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 The risk of that possibility deterred the Sultan’s people, who had surrounded the house with stockades, and all that could be done was to prevent the Pénglima, Haji Ali, and their men, from escaping, The process of starving out the besieged could not be resorted to, for here also the ladies would have suffered,

The moment the deed was done, Pénglima Prang Sémaun proclaimed that he was merely the instru- ment of the Sultan’s Wazir, and that he had acted on the authority of the Raja Béndahara. That, if true, coniplicated the case considerably, and as matters had arrived at an zpasse, a parley was called, and it was arranged that the Pénglima and his people should be given a safe-conduct to the Sultan at Pasir Panjang.

Accordingly, the Pénglima Prang, Haji Ali, and the others left their shelter and embarked in boats provided for them, but they took good care not to let the ladies, who were their prisoners, get out of reach,

Arrived at Pasir Panjang, Pénglima Prang at once sent a messenger to the Raja Béndahdra to inform him of the state of affairs and ask his aid. The Réndahara responded to this appeal by taking boat, and, with a great following, descended the