"Stuff if you like, and prime stuff," rejoined Hilton. "It's the sort of stuff of which I like to see men made. I have hopes of you yet, Chumbley. You will turn ladies' man--grow smooth and refined." "And use a pouncet-box, eh?" "No; I draw the line at the pouncet-box and silk," laughed Hilton. "Never mind! Chaff as much as you like, I'd go and help that Inche Maida. By Jove! what a name for a woman?" "Yes, it is a name for such a fine Cleopatra of a princess. I say, Chum, she seems to have taken quite a fancy to you." "To me, eh? Well, I like that! Oh, come!" laughed Chumbley. "Why, I saw her lay her hand upon your arm as if she wanted it to stay there. I'll swear I saw her squeeze your hand. No, my boy, it was your Hyperion curls that attracted her ladyship." "But I'll vow I saw her take a lot of notice of you, Chum." "Yes, but it was because I looked so big; that was all, lad. She's a sort of hen Frederick William of Prussia, who would adore a regiment of six-feet-six grenadiers. But never mind that; I think she ought to be helped." "Yes," said Hilton, quietly; "but I wish it was Murad who had done the wrong, for then I think that I should feel as warm as you--Well, what is it?" "Mr Harley wishes to see you directly, sir," said an orderly. "Come along, Chumbley; there's news, it seems. What is it, Harley?" he continued, as they joined the Resident in the veranda. "I have just had news from a man I can trust. Murad is getting his people together, and I fear it means trouble." "Let it come, then," said Hilton, firmly. "I'm rather glad." "Glad!" said the Resident, sternly; "and with all these women and children under our charge!" "I was not thinking of them," said Hilton, warmly, "but of chastising a scoundrel who seems determined to be thrashed." "I hope he'll bring the other fellow too," said Chumbley. "Hilton--Chumbley!" said the Resident, sternly. "You think upon the surface. You do not realise what all this trouble means!" VOLUME ONE, CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE. LIEUTENANT CHUMBLEY'S THOUGHTS. The news received by Mr Harley had no following. Sultan Murad had undoubtedly gathered his people together, but as events proved, it was not to make a descent upon the station. But all the same, the conduct of the young Malay prince augmented the scare amongst the Europeans. Grey Stuart grew pale, and thought with feelings of horror of what might be the consequences of her schoolfellow's folly. Helen, too, was in no slight degree alarmed, and the effect of the incident was to sober her somewhat for the time; but as the days glided on and nothing happened, the dread faded away like one of the opalescent mists that hung above the silver river at early morn. "It is all nonsense," said Mr Perowne; "the _prestige_ of the English is too great for this petty rajah to dare to attempt any savage revenge."