you
ride off on a spent horse, with twelve swords and the memsahib--d'you
mean that they won't ambuscade you?"

"They might, sahib--and again, they might not! Thirteen men and a woman
ride faster than a section of artillery, and ride where the guns would
jam hub-high against a tree-trunk! And thy orders, sahib--are thy orders
nothing?"

"Orders! Yes, confound it! But they know I'm married. They know--"

"Sahib, listen! When the news came to me I was at Siroeh, dangling a
great-grandson on my knee. There were no orders, but it seemed the Raj
had need of me. I rode! Thou, sahib, hast orders. I am here to guard thy
wife--my honor is thy honor--take thou the guns. Yonder lies the road!"

The grim old warrior's voice thrilled with the throb of loyalty, as he
stood erect and pointed to the shadowy archway through which the road
wound to the plain beyond.

"Sahib, I taught thy father how to use his sword! I nursed thee
when thou wert little. Would I give three false counsel now? Ride,
sahib--ride!"

Bellairs turned away and looked at his charger, a big, brown Khaubuli
stallion, named for the devil and true in temper and courage to his
name; two men were holding him, ten paces off.

"Such a horse I need this night, Sahib! Thy second charger can keep pace
with the guns!"

Bellairs gave a sudden order, and the men led the brute back into his
stable.

"Change the saddle to my second charger!" he ordered.

Then he turned to the Risaldar again, with hand outstretched.

"I'm ashamed of myself, Mahommed Khan!" he said, with a vain attempt to
smile. "I should have gone an hour ago! Please take my horse Shaitan,
and make such disposition for my wife's safety as you see fit. Follow as
and when you can; I trust you, and I shall be grateful to you whatever
happens!"

"Well spoken, Sahib! I knew thou wert a man! We who serve the Raj have
neither sons, nor wives, nor sweethearts! Allah guard you, Sahib! The
section waits--and the Service can not wait!"

"One moment while I tell my wife!"

"Halt, Sahib! Thou hast said good-by a thousand times! A woman's
tears--are they heart-meat for a soldier when the bits are champing?
Nay! See, sahib; they bring thy second charger! Mount! I will bring thy
wife to Jundhra for thee! The Service waits!"

The lieutenant turned and mounted.

"Very well, Mahommed Khan!" he said. "I know you're right! Section!
Prepare to mount!" he roared, and the stirrups rang in answer to him.
"Mount! Goo