Through Three Campaigns | Page 5

up, and go up I will. There ought to be no difficulty about it. I speak
three or four of these frontier languages, as well as I speak English. I
have at least learnt that. I have picked them up by talking to the natives,
and partly from the moonshee I have had, for four years. My dear father
always impressed upon me the utility of these to an officer; and said
that, if I could take up native languages in my examinations, it would
go a long way towards making up for other deficiencies. So I am all
right, so far as language is concerned.
"It seems to me that my best plan will be to go up as a mule driver."
"It is as the sahib wills," the old man said. "His servant will do all he
can to help him."
"Well, Robah, I want you in the first place to get me a disguise. You
may as well get two suits. I am sure to get wet, sometimes, and shall
require a change. I shall take a couple of my own vests and drawers, to

wear under them; for we shall probably experience very cold weather in
the mountains."
"They are serving out clothes to the carriers, sahib."
"Yes, I forgot that. Well, I want you to go into their camp, and arrange
with one of the headmen to let me take the place of one of the drivers.
Some of the men will be willing enough to get off the job, and a tip of
forty rupees would completely settle the matter with him. Of course, I
shall start with the sick escort but, as there will be several waggons
going down with them, they will not travel far; and at the first halting
place I can slip away, and come back here. You will be waiting for me
on the road outside the camp, early in the morning, and take me to the
headman.
"By the way, I shall want you to make up a bottle of stain for my hands
and feet; for of course I shall go in the native sandals."
"I will do these things, sahib. How about your luggage?"
"Before I leave the camp tonight I shall put fresh labels on them,
directing them to be taken to the store of Messieurs Parfit, who were
my father's agents; and to be left there until I send for them. I shall give
the sergeant, who goes down with the sick, money to pay for their
carriage to Calcutta.
"And about yourself, Robah?"
"I shall stay here at the bungalow till another regiment comes up to take
your place. Perhaps you will give me a chit, saying that I have been in
your father's service fourteen years, and that you have found me
faithful and useful. If I cannot find employment, I shall go home. I have
saved enough money."
An hour later, Robah again entered the room.
"I have been thinking, sahib, of a better plan. You wish to see fighting,
do you not?"

"Certainly I do."
"Well, sahib, if you go in the baggage train you might be miles away,
and see nothing of it. Now, it seems to me that it would be almost as
easy for you to go as a soldier in the regiment, as in the transport train."
"Do you think so, Robah?" Lisle exclaimed excitedly.
"I think so, sahib. You see, you know all the native officers, and your
father was a great favourite among them. If you were dressed in
uniform, and took your place in the ranks, it is very unlikely that any of
the English officers would notice you. These matters are left in the
hands of the native officers.
"Yesterday a young private died, who had but just passed the recruit
stage, and had been only once or twice on parade. You might take his
name. It is most unlikely that any of the white officers will notice that
your face is a fresh one and, if they did ask the question, the native
officer would give that name. The English officer would not be at all
likely to notice that this was the name of a man who had died. Deaths
are not uncommon and, as the regiment is just moving, the matter
would receive no attention. The book of this man would be handed to
you, and it would all seem regular."
"That is a splendid idea, Robah. Which officer do you think I had better
speak to?"
"I should speak to Risaldar Gholam Singh. He was the chief native
officer in your father's wing of the regiment. If he consents, he would
order all the native officers under him to hold their tongues and, as you
are a favourite with them