Gil the Gunner; or, The Youngest Officer in the East, by George ManvilleFenn. 

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This is a very long book from this author. Gilbert Vincent, very youngat the time, joins the army to serve in India. Various battles andengagements take place, as a result of which Gil gets injuries, andspends a lot of time unconscious or recovering. At one stage he iscaptured by the local Rajah, who is extremely wealthy, and who takes ashine to our hero, making sure that he is treated extremely well by hisdomestic servants. Gil is offered any jewels he likes, but declines thegift, saying that his freedom to go back to his father in his regimentwas worth more than any amount of opulent jewels. 

The object of all this fighting is nominally to oust the British fromtheir position as peace-keepers in India. It ought to have made it muchmore clear to young readers what devastation would result if the Britishwere removed. I do not think it was clear to many of us in the lastyears of the British Raj how much hatred various kinds of Indians hadfor each other, until the days immediately following the hand-over ofpower on 17th August 1947, when they really got going on one another. NH________________________________________________________________________

GIL THE GUNNER; OR, THE YOUNGEST OFFICER IN THE EAST, BY GEORGE MANVILLEFENN. 

Or, The Youngest Officer in the East. 

CHAPTER ONE. 

"You're another. "

"So are you. "

"I am, am I?"

"Yes; a cocky overbearing bully. You want your comb cut, Gil Vincent. "

"Cut it, then, you miserable humbug. Take that. " _Crack_--_thud_!

My fist went home on Morton's cheek, and almost simultaneously his flewout and struck me in the ribs. _Crack_--_thud_! Morton's returnsounding like an echo of my blow. 

There was a buzz of excitement. Coats flew off; two of our fellowseagerly pressed forward to act as seconds; my shirt-sleeves were rolledup over my thin arms, and in another instant we two fellow-pupils weresquaring at each other, and I was gathering myself up to deliver as harda blow as I could when--

"Stop! halt!" came in a sharp harsh voice, and General Crucie, with thegreat scar upon his white forehead looking red and inflamed as it alwaysdid when he was angry, strode up, thumped down his thick malacca cane, so that the ferule went into the grass and it stood alone, while helooked from one to the other fiercely. 

"Upon my word!" he cried. "Very pretty! Two gentlemen flying at eachothers' throats like a couple of street boys. A regular blackguardlyfight. I'm ashamed of you, gentlemen. What does it all mean?"

"Well, sir, it was like this, " began Hendry, my second. 

"Silence, sir! I will not hear a word. I pretty well know what it allmeans. You, Vincent, as usual; that nasty overbearing temper of yoursagain. Is it utterly impossible for you to live in unity with yourfellow-students?"

"No, sir; not if they would let me be, and not fasten quarrels on me, " Icried in an ill-used tone. 

"Stuff, sir! rubbish, sir! nonsense, sir!" cried the general. "I knowyou better than you know yourself; and, mark my words, you will neversucceed in your profession until you learn to behave like a gentleman. How can you expect to command men if you cannot command yourself. There, I'll hear no more, for I'm sure you have been in the wrong. "

The general pointed in _so_ unmistakable a manner that I walked off withmy uniform jacket half on, slowly thrusting my arm into the vacantsleeve, and thinking bitterly, with my head bent and my foreheadwrinkled up like that of an old man. 

I was not long in reaching my little room, a favourite one amongst ourfellows; and as I shut myself in, and locked the door, my consciencereproached me with certain passages in the past which led to my havingthat room, when a fellow-student gave way in my favour, and I don'tthink it was from kindly feeling towards me. 

"I'm a miserable, unhappy wretch, " I said, as I threw myself in a chairwhich resented the rough usage by creaking violently and threatening tobreak one leg. "Nobody likes me. I'm always getting into trouble, andevery one will be glad when I am gone to Calcutta, Madras, or Bombay. "

I sat scowling down at the floor, thinking of how the others madefriends and were regular companions, while I was almost avoided--at anyrate, not sought out. 

"Is it all my fault?" I thought; and that day I had a very long thinkas I wondered why I was so different from other fellows of my age. Ibelieved I was affectionate, for I felt very miserable when I saw myfather off with his regiment four years before, and he sailed for theMadras Presidency, and I went back home with my mind made up to workhard at my studies; to look well after my mother and Grace; and alwaysto be a gentleman in every act and thought. 

And as I sat there in the silence of my own room, I asked myself whetherI had done exactly as my father had wished. 

"I might have worked harder, " I owned. "I might have been more of agentleman. But I did try. "

Then I began thinking that I had given my mother a good deal of troublebefore she and Grace went out to join my father at Madras. 

"But mamma did not mind, " I said to myself, for nothing could have beenmore loving than our parting, when I was so miserable at being left thatI felt as if everything were at an end. 

"The fellows don't understand me, " I said at last. "And now if I try tobe extra civil to any one of them, they all laugh and think I meansomething--want to borrow money, or get another favour. "

This had been at the bottom of the quarrel that morning, and as I satthere thinking, I grew more and more roused, giving myself the credit ofbeing shamefully ill-used by every one, from General Crucie and theprofessors, down to the newest comer, while the governor seemed to me tobe the greatest offender. 

"Boasts about understanding boys and young men, " I said bitterly, "anddoes not know how to be just. I wish I was out of it all, and could goaway, so that I could be where people understood me, and--"

There was a sharp tap at the door, but I was too savage and sulky toanswer, and there was a fresh tapping on the panel. 

"Vincent, why don't you answer? I know you are in there. "

It was the voice of my fellow-pupil with whom I had been about to fight, when the general came upon us. 

"Well, what do you want?" I said sourly. 

"The governor has sent me for you. Come along, look sharp. He wantsyou in his room. "

My temper bubbled up like the carbonic acid gas in a chemicalexperiment, and my fists involuntarily clenched. 

"To go there and be rowed, " I thought; "and all through Morton. Hemight have let me off now after bullying me before the chaps. And thento send Morton!"

I stood quite still, frowning and angry, but all was still outside, andit was evident that, after delivering his message, Morton had run downagain. 

"A prig!" I muttered. "Lucky for him he didn't stop. I'd have punchedhis head if I'd been expelled for it. "

I crossed the room, and threw open the door to go down, for, amiable asthe governor always was to us, he was most stern and exacting in havingall his orders obeyed with military promptitude, and there stood Mortonwaiting with, as I thought, a derisive smile on his face. 

But I altered my opinion directly, for he held out his hand. 

"I say, Gil, old chap, " he said, "I'm sorry we fell out, and I'm jollyglad the old boy came and stopped us. Pretty pair of fools we shouldhave looked by this time, with black eyes and swollen noses. --I waswrong. Shake hands. "

A few moments before I could have struck him; but now I was so utterlyoverset by his frank manner, that it was not my nose which swelled up, but my throat, so that I could hardly speak as I caught hold of his handand held it with all my force. 

"No, " I said huskily, "it wasn't your fault. Mine. I've got such abeastly temper. "

"Tchah! not you. Come on down; it's all right now. "

"Not quite, " I said grimly. "I've got to face the gov. , and haveanother dose. Has he given you yours?"

"No! 'Tisn't that Post's in, and he has had despatches or something. He had a great sealed paper in his hand when he told me to fetch you. "

"What?" I cried excitedly. "'Tisn't--?"

"I'm not sure, but I think it is, " he said. "Come on. "

I felt as if all my breath had been taken away. The blood flushed rightup to my temples; there was a singing in my ears, and my hands grewmoist in their palms with excitement; but I could not speak as wehurried down. 

"You are a lucky one, " continued Morton. "I say, you do know some onein the India House, don't you?"

"Yes, " I said. "Uncle Joe's on the board. "

"That's it, then. You've got your commission, as safe as wheat, as ourold coachman used to say. I salute you, sir. You'll be a Lord Cliveone of these days, before I get my captaincy. "

"Oh, nonsense!" I cried, and then all seemed to be one buzz ofconfusion, till I reached General Crude's study, and found him walkingup and down the room. He had left his table with his gold snuff-box inone hand, his pinched-together finger and thumb of the other holding atiny modicum of snuff, which he applied to his nose as I entered, and hestopped short before me. 

"Oh, there you are, Vincent, " he said in his prompt military way, and Inoticed that the trouble of a short time before was all put aside. "Youknow what I want, I suppose?"

"I can't help guessing, sir. "

"No, I suppose not. You must have plenty of interest, my dear lad, andI congratulate you. Here you are appointed to the artillery. Calcutta. "

"Ah!" I ejaculated; and in those busy moments as I stood looking rightahead out of the study into my future, I felt as if young, slight, andyouthful as I was, boyhood was dropping away, and I was going to be aman to command men. 

"It's too early, Vincent, " he said, shaking his head, and tapping hissnuff-box; "much too early. You are such a boy. Why, you'll be theyoungest officer in the service, though you do look old. I should haveliked you to stay with us a couple of years longer. "

"Yes, sir, " I faltered. "I'm afraid I've got on very badly. "

"No, " he said sharply, "that's it; you have not got on badly with yourstudies. From every professor I have had the same report, that yourpapers are excellent. That's where it is. You were nearly at the headof the list in the artillery, and it was only just that you should beappointed. But, all the same, you dog, you've influential people atyour back. That old uncle the director. I hope one of these days bothservices will give their promotions and appointments by merit alone. "

"Then you think it unjust, sir, that one so young as I am should get hiscommission?" I said warmly. 

"No, I do not, Vincent. Don't be so peppery. What a temper you have, sir. You must master that. I think, in this instance, the interest hasbeen well exercised. I have had plenty of inquiries about you, and I'vebeen obliged to speak well of you always. "

I coloured a little. 

"You're too young, but they want officers badly, and you'll soon getolder, and I have no doubt will make a good soldier, if you command yourtemper. You ought to have been in the engineers, though. "

"Oh no, sir, " I said eagerly. "I want to be a gunner. Is thecommission for the Horse Artillery?"

He laughed and took snuff. 

"Why, you conceited young greenhorn!" he said good-humouredly. "Has allthe teaching of the Honourable the East India Company's profession beenso poor here at Brandscombe, that you have not learned that it is quitea promotion to get into the Horse Brigade. That they are picked menfrom the foot--men full of dash--who can afford to keep the best ofhorses, and who are ready to ride at anything. "

"My uncle would let me have any horses I want, sir, " I said; "and I canride. "

"Like a gentleman in the park, " he said contemptuously. 

"No, sir, " I said warmly. "My father is a splendid horseman, and I'vehunted a great deal. Why, he used to put me on a pony when I was onlysix, and whenever I was at home he made me hunt with him, and gostraight across country. "

"Humph! Wonder he did not break your neck!"

"Oh no, sir, " I replied; "but I have broken my arm, and had some falls. "

"Ah, well; be content with your commission in the foot. Some day, perhaps, you may get into the horse, especially if you ride well, andhave some interest to back you up. Well, I congratulate you, Vincent, my lad, and I am well satisfied with your progress. "

"Satisfied, sir?" I said, as I recalled the scolding of an hourearlier. 

"Oh yes, on the whole, my boy. You've got the makings of a good soldierin you. Little too fond of fighting. Ought to be in your favour, eh?But it isn't. A good officer never fights if he can help it; but whenhe does, why, of course, he fights skilfully, and lets the enemy knowthat he is in earnest. But seriously, Vincent, you have one greatfailing. "

"More than one, sir, I'm afraid, " I said dolefully. 

"Never mind the others; perhaps they'll cure themselves. But you mustkeep a strict watch over that temper of yours, eh?"

"Yes, sir, " I said penitently; "I have a horrible temper. "

"A temper, Vincent, not a horrible temper. And I don't know that youneed regret it so long as you learn to subdue it. Tight-curb, that'sall. Make a better soldier of you. It means spirit and decision, properly schooled. Oh, you'll do, boy. I should like to turn outanother hundred of you. "

I stared at him in surprise, for I had been working under my militarytutor always troubled by the impression that I was the most troublesomepupil he had, and that I was getting on worse than any fellow there. 

"I mean it, boy, " he said, smiling and taking another tiny pinch ofsnuff. "Well, Vincent, my lad, I congratulate you. An hour ago youwere my student and pupil; this despatch tells me that you are now mybrother-officer. So good speed to you, and God bless you!"

His eyes looked a little moist as he shook hands with me warmly, and, though my own eyes felt a little misty from emotion, a cloud seemed topass from them, and I began to realise that I had been fancying allkinds of things which were not true. 

"Sit down, my dear lad, and let's have a bit of a chat, " continued thegeneral. "This is a short notice. "

"Short, sir?" I said wonderingly. 

"Oh yes; very. You are to go out in the _Jumna_ on the twenty-ninth. There's just three weeks for preparation and the good-byes. "

"So soon, sir?" I cried excitedly. 

"Yes, so soon. There's a Captain Brace going out in charge of a draftof men from Warley--recruits, of course. You go under his charge; soyou will have to be brisk in ordering your outfit. "

"Yes, sir, " I said. "I must write to my father to-day about money. "

"By all means, " said the general, smiling; and I saw what a stupid thingI had said. "You sail in three weeks, long before your father could getyour letter, eh?"

"Yes, sir, of course, " I said confusedly. 

"But that's all right, my boy. Your father authorised me in his lastletters to see that you had a proper military outfit, and draw upon him;so you need be under no apprehension. You will have to run the colonelup a pretty good bill; so be careful not to get superfluous things. Bythe way, there's a letter for you. Have you got it?"

"No, sir, " I said; "I've been in my room. I'll go and--"

"No, no; sit still, " said the general, ringing. "I'll have it broughthere. "

He told the servant to fetch the letter, and sat chatting pleasantlytill the man returned with an old-fashioned-looking missive, ornamentedwith a great red seal. 

"From my uncle, sir!" I said excitedly. 

"Well, open and read it, boy. It may be more news. "

I opened the letter with trembling fingers, and read as follows:--

 "119, Queen's Square, --

 "May 8th, 18--. 

 "Dear Nephew, --

 "I hear that you have your commission. I stirred up some old friends. You go out with the next draft. Be a good boy, act like a gentleman, and keep up the honour of your family. You'll find it very hot. I did when I was out there. Don't eat too much, and don't drink, or you'll come home with a bad liver, like your affectionate uncle, "Joseph Vincent. 

 "Gilbert Vincent, Esq. 

 "P. S. --I mean Lieutenant Vincent. Don't come to see me, for I'm off to-night to Carlsbad to drink rusty waters instead of port. Remember me to your father and mother, if you meet them, and Miss Grace. By the way, boy, you'll want some clothes and a sword. I've told Ferries and Harquars to honour your cheques up to two hundred and fifty pounds, so that you need not draw on your father. You don't deserve it, because you have such a bad temper; but if ever you can get promoted into the Horse Artillery, I'll buy you a horse. Mind and get an Arab; they suit the country. I always rode one; but not in your break-neck way. I tried to get them to let you have a commission in the horse, but they wouldn't stand it. Said it was a feather in a man's cap to get that; so look sharp and grow, and make yourself fit to wear that feather. You'll get it if you deserve it. I'll see that you do. My postscript is longer than my letter. So with compliments to General Crucie, I am, etc. "

I handed the letter to the general, who read it through and nodded. 

"Hah! that's right, " he said, handing it back. "Nothing like having anuncle rich, and a director at the India House. You'll get into thehorse by-and-by. Let's see, what was your uncle?"

"An indigo-planter, sir. "

"Hah! that means money, Vincent. Well, I shall not have to draw on yourfather. So much the better. There, you had better begin making yourpreparations at once, and if there is anything I can do in the way ofhelp or advice, come to me without scruple. Seems only the other daythat I was ordering my own kit, Vincent, previous to sailing for Bombay. There, off with you. I'm sure you want to digest the news. "

I did--badly, but I could not do it, for the news had already leakedout, and there was Morton at the head of all the other fellows, ready toraise a hearty cheer for the new officer about to depart from theirmidst. 

The cheering was followed by a chairing, and when at last I escaped, Ihurried off to my room with the whirl of confusion greater than ever, sothat I began to wonder whether it was not all a dream. 

CHAPTER TWO. 

I was horribly suspicious about that military tailor in Saint James'sStreet. Over and over again I felt that he must be laughing at me, ashe passed his tape round my chest and waist. 

But he was a pattern of smooth politeness, and as serious as a judge, while I sought for little bits of encouragement, painfully conscious asI was about my physique. 

He was so quiet and confidential, and took such pains to suggest thevarious articles I should require, that I felt bound to place myself inhis hands, and to a certain extent he won my confidence sufficiently tomake me ask a _few_ questions, to set myself a little at my ease. 

"Don't often have any one so thin and young as I am to measure for auniform, do you?" I said. 

He looked at me with astonishment--real or assumed. 

"Thin as you, sir! Oh, you are nothing to some gentlemen--I mean, " headded hastily, "as to being slender. Why, some officers who come hereare little better than schoolboys. "

"But I am thin, " I said. 

"Slight, sir, " he said reprovingly--"slight. I should hardly call youthin. You'd look a little thin in evening-dress, but in uniform onlyslight. You see, we are obliged to pad a little in the chest, and tosquare the shoulders a little, and, one way and another, sir, when wehave finished you, you will be surprised. "

I was. But just then I only coughed, and felt glad that I was not theyoungest and thinnest officer the tailor had fitted out. "Oh, by theway, " I said as indifferently as I could, "what about swords?"

I felt proud of my nonchalantly easy way of dealing so familiarly withthe _arme blanche_, as the French call it, in the plural number. 

"Oh, we shall supply your sword, sir; everything, if you entrust us withyour commands. There are some gentlemen who advise that you should notgo to a military tailor, but to a sword-cutler; and, of course, everygentleman has a right to go where he pleases, but if you will trust me, sir, you shall have a proved blade, of which you will be proud. "

"Oh, of course I shall trust you, " I said hurriedly. "But about size. I think I should like, er--a light, rather smaller-sized sword. "

"Oh no; excuse me, sir, " said the tailor apologetically. "Speaking fromexperience, sir, no. There was Lieutenant Verney, sir, younger andlighter than you sir, and not so big-boned--Major Verney he is now, aregular customer--said just the same as you did, sir, and we gave way. Consequently he was greatly dissatisfied. He grew, but the sword didnot, and he soon had to have another. Now, if I might advise, I shouldsay have a full-size regulation weapon, well balanced with a good heavyhilt. You'll be surprised, big-boned as you are, sir, how soon you willput on muscle and spread out. "

Of course I gave way, being naturally proud of being considered capableof wielding a full-sized sword, and in due time, though not until I hadfretted myself into a great state of excitement, the accoutrements weresent home. 

It was hard work to assume that indifference which I did not feel, andI'm afraid that I did not deceive anybody save myself. 

I knew when the things came, for one of the servants came and told me, and I said in a tone suggestive of the idea that I was in the habit ofhaving uniforms sent home, "Have the things placed in my room. "

The servant stared at me, and I turned away, feeling furiously hot as Ilonged to run up and tear open the packages and tin boxes to gloat overtheir contents. But I taught myself to feel that I could not do thatnow--it would be too boyish, so I suffered tortures as I went out intothe grounds to talk to some of our fellows, and try to keep my mind towhat was being said. 

Then came relief in the shape of Morton, who hurried up to the groupwhere I stood. "Hi! Gil Vincent, " he cried excitedly. "What's thematter?" I said in what was intended to be a cool way, but decidedlywas not. 

"What's the matter, indeed! They're taking your gorgeous array up intoyour room. Tin cases and swords, and goodness knows what. Come on!"

"Come on?" I said coolly; "what do you mean?"

"Hark at him!" cried Morton. "Here he is, as cool as a fish. Don't youwant to tog out?"

"No. What nonsense!" I said; but I can remember feeling excited as hespoke. 

"Get out! Don't be a humbug. You're red hot to get into them. "

"Absurd! Why, I shall be always wearing that sort of thing soon. "

"Gammon!" cried Morton. "Oh, I say, what a jolly impostor you are, Gil. Come on, lads, let's have him in, and make him paint himself up for ourglorification. "

"Oh, if you all particularly wish it, " I said, "I don't mind. "

There was a roar of laughter at this; and to hide my annoyance, I joinedin, and was soon after spreading out jacket and coatee, stripedtrousers, belts, and slings, all of which, after being duly admired, were donned and exhibited in their proper places. 

"Talk about pomp and vanity!" cried Morton. 

"Don't be jealous, " I replied, as I began to feel excited. 

"I'm not a bit, Gil; but you might own to being proud as a peacock ofyour togs. Come, you are--aren't you?"

"I suppose so, " I said, as I involuntarily glanced at myself in theglass; and then I felt hotter than ever, for I saw my fellow-pupilslaughing, and this was the signal for me to hurry out of the stiffembroidered uniform as rapidly as I could. 

But that night, when I went up to bed!

Well, I was very young then; and I suppose any boy of my age would havebeen just as proud of his new uniform, all suggestive as it was of swordand flashing steel, trampling horses, and spirit-stirring trumpet andband. 

My candle was a long time before it went out that night, but even then Itried to salve my conscience--to make myself believe that it was not allvanity, for I said that the things wanted trying on, and the buttons andbuttonholes were stiff. But at last everything was neatly folded upagain and put away, and I lay down to sleep and dream of my new career. Somehow I only saw one side of a soldier's life just then. Perhaps if Icould have had the slightest idea of the horrors and dangers throughwhich I should have to pass, I might have shrunk away appalled, and beenglad to have taken to some more peaceful career. 

CHAPTER THREE. 

The good-byes were said, and I was sent off with a ringing cheer by myold companions. My luggage had gone to the ship days before, and I hadonly a couple of tin cases to take with me in the cab when I reachedLondon and was driven to the docks. Here, after going astray severaltimes, I at last found the great towering-sided _Jumna_, and went onboard with my belongings. 

Everything was in confusion, for provisions were still being taken onboard along with passengers' luggage; and it was some time before Icould find any one in the busy crowd which thronged the deck, to show memy cabin, which, to my disgust, I found contained a second berth andseveral articles of luggage labelled, "Captain Brace, Calcutta, " and insmaller letters, "Cabin; wanted on voyage. "

"Not much room for two, " I thought, as my own luggage was brought in, and I found by the number of my berth that I was to sleep on theshelf-like bed above that on which a portion of the captain's luggagelay. 

Then, wondering what he would be like; whether he would be agreeable, ordisposed to look down upon me as a boy, I went back on deck, and stoodabout watching the busy scene, and learning which was the quarter-deck, steerage, forecastle, and the like. By virtue of being an officer, Ifound myself at liberty to go where I pleased, and noted which werepassengers and which were leave-taking friends. 

Then I had a good look at the officers and sailors, many of whom wereyellow-faced lascars with dark oily-looking eyes, whose whites seemed tohave an opalescent tinge. 

Every one was busy, and a good many of the dock-men were up aloft givingthe finishing touches to the rigging, a great deal of which seemed to benew. But somehow, as an idler, I seemed to be in everybody's way, andwas constantly being requested to make way, or stand aside, or my leavewas requested in tones rather insulting, as I thought then. 

Suddenly I remembered that General Crucie had said that a draft of menwas going out in the vessel, in charge of Captain Brace. 

"I wonder where the men are, " I said to myself; and at last, as I hadlooked in vain for red or blue uniforms, I asked one of the sailors. 

"Swaddies?" he said. "Oh yes. Forrard. There they are. "

He pointed toward the head of the vessel as he hurried off in answer toa shout from a red-faced man who was directing a gang of sailors haulingat something up aloft which he called a yard, and I went forward to havea look at the smart detachment of soldiers I was to help to command. 

The illusion was soon swept away, for the detachment was composed ofabout fifty unhappy, thin-looking men in white flannel jackets, sittingabout or leaning over the bulwarks, smoking and watching the dock quaywhere stood a group of slatternly-looking women, staring wearily at theship; and now and then one of them would wave a hand or a handkerchiefto the men in white flannel, a salute as often as not evoking noresponse, though sometimes a man would take off his ugly blue woollenforage-cap by the red worsted tuft at the top, give it a twist, and putit on again. 

"This cannot be the detachment, " I thought, and then, thinking that thebest way to know was to ask, I said to the nearest man--

"Would you mind telling me whether you belong to Captain Brace'sdetachment?"

"What?"

A surly, half-insolent question in reply to mine, which I repeated. 

"I dunno nothing about no 'tachments, " he growled. 

"Well, are you in the service, and going out to India?" I said. 

"I've took the shilling, and I'm going out to cholera borgus, if that'swhat you mean. Don't bother!"

"You'll get yourself in for it directly, mate, " growled another of themen. "Can't you see the gent's a horficer?"

I felt better at this, but I was damped down directly, for my man I hadspoken to growled out--

"Horficer? Well, all I can say is as he don't look it. "

As the man turned away to rest his arms on the bulwark and refill hispipe, the second man saluted me. 

"Yes, it's all right, sir. We're just down from Warley barracks, and weare going out as part of Captain Brace's draft. "

I saluted and walked away, feeling in no wise proud of the men who wouldbe partly under my charge. Physically, they were well-made fellowsenough, but there was neither romance nor sentiment about them, and inthe midst of all the bustle and confusion on board, with the decksliterally swarming, I began to feel horribly lonely and depressed, and asensation of home-sickness was coming on fast, till I told myself it wasall nonsense, the home for which I was sickening was only the kind ofschool which for many months past I had been longing to leave, and thatI should in all probability soon meet father, mother, and sister, aswell as begin my career as a man. 

Just then my attention was taken up by an angry encounter. Three menwere brought on board, almost dragged, and thrown down, and it did notneed a second thought to grasp the fact that they were sailors who hadbeen spending their advance-money at one of the public-houses whichswarmed about the docks. 

All at once one of them, as he lay upon the deck, began to sing, andthis brought out a smart-looking officer in uniform. 

"Here, get these pigs below, " he cried angrily; and half a dozen of thesailors crossed to one side, returned with a coil of rope, fastened itround the waist of one of the last-comers, and then seizing him, trottedforward, dragging him along the deck to an open hatchway, where he wasunceremoniously lowered down; one sailor followed to unfasten the rope, which was hauled up, and the other men were hauled to the hatchway andlowered in turn. 

"That's the way to serve them, " said the officer to me sharply. "Sometime before they get drunk again. "

He nodded shortly and went aft, while, feeling disgusted with the roughscene, I made my way aft too, and came upon quite a crowd of people, evidently friends of the passengers, bidding good-bye, many of them withtears. 

"This is cheerful, " I thought, and then by an absurd change of feeling, I was hurt because there was no one to bid good-bye to me. 

"Confound it all, sir, do get out of the way, please!" said anotherofficer sharply. 

I gave him a resentful look, and backed out of his way into somebodyelse's, sending a man who was carrying part of a passenger's luggagestaggering, so that he caught the corner of a trunk sharply against anofficer's shoulder, with anything but a pleasant result for the burdenedman, who recovered himself, and hurried to the cabin stairs, while, after apologising to the officer, I followed the man, meaning to go upon the poop deck. 

But the staircase was full of people, and I dived under to go below andfind my cabin, which I now resentfully remembered was not mine. 

"Never mind, I'll go and sit down till dinnertime, " I thought. "Isuppose there will be some dinner some time. "

I went along by the row of cabin doors, and found that I was on the portinstead of the starboard side; and, crossing over, I found the rightcabin at last, seized the handle sharply, for a man was coming alongwith more luggage, and, turning the fastening, I was about to dive in, but the door was fast, and a quick, authoritative voice cried fromwithin--

"Well, what is it?"

"Open this door, " I said as sharply, for I felt irritated at being shutout of my place of refuge from the noise and misery of the deck. 

There was the sound of a bolt shooting back, the door was thrown open, and I was face to face in the dim light with a tall, dark, youngish man, whose expression was stern and severe in the extreme. 

"Well, sir, " he said shortly, "what is it?"

"What is it?" I cried angrily, with a sharp look at my luggage. "Whatare you doing here? Why is this door fastened?"

He looked at me quite fiercely for a few moments, and then his facesoftened a little, and he smiled, but it was a cold, wintry sort offacial sunshine. 

"Ah, I see, " he said, "you are Mr Vincent, I suppose?"

"Yes, I am, sir, and that is my luggage. What then?"

"Only that my name is Brace, and I suppose we are to befellow-passengers. "

"I--I--beg your pardon, " I stammered, with my face turning scarlet. 

"There is no need, " he said coldly. "Perhaps it was my fault forfastening the door. "

He turned away, stooped down to a trunk in which glistened a bunch ofkeys, turned the lock, and then altered his mind and unlocked the trunk, and took out his keys. 

"No, " he said rising, "there will be no need for that. "

He turned coldly, and went out of the cabin, leaving me with thesensation that I had behaved rudely and insolently to an officer who wasmy superior, and under whose orders I supposed I was to be. 

"Nice beginning, " I said to myself, and I sat down on one of my owntrunks, feeling anything but comfortable, as I came to the conclusionthat I had made an enemy who would pay me handsomely during the voyage. 

"This is a happy sort of place, " I muttered, as I sat listening to thebanging of cabin doors and shouting of people for stewards and others, and angry complaints about being kept waiting; and all the time therewas a stamping, tramping, and rattling going on overhead that wasmaddening. 

And there I sat, gazing dreamily at the little round pane of glass whichlit the cabin, till I grew so hot and weary of the stuffy littlecupboard of a place, that I got up and went on deck again, to find thatthe great vessel had been cast loose, and that hawsers and capstans werebeing used to work us out of the dock. 

We were already some little distance from the dock wall, which wascrowded with the friends of the soldiers and sailors on board, those ofthe passengers for the most part remaining to go down the river, whilethe men thronged the bulwarks, and climbed to every point of vantage, torespond, with shouts and cheers, to waving of hands and, bonnets and theshrill good-byes. 

"Everybody seems to have some one to say good-bye to him but me, " Ithought again; and half pitying, half contemptuously, I leaned over theside watching the little crowd of excited women and old men who hurriedalong the dock quay so as to keep abreast of the vessel. 

"A sad thing, too--saying good-bye, " I thought. "Perhaps they'll nevercome back and meet again, and--"

My heart seemed to stand still, and I clutched the edge of the bulwarkspasmodically, for all at once as I watched the women pressing along theedge of the stone quay, their faces turned toward us as they cried outto the men on board, I saw one young-looking thing wave her handkerchiefand then press it to her eyes, and in imagination I heard her sobbing asshe hurried on with the rest. But next instant I saw that she hadcaught her foot in one of the ropes strained from the great ship to theedge of the quay, and plunged forward headlong to strike the watertwenty feet below, and disappear. 

A wild shriek from the quay was mingled with the excited shouts of themen on board. Then orders were rapidly given, men ran here and there, and amidst a great deal of shouting, preparations were made for loweringdown the nearest boat. 

But all the time the huge East Indiaman, now steadily in motion, wasgliding slowly toward the dock entrance, and the unfortunate woman hadrisen to the surface, and was beating the water slowly with her hand. 

"She'll be drowned long before that boat's down, " said a gruff voicebehind me, plainly heard in the shouting and excitement. "Why don'tthey throw her a life-buoy?"

As whoever it was spoke a yellow ring fell from the vessel, splashed, and floated on the surface, but nowhere near the drowning woman. Twomen ran along the quay to throw ropes. Other ropes were sent flying inrings from the _Jumna's_ stern; but I could see that the woman was toohelpless to reach them, even if she saw them, which was doubtful, andthe watching and waiting grew horrible. 

The woman was now many yards away from where I stood, and I had seen herwild eyes gazing up as if into mine as we glided by her, the lookseeming in my excitement to appeal specially to me, and at last I couldbear it no longer. 

I drew myself up on to the bulwark, and looked round. 

The boat stuck with something wrong about one of the davits; no otherboat was visible; no one had leaped and swum to save the woman, whoseclothes, after sustaining her for some moments, were gradually sinkingout of sight, and the motion of her hand grew slower. 

"Yes; she'll be drowned long before they can save her, " I said, Ibelieve aloud, for I seemed to hear the words; and then, withoutcalculating the consequences, I dived from the high side of the greatEast Indiaman, struck the surface, and went on down, down, into theblack muddy water, till I felt as if I should never rise. 

Then there was light once again, and I struck out, dimly conscious ofshouts and cheering, but fully awake to the fact that I was swimmingthere with the ship gliding away, and the steep forbidding wall of thedock about a score or two of yards distant, looking slippery, and as ifit would afford no hold if I swam there, as for the moment I felt urgedto do. 

For I had forgotten the object which made me plunge into the dock, andthe long immersion had confused me for the time being, as I tried vainlyto make out what people were shouting to me from the quay. 

All at once, away to my right, I saw a hand appear above the surface, and like a flash it came back, and, amidst shrieks and cheers, I swam ashard as I could for the spot, to reach it just as the hand disappeared. 

For the moment I thought all was over, but, thrusting my hands down, they touched something, and the snatch I gave made the woman's shoulderroll up above the surface, then her face appeared, and, knowing theimminent danger, I tried to swerve aside to avoid the clutch of the poorcreature's hand. 

I was too late. The fingers seized me with a death-grip, and as I wasthrown off my balance, I struggled to free myself, went under, made adesperate effort which brought me up again, and recovering myself alittle, I tried hard to swim now and keep both afloat. 

It was a time of confused effort and excitement I don't know that I feltmuch fear, only that I was getting weaker and weaker, and in a dull, half-stupefied fashion, I thought that if help did not come soon Ishould not be able to save the poor woman. 

Then all was black again; there was a thundering in my ears, a scaldingsensation in my throat, and my arms seemed to be turning to lead. But Iwas striving hard all the time, and once more in a dim way I saw thelight, and struck out blindly enough, my only aim being to keep afloat. 

I was conscious of shouting. Some one close by cried, "Hold her!" butthe water was rising over my eyes again as I felt a sharp shock; handsclutched me directly after, and I was hauled into a boat, where I laypanting, my heart throbbing, and a sensation at the back of my neck asif I had received a sharp blow. 

"Oh, he's all right, " said a familiar voice. "Give way, my lads, andlet's land her. I dare say they'll bring her to. Better chance than weshall have. "

In a dreamy way I saw the dock wall above me, and people looking down;then we reached some steps, and the dripping figure of the woman waslifted out of the boat, and taken by other hands. 

"Get her into a room, and fetch a doctor directly, " said a voice closeto me, which I now recognised as that of the officer I had run against. "Now, my lads, give way. --I say, how are you?"

I looked up, feeling dull and confused, and saw the officer was bendingdown over me. "That's better, " he said. "We'll soon have you on board, and the surgeon will put you right in no time. "

In a few minutes the great stern of the _Jumna_ was looming over us, anda tremendous burst of cheering rose as we were pulled alongside; but itdid not strike me then what it all meant. I looked up, and could seewhite faces looking down at us, and handkerchiefs were being wavedbecause the woman was saved, I supposed, but I was too weak andexhausted to trouble much. I was conscious of the hooks being madefast, of the creaking of the blocks as the boat was run up to thedavits, and then of being lifted out on to the deck, all wet and cold, with the water streaming from me. There was a crowd of excited peoplearound, but all dimly seen, and a loud humming of voices and an order ortwo, but the faces were swimming round me, and the voices soundeddistant, all but one, which seemed to belong to my cabin, and it said--

"My gallant lad!"

Almost at the same moment, as it appeared to me, a rough hand caughtmine, and gripped it so that it would have been painful if all I waspassing through had not been confused and misty, as if it were part of adream. There was a face, too, looking down in mine with a woollen capand a red tuft, and a suggestion of a white flannel jacket, and a hoarsevoice said--

"Bless you for that, sir. She's my dear lass. "

Then everything was dark again, as if my head had gone under water, andwhen I saw clearly once more I was in the cabin and two gentlemen werestanding by my berth. 

CHAPTER FOUR. 

"Better, my lad?" said one of the gentlemen, smiling; but I was lookingat the other, who was Captain Brace, as I said in a puzzled way--

"Better? What's the matter? Have I been ill?"

"Only nearly drowned. I hope you haven't swallowed much of that filthydock water. "

"Drowned? Dock water?" I said in a puzzled way; and then "Oh!" and Istarted up, but lay down and said "Oh!" again in a different tone ofvoice, for I had given my head a sounding rap against the beam above myberth. 

"Hurt yourself?" said Captain Brace. 

"Not very much, " I cried, "but I recollect now. That woman--was shesaved?"

"Ask yourself, " said the first speaker. "You saved her, and it was aprecious plucky thing to do. Oh yes, they'd soon bring her round. There, you don't want me, " he continued, as he felt my pulse, and thenlaid his hand upon my forehead. "Lie still a bit, and have a nap. "

He nodded in a friendly way, and then went out of the cabin, leaving mewith Captain Brace, whose dark stern face did not look half so repellentnow, for it was lit up by a grave sad smile. 

"Head ache?" he said gently. 

"No--yes--a little. Who was that?"

"The ship's doctor. "

"Oh. Did I go off in a faint?"

"Well, hardly that. You were nearly drowned. "

"I couldn't keep up, " I said excitedly. "She clung to me so. "

"Yes, of course; we could see that. But be calm. Don't get excited. "

"No, " I said. "I'm no worse for it, only I ought to have managedbetter. I should have swum behind her, and held her up by the hair. "

"Yes, " said my companion, smiling, "that is one theory; but it is veryhard to put theory into practice at such a time. "

I lay looking at him searchingly for a few minutes, and thinking Ishould never like him, for he was cold and sad and stern in his manner. He smiled at me when he caught my eye, but the smile kept fading awayagain directly, like wintry sunshine, and I was thinking that I wouldask if I could not have another berth in a cabin to myself, howeversmall, when another thought occurred to me, and I turned to him sharply. 

"I say, that dirty water will spoil all my clothes!"

"Never mind your clothes, my lad, " he said smiling. "A _few_ poundswill put that right. They are as nothing compared to a human life. Besides, it was not the brand-new uniform in that case. "

I felt the blood come into my cheeks, for he was smiling rathercontemptuously. 

"I'm not so proud of my uniform as all that, " I said hurriedly. 

"Don't be a humbug, my dear fellow, " he replied quietly. "You would notbe natural if you were not proud of it. I was very proud of mine, Iknow. Stop; what are you going to do?"

"Get up, " I said quickly. 

"Nonsense; not yet. What about your clothes?"

"My clothes?"

"Yes; you have no other suit unpacked. I gave your wet things to thesteward to get dry. "

"I can soon unpack another suit, " I said, "if--if you will go. "

"Oh, I'll go, if you like, my lad, " he replied with a smile; "but as weare to be chums through this voyage, we cannot afford to be veryparticular, especially as the accommodation is so limited. There, Iwill be your valet now; you shall be mine if I am ill. Here are yourkeys, purse, and pocket-book. I took everything out of your wet things. There, " he continued, "tell me which is the key, and I will get outclean linen and another suit. Then I'll tell my servant to see that abath is prepared; and, by the way, you have no servant yet, I suppose?"

I shook my head, as I lay wondering whether I liked this stern, cold, dark man, or whether I did not. 

"Ah, well, we will soon pick out a man from the draft. This looks likethe key. "

It was the right one, and in a quiet matter-of-fact way, and with verylittle help from me, he selected the necessary articles; and an hourlater I went on deck, saving a slight headache, very little the worse. 

I was eager to see how far we had dropped down the river; but at the endof ten minutes I was back in the cabin, flushed, hot, and excited, tofind the door unfastened this time, and Captain Brace unpacking andarranging such articles as he wanted on the voyage. 

"Hullo!" he cried; "not so well?"

"Oh, it's horrid!" I cried excitedly. "How can people be so stupid!"

"Why, what is the matter?"

"I felt quite ashamed of myself, " I cried. "I had no sooner got on deckthan the men began to cheer. I did not know then that it was meant forme, but directly after the captain came up and shook hands with me. "

"Very civil of him, " said my brother-officer, drily. 

"Oh yes, if he had only meant it civilly; but then the chief officercame up, and a lot of passengers, and they all shook hands, and therewas quite a crowd, and before I knew what was going to happen, I found apack of ladies had come up, and one, a very stout little woman, calledme her dear boy, and kissed me, and two others took out theirhandkerchiefs and began to cry. "

Captain Brace laughed unpleasantly, and I grew hotter. 

"Why, you are quite the hero of the day, Vincent, " he said grimly. 

"It's horrid!" I cried pettishly. "I declare I wouldn't have done itif I had known what they meant to do. Such nonsense!"

"Ah, you are talking nonsense, boy. Bah! take no notice. They'llforget it all in a few hours. People soon get over these hystericaldisplays. "

I sat down sulkily on one of my cases, while he went on coolly arranginghis shaving tackle, night things, and the boots and shoes. 

"I like him less and less, " I said to myself, as I sat and watched him, while, as I fancied, he treated me in the most cavalier of ways, onlyspeaking now and then; but when he did speak it was to ask me somequestion about myself, and each time he made me think how young andinexperienced I was, for he appeared to be getting to know everything, while he was still quite a stranger to me. 

"Yes, " he said at last, "I have heard of Colonel Vincent--abrother-officer of mine once met him at dinner somewhere up the country. I was in quite a different part. "

"Then you have been out in India before?" I cried eagerly. 

"I?" he said, with a faint smile. "Oh yes. I was out there sevenyears--quite an apprenticeship. I was just such a griffin as you when Iwent out first, but a couple of years older. "

"Griffin!" I thought; and I felt I disliked him more and more; just, too, as I was warming up to him a little, and thinking he was improving. 

We were silent for a time, and I waited for him to speak, which he didat last, but in a forced, half-bantering way. 

"You'll find it pretty hot, squire, " he said; "and sometimes you'll wishyour uniform back at the tailor's. It is terribly hot at times. "

"Yes, I've heard so, " I said, with my curiosity getting the better of myannoyance. "Tell me something about the country. "

"Eh? About the country? Ah! Of course you, in your young enthusiasm, are full of romantic fancies. "

"Oh, I don't know, " I replied haughtily. 

"Yes, you are, " he said laughing. "All boys going out are. I was. Butdon't expect too much, my lad, " he continued coldly. "There are grandand lovely bits of scenery, and times when the place looks too beautifulfor earth; but, to balance this, deserts and storms, terrible rains, anddust borne on winds that seem as if they had come from the mouth of afurnace. There are times, too, when the state of the atmosphere affectsyour nerves, and life seems to be unendurable. "

"It doesn't sound very cheerful, " I said bitterly. 

"No; and I am acting like a wet blanket to you, " he said, with a sadsmile. "But you will do your duty, and make friends, and it is not sucha bad life after all. "

There was another silence, and I waited in vain for him to speak. 

"What regiment are you in, sir?" I said at last, as he stood with hisback to me, as if wrapped in thought. 

"I?" he said, starting, and looking round. "Oh, I am in the artillery--the horse artillery. I thought you would know. "

I shook my head. 

"We may run against each other sometimes out yonder; but it is a greatcountry, and you may be stationed hundreds of miles away. "

"I hope so, " I thought. 

"Rather a rough time to come for you, my lad, " he said, with what I tookto be a cynical smile; "but you will soon get used to the noise of theguns. "

"Of course, " I said coldly. "Tell me more about the country. There areplenty of tigers, I suppose?"

"Oh yes, but far more mosquitoes. "

"Well, I know that, " I said. 

"You have never seen one, I suppose?"

"No. "

"Then don't make the same mistake as the Irish private's wife atMadras. "

"What was that?" I said. 

"It is an old story that you may not have heard. She was on shipboard, and eagerly listening to an old sergeant's wife who had been therebefore; and this woman told her that one of the great troubles of thecountry was the mosquito. `An' what's a moskayto?' said the Irishwoman. `Oh, a horrid creature with a long trunk, and it plunges it into you, and sucks your blood. ' At last they reached the coast, and the youngIrishwoman was eagerly watching the shore with its troops of turbanednatives, palanquins, and mounted men, till suddenly a train of elephantscame in sight, steadily nodding their heads and waving their trunks. The young Irishwoman drew a long deep breath, and looked as if she wouldnever see home again, and the old sergeant's wife asked her what was thematter. `Oh, ' she said, in a hoarse whisper, `is thim moskaytoes?'"

Captain Brace appeared so different as he told me this little oldanecdote, that I felt as if I should like him after all; but the lightdied out of his face again, and he looked at me in a troubled way, as ifvexed with himself for having been so frivolous. 

"How long have you been back home?" I said, so as to keep up theconversation, for it was miserable to sit there in the silence. 

"Six months, " he said gravely. 

"That's a good long holiday, " I said merrily. 

"Holiday, boy?" he cried, in so wild and passionate a tone that I wasstartled, and looked at him wonderingly as he turned away. 

"I--I beg your pardon, " I said apologetically. "I'm afraid I haveblurted out something which I ought not to have said. "

"Never mind--never mind, " he said, with his head averted; "of course youcould not know. "

He sank down on the edge of his berth with so sad and dejected a lookthat I rose and went to him. 

"Pray forgive me, " I said. "I did not know. "

He looked up at me with his face drawn and old. 

"Thank you, " he said, taking my hand. "There is nothing to forgive, mylad. You may as well know, though. Brother-officers ought to bebrotherly, even if they are a little strange. It was a case of illness. I took some one home--to save her life, and--"

He was silent for some moments, and I could feel his hand tremble as hepressed mine very hard, and seemed to be making a desperate effort to becalm, and master the emotion which evidently thrilled him. 

"God knows best, " I heard him whisper, hardly above his breath. Andthen aloud, "I am going back to my duties, you see--alone. "

The painful silence which followed was broken by the sound of a bell, and he started up quite a changed man. 

"There!" he said, in a strange tone, "soldiers have no time for sorrow. It is the dead march, Vincent. Then a volley over the grave, and amarch back to quarters to a lively quick-step. Come, brother-officer, we are abreast of Gravesend: as far as we shall go to-night, and there'sthe dinner-bell. Right shoulder forward. March!"

"No, " I said to myself. "I am sorry for him, but he is too strange. Ishall never like Captain Brace. "

CHAPTER FIVE. 

Rough weather as soon as we were out of the mouth of the Thames gave mesomething else to think about, and I did not spend much time incalculating whether I liked Captain Brace or not; but I suppose Ibehaved pretty well, for in two days I went on deck feeling a littlefaint, and as if the great ship was playing at pretending to sinkbeneath my feet. 

"Come, that's good, " said a familiar voice; and I found Captain Bracehad crossed over to where I was holding on by the bulwark, looking atthe distant shore. "Why, Vincent, you are a better sailor than I am. "

I smiled at him in rather a feeble manner. 

"Oh, I mean it, " he said. "It has been very rough for the pastforty-eight hours, and I have been, as you know, pretty queer, but Iforced myself to get up this morning, and it has done me no end of good. I have been down to see the men, thinking I would rouse them up, but, poor fellows, they are all so utterly miserable that I think I'll leavethem alone to-day. "

Human nature is curious; for I was so glad that the men were worse thanthe officers, that I felt quite cheerful, and after breakfast--to whichI went down feeling as if I could not touch a bit, but did touch a goodmany bits and drops--I found myself walking up and down the deck withCaptain Brace, taking an interest in the towering masts with their pressof sail, and the flashing, sparkling water, which came with a bump everynow and then against the side of the great ship, and scattered a fineshower of spray over the bows. 

For the wind was brisk, and the ship heeled over pretty well as she speddown Channel. 

In the course of the day, during which I began to be acquainted with theofficers, a passenger or two slowly made his appearance. I say "his, "because not a lady showed on deck during the week. Then, as the weatherfell calm, they all came up nearly at once; and when I caught sight ofthe stout elderly lady who had been so affectionate to me in the docks, I felt disposed to go down. But there was no occasion. The week'sconfinement below, and their miserable state of illness, had pretty wellswept away the recollection of the drowning scene, and beyond one or twolooks and a whisper passed on from one to the other, which I felt wereabout me, there was nothing to make me feel nervous and red. 

I am not going to give a description of our long voyage round by theCape, for that was our course in those days; let it suffice if I saythat we sailed south into warmer seas, with the torrid sun beating downupon us in a way which Captain Brace said would prepare us for what wasto come. We had storms in rounding the Cape, and then we sailed onagain north and east. 

It was a long, slow, monotonous voyage, during which I went on learninga good deal of my profession, for there was drilling every morning ondeck, and the draft of men were marched and countermarched till therough body of recruits began to fall correctly into the variousmovements, while I supplemented the knowledge I had acquired as a cadet, and more than once obtained a few words of praise from the sergeant withthe draft, and what were to me high eulogies from Captain Brace. 

"Nothing like mastering the infantry drill, Vincent, " he said to me oneday. "Young officers know, as a rule, far too little of foot drill. Itwill save you a good deal of trouble when we get there. "

It was monotonous but not unpleasant, that voyage out. We had thecustomary sports on crossing the line; we fished and caught very little, though the men captured the inevitable shark with the lump of salt pork;and used the grains, as they called the three-pronged fork, to harpoondolphins. I had my first sight of flying fish, and made friends withthe officers. Then there was music and dancing on the hot moonlitnights; deck quoits under the awning by day; a good deal more sleep thanwe took at home; and at last we reached Ceylon and touched at Colombo, where everything struck me as being wonderfully unlike what I hadpictured in my own mind. 

"Well, " said Captain Brace one evening, after we had had a run togetheron the shore, "what do you think of the Cingalese?"

"That they look so effeminate, " I said. 

"Exactly, " he replied, nodding his head as I went on. 

"They are not bad looking; but it looks so absurd to see those elderlymen dressed in muslins, with drawers and clothes that put me in mind oflittle girls about to go to a children's party or a dance. "

He looked amused, and I continued--

"And then the ordinary people, with their oily black hair all done up ina knot behind and held by a comb. It does look so womanish. "

"Yes; to us, " said Captain Brace. "But their clothes are comfortablefor the hot climate, and that is more than you will be able to say ofours when you get out in the plains in full uniform some day. "

"And it will not be long first now, " I thought; and I did not lookforward to my first appearance in full uniform under a hot sun with anydegree of dread. 

Then we were once more at sea, sailing on and on through fine weatherand foul, till I learned that we were sailing up through theSunderbunds, and on up the Hooghly, passing outward-bound vessels withgreat towering East Indiamen among them. Then the shore began to drawin, and I learned from one that there was good tiger-shooting in thatdistrict, beyond where I could see a fringe of palms, and from anotherthat it would not be safe to bathe where we were. 

"On account of sharks, " I said, with an assumption of knowledge. 

"No, sir; muggers. "

And when I stared inquiringly, he added--

"Crocodiles; and higher up the river, sir, great turtles, which willsnap a man, or a horse, or a dood to pieces in no time. "

It was the same evening that I was standing looking at the low, far-offshore, with Captain Brace, and I said quietly--

"I say, that little stout Mr Binns--"

"Mr Commissioner Binns, " said the Captain. "Give him his full title. What about him?"

"Was he telling me travellers' tales about the crocodiles--muggers, ashe called them--and the risk of bathing?"

"Oh no; they swarm in this muddy river. I wonder they have let thatcome down. "

He pointed to something floating at a short distance from the ship, andI looked at it with curiosity. 

"Some dead animal?" I said. 

"A dead man, Vincent. We are going up the estuary of the sacred river, you know, and it is the burial-place of the great cities which are uponits bank. "

I turned away from the floating object with a shudder of horror, and wassilent for some minutes, but broke out with--

"But the great turtles--will they drag a man or a horse under water, andeat him?"

"I have never seen it, " he replied; "but I have seen them attack adood. "

"What is a dood?"

"A camel; one of a troop fording the river. It had plunged into a deephole, and before it could struggle back into the shallow it was pulledunder, and never rose again. "

"Ugh!" I shuddered; "how horrid!"

"Yes. You will know the danger if ever you have to take your men acrossa ford. "

A couple of days later we were anchored in the great stream in front ofthe city of palaces, and I was gazing with eyes full of wonder andeagerness at the noble buildings, the great flights of steps leadingdown to the water, the constant procession of people to and fro, withhuge elephants gaily caparisoned and bearing temple-like howdahs, somefilled with Europeans, more often with turbaned chiefs or people ofimportance. The white garments and turbans of the natives gave a lightand varied look in the bright sunshine, while amongst them were thecarriages of the English residents, the handsome horses of officers, andthe gay uniforms of the English and native troops, from whose weaponsthe dazzling sunshine flashed. 

"Yes; plenty of the military element, " said Captain Brace, pointing outdifferent figures in the busy scene. "Take my glass, " he continued. "That's a sepoy regiment. You can see their dark faces. "

"Yes, I see, " I cried eagerly. 

"Do you see those two mounted men in white, with lances?"

"Yes; who are they?"

"Sowars of the native cavalry; and that little half troop behind--youcan tell what they are?"

"They look like English hussars, " I said. 

"Right. Part of the eighth, I should say. They are stationed here. "

"But they are not the East India Company's men. "

"No. Part of the regular army. Those sowars are some of ours, and--Ah, you are in luck, " he cried, taking back the glass and using it quickly, before lending it again. "Look: there are some of the horse brigade. "

"Artillery?" I cried excitedly. 

"Yes; and in review order. A troop of our horse artillery with theirguns. "

My hands trembled so that I could hardly bring the glass to bear uponthe long line of men, but at last I had it correct, and excitedly sawthem file by at a distance, the sun glancing on their polished brasshelmets with long trailing plumes of red horsehair; their blue heavilybraided jackets looking as if suddenly cut off by the men's whitebreeches, and then again by their heavy black boots. 

It was to me a gallant show, and I drew a long, deep breath as I countedthe guns with the men mounted upon the limbers, and watched attentivelytill they passed out of sight. 

"Well, " said my companion, "what do you think of our brigade?"

"Oh!" I ejaculated, "I wish I belonged. "

A very brief reply, but the tone made my sad-looking companion smilesadly. 

"Ah, Vincent, " he said, "you can only see the parade and show. Yes; itis very bright and fresh to you, but the time will come when all thatpomp will be very irksome to you, and you will wish that the Companywould let you dress simply and sensibly in a uniform suited to thisterrible climate, and in which you could use your limbs freely withoutdistressing yourself and your horse. "

"But they look magnificent, " I said. 

"Yes, brilliant, my lad, brilliant; but there is another side tosoldiering besides the show. There! all this sounds as if I were tryingto damp and discourage you, but I have had seven years' hard work outhere in India, Vincent; perhaps, when you have been here as long, youmay talk as I do. "

"I shall not, " I muttered to myself. "I should be a poor soldier if Idid. What did you say?" I said aloud. 

"I said that to-morrow morning we go ashore, and I can introduce you athead-quarters when I go to report myself. But, Vincent, my lad, whatluck it would be if you had been in the horse brigade, and foundyourself appointed to my troop. "

"Yes, " I said, rather non-enthusiastically, for my hopes went in quite acontrary direction. 

"You would rather not, " he said, gazing at me sadly, and I coloured uplike a girl, for I felt that he had read my thoughts. "I'm afraid youdon't like me, my lad. "

My face burned as I said, "I've tried hard to like you ever since wemet. "

"Tried, " he said, smiling, as he raised his brows. "Ah, well! that isfrankly spoken, after all, " and he walked away, leaving me feeling thatI had hurt his feelings by showing that I did not like him in the least. 

We met next day, and I went with him to report myself, the officers Isaw making more than one jocular allusion to my being so much of a boy, but good-humouredly telling me that I should soon correct that. Thenfollowed my introduction to my company in the artillery, where with myBrandscombe knowledge I was soon able to hold my own, and obtained somelittle notoriety from the interest I took in the horses which drew ourheavy guns. I never let slip a chance either of being present at theparades of the horse artillery, visiting Captain Brace often; and I amafraid very selfishly, for I felt little warmth for him as a man, thougha great deal for him as an officer, as I admired his bearing and the wayin which he handled his men. 

And so a year passed away, and then came a day when I had to appear athead-quarters, where I showed myself, feeling that I was in disgrace forsome reason or another. 

I was kept waiting for some little time before an orderly bade me followhim, and directly after, I found myself in the presence of fourstern-looking officers, who began to question me severely, one beginningas soon as another ceased. 

I suppose my replies were satisfactory, all being on technical mattersconnected with field-gunnery, but what it all meant, unless I was to bepromoted, I could not tell. 

At last the officer who seemed to be the head, turned to me. 

"Look here, Lieutenant Vincent, " he said; "this sharp examination is dueto the fact that some pressure has been brought to bear, to have youtransferred to the horse artillery. "

I turned scarlet with excitement. "Well, sir, we naturally resent this, as we are proud of our horse service, and do not want some lout withinterest to back him, foisted upon us. It would be degrading, but Itell you frankly that we are favourably impressed. "

"Thank you, sir, " I said. 

"We have carefully gone into your antecedents. We find that you are theson of a distinguished officer in the Queen's service; that your careerat Brandscombe was excellent, and we learn nothing but good of you inconnection with your year's work here. "

I bowed. 

"Of course, we push you forward reluctantly, for it is a great honour tosuch a youth as you are. Why, you will be the youngest officer in thehorse artillery. "

"I am young, sir, " I said, humbly, but with my heart beating fast. 

"And there is another thing before this is settled. What about riding?"

"I can ride anything, sir, " I said eagerly. 

"Indeed!"

"I have hunted a great deal at home. "

"Ah, well, I suppose we must give way, and I hope you will prove worthyof your promotion to so gallant a corps. By the way, you know CaptainBrace?"

"Oh yes, sir, " I replied. 

"Yes; he speaks very highly of you. So you shall go on probation withhis troop at Rambagh. "

I tried to speak, but no words came. 

"Which means, Mr Vincent, " said another of the old officers, "that ifyou prove yourself a soldier of spirit you will stay. "

I hardly knew what followed, and soon after I was dismissed, to go andfind Brace, who welcomed me with outstretched hands. 

"I am very glad, Vincent, " he said, "very glad indeed. Come along withme, and I'll introduce you to Major Lacey, and the other officers ofyour new corps. "

CHAPTER SIX. 

"You miserable, ugly, lazy nigger, take that, and that, and that. "

There was the sound of blows at each _that_, and then a volley of abuseas I neared the officers' quarters, and every word and blow came throughthe open windows. 

"Confound you! do you think I keep you to do nothing but sleep? I'llhave my horses look better than any one else's, and they look worse, "came clearly; and there were more blows, while a group of white-clothedsyces, two of whom held horses, looked at one another, and I saw thattheir faces wore a troubled aspect, as they whispered as soon as theEnglish sentry on guard by the gateway turned his back to march steadilyin the shade to the end of his beat, but as soon as he faced round theystood like bronze statues. 

Then came more blows, and it was evident to me that the trouble, orwhatever it might be, was taking place in the quarters to which I hadbeen directed; but I wanted to make sure, and I turned out of my way tomeet the sentry, who halted and saluted as I drew near. 

"Which are Lieutenant Barton's quarters?" I said. 

"Straight in front, sir. Through that door where the horses stand. "

"Is there something the matter?"

The man grinned. "Lieutenant's licking his syce, sir, for being dirty. "

"Oh!" I said; and I was about to turn away, when the man saidrespectfully--

"Beg pardon, sir; you don't know me again. "

"No, " I said, looking at the man in a puzzled way. "Yes, of course; youare Denny. I did not expect to find you here. How are you?"

"Nicely, sir, thank ye. I was picked with two more to enter this troop. Very glad, sir, you are appointed to it. "

"Thank you, Denny, " I said. "It is pleasant to see the same faces. "

"Beg pardon, sir, " continued the man eagerly. "I oughtn't to talk likethis, perhaps, but I got a letter from London yesterday, and she's allright, and ain't no worse for being pretty nigh drowned; and she said ifever I see the young gent as saved her life, as she'd always pray forhim that he might live long and die happy. "

"Oh, don't talk about it, Denny, " I said hastily. "Thank you. Thatdoor where the syces are with the horses?"

"Don't stand sulking there, you black-looking scoundrel. It won't dowith me; I'll cut it out of you. "

There was the sound of more blows, and then, as I nearly reached thedoorway, where the native servants made way respectfully, I heard whatwas evidently the final blow, and the words, "Now get out. "

Directly after, a tall native in white came out, with his face convulsedand the blood streaming down one cheek from a cut on the left temple, and staining his white cotton garment; but as he came upon me, hiscountenance suddenly grew unnaturally calm, and he drew up on one sideand saluted, as if nothing was the matter, though I could see that hewas trembling like a leaf. 

Discipline had already taught me that I had no right to interfere withthe actions of my superior officers, but human nature had made mealready resent the way in which overbearing Englishmen bullied andill-used the patient, long-suffering natives; and as I had heard thesounds of abuse and blows coming across the compound, a curioussensation of shame and annoyance made me feel hot and uncomfortable; andnow as I came suddenly face to face with the good-looking, dark-facedman, with his bleeding temple, I hurriedly drew out a clean whitehandkerchief, doubled it into a bandage, and signing to the man to benddown, tied it tightly, bandage fashion, over what was a very severe cut. 

The man shrank from me for a moment, as if my action repelled him, butthe next he had crossed his hands humbly over his breast, and bentforward. 

The act on my part was very quickly done, and then he raised his head, and his eyes met mine with a look that I could not read, but I could seethat his lips were quivering, and the side of his head left uncoveredwas full of lines. 

The next moment I had remembered that I was an officer, and drew myselfup stiffly. 

"Is Lieutenant Barton in his rooms?" I said, in what I meant to besharp, authoritative tones. 

"Yes; what do you want?" came out through the window; and I steppedforward, catching one peculiar look from the injured man again, andnoticing that the other syces salaamed to me as I passed out of theglare of sunshine, into the comparative darkness of a mat-hung passage, and from thence into a comfortable room well-furnished with cane chairs, gay Indian rugs, and curtains, and with a light table, on which stood acigar-box, a bottle or two, and glasses. Between them lay a stout, silver-topped malacca cane, evidently the instrument with which thenative groom had been chastised. 

But the principal object in the room was a fair-haired, supercilious-looking young man of seven or eight and twenty, in thelightest of pyjamas, and with a scarlet sash about his waist. 

He was lolling back in a reclining-chair as I entered, and he wrinkledhis face, half-closing his eyes, and drawing his heavy moustache closeup under his nose in a very unpleasant way, as he stared at me. 

"Oh, you're our new fire-eater, " he said, in a bantering tone. "I heardyou had come while I was away. How are you? Sit down and have a cigar. Here, hi!"

He clapped his hands, and a grave-looking native in white entered, salaamed, and said softly--

"Sahib?"

"Mix two cool drinks, and put in plenty of ice. Look sharp!"

"Don't order anything for me, " I said, as the man bowed and left theroom. 

"Don't object to my having one, do you?" was said sneeringly, as I satdown; and then the officer laughed. "Take a cigar. "

"Thank you. I don't smoke. "

"Don't drink--don't smoke? Ah, well, I dare say we can teach you beforewe've done. Well, how do you like Rambagh?"

"I haven't been here long enough to tell yet. It is very hot. "

"Pooh! this is nothing. Ninety. Wait a bit, and we'll give it to youup to twenty. "

"No, that's too cold, " I said, laughing. 

"Is it? Wait till you try. "

"Oh, you mean a hundred and twenty. "

"I do. You will not be so ready to use a lot of words when one will do, after you've been here a while. "

"I suppose it does make you languid. "

"Yes, and you can't get a thing done by the lazy hounds you have forservants. The more you keep, the less there is done. I had to thrashmy new syce this morning to bring him to his senses. "

"Yes, I heard you, " I said. "Are you allowed to knock people about likethat?"

He opened his eyes, and then squeezed them up again, as he stared at mewonderingly. 

"Allowed? Who's to prevent it?"

"I don't know, " I said. "I'm new to the place. "

Just then the native servant brought in two glasses of some cool-lookingdrink, and handed them to his master. 

"Now, idiot! how often am I to tell you to go to the visitors first?"

"Ask pardon, master, " said the man; and he brought the brass tray to me, but the lieutenant took his own first. 

"Health, " he said shortly, and half drained his glass. I sipped mine, and set it down as the man left the room. 

"Let's see; you came over with Brace, didn't you?"

"Yes; in the _Jumna_. He advised me to call and see you this morning, as you were out when we came. "

"Much obliged to him. Fond of shooting?"

"I dare say I should be. I have had no opportunity so far. "

"Fishing, then?"

"Oh yes. I have had a little trout and bottom fishing. "

"Ah! we can give you some mahseer fishing here. Trying after big onesthat can pull you in. "

"Thank you. I shall be very glad. "

"But you will not have much time yet. Nice grind you've got before youto master your drill. "

"Yes, I suppose so, " I replied. 

"Don't drink, don't smoke, and I suppose you can't ride?"

"Yes, I can ride, " I said quickly. 

"I suppose so--in a riding-school. Wait till you are going at fullgallop over the plain, with six or eight guns bumping and jumping afteryou; you'll find out then whether you can ride. Well, how do you likeBrace?"

The question startled me. 

"I--I hardly know yet, " I said. 

"With him long enough, anyhow!"

"I thought him very gentlemanly and kind. "

"Bah! You don't want a man to be gentlemanly and kind. You have got tolearn to be a soldier--an artilleryman, not a molly. But, there, don'tyou be uneasy about that. I'll see that you are not spoiled. Got yourservants yet?"

"No; there is nothing settled. I have only just come. "

"No horses, I suppose?"

"No. Captain Brace said he would help me to get a couple. "

"Hum! Deal he knows about horses. Better let me buy them for you. Iknow just the thing for you: plenty of speed, showy, and grand action--sort of a charger that wouldn't do for me. Not up to my weight, but itwould carry you splendidly. Brace always was the worst mounted man inthe brigade. Better try a cigar. "

I declined again, and sat chatting to my brother-officer till I thoughtI had been with him long enough, when I rose to go. 

"What! off already?" he said. "Oh, well, if you can't stay. But youhaven't swallowed your drink. "

I declined that too, feeling that he must be looking down upon me withthe most utter contempt; but he said nothing till I had shaken hands. 

"Then I shall look out for a charger for you?"

"Please no; not till I have spoken to Captain Brace. "

"What for? Oh, he'll be glad to be saved the trouble. That will be allright. You stick to me, and I'll see you through. "

I left my brother-officer's quarters soon afterwards, feeling very gladto get away, and certainly under the impression that he thought me verystupid and boyish. 

"I suppose I've been keeping him in, " I thought, for outside I found thesyces still waiting with the horses I had noticed on entering, andthere, too, was the man who had been punished by the lieutenant; but myhandkerchief was not tied round his head now, his wound having beenbathed and covered with a scrap of plaister. I observed, too, that hemust have changed the slight white garments he wore, for the ugly stainswere gone. 

He salaamed as I passed and went back to my own quarters, thinking thatI should have to alter a good deal if I used the native servants as Ihad seen the man treated that day. 

CHAPTER SEVEN. 

I felt bound to tell Captain Brace of Lieutenant Barton's proposalrespecting my horses, and he looked at me sharply. "Do you wish him tomanage that for you?" he said. 

"Certainly not, " I replied quickly; "he is quite a stranger, and I haveknown you from leaving England. "

"He has not a very high opinion of my knowledge of horses, I know; but Ithink I can save your father some money in the transaction; and Ipromise you that you shall be well-mounted. And, by the way, Vincent, Idon't want to worry you with advice, but I must tell you one thing. Theclimate here is very trying to an English constitution, and if a man--"

I looked up sharply, and I saw a faint smile on his lip as he went on--

"--wishes to keep in health, he must be careful, and very abstemious asto what he drinks. Do you understand?"

I said I did, and thought of the table in Lieutenant Barton's quarters;feeling sure it was meant as a hint to me not to follow mybrother-officer's example. 

I was so busy during those early days drilling, and learning my variousduties, that the time went very fast. I had my servants engaged, andfelt rather ashamed to have so many; but the captain said that they wereabsolutely necessary, and the lieutenant that there were not halfenough. He found terrible fault, too, with my horse the first day I wasmounted, and on parade; and this, too, after I had tried the handsomedark arched-necked creature several times, and found that it carried medelightfully, being one of those elastic short-stepping animals, whosepace suited so well with the military style of riding. 

"Well, " said Barton, sourly, "I gave you my advice, and offered to helpyou. Don't blame me if you get ridden over one of these days. "

I was nervous enough before he spoke that morning, and naturally felt agood deal more so afterwards; and during the evolutions in which I tookpart for the first time, with a stern-looking sergeant close by me tohelp me through, it seemed to me as if my brother-officer's words wereabout to be fulfilled. For in my confusion during a gallop I managed toget where I had no business to be, and turned sharply round to see thatthe men with the gun were pretty close to me before they reined in. Tocomplete my misery, the major in charge of the battery rode up, anddelivered a few pretty sharp adjurations to me and to the sergeant. 

I did not feel very comfortable that morning as I rode up to thequarters, dismounted, covered with perspiration and dust, and saw myhorse led away; neither did I feel much better after my bath and change, as I hesitated whether I should go over to Captain Brace's rooms, hehaving invited me to breakfast. 

"I shall never manage it, " I thought. Every one was laughing at me, andit was dreadful to be rowed like that by the major. 

I threw myself despondently in my chair, and had quite given up going, when Captain Brace's servant came round to say that his master waswaiting breakfast. 

There was nothing else for it but to go, and I followed the man to thebright-looking, cool room where Brace was seated. 

"Come, my lad, " he cried, "I should have thought you would be ravenous. Hallo! What's wrong?"

I looked at him with my face all in wrinkles, and sank down despondentlyin the seat to which he pointed. 

"Tired out?" he said. 

I shook my head. 

"Then, pray, what's the matter?"

"Matter?" I cried bitterly. "You saw what a fool I made of myself thismorning. "

His face wore a peculiar look as he shook his head. 

"No, " he said; "I was not there that time. What did you do?"

"Not there! Why, you saw me get all wrong, and the men nearly ride medown, as Barton said they would, with that horse. "

"I thought so, " said Brace drily. "How curious it is that a prophecy ofevil always makes more impression than one of good. "

"I don't understand you, " I said. 

"My words were simple, my lad. Barton ran that horse down because hedid not buy it for you. Now, naturally enough, I kept my eye upon youall through the drill, so as to see how you would get on. Your horsebehaved admirably; and I should be ready to give you a couple of hundredrupees more for it than it cost; while, for a beginner, I thought youdid remarkably well. Here: have some coffee. "

"Well!" I cried, excitedly, "when I was nearly ridden over!"

"You were not nearly ridden over; nothing of the kind. "

"But you heard what the major said. "

"Yes. He shouts pretty sharply sometimes. You were out of your place, of course. "

"Oh yes; I was out of my place, of course, " I said bitterly. "I feelcompletely disgraced. "

"Go on with your breakfast, boy, " cried Brace, with a good-humouredlaugh. "Disgraced! You, a mere calf in just learning your drill. Ifyou had been in the troop for four or five years, and made such ablunder, why, it would have been rather disgraceful; but for you! Why, we are quite proud of the rapid way you are picking up the evolutions. "

"No: you are saying that to comfort me, " I cried bitterly. 

"I have a good many faults, Vincent, " he said quietly; "but I don'tthink insincerity is one of them. If I say a thing to you, my lad, pleasant or unpleasant, you may take it for granted that I believe it tobe honest and true. "

"But the major? What he said to me before all the men was dreadful. "

"Not at all. He was bound to say it. He might have spoken lessharshly; but--wonderful!--here he is. "

For just then I nearly jumped out of my chair on hearing the major'svoice asking for Captain Brace, and the next moment he had stridden intothe room. 

"How nice and cool you are here, " he said. "Ah, Vincent, my lad, feel abit sore after our gallop?"

"Yes, sir, " I replied, gloomily, as the major seated himself at thetable, helped himself to coffee and curry, and began to eat. 

"You'll soon get over that. It's rough work at first; but use is secondnature. I say, that's a very pretty little nag of yours; rather slight, but quite up to your weight. She gallops splendidly. Here, I'mregularly breakfasting. I wanted to have a few words with you, so Icame over, as my wife was not down. "

"Shall I go, sir?" I said, rising. 

"No, no, my dear boy; sit still. "

I stared. Not an hour before he was bullying me fiercely before thewhole troop. 

Brace saw my face, and laughed. 

"Vincent is in the doldrums, " he said. 

"What about?" grumbled the major, with his mouth full of curry. 

"You asked him if he was sore. He is: about the thrashing you gave himthis morning. "

"Bah! nonsense! Good lesson for you, boy. You won't make that mistakeagain. You are getting on capitally. Wish we had a couple more of yourbreed. "

"There, Vincent, " said Brace; "what do you say now?"

I could not say anything, only feel as if the morning had suddenlybecome bright and joyous; and I began to make a wonderful breakfast;while the major chatted over a few matters connected with the disciplineof the troop and the behaviour of some of the men. 

"Well, " said Brace, as soon as the major had gone; for he jumped upsuddenly on receiving a message from his own quarters, leaving hishalf-eaten curry and a newly filled cup of coffee. 

"The general down, " he cried. "Bring Vincent over this evening for anhour or two. "

"Well, " said Brace, "how are the spirits now?"

"Oh, better, " I said, smiling; "but I do wish I was more clever. "

"Rubbish! Don't be impatient. A soldier can't learn his duties in amonth; and when he has learned them, it requires incessant practice tokeep up to the mark; and will need, " he continued sadly, "to work hard;and, by the way, pay all the attention you can to your sword practiceand fencing. I would not miss any of the pistol practice either. "

I looked at him curiously, for there seemed to be a meaning underlyinghis words. 

"You need not worry about the riding-school; you can't help getting onwell in that. What are you looking at?"

"You don't think there is going to be war, do you?"

"I think a soldier ought always to be ready in case there is, " hereplied evasively. 

"Yes; but not war out here. You don't think Russia means--"

"Hallo! Who has been talking to you about Russia? No, Vincent, my boy, I do not; but I should not be surprised if we have a bit of trouble inone of the provinces before long. I hope not; but we are always havinga little affair with some native prince. However, if we do, it may notaffect us. Our troop may be a thousand miles away. India is a bigplace. "

"Yes, and isn't it wonderful that so few Englishmen should keep so manymillions of the natives in subjection?"

"In some respects, yes, my lad; in others, no. The great power comesfrom the fact that India embraces many nations who do not all thinkalike, neither are they of the same religion; and hence if we hadtrouble with one nation, the possibility is that we could bring some ofthe others to fight upon our side. But matters are not as they shouldbe, Vincent; and I cannot help having forebodings now and then. We donot treat the people as we should. There is a little too much of theiron heel of the despot on their necks. "

I thought of Barton's treatment of the syce, and of many similarincidents wherever I had been since I came out, and then forgot everyone but the fact that the post had come in, and with it a letter from myfather, enclosing two others from my mother and sister. 

"Where are they now?" asked Brace. 

"In the north-west provinces, " I said eagerly, "at Nussoor. "

"Some hundred miles away, Vincent. You are not likely to meet them forsome time to come. You will have to introduce me to your people whenyou do. "

CHAPTER EIGHT. 

My work was hard at Rambagh, for I had no measured hours. I wasambitious too; eager to master my profession, and in constant dread ofexciting derision by making some mistake. 

Perhaps some lads of my age would not have worked so hard, but wouldhave contented themselves by acquiring the necessary knowledge slowly;but that did not accord with my ideas, and I eagerly attended all theearly morning drills, and though the sergeant sourly said that I wanteda deal of setting up, and the riding-master laughingly told me that Ilooked like a tailor on horseback, I suppose I got on pretty well. Atany rate, I was able to keep my place without making many outrageousblunders. 

I suppose it was a good deal due to the petting bestowed upon him, but Ifound my charger--the Sheik--as I called him, at Captain Brace'ssuggestion, grew quite attached to me, and would follow me like a dog. 

And in spite of the intense heat, it was a pleasant life when I grewmore used to my work, and less conscious and afraid of ridicule. I hadmy servants, who were very obedient and servile, but not at allattentive. I was too easy with them, Barton said, and he told me that agood kicking would do them good. Certainly his men flew to obey everyword, and shrank at every look. 

"And hate him like poison, " Captain Brace said bitterly. 

But they did not show their hatred, if Brace was right; and no officerrode out to parade in better trim than Barton. 

One hot day, as I was seated panting at my shuttered window, I saw thatBarton's way of treating the syces was imitated by his subordinates, forone of the Serjeants, for some reason or another, raised his hand tostrike a white-clothed figure across the enclosure, but altered hismind, and kicked him instead, with the result that the man shrank away, but made no sign, and I could not help thinking what a tyrant the whiteman was to the conquered black. 

I don't know how it was, but as I lay back in my chair weary after aheavy morning drill, and drowsy from the effects of a good breakfast, Ikept my eyes on the white-clothed figure whom the serjeant had kicked. He had stood like a statue till the serjeant had gone into the barracks, but as soon as the officer's back was turned, I saw him glance roundsharply, and then he appeared to be speaking to the natives near him ina quick excited way. 

From where I lay back, it was like looking at some photograph, everyfigure stood out so sharply in the bright sunshine, and I was justthinking that I did not feel so indignant at what had taken place as Ihad when I had first witnessed such a thing, when I half sleepilynoticed that the native had left the group of syces by the open doorwaywhich looked black on the white walls. Then he appeared to be crossingthe great barrack square, and passed out of my sight, while my eyesclosed, and I was dropping off to sleep, when I started wide-awake againlistening. 

The sound which had aroused me was repeated close to the open window, and it was a sharp hissing drawing in of the breath, as of one in pain;and directly after the _syce_ who had crossed over to my side of thesquare, passed my window, halting slightly, and with a strangeexpression on his face, which impressed me even then. As I watched himit passed away, and he drew himself up, walking as usual, and salaamingto some one approaching in the opposite direction, and Major Lacey andCaptain Brace sauntered by, while I lay thinking about the syce'sexpression, and the patient way in which he had hidden the pain fromwhich he was suffering. I had recognised him, too, as the tall, handsome native who had been struck by Barton--a man who, ever since, had saluted me with a grave, gentle smile. 

"It's too bad, " I was saying to myself; and then, in my listlessweariness, I was dropping off to sleep again, as I generally did after ahard drill, when my black servant entered silently, and presented mewith a little packet. 

"What is it?" I said lazily. 

"No know, sahib. Ny Deen bring, and say tell master dhoby man keep itand couldn't get back. "

I opened the packet, which smelt most fragrantly, and found first somewhite flowers, and beneath them, very carefully washed, ironed, andscented, a pocket-handkerchief. 

"Mine, " I said half wonderingly, and then I grasped what it meant. "Didthat syce, Lieutenant Barton's man, bring this just now?"

"Yes, sahib. Ny Deen. "

"That will do, " I said; and I lay back thinking of the morning when Isaw the man come out of Barton's quarters bleeding, and bound up thecut. 

"A set of black scoundrels, are they, " I said to myself. "Well, some ofthem have feeling, and a way of showing their gratitude. "

I took up and smelt the fragrant white blossoms thoughtfully; and then Iremember saying to myself, for those events were stamped pretty deeplyin my memory--

"An Englishman would never have dreamed of sending flowers like that. Idare say it means something, if one only knew. "

A few days after, when I had almost forgotten the incident, save that Ialways politely returned Ny Deen's salute when I passed him, I wasreturning to my quarters one evening, when--not at all an uncommonthing--I heard loud voices in front, and saw that three of our men weregoing unsteadily along, evidently after too long a stay at one of thewretched places where they were supplied with the poisonous arrack whichwas answerable for the miserable death of so many British soldiers. Oneof the men in particular was in that noisy, excited state when reasonseems to have run riot, and folly and madness have been taken forcompanions. 

The man's two companions were greatly under the influence of drink, butthey had sense enough left to try and control their drunken friend; andas I kept back unseen in the darkness, I saw them check the fellow whenan insane desire had come upon him to kick and hammer at the officers'quarters; and later on they engaged in a struggle, when he swore that hewould go and let loose every horse in the troop. 

All this made me so indignant with the idiot that I was several times onthe point of interfering, but I thought that nature would punish thefellow enough the next day, and kept back, waiting to see the others gethim to his quarters. 

But, in spite of my determination, I found myself unexpectedly draggedinto the affair; for, just as they were near Lieutenant Barton'squarters, two of the syces' wives came by, and with a shout the manescaped from his comrades' grasp, made a rush at the two frightenedwomen, and caught one of them in his arms. 

She cried aloud for help, and a couple of the native servants rushedout; one of them seizing the drunken gunner, and, in the brief strugglewhich ensued, I saw the two women run away, while their assailant heldon to one of the white-clothed men, and, steadying himself, beganstriking him savagely, while the syce made no resistance, but passivelyreceived the blows. 

"The fool!" I said to myself, as I hurried up, thinking that if it hadbeen an Englishman instead of a native, our drunken gunner would havereceived a severe thrashing. I did not pause to consider anyconsequences, but just watched my opportunity, and as the Englishmanstruck the syce heavily with his right hand, as he held the poor fellowwith his left, I, too, delivered a stinging blow, as I ran in, right inthe gunner's ear, and then stood astonished at what I had done. For thenext moment the fellow had gone down heavily, his head striking againsta stone, and then he rolled over and lay still, with the syce standingclose by looking on. 

"You've killed him, sir, " said one of the man's comrades, as he wentdown on one knee by his side and raised his head. 

"Serve the brute right, " I said passionately. 

"Yes; he's pretty bad, " growled the other, as he, too, bent down overhis comrade, the affair having pretty well sobered them, as it hadsobered me, too; for a chill of horror ran through me at the verythought of the man's words being true. 

"Here, you, " I said roughly; "go and tell the sergeant of the guard. What, you in trouble again, Ny Deen?"

"Yes, sahib, " said the syce softly, for I had recognised Barton's groom. 

He ran off quickly, and the sergeant and a couple of men came up just asBarton was returning to his quarters. 

"Hillo! what's up?" he said; "an accident?"

"No, " I said shortly; "this drunken fellow was insulting our women, andthen ill-using your syce for protecting them, and I knocked him down. "

"And you have done it, sir, " grumbled the sergeant. "I'm afraid heisn't going to come to. "

Barton bent down over the man, who, I now saw, by a stable-lantern, wasbleeding from the head, and the chill of horror increased as thelieutenant rose. 

"Here, " he said; "carry him into hospital. Be smart. You, sergeant, goand rouse up the doctor. "

"Yes, sir;" and the men hurried off. 

"He'll be pleased, " said Barton to me, with a cynical laugh. "He hashad nothing but cholera cases and a broken arm to see to for months. But, I say, Don Quixote, you've put your foot in it this time. "

"Enough to make me. " I cried petulantly. "I can't stand by and see mensuch brutes. "

We stopped and saw the insensible man carried into the building used asan infirmary, and by that time the doctor, who had been dining withMajor Lacey--Brace being of the party--came into the building, and wasfollowed by the above-named officers, who looked on in silence till thesurgeon made his report. 

"Concussion of the brain, I'm afraid, " he said shortly. "Bad for a manin his state. This fellow is always on the drink. He must have fallenvery heavily. Was he fighting?"

"Yes--no, " I said, rather confusedly. 

"Not very clear, Vincent, " said the major. "Which was he doing?"

"The fact is, sir, he was brutally ill-using one of the syces, who didnot dare to defend himself, and I knocked the fellow down. "

"Oh!" said the major, coldly; and he walked away, but turned back. 

"You had better go to your quarters, sir, " he said. "I suppose we cando you no good, Danby?"

"No; thanks. Only let me have the nurse. Place will be cooler withoutcompany. "

I went to my quarters, feeling as if the whole of my military career hadcome to an end through my passionate, quixotic behaviour; and yetsomehow I could not deeply regret my action. 

I was sitting in my dim room, watching the moths and flies circlinground the shaded lamp, when I received a summons to go to the major'squarters, and on going across I found Brace there, and the doctor. 

"This is a serious matter, Vincent, " said the major. "Dr Danby gives avery bad account of this man's state. How did it all happen? Tell meeverything. "

I explained all the circumstances, and then there was a pause. Iglanced at Brace, who sat there in the shade, so that I could not seehis face, and a curious sensation of misery attacked me as I began tothink of court-martials, and dismissal, or resignation, if there were noworse punishment, and my brain had already pictured the man's death, with the following military funeral, and volleys fired over the grave, when the major said--

"We must wait and see how this matter turns out, Vincent. It will be amost painful thing for me to report at head-quarters. But I will say nomore to-night, only to warn you that you are too quixotic. "

That word again! How I did loathe it then. 

"I have a great objection myself to seeing the natives beaten, and Ihave more than once punished men for it; but it will not do for a juniorofficer like you to take upon yourself the defence of every black whomyou consider ill-used. There, sir; you can return to your quarters. No, no, don't say anything to-night. Go back, and think of what I havesaid. Going, Brace?"

"Yes, " said the captain, rising. "I'll walk back with Vincent: youdon't want me any longer. I'll see Danby again to-night, and hear howthe man is going on. "

A minute later I was walking across in the darkness, with Brace, waitingfor him to speak, and listening to the regular tramp of the sentry nearus, and the softer sound of another at a distance, like an echo of theone by the officers' quarters. 

But we had reached my quarters, and still Brace did not speak. 

"Good night, " I said, coldly. 

"I am very sorry, Vincent, " he said, ignoring my extended hand; and Ifelt, more than ever, that we never could be friends. 

"Then you think I have done very wrong?" I said bitterly. 

"Yes, very wrong. As an officer, you had no right to strike one of themen. "

"Then you would have me stand by and see the poor fellows about usstruck, kicked, and insulted, until it is beyond bearing, " I criedpassionately. "I declare I wonder sometimes that they don't rise upagainst us, and put an end to the cruel oppression from which theysuffer. "

"Hush!" he said gravely. "You are letting your tongue get the better ofyour discretion, Vincent. You, a young officer, can only amend theseways by your example. You must see, when you are cooler, that you havebeen guilty of a grave breach of discipline. I am speaking as yourbrother-officer, who sincerely wishes to see you rise in the professionyou have chosen. We have been thrown together, and I hoped, by myexperience, to help you--one so much younger--living, as you are, amongstrangers. It is not a pleasant task, Vincent, for I cannot help seeingthat you resent my interference often, and think me cold, hard, andunsympathetic. There, good night for the present. I will come onlater, and report how the man is. "

He turned on his heel, and I stood listening to the tramp of his feettill he turned in to his own quarters, while I sat down to think, aftertelling the servants to go to bed. 

It was a miserable night for me. The window was open, and the hot windcame in, making me feel so low and depressed, that life was almostunbearable. There was the _ping, ping, ping_, of the mosquitoes, andthe piteous wailing shriek of the jackals as they hunted in a pack, andthere, too, was the monotonous tramp of the sentry, hour after hour. 

"Asleep, Vincent?"

I started from a nap to see the open window a little darker. 

"No. I have been dozing. How is he?"

"I have just come from the hospital. There is no concealing the fact, my lad, that he is very bad; but let us hope it will not come to theworst. Good night. "

"Good night, " I said, as he walked away; "however can it be a good nightfor me again?"

Then, after a weary time, I rose, and began to walk up and down myquarters with the question always before me--

"Suppose that man dies, what will you do?"

Very little sleep came to me that night, and at dawn I sent a man fornews, and my servant came back looking horrified. 

"Oh, mastah!" he whispered, "dey say Private Smith going to die. "

CHAPTER NINE. 

Private Smith did not die, but he had a month in hospital for hispunishment, while mine was confined to a severe reprimand. 

I was not happy at Rambagh, for though the other officers were pleasantenough with me, Barton always seemed to be sneering at my efforts, andwas ready to utter some disparaging remark. There was one consolation, however: the others did not seem to like him, so that it did not look asif it were all my fault. I noticed one thing, though, and it was this:Barton was always ready to say disparaging things about Brace; but thelatter never retaliated, and always refrained from mentioning, save inthe most general way, his brother-officer's name. 

I was getting on fast, I suppose, for I felt less nervous and more athome with the troop. The various words of command had ceased to be apuzzle, and when I had orders to give, I was beginning to be able to usemy voice in a penetrating, decisive way, and did not feel ashamed of itwhen I heard my words ring out clearly, and not as if they were jerkedor bumped out by the motion of my horse. 

Then, too, I had got on so far that I did not mind standing close to thebrass field-pieces when they were fired, and the discharge had ceased tomake my ears ring for hours after, and feel deaf. At the first shots Iheard, I could not help wondering whether the piece I stood by wouldburst, and kill or wound us with a jagged fragment of brass. While nowthe dashing gallop, with the guns leaping and bounding over the plain, and the men on the limbers holding on with both hands to keep from beingjerked off, had grown exhilarating and full of excitement. There wasalways the feeling that one must have a bad fall, and sometimes a horsewould go down, and a man be hurt more or less seriously; but somehow Ialways escaped. And one morning I went back to breakfast after a heavygallop, tired, but prouder than I had ever before felt in my life, for Ihad heard one of the men whisper to another as we drew up into lineafter a fierce gallop--

"How the young beggar can ride!"

And, to make matters better, Brace came alongside of me, and uttered theone word, "Capital, " as he passed. 

I felt the colour come into my cheeks, and a sense of delight such as Ihad not experienced for months; and then I gave my horse's sides a nipwith my knees, which made it start, for I caught sight of Barton smilingsuperciliously, and supplying the drop of bitterness which kept me fromgrowing conceited. 

I must hurry through these early days, a full account of which wouldsound dull and uninteresting, but during which I had grown to be quiteat home on the Sheik, and on another horse which Brace purchased for me, and which, from his speed, I called Hurricane. For though I found thatI belonged to the fastest and best-trained troop of horse artillery inthe service, from being so light a weight, I had to keep a pretty tightrein on my new horse, so as to hold him in his place. 

Barton laughed at it, and called it a wretched screw; but I did notmind, for I found out before I had been attached to the corps long thateverything in which Brace had a hand was wrong, and that he boreanything but a friendly feeling toward me, dubbing me Brace's Jackal, though all the time I felt that I was no nearer being friends than onthe day I joined. 

I had learned from Barton why Brace had been over to England. It was totake his young wife, to whom he had only been married a year, in thehope of saving her life; and if I had felt any repugnance to thelieutenant before, it was redoubled now by the cynically brutal way inwhich he spoke. 

"She died, of course, " he said. "We all knew she would--a poor, feeblekind of creature--and a good job for him. A soldier don't want aninvalid wife. "

These words explained a good deal about Brace that I had not graspedbefore, and as I thought of his quiet, subdued ways, and the seriousaspect of his face, I could not help feeling how fond he must have beenof the companion he had lost, and how it had influenced his life. 

At the end of a year, we received the route, and were off, to march byeasy stages, to Rajgunge, where we were to be stationed, and a gloriouschange it seemed to me, for I was as weary of the ugly town, with itsdirty river and crowded bazaars, as I was of our hot, low barracks andthe dusty plain which formed our training-ground. Rajgunge, Brace toldme, was quite a small place, in a beautifully wooded, mountainouscountry, where there was jungle and cane-brake, with plenty of sport forthose who cared for it, the rajah being ready enough to get upshooting-parties and find elephants and beaters for a grand tiger battuefrom time to time. 

It was quite a new experience to me, all the preparations for theevacuation of the barracks, and I stared with astonishment at the sizeof the baggage-train, with the following of servants, grooms, tentmen, elephants, and camels, deemed necessary to accompany our marches. Itwas like the exodus of some warlike tribe; but, as Brace told me, it wasquite the regular thing. 

"You see, everything is done to spare our men labour. Their professionis to fight, and as long as they do that well, John Company is willingthat they should have plenty of assistance to clean their horses, guns, and accoutrements. "

Our marches were always made in the very early morning, many of ourstarts being soon after midnight, and a curious scene it was in themoonlight, as the long train, with its elephants laden with tents, andcamels moaning and grumbling at the weight of the necessaries they weredoomed to carry, the light flashing from the guns or the accoutrementsof the mounted men, and all on and on, over the sandy dust, till I grewdrowsy, and nodded over my horse's neck, rousing myself from time totime with a start to ask whether it was not all some dream. 

Just as the sun was getting unpleasantly hot, and the horses caked withsweat and dust, a halt would be called in some shady tope, where thetents rose as if by magic, fires were rapidly lighted by the attendants, and, amidst quite a babel of tongues, breakfast was prepared, whileparroquets of a vivid green shrieked at us from the trees, squirrelsleaped and ran, and twice over we arrived at a grove to find it tenantedby a troop of chattering monkeys, which mouthed and scolded at us tillour men drove them far into the depths of the jungle with stones. 

Here, with our tents set up in the shade of the trees, we passed the hotdays, with the sun pouring down with such violence that I have oftenthought it might be possible for a loaded gun to get heated enough toignite the powder. There would be plenty of sleeping, of course, withthe sentries looking longingly on, and wishing it was their turn; andthen, soon after midnight, the column would be _en route_ again, tocontinue its march till seven, eight, or nine o'clock, according to thedistance of the camping-place, the same spots being used by thedifferent regiments year after year. 

There was very little variety, save that we had more or less dust, according to the character of the road material over which we travelled;and I heard the news, after many days, that the next would be the last, as eagerly as I had of the one which had been nominated for our start. 

It was a brilliant morning when we came in sight of a sparkling river, beyond which were the white walls and gilded minarets of Rajgunge, withsquat temples and ghauts down at the riverside, and everywhere dottedabout tall waving palms, groves of trees, and again, beyond these, therich green of cultivated lands, rising up to mountains blue in thedistance, where the wild jungle filled up the valleys and gorges whichseamed their sides. 

"Lovely!" I ejaculated, as I feasted my eyes on the glorious scene. 

"Eh? What?" said Barton, who heard me. "Bah! what a gushing girl youare, Gil Vincent! Does look, though, as if we might get a bit ofshooting. "

He rode on, and I hung back till Brace came abreast of me, and looked atme inquiringly. 

"Well, Vincent, " he said, "you wanted some beautiful country to look at. I have not exaggerated, have I?"

"No; it is glorious!" I cried. 

"Yes; beautiful indeed, and the more lovely to us who have been so longin the plains. "

We rode on in silence for a time till we neared the head of the bridgeof boats we had to cross--a structure which looked too frail to bear ourguns and the ponderous elephants in our baggage-train; but the leadingmen advanced; the first gun was drawn over by its six horses, and therest followed, while, as I passed over with the Sheik snorting andlooking rather wild-eyed at the rushing water, I was only conscious ofan elastic motion of the plank roadway, as a hollow sound came up at thetrampling of the horses' feet, and before long we were winding throughthat densely-populated city, and then right through to our quarters, high up on a slope, where the wind came down fresh and sweet from thehills. 

"How long shall we stay here?" I asked Brace, that evening, after mess, as we stood at the edge of our parade-ground, looking down at the citywith the level rays of the setting sun lighting up the gilded minarets, and glorifying the palm-trees that spread their great feathery leavesagainst the amber sky. 

"How long shall we stay here?" said Brace, sadly, as he repeated myquestion. "Who can tell? Perhaps for a year--perhaps for a month. Till we are wanted to crush out some mad attempt on the part of a chiefto assert his independence, or to put down a quarrel between a couple ofrajahs hungry for each other's lands. "

CHAPTER TEN. 

It was a delightful change, for the country was grand, the Englishsociety pleasant and hospitable, and the chief of the district mosteager to be on friendly terms with the officers of our troop, and of thefoot regiment stationed in the lower part of the town, so that themonths soon glided by, and whenever any of us could be spared from duty, we were off on some expedition. 

Brace cared little for sport, but he used to join the shooting-partiesgot up by the nawab; and gloriously exciting beats we had through thejungle; those when Brace was my companion being far more enjoyable thanwhen Barton had leave. For the latter's sole idea was to slayeverything; while Brace, who was a dead shot, and who laid low severaltigers during our stay, always seemed to be fonder of studying thehabits of the birds and smaller animals that we came across. As formyself, I believe I shared to some extent the tastes of both; but to methe whole expedition, with its elephant-ride and train of picturesqueservants, and the tiffin in the tent set up by the nawab's people, wasthe great attraction. 

It was a merry life we all led, with some festivity always on the way, from hunting-parties down to lunches at the different civilians', andthen up again to dinner-parties and balls, given by the mess of theartillery, or the sepoy regiment, which had an excellent band. 

The officers of this black regiment were as pleasant and sociable a'scould be, and the colonel as fine a specimen of an English countrygentleman as could be found. There was quite an emulation as to whichcorps should be the most soldierly and perfect in their evolutions. 

The colonel took to me, and we were the best of friends. He told mewhy. 

"Because of your seat in the saddle, boy. I used to be passionatelyfond of hunting at home, and my heart warmed to you the first day Iwatched you in a gallop. However did you learn to ride like that?"

"I suppose it came almost naturally to me, " I said, laughing. "Myfather always insisted upon my having a pony, and spending several hoursa day in the saddle. "

"Your father was a wise man, sir; and you ride capitally. "

"Our riding-master said my seat was everything that was bad. "

"Bah! He is a mechanic, and wants every man to ride like a pair ofcompasses slung across a rail. Don't you spoil your seat to please anyof them. I like to see a man sit a horse as if he belonged to it. Thenhe can use his sword. "

How proud he was of his regiment. "Look at them, " he would say; "onlythat they are a little curved in the upper leg, they are as fine a setof men as you will find in any English regiment; and if it was not fortheir black faces, they would pass for Guards. "

He was very kind to them, and set a splendid example to his officers, but, unfortunately, they did not follow his example. In fact, the wholeof the English people at the station treated the black race as if theywere inferior beings; and though every one in Rajgunge was humble andservile to the whites, it always seemed to me as if they were civil onlybecause they were obliged. 

I used to talk to Brace about it sometimes, and he would agree. 

"But what can you expect?" he said. "They are a conquered race, and ofa different religion. I question whether, with the kindest treatment, we should ever make them like us; but we never try. "

I did not say anything, but thought that the black servants were alwaysready and eager to attend to him, and I never had any difficulty ingetting things done; and often after that I used to wonder that a manlike Ny Deen should patiently put up with the brutal insult andill-usage he met with from Barton, who treated him like a dog, whilelike a dog the Indian used to patiently bear all his abuse and blows. 

"Does him good, " Barton said to me one day, with an ugly grin, becauseit annoyed me. "See what a good servant it makes him. You're jealous, Vincent. You want him yourself. "

"Yes, " I said, "I should like to have him, and show him that all Englishofficers are not alike. "

"Do you mean that as an insult, sir?" he cried. 

"I meant it more as a reproach, " I replied coolly. 

"Look here, Vincent, " he said hotly, "I have put up with a good dealfrom you since you have been in the troop, and I don't mean to standmuch more from such a boy. "

"Really, Barton--" I began. 

"Stop, sir, please, and hear me out. Ever since I joined, and as farback as I can hear of, it has been considered a feather in a man's capto belong to the horse artillery. Many a fine fellow has put down hisname and wanted to be transferred from the foot, and want has been hismaster. But nowadays the service is going to the dogs. "

"I don't want to--"

"Stop! you are going to hear me out, " he cried, interposing between meand the door. "I've long wanted to come to an understanding with you, but you have always sneaked behind your nurse. "

"I don't understand you, " I said angrily; but it was not true. 

"Then I'll tell you what I mean. You have always hung on theapron-string of Mr Brace, and a nice pair there are of you. Thetroop's going to ruin, and I shall tell Lacey so. I'm not going tostand it. Here, you came out, a mere schoolboy, and before you've beentwo years in the foot, you are selected to come into what used to be thesmartest troop in the Company's service. I'm not blind. It's allgrossly unfair. You've got relatives on the board, and it's all moneyand interest. It's a disgrace to the service. "

"Do you mean I am a disgrace to the troop?" I said hotly. 

"Yes, I do, " he cried savagely; "and I know well enough one of thesedays how it will be. There will be some excuse made, and you will bepromoted over me; and if you are, I warn you I won't rest until thewhole miserable bit of trickery has been exposed. "

"You would be clever if you did expose anything, for there is nothingfor you to expose. My uncle did write to head-quarters, I know, but Iread his letter first. "

"What did it say?"

"And he only asked for my wishes to be acceded to, if I was foundworthy. "

"Found worthy!" he cried, with a mocking laugh, which made my cheeksburn. "Found worthy! It's a disgrace to the service!"

"Oh, there, I'm not going to quarrel with you, " I said, fighting down myannoyance. 

"No, and I am not going to quarrel with you, but for a couple of annasI'd give you a downright horsewhipping. "

I started up from my seat, but a hand was laid upon my arm, and I waspressed down as I swung my head round and gazed up in Brace's sternface. 

"Be quiet, " he said, grimly; and then--"May I ask, Mr Barton, what thismeans?"

"No, you may not, " cried Barton, offensively. 

"But I do ask, sir. I heard you threaten to horse-whip your juniorofficer as I entered the room. "

"And most creditable for an officer and a gentleman to stand at the doorlistening, " cried Barton, in a mocking tone. "Eavesdropping. "

Brace's pale sallow face changed colour, but he spoke very calmly, forhe realised that Barton had made up his mind to quarrel with him. 

"What has been the matter, Vincent?"

"Mr Barton has thought proper to accuse my friends of grossfavouritism, and he tells me that I have no business in the horsebrigade. "

"Lieutenant Barton is not the judge of what officers are suitable forour troop; and you may take it for granted that if you had not provedyourself worthy of the selection made, you would very soon have beentransferred back. "

"Don't you believe it, Vincent, " cried Barton, whose face was flushed, and whose manner indicated that he had been drinking overnight, with theconsequence that he was irritable and bitter with every one about him. "The whole service is being neglected, or else there would very soon bea weeding out in this troop. "

Brace had been very grave and calm so far. Again and again he hadturned aside the sneers and innuendoes of Barton, who for months hadgrown more and more offensive as he found that he could insult Bracewith impunity; but now he was startled by the change which came over hisbrother-officer, for Brace flushed up, his eyes glittered, and in avoice that I did not recognise as his own, he said--

"Yes, sir, and Lieutenant Barton would be removed, perhaps disgraced, for insolence to his brother-officers, brutality to the people underhim, and conduct generally unworthy of an officer and a gentleman. "

"What?" cried Barton. 

"You understand my words, sir, " said Brace. "You have forced me by yourtreatment to turn at last, and tell you that I will submit to yourinsults no longer, neither will I allow you to annoy Vincent. "

"You will not allow me!"

"I will not. Do you think I am a child because I have been forbearing?Your insolence has been beyond bounds. "

"Then why did you bear it?" cried Barton. 

"For the honour of the service, sir. Because I would not degrade myselfand you in the eyes of our men by descending to a quarrel. "

"How brave!" cried Barton, mockingly; but Brace paid no heed, and wenton. 

"Because, sir, I would not be your boon companion, and drink andgenerally conduct myself in a way unworthy of an English officer in thehigh position I hold in this country, I have been constantly marked outas the butt for your offensive sarcasm, even as far back as the timewhen, if you had possessed a spark of manliness or feeling, you wouldhave respected me and shown consideration for one who was passingthrough such an ordeal as I pray Heaven you may be spared. "

"Bah! A parade of your sufferings, " said Barton, mockingly. 

Brace winced, but he went on calmly. 

"I have seen all and borne all, and even now I should not have spokenbut for your insult to Vincent, whom I heard you threaten tohorse-whip. "

"Which he daren't do, " I cried angrily. 

"Silence!" cried Brace sternly. "You are no longer a boy, and this isnot a school. "

"Indeed!" said Barton, looking me up and down with an offensive laugh. "I thought it was. "

I winced now in my turn, and then looked wonderingly at Brace, whouttered the word--

"Contemptible!"

Barton took a step forward angrily. 

"Keep your bullying looks and words, sir, for the poor Hindoos, whom youhave so disgracefully trampled down. They are wasted upon me, for Iknow your nature now only too well. I am not going to quarrel, though Ihave easy excuse. "

"Then what will you do?" said Barton. "Fight?"

"Yes, when my duty renders it necessary, sir. As matters stand, I feelbound to report what has taken place to Major Lacey, and to leave it inhis hands to reprimand you, and call upon you to apologise. "

Barton sank back into a chair, uttering a forced laugh that made Braceturn pale. 

"`And out crept a mouse!'" cried the lieutenant. "Is that all, mybrave, fire-eating captain? Report all to Major Lacey! By Jingo, sir, I'll spare you the trouble. I'll go and tell him what a miserable, contemptible, beggarly coward he has in his troop, and that he isallowing you to drag down your wretched pupil to your own level. There, stand out of my way. "

He thrust Captain Brace aside, as he strode toward the door--a thrustthat was almost a blow, and then aloud, "Here you: open that door--quickly. Do you hear?"

I looked across sharply, and saw that a couple of the native servantshad entered the room, and felt that they must have heard every word. 

They opened the door, Barton passed out, and the two white-robed menturned to look at us wonderingly before hurrying out, and the door fellto. 

"They must have heard, " I said to myself; "and they'll go and tell theothers. It will be all round the station directly that Captain Brace isa coward. " For a few moments I felt as if I dared not raise my eyes, but it was as if something was dragging me to look up, and as I did, Isaw that Brace was looking at me fixedly, and there was something verysingular in his gaze; but for some time he did not speak, and there wasso strange a tumult in my breast that no words would come. 

"Well, " he said at last. "What are you thinking?"

"Of all this, " I said huskily. 

"And that as an officer and a gentleman I ought to have knocked Bartondown?"

"Something of the kind, " I replied. 

"Of course; and then, according to the code of honour among gentlemen, Iought to fight him at daybreak to-morrow morning. "

I was silent. 

"Yes, " he said passionately; "that is what you are thinking. "

"I can't help it, " I cried angrily. "He almost struck you, and thekhansamah saw it, and that other man too. It will be all over theplace. You must fight him now. "

He looked at me very strangely, and I saw his brows contract as he saidgravely--

"Duelling is a thing of the past, Vincent; a cowardly, savage practicein which the life of a man is at the mercy of his skilful adversary. Life is too valuable to throw away in a quarrel. I do not feel as if Ihad done all my work yet. "

"But what can you do?" I said excitedly, for my brain was in a turmoil. I loved him, but his conduct frightened me; it was so unlike anything Icould have expected from a gallant soldier; and there was a singularlycold sensation of dread creeping over me. I felt afraid that I wasgoing to dislike him as one unworthy to be known, as I cried angrily, "But what can you do?"

He looked at me as if he could read me through and through, and his facegrew very sad as he replied--

"There is the proper course open to me, Vincent, and that I am about todo. "

"Fight him?" I cried eagerly, and the miserable sensation of dreadbegan to pass off. 

"No, boy; I am going to explain everything to Major Lacey, who willreport to head-quarters if he considers it right. "

He passed slowly out of the room, and I heard his step echoing beneaththe broad verandah, as he went in the direction of Major Lacey's, while, unable to restrain myself in my bitterness and contempt, I too got upand hurried out. 

"He is a coward!" I muttered; "a coward!"--for I could not see thebravery of the man's self-control; "and I have been gradually growing tolike him, and think of him always as being patient and manly and noble. Why, I would have tried to knock Barton down, if he had killed me forit. "

"Gone to report, " I thought again, after a pause; "gone to tell, like alittle schoolboy who has been pushed down. Him a soldier; and a cowardlike that!"

CHAPTER ELEVEN. 

Joined to the love of a military life, I had all a boy's ideal notionsof bravery and chivalry. By which I mean the frank, natural, outsideideas, full of the show and glitter, and I could not see beneath thesurface. I did not know then that it might take more courage to refuseto fight and face the looks and scorn of some people than to go and meetan adversary in the field, after the braggart fashion of some of ourFrench neighbours, whose grand idea of honour is to go out early somemorning to meet an enemy about some petty, contemptible quarrel, fencefor a few moments till one or the other is pricked or scratched, andthen cry, "_Ah, mon ami! mon ami_!" embrace, and go home to breakfasttogether. 

Very beautiful, no doubt, to a certain class of Frenchman, but to anineteenth-century Englishman--fluff. 

I'm afraid that I was very Gallic in my ideas in more ways, so that whennext morning I knew that both Brace and Barton had had long interviewsseparately with Major Lacey, and then met him together in the presenceof the doctor, and found that a peace had been patched up, my feelingstoward Brace were very much cooled, and I was ready to become fastfriends with Barton--at least, I could have been if he had been adifferent kind of man. As it was, I was thrown a great deal on thesociety of the doctor and the other officers, while Brace, who rightlyinterpreted my coolness, held himself aloof at mess. 

I found myself near the major that evening, and after a time he beganchatting to me in a low tone. 

"Let's see; you were in the squabble yesterday, " he said. "Great pity. We don't want any references to head-quarters, Vincent, norcourt-martial; and as for their fighting, that sort of thing's as deadas Queen Anne. We've got to keep our fighting for the Queen's enemies, eh?"

"I suppose so, sir. "

"Of course you suppose so, " he said sharply. "Why, you did not wantthem to fight, did you?"

"That, it seems to me, would have been the most honourable course, sir, "I said stiffly. 

He turned his head and stared in my face. 

"You're a young goose--gander, I mean. No: gosling, " he said. "There, I've made them shake hands, after Barton had apologised. I'm not goingto have any of that nonsense. And look here, you've got to be friendswith Barton too. Why, hang it, boy, a handful of Englishmen here, as weare, in the midst of enemies, can't afford to quarrel among ourselves;we must hold together like--like--well, like Britons. Here, I'vesomething else for you to think about. I've had a messenger over fromthe nawab. A couple of man-eaters have been doing a lot of mischief afew miles from his place, and he wants some of us to go over very earlyto-morrow to rid the country of the brutes. Perhaps I shall go too. "

The thoughts of such an exciting expedition soon drove away those of thetrouble, and upon the major making the announcement, it was at oncediscussed, while in imagination I pictured the whole scene, ending withthe slaughter of the monsters, and their being brought home in triumphupon a pad elephant. 

"I thought so, " the major whispered to me with a chuckle; "that has putthem both in a good temper. I did think of going, but I shall sendthem. "

I went across the square to my bed that night, full of thoughts of theexpedition, and not far from my quarters came upon three figures inwhite, talking eagerly together, but ready to start apart when theycaught sight of me, and salaam profoundly. "Ah, Ny Deen, " I said. "Fine night. "

"Yes, sahib, " he said in his soft low voice. "Does the sahib go to thehunt to-morrow?"

"How did you know there was to be a hunt to-morrow?" I said sharply. 

"There are orders to have the buggies ready, sahib, before day. "

"Oh, " I said. "Then your master is going?"

"No, sahib; he stays with the men. "

"I don't think he does, " I said to myself, as I went into my quarters, where I gave orders for all my shooting things to be put out; and then, after making sure that I should be called in time, I dived in behind themosquito curtains, so as to get all the rest I could, and in half aminute was sleeping heavily, but not until I had repented leaving themess-room without saying "good night" to Brace, Barton having gone sometime before, as he was on duty that evening. 

I scarcely seemed to have fallen asleep before a hand was laid upon myshoulder. 

"Master's bath and coffee ready, " said a voice; and I looked up to seeby the light of a lamp that my man Dost was gazing down at me, with thecurtains held aside, and a curiously troubled fixed look in his face. 

"Time to get up already?" I said. 

"Yes, sahib, " he said hurriedly. "All the other gentlemen call and getup. "

"All right, " I said; and springing out, I stepped into my tiledbath-room, and had myself refreshed with some chatties of cold waterpoured over my head, after which, feeling elastic as steel, I towelled, and began to dress. 

"Why, hallo, Dost, " I said, as I saw that the man was trembling, "what'sthe matter? Not ill?"

"No, no, sahib; quite well, quite well!" he cried hastily. 

"But you are not, " I cried. "You are all of a shiver. Let me give yousomething. "

He shook his head violently, and kept on reiterating that he was quitewell. 

"Come, out with it, Dost, " I said. "You are not deceiving me. What isthe matter?"

He looked round quickly, and I could see that the poor fellow evidentlywas in great alarm about something. 

"Master always good to Dost, " he said. 

"Of course I am, when you are good and attentive to me. Is my rifleready?"

"Yes, sahib. Dost afraid for his lord. "

I laughed at him, though I felt touched, as I grasped what he seemed tomean. 

"You coward!" I said. "Do you think the first tiger I see will getinto my howdah and maul me?"

He nodded his head, and looked more nervous than before. 

"And that I shall be a job for Dr Danby, and you will have to nurseme?"

He bowed his head again. 

"Then you would like me to stop, and not go to the tiger-hunt?"

"No, no, sahib, " he cried excitedly, and I smiled again at him, as Ithought that it was very doubtful whether Ny Deen and his other men werein such anxiety about Barton. 

Dost hung about me with the greatest of solicitude as, fully equipped atlast, I made my way to where the buggies and their attendants were inwaiting. It was very dark, and it was only by the light of the lanternsthat I made out who was there, and saw Brace, the doctor, and a quietgentlemanly lieutenant of ours named Haynes. 

Just then the major came bustling up, his genial nature having urged himto leave his comfortable bed, and come to see us off. 

"All here?" he cried. "You'll have a glorious day. Needn't have takenrifles; the rajah would have everything for you, and better pieces thanyour own, I dare say. Wish I was going with you. "

"Why not come?" said Brace. 

"No, no! Don't tempt me; I've quite work enough. Some one ought tostay. "

"I will stop with pleasure, " cried Brace. 

"No, no, my dear boy; we settled that you should go. I'll have my turnanother time. "

"But really--" began Brace. 

"Be quiet, man!" cried the major. "You are going. Keep an eye onVincent here, and don't let a tiger get him. He can't be spared. "

"I dare say we shall be in the same howdah, " replied Brace; and somehowI did not feel pleased any more than I did at the major taking suchpains to have me looked after like a little boy. 

"These young chaps are so thoughtless, " continued the major. "They runinto danger before they know where they are, and then, when they are inthe midst of it, they forget to be cool. "

"Oh, I shall be careful, sir, " I said pettishly. 

"You think so, of course, " said the major. "I suppose you will not beback till quite late. Like an escort to meet you?"

"Oh no, it is not necessary, " said Brace. 

"Hullo! Where's Barton?" cried the doctor. "Any one seen him?"

"Not coming, " said the major quietly. 

"Not coming?"

"No; he sent me a line last thing to say he preferred not to go. "

I heard Brace draw his breath in a hissing way, and then he hesitatedand descended from the buggy to speak to the major, who said aloud--

"No, no! If he likes to turn disagreeable, let him. There, be off, anda good day's sport to you. Here, Vincent, try if you can't manage askin rug for yourself this time, and don't any of you waste your chargeson small game. You are sure to scare the big away. "

We promised, and five minutes after were going at a pretty good pacealong the main road, each vehicle with a native driver, and a manrunning at the horses' heads as well. 

We had about fifteen miles to go along the road to a point whereelephants or horses would be in waiting for us, sent by the rajah fromhis jungle palace. Then we should leave the buggies and the main road, to follow a track leading up to the rajah's place, where he often went, to be out of the heat and dust of the city, in which every pair of feetwas kicking up the dust all day long, till it was as if the lower partof the town was shrouded in a dense stratum of fog twelve or fourteenfeet thick. 

We had been riding for some time at a rapid rate before we began to notea change in the surroundings. First a tree would stand out in a palegrey ghostly way; then a clump of high cane-like grass would loom outlike something solid, and then, on turning round, I could see a palegrey light in the sky, which rapidly turned to pale crimson, and then todeep ruddy gold, as up came the sun almost at once, the change fromnight to day being rapid there. 

For some little time now we had been ascending; and getting into a partclear of trees, we were suddenly aware of a tent pitched in the shade ofa mango tope, and close by, quietly picking up freshly cut green food, and tucking it into their mouths with their trunks, were half a dozenelephants, three of which bore handsome trappings and howdahs, while theothers had only the ordinary pads. 

A couple of handsomely dressed servants came forward to meet us as wedismounted, and we were ushered into the open-sided tent, wherebreakfast was waiting, spread on a soft Indian carpet, while the rajah'smen waited upon us with the greatest of attention. 

But, as the doctor said, we had not come to eat, and very soon expressedour readiness to start, when the elephants were guided to the front ofthe tent, and we mounted, after giving orders to the drivers of thevehicles in which we had come, to be in waiting for us just at dusk. Then the huge animal on which I was mounted with the doctor moved slowlyon apparently, but covering a good deal of ground in his shufflingstride. 

A shout from Brace on the next elephant arrested us, though, and, onturning, we found that he was pointing back. 

The scene was worth stopping to contemplate, for there, miles awaybehind us, lay Rajgunge, with its mosques and temples glittering in themorning sun, and the dust which often shrouded the place now visibleonly as a faint haze, while the sparkling river looked a very band ofsilver curving round it like the fold of some wondrous serpentundulating over the plain. The city lay in a hollow, from which theland sloped away on one side, while, on the other, hill and valleyalternated, with the country rising higher and higher to where we stood, and then rose more and more into a wild of jungle and mountain, whosemore distant eminences died into a soft blue mist. 

"I never saw a more beautiful view, " said the doctor to me. "Grandplace to send patients to. Sight of the country would do them more goodthan my physic. Make much of it, Vincent, " he said; "you may never seethe city look so beautiful again. "

I looked at him so wonderingly that he laughed. 

"Well, next time it may be dark or cloudy, or raining, or at a differenttime of year. "

The elephants were again in motion, and, leaving the well-beaten dakroad behind us, we were now following an elephant's track, going atevery step more and more into scenery such as I had pictured to myselfwhen thinking about India as my future home. 

"Look!" I cried excitedly, as, from the edge of a patch of jungle, acouple of peacocks ran along for a few yards, and then took flight, oneblaze of bright colour for a few moments, as I caught flashes of vividblue and green, and metallic gold. 

My hand went mechanically to the rifle behind me in the howdah, and thedoctor laughed. 

"Well done, Englishman!" he cried. "Something beautiful, and wild. Let's kill it!"

"We've come out shooting, " I said, half sulkily. 

"Yes--tigers!" said the doctor. "What a curious fate mine is--to livealways with you soldiers, who think of nothing but killing, while mytrade is to save life! There goes another peacock, " he cried, as one ofthe lovely birds, with an enormous train, ran out into the open, rose, and went skimming away before us. 

"I wonder such beautiful birds don't attract the common people; they'regrand eating. Why don't they get shot?"

"Sacred to everybody but to us Englishmen, " he replied. "We are theonly savages out here who kill peafowl. "

"Then the Hindoos don't like it?"

"Of course not; but they have to put up with it, all the same. And wedo rid them of the great cats which kill their cows--and themselves, sometimes. Why, they will not even kill their poisonous snakes, andthousands die of the bites every year. "

"How lovely!" I said, as my eyes wandered round. 

"What! To be killed by a snake?"

"No, no; this scenery. "

"Oh yes; and Brace seems to be enjoying it too. I say, you don't seemso thick with him as you were, squire. "

"Oh, I don't know, " I said indifferently. 

"Well, I do, and I think you are foolish. Brace is a thorough goodfellow. Better stick to him, even if he does stir you up. He'll make aman of you, without winning your money at cards. "

_Snork_!

The elephant we were on trumpeted, and those behind threw up theirtrunks, and seemed to echo the huge beast's cry. 

"Look out!" said the doctor. "Rifles!"

For, about a hundred yards in front, there was something moving amongthe trees, and soon after a couple of the huge Indian buffaloes walkedout into the open track in front, threw up their heads, one touching theother with his wide-spreading horns, and stood staring at us, as ifpuzzled at what he saw. 

"Hold fast. Our elephant may spin round, and go off at a gallop, " saidthe doctor. 

But the huge beast stood firm, only lowering its head, and swinging itright and left, as it kept its little sagacious-looking eyes fixed uponthe great bulls in front, while its great tusks were ready to meet thebulls' wide-spreading horns. 

It was my first experience of being face to face with any of the largegame of India; and, as I grasped the idea of what a formidable creaturethe buffalo was--certainly nearly double the size of one of our ordinaryoxen, my heart began to beat rather heavily. 

"Shall I fire?" I whispered to the doctor; for I had my rifle restingon the front of the howdah, ready to take aim. 

"No, " said a familiar voice on my right; and I found that Brace'selephant had been urged forward until it was now close abreast of ours. "If you fired at this distance, you would only be wasting a shot. Youcould not bring either of the brutes down, and it would be only woundingthem for nothing. "

"Going to charge, aren't they?" said the doctor. 

"I hope not. They may think better of it, and go back into the jungle. "

Brace was right, for, after standing staring stupidly at the elephantsfor some moments, the great slaty-black creatures slowly moved off intothe dense growth on our left. 

I suppose that I showed my disappointment, for Brace said quietly--

"It is not considered wise to spend time in firing at everything onemeets, when bound to beat up tiger. "

He addressed a word or two in Hindustanee to the mahouts, and theelephants, freed now from apprehension, shuffled onward till we cameupon an open park-like space, at the end of which, on a slope, was therajah's shooting-box. Here half a dozen more elephants were standing, with a number of well-mounted men armed with spears, shields, andtulwars, and quite a host of lightly clad Hindoos were lying about, waiting to commence their task--that of beating for game, and driving ittoward where the sportsmen were stationed. 

Upon our appearance, the rajah came out of the large verandah in frontof the house, and saluted us cordially. 

He was a young, active-looking man, dressed like an ordinary Englishsportsman bound for a day's shooting on the moors; and, after pressingus to enter the house and partake of refreshment, which we declined, heat once called up a couple of hard, muscular-looking men, gave them anorder or two, and the result was that these two shouldered their long, clumsy-looking old matchlocks. They signed to the crowd of beaters, whohad all sprung to their feet as the rajah came out, and marched them alloff, so that they could make for the head of a valley where a tiger hadhad a kill, and up which valley we were to slowly progress, after takinga circuit, so as to reach its mouth about the same time as the beatersreached the head. 

We had a much greater distance to go than the men on foot, and after afew preliminaries, the rajah mounted to the howdah of one of the waitingelephants, followed by his chief huntsman, well provided with quite abattery of English rifles. Two or three of his officers took theirplaces on other elephants, and the mounted men and a party of footmarched at our side, as the imposing little procession started. 

The rajah spoke very good English, and there were moments when I forgothis smooth oily manner and dark countenance, and could almost feel thathe was some swarthy sportsman who had invited us to his place for aday's shooting. 

He was as eager as any of us, and, as we marched off, he told us thathis shikaree had marked down two tigers of exceptional size--beasts thathad done a great deal of mischief in the district; and he was confidentthat we should have an excellent day's sport. 

The sun was now tremendously powerful, but the motion of the huge beastswe rode produced a certain amount of air, and the excitement made usforget everything but the object of our visit. 

Our course was toward a spur of a range of hills, and on rounding this, we found ourselves at the entrance of a narrow valley, across which wewere formed up, the rajah's huntsman giving us a few words ofinstruction as to keeping as nearly as possible in a line, and warningus to have a watchful eye upon every patch of bushes and tall, sun-driedgrass. 

A move was made as soon as we were in line, and with the valleygradually contracting in width, and the hills over our side growinghigher and more steep, our prospects of seeing game grew brighter eachmoment; in fact, it was almost a certainty, as the head of the valleywas occupied by the beaters, who would soon begin to move down in ourdirection. 

Certain enough, but very tantalising, for every now and then there was asharp rustle or breaking of twigs and something bounded from its lair todash up the valley without giving us a chance of seeing its flank. 

"Never mind, " said the doctor. "Not what we want; and we shall have achance at them, perhaps, by-and-by, when they are turned back. "

As we went on, from my elevated position I began to have better fortune, seeing now a deer dart up the valley, and directly after, from someyellow dried-up grass, there was a loud rush and a scramble. 

"Pig, " said the doctor unconcernedly; and as I watched the grass I couldsee it undulate and wave where the little herd of wild swine was makingits way onward. 

"No sign of a tiger, " I said aloud; and, to my surprise, a reply camefrom Brace, whose elephant was shuffling along not many yards away, andI could, as he spoke, just see his face through the tops of the tallreedy grass. 

"No, " he said; "but very likely one of them is creeping and glidingalong just ahead of us, so keep a sharp look-out. "

Just then I began thinking of Brace instead of the tigers, for it seemedso painful to be at odds with him, and to go on in the distant way wehad kept up lately, because I looked upon him as a coward. I cannotexplain my feelings. All I know is that I felt that I did not like hima bit, and all the time I was drawn towards him and was hurt when Ispoke coldly to him, and more hurt when he gave me one of his half-sad, penetrating looks, and then spoke distantly. 

"I think I could like him, " I said to myself, "if he had not proved sucha coward. " And then I thought that under the circumstances I shouldhave had no hesitation in going out and fighting Barton. As I arrivedat this pitch, I felt uncomfortable, for something within me seemed toask the question--

"Wouldn't you?"

Just then an elephant again uttered his harsh grunting squeal known as"trumpeting, " and an electric thrill ran through me, for I had learnedenough of tiger-shooting to know that the great animal had scented hisenemy, and the strange cry was taken up by another of the elephants. 

Orders were passed along to right and left for us to keep in a steadyline, and the men between the elephants grew every moment more excited. For the action of the animals proved that it was no false alarm, and inthe momentary glances I had from right to left, I saw that the rajah andBrace were waiting, with finger on trigger, for a shot at the stripedmonster creeping on up the valley. 

"Keep cool, " said the doctor to me in a whisper; "and if you get a goodchance at him, fire at the shoulder, but don't throw away a shot. Aslight wound may do more harm than good--make the brute break backthrough the line, perhaps, and we should lose him. "

"I'll be careful, " I said huskily. 

"That's right. I want for us to get one tiger, and not the rajah. Hehas plenty of chances. "

"Keep a sharp look out, doctor, " came from Brace, in a loud voice, whichtold that he was evidently excited. 

In a few minutes we were through the dense thicket of grass, and in arocky bottom, dotted sparely with tufts of bush and loose stones; and, as I ran my eye over this, I turned to the doctor despairingly. 

"There is nothing to hide him here, " I said. "We must have passed himin the thick grass. "

"Nothing to hide him!" cried the doctor; "why, the gorge is full ofhiding-places. I call this good cover. "

"Is that something moving?" I said suddenly; and I pointed to some thinyellowish-brown grass, about fifty yards ahead. 

"Eh, where? By George!"

His rifle was to his shoulder in a moment, there was a flash, a sharpechoing report, and the mahout shouted "_Bagh! Bagh_!" while, as thesmoke rose, I had a faint glimpse of a great striped animal bounding outof sight, a hundred and fifty yards ahead. 

"Clever miss, " said the doctor, reloading, as inquiries came from rightand left. "No doubt about the tigers now, Vincent, " he added to me. 

"I thought I saw something moving, but I could hardly tell it from thestems of the dry grass. "

"I suppose not Nature has been pretty kind to tigers that way. It isalmost impossible to see them amongst grass or reeds, so long as theykeep still. Bah! that was a wretched shot. But it's easier to missthan hit, Vincent. "

"I wish I had seen him, " I said, in a disappointed tone. 

"Why, you did see him, lad, and missed a good chance. Your rifle oughtto have been up to your shoulder the moment he moved. "

"But I thought it was grass, " I said. 

"Ah, you will not think it was grass again. Capital practice this indecision, my lad. You've had a splendid lesson. "

We pressed on as fast as the roughness of the ground would allow, for itwas so open now that, in all probability, the tiger would have gone onsome distance, and with the elephants plainly in view and the mountedand dismounted men between them, we made quite a goodly show. But theheat was terrific. It seemed as if the rocks were glowing andreflecting the sun's rays, so that at any other time we should havedeclared it unbearable, but now excitement kept us going. 

As we passed the spot where we had seen the tiger disappear, our rankswere closed up, and we went on watchfully. In my eagerness now, I wasready to turn tufts of grass and blocks of stone into tigers; and hadtaken aim at one with my ears singing with excitement, when the doctorlaid his hand on mine. 

"What are you doing?" he said. 

I pointed, for I could not speak, and he laughed, and then raised hisown piece to his shoulder, as a shot rang out from Brace's howdah, followed by one from the rajah's. 

"A hit, " cried the doctor. "Did you see him?"

I shook my head. 

"I got one glimpse of him. "

"That shot was home, doctor, I think, " said Brace. 

"Not a doubt about it. Steady; keep on. "

The elephants advanced slowly, with their trunks thrown up in the air, and as, in the midst of intense excitement, we neared the spot where thetiger had been seen slinking from one stone to the other, one of the menuttered an exclamation and pointed down at a spot of blood upon the hotstone at our feet; and then at another and another at intervals, on drygrass and leaf. 

"Take care, " said the rajah; "he will be very savage now. "

The warning was hardly needed, for every one was on the alert, expectingat any moment to find the tiger lying dead, or to see it bound outdefiantly and ready to spring at the nearest elephant. 

"Mind how you shoot, Vincent, " said the doctor, meaningly. "I came outfor a day's sport, and don't want it spoiled by professional pursuits. "

"I don't understand you, " I said. 

"Well, if I must put it plainly, don't shoot a beater instead of atiger. "

"_Bagh! bagh_!" came from one of the men on foot; and this time therajah led off with a shot, but it seemed that he had only obtained aglimpse of the great cat-like beast sneaking round a tuft of bushes, asit made its way onward. 

The brute was evidently severely wounded, for blood-stains were foundagain and again, several together, showing where the tiger had halted towatch or listen for his enemies; but still we could not get close enoughfor a decisive shot, and over and over again the line of elephants washalted in the belief that we must have passed the beast crouching downamong the grass. 

At the last of these halts, when, in spite of careful search, no moretraces of the fierce man-eater could be seen, a council of war was held, and the question was raised whether we should go back, when the distantsound of shouts and the beating of tom-toms came faintly toward us, andthis decided the line of action, for the rajah at once proposed that weshould go and meet the beaters, for there was another tiger in thevalley, and then we could beat out the one wounded on our return. 

This was decided on, and the word was given to advance again; but hardlyhad the elephants moved, when there was a terrific roar, and a monstroustiger bounded out toward us, lashing his tail from side to side, baringhis white teeth, and laying down his ears as his eyes literally blazedat us in the sun. 

Brace's rifle rang out on the instant, and, with a snarling roar, thebeautifully striped beast swung his head round, made a snap at hisshoulder, then turned and charged straight at the rajah's elephant, which uttered a shriek of dread, spun round, and dashed back at a madpace. 

The tiger did not pursue, but, evidently untouched by a couple moreshots fired at it, came bounding toward us. 

The doctor fired, but it did not check the onslaught, and the brutebounded right on to the elephant's shoulder and tried to claw its wayinto our howdah, as the mahout yelled with horror. 

But the savage brute did not get quite up to us, for the doctor snatchedmy rifle from my hand, held it with the barrel resting on the edge ofthe howdah just as one would a pistol, fired, and the tiger droppedquite dead upon the scorched earth. 

An eager shout arose, and there was a round of congratulations as a padelephant was brought up from the rear, and the monster hauled across thecreature's back, and securely fastened with ropes. 

But we did not stop to finish this, for the shouting and tomtoming wasgrowing plainer, and already a deer had trotted out of the tender growtha hundred yards ahead, stood listening to the sounds behind, and then, catching sight of us, darted down the valley at a tremendous pace. 

A minute or two later, as we advanced, another deer appeared, turned, and trotted back; while soon after, a huge boar dashed out, chargedthrough us, and was followed by a mother pig and her progeny, all ofwhich dashed downward for their liberty. 

And as we pushed on, with the valley still narrowing, and the noise madeby the beaters increasing, animal after animal dashed past us, or, seeing the line of elephants, crept back, but only to appear again, andfind that it could escape unmolested. 

"No sign of another tiger, rajah, " I heard Brace say. 

"Yes, yes. There is another, " he cried. "My people have seen himtwice. "

"Perhaps so, " said the doctor to me, in a low voice; "but he would haveshown before now, with all that noise in front. "

He was wrong, though; for five minutes later, and when the beaters couldnot have been above a couple of hundred yards away, another magnificentbeast dashed out of the cover with a roar, and charged down upon us, putting the line of elephants into such confusion that the aims of thosewho had a chance were disarranged. Then there came a wild scream fromsomewhere to our right, and we knew directly after that the tiger hadbroken through the line, striking down one of the rajah's men as hepassed, and the poor fellow had to be bandaged by the doctor before hewas lifted on to one of the elephants, fainting from loss of blood. 

"Will it kill him?" I said huskily, as we returned to our own howdah. 

"Oh no, " replied the doctor. "A nasty clawing; but these men get overfar worse wounds than that. There, keep your eyes open; we must try andtake revenge. I never feel any compunction in shooting a tiger. Thereisn't room for them in a civilised land. "

We were returning over the same ground now, with the beaters far behind, and every bush, and tuft, and patch of dry grass was carefully searchedas hour after hour went by, and there was talk about a halt for lunch;but with such a monster known to be somewhere in the gorge no one feltdisposed for anything but a refreshing cup of water, and downward wewent again. 

The feeling was fast growing upon us that the tiger had gone right onand out of the valley into the open country, when once more an elephanttrumpeted, and told of our being near the object of our search. 

Heat and fatigue were forgotten directly, the elephants were urged on bythe mahouts, and cane-brake and reed-flat were searched, long grass wasridden through, and for a couple of hours more we were on the tiptoe ofexpectation, but found no tiger, till just as we were growing thoroughlydispirited, and felt that we must be driving it lower and lower, andhelping it to escape, the monster bounded out from a cluster of looserocks, faced us, and rolled over at a shot from the doctor's rifle. 

It sprang up again with a tremendous roar, and stood open-jawed, glaringat us as if considering which it should attack, when the rajah and Bracefired at the same time, and the monster rolled over again to strugglefeebly, and then stretched itself out--dead. 

"Never mind, Vincent, " said the doctor, clapping me on the shoulder; andthen addressing the others with us: "Your turn next; and you have beenin at the death. "

"Look! look!" I cried suddenly. 

"What is it?"

"On that little elephant coming up the valley; isn't it one of our men?"

Brace heard me, and took out the little glass slung from his shoulder. 

"Yes, " he said. "It must be a message from the major. Good Heavens! Ihope there is nothing wrong. "

A word or two in Hindustani from the doctor to the mahout, and ourelephant began to shuffle toward the one coming, for Brace had gone onat once. 

Our elephant made a good circuit to avoid the dead tiger, holding histrunk high, and evidently in doubt as to whether the beast was feigningdeath; and directly after we were close up to the messenger, whom I sawto be Denny, the man who had come over in the _Jumna_, and whosesweetheart I had jumped overboard to save. 

"What is it, Denny? Anything wrong?" cried Brace. 

The man gave him a wild look, and nodded his head, as he held on by onehand to the rope which secured the elephant's pad. 

"Well, well!" cried Brace, excitedly; "what is it? Speak. "

The man's lips parted, and one hand went up towards his head, while themahout who had brought him looked back with his face full of horror. Then, as our elephant was urged up on the other side, the doctor reachedover from the howdah, and by a quick movement caught the poor fellow'sarm just as his hold had given way, and he was about to pitch off thepad to the ground. 

"I thought so, " cried the doctor, helping to lower him down. "He wasfainting. The poor fellow has been wounded--badly, too!"

"What is this? How did he get hurt?" cried Brace to the mahout inHindustani. 

"My lord, I don't know. He came on a poor horse, and ordered me to cometo you. My lord, he is very bad. "

Just then the rajah came up, and I fancied there was a peculiar look inhis face. He had changed colour, and seemed wild and strange, and whenBrace fixed his eyes upon him he averted his gaze. 

CHAPTER TWELVE. 

I noticed all this, but our attention was taken up by the wounded man, to whose side we had rapidly descended, all thought of tigers being nowat an end. 

"The poor fellow has been set upon by budmashes as he was on his wayhere with a despatch, " said Brace. "Let me come a minute, doctor, andsearch his pockets. "

"Hang the despatch, man!" said the doctor sternly. "I want to save thelad's life. "

He was down on his knees by Denny's side, and had taken out hispocket-book and thrown it open, displaying surgical instruments, needles, silk, and bandages. 

"Here, Vincent, come and help me, " he said. "Some of you cut a branchor two and shade us from this awful sun. Now, Vincent, slit open thatsleeve; never mind damages. Hah! I thought so. That's one exhauster. "

As the man's arm was bared, the doctor caught my hand, and made me seizeand press upon an artery high up in the limb; for from a terrible gashthe blood was pumping out in regular pulsations, and as this act checkedthe bleeding a little, the doctor rapidly found and tied the dividedartery, and then bandaged the wound. 

"That was the most dangerous, " he said. "Now, then, what next? Cut onshoulder, not serious--ugly gash on head, bad--stab in thigh--must havebeen mounted--bullet in muscles of shoulder, fired evidently as the manwas escaping. Hah! enough for one poor fellow. Now, Vincent, we'llstop the bleeding, and then we must have him carried on a litter undershelter. "

"Couldn't he bear the motion of the elephant?" said Brace. 

"No! Yes, " said the doctor; "perhaps it would be best. While we arewaiting for a litter we could get him to the rajah's. There, I think hewill not hurt. You may try for your despatch now. "

Brace and I tried the man's pockets, and the doctor thrust his hand intothe breast, but the result was _nil_. 

"No despatch, " said Brace, uneasily; and I saw his face wrinkle up, asif he were puzzled and anxious. "Let's get him on the little padelephant; it will be easier. "

"Now, " said the doctor, who had been bathing the poor fellow's foreheadand trickling water between his parched lips, "he's coming to. Don'tquestion him; leave it to me. "

For at that moment the man's face twitched a little, and he began tomutter excitedly; his words being plain enough to those near. 

"Cowards!" he said. "Treachery--you dog--it's murder! Look out, boys!Ah--sentry--the gate!"

He uttered a low groan and was silent. 

"Not attacked on the road, " said Brace, excitedly. 

"No, " said the rajah, hastily; "my people would not attack him. "

"There's something wrong at the barracks, " cried Brace, excitedly. "Hesaid treachery. "

I felt the blood thrill through my veins at these words; and then Istepped closer to Gunner Denny, whose eyes had now opened widely, and hewas staring wildly round, till his gaze rested on me, and he made a signto me to bend down. 

"Look out, sir, " he said, in a faint voice. "Ah! Water!"

His eyes seemed to film over, but as water was trickled between hislips, he swallowed a little with difficulty, and revived, while we leantover him, listening intently for his next words. 

"Mutiny, " he panted; "don't go back. "

"What!" cried Brace; and I saw a movement amongst the rajah's people, and they gathered round him. 

"This morning, " said Denny, faintly. "Quarters seized; Major and MrBarton cut down. "

"Great Heavens!" cried Brace. 

"Masters of the barracks--Sepoy regiment--down town--murdered theirofficers--I--got away--came on, and--"

He uttered a low sigh and fainted. 

"Dr Danby! You hear?"

"Yes, " said the doctor, in a low voice. "What I always feared. They'verisen against us at last. "

"But both regiments? Absurd!"

"No; of course our men wouldn't. And they've seized the barracks, Igather. Brace, old fellow, we're in for it. The storm has broken. "

"I don't understand you. There is trouble with the native infantryregiment, I suppose, and some of the men have gone up and seized ourbarracks. Oh, why was I not there?"

"Because you've other work to do, man, " whispered the doctor. "Look atthe rajah. Brace, old fellow, we shall have to fight for our lives. This is the first flash of the fire; the whole country is rising inrevolt. "

"No, no; impossible!" said Brace. Then, turning to the rajah, he sawthat in his face which made him flash into a tempest of passion, and heseized the double rifle he had thrown on the ground, cocked bothbarrels, and advanced furiously toward the chief, while at his firstmenace the men advanced, drew their tulwars, slung their shields roundfrom where they hung over their shoulders, or presented spears. 

"You dog!" roared Brace, whose manner had completely changed. "You knewof all this!"

The rajah waved one hand to his men, who stopped short, scowlingangrily, and with their dark eyes flashing, as, following my captain'sexample, I cocked my own piece. 

"Captain Brace will not fire on his host, " he said, in very goodEnglish, and I saw his nostrils quivering as he spoke and steppedforward. "We have eaten salt and are brothers. "

Brace lowered his piece and I did the same. 

"Yes, I knew of it, " said the rajah, quietly. 

"That the men of the native regiment meant to mutiny, " cried Brace, "anddid not warn us?"

"I knew and did not warn you, " said the rajah, quietly. 

"What treachery!"

"No, " said the rajah, "not treachery. I have held my hand. I would notjoin, but I could not go against the people. "

"But why--why have the men mutinied?" cried Brace, as the doctor and mycompanions listened excitedly. 

"Because they were told, " replied the rajah. "Can you not see? Thestorm has been gathering for years, and now it is spreading fast. Thegreat Koompanni is no more, and their people are being scattered likethe dust. "

"What I have always feared, " muttered the doctor. 

"And you call yourself my friend--the friend of the officers who havewelcomed you at our mess, whose hands you have pressed a hundred times. "

"Yes, " said the rajah, with a grave, sad smile, "and I have proved thatI am your friend. "

"But you owned that you knew of the mutiny. "

"Yes, and asked you and the other English officers here to-day. "

"To enable the men to seize the barracks. "

"No; to save your lives, " said the rajah. "Those who came lived; thosewho stayed away are dead. "

Brace looked at him coldly, and then turned to us. 

"Quick!" he said, "let's mount and get back. Help the wounded man. Doctor, you will ride with him?"

"Of course. "

"What are you going to do?" said the rajah, quickly. 

"Go back to Rajgunge, " said Brace, sternly. 

"To certain death?"

"To bring these madmen to their senses. Rajah, you will let the hatheesbear us back?"

"To my place? Yes. No further. "

"What?"

"I have saved your lives, and must try and keep you from harm. I cannotlet you have the hathees. I will not fight against the Koompanni. Ithas always been just to me, but I cannot, I dare not, fight against thepeople of my country. "

"Then we shall take them, " said Brace, sternly. "Quick, make ready. Doctor, mount that small beast with the wounded man, and go first. Wewill cover your retreat, if any one dares to stop us. "

The doctor prepared to mount without a word, and we pressed up to thehuge elephant that the doctor and I had ridden; but the rajah passed hisrifle to one of his men and came to us. 

"Don't be so mad, Captain Brace, " he said quietly, "I tell you I am yourfriend. "

"No. You are with the enemy, sir. Stand back. "

"No. I will not see you go straight to your death like that; neitherwill I give my life by supplying you with my hathees. It would be deathto me and mine. "

"Stand back, sir. "

"Speak to him, Vincent, " said the rajah. "Tell him I must order mypeople to stop you. It is madness--death; you against all my people. "

Brace stopped short. 

"You will order your men to fight, " he said; "in other words, you joinin the revolt against your Queen. "

The rajah smiled, and, with true Eastern cunning, paid--

"I shall order my men to protect their chiefs property. Those are myhathees. They shall not go and show the men who have risen that I havehelped you. Come, be wise. Stop here, and I will give you refuge. Where can you flee better?"

"To where men are faithful to their Queen. "

"It is of no use, Brace, " said the doctor. "Make a virtue of necessity, man. " Then, turning to the rajah, "You will give us safe conduct downto your place?"

"Yes, " said the rajah, quickly; "and if there is danger, my people shallhide my old friends. It is war now, not against men we know, butagainst the Koompanni. "

"Let's ride back to the rajah's place, " said the doctor, in a whisper;"we may make some terms with him on the way. "

"Can we trust him?" replied Brace. "There is a look about him I hardlylike. "

"Help the sahibs, " said the rajah; and then he made a sign, with theresult that the mahouts made their elephants kneel down again, and, after a little hesitation, Brace mounted, and I followed him, while, after orders had been given for the second tiger to be placed on the padelephant, we set off down the valley, the rajah riding abreast, whilehis armed men came behind, leading the pad elephant with the shikareeand the beaters. 

The sun shone brightly as ever; the jungle growth away to right and leftwas glorious to behold, and the sky was of as vivid a blue as the edgeof the forest was green; but it was as if a terrible black cloud hadcome down over us, and all were changed. We had ridden up that gorgefull of excitement, and in the eager anticipation of a day's sport; nowwe knew that we were on our way to face death and terrors that I shrankfrom contemplating. 

From time to time Brace gave an order to our mahout, and he went onabreast of the little elephant which bore the doctor and the woundedman, when a short eager conversation took place; Brace being of opinionthat the outbreak was only local, and that our course would be to sendmessengers at once east and west to the nearest stations for help; butthe doctor took a more serious view of the case. 

"Perhaps I'm wrong, " he said, "but I fear we have been growing thistrouble for years past. "

"What do you mean?" cried Brace, impatiently. 

"You ask me that?" said the doctor. "Well, I mean that your Bartons, ofwhom there are thousands through the country--as officers, magistrates, collectors, and the like--have been trampling down and insulting thesepeople, till they have been crushed in the dust, till they could bear nomore, and they have risen. Now do you ask me what I mean?"

Brace glanced at me as I was thinking of the handsome, patient syce atthe barracks, and the treatment I had often seen him meet with; andthen, as if reading my thoughts, he turned away with a look of despair. 

"There is no hiding the fact, Brace, " continued the doctor. "I onlyhope I am exaggerating the troubles. But if I am right, I say, God helpthe wives and daughters of those who have them here, and may He spreadhis hands over the unfortunate children!"

His words seemed to cut through me with an agonising pain, as I mentallyrepeated his words--wives and daughters; and then I felt giddy, and asif I should fall from the howdah. "Wives and daughters!" I said aloud, and then, with a horrible feeling of despair, I pictured trouble atNussoor, where my father's regiment was stationed, and thought of mymother and sister face to face with the horrors of a revolt. 

"Hold up, Vincent, " said Brace, in a sharp whisper. "What's the matter?Feel the sun too much? Take some water, lad. I want your help. Youmust not break down. "

"No, no, " I said quickly; "I'm better now. "

"That's right! We must get back and learn the full extent of themischief. Yon poor fellow was excited, and he may have exaggerated theaffair. He is as bad as can be, and perhaps he imagines that the restwere the same. Cheer up, lad! Lacey is too clever and experienced anofficer to have been cut up like that. I dare say we shall find himlooking out for us anxiously. Perhaps we shall meet an escort sent tomeet us. "

Just then the rajah's elephant came abreast, and its master reached outhis hand with refreshments, which Brace declined, but the next momenttook eagerly. 

"Thank you, " he said quickly. "Eat, drink, Vincent, " he half whispered;"we shall want all our strength. "

"And you?" I said. 

"Oh, I shall do the same, " he said bitterly; and then he held out hishand, and whispered softly, "We have been very poor friends lately, mylad, but shake hands now, for perhaps we are very near the end of life'sjourney. "

"Brace, " I gasped as I snatched at his hand and gripped it hard. 

"I hope not, for your sake, boy, " he said in a low voice; "for you haveyour young life before you. I hope not for my own. I may be veryuseful now. There may be a great deal to do, and if there is, my lad, "he said, smiling, "I am going to try not to be such a coward as toshrink from that duty; though you thought me one, because I would notfight the man who, perhaps, has had much to do with the rising. "

"Oh, Brace, " I faltered, "I don't think I ever thought you a coward. "

"You did, " he said quietly. "Most people in your place, and educated asyou have been, would have judged me in the same hard way. Perhaps I amone, Gil; but I shall not show it, and I shall not shrink from anythingI have to do. "

"You think, then, that there is a wider trouble than that at thestation?"

"I am obliged to think so. The doctor is right. I fought against it, telling myself I was panic-stricken, but I felt the same. You see therajah knew of it, and--I am speaking plainly now--if matters turn outvery bad, and I am not near you, try to get a horse and make forNussoor. It is a very long journey, but the way may be open, and thetrouble not spreading in that direction. At present your white face maycommand help and shelter, but don't tarry on the way--the greatnorth-west road, mind, and--"

"I shall keep with you, " I said quietly. "Let's wait and know theworst. "

In another couple of hours we were at the rajah's, and as the elephantshalted and knelt down, Brace turned to their owner, who was conversingwith a couple of horsemen. 

"Now, sir, " he said, "I am not addressing the enemy, but the old friendand companion. You will let us have these two elephants as far asRajgunge?"

"It is impossible, Captain Brace. I would help you, but I should bringdown destruction on myself and people. "

"Then you will lend us a dhooly for this man, and people to carry him?"

"No. They would not carry him, or, if they did, they would halt on theroad and attack you when you were not prepared. An evil spirit for youand yours has been going through the land for months, and now the firehas sprung up all round. "

Brace turned from him, and his face looked fixed and stern. 

"Listen, " said the rajah, laying a hand upon his arm; "it would bemadness to move that man. Ask the doctor. The man would be dead beforeyou were half-way there. "

"I'm afraid so, " said the doctor, sadly. 

"Leave him, then, with me. I give you my word that I will protect him. I sent for you all to come here, so that you might be safe. Stay. "

Brace was silent for a few moments, and then he held out his hand to therajah. 

"Thank you, " he said. "Forgive me for doubting you, but I cannot stay. "

"I tell you that you are going to your death, " whispered the rajah, earnestly. "The whole city is in revolt against your people; the sepoyregiment has slain all its officers, and your own men are scatteredHeaven knows where. "

"How do you know?" said Brace, fiercely. 

"Those men I was speaking with have ridden over from the town. Theyjust gave me the news. "

Brace looked at the fierce-looking fellows, and knew that they werewatching us intently. 

"I will gladly take your offer for my man, " said Brace at last. 

"And you yourselves?" said the rajah, eagerly. 

Brace turned to us. 

"What do you say?" he said. 

"I shall follow my captain, " replied Haynes. 

"Doctor?"

"I am an Englishman, " he said quietly. 

Brace looked at me. 

"Vincent!" he said, in a low hurried voice. "We have a painful trampbefore us, and in all probability the buggies will not come to meet us. You are young and not used to such work as we have before us. Thedoctor will give you a few instructions, so you shall stop and lookafter Denny. "

I don't know how it was--I make no professions of being brave, but astrange feeling of exaltation came over me then, and I said quickly--

"Don't make me feel like a coward. I cannot stay; I must go with you. "

He looked at me fixedly for a few moments, and then turned to the rajah. 

"Give us bread and wine, " he said. 

The rajah pointed toward his house, but Brace refused to turn, and, inobedience to a command, a couple of men were sent in, and directly afterthree of the chiefs servants hurried out with refreshments and handedthem to us. 

We partook sparingly, and as we ate and drank Brace whispered--

"See, all of you, that you have plenty of ball cartridges. "

The order was needless, for we were all well supplied; and, five minuteslater, a brief and distant leave-taking followed, and, shouldering ourpieces, we set off, through the hot afternoon sunshine, to try andfollow the track to the road. This reached, it would be one steadydescent to Rajgunge, but, as we afterwards owned, not one of us believedthat we should reach it alive. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note 1. Budmashes are outlaws, footpads. 

Note 2. Hathees are elephants. 

CHAPTER THIRTEEN. 

"Seems too bad to leave my patient, " said the doctor. "Am I doingright?"

"You have dressed his wounds, and we are going to get help for him, "replied Brace. 

"I hope so, " muttered the doctor. And then we toiled on and on, underthe blazing sun, with our pieces growing so hot that they scorched ourshoulders, but he man made a complaint, and two and two we tramped on, keeping a sharp look-out for the danger that might spring up at anymoment. 

"We must chance an ambuscade, " said Brace, quietly. "If we areattacked, and there is cover to be had, follow me to it at once. Wefour, with these rifles, ought to keep a pretty good party at bay. Bythe way, always hold your left hand barrels in reserve. We may wantthem to stop a rush. "

My recollection of that march is as that of some feverish dream; the suncame down with terrible power, and that which had been beautiful in themorning, from the howdah of an elephant, was now gloomy, painful, andapparently endless. Twice over we found that we had strayed from thetrack, and I had to turn and go watchfully back till we could see thegreat circular impressions of the elephants' feet, and at last wereached the spot from whence we had started in the morning. There wasthe litter left by the rajah's men when they had struck theshelter-tent, and followed us; there were the elephants' footprints, andthe marks of the stakes. But there was no sign of that which I hadfondly hoped, in my parched and footsore state, might be in waiting--acouple of vehicles, ready to take us back. All was silent save the cryof a hawk soaring round and round in the blue sky, and once there camethe sharp shriek of a jay. 

We had now reached the road along whose dusty side we steadily trudgedon, till we came in sight of Rajgunge, far away below us, and now bathedin the warm, ruddy glow of the setting sun. 

We involuntarily halted, and, after a sharp look round for danger, stoodgazing at the beautiful city, so calm and peaceful, with the goldenriband-like river curving round in the evening glow, that it wasimpossible to think that anything could be wrong. 

In fear of such a catastrophe, we looked forward to seeing the smokerising from a conflagration. But no; there was the faint haze caused bythe dust trampled up by many thousand feet, and softening the outline ofsome of the dazzling white buildings. That was all. 

"Can it be possible?" said the doctor at last, after he had gazedthrough the little field-glass handed to him by Brace. "One could fancyit was all a false alarm, and that poor Denny's injuries were the resultof some troubles in the bazaar. "

"Hist! quick!" I said sharply; and I pointed to a cloud of dust faraway before us. 

"Our men!"

But as the words were spoken, we caught sight of the glint of steel justabove the dust cloud; and knowing, as we did, that they werelance-points, we obeyed a sign from Brace, and took refuge among thetrees by the roadside. 

We were none too soon, for the cloud swept nearer, and, headed by asplendidly mounted man in a yellow caftan, belted with a rich cashmereshawl, about a couple of dozen white-clothed troopers swept by, anddisappeared as they had come, in a cloud of dust. 

"What are they?" said the doctor, inquiringly. 

"Soldiers of some irregular regiment, " replied Brace, looking after thehorsemen thoughtfully. 

"Then there is no reason why they may not be friends, " I said. 

"Where is their regular officer, then?" said Brace, drily. "They wouldnot be led by a man like the one we saw. "

The opinion was unanswerable, and we tramped on along the dusty road, wearied out, but kept going by the excitement; till, coming upon a groupof people, whose appearance suggested that they had journeyed from thecity, Brace stopped them to question them about the state of the place. 

For answer they rushed by us, and pursued their way, an action tellingpretty plainly that some great change must have taken place, or thesepeople would have been obsequious to a degree. 

The sun went down, but the heat was as great as ever; and feeling attimes as if I must drop, I kept on that weary tramp. Then darknessfell, the great stars came out, and feeling that our prospects would bebetter of getting unnoticed into the city, now not very distant, we tookheart, and tramped forward in regular military time, the swing of themarch seeming to help us forward. 

Group after group of people were passed, but none heeded us, and nofurther efforts were made to stay and question them. 

"No, " said Brace; "we will get our answer at head-quarters. "

Then, calling a halt for ten minutes, we sank down by the roadside torest before starting for the finishing stage of our painful journey. 

But we had no sooner thrown ourselves down, than from the darkness aheadcame the murmur of voices and the tramp of feet, very low and distant, but peculiar enough to make Brace spring up, while my heart began tobeat heavily. 

"Draw farther back, " he whispered; "they are not country people. "

Just then there was a click familiar enough to us all, and then another. 

"It must be some of our lads, " whispered Brace; and the next minute, asa little body of men came by, in regular military step, I heard himmutter, "Must be;" and he cried, "Halt!"

"Draw--swords!" rang out in answer, and there was the peculiar gratingrattle of sabres being drawn from steel scabbards. 

"Who is that? Sergeant Craig?" cried Brace. 

"Captain!" shouted a familiar voice. "Thank God, we've found you atlast!" and a faint cheer rose up. 

"Quick! tell me, " cried Brace, as we pressed up to the men--"is it alltrue?"

"You've heard, then, sir?" said the sergeant, with a groan. 

"Yes; Denny escaped and reached us. "

"Poor lad! I thought he was one of the goners. "

"How was it?" said Brace, sternly. 

"I hardly know, sir. A surprise. Everything was as usual, just at thehottest time, when they were down upon us like a thunder clap. Oneparty made for the officers' quarters, another for the guard, and shotdown the sentries; another made the men fast in their quarters, andbefore we could grasp it, they had seized the whole place, and we werehelpless. "

"But the major--Lieutenant Barton?"

"Don't ask me, sir, " said the man, hoarsely. 

"Speak, man. "

"I saw the major run out, sword in hand, followed by a dozen of thescoundrels, and he was shouting for the trumpeter; but before Dick Dobbscould get out, the poor major was cut down, and we were locked in, couldhear the lieutenant crying for help, and there was firing going on inhis quarters, and then the scoundrels came out, shouting wildly. "

"Killed?"

The sergeant uttered a low groan. 

"The wretches! the cowardly, traitorous wretches!" cried Brace. "Theyhad murdered their own officers, and then came up to the barracks. "

"Beg pardon, sir. "

Brace repeated his words. 

"What! were the niggers mutinied too?"

"Yes; did you not know?"

"Not a word, sir. We were like being in prison till we managed to creepout; and then after a bit of a talk among us non-coms, as were left, wedetermined, as our officers were gone, to come and try and find you, sir. "

"Then you were kept locked in the barracks?"

"Yes, sir; and if any of us showed a head, it was made a mark for abullet. But we could hear all that was going on. One of them soundedboot and saddle as well 'most as little Dick. "

"Nay!" cried a boyish voice from the darkness. 

"Well, tidy enough; and then we could hear them bringing out the horses, and limbering up and forming up in the barrack yard, sir, till I couldbear it no longer, and I risked the bullets so as to get a peep now andthen; and I did till, with everything in order, and the ammunitionchests and waggons crammed, they rode out of the yard, with the peopleyelling and tom-tomming like mad. "

"But who--who did all this? The sepoys of the native regiment?"

"No, sir, " cried the sergeant. 

"Then who did?"

"The syces, sir. "

"What?"

"The whole gang of them, sir; led by Ny Deen. "

"What?" said Brace again. 

"It has been a plot, sir, all slowly worked out. That Ny Deen is somebig chief, from his ways to-day; and others with him are somebodies. They've been watching our drill, and quietly learning everything, tillthe time came, and then, at some word of command, they rushed in, carried all before them; and, after a way, they've gone off with guns, ammunition, and every horse except the officers', which somehow theyoverlooked. "

"Is this some horrible dream?" panted Brace. 

"No, sir; but horrid wide-awake truth, " said the sergeant, sadly. "Twenty-two of our men cut up, and as fine a troop of horses and batteryof guns gone as there is in the army; and as for me, sir, I feel as if Iwas that disgraced, that if I'd had a carbine, I believe I should havegone up in some corner, said a bit of a prayer, and then--good-bye to itall, and shot myself dead. "

"But the sentries?" said Brace, after an interval, during which we hadstood as if utterly crushed by the news. "They could not have beendoing their duty. "

"Nay, sir, but they were, " said the sergeant, speaking with energy now, the last words he had uttered having been in a hoarse, broken voice, which told of his sorrow and despair. "Poor chaps! they saw a party ofsyces coming toward them in white--men they knew well enough. Was itlikely, sir, that they'd think them enemies?"

"No, " said Brace, sadly. "Poor lads! poor lads!"

"God save the Queen, sir!" cried the sergeant, hysterically, for thepoor fellow was utterly broken down, "and long life to one's officers, whom I for one would follow anywhere, even to certain death. Yes; I'dhave followed him, poor chap. But it was his doing, sir, and the likesof him; and I'll say it now, even if I'm court-martialled for it. Lieutenant Barton brought it on us. The niggers 'll bear a deal, butit's only natural that they'd turn some time; and quiet as Ny Deen was, I've seen his eyes flash sometimes when Mr Barton was rating him, andnot because he deserved it, for a better groom and a man more proud ofturning out a horse well, never came into cantonments. "

"Silence in the ranks, " said Brace, shortly. "Lie down all of you andrest. Gentlemen, " he continued, turning to us, "this way, please. Wemust consider what is to be done. "

We followed him a few yards into the darkness, and Brace whispered to usto sit down, setting the example himself; but though we waited he didnot speak, and at last the doctor whispered to me to say something tothe captain. 

He heard the whispering and spoke at once, hurriedly. 

"I beg your pardon, " he said; "I was thinking hard about our position. "

"Yes? Well?" said the lieutenant with us. 

"What have you decided?" whispered the doctor. 

"To act, " said Brace, with decision. "This mutinous rising may be onethat is extending, or merely a local trouble here, at Rajgunge; but thatis no affair of ours, gentlemen. We were away from our duties, on ourown pleasure. We allowed ourselves to be inveigled--"

"No, no, " said the doctor. "Poor Lacey gave us leave after acceptingthe invitation. "

"The major kept to his post, and died defending it, sir, " said Brace, sternly. "We were away, and the position in which we find ourselves isa disgrace which we must wipe off. "

"How?" cried my brother-officers. 

"As men should, " replied Brace, sternly. "As I have said, the rising isnothing to us, whether great or small. We have only one thing tostudy. "

"To get back the guns!" I cried excitedly. 

Brace's hand gripped my arm with all his force. 

"Yes, " he cried. "Right. To get back those guns and horses at anycost. "

"Impossible!" muttered the doctor. 

"Tell me that, doctor, " cried Brace, "when I am wounded to the death, and you press my hand, tell me you can do no more, and say `Good-bye. 'There is no such word as impossible in a British soldier's thoughts whenhe has to charge. Duty says forward! and he advances with a cheer. Now, gentlemen, are you with me? I am going to get back those guns. Doctor, you are a non-combatant; I am not speaking to you. Haynes, willyou follow me?"

"As long as I can lift an arm. "

"I don't ask you, Vincent. You are a soldier's son, and I know that Ican depend on you. There, I see my way now. Let us go back to themen. "

We rose and followed him, the doctor whispering sharply, "Am I anon-combatant, Brace? This is a case of emergency, and perhaps I canuse a sword as well as I can use a rifle. At any rate, I am going totry. "

"'Tention!" said Brace, in a low quick voice, and the men sprang totheir feet and formed in line, their figures looking weird and strangein the darkness. "Can you all hear me?"

The silence which followed his question was proof that his words wereheard, and he stepped back a few yards and stood listening intentlybefore returning to face the men. 

"Now, my lads, " he said, "we are a mere handful in the midst, perhaps, of thousands of enemies; but we are Englishmen. "

There was a loud murmur like the precursor of a shout. 

"Silence! Not a sound, my lads. Listen. We have been taken bysurprise, and our comrades have many of them met their death throughtreachery, while the officers and men are disgraced by our position. "

There was another murmur, but it was in protest. 

"Yes; I say disgraced. Ours, the smartest troop in the Company's army, has been disarmed, and there are two courses open to us--to fly for ourlives and try to make our way to the nearest station, tramping, andwithout our guns; or to make a bold dash, like the men you are, to getour guns and horses back. Those are the two courses open, and I am notgoing to insult my brave lads by asking them which course we shall take. Sergeant--men, I'm going to have those guns back. If I go down, hereis Lieutenant Haynes to carry on the work. After him Mr Vincent, andafter him the doctor. If we all break down, there's Sergeant Craig. Plenty to lead you, and there isn't a man among you who will not follow, I know. "

"Not a man, sir, " said Sergeant Craig. "I'll answer for them all. "

"Please, sir, mayn't we cheer?" said a voice in the ranks. 

"No, my lads, " said Brace. "I can feel your hearts are throbbing beatfor beat with mine. When we get back our guns and horses you shallcheer; till then, you must work with me in silence, and with the cunningof the natives, for it is only by scheming that we can win. I know howyou feel. That is all. "

There was a low murmur like a thrill, and a sound as of men tighteningtheir belts and loosening their swords. The next minute, as if it werea parade, Brace was walking along the front of the rank, and returningby the rear, followed by the sergeant and me. 

"A short muster, but enough, " said Brace. "Now, my lads, I propose torest here for a couple of hours, then to march back to Rajgunge andreconnoitre the barracks when all is quiet. We may pick up one or twoof our men, and, if fortunate, get the officers' horses. Break off. Weare out of sight here. Mr Haynes, post sentries. The others will tryto get a couple of hours' sleep. Silence!"

In five minutes the sentries were posted and the officers lay down nearthe men, while we three talked in whispers about our chances of success, Brace having left us to begin steadily pacing up and down as if workingout his plans. 

CHAPTER FOURTEEN. 

At the appointed time the men fell in, rested a little, no doubt, butnot one had slept, and after a few words respecting the importance ofsilence, Brace placed himself at their head, whispered to me to come tohis side, and the word was given--_March_!

It was a strange, weird tramp along the deserted road, for not a soulwas encountered; but as we drew nearer, the lights in the city weremany, and from the noise and drumming it was evident that there werefestivities in progress, possibly rejoicings among the natives at thefall of the British rule. 

But as we got on to lower ground the illuminations disappeared, andBrace pointed out that the part in the direction of our barracks seemedto be all dark. 

But we could, of course, make out little at that distance, and as weneared the river, Brace struck off to the right, so as to avoid thehouses as much as possible, his intention being, he said, to get roundtill we were about opposite to our quarters, and then march boldly andsilently on. 

"The probabilities are, " he said, "that at this hour of the night weshall not meet a soul. "

About this time he called up the sergeant and questioned him, but therewas little more to be communicated. Apparently there had been verylittle plundering; the party led by Ny Deen having its one importantobject in view--the capture of the horses, guns, and ammunition; andafter cutting down those who resisted, and securing the rest in theirquarters, they had busied themselves over their task, and marched out intriumph. 

"But I'm expecting, sir, that when we get back we shall find that themob from the bazaar has been busy, and plundered and burned the wholeplace; and if so--"

He stopped short. 

"Well, speak up, man. What do you mean--the wounded?"

"No, sir, " replied the sergeant, as I shuddered at the horrors thesewords suggested; "I don't think there were any wounded left; they didtheir work too well. I was thinking of the poor chargers. "

"Oh!" I ejaculated, as I thought of my noble-looking Arab and itscompanion, and I involuntarily quickened my pace. 

"Steady, Vincent, " whispered the captain; and I checked myself. "Let'shope it is not so. " Then, turning to the sergeant--"You feel sure thatthe officers' horses are not gone?"

"I can't say that, sir. Only that the mutineers did not take them. They wanted to get the gun-horses and the others; that was all theyseemed to be thinking about. "

"Yes, that would be all, " assented Brace. 

"The mob may have carried off the poor creatures since, sir; I don'tknow. "

As we approached the outskirts, all was as anticipated, quite still, andafter another whisper to the men to keep as silent as possible, wemarched boldly in through the narrow lanes, threading our way for sometime without hardly seeing a soul, and those whom we encountered onlylooked at us with curiosity or else fled at once. 

Twice over we became confused, losing our way, but our good luck aidedus, for we recognised places which we had passed through before, andresumed our march, getting nearer and nearer to our barracks, and nowhearing shouting, drumming, with the clash of music, but right away fromus; and at last it was left well behind to our right. 

From time to time the captain halted and let the men pass by him, so asto keep a sharp look-out, and see whether we were followed. 

But that did not seem to enter into the thoughts of any of the nativeswe had passed. They were apparently thinking solely of their ownsafety, and at last, trembling with eagerness, we approached the gatewaythat we had left so short a time before; and a painful sensation ofsorrow smote me as I recalled the genial face of the major and his wordswishing us success as he saw us off on our pleasant expedition. 

"And now dead!--cruelly murdered by treachery, " I said to myself; whilethe painful feeling was succeeded by one of rage, accompanied by adesire to take vengeance on the men who had cut him down. 

But I had something else to think of now, for Brace halted the men andtook me to examine the gateway, where all was silent and black. Therewas no armed sentry on duty, no lights in the guard-room, and a chillstruck through me, and I searched the ground with my eyes in dread lestI should trip over the remains of some man by whose side I had riddenduring many a parade or drill. 

Brace stepped forward boldly, and we passed through the gateway into theyard when, suddenly, and as silently as if barefooted, a white figurestarted up near us, and would have fled had not Brace caught it by thearm. 

"Silence!" he said in Hindustani. 

"Don't kill me, master, " came in a low supplicating whisper. 

"Dost!" I exclaimed, for I recognised the voice. 

"Yes, master, " he cried, turning to me. 

"What were you doing here?" said Brace, sternly. 

"I came up when all was dark and the budmashes were all gone, master, "said the man with trembling accents. "I have been to master'squarters. "

"To plunder?" said Brace, sternly. 

"Master's servant is honest and never steals, " said Dost, quickly. "Master can search and see. "

"I think--I'm sure he is honest, " I said hastily. "Tell us, Dost. Whois in the barracks now?"

"The dead men, master, " said the Hindu solemnly. "There is no oneliving there. Yes, " he added quickly, "I did hear sounds, but I couldfind nobody. And the mem sahib is gone. "

"Where did you hear the sounds?" I asked. 

"By the stables, my lord. If the budmashes had not taken away all thehorses I should have thought the horses were there still. "

"And they are, " I whispered to Brace. 

"Be cautious, " he whispered back. "We must not trust this man. Dost, tell me; the major--where is he?"

The man sighed, and said softly--

"The burra major is dead. I have laid his body inside the mess-room. The mem sahib must have escaped or been carried off. "

"You did this, Dost?" I cried, after a pause. 

"Yes, sahib. It was dreadful for him to lie there. "

"Take us where you have laid him, " said Brace, sternly; "but mind, ifyou attempt to escape, I shall fire. "

"Why should thy servant try to escape?" said the man simply. "Thisway. "

"You do not trust him?" I said to Brace. 

"Trust?" he replied bitterly. "Who can ever trust a Hindu again?"

We followed Dost across the compound, to where the blank windows of themess-room loomed out of the darkness, and we saw that they and the doorwere carefully closed. 

"I have misjudged him, Gil, " whispered Brace; "he has been here. "

As the Hindu began to open the door, we glanced sharply about the place, each holding his double rifle, ready for immediate action against humantigers, as I told myself. But all was silent and deserted, and as Ilooked toward the major's quarters and thought of the pleasant Englishlady who had so often made me welcome in the little drawing-room shefitted up so charmingly wherever we stayed, and whose soft carpets, purdahs, and screens came back to my memory in the soft light of theshaded lamps, I shivered, and wondered what had been her fate. 

"I could not find the lieutenant, sahib, " said Dost, as he threw openthe door. 

"Be on your guard, Gil, " whispered Brace to me in French; "it may be atrap after all. Hush! Look out. I thought so, " he cried; and I swunground the muzzle of my rifle, as four figures suddenly came upon us fromout of the darkness at our back. 

The alarm was momentary, for a familiar voice said, as the point of asword gritted in the sand at the speaker's feet--

"All right. I was growing uneasy about you, and brought three of theboys in case of accident. "

"Thank you, doctor, " said Brace. "We are going in here. The major--"

"Hush!" said the doctor, drawing in a hissing breath. "Stand fast, mylads. "

"If you hear anything wrong, " said Brace to the three men who stoodsword in hand, "you know what to do. "

There was a low hiss, more than a murmur, and then we were in thedarkness of the mess-room. 

"I'll shut the door, " said Dost, softly. 

"Why?" said the doctor, quickly. 

"The sahib doctor can trust me, " said the man, quietly. "It is dark. Iam going to light a candle. I think the barracks are quite empty, butsome of the budmashes might be about seeking to rob, and they would seethe light. "

He closed the door, and the darkness for the moment was intense, whilemy heart beat with a heavy throb as I wondered whether, after all, therewas treachery intended, and Brace's words rang in my ears--"Who can evertrust a Hindu again?"

The silence was awful in the moments which followed the closing of thedoor. There was a faint rustling sound followed by a sharp click click, which I knew was the cocking of a rifle or pistol; then came a scrapingsound as of a sword-edge touching the wall--sounds which told me that mysuspicions were shared; but, directly after, they were dispelled, forthere was a crackling noise and a faint line of light; a repetition ofthe scratching, accompanied by a few sparks, and, at the thirdrepetition, there was a flash which lit up the dark face of Dost and hiswhite turban; then the match began to burn, and we could see his fingerslook transparent as he sheltered the flame and held it to a piece ofcandle, which directly after lit up the mess-room, one wreck now ofbroken glass, shattered chairs, and ragged curtain and cloth. 

I saw all that at a glance, but as my eyes wandered about the room, theyrested upon a couch at the side, upon which lay something coveredcompletely by a tablecloth, whose whiteness was horribly stained. 

I shuddered, and tried to turn my eyes away, but I could not, andinvoluntarily I followed Brace and the doctor, as Dost went to thecouch. 

"Better keep away, Gil, lad, " said Brace, in a low voice, full ofemotion. "You will have enough horrors forced upon you without seekingthem out. "

I made no answer, but I did not retire, as Brace softly raised the clothfrom the face of our commanding officer, and I saw that, thoughdisfigured by a couple of terrible cuts, it was quite placid; and myheart warmed--in my sorrow for my poor friend--toward the Hindu servantwho had so reverently treated his remains. 

Then a thrill ran through me, for as Brace stood holding the clothraised, and Dost held the candle for us to see, the doctor uttered anejaculation, pushed Brace rudely aside, and then laid his rifle on theground, and began to tear open the light cotton garment the major wore, while his busy hands played, in the dim light, about his breast. 

"Here, Dost, " he whispered, "put down the light. Tear this cloth intonarrow bandages. Vincent, lad, take out my pocket-book from my breast, and open it. "

"Great heavens, Danby!" began Brace. 

"Thank Heaven, you mean, " said the doctor, in his quick, business-likeway. "Good job I'm here. Dost, you fool, you shouldn't be in such ahurry. Why, you might have buried him. The man's not dead. "

No word was uttered, but there was a quick expiration of the breath, andthen a busy silence, only broken by the rustling movements of thedoctor, who kept on examining and bandaging. 

At last he began to speak. 

"Wonderful how nature stops bleeding, " he whispered. "He has cuts andstabs enough to have bled any one to death, but there's a spark leftyet. "

"Hist! what's that?" said Brace, as a sound came from the door. 

"Right, sir, " said a voice, which I knew to be Sergeant Craig's. "MrHaynes is getting uneasy. "

"Go and tell him, " said Brace, who was kneeling and holding one end of abandage. 

I crossed to the door. 

"We've found the major, " I whispered, "desperately wounded, but alive. "

"Oh!" came in one burst from the men. 

"Go and tell Mr Haynes. "

"Best news I've heard to-day, sir, " whispered the sergeant, who turnedand went off at the double while I stepped outside, and closed the doorto satisfy myself that the light could not be seen. 

"No, sir, " said one of the men, "we couldn't see a speck of it. "

I hurried back to report in a whisper that all was safe, and for thenext quarter of an hour I looked on till the doctor had finished histask. 

"There, " he said, rising, "he's as bad as can be, but I may bring himround if we can get him to a place of safety. "

"Dost can help us, perhaps, " I whispered. 

"Try and manage it with him, Danby, " said Brace, "while I go and see ifthe horses are safe. Dost, I ask your pardon for my unjust suspicions. Forgive me!"

"The captain sahib did not know my heart, " was the reply; and beforeleaving, I caught and pressed the Hindu's hand. 

Outside in the black night, where the hot wind was sighing, and thegreat stars blinking down, we left one man on guard at the mess-roomdoor, and hurried round to the stables, where, to our great delight, wewere saluted by a low whinnying from the horses, my two and Brace'sbeing safe and eagerly waiting for their supply of food. Leaving themen to feed them, we hurried to the next stables, where the major'shorses should have been, in company with the doctor's, but the place wasempty; and on continuing our quest, Barton's and Haynes's were allmissing, while the men's troopers were gone, and a glance at the shedsshowed that not a gun or limber was left. 

"Back to the mess-room, " said Brace, after we had come upon several ofour dead men, but had seen no trace of either of the women attached tothe corps. "Heard anything?" he whispered to the sentry. 

"Woman scream, sir. "

"No, no. "

"Yes, sir; I swear to it. Heard it twice quite plain. "

"Jackals on the prowl, man, " said Brace. 

"Must have been a female jackal, then, " I heard the man mutter, as Ipassed in and found the doctor and my Hindu servant by the couch. 

"How is he?" whispered Brace. 

"Well, he's alive, and that's all, " replied the doctor. "Dost here saysthat if we have him carried to a house in the town about a quarter of amile away, he knows people who will nurse him. Will you give orders. There are plenty of light dhoolies. "

"Will he be safe?" said Brace, quickly. 

"My life upon it, sahib, " said Dost. "I can attend him too when themaster does not want me. But I can be useful to him still. "

"This is no time for wanting servants, " said Brace, shortly. "Let it beas he proposes. I will get the men and the dhooly at once. "

"Where will the master be when I want to follow him?"

Brace hesitated for a few moments, and seemed to be about to speak out, but he altered his mind, and said slowly:

"I cannot say yet. But we will keep communicating with you where themajor is. "

"But the master had better take me, " said Dost, quickly. "The placewill be full of budmashes, and the people all about will be enemies now. How are the sahibs to know where to get food or shelter, or to get newswithout me? I can go anywhere--you nowhere. "

"Not yet, " said Brace, meaningly; "but you are right, Dost, you shall gowith us, and keep open our communications. "

We went out and across to the gate, where Haynes was fretting withanxiety, but a thrill ran through the men as they found there was workon hand. The orders were given, and a corporal and four men were toldoff to carry the dhooly, which was found at once, and borne to themess-room. Then the major was carefully lifted in, and with the doctorin charge and Dost as guide, the little party sallied forth with theunderstanding that they were to return as quickly as possible. 

The interval was spent in a search for food; then arms were hunted out, we officers finding that our quarters had not been plundered, andhurriedly changing our hunting garments for service uniform; and somehowas I stepped out again into the dark night, with sword belted on, andpistols ready to place in my saddle holsters, the helpless despairingfeeling began to wear off. 

By this time the horses had been saddled and bridled, and all were readyfor the next move, but the doctor did not return, and while we werewaiting a faint shouting arose from below in the city. 

We had been well over the barracks and learned the worst, Brace sharingmy surprise that so little plundering had been going on; and whilst wewere standing once more in the court with the men drawn up, a picket atthe gate, and one of the horses laden with provisions and ammunition, Haynes turned to me. 

"It's terribly un-English, " he said; "but they would have no mercy onus. "

"What do you mean?" I said. 

"They have declared war on us, and they ought to take the consequences. "

"Explain yourself, " I said, as I felt as if I were listening to him withone ear, and for the return of our absent men with the other. 

"Well, " he said, "I feel as if I should like to give the scoundrels alesson. The magazine is half full of powder, and to-morrow the wretcheswill be up here plundering and destroying. "

"Well, what then?"

"It would be so easy to lay a trap for them. Plant all the powderbehind the gates, after carefully barricading them; lay a train; waittill they were all crowded together, and trying to get in, and then firethe train and blow them all to destruction. "

"And who would fire the train, Haynes?" said Brace, who, unnoticed byus, had heard every word. 

"I feel as if I could enjoy staying behind on purpose, " said Haynes. 

"Hah! I've better work on hand for you, " said Brace, quietly. "Itwould do no good, and only be destroying a mob of the greatest ruffiansin Rajgunge. Hah, there is the challenge at last. "

In effect the doctor and the men with the dhooly came back just then. 

"Where's Dost--staying with the major?" cried Brace. 

"No, sahib, I am here, " came from the interior of the dhooly, out ofwhich Dost stepped as the men set it down. 

"What does this mean?" said Brace, angrily. 

"His ruse to save us, " said the doctor. "We got poor Lacey safe intocomfortable quarters at the house of two of the women who washed for themen, and they are to be trusted, I think. I can do no more for him, butsee to his wounds to-morrow. As soon as I had seen him right, we werecoming back, when, as luck had it, we got into a narrow lane, andhalf-way along it, heard a noisy party coming shouting along from somefestivity. Retreat was impossible, and I gave the orders to the men todraw and cut our way through, but Dost here stopped us by proposing toget in the dhooly. "

"Why?" said Brace, angrily. 

"I'll tell you. It was a last resource; and though the men grumbled, they lifted the dhooly, and I marched by the side. The next minute wewere stopped. "

"Well?"

"Hang him!" cried the doctor; "he began to curse them in Hindustani forstopping his gharry, ordered them to let his servants go by, and theidiots took it that a complete change had come over the state ofaffairs; that Dost must have turned rajah, and was using the English ashis slaves. So they all shouted with delight, let us pass, and here weare, thanks to Rajah Dost. "

"Then, now for our start, " said Brace, "unless it would be wiser to stayhere till morning, Dost must go out and try and obtain news of thewomen. "

"No, no, sahib, " cried the Hindu, excitedly. "By daylight all thebudmashes of the city will be up here to plunder and burn. "

"Do you hear, Haynes?" said Brace, bitterly. "They may bring thepunishment upon themselves. "

"I have thought of the mem sahib, master, " continued Dost, "and one ofthe women will try and learn news for us. She will find it better thanI could. "

"You are right, " said Brace; and giving orders for the horses to be ledin the rear, he placed himself at the head of our little column, gavethe word march, and we filed out of the gate, Dost leading through thesilent lanes of the city, and then round below its walls to the bridgeof boats, which was passed without our having encountered a soul. 

In our helpless state it was felt that we could do no better than to goby Dost's advice, for he knew the country round, and suggested that weshould go on as rapidly as possible, so as to reach one of the patchesof forest which clothed the slopes of the valley side opposite the citybefore daybreak. 

"And when we are there?" asked Brace. 

"We shall be within reach of the major sahib, and I can take the doctorsahib over to him when it is night again. "

"Very well, " said Brace, thoughtfully. 

Then, as if remembering the great aim he had in view--

"Did the scoundrels go up the valley toward the rajah's?"

"No, sahib; they brought the guns over the bridge, and some say theyhave gone to Ramul. "

"That is only a few miles away, " said Brace, quickly, "and beyond thehills. Forward, my lads. No speaking in the ranks. "

We tramped on silently for a couple of hours with the night growingdarker as we went onward, the men literally reeling at times fromweariness and exhaustion after the terrible day. 

All at once, one man fell out, and dropped upon the road side. 

"Halt!" cried Brace, in a low voice. 

"No, no, captain; keep on, " said the man. "I'm dead beat. Never mindme. "

"We have no dhooly, my lad, to carry you, so we must wait till you canwalk, for we must hold together now to the last. Who is it?"

"Sergeant Craig, sir, " said one of the men; and Brace hurried to hisside. 

"Why, Craig, my poor fellow, this will not do. "

As he spoke, the man who had thrown himself on the ground struggled tohis knees. 

"Some one give me a drink of water, " he cried hoarsely; and a canteenhaving been handed to him, he drank deeply, and then tried to rise, butfailed. 

"You'll have to go on, captain, " he said hoarsely. "I've got a bit of ahurt. I did not think it was so much as it is. Makes me a bit faint. If some one took my arm perhaps I could struggle on. "

"We are close to the jungle, sahib, " whispered Dost. 

"Two of you support the sergeant, " cried the captain; and a couple ofmen being detailed for the duty, the sergeant struggled on again forabout a couple of hundred yards, the last hundred being in the deepshadows of the trees; and none too soon, for a few bird notes were heardannouncing the coming day. Ten minutes later sentries were posted, thehorses picketed, and the men were lying down to drop asleep directly, while the doctor busily examined the sergeant's wound. 

"A big and ugly one, " he said, "but nothing to mind. Made you faint, ofcourse. There, it isn't your sword arm. "

"'Tisn't your sword arm" rung in my ears again and again, mingled withthe whistling and singing of birds; and to me the bird song hadsomething to do with the dressing of the wound; and then all was blank, and I was plunged in a deep sleep which after some time grew disturbed, and I seemed to be back at the college, drilling, and studying underGeneral Crucie. Then I was getting into difficulties with my fellowcadets and being sent to Coventry, as the most ill-humoured fellow theyknew; and then I was awake, gazing up at the trees whose boughs shadedus from the sun, bathed in perspiration, and smelling tobacco smoke. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note 1. Dhoolies are light ambulances. 

Note 2. Purdahs, curtains or hangings. 

CHAPTER FIFTEEN. 

"Awake, Gil?" said a voice by me, and I started up to see that Brace wasseated close by me, with his elbow upon his knee and his chin resting inhis hand. 

"Yes, " I said. "Have I been asleep long?"

"About seven or eight hours, my lad. "

"Oh, why didn't you rouse me?" I cried. 

"Because there was no work for you to do, and it was better for you tohave a good long rest ready for when I want you. Come and have somebreakfast--such as it is. "

"Can't I wash first?" I asked. 

He laughed. 

"No, my lad. There is the river below us yonder, and you can see thebarracks, what is left of them. "

"Left of them?"

"Yes. They were set on fire about nine o'clock, and the smoke is risingthickly still. "

I uttered an angry ejaculation. 

"Bah! never mind them. We can soon have better ones built. "

He led me to where there was some bread and a little meat, and as I wentamong the trees I could see that we had sentries stationed, while therest of the men lay about resting or smoking, while the doctor wasseated by Sergeant Craig, whose arm lay upon a folded coat. 

I felt no appetite. The heat beneath the trees was terrible, and I wasstiff and sore with the previous day's exertions; but I ate a little inobedience to Brace's wish, and he sat watching me. 

"Go on, my lad, " he said. 

"I cannot, " I replied. 

"You must. You will want all your strength for to-night's work. Eat. "

I went on again with the bread tasting like chaff, and the meat tainted, but at last I turned away in utter disgust. 

"It will do me harm, not good, " I said. "Now tell me, what are we goingto do?"

"Wait till dark, " he said, "and then try and reconnoitre the villageover yonder. As far as I can make out the rebels are making it theirquarters for the day. I want to see whether it will be possible to doanything by a night surprise, but whether I shall attempt it must dependon the position they have taken up. "

"Where is the village?" I asked. 

He led me to the edge of the patch of forest in which we were hidden, and pointed out a cluster of mud-houses about a couple of miles away, right in an open part of the plain which spread away from us for miles. 

"Keep back behind the leaves, " he said, "in case watchful eyes might bedirected this way. "

I obeyed, and tried to make out the glint of steel or the white garmentsof the rebels. But nothing was to be seen but the glaring sunshinebathing the trees which overhung the cottages. Not a soul was in sight. 

"They can't be there, " I said, after watching for some time. 

"They are there, " replied Brace, quietly. "Look under that tree, theone with a couple more standing out from it at intervals. Tell me whatyou can see. "

I looked as well as the glare of the sun and the distance would allowme. 

"I can only see a cottage, " I said. 

"It is not a cottage; it is a tent. "

"But surely they would not stop at a place like that. "

"Why not?" he replied. "They have something to do now that they haveseized the guns--to manage them. "

"Then you think they have stopped there to drill?" I cried. 

"I fancy so; but we shall see after the reconnaissance to-night. "

"Whom shall you send?" I cried eagerly. "Let me go. "

"It is too important a task to trust to another, " he replied. "I amgoing myself. You can go with me if you like. "

I eagerly snatched at the opportunity, and then sat down with him nearthe edge of the jungle patch to watch the village and note everythingthat passed. In the course of conversation Brace told me that thedoctor would also start on his expedition at dark, Dost accompanying himto the lane in the city, where he could attend to the major's wounds andlearn whether there was any news of the women. 

Brace kept on chatting to me; but I soon found out that it was to keepdown his excitement, and his mind employed, so that he should not dwellupon the terrible enforced delay; for quite a fever was consuming him, his eyes looked unnaturally bright, and his fingers kept twitching andplaying with the handle of his sword. 

That night seemed as if it would never come, and I never suffered sofrom the heat; but it came at last, and, almost before I realised it, Brace was giving the doctor his final instructions and a message for themajor. 

"Tell him, " said Brace, in a low voice, "that I shall never rest till Ihave retrieved our disgrace. Tell him to be of a good heart, for I willget back the guns. "

"My dear Brace, " said the doctor coldly, "our poor friend is not likelyto understand anything for some days to come, perhaps weeks. Yourmessage is all in vain. Now, Dost--ready?"

The white figure of my servant glided up to us, and the next minute thepair had disappeared, while, after a few words had been addressed toHaynes as to keeping the men well under cover, we two stepped out of theshelter of the jungle, and the darkness swallowed us from the sight ofthe sentry. 

We had carefully mapped our way that afternoon, and I saw it all in mymind; how we must go down that nullah, along by those trees, and makestraight for the cultivated land, which spread out around the village, evidently one whose inhabitants cultivated largely for the benefit ofthe city. And in all our discussions as to our course, Brace and I hadthoroughly agreed, for the task was, or seemed to be, simplicity itself;but in the intense darkness of the Indian night it proved to be verydifferent in character. 

As we started we could see the distant lights of the city across theriver, and, keeping them on our right, they formed sometimes a guide fora few minutes; but they were soon hidden from us by the trees, and, withthe darkness growing more intense, we had literally to feel our wayalong. 

"Are we going straight?" I said, after we had been walking for about aquarter of an hour. "We ought to have reached the cultivated landbefore now. We are still among the trees. "

"Distances are deceptive in the sunshine, " replied my companion. "Keepclose behind me. "

"As close as I can, " I whispered, as it struck me that distances seemedto be more deceptive in the darkness. 

Brace had drawn his sword, and was using it as a guide, to keep fromwalking into some bush or against a tree; and as I followed him I couldhear the blade rustle amongst the bushes, and tap against small treetrunks; but, though it saved him, I was not so guarded, for I trippedtwice, and once went down headlong through getting my foot caught insome kind of wild vine. 

At last, after what had seemed to be a tremendous while, we foundourselves brought up by an irrigation ditch; but we managed to clear it, and alighted at once upon soft earth, which we knew was cultivatedground, and stepped out more freely. 

It seemed to me a mad venture, but, without daring almost to madness, itwas not likely that we could rescue our guns from the enemy's hands, though how we were going to reconnoitre that night, or gain anyinformation as to the movements of the enemy, I could not see. Still Iwas on duty; my superior officer was leading, and I felt no otherinclination than to blindly obey. 

Whenever I recall that expedition now, I begin somehow to think aboutblind men and their feelings; for we might almost as well have beenthus. Our eyes were not of the slightest use to us, the stars beingblotted out as it were by the thick mist into which we had plunged, andthrough which we slowly groped our way. 

"Keep tight hold of my hand, " said Brace, in a whisper. 

"We shall never find the village, " I said. 

"We must find it, Gil, " he said, as he gripped my hand hard. And on wewent, with my companion feeling his way step by step, still using hissword as guide, and for the peaceful object of guarding us from suchenemies as trees, against which we might run, and ditches into which wemight fall. 

The heat was terrible--a hot, steamy, misty heat, which helped tosaturate us--as we slowly struggled on, pausing every now and then tolisten, knowing, as we did, that almost at any minute now we might heara voice challenging us out of the darkness, and see the flash of amusket or rifle as it sent a leaden messenger in our direction. 

But all was still as death for a time, and then I stopped short with ahorrible feeling of dread; for from a short distance in front theresuddenly rang out the terrible cry as of one in mortal peril. Some onewas being killed I was sure; and to hear that sound in the pitchydarkness, overwrought as I was by exertion and nervous excitement, robbed me for the moment of the power to move or speak. 

"What is it?" said Brace at last, as he tugged at my hand to get meforward. 

"That--that horrible cry!" I whispered. 

"Bah!" he replied. "You ought by this time to know a jackal. "

I hurried on at once with a sense of shame that was painful, for I feltthat Brace would despise me for my cowardice; but we spoke no more forsome time, and then he halted as if puzzled and confused. 

"We ought to have reached the place before now, " he whispered. "We musthave borne off too much to the right or left. "

"What shall we do?" I said, with my lips close to his ear. 

"Wait! Listen!"

We stood there with our feet sinking in the soft mud of what I fanciedmust be a rice-ground; but, save our laboured breathing, there was not asound. It was a stillness like death. 

"I'm a poor guide, Gil, " he said at last; "but we must find it. Shallwe try to the right or the left?"

"Better wait a little longer, " I replied. "We must hear some one speakif the place is near. "

"If only one of the horses would whinny, " he muttered. 

But the silence was unbroken, and, with the feeling upon me that wemight be going farther and farther from the place we sought, I followedhim again, still holding tightly by his hand. 

For the next hour we struggled on, now wading through mud and water, nowfeeling some kind of growth brushing against our legs; but when, at theend of that time, we stopped short for a further consideration of ourposition, it seemed to be hopeless in the extreme. 

We listened, but there was not a sound, and at last Brace uttered animpatient ejaculation. 

"An utter failure!" he whispered. 

"I'm afraid so, " I replied. "We must have wandered off to left orright. Had we not better go back and make a fresh start?"

"How?"

Before he had said that word bitterly, I felt how foolish my remark was, and remained silent. 

"My good Gil, " he continued, "I wish we could; it is terrible. I havenot the most remote idea which way to turn, and the next thing will bethat we shall be found hopelessly bogged at daybreak, and becomeprisoners, or--"

A shiver ran through me, for there was no need for him to finish hissentence; but there was a feeling of reaction directly. 

"Not so bad as that, " I said. "We must find the place somehow. Itcan't be so very far away. "

_Cock-a-doodle-doo_!

The crowing was so close to us that I gave quite a jump, and then stoodfast, as from almost above our heads there was the rustle and beating ofwings and the querulous cry of a hen, as if fowls were fidgetingsomewhere upon a perch, no doubt disturbed by our being so near. 

_Cock-a-doodle-doo_ came from a short distance off to our left, anddirectly after, in response to the challenge, there came the beating ofwings from somewhere away in front, and another deeper-voiced crow camethrough the denser darkness. 

"Gil, " whispered Brace--and I felt his hot breath in my ear--"we areclose up to the village. "

We stood there with beating hearts, and a feeling of excitement that wasalmost unbearable growing upon us as, after a little more rustling, thefowls quieted down, and carefully feeling his way with his sword, Bracetook a few steps in the direction of the first crowing. Then his swordtapped against wood, and there was a loud cackling from several fowlsabove our head. 

"Hist, " I said. 

"No danger, " he said; "they will think it is a jackal disturbing thebirds. "

As he spoke, he felt about with his sword, and whispered to me--

"We are in a rough kind of shed supported on bamboo poles. Come on. "

He led the way again past the place that he had first touched with hissword, and we could feel that we were passing over hard beaten ground. Directly after, Brace touched another building, and went on, carefullyfeeling about, while I fully expected from moment to moment that Ishould hear a challenge followed by the flash of a piece and its loudreport. 

"Cottage--door open--empty, " whispered Brace; and he crept oncautiously, to find another place directly, and so on, one after theother, cottage after cottage, the beaten path telling us that we were ina well-frequented place; but the silence was profound, and it soonbecame evident that we were on the site of the village--if village itwas--that was quite deserted. 

Brace stopped short, his sword having encountered what he found was atree trunk, and a little further investigation proved that several morewere dotted about. 

"We must bear off to the right, " he whispered. "The people deserted theplace when the rebels came, and they are quartered on the other side. Come along. "

The words were at my lips to implore him to be careful, but I thought hewould think me cowardly, so I followed him as we crept slowly on, passing house after house--mere hovels, most of them, but all open andempty. As we paused before one of these, I whispered--

"Suppose we come upon them suddenly?"

"Keep fast hold of my hand and retreat; the darkness is on our side. "

I said no more, and we kept slowly on past dozens of houses all in thesame condition, and either deserted, or with their occupants asleep. Then the buildings ceased as far as we could make out in the darkness, for we came upon trees. 

"We must have come right through the village, " whispered Brace. "It isvery strange. They would have been sure to set sentries, and we oughtto hear the horses stamping or whinnying. "

"Brace!"

"Well?"

"We've come to the wrong village. "

"Impossible. There was no other village for many miles, " he whisperedangrily. "This is the place, and I saw them here. We'll follow thehouses round from the outside. Forward. "

I followed him, and our previous experience was repeated, with thedifference that we kicked against a basket that had been dropped orthrown away as worthless, and soon after, on leaving one of the houseswhich was larger than those we had before examined, but as utterlysilent, there was a click which I took to be the cocking of a musket, and imitated Brace's movement, for he stooped down, but rose againsharply. 

"Feel here, " he whispered, as he let his sword hang from his wrist bythe knot, and pressed something into my hand. "What is this?"

"A cavalry sabre, " I said directly, in an excited tone. 

"Yes; one of ours. Now am I right, lad? They must be here, and we arepretty close to their quarters. Can you hear the horses?"

I listened attentively, but there was not a sound, and once more weproceeded till one of my feet went down. I stumbled and nearly fell. 

"Hurt?" whispered Brace. 

"No. I only stepped in a deep rut. "

"Rut?" he said sharply; "where?"

He was down on his knees instantly, feeling with his hands, and I heardhim breathe hard. 

"Yes, I am right, " he whispered. "That rut was made by the wheels ofone of our guns; the cart-marks are distinct. No native cart would havecut into the ground like that. Forward. "

He stepped down with one foot in the crack, and, keeping it there, walked slowly on, making it our guide, while I followed suit withanother rut, or series of ruts, a short distance from the first. 

"Only to follow them, " he whispered; "and they will lead us right to thewasps' nest. "

We went on easily enough now, and very cautiously, with the soil growingsofter and the ruts more deeply cut, as if several guns had passed alongour way. Then I stopped, and went down on one knee to feel the ground. 

"What is it?"

"The hoof-marks. They are very deep here, " I said excitedly, as myfingers traced the deep impressions one after the other, and closeenough together for me to divine that many horses had passed. 

"Well, yes, " he said impatiently; "they are here, of course. I noticedthat some were crushed out by the wheel-tracks. "

"Yes, " I cried; "but we are going wrong; the hoof-marks are all comingthis way. "

CHAPTER SIXTEEN. 

"What?" cried Brace, excitedly; and he raised his voice, so that Isprang to my feet, and snatched my sword from its scabbard with the edgegrating in an ominous way as it left the steel sheath. 

My companion also stood upon his guard, and we stood there in thedarkness listening, but there was not a sound, though we were within afew feet of houses at each side. 

"No challenge, " he whispered, and going down on one knee, he felt aboutthe wet earth for a few moments. 

"Yes, " he said, drawing in his breath with an angry hiss; "we are goingwrong. " Then, after a pause, as he stood behind me--"Never mind; we'lltrace them this way first, and find where the ruts enter the village. It will be a guide. "

We resumed our steady progress, walking with one foot in thewheel-tracks for about twenty yards further, and then Brace's swordsuddenly struck something, either tree or upright. It proved to be thelatter, being the support of a great shed, and here I found that theruts suddenly became confused--branching off, and directly after I foundtraces of horses having been picketed about where we stood. 

"Yes, " said Brace quickly, "here's where they have been tethered. Theymust have altered their position. Quick! let's follow them up. "

We went off at once, finding no difficulty in keeping to the trail, which, as far as we could tell in the darkness, swept round the outsideof the village, for every now and then we tried off to right and left, to find cottages on the latter side, what seemed to be cultivated fieldson the other. 

Then, all at once, the houses ceased, and the tracks grew deeper withthe wheel-ruts half filled with water, and it was evident that thehorses had struggled hard to drag the guns through soft ploughed fields. 

"Brace, " I said, after we had tramped on through the heavy ground forabout a quarter of a mile. 

"Yes. "

"I hope I'm wrong, but I'm very much afraid--"

"That settles it, Gil, lad, " he said quickly. "You are thinking as Ihave been for the last quarter of an hour, are you not? That we are toolate?"

"Yes. They have deserted the place. "

"Undoubtedly. I ought to have grasped the notion at once. We could nothave got into this village unchallenged. We have not been drillingbefore these men so many years for them to occupy a place like thiswithout sentries. "

"Can we have failed?" I said despondently. 

"Oh no; say we have not succeeded yet, " he cried cheerily, as he clappedme on the shoulder. "You and I are going to recapture those guns, Gil, my lad. We must; we must. "

"But what are you going to do now?" I asked. 

"Practise patience, lad. We have spent many hours over this vainstruggle, and it is madness to go wandering about in the darkness, solet's get back to the village and pick out the best house we can, andrest till daylight. It is the only course open to us. There, we neednot whisper now. "

"I wish I was stronger, " I said rather despondently. 

"Bah! you are tired. So am I. Cheer up, lad. You'll feel like a newman when you've lain down for an hour. Nothing like it. Flat down onyour back. It is the most refreshing thing there is. "

As he was speaking, we were following the track back toward the village, and as there was no need now to practise caution, the distance did notseem great before we were abreast of the houses again, and after passinghis hands over the entrances of one or two, Brace entered the thirdcautiously, stood within; there was a rustling noise, a sharp crackling, and the match he had struck blazed up and spread what appeared to mequite a brilliant glare around. 

"No, " he said sharply, "we are not dogs, to rest in such a kennel asthis. There must be a decent house somewhere. "

But for a long time it seemed as if there was not, and I was ready tosay, "Anything will do, " when we cautiously entered another door; alight was struck, and though the place was deplorable enough, it did notlook so desolate, and it had evidently lately been occupied, for therewas a half-burned candle standing on a rough stool, and to this candleBrace applied his match. 

"Officers' quarters, I should say, " he cried cheerily. "Why, Gil, thisis the very thing; three charpoys, and there has been eating anddrinking going on. But, look out!"

He raised the candle with one hand, and with his sword advanced, madefor a ragged purdah or curtain hanging from the roof just beyond thefarthest native bedstead. 

"Here, Gil, " he said sharply, "I'll defend you; come and snatch awaythis piece of hangings. "

I did as he told me, with my heart beating heavily the while, and, holding my sword ready, I snatched the purdah aside, when the light fellupon the thin, deeply lined face of an extremely old-looking Hindu, whose white beard seemed to quiver as he threw up his arms and fell downbefore us. 

"My lord will not slay his servant, " he cried in a trembling voice inhis own tongue. "He has done no harm. "

"Come out, " cried Brace in Hindustani. "Why were you hiding there?"

"Thy servant was afraid that the white sahib would slay him. "

"What are you doing here?"

"Thy servant was too old to go when the budmashes came, and all theothers fled away. "

"Where are the budmashes now?"

"Thy servant knoweth not. They all rode off with the great gunsdirectly it began to grow dark to-night. "

"Put up your sword, Gil, " said Brace. "The poor old fellow isfrightened out of his wits. "

Then, turning to the old Hindu--

"Is there no one left in the village?"

"No, sahib. They have all fled but me. "

Brace was silent for a few minutes, and then he said sharply--

"Look here, old man, you can walk?"

"Yes, sahib, a little way; not very far. "

"Gil, " said Brace, thoughtfully, "he could walk well enough to guide usback to the tope. The doctor will be back by now, and anxious. Shall Imake him do it?"

"No, " I said excitedly. "He may see some of the mutineers afterwards, and tell them we are following. "

"Of course. No, he must not know; and I suppose we must not kill him incold blood to keep him from telling tales. "

"Brace!" I cried, but he only smiled, and, turning to the Hindu--

"Get water, " he said. "We are thirsty. "

The old man went to a corner of the room, trembling in every limb, andtaking a brass lotah from where it was hidden, he went out of the placeinto the darkness. 

"Do you think he is treacherous?" I whispered, "and will bring backothers?"

"No. The old man is honest enough, Gil. There, lie down on thatcharpoy. "

"But you?" I said. 

"I shall lie down too. Go to sleep after you have had some water. Iwill keep watch till daybreak. "

Just then the old man came back with the brass vessel full of clear, cold water, and handed to Brace. 

"I hope the old fellow has not poisoned it, " he said. "I'll taste itfirst, Gil, " and he raised the vessel to his lips, took a heartydraught, and then handed it to me. 

"Pure water, " he said; and I gladly partook of the refreshing draught, while Brace felt in his pocket for a coin. 

"There, " he said, taking out a rupee, "that's as much as his lotah isworth. I don't know for certain, but I expect he will consider that wehave denied his vessel, and will throw it away when we are gone. "

"Then why doesn't he think the rupee is defiled?" I said, as the oldman received the coin with a salaam, and then hid it in the folds of histurban. 

"Can't say, " replied Brace, making the bamboo bedstead creak as he threwhimself down. "Here, grandfather, " he continued in the old man's nativetongue, "keep watch, and warn us if there is any danger. Your castewill not let you betray those within your house. "

"The sahibs are quite safe here, " he replied. "There is no one in thevillage but their servant. But I will watch. "

"Stop!" said Brace, sharply, as the old man moved toward the door. "Stay here; don't try to leave. "

The old man bowed. 

"Where are the budmashes gone?"

"Thy servant cannot tell. "

I could just understand enough of the colloquial language to grasp allthis. 

"Well, " said Brace, "stop and keep watch, so as to give us warning ifthey come. "

The old man salaamed again, and then stood with his arms folded near thedoor, while I lay back on the charpoy with my eyes half-closed, watchinghim by the faint light of the candle, and thinking how miserably thinthe old man was, and how his bones showed through the slight cottongarment he wore. His hollow cheeks and eyes looked dark, and strangeshadows were cast over his features, but from time to time I could seehis deeply sunken eyes flash, and a sensation of dread came over me as Ithought how easy it would be for him, weak old man though he was, towait till we were both asleep, and then seize us one after the other bythe throat with his long, thin, bony fingers, and hold us till we hadceased to breathe. And as this idea strengthened, I told myself that itwould be madness to close my eyes. I would lie there and watch him, Ithought; and in this intent I lay thinking how wet my feet were, howcoated my legs were with mud, and how, in spite of the drenching I hadhad with perspiration, I was now growing rapidly dry. 

But oh, how weary I felt, and how my back and legs ached! It would be_so_ restful, I thought, to go soundly off to sleep, if for only fiveminutes, and then resume my watch. 

I could not go off, though. It would have been like inviting the oldHindu to rid himself of two enemies of his people and of his religion;and as I watched him I saw, or thought I did, an ugly evil look in hiseyes: the shadows played about his face, and his lips seemed to bepressed together in a thin, malignant-looking smile, as if he were quitesatisfied that in a few more minutes we should be both at his mercy. 

For Brace had no sooner thrown himself back on the charpoy, with hisarms crossed upon his breast, than his head sank on one side so that hisface was toward me, while one arm slowly began to give way, and glidedfrom his chest down by the side of the charpoy, and hung at last at fulllength, with the back of his hand resting upon the earthen floor. 

With Brace fast asleep, I felt that it was my duty to watch, and aftercarefully scrutinising the Hindu's face, which now looked malignant to adegree, I determined to hold myself in readiness to cut the old wretchdown the moment he approached and tried to attack Brace. 

My sword was so near that I could let my hand rest upon it, and planningcarefully how I could in one movement spring up, and with one swinground of my arm drag out my blade and cut him down, I waited. 

The candle burned more dimly, but the Hindu's eye grew more bright, while his face and that of my brother-officer darkened in the shade. Now and then the wretched light flickered and danced, and as the littleflame played about, the smile upon the old man's lips grew more ghastly, till it broadened into a laugh that sent a shiver through me. 

The light grew more dim and the shadows deeper, then darker still, andrapidly darker, till the room was quite black, and the old Hindu's facewas completely blotted out, but I knew he was creeping nearer andnearer, and felt that he had by slow degrees reached the side of Brace'scharpoy, and was bending himself down, till his fingers, now spread outlike the long ugly talons of some horrible bird of prey, were within afew inches of poor Brace's throat, then nearer and nearer till he seizedhis prey, and as a dull, low sound of painful breathing rose in the darkroom, I knew that it was time to swing my arm round, snatching the swordfrom the scabbard, and laying the horrible old miscreant lifeless uponthe floor. 

The time had come, my right arm was across my chest, my hand tightlyholding my sword-hilt, but that arm was now heavy as lead, and I triedin vain as I lay there upon my back to drag out that blade. 

But it was impossible. I was as if turned to stone, and the horriblegurgling breathing went on, heard quite plainly as I lay in thatterrible state. 

How I tried to struggle, and how helpless I felt, while the mental agonywas terrible, as I seemed to see the old wretch's features distortedwith a horrible joy at his success, and I knew that as soon as poorBrace was dead, he would come over and find me an easy victim, and thenI should never see the light of another day; I should never meet father, mother, sister again out on the hot plains of India; and the guns wouldnever be recaptured; and yet they seemed so near, with the wheelssinking deeper, and ploughing those deep ruts which I was walking inwith one foot, so as to keep to the track, for poor Brace was so setupon recovering them; and now he was dead, it was ten times my duty tokeep on and get them, if the old Hindu would only spare my life. Poorold Brace! and I had thought him a coward, and yet how brave anddetermined he was, but yet how helpless now that the tiger had crept upclosely and sprung into the howdah to force him back and plant itstalons in his throat. No, it was not the tiger, it was the Hindu, theold old-looking man with the bony fingers. No, the tiger, and it wasnot Brace who was making a horrible, strangling noise, but the elephantsnorting and gurgling and moving its trunk in the air, instead ofsnatching out its bright sword and with one stroke cutting off thetiger's--the Hindu's--the tiger's head, because it had left its sword inits quarters when it went out shooting that morning, and it had allgrown so dark, and its arm was as heavy as lead, because I was turnedinto an elephant and the tiger had leaped on to me, and then into thehowdah to attack poor Brace, while we were trying to find the guns ofour troop, and it was too dark to see them, and how long the Hindu waskilling him, and I could not help, and--

"Asleep, Gil?"

A pause, and then again, as I lay panting on my back, streaming withperspiration, and with my arm feeling numb as I listened to thehorrible, strangulated breathing once more--

"Asleep, Gil?"

"No--yes--not now;" and I was all of a tremble. 

"Cheerful style of watchman that, lad. Hear him? Any one would thinkhe was being strangled. What shall I do to wake him? Prick him withthe point of my sword?"

"No, no; don't do that, " I whispered, as I tried hard to realise that Iwas awake, and had been dreaming. 

"Well, I'm too tired to get up. I've had a nap too, and you've beenbreathing pretty hard, but not snorting and gurgling like that oldwretch. Here, hi! you, sir, " he cried in Hindustani. 

"The sahib wants his servant?"

"Yes--no, " cried Brace. "What are you doing?"

"Thy servant was keeping watch over his masters, and smoking hischillum. "

Brace's charpoy creaked, and he uttered a curious laugh even inHindustani. 

"That's right; go on. I did not know what it was in the dark. " Then tome: "Did you understand what he said?"

"Only partly. Didn't he say he was smoking?"

"Yes; puffing away at his old hubble-bubble. There he goes again. "

For the snorting, gurgling sound recommenced, and I knew that the candlehad burned out, while I was struggling in the horrors of anightmare-like dream. 

"Is it near morning, Brace?" I said. 

"It must be; but try and go to sleep again, lad. If it is only for onehour, it will do you good, and make you fresher for the day's work. "

"You think I need not mind sleeping?"

"Not in the least, lad. There is no danger till daybreak, and I amafraid not then, for our enemies are miles away by now. "

He was silent, and I lay listening to the old man's hubble-bubble for atime, till a delicious feeling of repose stole over me, and the nextthing I heard was the chattering song of minahs--the Indian starlings--in the trees somewhere outside of the hovel where I lay, and, on openingmy eyes, they rested on the ancient face of the old man, squatting downon his heels at a short distance from the foot of my bedstead, the levelrays of the sun pleasantly lighting up his calm old face; and as he sawthat I was looking at him, he rose to his feet and salaamed to me. 

"It is morning, sahib, " he said in Hindustani. 

"Eh, morning?" cried Brace, springing up. "Thank Heaven! Now, Gil, lad, for the work of another day. "

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN. 

The place did not seem so desolate and horrible in the bright morninglight; and after we had bathed our faces in water brought for us by ourhost, who also produced some homely cakes, and the lotah full of clearwater for us to drink, I felt refreshed and bright, and so, I thought, did Brace; but the stern, hard look came into his face again as soon ashe had recompensed our host and we stood outside the house, seeing abovethe mist the tops of the trees of the tope where our men lay, and as Isaw them standing up apparently so near, I wondered how we could havehad so much difficulty in finding our way, and said so. 

"No cause for wonder, Gil, " said Brace, quietly. "Once you go astray inthe dark or in a mist, every struggle makes you more confused. Why, Gil, lad, I once got out of bed in the dark, and lost myself in my ownroom. "

I looked at him wonderingly, for his face once more looked pleasant andsmiling, but it was dark the moment after, as we crossed the track ofthe guns, and, trying to make out our past night's course, started atonce for the tope. 

"They will think us prisoners or dead, Gil. Let's get back. "

"And what next?" I said. 

He turned and pointed to the deep marks made by our horses and guns, andI had no occasion to ask more. 

We both agreed that it was no wonder that we had lost our way in theblack darkness of the night, and been wandering about in the mosterratic manner, for it was difficult enough to keep in a straight linefor the tope where the mist was most dense in the lower ground. 

But we reached our temporary shelter at last, were challenged by thesentries, and before we had gone many steps among the trees, the doctorrushed at us, closely followed by Dost. 

"My dear Brace!" he cried; "my dear boy!" and he wrung our hands warmly. "I thought--oh, I don't know what I did not think. "

"Why, doctor, " said Brace, warmly, "I did not think we were of so muchconsequence to you. "

"Of course not; and I'm a donkey to make so much fuss over you, " saidthe doctor, changing his manner directly, and speaking in his customarysnappish, decisive manner. "But I object to anybody else killing youboth. That's my business. Am I not your surgeon?"

Dost said nothing; but I saw the tears in his eyes as he followed closebehind me and took hold of the lapel of my jacket as he whisperedsoftly--

"Oh, sahib!"

"Well, " cried Brace, after a few explanations, "how is the major? howdid you get on?"

"Our friend Dost took me safely there, and I stayed with the poor fellowfor hours. He is terribly cut about, but far better than I expected, and I believe that those women will nurse him round. "

"Thank God!" said Brace, earnestly; "and I hope we shall be able to givehim comfort before long by our news. "

"I hope so, " said the doctor, bluntly. "You are not upset, then, byyour night's experience? You mean to go on?"

"I mean to go on. Yes, doctor, at once. But about you and the major?"

"I am sorry to say that the poor fellow must take his chance now. Dostwas of opinion that we could not get in and out again safely, and I didnot need to be told. We had a very narrow escape of being madeprisoners. "

"But, Lacey, the nursing?"

"He has that, and there is no disease, my dear boy. Those two womenwill do all that I could. It is only a question of seeing to hisbandages, and cleanliness. I could say I'll go and stay with him; butif I did, the chances are that I should not get there; and if I did, Imake the risk of his being murdered ten times greater. On the otherhand, you and the lads here will want my help. My duty is with you. "

Dost was consulted, and said warmly that it was impossible to get backinto the city, and that two foot regiments and one of cavalry hadmarched into and occupied the place. 

"And their English officers?" said Brace, excitedly. 

"Don't ask me, sahib, " said Dost, sadly. "It is too terrible; thepeople have gone mad against our masters, and the fire is spreadingthrough the land. "

The peculiarly stern look in Brace's countenance deepened as my Hinduservant went on. 

"If the doctor sahib tried to get into the city again, he would betaken, and the budmashes of the bazaar would murder him. Lacey sahibwill be quite safe and get well. We must not go again; it means death. "

"There, " said the doctor, "and I'm too busy to die yet, Brace; but praygo on eating and drinking, my dear boys; you must both be horridlyfaint. I prescribe food and rest. "

"Right, doctor; we'll take your first remedy. But there is no rest. Westart in an hour or less. We must make a short march before the sungets too hot. "

"You mean to keep to that mad idea of yours, then, about recapturing theguns?"

"Yes, mad as it is. "

"Better try and join some of our men, where they are holding out, mydear boy. This is going to be a terrible business, and we must all rowtogether and help one another. "

"Yes, " said Brace, "I am going to help; but I must have my guns first, and remount my men. "

Then hastily finishing his rough breakfast, he rose and went off to giveorders for an immediate start. 

"Vincent, my lad, " said the doctor, "we shall all be cut to pieces, I'mafraid. "

"Our chances look very bad, I'm afraid, " I replied. 

"Hold your tongue, sir, " cried the doctor. "You are not afraid ofanything. I said I was, but I'm not a fighting man. We're in for it, and are going to do our duty. My great trouble is about poor Craig. That man's a gentleman. "

"Hist!" came from close by among the trees. 

"Eh? who was that?"

"Only me, doctor--Craig. "

"Bah! I had forgotten him. You heard?"

"Yes, sir, " said the wounded sergeant faintly, as we went to his side, and he smiled up at me. "I heard you blacking my character behind myback. Never mind about the past. What about Sergeant Craig?"

"Well, what about him, sir? He's going to get better. "

"Afraid not, doctor. I heard the captain say that we march directly. Icouldn't even ride if I had a horse. Hadn't you better put me out of mymisery at once?"

"If you talk nonsense like that to me, sir, " cried the doctor, "I'llgive you the nastiest dose you ever had in your life. "

"But I can't walk. "

"Of course not; but there are plenty of good men and true to carry you, so hold your tongue, and get better as fast as you can. "

"But--"

"Silence, sir! or I'll put a bandage on your mouth, as well as on yourarm. "

Poor Craig smiled at me, and closed his eyes. 

Half an hour after our men were found all refreshed and rested, andlooking ready to do any deed of valour, or follow their leader to thedeath. The order was given, and in the lightest of lightmarching-order, save that there was the litter to carry, on which poorCraig had been laid, when one of the sentries still on guard, but withorders to fall in on the rear when we marched, reported the approach ofa party of the people of the city. 

Brace ordered the men to lie down while he focussed his glass, andexamined the men from the edge of the tope, afterwards handing the glassto me as I watched the white-clothed party about a quarter of a mileaway, evidently making straight for the wood. 

"What do you make of them, Gil?"

"Sepoys, " I said; "nine of them, all with muskets and bayonets, evidently coming to occupy this place. "

"Yes, " he said; "we must repulse them. Gil, this is a godsend. I wantevery man I have to fight. These are scoundrels from one of therevolted regiments. "

"And this is to be a bit of practice for our men?"

"No, boy; we can trap the dogs without fighting. Can't you see what Iwant?"

"No. "

"Bearers for poor Craig's dhooly. Here they are--two sets; one forrelief. "

I uttered a cry of delight, and then after making sure by which trackthe sepoys would come up to the tope, a dozen men were placed in ambushwith orders not to move till the native soldiers had passed them, andthen to cut off their retreat when they found enemies in front. 

The arrangements were cleverly made, our men lying down among thebushes; and, in perfect ignorance of the reception awaiting them, thesepoys came on with their muskets shouldered; and in a careless, easy-going way, as they came on talking loudly, they drew and fixedbayonets. 

"They think some poor creatures have taken refuge here, " whisperedBrace. "The bloodhounds!"

I lay there with my sword drawn, and the knot tight about my wrist, myheart beating, and a curious sensation of dread troubling me, for I wasgoing to face armed men for the first time in my life. 

But I had no time for thinking; the sepoys were close at hand, and asthey reached the edge of the tope, one, who seemed to be their leader, gave the order, and the men lowered their bayonets, and were about toopen out to search the tope, when Brace sprang up right in their way. 

What followed did not take a minute. The first movement of themutineers was to turn and flee, but their leader yelled at themsavagely, and dashed at us with his levelled bayonet, when a shot fromBrace's pistol rang out, and the man threw up his piece, bent back, fell, and clutched at the broken twigs upon which he had fallen, while, uttering a fierce yell of rage, the others came on. 

But Brace was equal to the occasion. He shouted an order to our lads, and then one in Hindustani to the sepoys, who, on seeing a party of ourmen spring up behind us, stopped short, and then turned to flee, butonly to find themselves face to face with the dozen men by whom they hadpassed. 

"Down with your arms!" roared Brace, rushing at them. And with a sullengrowl, seven of them threw down their muskets, but the eighth made afierce thrust at Brace, which would have been deadly, had he not deftlyturned it aside to his left with his sabre, and then striking upwardwith the hilt, he caught the man a terrible blow in the cheek, androlled him over stunned. 

Our men gave a cheer as they closed in round the sepoys, and the nextminute two stout gunners were breaking the bayonets from the muzzles, snapping some off, and doubling the others completely back before takingthe muskets by the barrels; and then _crash, crash, crash_, the stockswere splintered off by blows against the largest trees, while the sepoysstood together closely guarded, their faces turning of a horrible drabtint, as their eyes rolled in anxious quest from face to face, for theyevidently expected moment by moment to hear the order for theirexecution. 

One poor wretch, with his lips ashy, glanced up at the trees, and thenwildly round, as I interpreted it, to see if any one was bringing ropes;and a shudder ran through him, and he closed his eyes, but opened themwidely, showing a ring of white about the iris as the doctor strode up. 

"Soon got a job ready for me, then, Brace?" he said. 

"Poor wretch!" was the reply. "I am sorry I shot him. "

"I'm not, " said the doctor, going down on one knee. "Why, man, hisbayonet was getting close to your breast, and I hate a bayonet wound; itgenerally beats me. Humph!" he added coolly, after a brief examinationof the fallen man, who was lying motionless, "so does this, " and herose. 

"Dead?" said Brace, with a look of pain in his face. 

"Quite. Come, soldier, it was in self-defence. "

"Yes, " said Brace slowly; "but I never killed a man before, doctor, evenin self-defence. "

Then, drawing himself up, he turned to the sepoys, and giving theregular orders, they obeyed, took a few steps, and then, as if moved bythe same spirit, halted, and threw themselves upon their knees withtheir hands outstretched for mercy, the man whom Brace had temporarilystunned by his blow, uttering a loud appeal, for all thought their endwas near. 

"Stand!" cried Brace, sternly; and then he told them that if they werefaithful and obedient their lives should be spared. 

They were grovelling at his feet on the instant, and a driver behind melaughed. 

"Well, I don't think I'd kiss the captain's boots like that to savemyself, " he said. For one of the men was actually kissing the muddyboots Brace wore. 

At a second command, they sprung to their feet, and, obeying orders withalacrity, they were drawn up in line, where Brace once more addressedthem, announcing that they would be treated without mercy if theyattempted to escape. 

Then poor Craig's litter was pointed out to them, and four raised thehandles to their shoulders, while the others were placed in front. Aguard was detailed to keep watch over them, and armed with carbines, with orders to shoot down the first man who tried to escape. 

A minute later our men were in their places; the order was given, and weleft the tope on the side farthest from the city, and descended towardthe low, cultivated ground, marched steadily toward the village whereBrace and I had passed the night, there to take up the track made by thewheels of our limbers, guns, and tumbrils, a long, wearisome task wefelt; for the enemy had many hours' start, and they were mounted, whilewe were on foot. 

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN. 

My toilsome marches through a country that was generally deserted, wecame to village after village in following the track of those guns; andgenerally it seemed as if the force of mutineers frightened the simplerryots away from their tiny farms and rice-grounds; for the villages weregenerally empty. When they were not, our appearance was sufficient tosend man, woman, and child flying; for already the land was beingdelivered up to the horrors of war. Ny Deen's men plundered as theywent, and helped themselves to all they required; while we, in turn, were forced to follow their example; and where food was not given, wewere obliged to take it. 

Our marches ought to have been made by night, so as to avoid the heat ofthe sun; but this was impossible, for the track of the guns would havebeen lost, and hence we had to journey on by daylight, rarely findingany difficulty, for the wheels made distinctive marks in the dustyroads; while in the open country, where Ny Deen made short cuts, thedeep ruts were so plain that, had we been mounted, we could havegalloped after them. 

It was very rarely that we could get any information from a native; butwhen we did, it was invariably to learn that the enemy was a full dayahead; and, in spite of our efforts, he always keep that distance. 

I remember that terrible broiling march with a shudder, for our mensuffered horribly from heat and thirst, often from want of food, whileour constant dread was lest any of the poor fellows should go down withsunstroke. 

But we were spared that, though every night, when we halted, the doctorconfided to me his opinion that it was miraculous. 

Craig was very weak and ill, and more than once he asked Brace to havehim laid down under a shady tree to die, so that better use might bemade of the bearers. 

"Impossible, my good fellow, " Brace used to say. "I can't spare you--the smartest sergeant in the troop. "

"Smartest, sir?" repeated Craig, with a piteous smile. "A helplessinvalid, too weak to lift a sword, let alone use it, or sit a horse. "

"Wait, Craig, and you will sit a horse yet, and help me to redeem thisterrible reverse. "

The days wore slowly on, and we seemed no nearer; and, but for theenergy and knowledge of Dost, we should have starved; but his knowledgeof the natives of the country people enabled him somehow or another toprovide for our commissariat, and we marched on with the sepoys alwaysbearing poor Craig's dhooly, and making no attempt to escape. 

I said something about it one night to Brace. 

"Wait, " he said, "and then we shall have to be doubly watchful. Theywill try to escape when we have overtaken the enemy; and our great perilwill be their betraying our presence; for we cannot play the lion now, Gil; we must play the fox. "

It was a wonder to me that we did not come upon any stragglers from theforce we were pursuing; but we did not overtake any; neither did we comeupon a broken-down horse. 

"Plain proof, " said Brace, "that they are taking care of them. Gil, mylad, if we do not recapture those guns, they will prove to be deadly intheir injury to our side; for, depend upon it, those daring fellows willtrain themselves to use them, and they will be terrible weapons in anenemy's hands. "

"More need for us to get them back, " I said. "You don't despair ofovertaking them?"

"I will not, " he said firmly; and then, to change the subject, "How didyou think our horses looked?"

"Very well. Why don't you ride?"

"Why don't you?" he retorted. 

"Because all our poor fellows have to walk. "

"Exactly, Gil; my reason. Wait a bit, and we'll mount them all. Ah, ifthat time would only come!"

It did not then, nor yet for many days, during which we had steadilyfollowed the track, never once losing it; but I could note how wearyboth Haynes and Brace grew. 

"You see, " said the former, "they must be making for sometrysting-place--one of the big towns, perhaps; and if they reach it, ourchance has gone. "

"Don't let Brace hear you say that, " I whispered; but from hints thecaptain dropped that night, I was certain that he was thinking somethingof the kind. 

It was toward evening, after a fearfully hot day, during part of whichwe had been forced to rest, while Dost had gone on in advance toinvestigate, that we were toiling on through a very beautiful part ofthe country--all green, and a succession of park-like patches andplains, that were wonderfully refreshing after weary tramps over browndeserts of dust, that we were suddenly checked by our advance menannouncing a native some distance ahead. 

But as we reached the front, the distant figure held up its turban in apeculiar way, and I exclaimed--

"Dost!"

The order was given to advance; and before we had gone far, the man, whowas hurrying to meet us, signed to us to bear off to the left; and fiveminutes later, when we met, he pointed to a beautiful patch of forest, into which we filed. 

"Well, Dost, what now?" said Brace, gloomily. 

"They are halting, sahib, only a short distance in front. "

"Is there a town there?"

"No, sahib; only a large village at the end of a wide plain. We can getround to the end, and perhaps see them. "

"But are you sure it is the party we are tracking?" I cried excitedly. 

"Oh yes, sahib. There are all the horses and guns. They were drawn upin front when I came away. "

"Ready to start once more, " said Brace, eagerly. "Let's get on and seeif anything can be done. "

Leaving Haynes in charge of the men who were allowed to rest in thegrateful shade of the forest edge, Brace called to me to accompany him, and with Dost for our guide, we threaded our way among the trees fornearly an hour, when Dost suddenly stopped short, as a shout fell uponour ears, followed by a familiar trampling sound, with the jingle ofaccoutrements, and rattle of gun and limber. 

"They are going, " said Brace, quickly; and hurrying forward, he made fora spot where the forest looked lighter; and in another minute we had tostoop down and shelter ourselves, for where we were the trees ended, anda wide plain spread out far as eye could reach, while on the right was alarge village with a temple just on the banks of a river, whose brightwaters looked welcome in that thirsty land. 

But we had no eyes for river or plain with such a scene between us andthe village as greeted us; for there, in very fair order, thanks to ourhighly trained horses, was our little battery of six six-pounders, withtheir limbers and mounted men complete; but, in place of the Englishgunners and drivers in their laced jackets, breeches and boots, brasshelmets, and long scarlet horsehair plumes, the battery was manned bydark-faced men in white, with turbans to match, and under the command ofa noble-looking chief in a turban that flashed in the sunlight with goldor gems; while, even at the distance we were, we could make out that theman in gay shawls and rich stuffs, who waved his sword as he canteredalong upon a magnificent arab, was Barton's old syce, Ny Deen. 

"The scoundrel!" muttered Brace, whose hand played with the hilt of hispistol as we crouched there, and I felt that if ever he came withinrange, a bullet would lay him low. 

As the troop went along at a trot, a thrill ran through me, and I feltan intense longing to be mounted once more in my place; and from thatmoment shared more intensely Brace's longing to recover the guns. 

"They are on the march again, " my companion whispered, as he used hisglass and went on making comments. "The guns look bright and clean; thescoundrels, they know their value to them. But they cannot manage themlike our lads. Oh, Gil, boy, it is maddening to see them going offunder our eyes, and we able to do nothing. "

"No, " I said sadly; "it must be a surprise. We could do nothing even ifour men were here. "

"Nothing, " he replied as the rattle and tramp grew fainter, and horseafter horse that I recognised, from some peculiarity of colour or mark, became merged in the crowd. "There must be a road through the villageand along by the river. Oh, Gil, if they had been going to stay therefor the night, I should have risked a surprise. Yes. There they go. Well, we can see at last the direction they take, and if there is aroad, we'll risk a night's march, and try to come up with them. Ourhorses--our guns--in the hands of that wretched crew! And look at thegroom dressed out in all that finery--plunder, I suppose. But onlywait. "

At that moment I clutched at Brace's arm, and he gave quite a gasp ofrelief, for all at once we saw Ny Deen turn his horse, gallop to ourleft, and then pull up and face round while the troop wheeled to theleft, trotted steadily along past the village, wheeled again, and thenadvanced parallel to the course we had seen them taking, but of coursein the reverse direction, so that if they went on far enough, they wouldpass us about half a mile away. 

"They're drilling, " I whispered excitedly. 

"Yes, drilling, " cried Brace, and turning as he spoke. "Gil, lad, theywill halt here for the night. "

He caught my hand in a tremendous grip, and his face lit up and his eyesflashed with excitement as he uttered a curious laugh. 

"Sit down, lad, and let's watch them, " he cried mockingly. "We shallhave some lessons on the management of a troop. By George, look at thedear old horses! They know the work so well that they are taking themen with them. Look, Gil, there's poor Craig's grey Arab. There theygo. He wants to gallop, and that fellow has hard work to hold him in. "

The troop was kept at a steady trot, and as it reached the part of theplain facing us, we saw Ny Deen dash in front, wave his sword--aflashing curved tulwar--and the horses were reined in, halted, and then, after a minute's interval, during which we could hear the voice of theleader giving orders, they advanced again, but this time at a walk, while Ny Deen galloped on in advance, as if to map out the course hemeant the troop to take. 

"The scoundrel rides well, " muttered Brace, as we saw Ny Deen rein upand throw his horse back almost on its haunches. "Pretty good that, fora syce. "

"It is the Maharajah of Ahdenpore, sahib, " said Dost, who had crouchedbehind us unnoticed, looking on and hearing every word we said. 

"What!" cried Brace, harshly. "I can see. I know the man; LieutenantBarton's syce. "

"Yes, sahib; but it is the great Maharajah. He came and worked as asyce all that time, so that he might learn all about the drilling andtraining of the guns. It was a plot--a cunning plot, sahib, and he waswaiting his time. "

"Hah!" ejaculated Brace. "Yes. Too clever for us; but we may have ourday yet. Yes; they are drilling, " he continued, as the troop wheeledagain, and began advancing toward the forest at whose edge we crouchedin hiding; but when they were about half-way toward us from the spotwhere they had turned, there was another order, the troop wheeled intoline, and the men sprang down, unlimbered, the guns were trained, and wesaw slowly, but with fair regularity, the pieces brought into action, the white-robed gunners going through the loading and firing drill, ramming, sponging, firing, till about ten rounds had been discharged inblank, when the order rang out again, and the guns were limbered up, andretired three or four hundred yards before halt was again called, thesame performance gone through and repeated then in the advance, as ifthey were sheltering the village, each halt being at the end of somethree hundred yards. 

In this way they passed us, not two hundred yards distant, and we had tolie close for fear of being seen. 

Then a fresh movement was gone through, the troop was formed into columnagain, and as we watched, the men were halted just in front of thevillage, where they were dismissed, and the horses were trotted off tovarious parts where there were sheds beneath the trees, the guns beingleft in line, in front of the principal house of the place. 

"They stay here for the night, Gil, " said Brace excitedly. 

"Yes, sahib, and they slept here last night. "

"Ah, " cried Brace; "you know?"

"Yes, sahib, I have been right through the village where the people arestaying. No one took me for a spy; it was there I learned that Ny Deenwas the Rajah of Ahdenpore. He is going to stay here--it is one of hisvillages--and drill the men till they can gallop and fire quickly, thenhe is going to join Shah Rogan's army, fifty miles to the north, andthey are to sweep all the white sahibs out of our land. "

"_L'homme propose, et Dieu dispose_, Gil, " said Brace, quietly. "So wehave run the rajah to earth, eh? Then the next best thing is to keepour men out of sight, Gil, eh?" he continued cheerily. "Dost, you willbe faithful to us, I know. Perhaps we shall not all be swept out of thecountry. Now then, cautiously, " he said. "Hah, yes, they have sentriesplaced. Rajah Syce is no fool. It was a clever, well-contrived scheme, but he will have to work hard to keep those guns, Gil. Now, three hoursfor rest and food; we must get strength, if we are to succeed. "

"Have you a plan yet?" I said as we walked on in the shade of thetrees. 

"None as yet. The only thing I have been planning is to make sure thosesepoy prisoners do not betray us. The rest will come. "

Half an hour later we were back in our little camp, where Haynes hadsentries placed, and our evening meal ready. 

"Any luck?" he said, in a tired voice. 

"Yes, " said Brace; "we have been watching a review of our troop. Wehave run the enemy to his lair. "

"And what next?"

"Hah! we must settle that after a sleep, " said Brace, and I stared athim in astonishment, he seemed so cheerful and calm. 

CHAPTER NINETEEN. 

I sat talking to Craig that evening as the poor fellow was indulged bythe doctor with his pipe. 

"Are you in much pain?" I said. 

"Yes, sir; horrible--in my head. "

"I'll soak my handkerchief, and lay it across your forehead, " I said, rising. 

"No, no, sir; that will do no good, " he replied, laughing. "It's mentalpain, because I'm so helpless. I want to be on my legs again, and thenon a horse. It's horrible being carried about as I am, and in everyone's way. "

"Be patient, " I said. "You're a hale, hearty man, and will soonrecover. "

"I should, sir, if I could be of any use, " he said sadly. 

To divert his attention, poor fellow, I told him of the scene we hadwitnessed, and he listened to it all eagerly, sometimes giving vent toan angry ejaculation, sometimes laughing, and then looking at meapologetically. 

"I beg your pardon, sit, " he said; "but I couldn't help laughing to hearof their blundering about like that. "

"But it's no joke, Craig. "

"No, sir; but it all goes to show that this business has been a longtime hatching, and it means more trouble than you gentlemen think for, sir. "

"You think so--that the mutiny is widespread?"

"I think, sir, and I've often thought so before, that if the nativeprinces ever had a chance, they would make a fight for the country. Imay be wrong, but I believe that they've been plotting all this foryears, and now the fire has begun, it's running all through the country, and unless the English look sharp, the land of India is gone for ever. "

"And we are so helpless here, " I said; "unable to do anything. "

"Don't you talk like that, sir; you and Mr Brace are doing your best. The captain is following the enemy up to get back the guns and horses, of course?"

I nodded. 

"And the job is how to get them, " he continued, thoughtfully. 

I nodded again. 

"I've got nothing to do but lie here and think. I'll see if I can'tscheme a way. It can only be done by a trick. "

"I'm afraid not, " I said. 

"Only to think of Ny Deen turning out to be a big rajah, sir. Well, healways seemed a curious sort of fellow to me. He's a clever one, that'scertain and the captain has his work cut out to deal with a fox of thatkind. He will not fight, and he will be off if you show yourselves. He'll wait till he has drilled his fellows into being smart with theguns and till then you'll get no fight out of him. Why, Mr Vincent, that man will do no end of mischief by-and-by with the guns. How wouldit be to--"

"Eh? Come, come, my man, this will not do, " said the doctor, walkingup. "You're getting hot and feverish. There, put away that pipe, andhave a good long sleep. "

"Let me say one word, sir, please, " pleaded Craig. 

"Quick, then. What is it?" and as I leaned eagerly forward to hear whatplan he had to propose, Craig said quietly--

"I'm a bit in doubt about my bearers, sir. There's a good deal ofwhispering going on. They know that we are near their friends, and ifthey communicate it may mean mischief, or else another long weary tramp, for the enemy will retreat. "

"Yes, I'll tell Captain Brace, " I said; and I went away meaning to askCraig his plan the next day. 

As I went across to where our quarters were, under a tree, I came uponyoung Dick Dobbs, our trumpeter, busy with a bit of rag and some powder, polishing away at his bugle, and I nodded to the happy-lookingbright-faced lad. 

"That's right, " I said; "keep it bright. "

"I will, sir, " he said, raising the instrument to his lips. "Oh, Ishould like to have a good blow. "

"And blow all poor Brace's schemes to the winds, " I said to myself. "Iwonder what Craig's plan is. "

The next minute I was telling Brace of Craig's suspicions. 

"Hum, yes, " he cried. "That's a good man, Craig. I'd give somethingfor him to be well and strong again. I'll go and speak to the bearers, and double their guard. It would be ruin if they communicated with theenemy now. "

He went and gave the necessary orders, returned, and after makingarrangements for our bivouac that night, Dost was summoned to aconsultation, the result being that the Hindu stole off as soon as itwas dark, and did not return for some hours. 

Haynes was sleeping, and after lying down for a time enjoying thecomparative coolness of the air, and listening to the peculiar noises inthe forest, wondering the while whether any stray tiger might be on theprowl, I rose and went to where Brace was sitting. 

"You!" he said. "Why are you not asleep?"

"I can't go off, " I replied. "I'm uneasy about Dost. "

"So am I, " replied Brace. "He does not come back. I hope he isfaithful. "

"I feel sure he is, " I cried. 

"Not so loud, my lad, " he whispered. "We are deep in the forest, butsound passes far on a night like this. Yes, I think he is faithful; buthe belongs to another people, and if he thinks that his people are aboutto get the upper hand, it is too much to expect him to stand fast by analien race. "

Just then one of our men uttered a deep sigh, and as I looked in thedirection from which the sound had come, I could not help thinking howdependent we were upon our posts at a time like that, with our poorweary fellows lying about fast asleep, and the thought had hardlyoccurred to me, when I sprang up, for there was a challenge from oursentry out in the direction of the rajah's town. 

Brace was on the _qui vive_ at once, and we stood there listening andtrying to pierce the gloom when a dimly seen white figure stole up; andI was thinking how easily a daring party of natives might rush inamongst us, and, in a few minutes of surprise, cut us up, when thefigure spoke, and I recognised Dost's voice. 

"What news?" cried Brace, eagerly. 

"I got right in among the people, " said Dost, quietly. "They hardlynoticed that I was a stranger, most of them taking me for one of therajah's followers. "

"And what have you learned?" said Brace, eagerly--"that they marchto-morrow!"

"No, sahib, they stay here to drill till the maharajah is satisfied, andthen they go to join the other chief. "

"Yes, yes, " said Brace. "But you are sure they stand fast here for thepresent?"

"As sure as man can be, sahib, " replied Dost. "The rajah says that hewill stay; but if he learns that you are here he will either attack you, or go at once. "

Brace remained very thoughtful as soon as Dost was dismissed, and quitea little council of war was held, to which Haynes was summoned, andafter much talking, we could only come to the conclusion that an attackwould be full of the risk of failure. Such an attempt would beunsatisfactory, Brace said, unless we could thoroughly scotch therajah's power by carrying off all the horses and guns, and to do thisseemed impossible in the face of such strong odds and the careful watchkept by the enemy. 

"Can any one suggest a ruse by which we could capture them?"

"What about a night attack with lights and plenty of shouting?" said thedoctor. 

"We have no lights, " replied Brace; "and if we had, we should scare thehorses as well as the enemy, and send them galloping over the plains. "

"Better keep to my own profession, " said the doctor grimly. 

"Haynes, can you suggest anything?" said Brace. 

"No; I leave that to you. But what you ask me to do I'll do with all mymight. "

"I know that, old fellow; but I want some suggestion. You, Vincent, canyou propose anything?"

"Only for us to steal up to their quarters, cast loose the horses, andthen carry them off some night--to-night, if you like. The guns wouldbe of no use to them without horses, and, once mounted, we could cutthem up. "

"Good!" said Brace, patting me on the shoulder. "But how are we to getat the horses without being discovered?"

"By the help of Dost and his spying. "

"Yes, it must be somehow in that way; but I cannot see the scheme yet ina successful form. Well, we shall do nothing to-night. Let's rest, those of us who can. But about rations; how long can we hold out?"

"Till to-morrow night, " said Haynes. 

"By that time, sahib, I shall be able to get a donkey load or two offood. I know this country, and to-morrow I can go to the villages awayto the east, and buy rice and cakes. "

"About water?"

"There is a good spring a hundred yards away, " said the doctor quickly;and at rest on this point, careful watch was set, silence enjoined, andsoon after the little camp was asleep. 

I was so utterly wearied out, that I believe I was one of the first todrop off, and the next thing I remember is lying on my back gazing up atthe bright golden shafts of sunlight which penetrated the dense leafageoverhead. 

It was morning once more, and I immediately began to think about ourguns. 

CHAPTER TWENTY. 

That day passed slowly away, with the heat increasing till theafternoon, and then slowly declining again towards evening. Thegreatest care was taken of the sepoy prisoners, and the men had the moststringent orders not to go anywhere near the edge of the wood, lest theyshould be seen by any of the natives at the rajah's camp, and nothingcould have been better than their conduct--all, to a man, busyingthemselves in polishing up their accoutrements and waiting patientlyuntil their services were wanted, for the discipline of our troop wasperfection. 

Quite early in the day I went to Sergeant Craig, but the doctor was byhim. 

"A little irritable this morning, " said the latter. "Wounds going onall right; but they pain him, and I've given him something to make himsleep. Don't disturb him, poor fellow. "

"Is he worse?" I whispered. 

"Worse? No; better. I'm making a splendid job of him. He'll be aboutagain before long. "

I had to come away disappointed, but I soon had something else to takeup my attention; for, as I was wondering what sort of a plan Craig'swould be for seizing the guns, Dost came up to me. 

"Going to the captain, sahib, " he said. "He will give me rupees, and Ican go, and buy food. "

"But you'll be careful not to betray our hiding-place, Dost. "

"The sahib may trust me, " he said, proudly. "They will only think meone who buys to sell again. "

I walked with him to where Brace was standing, watching the changingguard over our prisoners, and he turned to us sharply. 

"Ready to start, Dost?"

"Yes, sahib, " replied the man, holding out his hand for the rupees. "Iwill try all I can to get plenty, but it will be poor food for thesahib. "

"Never mind. Now, be careful. "

"Yes, sahib, " said Dost, taking the rupees given to him, hiding them ina fold of his turban, and then salaaming and going off amongst thetrees, while after satisfying himself about the safety of his prisoners, Brace laid his hand upon my shoulder, and led me toward the edge of thedeep forest, which we approached carefully, going down on our hands andknees before peering out, and seeing a long line of men, with theirladen donkeys, each bearing a heavy yellowish-green pile. 

"The grass-cutters, " I whispered, as the men led their animals up towardthe little flat, which looked bright and cheerful in the morningsunshine. 

"I'm glad to see that, Gil, my lad, " said the captain. "It shows thatthey are taking good care of the poor horses. " As we watched, the lineof grass-cutters disappeared in a hollow, and we could then see thesentries, with their drawn swords, slowly marching up and down, while acouple more at a distance gave a hint of the care Ny Deen was taking toguard against surprise. 

As we had half expected, quite early in the morning the troop rodeslowly out, the men in white, looking fairly soldierly, and the horses, as far as we could judge at that distance, in excellent condition, andcarefully groomed. 

"Gil, " said Brace, suddenly, "go back and send three men with the horsesa good half-mile further into the forest. Let them stay there till Isend for them back. If they are within hearing here, one of them issure to hear the jingle of the accoutrements, and neigh out achallenge. "

"Of course; it would be ruinous, " I said, "unless we use it as a lure tobring them near to us, and then made a sudden dash. "

"It would not bring them near, Gil, " said Brace, smiling, "but send themfarther away. Ny Deen did not plot and plan and suffer, as he hassuffered, to get those guns, and make himself master of a dashing troopof horse artillery, to run any risk of losing it again. "

"No, " I said, thoughtfully; and I hurried away, feeling how right hewas. 

The task did not take me many minutes; I only stopped to see three menleading off our three beautiful chargers, and gratified myself with afew pats on their glossy necks, before hurrying back and creeping downby Brace's side, where I watched with him the drilling and training ofthe native gunners, who, under the orders of Ny Deen, whose clothesglittered in the sun, went slowly and fairly through the gun-drill, making believe to carry cartridges to the gun muzzle, ram them home, fire, and then sponge out the bores, and all in a way which went toprove that, after a few months, they would be clever enough gunners todo a great deal of mischief to a foe. 

The proceedings were very similar to those we had seen on the previousday, only that the troop marched by us much more closely, and I had abetter view of Ny Deen, unmistakably our syce at the barracks, but nowtransformed into a gorgeously dressed, princely looking chief, mountedon his graceful-looking Arab, whose hoofs hardly seemed to touch theground, so beautifully elastic was every bound as it cantered by. 

I was admiring the group before me, and had turned to whisper somethingto Brace, but I saw such a fixed look of misery and despair in his facethat I was silent, and felt for him, knowing, too, that I ought to havebeen as much hurt at the loss of our horses and guns as he. 

We crouched there, watching and listening to the dull trample of thehorses over the plain, the jingle of the swords, and the peculiarunmistakable rattle of gun-carriage and limber. Now they halted, andpretended to fire; now they limbered up, and advanced and retreated, andfinally, in capital order, marched down to their quarters, the gunsbeing parked, as before; and not till then did Brace give any sign ofhis presence by giving vent to a low, deep sigh. 

"If I could only think of some scheme!" I kept on saying to myself, asI walked back with him to our little camp; but the more I tried toinvent some plan, the more hopeless it all seemed. The only idea I hadwas to gather our men together in two bodies, to be hidden among thetrees, half on one side of the plain, half on the other, and one ofthose parties to attack and try to surprise the troop when they camenear, when, if they took alarm and galloped off to the other side, theywould be running into the arms of another little ambuscade, whom wecould go over to help. 

I had just got to this point, when Brace turned to me sharply. 

"You have just thought out some plan, " he said. "What is it?"

I told him, and he listened patiently to the end. 

"What do you think of it now?" he said, gravely. 

"I think it's as bad and stupid as ever it can be, " I cried, pettishly. 

"You are right, Gil, " he said; "it is. Absolutely hopeless, my dearboy. No; men on foot cannot catch Arab horses. They would be off at avery different pace to that we have seen, directly we showed ourselves. It would not do, Gil--it would not do. "

I sighed now, partly from vexation, and we joined our companions in themiserable meal, of which we were badly in want. Then the horses werefetched back, and we anxiously awaited the return of Dost, who joined usjust at dusk, driving two donkeys before him, so laden with provisionsthat our prospects looked ten times as hopeful. 

"Why, Dost, man, " said Brace, smiling at him, "I was thinking tenminutes ago that it would be impossible for us to hold this position forwant of food. You have given us two or three days more. Quick! let'sgive the poor lads a good supper, Gil; they want it badly. "

That night, just at watch-setting, I went again to see Craig, but withno great hope of his having any plan worth listening to, for the wholebusiness seemed to be impossible. There is only one way, I said tomyself: a dash at them by night, sword in hand. But when I reached theplace where the poor fellow lay, he was sleeping easily, and it wasquite out of the question to waken a wounded man. 

All was quiet in the camp at last, and, fortunately for us, the weatherlovely. We had our quiet talk after watch-setting, and it fell to mylot that night to have to make the rounds, so that I had plenty of timefor thought, as I leaned against a tree, and tried once more to makesome plan, but tried in vain. 

Then I listened to faint distant sounds in the rajah's village, and tothe howling of the jackals, with the croakings, whisperings, andmutterings which came out of the black forest, all sounding so weird andstrange that I was glad to keep going from post to post, to chat in awhisper with the men, and make sure that no attempt at evasion was beingmade by our prisoners, who all appeared to be asleep. 

And so my part of the uneasy night watch passed away, and I was relievedby Brace. 

"Thought out anything?" I said. 

"No, " he replied. "Have you?"

I shook my head, and went and lay down to drop asleep on the instant, and wake up at daybreak according to my custom. 

I had hardly risen when the doctor came to me. 

"Vincent, my lad, " he said, "I don't think Craig is any worse, but he isuneasy. He has got something on his mind, and wants to speak to you. "

"To me?" I said eagerly. "I'll go. "

I hurried to where the poor fellow lay, and he signed to me to kneeldown by him. 

"Why, Craig, man, " I said, "what is it?"

"What is it?" he said angrily. "That doctor has been giving me stuff tokeep me asleep just at a time when I could help you all so. "

"Help us? How? With that plan of yours for getting the guns and horsesback?"

"Yes, " he whispered eagerly. "I wouldn't say a word to any one else asI spoke to you first. "

I looked at him curiously. 

"Oh no, " he said, as he interpreted my look. "I'm not feverish ordelirious. Quite calm and cool, sir. Listen!"

I bent down, and he began talking in a low whisper, full of earnestness, as he unrolled his plan, and as he went on my heart began to beat, andmy cheeks to flush. 

"That makes your eyes sparkle, sir, doesn't it?" he said. "That willdo, won't it?"

"Do, Craig!" I whispered. "It's glorious. If it succeeds, they oughtto give you a commission. "

"Think so?" he said. "Ah, well, perhaps I shan't live to want it. Butwhat are you going to do?"

"Go and tell the captain, of course, " I cried. 

"That's right; go and tell him, sir, " whispered the wounded man; "andgood luck to you. Oh, if I could only have been in the game!"

"I wish from my heart you could have been, Craig, " I said, pressing hishand. 

"And you won't leave me behind, sir, to the crows?"

"If you are left behind, Craig, I shall be left behind too, " I said. "But left! Why, you'll be riding on a limber or in the waggon, man. There, I must go and tell him. Hurrah! Oh, Craig, if I had only beenborn with a brain like yours!"

"Perhaps you would have only wasted your life, sir, as I did. But goalong and tell him, and God bless your efforts, for it may mean savingthousands of innocent lives, and preventing the pandies from runningriot over the country, and marking their track in blood. "

The next minute I was seeking Brace, feeling that I had the guns undermy hands; and so occupied that I did not notice a peculiar fact. 

Our prisoners were not in their customary places, though the sentrieswere on guard!

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE. 

Bubbling over with excitement, I was not long in finding Brace, whom Itook aside and told of the plan. 

He stood with knitted brows in perfect silence, hearing me to the veryend, and then, feeling chilled and disappointed, I looked into his sternface, and said--

"Then you don't think it will do?"

He did not speak for a few moments. Then he gripped my wrist with allhis might. 

"Gil, " he said huskily, "it almost stunned me. The idea is as grand asit is simple. It is certain of success. My dear boy, what a brain youhave!"

"Oh no, " I said hastily; "it was not I. It was poor Craig. He thoughtof it the day before yesterday, but I only got to know of it thismorning. "

"I wish it had been you, " said Brace. "But never mind; it is glorious. Craig will have saved us and our reputation far more than he thinksfor. "

"Then he ought to be rewarded, " I said. 

"Of course!"

"Then you will put the plan in force?"

"Directly, my dear fellow, " cried Brace, excitedly. "There, I must becalm, and make my plans. "

He stood thinking for a few minutes, and then turned to me. 

"Yes, " he said, "that will do. Now then; you will take the men, and--"

"Oh no, " I cried, "don't send me away. I must be in it, Brace. "

He looked at me searchingly. 

"It's a daring thing to do, " he said. "And you are very young yet, mylad. "

"But I brought you the idea. "

"Yes; but carrying it out is another thing. Mr Haynes must come. "

"Oh no, " I cried passionately. "It wouldn't be fair to me. Besides, itwould be with my horses. "

"The Queen's horses for the time being, my boy. Don't you see that itwill require strength and dash?"

"Yes; and I feel as if I could dash into it. "

"But the risk?"

"Never mind the risk, Brace, " I cried excitedly. "Pray, pray, let me bein it. "

"Very well, " he said--and my heart leaped. "You shall go; but follow myorders to the smallest point, and don't let your excitement get thebetter of you. "

"No; I'll be calm, " I said. 

"Then there is no time to lose; they will be out soon, this coolpleasant morning. "

He took a few steps to one side, and gave the order to the men to fallin. 

The men saw that something was on the way, and sprang to their places, when Brace ordered the three horses to be saddled and bridled. 

This was quickly done, and by that time, and while they were beingtethered to the nearest trees, the men had buckled on their belts, andtaken the carbines from their rustic stand among the undergrowth. 

Then there was a dead silence, and Brace signed to me, and then marchedoff Haynes towards the edge of the forest, while I followed. 

When we got to the border, and stood by the plain with the rajah's townon our right, and the level extending to the left, till the forest sweptround about a mile away, Brace pointed out a spot in the curve ofverdure, where some half-dozen large trees towered up. 

"You see those, Haynes?" said Brace. 

"Yes. "

"March all the men to that spot, and form an ambush at the foot of thosetrees. Be quite ready for us when we join you. "

"What are you going to do?"

"Silence, and listen to my orders, " said Brace sternly. "You will marchthe men there in single file by keeping just at the edge of the forest, where it is more open; but the greatest care will be necessary so thatyou are not seen from the town. If you are, the plan is spoiled. "

"Right; I'll be careful. I understand. When am I to attack?"

"When I or Vincent give the word. You ought to be at that spot in lessthan an hour, in spite of dense growth. "

"Yes; I'll be there. "

"Keep your men hidden, and whatever you see take place, don't stir, evenif we are taken prisoners. "

"Well--I'll obey orders, sir. "

"That is good. Now then, back to your men; and, mind, it is of vitalimportance that you carry out my orders to the smallest item. "

"You may trust me, " said Haynes, quietly; and it was the soldierspeaking now to his superior. The friendly, easy-going ways ofbrother-officers were gone, and we stood together watching him till hedisappeared among the trees. 

For a few moments Brace made no movement, but stood as if plunged inthought. Then, turning suddenly, he moved to the very edge of theforest, and leaning forward gazed intently at the town, whose houseslooked bright in the morning sun, and among which were throngs ofwhite-clothed people emerging here and there. We could see the guns tooglistening in the sun, but no sign of armed men excepting the sentries, whose swords glittered as they walked to and fro. 

"Why, Gil, " said Brace, drawing a long breath, "how satisfied they seemof their safety; a squadron of lancers would capture those guns withease. "

"And we are going to capture them without, " I said. 

"Hist! what was that?"

"Haynes giving an order to march, " I said. 

"No; some one coming this way! Well, what is it?" he cried to a man whocame on at the double, and saluted. 

"The lieutenant, sir, " replied the man. "Will you come at once?"

"Something wrong, " I heard Brace mutter, as he strode back through thetrees to where the men were drawn up with Haynes in front. 

"Now, what is it?" said Brace, sharply. "Why are you not gone, sir?"

"I thought it my duty to stop and see if you would change your plans, "replied Haynes. "The prisoners have escaped. "

"What?" cried Brace, excitedly, as he ran his eyes along the men. "Whowere on duty?"

"The men were _all_ ordered to fall in, " said Haynes. 

"Yes; quite right. Oh, what a blunder!" added Brace, excitedly, beneathhis breath. Then turning to me--"Gil, " he murmured, "our plan isthwarted. "

"Don't give up yet, " I whispered. 

"But they will have gone to the town and given warning of our presence. "

"They may have fled in another direction. "

Brace was silent for a few moments, and then he said quickly--

"Well, it need not interfere; we should be obliged to move off, but mustalter our plans a little. "

He spoke to Haynes, who gave the orders for four men to fall out. Thelitter was seized, Sergeant Craig carefully lifted upon it, the doctorlooking on wonderingly; and then, as the men raised the handles, Bracespoke again. 

"Dobbs, " he said sharply, "fall out and take charge of the horses. "

The lad stepped back, and as he did so a gleam of sunshine through thetrees made his trumpet flash for a moment. The next he was standing bythe beautiful animals which were impatiently champing their bits andpawing the ground. 

Then Brace made Haynes a sign, and the men turned right face, and withHaynes at their head, filed off, the bearers falling in with their load, and the doctor looking undecided. 

"Follow the wounded man, sir, " said Brace, and the doctor immediatelytook his place at the end of the little column, while we stood watchingthem till they had disappeared among the trees. 

"We may succeed even now, Gil, " said my companion; "but once more, whilethere is time, speak out frankly to me as if I were your brother; thetrumpeter cannot hear. Do you feel--well, to be plain--frightened?"

"I suppose so, " I said. "It's a curious nervous sensation. "

"Then give up, and follow the men, and I'll go alone. "

"You said I was to speak to you as if you were my brother, " I said. 

"Yes. "

"Then I will speak, " I said through my teeth. "It is to my brother, andnot to my commanding-officer. I won't. I'll go with you now if I diefor it. "

And all the time the feeling of dread I felt was horrible, and worsethan all was that the feeling grew. 

Brace caught my hand and wrung it. 

"Well done!" he said in a low voice. "I can see. I know the sensation;but that's the way. Fight it down. "

"I'm trying, " I said, huskily; "but I wish I was not such a coward. "

"I don't, Gil, " he said, smiling, "There, now we have a horrible taskbefore us to wait nearly an hour. Dobbs, follow us with the horses, andkeep about twenty yards behind. "

He advanced to the three noble beasts, and began to examine theirbridles, and then tightened their girths himself, before saying shortly, "Now forward, " and, carrying the scabbard of his sword, he led the wayonce more to the edge of the wood, where, after taking care that we werecarefully screened, he swept the plain with his eyes, and then took outhis glass. 

"Yes, that will do, " he said to the trumpeter, who had stopped with thebridles of the horses in his hands and a look of eager excitement in hiseyes, as he evidently anticipated riding that day instead of a longweary tramp. 

Brace used his glass and watched the town, making comments to me fromtime to time. 

"All very quiet, " he said. "Our lads must have an hour, for they mayfind the tangle very hard to get through. "

There was a long pause, during which he was almost constantly watchingthe place with his glass. And how that scene is imprinted in my mind;the beautiful fringe of green trees, where we stood in the shade, andbefore us the broad plain bright in the fresh morning sunshine, andwreaths of mist still floating over it, but being rapidly dispelled bythe sun, though the distance still looked hazy and of a delicious blue. There on the right was the village or town, dotted with the figures ofthe white-robed Hindus, whose arms flashed now and then, as they movedhere and there. 

"If they will only give us a full hour, Gil, " said Brace. "How longhave our men been gone?"

"Not a quarter yet, " I said. 

He uttered an ejaculation full of impatience, and began watching again. 

"I'm between two fires, " he said at last. "I am eager for them to comeout before those scoundrelly sepoys give the rajah warning; and I amlonging for them to stay for a full three-quarters of an hour yet. Whata dilemma. It is terrible. "

Just then there was the sound of a horse plunging and squealing, and weturned to where the trumpeter held the three. 

"That would ruin us if they were passing, " muttered Brace. Then aloud, "Keep them quiet, my lad. What are you doing?"

"Beg pardon, sir; did not move. Mr Vincent's horse, sir, a bitplayful. They're all so fresh. "

We patted and quieted the beautiful animals, and left them again toresume our old place, to find that all remained still. There was noexcitement, and we could see nothing to suggest that there had been analarm, and men were coming out to attack us or a retreat had beenordered. But as we watched, we suddenly saw a man in white riding thebeautiful gaily caparisoned Arab, which even at that distance Irecognised as the rajah's charger. He was passing along in front ofsome buildings, and my heart beat faster as I felt that at last the timewas rapidly approaching for action. 

"How long do you think it is now since they started?" said Brace, in ahoarse voice. 

"Half an hour, " I replied; and I did not recognise my own voice, itsounded so husky. 

"Hah!" sighed Brace, still using his glass. 

Then, after a few minutes--

"They're turning out, " he said. "Yes; and there is no sign of hurry;"and he kept on telling me as, by the help of the glass, the confusion Icould see was cleared; and the leading out of horses, and falling in ofmen, was described, "They're going through it all exactly as if theywere our troop, " said Brace, bitterly. "We've let them see ourtraining, and trained them, too, to some purpose. Hasn't anotherquarter of an hour gone yet?"

"No, " I said; "not more than ten minutes. "

"It seems like ten hours. Hah! Trumpeter, keep those horses quiet, onyour life. "

There was a neighing and stamping and trampling mingled with thebreaking of bushes, and then all was quiet again; while I felt anintense longing to mount my Arab, and gallop as hard as that beautifulcreature could go. 

"You can see them plainly now?" said Brace. 

"Oh yes; quite plainly, " I replied, as I saw the limbers brought out, each by its six horses, and the men drawn up ready, some on foot, therest mounted, and holding the horses of the dismounted gunners, two ofwhom, however, would in each case mount to their seats on the limber. 

"Where is the rajah?" said Brace, impatiently. "I can't see him. Canyou?"

"No. "

"Then those scoundrels of sepoys must have reached the place, and, instead of their coming out to drill to-day, they will retreat oncemore. "

Just then came the squealing and trampling of the horses again, and Ihad to run back and help poor Dobbs, whose face was scarlet. 

"I can hardly hold them, sir. The flies are beginning to worry them, too. "

"Only a little longer, Dobbs, " I said. "Pray--pray try and keep themquiet. "

I tried hard to soothe my restive charger, which whinnied after meimpatiently as I went away again, just as if the poor brute feltdisappointed because I had not mounted and ridden him off. 

But they were pretty quiet when I left them, and I rejoined Brace, whowas trembling with excitement. 

"It must be nearly an hour now, " he said to me appealingly. 

"Yes, it must be, " I replied. 

"And Haynes ought to be ready. It will take a few minutes, too, whichwill all be in their favour. But the scoundrels don't come out; and, though I can see the rajah's Arab, I can't see him. Take the glass andtry yourself. "

I caught the glass from his hand, and swept the ground, to see that thesix guns were all out in front, the long line of horses ready with theirriders, and the drivers already seated, waiting for the limbering up, each team of glossy creatures breaking up the regularity of the line. 

"No, " I said, returning the glass. "I can't see him. "

"But you could make out his horse?"

"Yes, plainly. "

"Gil, " said Brace, after a pause, "our hour must be up; and we could actat once if they came out. But there is something wrong. "

"I hope not. "

"And I; but I'm afraid. Is your pistol charged?"

"No, " I said. 

"Then load, man, load. Heaven knows I don't want to destroy life; butwe are fighting for our queen and country, and for the thousands ofwomen and children who may soon be at the mercy of these men. "

I hastily dragged my cartouche-box round, and charged my pistol, andwhen this was done, looked at Brace, as if asking for further commands. 

"Is your sword sharp?"

"Yes, very, " I replied. 

"Good. Recollect, lad, that you may have to use it; and then you muststrike or give point--do so with vigour. Your life or mine may dependupon it. "

"I'll try, and do my best, " I said huskily. 

"I know you will, Gil; and may God help us!"

There was another long period of watching before he spoke again. 

"It is of no use, lad, " he said. "My fault; and I have upset assplendid a plan as was ever conceived, by letting those prisonersescape. They must have reached the place, and are giving the rajah theinformation of danger to him and his being so near. It's all over; theywill not drill to-day. "

"But we can follow them up, and get another chance, " I said soothingly. 

"No, lad, " he replied, "never again. Knowing that he is pursued, hewill be too watchful. Our chance is gone. "

"Look there, " I said, steadying my eyes with my hand; "isn't that therajah mounting? I can't see, but I saw something flashing in the sun. "

"Yes, " cried Brace, in a trembling voice. "It is--it is; and he isriding out to the front. Look, there is the order. The men havelimbered up, and mounted. There, again. Hurrah! they are in motion. Do you see? they are coming out into the plain. Gil, lad, your hand. He cannot have got the warning, or they would follow the road. Now, mayHeaven help our good cause, bring us safely through to-day's peril, andhelp us to acquit ourselves like British soldiers and like men. "

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO. 

My heart beat faster than ever at his words, and as the troop advancedat a walk, wheeled, and then came along towards us, I felt that the timehad nearly come, and offered up a short prayer for help, strength, andprotection; for never before had the world seemed to me so beautiful, orlife so sweet. For the moment, I felt as if I should certainly bekilled in the encounter so near; and in a desperate mood I told myselfthat it did not matter, so long as the honour of our troop was redeemedby the rescue of the guns from the mutineers. Then, with the quicknessof thought, I dwelt on my father getting the news, and quietly breakingit to my mother and sister, who would bitterly weep for me; and Ithought of their wearing mourning, and I hoped that my father would feelproud of what I had done, and have a marble tablet put up to my memoryin the old Devon church, near which I was born. In fact, so vividlypicturesque were those thoughts which flashed through me, that I couldsee in imagination the bent, mourning figures of my mother and sisterstanding before the marble tablet. 

I was just building up some more sentimental nonsense about myself--forI'm afraid that just at that period I was very romantic, and fond ofthinking too much of Gil Vincent--when I was brought back to the presentby Brace. 

"Look at them, " he cried. "They are going through that movementremarkably well. Be careful, and don't show yourself. "

I shrank back a little among the trees, and for a few minutes we watchedthe troop go through some of the regular evolutions, passing us on theirway down the plain, at a distance of about two hundred yards, and Itrembled lest our horses should select that moment for whinnying ortrying to break away. But they were quiet, and the cavalcade wentslowly on at a walk towards where our men ought to be in ambush. 

Then I turned to look at Brace, whose left hand was fidgeting with thehilt of his sword, lifting it nervously, and dropping it again as hewatched the guns; and I could see the veins in his temples throbbingheavily. 

"Why does he not act?" I said to myself. "We shall lose our chance. "

And on went the troop till they were nearly half a mile to our left, andI was in despair. 

"If all has gone right, they will soon be abreast of our men, " saidBrace, as if thinking to himself. "I hope they are all well hidden. "

"And so do I, " I thought. "But why have you let the chance go by?"

"Look at them, Gil, lad, " he said, more loudly. "Doesn't it make yourheart beat to hear the rattle of the wheels and the snorting of thehorses? Bah! it seems an insult to the poor brutes to have them mountedby that cowardly mutinous crew. "

Just then we heard an order given, and could we see the rajah seatedalone with his sword flashing as he held it high in air; and I wasobliged to own myself that he looked a noble specimen of a barbaricchief, sitting his horse as he did to perfection. 

Then, as we watched, the troop wheeled to the right, went forward for ahundred yards, and then wheeled again, and advanced at a trot, theircourse taking them back in a line parallel to that they had followed inpassing us at first. 

The trotting fell far short of the walk past; and, as they were abreast, on their way back toward the town, Brace muttered, but so that I couldhear--

"If they would only leave the horses alone, they would keep the line farbetter!"

I looked at him in astonishment, for his conduct seemed in deadopposition to our plans, and still he made no sign; and at last, flushed, excited, and angry with him for losing what I looked upon assplendid opportunities, I said aloud--

"Isn't it time to act?"

"Eh?" he exclaimed, with a start. "No; not yet. Wait! They'll wheelagain directly, and form a line in front of the houses. Yes; there theygo. That will be our time. Yes; there goes the order. "

He was right; the troop was wheeled, and in another minute or two theywere half across the plain, with the third gun about level with thecentre of the village, when the rajah rode out into the front, raisedhis sword in the air, and the troop halted. Then, faintly heard, cameanother order, and men and guns came to the front, ready for a secondadvance down the plain and past us, probably at a trot. 

"Hah!" ejaculated Brace, drawing back quickly. "Ready, Gil?"

"Yes, " I cried hoarsely. 

"Now, my lad, the horses, " he said sharply, and there was a movementamong the beautiful creatures as if his words had inspired them withexcitement. 

It was only a few yards to where they stood, and the next minute we eachhad a rein. Brace gave the order to mount, and we sprang into oursaddles, a thrill running through me, as my knees once more gripped theelastic animal's sides, and he uttered a snort of satisfaction. 

"Now, " cried Brace, firmly. "I depend on you, Dobbs, my boy. Keepclose behind me, and obey my orders instantly. "

The lad raised his hand to his helmet, and then loosened the trumpetslung over his shoulder, took it in hand with the bell mouth resting onhis right thigh, and sat as firm as a statue. 

"You, Vincent, on my right. As soon as we are out of the edge of theforest, we advance at a trot. Leave everything to me. Don't draw tillI give the order. Let them think first that we come peaceably. "

We advanced to the edge of the wood, and were just passing out, when Isaw something which made me say--

"Look!--look!"

"Ah, just in time!" said Brace, for now out to the right of the villagewe could see a little crowd, and in front of them a party of sepoys, marching towards where the guns were drawn up. "Yes, " he repeated;"just in time. Forward! we shall be first. "

We took our places instantly, and rode out in the formation ordered, andas we advanced, with my Arab dancing beneath me, all excitement to beoff, it appeared to me that we were not seen, and that the attention ofthe rajah was taken up by the advancing party of sepoys, evidently ourlate prisoners. 

But the distance was still too great for me to be sure, and I had notime for thinking. 

Then, all at once, I heard a shout, followed by others, and the rajah, who had had his back to us, reined round, and sat looking at us. Therewas a movement, too, all along the troop, as if men were in a disorderlyway drawing their swords without waiting for an order, for there was aflash here and a flash there, the men evidently expecting an attack. 

But, as the rajah realised that we were only three, he turned his horseand rode along the front of the troop shouting to his men, who all satfirm, and he turned then, and sat there looking haughty and calm, waiting evidently for what he must have taken as some envoy from hisenemies. 

And all this time we were rapidly lessening the distance; so were thesepoys, followed by quite a crowd; but they were advancing from theleft, and the rajah had ridden to the extreme right, so that the sepoyshad a greater distance to go; but they were getting excited now, and hadcommenced to run. 

"You are too late with your news, you black-hearted scoundrels!" criedBrace, loudly, though his words would be heard only by us; and just thenmy Arab burst out with a loud challenge, followed by one from Brace'shorse, and it was loudly answered by first one and then another of theirold friends in the troop, several of which became uneasy and excited. 

"Well done, brave lads; neigh again, " cried Brace, excitedly, as we werenow not two hundred yards from the row of black faces, while at the end, and twenty yards away, sat the rajah, with a couple moregallantly-dressed officers who had ridden out to him. 

"They are waiting for our message, Gil, " cried Brace, wildly. "Theyshall have it directly. Ready, my lad--steady, horses. Right for thecentre; never mind the rajah. Let him wait. Forward!"

We rode right for the centre of the troop drawn up there in thebrilliant sunshine, and there it all is now vividly before my eyes as Iwrite, and see myself riding on Brace's left, and Dobbs the trumpeterjust behind him on his right, ever growing nearer at our steady trot, with the opal of the Hindus' eyes plainer each moment and a wonderingexpression clearly seen now upon their faces, as if they were askingwhat it meant. 

There were the sepoys, too, on our right, running fast and shouting, butwe reached the centre long before they, and the mob following, couldattain to the end of the line nearest to them; and just then, as Iglanced to my left, I saw the rajah clap spurs to his horse, as if toride up, but he reined instantly, and his two companions followed hisexample; dignity forbade this. We must go to him. 

But we did not. 

As we reached the centre at our steady trot, but with our horses bearinghard on the bit, Brace shouted--

"Halt!"

Without a touch, our horses stopped short, and there was an uneasymovement of those facing us, the beautiful animals tossing their heads, snorting, and seemed to know what was coming. 

Then in another instant Brace said to us softly--

"Right about face!" and we turned, and sat to the wonder of the sowarsthe rajah was training, while I felt how easily they might rush out andcut us down from behind. 

But there was not time, for Brace thundered out--

"Draw--swords!" and then, "The troop will advance at a walk. "

There was a flash in the sunlight as our sabres leapt from theirscabbards, and another as Dobbs raised his trumpet to his lips and hisnote rang out. 

In an instant the whole line was in motion, advancing slowly, with theheavy dull trampling of the horses, loudly heard by me above thetumultuous beating of my heart. 

I glanced to the right, and then at the rajah and his two officersglittering with gold and gems, motionless, and as if astounded. It musthave struck him and his men that we were volunteers, renegades come tojoin them, and drill the little force. But as we came abreast of them, with the sowars all steadily in their places, and taking everything as amatter of course, Brace's voice rose again--

"Trot!"

Again Dobbs's trumpet rang out, and the splendid horses, all trained tothe notes of that bugle, broke at once into a steady trot. The gunwheels and limbers rattled, and an exciting yell ran along the line, menbeginning to drag frantically at their reins as the rajah and hisofficers now awoke to the position of affairs, and roared out orders. But, above the noise and the confusion in the line, Brace's voice roseclear and loud--"Gallop!"

Then, clear ringing, and given with all his might, Dobbs blew forth atriumphant charge, and the sowars might as well have pulled at rocks asagainst the bits of the excited horses, as they broke into the swiftrace to which they had been trained, gathering excitement from therattle of the wheels as, in a quarter of a minute, we were thunderingaway down the plain, our speed increasing, the guns leaping and boundingover the uneven ground; and as I gave one glance back, I saw thewhite-robed gunners leaping off the limbers, their men franticallytrying to check their horses, and ending by throwing themselves off--oneor two, then half a dozen, then more, till the track in our rear wasdotted with white spots, till fully half the sowars had dropped off, andthe horses dashed on in the wild exciting gallop that was almostterrific in its speed. 

I saw, too, the rajah and his officers shouting and striving hard on ourright, and trying to cut in before us, to stop the movement. Again, they might as well have tried to check the wind, and all they could dowas to fall in the line, galloping with us, and striking at their menwith their glittering tulwars, as gunners and riders sat watching foropportunities to throw themselves from their horses without beingtrampled to death. 

It was all a matter of minutes; and by the time we had galloped a mile, half the men had dropped off and were left behind, while on we tore witha rush like a whirlwind; till all at once from the wood some hundreds ofyards to the front and left, there was a rush, the flash of helmets;and, led by Haynes, our men dashed out at the double, as if to take upground right on our front. 

The effect was magical. 

A great yell rose from behind us, and the sowars rolled or tumbled offtheir horses to a man, while as we thundered on, and left them behind, dotting the plain with white spots and patches, many of the poorwretches being unable to rise again, the rajah and his two followersreined up and sat fast, while a couple of hundred yards further on wethree, riding at the head of a troop of horse and our six guns, preparedto halt. Brace threw up his sword, the trumpet rang out; and thehorses, no longer in an even line, but in a regular drove, obeyed thecall on the instant, while from our men in front rose a frantic cheer ofexcitement. 

They tore over the ground to, meet us, literally yelling with delight. Formation there was none; it was a little crowd of armed men, eachtrying to be first to reach and find his horse, of to get to the gun towhich he belonged; while at the word of command, the horses now pressedtogether in something approaching a line. 

Then orders rang out quick and sharp, and so good was the training thatin a very short time men were getting well in their places, a couple ofguns were unlimbered, and shot after shot was fired, the grape sweepingthe plain, and sending the rajah and his officers back at a gallop, while those dismounted ran or limped after them, some poor wretchesbeing merely able to crawl, and about a dozen lay quite still. 

Then discipline was for the moment at an end. 

The order was given, "Cease firing!" and the men broke their ranks torun in a crowd round Brace, shouting, cheering, waving their helmets, swords, sponges, and rammers, and literally dancing with delight, whileHaynes and the doctor were shaking his hands as if they would drag himoff his horse. 

The next minute they were at me, and, to my astonishment, the doctor wasliterally crying. 

"Ah, God bless you, my boy!" he cried. "I never thought I could be sucha fool. --Hi! hooray! hooray! cheer, my lads, cheer!" he shouted, as hewaved his sun helmet. But the men were cheering, and they had nowcollected round Dicky Dobbs, two leading his horse, others hanging on tothe saddle, and actually holding by the horse's tail, as they marchedhim round in a kind of procession, one stalwart gunner shouting--

"Blow, you beggar, blow!"

Dobbs, ready to fall off his horse with laughter and excitement, gaveone feeble blast, and then was silent again. 

It was merely a matter of a few minutes--Brace letting the gallantfellows have their way. Then, after warmly pressing Haynes's hand, herode toward the excited mob, and held up his sword. 

Then Dobbs blew a blast, and every man rushed to his horse and gun. 

"Fall in!" rang out; and in an incredibly short space of time the linewas reformed, men giving a grunt of satisfaction as they rapidly alteredthe length of their stirrups, and sat at ease upon some favourite horse. 

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE. 

The excitement was still high, as we all sat in our places about acouple of hundred yards from the forest, and then Brace cried--

"Attention!"

Save the champing of bits by the horses, there was not a sound. 

"There, my lads, " he cried, "I feel now as if I can look you all oncemore in the face, for the dear old troop is itself again. "

"God bless you, sir!" shouted the oldest corporal we had. "The bravestact ever done in the British army. "

"Silence!" cried Brace, but not angrily. "You must not thank me, mylads, but Mr Vincent and Sergeant Craig. "

I wanted to say, "Yes, Craig; let me fetch him;" but discipline forbade, and I knew that Brace would do him justice. 

"Then three cheers for Sergeant Craig, if I lose my stripes for it, "shouted the corporal again, who was as intoxicated with excitement as ifhe had partaken of drink--the vile arrack that ruins so many of our men. 

But Brace was lenient then. 

"Yes, " he cried, "three cheers for Sergeant Craig, " and they were givenwith a will. 

Then, to my great delight, he gave orders; four men reined back, andsprang from their horses, with the corporal, and went off at the doubletoward the wood, from where they soon reappeared, bearing the litterwith poor Craig. 

Brace rode forward to meet him, and leaned over the litter to shakehands, when a low murmur of satisfaction rose from the line, but I didnot hear what he said, though I longed to ride up and thank him too. Tomy great delight, though, they brought him close up to me, and weexchanged a nod and smile. 

"I thought that would do it, sir, " he said feebly. 

"What do you say, doctor? Do you think we could safely take him on theammunition-waggon?"

"So long as you don't blow it up, " said the doctor, shortly. "You thinkyou could sit up now?"

"I will sit up, sir, " said Craig, firmly. 

"But the jolting and shaking, my man?"

Craig laughed. 

"Why, sir, I'm used to all that; I've ridden so many times on thelimbers of gun-carriages, that being knocked about's natural to me. "

"Let him try, " said Brace, sharply. "Watch him, doctor, and he musttake to the dhooly again if he cannot bear it. Quick! I must advanceat once. "

I looked at him wonderingly, having been under the impression that nowwe had succeeded in the object we had in view we should retire. 

Brace's words quite overset that notion. It was evident that he meantto give the rajah a severe lesson, for the troop was in motion directlyafter, and as we advanced, we could see that the town was in a state ofthe most intense excitement, people running here and there. But beforewe had gone far, Brace halted, the guns were unlimbered, loaded, andthen as we stood ready for action, scouts were sent out to right andleft; the former soon returning, while a minute later, those sent off tothe left came galloping in to announce that the rajah and his men werein rapid retreat along the bank of the river. 

This was a fresh move in the game of war, for in expectation of firingfrom the town, the gunners stood ready to send shot and shell crashinginto the defences. So orders were given, guns were limbered up again, and away we went at a gallop in full pursuit. 

"We must capture the rajah, " Brace cried to Haynes, as we followed on, soon coming within range of quite a mob of hurrying men, who, for themost part, threw away their arms, made for the patches of wood whichbordered the river, and hid among the trees unnoticed by our men, for, in the distance, we could see in full flight, about forty well-mountedmen, among whom the rajah was conspicuous by his brilliant costume; andas we tore on, we saw them ride down a slope leading to the river, anddirectly after take to the water, swimming their horses as soon as itgrew deep, for the opposite bank. 

I saw at a glance that the guns could not follow, and knew directly thatBrace had come to the same conclusion, for he halted the troop, andunlimbering a couple of the guns, began to scatter grape shot withterrible effect amongst the escaping fugitives, horse after horse beingstruck and swept away by the rushing stream. 

Those were exciting moments, mingled, to me, with horror, as at everydischarge and puff of white smoke, I saw the water torn up by the grape, and some horse make a frantic plunge, rear up, fall over, and horse andman disappear. 

It was only a matter of a few minutes, though, before we saw the rajahand the greater part of his followers mounting the opposite bank, andthen galloping off to disappear beyond the trees that came down nearlyto the water's edge. 

"Let me pursue, with twenty or thirty men, " said Haynes, excitedly. "We'll take him. "

But Brace shook his head. 

"What I should like to do myself, " he said; "but I cannot. No; they arewell-mounted; they know the country, and they have the start. Besides, we are too weak as it is, and I can't afford to risk losing the gunsagain by sending half of my force away. We don't know yet whatreception we may meet with in the town. "

Very soon after we were trotting back toward the place in fullexpectation of being fired upon; but we did not receive a shot, and aswe rode boldly in, we did not encounter a single military-looking man, those who crowded the streets being the ordinary traders andwork-people, who treated us with a quiet cold stare. 

The first task was to scout through the place with a couple of pickets, while our guns were drawn up on an open space in the middle of the town, where some of the principle people came with offerings of sweets andchupatties, beside more substantial food and offerings. 

The place was so small that our men were not long in bringing in areport that there was not an armed man visible, the whole of thefighting element having retreated with the rajah, as soon as it was seenthat the guns were retaken. But our numbers were so small, and theposition so precarious, that Brace used every precaution, throwing outposts in the two directions from which danger was likely to approach, while the men were rested and refreshed, and a search made forammunition, of which there was none too much in the boxes. 

This was for a time in vain, but as soon as Dost was taken intoconsultation, he salaamed, started off, and in a quarter of an hour wasback again to announce that he had discovered two ammunition-waggons ina kind of shed, and upon my following him with half a dozen men and acouple of teams of horses, he led us to the spot where I found that therajah and his men had brought away as many cartridges, with ball, grape, and canister, as the two waggons would hold. 

These were drawn out at once, and taken to the halting-place, where thegunners gave a cheer as they saw that for some time to come theirsix-pounders would not want for food. 

The heat was intense, but we could not afford to study that; and after alittle council of war, in which I felt proud to be allowed toparticipate, it was debated as to what should be our next move. 

Haynes was still eager to go on in pursuit of the rajah, and the doctorexpressed his opinion that it would give him profound satisfaction tomake him prisoner, while to me the excitement of such a chase soundedvery tempting, although somehow I could not help feeling that the rajahhad had some cause for the steps he had taken. Then Brace spoke. 

"My feelings go with all of you, " he said, "but I am obliged to opposeyou. Our chase would be a long one, and into country about which weknow scarcely anything. Consequently we should have very littleprospect of success. As it is, we have crippled him almost completely, and our troop would be invaluable to any officer who is coming down fromCalcutta or Barrackpore with a regiment or two. "

"But is any one coming down?" said Haynes. 

"For certain. The news of the rising at Rajgunge must have reachedthere, and the mutiny of other regiments. Depend upon it, theGovernment is straining every nerve to check the wildfire from spreadingfar. "

"Then what do you propose doing?" said Haynes. 

"Starting at once back to Rajgunge, and finding out the state of affairsthere as we pick up the major. Possibly we shall find a Europeanregiment or two there already. If not, we can continue our way. Idon't think we need fear meeting any of the enemy. "

"Fear?" said the doctor. "I only wish we may. If we do, depend upon itthey will give us a wide berth. Then we move east at once?"

"At once, " said Brace. "Yes; what is it?" he cried, as Dost once moremade his appearance, this time to announce that he had found the stablesof the rajah's elephants--three huge beasts, with their howdahs, pads, and mahouts. 

"We don't want them now, " said Haynes. "No time for tigers. "

"We do want them now, " said Brace, eagerly. "They will carry a quantityof provisions, and one of them can take Sergeant Craig as well. It willbe better than pressing bearers into our service, more than weabsolutely want for grass-cutters. We must keep our train as small aspossible now. "

So the elephants were brought out, and the mahouts duly admonished uponthe dangers they would run if they attempted any treachery. Loads wereadjusted, and just at midday, when the sun was hottest, our littlecolumn was set in motion, and we marched out of the little town that wehad watched so intently, hardly able to realise how successful we hadbeen. 

There were plenty of people about, old men and boys, and there was asullen, lowering look in their amber eyes as we rode by, but no voicewas raised against us, so wholesome a dread had they of the guns, ofwhose power they had all more or less heard--a power which might at anymoment be directed against their homes. 

To the delight of all, the horses proved to be in admirable condition, and in their excitement and glee, the men never seemed to trouble aboutthe heat, but rode on, chatting together and discussing the morning'sfeat and the value of the long, careful drilling, whose results had beenshown in the way in which the horses had behaved. 

The road was dusty, but fairly good; and as the three elephants shuffledslowly along, I ventured to approach the one which bore Craig, timeafter time, but generally to find that he was sleeping, and upon callingthe doctor's attention to the fact, he said abruptly--

"Best thing for him. Nature goes on best with her mending when a man isasleep. Phew! how hot it is. "

"Worse walking, " I said. 

"Yes. Thank goodness, we are all well-mounted again. What a fish outof water one does feel without a horse. "

We were not destined to reach Rajgunge without adventure, for that sameevening we were thinking it time for a halt when the advance-guardgalloped back to announce the coming of what seemed to be a regiment ofnative lancers. 

The elephants were sent into the rear instantly, with a guard to ensureus against flight on the part of the mahouts; and, quick as thought, theguns were unlimbered and loaded, while we anxiously waited to seewhether these were friends or enemies. But we were not kept long indoubt, for their confused, disorderly advance proved that they werewithout English officers, and they came on at a gallop, evidently inchase of our advance-guard, their lance-points glittering as they werebrought down to the charge, the dust in front raised by our men partlyhiding us till they were well within range, and one shot would have tornthrough their line and littered the dusty road with struggling men andhorses. 

But the word was not given, for no sooner did the front men grasp theperil into which they were galloping, than they raised a loud yell ofwarning, wheeled off to right and left, wheeled again, and scattered inwild flight, leaving us to pursue our way in peace, for there wasnothing to be gained by pursuit, a duty reserved for the light cavalry. 

It was another warning, though, of the state of the country, this beingevidently one of the native cavalry regiments which had mutinied, and, perhaps, slain their European officers, though of course we could not besure; and to have fired upon them when they first advanced might havebeen a grievous error. 

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR. 

Bajgunge proved to be strongly occupied by the enemy, and after duereconnoitring, Brace felt that nothing could be done there, anddetermined to strike off across country for Arbagh, a town where one ofthe queen's foot regiments was stationed, so as to form a junction withthe infantry, and co-operate in holding the place, or marching with themto one of the larger towns, or to some place where help might berequired. 

Five days were taken up in hot, weary marches, but the men were all fullof eagerness, and looking longingly forward to having a brush with theenemy. 

We passed village after village, sometimes to be well received, atothers meeting with heavy, sullen looks, which told too plainly of thedisaffection spreading everywhere, and the knowledge in the country thatan attempt was being made to throw off the English rule. 

It was toward the evening of the fifth day that we suddenly came upon aparty of dusty, weary-looking natives, who at a glance were seen not tobe villagers, for they wore the aspect of being domestic servants, and, as we approached, they made no attempt to imitate the action of thevillagers on our route by taking flight, but drew up on one side to letus pass. 

Brace halted, and signed to Dost to approach and act as interpreter. 

But there was no need, for one of the party, a venerable-looking, grey-headed man in a white turban, salaamed, and then waited withcrossed arms to be questioned. 

"Salaam, sahib, " he said humbly. 

"Where are you from?" said Brace. 

"Arbagh, sahib. You come too late. "

"Too late? What is their trouble, then?"

"Trouble, sahib? The mem sahibs, and the little children and theirfathers--"

He did not finish, but groaned. 

"Speak out. What is it?"

"All slain. "

"But there was a regiment there--a whole regiment of foot. "

"Yes, sahib; but they were called away to fight the budmashes, and theevildoers from the bazaar at Miapore; and when they had marched away thebudmashes came. The sahibs strengthened one of the houses, and foughtbravely for two days, but they were only few in number, and there wasneither food nor water at last. "

"And then?"

The old man shook his head, and uttered a low groan. 

"And the wretches who have done all this?" cried Brace. 

"They are there, sahib, with two regiments who have risen up againsttheir officers. It is not safe to go. The white sahibs have marched toMiapore, away yonder to the west. "

"And where are you going?" asked Brace, who looked suspiciously at thepeople behind their spokesman. 

But they were unarmed, and carried no plunder. The words of the old manwere evidently the truth, as he said--

"To be at peace, and away from those who rob and slay. To Rajgunge, sahib. "

"Turn back, " said Brace. "You are going to where there are worsetroubles, man. Better follow us. "

There was a low moan from the little group, for Brace's words filledthem with consternation. 

"But you will not go on to Arbagh, sahib?" said the old man, who seemedto have been the native butler to some family. 

"Yes; to drive these wretches out, " was the reply; and the march wasresumed. "Yes, we must drive these scoundrels out, Gil, " he said again. "We need have no compunction about firing now. Likely enough ourfriends the sowars may be there. They headed for the south. Now, if wecould send a message on to Miapore. "

I turned round soon afterwards, and found that the weary, footsore partywere tramping back with us, close to the elephants, apparently trustingin Brace's power to protect them, and restore peace in the place thathad been their home. 

Dost came alongside soon after to tell me more of these people'sexperience, for they had all been servants to the European residents atArbagh. It was a terrible experience, but very similar to our own atRajgunge. The English residents and officers had been in utterignorance of the impending peril. They had heard rumours of troubles inconnection with cartridges being issued to the men greased, so that theymight pass more easily down the rifle barrels, the Mahommedan soldiersconsidering that they would be defiled by touching paper moistened withthe fat of the pig; and the Hindus, jumping at the conclusion that thefat used was that of the cow--an animal held sacred in their religion;while, in all probability, the fat used would be prepared from neitherof these animals, the whole being an excuse for the irruption in whichMahommedans and Brahmins made common cause. 

"It has all been hatching for a long time, sahib, " Dost said to me; "andthe men have been waiting for an excuse. You English officers andgentlemen have known nothing; but the sepoys and sowars have beenprepared. "

"And you knew this?" I said sternly. 

"I? No, sahib; not till after the men broke out. The soldiers hadtheir message sent round to be prepared to rise, and slay every whiteman, woman, and child, to destroy all Nazarenes, and restore the greatking again at Delhi. "

"At Delhi?" I said. "Then there are troubles there too?"

"There are troubles all through the country by now, sahib. Of coursethey did not trust us, who were our lord's servants, and not fightingmen. They said to themselves, these men have blood now like water; theylive amongst the white people, and have defiled themselves by eatingtheir food and drinking out of their vessels--they will go and betray usto their lords. We know nothing, sahib; but they, the men of the nativeregiments, had the lotus flower sent round to them. "

"The lotus flower?" I said, wonderingly. 

"Yes, sahib. It was a secret way of communication. A man came to aregiment bearing a lotus flower, and this was passed on from man to manright through the regiment, till the last had the blossom, and he had totake it to the next regiment. "

"But what did it mean?" I asked. 

"I can tell you no more, sahib. It was their secret sign. And then, after a time, the chupatties were sent round to the villages. "

"Chupatties? The little cakes?"

"Yes, sahib, and that was a sign. A messenger went to the head man of avillage, and gave him six little cakes of Indian corn. `These are foryou, ' he said. `You will make six more, and send them on to the nextvillage. ' This the head man did, and the cakes passed on from villageto village, as a sign that the rising was to take place, and all were tobe ready when the time came. "

"But it seems so stupid, " I said. "Why not have sent a messenger?"

"The cause was too great to risk anything. It was more mysterious tosend like that. They knew what it meant; but if the collector or thepolice heard, and said, `What is this?--ye are plotting against yourlords;' they could reply, `No, it is nothing; the head man of the nextvillage has only sent me a few chupatties. ' Who else would think it wasa secret sign?"

I knew comparatively little about the people then, and the questionseemed to me unanswerable. 

I rode on, depressed and thoughtful, for a terrible idea had taken rootin my breast. These people of Arbagh had been surprised, and, saving afew who had escaped, murdered without mercy, and with horribleindignities. Suppose there had been such a sudden rising at Nussoor, where my father's regiment was stationed, what of my mother and mysister Grace?

A cold perspiration broke out all over me, and a mist rose before myeyes, through which the horrors that had taken place at Arbagh rose out, at first dimly, and then clearer and clearer; but with those I loved asvictims, and I was shuddering with horror, and so wrapped up in my ownthoughts, that I did not notice that Brace had ridden up alongside, andhe had gripped my arm before I knew he was there. 

"Why, Gil, lad, " he said sharply, "what is it? The sun? Come, I can'tafford to have you ill. "

"Ill?" I gasped. "No, I'm not ill. "

"Then why do you look so strange?"

I made an effort to recover myself, and told him as calmly as I couldall that Dost had said to me. 

"Yes, " he said, after hearing me patiently to the end, "the man ishonest enough; and there must have been some such mystic message sentround. These people are believers in symbolism and parable. It is badnews, Gil, and I am afraid too true. The rebellion is widespread; butwhat of that? We must put it down. England is not going to have hergreat conquests wrenched from her hands like this. "

"Put it down?" I faltered. 

"Yes, man. If you and I and a trumpeter could do such a thing as we didat a hint from our brave sergeant yonder, don't you think that the manyregiments of Englishmen here in India, with all our magnificent troopsof horse artillery, moved by the combined brain-power of our mostgallant officers, will be able to restore order through the country?"

"Yes, I suppose so, " I said, but in an unconvinced tone of voice. 

"You are getting hungry, Gil, my lad, " he said merrily. "You will notbe depressed like this when we have halted at Arbagh, scattered thosedogs, and had a good meal. For we must fight first, " he cried fiercely. "Gil, " he said, sinking his voice, "I was never meant for a soldier--this blood-shedding is abhorrent to me. I shrink from using my sword;but since I have heard the horrors these wretches are perpetrating--slaying English ladies, murdering sweet innocent children, my nervesthrill as I grasp my blade, and I feel as if I would gladly aim everygun, and send the grape and canister hurtling amongst the hounds--no, itis an insult to a dog to call them so--these savage, bloodthirstytigers. Come, lad, you must set aside compunction, and be ready tostrike--for you can. "

"You do not understand me, " I said sadly. 

"Oh yes, I think I do, Gil. I have studied you pretty well. You werethinking that we shall be beaten, after listening to Dost's account ofthe rising at this town. Ah, if I had only known of this when we metthat regiment of sowars! Why, Gil, they _must_ be the scoundrels whomurdered their European officers here. "

"I'm afraid so, " I said. 

"Then we must strike, and strike hard now, Gil. I am not unmerciful, but for the sake of home, and our English kindred, we must be stern aswell as just. Come, you are better already. "

"No, " I said gloomily, "I am horribly troubled. "

"About what?"

"Nussoor. "

"Ah! where your father's regiment is stationed?"

"Yes. My mother and sister are there. Oh, Brace, if my father has beensurprised as these people were here, and--"

I stopped short--the words choked me. 

"My dear Gil!" cried Brace, gently, "I see now. Yes; such thoughts areenough to chill any one. I had not thought of them. But come, come; wehave enough to do to fight with real troubles. You must not build upimaginary ones. Your father is a good soldier, I have heard, and hisregiment is noted for its discipline. Let us trust that he has not beensurprised, but had warnings of the trouble to come, and has placed yourmother and sister and the other ladies of his station in safety. "

"Thank you, " I said quietly, for his words were comforting; and I knewthat my trouble was imaginary. 

"Hah, that's better!" he cried. "Come, we must be getting near thetown. "

We were passing through a wooded part of the country now, the road beingcut in several places through patches of forest; and scouts and flankerswere sent out to make sure against surprise, as we were getting so nearthe enemy's lair. 

Ten minutes later there was an alarm in front, shouts and the clashingof swords, and in a wonderfully short time a couple of guns wereunlimbered and ready for action, while Haynes was sent forward tosupport our men as they were out of sight beyond the trees, and did notreturn. 

But before Haynes had gone far, he met them coming back, to report thatthey had surprised a picket of half a dozen sowars who were watching ourroad. 

"And you let them gallop off, " cried Brace, angrily, "to alarm theircomrades?"

"No, sir, " said the corporal, who was at the head of the advance; "wewent at 'em directly. "

"How many got back?"

"None on 'em, sir. "

"Anybody hurt?"

"No, sir. Scratch or two on the horses' heads and necks; that's all. "

The orders were given to limber up again, and we advanced once more, assoon as the farriers had roughly seen to the injuries the horses hadreceived; and as we went on, I caught a glimpse or two of the whiteuniforms and puggrees of the sowars in amongst the trees to right andleft, the broken-down twigs and herbage showing where the running fighthad taken place. 

Brace reined up by one of the dead men. 

"Why, Gil, " he said, "this must be the same regiment as the one we met. "

I was thinking the same, and said so. 

"The scoundrels! If we could only surprise them. We are so weak innumbers, I hardly dare leave my guns; otherwise, with a troop of ourlads to act as cavalry, I could pretty well cut them up, and scatter therest, so that they would not do much more mischief for months to come. "

"Hush!" I whispered, as I caught his arm. "What's that?"

"The first gun bumping over bad ground and rattling. "

"No; it's firing, " I whispered, though the sound must have been a mileaway. 

"Yes; you are right. What is going on now? some fresh outrage?"

Our pace was increased, and orders given to the advance-guard toincrease their distance ahead. 

The firing grew fiercer, and a halt was called, the guns took upposition, and we waited full of anxiety for news from the scouts sentout. 

We had not long to wait in our uncertainty, for one of our men gallopedback with the information that the firing was on this side of the town, and, directly after, a second man dashed up with the news that aregiment of cavalry in white coats was in full retreat toward us. 

"Then they are being driven out by the foot regiment, which must havereturned. Stand fast, my lads, if they charge us; but I doubt whetherthey will come right up to the guns. "

A few exciting minutes passed, and then, as the running, trampling noiseof a large body of horse came nearer, Brace rode from gun to gun, givinghis order that no shot should be fired till he was certain these werenot friends, and then the fire was to be concentrated on the advancingcolumn. 

The sun had gone down, and night was coming on fast, but as the head ofthe regiment came into sight, the firing having ceased beyond them, Brace's glass satisfied him as to whom these were. 

"The sowar regiment!" he cried. "Fire!"

One after the other rapidly the six guns thundered forth a terriblereception, just as, in fairly good order, the regiment in full retreatcame on at a gallop, and in perfect ignorance of our proximity. 

It was the work of a moment; I saw the white column galloping toward uslooking dim and strange, like some strange body rushing along beneath acloud of dust; then it was rent and torn and thrown into confusion, asround shot and canister hurtled through the rank; and at the sixthreport the road was littered with struggling horses, and then the fieldson either side dotted with galloping fugitives, and the sowar regimentthat had been tearing across the road towards us was non-existent. 

Six shots; no more. By the time another one had reloaded, there wereonly flying individuals to aim at as they galloped over the plain, andBrace looked in vain for a rallying point, and the gathering together ofa troop at which a round shot could be aimed. 

"_Sauve qui peut_!" cried Brace, as orders were given for a freshadvance. "We cannot pursue them. Now forward for the town. "

"Some one coming, " I said, as the galloping of a horse was heard. 

"Their last man, " said Brace. "Open out, my lads, and capture him. "

The horseman came on at a swinging gallop, and made straight for us, checking his charger as he drew near, and we saw that the face of therider was white. 

"Where's your officer?" he cried hoarsely, as he reined up, with hissword hanging by the knot from his wrist. 

"Here, " replied Brace. 

"Thank God!" cried the new-comer. "I'm Mason--Captain Mason, 04thHighlanders. You fired on those bloodthirsty scoundrels. "

"And scattered the regiment. I could do no more. "

"Ah, if you could have shot them to a man! We were called away to helpat Miapore, where a sepoy regiment mutinied. It was a long march, andas soon as we had gone--the European officers of that cursed regimentanswering for their men's fidelity--they rose and murdered the poorfellows who trusted them, and then--"

He stopped there and groaned. 

"My wife--her sister--two of my little children--the whole of theEnglish residents, and--Oh, why don't you pursue? Hah!"

"Take care!" I roared, as I snatched sword from sheath, pistol fromholster, and fired, for, from out of the gathering darkness, a dozen ofthe sowars, men who had recovered their horses, or those of slain men, dashed down upon us like a whirlwind right for where Brace stood talkingto the Highland officer. 

As I fired into the thick of them, I saw one man throw up his sword, butI also saw a fierce-looking savage charge right at Brace, who wasunprepared; the sowar's sword was raised, and he made a tremendous cutat our captain, one which must have ended his career; but, quick withthe quickness begotten by practice and peril, our new friend caught andraised the point of his sword; and in the act of delivering his cut, theman was literally transfixed. He fell back over the cantrel of hissaddle, and as his horse dashed on, he was dragged out of the saddle byCaptain Mason's jerk to withdraw his sword. 

I saw all this, and almost at the same moment was conscious of acrushing blow on the head, accompanied by a terrible shock, and then Iwas looking stupidly at the doctor, who was kneeling by me in the road. 

"Here, what is it?" I cried angrily. "Who was it rode me down? Is myhorse hurt?"

"Never mind your horse, Gil. Speak, lad. Doctor. His head?"

"Oh, his head's right enough, " said the doctor, as I struggled into asitting position, and felt very sick and giddy. "I say, Vincent, mylad, you will have to send the accoutrement-maker a testimonial. Here'sa tremendous dint in your helmet, but it has saved your life. "

"Then he isn't killed, sir?" cried a familiar voice. 

"No, my lad; only a bit stunned, " said the doctor. 

"Hooray!" rose in a tremendous cheer, in which every man in the troopseemed to join. 

"Nice to be a favourite, " I heard Haynes say. 

"But, look here, " I cried in an irritated way, "I don't quite understandit. My head's all--I--Why, some one must have knocked me down. Did Ipitch on to my helmet, then?"

"My dear boy, you were struck down by a sowar, and your helmet savedyour life. "

"The savage brute!" I cried pettishly. "It couldn't have been the onewho rode at you, because--Yes, I remember. Then the man who rode at megot off free. "

"Humph!" ejaculated the doctor, turning round and looking off to ourright. 

I followed his eyes, and saw a white figure lying face downward amongsome green corn. 

"Yes, " said the doctor, "that is he; and you may thank Haynes for savingyour life. "

"Oh, nonsense!" cried my brother-officer hastily. "We can't be talkingabout that sort of thing; it's nonsense. I only did what any one elsewould have done. Steady there, my lads. Silence in the ranks. "

The word was given to advance directly after, and in a few minutes therewas a burst of cheers from on in front, where a skirmishing party ofCaptain Mason's regiment had come upon our advance-guard. 

This was answered by our troop, and directly after the officers wereeagerly talking together as we marched into the outskirts of the littletown, and soon after were congratulating ourselves on the excellentquarters we had found, the foot regiment being most eager in showing uswhere we could obtain provisions, and the necessaries for a restfulnight. 

About an hour after, when the sentinels and outposts had been visited, and the round made of the horses, I was one of a party in one of theruined rooms of the residency, where the officers were debating whatsteps should be taken at daylight the next morning, and matters werestill in doubt as to whether we should march east or west when aprisoner was brought in. This was a shivering non-combatant, whoeagerly gave every information he knew about the movements of therebels, and was able to inform us, by way of buying his own life, as hethought, that the sowars were going to join the rajah, Ny Deen, the nextmorning, when their arrangements were suddenly upset by the return ofthe foot regiment which, on finding out that it had been deluded, cameback by a forced march, but too late to save those at the station. 

"Then the relics of the regiment will still seek to join this revoltedrajah, " said the colonel of the foot regiment. "But his power has beenbroken up, " said Brace. "We put him to flight. "

"They'll try to join him, all the same, " cried the colonel. 

"The only hope of these men, " he continued, "is in co-operation. Dependupon it, the scoundrels will move west, and I say we ought to follow. Our march must be on Badhpore, and from thence in the direction ofNussoor. What do you say?"

"I say, " cried Brace, "that we are weak without infantry, and you arefeeble without guns. It is a question of expediency, sir, and our forcemay prove to be the nucleus of a little army strong enough to sweep themutineers from the land. "

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE. 

A thrill ran through me at the colonel's mention of Nussoor, and Ilistened eagerly to Brace's reply, for I had felt in a dread lest heshould oppose the plan of marching on that city, though I was obliged toown that it was quite possible that my father's regiment might have leftthere in these disturbed times, and of course he would have placed mymother and sister where they would be safe. 

After a little discussion, it was decided that we should staytwenty-four hours where we were, to recruit the men and horses, for, though the men all declared their readiness to go on at once, theinfantry had had a very severe forced march or two, and required rest. 

It was a terrible experience--a walk or two I had about the town withBrace during that halt, one which was utilised for collecting an amplesupply of provisions and recruiting followers for our little camp, and Iremember asking Brace whether he thought it wise to trust the natives. 

"Yes and no, Gil, " he said. "I am not blind; I can see that every onehere in this place humbles himself to the dust before us as theconquerors, and is ready to obey our slightest command; but, if we metwith a reverse, they would rise and trample on us to a man, and glory inmurdering such a set of unclean, infidel dogs as we are. But it is anecessity, my lad. We want our lads to fight, and they must be alwaysready for action. We cannot have them exhausted in this terribleclimate, carrying loads, cutting grass for the horses, foraging for theelephants, and cooking. We must have hewers of wood and drawers ofwater, my dear boy, and keep a strict watch over these modern childrenof Gibeon. We cannot trust them, but we must have their services. "

"Yes, I see, " I replied. 

"And there is this advantage: we are journeying through a strangecountry, which they know. We must eat, so must they. We should not beable to forage; they are, and in finding food for themselves they arecompelled to find it for us. No, we cannot trust them. Look here. Foraught we know, the men who are bowing down before us, and calling ussahibs, had a hand in this. "

We had reached a large bungalow, which, we afterwards learned, had beenthe commissioner's house, and as I went with my companion from room toroom, which at one time must have been furnished in exquisite taste, there were traces of the wanton destruction of a savage mob. Furniturehad been smashed, the floor was littered with the remains of mirrors andornaments; curtains and carpets were torn to shreds, and everything thatcould be battered and destroyed was in pieces. 

It was so in the next room, and we were about to pass on to others, withthe picture rising to my mind of what this place must have been beforethe rising, when Brace suddenly stepped before me, swung me roundhastily, and gave me a push. 

"Here, let's get out of the miserable place, Gil, " he said hastily. 

"You were too late, " I said. "I saw it the same moment. It's of nouse; I may as well get accustomed to such things, even if I am a mereboy. "

For, in one corner of the once handsome room, there were spots andsplashes on the white wall, and terrible stains on the floor. Theplaster of the sides, too, was scarred and dotted with bullet holes, andwe could grasp the terrible fact that some one, probably more than one, had made a desperate defence in that corner, for there was a sword, broken in two pieces, lying behind a shattered piano, in whose woodworkwere dozens of cuts, such as might have been given by savage men tryingto get at those behind who had made it their breastwork; and as I sawall this, I could not refrain from going close--Brace making noopposition now--to see other terrible traces of the desperate fight ofwhich this place must have been the scene. 

One of the first things I saw behind the broken piano was a whitehandkerchief, horribly stained. It had been apparently hastily foldedinto a bandage, and tied round some one's head, the knots being stillthere, and the kerchief lying on the floor, forming a rough circle. Close by were pieces of a woman's dress, one fragment being a sleeve, evidently torn off in a desperate struggle. But the most horribletraces were those which told in simple language the result of thedesperate defence that must have taken place; for, at the far end of thepiano, where it stood about three feet from the wall, there lay a doublerifle, broken off at the stock, a bayonet snapped at the socket, andbetween them, marks which showed only too plainly that the defenders ofthat corner of the room had been dragged out by the feet, and outthrough a farther door. 

"Come away, Gil, " said Brace, hoarsely; "it only makes me feel madagainst these wretches; and at a time when, with the work I have inhand, I want to be calm and cool as a judge. "

At that moment there was a furious roar from somewhere at the back ofthe house, and Brace's hand went to his sword on the instant, minenaturally following suit. 

"Draw, lad!" he cried. "We had no business to come without an escort. Keep close to me. "

But a second burst of shouting reassured us. No one but Englishmencould raise an indignant cry such as we heard. 

"What does it mean?" I said, as we hurried out through the door, out ofwhich the poor creatures who had defended themselves had been dragged, and we came directly upon about a dozen of our men, with some of thefoot regiment. 

"This way, sir--this way!" cried one of the men, who was in a terriblestate of excitement; and unable to grasp more than that the men had beenforaging about, and had made some discovery, they hurried us on to whatmust have been a kind of summer-house in a pleasant garden with agoldfish tank, and various other proofs of the taste of the lateoccupants of the place. 

In this tank were various objects, apparently thrown in by the fiercemob which had plundered the house; while, as we drew near, there wasjust before us a heap of furniture and household goods, which had beenpiled up in front of the summer-house entrance, and fired, evidently toblaze furiously for a time, and with the object of burning down thesummer-house as well. 

A number of the half-burnt and charred things had been dragged away bythe soldiers so as to clear the doorway, prompted, no doubt, bycuriosity to see what was in the place the mob had tried to burn down;and, as we neared the spot, and the men, who were half mad withexcitement, made way for us to look in, I felt for the moment as ifturned to stone, and then the tears started to my eyes, weak as it maysound to say so, and formed a veil which shut out the horrors of thescene before me. 

Shall I describe it? Yes; from no morbid wish to dwell upon thefrightful scenes which, alas! grew too common, but as some palliation ofthe acts of our men, against whom charges were plentiful about theirwant of mercy. 

Twelve poor creatures lay there, but only two were men in the prime oflife, and who, hacked almost to pieces, had died bravely in the defenceof their wives, sisters, and the helpless children, who lay in a heapwith them--nine white women and children; and, holding it tightly to herbreast even in death, a black woman, the faithful ayah or nurse of theinfant she held, in protecting and trying to save which she had died. 

I will try to describe no more, save that the funeral pyre, which themurderers had raised to hide their crime, had not reached them, not agarment being singed. 

The men stood back, panting as if after a hard run, watching us now, asif to see what effect it would have upon us, and the silence after theirfierce oaths and shouting was terrible. 

As we drew back, one of our corporals cried fiercely--

"We don't want no more rest, sir. Take us on at once. "

"Oh, " shouted another, "how can we hold our hands after this, sir?"

"Ay, " cried an Irish gunner, who was one of the party, "we were ready tofoight the mutineers as min again min; but it isn't min, lads--it'ssavage bastes. And, hurrah! boys, come and take a last look of the poordarlins, to harden your hearts!"

"Halt!" cried Brace, sternly. "Joliffe, --Brian, advance; draw! Standsentry at this door. No one is to profane the resting-place of ourdead. Go back, my lads; you want no such sight to nerve your arms forthe work we have to do. "

The men uttered a low murmur of acquiescence, and, without orders, fellin and marched behind us to the spot we had made our head-quarters. Here there was a short consultation between the officers, and directly aparty of men was marched out to the foot of a clump of trees, where onegreat shallow grave was dug, and an hour afterwards, every man underarms, and the infantry lining the road to keep back the crowd of nativesgathered from all parts of the town, the remains of the unfortunatepeople were borne, reverently draped, on the guns and tumbrils of ourtroop, to the open grave, laid therein carefully, the colonel said ashort prayer, a volley was fired, the last resting-place of the twocivil officials and their families was filled in, and a cross carvedupon the nearest tree. 

Long before the little ceremony was over, I saw that the natives, ofwhom a great crowd had collected, were beginning to steal away, tillscarcely a soul was left; but I thought very little of this, forsupposing that their curiosity was satisfied, it did not appear strangeto me that they should go back to their homes. Perhaps, I thought, theymay think we shall take vengeance upon them. 

But this fact suddenly took Brace's attention, just as the final dutieswere being paid to the dead; and, turning sharply to the colonel of thefoot regiment, he said sharply--

"The people are drawing off; there must be some reason. "

Hardly had he spoken, when a shot was fired at a distance, followed byanother and another; and in an instant our men sprang to their places, while half a mile down the road we could see the infantry, which hadlined the sides, running back as hard as they could, men from each flankjoining them, and the road growing full of a retreating detachment, toward which a couple of officers ran, giving orders as they went, withthe result that the men nearer to us fell in and took position, linebehind line, across the road, while those retreating in the extremedistance suddenly halted in the same formation. 

The next minute the cause was evident, for a strong body of mounted mendashed into sight far down the road, and tore along as if to ride overthe little line of men, and then sweep the place. 

But their shouting and yelling did not scare the men in the least. Theystood firm, waiting in double line, till the sowars were close uponthem, and then delivered a sharp volley, the front rank going down onone knee directly, with their bayonets sloping upward, while the rearrank formed a second bristling line of sharp points on a level withtheir shoulders. 

We had a glimpse of this as the smoke rose, and, to use the familiarexpression, my heart was in my mouth, as I strained my eyes to piercethe cloud, expecting to see the poor fellows who kept the road riddenover, and the sowars come tearing on to where the next line was nowdrawn up a hundred and fifty yards nearer. 

But as the smoke lifted, to my great delight I saw the sowars all inconfusion, and cantering away, while the little line of infantry wasdoubling back towards their supporting line, through which they passed, and formed up again nearer to us. 

There was another yelling, and a fresh body of sowars came tearing downthe road, but only to be sent to the rightabout in the same way, for thevolley they received emptied several saddles, and they dared not facethe double line of bayonets, but turned and cantered back. 

Then the same evolution was gone through again by the line of foot, andthis was repeated twice with the effect of drawing in the stragglingforce, till the foot regiment was condensed, and our positionstrengthened. 

"I don't think much of their charging, " I said to Brace. "Why, our menwouldn't have turned back like that. We should have gone through them, guns and all. "

Brace smiled, as we stood close beside a couple of our pieces, all therewas room for in that narrow road, waiting for an opportunity to bringthem into action, which, so far, we had been unable to do for fear ofinjuring our own men. Two of our guns were planted further back, facingin the other direction, in case of an attack in our rear, while, rightand left, the men of the foot regiment held the houses which lined theroad. 

For a few minutes after the repulse of the last charge by the sowars, the enemy made no sign, and a quick consultation was held between thecolonel of the foot regiment and Brace, in which it was decided toadvance at once further into the town to where we had made ourhead-quarters, and where our provisions and ammunition were stored, soas to occupy that much stronger position, in case the enemy was inforce, as only a small guard had been left. For that was a good centralposition selected for its opportunities for defence, and an advance wasmade at once. 

We only had about a quarter of a mile to go, and as the men sent infront were about half-way along the road toward where we should have toturn off at right angles, we suddenly became aware of the advance of astronger body of cavalry, and this time the guns were brought intoaction, a couple of shots checking their advance, and giving us time toreach the open square, and the large buildings which we had occupied forquarters in conjunction with the foot regiment. 

The men left as baggage-guard over the stores and elephants gave a loudcheer as we trotted into the square with the guns, the foot regimentfollowing at the double, to occupy the roof and windows of the bigbuildings, while our guns were planted so as to command the approaches, outposts being placed all round. 

We were none too soon, for hardly had the position been occupied, thanfrom the outposts and from the top of the building we had reports of theenemy's approach from the west, a second regiment of native cavalrybeing in advance, while a cloud of dust gradually resolved itself intoquite a little army of native infantry, followed by a huge crowd ofcamp-followers with horses, donkeys, elephants, and camels. 

The colonel was on the roof, making good use of his glass, and heshouted down to where Brace was standing with the two reserve guns--

"Lucky we got back, " he said. "Their fighting men must be about threeor four thousand strong. "

In spite of their numbers, the inclination was to advance at once andattack them, before they had time to get in order or into a strongposition, Brace being naturally strongly in favour of this course, hisbranch of the service being, of course, adapted for field duty; but thecolonel of the foot regiment was more cautious. His men were, opposedto so great a force, strongest behind walls defending such a building asthat they occupied, and Brace had to give way. And there we waited, while the mutineers marched into the place. From where I was stationedwith two of the guns I had an uninterrupted view before me, for abouthalf a mile, of the scouting parties, mounted and on foot, which came tospy out our position, some of them going so far as to begin firing, theballs stirring up the dust in front of us, and the practice gettingwarmer, till one of the balls struck and glanced off from the gunnearest to me, while the carriage was struck directly after, the soundbeing like a sharp rap. 

But about half a dozen pretty good marksmen replied from our side, andthe firing was soon silenced. 

After this a knot of sowars rode down into sight from time to time, offering our men a tempting mark for a discharge of grape, but there wasno firing, for such shots could do no good, and they were reserved for atime when they could have a demoralising and scattering effect upon someattacking party. 

All at once, as I stood there, hot and weary in the scorching sun, I sawanother party ride up reconnoitring, one evidently composed of theleaders of the little army that was now closing us in, for scouts hadbrought us word how the enemy had occupied positions all around. 

They were evidently examining us carefully; and I could not helpadmiring the daring of the well-mounted, gaily-dressed men who hadhalted about a couple of hundred yards away, right in front of our guns, which, at a word, would have belched forth a shower of grape. 

There was not much for them to see, only the gunners with theirlinstocks, and the heads of the support of infantry, sheltering for themost part in the houses on either side of the road, the limbers andhorses of each gun, and those of the gunners being back in an opening afew yards away, and completely hidden from the party in front. 

And as I watched them, I could not help thinking that a clever officerwho was not sparing of his men, might easily take our guns, for if oneparty made a dash at them, and drew our fire, a reserve party might dashin, and sabre the gunners before they had time to reload. 

Just then I was conscious of a curious movement among our men, eyesbeing turned to me appealingly, while every gunner was on the _quivive_, and I could see that at a word the guns would be rapidlydischarged. 

But I had no orders to commence hostilities, unless an attack was made, and I stood as eager as the men, watching the scouting party, as therewas a sudden movement among them. They opened out, and one whom I hadnot before seen rode through them quite to the front, and just then avoice behind me whispered--

"Look, Gil! Do you see?"

Yes, I had seen; and I had been so taken up by the sight that I had notheard Brace come up to the guns. 

"I could fetch that dandy chap down, and a dozen more, " I heard a manwhisper. 

"Silence there, " said Brace, sternly. Then to me, "Why, Gil, I thoughthe must be miles and miles away from here. "

"Then it is Ny Deen, " I said excitedly. "I thought I must be wrong. "

"Yes, it is he, " replied Brace. "And I feel as if I ought to fire, andsweep the whole gang away; but it seems such a cowardly thing to do. "

The temptation to fire was removed directly after, for the party drewback and disappeared, while all was still in the blazing sunshine, saving a dull humming sound of many voices, telling that the little townwas densely thronged by the new-comers. And once more Brace drew backas if to go, but stopped short, for the colonel and major of the footregiment appeared, and Brace signed to me to come to his side. 

"I think I should have given him the two charges, " the colonel wassaying as I came up; and then, soon after, "Well, perhaps you areright. "

"I am sure I am, " Brace said eagerly. "If my men were a company or twoof infantry like your own, I should say, by all means let us strengthenthe residency, and after getting together all the provisions we could, stand fast till more help came; but with my guns and horses cooped uphere in these streets, I am almost useless. We can fire a _few_ times, and then, if the enemy makes a bold dash, there will be a shortstruggle, and they must capture the guns again. You see, my horses arein the way here, where there is no room to manoeuvre. "

"Yes; that is quite right. But we might get them in the compound, andturn your guns into pieces for our little fort. "

"Yes, " said Brace; "and how are you going to feed the poor beasts whenyou have them in the compound? There is no begging the question, sir; Ican make my troop invaluable, and act as cavalry as well, out in theopen; but here we cannot develop our strength. "

"He's quite right, " said the major. 

"Then what would you propose?" said the colonel. 

"We have abundance of ammunition, and our waggons and elephants. Movingout as soon as it is dark. "

"They will not let us move; and it would be murderous for my poor ladsto carry on a hand-to-hand fight in these narrow lanes. "

"More murderous to be shut up in that residency, to be attacked dayafter day by a force that will always be increasing, while we growweaker. "

"Unless help comes. --But you would move out?"

"Yes. "

"And what then? Retreat and leave these scoundrels in possession?"

"No; they will think we are retreating, and follow us. We can keep onretiring till you have got into a good position, when I can literallymow them down from a distance. "

"Unless their cavalry take your guns. "

"I am not afraid of that, sir, " said Brace, with a laugh. 

"And they will be six or seven to one, " said the colonel. 

"The odds were greater at Plassy, " said Brace, quietly. "Depend uponit, if we get them out on fair ground--which we will--they will receivea tremendous check. "

"What do you say?" said the colonel, turning to his brother-officer, themajor. 

"I side with Captain Brace, decidedly. If we shut ourselves up, we arecrippling a dashing troop of artillery; and, worse still, letting thescoundrels think they are our masters. That they must never think. No:retreat, but as a ruse. We are their masters still, and we will showthem we are. "

"Yes, " said the colonel, firmly. "I shrink from it, as being a verygrave responsibility, weak as we are; but I quite agree with you both. We shall be stronger in the field; and if we are not attacked beforenight, we will march out. "

"Why wait for the darkness, and the confusion it will cause?" saidBrace. "I was of the opinion that we might retreat under cover of thedarkness, but I think now it would be best to dash out and give battleat once. "

"Yes, " said the colonel, drily; "that's easy enough for you and yourtroop. You can rattle out at full gallop; but we have got to march, andfight our way step by step. "

"Exactly. But I can take up a position at once and cover you; and Iwill. "

The colonel bowed and stood frowning and thoughtful for a few moments. Then I saw his face clear, and he held out his hand. 

"It is good advice, " he said; "and I shall look for your co-operation toits fullest extent. Ah! what's this?"

For at that moment a bugle rang out; and, as I turned, I saw a sowarofficer advancing with a trumpeter, and one of his men beside him, bearing a white flag on his lance, while several followers rode behind. 

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX. 

Brace and the infantry officers passed between the guns, and took a fewsteps forward to meet the bearer of the flag of truce, who came forwardalone and saluted them, but with a haughty, contemptuous look. 

"Well, sir, " said the colonel, "have you a despatch or message?"

As the colonel spoke, I saw that a larger party of cavalry had collectedbehind the little group which accompanied the officer, and one of theinfantry men at a window above my head whispered down to me that therewere more behind. 

This put me on the watch; and I spoke to my men not to make theslightest movement, but to be ready. 

All this was almost momentary, and the next instant, as I kept a keeneye on the enemy, I was listening to the sowar officer speaking. 

"His Highness the Maharajah Ny Deen, who has with him now an army, manyas the sands of the holy river, surrounding you on all sides, bids youlay down your arms and surrender. "

"Yes; and what then?"

"His highness will treat you as prisoners, but kindly; and your liveswill be spared. But you must lay down your arms at once, and marchout. "

"For his bloodthirsty band of cut-throats to fall upon us, and treat usas they do all unarmed men. "

"His Highness the Maharajah gives you his word that your lives will bespared. "

"And if we refuse to surrender, what then?"

"Your bodies will be given to the crows and vultures, " said the officer. "For by sundown nothing of you will be left alive. "

"Look here, sir, " said the colonel; "have you ever read the Bible?"

"No; I read the Koran, " said the native officer, whose haughty, overbearing way seemed to be humbled before the stern Englishman whoaddressed him. 

"Read in the Bible, too, and you will find there about how one Rabshakehcame summoning a people to surrender. He boasted, and so do you. "

"Do you surrender?" said the officer, with an attempt to resume hishaughty tone of supremacy. 

"No. Go and tell your mutinous master that we are ready to meet andpunish him and his treacherous following of traitors, who are false tothe queen they swore to serve. Tell him that if he will lay down hisarms, and surrender to her Majesty's and the great Company's troops, hewill have justice done, and to send no more messages here. They areinsults to honourable gentlemen and their followers. "

"Then you refuse his highness's mercy?" said the officer, haughtily. 

"Back, sir, and deliver your message, " cried the colonel; "and tell hishighness that if he dares to send any of his insolent mutinousscoundrels here again, I shall fire upon them. A flag of truce is notto protect traitors. "

The man scowled, and seemed to writhe at the contemptuous manner inwhich he had been treated. Then, in obedience to long habit, he salutedand rode back with his men. 

"Yes, we must act at once, " said the colonel; "and take the initiative. "

"In, quick!" I shouted, as I caught sight of a movement in front; andso cleverly and quickly was the manoeuvre carried out, that as the threeofficers passed between the guns, a column of mounted men came tearingalong the street. 

But I was ready, and one gun thundered out its defiance, the shotsending the column into confusion; but they dashed on, and were withinforty yards of us when the second gun bellowed with such dire effectthat the foremost men turned and fled, throwing those who still advancedinto confusion, and giving our men time to reload; while the infantrycommenced firing from the windows on either side, and a company waitinga hundred yards away in reserve came up at the double, and, with fixedbayonets, took up their position, ready to protect the guns. 

It was my first responsible piece of action, in charge of the gunsalone, and as I saw the dire havoc my orders had caused, a curioussickening sensation attacked me, and for a few moments all seemed dim. 

Just then our Irish gunner Brian exclaimed, forgetful of discipline inhis excitement--

"Look at that now! Murther! what would my poor ould mother say, if shesaw what I've done?"

He had fired the second gun, and he stood scratching his ear with acuriously perplexed look on his droll countenance. Then he brightenedup, and shook his head at the poor wretches who were crawling from amongthe injured horses to get into shelter of the houses to right and left. 

"Bedad!" he cried, fiercely, "I don't moind a bit. Come on, and I'll doit again. I'd forgotten about the summer-house and the fire. "

"'Tention!"

"Yis, sor. I beg pardon. It was me excitement. "

But the enemy did not come on again; the lesson had been too terrible, and we all stood there, hot with excitement and fretting against theinaction; while preparations were being rapidly made behind us forevacuating the residency, the infantry now manned the roof, keeping downobservations by a shot or two now and then at any of the enemy whoappeared at the windows of the houses near. 

But I knew that before long they must know of our intention to retreat, and I stood there with my men on the strain, and watching the people whocame to the help of the wounded and carried them away. 

"Oh, murther!" muttered Brian, at last, as if his tongue would not restwithout speaking; "if Oi were a fut-artilleryman, I should desart. Icouldn't stand much of this. "

"Will you be silent, sir!" I cried sternly. 

"Sure, sor, it isn't me; it's me tongue, bad luck to it. But, beggin'your hanner's pardon, would ye order one of the naygers to bring round adhrink o' wather. "

I ordered a bucketful to be fetched, for we were all suffering fromthirst and from the unnecessary heat produced by our clothes, which, like those provided for the British soldier, were utterly unsuited forour work, everything being sacrificed for show. 

The men drank the cool water with avidity, Brian looking at me withtwinkling eyes as he helped himself to a second pannikin. 

"Talk about yer port wines and champagnes, sor, " he said; "there's ownlytwo things fit to dhrink, and one's whiskey, and the other's wather. "

"Why, you said the other day there was nothing like _tay_, " cried one ofthe men. 

"Sure an' I did, for ould women, " retorted Brian; "but even they put adhrop o' whiskey in it sometimes. "

"Silence!" I cried, very much against my will; and the men were back intheir places as stiff as if on parade, till I heard orders given. Therewas the clattering of hoofs; the horses came up, the guns were hooked onto the limbers, and the next minute we were mounted, leaving the companyof foot holding the street. 

I was not long kept in doubt as to the arrangements, for, as we weremoved into the square, there was the rest of our troop with the fourguns, and I saw that the ammunition and baggage-waggons, water-tubs, andprovender, were, along with the elephants, ready to come out with thefoot regiment, leaving us free to dash out and clear the way, acting ascavalry or artillery as the need arose. 

When all was quite ready, it had been arranged that we should make forthe open country down the street which Haynes had been holding, andwhere a company of foot were now stationed to replace the two guns. 

As I glanced up at the residency, I could see that about half a dozensoldiers were still on the roof, otherwise the place was completelyevacuated, and the men waiting eagerly for the advance. 

Then I heard the final arrangements made with the colonel, who was toput his column in motion directly, and follow us with the elephants andwaggons, it being left to Brace to occupy the best position he could. 

At this time a shot or two from a distance was being aimed by theenemy's matchlock men, at the sentries on the residency roof, but noharm was done, and, saving the dull distant hum of many people swarmingin the town, all was so still that our evacuation of the place promisedto be a very simple and easy affair. 

And there we sat watching the various companies of the foot regimentranged up; that occupying the street Haynes had held being the advance;that by us was the main body and baggage-guard; whilst the company whohad been with us was to form the rear. 

Then orders were given, and a message brought back that the road we wereto take seemed clear; and we waited a few minutes more, while Brace sentout an advance-guard of three of our mounted men, to go on by theinfantry picket straight for the plain. 

These were anxious moments. There was a pause, and then we waited forthe order to advance. 

How vividly it all comes back; the dazzling sunshine flashing from armsand accoutrements; the stern, sun-browned, determined faces of the men;and, with their shadows looking dwarfed and strange, there were thethree huge elephants nodding their heads and swinging them from side toside, as they writhed and curled their trunks, lifting first one footand then the other, impatient to be on the move. 

At last the word was given, and as the foot regiment stepped out towardthe opening in the main street, along which we were to pass, our advancewas on the way, in a quick walk, which, as we entered the street held bythe foot company, which opened and stood back on either side to let uspass, became a trot with the horses' hoofs clattering and the guns andlimber wheels rattling loudly. 

There was a disposition on the part of the men to give us a cheer as wepassed, but a stern command stayed them; and on we went, feeling that wehad, after all, an easy task to perform, for everything was so still. 

I was with the two centre guns, and I glanced back to see that, as ourlast man passed, the company of foot marched after us. Then Brace gavea sharp order, the trumpet rang out, and we thundered on at a gallop, for he had seen the meaning of the silence; the enemy had eitherreceived a hint from one of the native followers, who must havedeserted, or have divined our probable course of action, for suddenlymen appeared on the tops of the houses on either side of the road, andbegan firing, while right in front a body of sepoys, followed by asquadron of horse, occupied the street from side turnings to block ourway. 

I expected to hear the halt called for the guns to be unlimbered, so asto clear the road before us, but Brace kept to the plans laid down forhis guidance. Passing almost unscathed among the bullets which patteredaround, we increased our pace, dashing straight at the natives in frontwith such a roar of horse hoof and wheel, accompanied by so fierce acheer, that before we reached them the mutineers broke and fled into theshelter of the side streets, and we thundered by, our advance cutting upthe stragglers who could not escape, and soon reaching the suburbs, andthen the open plain. Here Brace halted upon a mound, from which therewas a good view of the road by which we had come, while just behind wasa dense tope or patch of forest that would give our infantry atremendously strong position, and from which they were not easily to bedislodged by an enemy not provided with guns. 

The fight had begun, for, as we unlimbered, we could see quite a mob ofthe enemy closing in from right and left to check the advance of thefoot regiment, which they knew could only come on slowly, while probablythey looked upon us as out of the engagement, having made good ourretreat. 

As we loaded, the steady rattle of musketry began to increase, tellingus that our friends were having to fight their way, and ours was thetask to help them, and to undeceive the enemy, whose ranks thickened, and about whom had hovered two large bodies of sowars, waiting theirturn to attack as soon as the foot regiment began to file into the open. 

"Now is our time, " said Brace, excitedly; and then, suddenly growingcalm, "Don't waste a shot, my lads. Good careful aim. "

There was a few moments' pause while Brace examined the gathering groupswith his glass, and gave us a few final instructions. Then the gunscame into action with a steady, regular fire from right to left, shotfollowing shot, so that at the second round the effect had been almostmagical. One minute body after body of men were crowding up toward theroad, the next they were scattering and seeking the shelter of thehouses, while our attention was now directed toward the two columns ofcavalry. 

Meanwhile the rattle of the musketry came fiercer and louder, tellingthat our friends had not been checked, but were steadily advancingthrough a terrible fire; but I knew that the heavy boom of our guns mustencourage them, and I looked on with a strange eagerness as my two gunswere sponged and loaded, giving directions to the men for their nextaims. 

These were, as I have said, at the white squadron of native cavalry, themen whom our people had so carefully trained, with the result that theirEnglish officers were slain, and the native officers in command. 

I could see for myself that there was very little of the guiding spiritof our generals at work, each commander of a regiment acting accordingto his own ideas, and I was thinking, young soldier as I was, that if Ihad had command, I should have sent forward one of the native regimentsin skirmishing order to attack us while the two sowar regiments had beensent off right and left to try and cut us off, the result being, Ithought, the almost certain routing and capture of our own troops. 

But nothing of the kind was done; the officers in command of the cavalrysat watching the sepoy ranks being ploughed up by our grape andcanister, till they scattered to shelter, and commenced a useless fireupon us, and then seemed utterly astounded as round shot after roundshot plunged in among their squadrons, making terrible gaps, andthrowing them into utter confusion. 

But they closed up again as well as they could, and sat fast in spite ofdozens of the men taking fright and galloping off with riderless horsesover the plain; but half a dozen more shots scattered them again, andnow for the first time the idea seemed to enter the brains of theirleaders that they must act in concert, and after a trooper had dashedacross the road from one side to the other, the new columns advanced, and we directed our fire right at the thick masses in which they wereformed. 

To my mind we had time for one shot, and then I expected the call tolimber up and gallop off, but it did not come; and as we loaded again, then, with a roar like that of a tempest, the sowars came on till, as wefired again, we could see their gleaming eyes and the savage rage andhate in their countenances. 

I knew that we should have no time to retreat after those six shots, andfelt that in a few seconds I should be in the midst of a terrible_melee_. 

But our men fired grape and canister now, and as gun after gun sent outits puff of smoke, a perfect tempest of bullets surged through thecolumns, while as I sat fast, panting and awaiting their charge, I foundthat Brace knew the enemy better than I, for as the shot tore among themthey broke off to right and left, scattering as they went back towardthe spots from which they had started on their desperate charge, leavingscores of their men about upon the plain. 

"Risky, " said Brace to me, as the men ceased firing, and waited forfresh orders; "but I knew our lads would be steady, and that thescoundrels would never hold together after those last charges of grape. "

"And if they had kept together?"

"If, " he said, smiling. "Well, then they would have cut us all downwith their tulwars; but they could not keep together--no sowars couldbear such a tempest as that. Some of them were sure to turn tail, andthen force of example upsets more, and the rest followed them in such aretreat as you see. "

"Look! they are gathering again on each side of the road. Round shot. "

Two guns dispersed them this time, for they were evidently preparing torevenge themselves upon our friends, who had by this time reached theoutskirts of the place, as we could see by the dotted puffs of smokerising whitely here and there among the houses. 

Just then, though, we saw a fresh body of sepoys, many hundreds strong, debouching from a road some fifty yards from that by which we had issuedfrom the place, evidently to intercept our friends. There was verylittle order among them in spite of their being, as their uniformshowed, men of sepoy regiments, and their confusion was our opportunity. 

There was a slight alteration of the guns, so that their fire might beconcentrated; and just as they were tearing along, and we saw theskirmishers of our party issuing from among the houses, we opened aterrible fire of grape. 

The effect was wonderful. At the first shot, the sepoys halted; at thesecond they wavered, and by the time the sixth had sent in its deadlystorm, their survivors were in full flight, while, cheering loudly, ourcolumn marched out into sight, and now for the first time, and just asthe waggons and elephants came full in view, we heard, instead of therattle of scattered firing, the heavy roar of a volley in the rear. 

Then the order was given to double, and the column came on with a coupleof companies in the rear now in sight, taking it in turns to halt, kneel, and fire a volley before turning and doubling past their comradeswaiting to hold the enemy in check and fire a volley in turn. 

For the enemy were in force behind them, and came pouring out in pursuittill nearly a couple of thousand men must have rushed out of the wideroad, and as they opened out to right and left, firing on the retreatingregiment, the position of our friends was growing perilous in theextreme. Men were dropping fast, and it was evident that the two rearcompanies wanted support. 

The support was coming, for our guns were run off to our right, took upfresh position where we could fire clear of our own men, and rapidly asthey could be served, and the heated vents would permit, a terrific firewas brought to bear upon the sepoys, crushing them so effectually thatten minutes after, and only followed by a scattered fire, the infantryregiment reached the patch of wood, the elephants, ammunition-waggons, and native followers were placed in safety, and the colonel found timeto canter up to Brace and warmly wring his hand. 

"Splendid!" he cried. "We have lost wonderfully few. " Then aloud toour troop, "Thank you, my lads, thank you. "

"Oh, it's all right, colonel dear, " I heard Brian say in a loud voice;"we shall be wanting ye to hilp us before long. "

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN. 

The colonel was delighted with the position, knowing that, if theammunition held out, he could, with Brace's help, make it a centre fromwhich he could thrash twice as many of the enemy. 

But it seemed to me, as I noted how many poor fellows were wounded, thatwe did not want any more fighting that day; and for a time it did notlook as if we were to be troubled. 

I was wrong, though, for in about half an hour the enemy's leaders wereshowing front again, and it was evident that Ny Deen did not mean us toescape, for strong bodies of cavalry filed off to right and left, exactly as I had planned in my own mind, while his foot were mustered ingreat strength, their numbers being rapidly added to by men from out ofthe town. To add to the peril of our position, we made out a whole linecoming along from the west which soon showed itself to be a freshregiment of native cavalry coming to join Ny Deen's standard and helpdrive the infidel out of the land. 

In the consultation which took place, with the men all at ease, andbread and water being partaken of eagerly, the colonel said calmly--

"I'm not a bit alarmed for myself. My lads will fight to the last. We've plenty of ammunition, and I know we can make our square smallerand smaller, till they are sick of it, as they soon will be, for theycannot rush us. They will not face the bayonet. What about you?There's my fear. "

"I'll help you all I can, " said Brace, "and I don't think you need fearfor us. We can manoeuvre and keep them at a distance. We fight best ata pretty good range, " he said laughingly. 

Our men had escaped without a scratch, so that our doctor was able todevote himself to the help of his brother in the profession at thetemporary hospital made under a huge tree, well out of range of anyfiring that might arise. The foot regiment had suffered very heavily, for the fighting had been most severe through the narrow street, enemiesspringing up constantly in the most unexpected places; and, as I heardfrom the officers, to have halted for a minute to repel the attackswould have been fatal. In fact, from the time we left them, the poorfellows had literally to run the gauntlet of a fierce fire, and allconfessed that it was wonderful that the casualties had been so few. 

The moments of rest and refreshment now being enjoyed were most needful, and it was wonderful to see how restorative the simple draught of waterand handful of bread seemed, the men brightening up and looking readydirectly after. 

Meanwhile scouts were sent out, and skirmishers took advantage of everydepression to hold ready for the enemy's advance, though, after a time, this looked doubtful, for, after drawing up his men, as if for animmediate attack, Ny Deen had halted and waited the advance of the freshcorps of cavalry to strengthen his hand in that direction. 

It meant an addition of about three hundred men to his forces; but itgave us little cause for anxiety, the general opinion being that thesowars would not face us; the only cause for alarm being in the event ofthe foot giving way, when their pursuit might prove terrible. 

While we waited, the ammunition-waggon was brought up, and ourammunition chests refilled, to make up for the vast waste, Brace takingcare that an extra supply of grape and canister should be placed in theboxes, both on the gun-carriages and the limbers. The cartridge-boxesof the men in the foot regiment, too, had been repacked, and now, rested, refreshed, and ready for action, all waited for the attack whichwas still delayed. 

We were drawn up at a little distance from the patch of trees, our troophaving, of course, a perfectly free hand to advance, retire, or harassthe enemy, as seemed best to our leader; and Brace sat watchinganxiously the sowars lying between us and the town, while Haynes keptsweeping the plain on the other side of the tope for the enemy'scavalry, but without avail, a patch or two of forest effectuallyscreening their advance. 

All at once the colonel cantered up to Brace. 

"Do you see what they mean?" he cried, and, as Brace looked at himwonderingly, he continued, "There's some one at the head of affairsthere with his head screwed on the right way. He is waiting for nightbefore attacking. "

"So as to make my guns of half the service, " said Brace, quickly. 

"Exactly!"

They were both silent for a few moments, and sat gazing at the rajah'sforces. 

"Then we must take the initiative, " said Brace, sharply. 

"That is what I have come to say, " cried the colonel, quickly. "Itseems, " he added in a lower tone, "daring, half mad; but we have righton our side, and the scoundrels, with all their hatred, fear ushorribly. The odds are very great; but if we can scatter them, it willbe a lesson that will bear fruit greater than we can imagine. It willteach them how terrible the wrath of England can be, and how hopelesstheir attempt is likely to prove, no matter how many men they bring intothe field. You agree with me?"

"Thoroughly, " said Brace, "for my men are at their worst when placed ina fixed battery. "

"At once, then, " said the colonel. 

"At once, " replied Brace, "before their cavalry come in sight. Don'tthink me impertinent. "

"No; go on. "

"You will fight in square. "

"Trust me, " was the reply, with a nod and a smile, and the colonelcantered off to join his men, and beginning to manoeuvre them at once, after leaving a strong rear guard among the trees in case the sowarsshould make a sudden dash, for they had nothing to fear from the sepoys;any attempt on their part being for a long time to come impossible, forthe colonel could fall back and protect his rear and baggage-guard longbefore the infantry could get near. 

A low murmur of satisfaction ran through our little troop as orders weregiven which they knew meant immediate action. We went off at a trot, asif going right away, the object being to get upon the enemy's flank, andlong before they grasped our object we had changed to a gallop, wheeledround, the men sprang from horse and limber, and in less than a minuteround shot were ploughing through their ranks, sending them intoconfusion, and doing a vast deal of mischief before they had changedtheir formation, and skirmishers were sent out in advance of a regiment, the firing growing after a while somewhat annoying, when quick almost asit can be described, we limbered up and went out of range, taking up afresh position, from which fresh confusion was thrown into their ranks, the regiment sent out against us being left far on our left. 

By this time our infantry friends were steadily marching in closeformation as if to aid us in our attack, when our scouts came in at agallop, and we saw the cause, one of the sowar regiments was coming downupon us over the plain, the other being in all probability advancingtoo, but hidden from us by the tope. 

Will the colonel see them? I wondered as, at a word, the limbers weredrawn round, and we changed front, slewing about the guns, and sendinground shot at the sowars now approaching rapidly, while I wonderedwhether Brace would stand fast and brave them. 

But there was in those exciting moments no time for thought. Shot aftershot was sent at the advancing regulars, which began to leave horses andmen struggling on the plain, while their formation was broken up. Butonward they came now in what more resembled a drove than the line of aregiment, and into this the grape shot was poured with such terribleeffect, that they broke, turned, and swept away, never coming withinfifty yards of us. 

Our men sent up a cheer, but we had to canter off, and take up a freshposition, for the sepoy skirmishers were close upon us, and shots beganto whizz by our heads. 

Hardly were our men mounted again, and we were moving off, before myheart leaped to my throat, for from the other side of the tope I saw thesecond sowar regiment dash into sight and race down to attack our footregiment. 

"Look, look!" cried Brace, excitedly; "they'll be through them. What ishe about?"

But almost as the words left his lips, the double line of infantry, advancing toward the rajah's main force, folded back, as it were, uponitself, and by the time the horsemen were getting close, they were facedby a triple line of bayonets, and a sputtering line of fire curled out, emptying saddles and checking the advance, the sowars sweeping round andgalloping away. 

"I knew they would not face the bayonets, " cried Brace. "Gallop, " heshouted; and he led us toward a bit of an eminence, where he evidentlymeant to take up position, and rake the retreating enemy in theirflight. 

But they were not retreating. Quick in their action nearly as we were, they wheeled round, and instantly it was evident that their leader wasabout to try and capture the guns. 

I saw it all at a glance, so did every man in the troop, as we gallopedon toward the eminence which it would be impossible to reach before theywere upon us, while it was equally impossible for us to halt, unlimber, and bring the guns into action. The infantry regiment was too far offto help us, and our only chance appeared to me to be to wheel off to theright, and race for our lives. 

Brace rightly saw the position differently. 

"Draw--swords!" he roared; then changing our form of advance by a rapidmovement taken at the gallop, the trumpet rang out, and I felt for themoment as if I was at the head of the mutineers once more, when werecaptured the guns; then, with sword on guard, I was gazing full at thelong line of sowars charging us as we tore on at a frantic gallop, theguns now in echelon, leaping and bounding over the ground, the men onthe limbers, sword in hand, holding on with the other, and every driverof the three to each gun holding his sabre at the charge. 

One moment it must have seemed to the leaders of the native regimentthat they had an easy capture, their line overlapping ours by far oneither wing; the next, that an English horse artillery troop is noplaything, for there was a tremendous collision, horses and men wentdown headlong, and our troop swept on, their echelon formation causingshock after shock, as the tremendous momentum of the six horses of eachgun was too great to be withstood by the light-armed sowars, and theguns were saved. 

I was conscious of a sharp volley, then of another and another, as wegalloped on, the man beside me sinking lower and lower over his horse'sneck; then, in what was to me like a nightmare, I saw him drop headlongfrom his horse, and had a glimpse of his face as his helmet fell off. 

Then, growing more and more composed, I wondered why the Englishregiment should be firing volleys at us, their friends; and all thistime the blinding perspiration seemed to be pouring from my head, and Iwas not seeing clearly. Then, raising my empty right hand, I swept itacross my eyes, and as I did so grasped the fact that my sword washanging by its knot from my wrist, as I saw clearly for a moment that Iwas alone, and yet not alone, for fierce-looking men in their white garbwere galloping by me. 

Then I knew that in the dashing charge I had been separated from mytroop; that I was bleeding horribly from a wound; and one thought camelike lightning across my brain--no; two thoughts, and they were these. 

"It is all over; but have I done my duty like a man?"

The next minute a sowar turned and made a cut at me; but his blow fellupon steel, which flashed. Something else glittered and flashed too, and a fierce voice roared an order in Hindustani as we tore on, with anervous hand grasping my arm, just as it suddenly seemed to turn tonight, and I knew no more. 

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT. 

I felt that if whoever it was would only have left me alone, I would nothave cared; but to be bothered like that, when I was so sleepy, and whenI had been so hard at work all day, and done my rounds at night, was toobad. 

Yes; I knew it was after sunrise, and that in an ordinary way I ought tohave jumped up, but the sleepy, stupid feeling was too much for me, andI only lay there and grumbled. 

"Don't!" I remember crying, "you hurt me;" but whoever it was kept onall the same, doing something to my head, and then he began dragging myarm about, and then I went off fast asleep. 

I remembered all that when I opened my eyes again. It was my firstthought, and I lay wondering in a puzzled sort of way whether it wasHaynes, for he was the only one likely to play any trick with me, andunlikely enough too. Brace was too stern, thoughtful, and serious, so Ithought it could not have been he. 

"Hullo!" I exclaimed. No: it could hardly be called an exclamation, for it was said in a very low tone of voice, as I stared about me, andgrew confused. For I felt that I ought to be lying in one of theshattered rooms of the residency. No: we had left the residency, and Iought to be lying under a tree in the tope. 

It was very puzzling, and I could not make it out at all. In fact, themore I tried, the more perplexing it grew, and while I was trying to getmy head to think properly, everything grew dull and misty, and I wentoff to sleep once more. 

But the next time I awoke and ran over my position, I found that I wasable to think well, and I did, though the puzzle was great still, why itwas that I was lying on cushions with handsome purdahs or curtains hungabout the sides of what was evidently a tent, with handsome Indiancarpets spread on the floor, and a punkah over my head, waving gently toand fro to cool the air. 

As I was trying to pierce the cloud that closed me in, I at last got agleam of light through it as if the cloud had opened a little, and Irecollected distinctly standing by my two guns in the glaring hotstreet. Yes; I could recollect that clearly, but no more. Then came aperiod of confusion, but that passed off, and I remembered our trot andthen gallop out of the town, down the long road, and out into thecountry-like plain, where we took up position, and brought the guns intoaction. 

After a time I recalled the whole of the particulars of the engagementright on to our halt beside the tope, within whose shades the waggons, elephants, and wounded men were placed. And now a feeling of troubleand worry came over me, for I recollected that I had been so busy that Ihad not been to see Serjeant Craig. 

It looked hard, for he had done so much for us, but I hoped that Bracehad been to him, and that he would not think it unkind of me, knowing ashe would that I had been heavily on duty. But, all the same, it washard for the poor fellow lying wounded. 

I paused there, and then repeated the words in a strange, puzzledway--"Poor fellow lying wounded--poor fellow lying wounded. "

And then, with the intention of sitting up, I moved my arm. 

No; I only tried to move it, and felt a horrible twinge of pain. Then Itried to raise my head, but it felt like so much lead, and the effortmade me feel sick. 

But my mind was active now, and as I said in a whisper, "Why, I must bewounded, " the scene of our last gallop came back to my mind with vividforce, and I saw it all, and even, as it were, felt the sensation of themad gallop, and the shock of our collision with the sowars, even to thecurious sensation of galloping along with our men firing at us, and thenawakening to the fact that I had fierce-looking troopers on either side, and then of one cutting at me, and another interposing to save my life. 

Yes; I could recollect that clearly, and I recalled, too, the poorfellow falling headlong from his horse. 

Was that I?

It seemed as if it must have been; but in a confused way I argued that, if it had, I could not have sat on horseback and seen him fall. 

I was still puzzling about it with a _feeling_ upon me that my brainwould not work properly, when a purdah was thrust on one side, and atall, grave, grey-bearded man in white and gold came slowly in. Hisvoluminous turban was of white muslin, and his long snowy garmentdescended almost to his feet. 

I felt, as he gravely fixed his eyes upon me, and advanced to where Ilay, that this must be a kind of dream, and that possibly the sun hadbeat so hotly upon my helmet that it had had some effect upon my brain. Consequently, all I had to do was to be still, and then all would comeclear. 

But the dream became to me wonderfully real as the tall grave Mussulmanwent down on one knee and laid his hand upon my head, the touch feelingcool and pleasant, while, as he saw my eyes fixed upon his inquiringly, he said in very good English--

"The young sahib is better?"

"Better?" I replied in a curiously faint voice--"better? Have I beenill?"

"Don't try to talk. Not ill, sahib--wounded. "

"Oh!" I ejaculated. "Then I was hurt in that charge. Where is CaptainBrace?"

"Don't talk; you are weak. Let me look at your wound. "

As he spoke he laid his hand upon my left arm, but changed his mind, andhis hands were busy about my head, which I found now was confined by abandage. 

This being removed, he gave me a little pain by touching one spot justabove my temple, which was extremely tender, and then, taking out a pairof scissors, he snipped away a little hair closely; after this he drew apiece of fine white cloth from his pocket, he poured some brown stronglyscented fluid from a little flask to moisten it, and laid the little wetpatch on my head, with the result that it tingled sharply. 

"Hurt?" he said quietly. 

"Yes; a little. "

"It will soon go off. "

As he spoke he very carefully bound the linen bandage he had removedback in its place. 

"Is it a sword-cut?" I asked. 

"No, sahib; a bullet struck your helmet, and made a bad place within. It is not very serious, and if you are quiet, it will soon be well. "

"But where is Dr Danby? Why does he not come?" I asked; then, in astartled way, "He is not killed?"

The grey-bearded old fellow merely shook his head and repeated hisinjunction that I should not talk, and now began examining my left arm, which was firmly bandaged, and began to pain me severely at his touch. 

"Is that a bullet wound?" I said in a whisper, for I felt that I mustresign myself to my position, and, after the first shock, I began tofeel rather proud that I had been wounded, for I felt not the slightestinclination to stir. 

"No, " he said, as he removed bandage after bandage, "a cut from a tulwarjust below the shoulder. You will be brave, and bear what I do withoutbeing faint? Yes, " he added, with a grave smile, "you English sahibsare brave. Hurt?"

"Hurt? Yes, " I said, with a wince. "Is it a big cut?"

"Yes, " he said softly; "a big cut--a bad cut, but it is beautiful, andwill soon grow up again. "

"Are you going to put any of that smarting stuff on?" I asked. 

"Oh no. It wants nothing but to be left to grow well with bandagesround it. These fresh bandages. Young healthy flesh soon heals. "

"Are you a surgeon?" I asked. 

"Yes; and learned to be one in London, " he continued, with a smile. "But now you must be still and not talk. "

I was not sorry to be forbidden to speak, for it was an effort, and Ilay watching him, feeling very sick and faint, while he dressed mywound; and then I felt nothing till I found myself staring at the graveface of the eastern surgeon, as he lightly passed a moistened fingerbeneath my nostrils, and then touched the neck of a bottle which heturned upside down, and proceeded to moisten my temples, while apeculiar cool pungent odour filled the tent. 

"Better?" he said. 

"Yes, " I said dreamily; and then as I realised what had passed--"Did Ifaint?"

He bowed gravely. 

"It was natural, sahib. I hurt you very greatly; but the wound lookswell. Ah, your colour is coming back to your lips. "

"Thank you, " I said feebly. "I am sorry I was so cowardly. Now askCaptain Brace to come. "

He shook his head. 

"Well, then, Mr Haynes. "

He shook his head again. 

"They are far away, " he said. 

"Then what place is this? a hospital?"

He shook his head again. 

"I am only the doctor, " he said, with a smile. "My duty is to dressyour wounds, and it is done. "

"But tell me this--the fight yesterday?"

"I cannot, " he replied. "There was no fight yesterday. "

"Nonsense! There was; and I remember now coming off my horse. Ithought it was some one else; but I recall it now. "

"The sahib talks too much, " said the grave, patient-looking doctor. 

"I will hold my tongue directly, " I cried; "but tell me this--were youat the fight?"

"Oh no; I was far away, and the rajah summoned me here to attend onyou. "

"Rajah? What rajah?"

"His highness, my master. "

"What!" I cried excitedly. "Then I am a prisoner?"

"Yes, sahib. You were cut down in the battle a week ago. "

A low expiration of the breath, which sounded like a sigh, was the onlysound I uttered as I lay back, weak, faint, utterly astounded by thenews. A prisoner--cut down a week ago. Then the troop; where was thetroop? If I was made a prisoner, had the guns been taken?

A cold chill of despair ran through me as those crushing thoughtsoccurred, and in imagination I saw our men surrounded and slaughtered, perhaps mutilated, the guns taken, and the fight of that day atremendous victory for the enemy. 

But after a time a better way of thinking came over me when I was alone;for, after a grave smile, the doctor had bowed and left the tent. 

It was a daring, desperate charge I felt, but the only thing Brace coulddo under the circumstances; and he must have cut his way through. Hecould not turn and retreat, for it would have looked like being afraidof the sowars; and surely, I thought, it was not in them to overcome ourbrave little troop even if they were ten times the number. 

Then, as I lay there, confused and troubled, a fresh thought struck me--the firing? Yes, of course there was sharp firing; and I remembered nowpretty clearly I was galloping away with troopers on each side. I musthave been separated from my men in the desperate shock, and borne off bythe foe as they retreated. Yes, of course, I thought, with growingexcitement; they must have been retreating; and it was the colonel'sregiment that was firing upon us as we fled. 

With these thoughts hope came back, and I could think no more, butdropped off into a deep sleep that was greatly like a swoon. 

My next recollection is of lying in that heated tent, feverish andthirsty, and the tall, grey-bearded doctor coming in to busy himselfabout me, and at every touch of his hand seeming to give me ease. 

Then I slept again, and slept--ah, how I must have slept, and dreamed ofBrace being safe, and coming sooner or later to rescue me from thatsilent tent where I saw no one but the doctor and a couple of Hinduservants, who never answered any questions, only salaamed and left thetent if I spoke!

Neither could I get any information from the doctor. All I knew grewfrom my own calculations, and these taught me that I was the prisoner ofsome great chief who seemed to be reserving me to exchange for someother prisoner, perhaps to act as a hostage in case he should happen tobe captured. I could come to no other conclusion; for so far the customhad been for the revolted people to murder and mutilate every one whofell into their hands. 

I was lying there one afternoon, wondering where the tent could be, andwhy it was that everything was so silent about me. It was puzzling nowthat I was not quite so weak and feverish; for this could hardly be acamp in which I was a prisoner. If it had been, I should have heard thetrampling of horses and the coming and going of armed men. Then Iseldom heard voices, save those of the servants who came to attend uponme by the doctor's orders. But I knew one thing--the tent in which Iwas sheltered had been pitched under a great tree; for at certain times, when the sun was low, I saw the shadows of leaves and boughs upon thecanvas; and when the wind blew sometimes at night, I had heard therushing sound through the branches. 

Feeling a little better as I did that afternoon, I had quite made up mymind to attack the doctor when he came, as I knew he would later on, andtry hard to get some particulars about where we were, and what hadhappened after the fight; for it seemed strange and I shrank at timesfrom the thought that Brace and the colonel had not followed up theirsuccess. But had it been a success?

The question was terrible; for their long silence suggested that itmight equally have been a failure; and this was the more likely from theodds they had to engage. 

I lay there very patiently, for I was not in much pain now; but thatafternoon the doctor did not come, and my patience was rapidly fadingaway; for it was growing late, and it appeared hard, now that I had cometo such a determination, for my attendant to stay away. That he mustcome from a distance, I knew; and more than once I had detected littlethings which showed me that he had been attending wounded men--a factwhich of course told me that there was trouble going on somewhere nearat hand. 

Perhaps there was trouble that day, I thought, and he was detained inconsequence. 

This thought made me listen intently for the sound of guns; but all wasstill, and my impatience began to get the mastery, and the feeling thatI had taken up the wrong idea to make itself clear; for there could beno serious fighting such as would keep the doctor away, or else I musthave heard the firing. 

Still the doctor did not come, and in consequence I began to think thatmy wound was hot and fretful; and this brought up the fight on thateventful day about which I had lost count, save that it must be going onfor three weeks since it occurred; and all that time I had been lyingthere, a miserable, wounded prisoner. So I was proceeding to silentlybemoan my fate, when my common sense stepped in to point out that theenemy who had captured me evidently respected the British, and that noone could have been better treated than I. 

But I wanted news. I was burning to hear what had taken place since Ihad been cut down; whether the fire of revolt had been checked, but wasstill holding its own, or spreading--and I knew nothing. 

"But I will know, " I said, as my ear, grown quick by constant listening, detected distant sounds, followed by a hurried rustling, as of peopleleaving the adjoining tent. 

"They heard the doctor coming, " I said to myself. "I'll make him speaksomehow; and, by the way, I've never asked him where they have put myuniform and sword. "

I strained my ears and listened, for the sound was drawing nearer, and afeeling of disappointment stole over me as I made out that it was thetrampling of horses; and I had never heard that when the doctor camebefore. I had always believed that he came in a palanquin; while thesecertainly were horses' feet--yes, and the jingling of accoutrements. 

"Why, it must be our troop, " I thought, but crushed the delightfulthought on the instant, for there was none of the peculiar rattle madeby the guns and limbers. Could it be a body of sowars? If softlythoughts went back to the wild gallop I had had in their company, andone hand stole to my wounded arm, which was there as a reminder of whatI might expect from them. 

No wonder my heart beat fast as recollections of their mercilesstreatment of their officers came flooding my brain, and I felt that ifthey behaved like this to their officers, whom they had sworn to obey, there would be scant mercy for a prisoner. 

The trampling and jingling came nearer, and there was the familiarsnorting of horses, while I was now experienced enough to be able to saythat there was a body of forty or fifty mounted men approaching nearer, nearer, till a loud order rang out, such as would be given by a nativecavalry officer; a sudden halt; a fresh order, and then one for the mento dismount, and I was listening for the next ordering the men to drawswords, when I felt with beating heart that it need not come, for themen would be lancers. "I'll try and meet it like a man, " I said tomyself, "for father's sake, and that of my mother and sister;" but Icould not feel brave, and my eyes were fixed upon the purdah whichscreened the entrance to the tent, and, in spite of my weakness, Istruggled up on one arm looking wildly round for a weapon that I couldnot have used. 

Then there was a quick footstep. The doctor's? No; that of an armedman. The purdah was swept aside, and a gorgeously dressed chief, robedin white muslin and shawls of the most delicate fabric, and richlyornamented with gold, strode into the tent. His white turban glitteredwith pearls and diamonds, while his breast and sword-belt and slingswere also encrusted with the same rich gems, so that at every movementsome cluster of precious stones scintillated in the subdued light. 

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE. 

He crossed at once to my couch, and stood looking down at me, hishandsome, thoughtful face, with its dark eyes, being wonderfullyfamiliar, as he bent over me; and as he gazed, a smile crossed his lips, and there was a look of sympathy in his countenance which wasunmistakable. 

But there was no smile on mine, for as I met his eyes I saw in him, inspite of his gallant bearing and gorgeous dress, the bloodthirstytraitor and schemer who had risen against us and headed the mad savageswho had cut down my brother-officers and friends. He was the man, too, who held me prisoner, and my resentment was growing when, in anindistinct dreamy way, the scene in the desperate charge came back, andthose moments when, half-stunned by the bullet which had struck myhelmet, and of which I was not conscious then, I had been galloping awaysurrounded by sowars, one of whom was about to cut me down, giving me asecond blow sufficient to destroy the little life left in me. And I sawit clearly now; it was this man who bent over me--this chief, allgorgeous in gold and gems, whose arm had been stretched out to save me, and had undoubtedly brought me where I was, and had me carefully tendedback to life. 

And with these thoughts filling my mind, I lay looking up at him angry, and yet grateful, wondering, too, at the change from the slightlyclothed syce whom I had so often seen ill-used by his master, Barton;and as he watched me, I shuddered slightly, for I seemed to know that hehad taken deadly vengeance upon my brother-officer in return for monthsof harsh treatment, insult, and wrong. 

We neither of us spoke, he evidently contenting himself with watchingme, and enjoying the surprise I felt at recognising him as the disguisedchief--the groom no longer, but as the powerful leader of a large nativeforce; I, in my weak state, fascinated by his peculiar smiling eyes, that were one moment haughty and fierce and full of triumph, the nextbeaming with friendliness. 

At last he bent down on one knee, and as he did so his magnificentlyjewelled tulwar fell forward naturally enough from the point of thescabbard touching the carpet right between us, and he started as if thesword between us had come as a strange portent to show that we wereenemies, always to be kept apart by the deadly blade. 

I saw that he changed colour and hesitated, influenced by hissuperstitious eastern nature and education; but the next moment helaughed contemptuously, and unbuckled his jewelled belt, and threw itand the sword two or three yards away, before going down on one knee bymy pillow, laying his hand upon my head and gazing intently in my eyes. 

"Hah!" he ejaculated, speaking for the first time, and in excellentEnglish. "You are getting well fast now. You are weak, but you willlive and soon be well. I thought once you would die. You know me?" headded, with a smile. 

I spoke now for the first time, and my voice sounded feeble, I felt, compared to his. 

"Yes, I know you again, Ny Deen. "

His eyes flashed, and his face lit up strangely as he exclaimed--

"Yes; Ny Deen, the syce, beaten, kicked, trampled upon; Ny Deen, thedog--the--"

He paused for a moment or two, and then with an emphasis that would havemade the term of reproach sound absurd, but for the fierce revengefullook in his countenance, he added--

"Nigger!"

There was an intensity of scorn in his utterance of the word that wastragic; and as I lay back there on my cushion I read in it the fierceturning at last of the trampled worm--the worm as represented by thevenomous serpent of the conquered land, and I knew from my ownexperience what endless cases there were of patient, humbled, andcrushed-down men, no higher in position than slaves, ill-used, andtreated with contempt by my insolent, overbearing countrymen of thatself-assertive class who cannot hold power without turning it to abuse. 

The silence in the tent as my captor knelt by me was intense, and Icould hear his hard breathing, and see how he was striving to master thefierce emotion in his breast. His eyes were mostly fixed on me with asavage scowl, and for a moment or so I fancied that he must have savedmy life so as to take it himself in some way which would add torture andthrow dismay amongst the English ranks. 

But I was ready to smile at my own vanity as I thought to myself of whata little consequence the life of a young artillery subaltern would be inthe great revolt now in progress. 

Then I felt a strong desire to speak, to make some great utterance suchas would impress him and raise me in his estimation sufficiently to makehim treat me with the respect due to an English officer; but no suchutterance would come. I felt that I was only a poor, weak, wounded lad, lying there at the mercy of this fierce rajah, and when at last my lipsparted, as if forced to say something in answer to his searching gaze, Iwrithed within myself and felt ashamed of the contemptible words. Forhis utterance of that term of contumely so liberally used toward one ofa race of people who had been for countless generations great chiefs intheir own land, and whose cities were centres of a civilisation, barbaric, perhaps, but whose products we were only too glad to welcomein England. 

"Nigger" still seemed to ring in my ears, as I gazed still as iffascinated in the handsome pale-brown eastern face, and I said feebly, just about in the tone of voice in which some contemptible youngfound-out sneak of a schoolboy, who was trying to hide a fault with amiserable lie, might say, "Please, sir, it wasn't me--"

"I never insulted you, or called you so. "

His face changed like magic, and he bent low over my pillow, as he criedexcitedly, and with a passionate fervour in his voice, which almoststartled me--

"Never! never, sahib. "

He paused, frowned, and then his face lit up again, and he uttered amerry laugh. 

"You see, " he cried, "I am one of the conquered race. You have been ourmasters so long that it comes natural to say _sahib_. But that is at anend now; we are the masters, and the reign of the great Koompanni is atan end. "

A pang of misery ran through me at these words, which were uttered withso much conviction that I felt they must be true. 

After a few moments, and from a desire to say something less weak thanmy last poor feeble utterance, I said--

"Was it not you who saved my life when that sowar was going to cut medown?"

"Yes, " he cried excitedly. "If he had killed you, he should not havelived another hour. "

"Why?" I said, with a smile. "I was his enemy fighting against him. "

"But you were my friend, " he said, in a soft low voice, full of emotion;"almost the only one who treated me as if I were something more than apariah dog. Yes, always my friend, who softened those bitter hours ofmisery and despair when I was suffering for my people, that some day wemight cast off the heel which held us crushed down into the earth. Myfriend, whom I would have died to save. "

"Ny Deen!" I cried, for his words moved me, and I stretched out my handto him. 

"Hah!" he cried, seizing it tightly between his own. "I could not askyou to give me the hand of friendship, but it has come from you. "

"And yet how can I shake hands with you, rajah?" I said sadly; "we areenemies. "

His eyes flashed with pride as I called him rajah, and he retained myhand firmly. 

"Enemies?" he said. "Yes, in the field, when face to face; but you arewounded, and there is a truce between you and me. We can be friends, and eat salt together. You are my guest, my honoured guest. This tentis yours; the servants are yours; order them, and they will obey you. As soon as you are well enough, there is a palanquin waiting withwilling men to bear you. When you are better still, there is yourelephant and a horse. "

"My horse, my Arab?" I cried. "Is he safe?"

He smiled. 

"Yes, quite safe, with two syces to care for him; the horse of theirrajah's friend. What can I get you? Ask for anything. I am _very_rich, and it shall be yours. "

"You can only give me one thing, " I cried. "No; two things. "

"The first, then?" he said, smiling. 

"News of my troop, of Captain Brace, and our men; of the officers of thefoot regiment. Tell me, " I cried excitedly, "how did the fight end?"

"How could it end?" he replied, with a smile full of pride. "What couldthat poor handful of men do against my thousands?"

"Defeated?" I cried excitedly. 

"Yes; they were defeated; they fled. "

My countenance fell, and there must have been a look of despair in myeyes, which he read, for he said more quietly--

"Captain Brace is a brave man, and he did everything he could; but hehad to flee--and you were left in my hands a prisoner, " he added, with asmile. 

"He had to flee, " I said to myself; and that means that he had escapeduninjured from a desperate encounter. There was something consoling inthat; and I wanted to ask a score of questions about Haynes and theinfantry officers, but I could not. For one thing, I felt that it wouldbe like writing a long account of a list of disasters; for another, Iwas not sure that I could trust an enemy's account of the engagement. So I remained silent, and the rajah asked me a few questions about mysymptoms, and whether there was anything he could get for me. 

I shook my head, for, though gratified by the warm liking and esteem hehad displayed, my spirits had sunk very low indeed, and I wanted to bealone to think. 

Seeing that I was weak and troubled, the rajah soon after rose, andmoved to the doorway of the tent, where he summoned one of theattendants, and uttered a few words, the result being that a few minutesafter the tall, grave, eastern physician appeared at the doorway, andsalaamed in the most lowly way before his prince. 

"Go to him, " said the rajah in their own tongue, and the doctor cameacross to me and began examining my injuries, while the rajah stoodlooking on, watching everything attentively. 

I could not help noticing how nervous and troubled the doctor seemed, performing his task with trembling hands, as if in great awe of thechief his master. He ended by rising and salaaming again. 

"Well?" said the rajah quickly; and I knew enough Hindustani now to beable to snatch at the meaning of their words. "You must make him wellquickly. "

"I will try, your highness. "

"No, sir; you will do, " said the rajah, sternly. 

"He must be made strong and well soon. I want him; he is my friend. "

He turned from the doctor, who took this as his dismissal, and bowed andleft the tent, while the rajah seated himself on the carpet by hissword, and stayed there in one position as if deep in thought, makingprobably more plans. 

I lay watching him wonderingly, asking myself whether he had evergrasped the fact of how much I had had to do with the recovery of theguns, and if he did not, what would be his feelings toward one who hadutterly baulked him, and robbed him of the prize he went through so muchto win. 

I certainly did not feel disposed to enlighten him, but by watching histroubled face, and thinking of how valuable, if he had succeeded in welltraining his men, a troop of horse artillery would be, and how differentour position would have been during that encounter if he had had half adozen six-pounders well-served. 

"But he has no guns, " I ended by saying to myself; "and we--I mean ourpeople--have, and I cannot believe in our--I mean their--being sweptaway, so long as they hold such a supremacy as the guns afford to them. "

I was stopped short by the rajah re-buckling his sword-belt, and aminute later he was bending over me. 

"Make haste, " he said in Hindustani. "I shall not be at peace till youare well once more. "

He pressed my hand warmly, and bade me order anything I wished, for Iwas in my own tent, and then, after smiling at me, and telling me togrow strong, he strode to the purdah, drew it aside, turned to lookback, and then the curtain fell between us, and I was alone once more. 

I lay listening to the stamping and plunging of horses, and inimagination could picture the whole scene with the restless, excitableanimals, shrinking from being backed, and pretending to bite, butcalming down the moment they felt a strong hand at the bit. 

Then came an order, followed by the jingling of weapons and the snortingof the horses and their heavy trampling upon the soft earth, the soundgradually growing fainter, till it was like a distant murmur, one whichhad the effect of sending me, tired as I was, off into a heavy sleep. 

CHAPTER THIRTY. 

It was night when I awoke, refreshed and ready to ask myself whether itwas a dream, one of the many vivid sleep scenes which I had conjured upsince I had been there, wounded and a prisoner. 

But I knew directly that it was no dream, and I began thinking of howsadly some of the natives must have been treated for the simplecivilities which I had bestowed upon Ny Deen to be appreciated as theywere. 

From that I began thinking of Brace and Haynes, about the colonel of thefoot regiment, and of Ny Deen's words that they were beaten and hadfled. 

"I don't believe it, " I said, half aloud. There may have been thousandsagainst our hundreds; but our fellows would not study that. It wouldonly make them fight the more fiercely. I suppose that was his idea ofit; but I felt sure that it would not be Brace's, or that of his brotherin arms. I thought then of our tremendous charge with the guns, and Icould not keep from smiling. 

"That does not seem to be the work of a man who wants to retreat, " Isaid to myself. "If Brace has retired, it is only to act like a wave ofthe sea, so that he can come back with greater force, and sweepeverything before him. "

Yes; I was sure of that, as I lay there gazing at the lamp, whose softlight seemed to look dreamy and pleasant. I was in better spirits, andthe old depression and feeling of misery had gone. 

Then I began to plan what I should do as I grew stronger. I would makeuse of the palanquin and the elephant's howdah; but at the firstopportunity I decided that I would escape. I did not want to beungrateful to Ny Deen, and it was very pleasant to feel that he likedme; but I must get back to my own people, I felt, and he would know thatit was quite reasonable. 

A faint rustling sound drew my attention just then, somewhere near thehead of my bed; but it ceased directly, and I attributed it to theservants. 

To prove this, I made up my mind to clap my hands, but at the firstmovement such a keen pain shot through my shoulder that I contentedmyself by calling, "Who waits?"

There was a quick rustling sound at once, and the purdah was drawn asideby a shadowy figure, and held while three men in white entered withtrays so quickly and silently that I felt as if I were going throughsome scene from the "Arabian Nights, " when the four men came up to mycouch, and the chief attendant pointed out places on the carpet for thevarious things to be placed, and then signed to the men to go, whichthey did without word or look. 

"I suppose I shall not be allowed to eat and drink what I like, " Ithought, and I laughed to myself, for it was such a good sign even tothink about food at all. Directly after I found I was right, for myattendant poured me out something warm which smelt savoury, and as heraised me carefully and propped me up with cushions, I smiled again, forI felt as if I were a baby about to be fed. 

My amusement was quite justified, for I was as weak as an infant, andwas glad to let the calm, silent man supply my wants, holding me so thatI could drink what tasted like a strong preparation of chicken; afterwhich he gave me a very delicious and sweet preparation which Irecognised as cocoanut cream. Lastly, he gave me some curious-looking_bonbons_, helping me to lie back first, so that I need not grow wearywhile I partook of the preparations, which were nice, but possessed apeculiar aromatic taste, which was new to me. 

I had eaten three of these, and then half uneasily told myself that, without doubt, the doctor ordered these preparations because theycontained the medicines he wished me to take. 

I think so now; for in a short time a pleasant drowsiness stole over me, and I fell asleep to awake with a start, as it seemed to me; but it musthave been only a slight one, for I could not have moved more than myeyes, which were at once directed to the lamp on its stand, some ten ora dozen feet from me, and I wondered why my breath came so short, andgrasped at once the fact that I had a heavy weight upon my chest. 

It appeared simple enough. I had hardly taken anything of late, and mymeal on the previous night had been fairly liberal. Consequently, beinga sick or delicate man, I was suffering from the consequences--that of aheavy weight at my chest. 

I lay thinking that I had not taken much, and that it was very hard thatI should suffer so much inconvenience for so trivial a meal, when theweight on my chest moved, and I felt something cool touch my neck. 

I was still not clearly awake, and I did not feel any very greatsurprise at this; for during what must have been my delirium, I had inimagination had stranger adventures than this, and consequently I layperfectly still, waiting for the sensation to pass off before closing myeyes and enjoying another pleasant, restful, strength-giving sleep. 

I had just arrived at this pitch of reasoning, and I was considering howlong it would be before the sensation passed away, when, as I staredwith half-closed eyes at the lamp, I fancied that I saw something gleamonly a short distance before me; and this exciting my curiosity, Ilooked again, felt startled, my heart began to beat painfully, and acold chill ran through me, as I realised the horrible fact that, consequent upon my bed being made up on the ground, instead of upon thenative bedstead known as a charpoy, a serpent had crept in beneath theside of the tent--the rustle I had heard--and, attracted by the warmth, coiled itself upon my chest, where it now lay with its cool head upon myneck. 

I was awake now fully, and, above all, to the terror of my situation. What shall I do? I asked myself, as the icy feeling of horrorincreased. I dared not move or attempt to call, for the reptile's headwas close to my chin, and the slightest stir might cause it to bite; forat the first alarm I felt certain that it must be one of the poisonouscobras which infested the land. 

As I lay there, I could feel the perspiration streaming out of my pores, and the weight upon my chest increasing rapidly, till I began to fancythat if I were not soon relieved I should be suffocated. 

How long I lay like this I cannot say; but it felt to me almost aneternity, and the more painful from the fact that there was help closeat hand, so near that a call would bring in one if not more of theservants instantly. 

One moment my lips parted ready to utter a cry; but that cry, in spiteof several attempts, was not uttered. For the idea of being bitten, ofreceiving the two sharp fangs of the monster in my flesh, was sohorrible that, cowardly or no, I could not call. I had heard too muchof the results of a cobra bite, and the thought of the insidious poisonmaking its way rapidly through the veins, and ending one's life byarresting the pulsations of the heart in a few minutes, or at mosthours, was too terrible for me to run any risk. 

I think I must have nearly fainted away, for I was very weak; but Inever quite lost my senses, but lay looking with misty eyes across thegleaming scaly skin there upon my heart, and feeling from time to time apeculiar movement, as if one coil were passing over another. 

Then I tried hard to call up my courage, and wondered whether by a sharpmovement I could heave the reptile from me, while I tried to roll myselfoff on the other side of the bed. But I knew that it was impossible, for I was weak as a child, and, setting aside the pain such a movementwould have caused, it was in my then state impossible. 

At last, when the stress upon my mind was enough to make me feel that, at any cost, I must try and call for help, I heard a movement outsidethe tent, and my lips parted once more to speak, but no sound came. Icould only lie in expectancy, with my eyes fixed upon the gleamingscales, which were now certainly in motion. 

There was another faint noise outside, and I felt that help was coming--one of the men, to see whether I required anything. But, no; it ceasedonce more; hope died out of my breast, and at all costs I was going toutter a hoarse cry, for I could bear the suspense no longer, when therewas a louder rustle outside, and this time my flesh seemed to creep, forthe serpent was all in motion, and it had raised its head to look in thedirection of the sound, and I could see its bent, spade-like shape, andthe bright gleaming eyes. 

Suddenly the purdah was softly drawn aside; and as I strained my eyessidewise to try and catch a glimpse of the man who entered, I saw himapproach silently, till he was near my couch, when he suddenly caughtsight of the serpent, uttered a faint cry, and fled. 

I shuddered in my despair as I saw him sweep back the purdah and dartthrough, and then I mentally called him a coward for not coming to myhelp. 

But I was premature in judging him, for all at once he darted back, armed with a stout bamboo, and came cautiously toward where I lay nownearly freed from my burden; for, at the sight of the men who cameswiftly in, the serpent's coils began to pass one over the other till itwas all in motion; and it was evidently gliding off me, to retreat tothe hole beneath the canvas through which it had found its way. 

But it had not made sufficient haste. Just before it had reached thecanvas, the man was upon it, bringing the bamboo down with so terrible ablow that the serpent twisted itself up, writhing and struggling in aperfect knot, the tail flogging the carpet, and the head rising andfalling convulsively, till the man struck at it again and again, crippling the tail with one blow; and, after watching his opportunity, succeeded in delivering so fierce a cut at the head that the neck wasbroken, and it fell back upon the writhing knot perfectly inert, a fewmore blows making the body as helpless as the head and neck. 

This done, the man seized the creature by the tail, and drew it out toits full length, which seemed to me to be eight or nine feet; but thecreature was very thick. 

The man had turned to me with a scared face, and spoke almost for thefirst time since he had been my attendant, saying in Hindustani--

"I pray that my lord will not tell my master the maharajah!"

"Not tell him you killed the snake?"

"No, my lord. He would say thy servant did right to slay the serpent;but he would punish him for not keeping guard, and seeing that noserpent came. "

"Would it have bitten and poisoned me?" I asked. 

"No, my lord. This kind does not bite and poison, only twists round andcrushes. It is very strong. "

"How did it come in?" I said. 

He went down on his hands and knees and examined the edge of the tent, looking for a hole where the creature could have crept under; but everypart was secure, and the man rose, and his face wore a puzzled look. 

"Thy servants have done their work well, " he said. "There is no holewhere the serpent could have crept under. I do not know. "

He was peering about in silence, while I lay gradually recovering myequanimity, and congratulating myself on the fact that my nocturnalvisitor had been a serpent of the boa kind, and not a deadly cobra, whenthe man suddenly held up his finger, and pointed to a spot beyond thelamp, where the roof and canvas wall of the tent joined. 

As I tried to penetrate the dim, warm twilight of the room, I could heara faint rustling sound, and I saw my attendant stoop cautiously and go, without making a sound, toward the spot where his stick lay on thecarpet, not far from the still heaving body of the reptile he had slain. 

As I gazed hard at the place whence the rustling came, I suddenly caughtsight of something behind the lamp, something shadowy or misty, swayinggently to any fro, and I at once grasped the fact that it was anotherserpent entering the tent by the way in which the first must have foundits way. 

I had hardly arrived at this point when my attention was taken up by theaction of my attendant, who was stealing round like a black shadow closeto the side of the tent, and the next minute he raised his stick, andmade a sharp blow at the intruder. 

There was a sharp crack, a loud rustling, and the man darted back withonly half his staff in his hand, to run out of the tent, and leave mealone with the body of the first serpent, which I half fancied wasmoving slowly toward where I lay helpless, if it happened to have stillvitality enough left in its shattered length to come and wreak itsvengeance on one who could not defend himself. 

But while I was watching the slowly writhing creature, which in the dimlight looked of far greater proportion than before, I could heartrampling and voices outside, then loud rustling as if men were hurryingabout through bushes, and at last, to my great relief, the man cameback. 

"Thy servant struck the snake, " he said, "and broke the staff; but somuch of it was outside that it darted back and crawled away before wecould get to the spot and find it. The creature has gone away to die. "

"And now others will come, and that one too, if you have not killed it. "

"No, my lord, " he said. "That was the mate of the snake I killed. Theygo two together, and there is no fear. I struck it so hard that it willdie, and the hole up there shall be fastened tightly. "

To my great satisfaction, he bent down and took the serpent by the tailand drew it out of the tent, and I heard him give orders to hiscompanions to drag it right away into the forest, and to bury it as soonas it was day. 

As he was talking, I was conscious of a peculiar, slightly musky odourpervading the tent, and I was wondering what it could be, when the manreturned with two or three burning splints of some aromatic wood, whichgave forth a great deal of smoke, and he walked about the tent, wavingthe pieces and holding them low down near the carpet where the serpenthad lain, and also along a track leading past the lamp to the side ofthe tent where I had seen the shadowy form of the second serpent. 

He busied himself in this way till the matches were pretty well burneddown, and then placed the ends in a little brass vessel, which he stoodon the carpet not far from my couch. 

Then approaching me, he said humbly, and with a low reverence--

"Will my lord grant his servant's prayer?"

"What do you mean?" I said, rather testily, for his excessive humilityworried me. I hated to be worshipped like that. "Not tell the rajahabout the snakes?"

"If my master the rajah knows, thy servant may be slain. "

"What! for that?" I said. 

"Yes, my lord. His highness bade me take as great care of your life asI would of my own. Thy servant has tried to do his duty, and serve mylord. He has done everything the great physician, the rajah's owndoctor, bade him do, and cared for my lord as if he had been thyservant's own son. It would be hard to die because a serpent of theforest came in after seeing the light. "

"Hard? Yes, " I said quietly. "There, mind no more of the brutes getin. I shall not say a word to the rajah or any one else. "

"Ah, " he cried joyfully. And before I could remove it, he had gone downon his knees and kissed my hand. "Thy servant goes back with joy in hisheart. He did not love to serve him, for the white sahibs are cruel totheir servants, and are hated; but they are not all so, and thy servantseeth now why his master the rajah loveth my lord, and careth for him asone who is very dear. "

"How I do hate for any one to fawn upon me like that!" I said to myselfas soon as I was alone and I lay thinking about all my troubles, andbeing a prisoner, wondering how long it would be before I was strongagain and able to escape; for I meant to do that. It was very pleasantto find that Ny Deen liked me, and recalled my civility to himsufficiently to make him wish to save my life; but all the same, I feltthat I did not like him, for there was the treachery of a man who hadcome under false pretences to our cantonments, waiting, with others inhis secret, for the time when they could throw off the British yoke. 

And as I lay thinking, though I felt ready to acquit him of theatrocities that had been committed, I felt that he had opened the awfuldoor and let loose the tide of miscreants who had raged through thecities, murdering every one whose skin was white. 

"No, " I thought, "whatever cause Ny Deen and his people might have hadfor retaliation, it had not been by an open declaration of war, but bytreachery. " And then I went to sleep, to dream about snakes. 

CHAPTER THIRTY ONE. 

I suppose it was through being weak, and having passed through afeverish state, which made me dream to such a tremendous extent, witheverything so real and vivid that it was horrible. It comes natural toa man to dread snakes. It is as part of his education, and the dreadwas upon me terribly that night. 

For I was pursued by them in all kinds of grotesque shapes: now theywere all sowars in white, but with serpents' heads, galloping down uponme in a mad charge; now they were slimy monsters, creeping round mytent, trying to crawl in and murder me because the rajah had taken meunder his protection. Then Ny Deen himself came to me, all glitteringwith gold and gems, but in a confused way. He did not seem to be anylonger a man, for his face looked serpent-like and treacherous, and onemoment there were glittering jewels, the next it was the lightshimmering upon his brilliant scales. 

And so on for the rest of the night, till I dreamed that the serpentslain by the attendant had revived, and crept back through the holebetween the two portions of the canvas, after heaving off the earth andsand in which it had been buried. And then it came gliding and writhingits way over the carpet, nearer and nearer to where I lay, not with thegraceful, gliding motion of an ordinary serpent, but clumsily, with itsneck broken and a portion of its tail bent almost at right angles. But, all the same, as I lay there, it came on nearer and nearer, till it wasclose to my couch in the full light of the lamp, and then, to my horror, it raised itself up, bent its broken neck over me, and glared down withits horrible eyes threatening to strike. 

I awoke then, and it was quite time, for the agony was greater than Iseemed to be able to bear. And there was the bright glow of light, andthe eyes gazing down into mine, not with the malignant glare of aserpent, but in a pleasant, friendly way. 

It was morning, and on one side the tent wall had been lifted, so thatthe place was flooded with the clear, soft, early sunshine, and theplace was sweet with the fresh, cool air which came with the dawn evenin that hot land. 

It was my attendant bending over me, and he said quietly--

"My lord was restless, and sleeping ill. The tent was hot, and thegreat drops were on his face, so I opened the side to let in the light. "

He ceased speaking, and I uttered a sigh of relief as all the feverishvision of the night passed away, the sensation of rest and comfortgrowing stronger as he clapped his hands, and the other men came inbearing a large brass basin full of cool fresh water, with which my facewas bathed with all the care and solicitude that would have been shownby a woman. 

Then followed my medicine, and, soon after, coffee and sweet cakes, preparatory to a real breakfast later on, to which I found that I couldpay greater attention, eating so that the man smiled with satisfaction. 

"My lord is getting well, " he said. And I gave my head a feeble nod. 

"Tell me whereabouts we are, " I said at last. 

He shook his head. "I am only to tell you that you are in my lord therajah's care, " he replied. 

"Well, I can guess, " I replied. "I can hear nothing of people; there isno town near; and I know from the noises made by birds and beasts, andby the coming of those serpents, that we must be in the forest. I am atsome hunting-station, I suppose. Look here, " I continued, as the manremained silent, "tell me where the English soldiers are. "

"I cannot, my lord. I do not know, " he replied. 

"It is of no use to ask you anything, " I cried pettishly. "Yes, it is;you can tell me this--what is your name?"

"Salaman, my lord, " he replied, with a smile. 

"Humph!" I said sourly, for I was getting into an invalid's tetchy, weary state. "Salaman! why couldn't they call you Solomon? That's theproper way to pronounce it. "

"My lord can call me Solomon, " he said quietly. 

"Of course I can, " I said, "and I will. Then look here, Solomon, didyou bury that great snake?"

"Yes, my lord, as soon as it was light, and the others found and killedits mate. They are now dead, and covered with the earth. "

"That's right. No fear of their getting out?" I added, as I rememberedmy dream. 

He laughed and shook his head. 

"Tell me this too; the rajah, will he be here to-day?"

"Who can say, my lord? His highness is master, and he goes and comes ashe pleases. Perhaps he will come, perhaps he will not. I never know. "

"The doctor, then; will he be here?"

"Oh yes, my lord, and soon. "

He left the tent, and I lay thinking again, ready to quarrel witheverything, for my arm pained me, and my head felt stiff and sore. 

"I wish he'd speak in a plain, matter-of-fact way, " I grumbled tomyself. "I'm sick of being `my lorded' and bowed down to. I alwaysfeel as if I could kick a fellow over when he bows down to me as if Iwere one of their precious idols. "

Then I laughed to myself long and heartily, for I knew that I must begetting better by my irritable ways. And now I forced myself intothinking about our position as English rulers of the land, and wonderedwhether it would be possible for our power to be overthrown. Then cameon a feverish desire to know where Brace was, and in what kind ofcondition his men were, and those of the colonel. 

"It seems hard that they do not come and try to rescue me, " I thought. "Brace would come fast enough, " I added spitefully, "if I were a gun. "

This idea seemed so comic in its disagreeable tone, and so thoroughlydue to my state of weakness and unreason, that I laughed silently. 

"How precious ill-tempered I am!" I said to myself. 

A moment later I was wondering about the fate of those dear to me atNussoor--whether my father was still there, and whether there had beenany rising in his neighbourhood. 

Directly after I came to the conclusion that his regiment wouldcertainly have been called away, and I hoped that he had madearrangements for my mother and sister to go back to England; and then Iwas marvelling at the rapid way in which my thoughts ran excitedly fromone subject to the other. 

"It is all through being so weak, I suppose, " I said to myself; and thenI began eagerly to listen, for I could hear trampling. 

Feeling certain that it was the rajah, and making up my mind to speakquietly to him, and ask him to try and exchange me for some otherprisoner, I lay with my eyes fixed upon the open side of the tent, tosee directly after the tall, stately figure of the grey-beardedphysician, who came to my side in his customary sedate fashion, andknelt down to examine and dress my injuries, which he declared to be ina perfectly satisfactory state. But, all the same, they pained me agreat deal during the time he was unbandaging and covering them afresh. 

I plied him with questions all the time--as to how long it would bebefore I was well; how soon I might sit up; how soon I might go out in apalanquin, and the like; all of which he answered in the same grave way, but when I turned the question to the state of the country, and askedfor information about our troop, and the late battle, he shook his headand smiled gravely. 

"I am the rajah's physician, " he said, "and my duties are with the sick. I can tell you no more. "

"But tell me this, " I said eagerly; "where are our people now?"

"I only know about my own people, " he replied, with a smile. "You areone of them, and you are troubling your brain about matters that youcannot deal with now, so be at rest. "

I made an impatient gesture, and he laid his hand upon my brow, sayinggently--

"Be at rest. You will learn all these things in time. You have but oneduty now--to get well. "

There was only one other resource left to me--to get an answer somehowfrom the rajah when he came; and upon the doctor leaving, I lay thereimpatiently listening for the visitor who would, I was sure, come beforelong, though whether I should get my information appeared doubtfulindeed. 

CHAPTER THIRTY TWO. 

The days passed slowly by, and one hour I was horribly dejected by thedulness of my existence, the next cheery and in high spirits, as I feltthat I was getting stronger, and in less pain. It was very lonely lyingthere, but many things put me in mind of the "Arabian Nights"--the finetent, with the shadows of the trees upon its roof; the silent servantswho might very well have been slaves, so eager were they to respond tothe slightest call, and so silent in their obedience; the soft glow ofthe lamp on the rich curtain and carpets; and the pleasant littlebanquets which were spread for me with silver vessels to drink from, andgilded baskets full of rare fruits or flowers. 

At times, as I sat propped up, able now to feed myself, I used to beginby enjoying the meal, but before I had half finished the flowers lookeddull, and the fruit tasted flat, for I told myself that, after all, Iwas only a prisoner, a bird in a gilded cage, broken winged andhelpless. 

The doctor came nearly every day, and told me that I was to ask foreverything I wished for, as he preferred that I should wait until therajah had been again before I went out. 

"And when is he coming again?" I asked impatiently. 

"I can only say when his highness pleases, " replied the doctor, with agrave smile. "But I will give orders for something to be done to pleaseyou; to-morrow a couch shall be made for you outside the tent. "

That was something, and only one who has been wounded and lain hot andrestless upon a couch alone can judge of the eagerness with which Ilooked forward to the next day. 

It came at last, and after trying very hard to comport myself with thedignity becoming a British officer, the fact that I was almost theyoungest in the Company's service would come out, and I suddenly burstout with--

"I say, Salaman, when is this couch outside to be ready?"

"It is ready, my lord, " he said. "I was awaiting your commands. "

"Oh!" I mentally exclaimed, "what a fool I am! Why don't I act like areal `my lord, ' and order these people about more?"

Then aloud, with importance--

"Is it shady where you have placed it?"

He shook his head. 

"What!" I cried angrily. "You have put it in the sun?"

"No, my lord; it is under a great tree. "

"Why, I asked you if it was shady, " I cried; and then it occurred to methat, in spite of my studies at Brandscombe and out here, my Hindustaniwas very imperfect, for the man smiled in a deprecatory way which seemedto mean that he hoped my lord would not be angry with him for notunderstanding his words. 

"Take me out now, " I said. 

Salaman clapped his hands softly, and the two men I knew by sightentered at once, followed by two more whom I had not previously seen. These four, at a word from my attendant, advanced to stand two at thehead, two at the foot of my couch. 

"Tell them to be very careful how they lift me, " I said; "and have somewater ready in case I turn faint. "

For I had a painful recollection of the horrible sensation of sicknesswhich attacked me sometimes when the doctor was moving me a little indressing my wounded arm; and, eager as I was to go out in the open air, I could not help shrinking at the thought of being moved, so as the fourmen stooped I involuntarily set my teeth and shut my eyes, with adetermination not to show the pain I should be in. 

To my astonishment and delight, instead of taking hold of me, the fourmen at a word softly rolled over the sides of the rug upon which mycouch was made, until it was pretty close to my side, when they seizedthe firm roll, lifted together, and I was borne out through the openside of the tent, so lightly and with such elasticity of arm and hand, that instead of being a pain it was a pleasure, and I opened my eyes atonce. 

I was very eager to see where I was, and what the country was like allround. In fact, I had a slight hope that I should be able to recognisesome point or another, even if it were only one of the mountains. 

But my hopes sank at once, for as we passed from out of the shadow ofthe tent and into the beautiful morning sunshine I could see trees, andtrees only, shutting me in on every side, the tents being pitched partlyunder a small banyan, or baobab tree, and standing in an irregularopening of about a couple of acres in extent, while the dense verdurerose like a wall all around. 

I could not help sighing with disappointment; and, at a sign fromSalaman, the bearers stopped while he held the cup he had taken from astand to my lips. 

"No, no, " I said; "not now. Let them go on. "

He signed to the bearers, and they stepped off again all together, andthe next moment almost they stopped in a delightful spot beneath thespreading boughs of a tree, where carpets were spread and pillowsalready so arranged that the men had only to lower down the rug theybore, and I was reclining where the soft wind blew, and flowers andfresh fruits were waiting ready to my hand. 

In spite of my disappointment, there was a delightful feeling ofsatisfaction in resting down there on the soft cushions, able to see thebright sky and drink in the fresh air which seemed a hundred timesbetter than that which floated in through the side of the tent; and whenSalaman bent over me anxiously with the cup of cool water in his hand, the smile I gave him quieted his dread lest I should faint. 

The four men glided away into the shadow of the trees, but after aminute I saw them reappear in front and glide silently into a long, lowtent, standing at a little distance from the one I had left, and beyondwhich I could see another. 

But my eyes did not rest long on the tents, for there were theglistening leaves of the trees and the clustering flowers which hung inwreaths and tangles of vines from their spreading boughs, all giving meplenty of objects of attraction without counting the brightly plumagedbirds, which flitted here and there at will; while just then a flock ofbrilliant little parrots flew into the largest tree, and began climbingand hanging about the twigs, as if for my special recreation. 

I had seen such places scores of times, but they never attracted myattention so before, neither had I given much consideration to thebrilliant scarlet passion flowers that dotted the edge of the forest, orthe beautiful soft lilac-pink cloud of blossoms, where a bougainvilleadraped a low tree. 

So lovely everything seemed that I felt my eyes grow moist and then halfclose in a dreamy ecstasy, so delicious was that silence, only broken bythe cries of the birds. 

I must have lain there for some time, drinking in strength from the softair, now rapidly growing warmer, when I started out of my dreamy state, for I heard a familiar sound which set my heart beating, bringing meback as it did to my position--that of a prisoner of a war so horriblethat I shuddered as I recalled all I had seen and heard. 

The sound was coming closer fast, and hope rose like a bright gleam tochase away the clouds, as I thought it possible that the trampling Iheard might be from the horses of friends; but as quickly came a senseof dread lest it might be a squadron of bloodthirsty sowars, and if somy minutes were numbered. 

"What folly!" I said to myself, with a sigh; "it is the rajah'sescort. " And a few minutes later the advance rode in through an openingamong the trees at the far end, bringing the blood rushing to my heartas I recognised the long white dress of a native cavalry regiment, onethat had joined the mutineers, and, as I fancied then, that which hadbeen stationed at Rajgunge. Immediately after, as they drew off toright and left, the rajah himself rode in, turning his horse toward thetent, dismounting and throwing the rein to one of his escort, he wasabout to enter, but Salaman and the four bearers stepped up salaamingprofoundly, and the chief turned in my direction, to stride across theopening, with the sun flashing from the jewels and brilliant arms hewore. 

By the time he reached my couch, the men, horse and foot, had withdrawn, so that we were alone as he bent down, offering his hand, but withoutany response from me, and the smile on his handsome face died out togive way to a frown. 

That passed away as quickly, and with his countenance quite calm, hesaid in excellent English--

"Not to the enemy, but to your host. "

"I beg your pardon, rajah, " I said; and I could feel the colour cominginto my cheeks as I felt how ungrateful I was to the man who had savedmy life, and was sparing nothing to restore me to health. 

My hand was stretched out as I spoke, but it remained untouched for afew moments. 

"It will not be a friendly grasp, " he said coldly. 

"Indeed it will, " I cried; "for you have saved those who love me from aterrible time of sorrow. "

"Those who love you?" he said, taking my hand and holding it. 

"Yes; mother, father, sister. "

"Ah, yes, " he said; "of course. You have friends at home in England?"

"No: here, " I said. 

He did not speak for a few moments, and still retaining my hand, sankdown cross-legged on the carpet close to my pillow, gazing at methoughtfully. 

Then, with the smile coming back to light up his face in a way whichmade me forget he was a deadly enemy, he said cheerfully--

"I am glad to see this. I knew you were better, and now you must growstrong quickly. "

He held my hand still, and let the other glide on my arm, shaking hishead the while. 

"This will not do, " he continued. "You always were slight and boyish, but the strength has gone from your arm, and your cheeks are all sunkenand white. "

"Yes, I am very weak, " I said faintly, and with a bitter feeling ofmisery at my helplessness. 

"Of course. Such wounds as yours would have killed many strong men. Itwas a terribly keen cut. The wonder is that it did not take off yourarm. As it is, you nearly bled to death. "

"Don't talk about it, " I said, with a slight shudder; "it is healingnow, and after lying so long thinking, I want to forget my wounds. "

"Of course. Let us talk about something else. Tell me, " he saidgently, "do your servants attend you well?"

"Yes; they do everything I could wish for. "

"Is there anything you want? I have been a long time without coming. "

"Yes, " I said; but hesitated to make the request that rose to my lips, and deferred it for the moment; "where have you been?"

His eyes brightened, and he gave me a curious look. Then, gravely--

"Fighting. "

I winced, for his manner suggested that he had been successful, and Iknew what that meant. 

"Don't look like that, " he said kindly. "You are a soldier, and knowthat only one side can win. You and yours have carried all before youfor many years; it is our turn now. "

"But only for a little while, " I said quietly. "You must be beaten inthe end. "

"Indeed!" he said, frowning, but turning it off with a laugh. "Oh no;we carry everything before us now, and we shall be free once more. "

My brows knit, and I tried to say something, but only words which I feltwould anger him seemed to come to my lips, and after watching me, hesmiled. 

"You do not agree with me, of course?" he said. "How could you? Butyou did not tell me if there was anything you wanted, " he continuedpleasantly. 

I looked in his eyes, then my own wandered over him and his dress; andas he sat there by my pillow, looking every inch an Eastern king, thescene once more suggested some passage out of the "Arabian Nights, " andthere was an unreality about it that closed my lips. 

Just then my eyes rested upon the beautiful tulwar that he had drawnacross his knees when he sat down. It was a magnificent weapon, such asa cunning Indian or Persian cutler and jeweller would devote months ofhis life in making; for the hilt was of richly chased silver inlaid withgold, while costly jewels were set wherever a place could be found, andthe golden sheath was completely encrusted with pearls. It must havebeen worth a little fortune; and, while my eyes rested upon the gorgeousweapon, he smiled, and drew it nearly from the sheath, when I could seethe beautifully damascened and inlaid blade, upon which there was aninscription in Sanscrit characters. 

"There is no better nor truer steel, " he said, turning it over, so thatI could see the other side of the blade. "Get strength back in yourarm, and you could kill an enemy with that at a blow. You like it?"

"It is magnificent. "

He quickly unfastened the splendid belt, twisted it round the weapon, and held it to me. 

"It is yours, then, " he said. "You are weak from your wound, but youare still a soldier at heart. I give it gladly to my dear friend. "

"No, no, " I cried excitedly, surprised now at the strength of my voice, as startled by the richness of the gift, and ashamed that he shouldthink I wanted it, I thrust it back, and he frowned. 

"You refuse it?" he said. "Is it not enough?"

"You do not understand me, " I said. "I could not take such a richpresent. "

"Not from your friend?" he cried, interrupting me. 

"Well, yes, if he had thought of giving it to me, " I said; "but youfancied I wanted it, and I did not. It was not that; it was somethingelse. "

"Ah, " he cried eagerly, "something else. Well, ask. I am very rich; Iam a prince now, not your brother-officer's syce. Tell me, and it isyours. "

I was silent, and after a few moments' thought, he continued--

"I know; it is my horse. Well, I love him, but I give him gladly. Heis yours. Get well quickly, and you shall ride. "

"No, no, rajah, " I cried, unable to repress a feeling of emotion at hisgenerosity, which was indeed princely; "indeed it was not that. "

He looked at me gently, and said slowly--

"Name what you wish;" and he passed his hand over the great emeralds anddiamonds sparkling about his throat, breast, and turban. 

I involuntarily followed his hand as it played about the gems, consciousthe while that, in spite of his gentle smile, he was watching me verykeenly. 

"Is it any or all of these?" he said. "I will give them freely to myfriend. "

"No, " I cried eagerly; "it is something greater to me than all you haveoffered. "

"And what is that?" he said, with his eyes half-closed. 

"Give me my liberty, and let me go to my friends. "

He took my extended hand and held it, as he said softly--

"I have been told that some of you English are great and good. Men whocannot be tempted by riches; who would not take from another any giftunless it was some little token--a ring of silver or plain gold; but Inever met one before. I called you my friend; I felt from the firstthat you were noble and great of heart; now I know it ten times more, and I am glad. I should have given you everything I wear if it wouldhave pleased you; but I should have felt sorry, for my friend would nothave been so great as I wished. "

"Then you will give me what I ask?"

"Your liberty?" he said, smiling. "My poor brave boy, you do not knowwhat you ask. "

"Yes, " I cried. "As soon as I am strong. I am grateful, and will neverthink of you as an enemy; always as a friend. You will let me go?"

"No, " he said gravely, "I could not lose my friend. "

"No?" I cried passionately. "Is this your friendship?"

"Yes, " he said, holding the hand firmly which I tried to snatch away, but with a poor feeble effort. "Say I gave you leave to go. Wherewould you make for? The country is all changed. Our men scour it inall directions, and your freedom would mean your death. "

"Is this true?" I cried piteously, as his words told me that our causewas lost. 

"I could not lie to my friend, " he said. "Yes, it is true. TheCompany's and the English Queen's troops are driven back, while ourrajahs and maharajahs are gathering their forces all through the land. No; I cannot give you liberty. It means sending you to your death; forI am, perhaps, the only chief in this great country who would take youby the hand and call you friend. "

He ceased speaking, and I lay back, feeling that his words must be true, and that hope was indeed dead now. 

"There, " he said, "I have done. Your bearers are coming. I will gonow, and return soon. Come, you are a soldier, and must not repine atyour fate. Give me your hand, and accept your fall as a soldier should. Rest and be patient. Good-bye, more than ever my friend. "

I believe I pressed his hand in return as he held it in his, and laidhis left upon my brow, smiling down at me. Then in a low whisper hesaid, as softly as a woman could have spoken--

"You are weak, and need sleep. " He drew his hand over my eyes, and theyclosed at his touch, a feeling of exhaustion made me yield, my willseeming to be gone, and when I opened them again, Salaman was kneelingby me, waiting with two of the attendants standing near holding trays offood. "Have I been asleep?" I said. "Yes, my lord. Long hours. "

"And the rajah? Did he come, or was it a dream?" I added to myself. 

"The great rajah came, and went while my lord slept. It is time he ateand drank, for he is still weak. "

"Yes, " I replied, as I recalled all that had passed--"so weak, so veryweak, that this man seems to master even my very will. "

CHAPTER THIRTY THREE. 

The doctor came the next day, and did not seem satisfied; the fact beingthat, on awakening, my mind was all on the fret. For I was always faceto face with the thought of what had become of my mother and sister atNussoor. Of course I sorrowed, too, about my father's fate; but I wasnot so anxious about him. He was a soldier, with some hundreds oftrusty Englishmen at his back, and I knew that he would be ready to meetany difficulties. 

Then there was Brace to fidget about, and my other friends of the troop. I wanted to know whether they had been scattered, as Ny Deen hadassured me, and whether the English rule really was coming to an end. 

"He thinks so, " I said; "but I will not believe it yet. "

Then I worried about being a prisoner, and with no prospect of gettingfree. It was very pleasant to be waited on, and treated as the rajah'sfriend, and there were times when I almost wondered at myself forrefusing the costly gifts he had offered. But I soon ceased wondering, and began to feel that jewelled swords and magnificent horses wereworthless to one who was a prisoner. 

The days passed drearily by in spite of bright sunshine and breezes anddelicious fruits, with every attention a convalescent could wish for. By degrees I reached the stage when I was borne out through the shadyedge of the forest in a palanquin, plenty of bearers being forthcomingwhen needed, and then disappearing again, leaving me wondering whencethey came, and how far away the rajah's principal city might be. 

Everything I asked for was obtained directly; but I was a prisoner, andnot the slightest information could I get. The only inkling I had of mywhereabouts was obtained one day when I was being borne along in theshade by my bearers, with Salaman at my side. They halted at the edgeof what was almost a precipice, to give me a view through an opening ofa far-spreading plain at a considerable depth below; and this taught meat once that I had been placed, of course by the rajah's command, in theshady forest somewhere on a mountain slope, where the air wascomparatively cool, and where I was far more likely to recover than insome crowded city in the broiling plains. 

That was all that the view down the precipitous slope taught me. Icould not recognise a single landmark, and returned to my prison-tent aslow-spirited as ever. 

It must have been a day or two after, when I was making my first essaysin walking, that, unexpectedly as usual, the rajah came riding in amongthe trees quite alone, and as he drew rein, smiling, close to where Iwas standing, I could not help envying him the strength and ease withwhich he managed his splendid charger. 

He was quite simply dressed on this occasion, and his appearanceindicated that he must have ridden far. 

As we shook hands, I was wondering that he should have come without anyescort, but just then I heard the snort of a horse at some distance, which made the beautiful arab by my side throw up his head and challengeloudly, when two more horses answered, and I felt that I had beenpremature in thinking the country so peaceful and free from troops thatthe rajah could ride alone. 

He swung himself down, and a man sprang forward to lead away the horse, while, taking my arm, the rajah led me to the cushioned carpets spreadbeneath the tree, looking at me smilingly the while. 

"Come, " he said; "this is better; up and walking. You look different, too. Why, I might venture to send your horse over for you to try andmount, but not yet. "

"Why not yet?" I said, as we sat down among the cushions. 

"For several reasons, " he replied, smiling at me. "I want to see youstronger. "

"But I think I could mount now; and, at a gentle walk, the exercisewould do me good. "

"Perhaps, " he said; "but we must see. "

He clapped his hands, and Salaman glided up. 

"Bring coffee and a pipe, " he said. 

Salaman bowed and retired. 

"I have ridden far, " he said to me, "and am tired. "

"Tell me about the state of the country, " I said eagerly, after we hadsat some moments in silence. 

"It is not peaceful yet, " he replied. "The English are making a littlestruggle here and there. They do not like to give up the land they haveheld so long. "

We were silent again, and Salaman and the two servants I had seen mostoften, came up, bearing a tray with coffee, a long snake pipe, and alittle pan of burning charcoal. A minute after the pipe was lit, andthe great amber mouthpiece handed to the rajah, who took it aftersipping his coffee, and the men retired as he began to smoke, gazing atme the while. 

"It is useless, " he said at last. "A lost cause. "

I sat frowning and thinking that he did not understand Englishmen yet, or he would not talk of our cause being lost. 

"Well, " he said at last, "I am very glad to see you getting so strong. In another fortnight you will be well enough to come back to the city. "

"What city?" I asked. 

"Mine. To my palace, " he replied proudly; but he turned off his haughtymanner directly, and continued. "I have had rooms set apart for you, and a certain number of servants, so that you will be quite free, andnot dependent upon me. "

"Free!" I cried, catching that one word; it had such a delightful ring. "Then you will let me go as soon as I have visited you at your palace. "

"To be cut down--slain, after I have taken such pains to save yourlife?" he said, with a smile. 

"Oh, I am very grateful for all that, " I cried hastily; "but you mustfeel that even if they are unfortunate, my place is with my own people. "

"No, " he said quietly, as he went on smoking and gazing straight away atthe densely foliaged trees. "I cannot feel that. For I know that itwould be folly for you to return to meet your death. It would beimpossible for you to get across the plains to the nearest place whereyour people are trying to hold out. Even if you could get there, thearmy besieging them would take you, and no one there could save yourlife. "

"Let me try, " I said. 

He shook his head. 

"It would be madness. If I let you have your horse now, you would trysome such folly. "

"You call it a folly, " I replied. "I call it my duty. "

"To rush on your death? Look here, my friend; why do you want to getback? To take up your old position as a junior officer?"

"Yes, of course!"

"I thought so, " he said, with animation, and his eyes flashed as he wenton. "You are young and ardent. You wish to rise and become the chiefof a troop of artillery?"

"Of course, " I said. 

"And some day a general, to command others?"

"I hope so--a long way ahead, " I replied, smiling. 

"Of course. I knew it, " he said, as he let fall the tube of his pipe, and grasped my arm. "It would be long years before you could command atroop?"

"Oh yes--long, long years. "

"And you would be quite an old man before you became a general?"

"Perhaps never, " I said, wondering at his eagerness, and yet feelingsomething akin to a suspicion of his aim. 

"Then why wish to go?" he said, with a smile. 

"Why wish to go?" I replied. "I do not understand you. "

"I say, why wish to go and compete with hundreds of others who would notunderstand you, and any one of whom might carry off the prize--when youcan stay with me?"

"Stay with you! What for?" I faltered. 

"I will make you a general, now--at once, " he said excitedly, "and tenthousand men shall bend down before their Moslem rajah's friend, who, from this time forward, will lead and direct my artillery. "

"Rajah!" I exclaimed, surprised but not surprised, for I had halfexpected some such proposal, but of course only in a very minor form. 

"Look here, Vincent, " he continued, bending forward, and speakingexcitedly. "When I came to your barracks as a humble syce, it was tolearn everything about your guns, and the way in which the horseartillery was trained. In those days, beaten, kicked, trampled upon, Ialways had you in my mind, and I watched you, how quick, how clever, andhow brave you were. My heart warmed to you even then; but as I havegrown to know you better and seen what you are in the field in actionwith your men, I have said again and again that there could be no onebetter for my trusted friend and general. "

I laughed, though a curious feeling came over me that the man who wouldmake me such a proposal must be mad. 

"Why do you laugh?" he said. "Are you pleased at what I propose?"

"Pleased? No, " I said frankly. "You are laughing at me--making fun ofme. "

He frowned. 

"Is it so trifling a thing, that I should laugh over it?"

"No, it is not a trifling matter; but it seems to be trifling with me topropose such a thing. You cannot be in earnest. "

"I am in earnest, and it is wise, " he said sternly. 

"But it is an appointment for an old, experienced man, and I supposethat I am a mere boy. "

"The great Company thought you old enough to take charge of their guns, "he said gravely. 

"Yes, but with older officers over me. "

"Well; I shall be over you; but you will have full charge of all mycannons. You understand them thoroughly. "

"Of course I know a little about them. "

"Little!" he cried. "It is magnificent. Have I not seen you often?Did I not see you carry them off after I had captured them, and wastraining my men? but slowly--oh, so slowly. "

"You forget that I was only a junior officer acting under my captain'sorders. It is nonsense, and you are saying all this to make me vain, toflatter me. "

"I never stoop to flatter, " he said coldly. "It is the truth. Yes, youare young, but you will soon grow older and more experienced, and trainmy men till they have all the speed of yours. Do you tell me that youcould not drill and teach my soldiers?"

"Oh no, I do not tell you that, " I said frankly, "because I could. "

"Yes; of course you could, and it will be a proud position for you. "

"What! as a British officer in the service of a rajah?"

"Yes; I could tell you of a dozen cases where an English soldier hasdrilled his master's forces as you will drill them, for I must havelarge troops of horse artillery like you had. You shall be in command. "

I looked hard at him, for even then I felt that he must be joking withme, the proposal seemed to be so out of all reason, and I had so smallan estimate of my own powers, that there were moments when I felt readyto laugh, and felt sure that if Brace, serious as he was, had heard it, he would have burst into a hearty fit of mirth. 

But the rajah's face was grave and stern, and his words were full of thecalm conviction that I was the very person to take the command of hismen and train them as he wished. 

As he sat gazing at me, waiting for me to accept his proposal, I triedto treat it in all seriousness, as if quietly discussing the matter withhim. 

"Do I understand you rightly?" I said; "that you wish me to be yourchief artillery officer?"

"Yes, that is it, " he said, "to arrange everything, and above all to getup as quickly as possible three or four troops of horse artillery. Youknow exactly how it should be done, and could teach the men till theywere as quick and dashing as your own. "

"It would require Englishmen then, " I thought, for I could not see thatit was possible with Indians. 

"Would it take very long?" he said. "You could start with men from thecavalry, and so only have to teach them gun-drill. "

"Yes, it would take very long, " I said. 

"Never mind; they would get better every day. I should be satisfied, for I know what you can do. "

"Why do you wish to have these troops?" I said, more for the sake ofkeeping back my reply than for anything else. 

"Why? To make me strong, " he cried excitedly. "With men like that, andthe quick-firing guns, I shall be more powerful than any of the rajahsnear. But you hesitate; you do not say yes. "

I looked at him sadly. 

"Come, " he continued, "at your age there should not be any hanging back. Have you thought what it means?"

"You have taken me so by surprise, " I replied. 

"Oh yes; but can you not see that I make you at once a great man? onewhom I trust in everything, and who will be next in my country tomyself? Come, speak. You will accept?"

His eyes were fixed upon me searchingly, and I felt that I must speaknow, though I trembled for the effect my words would have upon such adetermined, relentless man, accustomed to have his will in all things. 

"There are plenty of men more suited to the task than I am, " I said witha last attempt to put off the final words. 

"Where?" he said, coldly. "Bring me a thousand older and moreexperienced than you, and I should refuse them all. "

"Why?"

"Because I like and trust you, and know that you would be faithful. "

"Then, " I cried, snatching at the chance of escape, "if you knew Ishould be faithful, why did you propose such a thing?"

"I do not understand you, " he said coldly. 

"I am one of the Company's officers, sworn to be true to my duties. Howcan I break my oath? I should be a traitor, and worthy of death. "

"You have been faithful, " he said quietly. "I knew you would say that. But the tie is broken now. "

"No; not while I am in their service. "

"You are no longer in their service, " he said, watching me intently thewhile. "The great Company is dead; its troops are defeated, scattered, and in a short time there will hardly be a white man left in the landover which they have tyrannised so long. "

I sank back staring at him wildly, for his words carried conviction, andsetting aside the horrors that such a state of affairs suggested, andthe terrible degradation for England, I began thinking of myself cut offfrom all I knew, separated from my people, perhaps for ever, asked toidentify myself with the enemies of my country--become, in short, arenegade. 

"It sounds terrible to you, " he said gravely; "but you must accept it, and be content. It is your fate. "

"No, " I cried passionately, "it is impossible. I cannot. "

"Why?" he said coldly. "Have I not promised you enough?"

"Yes, more than enough, " I cried; and nerved myself with recollectionsof all my old teachings, and my duty as an officer and a gentleman. "Itis not a question of rewards, but of honour. You ask me to train yourmen, who have risen up against their rulers, to fight against mypeople. "

"No, " he said; "your people are conquered. It is more to strengthen meagainst those who will be jealous of my power--to make me strong. "

"Oh, I could do that. "

"Then you accept?" he said eagerly. 

"No; I could not, unless it was by the command of those whose commissionI hold. "

"Wait. Think about it, " he said gravely, as he rose with an impatientgesture, and a heavy frown upon his brow. 

But it passed off quickly, and he turned and offered me his hand. 

"Good-bye, " he said quietly. "I am not angry; I like you the more. Ifyou had said `yes' quickly, and been dazzled by the thoughts of becominga great officer, with show, and grand horses, and attendants, I shouldhave shrunk within myself, and said, `You are wrong. He is only meanand vain like others. He is not worthy of your trust. ' I know now thatyou are worthy, and you must come to me and be more than friend--mybrother and chief counsellor. For I mean to be great among my peoplehere, and raise up a grand nation from those who have been trampled downso long. This is a mighty country, Vincent, and should be ruled over byone who can make himself great. "

He shook hands and left the shelter of the tree, while as he stepped outinto the sunshine the man who had been holding his horse ran forwardquickly as if he had been on the watch, and the rajah mounted and rodeaway, the trampling I heard directly after telling my educated ears thathe must have a pretty good escort after all. 

CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR. 

I went back to my tent directly after, glad to lie down and think of myposition, and to try and work out some course to follow when the rajahcame back, as I felt convinced he would in a very few days. 

I felt that he must like me. His manners proved that; but the likingmight be very shallow, while beneath it all the reasons--the truereasons--were very deep. 

This, then, was why he had brought me here, and had me so carefullynursed back to life. It was because I was young, and could easily weldmyself into the life of those about me, and with my knowledge, andwhatever adaptability and knowledge I possessed as a gunner, I was to behenceforth devoted to his service--to use his expression--to make himstrong. 

I don't think I was vain, for my thoughts had agreed here, as I said tomyself that I was clever as an artilleryman. No, it was not vanity, forI was strong in my drill, for the simple reason that I was ready to rideanywhere at anything, when I joined, and because I was so devoted to myprofession, and thoroughly gloried in keeping those with whom I had todo perfect in every evolution they had to perform. 

And as I lay there--a mere boy, suddenly called upon to undertake such atremendous task, I calmly said to myself--

"Yes; I suppose I could drill up a lot of his men, who can ride, intodecent gunners in time; and it would be very pleasant to be a great man, and the rajah's favourite; but it is impossible. I could not undertakeit. I should deserve to have the lace stripped from my uniform beforeall the men, and then to be kicked out of the service. 

"What shall I do?" I said, as I lay there. "He will try first topersuade me; then he will threaten, in spite of his smooth way, for hecan be fierce enough, that's plain. If he does, shall I have strengthenough to hold out, and refuse to promise; or shall I, at last, quite indespair, give way and act as he wishes?"

I lay, going over it all, for a long while, and at last came to thedespairing conclusion that there was only one way out of the difficulty, for, in my position, I doubted my powers of holding out--only one way, and that was to escape. 

This idea roused me for a few minutes, but I felt despondent again verysoon, as I recalled all that he had said about the white man beingdriven from the land; and I asked myself, as I thought of escaping, "Where to?"

Hope came directly after, and I knew enough of the eastern character tosay that these people exaggerated and talked in flowery language; andwhy should not the rajah, Ny Deen, be acting in the same way?

"It isn't true, " I said half aloud. "He thinks it is, or wishes it maybe; but England will not give up like that. She is too strong, and hastoo much at stake. He cannot tell. For aught he knows, poor Brace maybe a few miles away with our brave lads ready to knock his palace abouthis ears, and make him prisoner in turn. "

I was just thinking that I should not like him to be made prisoner inturn, for I knew that it meant death, and I was beginning to plan how Ishould set about making my escape as soon as I felt sufficiently strong, when the heat and my weakness combined to send me off into a heavysleep, one of the many that I indulged in during those days, not fromidleness, for I suppose it was natural while my nerves and muscles wereslowly building themselves up once more. 

CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE. 

I worried and fretted a great deal about that proposal of the rajah's, but I firmly declared that it was quite impossible, however tempting tomy vanity. How could I become officer over a set of cowardly, mutinous, murderous scoundrels, even if I had been set free to undertake the task;and in my most bitter times I told myself that I would far rather turnthe guns upon such a crew than teach them to work them. 

I fully expected the rajah to come to me the next day, but he did not, and a week had gone by, during which time, although I was growingstronger, it was not so fast as it would have been had I felt free. 

And then came a night when I was very low indeed. The monotony of mylife in that solitary place affected my spirits terribly. They werealready weak enough, consequent upon my hurts; but that time I was sodepressed that I prayed that the rajah might not come, lest I shouldaccept his proposal as a means of escape from a life which, in spite ofthe constant attention I received, had grown unbearable. It made me soirritable to the attendants that they shrank from coming near more oftenthan they could help, and I saw Salaman look at me sometimes as if hethought that I should develop into a tyrant also, or would be a dangerto those who served. 

"I know what it is, " I muttered to myself that night. "He is waiting onpurpose so as to catch me in some weak moment, when I am utterly tiredout of this wretched prison, and ready to say yes. "

My wretched prison, be it remembered, was a luxurious tent, with men whowere like so many slaves about me ready to obey my slightest wish; but Iwas miserable, of course, all the same. 

It had grown dark rapidly that evening, and there was a curioussensation of heat in the air, great puffs coming as if from off heatedmetal. Then there were distant flashes of lightning, and faintmutterings which I knew portended a storm; and, as it drew near, I felta kind of satisfaction in wishing that it would be very bad, for I wasjust in the frame of mind, no doubt from being weak and easily affectedby the electricity in the atmosphere, to welcome anything for a change. 

"I hope it will come a regular roarer, " I said to myself as I lay on myback with my wounds aching, and the faint blue of the lightning makingmy lamp look dim. 

"Wish it would blow the tents all down, and scare the black scoundrelsright away. "

A sensible wish, for in my weak state it meant exposure, a drenching, and probably a feverish attack; but I was in an unreasoning fit, andready for anything absurd just then. 

After a time, there was the rush of wind through the trees, and the sideof the tent flapped like a filling sail on board ship. 

"It's coming, " I said, with a laugh; and then I thought of the torrentsof rain that would now begin to fall, and called to mind that twice overthere had been very heavy rains, but that the double canvas roof hadturned it all away. 

Then there was a lull, followed by a pattering of rain, and I heard themen go round and tighten the cords, while Salaman came in and securedthe tent door, pausing to ask me if he should bring me anything, but Iwas too ill-tempered to answer him, and I suppose he thought I wasasleep, for he went out very softly. 

Then, with a rush, down came the storm, with the water rushing insheets, and beating against the tent, off which I could hear itstreaming, while it was lit up almost constantly by the blue glare ofthe lightning. Next came the thunder, deafening roar after roar, towhich I listened with satisfaction, for it was a change. 

But the change soon grew as monotonous as my prison life. The rainpoured down, there were fierce rushes of wind, blinding flashes oflightning, and deafening peals of thunder; but the tents were not blowndown, they were too well sheltered by the huge trees around, and as therain brought a feeling of coolness, I began to grow more sensible, andto feel glad that no catastrophe had happened. I must have droppedasleep, to wake up with a start and the recollection of my visitationfrom the serpents. I could see nothing, and my heart seemed to ceasebeating as I recalled the habits of the creatures, how, drowned out oftheir holes by such a storm, they would seek shelter in houses, and herewas one wet, cold creature with its head playing over my face, and fromthere gliding down my arm to my hand, which it seized, the jaws closingupon my fingers while I lay, unable in my horror to call for help. 

Then my confusion and horror mingled passed off, and a curious sensationof exultation came over me, for it was all fancy about the serpent. Thelamp was out, the tent in total darkness, and that which I had felt wasa hand gliding over my face, and from thence to my hand, into which ithad pressed something. 

At that moment I heard a rustling to my left, and sounds to my right, the tent door was thrown open, and I could just make out the figure ofSalaman, as he uttered an ejaculation at the darkness, and hurriedacross to the stand, where he paused to strike a light, the lamp havingby some accident gone out. 

The light of the match he had struck illuminated the tent, and I glancedsharply round, but no one else was visible; and as I lay wondering, andready to believe it all fancy, there was what felt like a note crushedin my hand, and Salaman was busy about the tent. 

"Is my lord asleep?" he said softly. 

"No, " I replied. 

"When my lord wishes the lamp to be turned out, so that he may look atthe lightning, if he calls his servant will come. "

"Yes; thank you, " I said. And then I lay thinking, my heart thumpingheavily the while. 

Somebody--a friend, then--had crept into the tent and turned out thelamp, before trying to give me the note. 

But was it a note?

It felt like it, as I held it tightly in my hand, longing now for theman to go, but afraid to say a word to send him away, for fear I shouldraise his suspicions in the slightest degree, and induce him to rousehis companions and watch, or go round the tent at a time when I feltsure that the bearer of the note was hiding just outside. 

Oh, how long it seemed, and what a number of petty, trifling littlethings Salaman did before he moved toward the doorway of the tent!

I do not think he did more than was his custom; but this time I fanciedhe suspected something wrong, and was watching me. 

I was quite right. He was watching me intently; and I turned hot andtrembled, for it would be horrible, I felt, if help was near, to have itdiscovered by this man, who was thoroughly devoted to the rajah'sinterests, and who would, I felt sure, have to answer with his head if Iescaped through his neglect. 

He came nearer to me, and I was afraid he would read the anxiety in myface; and yet I dared not turn it round and away from him, for fear ofmaking him suspect me more, so I lay gazing straight at him. 

"Would my lord like a cool drink?" he asked. 

"No, " I replied; "not now. "

"My lord's voice is changed!" he cried excitedly. "He is not worse?"

"Oh no;--better, " I said. 

"But my lord speaks strangely--as he did that night when the serpentcrawled into the room. He has not been alarmed? Yes, I know--by theterrible storm. "

"Think--think it was that?" I faltered. 

"Yes, my lord, " he said eagerly; "but it is gone now. Can I getanything for my lord?"

"No; not now, " I said. And at last he left the tent. 

I was lord and master, according to Salaman; but I felt quite a slave asI lay there, afraid to move lest he should come back. And as Ilistened, I heard him go round the tent to try all the ropes, two othersbeing with him, as I judged by the voices. While they went quietlyround, I listened with eager ear, fully expecting some alarm to beraised, and my messenger, whoever he was, to be discovered. 

But I heard the men go right round, and return to their own tent; andthen, as soon as I felt it to be safe, I crawled from my couch and mademy way to the lamp, trembling with eagerness to read the message thathad been sent, I hoped, by Brace. 

The paper was a mere scrap doubled up quite small, and, as I opened it, and held it close to the light, my eyes fell on these characters, scrawled in a very feeble hand, with some kind of pencil which left avery uncertain mark--

There were faint traces of similar lines above and below, but they wereso rubbed as to be undecipherable; while, as to the above, fancy mychagrin and disappointment as I turned the paper over, then back, andscanned the crabbed shorthand-like characters over and over again, butonly to grow more and more confused, for I could make no sense of itwhatever. Even if the upper and lower lines had been plain, I am afraidthat I should have been no wiser. Certainly I had gone through a longstudy of the Eastern languages, and this bore a strong resemblance tosome of the characters; but what it meant, I had no more idea than ababe. 

I remained by the lamp, puzzling over that scrap of paper till my brainbegan to swim; and at last, wearied out, and in utter despair, I wentback to my couch and threw myself down, to lie and think. And all thetime I knew that this might be a message bidding me be quite ready, foran effort was to be made, perhaps that very night, to rescue me andrestore me to my friends. 

That it must be something of the kind, I had no doubt; but how foolishit seemed to be of Brace to trust another to write his message! Hemight have anticipated that it would be badly written. 

But perhaps it was not Brace's doing, and it might be a communicationfrom some friendly chief. 

At any rate, I could not make it out, and there was nothing to be donebut keep on the _qui vive_, and wait for what was to come. For thatsomething would result from the missive I was sure, but what it would beI could only imagine; and my mind played strange pranks, possiblybecause I was still so weak. 

CHAPTER THIRTY SIX. 

The rajah came upon me suddenly the next day, just when I was mostdisturbed, and had been lying down here and there, poring over that notewith the strange characters till my head ached, and yet I was no nearera solution. It was, I knew, a warning to be ready to escape, or to tellme that my friends were near, but not a bit nearer could I get. 

I was under the big tree, still puzzling it out, and abusing theBrandscombe professors for not teaching me better, and making me able todecide whether this was modern Hindustani, Sanscrit, or Persian. I feltthat I ought to know, but not a word could I make out, so as to be sure, when all at once I heard the familiar trampling of horses in thedistance, and hurriedly thrust the scrap of paper into my pocket, beforeleisurely changing my position; for I always felt that some one waswatching me. 

This was a fact; for whenever Salaman was off that duty, one or other ofhis men took it up, though, to do them justice, it was as much to be onthe alert to see whether I wanted anything as to mind that I did notescape. 

There was a good deal more noise and jingling of accoutrements thistime; and as I listened eagerly, but assuming perfect unconcern, thetrampling increased to such an extent that, from thinking first that itwas a troop which formed the rajah's escort, my estimate rose to asquadron, a regiment, two regiments; and then I gave it up, wonderingand in doubt whether my captor had come to make one of his calls. 

At this I began to feel a little excited. Perhaps this was, after all, the meaning of the message I had received, and friends were coming. This idea was strengthened by a show of excitement among my attendants, who were hurrying here and there. But it was an excitement which calmeddown directly, for they stood ready to receive the visitor, who waspreceded by a party of about a dozen fierce-looking mounted men onsplendid horses. They were well set up military-looking fellows, fullyarmed, and having lances, but were evidently not ordinary soldiers, their turbans being of rich stuff, and one and all wearing handsomeshawls. 

They formed up on either side of the opening among the trees, throughwhich they had ridden, reining back their horses so as to allow room fortheir leader to ride into the place; and as he cantered quickly in, andthrew himself lightly from his horse, I stared at him in amazement, helooked such a magnificent object glittering in the sun. 

Upon one other occasion he had been splendidly dressed, and the preciousstones he wore must have been of great value; but now the display waswonderful, and at every movement the rays of light flashed from him, andI could not help thinking that he must be a prince of vast wealth. 

Directly after, though, it struck me that all this show was to impressme, and I smiled to myself as I thought that he could not have chosen aworse time for trying to convert me. For the piece of paper was withintouch, and, though I could not read it, I felt sure that it meant helpand freedom. 

He dismissed his followers before coming up to me smiling, and as Iadvanced to meet him I could not, suspicious as I was, doubt for amoment the look of pleasure that came into his face as he took my handand held it firmly. 

"Hah!" he cried; "this is more like my young officer. What a greatchange for the better! You feel much stronger?"

"Oh yes, " I said. "I think I could ride now. "

"I am sure you could--a little; but you must not try much yet. We mustnot have the wound reopened by too much exertion. Let us sit down. Itis hot. "

We went to the temporary divan beneath the tree, and as soon as he wasseated he said, smiling--

"It is time you dressed better, more like my officer. You must not playthe sick man any longer. "

My cheeks felt a little warm for the moment. Up to that time I had notgiven a thought to my costume, which was simple--a shirt and trousers, the former clean and white enough, thanks to Salaman; but I must havelooked a very pitiable object by the side of the gorgeous prince at myside. 

He was keen-witted enough to see the effect of his words, and he laidhis hand on my arm. 

"It is not this I mind, " he said quietly. "I do not judge one by hisdress. I know you; but I want to see my friend, who is henceforth to bea great chief, held in reverence by the people. My subjects are notlike your English, who care so little for show; they judge a man by hisappearance. "

"Yes; I know that, " I said, warming toward him, for his words werekindly meant. 

"I don't care for all these that I wear. They are tiresome, hot, and inthe way. But I am the maharajah, and if I did not impress my subjectsby my dress and grandeur, as well as by the strength of my arm and thesharpness of my sword, they would despise me. "

"I can quite understand that, " I said eagerly; for I was anxious to keephim conversing about everything but the one subject which I feared. 

"Well, " he said gravely, "have you no questions to ask--about yourfellow-countrymen?"

"No, " I said. 

"That is right. I am glad you are growing so wise and sensible. It isuseless to regret the past. They had their reign. They are conquered, and all is at an end. "

I crushed the paper in my pocket with almost feverish joy. 

"And now, " he continued, "I hope that a brighter and better day isrising for my land. "

I looked at him, and saw that his face was lighted up, and that he wasin thorough earnest. 

"But we'll talk about that another time, Gil, " he said. 

I stared at this familiar usage of my name, and he smiled. 

"Yes, Gil, " he said; "my friend Gil, who will be my counsellor, and helpme to rule over my people with strength and justice. "

"But--"

"No, no, " he said; "don't speak yet. You are going to decide hastily, and a great judge is slow, and thinks much before he speaks. We weretalking about your dress. I did think of taking you back with me to mycity. "

"No, no, " I cried excitedly, and completely thrown off my guard; "notyet. "

I felt that I had made a mistake, for I saw his eyes flash, and acurious watchful look in his face. 

"Very well, " he said; "there is no need for haste. You find that youare steadily growing strong up here?"

"Yes; fast, " I replied. "It is cooler than it would be in a town. "

"Quite right. Then I will not hurry you away to-day. Perhapsto-morrow. Let us talk about your dress. I want you to help me thinkout a suitable uniform for my gun regiment. Not like yours. It is toohot and wearisome for the men. The helmet is too heavy, and shines toomuch. What do you think of a little steel cap, something like mine, with a white puggaree round it, and a little plume in front?"

"It would be excellent, " I said. 

He looked pleased. 

"Then a white tunic, with gold binding across the chest. Light, notheavy, like yours. "

"That would be quite right, " I said. 

"And then they shall wear boots like your men. They are heavy, but aman rides so much better in boots. "

"Yes; you are quite correct, " I said eagerly. "It gives him firmness inthe saddle, and he never notices their weight. The tunic, too, shouldbe fairly loose and light, so that the men have perfect freedom fortheir arms. Our lads were too tightly trussed up, and stiff. A manwants to be so that every muscle is free to play. "

"Quite right, " he said; and in imagination I saw a troop of menuniformed as he proposed, and thought how admirably suited the dresswould be. 

"Then, for their arms, " he continued, "a long light lance, withoutpennon. "

"Nonsense!" I cried. "They must not carry lances. "

"Well, then, " he continued, "short guns--carbines. "

"No, no, " I said impetuously, for he had led me on so that I wasthoroughly interested. "The carbine would only be in the men's way. "

"Ah! What, then--pistol?"

"No, " I said; "artillerymen want no pistols. They have their guns, which can deal with their enemies a mile away. "

"Then you would not give them any arms but the cannon?"

"Yes, " I cried, "certainly; swords. "

"Ah, yes; swords, " he said quietly; "like your men had. "

"No!" I said emphatically; "not those heavy, clumsy, blunt sabres, butwell-made, keen-edged cutting and thrusting swords, something like yourtulwars, but with a better hilt and grip. I would make the men perfectwith their blades--thorough swordsmen. Let them use them well, and beclever with their guns; that is all that a horse artilleryman needs--except, of course, the power to ride anywhere at full speed, and stop atnothing. "

"But I like the lance, " said the rajah, thoughtfully. "It is a grandweapon well managed. "

"Of course, " I said; "but you must keep that for your light horseregiment; well trained, mounted, and officered, they would be a mostvaluable force. "

"I think you are right, " he said thoughtfully. 

"I am sure I am, " I cried. "The mounted artilleryman must be light andactive, a good horseman, perfectly daring; and as to the dress, such aone as you proposed might be made to look smart and handsome, while itgave the men freedom to move. "

"Yes, " he said thoughtfully; "and the officers' uniforms might be madevery striking with gold ornaments and silver caps. "

I was silent, for it had suddenly occurred to me that I had allowed myenthusiasm for military matters to carry me away. 

He smiled. "It is of no use to draw back, " he said; "your heart is init, and you know that you must accept the position. "

"Must?" I said sharply. 

"Oh, we will not talk about `must, '" he replied, laughing; "we arefriends, and you have been showing me what a thorough soldier you are, with bright original thoughts of your own. Why, even if you could goback to your people, you would never have such an opportunity as this. Gil, you must make me an army that shall carry everything before it. "

"No, " I said gravely; "it is impossible. "

He frowned slightly, but his face was calm directly. 

"Oh no, it is not impossible; you have shown me that your heart is init, but you naturally shrink from so great a work, and feel, too, thatyou must not forsake your people. But it will not be so. If anything, they will have forsaken you. Come, Gil, " he continued, with a smile, "you have held out as you should, but it is now time to give way, andtake my hand, meaning to be my faithful friend and follower to thelast. "

"No, " I said firmly, "I cannot. "

"Suppose I tell you that you must?" he said. 

"It would make no difference, " I replied. "I must do my duty as asoldier. "

"You have done it, boy. Now come and do your duty by me. "

I shook my head. 

"It is of no use for you to try and tempt me, " I said. 

"I am not tempting you, only trying to show you that your fate hasthrown you with me, and that you can do good here. "

"As a renegade, " I said hotly. 

"No, " he rejoined; "I have not asked you to change your religion. Butwe will say no more to-day. You are angry, and an angry man makes more. I should be sorry to say harsh things to one who is weak, and whom Ihave made my friend. "

He smiled, and held out his hand. 

"I must go, Gil, " he said. "I have much to do. I have to fight withenemies, and to see to the ruling of my house. I could sit down and letthings go, but I wish mine to be a country of which a man may be proud, and that means work for us. "

I made no reply, and he looked at me gravely. 

"Good-bye; I am not angry. You are behaving very well, boy. I respectand esteem you the more. But be reasonable; try and see what is beforeyou, and do not trifle with the great opportunity of your life. "

He nodded pleasantly to me, and we walked on together to where his horsehad been led. 

"I will send you some clothes, " he said. "I cannot send you an Englishuniform; but, whenever you like, men shall come to make that of my horseartillery according to your wish. " I made a quick gesture. 

"When you like, " he said quietly. "I am not hurrying you, for you'restill too weak. When would you like your horse?"

"Directly, " I said, so eagerly that he smiled. "To try and escape, " hesaid sadly. I started and drew back. 

"Yes, " I said firmly. "I shall try to escape, and as soon as I possiblycan. "

He held out his hand again, and I gave mine reluctantly to be held in afirm grip. 

"You make me like you, Gil, " he said, "even when you cause me mostanger. I like that; it is so frank and honest. You must come to me. Ishall never meet with another whom I can trust as I do you. "

I shook my head, but he smiled. "It is your fate, " he said. "Now comeand see some of my men. They are drawn up outside. You shall see thenwhat stuff there is for making good regiments when you begin. "

He glanced at my dress and saw that I noted it. "It does not matter, "he said; "you are my friend. They will not think of your dress. Englishmen are careless, and do not mind how they look. Come. "

I hesitated, but his will was stronger than mine, and I gave way, following him through the opening, and passing the twelve fierce-lookingtroopers who had formed the advance, and one of the men who was holdingthe beautiful Arab, which looked so perfect in its rich trappings that, lover of a horse as I was, I could not help going up to caress it, andpat its graceful arched neck, and pass my hand over its velvety nose. 

"Mount, " said the rajah, who had followed me. "You will like hispaces. "

"You wish it?" I said eagerly. 

"And so do you, " he said, smiling. "Mount; and as a gentleman, I askyou to remember your honour to your host. You will not run away. Itwould be useless. You would surely be captured again. "

"I give you my word, " I said coldly. 

"Then mount. "

I hesitated for a moment or two, and then mounted, for a thrill ofdelight to run through me as I felt the quivering muscles of thebeautiful beast, and its eagerness to be off. 

"Now try a short canter, " he said; and at a touch the graceful, thoroughly docile beast moved off, and my pulses began to bound as thewind played round my cheeks; for it was glorious. There was the opencountry before me, and I had but to slacken the rein, and the spiritedArab would have borne me off, far beyond pursuit; but I had given myword, and I turned just as we were increasing our speed, and I saw thatthe rajah was watching me intently. 

"Wondering whether he can trust me, " I said to myself, as we rapidlyapproached. 

Then, all at once, I found that I had overtaxed my strength. There wasa curious mistiness before my eyes which blotted out the rajah and hismen, and two companies of troops which I saw off to my left. Then Ifelt that I was falling, and made a clutch or two at vacancy. The nextmoment my sound arm was caught in a strong grip, and I heard the rajah'svoice say--

"Help him down. Too ill and weak yet for so much exertion. "

Then all was blank, and when I came to, the doctor was with me. 

"Only beginning a little too soon, " he said pleasantly. "It takes longto grow strong. "

He left me after a short time to the care of Salaman, from whom Ilearned that the rajah had been very anxious about me, and had givenorders that every care was to be taken, and that I was to be told howsorry he was that he could not stay. 

"I am glad he is gone, " I said to myself; and then I turned cold withthe thought which struck me. 

"Suppose my note had been found!"

For a few moments I was afraid to try whether it was still where I hadplaced it, lest it should have been taken; but in thrusting my hand downinto my pocket, there it was quite safe, and I drew a long deep breathfull of satisfaction. For though I could not make it out, the rajah orthe doctor would probably have guessed its meaning in an instant. 

As I lay there I half determined to destroy it at once, but I gave upthe idea, thinking that perhaps, after all, I might yet read it withease. 

"Did the rajah say when he was coming again?" I said to Salaman, as hewas about to go. 

"No, my lord; he--"

"Don't say `my lord' to me, " I cried pettishly. "I am only an Englishofficer. "

Salaman smiled. 

"I will obey in everything; but you are his highness's greatest friend, and he said I was to treat you as if you were his brother. How can Icall you less than `my lord'?"

"Well, what did he say?"

"That he would be back soon, and that I was to make you strong enough toride away with him upon your horse. "

CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN. 

That night passed away slowly as I lay listening, expecting at anymoment to have some visitation before morning, and three times over Iheard faint footsteps outside the tent, but they only proved to be thoseof my watchful attendants; and once more, sick at heart, I began tothink that my case was hopeless, because I had not grasped the meaningof the message, which, for aught I knew, might mean that I was to leavemy tent as soon as it was dark, to trust my would-be rescuers. 

The next night I determined to put this plan in force; and soon afterdark I left the tent, and began to stroll up and down, as if enjoyingthe cool night air, ending by walking slowly, straight for the openingby which the rajah always entered the forest glade. 

I was just thinking that I had nothing to do but quietly walk away atany time I chose, when I suddenly came upon a white-robed figure, bearing shield and naked sword. 

The sentry was standing directly in my way, but he moved instantly tolet me pass, and, so as not to excite suspicion by showing any alarm, Iwalked on by him; but the next minute there was another armed sentryjust ahead, and on glancing back, there, dimly seen, was the firstsentry, and with him another man, who I fancied was Salaman. 

"Hopeless, " I thought to myself; and after walking as far as the secondsentry, I quietly turned and began to walk slowly back, coming directlyupon Salaman, who, I now saw, was armed with curved sword and shieldlike the others. 

He drew half to one side of the path, the first sentry to the other, forme to pass between them. 

"A fine night, Salaman, " I said. 

He salaamed at my condescension, and I went on. 

"There's no occasion to attend upon me so closely. "

"My lord must forgive his servant, but there is need. My lord is weakand unarmed, and there are tigers sometimes in the forest. Should onespring upon my lord, I should pray that he would then spring upon me, for I could never face his highness again. Hark! That is six times Ihave heard one cry these last few days. And there are budmashes, too, journeying about, evil men who have been robbing and murdering after thefights. If they saw my lord's white face, they would fall upon him, andthen when his highness came and said, `Where is my lord?' how could Iface his fierce wrath?"

I made no reply, but strolled back to the wide opening in front of mytent, passed it, and found myself face to face with another sentry, towhom I paid not the slightest heed, but bore off to the right, to findanother and another. 

After this, pretty well satisfied that I was well guarded, and seeinghere the reason why I had had no visitor again, I returned to my tent, encountering Salaman on the way. 

"Why, Salaman, " I said, "you keep pretty good guard. "

"It is his highness's orders, my lord. "

"How many men have you on sentry?"

"Twenty, my lord; and there are forty in the guard-tent, waiting to goon duty in turn. "

"What?" I cried. "I thought you only had about six men here. "

"Only six by day, my lord; these others march over every night to go onduty. "

"Then there is no one on guard in the day?"

"Oh yes, my lord; but they are mounted men with lances; they watch theroads here for a mile round. "

I went into the tent, just as a low distant cry told of the proximity ofa tiger somewhere on the border of the forest. 

I was vexed with myself, for my conduct was, I felt, so transparent thatmy guardian must be sure to see that I was meditating escape. 

"How carefully he guards me!" I thought, as I threw myself on my couch. "No wonder the bearer of the letter has not been here again. "

And there I lay thinking of my position--of the rajah's offer, and, tempting as it seemed, the more I thought, the more I felt howimpossible it was to turn from my duty as an English officer, to becomethe servant and _aide_ of one of our deadliest enemies. 

"It can't be, " I muttered. "I would sooner die. "

And, as I said this, I thought of how likely it would be that this wouldbe my fate; for, under the smooth velvety ways of the rajah, I could seethat there were sharp feline claws, and that, however great his likingfor me might be if I yielded and acted as he wished, there was all thefierceness of the Eastern semi-savage, ready to spring out with volcanicfury if I persisted in thwarting him to the end. 

I could not help pitying myself as I lay there, for I was growingstronger again, and that mounting of the horse had, short as theenjoyment was, revived in me all my love of exciting action; and was I--so young as I was--a mere boy, to give up all this when forced, as itwere, by circumstances? I had but to say "yes, " and become the greatestman in the rajah's domains. 

"But I can't do it. I won't do it, " I said passionately. "I was nottrained in a military school by brave, honourable gentlemen, to give upand become a renegade. And I will not believe, either, that England isso beaten that the native rajahs are going to have all their own way. "

Somehow, in spite of my desperate position, fully expecting that, at mynext refusal, the rajah would flash out and try force to bring me to hisway, I felt after my calm, quiet, nightly prayer, out there in thesilence of that forest, more at rest and full of hope. 

"Things generally mend when they come to the worst, " I said, with asigh; and now, giving up all expectation of any visitor making his wayto my couch that night, I lay listening to the faint calling of the hugecat that was prowling about, gazing the while at my shaded lamp, roundwhich quite a dozen moths were circling, and finally dropped off tosleep. 

It was late in the morning when I opened my eyes, to find the whitefigure of Salaman patiently in attendance, waiting for me to get up. 

He smiled as soon as he saw that I was awake, and threw open the foldsof the tent door to admit the sunshine. Then, with all the skill andcleverness of the native valet, he carefully waited on me, relieving meof all difficulties due to my wounded arm, which was painful in theextreme if I attempted to move it, and when I was nearly dressed, turnedsilently to the door to signal to his men to be ready with my earlycoffee. 

"The morning is _very_ hot, my lord, " he said; "and I have told them toplace the breakfast under the tree. It is a fresh spot, which I hope mylord will like. "

At that moment there was a low moaning cry, as of some one in pain, hurried steps, loud voices, and then a dull thud, as if some one hadfallen. 

Salaman ran out of the tent, and I followed, to find that, some twentyyards away, a figure in ragged white garments was lying on the ground, his face covered with blood, which literally dyed his garments; and ashe lay there upon his breast with his arms extended, one hand held alittle round shield, the other grasped a bloody sword. 

"What is it?" cried Salaman to four of his men, who were standing aboutthe prostrate figure. 

"As we live, we do not know, " said one of them. "He came running up, crying for help, and when we spoke, he looked back as if frightened, andstruggled on till he fell, as you see. "

"He has been attacked by budmashes, " said another. 

"No, " said the first. "Look at his long beard; he is a holy man--afakir. "

At that moment the poor fellow tried to raise himself, and groaned outthe words, "Bagh, bagh!"

"Ah!" cried Salaman, bending down over him. 

"Quick! some cotton--some water, " I said; "the poor fellow has beenattacked and mauled by a tiger. "

"Bagh, bagh!" groaned the man again, and he struggled up now to restupon his shield-hand, gazing wildly round, and, shuddering beforeseeming satisfied that the danger was passed, he raised his curved swordand looked at it. 

By this time one of the men had fetched some strips of cotton, andanother brought fresh water, a portion of which the fakir drankheartily, but resented the attendant's action, as he sought to bathe hisface, but submitted willingly to having his arm washed and the woundstied up. 

They proved to be only superficial; but, all the same, they were fourugly scratches down the fleshy part of the man's left arm, while overhis right shoulder there were three more marks, which had bled prettyfreely; and now, as I stood by helpless myself, I listened as he toldthe attendants how he was slowly journeying, thinking of staying by thefirst well, as the sun was growing hot, the tiger suddenly sprang out athim, alighting upon his back, and sending him down insensible. That hehad come to, struggled up, and was on his way again, sick, but eager toget away from the edge of the forest, when the tiger had appeared again, creeping from tuft of grass to bush, tracking him, he said, as a catdoes a mouse, and always threatening to spring. 

For long enough this continued, till at last it sprang, after the poorfellow had suffered that most intense agony of dread. As the tigersprang, he in turn had involuntarily crouched, holding the sword beforehim, so that the savage beast leaped right upon it, as it struck himdown, deluging him with blood, and then uttering a snorting yell as itbounded away again amongst the low growth of the forest-side. 

He rose and continued his retreat, but the beast appeared again, stillskulking along near the track, and threatening to spring, but with arush back it had plunged into some dry grass; and had not reappeared ashe staggered on, faint with terror, till he had caught sight of one ofmy attendants, and run on here, to fall completely exhausted. 

They led the poor fellow away as, after seeing that he was out ofdanger, I turned from him in disgust, and soon after was seated at mymorning meal. 

"How is the old man?" I asked Salaman. "Have you given him a bath?"

"Oh no, my lord. "

"A few chatties thrown over him ought to do him good. "

"But he is a holy man, my lord. He would be ready to curse us, if wedid so. He has not washed for years. "

"He looked it, " I said. "But why?"

"Who knows, my lord? Perhaps he had sworn an oath. He is one of theblessed. "

"Will he go on to-day?"

"No, my lord. He will stay till he is strong enough to go. It is ablessing on our camp for him to be here, and the tiger must have beenpossessed of the evil spirit to dare to attack a fakir. "

"Well, don't let him come near me, " I said. "I believe that cleanlinessis next to godliness, Salaman. You are strange people: if I, aChristian, drink out of one of your vessels, you would say it wasdefiled, and break it. But you go and handle that nasty, dirty old man, and say it is a blessing for him to come. "

"Yes, my lord; he is a fakir. "

"Very good, " I said; "but, I repeat, don't let him come near me. "

"He will not, my lord. We could not have it. He might curse my lord, because he is an unbeliever. "

"Well, never mind that, " I said. "He knows no better. I trust he wasmore frightened than hurt. "

"Yes, my lord; but those are ugly wounds. "

"Yes, " I said. "But what would the rajah say at your having people sonear?"

"His highness may not know. He would be angry if he knew that the fakirwas here. But if he does know--well, it was fate. "

"Will he come to-day?"

"Thy servant knoweth not. It would be better that he stayed till theholy man has gone his way. "

CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT. 

The rajah did not come that day, nor the next, and it troubled me sadly, for it made me feel that he thought he was sure of me, and the more Iled that solitary life, and satisfied myself that I was most carefullywatched, the more I dreaded my firmness. 

For, in my greatest fits of despondency, I began asking myself why Ishould hold out. If the English were driven out of India, who wouldknow or care anything about me?

But I always came back to the dirty slip of paper with the characters onthat I could not read. They meant hope to me, and friends coming tohelp me, and this gave me strength. 

The second day after the dirty old fakir came, I went for a walk, for myhorse had not arrived; and, as I expected, the sentries were at hand, but they did not follow me, and I soon found out the reason. About aquarter of a mile from my tent, I came upon a fierce-looking man, sitting like a statue upon his horse, grasping his lance, and, whicheverway I went, there were others. 

To test this, I turned in several directions--in amongst the trees, andout toward the slope leading to the plain; but everywhere there werethese mounted sentries ready to start out quietly from behind some tree, and change their position so as to be a hundred yards ahead of mewherever I went; and it was all done so quietly that, to a casualobserver, it would have appeared as if they had nothing whatever to dowith me, but were simply watching the country for advancing foes, anidea strengthened by the way in which signals were made with their talllances. 

They took no notice of me, and apparently, as in their case, I took nonotice of them, but finished my stroll, after gathering in all I couldof the aspect of the beautiful slope, the forest at its head, and thefar-spreading plain below, thinking what a splendid domain the rajahowned, and then made for my tent, with the mounted men slowly closing inagain. 

I could only escape by night, I remember thinking, and I was gettingclose up to the trees that hid our little camp, dolefully pondering overmy position and the hopelessness of succour from without, when all atonce a hideous figure rose up from beneath a tree and confronted me; andas I stopped short, startled by the foul appearance of the man, with hislong tangled hair and wild grey beard, I saw Salaman and two of hishelpers come running toward us, just as the old fakir--for it was he--raised his hands, and in a denunciatory way poured forth a torrent ofwild abuse. His eyes looked as if starting out of his head; he baredhis arms, and, as it seemed to me, cursed and reviled me savagely as aninfidel dog whom he would deliver over to the crows and jackals, whilehe hoped that the graves of my father, mother, and all our ancestors, might be defiled in every possible way. 

And all the time he looked as if he would spring upon me, but I did notmuch fear that, for he was very old, and as weak as could be from hiswounds. This and his passion, which increased as Salaman and the mencame up, forced him to cling to a tree for support, but his tongue wasstrong enough, though his throat grew hoarse, and his voice at lastbecame a husky whisper, while Salaman and the others tried to calm him, though evidently fearing to bring the curses down upon their own heads, and shrinking from the old wretch whenever he turned angrily upon them, as they tried to coax him away. 

These efforts were all in vain, and as I stood there quite firm, notliking to appear afraid, and caring very little for his curses, hisvoice grew inaudible, and he began to spit upon the ground. 

"I pray my lord to go, " said Salaman at last. 

"Why should I go?" I said pettishly. "Drive the reviling old rascalaway. "

"No, no, my lord, " he whispered; "we dare not. "

"Then I shall complain to the rajah. I am sure he would not have meannoyed in this way if he knew. "

"No, my lord, " said Salaman, humbly; "but what can thy servant do?"

"Do? Send the dirty old madman off. "

"Oh, hush, my lord, pray, " whispered Salaman. "Thy servant loves toserve thee, and his highness is thy friend. If aught befel my lord fromthe holy man's curses, what should I do?"

"Do?" I repeated. "Send him about his business. "

"But he will not go, my lord, until he pleases. "

"Then I shall send one of the sowars with a message to the rajah, " Isaid firmly. "I am not going to be insulted by that old dog. "

"My lord, I pray, " said Salaman, imploringly. "His highness wouldpunish me, and my lord knows it is no fault of mine his coming. "

"Look here, Salaman, " I said; "if you call me `my lord' again, insteadof `sahib, ' I will send to his highness. There, get rid of the oldfellow as soon as you can. We should have such a man put in prison inEngland. Come and give me some food, and let him curse his voice backagain. I don't wonder that the tiger wanted to kill him. "

Salaman shrugged his shoulders. 

"Do you know why the fierce beast did not eat him?"

"Because he found out that he had made a mistake in striking down a holyman, my--"

"Ah!"

"Sahib, " cried Salaman, hurriedly. 

"That's better, " I said. "No! The tiger did not touch him afterwards, because he was so dirty. "

I walked away, hearing the fakir whispering wishes of evil against me tothe attendants, and spitting on the ground from time to time, whileSalaman followed me to my dinner under the tree, and brought me a cool, pleasant draught of lemon and water and some fresh fruit, leaving meafterwards to moralise on the difference between my religion and his, and afterwards to sit dejectedly waiting for my wound to heal, and tohope that the rajah would not come. 

He did not come, and as I sat thinking, I was obliged to confess that Iwas too weak to make any attempt at escape for some time yet; and evenwhen I grew stronger, the chances appeared to be very small. 

"Never mind, " I said at last, trying to be cheerful. "Some chance maycome yet. "

But my spirits did not rise, for there was always the black cloud whichI could not pierce, behind which was hidden the fate of my friends, andall that were dear to me. 

The next day I heard that the old fakir had not gone. His wounds werebad, and he had taken up his abode about a hundred yards away, amongstthe roots of a large tree. 

"Have you doctored his scratches?" I asked. 

"No, my lor--sahib, " said Salaman; "he will not have them bathed, and hehas torn off all the bandages, and he made me guide his finger alongthem. "

"Dirty finger?"

"Yes, sahib, it is a very dirty finger. At least it would be if it wasmine; but his fingers are holy. They cannot be unclean, and he saysthat the touch will heal the wounds. "

"I hope it will, " I said; "but, I say, look here, Salaman, have youwashed your hands since you touched him?"

"Oh yes, sahib, many times, " he cried eagerly. 

I laughed heartily for the first time for long enough, and Salamanlooked puzzled, and then smiled. 

"I know why, my--sahib laughs, " he said. "These things are a puzzle. Icannot make them out. "

"Never mind; only don't let the old fakir come near me. "

That day passed as the others had gone. Everything about me wasbeautiful, and I was treated like a prince, but the word "renegade" wasalways in my mind's eye, and I went to my rest at last as despondent asever, after another attempt to decipher the writing, but all in vain. 

It was a very hot night, and for a long time I could not sleep; but atlast I was dozing lightly, when I woke with a start to listen. 

But all was still for a time. The lamp burned with its soft shadedlight, and there was not a sign of anything startling, but, all thesame, I had awakened suddenly, in a fright, and with an instinctivefeeling that something was wrong. 

All at once, from the back of the tent, there was a low, sharp hiss, andI felt that my enemies, the snakes, were about again, trying to get in, and I wondered at my folly in not insisting upon having some weapon athand, though I knew it was doubtful whether I should have been sofavoured. 

I lay listening, and then rose up quickly, meaning to rush to the tentopening, and call for whoever was on the watch, when a soft voicewhispered--"Hist, sahib!"

"Ah!" I ejaculated, with my heart beating as if I had been running. 

"Hist! Friends near. "

I was on my way to the side of the tent whence the voice came, when Iheard hurried steps, and had just time to throw myself back on my couch, as the tent door was thrown open and Salaman appeared. 

"The sahib called, " he said. 

I was nearly speechless with emotion, which I dared not show, and I knewthat my duty was to keep the man there, and engage him in conversationso as to give my nocturnal visitor a chance of escape. Mastering myselfas well as I could, I said in a fretful, angry way--

"Come here. "

He was at my side in an instant. 

"Take off these bandages. They hurt my arm. "

"My lord, no. The doctor would be angry. "

"So shall I be, if you do not take them off, " I cried. "My arm is likefire. "

It was quite true, for the excitement at my sudden movement had startedthe wound stinging and aching. 

"It might bleed horribly, " said Salaman, humbly. "Let me loosen thebandage, sahib. "

"Very well, " I replied sulkily, quite satisfied now that whoever hadbeen outside the canvas had had plenty of opportunity to get away; and Ilay patiently enough, while my attendant loosened and re-tied mybandages before leaving me once more to lie wondering whether I shouldhave another visitation that night, and fervently hoping that whoever itwas would take care not to be seen. 

I lay awake for hours, but there was not another sound; and at lastexhaustion had its way, and I slept till quite late, angry with myselffor my drowsiness, and determined not to close my eyes that night. 

In the course of the day I sought an opportunity to examine the tent inthe direction from which the sound had come, and had there been anydoubt in my mind as to whether I had dreamed I had heard a voice, it wasnow dispersed, for about the height of my shoulder there was a slitabout an inch long just sufficient for any one to apply his lips to theopening and speak. 

No rajah that day, which was, I think, the longest I ever spent. Towardafternoon I summoned Salaman. 

"Look here, " I said. "I am sure the rajah does not wish me to betreated as a prisoner. "

"No, sahib. "

"Then give me my sword again. "

"Thy servant has it not, " replied Salaman. 

"Then fetch me another. "

"His highness gave me no commands. "

"But I do, " I said simply. "Let me have one at once. "

"Thy servant grieves that he must disobey my lord, " said the man humbly. "He cannot do this thing. "

"Go!" I said angrily, though I knew the man was not to blame. 

"My lord is angry with his servant, " he said humbly. "If he brought hima sword, he might cut his servant down, and try to escape; but it wouldbe vain, for every part is strictly watched. "

I turned away in misery, for, with the place so firmly watched, how weremy friends to reach me?

Toward evening, when it was cooler, I went for a stroll, but soon turnedback, for the loathsome figure of the filthy old fakir rose from amongsome bushes with his hands raised, cursing me volubly, and I was glad toget back to my tent and lie down to have a good rest before night, readyto keep awake for the visitor who might come. 

Salaman now came to say that my dinner was ready, and had been waitingtwo hours, but my appetite was very poor, and I got on badly. Still Iate, feeling that I needed all the strength I could get up, and at lastmy regular retiring hour came, and I lay down once more to listen to thetrampling of my attendants and their low murmuring voices; then to thenoises in the forest, and twice over I heard in the distance the lowhowl of a tiger. 

But how slowly the time passed before all was silent in the camp, and Iwaited for the whispering voice at the canvas! The moment it came Imeant to creep to the side silently, and then I could hear the news ofthe friends who were near, and what they proposed to do. 

Can you imagine the misery and weariness of waiting hour after hour inthe midst of this silence, broken only by the calls of the wild beastsand nightbirds, the slightest sound being turned into a footstep orvoice? A hundred times over I must have thought that I heard Salaman orhis men listening, and I grew hot with anxiety as I wondered whetherthey suspected anything. 

Then I turned cold as ice and shivered, for a shriek rang out fromsomewhere among the trees, and immediately I pictured the messengertransfixed by the lance of one of the sowars on guard. 

But I heard no further sound, and by degrees grew calmer, as I recalledhearing such a cry before, and knew that it was made by a night-bird. 

There, stretched out on the cushions upon my back, gazing at the lamp, and with my ears all attent for the slightest sound--the right fordanger, the left for my friends--thus I lay listening, till the lampgrew dim. The sounds of the forest were distant; and then I was atBrandscombe, busy with the notes of lectures, and in great trouble aboutsomething, but what I could not tell, only that the old professor ofSanscrit, with a long grey beard and much tangled hair, was leaning overme, his eyes wild and strange, his cheeks hollow, and a horrible look offierce anger in his voice as he whispered hoarsely, evidently in disgustwith my knowledge of the subject he taught. But what it was hewhispered I could not tell, only that it chilled me and paralysed mewhen I wanted to struggle and get away from him. I tried hard, I knew, but it was all in vain, and an interminable time passed on, during whichI lay helpless there, with the old professor whispering to me, and hisface growing more and more terrible, till, to my terror, I saw that itwas not the professor of Sanscrit, but the old fakir who had taken sucha dislike to me; and, fully awake now, I found myself gazing up in hisfierce eyes. 

For the nightmare had passed off, and in the reality I was gazing up atmy enemy, who had evidently stolen into my tent, knife-armed--for thereit was, gleaming in his hand--to rid himself and his country of an enemyof his religion and his race. 

And I could not move, even when I felt his left hand steal once into mybreast, which hardly heaved, so utterly paralysed was I by my nightmaredream; ten times it seemed to me more terrible than the serpent I hadfound where the fakir's hand now lay. 

CHAPTER THIRTY NINE. 

In my horror, as I saw the knife flash, and as my senses became under mycontrol, I was about to cry aloud for help, but grasping this, thehideous-looking being clapped his hand over my mouth, pressing it downtightly, while he quickly bent down his head till he could place hislips close to my ear, and whisper in English--

"Not a word, sahib! Don't you know me! I am Dost. "

I uttered a low sigh, and then gazed at him, sick and dizzy, but with myheart beginning to beat wildly with a strange delight. 

For at last help had come, and my task now was first to warn my faithfulfollower of the peril he had incurred, as I lay in mute admiration ofthe skill with which he had played his part, and, after struggling invain to reach my well-watched tent, had by his ruse contrived to havehimself brought to my side by my guards. The rest he had managed byhimself. 

I could not speak for some minutes. I dared not even try, lest heshould hear how my voice trembled. At last, though, after lying quitestill, holding my faithful follower's hand, I whispered--

"How did you get here?"

"Cut the bottom of the tent, sahib, " he said in the same hard tone, "with this knife, and scrambled through. "

"But they will see the opening, and you will be taken. "

"Yes; they will see it, " he replied, "but you must make the hole larger, and fasten it open. They will think you have cut the tent to make itcool. You are the master here, and can do as you please. "

"Yes; but tell me--Captain Brace?"

"Quite well, sahib. "

"Then he was not beaten and driven away?"

"No, sahib; but the fight went against him and the white colonel. Theywere obliged to draw back. Their enemies were too many. As fast asthey killed, others came to take their place. "

"And Lieutenant Haynes, the doctor, and Sergeant Craig?"

"All well when I left them, sahib. I came away many days ago, andreached here, finding you, after a long, long search. Then I gave you aletter, telling you to be hopeful, for your friends were near, and wentaway again to tell the captain sahib, and ask him what I should do, forhe was waiting to find out whether you were alive, and how we could helpyou. "

"Yes; and what did he say?" I asked. 

"Nothing, sahib. "

"Nothing?"

"I could not find him. I had been away so long that he must havesupposed that I was killed, and he had gone. "

"But where?"

"How can I tell, sahib? He was gone, and, as I could not find him, Isaid I would come back and help you to escape without, but I could notget near you. There were men watching everywhere at night, and all daythere were evil-minded budmashes of sowars for miles round. Oh, sahib, they take great care that you shall not escape. "

"Yes; I am watched in every direction. "

"Yes, sahib, and I was in despair till a few days ago I was in a villagewhere a tiger sprang on a man, and mauled him, and then let him go, andhunted him again till he got away at last. And then I said I would bethat man, and come here as soon as the tiger let me go. "

"What! you ran that risk on purpose?" I said excitedly. 

"Hush! not a word, sahib, " said the man laughing. "I meant a sham tigerto fly at me and claw me. They would not know that it was not a realone. "

"But the wounds--the clawings?"

"I made those, sahib, with a hook fastened in a tree. "

"Dost!"

"Oh, it hurt a little, sahib; but there was no other way to come. Andeven then, when I was ready to tear and wound, I stopped, for I said tomyself, `If I run there for help and refuge, they will not let me stay, and I was ready to pull my hair and bewail myself. ' But that would nothelp me, and I sat down and thought all one day and all the next night, and no help came, till it was gaining light, when I jumped up andshouted, for I could see the way. "

"To disguise yourself as a fakir?"

"Yes, sahib, for I said that no one would dare to say no to a holy man. And you see I am here, and can stay, and--"

"Hist!" I said; and in a few moments he was lying beside my couch withthe light coverlid and two of the cushions tossed over him, effectuallyhiding him as he lay on the side of the tent farthest from the lamp. 

It was only just in time, for the tent door opened, and Salaman came insoftly, peering in my direction as I lay pretending to be asleep, but Ijumped up on the instant. 

"Yes? What is it?" I cried. "Ah, Salaman, is it morning?"

"No, my lord. Thy servant came to see if he could bring anything. "

"No, " I said with a yawn; "nothing. But call me quite early, as soon asit is light. I shall walk while it is cool. "

Salaman bowed and drew back softly, whilst, after waiting till he hadbeen gone some time, I turned to Dost, and was about to speak, but hishand was laid upon my lips by way of warning. 

For at that moment, unheard by me at first, there was a light stepoutside, followed by one that was heavier, and I knew, though I couldnot see, that some one was making the rounds of the little camp, andanything I might have said would have been heard. 

There was no time to lose when the rounds had been made, and afterlistening patiently for some minutes, I urged Dost to go, though I wouldgladly have kept him. 

"There is no need for haste, " he replied. "If I can get out of thetent, it will not matter much if I am met. They would not stop me, andthey will never think that we are friends. "

"But I could not bear for you to be found out, " I said. "It would belike depriving me of all hope. "

"Leave it to me, sahib, " he replied. "You shall not be deprived ofhope. I have no plan ready yet, but very soon I shall have made one, and you and I will return to the troop and gladden the captain sahib'sheart. "

"Then you must make haste, Dost, " I said, "for the rajah will soon betaking me away to his town. "

"Ah!" he said, "I am glad you told me that. But you have been wounded. Are you strong enough to walk or run with me many days?"

I was silent, for I could not say "yes. "

"No, you are not, sahib. Then we must wait. For the land is full ofenemies. Troops of budmashes roam everywhere robbing and slaying. Wemight have to fight. Who knows, and the young sahib must be able to usea sword. "

"Dost, " I whispered, "my horse will soon be here. "

"Ah? Then we must wait and take that--wait until the sahib is quitestrong. "

"And suppose the rajah takes me away?"

"I shall follow you, sahib; never fear. "

"But tell me this, " I whispered. "I hear that the English are beingdriven out of the country, and that the rajahs and begums are going tocall the land their own once more. "

Dost laughed silently. 

"Yes; they may call the land their own once more, but it never will beagain. "

"You believe that, Dost?" I said. 

"Yes, I believe that, sahib, for the rajahs will never hold together, and fight as one man. The English will. The budmashes have won somefights where they were many against few, but the English will come againand drive them back, as you know. No; the rajahs will never hold theland again. Now I must go. "

"But when will you come again?"

"Soon, sahib, but when I cannot tell. We must wait and see. I shall benear you even when you do not know it, and sooner or later I shall setmy master free. "

"But let it be soon, Dost, " I said, "for the rajah is trying to make mepromise to enter his service, and drill his men. "

"But you are not strong and well yet. "

"No, but he is trying to make me give my word, and he promises me greatrewards. "

"But the young sahib does not want his great rewards?"

"No, of course not; but I expect him directly to ask me again. "

"Well, you must promise him, sahib, to gain time. "

"What?" I cried indignantly. 

He made no reply, and I repeated my question, but still he was silent. 

"Do you think an English gentleman would make such a false promise, knowing that he could not keep it?"

He was silent. 

"Do you hear me, Dost?" I said indignantly. 

He still made no reply, and feeling that he was repentant for havingmade so base a proposal, I went on whispering. 

"It is impossible, Dost, " I said. "You are a good, brave fellow, butyou do not understand these things as an English officer would. If Igave my word to the rajah, I should be obliged to keep it, and it wouldbe a disgrace. I might have a grand position in the rajah's army, but Ishould be degraded from my own, and be a traitor in training men tofight against our flag. No; I cannot promise the rajah, and I shallhave to refuse him again. The next thing will be that he is fiercelyangry, and I shall be imprisoned--if he spares my life, " I said sadly. "You will have a harder task to set me at liberty then. Better waittill my horse comes, and then we can both make a rush for liberty, andtry and find out the captain. If the horse comes to-morrow, shall wetry and escape at night?"

He did not answer. 

"Dost! Shall we try and escape to-morrow night?"

There was no answer, and I stretched out my hand to touch him as acurious suspicion flashed through me. 

I touched carpet, cushion, the coverlid. That was all, and hurriedlycreeping to the canvas opening, I found that it hung loose, so that aman could easily pass through. 

While I had been trying to teach my faithful follower the value of anEnglish gentleman's word, he had glided silently out of the tent, leaving me to wonder at his skill, and to fasten open the canvas wall, so as to make it seem as if I had done it for ventilation. But I couldnot do that till morning. 

To have opened it now was to invite some savage beast of the forest toenter therein, so I left it as it was, and returned to my couch towonder when it was that Dost had gone. 

CHAPTER FORTY. 

"The tent is cut, my lord, " cried Salaman, as I awoke the next morning. 

"Fasten it up, " I said sharply. "No, no, not close it. Open it so thatI can get air. The tent is too hot. "

He looked at me searchingly, and I made an effort to throw him off thescent by effrontery. 

"Well, " I said, "do you hear me? Quick, or get somebody else. "

He turned sharply and went for help while I congratulated myself on mypower there. For it seemed that in most things I really only had toorder to be implicitly obeyed. 

Then, as the tent was pinned open, I wondered whether they would suspect_me_, and whether the rajah would come that day, not fearing his comingmuch, for I felt that I had help now at hand. 

The doctor came, and looked quite pleased at my condition. He said itwas a sign that his management of my "terrible" wound, as he called itnow, had been excellent. He little thought of how great an impetus tomy recovery the coming of the dirty old fakir had been. For as soon asthe learned doctor had gone, I went back into my tent, so that I mightindulge in something that had now grown quite strange--that is to say, as soon as I was quite out of sight, I indulged in a good hearty laugh, and then revelled in the thought that however bad some of the Hindusmight be, here was one as faithful to his master as man could wish, andrisking his life to come to my help. 

Then I laughed again, as I recalled the scene when the ragged-lookingold saint had reviled and cursed and spat at me, thinking, too, of howwonderfully he had carried out the disguise, and what pain he must havesuffered from his wounds. 

Then I began to think more seriously of Dost's risk, for if he werediscovered it would mean instant death at the hands of the rajah's men. 

"He'll come to-night, " I thought, and I waited patiently. But the nighthad nearly passed as I sat watching by the opening cut in my tent, before my heart began to beat, and I felt that he was near, for therewas a low rustling sound, a short distance off, beneath the great tree. 

"Poor old Dost!" I said to myself; "he is a brave, true fellow;" andthen it was on my lips to say in a whisper, "Quick! this way, " when Iturned cold, for there was a low muttering, and I awoke to the fact thatSalaman was talking to some one away there in the darkness. 

Acting on the impulse of the moment, I said aloud, "What's that? Who'sthere?"

"It is I, my lord, " came in Salaman's voice. 

"Is there anything wrong?" I said hastily, vexed with myself now forspeaking. 

"No, my lord;" he would call me my lord; "but I dared not leave the newopening to the tent unwatched. There might be serpents or a leopard ortiger prowling near. "

"Poor Dost!" I said to myself, and I might have added, "poor me!" formine seemed to be a very pitiable case, and after a minute or two'sthought, I called to Salaman, who came at once to the freshly cutopening. 

"It is cooler to-night, " I said sharply, as I turned now upon my couch, to which I had crept silently. "Fasten up the place. "

"Yes, my lord, " he said eagerly, and summoning his people, he soon hadthe hole closed up. 

"It does not matter, " I said to myself, "a sharp knife would soon makeanother way out or in. "

I felt that it was of no use to expect Dost that night, or rather earlymorning, and so I went to sleep, awaking fairly refreshed and ready toturn my thoughts to the invention of a plan to get into conversationwith Dost. 

But try as I would, no ideas came, and the day had nearly gone by, when, as I sat beneath my canopy tree where the divan had been formed, expecting at any moment to hear the trampling of horses heralding thecoming of the rajah, to my astonishment I saw Dost coming across theopening, straight for where I sat. 

He was stalking toward me slowly, and using a stout bamboo, about sixfeet long, to support his steps, while in his left hand he carried abowl formed of a gourd, and this he tapped against his stick at everystride, while he went on half shouting, half singing, a kind of chant, and turning his head, and swaying it from side to side. 

"How well he acts his part, " I thought, but I shivered at his daring, asI saw Salaman come from behind my tent watching him, and followingclosely as he saw the fakir making for where I was seated. 

"He will be found out, " I thought, but directly after it struck me thatSalaman was coming for my protection, and I sat watching the progress ofthe scene. 

Dost came on mumbling and shouting his wild song, thumping down hisstaff and swaying his body from side to side while Salaman followedclose up now; but, in his character of fakir, Dost ignored his presenceentirely, and came on till he was not above a couple of yards from whereI sat. Here he stopped short, scowling at me fiercely for some timebefore raising his staff and waving it in the air, as he burst forthinto a fierce tirade against the English usurpers of the land, and me inparticular, while I sat as if on my guard, but keeping a keener watch onSalaman, whose face was a study, I could not catch a tenth of what Dostsaid, far it was delivered in a peculiar way in a low, muttering tonefor a long sentence, whose last two or three words he shouted, bringingdown his staff with a bang, and then beginning again; but I found therewas a great deal of repetition and comparison of my relatives to pigsand pariah dogs, and there were threats of what he would do, I think, tomy great-great-grandfather if ever he came into his hands. 

But he did not come a step nearer, only grew fiercer in his finalutterances; and at last Salaman stepped forward, just as I was tryinghard to keep from laughing, and plucked the supposed fakir by thegarment. 

Dost swung round and raised his staff threateningly, as if to strike, but contented himself with waving my attendant away, and turned and wenton with his abuse. 

"Let him be, Salaman, " I said quietly. "I'm not afraid of the oldfellow. He will not hurt me. "

"I do not think his curses will hurt, my lord, " he replied, "but hemight strike. "

"He had better not, " I said sharply, in Hindustani, as if for the fakirto hear. "If he does, holy man or no, I'll knock him over. I'm growingstronger now. "

Salaman came close behind me, and whispered, "No, no, my lord, don'tstrike him; push him away, he is very old and mad; but he must not behurt. "

At that moment Dost began in a very low voice and went on, with hisdeclamation growing louder, till it was a roar, when he suddenly ceased, and dropped down on the ground with his legs under him in the positionof an Indian idol, and, with his chin upon his breast, sat thereperfectly silent, and as if in rapt contemplation. 

Salaman seemed puzzled, and Dost looked like a statue that had been verymuch knocked about. 

"What shall I do, my lord?" he whispered. "I do not like to touch him;he would begin to curse again. "

"Then pray don't touch him, " I said testily. "He will go to sleep now;he is tired. "

"It is not sleep, " whispered Salaman. "He goes into a state that maylast for hours or days. Will my lord come to his tent?"

"No, " I said emphatically; "if I move, perhaps it will set him offagain. Let him stay and curse the rajah when he comes. "

"I pray he may not, " said Salaman hurriedly; "his highness is soonangry. But, no: he would not curse him. "

"Never mind, " I said; "get me a melon. I am thirsty. "

Salaman glanced at the motionless figure with its head bent down, andthen hurried away to obey my command. 

Dost did not stir, but sat there staring hard at the ground, and I sawhis ears twitch. Then, in a quick whisper, he said--

"I could not come near your tent. Watched, sahib. Was obliged to dothis. Turn your head away, and do not look at me, but hiss, hiss, likea snake, when you see him coming. "

"Yes, " I said, as I threw myself sidewise on the pillows. "Tell me whatyou propose doing. "

"Going away to-day to find the captain, and tell him all. He may cometo your help at once. If he does not, it is because the country is fullof enemies. "

"Can't you take me with you, Dost?"

"No, sahib, you are growing stronger, but you could not sit a horse forlong enough yet, and you have not strength enough to fight and defend usboth. I am not a fighting man. "

Hiss!

Salaman was on his way back with a silver dish, on which lay a melon andknife, while one of the bearers carried a plate and sugar. 

The former glanced at Dost, as he paused, and then placed the melonbefore me. 

"It is beautifully ripe, my lord, " he said, "and will quench yourthirst. "

I laughed. 

"It is good to see my lord smile, " said Salaman, "he is better, and itmakes my heart glad. "

"I was laughing, " I said, "because the old fakir must be thirstier thanI. All those hot words must have burned his throat. "

Salaman smiled, but became solemn again directly. 

"Truly his words were hot, my lord, " he said. 

"Then cut him a big piece of the melon, and give him, before I touch it, and he thinks it is defiled. "

Salaman looked pleased, and obeyed my words, placing the melon in Dost'slap; but the latter did not move or unclose his eyes, but sat thereperfectly motionless, with the piece of the fruit in his lap, while Ipartook of mine, which was delicious in the extreme, and I enjoyed it asI saw how completely the people about me were deceived. 

Salaman and the bearer stood humbly close at hand till I had finished, and then took plate and tray with the remains of the melon. 

"Will my lord return to the tent?" asked Salaman. 

"Oh, I don't know, " I said indifferently. 

"But my lord might be sleeping when the holy man comes back to himself. You see, he is not there now. It is only his body. "

"How these old impostors of fakirs do deceive the people, " I thought, asI glanced at Dost; then aloud--

"Well, suppose I were sleeping?"

"The holy man might harm my lord. "

"Not he, " I said, in a voice full of contempt. "Words do no harmwhatsoever. "

Salaman bowed and went his way, and I took up a palm-leaf fan, and beganto use it, not as a wafter of cool wind, but as a screen to hide my facewhen I spoke to Dost, and from behind which I could keep an eye on thetents, and see when any one was coming. 

As soon as I gave him a signal, Dost began again, but without stirring amuscle; in fact, so rigid did he look that it would have puzzled any oneto make out whence the low muffled voice came with such a peculiarwhispered hiss, caused by its passing through the thick beard whichmuffled his lips. 

"You understand, sahib, " he said. "I shall be gone before morning, andif you do not hear anything, be not afraid, for if I get safely to thecaptain sahib, he will be making plans to come and save you as soon ashe can. "

"Tell me one thing, " I said quickly. "What about Major Lacey?"

"Ah! at Rajgunge, sahib. I do not know. I was not able to go thereagain, but he will be well. Those with whom he was placed would not lethim come to harm. "

"And Sergeant Craig?"

"His wounds were healing fast, sahib. But now listen. When I come backto you to get you away to your friends, who will be waiting close by, Ishall let you know I am there by making a hiss like a snake--so--in aquick way, twice. "

He gave the imitation, but so softly that it could not have been heard. 

"Now, " he said, "go, and take no more notice of me. If the servantssuspect anything, my work must be begun all over again, and it is hardto deceive them. "

"But have you nothing more to say?"

"Nothing, sahib; there is no time, and this is not the place. Bepatient, and grow strong. The captain sahib will save you, and all willbe well. Go. "

I hesitated for a few minutes, being reluctant to leave, but satisfiedat last that Dost's advice was right, and that I must wait patiently formy release, I covered my face with the great palm fan, and said in a lowtone--

"Mind and tell Captain Brace that the rajah may have taken me to hiscity. "

"Yes, yes; but go, sahib, pray. I must wake up now. It is too hot hereto bear it much longer. "

In spite of my trouble, I wanted to laugh, but I managed to control it, and rising slowly, I said in a low voice--

"Good-bye, old friend. I trust you, for you are a true, brave man. Tell Captain Brace I will be patient, and that I am nearly well. "

I could say no more, but sauntered slowly away under the shade of thetrees, to find that my guards sprang into sight, ready to follow me, thefirst one so near that I was startled. I had not known of hisproximity, and I trembled for Dost's safety. This man might have heardus talking, and he would of course repeat it to his head. 

But I could only go on hoping and trying to be patient, and when at lastI slowly started back to the tent, and glanced over toward the divan, myexcitement increased, for the fakir was no longer seated in the hotsunshine. 

Where was he? Back in his place by the great tree, or a captive takenaway and condemned at once as a spy?

I could not tell; I must wait, and my brain was so active that my fearshourly increased. 

CHAPTER FORTY ONE. 

I was spared one trouble to add to my others that day, for the rajah didnot come. If he had, I fear that he would have noticed my manner asbeing peculiar and strange. I dreaded, too, his encountering Dost, for, though Salaman and his companions had been easily imposed upon, now thatI was in the secret, I forgot all about my having also been deceived, and felt that the rajah would see through the disguise at once. 

It was then with a feeling of the most intense relief that I saw thenightfall, and felt now that he would not visit me that day. 

Of course I lay listening that night in the tent, wondering whether Dostwould make an attempt to visit me again, and then whether he was makinghis way back to where he expected to meet my troop, and "Oh!" Imentally ejaculated, "if I could only have been with him. "

The desire brought with it a despondent feeling and weary loneliness. Iwas very weak and miserable, thinking that perhaps I should never growstrong again, never mount my beautiful horse as of old. And then I fella wondering for the first time in my life at myself; thinking what aweak, helpless creature a human being was, if he received a wound, forthere seemed to be little reason for my long illness. I had had a blowon the head, and a cut on the arm--that was all. It never occurred tome then that my injuries were such as would have killed many men, andthat it was my youth and vigorous health alone which had enabled me tobear all I had gone through. 

The morning broke dull and lowering. My spirits were quite in the samekey, and I trembled when I first encountered Salaman, looking at himsharply, to see if his eyes told tales of any particular excitement. 

And they did; there was no mistaking their import; he was evidently inhigh glee, and that, I felt, could only mean one thing--the discoveryand making prisoner of poor Dost, whose fate must be sealed. 

But still Salaman made no communication; he only busied himself abouthis work, waiting on me, seeing to my tent, and then adjusting the slingfor my wounded arm. 

My breakfast was ready beneath the tree; and I walked to it feelingcertainly stronger, while every day I passed I could not help noticinghow beautifully clean and well prepared everything was, and how pleasantthe life beneath the tent would have been, if my mind had only been atpeace. 

Salaman waited upon me with more than his usual ease, and twice over Isaw him smiling, as if with greater satisfaction than ever; but still hedid not speak, but appeared to avoid my eye, till I could bear it nolonger. Feeling that something had occurred--a something which couldonly mean the discovery of Dost, and the credit he would get with therajah--I at last asked him sharply what he was laughing at. 

"I have good news for my lord, " he said eagerly; and to me his mannerseemed to be full of sneering triumph. 

"Well, what is it?" I said huskily. 

"The holy man has gone?"

"To prison!" I exclaimed involuntarily, for that was my first thought. 

"Oh no, my lord; away upon his long journey. "

"Dead!" I ejaculated. 

Salaman looked at me wonderingly. 

"Oh no, my Lord; that kind of old man very seldom dies. They live onand on and on, they are so hard and strange. I have seen many fakirs sothin and dry that they hardly seemed to be alive, but they were, andthey went on living. I never saw a fakir die. "

"Then you mean that he has gone away on his travels--pilgrimage, we callit?"

"Yes, my lord, and he will not be here to curse you again. "

"When--when did he go?" I asked, taking up my coffee, so as to seemindifferent. 

"Who knows, my lord? No one saw him leave. They come and they go, andsome of them are always coming and going. They have no home. Perhapshe went in the night, perhaps as soon as it was day. And with all thosewounds not healed, it is wonderful. "

I was already beginning to enjoy my breakfast at this glorious news, forDost had evidently got away in safety, and his disguise would no doubtenable him to pass easily through the land. 

"Well, " I said, speaking cheerfully now, "what is your other news?"

"Ah, that coffee has done my lord good, " said Salaman. "He smiles andlooks brighter and better for his highness to see. I made that coffeemyself, and it is fresh and good. "

"Beautiful, Salaman, " I said, emptying my cup, and longing for some goodhonest English milk; "but your news--your other news. "

"His highness is coming to-day. "

"How do you know?" I cried, the aroma departing from my coffee, and thechupatties beginning to taste bitter. 

"A horseman rode over to bid me have refreshments ready for his highnessthis afternoon, which he will partake of with you, and afterwards thetents are to be taken down, bullock-waggons will come, and we shallsleep at the palace to-night. But my lord does not seem glad. "

"Glad?" I said bitterly. "Why, this means that I, too, am to go. "

"Yes, my lord; thy servant said so, and it is right. The great doctorspoke to me, and said that you wanted a change from here. "

"Oh no, " I cried. 

"But the great doctor said so, my lord. He knows. My lord was nearlydead when he was brought here, but the good medicine brought him back tolife, and now he is nearly strong. This place is good, and it was madeready for my lord, but it is very lonely, and the wild beasts are alwaysabout the tents at night. "

Salaman said no more, but walked away. He had already said too much. 

I was in agony, and could think no more, for it appeared as if my chancehad been thrown away. Only a few hours back, and Dost was talking tome, there, where my meal was spread, and I, his master, had let him go, instead of ordering him to take me away with him. 

I bitterly reproached myself for what I looked upon as my weakness ingiving way, though I know now that I did quite right, for of course Icould not foresee so sudden a change. I had expected it, and we haddiscussed its probability, but I had hoped that there would be time formy rescue first. 

"Once inside the city, Brace will not have much chance of getting meaway, " I said to myself despondently; and then, as I sat thinking overmy unhappy lot, and of the coming interview with the rajah, there wasonly one way in which I felt that I could help myself, and that was toseem worse instead of better when my captor came. 

But I threw that idea aside directly; it was too contemptible. 

"I must act like an English officer, " I said. "It would be despicableto sham, and he would see through it all at once. "

Like many another one in such a position, I gave up thinking at last, and prepared myself for the inevitable. 

"After all, " I mused, "he may not think me well enough, and then therewill be a respite. If he does say I am to go, well, I suppose it willbe to a prison. "

I could not help feeling low-spirited, and the more so that on the otherhand there was the temptation offered to me of going straight to apalace, and taking up at once my position, boy as I was, as the rajah'smost trusted leader of his troops. 

The time went slowly on, and I sat expecting to hear the jingling of theescort's accoutrements; but hour after hour passed, it would soon besundown, and then there would be another day's respite. 

Salaman had made great preparations, and I was astonished at theirextent, for I had not thought it possible so elaborate a meal could beprepared out there in the forest; but when I made some remark thereon, he only smiled and said--

"I have only to give orders, my lord, and messengers bring everything Iwant; but it is all in vain, the sun will sink directly, and hishighness has given up coming to-day. "

Almost as he spoke, my heart beat, for in the distance there was thesound of a horse galloping. 

"A messenger, " cried Salaman, excitedly, "to say his highness cannotcome. "

I felt that he must be right, for, though I listened, I could hear nomore. It was evidently only one horse. He was not coming that day. 

I uttered a sigh of relief, and strained my eyes to watch the openingbetween the trees, through which directly after a handsomely dressedhorseman cantered, sprang from his steed, and threw the rein to anattendant, after which he marched up to me, and bowed low as heapproached, to say only two words, which drove away all the hopes I hadbeen nursing. 

"His highness!" he said, and I knew then that he was the avant-courierwho had galloped on to announce his lord's coming. After which hestepped on one side and drew his sword, to stand on guard waiting forthe rajah's entry. 

For a time, as I strove hard to be firm and ready to meet the greatestenemy I had, I listened vainly for some sign of his drawing near, butfor a long space there was nothing but the customary bird-cries from theforest. At last, though, there was the unmistakable sound ofapproaching cavalry, and feeling firmer, I still sat with my eyes fixedupon the narrow opening, schooling my lips to utter the final word, "No, " when he should come and repeat his offer. 

"He will not kill me, " I said to myself, "only put me in prison to makeme weary and glad to accept his offer; but he does not know howobstinate I can be. "

The open space surrounded by trees was now flooded with the rich orangelight of sundown, and as I listened to the approach of horse, and saw atroop of showily dressed men ride in, I could not help a lingeringsensation coming over me, and the temptation would, I felt, be a hardone to battle. 

But first one and then another party rode in, till quite a hundred menhad formed up, with their dress looking brilliant in the sun'shorizontal rays. But there was no rajah, and I had begun to wonder athis non-appearance on his favourite Arab. 

The wonder passed away directly after, for all at once there was apeculiar soft tread and rustling that was very familiar, sounding quitedistinct from the heavy sharp trampling of horse, and directly I saw thepainted head and gilded tusks of an enormous elephant come from amongthe trees. Its head was covered with a scarlet cloth, heavily fringedwith gold, upon which sat its white-robed mahout, and the rest of thehousings were also of the same brilliant red, embroidered and fringedmost heavily with gold, the trappings completely hiding the hugeanimal's sides, while the ropes which secured the massive silver howdahwere also twisted and tasselled with the rich yellow metal, much ofwhich was used to compose the rails and front of the canopied structurein which the rajah was seated, completing what was a dazzling objecttowering far above the magnificently dressed spearmen who marched by theelephant's side, and the army of richly uniformed bodyguards who rodebehind. 

The rajah had been lavish enough in his dress before, but on thisoccasion he far outshone all previous display. Pearls and diamondsencrusted his breast, and his draped helmet, with its flowing whiteaigrette, was a perfect blaze of jewels, from whose many facets thesetting sun flashed in a way wonderful to behold at every movement ofthe ponderous beast he rode. 

But the gorgeous procession was not yet complete, for, as the rajahadvanced, two more splendidly caparisoned elephants appeared, bearing acouple of venerable-looking officials simply dressed in white, theirmarks of distinction being their noble presence, and what seemed to bestars of emeralds and diamonds in the front of their large whiteturbans. 

I at once supposed these grey-bearded old men to be a couple of therajah's counsellors, but I had no time for further examination of thegorgeous retinue, for, with the exception of the rajah and his nearestattendants, all halted, while the great elephant came forward, till, ata word from its sedate-looking mahout, it stopped just before where Istood, curled up its trunk, uttered a loud trumpeting sound, and thensoftly knelt down. 

As it subsided, and rested there, motionless, with its gorgeoustrappings now touching the ground, there was a quick movement amongstthe spearmen, who formed up on either side, four of them raising theirarms to enable their august master to descend. 

But he did not avail himself of their help. Stepping lightly out of thehowdah, and slowly placing one foot on a kind of step, suspended by goldcords, he sprang to the ground, and then advanced towards me with agrave smile, his followers prostrating themselves on either side of thenoble-looking figure, while I alone stood erect, and gave him my hand, thinking the while how plain and shabby I looked in the face of all thisgrand display. 

CHAPTER FORTY TWO. 

I remember feeling a kind of angry contempt for the magnificentlydressed men who bowed down before this eastern potentate, and I believeI drew myself up stiffly in face of all this abject humility. I supposeit was pride--the pride of race; of one who knew that these were aconquered people, men of an old-world, barbaric civilisation, which hadhad to bow before the culture and advance of England; and in the midstof all the gorgeous display of show and wealth, I could not help, as Iclasped hands with the rajah, thinking of the syce, Ny Deen, standingpatient and humble by our barracks at Rajgunge, ready to spring forwardobediently at Lieutenant Barton's call. 

As the rajah grasped my hand with friendly warmth, I glanced round athis followers, expecting to see looks of contempt directed at me; butevery face was fixed in one solemn, respectful stare, and all drew back, so as to form a half-circle before us, while the rajah led me to thetent, making way for me to enter first, and then following. 

I could feel my face flush a little, and it was impossible to help akind of self-consciousness at the honour paid me; for it was plainenough that the rajah was not only treating me before his followers ashis friend, but as one whom he was seeking to place next him inauthority. 

"Hah!" he said, smiling, as he seated himself, after making a sign thatI should follow his example; "I am glad there are refreshments. I amhungry after a long, tiring day. You are better?"

"Yes, " I said; "much better and stronger. "

"Your face tells it before your lips, " he said, as we began our meal, with half a dozen attendants gliding rapidly about us, but so silentlythat we hardly realised their presence till they handed curry, or someother carefully prepared dish. 

For some time scarcely anything was said beyond matters relative to thedinner, the journey he had made, and the elephant he had ridden; but Iwas holding myself ready for what I knew must follow as soon as theservants had left the tent; and as soon as we were alone it came, as Ianticipated. 

"Well, Gil, " he said familiarly, as he leaned back and began to smokefrom the great pipe Salaman had ignited and placed ready to his hand, "what do you think of those of my people whom you saw this evening?"

"They make a good display, " I replied, "and seem to hold you in greatreverence. "

"They do, " he said, without a shadow of conceit. "They believe in mebecause they know that for their sakes I suffered a kind of martyrdom, going, as I did, amongst your people to serve in the lowest state, andall to help free my country. "

I was silent. 

"You do not share their admiration, " he said, with a laugh. 

"How can I?" was my reply. "You tried to rise by the downfall of me andmine. "

"And I have risen, and they have fallen, " he said firmly. "But you havenot--you rise with me. "

I was silent. 

"I am going to present you to my people this evening, by-and-by, whenthey have eaten and rested. My servants are waiting for you in thelittle tent at the back. "

"Waiting? What for?" I said in surprise. 

"You will see, " he said, smiling. "Oh, well, there need be no reserveor form between us. You have been badly wounded, and you are dressed asone who has suffered. I have had more worthy garments brought for thegreat chief and brave young warrior, my friend. "

"My own uniform?" I said sharply. 

"Yes; of your own design, " he said quietly. 

"No, no; I mean my own--the Company's uniform. "

"A noble uniform, " he said warmly; "because it is stained with a braveswordsman's blood. I have it still, but it is cut, torn, and spoiled, Gil. It is something to have--to treasure up as one would a good weaponthat has done its duty. "

"I must wear that or none, " I said firmly. 

"No, " he replied gravely, as he leaned toward me; "you will never wearthe Company's uniform again. The great Company has passed away, asother great powers have passed before. "

The fierce words rose to my lips to say that this was nothing, for mypeople were; fighting hard to recover lost ground, but I checked myself. I did not want to insult a brave man who was my friend, neither did Iwish to show that I had had news of the state of the country, so I saidquietly--

"I told you last time that what you wish is impossible. "

He frowned, but smiled again directly. 

"Yes, when you were weak and suffering. You are stronger now, and havethought better of my proposal. "

"I have thought it a great honour, Ny Deen--rajah--your highness, Imean. "

"No, no; Ny Deen always to you, Gil Vincent, " he said warmly. "I am amaharajah, but only a man. I have not forgotten. "

His words, and the way in which they were uttered, moved me, and I heldout my hand, which he grasped and held as I went on excitedly--

"Yes, I know you are my friend, " I cried. "You love me, and you aregreat and noble and chivalrous. You would not wish to see me degrademyself?"

"By becoming my greatest officer?" he said, in a low, reproachful voice. 

"No, " I cried; "that would be a great honour, far too great for such aboy as I am. "

He shook his head. 

"You are only a boy yet, but you have had the training of a man, and youhave the knowledge of a great soldier growing in you rapidly. Theboyhood is going fast, Gil, and life is very short. You will make agreat soldier, and I hold you in honour for that, as I love you for abrave, true gentleman--my friend. "

"Then you would not wish me to degrade myself by becoming false to myoaths--to see me, for the sake of promotion, turn from my duty to thoseI have sworn to serve--see me become a renegade. You would neverbelieve in me or trust me again. No, rajah--no, Ny Deen--my friend; youthink so now, but by-and-by, in some time of danger, you would say, `No;I cannot trust him. He has been false to his people--he will be falseto me. '"

"No, " he said, looking at me earnestly, "I shall never doubt you, Gil, and it is vain to resist. Every word you say, boy--every brave piece ofopposition makes me more determined. You are proving more and more howworthy you are of the great honours I offer you. Come, you have foughtenough. You are conquered. Give up your English sword, and take thetulwar I will place in your hands. "

"No, " I cried passionately. "I am the Company's officer. "

"There is no Company, " he cried. "You have fought to crush down aconquered people; now fight to raise them up into a great nation; tomake me into one of the greatest kings who ever ruled in Hindustan. Itwill be a great work. "

"I cannot, " I said passionately. 

He turned a furious look upon me, and dashed away my hand. 

"Ungrateful!" he cried fiercely. 

"No, " I retorted. "I must do my duty to my Queen. "

"I tell you that you are mine now, " he cried furiously. "You must obeyme. I am your maharajah and your king. "

"No; you are the great chief who has made me his prisoner, sir. I amEnglish, and you will have to give account to my people for my life. "

"Pish! Your life! What are you among so many? I tell you my purposeis fixed. You are my officer, and--"

"You will have me killed?"

"Killed!--imprisoned till you grow wiser. I should not kill you yet. "

"Very well, " I said, trying to speak calmly; but a crowd of faces seemedto come before my eyes, and I believe my voice shook. 

"What?" he raged out. 

"I said `Very well, '" I replied. "I am ready. "

My words only drove away his anger; and he sat gazing at me for somemoments before bursting out into a merry laugh. 

"My dear Gil!" he cried, rising and coming closer to plant his handsupon my shoulders, giving me such pain that I felt faint, for one wasover my wound, "it is of no use to fight. I tell you that everythingyou say makes you more mine. Come, my brave, true lad, accept yourfate. Go into the next tent, and come back my chief. I have broughtmany of my best officers over to be presented to you--noble men who willplace their swords at your feet, for they know what you have done, andthey are eager to receive you as their brave young leader. There, Icannot be angry with you, boy. You master even me, and make me quiteyour slave. Kill, imprison you! It is impossible. You accept?"

I shook my head. 

I thought he was going to flash cut again in his anger; but though hisbrow wrinkled up, it was only with a puzzled look; and then he lookedalarmed, for I sank back half fainting, and for a few moments everythingbefore me was misty. 

But it passed off as I felt a vessel of cold water at my lips; anddirectly after I came quite to myself. 

"What is it?" he said anxiously. "You are ill. "

"Your hand was pressing my wounded shoulder, " I said rather faintly. 

"My dear Gil!" he cried, as he took and pressed my hand, "I did notknow. "

"Of course not, " I said, smiling. "It is long healing. I'm better now. It was very weak and cowardly of me to turn so. There, " I cried, withan attempt at being merry; "you see what a poor officer I should make. "

"You cowardly!" he cried. "It is wonderful how you have recovered soquickly. But, come, it is getting late, and we have a long journeyback. Go and put on your uniform. "

"I cannot, " I said sadly. 

"I am not asking you to say `Yes' now, " he continued calmly. "I onlywish you to appear before my people worthily dressed as my friend, andready to enter my city. "

"You want to take me with you?" I said quickly. 

"Yes; you will share my howdah. It is you I care for as my friend. Ido not care for your clothes; but my people would think it strange. "

I sat frowning and thinking of Dost and Brace, but I was helpless. 

"If I put on the uniform you have brought, it is accepting your proposaland promising to serve you. "

"No, I shall want a better promise than that, Gil. I shall wait. Youdo not know Ny Deen yet. Some day you will come to me and say `Yes. Iknow you now as a brave, good man, who is seeking to do what is right. 'You think of me now, and judge me by what savage men have doneeverywhere at a time when I only wished that they should fight assoldiers. When you know me well, you will place your sword at myservice. I am going to wait. "

"Then leave me here, " I said eagerly. 

"I cannot. You must come with me to-night; and I promise you that atpresent you shall only be my guest. "

"You promise this?" I said. 

"I do. You do not wish for my guest to look--there as you do now?"

"No, " I said, for I felt that I must yield. 

"Go, then, and come back, not as my officer, but as the friend in whommy people's rajah delights. "

He held out his hand again, and weakly, or diplomatically, whichever itmay have been, I grasped his hand, rose, and went into the outer tent, to find Salaman and one of my attendants patiently awaiting my arrival. 

CHAPTER FORTY THREE. 

As I saw the two attendants waiting there, and by the light of a lampcaught sight of a glittering uniform wonderfully like my ideas as givento the rajah in conversation, I felt as if I must retreat and go back tothe other tent and announce my determination, but I had several thoughtsto combat now--shame and inclination among others, for I felt as if Icould go back to the rajah and argue with him again; and I tried toconvince myself that wearing the clothes spread out before me need makeno difference. I should no doubt be armed, and that would help me in myescape; besides, he had promised me that I should go with him only as afriend. 

To sum up, I was compelled to own that resistance was out of thequestion, and I had better appear before these people dressed in a wayworthy of a British officer than reduced to the slight, well-worn shirtand trousers I had persisted in wearing all through my sojourn in thetent. 

"It's of no use, " I muttered; "and I must make a virtue of necessity. "

As I said this, I turned to Salaman, who eagerly began to hand me thevarious articles of attire; and in spite of my determination to be calmand stoical, I could not help feeling a glow of satisfaction as my eyeslit upon Russia leather boots, with gold spurs, a handsomely braided andcorded tunic, helmet with handsome plume and puggaree of glitteringgold-embroidered muslin wound lightly round, after the fashion of aslight turban. 

And as I put on article after article, I began to marvel at the accuracyof the fit until I felt that the rajah must have given instructions forthe clothes to be made exactly like the cut and torn uniform I had wornwhen I was made prisoner. 

I could not help it, for I was still a boy, and one of the youngestofficers in the Company's service: a warm glow of satisfaction ranthrough me. I forgot the pain in my arm as I passed it through thesleeve of the loose tunic, and buttoned it across my breast, whichseemed to swell as I drew myself up, feeling as if, in spite of theEastern cut of my uniform, I was an English officer once more. 

I had turned to the second man, who was holding my gauntlet gloves andhelmet, when Salaman produced something I had not before seen, and Iflushed a little more with pleasure, for it was a magnificentcartouch-box and cross-belt, which I felt must have belonged to therajah; and while I was hesitating about passing the belt over my head, Salaman forestalled me, and then drew back as if to admire me. Then, looking at me with a peculiar smile, he passed his hands behind apurdah, and produced the gorgeously jewelled tulwar and sheath which therajah had offered me before. 

I shrank from it, for it seemed like a bond to link me to the rajah'sservice, but Salaman fastened the magnificent belt, and, for the life ofme, I could not refrain from drawing the flashing blade from its sheath, and holding it quivering in my trembling hand, from which it sent athrill right to my heart. 

"If it is a bond between us forced upon me, " I thought, "this can cut usapart;" and at this I thrust it back into its sheath, allowed Salaman toalter the buckle a little, and then took the helmet and gloves, puttingboth on, and involuntarily turning to see if there was a looking-glass. 

Vanity? Well, perhaps so; but what lad of my years would not have donethe same?

But there was no glass. I had to be contented by seeing myself inimagination with my attendants' eyes as they drew back and gazed at meas proudly as if my appearance was entirely their work. 

"Ah!" exclaimed Salaman. "Now my lord looks indeed my lord. Who couldcall him sahib when he is like that?"

I winced at the man's flattery, and yet it was hardly that, and Ilaughed to myself as I felt that it was the clothes they were admiringand not the wearer. 

"If the holy man could see my lord now, " said Salaman, in a whisper, lest his words should be heard in the next tent, "he would not dare tocurse again. "

These words made me wince once more; and in imagination I saw poor Dostin his ragged fakir's garb staring at me wildly in disappointmentbecause I was going away. Worse still, that busy imagination called upthe face of Brace, pointing scornfully at my gay unspecked attire, andasking me whether it would not have been more honourable to have clungto the torn and stained uniform which was mine by right. 

But these musings were cut short by Salaman and his assistant drawingback the curtains over the tent door and admitting a flood of light, which half startled me, and I turned to Salaman, asking if one of thetents was blazing. 

"No, my lord; it is the light of the torches the men carry. "

The next minute I entered the other tent, determined to carry myselferect, and to be firm in spite of my ambiguous position; and before Ihad taken a couple of steps forward in the well-lit scene of our lastconversation, the rajah rose quickly, scanned me from top to toe, andthen his eyes flashed with satisfaction as he strode to meet me withextended hands. 

"Hah!" he ejaculated; "my people will be proud of their lord's friend. "

I was silent as I stood there, proud and pleased, and yet full of mentalpain, while he scanned me once more, and ended by buckling on his ownsword, placing his helmet upon his head, and offering me his hand as thecurtains were thrown back, and he led me forth into a blaze of light, spread by at least a couple of hundred torches, which flashed from theweapons of horse and foot, and poured on the gorgeous housings of thethree elephants, two of which stood near bearing the occupants of theirhowdahs, while behind was the dense shadowy leafage of the trees, throwing up the wonderful scene with its vivid play of colour, and thenlooking black as night beneath the boughs. 

A wild shout greeted us as we advanced slowly; and then, at a sign, thehuge elephant was led forward to go down upon its knees before itsmaster, who led me to its side. 

"Go first, Gil, " he said. 

"No, " I replied quietly; and I drew back for him to lead the way. 

Another wild shout broke forth at this, and I saw that the rajah lookedpleased as he stepped lightly up; and as soon as he was in the howdah, bent down and held out his hand. 

"Don't forget your wound, " he said, and I was glad to grasp his hand asI mounted, and the next minute I was by his side. 

Then for the moment, as I felt the huge elephant heave itself up, it waslike starting upon a tiger-hunt, but the likeness ceased directly, as, preceded by about fifty horsemen, and a score of torch-bearers in theirfront, and another score between the advance-guard and our elephant'shead, we moved out of the opening, the other two elephants following, with torch-bearers on either side, and the rest of the horsemen of thegreat escort taking their places as the glittering procession woundamong the trees, and then meandered toward the plain which I had sooften sadly watched, longing for strength and liberty. 

The rajah was very silent for a time, and it struck me that he wasleaving me to my own thoughts, so that I might be impressed by themartial spectacle, as I looked back from time to time at the wildbarbaric pageant, with the torches in a long train, lighting up the darkfaces of the rajah's followers, flashing from their arms, and sendingback a ruddy cloud of smoke which formed like a canopy above our heads. It was impossible to keep down a feeling of proud exultation, and Icould not for the time being think of anything else but the night marchacross what spread out like an endless plain, while the stars above usspangled what looked like a vast dome of purple black. 

I was used to the motion of an elephant, and, after my long inaction, enjoyed the swaying of the howdah as the monster of his kind shuffledalong at a great rate, keeping the footmen at a sharp run, and thehorses at a gentle trot; and, as I listened to the jingle of theaccoutrements, I could not help wishing that I had been mounted on myArab, gripping the saddle between my knees, instead of being seatedthere. 

About this I asked myself what I should have done. 

The only answer that would come was: clap my spurs to his sides, andmake him fly over the plain; and in imagination I saw myself tearingover the wide space, pursued by a cloud of sowars and mounted chiefs. 

And then I sighed, for I knew that escape would have been impossible, and also that I was too weak even then to sit a horse for long. 

"Tired, Gil?" said the rajah, as he heard my sigh. 

"Yes, " I said; "I suppose so. It is an exciting time, after being aprisoner so long. "

"Hardly a prisoner, " he said, with a little laugh. "Only a woundedman. "

"Have we very far to go?" I asked. 

"We shall be nearly two hours yet, but the people expect us; and afterwe have passed through the forest that lies right before us, you will beable to see the lights of the city. We are rather late. "

There was another silence, broken at last by another inquiry from therajah as to my being weary. 

"Shall I make them walk?" he said, showing his sympathy andconsideration. 

"Oh no, " I said in protest. "I am not so weary as that. "

I forced myself to talk to him, and he seemed pleased, conversingeagerly, sometimes in excellent English, and at others in Hindustani, and so the time passed on, till I found by the darkness and the blottingout of the stars that we were going along a forest path. 

The ride had seemed peculiar before, now it was far more strange, frompeculiar shadows cast upon the tree trunks, and the various effects oflight and shade as the smoky torches played about us, and formed a longline of light both in front and rear. 

At last the excitement of the evening and the unwonted exercise in myweak state began to tell, and I was very silent. The journey had nowlost its interest, the motion of the elephant became almost intolerable, and I was beginning to feel that I would give anything to go to my couchin the tent and lie down and sleep, when, just as I noticed that thestars were out again overhead, the rajah suddenly exclaimed--

"There is your future home, Gil;" and, as I followed the direction ofhis pointing hand, I saw a light glow in the distance as of a fire, outof which a flash suddenly rose, and then ended in a burst of stars, thetiny sparks showing that they were at a considerable distance yet. 

"Signs of rejoicing, " he said to me, with a smile. 

Then, evidently noticing how exhausted I looked, he said quickly--

"We shall not be long, and you can go to your room directly we reach mypalace. "

"His palace!" I thought bitterly; "the palace of a syce. " And I wasthinking of it all contemptuously when my hand fell upon the gems whichencrusted my sword-hilt, and I felt that Ny Deen must be one of thewealthiest of the native chiefs. 

The distance that we had to traverse was not great, and I saw emissariesin the form of sowars dashing forward to announce our coming; but I feltvery weak as I sat back watching the glare of light get brighter andbrighter till I could see that it was rising from among houses, and thatin front of them was a kind of gate hung with lanthorns, while otherskept coming into sight and growing more clear as we approached. Then Icould see the tops of temples and minarets standing up full in theincreasing glare, which made plain at last that we were approaching acity of considerable size, one that was evidently illuminated in therajah's honour, so that the place to which he had taken the guns, andwhere we had recovered them, could only have been one of his villages. 

In spite of my weariness, the increasing brilliancy of the scene rousedme a little, so that I was sitting up watching eagerly as we drewnearer, and I could hear the peculiar buzzing roar of a great crowd. Then fireworks began to rush up skyward rapidly, and the rocketsscattered their blazing stars; the lights of the illumination increasedin number, and at last, as we reached the edge of a crowd which hadsurged out through the great gates, there was a sudden burst of wild, barbaric music, trumpets sent out their brazen clangour, drums werebeaten, and as the band took its place in front, and marched before us, we went slowly in beneath the great illuminated gate, and then on alonga wide road whose houses were one blaze of light, and sides throngedwith the white-robed people, their eyes glittering curiously as wepassed. 

It was a wonderful scene, but I could not appreciate it, for, after thefirst few minutes of our triumphal progress, my weariness returned ingreater force, and it all became a blurred dream of lights and glitter, trampling horses, the swaying elephants, and the deafening clamour oftrumpet and drum. 

And all the time I knew that I ought to feel very proud and glad, because all this preparation and display was got up in my honour; but Ifelt neither, for under all was the knowledge that it was for therajah's friend, for the one who was to help him by drilling his forcesand making them able to fight and conquer the infidel; and I was one ofthe infidels, and one who would not fight against his people to save hislife. 

The place was very large, and the light and show appeared as if it wouldnever end; but at last we turned an angle, and crossed a bridge, beyondwhich I could see the white walls of some great building, and trees, andmore lights. There were soldiers there too, and a noble-looking gatewaythrough which we passed, leaving the crowd behind, and with it the musicand display. For here all seemed peaceful and beautiful, with thelights glistening among the trees, and I did not need the rajah's touchupon the arm, nor his word, to tell me that I had reached his home. 

"Welcome, " he said quietly, and with a pleasant smile. "But, poor boy, how weary and ill you look. "

For I was completely exhausted, and glad of the assistance of theservants, who supported me into an enclosed court with white marblepaving, and whose centre was a square tank, in which a fountain playedamong the glistening leaves of lilies. 

I heard the rajah give some order, and directly after the grave olddoctor appeared, and gave me a cup of some cool drink, but it revived mevery little, and the next thing I remember is being carried to a couch, and uttering a sigh of relief as my helmet and uniform were removed. Then I dimly saw the face of the rajah looking down at me, and he saidsomething, but I could not answer, for all was growing misty andstrange, and I dropped at once into a heavy sleep. 

CHAPTER FORTY FOUR. 

It was only exhaustion, and I woke the next morning very little theworse, and half expecting to find myself back in my tent and the journeypart of a fevered dream. But the first things my eyes lighted upon wererich cushions and curtains, flowers, a shaded window looking out on aninner court, full of verdant trees, and, standing silent and watchful byone of the curtains, there was Salaman waiting to show me my bath, andsummon two more to assist. 

People nowadays boast about their baths, some having endless praise togive to those they call Turkish, but to thoroughly know what a good bathis, they must have been on the hot plains of India, and known the luxuryof having porous chatties of cool, delicious water dashed over them, andsending, as it were, life rushing through their enervated limbs. 

I felt a different being in a few minutes after Salaman and the othershad finished their duties with all the assiduity of Hindu servants; andthen as I sat in the handsome apartment arranged in its simple, rich, Eastern luxury, a feeling of wretchedness and misery came over me. Ilooked round at the rich carpets, soft cushions, and costly curtains;and then at my magnificent uniform, and began thinking of the old, oldfable I had read as a child, of the jackdaw in borrowed plumes, and feltthat I thoroughly deserved to share the vain daw's fate. 

I know now that I was rather hard upon myself, and that circumstanceshad forced me into this position, but I am not sorry that I felt sostrongly then. 

What was to be done? I did not want to be ungrateful to a man whoevidently liked me for myself as well as for the use I might prove tobe, but help him I would not, I was determined, and I said I wouldsooner die, though, even as I made that declaration mentally, I wonderedwhether I was composed of the kind of stuff that would prove so staunchwhen put to the test. At any rate, I was firm enough then, and began tothink out the possibilities of escape. 

They seemed very remote. I was now in a strong town, surrounded bythousands of people; and, unless Brace came in company with quite alittle army, there was not much prospect of his setting me free. I hadno doubt about Dost tracking me out. After finding me in the tiny campin the forest, he would not have much difficulty in tracking me here. 

But what to do? How could I hold back? I was certainly growingstronger every hour, and in spite of my breakdown on the previous night, I felt that it would be absurd to pretend that I was an invalid. 

I could not assume weakness, and I was not going to play a deceitfulpart. I should have, I knew, to dare the rajah's anger, for, in spiteof his words, I knew enough of the Hindu race, and had seen enough ofhis volcanic character, to feel that he would, sooner or later, changehis manner, and threaten force. 

Consequently, I could only come to one conclusion--I must escape, andthe sooner the better. The question was, how could it be done?

I went to the open window and looked out, to find below me the beautifulcourt, with its trees, marble tank, and fountain of brilliantly clearwater, in whose depths swam scores of great gold and silver fish, towhich I could not help comparing myself as a fellow-prisoner in brightarmour. 

I looked round the court, which was surrounded by handsome erections, but I did not see a single face at any window. At a gateway, though, were half a dozen armed men, showing me that the palace was carefullyguarded. 

I went to another window, but it gave precisely the same view, exceptthat I could see partly through the gateway, a place which at once had agreat interest for me, as it might be the only path to liberty. 

Salaman entered the room just then, and I asked him if I was at libertyto go into the next room. 

"Oh yes, " he replied; "my lord is free to go where he likes. It was notsafe out there on the forest hill. Here he is in a great city, surrounded by his friends. "

"His enemies, " I muttered. 

"There are five rooms set apart for my lord. Will he come and see?"

I nodded, and followed him from the room in which I had slept, across alittle hall or entry, out of which was the place with tiled floor inwhich I had had my bath, and then with a smile he drew back a curtainand I entered a handsome room, with a divan in the centre, and othersabout the walls. Then into another, evidently intended for smoking, andfrom that into one which was set apart for my meals, as a veryEnglish-looking breakfast was spread, and a couple of white-robedservants stood waiting to receive my orders. 

My first move was in each case to the windows, to find that myapartments were in a corner of the court, and that all looked out on thegoldfish-tank, but of course in different directions. But there was notree near the walls big enough to be of use in an escape, and the tank, though it looked deep enough, was too far distant for a dive. 

"Will my lord have food?" said Salaman, humbly. 

"Not yet. Wait, " I replied; and I continued my inspection of my prison, for such it was to me, admiring most of all the curtains, which were ofrich soft fabric, and Salaman smiled as he saw me pass them through myhand. 

"Beautiful!" I said to myself, and I felt in better spirits, for I sawthose curtains cut down, slit up, twisted and knotted together, with oneend secured to the side of a window ready for me to slide down the nightI made my escape. 

"That's step the first, " I said to myself; and then I looked hard at thetwo servants standing with folded arms motionless as bronze statues. 

They were, as I have said, dressed in white, and I saw now, as Iexamined them more closely, that the stuff was white muslin, both robeand turban, the latter being ornamented with a fine cord of gold twist. 

They were not very different to scores of men of their class, such as Ihad seen in good houses at Calcutta, or at the messes of the regimentswhere I had dined, but they attracted me greatly now, and my eyes restedsearchingly on their brown faces, thick beards, bare legs, and feetpartly hidden by red slippers. 

It was a neat, becoming dress, and I kept up my scrutiny, notingeverything, including, of course, the cummerbund or broad cotton scarfor belt about the men's waists. 

As for them, they did not even raise their eyes, but stood gazing downat the floor while I made a mental picture of their appearance, andoddly enough, I began thinking about walnuts, and wishing I had some. 

A curious wish, you will say, for a prisoner who had only to give theword, and a delicious breakfast would be placed before him, with curriesand fruits, and sweets with his coffee. 

But I did not want any of them; I wanted walnuts. 

Ah! you will say, and a pair of nutcrackers, and some salt into which Icould dip the ivory-white corrugated scraps when I had peeled them, andpossibly then a glass of fine old port wine, making together--the oneindigestible, the other heating--about as bad a mixture as a weakconvalescent could partake of in India. 

But then, you see, you are perfectly wrong, for I was not thinking ofeating and drinking, but wishing I could have a dozen or so of the biggreen walnuts I remembered growing on a great tree down in Surrey. 

What for?

Why, to beat up into a kind of dark juice, in which I could wash myhands, neck, and face, my head, too, and then my feet and legs, till Ihad stained myself as dark as the darkest Hindu I had ever met. 

The windows, with the gateway to be reached by means of the twistedcurtains; the dress of one of those men, and my skin darkened. So faras this already on the first morning of my gilded captivity!

"I am getting on, " I said to myself, with a smile on my face, and then Igrew rigid; for I turned and saw that Salaman was watching me keenly, asif he could read every thought. 

"Let not my lord be angry, " he said humbly. "I could not help seeingthat he was pleased. Yes, they are two good servants; the best I couldfind. His highness said I was to do everything to make my lord happy. But will he not eat?"

"Yes, " I cried eagerly, for I felt that he could not have read mythoughts, but had interpreted my looks to have meant satisfaction withthe servants. 

And then I took my place, feeling all at once hungry and ready for mymeal. 

"I must eat and grow strong, " I said. "Dost cannot get to me here, evenif he dared use the same disguise. I must get out of the palace, andaway into the country, and then all will be well. "

My hopes were a little dashed directly after, for I felt that I had beentoo sanguine. But I brightened up again, for I knew that I could notsucceed all at once, and that I had done wonders towards getting myliberty by making a beginning. 

I quite enjoyed the delicious breakfast they gave me, and felt in highspirits thinking such a life as the rajah offered me would be gloriousif it could have been accepted with honour, and one could have made surethat his enemies would not be of his own race. 

The meal removed, Salaman informed me that the rajah had sent to knowhow I was; and, as I heard his words, there was the excuse ready to gaintime. I might say I was weak and ill. But I did not. I sent word thatI was rested and better. 

Salaman sent off his messenger, and then returned to say that apalanquin and bearers were waiting if I wished to go out about thegardens and park. 

But I declined, preferring to rest for the day, and think. I really wastired, and a seat in the shade by an open window would, I felt, be farpreferable, so I seated myself, and tried to follow up my early successwith some fresh idea that would help my escape. 

I looked down into the court, and watched the goldfish and those of adeep orange; then I looked down at the men on guard, and wonderedwhether they would stop one of the servants of the palace if they sawhim walking steadily out, for that seemed to me the task before me. 

I was watching the gate, and picturing myself walking boldly up to thesentries, when I heard a familiar sound, and leaned out, as there was aloud trampling of horses, and I knew that a regiment must be passing by. 

But I could see nothing, only mentally picture what was going on as Ilistened, making out that it must be a very strong body to take so longin passing, while hardly had they gone before there came the dullregular tramp of foot, and regiment after regiment went past I wonderedwhat for, and wished that my window looked right upon the road by whichthey passed, knowing full well that a request to that effect would beeagerly granted by one who would be pleased to see me taking so muchinterest in his troops. 

So of course I could not ask, only content myself by thinking out whatwas going on--whether the men were going to some drill, or whether anattack was imminent. 

My cheeks tingled at this, and my imagination grew busy as I began topicture the advance of some of our force. All I had been told by therajah vanished like mist, and with patriotic fervour I mentally declaredthat England could not be beaten so easily as he supposed. 

But time wore away, and as the day glided by I grew dull andlow-spirited, for I began to dread a visit. 

"He has been busy with his troops, " I said; "and to-night he will cometo talk to me. "

I was quite right; just at dark the rajah came to greet me smilingly, and sat down to smoke and chat as freely as if such a question as myjoining his army were quite out of the question. He seemed pleased tofind me so well, and begged me to ask for anything I wished--exceptliberty--and ended by telling me how hard he had been at work all daydrilling and reviewing troops. 

"They want a great deal of teaching, " he said gloomily. "There iseverything in them to make good soldiers, and they are willing to learn, but there is no one to drill them properly, and make them smart andquick like the whites. "

We were getting on to dangerous ground, and he felt it too, and as ifnot to break his word about treating me as a friend, he changed hisposition directly, and began to ask my opinion about certain manoeuvresmade by foot regiments, and whether I did not think them a greatmistake. 

From that we drifted into the manufacture of powder, and the casting ofshot and shell. 

"I mean to have all that done by my people, " he said--"in time. By-and-by I shall cast my own cannon. No, no, " he cried merrily; "wemust not talk about guns. "

"No; please don't, " I said. 

"I'll keep my word, Gil, " he cried; and as he spoke he looked one of themost noble gentlemen I ever saw. "Oh yes, I'll keep my word to you, Gil; but we can talk about soldiering, even if you are not in myservice. "

And he went on talking upon that subject with all the keen interest of aman who was a soldier at heart, and who meant to gather round him anarmy which he meant to be invincible. 

I am sorry to say that I was very ignorant of the history of India; butstill I had read and studied it a great deal, and I felt that Ny Deenwas of the same type of men as the old warriors who rose from time totime, petty chiefs at first, but who by their indomitable energyconquered all around, and grew into men whose names were known inhistory, and would never die. 

"I tire you, " he said at last, after talking eagerly for some time aboutraising a regiment of light horse--all picked men, with the swiftest andbest Arab troopers that could be obtained. "Mount them for speed, " hesaid, "and to harass the advance of an enemy, and keep him engaged whenhe is in retreat. Such men, if I can get them drilled and trained tothe perfection I want, will be invaluable. You see, I have plenty ofschemes, " he added, with a laugh. "All ambition, I suppose. No, notall, " he continued, earnestly; "for I want my nation to be great, and mypeople prosperous and well governed. It is not from the greed ofconquest, Gil, nor the love of blood. I hope it is something better;but this rising of the peoples of Hindustan is my opportunity. Once theEnglish are driven out of the country, the rest will be easy. "

"Then the English are not driven out?" I said sharply. 

"Not quite, boy; but they are at their last gasp. There, Gil, I haveplaced myself in your hands. If you betray what I have said to-night, every one of the chiefs who now help me, and are my allies, would turnagainst me, and I should stand alone. "

"You have no fear of that, " I said quietly. "You would not have trustedme if you had. "

"No, " he said, rising, "I should not. So you see what confidence I havein you. There, I shall leave you now. Go to rest, man, and getstronger. You are beginning to look weary already. "

He held out his hand as I walked with him to the door, and as I gave himmine, not without a feeling of compunction, for I was playing a doublepart, and letting him, as I thought, believe I was settling down, whenhe laughed merrily. 

"It is of no use, " he said. 

"I don't understand, " I said, colouring like a girl. 

"Then I'll explain. You are thinking of nothing else but escaping. Well, try to get away. There are only curtains before the doors; butyou will find my plans stronger than locks and bolts. Try and growcontented with your lot, Gil--with the great future that is before you;for it is greater than you can grasp, boy. There, good night. "

He passed through the doorway, and the purdah dropped behind him, whileI stood thinking of his words, and ended by going to one of the windowsand leaning out to gaze at the great stars. 

"That is not my fate, " I said to myself; and as the cool night-breezecame softly over my heated forehead, I saw better things in store thanbecoming the servant of a conquering tyrant, and I went to my couch morestrongly determined than ever to scheme some way of escape. 

CHAPTER FORTY FIVE. 

I suppose it was the returning flush of strength which made my rest sopleasant during my stay in the rajah's palace, for my sleep wasdreamless and delicious, and I awoke every morning in spirits so buoyantthat I felt ashamed of them as unsuitable for a prisoner. 

Five days passed over now, during which I had been out twice in apalanquin, but only in the extensive gardens about the palace. I hadnot been idle, though; for I had, while apparently sitting backlistlessly, made myself thoroughly acquainted with the shape andposition of the place, knowing now that one side was protected by aswiftly flowing river. It was only about a hundred and fifty feetacross, but deep, and its waters looked suggestive of crocodiles, sothat one thought of attempting to cross by swimming with a shudder. 

I had by degrees pretty well got the plan of the place in my mind, butat the same time woke to the fact that the rajah's was no empty boast, for the palace was surrounded by sentries, who were changed as regularlyas in our service. Besides, I felt that every servant was a sentry overmy actions, and that any attempt at evasion for some time to come wasout of the question. 

And so the days glided by with no news from outside, and for aught Iknew, the war might be over, and the country entirely in the hands ofthe mutineers. 

Once or twice I tried to get a little information from Salaman, but heeither did not know or would not speak. 

I tried him again and then again, and at last, in a fit of temper, Icried--

"You do know, and you will not speak. "

"I am to attend on my lord, " he said deprecatingly, "not to bear news. If I told my lord all I knew to-day, I should have no head to tell himanything to-morrow. "

I was in the territory of a rajah who did as he pleased with his people, and I did not wonder at Salaman's obstinate silence any more. 

So there I was with my plans almost in the same state as on my first dayat the palace. There were the curtains waiting to be turned into ropes;there were the servants with their white garments; but I had no walnuts, and I knew of nothing that would stain my skin; and I was beginning todespair, when a trifling thing sent a flash of hope through me, and toldme that I was not forsaken. 

It was one hot day when everything was still but the flies, which weretormenting in the extreme; and, after trying first one room and then theother, I was about to go and lie down in the place set apart for my bathas being the coolest spot there was, when I heard a dull thud apparentlyin the next room where I had been sitting at the window, and I was aboutto go and see what it was, but stooped down first to pick up myhandkerchief which had fallen. 

I was in the act of recovering it, when I heard a faint rustling sound, and knew what that was directly--Salaman looking in from behind thecurtain to see if anything was wrong. 

Apparently satisfied, he drew back, and a splashing sound drew me to thewindow. 

That sound was explained directly, for just below me a couple ofbheesties, as they are called, were bending low beneath the greatwater-skins they carried upon their backs, while each held one of thelegs of the animal's skin, which had been formed into a hugewater-bladder, and was directing from it a tiny spout which flashed inthe sun as he gave it a circular motion by a turn of his wrist, andwatered the heated marble floor of the court, forming a ring orchain-like pattern as he went on. 

It was something to look at, and the smell of the water on the stoneswas pleasant; so I stayed there watching the two men, one of whom tookthe side of the court beyond the fountain, the other coming almostbeneath my window. 

The weight of the water-skin must have been great at first, but it grewlighter as the man went on; and one moment I was thinking of whatstrength there was in his thin sinewy legs and arms, the next of theclever way in which the pattern was formed upon the pavement, and lastlyof what a clumsy mode it was of watering the place, and how muchpleasanter it would be if there were greater power in the fountain, andit sent up a great spray to come curving over like the branches of aweeping-willow. And by that time the skin was empty, hanging flaccidand collapsed upon the bheestie's back, as he went slowly out by theguarded gate, still bent down as if the load was heavy even yet. "Whata life for a man!" I thought, as, yawning again--I yawned very muchduring those hot days--I went slowly into the next room and feltstartled, for just in front of the window lay a little packet, one whichhad evidently been thrown in, and it was that which had made the noisewhen it fell. 

It was hard work to refrain from stooping to pick up what I felt almostsure was a message of some kind, but I dared not for fear of being seen. There were curtains over every door, and I never knew but one of thenative servants might be behind it; and after what Salaman had saidabout the safety of his head if he talked, I felt sure that the reasonwhy the rajah's servants were so watchful was that they feared danger tothemselves if they were not careful of my safety. 

However, there was the little packet waiting--just a little packet notmuch larger than a seidlitz-powder, tied up with grass; and, beginningto walk up and down the room, I contrived to give it a kick now andthen, till at last I sent it right into the purdah which hung in frontof my chamber. 

This done, I went to the window, looked out, saw that the two bheestieswere back watering the court again, the former sprinkling having nearlydried up; and then, turning, I walked right into my room, let thecurtain fall back, to find, to my vexation, that the packet was stilloutside; but by kneeling down and passing my hand under, I was able tosecure it, though I trembled all the while for fear my hand should havebeen seen. 

For fear of this, I thrust the packet into my breast, and lay down on mycouch, listening. All was still, so I took out the packet quickly, noting that it was slightly heavy, but I attributed this to a stone putin with a note to make it easy for throwing in at the window. 

"Oh!" I ejaculated, as my trembling fingers undid the string, "if thisis another of Dost's letters!"

But it was not, and there was no scrap of writing inside the dirty pieceof paper. Instead, there was another tiny packet, and something rolledin a scrap of paper. 

I opened this first, and found a piece of steel about an inch and a halflong, and after staring at it for a few moments, I thrust it into mypocket, and began to open the tiny packet which evidently contained somekind of seed. 

"Not meant for me, " I said to myself, sadly, as I opened the stiffpaper, and--

I lay there staring at the fine black seed, and ended by moistening afinger, and taking up a grain to apply to my tongue. 

The result was unmistakable. I needed no teaching there, for I had hada long education in such matters. 

It was gunpowder, and I laughed at myself for thinking that it was akind of seed, though seed it really might be called--of destruction. 

"Yes; it's meant for some one else, " I thought, as I carefully refoldedthe black grains in their envelope, and took out the piece of steelagain, to turn it over in my hands, and notice that one end was fairlysharp, while the other was broken, and showed the peculiar crystallinesurface of a silvery grey peculiar to good steel. 

"Why, it's the point of a bayonet, " I said to myself; and then I satthinking, regularly puzzled at the care taken to wrap up that bit ofsteel and the powder. 

"What does it mean?" I said, or does it mean anything? "Some childrenplaying at keeping shop, perhaps, " I said; "and when they were tired, they threw the packet in at the first window they saw. Just the thingssoldiers' children would get hold of to play with. "

"But there are no children here, " I said to myself, as I began to growmore excited, and the more so I grew, the less able I was to make outthat which later on appeared to be simplicity itself. 

"The point of a bayonet in one, and some grains of powder in another, " Isaid to myself. "Oh, it must be the result of some children at play;they cannot possibly be meant for me;" and in disgust, I tossed thepowder out of the window, and directly after, flung out the piece ofsteel with the result that, almost simultaneously, I heard what soundedlike a grunt, and the jingling of the metal on the marble paving. 

I ran to the window, and looked out from behind the hanging which I heldbefore me, suspecting that I had inadvertently hit one of the bheesties. And so it proved, for I saw the man nearest to me stoop to pick up thepiece of bayonet, and then nearly go down on his nose, for thewater-skin shifted, and it was only by an effort that he recoveredhimself, and shook it back into its place on his loins. 

Just then the other water-bearer came up to him, and said something in alow tone--I could not hear what, for he and his companion conversedalmost in whispers, as if overawed by the sanctity of the place in whichthey stood. But it was all evident enough, as I could make out by theirgestures: the second bheestie asked the first what was the matter, andthis man told him that some one had taken aim with a piece of steel, which he passed on, and struck him on the back. The second man examinedthe piece, passed it back, and evidently said, "Some one is having agame with you, " for he laughed, and they both looked up at the windows, as if to see who threw the piece. 

Just then I saw a fierce-looking man come from the gateway, sword inhand; the two bheesties went on with their watering, and I heard himspeaking angrily, and he gave force to his abuse by striking each mansharply with the flat of his sword. But the blows were harmless, forthey fell on the water-skins, and, as soon as he had marched off, I sawthe men look at each other and grin. 

I drew back, and began to pace my room like a wild beast in a cage, forthe idea had come strongly upon me that, after all, those packets weremeant for me, and the more I told myself that it was folly, the strongerthe conviction grew, and I found myself muttering, "Powder and bayonet--powder and bayonet--what can it mean?"

"Declaration of war, " I said to myself at last; but I gave that idea up, for war had been declared long enough ago. No. It could not mean that. And yet it seemed as if it might be a symbolical message, such as theseunseen people would send. 

"A message--a message--a message, " I muttered; and then the light came, or what I thought was the light, and I exclaimed joyfully, "Then it wasmeant for me!" Yes; a symbolical message, because whoever sent it wasafraid to write lest it should fall into other hands. 

I was so excited by my next thought that I threw myself face downward onmy couch, and laid my head on my folded arms for fear my face should beseen. For I had just been interpreting the message to mean: bayonet--powder--fighting going on near, when I felt that no one but Dost couldhave sent that message, and its full meaning must be: bayonet, infantry;powder, artillery; and help must be at hand. 

I heard Salaman come softly into the room, but I did not stir, and aftera minute he passed out again, and I breathed more freely. I was afraidthat he might read my thoughts, for I was in so great a state ofexcitement and exaltation that I imagined a score of impossible things, and it was with the greatest difficulty that I could contain myselfsufficiently to look anything like calm, and keep my position on thebed. 

For, after the first glance of light, the rest came quickly enough. Iwas right, I felt sure, about the troops coming, and the sender of themessage must be Dost, who evidently would not trust himself to writeagain after the way in which his last letter had puzzled me. He it was, then, who had thrown the packet through the window, and consequently Ifelt that he must be somewhere about the palace, if he had not trustedhis packet to some one else. 

"No, " I thought. "He would not do that. He must be near me indisguise. The old fakir is somewhere about;" and I went to the windowto look round, for I could lie no longer. 

But there was no sign of the old fakir in the courtyard, and my heartsank as I felt how impossible it would be for him to get there. Theguards would never let him pass, and I was wondering more and more howhe had managed to send me such hopeful news, when I suddenly caughtsight of the men coming back heavily laden with their full skins tocontinue pouring cold water on the marble paving of the heated court, and I shrank away at once, so as to conceal my joy, for I knew now. 

One of the bheesties must be Dost!

CHAPTER FORTY SIX. 

I dared not go to the window now, for I knew I was right; and it wasimpossible for me to be aware of how much I might be watched, while alook might be sufficient, if exchanged between me and the bheestie, todraw suspicion to him, and cause his immediate death. 

So I kept away, hoping that he would take the blow he had received, although accidentally given, as an answer to his communication. 

But suppose the wrong man received the blow?

It did not matter, I thought. One told the other, and perhaps they wereconfederates. 

That was enough. Help was at hand. I had but to wait; and it wasevidently not some furtive kind of help--some attempt at an escape, buta bold attack to be made on the place, and the message was to put me onmy guard. 

I was in such a state of joyous excitement that I could hardly bearmyself. I wanted to laugh aloud at Dost's cleverness. Only the otherday playing the part of fakir, and completely deceiving me, when hestood reviling, and now so transformed that I might have passed thehumble water-carrier a hundred times without having the slightestsuspicion as to his being genuine. 

"He is not a fighting man, " I thought, "but quite as brave in his way;for nothing could be more daring than for him to march into the enemy'scamp with his life in his hand like this. "

Then I began to wonder how long it would be before an attack was madeupon the town, and what Ny Deen would do. It would be a surprise--ofthat I felt sure; for the rajah was completely satisfied of his safety--at least, so he seemed, and ready to treat the British power ascompletely broken. 

Then, feeling that I must be perfectly calm and self-contained, andbeing fully convinced that there might be an attack almost at anymoment, I began to wonder whether I could find some place to hide, incase Ny Deen wanted to make me the sharer of his flight, for I had notthe slightest doubt about the result of an engagement. 

"Yes, " I said; "I must be cool, and not seem bubbling over withdelight. " In fact, I felt just then so elated, partly by the news, partly by the returning health beginning to course through my veins, that I went straight to a mirror, to see if there was anything in mycountenance likely to betray my state of mind, and, as soon as I reachedit, I stood staring. Then I turned away, and went and sat down, thinking that mine was a very uncomfortable position; for, if any of ourtroops came rushing through the palace and saw me, looking in my presentdress, exactly like some Hindu chief, my chances of escape would be verysmall. 

"Why, they would bayonet me before I had time to explain; the fellowsdon't wait for explanations, " I said dismally. And I walked at onceinto my sleeping-chamber, to see if the remains of my old uniform wereby any chance left, though I was certain that they were not. 

And then a feeling of anger rose against Ny Deen. "It is all hisdoing, " I said. "He has been trying to make me look as much like aHindu as possible. I wonder that he did not want me to stain my skin!"

"No need, " I muttered, after a glance at the mirror. "I'm sunburntenough to look like a Sikh. " And a feeling of bitter resentment wasgrowing against him now, stronger than I had felt before, knowing as Idid that in spite of his kindness, and the friendly feeling heprofessed, he was moved by the strong motive of making me his mostuseful follower. 

I had just arrived at this pitch, when Salaman came in quickly. 

"My lord, his highness is here, " he whispered, and then ran out I wouldhave given anything not to have stood before him that day, but there wasno help for it; and, forcing myself to look calm and unconcerned, I wentinto the principal room, just as the rajah entered by the fartherdoorway, very plainly dressed, and quite alone. 

"Hah!" he exclaimed, with a friendly nod, "there is no need to ask. Ican see. Better and better! So you shall have a change. --Well?"

He paused for me to speak, and I could not dissimulate. 

"Oh, thank you, " I said; "I do not want a change. "

"The doctor says that you do, and I say that you do, " he continued, smiling; but there was no mistaking his tone. "So you shall go out. Wewill go out together. You are a great hunter, I know. "

"Oh no, " I said hastily. 

"Well, you are fond of hunting. "

"I liked shooting, " I said, as I thought of the end of my lastexpedition. 

"I know you do, " he continued, with a meaning smile. "There is a tigerat the village a little way toward the hills, and he has been taking thepoor people's cows. Yesterday he struck down a woman, and carried heroff into the forest. I have had him tracked by the shikaris, andordered the elephants and beaters to be ready. You shall take me withyou, Gil, and give me a lesson in shooting tiger. "

"Then he has not a suspicion, " I thought. And then I asked myselfwhether I should go or refuse. 

"If I go, " I thought, "I shall be serving Brace, for the attack may bemade in our absence, and, without their leader, the troops will giveway. But if I go with him, knowing what I do, I shall be actingtreacherously to the man who saved my life. "

It was a difficult point to decide, and I said hastily--

"I would rather not go. "

"Why?" he asked, with a quick, suspicious look. 

"Because I am not strong yet, and the sun is hot. "

"It will give you strength, " he said quietly. "You have stayed in tillyou are fretful, and dislike going out. As soon as we are started, youwill be glad. "

I felt that it was useless to oppose him, and said no more. In fact, Ihad no time, for he turned to me with a smile. 

"I meant it quite as a surprise for you, " he said; "and I have given allthe men a rest from duty to-day, so that I am free. There, get yourpuggaree; the elephants are waiting, and the guns are in the howdahs. "

I obeyed him with beating heart, and stood ready before him the nextminute, wondering whether an attack would be made in our absence, and ifthere was, what Ny Deen would do. If he fled, I felt that he would takeme with him, and that there would be another weary time before Dostcould find me out. 

"But no, " I said; "he will not go. He will hurry back to lead hispeople. He has too much at stake to flee. "

"Well, " he said, "are you counting the tigers?"

I started back into the present, and followed him out through chamberafter chamber, and along passages till we descended into a courtsomething like the one upon which I looked down, but larger; and here Ifound three elephants, a strong party of horsemen, and two littlebullock-waggons, in which were a couple of hunting leopards, eachcarefully chained, and with its attendant. 

In spite of my excitement, I looked with some little curiosity on thetwo long-legged graceful-looking spotted creatures, each with a peculiarfar-off look in its eyes, as if it were trying to pierce the walls andcatch sight of the antelopes it was to chase. 

Ny Deen saw my look, and smiled. 

"The tiger may have gone, " he said. "If he has, we'll hunt for thedeer. "

He pointed to his elephant, and signed to me to mount the great kneelingcreature, which was fitted with quite a plain howdah, open, and suitablefor the purpose in hand. As I took my place, I found that there weretwo double rifles on either side, and as soon as the rajah had mounted, a quick-looking beater climbed up behind us, to kneel behind our seats. The other elephants were made to kneel as we moved onward a few paces, and four of the rajah's followers climbed into the howdahs. Then theword was given, six horsemen rode to the gate as advance-guard, and wewere following toward the entrance, when the rajah turned to me with agrave smile. 

"You _are_ better, " he said reproachfully. "Come, we will not eventhink of military matters to-day, but make it all pleasure. "

He had hardly finished the words when I saw him give a quick look andseize one of the guns, for the six horsemen had suddenly ridden back, tomake for the rajah's elephant, followed by a mounted sowar, who passedbetween them as they opened out, and came close up to the side of theelephant. 

"Well?" cried the rajah, fiercely, and speaking in Hindustani. "News?"

My heart gave a bound as the sowar announced the approach of the enemy, and I glanced at Ny Deen, in whose face I saw astonishment and disbelieffor the moment. But it was only for the moment. Directly after, hegave several orders in a quick, decisive manner, and the officer to whomhe spoke dashed off to obey his instructions. 

Then he turned to me. "You heard?" he said. 

I bowed. 

"Will you help me--will you take charge of the guns at once?"

I looked full in the fierce, questioning face, and in those anxiousmoments I could not help feeling the danger of my position; but I had tospeak. To refuse, now that he was driven to bay, might mean an orderfor immediate execution, and, cowardly or no, I could not speak. Isuppose that I ought to have been brave, and exclaimed boldly, "Kill me, if you like; I will not fight against my countrymen. " But I was veryyoung; I had been badly wounded, and was just recovering and beginningto feel how beautiful, in spite of all my sufferings, life was, so Iremained silent. 

"You refuse, then?" he cried fiercely. 

I was still silent, and he turned from me in a rage, making a fiercemotion for me to descend from the elephant, which I obeyed, while NyDeen gave a short, sharp order in an angry tone, whose result was thatone of his men seized me on either side, and I was more a prisoner thanever, with six men in front and six behind, fresh summoned from theguard-house, to march me away. 

It was to my death, so it seemed in those terrible moments; while I hadbut to raise my voice and give my promise to the rajah, to be at oncehis honoured and trusted friend, commissioned with great power. 

But I could not say the necessary words, any more than I could speak aminute before, and in the silence of despair I walked as firmly as Icould in the direction taken by the men, feeling giddy with excitement, and as if all this were not real, but part of some terrible troublebefallen another. 

I did not see what was about to happen, and was so wrapped up in myposition, that I did not hear the huge elephant from which I had justdescended shuffling after me, till the rajah's voice called to my guardto halt. Then, leaning down from the howdah, he said to me--

"This is blind obstinacy. Come, say you will be my friend, and help menow that I want your services. "

"I cannot, " I said huskily. 

Ny Deen uttered a fierce command to the mahout, the elephant swunground, and I set my teeth hard to keep from shouting to him to stop andtake me with him. But I mastered my cowardly feeling, and marched on towhat I felt was my execution, giving Ny Deen the credit of treating meas a soldier, though all the while it was in a curious, half-stupefiedway, as if the shock had terrorised me, though after the first sensationof horror, I do not recall feeling any great amount of dread. 

It was then with something approaching wonder that I saw the leading menof the guard wheel to the left through the entrance, and up the broadstaircase, and along the passages, at the end of which were my rooms. 

Here they drew back for me to enter, and the door was closed, the rattleof the men's muskets announcing that they remained on guard. 

I felt so faint on being left alone that I was glad to fly to the greatcool vessel of water always standing in one of the rooms, after which Isank down on one of the piles of cushions, and wiped the coldperspiration from my forehead. 

I was still half-stunned, and wondering whether this was only a respite;but Hope soon began to be busy, and I felt that, after all, the beingled off to instant death was the work of my own imagination, and that NyDeen had probably never even had such a thought beyond holding it up asa threat. 

As I recovered myself, I rose and walked to the farther door, where, there could be no doubt, the twelve men were stationed, and from thenceI hurried to one of the open windows, and looked out to see that therewas a guard still at the gateway, and beyond it I could hear a dull, hoarse murmur, and the heavy tramp, tramp of marching men, which wasfollowed by the rush of a body of horse going by at a gallop. 

This last revived me more than the water, for it sent a thrill throughme, suggesting as it did preparations to meet our forces, which must bepretty close at hand, but whether in sufficient strength to attack thisgreat town I would have given anything to know. 

The beating of the horses' hoofs passed away, but the steady tramp ofinfantry went on for some time before it had died out, and the dull, distant roar as of many people in a crowd, did not cease. I fanciedthat it was on the increase, while below me in the court, the fountainplayed and sparkled in the sunshine, the great goldfish sailed about inthe tank, and the green leaves trembled and glistened in the brightlight. For whatever might be going on in the town, here everything wasperfectly peaceful and still. 

I was just wishing that I could have been at liberty to mount a horse, and, only as a spectator, go about the town and see what arrangementswere being made for its defence, wondering whether it was stronglywalled, my recollections on the night of our entry only extending to thegreat gate through which we had passed, and thinking that if the forceadvancing were only small, Ny Deen might decide to go out and attack it, when I saw a couple of dark figures in the gateway, which were not thoseof the guard, and directly after, bending low beneath the weight oftheir loads, my old friends, the two bheesties, walked slowly across tothe other side of the court, where they separated as before, one goinground by the far side of the tank, the other coming in my direction. 

"It cannot be a very serious alarm, " I thought, "or matters would not begoing on so calmly here. "

Then I stopped short to watch the actions of the nearest man, wonderingwhether my ideas were right, or it was only fancy. 

"It can't be Dost, " I said to myself, as the man diligently directed thethin tube of leather formed by the leg of the animal from which it hadbeen stripped, sending the water round and round to form chains ofcircles on the marble paving. 

"No. It can't be Dost, " I thought, with the feeling of sadness of onewho was suffering terribly from his solitary position. "It was allimagination. "

But then I felt that it could not have been imagination about themessage, for there were the forces approaching. Still, thatheavy-looking man's sole aim in life seemed to be to make the rings ofwater on the pavement perfectly exact, and I was wondering at myself forbeing so ready to jump at conclusions as I watched him come slowlynearer and nearer, his back bent, his head and neck forward, and hisshadow cast by the sun on the white pavement--exactly that of a ladencamel. 

On he came, nearer and nearer, but so well-drilled in his work that heseemed to see nothing but the pavement, which glistened in the brightsunshine, as he spread the water in ring after ring, splashing his brownfeet and legs at every turn. 

At last he was right beneath me without there appearing to be the mostremote possibility of his being Dost; and in spite of the cleverness ofhis disguise as the fakir, I gave up my idea, when a voice in a whispersaid--

"Be of good cheer, master; there is help coming. "

"Dost!" I ejaculated aloud, and as the man started violently, I steppedback from the window, feeling sure that my voice would bring some oneinto the room. 

I was quite right, for I had hardly left the window when the curtain wasdrawn aside, and Salaman entered. 

"Yes. Quick; bring me something to eat. "

He salaamed, and passed behind the curtain, while I followed, and sawhim draw aside the purdah at the next doorway, the momentary glimpse Ihad showing me a group of armed men on guard, so that, if I had anydoubts before, there was room for none now. 

I went back and glanced through the window again, just in time to seethe two bheesties join again, and slowly march out with their emptyskins to fetch more water. 

I was in the act of turning away wondering whether by any possibilityDost would be able to make his way to me when it was dark, and with myheart beating fast, hoping that he would have designed some way ofescape, when my heart gave another bound, and I ran to the window tothrust out my head and listen, for unmistakably, although at somedistance off, came the quick dull thud of a cannon. 

"Hah!" I ejaculated, as I saw in my imagination the men serving theguns, and in my own mind making certain that it was one of Brace'ssix-pounders. 

"How glorious!" I cried; "one of the pieces he carried off turned uponhim now. "

"My lord is glad there is fighting?" said a voice behind me; and I sawthat Salaman had come quickly up behind, and he now pointed to where themeal I had asked for had been placed upon the matting. 

I frowned, but made no answer, as I walked to the spot where the repastwas spread, and I had hardly seated myself, with the two attendants whohad brought in the food standing before me, when I heard another report, and then, slowly and steadily the whole of the guns were brought intoaction, keeping up a regular steady fire, one which told me that anadvance was being made by infantry, which the firing was to cover. 

I began to eat, trying to be perfectly calm, but at the first mouthful Ibroke down. It was impossible, and, jumping, up I went and sat down bythe window, to listen to the firing, and try to picture to myself whatwas going on. 

It was weary work. All imagination, and I knew it; but still I couldnot keep from picturing the scene, especially when the firing suddenlyceased. My cheeks grew flushed then, and I seemed to hear the order, see the men trot up with the limbers, the gunners hook on the trail ofthe gun-carriage, and then spring to their seats on horse or limber, andgo off at a gallop. 

"No, " I muttered, "come on at a gallop, " to take up a fresh position. 

I could have sworn that the next minute I should hear them open again, and I seemed to see the swift horses going along at full speed to cometo a sudden halt, the men spring down, unhook, and bring the guns intoaction again. But that minute passed, then another, and another--long, weary minutes--till quite ten must have gone by before I heard thefamiliar dull report again, and now, to my misery, I acknowledged tomyself that it must be from fully a mile further away. 

Four guns were fired, or two twice over, I could not, of course, tellwhich. Then the firing ceased, and a dull feeling of misery came overme, for it meant retiring. They must be driven back by the superiorforce of the rajah's army. 

I turned away from the window with a feeling of depression that wasterrible, and, try how I would, to keep from thinking, I kept on seeingthe fierce-looking lancers of Ny Deen making furious charges at perhapsa mere skeleton of a regiment of foot, which grew gradually less andless, till the men scattered, and were ridden down. 

Oh how vivid that all seemed, till I saw that which was real, and notimaginary. Salaman and the two attendants patiently watching me, as Ibegan once more to walk up and down. 

CHAPTER FORTY SEVEN. 

I passed the whole of the day in misery, thirsting for news with a verygreat thirst, but none came. The servants about the palace evidentlyknew nothing though, if they had, they would not have dared to speak. 

It was quite plain, from the noise, that the town was crowded, and in astate of excitement, but the sounds were at a distance, and they kepton. Had the noise gradually died out, I should have been hopeful, for Ishould have thought that they were leaving the place because the Englishwere advancing. But though I sat at the window and strained my ears, there was no distant sound of firing, and I was getting into a verydespairing mood, when my spirits revived again just before sunset, forall at once there was the sound of a gun; faint, distant, butunmistakably the report of a field-piece; and as I held my breath andlistened, there was another and then another. 

I knew the sound at once as coming from a troop of horse artillery, forthe firing was regular; and I was so sanguine that I immediately set itdown to Brace's troop. 

"Oh, if I could only escape!" I thought; and my ideas went at once tothe disguise and the hangings to be used as a rope. If I could only getdown into the court, I trusted to my good fortune to find a way throughsome other window, and thence to an unwatched opening. 

How to manage it? I was so conspicuous a figure in the uniform I worethat I felt that I dared not go like that, while to obtain the dress ofone of the servants was impossible. 

"I shall have to escape as I am, " I thought, and I went down into thesleeping-room, and laid the sword ready. It was the magnificent tulwarthe rajah had given me, and as I looked at the flashing jewels upon thehilt, I felt some compunction in taking it; but making up my mind toreturn it after I had escaped, feeling, as I did, the necessity forpossessing a weapon, I laid it behind a purdah, where I could quicklycatch it up. 

The next thing was to select one of the silken curtains, which I coulddivide longwise, and tie the ends together. They would be quite enoughto enable me to reach the ground; and there was a ring on one side ofthe window strong enough to bear my weight, I felt. 

It was nearly dark by the time I had made those plans, which wereinterrupted by pauses, to listen to the distant firing away toward wherethe sun set. That was to be my direction, if I could get out of thetown, and I was calculating my chances of escape when a happy thoughtstruck me--to drape myself in a light curtain, and loosen the pugareeabout my helmet. 

But the next minute I felt that there was no need, for my uniform wouldbe sufficient to command respect among the rajah's troops, if I backedit up with plenty of coolness and decision. The people, as a rule, knewthat I was the rajah's friend, and expected that I should take somecommand. They could not all know, I argued, that I had refused to turnrenegade; and gathering confidence now, as the darkness increased, Ifelt that if once I could get out of the palace, all I had to do was tobe haughty and overbearing with the people; to assume for the time theposition the rajah had offered, and trust to my confidence to carry allbefore me. 

I had reached this point, and was still listening to the firing, when itoccurred to me that I had better try and throw Salaman off his guard. 

To do this I went into the room where I partook of my meals, andsummoned him. 

He entered so quickly that I knew he must have been close to thecurtain, and I looked at him curiously to try and make out whether hisface displayed any alarm or anxiety respecting the advance of theEnglish force, but he looked perfectly calm. 

"Bring a light, and some more fruit, " I said; and as soon as I hadspoken I thought of how foolish my last request was, for I was not inthe habit of eating much fruit. 

He bowed, and was leaving, when I stopped him. 

"Is there any news of the fight going on?" I said, as carelessly as Icould. 

"Yes, my lord; messengers have come in. His highness is driving theEnglish sahibs right away into the far country. "

I should have liked to say I did not believe it, but I could not, forthe gradual dying away of the firing agreed with his words. Then, as Isaid no more, he left the room, to return directly with a lamp, and somefruit was borne in by one of the attendants. 

I waited till they had gone, and then slowly went to the curtain-coveredopening, and looked through to see that Salaman was sitting down talkingto the officer of the guard; and satisfied that now was my time, Iwalked quickly back and secured the curtain which I bore into mysleeping-room, where it was all dark, having determined to descend fromthere if I could find a place to secure the end of the curtain-rope. 

But previous to twisting it up, I cautiously looked out of the window, and drew back in despair; for there, just beneath me, were the men ofthe guard slowly pacing the place, each bearing a lanthorn, as if totake special care that I did not escape that way, and I saw at a glancethat, even if I could descend the rope, it would be impossible to crossthe court, and in my despair I seated myself upon my couch to think. 

This way was impossible. It was just as impossible to try and get outby the door, for it was strongly guarded. 

"There is only one way, " I said to myself, angrily. "I must get thedress of one of the men. But how?"

I could see no way, for I had no money to offer a bribe, and thepossibility of escaping grew more and more hopeless. 

"It is of no use to try, " I said, half aloud. "I may just as wellaccept my fate. Ny Deen will never let me go. "

But the idea of giving way irritated me to such an extent, and was sobitterly contemptible that I leaped up, seized and buckled on the sword, and for the minute had some wild idea of getting down into the court, and cutting my way through the guards. 

I could take them by surprise, I thought; but the next minute I wasforced to grant the fact that directly after they would recover and takeme by surprise in a way that might quite put an end to further ventureson my part. As soon as I had reached this point of reasoning, I wentonce more to the window, and looked down to see if the guards were stillthere. 

I had full evidence directly, for there they all were, and as fully onthe alert as men would be who knew that their heads would answer for aprisoner's escape. 

"I must wait my opportunity, " I said bitterly, as I turned away, afterseeing one of the guards go by beneath my window, when there was afaint, rustling noise, which made me turn in time to see something darkat the window, whose feet rested for a moment lightly on the window-sillbefore it sprang into the room, and darted behind one of the curtains. 

I was so much startled that I half-drew my sword as I gazed at thecurtain, which was barely visible, the only light being that which camefrom the lamps in the next room, and a trifle from the window as thelanthorns, carried by the guard in the court, moved here and there. 

"No, no, sahib, " came in a faint whisper, which relieved me, for at thatmoment I had been ready to fancy it was some curious wild beast. 

"Dost!" I whispered back, as I crept softly to the curtain. 

"Yes, sahib. But look! Did the men see me come in?"

I peered out of the window, and saw that the guard were marching slowlyto and fro, with their lanthorns swinging. 

"No; they have seen nothing, " I whispered; and then I passed throughinto the next room, crossed it, and made sure that Salaman was notcoming. 

"It is all safe, " I said, as I returned. "How did you manage to getup?"

"It was impossible, sahib, " he said, hardly above his breath. "I couldnot get near for the guard. "

"Then how did you manage?" I said. 

"I came over the roof, sahib, and let myself down by a cord. "

"Then we can escape that way, " I whispered. 

"Is the sahib strong enough to climb the rope?"

A pang of misery shot through me as I involuntarily applied my righthand to my wounded arm. 

"No, " I said. 

"Then I must pull the sahib up, " said Dost, calmly. "We ought to gosoon. "

"Pst!" I whispered, and I stepped to the window, leaned out, and seemedto be studying the sounds outside, for there was the faint rustle of acurtain, and a light step crossing the next room. 

Directly after I heard Salaman's voice. 

"Did my lord call?"

"Eh? Call? No, " I said, coming from the window, and trying to commandmy voice, as I walked toward where he stood in the open doorway. "Ican't hear any firing now. "

"No, my lord; the battle must be over, and at any time his highness willbe back. "

I made some remark, but what it was I cannot tell now, and went on intothe lighted room, noticing that he glanced suspiciously at my sword, butI appeared not to notice it, and went to the window of that room, whileSalaman went back. 

"He has had strict orders to keep on watching me, " I said to myself; andI had hardly thought this, than, to my horror, I heard the regular trampof feet, and the officer and four men marched into the next room, whereI heard them moving about. 

I was going to rush into the sleeping-room to warn Dost, when Salamanappeared. 

"My lord will not be angry with his servant, " he said. "It is hishighness's commands that you should be watched carefully, and they aresearching the rooms. "

"Searching the rooms?" I said aloud. 

"Yes, my lord. I am not to blame. "

Just then the officer entered bearing a lanthorn, and his four men camebehind. 

He bowed to me respectfully, and then made a sign to his followers, whocarefully searched the room--a simple task, for all that was needed wasto look behind the hangings. 

My heart felt in my mouth, as people say, for the officer led the waynow to my bed and the bath-room, where poor Dost was certain to bediscovered if he had not succeeded in making his escape. 

Salaman followed the guard, and I sat listening for the first cry ofexcitement, but none arose, and I breathed freely as the officer cameback, lanthorn in hand, followed by his men, to salaam to me again, andpass out to his station by the far door while Salaman hung back. "Mylord has offended his highness, who is angry. That is why the search ismade. "

I did not answer--I could not; and the man bowed and went out, while Istepped quickly to the window of the bedroom, at which Dost appeareddirectly after--a dark shadowy figure, and leaped down. 

"We must go at once, sahib, " he whispered. "It is so dark up here thatthe guard in the court can see nothing. I shall go up on to the roof, and lower the rope. The sahib will make it quite fast round beneath hisarms, and then tug once, and step on to the window-sill. He will thentrust to me, and I shall draw him up. "

"But can you, Dost?" I said nervously. 

"The sahib may believe me. I am very strong. "

As he spoke, he placed his hands on my waist, and lifted me up with thegreatest ease, setting me down again lightly. 

"Now, sahib; ready?"

I could just dimly see him step to the window, and I felt that he musthave seized a rope, up which he passed with the activity of a monkey, and I saw plainly enough now why he had not been discovered. The nextminute, after a faint grating noise, I felt the rope swinging backwardand forward. I caught it, and secured it firmly about my waist, climbedon to the window-sill, jerked the rope, and felt it tighten slowly, thenmore and more, till it lifted me from where I stood, and I felt myselfgliding slowly upward, my heart beating violently the while, for I wasutterly helpless, and as I was not exerting myself, I suffered the morementally, wondering whether the rope would hold--whether Dost would havestrength enough to haul me right up--whether the guards pacing the courtwould hear us, and look up and see us by the light of their lanthorns, and give the alarm--whether Salaman would enter the room and miss me. 

These thoughts rushed like lightning through my brain as I felt thejerk, jerk of the rope, and gazed skyward. I suppose I must have beenabout half-way to the roof when I heard a faint click and shivered. 

My scabbard had struck against the wall, and I looked wildly down at theguards, but to my great surprise they had not heard it, and werecontinuing their walk. 

Dost paused for a few moments as he heard the sound, and I did not stir, but hung close to the wall, with my heart beating painfully, before Idared to seize the scabbard with one hand and hold on. 

Then the jerking motion was begun again, and once more I suffered a kindof martyrdom as I fully expected to find that the rope would slacken, and that I should be precipitated on to the marble flags of the court. 

Oh, how long it seemed. For it was a minute of gold drawn out into awire of what seemed to be endless length. 

Then I was at the top, and passed my right hand over to seize theparapet, while Dost's hands were busy about my chest, and the next thingI remember is being dragged down on to the flat, Eastern roof, where Ilay panting with Dost lying by my side, but with his eyes level with theparapet, as he listened for tokens of alarm. 

There was not a sound, and satisfied that all was right so far, Dostwhispered to me to sit up, when he rapidly twisted the rope round mybreast, and turned in one end, while I looked about me, to try and makeout the kind of place we were on. But it was too dark to see much, andI waited for my companion's next order, contenting myself to leaveeverything in his hands. 

"Now, sahib, " he whispered, with his lips to my ear, "take my hand, keepin a stooping attitude, and walk with me. "

I should have liked to ask, "What are you going to do?" but he wascommanding-officer for the moment, and all I had to do was to obey. 

I rose, and, bending down as I grasped his hand, walked softly to wherewe reached the end of that side of the court--the roof seeming perfectlyflat--and then we turned off at right angles and walked along till wehad reached the end of the building which formed another side. Here theprocess was repeated till we were about opposite to the spot where I hadbeen drawn up. 

Here Dost stopped. 

"We must get down here!" he whispered. 

"Into the court?"

"No; down into the gardens, " he said. "The next side would be best, butthere is a guard in the gateway, and sentries walking up and down. "

"Are there sentries in the gardens?" I whispered. 

"I think so. We'll look. "

Crossing softly to the side of the palace furthest from the court, wepeered cautiously down into what looked intensely black, but dotted withpoints of soft light which I knew at once to be lanthorns carried byguards. 

"Can we get across?" I whispered. 

"We must, sahib. There is no other way. There are plenty of bushes tohide us. What's that?"

I listened, and from a little distance off I could hear the trampling ofhorses, which suddenly ceased, apparently somewhere on the other side ofthe court. 

"Cavalry, " I whispered, and then listened as Dost went on. 

"I shall lower you down here first, " he whispered, "for I think there isa place to which I can hook on the rope, and draw it down afterward. Yes; here it is. I found it to-night. "

He had been on his knees feeling about, and, evidently satisfied, beganto unwind the rope from my chest. 

"Did you make the end quite fast?" he whispered, just as I was wonderinghow he had found the window from up here on the roof. 

"Yes. "

"Don't stop to untie it, " he said, "but slip it over your arms and headas soon as you are down. No; it is long enough; hold it fast till Ijoin you. I'll pass it round this post and slide down the other end. "

"What's that?" I whispered, as a shout arose; and involuntarily we bothcrossed the roof again to look. 

But we did not look down into the court, but across the fountain in thecentre to where lights shone brightly from three windows opposite, whileat one of them, open, I could see two figures, one of which held up ashaded lamp above his head, while the other, who I could plainly see wasthe rajah, without his voice endorsing the fact, roared forth hiscommands to the guards in the court and at the gate--orders which werefollowed by hurrying feet, and shouts could be heard, answered in alldirections. 

"Rajah--come back--too soon, " said Dost, hurriedly. "Quick, sahib. "

"But they will be all on the watch. "

"So shall we be, sahib, " he whispered eagerly, as he pressed me towardthe outer parapet close by the low stone projection. "Quick! Go down. "

I was obliged to let him help me over the parapet, so as to get my armclear, and then, with the lamps moving about in all directions, andevery now and then meeting and gliding away again, Dost began to lowerme rapidly. 

To my horror, when I was some distance down, I could see two lanthornsapproaching, as if their bearers had seen me, and were coming to meetexactly where I should touch the ground. Dost could not see them, evidently, and to call to him meant betraying us both, so I gave myselfup for lost. But all at once the rope stopped, and I hung theremotionless, just as a door about ten feet below me opened, and some onecame out. 

It was to meet the two lamp-bearers coming in different directions, anddirectly after the man from the doorway had stopped, they came up tohim. 

"Keep a strict look-out, " the man said. "A prisoner is trying toescape. He must be found. "

The men briefly said that they would watch, and that no one had been inthe grounds; after which they went off, leaving me breathless, as I hungthere, listening for the departure of the first man, who seemed to bewatching me. 

So silent was everything that I felt that he must be just beneath me, and my fingers crisped up, ready to seize my sword. But the momentsglided by, and he still did not move, my suspense, in both senses of theword, being brought to an end by Dost lowering me down quickly. 

By the time I reached the ground, I had drawn my sword, ready to resistattack; but, to my utter surprise, I found that the door was closed, theman having retired so silently that I had not heard a sound. 

The moment I had convinced myself that I had no attack to fear, I laydown, turning myself into a counterpoise as Dost threw down the otherend of his rope, and began rapidly to descend. 

As I felt the rope give jerk after jerk, I listened to the sounds withinthe palace. Men being apparently running in all directions, as ifsearching for me; and Dost muttered something to the same effect, as hedropped lightly by my side, after I had been wondering whether therustling noise he made in his descent would be heard. 

The noise he made, though, was greater as he drew the rope round theprojection which held it above, and I caught his wrist in horror as westood there in the darkness, he pulling and I twisting the rope roundand round my chest. 

"Don't, " I whispered; "some one will hear. "

"But we must have the rope, sahib, to get down from the top of thewall, " he said; and he pulled away at the line more quickly, the endfalling directly after with a sharp crushing sound among the bushes. This had evidently been heard, for a lanthorn rapidly approached us outof the darkness, and as we crouched down, the face of a man could beseen at last, with the eyes flashing as he held up his light. 

But, as is the case on a dark night, the man who bears a light is fareasier to see than the one who watches or hides, and I crouched there, wondering at last, as the man held up his lanthorn nearly over me, whyit was that he could not detect my presence. 

But he did not, and after looking carefully round, he turned and walkedaway, just where, had he taken a couple or so steps nearer to thepalace, he would have come in contact with one of us. 

"Saved!" I breathed to myself, as he walked away, and his lightdisappeared among the trees. 

"The rope, sahib, " whispered Dost; and I rapidly drew it up and twistedit round me. 

"Now your hand, " he said; and as I gave it to him, he led me cautiouslyin and out among the trees, avoiding the men easily enough, for theirlanthorns showed exactly the direction in which they were going, though, had a few been about without lights, we must have been taken! It wasslow work, and, as we crept along, the moving lights behind the windowsand the shouts and commands that came made me aware that a carefulsearch was being made for me, and, moment by moment, our chance ofescape appeared more hopeless. 

But Dost did not seem to be in the slightest degree troubled. He kepton right through the grounds toward where lights flitted about in thewindow of a building, and he whispered--

"They are searching it, sahib. When they have done, we will go there. "

I felt hopeless, but kept on close to his side, thinking all the timethat we must be taken before long. 

Just now the capture was imminent, for men approached us, but in everycase something took off their attention, and we reached the greatbuilding, to find it now all dark, as if the search there was at an end, and the place deserted. 

Dost uttered a low grunt of satisfaction, and crept softly along beneaththe windows; but we came upon no door, only reaching a blank stone wallat the end of the building, and having to retrace our steps to where westarted, and then go in the other direction. 

Here we were more fortunate, coming upon a door, and entering thebuilding, which was evidently a kind of summer-house, but of a verysubstantial character. 

It was perfectly empty, but lights flashed in through the windows on theopposite side to that by which we had entered, and as we went cautiouslyforward, it was to see scores of armed men with torches, their taskevidently being, as shown by their actions, to seek me out. 

I say me, because I felt that they must be in profound ignorance of theexistence of Dost. 

The light which shone in was enough to show his anxious, eager face, andas his eyes met mine, he gave his head a nod in the direction of thewindow. 

"Not that way, " he said, with a little laugh; "this. "

We hunted about some moments, with the cries of the men outside soundingwonderfully close to my ears, and then found the way to the upper floor, which, though well-furnished, was utterly deserted. 

Here we made at once for the end, to find a way on to the roof, but itwas at the other end, and proved to be, as we reached it, exactly likethat of the palace--flat, and with a parapet all round. 

Dost signed to me to stoop, for I was a striking object with my brightuniform, and the reflection from the lanthorns and torches down belowwas sufficient to make us visible to each other. 

Bending low, we approached the side whence the light came, and, takingoff my helmet, I cautiously peered down, to see the great court beneathcrowded with soldiers, all standing to their arms, as if expectinginstant orders to join in the search. 

"No go down there, sahib, " said Dost, softly. 

I shook my head, and followed him to the end, where a stronger lightshone up, and on looking down there, we found that the officers werecollected, as if waiting for orders. 

Dost shook his head again, and walked back along the roof, with thegrounds on our left, the well-filled square on the right, and the darkend of the large summer-house before us. 

There everything was black, and we had no need for caution in lookingover. 

I could not help shuddering as I drew back my head, on hearing a loudslapping noise below me, and a peculiar whishing, rushing sound. 

"No, " said Dost. "No boat. Muggers. Can't go that way. "

For the swift river was gliding by just beneath the walls of thesummer-house; whose windows looked down upon what by day would bedoubtless a lovely scene, but which now was gloomy and repulsive in theextreme. 

"What shall we do, then?" I asked. 

"Wait, " said Dost, quietly, and he unwound the rope from me, andcarefully made it into a coil, which he passed over his left arm. 

"Wouldn't it be better to stop till later? They will not search thisplace again. "

"I don't know, sahib. They may come up here, and there is nowhere tohide. "

"Shall we go back into the garden, and try some other way. "

"There is no other way, " he replied. "The river shuts off all one side, sahib, and the other is full of Ny Deen's soldiers. "

"Tell me, " I whispered. "What about the fighting? Our people were notbeaten?"

"I don't know, sahib. I can't understand. The rajah drove all beforehim, and they retreated far away. "

That was piteous news, and I drew a long breath as I felt how hopelessmy condition was growing. It had seemed so easy to escape when once Iwas out of the palace, but on putting it to the test, the difficultieshad increased with every step. 

"Let's look down into that great court again, Dost, " I said softly. "There may be a part that is not watched. "

We looked over, and Dost drew back shaking his head. 

"No, sahib, " he said; "we have done that twice. Once I hung down overthe guards' heads. We must not try again. It might mean death. "

He was quite right, and I remained silent for a few moments. He spokeat last. 

"If we could only get among the houses, sahib, " he said, "and walkedquietly--you like that, I like this. No one would speak to us. Come, we must try the garden again. "

It seemed to be the only way, and I followed him down from the roof tothe first floor, and then down to the bottom, where our position wasvery precarious, for the men outside had only to reach up to thewindows, raise their torches, and gaze in to see us in one or other ofthe great rooms. 

But as they had thoroughly searched the place, this was not done, and wereached the door in safety, and stood looking out into the extensivegrounds, with their walks, great trees, and clumps of shrubs. 

The place seemed to be just the same as before; intensely dark, surrounded as it was by high buildings, and the moving lanthorns lookedin the distance like sparks in tinder, gliding here and there. 

"Where shall we make for, Dost?" I said. 

"The big house in the corner, sahib, " he whispered back. "It is closeto the river; but we may be able to get through there, and into a partnot watched. If we cannot get away then, we must wait till morning. "

I could do nothing but obey, and following him closely, we began ourdangerous walk through the great gardens, always on the point of beingseen by one of the guards; but, thanks to the darkness, and the effectthe lights had on the men's own eyes, escaping, though often enough itwas by the merest chance. 

We had passed about half-way toward the building at the right-handcorner, its lights in the windows acting as our guide, and werecrouching down among some bushes while a couple of the guards went by, when, all at once, there was a light flashed up from behind us, onewhich grew brighter every moment, and, looking back, we made out thatthe men we had seen were coming into the grounds through the greatsummer-house, and were spreading across, evidently to thoroughly searchthe grounds again. 

Dost uttered a low murmur of dismay, as, by the distribution of thelights, he saw that there was to be a regular hunt of the gardens, afterthe fashion of beating up a tiger. 

"Come, quick!" he whispered. "The rajah must be there. "

He snatched my hand, and led me on toward the far end of the garden, butonly to stop short, for, to my horror, I saw a door open, a blaze oflight flash out, and a body of men bearing torches troop down some stepsand spread across that end where they were quickly marshalled by someone in authority, and began to advance toward us. 

Our position was hopeless, for now the two lines of men advancing fromeither end were making the place as light as day, and graduallynarrowing the ground in which we could be free. It was only a matter ofminutes before we should be caught between them. 

Dost pressed my hand hard as he looked wildly about him. 

"No trees, sahib, no trees to climb, " he whispered. "I did try so hardto save you, but I have failed. Good-bye, sahib. I was thy faithfulservant. Good-bye!"

"Why do you say that?" I said huskily. 

"Why?" He uttered a little laugh, and passed his hands about his neck. "They will make short work of me. "

"No, " I said; "you are my servant, and no one shall harm you. I willappeal to the rajah myself. "

I drew my sword, and thrust my injured arm through poor Dost's, meaningto defend him; but before I could even think of what I should do next, there was a sharp rustle, a rush, and half a dozen of the originalsearchers, with their lanthorns, urged by their position to make acapture before the two lines of men came up and shut us in, pounced uponus, drawn there by our voices, and then in the midst of a scuffle, I sawtwo men go down while I was pinioned from behind. Then my captorsshouted for lanthorns, there was the heavy beat of feet, and in a blazeof light, I saw Ny Deen advance, and stand before me smiling in histriumph, but making me shrink with anger and mortification, for therewas a good deal of contempt in his look, as he signed to me to approach, and to the man who held me to remove my sword. 

CHAPTER FORTY EIGHT. 

As soon as I could drag my eyes from Ny Deen's mocking gaze, I lookedround sharply for Dost, and a chill ran through me as I failed to seehim. For the moment I hesitated to speak, in the hope that he mighthave escaped, and inquiries might only lead to his pursuit; but it wassuch a forlorn hope that I gave it up at once, and turned to speak tothe rajah. 

"Where is my servant?" I said. "Salaman?" he replied. "No, no; my oldservant, Dost. "

"The man who was with you just now?"

"Yes, " I cried. 

"I do not know, " replied Ny Deen. "I suppose killed, as the result ofhis rashness. "

I gave him a glance full of horror, and then looked round at the crowdof armed men so fiercely, that the rajah spoke. 

"Where is the man, " he said. There was a dead silence, which Iinterpreted to mean that he had been killed. 

The rajah took a step or two forward, glaring round so savagely that oneof the men who had seized us prostrated himself. 

"You have killed him?" said Ny Deen, in a low guttural voice, which mademe shiver. 

"My lord, no. The man was seized, and in the fight he fell, and wethought him dead, for he was bleeding. Then we held the English lordhere, and when we went to pick up the man, he was gone. "

"Then he has escaped?"

The man remained silent, and Ny Deen turned to me with his eyes full ofmockery and a strange light, as they flashed in the glare of thetorches. 

"Well, " he said, "are you satisfied?"

"Yes, " I replied, "if it is true. "

"It is true enough, " he said carelessly. "Come. "

He signed to me to approach his side, and to my surprise, instead of mybeing led off as a prisoner, the rajah laid his hand upon my shoulder, and walked by me as if nothing had happened, right back to my room, whenhe threw himself upon the cushions and laughed. 

"You foolish boy!" he said good-humouredly; "how could you be so weak asto commit such a folly. I am angry with you, not for offending me, forI suppose it was natural, but for lowering yourself so before my people, forcing me to have you--the man I meant to be my chief officer--huntedlike an escaping prisoner. You might have been killed in your madclimbing, or by my people by accident in a struggle. That man came andtempted you to go?"

"I wanted no tempting, " I replied. 

"It is a pity, " he said, after a moment's pause. "You degradedyourself, and you lowered me before my people. "

"I want my liberty, " I cried angrily. 

"Well, boy, I offer you liberty, " he said quietly; "liberty and honour. I only stand in your way when I see that, in a blind madness, you aregoing to rush headlong to destruction. You do not know; I do. "

I was silent. 

"Where would you have gone to-night, " he said, "supposing that you hadnot fallen and killed yourself, or been cut down by my guards?"

"To my friends. "

"You have no friends, " he said sternly. "You would have escaped, perhaps, to the wild country or the forest to starve, or to be killed bythe wild beasts. No one would give you food, and you would scarcelyhave found one who would not have sought to slay you as an enemy. Yousay you would, have fled to your friends. Where are they?"

"You should know best, " I said sullenly. "You have been fighting withthem. "

"Yes, " he cried, with his eyes flashing. "I have been fighting withenemies of my country. I have nothing to hide from you. I will tellyou all, so that you may know, and see how mad it is for you to fightagainst the decrees of fate. Yes, I fought with those you call yourfriends to-day, and drove them before me till after sundown. My men arefollowing them now to complete the pursuit, scattering them like deadleaves before the blast which heralds the monsoon. You heard thefiring?"

"Yes, " I said sadly. 

"And know that it grew more distant as they were beaten off, till theyturned and fled. I came back then. I cannot fight with flying foes. It was a mad attempt, a last desperate struggle, just a little flashingup of an expiring fire. By now it is dead, and you will hear of them nomore. "

We both sprang to our feet, for, as he spoke, there was a crashingvolley not far away--a volley such as would be fired only bywell-drilled troops--and directly after there was another, followed by ascattered firing, and shouts rising up to a perfect roar. 

Ny Deen, who looked astounded, made for the door, and in my excitement Ifollowed him; but he thrust me back, and turned to the guard standingbeyond the hangings. 

"Your lives for his!" he thundered to them. "He does not leave thisplace. "

The curtain was thrown between us, and I ran to the open window, to findthe court full of troops hurrying here and there, while lights wereflashing, and in the midst of the excitement the rattle of distantmusketry was on the increase. 

"Crushed--scattered--where are my friends?" I said aloud. "Why, theyare here. It is an attack upon the town!"

I felt a little doubt as soon as I had uttered these words; but thelonger I listened the more convinced I felt that this must be asurprise, and by degrees matters took their shape in my mind, thusaccounting for the apparent ease with which the rajah had scattered hisenemies. 

"It has all been a ruse--a piece of strategy, " I thought. "They haveretreated, and drawn Ny Deen's men right away, so as to weaken him, andnow they have got back first, or this is another force. "

As I stood at that window, I, for the moment, thought of throwing myselfdown, but the attempt would have been madness, for the moon was now upnearly full, and helping the torches to flood the place with light whichflashed from the tank, and made the fountain resemble molten silver. 

I gave up the thought at once, for I could see a strong guard werewatching my windows, and that I was carefully observed as I sat down andlistened to the increasing roar away to my right, where the shouting, cheering, and yelling were mingled strangely with the bursts of firingwhich grew nearer. 

I seemed to see the fight going on, and grew more excited moment bymoment, as I knew by the sounds exactly how matters progressed. For, asI judged, a body of infantry was fighting its way along a street, andevery now and then a sharp volley was heard, followed by a tremendouscheer, which suggested to me that the men fired, and then made a rushforward, driving their enemies back; and then after a short spaceanother volley was fired, followed by a fresh rush, and so on, thefusillade sounding each time nearer. 

"They are carrying everything before them, " I thought; for though therewas plenty of firing in return, it was scattered and desultory, and, even if I could see nothing, I was perfectly sure that the defenders ofthe town were giving way, though perhaps only to make a more desperatestand as they were driven together. 

Then all at once my heart leaped, for there was the sound of a gun to myleft, in the direction where I believed the great gate stood throughwhich we had entered the town that night. 

Then another heavy thud came, and another as the guns were brought intoaction, and their point must be, I felt sure, to batter down the gate, to admit a fresh attacking force, whose duty would be to take thedefenders in the rear. 

The effect on the guards in the court was startling. Several ran to thegateway to question the sentry there eagerly, and then return to theircompanions. 

Then came the rattle of musketry from the left, evidently in answer tothe firing of the heavy guns which were battering the gates; but it hadno effect, for the pieces were being served with the greatestregularity, and I listened eagerly, wondering whether it could beBrace's troop, and how soon they would open a way for the infantry whichI felt sure would be in support. 

At last I went away from the window, and began to walk excitedly aboutthe room, but only to rush back again, as I heard a fresh volley ofmusketry in the distance, and on looking out saw a dull glow out overthe walls of the palace, a light which grew brighter, and, as itincreased, I knew that attackers or defenders had fired some house, thebeginning of a work whose end it was impossible to foretell. 

I shuddered slightly, for I was a prisoner. 

"Suppose, " I thought, "this place should catch, and I found myselfhemmed in!"

I looked down at the depth below, and my eyes once more sought thehangings, as I recalled how I had thought of contriving a rope. 

The fire was increasing fast, the dull glow becoming each minute morevivid, till, when I reached out of the window, I could see orange-tintedclouds rolling up from the direction of the volley firing, whilst theshouting was certainly coming nearer. 

I felt as if it was impossible to bear this confinement longer, and itwas only by forcing myself to dwell upon the varying fortunes of thefight that I was able to contain myself. There, on the one hand, wasthe attack upon the gate; there, on the other, the advance of the troopsthrough the town, to which they must have obtained entrance by asurprise. And now I longed to be where I could see the varying fortunesof the fight, which at times I thought must be going in anotherdirection. 

That was only a passing thought, for all at once the firing of theartillery ceased; so did that of the musketry opposed to it, and Ilistened breathlessly, wondering what was the cause. 

Had they failed to batter down the gate? and had they limbered up andretired?

No; for, as the thought came, there was a sudden crash of musketry, volley after volley, and the incessant scattered firing of thedefenders. Then, as I listened, a faint sound of cheering, increasingin loudness, reached my ears, and directly after I felt certain that thegate had been taken. 

A minute later there was no doubt about it, for I could hear thefighting right and left, and to my great joy, I knew that it must begoing against the rajah's men, who were retiring, and I soon found thatthe palace was the place for which they were making. 

First of all, there was a great deal of excitement in the court. Then asowar came riding in to give orders to the officer in command, and whileit was being executed, a gallantly-dressed chief dashed in, shouted somefresh orders, and directly after, quite in confusion, a regiment ofsepoys doubled in through the gateway, and were then hurried in at anopen doorway, opposite to where I stood watching. 

They had hardly disappeared before another regiment in better ordermarched in; and they too passed in through the same door, my doubts asto their object being soon at an end, for I heard them doubling alongthe roof, evidently manning it as a rampart; while, from a glimpse Icaught through an open window, it was evident that the floor on a levelwith mine was also occupied by troops who were stationed at windowslooking out upon the road. 

Another regiment, and directly after quite a mob of armed men camehurrying through the gateway to occupy every room and window lookingoutwards, while a strong force partially filled the court, the numbersbeing rapidly increased as the firing and cheering came nearer. 

It was all plain enough now; the rajah's troops were being driven back, and were ordered to make a stand here at the palace, which lent itselfwell for the purpose, one side being protected by the river, while, asfar as I knew, the entrance was only through the gateway, which couldeasily be blocked and held. 

"Till Brace came with the guns, " I thought. 

I had wished to see something of the fight; now I regretted my desire, for I foresaw that there was going to be a desperate struggle. Thelight of the fire was rapidly increasing, and a very short time hadelapsed before there was a sudden rush, and a disorderly mob of fightingmen came tearing through the gateway, wild, excited, torn, and yellingfuriously. 

Then, as another volley was fired, I knew that the rajah's men had beendriven in, for a tremendous fire was opened from the roof away to myright, and I could see the smoke rising in a dense cloud. 

As this firing was kept up, the court gradually grew more packed. Icould see mounted men come in, and before long I was able to make outthe rajah, as he seemed to be giving orders, which resulted in a body ofmen rushing into the palace and returning bearing loads, which theypiled up within the gateway, forming a breastwork, from behind which themen kept up a furious fire. 

Outside, the replies had quite ceased, and I found what it meant; theinfantry were under cover, and the guns had been ordered up to batter inthe gateway, and send its defenders flying before a rush was made. 

As I gazed down at the dense crowd of fighting men in the court, Ishuddered, for, driven to bay as the sepoys were, and with no means ofescape when the attack was made, the carnage would be frightful, and allthe worse from the fact that the men would rush in and occupy thewindows that looked upon the court from whence a sustained fire could bekept up on our men, one which would be frightful. 

All at once it struck me that perhaps now the doors of my apartmentswould be unguarded, and I ran to look; but, on drawing aside thehangings, there sat Salaman and four attendants, while behind them wereat least twenty well-armed men. 

I went back, feeling that, whatever happened, these men would befaithful to their duty, though how I was to have got out of the palaceand past the crowd of soldiers at every window and door, I had notstopped to think. 

I again returned to the window from which I had watched before, andstood gazing out at the crowded court where the men had now been reducedto something more like military order, and it was a wonderful sight tosee the swarthy faces with their gleaming eyes, and the flashing weaponsthe men carried. The moon poured down its silver light to minglestrangely with the glare of the torches many of the men bore; while awayto my right the burning houses sent a glow of orange so strong that thebroad end of the court opposite to me gleamed as if the fire was thereas well. 

It was a terrible pause that, and I knew that before long the attackwould come, when the place would either be carried at once or itsdefenders starved into submission; for, though there was water inabundance, I did not believe there could be food to provide for agarrison. 

I was thinking all this when a voice behind me made me start, and faceround to the speaker. 

"It is long hours since my lord has eaten, " said Salaman. "Shall Ibring in some food?"

"Who can eat at a time like this?" I cried; and I signed to him to go, turning back directly after, for I could hear a peculiar rattling soundin the distance which I knew well enough. 

It was what I had anticipated; they were bringing up the guns. 

Almost at that moment the firing from the roof recommenced, and wasanswered from different directions; but it ceased as quickly as it hadbegun, for all at once there was the dull echoing thud of a six-pounder, and a rush of men from the barricade in the gateway, through which around shot plunged, striking the edge of the stonework arch, sendingdown a shower of fragments, in the midst of whose falling the shotstruck the wall of the palace on my left, shivering the stonework there. 

No one attempted to man the barricades again, the task was too perilous, for gun after gun sent its iron messenger ploughing through the archway. 

As I stood there midway between the gateway and the wall on my left, atright angles to my window, I did not stir, for I knew that though theballs came by within ten feet from where I stood, none was likely toinjure me. There was a kind of fascination in listening to the heavyreport, and then instantly for the whistling of the ball as, afterdemolishing a portion of the barricade, it struck the wall with a heavycrash, and sent the splinters of stone flying. 

Opposite to me were the soldiers, densely packed, forming one side ofthe lane, down which the balls came plunging. Now and then one wasdeflected by the part of the barricade it struck, and it flew higheragainst the wall, or lower so as to touch the paving, and then ricochet;but the work was being thoroughly well done; and as I saw the great gapsmade, and the clearance in the gateway, I knew the final attack mustcome before long. 

It was much sooner than I expected, for the firing from the roofsuddenly blazed out furiously, and it was as if shots were being pouredfrom every window, as a fierce roar literally followed the next shot--aroar of men's voices, and beating feet, and my heart seemed for a momentto stand still, but then began to bound as I leaned out to watch thestruggle, from which I could not have torn myself even to save my life. 

I could see nothing outside, only hear the coming of men, whose cheeringwas mingled with many a shriek and groan, as poor fellows dropped underthe terrible fire poured down upon them. Then I saw the men within thecourt running round to defend the gateway; but ere they could fire ashot, there was the flashing of steel, and a little ridge of bristlingbayonets appeared; their banners changed hands; the sepoys broke andrushed for the doorway and windows of the inner court; and in awonderfully short time, so rapidly flowed in the stream of glitteringbayonets through the archway, the court was cleared, and the firing camenow, as I had expected, from the inner windows and the roof. 

I heard the orders ring out. "No firing! In with you, lads; thebayonet!" and with a rush, our men leaped in at the door, climbed in atthe windows, and as the stream still flowed in through the gateway, thefighting was going on in room after room, and our foot regiment chasedthe flying sepoys from floor to floor, to finish the deadly strife uponthe roof. 

It was horrible, but through it all there would come the remembrance ofthe horrors perpetrated by the savage mob and the brutal soldiery. There was a wild fascination about it, too, and I could not turn away, but stood with staring eyes and stunned ears, noting how the firerapidly ceased, and wild cheering rose as room and roof were cleared. 

I was standing by the window full of exultation, triumphing in thebravery and daring of the Englishmen, who must have been outnumbered bysix to one, when I heard shots close at hand, yells, shouts, and therush of feet; and the next minute my attendants and guards came backingin, fighting desperately as much in my defence as for their own lives, for they were driven from room to room by half a dozen men of the footregiment that had stormed the place, and then for the first time Irecalled that I was standing there in turbaned helmet and regularEastern uniform, girt with jewelled belts, and with a magnificent tulwarat my side. 

"They'll take me for a Hindu chief, " I thought as, quick as lightning, Isnatched out the blade. 

I was just in time. 

Half my defenders were down, the others had dropped from the windows inspite of the depth, and two men with levelled bayonets dashed at me. 

I did not think I could have done it, but I had worked hard at swordpractice, and with a parry I turned one bayonet aside, avoided the otherwith a bound, and sent the man who would have run me through, down onhis knees, with a terrible cut across the ear. 

The others turned upon me, but I had found my tongue. 

"Halt! Back, you idiots!" I roared. "I am a friend. "

"Oh, bedad, an' I don't belave ye, " cried one of the party, as theothers hesitated; and he held his bayonet to my breast. "Give up yezsword, or I'll make a cockchafer of ye. "

I turned his point, and cut at another man frantically, for they weretoo much excited to listen to explanations. But in another instant Ibelieve I should have been bayoneted, if there had not been a wild cry, and a dark figure rushed between me and my dangerous friends. 

"Stop, he's a sahib, " roared the new-comer, and I saw it was Dost. 

"Then he's me prisoner, and that sword's me loot, " cried the Irishman. 

"Stand back!" I roared. "I am Lieutenant Vincent, of Captain Brace'stroop. "

I took off my helmet as I spoke, and the men were convinced. 

"Look at that now, " said the Irishman; "jest, too, when I thought I'dgot a bit of lovely shpoil. "

At that moment there was a rush of feet, and a tall grey officer hurriedin, followed by another, and quite a crowd of men. 

"Have you found him?" cried the tall officer. 

"Oh, bedad, yis, colonel, " cried the Irishman. 

"What! the rajah?"

"Yis, sor. There he is, only he shwears he's a liftinant in a troop. "

"That!" cried the officer; and then, in a choking voice, "Why, Gil, myboy, is this you?"

I could not speak, only cling to him who had a thousand times nursed mein his arms. 

"Hold up, boy, be a man, " he whispered; but his arms tightened round me. "I thought you were dead, Gil, " he cried excitedly. "But why are youlike this?"

"I am a prisoner, father, " I said. 

"But the rajah?" he said excitedly. "Where is he?"

"He left here an hour ago to head his men, " I said. "But, father, ifyou take him, defend him; he has been very good to me. "

"Let's take him first, " cried my father. "Now, my lads, forward! Hemust be somewhere in the place. "

"Three cheers for the colonel's boy!" cried the Irishman. "Your hannershould have been here a bit sooner to see him foight. Hi, Sam Raggett, get up and show the colonel your ear. You're not half killed yet. "

"Forward!" cried the colonel. Then to the officer with him. "Smith, take charge of my son. A sergeant's guard, Gil, " he cried from thedoor. "Take off some of those things. You look like a sepoy chief. Itis not safe with the lads like this. "

He hurried after his men, and the young officer held out his hand. 

"Tell me, " I said quickly; "Captain Brace--my troop?"

"Yonder, not a hundred yards away, " he said. "Didn't you hear himspeak?"

"Yes, " I cried. "Thank Heaven, then, it was he. "

"Let's get out of here, " said my new friend; "but hadn't you betterchange your clothes?"

"He cannot, sahib, " said a voice behind me. "He has none here. "

"Hallo! who are you?" cried the officer. 

"My servant, " I cried, as I laid my hand on his arm. "Dost, you savedmy life. "

"And he'll have to save it again, " cried my new friend, "if we stayhere. Come along, and let's get among our men, for this palace swarmswith the enemy yet. "

Even as he spoke, a couple of shots rang out, and as they were aimed atus, we rapidly beat a retreat. 

CHAPTER FORTY NINE. 

My appearance excited plenty of surprise as we reached the front of thepalace, where a portion of my father's regiment had now fallen in, theenemy having taken flight, and a couple of squadrons of lancers were infull pursuit. But in a very short time it was whispered through theregiment that I was the colonel's son, and I was saluted with a cheer. 

Just then there was the clattering of hoofs, and an officer galloped up, "Where's Colonel Vincent?" he cried; and I looked at him wildly. 

"Scouring the palace with a couple of companies of men. "

"But the people are pouring out of the town, and only those lancersafter them. "

"He's trying to catch the rajah. "

"Got away safe, " cried the officer. "I want orders to pursue; I can'tstay here. Whom have you got there--the rajah's son?"

"Brace, don't you know me?" I cried, in a choking voice. 

"Gil!" he shouted, and he swung himself off his horse, and rushed at me. "I thought I should never see you again. A prisoner?"

"Yes, yes, " I cried. 

"But--"

He loosened my hands. 

"You haven't--? Oh, Gil, my lad!"

That seemed the unkindest cut of all--to be suspected after what I hadgone through; and I half turned away. 

Brace saw it as a confession that I had turned renegade, and his facewas growing very dark as my father strode up. 

"Pursuit, Captain Brace, " he said; "the rascal has escaped. "

Brace sprang into his saddle, and galloped away, while, in spite of myfather being at hand, my heart sank, and I felt more miserable than Ihad been for days. 

CHAPTER FIFTY. 

I stayed by my father, who, in the intervals of giving orders for theoccupation of the palace by the troops, the planting of sentries andpickets, and the stoppage of all pillaging, told me how he, with hisregiment and two squadrons of lancers, had joined the other footregiment and Brace's horse artillery. That plans had been made for theattack on Ahdenpore, the Maharajah Ny Deen's chief city, and this hadbeen carried out by one regiment of foot, half the horse artillerybattery, and two troops of light horse, the rest, the larger part of theforce, remaining at a distance quite out of sight. 

The object had been to make a bold attack, and if the rajah's peoplegave way, to advance and send for help from the hidden force. But, ifthey fought stubbornly, to retire, and keep on making so sturdy adefence as should lure the rajah's army on to a long pursuit, leadingthem right away from the town, which was then to be attacked by ColonelVincent's force while the greater part of the rajah's men were away. 

This had all been carried out. The retreating party would be by thistime retiring or holding its ground, and as soon as it was day, if therajah's men had not heard of the defeat through the fugitives from thetown, they would be attacked, and taken between two fires. 

"But ought you not to advance at once, father?" I said. "Your men areflushed with success, and you are sure of meeting the enemy as he comesback. "

He clapped me on the shoulder. 

"Good!" he said, looking at me proudly. "Quite right, if the men werefresh, but they are worn out with marching, fighting, and want of food. They must have a few hours' rest. "

"But if the rajah, with his fugitives, meets the returning force, andthey come back and attack us?"

"Let them, " said my father drily. "I wish they would, and save us along march to-morrow morning. "

"But, " I said, hesitating, and afraid to hear the news, in case itshould be very bad, "mother and sister Grace?"

We had by this time entered the palace, and naturally I had led myfather to the room I had occupied. 

He looked very hard and stern as he drew a long deep breath. 

"They are in God's hands, " he said. 

"Not dead, father?" I cried wildly. 

"Heaven forbid, boy!" he said excitedly. "I was summoned away with allwho could be spared, to form a junction with the --nth and Brace'stroop. My orders were to take command, break up any bands which werecollecting, and to keep an eye on Ny Deen, who has been a perfectfirebrand through the country. I left as strong a garrison as I couldat Nussoor, the place fairly provisioned and armed, and all the womenand children are shut up in the Residency. But since I have been awaywith my little force I have had no communication with the place. Wehave been completely cut off, and it has been impossible to send orbring news. "

"Then you know nothing of Nussoor?"

"Nothing. "

"But have you sent messengers?"

"At least a dozen, Gil, my boy. "

"How far is it?"

"About sixty miles from here--perhaps seventy. Once this maharajah istaken, we shall go to the relief of the place. "

Just then there was a loud shouting, and my father sent an orderly fornews; but the cause of the noise was announced directly. 

The fire was gaining ground, and there was a possibility of its reachingthe palace. 

My father, who had thrown himself upon the cushions to snatch a fewminutes' rest, sprang up. 

"Come, Gil, " he said, "you had better keep by me now, till your troopcomes back. But have you no other clothes?"

"None, " I said, "and I look like a enemy. "

"No, no. A friendly native, " said my father, laughing, as he hurriedout to where a number of buildings were blazing furiously, and a companyof the regiment were busily engaged in trying to extinguish the flames. 

A few short, sharp orders were given, the men ceased their hopelesstoil, and a sapper sergeant and a dozen men set to work to finish thetask. 

This they did by making a way amongst the people who had not fled. Aquantity of powder was obtained from the rajah's magazine, and in lessthan half an hour, bags were planted here and there, several housesblown up, and all chance of the fire spreading was at an end. 

As the night wore on, with every one but the pickets snatching somerest, there were different little incidents full of excitement, officerafter officer coming in to make his report to my father. First therewas the lancer officer who had not succeeded in capturing Ny Deen, who, with a very strong body of men, had entered a forest many miles away, and so evaded further pursuit. 

Next came Brace, to announce that he had been too late to do any good inthe darkness; but he had the news to impart that Ny Deen and his flyingmen had formed a conjunction with the little army which had been inpursuit of our men when the sham flight had been carried out. 

Toward morning, this information was endorsed by the arrival of the footregiment with the half of our horse artillery troop, and the lancers, who had all performed their duty with very little loss. 

"Lie down and sleep, Gil, " said my father. "We shall have hard workto-morrow. "

"But suppose the rajah comes back to-night to try and surprise us?"

"He will not, " said my father quietly. "He would, but he will not gethis men up to the work. Hallo! what's this?"

For at that moment a white figure entered the room, looking perfectlyclean and neat. 

"Dost!" I exclaimed. 

"Who is Dost?" said my father. 

"My servant. "

He had come to announce that a supper was spread in the outer room, andupon our going, there stood Salaman and three of his assistants, all ofwhom Dost had hunted out, and ordered to set to work. 

"Very tempting, " said my father; "but is all this safe?"

"On my head be it, sahib, " said Dost, respectfully. "There is no poisonin the meat. "

The supper, which was partaken of by a dozen officers as well, beingfinished, we returned, after going the rounds, to my sleeping-chamber. 

"Go to sleep, Gil, boy, " said my father. "Our pickets will give plentyof notice if Ny Deen comes. "

But I could not sleep for thinking of Brace, who had not been to thesupper, and I wanted to make my position clear before my mind would beat rest. 

CHAPTER FIFTY ONE. 

The strange silence that reigned in the palace, the dying out of thefierce glare of the fire, and utter exhaustion, at last weighed down myeyelids, and I dropped into an uneasy sleep, but only to dream aboutescaping over the roofs with Dost, being captured, and then watching theterrible assault and carrying of the rajah's house. From that Iwandered into the meeting with my father, and fancied that I was goingwith him to Nussoor, where my mother and sister would not recognise mebecause Brace had been there first and told them I was a miserablerenegade who had gone over to the rebels, and slain women and childrenwith a tulwar whose hilt and sheath were covered with jewels. 

Oh dear, what nonsense one does dream when one's brain gets into afevered state. 

I was calling Ny Deen to witness to my perfect innocence, for he wassomehow there at Nussoor, when my father suddenly said--

"It is of no use, Gil. You may as well get up. "

I started awake to see that his grey, worn face was bent down over me, and found that he was holding my hand. 

"You had better rouse up, and have a bath, lad, " he said kindly. "Yoursleep is doing you no good. "

"Oh, what a horrible muddle of a dream, " I exclaimed, as I sprang to myfeet. 

"You should have undressed, my lad. You are bathed in perspiration. "

Dost came in just then with coffee borne by Salaman, and I turned to himdirectly. 

"How did you escape?" I cried. 

"I was beaten down, sahib, and I managed to crawl away. I was not muchhurt, " he added, with a smile. 

"I am glad, " I cried; and ten minutes later I was out in the court withmy father, listening to the arrangements being made; and soon after Iwas audience to a little council of war in the rajah's principal room, where it was arranged that two strong companies of the other footregiment should garrison the palace, and hold it while a troop oflancers stayed back to help preserve order in the town. 

An hour later, they were forming a marching column to go out and givebattle to the rajah and his force, which lay, according to spies, tenmiles away, holding a patch of forest beyond the swift river which ranfrom there to this town. 

"Which will you do, Gil?" said my father; "come with me, or stay withthe major who is in command here?"

"I want to go back to my troop, " I said sharply; and as I spoke, Brace, who had before met me that morning, came in looking very careworn, andwith his uniform almost in rags. 

"Ah, well, " said my father; "here is your captain. "

I hesitated for a moment, and then walked across to Brace, who movedaway to one of the windows. 

"You wish to speak to me, sir?" he said coldly. 

"Of course I do, " I cried passionately; "why are you so ready to condemnme unheard?"

"Say what you wish to say; we march in five minutes, " he replied. 

I could not speak, for the hot sensation of indignation which burnedwithin me. 

"You are silent, " he said, with a contemptuous shrug of his shoulders. "Well, I am not surprised. I was making every effort possible, as soonas I heard through spies that you were alive, to rescue you; but when--"

"Well, when what?" I said indignantly. 

"Since you take that tone, sir, " he retorted, "when I had the newsbrought to me that you were perfectly unhurt, and had accepted servicewith the rajah as his chief officer of artillery, why then of course Igave you up. "

"Who told you that?" I said hotly. 

"One of the spies I sent in, " he replied coldly. 

"It was not true. "

"Not true?" said Brace, bitterly. "Your appearance belies your words, sir. Why, were you not occupying rooms in the rajah's palace?"

"Yes; as a prisoner, " I said angrily. 

Brace laughed mockingly. 

"A prisoner in a newly designed artillery uniform, and wearing amagnificent sword and belts, evidently presented by the rajah, I did notknow Ny Deen treated his prisoners so well; I thought he murdered themat once. "

I tried to speak, but for some moments no words would come, and it washe who spoke first. 

"Well, " he said, "have you anything to say?"

"Yes, " I said; "I want to come back into the troop. Can I have ahorse?"

"I have no means of looking after prisoners, sir, " he said. "You canonly join your troop as a captured rebel against your queen. "

I turned away, and found myself directly after face to face with Haynesand Doctor Danby; but as I went up, the former turned his back andwalked away, while the doctor blew out his cheeks and looked very fierceat me. 

"Doctor, " I said, holding out my hand, but he did not take it. 

I laughed bitterly, thinking that they would all apologise to me someday. 

"Brace thinks I have not been wounded, " I said, signing to him toaccompany me into another room. 

His whole manner changed in the instant, and he was looking at me withinterest. 

"Eh? wounded?" he cried. "Let's see. Ah, head. Humph! Only a badcrack. Healing all right. Put on your iron pot again, and don't let itfret the place. "

"Oh yes; that's all right, " I said; "but my arm: shall I ever get thefull use of it again?"

"Arm? Let's see. "

I removed the loose tunic, and he turned up the delicate silk shirt Iwore, to become wrapt at once in the interest of his profession, as heexamined the wound carefully. 

"Brace says you have not been hurt, does he?" cried the doctor. "Tellhim to mind his guns, and not talk about what he does not understand. Why, it's a beautiful wound, my dear boy--a splendid cut. A little moredraw in the cut, and the budmash who did it would have lopped it cleanoff. Here, who was your surgeon?"

I told him. 

"Then he is a precious clever fellow, Vincent, and I should like to knowhim. By George, sir, he has saved your limb. Get back it's use? Ohyes, with care. Why, my dear fellow, I should have been proud of savingan arm like that. Here, let me help you on with your dandy jacket. Soyou would be Ny Deen's artillery general, eh?"

I only gave him a look. 

"Not right, boy; but I suppose you could not help yourself. There, Imust go. "

We went back into the other room, where Brace, and nearly all theofficers, had left. 

"Father, " I said, "Captain Brace will not have me back. Can I come withyou as a sort of aide-de-camp?"

"Of course. Yes, my boy; but try and keep out of danger. "

The next minute we were following the column out over the bridge, thehead wing already raising a long cloud of dust, the horse artilleryrattling away in front, and the lancers off scouting in front, andsending out flankers, to take care that no approach was made on eitherside of the flying column. 

By my father's orders, a magnificent horse had been brought from therajah's stables, and, mounted upon this, though I felt very sore aboutthe treatment I had received, I was getting into excellent spirits; andas I was not to be a gunner, I was quite content to ride on in mydashing uniform, though I saw the cavalry and infantry officers exchangesmiles. 

It was very early yet, and the plain was quite deserted, while the hotsun formed a haze that the eyes could only penetrate to a certaindistance. 

Every one was on the look-out for the shimmering river and the patch offorest beyond, where we knew, from our spies, that the rajah had haltedto gather his men together in as strong a position as he could find; andhere my father expected that he would hold out while efforts were madeto dislodge him from a place where our cavalry would be of no service. They would have to wait until the ranks were driven from among thetrees, when the sharp charges of the lancers would scatter them in alldirections. 

At last, river and green woods were in view, both welcome sights, withtheir promises of shade and bathing, to men parched by the torridsunshine, and half choked by the dust turned up by elephant, camel, horse, and men's trampling feet. 

I watched my father's actions with all the interest of a young soldier, and saw how he divided his little force of cavalry, sending themforward, where they would be out of musket shot, but ready to slip likegreyhounds on their swift Arab troopers, as soon as the mutineers brokeout and tried to flee. 

Then he sent forward the horse artillery--and how I longed to be withthem--and company after company of foot, to act as supports to save theguns from capture; and as soon as the troop had taken up position, wewaited for the order to fire to be sent. 

But it was not despatched, for scores of the lancers came riding in, after galloping by the edge of the forest, to announce that the enemywas not there. 

The rajah seemed to have shrunk from fighting; and I wondered, as weadvanced once more, and saw how strong the position had been, and howeasily he could have beaten a force not a fourth of his number. 

We were not long in finding out the direction he had taken. Amiserable-looking peasant announcing the way; and there it was plainlyenough. There could be no doubt of it, for the dust was trampled, andplenty of traces lay about, showing that the little army must have beenin rather a demoralised state. 

"Well, we must give him no rest, " said my father; and, in spite of theheat, the march was resumed, with halts wherever a village promisedwater. But, fortunately, a great part of our way was near the river, whose bends offered refreshment to the thirsty horses, camels, andelephants. 

Then on again till evening, when a halt was called at a good-sizedvillage, once evidently a place of some importance, but now utterlydesolate; the lands and gardens around trampled, and the traces of alarge body of men having passed quite plain. 

Here there was nothing for it but to bivouac, and after the customaryprecautions had been taken, the men were ordered to eat their foodquickly, and then lie down and get all the rest they could. 

The officers off duty followed their example, and I was asleep, too, when the bugle-call roused us in the middle of the cool moonlit night, and about half an hour after, we were all on the march again, a coupleof natives having undertaken to act as guides as far as following thetrail of the rajah's army was concerned. The consequence was, that bythe time the sun began to make its presence felt, we were many miles onour road. 

"How far shall you follow them?" I heard Brace ask the colonel. 

"Till I overtake them, " said my father, rather coldly. And I could seea determined look in his eyes which made me think of Ny Deen, andsomething like a hope that he might escape would come into my mind. 

On again, after a brief halt for refreshment, and about an hour beforemidday advantage was taken of a great mango tope for another halt; butas soon as the sun began to decline we were off again, with the trackplain before us. 

Ah, it is slow work marching under a hot Indian sun; but no onecomplained, tramping steadily on with scouts well out in front, till itwas dark, when there was another rest till midnight; and on again in thecool moonlight, with the men on the gun-limbers asleep, and thosemounted nodding and swaying in their saddles, as if ready to come down. But no one fell, and the march seemed to me part of some strange dream, till the stars paled, and the orange sun came up, growing hotter andhotter, till we were all anxiously looking out for our nexthalting-place, and wondering how many more days must elapse before weshould overtake Ny Deen. 

It was sooner than we expected, for somewhere about nine o'clock therewas a little excitement on in front. There was a cloud of dust, andanother, and a few minutes after we could see a native horseman, swordin hand, and with his round shield banging against his shoulders, whereit was hung from his neck. He was splendidly mounted, and appeared tobe galloping for his life to escape from half a dozen of our lancers, the scouts, who had evidently cut him off and turned him in ourdirection. 

He came straight for us, turning neither to the right nor the left, though there was plenty of room; and as he came nearer, we could seethat his horse was sadly blown, so that it appeared as if the riderwould be overtaken, and run through by the men in chase. 

"The fools! They must make him a prisoner. You, Gil, you arewell-mounted, gallop out, and call to him to surrender. We may gainvaluable information. Take care, and--"

So spoke my father, and before he had finished, I was off at a gallop, glad of the excitement. 

I was only just in time, for one too-enthusiastic lancer was closing up, and would have given point had I not struck his lance aside and seizedthe sowar's rein. 

"Surrender!" I shouted in Hindustani, and I pointed my sword at theblackened, dust-grimed fellow's throat. 

"Surrender! Yes, of course, " he panted. "Take me to an Englishofficer. I am an Englishman. "

"Don't you believe the treacherous dog, sir, " cried the foremost lancer. "He tried that on with us. "

"Yes, you thick-headed idiot, " panted my prisoner angrily. "This isonly a disguise. I know where the niggers are, if you want to kill someone. "

I looked at him in wonder. "Why are you like this?" I said. 

"I have brought a message from Nussoor. "

"Where?" I cried excitedly. 

"Nussoor. Who is in command here?"

"Colonel Vincent, " I said. 

"Thank Heaven!" he cried; and he reeled in his saddle, but recovereddirectly. "I'm beaten, " he said. "A terrible long round to avoid theenemy. I had to go out the other side. It was a forlorn hope. "

By this time my father and several officers had ridden up, and Iexclaimed excitedly--

"This is a messenger from Nussoor. "

"Yes, " said my prisoner. "I was obliged to assume this disguise. Colonel Vincent, don't you know me?"

"Brooke! Ah, my dear fellow, what news?"

"Bad; terrible. We were at the end nearly of our ammunition. Closelyinvested for many days past. People fighting like heroes; but they canhold out no longer. And, to make matters worse, that fiend, Ny Deen, isadvancing on the place with a powerful force. I was nearly taken by hismen. "

"How far is Nussoor from here?" said my father hoarsely. 

"About fourteen miles, I should say. "

"Then that is where he has been making for, " muttered my father. "And Inot to know that it was so near. "

It was all plain enough now. Knowing from spies that Nussoor was weaklyguarded, and having lost his own city, Ny Deen was hurrying on to seizeand entrench himself in another; one which would form a centre where hisadherents might flee. 

Just then I caught my father's eyes, and saw in them a terrible look ofagony, which made me think of the horrors which had been perpetrated atthese places where the mutineers had gained the upper hand. 

It had been horrible enough in the past; but now the rajah's men weresmarting from a sharp defeat. And I felt that they would make fiercereprisals on the hard-pressed garrison, all of whom would certainly beput to the sword. 

CHAPTER FIFTY TWO. 

In the eagerness of pursuit but small heed had been paid to the rajah'scourse, and hence it was that my father, who knew little of this side ofthe city, had been so taken by surprise as to its being so near. Andnow, when every pulse was throbbing with agony, and one wish only was inhis breast, he was forced to call a halt, and wait for three or fourhours till the heat of the day was past, and the men had rested andrefreshed their horses by a huge tank covered with lotus, and whose cooldark waters were evidently deep. 

He had kept on for a long time, but the halt was forced upon him by theterrible heat. Men were staggering in the ranks, one poor fellowdropped from his horse, and he unwillingly gave the word as we reachedthe tank where the men threw themselves down, while others schemed allkinds of contrivances to keep off the scorching heat. "We must rest fora few hours, " said my father. 

"It would be like courting defeat to throw the poor fellows against therajah's mob utterly exhausted by a twelve-miles' walk through thisfearful sun. "

It was agreed that it would be madness for the infantry; but Braceproposed at a little council that was held, that he should hurry on withhis troop, and that the officer in command of the cavalry should go withhim in support. 

I saw my father hesitate for a few moments, while all eyes were turnedupon him, and then he rose. 

"Yes, " he said; "it will create a diversion, and give hope to the poorcreatures who are making so brave a struggle. What do you say, Brooke?"

Mr Brooke, who was the commissioner of the place, exclaimed eagerly--

"In Heaven's name, send them! It will show them that help is near. "

"An hour's rest first, " said my father, "and then go. "

"But the men, sir--" protested Brace. 

"I am not thinking of the brave fellows, " said my father, "but of theirpoor dumb beasts. "

"Yes, " said Brace, "you are right;" and he went to see that the horseswere being carefully tended--almost an unnecessary task, for our menwere very proud of their mounts, and I followed him silently till heheard my step, and faced round to look at me angrily. 

"What do you want?" he said. 

"To ride with the old guns again, " I faltered in a choking voice. 

"It is impossible, " he said coldly. "The men would rise against youafter what they know. "

A flush of anger rose to my brow, and I felt my throat hot, as I criedangrily--

"They would not. There is not a man amongst them who would believe mesuch a scoundrel as you and Haynes do. "

Then my voice broke, and I turned to him appealingly. 

"Brace, " I cried; "indeed you are wrong. I would not stoop to beg ofyou like this, but you are going to their help. My mother and my sisterare there, and I seem to see them holding out their hands to us to comeand help them. I must come with you. If you say no, I shall gallop onby myself, and if they cut me down, well, I shall have tried to helpthose I love. "

He had turned from me, but as my words, which I suppose were full ofpassionate excitement, fell upon his ears, he faced round and stared atme fixedly, as he raised his hand, hesitated, and then dropped it again. 

"Gil, " he cried, "swear to me on your honour as a soldier and agentleman that you had not joined the rajah's men. "

The moment before I was humble and pleading, but these words, this toneof doubt, this demand for an oath drove humility to the winds, and Ifelt as if I would die sooner than degrade myself as he wished. 

"I will not, " I cried hotly. "I'll swear nothing. I don't want you tobelieve me. I thought you were a gentleman, and my friend. "

"Then tell me as a brother-officer that I am really wrong. "

"I tell you that you are a coward and blind, " I cried; "and sooner thanhumble myself, I'd do as I said, and die. "

"Gil, " he said hoarsely, "you are right. I can't go down on my knees toyou here, but I do believe you, lad. I was blind and miserable, anddisappointment made me doubt you more and more. Forgive me, lad; I ownit. You couldn't have been such a miserable hound. "

I wanted to speak, but the words would not come for long enough. Whenthey did, I could only whisper huskily--

"May I go to my guns?"

He nodded, for he could not speak either for a time. 

"Like this?" I said, making a sign towards my uniform. 

"Anyhow, as long as it is the lad I believed in from the first, " he halfwhispered; and then, in quite his old tone, "but we must ride and fireas we never rode and fired before. Now then, come and have a few wordswith the men. "

I went with him, and he spoke three words, the men answering with acheer, and I saw Dick Dobbs raise the trumpet, and Sergeant Craig take arun toward his horse, while Denny seemed to try and catch my eye. 

Then Haynes and Danby came up, and both shook hands, or, rather, askedme to shake hands with them, in a deprecating way, and soon after, as ifit were once more a dream, I was in the saddle by the guns, listening tomy father's advice to Brace. He was to try and hold the rajah's peopleengaged with the help of the cavalry, harassing them till the infantrycould come up, but he was not to risk losing the guns. 

Just then, still in the costume of an ordinary budmash, but with hisface washed clear of his black disguise, Mr Brooke rode up, and askedleave to join the advance. 

"Why?" said my father, abruptly. 

"I know every inch of the country for miles round, and I can land themclose up to the Residency by the forest gate at the back, " said MrBrooke, earnestly. "Besides, I should like to make a dash in and tellthe poor shivering creatures I have brought them help. "

"Go, " said my father, abruptly; and a minute later the dust was rising, the lance-points glittering, and the wheels of the guns and limbers weregiving forth their peculiar dull, clattering rattle as we advanced at atrot across the burning plain. 

This pace was soon reduced to a walk, of necessity, so as to have thehorses as fresh as possible when we went into action, and after a timethe lancer captain reined back and joined Brace and Haynes, who wereriding close by me, and Mr Brooke rode to us at a sign from Brace. 

"Now, gentlemen, " said the latter, "the question is, how our attack isto be made. Of course we can say nothing decisive till we find outwhether the rajah's troops are inside or outside the town. "

"May I speak?" said Brooke. 

"Of course. You know the place, " replied Brace. 

"I am not a soldier, but I have had a severe lesson in fighting lately, and it seems to me that the only course open for you is to approach thetown gates, or one of them, without letting your approach be seen, andthen make a bold dash right into the little quarter defended by theEuropeans. "

"You forget that we are not infantry, sir, " said Brace. "We cannotfight our way through streets where every window and roof would bemanned by mutineers. We should be all shot down, or in hopelessconfusion before we were half-way there. "

Brooke smiled. 

"I know the place, sir, " he said. "It is a walled and fortified citywith gates, and the European quarter, where we have been besieged, issurrounded by open gardens, and there are wide roads from the north-westgate. You will find no enemy in the plain; they will have marched in bythe north-east gate, the nearest to here. I can take you round unseento the north-west, where, by a sudden dash of the lancers, the gatecould be surprised, and they could charge right down the open road, followed by you and your guns right up to the Residency entrenchments, and obtain admittance with the guns before the scoundrels had recoveredfrom their surprise. Of course they would come on again by hundreds orthousands; but your well-served guns can hold them at bay till thecolonel comes up with his men. "

Brace remained thoughtful for a few minutes. 

"This is quite opposed to the colonel's ideas, " he said at last; "but itcertainly sounds feasible, if we can pass the gate, and the road is openfor the horse to charge. "

"I guarantee that, " said Mr Brooke; "and if the manoeuvre is executedwith spirit, it cannot fail. "

"Then it cannot fail, " said Brace, with a smile. "What do you say, sir?" he continued, appealing to the lancer captain. 

"I say it is the wisest thing to do, always supposing the enemy is notoutside. Then we ought to try to harass him only, and keep himengaged. "

"But the rajah is clever enough to find out our weakness, and we shallbe driven back further and further, till we can do comparatively little, I am afraid, but encourage our friends by the sound of our guns. Thesurprise is the plan--if it can be carried out. We will try. "

Very little more was said as we advanced, keeping a bright look-outforward for cavalry, who would gallop back and announce our approach. Of people on foot we had no fear, for we could reach Nussoor long beforethem; and at last the broad track in the dusty plain left by the rajah'sforce was quitted, Mr Brooke leading us off at an angle, and making forhigher ground with patches of forest trees. 

Among these he made his way till, at the densest part, he pointed south, and announced that we were passing the city, which lay in a hollow abouta mile away. 

But as he spoke, there was a sudden burst of firing, and, thrilled bythis, we increased our pace as fast as the bad ground would allow, tillwe reached the edge of the open, park-like ground, where a halt wascalled, and the officers advanced cautiously to an eminence, where wedismounted and peered down to where, in a bowl-like depression a mileaway, lay, with its beautiful white marble mosque and dome-shaped tombsof former kings, the city of Nussoor. Wall, gates, minarets, gardenswith their trees both inside and outside the walls, all were before usas on a map; while, half a mile before us, a white, dusty-looking roadwound across the plain toward a great gate. 

We were now on the opposite side to that by which Ny Deen would haveentered with his troops; and as the smoke hung more heavily over theside of the town nearest to us, and the firing grew louder, we did notneed Mr Brooke's words to tell us that a fierce attack was going onagainst the brave handful of Europeans who were making a desperateendeavour to hold their own, in the hope that help might come; if not, to die fighting, and not trust to the cruel mercies of the mutineers. 

"We are still in time, " said Mr Brooke, hoarsely. "See, I can lead youround there by those trees, so that you can reach the road half a milefrom the gate. Then a score of your swiftest men could dash up to thegate and hold it till the rest come up, but the place looks so utterlyunoccupied that I feel sure the attention of all is upon the fight goingon in the European quarter, and a bold dash will take you in. "

"Yes, " said Brace, decisively; "we'll try it. "

"If I go down, " said Brooke, "for I shall go with the first men--takethe broad road off to the left the moment you are through the gate. Itis clear and good, and there will be nothing but an earthwork, with someguns planted by the enemy to play upon the houses. That is so low, thatit will not stop you. If it is too high, you can pass it by going intothe gardens to the right. "

"You hear, Captain, " said Brace; "and you will select twenty men for thefirst advance. "

"Yes, " he replied. 

The order was given to lower the lance-points, and we turned off to theright, and, following Brooke's guidance, the twenty selected men led theadvance, keeping well under cover till the dusty road was reached, bothcavalry and artillery advancing as nearly in line as the rough groundwould allow; then, as we faced to the left, and formed a column, thelittle troop went off at a trot, then at a gallop, and then raced forthe gate, raising a cloud of dust sufficiently thick to hide ouradvance, the lancers first, four abreast, the guns last, at such aheadlong gallop that the half-mile seemed nothing. 

In the midst of the wild excitement, the firing ahead sounded louder, and there were yells and shrieks which literally fired my blood; then Iheard a few scattered shots and some yelling close at hand, which meantthe lancers riding down the feeble opposition at the gate, which weseemed to reach a few moments later; and as we wheeled slightly to theleft, along we tore down a wide, open road. Next there was a leapingand bounding of the guns and limbers over the low earthwork, and we wereon our way again at a gallop toward a cloud of smoke, and the nextminute the clash of arms, the yelling of men, the shouts and cheers ofour lancers as they tore on, sweeping all before them, rang in my ears, while my brain swam in the giddiness produced by excitement. Amidst itall the trumpet sounded a halt, the men leaped from horse and limber, the guns were at once unhooked, and loaded with grape where we stood, close up to some walls and barricades, from beyond which came shouts andcheers which almost maddened us. Then, dominating these sounds, therecame the beat of hoofs, as the lancers rode back, after forcing theircharge as far they could, passed between the guns, and faced round, toform up behind us ready for a fresh charge on the wave of fierceenemies, beaten back for the moment, but now recoiling and coming backto the attack on the barricade, behind which our fellow-countrymen hadbeen desperately trying to hold their own. 

I had a full view of this huge wave of savage humanity--inhumanity, Iought to say--as they came on at a rush, with eyes and weapons gleaming, their wildest passions roused, one vast mob of fighting men, a hundredyards--eighty--fifty yards away, when Brace's order rang out, heardabove the roar as of a storm raging on a rocky coast. 

Then _thud_, and like the slow pulse-beats of doom, _thud_--_thud_--eachgun spoke out from our little line, and at every flash there was a whitepuff of smoke, which slowly rose, and we saw beneath the vapour, how ateach discharge of grape an open lane was torn through the savage crowd. 

But these closed up, and they still came on, those behind forcing thosein front, till they were within twenty yards. 

Never had those guns been served with such rapidity before, nor withsuch regular motion. The men worked like machines, and as calmly, butour case was becoming desperate. Round after round tore through them, but with fanatical rage the survivors came on, and in another fewmoments we knew that they would be among us with their keen tulwars andsheltering shield. 

But not a man shrank. I knew it was hopeless to think of limbering up, and carrying off the guns; we should have been cut down at once; andrendered desperate by our position, every man at liberty pressed forwardto try and defend the gunners, who still toiled on. 

"Why don't the lancers charge again?" I thought, as I thrust savagelyat a man who was making a cut at a gunner, and a cold feeling of despairbegan to attack me, as I thought of mother and sister behind thebarricade over our heads, and that Brace's gallant troop would beutterly cut to pieces, and the guns turned against my father when headvanced. 

"Ny Deen will get his wish, " I thought, as I thrust again with all myforce and saved the life of the man who was ramming the gun beside me. 

"The lancers--where are the lancers?" I thought again; and at thatmoment a line of men came in among us, and formed a slight hedge oflance-points which darted rapidly out between the gunners whenever onewas threatened. Half the men had been dismounted, and while they helpedto keep the enemy at bay, a ragged volley suddenly roared above ourheads where the brave defenders of the place had collected to give ustheir little aid. 

That volley was so fresh and unexpected that, blazing out as it did, close to the enemy, they fell back for a few moments. Only a few, butlong enough to enable the men of one of the most crowded-up guns to sendits charge tearing through the foe. Then another spoke, and, with yellsof despair, the wave swung back a little. Another volley from thebarricade staggered them more, and the fire of the guns increased inregularity, while all at once I found that we had more room; the lancershad been withdrawn. A few more shots into the mass made them waver. "Cease firing!" rang out, and the trampling of horses began once more, as the lancers passed through us, and hurled themselves at full gallopagainst the crowd. 

That finished the attack, for the enemy turned and fled, throwing intodisorder reinforcements coming up; and as the lancers retired in singlefile, right and left, we played round shot between them, and finishedthe discomfiture of the attacking force, which rolled back into shelteramong the houses at the back. 

Then, amidst frantic cheers, a portion of the nearest wall was throwndown, and the guns were dragged into the enclosure, the lancers followedinto the shelter; and, as a part of our men repaired the breach, and theguns were mounted ready for the next advance, such a scene of weeping, shouting, and embracing took place as is beyond description, and canonly be recalled with a choking sensation of the throat. 

I looked wildly round for the faces dear to me, but it was some timebefore I could make them out in the little crowd of haggard raggedladies who had been obliged to crowd together in a mere cellar, so as toavoid the shot poured into the enclosure night and day. 

But there was no time for sorrow or joy. I had hardly embraced thosedear to me when there was a cry raised that the enemy were coming onagain, and as I was literally obliged to drag myself away from mysister, she, in her faintness from want of food, staggered, and wouldhave fallen, had not an officer suddenly caught her in his arms. 

"Thank you, Brace, " I said, as he helped her to the door of the housefrom whence she had come. "My sister must have suffered horribly. "

"Your sister, Gil!" he said; "that lady? Ah!"

He twisted himself violently round as he uttered a sharp cry, and it wasmy turn to catch him in my arms as he was falling. 

"Not hit?" cried a familiar voice, and Danby hurried up as two of ourmen helped me to bear our leader to the door through which my sister hadjust passed; and there, sheltered from the bullets which had now begunto fly fast from a tall building a short distance away, the doctor madea rapid examination. 

"Well?" I said excitedly, "is he wounded?"

"Badly, " whispered the doctor, "through the lungs, I'm afraid. "

I could stay to hear no more, as I had to hurry off to the guns, forthreatening shouts told me that the enemy were coming on again, and wereheralding their approach by a terrific fire prior to the next assault. 

Fortunately there was ample shelter for the horses among the buildings, which had been fortified and enclosed by a strong earthwork andbarricade under my father's orders; and here, with the women andchildren for the most part in the partially underground cellarage of theResidency, the gallant little garrison had still held out after Brooke'sdeparture, in spite of their thirst, and the constant harassing attackskept up by the enemy. They had again and again felt that all was over, but still kept up the struggle till a sudden commotion in the city, andthe sight of fresh troops pouring in, seemed completely to crush outtheir last hopes. For they had clung to the belief that Mr Brookewould succeed in making their position known, and bring reinforcements, but these had come to the other side. There had seemed to be nothingleft but to fight to the last, and, when the enemy mastered thebarricades, to retreat to the building beside that where the women andchildren were, and apply a match to the magazine--finding death, butavenging it upon their cowardly foes, who must have perished by hundredsin the explosion, so large was the store of powder in the place. 

Our arrival had been in the nick of time, and a scene of frantic joy hadensued; but it was soon at an end, for the guns had to be worked againafter a very brief period utilised in getting them into position. 

Still, small as was the reinforcement, it placed the powder-blackened, ragged, haggard men--soldiers and civilians--in a far better position, and they rushed to the batteries and loopholes, to help pour a rain ofbullets on the advancing enemy, while the dismounted lancers worked gunswhich had been silent for want of help, and our six-pounders grew hotwith the rapidity of the fire. 

"How long will the colonel be?" said Haynes, coming to my side for a fewmoments, our men needing no encouragement, but fighting the guns with alook of suppressed rage in their eyes, as if they were seeking to avengethe blow which had fallen upon their captain. 

"I cannot say, " I replied. "Certainly not till dark. "

"Then he will be too late, " said Haynes, gloomily. "We shall never beable to hold out till then. Danby is getting busier every moment. "

"Yes; it's those black wretches on that big building, " I said, pointingat a place a little over a hundred yards away; and as I spoke, a bulletwhistled by my ear. "They have some of their best marksmen there. Never mind; let's show them we have good marksmen too. "

He did as I suggested, and three of our guns were trained and shotted, two being aimed by Sergeant Craig and Denny, whom Brace had madecorporal, during the past few days. 

"Quickly as you can, " I said, as shot after shot was fired from the roofof the building. 

It meant exposure for our men, but they did not heed it, and in tenminutes the top of the building was crumbling about its occupants' ears, while a couple of cleverly sent shell completed their discomfiture, andthey rapidly evacuated the place. 

It was only a temporary success, but it relieved us for the time, andenabled us to direct our attention to other dangers. 

The rest of that day is one horrible scene of confusion to me, as weworked on, burned by the sun, faint with the sickening smell of powder, and many falling beneath the rushing hail of bullets poured into theenclosure; but there was no sign of shrinking. The men had long beforecast off their jackets, and worked on in shirt and trousers, alwayspreserving their discipline, and trying their best to make their shottell. 

Twice over I saw a figure on horseback appear directing the men--afigure I could not mistake, and man after man tried to bring him down, but he seemed to bear a charmed life. He was most prominent at anattempt to storm the place when, mad with fury, a column rushed forwardbearing ladders and poles under one arm, whilst they waved theirgleaming swords with the other. But as soon as we were certain of theirapproach, our light guns were slewed round, and such a condensed hail ofgrape was sent into them that when close up they reeled, wavered, andretreated again. 

Then, without cessation, the firing was resumed from every shelteredspot within range, and we waited for the night attack, one we were surewould come; and as we waited, the sun went down, the darkness began toapproach rapidly, and there was not a man there, as he slowly ate hisscraps of food, and drank the water brought round by the ladies, who didnot feel that it would be our last night on earth. 

I was leaning against the wheel of the nearest gun, eating mechanically, and thinking that my father would be too late, for in the distance Icould see sepoys gathering and marching forward as if for anotherassault, when a lady approached me with a cup and a vessel of water. 

"Will you drink, sir?" she said faintly. 

"Grace!" I exclaimed. 

"Oh, Gil, dear brother, " she sobbed; "must we all be killed?"

"No, " I cried passionately; "there are too many brave fellows here. Andcheer up; father must be close at hand. There, give me some water. Howis poor Captain Brace?"

"Don't ask me, " she said, in a faint whisper. "I never thought to meetthe brave friend you wrote of like this. "

I had just drunk the water, and was handing back the cup, when SergeantCraig, who was at the other gun, shouted--

"Look out! They're stealing up in the dark. "

"Quick! Under cover!" I cried to Grace; and I ran her up to theshelter, and started back to the guns, which were already sending flashafter flash into the growing darkness, but all in vain. Ny Deen hadbeen preparing for an assault which he meant to be final and, headinghis men himself, he brought them on in such force that I saw our casemust be hopeless, and that in another minute they would be over theearthworks, cutting us down. 

"Quicker, boys! Quicker!" I cried, as the men fired. "Now rammers andswords. They're on to us. "

I felt a boy no longer, but as fierce a man as any there, for mother andsister were not twenty yards away, and I used the rajah's sword with allmy strength, saving poor Sergeant Craig from instant death by a sharpthrust. 

Then we were being borne back, and the sepoys and armed rabble were overthe earthworks in several directions. 

"All over! Keep together!" yelled Haynes. 

"Old England for ever!" shouted Craig, still weak from his wounds, butfighting like the brave man he was, when _crash_! and then _crash_! andagain _crash_! volley after volley, such as could only be fired by awell-drilled English regiment, not two hundred yards away; and, encouraged by the sounds, our little garrison sent up a tremendouscheer, and, instead of giving way, beat their enemies back, while volleyafter volley came again. Then there was the sound of a bugle, arattling British cheer, and we knew that our friends were coming on atthe double, with bayonets at the charge. 

Taken in the rear, in spite of their numbers, this was too much for themutineers, who turned and leaped back over the earthworks, seekingflight in a wild panic; while, a minute later, there was a glitteringline of bayonets in the darkness, and our brave fellows came clamberingover into the enclosure. 

I saw them coming, but I was sick and fainting, held up by Craig andDenny, as a bronzed face was thrust close up to mine. 

"Gil!--your mother--your sister?" cried my father wildly. 

"Safe! safe!" I said faintly. 

"Thank God we were in time!" cried my father. "But my boy--wounded?"

"I--don't know, father, " I gasped, as everything seemed to turn round, and then something blacker than the night came over me, and I knew nomore for some time. 

CHAPTER FIFTY THREE. 

"His old wound, colonel. Broken out with the exertion, perhaps from ablow, " some one was saying when I opened my eyes, and saw the softlyglittering stars over my head. Then all came back with a flash, and Itried to rise, but a hand was pressed on my chest. 

"How's Brace?" I said quickly. 

"Bad; but I have hopes, " said Danby. "Lie still. "

"But, father, " I said excitedly; "you can hold the place now?"

"Oh yes; they're in full retreat; the town will be empty by daybreak. Oh for light now, to let loose your troop, and the lancers after them. "

"Better let the poor lads rest, " grumbled Danby. 

"Is Colonel Vincent there?" said a voice. 

"Yes; what is it?" cried my father, striding in the direction of thevoice. 

"They found the rajah, sir, under quite a heap of slain. "

"Hah!" cried my father, and he hurried away. 

It was true enough, as I soon heard. Ny Deen had fallen when trying tomake his followers face my father's charge, and somehow a feeling ofbitterness and sorrow came over me, for, in my sight, he was a braveman, and I felt that he was justified in his struggle to cast off hisallegiance to our race. 

It was as my father had said: the next day the city was emptied of allbut the peaceably disposed inhabitants, who made no secret of theirdelight at the scattering of Ny Deen's forces. The best homes weretaken possession of for our sick and wounded; food was plentiful, andthose who had toiled like slaves in the enclosure had found servantsenough willing to attend upon them. 

For the remnants of the rajah's forces had gone far away in utterdisbandment now their chief was no more, seeking to fight under someother rebel leader, and the tide of war ebbed farther and farther fromNussoor, where the wounded and sick lay in peace and comfort, tended byloving hands. 

My father insisted upon Brace being carried to the house we occupied, and my mother and Grace were unremitting in their attention during thenext few weeks, in which I rapidly grew stronger, though Brace mendedmore slowly. 

It was wonderful to me to see how rapidly Grace and my mother changed. The terribly anxious look died out of their faces, but in both there wasa saddened aspect which grew stronger daily; and it was most marked whenthey talked of the perils of the past, and my mother offered up a prayerthat those she loved might not be called upon again to face the perilsof the fight. 

Her prayer was heard, for the horrors of war swept farther and fartheraway. Others had the task of crushing it out, while we remained togarrison Nussoor; and the various civil officers toiled hard to restoreorder and remove the horrible traces of the war of desperate fights forlife. 

It was during these days, when I was busy with Haynes--Captain Haynesnow--trying to work up the draft of new men--who had come to fill up thegaps made in our troop in action--to something like the form of our old, that we had a surprise in the coming of Major Lacey, still rather weak, but who had made a wonderful recovery. He was full of anecdotes of hisnarrow escapes during the time he was being nursed back to health by thetwo faithful dhoby women, and he gave us a terrible account of thesurprise that day when Barton was slain--for he was killed--the majorsaw him fall. But the old officer never referred to the death of hiswife, that was too sacred a subject, and we dared not ask. 

It was about two months after that awful night, and the cool season hadcome. My mother had had a few friends to dinner, and I was out on theverandah with the doctor, as he smoked his cigar. 

"Humph! so you want to get on active service again, eh?" he said, aftera long chat. "Well, after what you went through, I think you might waitfor a few years. "

"You misunderstand me, " I said. "I don't want that kind of activeservice, but something more to do. "

"It'll come, " he said; and then he laughed. 

"What are you laughing at?" I said. 

"At you. "

"Why?"

"At the idea of their promoting such a boy as you. "

"What? promoted?" I cried. 

"Yes; but I oughtn't to have let it out. It was told me as a secret. "

"Oh, I am glad, " I cried. "But I say, doctor, I can't help being such aboy. "

"Don't try, Gil, " he said; "you don't grasp it, but to be a boy, sir, isthe grandest thing in the world. Never be discontented because you haveno moustache. It will come. "

"I am not discontented, " I said maliciously, "only because we have sucha bad doctor in the troop. "

"Bad! Why, what do you mean?"

"My arm pained me horribly this morning, and poor old Dost nearly criedas he bathed it, I was in such agony. "

"Bah! stuff!"

"And, then, look at poor Brace, " I said. "You don't cure him a bit. "

"Ha, ha! Ho, ho!" laughed the doctor. "I like that. Why, between youand me, Gil, old man, " he whispered, "Brace is a sham. He could be wellenough, at least nearly, if he liked. "

"What do you mean?" I said. 

"Go and tell him I say he's to be promoted to major, and he'll growstrong at once. No, he will not. Can't you see what's going on?" headded jocosely, as he took my arm, for of late the doctor and I hadgrown quite chums, and Brace had drifted away. 

"No, " I said; "only that he keeps very low-spirited. "

"Not a bit of it, boy. You're too young to understand these things. But poor Brace once lost his fair young wife. "

"Yes, I know that, " I said. 

"Well, he is waiting till he is quite well again, and then he is goingto ask a certain beautiful young lady, who is about as near an angel ofmercy among wounded soldiers as a woman can be; and I ought to know. "

"Ask a certain beautiful young lady what?" I said. 

"To shed light on his dark life, boy, and be his wife. "

"Why, you don't mean to say that he loves our Grace?" I said. 

"Look there, then. "

He pointed to the window through which, by the light of the shaded lamp, I could see that in both their eyes that made me exclaim--

"Oh, doctor, I am glad!"

And so was every one else, when it was fully known. Brace became, infact, a true brother to me, and in later days, when I had long ceased tobe the youngest subaltern in the horse artillery, we two saw someservice, though none so full of danger and horrors as we passed throughin the struggle wherein England nearly lost her proudest possessions inthe East. 

THE END.