The man looked puzzled at such unheard-of demands and vanished into the inner court, locking the door behind him and leaving us again to our meditations.

An hour passed and no one came, so I ordered the horses to be saddled and the pack-horse to be loaded, and prepared to start.

Just then the interpreter came up on horse back, and looked aghast at our preparations.

"Where is the Pumbuckle ?" we asked.
"Gone to the Rajah's," said he.

"We are going," said I."Oh! pray don't," said he; "wait a little; they are having a consultation, and some priests are coming to see you, and a chief is going off to Mataram to ask the permission of the Anak Agong for you to stay." This settled the matter.