"Two of you stay behind and guard the woman in case she has played us false," commanded Superintendent Jenkins.
Through the long jungle grass the party advanced till within a few yards of the Dacoit's retreat, then they made a rush towards a narrow passage leading to the hut, and were met by a man, stark naked, brandishing a sword in his hand.
"Hari Rām, if you make one step forward I will shoot you like a dog," shouted the Commissioner, whilst two of his men sprang upon the Dacoit, seized him by the throat, tore the sword out of his hand, and tripped him to the ground. Where he fell he lay, a vanquished lion.
"Hari Rām, if you make one step forward,
I will shoot you like a dog."
Whilst they were pinioning him he just asked—
"A woman betrayed me; is it not so?"
"Your own wife; none other. She preferred five hundred rupees to a husband who beats her," said one of the men laughing.
"You lie! I did not beat, I only kicked her," said Hari Rām. "Well, she has had her revenge; surely I shall have mine."
He was standing up now, his hands and feet manacled; looking round, as if he thought to see her, but he was disappointed. Just as his captors were marching him off, a child crept out of the hut and raised a piteous wail.