“Soon, sahib, but when I cannot tell. We must wait and see. I shall be near you even when you do not know it, and sooner or later I shall set my master free.”
“But let it be soon, Dost,” I said, “for the rajah is trying to make me promise to enter his service, and drill his men.”
“But you are not strong and well yet.”
“No, but he is trying to make me give my word, and he promises me great rewards.”
“But the young sahib does not want his great rewards?”
“No, of course not; but I expect him directly to ask me again.”
“Well, you must promise him, sahib, to gain time.”
“What?” I cried indignantly.
He made no reply, and I repeated my question, but still he was silent.
“Do you think an English gentleman would make such a false promise, knowing that he could not keep it?”