CHAPTER VIII
A BHUTTIA RAID
Dermot's friendship with the Dalehams made rapid progress, and in the
ensuing weeks he saw them often. In order to verify his suspicions as to
the Bengalis, he made a point of cultivating the acquaintance of the
planters, paid several visits to Payne and other members of the community,
and was a frequent guest at the weekly gatherings at the club.
On one of his visits to Malpura he found Fred recovering from a sharp bout
of malarial fever, and Dermot was glad of an opportunity of requiting their
hospitality by inviting both the Dalehams to Ranga Duar to enable Fred to
recuperate in the mountain air.
The invitation was gladly accepted. Their host came to fetch them himself
with two elephants; Badshah, carrying a _charjama_, conveying them, while
the other animal bore their luggage and servants. With jealous rage in his
heart Chunerbutty watched them go.
Noreen enjoyed the journey through the forest and up the mountains, with
Dermot sitting beside her to act as her guide, for on this occasion
Ramnath drove Badshah. As they climbed the steep, winding road among the
hills and rose out of the damp heat of the Plains, Fred declared that he
felt better at once in the cool refreshing breezes that swept down from
the lofty peaks above. The forest fell away behind them. The great teak
and _sal_ trees gave place to the lighter growths of bamboo, plantain,
and sago-palm.
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