Thus he reached the city an hour before Bruce and Ramabai.
When Bruce and the native banker arrived at the gate coolies stood about with torches.

Suddenly beyond the gate half a regiment drew up.

The officer in charge raised his hand warningly.
"The white hunter is Bruce Sahib ?" "Yes." Bruce spoke the dialects with passable fluency.
"Good.

The Sahib will be pleased to dismount." "I am on my way to the palace." "That is impossible, Sahib." At a sign from the officer the troopers extended their guns at half aim.

It was a necessary precaution.