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Updated: June 8, 2025
Jack made no answer, but went down on one knee to give himself plenty of room to strike overhead in the combat which was now near at hand. The minute passed, and Saya Chone called out some orders to the savage little men in blue, who were now hovering about the mouth of the tunnel as if burning to rush in to the assault. Upon the orders being given, three Kachins started forward.
On the second morning, Saya Chone sat on the edge of the howdah, purring at his huge cheroot, while the Strangler and a companion lashed Jack into position. The half-caste had been superintending the operation with his revolver at Jack's ear, until the knots were tight, and our hero could not move.
U Saw and Saya Chone urged the pursuit with the most savage eagerness. They searched every corner of the great swamp, every cane-brake, every patch of forest, every nook, and every corner. They had a cordon of sentinels drawn round the valley, patrolling day and night, so that no one could slip through their hands.
At this moment there ran into the courtyard a man who panted as if he had travelled far and fast. He bore beneath his arm a small basket made of rushes very closely and strongly woven. The Ruby King gave a grunt of satisfaction, and moved towards him. Saya Chone now sprang forward and seized the collar of Jack's tunic. He fixed both hands in it and ripped it open.
This second repulse seemed to put Saya Chone and the Strangler beside themselves with fury. They screamed invective and insult against Jack, and threatened him with the most frightful penalties when he should fall into their hands.
"No, no, oh no," laughed Saya Chone in his soft, cunning tones. "We shall do no more to him. His whole punishment consists in remaining here in bonds from sunset to sunrise. Then we shall loose the ropes, and he will be free." "Yes," said Jack, who thought now that he saw daylight, "with every vein full of the fever and malaria that haunt this swamp."
He looked at the Panthays and saw that they could render him no help. They were trembling like leaves with terror. He caught a name on the elder Panthay's lips, and knew it. "Saya Chone," the man was murmuring. "Saya Chone." "Oh," thought Jack, "this fellow recognises the half-caste and fears the vengeance of a powerful enemy.
"You will be safe under these nettings until these cords are pulled," he said. Jack and Mr. Haydon looked to the ground whither the half-caste pointed. There they saw a couple of stout cords, one fastened at the corner of each mosquito-net. "A sharp tug at the cord will displace the nets," went on Saya Chone. "But you will have a chance to save your skins before that is done.
They were followed by at least a score more of men and women, and for the next half hour there was a fearful babel of tongues. As far as Jack could gather it seemed a sort of trial, and the Ruby King acted as judge. The latter uttered never a word, all the questioning being done by Saya Chone; but at last he opened his mouth and pronounced a verdict.
He said no more: there was a far more dreadful threat in his quiet, cool words than any violence could have shown. He waved his hand once again, and Mr. Haydon was led away by the guards. When he had disappeared, Saya Chone turned to Jack. "You have heard what was said," he murmured. "Do not be so foolish as to think it was spoken as a mere threat.
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