“Goilmi,” said his master, “are you not an excellent swimmer?”
“Yes, sahib.”
“A mile and a half on a night like this, through the calm waters of the lake, would not be too much for you?”
“Not one mile nor even two.”
“Well,” resumed the colonel, “here is Kalagani offering to swim across to the shore nearest to Jubbulpore. Now in the water, as well as on the land, in this part of Bundelkund, two bold and intelligent men being able to assist each other, have a better chance of succeeding. Will you accompany Kalagani?”
“Directly, sahib,” answered Gofimi.
“I do not need any one,” said Kalagani, “but if Colonel Munro insists, I willingly accept Goilmi as a companion.”
“Go then, my men,” said Banks, “and be as prudent as you are brave!”
This settled, Colonel Munro called Gofimi aside, and
