"Is all well, Risaldar?" she asked him.
"Nay, heavenborn! All is not well yet! The general sahib from Jundhra
and your husband's guns and others, making one division, are engaged
with rebels eight or nine miles from here. We saw part of the battle
as we rode!"
"Who wins?"
"It is doubtful, heavenborn! How could we tell from this distance?"
"Have you a horse for me?"
"Ay, heavenborn! Here! Bring up that horse, thou, and Suliman's!
Ride him cross-saddle, heavenborn--there were no side-saddles in
Siroeh! Nay, he is just a little frightened. He will stand--he
will not throw thee! I did better than I thought, heavenborn.
I come with four-and-twenty, making twenty-six with me and Suliman.
An escort for a queen! So--sit him quietly. Leave the reins free.
Suliman will lead him! Ho! Fronnnt! Rank--'bout-face!"
"My son!" wailed the High Priest. "Where is my son?"
"Tell him, Suliman!"
"Where I caught thee, thou idol-briber!" snarled the Risaldar's half-
brother.
"Where? In that den of stinks. Gagged and bound all this while?"
"Ha! Gagged and bound and out of mischief where all priests and priests'
sons ought to be!" laughed Mahommed Khan.
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