He did not know what the crazy-looking maze of the Chinese inscription on the red silk meant.

Had he asked Jim-Eng, that patient Chinaman would have informed him with proper pride that its meaning was: "House of heavenly delight." In the evening of the same day Babalatchi called on Captain Ford.

The captain's cabin opened on deck, and Babalatchi sat astride on the high step, while Ford smoked his pipe on the settee inside.

The steamer was leaving next morning, and the old statesman came as usual for a last chat.
"We had news from Bali last moon," remarked Babalatchi.

"A grandson is born to the old Rajah, and there is great rejoicing." Ford sat up interested.
"Yes," went on Babalatchi, in answer to Ford's look.