"You heard the guns a few minutes ago, sahib; there are hundreds of mutineers and natives mounted on horses, and hunting everywhere for fugitives."
"What has caused such increased activity?"
"There is a wide belief, sahib, that the Europeans fleeing from Delhi carry a large amount of money and valuables with them. There being little left to plunder in the city, the robbers are hunting through the country for victims."
"I thought from the fair progress we made, and from certain other evidences, that we were far enough ahead of the fellows to be safe."
"We are not; it was said that those ladies in the carriage carried many diamonds, and it was because of that, sahib, that they were killed. We ran much more risk than I thought, when we left the jungle and took to the highway. I wonder that we have escaped so long, for we have been seen of many.
"You know we are fairly disguised."
"Yes, sahib, but so are many other fugitives; the natives know that, and therefore they scrutinize the faces more closely than ever before."
"Harkins and the doctor should have been back before this," said the missionary with growing uneasiness.
"They may not be back for hours, sahib; the danger is so great that we cannot wait for them—don't speak!"
Again the sound of horses' hoofs fell upon their ears, and the fugitives were terrified. They moved quickly to the rear of the bungalow, for they had little time to seek other shelter.