"Now try a short canter," he said; and at a touch the graceful, thoroughly docile beast moved off, and my pulses began to bound as the wind played round my cheeks; for it was glorious. There was the open country before me, and I had but to slacken the rein, and the spirited Arab would have borne me off, far beyond pursuit; but I had given my word, and I turned just as we were increasing our speed, and I saw that the rajah was watching me intently. "Wondering whether he can trust me," I said to myself, as we rapidly approached. Then, all at once, I found that I had overtaxed my strength. There was a curious mistiness before my eyes which blotted out the rajah and his men, and two companies of troops which I saw off to my left. Then I felt that I was falling, and made a clutch or two at vacancy. The next moment my sound arm was caught in a strong grip, and I heard the rajah's voice say-- "Help him down. Too ill and weak yet for so much exertion." Then all was blank, and when I came to, the doctor was with me. "Only beginning a little too soon," he said pleasantly. "It takes long to grow strong." He left me after a short time to the care of Salaman, from whom I learned that the rajah had been very anxious about me, and had given orders that every care was to be taken, and that I was to be told how sorry he was that he could not stay. "I am glad he is gone," I said to myself; and then I turned cold with the thought which struck me. "Suppose my note had been found!" For a few moments I was afraid to try whether it was still where I had placed it, lest it should have been taken; but in thrusting my hand down into my pocket, there it was quite safe, and I drew a long deep breath full of satisfaction. For though I could not make it out, the rajah or the doctor would probably have guessed its meaning in an instant. As I lay there I half determined to destroy it at once, but I gave up the idea, thinking that perhaps, after all, I might yet read it with ease. "Did the rajah say when he was coming again?" I said to Salaman, as he was about to go. "No, my lord; he--" "Don't say `my lord' to me," I cried pettishly. "I am only an English officer." Salaman smiled. "I will obey in everything; but you are his highness's greatest friend, and he said I was to treat you as if you were his brother. How can I call you less than `my lord'?" "Well, what did he say?" "That he would be back soon, and that I was to make you strong enough to ride away with him upon your horse." CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN.