the man-eaters in the jungle. But all the time Glyn kept noting that
his father spoke as if he had been strangely moved, and that when he
turned his eyes upon Singh his face softened and his voice sounded more
gentle.

As they sat over the dessert, Singh asked him to tell them about one of
the other old fights that his father and the Colonel had been in.

"Don't ask me, my boy," said the Colonel gently. "You can't understand
it perhaps. When you grow as old as I am perhaps you will. But I don't
know. You like Glyn after a fashion, I suppose?"

"Like him?" cried Singh half-fiercely. "Why, of course I do!"

"Ha!" said the Colonel. "And Glyn likes you, I know; and no wonder--
brought up together as you were like brothers. Well, my boy, I went out
to India not very much older than you two fellows are, as a cadet in the
Company's service, and somehow or other, being a reckless sort of a
fellow, I was sent into several of the engagements with some of the
chiefs, and was picked out at last, when I pretty well understood my
work, to go to your father's court as you said, my boy, with
half-a-dozen six-pounders and teams of the most dashing Arab horses in
the service. Then, somehow, your father got to like me, and I liked
him, and then we did a lot of fighting together until he was fixed
securely upon his throne, and he never would hear of my leaving him
again. But there, you know all about it. He left you to me, Singh, to
make a man of you with Glyn here, and I hope to live to go back with you
both to Dour and see you safe in your rightful position and fight for
you if the need should ever come. And some day I hope that you two boys
will have grown into two strong, true-hearted men, with the same
brotherly love between you as held your fathers fast. And then--Oh,
hang that music! The fellows can't play a bit. Here, what do you say?
Shall we walk into the field and listen to them and see the show? Your
elephant too?"

"No," said Singh softly. "Let's stop here and talk about Dour and my
father. We don't often see you now, sir, and I should like that best."

"To be sure, then, my dear boys, we will stop here. I want you to do
what you like best.--But you, Glyn: what do you say?"

"I like to hear you talk, father, and to be with you as much as we can."

"That's good, my boy. Then, to begin with," cried the Colonel with a
chuckle, "I'll just finish my lecture. I was very nearly letting it
slip."

"Oh,