Part 29 (2/2)
”You h ”I accepted it on behalf of India I shall show you in about an hour froiments, so mutinous that its officers erous and less likely to corrupt others”
The German nodded He had asked no more
”Then, if you fail to fulfill your part,” said Ranjoor Singh grimly, ”I shall lock you in the cellar of this house, where Yashed the German, for there was conviction in every word the Sikh had said ”I will show you how a Gerh ”A Ger to me! If Germany can pick the bones I leave, what do I care? One does not bargain with a spy, either; one pays his price, and throws him to the cobras if he fail! Coer seeh; he turned his back without apology, and as the Gerle from behind the curtains
”Were we overheard?” he asked
But Ranjoor Singh did not seem to care any more, and did not trouble to answer him
Outside the door was a bullock-cart, of the kind in which wo journeys, with a painted, covered super-structure The Gerh into it, and without any need for orders the Sikh driver began to twist the bullocks' tails and send thean to pay attention to the Ger that and his clothes with cheaper, dirtier ones
”Why?” asked the Gerh
Then they sat back, each against a side of the cart, squatting native style
”This regih ”I command a squadron of it-or, rather, did, until I becaiive the word they will kill their English officers”
He leaned his head out of the opening to spit; there see in his mouth that tasted nasty
”Why did they mutiny?” asked the Gerh, with lowered eyes
For a while there was silence as the cart buh the ht was the driver's voice, apostrophizing the bullocks; and the abuse he poured on the of the city crows
”It is strange,” said the Geret in touch with native officers Here and there I have found a Sepoy ould talk with , talking almost to himself He did not see the curse in the risaldar-major's eyes
”I have found plenty of merchants ould promise to finance revolt, and plenty of hill But all said, 'We will do what the ar all those people, anybody to whom I dared shoe-Germany-can do to help I have seen from the first it was only with the aid of the ar, yet the army has been unapproachable How is it that you have seemed so loyal, all of you, until the h the opening with thoroughness and great deliberation Then he proceeded to give proof that, as Yasmini had said, he was really not a buffalo at all A fool would have taken chances with any one of a dozen other explanations Ranjoor Singh, with an expression that faintly suggested Colonel Kirby, picked the right, convincing one
”The English are not bad people,” he said simply ”They have left India better than they found it They have been unselfish They have treated us soldiers fairly and honorably We would not have revolted had the opportunity not co for the opportunity
”We are not madmen-we are soldiers We know the value of mere words We have kept our plans secret fro well that they would all follow our lead If you think that you, or Germany, have persuaded us, you are mistaken You could not persuade me, or any other true soldier, if you tried for fifty years!
”It is because we had decided on revolt already that I illing to listen to your offer of ain advantage from our revolt, but we can not help that; that is incidental As soldiers, we accept what aid we can get from anywhere!”
”So?” said the Gerh ”And that is why, if you fail ive you to Yasmini's cobras!”
”You will admit,” said the Gerht has been long and shrewd Your great chance of success, my friend, like Germany's in this war, depends on a sudden, swift, treical corollary It is theready for you for two years and more”