"No," said Ali, mournfully. "I should be fighting for them in doing anything that would free them from the rule of idle sensualists and pirates." "I tell you what," cried Bob Roberts, enthusiastically, "we'll whop old Hamet and Rajah Gantang out of their skins, and you shall be sultan instead, or your father first and you afterwards." Ali's eyes flashed as he turned them upon the speaker. "You could be chief banjo, you know," said Bob. "Chief--banjo?" said Ali, wonderingly. "No, no; I mean gong--Tumongong," cried Bob. "Oh, yes," said Ali, smiling. "But no, no: that is a dream. Let us be serious. One of your people could not go, it would be impossible; but I am a Malay, and if I dress myself as a common man--a slave--I could follow where the hunting-party went, and find out all you want to know." "No, no," cried Bob, earnestly, "I should not like that." "Like what, Mr Roberts?" said a voice that made them start; and turning sharply, they saw Captain Smithers standing by them, with Lieutenant Johnson. "Mr Ali here wants to dress up as a common Malay, sir, and go as a spy to get news of the hunting-party." "It would be excellent," cried the lieutenant. "Mr Ali, you would confer a lasting favour upon us." "But have you thought of the risk?" said Captain Smithers. "I have thought of everything," said the young man, quietly. They all sat down together under the shade of the great tree where they were, and the matter was talked over, it being decided that from time to time Ali was to send messengers with news of his progress, if he could find any trustworthy enough; and all being arranged, he left them, to make preparations for his departure, shaking hands warmly with all, and then going towards the barracks, but only to return directly. "As you may suppose," he said, "my success depends upon my not being apparently known to you; so if a strange Malay is seen leaving your lines, don't let him be fired at." "Of course not: I see," exclaimed Captain Smithers. "But shall we see you again?" "Not to speak to," replied Ali, smiling; and as soon as he had gone, Captain Smithers walked across the ground to give orders about a strange Malay being allowed to leave. Lieutenant Johnson returned on board the steamer with Bob Roberts; and Tom Long, after seating himself comfortably in one chair with his legs in another, went off fast asleep.