“Uracao had for years slept in front of my door when at home, and, when traveling, in the same room. He always waked at the slightest noise. He regarded his life as mine, and thought that he was bound to watch over me till I died. Although this was often inconvenient, yet it would have broken the affectionate fellow’s heart if I had forbidden it, so it went on. Potts made an effort to induce him to sleep forward among the Lascars, but though Uracao had borne insolence from him without a murmur, this proposal made his eyes kindle with a menacing fire which silenced the other into fear. “The passage was a quick one, and at last we were only a few days’ sail from Manilla. Now our quiet came to an end. One night I was awakened by a tremendous struggle in my cabin. Starting up, I saw in the gloom two figures struggling desperately. It was impossible to see who they were. I sprang from the berth and felt for my pistols. They were gone. “‘What the devil is this?’ I roared fiercely. “No answer came; but the next moment there was a tremendous fall, and one of the men clung to the other, whom he held downward. I sprang from my berth. There were low voices out in the cabin. “‘You can’t,’ said one voice, which I recognized as Clark’s. ‘He has his pistols.’ “‘He hasn’t,’ said the voice of Cigole. ‘Potts took them away. He’s unarmed.’ “‘Who are you?’ I cried, grasping the man who was holding the other down. “‘Uracao,’ said he. ‘Get your pistols or you’re lost!’ “‘What the devil is the matter?’ I cried, angrily, for I had not even yet a suspicion. “‘Feel around your neck,’ said he. “Hastily I put my hand up. A thrill of terror passed through me. It was the Thuggee cord. “‘Who is this?’ I cried, grasping the man who had fallen. “‘Potts,’ cried Uracao. ‘Your pistols are under your berth. Quick! Potts tried to strangle you. There’s a plot. The Lascars are Thugs. I saw the mark on their arms, the name of Bowhani in Hindu letters.’ “All the truth now seemed to flash across me. I leaped back to the berth to look under it for my pistols. As I stooped there was a rush behind me. “‘Help! Clark! Quick!’ cried the voice of Potts. ‘This devil’s strangling me!’ “At this a tumult arose round the two men. Uracao was dragged off. Potts rose to his feet. At that moment I found my pistols. I could not distinguish persons, but I ran the risk and fired. A sharp cry followed. Somebody was wounded. “‘Damn him!’ cried Potts, ‘he’s got the pistols.’ “The next moment they had all rushed out, dragging Uracao with them. The door was drawn to violently with a bang and fastened on the outside. They had captured the only man who could help me, and I was a prisoner at the mercy of these miscreants.