Phra threw themselves +down on one of the long bamboo seats in the hall where they had left +their guns, and sat talking dejectedly in a low tone, leaving oft from +time to time for a walk out into the still night air to listen whether +there were any tokens of an approaching attack; but the place was +perfectly still; the glow from the burning tree had nearly died out, +and everything was calm and peaceful. + +After a time the King and Mr. Kenyon returned from their rounds and +stopped to speak to the boys for a few minutes, telling them that they +had better get a good sleep while they could, and that they had been +examining the windows at the other side of the palace, where they had +been a good deal burned. + +"I'm afraid, sir, that was a mistake," said Mr. Kenyon. "It may have +suggested to the enemy a means of attacking and destroying us without +risk to themselves." + +"By firing the palace," said the King gravely. "Yes. I thought of +that. It is possible, and we must be prepared. Fire is easily mastered +when it is small--a jar of water is sufficient; when it grows large, +it takes a river." + +They passed on, talking together, and the boys began and continued +recalling the many expeditions they had made with Sree. What a brave +man he was! how full of knowledge of animal life in the jungle, and +how devoted to them in his simple, unostentatious manner! + +"Yes, poor old Sree!" sighed Harry; "and now he's gone, and Adong +too." + +"Think so?" said Phra, looking up sharply. + +"Oh, yes, or he would have been back with help," replied Harry. "Phra, +old chap, I never felt so unhappy before in my life. It seems as if it +was all over now." + +"But it isn't," said Phra. "There is so much for us to do." + +"To help our fathers?" + +"Yes." + +Harry sat back in his seat and began to think seriously, for his +comrade's words had impressed him deeply, and as he sat there in the +darkness of the night it dawned upon him more and more that in life +one has to give up self for the sake of others, and that even at the +very worst, when there is a disposition to think that one's own +sorrows are everything, others have troubles and sorrows too that it +is our duty to help and combat. + +They were vague, disconnected thoughts, which he could not quite put +together, but they served to make him feel less miserable, even +contented; and then he began to think of the King's words in +connection with his father's, and the possibility of the palace being +fired by the enemy. + +What had the King said?--that at the beginning a fire could be +extinguished with a jar of water? + +Consequently Harry sat back making up his mind that as soon as it was +light he and Phra would get the boatmen together and plant big jars +and bamboo buckets of water in the parts of the palace nearest to the +wall--in fact, wherever it seemed possible that firebrands would be +thrown in. + +The natural consequence was that, being fagged out and sitting in an +uncomfortable position upon a hard-backed seat, he dropped off to +sleep and began dreaming of fire and putting it out with wooden +buckets of water which always seemed to be empty when he was about to +pour them on the flames. + +And so the night wore on, without any alarm of attack, and Harry +dreaming wearily, starting into wakefulness, and dropping off again to +dream of those bottomless buckets which were always empty when they +ought to have been full. + +That constantly repeated dream irritated him, for even while he +dreamed he was conscious that it was all imaginative, and that before +long he would wake up and find he was dreaming, as he did over and +over again, stiff, weary, and ready to make up his mind that he would +sleep no more. But the next minute he was off again fast, and the last +time in so deep a slumber that the sun was shining brightly when at +last he opened his eyes upon Phra seated fast asleep at the other +corner of the settee; and then turning his eyes a little to the right +as he prepared his lower jaw for a good long yawn, he sat as if turned +to stone, his mouth partly open, his eyes staring, and a horrible +feeling as of cold water running down his back. + +For there, so near that he had only to sit up and stretch out his hand +to touch him, Sree was squatted upon his heels in the middle of a mat, +calmly chewing his roll of betel-nut, lime and pepper leaf, his +homely, dark face expanding into a broad smile as he saw that he was +noticed. + +"Sree! Alive!" cried Harry, springing from his seat, his cry rousing +Phra, to sit up staring. + +"Yes, Sahib Harry," said the old hunter quietly. "I ran round to the +back of the fire when I had pulled the ladder over and laid it with +the bamboos, and then crept in among the bushes, to lie there, for I +was nearly dead with the smoke. Then I crawled right away." + +"But weren't you hurt?" + +"My face scorched, and my hair burned a little, Sahib; that is all." + +"Oh, I am so glad, Sree," cried Harry. "You don't--don't--know what we +felt last night." + +There was a slight impediment in Harry's speech as he caught the old +hunter's right hand in both his own, an act imitated by Phra on the +instant with the left, while the old man stood now looking proud and +happy as he glanced from one to the other. + +"Yes, we thought you were dead," said Phra. + +"Here, let me go and tell father and the doctor," said Harry. + +"No, no, Sahib," said Sree. "I saw Sahib Kenyon an hour ago, and he +sent me to you. I have been sitting here till you woke up. He said you +would be pleased." + +"Pleased!" cried Harry. "There's a stupid word! That doesn't half mean +what I feel. But I say, Sree, have you had any breakfast." + +"Oh, yes, Sahib; the master gave me plenty." + +"Tell us more, then. How did you manage to get here?" + +"Oh, I crawled along like a snake, Sahib," said Sree, smiling. "There +are many of the enemy about, but I managed to get by without being +seen while it was dark; and when the sun rose, I got up and walked +along boldly with a spear over my shoulder, just as if I was one of +the enemy, till I was opposite to the great gates where the powder is +buried. Then I came straight up to the gate, and the sahibs were going +to shoot me, for my face was so blackened by the fire and smoke that +they did not know me till I spoke. Then I gave them my spear, and +climbed over. What does Sahib Harry want me to do next?" + +"Fill water pots and bamboo buckets with water, to put in the rooms at +the other side." + +"Ah, yes; that is wise," said Sree. "I thought of that last night, +when I saw the windows begin to burn. A little fire can be mastered +with a jar of water." + +"Hullo!" cried Harry. "Did you hear the King say that?" + +"Oh, no, Sahib; we all say so, because we know how easily our boats +catch alight; and if the fire is not put out, it may mean hundreds all +along the river." + +"Then we'll do that at once," said Phra; "only you must get Lahn and +the boatmen to help." + +"But that's my idea, Phra," cried Harry; "I say, Sree, have you seen +Lahn?" + +"Oh, yes, Sahib; he came running up, and then threw himself down to +kiss and cry over my feet." + +"What did he do that for?" said Harry. + +"Because he was so glad, for he thinks of me as his father." + +"Now, Hal!" cried Phra; "come on; let's get the water pots put all +about at once." + +"Shan't," said Hal, laughing. "I'm not going to begin till I've had my +breakfast. I'm so hungry I could eat old Sree." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI + +COMING HOME TO ROOST + + +That day passed away quietly enough, the enemy making no sign; but +scouts reported that they were in hiding in all directions. + +"They mean to starve us out, boys," said Mr. Kenyon. + +"Oh," said Harry, "then they'll have to take care that they don't get +starved first, for now the elephants are gone I suppose we could live +for a month on the grain." + +It was as if the very mention of the word elephants had been the +introduction to what was to come, for just then the peculiar noise +known as trumpeting--which is really an agreeable blend in the way of +noises, of pig in a gate, the final _haw_, prolonged and intense, of a +donkey's bray, and the hoarse crow of a Cochin China cock--came +faintly in through the open windows of the hall. + +Harry ran and looked out to where Sree and Lahn sat waiting and +listening. + +"What was that, Sree?" he cried, as Phra followed him and looked out +too. + +"It was an elephant, Sahib," said the hunter. + +"Yes, it was old Sul," cried Phra excitedly. + +"I know," cried Harry, laughing. "They've been and had a tremendous +good feed out in the jungle, and now they've all come back." + +Harry was quite right, as examination proved, for the elephants had +been thoroughly well trained, and treated in a way which made them +prefer their civilized home to the jungle. So after a few words with +Mr. Kenyon the King gave orders that a strong party should go across +to the gate and guard it while the animals were admitted. + +The two boys hastened to join the party, taking Sree with them, when, +having learned wisdom from the last time the gates were opened, +ladders were placed against the wall, and a good look-out kept, so +that no advance could be made along the side ditch or by the wall +unnoticed. + +All being declared clear, and the guard stationed ready on either +side, the gate was unfastened, the elephants standing patiently +waiting, the trumpeting having ceased as soon as the first man's head +appeared above the wall, while directly the gate was being dragged +open, Sul thrust his head against it and pushed, making the task +particularly easy. But as soon as there was ample room he uttered a +peculiar squeak, and shuffled off across the park-like grounds, +followed by the troop of ten, all evidently eager to get back to their +old quarters, to which they made their way. + +"They'll want to go off again," said Harry, laughing. "Aren't you glad +to see them back, Phra?" + +"Glad? Of course; it seemed horrible to lose them all. I never +expected to see either of them again." + +"What are you shaking your head at, Sree?" cried Harry, as they waited +till the gates were once more secure. + +"I was listening to what the Sahib said," replied the old hunter. "I +am not surprised to see the elephants come back. Once they get used to +man, and find he is a friend who feeds them, and treats them well, +they do not want to leave him. Some of the mahouts are cruel, and make +their heads sore with the goads, but I think kindness is best. I have +made friends with the great beasts, often with big ones that the +mahouts said were savage-tempered and dangerous. I never found them +so." + +"Not when they were mad?" said Phra. + +"Oh, yes, then," replied the man. "They are dangerous at times, and it +does not do to trust them much. Better let them loose in the jungle." + +"We might as well have made old Sul stop and carry us back," said +Harry. "I say; there were no fighting men anywhere outside; do you +think they will come to-night?" + +"Who knows, Sahib? Perhaps not to-night, but they will come and try to +take the place, or they would not be waiting as I saw them this +morning. They have some plan in their minds, but we are ready, and +must meet them when they come." + +But there was no sign of the enemy that night, nor the next, and such +a state of calm that it was hard to imagine that the palace was still +beleaguered. There was no doubt of this, though, for it was only +necessary to send out a scout in any direction for him to find bodies +of the enemy watching the palace, and ready to check any attempt at +escape, if such had been the intention of the besieged. + +This state of quietude enabled Mr. Kenyon and his English friends to +finish several little arrangements for the defence, and the risk of +fire was reduced by the amount of water provided for checking the +first attempt to destroy the place, if such should prove to be the +enemy's design. The earthwork at the great gates, too, was +strengthened; for though there was the possibility of the attack being +made in another portion of the defences, it seemed probable that it +would be made as before. + +"They're like elephants, Hal," Phra said contemptuously; "they keep to +the old track." + +The halt on the part of the enemy gave the doctor's patients a better +chance of amendment, and the spirit that was within made several ready +to return to the duties of the defence, each declaring that he would +get better more quickly busy with his friends than lying as an invalid +in bed, in spite of the gentle ministrations of the ladies, who did +everything possible to help the doctor with his charge. + +Generally speaking, everything now had settled down in the palace to a +complete state of routine. Watches were regularly set, including one +on the roof, by the flagstaff, whence portions of the river could be +seen; and longing looks were constantly cast, in the vain hope of +seeing help in the shape of the well-manned boats of some British +man-o'-war. + +Plans too were made as to the provisioning of the little garrison, and +arranging that the stores should last as long as possible. This duty, +with the care for the health of the place, devolved upon the doctor +who proved to be most stern in his insistence upon every one obeying +his rules. + +Harry and Phra took their turns in going on duty, and it fell to their +lot to superintend the guard when the elephants were let out and +returned from the jungle, the sagacious beasts marching off regularly +every morning, and forming a regular path across the grounds to the +distant gates, while, strange to state, a whole week elapsed without +the enemy again interfering and attempting to gain an entrance at such +times. + +"There is a meaning in it all, father says. They have lost so many men +that they have determined to starve us out," Phra said one morning to +his companion. + +"Yes; so my father thinks," replied Harry; "or else it is that they +are waiting for reinforcements." + +"I don't think they would have to wait," replied Phra. "No; depend +upon it, they think we shall give up soon, and lay down our arms." + +"So that they may march in and jump upon us, and then cut off our +heads?" + +Phra's face looked quite old with wrinkles as he gave his companion a +sombre look, and then nodded. + +"Perhaps they would be content, and let you English people off, if you +gave up my father and his faithful friends." + +"And you with them?" said Harry gravely. + +"Of course." + +"Can't spare you, old chap. Bah! What are you talking about? If they +think anything of that sort, they are more stupid than I thought for. +Give up? They don't know what English people are yet. Why, Phra, we +shall go on fighting till all the provisions are done, and then we +shall make a fresh start." + +"How?" + +"By killing one of the elephants and eating him. Let's see; eleven of +them. How long would they last?" + +"Nonsense!" + +"'Tisn't. Old Mike would cook them so as to make something good, and +so that they wouldn't be tough." + +"Don't make fun out of our troubles," said Phra bitterly. + +"Why not? they're bad enough, so one needn't try to make them worse." + +"What I dread is--" began Phra, but Harry interrupted him. + +"I know; that the enemy won't come and be well thrashed." + +"No; that the water supply will be stopped. Father wondered that they +had not dug up the bamboo pipes and cut that off." + +"Pooh! Let them. Father and Doctor Cameron talked that over the other +night, and they said that near as we are to the river they would find +water before we had dug down ten feet, and there would be abundance. +Look here, Phra; I've thought over it all, and now the place is so +strong we can laugh at the enemy and starve them out. Give up? Why, if +it came to the worst, we should shut ourselves up in that wing, and +blow away the big passage which joins it to the rest of the palace. +Then we should defend it step by step till we were on the roof, and +fight there till the last of us was killed. English people would +rather die fighting than give up to be murdered by a set of savages +like the enemy." + +Phra was silent. + +"Well, wouldn't you?" said Harry. + +"Yes," said Phra gravely. "I suppose I should be horribly frightened, +but I should know that it was my duty to fight for my father to the +last, and I should fight." + +"Of course you would, and so should I," cried Harry, flushing. "As to +being frightened, well, I don't think we should be a bit. We should +feel that shrinky-shanky sensation which makes you shiver and feel hot +and cold and wish you were somewhere else, and want to run away, only +you wouldn't for the world. I believe everyone feels that at such +times--say if any one's drowning, and you don't want to jump in after +him, or when there's a tiger or a big snake; but I don't think that's +being frightened; that's only natural, because one would jump into the +water to save any fellow drowning, or go and do anything. It's only a +sort of hanging back before one begins. It can't be regular fright, +old chap, because, if it was, we should run, and that we couldn't do. +Now, that's real fright: we should be afraid to do that." + +"You're a queer fellow, Hal," said Phra, smiling. + +"Am I? Well, so are other English boys, for I suppose I'm like most of +them. I don't want to fight. I hate it. It's horrible, but I think I +shall not be afraid to fight; but I'm sure I should be afraid to run +away." + +"I hope I should," said Phra thoughtfully, "and I don't want the +fighting to begin again; but this miserable waiting day after day for +aid to come is terrible. I say, do you think Adong will bring help?" + +"Not now, I don't. I'm afraid the poor chap has been killed, or he +would have come back. He'd have made his way to us, the same as Sree +did. I say, I begin to feel as you do--wish it would all come to an +end." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII + +IN THE NICK OF TIME + + +Sunset had come. The elephants had returned to the gate, and, being +admitted without the sign of an enemy, had tramped quietly to their +stables after their hearty banquet upon the succulent, jungle leaves. + +Then the darkness fell, the evening meal was eaten, the guard set, and +after a chat with Sree, the boys went to their beds, to lie down +dressed--ready for anything, and dropped off soundly to sleep. + +In what seemed like ten minutes Harry was awake again, to be conscious +of a busy stir in the palace and Sree leaning over him with a hand +upon his shoulder. + +"What's the matter?" cried the boy; "are they attacking?" + +"Yes, Sahib; there is going to be a big fight, and they are coming on +with lights." + +"Ah!" cried Harry, "at last! Here, Phra!" + +"I'm ready," was the reply, and a minute later, gun in hand, the boys +were out on the terrace, learning that the enemy was coming on in two +bodies, their presence having been detected by Sree and Lahn, who were +on guard, and whose keen ears had caught the low, rustling sound of +their approach. + +There was no excitement among the defenders, for in obedience to +several orders made for acting upon in case of such an emergency, +every one had gone quietly to his place, the ammunition chests were +thrown open, and arrangements made for keeping all well supplied, +while the ladies had hurriedly dressed and gone to their post in the +hospital room to wait till the doctor, who was with those who were in +consultation on the terrace, should need their services. + +"Where are the boys?" said Mr. Kenyon suddenly. + +The answer came from close behind him. + +"Here, quick!" he said; "take the night glass and go up on the roof. +You may be able to make out something of the movements of the enemy. +Be back here in ten minutes." + +Harry and Phra ran off, the glass was obtained, and they made their +way to the flagstaffs. + +It was wonderfully still, not a breath of air perceptible, and the +darkness was intense low down, though above the sky was one glorious +encrustation of stars. + +For a few moments nothing could be seen, and they stood listening to a +peculiar, murmurous sound from away over the great gates, evidently +caused by the movement of a large body of men. + +The telescope was brought to bear in that direction, but still nothing +could be seen, and Harry, who held it, swept it round to the back, +where all seemed black too; but suddenly a bright spark darted into +the field of vision, then another, and another, and the boy handed the +glass to his companion. + +"Look right over the corner yonder," he whispered. + +Phra adjusted the glass, but before he had time to make out that which +had met Harry's eye the latter uttered a sharp ejaculation. + +"What is it?" cried Phra. + +"The river is alive with boats. They're just coming round the bend +where the trees are. They all have lanthorns, and it would be a +beautiful sight if they weren't coming to destroy this place." + +"Yes, beautiful," said Phra. "We've seen enough. There's a party +coming on with torches behind; the enemy are in the front, and they +are coming up to land on the water terrace to attack us at the side." + +"Come on down," said Harry, drawing a deep breath. "It's going to be a +big fight to-night, and we shall have to retreat in here." + +Their information was carried to Mr. Kenyon, with whom was the King, +and, as Harry had said, instructions were given for the defence by the +gate to be held as long as possible before a retreat was made to the +palace wing; a party was sent round to strengthen the guard in the +rooms, the instructions being to think of nothing but extinguishing +the fire if it should catch hold, for it was not judged likely that +any attempts to scale the wall would be made there. And then as strong +a party as could be spared was sent in the direction of the great, +stone landing-place in case of an attack being made there, with orders +to quickly retire if they were much pressed, so that the strength +might be concentrated at and about the palace. + +The darkness did not seem to interfere with the movements in the +least, for every man was familiar now with the dark paths beyond the +court, and knew what he had to do, moving with the stern determination +to perform that duty even at the cost of his life. + +The silence now grew more and more painful, and the defenders, who +knew but little of what was going on at the back of the palace, their +attention being concentrated upon the front or water side, were +longing for the suspense of waiting to be brought to an end, so that +they might find relief in action, when suddenly there arose a burst of +shouting, and a faint glow rose over the roof of the principal +building. + +The great danger foreseen had come, for a body of the enemy bearing +burning brands had advanced boldly up to a short distance from the +wall, close to the ashes of the burned tree, and begun hurling the +blazing wood against the windows within reach. + +It was so quickly done that it seemed as if a splash of light suddenly +darted out of the darkness beneath the wall, quivered for a moment in +the air, and then described a curve, passing over the wall, striking +against the barricaded window, rebounding, and falling down into the +narrow court below. + +This continued rapidly; and though a glimpse was now and then caught +of a dark face with flashing eyes, as the burning brand was thrown, it +was so momentary that it was considered waste of ammunition to fire. + +Harry and Phra had hurried there directly they had given warning, and +one of the first orders given was for two of the faithful Siamese to +go down into the court and provide themselves with a bamboo bucket of +water. Then as fast as the brands flew over the wall, struck the +palace, and dropped down, they were seized, and their burning ends +quenched. + +They came fast, striking above, below, and on either side. Some came +with a loud rap against the boards nailed up for a breastwork, but few +came right in at the open window. Still now and then one better aimed +than usual rushed in like a rocket, and the value of the preparation +made was evident. + +If there had been no defenders there, without doubt that portion of +the palace would soon have been in a blaze, for the torches thrown had +been prepared with some violently inflammable resin, and filled the +place with a pungent smoke as they fell. + +But their time for burning was short. Quickly as they came, there was +always some one ready to dart upon them, plunge them into a jar of +water, and drop them down into the court. + +Still, in spite of the ill success of the movement, the brands were +thrown in by the men, who darted from the shelter of the wall and back +as soon as they had thrown the missile, while the bright glow which +rose showed that a party must be busy there getting the torches well +alight while others were being thrown. + +This had been going on for quite a quarter of an hour, the enemy +working away with impunity, not one being hurt; and it seemed as if +they meant to keep on till the room began to blaze. + +"This won't do, Phra," said Harry at last; "it's sickening, we ought +to fire at the next who runs out." + +"It would be impossible to hit," said Phra bitterly. + +"I know," cried Harry. "Back directly." + +He ran round to the far wing, to find his father, the King, and +several more anxiously waiting for the attack to commence upon the +gate; for it was evident that a mass of the enemy were waiting, +probably for the place to be on fire, before they began their advance, +feeling that the blaze would confuse and dishearten the defenders, and +make the task comparatively easy. + +Harry was supplied with that for which he had come, and hurried back +to the room, into which two brands came hissing, entering by the +window as he ran in by the door. + +"No, no, Sree," he cried; "don't touch that one," and the hunter rose +again while the boy stooped, those who looked on catching a glimpse of +a canister as the boy held a fuse to the flame, waited till it began +to fizz and spit tiny sparks, and then rushed with it to the window, +leaned out, making himself a mark for the next thrower whose torch +whizzed by his ear, and then, well calculating his distance, the boy +pitched the canister so that it, too, made a curve in the air, +emitting scintillations as it flew, and dropped down on the far side +of the wall just where the glow arose and formed a halo of light. + +"There," he cried, "if you're so fond of fireworks, how do you like +that?" + +The words had hardly passed his lips before there was a tremendous +concussion, a deafening roar, and the light which arose went out as +suddenly as it had come; the glow had gone, and the throwing of the +torches was at an end. + +"Any one hurt?" cried Harry. + +"No; are you, Hal?" + +"No, I don't think so. But has that stopped them?" he continued, as he +looked out. "Yes, you can hear them running." + +"They're gone. But oh! I say! there's a big gap blown through the +wall." + +Sree had picked up the still burning torch and now handed it to Harry, +who threw it down into the court to make sure; and there plainly +enough he could see an opening about four feet wide, offering an easy +entrance for the enemy if they came on again. + +"Here," cried Harry, "all of you follow us; we must go round and be +ready to beat them back. We must have some spears as well." + +The lad's promptness in proposing the right thing at the right moment +naturally made him leader, and as he rushed out of the door all +followed along the passage and downstairs to the terrace, so that they +might run round. + +But as they ran they became conscious of a sudden roar of voices, +coming, though they knew it not, from two directions, and the rattle +of musketry began. + +For the enemy had taken the explosion at the back of the palace and +the flash of light as the signal for them to advance; and with a wild +burst of cries they came rushing towards the gate and the walls at the +sides, provided with ladders, while from the landing-place by the +river another column landed from the boats came on with a roar. + +The noise increased, and volley after volley was fired; but it soon +grew desultory and weaker, for, unchecked by their losses, the enemy +came on in their determined attack, driving the defenders along the +paths leading to the river, and swarming over the gate and walls in a +way that the weak force behind the barricade could not resist. + +Shot, hoarse yell, roar of defiance, and the clattering and ringing of +spears, were mingled in wild confusion; and just as Harry and his +little party reached the terrace, ready to rush round by the back, it +was to awaken to the fact that the little reserve gathered there when +he fetched the impromptu shell had rushed forward to assist those by +the gate who were being driven back by sheer weight of numbers. + +"Stand fast!" cried Phra. "Spears, spears!" + +He set the example of seizing one from a sheaf placed ready by the +door; the others followed, and they were able to plant themselves, a +little compact body of ten, ready to try and cover their friends, who +from the dark paths leading to the water and from the barrier were +retreating, fighting hand to hand, their emptied pieces being only of +use now as spears, thanks to the bayonets they had fixed. + +It was all over in the space of a minute. The defenders faced their +enemies to the last; for the final retreat up the steps to the terrace +was made backwards, as they came closer together till they were +shoulder to shoulder, presenting a _chevaux de frise_ of bayonets to +the stabbing spears of their enemies, till those first to reach the +great doorway were crowded through, carrying those who had tried to +cover them in first in spite of their efforts. + +But Harry in the wild excitement had a clear head. He and his +companions, though so few in number, still retained their muskets, and +these were loaded. + +Quick as the thought which occurred to him, he called upon his party +to follow, and led the way to the window at the side, one that he had +seen carefully provided with a breastwork ready for defenders, though +he little thought he was to be one of those who would first prove its +value. + +He saw it now, though; and as the great door was being held by those +at bay, all inside now, and the enemy were pressing forward to follow +them in, he got his own party crowded at the window. + +"At the word," he cried, as every musket was brought to bear on the +dense crowd not five yards away. + +There was a momentary pause. + +"Present--fire!" he roared, and the ten muskets were discharged like +one, literally tearing a little alley through the crowd. + +The effect was so sudden and startling to the attacking party that +they fell back with one accord; but only for a few moments. + +Moments were vital then; and brief as the time was, it had given +enough for some of those first driven in to get to and man the window +on the other side of the door. + +Recovering from their surprise, the enemy yelled and rebounded, to +come on again, when the sharp word of command was given, and a volley +rattled from that side. + +It was another check, and the two together gave time for the defenders +in the great doorway to bang it to, thrust in the bolts, and clang the +bars across. + +"Twenty of you follow me to the upper windows," cried Mr. Kenyon. "You +sir, hold those two windows. Fire in turn from each side. Volleys, +mind; they have ten times the effect." + +By this time Harry's party had reloaded, and as with a savage yell the +disappointed enemy divided to make for the windows, another volley +tore through them. + +The King had obeyed his friend, and his first step had been to get +twenty of his panting followers in a line and order them to load. Then +he divided them into two firing parties, ten on either side, to +support those at the windows. + +The fighting already gone through had been magnificent as a +discipline, and in an incredibly short time the reserves were ready; +and at a word Harry's party, who had been holding the window with +bayonets, dropped back to reload, while the fresh ten stepped up and +delivered their fire, holding the place in turn with their bayonets +till Harry's party had reloaded. + +The same thing was going on at the other window, while now from the +floor above, crash after crash, volley after volley, Mr. Kenyon's +party joined in their fire. + +"Here, Sree," whispered Harry, "my arm has gone bad; you must load for +me." + +There was no reply. + +"Where's Sree?" cried Harry again. + +No one had seen him since they fired the first volley, and Harry +uttered a groan as he felt sure that the poor fellow must have gone +down from a spear thrust. + +But there was no time to think in the darkness where they were pent +up. It was every man's duty to make his ammunition tell upon the +seething, savage crowd athirst for their blood, and the volley firing +was kept up steadily, the ammunition chests in the middle of the hall +being amply supplied in readiness for such an emergency, and every +window attacked had its defenders directly. + +All at once Mr. Kenyon's voice was heard from above. + +"Where is the King?" he cried. + +"Here. Are you losing ground up there?" + +"No, sir, no. My men can keep up their fire there. I came to speak to +you," he said in a low voice, but it was close to where the two boys +were standing, and they heard every word. "We must do our best," he +said, "for the whole country seems up against us. They have cast off +all concealment now, and are coming up to the gate in thousands, many +of them with lanthorns at the end of their spears. Where are the +home-made shells?" + +"There, in a chest by themselves beneath the great table." + +"Yes, I know," said Mr. Kenyon. "I am going to throw a few down from +one of the upper windows. Oh, if we could have fired those mines!" + +"The attack was too sudden," said the King. "The poor fellows had not +a chance." + +"I ought to have gone there sooner," groaned Mr. Kenyon. + +The words had hardly passed his lips when the great hall became light +as day for a moment, and then there was a roar like a peal of thunder, +making the bamboo sun-blinds rattle and the whole place quiver. + +"Hurrah!" shouted Harry. "I know. That's Sree!" + +He did not pause to think how Sree could have been by him so short a +time before and down at the barrier then. + +Even if he had felt disposed to wonder, the thought would have been +driven out of his head, for in the midst of the sudden silence which +had succeeded the tremendous roar it was repeated--the other mine had +been fired, with a report which seemed louder than the first. + +The silence, both inside and out, was now appalling, and those within +ceased reloading, as they waited, wondering what the effect had been +upon the enemy, and whether such a catastrophe as that which must have +befallen them would be followed by a retreat. + +But it was the turn of the besieged now to receive a shock, for all at +once the faces of those who thronged the court began to be visible in +the darkness. In another minute there came flash after flash, showing +thousands of gleaming eyes, and a spontaneous yell of savage delight +rose up from all around as the light grew brighter. + +"The palace--at the back!" cried Harry wildly. "Oh, Phra, we oughtn't +to have left our posts." + +"They have come in through the wall and fired the place," said Phra +with a groan. + +"Yes," said Mr. Kenyon coolly; "but half a keg of powder will tear +down our connection with the main building, and we can still hold this +wing to the bitter end." + +"What's that? Are they bringing big guns against us?" cried the King. + +No one replied, but stood listening, as _thud, thud, thud_, at regular +intervals there came the reports of heavy pieces, followed by a fresh +surprise. + +All at once there was a bright light from the direction of the river. +Then another, which began to light up the trees in that direction, +while, with a strange rapidity as the heavy firing went on, blaze +after blaze sprang up, and it was now Mr. Kenyon's turn to be wildly +excited. + +"Hark!" he shouted. "Do you hear that?" + +His answer was a wild burst of cheering from all the defenders +present, as if in echo to the faint shouting which came off the river. + +"Hurrah!" cried Harry again. "Shout, Phra, shout! It's the help at +last. It must be men-o'-war boats, and they're firing the enemy's +barges as they come." + +"Yes, Sahib Harry," said a familiar voice. "English sailors with guns +in boats, but the place is on fire and burning fast." + +At least a dozen of the light barges on the river were burning +fiercely now, and drifting amongst and setting fire to others; but the +firing from that direction had ceased. + +Then all at once there was a hearty cheer and a volley of musketry, +while by the bright light which illumined the courtyard a movement +began to be visible amongst the besiegers. + +In an instant Mr. Kenyon called upon those present, and volley after +volley was sent tearing through the crowd moving now towards the gate. +In another minute there was a rush from the now lit-up walks leading +to the landing, and a strong body of sailors dashed out into the open, +formed up in line, fired a fresh volley, and then charged across at +the retiring enemy. + +That was enough. This charge from disciplined men, who came on with a +tremendous cheer, broke the neck of the attack, and the crowd +scattered and fled, seeking who could be first outside, for the way +was clear, the great gates and twenty feet of the wall being +completely swept away. + +A volley or two from the sailors hastened the flight, but no pursuit +was attempted, and the men were wheeled round and halted in front of +the terrace, their officers advancing to congratulate those whom they +had so opportunely relieved; while as soon as a strong party had been +stationed at the ruined gates the efforts of every one were directed +to the burning palace, the far end of which was blazing furiously. + +"Look here," said the lieutenant in command of the sailors, "it seems +a pity; but if it is not done, the whole place must burn down." + +"What would you do?" said the King. + +"Blow up the burning rooms--the farther end," said Mr. Kenyon +promptly. + +"That's it," said the lieutenant. "If you've half a keg of powder, +we'll soon manage that, and a few hundred buckets of water will do the +rest." + +It was a pity, but it was like lopping off a diseased limb, and half +an hour after another explosion had suddenly shaken down that end of +the lightly built palace not a spark was visible. + +The next morning there was a ghastly array of sufferers lying about +the precincts of the palace, but not an enemy to be seen. The great +force gathered against the little knot of defenders had melted away. +Weapons were hidden, and the spirit of the rebellion seemed to have +quite evaporated, so that thousands of those who had been ready to +fight desperately in the second king's cause eagerly returned to their +daily avocations as soon as the news spread after the defeat that +their leader and those who had headed the conspiracy had fled up the +country to try and escape to safety in another land. + +It was while the naval officer in command of the sailors was +collecting all the men he could--most of them members of the inimical +force, but peaceful enough now--to set to work and remove all the +ghastly traces of the late fight, that Harry and Phra came suddenly +upon the old hunter and his two men superintending a gang of about +twenty Siamese laden with spears and krises, which were being carried +into one of the great sheds by the elephant stables. + +"Why, there's Adong!" cried Harry. "Here, how did you get back?" + +"He came with the sailors In one of the boats, Sahib," said Sree, +answering for his man, who nudged him to reply. + +"Then it was he who found an English ship to send help?" + +"Oh, yes, Sahib Phra; but it took him a long time, and he began to +fear that he would not find one at last." + +"Where did he find it?" + +"Sailing on the sea, and coming to our river, Sahib. He says he could +not help being so long." + +"But how about the firing of those mines, Sree?" cried Harry. "You did +that?" + +"Yes, Sahib." + +"How did you manage it? You were with us." + +"I went to a window where there were no fighting men, Sahib, and +dropped out to go down to the gate, where hundreds of men were +crowding in." + +"But didn't they stop you?" + +"No, Sahib; I was not an Englishman, and I played with them." + +"Played with them?" + +"Yes, Sahib; I held my arm, and I walked lame, and they said to +themselves, 'Here is a brave man who has been wounded,' and they let +me go. I knew that the Sahib wanted the powder to go off at a time +like that, and I crept to the places where the wires were hidden among +the stones. I pulled first one and then the other. It was very +horrible, Sahibs, but they were enemies seeking to kill the King and +his friends, so it was right that I should fire the mines." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII + +WHAT FOLLOWED + + +Sree's daring act with the mines, and the coming of the sailors who +had burned the enemy's fleet of warboats, combined to completely +dishearten the rebels, who fled, to a man; and the next day the people +were poling back their houseboats to their old places about the banks +of the river, trade was going on, and scores of the King's servants +and retainers came flocking in, many of whom had no doubt taken part +in the attack upon the palace, but the majority had fled through fear. + +The wounded were for the most part helped and fetched away, saving the +bad cases, which were attended by Dr. Cameron and the surgeon from the +ship; and excepting that strong guards were stationed at the levelled +gates and the broken wall there was no sign of the effects of the +siege twenty-four hours after the enemy had taken flight. + +The presence of the British war-ship in the river, with her guns and +the naval detachment, helped to awe the people; but with the flight of +the second king and his party the rebellion died, the hatred of the +English colony was forgotten, and Harry felt half angry, half amused, +to see the competition which ensued in the course of a few hours among +the work-people of the city, who nearly fought for the right to +rebuild the bungalows which had been destroyed. + +To be brief, in a few days the King was more firmly seated upon the +throne than ever, for the inimical party had been swept away, and his +people vied among themselves to prove who were the most devoted +servants he possessed. + +It was about three months later, and after the departure of the +man-of-war, that Harry and Phra were going round the English quarter, +where the rebuilding was well in progress, Mr. Kenyon's bungalow most +forward of all. + +"They have worked, Phra," cried Harry triumphantly. "Why, in another +fortnight we shall be able to begin housekeeping again. Mike has +bought boat-loads of things ready to come in as soon as the place is +dry." + +"Yes," said Phra; "they are getting on fast. These light bamboo-built +places are soon raised; but I don't see why you should be in such a +hurry. Aren't you comfortable up at the palace?" + +"Comfortable?" cried Harry. "It would be a shame if we weren't. No one +could be nicer than the King." + +"To his friends," said Phra gravely. "His enemies think differently." + +"He has no enemies now," said Harry. + +"No, not now, for the last of those who headed the rising have left +the country." + +"All those who could," said Harry, with a meaning look. + +"Don't talk about it," said Phra, with a spasm of pain in his face. +"We were talking about you coming back here to live. Aren't you afraid +of another volcanic eruption?" + +"N--no," said Harry. "We should be more on our guard if one were +threatening." + +"There will not be another for many years," said Phra gravely. "My +father has shown the people what he can do when roused, and he means +to be more severe with any who stir up the people against what he does +and his favouring of the English. I am sure we shall all be safe for +many years to come. Don't hurry to get away from the palace; father +wants you to stay--so do I." + +"Yes, that's very nice, but it isn't home, Phra, old chap, and we +English people like to be independent and have our own nests. But I +was thinking that if there was another rising in a few years, we +should be grown men and able to do better." + +"You couldn't. Could they, Cameron?" said a voice behind them. + +"You there, father?" cried Harry, flushing. + +"Where should I be but in my own home, sir? The doctor and I have just +come for a look round. But the museum looks bad, boys." + +"Yes, father. Phra and I were talking last night about having a turn +in the jungle with Sree to begin collecting." + +"And also about a rebellion in the future, and fighting better when +you are men. The doctor and I hope and believe that if there is war +again it will be against a foreign enemy, and the people will be +joining their wise and progressive King in defending themselves. Eh, +Cameron?" + +"We shall have no more risings," said the doctor decisively, "for the +people will never forget the way in which the last was put down. We +are like your father, Phra, stronger than ever now." + +"Let's end here," said Mr. Kenyon. "One such incident as that trouble +at the palace is enough in any boy's life." + +The two elders walked away to meet Mrs. Cameron, who had come down to +join her husband; and the boys stood looking at one another. + +"No more fighting, Phra," said Harry; "but we've got the museum to +fill." + +"Yes; when shall we begin?" + +"At once," said Harry. "So let's go and find old Sree." + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Jungle and Stream, by George Manville Fenn + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JUNGLE AND STREAM *** + +***** This file should be named 44680.txt or 44680.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/4/4/6/8/44680/ + +Produced by the volunteers of Project Gutenberg Thailand. +Proofreading by users brianjungwi, ianh68, kaewmala, +LScribe, Saksith, rikker, Claudio, andysteve, wyaryan, +dekpient, Gwindarr. PGT is an affiliated sister project +focusing on public domain books on Thailand and Southeast +Asia. Project leads: Rikker Dockum, Emil Kloeden. (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at + www.gutenberg.org/license. + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation information page at www.gutenberg.org + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at 809 +North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email +contact links and up to date contact information can be found at the +Foundation's web site and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For forty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/old/44680.zip b/old/44680.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0f2c367 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/44680.zip |