Part 26 (1/2)

It was apparent, at once, when they ascended to the deck, that the visit of the British s.h.i.+p of war was not a welcome one. The jealousy of the Dutch of any attempt, on our part, to obtain a footing among the islands was intense; and the opinion on sh.o.r.e, on seeing the brig, would be that she had come to announce that possession had been taken of some unoccupied island. Their manner, therefore, was cold when Harry informed them, through his Dutch interpreter, that he was the bearer of a despatch to the Dutch Governor from the Governor General.

”I may say that it refers,” he said, ”to the numerous outrages, committed by the Malays, upon vessels owned by British subjects trading among the islands; and that he suggests that the Dutch authorities should join in an attempt to punish these marauders, from whom they suffer equally with the British.”

”The Governor will receive you, at three o'clock this afternoon. You will, of course, wish to deliver your despatch personally to him and, as we shall acquaint him with its import, he will no doubt be prepared to give you an answer, forthwith.”

Without further words, the officials returned to their boats.

”They are a surly set of beggars,” Fairclough said, as they rowed off. ”I don't think there is much chance of cooperation in that quarter. Indeed, I am by no means sure that, at heart, they do not approve of these Malay attacks. At present, they monopolize the trade in spice. The native craft from all the islands bring their productions here; and there can be no doubt that the piracies of the Malays act as a great deterrent, both to the native traders, and our own from Calcutta and Madras.”

”I think that, very likely, that is so,” Harry agreed. ”I do not think that the Governor had any belief that they would cooperate in the matter, and really only invited them to do so because it would explain the presence of a s.h.i.+p of war in these waters; so I shall be in no way concerned, if this part of my business turns out a failure.”

At the appointed time, the captain's gig was lowered, and Harry and Fairclough took their places in it. Another boat carried the Dutch interpreter and the four troopers. They were received, on landing, by an official and a guard of honour; and were conducted to the Governor's residence. Another guard of honour was drawn up at the entrance. They were shown into a large room, where the Governor was seated, surrounded by the members of his council.

He rose and advanced a few paces, shook hands with the two officers, and begged them to be seated, on two chairs next to him. Harry handed the despatch to him.

”It is very short, sir,” he said, ”and perhaps, as you are aware of its import, you will just glance through it.”

The Governor did so and, afterwards, handed it to one of the members of the council, and it was pa.s.sed from hand to hand.

”I am quite in accord,” the Governor said, ”with Lord Mornington, that the attacks of the Malays which we, as well as yourselves, suffer from are deplorable; and it is greatly to be wished that they could be suppressed. But I think that Lord Mornington could hardly have been informed as to the great number of islands inhabited by the Malays, and the great naval force that would be required to overawe and punish these freebooters; who are so bold that they do not hesitate to attack our traders, even when large s.h.i.+ps, and carrying guns for their protection. Nothing short of a great fleet of cruisers would suffice.

”In the next place, did we undertake any operations on a large scale against the Malays throughout the islands, they would unite against us; and might, in revenge, a.s.sail many of our ports, and do us enormous damage. Even if your fleet performed half the work, it is we, only, who would be the sufferers. Certainly we have not sufficient vessels of war to attempt such an operation and, even were the Governor General of India to send down as many vessels as we have at our disposal, the force would be altogether inadequate for such extensive operations. These islands are counted by hundreds and, on the approach of s.h.i.+ps of war, the people would desert their villages by the seash.o.r.e and take to the interior--where it would, in most cases, be impossible to follow them--and all the damage we could inflict would be to burn their villages, which could be rebuilt after the s.h.i.+ps had sailed away. To exterminate piracy would be the work, not of months, but of many years. However, I shall consult my council, and will draft a reply to the despatch, tomorrow.

”You have had a pleasant voyage down, I hope?”

”Very much so,” Harry replied. ”We have had fine weather, and light breezes.”

The conversation was continued for a few minutes, and then the little party returned to their boats.

”There is not much doubt what the reply will be,” Fairclough said.

”No; and on the whole, I don't see that the Governor is to be blamed; though of course, he has not given us the princ.i.p.al reason, which is his objection to our flag being seen flying beside the Dutch among the islands. Still, there is a good deal in what he says.”

”I think so, too. You see, they are going to send their answer tomorrow, which may be taken as a proof that they are anxious to get rid of us, as soon as possible.”

Chapter 11: A Prisoner.

The next day the Governor himself came off to the brig, and was received with the usual honours.

”The council are quite of my opinion,” he said to Harry, ”as to the extreme difficulty and cost that an effort to put down piracy among the islands would involve. Our s.h.i.+ps on the station would not be at all sufficient for such work and, at any rate, it is a step that we should not venture to engage in, without the a.s.sent of the home government. We shall, of course, write home fully upon the matter, and shall leave the final decision to them; at the same time expressing our own views, and giving some idea as to the force that would have to be employed, the expenditure involved, and the time required for the operation.

”This letter contains a reply, as far as we can give it, to the Governor General's proposals.”

”His lords.h.i.+p will, I am sure, be sorry to hear your views, sir; but I imagine that he will not hesitate to undertake the work of punis.h.i.+ng, at least, the people of some of the islands where outrages have taken place, as soon as affairs are sufficiently settled in India for him to dispense, for a time, with the services of some of the Company's s.h.i.+ps of war.”

As Harry expected, the face of the Dutch Governor showed that this statement, when translated, was evidently most unpalatable to him. After a moment's hesitation, however, he said:

”If Lord Mornington waits until everything is quiet in India, it will probably be a very long time before he will be able to carry out the operation you speak of.”