Part 20 (1/2)
”I mean, sahib, that they will take no chances while they think the guns are likely to return!”
”But, if I take the memsahib with me?”
”They will know then, sahib, that the trap is open and the bird flown! Know you how fast news travels? Faster than the guns, Sahib! There will be an aun, nor horse, nor memsahib will escape!”
”But if you follow later, it will ! When they see you ride off on a spent horse, with twelve swords and the memsahib-d'you ht, sahib-and again, they ht not! Thirteen men and a woman ride faster than a section of artillery, and ride where the guns would jaainst a tree-trunk! And thy orders, sahib-are thy orders nothing?”
”Orders! Yes, confound it! But they know I'm married They know-”
”Sahib, listen! When the news carandson on my knee There were no orders, but it seemed the Raj had need of uard thy wife-uns Yonder lies the road!”
The grim old warrior's voice thrilled with the throb of loyalty, as he stood erect and pointed to the shadowy archway through which the road wound to the plain beyond
”Sahib, I taught thy father how to use his sword! I nursed thee when thou wert little Would I give three false counsel now? Ride, sahib-ride!”
Bellairs turned away and looked at his charger, a big, brown Khaubuli stallion, nae to his na hiht, Sahib! Thy second charger can keep pace with the guns!”
Bellairs gave a sudden order, and the e the saddle to er!” he ordered
Then he turned to the Risaldar again, with hand outstretched
”I'm ashamed of myself, Mahommed Khan!” he said, with a vain atteo! 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 ood-by a thousand times! A woman's tears-are they heart-? 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, Mahoht! Section! Prepare toin answer to him ”Mount! Good-by, Mahoht! Trot,of iron shoes on stone the guns jingled off into the darkness, were sed by the gaping archway and rattled out on the plain
The Risaldar stood griun-wheel had died away into the distance; then he turned and cli stairway to the rooauzy curtains
On a dozen roof-tops, where men lay still and muttered, brown eyes followed the rinned hideously
Froht-packed between a hundred crowded houses, ca to Siva-the Destroyer And as it died down to a quavering finish it was followed by a ghoulish laugh that echoed and reechoed off the age-old city-wall
Proud as a Royal Rajput-and there is nothing else on God's green earth that is even half as proud-true to his salt, and stout of heart even if he was tre at the knees, Mahommed Khan, two-medal man and Risaldar, knocked twice on the door of Mrs Lellairs' room, and entered