He says: "They are not divided in opinion as to which of their
enemies shall be sought after first. They say: 'Let us even the account
every day and night out of the nearest assembly of the enemy and when
we have brought all the enemy into the right way of thinking we can
demand the very people who did the shame and offences. In the meantime,
let it be any life.' This is good counsel for _us_ in our account, oh
my mother."

FATHER [_after a pause_]. True! True! It is good advice. Let it be any
life.... Is that all?

SON. That is all. He says: "Let it be _any_ life." And I think so too.

MOTHER. "_Any_ life." Even so! And then we can write to him quickly
that we have taken our revenge quickly. [_She reaches for her husband's
rifle which she passes over to her son, who stretches his hand towards
it with a glance at his father._]

FATHER. On your head, Akbar, our account must lie--at least till I am
better. Do you try to-night?

SON. May be! I wish we had the high-priced illuminating fireballs he
spoke of. [_Half rises._]

MOTHER. Wait a little. There is the call for the Ishr [the evening
prayer].

MUEZZIN [_in the village mosque without as the first stars show_]. God
is great! God is great! God is great! I bear witness, etc.

[_The family compose themselves for evening prayer._]

A TROOPER OF HORSE

_To the sister of the pensioned Risaldar Major Abdul Qadr Khan, at her
own house behind the shrine of Gulu Shah near by the village of Korake
in the Pasrur Tehsil of the Sialkot District in the Province of the
Punjab. Sent out of the country of France on the 23rd of August, 1916,
by Duffadar Abdul Rahman of the 132nd (Pakpattan) Cavalry--late
Lambart's Horse._

Mother! The news is that once only in five months I have not received a
letter from you. My thoughts are always with you. Mother, put your ear
down and listen to me. Do not fret; I will soon be with you again.
Imagine that I have merely gone to Lyallpur [the big recruiting-depot
in India]; think that I have been delayed there by an officer's order,
or that I am not yet ready to come back. Mother, think of me always as
though I were sitting near by, just as I imagine you always beside me.
Be of good cheer, Mother, there is nothing that I have done which is
hidden from you. I tell you truly, Mother, I will salute you again. Do
not grieve. I tell you confidently I shall bow before you again in
salutation. It will be thus, Mother. I shall come in the d