Later when my wrath had cooled I knew the reprimand and laughter wiped out suspicion of me, and when my chance came to take vengeance on them I refrained, although careful to reassert my dignity.
After much argument, Gooja Singh turned his back at last on the two-and-twenty and saluted Ranjoor Singh with great abasement.
"Sahib," said he, "we have no wish to go one way and you another.

We be of the regiment." "Ye have set yourselves up to be dictators.

Ye have used wild words.
Ye have tried to seduce the rest.

Ye have my leave to go!" said Ranjoor Singh.
"Nay!" said Gooja Singh.

"We will not go! We follow the regiment!" "Will ye follow like dogs that pick up offal, then ?" he asked, and Gooja Singh said, "Nay! We be no dogs, but true men! We be faithful to the salt, sahib," said he.