Page 155 - Malay sketches

THE PASSING OF PENGLIMA PRANG SEMAUN
them a considerable of dollars and
quantity every-
that was both valuable and
thing easily portable.
Torches and an examination of the muddy ground
soon established the direction taken, and the
missing
boat, coupled with the missing property, convinced
the least astute that by this way went the Penglima
Prang Semaun.
Many shouted questions from the bank drew forth
many assurances from those on the water that no
enemy had passed that way. The evidence to the
contrary was, however, all too plain, and as the
boats one by one came up to the landing-place, and
the watchers told their it became evident that
tale,
once again the Penglima Prang Semaun had justified
his reputation for both daring and resource.
He had made for the sea, his party did not
number ten, and they were in one boat. There
was still time to overtake or intercept them at the
river's mouth, and, as the grey light of dawn began
to lift the veil of mist and the freshening breeze
swept in chilly gusts over the water, a fleet of boats
set off to search the creeks and backwaters, while
others had orders to pull straight to the river's
mouth, and there take line and see that none passed
out to sea.
The Penglima meanwhile had wasted no time.
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