It was, as he said, delicious; and my pipe had been refilled several times to my great satisfaction, when he told me the time I desired was come. "Yonder star," said he, "rises over the houses a short time before midnight, so rouse your companion; you will be expected."
I did so; Bhudrinath was soon awake, and ready to accompany me. We took leave of our host, and directed our way through the now deserted streets to the place of assignation. "We are wonderfully like two thieves," said he to me; "what if the village watch should catch us? we should look very foolish."
"I see no danger of it," said I: but hardly were the words out of my mouth, when we saw the patrol coming down the street before us. There was an open gate close to us, and stepping inside, we hid ourselves behind the large doors. We had however been observed, and as the men passed, one said he was sure he had seen two men lurking there.
"Nonsense," said another fellow, "you are always seeing men in the dark. Come along! it is just midnight, and I am sleepy; we will go a little further, and then beat the duphra; if there are any thieves about they will run away."
A loud yawn was a pretty good proof of the truth of his assertion, and they passed on. Just as we emerged from our hiding-place the duphra and horns were sounded, and answered from the other sides of the town; and then all was again as still as death, save when a village dog howled his wild cry to the moon. "There is now no danger," said I; "come on, we are near the place."
A few paces further brought us to the corner where the old woman said she would await our coming, and there, to our great joy, we found her. "My blessings on ye that ye are come," said she; "I thought the night would never wear away, and I have been waiting here for some hours."
"Is all prepared?" said I: "Is she ready?"
"Ay, that she is; I warrant the hours have gone as slowly with her as with me; and listen," said the old woman, "she has hit upon a rare device, which will mislead suspicion:" and she laughed heartily.
"For the love of Alla be quiet!" said I; "were we heard or seen we are undone."