I40 THE WOODLANDS ORCHIDS 



thought, for she was always near him. Other chiefs had 

 pretty daughters, but they received no such attention. The 

 girl looked sad, but that is frequent with Kayan and Dyak 

 maidens, when, in truth, their souls are dancing with fun 

 and devilment — a mere expression of the features. 



Nakodah Rahim's secret concerned this damsel — Kilian by 

 name. She was in love with a youth, Nikput, popular and 

 distinguished — he had taken heads already — but not yet in 

 the position which Kum Palan's son-in-law ought to occupy. 

 Other suitors did not come forward, however, for the eldest 

 son of Tamawan, the Great Chief, entertained for the youth 

 one of those romantic friendships common among warriors 

 in Borneo. Tamawan could not interfere, but there was a 

 general impression that he would not feel kindly towards the 

 man who robbed Nikput of his bride. Kum Palan resented 

 this state of things. He feared an elopement, and with good 

 reason, for that was the little stroke of business which the 

 Nakodah proposed. Nikput offered fair terms. All was 

 arranged. On the morrow early the prau was to start, 

 dropping down stream. It would anchor for the night, 

 as usual, at a certain spot, and there the lovers would 

 come on board, having taken such steps as should lead the 

 pursuing parent in another direction. Nikput had a friend 

 among the Milanaus lower down. When the disaster was 

 beyond remedy, Tamawan would compel his subordinate 

 to be reconciled. Would the Tuan object to this little 

 speculation ? 



That the villain intended from the first to murder Nik- 

 put and kidnap his bride is certain. He declared at his trial 

 that Williams had been his accomplice, and on this account 

 Sir Spencer St. John held an inquiry. There was no shadow 

 of evidence ; the charge is grotesque. But it may possibly 

 be that Williams exacted a share of the gold which Nikput 

 agreed to pay. 



