"I'm ashamed of myself, Mahommed Khan!" he said, with a vain attempt
to smile. "I should have gone an hour ago! Please take my horse
Shaitan, and make such disposition for my wife's safety as you see
fit. Follow as and when you can; I trust you, and I shall be grateful
to you whatever happens!"
"Well spoken, Sahib! I knew thou wert a man! We who serve the Raj
have neither sons, nor wives, nor sweethearts! Allah guard you, Sahib!
The section waits--and the Service can not wait!"
"One moment while I tell my wife!"
"Halt, Sahib! Thou hast said good-by a thousand times! A woman's
tears--are they heart-meat for a soldier when the bits are champing?
Nay! See, sahib; they bring thy second charger! Mount! I will
bring thy wife to Jundhra for thee! The Service waits!"
The lieutenant turned and mounted.
"Very well, Mahommed Khan!" he said. "I know you're right! Section!
Prepare to mount!" he roared, and the stirrups rang in answer to him.
"Mount! Good-by, Mahommed Khan! Good luck to you! Section, right!
Trot, march!"
With a crash and the clattering of iron shoes on stone the guns jingled
off into the darkness, were swallowed by the gaping archway and rattled
out on the plain.
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