At last Roy spoke.
"Faithful?" he asked in a low whisper. "What of him?"
There was no answer at first; only Foster-father covered his face with
his hands. At last he spoke gently.
"He was faithful to death. He was going first, as ever, cheering us all
with his sayings of Firdoos Gita Makani. I saw him there one moment
turning to tell us words of wisdom--the next the snow bridge had given
way beneath his feet and he was gone. We waited on the bank of the awful
chasm for a long time, but there was no sound save the roaring of the
stream below. Firdoos Gita Makani, his master, had called him. Peace be
with them both!"
CHAPTER XV
DEAREST-LADY
For two whole days the little party was too weary even to attempt a
move. They had some provisions with them, and Tumbu, as good as his
word, brought in more and more marmots; for being unaccustomed to dogs,
they were easily caught.
The death of Old Faithful weighed upon the spirits of all, and for the
first twelve hours or so the Heir-to-Empire was inconsolable for the
loss of his beloved cat; for Foster-father had found it impossible to
carry Down farther, and she had remained behind in the snow, protesting
piteously. It was a terrible grief, and the child had almost wept
himself sick, when, to every one's surprise and delight, Mistress Down
was seen walking sedately across the flowers, her bushy tail carried
very high, not one hair of her silky white coat awry.
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