"Nonsense, Tim! Here, I will fasten the rope round your body. Then I will climb up, and we will pull you up after me."
In another minute, Charlie stood on the bank, and grasped the hand of his faithful follower. Hossein threw himself on his knees, and pressed his master to him. Then he rose and, at a word from Charlie, they hauled Tim to the top. The rope was taken off him and, noiselessly, they made their way across the country. Not a word was spoken, till they were at a considerable distance from the fort.
"Where are you taking us, Hossein?" Charlie asked, at last.
"I have two peasants' dresses, in a deserted cottage a quarter of a mile away."
Not another word was spoken, until they reached the hut, which stood at the end of a small village. When they had entered this, Charlie first thanked, in the warmest terms, his follower for having rescued them.
"My life is my lord's," Hossein answered simply. "He gave it me. It is his again, whenever it is useful to him."
"No, Hossein, the balance is all on your side, now. You saved my life that night at Ambur. You saved it that night at Calcutta, for, without the water you brought us, I question whether we could have lived till morning. Now you have procured our freedom. The debt is all on my side now, my friend."
"Hossein is glad that his lord is content," the Mohammedan murmured. "Now, what will my lord do?"
"Have you any place in the town to which we could go, Hossein?"
"Yes, Sahib. I hired a little house. I was dressed as a trader. I have been here for two months, but I could not find where you were confined, although I have tried all means, until I saw your cap."