st grasp that I can
trust."

"Of course," cried Archie. "But then our Resident believes in
Suleiman."

"Yes, and distrusts me," said the young man rather bitterly. "Well,
they think they are right; but we shall see. I say, though, I didn't
see that French gentleman with Suleiman's people. I expected he would
be mounted upon one of the elephants."

"No," said Archie; "he has not been here for the last few days."

"Forbidden to come?" said the young man.

"No-o," said Archie; "he wouldn't be. He is Rajah Suleiman's friend."

"Yes," said Hamet quietly. "That is why I thought he would be here. Do
you like him?"

"Not a bit," said Archie. "Why?"

"Oh, I suppose it was because I dislike him myself. That is all.
Good-bye. As we Malays say, _apa boleh booat_."

"What is to be will be," said Archie. "Good-bye."

The parade-ground remained deserted for quite an hour, and then some of
the campong people had regained sufficient courage to begin dribbling
back, to be followed by a few of the inhabitants of the neighbouring
villages. But not one of the Malays who followed their Rajahs made
their appearance. Consequently there was no attempt made to carry out
the sports; but on being consulted, the Major gave orders that the
illumination of the boats should be encouraged, and the display of
rockets and coloured lights should follow; and as this news gradually
spread, some of the nearest village people and fisher-folk joined in, to
display their lanterns upon their boats, and a pretty fair gathering of
the campong people were present as soon as it was dark, it taking very
little in so effective a position to light up the river and jungle banks
in a most attractive way.

The Doctor and his wife and niece, in addition to several of the ladies
of the station, dined at the mess that night, so that they might
afterwards stroll down to the banks of the river and watch the rockets
burst and sprinkle the jungle with their stars; and just as the
enjoyment was at its height, and the simple Malay folk kept on bursting
out with their ejaculations indicative of delight, the Major went up
behind the Resident, who had been chatting with the Doctor and his
ladies.

"Well, Dallas," he said, "you don't feel nervous now, do you?"

"Hush!" was the reply, as the gentleman addressed looked sharply round.
"More so than ever. I hope you have got sentries out to command the
river approaches to the station?"

"Of course I have.