“Did you speak to Amai Kotong?” Tomonggong Nikodemus asked. “No, I was not admitted inside the kotta.” “And to whom did you deliver the letter?” “To Dalim, who accompanied by the Dayak came outside to hear what I wanted.” The Tomonggongs and the Colonel hereupon exchanged a glance. “Then you did see Dalim?” “Yes, sir!” “And you spoke to him?” “Yes, sir!” “Why did you give the letter to him?” Nikodemus asked, “after I had instructed you to give it to nobody else but Amai Kotong?” “I did not wish to act in opposition to your orders, but Dalim told me that I might return whence I came, that I would not be admitted inside the kotta, nor could I see Amai Kotong. I thereupon handed him the letter, hoping that the kotta Chief might come to me after reading it, instead of which that tall blackguard reappeared and frightened me terribly.” “So you did not see anything?” “No, sir! nothing; but after I had given your letter I heard somebody reading out aloud. Then came loud and horrible cries from inside the kotta. I also heard threats against you, against the Resident, against the Government, as well as against myself and was on the point of running away. After the cries had somewhat subsided, however, the tall one handed me this parcel with instructions to give it to you.” The Colonel exchanged looks of disappointment with the Tomonggongs. The messenger at a given signal withdrew. “The affair has not improved,” the Colonel said. “Are not you of the same opinion?” Both Tomonggongs nodded affirmatively. “Can Dalim read?” “No, sir!” was the answer of Nikodemus. “It is quite clear that Amai Kotong has not been informed of the contents of the letter, and that they have read something else to him and the inhabitants of the kotta. Nevertheless we dare not hesitate. The situation becomes more grave with each moment. Is such your opinion also?” “Yes, sir!” both Tomonggongs replied. “I then propose to surprise the kotta to-night.” “Only listen to me once more, sir!” Tomonggong Nikodemus said quietly. “After the fight of this afternoon we must not dream of leading our Dayaks against the kotta. It will take several days to remove the impression of defeat, and I therefore earnestly implore you to postpone the attack. Besides, its chances of success will be very poor indeed with this clear moonlight, and it will certainly entail considerable loss of life.” “But what then, Tomonggong?” asked the Colonel. The old Chief did not reply at once. He reflected, sighed, and placing his hand on the shoulder of the Colonel, said: “Listen! I will go!” CHAPTER XII. CONSULTATION—THE “BLAKO ONTONG”—A SALVO OF GUNS—THE OFFERING—A NATIONAL DANCE—DOWN WITH THE TURBAN—A CONFERENCE DISTURBED BY TWO RIFLE SHOTS—A FLOATING ISLAND—AN ATTEMPT AT SURPRISE—A FATAL SHOT—THE SIEGE RAISED—THE EPISODE OF THE CROCODILE—JOHANNES SPEAKS—A NEW CHIEF