rom this I
argued that affairs had not gone with the French in quite as
satisfactory a manner as they wished. I asked him at last whether he
thought that I should be detained or be otherwise inconvenienced by the
commandant at Cheribon.

"We shoot spies," he answered laconically, at the same time shrugging
his shoulders as a Frenchman only can do. "C'est la fortune de la
guerre."

"But, my dear sir, I am no spy," I answered. "The governor, or native
chief, purposed to seize my vessel, and I was left on shore while she
made her escape. I am but a supercargo anxious to sell the goods
entrusted to me."

The young officer gave a smile of incredulity, yet with an air of so
much politeness that I really could not be angry with him; indeed it
would have done me no good if I were. We were in a short time joined by
Mynheer Van Deck, who came galloping up on a much finer horse than any
possessed by the French soldiers. I found from my captor that the
journey would be far longer than I had expected, as we had to make a
considerable _detour_ to visit a native chief, or prince, to whom he had
a message. My belief was that he was beating up for native recruits to
oppose the British force, which, if not arrived, must have been hourly
expected. We had several natives with us, armed with long spears and
daggers, a few only having firelocks. Van Deck told me that we should
soon have to pass a river, rather a dangerous spot, on account of the
number of tigers which came there to drink, and which had already
carried off several natives.

"But surely they would not venture to attack so large a body of men as
this," I remarked.

"Not if we could keep together, unless they happen to be very hungry,"
he answered. "Unfortunately, however, the path in some places is so
narrow that we have to proceed in single file, and as there are fallen
trees and other impediments in the way, travellers are apt to get
separated, when, of course, they are more liable to be picked off. I
always keep my pistol cocked in my hand, that I may have a chance of
shooting my assailant."

"But I came on shore unarmed, and have no pistols," I answered.

"Then keep ahead of me, and if I see a tiger spring at you I will fire
at him, and do my best to save you."

"But the poor boy who is with me--he has a poor chance, I am afraid," I
observed, after I had thanked my friend for his offer.

"Oh, he is safe enough if he keeps close to the soldiers; the cl