Page:The further side of silence (IA furthersideofsil00clifiala).pdf/359

 broke. At dawn, however, it was found that all the chiefs, with the exception of Tingkn Panglima, Dato' Kâya Dŵyong, Panglima Dâlam, Imâin Prang Losong, and Pahlawan had sneaked away under cover of the darkness. Tungku Musa was there to act as the mouthpiece of the Sultan, but he was quite as unhappy as any of his colleagues.

At last the Sultan said:

"Well, the day has dawned. Why does no man go forth to kill the Dato' Kâya Biji Děrja?"

Tungku Músa turned upon Tăngku Pănglima.

"Go you and slay him," he said.

"Why do you not go yourself or send Pahlawan?" replied Tungku Pănglima.

Pahlawan protested.

"Your servant is not the only chief in Trenggânu, he said. "Many cat the king's mutton in the king's balai. Why, then, should your servant alone be called upon to do this thing?"

Tungku Musa said to Imam Prang Losong, who was by way of being the professional leader of the Sultan's warriors:

"Go you, then, and slay the Dâto' Kaya."

"I cannot go," said the Imam Prang, "for I am not suitably attired. I am not elad in trousers, and lacking that garment, in the activity of combat my clothes may become deranged and a great shame be thereby put upon your servant."

"I will lend you some trousers." said Tungku Musa, who was a man of resource.

"But even then I cannot go," said the warrior.