“Tell us whither you are leading?” he demanded.  “Tell us the plan?”

Ranjoor Singh faced about.  “In order that Gooja Singh may interfere and spoil the plan?” he asked, and Ramnarain Singh laughed very loud at that, many of the troopers joining.  That made Gooja Singh angry, and he grew rash.

“How shall we know,” he asked, “whither you lead or whether you be true or not?”

“As to whither I lead,” said Ranjoor Singh, “God knows that better than I. At least I have led you into no traps yet.  And as to whether I am true or not, it is enough that each should know his own heart.  I am for the raj!” And he drew his saber swiftly, came to the salute, and kissed the hilt.

Then I spoke up, for I saw my opportunity.  “So are we for the raj!” said I.  “We too, sahib!” And it was with difficulty then that I restrained the men from bursting into cheers.  Ranjoor Singh held his hand up, and we daffadars flung ourselves along the line commanding silence.  A voice or two—­even a dozen men talking—­were inaudible, but the Turks would have heard a cheer.

“Ye?” said Ranjoor Singh.  “Ye for the raj?  I thought ye were all for loot?”

“Nay!” said Gooja Singh, for he saw his position undermined and began to grow fearful for consequences.  “We are all for the raj, and all were for the raj from the first.  It is you who are doubtful!”

He thought to arouse feeling again, but the contrast between the one man and the other had been too strong and none gave him any backing.  Ranjoor Singh laughed.

“Have a care, Gooja Singh!” he warned.  “I promised you court martial and reduction to the ranks should I see fit!  To your place in the rear!”

So Gooja Singh slunk back to his place behind the men and I judged him more likely than ever to be dangerous, although for the moment overcome.  But Ranjoor Singh had not finished yet.

“Then, on one point we are agreed,” he said.  “We will make the most of that.  Let us salute our own loyalty to India, and the British and the Allies, with determination to give one another credit at least for that in future!  Pre—­sent arms!”

So we presented arms, he kissing the hilt of his saber again; and it was not until three days afterward that I overheard one of the troopers saying that Gooja Singh had called attention to the fact of its being a German saber.  For the moment there was no more doubt among us; and if Gooja Singh had not begun to be so fearful lest Ranjoor Singh take vengeance on him there never would have been doubt again.  We felt warm, like men who had come in under cover from the cold.

It was growing dusk by that time, and Ranjoor Singh bade us at once to return to where the horses and Syrians waited in the hollow, he himself continuing to sit alone on the summit of the ridge, considering matters.  We had no idea what he would do next, and none dared ask him, although many of the men urged me to go and ask.  But at nightfall he came striding down to us and left us no longer in doubt, for he ordered girths tightened and ammunition inspected.