"He joined us," explained Perry, "and would not be denied. Thefellow is a fox. He scents escape, and rather than be thwarted ofour chance now I told him that I would bring him to you, and letyou decide whether he might accompany us."

I had no love for Hooja, and no confidence in him. I was surethat if he thought it would profit him he would betray us; but Isaw no way out of it now, and the fact that I had killed four Maharsinstead of only the three I had expected to, made it possible toinclude the fellow in our scheme of escape.

"Very well," I exclaimed, "you may come with us, Hooja; but at the firstintimation of treachery I shall run my sword through you. Do youunderstand?"

He said that he did.