He had been so long associated with the regiment that he talked Punjabi as well as English.
His father had now been dead two months and, as the rumours from across the frontier grew more and more serious, he was filled with fear lest an opportunity should occur to send him down country before the regiment marched; in which case all his plans would be upset.

Day after day passed, however, without his hearing anything about it, till one day the colonel sent for him.
"The time has come, lad, when we must part.

We shall all be very sorry to lose you, but it cannot be helped.

I have received orders, this morning, to go up to Chitral; and am sending down some sick, at once.

You must start with them.