hat has become of the family of the former rajah?" Harry asked.

"His wife and child are prisoners in the palace," he said. "Their
friends are surprised that their lives should have been spared; but
the rajah is crafty, and it is thought that he holds them so that
he could, if his position became desperate, place the young prince
on the throne and declare for him; in which case some, who are now
his enemies, might come over to his side. I am told that, except
that they are kept prisoners, the late rajah's wife and boy are
well treated."

The account was not satisfactory, but it did not shake Harry's
determination. Questioning the Malays further, he found that they
had heard, at Johore, rumours that one of the chiefs on the border
of Pahang was collecting a large force, with the intention of
attacking the rajah; that the people of Johore were erecting strong
palisades round the town; and that the fighting men of the villages
round had all been called in for its defence.

"When is this escort to come down?" he asked.

"They started at the same time as we did, my lord, and will be here
by this evening."

"Very well. In that case I will land, tomorrow morning at daybreak,
and start at once; so that we shall reach Johore tomorrow. Will you
hire four men, to act as carriers for us?"

At the time appointed, Harry went on shore with the Malay, Abdool,
and four troopers. They had put on full uniform, and Harry had
brought with him, to shore, an assortment of presents similar to
those he had given to the tumangong. The two messengers and the
four natives, as carriers, were awaiting him and, as he went up the
beach, he was joined by twenty Malays with an officer of the rajah,
who saluted him profoundly. The chief of the village was also
there, and accompanied the party until beyond its boundary.

After passing a few plantations, they entered a dense forest. The
road was a mere footway, apparently but little used. The ground
ascended rapidly and, when they had gone a short distance, some of
the Malay soldiers went scouting ahead; the rest following in
absolute silence, stopping frequently to listen.

"It is quite evident, Abdool," Harry said, in a whisper, "that what
they said at the village is true, and these people from Johore
consider the journey to be a very dangerous one. They are evidently
expecting a surprise; and I am afraid that, if we are attacked, we
shall not be able to place much reliance on them."

Abdool