In the shouting that followed I caught the word Wassmuss many times.
Presently a Kurdish chief came galloping down, for all the world as one of our Indian mountaineers would ride, leaping his horse from rock to rock as if he and the beast were one.

I rode to Ranjoor Singh's side, to protect him if need be, so I heard what followed, Abraham translating.
"Whence are ye ?" said the Kurd.

"And whither?
And what will ye ?" They are inquisitive people, and they always seem to wish to know those three things first.
"I have told you already, I ride from Farangistan, [Footnote: Europe] and I seek Wassmuss.

These are my men," said Ranjoor Singh.
"No more may reach Wassmuss unless they have the money with them!" said the Kurd, very truculently.

"Two days ago we let by the last party of men who carried only talk.