And in a moment my mirth was checked by sight of his awful wrath.

His face had turned many shades darker.
"I am to be hostage ?" he said in a voice like grinding stone.
"Aye," said Ranjoor Singh.

"Be a proud one! They have had to give ten men to weigh against you in the scale!" "And I am to go away with them all by myself into the mountains ?" "Aye," said Ranjoor Singh.

"Why not?
We hold ten of theirs against your safe return." "Good! Then I will go!" he answered, and I knew by the black look on his face and by the dull rage in his voice that he would harm us if he could.

But there was no time just then to try to dissuade Ranjoor Singh from his purpose, even had I dared.