fectually
hiding him as he lay on the side of the tent farthest from the lamp.

It was only just in time, for the tent door opened, and Salaman came in
softly, peering in my direction as I lay pretending to be asleep, but I
jumped up on the instant.

"Yes? What is it?" I cried. "Ah, Salaman, is it morning?"

"No, my lord. Thy servant came to see if he could bring anything."

"No," I said with a yawn; "nothing. But call me quite early, as soon as
it is light. I shall walk while it is cool."

Salaman bowed and drew back softly, whilst, after waiting till he had
been gone some time, I turned to Dost, and was about to speak, but his
hand was laid upon my lips by way of warning.

For at that moment, unheard by me at first, there was a light step
outside, followed by one that was heavier, and I knew, though I could
not see, that some one was making the rounds of the little camp, and
anything I might have said would have been heard.

There was no time to lose when the rounds had been made, and after
listening patiently for some minutes, I urged Dost to go, though I would
gladly have kept him.

"There is no need for haste," he replied. "If I can get out of the
tent, it will not matter much if I am met. They would not stop me, and
they will never think that we are friends."

"But I could not bear for you to be found out," I said. "It would be
like depriving me of all hope."

"Leave it to me, sahib," he replied. "You shall not be deprived of
hope. I have no plan ready yet, but very soon I shall have made one,
and you and I will return to the troop and gladden the captain sahib's
heart."

"Then you must make haste, Dost," I said, "for the rajah will soon be
taking me away to his town."

"Ah!" he said, "I am glad you told me that. But you have been wounded.
Are you strong enough to walk or run with me many days?"

I was silent, for I could not say "yes."

"No, you are not, sahib. Then we must wait. For the land is full of
enemies. Troops of budmashes roam everywhere robbing and slaying. We
might have to fight. Who knows, and the young sahib must be able to use
a sword."

"Dost," I whispered, "my horse will soon be here."

"Ah? Then we must wait and take that--wait until the sahib is quite
strong."

"And suppose the rajah takes me away?"

"I shall follow you, sahib; never fear."

"But tell me this," I whispered. "I hear that the English are being
driven out of the country, and that the raj