bly disappointed if you do not come."

To Ned's great satisfaction his uncle gave way, for he felt no great
disposition to begin an unpleasant task after so hard a day, and the
result was that after a change they went up to the Resident's house, to
reach there just at the same time as the doctor, his wife, and daughter.

CHAPTER TEN.

A SERIOUS COMPLICATION.

In a few weeks all thought of considering themselves as prisoners was
forgotten, and Murray and Ned were as busy as it was possible to be in
that hot steamy climate.

There was, however, one point about which Murray made a complaint, and
spoke to Mr Braine upon the subject, and that was the presence of armed
men as guards; for wherever they went, even if it was from one end of
the village to the other, there were these quiet dark sentinels, and so
sure as either Murray or his nephew came to the conclusion that they
were alone, the next moment one of the men would be seen pretty close at
hand.

"Never mind, uncle," Ned said, laughingly; "the sun always shines here,
so one must expect to have shadows."

"But I don't like it, Ned; it worries me," said his uncle; and as stated
he complained to Mr Braine, who promised to speak to the rajah, and two
days later came to the house where its occupants were busy skinning and
drying their specimens.

"The rajah has sent me to ask if he can do anything more for you,
Murray," said their visitor. "He has been saying again that he is
delighted with your discovery of the tin, and that he shall some day set
men to work mining and smelting, but he hopes you will persevere, and
discover a good vein of gold. You are to speak as soon as you are ready
for a long expedition, and the elephants will be brought up."

"Let's go soon, uncle," said Ned. "I want to have an elephant ride."

"Patience, patience, boy. There, that's not such a bad imitation of
life, is it?" said Murray, holding out a beautiful amethystine-looking
kingfisher.

"Capital!" said Mr Braine, smiling at the enthusiasm his new friend
brought to bear in his pursuit.

"Do for us?" said Murray, thoughtfully; "do for us? No, I think not.
He is wonderfully civil; feeds us too well; the attention we get is
excellent, and you people treat us as if we were your brothers."

"You are satisfied, then?" said Mr Braine.

"Yes, I think so; eh, Ned?"

"I am enjoying it thoroughly," replied the latter.

"Oh yes, of course. So long as you can be always off on s