Some chiefs say
one thing, some another. Some more afraid of rajah than of English;
some think better have English here than rajah.
"Hassan says must take great care. Sehi very treacherous; attack
when they do not expect it. He thinks his prahus can easily take
English ship; but Hassan says Sehi wants the other chiefs to aid,
so that if the English send up more ships, then, can all join him
in fighting them. Hassan says he will do what he can. He has eight
war canoes, but no good against prahus--they run at canoes, and
cut them in half; but will come to help if English attack. He does
not know where prahus are. Begs Captain to attack these first;
it is they that make Sehi master of the river. If they destroyed,
other chiefs not afraid of Sehi, and he might get some of them to
join against him. Hassan said tell Harry, and Dick, and Doctor he
does not forget their kindness, and will do what he can to watch
over them. Such is Hassan's message."
"Ask him when he is going back to his chief," the captain said.
"He go now," the interpreter said, after asking the question. "He
get as far as he can before morning. He sure many eyes watch ship
night and day to see that no message comes, or any word of what
rajah is doing. He float down stream in sampan some distance, then
paddle to opposite bank, then keep in shadow of bushes up the river,
and hide away till night comes again.
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