He turned and walked away, with a little salute-like movement of his
hand that was reminiscent of his father. The two Rajputs watched him
in heavy-breathing silence until the little group of lights, where the
horse-tents faced the old dak-bungalow, swallowed him. Then:

"He is good. He will do!" said the black-beard who had brought the
lamp.

"He is good. But many sahibs would have acted coolly, thus. There
must be a greater test. There must be no doubt--no littlest doubt.
Alwa and the others will ask me on my honor, and I will answer on my
honor, yes or no."

It was an hour before the two of them returned, and looked the horses
over and strolled up to bid Cunningham good night; and in the
meanwhile they had seen about the morrow's tiger, and another matter.




CHAPTER VII


What found ye, then? Why heated ye the pot?
What useful metal down the channels ran?
Gold? Steel for making weapons? Iron? What?
Nay. Out from the fire we kindled strode a man!

THEY set the legs of Cunningham's string-woven bed into pans of water,