if enjoying
the cool night air, ending by walking slowly, straight for the opening
by which the rajah always entered the forest glade.

I was just thinking that I had nothing to do but quietly walk away at
any time I chose, when I suddenly came upon a white-robed figure,
bearing shield and naked sword.

The sentry was standing directly in my way, but he moved instantly to
let me pass, and, so as not to excite suspicion by showing any alarm, I
walked on by him; but the next minute there was another armed sentry
just ahead, and on glancing back, there, dimly seen, was the first
sentry, and with him another man, who I fancied was Salaman.

"Hopeless," I thought to myself; and after walking as far as the second
sentry, I quietly turned and began to walk slowly back, coming directly
upon Salaman, who, I now saw, was armed with curved sword and shield
like the others.

He drew half to one side of the path, the first sentry to the other, for
me to pass between them.

"A fine night, Salaman," I said.

He salaamed at my condescension, and I went on.

"There's no occasion to attend upon me so closely."

"My lord must forgive his servant, but there is need. My lord is weak
and unarmed, and there are tigers sometimes in the forest. Should one
spring upon my lord, I should pray that he would then spring upon me,
for I could never face his highness again. Hark! That is six times I
have heard one cry these last few days. And there are budmashes, too,
journeying about, evil men who have been robbing and murdering after the
fights. If they saw my lord's white face, they would fall upon him, and
then when his highness came and said, `Where is my lord?' how could I
face his fierce wrath?"

I made no reply, but strolled back to the wide opening in front of my
tent, passed it, and found myself face to face with another sentry, to
whom I paid not the slightest heed, but bore off to the right, to find
another and another.

After this, pretty well satisfied that I was well guarded, and seeing
here the reason why I had had no visitor again, I returned to my tent,
encountering Salaman on the way.

"Why, Salaman," I said, "you keep pretty good guard."

"It is his highness's orders, my lord."

"How many men have you on sentry?"

"Twenty, my lord; and there are forty in the guard-tent, waiting to go
on duty in turn."

"What?" I cried. "I thought you only had about six men here."

"Only six by day, my lord; these others