It was just at the close of the hour before dawn that the squad of troopers who rode a dozen rods before the columns, heard a cry from the dark ahead. "Halt-in the name of the Dakoon!"
V
CHOOSE YE WHOM YE WILL SERVE
The company drew rein. All they could see in the darkness was a single mounted figure in the middle of the road. The horseman rode nearer.
"Who are you?" asked the leader of the company.
"I keep the road for the Dakoon, for it is said that Cumner's Son has ridden to the Neck of Baroob to bring Pango Dooni down."
By this time the chief and his men had ridden up. The horseman recognised the robber chief, and raised his voice.
"Two hundred of us rode out to face Pango Dooni in this road. We had not come a mile from the Palace when we fell into an ambush, even two thousand men led by Boonda Broke, who would steal the roof and bed of the Dakoon before his death. For an hour we fought but every man was cut down save me."
"And you?" asked Pango Dooni.
"I come to hold the road against Pango Dooni, as the Dakoon bade me."