Page:Malay Sketches.pdf/142

 Mecca a man called Haji Misah, nearly related to the late Shabandar.

Haji Misah was at this time a rather small, spare man of middle age, but his heart was out of proportion to the size of his bedy, and when he heard what had recently taken place in Bandar, and how Pénglima Praug Sémaun and Haji Ali had got away unpunished, his anger knew no bounds,

He promptly waited upon the Sultan and begged for permission to attack the Pénglima, and, if necessary, to include in the operations his protector, the Raja Béndahara,

The Sultan hesitated to give the desired permission, but the fact that the proposal had been made very soon reached Blanja and the ears of both the Wazir and Pénglima Prang. Whatever the latter was he could not be accused of cowardice, and he at once offered to anticipate an attack by making an expedition against Haji Masah to silence so arrogant a foe.

The Râja Bĕndahâra enraged at the idea that his name should have been mentioned with so little respect, and apprehensive that Haji Misah might find the means (as he knew he had the will) to carry out his suggestion, cordially approved the Pénglima’s proposal.