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Updated: May 18, 2025
"Good!" The Pathan thumped him on the back so hard that his eyes watered. "We would have to use much caution," King advised him, when he was able to speak again. "Aye! If Bull-with-a-beard got wind of it be would have us crucified. And if she heard of it " He was silent. Apparently there were no words in his tongue that could compass his dread of her revenge.
There was silence. Then there was a murmur of astonishment. Over opposite to where King sat the mullah stood up, who the Pathan had said was "Bull-with-a-beard" Muhammad Anim. "The men are mine!" he growled. His voice was like a bear's at bay; it was low, but it carried strangely. And as he spoke he swung his great head between his shoulders, like a bear that means to charge.
"There was another way out of that cave, although there is none now, for I have blocked it. My men, whom I trust because I know them, carried everything out by the back way, and I have it all. I will show it to you presently. "I know all Muhammad Anim's plans. Bull-with-a-beard believes himself a statesman, yet he told me all he knows!
"The proof they brought has been stolen! They had good proof! I speak for them! The men are mine!" The Pathan nudged King in the ribs with an elbow like a club and tickled his ear with hot breath. "Bull-with-a-beard speaks truth!" he grinned. "'Truth and a lie together! Good may it do him and them! They die, they three Baluchis!" "Proof!" howled the mullah who had no hair eyelashes.
"Let us start to-night!" urged one man, and nobody hung back. "Aye! Aye! Aye!" they chorused. And eagerness, as always in the "Hills," brought wilder counsel in its wake. "Who dare stab Bull-with-a-beard? He has sought blood and has let blood. Let him drink his own." "Aye!" "Nay! He is too well guarded." "Not he!" "Let us stab him and take his head with us; there well may be a price on it."
All he went for is to make sure the message is not intercepted, for Bull-with-a-beard is growing reckless these days. He knew what was doing and said at once that she is treating with the British, but there were few who believed that. There are more who wonder where she hides while the message is on its way. None has seen her.
Mere mention of the place made them regard Orakzai Pathan and hakim with new respect, as having right of entry through the forbidden gate. "Then I have it!" the Pathan announced at once, for he was awake to opportunity. "Many of you can hardly march. Rest ye here and let the hakim treat your belly aches. Bull-with-a-beard bade me wait here for a letter that must go to Khinjan to-day. Good.
She showed him a cave in which boxes were stacked in high square piles. "Dynamite bombs!" she boasted. "How many boxes? I forget! Too many to count! Women brought them all the way from the sea, for even Muhammad Anim could not make Afridi riflemen carry loads. I have wondered what Bull-with-a-beard will say when he misses his precious dynamite!" "You've enough in there to blow the mountain up!"
He shall see them on their way and shall give them the letter when they reach the Khyber and shall send them into India with it. Have no fear. Bull-with-a-beard shall not intercept them, as I have intercepted his men. When Rewa Gunga shall return and tell me he saw my letter on its way down the Khyber, then we shall talk again about pity you and I! Come!"
I studied Hindu, Muslim, Christian, every good-looking fighting man who came my way, knowing well that all creeds are one when the gods have named their choice. "There came that old Bull-with-a-beard, Muhammad Anim, and for a time I thought he is the man, for he is a man whatever else he is. But I tired of him.
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