The rajah came upon me suddenly the next day, just when I was most
disturbed, and had been lying down here and there, poring over that note
with the strange characters till my head ached, and yet I was no nearer
a solution. It was, I knew, a warning to be ready to escape, or to tell
me that my friends were near, but not a bit nearer could I get.
I was under the big tree, still puzzling it out, and abusing the
Brandscombe professors for not teaching me better, and making me able to
decide whether this was modern Hindustani, Sanscrit, or Persian. I felt
that I ought to know, but not a word could I make out, so as to be sure,
when all at once I heard the familiar trampling of horses in the
distance, and hurriedly thrust the scrap of paper into my pocket, before
leisurely changing my position; for I always felt that some one was
watching me.
This was a fact; for whenever Salaman was off that duty, one or other of
his men took it up, though, to do them justice, it was as much to be on
the alert to see whether I wanted anything as to mind that I did not
escape.
There was a good deal more noise and jingling of accoutrements this
time; and as I listened eagerly, but assuming perfect unconcern, the
trampling increased to such an extent that, from thinking first that it
was a troop which formed the rajah's escort, my estimate rose to a
squadron, a regiment, two regiments; and then I gave it up, wondering
and in doubt whether my captor had come to make one of his calls.
At this I began to feel a little excited. Perhaps this was, after all,
the meaning of the message I had received, and friends were coming.
This idea was strengthened by a show of excitement among my attendants,
who were hurrying here and there. But it was an excitement which calmed
down directly, for they stood ready to receive the visitor, who was
preceded by a party of about a dozen fierce-looking mounted men on
splendid horses. They were well set up military-looking fellows, fully
armed, and having lances, but were evidently not ordinary soldiers,
their turbans being of rich stuff, and one and all wearing handsome
shawls.
They formed up on either side of the opening among the trees, through
which they had ridden, reining back their horses so as to allow room for
their leader to ride into the place; and as he cantered quickly in, and
threw himself lightly from his horse, I stared at him in amazement, he
looked such a magnificent object glittering in the sun.
Upon one other occasion he had been splendidly dressed, and the precious
stones he wore must have been of great value; but now the display was
wonderful, and at every movement the rays of light flashed from him, and
I could not help thinking that he must be a prince of vast wealth.
Directly after, though, it struck me that all this show was to impress
me, and I smiled to myself as I thought that he could not have chosen a
worse time for trying to convert me. For the piece of paper was within
touch, and, though I could not read it, I felt sure that it meant help
and freedom.
He dismissed his followers before coming up to me smiling, and as I
advanced to meet him I could not, suspicious as I was, doubt for a
moment the look of pleasure that came into his face as he took my hand
and held it firmly.
"Hah!" he cried; "this is more like my young officer. What a great
change for the better! You feel much stronger?"
"Oh yes," I said. "I think I could ride now."
"I am sure you could--a little; but you must not try much yet. We must
not have the wound reopened by too much exertion. Let us sit down. It
is hot."
We went to the temporary divan beneath the tree, and as soon as he was
seated he said, smiling--
"It is time you dressed better, more like my officer. You must not play
the sick man any longer."
My cheeks felt a little warm for the moment. Up to that time I had not
given a thought to my costume, which was simple--a shirt and trousers,
the former clean and white enough, thanks to Salaman; but I must have
looked a very pitiable object by the side of the gorgeous prince at my
side.
He was keen-witted enough to see the effect of his words, and he laid
his hand on my arm.
"It is not this I mind," he said quietly. "I do not judge one by his
dress. I know you; but I want to see my friend, who is henceforth to be
a great chief, held in reverence by the people. My subjects are not
like your English, who care so little for show; they judge a man by his
appearance."
"Yes; I know that," I said, warming toward him, for his words were
kindly meant.
"I don't care for all these that I wear. They are tiresome, hot, and in
the way. But I am the maharajah, and if I did not impress my subjects
by my dress and grandeur, as well as by the strength of my arm and the
sharpness of my sword, they would despise me."
"I can quite understand that," I said eagerly; for I was anxious to keep
him conversing about everything but the one subject which I feared.
"Well," he said gravely, "have you no questions to ask--about your
fellow-countrymen?"
"No," I said.
"That is right. I am glad you are growing so wise and sensible. It is
useless to regret the past. They had their reign. They are conquered,
and all is at an end."