Trapped by Malays Part 19

"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."

"St.i.tch 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, "there's something in that. But what's the good of doing it with only the people of the campong to look on?"

"Oh, I wouldn't do it shabbily, sir. I think, in honour of Her Majesty's birthday, Sir Charles ought to give a big banquet here, and invite both Rajah Suleiman and Rajah Hamet to come in force with their followers, and after the sham-fight have it all arranged that their people shall be well feasted."

"But the expense--the expense, sir!" cried Sir Charles.

"You go on, Archie Maine," said the Major. "Capital! Hang the expense!"

"But all these things have to be considered, sir," said the diplomat rather coldly.

"Yes, sir; and I am considering them," said the Major. "I think the plan's excellent. It will be killing two birds with one stone. I'll make it so real that we shall overawe the people, and please them and make them more friendly, at one stroke. Why, it will be worth in prestige twenty times as much as the money it will cost."

"Then you think we ought to do it, Major?"

"Think we ought to do it, Dallas?" said the Major in astonished tones.

"Why, of course. Don't you?"

"I think it's worth consideration, certainly, but I am not for coming to a rash decision."

"Rash!" said the Major hotly. "I don't call that rash. What is there rash in it?"

"Several things occur to my mind," said the Resident.

"Never mind the several; let's have one," said the Major, with the facial muscles making his moustache twitch sharply.

"Well, sir, we are few in number. Would it be wise to invite these two Eastern princes to come here in force and well-armed, so that they could combine and try to sweep us out of existence?"

"What! when our men are hot with excitement and ready to smell mischief in a good sham-fight? I should just like to see them try--eh, Maine?"

"Yes, sir," said Archie, with his eyes twinkling. "I think they would make a mistake."

"Yes," said the Major, leaning forward to give the boy a slap on the knee that made him wince. "And what about your despised British bayonets then--eh, sir? Eh?"

"Ah!" said the Resident thoughtfully.

"Oh, nonsense, nonsense, Sir Charles!" cried the Major. "Come, I think this is a grand proposal, and I can only see one failing in it."

"What's that, sir?"

"That I didn't think of it myself. Why, my dear sir, it's splendid; and I tell you what, we have got a pretty good supply in store. Our fellows shall give them a grand _salvo_ of rockets at night from boats in the river, by way of a finish off, the band playing 'G.o.d save the Queen' the while, with plenty of big drum."

"And you might make the campong people illuminate all their boats on the river," said Archie.

"Capital! Of course!" cried the Major.

"Humph! Yes," said Sir Charles. "And I might send in my invitation despatch a request to the two Rajahs to arrange that their nagas shall be well hung with lanterns."

"Hear that, Archie?" said the Major, chuckling. "He's coming round."

"Well, yes, on further thought," said the Resident, "if such a _fete_ were made of the matter it would be a great attraction, and must impress not only the followers of the two Rajahs, but the inhabitants of every campong within reach. But I am afraid--"

"I'm not," said the Major.

"I was going to say, of the expense."

"Oh, hang the expense! as I said before," cried the Major. "Let's do it well, and think about the cost later on. I say that these people, bloodthirsty as they are, quarrelsome, and generally spoiling for a fight, are such children at heart that they would be delighted, and believe more than ever in the followers of her they call the Great White Queen. Now, Sir Charles, are you with me?"

"Yes, Major," said the Resident, "I must confess that I am."

"Settled," said the Major, drawing himself up. "The Queen's Birthday, then. We haven't much time to spare.--What's that?" he continued, as Sir Charles left the Major's quarters, where the above discussion had taken place. "What's that you say--it might be dangerous to bring the followers of those two fellows together, seeing what enemies they are?

I never thought of that, Maine."

"You see, they began using their krises, sir, that night of the mess dinner."

"Humph! Yes. Then they were hanging about with nothing to do but growl at each other. Oh, I don't think we need study that, my lad. You see, their attention will be taken up--plenty to see, plenty to eat and drink--and we shall have all our lads under arms and prepared for any little _emeute_. Oh no, my lad, we won't seek clouds where there are none. All the same, we'll be prepared."

CHAPTER TEN.

PETER TURNS MAHOUT.

It was the morning appointed for the review, the preparations having been all made on the previous day; and the _reveille_ rang out, making Archie Maine turn over upon his charpoy bed with an angry grunt, for instead of unb.u.t.toning his eyelids he squeezed them up extra tight.

"Mr Archie, sir, don't you hear the call?"

"Hear it? Yes. What does it mean?"