re made with their tall
lances.

They took no notice of me, and apparently, as in their case, I took no
notice of them, but finished my stroll, after gathering in all I could
of the aspect of the beautiful slope, the forest at its head, and the
far-spreading plain below, thinking what a splendid domain the rajah
owned, and then made for my tent, with the mounted men slowly closing in
again.

I could only escape by night, I remember thinking, and I was getting
close up to the trees that hid our little camp, dolefully pondering over
my position and the hopelessness of succour from without, when all at
once a hideous figure rose up from beneath a tree and confronted me; and
as I stopped short, startled by the foul appearance of the man, with his
long tangled hair and wild grey beard, I saw Salaman and two of his
helpers come running toward us, just as the old fakir--for it was he--
raised his hands, and in a denunciatory way poured forth a torrent of
wild abuse. His eyes looked as if starting out of his head; he bared
his arms, and, as it seemed to me, cursed and reviled me savagely as an
infidel dog whom he would deliver over to the crows and jackals, while
he hoped that the graves of my father, mother, and all our ancestors,
might be defiled in every possible way.

And all the time he looked as if he would spring upon me, but I did not
much fear that, for he was very old, and as weak as could be from his
wounds. This and his passion, which increased as Salaman and the men
came up, forced him to cling to a tree for support, but his tongue was
strong enough, though his throat grew hoarse, and his voice at last
became a husky whisper, while Salaman and the others tried to calm him,
though evidently fearing to bring the curses down upon their own heads,
and shrinking from the old wretch whenever he turned angrily upon them,
as they tried to coax him away.

These efforts were all in vain, and as I stood there quite firm, not
liking to appear afraid, and caring very little for his curses, his
voice grew inaudible, and he began to spit upon the ground.

"I pray my lord to go," said Salaman at last.

"Why should I go?" I said pettishly. "Drive the reviling old rascal
away."

"No, no, my lord," he whispered; "we dare not."

"Then I shall complain to the rajah. I am sure he would not have me
annoyed in this way if he knew."

"No, my lord," said Salaman, humbly; "but what can thy servant do?"

"Do? Send the dirty