But be in readiness. I am old,
but I can ride still. I can round you up. Has any a better horse
than mine? If he has, let him make exchange."
"There will be horses for the looting if this revolt of thine breaks out!"
"True! There will be horses for the looting! Well, I wait here then
and, when the trouble comes, I can count on thirteen of my blood to
carry swords behind me?"
"Aye, when the trouble comes!"
There was a chorus of assent, and the Risaldar arose to let his sons
and grandsons file past him. He, who had beggared himself to give
each one of them a start in life, felt a little chagrined that they
should now refuse to exchange horses with him; but his eye glistened
none the less at the sight of their stalwart frames and at the thought
of what a fighting unit he could bring to serve the Raj.
"All, then, for England!" he exclaimed.
"Nay, all for thee!" said his eldest-born. "We fight on whichever
side thou sayest!"
"Disloyal one!" growled the Risaldar with a scowl. But he grinned
into his beard.
"Well, to your homes, then--but be ready!"
I.
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