Filling his saddle-bags with three days' rations, two canteens of
water, he set off on a hagin, or racing camel, for Allaha, three
hundred miles inland as the crow flies. It was his intention to ride
straight down to the desert and across this to Colonel Hare's camp, if
such a thing now existed. A dromedary in good condition can make from
sixty to eighty miles a day; and the beast Ahmed had engaged was of
Arab blood. In four days he expected to reach the camp. If Winnie had
not yet arrived, he would take the road, meet her, warn her of the
dangers which she was about to face, and convey her to the sea-port.
If it was too late, he would send the camel back with a trusted
messenger to the colonel, to advise him.
They watched him depart in a cloud of dust, and then played the most
enervating game in existence--that of waiting; for they had decided to
wait till they heard from Ahmed before they moved.
Four nights later, when Ahmed arrived at the bungalow, he found
conditions as usual. For reasons best known to himself Umballa had not
disturbed anything. In fact, he had always had the coming of the
younger sister in mind and left the bungalow and camp untouched, so as
not to alarm her.
She had not yet arrived. So Ahmed flung himself down upon his cotton
rug, telling the keepers not to disturb him; he would be able to wake
himself when the time came. But Ahmed had overrated his powers; he was
getting along in years; and it was noon of the next day when a hand
shook him by the shoulder and he awoke to witness the arrival of Winnie
and her woman companion.
For the first time in many years Ahmed cursed his prophet. He that had
had time to warn the child, had slept like the sloth of Ceylon!
He went directly to the point. He told her briefly what had happened.
He had not the least doubt that Umballa was already aware of her
arrival. She must remain hidden in the go-down of the bungalow; her
maid also. That night, if Umballa or his men failed to appear, he
would lead her off to safety. But there was no hope of stealing away
in the daytime. In his heart, however, he entertained no hope; and
like the good general he was, he despatched the messenger and camel to
the sea. The father and daughter were fated to return.
Ahmed had reckoned shrewdly. Umballa appeared later in the day and
demanded the daughter of Colonel Hare. Backed as he was by numerous
soldiers, Ahmed resigned himself to the inevitable. They found Winnie
and her maid (whom later they sent to the frontier and abandoned) and
took them to the palace.