said. "I am glad of that, for I own that I had doubts whether we
should hear any more of him."

"You come from the chief Hassan?" the captain, who had been working
at the Malay language, with the interpreter, since he had arrived
at the mouth of the river, asked in that tongue. The man's face
brightened.

"Yes, my lord," he said.

"Is he well?"

"The chief is quite well."

"I wish I knew enough to question him without Soh Hay's interference,
but I shall only make a mess of it, and, perhaps, get a wrong
idea altogether of his message. Now, Soh Hay," he broke off as the
interpreter entered, "you will ask this man the questions exactly
as I put them, and tell me his answer word for word. It may be of
importance. Now ask him first what message he brings from his chief
to the officers."

The question was put, and the native, speaking slowly and quietly,
and evidently repeating a lesson that he had learned by heart,
said, "The chief sends his greeting to his three friends, Harry,
Dick, and Doctor, also to Captain. He is well in body; he is cured,
and can throw a spear and lead his men to battle. He has sent
four messengers one after another, but none have returned with an
answer; they have no doubt been krised. Now he sends me."