Sookdee backed up the jamadar.
"Very well," declared Ajeet, "we will go on this mission. But remember
this, Hunsa, that if there is treachery, if we are cast into the hands
of the Dewan, I swear by Bhowanee that I will have your life."
"Treachery!" It was the snarl of an enraged animal, and Hunsa sprang
to his feet. He whirled, and facing Sookdee, said: "Let Bhowanee
decide who is traitor--let Ajeet and me take the ordeal."
"That is but fair," Sookdee declared. "The ordeal of the heated cannon
ball will surely burn the hand of the traitor if there is one," and he
looked at Ajeet; and though suspicious that this was still another
trap, Ajeet without cowardice could not decline.
"I will take the ordeal," he declared.
"We will take the ordeal to-night," Hunsa said; "and we should prepare
with haste the method of the decoity, for the merchant may pass, and we
must take the road in a proper disguise. There is the village to be
decided upon where he will rest in his journey, and many things."
Even Ajeet was forced to acquiesce in this.
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