It was late in the morning when I opened my eyes, to find the white figure of Salaman patiently in attendance, waiting for me to get up.
He smiled as soon as he saw that I was awake, and threw open the folds of the tent door to admit the sunshine. Then, with all the skill and cleverness of the native valet, he carefully waited on me, relieving me of all difficulties due to my wounded arm, which was painful in the extreme if I attempted to move it, and when I was nearly dressed, turned silently to the door to signal to his men to be ready with my early coffee.
“The morning is very hot, my lord,” he said; “and I have told them to place the breakfast under the tree. It is a fresh spot, which I hope my lord will like.”
At that moment there was a low moaning cry, as of some one in pain, hurried steps, loud voices, and then a dull thud, as if some one had fallen.
Salaman ran out of the tent, and I followed, to find that, some twenty yards away, a figure in ragged white garments was lying on the ground, his face covered with blood, which literally dyed his garments; and as he lay there upon his breast with his arms extended, one hand held a little round shield, the other grasped a bloody sword.
“What is it?” cried Salaman to four of his men, who were standing about the prostrate figure.
“As we live, we do not know,” said one of them. “He came running up, crying for help, and when we spoke, he looked back as if frightened, and struggled on till he fell, as you see.”
“He has been attacked by budmashes,” said another.
“No,” said the first. “Look at his long beard; he is a holy man—a fakir.”
At that moment the poor fellow tried to raise himself, and groaned out the words, “Bagh, bagh!”