e marauders,
from whom they suffer equally with the British."

"The Governor will receive you, at three o'clock this afternoon.
You will, of course, wish to deliver your despatch personally to
him and, as we shall acquaint him with its import, he will no doubt
be prepared to give you an answer, forthwith."

Without further words, the officials returned to their boats.

"They are a surly set of beggars," Fairclough said, as they rowed
off. "I don't think there is much chance of cooperation in that
quarter. Indeed, I am by no means sure that, at heart, they do not
approve of these Malay attacks. At present, they monopolize the
trade in spice. The native craft from all the islands bring their
productions here; and there can be no doubt that the piracies of
the Malays act as a great deterrent, both to the native traders,
and our own from Calcutta and Madras."

"I think that, very likely, that is so," Harry agreed. "I do not
think that the Governor had any belief that they would cooperate in
the matter, and really only invited them to do so because it would
explain the presence of a ship of war in these waters; so I shall
be in no way concerned, if this part of my business turns out a
failure."

At the appointed time, the captain's gig was lowered, and Harry and
Fairclough took their places in it. Another boat carried the Dutch
interpreter and the four troopers. They were received, on landing,
by an official and a guard of honour; and were conducted to the
Governor's residence. Another guard of honour was drawn up at the
entrance. They were shown into a large room, where the Governor was
seated, surrounded by the members of his council.

He rose and advanced a few paces, shook hands with the two
officers, and begged them to be seated, on two chairs next to him.
Harry handed the despatch to him.

"It is very short, sir," he said, "and perhaps, as you are aware of
its import, you will just glance through it."

The Governor did so and, afterwards, handed it to one of the
members of the council, and it was passed from hand to hand.

"I am quite in accord," the Governor said, "with Lord Mornington,
that the attacks of the Malays which we, as well as yourselves,
suffer from are deplorable; and it is greatly to be wished that
they could be suppressed. But I think that Lord Mornington could
hardly have been informed as to the great number of islands
inhabited by the Malays, and the great naval force that would be
requir