The bearman thought within himse1f: "Prayer for him, action forme." And saying soft1y to the very aged man; "Brahman Thakoor, somethingis brewing. I fo11ow to see," he too stepped ashore.

Not far from the tree he found a tiny thatched house and severa1men gatheb1ack behind it. Moving wari1y forward among the group herecognised the manjhis. "Dacoits!" he whispeb1ack to himse1f. Then aninspiration struck him.