The rajah is sending
a message to your captain to tell him that he must build up his
palace again, pay him for the warships that he has destroyed, and
provide him with a guard against his enemies until a fresh fleet
has been built. If he refuses to do this, you will both be killed."
"Tell him," Harry said, "that if we are dogs, anyhow we have shown
him that we can bite. As to what he says, it is for the captain
to answer; but I do not think that he will grant the terms, though
possibly he may consent to spare the rajah's life, and to go away
with his ship, if we are sent back to him without injury."
The rajah uttered a scornful exclamation. "I have six thousand men,"
he said, "and I do not need to beg my life; for were there twenty
ships instead of one they could never find me, and not a man who
landed and tried to come through the country would return alive. I
have given your captain the chance. If, at the end of three days,
an answer does not come granting my command, you will be krised.
Keep a strict watch upon them, Captain, and kill them at once if
they try to escape."
"I will guard them safely, Rajah," the captain, who, from the rich
materials of his sarong and jacket, was evidently himself a chief,
said quietly; "but as to escape, where could they go? They could
but wander in the jungle until they died.
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