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There should be deeds, not words, for the foundation of a new beginning. In the second place, sahib, I knew full well that if Gooja Singh or any of the others could have persuaded me to advance an opinion it would have been pounced on, and changed out of all recognition, yet named my opinion nevertheless.
If they chained us, and we broke the chains, they might send the broken links to London in proof of what thieves we be. Who would gain by that?" I saw a very little frown now and knew that he judged it time to strike on the heated metal. But Gooja Singh turned his back on Ranjoor Singh. "Let him sign this thing," said he, "and let us sign our names beneath his name.
"Better have hanged him long ago!" said I. "He will be the ruin of us yet!" But he laughed. "Sahib," I said. "Suppose he should get to see this Wassmuss?" "I have thought of that," he answered. "Why should the Kurds let him go near Wassmuss? Unless they return him safely to us we can execute their hostages; they will run no risk of Wassmuss playing tricks with Gooja Singh.
He turned himself about, not quickly, but as one who is far from satisfied. "So-ho! None of SUCH plunder!" said he. "What kind of plunder, then? What is the difference between the sorts of plunder in a stricken land?" Gooja Singh answered him, and I was content that he should, for not only did I not know the answer myself but I was sure that the question was a trap for the unwary.
"We are all for the raj, and all were for the raj from the first. It is you who are doubtful!" He thought to arouse feeling again, but the contrast between the one man and the other had been too strong and none gave him any backing. Ranjoor Singh laughed. "Have a care, Gooja Singh!" he warned. "I promised you court martial and reduction to the ranks should I see fit! To your place in the rear!"
So I went, and delivered the message, and it was as I had expected, only worse. "So those are his words? What are words!" said they. "Ask him whither he would lead us!" shouted Gooja Singh. He had been talking in whispers with a dozen men at the rear of the middle hut. "If I take him such dogs' answers," said I, "he will dismiss me and there will be no more a go-between."
"Those Turks we have released will go back and set their people on our trail," said Gooja Singh, overlooking no chance to throw discredit. "If they ever get safely back, that is what I hope they will do!" Ranjoor Singh answered. "We will disturb hornets and pray that Turks get stung!" He would give no explanation, but it was not long before we all understood.
"Let Gooja Singh be your messenger!" said I. And at that they turned on Gooja Singh, and some of them went and dragged him forward, he resisting with arms and feet. They set him down before me. "Say the word," said they, "and he shall be beaten!" So I got on my feet again and asked whether they were soldiers or monkey-folk, to fall thus suddenly on one of their number, and he a superior.
"We have yearned for no such plunder as that!" said Gooja Singh, for the men would have answered unless he did, and he, too, was minded to make his bid for the ascendency. "No?" said Ranjoor Singh. "'No carrion for me! said the jackal. 'I only eat what a tiger killed!" He folded his arms and stood quite patiently. None could mistake his meaning.
"We will plunder Turks, not wretches such as these!" said Gooja Singh. "Aha!" said Ranjoor Singh, unfolding his arms and folding them again, beginning to stand truculently, as if his patience were wearing thin. "Ye will let the Turks rob the weak ones, in order that ye may rob the Turks! That is a fine point of honor! Ye poor lost fools! Have ye no better wisdom than that?
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