For hours they had waited in dread, contemplating flight which would take them anywhere but to Bala Khan, who rewarded cowardice in one fashion only.

For, but for their cowardly inactivity, their charges might by now be safe in the seaport toward which they had been journeying.

So they brought food for the two and begged that they would not be accused of cowardice to Bala Khan.
"Poor devils!" said Bruce.

"Had they shown the least resistance those brigand chaps would have killed them off like rats." He beckoned to the head man.

"Take us back to Bala Khan in the morning, and we promise that no harm shall befall you.