But first you had
better put on the disguise I have brought you. You are too big and
strong to pass without notice in that peasant's dress. The one I have
brought you is such as is worn by the rough people; the budmashes
of Cawnpore. I can procure others afterwards when we see what had
best be done. It will be easy enough to enter Bithoor, for all is
confusion there, and men come and go as they choose, but it will be
well nigh impossible for you to penetrate where the memsahib will
be placed. Even for me, known as I am to all the Rajah's officers,
it would be impossible to do so; it is my daughter in whom we shall
have to trust."
Bathurst rapidly put on the clothes that Rujub had brought with
him, and thrust a sword, two daggers, and a brace of long barreled
pistols into the sash round his waist.
"Your color is not dark enough, sahib. I have brought dye with me;
but first I must dress the wound on your head, and bandage it more
neatly, so that the blood stained swathings will not show below
the folds of your turban."
Bathurst submitted himself impatiently to Rujub's hands. The latter
cut off all the hair that would show under the turban, dyed the
skin the same color as the other parts, and finally, after darkening
his eyebrows, eyelashes, and mustache, pronounced that he would
pass anywhere without attracting attention. Then they started at a
quick walk along the river, crossed by the ferryboat to Cawnpore,
and made their way to a quiet street in the native town.
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