“I pray he may not,” said Salaman hurriedly; “his highness is soon angry. But, no: he would not curse him.”
“Never mind,” I said; “get me a melon. I am thirsty.”
Salaman glanced at the motionless figure with its head bent down, and then hurried away to obey my command.
Dost did not stir, but sat there staring hard at the ground, and I saw his ears twitch. Then, in a quick whisper, he said—
“I could not come near your tent. Watched, sahib. Was obliged to do this. Turn your head away, and do not look at me, but hiss, hiss, like a snake, when you see him coming.”
“Yes,” I said, as I threw myself sidewise on the pillows. “Tell me what you propose doing.”
“Going away to-day to find the captain, and tell him all. He may come to your help at once. If he does not, it is because the country is full of enemies.”
“Can’t you take me with you, Dost?”
“No, sahib, you are growing stronger, but you could not sit a horse for long enough yet, and you have not strength enough to fight and defend us both. I am not a fighting man.”
Hiss!