"But you, Ramabai?" said Kathlyn.
"I shall return to Allaha, I and Pundita," replied Ramabai.
"It will be death!" objected Bruce and Kathlyn together.
"I think not," and Ramabai permitted one of his mysterious smiles to
stir his lips.
"Ramabai!" whispered Pundita fearfully.
"Yes. After all, why should we wait?"
"I?"
"Even so!"
"What is all this about?" inquired Kathlyn.
"Allaha is weary of Umballa's iron heel, weary of a vacillating
council. And the time has arrived when the two must be abolished. A
thousand men await the turn of my hand. And who has a better right to
the throne of Allaha than Pundita, my wife?"
"Good!" cried Kathlyn, her eyes sparkling. "Good! And if we can help
you----"
"Kit," interposed the colonel, "we can give Ramabai and Pundita only
our good wishes. Our way lies to the west, to the seaport and home."
Ramabai bowed.
And the party returned to the compound rather subdued. This quiet
young native banker would go far.
"And if I am ever queen, will my beautiful Mem-sahib come back some day
and visit me?"
"That I promise, Pundita, though I have no love for Allaha."
"We will go with you to the coast," said Ramabai, "and on our return to
Allaha will see what has become of the faithful Ahmed."
"For that my thanks," responded the colonel. "Ahmed has been with me
for many years, and has shared with me many hardships. If he lives, he
will be a marked man, so far as Umballa is concerned. Aid him to come
to me. The loss of my camp and bungalow is nothing. The fact that we
are all alive to-day is enough for me. But you, Bruce; will it hit you
hard?"
Bruce laughed easily. "I am young. Besides, it was a pastime for me,
though I went at it in a business way."
"I am glad of that. There is nothing to regret in leaving this part of
the world." Yet the colonel sighed.
And Kathlyn heard that sigh, and intuitively understood. The filigree
basket of gems. Of such were the minds of men.
But the colonel was taken ill that night, and it was a week before he
left his bed, and another before he was considered strong enough to
attempt the journey. Bala Khan proved to be a fine host, for he loved
men of deeds, and this white-haired old man was one of the right
kidney. He must be strong ere he took the long journey over the hot
sands to the sea.
A spy of Umballa's watched and waited to carry the news to his master,
the day his master's enemies departed from the haven of Bala Khan's
walled city.
When the day came the Khan insisted that his guests should use his own
camels and servants, and upon Ramabai's return the elephants would be
turned over to him for his journey back to Allaha. Thus, one bright
morning, the caravan set forth for what was believed to be the last
journey.