But he knew, too, that Cunningham's youth would be a handicap should it come to argument; what he was looking for was not a counsellor or some one to make plans, for the plans had all been laid and cross-laid by the enemy, and Mahommed Gunga knew it.

He needed a man of decision--to be flung blindfold into unexpected and unexpecting hell wrath, who would lead, take charge, decide on the instant, and lead the way out again, with men behind him who would recognize decision when they saw it.

So he spoke darkly.
He understood that the sword meant "Things have started," so with a soldier's courage he proceeded to head Cunningham toward the spot where hell was loose.
"Say ahead!" smiled Cunningham.
"Yonder, sahib, lies Abu.

Yonder to the right lies thy road now, not forward." "I have orders to report at Abu." "And I, sahib, orders to advise!" "Are you advising me to disobey orders ?" The Rajput hesitated.

"Sahib, have I anything to gain," he asked, "by offering the wrong advice ?" "I can't imagine so." "I advise, now, that we--thou and I, sahib, and my five turn off here--yonder, where the other trail runs--letting the party proceed to Abu without us." "But why, Mahommed Gunga ?" "There is need of haste, sahib.