There is much politics working in these mountains." "Much politics and little hope for us!" said I, and at that he turned on me as he never had done yet.

No, sahib, I never saw him turn on any man, nor speak as savagely as he did to me then.

It was as if the floodgates of his weariness were down at last and I got a glimpse of what he suffered--he who dared trust no one all these months and miles.
"Did I not say months ago," he mocked, "that if I told you half my plan you would quail?
And that if I told the whole, you would pick it to pieces like hens round a scrap of meat?
Man without thought! Can I not see the dangers?
Have I no eyes--no ears?
Do I need a frog to croak to me of risks whichever way I turn?
Do I need men to hang back, or men to lend me courage ?" "Who hangs back ?" said I."Nay, forward! I will die beside you, sahib!" "I seek life for you all, not death," he answered, but he spoke so sadly that I think in that minute his hope and faith were at lowest ebb.
"Nevertheless," I answered, "if need be, I will die beside you.

I will not hang back.

Order, and I obey!" But he looked at me as if he doubted.
"Boasting," he said, "is the noise fools make to conceal from themselves their failings!" What could I answer to that?
I sat down and considered the rebuff, while he went and made great preparation for an execution and a Turkish funeral.