n somewhere
among the trees."

"Never mind, Ned," said Murray, with a comical look of chagrin in his
countenance. "We'll only buy what we can and be off again directly. I
certainly didn't expect this. Why, there's another Englishman," he
said, more loudly than he had intended, for they were close up to the
jetty now, and the man of whom he had spoken, a red-faced youngish
fellow in flannel shirt and trousers and a straw hat, said loudly:

"Not a bad shot, sor. Make it Oirish, and ye'll be right."

"I beg your pardon," cried Murray, hastily raising his hat, and the
salute was returned. "What place is this?"

"Dirthy Bucket, sor. Campong Bukit they call it. Are ye from home
lately?"

"From England? Yes."

All this was said as the boat glided along by the bamboo posts, and
Murray added hastily: "Perhaps you would not mind helping us. We want
to buy some provisions--something to eat."

"Buy something to ate?" said the man, smiling. "Whisht, here's the
masther and the ladies.--Here's an English gentleman, sor."

There was rather an angry buzzing here from the dragon boat, as the
gentleman with the white umbrella came on to the jetty, the two ladies
with him remaining behind, while quite a little crowd of Malays began to
collect on the river-bank.

"English gentleman?" said the newcomer. "Glad to see you, sir. From
Singapore, I presume!"

"Not just lately; we have been staying at Dindong. We were on our way
up the river, and this place seemed a likely one to lay in a store of
fresh provisions. Am I right?"

"Perfectly. Come ashore, my dear sir. Your son?"

"Nephew," replied Murray, and Ned bowed stiffly.

"Just as welcome in this savage place. This way; my bungalow is a very
little way off."

"But my boat, guns, and the like?"

"Be safe? Tim, jump in and take charge, while the gentlemen come up to
tiffin."

"But, sor, there'll be nobody to--"

"Oh, never mind; we'll manage. My factotum, butler, footman, groom,
everything," continued the stranger. "Did those fellows bring you in?"

"Not exactly. They showed us the way."

"Hem!" said the stranger, with a dry cough; and he put up his white
umbrella again. "Mind the sun?"

"Oh, no; we are getting a bit acclimatised."

"You're lucky then; I'm not. My dears, gentlemen from home. Mr--
Mr--?"

"Murray."

"Mr Murray. My wife and daughter. Oh, by the way, forgot to introduce
myself: Barnes, Doctor Barnes, resident physician to H