Lawrence landed in the twilight on his platform. All sounds of combat had ceased. His first care was to see exactly how much petrol was left. There was enough for about twenty minutes' flight: then the aeroplane would be doomed to inactivity.
"Look over the machine," he said to Fazl, "and come after me when you have finished. What did you mean about Nurla Bai?"
"He has gone into the river, even as he sent the huzur."
"You shot him? But no: you did not fire. What happened?"
"He came along with us, sahib. He caught the chassis as we rose, and we were gone before he could let go. He clung to the stay. I cut him down."
Lawrence's blood ran cold with horror. In spite of the man's brutalities and crimes, he could not but feel moved by the terrible fate that had befallen the revolted miner. It was well deserved: yet Lawrence wished that Nurla could have met his death in open fight. He said no more to Fazl, but went along the pathway now enwrapt in darkness, to discover what had happened during his absence, and to give the garrison his promise of relief.
The compounds were deserted. No lights were visible. At first he thought that the men must already have taken refuge in the galleries; but as he came to the end of the pathway he saw them all grouped at the rear of the house under the cliff, behind a mound of tailings. They were very silent. Only a sound like a multitudinous sigh broke from them when he drew near.
"Where's my brother?" he asked anxiously, as Gur Buksh saluted.
"Here, sahib: he is hurt."
The group parted, and Lawrence saw Bob with his head and one arm bandaged, reclining in a long chair.