“Mind and tell Captain Brace that the rajah may have taken me to his city.”
“Yes, yes; but go, sahib, pray. I must wake up now. It is too hot here to bear it much longer.”
In spite of my trouble, I wanted to laugh, but I managed to control it, and rising slowly, I said in a low voice—
“Good-bye, old friend. I trust you, for you are a true, brave man. Tell Captain Brace I will be patient, and that I am nearly well.”
I could say no more, but sauntered slowly away under the shade of the trees, to find that my guards sprang into sight, ready to follow me, the first one so near that I was startled. I had not known of his proximity, and I trembled for Dost’s safety. This man might have heard us talking, and he would of course repeat it to his head.
But I could only go on hoping and trying to be patient, and when at last I slowly started back to the tent, and glanced over toward the divan, my excitement increased, for the fakir was no longer seated in the hot sunshine.
Where was he? Back in his place by the great tree, or a captive taken away and condemned at once as a spy?
I could not tell; I must wait, and my brain was so active that my fears hourly increased.