guided, struck down through the green tangle to find myself,
wearied but safe, upon the bridle way that leads to Fagu and the
far Shipki. Two coolies then directed me to The House in the
Woods.

All was anxiety there. Ali Khan had arrived in the night, having
found his way under the guidance of blind flight and fear. He had
brought the news that I was lost in the jungle and amid the
dwellings of demons. It was, of course, hopeless to search in the
dark, though the khansamah and his man had gone as far as they
dared with lanterns and shouting, and with the daylight they
tried again and were even now away. It was useless to reproach
the man even if I had cared to do so. His ready plea was that as
far as men were concerned he was as brave as any (which was true
enough as I had reason to know later) but that when it came to
devilry the Twelve Imaums themselves would think twice before
facing it.

"Inshalla ta-Alla! (If the sublime God wills!) this unworthy one
will one day show the Protector of the poor, that he is a
respectable person and no coward, but it is only the Sahibs who
laugh in the face of devils."

He went off to prepare me some food, consumed with curiosity as
to my adventures, and when I had eaten I found my tiny
whitewashed cell, for the room was little more, and slept for
hours.

Late in the afternoon I waked and looked out. A, low but glowing
sunlight suffused the wild garden reclaimed from the