"Tell him that no messenger has arrived until now," the captain
said, when this was interpreted to him.

The man nodded. "All krised. I travel at night, hide in trees all
day, float down at night in shadow of bushes, and have got through
safe. Chief Hassan says not been able to come down. Other chiefs
very angry because English warship come. Send message to Hassan to
join them. When he say no, they threaten to kill him and destroy
tribe when warship go away. Two of Rajah Sehi's prahus go up and
down river; stop all boats. Sehi send message to all chiefs; say
that English war boat here. English come take his country, and after
they done that take the countries of the others; make themselves
kings of the river. He ask them to join him in killing English,
every man, then he would have no more quarrel with them, no trouble
trade any more; be good friends with all neighbors. Some chiefs say
one thing, some another. Some more afraid of rajah than of English;
some think better have English here than rajah.

"Hassan says must take great care. Sehi very treacherous; attack
when they do not expect it. He thinks his prahus can easily take
English ship; but Hassan says Sehi wants the other chiefs to aid,
so that if the English send up more ships, then, can all join him
in fighting them. Hassan says he will do what he can. He has eight
war canoes, but no good against prahus--they run at canoes, and
cut them in half; but will come to help if English attack. He does
not know where prahus are. Begs Captain to attack these first;
it is they that make Sehi master of the river. If they destroyed,
other chiefs not afraid of Sehi, and he might get some of them to
join against him. Hassan said tell Harry, and Dick, and Doctor he
does not forget their kindness, and will do what he can to watch