lied Archie thoughtfully. "I have mixed a good deal with the
Rajah's people, and they are all very civil to me, but I never feel as
if they are safe, and I often think that they are waiting for a chance
to use the krises they keep so carefully covered over."

"There, Sir Charles!" said the Major, smoothing down his bristling
moustache. "It's coming."

Archie did not seem to hear the remark, and he went on thoughtfully:

"I think as Major Knowle does, sir, that, out of sheer ignorance, they
don't believe how powerful we are. You see, they are all armed; every
man has a kris; and they are going about with those nasty razor-bladed
spears that they can throw so accurately. Most of them carry the point
in a sheath, but it is a sheath that they slip off in a moment, and then
it is a most horrible, deadly weapon."

"Quite true," said Sir Charles thoughtfully.

"And then it seems to me, sir, that they feel a sort of contempt for our
men, who are armed when they are on duty, but as a rule go about without
so much as a bayonet; and even if they did carry that by way of
side-arms, it's only a poor, blunt sort of thing that in their eyes does
not compare with the kris."

"Don't you disparage army weapons, sir, that are sanctioned by the War
Office and the wisdom of the great Department," growled the Major.

"No, sir, I don't wish to. But I was thinking that we ought to do
something to teach these ignorant people how ready and well provided we
are in case of any trouble."

"Of course," said the Major; "we must do something."

"Better wait patiently," interposed Sir Charles, "until we have real
cause for using our weapons; and then I am quite for punishing them
severely."

"Stitch in time saves nine," said the Major emphatically. "Why not nip
the thing in the bud?"

"Why not?" continued Archie, who, now he was started, gained confidence
every minute and did not seem disposed to stop.

"Why not what?" said the Major.

"Have a grand parade, sir. There's the Queen's Birthday next week."

"Yes," said Sir Charles.

"Eh?" grunted the Major. "Grand parade? You mean make a bit of a show?
Full review order, and the band?"

"I'd finish off with that, sir," said Archie; "but I'd have every man
out, and get up a thoroughly good sham-fight, burn plenty of powder,
make everything as real as could be, and after plenty of firing and
evolution, form in line and deliver a regular good charge."

"Yes," said the Major, "the