old-time kings. Word of all this came before dawn today, by a
messenger from Maharajah Howrah to my cousin here. My cousin stands
pledged to uphold Howrah on his throne; Howrah is against the British;
Jaimihr, his brother, is in arms against Howrah."

"Why did the Alwa-sahib pledge himself to Howrah's cause?"

Mahommed Gunga--who knew quite well--saw fit to translate the question.
With a little sign of irritation Alwa growled his answer.

"He says, sahib, that for the safety of two Christian missionaries, for
whom he has no esteem at all, he was forced to swear allegiance to a
Hindoo whom he esteems even less. He says that his word is given!"

"Does he mean that he would like me and the missionaries to leave his
home at once--do we embarrass him?"

Again Mahommed Gunga--this time with a grin--saw fit to ask before he
answered.

"He says, 'God forbid,' sahib; 'a guest is guest!'"

Cunningham reflected for a moment, then leaned forward.

"Tell him this!" he said slowly. "I am glad to be his guest, but, if
this story of rebellion is true--"

"It is true, sahib! More than true! There is much more to be told!"

"Then, I can only accept his hospitality as the representative of my
government! I stay here officially, or not at all. It is for him to
answer!"

"Now, Allah be praised!" swore Mahommed Gunga. "I knew we had a man!
That is well said, sahib!"

"The son of Cunnigan-bahadur is welcome here on any terms at all!"
growled Alwa when Mahommed Gunga had translated. "All the rebels in all
India, all trying at once, would fail to take this fort of mine, had I a
larger garrison. But what Rangar on this countryside will risk his life
and estates on behalf of a cause that is already lost? If they come to
hold my fort for me, the rebels will burn their houses. The British Raj
is doomed. We Rangars have to play for our own stake!"

Then Mahommed Gunga rose and paced the floor like a man in armor,
tugging at his beard and kicking at his scabbard each time that he
turned at either end.

"What Rangar in this province would have had one yard of land to his
name but for this man's father?" he demanded. "In his day we fought, all
of us, for what was right! We threw our weight behind him when he led,
letting everything except obedience go where the devil wanted it! What
came of that? Good tithes, good report, good feeling, peace!"

"And then, the zemindary laws!" growled Alwa. "Then the laws that took
away from us full tw