Ahmed was too good a scout to relax his vigilance; it was needful to be wary in approaching even a thrown man. Pistol in hand, he made a circuit of the prostrate figure. The man lay motionless, his face to the ground. Choosing such a position that the fugitive, if shamming, would have to turn round before he could fire, Ahmed slipped from his horse, which stood still at the word of command, and moved forward to see who the captive might be. He laid his hand on the man, who made no movement. Then he turned him over, and saw by his long white beard that he was an older man than he had supposed. Striking a light with flint and steel, for in the dark it was impossible to see whether the man was dead or merely insensible, he was amazed to see that his helpless captive was Rahmut Khan. Hastily he unslung his water-bottle, poured some drops between the old chief's lips, and dashed the rest in his face. There was a groan. "Dog, let me die!" murmured the old man. "Father, dost thou not know me? It is Ahmed, thy son." The chief seemed at first too much dazed to understand what was said, but as he regained his senses he gave utterance to a cry of wonderment and delight. "Is it indeed thee, Ahmed-ji?" he said. "Praise to the Most Merciful! I supposed it was one of the Feringhi dogs. Praise to Allah! Now thou and I can go together in peace, and do what must be done to that thrice-accursed reptile, Dilasah Khan." Ahmed felt a great pity for the old man, ignorant of all that had happened to his adopted son during the past year. "Nay, father," he said tenderly, "it may not be. I am of Lumsden Sahib's Guides; I was sent to catch thee: needs must I give thee up." "Of the Guides, sayest thou? Hast thou, then, eaten of the accursed Feringhis' salt?" "I have indeed eaten of it, my father." "Hast thou told them that thou art thyself of Feringhi blood?" asked the old man anxiously. "Nay, father, none knows it save Sherdil, son of Assad, and he has held his peace." "Verily I love thee, my son. But having eaten of the Feringhis' salt, thou must be true to it. I will go back with thee." Ahmed examined him, to make sure that no bones were broken, then went back to the nullah to find his horse. Seeing that the beast's knees were fractured, he shot him through the head, then returned and set Rahmut on Ruksh. And thus he led him back to camp.