t guarantee of good conduct that will ever be wrung out of the
lawless sons of the North-western hills.

"It is enough, Khan Sahib," Norton said at length, cutting short a
string of compliments that he knew by heart. "Let the _jirgah_ come to
me and make their statement while breakfast is preparing."

But the Khan, indicating with a sweep of his arm the limitless time at
their disposal, declared that a matter so trifling could very well wait
till the Presence and the officer Sahibs had refreshed themselves.

"It is well known among our people, Hazur," he concluded, "that your
Honour regardeth not food or rest when work remaineth to be done. But
the matter hath already been peacefully settled with these men.
Moreover, there be the officer Sahibs also, desiring breakfast; and my
son hath commanded everything of the best for your Honour's reception:
even wood and grass in abundance, that labour might be spared."

Having struck camp before six that morning, Norton needed no further
pressing: and ten minutes later the eight Englishmen were breakfasting
heartily on provisions that atoned in quantity for lack of quality.

Besides Desmond and the Gunners, the Deputy Commissioner, who knew how
to pick his men, had secured Unwin and Montague with the Sikhs, a smart
subaltern with the Punjab Infantry, and Courtenay as medical officer.
Behind them, sepoys and sowars, keeping their arms by Colonel
Montague's orders, smoked or slept at their ease. Sentries had been
told off; pickets posted in front and rear; the screw guns unlimbered,
and stationed with their infantry escort on rising ground at the far
end of the field. Scattered groups of villagers, appearing on walls
and house-tops and on the hill to the left, squatted on their heels,
watching the mild tamasha with evident interest, and exchanging broad
sallies of wit with the sepoys by way of adding flavour to the
entertainment.

Pipes, cigars, and a pleasant sense of wellbeing followed the meal.

"I congratulate you, Norton," Montague remarked between pulls at a
stumpy briar that was consoling him for muscular fowl and curried
leather. "Your Wolves of the Khanigoram are behaving like
Sunday-school children at a prize giving! We can fix the site for the
post when we've rested a bit longer, and start back this afternoon, eh?"

"Yes, by all means. I have only to settle matters with the _jirgah_."

"Thank goodness, I'm booked for first leave," the other continued
conv