"Why does the danger grow ?" "Because bags of grain and melons were sent," she replied, "and the message was understood." She waved her hand again, and the bearers of the litter stepped forward on their march through the cantonment.

Ralston rode up the hill to his home, wondering what in the world was the meaning of her oracular words.

It might be that she had no meaning--that was certainly a possibility.

She might merely be keeping up her pose as a divinity.

On the other hand, she had been so careful to speak in a low whisper, lest any should overhear.
"Some melons and bags of grain," he said to himself.