The sepoy had scarcely moved a step to obey when every one of Jiand's men leapt to their feet and brought their rifles to the present.
I must confess to having acted automatically. Indeed, there was no time to think or do otherwise.
I literally roared at them. "How dare you, you dogs? Sit down this instant!"
I reached out my hands towards Jiand who was close to me, and, in a paroxysm of rage, forced him down by my side.
"Sit down!" I roared again into the dark faces of the men surrounding us.
Hesitation and doubt spread amongst that threatening crowd—and the bulk of them sat down!
They were now given no time to recover their poise. Sanders and the escort were at once ordered to disarm the men who remained standing.
Like a flash my men darted forward, only too thankful to take action instead of waiting to be shot down, and in a twinkling had wrenched their rifles from the scowling brutes who were hesitating as to whether they would shoot first or submit. They were looking to their Chief for a lead. But Jiand, that once invincible warrior, had lost his nerve, and now sat cowering, unable either to make a decision or dominate his own men.
So, whilst they stood, furtive and undecided, they were disarmed and left helpless.
"Now," I shouted, turning to those who had sat down, "get up and place your rifles against that wall, there," pointing to the wall of the mud fort. "And if there is the slightest sign of treachery I will shoot you down like the dogs you are."