Page:The further side of silence (IA furthersideofsil00clifiala).pdf/81

 many texts from the Holy Book, my short drawers, such as the Bûgis folk weave; and I bound my kris, the 'Chinese Axe' about my waist, and took in my hand my so famous sword, 'the Rising Sun." Three or four of my young men followed at my heels, and I did not forget to take with me the bottle of the white man's perfume.

"I went straight to the great Klang gaming-house, which at that hour was filled with gamblers; and when I reached the door, I halted for the space of an eye flick, and spilled the scent over my right hand and arm as far as the elbow. Then I rushed in among the gamblers, suddenly and without warning, stepping like a fencer in the war dance, and crying ' Amok! Amok! ' till the coins danced upon the gaming-tables. All the gamblers stayed their hands from the staking, and some seized the hilts of their daggers. Then I cried aloud three times, 'I am Si-Hamid, the Tiger Unbound!'—for by that name did men then call me. 'Get you to your dwellings, and that speedily, and leave your money where it is or I will slay you!"

"Many were terrified, a few laughed, some hesitated, some even scowled at me in naughty fashion, clutching their coins; but none did as I bade them.

"'Pigs and dogs,' I cried. 'Are your ears deaf that you obey me not, or are you sated with living and desire that your shrouds should be made ready? Do instantly my bidding, or I will kill you all, as a kite swoops upon little chickens. What powers do you possess and what are your stratagems that you