"Not yet," he replied; "I may do so hereafter."
"Remember," I continued, "that you are neither to speak to Ganesha nor the other, if he is here. I will get them out of the house; after that look well to your weapon. If they attempt to escape, or show suspicion of our real errand, fall on Himmut when I ask you how far it is to Saugor: leave me to deal with Ganesha;—we are two to two, and Ganesha is a better swordsman than the other. You will remember this."
"I will," he replied; "I will stick by you,—I fear not now, for I see you are faithful."
A few more steps brought us to the Potail's house, and I called for him by name. "Jeswunt! Jeswunt! rouse yourself and come out, man. Thou knowest who I am." I spoke in Ramasee, which I knew he understood. He answered me from within, and soon after I heard the bars and bolts of his door removed, and he came forth wrapped in a sheet. "Who calls me?" he asked.
"I, your friend Ameer Ali," I replied; "where is Ganesha?"
"Asleep, within; why do you ask?"
"And Himmut?"
"Asleep also; what do ye want with either? and what brings you here, Meer Sahib, so late or so early, which you please? we thought you were half way to Calcutta."
"Ah," said I, "that matter has been given up; the Nujeebs were out, and there was risk. But go and rouse Ganesha; I have some work in hand for him, and have no time to lose; it must be finished by daylight."
"I understand," said the Potail, "some bunij, eh?"