That night the two nobles set forth on their return to the capital.
The burst of the monsoon in Jhansi had for the time passed over, so they rode leisurely through the clear atmosphere. First, they discussed the general prospects of the rebellion, then their successful descent upon Sadescheo, and lastly the condition of their personal affairs.
"You carried your life upon the blade of your sword, when you entered Sadescheo's fortress," remarked Prasad admiringly. "It was an intrepid act."
Ahmad laughed carelessly.
"In truth no," he returned. "There are some men, I grant you, with whom it would have been a venturesome thing to do. It would be a dangerous trick to play upon such a one as Dost Mohammed, whose valour and resource rise with the greater odds against him. But with this Sadescheo"—
He uttered an exclamation of contempt as he concluded:
"Upon him you have but to frown, and he shivers from his turban to his slippers."
They rode on in silence for some distance across a wide plain, the troopers following in a long procession, phantom like by the light of the moon.
Ahmad, apparently deep in thought, at last spoke in a reflective manner.
"Thou art a fortunate man, friend Prasad. Providence hath undoubtedly taken thy affairs into her special keeping."