They had gambled at dice with Fate; and, losing, could have no complaint.
It was all for "Captain Alden" that the Master's anxiety was now awakened.

Here was a woman, not only exposed to risks of death, but also of capture by Orientals--and what it might mean to a white woman to be seized for some hidden harem in Jannati Shahr the Master knew only too well.

He found a moment's pause to speak in a low tone to the "captain," unheard by any of the others.
"Remember the mercy-bullet!" said he.

"If anything happens and there's any risk of capture--remember, the last one for yourself!" "If the worst comes," she whispered, "we can at least share death together!" He gazed at her a moment, not quite fathoming her words, but with an inexplicable tightening round the heart.
"We can at least share death together!" Why should those words so powerfully affect him?
What were these uncomprehended, new emotions stirring in his hard soul, tempered by war and by unnumbered stern adventurings?
The Master had no skill in self-analysis, to tell him.

Leader of others, himself he did not understand.