“Where will we take the prisoner?”
“Wherever he wishes to go; wherever his supporters are. I’ll have our men buy a few horses.”
He was about to leave when he spotted Bangawadi walking back towards the house, smiling happily.
“The governor wishes to receive you,” he said upon entering.
“So he liked the gift?” asked Kammamuri.
“Immensely, I’ve never seen him happier.”
“Well then, best not to keep him waiting,” said the Maratha.
They left, the guard leading the way. The four crewmen accompanied them, having been ordered not to leave Ada’s side. A few minutes later, they arrived at the Governor’s residence.
The palace was a modest two-story wooden house, roofed with the blue tiles common to the buildings in the Chinese quarter of Sarawak. It was defended by a palisade and a pair of old rusty cannons, kept there mainly for show, for they could not have fired more than two rounds without exploding. A dozen barefoot Indians dressed like Bengali Sepoys, in red jackets, white trousers, and white turbans, were stationed in front of the courtyard and presented arms at the sight of the Marathan Princess. The governor had come to greet the young woman at the foot of the stairs, a sure sign that the expensive gift had made a favourable impression.
Sir Hunton, the Governor of Sedang, was an Anglo-Indian who had served as the Royalist’’s quartermaster during the bloody expedition against the pirates of Borneo. He was forty years old, but seemed older, the harsh tropical climate having aged him beyond his years. He was tall and muscular, with lightly bronzed skin, dark eyes, and a thick grizzled beard. Having demonstrated great courage and loyalty, he had been given command of Sedang and entrusted with keeping Pangeran Macota imprisoned. James Brooke was well aware that Muda Hassim’s nephew was a powerful, dangerous rival.
At the sight of the Indian princess, Sir Hunton, removed his hat, bowed, gallantly offered his arm, and led her into a parlour furnished with elegant European furniture.
“To what good fortune do I owe the honour of your visit, Highness?” he asked, sitting down opposite the young woman. “Our small city seldom plays host to such distinguished visitors.”
“I’m on a pleasure cruise, visiting the islands of the Sunda, sir. I’ve been told there were Dyak headhunters living in Sedang. I was hoping to meet some of them.”
“You came here out of curiosity? I thought perhaps you had another reason.”
“Oh? And what would that be?”
“To see Pangeran Macota.”
“Who is that?”
“One of Rajah Brooke’s rivals; he passes his time dreaming of conspiracies.”
“He sounds like an interesting man.”
“Most assuredly.”
“Does he receive visitors?”
“He’s under house arrest; I do not allow him to see anyone. But for you, Highness, seeing as you’re from India and merely seek to satisfy your traveler’s curiosity, I will be happy to make an exception.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Are you going to remain here long?”
“Several days, as long as it takes my crew to make repairs aboard my yacht.”
“And then you’ll set sail for Sarawak?”
“Certainly; I wish to see the rajah. He’s quite legendary and I am one of his most ardent admirers.”
“Yes, Rajah Brooke is a brave man! Are you going back to your yacht this evening?”
“No, I’ve rented a small house.”
“Then I hope you will give me the honour of accepting my hospitality. I have the finest quarters in Sedang; you and your party would be most welcome.”
“Thank you, sir, that’s very generous, but I’m afraid I must decline.”
“I hope you will at least spend the day with me then.”
“Most certainly, I would be honoured and delighted.
“I’ll do my best to keep you entertained.”
“With a visit to your royal prisoner?” smiled Ada.
“We’ll have tea with Macota after we’ve dined, Highness.”
“Is he a gentleman or a savage warrior?”
“He’s a clever, educated man. We will be well received.”
“I’m looking forward to it, sir. I’ll dine with you this afternoon.”
She rose and signalled to Kammamuri, who had kept to a corner of the room throughout the conversation. The governor did so as well and escorted her to the gate, where the Indian guard saluted her with the honours due an Indian princess.
She returned to her house escorted, as always, by Kammamuri and the four Indians from the yacht. The Indian Bangawadi sat waiting by her door.
“Do you have news for me?” asked the young woman.
“Yes, Mistress,” he replied. “I’ve talked with Macota.”
“When?”
“A few minutes ago.”
“What did you tell him?”
“That we’re going to help him escape.”
“What did he reply?”
“He’ll be ready.”
“You’re a good man, Bangawadi.”
“We’ll be even more grateful if you go back to him with a message,” added Kammamuri.
“I’m at your disposal.”
“Tell him that the Princess Raibh will pay him a visit tonight. She’ll be accompanied by the governor and her secretary. He must ensure the three of us are alone and arrange it so that I can prepare tea for the governor.”
Then taking a small diamond from his belt, he gave it to him and added, “This is for you, buy drinks for the sentries guarding Macota’s home. Later tonight, I’ll treat them to another round.”
Chapter 23
Pangeran Macota Escapes
SIR HUNTON, believing he was in the company of an authentic Indian princess, played host with the greatest courtesy, sparing no expense, wanting to show his gratitude for the diamond she had given him.
The luncheon offered the princess could not have been finer. The cook had raided the pantry, the Dyaks’ chicken coops and all the fish hatcheries. The Governor had even supplied authentic bottles of Spanish wine, gifts from a friend in the Philippines he had been preserving for a special occasion. It was a pleasant meal and lasted several hours, the guests finishing their pudding shortly after sunset.
“Has Pangeran Macota been informed of our visit?” asked Ada.
“He’s expecting us for tea, Highness,” replied Sir Hunton.
“Then we shouldn’t keep him waiting,” observed Ada, casting a glance outdoors. “It’s getting dark, Governor.”
“As you wish.”
“It looks like a lovely evening, let’s walk along the shore.”
She stood up and draped a silk mantilla over her head to defend her from the damp night air. Kammamuri, who had dined with them, feigning to be the lovely princess’ secretary, was the first to rise and go out. Two crewmen from the yacht were waiting for him by the river.
“Has everything been prepared?” he asked.
“Yes,” they replied.
“How many horses have you bought?”
“Eight.”
“Where are they?”
“At the outskirts of the forest.”
“Well done, go join the others”
Ada emerged from the palace on the governor’s arm. Kammamuri came up beside her and quickly gestured that all was ready.
The night was magnificent. In the east, a pink cloud marked the place where the sun had set. The sky was quickly filling with stars, their soft light reflecting in the placid waters of the river.
Large bats flitted through the air as small Draco lizards wandered among the foliage. To-chi lizards emerged from their hiding places, heralding the night with cries of To-chi! To-chi!
On the river, a few boatmen sang their monotonous tunes, as large talc lanterns came alight aboard the Chinese junks bathing decks and sails in a soft red hue.
A thousand fragrances wafted in from the nearby forest; camphor trees, walnut
trees, carnation plants and mangosteens filled the air with their exotic perfumes.
Ada remained silent, trying as best she could to quicken their pace, but the governor had drunk a little too much wine and staggered slowly as he took in deep breaths of the night air.
Fortunately, they did not have far to travel. A few minutes later, they found themselves before the Pangeran’s palace, a modest two-story cottage with a veranda. Four armed Indian soldiers stood guard.
After having himself announced, the governor led the princess into a small parlour furnished with old divans and threadbare carpets. Several mirrors hung from the wall, a large table stood in the centre, cluttered with cups, teapots, and Chinese knickknacks.
Pangeran Macota was seated upon an old battered chair crowned by a small gilded gavial[11], the emblem of the Sultans of Sarawak.
James Brooke’s rival was thirty years old. He was tall and of noble bearing, with light bronze skin, long dark hair, piercing dark eyes and a handsome face framed by a magnificent black beard.
He wore the green turban of the Sultans of Borneo, an embroidered white silk jacket and sarong. Two krises, the emblems of a great leader, protruded from the folds of the red silk sash about his waist; a golok, a long, sharp, heavy, Malay iron sabre, hung from his side.
At the sight of the governor, the Pangeran rose and bowed courteously, then turned his eyes to the young woman and said, “Welcome to my home.”
“Her Highness the Princess Raibh expressed a desire to meet you; I thought a visit might amuse you,” replied the governor.
“I thank you for the courtesy, sir. The distractions in this city are so rare, visits even more so! Rajah Brooke’s precautions have left me quite isolated.”
“You know the rajah does not trust you.”
“His fears are unfounded; I no longer have any supporters. Rajah Brooke’s wise administration has taken them all from me.”
“The Dyaks yes, but the Malays...”
“They have abandoned me as well, Sir Hunton, but enough talk of politics, allow me to offer you some refreshments.”
“I’ve heard tell you have some excellent tea in your possession,” the governor said with a laugh.
“Real flower tea from China. My friend Tai-Sin always brings me some when he comes to Sedang.”
“I’m looking forward to tasting it,” replied Sir Hunton.
The Sultan’s nephew clapped his hands and instantly the sound of clinking teacups emanated from the adjoining room. Kammamuri quickly slipped through the door. Moments later, he reappeared with a short Malay servant carrying a tea service upon a silver tray.
The clever Maratha poured the delicious beverage, slipping a pill into the cup destined for the governor. It dissolved within seconds. He offered the first cup to his mistress, the second to Sir Hunton and the third to the Sultan’s nephew then returned to the adjoining room. He quickly filled four more, dissolved a pill in each of them then turned to the Malay and said, “Come with me, bring the tray.”
“Are there other guests, sir?” asked the servant.
“Yes,” replied the Maratha, smiling mysteriously. “Is there another way out of here that does not lead through the parlour?”
“Yes.”
“Lead the way.”
The Malay led him through a third small room and out a door that let onto the street. The four guards stood a few paces from them.
“Gentleman,” said the Maratha, moving towards them. “My mistress, Princess Raibh, invites you to have some of Macota’s flower tea. Drink to her health, and please accept these rupees with her compliments.”
The four Indians did not wait to be asked twice. They quickly pocketed the rupees, toasted the health of the generous princess and drained the cups in one shot.
“Good evening, gentlemen,” said Kammamuri, bowing politely as he turned to leave.
He went back into the house and stepped into the drawing room, just as the governor, overpowered by the powerful narcotic, rolled out of his chair and crashed heavily onto the carpet.
“Sleep well,” said the Maratha.
Ada and Macota stood up.
“Dead?” asked the Pangeran, his voice almost savage.
“No, just asleep,” replied Ada.
“So he could awaken?”
“The effects last for twenty-four hours. We’ll be quite far from here by then.”
“Then it’s true you’ve come to free me?”
“Yes.”
“And help me reclaim my ancestral throne?”
“Also true.”
“But why? What do you expect in return?”
“We’ll discuss it later; it’s time to escape.”
“I’m ready, what must I do?”
“Do you count many supporters?”
“All Malays are with me!”
“What about the Dyaks?”
“They’ll fight for Rajah Brooke.”
“Is there a safe place where we can await the arrival of your men?”
“My friend Orang Tuah has a kampong. We’ll be safe there.”
“Is it far?”
“It’s near the mouth of the river.”
“Excellent. Time to go; we’ve arranged for some horses.”
“What about the guards?”
“They’re asleep,” said Kammamuri.
“Let’s go,” repeated Ada.
The Pangeran took some gems from a small coffer, removed a rifle from the wall, cast a last glance upon the governor then walked out with Ada and Kammamuri.
The four Indians were lying in front of the door, one atop the other, fast asleep. Kammamuri relieved them of their carbines and cartridges then let out a sharp whistle.
Bangawadi and the four crewmen from the yacht emerged from the nearby forest, leading eight horses. Kammamuri helped his mistress mount one of the fastest, then nimbly hopped onto another.
“Let’s go,” he said, “stay close!”
Led by the Pangeran, the squad left at a gallop, following the river along the edge of the forest. The group had just reached the outskirts of the city, when suddenly a voice cried out from the opposite shore.
“Who goes there?”
“No one answer,” said the Pangeran.
“Who goes there?” the voice repeated menacingly.
Not receiving a reply, the guard, who despite the darkness must have spotted that group on horseback, fired and shouted, “To arms!”
The bullet whistled over the riders and disappeared into the nearby trees.
The response was immediate. Alerted by the rifle blast, the sentries guarding the governor’s palace sounded the alarm, filling the air with cries of, “To arms! To arms!”
“Full speed!” shouted Kammamuri.
The horses bolted forward and the band of riders raced up the shore. When they had gone a mile, they forded the river and took a road that led to the coast.
“Still no sign of them?” Ada asked the Pangeran.
“No, Miss,” replied Macota. “By now they’ll have found the governor and learned of my escape. They’ll be after us before long.”
“Twenty men should not pose much of threat.”
“Sixteen, Miss, four are asleep.”
“Even better.”
“They’ll summon reinforcements from the Dyak village and within twelve hours we’ll have two or three hundred armed men at our heels.”
“How long before we reach the kampong?”
“About two hours; it’s well defended and can easily hold off an attack. Within two days I’ll have gathered five or six thousand Malays and about a hundred prahus.”
“Are the prahus armed with cannons?”
“Only a few of them I’m afraid; not enough to attack Brooke’s fleet.”
“If all goes to plan, you’ll receive a large supply of artillery within four or five days.”
“Artillery?” the Pangeran exclaimed, amazed.
“Yes, a present from the most formidable pirates in all of Borneo.”
<
br /> “From who!?!”
“The pirates of Mompracem.”
“Mompracem!?! The Tiger of Malaysia is coming to my aid?”
“Not in person, but his men are sailing towards the Bay of Sarawak as we speak.”
“But where is Sandokan?”
“In the rajah’s hands.”
“He’s been imprisoned? Impossible!”
“His forces were greatly outnumbered. He was taken prisoner after a terrible battle, along with a few of his men and my fiancé. I arranged your escape so you could help me rescue them.”
“Where are they now?”
“Sarawak.”
“We’ll free them, Miss, you have my word. Once the Malays learn the pirates of Mompracem have joined the battle, the revolt will spread even more quickly. James Brooke’s days are numbered.”
“Halt!” thundered a voice at that moment.
The Pangeran reigned in his horse, quickly positioned himself in front of the young woman and unsheathed his golok.
“Who goes there?” he shouted.
“We serve Orang Tuah. Identify yourself!”
“Tell your leader that Pangeran Macota requests the pleasure of his hospitality.”
He turned to Ada and pointed to a dark silhouette at the edge of the forest.
“The kampong!” he said, “We’re safe!”
Chapter 24
James Brooke’s Defeat
ORANG TUAH’S KAMPONG was a large Malay village comprised of three hundred wooden huts thatched with nipa leaves. Like all the villages of Borneo, it was defended by tall, thick palisades and dense thickets of thorny bamboo, insuperable obstacles for the barefooted warriors of the native tribes that were often at war with one another. In addition, the villagers could also count upon a half dozen prahus equipped with swivel guns anchored in a small lake that communicated with the sea by way of a canal.
Orang Tuah, a well-built, dark-skinned Malay with almond-shaped eyes and prominent cheekbones, had roved the seas in the days before James Brooke’s bloody campaign. Promptly informed of the Pangeran’s arrival, he immediately went to meet him, accompanied by a large number of torchbearers.
The small squad was enthusiastically received. The villagers, awakened by the tom-toms, emerged en masse to celebrate the arrival of the future sovereign of Sarawak. Orang Tuah led his guests to the best hut in the kampong. Informed that the governor’s guards were in pursuit, he immediately sent fifty men armed with rifles into the nearby forests to await the first attack.
Sandokan: The Pirates of Malaysia (The Sandokan Series Book 3) Page 25