Had he seen the Sultan?
What did the Sultan say?
Had he given any presents?
What would he sell?
What would he buy?
Those were the questions broached eagerly by the inhabitants of bamboo houses built over the river.

Even in more substantial buildings, in Abdulla's house, in the residences of principal traders, Arab, Chinese, and Bugis, the excitement ran high, and lasted many days.

With inborn suspicion they would not believe the simple account of himself the young trader was always ready to give.

Yet it had all the appearance of truth.

He said he was a trader, and sold rice.