in the presence of sahibs! So is corruption, stinking in the sun!"

He added something in another language that the gipsies understood,
for Gregor started as if stung and swore at him, and Maga Jhaere
left her women-folk to ride alongside and glare into his eyes. They
were enemies, those two, from that hour forward. He, once Hindu,
now Moslem, had no admiration whatever to begin with for unveiled
women. And, since the gipsy claims to come from India and may therefore
be justly judged by Indian standards, and has no caste, but is beneath
the very lees of caste, he loathed all gipsies with the prejudice
peculiar to men who have deserted caste in theory and in self-protection
claim themselves above it. It was a case of height despising deep
in either instance, she as sure of her superiority as he of his.

There might have been immediate trouble if Monty had not taken his
new, restless, fresh horse by the mane and swung into the saddle.

"Forward, Rustum Khan!" be ordered. "Ride ahead and let those keen
eyes of yours keep us out of traps!"

The Rajput obeyed, but as he passed Will he checked his mare a moment,
and waiting until Will's blue eyes met his he raised a warning finger.

"Kubadar, sahib!"

Then he rode on, like a man who has done his duty.

"What the devil does he mean?" demanded Will.

"Kubadar means, 'Take care'!" said Monty. "Come on, what are we