Part 24 (1/2)

”As to escape, I fear that will be impossible. The pa.s.ses will all be closed by snow, and I have no doubt that, until they are sure of that, they will keep a sharp lookout after me.”

Later in the day the tribesmen returned. The chief came into the room and, by means of signs and the few words that Lisle had picked up, when he was before a prisoner, he signified to him that if he attempted to make his escape he would at once be killed; but otherwise he would be well treated. For four or five days a vigilant watch was kept over him. Then it was relaxed, and he felt sure that the army had marched away.

Then preparations for a move began. Lisle volunteered to a.s.sist, and aided to pack up the scanty belongings, and filled bags with corn. The chief was evidently pleased with his willingness and, several times, gave him a friendly nod. At last all was in readiness; and the occupants of the village, together with their animals--all heavily laden, even the women carrying heavy burdens--started on their way. It was five days' journey, and they halted at last at a small village--which was evidently private property--down in the plains at the foot of the mountains and, as Lisle judged, at no very great distance from the frontier line.

Lisle now mixed a good deal with the natives, and thus he began to pick up a good many words of their language. Now that they were down on the plains, two men with rifles were always on guard over him, but he was allowed to move freely about, as he liked.

A fortnight after they were established in their new quarters another party of natives arrived, and there was a long and angry talk. As far as Lisle could understand, these were the permanent occupants of that portion of the plain, and had been accustomed to receive a small tribute from the hill people who came down to them.

It seemed that, on the present occasion, they demanded a largely increased sum in cattle and sheep; on the ground that so many of the hill tribesmen had come down that their land was eaten up by them. The amount now demanded was larger than the hill people could pay. They, therefore, flatly rejected the terms offered them; and the newcomers retired, with threats of exterminating them.

For the next few days, the tribesmen were busy in putting the village in a state of defence. A deep ditch was dug round it, and this was surmounted by an abattis of bushes. Fresh loopholes were pierced in the tower, and stones were gathered in the upper story, in readiness to throw down on any a.s.sailants.

As soon as the work was begun, Lisle signified to the chief that he was ready to take part in it, and to aid in the defence. The chief was pleased with his offer, and gladly accepted it. Lisle worked hard among them. He needed to give them no advice. Accustomed to tribal war, the men were perfectly competent to carry out the work.

There were but three towers capable of defence, and in these the whole of the villagers were now gathered. Men and women alike worked at the defences. Their sheep and cattle were driven into the exterior line, and were only allowed to go out to graze under a strong guard.

A fortnight pa.s.sed before there were any signs of the enemy, and then a dark ma.s.s was seen approachingg. The cattle were hastily driven in, and the men gathered behind the hedge. Lisle asked the chief for a rifle, but the latter shook his head.

”We have not enough for ourselves,” he said. ”Here is a pistol we took from you, and a sword. You must do the best you can with them.

It is probable that, before the fight goes on long, there will be rifles without masters, and you will be able to find one. Are you a good shot?”

”Yes, a very good one.”

”Very well, the first that becomes free you shall have.”

The a.s.sailants halted five hundred yards from the village. Then one rode forward. When he came within a hundred yards he halted, and shouted:

”Are you ready to pay the tribute fixed upon?”

”We are not,” the chief said. ”If you took all we have it would not be sufficient and, without our animals, we should starve when we got back to the hills; but I will pay twice the amount previously demanded.”

”Then we will come and take them all,” the messenger said.

”Come and take them,” the chief shouted, and the messenger retired to the main body; who at once broke up, when they learned the answer, and proceeded to surround the village.

”Do you think,” the chief said to Lisle, ”that you could hit that man who is directing them?”

”I don't know the exact distance,” Lisle said, ”but I think that, if I had two or three shots, I could certainly knock him over.”

”Give me your rifle,” the chief said, to one of the tribesmen standing near him.

”Now, sahib, let us see what you can do.”

Lisle took the rifle, and examined it to see that it was all right; and then, leaning down on a small rise of ground that permitted him to see over the hedge, he took steady aim and fired. The man he aimed at fell, at once.

”Well done, indeed!” the chief exclaimed, ”you are a good shot. I will lend you my rifle. It is one of the best; but I only got it a short time since, and am not accustomed to it.”

”Thank you, chief! I will do my best.” Then, waving his arm round, he said, ”You will do more good by looking after your men.”

The chief went up to his house, and returned with an old smooth-bore gun and a bag of slugs.