"That was well done," said one of them, named Fyz Ali. "But where is the huzur?"
He turned to the boys, who, feeling thoroughly exhausted by the stress and strain of this eventful morning, had flung themselves down, and lay at full length with their heads resting on their arms.
At the man's words Lawrence looked up. He had learnt enough of the Pathan patois to understand and to make himself understood, though he could not yet sustain a lengthy conversation. In a few words, haltingly, he explained what had happened to his uncle. The Pathans threw up their hands in consternation, invoking the name of Allah and pouring out a torrent of curses upon Nurla Bai and the Kalmucks. Mr. Appleton was very popular among them, and the news of his loss, and of the escape of the assassin, filled them with dismay and rage.
"Beyond doubt the huzur is dead," said Fyz Ali, pulling at his beard. "Allah is great! The huzur could not live, falling wounded into the swift water. He sank like a stone, and lies at the bottom. We shall cast dust upon our heads for our father."
"You were just in time to save us," said Lawrence.
"Allah be praised! We were riding down, and came to the wonderful machine, and when we saw that the bridge was broken we knew that we must wait until the huzur returned. Therefore we got off our horses and were resting and eating when we heard shots afar off, and believed the huzur was doing justice upon Nurla Bai. But looking down the stream we perceived the sahibs running, and the accursed Kalmucks after them, and I said we must hide behind the rocks and fire when the time came. And by the mercy of Allah we were able to save the sahibs, and our hearts are glad; but our joy is turned to grief by this heavy news. Our light is become darkness, and we are as little children."
Lawrence then told in detail, as well as he could, the events of the morning. When he spoke of the encampment on the plateau, Fyz Ali at once agreed that Nurla Bai must have known of the proximity of his fellow countrymen, and that an attack upon the mine was clearly intended.
"What are we to do, sahib?" he asked.
Before Lawrence could reply, the air was rent by the crackle of rifles, and a shower of bullets hissed overhead, some pattering upon the rocks. Some of the Pathans had incautiously shown themselves, and the enemy had opened fire from their position down the river. They instantly ducked under cover, and gathered in a group about their young masters, to consult on their course of action.
"How many Kalmucks did you see?" asked Lawrence.