sible for any further killings, since he was the head of the Mahometan Faith in these islands.
But
the wily Sultan sent his compliments to the Governor and submitted that
madmen do not give any warning of their actions, and that if amoks were
a trouble to the Government they were likewise a sore worry to him.
The
next amok came into the citadel. He was unlucky and got only one
head—that of an unfortunate Chinese coolie who couldn't drop his burden
fast enough to run.
The
Governor determined to play the Sultan's own game. He sent the revenue
cutter up round the coast to Mayun-bung, the Sultan's capital, with
orders to start shooting at the palace, at the Sultan's houses, and at
everything else in range, and to keep shooting until they should
receive fresh instructions from Washington.
The
Sultan had no telegraph, and the constabulary post on that side of the
island was so busy on the telephone line to the Governor's house that
the Sultan could not get in touch with anyone in authority. He was
frantic as he watched the effect of the cutter's bombardment, and soon
he sent a messenger on his fastest racing-pony across the island with
the news that something had gone wrong with the customs boat and would
the Governor stop the mad shooting at once?
Back
went the messenger on his exhausted pony with the reply. The Governor
presented his compliments, but the customs boat had most unfortunately
run amok and, as was the manner of amoks, had not given notice of its
intention. However, now that the Governor knew of its actions he would
look carefully into the matter and would send for further advice to
Washington.
The Sultan took that hint.
When
he had recovered from his scare, His Highness went to the moving
pictures in the city, whether to learn a new cowboy stunt or American
drawing-room manners, no one knew. However it was, I saw his secretary
buying the tickets for his master, and for his twenty-three wives, who
followed Jamalal Kiram II. into the best seats in single file.
