The Rajah's Fortress — page 74: what you’re looking at

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

THE RAJAH’S FORTRESS. 65 it remained calm and impassive. Not a muscle quivered. “If the sahib wishes,” he said simply. “It will be better so. Two can go faster than one, and there is great need of haste.” “By Jove,’ put in Chutney, “You fellows shall not risk your lives in this way. It is mad- ness.” Forbes made no reply. He was stripping off some of his heavier clothing, and stowing his loaded revolvers in the bosom of his jacket. Dalo stripped off his loose linen and stood erect in waistcloth and turban, a wonderful specimen of athletic manhood. “ Now, then, Chutney, I want those scoundrels cleared off the bottom of the rock,” said Forbes. “ They are going now,” Guy answered; and in fact two or three rafts were making their way up the river, as was seen by the moving torches. “ They are not all gone yet,” said Forbes, and he sent another stone cylinder rolling down. The remaining dacoits at the bottom, warned in time, got out of the way,and thestone plunged into the river. They had no desire to linger any longer on the rock, and a man whom Chutney sent down returned presently and said that the place was deserted. No further attempt was made to dissuade Forbes and Dalo. It was better for two men to run peril- ous risks than to let Cubit and his brave detach- 5 ~ COLUM 1OOO SS co