Dick found, indeed, that at distances up to a hundred yards, they were quite equal to the English rifle he had brought out.

The silver mountings were taken off, and then the pieces differed in no way, in appearance, from those in general use among the peasantry.
The pistols were chosen with equal care.

The swords were of finely tempered steel, the blades being removed from their jewelled handles, for which were substituted rough handles of ordinary metal.
Ten gold pieces were sewn up underneath the iron bands encircling the leathern scabbard, as many under the bosses of their shields, and five pieces in the soles of each of their shoes.

In their waist sashes, the ordinary receptacle of money, each carried a small bag with native silver coins.
At last all was ready and, an hour before daybreak, Dick took a cheerful farewell of his mother, and a hearty one of his uncle, and, with Surajah, passed through the town and struck up into the hills.
Each carried a bag slung over his shoulder, well filled with provisions, a small water bottle, and, hung upon his matchlock, a change of clothing.

In the folds of his turban, Dick had a packet of the powder used for making dye, so that he could, at any time, renew the brown shade, when it began to fade out.
For a time but few words were spoken.