"You ask him, Soh Hay, whether he wishes to be able to lead his
tribe in battle again, or to go through life unable to use a kris
or hurl a spear. In another ten days, if he remains quiet, he will
be able to go, and in a couple of months will be as strong and
active as ever, if he will but keep quiet until the bones have
knit. Surely a chief is not like an impatient child, ready to risk
everything for the sake of avoiding a little trouble."
The chief, on this being translated to him, scowled angrily.
"Tell him it is of no use his scowling at me, Soh Hay. I am not
doctoring him for my own amusement, but for his good, and because
he is the father of that little child."
The chief, when this was translated to him, lay without speaking
for two or three minutes, and then said quietly, "Tell the doctor
I am sorry; he is right, and I have been foolish. I will stay till
he says I may go."
CHAPTER II.
Four or five days later the chief was allowed to get up and to
walk quietly up and down the deck, and a week afterwards the doctor
said, "You can go now, chief, if you desire it; but you must be
content to keep quiet for another couple of months, and not make
any great exertions or move quickly. How long will it take you to
go up the river to your home?"
"Six days' easy paddling.
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