The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-04-07
At the Court Of PeIesu,


I
parts.)
PART TX.
So Norris departed and returned to his
house through the darkness, which had
already fallen over the land. He had
eaten no food since dawn, but his crav-
ings of appetite were not yet TO be ap-
peased, for on his arrival at his house he
found two chiefs, messengers from the
King, who brought him word that his
Highness was waiting his coming, and de-
sired urgently TO have speech with him.
In spite Of all their protests. Norris
bade all his men remain in the house and
went alone to this interview with the hos
tile king. He knew that Pelesu was IN
an exceedingly excited state, and that
the king would be glad of any pretext
which would give rise to a quarrel that
might terminate in the murder of Jack
and of his people. Anything in the ma
ture of trouble that might have the ap-
pearance Of being wholly unconnected
| with politics would, Jack knew, be very
| welcome TO the ruler of Pelesu, and this,
| of all things, he was most anxious to
avoid. Therefore he went alone, and the
risk which he ran by SO doing accorded
with the somewhat reckless mood that
| possessed him that evening.
| The king was awaiting Jacks coming,
! sitting upon a mat spread on the ground
in front of the whtewashed bungalow,
of which mention has already been made.
! The open space in front of the house, and
| all approaches 10 it. were thronged with
men, squatting humbly on the earth, after
| the manner of MaIays when in the pres
ence of their king, and the moonlight
! showed Jack that all present were armed
! TO the teeth; and, moreover, the people
! Of the neighbOring villages, he noJed, had
| been called in to the capital, a thing in
| itself 50 unusual that Jack needed no
man TO tell him that mischief was intend
ed, and he felt instinctively that an ap-
/ pearance of absolute light-hearted disre-
gard to danger was at once the wisest and
the safest air that he could assume in
the presence OF this multitude of his en-
emies.
Hal, Merah" he cried, laughingly, to
one burly native against whom ne brush
ed in passing-"thou and thy fellows are
in force tonight
The man scowled at him sulkily, and
those near him turned round TO watch
him and Norris.
1T is true that we are in force" grunt-
ed Merah. 1T is said that the king desires
TO Stay tiger!''
Norris knew well enough that there was
no tiger in the vicinity. and that he was
the person whose death the king desired
to compass.
Have care. Merah." he cried with
the same careless laugh on his lips.
Have a care, for tigers have claws and
teeth wherewith to guard their lives
All knew what this hint meant, and
Norris had the satisfaction of seeing some
approving and admiring looks on the faces
of the crowd, for Malays love pluck, es-
pecially when it is garnished with a touch
Of swa gger and a ready tongue.
Norris squatted upon the mat opposite
to the king, and noted with satisfaction
that no man was seated within striking
distance Of his back. The king sat in 81
lence. frowning at the mat which he pick
ed with restless fingers. All the great
chiefs were present, but for full five min
utes no man spoke q. word. At last Nor
ris took the initiative.
1T was told unto me that your Highness
desired to have speech with me. If this
is not so, I would ask leave to depart,
for I am hungry, having tasted all the
day
Have patience for space Tuan," said
the king. There is a little matter on
which 1 would speak with thee. 1t has /
been said that thou desirest to remove |
All Ku and his family from out this land |
Of Pelesu. 1 place no faith in this report |
for of a certainty it is false"
No said Norris, cit is true. Tomor- |
row at dawn / will remove these people |
from out of Pelesu. They desire it, and, |
moreover, they are British subjects, !
wherefore no man may restrain their COM
ing in or going forth"
But they are indebted to me-" said the
king.
If it be so that the debt can be proved
have heard tell of It'll will stand secu-
rity for the silver, and it shall be paid
But was it not to pay money due to All
Ku that your Highness sent diamonds to
his house, which men say were thrown
into the gutter?"
Jack was young, and for the life of him
he could not have kept back the gibe.
The kings face darkened till il was al
most black. and the lines about his mouth
deepened as he set his lips hard while his
breath came in short. sobbing gulps
When next he spoke his voice trembled
with anger.
Il care nothing for the money. as well
Tuan knows, but I beg thee not to re-
move from Pelesu those whom, 1 tell thee,
will not lightly suffer to depart"
Il am sad at heart" said Jack; verify.
my heart is sorrowful that 1 can not do
hat which thou desrest'
But, Tuan,'' almost shrieked the king.
whose will had never before been opposed
1y living .nan-"but, Tuan, thou dost not
understand! I tell thee will not suffer
t."
Full well I understand thy words"
said Norris; lit is my fate which is ac-
,ursed, since I can not comply with
hem"
But I am ruler of Pelesu." cried the
ling.
THAT is indeed so, but All Ku and his .
'eople are subjects Of the queen. the most
nigh, the most great, and all her folks are .
rec to come and go withersoever they de- )
ire. I. too, am her servant, and il is laid
,pon me 10 do her bidding. and to aid her ,
'eople 10 maintain their rights ;
All. truly" said the king, changing his ;
one from angry protest 70 the dulcet note ;
which heralds a sneering Malay remark of
many meanings. What am l. and what
5 my power? 1 have neither man, nor
Weapons. nor power. nor skill. nor state.
whereas thou, Tuan. art indeed well fur :
jshed with all that thou dost need in =.
rider to carry out the wishes OF thy !.
ueen."
British EifTeI Tower.
The tower grounds Of Brighton will be
pened on Easter MOnGay. and the rovv-