One Maid's Mischief Part 33

"It is well," she said, smiling; "and you too, lieutenant--you will come and see me? You like to shoot. All Englishmen like to shoot."

"Oh, yes, I'll come," said Chumbley, with his slow, heavy drawl. "I think it would be rather jolly. Yes, I'll come."

She nodded and smiled at him once more, as if he amused her; and Harley noticed that she glanced at Chumbley again and again as the conversation went on, looking at him as if he were some fine kind of animal she thought it would be well to buy at the first opportunity.

All at once, though, she turned sharply upon the Resident, and the object of her visit came out.

"I want you to help me," she said, with an angry flash in her eye. "I am a woman, and I cannot fight, or I would not come to you for help.

But you English are just. You have settled in our country, and your Princess says, 'Let there be no cruelty and ill-treatment of the people where you are.' I have seen you for ten years, ever since I became a woman who could think and act; but because I am a woman I am oppressed.

Because I will not be his wife Rajah Hamet stops my people's boats, and takes away tin and rice. His people beat my slaves and steal their fruit and fowls. Our lives become suffering, for my people are me. I am not a mother, but they call me mother, and they say, 'See, your children are robbed and beaten; they moisten the dust of the earth with their tears.'"

"Ah! ah! ah! ay! ayo!"

The three Englishmen started, for at these words of their Princess the women burst into a piteous wail, and beat their b.r.e.a.s.t.s.

"We suffer; I weep with my children," continued the Princess, rising and holding out her hands, as she went on speaking with a natural grace and fiery eloquence. "I grow hot with anger, and I am ready to take my father's kris and limbing and to go out against this coward who oppresses me; but I am a woman, and I should lead my people to death. I cannot do this, but I think and think till the rage grows cold, and my reason comes back, and I say, 'The great Queen loves her people, and she will not have them hurt. Her rulers, and counsellors, and warriors are in our country, and I will go to them and say, See, I am a woman--a princess. I pay you the tribute you ask of me, and I give you love and all I have that you ask. Save me, then, from this man. Teach him that he cannot rob and injure my people, and so beat and injure me--a helpless woman.' Will you do this, or shall I go back to my own place and say, 'The English are brave, but they will not help me? I am a woman, and you and your children must bear your lot.'"

She ceased speaking and crossed her hands humbly upon her breast; but her eyes lit up as she saw that Chumbley--upon whom her words had had a remarkable effect--was watching the Resident keenly, and was evidently eager to speak.

"Princess," said Mr Harley, "I am deeply grieved that you should have to make this appeal. I do not act in a matter of such grave importance as this without asking advice; but that I will do at once, and believe me, if I could help it, you should not wait an hour for redress."

"Not half an hour if I could have my way," cried Chumbley, excitedly.

"Princess, I hope we shall soon visit you for some purpose."

She smiled at him again, and nodded her satisfaction; but there was something very grave and earnest in her look as she almost timidly turned to Hilton.

He saw the look, which was one of appeal, and seemed to ask for a reply.

"I, too," he said, "should gladly come to your a.s.sistance."

"Then my task is done," she said. "Mr Harley, pray give me your help, and my people shall be ready should evil days come, as they did when I was a mere girl, and the English were in peril of their lives."

"Princess, I will do my best," he replied; and at a sign from their lady the women rose and stood ready to follow her back to her boat.

"Good-bye," she said, simply, and she held out her hand, placing it afterwards upon Captain Hilton's arm, as if she wished him to escort her down to the landing-stage.

This he did, followed by Chumbley, and on reaching the boat the rowers leaped to their places with the alacrity of well-drilled and disciplined men.

The Princess stood aside till the last of her attendants was in her place, and then she turned to Hilton.

"Good-bye," she said.

"Good-bye, Princess," he replied, shaking her hand. "I hope we shall have orders to come to your help."

"So do I," cried Chumbley, as he took the Princess's hand in turn; and as he uttered his earnest words he involuntarily raised her hand to his lips and kissed it with profound respect.

The Inche Maida's eyes flashed as she glanced at him, but they turned directly after with rather a regretful look at Hilton, as she seated herself beneath the awning. Then giving a signal with her hand, the rowers' paddles dipped, the swift boat darted out into the stream, was deftly turned, and began to ascend rapidly; the two young men standing upon the stage where the guard had presented arms, both of them a good deal impressed.

"I say, old fellow," cried Chumbley, speaking with animation, "that's an uncommonly fine woman, in spite of her coffee skin."

"Yea; you seemed to think so," replied Hilton, laughing.

"Did I?" said Chumbley, with his eyes fixed on the retreating boat.

"Yes; I never saw you so polite to a woman before."

"Didn't you? Well, but she is in trouble, poor thing; and I say, hang it all, old man, how well she spoke out about her people--her children, and her wrongs."

"Yes, it seems very hard, especially as I don't think Harley will get instructions to interfere on her behalf."

"Not interfere!" cried Chumbley. "Then it will be a d.a.m.ned shame. My dear old man, if we don't get orders to dress that fellow down, I'll go up and see her myself, and instead of tiger-hunting I'll try if I can't punch the blackguard's head."

"Why, Chumbley, old boy, what's the matter with you!" cried Hilton, laughing.

"Matter? With me? Nothing at all."

"But you seem all on fire to go and help the Princess."

"Well, of course," said the lieutenant, warmly; "and so I would any woman who was in distress. Why, hang it all, a fellow isn't worth much who wouldn't run some risks to protect a woman."

"Hear! hear! Bravo! bravo! Why Chumbley, you improve."

"Stuff! nonsense!" cried the latter, ashamed of his warmth.

"Stuff if you like, and prime stuff," rejoined Hilton. "It's the sort of stuff of which I like to see men made. I have hopes of you yet, Chumbley. You will turn ladies' man--grow smooth and refined."

"And use a pouncet-box, eh?"

"No; I draw the line at the pouncet-box and silk," laughed Hilton.

"Never mind! Chaff as much as you like, I'd go and help that Inche Maida. By Jove! what a name for a woman?"

"Yes, it is a name for such a fine Cleopatra of a princess. I say, Chum, she seems to have taken quite a fancy to you."

"To me, eh? Well, I like that! Oh, come!" laughed Chumbley. "Why, I saw her lay her hand upon your arm as if she wanted it to stay there.

I'll swear I saw her squeeze your hand. No, my boy, it was your Hyperion curls that attracted her ladys.h.i.+p."

"But I'll vow I saw her take a lot of notice of you, Chum."

"Yes, but it was because I looked so big; that was all, lad. She's a sort of hen Frederick William of Prussia, who would adore a regiment of six-feet-six grenadiers. But never mind that; I think she ought to be helped."

"Yes," said Hilton, quietly; "but I wish it was Murad who had done the wrong, for then I think that I should feel as warm as you--Well, what is it?"

"Mr Harley wishes to see you directly, sir," said an orderly.

"Come along, Chumbley; there's news, it seems. What is it, Harley?" he continued, as they joined the Resident in the veranda.

"I have just had news from a man I can trust. Murad is getting his people together, and I fear it means trouble."