These villages are not the places where news is to be gained." This was so self evident that the officer had nothing to say against it.
"At any rate," he said, after a pause, "there is no confirmation to your story, and, as I have orders to put all suspicious persons under arrest, I shall detain you." "It is very hard--" Surajah began; but the officer made an impatient gesture, while two of the soldiers put their hands on the shoulders of the prisoners, and led them from the hut.
"You need not look so downcast," one of them said good naturedly.

"I don't suppose you will be kept here long; and will, no doubt, be released when the sultan has gone down the passes, with his army.

A week or two here will do you no harm--the tigers can wait for a bit.
"There, give us your weapons.

I daresay you will get them back again, when we go on; as I hope we shall do, for there is nothing to eat and nothing to do in this miserable place." The arms were taken into the officer's hut, and as there was a sentry at the gate, no further attention was paid to them.
"I will get you some provisions, and bring them in," the old man said.
"It is hard, indeed, that men cannot go about their business without being interfered with." "Thank you, but we have enough for two or three days.

When that is gone, we will give you some money to buy more; for we have a few rupees with us, as we knew it might be some time before we should be able to kill a tiger." As soon as the old man had left them, they seated themselves on a large faggot of wood that had been brought in by the villagers, for fuel.
"We cannot stay here, Surajah.