And I had not the least notion whither to lead, unless toward Russia.
Such thoughts made me physically sick, so that it was relief to turn away from them and watch the oncoming caravan, especially as I began to suspect it would not come within a mile of us.

Presently I began to be certain that it would cross our track rather less than a mile away.

I began to whisper to myself excitedly.

Then at last "Yes!" said I, aloud.
"Yes!" said a voice beside me, and I nearly jumped out of my skin, "unless they suspect the track of our cart-wheels and follow it up, we are all right!" I looked round into the eyes of Ranjoor Singh, and felt my whole skin creep like a snake's at sloughing time! "Sahib!" said I.
"You have done well enough," said he, "except that if attacked you would have hard work to gather your forces and control them.

But never mind, you did quite well enough for this first time!" said Ranjoor Singh.
"Sahib!" I said.