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Updated: May 31, 2025
It would be a matter for the gods to decide." "Are you really human beings?" asked Kathlyn, her lips dry. "Can you possibly commit such a dreadful crime against one who has never harmed you, who asks for nothing but the freedom to leave this country?" Pundita secretly caught Kathlyn's hand and pressed it. "Once more!" said Umballa, his compassion touched for the first time.
"Ahmed," said Bruce, delighted, "hereafter you shall be chief of this expedition. Now, what next?" "Secure files and return for my master." "Wait," interposed Kathlyn, emerging. "I have a plan. It will be useless to return to-night. He will be too well guarded. Are you brave, Pundita?" "I would die for the Mem-sahib." "And I, too," added Ramabai. Ahmed and Bruce gazed at each other.
Your Majesty, speak," he added, salaaming before Pundita. She looked wildly about the room, vainly striving to read the faces of her white friends; but their expressions were like stone images. No help there, no guidance. "Is the life of a decrepit old man," asked Lal Singh, "worth the lives of these white people who love and respect you?"
Ahmed recognized him as the ambassador from the neighboring principality, ruled by a Kumor, who was in turn ruled by the British Raj. Kathlyn could not shut out the leer on his face. By midafternoon the gharry reached Bruce's camp. Ramabai and Pundita greeted Kathlyn with delight. All their troubles were over. They had but to mount the elephants and ride away.
Where the journey might have been made in three days, they would be lucky now if they reached the sea under five. The men took turns in standing watch whenever they made camp, and Kathlyn nor Pundita had time for idleness. They had learned their lessons; no more carelessness, nothing but the sharpest vigilance from now on.
Meantime the colonel and Bruce dismounted and tried to stem the tide of fleeing coolies; but it was no more effective than blowing against the wind. They found, however, an abandoned pack containing cartridge cases, and they filled their pockets, calling to Ramabai and Pundita to follow them along the river in pursuit of Umballa's barge, which was now being rapidly poled up-stream.
But having faith in his star he followed Pundita. Only once during the journey did he speak. "Pundita, remember, if you have lied you will be punished." "Durga Ram, I have not lied. I have promised to lead you to her, and lead you to her I shall." "Durga Ram," he mused. She did not give him his title of prince; indeed, she never had.
Then Ahmed dismissed Lal Singh and the past from his thoughts, after the philosophical manner of the Asiatic, and turned to the more vital affairs under hand. At Ramabai's house there was a happy reunion; and on her knees Pundita confessed to her lord how near she had been to Christian damnation.
By storm, or by guile? Yes, he was afraid of her; afraid of her because she could walk alone. He locked up his thoughts in his heart; for instinct advised him to say nothing now; this was no time for the declaration of love. "It is best," said Ahmed, "that we all remain inside the bungalow. Ramabai, have you any plan in case Pundita does not return?" Ramabai's breast swelled. "Yes, Ahmed.
"Nor shall you!" "Wait and see. There's another way of twisting the secret from you. Wait; have patience." Umballa laughed. And this laughter rang in the colonel's ears long after the door had closed. What new deviltry had he in mind? The next morning Kathlyn came into the living-room dressed, for the first time in weeks. She felt strangely uncomfortable. "You are not afraid, Pundita?"
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