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CHAPTER VII

ramcharan released.

hen Pratap made his escape, Ramcharan effected his release very easily. He was not living as a prisoner. Nobody knew that it was his shots which had wounded Foster and killed the sentry, on the night Shaibalini was rescued from Foster’s Budgerow. Amyatt had taken him to be a common servant and was quite willing to let him off while he was leaving Monghyr. He told Ramcharan at that time, "Your master is a great rogue—we will punish him severely; but we have nothing to do with you—you may go wherever you like." At this Ramcharan saluted Amyatt, and said with folded hands, "I am a rustic peasant—I don't know manners—pray don't take offence at my words—do you bear any relation to me?"

Some one in the boat explained to Amyatt what Ramcharan had said. Thereupon Amyatt asked,

"Why—what makes you say so?"

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