Gladly I relinquish! Go thou, and carry thy message to Ranjoor Singh!" And I sat down in the entrance of the middle hut, as if greatly relieved of heavy burdens.

"I have finished!" I said.

"I am not even havildar! I will request reduction to the ranks!" For about a minute I sat while the men stared in astonishment.

Then they began to rail at me, but I shook my head.

They coaxed me, but I refused.