XV
THE KING'S WAY
We know what Heaven or Hell may bring
But no man knoweth the mind of the King
Rudyard Kipling
HE was the Sultan of an important Malay State, but to those who knew him best he was, and will remain, "Craddock's King," principally because he always sent for Craddock whenever he wanted anything that he thought needed the assistance of a European officer, and, on the rare occasions when he travelled outside his own dominions. Craddock used to go with him as guide, interpreter, and shield.
The King was one with whom things had gone badly until the appearance of the white man in his country. His character had not endeared him to the people, who should have been his subjects, but were, almost without exception, his enemies and the consequence was that when he ought to have
161
