One Maid's Mischief Part 35

The Rajah was evidently extremely eager to make amends for the burst of temper he had displayed, and presents of fruit, flowers, and the other productions of the country were constantly arriving by his servants. In some instances, so as to check any excuse that there might be for refusing or looking upon the presents as being pressed upon the English residents, the gifts were accompanied by requests for some little European luxury or for the loan of some article; so that if the Rajah had it in his mind to allay suspicion, he was pretty successful, and matters went on as they were before. Dr Bolter went upon a three days'

expedition, which, on account of the difficulties of the country, extended to six days, and he was forgiven.

The Resident sent a despatch to the Governor respecting the Inche Maida's case, and the Governor sent back a despatch to say that he had referred the matter to the Colonial Office; and the end of the piece of red tape was handed to the Malay Princess, who replied that she was willing to wait patiently for redress.

Then there was a pause, and life at the little station seemed to flow on as calmly as the river; but like the river, with its terrible reptiles lurking beneath the treacherously-smooth surface, so were there dangers beneath the calmly-flowing life of the British residents at the station, though they, p.r.o.ne as they were to take alarm, knew nothing, suspected nothing of what was in store.

A month had pa.s.sed since the little explosion of the Malay volcano, as Chumbley called it. There had been dinners and evening meetings, and the Rajah had been invited to several; then Mr Harley invited nearly everyone to a picnic down the river in his dragon-boat--a party that was p.r.o.nounced delightful.

This inspired the Rajah to imitate the Resident's little party, and he sought out Chumbley and proposed to get up one on a more extensive scale, and take the party up the beautiful river as far as the rapids.

"I don't mind helping you," said Chumbley, "but it will be an awful lot of trouble, and precious hot."

He finished, however, by saying he would help, and being once roused, threw himself heart and soul into the matter, especially as the Rajah came the next morning to say that he had had a visit from the Inche Maida, who, on being told of the projected party, had proposed that the boats should pa.s.s up the river as far as her home, where she would have a Malay banquet prepared.

This was agreed to, and the arrangements went on, it being considered advisable to do all that was possible to conciliate the native chiefs; and on the appointed day the Rajah's two largest dragon-boats, with the rowers all in yellow satin jackets--the royal colour--were at the landing-place of the station, and the Residency island.

The embarkation was soon effected, and the merry party were being rapidly pulled along the light reaches of the winding river, whose clear waters flashed in the bright suns.h.i.+ne, while the verdure-covered banks were rich with a profusion of the gayest blossoms, some of which emitted a delicious scent, plainly observable upon the boats.

Helen Perowne looked handsomer than ever in a dress of the palest yellow silk, half hidden by artistic drapings of lace.

Captain Hilton was always at her side; while Chumbley, when he did rouse himself, tried to be a little attentive to Grey Stuart, who was in company with Mrs Bolter.

The latter lady was a good deal exercised in mind, consequent upon the Reverend Arthur insisting upon bringing his collecting-box, and the doctor his gun; and also because, when the latter was not chatting with the ladies of the party, he was constantly finding out that such and such a woody point would be a splendid place for being set ash.o.r.e, as the forest abounded with birds and insects rich in nature's brightest dyes.

The Rajah was the perfection of gallantry and politeness, treating Helen Perowne with a grave courtesy whenever he approached her; and all was going on in a most satisfactory style, when Chumbley, who had made his way to the back of the palm-leaf awning that sheltered the party in the boat from the torrid sun, waited his opportunity, and then beckoned to the doctor.

The latter stopped until Mrs Bolter's eyes were in another direction, and then stole behind the awning to where Chumbley was seating himself, with his back against the side of the boat, the steersman looking at his great proportions with admiration the while.

"What is it, Chumbley?" said the doctor. "Not poorly, eh?"

"Never better in my life, doctor! Come and have a cigar."

The doctor glanced forward, but they were completely hidden from sight; and with a sigh of satisfaction, he took a cigar from Chumbley's case, lit it, and choosing a comfortable place, seated himself. Then like the lieutenant, he half closed his eyes, and enjoyed the delicious motion of the rippling water with the glorious panorama of foliage they pa.s.sed.

"I say, steersman, have a cigar?" said Chumbley, to the tall, swarthy Malay, in his picturesque yellow satin dress.

The man did not understand his words, but he quite comprehended the act; and he showed his betel-stained teeth as he took the proffered cigar, and lit it from the one the lieutenant placed in his hands.

Then they went on and on, up glorious reach after reach of the river, startling reptiles on the banks, and bright-hued birds from the trees that overhung the stream.

"I say, doctor," said Chumbley at last, in his lazy drawl, "what are you thinking about?"

"I was thinking that it can't be long before my wife comes and finds me out."

There was a pause, during which Chumbley laughed to himself.

"What are you thinking about, Chumbley?" said the doctor, suddenly.

Chumbley looked up suddenly at the steersman.

"Do you understand any English at all, old fellow?" he said; and the man shook his head.

"I was thinking, doctor," said Chumbley, in a low voice, "what a go it would be if the Rajah has got us all in this boat here, and is taking us up the river never to come back any more."

"What, on account of that upset a month ago?"

"Yes."

"Murder!" e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed the doctor.

"Yes," said Chumbley, "for us men; but I think I should be more sorry for the other s.e.x."

VOLUME ONE, CHAPTER TWENTY SIX.

UP THE RIVER.

Doctor Bolter nearly let fall the cigar he was smoking, for his jaw suddenly dropped; but by a clever s.n.a.t.c.h of the hand he caught it, and replaced it in his lips, as he glanced at the showily-dressed steersman to see if he had noticed the display of agitation.

"I say, Chumbley, don't be a stupid," he said, in a low voice, as he brushed some of the cigar-ash from his white linen tunic.

"Certainly not," replied the lieutenant, coolly. "I only said what I thought."

"But you don't think such a thing as that possible, do you?"

"Don't know. Can't say. It's rather awkward out here, though, to be in a place where you can't call in the police if you want them."

"Dear me! Bless my soul!" e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed the doctor, taking his cigar in his hand, and looking at the burning end. "But, oh, no! it's all nonsense. He wouldn't dare to do such a thing."

"No," drawled Chumbley; "I don't suppose he would."

"Then why the d.i.c.kens did you put forth such an idea?" cried the doctor, angrily. "Bah! that's the worst cigar I ever smoked."

He threw it over the side, and it gave an angry hiss as it fell into the water.

"Try another, doctor," said Chumbley, offering his case. "It's of no use to make yourself miserable about it if it is as I say."

"But the ladies!" cried the doctor. "My poor little wife," he added, softly.

"Well, they would be no better off if we make ourselves wretched," said Chumbley, coolly.

"Bight away from all help! Not so much as a bottle of quinine at hand!"

exclaimed the doctor.

"Ah, that's a pity," said Chumbley. "Here, light a fresh cigar, man, and don't look like that amiable person who pulled Priam's curtains in the dead of the night. Come, doctor, I thought you fellows were always calm."

"So we are," cried the doctor, feeling his own pulse. "Ninety-four!