Page 76 - Malay sketches

MALAY SKETCHES

the police, who were natives of India, were not very
skilful in the management of the boat, and, as Mat
Aris offered his services to steer and there was no
doubt of his ability, this important post was given
to him. Choosing a convenient place where the
stream was both deep and rapid, Mat Aris upset
the boat and threw one into the water. Then
every
seizing the woman, he swam with her to the oppo-
site bank and both The
they disappeared. police
had enough to do, hampered by their uniforms, to
get out of the river with their lives.
For the next Mat Aris eluded all
eight years
attempts at capture. He lived in the jungle beyond
the jurisdiction of the Perak Government, and, with
his brothers, became the terror of the neighbour-
black mail on all who his
hood, levying passed way.
Mat Aris was the ringleader, and even more serious
crimes were laid at his door.
The woman Salamah was known to be living with
Mat Aris as his wife, and it was also known that
she had a child by him. Of Sahit nothing more was
seen or heard.
Meanwhile the Government of Perak had estab-
lished a station in the neighbourhood of the spot
where Sahit had disappeared, and complaints of the
lawless proceedings of Mat Aris were constantly
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