"

"But have you nothing more to say?"

"Nothing, sahib; there is no time, and this is not the place. Be
patient, and grow strong. The captain sahib will save you, and all will
be well. Go."

I hesitated for a few minutes, being reluctant to leave, but satisfied
at last that Dost's advice was right, and that I must wait patiently for
my release, I covered my face with the great palm fan, and said in a low
tone--

"Mind and tell Captain Brace that the rajah may have taken me to his
city."

"Yes, yes; but go, sahib, pray. I must wake up now. It is too hot here
to bear it much longer."

In spite of my trouble, I wanted to laugh, but I managed to control it,
and rising slowly, I said in a low voice--

"Good-bye, old friend. I trust you, for you are a true, brave man.
Tell Captain Brace I will be patient, and that I am nearly well."

I could say no more, but sauntered slowly away under the shade of the
trees, to find that my guards sprang into sight, ready to follow me, the
first one so near that I was startled. I had not known of his
proximity, and I trembled for Dost's safety. This man might have heard
us talking, and he would of course repeat it to his head.

But I could only go on hoping and trying to be patient, and when at last
I slowly started back to the tent, and glanced over toward the divan, my
excitement increased, for the fakir was no longer seated in the hot
sunshine.

Where was he? Back in his place by the great tree, or a captive taken
away and condemned at once as a spy?

I could not tell; I must wait, and my brain was so active that my fears
hourly increased.

CHAPTER FORTY ONE.

I was spared one trouble to add to my others that day, for the rajah did
not come. If he had, I fear that he would have noticed my manner as
being peculiar and strange. I dreaded, too, his encountering Dost, for,
though Salaman and his companions had been easily imposed upon, now that
I was in the secret, I forgot all about my having also been deceived,
and felt that the rajah would see through the disguise at once.

It was then with a feeling of the most intense relief that I saw the
nightfall, and felt now that he would not visit me that day.

Of course I lay listening that night in the tent, wondering whether Dost
would make an attempt to visit me again, and then whether he was making
his way back to where he expected to meet my troop, and "Oh!" I
mentally ejaculated, "if I could only have bee