are at their last gasp. There, Gil, I have
placed myself in your hands. If you betray what I have said to-night,
every one of the chiefs who now help me, and are my allies, would turn
against me, and I should stand alone."

"You have no fear of that," I said quietly. "You would not have trusted
me if you had."

"No," he said, rising, "I should not. So you see what confidence I have
in you. There, I shall leave you now. Go to rest, man, and get
stronger. You are beginning to look weary already."

He held out his hand as I walked with him to the door, and as I gave him
mine, not without a feeling of compunction, for I was playing a double
part, and letting him, as I thought, believe I was settling down, when
he laughed merrily.

"It is of no use," he said.

"I don't understand," I said, colouring like a girl.

"Then I'll explain. You are thinking of nothing else but escaping.
Well, try to get away. There are only curtains before the doors; but
you will find my plans stronger than locks and bolts. Try and grow
contented with your lot, Gil--with the great future that is before you;
for it is greater than you can grasp, boy. There, good night."

He passed through the doorway, and the purdah dropped behind him, while
I stood thinking of his words, and ended by going to one of the windows
and leaning out to gaze at the great stars.

"That is not my fate," I said to myself; and as the cool night-breeze
came softly over my heated forehead, I saw better things in store than
becoming the servant of a conquering tyrant, and I went to my couch more
strongly determined than ever to scheme some way of escape.

CHAPTER FORTY FIVE.

I suppose it was the returning flush of strength which made my rest so
pleasant during my stay in the rajah's palace, for my sleep was
dreamless and delicious, and I awoke every morning in spirits so buoyant
that I felt ashamed of them as unsuitable for a prisoner.

Five days passed over now, during which I had been out twice in a
palanquin, but only in the extensive gardens about the palace. I had
not been idle, though; for I had, while apparently sitting back
listlessly, made myself thoroughly acquainted with the shape and
position of the place, knowing now that one side was protected by a
swiftly flowing river. It was only about a hundred and fifty feet
across, but deep, and its waters looked suggestive of crocodiles, so
that one thought of attempting to cross by swimming wi