s men. He seized his loaded revolver. But what was one
against so many! He decided to bolt. The land way was barred by the
dacoits. What of the river? He was a good swimmer. But the water looked
black as ink and swarmed with crocodiles. Yet to stay in the boat meant
certain death. If he gained the opposite bank, he could make for his
father-in-law's house, which was near the river and where his wife was
then staying. He might escape the crocodiles. He determined to risk it.

Like a flash all this passed through his mind. Opening the other
window he clambered out stealthily and slipped into the water. A
few powerful strokes carried him across. He stumbled up the bank and
raced through the thorny jungle to his father-in-law's house.

The sleeping family were disturbed by his violent knocking. As soon
as he was admitted, he went to his wife's room. She was horrified to
hear of his danger. After a hasty bath and change she insisted that he
should eat something, and while he was refreshing himself, she informed
her father of his son-in-law's escape and predicament. To her surprise,
her father said: "I am sorry, but he must leave my house."

"O! father, how can he?" she pleaded.

"He must" repeated her father.

The daughter fell at her parent's feet and implored him not to drive
her husband forth. But no words of hers could move him. "Why should
all suffer for one?" he argued. She returned sadly to her husband.

Presently the cries of the dacoits showed that they had scented their
quarry. Soon they shouted at the door: "Open! or drive out the Deputy
Magistrate. We know he is here. Give him to us or what happens be on
your own head."

The wife wept piteously. Her father remained obdurate, muttering,
"I knew this would happen."

The unfortunate Magistrate could not understand his father-in-law's
behaviour. He sat with his head bowed in despair. Suddenly his wife
ran to him.

"You must try to escape. I have an idea." She pulled out a saree and
some jewels, and began to dress him as a woman.

"It's no use," he said hopelessly, "they will catch me."

"Be brave," she said encouragingly, "for my sake see if you cannot
elude them."

With tender hands she arranged the saree, draping it well over his head
to conceal his face. Then giving him a ghurra (water vessel) told him
to pretend that he was going to fetch water from the river. Cheered
by her courage, he caught her to his heart in a mute farewell, and
her prayers we