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Byng-bahadur "Byng the Brigadier" was in command of a force again within three days of the news of the first massacre; and because he was Byng, with Byng's record, and Byng's ability to handle loyal natives, the men who succeeded to the reins packed him off at once with a free hand, and with no other orders than to hit, hit hard, and keep on hitting. "Go for them, Byng, old man.
Go to the parapet, and when you see by their lanterns that the cavalry below have ridden off, then race for all you're worth with that news for Byng-bahadur!" "Salaam, sahib!" said the Sikh. "Salaam, Jaidev Singh. And now hide, every-body! Don't let Jaimihr get the impression that we're playing with him."
Tomorrow night may find us decimated and without heart for the finish. I advise you to advance at dawn, sahib!" That advice came as a great relief to Byng-bahadur.
Mahommed Gunga removed his own great sabre and handed it to one of his own five whom he overtook; then he buckled on the sword of honor and spurred until he rode abreast of Cunningham, a hundred yards or more ahead of the procession. "Sahib," he asked, "did Byng-bahadur say a word or two about listening to me?" "He did. Why?" "Because I will now say things!"
If I fail, then thou and I and Byng-bahadur all go down together in good company. If I fail not, then, sahib Allah is contented when his honor stands!" Cunningham drew rein and looked him in the eyes. Gray eyes met brown and neither flinched; each read what men of mettle only can read when they see it the truth, the fearlessness, the thought they understand because it lives with them.
There are owls old women men whom Allah has deprived of judgment drunkards fools in charge at Peshawur and in other places; but there are certain men who know. Byng-bahadur knows. I know and I will show the way! Let me lead, sahib, for a little while, and I will show thee what to lead!" "But " "Does this sword, sahib, mean nothing? Did Byng-bahadur send it me for fun?" "But what's the idea?
He has now two British regiments with him, sadly thinned some of my people, some Goorkhas, some men from the North not very many more than two thousand men all told, having lost heavily in action and by disease. But word is going round from mouth to mouth that many sahibs have been superseded, and that only real sahibs such as Byng-bahadur have commands in this hour. Byng-bahadur is a man of men.
Since the day when I first heard that the son of Pukka Cunnigan-bahadur was on his way I have schemed and planned and contrived to this end. It was at word from me that Byng-bahadur signed the transfer papers otherwise he would have kept thee by him.
Five minutes later the Sikh's horse thundered out across the plain from under Alwa's iron gate, and the news, such as it was, was on its way to Byng-bahadur. "A clear road at the price of a horse-hide rope!" laughed Alwa. "Now for some real man's work!"
"Hold the lamp, please," said Cunningham, and Mahommed Gunga seized it. Then Cunningham took paper and a pencil and read aloud the answer that he wrote to Byng-bahadur. He wrote it in Greek characters for fear lest it might fall into the enemy's hands and be too well understood. "I can be with you in one week, sir, and perhaps sooner.
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