A few moments afterwards he placed the parcel into the messenger’s hand, with command to deliver it to the Commander, at the same time advising him never to return to the kotta with similar messages unless he wished to be cut to pieces. The frightened native accepted the parcel and hurried away from such dangerous quarters as fast as his feet would carry him. In the meantime the two Dayak chiefs were seated with the Colonel on the trunk of a tree under a shed made of branches and leaves, and were waiting for the return of their messenger. The Colonel seemed very impatient; he stamped with his feet, drummed with his fingers on the sheath of his sword, and distinctly showed that he had not yet acquired the Eastern reserve so natural to his companions. At last he said: “He is a long while coming, is he not?” “It certainly is not far from here,” Tomonggong Nikodemus answered, “but your honor must not forget how cautious our messengers have to be.” “But do you really fancy this letter will lead to the result you expected?” “Yes, sir! The inhabitants of the kotta will see no danger in admitting the three of us unarmed inside their walls, and once there, we will find no difficulty in persuading Amai Kotong to deliver up the Europeans. The Chief will never risk the lives and property of the whole of his tribe, in order to protect four deserters.” “And yet their influence seems considerable, judging by our reception,” was the bitter reply of the officer. “I must own that it looks very suspicious; but who knows what tale they have told those ignorant upper countrymen?” “But will Amai Kotong be able to read the letter?” “No, sir, he cannot read himself; but undoubtedly some one will be found inside the kotta capable of deciphering it.” “Did you know that the kotta was so heavily armed?” “So heavily armed?” the Tomonggong asked in surprise. “Certainly; I have just now observed through my glasses that the battery carries six pieces of cannon, while, when I was here last year, as you must remember, no sign of a gun could be discerned.” “I certainly do remember it; but you seem to forget the guns of Kwala Hiang, which the deserters must have carried away with them.” “But at Kwala Hiang there were only two guns, while here I can count at least six.” “If such is the case, I am at a loss to find an explanation,” Nikodemus answered with a sigh. “And yet I do not believe that the intentions of kotta Djangkan, armed as it appears to be, are hostile towards the Dutch Government, or we should have heard of it before now. Such proceedings do not remain a secret in the Dayak country. These pieces must have been conjured hither, unless the Commander is mistaken.”