human
There's a curious efficacy, Barlow, in what I might call an affectation of simplicity. You know those stupid heavy-headed crocodiles in that big pool of the Nerbudda below the marble gorge, and how they'll take nearly an hour wallowing and sidling up to a mud-bank before they crawl out to bask in the sun; but just show the tip of your helmet above the rock and they're gone. That's perhaps what I mean. As we might say back in dear old London, this wily Rajput thinks he has pulled my leg.
gpt
I think, Colonel, that you are dead onto his wicket.
human
Well, then, the thing to do is to emulate the mugger. But this --Hodson lifted the paper and he grew crisp, incisive, his grey eyes blued like temper purpling polished steel--
gpt
I am ready, Sir.
human
It's a dangerous mission--most dangerous.
gpt
Pardon, Sir?
human
Sorry, Captain. I was just thinking aloud--musing; forgive me. Perhaps when one likes a young man he lets the paternal spirit come in where it doesn't belong. I'm sorry. There's a trusty Patan here who could go with you, Hodson continued,
gpt
I will go alone, Barlow said quietly. Then his strong white teeth showed in a smile.
human
You know the Moslem saying, Colonel, that ten Dervishes can sleep on one blanket, but a kingdom can only hold one king. I don't mean about the honour of it, but it will be easier for me. I went alone through the Maris tribe when we wanted to know what the trouble was that threatened up above the Bolan, and I had no difficulty. You know, Sir, the playful name the chaps have given me for years?
gpt
Yes--the 'Patan'--I've heard it.
human
I make a good Musselman--scarce need any make-up, I'm so dark; I can rattle off the _namaz_ (daily prayer), and sing the _moonakib_, the hymn of the followers of the Prophet.
gpt
Yes, Hodson said, his words coming slowly out of a deep think,
human
Yes, Colonel, from what I have learned--from the Gulab it was, Sir--the Dewan has an inkling that I am going on a mission; and if I rode as myself the King might lose an officer, and officers cost pounds in the making.
gpt
That devilish thing, so suggestive of what we are always up against here, makes me shiver.
human
Captain, there is another important matter connected with this. The Rana of Udaipur is being stripped of every rupee by Holkar and Sindhia; they take turn about at him. Holkar is up there now, where we have chased him--threatened to sack Udaipur unless he were paid seventy lakhs, seven million rupees--the accursed thief! We have managed to get an envoy to the Rana with a view to having him, and the other smaller rulers of Mewar, join forces with us to crush forever the Mahratta power--drive them out of Mewar for all time. The Rajputs are a brave lot--men of high thought, and it is too bad to have these accursed cut-throats bleeding to death such a race. If the Rana would sign this paper also as an assurance of friendship, to be shown the Pindari Chief, it would help greatly.
gpt
I understand, Colonel. You wish me to get that from the Rana?
human
Yes, Captain; and I may say that if you can get through with all this there will be no question about your Majority; you might even go higher up than Major.
gpt
By Jove! as to that, my dear Colonel, this trip is just good sport--I love it: less danger than playing polo with these rotters. I'll swing over to Udaipur first--it's just west of the Pindari camp,--been there once before on a little pow-wow--then I'll switch back to Amir Khan.
human
I wish you luck, Captain; but be careful. If we can feel sure that this horde of Pindaris are not hovering on our army's flank, like the Russians hovered on Napoleon's in the Moscow affair, it will be a great thing--you will have accomplished a wonderful thing.
gpt
Right you are, Sir, Barlow exclaimed blithely. The stupendous task, for it was that, tonicked him; he was like a sportsman that had received news of a tiger within killing distance. He rose, and stretched out his hand for the paper, saying:
human
I've got a job of cobbling to do--I'll put this between the soles of my sandal, as it was carried before--it's the safest place, really. To-morrow I'll become an apostate, an Afghan; and I'll be busy, for I've got to do it all myself. I can trust no one with a dark skin.
gpt
Not even the Gulab, I fear, Captain; one never knows when a woman will be swayed by some mental transition.
human
You're right, Colonel, Barlow answered.
gpt
I fancy I could trust the Gulab--but I won't.