The Rajah's Fortress — page 107: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

98 THE RAJAH’S FORTRESS. The Chinaman threw his rifle over his shoulder. “Come along me,” he said, and he led the way out of the court and across the square, followed closely by the little band. Buller called *“ good-bye ” after them, and then they entered the narrow street on the other side, passed the sentry at the bridge, crossed that flimsy structure and turned up the creek, along a very rugged path that followed the foot of the mount- ain. They traveled a quarter of a mile in silence, and then Topee suddenly stopped and crept down the bank to the edge of the creek. He fumbled in the bushes a little while, and then those above heard a noise as though something heavy was being drag- ged over the ground, followed by a splash in the water. *“ Come along me,” the Chinaman called up in a cautious voice, and making their way carefully down, they found Topee holding a long, narrow canoe which sat gracefully on the water, and would easily carry a dozen persons. ** Me hidee boat allee time,” he explained. “ This Sarawong Creek. We go up,’ and he began to count on his fingers, “one, two, three, four days’ journey.” “Good,” said Guy. ‘That beats traveling on foot,” and setting the example, he stepped into the canoe, followed by Terril, and took his place in the front. COLUM 1OOO SS co