saved for me by a
British soldier. A life for a life. Four lives for a life. I ride! I
need, though, a fresh horse. And I ask for the loan of that sergeant,
and those twelve men."

"I wonder whether a man such as you can realize exactly what it means
to us to know that white women are in Jailpore, at the mercy of black
mutineers? I mean, are you sufficiently aware of the extreme horror of
the situation?"

"Knew you Captain Collins Sahib, of the Jailpore command?"

"Know him well."

"Knew you his memsahib?"

"She was a niece of mine."

"I slew her myself, with this sword!"

"When? Why?"

"Yesterday. Because her husband could not get to her himself, and since
he and I knew each other, and he trusted me. I said to her, 'Memsahib! I
have your husband's orders!' She asked me 'What orders, Juggut Khan?'
I said, 'Why ask me, memsahib? Is my task easier, or yours?' She said
'Obey your orders, Juggut Khan, and accept my thanks now, since I shall
be unable to thank you afterward!' And then she looked me bravely in the
face, and met her death, sahib. Of a truth I know! I am to be trusted!"

"I believe you, Juggut Khan. And, incidentally, I beg your pardon for
having doubted you. Have you slept?"

"Nay, Sahib. And I sleep not on this side of the crossroads!"

"I don't place Sergeant Brown under your command--you'll understand
that's impossible--but, it's quite impossible for him to catch me up.
He may as well cooperate with you. Wait." He paused, and wrote, then
continued, "Here is a note to him, in which I order him to work with
you, and to take your advice whenever possible. Go to the stables, and
choose any horse you like except my first charger. Here--here is money;
you may need some. Count that, will you. How much is it? Four hundred
rupees? Write out a receipt for it. Now, good luck to you, Juggut Khan.
And if you should get through alive--I'll pay you the compliment of
admitting that you won't come through without the women, and I know that
Brown won't--if you should have luck, and should happen to get through,
why, look for me at Harumpore, or elsewhere to the northward of it. I
start with my division in an hour."

"Salaam, sahib!" said Rajput, rising and standing at the salute.

"Salaam, Juggut Khan! Take any food, or drink, or clothing that you
want. Good-by, and your good luck ride with you. I feel like a murderer,
but I know I've done the best that can be done!"

VI.

Now if Sergeant Brown pos