Here they rested during the heat of the day, being kindly treated by the villagers, who were mostly Hindus.
The travellers were now not far from Delhi, but could hardly proceed further without a guide, and the people of Badshahpur declined to provide one.

They pleaded that they were men of peace, and could not possibly leave their village in such evil times.

Suddenly a man from the crowd, offered his services.

His appearance was against him, and the villagers declared that he was a notorious cattle-lifter, who was strongly suspected of having set fire to the collector's (Mr.Ford's) office at Gurgaon, in order that the evidences of his offences might be destroyed.

Not a pleasant _compagnon de voyage_, but there was nothing for it but to accept his offer.
As soon as it was dark a start was made, and at daybreak on the 29th the minarets of Delhi rose out of the morning mist, while an occasional shell might be seen bursting near the city.
On reaching the Hansi road, the guide, by name Jumna Das, who, in spite of appearances, had proved true to his word, stopped and said he could go no further.