Just at this moment an Afghan lad joined his seniors, and spoke rapidly to them. Will judged at once that he also had been placed on the watch. The chief of the village, accompanied by two or three of his men, now stepped forward.
"Ask the sahibs," he said to Yossouf, "why they are in such a hurry--why they want to start in the heat of the day? They had better wait till it is cooler."
Will did not wait for Yossouf's translation, but answered direct:
"We have duties at the camp, and must return at once."
The chief was surprised that one of the young officers should speak his tongue so fluently.
"It looks as if you were not pleased with the hospitality of our village," he said, "that you should hurry away so quickly."
"We are content with it--so far--but we must be off, now.
"Bring up the ponies quickly," he said to Yossouf. "Never mind those things, there is not a moment to be lost."
Yossouf and the servants brought up the ponies. The chief laid his hand on one of the bridles, and drew a pistol.
"Kaffir dogs," he said, "you shall not leave us, at all."