“I represent the British Government. I am the only servant of the Company within reach. Do you realize that?”
“Yes, sahib.”
“I have no orders which entitle me to deal with any crisis such as this. But, when my orders were given me, no such crisis was contemplated. Therefore, on behalf of the Company, I assume full authority until such time as some one senior to me turns up to relieve me. Is all that clear to you?”
“Yes, sahib.”
Mahommed Gunga went through considerable pantomime of being angry with a fly. He found it necessary to conceal emotion in some way or other. Alwa sat motionless and stared straight back at Cunningham.
“I understand, sahib,” he repeated.
“You are talking to me, then, on that understanding?”
“Most certainly, huzoor.”
“You can raise two thousand men?”
“Perhaps.”