Page 133 - Malay sketches

THE PASSING OF PENGLIMA PRANG SEMAUN
Then he returned to his own home to think how
this was to be worked out.
The Penglima Prang Semaun's house was between
those of the Shabandar, up stream, and Megat Raja,
down stream, and he knew that he was not strong
enough to resist a combined attack from both of
them. Therefore he determined that force must be
backed by cunning if he was to achieve his end.
He concluded that his only plan was to attack the
of him first as the most im-
Shabandar, dispose
portant, and then deal with Megat Raja at his
leisure.
Meanwhile, Che Nuh had expressed his desire tc
marry Meriam, but as his relatives recognised that
such an open avowal of his liaison must lead to
trouble with Megat Raja and his folk, they declined
to allow him to do this, and Che Nuh's negative
attitude towards the lady only increased the wrath
of her kinsman, Penglima Prang Semaun.
I have said that this bravo, for that was his
was the henchman of the
metier, Raja Bendahara,
the highest authority in the State after the Sultan.
Penglima Prang Semaun, having determined to kill
the Shabandar, felt it necessary to report the inten-
tion to his master and, mindful of possible wrath to
come, to ask his sanction.
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