for, below, leeches suck my vital fluid; above, black men have me in grip as firm as metropolitan bobby. They propel me, sir, with indignity to reverse of the medal, to this identical spot. ’First came the loss of light, and air, And then of darkness too:’ in other words, I, Said Mohammed, failed B.A. of Calcutta University, am consigned to ignominious horizontal extension on floor of beastly hovel. I suffer in silence, ’Nor call the gods with vulgar spite To vindicate my hapless right.’ --Allow me to offer you another fritter, sir." "Thanks. What next? Fire away!" "After horrid night, sir, over which I draw veil of decency, I am transported into light of day. Hail, smiling morn! I purchase freedom by generous offer to teach fair sex a thing or two. Casting pearls before swine, sir; pains thrown away. But I earn my salt, and the rest is blank page, clean slate, until I hear the tramp of armed men, and behold, the grand finale!" "I am glad things have ended so well," said John. "And I must say, khansaman, it was very handsome and plucky of you to undertake a search for me." The Bengali bowed deprecatingly; then he said-- "But alas! sir, the web of our life is mingled yarn, both good and evil together, as says sweet swan of Avon. There is fly in ointment; gilt is off ginger-bread. Coja, very good chap, has left sublunary sphere. ’He will awake no more, oh, never more!’ to quote the words of Percy Bysshe Shelley, also failed B.A. We ne’er shall look upon his like again. Who would not weep for---- By gum! This knocks me silly all of a heap! There he is!" "Yes," said John, laughing, "and you can exchange notes while I take a look round." CHAPTER THE TWENTY-THIRD--The Ivory John reckoned that his escape from the fort would probably have been discovered about the same time as he was entering the village. The enemy would almost certainly suppose that his flight had been southward, towards the farm. Several hours might be wasted in pursuing in that direction; even if they hit upon his trail at once, it would be four or five hours before they could reach him. His course, then, must be to take advantage of this respite to prepare the safari for the struggle that could scarcely be avoided when they came to close quarters.