No one of course suspected a ruse under such a
137



MALAY SKETCHES

bold disguise as that, and, pulling straight for the
down-stream boats, steering right on and through
them, the Penglima called out, " Jaga-jdga, ' be on
your guard,' the Shabandar sends orders to watch
for the Penglima Prang Semaun, he is trying to
escape, I am warning all the boats."

No one could distinctly see who this messenger
was, or even catch more than a shadowy glimpse of
a spectral craft as she glided through the line, and
in the excitement of expectation, the noise of firing
and rival battle-shouts on shore, no one took special
heed as to which way the messengers went, or
whether that was the sound of their oars echoing
faintly in the distance.
The Shabandar on his part made no long tarry-
ing, but eager to revenge the murder of his brother,
and feeling that at last the Penglima and Haji Ali
were in his power, he determined to meng-amok, to
rush the house at once without waiting for day-
light.
Whilst summoning his men for the assault, he
heard the cries that told him the besieged were
making an attempt to break through his stockades,
and without further delay he dashed into Haji
Mflsah's house, only to find it empty, the renowned
Penglima and his amiable friend gone, and with
138



THE PASSING OF PENGLIMA PRANG SEMAUN

them a considerable quantity of dollars and every-
thing that was both valuable and easily portable.
Torches and an examination of the muddy ground
soon established the direction taken, and the missing
boat, coupled with the missing property, convinced
the least astute that by this way went the Penglima
Prang Semaun.
