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"Hazúr ke kushi! Ask away. Only let me get at my pipe, and I'm at your service." He filled and lighted it with leisurely satisfaction; and Quita, settling herself on the carpet beside him, her face looking into his, her bright head laid against his knee, kept him talking of Border politics and Border warfare till all thought of putting in two hours' work was out of the question. Prestige.
Is it surprising, Hazúr, if we, who distrust this new madness, begin to ask ourselves, 'Has the British Raj lost the will or the power of former days to protect friends and smite enemies'? If the noisy few clamouring for Swaráj make India once more a battlefield, your people can go. We Sikhs must remain, with Pathans and Afghans as of old hammering at our doors "
It was the voice of Jiwán Singh; and the man himself followed it taut and wiry, instinct with a degree of energy and purpose almost irritating to one who was feeling emptied of both; aimless as a jelly-fish stranded by the tide. "Not smoking, Hazúr? Has that scoundrel Azim Khan forgotten the cigarettes?" Roy unearthed his case, and held it up, smiling.
"Hazúr, behold! The cloud will pass." His teeth flashed out exultant. "A good tale is not to be bought with cowries; and we shall tell this one in India before many weeks be out." Chundra Sen was right.
"May one ask what is Mai Kali's special taste in sacrifices?" The Sikh gave him an odd look. "The blood of white goats meaning Sahibs, Hazúr." Roy's 'click' was Oriental to a nicety. "'A white goat for Kali' is an old Bengali catchword. Hark how their tongues wag.
"Now it is time to sleep," he said, pushing back his chair, and rising so abruptly that Brutus stumbled on to his feet, and emerged from the folds of the rug with an injured air. "All things are in readiness for setting out?" "Hazúr, all things are in readiness." "It is well. Scatter ashes on the fire, and call me at dawn."
"The Sahib still goes forward?" the Pathan added presently, as one who merely asks for orders: and the Sahib nodded. But this was too much for the Kirghiz. Emboldened by terror, he flung himself on the ground. "I who speak am as dust beneath the feet of the Heaven-born. But consider, Hazúr, there will be many more such before the pass can be reached." "It is possible," Lenox answered unmoved.
"Nay, but let it not be forgotten, Hazúr, 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.
Occasionally a shout came from the room inside, and one of them, crying "Hazur!" with instant alacrity, stretched himself mightily, loafed upon his feet and went in, emerging a moment later carrying written sheets, with which he disappeared into the regions below.
The Dream Compeller is no poison, Hazúr, but Allah's bountiful gift to man, bringing strength out of weakness, peace out of turmoil, even as the rain draweth grass from parched earth. Nevertheless, it is as your Honour wills."
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