noe and rowed off,
under a salute similar to that which had greeted their arrival.

"That is quite satisfactory," Harry said to the commander.

"Yes; there is no doubt that he thought more of your present of
champagne, than of the gifts sent him by the Governor; and your
promise to let him have a consignment, occasionally, will keep him
in good temper.

"Now, what is your next move?"

"I think it would be best to finish with the Dutch, first. If there
were any delay in the other matter, they might get news, from
Malacca or some of their trading stations in Sumatra, that the ship
has been here and, in that case, they would guess that we are
thinking of establishing a trading station, and might send and make
their own terms with the tumangong. There can be no doubt that, if
we open a free port here, it will do great damage to them, and
divert a large portion of the eastern trade here; being so much
more handy for all the country craft trading with Siam and China,
besides having the advantage of avoiding the heavy dues demanded by
the Dutch."

"No doubt that will be the best way," Fairclough said. "We will get
up anchor, tomorrow morning."

In the course of the afternoon a large canoe came off, loaded with
presents of fresh meat, fruit, and vegetable; sent by the
tumangong, together with some handsomely-mounted krises for Harry
and the officers of the ship.

They continued their voyage, without incident, to Batavia. Arriving
there, they dropped anchor and saluted the Dutch flag. The salute
was returned from the shore; and, shortly afterwards a large boat,
flying the flag of Holland and carrying several persons, rowed out
to them.

It was apparent, at once, when they ascended to the deck, that the
visit of the British ship of war was not a welcome one. The
jealousy of the Dutch of any attempt, on our part, to obtain a
footing among the islands was intense; and the opinion on shore, on
seeing the brig, would be that she had come to announce that
possession had been taken of some unoccupied island. Their manner,
therefore, was cold when Harry informed them, through his Dutch
interpreter, that he was the bearer of a despatch to the Dutch
Governor from the Governor General.

"I may say that it refers," he said, "to the numerous outrages,
committed by the Malays, upon vessels owned by British subjects
trading among the islands; and that he suggests that the Dutch
authorities should join in an attempt to punish thes