“No, no. My geography and topography come from the military school of Kedong-Kebo, where I was educated.” “But how long will it take us to reach Singapore?” “At least three or four weeks; but mind, the slightest misadventure may upset all our calculations.” A cold shudder passed over the two Swiss and both cried out simultaneously, “Four weeks on the ocean in a nut-shell!” “I beg your pardon; to be on the Java sea at this season is not such a dreadful affair. But you can do as you please—join or remain behind.” “Oh, no!” was the reply as both Swiss offered their hands. “We join you most certainly, even though the journey should lead to perdition.” After this emphatic ratification of their alliance the three friends separated and in order to disarm suspicion they returned by different routes to the fortress. Now commenced a series of preparations separately conducted but all equally directed to the perfection of their arrangements. Whatever fell in their way that was likely to be useful on their voyage was taken to Johannes’ hut and stored away. Thus they contrived to get together a supply of provisions and gunpowder without much difficulty. What, however, taxed their ingenuity to obtain, was a supply of rifle bullets. These they managed to smuggle during target practice, by substituting blank cartridges. Of course when a miss was proclaimed as the result of their firing, their comrades laughed and jeered, but they only looked as innocent as they could and quickly stored away the abstracted bullet. Their stock of animal food also received an important addition most unexpectedly. The garrison organized a fishing-party after the Dayak method. They closed the creeks with a kind of bamboo matting during the flood-tides which followed the full moon. At the ebb the shallow bed of the moat was left so swarming with fish that they were bailed out by basketsfull. Johannes bought up the greatest part of this catch at a price so unusually high that it attracted the Colonel’s attention. When questioned by him Johannes explained that he intended to dry the fish for sale and that he had already disposed of it to Baba Poetjieng at a fair profit. This pretended speculation served also another purpose. It enabled Baba Poetjieng to visit Johannes’ hut and carry away all the fish without exciting suspicion. The cleaning and curing were undertaken by Johannes with the aid of La Cueille, who had been fully recognized as one of the alliance by Wienersdorf and Schlickeisen. They were most careful to warn the intemperate Walloon against the dangers of inebriety and they made him promise not to taste gin until at least they had started on their journey. “I faithfully promise,” says La Cueille, “not to touch a drop of spirits.” “Amen,” responded Johannes. “Do you mean to keep this promise throughout?” Wienersdorf asked. “By the sacred Lady of Scherpenheuvel,” answered the Walloon.