Page:Malay Sketches.pdf/151

 The Pěnglima and his friends having gained the house proceeded to make themselves comfortable and did not attempt to disturb or annoy Haji Masah and his family. These latter occupied a curtained portion of the principal room, and underneath their only window a sentry was placed night and day.

Meanwhile the Shabandar, informed by messenger of what had taken place, hurried back to the neigh- bourhood and reinforced the adherents of Haji Masah, who so far had contented themselves with building and occupying stockades to command Haji Masah’s house.

The Pěnglima’s tactics were again completely successful, and as it was impossible to fire on the captors without danger to their imprisoned friends the Shabandar, who now commanded the investing force, set himself to devise a plan whereby he might gain his end by craft.

The Pěnglima’s men occupied the house and one or two small stockades close by it, The Shabandar’s party had built a series of enclosing works which practically cut off escape to landward. In front was the river and here again, both up stream and down, there lay a small fleet of guard-boats.

The Pěnglima’s own two boats were chained to the landing-stage where they were safe, for it would