"No, that will be the second time. It will not infuriate him—the second one to climb."
"I'll gamble with you—who goes first."
"You said that you were taking orders," Skag said coldly.
"That's a fact. But this isn't to my relish, son—"
"We do not need more words."
Cadman Sahib had reached safety. The natives were around him, feeling his arms and limbs, stuttering questions. He bade them be silent, caught up his rifle and covered the tiger, while Skag made the tilted pole, beckoning the rifle back.
"It's been a hard night for him," he said.
The two men stood together in the morning light. Cadman's face was deeply shaded by the big helmet again, but his eyes bored into the young one's as he offered his cigarette-case. Skag took one, lit it carelessly. Cadman was watching his hands.
"You've got it, son," he said.
"Got what?"