The Star of India

by Edward Sylvester Ellis

On the one hand was the grove, and beyond that the jungle. In the shade of the former, Wana Affghar and most of his ruffians were waiting, while in the opposite direction, and distant only a couple of hundred yards, was the gleam of a broad but muddy stream. Trees were growing on its banks, and the current was seen only at intervals through the interstices of the vegetation.

Had any one watched the brown countenance of the native he would have noted that his gaze was fixed for a long time in the direction of the stream. It was apparent that he felt that if any possible hope remained to the fugitives it was there. The river was more friendly than the jungle.

Such had been the belief of the guide during the preceding evening, and he had made an effort, unknown to Avery, to extend his reconnaissance to the water, but the Ghoojurs were there, as he feared. They could not have failed to note how tempting it would be to the fugitives, and they took care to guard it well.

No doubt they were still doing so, crouching among the tall grass along the bank, and at the base of the overhanging trees, their black eyes turned eagerly in the direction of the ruined temple, anxious that the hated Feringhees should venture within their reach.

Luchman was convinced of another fact: if Wana Affghar had received any re-enforcements, they did not number more than one half his original force.

This was strange, since it would seem to have been impossible to prevent the spreading of the news that a party of Europeans were shut up in the old temple, thus bringing a continually increasing swarm to the spot; but in some way or other, as Luchman believed, the brigand chieftain had kept his secret, and the situation was the same now as at the beginning.

Across the dark countenance passed an expression that told of bitter hopelessness and desperation, as he slowly made his way down from his perch and joined his friends below.

Under heaven their hopes were centered upon him. He was the instrument that had brought them safely through many perils to this point, and he alone was to lead them to safety, if such an achievement was within the reach of human attainment.

The entire company gathered in the arched way, for after a night spent in the close apartments they longed for the fresher air, which could be secured only by running some risk from the stealthy shots of their enemies, who might choose to expose their own lives in the attempt to reach the Feringhees.

The refugees hoped, since the rainy season was not far off, that some disturbance of the elements would bring a cloudy night, or one in which the moon would be hidden to such an extent that it would give some faint chance of success with their desperate venture.