te to me, and to tell me
whether I am true or not! The raj is well served if ye are its best
soldiers!"

He spat once, and turned his back again.

"Ye have said we will have no such plunder!" shouted Gooja Singh,
but he did not so much as acknowledge the words even by a movement
of the head. Then Gooja Singh went whispering with certain of the
men, those who from the first had been most partial to him, and
presently I saw they were agreed on a course. He stood forward with
a new question.

"Tell us whither you are leading?" he demanded. "Tell us the plan?"

Ranjoor Singh faced about. "In order that Gooja Singh may interfere
and spoil the plan?" he asked, and Ramnarain Singh laughed very loud
at that, many of the troopers joining. That made Gooja Singh angry,
and he grew rash.

"How shall we know," he asked, "whither you lead or whether you be
true or not?"

"As to whither I lead," said Ranjoor Singh, "God knows that better
than I. At least I have led you into no traps yet. And as to whether
I am true or not, it is enough that each should know his own heart.
I am for the raj!" And he drew his saber swiftly, came to the
salute, and kissed the hilt.

Then I spoke up, for I saw my opportunity. "So are we for the raj!"
said I. "We too, sahib!" And it was with difficulty then that I
restrained the men from bursting into cheers. Ranjoor Singh held his
hand up, and we daffadars flung ourselves along the line commanding
silence. A voice or two--even a dozen men talking--were inaudible,
but the Turks would have heard a cheer.

"Ye?" said Ranjoor Singh. "Ye for the raj? I thought ye were all for
loot?"

"Nay!" said Gooja Singh, for he saw his position undermined and
began to grow fearful for consequences. "We are all for the raj, and
all were for the raj from the first. It is you who are doubtful!"

He thought to arouse feeling again, but the contrast between the one
man and the other had been too strong and none gave him any backing.
Ranjoor Singh laughed.

"Have a care, Gooja Singh!" he warned. "I promised you court martial
and reduction to the ranks should I see fit! To your place in the
rear!"

So Gooja Singh slunk back to his place behind the men and I judged
him more likely than ever to be dangerous, although for the moment
overcome. But Ranjoor Singh had not finished yet.

"Then, on one point we are agreed," he said. "We will make the most
of that. Let us salute our own loyalty to India, and the British a