Yet--well, we will see," and he changed his tone suddenly.

"Interpret to me that present as it is interpreted in the villages of Chiltistan." Futteh Ali Shah looked about him fearfully, making sure that there was no one within earshot.

Then in a whisper he said: "The grain is the army which will rise up from the hills and descend from the heavens to destroy the power of the Government.

The melons are the forces of the Government; for as easily as melons they will be cut into pieces." He rode off quickly when he had ended, like a man who understands that he has said too much, and then halted and returned.
"You will not tell that story ?" he said.
"No," answered Ralston abstractedly.

"I shall never tell that story." He understood the truth at last.