Page:The further side of silence (IA furthersideofsil00clifiala).pdf/194

 Ku-ish, better favoured in his person, and more- over a Malay-a man of the dominant race-she was both pleased and flattered by his admiration. Such exotic notions as a distinction between right and wrong boiled themselves down in her intelligence into a desire to be well fed and clothed, and a reluctance to risk a severe whipping at the hands of the muscular Ku-ish. She knew that Seutul, who also attracted her physically, could provide her with hitherto un- attainable luxuries. She hoped he would be able to protect her from the wrath and violence of her hus- band, since there are few Sâkai who dare to defy a Malay; and having thus thought the matter out, so far as such a process was possible to her, she now merely awaited a fitting opportunity to clope with her lover.

Their chance came on the night of the harvest home. In the darkness Sentul crept close to Chép, and when the chant was at its loudest, he whispered. in her ear that his dugout canoe lay ready yonder, moored to the river bank, and that he loved her. Together they stole out of the hut, unobserved by the Sakai folk, who sang and grovelled in the darkness. The boat was speedily found, and the lovers, stepping into it, pushed noiselessly out into the stream.

The river at this point hustles its shallow waters, with much fuss and uproar, down a long, sloping bed of shingle, and the noise swallowed up the sound. of the paddles. Chêp, seated in the stern, held the steering oar, and Sentul, squatting in the bows, pro- pelled the boat downstream with rapid and vigorous