Angus was brave, but a shudder ran through him as he thought of the fate that awaited him. The Afghans never spared those who fell into their hands, and fortunate were those who were speedily killed, for in many cases they were tortured before they were done to death. It had never occurred to him to doubt for a moment the good faith of the men who accompanied him; and yet, now he thought over it, such a possibility should have been foreseen, since there was no reason why the men should be traitors to their race, although for the moment they had obeyed their commander's orders and ridden with him into the British camp. They might even have remained faithful to him had not this opportunity of rejoining their countrymen presented itself. Even in the midst of his own deadly peril he was glad to think that, by his refusal to allow Azim to accompany him, he had saved him from the fate that awaited himself.
He knew well that no entreaties would avail to soften the heart of the Afghan commander, and determined that, whatever came, he would maintain a firm countenance and meet his fate bravely. The gate of the fortress stood open. The men as they entered said a few words to the guards stationed there.
"We were forced," they said, "to accompany the traitor Hajee Khan Kakur to the camp of the infidel, but we have taken the first opportunity to desert, and have brought with us this man, who is one of their officers, as a prisoner."
"Why trouble to bring him as a prisoner?"
"We thought that Mohummed Hyder would like to question him, and are bringing him here to show that we are true men."
Climbing a steep road, they entered a great courtyard. Here they dismounted, and their leader, a sub-officer, went forward to the governor's house, followed by two others, between whom Angus walked. The leader entered, the others remained outside until he returned.
"Follow me with the captive," he said, "Mohummed Hyder will speak to him."
A minute later Angus stood before the governor. He was seated on a divan, and several other chiefs of importance were standing or sitting round.
"They tell me," the governor said, "that you can speak our tongue?"
"I can do so," Angus said quietly.