The group had come to a halt just outside the camp. Haslam sent down one of his forest guards to inquire who was there, and what could be done for them. But it might have been seen that the section of the camp occupied by the Levy Sowars was the scene of some little excitement. The occupants had turned out to a man, and were gazing attentively at the new arrivals. Soon Haslam's envoy returned to say that a Sirdar of the Gularzai was anxious to salaam to Raynier Sahib, but, as the latter was absent, perhaps the jungle wallah Sahib would confer with him instead. No, the Sirdar could not rest at their camp. He was journeying on a matter of family and religious importance, and must push on immediately. But he had a communication of official import to make. Perhaps the jungle wallah Sahib would hear it in the absence of the Government's representative, and transmit it. "Here's a `dik,'" [bother--perplexity--nuisance] grumbled Haslam. "I don't want to be `dikked' with Raynier's official affairs. As if I hadn't enough of my own. Wonder what he wants--and who he is. Well, here goes." And gulping down the remainder of his "peg" he strolled down towards the group, doing so, moreover, with a leisureliness of gait that was rather put on, being designed to impress the Sirdar with a sense of his condescension in thus going to him at all. The man on the camel did not dismount, nor did he cause the beast to kneel. This, again, aroused Haslam's resentment. What business had a native to remain seated, and talk down to him, so to say? Not only that, but the man on the camel returned his salaam somewhat coldly and haughtily--and the salute of his followers was equally curt. Haslam began to feel downright angry. "Where is the _Sirkar_ Sahib?" began the chief--his voice taking additional haughtiness, coming down, as it did, from his rather lofty eminence. "You have been told. He is away," returned the Forest Officer no less curtly, and speaking in Hindustani. "Where?" Haslam did not answer immediately. He stared. He was boiling with rage. To be addressed in this way, and in such a tone. Moreover, he thought to detect an evil grin on the faces of the hook-nosed, turbaned savages standing around, who seemed to be fingering their rifles in a manner that was unpleasantly suggestive. "Are you the jungle wallah?" went on the man on the camel. "The jungle wallah _Sahib_" blared forth Haslam, white with fury. But what was the use? and then he remembered that he had not even his revolver upon him. He had thrown it down upon his camp bed, and there it was. And an unarmed man is a demoralised man. The chief laughed evilly and spat. "Well, jungle wallah _Sahib_," he said. "I asked--Where is the _Sirkar_ wallah _Sahib_? I am not accustomed to repeat a question twice."