196 RIFLE AND SPEAR WITH THE RAJPOOTS 



the station. Well, thought the good-natured guard, the 

 poor old gentleman shall not be put to inconvenience 

 through my forgetfulness ; and signalling to the driver 

 to stop the train, he asked him to run back to Lilla. The 

 engine driver made no difficulty, and they presently 

 returned to that station. 



" Here we are, sir — Lilla ! " shouted the guard, waking 

 the passenger up. 



" Thank you very much," said the old man, smiling 

 benignly, but not attempting to move. 



" I said we had arrived at Lilla," repeated the guard, 

 thinking him only half awake. 



" Yes, yes ; I am so obliged for your waking me," he 

 replied, fumbling in his pockets. 



" "Well, we can't wait all day ; please look sharp and get 

 out," cried the slightly annoyed guard. 



" Get out ? Dear me ! " exclaimed the nice old man, 

 " I don't want to get out. My wife told me to be sure 

 to wake up at Lilla, because it would be just the time to 

 take my mid-day pill ! " 



The Guard : " ! ! ! " 



When our engine steamed into the station it was 

 decorated with evergreens, and had a huge " Merry 

 Christmas " in flowers in front, the work of a dusky 

 heathen driver and his still duskier assistant. 



We are due at Lahore about four o'clock to-morrow 



