When this had been translated to the rajah by the interpreter,
the chief sat for some time silent. It was evident that he was ill
pleased, and that he had reckoned upon obtaining the British aid
without undertaking any responsibilities whatever.

"And the officer who will come up," he said at last, "would he
reside on shore?"

"Certainly he would. A portion of ground would be allotted for the
Residency; on this a fort would be erected, which would be manned
by a small force for his protection; and he might either reside in
the fort or in a residence erected for him close to it, and under
shelter of its guns. The fort would, of course, be used for the
protection of the town against enemies, as well as for the protection
of the officer against any rising on the part of your people; in
which case you, as well as himself, would find a refuge in it."

"Then I should no longer be a ruler," the rajah said angrily. "I
should not be able to order those who offended me to be punished."

"Not at all," the captain replied quietly. "Your powers as a ruler
would not be interfered with in any way, as long as they were
properly exercised. You would have the power of executing ill doers
in accordance with the custom of your country; but the murder of a
person who had committed no crime whatever is not to be permitted,
and anything like wholesale cruelty and tyranny would be sternly
repressed."

For some time the rajah sat without speaking; then he said, with
an evident effort of self control, "I must think all this over; it