'The herd—of what, Billy——?'
'Does not my lord know——?'
'I understand,' said Tom, a shiver, which he could not control, running through him. 'Wild elephants! My life must be valuable to some one, Billy. Yes; I heard them. I thought it was thunder. I must have only jumped into the nullah in time. And I wasn't trying to escape. Well! it is over now, so there's no use thinking about it. I will stick to you for the future, my good friend! Why did you separate yourself from us last evening?'
'If I tell my master, he will scarcely believe me,' said Bâl Narîn.
'Billy! Billy!' Tom was trembling from head to foot. 'You have found something.'
'I have found those his Excellency is seeking.'
'What? The English lady and the child. And in life? Billy, you are torturing me. Speak plainly. No; no; I cannot bear it. Don't speak at all. I shall see. And yet—where has my manhood gone? If they are dead——'
'Master, they are not dead.'
'Not? Now Heaven be praised!'
'Yes; but my master must be careful. See! there are pits here! If his Excellency goes in so headlong a fashion, he will break his limbs, and how will that profit his friends? Let him follow me, and I will take him where they are.'