Page 151 - Malay sketches

THE PASSING OF PENGLIMA PRANG SEMAUN
the sheltering curtain that gave privacy to the
women.
Guided by the traitor, their movements hidden in
Cimmerian darkness, the little party made its way
in safety to the friendly shelter of the Shabandar's
stockade. He was expecting them, and he had also
prepared an unpleasant surprise for the cuckoos in
temporary occupation of their stolen nest.
Penglima Prang Semaun and his friends were
awakened from sleep by the banging of jingals and
muskets and a hail of various missiles.
A moment's search showed that the prisoners had
escaped, and the Penglima instantly realised that he
was in the toils.
He had already shown that he was a man of
resource, and his presence of mind did not desert
him in this dangerous crisis. The darkness alone
protected them, and that would not last ; moreover,
he could not tell at what moment his position might
not be rushed. It was clear that for them was
reserved the fate of those who when they got up in
the morning were all dead men.
The Penglima called his followers together,
explained the situation and its urgency, pointed out
the choice that lay before them an attempt to pass
the enemy's stockades under cover of the night or to
i3S