Brown decided that the camp was empty. He
thought it probable that any one concealed there would have tried
his luck on somebody at least, at close range as he passed.
So he marched them back to the guard-room once again, and sent two
of them in to drag out the shivering Beluchi, who had taken cover
underneath a cot and refused to come out until he was dragged out
by the leg. The native's terror served to pull the men together
quite a little, for Tommy Atkins always does and always did behave
himself with pride when what he is pleased to consider his inferiors
are anywhere about. They showed that unfortunate Beluchi how white
men marched into the darkness--best foot foremost; without halt
or hesitation, when ghosts or murderers or unseen marksmen were close
at hand.
The Beluchi let himself be dragged, trembling, between two of them.
It was he who first saw something move, or heard some one breathe.
For he was absolutely on edge, and had nothing to attend to but his
own fear. The others had to keep both eyes and ears lifting, to please
Brown the exacting.
Pages:
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85