'Ill-using one man; and now, as it is time for me to go, colonel, I shall interfere en passant.'
'Don't think of it—don't bother!'
'But they may kill him.'
'What the devil does it matter? A nigger less in the world won't be missed,' growled Spatterdash, who had lost all sympathy with the natives since the Mutiny.
'Call the nearest guard—the picket—or some chowkeydars,' said Redhaven and others; 'but don't interfere in a row of this kind.'
Colville, however, buckled on his sword and revolver, lit a fresh cheroot, laughingly bowed himself out, and hurried away; for, sooth to say, he was a little tired of old Spatterdash, and as no one actually thought he would interfere in a native row, no one followed or accompanied him.
'The inlying pickets have been doubled to-night by order of the general,' said the colonel.
'Why?' asked some one.
'Because rumour says that the Sirdir Mahmoud Shah, a tearing Afghan devil, has come to lead the Mohmunds against us.'
'With what object?' asked Redhaven of the Hussars.