Part 6 (2/2)
”There is Ranjoor Singh,” said I
”But he desired to lead us against the British,” said he
”Nay,” said I ”Who said so?”
Gooja Singh answered: ”He, Ranjoor Singh himself, said so”
”Nay,” said I ”I heard what he said He said he will lead us, but he said nothing of his plan He did not say he will lead us against the British”
”Then it was the Gerh ”They said he will lead us against the British”
”The Germans said,” said I, ”that their armies are outside Paris-that India is in rebellion-that Pertab Singh was hanged in Delhi-that the British rule in India has been altogether selfish-that our wives and children have been butchered by the British in cold blood The Gers”
”Then,” said he, ”you counsel us to follow Ranjoor Singh?”
”Nay,” said I ”I counsel nothing”
”You are a coward!” said he ”You are afraid to give opinion!”
”I aain and talked in groups, Gooja Singh passing fro tickets Then, when it was growing dusk, they gathered oncethem persuade hih,” said he, ”will you be one with us?”
”If that is the decision of you all,” I answered, ”then yes But if it is Gooja Singh's decision with the rest consenting, then no Is that the decision of you all?” I asked, and they murmured a sort of answer
”Nay!” said I ”That will not do! Either yes or no Either ye are willing or ye are unwilling Let hiain and again ”Then ye are all willing to give Ranjoor Singh a trial?” said I; and this time they all answered in the affirmative
”I think your decision well arrived at!” I made bold to tell theh I had thoughts inwork in the collieries and blowing up a mine perhaps, yet I admit your plan is better and I defer to it”
They were much more pleased with that speech than if I had adreed to any other plan So that now they were ht have been to listen to estion
”But,” said I, with an air of caution, ”shall we not keep any watch on Ranjoor Singh?”
”Let us watch!” said they ”Let us be forehanded!”
”But how?” said I ”He is an officer He is not bound to lay bare his thoughts to us”
They thought a long tirew dark, and ere ordered to our huts, and lights were put out, and still they lay awake and talked of it At last Gooja Singh flitted through the dark and came to o and offer to be his servant,” said I ”Let that servant serve hiood servant should know more about his master than the master himself”