He had a crafty face, and as we said we belonged to a village down the ghauts, he may have a suspicion that we have been trying to throw him off our scent, and think we should be sure to double back and make for home." They kept on their way, sometimes dropping into a walk, but generally going at an easy trot, until day broke.
"As soon as it gets a little lighter, Surajah, we will go up on to one of these rises, so as to have a good look down over the line we have come.

If they are following us, we must go on at the top of our speed.
If we see nothing of them, we can take it quietly.

Of course, they can't have been following our steps, but it is quite likely that some of the villagers may know that the ghauts can be climbed at the point where we came up.

You know we noticed signs of a path, two or three times, on the way up.

In that case, if the officer really did think of pursuing us, he would take one of the villagers as guide." Half an hour later, they ascended a sharp rise, and threw themselves down on its crest.
"I don't think that there is the least chance of their coming," Surajah said, carelessly.