Chap. XIX. EFFORTS TO TRACE THE ROBBERS. 



383 



brought me into shallow water, and to the shore. 

 Here I found the boatmen rushing about in a 

 frantic manner, examining with a lantern the 

 bushes and indigo vats on the banks of the canal, 

 but all they had found was a few Manilla cheroots 

 which the thieves had dropped apparently in their 

 hurry. After looking carefully in all directions 

 nothing more could be found. A watchman with 

 his lantern, and two or three stragglers, hearing 

 the noise we made, came up and enquired what 

 was wrong, but when asked whether they had 

 seen anything of the thieves shook their heads 

 and professed the most profound ignorance. 



The night was pitch dark, everything was per- 

 fectly still, and with the exception of the few strag- 

 glers already mentioned, the whole town seemed 

 sunk in a deep sleep. We were, therefore, perfectly 

 helpless, and could do nothing further. Calling 

 my people together I desired them to put out the 

 light and to lie down amongst the long grass 

 which grew on the banks of the canal. In this 

 position they were desired to remain perfectly 

 quiet, and should any person come prowling about 

 he was to be seized without question or warrant. 

 I thought it just possible the thieves might have 

 left some of their plunder in the hurry, and that, 

 when all was quiet, they might return in order to 

 secure it. Having thus formed my plans and set 

 the watch I returned, in no comfortable frame of 

 mind, to my boat, leaving orders to be called 

 should anything of importance take place. 



