BUKTAR SING.
There was an alarming significance in the declaration of the native
guide that the horseman at the head of the Ghoojurs who were
besieging the fugitives in the ruined temple was Wana Affghar of
Puneput.
He was the brigand who by some means had learned that Luchman was the
possessor of the great diamond, the Star of India, and who for a year
had been trying to secure the wonderful gem, without regard to the
means employed. Either suspecting or knowing of a certainty that the
daring Christian carried it about his person, he had guided his
movements in accordance with that fact.
He had hired detectives, as they may be called, to follow the
footsteps of Luchman, their instructions being not to kill him but to
lead him into some situation that would place him in the power of the
Ghoojur chieftain. The latter was handicapped by the impossibility
of fully trusting his employees. If one of them should slay Luchman
and take the diamond from him, the assassin would be sure to keep the
jewel himself.
Accordingly Wana gave out that he wished to "habeas corpus" the body
of the Hindoo proselyte for an unpardonable crime committed against
him. The emissaries of the brigand were not permitted to know the
fortune Luchman carried, and they directed all their attempts,
therefore, toward persuading him to venture outside of the large
cities, where the vigilant Wana Affghar could seize him.
This task, however, was impossible of accomplishment, because the
native was certain to suspect the meaning of such a proposal, no
matter how cautiously made; but he underestimated the ability of
these birds of prey. At the very time he thought they were thrown
off the scent, he was under their surveillance. The outbreak in
Delhi led him to move northward with the Europeans, which was in the
direction of the chieftain's regular tramping ground.
Everything united to aid Wana. The delay was long enough to allow
him to perfect his plans. It was necessary to placate his men, which
he did by promising to turn over to them all of the Feringhees, with
whatever loot they might have in their possession. He only demanded
the body of the native, thus parrying all suspicion of his avarice,
which was his sole governing motive.
Without saying more, the reader will comprehend the situation as it
was developed to Wana Affghar of Puneput, to Luchman, and to Dr.
Baird Avery.
The rest of the fugitives knew nothing of these particulars, and the
guide showed no wish to enlighten them.
Luchman admitted that he had been outwitted by the chieftain, but a
curious expression lit up his olive face as he muttered,
"_He hasn't got the Star of India yet._"
There was an unsuspected meaning in this declaration, which Dr. Avery
recalled after many days, though he was far from suspecting it at the
time the sentence was uttered. He forebore to question his friend,
who had a way of telling without solicitation that which he wished to
make known.
During the conference Harkins was in the rear apartment with the
missionary and his family. The Ghoojurs showed no purpose of an
immediate attack, for they must have seen that it could accomplish
nothing. The doctor and the guide were speaking about the probable
course of the ruffians when Harkins joined them with a welcome
message.
The generous breakfast that Luchman had brought to the fugitives in
the jungle was still in their possession. There were the lota of
water and the fruit and bread obtained at a native hut. With these
too was a supply of cooked dall or grain.
This was a godsend, for it gave to the little garrison the power to
hold out against their enemies, if necessary, for several days.
Avery and Harkins went within, and a careful division of the food was
made so as to give all a substantial lunch, which was to last till
the following morning. On the morrow, the rest would be eaten, and
it was calculated that three days could be passed in the prison
without inconvenience in the way of food. It was not the latter,
however, that was so sorely needed as was water. In such a hot
climate, the demand for the life giving fluid must be far greater
than in a temperate or cold region, and their supply was so light
that it was necessary to be rigidly economical from the first.
The share set apart for Luchman being carried out to him by Dr.
Avery, the guide told his friend to take it back and keep it until he
asked for it. The astonished gentleman did as requested, remarking
that Luchman was not likely to be troubled with hunger or thirst for
several months to come.
When Avery and Harkins returned once more to the front they saw that
something was up. Wana Affghar, having ridden close to the archway,
sat for several minutes in the attitude of one who was posing for his
picture. Suddenly he dashed off, galloped around in a circle and
came back to his position.
Catching sight of Luchman, he raised his hand and beckoned for him to
approach. He repeated the gesture several times, but the guide paid
no attention to it. Then Wana spoke, the distance being so brief
that a conversational tone was sufficient.
Luchman translated the words to his interested friends. The Ghoojur
asking Luchman to come out and talk with him, the latter replied that
it was not necessary, since they could converse in their present
positions. Wana said that his words were of such importance that no
one else must hear them, to which the guide made answer that that
requirement could be easily met by the use of Hindustani.
To this remark came the astounding declaration on the part of Wana
that he knew one of the Feringhees had been engaged for some time in
Calcutta studying the native language.
"How in the name of the seven wonders does he know anything about
me?" asked the amazed surgeon; "true, I did try to master this
barbarous speech, but the intervals between the lessons were so long
that I regularly forgot all I had learned, and I can't hold the
briefest conversation, if my life were depending upon it."
"He has seen you, sahib, and knows you."
"He is a shrewder rascal than I imagined; but I can overcome his
scruples by withdrawing beyond hearing."
"Though you may be out of sight, sahib, he will believe you are
listening."
Wana Affghar insisted, but Luchman in refusing did not hesitate to
say that he was such a villain that he would not trust him.
Showing no offense because of the insult, the brigand repeated that
he had a communication which was one of life and death, and which
must be heard by the ears of Luchman alone. But inasmuch as Luchman
would not listen to him he would send Buktar Sing, his intimate
friend, to impart the important message.
The guide assured Wana that such a proceeding was useless, since one
of them was as bad as the other. But the chieftain galloped back,
describing several fanciful circles on the way, as if seeking to
display his horsemanship.
He was seen to converse with his friends a short time, and then one
of them walked forth toward the temple. He advanced with a firm
step, while he fixed his black eyes upon the native standing in the
archway.
"Luchman," said Avery, "I advise you to go out and talk with that
fellow."
"He is a cobra, waiting a chance to strike."
"We can fix that," said Harkins; "we'll keep you both covered with
our guns, and at the first sign of treachery well let this beautiful
sunlight of India beam through his body. Doctor, run inside and get
Mr. Hildreth's gun."
"I will do as the sahibs wish," replied Luchman, who felt some
curiosity to test the matter.
Avery hurried back with the weapon of the missionary. By this time
the Ghoojur had reached the spot where the leader had halted a few
minutes before. He stopped and looked sharply at Luchman.
"What do you want?" asked the latter.
"I have something to say to you for my chief, Wana Affghar; will you
come forth to hear it?"
"I will if you are honest; have you any weapons with you?"
"None," was the prompt answer, as the ruffian threw up both hands to
show they contained nothing.
"I'll stake my life that, all the same, he has a weapon hidden in his
garments," said Harkins; "take your knife with you, Luchman."
The guide accepted the advice. He turned partly away from the
messenger, making a display of handing over his pistol that was sure
to be noticed by the Ghoojur. At the same time, he slipped his sharp
knife under his clothing where it was out of sight, but could be
drawn the instant needed.
"Bear in mind," added Harkins, as their friend left them, "that we'll
never take our eyes off you, and if they try any trick we'll make
music for them."