He promptly waited upon the Sultan and begged
for permission to attack the Penglima, and, if
necessary, to include in the operations his protector,
the Raja Bendahara,

The Sultan hesitated to give the desired permis-
sion, but the fact that the proposal had been made
very soon reached Blanja and the ears of both the
Wazlr and Penglima Prang. Whatever the latter
was he could not be accused of cowardice, and he
at once offered to anticipate an attack by making
an expedition against Haji Mflsah to silence so
arrogant a foe.
The Raja Bendahara enraged at the idea that
his name should have been mentioned with so little
respect, and apprehensive that Haji Mflsah might
find the means (as he knew he had the will) to
carry out his suggestion, cordially approved the
Penglima's proposal.
124



THE PASSINGf OF PENGLIMA PRANG SEMAUN

It did not take long to collect from the neigh-
bouring village of Lambor enough men to fill two
boats, and, as that was all the Penglima wanted for
his purpose, the party had started for Batak Rabit
(Haji MOsah's village) before the down-stream
people had the smallest inkling of their intention.
The time was specially well chosen from the fact
that the Shabandar was absent in a remote district.
In Japan they say, " If you have not seen Nikko
you cannot say gekko," and if there is anyone who
knows the Malay Peninsula and yet has never
watched the sun set across the rice-fields, when
the ripe grain hangs heavily in the ear, his know-
ledge of the beauties of Malay scenery is very in-
complete.
