We know, of course, how you got Colonel Houghton off, and remained to die; and how proud all the regiment has been of your exploit; so you can start and tell us how it was that you escaped from being cut to mince-meat." Lisle again went through the story.
"Why did you not return at once, when the chief who captured you said that you were his guest?
Was there not some fair young Afridi, who held you in her chains ?" Lisle laughed.
"I can assure you that it was no feminine attractions that kept me.
There were some fifteen or twenty girls and, like everyone else, they were very kind to me but, so far as I was able to judge, not one of them was prettier, or I should rather say less ugly, than the rest; although several of them had very good features, and were doubtless considered lovely by the men.

Certainly there was none whom an Englishman would look at twice.
"Poor things, most of the work of the village is left to them.

They went out to cut grass, fed the cattle, gathered firewood, and ground the corn; and I have no doubt that they are now all occupied with the work of tilling the little patches of fertile ground beyond the village.
"Besides, ladies, you must remember that I have a vivid recollection of you all; which would, alone, have guarded me against falling in love with any dusky maiden." "I rather doubt your word, Mr.Bullen," the colonel's wife said; "you were always very ready to make yourself pleasant, and do our errands, and to make yourself generally useful and agreeable; but I do not remember that you ever ventured upon making a compliment before.

You must have learnt the art somehow." The lady laughed.
"I could hardly help comparing you with the women round me, but I really had a vivid remembrance of your kindness to me." "In future, Mr.Bullen, we shall consider you as discharged from all duty.

We have heard of other gallant deeds that you have done; and henceforth shall regard you, with a real respect, as an officer who has brought great credit upon the regiment.