Now ask him first what message he brings from his chief
to the officers."
The question was put, and the native, speaking slowly and quietly,
and evidently repeating a lesson that he had learned by heart,
said, "The chief sends his greeting to his three friends, Harry,
Dick, and Doctor, also to Captain. He is well in body; he is cured,
and can throw a spear and lead his men to battle. He has sent
four messengers one after another, but none have returned with an
answer; they have no doubt been krised. Now he sends me."
"Tell him that no messenger has arrived until now," the captain
said, when this was interpreted to him.
The man nodded. "All krised. I travel at night, hide in trees all
day, float down at night in shadow of bushes, and have got through
safe. Chief Hassan says not been able to come down. Other chiefs
very angry because English warship come. Send message to Hassan to
join them. When he say no, they threaten to kill him and destroy
tribe when warship go away. Two of Rajah Sehi's prahus go up and
down river; stop all boats. Sehi send message to all chiefs; say
that English war boat here. English come take his country, and after
they done that take the countries of the others; make themselves
kings of the river. He ask them to join him in killing English,
every man, then he would have no more quarrel with them, no trouble
trade any more; be good friends with all neighbors.
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