Page:Malay Sketches.pdf/136

 MALAY SKETCHES Accordingly the Penglima went up river to Blanja where the Bendahara lived, told his tale and asked for leave to kill the Shabandar.

The reply of the Bendahara was, “If you think you are able to do it, go on.”

That was enough. Penglima Prang Semaun returned to Bandar with a kindred spirit named Haji Ali, another bravo of reputation as evil as his own, and these two worthies soon settled their plan of operations.

The Sultan was at Pasir Panjang (only a few miles above Bandar), with a large following and a crowd of boats, and the Penglima and his friend determined to wreak their vengeance on the Sha- bandar on the Raya Haji, the day to which the most religious Muhammadans prolong the fast of Ramthan.

The day did not, however, suit, there were too many people constantly about the Shabandar’s house, and the conspirators had to return home without effecting their purpose.

On the following day, however, in the afternoon, Penglima Prang Semaun, Haji Ali, and three others, made a formal visit to the Shabandar, obtained ad- mission to his house, and found in it no one besides himself and a Sumatran Raja, a visitor from down