"Do not stand chattering there, or your share may be forgotten, Potailjee; bring Ganesha to me, or tell him I am here, he will come fast enough." He went in. "Now be ready!" said I to the Nujeeb; "do as I do, and remember the signal."
I heard the Potail awaken Ganesha; I heard the growling tones of his voice as he first abused him for rousing him, and afterwards his eager question, "Ameer Ali here! ai Bhowanee, what can he require of me?" At length his gaunt figure appeared at the doorway. Ya Alla! how my heart bounded within me, and then sickened, so intense was my excitement on beholding him.
"Where art thou, Ameer Ali?" said he; "I can see nought in this accursed darkness."
"Here," said I, "you will see well enough by-and-by, when your eye is accustomed to it; give me your hand; now descend the step; that is right." We embraced each other.
"Are you ready for work?" I asked; "I have only two men with me, and we have picked up some bunij; there will be good spoil too if you will join us,—alone we can do nothing—there are four of them."
"Where?" he asked.
"Yonder, in the lane; I have pretended to come for fire."
"Who is that with you?"
"A friend; no fear of him, he is one of us."
"Does he speak Ramasee?"