Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 10, 2025
Ranjoor Singh touched the horse with his right spur, and in a second the babu lay along on his stomach in the mud. He lay for a minute, believing himself dead. Then he cried aloud, since he knew he must be broken into pieces. Then he felt himself. At last he rose, and after a speechless glance at the back of the risaldar-major, started slowly along the street toward where the "riot" was.
The note was short, and Kirby read it aloud, since it was not marked private, and there was nothing in it that even the babu might not have read: "To Colonel Kirby sahib, from his obedient servant, Risaldar-Major Ranjoor Singh Leave of absence being out of question after declaration of war, will Colonel Kirby sahib please put in Order of the Day that Risaldar-Major Ranjoor Singh is assigned to special duty, or words to same effect?"
Ranjoor Singh, not yet bahadur but risaldar-major, commanding Squadron D of my regiment, Outram's Own, became very busy in the bazaars; and many a night I followed him, not always with his knowledge. I intended to protect him, but I also wished to know what the doings were. There was a woman. Did the sahib ever hear of a plot that had not a woman in it? He went to the woman's house.
"Wouldn't be wise! You mustn't!" The man in drab silk shook his head. "Now, suppose you were to arrest Ranjoor Singh " Kirby laughed outright. "Suppose the Chandni Chowk were Regent Street!" he jeered. "Last night," said the man in drab silk, "Risaldar-Major Ranjoor Singh visited Yasmini, leaving six or more of the men of his squadron waiting for him in the street outside.
The advance-guard halted and added words to the torrent. Colonel Kirby caught up the advance-guard and halted, too. "Does he look like a man who commands a loyal regiment?" asked Ranjoor Singh; and the German studied the bowed head and thoughtful angle of a man who at that minute was regretting his good friend the risaldar-major. "You will note that he looks chastened!" The German nodded.
"And he had enough intuition, and guts enough, to look for it first in the shay! I'm beginning to admire that man!" Aloud he asked the trooper: "What was the wording of the risaldar-major sahib's message?" "'Let Bagh be well groomed and held ready against all contingencies!" said the trooper. "Then take him outside!" ordered Warrington. "Groom him where you won't disturb the other horses!
A field-day in the rains a general officer talking to us afterward about the Salt, as if a Sikh does not understand the Salt better than a British general knows English and our risaldar-major neglecting the horses is there a connection?" "Aye. What is all this? We worked no harder in the war against the Chitralis. There is something in my bones that speaks of war, when I listen for a while!"
I could see his lips move as he answered, but no man living could have guessed what he told them. I never did know what he told them. But I have lived to see the fruit of what he did, and of what he made us do; and from that minute I have never faltered for a second in my faithfulness to Ranjoor Singh. Be attentive, sahib, and learn what a man of men is Risaldar-major Ranjoor Singh bahadur.
We both stay behind!" "Now, Risaldar-Major, I want you to listen! You've promised like a man," said the general. "I'll make you the best promise I can in return. Mine's conditional, but it's none the less emphatic. If possible, you shall catch your regiment before it puts to sea. If that's impossible, you shall take passage on another ship and try to overtake it.
"Are you a true friend of the risaldar-major?" "May I die, sahib, if I am not!" "And I? What of me? Am I his friend or his enemy?" The sergeant hesitated. "Can I read men's hearts?" he asked. "Yes!" said Warrington. "And so can I. That is why I had you called from your sleep. I sent for you to learn the truth.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking