Part 5 (2/2)
”I know the thoughts ye think!” said he, beginning again when he had given us tiht to put in the place of all that foolishness This is a regiiiment, behold-I am as near you as a man's throat to his hand! Have no fear”-(that was a bitter thrust, sahib!)-”this is a German saber; I will use no German steel on any of you I will not strike back if any seek to kill me”
There was no movement and no answer, sahib We did not think; aited If he had coaxed us with specious arguments, as surely a liar would have done, that would probably have been his last speech in the world But there was not one word he said that did not ring true
”I have beenpause ”First it was iment, said I, are one So the offer was repeated to ihtful leader of it, and the outcoiment, I accepted the offer, and as its major I now command your obedience”
”Obedience to whoainst htened by my own voice
”To me,” said he
”Not to the Germans?” I asked He wore a German uniform, and so for that ain, and he took one step aside that he h, you heard Colonel Kirby iment knew that Colonel Kirby had died across h to row first faint from dread of their suspicion, and then bold, then proud that I should be judged fit to stand beside hiain, for I kneas not fit My loyalty to hiht I felt his eyes on me like coals that burned; yet when I dared look up he was not regardingthe two lines of faces, perhaps to see if any other had anything to say
”If I told you my plan,” said he presently, when he had cleared his throat, ”you would tear it in little pieces The Germans have another plan, and they will tell you as ood for you to know Mark what ree Then you shall be given weapons Then you shall leave this camp within a week”
That, sahib, was like a shell bursting in the lanced to left and right, looking for understanding and finding none, and noto say It was on ave us his final word on the h it was, yet sufficient if we obeyed
”Remember the oath of a Sikh!” said he ”Remember that he who is true in his heart to his oath has Truth to fight for hiets confusion; and who are ye to stay the course of things? Faith begets faith; courage gives birth to opportunity!”
He paused, but we knew he had not finished yet, and he kept us waiting full threeould come Then:
”As for your doubts,” said he ”If the head aches, shall the body cut it off that it may think more clearly? Consider that!” said he ”Dis with thoughts of state in rayer than it had been, but oh, sahib, he strode as an arrow goes, swift and straight, and splendid Lonely as an arrow that has left the sheaf!
I had to run to catch up with him, and I was out of breath when I touched his sleeve He turned and waited while I thought of things to say, and then struggled to find words hich to say them
”Sahib!” said I ”Oh, Major sahib!” And thento be first, and I was silent
”Well?” said he, standing with both arry nor contemptuous
”Sahib,” I said, ”I am a true man As I stand here, I am a true man I have been a fool-I have been half-hearted-I was like a man in the dark; I listened and heard voices that deceived me!”
”And am I to listen and hear voices, too?” he asked
”Nay, sahib!” I said ”Not such voices, but true words!”
”Words?” he said ”Words! Words! There have already been too h Words are the voice of nothingness!”
”Then, sahib-” said I, sta