Told in the East

lated at the thought of war. Now for the proving of his theories. Now for the fruit of all h

rd that the whole country was ablaze, he realized, as few other men did in that minute, that this was no local outbreak. The long-threat

the Council he had been told that "slight disturbances, of a purely local character, were not without the bounds of possibility, due partly to religious unrest and partly to local causes. Un

st fears. And he was under orders to stay with the bulk of his command in Bholat! Corked up in cantonments, with three thousand first

tside the general's quarters, and Juggut Khan-all but as weary as the horse-swung himself free, staggered past the sentry at the door and rapped with his

ayed on at th

ral sahib!

together on the floor in a way that his aid

European officers in Ja

among the mutineers declare that all had been accounted for, save only three women and a child, and me. Those four

t Khan! Did you have

jput s

sahib! What would you? Should I h

ged to evade

I am her

ned his chair back against the wall and

ught, "what is your idea? Is this sporadic? Is this a loca

ut laugh

olution, rape, massacre, arson, high treason, torture, death to every European and every half-breed and every loyal native north, south, east an

are inclined to think that this is an

what I sp

in your opinion by the fact that you have see

or for bearing of false tidings. I tell y

ed at his mustac

s province we

traversed every yard of it

ur busi

de, sahib. My tr

ence is meant. Be good enough to tell me. I wish

ant of the Rajput Horse r

nd

charms

ort of

also love-charms now and then, and now and then a death-charm to a man who has an enemy and lacks swordsman

e for a soldi

ht, and can do little else. When the day comes that the Raj has no more need of him-or thinks that it has no more need of him-he m

ust seen the massacre at Jailpore, and you know how many men I have here. And you know the condition of th

charge there. They have the powder-magazine in their possession, and the stands of arms, and the first advantage. Leave them there, then, sahib, and strike where you are not expected. In Jailpore

heart of

el

ite amazing knowl

soldier,

e Jailpore, the

en, sahib! Has any message come from the next command? No? Then why? Think you that even a local outbreak could occur without some message being sent to you, and to the next d

e, that the country

that it is

o message could g

small city, until the countryside has time to rise and lay siege to you and hem you in! Outside of here, you can be a hornet-storm! They will burn Bholat behind you. Let them! Let them, too, pay the price. Swoop dow

hose women and that child, that

nd. I have done my duty to the Raj,

tha

bt that I owe

sarily evasive, Juggut Khan. Be

ed right and soldierly to bring through the news first. Now, I return t

at you will

e distance, sahib. I

el

arching no

ot determ

place in a state of defense. It may take you weeks to fight your way in! Leave Jailpore, and those who are left in it to me, and lend me that non-commissioned officer of yours who guards the crossroads, and his twelve

ree women and a child on the other; sentiment in the balance against strategy.

their name

nel Standish and mother of Mrs. Leslie; Mrs. Leslie's child-I kno

ound it difficult t

have I of yo

s in question! I h

t de

the

the

soldier. A life for a life. Four lives for a life. I ride! I need, though, a

to know that white women are in Jailpore, at the mercy of black mutineers?

ollins Sahib, of th

him

u his me

a niece

myself, with

n? W

ders!' She asked me 'What orders, Juggut Khan?' I said, 'Why ask me, memsahib? Is my task easier, or yours?' She said 'Obey your orders, Juggut Khan, and accept my tha

ncidentally, I beg your pardon for

leep not on this sid

your advice whenever possible. Go to the stables, and choose any horse you like except my first charger. Here-here is money; you may need some. Count that, will you. How much is it? Four hundred rupees? Write out a receipt for it. Now, good luck to you, Juggut Khan. And if you should get th

Rajput, rising and s

you want. Good-by, and your good luck ride with you. I feel li