Accordingly, guided by him through a wild track which I should never have found alone, we reached Saugor towards evening, and after occupying our former ground, I hurried to the Bhutteara's, where I was pretty sure of meeting my friends. Peer Khan was there, and welcomed me. "I was fearful the messenger would miss you," said he; "but, praise to Alla, you are come."
"And this is our worthy ally, I suppose?" said I, making a salutation to the Bhutteara.
"The same," he answered; "your poor slave Peroo is always happy when he can serve his good friends."
"I have not forgotten what you are to get, my friend," said I, "and you may depend on the word of a true Thug for it. Are we sure of the man?"
"As sure," said Peer Khan, "as of those who have hitherto fallen; to-morrow he will take his last look on Saugor."
"Ul-humd-ul-illa!" I exclaimed; "so much the better. And he will be a good bunij, you think?"
"He will be worth seven or eight thousand good rupees to you," said the Bhutteara; "and all nugd (ready money) too."
"Good again, friend; but why do you not take to the road? You are a likely fellow enough."
"Oh, I have tried it already," said he, laughing; "I was out on two expeditions with Ganesha Jemadar. Do you know him?"
"I have heard of him," I replied; "he is a leader of note."