Kathlyn and the others were genuinely sorry when they heard the news.
They were in the armory when the Khan announced what had taken place.
Said he: "Come, you are all skilled hunters. Find me my elephant and
these guns and newer and surer ones shall protect you from Durga Ram,
should he take it into his head to come this way."
The colonel, Bruce and Ramabai set off at once. After they had gone a
camel rider entered the compound and sought audience with Bala Khan.
Kathlyn and Pundita were in the compound at the time and the former was
greatly interested in the saddlebags, attached to one of which was a
binocular case. Kathlyn could not resist the inclination to open this
case. It contained an exceptionally fine pair of glasses, such as were
used in that day in the British army. No doubt they were a part of
some loot.
Suddenly an idea came to her. She asked permission (through Pundita)
to ride the camel outside the town. After some argument the servant in
charge consented.
Upon a knoll outside the city--a hillock of sand three or four hundred
feet in height--Kathlyn tried the glasses. From this promontory she
had a range of something like fifteen to twenty miles. Back and forth
her gaze roved and suddenly paused.