“Just three words,” replied the Bengali. “Wait until tonight.”
“Nothing more?” asked Sandokan.
“No.”
“Not even a signature?”
“Nothing, Sandokan.”
“Who could have sent us this note?”
“It must have been Bedar. Who else could it have been?”
“We’ll wait until nightfall then,” replied Yanez. “I wonder how he plans to get us out of here.”
“I’m sure he’ll have a plan,” replied Sandokan. “We’re lucky he brought us dinner back in the hut. If he helps us escape, we’ll reward him quite generously.”
“Let’s hope they don’t decide to shoot us before sunset,” said Yanez.
“Executions are usually held in the early morning,” observed Tremal-Naik. “I wonder why they postponed ours.”
“They’re soldiers; they won’t shoot us without a trial. There are rules, even in war.” said Sandokan.
“They’re rebels, little brother, they won’t take the trouble. What do you expect from people who, up until a few days ago, skinned every Englishman they could find, without sparing women or children? What are we to them? They think we’re spies; they’ll kill us like rabid dogs. No army in the world would condemn them. Bah! Best to make use of the time we have; we’ll finish off my cigarettes.”
And the good Portuguese, casting all worry aside, began to smoke, greatly savouring the taste of Manila tobacco.
The day passed uneventfully. No one entered the prison; however, the two Indians with the enormous turbans returned to the yard to inspect the windows once again.
The sun was about to set, when the subedar entered the cell with a small escort and two Indians carrying dinner.
“Well, has the general finally realized we’re not spying for the British?” asked Sandokan.
“I fear the opposite,” replied the officer, unable to meet the pirate’s eyes.
“So then, they’re going to shoot us at dawn?” asked Yanez, as calmly as if he were discussing the weather.
“I cannot say for certain...”
“Please be frank. We do not frighten easily.”
The subedar looked at the prisoner with great astonishment. Such calm among men condemned to death was inconceivable.
“You must have nerves of steel,” he said.
“We’re not children.”
“If I was the general, I’d spare you,” said the subedar. “It’s a shame to kill such brave men.”
“Tell me,” asked Sandokan, “are they planning to shoot us without a trial?”
“So it would seem. The general has all the proof he needs.”
“Proof? Proof that we’re spies? Impossible!”
“I don’t know what to tell you, gentlemen. I’d suggest you get some rest and enjoy your dinner. There are a variety of dishes, even a cake your friend begged me to bring you.”
“Bedar?” asked Tremal-Naik.
“Yes, Bedar.”
“Please thank him on our behalf,” said Yanez, “that was very thoughtful of him.”
The subedar ordered his men to depart then left the room, a little saddened that such brave men would be executed without the opportunity to defend themselves.
“A cake from Bedar!” exclaimed Yanez, once the door was locked. “I bet it contains something useful!”
Sandokan cautiously opened the baskets the two Indians had brought and pulled out a superb cake, shaped like a tower, with a golden brown crust and candied pineapple battlements.
“By Jupiter!” exclaimed Yanez as he inhaled its sweet aroma. “Who would have expected such a masterpiece?”
“It must have been purchased in the city,” said Tremal-Naik.
“That was very nice of Bedar!”
“Nice or clever?” said Sandokan, as he grabbed a small fork and began to tap the tower’s parapet. “A cake this size; there must be something hidden inside it.”
He picked off the pineapple and carefully removed the upper crust. A cry of joy suddenly escaped his lips.
“Ah! I thought so!”
The tower was hollow, but not empty. One by one, Sandokan pulled the objects out. First came a large ball of silk rope no thicker than a hawser but strong enough to support the weight of a man, then four small files, three knives, and finally a piece of paper with a few words in Sanskrit scrawled on one side.
“Here, read this,” he said, passing it to Tremal-Naik.
“It’s from Bedar,” replied the Bengali. “Ah! What a good man!”
“What does he say?” asked Sandokan and Yanez in unison.
“We’re to climb down into the yard at midnight; he’s arranged for an elephant to help facilitate our escape.”
“Where could he have found an elephant?” exclaimed Yanez.
“He could have rented it in Delhi,” replied Tremal-Naik. “It’s easy enough; all you need is a few hundred rupees, a modest enough sum even for a sepoy.”
“If his plan works, we’ll make him a rich man,” said Sandokan. “It’s lucky the general didn’t have us searched.”
“How many diamonds do you have left?” asked Yanez. “I still have plenty if you need them.”
“Leave them be,” replied Sandokan. “I could spend 40,000 rupees without blinking. That’s enough chatter. The sun has set and we’ve got quite a job ahead of us.”
“With these files,” said Yanez, “we should be able to cut through those bars in a couple of hours.”
They approached the window and carefully scanned the yard, checking for guards hidden among the rubble.
“Not a soul in sight,” said Sandokan. “They don’t suspect a thing.”
“We’ll start work after dinner,” said Yanez. “Save some room for Bedar’s cake.”
Chapter 31
The Escape
FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER, once assured that no one was watching the prison from the yard below, the Malays began to file through the thick bars in one of the windows.
To hide the sound of sawing, Sandokan, Yanez and Tremal-Naik had raised their voices in conversation, an unnecessary precaution, for the tower was empty, the subedar having taken his escort with him. Even if two guards were still posted at the entrance of the building, it was unlikely they would be able to hear the soft scrape of metal on metal.
Bedar had remained nearby. Three times, a sharp whistle had sounded from the direction of the tamarind tree. The sepoy had likely returned to his hiding place among the leaves to ensure the escape went smoothly.
By eleven, two bars had been removed; one more and the opening in the window would be large enough to pass through.
Sandokan, Yanez and Tremal-Naik relieved the Malays and quickly set to work. At a quarter to midnight, the third bar finally came free.
“The coast is clear,” said the Tiger of Malaysia, breathing in the fresh night air. “It’s just a matter of climbing down now.”
“We should take those,” added Yanez, pointing to the iron bars lying on the ground. “They could prove useful if we’re attacked.”
“I wouldn’t have left them behind,” replied Sandokan.
He picked up the ball of rope, unwound it, and lowered one end out the window. He fastened the other end to the remaining bar and quickly tested its strength.
“I’ll go down first,” he said, certain the bar would hold.
He tucked one of the three knives in his sash, grabbed onto the rope and swung his leg over the windowsill.
“Keep an eye on the door; don’t let anyone in until we’re all on the ground,” he said as he was about to start his descent.
“I’ll stay here until you’ve all climbed down,” replied Yanez, picking up an iron bar and going to stand next to the bronze door.
“I’ll stay with him,” added Tremal-Naik.
“By Jupiter!”
“What’s the matter?” asked Sandokan, stopping suddenly.
“I think someone’s coming up the stairs.”
“Keep that doo
r closed! Don’t let him come in!”
“It’s too late!”
Light was shining through the slit at the base of the door. They could all hear the subedar’s voice as he slowly climbed up the stairs.
“We’ll kill him,” said Sandokan, grabbing one of the other iron bars that still lay on the floor. “To me, my Tigers!”
In an instant the six Malays were at their captain’s side, ready to strike.
“Sandokan,” Yanez said coolly. “Let me handle this. Lie down and pretend to sleep. I’ll get rid of that bothersome pest. He may not be alone; a battle now could finish us.”
“Very well,” replied Sandokan, “We’ll let him in. But if it looks like he suspects anything, we’ll kill him.”
They had just stretched out along a wall, hiding their weapons and equipment beneath them, when the subedar entered the cell carrying a lantern. Several soldiers came in behind him and immediately levelled their bayonets.
Yanez sat up, feigning irritation. “Can’t a man get any sleep on his last night on earth? What kind of wretched country is this? What is it now, subedar? Have you come to tell us that they’re going to shoot us at dawn? We know! It’s old news!”
The Indian paused for a moment, stunned by that torrent of words.
“Forgive me, sir,” he said quietly, “When I told you that earlier, it was only a supposition on my part. No formal decision had been made.”
“And now?” asked Yanez with a frown.
“The general has instructed me to tell you that you’ll be shot at dawn and asks if you have any last requests.”
“Tell that old wretch that we’d like a good night’s sleep. Do you hear those snores? That’s what I want! Now get out before you wake them.”
“Promise me you’ll inform them of the general’s decision.”
“I will. First thing tomorrow morning, you have my word. Now leave us be.”
The Portuguese lay back down, muttered a few words beneath his breath, and closed his eyes.
The subedar stood there for a moment, uncertain of what to do next. As none of the other prisoners had stirred, he bid the Portuguese good night and left, closing the door behind him.
“May you be seized by cholera!” said Yanez, getting up again. “You’ll wait a good while before you shoot us, you scoundrel!”
“Your calm levelheadedness is worth a thousand times more than my recklessness,” said Sandokan. “I would have attacked them and probably have gotten us all shot.”
“I am the voice of reason,” laughed the Portuguese. “Quickly now, Bedar may become impatient.”
Sandokan climbed onto the windowsill, grabbed the rope and slid to the ground without a sound.
He drew the iron bar from his sash and looked around, the yard was deserted. He whistled softly to signal the coast was clear; minutes later Yanez and Tremal-Naik were standing beside him.
The Malays climbed down in turn, one after the other.
“Where do you think Bedar is hiding?” asked Sandokan.
He had barely asked the question when he spied a dark shadow peering over the wall.
“Who goes there?” whispered Tremal-Naik.
“It’s me, Bedar.”
“Is the coast clear?”
“Yes, but hurry; the Thugs will be here soon.”
The small band of men quickly climbed over the wall, then with the sepoy leading the way, they set off at a run.
“Where are we going?”
“To the forest, that’s where I’ve hidden the elephant.”
“Where did you get it?”
“I rented it from a friend in Delhi. It arrived three hours ago.”
“What’s the plan then?”
“We’ll head north, then circle back and try to sneak you into the city.”
“You said the Thugs would be here soon?”
“Yes, the two Indians with the large turbans. They recognized you and demanded your death, threatening to gather their men and abandon the city if the general refused.”
“And Hassam gave in?”
“He was forced to. He needs the men. The British are going to attack Delhi at any moment and he can’t afford to lose any of his troops. Hurry, gentlemen, the Thugs have been keeping an eye on you, they check the prison windows every three hours; they may be here at any moment.”
“Best to get as far away from here as possible,” said Yanez. “I’d hate to fall into the old man’s hands again.”
They had reached the forest. Bedar quickly got his bearings then headed beneath the palm trees, following a faint path through the tall grass. He had grown visibly uneasy and frequently looked back over his shoulder, afraid perhaps of who he might see.
They walked for a quarter of an hour and soon reached a small clearing; a dark mass stood in the centre, its head turned slightly as they drew nearer.
“Here’s the elephant,” said Bedar.
A man standing before the pachyderm stepped towards them, saying: “Two men came by a little while ago and asked me who I was waiting for.”
“And what did you tell them, mahout?” the sepoy asked quickly.
“That I was waiting for a gentlemen from Delhi who had gone to see General Hassam.”
“You did well, you’ve earned an extra rupee,” said Bedar. “Did they go off then?”
“Yes, sir.”
“What did they look like?”
“They both had large turbans and were dressed in white; I didn’t see their faces, they both wore veils that hid everything but their eyes.”
“It was those wretched dogs,” said Bedar, turning towards Sandokan and his men. “Quickly, gentlemen, into the howdah.”
“Are you coming with us?” asked Tremal-Naik.
“Yes, I’ll help you get into the city,” replied the brave sepoy. “I’ll sit behind the mahout.”
Tremal-Naik and the Tigers of Mompracem quickly climbed up and took their seats and to their delight spotted ten carbines lying in the howdah.
“At least we’ll be able to defend ourselves,” said Sandokan, as he took one of the carbines and loaded it.
“There’s some ammunition by your feet,” said Yanez. “Well done, Bedar! You’ve thought of everything.”
“Let’s go, Djuba,” said the mahout. “Make good time and you’ll get a double ration of sugar.”
The elephant waived its trunk, took a deep breath and set off at a run, the howdah shaking slightly with each step.
It had gone about twenty paces, when two shots thundered from the middle of a thicket.
“Halt!” commanded a voice.
A third bullet whistled past Sandokan’s ear, missing him by mere centimetres.
“Ah! Scoundrels!” exclaimed Sandokan. “Fire!”
A volley followed that command, but, unfortunately, not a single attacker cried out in pain. The men who had fired those shots had likely dropped to the ground to avoid being hit.
“Don’t stop, mahout!” shouted Bedar.
“Don’t worry, sir,” replied the conductor, striking the elephant’s head with his ankus.
A strident voice echoed in the darkness:
“Bedar helped them escape! We’ll kill you all!”
The elephant was running at full speed, barrelling through the thick vegetation, smashing through everything before it with its large chest.
“Not even their fastest horses could catch us now,” said Yanez, holding on tightly to the edge of the howdah so as not to be tossed over the side. “If it keeps this pace, we’ll be far from here in no time.”
“Do you think the Thugs will try to follow us?” asked Tremal-Naik, turning towards Bedar.
“It’s highly probable,” replied the sepoy. “However, we’ve got a good lead on them and our elephant is known for its speed.”
“Are there many elephants in the camp?”
“Yes, several, and they’ll likely use them to come after us,” replied the sepoy. “But we’ll be ready; I brought a hundred elephant bullets.”
> “To kill their elephants?”
“Yes, sahib.”
“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that, but we’ll take them down if need be.”
The forest was beginning to thin, facilitating the pachyderm’s advance. Though it had been running for more than an hour, the great beast showed no sign of slowing.
A short while later it emerged onto a vast plain dotted by enormous bamboo trees twelve or fifteen metres high.
“Where are we?” Sandokan asked Bedar.
“North of Delhi,” replied the sepoy. “Just outside the rebel perimeter.”
“So what’s the plan now?”
“We’ll head into the jungle along the Jumna and wait there until our pursuers tire of the search. Then once the coast is clear we’ll make our way back to Delhi.”
“I would have preferred to enter the city immediately,” Sandokan told Tremal-Naik. “I must see Sirdar.”
“It’s better to wait,” replied the Bengali. “The Thugs won’t give up that easily. If they don’t find us out here, they’ll search every inch of the Holy City. I doubt we’d be able to escape if they captured us a second time.”
“True,” said Yanez. “There won’t be another Bedar to help us out.”
“Fine, as long as we can get inside,” said Sandokan.
“We will,” replied the Portuguese. “You’ll have your chance to fight Suyodhana in battle.”
“A fight to the death,” said Sandokan. “The Tiger of Malaysia will give him no quarter.”
“Here we are, gentlemen,” said Bedar. “The Jumna.”
The wide river cut through the plain; the elephant stopped so abruptly Sandokan and his men were almost thrown out of the howdah.
“Are we going to cross it?” asked Yanez.
“Yes, sahib,” replied the sepoy. “Then we’ll head into the jungle along the opposite shore.”
“Let’s find a place to ford it then.”
“We’ll leave that to the elephant.”
Djuba cleared away the branches with his trunk, then plunged it into the water to inspect the riverbed. Satisfied, he snorted loudly and determinedly stepped into the river.
“How smart these animals are,” said Yanez. “They never cease to amaze me.”
The current grew stronger as the waters deepened, but the elephant continued to advance, smashing through the waves with its chest, obeying its mahout’s every command. It had almost reached the opposite shore when several rifle blasts thundered from behind them.
Sandokan: The Two Tigers (The Sandokan Series Book 4) Page 25