utters and a gig approaching. The captain himself was in the
stern of the latter, and the doctor was sitting beside him. A minute or
two later they were shaking hands with the officers, and saying a few
words to the men, who were evidently delighted to see them again. Just
as the greetings were over, Hassan, in a rich silk sarong and jacket,
came down towards them. He was leading his little daughter, and six
Malays followed them.

"Welcome, Captain," he said gravely. "Hassan very glad to see you. All
come right now."

"Thank you, chief. We have learned from your messenger how gallantly you
have rescued my two officers, and put an end to our troubles by killing
the Rajah Sehi, and capturing the last of the piratical craft."

This was too much for Hassan, and had to be translated by Soh Hay.
Since the chief's return, a number of his men had been occupied in
constructing bamboo huts for the use of the captain, officers, and men,
also a large hall to be used for councils and meetings; and to this he
now led the captain and his officers. When they were seated, he made a
speech of welcome, saying what gladness it was to him to see there those
who had been so kind to him. Had he known when they would arrive, food
would have been ready for them; and he assured them that, however long
they might stay, they would be most heartily welcome, and that there
should be no lack of provisions. They had done an immense service to
him, and to all the other chiefs on the river, by breaking up the power
of one who preyed upon all his neighbors, and was a scourge to trade. As
there were still several bottles of the rajah's wine left, champagne was
now handed round.

"It makes my heart glad to see you, Doctor," the chief said. "See, I am
as strong and as well as ever. Had it not been for you, my arm might now
have been useless, and my ribs have grown through the flesh."

"I don't think it would have been as bad as that," the doctor replied:
"but there is no doubt that it was fortunate that you were able to
receive surgical treatment so soon after the accident. And it has been
fortunate for us, too, especially for our young friends here."

Conversation became general now, and the interpreter was kept hard at
work, and Bahi divided her attention between the officers and the men,
flitting in and out of the hall, and chattering away to the sailors and
marines who were breakfasting outside on the stores they had brought
up, supplemented by a