It is a matter for the jamadars alone."
At that instant the Gulab slipped through the struggling groups in the
street, the Pindaris gallantly making way for her. She had heard of
the murder of the Chief, and had seen the dragging in of the Afghan.
"Let me go up, guard," she pleaded.
"It is a matter for men," he objected. "The jamadar would be angry,
and my sword and gun would be taken away and I should be put to scrub
the legs of horses if I let you pass."
"The jamadar will not be angry," she pleaded, "for there is something
to be said which only I have knowledge of. It was spoken to me by the
Chief, he had fear of this Afghan, and, please, in the name of Allah,
let Hunsa by, for being alone I have need of him."
The soft dark eyes pleaded stronger than the girl's words, and the
guard yielded, half reluctantly. To the young Pindari he said, "Go you
with these two, and if the jamadar is for cutting off their heads, say
that those in the street pulled me from the door-way, and these slipped
through; I have no fancy for the compliment of a sword on my neck.
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