Chapter 5. Before The Rajah

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_ CHAPTER FIVE. BEFORE THE RAJAH

At the same moment that the doctor was speaking, Ned had caught sight of something glittering in the sun above the green shrubs that bordered the bamboo fence, and directly after that there was quite a blaze of yellow and scarlet colour as a party of Malays reached the gate and entered the grounds, a little group of swarthy-looking spearmen halting in the path, while two stately-looking men, with handkerchiefs tied turban fashion about their heads, came slowly up to the steps. The doctor descended to meet them, and then ushered them into the verandah where they saluted the ladies courteously, and then bowed gravely to the strangers, to whom they were introduced as two of the chief officers of the rajah in the most formal way; after which, as a brief conversation took place in the Malay tongue, and gave Ned the opportunity to examine their silken jackets and gay kilt-like sarongs in which were stuck their krises with the handles covered by the twisted folds, the doctor turned to Murray.

"These gentlemen," he said, "have been sent by his highness the rajah to ask why you have come here, and to desire your presence before him."

"Tell them," said Murray, "that I am sorry I cannot speak their tongue; and that as I am going on at once, I beg the rajah will excuse me from waiting upon him."

"My dear sir," whispered Mr Braine; but Murray flushed a little, and went on:

"Tell the rajah, please, that I am an English gentleman, a subject of Her Majesty Queen Victoria, travelling with my nephew to collect objects of natural history, and that I shall be obliged if he will give me a safe conduct to pass through his country unmolested by his people."

An answer to this was made at once by the elder and more grave-looking of the two Malays, showing that, though he spoke in his own language to the doctor, he had comprehended every word that had been said.

The doctor listened, and then interpreted again to Murray.

"The Tumongong desires me to say that he is sure his highness will be glad to further your wishes, but that he dare not go back and deliver such a message. You will excuse me for saying so, Mr Murray, but you must obey, and at once."

"And suppose I refuse, sir?" said Murray, warmly. "British gentlemen are not accustomed to be told that they must."

"No," said the doctor, smiling, "and do not like it; but there are times when Englishmen and Scotchmen find that they must submit to circumstances--eh, Braine?--eh, Greig?"

"Oh yes," said the merchant, taking out his snuff-box, opening it, and offering it to each of the Malay gentlemen, who bowed gravely, and took a pinch.

"It is not pleasant, I know, sir," said Mr Braine quietly; "but may I, as a fellow-countryman, offer you a little advice?"

"Of course."

"Then pray go, sir. And, excuse me for saying, it would be uncourteous not to obey the summons. Vous parlez Francais?" he added quietly.

"Yes, badly."

"Croyez moi: il faut."

Ned noticed a slight twitching of the Tumongong's facial muscles, and an intent look in his eyes, as if he were trying to understand the last words, which puzzled him.

"I am at his highness's service," said Murray, abruptly. "Come Ned, you may as well come too."

The chief officer smiled gravely, and placed himself beside Murray, his companion following his example, and walking up to Ned. Then they both bowed politely to the ladies, and signed to the visitors to go toward the steps.

"You are coming, then?" said Murray, as he saw Mr Braine step forward.

"I? Oh yes. You will want an interpreter," said the gentleman addressed.

"Excuse me a moment," said Murray, addressing the Malay chief.--"Ladies, I'll say good-bye once more, and thank you heartily for your kindness to us."

"You can do that later on," said the doctor, quietly. "If you do go to-day, of course we shall come and see you off."

"To be sure. Thank you," said Murray smiling.--"Now, gentlemen, I am at your service. I see that you speak English."

"Understand? yes," said the chief officer; "speak? no."

By this time they were in the garden, the group of swarthy spearmen standing back in line with military precision, and holding their weapons at the salute as the party passed them, and then falling in behind to march after them in a way which showed that they had been carefully drilled.

"Come, Ned," said Murray, as they passed out of the gate, "don't look so serious, lad; they are not leading us out to execution."

"Did I look serious, uncle?" said the boy merrily. "I was not thinking that, but of our clothes."

"Eh, what about them, lad?"

"That they look very rough and shabby beside these grand dresses. We hardly seem lit to go to court."

"Not our fault, boy. It is a special invitation," replied Murray merrily.--"We must study up the Malay language so as to be independent, Mr Braine."

"I should advise you to master it as soon as you can," said that gentleman, who was now walking beside them as they threaded their way in and out among the houses, where every now and then they could catch a glimpse of a pair of eyes watching them, though the people they passed took not the slightest notice of them, or just glanced, turned their betel-nut in their mouths, and went on chewing it with their eyes half-closed, as if the coming of strangers was not of the slightest importance to them.

"Is it far to the palace?" asked Murray, giving Ned a quaint look.

"Just beyond those houses, and amongst the group of trees you can see over their roofs," said Mr Braine; and he then turned and spoke to the officers, who replied to him in Malay.

"His highness is waiting to give you audience," he continued. "Mr Murray, I do not like to force advice upon a stranger, but I should like to say, for your own sake and that of your young friend, try to accept the position in which you find yourself, however hard it may be. And," he added in a whisper, looking sharply at Ned, "whatever you see, do not laugh. Eastern gentlemen are extremely sensitive to ridicule."

"I shall not laugh," said Ned quietly; and then he began thinking about the punctilious ways of his companions till they had passed the last houses, entered a patch of forest, and from that came suddenly upon a clearing where a spacious bamboo house stood half hidden by a clump of umbrageous trees, beneath one of which was drawn up a group which at the first glance made the boy wonder whether he was gazing at a scene in real life, or some imaginary picture from an eastern tale.

The first figure upon which Ned's eyes rested was seated in the centre of the group, on a quaintly made stool, and his gorgeous dress immediately suggested that this must be the great man himself whom they had come to see. For he was evidently got up expressly for the occasion, with his courtiers carefully arranged about him, some standing behind and on either side, but for the most part squatted down on the sandy ground in the position affected by eastern people, though here and there one could be seen right down cross-legged _a la turque_.

The rajah was the only one in European costume, and at the first glance at the man, with his heavy fat sensual-looking face and lurid eyes, Ned recalled his companion's words: "Whatever you see, do not laugh."

He felt at once the value of the advice, as his eye ran over the chief's costume, for he was gorgeously arrayed in a military tunic and trousers undoubtedly made in London to order, the tailor having had instructions to prepare for his highness a dress that would be striking and impressive, and from this point of view he had done his work well. The trousers were blue with gold stripes, of the most elaborate floral pattern, such as decorate levee uniforms; and, after the fashion of our most gaily-dressed hussars of fifty years ago, there were wonderful specimens of embroidery part of the way down the front of the thigh. But the tunic was the dazzling part of the show, for it was of the regular military scarlet, and was neither that of field-marshal, dragoon, nor hussar, but a combination of all three, frogged, roped, and embroidered in gold, and furnished with a magnificent pair of twisted epaulets. Across the breast was a gorgeous belt, one mass of gold ornamentation, while the sword-belt and slings were similarly encrusted, and the sabre and sheath--carefully placed between his legs, so that it could be seen to the best advantage--was a splendid specimen of the goldsmiths' and sword-cutlers' art, and would have been greatly admired in a museum. To complete the effect, the rajah wore an Astrakan busby, surmounted by a tall scarlet egret-plume, similar to that worn by a horse-artillery officer of the British army, the cap being corded, starred, and held in place by a golden chain cheek-strap.

The effect ought to have been most striking, and so it was in one way; but it was spoiled by the presence of a jetty-black Malay attendant, dressed in an ordinary dark paletot and military-looking cap, holding over the rajah's head a white sun umbrella of common cotton, and the fact patent to any Englishman, that the uniform must have been ordered without the customary visit to the tailor, the result destroying everything with the horribly striking truth that it did not fit!

Ned bit his tongue hard, and gazed to right and left at the swarthy courtiers of the monarch, six of whom were squatted down in the front row, some in little military caps, others in brilliant kerchiefs tied turban fashion about their heads, and all wearing brilliant silken sarongs. These were the rajah's sword-bearers, and each held by the ornamental sheath a kris or parang of singular workmanship, with the hilt resting against the right shoulder. The rest of the rajah's people were picturesquely arranged, and in their native dress looked to a man far better than their ruler, who was the incongruous spot in the group, which was impressive enough to an English lad, with its lurid fierce-looking faces and dark oily eyes peering from the mass of yellow and scarlet, while everywhere, though with the hilt covered by the folds of the sarong, could be made out the fact that each man carried at his waist a deadly-looking kris.

All this was seen at a glance as they advanced, and Ned had thoroughly crushed down the desire to laugh at the dark potentate, when his uncle nearly made him explode by whispering: "Make your fortune, Ned. Buy the whole party for Madame Tussaud's."

He was saved from a horrible breach of court etiquette by the two officials advancing, bowing low to the rajah, and making a short speech to his highness, who nodded and scowled while the guard of spearmen formed up in a row behind, and Mr Braine saluted in military fashion, and went and stood half behind at the rajah's left elbow, listened to something the great man said, and then looked at the two visitors.

"His highness bids me say that you are welcome to his court."

"We thank his highness," said Murray, frankly. Then to Ned: "Do as I do;" and he advanced and held out his hand.

There was a slight movement amongst the sword-bearers and officials, and a dozen fierce-looking men seemed ready to spring forward at this display of equality. But the rajah did not resent it; he smiled, rose, and took the extended hands in turn, making his plume vibrate and his busby topple forward, so that it dropped right off, and would have fallen in the dust but for the activity of Ned. He caught it and returned it to the wearer, who frowned with annoyance as he replaced it in its proper position.

"Dank you," he said, quite surlily, and he shook hands now. "How der doo?"

This last word was prolonged with quite a growl.

"Quite well, and glad to pay our compliments to your highness," said Murray.

The rajah's brow puckered, and he stared heavily, first at his visitors and then at Mr Braine, for he had reached the end of his English.

That individual came to his rescue, however, and after a few formal compliments had passed, with the people all listening in stolid silence, Murray requested through his interpreter permission to pass on through the rajah's country.

This brought forth a series of questions as to what the visitors would collect, and answers respecting birds, animals, and plants.

The rajah listened to the answers, and then said something eagerly to Mr Braine.

"His highness wishes to know if you understand anything about minerals and metals," said the latter.

"Yes, I have made mineralogy and geology something of a study," replied Murray; and this being interpreted, the rajah spoke again for some little time with more animation than might have been expected from so heavy and dull a man.

"I'm getting tired of this, Ned," whispered Murray.

"Oh, it's worth seeing, uncle. It will be something to talk about when we get home."

"Yes, boy; but I want nature, not art of this kind."

"Mr Murray," said their interpreter just then, after clearing his voice with a cough, as if to get rid of something which tickled his throat, and drawing him and Ned aside, "his highness desires me to say that he, is very glad to welcome to his court so eminent a naturalist."

"My dear Mr Braine," said Murray, interrupting, "we are fellow-countrymen. Never mind the flowery part; let's have the plain English of it all."

"My dear fellow, I am translating almost verbatim. His highness says that he has long wished to see a gentleman of your attainments, for he is anxious to have his country explored, so that the valuable metals, precious stones, and vegetable productions may be discovered. He says that you are very welcome, and that a house shall be placed at your disposal, with slaves and guards and elephants for expeditions through the jungle to the mountains. One of his dragon boats will also be placed at your service for expeditions up the river, and he wishes you every success in the discoveries you will make for him."

"For him!" said Murray, looking bewildered; "but I want to make them for myself, and for the institutions with which I am connected in London."

"Yes; it is very awkward," said Mr Braine.

"Tell him I am highly flattered, but I must go on to-day.--Well, go on: speak to him."

"I cannot. I dare not."

"Then I will."

"But you can't; you do not know his language."

"Then I'll show him in pantomime."

"My dear sir, pray do nothing rash. I understand this chief and his people. You are quite strange to their ways. I beg you for your own sakes to accept the position."

"But it is making prisoners of us, sir. English people are not accustomed to such treatment. I will not be forced to stay."

"My dear Mr Murray, you are losing your temper," said Mr Braine. "Just let me, as a man of some experience out here, remind you of what, in cooler moments, you must know: I mean the necessity for being diplomatic with eastern people. Now pray look here. I know how annoying all this is; but on the other hand, you will have facilities for carrying on your researches such as you could not create for yourself."

"Yes; but I do not like to be forced."

"I know that. It is most objectionable."

"And I see through him as plainly as can be: he wants me to find out gold, or tin and precious stones, and other things for his benefit. It is degrading to a scientific man."

"You are perfectly right; but I must speak plainly. This man has perfect confidence in his own power, and he rules here like the Czar of Russia. My dear sir, be guided by me. You have no alternative. You cannot leave here, and he will have no hesitation whatever in imprisoning you if you refuse. Come, accept his proposal with a good grace, for your own and your nephew's sake--I may add for the sake of the follow country-folk you have met here to-day."

"But my good sir," said Murray angrily, "this idea of forcing me makes me the more indignant and obstinate."

"Yes; but forget all that in the cause of science."

Murray smiled.

"You are a clever diplomat, Mr Braine," he said. "Well I give way, for, as you say, there is no alternative."

"That's right," said Mr Braine eagerly, "and I hope you will not regret it. There, the rajah is growing impatient. He must not think you have spoken like this. I shall tell him that you have been stipulating for abundance of help."

"I do stipulate for that."

"And freedom to pursue your investigations in every direction."

"Yes; I stipulate for that too."

For some time past the rajah had been frowning, and loosening his sabre in its scabbard and clapping it down again, while Ned noticed that, as if anticipating an unpleasant reminder of their master's anger, the people right and left squatted and stood like statues, gazing straight before them. But when Mr Braine left the two strangers, and went back to the fierce-looking chief and made a long communication, which he had dressed up so as to gloss over the long consultation and Murray's defiant manner, the rajah's face lit up, and showed his satisfaction, the courtiers and attendants relaxed, and began to chew their betel. Ned even thought he heard a faint sigh of relief rise from the group, as Mr Braine bowed and returned to where the newcomers were standing.

"You have acted very wisely, Mr Murray," he said. "Come now, his highness wishes to speak to you."

Murray could hardly crush down the feeling of resentment which troubled him, but he walked up with Ned quietly enough, and stood waiting and trying to attach a meaning to the words which the rajah said, feeling how valuable some knowledge of the language would be, and hardly hearing Mr Braine's interpretation.

"His highness bids me say that he will be most happy to meet your wishes with respect to accommodation, and freedom to explore."

The rajah spoke again.

"And that boats, elephants, and men to clear a path through the jungle, are to be at your service."

There was another speech in Malay, which Mr Braine did not interpret, apparently for the reason that the rajah now rose from his stool, and took a step forward to tap both Murray and Ned on the shoulder, standing looking from one to the other, and rolling his great quid of betel-nut in his cheeks as he tried to recall something he wanted to say.

At last a smile came upon his heavy features.

"Goooood--boyahs," he said thickly. Then, drawing himself up, he stood fast, holding the scabbard of his sword in his left hand, threw his right over and grasped the hilt, and then in strict military fashion evidently, as he had been drilled by an instructor, he drew his sword, saluted, replaced the blade, faced to the right, marched a dozen paces; faced to the right again, and marched toward his bamboo and palm palace, the loose fit of his tunic and the bagginess of his trousers showing off to the worst advantage, till he was covered by his followers, who also marched after him mechanically, sword-bearers, men carrying a golden betel-box and golden spittoon, courtiers, and spearmen. At last all were either in or close up to the house, only the two Malay chiefs, who had fetched the strangers from the doctor's bungalow, remaining behind.

These two came up to them smiling in the most friendly way, just as Murray said: "What about our boat and the men?"

"Oh, they will be all right," replied Mr Braine.

"But the men? Am I to send them back?"

"No; his highness desires that they stay."

Just then the chief who had been spoken of as the Tumongong--a kind of chief counsellor--made some remark to Mr Braine, who nodded.

"These gentlemen," he said, "wish me to say that they hope we shall all be very good friends, and that they will see the rajah's wishes carried out as to your comfort."

"And our guns and things in the boat?"

The Tumongong spoke at once.

"You are not to make yourself uneasy. Everything will be right."

Then profound salaams were exchanged, and the Malays went toward the rajah's house, while the Englishmen took the way that led to the doctor's.

"I am beaten, Mr Braine," said Murray, rather bitterly. "I said I would go."

"You have acted very wisely, sir."

"Humph! Well, perhaps so," said Murray, rather gruffly. "Here we are then, Ned: prisoners in the cause of science we'll call it.--But it seems to me, Mr Braine, that if we do not mind our P's and Q's, we shall be prisoners indeed."

Mr Braine made no reply, but his looks seemed to endorse the other's words. _

Read next: Chapter 6. Making The Best Of It

Read previous: Chapter 4. Guests Or Prisoners?

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