If you pass
the order that we are not to have rations now that we are far from
home, what are we to do? Think you that Raja Karowlee--"
"Do! do! if you serve not Sindhia what care I what you do. Go back to
your honourable trade of thieving. And as to Raja Karowlee, a man who
keeps a colony of cowards--what care I for him. Go, go!"
The jamadars with glowering eyes turned from the Dewan, even the harsh
salaam they uttered in going sounded like a curse.
And when they had gone, Baptiste was startled by a gurgling laugh
bubbling up from the Dewan's fat throat.
"Sirdar," he chuckled, "I've given that posing Rajput a poem to commit
to memory. Ha-ha! They have two strong reasons now for going--their
shame and lean stomachs."
"They won't go," Baptiste declared. "When a man is afraid of anything
he can find a thousand reasons for not making the endeavour. If
Sindhia will give me the troops I will make an end of Amir Khan."
"And make enemies of the Pindaris: that we do not want; we want them to
fight with us, not against us. The great struggle is about to take
place; Holkar and Bhonsla and Sindhia, perhaps even the King of Oudh,
leagued together, the accursed English will be driven from India.
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