Chapter XVI: "no, Sahib, Not I."

The soft footstep which fell on their ears was that of Luchman returning from his foraging expedition.

He did not come back empty handed. He brought a lota or brass jar of water, some native fruits and a half dozen chuppatties or flat cakes, used universally through India and the greater part of the Orient, as well as in Central and South America. There was no meat, which would have been unpalatable during such hot weather. The water, as was to be expected, was warm and not very clear, but it was sufficient for their wants, and they were grateful because of the success of the native.

It was an impressive sight when this humble meal was spread upon the ground, and the missionary asked the blessing of Heaven upon the food, while a prayer for continued protection was not forgotten. During the simple service none was more devout than the guide. His head was bowed and his lips moved with a prayer of his own, which lasted a minute or two after the other was finished.

While they were eating, Mr. Hildreth asked Luchman how he came to be so fortunate in his search for food. He replied that India was a rich country, and he was not forced to any extreme measure to get what he brought. He found a native's hut at no great distance, where he obtained all that was needed. The lota was a part of the native's property, and his wife had just baked the cakes for the evening meal. Inasmuch as the seller was well paid for what he furnished, no doubt he would be pleased to continue the contract.

There was an abundance for all, and after the meal each prepared to pass the evening hour as enjoyably as possible. The mother laid her head in her daughter's lap, while Marian rested hers against the trunk of a tree, and both closed their eyes in slumber. They were weary, and had such need of rest that the slumber was welcome.

Mr. Hildreth imitated them, and, like most persons of his age, it took but a few minutes for him to glide off into the land of dreams.

Dr. Avery and Luchman remained awake. The latter seemed to have formed a strong liking for the Englishman, whom he was not unwilling a short time before to leave in a situation of deadly peril. The surgeon was out of cigars, and as a matter of course never was so eager for a smoke. Under the circumstances, he was glad to share with Luchman the enjoyment of his hookah, or water pipe, generally made of cocoanut, and so cheap that even the beggars are supplied with them.

A few minutes were enough to satisfy the surgeon, when with thanks he passed the hookah to its owner, who puffed in the slow, solemn fashion peculiar to his people when they are resting. The native, like the surgeon, seemed to be in good spirits, though in his case there was little variation to be seen except by a close observer.

Both had reason to feel thankful for the success that had marked their attempt to get out of the center of the mutiny, and Luchman admitted that they could not have done better.

"We never would have done half as well but for you," was the warm comment of the Englishman.

"No, sahib, not I, but God."

"True, but you are his instrument; no one could have shown such skill in dealing with the Ghoojurs. When it was impossible to deceive them any longer, you acted with the promptness of the lightning stroke."

Something like a smile played about the corners of the native's lips. Nothing in the way of praise could move him, but clearly he was gratified by the manner in which those brigands had been baffled in their attempt to rob the fugitives.

"The Ghoojurs, sahib, are bad--very bad; they would have killed all of us had they not been stopped."

"There can be no doubt of that. Mr. Hildreth and myself have not much to boast of in the way of marksmanship, but we fired so quickly that we had no time to aim."

"It helped to drive them away, sahib, and maybe struck them."

"Luchman," added the doctor, lowering his voice, so as to make sure that if any of their friends awoke suddenly they would not overhear their words, "I hope there is no danger of your losing that diamond you showed me."

The dark face instantly became serious, and the native looked down at the ground, as he softly said,

"God will take care of it, sahib."

"You have a fortune such as few in this world possess; and do you still carry it in your turban?"

Luchman looked around in the faces of his three friends. Satisfied that they were really asleep, he raised with dignity the turban, insinuated his fingers among the downy recesses, and in a twinkling held up the gem between his thumb and forefinger.

There it was, the Star of India.

Brilliant with the dazzling rays of the spectrum, luminous, apparently, with a light of its own, gleaming, coruscating and marvelous, the European fairly held his breath while gazing upon it.

"Let me have it in my hand!"

Luchman leaned forward and dropped it in the outstretched palm. The doctor held it motionless a moment, drew it close to his face and then began manipulating it, first with timidity, but soon with confidence, moved by a strange delight.

There seemed to be an electric thrill communicated by the extraordinary gem, which reached the brain of the spectator, who turned it over and over, and, as he became more familiar with it, held it up, now near and now at arm's length, until he had drunk in the fulness of its wonderful beauty.

"An amazing gem!" he muttered; "I can understand how it has caused so much crime and bloodshed."

Dr. Avery passed it back with a sigh.

"It seems to me," said he, "that you run fearful risk in carrying that in your turban. Why do you not deposit it in one of the banks in Calcutta or Madras or Bombay, where there is nothing to be feared from the mutineers?"

The native shook his head.

"It is as safe, sahib, in my turban as anywhere. It can only be taken with my life, and then what difference?"

"How did it come into your possession?"

"That I cannot tell you, sahib, but it is mine alone."

This assertion, it will be observed, contradicted what the native said when he first showed the diamond to Dr. Avery. Then he distinctly declared that it was the property of Marian Hildreth. The Englishman did not think it best to remark upon the inconsistency.

"Suppose that it should become known that you possess the Star of India?"

"It is known, sahib."

"Not generally."

"The bitterest enemy I have in the world, sahib, knows it, and he would sacrifice my life ten thousand times over for the sake of the diamond."

"Who is he?"

"Wana Affghar of Puneput."

"Who is he?"

"Puneput, sahib, is a small native town between us and Kurnal, but I hope to pass to the left of it. There are many Ghoojurs there, and Wana Affghar is a chieftain among them. He knows that I have the Star of India, and he would follow me across the ocean to get it."

"Does he know where you are now?"

"His men in Delhi have looked for me, but I kept out of their way. He suspects where I am."

"It is reckless for you to keep it about you."

But the native smiled in a way that was more significant than his friend suspected.