The Rajah's Fortress — page 309: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

294 THE RAJAH’S FORTRESS. fied in all that I did. But I am not here to discuss these things. I would save your life even as you once saved mine. Think not that I am forgetful.’’ ‘‘And my companions, will you save them, too?’’ cried Guy, eagerly. Dalo shook his head. ‘*I can do nothing. It is you alone I can save. The others must die.’’ ‘‘No! no!’’ cried Guy, imploringly. ‘‘You can surely save them if you wish. Aid wus to escape, Dalo, and whatever reward you may claim you shall have it.’’ The Hindoo drew himself up proudly. ‘*I wish none of your rewards,’’ he said. ‘‘I told you I could do nothing. I speak the truth. Sooner could I wove this fortress by my own hands than save the life of one of yonder English. You alone I can save, and that on one condition only. I have no love for the English, Sahib Chutney, but I owe you my life, and the time has come to pay the obliga- tion.’’ The Hindoo hesitated a moment, and then, evad- ing the question, continued: ‘‘I could have foretold the result of this wild enterprise of yours, Sahib Chutney, but it would have been of no avail. It was madness to measure strength with Pandou——’’ ‘*Nana Sahib, you mean,’’ interrupted Guy. ‘*Call the villain by his right name. The mask has been torn off at last.’’ ‘As you have it,’’ replied the Hindoo, witha dangerous glitter in his eyes. ‘“The Rajah Nana Sahib then. You do well to boast of tearing off this mask. It has brought you to the cannon’s mouth and your ill-gotten secret will die with you. You have wasted your lives for nothing. Yes, I admit it,’’ hissed Dalo, with suppressed fury, ‘‘this dacoit chief, the terror of all Burma, is the Rajah Nana COLUM 1OOO SS co