And, indeed, there was very little of the civilised man in Shere Ali's look at this moment.

His own people were claiming him.

It was one of the keen grim tribesmen of the hills who challenged the young Englishman.

The Englishman, however, was not afraid.
He was merely disconcerted by the unexpected attack.

He recovered his composure the next moment.
"I don't think that I was speaking to you," he said quietly, and then turned away.
Shere Ali half rose in his seat.