s atrocity?"

"Yes; he is determined that the poor lady shall be his wife."

"And if we all refuse and set him at defiance?"

"What good?" said the Tumongong, bitterly.

"I cannot do it, man," cried Mr Braine. "Tell me where are those
boys?"

"I cannot--I do not know."

"But--you have always been my friend--is there no way out of this
difficulty?"

The Tumongong was silent.

"Yes," continued Mr Braine; "there is that way. His death or
imprisonment. Is not the time ripe?"

The Malay made no answer.

"Murray is a strong man, brave as a lion; the doctor, Greig, and I are
good shots. We will fight for you to the death."

"It is time to go," said the Tumongong, coldly; and he walked out into
the veranda, and gave the guard below an order to be in readiness.

"It would be to the death," he said, quietly, as he returned. "No; we
are not strong enough. It is not for want of courage. I could kris
him, but it would be too cowardly. If we fought, it would mean death to
your friends and the boys--the ladies left alone to his mercy. There: I
am your friend. I have trusted you: my life is in your hands."

"It has been for months," said Mr Braine, quietly; "I have known your
secret for long."

"Are you ready?" said the Tumongong, loudly. Then in a low tone--"Bring
your weapons."

Five minutes after, the Resident was being marched to the doctor's,
where his coming was eagerly greeted; and the guard there being
strengthened by the newcomers, the Tumongong looking grave, and then
going slowly off, followed by his attendants.

"Frank? Tell me about Frank," cried Mrs Braine, clinging to her
husband's hand.

"Mr Murray--Ned?" cried Amy, seizing the other.

"All well as yet," said the Resident, sadly.

"This is true?" whispered Mrs Braine. "You are not deceiving me?"

"You know," he replied, gravely; and the ladies shrank away to weep
together, while the doctor offered his old friend his hand.

"Bad news?" whispered the doctor.

"The worst. He insists, and it is to be at once."

"I would sooner kill her," said the doctor, passionately.

"And I would sooner see her dead."

They stood thoughtful and silent for a few minutes before the doctor
spoke again.

"I never felt our helplessness so much before. Where is Murray?"

Mr Braine told him.

"A good man the less, but we might perhaps get a message to him to make
a dash for us here. Braine, will you fight?"

"To the death."

"We shall be f