“If once our men know that Harimaoung Boekit and his Poenans are inside the kotta, nothing will make them attack it; and more, I sincerely believe that they will even run away.” “So do I,” said the Tomonggong of Kwala Hiang. “But what business has this Poenan chief at kotta Djangkan?” the Colonel asked. “I do not know, sir; it is above my conception. If I could only speak with Amai Kotong.” “But did you not see any Europeans during your visit to the kotta?” “Not one, sir. I only noticed the smiling face of Harimaoung Boekit.” “Who fired at you?” “I do not know; for the shots were fired from behind the palisades and through loop-holes. Their shots were badly aimed or they would have killed me at such short range.” The Colonel smiled. “Believe me, Tomonggong, they aimed admirably. It must have been the two Swiss who fired with the intention of not killing you.” “May Hatallah bless them!” “Amen,” the Colonel said smilingly. They now decided to keep the presence of the head-hunters in the kotta a profound secret and to invest the fortification as closely as possible. Perhaps the stock of provisions in the kotta might not be large and famine would compel the garrison to capitulate. Two days and two nights passed by undisturbed after this attempt of Tomonggong Nikodemus to interview Amai Kotong. Each night the moon rose brilliantly above the edge of the forest and brightened everything with her soft, clear white light, so that nothing could happen within a radius of two hundred yards without being observed by the besieged. To attempt an assault under such circumstances would have been sheer madness. But in the same manner the moonlight protected the besiegers from the attacks of the Poenans, for Harimaoung Boekit did not hesitate to express his longing for a stormy night in order to wipe out his debts to those whom he thought were bent upon his capture. Shortly after nightfall of the third day it became quite dark, as the moon would not appear above the horizon until about half-past eight. Johannes was sitting in conversation with Amai Kotong, Dalim and Harimaoung Boekit, when one of the sentries reported that a huge, shapeless object was visible above-stream quietly coming down with the current. They all started up in great haste, took their arms and hastened towards the side of the river to see what was in progress there. And truly at a distance of about 300 yards they observed slowly advancing toward them an object much too ponderous for a canoe and too irregular for a raft. It resembled more a floating island. The men were called to arms and held prepared for any emergency.