Told in the East | Page 8

did you get past the other sentry?" he asked.
"Oh, easily! You English are only brave; you have no brains.
Sometimes one part of the rule is broken, but the other never. You are
not always brave!"
"I suppose you're angry because he killed your horse?"
"I am angry, Brown sahib, for greater happenings than that! The man
conceivably was right, since I did not halt for him, and I suppose he
had his orders. I am angry because the standard of rebellion is raised,
and because of what it means to me!"
"Are you drunk, Juggut Khan?"
"Your honor is pleased to be humorous? No, I am not drunk. Nor have I
eaten opium. I have eaten of the bread of bitterness this day, and drunk
of the cup of gall. I have seen British officers--good, brave fools, some
of whom I knew and loved--killed by the men they were supposed to
lead. I have seen a barracks burning, and a city given over to be looted.
I have seen white women--nay, sahib, steady!-- I have seen them run
before a howling mob, and I have seen certain of them shot by their
own husbands!"
"Quietly!" ordered Brown. "Don't let the men hear!"

"One of them I slew myself, because her husband, who was wounded,
sent me to her and bade me kill her. She died bravely. And certain
others I have hidden where the mutineers are not likely to discover
them at present. I ride now for succor--or, I rode, rather, until your
expert marksman interfered with me! I now need another horse."
"You mean that the native troops have mutinied?" "I mean rather more
than that, sahib. Mohammedans and Hindus are as one, and the crowd
is with them. This is probably the end of the powder-train, for, from
what I heard shouted by the mutineers, almost the whole of India is in
revolt already!"
"Why?"
"God knows, sahib! The reason given is that the cartridges supplied are
greased with the blended fat of pigs and cows, thus defiling both Hindu
and Mohammedan alike. But, if you ask me, the cause lies deeper. In
the meantime, the rebels have looted Jailpore and burned their barracks,
and within an hour or two they will start along this road for Bholat,
which they have a mind to loot likewise. My advice to you is retire at
once. Get me another horse from somewhere, that I may carry warning.
Then follow me as fast as you and your men can move."
"Bah!" said Brown. "They'll find General Baines to deal with them at
Bholat."
"Who knows yet how many in Bholat have not risen? Are you positive
that the garrison there has not already been surrounded by rebels? I am
not! I would not be at all surprised to learn that General Baines is so
busy defending himself that he can not move in any direction.
And--does your honor mean to hold this guardroom here against five
thousand?"
"I mean to obey my orders!" answered Brown.
"And your orders are?"
"My orders!"
"Would they preclude the provision of another horse for me?"
"There's a village about a mile away, down over yonder, where I think
you'll find a decent horse--along that road there."
"And your honor's orders would possibly permit a certain payment for
the horse?"
"Positively not!" said Brown.
"Then--'

"To seize a horse, for military use, under the spur of necessity, and after
giving a receipt for it, would be in order."
"So I am to spend the night wandering around the countryside, in a vain
endeavor to--"
But Brown was doing mathematics in his head. Two men to guard
prisoners, two on guard at the crossroads, two at the guardroom
door--six from twelve left six, and six were not enough to rape a
countryside.
"Guard!" he ordered. "Release that prisoner. Now, you Stanley, let this
be a lesson to you, and remember that I only set you free because I'd
have been short-handed otherwise. Number One! Stand guard between
the clink and the guardroom door. Keep an eye on both. The
remainder--form two-deep. Right turn! By the left, quick-march! Left
wheel!..... Now," he said, turning to Juggut Khan, "if you'll come along
I'll soon get a horse for you!"
The Rajput strode along beside him, and gave him some additional
information as they went, Brown taking very good care all the time to
keep out of earshot of the men and to speak to Juggut Khan in low
tones. He learned, among other things, that Juggut Khan had lost every
anna that he owned, and had only escaped with his life by dint of luck
and swordship and most terrific riding.
"Are all of you Rajputs loyal?" asked Brown.
"I know not. I know that I myself shall stay