Trapped by Malays Part 49

"Yes? Go on."

"They're a-scouring the country, sir; and I hope they'll make a clean job of it."

"Yes, yes; but tell me everything."

"Ain't much to tell, sir; only one party's gone up the river in Sir Charles's boat, and he's with them."

"Yes?"

"And another party's gone down the river to search Mr Rajah Hamet's place."

"But I heard that he came up here and brought in my boat, and spread the news of our being killed."

"Yes, sir; and the Major, when we came back, said he'd been gammoning him, and that he must have been in the business."

"No, no," said Archie thoughtfully; "I'm sure the Major's wrong. Well, go on. Which way has Captain Down gone?"

"He has gone along the road to the Rajah's palace, to take him prisoner and make him give an account of himself."

"Right away in the jungle, along that elephant-track? They have taken tents, of course."

"I d'know, sir; but they've took possession of Mr Suleiman's two helephants."

"Ah, capital!" said Archie. "This is fresh news."

"Yes, sir; and I suppose Mr Suleiman will never get them again. They ought to be prize money. We took them, sir. My word, I should just like to have the old Rajah!"

"Of course," said Archie contemptuously. "Nice thing for a private soldier! A white elephant, Pete."

"Why, he's a blacky-grey 'un, sir. Wish I could be his mahout."

"Stuff! Where's Mr Durham gone?"

"Don't know, sir. Private instructions. Through the jungle somewhere, I expect, so as to take Mr Suleiman in the rear. But I say, sir, you don't mean to be kept in horspittle, do you?"

"No, Pete; I'm to be up to-morrow."

"Hooray, sir! I'm all right too--ready for anything. Try and put in a word for me."

"Of course, Pete."

"Thank you, sir. You and me has had so much to do with this business that they ought to let us go on in front over everything."

"We can't help it, Pete. Soldiers must obey orders. Still, there's one thing: they can stick our bodies into hospital, but they can't stick our hearts. They go where we like. Now, is there anything more you can tell me about what's going on?"

"Can't recollect anything, sir. But I shall pick up everything I can; you may depend upon that. I suppose you know, sir, that the Major's chucking out the orders right and left, and it's all just as if we were surrounded by the enemy."

"No, chuckle-head! How could I know all that? You mean, I suppose, that the garrison is in a regular state of siege?"

"Yes, sir, that's it; only I couldn't put it like that. Don't be waxy with a poor private as old Tipsy says is the most wooden-headed chap in the company."

"Now go on telling me."

"Sentries are doubled, sir, and the chaps says it's precious hard now we are so short of men."

"Then they should draw in the lines," said Archie eagerly.

"Yes, sir; that's what they have done."

"Oh, of all the thick-headed--Here, I won't get cross, Pete. But you do make me wild. Why didn't you tell me all this?"

"Too stupid, I suppose, sir. But don't give me up. I will try better next time. Want to ask me anything now, sir?"

"No. Be off."

"You don't mean you are sacking me, do you, sir?" half-whimpered Peter.

"No-o-o-o! Be off. Go amongst the men and pick up every bit of news you can, and don't shrink--"

"Not me, sir."

"And what you can't get from the men, ask any officer you meet."

"I say, Mister Archie, sir!"

"Say you are asking it for me."

"That's better, sir. Then I'm off."

It was quite dark when Peter entered the room again, hurried to Archie's bedside, and then stopped short.

"Fast asleep," he said to himself. "Ought I to wake him? Oughtn't I to wake him? Chance it.--Mister Archie, sir! Asleep, sir?"

"What? Yes--no! Oh, it's you, Pete!"

"Jump up, sir. You won't hurt," said the lad breathlessly. "It's a beautiful, hot night. I've picked something up, and I've run up to tell you. Come to the window, sir, and look out."

Archie sprang out and followed Peter to the open window, from which they had a full view of the landing-place, where lights were moving and their bearers could be seen hurrying to and fro.

"What boat's that?"

"Resident's, sir. I have come up to tell you."

"Yes--be smart! Tell me what?"

"Sir Charles and his party have come back, sir."

"From the up-river expedition?"