"We will," said the resident. "Would to heaven, though, that I could feel more at ease about those we have left behind. If we only had a guide on whom we could depend, matters would not be so bad." "I have one for you," said the doctor, joyfully. "Who? Where is he?" exclaimed Mr Linton. "Here, close at hand," he said. And hurrying on to where he had left the Malay guide in charge of a couple of soldiers, he found that he had arrived only just in time; for feeling was very strong just then against every one wearing a dark skin, and the men were looking askance at one whom they believed likely to betray them at any moment. "A Malay!" said Mr Linton, doubtfully. "Yes, and a trusty one," said the doctor, decisively. "I will answer for his fidelity." "That is rather bold, doctor," said the major, who just then came up; "but these are times when we must not be too particular. Can he understand us?" "I was the young chief Ali's servant, and I speak English," said the Malay, quietly. "That is no recommendation," said Captain Horton, sharply. "That young chief deserted us, like the rest." "No," said the doctor; "he was assassinated for taking our part; and this man nearly shared his fate." This decided matters in favour of the Malay being retained as guide; but there was still a difficulty, and that was, would the poor fellow, injured as he was, be able to undertake the duty? He said he could, however; and as soon as he understood what was wanted, he went to the front, and the retreat was continued. CHAPTER FIFTY NINE. LIKE BROTHERS IN DISTRESS. It was a strange country to struggle through, for roads hardly had any existence. The rivers were the highways, and upon the banks the villages or campongs of the Malays were invariably placed. There were a few narrow tracks, such as the one the retreating party hurried along, but all else was dense jungle, the untrodden home of wild beasts. So dense was it that there was fortunately nothing to fear from attack on either side. It must come from the front, or else from the rear. Neither friend nor foe could penetrate many yards through the wall of verdure that shut them in to right and left. To have tried to flank them without literally breaking a way through the canes and interlacing plants was impossible. On being asked how long it would take to march to the river and strike it high up, the Malay replied, three days of hard walking; and the hearts of his hearers sank as they thought of their position, with scarcely any provender, no covering against the night dews or heavy rains, and only the earth for their resting-place, while a virulent enemy was always on their track, striving hard to cut off all they could. There was no other course open, however, but to face it, for it would have been madness to have tried to fight their way through the hostile country; and every one bent manfully to the task.