"Jo hookum!" rejoined the fellow; "but I hope the information is correct about the road, and that it is not like the last stage, cultivated ground from first to last. I would have defied the best Belha that ever drew breath to have selected a spot free from a chance of interruption."
"Rest content," said I; "the information is good, I had it from our fellow-travellers, who have passed that way a hundred times."
"Then I will start by sunset," continued he; "I suppose the nearer to this the place is selected, consistently with security, the better."
"Certainly," said I. "Go; you have your leave."
Midnight soon arrived: we had arisen, and had proceeded about three coss on our way; we had passed every village, and entered on the desolate tract I have mentioned. The hot night wind still sighed over the waste, and through the thorny bushes by which it was thinly covered. No sound broke the silence, save a shrill neigh from one of our baggage-ponies at intervals, or the wild and melancholy note of the plover, as it piped its song to its mate, and was answered again from afar. Once or twice the half shriek, half howl of a hyæna might be heard, and so like was the cry to that of a wretch under the knife of an assassin, that my blood curdled in my veins as the sound thrilled through me. I rode on, first of the party, eagerly looking for the Belha, who should give the welcome intelligence that the grave was ready, and that we were secure from interruption; nor had I long to wait for this. At a turning in the road I saw the trusty messenger seated; and as he espied me and arose, I hastened to meet him.
"Bhil manjeh?" I asked in our slang language.
"Manjeh," was the reply: "'tis ready, Meer Sahib."
"And how far, Gopal?"
"Scarcely a cannon-shot from hence, a dry nulla with a sandy bed crosses the road; and a tributary streamlet's course, between high and narrow banks, was the best place we could find."
"Good," said I, "you are always careful; now keep near me, and hold my horse when I dismount: I have a share in this affair which I would not trust to another."