Page 149 - Malay sketches

THE PASSING OF PENGLIMA PRANG SEMAUN
The Penglima and his friends having gained the
house proceeded to make themselves comfortable
and did not attempt to disturb or annoy Haji Musah
and his family. These latter occupied a curtained
portion of the principal room, and underneath their
only window a sentry was placed night and day.
Meanwhile the Shabandar, informed by messenger
of what had taken hurried back to the neigh-
place,
bourhood and reinforced the adherents of Haji Musah,
who so far had contented themselves with building
and stockades to command Musah's
occupying Haji
house.
The Penglima's tactics were again completely
successful, and as it was impossible to fire on the
captors without danger to their imprisoned friends
the Shabandar, who now commanded the investing
force, set himself to devise a plan whereby he might
gain his end by craft.
The Penglima's men occupied the house and one
or two small stockades close by it. The Shabandar's
party had built a series of enclosing works which
cut off to landward. In front
practically escape
was the river and here again, both up stream and
down, there lay a small fleet of guard-boats.
The Penglima's own two boats were chained to
the landing-stage where they were safe, for it would
133