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After much argument, Gooja Singh turned his back at last on the two-and-twenty and saluted Ranjoor Singh with great abasement. "Sahib," said he, "we have no wish to go one way and you another. We be of the regiment." "Ye have set yourselves up to be dictators. Ye have used wild words. Ye have tried to seduce the rest. Ye have my leave to go!" said Ranjoor Singh. "Nay!" said Gooja Singh.
So Ranjoor Singh sent for Tugendheim, whose writing would have the proper clerical appearance, and by a lantern in the tent dictated to him a letter in German to the effect that this Turkish officer, by name Nazim, with all his men and carts and animals, had been diverted to the aid of Wassmuss.
In a moment a curtain seemed to be drawn in front of it, and Yasmini took up her tale. "And then, sahibs, as I have told already, there came a wind that whistled about war; and it pleased the government to know which, if any, of the native regiments had been affected by the talk. So a closer watch was set, then a net was drawn, and Ranjoor Singh ran into the net."
But not a man would have gone ashore again for a commission in the German army. Gallipoli was written in their hearts. Yet I could think of a hundred thousand chances still that might prevent our joining our friends the British in Gallipoli. Nor was I sure in my own mind that Ranjoor Singh intended we should try. I was sure only of his good faith, and content to wait developments.
He himself spent most of the day with the German officers, poring over maps and talking. I went to speak with him as often as I could invent excuse, and I became familiar with the word Wassmuss that they used very frequently. I heard the word so many times that I could not forget it if I tried. The next day Ranjoor Singh had a surprise for us.
"They were let pass because Wassmuss gave the order," the Kurd answered. "They are Germans six German officers, six German servants and Kurds twenty-four Kurds of the plains acting porters and camp-servants many mules two mules bearing a box slung on poles between them." "What was in the box?" asked Ranjoor Singh. "Nay, I know not," said the Kurd.
"Wasn't a trooper of yours murdered yesterday?" the general asked. "Yes," said Kirby. "And another missing?" "Yes, sir." "Did Ranjoor Singh go off to search for the missing man?" "I was told so." "H-rrrr-ump! Well, I'm glad you came; you've saved me trouble! Did you put Ranjoor Singh in Orders as assigned to special duty?" "Yes." "What is the missing trooper's name?" "Jagut Singh."
Then Ranjoor Singh took most of his wet clothes off and spread them upon the bales to dry. The German imitated that too. "Go to sleep if you care to," said the German. "I shall stand watch," he added, with a dry laugh. But if a Sikh soldier can not manage without sleep, there is nobody on earth who can.
He thought he heard whispering, so he resumed his thunder. Almost at once there followed the unmistakable squeak of a big beam turning on its pivot, and the door opened about an inch. He pushed, but some one inside pushed harder, and the door closed again. So Ranjoor Singh leaned all his weight and strength against the door, drawing in his breath and shoving with all his might. Resistance ceased.
Yet I had hardly told the half of what I meant to say when Ranjoor Singh strode past me, and the Kurd went galloping away between the boulders to warn his own men, leaving us not only the hostages but the ten guides also. "Make ready to march at once immediately ek dum!"
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