And with a salutation all round, the Lalla rode out of the gate, and our friend Lukshmun, cutting a caper which showed his marvellous activity by way, as he said, of getting the dinner out of his legs, and calling to the guide who carried the bundle, they passed on over the village common.
The Putwari sighed as the party left the gate.
"I tell thee, Seeta Ram," said the Patel, "he will come to no harm, and he is gone away happy."
"I am glad he did not eat at my house; it is not pleasant feeding a man who has death in his throat," returned the Putwari.
"I tell thee he is safe," retorted the Patel; "and if he is killed, it is no affair of ours."
"No, it is no business of ours," said the Putwari, settling to his accounts with a sigh which vexed the Patel. "No, it is no business of ours," echoed the farmers.
At that time Rama, who was seated on the heap of stones, looking from the top of the hill, exclaimed, as the three persons emerged from a lane into a low field in which the road was distinctly visible.
"Jemadar! he is coming at last, and Lukshmun is with him; we must be ready. Look, they are there!" he continued, as Gopal Singh joined him, "between the village and the stream."
"Ah, I see them, Rama, and thy brother is as true as gold. We will join them as they go on; he must not suspect us yet."