The ground ascended rapidly and, when they had gone a short distance, some of the Malay soldiers went scouting ahead; the rest following in absolute silence, stopping frequently to listen.
"It is quite evident, Abdool," Harry said, in a whisper, "that what they said at the village is true, and these people from Johore consider the journey to be a very dangerous one.

They are evidently expecting a surprise; and I am afraid that, if we are attacked, we shall not be able to place much reliance on them." Abdool shook his head.
"What are we to do, sahib, if we are attacked ?" "It depends on what these Malays do.

If they make a good fight for it, we will fight, too; if not, and we see that resistance is useless, we will remain quiet.

It would be of no use for six men to fight fifty, on such ground as this.

They would creep up and hurl their spears at us and, though we might kill some of them, they would very soon overpower us.
"Drop back, and tell the four troopers that on no account are they to fire, unless I give them the order." Presently the Malays came to a stop, and the officer hurried back to Harry.
"We have heard the sound of footsteps in the wood, and one of my men says he saw a man running among the trees." "It may have been some wild beast," Harry said.