The rajah spoke again.

"And that boats, elephants, and men to clear a path through the jungle,
are to be at your service."

There was another speech in Malay, which Mr Braine did not interpret,
apparently for the reason that the rajah now rose from his stool, and
took a step forward to tap both Murray and Ned on the shoulder, standing
looking from one to the other, and rolling his great quid of betel-nut
in his cheeks as he tried to recall something he wanted to say.

At last a smile came upon his heavy features.

"Goooood--boyahs," he said thickly. Then, drawing himself up, he stood
fast, holding the scabbard of his sword in his left hand, threw his
right over and grasped the hilt, and then in strict military fashion
evidently, as he had been drilled by an instructor, he drew his sword,
saluted, replaced the blade, faced to the right, marched a dozen paces;
faced to the right again, and marched toward his bamboo and palm palace,
the loose fit of his tunic and the bagginess of his trousers showing off
to the worst advantage, till he was covered by his followers, who also
marched after him mechanically, sword-bearers, men carrying a golden
betel-box and golden spittoon, courtiers, and spearmen. At last all
were either in or close up to the house, only the two Malay chiefs, who
had fetched the strangers from the doctor's bungalow, remaining behind.

These two came up to them smiling in the most friendly way, just as
Murray said: "What about our boat and the men?"

"Oh, they will be all right," replied Mr Braine.

"But the men? Am I to send them back?"

"No; his highness desires that they stay."

Just then the chief who had been spoken of as the Tumongong--a kind of
chief counsellor--made some remark to Mr Braine, who nodded.

"These gentlemen," he said, "wish me to say that they hope we shall all
be very good friends, and that they will see the rajah's wishes carried
out as to your comfort."

"And our guns and things in the boat?"

The Tumongong spoke at once.

"You are not to make yourself uneasy. Everything will be right."

Then profound salaams were exchanged, and the Malays went toward the
rajah's house, while the Englishmen took the way that led to the
doctor's.

"I am beaten, Mr Braine," said Murray, rather bitterly. "I said I
would go."

"You have acted very wisely, sir."

"Humph! Well, perhaps so," said Murray, rather gruffly. "Here we are
then, Ned: prisoners in the cause of science