Page:The further side of silence (IA furthersideofsil00clifiala).pdf/308

 tate a conflict. An ostentatious display of fearless- ness is, on such occasions, the only safe card to play with a Malay, and I knew that though the war party among the younger chiefs was daily gaining strength, the biggest man of the lot was hesitating, and, as I thought, capable of being talked round.

Accordingly, I sent word that I would come; issued written instructions to the white men in the stockade on no account to quit the defences in order to attempt a rescue if things went ill with me, since that would mean the destruction of all; arned myself carefully, and prepared to set out. A. minor chief with a few followers came, according to custom, to escort me to the town, and just as I was starting, Umat, armed with kris and spear, and with a set look of resolve upon his face, fell in behind me. I stopped and took him aside.

"It is not necessary for you, to come," I said. "If all goes well, there will be no need of you. If aught goes amiss, what profits it that two should suffer instead of one?"

Ûmat grunted, but he did not turn back.

"Return," I ordered. "I have no need of you."

But Umat showed no sign of obeying me.

"Tuan," he said, "for how long a time have I caten your rice when you were in prosperity and at ease? Is it then fitting that I should quit you in a day of trouble? Tian, where you go, there I go also. Where you lead I follow."

I said no more, but went upon my way with Umat at my heels. IIis devotion not only touched but