I take it that you offer me these horses as an act of royal courtesy and as additional proof of friendliness ?" "Surely, sahib." "My men will be very grateful to you.

This will enable them to reach the scene of action with their own horses in good shape.

I'm sure it's awfully good of you to have offered them!" Outside, where the late afternoon sun was gradually letting things cool down, Mahommed Gunga leaned against the wall and roared with laughter, as he explained a few details to the admiring troopers.
"A horse or two, says he! How many?
Oh, just a horse or two, Maharajah-sahib--merely a horse apiece! Fifteen hundred horses! A horse or two! Oh-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ho! Allah! But that boy will make a better soldier than his father! As a favor, he asked them--no compulsion, mind you--just as a favor! Allah! What is he asking now, I wonder! Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ho-ho-ho!" And inside, with a perfectly straight face and almost ghastly generosity, young Cunningham proceeded to impose on Howrah the transferred, unwelcome, perilous allegiance of Jaimihr's reassembling army.

The mere keeping of it in subjection, it was realized by donor and recipient alike, would keep the Maharajah's hands full.
"Are you satisfied that your homes will be safe, now ?" he asked Alwa.
And Alwa looked him in the eyes and grinned..