Part 26 (2/2)

”Come,” he said, ”we had really better be moving. I believe we are in real danger.”

The earnestness with which he spoke roused the others, who were all lying at full length on the ground.

”But as we said before, Gale,” Fortescue urged, ”why shouldn't they now attack us, if they wanted to? We have been here more than an hour.”

”Perhaps they may think we shall all take a nap, after our tiffin,”

Will replied; ”perhaps--as Yossouf thinks--they have sent off to some other villages, for a.s.sistance. He has gone up the hillside to look out. Anyhow, I can a.s.sure you, I think we had better be moving.”

”It is beastly hot,” Hammond said, getting up and stretching himself; ”but as you are so earnest about it, Gale, perhaps we had better make a move. As you say, you know no end more of these fellows than we do; and you certainly ain't a fellow to get into a funk about nothing.

”Come on, boys, we had better do as Gale tells us.”

”That's right,” Will said, cheerfully. ”And look here, if we get away from here without any disturbance, and find it all right, we can halt again, at the first shady place we come to; and stop there for two or three hours, till it gets cool.”

”Wait a moment,” he went on, as Hammond was about to order the ponies to be saddled. ”Just let us settle what we had best do, should they attack us; which, if they mean it, they will do when they see we are moving off.

”I have been thinking it over. We have all got bullets in our pockets, to drop into our guns over the shot, in case of necessity.

But these smooth-bore fowling pieces are of no good, except at close quarters; while the Afghan matchlocks will carry straight, a long way. Therefore, if we had to make a running fight of it, we should get the worst of it; for these fellows could keep up with us, easily--besides, there are the servants. Therefore, if a shot is fired, my advice is that we should make a dash at the chief's house. Seize that, and hold it.”

”Yes, that would be a good plan,” Fortescue said, for they were all sobered now, by Will's gravity; and convinced that there must be good grounds for his belief in danger.

”Look here, Gale, we are all senior to you in the date of our commissions, but you have seen no end of service and adventure; therefore I vote that you shall be commanding officer, until we get back to camp.”

The others willingly agreed.

”Very well,” Will said, ”I will do my best.

”Hammond, will you tell your servant to get ready for a start, at once. Speak to him quietly and carelessly. Then, as the men move up more towards the ponies, tell them--in Hindustanee--to go about their work quietly but, in case of any trouble with the Afghans, to out with their swords, and join us in a rush at the chief's house.”

Hammond carried out his instructions. The two Beloochees were not taken by surprise; for they, as well as Yossouf, had been feeling uneasy at the disappearance of all women and children from the scene. The other men looked startled; but they were stout fellows and, as all the native servants, were armed with swords, to enable them to resist sudden attacks by the country people; and as they had unbounded faith in their masters, they went about the work of packing up the plates and dishes, and preparing for a start, quietly enough.

As the Syces began to put the saddles on the tats, the Afghans spoke quickly and angrily together. Two or three minutes later, Yossouf arrived. He had evidently been running, for his breath came quick; but he now walked forward in a leisurely way.

”Two large parties are coming, master; one down the valley, and the other across the hills. They have got flags with them, and I am sure they are going to attack us.”

Just at this moment an Afghan lad joined his seniors, and spoke rapidly to them. Will judged at once that he also had been placed on the watch. The chief of the village, accompanied by two or three of his men, now stepped forward.

”Ask the sahibs,” he said to Yossouf, ”why they are in such a hurry--why they want to start in the heat of the day? They had better wait till it is cooler.”

Will did not wait for Yossouf's translation, but answered direct:

”We have duties at the camp, and must return at once.”

The chief was surprised that one of the young officers should speak his tongue so fluently.

”It looks as if you were not pleased with the hospitality of our village,” he said, ”that you should hurry away so quickly.”

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