The authority in Ramabai's voice was sufficient for the guard, who gave
the necessary directions. The party continued on into town. It was an
odd place for a walled city. There wasn't a tree about, not a sign of
boscage, except some miles away where the hills began to slope upward.
Bruce wondered what the inhabitants fed upon. It was more like an
Egyptian village than anything he had ever seen in India. Bruce asked
for his rifle, which he laid carelessly in the crook of his arm. One
never could tell.
Presently they came upon a group in the center of which were the
dancers at their vocations. They ceased their mad whirlings at the
sight of the two elephants. There were nine of these men, fierce of
eye and built muscularly. No effeminate Hindus here, mused Bruce, who
did not like the looks of them at all. The surrounding natives stared
with variant emotions. Many of them had never seen a white man before.
Their gaze centered upon the colonel. Kathlyn was almost as dark as
Pundita, and as for Bruce, only his European dress distinguished him
from Ramabai, for there was scarcely a shade difference in color. But
the colonel, having been weeks in prison, was as pale as alabaster and
his hair shone like threads of silver.
On through the narrow streets, sometimes the sides of the elephants
scraping against the mud and plaster of the buildings, and one could
easily look into the second stories. No one seemed hostile; only a
natural curiosity was evinced by those standing in doorways or leaning
out of windows.
The house of Bala Khan was not exactly a palace, but it was of
respectable size. A high wall surrounded the compound. There was a
gateway, open at this moment. A servant ran out and loudly demanded
what was wanted.
"Say to your master, Bala Khan, that Ramabai, son of Maaho Singh, his
old friend, awaits with friendly greetings."
"Kit," whispered Kathlyn's father, "this chap Ramabai wouldn't make a
bad king. And look!" excitedly. "There's the sacred elephant, and if
he isn't white, I'll eat my hat!"
Kathlyn sighed gratefully. That her father could be interested in
anything was a good sign for the future. A few days' rest and
wholesome food would put him half-way on his legs. Her own vitality
was an inheritance from her father. The male line of the family was
well known for its recuperative powers.
The servant ran back into the compound and spoke to a dignified man,
who proved to be a high caste Brahmin, having in his charge the care of
the white elephant. He disappeared and returned soon with the Khan.
The pleasant face, though proudly molded, together with the simplicity
of his appearance, conveyed to Kathlyn the fact that here was a man to
be trusted, at least for the present. He greeted Ramabai cordially,
struck his hands and ordered out the servants to take charge of what
luggage there was and to lead away the elephants to be fed and watered.