stayed on, at the earnest request of the rajah; but he
now declared that he must return to the coast. The rajah's approval
of the cession of a trading port, and of the island itself, was
written both in the Malay and the English languages, and signed by
the chief. Copies were also made and signed, by Harry, to be kept
in the palace, in order that on any future occasion they could be
consulted.

A great number of presents, of krises and other articles of Malayan
manufacture, were offered to Harry; but he excused himself from
accepting them, saying that, in the first place, it was not
customary for commissioners of the Governor to accept presents; and
in the second that, being constantly employed on service, he had no
place where these could be deposited, during his long absences.

On the third morning after the retreat of the enemy Harry started,
with his two companions, for the coast; attended by an escort of
twenty men of the rajah's own guard, commanded by a high officer.
There was now no fear of molestation, but the escort was sent as a
mark of honour. Starting early, they reached the coast town in the
afternoon.

They were received with great joy by the inhabitants, who had been
in a state of abject terror. A runner, who was the bearer of a
message to the rajah from the headman, had left on the morning
after Harry's party had started; and had returned with the news
that he had found the headless bodies of all the escort, but had
seen no traces of the white man nor his followers, who had
doubtless all been carried off by the enemy. The news caused
terrible consternation, as it was thought that the town might be
attacked, at any moment. Those of the inhabitants who possessed
canoes, took to them and paddled away down the coast. The others
fled to the mountains.

Finding, however, from scouts who had been left, that four days had
passed without the appearance of the enemy, most of them had
returned, on the evening before Harry arrived there. On hearing,
from his escort, of the defeat of the invaders and their enormous
loss, the most lively joy was manifested; and Harry was treated
with almost reverential respect, the men of the escort agreeing
that it was solely due to him that the victory had been gained. He
made, however, but a very short stay in the village; and the
headman at once ordered the largest canoe to be prepared. This was
decorated with flowers and flags and manned by twenty rowers who,
as soon as