an; for the two are so nearly allied as to be almost
identical.

As for Norton himself, he was too much engrossed in the painful task of
'hanging on to life' to trouble his head about any other matter. The
news of his serious hurt spread through the neighbouring villages as
news only speeds in India, without help of post or wire: and when, on
the following morning, a deputation of friendly Khans waited upon the
Burra Sahib, to express their sorrow and shame at so flagrant a breach
of the great Border law of hospitality, and to offer help with the
bringing in of dead bodies, Norton insisted on receiving them, propped
up on a chair: a broken, but unconquered remnant of the man whom they
had feared, and loved, and obeyed, with that mixture of independence
and loyal allegiance which is perhaps England's greatest triumph in
India.

But all his courage could not conceal the truth from their eyes: and
with one accord, these hardened men--who had no regard for death in the
abstract, and an unlimited veneration for strength in any form--bowed
themselves at the Englishman's feet, and wept like children.

"Oh, Sahib, . . Father of the District, . . this is an evil thing that
hath befallen," the oldest among them wailed, in deep-toned
lamentation. "How will it be with us who have so long been ruled by
your wisdom, when the light of your Honour's countenance is withdrawn?
And whom will the _Sirkar_[6] send us in thy stead?"

"In less than a month the Sirkar will send fire and sword," Norton
answered sternly. "Smoking villages, and blackened crops. A gift for
a gift, a blow for a blow, is straight dealing. But for one life taken
yesterday the _Sirkar_ will exact ten: of that ye may rest assured."

"Nay, but let it not be forgotten, Hazur, that we, who are present, be
men of one word, true to our salt; not as those murderers, upon whom
the wrath of Allah will be poured out like water, even upon the
man-child at the breast, for yesterday's black work."

Which comfortable prediction Norton received with rather a bitter
smile. It did not square with his own experience of the ironical
tangle men call Life. But for all that, it is possible that, in his
extremity, he envied these savage Sons of the Prophet their faith in
the rough justice of Allah's dispensations.

[1] Hill.

[2] Tribal council.

[3] Meaning.

[4] Chopped straw.

[5] Fanatical slaughter.

[6] Government.

CHAPTER XXIX.

"The man was my