MALAY SKETCHES
have been impossible to seize them without being exposed to fire from the house, to which no reply could be made.
A month went by, and in that time Haji Masah, his wife, and son-in-law had fairly recovered from their injuries, Meanwhile the Shabandar, by means of spies, learned that the prisoners occupied a side of the house where there was but one window, and that always guarded at night by the same man. Through this man there was the best chance of escape for the prisoners, if only he could be bought over.
This sentry, who had some authority over part of the band, was a foreigner, he was getting tired of the game and probably did not altogether like the outlook or see how his party was to turn the situation to their own advantage. At any rate communications were opened between the Shabandar and him, and for a sum of two thousand dollars he promised to get the prisoners out of the window and through the lines to their friends.
In the dead of a dark night (and moonless Eastern nights can be black as a Sepulchre) he assisted the four prisoners to make their escape through the window, while the Pénglima, Haji Ali, and a number
of their men slept peacefully on the other side of
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