ple of the hated infidels who had
forced themselves into the peaceful country, where their rajah, like
many another, had been free to carry on a happy lawless existence,
cutting throats, selling slaves, committing acts of piracy, and
indulging in every vile and sensuous custom, was one not to be lost.
Rajah Gantang wanted no peace, or order, or prosperity in the land where
he could seize on the wretched people, and make them pay him in gold,
tin, rice, poultry, fruit, or any precious commodity, for the right to
pass down the river, which he, and a few more of his stamp, looked upon
as theirs by right; so that his three followers were certain to receive
praise and reward for the proof they might be able to show of the death
of a couple of the giaours.

For the Malays are good Mohammedans, and look upon the slaying of a
Christian as a most meritorious act, but at the same time they were too
cautious to endanger their plot or their own lives by undue haste.

Hence it came about that the dinghy was allowed to drift down, a good
three quarters of a mile, before the Malays made any attempt, when, as
the sampan closed up, and the man in her bows raised his limbing to
throw, the savage in the water reached up one hand to Dick's shoulder,
and struck at him with the other.

The blow from the kris and the hurling of the spear took place at one
and the same moment, but the touch of the Malay's hand upon his shoulder
made Dick leap up with such a sudden start, that the aim was baffled,
and the boat rocked so violently that the spear whizzed by Bob Roberts'
head, and plunged into the water.

In a moment more Dick had seized the little scull that lay in the
dinghy, and struck the Malay in the river so severe a blow on the head
that the man went under, to rise again a few yards away, and then paddle
feebly towards the sampan, whose occupants, spear in hand, now made a
desperate attack upon those they meant to make their prey.

Bob Roberts never quite knew how it all took place, but he had a lively
recollection of old Dick standing up in the boat, sweeping the little
oar round his head, and striking fiercely at the men who thrust at him
with their spears.

It was a most unequal encounter, for while the Malays were upon
comparatively substantial ground, the dinghy rocked to and fro, and it
only needed the hand of the half-drowned Malay to catch at the side, in
a frantic effort to save his life, to send it right over, and Bob and
t