They can not have seen much, for it was now that utter gloom that precedes dawn.

Nor can Tugendheim have seen much.
"Do you wish to live or die ?" asked Ranjoor Singh, and the German gaped at him.
"That is a strange question!" he said.
"Is it strange," asked Ranjoor Singh, "that a prisoner should be asked for information ?" "I am not afraid to die," said Tugendheim.
"You mean by rifle-fire ?" asked Ranjoor Singh, and Tugendheim nodded.
"But there are other kinds of fire," said Ranjoor Singh.
"What do you mean ?" asked Tugendheim.
"Why," said Ranjoor Singh, "if we were to fire this hut to warm ourselves, and you should happen to be inside it--what then ?" "If you intend to kill me," said Tugendheim, "why not be merciful and shoot me ?" His voice was brave enough, but it seemed to me I detected a strain of terror in it.
"Few Germans are afraid to be shot to death," said Ranjoor Singh.
"But what have I done to any of you that you should want to burn me alive ?" asked Tugendheim; and that time I was positive his voice was forced.
"Haven't you been told by your officers," said Ranjoor Singh, "that the custom of us Sikhs is to burn all our prisoners alive ?" "Yes," said Tugendheim.

"They told us that.

But that was only a tale to encourage the first-year men.

Having lived in India, I knew better." "Did you trouble yourself to tell anybody better ?" asked Ranjoor Singh, but Tugendheim did not answer.
"Then can you give me any reason why you should not be burned alive here, now ?" asked Ranjoor Singh.
"Yes!" said Tugendheim.