In the first place, dig down with your knife, and see if the bamboos are sound underneath.

They may have rotted there.
"You and I will stand at the entrance," he went on to the interpreter, "then they cannot see in." "Bamboos are quite sound, sahib." "Then we must try another way.

First cut the rattans--but not in a line with the entrance, a few feet on one side." The wood was extremely tough, and it was half an hour before Abdool could cut through them, and free three or four of the bamboo poles.
While he was doing this, Harry and the interpreter stood talking together, apparently watching the movements of the Malays.
"We are going to try and escape," Harry said.

"Will you go with us, or remain here?
They will certainly kill us, if they overtake us; there is just a chance that they will not kill us, if we stay." "They will kill us," the man said, confidently.

"It may not be today, because the rajah will be looking over his presents, and will be in a good temper; but tomorrow they will come in and kris us.