"Will you stay here and guard her?"
"Nay, sahib! Being not so young as thou art, I know better!"
"What in Tophet do you mean, Mahommed Khan?"
"I mean, sahib,"--the Indian's voice was level and deep, but it
vibrated strangely, and his eyes glowed as though war-lights were
being born again behind them--"that not for nothing am I come! I
heard what thy orders were and--"
"How did you hear what my orders were?"
"My half-brother came hurrying with the news, sahib. I hastened!
My horse lies dead one kos from Hanadra here!"
The lieutenant laughed.
"At last, Mahommed? That poor old screw of yours? So he's dead at
last, eh? So his time had come at last!"
"We be not all rich men who serve the Raj!" said the Risaldar with
dignity. "Ay, sahib, his time was come! And when our time comes
may thou and I, sahib, die as he did, with our harness on! What said
thy orders, sahib? Haste? Then yonder lies the road, through
the archway!"
"But, tell me, Risaldar, what brought you here in such a hurry?"
"A poor old screw, sahib, whose time was come--even as thou hast said!"
"Mahommed Khan, I'm sorry--very sorry, if I insulted you! I--I'm
worried--I didn't stop to think.
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