Part 7 (1/2)

”Who shall that one be?” he asked; and he went back to tell the men what I had said.

After midnight he returned. ”They say you are the one to keep watch on him,” said he.

”Nay, nay!” said I, with my heart leaping against my ribs, but my voice belying it. ”If I agree to that, then later you will swear I am his friend and condemn me in one judgment with him!”

”Nay,” said he. ”Nay truly! On the honor of a Sikh!”

”Mine is also the honor of a Sikh,” said I, ”and I will cover it with care. Go back to them,” I directed, ”and let them all come and speak with me at dawn.”

”Is my word not enough?” said he.

”Was Ranjoor Singh's enough?” said I, and he went, muttering to himself.

I slept until dawn-the first night I had slept in three-and before breakfast they all cl.u.s.tered about me, urging me to be the one to keep close watch on Ranjoor Singh.

”G.o.d forbid that I should be stool pigeon!” said I. ”Nay, G.o.d forbid! Ranjoor Singh need but give an order that ye have no liking for and ye will shoot me in the back for it!”

They were very earnest in their protestations, urging me more and more; but the more they urged the more I hung back, and we ate before I gave them any answer. ”This is a plot,” said I, ”to get me in trouble. What did I ever do that ye should combine against me?”

”Nay!” said they. ”By our Sikh oath, we be true men and your friends. Why do you doubt us?”

Then said I at last, as it were reluctantly, ”If ye demand it-if ye insist-I will be the go-between. Yet I do it because ye compel me by weight of unanimity!” said I.

”It is your place!” said they, but I shook my head, and to this day I have never admitted to them that I undertook the work willingly.

Presently came the Germans to us again, this time accompanied by officers in uniform who stood apart and watched with an air of pa.s.sing judgment. They asked us now point-blank whether or not we were willing to work in the coal mines and thus make some return for the cost of keeping us; and we answered with one voice that we were not coal-miners and therefore not willing.

”The alternative,” said they, ”is that you apply to fight on the side of the Central Empires. Men must all either fight or work in these days; there is no room for idlers.”

”Is there no other work we could do?” asked Gooja Singh.

”None that we offer you!” said they. ”If you apply to be allowed to fight on the side of the Central Empires, then your application will be considered. However, you would be expected to forswear allegiance to Great Britain, and to take the military oath as provided by our law; so that in the event of any lapse of discipline or loyalty to our cause you could be legally dealt with.”

”And the alternative is the mines?” said I.

”No, no!” said the chief of them. ”You must not misunderstand. Your present destination is the coal mines, where you are to earn your keep. But the suggestion is made to you that you might care to apply for leave to fight on our side. In that case we would not send you to the coal mines until at least your application had been considered. It is practically certain it would be considered favorably.”

The conversation was in English as usual and many of the men had not quite understood. Those on the outside had not heard properly. So I bade four men lift me, and I shouted to them in our own tongue all that the German had said. There fell a great silence, and the four men let me drop to the earth between them.

”So is this the trap Ranjoor Singh would lead us into?” said the trooper nearest me, and though he spoke low, so still were we all that fifty men heard him and murmured. So I spoke up.

Said I, ”We will answer when we shall have spoken again with Ranjoor Singh. He shall give our answer. It is right that a regiment should answer through its officer, and any other course is lacking discipline!”

Sahib, I have been surprised a thousand times in this war, but not once more surprised than by the instant effect my answer had. It was a random answer, made while I searched for some argument to use; but the German spokesman turned at once and translated to the officers in uniform. Watching them very closely, I saw them laugh, and it seemed to me they approved my answer and disapproved some other matter. I think they disapproved the civilian method of mingling with us in a mob, for a moment later the order was given us in English to fall in, and we fell in two deep. Then the civilian Germans drew aside and one of the officers in uniform strode toward the entrance gate. We waited in utter silence, wondering what next, but the officer had not been gone ten minutes when we caught sight of him returning with Ranjoor Singh striding along beside him.

Ranjoor Singh and he advanced toward us and I saw Ranjoor Singh speak with him more emphatically than his usual custom. Evidently Ranjoor Singh had his way, for the officer spoke in German to the others and they all walked out of the compound in a group, leaving Ranjoor Singh facing us. He waited until the gate clanged shut behind them before he spoke.

”Well?” said he. ”I was told the regiment asked for word with me. What is the word?”

”Sahib,” said I, standing out alone before the men, not facing him, but near one end of the line, so that I could raise my voice with propriety and all the men might hear. He backed away, to give more effect to that arrangement. ”Sahib,” I said, ”we are in a trap. Either we go to the mines, or we fight for the Germans against the British. What is your word on the matter?”