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Two men were standing at one of the grated windows of the prison room, apparently looking in; six others were seated round a fire in the center of the court. Bathurst was about to turn away when Rujub touched him and pointed to the two men at the window, and then stretched out his arms towards them.
But this is a large vaulted room extending from the ground to the roof; it has windows with iron gratings; the door is very strong and heavy." "And now, sahib, we can do nothing more," Rujub said. "I will return home with Rabda, and then go over to Bithoor." "Very well, Rujub, I will stay here, and hear what people are talking about."
"By the way, Rujub, I have not asked you how you got on with the Nana." "It was easy enough," the juggler said. "He had lost all interest in the affairs of Deennugghur, and greeted me at first as if I had just returned from a journey. Then he remembered and asked me suddenly why I had disobeyed his orders and given my voice for terms being granted to the Feringhees.
I feel as certain, Rujub, that, in spite of the odds against them, the English will triumph, as if I saw their column marching into the town. I don't profess to see the future as you do, but I know enough to tell you that ere long that palace you can see through the trees will be leveled to the ground, that it is as assuredly doomed as if fire had already been applied to its gilded beams."
But, first of all, sit down and let me dress your wound afresh. I have brought all that is necessary for it." "You are a true fried, Rujub. I relied upon you for aid; do you know why I waited here instead of going down with the others?" "I know, sahib. I can tell your thoughts as easily when you are away from me as I can when we are together." "Can you do this with all people?"
I will sell it you for two rupees, which is the value of the box, which, as you see, is very strong and bound with iron. The contents I place no price upon." "I will take it," Rujub said. "I know some of the English medicines, and may find a use for them." He paid the money, called in a coolie, and bade him take up the chest and follow him, and they soon arrived at the juggler's house.
"The Sepoys are making a stout resistance, or the firing would not last so long," he said to Rujub, as they walked through the wood towards the road. "They have two positions to defend, sahib. The Nana's men will fight first at a strong village two miles beyond Dong; if they are beaten there, they will fight again at the bridge I told you of."
"Is that you, Bathurst?" "All right, Doctor." "Heaven be praised! You are back sooner than I expected, by a long way. I heard voices talking, so I doubted whether it was you." "The ladder is still there, I suppose, Doctor?" "Yes; it is just as you got off it. What are you going to do about the hole?" "Rujub is here; he will cover it up after me."
"Time will show, sahib," the juggler said; "the pictures never lie. Shall I show you other things?" "No, Rujub, you have shown me enough; you have astounded me. I want to see no more tonight." "Then farewell, sahib; we shall meet again, I doubt not, and mayhap I may be able to repay the debt I owe you;" and Rujub, lifting his basket, went out through the window without another word.
"He was an awfully good fellow," Bathurst said, "and was the only real friend I have had since I came to India, I would have done anything for him." "When shall we start?" Isobel asked presently. "Directly the sun goes down a little. You would find it terribly hot now. I have been talking it over with Rujub, and he says it is better not to make a long journey today.
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