"May you never grow weary," said the Guide in the polite formula of the road.
"May your riches ever increase," came the stock reply.
"And how about that man on the charpoy?" bawled Abdul Mujid.
"Oh, he's all right, having by the mercy of God a thick skull," came the reply.
"Shāhbāsh! come and feast with me when your business is finished. I will make preparations at the cook-shop at the head of the bazaar."
And so ended in peace and jollification an adventure which at one time looked much more like cold-blooded murder and a string of vendettas.
CHAPTER XII
THE RELIEF OF CHITRAL
The anxiety of great events in South Africa has somewhat dimmed the recollection of our smaller troubles in previous years; but perhaps there are some who can recall the feeling of tense suspense that enthralled the nation during the spring of 1895.