All at once, from the back of the tent, there was a low, sharp hiss, and I felt that my enemies, the snakes, were about again, trying to get in, and I wondered at my folly in not insisting upon having some weapon at hand, though I knew it was doubtful whether I should have been so favoured. I lay listening, and then rose up quickly, meaning to rush to the tent opening, and call for whoever was on the watch, when a soft voice whispered--"Hist, sahib!" "Ah!" I ejaculated, with my heart beating as if I had been running. "Hist! Friends near." I was on my way to the side of the tent whence the voice came, when I heard hurried steps, and had just time to throw myself back on my couch, as the tent door was thrown open and Salaman appeared. "The sahib called," he said. I was nearly speechless with emotion, which I dared not show, and I knew that my duty was to keep the man there, and engage him in conversation so as to give my nocturnal visitor a chance of escape. Mastering myself as well as I could, I said in a fretful, angry way-- "Come here." He was at my side in an instant. "Take off these bandages. They hurt my arm." "My lord, no. The doctor would be angry." "So shall I be, if you do not take them off," I cried. "My arm is like fire." It was quite true, for the excitement at my sudden movement had started the wound stinging and aching. "It might bleed horribly," said Salaman, humbly. "Let me loosen the bandage, sahib." "Very well," I replied sulkily, quite satisfied now that whoever had been outside the canvas had had plenty of opportunity to get away; and I lay patiently enough, while my attendant loosened and re-tied my bandages before leaving me once more to lie wondering whether I should have another visitation that night, and fervently hoping that whoever it was would take care not to be seen. I lay awake for hours, but there was not another sound; and at last exhaustion had its way, and I slept till quite late, angry with myself for my drowsiness, and determined not to close my eyes that night. In the course of the day I sought an opportunity to examine the tent in the direction from which the sound had come, and had there been any doubt in my mind as to whether I had dreamed I had heard a voice, it was now dispersed, for about the height of my shoulder there was a slit about an inch long just sufficient for any one to apply his lips to the opening and speak. No rajah that day, which was, I think, the longest I ever spent. Toward afternoon I summoned Salaman. "Look here," I said. "I am sure the rajah does not wish me to be treated as a prisoner." "No, sahib." "Then give me my sword again." "Thy servant has it not," replied Salaman. "Then fetch me another." "His highness gave me no commands." "But I do," I said simply. "Let me have one at once." "Thy servant grieves that he must disobey my lord," said the man humbly. "He cannot do this thing." "Go!" I said angrily, though I knew the man was not to blame.