Luchman as usual took the lead when they entered the jungle, which was so dense that it could be penetrated only where there were well marked paths; the missionary and his wife came next, followed by Marian, Dr. Avery bringing up the rear. He had been instructed by Luchman to keep careful watch there, for there was a possibility of some of the treacherous natives stealing upon them from that direction.
The guide was only a short distance in advance, walking with the noiseless tread of an American Indian with all his senses on the alert. The shadows at times were so dense that it seemed necessary to feel the way, but the native was never at fault, and the bright moonlight penetrating through the branches gave great help.
About a mile had been passed, when Luchman stopped in his abrupt fashion and waited until his friends gathered around him. When asked whether there was anything amiss, he pointed to the left deeper into the jungle.
That which all saw was the twinkle of a camp fire, while sounds of voices were plainly heard through the stillness of the wood. The guide wished to learn the truth about this gathering, though there was perhaps no need of doing so. Telling the missionary and his family, therefore, to stay where they were, he invited Avery to go with him on what might be called a reconnaissance.
The camp was found to be further off than was supposed, and the care required in picking their way through the dense jungle delayed the arrival of the two within sight of the strangers.
There were four of the latter, who had been engaged upon some plundering expedition, for they had a large quantity of spoil, and were drinking bhang, a peculiarly intoxicating beverage made from hemp, there being two large bottles of this fiery stuff that were continually passed from mouth to mouth.
The scamps had shawls, clothing, jewelry, ladies' dresses and trinkets that had probably been obtained by slaying some of the poor fugitives in the jungle or on the road from Delhi.
The sight of these budmashes or villains so exasperated Dr. Avery that he proposed to Luchman that they should open fire on them. But the guide would not consent.
"We could master them, sahib, easily enough, but there are more who would hear our guns."
So the miscreants were left to their carousings, while the two continued to pick their way to the missionary and his family. They had not yet reached them when the native stopped with a soft "Sh!" His companion listened but heard nothing.