The doctor glanced forward, but they were completely hidden from sight; and with a sigh of satisfaction, he took a cigar from Chumbley's case, lit it, and choosing a comfortable place, seated himself. Then like the lieutenant, he half closed his eyes, and enjoyed the delicious motion of the rippling water with the glorious panorama of foliage they passed. "I say, steersman, have a cigar?" said Chumbley, to the tall, swarthy Malay, in his picturesque yellow satin dress. The man did not understand his words, but he quite comprehended the act; and he showed his betel-stained teeth as he took the proffered cigar, and lit it from the one the lieutenant placed in his hands. Then they went on and on, up glorious reach after reach of the river, startling reptiles on the banks, and bright-hued birds from the trees that overhung the stream. "I say, doctor," said Chumbley at last, in his lazy drawl, "what are you thinking about?" "I was thinking that it can't be long before my wife comes and finds me out." There was a pause, during which Chumbley laughed to himself. "What are you thinking about, Chumbley?" said the doctor, suddenly. Chumbley looked up suddenly at the steersman. "Do you understand any English at all, old fellow?" he said; and the man shook his head. "I was thinking, doctor," said Chumbley, in a low voice, "what a go it would be if the Rajah has got us all in this boat here, and is taking us up the river never to come back any more." "What, on account of that upset a month ago?" "Yes." "Murder!" ejaculated the doctor. "Yes," said Chumbley, "for us men; but I think I should be more sorry for the other sex." VOLUME ONE, CHAPTER TWENTY SIX. UP THE RIVER. Doctor Bolter nearly let fall the cigar he was smoking, for his jaw suddenly dropped; but by a clever snatch of the hand he caught it, and replaced it in his lips, as he glanced at the showily-dressed steersman to see if he had noticed the display of agitation. "I say, Chumbley, don't be a stupid," he said, in a low voice, as he brushed some of the cigar-ash from his white linen tunic. "Certainly not," replied the lieutenant, coolly. "I only said what I thought." "But you don't think such a thing as that possible, do you?" "Don't know. Can't say. It's rather awkward out here, though, to be in a place where you can't call in the police if you want them." "Dear me! Bless my soul!" ejaculated the doctor, taking his cigar in his hand, and looking at the burning end. "But, oh, no! it's all nonsense. He wouldn't dare to do such a thing." "No," drawled Chumbley; "I don't suppose he would." "Then why the dickens did you put forth such an idea?" cried the doctor, angrily. "Bah! that's the worst cigar I ever smoked." He threw it over the side, and it gave an angry hiss as it fell into the water. "Try another, doctor," said Chumbley, offering his case. "It's of no use to make yourself miserable about it if it is as I say."