Then he thought of poor Goumi. He was not apparently a prisoner of these Dacoits. Could he have escaped from them? It was possible. Had he not rather been slain at once? That was much more likely.
But supposing him to be safe and at liberty, might his assistance be reckoned upon? It was hard to say.
If he had pressed forward to demand help at Jubbulpore, he would arrive too late.
If, on the other hand, he had gone to rejoin Banks and the rest at the lake, what could be done, destitute as they were of all stores and supplies? They might endeavor to reach Jubbulpore, but long ere they could do so, the unhappy captive would be dragged into the inaccessible retreats of the robbers among the mountains!
The case appeared hopeless, as Colonel Munro carefully and deliberately examined its bear
