"It is no palace," said the Princess, quietly, "only a simple house." "Surrounded by a company of our troops, and burned to the ground." The Princess laughed. "I understand you," she said, nodding her head; "but that will not be. You English are strong and have great weapons that would destroy us at a touch. We have but our spears and krisses, so we trust to our wisdom to help us out, do you see." "I think I know what you mean," said Chumbley, quietly. "Yes," continued the Princess, "you are right; your soldiers would soon burn down my place and kill my people to get you back; but they would have first to find us out. Do you know where you are?" Hilton glanced at the open window, to see through the lattice-work of bamboo the deep green of the impenetrable jungle. "Yes," she continued, smiling at the look which came upon the young officer's face, "we bring cunning to fight upon our side. You see that you are in the jungle; and I tell you there is but one narrow path to this place, and my people guard it night and day." "When they are not asleep," muttered Chumbley. "I made this place," she said, "to flee to when my enemies should come. Here I am safe, and here, too, you are safe, for none but my most trusted people know the way." "Pleasant news this, old fellow," said Chumbley. "Pleasant!" cried Hilton; "but she shall smart for it. She does not think of what will be the result." The Inche Maida frowned as she saw his angry looks and heard his words. "Well, old fellow," said Chumbley; "it seems to me that we are wasting time." "What! are you prepared to make a dash for it?" cried Hilton. "Not I. I mean wasting time in talking like this. I'm sorry for you, old fellow--very sorry for you; but it's very hot and tiring this standing about. Hadn't we better make the best of it?" "Best of it!" cried Hilton, who now obstinately refused to glance at the author of their trouble, and kept pacing up and down like a caged beast. "Are you mad?" "Very," whispered Chumbley; "but one can't pitch into a woman. She fights with cunning, so must we, and wait for our chance to escape. There, it is of no use to chafe. Let's be thankful that matters are no worse." "Worse!" cried Hilton, passionately, "they could not be worse;" and he spoke loudly enough for the Princess to hear his words. "There--there, old fellow, calm down," drawled Chumbley. "Make the best of it till her ladyship here has grown tired of her two caged birds, and has let us out. We are prisoners, I suppose, Princess?" he said, aloud. "Prisoners or visitors, which you please, Mr Chumbley," she said, smiling. "Let it be visitors, for though Captain Hilton has said such cruel things--see, I am not angered, but quite calm. You are my visitors, then; but you cannot get away until I give the word." "Or our people fetch us," said Chumbley, throwing himself upon one of the divans with a sigh of relief, for the Inche Maida had pointed to the seat.