Desmond could catch no sound as yet of the oncoming danger; but the practised ears of the native detected its increase, even through the rattle of hoofs that beat upon the brain like panic terror made audible. "Faster,--faster!" he panted. His Captain's danger was the one coherent thought in his mind. Desmond merely nodded reassurance; and shifting a little in his saddle, eased matters as far as possible for _Badshah Pasand_.[20] [20] Beloved of kings. The ground raced beneath their horses' hoofs. The serene strip of sky raced above their heads. The imprisoning walls fell apart before their eyes, seeming to divide like a cleft stick as they drew near, and reeling away on either hand as they passed on. All things in earth and heaven seemed fleeing in mortal haste save only themselves. Theo Desmond heard the voice of the enemy at last:--an ominous roar, growing inexorably louder every minute. At the sound his head took a more assured lift; his mouth a firmer line; and the fire of determination deepened in his eyes. By a movement of the rein he urged Badshah Pasand to renewed effort. But the devoted animal was nearing the end of his tether, and his rider knew it. Thick spume flakes blew backward from his lips, and the sawing motion of his head told its own tale. Sher Dil, who was still going lustily, gained upon him by a neck, and the Ressaldar turned in his saddle. "The spurs, Hazur--the _spurs_!" he entreated, knowing well his Captain's abstemiousness in this regard. But Desmond shook his head. Badshah Pasand was doing his utmost; and neither man nor beast can do more. He merely rose in the stirrups, pressed his heels lightly against the quivering flanks and, leaning forward, spoke a few words of encouragement almost in the charger's ear. The sensitive animal sprang forward with a last desperate output of strength; and in the same instant a hoarse shout broke from Rajinder Singh. "An opening--an opening, Captain Sahib! By the mercy of God we are saved!" Five minutes later the whole party drew rein on the upper levels of earth, and their sometime pursuer swept tumultuously onward fifteen feet below. Desmond's eyes had an odd light in them as he turned from the swirling waters to the impassive face of the man who had saved their lives. "I do--not--forget," he said with quiet emphasis. The old Sikh shook his head with a rather uncertain smile. "True talk, Hazur. I had known it without assurance. Yet was mine own help no great matter. It was written that my Captain Sahib should not die thus!" "That may be," Desmond answered gravely, for he had been strangely upheld by the same conviction. "Yet there be also--these others. In my thinking it is no small _matter_ that, except for your quickness of mind and hearing, forty-four good men and horses would now be at the mercy of that torrent. But this is no time for words. It still remains to reach Kohat before sundown."