n had something else to take
up my attention; for, as I was wondering what sort of a plan Craig's
would be for seizing the guns, Dost came up to me.

"Going to the captain, sahib," he said. "He will give me rupees, and I
can go, and buy food."

"But you'll be careful not to betray our hiding-place, Dost."

"The sahib may trust me," he said, proudly. "They will only think me
one who buys to sell again."

I walked with him to where Brace was standing, watching the changing
guard over our prisoners, and he turned to us sharply.

"Ready to start, Dost?"

"Yes, sahib," replied the man, holding out his hand for the rupees. "I
will try all I can to get plenty, but it will be poor food for the
sahib."

"Never mind. Now, be careful."

"Yes, sahib," said Dost, taking the rupees given to him, hiding them in
a fold of his turban, and then salaaming and going off amongst the
trees, while after satisfying himself about the safety of his prisoners,
Brace laid his hand upon my shoulder, and led me toward the edge of the
deep forest, which we approached carefully, going down on our hands and
knees before peering out, and seeing a long line of men, with their
laden donkeys, each bearing a heavy yellowish-green pile.

"The grass-cutters," I whispered, as the men led their animals up toward
the little flat, which looked bright and cheerful in the morning
sunshine.

"I'm glad to see that, Gil, my lad," said the captain. "It shows that
they are taking good care of the poor horses." As we watched, the line
of grass-cutters disappeared in a hollow, and we could then see the
sentries, with their drawn swords, slowly marching up and down, while a
couple more at a distance gave a hint of the care Ny Deen was taking to
guard against surprise.

As we had half expected, quite early in the morning the troop rode
slowly out, the men in white, looking fairly soldierly, and the horses,
as far as we could judge at that distance, in excellent condition, and
carefully groomed.

"Gil," said Brace, suddenly, "go back and send three men with the horses
a good half-mile further into the forest. Let them stay there till I
send for them back. If they are within hearing here, one of them is
sure to hear the jingle of the accoutrements, and neigh out a
challenge."

"Of course; it would be ruinous," I said, "unless we use it as a lure to
bring them near to us, and then made a sudden dash."

"It would not bring them near, Gil," said Brace,