“He is ready now,” I answered. “All he is waiting for is information from you as to the steps which you propose to take to support him.”
Meer Jaffier looked a little uneasy.
“You are my friend, I know,” he said. “You must speak good words on my behalf to Sabat Jung. Everything depends on him. Let him strike the first blow, and he will find every one prepared to join him.”
I shook my head.
“I am your friend, it is true,” I responded, “but I am still more the friend of Sabat Jung, and I must know the grounds on which he is to proceed. What force have you ready to bring to his assistance?”
“Do you mean what is the number of my division?”
“I mean the number on whom you can rely.”
“Three thousand horsemen.”
He glanced at me in some doubt as he spoke. I heard this number with dismay.
“Only three thousand! What succour is that?”