Part 7 (1/2)
”Who shall that one be?” he asked; and he went back to tell the ht he returned ”They say you are the one to keep watch on hi against ree to that, then later you will swear I ament with him!”
”Nay,” said he ”Nay truly! On the honor of a Sikh!”
”Mine is also the honor of a Sikh,” said I, ”and I will cover it with care Go back to them,” I directed, ”and let them all coh?” said he
”Was Ranjoor Singh's enough?” said I, and he went, ht I had slept in three-and before breakfast they all clustered abouth
”God forbid that I should be stool pigeon!” said I ”Nay, God forbid! Ranjoor Singh need but give an order that ye have no liking for and ye will shoot me in the back for it!”
They were very earnest in their protestations, urgingback, and we ate before I gave theet ainst me?”
”Nay!” said they ”By our Sikh oath, we be true men and your friends Why do you doubt us?”
Then said I at last, as it were reluctantly, ”If ye deo-between Yet I do it because ye coht of unanimity!” said I
”It is your place!” said they, but I shook my head, and to this day I have never adly
Presently caain, this time accompanied by officers in uniforment They asked us now point-blank whether or not illing to work in the coalus; and we answered with one voice that ere not coal-
”The alternative,” said they, ”is that you apply to fight on the side of the Central Eht or work in these days; there is no room for idlers”
”Is there no other e could do?” asked Gooja Singh
”None that we offer you!” said they ”If you apply to be allowed to fight on the side of the Central Empires, then your application will be considered However, you would be expected to forswear allegiance to Great Britain, and to take the military oath as provided by our law; so that in the event of any lapse of discipline or loyalty to our cause you could be legally dealt with”
”And the alternative is the mines?” said I
”No, no!” said the chief of them ”You must not misunderstand Your present destination is the coal estion is ht on our side In that case ould not send you to the coal mines until at least your application had been considered It is practically certain it would be considered favorably”
The conversation was in English as usual and many of the men had not quite understood Those on the outside had not heard properly So I bade four ue all that the Gerreat silence, and the four men let me drop to the earth between theh would lead us into?” said the trooper nearest h he spoke low, so still e all that fifty men heard him and murmured So I spoke up
Said I, ”We will anse shall have spoken again with Ranjoor Singh He shall give our answer It is right that a regih its officer, and any other course is lacking discipline!”
Sahib, I have been surprised a thousand times in this war, but not once more surprised than by the instant effect my answer had It was a randoument to use; but the German spokesman turned at once and translated to the officers in uniforh, and it seemed to me they approved my answer and disapproved some other ling with us in a lish to fall in, and we fell in two deep Then the civilian Germans drew aside and one of the officers in uniforate We waited in utter silence, wondering what next, but the officer had not been gone tenwith Ranjoor Singh striding along beside hih and he advanced toward us and I saw Ranjoor Singh speak with him more eh had his way, for the officer spoke in German to the others and they all walked out of the co us He waited until the gate clanged shut behind theiment asked for ithout alone before thehim, but near one end of the line, so that I could raise ht hear He backed away, to give eo to the ainst the British What is your word on the matter?”
”Ho!” said he ”Is it as bad as that? As bad as that?” said he ”If ye go to thecoal, they will use that coal to uns! That seeht as much with ammunition as with men!”
”Sahib,” said I, ”it is worse than that! They seek to coiance to Great Britain and clain it, that makes us out traitors in the first place, and makes us amenable to their law in the second place They could shoot us if we disobeyed or demurred”