Luckily they were given plenty of fuel to replenish
the fire that roared in the wide chimney, so the elders squatted round
it and dozed, holding the children in their laps. They slept as soundly
as if they had been in their beds, and so did Tumbu and Down, who had
both insisted on being of the party; the latter having quite calmly
taken her place on Horse-chestnut's broad wavy back on the wide cushion
of felt which Foster-father used as a saddle-cloth. She had left her
kitten behind her as it was now quite a big tom-cat, and able to take
care of itself.
In a way, both Tumbu and Down had already been of service to their young
master, for the troopers of the Escort had been amused by the golliwog's
gambols, and had admired Down's dignity, so they were more inclined to
treat the whole party in kindly fashion. Indeed, next morning, the
Captain of the Escort, whose anxiety about a rescue had, perhaps, been
lessened by the uneventful night, was much less strict in his orders,
and took Prince Akbar on his own saddle and let him hold the reins.
"He is a brave, bold lad," he said to Foster-father; "were he to live,
he would make a good King." Then he frowned, his mouth hardened and
Foster-father, watching him, augured ill for the safety of the
Heir-to-Empire. For the time, however, all went well, though
Foster-father remarked that they kept off the direct track as much as
possible; no doubt to avoid pursuit.
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