Bruce stepped out of the howdah, followed by Ramabai, who saw that in some unaccountable manner they had been betrayed.

He was sick at heart.
Two troopers stepped forward and took possession of the rifles which were slung on each side of the howdah.

Bruce accepted the situation philosophically; argument or protest was futile.

Next they took away his cartridge belt.

He trembled for a moment with apprehension, but the troopers did not search him further; and he thanked God for the wisdom which had made him strap his revolvers under his armpits.
"What now ?" he demanded.
"The Sahib will be given his guns and ammunition the hour he starts back to camp." "And in the meantime ?" "The Sahib is free to come and go about the city so long as he does not approach the palace.