"You will deal with me alone," declared Kathlyn.
Umballa reached for his rifle, but a loud murmur from the men stayed his impulse.
"It is the sacred white elephant, Highness. None dare fire at that," his captain warned him. "Those with him or upon him are in sanctity."
"Tell Bala Khan," said Umballa, controlling his rage as best he could, "tell Bala Khan that I would be his friend, not his enemy."
"Bala Khan," boomed a voice from the other side of the wall, "cares not for your friendship. Whatever the Mem-sahib says is my word. What! Does Allaha want war for the sake of gratifying Durga Ram's spite? Begone, and thank your evil gods that I am not already at your lying treacherous throat. Take yourself off, Durga Ram. The people of Bala Khan do not make war on women and old men. The Mem-sahib and her friends are under my protection."
"I will buy them!" shouted Umballa, recollecting the greed of Bala Khan.
"My word is not for sale!" came back.
Kathlyn understood by the expression on Umballa's countenance what was taking place. She smiled down at her enemy.
"So be it, Bala Khan," snarled Umballa, his rage no longer on the rein. "In one month's time I shall return, and of your city there will not be one stone upon another when I leave it!"
"One month!" Ramabai laughed.