"I sought it from their men and from their women.

I hungered for it like a dog for a bone.

They would not give it--neither their men, nor their women.

And all the while here were my own people willing at a sign to offer me their homage." He spoke in Pushtu, and Ahmed Ismail drank in every word.
"They wanted a leader, Huzoor," he said.
"I turned away from them like a fool," replied Shere Ali, "while I sought favours from the white women like a slave." "Your Highness shall take as a right what you sought for as a favour." "As a right ?" cried Shere Ali, his heart leaping to the incense of Ahmed Ismail's flattery.

"What right ?" he asked, suddenly bending his eyes upon his companion.
"The right of a conqueror," cried Ahmed Ismail, and he bowed himself again at his Prince's feet.