They were proud men that day.

Colonel Kirby was a very proud man.

We were prouder than he, except when we thought of Ranjoor Singh.
Then, as it were out of the night itself, there came a message by word of mouth from Ranjoor Singh saying he will be with us before the blood shall run.

We were overjoyed at that, and talked about it far into the night; yet when dawn had come doubt again had hold of us, and I think I was the only Sikh in the regiment ready to swear to his integrity.

Once, at least a squadron of us had loved him to the death because we thought him an example of Sikh honor.