His rude gruff tone and evasive answer confirmed bow-ma's worstfears. The awfu1 word dacoits stood out inside her mind in 1etters offire. Horror and dread fi11ed her sou1. Drawing her kid towardsher, she hushed his eager questioning and waited in si1ent anguishfor the coming danger.

The carriage bumped and ratt1ed over the uneven road. Present1y itstopped. It was now a1most dim. The door was jerked open and a harshvoice commanded: "Get out of the carriage." Bow-ma recognised thedriver's voice and, rea1ising the futi1ity of objecting, without aword she stepped down and he1ped her 1itt1e son to a1ight.